Monthly Archives: January 2015

By: Anna Chen

The Place Vanier Musical team is hustling and bustling in preparation for this year’s musical. Through cast and band rehearsals, meetings, and various preparations, many members of the Vanier community, including some of your fellow Vanier residents, have been working very hard at bringing forth a musical that will rock your socks!

For those of you who haven’t heard, this year’s musical is Rent. Rent is a rock musical, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s opera, La bohème. Rent tells the stories of several young artists in the course of one year. These artists were seeking to live the Bohemian life in the Lower East Side in the thriving days of the Bohemian East Village of New York City in 1991, during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Within the group, the artists endure sickness, AIDS, poverty, and prejudice, all while trying to live their young lives.

Why should you come and see Rent? Rent has won a Tony Award for Best Musical and also won a Pulitzer Prize, to note just a few of the awards that this musical has received. Rent has an impeccable storyline, following several characters that will inevitably charm you. Rent is also one of the first Broadway musicals featuring bisexual and transgender characters. Rent highlights many controversial topics and has been able to bring them to a Broadway setting. Rent is a musical put on by residents, for residents! Residents from all around Vanier are members of the cast, crew or executive team, where they act, sing, dance, help out backstage, or plan and work with other members of the team to create the musical.

Through the many meetings, rehearsals and band practices, we are currently hard at work for our big shows, which are set to be playing the in Vanier Ballroom on March 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th. Ticket sales will be occurring in the Vanier Commonsblock during the week prior to shows. Watch out for posters and other advertisements around Vanier!

Are you interested in joining our team? We are currently looking for more behind the scenes help, including, but not limited to: stage hands, members for our marketing team, members for our costume & make up team, and members of our props team. Please email the Place Vanier Musical Committee at musicalPV@gmail.com, and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

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By: Marlee Laval (R.A. in Robson House)

At UBC, there is no denying that a dynamic range of identities can be found within lecture halls, libraries, and residence areas. Unfortunately, society – which, in many ways, includes UBC – often does not acknowledge the unique experiences and needs of transgender people.* As Residence Advisors, it is our job to help build communities that are supportive, positive, and inclusive of all identities, but there are many ways in which all residents can help create safe spaces for trans residents. Here are some quick, simple tips that you can use to make living in residence safer and more empowering for all gender identities!
* Note: For the purposes of this article, a transgender person will be loosely defined as someone whose gender identity is different than the social expectations of the sex that they were assigned at birth. For example, if a baby is assigned “female” according to their sexual characteristics (ie genitalia), and the gender of “woman,” and is later a gender other than “woman,” they are transgender.

 
1.) Respect names and pronouns – and normalize asking for them.

People using the wrong name and/or pronouns – often called misgendering – is a common obstacle that transgender folks face. You cannot determine a person’s pronouns (what you refer to them as in the third person – they/them, she/her, he/him, ze/hir, etc.) simply by looking at them! If you are unsure which pronouns someone uses, ask them, and try to use gender-neutral pronouns for them (such as they/them) until you know. It’s not rude to ask someone for their pronouns – it’s respectful! Use someone’s preferred name and pronouns, even when they are not around. If you accidentally use the wrong name and/or pronouns for someone, apologize, promise that you will work to not do it again, and move forward.

 
2.) Help make conversations and spaces gender-inclusive.

Using gender-inclusive language makes conversations safer and more relevant for trans people in your communities. A simple example of this would be saying “people with vaginas” instead of “women” if you are talking about vaginas (which, in respectful contexts, is A-OK). This change in language acknowledges that not all women have vaginas, and not all people with vaginas are women, which is inclusive of trans folks!

For a more gender-inclusive environment, accessible spaces such as gender-neutral washrooms can make a big difference. Something as simple as going to the washroom can be a huge barrier for transgender folks. Talk to your RA about making your floor’s washroom(s) gender-neutral if they are not already. If you are planning an event, ensure that at least one accessible washroom at your venue is gender-neutral. Go here for more information on why gender-inclusive washrooms are important!

