Winter 2014
Volume 45, Issue 2
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE Take a peek at how the coffee is made page 8
BA RT L E T T BECAUSE UPWARD MOBILIT Y IS PART OF OUR NATURE. For over 100 years, we’ve made trees, shrubs–and our people– thrive. Ours is an entrepreneurial culture in which new ideas are welcomed and decisions are shared–not handed down. We provide a highly-competitive compensation package and generous benefits, including medical/dental/life insurance, 401(k) and more. And we encourage our employees to succeed both in and out of the workplace. Consider a career with Bartlett Tree Experts. Where growth happens everywhere you look.
For the life of your trees. PLEASE CONTACT NOEL DUBAK AT NDUBAK@BARTLETT.COM
Winter 2014
Volume 45, Issue 2
on the cover Pictured: Charlie Mustard in the process of roasting and
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE Take a peek at how the coffee is made page 8
Photographer: Lexi Deagen
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contents WINTER 2014
IN PROFILE ‘Tis the Season: Specialty Winter Drinks 6
CAMPUS LENS Jittery Joe’s: Inside the Roaster 8
LIFESTYLE Transcending Traditions 12 Dressing on a Tight Budget 13 An Elegant Affair 14 Riding with Regard: Bus Etiquette 20
BEYOND THE ARCH Top 5 Tips to be Healthy During Flu Season 22 The Jump Ahead Awaits 23
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ugazine editor-in-chief Lexi Deagen assistant editor Caitlyn Daniels managing editor Sophia Griesenauer art director Lauren Greene photo editor Damien Salas copy editors Helen Beckner, Haylee Silverthorne contributing editors Morgan Johnson, Claire Ruhlin, Kristin Hiller, Jacqueline Rehe, Jumana Bambot, Natasha Roy, Kiersten Willis writers Chloe Hargrave, Jacqueline Rehe, Daniel Funke, Cristian Delgado, Katie Thigpen, Lauren Pratt, Destiny Smith, DeShonna Johnson, photographers Ersta Ferryanto, Lexi Deagen, Brenna Beech, Daniel Funke contact faculty adviser Joe Dennis, joedennis@uga.edu advertising representative Patrick Stansbury mailing address Box 271 Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication Athens, GA 30605 website www.georgiaugazine.com email ugazine@gmail.com
Ugazine is published four times a year with sales from advertising revenue. Ugazine is printed by aPrintis, inc. For advertising information, please contact Patrick Stansbury, Pentagon Publishing, ps@pentagon-usa.com
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letter from the editor
I’ll admit it. I’m addicted…to coffee. Winter is my favorite time of year. Not because of the holidays, the cold weather or the possibility of snow, but because the season brings with it an array of new drink flavors. Coffees and teas of all flavors can be found everywhere, especially in a town like Athens where coffeehouses are in abundance. Being in college can sometimes be tough and we, as students, can rely heavily on copious amounts of caffeine that coffee provides. With one of our favorite things in mind, we decided to not only cover specialty winter drinks offered at various coffee shops in town (pg. 6), but also to take a look at how the coffee is made (pg. 8). Jittery Joe’s, an Athens household name, gave us a chance to go inside their new Roaster and explore the process of how coffee is prepared from a bean to a delicious 16 ounce cup of warm, delicious medium roast. While covering such a popular topic, we didn’t want to leave out some important things such as how to stay healthy during the dreaded cold and flu season (pg. 22) and how to dress yourself (warmly) on a college kid’s budget (pg. 19). And with the beginning of a new semester, we thought it would be a good idea to brush up on bus etiquette (pg. 20). While flipping through the first winter edition of UGAzine, I hope you find yourself wanting to try new drinks, being educated on how to stay healthy and remembering how to regard others’ space on a crammed bus. And while you’re sipping that delicious latte, think about how that coffee began its journey as you’re beginning your own.
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‘Tis the Season Athens Coffeehouses Prepare for the Season with Specialty Drinks STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL FUNKE
As the leaves fall and the air chills, coffeehouse drinks made especially for the winter season emerge. Whether it is warm apple cider or a pumpkin latte, these cozy drinks are sure to warm you up and spread the spirit of the season.
