Home: An Off-Campus Hello

I just want to say... it feels good to be home. I think college is something that makes a lot of kids realize how important their families are. After the fracturing times middle school and high school can bring to the parent-child relationship, there's a lot that being away from home and being on your own can do to repair and revitalize it.

After an extremely difficult quarter, I am very happy to be home.

That's not to say I don't miss UCSD life as well.

There is something about being on your own that can be very freeing. My mom, after a lot of work on her part, is a lot less restrictive nowadays and accepting of me growing up and becoming an adult. I've been very blessed by her grace in the situation.

However, there's just something special about being awake at 2:30 in the morning and leaving your apartment to take a walk around a campus full of outdoor art pieces and interesting architecture, having your friends over late and loud, determining exactly what your schedule is for the day and deciding it's ok not to wake up until 2 in the afternoon. There's something cool about being able to do whatever you want whenever you want.

When you go home, I think for most kids, that freedom is definitely cut back. And it can be hard. My first winter break home, I felt caged in and when I wanted to take that early morning walk, I knew my mom would get upset if I just randomly left the house in the middle of the night on my own. Also, the streets are just not as safe as campus. It was hard and I resented my mom a lot. It felt like I was back in high school and not that I had taken care of myself perfectly well for a whole quarter. It definitely caused some fights and frustration. We talked and it's a lot better now. She's been really understanding and gives me enough freedom when I'm home that I have been able to go out and hang out with friends at 230 in the morning and not gotten flack for it the next day.

That feeling though was something I never expected. No one's ever talked about it, at least to me, and it's not something I've ever read in those "How To Survive College" books. (I don't think I read any of those though.) It was something I never even thought of. I just wanted to put it out there in hopes that someone can learn from it.

Going from home to college is a big change, but going from college to home can also be a big one.

Marshallpalooza!

No food review this week, unfortunately :( I've been deathly sick holed up in my dorm room.

It seems a little contradictory to hold a carnival the Friday before finals week, but let's face it--you can't study 24/7! And what better way to destress than to spend a few hours playing carnival games with your friends? Despite catching the flu and winding up playing catch up in studies I let my friends drag me out to Marshall field and we challenged each other at all the games--duck races, basketball shots, ladder races, dunk tanks, you name it. They gave out rubber duckies and glow sticks as prizes to the winner of each game! Along with that, there was free food! Once you get to college, the unspoken rule in dorm life is free food shalt never be turned down. People walked around with trays of hot dogs and there was a stand serving corn on the cob with garlic and seasonings.

Lastly, there's the Ferris wheel--romantic, shiny, and a tad scary (are Ferris wheels supposed to go that fast?), but well worth the ride! I love Marshallpalooza!

I apologize for the delay in blogging. My internet has actually been down for the last few days because of a blackout in my building. Someone across the hall blew a fuse and our suite was left without light for about 2 hours--yikes. Definitely not a conducive environment for studying! That brings me to my second important point: always carry a flashlight. Remember that open flames aren't allowed in the dorms, for good reason! I also find a flashlight handy in non-blackout situations. Since I live in a triple and I room with athletes, I'm frequently up later than them (when you have 6am weights, you definitely want an early night's sleep!). Instead of turning on the light when I'm ready to turn in, I use my flashlight to make my way to the top bunk in the dark.

Good luck to all on their finals! Remember to eat and sleep well while studying too--studies show that students do better with a good night's sleep :)
Rosanne

Home Away From Home: Wishing Finals Week Was Over

As much as I love being on my own here at UCSD, I do tend to miss my family quite a bit. As much as I love the people here who have become my family away from my family, my mom, my brother, and I are very close and, at times, it's really hard without them being near. My hometown is about a 12 hour drive from campus and that does not really allow for a quick weekend trip home or even for the four short days of Thanksgiving (sorry excuse for a) break.

So, instead of skipping classes on Wednesday to try and get in a travel day to go home and see the family, I surprised my brother and flew him down for Thanksgiving. It was so much epicness to be able to spend so much time with him since he has the full week off. He was here from the Saturday night before Thanksgiving week to the Monday afterwards.

It was a lot of fun! We went paintballing, started a pick-up dodgeball game in the iHouse basketball court (if you're ever down, let me know!), had a big Thanksgiving dinner with all of my friends here, played a large game of 7-11, raided Ralph's to create our very own Thanksgiving dinner, watched Netflix like no other, dragged mattresses out to the living room so we could wake-up early and watch the Thanksgiving parade in bed, saw Harry Potter, andpretty much just had a blast!

Now, I know that we're all about to go home in a week (unless you're an International student, but all of them seem to be going on trips around the country), but I thought I would give you a tip on how to feel like you're home, even when you're in the middle of Finals *cough* DEATH *cough* week or at any time of the year when you just wish you were home.

