Maroon Life — Housing Guide

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MAROON LIFE

s t n e s pre

The Housing Guide

Photo by Ruben Hernandez — Building detial of Aston Residence Hall on a cloudy day, contrasting against the shade of a tree, shot on Nov. 13, 2023.

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03 05 09 12 13 15 16 18

Letter From The Editor

By Ruben Hernandez

Finding Housing

By Nicholas Gutteridge

Emergency Planning

By Ana Renfroe

Recipes For Majors

By Charis Adkins

More Than Strangers

By Ruben Hernandez

Housekeeping

By Nadia Abusaid

A Good Frame

By John Chapa

Balcony Decoration

By Richa Shah

On the cover: Shot of the facade of The Standard at College Station on Nov. 13 by Ruben Hernandez

LETTER from the EDITOR

H

Howdy! Welcome to the fall 2023 Housing Guide for Aggieland.

These past few weeks have been a blur since the last magazine, the Fashion Issue, with such a short period of time in terms of production and release date. This magazine will be the eighth magazine I have participated in, the sixth I have been an editor in and the second as lead editor. As of this moment, this shall be my last magazine I will be producing.

Being the magazine editor wasn’t something I was always planning to do from the start. The idea came to me more as an opportunity to see what flexibility and potential Texas A&M Student Media had rather than a simple promotion for myself. Even with those intentions being the start of this journey, I have grown in ways I never thought I could.

One way how I have exercised that growth was with this magazine: The Housing Guide.

Maroon Life Housing Guides in the past have been challenging in formulating an engaging visualization of the magazine as a whole.

Rather than tossing the towel and reverting to the minimal standard, I

Special sections editor Ruben Hernandez reflects on his time working at The Battalion, Maroon Life magazine Photos by Ruben Hernandez

strived to go beyond the margins of expectation and breathe new life to a format that coudl eb improved for both editors and readers.

For the stories on this Housing Guide, I tried to shift the perspective of the focus to relate more towards the lighthearted rather than the conventional. The lighhearted appeal stems from how domesticity is often approached more as a nightmare situation with monetary stressors rather than a space for us to grow within our physical boundaries. Even as whimsical as some of these stories may seem, I hope that you find a form of connection as you read thoughout the course of this issue.

When it came to the visual appeal of the magazine, I wanted to go beyond what images are presented, but what layout is applied as well.

One huge inspiration for me for during the design process of these pages have been the “Composition” series by French painter Piet Mondrian. The basic use of lines, weight and geometry bridged a neural connection in my brain between page

design and architecture. Both must occupy the space within their given margins to the best of their creators imagination, using their space not only for their basic necessities they are used for but to create a visual appeal in its formation.

Even as far of a stretch as it may seem, that stretchiness is what has made me so fond of this position. In my own little trivial ways of thinking, such small connections and cherry-picking from grand artistic modulus creates a spark that soon smolders to a blaze of creative production.

Hopefully, as I move onto broader opportunities, the legacy I leave behind with these two magazines of this semester will provide a level of standard to what student media can create. Make no mistake, I didn’t want to elevate the bar just to say I raised it, but to leave a greater space of opportunity when it comes to creative directions in both design and what topics the magazine can host.

In these final words due to constriction of word count, I want to

thank everyone who has supported me, whether it be from the start or right now. I want to thank my family and friends outside of The Battalion for their words of kindness and encouragement that make the work I do worth making. I want to thank the editors, writers and photographers at The Battalion who have made the production of this magazine possible and have brought my own creative endeavors into physical format. I would like to thank both my professors and former students of A&M for being the help I wanted and the mentors I needed. Lastly, I would like to thank you, the reader and sponsors, who have made this magazine continue through and be one of the defining products of the Texas A&M Student Media group.

To the incoming Maroon Life editor, whoever it may be for years to come, bring with you courage and dedication to the passion of not just creating but also growing. What I have learned from this magazine is that time, focus and an encouraging spirit can bring any project into fruition.

Contributors

Special Sections Editor: Advertising & Sales Manager: Ruben Hernandez Hayden Arevalo Editor-In-Chief: Zoe May Copy Editors: Nicholas Managing Editor: Gutteridge, Anna Deardorff, Caleb Elizondo Sydnei Miles, Caleb Elizondo, Director of Photography: Zoe May, Ryan Lindner Ruben Hernandez Adviser: Spencer O’Daniel Page Designers: Ruben Hernandez, Megan Williams, Zoe May 3

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ON-CAMPUS

HOUSING

What to keep in mind before deciding to live on campus

By Nicholas Gutteridge @nico_gjc

W

hile TikToks and Instagram Reels may show a life of partying and excitement, college is often less glamorous: cue rent, endless choices and meal plans.

Of the main 26 residence halls at Texas A&M, the average rent for the cheapest option at each hall is around $3,600 per semester, with the cheapest overall floorplans being double rooms at Walton and Hart Hall for $2,293. Each come with the usual amenities, such as living directly on campus, close access to dining halls, classes and libraries, and many of the newer dormitories have kitchens and washing machines on each floor — a perk many apartment complexes off campus don’t offer.

It’s important to think about the available options, taking into account potential roommates, location, budget and even food, according to visualization freshman Emily Gonzales, who lives in Keathley Hall.

Freshmen living on campus are required to purchase a meal plan, and Gonzales said she decided to buy the cheapest one, enough for around one meal swipe a day. Soon after though, she said she had to upgrade to get more options because she doesn’t buy groceries.

