This is going to be the last installment of the Freshman Recipe Book for a while, so I decided why not end with something overly decadent?
This is real, folks. You can make fudge in the microwave. I can't take complete credit for this idea, my aunt actually gave me the recipe. It's easy and just simply very good. Plus your hall will forever love you if you break them off a piece of dat FUDGE.
What you will need:
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
¼ cup (half a stick) butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
¾ cups chopped walnuts, optional
What you probably already have: 8x8 inch pan, aluminum foil, nonstick cooking spray, microwave-safe bowl.
In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, condensed milk, and butter. Microwave in one-minute increments until melted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir just to ensure all the chocolate is melted, then add the vanilla and salt. Add walnuts, and stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Pour the fudge into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Place the fudge in the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours. Once set, cut into 1-inch squares and serve at room temperature. Store excess fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
As I said before, this will be the last Freshman Recipe Book post for a while--I just don't want to become a one-trick pony! They'll be back eventually, I promise. But in the meantime, I'll write a post in a few days that compiles all the recipes so that they're easier to find! You are most certainly welcome.
And as per usual, I will now beg for you to write me emails. Please? No really, write me!
My SINCEREST apologies, GDub Blog, for my unexplained absence. It's already been a really chaotic semester! Let me catch you up on life here at GW.
Getting full swing into the semester, we're all starting to feel the pressure of the workload. I've written my first paper, handed in my first assignments, got my first grades back. But stepping back from the academics, GW Theatre has been alive and kicking the past few weeks! Two weekends ago, we had two phenomenal shows open - William Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors, a classic farse about separated twins and mixed identifies, and Dolly West's Kitchen, a drama set during WWII-America about the conflicts abroad coming into the home. In addition to the two phenomenal plays, receSs, the resident improv troupe here on campus, had their welcome back show that Friday night. In the community, we always say that when we have a jam-packed weekend like that, that it's a "great weekend for GW theatre." And that it certainly was.
This past week has been devoted to two things: rehearsing/auditions, and snow. With the opening and therefore closing of shows, there comes the rounds of auditions. The two companies whose shows went up two weekends ago held auditions this week for the new round of productions. But for me, I'm already part of Forbidden Planet Production's (one of the resident companies) 5th Annual Musical Cabaret, which is opening this coming weekend. It's a series of 11 individual numbers, with an over 70-person cast! So I've been spending my nights in rehearsals once again, like last semester, and I could not be happier to be back in the schedule of class-homework-rehearsals.
That being said, I'm sure you've heard of the snow incident we had this past week at GW. Living on the Mount Vernon campus, I had my own unique experience. We had a power outage go almost twenty four hours, that left 200,000 people in the DC area without power. But college students know how to handle stress, so we immediately banded together and began playing hide and seek in the basements here in West Hall. The next morning, the Vernites braved the shuttles to get down to Foggy Bottom, going to whatever classes weren't cancelled or, like me and my friends, holing up in Gelman to charge our electronics (a GW student cannot function without their trusty Blackberry/iPhone/Macbook). But don't worry, it was quickly restored; no harm done.
Now, this week, for me, is about Cabaret. It is hell week, so we have long hours of rehearsals down in the West Hall theatre on the Mount Vernon campus. I apologize for disappearing, followers, and I promise to check in more this week about the show, and of course blog about its opening!
Going to be around? Come check out the show!
Thursday, February 3rd @ 8 PM
Friday, February 4th @ 7 and 10
Saturday, February 5th @ 6:30 and 8
Only $5! Be sure to get here early - it looks like it'll be a full house. Or get your pre-sales outside the Marvin Center to assure yourself a seat.
Since it is already 2nd semester and while at times it will feel as though it lasts forever, it is only a few months, my roommates and I decided to make a ‘bucket list’ for our time together as roommates (even though we all loved living with each other, we are not living together next year). Last semester, we were all so busy (especially me because volleyball was in season) that we did not really spend a great deal of time together outside of the walls of our room. As a result, we decided to change that this semester. This is not a final list, but instead an ever growing list. Here is what we have so far:
1. Spy museum
2. Crime and punishment museum
3. Monument walks
4. Baseball games (Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies play the Nationals in April)
5. Cherry blossom festival
6. Roommate dinner once month (go out)
7. DC walks
8. Sunday brunch once a month
9. 6 flags
10. Finish all 5 seasons of criminal minds (already at the end of the 4th)
11. Awkward roomie photo
12. Watch every movie we have
13. See ‘The Roommate’
14. See ‘Scream 4’
15. Grocery store trips
16. Take more pictures
Almost every week I get off of campus and head up to Adam's Morgan. The neighborhood is what you would call the "hipster" part of town. There is a falafel, fast food place, coffee shops, hemp stores, and plenty of bars/clubs in between. You may ask why I choose to go here on a Sunday rather than a Friday/Saturday....
TRIVIA!! Every Sunday at 8pm my boyfriend, a few of his friends, and I stake our claim at Bedrock Billiards as team Awesome Sauce! In fact we have won every week in 2011 so far, we are on a roll! Now there are plenty of places that play trivia in the District. Tonic, a restaurant right on campus, has trivia Monday nights. Marshall's, about a 10 minute walk, is Wednesday. However, Bedrock has the best! Here's the set up...
There are 5 rounds. All have different categories. For example, recent rounds have been sports, food, Pee Wee Herman, local politics, company beginnings...I think you get the picture. Generally 3 are just spoken questions. The host asks the question, the team writes the answer, simple enough. But then there are the other 2 rounds. One is the visual round. A sheet of paper is given to every team with pictures on it and you have to write a specific piece of information. Past categories have been famous dogs, logos, mascots, famous noses (this was by far the hardest one I have seen), and metro maps. The last type of round, which is usually the hardest, is the music round. The hosts play a clip of a song and you usually have to give the name, artist, and sometimes year. These rounds have included songs with the word "last" in the title, animal bands, rock ballads, and sampled songs.