Decorate your room--- Seriously, your personal touch will make the world of difference. Whether you have a single or a cramped three to a room (hello, freshman year), bring things from home. Bring pictures, bring posters, bring your favorite blankets. Bring your stereo, bring your nick-nacks. Cover your walls, your closets, the surface of your desks, not the ceiling (only with blue painter's tape, of course!--which you can definitely get at stores around campus like M.O.M. in Muir). If you have an apartment, decorate the living room. Get together with your flatmates and take a trip to Target (41 bus on weekdays, 101 to UTC to 41 bus on weekends) and find some things you all like. I fill my mom's mini-van for our trek across the great Golden State with things that are simply used to make my room seem less of a "This is my bear white-walled dorm room, a continuation of the school" and more like a "Haven away from the stressful area surrounding me that's ALL MINE."

BONUS TIP, AWH YEAH: Comfort food. Yes, I know about the freshman fifteen, but a little comfort food to bring you back home is always a good thing. Go to Ralph's, or Vons, or any of the stores we have spread across campus (good way to use up those extra dining dollars!) and get cookin' in the kitchen. Cooking may seem scary (it was to me!), but just mess around until you get something you love. I've created two of my own recipes that I'll gladly share with you one of these days. If you have an apartment this works best because you can make your own at home, but if not, indulge yourself when you find something AWESOME at a dining hall. The taste of your cooking-parental-unit is only a short walk away.

An Introduction of the Nerdiest Sort

Hey everyone!

I'm the UCSD: Living on Campus' newest blogger- Chelsey! I'm really excited to be able to work on this and give you guys the information you need to survive.... duh duh duhn... Living on campus.

To give you the general, run-of-the-mill about me, I'm a third year student living on campus in iHouse, but a Muir College (MUIRON PRIDE!) student. I am a psychology major and Lit/Writing minor (but considering making it into a double major). I am secretary for the iHouse events planning comittee, iHOP. I volunteer on campus at the International Center's Resale Shop every Friday morning from 10-1PM PST (and I highly advise coming to visit me or the shop because it's awesome there and you can get A LOT of things for cheap, cheap, cheap! And I'm all about the cheap, cheap, cheap.). I also am a KSDT radio DJ and I host the radio show Something Like That, But Not That on Monday nights from 8-9PM PST.

So, I would say I'm fairly involved with campus and will be able to give you the scoop on what's going on and let you in on the secrets of things you might have missed while living on campus.

I have to say, I'm not writing this at a particularly pleasant moment as I'm in a sleep-deprived, running on who-know-what state. I was out until 430AM last night seeing the new Harry Potter movie. It was AMAZING! The movie is... SPECTACULAR! I left campus

around 230PM to get to Edwards theatre in Mira Mesa and was there waiting in line the whole day through. I dress up at a Gryffindor Quidditch player (Yes, I had the t-shirt, the robes, the scarf, and was sorted by the Sorting Hat into Gryffindor while waiting in line. Oh yeah, I had my wand too! Something tells me 1. I would be able to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor when I needed it and 2. I'm a nerd.) While waiting in line, one of my newest friends that I've just met this year, Jessica, drew a Dark Mark on my arm while waiting in line. IT'S THE BEST THING EVER.

One of the best things about the night though was being with my friends. My group was 17 people huge and EPIC. Some of these kids were the people I first met when I moved to UCSD, girls from my Tenaya suite whom I lived with last year in the Muir Apartments, and am neighbors in iHouse with this year. Some of these people I'd met only recently through iHouse or throughother friends. Some of these people I've met specifically through midnight showings of other movies. Some of these people are from Japan and Australia. Some of these people I met that day! But everyone was cool.

And I think that's one of the best things about living on-campus. You get to meet and live with so many amazing and different people and keep those relationships going. I know when you live off-campus, relationships tend to get a lot harder (I haven't even been able to say my first year roommates this year so far because they totally live off-campus now). Foster these relationships while you can because these people can be the foundation of your UCSD experience. I know for sure they've made mine. I know it's awkward to say this, but SKIP CLASS AND HAVE SOME FUN EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE. These moments, seemingly little now, are what you'll remember in the future. And I swear they're worth it.

Off Campus Grocery Shopping!

Meal of the week: a ten second review of dining hall food

Stir fry. $5.95. A customized dish: pick your meat, your veggies, rice or noodles and you're good to go! Sometimes they offer water chestnuts and bamboo as veggie options too, which is a huge huge plus.

When/where: Lunch, 11/18 (today!), Canyon Vista (CV)
Delicious? Always! I don't get my stir fry anywhere else because no other place serves it like CV does. The portions are huge and the price very decent. I tend to get the rice over the noodles--sometimes the noodles (pictured above) tastes a little too much like cheap ramen packages.

 Last Saturday I headed out to Vons and Trader Joe's to stock up on groceries. I have yet to go to the weekly Farmer's Market (shame on me!), but I know for a fact fruit at the dining halls is super expensive. The easiest way to get some healthy snacks for cheaper prices is to shop off campus by taking the Superloop!

  The Superloop runs counterclockwise (the 201 bus) and clockwise (202) and arrives at each stop every 10-15 minutes, depending on the hours. Besides taking students to grocery stores and restaurants, the bus also stops by the UTC mall full of small stores and a food court. To optimize my route, I take the 201 (counterclockwise) to do grocery shopping and take the 202 back (clockwise) so I don't have to wait for the bus to make its full loop. :) Yay for saving time!
Here's a map of the Superloop route.

