where are our attachments?

Right now am a student on long holiday. It is thus with much trouble that I find the courage to write this piece. This is well with knowledge that my advocacy for the rights of students could well cripple my chance of getting an attachment after my next academic year. But I choose to be the champion for the students who face the harsh realities of the job market that once only lacked sufficient opportunities for job seekers and the hitherto mass opportunities for interns is no more.
Several students have been victim of situations whereby two months to end of attachment period have never been accorded an opportunity to work within the industry. This is quite a piteous act because the same companies that deny you a chance to learn from them would like you to have experience when they recruit you. Many a sole have grown flat while the young and ambitious student seeks to be given the opportunity to dine with the experts. This is even while such HR executives know the significance of an attachment to a university student. I would not at all blame the university administrations for not being facilitators in ensuring these students acquire the necessary knowledge because most campuses have even introduced internal attachment. How much will it cost the society to teach the future generation the dynamics of an industry that is yet to belong to them is the question that lingers in the minds of students. The industry has created such a big clearance level that student who merely wants to conduct an informational interview with an expert in their target industry has to wait for days. Talk of a society that feeds their young ones and I will ask what such pure negligence is to teach students.
This is beyond the fact that some students have marvellous ideas for the industry that once given a chance could be game changers. It is a known fact that not all underperforming students lack great ideas for particular industries. Is Kenya being a country that typically protects its present from its future? Or is it just that the present detests the guts of the future?
All we ask from these industries is three months to give us a chance to learn. A chance to know how well prepared we are for the industry. A chance to be seen for the real industrial content we possess beyond the academic laxity our transcripts show. We all know Kenya will never achieve a vision 2030 unless it trusts the undergraduates to help it get there. Let us build Kenya one generation at a time.

THE CHIPS ACT

In the corridors of Parliament Kenya's Bedminton ACT is about to be tabled soon,here is a sneak peak

1. Section 2(1) provides that a chips shall always appear in a club looking fresh. Sweaty mamas wakae home.

2. A chips shall never ask for payment after a night of sec.........luded fun in a secluded place. Chipsing is free. Asking for credit, fare back home shall be taken as asking for payment and will result in disciplinary action.

3. Chips should never come to the club with mummy, daddy or girlfriend issues. Clubs are happy places - shida zako wacha home.

4. Chips should never leave stuff at a man's place so as to get an excuse to come back later. Any stuff left shall be properly disposed by the man and he shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever.

5. Chips should remember the way they use to the dude's residence because on the day after, no chips should expect to be seen off the stage. In fact if possible, don't wake the man up,..........just leave
quietly.

6. In relation to sub section 5, a chips should never ever steal or borrow anything from the man's crib. This offence is tantamount to treason and is punishable. It should further be noted that going with the man's jacket or pullover just coz its cold shall be deemed as stealing.

7. A chips shall practice full disclosure before she's fungwad. Full disclosure includes disclosing whether her hair or teeth are fake, whether she has a medical condition, or whether the club's neon lights makes her look hotter than she really is.

8. Chips shall leave other pals after meeting with the dude. Bringing an extra mama will be taken to mean that the man is being propositioned for a 3-some.

9. No chips shall disclose any secrets that the man might tell her when he's tipsy. Neither shall she disclose to other people where the man lives. It is a serious offence for a chips to warn other chips that the man is a serial chipser.

10. No chips shall come to the club at "that time of the month" and if she does she should disclose this in good time. Failure to disclose this before proceeding to the man's residence, the said chips shall reimburse
the man full costs e.g cab fare, cost of drinks, Opportunity cost (i.e the cost of incurred by foregoing/ missing out on the other available chips).

11. We live in a dangerous world. Chips shall accept to be eaten with sauce. Not vinegar or mustard but sauce. Always remember, kuna chips imekarangwa na transformer oil.

12. Chips shall accept the fact that they are CHIPS. Any insisting on otherwise is an offence. The only exception to this provision is when the man expressly, in writing or orally, tells the chips otherwise or a certain period has passes and the chips is still lungulain the dude. However, this period shall be set by the senate in consultation with parliament. In that case, the chips will be required to make an offer for change in status quo and the man shall accept. Only then shall the chips become the legal wife of the man.

