Fashion Forward

Feeling glam these days? In need of fashion advice? What’s in and what’s out? These questions are answered in The Discourse Detectives’ first fashion-oriented article.

Have you ever heard the term haute couture? I certainly have, many times. It means high fashion. But that’s only for the really bold ones. For now, the focus remains on how to make your everyday outfits a bit more chic.



Fall Trends:

Who isn’t in love with neon colors? They can make a dark outfit pop, with just the right amount of color. Add neon pieces with care; over-using is a don’t. Neon-colored jewelry, sneakers, or scarves are good ideas.

The biker is back on! With these metal accents, you will immediately feel tougher, not to mention a lot more glamorous. Try (faux) leather jackets, boots, vests, belts, and bags with studs, buckles, and zippers.



For all the girls out there: bring out the boyfriend trousers! Looking cute and comfortable in jeans, or polished and sophisticated in slacks, this trend is sure near perfection.

Another trend this season is lace. It might seem girly, but it is also quite mysterious. This vintage-y fabric can be added to just about any piece of clothing, from dresses to earrings. Still too girly for you? How about cool sneakers with just a little hint of lace, then?

One fool-proof way to make your outfit instantly dazzling: statement bangles. Mix-and-match them to get this season’s fashionable look.

Motorcycle jackets—definitely a do. Whether you like yours made of leather, or with zebra stripes, bomber jackets are a must.

Don’t shy away from ruffles. To make them less country and girly, add tough accessories and boots.

Want to stay warm this fall? Stock up on corduroy! It comes in all cool colors, sizes, and designs.

Plaid is so in. Whether you like your dosage of plaid in the form of skinny jeans, mini skirts, button-downs, dresses, or boots, make sure your closet has at least one plaid piece.

Add color to your outfit by putting on a pair of colored denim jeans. Jewel tones always work.

Ankle booties are everywhere. Studded, leather, with zippers—you name it. But the must-have booties are the peep-toe ones. Magic!

Go through your boyfriend’s closet and dig up that old blazer that he refuses to wear. Hey, if he doesn’t want it, why not make use of it? Pair it up with a belt or roll up the sleeves for rocker look.

This season it’s all about slim chains. Layer different lengths and play with pendants for a New York look.



Always Fashionable:

Whether your style is laid-back or sophisticated, the oversized tote bag will help you achieve it.

A timeless do is the LBD (little black dress). It can be girly enough for a date and glam enough for a party.

A little note from Paris: trench coats are in again. A tan one goes well with just about anything. If you add heels, it immediately screams just-off-the-runway. A look that is fierce can be achieved with a bright trench, boots, and chunky jewelry.





Key Wardrobe Pieces:

• Ripped jeans + cool sneakers

• Wedge boots + slashed tights

• Band jacket + black leggings

• Slouchy sweater + shirt and tights in similar colors

• Flouncy skirt + oversize cardigan



Hot Prints This Fall:

- Stripes

- Graffiti

- Houndstooth

- Aztec

- Geometric



Feeling bold enough? True fashionistas would love to try out these trends:

Every red carpet includes at least a couple of sparkly dresses. Why shouldn’t you try it out, too? Just keep the accessories, make-up, and shoes simple, as to not overwhelm the outfit.

This spring the pocketed dresses were a huge hit. Well, this fall we have the belted dresses, which accentuate your waist and curves.

Strong shoulders can be found on almost all of the catwalks: from Yves Saint Laurent, Hermés, and Malandrino, to Betsey Johnson, DSquared², and The Blondes. Pull off this eccentric look with a cool fitted jacket.

Punk is definitely not dead this season. Add a few leather pieces to your wardrobe that have that grunge-y vibe.

Velvet is this season’s key evening fabric. Anything from jackets and dresses to pumps and clutches goes.

The key to balancing heavy tweed, such as seen in Marc Jacobs’ last collection, is combining it with light pieces, like a simple white button-down.