The first thing I learned as a student who's never gone shopping without a car is mind what you buy--carrying a large amount of heavy groceries back on the bus is no fun. I once had bought fruit for three other people at their request, and that trip back to the dorms was one of the worst. Some solutions to buying bulky or heavy products? Taking the Campus loop could shorten your trip back to the dorms. I've seen a girl carry a sustainable grocery bag with wheels, too, which is an awesome idea:

I'm good for the environment, grocery shopping, and I fold into a handbag!

Sustainable grocery bags!

 I went to a lot of suite/building events this week too. There was movie night with my RA--free pizza and Sherlock Holmes! My suite also submitted a design for the Building T-Shirt Design competition, which in actuality is more of a "suite design that one very artistic suitemate drew". Needless to say, we're going to win!



 As a suite, too, we share a love for home decor and the combination of our efforts resulted in the following: christmas lights, sparkly baubles, cutout painted snowflakes...it's a little too early for Christmas, so we also added silk autumn leaves right after I took these pictures. A few suitemates and I definitely went a little overboard with the snowflakes!

Snowlakes colored with markers!

Probably the most decorated suite in Marshall--our RA was proud.

-Rosanne

Getting Around UCSD

Hey everyone,
It's tuesday again and here's some more things I think future students or anyone that wants to get around UCSD should know. One of the most important transportation tools out there that I use is my skateboard.  It might not seem too speedy to push your way uphill, but the fact that you can cut through campus on all the walking paths where the campus loop bus system has to go in a big loop- hence the name- makes a skateboard or scooter priceless on campus.  Sure bikes are great, but the problems with a bicycle are that you have to leave it outside and risk its being stolen, which outweigh the benefits of mobility.  Plus, a skateboard or scooter you can tuck under your feet in lecture and take up very little room.

The downside to any of these tools for getting around is if it rains, the wheels spin up mud and water and you will probably get your pants-legs wet.  So if it rains, I recommend taking the UCSD campus loop- the L line.  It might be inefficient, but if you're sick, tired, rained on, or just lazy, its great for moving across campus without exerting yourself.  If you search for UCSD shuttle tracker in google, the first result gives you the nearest arrival time of a shuttle anywhere on campus.  So you don't have to wait around in the rain... you can check when the next bus arrives and head out a minute or two before to get picked up.

Mostly, it doesn't rain, and the walkways and paths of UCSD are great for skateboarding- as I already said.  Here's my personal favorite route on a skateboard.  If you take the bus to Revelle, the college up at the highest point of UCSD, at about eight or nine at night, you can cruise past Clics, the Revelle library, across the Revelle square, down the road toward Main Gym, take a right to cut through the Old Student Center, push up a small hill that goes past Porter's Pub, then roll to your left as you crest the hill and skate down across the Sun God Lawn turnaround towards library walk, mostly without seeing anyone or having the crowds of the afternoon get in your way.  From there, I cut across Library walk and carve down the Price Center hill with the Triton man on my left and the pine meridian on my right until I fly past the construction on the left and all the way back to Sixth College Apartments.  As a side note, the pavement across from the Triton man on either side of the meridian is great for all you flatland skaters out there.

My Route is outlined in a black pen mark.
Have a great week UCSD.

The UCSD life...during midterms!

Meal of the week: a ten second review of dining hall food

Chicken Udon $5.25. Tender chicken with udon noodles, bean sprouts, green onions and seaweed.
When/where: Lunch, 11/10, OVT
Delicious? Yes, there's nothing like hot soup on a chilly day. The chicken was flavorful, the soup just a tad too salty. Worth the price? Not quite--I'm a small eater, and yet this bowl just filled me up. I bet my male friends went foraging for extra morsels after this lunch.

I'm in the middle of my studies for Midterms: Round 2. One of my biggest issues the week before Midterms: Round 1 was finding a nice place to study without distractions. If my suite wants to party it up or my roommates want to watch Glee with a bunch of friends (like last night!), I have to find other places to curl up with my chem text. The most obvious study place is Giesel:

...unfortunately, as a first year living in the Marshall residence halls, the walk to Giesel can be rather far. My friends introduced me to the lounge at the top of my dorm building, and I definitely like how it's just four short flights of stairs or an elevator ride away.

Cozy, quiet, and empty. My RA lives just outside, too, and he stops by now and then just to check up on us every now and then. Get to know your RA and don't be afraid to ask them for anything! Mines is full of all sorts of valuable and interesting information :)

My favorite reading chair in the library...

Another great study area close to Marshall is the IR/PS library in ERC. It's a small, two story building that's a little out of the ways, and no one can give clear directions to it ("walk down a sketchy path," "somewhere near RIMAC," "kind of near I-house..."). As I had to ask so many people for directions to this one cozy library, I'll try to describe the path best I can. From the intersection of Pangea and Scholar's Drive North, walk through the Great Hall and up the stairs. Crossing the small street, there's a narrow walkway that takes you to the entrance of the IR/PS library. Alternatively, you can walk up Ridge Walk until you see it on your left!

