Thursday, December 24, 2009

A New Beginning

It’s that time of the year again, when we come face to face with yet another year. January is the first month of the year that allows us to embrace a fresh start. What better way to start the year than with a New Year’s resolution? A New Year’s resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to break or change their current lifestyle. New Year’s resolutions are very common, and may be considered a custom for many individuals, helping them start their new year in a different way. Commonly, a New Year’s resolution may consist of a person’s aspirations to cease smoking, drinking, or other bad habits

In order to create a New Year’s resolution, it must be New Year’s Day. Countries all over the world celebrate this day with special concerts, parades, gatherings, and sporting events. In Canada, Australia, the United States, and the UK, many people gather at beaches and run into the water to celebrate this day. In Britain, an extra round of football fixtures is played, unless New Year’s Day falls into Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Vienna, on the other hand, has a special New Year’s Day concert. As for the rest, London has a New Year’s Day parade, and New York City has the annual ball drop in Times Square at midnight. Many individuals celebrate this day by taking time off to be with friends and family. New Years has been a special day to many people for centuries, and has been dated back to ancient times. Although this event lasts for one day, it is the most distinguished holiday known around the world that welcomes the coming of the New Year, and brings everyone closer together around the world.

Coincidentally, the New Year brought change that would bring the world together. On January 20th 2009, President Barack Obama gave his inauguration speech in Washington D.C., and became the first African American president of the United States of America. This was an issue that didn’t solely affect the U.S., but an issue that affected the whole world. Being the world’s superpower, the U.S. is closely examined by other countries as they observe and learn from it. During President Obama’s inauguration speech, he stated “We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.” Accordingly, these are the things that other people look at; we listen to his plan, and see if he will fulfill his statements. If he accomplishes these tasks, then he has not failed us; however, if he does not accomplish these tasks, then we lose hope in him. Although President Obama will remain in office for four years, he nonetheless can either change the way the U.S. is looked upon by the whole world, or change the way the U.S. looks upon the rest of the world. It’s not his decision to choose our lifestyle; it’s our decision to choose our lifestyle, therefore we should not judge a person by their actions, but simply their attempt of doing these actions.

As we have all experienced change, we know how difficult it can be. For most people, it takes time, effort, and support of others to help them drastically change their lifestyle. Even though everything is not perfect, we expect it to be perfect, and the only way to do that is by doing our best. January, the start of a new year, offers us a clean slate and a chance to start over again.

A Diary

14th February, 2009

Dear diary,
Ah, today is the long awaited celebration of love: Valentine’s Day. Everywhere men are walking with a dozen of red roses in their hands (here and there, there are few white or pink), heart-shaped chocolate boxes, and cute teddy bears. On the other hand, women are rushing into stores trying to figure out what their other half would like as a present – a perfume or maybe even a card? And as night falls, the restaurants will be filled with hand-holding, smile-wearing couples.

Such a cliché. It seems like it’s more about the presents than it is about the real reason for this holiday – love. In this world, bombarded with products we seem to take the emotions out of every celebration and make it completely commercial. I mean, c’mon! Has anyone heard of a handmade card? Something creative? Something unique and true? Even a piece of paper could turn into a love note, when someone would dedicate a few moments of his/her time to put down a few words of affection, of care. It should be a celebration of you and that special person in your life to whom you say I love you.

Oh well, I got to go get ready now, I am off to my boyfriend’s house. He has been cooking all day for me, preparing a dinner for the both of us. And no, it’s not a typical, romantic, Italian cuisine, quite the opposite; he is making hamburgers and fries, because he knows I like them. And yes, I did get him a present, but trust me its nothing that you can buy from a store.


22nd February, 2009

Dear diary,
The ultimate battle of the movies, the biggest movie event of the year, the Annual Academic Awards are here! Well, it is 3am, and I am interested in who is going to bring Oscar home; however, the movie stars are still walking down the red carpet (for an hour now) and it’s getting kind of boring.

Oh here we go, they begin! Wohoo!! WALL-E won Best Animated Picture (it was my favorite). Hmm, seems like the Academy is trying to shy away from the commercial, Hollywood movies and look for the more artistic, low-budget ones; the ones that hold the true essence of movies. I think I like this change. The world really seems to open its horizons: Obama, an African-American – President of the United States, Slumdog Millionaire, a British movie set in India – Best Picture. Also, some other movies are a breath of fresh air; for example, Milk, Frost/Nixon. Movies with essence and exquisite acting. Movies that move and stun. Yes indeed, 2009 is a year of change.

