36 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(01/23/17 8:10pm)
“What was your biggest mistake in the first semester?”
Leigh Ann Cowden, a sophomore nursing major.
“My biggest mistake was spending too much time goofing around,
because then it hits you that you have homework!”
Hailey Hyun, a sophomore biology major.
“I wasn’t as outgoing as I was my freshman year because I got comfortable with my friends now.”
“What is your favorite vacation spot?”
Priya Mansukhani, a sophomore biology major.
“Croatia!”
Xuan Chen, a junior mathematics major.
“I don’t go on vacation. I haven’t been on vacation in eight years!”
(01/23/17 7:28pm)
By Mia Ingui
There’s no better way to spend winter break than lying on the beach, drinking a smoothie out of coconut and soaking up the sun. But unfortunately, this is impossible in the New Jersey winter, as it is not the place to be during winter break. The perfect spot to have your island dreams come true is in Aruba, the tiny Dutch Caribbean island near Venezuela. Aruba is the best spot for relaxation, amazing eats and fun in the sun.
I visited Aruba smack in the middle of January, desperate to just feel the sunlight that I had missed. The summer is my absolute favorite time of the year, and I definitely suffer from seasonal depression. I am never sadder than the dark clouds of winter roll in. Once I landed in Aruba, the sunshine brought me back to life and I couldn’t be happier. The weather was a beautiful 80 degrees with a mix of sun and clouds. We caught a day of rain, which was not ideal, but this is very out of the ordinary for the island and does not happen often.
The island is large enough to explore yet small enough to manage in just a couple of days. The western half of the island is ideal to visit, as this is the strip with gorgeous beaches populated by high rise hotels and tons of attractions. One afternoon, we visited the famous California Lighthouse at the far end of the island, and after the Aruban Aloe Factory. I even took a plant back home to the States! We spent another day downtown in Oranjestad, the island’s capitol, and shopped till we dropped. Although the island is great to explore, we really wanted to spend time on the beach relaxing, which we indeed did. If you want an amazing place to lay in the sun even though it is the dead of the winter back home, Aruba is the place for you to be.
My family stayed at the Hyatt Regency, and personally I felt that this was an amazing choice for our stay. The property was absolutely gorgeous, as all are on the island. Because it was January, the beach was not crowded, which is why I would recommend going at this time of the year.
Obviously, spending some time in the sun was amazing, but what really proved to be impressive were the endless number of options to eat on the island. Almost every restaurant is highly rated and high quality. My favorite spot for breakfast was the vegan and all-natural spot Garden Fresh Café, which served amazing smoothies and breakfast wraps. On the beach was the famous playa bowl and smoothie hut Eduardo’s Beach Shack, which I visited every day to grab a delicious and completely Instagram-worthy acai bowl, decked out in all the local fruits of the island.
There is no greater feeling than escaping the cold, dreary days of the winter and escaping to a beautiful island getaway. If you’ve been dying for a better way to use your winter break than sitting on the couch watching Friends re-runs, consider taking that vacation you’ve always wanted to a lush island like Aruba.
(12/07/16 5:47am)
By Mia Ingui
Managing Assistant
“Consultation with entities across campus indicates that the TCNJ Clinic is not crucial in meeting campus needs. Therefore, after much study, the TCNJ Clinic will be closed at the conclusion of the 2016-17 Academic Year.”
The staff of the TCNJ Clinic received this dismissal notice by email. The staff received no prior notice to this memorandum that their place of work, love and healing would be closing.
The TCNJ Clinic provides counseling at low cost for individuals, couples and families regarding difficulty with work and school, anxiety, depression, gender identity and more. It is only $10 per session for students, though. It is the only location on campus where patients can receive long-term treatment from clinicians, who are graduate students supervised by licensed psychologists.
The Clinic serves 40 to 50 students per month, and its closing signifies the loss of a safe space for students and community members alike.
“This is impacting community members,” said Katie Warga, a graduate student interning at the Clinic. “TCNJ is tied to the community, and its relationship with the greater community is important to its reputation. The clinic has served over 1,300 clients and families."
The clinic’s atmosphere is somber as the close-knit staff are saddened by the news.
“We're a family here,” said Jennifer Sparks, the director of the TCNJ Clinic. “There are students who have come here specifically because there is a place where they can do their internship on campus. Our students and our clients are really upset.”
Sparks also said people need to understand the difference between the clinic and the College’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
“It’s important to know that the clinic is separate from CAPS,” Sparks said. “CAPS includes all licensed professionals, but myself and who helps me out are the only licensed professionals here at the clinic. All the counselors are students finishing their Masters. Our clinicians are new in the field — excited and passionate about what they are doing.”
Sparks said CAPS is not the place for students who seek long-term treatment options.
“Because CAPS can't do long-term (treatment), it becomes complicated to place kids who are really struggling and need long-term help,” Sparks said. “This is the only on-campus place for that.”
Julia McKinnies, a senior special education and English double major, agrees with Sparks since she benefited more from the clinic than CAPS.
“I was extremely saddened to hear that the Clinic was closing,” she said. “I know countless people who have benefited greatly from the clinics services, myself included… (CAPS) run on a more short-term counseling plan and, from personal experience, there is not nearly enough time for the proper rapport to be established between the patient and the counselor.”
The closing of the clinic has Warga wondering what will happen to the people that used it.
