Celiac Disease: symptoms and treatment By Dez (Melancholia.) Celiac Disease is a genetic condition that affects the immune system when someone with the condition eats gluten. Gluten is in wheat, barley, and rye. If someone with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system attacks the small intestine and harms the villi. This makes it harder for the immune system to properly take in nutrients. About 1% of the population has Celiac Disease . According to the National Institutes...

Protecting yourself from cyberbullying By Haley (Halcyon) Due to the pandemic, many of us are spending more time at home and using online platforms more frequently; whether it's for work, studying or socialising. While there are many benefits to staying connected with people, it's not without risks. Here are some ways to protect yourself from cyberbullying. Check your privacy settings. Social networking sites can sometimes change their policies, so check the privacy...
2 Comments

Remember, Remember, the 5th of November By Louise (LlamaLlamaDuck) In most parts of the world, November 5th is no different from any other day. In the UK, however, it is a night celebrated with parties, bonfires, and fireworks. It is much like the 4th of July in America but on a smaller scale. Known as Bonfire Night, Fireworks Night, or Guy Fawkes Night, it is commemorated across the UK every year. It all began courtesy to the man known as Guy Fawkes. Originally from York in England,...

Article featured in Avatar - Volume 3, Issue 12 (June 2010). World Leaders by Casey. Recently, during a class discussion, I was shocked to realize how many of my classmates did not know who the current world leaders were. Right now, there are 181 nations listed on the CIA's website, although not all of them are recognized as nations by the United States. Can you name a third (sixty nations) of them? I can name eighty-seven. Of those I cannot name, , some I have never heard of and...

The Single Life, Part One By Dave (dr2005) and Katrina As one enters adolescence, the pressures of being in a relationship are intensified, perhaps by the social networking relationship statuses open for the public to see, or the tendency to feel as though all of one’s friends are in relationships. As we’ve all seen in the movies, teenaged relationships can grow into marriages of “high school sweethearts,” and others still can turn into long term relationships stretching into the twenties....
1 Comments

How to exercise when you have a chronic illness By Cassie (cynefin) source] Finding interesting and fun ways to exercise can be a challenge, especially if you have a chronic illness. Exercise is said to help with illnesses, but as many people know, it can also make you feel a little worse. Here are a few light exercises that are beneficial for those with a chronic illness - and those without - as well as a few different ideas to keep your routine going. Exercises

A review of Spilled Milk by K. L. Randis By Cassie (cynefin) source] Spilled Milk by K. L Randis is about a young woman named Brooke experiencing and surviving abuse. The title in itself made me think of the phrase "there's no use crying over spilled milk" which is synonymous with a turning point in the book when Brooke realizes that her home life is not normal or healthy. The book opens at a trial, and Brooke takes note of her Organic Chemistry flashcards in her pocket. Following...

Jealousy and how to deal with it By Holly (Celyn) We often think of certain emotions, such as happiness, as being socially acceptable and other emotions, such as jealousy, as being socially unacceptable. We may then feel ashamed for feeling jealous and feel that we have to hide this emotion. We may not know how to handle jealousy and end up unintentionally worsening the situation for ourselves and others. But like all other emotions, jealousy is an emotional state- not necessarily ‘right’...

1 Comments

Article featured in Avatar - Volume 3, Issue 7 (January 2010). Holocaust Memorial Day By Casey (Cas*) We see it even today, over sixty years later, in diaries, in newspaper articles, in memorials, and in novels. We see references to it in plays, in Broadway shows, in dances, and in songs. We talk to our grandparents and great-grandparents to hear their take on the situation happening at large in their own youth. Whether or not this terrifying situation, this Holocaust, as it is now...

Caring for your hermit crab By Cassie (Calico.) Keeping hermit crabs as pets has grown in popularity in recent years. Hermit crabs are often sold at pet stores as well as stores in touristy areas. One of the largest myths about hermit crabs is that they’re easy to care for. Hermit crabs are hardy creatures and they can live a long life if they’re well taken care of. Choosing your hermit crabs Hermit crabs are nocturnal creatures and they might not be awake or active if you choose...

The cycle of domestic violence By Brittany (Aspire.) Overview of domestic abuse Every eighteen seconds, an act of domestic violence occurs. Although the common assumption is that it’s only women who are abused, that’s purely a myth. Domestic violence does not discriminate. Victims can be any age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or social status. While most people think that it’s easy to recognize abuse, the cycle of domestic violence is frequently overlooked. This generally...

Barrier contraceptives: going beyond the external condom By Traci (Coffee.) A barrier contraceptive method, or shortened simply as a “barrier,” is a method of preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by physically preventing the sharing of fluids and/or skin contact. Because it prevents physical contact, it is thought of to be one of the safest ways to protect oneself from STIs and pregnancy. The most common type of barrier is the external condom, also known as the...

Commonly confused words and phrases By Dez (Epiphany.) and Cassie (Cassado) Commonly confused words, also called malapropisms, are often incorrectly used in the place of another similar sounding word. Sometimes a phrase is also misused. This article will focus on a few commonly confused words, their meanings, and how they are used in sentences. Commonly confused words Affect and effect: Affect is a verb and it means to have an impact on something. Effect is the impact that...
1 Comments

The English Baccalaureate, explained By Jack (Coenred) It’s been two years since the fiasco of the British general election, which ended with Cameron and Clegg promising change and reform to wherever they thought it was needed. Following the non-record breaking exam results of 2012, they turned their collective gaze to the education system. They announced that they would find a way to turn it into a more fair and well-rounded system. However, what are the changes they’re making?...