L U C C A

Lucca Magazine is curated by a small team of young creative people around the globe.

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Altering your State of Mind Means Altering your Reality

Your thoughts create your actions, and your actions shape your reality. Your mind controls most of your reality. Without changing your mind, the way your mind works, the way you think, the same experiences will perpetuate themselves again and again in your lifetime. Your mind is the powerhouse of your life.

Keep reading

[luccamagazine]

Winter Skincare Routine

   Personally, I feel my skin is the best in the summer.  The sun giving it a slight tan, the ocean water cleansing my pores––and not to mention––how hydrated it feels.  Yet, when winter approaches, I find my skin to behave the opposite.  Here’s a list of products to use in order to combat dry skin:

+ Day and Night Moisturizers

    While many just stick to one moisturizer, I find that having one for day and night use is better.  The reason why is usually the ‘day’ moisturizer contains some form of SPF protection, which most people forget is a huge concern for their skin, and the night one is thicker (allowing it to stay on the skin for a prolonged period).  Recently I have been using a simple set of day & night moisturizers from Burt’s Bee’s––which I purchased at CVS.  

   Some other good companies with these types of moisturizer’s are Kiehl’s,  Clinique, and Aesop.  Usually some companies carry better lines for more specific skin types, particularly acne-prone and/or combination/oily skin.

+ Hydrating Serums 

   A few winters ago, I walked into Sephora asking one of the makeup artists to help me get ready for a new years’ eve party.  However, before she could apply any form of foundation and/or concealer––she told me I needed to invest in some sort of serum.  My skin was cracking, making it hard for the foundation to appear more evenly dispersed along my face.  She told me about this ‘hydrating water bomb’ serum by Belief.  Honestly, it was the best purchase ever––the moment I would apply this, my skin felt cool, smooth, and like water had been infused in my pores.  

  I apply this also usually before bed or after I exfoliate my face.  It helps maintain the moisture in my skin, without making it oily or ‘over’ hydrated.

+ Chapsticks

    A no-brainer.  Personally, I avoid going for the ‘high-end’ chapstick brands, and stick to the basics.  Burt’s Bees, Blistex, and even just a drug-store brand are cheap, medicinally sound, and work the best.  Of course there’s also makeup brands such as Tarte that provide more ‘chic’ and multicolored options––but I find they don’t provide as much healing power as the pharmacy ones do.

+ Body Lotions

     Finding the perfect lotion is also an essential to having hydrated skin throughout the winter.  I stick with pretty basic brands––such as Aveeno, Cetaphil, or Dove.  I find that I can buy these brands in bulk for less expensive prices, and they get the job done.  Of course there are many ‘higher-end’ brands on the market, but I find they are in smaller bottles and cost more––making them run out quickly, only lasting me a week or so.  

     It’s important to look for brands that have very few ingredients in their products, because your skin is extremely pores.  You don’t want to be adding a lotion which will cause hives, or pimples, to form.  

+ Lip Exfoliators

     The best lip exfoliators I found on the market were from Lush.  They’re made with simple ingredients (sugar, oils––and you can even eat them!), and come in a range of cool flavors.  You can even make your own, since it requires such a simple range of ingredients.  I find that mixing brown sugar and honey make the perfect combination for adding hydration while removing dead skin.  

+ Face Oils/Peel-off Masks 

     Depending on your preference, some people prefer to stick to oils and face-masks to add hydration.  I find that these are more convenient to bring when traveling instead of a large tube of serum –– since you can pack them in your suitcase or place the oil in a smaller tube.

     For those that are steering clear of added chemicals, oils are a great way to add hydration with minimally processed ingredients.  I find that even using tea-tree oil (which smells a bit funny, but is 100 percent natural and effective) does the trick.  It works as an anti-acne agent, and makes your skin hydrated without that ‘greasy’ effect.     

+ Hand Cream 

    Personally, it is extremely hard for me to have ‘smooth’ hands throughout the winter weather.  I find my hands get chapped instantly.  Luckily, there are plenty of hand-creams on the market.  I carry smaller bottled ones from drug store brands, that way I can always have one hand-y (haha) in my bag or coat pocket.  Additionally, at night, if I find that my hands are especially suffering, I put them in a hand mask, or coat them in lotion before bed.  This way I can keep them moisturized, without having to worry about having greasy fingers during the day. 

Last but not least, in order to really get hydrating skin is to drink lots of liquids! Water will help replenish your cells––making you feel less groggy and overall more refreshed.  

Article by Zoë

Photo by Rosanna Jones 

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What To Do When It’s Too Cold Out

     Personally speaking, winter weather is not my favorite thing in the world.  However, living in the Northeast, it is practically impossible to avoid.  Snowstorms have been coating all states near the Atlantic––causing cities to shut down transportation, and advising that others should avoid driving.  So what do you do when you’re trapped inside?  

