The Daily Californian » Sandbox

The 5 stages of choosing classes for your last semester

Jessica Rogness — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 15:00:57 +0000

All right, seniors, we’re just going to throw it in your face: you only have one semester left at Cal.

We’ve already touched upon the basic 5 stages of grief you go through as a senior about to leave Berkeley. Now, there’s something much more specific coming up to remind you how close you are to graduating: your final Tele-BEARS registration. While you certainly won’t miss the website design that’s probably older than you are, or stressing about getting the last seat in your section, the whole point of the ordeal — that you have classes as a college student — is something you’ll probably miss.

First, you’ll try to deny that you’re signing up for your last classes. You’ll attempt to trick yourself into blindly picking classes with the same carelessness that you did every other semester. This won’t work.

So you’ll get angry that you have to pick anything at all. This is especially true if you’re nearly finished with your major and you actually have options for what you want to take. You will curse your university for providing you with so many classes that you want to take like Wealth & Poverty or Introduction to Slavic Literature. Ugh, it’s so hard having choices.

You’ll begin bargaining. You’ll try to convince yourself that you can totally handle 20 units plus two club memberships plus job searching next semester, just because you want to fit in as much as possible. You are likely wrong.

Then you’ll sink into a minor depression. You won’t even be able to bear looking at the class schedule because the phrase “Spring 2014″ will only remind you of your soon-to-be graduation date.

Finally, you’ll accept that you can only register for two, maybe three, classes in your Phase I Tele-BEARS anyway. So you’ll pick the few you absolutely need to get your degree, and put off the rest of your decision-making until Phase II shows up (again, too soon) in December.

Image sources: Patricia H. under Creative Commons, multitudeofgifs, buck-toothed-girl-in-luxembourg, thewonderfulworldofmelissa, shiningartifact and itsbournemouthbetch

Contact Jessica Rogness at jrogness@dailycal.org and follow her on Twitter @jessarogness.

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Beyonce weighs in on the bill to make ASUC senators wear nametags

Leah Hegyi — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 15:00:52 +0000

Currently on the table: An ASUC Senate bill suggests ASUC senators and administrators wear nametags around campus and in class — a never-ending “Hello, My Name Is” reminding us that we are indeed in the age of 24/7 accessibility.

Will this bill — authored by Independent Campaign for Common Sense Senator Solomon Nwoche — create just enough transparency? Or does it cross the line into high-and-mighty name-dropping? Or will it just look completely ridiculous?

In 2000, a group almost as famous as the ASUC had a similar request — suggesting its members’ names be spoken when they were addressed. We thought Destiny’s Child might be the perfect group to describe this ASUC problem:

To the tune of Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name” (Protip: play the song while reading these lyrics):

Say the name, say the name

No matter who’s around you

They’re the ones you turn to

Transparency’s the aim

Wear the name, wear the name

The nametags on the daily

Some think this bill is crazy

Why the sudden change?

Say the name, say the name

In campus or in classes

Will they look like pompous asses?

Admin could do the same

Know the name, know the name

Don’t know them from elections?

No longer have those questions

These are the goals, they claim

Sep-tem-ber Eighteen

Got brought up, they convened

S B Twenty-One

Done by Senator Solomon

They exchanged their words, some “uh-huhs,” some “OKs”

Will this bill achieve

What they want it to portray

If they took it there

First of all, let us say

Would it make us look

Up to them, the wrong way

They don’t want to seem

Arrogant or too vain

But all these things aside

Accountability’s still the price of fame…

Image Source: maybeemily under Creative Commons

Contact Leah Hegyi at lhegyi@dailycal.org.

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13 freshman-year experiences as told through ‘Despicable Me’

Sujin Shin — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 15:00:24 +0000

Now that we’ve been in school for almost two months, first-years at UC Berkeley are (hopefully) beginning to get comfortable with college life as a whole. For those already familiar with Cal, it might be getting harder to remember how you felt when you were a little freshman figuring out the bus system and trying the dining commons for the first time. If you are a freshman, we at the Clog are here to share 13 experiences you’ve probably had in the last month and a half:

1) Move-in day:

Whether you were coming to Berkeley from Hong Kong or the Bay Area, move-in day meant the first day of the next four years here at UC Berkeley, and you were (hopefully) really excited!