There are few lucky ones that can actually pull off the over-the-knee boots. Suede is the key material this season for this type of boots, present in London Fashion Week.



New York’s Must-Buy:
The Asymmetrical Dress

London’s Must-Buy:
The Avant-Garde Shoe

Milan’s Must-Buy:
The Oversize Bag

Paris’ Must-Buy:
The Bold Jacket

Los Angeles’ Must-Buy:
The Statement Bracelet

OUR RECYCLING ACTION PLAN

Have you ever thought about the load of paper used for daily handouts, quizzes and tests? How about the plastic bottles of water that you buy from the school cafeteria? What about the Coke cans - have you ever wondered how much metal is needed for all the world’s aluminum cans, which we eventually throw away?

It is important for every one of us to understand that our seemingly trivial activities have a great impact on mother earth. Therefore, NOVA’s student council members (including the discourse detectives), after a discussion on this urgent matter, have decided to take steps towards the conservation of earth’s resources by acting on a local level – in our school community. Firmly believing that no matter how insignificant our efforts are, we can still make a difference, we carefully crafted down our action plan for recycling two of the most abundant recyclable materials: paper and plastic.

Have you ever noticed the big gray plastic bin inside the cafeteria, and several more of those in the school? Those have been put there for containing the used recyclable plastic bottles that we throw away every day. At the end of every week the plastic bottles are collected in large bags and picked up to be recycled.

In addition to these large plastic bins, we have made sure that there are two cardboard boxes intended to serve as plastic bottle and paper containers respectively, in every classroom. In this way, the teachers, as well as students could dispose of the load of used paper in an appropriate manner.

But why recycle? Why bother walk several more meters when you could throw the plastic bottle in the nearby bin?

Taking just a moment to put your newspaper, soda can and ‘Rosa’ plastic bottle in the recycling bin will save everyone years in environmental harm from production of new materials, over crowded landfills and the depletion of our natural resources.

Recycling 1 plastic bottle not only saves anywhere from 100 to 1000 years in the landfill but also saves the environment from the emissions in producing new bottles as well as the oil used to produce that bottle. (http://www.chevroncars.com/learn/wondrous-world/recycling-facts)

For every 1 ton of plastic that is recycled we save the equivalent of 2 people’s energy use for 1 year, the amount of water used by 1 person in 2 month’s time and almost 2000 pounds of oil. (http://www.chevroncars.com/learn/wondrous-world/recycling-facts)

Still not convinced?

Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil, and 4,100 kilowatt-hours of electricity — enough energy to power the average home for five months. (EPA, 2008)

Recycling paper instead of making it from new material generates 74 percent less air pollution and uses 50 percent less water. (EPA, 2008)

Producing recycled paper requires about 60 percent of the energy used to make paper from virgin wood pulp. (EPA, 2008)

Now that you know these important facts and our determination to the cause of creating an environment friendly school environment feel free to join us. And do not hesitate to spread the word about our new recycling action plan – the change needed must be in our actions today. Only in that way will we be able to ensure a bright tomorrow.

* factual information taken from: www.environment-green.com
* for more information visit: www.environment-green.com/www.recycling-revolution.com/www.oberlin.edu/www.recycling-guide.org.uk.

HIV vaccine- Another Fantasy or Reality?

