Issue 4 (Fall 2008)

candidaustin teenmade for

teens by teens

Fall 2008

AUSTINCITYLIMITSBAND PREVIEWS:FIVE STAFF PICKS

*GOING GREEN!ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY FALL FASHION

CAREER INTERVIEW:Founder and CEO of Sweet Leaf Tea

CLAYTON CHRISTOPHER

With the end of the 2007-2008 school year came the end of an era. The founders of Candid were moving on to bigger and better things (Good luck, Amber, Helen, Lisa, and Kae!). But most importantly, they were leaving behind this magazine. And with the end of that era, a new one began. We, the new editors, were given the great responsibiliity of continuing the publication of Candid. After months of many long nights and much hard work, we are now able to finally hold the product of our blood, sweat, and tears in our hands. This magazine is only possible because of our dedicated staff and wonderful supporters. Thank you guys so much for believing in us and sticking it out. We could not have done it without you.

made for teens by teensEditorsAmulya AradhyulaAlyssa MakhaniBella Wu

Ad RepresentativesShreya Krishnan

Staff WritersPatricia HowardHannah LewisDoris LiLinda LiaoHaley Plotkin

ContributorsTerri LeeNicole UpdegroveAndrea Vo

PhotographersTerri Lee Sunayna RajputAndrea VoOriana Wong

Contact [email protected]

www.candidaustinteen.com

myspace.com/candidmagazine

Find our group on Facebook

Letters to the editors can be emailed

or sent to the Candid Office (10222

Dianella Lane Austin, TX 78759)

ColophonThis issue of Candid Magazine wasprinted by Austex Printing. Joelle Hanks represented our account. The full-color publication was created using Adobe InDesign CS3 and Adobe Photoshop CS3. Body copy was set to Myriad. Other fonts used were Georgia, Letter Gothic STD, Rabiohead, Ben Brown, Maria, and Arrière Garde.

meet the

new editors

amulya

bellaalyssa What is your favorite TV show?

My favorite show is The Office because Dwight is definitely the coolest guy on earth. What superpower would you have? I think I would like to be able to read people’s minds, as long as I am able to turn it on and off.

What is your favorite book? This is constantly changing, but the last book I read and really enjoyed was The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven Chbosky.What is your most overused phrase? “Tell me a story.” It’s a great way to get most conversations started and I love it when people tell me about their lives. It works well for me, although others may not agree.

What is your current favorite song? Right now iTunes is playing my many renditions of “Hallelujah” (Kate Voegele’s is a favorite) on repeat. What do you want to study in college? I’m not sure at the moment, but I’m currently leaning towards something journalism-related or possibly business. Maybe a combination of both!

made for teens by teensExplore behind the scenes on the web at

www.candidaustinteen.com

Ever wonder how this magazine was put

together? Each layout is meticulously

designed, carefully edited and

deliberated over to ensure cohesiveness,

accuracy and consistency. To

pay for the pricy printing cost, ad representatives

solicited advertisements and donations. Photographers struggled with

lighting, timing and model availability. Sound fun? Join us. We’re looking for staff for future issues. Check out our site for more

information.

uPdaTES |

LOC

aTIO

NS |

PhO

TOSh

OOT PICTurES | MEET ThE STaff | rErE

ad OLd ISSuES | JOIN uS

contentsTable offall 2008

new editors

am

ulya

FEATURES

5

8

9

SPECIALS

4

18

19

20

21

REGULARS

4

16

17

22

Top Tier Candid founders share their successes

Urban Legends True or false?

Going Green! Eco-friendly fashion and fun

Catching Up With photographer Chris Evans

ACL Preview Five top picks

College Corner College majors & careers

Picks Around Town Local Favorites

Education Private, public, or homeschool?

Best New Release Our favorite new book

How tos Tips for everyday living

Career Clayton Christopher, Sweet Leaf Tea

Current Controversies

3candid | fall 2008

4 candid | fall 2008

Last issue we featured student photographer Chris Evans. We caught up with him again and found out what he’s up to now.

“In the last year I experimented with dark room techniques and started shooting medium format film. Once purchasing film and processing it got too expensive I took the plunge and upgraded to a Canon 40D, a digital SLR, and haven’t regretted it. Since then I have had more freedom to experiment without having to worry about wasted money like I would with film. My favorite time to shoot is at night.”

-CHRIS EVANS

point

click &sho

ot

Since middle school, Chris Evans has been

capturing his world in film. From a “photophilic”

family, Evans plans to pursue photography in college,

hopefully at UT Austin.

“My parents like to tell me that I can take pictures

of anything, and that is really how I got started, taking

pictures of everything and doing a lot of experimenting

with the camera.”

Currently, Evans wields the Olympus SP-500 UZ as

his weapon of choice.

“It has numerous scene modes, but also a full

functioning manual mode. My favorite feature is the

super macro mode. It enables the photographer to get

within three inches of the subject.”

“When I take pictures, I fall into a trance-like state in

which I stop thinking, and my body just takes over.”

