Trick or Treating at the Embassies

It's a DC tradition around Halloween for kids--mostly college students--to go Trick-or-Treating on Embassy Row, so that's what I did on Friday with a group of kids from my hall and our House Scholar (like an R.A. but not)! 

Here were the embassies listed as accepting trick or treaters this year:


The Republic of Cape Verde
The Republic of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
The Republic of Croatia
Finland
Greece
The Vatican or Apostolic Nunciature, the Holy See
The Republic of Indonesia
Ireland
The Republic of Korea
Lesotho
The Republic of the Marshall Islands
Paraguay

These embassies had been listed as "possible" participants, but I got some good pickings at several of them:

The Republic of Cyprus
Peru
Madagascar
Luxembourg
Japan
The Republic of Haiti
Colombia
The Republic of Cameroon
Bolivia

We also went to some that weren't on either list, like The Bahamas, Portugal, and Togo, and maybe others I forgot about.  But it was super fun!  I'd have to say that my favorite embassy was South Korea.  For one, they had three different buildings that we could go into, and staff was hanging around everywhere complimenting our costumes and taking pictures and dressed up and whatnot.  Also, they're the only one (of those that I visited) that gave out authentic candy from the country, rather than going the easy route and getting American candy!  Not that I'm complaining about free Twix and Reese's and all the things I love, but tasting Korean pumpkin taffy and these tasty plum thingies was unique and very cool.

This was an awesome experience and you all should go!  But be warned: embassies close around 5:00 PM and are NOT open on weekends, so make sure you do research as to who is participating and when they're open.  That's why my friends and I couldn't go last year, we thought that the festivities took place on Halloween day, but everyone was closed because it was a Saturday!  So do your homework.

Some pictures from the fun:

My friends and I at Indonesia!

ME at Portugal!

Can you guess what my costume is?  I'll give you a hint:  "Never fear, Brooklyn is here!"

