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‘A deeper connection’: UNM professors offer lessons on love letters

Annya Loya | February 14

In a digital age, classic romantic gestures can go a long way, especially during the month of love. Two University of New Mexico creative writing professors sat down with the Daily Lobo to share tips with readers on why and how to write the perfect love letter. Diane Thiel has been teaching creative writing at UNM for 20 years and believes that “love letters are a beautiful way to build a deeper connection.” “A love letter allows one to consider and reflect and choose words carefully, rather than simply speaking in the moment,” Thiel said. Love letters can have more emotional value than other mediums and can serve as a mark of seriousness about your feelings, according to professor Sharon Warner.

Culture

REVIEW: Examining a graceful yet turbulent relationship in ‘Normal People’

Emma Trevino | February 14

This review has spoilers for “Normal People” When news of a television adaptation of Sally Rooney’s superb Ireland-set novel “Normal People” hit my ears, I first thought they could never do the book justice. But when it was released in April 2020, the two main characters’ on-and-off relationship proved me wrong and displayed a master class in understanding power dynamics and how easily your soulmate can slip through your fingers. The show tells the story of Connell’s (Paul Mescal) and Marianne’s (Daisy Edgar-Jones) relationship from high school until the end of college, as the two frequently break up just to get back together again when they realize they can’t be without each other.

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Culture

REVIEW: ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ is a cathartic viewing

Shelby Kleinhans | February 14

This review contains spoilers A quintessential viewing this Valentine’s season is Michael Gondry’s 2004 sci-fi romance “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” which argues that even the most painful aspects of our relationships are worth remembering. The film follows Joel, played by a woefully sad Jim Carrey, after he realizes his ex-girlfriend Clementine, charmfully played by everyone’s favorite love interest Kate Winslet, used a medical procedure through the company Lacuna to erase all of her memories of him. He then tries to cope with his feelings of anger, grief and residual love. The film adopts a nonlinear narrative: it begins where it ends and bounces back between the present and Joel’s memories of the past.

Culture

Ask the Editors: Relationships edition

Joseph McKee , Shelby Kleinhans and Zara Roy | February 14

Burnt out with the dating scene? Ex won’t leave you alone? General relationship anxiety? Have no fear, the Daily Lobo editors are here to answer all of your most pressing questions on love and relationships. Zara’s advice Q: Is it okay not to have been in a relationship before being in college? A: It’s more than fine to have not been in a relationship before college. There are a myriad of reasons someone wouldn’t want to date in high school, but at the end of the day, it’s your life. It’s important to respect your own boundaries, especially in regards to intimacy.

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Culture

Students fall for love, relationships classes at UNM

Megan Gleason | February 14

Classes about love and relationships at the University of New Mexico help educate students on what makes a healthy relationship and how students can better improve their own love lives. UNM psychology adjunct lecturer Bruno Gagñon has been teaching the Psychology of Love online for the past eight years and understands the depth and impact of love. “All cultures experience love. They may define it differently; they may express it differently, but it’s universal so we’re sort of biologically driven to seek this out,” Gagñon said. Love doesn’t have to be just toward a partner but can also be toward a child, pet and more, according to Gagñon.

Culture

OPINION: Zara’s Zodiac: February love horoscope forecast

Zara Roy | February 13

It’s February, which means love is in the air … Or is it? Venus and Mars, the astrological signifiers of love and sex, will be in the pragmatic and ambitious sign of Capricorn for the remainder of the month. Here’s what that means for the respective signs. Aries February may be tense, romantically-speaking, for Aries. There could be some conflict between your career or public identity and the way you approach partnerships and romance. You should remember not to overwork yourself and neglect interpersonal needs in the process. I see Feb. 19-20 as being a particularly important time to be sensitive to this balance as the moon travels through Libra.

Culture

REVIEW: ‘The Love Hypothesis’: an electric read

Elizabeth Secor | February 13

This review contains spoilers Over the past few months, “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood has taken booklovers on TikTok by storm, and for good reason. The novel is filled to the brim with clichés that I love and proves that, when done right, the fake-dating trope can be adorable. The novel follows Ph.D. candidate Olive Smith as she begins fake-dating “antagonistic and unapproachable” (Olive’s words, not mine) professor Adam Carlsen, and pure chaos ensues. She does this to prove to one of her best friends, Anh Pham, that she is really and truly over her ex-boyfriend so Anh can feel more comfortable entering a relationship with him.