Although this is a bit more scientific topic, than the ones we usually post in our newspaper, still I thought it deserves to be part of it, because it is one of the greatest global health concerns. The issue of HIV and AIDS was brought up again in the media in the past week, due to the recent discoveries. The information that an HIV vaccine has been discovered made a boom in the whole world. And for sure it didn’t leave a person unconcerned.
But first of all, what is HIV exactly and why is this possible vaccine one of the greatest discoveries of all times? The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is part from the retroviruses family, which causes the development of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which is a condition in which the immune system starts to fail and the infected person can easily catch an opportunistic infection (which is an infection that doesn’t usually cause problems in a healthy immune system, but in an infected one can lead to death). Due to its fast spreading and the inability to be detected for a long time, the HIV infection is considered pandemic by the World Health Organization. The number of people that were “killed” by AIDS from 1981 to 2006 is unbelievable—more than 25 million people. What is even more unbelievable is the current number of HIV infected people— more than 37 million people. That is why since the discovery of the HIV virus and AIDS scientists were trying to find a possible vaccine or a cure for these “world killers”.
But what is it that makes this particular vaccine so special and gives hope to the global community that the HIV virus would be finally ravaged and destroyed, the way the HIV virus has been ravaging and destroying millions of human lives for years? The new vaccine was part of a study conducted by the Thailand Ministry of Public Health in cooperation with the U.S. army. The volunteers for the study were told in advance about the possible risks associated with the vaccine before they agreed to participate. The scientists decided to conduct a combined vaccine, made out of two separate vaccines. The first contained an altered bird virus, that cannot cause a human disease and its role was to prime an immune response. While the second part of the vaccine was consisted of a genetically engineered version of a protein on HIV's surface, and it strengthened the immune response even more. The vaccines could not in any case cause the HIV virus.
However, what were the results in the end? The volunteers received actual vaccines, improvised dummies and placebo vaccines, and until the end of the study no one knew who received what, so this was a double blindfold study. New infections occurred in 51 out of 8197 given vaccines, and in 74 of the 8198 who got dummy shots. Unfortunately, 2 of the people who received placebos died. These results are truly incredible and even the scientists still cannot explain why they worked in such a great number of the infected people. They suspect the success was due to the combination of the vaccines, but they
still make further tests and research, organize conferences and meetings with influential figures and hope the new vaccine would be soon fully successful and produced for the global market.
After so many years passed since the HIV virus was discovered and after so many victims suffered this infection, the news that a possible, hypothetical sort of a vaccine has been discovered brings a lot of hope and great news, not only to the scientists, but to the whole population in general. Although it is not certain whether this vaccine would work for all HIV strands or only for the ones found in the population in Thailand, still this might be one of the greatest medical discoveries of all times. Until then it is up to us to hope, study, research and most important of all be careful, because the HIV virus is still one of the most dangerous and painful viruses, that sweeps human lives without mercy.

A Contribution

Have you ever seen a little boy or a girl playing with a plastic bicycle? Rarely. What about with plastic cars? All the time.

Have you seen a city in which bicycle tracks are dominant over huge, crowded highways? I don’t think so.

If you were late for work and in a hurry, what means of transportation would you use to get there? Most certainly not your bicycle.

Although aware that the efforts being made around the world to change these unfortunate truths about us are notable, I have to admit that living in a developing country such as Macedonia, I have not seen any particular improvements when it comes to the supposed gradual shift from cars to bicycles. The gravity of the situation we are in is pressing down on us, and I am outraged at the ones who still overlook the pressure nature is putting us under. Unfortunately, they are still the majority; the majority which, either out of ignorance about the problem or pure laziness, is continually making us all lapse into the stalemate that has been holding us all back ever since speed and self-indulgence became more important than practicality and health.

The first step in solving a problem is always admitting the fact that the problem exists. This issue has engraved itself so severely into our lives that it seems many have started taking it for granted. What I think the key advantage humanity has when it comes to resolving it is that this time, we are not fighting something or someone we cannot control. We are our own enemy. We know ourselves considerably well; therefore, each and every single one of us should have a myriad of potential solutions, ways in which we could finally be able to wake up and take a bike to school, to work, to anywhere.

I am an optimist when it comes to achieving a car-free existence because I consider adaptability a key characteristic of human beings. Saying that a world without cars would prove dysfunctional is an illegitimate excuse; civilizations were born without cars, persisted without cars, and flourished without cars. In the equation of urban lifestyles, cars are not the independent variable; they are the dependent one. Their dependence is on us. Choosing to reduce their usage or completely shun them from our lives is as entirely up to us as adapting to the change will be when it actually takes place. I cannot but conclude that it is going to be a pleasant adaptation, for who would not sacrifice their possibly beautiful but such a damaging car in return for a healthier existence?

