2. The Baltimore Ravens physically dominated the running game. The biggest surprise in the game was that the Patriots completely submitted to the Ravens on defense. As the game progressed, Baltimore showed that the first play, Rice’s big touchdown run, was not a fluke. The Ravens running backs continually ate up yardage no matter what direction they went. Earlier in the year, Coach Belichick made adjustments to fix obvious problems with the defense. One example was in Miami when he called a timeout to make adjustments against Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams with the “Wildcat” formation. Against the Ravens, the adjustments that the Patriots made were ineffective. No matter what lineup or scheme New England implemented, the Ravens ran the ball down the Patriots’ throat.

3. The Big Three struck. Earlier in the week, during the breakdown of the game, analysts discussed the importance of stopping the Ray Lewis, Terrel Suggs and Ed Reed. Very little time passed before the three defenders emerged as difference makers in this game. Linebacker Ray Lewis blitzed up the middle and sacked Tom Brady. Later, outside linebacker Suggs beat Patriots lineman Matt Light around the corner for a sack, forced a fumble, and made the recovery. Finally, safety Ed Reed intercepted a pass at the sideline for a big return.

4. The game resembled an early-season contest with the New York Jets. Then, Brady did not have star receiver Wes Welker. The way the quarterback looked against the Ravens bore resemblance to his past struggle with the Jets defense. Unfortunately for Brady, his receivers did not get the same type of separation that he had come to expect from Welker. In other words, more balls were deflected and tipped, leading to interceptions.

5. Familiar problems arose. Throughout the course of the year, two of the Patriots’ biggest questions were “Who would be the third receiver after Randy Moss and Wes Welker?” and “How would the young defense perform?” First, with the loss of Wes Welker, the offense was not the same. As for the young defense, it played well at times but looked like it was playing at regular season speed when it was supposed to be at playoff readiness.

The Alabama Crimson Tide came into the game as a heavy favorite and looked to live up to the hype. The Texas Longhorns came in as the underdog just as they did in the 2005 Championship game against USC in the Rose Bowl, where they ended up defying all odds and clinching the National Championship. The game started out well for Texas due to costly Alabama mistakes. Alabama quarterback P.J. Fitzgerald faked a punt and instead attempted to throw the ball on fourth down only to be intercepted by sophomore safety Blake Gideon, leading to an eventual field goal by Texas. The second error by Alabama came on the very next play; senior cornerback and special teams player Javier Arenas muffed the football on the kickoff. Texas recovered the ball and was in great field position. A few plays later, senior quarterback Colt McCoy, the leader of the Texas offense, attempted to run the ball but was brought down at the line of scrimmage by a vicious hit resulting in an injured right shoulder. He would not return. During his post game interview, McCoy said his arm “was dead.” However, Texas was able to kick another field goal to give them a 6-0 lead, which they took into the second quarter.

Alabama came into the second quarter planning to pound the football with their talented halfback duo of Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram and freshman Trent Richardson. Ingram showed his power as he scampered into the end zone with a 2-yard touchdown run. Richardson followed up with a dazzling 49-yard touchdown run to put the Tide up 14-6. As time was expiring on the first half of play, Alabama scored again on a mishap by Texas, leading to an interception returned for a touchdown by defensive lineman Marcell Dareus.

The third quarter stood as a defensive battle until McCoy’s freshman replacement, number one high school recruit at quarterback Garrett Gilbert, heaved a 44-yard touchdown pass to senior standout wide receiver Jordan Shipley to cut the Tide’s lead to 24-13 near the end of the quarter. Gilbert and Shipley connected again after an onside kick recovery to start the fourth quarter. Texas’s offense then successfully converted a two-point play to cut Alabama’s lead to three. Ultimately, Texas’ comeback effort was cut short as the Tide’s rushing attack proved too strong. A pair of 1-yard scores by Ingram and Richardson respectively locked down the win for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The first decade of the 2000s provided many memorable sports moments. Although this game was not the exciting thriller of years past, it was a milestone for college football because it showed tremendous growth of the sport over the past decade. As this decade begins, college football fans look forward to the game’s expansion over the next ten years.

