Cooglife Family Weekend 2023

Jose

Jamie Thornton

Julianna Smith

Atirikta Kumar

Cindy Rivas Alfaro

Isha Merchant

Len Duenas

Oscar Herrera

Editor’s Letter

Hey everyone!

In case you didn’t know, my name is Sydney and I am the Executive Editor of Cooglife! It’s great to meet you all and show you the variety of great stories, photos and art my team has created just for you!

First things first, thank you so much for taking the time to pick this issue up. I cannot even begin to sum up how great it is to showcase the work of these amazing writers and staff members.

I also want top wish

everyone a happy family weekend! There are lots of fun events this coming weekend that should be very exciting for returning Coogs and new students with visiting family members all alike. I know I’m excited for the football game as it will be the first one I’ve attended in a few years. There’s always a fun energy when you get the chance to cheer on our team, but having a stadium full of parents, siblings, extended family and friends is sure to really liven up the place.

My advice for everyone going into this weekend is to cherish the time you have with the ones who care about. That doesn’t have to just relate to family members, but the friends you’ve made while on campus this year.

Some of the most impactful friendships of my life were those who became like a second family to me while I was living away from my actual family.

As classes start getting a little bit more intense, I would like for everyone to be comfortable giving themselves breaks when they need them and to take on your responsibilities one step at a time. Coming from a chronic multi-tasker myself, sometimes it is best to pace yourself and see where things go.

With that said, I can’t wait for you to kick yuor feet up and use your break reading all of our great content! Check out some movies to watch, places to visit on campus and read about our writers’ own personal expereinces navigating college life.

As always, thank you for actually making it through this little letter I write, and I hope you enjoy the pages we have for you this month!

Thanks for reading,

Sydney Rose Executive Editor

Family Weekend event Calendar

What? When? Where?

Story by: Dulce Garza Photos by: Oscar Herrera

At the turn of each September and the promise of cooler weather, UH’s ever-beloved Family Weekend has returned once more.

A three-day event built to connect both students and their families to the University has many activities to offer. Educational sessions, such as preparing for internships or how to transition as the fall semester begins, photo booths, movie nights, football games and food are all part of the fun.

From Friday to Sunday, give yourself and your family the opportunity to grow closer as you enter a new stage of your life. With the annual campus tradition, you’ll be brought together with generations of cougars alike to celebrate your new home. Where? Here, we go.

With a Family Weekend registration–found at UH’s Parent & Family Programs: Family Weekend page–admittance for you and your family to signature UH Family

Weekend events is guaranteed! Kicking off on September 22 and leading all the way up to September 24. You can find detailed itineraries for all three days at the Parent & Family Programs: Family Weekend webpage online, as well as any hotel locations regarding potential accommodations for family visiting.

Per my bias, here is a brief highlight of can’t-miss events being hosted throughout the long weekend.

Friday (September 22)

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. | Campus Tours

Our UH Ambassadors are here to show you what makes us a great university! Meet at the Welcome Center for a Family Weekend campus tour to learn more about our resources, history and traditions.

3 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Caring From Afar: What you need to know to help create a positive transition to UH for your student and yourself

The college experience is a fun but also stressful time for both students and family. This workshop sponsored by Counseling and Psychological Services and UH Wellness explores ways to manage the necessary balance between supporting your student and providing the independence that is critical for their success in college.

If you are unsure how to support your student because either you didn’t attend college or this is the first of your children to attend then this session will be of great support to you. The session will be located in Student Center South Room 262.

6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. |

Family Weekend Photo Booth

Join your family in the Family Weekend photo booth with props or just your smiling faces to capture some great pictures and walk away with memories as well as a free photo strip to keep for each person. This event will be held in the Houston Room in Student Center South.

8 p.m. | Family Movie Night

You are invited to join the Student Programming Board for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse screening and popcorn. Head to Lynn Eusan Park and don’t miss it!

Saturday (September 23)

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Family Feud

Family Weekend Family Feud brings together two teams of five to compete against each other. Winners from each game will choose from a variety of prizes.

This event is open to everyone: families, friends and individuals are all welcome and encouraged to participate. Be sure to head

to the Houston Room in Student Center South to be a part of the fun.

3

p.m.

to 6 p.m. | UH Game Day Celebration

All families are invited to join us at the UH Family Tailgate. To get to the right location, please refer to the map inside your Guidebook. Our celebration includes music, an appearance by Spirit of Houston and visits with Shasta.