+ Catch Up on Some Reading 

     It’s so easy for us to immediately get sucked into all of the endless amounts of visual stimulation our technological devices offer to us.  While this is sometimes an advantage, and an extremely helpful tool, imagine how much of a time suck it really can become.  

    Being trapped inside is the perfect opportunity to grab one of the books on your hidden bookshelves (that maybe you bought on a whim, but never had the chance to read).  Or, you can look up tons of recommendations online, and order an eBook right to your phone, kindle, tablet, laptop, etc..  What I like to do is see what books are being made into movies soon, and try and finish them before they hit the theaters.  

+ Take a Hot Bath 

    Work and school are stressful.  When’s the last time you could really sit down in your tub, light some candles, and put on a face-mask?  And what is better than a nice hot bath on a freezing day.  It will make you feel less stressed, and ‘clear-headed’.  

+ Exercise 

     You don’t need equipment or a gym provider to work out.  It’s so easy now-a-days to go to youtube and find quick workouts you can do at home with no equipment.  Take advantage of this time and sweat it out (I recommend following this session with a long bath), especially since you probably will be sitting mostly all day if you’re stuck inside.

+ Treat Yourself to a Home-Cooked Meal

     Sad-lunchbox meal no longer.  Make a warm curry, soup, or stew for the ultimate comfort food.  Or, since you have the accessibility of a kitchen, why not explore a new recipe you’ve been wanting to try?  There are tons of interesting recipes online to choose from, and if you are with family or friends, they’ll very much appreciate the food. 

+ Movie Marathons

    A no-brainer.  Netflix, Amazon, and even Hulu provide as the essentials for most of us.  New show you didn’t have the chance to start?  Movie you’ve been dying to see? Now is the time!  Even if you don’t have these subscriptions, you can always find something on demand or online.  The options are endless. 

+ Get Some Work Done 

   Okay, okay this is probably the LAST thing most of you are thinking when you think of being snowed in––but hear me out.  You have a whole day to get some work done, and you don’t even need to spend every last minute doing so.  It’s so refreshing to finish up your work for the remaining week or so and having free time to do other things––like go out once the snow clears up.  

Article By Zoë

Photo by Karolina 

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Things That Need to Be Left in 2017

     While the New Year brings resolutions, goals, and long lists of desires ––it also serves as a time of reflection. This past year has been filled with an abundance of highs and lows. It’s important to recognize these moments and understand where we were positively and negatively influenced as a greater population. Here are some things––I believe––need to stay in 2017.

+ Discrimination 

     It’s no secret that many minority groups have (and still do) suffered through centuries of discrimination.  From racism, to sexism, to elitism, etc.––we’ve all witnessed, contributed, and sometimes ignored these acts of discrimination.  While I can really only speak for the United States, I can safely say that this year has been politically tense.  Even though there have been many ‘low’ moments–– especially for people of color, non-able bodied, different ethnicities, sexualities, etc.-–all of this chaos has seemingly brought most of us together.  Even though it has taken only outrageous commentary and public humiliation to get majority population to realize that racism, sexism, etc. STILL exists–– it does not ensure that these things will stop happening. 

     Hopefully, despite all of these events, our population needs to come together and bring greater awareness about these issues.  Educate those who don’t understand the difficulties of these minority groups, or the privileges they might have.  The more people become educated, the more they will understand how they can help.

+ Sexual Assault 

     #MeToo campaigns have set off all over every possible social media platform––and I’m both thrilled (for the awareness it’s bringing) and saddened (since victims have stayed in the dark for too long).  

      This campaign has shown how it’s important to use these tools our society has to offer (social media, online articles, videos, television, etc.) to bring awareness about these issues.  However, we need to look at the bigger picture as well––discrimination and ‘power-play’ are factors that heighten sexual assault cases.  It is, sadly, all a ripple effect. How can we evolve in such a way that this #MeToo hashtag doesn’t have to apply to sexual assault victims any longer?  Educate, educate, educate.  

      Make safe spaces.  Teach younger generations about rape culture, and why it needs to NOT exist.  Continue sex-education in underprivileged schools.  Education is such a powerful tool, and sadly the US is lacking in that area.  We need to reach out to ALL communities –– no matter what class, race, gender, ethnicity the population consists of.

+ Ignorance 

   While some ignorance may be bliss, it is not so when it comes to greater policy issues.  It’s important to step back, evaluate the situation, and never EVER involve negative commentary into the mix.  For the past week, I was more than appalled to hear the United States President, Donald Trump, (who, quite frankly has said ignorant things from the moment he stepped into office) call Haiti a sh*thole country.  These ignorant comments are reaching to greater populations across nations––and are ‘affirming’ in some way, negative behavior.  We need to continue to support the people of the world, and stand together to emphasize that we are a WHOLE, and every country is a beautiful country.  

+ Self - Hate 

   This may be a bit minuscule in comparison to the issues I brought up above, but it is deadly force.  People need to sway away from ‘self-hate’ commentary.  In order for everyone to have a voice, we need confidence to be a part of that equation.  Stand up for yourself, keep speaking up––because no one will hear you if you don’t say anything.  It’s important to love yourself, and believe you have a purpose.

