Spring 17 Final

MAIN STREET MagAzine Spring 2017

The New Hamel Rec Center p. 22

Main Street Magazine

Editor’s Note

Happy spring, Wildcats (even though it doesn’t Corey Scarano, Editor-in-Chief really feel like it)! This issue is filled with great Morgan Cutolo, Editor-in-Chief content so make sure to pick one up and read it Larissa Claar, Content Editor on T-Hall while soaking in the sun.

Sadly, this is the last issue of the year for MSM, and also the last issue that we will be Editors in Chief for. Don’t worry though, the reign of the magazine will continue with Andrew Hartnett as the new Editor in Chief.

It has been such an honor for us to run this magazine and provide the student body with an outlet of creative expression.

We never could have gotten to where we are today without the help of our dedicated writers. Thank you, you guys rock. The real world is right around the corner for us, and while that is scary, we know that we will always have a great place to return to, Durham.

Until next time!

-Corey and Morgan

Find Main Street mainstreetunh.com facebook.com/mainstreetmagazine @mainstreetmagazine MUB room 134

Spring 2017, Issue 2

Beccy Anderson, Content Editor Lilly Radack, Content Editor Andrew Hartnett, Content Editor Stef Khairallah, Content Editor Noelle Dolan, Photo Editor Alex LaRoza, Contributing Writer Makenzie Pelletier, Contributing Writer Grace Hanley, Contributing Writer Doug Rodoski, Contributing Writer Fallon Greene, Contributing Writer Olivia LePage, Contributing Writer Madison Forsberg, Contributing Writer Domenic Paolo, Contributing Writer Ariane Faro, Contributing Writer Kate Springer, Contributing Writer Mikayla Scharn, Contributing Writer Allyson Couture, Contributing Writer Olivia Olbrych, Contributing Writer Danielle Ouellette, Contributing Writer Makenzie Ganley, Contributing Writer

Featured Article

Project Sunshine “The journey of Project Sunshine leaves a lasting impact on not only the families, but on the volunteers as well.”

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Features 13 Spring and Summer Fashion Update 16 Book of Rob 17 Protecting International Scholars 26 Stick It

Local

12 Freedom Cafe 22 New Hamel Rec Center 24 Bikram Yoga 30 Location, Location, Location

Reviews

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6 Book 7 Film 8 Restaurant 10 Music

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32 Printed by our friends at UNH Printed Services, 10 West Edge Drive, Durham, NH The opinions expressed within Main Street are solely the opinions of the attributed writers and are not necessarily shared by Main Street Magazine, Student Press Organization, SAFC, the University of New Hampshire, or anyone else, for that matter.

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Main Street Magazine is funded entirely by your student activity fee, and we would like to thank SAFC for continuing to fund this publication. www.mainstreetmagazine.com @mainstmagazine

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Ramen or No Ramen?

By: Larissa Claar

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roke college student.

Ah yes, the three words that are far too familiar to me, and I’m guessing many others who are reading this. I now know what it feels like to quite literally have $0 in my bank account. I mean, don’t get me wrong, my parents haven’t let me go homeless or anything, and I even have a job! Still, somehow the school year sucks the pennies right out of my wallet, always bringing me back to see some not so favorably low digits every time I check my online banking.

This being said, I recently thought about my money shortage and made a curious speculation.

The movies told me that when I go to college, I was going to be a broke college student and was going to be living off of Ramen noodles and Easy Mac. I even heard it from adults, and joked around about it with my friends before I hit my freshman year.

Contributors In order by row: Alex LaRosa, Allyson Couture, Andrew Hartnett, Ariane Faro, Danielle Ouellette, Kate Springer, Doug Rodoski, Fallon Greene, Grace Hanley, Mackenzie Ganley, Makenzie Pelletier, Raoul Biron Mikayla Scharn, Noelle Dolan, Olivia LePage, Olivia Olbrych, Morgan Cutolo, Domenic Paolo Beccy Anderson, Lilly Radack, Larissa Claar, Corey Scarano, Stef Khairallah and Madison Forsberg

Now as a senior, I can honestly say that I made it through four fortune-less years, never once making Ramen or Easy Mac. I make food for myself and I like to eat healthy, but even with little money I still never felt like I couldn’t afford different options.

Then I thought to myself, well maybe what it really comes down to is the convenience. Or maybe it boils down to a lifestyle of busy schedules, and at certain times limited hours at the dining halls.

Or is my “broke” not actually broke because I can afford fruits and vegetables? Am I really the only college student that didn’t adhere to this long lasting theory (Broke college students means packaged noodles with a powdered sauce), or is this just a long lasting myth?

I’ll tell you right now, my answer to this is still not completely clear.

UNH sophomore Andrew Dwyer, who is currently living in Gibbs, is admittedly a Ramen eater from time to time. Although he has developed healthier habits over the past two years, even with-

out a microwave he creatively used his coffee maker crowavable noodles, my observations showed that to heat up water and successfully prepare himself for most part what it really comes down to is convenience rather than low cost. So is the money not cups of Ramen noodles. actually a factor then?

“I would guess that for people who live in apartAccording to the Mercury News, a University ments, the novelty and excitement of being able to cook their own food wears off eventually,” ex- of California survey found that in 2016 every 1 in plained Dwyer. “People who live on campus just 5 students did not have enough money for food during the school year, resulting in hunger. This have the accessibility to go to the dining hall.” statistic shocked me, and admittedly my “penniDwyer brought an interesting point to my atless” self suddenly felt fortunate. It also led me to tention; does living in a dorm versus living in an my only real conclusion; perhaps this notion of eatapartment change a student’s diet? ing on a budget varies from school to school, and Jacob Todd, a sophomore who lives in the Gables depending on where some colleges and universities apartments, is lucky enough to have a full kitch- are located, students would be giving me very difen. Still, Todd eats most of his meals on campus ferent answers. in the dining halls because he doesn’t really enjoy Many are lucky to have meal plans with unlimitcooking. ed swipes for plenty of food to fill up on each day, “Although, over winter break I did stay in the and many can grocery shop at one’s own discretion Gables and the dining halls weren’t open, so I did and make whatever meals they please. Some of us go out to eat at restaurants, and some of us pack go and buy my own groceries,” Todd said. food to get us by. Some eat Ramen and Easy Mac He said that these meals consisted of a lot of hot simply because they like it, others eat it because it’s dogs, chicken, ground beef, low maintenance, easy quick and inexpensive. to make meals and yes, a decent amount of Easy Then there are those who do not know where or Mac. when they will get their next meal, and this logic So then I thought, maybe this is just all a matstands out to me most. Here I am thinking that ter of personal preference? Freshman Christa Baker students are buying Ramen and Easy Mac because said that her older siblings always talked about eatit’s affordable when in reality, for many, even that’s ing Ramen and Easy Mac when in college. She said too much. she has never once eaten Ramen, but has definitely I wish I could leave you with something more broken into the Easy Mac a few times. solidified, a concrete answer as to what college stuSeveral other students I spoke to admitted to dents are actually using their microwaves for these eating Easy Mac or Ramen simply when it was a days. Even more so, I wish I could eliminate all of last resort. Nutrition majors Colleen Driscoll and the times a student has had to go hungry, but as Kristen Sedler said that they try to cook for themof now all I can leave you with is this… theory or selves as much as possible, meal prepping and makmyth, there is some truth to both. Ramen or no ing good meals when they can. For them, weekends Ramen, Easy Mac or none. Heck, I can’t honestly are easier for healthy eating because they have more determine what college students are actually eating time to do so. because we are all entirely different, and for me However after speaking with numerous students that’s entirely enough. that, like me, have never prepared any type of mi-

Film Reviews

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Moana By: Ariane Faro

Book Reviews “Big Little Lies” By: Liane Moriarty

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BO has decided to tackle the thrilling story of Big Little Lies, adapting it into a dramatic television series.

The show has some big shoes to fill as this novel has enthralled many and set a high entertainment standard. It is understandable when production starts on a television or moving adaptation of a book, to rush to read it. But before you fall into the trap of trying to beat any commercial spoilers, be sure to take your time learning about all of the characters this book has to offer. The story focuses in on a group of mothers with children attending Kindergarten in a nice Australian neighborhood.

As the story progresses we are given snippets of police interviews conducted with many of the parents at Pirriwee Public School. We don’t however hear from our three main characters, Madeline, Celeste and Jane. A parent has been murdered, and our three wild and secretive main characters seem to be the prime suspects. There is plenty of background information that allows the reader to understand where these women are coming from. Madeline is a charismatic, opinionated mother that has a complicated relationship with her ex-husband, whose

“Great Tales of Horror” By: H.P. Lovecraft

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f you’re looking for a book that will excite your deepest imagination, and maybe give you a bit of the creepy crawlies, then Lovecraft is for you.

In the collection H.P. Lovecraft: Great Tales of Horror some of Lovecraft’s best short stories are brought together so you can read them back, to back, to back. He is an author that keeps you interested by reaching in and tickling your senses with his incredible grasp of imagery. You will truly start to picture yourself within his stories.

Often compared to the famous Edgar Allan Poe, Lovecraft touches on the darker side of literature. Eerie and mesmerizing, his stories have an almost –let’s share scary stories around the campfire– feel to them. Each one is so intriguing in plot, that as a reader you can’t help but read on, even if you’re slightly nervous to find out what’s coming next. The stories are relatively short; if you’re not the type to sit down and dedicate time to a full-length novel, then these short stories are the way to go.

Whether you are reading The Call of Cthulhu, The Dreams in the Witch House, or The Dunwich Horror, Lovecraft’s word choice will have you flipping keenly through the pages. The crea-

n the outside, Moana may appear to be your average Disney film – the protagonist is a teenage girl, it is a musical, and there are cute animal sidekicks. I was pleasantly surprised by this film, though, because of the way it challenges Disney’s stereotypes. Moana is not the typical naïve, helpless girl who relies on a man to fight all her battles. Instead, she possesses the cleverness and determination to stand up for herself and problem-solve.