It's back to studying (at the lounge :P) for me. Hope everyone does well on their midterms!

You only see these kinds of sunsets in movies--or at UCSD.

-Rosanne

What's Up UCSD?

Hey everyone at UCSD,

Or if you're not at UCSD but want to be... or if you ended up here by mistake, hello to you too. I've definitely been in your place before- cruising the web, looking for a history of Swedish Fish, then I zone out for a second and by the time I figure out where I am, I'm taking a survey of top twenty things I don't do in my spare time. Who cares what I don't do in my spare time?

So back to me... I'm a freshman in the sixth college Pepper Canyon Apartments and my blog posts will be about my life at UCSD and bits of advice about where to eat, what to do in your spare time, what not to do in your spare time, and other pearls of wisdom. Basically little things that I wish someone had told me before I did something that I shouldn't have and which I wouldn't have if that someone had told me before I did that something.

For example, I really wish someone had told me that you need a piece of towel, or cloth, etc, to get into the weight room at Rimac before I had run all the way there to realize that I needed a towel to get in. Listen to me because this is golden. You need a TOWEL to get into the weight room. But if you get there and your supposed friend who is there with you and who has a towel but forgot to tell you that you need a towel to get into the weight room doesn't tell you that little gem about needing a towel, you can still buy one downstairs at the equipment checkout desk right next to the stairs. I think they're two or three dollars, but still that's two or three dollars that you shouldn't have to spend. And to all you internet users who ended up here by mistake, who are still reading because of my magnificent prose, and who have no idea what Rimac is, it's the big gym at UCSD.

One more bit of great advice: don't spend your money on tissues. I was stressing so much on the ride down because I didn't bring any kleenex and now that I'm here I notice that I don't use any tissues. Use toilet paper. It works just as well and it's restocked every week by your cleaning crew if you live in a UCSD housing unit. And free things are good things. Usually. Plus, at least where I'm living, they stock the good stuff; double or triple quilted paper that's super soft on your nose.

I hope someone puts this advice to good use. Whether you go to UCSD, hope to go here, are the parents of someone who wants to go here, are my parents checking up on me, or are just lost and stuck here because I'm such a boss, remember, towel to get into weight room and all purpose t.p.

LOOKING FOR A FUN, EASY WAY TO GET SOME WRITING EXPERIENCE?

Housing • Dining • Hospitality is looking for a creative type to blog about his/her life as a resident Triton. Talk to present and future students about your life on campus— What do you do for fun? Where do you live, and what do you like to eat? Work with the HDH Marketing Team, and spill your everyday thoughts with us!

It's great experience, it's a fun environment, and you’ll beef up your writing skills.

Have Qs or need more info? Contact Dave at ddecaro@ucsd.edu.

Another year, another chapter in the book of your life!

What a rollercoaster of a year it's been!

There were many firsts we can look back on from the 09-10 academic year....
Including the creation of the EcoNaut position, the jump-off of Farm2U Farmer's Markets, the addition of the Village Transfer Housing community, and the rejuvenation of the Neighborhood Community Garden behind the Che Cafe.

I am so grateful I was able to go along for the ride with you all.

Keep that productive and adventurous energy flowing through the summer months!

keep in touch:
hilary_wilhelm88@yahoo.com

<3 Hilary

ZERO Waste MOVE OUT! Let's do this!

Housing*Dining*Hospitality would like to remind you.....

Please watch the attached 'Room Raiders' video clip made by the
Housing*Dining*Hospitality EcoNauts.
It is a demonstration on how to have a Zero-waste move-out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfxqg0r375g

Most of your move-out items are reusable or recyclable!

*Reusable items (clothes, books, furniture, household appliances, and anything with a cord/working/non-working electronics) go into the white Disabled American Veteran (DAV) donation bins located in all six colleges and the Village.

All electronic waste (ink cartridges, batteries) can go in as well.

*All Recyclables (paper, bluebooks, newspaper, cardboard, paperboard, aluminum, glass, plastics, steel) go into the recycle bins.

*All non-perishable food (dry food like cereal, canned food, anything that doesn’t have to go in the refrigerator) can be donated in the Hand Up Food Pantry Bins located in Warren SAC & Res Life offices at each college and the Village.

*All dishes from dining restaurants should be returned to Toby’s Spots.

**Once an item is placed in a donation, recycle, or trash bin, it cannot be taken out. Please do not take any items out of the bins! Failure to comply will lead to disciplinary action.

-->Please go to the hdh.ucsd.edu/majorplanet website to find answers to your move-out questions.

-->Also, refer to the EcoNaut’s educational ROOM RAIDERS video, demonstrating how to move out in a Zero Waste fashion!

Email any questions to majorplanet@ucsd.edu.

Let's make move outs zero waste!

Thank you! Have a great week!

Sincerely,
The EcoNauts


and...*Hilary : )

This is it.

So it has finally come the weekend before finals, if you have stress its about implode yes? Well remember to re-read Hilary's post on health! Its important!!! Other than that remember to balance book time alongside sleep time. So lets talk study, where should you go?