A multitude of activities will be going on, so pick and choose what you and your family would like to participate in or just sit back and relax over good conversation and food. Food and beverages will be provided near Gate Four at TDECU Stadium.

6

p.m.

| UH vs. Sam Houston State University Football Game

Watch the big football game with your family members. Join us as we cheer on the UH Cougars in TDECU Stadium. Sunday (September 24)

Continued on next page!

1 p.m. | Women’s Soccer vs. Oklahoma

At the Carl Lewis International Complex, cheer on the UH women’s soccer team for as little as $10 a ticket. Visit the UH Cougars website for more information and to purchase tickets. Additionally, details on info sessions such as Negotiating Job Offers, Preparing for Internships and Job Search are sponsored by University Career Service.

There will also be information on Learning Abroad through a presentation. All of these details can be found on

the online Family Weekend itinerary.

“The purpose of UH Family Weekend is to bring the faculty, staff, students and families together for a weekend of fellowship,” said Interim Vice Chancellor for UH’s Student Affairs Daniel M. Maxwell and Associate Dean of Students Jerrell Sherman.

“We are excited to offer opportunities for our families to experience life on campus— there is something for everyone! Mark your calendars for a weekend of fun.”

COME CELEBRATE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

AND

COOL OFF WITH A FREE SNOW CONE!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm

Student Center South Circle Drive

Commuter Diaries:

Alfaro

Read more on next page!

Story by: Cindy Rivas

Photos by: Oscar Herrera

With a university... composed of a large commuter population like UH, it can be hard to pinpoint an experience with different threads. However, my story is just one of many when it comes to having your daily routine be at the University, but, coming back to your childhood home by night. Here is my journey over the years as a commuter

navigating the college experience.

Freshman Year

The one thing I remember about my freshman year of college was the fact that I didn’t have a car. It felt like high school except I had to wait until 7 or 8 p.m. to go home and my home was 30 minutes away instead of six.

A lot of my friends were dormers and lived together so I felt left out of the “full

college experience.”

I struggled a lot this year. I had started therapy and medication for my anxiety and depression but I still felt like I was faking it the whole time.

However, the one thing constant in my freshman year was writing for the Opinion section of The Cougar.

Every week like clockwork, I wrote about whatever was going on at the time which not only helped with

my journalism skills but my sense of purpose as well.

I went by a different name during this year as well and started using they/ she pronouns. I was slowly figuring out who I was and what I wanted to do with myself.

Sophomore Year

Two weeks before school started, my dad and I headed into a Carmax dealership and split the cost of the down payment for my car. This changed everything.

As a Latina living with her parents about to enter her 20s, independence was a paradox in itself. Sleepovers were forbidden and going out two nights in a row was unheard of.

Yet, I was expected to balance work, school and pay any bills relating to adult life.

to head to coffee shops, restaurants and other fun activities that I wasn’t able to do my first year. In the second semester, I went to New York, Dallas, Austin, Chicago and San Antonio in the span of three months.

I was coming home right after classes some days or staying until 7 or 8 p.m. but this time it was by choice and I didn’t have to wait on someone else to get through my day.

I had also become the opinion editor of The Cougar which came with a lot of responsibilities and growth

Junior Year

As I enter my third year of college, I find myself settling more into my commuter life. I’m feeling more like a functional adult than the nervous, unsure 18-year-old I was in my freshman year.

editor of The Cougar. This is something I never thought I’d be able to do.

I still come home to my parents and I might continue to do so for the next few years.

I don’t see any issues with it but I know that sooner or later, I’ll have to start pushing boundaries as I want to expand past my parent’s grasp.

Regardless, the life of a commuter comes with a lot of struggles but you’ll create your own rhythm within that life.

You can’t pick the cards you’re given in life but you can assign them your own meanings and create something that is unique to you and your experience.

With my car, however, a switch seemed to have flipped in my parents.

In my first semester of sophomore year, I found myself straying off campus

My anxiety and depression haven’t disappeared but I’m able to handle it better and see the fruits of my labor. For example, this year,

I became the managing

A commuter experience is just as important as “dorm life,” especially at a University where the majority of the population are commuter students.

One Day Living Alone Won’t Be Scary Anymore

A personal essay by: Atirikta Kumar

Graphic by: Len Duenas

It took me three years, but I did not cry when my parents drove away after moving me in this semester. Being on my own and living alone is harder than I thought it would be, but it does get easier.