The winner of the night gets $50 off their tab for the night! It is a great way to take a break from a day full of work and learn a bunch of miscellaneous knowledge!
To my fellow bloggers: what are your weekly traditions??
If you're planning on coming or already attend GW, you need to start reading a good newspaper source. It can be the Washington Post, NY Times, BBC online, etc- as long as you get some headlines daily, you'll be able to chat up a storm with classmates.
I love to read the NY Times and it's the homepage on my computer. The one thing that always catches my eye though is the food columns :) I have one in specific I tend to gravitate towards- Mark Bittman's "The Minimalist." Usually he has videos along with a description of the food, making it easy for you to watch and play along.
Mark's motto is: "I am striving to make cooking accessible, and battling the ascendance of “convenient” processed food and a general decline in quality." I completely agree with his statements and always find his food accessible. My favorite recipes of his include:
I also recommend his article- "So Your Kitchen Is Tiny. So What?" Sounds right to me :) “All you have to do to cook is want to do it. The kitchen is never the problem.”
Here's another yummy dessert recipe, but this one's for when you feel like being a bit healthier. It's also slightly easier to make! If you're not familiar with my ongoing series, Freshman Recipe Book, click on my picture below to find all my posts! For now, here's my take on a classic fall comfort, the Baked Apple.
What you will need:
1 apple
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon butter
Chopped walnuts, optional
Raisins, optional
What you probably already have: a microwave-safe plate
Partially core the apples in a way that leaves the bottom intact, while still getting the seeds and junk out. Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and spoon the sugar mixture into the cored apple. Set a teaspoon (or more to your taste) of butter on top of the apple. Place the apple in your microwaveable bowl, and cover. Microwave for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes, or until tender. Let the apples sit for a couple minutes before serving, and scatter with chopped nuts and raisins. If you're feeling a little more indulgent, roll the apple in some cinnamon and sugar before microwaving it, or sprinkle some extra sugar over top!
Like it? I thought so. Check back for plenty more recipes! I've got millions and zillions up my sleeve. And email me so I know these aren't useless. ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu
I am currently applying for several study abroad programs for the coming fall semester. I never would have thought that it takes so much effort! Since I went on a summer study abroad last semester, I have gone through this experience before but it was way less intense. This time, I am planning for an entire 15 weeks abroad instead of 8!
Programs I am looking into:
SIT Chile Public Health, Traditional Medicine, and Community Empowerment
16 credit program based in Arica, Chile studying Spanish and experiencing Northern Chile!
SIT Chile Cultural Identity, Social Justice, and Community Development
16 credit program based in Valparaiso, Chile studying Spanish and experiencing coastal Chile, outside of Santiago!
IES Ecuador Area Studies & Language Program
Program based in Quito, Ecuador studying Spanish with visits to the Galapagos and the Amazon!
I think I have some great options and need to get some of the paperwork in, including teacher recommendations, a copy of my transcript, personal essays, and more. I'm excited to hear back from them!
Remember the 90’s? Remember Screech, light-up shoes, Power Rangers, Uncle Jesse, and beanie babies? Well, my friends and I certainly do. And since the 90’s are really the only decade we’re qualified to have a party dedicated to, my freinds are having a themed party tonight where we will raise the roof, get jiggy wit it, and possibly let the dogs out. The playlist features some good old angsty alternative rock , sprinkled with jamming dance beats. The dress code includes: parachute pants, flannel, and jean jackets...none of which I presently own hah. Do you all enjoy themed parties in high school or are you too cool for school? -Serena
I just realized that I haven't posted any dessert recipes yet as part of my Freshman Recipe Book! Well don't worry, kiddies, here comes the first of MANY dorm-able dessert recipes I've got up my sleeve.
So here's my recipe for MugCakes. They're cupcakes made in a mug--and in the microwave! Super easy and super tasty, and you can change up the recipe to fit your craving. For example, add chocolate/peanut butter chips or frost with your favorite icing, or make it slightly healthier with a jam or fruit filling! The possibilities are endless.
Also, this recipe is super low-fat. Apple sauce takes the place of oil or butter to moisten the cake, but it also allows it to hold shape well, since the cake is microwaved. You don't taste the apple AT ALL. Don't worry.
What you will need:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons milk 1 tablespoon white vinegar 3 tablespoons applesauce 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 egg
What you probably already have: a few mugs, non-stick cooking spray, a whisk
Cobmine the flour, sugar, milk, vinegar, applesauce, baking soda, and vanilla extract together, whisking vigorously until smooth. Next, beat in the egg. Spray mugs with non-stick cooking spray, and pour batter into the mug so it's about halfway full.
Baking one bowl at a time, place it in the microwave on high for 2 to 4 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before serving or frosting!
I'm telling you, this one's a definite keeper. Try it out when the cravings are just too much! Then, email me your review! ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu
I attended a professional lecture on Wednesday hosted by the Hong Kong International Society. The speaker was Mr. Donald Tong, the US Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs. As Commissioner, he directs the Hong Kong Government's efforts in promoting U.S.-Hong Kong economic and trade ties, and constituency-building activities in the U.S. He also oversees the work of the three Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in Washington, New York and San Francisco. While I expected the lecture to be similar to those that I've experienced at LSE (London School of Economics, where I studied abroad last year) which are more academically and economically focused, it was still refreshing to learn about the history of Hong Kong and the career opportunities available to graduates. One student asked if he could work in Hong Kong despite not knowing any Mandarin or Cantonese, and the Commissioner said it is nearly a norm for most foreigners to only speak English in Hong Kong. Perhaps you all could potentially study abroad in Hong Kong one day!!