March 2009

An ordinary sunny day in an extraordinary time of the year. Shinning, sunny rays enter my room and slowly wake me up, only to remind me that March it’s already here. While I get ready for school, it starts snowing and I just smile because I know that is usual for March who has 300 faces according to an ancient Slavic proverb. But last March was not that ordinary. NOVA Family Spring Bazaar. Model European Parliament in Cyprus. A lot of celebrations all over the world. Elections in Macedonia. The beginning of a worldwide panic and crisis called swine flu. Various events worth mentioning and writing for.

But let’s start from the beginning. March is the third month of the year and throughout history different cultures tried to explain and associate this month with different deities, events and important dates. Until approximately 700 BC March was the official beginning of the year and the beginning of a new war season. Wow! The year began at March? Well yeah, taking into consideration that it is a month of rebirth and changing of season, March was listed as the first month in the year. This was so in Russia until the end of the 15th century. Ancient Greeks and Romans attached the notion of war and fighting to this month and the beginning of a new war season. There are also many holidays celebrated in March throughout the world. For example, the Iranian, the Hindu and the Balinese-Javanese New Year begin in March. Furthermore, Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17), Human Right’s day in South Africa, spring equinox, as well as, the beginning of spring season (March 21), even believe it or not, many mathematical holidays, such as World Math’s Day (first Wednesday in March) and Pi Day (March 14). Another day that is widely celebrated in our culture is March 8, which signifies International Women’s Day and it celebrates globally the economic, political and social achievements of women. While this is the original purpose of the holiday, this day has turned into a day when all the women are supposed to get flowers or another present from the men in their lives.

And the March of 2009 was not only filled with all these celebrations for me, but it was a month worth living for, full with adventures, travelling and unforgettable experiences. March 28 was reserved for the annual NOVA Family Bazaar, which this year had an exceptional number of activities organized in order to entertain the guests, but also to raise great deal of funds. This year’s funds were donated to the Bitola Orphanage, for the purchase of diapers, baby food and other baby related products. The Bazaar included a variety of products at affordable prices in aim to raise more money and promote Macedonian products to the public. However, what was so special about this year’s Bazaar was the Fashion Show, NOVA’s PTA and Student Council organized together with couple of fashion brands and assisted by NOVA’s students, who handled great the task of being models and successfully showing off the new collections of these brands. I was part of these students and I can only say it was an immense pleasure for me to be a model, even only for a day. We went through the whole process of getting ready for a fashion show, starting from getting up early in the morning, going to the hairdresser’s and makeup artist, including numerous rehearsals and trying out different combinations of clothes, in order to look the very best for that special event. The feeling of going out in front of the audience, while everyone’s eyes are set upon you, the sun shining directly in your eyes and warming you up, knowing you do it all for a noble cause is just indescribable. The sounds of the crowd going wild, clapping and screaming for you and the flashes from all the cameras twinkling like little stars right in front of you give you the ecstatic feeling of being proud, satisfied and happy at the same time. Afterwards, the student council members were involved in selling handmade jewelry and continue raising funds for those in need.

In the same period, couple of students were invited to attend the annual international Model European Parliament session in Nicosia, Cyprus. I had the opportunity to be part of the Macedonian delegation that represented NOVA International Schools in Cyprus. It was an incredible experience to work with same-minded prosperous young people from all over Europe and share ideas about current political and social topics including global economic crisis, nuclear waste disposal, recent events in Gaza, renewable energy resources and human rights in developing countries. Besides the fact that we practiced our debating skills, exchanged ideas and promoted our country in a truly European setting, we also had the chance to learn about the culture and customs of our respective hosts and make a lot of long lasting friendships and strong bonds with people we only knew for couple of days. We experienced truly what it means to be part of the European political system, resolve problems with a global background and present ideas and resolutions in the general assembly. On the whole, it was an invaluable week filled with precious moments spent in the island of the ancient goddess of beauty-Aphrodite.

The month of March was significant not only on a local, but also on a state level, because the presidential elections were organized for the fifth time in the same time as the local elections. The new president was elected after the second round of elections because not enough voters showed up on the electing places. Our new president is Gjorge Ivanov, who got a mandate in duration of five years.

Another event on a global level that shook the whole world and caused panic and fear was the appearance of the so called “swine flu”, or “influenza A (H1N1)”. Since then, the whole world lives in terror and fear of the deadly virus that appeared for the first time in Mexico and started taking its first victims. New regulations and laws were imposed in order to control the spreading of the virus. The governments cooperated and worked together to make a plan to stop the panic that started ruling people’s lives. The scientists managed to develop a vaccine and an effective cure against the virus that unfortunately mutated since its appearance and has a lot of subspecies now. The important thing is that people decided to work effectively and join in the fight against the virus and help each other, so they would combat this 21st century threat.

And another month of March passed…What a month…Filled with joyful and unforgettable events, as well as, serious and threatening happenings. The important notion is that people have the strength and the will to continue living and working and cooperating so they can live those short, but worthwhile moments of happiness and satisfaction, although on the long run they are interrupted with temporary entries of terror, fear and disappointment. Those short moments make people move on and continue with the everyday activities throughout the months of April, May, June, July…and wait impatiently for the beginning of the new year.

