Summer 2010. We are moving back home, some to our parent’s houses, some to an independent and cheap apartment. So begins the vacation that has been looked forward to for the past 13-15 years of life. There are so many possibilities for what this summer holds, and there are ways of holding onto it longer than the short 3 months that the big guys in administration give us. So to make it go by as slow as possible, here are some ways to savor this summer, whether you are working at the gas station or within a close proximity of cleaning products that your mother has bestowed upon you. A job is a job, and with or without one you can take advantage of copious amounts of sun and a lack of nagging professors.

Hold onto it with two hands, fists clenched.

1. Take a lot of pictures. Whip out that D60, disposable, point & shoot, or iphone. That’s probably the most tech-savvy option.
   

   Road Trip

2. To take pictures, you first need some kind of adventure. Take a road trip and visit a historical landmark that’s nearby but has always been too touristy for your taste. Fanny packs and ugly sandals aren’t that bad.
3. If you are working this summer, enjoy working while you do. I say, no excuses for monotony unless you are Will Ferrell in Stranger than Fiction.
4. Have a garage sale for some quick and easy money. Getting rid of stuff and slapping a price tag on it is one of the easiest ways to make money, especially during this time of year. ‘Tis the season to go garage sale-ing.
5. Remember that place called college? Forget about it, at least for the approximate 3 months that we have. You will have plenty of time to go back and think about it all you want. But for now, think summer and no school.
6. If you’re in summer school, take a deep breath and say, “I’m getting ahead.” Repeat 3-5 times.
7. Do as many things outside as possible. Help your grandmother with her garden, play Frisbee in the park, read in a hammock.
8. Listen to summer music and watch summer movies. Personally, nothing sounds more like summer than country music which is my guilty pleasure. And no movie says summer more to me than Stand By Me. And while we’re on the subject, nothing smells more like summer to me than Aloe Vera.
9. Learn something. Even though it’s summer, it doesn’t mean we have to remain stagnant. Brush up on a foreign language, check out a book on Russian history, learn how to cook Cajun cuisine or how to do East Coast Swing.
10. Go to a music festival with a group of friends. Camp out, stay up all night, listen to tons of music.
11. Take plenty of trips to large bodies of water i.e. ocean, lakes, rivers. Any beach you can find will suffice. Lather up on the sunscreen too.
12. BBQ your heart out.
13. Stow away those winter scarves and sweaters and bring out the shorts.
14. Sell those old books! Half.com is a great place to sell books if you don’t end up selling them at your school’s bookstore.
    

    Photo by umjanedoan

    And you can usually get more for your books when selling online or in stores that buy used books.

15. Take a bike ride. If you don’t have a bike yet, look for one on craigslist.
16. Drive with the windows rolled down and the music turned up loud. This is the epitome of summer.

• Glide in a gondola along Italian canals
• Eat French Fries with a fork in France
• Backpack through Ireland
• Tour the beautiful architecture of Barcelona
• Explore Machu Picchu and “The Lost City of the Incas”
• Learn Arabic in Jordan from native speakers
• Read Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky at a cafe in Moscow
• Hike Mt. Kenya
• Surf the white beaches off the eastern coast of Australia

If these things sound any bit enticing or appealing, then studying abroad is for you! Of course, as you know, earning credits overseas will be more than just surfing and eating crisp and flaky desserts. There are tons of opportunities, whatever your situation, to study abroad. All you have to decide is where on the map you want to go; how far away you want to get. And then decide whether you are up for that country’s food. Vegemite, anyone?

Studying abroad a.k.a. getting the heck out of here!