2) Welcome Week:

You probably did a lot of partying …

3) Watched your first-ever Cal football game:

Maybe you went to your first tailgate and cheered along with your fellow Bears in the sea of blue and gold.

4) Were determined to work hard in college:

Starting college felt like a fresh start, and you decided to buckle down, work hard and create a strong foundation for your college career.

5) Went to Late Night for the first time:

You were probably more than a little excited when you found out Crossroads has a thing called “Late Night” in which it serves food from waffle fries to chicken wings.

6) Cleaned and did your own laundry:

You suddenly appreciated your mom that much more when you had to pay $3 to clean your own dirty socks.

7) Met people at different clubs:

You went (or are going) to different club info sessions to see which one best fits you (or maybe just to get free pizza).

8) Started to get lazy with schoolwork:

Remember that determination you had at the beginning of the semester? That probably dissipated very quickly, and you found yourself heading to La Burrita instead of the library.

9) Found out midterms are in a week:

Berkeley’s weird schedule crept up on you, and all of a sudden, you were in a midterm review without even knowing it.

10) Tried to study for midterms:

Aka you spent a week napping and Facebooking while complaining about how stressed you were.

11) Experienced panic before your first midterm:

On the morning of your first midterm, you probably felt a little like this minion.

12) Realized you still have two more midterms and then a final:

After your first batch of midterms, you thought you could relax …

13) Until you remembered you still have a semester and three more years of college to go:

Image Sources: CollegeDegrees360 under Creative Commons; thebusinessweave, mspumpkinmikaelson, baking-cream, fitanne, cassiejchan, wearyvoices, giphy.com, shakedownxxx, valen9715, anotherfangirlshipper,minions-mignons, and fangirls-life

Contact Sujin Shin at sujinshin@dailycal.org.

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5 ways to avoid the struggles of shared bathrooms

Sparsha Saxena — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 15:00:14 +0000

Whether you live in an apartment or on a co-ed floor in the dorms, sharing a bathroom can be a tricky situation. Some of your bathroom-mates might like to leave their toenails in the sink; others might like to strut around naked. We all have our personal routines, but your every trip to the bathroom shouldn’t be like an episode of “Fear Factor.” We at the Clog have compiled a list of things to avoid if you want to keep your bathroom sane:

1. Don’t leave anything in the sink

As with the aforementioned toenails, the sink should not be confused with the trash can. Most bathrooms have both a trash can and a sink in them — use both appropriately. Discard your food, toenails and scraps of paper in the trash can, and wash your hands and dishes in the sink. (Note: The bathroom sink does not have a garbage disposal. Do not attempt to dispose of leftover ramen noodles in the sink.)

2. FLUSH THE TOILET

Okay, when were we all potty trained? In preschool, right? From what we remember, flushing the toilet was a crucial part of the potty-training process, yet young adults still seem to struggle with this simple task. Even if it’s just toilet paper floating in there, a clean toilet is always preferable. No matter how busy you are, you always have time to flush.

3. Close the stall door

It’s just common courtesy to close and lock the door when you are using the bathroom. This will avoid injuries such as those resulting from slamming the stall door into a guy who’s relieving himself and having him face-plant the stall wall (it happens).

4. Take your stuff out of the shower

Similar to the issue concerning toilets, it’s nice to shower in a stall that hasn’t been tainted by the person who used it before you. So take out your hair, Q-tips and whatever other things you might be tempted to leave in the shower stall.

5. Don’t have sex in the shower

This is probably the most important request, and we think it’s pretty self-explanatory. Trust us, if you want it to be romantic, the shower is not the place. And with a floor full of curious, post-pubescent human beings living around you, it’s just plain awkward.

Image Sources: yoursunnygirlfriend, sondelry, jgpart, thelibraryisnowopen, magnificentships and funny-logic

Contact Sparsha Saxena at ssaxena@dailycal.org.

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Why we’re bummed we missed out on bago this year

Tara Lookabaugh — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:00:59 +0000

Don’t you just love the smell of stale beer in the morning? Love seeing campers with the words “Your daughter is in here” plastered on the side? Love driving six hours to SoCal in a winnebago full of frat stars, making that traditional stop at In-N-Out? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you probably found yourself at UCLA this weekend. While we’re grateful for the 20+ hours of sleep we got this weekend, we can’t help but feel like we missed out on a great #gameday.