April

“Hello. I am the forth month of the year. I live for 30 days and each year I am reborn. I would like to share this story with you, my dear readers. “

I was sitting in the lonely and cold, late-autumn night in December. And all of a sudden I heard a little shiny voice saying: “April, April…You are a special month.” I saw a little girl. I asked her: “What do you want from me?” (Maybe I was too rude) Then, she approached me and again spoke with her shiny voice: “Tell me the story about your life in 2009, April. Please share it with me.” And I couldn’t say no to the small kid. And so I started telling her my story:

“As you may know, the first day of my life each year is celebrated in most countries. It is the Fool’s Day. The day was marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, enemies, and neighbors, or sending them on a fool's errand, the aim of which was to embarrass the gullible. In some countries, such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa the jokes only lasted until noon, and someone who played a trick after noon was called an "April Fool". Elsewhere, such as in Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Russia, The Netherlands, and the U.S., the jokes last all day.

My little girl, the period from the 9th till the 12th day of my life was special one. The biggest Christian Holiday was celebrated by all Christians in the world. The 9th was Maundy Thursday and it was the Thursday before Easter. It is also known as "Holy Thursday" or "Great Thursday" and commemorates the Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples on the night before he was crucified. Maundy Thursday services were held and they are more solemn occasions, marked by the shadow of Jesus' betrayal. Then the 10th day came. It was Good Friday, which is basically the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day Christians commemorated the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Many Christians around the world spent this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross. Ah, and so the 12th day came. It is the big day known as Easter Sunday when Christians celebrated the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It was the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches. Christians believe according to Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross.

I can’t really remember what else happened during my life in 2009. I know that there were political changes in the world and elections. But I assume that you are not that interested in politics.

But why I am so special to you?”

The little girl said:

“You are so special in my life. I will always remember you in 2009.”

I inquired:

“Can I listen now to your story? Would you like to share it with me?”

“Yes. First, during your life I lost a very significant person in my life-I lost my grandmother. I can say that this was the hardest period for me. My grandmother was my idol, my role model in life. Unfortunately, I had to face with this event on your 6th day of your life.

Also, I will always remember this Easter; because it was the first Easter I spent in bed, in a hospital. My health condition was really bad during this period of your life. It was the 16th day of your life when I figured out that I am not as healthy as I should be. And yes, I can say that I hate you, April, because you brought many bad periods in my life.

However, at the very end of your life, a good period finally came. In the whole chaos, I found out that I was accepted at this program and that I would spend my summer in the USA. I was just ecstatic. And I can say, I loved you then.

That’s why you are so special to me. Because during your life April, my life was dynamic. There were good times, and bad times in between. You are special because I have a love-hate relationship with you.”

“I listened to the little girl quite carefully. She was so young, yet experienced. I was glad because I meant something to someone. Even though, my life in 2009 was similar to my lives in previous years, I was different in the eyes of this little girl. And she will always remember me, always.”

Holy May

"Although walls can easily be built, we all know that they do not last for ever. They can be taken down." Thus spoke Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to the Holy Land this May. In Bethlehem, where he delivered his most sensitive speech of an eight-day tour of the Holy Land, the Pope acknowledged the suffering of the Palestinian people following the establishment of Israel in 1948.

Vatican has always been supportive of an independent Palestinian state. The pontiff reasserted this by spending an entire day in the occupied West Bank: from a morning address alongside Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to a late-afternoon visit of the Aida refugee camp, home of misplaced Palestinian families who were, in fact, driven from their residences through the creation of Israel in the second half of the 20th century. Pope Benedict is one of very few individuals who openly support the “two-state solution” and consider it the right solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Seeing that 2009 has not been a very productive year for the Palestinians, the Pope’s encouraging words and message of solidarity managed to lift these people’s impoverished spirits.

Adding on to the imagery is the fact that the in order to cross into the occupied West Bank where Bethlehem is located, the Pope had to pass through the 10-yard-high concrete wall built by Israel around the city. (Deemed illegal under international law, Israel has nevertheless pressed on with its construction on the grounds that it deters suicide bombings and other security threats.) An Israeli military watchtower was also included in the landscape which surrounded the Pope as he was delivering his speech.

"Towering over us ... is a stark reminder of the stalemate that relations between Israelis and Palestinians seem to have reached - the wall,'' the Pope said.
"In a world where more and more borders are being opened up - to trade, to travel, to movement of peoples, to cultural exchanges - it is tragic to see walls still being erected.''

Such statements clearly implied that the Pope is very much against the current Israeli policy of alienating the Palestinian people from their own territory and their own identity.

