Daily Titan: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 by Daily Titan

Since 1960 Volume 85, Issue 47

Wednesday December 9, 2009

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

INSIDE DT

Program SoCal resident traverses sponsors 48 states student travels A special report for the Daily Titan By Melissa Hoon

By Maureen Fox

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

FEATURES:

Life as a dancer at CSUF can be hectic, Page 4

OPINION:

Abortion ban may become part of health care reform, Page 5

SPORTS:

Artest fitting in just right with Lakers, Page 8

ONLINE:

Learn how the new 91 Freeway construction might affect drivers at DailyTitan.com/ 91traffic09

Stay connected to the Daily Titan on:

WEATHER

TODAY TOMorrow

High: 59° Low: 42° Sunny

High: 58° Low: 48° Partly Cloudy

At an elevation of 14,500 feet, Andrew Fu had made it to the top of Mount Whitney. As he gazed over the Sierra Nevadas, the 26-year-old software engineer thought, “Why can’t I do this more often and follow my dreams?” Fu, a Riverside native, graduated from University of California, San Diego in 2005 with a degree in computer science. He then became a software engineer in Milpitas but soon became restless working his nine-to-five job since he had always been interested in exploring other cultures and lifestyles. “It’s always been a dream of mine to hit the road,” Fu said. About a year after his life-changing epiphany atop Mount Whitney, he did just that. In February of this year, Fu quit his job, sold most of his belongings and set out on a 21,801-mile adventure across the lower 48 states for fourand-a-half months. Fu said his parents tried everything in the books to keep him from going on his trip. His mother was worried about his safety, and his father didn’t understand why he wanted to be homeless. With the recession on their minds, Fu’s friends had mixed reactions about his journey. “My friends would tell me, ‘You have a great job, Andrew, so why do you want to leave?’” Fu said. Fu’s free will and sense of adventure prevailed, and his parents and friends soon understood his yearning to gain worldly experience as long as he kept in contact daily. So Fu created a blog, WhereIsTheFu.com, and his trip began to gain national media attention. With the support of his parents, Fu packed his 2005 Honda Element with camping supplies, a daypack, a week’s worth of clothes and pepper spray (and later a knife) and hit the road in late March. Fu asked his friends what books had changed their lives – “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac, “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau, “Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller, “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck – and kept his inspiration on the road ignited by reading them. Fu kept his trip relatively inexpensive at under $4,000. When he wasn’t staying with people he met at places along the way, like a fire station and a homeless shelter, he slept in his sleeping bag in the back of his Element on two pieces of foam taped together. “It wouldn’t have been the same trip if I had stayed in hotels,” Fu said. His trip wasn’t meticulously planned. On the contrary, adrenaPHOTOS Courtesy of Andrew Fu “The most serene place in Yellowstone. It has only one tree stump for sitting. (I) found it by line pumped through his accident.” -Andrew Fu

v a g a bond mind when he awoke each morning, pointing to a destination on his map then driving there. Fu’s adventures happened by sheer serendipity, he said. A fisherman in Florida taught him how to fish for crabs; a Kansas farmer put him to work; the founding father of the Baltimore graffiti scene showed him around town; he became friends with the homeless and New Orleans missionaries; and broke a world record with a group in San Francisco by helping make 80,000 pancakes in eight hours. “I met people across the entire spectrum,” Fu said. “I learned something new from everyone.” Fu also faced some problems among his positive experiences on the road. In West Virginia, his Element was totaled when it flipped three times. He miraculously walked out uninjured and rented a car before purchasing a new Element to finish the trip. Fu discovered his strengths and limitations on the road. He found that his carefree attitude, gratefulness and perkiness helped him build rapport when meeting new people. “When you’re on the road, you know no one and no one knows you,” Fu said. “There are no consequences, and you’re free to do whatever you want. You get to the point where you stop caring what you look like and what people think about you.” Despite his glaringly open mind, positive personality and humbleness, Fu said that by experiencing parts of society he’d only read about, he learned that he doesn’t have a terrible amount of patience and has room for a bigger heart. His trip ended in late July, and he immediately began classes as a full-time graduate student at University of North Carolina. He said he’ll most likely become an entrepreneur after graduation so he can help “advance mankind,” probably by starting a non-profit organization. He enjoyed being a software engineer because he was always solving real-world problems and helping make life better for others. Fu thinks everyone should have a similar experience to gain a broader perspective on cultures and life in general. “If you really want to be carefree, don’t expect anything, don’t plan much and stay away from the tourist mentality,” Fu said. “You’ll learn a lot about life if you keep an open mind.”

The Fullerton Sunrise Rotary Club will sponsor one student to study abroad for the 2011-12 academic year with a scholarship, known as the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships for up to $26,000. Carolyn E. Johnson, president of the Fullerton Sunrise Rotary Club, stated in a press release, “The program hopes these students’ experiences with other cultures and people around the world will inspire them to dedicate their personal and professional lives to improving the quality of life for the people in their home communities and countries.” According to Johnson, the Rotary Club has given an estimated $500 million to roughly 38,000 men and women from 100 nations to study in more than 70 countries since 1947. Of the more than 800 ambassadorial scholarships to be awarded for the 2011-12 academic year, the Fullerton Sunrise Rotary Club will sponsor one of three scholarships offered in the rotary district serving Orange and Southern Los Angeles counties. Johnson said the scholarship can be received either for one year at a maximum of $26,000 or for multiple years at a maximum of $13,000 per year. Johnson said she believes studying abroad is a great experience for students to have. “It’s really an eye-opener to how other people live,” she said. “You can read all the textbooks and hear all the lectures, but there’s nothing like being there.” According to the Rotary’s Web site, the organization consists “of more than 1.2 million business, professional and community leaders (who) provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world.” While studying abroad, rotary scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors, where they participate in the host city’s local rotary club and complete community service. When they return home, the scholars share their experiences through presentations to rotary clubs and other small groups. In order to qualify for the scholarship, prospective applicants must meet several requirements. Students must have completed two years of college or university study by the time the scholarship begins, and they cannot be a rotarian member or be a direct descendant of a rotarian member. Students also cannot use the scholarship for full-time employment, internships or unsupervised research in another country. Students who study in a nonEnglish speaking country must pass a language test for that country. Some institutions also offer extensive language-learning courses before their programs begin. Johnson said that students can use this scholarship to study in almost any field. The Fullerton Sunrise Rotary Club has successfully sponsored students before, several who are continuing their studies and travels abroad. Amy Henslin, an alumna from University University, Santa Barbara, is one of their scholarship winners. She is using her $25,000 scholarship to work on her master’s degree at Maastricht University in the Netherlands for the 2010-11 academic year. Henslin, who studied abroad in Germany as an undergraduate, recently moved to Germany, where she will be teaching English as a second foreign language until her scholarship begins in September. She thinks the scholarship will give her more insight into working for a non-profit organization and into different world issues. She is excited about the opportunity to gain experience in her field and to explore her host country. See SCHOLARSHIP, Page 2

