ROC U

A guide to eating, exploring and enjoying college life in Rochester. Produced by Journalism 321 students at Roberts Wesleyan College. Join the conversation: #wewillrocu

[rocublog]

A Word of Advice.

So I know my blogs usually tend to be rather sarcastically written, but today I want to talk about something a bit more sincere and close to my heart...

NOT. 

This is my third blog so by now you know me well enough to bet the farm that’s not gonna happen. Me writing a serious blog is like watching an elephant try and fit into a bathing suit: it can try, but the results aren’t pretty.

I guess while we are on the topic of sarcasm, I might as well share with you why it is such a big part of who I am.

First off, as you may know, I'm British, so it automatically comes with the territory. Brits are known for their brutal dry sense of humor. I'm no different, and why would I be? It's bloody hilarious.

How else can you personally offend someone with the ugly truth and get away with it? You can literally mock people and still have them laughing. What a beautiful oxymoron.

Sarcasm is genius. It allows people to highlight someone's stupidity while letting them know that you still love them regardless of it. Isn't that the kind of love Jesus talks about? Wait, does that mean Jesus is sarcastic? Somebody put me in front of the congregation!

Anyway... Sarcasm is the ice breaker that everybody needs in a relationship. Instead of walking around putting on a show of perfection for one another (which is absolutely exhausting by the way), why don't we all just embrace sarcasm and say "hey, you're an idiot, but I'm an idiot too, so let's hang out.”

However, it seems so many of us get so offended by sarcasm, because people feel like their insecurities are under the spotlight and they have to try and protect them so no one can see. Let it go brothers and sisters, it's okay. We all have our baggage: let's just check it in and fly off into the rest of our lives happy and free.

The only way to truly get close to someone is through vulnerability. So what better way to make someone feel vulnerable by arranging all their biggest insecurities on a nice big plate and make them eat it? It's like cabbage, doesn't taste very good but it's good for you.

You know I love you, so let me wind you up, and you can wind me up too. There's nothing more satisfying than having a good roasting session with your best friend, so shut off all of your defenses and take it like a champ.

Tell me I'm cool, handsome and talented and I'll like you for a day; but tell me I'm a weird, ugly, worthless mess and I'll like you for a lifetime... Makes sense if you think about it.

Cheers,

Michael Lewis Cunningham

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Baseball and College

Picture yourself standing in the batter’s box at Citi Field. You’re staring down the ominous eyes of the opposing pitcher whose sole purpose is to throw the baseball through the strike zone, past your swinging bat, and into the glove of the catcher.

Now picture that the opposing pitcher is a college student’s life, and each pitch is a different opportunity or challenge. The pitcher can throw an 86 mph sinker to the inside bottom corner of the strike zone, a 98 mph fastball straight down the middle or perhaps an 83 mph curve ball outside of the strike zone to try to get you to swing. Let’s say each of those different pitches are things that go on in a student’s life. The sinker can be a choice to ignore work or not go to class. The trick curve ball outside can be the chance to go to a party or a social event the night of a test rather than studying. The fastball might be getting involved in the student association, or doing well on a midterm, really just any positive student experience.

A part of being a good batter is waiting for your pitch, the one where you can put into play and get onto base; a part of being a good student is making the right choices, and waiting it out through the tough pitches life throws you while waiting for yours.

So, you wait for your pitch, put the ball in play and head for first base. A huge feeling of relief comes over you when you reach base. Just as I imagine a huge feeling of relief comes when you do well in classes and reach your goal. The four bases can represent getting closer and closer to your goal completion: when you finally realize your studying is complete.  You head to second, round third, and streak towards home and finishing.

You get home and score. You: 1 – Life: 0.

But maybe you aren’t able to round the bases and get home in one shot. There is always the possibility that it may take a while, or while you run to second you’re thrown out by an outfielder with a strong arm. You shouldn’t give up but next time wait for your pitch again, hit the ball with fierce determination, and keep your eyes on the prize.

[rocublog]

Answer the Question, “Why am I Going to College?” Before you Go

There are so many college students that enroll in college and attend classes without every knowing why. They might be doing it because everyone told them they needed to or maybe they desire the college experience. Whatever the reason, be honest about it and answer the question. This way you won’t be so disappointed if the goals you never set, don’t happen. It shouldn’t be enough to simply say that I have nothing better to do. Starting college with this mindset is normal, but still not the best formula for success.