As he spoke, the Pope delved beyond present-day issues, tracing the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute to Israel's May 1948 declaration of independence and the Arab-Israeli war that followed. Palestinians refer to those events as the naqba, or catastrophe, in which tens of thousands were driven from or left their homes. Many of their descendants live as refugees in such places as Aida, overcrowded camps with no decent living conditions, often marked at their entrances by a large house key symbolizing an intended return. Although Pope Benedict did not explicitly apply such conspicuously Palestinian terminology to the events of 1948, the mentioning of the year in itself was daring, and it indeed spurred some negative reactions. "By going back to 1948 -- that is going down a very slippery slope," Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yigal Palmor said. "That is on the verge of saying something not about Israeli policy, but on the very existence of Israel.”

In addition to calling for international pressure to establish a Palestinian state, Pope Benedict also urged young Palestinians to reject terrorism. In remarks aimed at the many militant groups within the Palestinian community, he strongly advised them to "resist temptations to resort to acts of violence''.

Pope Benedict’s visit to the Holy Land and his open support of the Palestinian people was undoubtedly one of the hallmarks of 2009. His kind words and many blessings will hopefully act as an incentive to the Palestinians to strive and work for a better future for themselves, and their children.

Many Things Changed the World in June 2009

The month of June 2009 certainly kept journalists all over the world busy. New discoveries, attacks, releases of highly anticipated products, and plane crashes marked this month halfway through the year.

As June 1st rolls by, the first tragedy is on the way, too. Air France Flight 447 disappears over the Atlantic Ocean, near the Brazilian Fernando de Noronha Islands. After it did not arrive in Paris the following day as planed, it was confirmed that the plane has crashed; it did not land on any other airport in the world, and two days had already passed. Thus, it had definitely run out of fuel. With the investigation still ongoing, the reasons why the plane crashed, killing all 216 passengers and crew of 12, remains a mystery. The two black boxes that were onboard the plane are yet to be found, as well as the remains of the plane. This event devastated the people in 2009, and is one of the airplane accidents with the most casualties ever.

Over 50 people were killed in combat between Peru’s Army and indigenous peoples on June 6th. The natives, who lost 30 of their people, were protesting against the expansion of Peruvian cities and industrial zones in the Amazon Rainforest. The president of Peru, Alan García, did not approve of this, and sent the Army to calm things down. Instead, 22 soldiers died fighting against the natives. This outrage strained Peru even more during its time of critical political instability.

June was also the month of many discoveries. Scientists at Harvard University discovered a molecular mechanism that regulates coagulation. This finding is very significant to the field of medicine because it aids in the perpetual search for a cure for blood diseases such as hemophilia. A little further east, in Holland, Dutch researchers confirmed that ‘space headache’ is an actual medical condition which some astronauts have while not within the Earth’s atmosphere.

Several multinational companies launched one of their most anticipated products of the year in June. Apple Inc. launched the newest version of their famous iPhone, iPhone 3GS, which included a video recording option on the camera, and the voice control tool. Palm Pre smartphone from Palm, Inc. also hit the market last June. These new gadgets sure kept the techies busy, at least for a while.

An event that sent shock waves all throughout the world: the death of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, on June 25th. The reason for his death in the Ronal Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, is still being discussed, but the Los Angeles County Coroner said in the official statement that it was a mixture of prescription drugs that ended Jackson’s life. The memorial was held on July 7th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, but his service and burial was held on September 3rd, ten weeks after his death, at Forest Lawn Cemetery of Glendale, Los Angeles, California. On the same day, June 25th, another death shook the world: former Charlie’s Angel Farrah Fawcett lost the battle with cancer. She was buried at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California, on June 30th. The world had lost two great people on the same day, and the grief and mourning will never be forgotten.

But while the world was at its knees because of the events that happened in June 2009, what were the dwellers of NOVA doing? Let’s have a look at the lives of NOVA students in June 2009.


Final Exam Haze


Last minute reviews. To-do lists. Notes. Are you ready? The final exams are here.

As June slowly crept up on the residents of Praska bb, the anticipation and anxiety levels shot up the sky. Everybody was looking forward to the well-deserved break, but several nervous breakdowns were also on the horizon because of the upcoming final exams. The first week of June went by so fast, and was not nearly as long as most school weeks are; not nearly long enough to finish all of the reviewing. With more than five hundred pages to cover, some students feared failing the year. As the first day of exams came by, the students of NOVA High School sat down in the chairs, pens in trembling hands, and began to write. The exam time seemed fatally short, and the nights in between even shorter, not long enough to even skim the material once. Within the blink of the eye, the exams were done, and everyone felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders. What to do now?