Page Two

IN OTHER NEWS INTERNATIONAL

At least 100 dead in Baghdad car bombings

December 9, 2009

Cop Blotter for Nov. 27 – Dec. 8

BAGHDAD (MCT) – Insurgents detonated five car bombs in Baghdad early Tuesday, killing more than 100 people and wounding more than 160, according to Iraq’s Health and Interior ministries. The coordinated attacks appeared to be a response to the parliament’s approval Sunday of national elections early next year. The insurgents once again targeted centers of government power, with one of the bombs exploding close to the Labor Ministry in northeast Baghdad. The blasts rattled buildings across the city and palls of smoke rose over the Iraqi capital. Three of the car bombs exploded on the eastern side of Baghdad and two on the city’s west side, including one close to the heavily fortified International Zone. The bombings ended a period of relative calm in Baghdad since Oct. 25, when three blasts that targeted government buildings killed at least 155 people.

NATIONAL

Obama lays out job-creation plan

WASHINGTON (MCT) – President Obama on Tuesday presented the broad outlines of a new government effort to spur the creation of jobs, but he left the work of hammering out the specifics to Congress. Obama called on Congress to work with him on approving a combination of new spending and tax incentives focused on three areas: helping small businesses expand; increasing investments in highways, bridges and other infrastructure; and adding incentives, particularly for consumers, for energy efficiency and green energy. Senior administration officials did not place a price tag on the plan but said the infrastructure component would cost about $50 billion. They suggested the upper limit might be $200 billion.

STATE

Four arrested in connection with party slaying

WEST COVINA (MCT) – West Covina police announced Monday they had arrested four men in connection with the shooting death of a man at a house party in November. All four are suspected members of the “Brown Neighborhood” gang, officials said. One has been released from custody. He was not identified by West Covina police Lt. Ron Mitchell. Arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder were Pedro Baltazar, 39, and Noe Baltazar, 38, both of North Hollywood. Both are also suspected of being felons in possession of a handgun, Mitchell stated in a press release issued Monday. Also arrested was Armando Ochoa, 43, of San Dimas. He is charged with dissuading a witness, Mitchell stated. Billy Howell, 33, of Washington, was shot to death Nov. 22 while he attended a party in his honor at a home in the 100 block of South Cherrywood Street, West Covina, said police Lt. David Rozeboom. Both Baltazars are being held without bail. Bail for Ochoa was set at $500,000, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

For the Record It is the policy of the Daily Titan to correct any inaccurate information printed in the publication as soon as the error is discovered. Any incorrect information printed on the front page will result in a correction printed on the front page. Any incorrect information printed on any other page will be corrected on page 2. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections also will be noted on the online version of the Daily Titan. Please contact Executive Editor Skyler Blair at 657-278-5815 or at execeditor@dailytitan.com with issues about this policy or to report any errors.

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Saturday, Nov. 27 4:55 p.m. Possession of marijuana under 28.5 grams. Occurred in Lot E. Individual cited. 10:49 p.m. Driving without a license. Occurred at South State College Boulevard. and East Valencia Drive. Individual cited. Sunday, Nov. 29 10:59 a.m. Driving without a license. Occurred at CA-57 West, Orangethorpe exit. Individual cited. 9:33 p.m. DUI Alcohol/Drugs. Occurred at Pepe’s. Disposition unfounded. Monday, Nov. 30 1:29 a.m. Display of false registration. Occurred at Cameo Lane, Topaz Lane. Disposition pending. 7:36 a.m. Vandalism, property damaged. Occurred at Asset Management. Disposition pending. Tuesday, Dec. 1 9:18 a.m. Driving without a license. Occurred at Kramer Park. Individual arrested. 11:03 a.m. Display of unauthorized placard. Occurred in Lot F. Disposition information only. 12:04 p.m. Illegal possession of a hypodermic needle. Occurred at North State College Boulevard and Ranch Boulevard. Individual Cited. 4:26 p.m. Grand theft exceeding $400. Occurred at Pollak Library. Disposition suspended. 4:30 p.m. Grand theft exceeding $400. Occurred at Univer-

sity Police Station. Disposition suspended. 5:55 p.m. Petty theft. Occurred at University Police Station. Disposition suspended. Thursday, Dec. 3 12:21 a.m. Driving without a license. Occurred at North Placentia Avenue and Ruby Drive. Individual cited. 11:32 a.m. Vandalism, damage over $400. Occurred at West College Drive. Disposition suspended. 12:57 p.m. Bench warrant for failure to appear. Occurred at Yorba Linda Boulevard. and Almira Avenue. Individual arrested.

Friday, Dec. 4 1:16 a.m. Burglary. Occurred at Titan Student Union. No disposition. 11:15 a.m. Possession of marijuana while driving. Occurred at Ruby Drive and North Placentia Avenue, Fullerton. Individual arrested. Sunday, Dec. 6 11:20 a.m. Bench warrant for failure to appear. Occurred at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Individual arrested. 3:35 p.m. Driving without a license. Occurred at Nutwood Avenue and North Placentia Avenue, Individual arrested.