There is no way that I was the only student who thought this way. This resulted in three different majors with countless minors, too many wasted credits and even more wasted money. The bottom line is to be intentional about your life and make college a decision that has purpose behind it.

Your goals for college will likely be different others and that is okay.  What is important is that you have them before. Have you ever heard someone or yourself say ‘I wish I would have..’ ? Take the time to figure out why you are even going to college in the first place and maybe you won’t find yourself wishing for hopeful endings to your college experience.

1. Imagine your ideal college experience.

Imagination is so important to the overall experience and outcome of the college experience. It means that things won’t just happen. Yes, I believe in spontaneity, but some things should be planned or at least imagined.

Let your imagination flow from your reasoning of why you are there in the first place. You might be asking why it is important to visualize your experience.

It’s like you are programming yourself to succeed. You’re telling yourself that I have a vision and this is what I want to happen. Just imagine how much easier an obstacle would be to overcome if you had that ideal vision to look forward to.

I don’t ever want to passively let the world mold my future into what they think I should do.

Visualization allows you to make mistakes in advance.  If you can’t get a clear visualization, your experience is likely to be just as fuzzy. 

2. Push yourself to do more than the bare minimum

If you don’t set goals that matter then how can you truly expect others to promote you, give you new experiences, or even think of you in new ways? Push yourself to be the best you can be and don’t expect any less.

3. Set clear goals for each class

Decide what you want out of each specific class.  Is this a subject you’re eager to learn?  Do you want to target this teacher for a letter of recommendation?  Is this a required class you must take but which doesn’t otherwise interest you?

One of the most important things to consider when thinking about classes is of letters of recommendation. This is usually left till mid semester or even the last weeks of the semester.

If I were to be honest, if I had made goals for my classes, I might have shown up more and focused more on actually doing my homework. Without goals, its hard to realize the potential success for what is possible.

By: Alexis Wilson

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Disneyworld tips from the Cast

I have been in love with all things Disney since before I can remember walking. So it seems only natural that I would one day venture to Orlando, Florida to become a cast member of the happies place on earth. As I hoped (and secretly knew) Disney is magical in every way! I spent months soaking in the nostalgic energy and embracing happiness in every way.

That was until I saw families of whom spent thousands of dollars to simply stand in line to get into another line to stand against a wall in a different line. Its completely ridiculous and there is a few tricks that everyone can use.

So here is my guide to not waiting in lines:  

Go early and stay late.

It’s in everyone’s best interest to get to the park before it opens and the thousands of guest crowd every ride. When you go early you can usually have your pick of a ride with little to no wait. Use this time wisely. It could be that staying late is better for you as many people leave after the fireworks finale. In most cases, however, the park is still open so use that time! 

Eat early.

Avoid booking breakfast reservations at any of the restaurants in the parks. Your meal will likely cut into the critical “first hour” touring time.  Save your breakfast reservations for a meal outside the theme parks on a day you aren’t planning to go into the parks.  If you’re on rides by 9 a.m., you’ll be ready for lunch at 11:30- while the restaurants are just starting to fill up. You’ll be leaving when the 12:30 rush is just arriving- and that means all the lines for rides will be shorter. Trust me it works!

Plan ahead. A little.

 Before you enter the parks each day, make a list of all the rides that are a MUST do. Anything on top of these rides are just an added bonus because we’d already done what we wanted the most.

Get this app.

The Disney app not only tells you the current wait time for each ride, but also predicts which parks will be the most and least crowded on any given day. Walt Disney World has its own app as well

Use Fast Pass +

EXACTLY 60 days prior to your check-in day, log into your “My Disney Experience” account book Fastpass+ reservations. Fastpass+ allows you to reserve a time slot for three attractions in a single park for each day of your vacation. You simply arrive at the attraction during the assigned window of time and walk on to the attraction with little or no wait. Be sure you get this for your afternoon and evening attractions when everyone else is dealing with the 60 and 75 minute waits!

 I hope this helps to bring just a little more pixie dust to your Disney experience! I love creating magical memories and helping guest get the most out of their experience.

 Just remember…it all started with a mouse.

By Alexis Wilson

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Latte Night Final Thoughts- Caffeinated Incoherent Cognitions

It’s 1:27 am.