Rose Bowl – Ohio State: 26, Oregon: 17
After an extremely disappointing performance in last season’s Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State sophomore Terrelle Pryor did not let the Buckeye faithful down, throwing for two touchdowns and 266 yards. This win ended a three game BCS game losing streak for OSU.

Sugar Bowl – Florida: 51, Cincinnati: 24
In Florida, standout Tim Tebow played his final game as a college quarterback, throwing for a BCS bowl game record 482 yards, completing 31 out of 35 passes, as well as three touchdowns. The Florida fans could not have asked for a better final performance from their quarterback, who led their team to two national championships in the last three seasons. Cincinnati was also playing with a disadvantage; head coach Brian Kelly had left the team before the game to become Notre Dame’s head coach.

Fiesta Bowl – Boise State: 17, TCU: 10
In the only bowl game to feature two unbeaten teams, both from non-BCS conferences, the fourth and sixth ranked teams put on one of the most memorable games of the bowl season. Although TCU led for most of the game, the Boise State Broncos went on a 14-0 run with time winding down. Staring defeat in the eyes, Boise State decided to attempt, and managed to complete, a fake punt on their own 33-yard line, saving the game. The Broncos are only the second team in modern college football history to finish the season with a perfect 14-0 record.

Orange Bowl – Iowa State: 24, Georgia Tech: 14
Despite averaging 35 points per game during the season, Georgia Tech’s usually high-octane offense was held to a mere 7 points all game by the Hawkeyes’ defense, the only other points coming from a pick late in the third quarter by Jerrard Terrant. This was the first BCS bowl victory for the Hawkeyes, a team that tends to be well ranked, but not highly enough to get into the exclusive BCS. Their final ranking of number three in the nation is the team’s highest finish since 1990.

Capital One Bowl – Penn State- 19, LSU- 17
In another extremely exciting game, the twelfth-ranked Nittany Lions beat the LSU Tigers thanks to a field goal with 57 seconds left to save the Penn State season, making some very happy fans at College Park.

When speaking about this new legislation, David Cato, a Ugandan gay activist, says that, “It’s a question of visibility. When we come out and ask for our rights, they pass laws against us.” Cato has suffered much injustice at the hands of the Ugandan government. He lost his job, endured harsh beatings four times, faced slander from the press, and was even arrested twice by local authorities. Cato, one gay rights activist out of thousands, is an epitome of his country’s increased discrimination. If the new law passes and the government’s injustice continues, several thousand will suffer the same fate as Cato, if not worse. Uganda, an already war-torn country, cannot afford to lose any more people for petty reasons. If the government continues to wage this war against its own people, it risks the destruction of its own country.

Even if the Ugandan government fails to recognize that the new law disrespects its people’s own diversity, it should at least realize that said law could have deleterious results for the government itself. By passing a law that persecutes homosexuals and their families, the government will have to increase spending several fold. Both executing someone and imprisoning them are expensive. The government will ultimately lose money by enforcing its own legislative power. Is the government really willing to pay millions of dollars to uphold its homophobic principles?

This law further damages the reputation of the Ugandan government. Other countries have condemned the proposal strongly and have warned the Ugandan government against passing the bill. If the Ugandan government were more astute, it would realize that this law creates new problems and is in no way beneficial.

Ahlam was shot in 2004 with a borrowed camera. While filming in Baghdad, the producers and actors continuously found themselves in the crossfire of opposing groups. On one occasion, a rebellious Sunni group kidnapped four crewmembers only to release them a few hours later. Later, these same crewmembers were captured by a Shiite militia, who gave them to the American military. Confused as to why Al-Qaeda would let them go, the Americans kept them in prison for two weeks before releasing them. Later, while filming, a set was constructed to look like a Saddam Hussein-era military base. To quell any suspicions, the producers made a 100-foot banner, which read in English, “This is a movie set.” Nevertheless, a U.S. attack helicopter swooped down low to examine the set, prompting the crew and actors to scatter until it was gone. After much struggle, the movie was completed in 2005, and has been shown in over 60 countries. Ahlam is Iraq’s submission to the Academy Awards.