Anderson High School photographer

Chris Evans captures the essence of Austin

^

^

^

www.dyroxy.com

Winner of

Photobloggies

2007 “Best Under

18 Photoblog”

ACTION SAMPLER

Let’s calculate a typical movie date

night. Tickets to watch a B grade movie:

$17. Stale popcorn: $7. Drinks filled mostly

with ice: $7. You get the point and…

the empty wallet.

Well, with just $30, a roll of film salvaged

from your junk drawer, and some friends,

you can enjoy endless entertainment and

priceless mementos.

Lomography’s Action Sampler camera

captures four shots into one psychedelic

photograph. If that is not tempting enough,

its acid hues and conversation-starter status

should be well worth the measly price

tag. Still not tempted? Get your friends

to chip in for the camera and watch the

memories materialize.

WH

ERE

IS H

E N

OW

?

BESTnbook

For fans of the Edward-Bella romance saga, Stephenie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn will be no disappointment. Bella’s very composition will alter, and yet their teenage relationship only grows stronger. The touch of Edward’s lips will still make fan-girls stop breathing, just as they do to Bella. Questions will be answered, finally, about her ability to block Edward’s and Aro’s powers, and she’ll lose her position as resident damsel-in-distress by the end of the book. And of course, that’s all good, because having a main character seem weak both physically and emotionally gets old pretty quickly. However, for those – like me – who also enjoy the thrill and suspense of the plot that was more evident in the first three books, Breaking Dawn will be a bit of a let-down. Most of the book revolves around character development, and a real conflict between the vampires doesn’t present itself until more than halfway through the book. The climax of the novel also seems lacking, if you were hoping for southern armies, the downfall of the Volturi, or vampire-on-werewolf action (no innuendo intended). Overall though, I have to say I did read the book cover-to-cover in one day, as with Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse. The 700 + page book was well worth the read, and even worth the hour-long wait in line to purchase it. There’s a reason that Bookstop downtown ran out of copies by 2 p.m. on opening day. So despite the lacking action, I highly suggest that fans of the series to finish it out, and stick with Stephenie for Midnight Sun, a glimpse into the all-seeing mind of Edward Cullen.

-NICOLE UPDEGROVE

ewrelease

5candid | fall 2008

TOP TIER}{For the past two years the founders of Candid Magazine worked behind the scenes putting together an entire magazine from start to finish not once or twice, but three times. We, the new editors, have had a lot of questions to ask them. Although some were about clerical things, most were us asking for advice about surviving high school. Now we give them a chance to share about their motiviations to start Candid, their high school experience and their plans for the future.

nw

release


AMBERMAKHANICandid Magazine: What were your motivations for starting Candid?Amber Makhani: I still remember that day vividly when Lisa said those fateful words, “Wouldn’t it be cool to start a magazine?” We were so naïve and unaware of the work it took to publish a magazine, but our enthusiasm for our goal to create a magazine for our peers enabled us to persevere. CM: Any advice to your readers to manage high school?AM: Work hard, but don’t be afraid to have fun and do things you enjoy. I enjoyed everything I did in high school, and I got into my dream school. If you do things that you enjoy, you’ll probably do better at them and make them into something substantial.CM: How is college compared to high school?AM: College is amazing!! I love that at Rice there are kids who are all academically driven but also want to involve themselves in other activities. In high school, I felt like a lot of kids were one or the other, but here, people realize that those things aren’t mutually exclusive. Academically, I feel like it’s about the same amount of work (maybe more) but you have a lot more free time to finish it. That being said, there are a lot of social distractions, such as clubs and other activities, so you’re still as busy as you were in high school (but enjoying it more). CM: What was the most valuable lesson you learned from high school?AM: Don’t lose sight of your goals, but don’t think you have to do what everyone else is doing to get there. There is more than one way to do something, so find the way that you most enjoy. CM: Do you have any more advice to give our readers?AM: Use a calendar to plan out everything you have to do. Just because you don’t have anything due the next day (like homework or a quiz) doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t study.

KAEWANG CM: What clubs did you participate in during high school?

Kae Wang: Yearbook, NHS, Fine Arts Academy and Frontage Roads.CM: What extracurricular activities did you participate in during high school?KW: Candid Magazine, receptionist at Fidelity Dental and Sales Associate at J. CrewCM: What were your motivations for starting Candid?KW: I love magazines. I think I was crazy and dreamy and thought it was possible. It wasn’t till I actually started that I realized that making a magazine when you’re a sophomore in high school is not actually a realistic normal high school goal. Things that are hard are what are most worthwhile though. I still can’t believe I started a magazine.CM: Any advice to your readers to manage high school?KW: Get those college applications done early and don’t apply to ten schools. It’s completely pointless. You only end up at one school anyway.CW: What was the best part about doing Candid?KW: Holding that first issue in my hands! The jump from compiling the magazine on the computer to actually getting it on print was such a huge hurdle.CM: What was the most valuable lesson you learned from high school?KW: Don’t fret. It eventually ends. Just kidding, let’s see: the most valuable lesson I learned was how to be a leader and work with people as a yearbook editor. I feel so humbled to have worked with such amazing staff writers and photographers and to have been part of three yearbooks.