Public health freshman Veronica Nickell,

“[Contacting them through] social media is a second-best option rather than what I did — which was not meeting them until movein day,” Bui said.

Beyond that, Bui said making other friends in his dorm — and dorms in general — is easy, with Resident Advisors often hosting social events for residents. Gonzales said in one social, she and others in her hall were invited outside to make smores and talk.

However, the life changes that come with the dorm living appealing to the independent lifestyle many students crave — with such example being White Creek Apartments. For $6,218 a semester, students can rent a onebedroom-one-bathroom apartment on campus. The term “on campus” is used loosely, however, as the apartments are still far enough to the west that a bus is needed to take students to the main campus.

Like any other apartment, the prices lower when roommates come into question. The lowest price is $4,625 a semester, giving four occupants four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Unfortunately, though, life isn’t always so lucky. Sometimes apartments get full, and students are forced to live in the Corps of Cadets on-campus dorms despite not being in the Corps. English senior Evan Smith said when he was originally looking at on-campus dorms, he toured different floorplans only to find out the Corps dorms were the smallest.

“If me and my roommate stood side-byside, we would take up the space between our beds,” Smith said. “It’s definitely on the smaller side.”

This is where a good roommate counts the most, he said.

“One of my roommates and I were super nerdy about everything, so our room was just decked out with the nerdiest stuff we could find and also just joke stuff,” Smith said. “We would find these goofy little keyholders that we would get — neither of us even used keyholders — but they were so fun, and we just stuck them on our wall anyway.”

For anyone wanting to make a friend in Utay Hall, where Smith lives, he said the tightness of it all made it easier.

“Everyone was so close together,” Smith said. “It was like you’re constantly bumping into somebody. If you wanted to go out of your way to meet someone new, it wouldn’t be that hard. Just go to the next floor up and knock on a door.”

living on campus in Hobby Hall, said she also bought the most basic meal plan.

“I wish they didn’t require you to buy a meal plan because personally, I’d rather just go out and buy my groceries and cook,” Nickell said.

Nickell said for students living on campus, cooking food yourself is the way to go. In her dorm, there’s a kitchen on the bottom floor completely free for her to use, and said she often uses it.

“I also have a fridge in my room, but it’s pretty small — so I can’t buy that [many] groceries,” Nickell said. “ … Once a week, I buy maybe a few things, but it’s not much.”

Fruits are vital to buy, Nickell said, because the dining halls on campus often don’t have certain options in that area. That, alongside yogurt and granola bars, has kept her going while she’s lived on campus, she said.

Good food can only take you so far, however, as most residence halls on campus require students to live with at least one other student, and it can be the difference between a good or bad year.

“My roommate’s pretty easy because we’ve been friends for a while, so there [haven’t] been any issues,” Nickell said.

However, she said it’s important to keep the conversation open with them and voice your opinion when needed.

“With us, we just tell each other, ‘Hey, take out the trash,’ or ‘Wash the dishes’ or something,” Nickell said.

That’s not the case for general engineering freshman Andre Bui, who said because of his roommate, he’s planning on changing rooms next semester.

“Let’s put it this way: if you don’t know how to manage a bathroom on campus, then you really should try for the [dorms] where you live alone,” Bui said.

Bui said it’s important to know your roommate before living with them. If your lifestyles are incompatible, it’s going to cause conflict, Bui said.

Photos by Ruben Hernandez, on Nov. 13 — Left: Schuhmacher Residence Hall. From top to bottom, first: Hart Residence Hall. From top to bottom, second: Krueger Residence Hall. From top to bottom, third: Shot of Wells Residence Hall from Mosher Lane, as seen from Mosher Residence Hall. From top to bottom, bottom: Inside patio of the Walton Residence Hall.

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OFF-CAMPUS

HOUSING

“At the end of the day, you’re the customer, and they’re selling you something,” Mann said.

College students are barely in their apartments, so it’s best to focus on amenities you can use rather than how beautiful the apartment is, Bocciardi said.

However, Mann also said to be aware if apartments attempt to charge an outrageous rent for luxurious amenities occupants won’t ever use.

Bocciardi currently has four roommates in his apartment, none of whom he knew before moving in, he said. When meeting new roommates, Bocciardi said it’s important to set ground rules and boundaries with people, especially when you’re sharing an off-campus apartment you all live in.

“The major issue usually is always going to be cleanliness,” Bocciardi said.

“Obviously, if you’re clean and someone else is dirty, it’s going to annoy the crap out of you. So just set those ground rules. Living with people you don’t know is not easy, but at the same time, it’s doable. I always recommend you live with someone that you know, but at the same time, living with your best friends sometimes doesn’t work out.”

The biggest thing to do is to be reasonable yourself, Bocciardi said, because at the end of the day, the other people are also living with you. In his case, Bocciardi said two of his roommates refuse to clean the apartment — but because there’s nothing he can do, he just moves on.

“At the same time, if you can’t communicate things and what you want, then how are they supposed to know?” Bocciardi said.

When it comes to buying food, some roommates buy groceries in bulk while others individually buy their own, such as Bocciardi’s apartment.

“I feel like it’s easier that way,” Bocciardi said. “I would not want to do group grocery shopping because some people don’t eat a lot [and] some people eat way more. [It’s] just better that way.”

He said many of his roommates have a personal mini fridge and other utilities in their room, circumventing the need to go down into the main area often.

Additionally, Mann said new occupants should introduce themselves to their neighbors as soon as possible.

