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Roommates can come in all shapes and sizes.Oh yeah cotorsand scales and fins.Take

by Kristina Geerken assistant features editor

Blub blub! Staring at me with big inquisitive eyes, the fish moves to all of the corners of his glass prison. Little bubbles gather up at the top and the golden creature cries out "bring me back to your dorm room."

A few weeks ago, many students were gathered around a table in the Widener Center. It wasn't the jewelry peddler trying to push some rings or the perfume solicitors that sat neglected in the Wigwam all day long, but rather someone who brought some happiness and fun to campus. The "pet man" had many biters at his line while students warmly greeted the fluttering gills and fins of goldfish, newts and turtles.

Being away from home can get pretty lonely and we need something in our rooms to take the place of the family dog or some crazy siblings. Pets can fill that void and add entertainment and companionship in the dorm room.

Junior Malinda Cruz, an education major, says that she likes something to look at on her desk. Her newt Charlie romps around the carpet before getting dunked back into his bowl. "He's fun because he can sit in the bowl and come to play inside."

Adriane Grindrod, a sophomore, bought a turtle from the pet man. "His name is Elliot Lucifer Boob," Grindrod declared. The reasoning behind her purchase was that she had never gotten a turtle as a child. "I always wanted a turtle, but I never got one, so when I saw him he sang out to me, "Mama, I'm coming home!'"

So, to fight away some loneliness or get someone to talk to when your roommate isn't around, these colorful and slimy companions do the trick. Fish, turtles and newts are great because they are low maintenance and convenient There will always be room for them on campus, so add on that fourth or fifth roommate.

Doctor Doolittle would be proud of all the students who bond with their pets. Photos shown at left; Dynamic Duo sophomore Roxanna King and Buddy, her turtle. photo above; Jaws I or Jaws II? There are actually two gold fishies in this bowl and whichever liver longer gets the honor of being christened the first "Jaws."

Photo shown at right; This slimy critter with the colorful tummy is a newt.

Tlby Kristina Geerken assistant features editor

It's party time in the streets of New Orleans! Every year, a major celebration is held before the coming of Lent.

Mardi Gras, otherwise known as "Fat Tuesday" is the day before Ash Wednesday. In New Orleans, La., people don their masks andget dressed up in awesome costumes.

Mardi Gras is the time to kick up your heels and watch the different parades. Hoards of people take over the streets for a string of non-stop entertainment and fun. Enourmous floats are constructed to add to the event. From these floats it is traditional to toss out colorful beaded necklaces during the parade as well as coins and lots of glitter and multi-colored confetti.

This year, Fat Tuesday occurs on March 7. Campus ministry will be holding a Mardi Gras celebration on this day in the Widener Center on the second floor. Come enjoy the festivities with your friends and celebrate.

by Kristina Geerken assistant features editor

Stopping to greet some students with a smile, Wilhemina Hardee puts aside the pen she had been using to write up the lunch menu for the day. The woman who swipes the ID's in the cafeteria, Wilhemina has been on both sides of the table.

An alumni of Cabrini College, Hardee, otherwise known as "Willy," has been traveling and working since her graduation in 1973. "I came to Cabrini as a foreign student, I was from the Netherlands."

Many things have changed since she has been at the college. "The school is so much larger! I do, however, see some familiar faces. Dr. Romano, Dr. Cruz and

Andy Talbot were teaching at the time," Hardee said.

After graduation, Hardee, with a dual degree in Education and Psychology, spent some of her time teaching and then eventually continued to manage five different restaurants at various locations. Her expertise in the restaurant business even .. led her to a career in catering. Hardee still does catering for The Curtis Music Institute.

"I eventualJy sold my restaurants, and then I began to travel," Hardee said.

With a nod to the open Spanish book on the desk next to the after dinner mints, Hardee explains that she is trying to improve her Spanish. "I have a house in Spain, and I hope to return sometime soon." Also in her spare time, Hardee likes to sail, paint and garden.

Until she is ready to go back to Spain, Hardee enjoys her work for the Wood Dining Company. Her background in restaurant management and her connection to Cabrini make it very enjoyable for her. "I enjoy all of the students and faculty of Cabrini. They make my da~" Hardee said, smiling. She continued, "My favorite part of the day is when all of the kids come in."

"This is my last hurrah," declares Hardee. She then carefully picks up her pen to finish sketching a dainty flower on the menu board. C