When the crops and fish on her island home begin to die out, Moana realizes that she needs to step up and help save her village. She has to return a magical heart to an island goddess if she has any hope of succeeding. Moana’s resilience pays off when she convinces the demigod Maui to join her on her quest.

close proximity is infuriating. Celeste is the seemingly perfect mother to perfect twins, with a passionate husband that has an affinity for roughing her up. And then there is lovely Jane. A 24-year-old single mother, who has a hard time adjusting to the judgmental eyes always watching her and her son.

This book offers an entertaining look at a dysfunctional group of adults with thrilling twists and unexpected connections. Author, Liane Moriarty, creates a world of drama and secrets that makes reading through, irresistible. With a desperate housewives vibe, this story has me roped in entirely to find out who was murdered and who was responsible.

Using both her ingenuity and her physical strength, Moana is able to think her way out of sticky situations. When she and Maui are trapped in the crab Tamatoa’s lair, Moana creates a fake heart similar to the goddess’ and distracts Tamatoa so that she can escape. In a pivotal moment, it seems although our protagonist will be stuck in a rock cave forever. However, she deftly gets herself out by using the cavern’s existing elements and her clever tendencies to her own advantage.

-Beccy Anderson

The beautiful animation and cheery music set Moana apart from other films. The story is set on turquoise oceans, rocky landscapes, and grassy mountains; the Disney animators make these natural ecosystems come alive. Moana has been fasci-

Manchester By By: Grace Hanley

tures Lovecraft inserts into your mind will feel so real you’ll start to look for them behind every corner no matter if the story is otherworldly, comes from deep in the woods or originates in an ancient city under the sea. I would say this collection is best to read right before bed so you can fall asleep dreaming of Lovecraft’s fantasies! With 20 of his best short stories compiled together, this book will keep you up all night for weeks (reading, of course)!

-Madison Forsberg

the

Sea

nated by the personification since she was a toddler and she has the ability to interact with it. If she needs to swim faster, the ocean can carry her along more quickly. The ocean also gives her wave-style high-fives, which adds to the lighthearted, comedic flavor of the film.

The music is written partially by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also composed for the Hamiliton musical. The sound is soaring and lively like the ocean itself. “You’re Welcome” is performed by Dwayne Johnson, who has a surprisingly smooth, expressive voice. This song is cheerful and entertaining, thanks to the horn riffs and driving rhythm. “How Far I’ll Go,” performed by Auli’i Cravalho, is both hopeful and confident. Cravalho’s sweet yet powerful vocals are perfectly mixed with a sprinkling of suspenseful strings and soft guitar notes. This song was nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award, and reflects Moana’s determination and curiosity, both traits that set her journey in motion. It encompasses the ideas of taking risks and achieving goals, which is far different from the wishful dream-filled songs of princesses past, like Cinderella’s “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” and Sleeping Beauty’s “Once Upon a Dream.” Spirited Moana acts on her dreams instead of waiting for them to come true, unlike Disney’s other princesses.

Moana is an exciting and enjoyable movie that leaves viewers with smiles on their faces and catchy songs stuck in their heads. Moana introduces viewers to an intelligent, courageous young woman who can think for herself and who isn’t afraid to set out on her own adventure.

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et’s start with IMDb’s one-sentence sum- a family friend’s offer of help. mary of “Manchester by the Sea”: “A George (the friend): He can always stay with us, depressed uncle is asked to take care of if he wants to come up weekends. his teenage nephew after the boy’s father dies.” So yes, in case you were wondering, Lee: Do you wanna be his guardian? this movie is kind of a downer. I have seen more de[Deeply awkward silence] pressing movies, but most of them were about the Holocaust. With that said, if you skip Manchester George: … Well, we’ve alreadyby the Sea for lighter fare, you will miss out on a Patrick (the nephew): [Glaring at Lee] He doesn’t stellar drama shot through with black comedy, easwanna be my guardian! For Christ’s sake, he’s got ily one of the best movies I’ve seen recently. four kidsUnable to forgive himself for a very, very bad George- We’ve already got a house, but we’re trything in his past (No spoilers, but I can guarantee you that it is way worse than whatever you are ing to lose some kids at this point. imagining right now), Lee (Casey Affleck), a BosPatrick- Have you seen his house? ton janitor, lives a silent shell of a life punctuated Lee- No, I, uh, we’re trying to work out the loby the occasional bar fight. After the death of his gisticsbrother, Lee finds himself thrust into the role of his nephew Patrick’s guardian, complete with demands George- Yeah, we’re jammed in pretty good butfor rides and lunch money from said nephew (LuPatrick- [Still glaring murderously at Lee] Jesus cas Hedges). Even as they bicker over funeral arChrist, will you stoprangements, their rapport is infectious, Lee gruff and Patrick charming.

George: We’ve always got a sofa for him anytime The movie cuts between scenes of the duo and you want, you know that? a series of flashbacks that reveals why Lee left his hometown. Casey Affleck gives a performance that manages to be both monosyllabic and gut wrenching, and at times black comedy gold. Strong performances from the rest of the cast, some almost comedic (Hedges) and some full-on heartbreaking (Michelle Williams), elevate Affleck’s efforts. In one of my favorite scenes, Lee, panicking after discovering that he is now responsible for Patrick, jumps on

Patrick: That’s alright, I know that [Even more glaring].

This scene epitomizes the magic of Manchester by the Sea: Tough, complicated characters trying to get through the day in the wake of destruction, making the audience laugh in spite of itself in the process. Five stars. Or, as they might say in Manchester-by-the-Sea, “Five fucking staahs.”

Restaurant Review By: Kate Springer

Newmarket Creperie 80 Main Street Newmarket, NH 03857 A cozy restaurant with nods to Europe sits on Main Street in Newmarket, New Hampshire. The smell of sweet crepe batter fills the air. Pictures of the Eiffel Tower and the streets of Paris line the walls of the small dining area. The black and white awnings over the kitchen and window look like what one might see in a Parisian cafe.

I ate at the Newmarket Creperie on a Sunday afternoon. When my dining companion and I arrived, we were the only customers, so we took seats by the window. Shortly after we were seated, others started to come into the restaurant. Our waitress was quick to take our orders and give us water, and made a point to ask when we wanted each crepe.

The restaurant title gives away the primary focus of the Newmarket Creperie. There are breakfast-inspired crepes, like ham and cheese, and sweet crepes, with toppings like butter and maple syrup.

Savory crepes are also offered, as are traditional breakfast offerings, like eggs, fruit and toast. Additionally, the menu includes many vegetarian items.

We decided to get two savory crepes and spilt a sweet one for dessert. We got a side of home fries, the Veggie Pesto crepe and The Supreme crepe. The Veggie Pesto crepe had spinach, pesto, tomato and mozzarella cheese, while The Supreme crepe had mushrooms, spinach, feta cheese and sour cream.

While waiting for the food to arrive, we watched our crepes being made in the kitchen. Our meal arrived promptly, and each crepe was beautifully plated — there were small garnishes to top them off. The pesto was flavorful, and the feta cheese paired well with the mushrooms. Each crepe was cooked to a nice golden brown, just light and doughy enough. While we both enjoyed the crepes, our reactions to the home fries were mixed. They were very grainy due to their cornmeal topping and tasted overly salty. The abundance of cheese and creamy ingredients in the crepes also made for a very rich meal.

After our first crepe plates were empty, it was time for dessert: a strawberry and Nutella crepe. The crepe presented to our table looked mouth-watering. It came drizzled with Nutella along with a dusting of powdered sugar. It was the highlight of the meal: there was the perfect ratio of Nutella and strawberries inside the crepe, giving it berry, chocolate and hazelnut flavors.

The two of us left the restaurant feeling full and satisfied. While the home fries were not for us, each dish was cooked and presented well. The menu offers detailed descriptions of each item, and caters to the tastes of many. Dishes are inexpensive, with crepes ranging from about 5 to 9 dollars. While not overly large, the portions are good for the price paid.

The Newmarket Creperie is a nice place to go any day of the week, but there are many options for brunch. The restaurant offers a taste of France close to campus, and the small space adds to its appeal.

St. Motel

“Saintmotelivision” Elektra

Music Reviews

Overall Rating: 8.5/10 Chill Bump

“Crumbs” Eight Lab

Saint Motel made their big-time debut into the alternative music realm back in 2014 with their hit track “My Type” that landed spots in commercials, movies, and video games. After that, they saw themselves taking the stage alongside acts like Panic At The Disco, Imagine Dragons, and Weezer. Their knack for upbeat melodies with infectious sax and brass hooks keeps their energy high and their draw even higher. Their newest release Saintmotelevision sees ten tracks of the same addictive catchiness that is totally worth the listen, but not all at once.

quick low-register notes for another short hook like the one found in the first track, following their normal mold for catchy tunes. From this point, the album starts to see a small decline in desirability from track to track. “Born Again” is seemingly about spiritual rebirth and “Sweet Talk” is a flirtatious brassy flare both following their same pop method, being both enjoyable and stale after having listened to the tracks prior on the album. The remaining tracks continue that trend, with tracks like “For Elise” sampling the piano composition Fur Elise by Beethoven and “Happy Accidents” beThe album starts with the track “Move” that ing the quirky acoustic closer for the album leaving will get a listener doing just that, as saxophone a listener somewhat unsatisfied with the lack of a rips right from the start in a short repetitive hook climactic close. that will easily be stuck in heads. Mix that with big-sounding vocals that mimic the saxophone line This album would be better thought of as a colto make one of the best alternative dance tracks of lection of singles, meaning that it would be betthe season. Right after that follows another stand- ter to pick a couple random songs off the album out track “Getaway” running with piano chords and sit back to enjoy them instead of popping in that follow mainstream pop rhythms and bouncy the CD and listening start to finish. The bubbly electro-sounds, leaving the vocalist soaring over all alternative pop mold they follow on each track can of the music while listeners can’t help but move become stale after ten takes on it, so put a few into their feet. The album sees another stellar track with a party playlist and call it a day.

“Destroyer” as the saxophone gnarls with some

-Domenic Paolo Chill Bump is a France-based hard rapping and beat-making duo that spit their beliefs and views about worldly controversial topics. The collaboration in 2010 of UK rapper MC Miscellaneous and French DJ and beat-maker Bankal swayed an entirely new and intense journey in the genre of rap.