After passing this act, Parliament adjourned. Next bill will deal with SAUSAGE FUNGA, all member are requested to arrive on time to deal; with the important bill. \however all agreed that the most important bill had passed and the Act put in place (The Chips Act)

Never grow up

There are two days that lack meaning to me that is yesterday and tomorrow. Yesterday simply will never change and tomorrow is still undone. So why should I fuss over them when I got today to make a difference. Today is the day of achievers and most people fail to recognise that. achievers don’t wait for opportune times to get the wheel of change rolling rather they seek to follow Peter Drucker’s advice “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
We live in a noble society filled with dreams for a future of uncertainty. The age old goes that the dreamer dreams but wakes up to reality. It is thus worth noting that all it takes to make our dreams a reality is to include them in our dreams. Call me a paranoid but this is what I believe. Reality is the factor that makes us realise that a lot of things are in play in one’s quest to achieve their dreams. It thus has led to a lot of casualties on this road we share with noble intentions backed with desolate actions. Am no prophet of the future but in order to make your dreams real you ought to let the reality be in marriage with your dreams. Consider the reality as a player in your quest thus let it have its place. Don’t seek to rub it off the face of your course for that will be the fuel to your calamity. Rather believe in the fact that reality should be the water that softens the medium you travel to achieve your dream. Jackson Biko. A Saturday nation’s columnist once said “You can’t beat a man by being a man, you do that by being a woman” if we could apply this to our situations and rather than seek to rise above this circumstances we let them take their play to our advantage
Dream big but as well dream real. The bible says ,” if you wait for the proper time to get the work done then count your work undone.” If you have a dream move beyond the intention stage to getting the work done. Never fear when you are called a failure for then you sure tried. Nature has it’s own examples of success remarkable the baby getting walking. The baby is never in a hurry to get the race done, they don’t care how many times they toppled yesterday or fear toppling gain tomorrow. No, they forget each day with its happenings and live the moment like it is all they know. Success is not for grown ups it is for those who never grow up; those who remain as the baby they are. Those who let the storms of life hit them and fight to the end. To the grown up rain gets them wet but to the baby it only gets them blessed. Choose you the person you are today for this day babies are getting the work done yet grown ups are waiting for the babies to get finished. Have a good day treasured pals.

deadlines for helb applications

Those members who are applying for helb should thus be reminded that the deadline for helb applications is 31st march. You are thus highly advised to hurry up with your applications. Am a victim of late information so i pray i manage to help all those who fall behind like i do.

Varsities To Face Massive Student Enrollment in The Coming Years

Three years from now, the first class of pupils who enrolled in Class One under the free primary education programme will be sitting their KCSE examination.

Higher education experts say this class will pose the biggest headache for the country’s Higher Education ministry.

A report presented to the President by the Public Universities Inspection Board five years ago warned that a record 180,000 students who joined class one under the free primary education programme would score the minimum university grade of C+ in 2015.

The ministry of Higher Education puts the number at 150,000.

Currently, the seven public universities in the country can only admit a paltry 25,000 new students. And if the 2014 predictions are anything to go by, then at least seven new public universities will be needed to accommodate the huge numbers seeking university education.

Former Higher Education minister William Ruto had promised that the 20,000-capacity university would be in place by January this year. Now ministry officials say it might take longer

According to Higher Education assistant minister Kilemi Mwiria and permanent secretary Chrispus Kiamba, the country’s first online university is yet to receive Cabinet approval.

Another plan to more than double the number of public universities from seven to 16 by the end of this year is yet to kick off.

The seven public universities - Nairobi, Kenyatta, Moi, Egerton, Jomo Kenyatta, Maseno and Masinde Muliro - have an enrolment of 100,649 students.

Seven new public universities would double enrolment from the current 24,000.