3.) Learn about transgender lives and experiences, and advocate for transgender rights.

If you identify as cisgender (a person who identifies as the gender that socially “matches” the sex that they were assigned at birth), learning about and centering the experiences of trans people is a very important step in creating respectful and trans-inclusive spaces. The Talon’s resource page is a great online place to start, along with campus organizations such as The Pride Collective at UBC, The Sexual Assault Support Centre, the Equity and Inclusion Office, and Access and Diversity. Look out for opportunities to take a Positive Space training course to help you gain the skills to create LGBTQ-inclusive spaces. Avoid asking extremely personal or invasive questions to transgender people – it is not their job to educate you! – but respect and center the knowledge and experiences that they choose to share.

From there, stand in solidarity with trans people as they work to claim the rights that they deserve. Remember that this is about them, not you – prioritize their voices, support them when they need it, stand up against transphobia and discrimination, and advocate respectfully. This is what you, as an ally to trans folks, can do.

To conclude, I hope that you will take these tips and apply them to your communities – not just within Vanier, but within the rest of your spaces. Transgender lives matter, and it’s time to create a gender-inclusive community where trans folks can live and learn safely.

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By: James Twaites

Maybe you’ve heard of improv. Maybe you haven’t. Here’s the gist: people make up plays as they perform them live in front of you. It’s pretty great, and I recommend it.   Getting out to the opera or an edgy art exhibition for your “cultural education” can feel like hard work, and it feels easier (and cheaper) to stay at home and watch six consecutive episodes of —insert running sitcom—. Although —insert character— is oh-so relatable and funny, it’s no substitute for getting out there and experiencing theatre.

This is why improv is a good culture fix; it isn’t homework. No one will make you watch it, you aren’t expected to take away a life lesson or gain a better understanding of your place in the universe. Granted, sometimes good improv is transformative, but it’s not why people go to see it. We go to see danger. Like a tightrope walking act or a roller-coaster, improv gives the sensation that something could go wrong at any time (and it does). When groups of people make up stories on the spot, sometimes it doesn’t work; that’s what makes it interesting. You see the players adjust in real time to the unexpected, and like a good game of sports, the outcome is discovered by the audience and the players together.

“Enough talk”, I hear you say. “When and where does this happen?”

I’m glad you asked. Here are some cool improv crews and events that run in Vancouver.

UBC Improv

We have our own personal brand of surprisingly poignant hilarity, and it’s great. Shows are $3 or $10 for a year’s membership (which includes access to workshops and all the shows for free). Come to Scarfe 100 every other Friday for an underground-rock-concert atmosphere and a ton of fun! The next show is January 30^th, and you can find more information at www.ubcimprov.com.

Grad School Improv

Grad School Improv is a collection of current and past UBC improvisers who perform at Seven Dining Lounge (53 West Broadway) from 8:00pm-10:00pm every Tuesday for only $4! That’s less than a grande mocha! Every week you’ll see a collection of fun games, scenes, and some bigger long-form pieces.

10 Speed

10 SPEED is a monthly improv show that features Vancouver’s finest improv groups doing 10-minute sets on the first Tuesday of every month. If groups exceed their allotted ten minutes, hosts Tom and Devin disrupt their sets in boorish, uncouth ways.  In the past, disruptions have included live crabs, flying sharks, dance troupes, and pizza-eating dogs. The show makes it home at the China Cloud Theatre – 524 Main Street.

Instant Theatre

Instant Theatre also runs its shows Sunday nights, starting at 9:00pm at the Havana Theatre (1212 Commercial Drive). Shows are $8, and extra great. Instant Theatre has popularized several show formats including STREETFIGHT and CAGEMATCH. Don’t worry, they aren’t as scary as they sound. Instant Theatre is better known for its classes and workshops. Check them out online and enroll if you’ve ever wanted to give it a try!
The Sunday Service

This weekly show features two halves of fast paced, absurd and hilarious improv. The first half is a mix of classic/reinterpreted short form games, performed in the group’s unique style. The second half is long form story-telling improv combining high energy scene work, characters, and interwoven stories. This happens every Sunday at 9pm at The Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main Street. It’s $7 bucks, which is the best value for entertainment you’ll ever get.