CM: Any advice to your readers to manage college?KW: Buy a planner. Always have peanut butter and jelly in your dorm room. Some times it hard to find food at 2 a.m. when you’re working on a psychology paper. CM: What was the most valuable lesson you learned from Candid?KW: How to endure and keep going when things seemed impossible.

HELENWANGCM: What was the best part about doing Candid?Helen Wang: It gave me so much real world experience. It was great to have a tangible product. CM: Any advice to your readers to manage high school?HW: Have fun. Don’t do anything you don’t love to do. I loved being part of Sun Dancers and Newspaper and enjoyed being in leadership roles in both organizations. You will rise to the top if you truly love what you’re doing, you won’t get there if you climb the ladder for the sake of college or for your resume. CM: Was it hard to juggle everything you had going on?HW: Yes! Extremely awesome friends definitely helped. CM: How is college compared to high school?HW: College has a lot more freedom. You have a lot more independence. Academically there are fewer tests and quizzes, only a few that hold a lot of weight. Club-wise, people are more intense and passionate because they’re not part of organizations to beef up their resume but because they truly care about the club’s mission. CM: What was the most valuable lesson you learned from high school?HW: Senior year is the best! You have to, I repeat, you have to live it up. Go to plays, go to concerts, go to spirit circles, pep rallies, various games; if you’re a girl become a stick chick, soccer sweetheart or spirit girl; get involved with your school and leave your school with a sense of pride. You don’t realize that you’ll never get to experience high school again until you’re out. Even with all its silly stereotypes, cliques, and drama, it’s all part of the experience, and it’s an experience you only get once in a lifetime. Leave high school and enter college as the person you want to be.

CM: What activities were you a part of during high school?Lisa Gu: Newspaper, Outreach, honor societies (NFHS, NHS, MAT, etc.), and the most intracurricular activity that took over so much of my high school life: IB.CM: Any advice to your readers to manage high school?LG: 1. Know your strengths and weaknesses; learn how to use your strengths to maximize efficiency so you can spend more time with what you have more trouble with. 2. Diversify: quite honestly, grades and academic achievement are only one aspect of high school. You truly can’t rely solely on academics to get you to where you want to go in life, especially in the college application process (Think of what you look like holistically on paper. If you resemble a scantron-bubbling robot, expect fewer invitations from the more selective colleges to matriculate.)3. Grow as an individual.4. Explore beyond your limited horizons.5. Have fun. Seriously, don’t waste four years of your youth.CM: What were your motivations for starting Candid?LG: Around finals time sophomore year, Helen, Amber, and I were hanging out in the library. We were bored, and just discussing ideas. I had been fantasizing about doing a community magazine, and I just brought the idea up. Helen and Amber thought it would be fun to do over the summer. Kae joined in because she’s really creative and was passionate about journalism as the chief-editor-to-be of yearbook. We decided that we needed a focus, so we decided Austin’s college-bound teens would be a great niche; the only real literature targeted toward college-bound teens are preparing-for-college guides (school analyses, test prep, etc.), which are bores to read and are so universal and vague that reading them leave you about as enlightened afterward as before. So, personalized, centralized, focused, and entertaining information was what we decided to base the magazine on. It’s a magazine for teens by teens, one of the very few not sponsored (or run behind-the-scenes) by a larger umbrella organization.

7candid | fall 2008

LISAGU

HELENWANGCM: What was the best part about doing Candid?Helen Wang: It gave me so much real world experience. It was great to have a tangible product. CM: Any advice to your readers to manage high school?HW: Have fun. Don’t do anything you don’t love to do. I loved being part of Sun Dancers and Newspaper and enjoyed being in leadership roles in both organizations. You will rise to the top if you truly love what you’re doing, you won’t get there if you climb the ladder for the sake of college or for your resume. CM: Was it hard to juggle everything you had going on?HW: Yes! Extremely awesome friends definitely helped. CM: How is college compared to high school?HW: College has a lot more freedom. You have a lot more independence. Academically there are fewer tests and quizzes, only a few that hold a lot of weight. Club-wise, people are more intense and passionate because they’re not part of organizations to beef up their resume but because they truly care about the club’s mission. CM: What was the most valuable lesson you learned from high school?HW: Senior year is the best! You have to, I repeat, you have to live it up. Go to plays, go to concerts, go to spirit circles, pep rallies, various games; if you’re a girl become a stick chick, soccer sweetheart or spirit girl; get involved with your school and leave your school with a sense of pride. You don’t realize that you’ll never get to experience high school again until you’re out. Even with all its silly stereotypes, cliques, and drama, it’s all part of the experience, and it’s an experience you only get once in a lifetime. Leave high school and enter college as the person you want to be.

LEGENDSReusing

disposable plastic bottles

is harmful.

MYTHRecently, you might have heard that reusing plastic

water bottles releases chemicals and potentially harm-ful bacteria into the water. However, this is not true if you clean the bottle between uses. You should clean any drinking container with hot soapy water and dry it

thoroughly between uses. Once bacteria have been intro-duced, any container can become an environment for bac-

teria growth. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reviews materials for food contact before allowing them to be sold on the

market. The FDA tests each material to ensure that “there is a minimal amount of transfer between a plastic package and the food it contains and that any transfer does not pose a risk to human health.” Most plastic bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It has been tested by the FDA to meet federal standards for single and repeated use.