Everyone uses Clicks or the library, but there are more options! PC has group study rooms, computers and movable tables (great to push together). The dining halls especially Plaza, CV, OVT and Cafe V are the same, not to mention convenient food and coffee.

So other things to look out for this week are the awesome study breaks and events that your reslife is hosting for final relief. There are sure to be yummy food, and free testing supplies (both necessary for Finals week). Not to mention you can schedule a free massage up at PC (if you look through the Guardian there are other things PC is doing for finals).

Now to top everything off all the on campus people have to deal with move outs...

Dealing with moveouts is tricky, most people have already made arrangements with parents, and the airlines on to when and how, but what else should you think and plan about.

Remember to have things to pack your stuff into, boxes bags ect. Mail off anything thats going to meet you there. I am personally aiming to pack, sort and clean my stuff over a series of days to keep the rush and time limit off my back. Don't forget all furniture has to be back in the room where it was originally. If you are planning on leaving Saturday remember you will be competing with people for graduation (so try to get out early or plan to wait till after). If you do leave saturday remember you need the special parking pass and that it is 20 min loading limit (so be prepared).

Remember don't get overwhelmed there are people here to help you, and take time for yourself! Good Luck!

Angela =]

Take Care of Yourself : ) Your Health Comes FIRST

Hey it's *Hilary...

There's no better time than NOW to take care of yourself. If you're feeling stressed, hit the gym, do some laps in the pool, or take a stroll on the beach. Honestly, there has never been a time that I regretted working out. It'll give you that little extra boost before that next study sesh.

Lookin to jump start your study snacks?

Check out these tips from Becky McDivitt, our registered dietician : )

Eating Strategies

1. Eat small, frequent meals to stay alert and energized.
2. Don’t skip meals due to marathon study sessions!
3. Have healthy snacks like these ready for study breaks:
   • Nuts and dried fruit
   • Cheese sticks and yogurt
   • Sliced veggies and dip or hummus
   • Fresh fruit
   • Low fat popcorn
   • Half-sandwich
4. Eat your snack away from your study area. Avoid mindless snacking while studying.
5. Stay hydrated with water, tea, milk or small amounts of 100% juice.
6. Manage stress with non-eating activities like exercise, meditation, yoga, talking with friends, and watching a movie.
7. Don’t over-do it with caffeine in an effort to stay awake. If your body is telling you to sleep, you need to sleep! Well-rested students perform better on tests.

Stay classy San Diego.

*Hilary

Oh and FYI...

Finals Week Approaching...

Greetings,





I hope you are all having an enjoyable week! Wow, the quarter will soon have its end in just about three weeks! This is a good time of reflection (and studying of course).


There are some great places on campus in which to get alone and think or study ~.~





The Knoll grass in Muir outside of Main Gym is of course a most popular location for reflection and sun-basked studying.


The Treehouse Lounge in the Old Student Center is loaded with comfortable furniture and views of trees.


The Neighborhood Community Garden behind the Che Cafe also offers chairs to reflect in and maybe you'll catch one of the gardening folks who will swoop you into some gardening action!


The Pepper Canyon Farm is also growing! Check out the ambience and green going on down the path behind Outback Adventures and Pepper Canyon Hall.

If you would like less scenic places, I recommend the first floor of Geisel in the Social Sciences & Humanites Library. They have a bunch of computers for all your internet needs.

Please remember to take care of yourself and eat healthy these coming weeks. There will be two farmers' markets coming to you!

Tuesday is the large Farmer's Market located in Town Square (by the Student Services Center).

• 10 A.M.- 2P.M.
  

On Wednesday will be the Farm2U put on by Housing and Dining.

• May 26~ Roger's


• June 6~ Foodworx


• 3:30-6:30 P.M.

Please email me if you'd like more places I can recommend or comments or just a hello!





Remember to breathe easy and take care of yourself. Take in the sun and warmth of friendship.







Love,


Jessica

End of the Year Parties and Events!! GET READY FOR MOVE-OUT!!

Hey people.

The end of Spring Quarter is fast approaching!!....and you know what that means... MOVE OUT!

To help you prep for Move Out, the EcoNauts are going to stop by RA events at all six colleges and The Village next week... to give them a heads up on the ZERO WASTE MOVE OUT PLAN.

FYI: These Zero Waste Move Out talks are for Res Life Staff only, but please feel free to ask them questions you may have after Tuesday of next week. ;)

The meetings will take place Tues. May 25th at these times:

7:00 pm- ERC

7:10 pm- Warren

8:00 pm- Village

Marshall

Sixth

8:30 pm- Revelle

so.... bug your RAs about MOVE OUT details, so you're ahead of the game!

p.s. CHECK OUT OUR "Recycling Box" MUSIC VIDEO DEBUTE starring the ECONAUTS! It's a spin-off of an SNL skit... enjoy ; )

Plastic in a Box

Help make UC San Diego zero waste!

oh and.... come hang with the Villagers and the rest of UCSD at the Village Block Party 2010

Facebook event: click below
Village Block Party 2010

Date:	Friday, May 21, 2010
Time:	1:00pm - 5:00pm
Location:	The Village

Description

FREE BBQ lunch, tie-dye your own shirt, cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, carnival games, a giant slip n slide, inflatable twister, bouncy boxing, featuring music from DJ Colourvision!!