Crumbs was released in November of 2016, with the entire album having a length of just 19 minutes and all of the ten song titles being simply “One” through “Ten”.

thought on Life being a straight up bitch. MC shares past life altering events lyrically and spews the importance of how his mind and values have morphed into his current way of thinking.

Although the modern duo’s content consists of metaphors of women, drugs and slightly dark subject matter, those who really feel their minds and bodies jolt to the hard beats of rap might appreciate these same feelings that Bankal provides in the back of the track with his electronic steps.

It takes the fluidity and genius lyrical content For those who enjoy the words of 90’s rap, Chill of old school fast rap and lays it over truly heart Bumps and immediate respect are the only things I bumping beats to create a new kind of powerful feel when listening to this album. and mindful hip-hop. The album is an acquired taste as it touches on MC’s somewhat sacrilegious

-Allyson Couture and hard-hitting opinions on topics such as his atheism and his beliefs relating to the earlier Nas’

Overall Rating: 9.5/10 Jim James

“Eternally Even” Capitol Records

Political albums don’t need to focus solely on the lyrical message anymore, proved by Jim James on his solo 2016 release Eternally Even. The first release for James since The Waterfall, a 2015 release

by James’ main project My Morning Jacket. The key word for both albums is cohesion, as the songs carry with them a similar message and tone, while maintaining enough variety to keep the listener intrigued.

Eternally Even, first released on NPR’s first take on October 27, later fully released on November 4, 2016, draws heavy gospel influences as James weaves his lyrics through droning organ, melodic horns, and heavy female backing vocals, courtesy of artist Shungudzo Kuyimba. In true My Morning Jacket style, there is no lack of reverb, though it seems that guitar has taken a backseat to grooving bass lines and piano flair. There’s an overarching theme of melancholy soul throughout the album, making it groovy enough to dance to, but sad enough to make you think about the message.

Overall Rating: 8/10

Throughout the album, James addresses themes of ownership, action, love, and community, often leaving himself out of the lyrics, choosing to address ideas larger than the individual, chiding in the song “Same Old Lie:” “It’s the same old lie you been readin’ ‘bout/ Bleedin out, now who’s getting

cheated out?/ You best believe it’s the silent majority.”

James doesn’t go overboard on lyrics though, as many of the songs feature extended non-lyric sections, like the 6-minute instrumental “We Ain’t Getting Any Younger pt. 1.” Part one slides right into “We Ain’t Getting Any Younger pt. 2,” which turns out to be the same instrumental groove, finally built after a 6-miunte crescendo, structured around lyric sections. Unique musical styling like this highlights the musical talent of James and co-producer Blake Mills, the two main musicians credited in the album’s notes. Mills, who also produced Alabama Shakes’ successful second album Sound and Color, works masterfully with James in the production and recording of the songs, bringing fluidity that extends into unique territories, without ever overstepping the boundaries of the album’s musical themes.

James has once again created a beautiful piece, well-worth listening to. It was clearly constructed with the album as whole in mind, rather than individual songs, which shines through even more on a third or fourth listen. Eternally Even might not be the album to throw on Friday night, but it makes for good company once the lights go off and everyone else goes home. - Andrew Hartnett

Spring and Summer Fashion Update By: Mikayla Scharn

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ith winter almost over, spring coming in only a few days, and summer just around the cornert, it’s hard to know what outfits to wear when it’s sunny outside but also a bit chilly. That’s why I styled four different outfits that could be modified in many different ways that are perfect for this kind of confusing weather.

This outfit was actually styled by the guy in the picture, Chris Gagliolo.

His denim long sleeve shirt is from Gap, his light grey jeans are from JC Penney, and his beige shoes are from Old Navy. Any item from this outfit can be worn with nearly everything, because the colors are all neutral. If you want to be warmer you can easily pair this with a nice peacoat, or any other plain winter coat.

Sawyer’s outfit in this picture is a simple but cute look you can wear out and about almost anywhere. She’s wearing a high neck purple dress from Brandy Melville, white low top converse, and the flannel is from Urban Outfitters.

Discovering the Freedom Cafe By: Alex LaRosa

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f it weren’t for the Freedom Cafe’s Perform for And it’s all for a great cause. The Freedom Cafe Freedom open mic nights every Wednesday, serves amazing coffee and tea with a recommended my undergraduate experience at UNH would donation of $2.00, and all donations go towards not have been nearly as fulfilling. the main goal of the cafe: ending human trafficking.

As a graduating Senior, I am amazed at how much my life and my outlook has changed “The Freedom Cafe is a non-profit craft coffee in just a few short years. When I first transferred shop that has a mission to end human trafficking,” from UNH Manchester 3 years ago, I didn’t real- director of the Freedom Cafe Bryan Bessette said. ly have any idea of what to expect from living on “We created this space to engage with our commucampus. I never ended up having the typical “col- nity, to plant a flag in the ground that says ‘Human lege experience”, and in some ways that was inevi- trafficking is happening’, and by all of us taking table. I always knew that I wouldn’t fit in with the part in the process we can help end human trafheavy-partying scene at UNH, and I spent my first ficking.” year here constantly feeling lost, like I didn’t belong Bessette has a long background with commuon a college campus. nity organizing, and he had previously served as a By the end of that year, I only had one real friend, Champlain with the Assemblies of God before creand I nearly flunked out of college due to personal ating the Freedom Cafe in 2013. After an opening issues. That following semester, I was determined act performs for the first half hour of the Wednesnot to make the same mistakes. I often wondered day night open mic night, Bessette will have a ‘winif there was a community on campus where I could dow’ where he speaks and educates the audience find similar minded folks, a place where musicians about human trafficking. and other artistically and politically-minded people “Art and activism have this unique pairing, and I hung out. feel like it’s because you can say hard things through And then I found the Freedom Cafe, and from art and in a way that empowers people. Out goal is then on out my college experience became more to just slowly raise the bar on what people know,” meaningful.

Bessette said.

The Freedom Cafe is located on the ground floor In addition to its great cause, the Freedom Cafe is of the “Lighthouse” building at 10 Mill Road. Ev- simply a wonderful place to hang out with friends ery Wednesday night from 7:30 to 10:00 pm, the and listen to live music. cafe hosts a headlining act for a half-hour, followed “One of the more inspiring things for me has by an open mic where anyone can sign up and perbeen the camaraderie that’s been built. Performers form. come out and play…and then two weeks later, two

performers are playing together. Bands have been formed,” Bessette said.

I couldn’t agree more. To say that I’m a regular at the open mic nights would be an understatement.

For the past two years, I’ve never missed a Wednesday night performance, even if I was sick or busy with work. The Freedom Cafe is, in my opinion, the closest thing that UNH has to a coffee shop or bohemian environment, with it’s homely atmosphere and superb coffee. I’ve seen everything from local rock bands to emotional singer-songwriters to powerful spoken word poetry to hip-hop performances; and everything in between. I even ended up forming a band with friends I hung out with at the Cafe, and we ended up performing there as well. I can honestly say that I wasn’t aware that UNH had such a variety of musical talent until the Freedom Cafe.

But for me, the open mic nights aren’t just about the music. They’re about the friendships I’ve made.

Most of my closest friends to this day I’ve either met through the Freedom Cafe or I see there or go with every week. Initially, it was the one place on campus where I felt at home, and felt like I was with people I could relate to and connect with.

I’ve shared laughs there, made new friends, performed music, and even had a few genuinely emotional moments at the cafe. When I graduate at the end of this semester, the Freedom Cafe will be one of the aspects of Durham I’ll miss the most, and I hope to visit it again.

For this look I styled my roommate Sawyer Twombly in one of my favorite go to outfits for when I want to be comfortable but still look cute.

These jeans and maroon sweatshirt with side decal are from LF on Newbury St, Boston. Underneath the sweatshirt is a basic maroon crop top from Urban Outfitters, and with this you can wear nearly any pair of sneakers as long as it matches, but I chose converse for this one.

Bralettes and flower headbands are accessories that will never go out of style, and are perfect for both the spring and summer! My bralette, white flowy top, and hippie patterned leggings are all from LF, and my flower headband is from Urban Outfitters

My skirt is once again from LF, the blousy long sleeve black shirt is from free people, and can be purchased for a very reasonable price. To make your look a little more interesting, I would accessorize it with a necklace, or in my case a choker, which is from brandy melville. Any plain pair of knee high boots would look great with this look in order to cover up more skin.

Gladiator sandals are one of my favorite summer shoes, and you’ll see me in them nearly all the time.

The shoes, shorts, and top are all from LF, if you couldn’t tell by now I love that store! My cardigan is from a cute shop in Martha’s Vineyard called Slip Seventy Seven. This outfit has a total Coachella vibe, and is perfect when you’re in the indie mood!

Project Sunshine By: Fallon Greene

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ave you ever wanted to make a difference but felt that your busy college schedule was too restricting to make a commitment? Project Sunshine is just for you. Project Sunshine is a nationwide nonprofit organization that works with children facing medical challenges and their families. The program brings recreational, educational, and social services to more than 100,000 children facing medical challenges in over 175 cities in the United States and in four international locations including Canada, China, Israel, and Kenya. The program empowers 15,000 volunteers internationally who selflessly give their time in order to restore a much-needed sense of normalcy to the pediatric healthcare environment.

At UNH, Project Sunshine takes action in local hospitals to make a difference and give back. The UNH chapter has approximately 150 students, with an average of 45 students attending the biweekly meetings. The students volunteer their time to work with 5 facilities in the local area including Boston Children’s Hospital, Franciscans, Shriners, CHaD, and David’s House. Whether it’s offering courage and support for upcoming medical procedures or the gift of friendship, the volunteers serve to brighten each and every child’s day. Relieving the anxiety of the young patients and putting a smile on their face contributes to the positive foundation necessary to promote a healthy outcome. Past activities through their volunteer trips have included pumpkin painting at Halloween, mask creation for

Mardi Gras, and movie nights.

Brennan Young, the president of UNH’s college chapter, joined his freshman year. In the absence of high school activities, he was looking for something where he could commit his time and make a difference for those around him. Growing up, he knew he wanted to work in the pediatrics field and in particular, wanted to be a part of Boston’s Children’s Hospital. The first Project Sunshine meeting he attended he found himself and a male friend surrounded by 200 females.