“It’s one of those things where you want to make good first impressions,” Mann said. “You attract more bees with honey rather than vinegar. If you’re nice to your neighbors, they’re most likely going to be nice back.”

Psychology senior Alexis Fales said another thing to look out for is parking, location and convenient bus routes. An apartment complex on a Texas A&M bus route is much more attractive than a complex separated from one, she said.

Fales lives across from Sorority Row, so the roads are often inaccessible due to sorority events, she said. On top of that, her complex has no pool or gym amenities — instead, her apartment makes her pay for lawn care, she said.

“Usually, if it’s also owned by random people as opposed to a large company, a lot of the time they will not pay for maintenance workers,” Fales said. “Which sucks, because if something goes wrong, there’s nothing you can do about it, except pay for it yourself.”

“At the end of the day, you’re the customer, and they’re selling you something”

Getting a head start on moving away from campus guarantees first dibs on adequate living

By Nicholas Gutteridge @nico_gjc he early bird gets the worm. Or, rather, the apartment. It’s that time of the year when students start searching for homes off campus.

Unlike on-campus living, off-campus leases are advertised and begin selling off months, or perhaps even a year, in advance. They usually last for either an academic year, the full year or just a semester — the last of which is the rarest.

Apartments charge rent monthly, with College Station complexes averaging around $675 per month. Some apartment complexes charge utilities and electricity on top of rent, however, so researching everything an apartment offers is vital.

Psychology junior Eric Bocciardi said he pays around $700 a month for his apartment at The Junction, with an added $40-50 in electricity.

“You want to live in a place you can afford, but at the same time, look for amenities,” Bocciardi said. “The reason why I joined here was because the gym is a nice place. It’s a nicer gym than most apartments, and then the pool is 10 times nicer than most apartments.”

Political science junior Jonathan Mann said it’s best to keep shopping around, even if you think you’ve found the perfect home. Mann said he found his apartment after looking at 10 different complexes.

T

Photos by Karis Olsen — Middle top: Gracen Farmer gives BK,1, a treat at her duplex Autumn Chase Loop on Nov. 9, 2023. Middle bottom: Farmer and her cat BK, 1, in her room at her duplex on Autumn Chase Loop on Nov. 9, 2023. Bottom right: Reagan Hoffmann sits in her room about to start her engineering homework at her duplex on Autumn Chase Loop on Nov. 9, 2023.

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deadlines

Robert O’Brien— THE BATTALION

SPRING SPORTS 25

8 MAROON LIFE

SPRING SPORTS 25

8 MAROON LIFE

Photo courtesty of Texas A&M Athletics

sion-making process on picking a college was the coaching aspect. He knew he needed the determination of a hard coach and he knew coach Henry was.”

Ashton also said he needed someone who would coach him as hard as his mother did. He didn’t want to have a coach who was going to sugarcoat things for him when they weren’t up to his expectations.

When Ashton and his mother would do their late-night training sessions at the track, he said they would get into lots of arguments and she pushed him hard.

“I grew up with that with my mom and then my personal trainers,” Ashton said. “I had two and they were both very hard on me, so I liked that and I liked that from coach Henry. I know what he’s done, how many Olympians he’s had, how many NCAA champions he’s had. I like that he’s tough on me because I feel like it’s getting me ready for the future of what I want.”

Ashton said he has big goals set for his future in track, such as qualifying for the United States World Championship 4x400 relay team for this summer’s World Athletics Championship in Hungary. He also hopes to qualify for the Olympics in two years in the open 400.

“That’s been a goal for the longest time,” Ashton said. “I’m usually the person that if I want something, I’ll do anything I can do to get it, so hopefully that will come.”

Ashton said he would eventually like to go pro and make money doing what he loves, running fast around the track. This is the year that Ashton originally wanted to go pro, but his mother wants him to get his degree first.

After deciding to complete his degree, Ashton said he is going to focus this season on getting more titles and letting the times come with it. Next season, he said he really wants to start working on his times so that he can start getting the re-

sults he needs to reach the goals he wants.

Being from a small town like Wild Rose, athletes aren’t expected to reach the level Ashton has made it to, he explained.

Ashton said oftentimes he has been doubted by peers and people from his hometown.

“They were saying my dreams are too big, that I can’t reach them and being from a small town it would never happen,” Ashton said.

Despite people around him doubting his dreams, Ashton said he never let it get to him. Even when he started getting recruited, the doubters were still there, but this time they were college coaches.

“There were a lot of schools that told me I wasn’t D1 material,” Ashton said.

“That was very hard to hear, just because that was the goal in high school, to go to a Division I school, so hearing that definitely hurt a lot.”

The drive and work ethic Ashton has for track have ever dwindled, despite the

haters; if anything it gave him more motivation to get to where he is now, he said.

“He will prove you wrong just to prove you wrong and he will let you know that,” Jennifer said. “That kid is just so determined to become successful that he’ll do whatever it takes to become that.”

Ashton has already made it to a level that his doubters never thought he would.

His mother said that he’s cautious around the people who doubted him and now like to claim that they know him.

Now, Ashton can reflect on the doubters of the past and the “fans” of the present being in a position they did not think he could reach.

“I look back now at what everyone else thinks just because they all said I wouldn’t make it here and I’m here, but there’s much more to go,” Ashton said.

“There’s a lot more to go.”

Photo courtesty of Texas A&M Athletics

sion-making process on picking a college was the coaching aspect. He knew he needed the determination of a hard coach and he knew coach Henry was.”