Here’s why we’re bitter.

While you were drinking for Cal at a tailgate in LA, we were busy studying for Berkeley in a cubby at Main Stacks. #stressed

Upset that I can't bago down to ucla for the game bc I have a midterm & 6 page paper on Shakespeare to write

While you were watching the Bears live, we had to deal with literally the most ridiculous commercials. #unimpressed #pooradvertising

Just saw a snowblower commercial on @espn 2 watching @Cal vs @UCLA. Note to ESPN sales — it doesn't snow in Berkeley or LA

— Albert Chi (@albertchi) October 13, 2013

And while you were devouring your animal-style fries in classic Bear fashion, we were eating at Cafe 3 and dreaming about In-N-Out …

Cal drinking song…. In kettle man city..,, at in n out. #gobears #TFM

— Samantha Saravong (@samsaravong) October 11, 2013

So come next October, don’t make the same mistake we did.

Finish your homework early so you can trek down to SoCal and partake in the infamous bago festivities. #priorities

Image Source: Roadsidepictures under Creative Commons
Contact Tara Lookabaugh at tlookabaugh@dailycal.org.

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The process of deciding to get a flu shot in Berkeley

Ava Klein — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:00:49 +0000

We at the Clog feel it is fairly safe to say students hate getting the flu. Although temporary sickness allows for catching up on “Homeland” or old “Breaking Bad” episodes, being immobile because of the flu is possibly the worst. When you have the flu, you can’t sit up to finish your reading, do your math homework, walk or function.

All UC Berkeley students should get flu shots immediately. It takes all of one minute for the nurse at a CVS pharmacy or Walgreens to give you the shot, and it is virtually painless. Be an adult, and get the vaccine — it is foolish to think that you will “beat” the flu season, because the flu season will beat you.

If you tell your roommate you refuse to get the flu shot because you are scared of needles, expect him or her to respond like this:

When you decide to get your flu shot, your roommates and floormates will be thrilled at the prospect that they have less of a chance of catching this nasty illness.

If you end up contracting the flu but refused to get the flu shot, never complain. It is your fault.

If you do not get your flu shot, you run the risk looking like this for an entire week:

Image Source: Mark Turnaucka under Creative Commons, gifs for the masses, gifs for the masses, gifs of the masses and gifs for the masses.

Contact Ava Klein at avaklein@dailycal.org.

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The 3 best cars for Berkeley

Sherdil Niyaz — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:00:48 +0000

Walking sucks. Sure, you get some exercise, but you’re constantly tired out and never on time. So, for those of you who have decided to take the plunge and bring a car to Cal, we at the Clog would like to recommend some of the best. When it comes to Berkeley, these three are undoubtedly on the honor roll.

1. Honda Fit

Size matters, folks. We like ‘em small.

This spritely little auto has a lot going for it. The cash-strapped college student will not only appreciate how cheap it is to purchase (the Fit is one of the cheapest new cars you can buy), but also how little it costs to run. And not only does the Fit give you stellar mileage, but this is a Honda we’re talking about here. That means that it will never, ever break down — hell, it’ll probably outlast you. And then there’s the Honda Fit’s real calling card: its size. This thing takes the definition of compact car to a whole new level: We’ve seen bikes bigger than this thing. That really pays major dividends when you’re hustling down Telegraph, dodging seemingly blind motorists and obnoxious Cal students left and right (seriously, wait for the goddamn walk symbol). And that tiny parking spot on Bancroft? You can slip in while every compensating jerk in his SUV tries (and fails) to fit. Sometimes in a huge city like Berkeley, it pays to go small.

2. Toyota Prius C

Tree huggers will love you.

Fun fact: did you know the Prius actually isn’t just one car anymore? It’s evolved into a line of cars from Toyota that includes the Prius C, the baby Prius. This small and cheap (noticing a theme?) hybrid is great for a lot of the reasons that the Fit stands out, but it excels even more than the Honda in fuel economy. Driving around Berkeley is a decidedly slow affair, and cars burn a lot more fuel at lower speeds than at higher ones (especially when you factor in the fuel wasted waiting at one of Berkeley’s infamous red lights). The Prius C, however, skips around this by being a hybrid. So what does this mean to you? Less money spent on gas, and more for books! Or booze. Let’s be honest, you’re probably going to spend it on booze.