“It was overwhelming that we were the only males in the room, however the energy and the need to make a positive change in the lives of others has kept me going back. I have a firm belief about

the wellbeing of an individual, that ones treatment can be exceptionally impacted by a positive mindset. We act and react to the way we feel on a daily basis. I found out early on that being able to create a positive environment for children in the hospital, through a context of fun and play, could be my first step to making a difference during a difficult time. Kids are fun, vibrant, and artfully talented.

My goal, alongside the many amazing volunteers in our club, is to restore the opportunity to just be kids.”

The journey of Project Sunshine leaves a lasting impact on not only the families, but on the volunteers as well. Recently, there was a family who had been at the Children’s Hospital for about three months with their child battling a rare heart condition. The parents were working full time and driving five hours from their home while splitting time at the hospital in order to retain healthcare benefits for their child’s treatment. The day Project Sunshine visited, the patient’s twin brother was there and mentioned how hard it was for the family to be away from one another. The volun-

teers took it upon themselves to make matching bracelets for each member of the family. The smile that came across the twins’ faces was exactly why Project Sunshine does what it does. One month later when the volunteers returned to the hospital, the entire family was present wearing their matching bracelets. The actions that the volunteers take upon themselves may seem simple, but each action goes a long way towards providing the normalcy that each child should have.

UNH’s college chapter receives no funding from the school or the national program. In order to support the programs that Project Sunshine provides to those in need, the UNH chapter has organized numerous fundraisers on campus. In the past, a university-wide dodge ball tournament was organized to support the organization’s volunteering and recruited over 100 UNH students. The organization has also held raffles throughout the years to raise money and awareness for this great organization. Previous raffles have included Beyoncé as well as Bruins tickets.

The UNH chapter has been fortunate to partner with some of the world’s most skilled pediatric facilities and the amazing families that compromise the organization’s visit. With your help, the organization can keep doing what they do. This spring, UNH Project Sunshine will be hosting a 5k Trail Run through College Woods on April 30th, 2017.

The event will be advertised in the MUB Events page and registration can be completed through the online MUB ticket office. Teams are encouraged as well as participants for the Costume Walk.

All of the proceeds will be put towards future programming events in the hospitals and the development of a Red Carpet Gala for the pediatric patients at one of the participating facilities.

UNH Project Sunshine reaches out and spreads sunshine through their commitment and compassion towards children who deserve everything in the world. It’s amazing what a simple smile can do for a child who’s facing hardship in their future.

Life, According to the Book of Rob By: Doug Rodoski “Do you know what pisses me off?” demanded ing, yet he is doing all of this to support both his my friend Rob. I was folding my laundry in down- family. He will gripe early in the season about how the Boston teams are “all done,” only to have me town Durham. razz him when the same teams make the finals of “No, Rob, what?” I replied, remarking to myself that year. that I had not asked.

“The Bruins are all done-they’re going to suck “This country is going down the drain,” he this year,” Rob once declared, as we sat and had began, before giving me a short lecture on either coffee on Main Street in 2012. “They should get crooked politics in Washington, or the quality of rid of Chara, he’s past it.” Fans will remember that today’s youth. the following spring, the Bruins went all the way Seacoast New Hampshire is my adopted home. to the Stanley Cup Finals. They were eliminated by Born in New York and high schooled in Florida, Chicago in a hard fought six game series. the Air Force and then the Army have propelled me [This last point has always fascinated me. New far and wide. I have always come back here on my England sports fans celebrate new found champiown, and in 2009 I had the privilege of starting colon status, but do not let go of ancient near misses. lege again at UNH, on the strength of the GI Bill.

True story: in the early morning hours following One morning, while doing laundry before class the most recent Red Sox World Series title, I was down on Main Street, I was surprised and pleased listening to a WEEI call-in show. One caller from to run into my friend Rob. He was cleaning build- Boston announced, “This third World Series is ings in Durham, having several such accounts on great, but I’m still pissed off about Bill Buckner the seacoast. I knew Rob from as far back as the having the ball go between his legs in 1986.”] early 90s, when he was a manager at the Bickford’s Rob has always reminded me of Mark Wahlberg.

Restaurant on the Portsmouth Traffic Circle (now He is not tall, but he is solid. He played hockey lothe Roundabout Diner). I worked for the Howard cally for much of his youth. He has, to me, a classic Johnson Hotel next to it for many years (it is now Bostonian accent. His voice sounds like it was hand a Best Western). Rob and I would run in to each crafted by whiskey and cigarettes. other quite often.

I listen to Rob, and I say to myself, Holy Crap!

So as an undergraduate student, I had the pleaWhat am I spending money on cable TV for? sure of listening to Rob’s wisdom again, after all With Rob, I feel like I am being rewarded when of these years. When I would do laundry, or grab I do laundry or have coffee downtown, when he is a cup of coffee from Breaking New Grounds, I working. Listening to him is like getting free chanwould check in with Rob. nels and free advice. On everything.

Never at a loss for words, my friend will favor me Home improvement. “Do you have a tile floor with vintage “Rob-isms.” New England wisdom in your kitchen? You should get rid of it and get all will flow from him, unsolicited. wood put down.” I reminded Rob that I am still For starters, he is both cynical and kind. He will renting an apartment, and I better hold off on overcomplain extensively about the hours he is work- hauling it.

Relationships. “Watch out for the younger women,” he once rasped to me, “They are probably just looking for a Sugar Daddy.”

More on Sports. “The Celtics should get rid of Rondo” proclaimed Rob one morning. I told him that in the 2011 playoffs versus Lebron and the Miami Heat at TD Garden, I watched in person as Rondo returned to play meaningful fourth quarter minutes after having his elbow dislocated.

Politics. “I don’t trust any of those (expletive deleted).”

While he will sound despairing when he describes the youthful predicaments of his college age son, Rob will work insane hours at all of his job accounts to provide for his children and grandchildren. He is extremely proud of his granddaughter, and has a multitude of nice family pictures on his iPhone.

I have always appreciated the character of people from New England in general, and Boston in particular. The impression I have is of a people that are both blue collar and blue blooded, representing what is great about our country and its history. I consider Rob to be a classic New Englander.

So here’s to you, Rob. Overworked and hassled, lamenting the wounds of Boston’s past professional teams (despite the city’s current role as Title Town), cynical and friendly, tough and insightful, impatient and nostalgic, irritable and loyal-you represent my idea of everything that is grounded and good about New England. Listening to you is like having a big bowl of New England clam chowder, on a cold winter day.

After talking to Rob, I feel like I can approach my own life challenges with courage, and a sarcastic wit. After all, I have been enlightened by the Teachings of Rob.

Protecting International Scholars By: Olivia Olbrych

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resident Trump’s recent executive order regarding immigration and refugees has left many university presidents flustered at the thought of having their best scholars deported.

It is no secret that many students and faculty from other countries call UNH home. As a respected research institution, the University of New Hampshire is committed to providing the best scholars from around the world with a place to learn and conduct research regardless of their country of origin.

In total there were 8,000 ballots cast in Durham on election day. 6,000 votes were for Hillary Rodham Clinton, and only a 2,000 for the 45th President, Donald J. Trump. These totals include the entire Durham community, not just students.

However, the number of conservative students on campus is dwindling. It seems as though the entire Durham community has come out in support of our brothers and sisters who are from the countries effected by the ban. This support is more important now than ever before as there has been an uptick in hate crimes against Muslims, Jews, and people of color, basically anyone who is not a white male.

“I want you to know that people across our Noah Stern, a junior, said, “our country was built campuses have been working one-on-one with the on immigrants. This immigration ban is just un56 faculty, staff and students directly affected and productive and unconstitutional. The president is will continue to do so,” said President Mark Hudnot achieving anything by banning refugees.” dleston in an email to reassure students that he is committed to protecting the rights of all wildcats.

The young woman who organized the demonstration, Nooran Alhamdan, is a freshman on camOn Wednesday, February 1st the UNH Midpus and was extremely moved by the amount of dle Eastern Association held a demonstration on people who turned out in support of immigrants Thompson Hall lawn to show support for immiand refugees. grants and refugees affected by the executive order.

John Dean, student body president, gave a few “It’s sad that we have to be out here to do this in words. the first place, but its always important to remain hopeful. Everyone I know is affected by this and ev“You are all here to get an education and you eryone is afraid but we have to remain hopeful. Afshould not have to be worried about fighting for ter this I feel much better and it gives me so much your rights. I want you to know that the Student more hope that everyone is out here.” She emphaSenate supports you, and I support you,” said sized the importance of hope and how important it Dean. These powerful words were followed by is going forward fighting for equal rights. plans for the Student Senate to pass legislation that will hopefully allow international students affected Dean of Students, Ted Kirkpatrick, was also in by the immigration order to stay at UNH. attendance stated how he usually doesn’t like to show his political ideologies, but thought it was While there were two students in a truck driving important to be there in support of the internaby who shouted, “make America great again,” most tional students affected. UNH has over 1,000 inUNH students dislike President Trump and what ternational students, faculty, and researchers, but he has done so far.

only 56 directly affected by the immigration order.

Saying, “it is tricky to balance national security and freedom,” however, “President Huddleston is in talks with university presidents across the country about how to protect scholars. He is passionate about protecting everyone affected.” Dean Kirkpatrick also said, “I’m not a politician but if I were I would take note of this exact moment right now.”

According to the Washington Post over 50 university presidents from state universities, all of the ivy leagues, and private universities and colleges have called on President Trump to “rectify or rescind” his order in an effort to keep top scholars from leaving. Every university wants to be on the cutting edge of research and with this executive order on the table it would effectively keep the world’s most brilliant minds out of our country.

America would be out of the competition for the latest scientific discovery. Our medicine would be at a stalemate, there would be very little innovation if all the researchers were white Americans, born and raised here. There is some creativity that comes with researching; people from other countries of origin have different ways of solving problems and in terms of research that is extremely beneficial. An immigration order that prevents immigrants and refugees is going to have nothing but a negative impact on every aspect of American life, and the scientific community could be hurt the most.

At a time when our country is deeply divided, the message from the UNH community seems loud and clear: “no hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here. We will not be silent.” This is the time right now for people to stand up for what is right and what is good so that in 50 years we will know that we were on the right side of history.