What we have to do is simple: act quickly and efficiently, for we have an entire mindset to transform. The cause we are dedicating this day to might have already been reality had we started at the very beginning while trying to work for it. The example I gave at the beginning I did not give in vain: we have to start educating our youngest ones if we are to educate the older ones. Why manufacture plastic cars as toys? Why not start teaching our children the advantages of bicycles by simply introducing them in their lives earlier? I am sure that nowadays, the average boy or a girl comes in contact with a car sooner than he or she comes in contact with a bike. Children are easily influenced and take first impressions seriously. Parents might not deem buying their child a miniature car harmful, but do we really want our children to think of cars as the only means of transportation available to them? Next time you want to buy your child a little Mercedes or take them for a ride in one, think twice: it is very probable that you are doing them more harm than good.
Another aspect of this problem we could improve is its presence in our daily lives. This car free day should not be the only day of the year when we pay attention to this on-going issue. I am afraid that this cause has not been receiving its due publicity. No one can increase awareness just by drawing a picture or writing an essay. What we lack is real incentive. Yes, contributions will always be welcome, but they can never become the driving force behind the change that we need. People, on the other hand, can. Success requires publicity, and there are no exceptions to this rule. Essays dealing with this problem should be encouraged not only on a couple of occasions, but also on a daily basis. For what is a better way to make people actually believe the shift from cars to bicycles is possible than putting creativity to good use? The mass media will be more than ready to endorse such a benevolent project. We can give the bicycle-full existence we are striving for a new, more appealing face, thus engaging the interest of the media and consecutively the people. With means of keeping in touch like Facebook and Twitter made available throughout the world, any worthy cause can attract millions, let alone a revolutionary cause like ours. With globalization fashioning common problems into patterns, I am sure we can convince our fellow humans around the world that in this case, the alternative is better than the norm. If we ardently publicize bikes and reveal their benefits, making sure we incorporate creativity in the process, the change that is in store for us is bound to happen more quickly.

There is a very realistic obstacle, however, to achieving our common goal; an obstacle which does not require anything but friendly cooperation if is to be overcome. Bicycles are often expensive, and not all families are well-to-do. What has to be noted here is that they are still cheaper than cars; nevertheless, there still are families which can afford neither. Fortunately, realistic problems have realistic solutions. Since I think lowering the price of bicycles everywhere is a little bit too idealistic, I wonder: Why don’t we offer more bicycles as prizes in competitions rather than cars? We all know how cars are the ultimate prize one can win in an average competition today. We can actually change this, thus giving the not so well-to-do families a chance to win a bicycle. This way, companies can offer these prizes as an incentive to the people who buy their products. It will provide everyone with an excellent opportunity to win something valuable. It will be a gift from the people to the people.

The benefits? I am sure the benefits of using bicycles instead of cars for transportation are both obvious and overwhelming. First of all, we will be ensuring that the next generations are more environmentally aware than ourselves by leaving them a legacy of a healthy existence rather than a legacy of puffed smoke. Second of all, we would improve our own living conditions. Of course, this cannot happen on a local scale, the shift has to occur on a global scale if the consequences are to be visible. Then, we would be cutting back on pollution. We can reduce obesity. Become fitter. Come to appreciate nature as opposed to overlook its beauty as it usually happens when one is within the confinements of four windows. I am sure one can even bond with one’s children better if they bike away into a park together than if they take a ride in the car. The direct and indirect benefits are countless and irrefutable; the key is to realize them and use them well.