Ashton also said he needed someone who would coach him as hard as his mother did. He didn’t want to have a coach who was going to sugarcoat things for him when they weren’t up to his expectations.

When Ashton and his mother would do their late-night training sessions at the track, he said they would get into lots of arguments and she pushed him hard.

“I grew up with that with my mom and then my personal trainers,” Ashton said. “I had two and they were both very hard on me, so I liked that and I liked that from coach Henry. I know what he’s done, how many Olympians he’s had, how many NCAA champions he’s had. I like that he’s tough on me because I feel like it’s getting me ready for the future of what I want.”

Ashton said he has big goals set for his future in track, such as qualifying for the United States World Championship 4x400 relay team for this summer’s World Athletics Championship in Hungary. He also hopes to qualify for the Olympics in two years in the open 400.

“That’s been a goal for the longest time,” Ashton said. “I’m usually the person that if I want something, I’ll do anything I can do to get it, so hopefully that will come.”

Ashton said he would eventually like to go pro and make money doing what he loves, running fast around the track. This is the year that Ashton originally wanted to go pro, but his mother wants him to get his degree first.

After deciding to complete his degree, Ashton said he is going to focus this season on getting more titles and letting the times come with it. Next season, he said he really wants to start working on his times so that he can start getting the re-

sults he needs to reach the goals he wants.

Being from a small town like Wild Rose, athletes aren’t expected to reach the level Ashton has made it to, he explained.

Ashton said oftentimes he has been doubted by peers and people from his hometown.

“They were saying my dreams are too big, that I can’t reach them and being from a small town it would never happen,” Ashton said.

Despite people around him doubting his dreams, Ashton said he never let it get to him. Even when he started getting recruited, the doubters were still there, but this time they were college coaches.

“There were a lot of schools that told me I wasn’t D1 material,” Ashton said.

“That was very hard to hear, just because that was the goal in high school, to go to a Division I school, so hearing that definitely hurt a lot.”

The drive and work ethic Ashton has for track have ever dwindled, despite the

haters; if anything it gave him more motivation to get to where he is now, he said.

“He will prove you wrong just to prove you wrong and he will let you know that,” Jennifer said. “That kid is just so determined to become successful that he’ll do whatever it takes to become that.”

Ashton has already made it to a level that his doubters never thought he would.

His mother said that he’s cautious around the people who doubted him and now like to claim that they know him.

Now, Ashton can reflect on the doubters of the past and the “fans” of the present being in a position they did not think he could reach.

“I look back now at what everyone else thinks just because they all said I wouldn’t make it here and I’m here, but there’s much more to go,” Ashton said.

“There’s a lot more to go.”

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EMERGENCY SERVICES RESOURCES

In for the long ride?

Heavy storms and freezing temperatures are just some of the examples of severe weather to prepare for. Texas weather is highly unpredictable, so prepare to face anything from high heat to extreme cold and everything in between. Prepare an emergency food kit, along with a bucket stocked with must-need hygenic products if showering or flushing toilets isn’t an option. In case of a power outage, keep battery-operated light sources and keep extra batteries aside. Likewise, keep power banks to charge your devices in case you need to call for help.

• Emergency food kit • Bottled water • Dissolvable hydration packets • Non-perishable packaged or canned food • Can opener • Bucket • Toilet paper • Personal hygiene products • Baby wipes • Extra clothes • Extra blankets • Flashlights • Extra batteries • Charged power bank • Phone charger cord

&

Expect the unexpected, how to prepare for college emergencies

By Ana Renfroe @aeoenia or many college students, focusing on classwork and managing their busy schedules is enough. However, emergencies can quickly upend your semester plans as you try to navigate college.

Don’t wait for disaster to strike before you act. By preparing for the worst, you will be ready to face unforeseen incidents. Whether it’s a sudden power outage, kitchen fire or natural disaster, this packing list will help you prepare to be alert, smart and stay safe.

F

Packing Safety Essentials

There is no medic

Other Emergencies to Prepare for

Drug overdose or alcohol poisoning 1.

•

2.

•

• 3.

Dial 911 — Call immediately and give the operator your location and the individual’s condition, along with any other needed information.

Suspected overdose: Don’t try to reverse the overdose by yourself. Leave medical interventions to trained professionals.

Assess the situation — Stay calm as you wait for EMS. Check for signs of life and responsiveness. Don’t leave the person alone and keep monitoring their condition.

CPR — You may be asked to attempt CPR on the individual. If you are trained, begin chest compressions and rescue breaths. If you don’t know what to do, ask the operator for steps.

Remember: If you realize that the individual’s condition is too dangerous, do not put yourself at risk.

Cooperate — Give EMS any information about substances or drugs involved, if known. Give any information that may help first responders treat the individual’s condition. Stay until EMS arrives, treats the individual and says you are able to leave.

PHONE NUMBERS TO KNOW

While having a first-aid kit is helpful, it won’t always be enough for all emergencies. Accidents and illnesses happen all the time, so pack extras of high-use items, like adhesive bandages or non-prescription pain relievers. If the wound or injury is severe, quickly call emergency medical services.

• Personal medication, medical devices • Medical alert jewelry, if needed • Health insurance card • First-aid kit • Additional adhesive bandages • Antiseptic wipes • Antibiotic ointment • Thermometer • Acetaminophen • Ibuprofen

General Emergency: 911 Texas A&M University Police: (979) 845-2345 College Station Police: (979) 764-3600 Bryan Police: (979) 209-5300 College Station Fire Department: (979) 764-3700

Scared at home When you’re not in class, you will spend most of your free time relaxing at home.