Tabling from your favorite UCSD transfer orgs.

Celebrate the end of the first year of the Village! We were here first!!


Live it up!

*Hilary

Sungod!!

Hello!

I hope you all got to experience Sungod Festival in one way or another. This is the most festive day at UCSD where us bookworms get out and get super friendly with thousands of our peers we may never chatted with before. It is a day of friendship and fun! It is a day when the repertoire of UCSD being a boring, academic school dwindles and we show everyone some colors!

It is a day when you see artists like B.o.B. and Michelle Branch.

You also get to see men and women walking around campus dressed up in strange outfits.

It is a day when we all get together!

Let's keep the sungod spirit alive; let's keep being friendly and fun. We are all in the UCSD community so let's reach out a hand and a greeting to one another every day!

In high spirits,

Jessica

PS Check out the Sungod Photo captures here~

Sun God Rice Recipe

Well I am naming this recipe in today's big event: Sun God.

This recipe is the easiest that I have posted so far.

Ingredients/Tools:

Soup of your choosing

Rice/Cooker

Can Opener:

Bowl

Fork

So 1st cook your rice

Second use a can opener that punctures the can, you want to remove the lable on the can, and puncture a hole on one side and then on the other side (2 holes give it air to replace the soup so it is easier to pour out)

And Mix. I add pepper =]

It is super easy, but super good. I like to use Amy's Organic Tomato Bisque, it tastes almost exactly like Chef Boyardee Canned Goods.... You can use any soup, Split Pea, Potato and Squash Bisque are my recommendations.

Now a lot of people do not have a can opener that can puncture but you can get one at Goody's Place and Market.

I buy most of my soup at Foodworx, but Earl's and the Village Place and Market also have a good variety.

So since EVERYONE is going to Sun God please be safe. If you are enjoying some of the more, well, frowned upon by authority liquids, make sure to EAT, it will make any side affects better tomorrow (I promise).

Angela =]

HEALTH=HAPPINESS -->Talk to Becky this Spring!

Hey Tritons,

I have done a lot of experimenting during my first year as a Transfer student.
.....I'm talkin about food!

You know the expression "starving student"? Well honestly, I couldn't ask for a better place to be one than at UCSD. There are sooooo many healthy ingredients in the P+Ms, and opportunities to eat healthy meals in the dining restaurants on-campus.

If you don't know about your options, and want to empower yourself, hang out with professional Registered Dietitian: HDH’s RD Becky McDivitt this Spring.

"You’ll see a lot of her around campus for RD in da House program, when she visits Dining restaurants to chat, introduce healthy snacks, and offer nutritional advice."

You can meet Becky at these events:

RD in da House / Spring Quarter
May 13 - Café V
June 2 - Canyon Vista

Time: 11am - 1pm

If you don't personally have any questions for Becky, please spread this news to people you know and care about.

"College is not just about grades, or experience, or any of that "security" stuff, it is about people." -Jessica Baltmanas

* Hilary

Friendships

Hello dear friends,

I hope you are doing great! I have lately been relearning the amazing gift that friendship is.

I have gotten so caught up in the activities of college life that I have forgotten the vital practice of having relationships with people. If you relate to this at all, take it as a sign before you get into it too deep! Love people before institutions, have compassion before living for a cause, and let that be the reason you live.

On the subject of friendship, I encourage revisiting old neighbors. I've done that a couple times today, it means so much to them! Let people know that you care, remember, and are thinking about them. College is not just about grades, or experience, or any of that "security" stuff, it is about people. Connecting with people. Building relationships with them. Learning from them. Loving them. That is what college is about.

So go on out there and live out your college experience!

Your friend,

Jessica

CHOCOLATE!

Yummy Yummy Chocolate!!!

So the Chocolate Festival at Sixth College was today.

The had fountains of dip-able chocolate, a cake walk game, a pie game, a hershey kiss game, cookies and milk pong, cupcake chairs, a sundae eating contest, a photo booth and inflatable obstacle courses. Everything had some yummy chocolate involved.

It inspired me to have a new dorm room rice recipe:

Chocolate Rice Pudding

Ingredients: Milk (Any P&M), Rice (Trader Joe's), Chocolate Syrup (Foodworx), Cane Sugar (Earl's), Butter (Foodworx), and Instant Chocolate Pudding (Goody's).

Cook your rice in a rice cooker =]

Mix the instant pudding and 2 or so cups of milk, it won't mix well until you add the rice.

Once rice is finished mix in a little butter, estimate 1 tablespoon.

Add rice to pudding mix

Sprinkle in sugar as desired (the pudding isn't very sweet on it's own)

Once well mixed add Chocolate Syrup for extra chocolate-y taste =]

Chill or just eat

Angela =]

Get yo Leadership on!!!

For all you seniors and underclassman alike......