Email me, please!  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu
~~~Shireen

The day I've been waiting for my entire life (or at least all semester)

Today, on October 30th, 2010, AN historic event took place in our nation's capital of Washington, DC on the National Mall.

THE RALLY TO RESTORE SANITY and/or FEAR is upon us!  It was, as expected, an absolute blast!!!  So worth getting up at 6:00 on a Saturday morning during Halloween weekend!!!

Here are my pictures from the event:

John Legend & The Roots!

Ozzy?  Yeah, Ozzy.

Arianna Huffington not 4 feet from me!

Stephen & Jon in "Formidable Opponent"

Stephen, Jon, and Karim Abdul-Jabbar!

Tony Bennett

All the guests!

I don't have much to say other than that it was the time of my life.  It was such a rush to see all those people (an estimated 150,000!) marching on the mall for reasonable discourse and sanity and not just to make a big stink about something!  Also, there were so many famous people!  That's always fun.

But Jon Stewart's speech at the end really brought the message home, and as always, he delivered it in an eloquent and sound yet humorous way.  Here's the link to that.

And that's really all I have to say!  Definitely watch that video though, it makes you think (at least for a bit!)

Questions, comments, concerns?  Email me: ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu

<3 Shireen

In Honor of the Rally

I will not be going to the Rally to Restore Sanity. Mainly because I have homework, and I don't feel like dealing with the crowd (this does not leave out the possibility that I will get excited about it and be influenced into going, after all, I love me some John Stewart). Anyway, I came across a blog today, "Bright Young Things," that has an article that serves as a kind of guide for people who are coming into town for the rally, with a breakdown of the major hotspots in DC, broken down by neighborhood. It's called "The Sane Person's Guide to D.C." and I think it's a pretty useful tool for anyone visiting DC, so here are some things you can look forward to.


*I recommend checking out Sticky Rice, which has blingo (and adapted version of speed bingo) every Thursday night, and drink specials almost every night of the week. I have a group of friends who go there every Thursday. I'm not kidding, I could lose my phone in a snowstorm and go there on a Thursday and they'd be there. It definitely has a lot of regulars and a pretty trendy set up (and sushi!). googd nights to go are Mondays (for half priced sushi!) or Tuesdays for Karaoke, and they have special dj's throughout the weekend.

Biergarter Haus

*Another cool place is Biergarten Haus, the only Biergarten in D.C. They have an endless selection of imported beers (genuine German beer on tap and food), and though it's a little pricey, but it's totally worth it. If your'e a beer snob, or just prefer not to drink awful beer, the selection is endless and you'll love it. It's also located in the H st. Corridor, which is a hotspot for DC nightlifers. And tip the waiters well cus I like them :)

Tryst D.C.

*If you're looking for a trendy place to brood and drink coffee, Tryst is the place you should go. This Coffeehouse/Bar has huge leather couches where you can hang with friends and reaaallly good coffee/tea. It also has full length windows that open out into Adams Morgan so it's also a great people watching spot.


*If you're hipster type (come, on you didn't think you invented the plaid shirt and that-throw-it-on-because-it's-kinda-clean look did you?), you'll probably enjoy the Black Cat. They showcase a lot of indie bands and the shows are really cheap (generally  between $5-$20), and their is in fact fun to be had by all. Hipster or not.

*Finally, there is Kramerbooks & Afterwords in Dupont Circle. It's sort of like an all-service bookstore. They have drinks, coffee, tea, great desserts, amazing food (including a pretty extensive brunch menu). I've spent many a late night huddled over a book and a cappuccino there, but people come to eat, to read, and hang out in general.


If you want to see more about the guide I'm referring to, the link to the blog is below:


http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/articles/a-sane-persons-guide-to-dc.htm


So let's get ready to Rally! Or not...I'm not sure yet.
'Til Next Time,


Gimme your questions: magalae@gmail.com


Ekiria

Off Campus Eats

Truth be told, there is a time when you get tired of J Street. It's time to explore DC! Here are a few of my favorite off campus eats:

Baked and Wired (1052 Thomas Jefferson in Georgetown): There is always the debate over what cupcake reigns DC, and in my opinion- Georgetown Cupcake is overrated. Baked and Wired is a cute little café with DELICIOUS cupcakes and Stumptown coffee (maybe I'm biased because it's from Portland, OR). 

Mr Yogato (1515 17^th Street NW in Dupont): The most delicious frozen yogurt place in DC is also fun! Mr Yogato is a funky little froyo shop with some free toppings, a playstation with Tetris, and crazy rules that will give you discounts! 

Prince Café of Georgetown: Though it is mostly a hookah bar, their Indian food is authentic- delicious hummus, mango juice, and butter chicken. Pay attention to your bill here as the hookah charges per person and they include tax!

Founding Farmers (1924 Penn in Foggy Bottom): Right at the edge of campus is this upscale eco-conscious restaurant that deserves some buzz. During move in and Parent’s Weekend, it proved impossible to get a reservation at any time of day. With it’s modern American fare, everything is made in house. I recommend their brunch menu (including Tillamook cheese from Oregon!).

Questions? Still hungry? Want to meet up on your visit to GW? marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu

- Marisa

Blogging from the Mall

Here we go, one of the last warm days of the season is upon us!  It's a gorgeous 74 degrees out, sunny and bright, and I'm studying on the National Mall.  Well, actually, I'm currently taking a study break.  But I've been studying hard all day!  Promise!

I just thought I'd take some time to reflect on the year so far.  It's a good time for that, being that it's mid-semester and whatnot.  Also, I really needed to halt the studying for a bit.  I'm seeing double.

So far, this year's been pretty excellent.  To hell with sophomore slump, I've most definitely attained some sophomore swagger!  I know how to navigate campus, the city, and the metro, my grades are optimal (not to toot my own horn or anything), I have rump-kicking friends, and I'm seeing and doing more!  Those were all goals of mine throughout freshman year, so I'm very pleased that they are all coming together at long last.

And with that, I'm going to set a new list of goals for the second half of this semester and for the spring:

-- Get better acquianted with Eastern Market
-- Get better acquainted with Adams Morgan
-- Visit a museum a month
-- Take a day trip to Baltimore
-- Take a day trip to Annapolis
-- Don't go to any single eating establishment more than once in a month
-- Cook/bake for my friends
-- Get off at a random Metro stop and explore the neighborhood

That's all I can think of now, but maybe I'll add as I think of more things I should add!  Comment if you have suggestions!  Or send an email: ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu

<3 Shireen

Growing you wings

Countless people have told me that college was the time to discover more of who I am and encouraged me to “get away from home” for college. I’m sure the story is not much different for you if you’re looking at this blog unless you’re a local, but even then I doubt the vast majority of you grew up in the Foggy Bottom area specifically.  Although this may be a cliché statement, it is true. For some of us learning to wash clothes for the first time, make your own food, manage a bank account, and having the freedom to attend or skip classes. The freedom of college is liberating and helps in our growing up process, yet this experience is often intimidating and at times you can feel alone/ separated from your former life, especially if you are from far away. For me, a 24-hour drive or $400 flight separates me from home.

With this being said, I am writing to tell you that you WILL miss your friends, family, town and pets (especially), NO EXCEPTION. You may doubt this now, but you will be shocked when midterms roll around your first semester of college and you are completely overwhelmed. You might even begin to question whether you want to stay at GW or whatever other school you are at far away from home, but I would encourage you to stick it out as this is a common experience all college kids go through.

So, my advice:

1. Schedule for your parents to come visit you for Parent’s Weekend in the fall whenever the date is announced. While you may not want them to cramp your style now, when the time comes around you will feel bad if you see everyone else’s friends and family there and not yours.

2. Find a mentor to keep you true to yourself and your passions. A voice or voices of reason are always reassuring and you will need them for those tough days

You will survive freshman year with your network of support and be happy with who you will become at/after GW, but is something hard to grasp until you have completed the experience. 

Please feel free to ask any questions and I hope I can be of some help to you.

-Brandon Moore

On Campus Eats

So you've been on the campus tour and heard of J Street and our dining plans, but have no idea where to use Colonial Cash- the money that you can spend at Safeway, CVS, and 7-11. Below are some of my favorite on campus locations to eat on G World:

Thai Place: My favorite spot to grab lunch or dinner, this classy Thai restaurant is appropriately named. Simple and fast, Thai Place is a must for your curry or pad thai dreams. I am here at least once a week indulging in their masterpieces. This is the most expensive of the options as lunch/dinner can easily be $10, but it is definitely worth it!

Cone E Island: With the music always bumpin’, Coney is the place to be at 2000 Penn. They always have great flavors of ice cream (peppermint, all sorts of chocolate, snickers, strawberry, and so on), soft serve (called Skinnie Minnie at 30 calories per ounce), milkshakes, and more. Everything is under $5.

Campus Fresh: Located inside the gym, this is the best option for healthy eating after working out. Truth be told, I usually just go in the gym to eat there… whoops. They make delicious wraps, sandwiches, burritos, smoothies, and frozen yogurt. It’s also a great place to look for a job on campus! Also pricy, you can spend anywhere from $5-15.

GW Deli: This is a popular place for students and faculty alike to get a cup of coffee or a bagel sandwich in the morning at 22^nd and G. They have a deli counter where you can also order sandwiches, and a ton of snacks, drinks, etc. The line can be ridiculous, so try to go there at a time where everyone isn’t running between classes. Shopping here can range from $2-8.

Look forward to my next post with off campus eats! Questions? Still hungry? Want to meet up on your visit to GW? marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu

- Marisa

Voices for Choices!

It's certainly about time I discuss the student org I'm most involved with, don't you think?  I'm on the e-board (e for executive--so I'm a big deal) for Voices for Choices, the Pro-Choice and Sexual Health Awareness Group on campus.  Fellow blogger Kim is one of our presidents!!!  Affiliated with Planned Parenthood Metro-DC and NARAL Pro-Choice America, VFC covers a lot of territory.

In case you're in the area and are interested, we're having our first non-meeting event of the year tomorrow!  It involves FREE COOKIES... and condoms!  VFC e-board members and volunteers will be outside of the Marvin Center (H street entrance) tomorrow handing out free cookies and condoms to all passers-by.  No catch!  We're just out to spread safety and a smile!


Here's the thing about college: you get a lot of free stuff after you pay tuition!  There are plenty of places where you can get free condoms at school, one (and the best) being the Voices for Choices office!  Stop by during our office hours whenever to stock up!  We're located in the Marvin Center on the 4th floor, room 419.  VFC just got in a shipment of condoms today... 3,000 of 'em.  So I imagine we're set for a good while.


Interested in VFC?  Other GW or DC-related questions?  Random questions about anything under the sun?  Email me!  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu


~~~Shireen

For Lack of a Better Title.....My Classes:

Hello again!


Since it is already the end of October and classes are already finishing midterms, I figure I should give you a little glimpse into my class schedule and why I took each class.

I am taking 4 classes, a total of 14 credits, and I am looking forward to both a challenging and fun semester. Here is how my semester looks academically:

Intro to Physical Geography: lecture Mon/Wed and lab Wed. This class is fulfilling the last of my science requirement for the Columbian College. Last year, I took Chem 003 and Chem 004, so I decided that I wanted to take a different form of science this year instead of the typical chemistry, biology, and physics classes. It sounded interesting and one of my volleyball teammates is actually majoring in geography and wholeheartedly recommended both this class and the professor that teaches it, so I decided to go for it.

Latin 001: lecture Tues/Thurs and discussion Fri. I took Latin in high school and since I really enjoyed it, I decided to fulfill my language requirement for the Columbian College by taking a language that I love. Since I have not taken Latin for over a year and a half, I was a tad rusty at first, but I find myself excited to go to this class three times a week.

Criminal Law: lecture Tues/Thurs. I have known people who have taken this class and they all highly recommend it, saying that it made them consider going to law school. Those reviews alone convinced me to take this class. Plus, since this is a sociology class, if I major or minor in Criminal Justice as I plan to, it counts towards that. So, this class is a win-win for me, I get to discuss topics that I am fascinated with and it counts towards my major or minor.

Statistics 53: lecture Tues/Thurs discussion Tues. Last year I did not have room in my schedule for a math class and so this year I decided to make room for it. At first I could not make up my mind on what math class to take, but I have heard good things about statistics in general as a math topic (since I have never actually taken a straight statistics class before) and also this particular class. I just hope I’m not rusty since I did not take a math class last year!

This looks like a good semester for me and I am looking forward to blogging throughout the year and keeping you updated on my life here at GW!

-Christie

Guster Concert

This past weekend I went to a Guster concert! For those of you who haven’t heard of the American alternative rock band, they’re a group of students from Tufts who got together in the 90s and have been playing since. They just released an album, but my favorite song remains an oldie (click here for youtube!).

The coolest part of the concert was actually not the band, but the LOCATION! The concert was held Saturday night in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitution Hall. Built in 1929, it is a National Historic Landmark and houses the annual convention for DAR.

DAR Constitution Hall during the day

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a lineage-based membership organization of woman who are dedicated to patriotism, education, and historic preservation. Their motto is “God, Home, and Country.”  There are a large controversy in 1984 when Lena Lorraine Santos Ferguson claimed she was eligible to join the organization but had been denied membership in the Washington, DC, chapter because she was black.