+ Entitlement 

     While there are many privileged people who have been active in speaking up about major social, political, etc. issues, there are others who refuse to participate.  We need to banish this sense of ‘entitlement’, even if status is something that haunts our everyday lives.  

  People who make a larger income, have white skin, who were born a male need to understand––they have all the right cards.  They need to recognize their position of automatic power they have.  However, use this power to uplift those who don’t have the same privileges.  By using your voice, speaking for those who can’t be heard, you are creating a more united nation.  

    Let’s make 2018 the year of community.  Let us become closer, and speak out against issues that have been present for WAY. TOO. LONG.   

  Photo by Hanna

Article by Zoë

[luccamagazine]

Maple cayenne granola Recipe

This granola can be topped to acai bowls, yogurts, mixed with berries, bananas, and a little almond milk as a cereal, or just snacked on just as it is! This granola is not only delicious, vegan, and plant based, but as it includes a spicy touch of cayenne, it restores the circulatory system by opening the capillaries and regulating blood sugar, helping the digestive system that moves bacteria and toxins out of the body. Let’s get going!

What you need:

Raw oats Shaved almonds (can be substiuted with any other type of nut) Rasins, cranberries, or dried fruit Chia seeds Coconut flakes Cinnamon Nutmeg powder Cayenne powder Maple syrup (agave or honey work as well)

Bowl Spoon Baking tray Wax paper Oven

What to do:

Put the raw, uncooked oats in a large bowl which will give room for stirring and addition. Put as much of the oats in the bowl as the amount of granola you want to make. (More oats = more granola). *This recipe leaves out measurements as each reader can make it more their own.

Add shaved almonds, cranberries, dried fruit etc to the bowl.

Add chia seeds and coconut flakes.

Stir until toppings are evenly mixed in with dry oats.

Slowly add maple syrup to the bowl as you are stirring. The oats and toppings should all be sticky, evenly coated in syrup, when you have enough. If you would like less maple syrup, you can add more water instead to get the “wet” consistency. The oats and toppings shouldn’t be drowned in syrup, but the majority of the mix should be coated in a thin layer of syrup.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Set out your baking tray and lay wax paper on it (this is so that the granola does not stick to the tray when cooked.)

Spread out the granola mixture onto the tray evenly.

Put tray in oven and bake for 30-45 mins.

Enjoy! BY: PARKER

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‘Outdated’

  For those of you who are avid fashion trend followers, it’s hard to miss the message for the inspiration for this years runway looks: ‘70s florals’, ‘90s leather’, and ‘80s vibrancy’ seem to keep re-appearing on the stage.  Yet, our world is changing constantly, and with new technological improvements every single day, it seems almost ironic that we would be “praising the past” to inspire us.  Think about all the things that hadn’t come to our attention a couple years ago––new iPhones, laptops, 3-D printing, and flying cars were not the ‘talk of the town’. While these creations have been able to aid our society through difficult incidents and solve ‘real-world’ problems, it also has taken away from the simple joys we used to have.  So how can we reconnect with those ‘outdated’ activities while still appreciating the changes our society is going through?

+ Do More, Screen Less 

     While I am beyond grateful for the benefits the internet has given me (movie streaming, social media, google, etc.) sometimes I feel like it has taken away from the joys I would get from doing these same activities, but without a screen. 

   For example, there is something to be said about going to the Movie Theater to see a new film than streaming it online.  The ambience of the theater, the maximizing visuals you get while looking at the enormous screen cannot compare to even the most high-definition television.  It also allows you to fully immerse yourself in the movie, no distractions allowed.  Yes, it’s more expensive, yes, it can be a hassle to drive all the way down for a film––but don’t tell me the joy you get from experiencing a film on the ‘big screen’ is the same as the experience you get from your couch.  

   So next time you see a possible opportunity to go outside and do something you could have easily searched, downloaded, etc., do it.  See that new film, visit a museum, art gallery, boutique shops––the possibilities are endless.  It will feel much more rewarding and memorable. 

+ Gather Inspiration Differently

   Being an incredibly visual person, I constantly gather my artistic inspiration from online platforms such as Tumblr, Instagram, and the greater world of the WWW.  However, sometimes it is more rewarding to visit a new show at a gallery nearby.  Seeing the art ‘live’ brings up this overwhelming bundle of emotion.  Maybe you didn’t notice the certain paint stroking mechanisms, or indents in a sculpture, because the online image couldn’t deliver that information to you.  

   Yet, don’t limit yourself only to art galleries.  There is inspiration almost everywhere.  Unplugging yourself, observing more, and listening more to the sounds and pictures around you can trigger creative ideologies that you didn’t think of prior.  