The screening of these new movies, however, was not done without fear. “Just the idea of showing movies is in itself a risk. By coming here, we are sending a message to terrorists that we are willing to challenge death,” said Aliya al-Maliki, a local poet who watched one of the movies along with about fifty other Iraqis. Why were these bombed sites picked to show the movies? “Choosing these places is a response to the terrorist attacks and to show Iraq is a civilized society,” said Mohammad Hashim, an actor in Ahlam. The films have inspired a wide range of feelings among viewers. A police officer guarding the outdoor cinema, who had not seen a movie in over ten years, said, “I feel sadness and pity when I see our lives reflected on the screen. But this is the reality we live with because of the pressures we face.”

The making of these new movies will show other countries that the war-torn Iraq is still filled with creativity. People risked their lives to watch these movies, which were made under very difficult circumstances. These movies are different from the generic films that Hollywood turns out by the dozens. They tell the story of a people who have been under attack for the last eight years. Though their lives are threatened by terrorists every single day and their friends and families have been killed, these people are making a comeback.

The degree to which the media has sensationalized Knox’s trial illustrates the effect of propaganda on today’s society. In the United States, countless articles and TV interviews have painted Knox as a young, frail, and defenseless girl who had been abused by Italian law enforcement. The press has highlighted her high school education at a Jesuit preparatory school, her academic excellence, her devotion to community service, and her kindness and outstanding integrity. Family and friends have even created the Amanda Knox Defense Fund to support her innocence. Before a verdict had been reached, these stories and organizations assumed Knox’s innocence and urged the American public to do the same. The press barely acknowledged the evidence that places Knox at the murder scene and suggests her involvement with the killing. While the American media has been busy pitying Knox, Italians have denounced her as a “little-she-devil” and “Foxy Knoxy: a Sex-Mad American Party Girl.” Tabloids have described Knox as promiscuous, prone to smoking marijuana and drinking, and holding a “remarkable power over men.” When reporters published pictures of Knox and Sollecito sharing a kiss outside of the murder scene, writers were quick to comment on Knox’s lack of remorse or empathy for Kercher’s family. Just as the American press has ignored all arguments that disprove its propagandist claims, the Italian press has dismissed the fact that circumstantial evidence should keep the public from definitively assuming Knox’s guilt. While Americans and Italians have fallen on opposite extremes in their judgments, both media sources have painted the trial as a clear-cut case with no lingering doubts. Readers were given only slanted coverage and no true representation of the confusing investigation.

Many fear that the sensationalism destroyed all chance for a fair trial. For example, Knox’s parents said, “it appears clear… that the [media’s and prosecution’s] attacks on Amanda’s character… had a significant impact on the judges and jurors and apparently overshadowed the lack of evidence in the prosecution’s case against her.”

While Knox has received limitless press coverage, a third suspect, Rudy Guede, was also convicted of Kercher’s murder and sentenced to thirty years in jail with very little news coverage. Why, may one ask? Perhaps Guede fits the stereotypical image of a criminal. A black, male drifter, Guede has had sexual relations with many women and deals drugs on a regular basis. His seemingly criminal appearance has given the media no reason to pity or denounce him as they have done for Knox.

How will the U.S. government respond to the sentencing? When Knox’s parents raised concerns about the harsh treatment of their daughter following her arrest, the U.S. State Department declared that although “the Italian court system is not the same as the American court system…we have [not] received any indications…that Italian law was not followed.” The State Department says that it will continue to “monitor this procedure as it goes forward to make sure that Amanda Knox enjoys all the rights that she’s entitled to under Italian local law.” Many argue that the verdict strained the relationship between the U.S. and Italy, and that Italy has instigated international turmoil. When commenting on this issue, the State Department acknowledges, “[Knox] is entitled to every right and privilege afforded an American citizen…we are going to be very cautious about saying anything because there is an appeal process under way. … If we weigh in, will it help? Maybe yes, maybe not.”

What does the Amanda Knox trial mean for everyday society? It has certainly taken advantage of Americans’ willingness to so easily absorb propaganda as truth. It has cast a dark shadow over the Italian judicial system and the integrity of opposing law officials. Finally, the trial has reminded Americans of our responsibility to educate ourselves on both sides of an argument before jumping to conclusions.