Home may look like many things, such as a dorm, apartment, condominium or a house.

To some, investing in extra locks or weapons may feel like overkill, but not all residences offer the same security measures. If needed, consider extra ways to make yourself feel safe in your space.

• Security alarm system • Security cameras • Extra front door lock • Door lock or security bar for bedroom • Personal defense weapon

In case of fire Fire safety is fire prevention. Familiarize yourself with fire exits in your living environment and if there are any fire extinguishers nearby. Avoid overloading electrical outlets, and make it a habit to turn off electronics and appliances when not in use. Be sure to turn off heat sources, such as kitchen stoves or room candles, when they are not attended.

• Smoke detector • Carbon monoxide detector • Fire extinguisher • Fire blanket

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Bryan Fire Department: (979) 209-5960 [Press ‘2’] Baylor Scott & White ER: (979) 207-0100 CHI St. Joseph Regional Hospital ER: (979) 776-2568 TAMU Helpline: (979) 845-2700 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255 National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888 or tex HELP to 233733

Graphics by Corynn Young

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RECIPES

Engineering

for

MAJORS

Opinion writer Charis Adkins provides the right recipes to reflect your college lifestyle

By Charis Adkins @Charis_Batt

he typical diet of a college student consists of hot pockets, ramen cups, takeout and, — if it’s a special occasion — Stouffer’s frozen lasagna. We live a simple life, though, not the most nutritious. It’s the kind of low-price living we broke college students can get behind.

We’re also big fans of anything free. I’m confident at least 10 pounds of the “freshman 15” come from free pizza and Otis Spunkmeyer cookies. The culprit of the other five is likely the buffet-style dining halls with their extensive dessert sections. Moving on to sophomore year is hard in a lot of ways, particularly since most of us no longer splurge for that dining plan.

For those without unlimited access to Sbisa and Duncan, dinner consists of anything in the kitchen that isn’t moving and doesn’t have anything growing on it. These are both optional depending on how hungry you are and how late it is.

But what if I told you there was another option?

This does involve some actual elbow grease. I know I’m already losing some of you, but hang in there and give me a chance to explain.

I’ve taken the liberty of collecting an assortment of simple and easy recipes that will get any student to brush the sheen of dust from their stovetop and fire that puppy up. What’s more, I’ve even tailored it by college — just find your department and see what you can get cooking!

Before we begin, you should probably wash all the dirty dishes sitting in your sink. You’ll probably need some of them. Have some self-respect, man.

T

Graphics by Nikhil Vadi

Business This one is less of a recipe and more of an industry staple. Business majors are renowned across campus for their easy workload, and — dare I say it — sleaziness. These qualities are strongly reflected in this recipe, and makes a lot of sense considering their homework assignments of coloring pages and simple addition.

Recipe: Polystyrene takeout containers Ingredients: Polystyrene takeout containers, commonly found in business majors’ fridges thanks to the many business lunches and conventions that they attend. It’s their favorite food, largely because they haven’t yet realized that there’s a turkey sub lurking inside.

Instructions: Oh, is that a polystyrene takeout container? Don’t mind if I do!

This one is as easy as it gets. Engineers tend to subsist on a largely liquid-based diet — basically, as much caffeine as they can possibly ingest. So, for this recipe, we’re going to be experimenting with flavors. This is largely subjective, so feel free to explore other combinations once you get the hang of it!

Recipe: Jungle Juice Ingredients: 1 can of Bang (suggested flavor: Black Cherry Vanilla), 1 can of Monster (Ultra Paradise), 1 can of Redbull (generic flavor) and 1 splash of Reign (Orange Dreamsicle; optional) Instructions: Pour all cans into a large cup or stein, mixing gently and topping with a garnish of your choice.

Enjoy with lab homework, impending deadlines and more!

Liberal Arts and Humanities The liberal arts is not known for its incredible workload. I mean, what do they do all day? Read? Memorize historical dates? Write essays? Come on, get a real major. In honor of all the free time liberal arts and humanities students have, I thought a solid 3-course meal was the only appropriate choice.

Recipe: Creamy lemon chicken piccata with a Caprese salad, roasted vegetables and tiramisu for dessert Ingredients & Steps: How would I know? I don’t speak Olive Garden.

I don’t even know what Caprese is, let alone how to make it. Liberal arts majors, if you want to make this dish, you’re going to have to do some real work for once and figure it out.

Agricultural and Life Sciences

Natural Sciences This is a rather unique recipe developed by a team of Aggie grad students.

Actually, it’s less of a recipe and more of a theorem. It can really only be enjoyed mentally, after celebrating the genius of its creation, so it doesn’t do much in the way of nutrition. Unless you count mental nutrition, I suppose.

Recipe: Theoretical spaghetti Ingredients & Steps: Well, it’s hard to explain, especially from an ignorant English major like yours truly.

The noodles are fully theoretical, the sauce titrated and even the garlic is smashed using only the brunt force of physics students thinking about string theory. It’s a sort of fourth-dimensional delicacy. Serves n people.

When it comes to agriculture and life sciences majors, it’s all about bang for your buck. After spending so much time out in the fields, it makes sense that they need the kind of food that keeps them moving from dawn until dusk. Hardworking people deserve hardworking proteins, and this recipe reflects that.