Comfort Zones & Proper Dancing By: Stephanie Khairallah

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have never been the only white person in the room. Yet somehow, I find myself with a plate full of adobo, afritada and pinakbet surrounded by a Filipino beauty pageant with a soundtrack from 1998.

When I booked my flight to London, I gave myself one extra day to find an adventure. As I wave goodbye to my American group of travel writers, I realize my 8 a.m. flight is not going to allow me enough time to find the shenanigans I am looking for.

I close my bookmarked tabs advertising party hostels in Camden and Shoreditch and instead approach the front desk at the boujee hostel my group has been staying at. I ask for one more night.

I spend my afternoon roaming around wasting the last of my prepaid Tube money looking for some sort of adventure. I finally find it in a little music neighborhood to the north of the city - it’s my kind of scene - but nothing opens until midnight. It’s the same sort of grungy bullshit I like to chase in the states, but I’ve missed my opportunity. I miss dancing - but out of money and patience, I head back towards my temporary home.

I tap my key card to the door and wait for its lock to indicate approval with a shallow beep. I wonder who and what I will find behind the sturdy door with no peep hole. Room 409.

As I wheel my prepacked suitcase behind me I am greeted by the real housewives of the Philippeans.

They are scurrying all over the room; they cackle as they trade earrings and makeup palettes giggling in a foreign tongue about god knows what.

I get ready for bed (at 4:30 p.m.) as we exchange pleasantries. They are just fascinated by my New England heritage and my greasy aesthetic.

“Are you coming to the ball?!” a 35-year-old woman who has introduced herself to me as Criselda Delos Reyes Zipagan asks. I had to repeat the name in my head in order to memorize it.

I laugh, and tell her no. She immediately asks why. I explain to her I don’t have the outfit for it,

assuming this will be enough to get the pack of women saturated in white wine to leave me alone.

It doesn’t.

She disappears around a corner and returns with a floor length, violet ball gown adorned with chunky silver jewels as well as an extra ticket.

“You have no excuse – I do your makeup!” she insists.

I did say I was looking for something different, and spent quite a deal of time complaining about not having the opportunity to meet many locals, so I agree.

The women squeal with excitement, and fight over who gets to dress me up. They insist we take selfies and I comply. We engage in the typical shenanigans of any white girl pregame.

“No, oh my goodness you do not look fat!”

“NO the black shoes are soo much cuter!”

“Can I borrow your earrings?!”

The women grab their coats and we head out the door. We wait for the elevator which stops on every single floor. We stop at level 0 where we are greeted by a large auditorium, and a line to check coats. I’m not sure why we brought them in the first place.

I start to feel tremendously uncomfortable as the matinée takes my jacket off my shoulders for me and waves me towards the doors. I am expecting champagne and caviar. I haven’t brushed my teeth today.

The door is held open for me as I attempt not to trip on my floor length dress with my ratty, worn out sneakers. I am greeted by a gymnasium and it is just crawling with children, small dogs and women in $1000 attire.

Billy Ray Cyrus rings through the auditorium as the line for paper plates of homemade food weaves around each and every table. The women fill my plate with so much content, I need two hands to ensure the bottom won’t collapse.

Each table has a center piece of orange Fanta. I am too squeamish to ask for water. They ask me in between every bite if I like the food, but I don’t have to lie. It’s damn good.

The evening is followed by a series of speeches, of which not a single soul is listening to. The speakers continuously yell at their audience to pay attention. The event is a gathering for the Filipino community to celebrate their successes. Some people flew 19 hours to be here. They all seem to know each other.

The last speaker wants to inform the crowd that the following beauty pageant has not been rehearsed, and illustrates that they simply chose well dressed volunteers at the start of the event.

The women prance, in stilettos, up and down the “run way” with unparalleled confidence. The crowd absolutely roars at their fearless demeanor.

As the judges tally up votes, a dance party begins.

The DJ refuses to play more than 45 seconds of any song, and most of them are 80’s pop hits from the United States.

A large, 50-year-old woman tries to teach me how to salsa. I am uncomfortable but I roll with it. She doesn’t even laugh as I step on my dress and fumble through the steps. I never really get the hang of it, but I don’t feel so bad about it. I already know how to dance in a poorly lit dive bar, but my poorly timed salsa feels more like an adventure than chasing some scene.

When chasing adventure, avoid what you already know, you’ll probably have more fun.

South Kensington London, United Kingdom J-Term Study Abroad 2017

Stoner Stigma By: Anonymous

The New Hamel Rec Center By: Olivia Page

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or years, complaints were made about the fact that the gym was too small for the thousands of students that are encouraged to use it. After numerous surveys, focus groups, and open forums were constructed, student’s wishes for a bigger and better gym were granted.

Renovations for the new Hamel Recreation Center began during this past summer of 2016. In the Fall ’16 semester, UNH students were first introduced to the newly built half of the gym along with the pool. While these new additions were opened to the UNH community, the original side of the gym stayed under renovation until the Spring ‘17 semester.

and females about what they like and dislike about the new renovations. Opinions were scattered. Focusing on the positive aspects from females, Alicia DelVento said, “The open floor concept is very pleasing. In the old gym I felt more contained.”

Sydney Fisher said, “I enjoy the expanded mat space around the upstairs as well as the individual mats that they offer now.”

Negative aspects about the gym from females were also mentioned. Corey Scarano said, “It’s the same machines that were moved around in different areas.” When I asked her to elaborate she said, “There are not many more cardio machines than there were before. The only thing that has changed is that they are more spread out in a new location.”

Cierra Dubinsky agreed about the lack of additional cardio equipment. She expanded on her opinion by adding, “I don’t think they added enough mats either. There are no where near enough mats for everyone to complete an exercise that doesn’t include machines.”

The total budget for this project was $35.5 million. $30 million of it was used for the expansion while $5.5 million of the budget was for deferred maintenance. The over all expansion features include: interior/exterior renovations to the facility, increased fitness space, large multi-activity courts, additional social and gathering space, 1/10 miles Opinions from male students differ from female suspended indoor track, and a wellness space and student’s perspectives because the males are more instructional kitchen. prone to use the weightlifting machines, racks and benches more so than females do. James Ewing Collectively as a rec center, the HRC is pretty, positively said, “The most important feature that polished, and pleasing to the eye, but have the new the renovations provided us with are the squat renovations been beneficial to the avid gym user? racks and benches. They definitely did a good job I asked numerous upperclassmen who could dis- with those.” After observing the gym, the additiontinguish the old gym from the new gym. I was in- al weightlifting room that has been created, which terested to hear opposing thoughts between males contains more weights, is a feature that prevents

one weight room for being excessively crowded.

Males who use this additional space, agree with the purpose of creating a larger area for weightlifting, except for one aspect. James explains, “It is a pain that all of the heavy dumbbells are in one room and all of the dumbbells in the other room only go to 50 lbs. Not to mention you have to walk a mile in order to get from one side of the gym to the other because the rooms are far apart. I usually end up missing out on some lifts because I don’t have time to walk over.” As picture perfect as the new HRC appears, there are just as many dislikes as there are likes when it comes to the new renovations.

Campus Rec employees have also seen the gym’s transformation from old to new. However, one aspect that they have an advantage on is an inside perspective. An employee at the HRC, Jake Laurent, says, “I love the new gym. All of the new machines and added space make it a better experience to go there to work out or to work a shift.

Everyone is always so friendly and uplifting in the gym, which is nice to see that on such a larger and growing campus.”

As UNH expands, it is important for University officials to recognize where it is necessary to expand and improve the campus. By building and renovating the Hamel Recreation Center, an essential step was taken in order to benefit the needs of the overall student body and UNH community as well as the town of Durham.

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s early as the 1936 with the release of the film Reefer Madness, the word “stoner” is hitched to a negative connotation: unproductive, unsuccessful and a waste of both time and brain cells. According to the black and white film, smoking pot also induces psychological fallacies that result in the homicides of others.

weed with friends on occasion. It doesn’t make me unproductive. I am a part of 3 organizations on campus and have a part-time job. There’s a stigma around the word “pothead” but I think if you keep it balanced, there’s no reason you can’t smoke and have a productive life.” –UNH Student at the College of Liberal Arts “Separate high time from work time, anything that alters your mind’s function alters your function. Like alcohol, irresponsible use is detrimental.”

–Brandan Dungalu, Accounting major at the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics

Following the decline of hashish trade (a cannabis plant extract) in the 1700’s, we have adapted these negative beliefs of marijuana. I use “belief ”—a non-evaluative judgment—because most of these thoughts are derived from individuals who So what makes a productive pothead? may have experienced this sensation a handful of times, but have never learned to balance work, life Viceland’s digital campaign #ISmokeWeed is tryand cannabis; and lack the experience to evaluate ing to change the way the public views recreational this balance at all. marijuana use and attacks the stigma against hardworking professionals. The network is using this to With this negative connotation come common encourage all types of stoners, potheads and cheifstereotypes like: Stoners must be stoned on the job, ers of the reefer to be open about their cannabis stoners melt into their seat and house disgusting use. By finding young adults that continuously use amounts of junk food all day and night, stoners marijuana while progressing in careers and future will give up every goal they set, stoners have no opportunities, we can change this negative image motivations and are physically incapable of motithat comes along with treating yourself after a long vating others. Stoners don’t succeed. Stoners don’t day of work. accomplish.

“If we say it, we normalize it. If we normalize it, And stoners sure as hell won’t have careers. we’ll legalize it.” –Viceland VIA Twitter There are a number of stoners who attend our College burners accentuate the clear difference school who are succeeding every day in classrooms, between work time and pot time. As progressive university organizations and individual career paths potheads (whether we realized it earlier in our teens across campus. Herb smokers have forever been asor when we were living here on campus) we have sociated with unmotivated qualities, but millennigrown and learned from multiple experiences that als and new adults are trying to speak out against help apply weed recreationally---and safely-- into the stigma. our lifestyles.