I am really not sure why, but this semester has been my busiest so far. And it's still young--not even February yet! I feel like I'm just always doing something for classes or for my student orgs (Voices for Choices and The Global Language Network--look into 'em!) I blame it mostly on my Persian class, which is a 4 credit language course and requires a great deal of time spent on homework. Also, I wasn't in the level 1 class last semester, so I've got a ways to catch up with the rest of the class (like, 7 people).
Luckily, I haven't stressed myself to death yet. It's been tough, but I've used some key stress-relieving tools:
1) Make sleep a priority. Even if you can't get a full 8 hours--in fact, as a college student you probably can't on weekdays ever, aim for 5-6. It's so so so vital, if you pull a bunch of all nighters in a short span of time, it catches up with you and you BURN OUT. No two way's about it. Even if you go for a few 3 hour nights here and there, make sure you catch up with that sleep asap.
2) Cook comfort food! If you really can't cook or don't have the means to, Au Bon Pain (known affectionately as ABP by GW students) has some delicious Mac & Cheese that has certainly gotten me through some midterms and finals, but if you can, cook! Yes, it does take some time out of your schedule that you could spend on work, but it's worth it. Your body and mind will both thank you. Cooking is just relaxing, and if you can reap the benefits of a tasty meal and some added comfort, you'll feel much better working your tush off later.
3) Take a walk. Not a run, a walk. This is partially to get you moving from your post in the Gelman cubes, yes, but also to clear your head. On a run, you don't take in your surroundings quite as well. The purpose of this is to be pensive and take in the sights and people-watch. Even ten minutes around the neighborhood is enough stress relief to get in a couple solid hours of work afterwards. And there are so many great places to walk to in our area--the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the DuPont neighborhood, and Georgetown.
I know you've heard one or all of these tips before. But I challenge you: have you followed them? I know I haven't always done it. So try my methods on for size!
Stay strong, you busy bees! Email me about whatever: ShireenS@Gwmail.gwu.edu
<3 Shireen
So we all love when class is cancelled for snow, as you can see from all the posts below!! But yesterday GW cut it close with a lot of teachers and made it difficult for afternoon class teachers to have an easy drive home. My chemistry professor sent us an email I thought I would share with you all about a horrible drive home:
"Hi Chemistry 1112 Section 10 Students! I was just listening to WTOP Radio. They stated that the worse commute yesterday was on the GW Parkway. Guess who had to use the GW Parkway to get home! It truly was what they termed the “commute from hell”! The driving conditions at times frightened me… My Volkswagen is not a sled! I left GW at 4:10 PM after our Chemistry lecture. It took me 30 minutes to reach the Roosevelt Bridge. It took me another 10 minutes to get to the entrance of the parkway. MY ONLY OPTION AT THIS TIME IS THE GEORGE WASHINGTON PARKWAY. I was on that road from 4:50 PM until 2:30 AM. I arrived in Reston at 5 AM this morning after having to also use routes 495, 267, and 7 … A 13 hour commute to go 26 miles! I bet I saw at least 400-500 abandoned cars during my 13 hour commute."
Photo from the Washington Post
How insane! I am happy that she is safe along with everyone else who would have attempted to drive to teach class this morning. For us on campus, it's easy to get to class and walk wherever we need to go but there are some treacherous situations out there for cars.
So hope everyone is enjoying their cancelled classes :)
- Marisa
I shamefully admit that my roommates and I are obsessed with MTV's Jersey Shore. After watching an episode earlier last week, we were inspired to have our own Sunday night dinner. Rather than grilling 20 burgers, 15 steaks, and 3 pans of lasagna, we decided that homemade pizza would be the best option. We got 3 pizza doughs from Trader Joe's (only 99 cents each--so affordable!!), a ton of veggies, chicken sausage, tomatoe sauce, and bags of mozzerella, and formed three magnificent creations! Our kitchen by far is one of the greatest advantages of living in South Hall because we have tons of counter space as well as an open kitchen where everyone can help cook. We squemishly waited for the pizzas to cook and they were successfully devoured by the eight of us at the end of the night! -Serena
My roommate's sister and friends putting together the pizzza
Staying with the theme of the snow, here is how the “snow” has affected my activities. Since my class scheduled for 4:45pm last night was already one that would be taking place online on Blackboard (he gives us an article or reading and we have to write a short paper or response to it and post it in the discussion section for our class on Blackboard), the fact that all classes after 4:30pm did not help me—I still have to do the assignment. Unfortunately, the snow did not interrupt the online component.
Then, thankfully, my volleyball practice and conditioning this morning from 7-9:30am was cancelled!!! I was so unbelievably happy because I got to sleep in until 9am which is heavenly since I normally wake up at 5:45am. Granted, we still have to do the conditioning on our own (30 treadmill challenge and max-out on push-ups until we fall on our faces and then email our coach the results), but that can be done at any point today, not forcing me to wake up long before the suns rises (which by the way is just plain cruel—every morning when I walk to the Smith center for practice, it is still pitch black outside, no trace of the sun).
Now, I just got an email from my 11:10am professor saying that class is cancelled for today. However, I am now seriously regretting staying up until 1:30am last night finishing the paper that is due today in that class, but I will never complain about a class being cancelled so I am letting it go. I am currently sitting in bed studying for a quiz that I have this afternoon, hoping and praying that I get another class cancellation email so I can stop studying. That would be wonderful.