"The only thing that keeps running through my head when I get phone calls now is, ‘What is this student going to do next year?’” Warga said. “There is already more demand than can be met with both us and CAPS. Without us, I don't know what happens to them.”
Clinical intern Jennifer Peck-Nolte started a petition for the students to sign and show their support.
“There have been several student groups that contacted us and want to be more involved and take up our cause,” Warga said.
According to Peck-Nolte, career and community studies (CCS) students with intellectual disabilities receive aid from the clinic, and CAPS does not provide the same services.
Ashley Taconet, a senior special education and psychology double major who works with CCS students, agrees with Peck-Nolte that CAPS cannot provide close attention to the entire student body of the College without the help from the clinic.
“I am upset that the clinic is closing,” Taconet said. “I personally have not gone to the clinic, but know many people who do utilize their services… The TCNJ Clinic is available for all CCS students to attend, while CAPS is not available. Many CCS students, as well as typical TCNJ students, do not have access to cars on campus and therefore, cannot travel off campus for counseling services.”
Peck-Nolte is concerned about not only the College community, but the Ewing, N.J., community that the clinic serves, as well.
“This is impacting community members,” Peck-Nolte said. “Some of the families that we serve come here because they don't have the financial means. And don't we all need to get access to someone who can listen to us and help us and believe in us?”
(12/06/16 6:11am)
by Mia Ingui
Opinions Editor
iTunes, the College’s largest a cappella group dedicated to incorporating international tunes into its repertoire, held its first ever iTunes iCabaret on Saturday, Dec. 5. The evening was filled with solo acts from many of the iTunes members.
“In the past year, we’ve had more opportunities,” said Lauren Agho, a member of iTunes and a junior biology major with a specialization in psychology who organized the event. “We thought having a night to showcase our individual talents would be great.”
Since it was founded in 2007, iTunes has grown immensely and incorporated contemporary pop songs into its lineup, as well.
The iCabaret was filled with a variety of tunes from pop to Broadway to Frank Sinatra. The first act of the night was a group piece from all the iTunes members — the classic Christmas carol “Carol of the Bells.”
Junior Jordan Virgil started the evening off strong with an impeccable cover of “Still Hurting” from the Broadway musical “The Last Five Years.”
Next up was freshman Ian Gray, who followed Virgil with another song from “The Last Five Years” called “Shiksa Goddess,” an amusing lament in which Gray said anything goes, except for being Jewish.
After Gray was sophomore Emme Mcgilligan, who sang the tender and sweet Adele ballad “Make You Feel My Love.”
Members of iTunes then brought out an extra guitar microphone for the next act: junior Tim Smith singing and playing Panic! at the Disco’s “The Ballad of Mona Lisa.”
Next up was sophomore Taylor Solomon, whose crystal clear vocals shone on her rendition of “Arms” by Christina Perri.
The guitar mic was brought back up for freshman Amanda Hyland, who performed the iconic “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. She prefaced the song with a quick note, saying that this song held a special place in her heart, as it was the first one she ever performed to which the audience let out a collective, “Aw.”
Sophomore Mallory Ives took the stage next, accompanied by her brother on guitar. They performed “Just Ask” by Lake Street Drive.
To close the first act, freshman Joey Stambouly sang “Santeria” by Sublime.
The second act opened with senior Ally Marcino, who performed the smooth and soft “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones. She gave a disclaimer at the beginning of her performance that “there is an 18-second musical interlude” and that “to the dismay of my family, I will dance through the entire thing.” She did.
Freshman Berto Crespo followed Marcino with the tender love song “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur.
Junior Tim Smith and his guitar took the stage again, this time to perform the Rascal Flatt’s ballad “Here’s to You.” He dedicated the song to his mom, which again caused the audience to “Aw.”
Joey Stambouly came back out onstage after Smith in a full suit, ready to now serenade the audience with Frank Sinatra’s “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” and everyone swooned.
Solomon followed Stambouly with her second performance, “She Used to Be Mine” from the new Broadway musical “Waitress” — a sweet song that gave the audience chills.
To challenge Stambouly was Gray, whose second act of the night was Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.”
The last act before the group’s big finale was “Take Me or Leave Me” from the Broadway musical “Rent,” a big and belty number performed by Mcgilligan and Virgil.
The whole group then took the stage to perform the last number, Sia’s “Alive” arranged by former iTunes member and alumnus Cameron Schiff (’16) and featured soloist senior Derek Carper.
Agho, who organized the event, felt that the first ever iCabaret was a success.
“It went well,” Agho said. “Besides the Library closing announcements, all of the soloists were great and so was the turnout.”
This will not be the last iCabaret, according to Agho, who would like to make it a biannual event.
The iTunes’s Winter Concert is coming up on Sunday, Dec. 11, in Mayo Concert Hall.
(12/06/16 5:26am)
“Do you think that Paul Loser Hall should be renamed?”
“I think it should be reconsidered because of what he said in the past. It doesn’t represent our current values at TCNJ."
“I haven’t looked into it enough, though I’ve seen articles on Facebook about it.”
“How do you feel about women's rights under Trump?”
“I think that it’s something that everyone needs to be more conscious of, since he is not conscious of it.”
“I feel like we’ve come so far progressively, so there won’t be any setbacks.”