THE TRUTH

myth

It is possible to tip

over a cow.

You’ve probably seen a movie where a bunch of bored teenagers pile into

a car, drive to some rural farm, and decided to tip over some sleeping cows. Despite Hol-

lywood’s assertions, a recent study by Margo Lillie, a doctor of zoology at the University of British Columbia, and her student Tracy Boechler stated that tip-ping a cow would take the force of multiple people. Dr. Lillie concluded that “two people could exert the required amount of force to tip a static cow, but only if it did not react.” Another problem is that cows do not sleep standing up, as the myth says. They are also very easily disturbed and wake upon being touched. There is no evidence that any cows have ever been tipped. Besides, why would you want to push over a poor, unsuspecting cow?

the truth <<<

urban

9candid | fall 2008

going

grEEn

With the temperature of

the earth steadily increasing, many

people are beginning to look for ways

to be more earth-friendly. Here, a

few Austin teens demonstrate how to save the earth

while staying fashionable and

having fun. From vintage clothing to

frolicking in the park, these teens

show that you can be both cool and

consciencious by...

LEGENDS

THE TRUTH

myth

It is possible to tip

over a cow.


tips for saving gas1. Slow and Steady

Slow down, speed racer. Cars get their best mileage going an average of 50

mph, so staying in the slow lane on the highway could save you some serious gas.

Going 55 instead of 75 mph gives drivers an ex-tra 10 mpg.

2. Weight WatchersCurrently using your car as a storage unit? Every 100 lbs. added to your car reduces mileage by 2%. Clean out the car and make your mom and fuel tank happier.

3. It’s the little thingsParking your car so you don’t have to reverse and skipping the drive-through (the idling sucks up fuel) helps lower fuel usage. Also, if you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic and you’re not going anywhere, consider turning off your en-gine.

4. Don’t sweat itDespite the Texas heat, some drivers turn off their A/C and roll down the windows in an effort to save fuel. But on the highway, the drag caused from having the windows rolled down causes a whopping 10% decrease in mileage. So keep your A/C on and don’t sweat it. At lower speeds, however, rolling down the windows is more beneficial.

5. Pump it upKeeping your tires inflated can save you an average of 1.3 mpg. Just make sure you don’t overinflate, because that will cause you to lose more gas.

6. Don’t stopTailgating on the highway or stopping at red lights ups your fuel usage. Try coasting to red stoplights so you can try to make the light as it turns green. Also, cut out the aggressive driving so you don’t have to brake quickly and waste gas.

7. Tune upKeeping your car in top shape— by replacing air filters, tun-ing the engine and using the recommended grade of oil— can save drivers an average of 15% on gas mileage.

8. Ride your bikeIf you need to get to some place close to home, consider riding your bike. Not only does it save you gas, but it helps reduce carbon emissions. And you get some exercise in the bargain.

Have the rising gas prices left you

cringing at every fill up? With gas at almost $4 a gallon,

many teens can’t afford to cruise around town. To keep your tank (and wallet) from going on empty, here are some easy

ways to cut your fuel usage. BY HANNAH LEWIS

JT SEGERWestwood High SchoolVolcolm top, Nike shorts

11candid | fall 2008


CHRISTINE LEWWestlake High SchoolNolita top, Urban Outfitter jeans

KAREN LEWWestlake High SchoolLux cardigan, Edge dress

SHELBY GREENVista Ridge High School

Forever 21 top, Hipster shorts

EMILY ALLEN Vista Ridge High School

Bui Yah Kah top, A&F shorts

SAMANTHA SHERMANWestwood High School

Urban Outfitters top, Old Navy shorts

recycle your cans!

JIMMY WUWestwood High SchoolHanes shirt, Polo shorts“I go green by carpooling, recycling, buying stuff made from recycled materials, taking shorter showers, and walking instead of driving.”

TERRI LEEWestwood High SchoolH&M top, Uniqlo pants“You can go green by not blowdrying your hair, turning off the water when you’re brushing your teeth so you can conserve water, and picking up litter.”

NATALIE NOONERWestwood High SchoolAeropostale shirt, A&F tank, 5-7-9 shorts “Bring the green reusable bags to the grocery store (to take your groceries home) and walk when you can!”

KAMAL NASSIFWestwood High SchoolVintage dress“You can go green by saving plastic grocery bags, not cranking out your A/C in your house, putting the sprinklers on at night ( not in the afternoon), and most of all by spreading awareness because the more people are educated, the more likely they’ll be to act.”

SHELBY GREENVista Ridge High School

Forever 21 top, Hipster shorts

EMILY ALLEN Vista Ridge High School

Bui Yah Kah top, A&F shorts

SAMANTHA SHERMANWestwood High School

Urban Outfitters top, Old Navy shorts

recycle your cans!


NICK KUBALAWestwood High SchoolShins concert tee, American Eagle shorts

photographed by Terri Lee, Sunayna Rajput, Andrea Vo, and Oriana Wong

One of our contributors, Hana Le,

dropped by to visit the shoot. She

left her engine running and when

she tried to leave, found out that

her car battery died. Thankfully Nick,

one of the models, had a cable and

knew how to jump her car, putting

to use the how-to from issue two.