Recipe: Barenbrug Stockmaster25 Tall Fescue Pasture Seed Forage Mixture Cattle Feed Ingredients: Barenbrug Stockmaster25 Tall Fescue Pasture Seed Forage Mixture Cattle Feed Instructions: A healthy scoop of this will keep any student going for a solid 12 hours. Full of fiber and formulated with multiple types of endophyte-free perennial ryegrass, it’s both easily digestible and palatable.

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Education Education majors should really be teaching the rest of us how to cook, don’t you think? I feel a little silly trying to teach future teachers, but I think this recipe is going to really help them.

It was made with a budget in mind; we all know how much dough teachers make, so their diets should reflect that.

Recipe: Anything under $5 Ingredients & Steps: This recipe is pretty open-ended; anything from ramen cups to the dollar menu at McDonald’s is fair game. The most important thing to remember is the price — anything $6 and up is far too pricey for America’s teachers.

MORE than STRANGERS How To Help Your Room Mate

Introductions First things first, introductions are always a necessary part of building that relationship. No matter how nervous or shy you may get when you hear your new roommate moving in with boxes and family members helping them unpack, always be the courteous one and say your introductions. Not only is it well-mannered, but the longer you prolong that hesitant first “hello,” the more awkward the situation can get. Nothing brings a deeper pit in the stomach than saying, ‘Oh, hey, what’s your name,’ with a voice crack one month into the semester.

Formalities Next thing to consider is keeping up that cordial exchange between you and your roommates. It doesn’t kill you to say a simple “hello” everytime you bump into each other. Even if they might be busy with chores, always greet them, your presence in the room is surely known.

Another key thing to establish is boundaries and the dynamic exchanges between you and the other people. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, make sure your roommates understand your energy levels. Take for example, if you are an extroverted person with an introverted roommate, you might become their worst nightmare. Know when to tone down a bit, and perhaps them declining your invite to Northgate might not be out of distaste of you, but of the scene.

Photos by Ruben Hernandez, Nov. 21, 2023 — Left, top: Tiana Guerra posing. Left, bottom: Elizabeth Lopez posing. Right-top corner: Roommates share a bowl of noodles.

Center: Both roommates apply makeup together in Lopez’s bathroom.

Cleaning Thou who has kept the house clean throughout the whole semester shall cast the first stone. Whether you admit it or not, we’ve all been the roommate who has either left the dirty dishes or cleaned said dishes, although increments of what is done more may vary. As much as a sisyphean task as it may seem, cleaning is critical.

I would recommend having shame as a motivator to cleaning, but it is often those who have no shame at all who leave a mess behind over extended periods of time. I, the author, am not your mother. Your roommates are not your mother. If anything, cleanliness is something that is either learned from a young age or never. Hopefully, this article serves as a sort of wake-up call to a new era of your cleanliness.

Guests For the sake that is all formal, please advise your roommates if you plan to have guests over to your place. It’s more than just a vibe killer, it’s downright rude to have people over while your roommate expects a night of peace. If you can’t host parties or get-togethers, have someone else do it; simple as that.

If your roommates aren’t enthusiastic about hosting your guests, either cancel plans for the night or offer a proportional amount of compensation. Nothing says invading boundaries like inviting other people to step in as well.

Sharing

Everyone is a hero in their own story, but perhaps a bad roommate to those you share space with

By Ruben Hernandez @battandmuse hree things are inevitable during college life: insomnia, failed talking stages and roommates. The first two might undulate with the season and amount of self-worth, but the latter is a relationship that falls primarily on the hands of your roommate’s personality — and yours as well.

Roommates are often confined to the perspective of “stranger which I live with” or “best friend in the next room,” yet introspection is left out when dealing with such people.We forget we are also the dreaded roommates at times, with piling dishes and insufferable pets that leave foul surprises in the middle of the rug. Advice columns often glorify the reader as the never-do-wrong archetype, when in reality the reader — yes, you — might actually be the problem. That doesn’t mean that you are exempt from the solution, though.

So, how can you help?

T

Even if a common area is shared between people, that doesn’t mean it’s an invitation to hound on the groceries and cleaning supplies supplemented by your other roommates. Borrowing without permission might seem as taboo as it is to some readers, but by the numbers of ingrate borrowers that are present within many college living experiences, one of you is bound to be a culprit.

If you’re willing to take without permission, asking for it is obviously too much for you, so the best advice that can be given is: don’t.

Even if your kleptomaniac impulses cannot be controlled and your roommates have already voiced their issues, the least you can do then is to compensate in the form of repaying what you have taken or perhaps letting them take from your own supplies.

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Reciprocation Understand that being a good roommate doesn’t exactly mean being the best roommate, or one that smiles through the pain of washing everyone’s dishes. As nice as you may be and act, your roommates may either thank you tenfold or take advantage of your kindness. Assess whether to seek a possible friendship outside your quarters or end things the way you started: just as strangers.

T R E N DY, D E S I G N E R & V I N TA G E

EARN CASH FOR CLOTHES Welcome Aggies!!

2022

2410 Texas Ave S, College Station, TX

HOUSE KEEPING

An easy solution to a messy problem is sometimes what you need

By Nadia Abusaid @NadiaAtTheBatt

ollege students aren’t just infamous for procrastinating schoolwork, they can also fall behind in more mundane routines such as housework.