But so far, none out of the 13 university colleges — Bondo, Chuka, Kimathi, Mombasa Poly, Kenya Polytechnic, Pwani, Multi-media, Kabianga, Laikipia, Narok, Meru, South Eastern and Kisii — has been elevated to a full-fledged university.

And according to the Higher Education ministry, only four of these are on course for full university status.

Plans for public universities to admit more students by delinking admission from bed-capacity have also largely stalled.

Dr Mwiria said public universities were reluctant to implement these recommendations for fear they would be forced them to reduce the number of students in the more lucrative parallel degree programmes.

Another plan for KCSE candidates who qualify for admission to join university as soon as the results are out is also a year behind schedule. A proposal to make this possible was to use existing private universities to absorb the large numbers.

But the Higher Education ministry says the plan needs major policy changes to implement as the government only funds students in public universities through the Joint Admissions Board.

Higher education policy has all but stalled. Two Bills that were expected to streamline university education and middle level colleges are still awaiting Cabinet approval three years after they were first mooted.

Experts say 2014 will merely be the climax of a crisis that is already unfolding as the number of students qualifying for university admission has been rising steadily over the years.

Quarter-final draw (5/6 & 12/13 April)

2011 QUARTER FINAL DRAW

1: Real Madrid CF (ESP)                                       Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG)

 


                              VS







2: Chelsea FC (ENG)                                               Manchester United FC (ENG)

 

                     vs      
                            




 

3: FC Barcelona (ESP)                                           FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

 


                   vs

                                                             




4: FC Internazionale Milano (ITA, holders)                      FC Schalke 04 (GER)

                     



                     vs                                                                  

Semi-final draw (26/27 April & 3/4 May) 

1: Inter/Schalke VS Chelsea/Manchester United
 

2: Real Madrid/Tottenham VS Barcelona/Shakhtar

Final (20.45CET, 28 May, Wembley)
 

Winner semi-final 2 v Winner semi-final 1

The pairings from the quarter-finals onwards were determined by an open draw in which no teams were seeded and clubs from the same national association could be drawn against each other. The side drawn first will play the first leg at home. The last-four fixtures are also determined while an additional draw defined whether the winner of semi-final 1 or the winner of semi-final 2 will be considered, for administrative purposes, the home side in the final.

Hell Has No Fury Like Two Identical Women Who Can’t Stand Each Other – A.K.A. Katherine and Elena.

Did you notice what Stefan and Damon were doing while Katherine and Elena had their face-off at the end of “The House Guest”? NOTHING. That’s right. They just kinda stood there stunned as the two most fiery women they’ve met in centuries gave each other a verbal lashing and a deadly stare-down. Sure, the Salvatores are tough guys. They’ve killed people with their bare fangs. They’ve battled evil and won. But they’ve never dealt with two woman who hate each other as much as Elena and Katherine do—and, frankly, it seems like they’re in over their heads.




Got any advice for Stefan and Damon? Tell us what you think they should do to keep Katherine and Elena from tearing each other apart!

Will Sweet Little Bonnie Be Klaus’ Worst Nightmare

Did you notice that Mystic Falls’ resident witch had a really intense look on her face when she told Jeremy that she now knows exactly how to kill Klaus? It was such a wicked look, it made us wonder if Jonas transferred his desire to kill Elena over to Bonnie along with her powers.

Does Bonnie really have what it takes to kill Klaus–and can she do it without hurting Elena? Tell us what you think

Did Katherine Save Elena for Klaus A.K.A. The Dangers of Owing Your Boyfriend’s Ex Your Life.

I don’t much like you either–if we’re going to be open. And, frankly, I’d be happy to see you dead. But if we’re going to take on Klaus, we kind of need you to be alive. So I’m not a threat to you, Elena. If any of you are going to believe anything, believe that.”

– Katherine to Elena



Katherine isn’t Elena Gilbert’s biggest fan. She made that perfectly clear at the end of the last Vampire Diaries episode, “The House Guest.” So why did Katherine risk her own life to save Elena from Jonas? Here are a few possibilities:



1.Klaus – As Kat says, they need Elena to kill Klaus–and Katherine wants Klaus dead so she can finally stop running. Is she keeping Elena alive just so Klaus can kill her?