*Edited to add: about 5 minutes after I posted this blog, I got an email canceling my quiz today. Now, just one more class to cancel before I am completely free for the day.
As noted by Adam, all classes after 4:30 were cancelled yesterday due to awful, awful weather. Of course, I was already sitting the classroom with 2 other kids waiting for the lesson to begin when one of them got the email. We had all decided to take refuge in that class instead of braving it home from the ones we had before only to have to go out again! And then it was cancelled! Not that I'm complaining. I'm DEFINITELY not complaining. I hadn't done all the readings, so I used the time that I would have spent in class finishing that up. Yay for playing catch-up!
And today, we have a 2 hour delay, of sorts. Wooooot! All classes scheduled before 10:00 are cancelled, which is nice because I had one at 9:00. (Yeah, I'm up anyway though...) But this is still great!
Funny story: DC was expecting either 3-5 or 5-10 or 10-12 inches, but looking outside, I don't think any of those happened. I'm looking outside my window right now and Eye Street is completely clear. The sidewalks are messy, but the road just looks a little wet, no white to be seen. As usual, we overestimated the precipitation :(
Snowpocalypse 2010--unlikely to happen again, for better or worse.
Send some reader emails, kids! ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu
So here we go! All classes after 4:30 today were put off to let professors escape D.C. We're experiencing fairly heavy snow and sleet now so the roads will be in poor condition before long, and I think--without, I should add, the slightest bit of self-interest--the university administration did the responsible thing by letting our teachers leave before the commute home became too dangerous.
So I was wondering: what oft-neglected tasks can I seize on this opportunity to do?
Here are my answers:
1. Laundry: It takes a lot to get me to do mine. Namely, it takes an excessively large pile. My residence hall, Ivory Tower, has a pretty decent number of washer/ dryer units. Still, it's always good to get that done when possible.
2. Get to the gym: It's still January, which means that by and large the whole New Year's Resolution enterprise still has some life left in it. (Not me, I go all year. It's the crowds that make it tougher to handle sometimes.)
3. Follow up on emails: one thing you'll learn from being a part of student organizations is that these pile up, real fast. If you don't stay on top of them, they'll stay on top of you. My defense-policy group has a major event coming up on Saturday, so that only makes this problem worse... more on that later, though.
4. Sleep: I often tell people at home that the curse of human life in school is sleep, and sometimes to sleep well; but never well enough. The problem with this is that even when something like a (potential) snow day rolls along, your routine may prevent you from taking full, somnolent advantage of it.
Anyway, more tomorrow from the productivity side if we have a snow day!
As I sit in bed, sick with strep throat :( I ran across an article I have been meaning to read. This past weekend GW announced in the Washington Post its creation of an online prep school. This high school is the first "virtual" high school affiliated with a major university.
If any of you saw State of the Union last night, President Obama made a strong push for innovation in America and education of the next generation to compete in the rising world. I think this type of high school is what he had in mind.
I don't have any more details than the website shows, but I still think it is a really cool idea. It will help build interest in GW while preparing students who may not normally have access to a good private education.
The curriculum is very similar to any other high school...
Provides a broad foundation in English, math, science, history, and world languages
Develops critical and creative thinking
Stresses competence in oral and written communication, as well as quantitative operations
Stimulates intellectual independence and curiosity
It will be interesting to see the progress of the school and how the students adapt to an online setting rather than a traditional classroom setting.
What do you guys think? Would you want to go to an online high school??
Sadly, with Restaurant Week ending, there will be no more cheaply available food from very expensive and classy restaurants. I was fortunately able to go out to dinner twice this week which is really rare for me and experience two awesome DC restaurants so I thought I'd share my under 21 experience since Serena shared her over 21 experience with mojitos :)
First stop: Firefly. American cooking at its finest with countless touches that speak to reducing, reusing, and recycling. Their decor is amazing with a floor to ceiling "firefly tree" hung with lanterns and lit with candles. I had the seasonal vegetable soup that was a pumpkin and sweet potato, a grilled bistro steak with creamed spinach and au gratin potatoes, and a pear crisp sundae with ginger ice cream. Wow!!
Second stop: Zaytinya. Innovative Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese cuisine. I had a delicious veggie salad, falafel, grilled chicken with garlic sauce and grilled tomatoes, and shredded lamb stuffed into phyllo dough. This was all followed up with delicious walnut ice cream on top of greek yogurt and honey. Mmm!
Falafel :)
Hope you enjoyed these delicious menus. I sure did! This makes me want to get out into the city more often and enjoy all the delicious food it has to offer!!
Questions on restaurants to visit with parents while checking out GW? marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu
- Marisa
The Hatchet is our independently-run school newspaper that comes out twice a week on campus.
An interesting article that made its appearance this week was an article on group housing and how starting next year, certain groups on campus can elect to live together. "The program, known as Affinity Housing, will allow GW-recognized student groups to live together in Ivory if they are juniors and seniors, The Dakota if they're sophomores, or Building JJ, which is for green-themed Affinity Groups only." As a resident in Building JJ, I can only vouch for how awesome it is to live with all your friends who have a common goal! You can read the article here.
An alumni, on a sidenote, also donated some of their lottery winnings to our school. How sweet is that?
"The $1.1 million donation to the University will go toward financial aid, one of the most popular areas for people to donate to at the University, according to a news release. Cisneros' gift will put $1 million toward the Power & Promise Fund for financial aid, creating the Cisneros Scholarship Fund. Two incoming freshmen will be given $25,000 a year for the four years they attend GW. The scholarship is designed to support Hispanic students from Cisneros' home state of California who are studying political science, his major at GW." I think it's awesome that GW will get more representation from the West Coast, because I'm lonely swimming in the sea of people from the East Coast.