The models had a little bit of trouble

getting onto the tree where the cover

shot was taken. Here Samantha,

a model from the second shoot,

laughs while she gets stuck in one

of the branches. After multiple shots,

we finally got the shot that you see

on the cover.

The photographers, Oriana,

Sunayna, Andrea, and Terri, from

the first shoot took a break from

shooting and ended up on the

other side of the camera. The sunny

weather forced everybody to relax

under the shade during breaks, as

you can see in the background.

Amulya, one of the editors, decided

to take a turn behind the camera and

shot some of our photos. Bella also

got a (very brief ) chance to assume

the role of photographer. Constant

exchange of cameras and chatter

lent the shoot a happy and festive

mood. <

BEHIND THE SCENES

<

<

While taking a break from the

shoot, one of the models, David,

decided to show us some old tricks

on the skateboard. One of the ways

to go green is riding a bike, scooter,

or skateboard instead of driving a

car. You also get exercise and can

show off some of your skills!

MOUNTAINVIEW PARK


>

^


The large plate directly in front of chair is called the service plate and is usually removed once the main course is served. The soup bowl and plate are on top of the service plate.

The bread and butter plate is above and to the left of the service plate. The small butter knife is horizontally on

this plate. The water glass is above and to the right of the service plate. The wine glass is below and to the right of the water glass. The champagne glass is above and to the right of the wine glass and the sherry glass is below and to the right of the wine glass. To the right of the service plate is the dinner knife (blade facing the plate), followed

by the soupspoon. The oyster fork, if present, is at a forty-five degree angle, with the tines sitting in the soup-spoon. The fish fork, if present, is between the dinner fork and the napkin. The fish knife, if present, is between

the dinner knife and the soupspoon. To the left of the service plate is the salad fork (closest to the plate), and then the dinner fork (on the outside). The dessert spoon is horizontal and above the service plate, facing left and the

dessert fork is below the dessert spoon, facing right. The napkin is folded and to the left of the dinner fork.

TIP

PR

OP

ERLY

how to

DINE WITH ROYALTY

Are you perplexed by the seemingly infinite amount of forks at fancy restaurants? Do you sit and marvel at the array of glasses, pondering

which will hold H2O? Do you stare blankly when asked to set the table? Here, learn to decipher even the most elaborate of place settings.

Manicurist, pedicurist, or facialist: 15%Massage therapist: 20% Furniture mover: $10 - $50Waiter: 15% - 20%Pizza deliverer: 10% (no less than $2)Food to-go packager: 10%Taxi, limo, or shuttle driver: 15%Airport cart driver: $2 per riderValet attendant: $2 - $5Hotel doorman or bellboy: $1 per bag he carries in, $2 for hailing a cabConcierge: $5 - $10 for advice and informationRoom service server: 15% - 20% (if not already included)

Once you get your license, Mom is no longer with you when you get your haircut, car washed, or nails done. Are you unsure how much to tip the valet attendant at P.F. Chang’s or your favorite barista at Starbucks? Here are the answers to all your tipping etiquette inquiries.

Hair stylist or color specialist: 15% - 20%Shampoo assistant: $2 - $5Hotel maid: $1 - $10 per day depending on the messCoffee barista: $1Car detailer: 15%Car washer: $2 - $3 for a car, $3 - $5 for a SUV or truckCoat check attendant: $1 Pet groomer: 15%Pet sitter: 15%Tattoo or piercing artist: 10% - 20%Tow truck driver: $5Golf caddy: $15 - $25 per person

BY PATRICIA HOWARD


23

1 45

6

How did you get the idea to start a tea company? I always knew I wanted to start my own business but I wanted it to be something I was passionate about. After I found out that you can’t make much money as a charter boat captain on a sail boat (but it’s a lot of fun!) I met a guy in Alabama that had a tea company and was inspired to start one in Texas.

What were things you did in high school and college that help you now? The competitive nature of sports, in particular triathlons and cycling, taught me more about running a business than anything else. You have to train hard if you’re going to win races. Many times during races I would be in so much pain I didn’t think I could go any further and when I would look back to see my fellow competitors faces often times they had fallen far back and I would get a burst of energy- so NEVER GIVE UP! I was a poor student so I had to work the system to get through school. You have to be very scrappy when starting a company as the rules and odds are stacked against you.

How do you guys develop new flavors? We look at industry trends, opportunities and then start brewing batches in the kitchen/lab at our office. Until a year ago I did all the new flavor development in my kitchen at home- it looked more like a chemistry lab than a kitchen. Taste is the most important factor that drives our formulation. If it’s going to say Sweet Leaf Tea on the label it’s going to taste great.

Q&AHow do your products support the green movement? All the tea we use is organic which is a much more earth-friendly way of farming (no pesticides or fertilizers). We also use 100% recycled paper in our office and for our business cards. Our plastic bottles are PET 1 which is more expensive but the easiest plastic to recycle. We are now using recycled paper in our cardboard cases. I believe being “green” isn’t an all or nothing choice. It’s a long term process of continually evaluating your business and looking for opportunities of where you can improve and how you can work with your vendors on helping them make improvements.