Before the students could get comfortable enough, they were summoned back to Praska bb to collect their transcripts and possibly “face their doom,” as some put it. But before all that chaos and disorganization began, there was an important event marked on the calendars of about 80 NOVA students: graduation. With ups and downs, laughs and tears, the seniors got their diplomas, happy they are through with high school, but sad to be separating from their friends. Along with the seniors to share the emotional high were the recipients of this year’s President’s Awards. Simply gleaming, they got the awards, taking in the experience, and taking home Barack Obama’s signature. With transcripts and diplomas in hands, NOVA students were off to enjoy the rest of the summer.

A Tribute to Change

Rewind 91 years back in the past. July 18, 1918. Transkei, South Africa: A leader was born. It takes one pair of hands to change the world.

Nelson Mandela has been widely acclaimed for his many distinctions, notably receiving a Novel Prize to merit his great contributions to peace. Eliminating apartheid in South Africa, and becoming the first black president of the country, he has been a true revolutionary, devoted to his cause regardless of the many obstacles that he’s had to endure for his ideal of freedom to prevail.

His path was not short of difficulties. Born into a noble family, the Madiba clan of the Thembu people in a small village in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, Mandela was known as Madiba by his people. Notably, Nelson Mandela was born as Rolihlahla Dalibhunga, and while attending English School he was given the name Nelson, marking his first identity experience with the white regime.

Frustrated with the South African white regime and apartheid from an early age, in 1943, Mandela became part of the African National Congress, initially as an activist, and later as the founder and head of the ANC Youth League. Notably, to further his fight, Mandela became a lawyer in 1952 and opened a practice in Johannesburg with his partner, Oliver Tambo. With joint efforts, Mandela and Tambo led a fight against apartheid, the system headed by the all-white National Party oppressing the black majority.

As a result of his campaign, Mandela faced charges along with 155 other activists. Nevertheless, this did not hinder his efforts, and resistance to apartheid increased, notably, against the Pass laws that determined people’s home locations and employment. However, frightened by the ANC’s growing threat, the white regime outlawed the ANC in 1960. In response, Mandela started employing more risky mechanisms of change. After going underground, Mandela enacted a campaign sabotaging South Africa’s economy, the white regime eventually arresting him for utilizing violence to overthrow the government.

His last words before spending the next 27 years of his life imprisoned were, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." In 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to achieve such an ideal.

Notably, achieving his democratic ideal proved a struggle that Mandela would face for the rest of his life; however, he could take little action from the confines of his prison cell. While in exile, his partner, Tambo, launched an international effort to free Mandela by calling upon the world’s conscience to tighten its sanctions against the South African apartheid. Tambo’s campaign proved successful, as in 1990, President FW de Klerk annulled the band on the ANC, freeing Mandela at last.

Through their joint efforts, Mandela and de Klerk gave birth to a new multi-racial democracy in South Africa, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for their realization of Mandela’s democratic ideal in 1993. Shortly, during the first full suffrage election, the myriad of colorful South Africans elected Mandela president, making him the first black president of South Africa. Notably, during his presidency, Mandela tackled South African poverty and integrated South Africa into the international community. Successfully guiding the country to a bright future, Mandela retired in 2000, not resigning from his ideal, but passing on the governmental reigns to the younger generations.

Fast forward to July 18. 2009. The world gathered to honor a great man; a man ahead of his time.

A full ninety-one years from Nelson Mandela’s birth, upon the South African Ambassador Baso Sangqu’s suggestion, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 18 the Mandela Day, marking Nelson Mandela’s contribution to world freedom. Accordingly, this past July, the world gathered on the 18th for the first time to honor this leader of change. "It serves as a catalyst for each and every person around the world to realize that they have the ability to change it [the world] through action," Nelson Mandela Foundation's chief executive Achmat Dangor reflected.

Namely, many events took place this past July marking Mandela Day. An online initiative was struck encouraging people to spend 67 minutes contributing to a good cause emanating the 67 years Mandela has spent as an activist. Additionally, a concert in NYC’s Madison Square Garden featuring stars such as Steve Wonder, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin and the unforgettable, Carla Bruni, was held to honor this great leader and his dedication to democracy.

“Democracy is unambivalent,” said Belize in Kushner’s Angels in America, which is why we must never forget Mandela’s mission to uphold democracy’s principle. How many more leaders remain locked away in prison cells today? How many more will suffer the same obstacles as Mandela, who solely wished to change the old regime which oppressed his people. Unhesitatingly, the world must never forget its responsibility to foster change and take action to improve the society we live in. In the words of Mandela himself, “It’s in our hands”.

Ode to August

August. The end of the long hot summer. A month when languidness seem to takeover even the most energetic of people. Is it the nearing of the new school year that makes sluggishness our normal state of mind during this time of the year? Perhaps it is the temperature, which in our country usually culminates in August, rising well over the 40th degree Celsius. August’s temperature-rage evokes an unreasonable and unexplainable wish in me. Well aware of its impossibility, walking barefoot on the boiling-hot asphalt at noon, when the sun heats it up the most, has always been something that I’ve wanted to try.