It is really up to people who care. People ready to admit the difficulties and face up to the challenge, for it is a challenge that we are facing. This cause is not to be propagated by a single leader like it has often been the case in history; this cause is about individuality, about finding one’s unique way of contributing yet doing it thoroughly. It’s about knowing the difference between what is easy and what is right. But most of all, it is about defeating what we have become, a nation of car lovers, and becoming yet again what we seem to have long ago defeated.

How to Give

Charity has become a fad. For the rich it is a hobby: something they do in their spare time to “help the world”. From tax cuts to better grades, the many artificial incentives our society has created in order to stimulate people to become more openhearted have distorted the ethics of our world. Why would anyone need any other incentive to participate in charitable acts, save the real incentive: help someone? Artificial incentives are meant to motivate members of society to become more humane, however, all that they do is dehumanize the act of good will and strip the humane ones of their initial will to help. Thus, offering incentives for charitable acts is unethical because the main incentive to perform acts of charity should not come from an alterior motive, but from our genuine desire to help someone.

Currently, through school community service programs young students are trained in the art of selflessness. Driven by the motivation to increase their number of community service hours in order to complete that indispensible part of their college application, our youth’s perception of aid is distorted. The argument that some people require a little motivation to help and consequently students should be motivated is a fallacy, since school rewards programs solely encourage students to participate in charity acts for their own benefit. Although it is truly beneficial to the community as a whole for its individuals to participate actively in its creation, recently, community service has become more about the individual than about the community. Amidst all the fervor it has created, in the pursuit of quantity, students often lose the main impetus as for why to partake in this activity—good will. Let us not forget: charity is not meant to provide the donor with benefits, rather, it is meant to help those receiving the aid.

From firsthand experience, I know that motivating students rebukes the whole purpose of charity. In my former school, students were awarded honor roll status if they completed 75 hours of community service. Many of my peers were driven to complete the hours solely for the purpose of receiving the distinction. Some even went so far as to forge their hours! Thus, instead of looking to help others, they followed an alterior (selfish) motive. In my opinion, it would have been better for them to complete less hours rather than have completed the 75 “hard earned” hours in vain with a false incentive. In fact, this is the failure of alterior incentives; they not only rebuke the purpose of goodwill, but also encourage donors to become entrenched in the lie that they are honestly helping someone.

The individualistic motives imposed by our society to partake in charitable acts continue in the business world. Through tax cuts for big businesses that choose to donate a small part of their immense profits to charity, the needy are cheated again. Once again, such alterior motives as tax cuts rebuke the purpose of aid, as money is solely thrashed upon the needy. Those big businesses that “truly wish to help”, do not even come in contact with the individuals they “seek” to help. I cannot help but wonder: would those same businesses be eager to donate money if they did not receive the tax cuts? In truth, we shall never know, since our society’s ethical incentives are distorted by greed.

Creating alterior motives in order to persuade people to become more humane perverts our humanity and rips us off our genuine desire to help others. If people give in order to get something back in return, they are not only deceiving those who they claim to be helping, but they are also deceiving themselves. Hence, it does not matter how much you give, but WHY you give, and that is why our society must revaluate its ethics.

The Simple Solution

In a fast-paced world, where nearly everyone is concerned with time, money, and efficiency, transportation is the last thing on anyone’s mind. For many, the word transportation is almost automatically linked the word car. For example, when daily errands such as going to the grocery store need to be done, a mother will simply grab her keys, walk to the car, and start the ignition. When a teenager wakes up late for school and needs to make the 8 A.M. homeroom bell, they call a taxi. Cars have been considered a necessity as well as a basic means of transportation to conveniently travel from one place to another in a short amount of time. However, in this world concerned with development and efficiency, we also face challenges such as global warming and pollution. Despite improvements in technology intended to cut back on fuel emissions, people continue to drive their cars irresponsibly. As a result, global warming continues to become a greater threat to future generations, and pollution remains a problem that will one day no longer be avoidable. However, a simple, efficient, and inexpensive solution lies within a two-wheeled, simple means of transportation: the bicycle.