2.Stefan – The fastest way to Stefan’s heart is through Elena. If Katherine is planning to win Stefan back, saving Elena–and making her look ungrateful–was a good place to start.

3.Damon – Katherine’s typical seduction tricks aren’t working on Damon anymore, but her decision to save Elena threw him off guard. Does she have him right where she wants him?

4.Elena – They fall for the same guys and share the same face. Is there an unspoken doppelganger bond that made Kat save Elena?

Katherine’s been manipulating people for centuries, and she always gets what she wants. But what does she want so badly that it motivated her to save Elena? Tell us what you think.

47 ENGINEERING DEGREE COURSES FROM PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES REJECTED BY ENGINEERING REGISTARION BOARD OF KENYA

The Engineering Registration Board (ERB) has rejected to accord accreditation status to 47 ongoing and planned engineering degrees in local public and private universities. The degrees were submitted for accreditation late last year.

According to ERB’s Report on Accreditation of the Engineering Degree Programmes, degrees were rejected because of their low quality curriculum, lack of qualified lecturers, segmentation, and duplication of the programmes and absence of professional focus.

The report, produced last year, accuses universities of enhancing mediocrity by developing sub-standard degrees which amounted to cheating the public that they were offering engineering degrees, while the menu consisted of technician based courses.

Kenyatta University had its eight engineering degrees in energy, manufacturing, water, construction, civil, mechanical, computer and electrical and communication rejected on the basis of lack of lecturers, inadequate laboratories and segmentation of degrees. By the time the university was seeking accreditation for Bachelor of Science in Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, the programmes had only two members of staff and none was a registered engineer.

"If the university wants to mount courses in those disciplines, then it should recruit academics in control, engineering, power systems and machines, telecommunications and microwaves, electronics and microprocessors," says the report.

On the university’s Bachelor of Energy Engineering, ERB points out that energy is basically an application course and relies on other courses in mechanical and electrical engineering. "An undergraduate course should therefore concentrate on the disciplines on which energy management is based rather than focus on energy alone," says the report.

Egerton University had also its eight degrees in various fields of engineering and technology rejected for various reasons that ranged from lack of qualified staff, weak curriculum as some units lacked depth of coverage, segmentation and duplication.

The issue is serious in that while Egerton proposed to offer BSc in Electrical and Control Engineering, BSc in Telecommunications and B.Tech in Electrical Engineering, BSc Instrumentation and Control Engineering, the university had only seven lecturers and none was registered as an engineer. The ERB queried how only seven staff members run four degree programmes without compromise in quality.

A review of specialisation of engineering staff at Egerton showed only two lecturers had a specialisation manufacturing engineering. The staff proposed were either specialised in mechanical or agricultural engineering, as well as B.Ed and their numbers are not adequate said the report.

However, it is not only Egerton that is using B.Ed degree holders to produce engineers. According to the report, the most senior member of staff at the Department of Telecommunication Engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has basic degrees in education and physics. According to ERB the senior staff member lacks the required background to offer academic leadership in an engineering environment.

According to the report, the coordinator of the BSc Telecommunication at JKUAT is also not a registered engineer or a corporate member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya. The university was also faulted for providing an outdated list of its staff, many of which had left the university. Besides, the university failed to indicate universities attended by its staff as required by ERB regulations.

Whereas, JKUAT had proposed to conduct a degree programme in mining and processing engineering, the university had nobody qualified in mining. ERB recommended that before the university could launch the programme there should be evidence of staff with responsibility and authority to define academic standards. ERB is worried that while universities mounted degrees in environmental engineering and submitted their degrees for accreditation, the content is deemed to be very low. Curriculum developed in those areas have failed to show that graduates will have adequate mathematical proficiency through study of differential equations, probability and statistics, calculus-based physics, advanced chemistry and earth sciences. The programmes also lacked grounding in geology, meteorology, aquatic biology, toxicology and fluid mechanics among other relevant units.