Culture

UNM student first in state to receive Brooke Owens aerospace fellowship

Megan Gleason | February 7

From aspiring to be an astronaut as a child to becoming the first New Mexican to ever receive the aerospace Brooke Owens Fellowship, University of New Mexico senior Raven Delfina Otero-Symphony is making her dreams come true. Chosen among the top 5% candidates in the most competitive year for the fellowship yet, Otero-Symphony will begin her summer fellowship in Washington, D.C. after graduating from UNM as a first-generation student in May. Selected after an intensive process that included multiple interviews and written submissions, Otero-Symphony will be working for the fellowship program for approximately 12 weeks at Avascent, a global strategy consulting and analytics firm. All 51 fellows selected will come together during the summer for the annual Brooke Owens Summit in Washington, D.C.

Culture

UNM art student opens first solo gallery

Natalie Jude | February 7

Nora Vanesky, a University of New Mexico senior studying studio arts, has been reaching into herself and painting with the entrails for years. On Sunday, Feb. 6, she opened her first solo show, “Taking Pictures to Remember,” in the John Sommers Gallery, showcasing photography surrounding the gory hedonism of modern youth and the interplay of sex and violence. The display will remain until Sunday, Feb. 20. Vanesky has been infatuated with the inner workings of the human body and mind all her life. She believes her art showcases the reality of being human without holding anything back.

Culture

REVIEW: ‘The Fallout’ delves into the invisible effects of school shootings

Emma Trevino | February 7

This review contains spoilers “The Fallout,” the feature directorial debut of seasoned actress Megan Park, premiered at last year’s South by Southwest film festival to critical acclaim. Jan. 27 saw the film’s release to wider audiences through HBO Max, and while the story minorly lacks some character development, Jenna Ortega’s compelling performance as high school student Vada lets “The Fallout” beautifully tackle trauma in the face of tragedy. The film centers on tomboy Vada and resident influencer Mia’s (Maddie Ziegler) journey through the aftermath of surviving a school shooting after the two hid together in a bathroom stall during the gunman’s spree.

Culture

Albuquerque rated best big city for filmmakers for fourth year

Tina Memarian and Natalie Jude | February 7

For the fourth year in a row, Albuquerque has taken the title of MovieMaker Magazine’s No. 1 place for filmmakers to live and work under the big cities category, which considers primarily production statistics, economic growth, housing prices and quality-of-life ratings. Many New Mexico film professionals vouch for the state’s booming industry and unique charm, happy to be part of such an unusually familial production hub. Cyndy McCrossen, a film liaison for the Albuquerque Film Office working primarily in location management, has benefited financially from Albuquerque’s thriving film scene. She contributed to the proposal submitted for consideration in MovieMaker Magazine’s annual location ranking, and, though it was never her plan to enter the film industry, she is grateful to be part of it and doesn’t plan to leave.

Culture

REVIEW: Mitski’s ‘Laurel Hell’ cuts with pure, silver fury

Zara Roy | February 6

Mitski’s sixth studio album “Laurel Hell,” released on Saturday, Feb. 4, is a distant, synthy opus that looms over its listener, leaving behind an unshakeable lingering dread. It is Mitski to the highest degree. Coming out of a nearly three-year hiatus originally intended to be a permanent departure from music, this album is about Mitski’s tumultuous, fraught relationship with her own career. As a long-time fan, it’s completely heart-shattering to listen to. It’s tinged with regret, or perhaps total ambivalence, to the fame she’s garnered through her work. One of the most effective tracks for me was “Valentine, Texas.” It starts off gently before suddenly erupting into rapturous instrumentals, similar to the opening tracks of “Texas Reznikoff” and “Geyser.”

Culture

Outgoing UNM nursing student, cheerleader enriches community

Megan Gleason | January 31

University of New Mexico student Jackie Jagers is no stranger to challenges. As a junior juggling both nursing school and cheerleading, she still manages to maintain a friendly, outgoing attitude with a drive to continue pursuing what she’s passionate about. As a level two nursing student, Jagers plans to ultimately become a travel nurse working “in all the different fields and all the different areas.” This, she said, will allow her “to help as many people as I can throughout my nursing career” while also aiding in avoiding burnout. Before working as a traveling nurse, Jagers wants to practice in New Mexico and later in Arizona.