I’m sitting in the library cafe with coffee, a Starbucks something or other, and a caffeinated chocolate bar. Finals weeks is approaching and there’s a very good chance I’ll be here until the wee hours of the morning. 

The reality of this sinks in, as I just misspelled the word ‘reality’ three times. As I sit here praying the legal, addictive stimulant we call coffee will kick in, I find myself flipping through pages and pages of useless information on the internet.

“None of this will help me finish this assignment.” I tell myself.

“But did you know that someone remade the ENTIRETY of Adele’s Hello with movie quotes?!” Myself answers back.

I watched it, it was marvelous. My paper is still not done.

Nearly everyone has cleared out of the cafe at this point. 

It’s 2:00 am.

After three cat articles, 16 ounces of cold coffee, and a granola bar, I’ve made it to page three. “I can do this!” I tell myself. 

3:30 am.

I am dying. College sucks. “Will anyone notice if I wear this to class tomorrow morning?” I think to myself. The search for credible academic articles gives way to pinterest, and I might as well give up at this point. 

3:45 am.

I just misspelled my name. What is this paper on again?

4:00 am.

The second wave of energy hits. Eye of the Tiger Plays in the background as I print the finished product. 

4:30 am.

I wave goodbye to my fellow college slaves and head back to north campus, barely coherent. “Did I actually save the paper? I feel like I left something behind. Oh well.”

4:45 am.

I return to my bed, with three hours of possible slumber awaiting me. “That wasn’t so bad,” I think. 

8:15 am.

The cycle begins all over again.

Happy Finals Week, everyone!

[rocublog]

PROS AND CONS OF A COOL DORM ROOM

Ever since my freshman year, I have been partnered with roomates who are, and happen to own, the newest, coolest, and hippest things of this century. That’s right, I have been blessed with good vibes in my dojo since 2012. With an awesome room and roommate comes a ton of amazing things. Unfortunately, as Uncle Ben once said, “With great power and accessories, comes great responsibility and annoying things.” I’m pretty sure that’s how it goes.

Pro: My bed is always in the perfect position for sleep, relaxation, and overall goodness.

Con: Everyone uses my bed for sleep, relaxation, and overall goodness.

Pro:  We have hordes of soft lighting that transform our room into a fortified Chill-zone.

Con: Most of the lights are against the fire code and we have to take them down every semester.

Pro: Our room smells like apple cinnamon 3/4ths of the year.

Con: The other 1/4th of the year is us getting busted for having a candle and an open flame in our room. You hate to see it.

Pro: You have a 37′’ tv, Then A 42′’ Tv, THEN A 57′’ TV!!!

Con: Everyone in my building now has access to a 37″ tv, and a 42″ tv, and A 57″ TV.

Pro: With posters plastered on the walls, the comfiest of seating, and ideal temperatures, my dorm room is the perfect place to hang.

Con: It is also the perfect place to hang for a group of 10 guys, especially when you want to be alone in your own room. But no, you can’t anymore because it is too good not to hang out in.

Pro: We have an open door policy so we can be their for our friends and they don’t feel excluded.

Con: If we locked the door now, things would get weird.

Pro: Even if our door is locked, we can get in through our window because it does not have a screen.

Con: If the building is locked, everyone crawls through our window! Like seriously! Someone crawled through our window today when we were all sleeping in order to get into the building! C’mon now show some respect!

[rocublog]

Wax Dat Face.

Say NO to beards.

Seriously, men of the world, sort yourselves out. Since when has a matted ball of fluff been a socially acceptable thing to wear on your face? Do you realise that you look like Gandalf from Lord of The Rings? And yeah, he is undoubtedly a boss, but we do not live in Middle Earth, and you are not a wizard, so cut it out and cut it off.

This was intended to be a blog post, but I guess it’s already turned into a rant… Oh well, let’s keep calm and carry on, shall we?

Listen lads, I don’t mean to offend; my intent is to help you. “All I want in life is my man to look like a hipster lumberjack,” SAID NO WOMAN EVER.

I’m by no means an appearance expert, or some love guru with the secret theory of what women want, but I’m pretty sure they don’t want their fella to be walking around looking like they tripped face first into a bird’s nest. And if you’re all like, “it’s soft and furry, and girls like that,” just relax mate, because they already invented something to fulfill those needs...it’s called a cat.