Some students might feel a huge shift in cleanliness from their parents’ upkept homes to their apartments with cluttered, messy roommates and little time to clean up. Rather than let dishes pile up in the sink or have sticky stains on the floor, some turn to the help of a housekeeper. This may sound like a posh remedy to some, but such help can keep roommate tensions low and visiting parents happy.

Services in the area can range from weekly, biweekly or monthly cleanings, or one-time services such as during move-out.

MaidPro BCS Owner Jen Curtiss said services can range in price to fit a college budget, typically getting cheaper the more often you hire.

“The weekly service is the lowest price, so the more often you’re using us, the [more the] price goes down,” Curtiss said. “So [a] one-time clean is the most expensive, and then it goes down for monthly and then goes down for bi-weekly and weekly.”

Customers can do several things in preparation for hiring a housecleaner, Curtiss said. Homeowners can help speed up the process of home cleaning by tidying up various objects, kenneling animals and allowing house cleaners to easily access the space, Merry Maids of College Station owner Amber Lenz said.

“Just picking up miscellaneous things so that the ladies can focus more on the cleaning aspects like dusting, sanitizing bathrooms [and] cleaning kitchen floors,” Lenz said. “We do pick up and straighten, but it just takes our focus away more from the cleaning aspect of it.”

Before hiring a housekeeper, it is important to know their qualifications and training. For example, workers at MaidPro undergo a two-week training period and background checks, Curtiss said.Workers at Merry Maids also undergo background checks and certifications, Lenz said.

“All of our background screening goes through C4 Operations,” Lenz said. “And all of our drug screening goes through Nova Medical Centers.That all has to be passed before starting, and we do have cleaning one-on-one certifications as far as training. Then they do out in the field training with a trainer.”

Another aspect to be mindful of is contracts. Some cleaning companies require six or 12-month contracts for cleaners, oftentimes locking you in without consumer protection.

C

Curtiss recommends that people find a company with more flexibility, he said.

Some people may prefer a quick clean, whereas others who hire weekly cleaners may want a cleaner who takes the time to know your preferences and expectations. Both Merry Maids and MaidPro send the same cleaner into homes when possible.

“This person knows, ‘OK, you can give this dog a snack or if I’m not here, the key is hidden here, and I like the tag on my pillow facing this direction,’” Lenz said. “Just several different things. So once the lady learns their home, they prefer to keep that person.”

Sociology senior Hope Harper worked as a maid for two years while balancing schoolwork at Texas A&M. “I liked cleaning … because I would go in every week and knew what [my client] liked,” Harper said. “I knew not to mess with certain things and what she liked to keep real tidy.”

HELPFUL NUMBERS Molly Maid of BCS - (979) 314-2184 Merry Maids - (979) 212-8891 MaidProBCS - (979) 260-3539 Lorena’s Cleaning - (979) 289-1212 K&H Queen Maid - (936) 205-0925 Cleaning Aggieland - (214) 681-5812 Graphic by Selena Cosino

15

GIVING AGGIELAND

A GOOD

FRAME

Since 1991, Myra’s Gallery & Custom Framing has framed artwork, memorabilia, footballs for customers of all sorts in Bryan-College Station

By John Chapa @JDChapaBatt

ecorative and protective. Classic and modern. A framed picture, photograph or diploma can enhance your interior design as much as they elevate this local gallery on University Drive.

One custom frame shop has served students in the same Aggieland location for over 30 years. Since 1991, Myra’s Gallery & Custom Framing has framed artwork, created shadow boxes and framed diplomas for customers across Texas.

The local business boasts unique frames and sincere craftsmanship, elements vital to framing a customer’s prized piece. Co-owner Adelyn Allen said the shop most often frames Texas A&M diplomas but can produce anything a customer has in mind.

“Any Aggie-themed artwork is always great to be in a custom frame,” Allen said. “ …

We can do a variety of things, [like] sporting memorabilia. We’ve [framed] some baseball tickets and baseball cards.”

In addition to framing A&M degrees, Myra’s has also created shadow boxes for memorabilia dear to the largest organization and athletic program on campus.

“We’ve done quite a bit of jerseys [and] we’ve done a few Yell Leaders’ uniforms as well,” Allen said.

Frames elevate and enhance a piece, Allen said, and picking a frame stems from how you choose to pair your design with the furnishings of your dorm, apartment or house.

“If you’re more modern, we’ve got frames for that,” Allen said. “ … We go for what colors and what kind of schemes. Are you into more of a wooden or modern look? What’s the furniture that you have around the house?

We try to match that a little bit when people come in. Or, if somebody wants something

D

Photos by Adriano Espinosa, Nov. 14, 2023 — Center: Framed Dan Cambell Jersey and 90s Cowboys furnish the walls at Myra’s Gallery.

Right top: A Trevor Knight football jersey is one of the many items framed in the shop. Right middle: Myra’s Gallery displays numerous framing options alongside a framed dancer and Alamo picture. Right bottom: A signed and framed white leather A&M Football rests on a shelf.

completely different, we’ve got plenty of options for that, too, as far as colors and different frames.”

In addition, Allen said determining whether to house multiple frames or one bigger frame in your abode is a matter of personal preference. Myra’s can create any size frame and any size shadow box for any type of piece.

The shop recently completed a custom shadow box for the George H.W. Bush Library Center, Allen said.

“It was a shadow box that had a bottle, a train, a plaque and all kinds of things,” Allen said. “So, we can tailor to really anything to be put into a shadow box or frame within reason.

We can try our best to accommodate what goes into that.”