(12/06/16 4:57am)
You wake up, you roll over, and the first thing you do before anything else is grab your phone. C’mon, we all do it.
And if you’re an avid Buzzfeed user like I am, you know that the first app you open is not Facebook, not Twitter, but the Buzzfeed app, which greets you with that beautiful red circle with a cutting arrow that is the Buzzfeed logo.
Feel free to disagree, but I think that Buzzfeed is one of the most necessary, interesting, and informative apps, no contest. Where else can you find out about what kind of cat you are based on your zodiac sign and fun foods for a Harry Potter-themed birthday party?
Buzzfeed has only grown and grown since it first was developed and founded in 2006. It describes itself as a, “social news and entertainment company,” as well as a platform for, “the most shareable breaking news, original reporting, entertainment, and video.” That could not be a better description. The app acts as a launchpad for informative breaking news, a variety of video channels from cooking to beauty tips, and most famously, it’s highly entertaining (though sometimes bizarre) quizzes. I’m here to break down the best and the worst parts of the Buzzfeed app.
Though there isn’t much room for complaint, Buzzfeed receives a C+ for its news section. Listen, if you’re looking for hard-hitting news from a credible, renowned news source, don’t turn to Buzzfeed News first. They are among the last to provide information and rarely ever get useful comments from whomever the story is about. Let’s just say that if Kim Kardashian is going to provide any news source with a comment, it will not be Buzzfeed. Turn to a more reliable source like the New York Times or ABC News or something like that when looking for breaking news.
Now, Buzzfeed gets all A’s from me for the creative outlets that it has developed. Among my favorites are “Tasty,” Buzzfeed’s video comfort food channel, “Ladylike,” one of Buzzfeed’s video channels that has a group of ladies who try out crazy things, and of course the famous Buzzfeed quizzes, which range in topics from Disney to wine to “what percent ‘cool’ are your parents?” Whenever I have some spare time, I love checking out the new posts on all of these channels since they are updated super frequently. I’m talking multiple times a day. It’s a great way to unwind and see some fun, positive things online for once, and sometimes the channels can prove to be super useful, especially “Tasty.”
I’ve used “Tasty” recipes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and so many times in between, because who wouldn’t want mini pumpkin pies or churro ice cream bowls? (I love me some sweets, if you cannot tell). “Tasty’s” short and sweet videos are equally as useful as they are adorable, and if you are looking for some easy-to-make treats, “Tasty” is perfect for you.
Whenever you get sick and tired of seeing your relatives’ political opinions posted on Facebook, or the same post over and over on Instagram of that one girl who tries way too hard, try killing some time on Buzzfeed. You will have zero regrets, I promise.
(11/27/16 3:05am)
By Mia Ingui
Managing Assistant
“We’re going to talk about virginity today!”
Warm, enthusiastic and completely candid, Kayla Termyna, vice executive chair of Women In Learning and Leadership (WILL) and a senior deaf education and women’s, gender and sexality studies (WGS) double major, opened the College’s third annual Virginity Monologues with a bang.
The Virginity Monologues are just one part of WILL’s Redefining Sex Week, which strives to entertain and educate students at the College about sexuality and gender identity.
The monologues were held in the Library Auditorium on Wednesday, Nov. 16, with not a spare seat in sight. Redefining Sex Week is WILL’s biggest event of the year and the Virginity Monologues have become a crowd favorite.
“The Virginity Monologues have picked up a lot of audience attention,” Termyna said. “The bigger space now makes the event feel much more real.”
The event featured four speakers who openly shared their stories of virginity, whether it be losing it, reclaiming it or simply defining it. Then, the discussion was opened to the audience, who were invited to share their own stories.
Termyna initiated the event with a slideshow on virginity. The first slide contained the dictionary.com definition of virginity as “the state of being pure, fresh or unused.” The audience murmured and groaned. Is that really how virginity should be defined? Tremyna thinks not.
“Virginity does not have a consistent definition,” Termyna said. “So where does it come from? It comes from men because they think their penises are important. Sorry, men.”
Termyna took a seat in the black chair center stage and spoke candidly to those in the crowded auditorium.
“I entered college and my environment totally changed,” Termyna said. “Everyone was more (sexually) experienced than I was as I entered this mating ground of TCNJ. But then I realized that since puberty, I made my virginity the most interesting thing about myself. I was defining my worth, self-esteem and values around this thing that wasn't really that interesting.”
Since then, Termyna has learned that there is no concrete definition of “virginity.”
“The concept of virginity is a social one,” Termyna said. “We created it without defining it, and we can’t really explain how it works. Virginity cannot and does not exist because it exists in too many ways. So maybe virginity wasn’t meant to be a definition, but a dialogue.”
Next to take the stage was Brianna Dioses, a senior early childhood urban education and WGS double major.
“I grew up with this notion that sex is something to be a little afraid of, and then I got to college, and I'm a WGS major, and I'm like, ‘Oh no… we're going to talk about it,’” Dioses said.
Dioses went on to describe the first time she had sex.
“I lost my virginity for the first time on Saturday,” Dioses said. “By the way, when you have two virgins who don't know what they’re doing, it's really a hot mess.”
One audience member called out and asked if she felt any different having now lost her virginity. Dioses answered with a resounding “no.”
Sophomore psychology major Gigi Garrity spoke next.
“'I’m going to talk about how I lost my virginity,” Garrity said. “It was on my 17th birthday. I was naked and I was crying.”