Overall a really cool place to see a concert! I am always impressed with the bands that come to DC, even if I don’t always have the time to get out to them. Check out the list here on ticketmaster!

Questions? marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu

- Marisa

Cool Classes

While many of us bloggers talk about the classes we are taking for our majors, they become quite boring since they are required. But taking a step back, some of the required and elective classes that GW offers are pretty cool! As I am gearing up to register for classes for 2nd semester, I am trying to introduce some exciting topics into my daily routine of international affairs. The first class listed, PubH 185, is one I am trying to get into, and the rest are just a sample of the cool things that can be found while browsing the course catalog!

Public Health 185 Impact of Culture Upon Health: Relationships between cultural values and the development of modern health systems based on Western models of health care practice. Reliance upon traditional forms of health care. Examples of successful incorporation of traditional practices into evolving health care systems.

Exercise Science 58 Outdoor Education Facilitation: An outdoor challenge course designed to help groups have fun while coming together to build unity and address challenges such as developing trust, problem solving, goal setting, and communication.

Yiddish for Reading and Conversation: Grammatical essentials of the language, appropriate reading selections, conversational exercises for beginners.

Fine Art New Media: Digital Art: A survey of the computer as a creative art tool. Topics covered include bit-mapped and vector graphics, digital sound and imaging, basic time-based media, and digital text, integrated with fundamental design principles of concept development, composition, color theory and presentation.

English 175 Gender and Literature: Symbolic representations of culturally defined roles and assumptions in literature. Male and female gender roles as fundamental to culture; the representation of culture, in literature especially and in the arts and humanities generally. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs.

Exercise Science 65 Introduction to Therapeutic Massage: Basic Swedish massage and deep-tissue techniques.

That last one would be a great investment for my roommates :) See the schedule of classes here!

Questions? Always feel free to email me at marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu!

- Marisa

Compression/ Decompression

Today I'm going to take a hint from one of the finest investigative programs on air today. This fine show has been on for decades now, and has materially contributed to the development of thousands of Americans. Even today, prominent political commentators take inspiration from this show: Sesame Street.

In homage to Sesame Street, today's blog post will be sponsored by the number 4.

Not coincidentally, that's the number of hours of sleep I got most nights last week. That's because I got unlucky-- all of midterms and papers and everything else were placed into one week of sheer un-pleasantry.

But now it's time to decompress, relax and regenerate in preparation for the next round. For this semester, it looks like much of my remaining work will be large research papers. But forget about that-- how can you decompress in the campus environment?

1. Blow of steam at the gym- I don't know what I'd do without use of GW's Health and Wellness Center. Some of our older buildings aren't kept up too well, but the newer ones are amazing and the gym is no exception. I made my usual trip to the fitness center/ weight room today, although for variety a lot of people like to play basketball or run on the indoor track.

2. Sleep- My philosophy during midterms is "I can sleep when I'm dead." After a week, this makes me feel like I'm halfway there. My position on sleep is that it's good for you; do it.

3. Find a hobby- mine are cooking and the martial arts (which I'll talk about another day). Anyway, I feel satisfied in every sense of the word right now: I just polished off the leftovers of my latest culinary success (recipe below) for dinner.

4. Focus hard on doing nothing- this is harder than it sounds. The trick is to enjoy time wasters while you're wasting time, as opposed to doing unwittingly and only finding out later. (Something of which I'm also guilty. Again, another story for another day)

Anyway, with any questions I can answer as a GW student, let me know at ash1290@gwmail.gwu.edu. If you'll excuse me, I'll be catching up on some sleep.
-Adam

Recipe Supplement

Meat Sauce
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 half white onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 tbsp. oregano
1 and 1/2 tsp. basil
1 tsp. rosemary
3 cans tomato sauce
2 cans tomato cans
1/2 tsp. red pepper
2 cups artichoke hearts
1/2 lb. ground meat/ substitute (I usually use tofu stuff- can't taste any weirdness it has plain, and way better in terms of protein/fat ratio)
salt and pepper to taste

1. Dice onions and garlic. In a large saucepan, start heating oil, onion, garlic, pepper, and herbs. When oil begins to bubble rapidly, add tomato paste. Mix well.
2. When tomato paste begins to heat through and bubble slightly, add tomato sauce. (I usually use diced or whole tomatoes but I was out this time.)
3. Heat for about 20 minutes. When mixture approaches is bubbling steadily, add red wine vinegar and stir.
4. When entire mixture is heated and bubbling rapidly, turn heat down and cover. Simmer for about 90 min, stirring occasionally.
5. Add artichokes. and stir. Cover and simmer for about another 45-90 minutes.

Hello from DC!

Hello readers! New blogger here! Here is a little about me:

My name is Christie and I am a sophomore at GW originally from Waukesha, Wisconsin (right outside Milwaukee). I am enrolled in the Columbian School of Arts and Sciences and at the moment I am officially undecided on a major, but I will most likely major in criminal justice and minor in psychology.