Anonymity is used in the quotes to protect the “Get all your important work out of the way, roll rights and activities of these productive UNH potup, kick back and relax at the end of a good day beheads. cause you earned it.” –Ocean Man Dan, Culinary “I don’t consider myself a pothead but I smoke Arts and Nutrition major at the Thompson School

of Applied Science “Drinking at the end of a hard week is perfectly acceptable. Why not the same for smoking?” – UNH student at the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics Although the #ISmokeWeed movement intends to persuade open cannabis conversations and promotes safely incorporating this plant into productive lifestyles, this doesn’t have to be for everyone.

It requires a great balance of work, organizational involvement, and school in order to incorporate the therapeutic element. Some university students might not have the time and ability to balance this triad.

“I don’t know about anyone else, but when I get high I lose all ability to think or do work.” -UNH student at the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences “The drive to sleep is way higher than the drive to work.” -UNH student at the College of Life Science and Agriculture Marijuana might not be the most common way to unwind after some serious hard work, but it should be an option for those who are willing to separate it from their commitments and those who understand their own work behaviors and abilities.

It takes thorough knowledge about the substance in order to safely incorporate it into free time.

Stoners are not stoned on the job. Stoners can be active and healthy. Stoners can set goals and work hard to achieve them. Stoners have motivations just like everyone else and have the ability to motivate others. Stoners succeed. Stoners accomplish.

And stoners sure as hell can have successful careers.

Bikram Yoga in Durham By: Lilly Radack

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urham – Being a college student can bring some of the greatest moments and memories you will create in your life. Along with the great times, it can also bring people the lowest of the lows. Whether you run into bad decisions from drinking, anxiety about school, stresses of exams and passing classes- there are endless amounts of stressors on a college campus.

dragged me to when I was eight years old for the first time at the studio in Portsmouth. When I opened up about struggling with balancing my time, my mom suggested I try doing Bikram again to gain some perspective and take time for myself.

Little did I know that Bikram Yoga was going to make a significant change in my life. When the Bikram Yoga studio opened up in Durham, I was able to go over breaks when I didn’t have soccer.

Now being a spring semester senior, I have time to Reflecting back on my own college experience, a exercise on my own and can take a step back from huge part of my life revolved around a strict confinthe hectic (but rewarding) student athlete lifestyle. ing schedule. Playing soccer at UNH, the majority of my days were out of my control. Each hour was Bikram yoga is 26 Hatha Yoga postures and 2 planned out for me to a science. I had to eat, go to breathing exercises performed in a hot room of class, go to treatment, go to practice, go to more about 105-112 degrees that contains about 40% classes do my homework, eat again, do study hall, humidity to imitate the hot climate of India. All get enough rest to perform the next day, and then you need is a mat, a towel and a bottle of water hit reset- it was a constant cycle. A huge problem to take a class. The heat in Bikram Yoga allows with student athletes and mental health revolve your muscles to warm up and relax, giving you a around this sense of losing control of one’s life. This greater ability to stretch and gain the benefits of feeling has been proven to cause anxiety and de- the postures. In Bikram Yoga your teacher instructs pression among student athletes. In a recent study you by talking you through each posture. Howby the British Journal of Sports Medicine, one in ever, they don’t demonstrate the poses. In this infour college athletes show signs of “clinically rele- struction style your teacher forces you to listen, to vant” levels of depression symptoms. Where female stop thinking and be in the moment for the entire athletes were two times more likely to experience 90-minute class. the symptoms than their male peers.

By looking yourself in the eyes in the front On the other side of things, being a student mirror, and listening to your teacher taking you athlete has brought the best experiences and best through the postures you have time to focus on you friends I will have for a lifetime and I would not and you alone. It is the time to learn to appreciate trade my experience at UNH for anything. Howev- yourself and be comfortable in your own skin, to er, at times my teammates and I have succumbed to put away negativity and do something that is trupressure associated with a high-level performance ly so good for your body. Bikram Yoga, according lifestyle. Pressure can weigh on your mind, and can to the Durham website, helps you with relaxation, take a toll on your body to perform on the field increased energy, increased steadiness and clarity, and the classroom. The inability to feel in control release of fear, release of internal negative speak, at times played a role in my relationships outside of alignment with inner strength and conviction, soccer as well. I let myself reach a breaking point increased overall happiness (reduction in anxiety, without asking for help because I had this idea that depression and stress) and heightened awareness of being a student athlete is the ability to handle any- the present/now. thing. Being apart of a team, and being captain of The studio owners, in order to make Bikram my team, I felt a responsibility to my teammates to more accessible to students, were petitioning the always be there for them, and I left myself behind. student rec department at UNH to try to subsidize I needed an outlet and I found one downtown the cost of Bikram Yoga for undergrads. UnfortuDurham. nately the rec department decided not to pursue Bikram Yoga was something my mom had the subsidization. Their decision was based on not

using student fee money to support a private business and they felt that allocating resources to fund this program would “Limit our ability to pursue a number of other programs we’d be able to offer through our current staff.” This result was shocking to the owners of the studio Brandy Higgins and Mike Keevan. Brandy explained to me that they have already had over 750 students between the ages of 17-24 take advantage of the practice in the last 15 months, with 99% of them being UNH undergraduates. Brandy feels passionately about helping the community and explained to me that approximately 60% of all college undergraduates experience some sort of anxiety and/or depression and Bikram Yoga is proven to alleviate both with consistent practice.

“The Bikram yoga puts the focus back on you, and puts the control back in the hands of the student, where we focus on finding the eyes in the front mirror and maintaining breath, maintaining focus and being still through struggle,” Brandy explained. Bikram Yoga is a struggle, but it is a struggle that you alone choose how to get through.

“I’m finding that the students who are practicing regularly can handle anything that comes their way outside of the studio, they’re staying focused in class, getting better grades, they’re making different choices.”

One of the other questions the University had was the body image that the Durham Bikram Yoga studio portrays on their website. There was concern that in order to practice you needed to be tall and skinny. However, the studio response to this was that, “In here, we are teaching all of us how to be comfortable in our own skin, with as little amount of clothing on as we can, we are not hiding behind anything,” Brandy said. “There is no room for ego.”

I can attest to the results of Bikram Yoga in my own life, and most people I talk to that regularly take classes in Durham. Although the student rec department denied the petition, if you are looking to better yourself and make a positive difference in your life, go and try the yoga. You will not be disappointed.

International Spotlight By: Makenzie Pelletier

Train to Busan

Mustang Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s debut film Mustang is a must-watch. Reminiscent of The Virgin Suicides, this coming-of-age film encompasses the lives of five sisters and their quest for freedom in a state of patriarchal oppression. After innocent play with boys is condemned as a promiscuous act by their guardians, the five sisters become imprisoned in their home.

This honest portrayal of rebellion, hope, and female empowerment makes this film a timeless classic for all.

Stick With It

Rating: 5/5

Rating: 4.8/5

By: Andrew Hartnett

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rom laptops and storage trunks, to guitar cases and amps, to streetlights and stop signs, stickers of all shapes, colors, and sizes display their message everyday, decorating the world around us with a touch of personality. Today, it seems you can’t turn a corner without seeing someone’s gear completely covered in adhesive pictures depicting their personality, especially on a college campus. It’s a craze that seems to grow every year, and as the old stickers fall apart, there are always new ones to take their place, replacing the old generation of display with new art.

After months of contemplating, I finally got around to watching Train to Busan. I was a little reluctant at first as I find zombie movies particularly terrifying. There’s just something about infected carnivorous humans that doesn’t sit well with me. But I am so thankful I watched this film! It centers around a father (Gong Yoo) and his daughter (Kim Soo-Ahn) trying to survive a zombie-infested train ride from Seoul to Busan. It has beautiful cinematography, a compelling plot, and is a thrill to watch with a little something in it for everyone.

By the end of the film you are truly attached to all of the characters. If you love zombie movies, or even if you don’t, you should really give this one a go.

Your Name

forms of art accessory, Hatch said, “Stickers were a natural place to start because they are just about the cheapest product you can put a design into,” adding that other design-oriented media like t-shirts have a limited accessible color scheme which can change a design. Stickers offer a full color range, and unlimited customization options.

There are currently dozens of websites, such as RedBubble or VistaPrint, where individuals can make their own stickers with any image they like, and order them in bulk. Most sites offer options for rolls or individual stickers, square, circle, or custom laser-cut frame, and transparent, black, or white background. With so many options, it’s never been easier to promote your own cause, whether it be a “I put stickers on my water bottles and on my club, band, social issue, or just artistic design. laptop and my doors and dressers and pretty much any solid surface I can get away with customizing,” “People tend to slap them in public places, or says Sumner Bright, UNH sophomore and stick- display them on laptops, skateboards, etc. which er junkie. “You can rep pretty much anything you can catch the eye of other people and sort of act as care about, whether it’s a place or a store or a band. free advertising,” Hatch said, adding, “I think the [Stickers] can let people express themselves in a re- beauty of stickers is that they are pretty much the ally discrete, not in your face, kind of way. I think cheapest and easiest way to mass produce a piece of they are kind of their own language.” artwork and get out in the world.”

Bright believes stickers have become their own Hatch’s designs can be found on the online indemedium of expression, adding that stickers can be a pendent seller forum Etsy under the name Dreamway of expressing parts of yourself that might oth- HeadCreations. erwise have gone unsaid.

Stickers offer an easy, semi-permanent way to tell “I choose them because there are times when people about the bands you like, the places you go, a sticker will speak to a person before I do, you the causes you support, and the way you want to be know? Someone might see a sticker whether it be seen before you even have to open your mouth. In a ski resort or a band and it might start up a con- a sense, they’re the best ice breaker, and the easiest versation.” way to cover up unused space with creative, individual art.

MassArt Senior Duncan Hatch is a visual artist who has been designing his own prints for years, As Bright said, reflecting on the unlimited uses of and just recently began designing and selling orig- stickers, “I think that freedom and ability is pretty inal stickers he and his girlfriend design together. special for sticky little pictures.”

When asked why stickers over buttons or other

In this body-swapping story of fate,Your Name focuses on two star-crossed lovers and their day to day lives. Mitsuha Miyamizu (Mone Kamishiraishi), a girl from rural Japan, dreams of living in the city.