For the first time in my life, my parents left me alone in my dorm room in August 2021. Like a baby deer, I was fresh on my feet and afraid to be on my own. I sobbed like a baby my first two years at college, despite knowing I would be going home in merely 14 days for Labor Day weekend.

I knew it was coming but seeing my parents drive away was painful. Sobbing into my dad’s chest, I just wanted to stay in my mom’s arms forever. This will be something I never forget.

I had been crying since I started packing earlier that week and did not stop for days after school started. It took a little time but eventually, I got into the rhythm of school and being away from home stung a little less every day.

Houston is a big city. UH is a big school. So many people, so many new experiences and I was just another doeeyed freshman. The only person I knew on campus was a friend — now my

best friend — whom I met through Instagram. That friendship, as well as focusing on school, throwing myself head-first into coursework and looking for internships helped me during my freshman year.

I recommend you decorate your room to your liking and hang the pictures of your friends and family on the walls. Find your place on campus and carve it out to be your own little home away from home. The library is my personal haven.

Every time I go home, I keep thinking about how I don’t have a lot of time left. In less than two years I will graduate and then going home on the weekends or spending the winter and summer breaks at my family’s house would just become memories.

Take it all in. Every time you go home, spend time with your family. Just sit with them, eat dinner or watch a movie. Take every opportunity to be there for any and all milestone moments you can.

Take pictures and hold on to those memories when you feel homesick. Call your parents and text your siblings. If you’re lucky enough to spend time with grandparents, ask them to tell you stories from your

parent’s childhood. Tell them you love them. Hug them tight every time you leave. And just breathe in and out.

When you’re away from home, spend time with your friends and explore the city. Houston has so much to offer, the more I got to know the city, the less scary it became. But mostly, feel your emotions. When you’re feeling homesick and just want to cry, do that. When all you want to do is lie in your bed and talk to your mom, do that. Bottling up your emotions would just make you crankier and will do absolutely nothing to help your homesickness. A mental breakdown can do wonders sometimes.

Take time out for yourself. College is a big change and adding on the fact you’re barely eighteen and living alone is scary (who thought this would be a good idea?). Take the time to figure things out, take it step by step.

On day one you will be nervous, but day-by-day living alone won’t be as scary anymore. You just need to breathe. To quote Taylor Swift, “Breathe in, breathe through, breathe deep, breathe out.”

And you will be fine.

It’s family weekend. Freaking out? No worries! Here’s a compilation of familycentered movies to laugh or cry or cringe at if you need a little escapism in the upcoming days.

The Farewell (2019)

who struggles to reconcile the American view of honesty as ultimately moral with her Chinese family’s mercyoriented choice to protect Nai Nai from the truth.

My favorite Letterboxd review: “this felt like a gut punch and a warm hug at the same time” – @rudimh

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Many years later, we reunite with Royal, who’s gone broke and fakes a Cancer diagnosis to reenter his former family’s lives, in search of a place to stay and have some compassion.

Let’s just start off with a brutal one, shall we? Rip the band-aid off. Drink the Kool-aid. Take the plunge. Et cetera.

The Farewell (dir. Lulu Wang) is the heart-wrenching story of a family who hides their matriarch’s terminal diagnosis from her to keep her from dwelling on the inevitable and wasting what will be an otherwise lovely family reunion.

The wedding the family throws to make Nai Nai’s final days memorable is particularly challenging for the young Billi (Awkwafina),

In New York City, Royal Tenenbaum and his wife separate, leaving their two sons and adopted daughter stuck between a noncommittal father and an exacting (although loving) mother.

The Royal Tenenbaums (dir. Wes Anderson) is easily one of my top five movies because of its forgiveness of flawed characters, exceptional soundtrack and charming style. This is a quintessential flawed family film, in equal parts optimistic and heartbreaking, endearing and lonely. Really exceptional storytelling, despite its occasionally unclear narrative purpose.

My favorite Letterboxd review: “The recurring rhythm of despair-honestyreconciliation for almost every character is so sad, beautiful, and true. Beyond that, just about every other line gets a laugh. Brilliant.” –@larsenonfilm

Story Continues on next page

Shiva Baby (2020)

Carrie (1976)

returns to his family home to reintegrate into the world.

As he tries to win back his ex-wife (who has a restraining order against him), he grapples with the end of their marriage, his chaotic family dynamic and his confusing feelings for his friend’s sister-in-law, Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence).