WALKER'S PUB 128 College Ave. Nothing says fall like warm apple cider on a crisp day. Walker’s Pub in downtown Athens, Ga., offers a variety of coffee and espresso drinks, each made to order with the customer’s exact specifications. The highlight of the menu is their spiced apple cider. This warm, comforting drink is full of fresh apple flavor, served in a kitschy ceramic mug and topped off with a cinnamon stick for a true taste of the season. If it were not in the heart of Athens, you would think that you had just stepped out of an orchard. “I like going to Walker’s and getting the cider. It’s the best feeling to go and sit on the patio in the back and do homework and drink apple cider,” says Alex Merritt, a freshman from Alpharetta, Ga., majoring in agricultural economics. The back patio offers the perfect atmosphere to sip a warm beverage while enjoying cool winter breezes, Christmas lights and sunshine. If any post-five o’clock cravings arise, try the Walker’s Cider, which mixes Crown Royal and apple cider. Whoever created that one was a genius; the smoothness of the whiskey truly compliments the tart flavor of cider.
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1000 FACES COFFEE 585 Barber St. Nestled five minutes north of downtown Athens is 1000 Faces Coffee, a wholesale coffee distributor that sells specialty brews to places such as Earthfare, Two Story, Ciné and The Fresh Market. Instead of making typical coffee drinks, 1000 Faces will provide just the right blend to take home and prepare you for the season. The El Joaquín blend, a medium roast coffee from Costa Rica, is the perfect pairing for cool fall mornings and knit sweaters. “With a cozy milk-chocolate mouth feel, I’d say it’s the official coffee of autumn,” says Alex Reubert, a barista at 1000 Faces. Be sure to sample some of the numerous blends available. 1000 Faces will roast and hand-grind the coffee to fit your exact home brewing requirements. Sit at the open-air bar and admire the antique coffee equipment while you select and sip seasonal brews.
in profile
TWO STORY COFFEEHOUSE 1680 S. Lumpkin St. and 1911 Barnett Shoals Rd. Located in Five Points, Two Story is the perfect place to stop and enjoy the rich flavor of winter. The interior is warm and inviting, and the calm atmosphere is complemented by the delicious variety of hand-filtered coffees to choose from. The cinnamon caramel latte is the perfect balance of sweet, festive flavor and bitter coffee kick—great for any casual meeting or study session. “We’re looking at reviving some of our older seasonal beverages,” says Michael Duffy, a Two Story barista. “We did the harvest latte, and the tuxedo with a twist [in the past]. That’s the move that we’re hoping to make; bringing back more seasonal drinks, and more specialty drinks that are unique to Two Story.” Sit outside on the front porch and soak in the crisp winter air while admiring the twinkling Christmas lights that adorn the terrace. If you have a craving for serenity and a pumpkin spice latte complete with art in the foam, then look no further; Two Story is your best bet. Take that, Starbucks.
Jittery Joe's 297 E. Broad St. and other Athens locations Whether on-the-go or just relaxing with a good book, Athens-based coffee shop Jittery Joe’s never disappoints. At this locally-owned coffeehouse, pumpkin is the name of the game. Order any drink, such as a latte or cappuccino, with a pumpkin pie flavor shot and your drink is immediately outfitted for the season. “Pumpkin syrup is a thing that we have for the season. It’s a good flavor, so we can add it to anything,” says Lea Purvis, a Jittery Joe’s barista. The pumpkin pie latte is a decadent drink topped off with whipped cream and sprinkles. Stop by the downtown location on a Wednesday to get any size for $2.50. If pumpkin drinks aren’t your thing, try the organic black chai instead. The rich, luxurious flavor notes of chai coupled with a delicious pumpkin muffin between classes will definitely prepare anyone for the holidays.
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On the Cover
Charlie Mustard, Master Roaster at Jittery Joe’s in Athens, Ga., pours roasted coffee beans into a barrel to be packaged for sale.