Why do people study abroad? Because they are thirsty for new culture, life, opportunity and adventure. What do you think? Not only is studying abroad a great way to experience these new things, it actually gives back in return. Here are some ways that studying abroad gives, instead of gets all of our American currency. And also a few reasons why you should study in a foreign country:

• Learn a language. Whether it be Spanish, French, Mandarin, Portuguese or New Zealand slang, studying abroad will give you the opportunity to learn a new language and communicate with a whole new group of people. Be them the many speakers of Spanish, French, Mandarin, etc. Although with Kiwis, you might want to consider keeping the fake accent to a minimum.
• Take those much anticipated adventures during your time off of school. During the weekends take the train to your desirable destination and enjoy yourself. Though in a foreign country, academics can be academics. Meaning redundancy is found on all 7 continents (though Antarctica doesn’t have much going on anyway). Studying abroad encompasses so much more than the academics; it is the atmosphere and setting while studying, and the experience in between studying.
• Understand the life of another culture. This is a lot more broad than the traditional subjects that fall under culture such as food, language and individual habits. It digs deeper into the culture’s thoughts, beliefs and perceptions about life.
• Become globally literate. Understanding a larger scope of the world can be taken advantage of through news, organization efforts, talking to people from other countries and more. But these resources do not compare to going to another country and seeing for yourself what you had previously only heard about. Through education, the high hopes of America are to make students globally literate. And that is why study abroad is so encouraged.
• Develop helpful skills in and outside the classroom. Studying abroad gives students challenges to overcome in the classroom. Whether it be a language barrier, a heavier load or plain discomfort, students receive the opportunity to grow as students and as individuals. Being put into a new setting will challenge study abroad students in a way that forces them to come up with solutions and strategies to overcome difficulties.
• Maximize your hiring eligibility. Since only 4% of US undergraduates study abroad, employers see these individuals as unique, self-motivated and willing to accept challenges. When you are the only applicant who has experience studying abroad, it will set you apart from the rest.

Bon voyage! 一路平安 Buen Viaje! Bon ferð!

*Tso Moriri Lake, India photo by: Prabhu B, Gondola photo by: Gustey Travel

As much as college is about working hard and earning a degree, a lot of it is about the social aspect. For reminiscent, practical or humorous purposes, here is a long list of what some college students do for fun.