What are some perks and disadvantages to your job? Sweet Leaf Tea has a very strong culture that makes for a very friendly and fun environment to work in. Life is too short not to enjoy what you do for a living. At Sweet Leaf we have painted on our wall “The journey is as important as the destination.” Disadvantages…I sometimes miss my own bed as I have to travel a lot and I have to be willing to drop everything and travel on a moment’s notice if needed.

Do you have any advice to people who want to start their own businesses in the future? Do something you’re passionate about- it makes the journey much more rewarding and increases your chances for success. Be prepared to make BIG sacrifices and to work harder than you ever have before…but if you love what you’re doing it doesn’t feel like work.

C lay t o n C h r i s t o p h e r CEO and founder of Sweet Leaf Tea

with


ente

rtai

nment Austin City Limts

9.26-28.2008{our top five picks}

Silversun PickupsThis Los Angeles-based alternative rock band crashed into the music scene in 2006 with their debut full-length CD, “Carnavas.” With tracks like “Lazy Eye” with its soothing vocals intermixed with grunge rock and a long instrumental section, this band gives new life to an old sound.

StarsArtistic lyrics woven with harmonic vocals, Stars will give you a melodic performance perfect for chilling-out in the hot sun of Zilker Park and Austin City Limits. Indie pop at its best.

Gogol Bordello The Ukranian kings of gypsy punk rock will give you a show so wild and pumped-up that you may not be able to handle it. The rest of the world may remember them from their performance on Live Earth, where they jammed out with the legendary pop princess Madonna. Their music will make you want to “Start Wearing Purple!”

Mates of StateWith new CD “Re-Arrange Us”, this sunny and bright pop duo will make you want to jump up and get sugar-high. Also, some may recognize their song “For the Actor,” which featured in a commercial for AT&T Wireless.

MGMTA.K.A. Management, a psychedelic band that wouldn’t be out of place in the 70’s or 80’s. Check out their song “Time to Pretend,” which was featured at the beginning of the recent hit movie “21”, and their debut CD, “Oracular Spectacular.”

By hayley Plotkin


CO

LL

EG

E C

OR

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R

AEROSPACE ENGINEER

If you are planning to major in engineering or physics, one interesting career path to consider is aerospace engineering, more commonly known as rocket science. Within that field are two major branches: aeronautical engineering, which deals with aircraft that stays within Earth’s atmosphere, and astronautical engineering, which encompasses aerospace engineers who work on spacecraft. From airplanes to satellites, aerospace engineers are always learning about and working with new ways to design equipment and further develop existing machines. While excelling in math and science in high school is clearly important in pursuing physics and engineering, those are definitely not the only subjects that are involved in aerospace engineering. English classes also help in that you work on expressing your ideas more clearly, which is a crucial skill in this career. Choosing certain electives is also an excellent way to get a jump start. Computer science courses and auto shop classes give you a ton of experience in working with machine design and function. It is also a good idea to step outside the academic comfort zone and work on your social skills. The achievements of aerospace engineering are primarily results of great team effort, so you need to be able to communicate with your coworkers and supervisors clearly and effectively. Prospects for this job are predicted to be high by 2016. The demand for people to join this occupation is expected to increase through the year 2016 due to the need for new military technology. So how much does one expect to earn from this career path? Average annual earnings of aerospace engineers amount to approximately $92,700, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bachelor’s degree candidates can expect to earn $53,408; master’s degree candidates $62,459; and Ph.D. candidates $73,814.

applied physics FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER

Also known as diplomats, Foreign Service officers get to travel all over the world to promote and connect the culture and interests of the United States with those of other countries. They are also knowledgeable in the affairs of foreign countries in order to facilitate international relations and help U.S. policymakers. Choosing diplomacy as a career path involves not only paying attention in social studies and history classes in high school, but also being aware of global issues by watching the news to learn about foreign affairs. Taking part in student government and organizations such as Model U.N., certainly gives you a chance to improve your leadership skills as well as your public speaking and problem-solving capabilities. Also, learn a foreign language! Even though it is not explicitly required to become a Foreign Service officer, it is a great learning opportunity and can prove to be very useful in this career, especially if the language you are interested in is on the U.S. State Department “critical needs” list, such as Cantonese. It takes courage and social skill to be a Foreign Service officer, as your health and life could possibly be at risk because of where you may be stationed. Last but definitely not least on the list of requirements, sensitivity and flexibility are absolutely key to being a diplomat. It is crucial to have the willingness to serve anywhere, even in obscure locations, and to be perceptive and calm in the face of international crisis and sensitive issues. While the compensation for diplomats varies, the average salary for a bachelor’s degree candidate and no related work experience is $39,691, according to a survey done in 2006.