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Jittery Joe’s
Campus Lens
Inside the Roaster
BY CHLOE HARGRAVE AND JACQUELINE REHE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEXI DEAGEN Across the University of Georgia campus., it’s a common sight to see students sipping from orange cups, filled with Jittery Joe’s coffee. With several locations across the southeast, the signature orange cup is now a common sight in other areas. But all Jittery Joe’s coffee comes from the heart of Athens from the roaster’s new location, 420 Barber Street. “We started in Athens,” master roaster Charlie Mustard said. “We love Athens.” Jittery Joe’s started in 1994 by brothers Keith and Karl Kortimeier. The first shop was run 24 hours and housed in the building that is currently Max, downtown. When the Kortimeier brothers started the company, they asked Mustard to assume the role of master roaster. “I had a good background in chemistry, so I told them I would do it for free coffee while I wrote my thesis. I have been roasting coffee ever since,” Mustard said. As master roaster, Mustard follows through the entire process of preparing coffee in order to be ready for every location. The process begins far from Athens. One of the roaster’s employees recently returned from Colombia, where he returned with coffee beans from one of the local farms. “All of this is coffee is from different areas, and each one of them gets their flavor from the soil,” Mustard said, as he pointed out the countless layers and layers of coffee beans within the roaster. After receiving the coffee, the roaster
then starts with a pack of unroasted coffee beans, which can be nearly 71 pounds. The pre-roasted beans are poured into the loader, which gradually places the beans into the hopper. The hopper then holds the beans until they are ready to be transferred to the drum. The drum holds all of the beans, and with the right “recipe” roasts them to the desired taste. While the beans are in the drum, Mustard adjusts the air that is being circulated, the temperature at which the beans are being roasted and the amount of time the beans will roast. While these three factors may seem miniscule, any small adjustment can affect the overall outcome of the coffee beans, changing the taste of the coffee. For instance, on average the beans are held in the drum for approximately 15 minutes, however if released earlier, the change could result in a more bitter taste. “There’s at least three different ways you could drink this and say ‘What is this?’ and it be the same coffee,” Mustard said. Once released, the beans are poured into the cooling bin and circulated until they have cooled to the right temperature. After the process of preparing the beans is complete, they are then moved into packaging. From there, one of Mustard’s coworkers, Christian (Last name needed), is in charge of the packaging process. The beans are then packaged into bins and bags for its coffee houses and other wholesale clients, and 12-ounce cans for retail customers. Although roasting the beans is a very specific
process, Mustard feels that it is the experience of going to the coffee shops that makes Jittery Joe’s coffee unique. “The people that work at Jittery Joe’s is what makes the difference,” Mustard said. “Athens is filled with talent of all sorts. Our shops are filled with that talent. Hard working, interesting people plus the superior coffee.” Marisa Leilani, a barista at Jittery Joe’s, feels grateful for her job because of several different benefactors. “I love working at Jittery Joes,” Leilani said. “The customers are so nice. I look forward going to work all the time and I think that’s more than a lot of people can say. I have a great manager that listens to my ideas and the customers that come in really make my day. It’s a great job and I can drink a cup of great coffee,” Frequent customers such as Athenian and Clarke Central High School teacher David Ragsdale prefer Jittery Joe’s over its franchise rival, Starbucks, because of its local flavor. “Rather than spending money to support the infrastructure of a multinational corporation, I would rather pay into a local coffee concern that operates locally and has since its inception,” Ragsdale said. “Additionally, Jittery Joe’s supports the local community economically and philanthropically.” From the bean to the cup, there is a lot more to Jittery Joe’s than just the brand. The orange cup represents a process put together by hard work, and also a community’s support and preference of great coffee, with a local flavor.
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A bag of unroasted coffee beans from Colombia sit on a bench inside of the Jittery Joe’s roaster.
Charlie Mustard checks the freshly roasted coffee beans to make sure they were roasted at the correct temperature.
Freshly roasted coffee beans are swirled in a bin as they 10 ugazine winter cool to room temperature.
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Charlie Mustard holds unroasted coffee beans in his hamds before they are put into the roaster.
Stamps rest in a holder at the packaging station inside of the Jittery Joe’s roaster.
Cans of packaged Jittery Joe’s coffee sit in boxes ready for georgiaugazine.com 11 shipment inside of the roaster.
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Transcending Traditions
Students have found creative ways to bring their hometown winter-time traditions with them to college, mixing a little bit of home with their new lives in Athens. BY DESTINY SMITH
From avoiding walking under the arch as an undergraduate, ringing the chapel bell after a big accomplishment and calling the dawgs before every football game, Athens is a community of strong traditions. Traditions are not meant to be preserved on paper, but instead carried on by people who chose to keep passing them along. What makes traditions so sacred is their fragility; if one person chooses not to assume the responsibility of passing the tradition down, then that tradition will be easily put at risk to die out. College is an excellent time for expanding and venturing out, but there are still certain customs that people cling to. During the holiday season, many University of Georgia students look for ways to incorporate their own hometown traditions into their new Athens life.