Monday, Dec. 7 9:45 a.m. Vandalism of property, defaced with paint. Occurred at dorm parking structure. Disposition pending. 12:00 p.m. Burglary. Occurred in Lot A. Disposition pending. 12:28 p.m. Driving without a license. Occurred in Lot E. Individual cited. Tuesday, Dec. 8 12:25 p.m. Burglary. Occurred in Lot A. Disposition suspended. 2:45 p.m. Tampering with a vehicle. Occurred in Lot G. Disposition suspended.

scholarship: students gain global experience From Page 1 “One of the best parts about studying abroad is getting to know the people and the area,” Henslin stated in an e-mail interview. “I’m looking forward to meeting new people, learning Dutch and exploring the Netherlands.” As a rotary ambassador, Henslin will be volunteering with the Support Eastern Europe Association for her service project, raising money for women devastated by the Bosnian War in the ’90s. “I had the opportunity to work a little on this during an internship in Germany,” Henslin said. “I’m excited to dive back in and help these women out.” Kyle Taylor is another ambassadorial recipient. He used his scholarship to study at the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom during the 2008-09 academic year. Taylor said that the opportunity to study his passion and the support from his host rotary club were highlights of his experience.

“Everyone was so welcoming and so supportive,” Taylor said. “From Sunday lunches to providing me with anything and everything I needed, the club was fantastic.” He also enjoyed his service project, in which he trained and swam 25 miles in the English Channel to raise $10,000 for the Harvey Parry Foundation. Taylor graduated with his master’s degree in international politics and communication this past year and is currently traveling through Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East to look at eco-tourism and sustainable travel. He is moving to Sydney, Australia to continue non-profit work. “By being able to study at such an international institution, I have built a global network of friends and colleagues that will no doubt remain close in the years to come,” Taylor said. For more information on the different programs, visit Rotary.org. Applications are due by April 30, 2010, and interviews will be held in early June 2010.

December 9, 2009

FEATURES

European destinations made easy

Forget London and Paris, check out some of the roads less traveled

Story and Photos By Maureen Fox Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com

AMSTERDAM WHY: Known as the “Venice of the North” for its beautiful canals, Amsterdam is one of the most liberal cities in the world and the cultural center of the Netherlands. SEE: The Red Light District, where women advertise themselves in red back lit windows.* The district is full of bars, sex shops, peep shows and restaurants. Tours are available. Visit the homomonument, a memorial to gays and lesbians murdered during World War II. DO: Visit a local coffee shop where you can legally smoke marijuana.** Take a tour of Anne Frank’s House, where she and her family hid during World War II. Visit Rembrandt’s house and see some of his original work. View art by Dutch masters at the Rijksmuseum. Find out how beer is made and sample Heineken beer at the Heineken Brouwery. Cruise the canals – from dinner cruises to pedal boats, which you can rent yourself. Shop at the Jordaan, Fashion & Museum District or at outdoor street markets. EAT: Local cuisine includes broodje haring, or herring sandwiches, as well as fried meatballs called bitterballen. Try witbeer (or white beer.) Sample local Dutch cheeses. Definitely try vlaamse frites, which are fries covered in mayonnaise – it’s delicious. Recommended Hostel: Flying Pig Downtown Cost: Dorms start at $21.51 per person per night. Optional Excursions: Take a train or taxi ride to view windmills and tulip fields outside the city. Tips: Live like the locals and take a bike tour of the city. Buses and trams are also available as public transportation. *NOTE: Prostitution is legal in Amsterdam and strictly regulated by the government. The Red Light District is heavily guarded and full of security, so it’s safe to walk around at night. Security will confiscate your camera if you are caught taking photos. **NOTE: The marijuana market is also heavily regulated. Coffee shops must have licenses to sell, and they cannot serve alcohol simultaneously. Marijuana is also expensive. If you have questions, owners and locals will help you purchase and roll joints. MUNICH WHY: Known for its rich history and architecture, Munich is the capital of the federal state of Bavaria and home to Oktoberfest. SEE: Visit the Theatinerkirche, a stunning church with both baroque and rococo architecture. Explore the Munich Residenz Palace. Visit the Hofgarten, home to a memorial to the White Rose resistance movement of Nazi Germany and a slab of the Berlin Wall. Walk to Marienplatz to see and hear the famous Glockenspiel cuckoo clock. Stroll through the Englischer Garten, or English Gardens, where you may see nude sunbathers and locals surfing in the river. DO: Take a bike tour of Munich. Grab a meal at the Chinese Beer Garden (named for the peculiar architecture of the beer hall.) Have a quart of beer in the infamous Hofbrauhaus beer hall, the legendary home of Oktoberfest. Visit the Maximilianstrasse for high end shopping. EAT: Visit the Chinese Beer Garden to try pork knuckle, bratwurst, pretzels, veal sausage and of course, sample the local beers, including Weissbier (white beer.) Recommended Hostel: 4 You Munchen Hostel

Average Cost: Dorms start at $24.75 per person per night, privates start at $40.23. Optional Excursion: The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site is located just outside Munich. Visit Schloss Neuschwanstein, the castle that inspired Cinderella’s castle at Disneyland. Tips: Munich is another great city for biking, but you can also get around using the U-Bahn, or subway system and trams. ROME WHY: Rome, “the Eternal city,” is the capital of Italy and one of the oldest cities in the world. Beautiful works of art and architecture are on every corner. SEE: Visit Vatican City and its incredible museum. Check out the Pantheon, with its central oculus that opens up to the sky. Tour the ancient forum and the Colosseum to learn about the brutal history of gladiators. Also see the Victor Emmanuel monument, an impressive memorial to Italy’s role in WWII and the location of their tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Stop by Santa Maria della Concezione to see the Capuchin friars’ crypt, where friars’ bones were used to adorn the walls and ceilings with elaborate designs. Ultimately, keep walking, as there is always more to see. DO: Walk up the Spanish steps for a gorgeous view of the city. The Spanish steps are also near high-end Italian fashion and places to sign up for pub crawls. Stop by the Trevi fountain to toss in a coin (with your right hand over your left shoulder) to make sure you come back to Rome again someday. Check out the Order of Malta property, where their main door’s keyhole lines up for a perfect view of St. Peter’s dome. EAT: Gelato. Look for gelato in metal tubs and for shops away from tourist stops. And of course, try the Italian cuisine. Recommended Hostel: Hotel Romae Average Cost: Four-bed private rooms start at $38.48 per person per night, singles at $76.96. Optional Excursion: Take a tour of Vatican City. While technically located in Rome, the Vatican is the smallest country in the world and the cen-