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PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST

As a prospective communications major, you can branch out after graduation and become a public relations specialist. PR specialists make their living in an assortment of settings, from serving private clients and celebrities to business corporations and government agencies. They put people and organizations into the spotlight, attending press conferences, writing press releases and giving story ideas to news reporters about upcoming events as well as issues pertaining to businesses or individuals. They also take part in “damage control” when an individual or a corporation becomes involved in some sort of scandal. Personality is a key factor in being a successful public relations specialist in that you need to be sociable and extroverted to be able to understand and interact with the different kinds of people you may encounter while working in this field. Credibility is also crucial. Never lie, as it will inevitably come back to get you later on. Make the most of history and English classes in high school. Research skills are a main facet of public relations, and those classes give you a lot of practice in that area. If possible, join the staff of your school paper, or run for a class officer position. It definitely helps to sharpen the technical skills and confidence that you need to deal with the public through your writing. Also, take advantage of being a member of certain clubs and organizations: publicize upcoming events such as volunteering opportunities or school plays. The prospects for PR specialists are pretty high; the field is expected to grow faster than the average for other careers through the year 2014. However, since the job is so popular, it might be more difficult to score permanent employment at first. The average annual compensation for a PR specialist, according to a survey done in 2007 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is around $57,100.

communications

life after collegeafter college, many graduates are faced with a dilemma: what should I do next? here, we give three examples of common careers to follow some popular majors. BY ANDREA VOAustin City Limts

{our top five picks}


picksaroundTOWN

candid austin teen’s

eco-friendly fashion

guiltyindulgenceCUPPRIMO

My family and I walked into Cupprimo on a Wednesday evening and we were immediately taken in by the warm-colored walls and large, sturdy tables and chairs. We were greeted amiably from behind the counter and were promptly helped as we placed our order. In addition to their everyday offerings of Primo Vanilla, Black & White, Strawberry, and Double Chocolate cupcakes, Cupprimo also offers a rotating list of daily specials. Since it was near closing time when we went, there were only a few flavors left to choose from. We ordered Strawberry and Brownie Sundae. Both, we decided, were very tasty. Also, we ordered an Iced Mocha and Orange Dreamsicle Smoothie. Somehow, the order got mixed up and we ended up with a Strawberry smoothie instead. Our order was promptly fixed, leaving us to try both smoothies. All three of these drinks were satisfying and went well with our cupcakes. All in all, Cupprimo is definitely a place I will visit again and I look forward to trying many more of their creative flavors of cupcakes.

Buffalo Exchange is a very popular store that many frequent to find one-of-a-kind treasures. It certainly reflects the diverse population we see in our city. Because Austinites can buy and sell directly to each other through Buffalo Exchange, we don’t see the national conformity found in other chain stores. There is a wide selection of articles of clothing, ranging from boots to blouses, and many are branded with designer names. DKNY blouses line the racks, and Erin Fetherston dresses cascade off the hangers. Buffalo Exchange also takes an active part in “going green.” Part of their profit is donated to Tokens for Bags, which contributes to other nonprofit organizations to help save bags and promote reuse. Buffalo Exchange is the perfect place to turn one man’s trash into another man’s treasure, while taking a part in helping our environment.

Another little vintage boutique is Cream Vintage, a shop filled with nostalgic pieces for both men and women. With two locations on the Drag, Cream receives plenty of shipments each week to fill its stores. Another bonus are the in-store seamstresses who are ready and willing to offer their services in case any alterations are needed. To add to the individuality of Cream Vintage, the store often holds live concerts, along with fashion shows. Cream is an active part of the Austin community that provides good services, entertainment, and a taste of the western style.

Lastly, but most definitely not least, Blue Velvet brings to the Drag a taste of eclectic wonder in one store. From neon jewelry to accent an outfit to vintage luggage for summer vacations, Blue Velvet has much more than just skirts and blouses. Their clothing selections include artifacts from all different decades, which bring out the vibrancy of the shop. This is the perfect place to find different styles to suit anyone’s needs.

by linda liao


homeschoolpublic school,

private school,Need a break? Here we’ve chosen a few songs to make hitting the books a little more enjoyable.