Garrity said her boyfriend of the time coerced her into performing sexual acts and threatened to end their relationship if she didn’t do them. Garrity stressed to the audience the importance of comfort and communication between partners.
“I was doing something I didn't want to do because I loved him, and my discomfort would make him happy,” Garrity said. “Figure yourself out. Look in a mirror. Do things that you want, and don't sacrifice your comfort for someone else. I'd say fuck ’em, but don't."
Last up was senior psychology and WGS double major Olivia Laura.
Laura told the audience about her seventh-grade science teacher, who provided a misguided example of what it means to lose your virginity.
“My teacher used the ‘broken toy’ analogy,” Laura said. “He said to us, ‘Everyone is like a toy in a box on a shelf. On your wedding day, you present yourself to your spouse. If you have sex before your wedding day, it's like someone took you out of your box, played with you and broke you.’”
While Laura said some of her peers may have taken the message to heart, she certainly did not.
“First of all, I am not a fucking object. I am a person,” Laura said. “I'm also not a gift for anyone. I am my own person and I am not broken.”
Laura ended her monologue with a mantra, which the audience repeated back to her.
“I am a person, not an object. I am whole, not broken. I know what's best for me. I am who I am, and no one can take that away.”
(11/11/16 11:45pm)
By Mia Ingui
Managing Assistant
The audience couldn’t “stop the feeling” after Acapalooza brought down the house in Mayo Concert Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
The fun-filled evening of performances by the College’s a cappella groups highlighted their talent and dedication, along with their ability to lift the spirits of the stressed out, election-hungover college crowd.
The College’s only competing a cappella group, The Trentones, opened the show with two selections: rising pop song “Starving” by Zedd and Hailee Steinfeld, with soloist Yesenia Rosado, and “If I Ever Fall in Love,” a power ballad by Pentatonix, with sophomore soloists Karaline Rosen and Pulkit Gupta.
The College’s Christian a cappella group, Voice of Hope, took the stage text. Performers opened with “You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins, which introduced some serious beat-boxing and cohesion within the group. They performed Hillsong Young and Free’s classic ballad, “Passion.”
The all-female a cappella group, The Treblemakers, then took the stage. The group launched into Twenty One Pilots’s hit “Heathens,” putting a new spin on the “Suicide Squad” anthem. Next was “Runaway” by Aurora, which was driven by powerful vocals from soloist Alyssa Fanelli. The Treblemakers concluded with the pop goddess herself, Adele’s “Send My Love,” with soloist Shayna Gallagher.
Next to perform was the largest a cappella group on campus, i-Tunes, which incorporates international songs into its repertoire. The first song was “Settle Down” by Kimbra, which featured soloist Lauren Agho and was the perfect opening for the set — a buoyant tune that had the entire group clapping and dancing.
Then came the familiar Ed Sheeran ballad, “Lego House,” in which soloist Joey Stambouly delivered smooth vocals on the well-known track.
Sia’s “Alive” followed, with featured senior soloist Derek Carper to put a new spin on the singer’s belty anthem of life and freedom. Closing the i-Tunes set was DNCE’s pop hit “Cake by the Ocean,” featuring soloists Amanda Hyland and Mallory Ives.
After the i-Tunes finished, the Trentones returned, ready to perform two songs before every group returned to the stage for one final performance. First up was John Mayer’s “Dreaming with a Broken Heart,” featuring freshman soloist Giuliano Falcone. The song began gentle and floaty, but its powerful end left many audience members breathless. The final Trentones song was “Ain’t Got Far to Go,” an upbeat and poppy jam to close out the solo groups for the night, with soloist Irene Yoon.
Every group then returned to the stage to perform the night’s last hit, “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” the summer anthem by Justin Timberlake, which featured at least one soloist from each group.
“I feel like tonight went really great ,” said Nicole Myers, a member of i-Tunes and a senior vocal music education major. “It was our first performance on the Mayo Stage. I know how difficult it is to perform in the space. I’m happy that we had the ability to adjust to it.”
Amanda Hyland, a member of iTunes and a freshman mathematics and secondary education dual major, agreed with Myers that their favorite song to perform that night was “Settle Down.”
“We love the story behind ‘Settle Down,’” Myers said. “I was a little scared for the percussion, but our soloist is so good, and it was great live tonight.”
This was not the last performance of the season for the i-Tunes. The students will be visiting Villanova University the weekend of Friday, Nov. 18, to sing with the university’s a cappella group, A Minor Problem.
On Wednesday, Nov. 30, the i-Tunes will sing alongside the popular a cappella group Philharmonic, which competed on NBC’s pupular competition show “The Sing-Off.”
On Saturday, Dec. 3, the i-Tunes will host “i-Cabaret,” in which members of the group will perform solos, some even with their own instruments.
(11/08/16 12:22am)
By Mia Ingui
Managing Assistant
Though it is 2:30 a.m. — the deepest of “quiet hours” on the seventh floor of Wolfe Hall — the space is anything but silent.
Some “low side” residents are gathered in a dorm room, searching for places to sit — the desk, floor and beds. The room is brutally muggy, since there’s no air conditioning in the building. The slight breeze coming from the windows is the only source of air circulation, but it almost makes the heavy heat bearable. The residents do not care, though. Right now, all they care about is their sing-a-long.