I am on GW’s varsity women’s volleyball team as a defensive specialist (meaning I am a passer and play only back row). Being on the volleyball team is a lot of work, both physically and academically speaking, but in my opinion, it is worth it. I love my team, we are basically family and everyone gets along; I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls. As a member of the team, I get to travel quite a bit to other states for games including Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Missouri (just to name a few). What makes these volleyball trips even more exciting is that we tend to do other activities while there, like eating in delicious restaurants and even going to an indoor farmers market or two. I simply love the experience that I get from being on the volleyball team and I feel as though it adds on another aspect to my GW experience since I put on the buff and blue jerseys and represent the school. If you want to read a little more about GW’s volleyball team (I am #7) or any of GW’s athletic teams, here is the link: http://www.gwsports.com/sports/w-volley/mtt/gewa-w-volley-mtt.html  .

I am also a member of multiple organizations on campus including Colonials for Life, GW College Republicans, and the Newman Catholic Center. In my free time I love going to see movies (like I am
about to do after I finish this blog post), going to/watching sporting events (and as a Wisconsin native, I am huge Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan), exploring D.C., reading, listening to music, shopping, and just spending time with family and friends.

And here is a picture of me: ( I am on the left. On the right is one of my teammates.)

I hope this gives you a little insight into my life and feel free to email me with any questions you have after reading my posts! I have a few more posts I have already written and will post later on this weekend!

-Christie

Haunted DC

Hey kids!

Today I took a walking tour of haunted spots in DC!  It's through Washington Walks, and it costs $15 (though my friends and I got the tickets through Groupon, ~here's my past blog about that!~, so they were only $7!!!)  Their tours meet outside of Metro Stations, and this one started at Farragut West, which is great because it's just so darn close.

So the group of us trudged off around 7:15 to Farragut West for the tour, which started at 7:30.  There was a big huddle of people outside of the exit across from the park, so we knew we were in the right place.  I thought that spot was chosen because most of the houses are near the area and that's a good reference point, but turns out that's the spot of the first haunting!

From there, we went to few different houses in the area, most are museums now.  We also stopped by Lafayette Park and the White House to hear some presidential ghost stories, and ended at The Octagon, which is on New York Ave & 18th, and really close to campus.

The Decatur House

The Octagon

Both of these places are much creepier looking at night!  Really!  It was a really fun and very interesting tour, and we certainly learned a lot--both about history, and THE PARANORMAL.

OooOoooooOOOoooooOoOo!!!
(That's my ghost sound... I guess it doesn't translate to text.)

Want to ask a real GW student a question?  Email me!  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu

<3 Shireen

Midterm Hiatus

Sorry for being so MIA lately readers!  I have been locking myself in my room and studying my butt of for a test I had on Thursday!  I think it went pretty well so now it is just a matter of waiting for my grade.

Speaking of studying, I wanted to let you all know that I know how it feels to be preparing for a standardized test.  While you read your SAT/ACT study guides, I am prepping to take the GRE (the graduate school equivalent of the SAT or ACT).  Let me tell you, it is not very much fun!  You think SAT vocab is hard, just wait for GRE Vocab.  Throughout my studies I have been using test books as well as online resources to prepare, so I thought I would pass some along that I know will help you as well.  As odd as it may sound, The GRE for Dummies book has been my best friend.  It clearly lays out the tricks and tips on the test and I am sure it does the same for SAT prep.  You can find a lot of resources here.

Another great resource is princetonreview.com. They have study guides and sometimes even practice tests!

It is time for me to hit the books again!  I will be sure to keep you updated on all of the exciting activities happening on campus for Halloween!



remember to email me at kwollner@gwu.edu with any questions!!!

Kim

Groupon, Living Social, Yipit, and the like.

If you haven't already heard of any of these sites, the links are below!  Click them now, ask questions later.

Or you could take the more rational approach and read what I have to say about them first.  Take your pick.  But I'm thoroughly convinced that you will be sold on the concept once you hear.  I know I was!

Every day, I get an email from Groupon, LivingSocial (The Daily Deal) and Yipit.  In the subject line, it mentions an outlandish sounding deal, such as "67% off Italian fare at (insert awesome restaurant here)!!!" or "(Really cool name) museum admission 53% off!" or "It's an oyster with two tickets to that thing you love!"  Ok, maybe not the last one, but stuff along those lines.

If I don't like the sound of the deal or I don't think I'd ever use "44% off day of skeet shooting in NoVA", I delete the email, forget about it, and wait for tomorrow's deal.  But say it's $10 for $20 worth of food at Nando's Peri Peri?  HOW CAN I PASS THAT UP?  That place is delicious!

That's actually the Groupon I used yesterday.  Mmmmmm.  And I used LivingSocial for my International Spy Museum trip!  But anyway, the next step is you buy the deal.  That's right, you buy it right then and there, online.  So when you're ready to use the coupon, you just print it out and hand it in at the location.  It's pre-paid and hassle-free.

How can businesses profit of these insane deals, you ask?  Quantity.  These companies operate by promising the business that they'll sell a certain number of coupons to ensure that we as customers get a great price, but also that the business isn't giving anything away!  The flip side to that is, however, that if not enough of your fellow deal-seekers don't buy that particular coupon, the deal may not happen, and you get refunded for that purchase and have to kiss the deal goodbye.

But that's never happened to me, and I've never heard of anyone having a problem with that.  the sites generally use coupons that people actually want to buy!  It's handy.