3. Subaru Impreza

Just don’t get this color, and you’ll be fine.

Sure, this Subaru is a bit chunky and more expensive compared to the last two cars. But there’s a reason for this: This car places a priority on safety. It’s aced nearly every crash test it’s been put through, and it has a bunch of technologies on board that keep you out of an accident in the first place (like all-wheel-drive). When you wrap your shiny new car around a tree, you’ll certainly feel embarrassed. But at least you might have a shot at walking away with only your car and pride in pieces. Safety first, folks. Especially with a bunch of aggravated, sleep-deprived Berkeley kids.

Photo credit: Aidan-Sally, timomcd mariordo59 and Lewaedd-Q under Creative Commons

Contact Sherdil Niyaz at sniyaz@dailycal.org.

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Calstrology: your weekly horoscope

Holly Secon — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 15:00:41 +0000

Want to know what your week has in store for you? Look no further! The Daily Clog is here with your weekly horoscope.

Aries — You might be a little bit stressed as your schoolwork piles up, but do not fret. You know how to manage your schedule well, and if you can give up an hour or two of sleep a night, you will find the time to study. Treat yourself to a nice coffee in the morning. You deserve it.

Taurus — You are probably feeling a little nostalgic as this semester seems to rush past. You miss the ease of talking to new people, taking simple intro classes or eating at Crossroads. But instead of dwelling on your freshman year, you should be proud of your accomplishments so far.

Gemini — You’re going to have a great week. You have been indecisive recently, unsure of whether you want to switch your major, commit to a new relationship or buy that new, expensive piece of clothing. Go for it.

Cancer — Your luck is about to change. You are about to find a new lucky charm, be it a rabbit’s foot, a helpful GSI or a new friend. Capitalize on this new opportunity.

Leo — You will miss the 51B by two minutes on Thursday. Make sure you have on your sneakers so you can make it to class.

Virgo — Watch out! You are about to fall ill. All those late nights (studying, obviously) are about to catch up with you as you catch your first cold of the season. Stock up on some Emergen-C and grab some extra honey for your tea, because you are going to need it.

Libra — Take the path less traveled to class on Tuesday. Turn on a different street or walk around Sproul in the other direction — even if you get lost, it will be worth it. You are about to make a new discovery that you would have otherwise missed.

Scorpio — You should call an old high school friend. There are some funny stories and some surprising news you have missed!

Sagittarius — You need a break. Take some time for yourself: Go for a walk on Northside, take BART into the city or nap on Memorial Glade. Do something to change up your routine, because you need some invigoration.

Capricorn — You might want to consider doing that extra assignment for class. That reading you never do is for sure going to turn up on your quiz this week. You’re welcome.

Aquarius — You are about to come upon some money. Save it for a rainy day.

Pisces — Wear pants on Thursday. Seriously. We can’t tell you why, but you will thank us later.

Image Sources: Remko van Dokkum under Creative Commons

Contact Holly Secon at hsecon@dailcal.org.

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Need candy in your life before Halloween? There’s a holiday for that.

Julia Higgins — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 15:00:29 +0000

Midterm season is upon us, and so any excuse to celebrate is 100 percentnecessary. Although it may not get you out of an 8 a.m. exam, this month has more than one holiday that gives you excuse to exploit your sweet tooth. That’s right, Oct. 14 is National Dessert Day, and the Clog is here to help you to celebrate it the right way.

For those of you looking to expand your confectionery horizons beyond the predictability of Berkeley’s go-to sweet shops (we’re looking at you, C.R.E.A.M. and Ici), check out these five lesser known but equally delicious dessert places.

Masse’s Pastries – 1469 Shattuck Ave.

Arguably the classiest pastry supplier in Berkeley, Masse’s menu is complete with everything from Passion Fruit White Chocolate Cake to Key Lime Meringue Tart and beyond. Although splurging on any of the menu items would be an appropriate way to celebrate National Dessert Day, Masse’s is famous for its macarons, so don’t miss your chance to grub on these tasty, trendy French pastries.

Macaron is French for ‘delicious,’ right?

Cinnaholic – 2132 Oxford St.