Landed Ben folds, Songs for Silverman

1LuckyJason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

2

Cupid ShuffleCupid, Time for a Change

3

My favourite BookStars, In Our Bedroom After the War

4

Expo ‘86death Cab for

Cutie, Plans

5

S w a l l o w e d in the Sea Coldplay, X&Y

6

reason Why rachael Yamagata, The Last Kiss

7STU

DY

PLA

YLI

ST

TOWN

eco-friendly fashion

guiltyindulgence

by linda liao

As poll r a t i n g s for pub-lic schools around the nation drop, Texas remains s u r p r i s i n g l y satisfied with our state’s public educa-tion system. In recent years, an 80% majority of parents have consistently rated public schools in Texas with a passing grade. Good news, right? Well, in a competitive society driven by educated thought, we cannot be complacent in seeking out the best system possible, even if that means an alternative. However, questions whether these alternatives are better are still up in the air. The obvious other is private schooling. While the nation’s best have been seemingly reserved for the white and wealthy, this is not as true nowadays. Private schools are following the national trend hailed by great universities like Harvard and Yale towards more diverse student bodies. The Phillips Exeter Academy, renowned as one of the most prestigious private schools in the country, is now vowing to admit any accepted student whose family income is less than $75,000 for free. On the other hand, the selective pro-cess for admission keeps the student body relatively homogeneous. This high-level of academic expectation, combined with specialized curricula, smaller classes, and teachers with subject expertise (although not required to be certified) lead to the public consensus that private schools offer better education than public schools do. Indeed, private school students do score higher on standardized tests. However, new studies are challenging the assumption that private offers more than public, and are even leaning the other way. One study, written by Christopher and Sarah Theule Lubienski, educa-tion professors at the University of Illinois, found that when taking the students’ socioeconomic background into consideration, public school children score higher. But the results are in no way certain. Many other recent studies have countered these interpretations; furthermore, the margin is too small to make any clear conclusions. What this evidence goes to say is that debate between private and public schooling is moot, for education is based on the other students and overall learning environment. It simply questions the 52% of parents who believe that private schools provide a better education, while only 18% of parents supported public schooling. Outside of this debate, other alternatives are gaining popularity: the rise of charter schools (independent, innovative public schools) and the increas-ing percentage of home-schooled children each year reflect the nation’s pursuit for alternative schooling. Whether you are satisfied with where you are schooled is up to you.

-DORIS LI

LOCAL: WAL-MART

GLOBAL: TIBET

<<

Urgent issues of today affect, both

adversely and beneficially, many people.

These controversies naturally trigger

debate. However, to have a proper

argument not solely based on emotional

outbursts, one needs a factual basis and

a knowledge of the claims on both sides.

PRO: As more Wal-marts roll

into Austin, many more job op-

portunities will be opened up

for students and adults alike.

Many welcome the opening of

these new mega-stores, which

are open 24 hours, and offer

everything from groceries and

snacks to clothes and everyday

necessities.

CON: More Wal-marts doesn’t

necessarily mean better. If con-

tinued, overwhelming amount

of Wal-marts will eventually cut

off the businesses of many pri-

vate entrepreneurs, and will mo-

nopolize the economy and bur-

den us in the long run.

PRO: Having Tibet as a part of

China will add cultural diversity

to the People’s Republic, as well

as providing land for resources.

Tibet’s environment offers an

attractive vacation escape for

those seeking for a breath of

fresh air.

CON: Similar to the Taiwan situ-

ation, the Tibetan government,

while trying to become inde-

pendent, is often rejected, op-

pressed, and even violently shut

down by the more powerful Chi-

nese government. The present

Tibet-Chinese controversy has

caused a few problems, most no-

tably the boycotting of the 2008

Olympics by a few countries.


NATIONAL: ELECTIONS

OBAMA: Senator Barack Obama

of Illinois has become the first

African American to be a ma-

jor political party’s nominee.

With his focus on change and

tax breaks for the middle class,

Obama hopes to represent the

Democratic Party in the White

house.

MCCAIN: Senator John McCain

of Arizona promotes conserva-

tive principles such as improved

funding and pro life policies. He

expects that his experience in

politics will help lead him to be-

come president.

WAL MART

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AWARENESS IS THE FIRST STEP TO UNDERSTANDING

CURRENT CONTROVERSIES

by terri lee


MTY ACADEMYa resource for students to succeed in learning mathematics

WE offEr...>> Spring and Fall semester classes>> Summer camps>> Distance learning>> Private tutoring and individual tutoring

512-589-3349 512-301-0227

[email protected]

www.mtyacademy.com

WE ArE loCATED AT7801 N. Lamar

Suite A-123@ Hwy 183

+ -x

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Call now for free consultation!

with compliments from

Rajaveena School of

Musicwww.rpariti.tripod.com

AsiAn AmericAn culturAl centerwhere Eas t meets Wes t

11713 Jollyville roadAustin, texas 78759

mon-Fri: 8:30am - 6:00pm

sat: 8:30am - 1:00pm

(512) 336-5069www.asianamericancc.com

We offer:- The Magic Dragon Childcare and Preschool

- Afterschool Program and Cultural Summer Camps- Weekday and Weekend Adult/Child Language Classes

- Martial Arts Classes- Calligraphy, Chinese Painting and Dance Classes

- Cutural Classes of Varied Topics

UPCoMing feSTiVALS AnD CeLebrATionS:

“Our mission is to provide the faculties, expertise and unique space for the sharing of culture between the east and the west in the American experience.”

- Amy Wong mok, President and ceO

- Asian Holiday bazaar (Sat., Dec. 6, 2008 at the Asian American Cultural Center)- Lunar new Year (Sat., Jan. 24, 2009 at the Asian American Cultural Center)- Dragon boat festival (Sat., April 25, 2009 at festival beach at Town Lake)- Mid Autumn festival & 9th Anniversary Celebration (Sat., Sept. 12, 2009 at the Asian American Cultural Center)

“Admission is free!”

OUR GENEROUS PATRONSThe Candid staff would like to extend a sincere thank you to the patrons of issue four. We could not have done this without their help.

Sarada and Subrahmanyam AradyulaKiran and Ravi AradhyulaShanti and Rao Aradhyula

Ram and Swati DokkaThukbir Makhani

Ravi and Usha ParitiDavid Wu. .

Documents

Issue 4 (Fall 2008)