They’re all good. Pick one at random. No wrong answers. Go do it. It’s fun, and it’s good for you.

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By: Maria Bitar

It is unsurprising to be bombarded by people discussing ‘New Year’s Resolutions,’ but are we really making handy resolutions that contribute to the betterment of our lives? Here are a few things to keep in mind when making resolutions for the New Year of 2015:

1. Not every lifestyle is fit for a fixed set of goals

For example, you may decide that you want to lose weight this year – five pounds, maybe? Some people would consider having a work-out schedule to be crucial in achieving this goal, and that is completely justified. However, others may not be able to stick to schedules as effectively. An adjustment to the resolution may be splitting it into smaller goals such as skipping the French fries in January, or going to Ultimate whenever possible (wanting to sleep is not an excuse to skip).

2. Are you really considering what makes YOU happy, or what makes others around you happy?

Will losing the 5 pounds make you feel happier, healthier, and more confident about yourself, or are you doing it because a family member told you to? Will studying more to achieve better grades contribute to your intellectual development and lifelong learning, or are you doing it to feel on par with your friends when it comes it grades? Ask yourself why you make each goal and how it will contribute to your overall well-being.

3. Don’t give up if you think you’re not keeping track with your own expectations

It’s halfway through January, and you’ve already gained a pound rather than losing one. You may be thinking, “maybe weight loss isn’t for me.” Keep in mind that making goals is a dynamic process, and this process may need several adjustments before you notice progress. Don’t be afraid to experiment with what works best for you.

4. Have others back up your goal

Do you tend to make worse nutrition choices when you’re eating alone? Find a friend who shares the same ‘get-fit’ goal and go to lunch together! Having someone there to ensure you make better choices before catching on to the habit will make it much easier for you to remain on track with your goals.

Have a Happy New Year, Vanier!

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By: Emma Harris
Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, is a type of depression that results from the change in seasons, usually starting and ending at the same time each year. Overall, the younger you are and the farther away from the Equator you live, the more likely you are to have SAD. Given Vancouver’s iconic dreary (and rainy!) fall and winter….and spring, students in the Lower Mainland are reported to have some of the highest SAD rates in the country.

Symptoms of SAD
In general, the symptoms of SAD include:

• Irritable mood
• Tiredness and low energy
• Heavy, sluggish feeling in the arms or legs
• Oversleeping or trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Appetite changes, especially craving foods high in carbohydrates
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Agitation or anxiety

As a student, these symptoms heavily affect your ability to be a good student and a good human being. Of course, it’s normal to have some days when you don’t feel 100%, but if you feel de-motivated to do activities you normally enjoy, feel depressed, have exaggerated sleep and appetite patterns, feel hopeless, suicidal or are turning to alcohol for comfort, you should seek help from a doctor or someone you trust.

What are the Causes of SAD?

• Your biological clock (circadian rhythm): reduced levels of sunlight in the fall and winter disrupt your body’s internal clock, leading to odd sleeping patterns and feelings of depression.
• Serotonin levels: drops in one of your brain’s crucial neurotransmitters negatively affects mood. This happens due to the lack of sunlight, which lowers the production of serotonin (aka the “happy” neurotransmitter).
• Melatonin levels: changes in the seasons can disrupt the body’s level of melatonin, greatly affecting sleep patterns and your mood.

