A eulogy for spring break plans that never stood a chance

By Aine Hunt humor columnist

Dearly Beloved,

Thank you all for coming. You all look terrific in black, by the way. Except for you in the front. I know it’s a funeral but that doesn’t mean you have to look like death. Anyways, we are gathered here to honor the short life of my original spring break plans.

If you knew my original spring break plans (which I’m sure you did, because I never stopped talking about them), you would know that they were better than everyone else’s. Picture this: me in a bikini sipping a piña colada while I watch the sunset in Cancun. Now that you’re done being a creep who pictures innocent women half-naked on the beaches, I must remind you that these plans are no longer with us. It breaks my heart to say this, but my original spring break plans have passed away.

I’ve replaced my spring break fantasy with something more — how should I phrase this — financially feasible. The moment I looked at my bank account, Cancun became my parent’s house and my piña colada became the one glass of red wine my parents let me have with dinner.

I’m not upset though, because I know my spring break plans are in a better place now—that place being someone else’s reality. I can’t wait to live out my fantasy vicariously through other people’s Snapchat stories. You, in the back wearing black — don’t be shy on social media during this week away from campus. Post everything, because sad people like myself are itching to see what Punta her mom and grandma Yai Yai who has dementia.

Cana actually looks like. If you’re going somewhere warm, I want you to post so much that I develop carpal tunnel just from clicking through one day of your vacation. I want you to post everything from the sunsets to what the toilets look like in your mildly expensive resort. After looking at several consoling quotes on Pinterest, I’ve decided it’s best to move on, despite the absence I feel in my heart. Life without my original spring break plans can’t be that bad, right? My parents have HBO Max, and they have explicitly promised me I only have to watch five sad documentaries with them while I’m home. Since my parents moved away from my hometown and chose to settle down in North Carolina, I have no friends to go home to. But that’s okay, because last time I visited a nice man on the street said he would each subject gave off. love to spend some time with me. He seemed nice enough, or it could just be that southern charm people keep telling me about.

For all of you who still have your original spring break plans, hold them tightly tonight for me. Before you take a shot in Mexico, pour one out for me. While you shake your ass on the dance floor in Miami, think of me at home in North Carolina. Before you ride that water jet ski in Jamaica, think to yourself, “Wow, that humor columnist is probably on her fourth weirdly depressing documentary by now.” ahunt04@syr.edu and ethnicity,” Ally said. “When I started this project, it pushed me towards a self discovery about my culture.”

On that note, thank you all for coming. There will be no refreshments served after the service. Not because we’re cheap, only because this is a fake eulogy.

Ally’s two photos featured in Light Work are titled “Fisherman” and “Slaughterhouse,” and were both shot in Guyana last summer. “Fisherman” is a vibrant photograph with popping turquoise and terracotta colors, with three men standing on a boat fishing. “Slaughterhouse” was taken in an open yard where men set up a makeshift slaughter production line. Large pots produce smoke in the forefront of the image while men work in the background.

Ally hopes that people who share similar experiences of growing up with immigrant parents can relate to the images and embrace the abnormality of existing between two different cultures.

Similarly, Lillian Bencich turned to her family as the focus of her thesis project. Bencich’s images in Light Work are both untitled, and will be featured in her final project at the end of the year. Her project focuses on the relationship between composed of curries and veggies. For $30, Habiba’s will be selling Yebeg Alecha and it’s offering Doro Tibs and Awaze Beef Tibs for $25.

Sweet on Chocolate

After the dinner and lunch deals, stop by Sweet on Chocolate to satisfy that sweet tooth. “Syracuse’s Premier Chocolatier” offers homemade, artisanal chocolate and Gina Brainard, the store’s front end

Bencich is interested in understanding how her relationship has evolved with her mom and grandma as they have all grown older, and explores that theme in her photos.

“Realizing that your elders aren’t these untouchable people, but human beings too, is something I think everyone can relate to,” Bencich said.

Overhearing people comment and make interpretations of the images on display is Bencich’s favorite part about having her photos featured in Light Work. She hopes that the audience finds a little bit of their own family represented within the images.