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religious sites, and dress codes do apply. Keep your shoulders and knees covered for St. Peter’s. Other churches are more lenient, but consider carrying a shawl that you can wrap around your shoulders and waist. Be extremely careful when walking – pedestrians do not have the right-of-way, and Roman drivers are notorious for their terrible driving. Taxis are plentiful but settle on a fixed rate with drivers before getting into one. The metro is also good for transportation, and you can rent a Vespa if you can drive one. LUCERNE WHY: A small beautiful city in the heart of Switzerland with a rich history, Lucerne is surrounded b y

the Swiss Alps and is on the edge of Lake Lucerne. S E E : Make sure to see the Lion of Lucerne, a stunning sculpture full of symbolism that serves as a tribute to Swiss Guards massacred outside the palace during the French Revolution. Walk across the Chapel Bridge, which is thought to be the oldest wood bridge in Europe. Explore Old Town and its many museums. DO: Take a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. Stop by the Glacier Garden to see fossils from the ice age. Go shopping for Swiss chocolate, watches and knives. EAT: Be sure to sample delicious Swiss chocolate and Swiss cheeses. Tarts and quiches are traditional Swiss cuisine, as are cervelat, or Swiss sausage, and rösti, a popular potato dish. Recommended Hostel: The Jail Hotel Average Cost: Dorms start at $15.71 per person per night, private rooms start at $39.26. Optional Excursion:

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DUBLIN WHY: Dublin is the capital city of Ireland and a beautiful city with a fun relaxed atmosphere. SEE: Visit St. Stephen’s Green, a beautiful park with a variety of sculptures. Stop by St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland, to view the different Irish flags and some beautiful architecture. Stroll through the campus of Trinity College, Ireland’s most prestigious university. Check out Phoenix Park, the largest enclosed urban park in Europe, and keep

a n eye out for

deer. DO: Shop at Grafton Street for Irish fashion and Celtic jewelry. Go on city tours, many which focus on Ireland’s rock ‘n’ roll musicians (Dublin is home to U2) and Irish writers, such as Yeats and Joyce. There are also plenty of pub crawls to venture on (there are more than 600 pubs in Dublin). Take a tour of Dublin Castle and explore the circular garden behind the main tower. Take a tour of the Guinness brewery to see how the famous stout is made. EAT: Head over to the Temple Bar District and the famous Temple Bar for a pint of Guinness. Pub food in general is incredibly delicious and affordable, so be sure to look over their menus. Try some leek and potato soup, soda bread and Irish stew. Recommended Hostel: Avalon House Average Cost: Four-bed private rooms start at $51.92 per person per night. Optional Excursion: Take a trip to Blarney Castle, a beautiful medieval castle surrounded by gorgeous gardens and forests. To get to the castle, take a train to the city of Cork and then a short bus ride to the small town of Blarney. Head to the top of the castle to kiss the Blarney stone to receive the gift of eloquent speech. Tips: Dublin is very easy to navigate on foot, but be careful when you cross streets; citizens of Ireland drive on the opposite side of the road from the United States. PRAGUE

ter of Roman Catholicism. Tours can be pricey but are incredibly informative. Thousands of pieces of art are housed here, including Raphael’s School of Athens. The Vatican is also home to the Sistine Chapel and its incredible frescos by Michelangelo. Check out St. Peter’s Basilica, which houses Bernini’s bronze twisted columns and Michelangelo’s Pieta. Go beneath St. Peter’s to visit tombs of past popes. Walk though St. Peter’s Square in front of the church to view Bernini’s magnificent columns. If you stand on the metal circles on the far sides of both fountains in the square, the rows of columns line up as an optical illusion. Tips: Rome is full of churches and

Take the Stanserhorn train and cable car to the top of Mount Stanserhorn in the Swiss Alps. Once there, take in a spectacular view of the mountains and of Lucerne below. Try your hand at playing a traditional Swiss horn. There will probably be snow, so have a snowball fight before relaxing with a cup of hot cocoa. Lucerne is also a good base to visit other cities in Switzerland, such as Zurich. Tips: Lucerne is a small town, so it is easy to get around on foot. You can also rent bicycles to cruise through the streets or ride on the excellent bus network.

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WHY: Prague is one of the most charming and preserved cities in Europe. It is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. The city is extremely old and therefore full of history. To give you an idea of the city’s age, New Town was built in the 14th century. SEE: Walk around New Town, and see the famous statue in Wenceslas Square and the National Museum. Pause by the Jan Palach memorial in front the museum, which honors a university student who became a martyr protesting the Communist regime. Wander around Old Town to see the famous Astronomical Clock, which was built in the 14th century and is still accurate today, and the Gothic Týn church. Explore the old Jewish Ghetto, where you’ll find the Old New Synagogue, Europe’s oldest active synagogue, the Jewish cemetery and writer Franz Kafka’s house. Cross the Charles Bridge over the Vltava River, a beau-

tiful medieval bridge from the 14th century. Journey up the hill to Prague Castle to visit St. Vitus Cathedral and to see the changing of the guard. DO: Take a day tour of the city; they are extremely affordable and informative. Many tours include lunch and river cruises. Boat tours on the Vltava River are a fun way to sample the local beer. You’ll find affordable classical music concerts throughout the city. Shop for Czech glasswork and garnet jewelry. EAT: Sample Pilsner