We're supposed to be gentlemen for our women. Emphasis on the “GENTLE” man. Can someone explain to me what exactly is gentle about a ferocious, angry, itchy, food trapping chin bush? How do you know that a disease ridden raccoon isn't living in there? Let's face it: you don't.

If you have a beard and you’re thinking "but it makes me look manly,” well yeah, if looking like Chewbacca is the pinnacle of masculinity, congratulations my friend; you've done a stellar job.

There are only two rare scenarios I can think of that would make having a beard appropriate. The first being if you happen to live in Oymyakon, Russia, the coldest inhabited place on earth, and genuinely need to rescue your cheeks from intense frost bite; and the second scenario is that you are auditioning for the lead role in Teen Wolf. If either of these scenarios apply to you, then by all means let your face rug hang low. The rest of you, get a grip.

Forgive me for taking inspiration from Liam Neeson in the movie, Taken, but its necessary in these desperate times. Here is my direct message to the man who started this new beard trend:

“I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you shave now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you, but if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you and I will shave every last hair off your face.”

If I’m coming across as opinionated, good. And if I’m not, please refer to the picture below. But don't worry, if you're reading this and you happen to have a beard, it doesn't mean I don't like you, it just means I don't like your face right now.

Cheers,

Michael Lewis Cunningham

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Doing Fall: A Comprehensive Manual

It is officially fall. With October comes everything pumpkin spice, lots of layers, delicious food and apples in every form. However, if you’re anything like me, sometimes fall can be a little overwhelming. You look around at all of these people who just “get” Fall. They’ve all got their clothes perfectly layered and their plaid perfectly complements the colors of the turning leaves. They seem to always have a steamy fall drink of some sort in their hands, and they are decked out with their homemade scarves, headbands, mittens, etc. Call it whatever you want, basic, mainstream—whatever. These people know how to do fall. Others, however, just cannot seem to “do Fall” like they wish they could (myself included). Here are a few solutions to help you fall right into step with this overachieving autumn crowd.

You don’t like pumpkin. Or pumpkin lattes. Or any lattes, for that matter.

For all my homies out there who also cannot tell the difference between a latte, a cappuccino, a Frappuccino, and whatever else exists: We have options too.

1. Start liking these things. It all sounds good in theory, so you could potentially just psych yourself into enjoying the fancy coffee drinks. Also, start liking soymilk and extra foam. This will make you even more “Fall”.

2. Chai. If you’re anything like me and really just can’t stand the taste of coffee, there is a wonderful thing called chai. This warm, milky, spicy drink tastes like fall in a cup and comes in as many flavors as coffee does (even pumpkin spice!).  Chai is also a cool word, so if someone says, “Oh what kind of latte is that?” and you say, “It’s a soymilk chocolate chai with extra foam sprinkled with cinnamon and the crystalized nectar of a Christmas Poinsettia,” you just won the fancy drink war.

3. Hot chocolate or some piping hot apple cider. Just add some caramel and whipped cream to your apple cider for an even more delectable experience. Also, keep in mind that everything comes in the same cup, so even if you aren’t drinking coffee, it’s still going to look like coffee, so really your job is done.

 Just too many clothes.

If you feel like a sweater, flannel, vest, and chunky infinity scarf is just TOO MUCH, you’re not alone. Sure, everyone else looks great in their autumn getup but it’s just a little overwhelming for you. Here is a disclaimer: It is 100% understandable and expected for your feet to feel hotter than the surface of the sun if you are wearing fuzzy socks, leg warmers (crocheted by hand of course), and fur-lined Uggs. I promise you are not alone. Here are a few tips to handle the obscene amounts of clothes you are expected to wear at one time this season:

1.     Wear a normal amount of clothing.

2.     Poke little holes in all of your clothes like a baked potato as a sort of airflow cooling system.

3.     Everything in moderation: maybe just try normal socks and boots. Or a flannel + vest. Or sweater + scarf. No need to max out the entire content of your wardrobe in one day. (Less clothes = less laundry = less water. Also = more time for the Netflix.)

 You don’t know how to knit/crochet/bake/DIY anything, at all.