Hello everyone! I am writing from the 6th floor of Gelman Library at the public access computers. These computers make my life so much easier on Tuesday and Thursday mornings when I have class from 9:35 AM to 10:50 AM and then yoga at 12:10 PM. My creative writing class is only the beginning to my relaxed morning! I bring my yoga mat and try to do some homework in the library in between so that I don't have to walk the same 5 blocks twice... yep, I am lazy :)
I thought I'd tell you all about the group fitness classes at the gym. I mentioned them earlier on this month when the schedule of group fitness classes was posted, but I thought I'd give you an idea of each class offered! Here are the most popular classes on campus:
"Intense" Classes Cycle An intense cardio class performed on stationary bikes that utilizes various training techniques and motivational strategies to simulate actual riding experiences. Hard CORE A variation on the basic Abs class, Hard CORE uses innovative exercises to target your entire core: including abdominals, obliques, and lower back. Hot Cardio Dance A fun form of dance workout that combines hip-hop, funk, and other popular dance moves. The choreography is easy to learn and focuses on giving a great cardio workout while strengthening the hips and core. Boot Camp A great mix of cardio, sculpting, and interval training moves will have you moving all around the room for this challenging combo class. The variety of moves will keep you on your toes and having fun while you workout. Zumba Join the Latin dance sensation with this fusion of Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha, Reggaeton, and Belly Dancing moves. Set to Latin and International music, Zumba TM creates a dynamic, exciting, and effective workout.
Mind and Body Classes Gentle Yoga A gentle mix of relaxing and calming movements combined with breath. This class is perfect for beginners as well as people with specific limitations and those recovering from injury. More experienced students who enjoy a slower paced class also enjoy Gentle Yoga. Pilates This mat-based class is designed to lengthen and stretch muscles while doing toning exercises. You will develop balance, posture, coordination, strength and flexibility. Power Yoga A fast paced Vinyasa class designed to challenge the body through fluid flow that incorporates strength, flexibility, and breath. Be ready to sweat! Vinyasa Yoga A classic fluid flow that links movement with breath. It is known for its dynamic and creative sequences.
Hope this gives you a good idea of our classes! I'm off to Gentle Yoga.. I'm sort of an advanced beginner right now so the relaxing movements help me really focus on getting the poses correct!
Questions? marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu
- Marisa
Weird title, I know. I had a Spanish teacher in high school who used to mock students who mispronounced words with the phase "accento on the wrong syll-AH-ble." For whatever reason, it stuck with me. So there you go. This post is about syllabuses only tangentially. It's more about reading.
One of the things I really like about the early weeks of every semester is that there is time! Time to catch up with friends you haven't seen in a while (as one of my fellow bloggers recently reminded us), time to exercise, time to cook...but I relish the opportunity to take the time to read things I wouldn't later on, when my scarce free time is allocated to eating and sleeping.
Right now I'm reading David Kilcullen's "Counterinsurgency", both a great theoretical treatment and an effective empirical account of insurgency in the modern period and how to fight it. It's particularly fascinating reading because I'm interested mostly in what are sometimes called "high-end" conflicts, or wars between states. It's not assigned reading for class, but I'd highly recommend it to anyone.
For any current or prospective students looking to get the most out of scarce "brain time", never undervalue reading what you think is interesting for its own sake. Today I found something on the sources of military doctrine that makes perfect sense when combined with things I learned about bureaucratic organizations in a class last semester.
A side note about which texts to buy and which to avoid--steer well clear of anything introductory-sounding, especially for higher level classes. Collections or anthologies of essays are usually great, though: I have one on U.S. defense policy (our national strategy) that I'm working through now for class, and another on civil or low-level warfare and its causes I got for a course last year and have been meaning to get back to. It probably won't happen this semester, but as I love to remind people, "that's life."
--Adam Questions? Comments? Want to waken the opinion beast from its age-long slumber? Let me know at ash1290@gwmail.gwu.edu.
Yesterday I went to my second Restaurant Week meal with a group of friends at Cuba Libre in Chinatown. This was my first time eating there and I absolutely loved it! It features a menu of Cuban classics as well as "neuvo Cubano" dishes that were delectable. The cost again was $20.11 for a prix brunch menu featuring 4 dishes with a dessert variety platter. Our bill however came up to around $250 dollars because we had ordered 2 pitchers of Mojitos! -Serena
So sometimes you just need to get out of DC.. and then it never happens. You think about making plans, try and look up planes, trains, buses, lodging.. but the costs end up being more than you asked for and you retreat back to your room at GW because you've already paid for it and it's comfortable.
I have done this break after break for long weekends and it kills me! So I am finally getting out of the rhythm. I haven't been to New York City since I was 10 years old when I went to go see Lion King on Broadway with my mom and sister. I can't remember the food, the sights, the streets, and I want to go back!
So I just started planning. Not my average planning, but actually booking Megabus planning and booking a hotel planning!! My boyfriend and I are going to spend two nights in the Meatpacking District because we got a hotel for around $90/night and the bus ended up being $35/person roundtrip! Not too bad for what it can be.
