Welcome to The Cascade, your source of news, culture, and student life at the University of the Fraser Valley.
The month turned to February as easily as I rolled over in bed. I didn’t get up for that entire weekend and since then the days have been languid. Maybe it’s the energy of the month, or the reality that I am deep into English 313, advanced poetry with Rob Taylor, but my bedriddenness was coloured by lots and lots of poetry. February’s musings drifted me toward Sylvia Plath, who died on yesterday’s date, Feb. 11, in 1963. Plath’s “Mad Girl’s Love Song,” (1953) is an apt description of the beginning of my February:
“I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;
I lift my lids and all is born again.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)
The stars go waltzing out in blue and red,
And arbitrary blackness gallops in:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
I dreamed that you bewitched me into bed
And sung me moon-struck, kissed me quite insane.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)
God topples from the sky, hell’s fires fade:
Exit seraphim and Satan’s men:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
I fancied you’d return the way you said,
But I grow old and I forget your name.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)
I should have loved a thunderbird instead;
At least when spring comes they roar back again.
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)”
Anyway, dive into this issue to find representatives from the Political Science Student Association speak on the Liberal Party election and general uncertainty following Trudeau’s resignation on page 4, followed by an interview with Associate Professor Dr. Martha Dow who offers her take on Trump’s recent (and oppressive) executive orders.
Beginning on page 7, we have a revival — sex is back at The Cascade, and our Opinion Editor gives you the low-down on libido. If you were wondering exactly if this paper even matters anymore (it does), our Features Editor, Darien Johnsen, is doing important work for journalism on page 10 — is journalism dead? To subsidize or not to subsidize? And what is the Pierre Poilievre of it all?
As we near the end of an athletics season, our sports section covers the recent men’s and women’s volleyball and basketball weekend on page 15. Bounce over to page 19 and find out what UFV students think about making friends on campus; are we more commuter or community? Last but not least, page 20 offers a Latinx take on Emilia Pérez (2024), and amidst our bustling Arts in Review pages, a rom-com countdown for the day of love can be found on page 22, with movies suitable for both the single and coupled.
We wish you the best during the shortest month of the year — if you find yourself needing a little extra rest this month, give yourself some grace; it’s the feeling of February.
Kiara Okonkwo is a writer and creative. She received a diploma in Screenwriting from Vancouver Film School and is pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Media and Communication Studies. Kiara values self-expression and authenticity.