Song requests are given to the girl who brought her guitar. After Googling the correct chords, she beings to play and the entire group starts to sing. The set list includes Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team” and the Chainsmokers’ new hit “Closer.” Some sing in tune while others don’t, but in this moment, everyone is worry-free.
But the end of this communal, humid and harmonious era might be approaching sooner than you think.
The possible demolition and reconstruction of Travers and Wolfe halls, currently home to more than 1,100 freshmen at the College, was debated during an open forum on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
The T/W Lounge filled with students who all have prominent opinions on their changing campus.
Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht started the forum by informing everyone that the conversation regarding the Towers’ poor condition first started two years ago, and there is no better time than the present to get the ball rolling on this much-needed upgrade.
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Sean Stallings gave his condolences to those who are, like most of the College community, attached to the Towers and their experiences there.
“We’re not picking on T/W,” Stallings said. “It has been a great space for students to develop community, despite the setup. But the building is starting to see major failure.”
All attendees were able to add their input on the fate of the Towers. In the end, it was decided that a renovation would prove too costly and would be a poor investment for the College.
The plan then moved to possible new construction of a residence hall right in front of where Travers and Wolfe lie now, replacing the tennis courts with brand new buildings. The proposed plan would begin in five years with construction lasting for two years.
Built in 1971, Travers and Wolfe halls have seen 45 years worth of ambitious College freshmen. Current freshmen living in Travers and Wolfe have quickly grown fond of the Towers and expressed their discontent over its proposed demolition.
“Living in Wolfe was a memory that truly made my freshman year unique,” said Megan Hyjack, a sophomore graphic design major. “The Towers have become a symbol of TCNJ and have so much history behind them. It would be hard to see all of the murals and memories associated with T/W go away for good.”
Chris Kinzler, a current Wolfe 7 resident and a freshman finance major, is happy living through the Towers’ heat and wouldn’t want to change his freshman experience.
“My first impression when I walked into the Towers… was, ‘It’s really hot in there,’” Kinzler said. “But I feel like it’s an iconic part of the school and because we don’t have Wi-Fi, we have to suffer through it and make friends.”
Kinzler sees the need for renovations, but does not believe a complete demolition and reconstruction of the Towers is necessary.
“It is a good investment to build new because I understand how the renovation would be costly,” Kinzler said. “(But) I would only be for a demolition if they would put back up towers. That freshman community is built by putting freshmen in that same place.”
Alumni are some of the most passionate advocates for Travers and Wolfe.
Alumna Laura Fecak (’03), who is a business teacher at Jackson Memorial High School, said she is not ready to see the iconic towers go.
“Living in the Towers was great,” Fecak said. “It was the first step on my journey as a student at TCNJ. My first and lasting memories took place in those towers — and I loved every minute of it.”
Fecak wants to see the College to find a way to preserve the Towers.
“They should be renovated, not torn down. At a time where they should be expanding and accepting more students because of the reputation the school has, they shouldn’t be downsizing housing options,” Fecak said — the proposed new building would have 200 fewer beds than the Towers currently do, according to Stallings. “There are decades of alumni that have countless memories and emotional connections to those towers. It would be an absolute shame to visit campus and not see them.”
(10/31/16 10:56pm)
By Mia Ingui
Managing Assistant
Finally, a place for quality sushi on campus that doesn’t require a 20-minute wait during meal equiv.
Yummy Sushi’s grand opening in Campus Town two weeks ago was a long time coming, but well worth the wait. The food is fresh, authentic and reasonably priced — all good news for broke college students.
The restaurant is sandwiched between RedBerry Frozen Yogurt and Mexican Mariachi Grill. It’s a quick walk from just about anywhere on campus, which makes it the perfect sushi spot for students stranded on campus without cars, like me.
After class, a friend and I decided to take the walk to Yummy Sushi for a much-needed break from the Atrium at Eickhoff. Walking into Yummy Sushi immediately reminded me of my favorite sushi place back home, and a wave of comfort and excitement washed over me.
Although it was a little busy, we were quickly seated at a quaint table for two toward the back of the restaurant. I could hardly contain my excitement when I opened the menu.
I consider myself a sushi connoisseur and am always in pursuit of great sushi and Asian cuisine. I walked into Yummy Sushi with high hopes — would this be my new go-to take out at the College?
To get a taste of everything, I ordered the bento box, which includes a starter soup, salad, California roll, three pieces of shumai — a traditional Chinese dumpling — and a choice of entrée. I went with General Tso’s Chicken to spice things up.
It wasn’t long before my miso soup arrived, wonderfully warm and salty. By the time I finished the soup, my beautiful bento box had arrived. It really was beautiful.
Luckily, the food tasted as good as it looked. The sushi was just the right texture — soft, sticky and fresh. The shumai were filled with shrimp, pan fried and tasty.
My salad was left largely untouched in the corner of my bento, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise, as I’m not a big fan of salads, or anything healthy and green, for that matter.
The main event, the General Tso’s chicken, tasted great. It was freshly made and had a slight kick that was simultaneously sweet and spicy. I finished every last piece, although it was a little difficult to mangle the big pieces of chicken with my chopsticks. In retrospect, I could have asked for a fork, but it’s OK. I like a good challenge.