1. Frisbee: You will see it happening in any quad. Frisbee golf, Ultimate Frisbee, Good old traditional Frisbee. If you are ever trying to get college students to sign up for a credit card, offer them free Frisbees.
2. Guitar: Everyone and their mom plays guitar these days.
3. Party: The reality of college life, an inevitable verb happening on college campuses.
4. Eat: It’s a social aspect of college. Food is the ultimate bribe tool when trying to get students to come to clubs and meetings.
5. Hacky Sac: A great way to break a little sweat, practice some foot-eye coordination, and not get any studying done.
6. Coffee Date: When two people come together, the outcome is usually a trip to some coffee shop on or near campus. It’s become part of the college culture.
7. Watch movies: It’s what you do when there is nothing else.
8. Watch television/Usually full seasons over the course of a few weeks: It’s what you do when you are addicted.
9. Sleep: A sacred practice that is indulged in quite frequently.
10. Bike ride: A form of transportation when going from class to class or pure adventure.
11. Read: To escape from reality for a bit, getting a glimpse into the lives of others.
12. Facebook stock: What none of us admit we do, but do.
13. Bon Fire: Especially on beaches on Friday nights.
14. Bubble Tea: Another aspect of social college culture. That’s just what we do: Eat, sleep and drink bubble tea. It is the college student’s life mantra.
15. Hang out in the quad: It’s where many events take place. It’s where college happens.
16. Juggle with clubs: I don’t understand this strange phenomena.
17. Listen to music: The ear buds are strategically placed into the ears and the student escapes while walking from class to class. Sometimes this is done to avoid social interaction, other times it is done for the sake of a good craving for some music.
18. Eat Top Ramen: It’s the cheapest staple food that has a decent enough flavor and is semi-fulfilling.
19. Ride Razor Scooters: A trend on few college campuses.
20. Dumpster Dive: For the sake of free and fresh locally made bread, doughnuts, and other delicious things. But you have to know where to go and when to do it.
21. Streak: Will Ferrell set the precedent on this one in Old School.
22. Go to concerts and shows: Because supporting local music is a great thing, and the musicians are our friends.
23. Talk on a personal radio show for a couple of hours: About nothing in particular. It is usually fairly entertaining and introduces some good music.
24. Look at reviews on Rotten Tomatoes: To see which movies are worth seeing, and which are not.
25. Read Twilight: From what I’ve heard the series is emotionally appealing to women in particular.
26. Watch Twilight: From what I’ve seen, the acting is cheesy and over dramatized.
27. Rollerblading: It was big in the 90s, and from what I have seen recently on these sparse sunny days it is making a come back.
28. Catch Phrase: A much loved group game that spurs controversy on who the device was touching when the buzzer went off. A word of advice: Pass before pushing.
29. Banana Grams: Speed Scrabble (basically)!
30. Get tattoos: Because it’s cool, that’s why.
31. Have philosophical debates: Because we enjoy learning and arguing.
32. Have Jam sessions with an array of random musical instruments, only a common key holding the songs together: A great way to meet new people; blow harmonicas and strum guitars together.
33. Skype: It connects us with friends and family that are states away.
34. Procrastinate: While it’s not productive, it is a lot more fun.
35. Stay up until the wee hours of the morning: The cause of dark under eye circles, falling asleep in class, and studying until the test is handed to you.
36. Sleep in incredibly late: Unless you have class, it is justifiable.
37. Spontaneous mini road trips (i.e. the Olympics in Vancouver B.C.): While we are not tied down, we might as well do something against the grain and out of the ordinary.
38. Find new music on Pitchfork/Read reviews: Reading news about a wide array of bands and listening to their brilliance.
39. Watch Lost: The mysterious island’s secrets keep unfolding and it keeps us hooked, always wanting more.
40. Blog: A great way to connect and interact with people.
41. Mario Kart: There’s something so rewarding about crossing that finish line in first place.
42. Red Box: Though the movies are pretty cheesy, they are cheap.
43. Themed parties: MLK Jr. Day, the Olympics, Lady Gaga, etc.
44. Slack lining: Who ever knew balancing could be so fun?
45. Laying in hammocks in trees around campus: Especially on sunny days.
46. Chess: A game of silence, solitude and logic.
47. Photography: Everyone has an SLR these days…
48. Make films: With handy flip cameras it’s easy to make home-made movies.
49. Running: It’s what happens when the pounds from college cafeterias start revolting against us.
50. DTR-ing: Defining the relationship.
51. Playing board games: Another way of socializing with groups of people.
52. Twitter: Updating information about ourselves for the enjoyment of others since 2006.
53. iphoning; ipadding; ipodding: Technology has taken us to new vocabulary on college campuses.
54. Follow other blogs: Staying up to date on what is going on in one’s interests is a great reason to follow blogs.
55. Hiking: To get away from time, and venture the great outdoors.
56. Gain the freshman 15: The fear of many.
57. Lose the freshman 15: The reality of many.
58. Eat at hole-in-the-wall delicious Restaurants: Cheap and large meal portions are a college student’s dear friend.
59. Get Engaged: Have you ever heard the term “ring before spring?”
60. Start a band: You play drums, Johnny plays bass and Joe plays guitar. So why not?
61. Take up a random hobby: such as stamp collecting.
62. Get well acquainted with the metro system: because car insurance is expensive, yet we need to get away from campus and explore.

This week went by too fast. There are too many deadlines coming up! Is that how you feel too? Spring break is almost here though, and for me and many others on the quick quarter schedule that means FINALS. So to get those off our minds, let’s take an adventure downtown. Instead of watching a movie, getting sucked into the artificial realities of Hollywood. There is a time and place for movie nights, but tonight is not one of those nights.