I'll update you all more as the date gets closer but it is possible to escape from campus if you plan it right!! :) New York, here I come in 3.5 weeks! Questions? marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu
- Marisa
After everyone gets back from break and settles in their new routines, you as a student are inundated with dinner/lunch/coffee invites (and you dole some out yourself!) to get back in touch with your buds from last semester. Usually, you find yourself at an eating establishment on GWorld. It's nice because the people you typically have these reunions with aren't your core group of friends--the ones you see every day, and in fact you only see them 2-3 times a semester. But you always wish, and even avow to each other, that this semester, you'll finally see more of each other. Sometimes it happens, but unfortunately, it usually doesn't.
Here's how it goes: you have a lunch date in the beginning of the semester, affirm to hang out soon--if you do, it's probably sooner rather than later, like within the next two weeks. If you don't, you don't see them until almost finals, when you realize, "Oh crap, how's so-and-so doing?" And you finally hang out again. This time it doesn't matter if the restaurant is on GWorld, because you've both already exhausted your funds! Then repeat the reunionization in the beginning of next semester.
It's sad how this happens almost without fail every semester, and you always tell yourself you'll break out of the rut, but usually don't. But at the same time, the catch-up dates are fun in their own right! And not seeing each other nearly as much as you should is just more to bond on!
Email me as always! ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu
~~~Shireen
I have a pretty unique freshman perspective on housing here at GW as I have lived at both the Mount Vernon Campus (the Vern) and the Foggy Bottom Campus (Foggy) in my first year. I transferred down to Foggy from the Vern right after Thanksgiving break. I lived in a double in Somers Hall on the Vern before and now live in a double in Mabel Thurston Hall on Foggy. I will explain my experience in both and then give more details as to why I moved.
Mount Vernon
Housing on the Vern is pretty much split into three areas: The new West Hall at the base of campus, Somers Hall on top of the hill, and the Hillside Commons.
West has a living setup where 4 people have individual rooms with one common area that connects them all and they share one bathroom. In addition, the new dining hall and gym are located in this new facility along with dance studios and a blackbox theatre.
Somers Hall is your typical collegiate dorm. There are primarily double rooms (2 people living in one room) that are connected to another double by a bathroom y’all share. In addition, each floor has a glassed in common room most floors use to study in or chill in.
The Hillside Commons (Clark, Cole, Hensley, and Merriweather Halls) are much smaller, only housing about 25-30 students from the best of my recollection as the other two dorms house about 150 (Somers) and well over that 150 in West Hall. These smaller dorms are really nice from all of my friends who live in them as they all develop a unique culture because they are in a small dorm and can get very close to one another.
I will continue to post on this talking about Foggy next and giving you my take on the campuses. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me or comment on this.
As promised, here is my class schedule for this semester:
Monday/ Wednesday:
11:10-12:25 Classical Mythology
4:45-6:00 Criminology
Tuesday/ Thursday:
11:10-12:25 Violence in the Family
12:45-2:00 Dance History
2:20-3:35 Latin II
Friday:
2:20-3:10 Latin II (discussion)
As the post’s title says, this is exciting stuff (I can only hope you can sense the sarcasm). But seriously, I am actually looking forward to most of my classes. As of right now, I predict my favorite classes to be Criminology and Violence and the Family and my least favorite to be Dance History. I will give you the verdict at the end of the semester.
And since today is the NFC Championship game with the Green Bay Packers vs. the Chicago Bears (aka the oldest rivalry in football), all I have to say is GO PACK GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Sorry, I HAD to throw that in there)
-Christie
During my winter hiatus, I stopped compiling recipes for my Freshman Recipe Book as well! But just like your favorite TV shows are back for the spring session, these tantalizing treats are as well! So enjoy, friends.
I call this recipe an "hors d'oeuvres sandwich" because the main ingredient seems more fitting for the garnish of an appetizer or on an antipasto platter rather than the bulk of a sandwich. Now, this sandwich really isn't meant to be a meal, it's more of a snack that you whip up when you have to rush back from one class and sprint to another, and you don't have much time for a proper lunch that incorporates all the food groups.
That being said, you'll be shocked at how delicious this is, and how much you find yourself craving it weirdly on any random day. It's so salty and creamy and good. The main ingredient WILL shock you, but try it out, really! This recipe is actually the brainchild of one of my high school friends, and I was put off by it as well, but it's worth a try. For sure. It's also no-cook and has only 3 ingredients!
What you'll need:
2 slices pumpernickel bread
Cream cheese, to taste
Pimento-stuffed olives
What you probably have already: a plate and a knife--so simple!
All you gotta do for this is spread the cream cheese over one of the slices the bread (toasted, preferably, but if that's not an option it's still good plain). Then, cut the olives in any fashion, and scatter them over the cream cheese. All of the measurements are to taste, so just have fun with it. Now that was surprisingly tasty, huh? Thought so.
Email me with your critiques! ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu
So every Friday during our volleyball spring season, we have a ‘Freaky Friday,” meaning we pick some type of theme and we all dress up for practice. For example, last year some of the themes included tie-dye, state pride, nerd, and ninja. Last Friday was the first one for this current spring season and our theme was hometown college pride since almost every single one of us live far away. Today’s theme was dress like a man.
Freaky Fridays add a little bit of silly fun for the first month and a half of our spring season while the coaches are not coaching us in the gym. Right now, as per NCAA regulation in the offseason, we run our own practices since the coaches are not allowed in the gym with us until mid-February. Then, once they are, we start formal spring practices in preparation for our four tournaments and we also stop Freaky Fridays (since the mood becomes a little more serious).
Here are some fun Freaky Friday pictures, from last year:
Not only are there a ton of things always going on in DC, but there are also tons of events on campus to keep track of! Lisner, the Elliott School, and more locations always attract high profile speakers, performances, and lectures. Just like I did with the city, I will give you a few ideas of cool things going on around campus that should stir your interest in attending!