However, serious academic anomalies were also noted at Muliro University of Science and Technology where engineering courses are being conducted by professionals from other disciplines. Some core units are also being taught by technicians.

For instance, a course named highway Materials and Pavement Design is being taught by a technician, while Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Materials is being taught by a geologist while Highway Geometric Design is being taught by a surveyor. Last year, the university had also engaged a part-time graduate in home economics to teach Public Health Engineering in the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering.

The issue of local universities offering inferior engineering education is not just contrary to ERB’s regulations but also against Washington Accord, a global agreement that specifies recognition and international equivalence of engineering qualifications. According to Dr Win Phillips, the chairperson of the International Engineering Alliance, it is not prudent for universities and other degree awarding colleges of engineering to segment professional disciplines. This means graduates of segmented or sub-standard degrees cannot be registered by affiliates of the Washington Accord that comprise national registration bodies such as the ERB and other similar signatories.

Notably the price is high for students who join unaccredited programmes in universities, not just in Kenya but also in other countries. This means such graduates cannot develop successful careers in engineering since they cannot practice as professional cadres. According to Engineers Registration Act Cap 530 only registered engineers that are authorised to practice and offer engineering professional services in the country.

As ERB has pointed out, it is apparent that most universities in the country are pursuing the path to make technician courses to be degree programmes. But it is necessary to draw a bold line to establish the difference between technicians and engineers.

A list of the undergraduate engineering programmes not approved by the engineering registration board

Kimathi University College of Technology 

1. Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication and Information Engineering

2. Bachelor of Science in Mechatronic Engineering

3. Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

4. Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

University of Nairobi

1. Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Biosystems Engineering

Moi University

1. Bachelor of Engineering in Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering

2. Bachelor of Engineering in Manufacturing, Industrial and Textile Engineering

3. Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering

4. Bachelor of Science in Electrical Apparatus and Systems

5. Bachelor of Engineering in Telecommunication Engineering

Kenyatta University

1. Bachelor of Science in Energy Engineering

2. Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering

3. Bachelor of Water Engineering

4. Bachelor of construction Engineering

5. Bachelor of Science in Civil and Water Engineering

6. Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering

7. Bachelor of Mechanical and Energy Engineering

8. Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

1. Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication and Information Engineering

2. Bachelor of Science in Electronic and Computer Engineering

3. Bachelor of Science in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering

4. Bachelor of Science in Biomechanical and Processing Engineering

5. Bachelor of Science in Soil, Water and Environmental Engineering

6. Bachelor of Science in Mining and Mineral Engineering

Egerton University

1. Bachelor of Science in Instrumentation and Control Engineering

2. Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

3. Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering

4. Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering

5. Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering

6. Bachelor of Technology in Industrial Technology

7. Bachelor of Science in Water and Environmental Engineering

8. Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication Engineering

9. Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Control Engineering

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

1. Bachelor of Technology in Production Technology

2. Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and communication Engineering

3. Bachelor of Technology in Civil and Structural Engineering

Kenya Methodist University

1. Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering

University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

1. Bachelor of technology in Automotive Engineering

Daystar University

1. Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering

Mombasa Polytechnic University College

1. Bachelor of Engineering in Building and Civil Engineering

2. Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering

3. Bachelor of Engineering in Telecommunication and Information Engineering

4. Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and electronics Engineering

5. Bachelor of Engineering in Instrumentation and Automation Engineering

Kenya Polytechnic University College

1. Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

2. Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Kat Graham Attends Red Riding Hood Premiere

Werewolves, Witches, or Vampires? Choose Your Team.

On this season of TVD, we’ve pretty much seen it all: werewolves, witches, warlocks and, of course, plenty of vamps. Each group is its own team. They have different enemies, and they play by their own rules.




Which of these teams would you want to play for? Consider the options:



» Werewolves: You’d be uber-strong and powerful, but full moons would turn you into a totally out-of-control hairball.