These skills are wonderful to have, and maybe you have one of them! That’s so good, I’m proud. However, if you are a member of the average population of America, you probably cannot do most of these things. We are the population that creates the faily-est of Pinterest fails. Here are some tips for you:

1.     You could potentially learn one of these things. (But this will most likely not happen. Too many reasons not to.)

Therefore…

2.     Sit back and enjoy the talents of those who have them. If I have a friend who wants to knit me legwarmers, why go and learn myself? Every cook needs someone to cook for. Let us band together and be a proud population of hungry, talentless people for whom the cooks can cook.

If, however, you do like pumpkin spice, you live for layers, you own 12 different flannel shirts, and you have mastered the art of the Dutch braid, the crochet, and the DIY, CONGRATULATIONS! It’s finally your season. For the rest of us, it’s time to break out the Snuggie and start back at the beginning of Friends, because May is a long ways away.

In the end, Fall is a time of year to sit back and enjoy the beauty. It may be a stressful time of year for some, but make sure above all else that you don’t get so caught up in the stress of it all that you miss all of the beauty around you this season.

[rocublog]

Beating the Ring-by-Spring

By, Alex Tahauri 

Is it spring? Are you engaged? No? CONGRATULATIONS we have a winner!

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are either engaged or delusional, because it is definitely the first day of October.

Marriage is just a delight, a truly magnificent life event, especially when you two are both certain you have found “the one.” It makes my heart smile in the least sarcastic way possible. After he/she pops the question then… there you have it. You two graduate, or wait for the younger one to graduate, and BOOM. Summer-time wedding.  You starve for a few years, live out of an apartment in a sketchy neighborhood, finally buy that tiny house to have something of “your own,” get a dog or get pregnant, and settle into your new life.

I really do not mean to offend anyone who is engaged or who has a life somewhat similar to my description, but for those single people who are stressing over being single…don’t. From the ages 18-21, you are still in the last phase of adolescence. This means we (yes, we) are still undergoing changes like physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development. And lucky for all you students out there, college is the perfect place to develop.

You can play sports. You can surround yourself with people and make an attempt at being social. You can participate in class discussion and learn how to not suck public speaking. You can join something like lyrical dance club or bible club or LGBTQ club; whatever you fancy. The point I am trying to make is, find what you love or what you are good at and capitalize on that.

College is not about finding your mate.

Yeah sure, it happens every year to a special pair of lovebirds, and kudos to them, but that does not set the standard. In Rochester there are a handful of coffee shops, a few colleges, fewer Christian colleges, and NCFR. It is important to remember that the world is bigger than Rochester. When I see it on a map, it looks extremely small to me, but it's big, I swear. There are so many places you have not touched, day dreamed about, or even knew existed.

Yes, traveling the world with your lover sounds like the best plan ever. And yes, it is a nice relationship goal. But what about going by yourself, wherever the waters of life lead you? The second you say I do, it is harder to go “all Buddha” on your spouse and say, “babe, the waters of life want me to live in Zimbabwe," or "babe, the waters are taking me to Alaska to be a salmon fisherwoman at sea.” The opinions of another person become equally as important as your own.

All I am suggesting here is to live out your life to whatever you are called to do. It may be to get a ring by spring or you may be reincarnated into a dung beetle, I just don’t know for sure.

Look at your single life as a one-way ticket to

wherever, 

whenever, 

with whoever.

[rocublog]

The Perfect Cupp’a Tea

Tea and coffee often are placed in the same question, “Would you like any tea or coffee?” However, coffee has become the default response. It would seem that in the non-stop tempo of the modern day, coffee has stormed onto the scene and become almost a fashion accessory or social experience for generation Y, with more and more shops labeling themselves as “coffee” shops, even though they sell equal quantities of other things like foods, treats and the (sadly) overlooked cup of tea.

I am a tea person, and just as a disclaimer, I am British. You may assume that my being from the motherland of the best tea in the world makes me biased, but I can tell you that I’ve been in the States long enough that I now naturally call the trunk of a car a “trunk,” instead of the “boot.” So there’s that. Even so, regardless of all of the exquisite coffees I have tasted, I am here to tell you that a well prepared cup of tea trumps a well-brewed pot of coffee–all day, every day. If you have ever drunk a cup of English-style tea and are still not convinced by my obviously well-respected opinion on hot beverages, then I am going to jump to the conclusion that an error has been made in preparation of that tea. But fear not, because I am going to kindly correct that for you right now.

(You’re welcome.)