+ Find a Balance 

     The other day I read an article on how a woman managed to not use her cell phone for an entire month.  Of course, I felt impressed and inspired by this, yet at the same time I disagreed with this mindset on many levels.  The measures she took to restrict herself from technology seemed a bit obscure, considering there was no reason for her to completely sway away from online platforms.  I felt like this was a perfect example of ‘black-and-white’ thinking.  It’s either all technology, all the time, or not.  

    The purpose of technology is simple: to connect, educate, and make our lives easier on some level.  It’s there for a reason.  We shouldn’t feel the need to purge ourselves from it completely.  That’s why I believe finding a balance between using it responsibly, and not using it for sanity purposes, is the best solution.  

    Maybe instead of aimlessly scrolling through feeds, put your phone on silence mode, and do something else to pass time.  Try and remove yourself from the screen for a bit, but remind yourself it’s always there if you need it.  By simply saying ‘you can’t’, makes it 1000 times harder to actually not use your device. 

+  ‘Alone’ Time 

    Since our world has developed into a more technologically advanced one, I’m assuming most people do majority of their work either online, near some screen, etc.  

‘There is such a thing as too much of a good thing’ is one important piece of information to keep in mind. 

   While you may feel that there might be a sense of urgency to check X,Y,Z app, news feed, etc.––you need to let that go. We’re all guilty of it.  What I would recommend is starting out by pulling up some form of timer, begin by setting it to 10 mins.  That’s all––10 minutes.  

   Use those 10 minutes to catch up on a good book, doodle, play an instrument, whatever makes your heart content.  Avoid all screens.  Then, when time is up, return to whatever you were doing before.  Start by doing 10 minutes a day, then increase in increments.  By the end of the month, maybe you can safely say you’ve been able to read for 1 hour without checking your phone once.  Who knows, it maybe will change the way you see technology as a whole.

+ Practice Mindfulness and Presence 

   ‘I can’t not think for X minutes’ 

   ‘I get distracted easily’

    These are somethings I hear, and admittedly have said myself, when people bring up the idea of mindfulness.  Mindfulness has gotten a bad rep.  It’s easy to hear this word and immediately envision an over-zealous environment with in-scents, buddha sculptures, and meditating gods floating above the earth.

   This is simply not the case.

   Mindfulness practices are different for everyone.  Personally, I find that doing an activity –– whether it be drawing, painting, reading, playing my guitar––that requires little to no thought, is the most effective.  

   Many of my friends find walking meditation (where they listen to no music and stroll about the city) is the best release for them.  For some, they actually benefit from sitting still for a couple of minutes and listening to their breath.  What I’m trying to say, is it’s different for everyone.  So do some research, find your method, and practice it.  

   With being present, it’s a bit more simplified.  Remove all distractions and focus on the moment.  When going out to dinner with friends, put all phones in the middle of the table, and the first one to touch theirs has to pay.  Seems unreasonable––but it works.  Nothing is worse than trying to share a moment with someone and not having their full attention during conversation. 

 Article by Zoë

Photo by Taylr Anne

[luccamagazine]

5 free productivity apps to kickstart your 2018

Five free apps to enhance and kickstart 2018, ranging from organization, to production, to mental and physical health. Tested and loved by the LuccaMag team. Let's go!

1. ToDoist 

    Do you love making lists, but have too many of them, whether in “Notes” on your phone, your laptop, or your notebook? ToDoist offers the perfect solution, syncing all your lists into one. The app opens on tablets, phones, laptops, even popping up in your email brower. The design of the app is simple, easy to use, and satisfying. 2. Evernote 

    Evernote is a writing app with a sleek, modern design, one that also lets you sync information across multiple devices. Evernote is the perfect app for those that love or need to write, whether for work or pleasure, and wonderful for brainstorming on the go. Evernote takes the upper hand in comparison to other writing docs such as Google Docs as the app’s format is cleaner, and easier to use on small screen devices such as the iphone. 3. Momentum 

    Get ready to feel inspired, motivated, organized, and renewed every time you open a new tab on your computer’s internet browser: Momentum is here. Rather than opening a new tab onto a blank internet page, Momentum opens your tab with the time, date, a gorgeous scenic picture, a motivational quote, and has options for a to-do list and focus list. Sounds like a lot? The design of momentum is precise, open, and gorgeous, all for free. 4. Nike Training Club 

    Nike Training Club is an app you can use whether you have never worked out before in your life, or if you are a pro. There are hundreds of workouts to choose from, whether you want to get toned, get lean, or get strong. The workouts are guided by an instructor, efficiently-designed and easy to comprehend. There are yoga workouts, weight workouts, cardio workouts, and the variety of each is immense. A must download for anyone remotely interested in fitness. 5. Buddhify 

    Love to meditate but busy? Or new to meditation but intrigued? Buddhify is the optimal meditation app for anyone on the go, offering a variety of different locations, determined by your current activity, your current mood, or what is on your mind. These mediations can be long or short, and the app is simple yet robust, and easy to set up and use. BY: Parker

[luccamagazine]