Don’t be SAD: Treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder

• Light therapy: aka phototherapy, you sit close to a special light therapy box, exposing you to bright light that imitates natural outdoor light. This has been shown to have positive recovery affects in as little as a few days.
• Go outside more, sunny or not: it’s a proven fact: getting natural fresh air and exercise also boosts your serotonin levels, making up for the lack of sunlight. This in turn improves your mood to make you happier! ☺
• Sit closer to windows in the library and in your room: find a way to be closer to the sun, even with the deceiving fog. This will be sure to lift your mood and allow you to sleep better, compared to if you were always in a room with no windows.
• Take melatonin tablets: this dietary supplement is a synthetic form of a hormone that naturally occurs in your body to regulate mood. Taking this decreases SAD symptoms, especially in getting your sleep schedule back on track. This can be purchased without a prescription at local drug stores (ie. Shoppers Drug Mart), but always read the instructions on the back first!
• Yoga and Meditation: clearing your mind can alleviate feelings of sadness and mood fluctuations, cause relaxation and make it easier to sleep.

UBC and Vancouver Resources

• UBC Counselling Services: Drop-in hours are usually 9:30am-3:30pm Monday-Friday, FREE ☺ in Brock Hall, (604) 822-3811
• Student Health Services: Health services just for students, FREE as a UBC student at the UBC Hospital. Open 8am-4pm Monday-Friday, (604) 822-7011
• Nurse in Place Vanier: Our nurse Carla visits Place Vanier on Tuesdays from 3-6pm, feel free to ask her any questions and get more information about SAD.
• Vancouver Crisis Line: Call anytime you need to talk to someone, (1-800) 784-2433
• Vancouver General Hospital: to see a doctor or to get a referral, (604) 875-4111

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By: Nicole Evans

Once upon a time, I was in high school. It was Grade 12 and I was trying to decide what I should take in university. I couldn’t decide, so I applied to six different schools and at least three different programs. I finally settled on engineering because both my father and grandfather were engineers. I liked math and physics, and it just made sense. So, come September, there I was at UBC, sitting in my first year engineering classes. Life was good – busy, but good.

Then came the time for second year program selection. Once again, I was completely lost. I wasn’t sure if engineering was what I wanted to do in the first place, and now I was being asked to choose what type of engineering I wanted to do! Despite my confusion, I finally settled again, this time on Integrated Engineering. It was the perfect compromise because I got to take classes from all the departments, therefore avoiding my decision dilemma.

Come September again, there I was at UBC, sitting in my second year Integrated Engineering classes… and I really didn’t like them. I loved the program and I loved my friends, but I hated my classes. One day, I sat down and opened the gigantic list of UBC programs. After many hours of elimination, I decided that the least objectionable option was geography. I applied to transfer into the Faculty of Arts – a bit of a departure from the world of engineering.

I dropped all of my engineering classes for second semester, and for the first time I GOT TO PICK MY CLASSES! It was amazing – I got to choose whatever I wanted! I had some biogeography, human geography, philosophy, religious studies… I was so excited. It was a bit of an adjustment moving from engineering to arts, but I enjoyed it. My classes were interesting, I understood everything, and what I learned seemed relevant! I missed the community in engineering, but I was happy.

Then at an engineering event that I helped organize for Integrated Engineering, I ran into the Dean of Applied Science. Yeah – the Dean. The head honcho, the big cheese, the person you think you’re never going to ever meet. But I met him, and we got talking. It was the first time that anyone had shown real interest in my reasons for leaving, and what my plan was now. At the end of our conversation, I’d been convinced that Civil Engineering was where I should be. I applied to transfer, and after way too much waiting, I got accepted.

Come September, and there I was at UBC, sitting in my second year Civil Engineering classes. And I loved them. But Civil Engineering isn’t just bridges and buildings. There’s a lot that you can do, and I have absolutely no clue what I want to do. But right now, I’m where I want to be, and that’s great.

So, the moral of the story is that if you don’t know what you want to do, that is totally okay. Try taking a class that you find interesting; maybe consider a minor from a different faculty. Or, if you’re completely crazy like me, switch your degree. Take it from someone who’s been there – it may be stressful and a bit scary, but it’s worth it in the end.

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