Steps to the perfect cup of tea:

Step 1: Always boil fresh water in a kettle. If you rely on a Keurig or microwave to heat up your water, first: slap yourself. Then take both your microwave and Keurig into a wide open space, ensuring your eyes are adequately protected, and purchase a sledge hammer to “take care” of that pair of useless appliances. 

Alright, maybe don’t go that far, but when making a cup of tea, you need the water to be boiling hot! I don’t know the exact temperature, but it needs to be hot enough that if you were asked if you would rather take a shower with said kettle water, or take a leisurely swim in the molten lava at the bottom of Mount Vesuvius, you’d be packing your bags and setting off to Italy before anyone could say, “milk and sugar?”

Step 2: Have your tea bag waiting expectantly in your cup before pouring the water in. It’s kind of like a bus stop, and the tea bag is the passenger. If you’re not at the bus stop, you miss the bus and have to wait for the next one. Know what I mean?

Step 3: Allow the tea bag to steep for no more than 30 seconds — not 29, not 31 — 30. This is important, unless you like the taste of hairspray and leaf soup. Then be my guest and leave it in longer. Ensure you are stirring the tea throughout the 30 seconds, and watch your boring water turn into a magical and intriguing pool of golden goodness. Don’t be too curious though, that water is still flipping hot!

Step 4: Add the sugar. It’s important to do this before you add the milk, because it dissolves better in hotter temperatures. If you put in the milk first, it slightly cools the tea, and then when you add sugar you are left with those little granules at the bottom of the mug that stealthily invade your mouth on that last sip, making you contemplate the meaning of life. For the perfect sweetness, add 137 granules of white sugar. If you don’t have the time to count, a teaspoon and a half will do.

Step 5: Add the milk. Now listen carefully, because ratio is the key here: you want your entire beverage to be 3 quarters water and one quarter milk.  Whole milk is the best for that creamy texture, but if you’re a calorie counter, 2% will do, and if that’s still too fatty for you, then do everyone a favor and go drink an entire bottle of vinegar.

Step 6: As soon as your tea is cooled to a temperature that won’t do any internal damage to your vital organs, go ahead and take a sip, and get a glimpse of what heaven is really like.

So all you coffee lovers, for crying out loud, don’t go through life stuck in your stubborn ways. Allow yourself to experience how life is really supposed to be lived. I know what you’re going to say, that you need the caffeine to get you through your long days of scrolling through Instagram and taking pictures of trees. If your reasoning for coffee is because of the much-needed caffeine, you might be surprised to know that tea leaves actually contain more caffeine than coffee beans, and you can trust me on that because I “Googled” it.

Cheers,

Michael Lewis Cunningham

[rocublog]

This video survey is intended to be a snapshot of the ways we communicate, but also a (thin) slice of the personalities at Roberts Wesleyan College. 

I didn't have any sort of script when I set out--just the two questions answered by the interviewees above. I first collected some responses, then started editing the footage down, only to realize how little visual variety I had. This led me to gather more interviews in different places, some of which made the final cut.

A major challenge of the editing process was learning the software as I went. I had never used Lightworks before (chosen because of its availability and price), but it was similar enough to other timeline-based programs that the learning curve was gentle. It helped me that I started the project significantly before it was due, so I had time to make mistakes and learn the program.

--Jon Mead

[rocublog]

Roberts Lie Witness News Script

Based off of Jimmy Kimmel's Lie Witness news. He'll ask strangers around Hollywood a question that is made and completely ridiculous, but somewhat believable to some people and get their reaction. I decided to follow his same route, so I asked students at Roberts how they felt about a chapel reduction next year and then no more chapel in 2 years. Obviously not true, but not everyone is a fan of chapel so it would be interesting to hear their response. Not everyone bit on the question but some people were genuinely shocked when I asked them. Here's the link on YouTube, script is here too.

Me: So are you aware that by next year the board of trustees at Roberts are implementing a plan to reduce chapel at Roberts?

  Cody: I didn’t know that actually, how many chapel credits do we get?

  Me: 10

  Cody: Really?

  Me. Yes

  Cody: I like chapel though, but I guess that’s good for people who hate chapel though.

  Me: Did you know in the next two years they’re reducing it to none?

  Cody: Really?

  Me: Yea, no more chapel

  Cody: Oh, I don’t like that

      Me: So are you aware that by next year the board of trustees at Roberts are implementing a plan to reduce chapel at Roberts?