4 simple steps to getting the most out of your 2018 Resolutions

    Amidst the chaos, stress, and emotions the holiday season can bring- whether induced by travel, family, money expenditure, or shifts in diet and routine, the excitement and hope for the new year can spark motivations for major change. Scrolling through my social media feeds, an onslaught of proclamations of resolution and hope made me feel eager to mark down some goals for 2018. However, as I wrote my own resolutions I found that the pressure to be better, more efficient, and happier lead me to create generalized goals with no plan of action. Here are 4 easy steps I devised in making resolutions that will stick and result in real change:

1. Reflect and observe

    What worked for you in 2017? What didn’t? Identify outcomes that you would like to improve in your life- whether in relationships, health, budgeting, or personal routine. Next, take time to consider the patterns that lead you to these undesired outcomes. Were there small actions that patterned themselves over time, leading you to dissatisfaction? What contributed to these patterns? One example could be that you didn’t get enough sleep in 2017, and you want to work on regulating your sleep schedule. Rather than stopping the resolution there, delve deeper into the patterns that intertwined with your sleep schedule- did you go out too many days a week? Turn off your technology before bed? Procrastinate work and then end up working late into the night?

    2. Break it down

    Once you have identified undesired outcomes and the patterns that induced them which you would like to work on, break down your patterns with tangible ways to change them. Building off of the previous example, you would resolve to “get more sleep” in 2018, which means completing your work by X time of day, reading a book before you sleep rather than watching TV, and only going out on weekends. These comprehensive patterns of change will direct you to success in fulfilling your resolution, rather than leaving you lost in what to do in face of a big resolution with a lack of action plan. Again, this method can be applied to anything- diet, relationships, etc, not just sleep!

    3. Remember WHY

    The third and most integral component in making and maintaining real resolutions is the will to. But without a WHY, you will have no will. So, what is so important about your goals and aims? Why do they matter to you? Perhaps you want to break a cycle of toxic relationships because it will allow you to expand your time and energy in order to make greater success. Maybe you want to clean up your diet not only to become learner, but to maximize your health, strength, and life longevity. Write down your WHY’s next to each resolution.

    4. Make it FUN!

    Completing steps 1-3 throughout all aspects of your life that you wish to improve and change can feel overwhelming and discouraging at a certain point, especially if you have many resolutions (as I did this year). To make this process exciting, motivating, and empowering, make it fun! This could mean, for someone visual like me, making collages or drawings that inspire me and pertain to said resolution. Or, it could be motivating to sit down with a friend or family member and work on it together, like a project. The goal of resolutions should be to motivate, encourage, and inspire you for real change, rather than to make you feel restricted and discouraged.

[luccamagazine]

Moving From Melbourne to LA & What I learned

  Incredibly daunting, ridiculously fun to plan, and a life milestone that has been celebrated since the dawn of time. I'm talking about moving out.

Now around the world, this can happen at difference stages in your life. In Australia, you generally move out once you finish university. It's the opposite in America, where it happens when you start college. But regardless- it's fun, and means you can actually put those Pinterest boards you make titled 'room inspo' to use.  

From my personal experience, moving out is one hell of a ride. I moved from Melbourne to LA for five months, so I was ready to pick up my life and just hit the ground running with my suitcases when I arrived. But little did I know- there's a lot of things you have to think about when you drive away from your family home. Making sure you have enough food in the fridge, cleaning, monthly utility bills- it adds up and it can get super daunting. Suddenly those $20 lunches mean ramen noodle dinner for the rest of the week.  

There were nights when I called my Mum asking for advice, and I know that if I hadn't been overseas- I definitely would've been driving home a few nights a week.  

But it's an amazing adventure. With large doses of independence and freedom comes the opportunity to grow. So from someone who's got many friends that've moved out- and has kind of moved out herself- my biggest advice when you're branching out is to embrace the opportunity and to never be afraid to ask for help. And half the fun is stumbling through life with nothing but a taste for adventure, with your friends and family cheering for you by your side. By Maddy

[luccamagazine]

Explaining Diversity as an Ally 

    Yes, I am a white female.  Yes, I am blessed to have privilege by living and growing up in New York.  Yes, I can only sympathize with, try and comfort, my friends of color who face discrimination daily.  Luckily, growing up in the city, and going to a school which offers an array of classes based on Race, I have been able to learn more about race through historical and personal anecdotes. However, what do you do when a close relative visits your ‘liberal bubble’, and immediately says things that you deem as ‘politically incorrect’? Here is my experience.

     Let me first start off by saying this is not a diss to any of my family members, but more so an experience I am using to explain a subject to many people who maybe live in their ‘liberal bubble’ in America, and still don’t believe opinions like this still exist. 

    I remember going out to dinner with my said relative, who is around the same age as me, yet we grew up in completely different environments.   