Music is a good indicator of occasion, and many students use that to make Athens feel a little more like home. Kurt Hofius, a senior biochemistry major from Marietta says that he “plays the piano at O-house Dining Commons in order to set the holiday spirit.” Hofius shared that music has always been a big component of the holiday season in his family’s house. As soon as the holiday season rolled around in his house, Hofius said that he would hear the lyrics to, “‘Joy to the World’ and other Christmas songs echoing throughout the house.” By playing music in the dining hall, Hofius has found a way to bring home and Athens a little closer together. James Brown, a sophomore biology major from Louisville also uses music to spread the holiday spirit. Brown shared that he and his roommates “often blast holiday Named an AJC Top Workplace in 2012 & 2013! music and decorate their house.” While Brown decorates his house with lights during the holiday season, Hannah Hester, a junior marketing major from Woodstock says she has crafted “snowflakes by cutting out designs in white sheets of paper and hanging them” around her dorm during her freshman year, and her sorority house during her sophomore year. Now that she has an apartment, she plans on decorating Become part of our winning team! it, too. Putting up a Search current job openings tree and other winterand apply online at themed decorations is www.postproperties.com. something that helps Post Apartment Homes is an equal opportunity employer. Drug screening make Hester and a lot and criminal background check conducted prior to employment. of other UGA students’
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dorm rooms feel homier. Madison Keiger, a sophomore journalism major from Atlanta has a unique family tradition that she and her grandmother help keep alive while she is away at college. Every year on the first day of December her grandmother sends her an advent calendar. Keiger describes the advent calendar as “paper windows that hold a surprise under each flap.” The advent calendar is a cumulative and thoughtful gift that allows Keiger to reminisce and reflect on home in a different way each day. Movies and food are another way UGA students remind themselves of being back at home. Many of us have memories of snuggling up with our parents or siblings and watching classic winter-time movies like “The Grinch” or “Charlie Brown’s First Christmas.” Devan Campbell, a junior environmental science major from Lawrenceville likes to follow these common practices. Campbell shared that he keeps his customs alive by hosting “hot chocolate and movie nights” with his friends. Comfort food and familiar films are a great way to incorporate old traditions with new friends. Eid-al-Adha, or the end of pilgrimage, is a sure sign that the winter season is near for Maheen Adnar, a junior biology and psychology major from Marietta. Adnar says that, “the Muslim Student Association hosts a dinner every year to mark the end of fasting.” This event allows students to bring traditional Muslim flavors to Athens, including foods like biryani, tandoori chicken or kheer. Traditions remind us where we come from. The merge between the new traditions we learn in college and the ones we bring from home is the perfect recipe to help us remember who we are and who we can become.
lifestyle
Dressing on a Tight Budget As a college student with a small bank account, it can be tough to dress warmly and comfortably without looking sloppy. Of course, this also depends on what you’re looking for when it comes to clothing. You may care nothing about appearances, you may care all about cost or you may want to find a reasonable way to combine saving and style. No matter what category you fall into, here are some suggestions to get you thinking about what kinds of outfits to put together.
BY LAUREN PRATT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENNA BEECH
1. Poor and Proud of It All you care about is warmth and comfort when it comes to how you dress. Is there really anything else that matters when it’s below 30 degrees outside? Layering clothes is key to both staying warm and cheap during the winter. “Anything that gets worn under other clothes can be cheap,” says Dalton Mark, a senior philosophy major from Snellville, Ga. Mark says he shops at stores like Target and Goodwill to find cheap clothes. Another great place to find affordable and comfortable clothing is at America’s Thrift Store, located on Atlanta Highway.
2. Conscientious and Classy You know that prices are important, but you have to have some style in what you wear. Sure, clothes serve as a basic function to keep us warm in this weather, but you still want to look good while keeping all of your fingers and toes. “I like to shop at Goodwill and Plato’s
Closet,” says Kasey Kavanaugh, a junior environmental health science major from Lawrenceville, Ga. “People are always concerned with secondhand things.” Despite this kind of mindset, she notes that you can find clothes that are in great shape and some that are brand new. Besides thrift, she also recommends Forever 21 and Belk as other places to find good deals.