The best thing about my meal? It came out to $14.93, including tax. This was music to my ears. I typically spend a fortune on takeout from my local sushi restaurant — one roll usually costs me $6. But at Yummy Sushi, I got a roll and a full entrée, plus the shumai and soup, for just under $15.
I will certainly being making more trips to Yummy Sushi in the coming months. It’s a great excuse to leave my tiny dorm room and feel like I went out for dinner.
Sushi lovers rejoice — we now have an authentic Asian restaurant within walking distance of the College. Yummy Sushi offers freshly-made, affordable options that are sure to satisfy.
(10/31/16 7:54pm)
By Mia Ingui
At this point in the semester, everything seems to be settled.
The freshmen are adjusting to their new home, classes are in full swing — along with the stress of essays, midterms and exams — and the weather has mellowed out to a crisp, cool temperature. Fall is upon us in a beautiful fashion.
But there are some struggles that have just begun. The overwhelming stress, the viruses that seem to be migrating from person to person and the homesickness. If you ever feel like you’re missing your parents and your comfy couch back home, believe me, you are not alone.
Dealing with the prospect homesickness while at college is a daily task that some days feels completely manageable and almost unapparent — but other days, not so much.
Upperclassmen might tell you this is a myth. They’re big bad college kids, practically legal adults. Why would they miss home? But even deep down, they’ll admit that mom’s hugs and edible cooking are frequently missed while at college, especially after consuming nothing but the cuisine at Eickhoff Hall for weeks on end.
Not missing home becomes near impossible when it comes to my big Italian household. My grandma called me unannounced last week while I was in my philosophy class, so after class, I gave her a call back as I was leaving the Social Sciences Building. She was calling to find out my mailing address so she could send me money and chicken cutlets.
My family is that wonderful, and that strange, which makes it increasingly difficult to focus on my studies here while wondering what they are up to back home. Keeping in touch is key. But no matter how many times a day we FaceTime and Snapchat, it still just isn’t the same living without them.
It is even difficult being at school without my high school friends, the friends who simultaneously drove me nuts and kept me sane every single day. Before coming to the College, I was completely convinced that those couple of people that I met before class every morning were the only people on Earth who existed. Here, there is a whole new world of people, all wonderful, but also all different. On my gloomy days here, I would give anything to be back in my best friend’s tiny green car, singing and laughing and just living like we used to. The closest I come now to this is through my tiny phone screen, with that friend now miles away, our conversations fuzzy from the poor connection.
It is safe to say it’s near impossible to go through college and never feel homesick. But college provides new opportunities that would never be experienced otherwise. My family understands that and encourages me every day. It’s great to have such interesting news to report to them, like the auditions I went on or the good grade I got on my paper. Their support makes it all OK, no matter how much I miss them.
Keep your family close (but keep your exam schedule closer, because that’s something you might actually forget about).
(10/04/16 5:39pm)
By Mia Ingui
Managing Assistant
A former Princeton University professor and founder of the Drug Policy Alliance shared with the campus community his most passionate belief: that imprisoning people based on their personal choice to use drugs is completely absurd.
Ethan Nadelmann was invited by TCNJ Political Union to speak unreservedly to the campus community on Wednesday, Sept. 28, during his presentation, titled “Alternatives to the War on Drugs.” He is a dedicated advocate for drug policy reform and is unsatisfied with the way drug use is approached in the U.S.
“All along, I thought the drug war was crazy, stupid, backwards — you name it,” Nadelmann said. “I could talk forever about this.”
He opened a candid discussion on the drug war by posing the following question: “How many of you think we should legalize marijuana?” After a few sparse hands rose into the air, Nadelmann asked, “How many of you prefer not to say?”
Nadelmann told the audience that the drug war in the U.S. took off in the 1980s. He likened the issue of drug use back then to what the issue of terrorism has been since 9/11. Laws were passed that essentially made it so that selling even a small amount of a drug, such as heroin or cocaine, could result in a 10- to 15-year prison sentence.
“Nobody stopped to say, ‘Wait, what is it going to cost to keep locking people up?’” Nadelmann said. “All that mattered was that these people deserved to be punished and hurt.”
By the late 1980s, the drug war seemed to be out of control, with over 50,000 people behind bars for crimes related to drugs. Today, there are 2.3 million imprisoned for drug use. Twenty percent of the world’s incarceration population is held in the U.S., and Nadelmann couldn’t disagree more with the excess of arrests in the country.
“The view is this: we will create a drug-free society,” Nadelmann said. “And if we can’t, we have to get close to ridding our society of drugs, despite the billions of dollars it will take. That’s the way it’s going to be?”
Nadelmann said racism plays a big role in the drug war, and he believes people of color are blatantly targeted more so than white drug users.
“The war on drugs targets certain races,” Nadelmann said. “Ninety-five percent of those sent to prison for drug use in the ’90s were people of color, even if they were innocent.”
According to Nadelmann, people of color are two to 10 times more likely to be arrested than those who are not. This statistic infuriates him. As an advocate of “Black Lives Matter” and other movements for racial equality, he hopes justice will be served for those that have been wronged by the drug war.
“Part of my job that I love the most is the weaving of people all with different views,” Nadelmann said. “The one thing they have in common is that the drug war messed up something that they care about.”
Nadelmann outlined his ideal, objective drug policy.
“No. 1 would be to reduce the consequences of drug use, like addiction, death and disease,” Nadelmann said. “No. 2 is to reduce the harms of the government policy, like the mass incarcerations and the violation of human rights.”