* * * * * * * * *

Awake from my daydream I brood over the last month of August; what joy and what problems did it bring this year? To begin with, in our microcosm of the NOVA community, August is traditionally the month when we open the gates to newcomers during the Orientation Day, this year held on the 31st. An exciting day for our new classmates, and even more so for us, volunteers and Student Council members who are always eager to meet the people, that from that day on will share the chairs and desks of our NOVA classrooms with us. The more the merrier, they say: this year’s Orientation Day brought a new reality to the school, as a record number of students are attending NOVA. Nonetheless, this change has led to the filling up of our school’s capacities, and until the primary school students were relocated, library space became a hot-topic in NOVA.

For our REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, the 12th of August brought the friendly soccer match with Spain. After many scandals with ticket selling, the stadium was lined up with fierce soccer fans as well as with a shockingly great number of Macedonian females who, somehow, seemed to cheer for… Spain? Luckily, this was only the effect exerted on them by the blond presence of Fernando Torres on the soccer field of Gradski. After 2 brilliant goals scored by Pandev and a result of 2-0 at half-time – Torres ran out on the soccer field and, well, … did his magic. In 4 minutes Spain scored 3 goals, thus establishing the end result: 2-3. At the end of the match all seemed to be happy and satisfied: the Spanish guys won; we claimed how despite the loss, we have proven a worthy rival; and the Macedonian females… they were satisfied with getting a glimpse of Torres’s hair. ☺

Undoubtedly and inevitably the events that will mark the month of August in the BALKAN REGION are the two equally fantastic U2 concerts in Zagreb, Croatia, that took part on the 9th and the 10th. To my utmost pleasure, I had the privilege of being one of the 60,000 people on Maksimir Stadium who unfortunately lost their voice the next morning due to singing their hearts out on the concert. Even so, I witnessed something majestic, as I saw the 50-meter-tall state-of-the-art stage, his ‘space junk’, as Bono called it. The opening act, the Irish rock band Snow Patrol was also fabulous as I am a fan of their music too, but when I heard the sound of The Edge’s guitar playing the familiar chords to ‘Breathe’, I found myself in desperate need of air from all that excitement. My mind was in an euphoric state as I danced to the beat of ‘Vertigo’. I felt the beauty in the wave of emotions which absolutely took over me as I screamed ‘It’s a beautiful day!’… The audience was electrified as the spectacular show unfolded in front of its eyes; the musicians were selflessly pouring themselves into the performance, producing ‘intimacy on a grand scale’, as Bono said, and transforming the spectacle into an intimate affair. Then, for a minute, they stopped. Bono introduced the next song, ‘One’, by dedicating it 'to everyone in this region who's had their warm hearts broken by cold ideas.' The song summed up the entire evening. The mere statement made its way to the hearts and souls of all the fans. It certainly made its way into mine.

As a socially engaged band, U2 has condemned the Burmese activist Aung San Suu Kyi’s arrest and ongoing trial, which nonetheless ended on August 11, with her being sentenced to three years with labor, reduced to 1 ½ years’ home detention. Suu Kyi’s arrest and subsequent trial won WORLDWIDE condemnation. On August 18th, the American president Barak Obama asked the Burmese military leadership to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi. Moreover, critics have argued that her continued detention is imposed on her only to prevent her from participating on the Burmese elections in 2010.

* * * * * * * * *

As these events shook the public worldwide, it became evident that the lazy summer days were soon to be over. The boiling-hot asphalt still remains in my memory now, and I reason, and yes, I understand: August’s charm resides in the awareness of summer’s imminent end, and the remembrance of the days past.

September: a month of disappointments or a month of excitements?

The name September originates from Latin, where septem means "seven" and septimus - "seventh"; September was in fact the seventh month of the Roman calendar until 153 BC. However, perhaps it is the case that the meaning that September bore in the lives of ordinary people held greater significance; thus, in Switzerland it is called “Herbstmonat”, harvest month. Even though we associate different images to the month September, inevitably it has some emotional appeal to us, humans. September, could it be called the month of great disappointments, or the month of great challenges?

For disappointments it is quite clear: September marks the end of the summer, the end of some long friendships, fun times spent at the beach and long talks with random people. The end of fun and the beginning of worries.

Nonetheless, we could say that it also marks great challenges, because it is the beginning of something new, confusing, exiting, and a little bit frightening. It is the month when school starts and it gathers the students in one same place, to something new and challenging. Boys and girls are once again walking into the building, where many of them will begin great friendships, where they will achieve knowledge and understanding.