3. Big Spender, Small Wallet You may not make much money, but when you do earn some, you like to treat yourself to expensive, quality
clothing. You would not be caught dead wearing something from a thrift store because no matter how good the deals are, you never know how many people have worn that sweater in the past year. However, unless you have a job that pays well, or parents that are generous with loaning you money, then you probably can’t buy as much as you want at more expensive stores. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to stay classy without going overboard, and it doesn’t mean you have to shop at thrift stores. Stephen Mays, a senior English and journalism major from Hawkinsville, Ga., says he likes to give an alternative email address to stores such as Ralph Lauren, J.Crew, Tommy Hilfiger and American Eagle. These stores notify you when they have sales or promotional discount deals. By using a separate email for these stores, you can avoid any interference with your primary inbox used for work or school. Mays describes shopping for good clothing as a “process.” “I don’t have everything I want within a month,” he says. Instead, he thinks it’s better to save for the important clothing pieces you may need in the future.
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An Elegant Affair Make an entrance this New Year’s with elegance and sophistication. These timeless winter pieces and bold accessories come together to create a combination worth celebrating. Ring in the New Year with these classic looks.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERSTA FERRYANTO | STYLED BY SURINA HARJANI, ASHLEY BISCAN, TUKIO MACHINI AND KAILEY PROFETA
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Tiernan Heydt (far left) is a second year studying dental hygiene. She is wearing a blazer from Banana Republic and jewelry from Pitaya. Other pieces are model’s own.
Zack Filosi (third from left), a first year from Milton, Ga., is a biology major. He is wearing pants and vest from Banana Republic and bowtie from Agora. Other items are the model’s own.
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Galaxy leggings, $24, jean shirt, $22, Dynamite Clothing. Gold earrings, $8, Pitaya.
Red dress, $24, gold earrings, $14, Dynamite Clothing. Three stone necklace, $10, Pitaya.
Riding with Regard We’ve all been riding the bus for how long now?
While riding around on the University of Georgia busses, I spy with my little eye a few things that need to addressed. The standard for etiquette on the busses is at an all time low, and although it is easy to, we can’t solely blame these problems on the freshmen—upperclassmen are just as guilty. Therefore, I believe we all need a little refresher on what it takes to be a pleasurable passenger. Here are some tips on how to ride the bus with regard to others.
BY DESHONNA JOHNSON
01 Please, sir, tell us more about your crazy night! No, don’t. I’m all for having fun, but I’m also all for not having to hear about yours. If you’re sitting at the back of a packed bus and I can hear your phone conversation (from the front) about how you couldn’t find Sara (which I hope you found her), then you’re talking a little too loud. Not to mention the face-to-face conversations. If you guys are in the same row of seats and are communicating at a volume above the sound barrier (which the multiple stares should tell you), you need to bring it down a notch. I promise, it’ll be better for our ears and Sara probably won’t have to live down any embarrassment.
02 Don’t have a mini-concert during your bus ride. I love when the bus drivers play music for the riders. It’s calming, it’s nice, it’s cool. So, when you bounce on the bus (with headphones on), blaring tracks from Yeezus or Luke Bryan’s new song that I can hear from five seats behind me, it’s distracting and aggravating. Keep your music to a pleasurable level, not a headbanging one. Beause the only people doing any headbanging are your peers...against their palms.
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03 The bus won’t move until you do...so move as far back as you can! Upperclassmen, you should know this by now. Freshmen, learn it. The drivers aren’t going to move until you follow the gray painted road up the steps and through the back. Everyone acts as if there’s some character from the Black Lagoon children’s books growling at them from behind the seats. There’s not. It’s called an engine...it makes the bus move. Sure, those handles on the bar above your head may slide around during the ride, but chances are you have your front, back and sides covered with strangers to keep you from falling on your face.