Whether you are in New York City or a Podunk town in Nebraska…

1. Go to an improvisational comedy club. Have you ever scene “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” Stand up comedy is also really great, especially when going with a group of people.
2. Gaming centers are fantastic for the inner-gamer and are a nice compliment to the dinner & date combo.
3. Go to a show at one of your city’s venues. They’re usually cheap, depending on the lineup, they’re fun, and it’s an ideal way to support local musicians.
4. Take a walk and admire window displays and city lights and the rush of taxi cabs and cars along the avenues. I strongly encourage getting lost. It’s the best way to find new places and to have spontaneous adventures.
5. Go to that restaurant that is known for their delectable desserts, even though it’s super fancy. Order some dessert and fries. It’s a GREAT combination.
6. Get lost in the city’s large library.
7. Find a large body of water and skip stones.
8. Go to a museum.
9. Ride bikes through downtown and feel the rush of going downhill.
10. Swing dancing! Salsa dancing! Blues dancing!
11. Play Scrabble with friends at a coffee shop.

Whatever you end up doing today, remember to relax. I hope your Friday is adventurous.

P.S. I am convinced that I will be able to work Scrabble into each of these lists.

I don’t know where you’re from, but in Seattle the winter is subtly coming to a close. The trees are in blossom and the sky is blue. The sky is almost too blue. It makes me a little worried for the buds, which have the ability to easily freeze within a week of typical winter weather. And it makes me a little worried for the emotions of many, who are soaking in the Vitamin D and are more joyous than usual. I would hate for the winter to come back with a rude awakening to many, leaving many depressed and on the bottom of their game because of the weather’s crude deception. But since the weather is nice (hopefully it is wherever you’re at too), and it is Friday, a trip to the park might be necessary.

For the sake of your studies…

• Take a break. Your brain needs a rest from the long week, so have a little fun by briefly visiting your childhood in a park setting.
• Go swing and close your eyes, tilt your head back. Feel yourself fly.
• If you nanny, take the kiddos along with you who can show you games like ‘Pretend’ and ‘House’ in the jungle gym.
• Take a walk.
• Play soccer or basketball with the kids that typically occupy the park’s fields and courts.
• Have a picnic.
• Read in the sun.
• Fall asleep in the sun.
• Forget about your to-do list.
• Play Scrabble, of course!
• Post-park, watch some reruns of Recess. Remember that show, the one on Saturday morning cartoons?

Hopefully this park excursion relieves any stress that classes may have brought on. And I hope that you don’t rely on this good weather to provide you with happy feelings, because it might not be around for much longer. Have an adventurous Friday!

The Monster called Fear

A few friends of mine have recently mentioned their slight fear of the library. As they spoke about their fear, it was as if the many shelves of the great rooms created something of a monster, that had huge jaws and a whisperingly soft growl, creeping around the shelves only to be seen in the eeriest sections of the library, eating pages of books and people for a snack. I think you might understand why I responded a little sarcastically, being dumbfounded at why the library was something to be feared. I had not seen the library as a monster of any sort, but rather a friend and a teacher. Someone who wanted to share great knowledge with me. But as I got to thinking about it more, the vastness and the multitude of possibilities in a library can seem overwhelming. And I think that being overwhelmed and afraid can often be interchanged with each other, or at least confused. I also feel overwhelmed at times. So how does one take advantage of the resources in the library, in order to locate and conquer? Here are a few opportunities for you in the library, and a few other fun and free resources to take advantage of… Besides the millions of books, of course.

Do you want your questions answered? Look here:

• Librarians are trained in library science, who study to help people find the information they need. In the context of the college library setting, this means helping students find information on a research topic for a paper or helping students actually come up with a topic. Going to a librarian is your best bet when trying to find a piece of information in the library.
• The Library Catalog is a valuable resource, which is usually available online so that you can search for library documents while at home. Looking through a library’s catalogue allows you to search for books, articles, scholarly journals, music and other archives, along with their cited sources and location. This resource also allows you to reserve, renew and pick up your items on a later date.
• Getting lost isn’t always a bad thing. Go into the library without a destination, perhaps looking for a book to read for pleasure. Travel through the aisles of Fiction and pick up anything that appeals to you. One of the greatest advantages of a library is that it’s all free. By using your library card like a credit card you are able to access tons of information for no cost. Here are some other things you have free access to:

1. DVDs & CDs
2. Online Audio & e-books
3. Online Music & Videos
4. Online Reference Resources: magazines, newspapers, journals, encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories
5. Special Collections: photographs, paintings, maps

• Having a print source directly in front of you is another benefit to the library, as opposed to the internet that goes through mediums of information that have been passed on several times. That’s the wonderful thing about books, it’s not hard to cite the source when it is right in front of you.
• Silence is something that is almost sacred on a college campus. Few places are familiar with this word, and one of them is within the walls of the library.
• Wi-Fi is another reason that the library is great. When researching a paper, combine your print sources and your web sources to maximize your sources.
• Attend events & classes held in your library. Book readings, seminars, presentations, you name it. Pick up a schedule of events at your nearest library.