Check out these FREE seminars that'll boost that confidence factor up a notch!


WED (5/5/10) ETS: Being an Assertive Leader

2:00 PM
Wed, May 5 - Roosevelt Rm, PC West Level 2

Express to Success: Learning how to express your thoughts, needs, and opinions is a critical skill for any leader. This workshop will focus on the development of assertive messages to help you get what you want. It will also help you learn the crucial skill of giving effective feedback to others.

Contact: gbagunu@ucsd.edu
URL: http://ets.ucsd.edu




(5/5/10) PASSPORT: Careers That Make a Difference Panel Discussion

2:00 PM
Wed, May 5 - Horizon Rm, Career Services Ctr

Passport to Leadership: Listen in as a panel of professionals gives you the inside scoop on careers with social impact. Learn how our panelists achieved their goals, how you can best prepare yourself for your career, and network with professionals! Presenters: Local professionals and Career Services Center staff. FREE and open to all students.

Contact: passport@ucsd.edu or 858-534-0789
URL: http://passport.ucsd.edu




(5/5/10) PASSPORT: Protecting Your Self-Image

4:00 PM
Wed, May 5 - Student Health Clinic 2nd Flr Conf Rm

Passport to Leadership: As leaders, we must be especially aware of our behaviors in public. Come learn more about actions that can hurt your public image and what you can do so others continue to see you as a respectable leader. Presenter: Lupe Samaniego-Kraus, Student Health Services. FREE and open to all students.

Contact: passport@ucsd.edu or 858-534-0789
URL: http://passport.ucsd.edu



Senior Special comin' right up....

THURS (5/6/10) ETS: Present Your Best Self! Public Speaking Skills for the Graduating Seniors

5:00 PM
Student Leadership Chambers, PC East Level 4

Express to Success: Whether you are speaking up in class, interviewing for a job, or giving a presentation, sharp public speaking skills make an impression adn allow you to present your best self to your peers, employers, or graduate school faculty. This interactive session will give you an overview of what it takes to be a successful speaker!

Contact: gbagunu@ucsd.edu
URL: http://ets.ucsd.edu


Above info was found on http://studentflyers.ucsd.edu/

Honestly for involvement/events, Student Flyers is one of the best resources you have access to as a UCSD student.

Try something new today!

:) Hilary

May Upcoming HDH Events

http://hdh.ucsd.edu/diningservices/events.pdf

So this month features many events up and coming for you:

Cinco De Mayo (May 5th) ...party it up (stay safe)

Mothers Day (May 9th) CALL YOUR MAMA!!!

Memorial Day (May 31st) take a break... =]

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Day (May 27th) yummy

Memphis BBQ + Live Music (May 27th) @ Plaza

Not to mention all the regular, Meatless Mondays, Fine Dining Wednesdays, and Brunch Sundays.

Make sure to celebrate them!

Don't forget Housing Room Choices for returning students!

On another note, if laundry day is coming up and you need change/triton cash, go to one of the place and markets and get a Triton Cash Card for laundry! Much better than begging for quarters or charging the card.

Also, in my next post I would like to share some employee success stories with housing and dining so if you have ever had fine service or want to prop someone for a good job email me at amcooper@ucsd.edu

Angela =]

Sustainability Job Opportunity.....and Bubbles at Muirstock!

As EcoNauts, we love what we do!

You can be a part of sustainability in your own way....

Here's a message from the SSC about job and intern opportunities on-campus, for the Fall 2010 term. Please e-mail Elizabeth Elman elizabeth.elman@gmail.com for the applications.

"Our good friends at The Student Sustainability Collective have some grand options for anyone looking to cultivate some change...read the message below for more info:

Want to be a part of the Student Sustainability Collective?

Want to get paid for supporting sustainability efforts on campus?

Apply to be an SSC Director, SSC Intern, or TGIF Grant Coordinator!

Positions available:

· Director for Water

· Director for Energy and Waste

· Director for Civil and Human Rights

· Director for Corporate Accountability

· TGIF Grant Coordinator

· Calendar and Website Coordinator

· Administrative Coordinator

· Graphics Media Coordinator

· Grassroots Marketing Coordinator

Application and resume due by 5pm on Thursday, May 6th to elizabeth.elman@gmail.com."

Muirstock was sooooo fun! Students had a blast in the Muir Quad just hanging out and having fun with bubbles provided by the EcoNauts. : )

Kim had her game face on for one of the many Muirstock activities, as she shot a recyclable item in what else but....a recycling box!As Kim would say, "Success."


Keep coming out in force Tritons! You're too much fun. : )

*Hilary

Trash Sort

Hello friends!



I hope you had a wonderful Earth Week and your week is off to a great start!


I want to thoroughly share the news coverage we got from the Trash Sort that kicked off the beginning of Earth Week celebrations.

All the major local news stations were there because trash is eye-catching! Check out the links below~

Campus Goes Dumpster Diving

Channel 6

Sign on San Diego

UCSD digs through 1000 lbs trash

The Guardian

There is also a great conference in LA June 20-23. Check out the 2010 California Higher Education Sustainability Conference site here!

