The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 22

February 16, 2021 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 7 Arts & Entertainment Recycled crafts, according to Tik Tok Shark Self Care: Go to the ocean Tik Tok is an app containing all sorts of creative content. I come across DIY content all the time and I recently discovered a page called “5minute recycle.”Theyhad a really interesting video on how to make a recycled bowl. What’s better than making a craft that helps the planet? I faced some challenges when it came to this crafting TikTok. For starters, there were no instructions. The video was clear of what was needed for the craft, but they never specified the measurements required to make the craft correctly. I thought this craft would be easy considering all I needed was four empty toilet paper rolls and some water in a blender, but I was wrong. Crafts are not really my thing to begin with.Therefore,instructionsarehighlyrequired for me. I eyeballed the amount of water needed and tried to make it look like the same amount used in the video. Let’s just say that wasmy first mistake. The video did not specify how long I was supposed to blend the toilet paper rolls in the water, so I just blended it until I thought it was a good consistency. When I removed the lid from the blender, Navigating stressful times can be difficult and finding a strategy that helps you stay on track mentally and emotionally can be difficult, too. Finding something that helped me relax was a long process of trial and error. I found some strategies that work for others, like yoga, listening to music or taking a hot shower did not really work for me as they were normal things I did often throughout my day. It took me a while, but I realized that my best act of self-care was not an action to perform, but a place to go to instead. For the last three years, the ocean has been my favorite place. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore, the smell of the salty air and the feeling of the warm grainy sand in between my toes is such a fulfilling feeling. The beach aesthetic in itself is enough to make me forget about whatever it is that is wearing me down. I love visiting the little towns near the shore, with all the shops and the broken seashells that line the streets. I noticed that I had put in too much water. The blended toilet paper rolls were supposed to be damp in order to be able to form a structure, but mine were very soggy. I tried to strain the excess water, but the toilet paper rolls were still saturated. At this point, I didn’t know whether to call this a flop or see it out to the end, but I decided to go through with the craft, hoping for a positive result. I poured the base into a container and put a small measuring bowl in themiddle to create a bowl like structure. The craft sat for nine hours and was still soaking wet. The video did not mention how long it took for the toilet paper rolls to harden into the bowl structure, but I am sure it should not take more than nine hours. This craft ended up being a flop, but only because there were no instructions. For those interested in arts and crafts on TikTok, I recommend finding a page that includes both video and detailed instructions. The instructions serve the same amount of importance as the visuals, especially if you are trying to have a successful result. After watching a video where the craft came out perfect, it is hard to interpret the instructions when there are none. Acouple years ago I went through something traumatic and I struggled for a long time. I was depressed, anxious and had absolutely no motivation to wake up and be a student or a friend. I changed as a person into someone I was not proud of and was having a hard time processing and bouncing back until one day when I went to the beach to sit and read a book. I ended up not reading the book, but the ocean instead. I sat in the sand and watched the ocean for hours. It sounds really cliche, but ever since then, the beach has been my go to place: the one place I always want to be. It brings me so much happiness and serenity. In the summer, I sail with my friends and family,which is something I have becomemore passionate about. I love boating. I love being on the water. I love watching aquatic animals. Everything about the ocean is amazing to me. I have learned many things about myself as an individual with the help of the ocean and all it encompasses and for that I am truly grateful. Sometimes self-care is not something you do, but somewhere you go. PHOTO PRINTED PERMISSION BY B. RAMNAUTH Here is one of the beginning stages of a popular tiktok craft. By: Ana Maria Soto Contributing Writer By: Briana Ramnauth Contributing Writer PHOTO PRINTED PERMISSION BY S.GALLUS A realxing ocean view at Dania Beach. Soundbite: “DEMIDEVIL” by Ashnikko Ashton Nicole Casey, otherwise known as Ashnikko, is a rapper and singer who blends her music with a variety of genres, but is mainly known for electronic pop and rap. Ashnikko’s music is all about dismantling the patriarchy and female empowerment, and she has a personality that is hard to ignore in her image, songs and music videos. On Jan. 15, Ashnikko released her first album, “DEMIDEVIL,” consisting of 10 songs, after a handful of EPs and singles over the last three years. This album is no different than some of her previous work, focusing on admonishing toxic men. “Daisy” is a perfect representation of a song that she uses to supersede female stereotypes. Woman have been seen as the weaker sex, but this song counters that. “Toxic” is a song that celebrates accomplishments and admonishes the haters of the world. Her opening line of the song, “You can’t stand to see me shine, better buy a visor,” is a perfect summation of the song. “Deal With It (feat. Kelis)” is a truly epic break-up song and I feel like every single album needs one. This song speaks about moving on and choosing yourself. Self-love is one of the most important things we must tackle in life and this song is a remainder that moving on is important and you need no one as much as you need yourself. “Cry (feat. Grimes)” is one of my favorites on the album. I can unapologetically scream the lyrics to this song in my car without worrying about looking like a crazy person. This song was the product of betrayal in a relationship, which I thought was beautifully executed through the lyrics. Even when you’re tough, it is okay to feel hurt and have a moment of sensitivity. “Good While It Lasted” is one of the softer songs on the album that seems to represent remembering the good and bad of a relationship that just didn’t work out. This song sings about coming to terms with the fact that you can’t always just blame the other person on why the relationship failed. PHOTO OBTAINED FROM ASHNIKKO By: Briana Ramnauth Contributing Writer Everyone should go ahead and stream this album as well as Ashnikko’s previous songs. “DEMIDEVIL” is a compilation of highs and lows that we can all, at one point or another, relate to. OFFSHORE CALENDAR Bill Gates and Rashida Jones: How to Avoid Climate Disaster Feb. 17 | 7 p.m. RSVP Mami Water, Images of African Water Spirits Feb. 17 | 1:30 p.m. RSVP Build Deeper Connections (with yourself & other women) Feb. 18 | 12 p.m. RSVP The Write In Creative Writing Workshop Feb. 19 | 3 p.m. RSVP Ca$h Out Fridays - VIRTUAL EDITION Feb. 19 | 8 p.m. RSVP Ethan Hawke | A BRIGHT RAY OF DARKNESS Feb. 20 | 7 p.m. RSVP Heal & Wellness Workshop Feb. 22nd | 12 p.m. RSVP