Cupid in the Class We find out what it's like to be in love in school
A bald, skinny maths teacher spewing Cartesian equations can only keep a juvenile mind occupied for so long. Eventually, the juvenile minds wander over to more fascinating beings on the other side of the classroom. Sparks fly. Gossip spreads. But eventually, the confessions are made - they're a couple.
From then on, they're everywhere together. They sit together in class, they're always borrowing each others' things. And when they're not doing those, they're busy doing… well, other things. RS talked to some teens about something that's been giving high-school principals headaches since the days of co-ed schools - classroom romance.
Burning question to all the lovebirds out there - why in the classroom, when you can go to a dimly-lit sheesha lounge and have all the fun you can think of?
“Because we're teens. We don't always have the time or money to go someplace 'proper'.” “Getting out of the house to go meet a guy? Like that's happening! But class, I have to go to anyways, so it's kind of legalised. It's not like my parents are going to ask me why I'm going to SCHOOL.”
Hmmm… interesting. But is it only because there's no other choice, or do the brown pants and ID card actually make your boyfriend look more handsome?
“Haha, classroom romance DOES have its benefits, even with the stupid uniform that comes with it. For one thing, I know I'll always get to see him in class *wink wink*.” Another socialite offers her insightful words, “If you're dating someone hot or if you want to get back at an ex, you'll obviously want everyone to know about it. And the best way to do that is to date in class.”
Then again, there's the fact that supply side policies are getting on your nerves and your sweetheart is sitting just a desk away. “You can't really blame us,” they say. Point well taken, we reply.
Right then, we notice a nerd giving us curious looks from behind his calculus book. We decide to approach him to help us in our research.
Nerd, after clearing throat: Romance? In the classroom? Hmph! That's only for the airheads who are yet unable to comprehend the beauty of algebra.
He goes back to drooling over his book. Err, classroom romance much?
Leaving our nerd in peace, we move on to the big question - what happens when you get caught? As in, when the teachers get to know and even the buas can count the couples off on their fingers? Just how bad can it get?
“Um, obviously we try to lay low for a while… we sit separately, and we won't talk too much in class.” “The best thing to do is to just wait it out. They'll get tired of it eventually.” But not always, another lover warns. “The teachers are just going to give you weird looks when they see you together. Maybe they'll pass a snide comment or two, but that's about it. REAL trouble is when administration complains to your parents about 'indecent behaviour' in the classroom.”
Wow, that's scary.
Considering the risk of getting caught, coaching centres vs schools - which are more 'couple-friendly'?
“Coaching centres are not as strict about rules as schools are; they don't have uniforms, and the girls are always prettier with makeup on… I'd definitely say they're a better place to date!” Way too many people seem to have the same opinion, which certainly does a lot to explain the three-foot tall heart scrawled on the wall of one of these alien's coaching classes. But some people have other ideas. “We get more time together in school because we're there for longer.” And then again, “Our school has the most awesome library with the BIGGEST ever bookshelves!”
And finally, PDA - to do or not to do?
“Ew.”
“Oh, come ON, we're in high school. Go back to kindergarten if you hate it that much; and you can take your cooties with you.”
“Seeing people at it actually makes me WANT to start on my SAT critical reading.”
And just one more, even though we know its going to be totally useless - any personal stories you'd like to share?
“No”, “NO”, “No, thank you”, and “No freaking way!” Well, at least one of them said thank you. We go back to our nerd for consolation. Unusually, he has left his seat of learning. Close inspection of his calculus book, however reveals 'I <3 integration' scrawled into the margins. OMG.
By TheAlien4mEarth
Special thanks to Mr and Miss Speed Racer, WildSpark, the Baby Seal, Iceman and Laughing Gas for their insights. And to certain others for their… um, live demonstrations.
BOOK REVIEW
Catching Fire
Sparks are Igniting, Flames are Spreading and the Capitol wants Revenge! Suzanne Collins was respected for her bestselling series The Underland Chronicles but after The Hunger Games became the New York Times bestseller she finally started getting reader's attentions. The book was showered with praise and accolades which inspired her to bring forth the second book of the series, Catching Fire, which is more mature, thrilling, fast paced and, of course, larger than the previous book.
Catching Fire once again takes readers to the fantasy world of Panem where Katniss Everdeen, our protagonist is supposedly living a peaceful life in District 12 after becoming the victor of the 74th Hunger Games. Well, not exactly. You see, her trying to commit suicide leaving the games without a winner made people in the Capitol enraged as they considered this as an act of defiance, which is now fanning sparks of rebellion throughout Panem.
Amidst this chaos, the 75th Hunger Games arrives and as a special rule this time, the tributes of the game will be taken from the previous victors of the game and Katniss being the only female victor of her District is literally forced to enter into the game once again and this time, instead of a bunch of terrified and inexperienced teenagers, she'll have to face a gang of experienced killers.
Now the last book lacked solid characters. To cover for that mess, Collins brought in a whole army of them. There's the evil and atrocious President Snow, who threatens to kill everyone Katniss knows, and then again there's the awesome net-and-trident wielding Finnick Odair, a previous victor from District 4, who teams up with Katniss later on in the arena. The writer also (wisely) decided to give Haymitch and Peeta Mellark (the rest of the District 12 team in the games) a bit more significance in the novel which was well appreciated, because finishing a whole book with only one character as a priority is gets on your nerve after a while. Also the idea of the new arena where the Quarter Quell takes place (yes, that is what they call the 75th HG in this book) that Collins cooked up was ingenious.
The book, honestly, is unputdownable and I loved the way Collins kept action, survival, gruesome deaths and political turmoil her main agenda instead of making romance the number one factor of every decision like some writers do (you know who we mean). I think I've said enough; go read the book already!
By Mahir
A man was just coming out of anesthesia after a series of tests in the hospital, and his wife was sitting at his bedside. His eyes fluttered open, and he murmured, "You're beautiful."
Flattered, the wife continued her vigil while he drifted back to sleep. Later, her husband woke up and said, "You're cute."
"What happened to 'beautiful?'" she asked him.
"The drugs are wearing off," he replied.
Valentine Trivia
The Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every Valentine's Day. Forever alone, anyone?