   Although many of the comments and slurs he used seemed to be in a very ‘ignorant’ and ‘unknowing’ matter, I found my sister and I correcting him quite a bit.  First, and foremost, he assumed all black kids lived in the “ghetto”, and frequently described them as “intercity” kids.  My sister and I caught him slipping these words out frequently, and told him that the reason as to maybe why these kids were pushed into low income neighborhoods was due to the circumstances their race gave them in the past when it comes to housing.   Additionally, this year, my senior seminar read the book The New Jim Crowe that explained as to why many people of color were forced into these neighborhoods was also due to the fact they were unfairly incarcerated, thus making their living conditions scarce due to the low influx of payment after being labelled as a felon.  Most of these felons, additionally, were due to owning a small recreational amount of marijuana, which I know for a FACT many of my peers have had on numerous occasions. 

     That being said: not all people of color live in low-income neighborhoods.

     We then changed the subject to college.  He and I were both graduating soon, and would be attending universities on the Northeast.  When we were ranting about the admissions process, he talked about this frustration he had with the choosing of students.  He stated that it was ‘easier’ for black kids to get into college due to their race.  This is just a false assumption, again, my sister and I pointed out.  Many admissions people can be racist, we explained, and usually only accept people of color in their institutions unless they are above and beyond their expectations.  Meaning, many students have to work EXTREMELY hard in order for their achievement to be noticed over a white student’s. This is because many might perceive their race as a group of people who are: ‘lazy, poor, drug dealers, and/or criminals’.  While these assumptions about the admissions’ office may not apply to all colleges, we have to recognize these stereotypes reside in workplaces, primary schools, etc..  

They still do exist.

  Luckily, some schools are working to change this, and pride themselves off of their diversity.  Again, this doesn’t apply to all institutions.

     Overall, my relative was respectful enough to listen to our points, and many times either disagreed or agreed.  These conversations, though, taught myself as an Ally to ensure that I use my privileged to continue to inform my other privileged friends and relatives about the race issue in America.  Hopefully, by reaching out and speaking up about these issues, we can continue to dismantle racist remarks, stereotypes, and stigmas being placed on people of color. 

Article by Zoe 

Photo by Chris and Jonathan Schoonover 

[luccamagazine]

Movie Review: Moonlight (2016) 

   In the Oscar Nominated film, we are taken through a three part story of Chiron, a young boy growing up in Miami.  This film beautifully captures the harsh reality of growing up in the 1980s as a minority in the United States.  Chiron’s story is filled with struggles centered around his family, financial security, and sexuality.  Be warned, though, tissues are essential when watching (spoilers to follow). 

     Growing up in a low income area of Miami, there was an influx of drug trafficking.  Earlier on in the film, Chiron was running from bullies at his school and found a safe-haven in an abandoned house.  Minutes later, he comes face to face with Blue, a drug dealer in the neighborhood.  Chiron and Blue’s connection was almost ‘father-son’ like, something that Chiron never had considering his dad was not in the picture and his mom was an addict that could never be there for him.    

    One interesting observation I made from the film was that Chiron’s character never had a long narrative that described what was happening, or how he was feeling, in a particular scene.  In fact, his character says a total of 10 lines throughout the film. Yet the visuals of his body language and facial expression were so powerful that the viewer could almost internalize what he was feeling. Something as simple as his eye contact he had with his lover, or even the way he looked at his mother when she was in rehab, was all I needed to see in order to understand his thought process.  This is what made this movie so moving. 

     The movie is split into three parts: childhood, high-school years, and adulthood.  When he was at the youngest age, his mother was never emotionally or physically there for him.  She was either yelling at him, sleeping with other men, or stealing money from him to buy drugs.  Chiron also had trouble fitting in with kids his age, especially in high school, but he develops a strong friendship one of the boys in his school.  

     He partakes in more “feminine” activities such as dancing, and because of this, the younger boys didn’t want to play sports with him because they saw him as “weak”.  This stereotype shaped his high-school experience, where he ends up being teased and beaten daily by other boys in his grade that were more “masculine”.  There are some violent scenes, ones where I had to shut my eyes in pain, because I couldn’t bear to see him get hurt. 

     His one friendship with a boy from his childhood years remains.  One night, he travelled by subway out to the beach in order to avoid his mother at home.  When he arrives, his friend at school ends up running into him, and they smoke together.  During this scene they hook-up.  

    His father mentor, Blue, also passes away, but he continues to see the girlfriend of Blue, since she is more of a ‘motherly’ figure.  Eventually, he leaves after graduation, never goes to college, and pursues the dangerous drug lifestyle that his fatherly figure––Blue––had.   One night, he receives a phone call from the boy he had been involved with in high school.  Unfortunately, he was skeptical to go and visit him because  he day after they were on the beach, the school bullies had “forced” Chiron’s crush to beat up Chiron. This fight caused an emotional tear in their relationship.   This fight acted as a catalyst for Chiron’s new behavior.  He forced himself to appear more masculine as well as making an effort to hide his sexuality. 

   Blue Moonlight is a captivating film that draws viewers in with the meticulous details of it’s cinematography.  It touches on difficult situations of human existence, such as sexuality, economic status, and family issues.  It is more than just a story about Chiron, but rather a tribute to those who have managed to persevere through similar obstacles.  