The Raspberry Diet: The recent craze about the “right foods” for your diet, and the increasing attention to the function of certain foods has inspired nutritionists to create a healthy balance of foods that still tastes delicious. In Japan, raspberries have hit the charts as the “hip” way to lose weight. The little fruit contains ketones, which release norepinephrine, a hormone that increases fat breakdown, reduces appetite, and even increases attention. Kanebo, a Japanese cosmetics producer, markets a diet pill that contains the equivalent of 1000 raspberries’ worth of ketones. In addition, the Japanese can sometimes be spotted dishing out the raspberries at beaches as a substitution for other snacks.

Yoga: Yoga pants are not just a fashion statement. Society’s concern about health and fitness has caused an embrace of yoga. The practice of yoga claims its roots in India, almost 26,000 years ago in a journey of “Cosmic Consciousness” and “Universal Spirit.” Today, newcomers to yoga are not so much practicing for the spiritual benefits, but for the physical ones. Yoga increases flexibility and stretches out the muscles – something that actually allows the muscles to get stronger. In addition, the complete stretching and full-body usage of yoga provides the optimal blood-flow throughout one’s muscles, which helps the body flush out toxins.

Take a Cold/Hot/Cold/Hot Shower: It may not be the most alluring idea, but cold showers can improve one’s physical and mental health. Research has shown that hot water makes blood rush to the skin, while cold water rushes blood to the organs. Switching between cold and hot water during a shower therefore improves circulation. In addition, taking a warm shower opens up the pores, allowing those pores to get clean. Switching to cold water after cleansing the pores closes them up, and makes it harder for dirt to clog up the pores and cause acne or old-looking skin. Along the same thought, cold water closes the cuticles that make hair stronger, and prevents dirt from accumulating on the scalp. Cold water therefore leads to healthier-looking, shinier hair. Finally, taking cold showers improves a person’s immune system, as well as his endurance. In fact, the Japanese samurai used to practice Misogi, a ritual in which they would pour cold water over themselves in an act of purification.

The Omnipotent Avocado: The avocado, used for weight control, culinary arts, and even in cosmetics, is a delicious and beneficiary fruit. Many people are wary of the avocado because of its high fat content. However, the avocado contains monounsaturated fat, which actually speeds up metabolism. Furthermore, the high fat content gives a quicker feeling of “fullness,” which helps the body stay on track with a diet. The avocado carries a huge supply of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some nutritionists recommend adding one avocado a day to a person’s diet. In a recent study, researchers discovered that by just eating an avocado a day, without altering other habits, the subjects lost an average of one pound – a great reward for simply changing one thing that they ate! In addition to its nutritional values, the avocado’s oil is also used in skin moisturizer, makeup base, lipstick, and hair conditioner. What an amazing fruit!

The group consists of ABRHS’ teachers; their ambition is one of enthusiastic healthy living.
In September, Spanish teacher Ms. DeBlois opened a kickboxing/fitness group to her colleagues. When asked about her inspiration to create the group, she replied, “I got certified over the summer to teach kickboxing and thought it would be fun to bring some added options in light of the school’s new Wellness Policy.”

The group meets every Thursday afternoon at 3:15 in Commons C, where they practice kickboxing, as well as build cardio and weight endurance. Their energy and concentration is inspiring – finding time to exercise after a tiring school day is remarkable. As they carried out the various maneuvers, the teachers seemed ready to go for a run!

The participants of this group came to the consensus that kickboxing not only provides healthy physical activity but also makes for a thriving social scene. French teacher Ms. Leavitt states, “I do it because I feel better and have more energy when I do it. It’s also fun to have it at school with my colleagues!”
History teacher Mrs. Watkins adds, “It’s hard to find time to exercise. It’s pretty convenient to have it at school.”

There is another plus to the after-school group: the low participation fee of two dollars. Mrs. Kotytk, Director of Technology and Integration, sums it up well, saying, “The price is right.” In contrast to the higher rates of other fitness club memberships, the group boasts a certified instructor as well as the support of one’s colleagues. Where else can a busy high school teacher find a better deal?
Whether the motivation is one of physical awareness, social benefit, economic ease, the group is thriving. It is clear from the hint of laughter in the air and the smiles on the teachers’ faces that joining the group was a decision with no regrets.