There are ways in which this can be accomplished, according to Nadelmann. He believes society should adopt a less harsh approach, which would reduce the role of criminalization in drug control as much as possible while still protecting public health and putting U.S. resources toward helping people, rather than hurting them.
“I believe that nobody deserves to be punished or discriminated against solely upon what they put in their body,” Nadelmann said. “What you put in your body is your business. That’s the core principle — you should not be criminalized for who you are.”
(09/26/16 9:57pm)
By Mia Ingui
Last week, in the lobbies of Travers and Wolfe halls, and Allen, Ely and Brewster halls, students were asked to show support by writing anonymous letters to survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault. As I entered Wolfe that day, I noticed most students passed up the desk as if it didn’t exist, while only a few stopped to write their anonymous messages. As I entered the cramped elevator to go up to my floor, I overheard the following conversation between three male students.
“Man, it’s ironic that they didn’t let you say ‘no’ to that,” one said.
Then there was laughter.
“Right man? It’s awkward. Like, what was I supposed to write? ‘I’m sorry for your loss?’”
More laughter.
“Yeah, like, ‘Did it feel good?’”
Even more disgusting laughter.
When the elevator stopped at the fourth floor, I made the decision to get out and walk the last three flights of stairs, completely baffled and heartbroken by what I had just heard.
Where is the love and compassion? I know it exists, since so many treat the ideals of anti-violence with the respect it deserves. Unfortunately, though, all of those efforts are undermined by students like the ones on the elevator.
So many are apathetic toward situations that simply “do not apply” to them. As long as these people exist, issues such as domestic violence and sexual assault may never come to an end.
Here are some facts for those students on the elevator, or ones who think similarly to them. According to the College’s Anti-Violence Initiatives’s website, people between the ages of 16 and 24 years old are the most vulnerable to sexual assault, domestic or dating violence and stalking. This age range targets one group more than any other: college students.
One in five young women have been sexually assaulted while in college, and most college victims are assaulted by someone they know. This is a fact that will remain unchanged until we do something about it.
There is some hope, though. At the College, there are many resources and programs for educating students about the dangers of violence and sexual assault. Groups like the Anti-Violence Initiative give presentations to students regarding what to do in certain violent or uncomfortable situations. They encourage students to be more than bystanders and to take action when it comes to preventing violence and sexual assault.
The issue lies in the fact that the message is only as powerful as the students receiving it. To actively support a safe campus community, it takes the right, clear mindset. It isn’t enough to be educated on what to do when in a dangerous or potentially violent situation.
The best method is, in fact, prevention. If the violence or assault never happens in the first place, the statistics disappear. Women and men alike no longer will live their lives feeling damaged or less-than, solely because they were a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or rape.
To those boys on the elevator, I feel sorry for you — so out of touch with our world today, while you believe that you are such an influential part of it.
I am to blame, too, though. I should have stood up to those guys and told them how absolutely ridiculous they sounded, how wrong it was of them to make fun of something so serious and ominously prominent in our little world here at the College. Next time, I will. Though it’s only one person, only just me, I will make a difference, and that is all that matters.
(09/19/16 8:36pm)
By Mia Ingui
Today’s world completely revolves around the opinions of the people who live in it. Social media giants encourage users to post about themselves daily, college courses often require an insightful input of opinion and there’s even the Opinions section of The Signal, open for any and all discussions. It seems as though opinions are welcomed with open arms everywhere one goes. This, as I have learned, is not always the case.
To voice your true opinion is remarkably challenging. If you are brave enough to do it, though, it’s likely you will receive this response: “You’re wrong.” That kind of backlash is what discourages many from being honest and proud of their own opinions.
I would consider myself a pretty passive person. Day after day, I let all kinds of things slip right by me solely because I’m too afraid to be open about how I truly feel. I have subconsciously convinced myself that my opinion doesn’t really matter anyway and that because my opinion might be unpopular or unusual, it has no value. That’s really a shame.
I am positive that I am not alone in my insecurities. So many people do not give themselves a voice. There are so many beautiful opinions that are never heard, that never get to fly freely and be appreciated for all that they are worth. All opinions are worthy of being heard because they are something that was created and felt passionately about. They should be supported and even glorified instead of being cast away simply because they are new or different.
To be fair, there are some opinions that are better left unsaid. If you hate cookies, for example, you’re just wrong. Keep that to yourself.
All of this talk about being open with our opinions is a conversation in which I have not yet participated. So, I’m going to give you some of my opinions without care. College is wonderful, but equally terrifying. I don’t drink or party, so I often feel excluded, but I love life and I’m a good girl, and, most of all, I just wish someone would notice. There are times where I really just want to be alone. And, at dinner the other night, I wanted that last slice of pizza before that football player in front of me took it.
Real feelings and opinions are OK. It’s fine to feel scared, sad or under the weather. It’s acceptable to be away at college and miss your friends and family, and even leave school and go see them. It’s OK to spend some time alone because even roommates need space. No one should care if you go out on a Friday or stay in for the night and watch Netflix. It’s your choice to vote for Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
It’s all just fine. No one should ever say that it isn’t because you’re just being honest. It’s your own, beautiful opinion, and it matters.