04 Speaking of moving back, move out of the way We know bus rides aren’t always the most comfortable, but please explain the logistics in standing like a deer in the headlights while people are trying to get off? It’s a simple 1,2 step-get off the bus and get back on. It will help a lot with unloading the bus and you won’t get irritated from people shoving you and stepping on your new boots. Help yourself and your peers; because after graduation, the bus will be one of the few things you can get off hassle-free (I’m looking at you student loans).
beyond the arch
05 If you’re catching a bus during rush hour, the backpack needs to come off. If you’re standing at the chemistry building bus stop along with 3 billion other people expecting to get to either Park or Memorial Hall in 15 minutes (which, by the way, won’t happen), what do you need to do? The wisest choice would be to walk, but if you’re insistent on taking the bus, take off your backpack. If everyone standing took off their luggage and sat it on the floor between their legs, there would be enough room to fit at least 10 more people on the bus. Not to mention this would create more room for people to back up. And yes, you’re going to be making some new friends because you’re going to be in everyone’s bubble; but, the sooner you do it, the sooner you leave.
06 Nobody wants to see your afternoon snack or anything else in your backpack. Be aware of where you swing that thing. I know everyone hates standing on the buses, but don’t take it out on the people who didn’t get on the busiest stop of the route. Get your backpacks out of our faces. It’s uncomfortable, it’s not a gift I would like and I would rather not go under facial reconstruction by Jansport. Be aware of your surroundings. People are going to understand if you slide backwards a little— that’s okay. But if you have the stability to talk, laugh, hold a coffee mug, or eat an apple you got at Bolton, I’m going need you to get your stuff together.
07 Freshmen. Enough said. But really, guys. If you’re going to ask the driver where the bus goes, ask for the specific stop. Don’t try to get him to describe the whole route because one, they probably won’t, and two, you probably won’t even know half the stops they named if they did. Also, don’t get on Family Housing. It goes to Narnia. You won’t need it; don’t get on it.
08 For the love of whatever deity you worship, wear deodorant. Think of the children. And our noses.
Read them. Memorize them. Live by them. The next time you ride the bus think of these rules. Your peers will be happy, your driver will be happy, and you will be happy.
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Top 5 Tips to be Healthy During Flu Season BY KATIE THIGPEN
1. Invest in your health Eating a balanced diet of nutrient dense food is especially important during the winter months when you are more susceptible to disease. Drinking orange juice and eating fruit daily is a great way to load your body with vitamin C. Vitamin C helps the body fight off disease. It also aids in healing after disease exposure. Limit intake of processed foods, and opt for fresh fruits and veggies to stay healthy. Taking your vitamins may seem overrated but becomes increasingly important during flu season. A complete multivitamin taken daily helps fill nutritional gaps left by picky eaters, and gives your immune system a boost. Do not let the cold weather keep you from staying active. Regular exercise boosts disease immunity and produces endorphins that remedy a gloomy mood on cloudy winter days.
2. Snag a flu shot early in the season While it is true that no one likes needles, investing a little time and money into a flu shot this season will prove to be a huge pay-off. Flu shots are administered at the University Health Center for only $20 each to fee-paying students. Local pharmacies including Rite Aid, Walgreens and Kroger, in addition to doctor’s offices in the area, also administer the shot. Receiving the flu shot reduces the risk of catching flu and is especially important for students living in residence halls. Crowded living spaces in dorms and communal bathrooms are prime transmission spaces for flu germs.
3. Get plenty of rest The importance of adequate sleep during flu season should not be underestimated. Ample rest aids the immune system in protecting your body against disease. Cutting down on all-night study secessions and trips to Waffle House are a must. It’s also important to reduce the late hours you spend downtown enjoying the music and bar scene. “Going out is fun, but the flu isn’t. Keep your sleeping patterns normal to better regulate your immune system,” says Katlyn LaVelle, a junior agricultural communication major from Griffin, Ga.
4. Sanitize! Hand washing becomes even more important during the winter months. In addition to washing your hands regularly, pack hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol in your backpack and re-sanitize as needed. The health center advises students to keep hands away from the face, eyes and mouth unless they are clean. The flu virus is airborne and spreads when infected people cough, sneeze or breathe on others. If you have been infected with the flu, do your classmates a favor and isolate yourself until all symptoms have subsided. “I can’t afford to miss a week of class because I am sick,” says Sarah Harrison, a junior poultry science major from Tifton, Ga. “It’s imperative that people infected with the flu stay home from class to avoid spreading the flu to classmates.”
5. Keep stress under control Obviously your busy class and extracurricular schedule is not going to get easier during the winter months just because your immune system is vulnerable. However, keeping stress to a manageable minimum is very important to staying healthy. Avoid taking on extra projects and activities that stretch your time and energy. Avoid stress before exams and essays by budgeting your time appropriately prior to assignment deadlines. Procrastination is the enemy.