TGIF

Big shocker, it’s raining in Seattle today. As my roommate Jenny and I were looking out of the large cafeteria windows at lunch, we were pondering fun activities to do in the rain. The clever child that lives within her helped me come up with these great activities. That is where this list spawned from…

Did I mention my rule?

No studying on Friday nights. It’s an obligation and I have no way out of it. I know, it’s really lame. I wish I could study on Friday nights, but I have no choice. I hope I am having an impression on you. And I hope you are catching my sarcasm. Is that allowed via web?

The best things in life are free

1. Puddle Jumping
2. Play some sort of group activity in the rain i.e. frisbee or soccer
3. Make grass angels (long grass is preferable)
4. Take pictures of people wearing quirky rain boots
5. Count how many raindrops you can catch in your mouth
6. Watch movies that have anything to do with rain whether it be the title or a particular scene i.e. Singing in the Rain, The Notebook, Garden State
7. Dance
8. Read indoors, preferably next to a large window with a warm drink (see #10)
9. Take a walk
10. Drink Hot Chocolate and add flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, orange, almond and peppermint
11. Play fun word games i.e. speed Scrabble or Mad Gab
12. Write haikus about the rain (5-7-5)
13. Do crafts
14. Make a stop motion video
15. If you live in a dorm, knock on everyone’s door and get a large group of people to do this list with

If I leave, will I ever go back?

This may be the attitude of some, contemplating the realm of taking a year off of college. Taking a year off is easier said than done. There are a lot of logistics to figure out, but in the end it could be worth it. But for students who think that continuing school is the best option, here is a list of pros and cons to why students should keep going. Or, in other words, why students shouldn’t take a year off.

Pros: Not taking a year off

1. The sooner you are finished, the sooner you can begin. Your career, that is. This is the typical way that students do things. College leads to degree which leads to career.

2. During school there is a subconscious state called the ‘zone.’ Students in college get into this said ‘zone’ and with it comes determination and habit. By continuing through college until you receive your degree, you don’t have to worry much about breaking concentration or feeling ‘dry’ in terms of knowing how college life goes. Continuing all the way through college doesn’t risk the chances of feeling like you took a step backwards.

3. Graduate with the people in your class! This is something that is important to some, and insignificant to others. Graduation is a memorable ceremony where students can look back on their years in college and meditate on the past and future. Graduating with the people who you grew up with, the people you became adults with, is something that seems like a special opportunity to have.

4. Similarly to taking a year off to gain experience or take a break from college, students at many schools have the opportunity of studying abroad while receiving credit at the same time. This is a great alternative for anyone seeking new surroundings, while continuing the college process and experience.

Cons: Not taking a year off

1. One of the main reasons that students take a year off of college is to take a break and relax, while still being productive. Not taking a year off, for students who are in need of it, could be detrimental to their work ethic and cause them to be burned out.

To stay or to leave?

Some students during their college years have thoughts of breaking out of the mold and venturing to new places that they’ve always wanted to travel to, but have never had the opportunity. The question of staying in school or taking a year off is a big question for many, and it’s a valid question. So the list lover within me created a pro and con list on staying and going. Have you ever questioned whether to stay or go?

Pros: Taking a year off

1. The college years, for some, are a no-strings-attached period of time. For the majority of students, it is before families are created and careers are established. This makes these years a prime time to venture out into the world, taking opportunities that might not otherwise be taken easily.