(09/12/16 11:52pm)
By Mia Ingui
Correspondent
The Traditions stage was set for the first time on Friday, Sept. 9, to host the College Union Board’s (CUB) Student Comedy Night. Presented by CUB Alt and organized by CUB Alt co-Chair Max Falvey, a sophomore communication studies major, and CUB Alt co-Chair Dana Gorab, a junior communication studies major, the night proved to be a fantastic evening, filled with lots of laughs, talent and, most of all, fun for the audience and the performers.
“Student Comedy Night started about a year or two ago, and every time, there’s a better turn out,” said comedian Jonathan van Halem, a College alumnus (’16). “The crowd tonight was awesome.”
The intimate venue quickly filled up with students, all of whom were eager to beat the heat and let off some steam after a stressful second week of classes. Sean Delanoy, a sophomore economics major, was the first to take the stage, poking fun at life at the College. Following Delanoy was Connor Meany, a senior communication studies major, who joked about reaching his last year at the College and likened the feeling of waiting for graduation to “your grandparents retiring and moving to Florida, while you just wait for them to die.”
After Meany was seasoned performer Garrett Verdone, a marketing major in his final year at the College, who was surprised about the selection of the Brower Student Center as the venue for the evening.
“It’s definitely not legal for anyone without a hardhat to be in here, but here we are,” Verdone said.
Following Verdone was van Halem, and he reflected on his birthdays over the past few years.
“My birthday’s really unique. I only celebrate it every four years. Not because my birthday’s on a leap year, only because my parents hate me,” van Halem said, closing out the solo acts for the evening.
The audience was then pleasantly surprised to find van Halem and Verdone back up onstage. They are also in the comedy troupe Kiss on the Lips and perform monthly in New York City. Their sketches were nothing short of hysterical, from their “unfortunate last names” skit to playing construction workers and delivering terribly funny pick up lines. Verdone thought the night turned out well.
“Tonight was fun,” Verdone said. “It was the first time in this space, so it was a little weird, but it worked out great.” Van Halem agreed and said that they had a great crowd. Both performers are interested in pursuing comedy and entertainment in their respective futures.
The College’s improv comedy troupe, The Mixed Signals, concluded CUB Alt’s Student Comedy Night. The Mixed Signals are a group of five students who feed off of one another’s wit and come up with skits right on the spot in front of their audience.
Interacting with the audience can be vital to the performance, as folks in the crowd must provide inspiration for the skit. They played a series of games with the audience, including “Switch Off,” where at any time during the skit another actor had to come and fill in their place and resume the scene without a hitch.
Another game required two audience volunteers to move the performer’s arms and bodies for them as they acted out the scene. After their show ended, The Mixed Signals said they were very pleased with their performance, as were the students who attended the CUB Alt event.
The College’s students and performers will be looking forward to the next Student Comedy Night.
(09/06/16 12:41am)
By Mia Ingui
I’m always up for a challenge. Before moving into college, I said, “This is going to be great! Freedom, new friends and newfound success.” What I really should have said, though, is, “Mom, we need to buy another fan.”
This summarizes my heartbreaking-yet-heartwarming story of Welcome Week at the College. Though Welcome Week was an action-packed, highly-anticipated couple of days, it proved to be far from easy.
My Welcome Week began in Wolfe Hall. Holding my container full of paper towels and granola bars, I looked up at my new home, not fully digesting what was in store for me. The move-in was easy, if your idea of “easy” is dragging furniture across a tiny, sweltering rectangle of a room with 10 people in your way and fussing with hanging strips because “that picture of my cat must go up.”
When the time came, my Community Adviser dragged my away from me, even though I grappled onto my mom for dear life and whimpered, “I love you. I’m going to miss you so much. I’ll see you soon,” as she pulled away and walked toward the elevator through the crowd. That moment was when it hit me. My whole body hurt from the sudden realization that I was now completely alone. This was really happening.
But then, I remembered something. My dad has a famous quote he always offers when I’m overwhelmed, which is, “eat the elephant one bite at a time.” Though it was kind of strange, I found some comfort in it. I could do this. I’ll do it one bite at a time.
The week pressed on and everything seemed to be coming up roses, until Sunday rolled around. I was watching TV from my bed when I glanced over at the two strands of pictures hanging from my shelves. The nostalgia became so potent that I couldn’t ignore it. These were the best photos of my family and friends in some of our happiest, brightest moments together. Now, I wasn’t with any of them and did not know when I could experience great moments with them again. How do I come to terms with that? How am I going to be OK?
I called my mom because talking to her is the best relief when I’m panicking. She reminded me that I have so much to look forward to, and to remember what I was here at the College to do — follow my dreams, be successful and live larger and fuller than I ever could have back in my hometown. Her words made me feel all right again. Welcome Week surprised me, enraged me, enlightened me and emotionally tried me all at once. But in this one week, I began to tap into true college. Some of it is glamorous, like any outsider would envision college to be like — late night walks around the twinkling campus, all you can eat whenever you feel like eating it in Eickhoff Hall and making new friends every time you turn around. With that, though, comes the utterly un-glamorous — sharing one bathroom with 30 other girls, awkward first introductions and, the lack of cool, breathable air in Wolfe Hall, where I currently and modestly reside.
As most things in life, Welcome Week had its highs and its lows, but it taught me so much more about myself, how to make the best of things and to eat the elephant one bite at a time.