Urquell beer, which the Czech claim is the best beer in the world. Order some roast pork with dumplings for a traditional Czech lunch. Another great dish is Smažený sýr, or battered and fried cheese, with tartar sauce. Recommended Hostel: Hostel ELF Average Cost: Dorms start at $28.27 per person per night, private rooms start at $42.41. Optional Excursion: Take a train to the small town of Moravia to see their vineyards and medieval architecture. Tips: Most locals speak English. The trams are cheap and easy transportation, but Prague is another great city to walk around in. When shopping for souvenirs, avoid Russian items, such as fur hats and Russian dolls. These items are not

part of Czech culture, but vendors try to take advantage of tourist’s ignorance. Buy combined passes to save money on the many different museums, particularly to visit the different synagogues and sites in the Jewish quarter. NICE WHY: A gorgeous city in the center of the French Riviera, Nice (pronounced “niece”) is a wonderful waterfront city to relax in. SEE: Nice is more of a vacation spot than a tourist location. Enjoy the wonderful views of the French Riviera coast. DO: Spend a day at the beach. The beaches in Nice are extremely rocky (only private beaches offer a layer of sand), so bring thick towels to sit on and wear sandals that you can get wet, as the stones are painful to walk on. Take in the spectacular views of the surrounding hills and the bright blue water, which is nice for swimming. Take food to have a picnic. EAT: French cuisine is world famous, but sample a little bit of everything. For a simple lunch, buy some baguettes, brie cheese, salami slices, strawberries and wine from a local market – perfect for a picnic at the beach. Recommended Hostel: Villa Saint Exupery Average Cost: Dorms start at $17.69 per person per night; private rooms at $23.79. Optional Excursion: Take a day trip to Monaco. The bus to Monaco and other surrounding cities is only 1.50 Euro one way for a 40 minute ride. Take in the wealth of this incredibly small, independent country (the second smallest country after Vatican City.) Visit the Monte Carlo Casino for a cocktail, and gamble if you can afford the 10,000 Euro bet minimum (don’t worry, the slots are affordable). Check out the designer fashion, expensive cars and yacht harbor. Tips: Nice has an excellent tram system and a great bus network that is extremely cheap. The views are pretty if you want to walk, but expect lots of hills.

FEATURES

December 9, 2009

Dancer’s daily routine constantly set to a faster beat Student performer’s ‘a day in the life’ story reveals a busy and fulfilling lifestyle By Rachel Salas

For the Daily Titan

features@dailytitan.com

Arched feet, poised posture and linear arms. A large stage amplified with lights in the background. A theater filled with occupied seats of an anxious audience. This is the life to which Cal State Fullerton senior dance major Brad Beakes, 22, has become accustomed. Beakes began his interest in dance in the eighth grade. Mimicking dance moves from popular music videos performers such as Usher and ‘NSync, Beakes recognized his own talent and began performing at school dances and assemblies. “At the end of my freshman year in high school, I ended up branching off of sports and decided to devote my time to dance. I’d go to a dance studio and take 10 – 15 hours during the week,” he said. Full of energy and engraved with a permanent smile, Beakes happily describes a typical day of an accomplished theater dancer. He wakes up early on Monday morning with a long day ahead of him. He finds his way to a Starbucks on campus and quickly inhales a breakfast sandwich. A 9 a.m. ballet class kicks off the day for an hour and 40 minutes. “The classes are pretty physically challenging,” he said. “After my first dance class, I’ll have a general education course about thirty minutes later, for an hour.” Rushing back to the dance studio from class, Beakes participates

“

in his second dance class of the day for nearly two more hours. With two changes of clothes thrown about in a beige side-bag, Beakes changes his attire before he attends his composition course. He walks down the halls of the Performing Arts Building and is happily greeted by other dancers and faculty. An array of high-fives and hugs are exchanged, with praised conversation of his recent performance. Completely humbled, Beakes takes the compliments in with grace. It is clear that there are tightly sealed bonds established among Beakes and his colleagues. “You sweat with these people. When you see someone day in and day out, you get to see their progress and they get to see yours,” he said. “I love it. Some of my best friends are here in the dance program. I’m very thank– Brad Beakes, ful I am able to work with such Dancer humble and loving people.” “Mr. Beakes is one of CSUF’s renaissance men – a true gentleman, savvy student of the world, reliable arts leader and intriguing dancer,” said Jim Volz, a theater and dance professor. “It has been a great pleasure to have been a part of Brad’s journey,” said Gladys Kares, a dance coordinator. Composition class gets out at 5 p.m., and Beakes heads to Panera Bread to eat before he has to be back at 6 p.m. for a nightly rehearsal. Beakes has been working with his mentor Mike Esperanza on a modern piece called “Unoccupied,” which displays men and women trying to fit into a social arena. The piece incorporates modern dance, ballet, jazz and hip-hop. Beakes gets home around 10:30 p.m., fixes himself a quick meal, takes a shower and goes to bed. Tomorrow he must do it all over

At the end of my freshman year in high school, I ended up branching off of sports and decided to devote my time to dance.

“

PHOTO COURTESY BRAD BEAKES Above: Dancer Brad Beakes, 22, rehearses a routine. Beakes performed in the Fall Dance Theatre which ended Dec. 6.

again. Beakes’ current focus is on Fall Dance Theatre, a compilation of various dancer’s efforts throughout the semester. “Auditions begin with choreographers that want to have pieces in the show. They look for dancers that day so you’ll find out which pieces you’ve gotten into,” he said. “You have about six weeks to get your piece together with your choreographer. About 10 are auditioned and only four get into the show.” Beakes spoke on this performance in the recent Fall Dance Theatre production. “I’m super sentimental because this is my last semester here. I feel like I’ve grown in each concert. Now I feel confident on stage,” he said.

PHOTO COURTESY BRAD BEAKES Above: Beakes heads home to get some sleep before starting the whole process over again. Below: Beakes stretches in a stairwell.