» Witches and warlocks: Using magic to do whatever you want would be sweet–that is, unless some vengeful warlock tried to strip you of your powers.

» Vampires: Eternal youth is a major plus, and being able to compel mortals would be cool, too. But fighting the urge to kill and watching your friends grow old would really suck.

Would you want to join one of these TVD teams? Or would you prefer to just stick with team mortal?

Meet the Legendary Klaus

British actor Joseph Morgan has been cast as TVD’s Klaus. We don’t know much about Joseph yet, but here’s what we know about his mysterious character:

» Klaus has been trying to destroy the sun and moon curse for centuries now.

» He’s one of the Originals—possibly the most ancient of them all, meaning he could have powers we’ve never even dreamed of.

» He’s been holding Luka’s sister hostage.

» He’s a total recluse and no one except his “inner circle” knows exactly where he hides out…

Judging from all that, Klaus sounds downright ruthless. Although, he doesn’t look so bad at all. In fact, with his blond hair and pretty blue eyes, he looks more angelic than demonic. Then again, people aren’t always what they seem on TVD….



What do you think Klaus will be like when he finally makes an appearance

Ian Somerhalder at Cosmo Fun Fearless Male in NYC`

Nina Dobrev is Teen Vogue’s April 2011 cover girl

Teen Vogue officially unveiled content from their April 2011 issue today and (as we already knew via Twitter) it’s Nina Dobrev who graces the cover.




“When I signed on to the show, I didn’t know whether I’d be playing both girls,” says Nina, who tends to identify with Elena but has more fun with Katherine. “And while it’s been cool, it’s also exhausting because it’s double the work. You invest so much of your heart and soul and energy into making even one character. It’s like doing two movies at once.”

The issue hits newstands on March 15th but you can get a sneak peek at Nina’s photo spread and an edited version of the accompanying article at TeenVogue.com. Pick up the issue to read the entire story! Also, check out how you can win a visit to The Vampire Diaries set!

Insurgence – the Return – TVD Convention for June 2011

Introducing the Third Insurgence Convention – Birmingham, England


We are pleased to announce that we are holding a convention for fans of The Vampire Diaries under the brand name INSURGENCE. It will take place between the 3rd and 5th June 2011 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel adjacent to the NEC Complex in Birmingham. We confirm that:



ZACH ROERIG – Matt Donovan

MICHAEL TREVINO – Tyler Lockwood

DAVID ANDERS – John Gilbert

LAUREN COHAN – Rose

have all confirmed they will be attending.

Vampire Diaries’ stars to appear at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2)

For the first time ever, The Vampire Diaries stars will be appearing at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) on March 19. A couple of favorites from the hit show will attend to sign autographs and sit on the panels for questions.




No new ‘Vampire Diaries’ episodes until return from hiatus on April 7.



Candica Accola (Caroline) and Michael Trevino (Tyler) will appear alongside TVD executive producer Julie Plec to talk about the new members in team wolf and team vampire at Mystic Falls, as well as all other things going on in vamp central.



There will also be a surprise special video presentation during the discussion panels.

Vampire Diaries’ star Candice Accola talks love triangles and Tyler’s return

With the dreaded The Vampire Diaries hiatus upon us, few things can appease the fans, but this is also the time where we get some awesome interviews with the show’s stars. Such is the case with Candice Accola, who recently dished about her character Caroline’s love triangle on TVD with Tyler (Michael Trevino) and Matt (Zach Roerig). She also gave us some good hints as to when Tyler is coming back to Mystic Falls. ‘Vampire Diaries’ stars to appear at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) Just like the “other” love triangle in the popular vampire show, Caroline, Matt and Tyler have created team followings for each pairing possibility. Many fans want Caroline back with her first love, Matt, but, many others would love to see the vampire-werewolf relationship develop with Tyler.

More feelings for Caroline, a potential return for Tyler

With the return of “The Vampire Diaries” more than just a little ways away, we don’t really have much we can do right now outside of dish about some of the major events that are soon to occur on our TV screens.