Article by Zoë 

Photo by IMBD

[luccamagazine]

Women's March on NYC

This year was unique, especially since the elect and inauguration of president Donald Trump. Upon arriving to 5th Ave, I saw so much creativity, energy, and passion in these women (and men), amongst many memorable signs (“This pussy grabs back”, “Putin’s Bitch” (with a picture of trump beneath), “My body my choice”, and “Free Meliana”). There has been some lash against the merge of the Women’s March protesters and anti trump protesters into the same march. Personally, I didn’t feel that the people in the march were projecting hate onto Trump so much as protesting against his ideas that infringed on women’s rights (such as the right to choose, and Trump’s overtly sexist comments against women.) The march was loud, proud, and excited. I feel lucky to have been a part of it. What I took most from the march was empowerment, inspiration, and hope in the voices of fellow women.

[luccamagazine]

How to Meditate In a Distracting World 

     This winter break I had the privilege of traveling to Costa Rice on a yoga retreat, where my days were filled with morning yoga practices, evening meditations, and an abundance of gourmet vegan foods.  Coming from the stressful school environment prior to this, I was more than relieved.  However, during our introduction meditation class, ironically, I felt more stressed.  This was because I thought I genuinely didn’t have the ability to “properly” meditate. Here are some things I wish someone would have told me prior to this class:    

+ Let the Thoughts Come 

     It is impossible to have a completely blank mind while meditating, and in fact, it is normal for thoughts to arise.  However, instead of letting these thoughts take over, you just observe them coming and going.  Many people experience almost dream like visuals during their practice.  This is completely normal, and in fact encouraged. This is because you are not controlling these “visions” and your mind is creating them organically–which is a part of the meditative process. 

+ Guided Meditations 

     I found that having someone or something guide me through a meditation – whether it be a teacher or an app with an audio clip – made the experience better.  Their voice kept my “monkey mind” in check by reminding me to bring my focus back to my breath.  Additionally it helped me keep track of time if I was short on time, which brings me to my next point:

+ Shorter is Better 

     People usually get intimidated by the word ‘meditation’ because we picture that the only humans who do it are overtly spiritually, and dedicate hours for their practice. This is a false interpretation, and meditation doesn’t have to be a day-long (or even hour-long) affair.  Sitting still and meditating for even 5 minutes is shown to have a positive affect on people, and in fact, might be more effective than sitting down to meditate for over an hour. 

+ A-Typical Practices

     Meditation is a very personal experience, and because of this, you can practice it any way you desire.  Some people find it better to sit in silence with their eyes closed, some like guided meditations, others need to participate in an active form of meditation––through walking, drawing, or even running.  The key is to make sure, however, that you remain focused on your breath, and that you don’t let your thoughts consume you. The definition of ‘meditate’ simply means to think deeply or focus one's mind for a period of time as a method of relaxation.  However you desire to meditate, is completely up to you. 

Article and Photo by Zoë

[luccamagazine]

How to have a culturally immersive vacation

Expose yourself to their media //

Before you arrive at your destination, expose yourself to their media! What’s going on on their news right now? What popular or classic movies and books are they watching and reading? What kinds of music do they listen to?

Stray from the all-inclusive resort //

Resorts are often boring after too long. Why? You have the same food options as you do at home, the makeup of goers at the resort isn’t diverse, you’re visiting the same beach every day, and using the same accomadations during the day. To engage in the culture of where you’re staying, it is more stratigic to book a local hotel or Air BnB. This offers a more authentic perspective to what the destination has to offer, as well as opening up your plans to more than just what you think you’ve payed for.

Leave the group tours //

Group tours are scripted, where’s the culture in that!? Though knowing your facts is a good thing, but go out and explore them for yourself. Try the local cafes, markets, and check out any street vendors rather than just listening to the history of them.

Ask a friend (or a local) //

If you have a friend that lives or has lived where you are visiting, don’t be afraid to ask them about their favorite spots. If you don’t know anyone from where you’re visiting, why not ask a friendly local? Having a culturally rich experience often means straying from the highest Yelp reviews and tackling the local favorites.

BY: Parker

[luccamagazine]

Surviving the Holidays: Family Edition

 Many of us are either coming home for the holidays this December or traveling to various locations.  Holidays are known for a time to reconnect with family, and not just your immediate family, but extended one’s as well.  Here’s how to survive the tension that these awkward holiday dinner parties bring about...

+ Have a Mediator

   Not many of us have the benefit of bringing our significant other along with us to these events–– which can be good and bad because it means you have someone to ensure that you’re being respected but at the same time it can cause an abundance of questions to be thrown at you.  Offer up the event to a friend, colleague, or even your neighbor if they don’t have anything to do during the Holidays.  Additionally, reconnect with your closer siblings or cousins that will be there––the more the merrier. 