Despite law, students still get pulled over using cell phones while driving By Cameron Harp

For the Daily Titan

features@dailytitan.com

Thanks to a recently-passed law, sending “LOLs” and smiley faces to friends and family can have a negative impact on your checkbook. The new Wireless Communications Device Law, which became effective Jan. 1, makes it a violation to “write, send or read textbased communication” on a cell phone while driving. While there are students at Cal State Fullerton who seem to have cut down on the amount of texting they do while driving, some admit the law has not completely changed their habits. It would seem understandable for a student to pick up their cell phone to pass the time while sitting on the 57 Freeway in morning traffic or while staking their claim on an aisle in the Nutwood Parking Structure. But students should know that a simple text message could come with a base fine of $20 for the first offense and $50 for a subsequent citation. Neil Solanki, a junior health science major, said he has reduced the amount of texting he does while driving, but he will still “text while there is a red light.” “I haven’t heard of cops enforcing it or cops pulling someone over. Compared to a $300 speeding ticket, it’s not a big deal,” Solanki said. Not all students feel like Solanki. Alexa Rodriguez, a junior criminal justice major, said she is thankful that the law was enacted since she would find herself drifting into the next lane when she would send text messages while driving. “Actually, I really don’t text while I drive, but mostly because I can’t multitask,” she said. “It makes life safer for everyone out on the road.” While standing on the street corner of State College and Nutwood, one could easily come to the conclusion that CSUF students and the surrounding community

PHOTO COURTESY MCT Although laws against texting while driving have been enacted, 34 people, including Cal State Fullerton students, have been pulled over in the nearby CSUF area within the last five months for using a phone at the wheel.

are in agreement with Rodriguez and taking the law seriously. Over a period of 10 minutes in the early afternoon on a Friday, only one driver who passed by appeared to be texting on their cell phone. This number appears to be low, but according to the statistics provided by CSUF Police Lt. Donald K. Landers, it seems to be normal. During the period from July 1 to Dec. 8, Landers said that 34 tickets were given out for use of wireless phones while driving around the campus. This is “average,” considering that during July and August there was not a lot of activity on campus as far as students, he said. “It’s obvious some people are not following the law and those are just the citations that were issued. That doesn’t mean we didn’t give 30 warnings or more,” Landers said. Landers added that the law clearly states that there is no grace period, but whether a citation is issued is always at the judgment of the officer “based upon their deter-

mination of the most appropriate action for the situation.” Fullerton’s police department has posted a flyer in the news section of their Web site about National Safety Month stating, “Distracted driving accounts for 80 percent of all crashes.” When asked if he thought the law is cutting down on the number of accidents, Landers said he did not have any basis upon which to make that statement or make that judgment. “Well, I think it has that potential, but I can’t tell you whether it has reduced texting while driving or not,” he said. “We don’t have that many accidents on the campus itself. They’re usually very low speed. Some of them don’t even get reported. They exchange information and go about their business.” Landers said that it is too early to know the impact that the law has had on the CSUF campus. Time will tell whether the law affects the amount of accidents in the area (though the statistic is already low) and possibly other traffic offenses.

OPINION

December 9, 2009

Titan Editorial

Providing insight, analysis and perspective since 1960

Abortion amendment hurts women There are few topics that trigger as strong of a reaction as abortion. It remains one of those hot-button topics that continues to be passionately debated no matter what the political climate is like. Recently, abortion has come into the public consciousness once again, this time paired with another issue that has been the subject of controversy: the proposed health care reforms. Last month, Democrat Bart Stupak offered an amendment to health reform that is meant to work as a sort of compromise for members of the House who are still hesitant about the health care bill. The amendment would forbid women who rely on government aid to obtain health care plans from choosing a plan that would cover abortions. This also applies to women who purchase public option plans (which will presumably be cheaper than other options) with their own money. True, current government laws also restrict the use of federal money to finance the procedure, but some argue that the Stupak amendment contains harsher guidelines than the system that is now in place. Under the current laws, abortion is a legal procedure, meaning that its restrictions pack the additional punch of being not only an ethical issue in terms of medicine, but a legal one as well. The so-called Stupak amendment was passed through the House in November, causing an uproar among abortion rights activists. Among the many voices of dissent, a company known as Credo, and known for donating to “progressive causes,” has started a petition on its Web site.

Credo promises to send one coat hanger for each digital signature on its petition to each of the 20 Democrat representatives the organization believes to have remorse over voting in favor of the Stupak amendment. “We know what happens when women are denied access to reproductive health care including abortion, and we can’t go back to an era of coat hangers and back alley abortions,” states the petition’s Web site. The government, no matter how morally opposed to the subject of abortion a majority of its members may be, ultimately should not have the right to control the decisions women make in regards to their own, individual health. Like other medical procedures, it should be up to an individual to decide what is the right course of action for herself and her own life. Turning an issue such as abortion into something black and white (either it exists or it doesn’t) not only trivializes the issue by turning it into something simplistic (when it’s anything but), it also makes it potentially more dangerous. As paranoid as it may sound, if we allow the government to interfere with the medical procedures that Americans are allowed to receive, at what point do we draw the line? Stupak’s amendment is now undergoing the scrutiny of the Senate. While even Stupak himself is doubtful that his clause will pass, that does not mean that there is nothing to worry about. Whether pro-life or pro-choice, let the individual decide what is right for her – not the government.

Illustration By Jonathan Montgomery/Daily Titan Staff Writer & Garrett Eves/For the Daily Titan

For the record Articles written for the Daily Titan by columnists, other Cal State Fullerton students or guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the Daily Titan or Daily Titan Editorial Board. Only the editorials are representative of the views of the Daily Titan Editorial Board.

Illustration By Jon Harguindeguy/For the Daily Titan

Alien in America “From the inside looking out”

English-to-American-dictionary by Isa Ghani

Daily Titan Multimedia Editor opinion@dailytitan.com

Another alien has come to America – at least for a while. My sister is here to visit me for winter break, and one of the first things she said to me as I picked her up from LAX was: “What’s with the American accent?” Honestly, I wasn’t sure. Perhaps the locals have indoctrinated me and I can blend in and speak the lingo after being here for nearly a year and a half. I don’t get asked, “So where exactly are you from?” by nice old ladies in cafés anymore. But I realized that perhaps becoming Americanized isn’t always a good thing. Take speech for example, I still have the hardest time working my way around all the small, subtle ways American English is different from, well, English. You know, “the Queen’s English.” In my home country, I was taught English from England, so it comes across as odd to some Americans. I love how some still refuse to believe they are speaking it. I have heard people say, “We Americans speak American” more times than I care to count. I disagree – you are speaking English, originating from England. Just accept it. I get the whole wanting to be a rebel thing. Like how teenagers always want to do the opposite of what their parents did – so I get how you want to drive on the wrong side of the road. It’s infuriating, but I understand it. I get that you wanted things in America to be different than England. If my parents were as Anglican and uptight as the English,