Bicycle use has a wide range of benefits, including exercise, decreased pollution, and convenient transportation. Bikes offer a great opportunity to exercise on the go, and encourage physical activity throughout the day. Statistically, children today are less active than ever before. According to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, about 1 in 3 children in the United States, ages 2-19, are overweight or obese. Bikes will not solve the issue overnight; however, if bikes were to become widespread, children may be encouraged to engage in more physical activity, leading to a healthier lifestyle. Another benefit of bike use is a decrease in pollution, which remains a serious issue that is often overlooked. On a greater scale, if bikes were to become a popular way to travel, pollution rates could decrease over an extended period of time. This may not solve the connected issue of global warming right away; however, it is one step towards improving human affects on the environment. Bicycle use offers a means of convenient transportation as well. Although not necessarily practical for traveling long distances, they are a great way to travel within a town or city. With no exhaust or worries of paying for gas, bicycles offer a true environmentally-friendly means of transportation. Even better, parts such as rubber tires can be reused or recycled for other uses. From exercise to decreased pollution rates, bike use could benefit not only the user but also the community and environment.

Imagine a world where bicycles are more common to see than cars; a world with out the impatient sounds of honking horns, or the smell of fuel exhaust in the air. It’s difficult to imagine bicycle usage becoming popular, especially in today’s society where many teenagers expect a brand new car for their birthday, not a brand new bike. However, there are ways to promote increased bicycle usage among all age groups. If society would encourage bike use and educate the public on its benefits, we could increase the number of bikes on the road, not the number of gas-guzzling, polluting vehicles. Offering enough bike racks at schools and public places for people to park their bicycles, as well as offering incentives could also promote widespread bike use. For example, just as grocery stores in Skopje charge for plastic bags to encourage individuals to bring reusable bags, they could also charge for using a car, or give discounts to customers who choose to use their bikes. Government support could also encourage the public to consider bicycle over car use. An issue for many bike riders is limited space to travel on roads. Government support could lead to a separate lane for bike riders, ensuring a safe, fast lane for them to travel while further encourage individuals to invest in bicycles.

Promoting widespread bicycle use is a challenge, but it is not impossible. Bike use offers a wide range of benefits for each community as well as the environment we all share. By encouraging individuals to choose bikes over cars, and gradually promoting bike use by educating the public and offering incentives, we can improve our environment and help future generations make the right choices concerning transportation.

Hi! I would like to apply!

SAT, Letters of Recommendation, SAT 2, CommonApp, TOEFL, Supplements, Application Essays, College Counseling, Deadlines, Forms, Documents, Transcripts, ETS, College Board…
Sounds familiar? Am I boring you already? Well if you are a senior you have heard these words too many times. I know I have. So, now let me take you into the, what should I name it, the “interesting” world of college applications.
It all begins the summer before your senior year. After spending a few weeks by the seaside and you have had enough of going out, you sit on your computer, go to CommonApp and start browsing colleges that you would like to get into. After a while you manage to narrow your list to 10-20 colleges and you are ready to have a meeting with your college counselor – the person that is going to help you survive this quest and the person that is going to clarify all of those forms and things you need to fill in that just sound like gibberish. Now you further familiarize yourself to the CommonApp – your ‘best friend’ for the following 5 months. Here you have to fill out personal information, all of the activities you have participated in (summer school, community service, seminars…), upload your personal essay, write supplements for all of your selected colleges, and find teachers and counselors to write you a Letter of Recommendation. But wait! That is not all. While you are doing all of this, you need to sign up for your SAT Reasoning Test, a few SAT 2 Tests and of course the TOEFL. And then comes the hard part: you need to actually take these tests and try to do your best.
And then after you have filled out everything, done every test possible, and paid the fees for these applications YOU ARE DONE!!!! Now, the only thing you can do is just way and see the outcome. However, after this seemingly gruesome experience you will see that it was worth it, and you will be sitting somewhere at college campus enjoying the fruits of your labor.