In the case of Candice Accola’s Caroline, we still have a sort of love triangle playing out between her, Matt, and Tyler — even though the latter is at the moment out of the picture. So how does Accola see it? Speaking to MTV News, the actress ultimately explains that much of your feelings about the romance are going to depend based on your feelings about love in general:



“With Caroline and Matt there’s so much of a first love feeling to their relationship. But with Caroline and Tyler there’s that sense of a budding relationship from a friendship. So I think it goes back to that question, what’s better? You know, what brings about a better relationship? If it stems from a friendship or … do you need that immediate connection of lust and love?”

Nina Dobrev Sinks Her Teeth Into Dual Role

The phrase March Madness has a new meaning this year. It’s a description of the mental state of “Vampire Diaries” fans who must wait until April 7th to see another new episode of the addictive CW drama. Fortunately, Nina Dobrev, who plays both heroic human Elena and deliciously evil vampire Katherine, has come to the rescue, offering her insights about playing a dual role, which Salvatore brother is the right man for Elena, and how Katherine became the only Bulgarian character on American television.




When you originally tried out for “Vampire Diaries” did you audition for Katherine as well as Elena, or was it a surprise that you were playing a double role? When I first auditioned, I worked really hard and crossed my fingers that I would get the part of Elena. I had no idea I would also be playing Katherine. Much later Katherine was introduced into the script through the flashbacks and I found out I was both Elena and Katherine. It raised the stakes and changed the opportunity from just the role of a girl next door to two very conflicting and different challenges. You do such a great job of playing two distinctive characters. How do you approach each role? What drives each character? It’s not always easy for sure, but it keeps me engaged and keeps me challenged. The clothes, accessories, hair, and all those seemingly superficial details really help me transition and embrace whichever role I’m playing. For example, if I’m rocking a pair of Converse I can sink into Elena, but if I’m wearing some edgy boots, I naturally begin not only walking but I also feel like Katherine. I think the motivation behind both characters is very different. For Elena it’s the people she cares about. She would do anything for her friends and family. For Katherine, it’s self-preservation. Really, she’s just looking out for herself and only herself.

Nina Dobrev does not expect Damon – Elena pairing soon

Although the two are not together on “The Vampire Diaries,” many fans have still found themselves rooting for Elena and Damon to somehow get together. Why? A good reason for it may merely be the fact that Damon is the “rebel,” and he presents that sort of unknown excitement that may not be there for Elena and Stefan.




However, there is also a pretty large difference between reality and fantasy — something that actress Nina Dobrev is pretty quick to point out in a new interview with Fancast:



“Although it seems like an adventurous opportunity, it’s a bit precarious to go along with Damon, so I doubt she would put herself in the line of danger. Plus she is known for her loyalty, so it would definitely be surprising.



“Elena loves Stefan because she feels a deep connection with him that surpasses all the common emotions of high school life. Katherine loves Stefan because her history with him ties back further than most mortals could ever understand. And it’s like a game of cat and mouse. He’s playing hard to get. It’s exciting for her.”

Could Chase Crawford be Ian Somerhalder’s Doppelganger

There’s no one in the world quite like Ian Somerhalder…or is there?

Gossip Girl’s Chace Crawford doesn’t have any blood-sucking immortal experience on his resume—but he may look enough like Ian to play a long lost Salvatore brother.



Tell us if you think these scruffy, green-eyed hotties look alike. Or do you only have eyes for Ian?

Favorite New Faces on TVD

We’ve met a ton of new faces on this season of TVD: Mason, Rose, Elijah, Jules and her pack, Jonas, and Luka. As of last week though, all of these new characters are officially dead…or long gone–or so we think anyways!




Some of these Mystic Falls newbies we loved—and some we totally hated. Obviously we loved Mason’s sexy, surfer look…but we hated Jules and her pack for trying to mess with our vamps!



Out of all of TVD’s new characters this season, who did you like the most? The least? And why?

Katerina Graham at the 42nd NAACP Image Awards

Stefan vs. Damon

Fans tend to prefer Damon over Stefan—but Katherine doesn’t. In her eyes, what is it that Stefan has that Damon can’t compete with?