One morning she wakes up in the body of Taki Tachibana (Ryûnosuke Kamiki), a high school boy living in Tokyo. Comedy ensues as they try to make sense of their situation while still maintaining a normal high school life. Though playful and upbeat, the film suddenly shifts to a more serious tone as the mystery of their body-swapping unfolds. Complete with a heartwarming story, beautiful animation, and a killer soundtrack by RADWIMPS, Your Name is one of the best movies to come out of 2016.

M

I’ve watched so many good television shows lately but I have to say this is at the top of my list. It follows a cursed Dokkaebi, an amnesiac Grim Reaper, and an unlucky school girl who somehow gets roped into the wacky world of two immortals from Korean Folklore. While retaining an overall lighthearted feel, Guardian explores heavy themes such as revenge, redemption, and the search for the meaning behind life.

The original soundtrack is incredible and really compliments the shows large emotional range. The characters are well realized and likeable. The story is well-paced and compelling, regularly leaving you at the edge of your seat.

Rating: 4.5/5

Rating: 4.9/5 any people tend to shy away from films that require subtitles. But why is this? I’ve heard everything from “I just want to enjoy a movie without thinking too hard,” to, “I do enough reading in class.” These are valid arguments. In fact, at one point, I even thought this way. That is, until my junior year of high school.

With a lot of free time and an introverted personality, I had completely exhausted my list of movies to watch on Netflix. It was then that my best friend and I decided to venture into the “foreign films” section. And I’m so glad we did! Thank you 2013 Netflix for never updating your movie selection.

Guardian:The Lonely and Great God

with watching films that are from other cultures.

You can learn something new every time. Watching these films has broadened my horizons and even helped me in learning a language. I’m planning on moving to Korea to teach English after I graduate and this media has really helped with my pronunciation.

If you’re not interested in learning something new, then just find a film that interests you.

Start by watching films of a particular genre that you already know you like. If you like psychological thrillers, then watch something like The Orphanage. If you’re more into comedy, then you should watch 3 Idiots. (Both movies are incredible and I Foreign films really are exceptional learning highly suggest you watch them!) If you find sometools. There are so many advantages that come thing else that seems intriguing to you, give it a go!

Another tip, which may sound obvious, is to enjoy the experience. The last thing I want is for you to think of watching foreign-language films as a chore. Watch them with your friends.

Make a movie night out of it. Throw some popcorn in the microwave, buy a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, and have fun. The point is, you’ll miss out on so many amazing things if you only watch films in your native language. It’s so important to learn about different cultures through film. Watching these films is an entertaining way to learn something new, while also enjoying a unique story. And don’t worry about the language barriers. The more immersed you get, the less you realize the movie isn’t in your language. By the end of the movie, you won’t even notice!

Using Nutrition As Medicine By: Danielle Ouellette

“The more colorful the better when choosing foods for medicinal purposes”

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t is inevitable that all of us will get sick at least once in our lives. It is also extremely likely that when we do get sick, our first reaction will be to check the medicine cabinet. Many people are surprised to hear that many of the common illnesses we fight daily can be treated with things as simple as fruits and vegetables.

It’s much more than simply eating an orange when you have a cold. It’s all of the nutrients inside that orange- the vitamins and the minerals - that will help fight the infection in your body.

Why wouldn’t you want to treat your body with things it actually needs on a daily basis as opposed to giving it synthetic drugs that contain who knows what? Next time you start to feel run down and think you might be getting sick, turn away from boxes of pills and look for something with an edible wrapper. Using nutrition as a medicine is cost effective and much easier than you’d expect.

Most supplies needed are already in your house.

The idea that vitamin C both prevents and treats the common cold is a widely accepted misconception. If vitamin C actually did either of those things, the common cold wouldn’t exist anymore.

If you start feeling the telltale symptoms, turn to your spice cabinet. Common household items such as cinnamon, honey, ginger, and mustard contain antioxidants to help fight off infection.

Oolong and green teas both contain antioxidants to boost your immune system as well.

The flu is very similar in treatment to the common cold. One additional vitamin that will help treat the aches and pains of the flu is vitamin D. Here in New Hampshire, most of us suffer from a deficiency of vitamin D. Not to worry, there are plenty of other ways to make sure your body is getting the daily dose it needs. Of course there is the option of taking it in pill form, which is better than nothing. However, there is a much tastier and cheaper option.

Many of the cereals and dairy products you’ll find in the grocery store are fortified with vitamin D. This makes it much easier to get the daily intake you need to keep yourself healthy and fight off any bacteria in your body.

So that’s what you should be consuming to help your body but, there are a few conditions where there are food to avoid. That’s right, some of your favorite late night snacks could be the culprit behind your suffering. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, or both, then your sugar intake may be to blame. While sugar does not actually cause anxiety, it does intensify the symptoms of it and may even trigger anxiety attacks. Cutting sugar out of your diet can significantly reduce the feelings of anxiety.

As for depression, sugar has a direct link to the mental illness. When sugar is consumed, the body uses up mood enhancing B vitamins to process the refined sugar. This results in the body not using them for what they’re necessary for. By eliminat-

ing sugar, and other simple carbohydrates that the body processes like sugar, the symptoms of depression can be reduced greatly.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is another common ailment that can be treated with a diet lacking in sugar. This is a condition that causes exactly what the name implies- chronic fatigue. As college students, we are the most likely to suffer from this condition because of our hectic schedules. By avoiding sugars and refined carbs, you can help overcome this condition. When in doubt the solution to your health problems is probably to cut out sugar.

When shopping for fruits and vegetables to use as medicine, go by color. Dark, leafy green vegetables contain an abundance of vitamins A, C and K as well as being high in fiber and folic acid. All things your body needs on a daily basis anyway!

So it only makes sense to eat more of them when you are sick.

Orange fruits and vegetables such as cantaloupe, carrots, and pumpkin are rich in antioxidants which will really help your immune system. Yellow fruits like pineapple and other citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which is a great antioxidant as well. Red and purple fruits contain anthocyanins, yet another great antioxidant.

The more colorful the better when choosing foods for medicinal purposes. As great as they taste, those potato chips and cupcakes aren’t doing anything to help your body fight infection.

Don’t worry about not being able to incorporate these tasty forms of medicine into your diet, it’s much easier than you would expect. If you already make yourself a smoothie every morning, just add in half an orange and a handful of kale and you’ll boost the amount of vitamin C. The kale may turn your drink a strange shade of green but that small amount of orange will cover up the taste.

If you have salad for lunch almost every day, swap out that iceberg lettuce (which contains almost no nutritional value whatsoever) for some dark, leafy, and delicious kale. Not only is it

chock full of nutrients, it’ll also switch up the texture and give you something new to try. It is so easy to switch out foods you eat every day with ones that have the added benefit of antioxidants.

Not only will cutting out sugar, fats, and other not-so-healthy items leave you feeling better, but looking better too.

Take advantage of all the wonderful and natural forms of medicine that are all around us. Your body and your wallet will thank you.

Location, Location, Location

First Page: UNH Gables, Above: Downtown Newmarket, Left: The Lodges

By: Andrew Hartnett

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hen it comes to deciding where to live next year, there are many options available, each with their own pros and cons. Whereas freshmen are limited to the dorm life, by sophomore year UNH students can live anywhere they please. There are plenty of different living options on and off campus, and even outside of Durham if students drive, or are willing to live based on the local bus schedule. The sheer number of available living options can be intimidating at times, and difficult if you don’t know where to look, but you have to find a place sometime.

The dorms are almost always an option for students, especially sophomores and juniors. There’s the Cercs, Stoke, The Mills, The Mini Dorms, Adams Towers, Upper and Lower Quad, and others scattered about campus. All dorms are walking distance to any and everywhere on campus.

While freshmen must live in dorms their first year, often in Williamson or Christensen, many sophomores, juniors, and even a few sparing seniors live in dorms by choice.

Maggie May, UNH sophomore who lives in Haaland Hall (Cerc C) said positively of the dorms, “I want to maximize the amount of connections I make with people on this campus and dorm life is a valuable resource in doing that.”

The dorms offer the maximum amount of social interaction you’ll see on campus due to the close proximity of students. However, few dorm students get their own rooms, on which May later added, “I like the social aspect of living in the dorm and being around people at all times, but at times I don’t like that I have to sacrifice my own personal space for that. Having a roommate or suitemates leaves

you with little alone time, so sometimes even doing Adam Gomes, UNH Junior who currently lives homework in the room becomes impractical.” at the Lodges said he chose the lodges because he got his own room, and it came fully furnished with Living in dorms on average costs between $6,000 a queen sized tempurpedic mattress. He also said, and $7,700 per year, depending on whether you “I like the Lodges for the size of the apartments, the have a single, double, triple, or built up triple. This luxuries of a hot tub, sauna, and local gym,” adding does not include the price of a meal plan, which is also that while the rent can be a bit much at $800 often required or necessary for students living in a month (roughly $8000 with summer months not dorms. counted), the addition of free parking is a plus.

For those looking to go through UNH but want Gomes concluded, “College kids are usually rowto head further off campus, then the Gables and dy at times and damages are easy to come by, costWoodsides apartments are a perfect option. Both ing us from time to time. Also, the distance from are still relative walking distance to campus, though campus can take a toll, especially on days with bad are far enough off that a bus ride isn’t a bad idea, weather conditions. Other than that, I would recespecially for the Gables. ommend the lodges to anyone seeking off campus “The rent’s about $4,200 a semester [for the life.”

Woodsides], and they’re not worth the money” The Cottages offer many of the same amenities said Chris Wilson, UNH junior and Woodsides as the Lodges, including newly furnished kitchens, resident, adding that there isn’t much room for the single rooms, and a gym. Prices for the both the price, but it’s nice to be somewhat off campus. PricLodges and Cottages range from $8,000 to about es for Gables and Woodsides range between $6,500 $1,150 per person per month. and $8,850 per year.

For those looking for properties with less of the Dylan O’Neil, UNH senior, who has lived in college-condo feel, there are many properties availthe Gables for the last two years said he hasn’t left able through outside companies. One of the two because it was easier to live in the same apartment big realtors in Durham is Golden Goose Properties, a few years in a row. He added, “I wish I moved who own houses, apartments, etc at Davis Court, because of the bars really, but the walk back is a Madbury Commons, apartments off Rosemary good time to sober up.”