An incredibly chaotic and stressful film, but impossible to turn away from because of its frenetic pacing coupled with the witty and sardonic writing.

Shiva Baby (dir. Emma Seligman) takes place over the course of a shiva, where Danielle (Rachel Senott) is forced to interact with her sugar daddy, ex-girlfriend and, of course, all her extended relatives.

You may spend the entire film in shock – if you think it can’t get more stressful, it definitely can.

Fabulous and insane — chaotic bisexual 20-somethings eat your heart out.

My favorite Letterboxd review: “make no mistake, this is a horror movie” – @filmgraphy

Daughters of problematic moms, this is one of the movies for you. A classic, brutal horror film, Carrie (dir. Brian de Palma) is bloody and girl-coded at the same time.

Like Lady Bird, but vengeful. This movie is not for the faint of heart– instead, it may be for the horror-loving girls familiar with a dysfunctional motherdaughter dynamic.

My favorite Letterboxd review: “this is my joker” – @ sapphicquinn

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Silver Linings Playbook (dir. David O. Russell) follows Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), fresh out of a mental hospital, as he

A chaotic film that’s full of heart, Silver Linings Playbook shines thanks to Cooper and Lawrence’s stunning performances, and its brilliantly colorful, cinematic and sentimental final minutes. The dancing is great, too.

My favorite Letterboxd review: “excelsior” – @abipickford

Everything, Everywhere All At Once (2022)

This film took social media by storm in 2022, and for good reason.

The fast-paced, quirky, heartfelt and powerful Everything Everywhere All At Once (dir. Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan, more commonly known as “The Daniels”) tells the story of a Chinese-American immigrant woman, Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) who’s swept up in the middle of an interdimensional plot to save the world.

Forced to experience her life as it has played out in different realities, Evelyn struggles with her relationship with her own life and family as she attempts to prevent the destruction of the universe.

My favorite Letterboxd review: “easily one of the top 5 movies about taxes” – @kurstboy

Where Do I Take My Family On Campus?

Family Weekend is upon us!

Whether you’re a new or returning Coog, most parents would love an insight into their kid’s everyday life in college.

Story by: Jamie Thornton

Photos by: Oscar Herrera

Here are just a few ideas of where to take your parents or guardians if they visit for Family Weekend!

Football Game

While football isn’t the only fun thing to do on campus, it’s certainly a big draw to parents visiting, especially with UH entering the Big 12 conference this season.

UH faces off against Sam Houston State University that weekend, so it’s sure to be a good game to watch with your parents. Going to a game together is certainly a good way to spend quality time.

Moody Towers Dining Hall

While we all know Moody doesn’t always have the best food, it’s a great place to go to show your parents where you might head for a typical day on campus.

If you have a meal plan, you could use your guest passes and get them a “free” (or prepaid) meal.

Parents are excited to see what a day in your life looks like, so taking them to Moody is great. It’s also probably a better choice than Cougar Woods, as it is a larger space with more options.

Continued on next page!

Student Center South

The student center has plenty of places to eat if you’re planning to stay on campus for the majority of the weekend.

Additionally, the Games Room is a popular place to hang out. It has bowling, billiards, table tennis and plenty of fun arcade games. Plus, if you hand them your CougarCard, your parents will get the student rate for games as well. You might even see a familiar face from Cooglife working there.

Cougar Grounds

There are quite a few coffee spots on campus, but Cougar Grounds takes the crown of the number one coffee spot in most student polls around UH.

The atmosphere here is so fun and inviting. Additionally, your family might be staying at the Hilton anyway, so this would be a great spot to take them during their stay.

Visiting Eric’s Restaurant could also be a cool experience if they’re staying at the Hilton, as they have robot servers.

The Den

While not technically considered “on campus,” it really is just as walk away.

If your parents are into a bar-type atmosphere, this could be a great place to take them before or after the football game. The Den offers a wide selection of drinks but has a pretty good menu selection of food as well. I’d definitely recommend ordering the fries.

This list is just a few fun spots to take your parents, as there could be many more. Family Weekend is a great chance to catch up with your parents and show them what your life is like at college. Have fun Coogs!

UH Alumni Run Friends and Family Business

Cindy Rivas Alfaro

Right off the edge of I-69 in the outskirts of Houston lies The Draft; a sports bar filled with frequenters seated at the counter and an array of university and sports flags lining the ceiling. This friends and family business was founded in 2015 by Huy

Huynh, and two brothers, Lance and Bryan Corder.