Culture

UNM professor, artist amplifies need for Black representation

Megan Gleason | January 31

As one of the few Black female professors in the University of New Mexico art department, Stephanie J. Woods is making her mark nationally and internationally as an artist representing her culture. Now an assistant professor in interdisciplinary art at UNM, Woods has traveled all over the world as an artist, winning awards and participating in residencies and fellowships along the way. Woods is a multimedia artist and works with a variety of different formats, including sculpture, textile, photography, video and more. She also partakes in community-engaged projects. Although Woods resides in New Mexico currently to teach at UNM, she originally is from Charlotte, North Carolina and draws heavily from her personal life in her art.

Culture

REVIEW: JoJo Siwa dazzles Las Cruces

Maddie Pukite | January 31

Nothing short of show-stopping, JoJo Siwa made her presence known in Las Cruces, New Mexico at the 105th stop of her D.R.E.A.M. tour on Wednesday, Jan. 26. A masterful stage presence complete with five costume changes made for a captivating performance from Siwa that I’m glad I didn’t miss. The show as a whole used childlike creativity and joy. Dancers rolled around on Heelys, themes of cotton candy and rainbow brightened the night, Siwa’s outfits were bedazzled with jewels that made her shimmer like a disco ball onstage: what more can you ask for? This, combined with a spectacular effort and skill, created a show that grabbed my attention and felt larger than life.

Culture

Art exhibit by UNM adjunct lecturer shows in North Carolina

Megan Gleason | January 31

Johannes Barfield, University of New Mexico adjunct lecturer in the art department, was commissioned to show his new art exhibition “my sun is black as the glowing sea by night” at the University of North Carolina’s Rowe Gallery. This image-based narration is an immersive experience that started its display on Jan. 10 and will be on view until Feb. 25. The exhibit’s narrative is based on a fictional character, yahyah, who was inspired by two children’s books that Barfield grew up reading – “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats and “Danny and the Dinosaur” by Syd Hoff. Yahyah accidentally encounters a tear in the space-time continuum and experiences alternate versions of himself after walking into the portal.

Culture

REVIEW: 'Passing' explores the delicate and the dangerous

Zara Roy | January 31

Rebecca Hall’s directorial debut “Passing” deftly explores the ways in which we craft beauty out of race, class, gender expectations and the innermost desires that bubble beneath the surface within us all. Released on Netflix on Oct. 27, “Passing” is based on a Nella Larson novel of the same name which follows Irene (Tessa Thompson) and Clare (Ruth Negga), two Black women in 1920s New York who are able to “pass” as white. Irene lives her life as a Black woman, while Clare is married with a child to a white, virulent racist who is unaware of her true heritage.

Culture

UNM award-winning staff member advocates for individuals with disabilities

Natalie Jude | January 24

Winton Wood, a consultant with the University of New Mexico’s Center for Development and Disability’s Mi Via Waiver Program, which is a self-directed care program for people with disabilities, was one of six recipients of the Gerald W. May Outstanding Staff Awards in 2021. Guiding her pursuits for the equity and representation of people with disabilities are the many people with disabilities throughout New Mexico, their families and Wood’s own daughter. “(I’m) a family specialist because I have a daughter who has Down syndrome and autism and is medically complex, so I know first-hand from the family point of view and the (consultant) point of view. We forget the value of our people who have intellectual disabilities,” Wood said.

Culture

UNM student actor premieres at Sundance Film Festival

Natalie Jude | January 24

Jack Justice, a sophomore film student at the University of New Mexico and local actor, had his most recent project, “When You Finish Saving The World,” which was directed by Jesse Eisenberg, screened at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on opening night on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Jack began acting when he was seven and joined the Screen Actors Guild at 11 years old. His career was prompted by his parents placing him into an acting class when singing lessons were unavailable. Despite his devotion to the art of acting, there were certainly struggles. “I was thrown into it pretty young … I had to communicate with adults at such a young age that peers didn’t always understand what I was doing outside of school as a kid.

Culture

REVIEW: ‘Paris is Burning’: A composition of vibrant expression

Joseph McKee and John Scott | January 24

“Paris is Burning” was a landmark film upon its release in 1990 and, to this day, remains one of the finest and most celebrated examples of LGBTQ+ cinema. Its impact on filmmaking has been widespread and actually served as direct inspiration for the hit FX show “Pose,” on which “Paris is Burning” director Jennie Livingston served as a producer. It’s not hard to see why the film has had such a large-scale impact. Setting aside the visual and technical aspects, the film captures a community that has historically been underrepresented within film and approaches its subject with grace and sympathy. It’s distinctly human and fantastically fun to watch.