  Steve: uhhh, no, wow, umm that’s cool.

  Me: Did you know they’re thinking about getting rid of chapel completely, how do you feel about that?

  Steve: I don’t think I agree with that since I’ve been here for 4 years.

  Me: Do you think it’s breaking tradition?

  Steve: No it has nothing to do with tradition,  I think their should be some student development or faith aspect curriculum. Also the formation of our faith should be in place, but I think it should be optional and I think a lot more people would be open to Christian beliefs if it was optional. I don’t think it should be totally discredited at all, but I definitely think it should be optional and something that is there and people that really care will come and people who don’t, don’t have to. That’s one option, but wow, I didn’t know that.

        Me: Are you aware by next year the chapel committee and the board of trustees at Roberts are implementing a plan to reduce chapel attendance?

  Victoria:  I was not aware of this

  Me: How does that make you feel?

  Victoria: That makes me feel sad, I was an adult learner this semester at the age of 23 and I did not have to go to chapel but I went anyway because I love chapel.

  Me: Do you know in the next two years, they’re getting rid of chapel completely?

  Victoria: That breaks my heart

      Me: So as current staff member at Roberts Wesleyan College are you aware that the board of trustees at Roberts Wesleyan College are implementing a plan to reduce chapel next year?

  Micah: I did not know that

  Me: Are you aware that they’re getting rid of chapel in the next two years?

  Micah: I have heard no such thing

  Me: Maybe, you’ve been left in the dark, how do you feel about that?

  Micah: Well I’m not sure how to feel if they were cutting chapel, but I doubt that they are.

-Words by Adam Leary

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Humans of the Roc

If you know me, you know at times I can be a painfully awkward introvert. So for this project, I decided to embrace the awkwardness and talk to complete strangers.  The idea was to branch off the popular “Humans of New York” by Brandon Stanton with a holiday twist.

With the help of my dear friend, Cocoa, we braced the cold and politely interrupted people’s enjoyment of the Liberty Pole lighting’s festivities. The range of people reflected a scope of those who make up the Rochester community. From friendly families to officers (not as intimidating as I had imagined) and, of course, the man whose family was four dogs (one not pictured) and some more in between—all of whom were so kind and even look beautiful/handsome in the frigid weather.

The question asked was, “Who would you thank for where you are today?” There were many variations of that question asked and much confusion as to why me, a random person, wanted to know. Some of the contributors needed convincing I was not a crazy person (understandable, given the scenario).

Thankfully, most people were very cheery, flexible, and willing to participate.  They were asked to write their responses on small cards. In this way, I did not tamper their part of the story. I was simply a prompt for their thankfulness, and it was an overall awesome experience. 

Words and Photos - Jennifer Walker | PIC and photo credit -Cocoa Rae

[rocublog]

The skinny on dorm furniture

Every autumn, collegiate folks everywhere start looking for ways to furnish the concrete-walled, sparsely-furnished dormitories they will call home for the next college year. Without at least a little effort in the interior decorating and furnishing category, dorms aren’t very cheery and lack panache.

If this were the only problem facing incoming dorm-dwellers, a trip to Ikea or some Big Box store would solve it handily. In fact, some college students do this every fall. Unfortunately, there are other requirements for dorm-furnishing: first, most college students don’t find themselves with lots of extra money lying around. Second, even if they did have cash to burn, the end of the Spring semester rolls around every year, evicting students and whatever personal belongings they possess with them. For college-goers who fly to and from school, and those with small cars or dependent on rides from others, expensive furniture is generally not practical. So, what is a poor, aesthetically-inclined, transportationally-challenged undergrad to do?

As bleak as the scenario sounds, there are some dorm rooms that are immaculately furnished without too much financial waste. This particular example comes from Miner Hall, an all-male residence hall at Roberts:

Photo credit: Jonathan Mead

How does one achieve a somewhat homey feel on a budget? There are several options to pursue before outright buying furniture. The first place I go to for cheap or free furniture is Craigslist. The site is an online classified and want-ad section, with contact information, pictures and information about items to be bought and sold. I generally go to the free category to look for couches, easy chairs, and the like. If you’re willing to pay a little money, the search function enables you to organize results by lowest cost. The non-digital version of craigslist is to walk or drive around your neighborhood and look for furniture on curbs. People often discard perfectly serviceable furniture because they no longer match the paint, or other problems having nothing to do with usability.Both of these methods require a way to transport the furniture. If possible, make friends with someone who owns a truck or bigger car with seats that fold down, so you can claim your find. Usually, these pieces will have cosmetic defects, but it’s important to thoroughly inspect any furniture for odd smells or questionable stains.