+ Remain Neutral 

  It can be really hard not to respond to a question or opinion in an aggressive way.  Especially with a lot going on at the moment politically, it’s best to not delve deep into that topic (generally speaking).  Sometimes acting neutral and respectful will also make the person realize how what they said wasn’t appropriate.  Remember, it’s not your job to change someone’s opinion about something, but you can be the better person by remaining respectful.   

+ Change the Subject 

  This can always be a tricky one, especially if not done correctly.  The best way to always change a subject is to answer a question someone asks you in a brief and non-descriptive way, pause for a second, then ask about something that you know they have been doing in their life.  People always love to talk about themselves, and it’s not to say that they’re selfish––it’s just true.  This then can give you time to listen, smile, and then excuse yourself to go do “something else”.  

+ Ask Questions 

 Again, this can fall under the category of changing the subject.  Asking questions about someone else’s life immediately opens up another conversation.  Additionally, if they keep bombarding you with questions, and you’ve taken every possible appropriate and respectful route to divert the conversation, then you can just ask the same question back to them.  You’ll realize that they’ll see how disrespectful and intrusive their question might have been, and actually excuse themselves.  Remember, the goal is to stay calm!

+ Go to the Bathroom

  When all else fails, say you have to go to the bathroom.  No one has something so important to say or mention that it has priority over your bladder. 

Article by Zoë / Photo by Jordana 

[luccamagazine]

5 Websites for a change in perspective

The internet is buzzing with information. But sometimes we place our attention in the wrong places. Amidst the beauty hauls, morning routines, and gaming videos; there is a inspiring, thoughtful and pensive corner of the internet; ready for those willing to seek it. Read more to find out websites and youtube channels that will feed you hunger for thought.

The New York Times

This recommendation is definitely approved by your english teacher; and rightfully so, as it is a genuinely good source for current affairs, innovative thoughts, and information on the arts. My favourite part of the NYT is a toss-up between the T Magazine and the Opinion Pages. On one hand, I appreciate the sophisticated approach when commenting about culture and art; on the other, I love the personal take on current affairs that these writers carefully and logically craft out. Regardless, one thing is for sure: head here for quality journalism. 

Vox

While the news website is good, nothing gets better than the youtube channel. I am not talking about their coverage on the 2016 US presidential debate, but rather their innovative explorations into sciences, history and art. My favourite series is Vox Almanac where Vox’s Phil Edwards explores bizarre topics ranging from the oxford comma, internet bars and the salem witch trials. Here you find answers to questions that you didn’t know you wanted the answers to. 

Blank on Blank

‘Blank on Blank’ is exactly like what the channel suggests: blank, insert famous person; on blank, insert a provocative topic. I found this channel through the video of Carl Sagan on Extraterrestrials, and fell in love with almost every video since. The list of icons range from Kurt Cobain to Heath Ledger, from John Lennon to Robin Wiliams. I cannot tell if I appreciate this channel more for it’s uncovered voice interviews from the past, or for its quirky doodles that only accentuate the content that these interesting people talk about. 

The School of Life

Started by one of my favourite pessimistic intellectual, Alain de Botton, ‘The School of Life’ is a channel that essentially tries to teach life lessons that are normally not found in school. It explores vital ideas to do with love, relationships, sex, society and art. As an avid philosophy student, my favourite parts of this channel is its interesting videos on philosophy, that are always paired with stylistic animations. However, other parts of this channel may seem preachy and obnoxious.  

Brain Pickings

What is essentially a blog filled to the brim with accounts of inspiring people and their thoughts on certain life matters, is everyone’s crash-course into the world of ideas and creative thought. To anyone that is interested in literature, arts or film; this blog is for you as it encompasses ideas from all these fields. Although the content may get a bit repetitive, It is a miracle that the author Maria Popova writes and runs this blog all by herself! 

Article by by Yuk-Ting | Photo by Erica Choi

[luccamagazine]

Artist Spotlight: CHRISTIANE SPANGSBERG

Inspired by Fauvism, Spangsberg began creating her art in a quaint little studio at Osterbro in Copenhagen. She states that she has plans to hold exhibits of her blind drawings around the world in 2017. After battling with a love/hate relationship with drawing as well as dealing with her perfectionism, Spangsberg continues to draw and inspire people the world over with her simplistic yet complex works of art.

Since then, Spangsberg has gained a large following after posting her drawings on Instagram, stating her inspiration arises from originality and imperfection. Vogue Australia and Unconditional Magazine have even featured her marvelous minimalist inspired work. In a recent interview, Spangsberg revealed her struggle with the term “artist”. She believes, in her own eyes, that she is just a girl who occasionally likes to express herself on paper. Her modest attitude clearly presents itself in her art, focusing around women, human relationships, and communication between people.

Currently, she is in Bali, where she is learning about the spiritual practices of yoga. The Paddington Inn in New South Wales, where Spangsberg will be until March after leaving Bali, has purchased many of her pieces, which are on display.

website: christianespangsberg.com instagram: @christianespangsberg

BY: Ryan