The first graders, who are the youngest generation of us all, are perhaps most exited and tolerant to adjust to certain amount of change, and are just starting to walk along the road of fear, challenge, accomplishments, and achievements. The high school students are leaving behind their childhood and are starting on a new path that speaks of importance, morals, and responsibilities into something new and unknown, while they are walking through the hallways of their new schools, trying to find their way to their new classrooms and their new professors. Those that had already finished high school, have ended a big chapter in their lives, and are now opening a new notebook, where they alone will have to fill in the blank pages with new adventures, lifestyles, and friendships - college. College is the place where people begin to take care of themselves, and fly out of their mothers' nests to explore the world in ways they didn’t think possible. Some of these people might be unwilling to embrace the new challenges in their lives, finding resistance and fear of the unknown, and encountering some disappointments along the way to acceptance. Some are somewhat enthusiastic about the changes and challenges they are to face, the places they are going to explore, and the new lives they are going to live.

While December marks the actual end of the year, September is marking the end of something even greater, the end of some chapters in people’s lives, and also the beginning of something new, something worth embracing, worth exploring, and something worth living for; because what we may find along the way, might as well be better than we ever thought possible. Then as December nears, and all of us have our own wishes for the next year, we should ask for the next September to be more challenging than the previous, so that life doesn’t get boring.

A Reflection of October

Thursday, October 1st, 2009.

The cry of your alarm clock somehow manages to penetrate the walls of your sleepy haze. You raise an arm against the void and find what you are looking for. It is 7:00AM. You open the windows and inhale the birth of a new day. A new month rather, but what is it that marks the difference between these chapters of a book we read and dispose of once we have drained it of its use? With each new year we open the first chapter of a new book – the first month of a new year. Turn the page to the tenth chapter and feel your heart swell as it inhales the sweet breath of October. Why not go out and embrace the new day? It is the beginning of October and you wonder what this month will bring. Halloween is at the end of the road, but what lies in between is what really contributes to the full account of the story. Halloween may or may not be a significant part of your culture, but what is? A number of cultural events contributed to the account of this past year’s October. Culture- such a broad term used so easily; and just how did this month celebrate the importance of culture in our society?

Culture n. 1- a developed understanding of literature, art, music, etc.; the art, customs, etc. of a particular country or society. – Consider this definition found in the Oxford Dictionary Thesaurus & Wordpower Guide and notice there is quite a difference between a mere custom and a developed understanding of the arts in a society.

Let’s focus on the Salvador Dali’s exhibition. The grand opening of the exhibition took place on October 19th and the exhibit was scheduled to last until the 19th of December. Considered to be one of the most brilliant artists, Skopje had the privilege of displaying a large number of Dali’s pieces at the Museum of Contemporary Arts. Namely, Dali, the world renowned artist of the 20th century artist was born in Spain and excelled in the fields of painting, drawing, photography, and even writing. However, fame didn’t trail his name from the beginning, as with all great artists, Dali’s roots lie beneath his pile of high-prized work.

Nevertheless, Skopje’s public went head over heels after the exhibition. This coincides with general people’s mentality; having a name certainly fills up the museum with visitors at the opening ceremonies in Skopje. Even so, how many people attend such cultural gatherings because of the art itself? Has the artist become like a brand of clothes? The purpose of culture is to embody what lies within, not without. Answer honestly; have you branded what lies within you? The impact brands have created resembles the impact of well-known cultural institutions. Thus, the majority of people do in fact attend such events solely for the purpose of becoming part of the common culture, of succumbing to the cultural institution. Unfortunately, the brand guides the crowd, so naturally everything widely acclaimed as pertaining to culture, has become a must-see in our society.

Moreover, the ZZ Top concert was also a frequent name found in the headlines of many newspaper and magazine articles during the month of October. At the concert, I witnessed a half empty stadium, and clusters of “quasi” fans who were obviously more concerned about looking like they belonged there as opposed to being there for the music itself. Accordingly, people should go out, celebrate, embrace life; but running through that list of brands does not suffice. Looking at the bright side, people are certainly willing to go out and explore long-awaited events scheduled each month. After all, we must all explore in order to learn. Still, had such a hype not been aroused by the media, people wouldn’t be so eager to attend such events. The elite circles must attend the highly-prized events in order to draw light on their reputation, and the rest— they must buy the ticket to the events that are worthy enough for the elite and therefore worthy of a reputation. Yet this is the same thing as putting on a mask for Halloween and pretending to be something you’re not.

Let me draw your attention to another definition of culture:

2. artificial rearing of bacteria

This second definition of culture provided by the Oxford Dictionary Thesaurus and Wordpower Guide gives us a rather scientific approach which we can now implement into everyday society. These microorganisms grow in a “specially prepared nutrient medium.” Bacteria really have no choice, but that does not mean people should be stripped of choice as they are fed with these nutrients— these manifestations that they’ve been led to believe they must attend for the sake of attending. Both of these events acted as nutrients added to the plate for us to feed on.