The gallery has created multiple shadow boxes for footballs signed by notable A&M figures, such as former Aggie football coaches Jackie Sherrill, R.C. Slocum and Jimbo Fisher,

16

as well as former Aggie football player Johnny Manziel.

One craftsman makes the frames and with the help of two assistants, puts all the frames and backings together. Within six weeks, customers can expect to pick up their custom frame or shadow box. The gallery has numerous services in addition to custom frames, such as mounting, matting, glazing, finishing, shipping, delivery and installation.

Matting ensures that artwork does not touch the frame’s glass, improving its life span, volume and depth. Glazing prevents airborne acidic particles from contacting the art, slowing down humidity transfer and slowing down UV damage. Museum Glass and Conservation Clear glass protect framed pieces from fading and provides greater clarity.

Myra’s Gallery & Custom Framing completes all of its work in-house. More information can be found at myrasgallery.com.

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LAUNDRY ROOMS

BALCONY DECORATION When it comes to home decor, don’t be shy to use the whole space — including the outside.

By Richa Shah @WhoIsRichaShah

M

oving into your first apartment means you get to decorate your place how you see fit. Personality, style and a little bit of snazziness are now yours to fully play with.

Long gone are the days of ‘Live Laugh Love’ signs — unless used ironically.

With college students embracing their particular brand of ironic tackiness, you have the option to go in numerous directions depending on your lifestyle. Generally, people focus on the inside of their homes. However, when it gets too stuffy at a party, where do guests go? The balcony.

If you get the chance to have the experience of having your own balcony, it would be criminal to not use the space to allow the outside to be part of your home. An opening for natural light, a nook to have a breathe of fresh air and other indisclosed college-based uses are just some of the multidutes of use for the balcony. The niche that it is best used for, of course, is the application of assorted furniture for you to use and the world to see.

Don’t let your balcony take away from your interior decoration efforts. It doesn’t take skill, per se, to decorate a balcony, but it sure does take effort and dedication to assemble the perfect outdoor space. Applying that needed ‘oomph’ to your balcony brings in an energy that will surely liven up the place. From functional to purely aesthetic, here are a few of the common setups that can be seen around the Bryan-College Station area.

Plants Plants are an excellent and aesthetically pleasing way to decorate your indoor and outdoor space. Putting plants on your balcony ensures they receive enough sunlight and fresh air. It’s a sure-fire way to feel like you have a garden space when you live in a small, cramped apartment.

With hanging pots and wooden shelves, students often use foliage to brighten up their outdoor areas. Sometimes, going outside to water them is often the only time engineering students leave their three-monitor setup.

A common mistake students make is leaving their plants on their balconies over winter break.

With the cold weather settling in, it’s recommended to bring most plants in so they don’t die to freezing temperatures. Other than being used just as decoration, plants are a solid practice before acquiring more serious dedications such as pets.

If you can’t remember to water a plant once a day, you’re probably not ready to take care of a fur baby.

String/Fairy lights This is a timeless classic. With color changing LED lights around ceilings being the trend in bedrooms, a softer string of lights around the balcony is right up a college student’s alley. Generally, the outdoor lights provided by apartment complexes are harsh, dull or just downright ugly. Though fairy lights are smaller and purely for aesthetic purposes, string lights are larger and provide actual lighting. Adding your own lights helps brighten up the space while adding aesthetic value to your outdoor space, at a relatively cheap price.

These lights are best seen during the night, and are an awesome mood setter for house parties and get togethers. Pair that with good music and complimentary refreshments — and suddenly — your balcony is the hottest place on the block.

What’s even more, such eye-catching luminence will surely catch the attention of other college students, fulfilling the college experience of being the people you you want to be partying with.

Flags Different flags say different things about the occupants. Most commonly noted are Greek life flags. Generally hung up by fraternities, the flag brands the home as one that hosts parties. Other common flags are ones with funny, nonsensical phrases or pictures. For example, there is an apartment near Texas A&M’s campus that boasts a pink flag with Bob Duncan, a bottle of Pink Whitney and the words ‘Babe Cave.’ Now there’s a real conversation starter.

Political flags are also an option, but who are we to say what you should hang up. If living with roommates, it would probably be best to unanimously agree on what flag to let hang for all to see. It’s risky business to be that open of your political opinions, but no shame of course. If you had the idea to buy it, you might as well have the guts to fly it.

Seating area An outdoor seating area is the most functional idea on this list and a wonderful addition to any home. In the rare weeks that Texas weather is not unbearably hot or cold, sitting outside and enjoying a meal or bevergae is an excellent way to celebrate the end of a particularly long Monday.

An outdoor seating area also allows the occupants of the home to have those spontaneous, late night chats about life and love on the balcony.

Options may including the humble folding plastic chairs, or perhaps seats from inside that now provide comfort outside. If you have money to spare, don’t shy away from some more luxurious options. Elevated chairs with an equally elevated table give that urban vibe as you stare out to the Texas pastures with horses and cows. And although it may take consider effort — and space — to put it in the balcony, a couch is always a possible option.

No matter how you do it, a decorated balcony is going to make your space feel more like a home.

Graphic by Ruben Hernandez

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It’s more than an ordinary towel.

Most of the year, this $2 cloth is destined to either be stowed away until next season or become a handy-dandy shop towel in dad’s garage. But what it lacks in Egyptian cotton, it makes up for in pride. If you have ever seen 80,000 of these waving at once in a churning sea of white, you know this towel is much more than a humble handkerchief—it helps 11 men play with the power of 12.

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