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at Lisner Auditorium Feb 3
University Orchestra Concert & University Singers Concert
Bo Burnham and (No) Friends at Lisner Feb 26
Film Screening of "Nuremburg: It's Lessons for Today" in Funger Jan 31
"Lessons for Leaders: The Value of Being Wrong" with author in Duques
"Because When God is too Busy: Haiti, Me, and the World" in Elliott Jan 28
Moldova's European Future in Light of Parliamentary Elections in Elliott Jan 27
The Referendum in Southern Sudan Jan 25
The roof of the Elliott School, outside the City View Room where they have speakers
All cool events happening right on our campus that we should take advantage of! We live in such a great arena for speakers and musicians and politicians- I need to inspire myself to get out more and listen to other people talk besides my professors!
I thought I would just give an example of what is going on this week to see the breadth of activities DC always has going on! A good place to check for events is always the Washington Post, the Kennedy Center website, or other publications around the city.
DC Restaurant Week! Fancy restaurants with lunches for $20 and dinners for $35
American Ballet Theater at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Capital City Showcase at the DC Arts Center with hip hop, comedians, singers, etc!
Gods of Angkor: Bronzes from the National Museum of Cambodia at the Smithsonian
James Zug book event at Politics & Prose (an awesome bookstore)
Washington Capitals (ice hockey) games at the Verizon Center
Yo Yo Ma and pianist Emanuel Ax at Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
The Kennedy Center.. beautiful and close to campus!
These are just a few examples of things going on THIS WEEK. It's crazy how much happens outside of the GW bubble that we rarely experience unless you really try to get out there. So go! :)
The commencement schedule is up. Dates are set. Speakers are chosen. And the application is in.
I know it is a few months away, put the university is already preparing for Commencement 2011. In November the GW hatchet announced that Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be the keynote speaker at the All-School National Mall Ceremony. Mayor Bloomberg was chosen to continue the universities focus on service. As a prominent politician he has given back to his community with the creation of the Bloomberg Family Foundation donating over $700 million to numerous charities.
One of my favorite parts of commencement is the National Mall ceremony. All of the graduate and guests have a clear view of the majestic Capitol Building through the stage. How many of your peers at other universities can say that?
GW is also great at organizing events for seniors during what we call "Grad Week." It is a long list of events and outings that help bring a happy conclusion to our four years here. In the past events have included double-decker bus tours of the city, baseball games, happy hours, and the Zero Year Reunion.
I am super excited for Commencement and can't wait to have my whole family out here at the same time! (I don't think that has happened since my sister's commencement in 2008.)
I know a lot of you can't even being to think about your college graduation, you are all much more focused on graduating from high school. But I thought this would be a great thing for you to look forward to if you do attend GW.
Don't forget to email me if you have any questions!
With Kim posting some of her favorite shows, I thought I might also indulge in sharing some of my favorite on-campus distractions with all of you. Lately, as school is getting back into the swing of things, I haven't had that much time to really enjoy the little time I have at home just hanging out. My roommates and I decided to change that!
Movie watching- This past weekend, my roommates and I all crowded on our couch to watch Cruel Intentions on none other than the glorious YouTube. Someone had mentioned wanting to watch it, and even though I have Netflix, it's not online except for on YouTube so we enjoyed that weirdly incestuous movie together with popcorn. I don't really recommend it, it's a pretty strange movie.
Ice cream eating- Ah, there is nothing like the wonderful FoBoGro to indulge you in the best Ben & Jerry's flavors. This relatively new high end store on 19th Street is only a block away from our dorm, so we snuck out around 11 last Friday night to go get individual pints of ice cream. The owner sold them to us, commenting that we were the only people in there not buying beer or wine. We were also wearing pajamas. Cool life I have :)
Yoga- I have gotten pretty obsessed lately with yoga. For the first week of every semester, the classes are free at the gym so you can try anything out before you buy a pass to one class or a pass for the semester. Here is the spring schedule of classes! For yoga and pilates semester passes, they are $63 and for all the cardio classes included as well is $80. You can also drop in for a class after the free class period for only $6. A pretty good deal if you ask me! I've tried to go almost every day because it's so relaxing and de-stressing. The teachers here are young because they're fellow students (mostly grad students) but really good!
So there are a few of my tips on how to de-stress and procrastinate :) I hope everyone is doing well!
marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu
- Marisa
As of January 10, the first day of classes, the GW volleyball team is officially in the offseason otherwise known as our spring season. The schedule for the spring season is very different from our fall (and actual) season. During spring, the conditioning and strengthening factor is a lot heavier and the volleyball factor is lighter (whereas in the fall that is reversed). So, five days a week we have conditioning/weight room from 7-8am and then open gym/practice from 8-9:30am.
So, even though this is the offseason, I still have to wake up at 5:45am every weekday morning; this is the unfortunate part. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are spent in the weight room and Tuesdays/ Thursdays are either conditioning in the gym or in the cardio room. Let me tell you, our conditioning/ cardio room/ weight room is pretty hard. Our entire team was incredibly sore on the second day. Yes, the second day. And I, personally, was still sore many days later (my muscles feel much better now). But, it is nice because it is a change from the regular season. We have most weekends off, which is extremely wonderful. We only have four one-day tournaments in either March or April.
So, this is basically what my volleyball schedule is like from now until May.
This week is DC Restaurant Week...nomz! I already have a few lunches planned for this great city event and can't wait to try out a bunch of different restaurants with unique menus! What exactly is Restaurant Week? Well, it's a week where more than 200 of Washington, DC’s restaurants offer 3-course lunches for $20.11 and 3-course dinners for $35.11, thus going to swanky/pricy restaurants a lot more affordable!