Customs either get forgotten, or if still in practice have lost the full potential of their meaning. We can say not many know what lies behind the mask of a name, but at least these gatherings are on the agenda. At least people get exposed to such cultural events. October of 2009 certainly was fulfilled by a number of such events, yet this does not mean that we, the bacteria should be artificially reared. Isn’t it ironic how we all put on masks on October 31st for the sake of preserving the tradition of Halloween? We do not have or save the spirit of a tradition, holiday or cultural gathering by forcing it on the public as a means of fitting with the elite or gaining a certain image provided by the name of a brand. These kinds of events should take place for the sake of preserving the valuable, not the mask of a reputation. Unfortunately we have defined the valuable as something worthy of as much exploitation as possible when in reality; famous pieces can only be of any value once they have stirred a reaction from within those who perceive those pieces.

Mark the end of the 10th chapter with the preservation of customs and feel the cool October breeze sigh against your skin. Fall does not fail to enrich the soul. The last breath of October fills your lungs as the smile of your one-night Halloween mask crumbles away. The sweet breeze tinkles your skin as you turn the page to a new month with a smile — a smile that comes from within.

A Year of November

November 2008

The crowd standing in Chicago’s Grant Park roared as Barack Obama finished his victory speech. History had been made. The first African American President of the United States had been elected. Change had come to America. In the midst of international and domestic problems, Americans believed change had finally come.

November 2009

The Obama administration ran its presidential campaign with the slogan “Change.” To a country with high expectations, the six letter word meant that everything Americans had known for the past eight years was about to be different, about to improve -- The War on Terror, taxes, the economic crisis, healthcare...America was on the path to change, on the path to greatness. A year after Obama’s election, we ask ourselves: What’s different? What’s changed?

Obama started out his presidency in sync with the people’s hopes -- during his first few days in office, the president issued executive orders to withdraw troops in Iraq and ordered the closing of Guantanamo Bay; things were looking up.

However, it’s naïve to deny that not everyone is pleased with Obama’s promise of change. A year after his election, the president’s rates have fallen significantly. CBS NEWS reports that Obama’s ratings are now down to fifty percent, even lower than Bush’s falling rate to seventy-one% after invading Iraq in 2003.

Moreover, the President was just awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October for his efforts to improve international relations and his potential for successfully doing so. Yet the international community, as well as Obama himself, paused to question the decision by the Nobel Committee. The word peace was not ringing in the minds of many Americans, as troops are still being deployed overseas.

It’s no secret, America is still at war. But having been given a prestigious award such as the Nobel Peace Prize, the world anticipated great changes in the future from the President. Thus, with Obama’s decision to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, we’re left to question his plans: Is the world a safer place now than it was last November before Obama’s election? It’s difficult to see the correlation between sending more soldiers to “secure” an area with establishing peaceful relations. After Obama’s Nobel award, many have been left to wonder whether sending more soldiers is the answer to establishing peace overseas. Furthermore, Americans have become doubtful as to whether they can keep their faith in Obama and believe that troops will withdraw by 2011.

Moreover, many criticize the president's failure to improve the economic recession. People are asking two things: When will it end, and how is Obama going to fix it. The answer is far from clear -- USA Today reports unemployment in the U.S. hit 10.2% this November, and that currently, only a third of Americans believe the administration's stimulus package will benefit their families. American's anticipated a fast solution to the economic crisis; however, increased unemployment rates have led to skepticism and declining faith in the president's promise.

Obama’s slogan “Change” has stuck. Even so we’re left in doubt. Have we changed for the better? By 2011(Obama’s set goal date for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan), Obama will be in his third year of presidency. Can we expect the “good change” to have taken place by then?

As critics and citizens alike approached this November ready to look at the progress the U.S. has made since Obama’s election, they’ve found that America’s problems are still at large. Obama promised troops out of Iraq, but American and allied forces are still fighting overseas. America anticipated an economic revival, but unemployment and failing businesses are still a major domestic problem. Is that change?

True, it’s unfair for us to blame Obama for not changing the numerous issues, many of which predate to the Bush administration, in a year. Yet, with a slogan of “change” what can be expected other than high hopes and high chances of disappointment? Perhaps the question is not whether the U.S. has taken the path to change, but whether Obama is pushing us in the right direction. After eight years of the Bush administration, who knows how Americans, and the global community, will react. Can America do it? Can we finish fighting two wars overseas and fix the economy? Will Obama be able to lead the country towards success, and change things for the better? “Yes we can,” Obama stated in his victory speech last November; yet it seems like we’ve spent the past year waiting for something to happen.