Sophie Walter decided to incorporate mixed media into her photographs. Her two images at Light Work are both titled “Colors of Persona” and blend photography with watercolor and embroidery thread.

Adding these extra elements adds an extra level of depth and tactile feeling to the two-dimensional image, she said. Walter is interested in color theory, and worked with colorful paint and thread to portray the aura manager, said the shop is happy to be participating in the dining week again.

“It’s a big community down here and we just love being a part of that,” Brainard said. “We love the Syracuse Downtown committee as well, so we try to do anything that we can for them.”

For dining week, customers are invited to build their own six-piece truffle box and customize a handmade artisan chocolate bar for $15. Customers can choose from over 18 different truffle flavors and a variety of chocolate bar options.

“I’m also disrupting (the subjects’) facial features, so you’re not really supposed to understand what you’re seeing right away,” Walter said.

Claas also leans into the idea of questioning the normalcy of reality in her two images, which are titled “Field of Vision” and “Pinch.” In each photo, Claas sought out subtle disruptions in daily life where there is an altered or unexpected element to the photo. In her photo “Pinch,” there is a slight distortion to the subject’s face as it is shot through a car window.

Claas, Ally and Bencich all shared similar sentiments, in that they feel they’re at a point where they can reflect on the past four years at SU and trace how their art has evolved. When Ally switched majors, he promised himself that he would take up every opportunity to “level up” and learn anything and everything about photography, he said.

Being awarded Best of Show was a testament to how far Ally has come since switching his major during his sophomore

“Everything is handmade in our own shop. It’s artisanal, everything is made with conscious efforts and love,” Brainard said.

Pastabilities year. He remembers not telling his parents when he first made the switch, because he didn’t know how they would react. After a few weeks in the program, Ally recalls telling his parents and assuring them he wouldn’t be some “starving artist” post graduation.

The popular pasta restaurant will be offering two prices for their dinner menu. Each comes with a three-course meal, with price varying based on the different pastas. For $25, guests can get the homemade tomato sauce, alfredo or fresh basil pesto pastas, among others. For $35, guests can order the bolognese, spicy bolognese or hot tomato macaroni baked pasta, among others.

“When I got the call that I won Best of Show I was like, ‘What? Wow!’ I didn’t even realize there was a best of show,” Ally said. “My parents are super proud, and so am I. I never expected this.” shcohen@syr.edu

Ally hopes to turn his finished senior thesis project into a photo book titled “The Guyanese American Dream.” Over spring break, he will be returning to Guyana to stay with his family and take pictures of his community for the second time this year. As he travels abroad, Ally hopes that he can continue to make his work powerful and is optimistic about his future.

“I think every photographer has that moment where they know there has to be a great shot somewhere in the mess of photos,” Ally said.

Otro Cinco

The Spanish and Mediterranean restaurant is only offering a dinner menu for $35 for one person or $70 for two people. For that price, guests can choose between four appetizers, a type of paella and a dessert for a full three-course meal. The appetizers can be shishito peppers, cheese and membrillo, patatas bravas or meatballs. The paella is made with chicken and vegetables, but there is also a full vegetarian option. Dessert options include a pot de creme, with a vegan option available. culture@dailyorange.com

By Sarhia Rahim columnist

Outside of presidential elections, voting at any other time of the year is overshadowed. On June 27, the primary election for new Onondaga County legislators seats on the Syracuse Common Council will take place. It is important that county and city residents vote in this upcoming election.

Local elections can have a direct impact on a community. Individuals have more influence at the local level, and it’s important for community members to have the same sense of urgency for local elections as they do for presidential ones.

Syracuse legislators are always looking at projects, policies, grants and programs that can bring historic changes to the city, both positive and negative. It is crucial that individuals and communities are knowledgeable on local government policies and how they can be affected.

Onondaga County Legislature’s roles and responsibilities consist of an annual review of the county executive’s proposed budget, approval of an adopted county budget. The Legislature is responsible for the funding of mandated social service programs, administering health care services and more, and acts as the chief policy making body for Onondaga County

Currently, the county legislature only has two people of color out of 17 legislators who represent the 17 districts in Onondaga