Yesterday I had lunch at Bistro Lepic, a French restaurant in Upper Georgetown and had a fantastic experience. The decor was pleasantly furnished in blue and yellow prints, my waiters were all French and the entire experience made me feel like I was in a Parisian cafe again!
For our appetizer, I had a delicious pate and my friend had escargots in a pesto garlic sauce.
For our entree, my friend had a duck confit with sausages in a bean stew and I had salmon crusted potato with a grape reduction (this was brillant--the fish was so elegantly cooked and seasoned!)
For dessert, we ended with classics--Creme Caramel and Creme Brulees!
I hope you enjoyed this food journey with me! I'm going to another lunch on Sunday, so I'll definietly give a review of that restaurant when I come back!! -Serena
It's late on a Friday night, and you've got a hankering for some salty, smoky, belly-filling comfort food. If you're a GW student, only one thing comes to mind: Manouch.
Manouch is the one man that can solve your late-night hunger pangs. Thursday to Saturday from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM (roughly), the lovable street vendor known tenderly as Manouch serves the absolute best hot dogs, half-smokes, and pretzels in his cart outside of the School of Media & Public Affairs. If you've been there a few times and have a usual order, he doesn't forget it. He's that good. Order up your favorite snack with nacho cheese sauce, chili, or GW Sauce--which is actually an offshoot of the recipe for my favorite Persian stew! Imagine that!
So the food's delicious. Great. But tasty snacks alone an epic night does not make! Along with the fuel you need to quell the pesky munchies, Manouch will always engage you in hilarious conversation, stories about Iran, and philosophical musings. Some of his one-liners are constantly used as inside jokes among my friends. And guys: he's really good at giving out chick advice. He is CONSTANTLY dolling out advice to men on the ladies, whether it's solicited or not! He'll sign off with a honk of his infamous bicycle horn, and a unique line that only Manouch can deliver in the way that he does.
To illustrate his amazingness, I asked some of my friends to share their best Manouch stories:
"What a boss. We talked in French one day, and I got a dollar discount. He thinks I'm from Paris."
"There was a helicopter flying overhead and he just yells, 'The aliens are coming!'"
"I gave him a kiss (on the cheek...) for free potato chips!"
"He once told my friend, 'It is a pleasure to hold this hot dog and look into your face.'"
So when you're on campus for college visits, or when you get to finally join the G-Dub community as a student, make sure you stop by Manouch's stand. You'll most certainly keep coming back, if not for the food, then for the stories!
Last night, I was inside Phillips Hall from around 6 PM until 11 PM so I was surprised to walk towards the doors and see what I thought was snow falling beautifully outside! False. Against my hope for snow, it turned out it was hailing. This is one of those weird DC things that I cannot explain- the winter weather. I basically had to run home as fast as I possibly could without slipping and falling on the wet ground.
The forecast I finally decided to check
The weather forecast for tonight is rain/snow showers so I am expecting the same weird slush as last night. I guess I will definitely be bringing my umbrella along with me to class tonight as I have a night class until 7 PM. Hope all of you are enjoying cocoa and staying warm!
Today was my day of rest and relaxation. I caught up on emails, read for my classes, washed some dishes, put away groceries (which were delivered to my door) and watched my favorite shows. I thought I would share these favorites with you....
Pawn Stars-- As odd of a name as this sounds, this show is great! It is on the History Channel, which often does marathons. It follows the happenings of a Pawn Shop on the strip of Las Vegas. They get some really weird things from gold medals, jewelry, toys, and cars. It is interesting to hear the history about the items that come through the store.
How I Met Your Mother-- One of the funniest shows I have ever seen and it never gets old. This smart comedy is the story of Ted's life leading up to meeting his wife. The twist is that he is telling the story to his children (hence the name) and after almost 6 full seasons we still have not met the mother! If you are looking for a show to pick up this is the one! (oh and Neil Patrick Harris is the best!!)
American Pickers-- Another History Channel hit! Two men travel the United States to pick through junk yards, barns, houses, and anything they can find. They buy some items and resell them in their antique shop in Iowa. Again I love hearing about the history of the Americana items they find just lying on the floors of forgotten buildings.
Those are three of my favorite shows for now. Like Christine I also watched a lot of football this weekend and I will be sure to have my "Da Bears" blog before the big game this coming weekend!
Hope you are all staying away from this weird, icy weather we are having in DC. Remember, if you have any question please feel free to email me at kwollner@gwu.edu.
We hope this blog will give you a taste of what it means to be a Colonial. Our bloggers will post periodically throughout the year, so check back often!
Feel free to comment on anything, and if you have any questions for the bloggers, you can e-mail them at blogger@gwu.edu.
Happy reading!
Click on the picture of one of the Colonial Bloggers below to read only their posts.
Matt
Jennifer
Alexa
Senior from Upper Marlboro, MD - Double Major in International Affairs and Economics
Oscar
Rising Senior from Pflugerville, TX - Majoring in Sociology
Alyse
Sophomore from Los Angeles, CA - Majoring in Mechanical Engineering
Amy
Shireen
Junior from New City, NY - Majoring in Middle Eastern Studies
Adam
Senior from Madison, NJ - Majoring in International Affairs with a focus in Conflict & Security
Christie
Junior from Waukesha, WI - Majoring in Criminal Justice
Brandon
Rising Junior from Austin, TX - Majoring in Sociology with Minors in Statistics and LGBT & Sexuality Studies
Marisa
Rising Senior from Portland, OR - Majoring in International Affairs, Global Public Health