“Basketball gives me a rush,” Antara Chatterjee says. “The drills at practice are usually long and tiring, but the payoff is definitely worth it.” During strenuous exercise, people’s bodies secrete endorphins to lessen pain, so they can continue exercising at the same level. Along with the numbness comes a sense of bliss. The victory of scoring baskets is a payoff as well. As a matter of fact, scientists have discovered that the feeling of accomplishment that accompanies so many sports plays a major role in endorphin secretion.

In addition to playing sports and participating in intensive activities, listening to music also stimulates endorphins. Listening to about thirty minutes of relaxing music generates the same level of endorphins as a muscle-relaxing pill called Valium. Monica Zhao says that she enjoys watching Korean boy bands’ music videos in her free time. Since endorphins can be stimulated visually as well, the flashy effects in music videos could be a reason she enjoys them so much.

Sharing fun and laughter with friends, and simply goofing off all cause endorphin secretion: joy is key to feeling good. Rachelle Vang treasures the moments she spends playing cards in the cafeteria with her friends. “It makes me happy,” she exclaims, “because my best friends are surrounding me and we’re having fun playing Egyptian Ratscrew.” In the same spirit, the opposite emotion, that of sadness, can also release endorphins. Some scientists believe that the body releases endorphins when people cry in order to lessen the pain. As an interesting side note, there are other, more “intense” ways to induce endorphin release. For instance, Tony Yu reveals that kissing his girlfriend “is the greatest ecstasy I have and will ever feel in this life.”

For those who do not want to exercise too much, but still seek the benefits of endorphin release, certain foods, such as spicy food and chocolate, also prompt the release of endorphins. Spicy food stings people’s mouths, so the body tries to numb this pain by secreting endorphins. Chocolate opens the brain’s pleasure pathways, which produce endorphins. Many people refer to this wave of endorphins as a sugar rush – an exciting feeling, though short-lived.

There are a great variety of things that can cause endorphins to be released. Whether it is by playing a sport, hanging out with friends and loved ones, or even snacking, everyone somehow incorporates fun and pleasure – and therefore endorphins – into their lives.

Teenagers often find themselves hungry throughout the majority of the day, which is normal considering the amount of energy they invest in their activities. It may be hard to resist the temptation of grabbing a soda or a bag of chips while studying for a science test, but the snacks with simple carbohydrates are proven to slow you down in the long run. Instead of eating something sugary, try fruits like clementines and bananas when you are in need of a study break. Hummus with whole grain pita bread makes for a great late night study snack. These healthy alternatives, filled with essential nutrients, are sure to leave you more energized and awake for that late cram session.

Before even starting the school day, it is important to start the morning right by having something for breakfast. It may be hard to find time to eat something before running off to catch the bus, but a yogurt or whole-wheat toast with a glass of orange juice can provide the energy needed to make it through first period. Cereal is also a great breakfast food, as long as it is not too high in sugar and other carbohydrates. By eating something before heading off to school, you are more likely to stay full for a longer period of time and resist the urge to grab a bag of chips or cookies in between classes while waiting for a late lunch period to finally arrive.

While it is hard to resist cravings and temptations for sweets, try to limit your selections to one a day or a find a healthier alternative. For example, dark chocolate is actually proven to lower high blood pressure and is a rich antioxidant. For a tasty sweet, try strawberries with light whipped cream or a frozen yogurt.

It is important to remember that there are no “good foods” or “bad foods;” any kind of food is okay to eat as long as it is in moderation. Here are some great new snack ideas that can add energy, fill you up, and taste good:

• Apple slices, bananas or celery with peanut butter
• Salsa with whole-grain crackers.
• Cheese toast (whole grain bread with low-fat cheese).
• Cut-up vegetables with low-fat ranch dressing.
• Hummus on a whole-wheat pita.
• Oatmeal made with low-fat milk with strawberries.
• Peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole-grain bread.
• Popcorn
• Trail Mix
• Small bagel with low-fat cream cheese.
• String cheese and whole-grain crackers.
• Tuna sandwich on whole-grain bread.
• Turkey and low-fat cheese sandwich on whole grain bread with lettuce and tomato.