I would rebel too. But changing the language? Measurements? Coinage? How you process numbers? Now that’s just annoying. Fine, so you want to pronounce everything different. “Branch” is pronounced “branch” and “half ” is now “half.” Every day I get reminded by passers-by that “can’t” is pronounced “can’t” in America. What’s that you say? Oh, the differences don’t come out in print when the words are spelled out? Of course they don’t, which is exactly my point. It’s the same damn word; it means the same damn thing, so why does it have to be pronounced so differently? OK, perhaps it’s just a question of accents or slang, fine. Then what about when I tell people I am going to “go into the toilet;” they assume that I am going to sit down inside the porcelain bowl? And no, I refuse to call it “the can” because I don’t drop deuces in tin cans. Plus, I don’t want to put “gas” in my car; I want to put petrol, also known as petroleum. And it’s a lift, not an elevator. I’m sorry, but I could go on for hours about this. Measurements are also annoying as hell. Why couldn’t you guys stick to the simple way of doing things – where a kilometre* is simply a thousand metres*? But no, you guys had to use miles which are each 1.6 kilometres*. A mile is also 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet. In fact, there is no conversion of distance to miles that is exact and uniform; it is always a weird number. Couldn’t you guys have found a nice neat way of doing things? No, it had to be complicated and special.

*My computer utilizes Microsoft Word, and its gratuitous spell-check is made in America; therefore, it does not recognize “metre” as a real word. Tell that to the rest of the English speaking world. Also, “utilises” is not spelt with a “z.” Damnit. Granted, you guys have a neat way with coins. I love having 25 cent denomination coins. But you guys messed up when it got to larger numbers. America couldn’t just, I don’t know, read out exactly what a number is like “one thousand three hundred;” no, Americans had to rephrase it as “thirteen hundred.” Sure, it’s shorter, but now it means I have to add two zeros behind every large number I come across. It isn’t written out as 13 X 100; it is written out as 1,300. See the difference? Finally, what is difficult for me and probably every other foreigner here are the terms you use like, “Can I see that?” instead of “Hey, can I borrow your lighter, pen, notebook or English-to-American-dictionary?” Maybe you guys are trying to be polite, but the first couple of times this happened I held up the object in question and said, “Sure, take as long a look as you want.” Obviously, this did not go over very well. Maybe the difficulties we encounter with each other aren’t because America is so different but because America is so similar. The differences between America and other Englishspeaking countries are not large ones; they aren’t glaring, apparent differences like bowing in Japan or rude waiters in France. They are small, infinitesimal, so much so they go unnoticed by a lot of people. Except of course, me.

Letters to the Editor:

Any feedback, positive or negative, is encouraged, as we strive to keep an open dialogue with our readership. The Daily Titan reserves the right to edit letters for length, grammar and spelling. Direct all comments, questions or concerns along with your full name and major to the Daily Titan Opinion Desk at opinion@dailytitan.com.

Sports

The Walk-Off By Brian Whitehead

Daily Titan Sports Columnist sports@dailytitan.com

The year was 1991. The venue, the Big House. The stage, Michigan vs. Ohio State (you know, when Michigan vs. Ohio State used to be a big deal.) Though I relive the moment through photographs and blurry YouTube clips, I genuinely feel like I was there, like I watched it all unfold with my own eyes. I can feel the electricity of the moment, the rarity of the accomplishment. The perfect play, the perfect stage, the perfect blend of cockiness, showboating, unsportsmanlike conduct and confidence. For 13 electrifying seconds, every-

thing fell into place, like the outcome was predestined from the start. Baby-faced Desmond Howard, the sensational Michigan wide receiver, fields a punt at his own sevenyard line. He takes two full strides to the right, slams on the breaks and cuts back left, leaving a pair of shattered Buckeye ankles in his wake. In approximately 1.47 seconds, he reaches full speed. As bodies collide and tacklers lunge at his white and maize cleats, he emerges from an over-matched group of Ohio State special teamers, breaking through weak tackles with the ease of an 18-wheeler. Following another disgusting juke move to the right, he’s up the sideline with just the poor punter to beat. (Waiting.) He beats the punter and leaves a vapor trail on his way to the promised land. Instant euphoria. But that’s not the best part. Howard takes six long strides into the heart of the end zone, tucks the ball under his right armpit, points to a photographer behind the goal post with his left hand and stops on a dime. With his momentum carrying him forward, Howard lifts his left

December 9, 2009

This year’s Heisman race has lacked a definitive candidate, making Saturday’s trophy winner anyone’s guess knee to his chest and completes the cent memory. greatest college touchdown celebraWell, all that hype lasted about a tion of all-time with ... the Heisman week. pose. Bradford injured his moneyA month later, he unanimously maker in the first game of the season won the coveted award. Just like he while Tebow and McCoy grotesquely underwhelmed early on. And quite said he would. frankly, not much has changed. God, I love that clip. On Monday, five Heisman finalFlashforward to 2009. In comparison, this year’s Heis- ists were announced: McCoy, Tebow, Stanford running man race was as back Toby Gerhart, exciting as getting Alabama running a colonic. There There were no back Mark Ingram were no “Hello “Hello Heisman!” and Nebraska deHeisman!” exfensive tackle Ndaclamations, no exclamations, no mukong Suh. season-defining season-defining plays, Ugh. That list plays, and to put it and to put it bluntly, is about as easy to bluntly, no exciteno excitement, look at as Khloe ment, whatsoever. Kardashian’s face What a contrast whatsoever. in HD. from the beginYou look at ning of the year. In September, all three 2008 finalists those five and there’s not a Vinny were back in college, preparing to Testaverde, Ricky Williams or Troy compete for not only the BCS Na- Smith in the bunch. But, there’s gottional Championship, but the Heis- ta be a winner. So let’s break down the finalists: man as well. McCoy: Throughout the season, Florida’s Tim Tebow, Texas’ Colt McCoy and reigning winner, Okla- the winningest quarterback in colhoma’s Sam Bradford all envisioned lege football history did little to sepa reunion in New York City this De- arate himself from up-and-coming cember for what could have possibly Heisman hopefuls. With 30 total TDs (the majority been the closest Heisman race in reof them piling up against the likes of Louisiana-Monroe, Wyoming, University of Texas at El Paso and Missouri) McCoy’s numbers take a hit in the “he did it against the best of the best” category. His zero touchdown and three-interception game against Nebraska Saturday in the Big 12 Conference title game didn’t exactly help his cause. Gerhart: The most consistent player of the bunch, all the numbers are there (1,736 rushing yards, 26 TDs, 100-yards-plus rushing in 10 of 12 games, three 200-yard performances, nine multi-TD games). The only knock against Gerhart is he’s the best player on a four-loss Stanford team. Ingram: The man has been elec-