The three of them met at the University of Houston as they were studying business in the 90s and decided to create a joint venture managing some gas stations.

After a few years and a few talks, they decided to sell the gas station business, and lo and behold, The Draft was born.

“Opening a business, there’s always a day-in, day-out struggle,” said Huynh. “But you know, all you can do is reflect the hard work you put in at the front end of the business. Hopefully, you enjoy the fruitfulness of the business, which is the back end of it.”

The hard work Huynh and both Corders put into the business definitely shows the moment you walk in. When you enter The Draft, you are immediately greeted by the bar, and once you look up,

Story and all photos by:

there’s a collection of flags ranging from the Houston Texans, Houston Rockets and Ohio State.

On the right, a mini arcade decorates the corner with Pac-Man, a Bull Shooter dart system and another generic game machine available to play. The old-school vibe continues to spread onto the wall as different kinds of beer, vodka and tequila brand logos create a mismatched, yet cohesive, collage.

On the left, hanging on the center of the wall is the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University and most importantly, the

University of Houston. Seeing the UH flag at a business founded by UH graduates felt a little like I was sharing their success as well.

When I asked Huynh what it takes to start a business, he spoke like a true Houston Cougar.

“You have to be in love with it to start something because it takes a lot of personal sacrifices and also professional sacrifices,” Huynh said. “It becomes you. When it’s all said and done, the business becomes you and you have to really

educate yourself on what you’re getting yourself into. There has to be a passion behind it.”

Of course, with any business, there comes the question of who will take over after, when the founders are gone.

Although there is a long way to go for The Draft, Huynh wants his family and children to do better than what he has done. If the expansion involves them, he hopes they can do a better job than he did.

“The support of your

family or your friends always keeps you going,” Huynh said. “You, yourself, can’t really do it on your own. You need a lot of support.”

With that in mind, if you’re ever feeling like eating some wings, Korean BBQ Ribs or Banh Mi, The Draft has you covered.

Three Generations Recreating a Family Recipe

Story by: Isha Merchant

Throughout my life, I have had trouble connecting with South Asian cuisine. Largely because I felt shameful when eating foods my mom or grandma would often prepare for me.

I would chide my mom for making “unhealthy food” and often refuse to eat the dishes and instead opt for various “American” dishes.

Recently, I have developed a deep desire to revisit some of my childhood dishes after playing the video game Venba which follows an Indian family who recently

immigrated. The characters in the game use various South Indian dishes to illustrate the various events happening within their family as they adjust to life in the United States.

The game specifically explores the relationship Venba, the mom, has with her son, Kavin.

I related deeply to Kavin, as he also grew up hesitant about cultural dishes. However, eventually, he turned to the dishes out of a place of recognition and nostalgia.

With this in mind, I decided to reach out to my mom and grandma to recreate chicken karahi, a Pakistani dish known for its thick masala curry, with a base of fresh tomatoes, ginger and cilantro.

My mom and grandma both describe chicken karahi as a dish named after the pan it is traditionally cooked in. Although neither of us owned the pan, they were able to give me an accurate description of it.

Typically it is made in a

deep circular pot, which can resemble a deep wok made of either steel or wrought iron. You can prepare a karahi dish with mutton, beef or lamb, but my family prefers chicken.

When we were cooking, my mom didn’t rely on any specific measurements for the family recipe, so I will be relying on a recipe by food blogger Fatima Cooks.

Step-By-Step

First, we begin by heating one-half of a cup of ghee or oil. After it is warm, we fry about 550g of chicken until golden brown.

Add a generous amount of ginger and garlic. We added about a bulb of minced garlic, and 2 tbs of ginger, but chicken karahi is a recipe that only benefits from a generous helping of flavor.

Next, we add around 600g of fresh tomatoes and spices such as salt, paprika, black pepper, chili flakes, cumin powder, kalonji and Kashmiri chillis.

After the dish has cooked for about 20 minutes, and the juices of the tomatoes have coated the chicken, let it simmer for about five minutes. Then top with

fresh ginger and cilantro to your liking.

While making the recipe, it was fun having three generations of our family working together to make a dish that we had all eaten over the years.

My grandma and my mom are extremely close, and it felt like they were inviting me into that relationship by connecting over food.

For years, food has served as an entryway for people to connect with one another, and it felt good to involve myself in that process and enjoy a meal that I had a hand in creating.