Even though everyone might not react enthusiastically to the idea of a vegan dessert, the concept of creating your own customizable cinnamon roll is one every Berkeley citizen can appreciate. If you aren’t up to the challenge of crafting your personal masterpiece, you can always opt for one of the specialty rolls, which include options such as Lemon Ginger S’more and Butterscotch Bananas Foster.

Cookie doughn’t touch my cinnamon roll!!!

Love at First Bite – 1510 Walnut St.

Everyone loves a good, old-fashioned cupcake, not to mention a solid bakery pun. Baked goods are the perfect expression of love, which isn’t a hard statement to get behind after trying L.A.F.B.’s Matcha Green Tea cupcake (a delicate green tea cake made with ceremonial matcha tea, topped with matcha-infused whipped cream).

Pretty in pink!

The Xocolate Bar – 1709 Solano Ave.

Nothing goes better together than post-midterm sadness and chocolate, which is exactly why you should make a trip to The Xocolate Bar. Specializing in artisanal chocolates, this store makes delicious squares of happiness that are edible works of art. Don’t miss their Lavendar-Walnut and Dulce de Leche bon bons!

Chocolate buddhas? This takes meditation to a whole new level.

Honeyberry – 2380 Telegraph Ave.

Obviously, a Clog post about Berkeley desserts wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of a place that serves boba … Honeyberry is known for its delicious tea bases and an array of dessert types, including pastries (try the roti buns!), shaved ice and frozen yogurt. It might be the most efficient location to celebrate National Dessert Day, because its menu includes so many different types of sweet treats!

Beat that, Yogurtland.

Image Source: Foodspotting,Cinnaholic , LoveAtFirstBite TheXocolateBar and Yelp under Creative Commons.

Contact Julia Higgins at jhiggins@dailycal.org.

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7 low-key things to do in San Francisco

Tara Lookabaugh — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 15:00:06 +0000

As adventurous as we Golden Bears are, trekking to San Francisco can sometimes seem daunting. With our hectic weeks and midterm frenzy, weekend hibernation time is essential.

Besides, we’ve seen Fisherman’s Wharf, we’ve “aw-ed” at the sea lions, we’ve treated ourselves to free chocolate at Ghirardelli Square and we can see the Golden Gate from our dorm room window. What more do we need to do?

The answer is: a lot! San Francisco is a big city, and we’ve only got four (or five …) years to explore it. So, if you’re already planning your weekend sleep-fest, we have a few suggestions that will get you out of bed and on your way before you can say “BART strike.”

1. If you’re bored of the typical museum scene …

The Exploratorium is a great alternative. Instead of silence, it’s filled with clicking gadgets and ringing bells, and instead of “Do Not Touch” signs, the Exploratorium encourages hands-on engagement. Huge plus: It just moved from the middle of nowhere to a more convenient location at Pier 15.

2. If you’re ready for some exercise …

Check out the mosaic on the 16th Avenue Titled Steps. This San Francisco secret is a hike of 163 steps to the top, but it’s well worth the view.

3. If you’re actually a pinball wizard …

Take your spare laundry quarters (as if) and spend the day at the Musee Mecanique at Fisherman’s Wharf. This antique arcade has games dating back to the late 1800s, and they still work!

4. If you’re a history buff…

Take a trip to 1906, and visit the “Golden Hydrant.” This (now golden) fire hydrant is responsible for the Mission’s survival of a seven-hour blaze that came after the April 18, 1906, earthquake.

5. If you love the Berkeley hippie scene …

Make your way to Haight and Ashbury, where SF’s hippie culture was born. During the “Summer of Love,” psychedelic music and cheap rent brought big names such as Jefferson Airplane and Janis Joplin to the area. The bohemian culture and bright-painted houses created a new world. We hear it hasn’t changed much.

6. If you’re sick of Cafe 3 …

Hit up the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays for some fresh food. With top chefs and local farmers, you’re bound to leave with your bags (and your stomach) full.

7. If you’ve been living under a rock …

You probably haven’t heard that the house used in the TV show “Full House” is located in SF. Although it’s a real house, with real people living in it, it’s still cool to say: “I’ve been to the ‘Full House’ house.”

Image sources: idleformat, sapphiresierramist, crossroads-vashta-nerada-yo, ganesha.isis, grant_loy, sflovestory, bgreenlee, Alaskan Dude, schrierc, LipBomb

Contact Tara Lookabaugh at tlookabaugh@dailycal.org.

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