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beyond the arch
The Jump Ahead Awaits
The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have arrived, but are gamers ready to embrace the next generation of console gaming? BY CRISTIAN DELGADO The last time Microsoft and Sony released a new home entertainment system, we lived in a world where 50 Cent peaked the Billboard charts and Facebook was still restricted to student use. Eight years and a whole lot of stalling later, the two mega-companies have finally upped the ante and released the next iterations of their signature machines. Students at the University of Georgia, however, don’t seem sold on the idea of being early adopters. From a technical standpoint, the two systems certainly live up to expectations. Both pack eight-core processors and host eight gigabytes of random access memory, or RAM, making them far more powerful than their outdated predecessors. Beyond improved tech specs, the two consoles promise to integrate all of our entertainment into one place and keep us more connected with our friends. Despite these selling points, students within the Athens community still insist on waiting to pick up one of these shiny new boxes. The most obvious deterrent for students is the price. At $399 for the PlayStation 4 and $499 for the Xbox One respectively, anyone who buys one will be forced to eat Ramen Noodle dinners for quite some time. “College kids don’t have money,” says junior Brent Latham, president of The Gamers’ Association of UGA. With tight budgets, students have to be especially convinced that they will be rewarded for their sacrifices through a great entertainment experience. This is something that the new systems can only achieve with high quality games. Unfortunately, the beginning of any console’s lifespan tends to lack compelling software. “Launch titles usually aren’t that great,” says Latham. “Sometimes, it’s
better just to wait.” Many highly anticipated nextgeneration titles, such as Destiny and Titanfall, don’t come out until much later this year. Also, the delays of Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs and The Crew, two hot titles that were supposed to be available at launch, don’t help the situation. Dustin Carson, Manager at UGAME on Baxter Street, doesn’t see next-gen related sales booming any time soon. At his store, only a handful of customers preordered the PlayStation 4 and even less have shown interest in the pricier Xbox One. Carson believes that these consoles won’t “affect [UGAME’s] business” much. In fact, the release of the new systems may actually hurt retailers due to the growing trend in digital downloads. Much like the shift the music industry made from store shelves to online marketplaces, the way we buy games will likely make the permanent switch to digital in the near future thanks to added convenience and other incentives. “I know Nintendo’s been super heavy on the digital download stuff lately,” Carson says. “They released a handful of games a couple of weeks early and cheaper if you bought them digitally.” As of now, hardcore Sony fans already have their hands on a PlayStation 4, while Microsoft fans have bought an Xbox One. For the unbiased crowd, the question may not necessarily be whether to upgrade, but rather which side of the console war to join. As the new consoles mature, the two companies will compete for our wallets by introducing new content and innovations exclusive to their corresponding platforms. The possibility of an early price cut also exists, much like the one Nintendo did for the 3DS during its first year
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on the market. For someone who’s on the fence, the benefits of each system become much clearer over time. “There’s no way I’m buying both because that’s $900,” says senior Lexi Fouts, computer science major and event coordinator for The Gamers’ Association of UGA. “I’ll probably wait until good into next year to see the exclusives for each one. I think most people are going to be doing the same thing.” Although right now may not be the best time to dish out cash for new hardware, it’s undeniable that the video game industry has attracted more eyes than ever before thanks to these new platforms. The revamped in-game graphics and new ways to play have sparked the curiosity of more people than ever before. Whether you managed to snag a new system over the holiday season or not, it’s still exciting to see where Sony and Microsoft will take their consoles going forward. Even Nintendo, who has struggled to sell its Wii U, is starting to show some promise now that Mario Kart 8 and the next Super Smash Bros are due to make an appearance on shelves soon. Only time will tell if Nintendo can establish the value of its latest system to gamers and, more importantly, compete with its more capable opponents. The bottom line is that gamers shouldn’t feel rushed to move on just yet. UGA students don’t appear to be fighting for a purchase and for good reason. Most big-name titles, such as Call of Duty: Ghosts, Destiny and Battlefield 4 are available for both current generation and next-gen systems. Couple that with Microsoft’s promise to support the Xbox 360 for three more years should give just about everyone enough time to prepare for the greatness that awaits.
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