Let’s compare their stats:



Stefan



1.He says he’s never truly loved Katherine…

2.He’s been totally head over heels for Elena since the day he met her.

3.Stefan claims to hate Katherine–and no matter how hard she tries to seduce him, it never works.

Damon



1.Katherine was his first love.

2.It took him more than a century to get over her–assuming he truly is.

3.Damon tries to get the upper hand with Kat, but she’s an expert at manipulating him.

When Damon played hard-to-get last week, Katherine suddenly wanted him more. If he keeps it up, will she finally choose him over Stefan–or do you think he’ll always be second best to TVD’s resident vamp-bitch?

Candice, Michael and Julie at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, March 19th

 

Guess what, Chicago? You have something cool to look forward to this month! Warner Bros. has just announced that The Vampire Diaries will have a presence at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, March 18-20. C2E2 is “a convention spanning the latest and greatest from the worlds of comics, movies, television, toys, anime, manga and video games” and Candice Accola, Michael Trevino, and Julie Plec will be there on Saturday, March 19th for a signing and a panel. Rad, right? Purchase tickets via the C2E2 website now! (Psst, buy ‘em before March 14th and they’re only $25!)

From the Warner Bros. press release:




SATURDAY, MARCH 19



3:00–3:45 p.m. The Vampire Diaries Signing in Room 178A



5:00–6:00 p.m. The Vampire Diaries Special Video Presentation and Cast/Producer Q&A — The Vampire Diaries descend on the Windy City — a C2E2 first! Join season two breakouts Candice Accola (starring as Caroline Forbes) and Michael Trevino (starring as Tyler Lockwood), as well as executive producer Julie Plec, for an in-depth discussion on each character’s recent supernatural transformations. From Caroline’s undead vampire awakening to Tyler’s bone-crushing werewolf metamorphosis — don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with the cast and find out what it takes to become immortal. NOTE: Attendees are subject to change. From Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, The Vampire Diaries airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. Connect with The Vampire Diaries community on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thevampirediaries and on on Twitter: @CW_VampDiaries. IGN Theater/Room 375E

Jeremy and Bonnie vs. Caroline and Matt

Things aren’t all about Stefan and Elena anymore. TVD has given us two more couples to ooh and aww over…

JEREMY AND BONNIE:

Bonnie is beautiful, older, and more experienced, and Jeremy’s pretty much the total package. He’s smart, loyal, and totally drool-worthy. Are the cougar witch and her brown-eyed hottie TVD’s new it couple?



CAROLINE AND MATT:

Caroline and Matt seem like the picture-perfect couple. Of course, it helps that the high school sweethearts look like Vampire Barbie and her All-American Ken. Are you hoping the blond vamp can snag her mortal man once and for all?



Tell us how you feel about both couples in the comments!

Clueless Jenna

Jenna’s never exactly been in the “know” when it comes to what really goes on in Mystic Falls—but it looks like she’s finally about to get hit with the whole truth. Although, it’s not as if Jenna hasn’t had plenty of opportunities to be hit on the head with truth already…

Here are just 5 of the things she’s totally missed:



1.Her ex, Alaric, has killed multiple people right under her nose (Logan Fell, Elijah)–but, of course, Jenna’s never suspected a thing.

2.Her niece has an identical body double. Jenna has yet to notice

3.Her ex also spends a highly unusual amount of free time hanging with students outside of class (Stefan, Elena, Jeremy, etc). For some reason though, Jenna doesn’t think that’s strange…

4.Either the Gilbert house is huge—or Jenna’s deaf. Either way, she’s never noticed ANY of the uninvited guests that have crept around her home.

5.Jenna’s had a vampire and a werewolf over for a BBQ…and everyone knew it…but her.

Maybe its love that makes Jenna blind—or maybe she’s just never been the sharpest tool in the shed. Whatever the case may be, Jenna’s definitely in for the shock of a lifetime…



But, after seeing how Matt dealt with the truth, how do you think Jenna will take it?