Another cool thing--they're not just in DC!  All of these sites operate out of many different cities, so maybe your hometown is on the list!  Below are the links to the DC pages, but from there it's easy to get to the master list of cities as well.

Groupon DC
Yipit DC
Living Social Deals

So you're interested, yes?  Thought so.  You are welcome.

Email:  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu
~~~Shireen

The Hidden Gems of GW Study Spots

Okay, so you weren't convinced by my last post to head off campus to adventure into another corner to doze into studyland. When you have just a few minutes (or an hour or two) and don't want to lug those books a few blocks, here are some great on campus options for studying! But beware- these are my favorite spots, and I may have to start camping out if they become too popular:

Gelman, not the most attractive building on campus

Gelman Library- Okay, so everyone says Gelman needs some improvement. But I have always been impressed by the 3^rd floor. Not only a quiet floor with large tables (avoiding the crowded study space), but the 3rd floor study rooms are my absolute favorite. By reserving a room ahead of time through the Gelman Reservation System, you will be happily surprised with the amount of space you and a friend have to review notes!

Duques- Up on the many floors of the elegant business school are small study rooms and graduate study rooms as well. These are open to all and I especially recommend their chairs tucked away into corners of the building only found when searching for the perfect chair. Some are conveniently located near coffee tables while others have their own tables attached (and not the horrible classroom type of tables). Good luck searching!

Elliott School- Up on the 3^rd floor of the Elliott School is a nice collection of couches, but my interest remains in the thick cushy black chairs propped up near the windows. You can curl up in them because they are enormous. Usually I sit with my back against an armrest and the rest of my body fits nicely into the chair, curled around my computer.

Eckles Library- Up on the Mt. Vernon Campus awaits a beautiful and surprisingly quiet library. With more people living on the Vern this year, you would expect it to become more frequented, but West Hall has a lot of study spaces, leaving Eckles a prize for studiers looking for quiet. My roommate who lived on the Vern last year recommends Eckles solely because of the 25 cent coffee and free popcorn to motivate students during finals studying nights!!

Eckles, a beautiful haven for focused individuals

Questions you want me to answer? marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu.

- Marisa

Getaway Study Spots

During this hectic midterm and paper writing season, it's hard to find a good nook in Gelman without feeling like that skinny vanilla latte someone else is drinking is about to end up all over your laptop. Yes, it can feel crammed on campus when everyone is actively doing homework- but remember- you are free to roam the city! Check out these great off campus options for you adventurous studiers out there:

Bourbon Coffee (21st and L)- This is my personal favorite. As long as you get there early, you can grab a comfy spot among the tables and couches. I recommend the Mexican Hot Chocolate to get you through.. and with Bruegger's Bagels next door, you're set for several hours. 

Caribou Coffee (17th and Penn)- A bit hectic in the morning, things calm down here and there are lots of plugs among the log-cabin atmosphere of wooden tables and chairs. They even have a microwave and toaster.. so bring your own snacks but definitely indulge in a hot Apple Blast or Mocha.

Barnes and Nobles (30th and M)- In the heart of Georgetown, you can snuggle up in a nice corner. This is always a good choice if you want to catch up on reading alongside the chic residents of Georgetown.

Library of Congress (101 Independence Ave. SE)- The ultimate off campus study spot is the LOC Reading Room!! This elegant room is a motivating place to study as well as the best possible place to try and find that book you've been frantically searching for. Get here as soon as possible- linked is how to get a reader card!

Look at that! Even I'm inspired to do homework here...

Questions? Need more places to come do homework at GW or want to know why I actually enjoy homework? I know, it's rare! marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu.

- Marisa

A Blog About Blogging

I've been doing this blog for close to a year now, so I'm surprised that I hadn't come up with this topic yet: how I became a GW admissions blogger!

Image from HuffPo's "Kanye West's Tweets Matched with New Yorker Cartoons"--Super funny.

Really, I don't know how I became a blogger!  That is, I know the process, but I'm surprised I was even considered good enough.  As I constantly remind you, even though you can clearly see it for yourself, my writing style is very casual.  I didn't think I was up to par, but I figured it was worth applying anyway.  And poof!  I got the job!

If you're interested in becoming a blogger, inquire with the admissions office!  I believe we're set with new bloggers for this year, but we'll certainly need newbies once our senior bloggers leave in May.  Or if you feel your particular situation isn't already represented on our blog (international student, study abroad-er, transfer, anything else applicable!), let us know!  We just might find room for ya!  :)

Admissions office email: gwadm@gwu.edu

My email:  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu

Ask me questions!

~~~Shireen

WBC in DC--This is not a drill, folks!

"---George Washington University in Washington, DC    November 11, 2010  7:55 AM - 8:35 AM

WBC will picket George Washington University to remind this nation that this next generation of young people have been raised for the devil himself. From their youth, the current generation of college students have been taught to disobey God and serve the lusts of their flesh. The parents and teachers, including college professors, are responsible for raising a generation of God-hating heathens. Because these rebels neglected to do their Deuteronomy 6 duty to their children, God pours out His wrath on doomed america.

Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:7  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.---"

Seems crazy?  Yeah, it pretty much is.  I copied and pasted this directly from the Westboro Baptist Church website.  If you haven't heard of them, the main gist is that they hate EVERYONE.  Mostly homosexuals, and Jews are high on the list, but they really just hate everyone.  They're the guys that picket the funerals and memorial services of fallen soldiers.  So you can already tell they're a bunch of shining gems of human beings.

But you don't think GW kids will just sit back and take smack talk like that, do you?  On OUR turf?  Oh, no way.  So there's a rather large Facebook Event to counter-protest the picketers.  The protest first came to students' attention through The GW Patriot, a politics and culture journal.  I just hope they're getting a permit to assemble, we'll definitely need it with all the people who plan on attending!  


I'll surely keep you posted on how all this pans out!
Email me.  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.
<3 Shireen

Office Hours? Do People Go To Those?

It is recommended over and over.. go visit your teachers when they offer themselves up for office hours! So what exactly are office hours? Professors and TAs (teaching assistants) schedule time outside of normal class hours to meet with students. This is a great time to ask questions or clarify something from discussion, ask for extra help, talk about something that interested you particularly, or.. (this one is weird) get to know your professor!! The professor expects you to come in and lead the meeting in the direction you want to take it.

I have found that GW professors and TAs are always grateful to have students come and ask them additional questions during their office hours. My biology lab teaching assistant is a graduate student working on his own projects in the lab, and makes himself available Friday mornings. He informed me last Friday when I went to ask him questions about homework that I was the first visitor he had to office hours! IT'S THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER! I suppose Friday mornings are not the best time to expect students to be awake... but seriously? Here is a teacher who I can engage with one on one and assist me in getting a better grade on my lab report? I can't pass that up! After speaking with him, I had a much better idea of what he was expecting from our homework.

Particularly in English classes, it is to your benefit to visit office hours. Professors are always willing to help you formulate a strong thesis or review a rough draft. My experience with professors here is that they are unwilling to help you unless you make the first step of meeting with them. Do not email them with a rough draft, asking them to edit it, unless you have previously talked about it in person.

Tips To Take Away:
1. GW professors and TAs are very approachable!
2. They are lonely in their office hours without you.
3. Usually they have comfy chairs. Always a bonus.
4. Think of office hours almost as free tutoring.. from the person who matters most!

I am determined to always have pictures in my blogs.. here are some ideas of what office hours look like!

As always.. questions? Want me to write about something next? Email me at marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu.

- Marisa

That little slice of hell known as midterms

Yep.  It's that dreaded time of year again.  It's a time to sit and really think about what matters--SURVIVAL.

To me, midterms are even worse than finals.  While more is riding on finals (usually), you have the impending sweet release of winter/summer break after final exams.  After midterms... it's just more work!  And usually worse work!

Here's my deal:  I hate exams in general.  I would take 5 papers over one test ANY DAY.  You can probably tell because I do this, but I love to write.  However--asking me to recall trivial or specific information at the drop of a hat?  No thanks.  I would much prefer to sit around for a few hours, hash it, re-hash it, print it out and mark up the pages with a purple pen, then finally crank out a solid essay.

But I won't bore you with my rant about hating exams.  Instead, I will explore the positive aspects of midterm season!  Yes, they do exist.

1)  Halloween is soon!  Fun for everyone!

2)  The Rally to Restore Sanity/March to Keep Fear Alive is soon-ER!  So exciting.

3)  Barack Obama was here on Tuesday!  Yeah, I know he lives a few blocks away, but everyone still goes crazy when he's on campus.

4)  I saw Transformers 3 being filmed yesterday!  I didn't even seek it out, we just stumbled upon it, really.  I saw Louis Stevens!  (Shia Labeouf... on Even Stevens... Remember?!?)

5)  It's autumn!  My favorite season.  I love the colors and the crisp air, it's just gorgeous.

Those are really the only plusses i can think of, at least for now.  But it's helping me get through the grueling work!