I want to also remind you to register and attend the 8th Annual California Student Sustainability Coalition's Spring Converegence~ Right here at UCSD!

Here is a quick link for you to register: fun!

Registration ends at midnight on Wednesday, April 28th.

Wishing you a wonderful day full of laughter,

Jessica B.

Muirstock

Muirstock is one of the largest events held on campus and is hosted by Muir and their Reslife. This year's Muirstock was excellent. As a closing for Earth Week it happened on Friday (today).

The beginning (2-5 p.m.) was lots of student orgs, the reslife, and hdh tabling goodies and fun things.

The Muir Commuter lounge gave away free hot chocolate, and talked about their upcoming event making mugs. HDH gave away Toby bags and helped sponsor the free Muirstock bags this year; we also gave out awesome Toby tattoos.

There were 2 booths for face painting, a recycle give away, rock band contest, hat making booth, and free hamburgers, chips and soda. All the while people were smiling laughing and learning ab

out the environment in small subtle ways.

Around 5:30 the first band went on stage. From their it was music and delight.

Angela =]

Earth Week adventures!

Hey Tritons,

Earth Week has been a good time!
I ventured over to the Marshall Lowers last weekend (Sun. April 18th) to check out the cool trial run of the laundry racks being funded by HDH's very own Green Grants! woohoo

The lovely interns from Green Campus, Susan Kram and Jennifer Hull, had the event at Marshall RA, Jennifer Truong's apartment.


The event was a success, as residents from six Marshall apartments came by to collect their laundry racks. Two racks were designated per apartment, and by the end of the quarter, the Green Campus reps will send the recipients a survey asking for feedback regarding their experience using the racks.This is just another great way that HDH is helping to fund the many ways UCSD students want to green the campus, and impact the lives of their peers.



In other news, in case you guys missed it, there was a massive trash sort in Town Square this last Monday (April 19th) stemming from UCSD's Recyclemania results.

Videos: UCSD kicked off its annual Earth Week festivities with students digging through more than 1,000 pounds of trash to demonstrate how much could have been recycled.
UCSD digs through 1000 lbs. of trash to kick off Earth Week
Source: sdnn.com

The photo below is the aftermath of the sort.
Krista Mays, Truman Mak, and Kimberly Tran took a breather after an intense day that lasted from before 8am until after 12pm.
We collected bag after bag of recyclable material from the trash sort as seen here in the blue bags by Truman's feet.
I was proud to represent The Village, being that they placed first out of all six colleges, with a Recyclemania waste diversion rate of 31%.


The Earth Day pre-party went down today in Price Center East! The EcoNauts were out celebrating the Earth, while rockin our tye-dye Ts and "EcoNaut Approved" tats.

We had bubbles, face paint, temporary tattoos, and Recyclemania results!! woohoo
If you guys happened to be at any of these events, tell me what you thought of them!
hwilhelm@ucsd.edu

See you at Muirstock!....Fri, April 23rd, Muir Quad, 2-5pm!

Happy Earth Week!
* Hilary

Earth Week is Here!

Let's celebrate :-)!



There will be a few more blog posts relating to Earth Week!




As Earth Week kicked off this morning, the EcoNauts were out sorting trash on Town Square. The "digging" was covered by all the local news stations. Make sure to keep an eye out for the recordings!




A chance to win a bike? Oh my!


There is Sustainabili-tweet challenge on Facebook and Twitter to win a bike. Part of it is free Coffee!

Follow Twitter.com/SustainUCSD and Facebook: UC San Diego Sustainability to receive daily
Earth Week challenges. Each day, the most creative answer posted on either site will win a free coffee at Perk’s Café and be entered to win a bike.

Check out the flyer here: we love earth!



More events are on this site: http://earthweek.ucsd.edu/


Please email me with any questions or words you have to share!
jbaltman@ucsd.edu


In love,
Jessica




Happy Earth Week!
(A picture of me, my sister, and one of our best friends at the Balboa Earth Fair on April 18th)

ALL YOU CAN EAT

Canyon Vista has started a dinner buffet.

This Buffet is every Thursday and is $14.

Once you are in you can eat all you want, but you can not leave the premises with food.

They are offering most of what they have on a daily basis, not to mention a seafood station yum!

This is a great way you can satisfy your hunger, not to mention study. Bring your stuff pull up a

table study and eat. It is perfect an fulfilling with a price close to what you pay for a full meal.

Many other Universities only offer this style dinging UCSD is offering it alongside its take out, eat in, special order menus.

Angela =]

Free Healthy Cooking Class....yum

Recreation Fitlife Programs present:

Becoming a Healthy Chef!
Wednesday, April 14, 5:30-6:30 pm

RIMAC Green Room

FREE to students!

Come join us and be a part of an interactive healthy cooking event.

Learn how to cook and eat healthfully on campus.

Rebecca McDivitt, R.D., from Housing and Dining, and Executive Chef Vaughn Vargas will be guest speakers.

This is so great for the students living on campus that want to cook using ingredients from the Place and Markets.

I'm going!!

See you there Tritons : )

*Hilary