2. Taking a year off can play out several different ways. Whatever route you choose to take, whether staying close to home or going thousands of miles away, it may be an opportunity that shapes what you do in the future, influencing your future plans and goals. This is a pro because usually one reason that students decide to take a year off is that they’re not sure what to study. Taking a year off, doing something that you may or may not love, might give you this oh so sweet knowledge.

3. College is heavy. The books are heavy. The knowledge is heavy. If the amount of money that it took to pay for college was all in a suitcase, the suitcase would be heavy. Taking a year off allows you to brush all the weight off and relax, without having to worry about deadlines and other practical things that college students worry about.

4. This could be an opportunity to be more well rounded. Whether through academia, culture or just life.

5. Build up your resume during the year by having experiences that are mind expanding and challenging. This can be done by working with an organization in or outside of the country, an internship or whatever appeals to you.

Cons: Taking a year off

1. If you decide to depart for a destination far away from home, travelling costs can be expensive. This is definitely a draw back of taking a year off. Especially when looking to save money.

2. Taking a year off cuts off developing relationships with friends who you’ve gotten to know over the past however many years. Leaving school means cutting off those friendships for the time that you take off.

3. If no plan is made during the year off then it can be a waste of time. Being dormant wouldn’t be the best option for someone who needs to keep the motivation of going back to school after a year off.

Whatever you are creating, the idea must spur from something…

Finals are coming, which means big papers, projects and random assignments that professors come up with out of nowhere. But what to do when the inspiration isn’t flowing? Good question. I have trouble with this myself, especially when it comes to creative writing pieces. If it’s an art project, some Latin dialogue or a presentation on your choice and you don’t know what to do, open your eyes (and carry a notebook around to write down your quick moments of inspiration. Unless you have a really good memory, or you have lots of ribbon to tie around your fingers).

Where to look/Where to go/What to do:

1. Wikipedia. Something that I enjoy about Wikipedia is that it points me in directions that may be quite irrelevant to the subject which I searched. There are tons of links that take you to other things, thus creating windows of inspiration and long interesting tangents. When you’re on a writer’s block or an artist’s block, search a simple idea or person into Wikipedia and let it guide you to more ideas for your assignment.

2. Sit outside for five minutes and use all five of your senses. One of my professors taught me something that opens up my awareness and my clarity of understanding. On the first day of class, he had all of the students go outside and find a place to sit down. Once we were there, we were told to use all five of our senses: feeling, smelling, tasting, hearing and seeing what was around us. After five minutes we came back into the classroom and shared our experiences. In five minutes I became so aware of what was around me, and it was inspiring.

3. When hanging out with friends, observe the things that you talk about. What issues are brought up? What ideas do you discuss? The smallest details or comments can spur the the largest ideas. And ideas can be portrayed through a piece of writing, a collage, a painting, a song, and the list goes on and on. If writing a story, grab traits of your friends to use for the characters of your stories, and create new personalities.

4. Draw inspiration from your personal life as well. From your favorite quotes, your bad habits, pet peeves, traditions that are in your family, your favorite food. Once you realize that inspiration is everywhere, it’s hard to narrow it down because you find out there are so many possibilities.

5. Listen to your favorite musical artists. Or even your least favorite artists. What do you like or not like about them? Why do you like or not like those certain aspects of the artists? If writing a piece of music, draw inspiration from the certain characteristics of the music you like while adding your own personal addition to it that is taken from the other sources of inspiration.

6. Look at your favorite visual artists. In the same way as listening to your favorite bands, if you are creating a piece of visual art then look at your favorite artists/least favorite artists and figure out what you like or do not like about their technique and style. And when it comes to content, find a theme that fits your personal style.

7. Read your favorite authors. Read poetry, excerpts of novels, essays, short stories, fiction and nonfiction. When they mention the character lucid dreaming on Sunday night, use lucid dreaming for your project, or dreams, or why in English, Sunday is capitalized whereas in French it is not. You get the point.

8. Check out the past projects of former students who had the same assignment. Read their stories, check out their art projects, look at the topics of their research papers. Copying clearly is not the way to go, but being inspired by another’s work never hurt anyone.