I love emails!  They help me procrastinate!  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu

~~~Shireen

We're BACK!!!!

At long last I have returned from the deep dark recesses of the Mount Vernon campus (but only for a few minutes, I enjoy deep dark recesses) to bring you the gift of a blog. Here are some details about my semester so far:

    What a morning on the Mount Vernon Campus might look like.

I live on Mount Vernon, which I personally think is a cross between a country club and Narnia. No joke. First of all it's beautiful, there's so much open space, the air is clean, and small woodland creatures roam the outer corners of the campus. I'll have to make a video of it to show ya'll soon. But seriously. Maybe you haven't heard about the awesomeness that is West Hall (the new dorm), but it has a 24-hour recording studio, which is enough reason for me to never leave campus. It also has a new gym, a dining hall (the food still sucks, stick to ordering from the grill), and a lot of study space, which is nice because I never feel the need to go to the library or anywhere to compete for space to do work. You can also hear yourself think on the Vern.

Classes:

Soc 101- *Sigh*
Voice and Diction- A really good class that I recommend to everyone, especially incoming freshman
African-American Lit Studies (185)- Awesome topic, great books, great teacher
Intermediate Poetry-
Latin Jazz- I'm really excited because we'll be performing at the Kennedy Center next semester!!!
Voice Lessons- My voice teacher Prof. Millicent Scarlett IS the music department. So this is awesome.

All my classes are pretty awesome except for Soc, but I won't hold it against anybody.

This semester, I'm having to make some tough decisions about what to do next. Some things on my mind right now as possible options are Teach for America or another teaching program, Peace Corps (or a similar program abroad), Law School (which is a very big and scary concept for me at the moment). I'll be letting you know how I go about making these decisions so we can celebrate together once things start to fall into place.

'Til next time

Easy E

Questions/Comments/Suggestions: magalae@gmail.com

A Long Awaited Reunion

This weekend is going to be a lot of fun!!!  It is Colonials Weekend which means there are lots of visitors coming to GW.  Parents, siblings, grandparents, and many other family members come to GW generally to see their student for the first time since the end of summer.

While my family will not be coming in for Colonials Weekend, I do have some friends coming to visit.  4 people I studied abroad with are heading to DC!  And with three of us already at GW, our reunion of 7 is going to be great!  I have not seen some of these friends since we left Australia in December of 2009 and I am so excited to catch up and bring back the memories!

Our plan is to wing the weekend.  I am sure, if the weather is nice, we will head down to the mall and go to a few museums or monuments, but who knows! We are spontaneous! haha

I will be sure to share all of our crazy times with you, and trust me, with the seven of us together again there are sure to be some crazy times!

Be sure to email me if you have any questions! KWOLLNER@GWU.EDU

International Spy Museum!

As the title suggests, I went to the International Spy Museum!  But guess what?  I went TODAY!  This is probably the soonest I've posted after an event.  That just shows how much I loved that place, I had to tell all of you!

The museum is in the Metro Center/Chinatown area, on 9th and F.  You can really get off at either stop because it's super close to both.  Admission is $18 but it's worth every penny.  (As is the Museum of Crime & Punishment!  Check that out too!!!)  Actually, I shouldn't lie--I didn't pay the full ticket price for this one.  I had a coupon so it was only ten bucks!  I'll write a separate post on coupon sites sometime soon, because I absolutely adore them and I think that everyone should subscribe.  But more on that later!

Also like the Crime & Punishment Museum, this museum is VERY interactive.  It really puts you into the realm of a spy (the cheesey Bond-esque spy with absurd gadgets and weird lighting and disembodied voices giving you directions)--but that's what's so fun about it!  You can even pick a "cover" identity and test your spy skills, being tested periodically on your alibi.  And it's one of those educational excursions you can make a day out of that is just so fun you don't even know you're learning!

I'm taking Sociology of Terrorism, and a whole lot of what I learned in class is somehow applicable to the exhibits.  This lead me to be one of those nerdy jerks who adds their own fun facts while walking through any given exhibit.  Luckily my friends didn't mind!  I hope...

The one drawback of this museum is that they don't allow photography!  Otherwise I would have taken oodles and oodles of pictures to share with y'all.  The Crime & Punishment Museum actually ENCOURAGES photos, if that sways you in favor of one or the other.

So check them out!  I've decided I'm going to be more of a museumophile this year than I previously was, so prepare for more educational yet amusing blogs!

And keep those emails coming!  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu  I have an inflated sense of importance that NEEDS to be fed!
<3 Shireen

Studying Abroad- Not Only for Juniors

I figured I would attempt to give you all a little story from my summer. I traveled to Gaborone, Botswana (located above South Africa) for the summer after freshman year to study abroad. Yes, I know- it seems early to study abroad- but there is no set good time to go! I decided that it would be a good use of my summer. I signed up for a Community Public Health study abroad program through CIEE to see if it would be something I was interested in. I always find that I learn the most about what I like when I am doing it… so why not try out working in a clinic and taking public health classes to see if I should continue that focus at GWU?!

I was surprised (maybe even impressed) with myself because I jumped into this adventure without reservation. I am usually a worrier, a stresser; I boarded a plane alone without knowing who I was meeting up with and, to tell you the truth, without knowing enough about this country. I had not had a breakdown or crisis of any sort until a night late into my first week, which I credit to a buildup of frustrations with bad transportation, lack of hot showers, irritation with my new professors who lack syllabi, and yes of course finally some homesickness.

Some highlights from my summer include...

Victoria Falls!

USA vs. Ghana World Cup Game 

Safari in the north of Botswana

Working at a soup kitchen for orphans

While I enjoyed my time abroad for the summer, it was only a temporary quenching of my thirst to live abroad. I am considering going abroad for a whole semester the fall of my junior year. I would like to do the GW Study Program in Latin America, as I have experienced Sub-Saharan Africa and would like the experience of another developing country. GW also runs GW Study Programs in Madrid, London, and England. I will keep you all updated with my search as I want to in the fall! 

Let me know if you have any questions about study abroad and I’ll do my best to answer them.. Otherwise, talk to the Office of Study Abroad- they are super helpful! There are about 300 programs currently and they are always adding new programs. You can even petition a program if they don't have something you like! And financially, lots of scholarships are available to help you out.

Questions? As always, email me at marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu!

-Marisa