“

photos courtesy mct McCoy, last season’s Heisman runner-up, has helped lead the Texas Longhorns to a 13-0 record and a spot in the 2010 BCS Championship Game in Pasadena, Calif.

trifying all year. If an early October 172-yard rushing performance against Mississippi put him on the Heisman radar, then a 246-yard track meet against South Carolina a week later guaranteed him an invite. Will Ingram walk away with the trophy? Probably not, but his team did just win the biggest regular season game in SEC football history. Quite a consolation prize, wouldn’t you say? Tebow: Unfortunately, the Heisman isn’t a Lifetime Achievement Award. And with mediocre 2009 stats (2,413 yards passing, 31 total TDs – 13 rushing), that’s the only kind of award Tebow is winning this year. On the bright side, he does own

a “Get Into Heaven Free” card, so I think he’ll be OK. Suh: The most dominating defensive player in the country, bar none. That’s exactly what Suh is: the second coming of Warren Sapp. Besides having the most awkward name to spell and/or say this side of Dick Kazmaier, the last time a defensive tackle won the Heisman was, well, let’s just say crazier things have happened. All things considered, this year’s recipient will be anything but unanimous selection. Finally, some suspense. Personally, I’d give it to Desmond Howard every single year. Come on, he did the Heisman pose.

Tebow can become the second player to win the coveted Heisman Trophy since Ohio State’s Archie Griffin won it in ’74 and ’75.

Ingram’s three-touchdown performance in the SEC Championship game against Florida solidified his Heisman candidacy.

Aspiring journalists needed!!! The Daily Titan is currently looking for: - Sports writers - Sports columnists - Sports photographers

If interested, please submit a sample of your work to dtsportsdesk@gmail.com Anyone interested in shooting video for the Multimedia section can also contact dtsportsdesk@gmail.com

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SPORTS

December 9, 2009

Think Different. Think Simon. NBA bad boy Ron Artest has undergone an image makeover in Hollywood

By Simon liang

Daily Titan Asst. Sports Editor sports@dailytitan.com

Ron Artest didn’t always drink alcohol, but when he did, he preferred Hennessy before games when he was a member of the Chicago Bulls. In an interview with the Sporting News, Artest said, “I used to drink Hennessy ... at halftime. I (kept it) in my locker. I’d just walk to the liquor store and get it.”

Can you blame the guy? In his first two years as a Bull, they won a total of 32 games. They were role models for the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets. My first reaction: What was this guy doing with a bottle of alcohol when he had a basketball game to play? Is he crazy? But you see, this is Ron Ron: spontaneous, wild, and at times, deranged. He is a unique player in this league; he says whatever he wants, and people still listen. Artest later said to ESPN, “I guess being famous, fame, not being able to handle it at such a young age, led to a lot of frustration and would lead to me making dumb decisions, such as the comment I made the other day.” Did he think about the repercussions after the comment he made? Probably not. Get used to it, Los Angeles. Art-

Mostly known for his defense, Artest is a matchup nightmare for opposing players.

est is the NBA’s bad ass. After Dennis Rodman retired, someone had to take the crown. Let’s just hope this bad ass attitude stays at entertaining levels off the court, such as his infamous appearance on the “Jimmy Kimmel Show” in just his boxers. On the court, Artest has displayed why he is still considered one of the best lock down defenders in the NBA. His focus has been apparent. He only has two technical fouls, a far cry from past seasons. He has shown a calm demeanor, and he has temporarily botched Lakers fans’ memory of a certain small forward who made dashing plays in the playoffs last season. Who? Oh yeah, Trevor Ariza, that one guy who plays for the Houston Rockets. Artest has made the Lakers’ transition from Ariza smooth and painless. So far, it looks like the Lakers scored a great deal, especially if they win a championship or two, but we will have to wait a couple years until we know if they made the right decision. Surely, right now Ariza must be wishing he was back in a Lakers’ uniform and part of a nine-game winning streak and the NBA’s best record. We know about Kobe Bryant and the twin towers of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, but without Ron Ron’s defense, how else is the Lake Show first in the league in opponent field-goal percentage? Artest’s impact should not be overlooked. He, along with Bryant, form one of the league’s toughest perimeterdefender tandems. Add that to the size of the two seven-footers inside, and you have intimidation at its best. Even with all the success, I’m sure many people are just waiting for Artest to do a complete 360 and revert back to his old ways. However, everyone must look past his prior mistakes and just look at the present. We know the brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills will never go away, but Artest is a grown 30-year-old fa-

photos courtesy mct Rivals in last season’s playoffs, Artest and Bryant have formed a great relationship on the court as two of the league’s premier defenders.

ther of four now. He is no longer an immature teen from Queens trying to make a name for himself in the NBA. Artest has already struck fear in every wing player in the league. As the season progresses, I am sure you won’t see Artest carrying around a bottle of ‘Henny’ outside LA Live. He will be too happy as a Laker; he’ll be too busy trying to hang up another championship banner at the Staples Center in June.

And as the great Notorious B.I.G. said in his song “Juicy,” “Now we sip champagne when we thirsty, damn right I love the life I live, ‘cause I went from negative to positive, and it’s all … good.” Those will be the thoughts running through Ron Ron’s mind. He is far from his lowest low in Indiana and currently at his highest high in LA. This time around he will be sipping on champagne after the play-

offs. Artest’s infectious personality has brought out the mean streak in the Lakers; they are bigger and badder than last year. “His reputation is expanding, faster than the universe. His charm is so contagious, vaccines we’re created for it. He once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feels.” He is the most interesting man in the NBA.