Lane (The Rosemary’s), Dennison Road ApartThe Lodges and Cottages both offer condo- ments (The Coops), and a number of properties minium-style living in a community filled with near Davis Court, Dennison Road, and off Madonly college students. Both locations are offered bury Road. through non-university entities, but still feel like In my own experience as a former Davis Court campus-apartments because of the amount of stuResident, the townhouse, duplex-style homes offer dents in the community. Like dorms or living in a lot of space. The front porch and yard space, an the Gables or Woodsides, these areas are home exunderrated luxury, became the best part of the livclusively to college students in close proximity to ing space, especially in the warmer months. Most one another. bedrooms are doubles, some with more space than

others, and the locations have a kitchen, living room, and dining room, usually with 70’s wood paneling on the walls. Frankly, they look like your parents could have lived in the same place when they went to college, though the nostalgic factor adds a little comfort to the home. The townhouse properties offer a little more space than the apartments, but both are viable options for those looking for their own place. Rent begins at about $625 per person per month, and ranges towards $900 per person per month depending on the space.

Madbury Commons, the newest development on Madbury Road, offers new age kitchens, spacious living rooms, and a washer and dryer in the units. Jack Riley, UNH junior, said the pros are location and laundry. He added, however, “It’s not worth it. It’s so expensive, and it’s hard to personalize and make your own. It’s small living arrangements…It’s a last resort unless your parents pay for everything.”

Prices for Madbury Commons start at $865 and range to over $1000 per person per month.

The other biggest college realtor in Durham, University Edge, owns properties at 22, 24, 33, and 37 Madbury Road, 22 and 42 Garrison Ave, 8,10, 25, 29, 35, Main St, Park Court, and various other local locations. Many of the properties offer apartment-style living with a living room, single or double rooms, single bathroom and a kitchen.

The Garrison Ave apartments, referred to as “The Ghettos” by some, are often two floor properties with more space than the other single floor apartments. Each property is noticeably different than the last, and deserves its own tour if a student is interested. Rent for these properties begins around $625 per person per month.

Other properties around downtown, offered

by University Downtown and other realtors offer spots close to the bars and to campus. Brady Malave, UNH sophomore, who currently lives at Jenkins Court, says he loves his apartment for the “location, location, location,” adding you can’t beat being downtown at the prime of college life.

Properties downtown vary greatly in size and rent, but all offer great location, even if the rent is a above average.

Outside of Durham, many students choose to live in either Newmarket or Dover, adjoining towns with their own diverse communities of more than just young adults. Carlie Schwaeber, UNH graduate student, moved to Dover after graduation to pursue teaching. She said, “Well, Dover is okay. It has some fun bars and restaurants. The rent is so afforadable. My rent for a house with roommates is cheaper than [previous] rent with roommates in an apartment.” Dover, less popular for undergrads than Newmarket, offers more of an established town-feel than the young communities of Durham or Newmarket. Schwae-

ber said that her favorite part of Dover was that as a grad student she felt more connected to her own professional life than in the college communities of Durham.

Katie Curnan, UNH Junior, moved to Newmarket this past year and says she’s glad she made the change. She added, “I moved here because of the atmosphere and community., Its nice to have people other than college students. There are families. It’s a different environment. It’s more grounding than just living around people your age.”

Newmarket has risen up as a very popular town for students to live in, with attractions such as the Stone Church and the Newmarket Millspace.

While Curnan admitted that relying on the bus schedule can be a hassle sometimes, overall the change was worth it. Rent for houses and apartments vary greatly in Dover and Newmarket, but are often much cheaper than spots in Durham, with rent for some places beginning as low as $300 per person per month.

When looking for housing, there are many variables to consider: price, location, style, kitchen/ washer/dryer, etc. Every house and apartment gets made a home eventually, but when students can choose their year-long home a max of 3 times in their college experience, every tour, lease, and move-in day counts.

Trust the Process By: Mackenzie Ganley

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remember the first time I felt totally lost while in college. I was in the rental car with my dad, driving back from the University of South Carolina. A school which I had left at the end of the semester to come back north to UNH. It was late December, and grossly hot and humid in South Carolina. I missed snow. I missed hills and mountains and puffy jackets. Cripes, I even missed Dunkin Donuts and Shaws, stores which I rarely frequented but were replaced with Bi-Lo’s and Cookouts down south.

I felt like I was on another planet, where it was continually scorching outside, at a time when we usually have some snow on the ground and mittens in our backpacks. I remember when we crossed the line into Pennsylvania, I took a huge, cleansing breath without even realizing it. There was snow on the ground and people were wearing pants, real pants that reached their ankles.

As my dad ran in to get us some cocoa at a gas station, I glanced down at an article I was reading.

A line kept sticking with me, and my mind kept tossing it around. It read, “Trust the process.” I continued reading and thought nothing of it, until

later down the road when I found myself having to make some decisions. Similarly, I found myself having to help my friends who came to me asking for advice through their tough times.

I was asked to give some advice, which basically meant I had to adult for a hot minute. How was I supposed to pull wisdom out of my ass when I’m still to this day tempted to ask for a sticker at the dentist? Bizarrely, those 3 words from that article all those months ago decided to make an encore performance ; “Trust the process.” This is when I really sat down with it, and thought about it. I had one of those light bulb flick-on, “a-ha” moments, if you will. You need, you must rather, face it head on. Whatever it is. You have to look whatever it is that is bugging you in the eyes and say, “bring it the fuck on.” Once you acknowledge it, you must trust it.

This finally made sense to me, this whole trusting the process thing. That is exactly what I did when I was down in South Carolina. I was scared, I was going to a new school, feeling lost and frustrated.

Once I really thought about it, I knew... You. Must.

Trust. The. Process. Meaning, no matter what

you’re going through (that seems, to our young minds that are full of angst, like the stirrings of the apocalypse) you have to trust the course or path you’re taking, even if you don’t know why you’re taking it.

Bad breakup? Trust that process. Maybe you needed the process of breaking up to give you lessons that you can consider for your next relationship. Indecisive on your major, or switched your major three times already? Questioning that specific move you made for something? Trust it. It’ll let you know eventually what you need to learn.

Ever come out the other end of something and ask yourself, man I’m so glad I hung in there? Or a situation that seemed like shit, that actually ended up working out in the end?

After I accepted the offer to UNH, it was really hard for me to just trust myself. The whole time I was a mess. I was questioning if I was really cut out for college at all and asking myself why couldn’t I find my place, did I pick my major correctly, what would my life be like if I had accepted to the University of Oregon or the smaller private schools?

Now, looking back, I can see that I’ve evolved.

I’ve also realized that once I started trusting the process, I was okay. I think I was meant to try and try again at things, to learn many lessons and to end up exactly where I am now. No, not everything is perfect, but I’m confident I’ll get there in a wacky pattern and on a road filled up with pot holes and re-route signs. I’ve come such a long way from that poor freshman girl who just wanted to fit in, to where I am now. I am quietly confident that I’m where I’m supposed to be, doing what I’m supposed to be doing and not caring what others think (and loving it).

Sometimes we need those life lessons or to go through something in order to find our truest self.

What seemed to be a devastating thing, like losing friends or going through a hardship, actually taught me a lot about myself. I was being someone who wasn’t my truest self. I liked organic food. I liked using non-chemical things on my body and hair. I didn’t like the “trendy” rap music, or to party hard, or Victoria’s secret or spending my pocket money on makeup instead of a good book.

So why in the hell was I doing these things? That wasn’t me at all. I like going to the bookstore and getting lost in great stories. I like debating which Harry Potter character is the most underrated with people. And good gravy, I like turtlenecks. The fleece kind that are really not fashion forward, but cozy as hell. My break from studying is reading. I was trying to be this about town girl when really, I’m an introvert that loves cats, loose leaf tea and

trying to find adoptable animals on Petfinder. I. am. not .cool.

I don’t wear chokers, I don’t aggressively go to the gym and I had to Google why everyone was saying, “cash me ousside how about dat.” I’m not down with the kids. But that’s kind of how I like it. I mean yeah, it’s awkward when every person you meet asks the same first question, “Do you have Instagram, I’ll follow you?” and you have to be like, “yeah, I um, I don’t have one.” I was hiding behind this for fear of fitting in. Forgive me, but screw that. I mean, I’m aware I’m no Cool Callie, but this is who I am.

So, see? It all works out. You find loyal friends, you find your place and you find yourself along the way. There is absolutely nothing wrong with those things, but it was like Jane Goodall pretending to be Paris Hilton. I was no Paris Hilton, and I was making myself miserable in the process trying to be. Eventually, by the time I got to my junior year, I sat myself down and dug deep. Things that I had been pushing aside, I let come to the front now. Why do I take an involuntary deep breath the second I see nature or mountains? Why do I feel this passion about animals that some people get when talking about Kylie Lip Kits or the engine inside an Audi A8?

It was from there that I looked back, and then looked forward, and then went forward. I started researching about chemicals in shampoo and cosmetics. I stopped eating meat, cold turkey.

I’ve never craved it again. I made little seemingly

silly choices, from switching my toothbrush to a bamboo toothbrush, to deciding the path I want my career to go down. What I realized is that this all added up to something huge; I was living my truest self. Labels be damned. Call me “the vegetarian,” or “nerdy” or “weird” because I don’t have social media, or do the trendy things. It doesn’t matter anymore, and that’s the beauty of it.

So, I urge you Wildcats to trust your own process. To not be afraid to go about being your truest self. And if you are graduating with me, I urge you to look back on your own evolvement, as all of us have evolved from being a freshman to where we are now. If you feel like you’re not being who you really are, I hope you sit down with yourself and really analyze what makes you happy—negative opinions can go to h-e-double hockey sticks. As Elizabeth Gilbert puts it, “Let people be in love with their opinions, just as you are in love with yours.”

Go be yours. I’m not saying you must align with me at all, you don’t need to stop eating meat or get rid of social media. We’re all needed here: the meat eaters, the social media queens and kings, the non-meat eaters, the activists, the politicians, the engineers, the businessmen, the athletes, the artists and educators alike. We all have a purpose. My hope is that you’ll find yours and when you do, or if you’re still trying to, I hope you trust the process.

Notes:

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