Photo credit: auntjojo via Flickr

If neither Craigslist’s free section or your neighborhood front lawns are yielding no results, thrift shops and garage sales are the next place too look, with the latter being harder to know about/predict, and the former being more expensive. The same guidelines about smell-checks and transportation needs apply to these (that ought to be common sense, but can easily be overlooked).

Yard sales and thrift stores are also a great place to find other decor like framed art, posters, wall hangings, and kitsch, all of which can spruce up an otherwise dull dorm room or suite.

So if you find yourself dismayed at the stark, barren condition of a college-furnished dorm, do not despair: there are many avenues to explore before you spend $100 on a Target futon.

 --words by Jon Mead

[rocublog]

Mason jar gifts

College students have the luxury of being excusably broke. Around this time of year, however, you want to be able to give something to the people who mean something to you. Below are some thrifty ideas for gifts you can make with a mason jar. The exciting part is you do not have to be incredibly crafty for these, because they are incredibly simple

S’mores bark:

If your family is anything like mine, around the holidays you have more deserts than anyone knows what to do with. Instead of giving a traditional plate of cookies, give this prepped desert in a jar so the receivers can enjoy when the gluttony is over.

What you need:

Mason Jar with lid

Chocolate chips

Honey Teddy Grahams

Mini Marshmallows

Ribbon/string

Small Piece of Paper (for directions)

*Proportions are based on the size of the jar. The ratio of chocolate chips to Teddy Grahams is about 2:1.

How to:

Fill the mason jar with chocolate chips

Add teddy grahams (try making them face out)

Top with marshmallows

Put the lid on

Tie ribbon around and make a bow

Write out the directions and then attach:

Melt chocolate in microwave or double boiler

Pour onto a parchment lined backing sheet

Smooth even layer

Top with Teddy Grahams (you can crush if preferred)

Stick in the refrigerator

Break apart when cool

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

This recipe is good for your friends on campus or friends who attend different colleges you see over break.

What you need:

Mason Jar with lid

1 cup powdered milk

1 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder

1 cup granulated sugar

½ tsp. salt, yes salt

½ cup chocolate chips

½ cup peppermint candy

Ribbon/string

Small card for directions

How to:

Layer all ingredients in the Mason jar in order of listing

Put the lid on

Tie a ribbon

Attach directions card

Add hot water to desired consistency

*Also might worth mentioning, you can get up to 12 cups of hot cocoa out of this. The proportions fill a 1-quart jar.

Cinnamon Popcorn

Crazy? I think not. This little touch to popcorn is ever so easy and the receivers will thank you for introducing cinnamon popcorn into their life.

What you need:

Mason jar with lid

½ cup popcorn kernels

2 teaspoons of granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Ribbon/string

Small card for directions

How to:

Mix sugar and ground cinnamon together.

Put kernels in Mason jar

Put mix on top and shake together (do not forget lid)

Attach instruction card:

Cover the bottom of a large pot with vegetable oil

Place over medium heat

Add kernels, cover loosely

When popping starts lower the heat and shake pot

Once popping slows, remove from heat.

Transfer to bowl and add more cinnamon sugar per taste

Happy holidays!

Photo by: Patrick Q | Words by Jennifer Walker

[rocublog]

A guide to thrifting around Rochester

If you're a broke college student like me, you might be stressing out about Christmas presents. It feels like there are so many people to buy presents for, and so little money to spend on them. 

So I'll let you in on one of Rochester's greatest secrets: thrifting.

Here's a list of the major thrift stores in the Rochester area:

Goodwill

The Goodwill is a great place to shop because everything is generally neat, and clothing is organized by size rather than just by color. You can find pretty much anything there. Just last week I got a collection of poems by William Blake for only fifty cents.

The best Goodwill location in the area is probably the Henrietta store on Jefferson Road. The store is spacious, clean, and well-organized. The Brockport location has a similar layout, but the manager is quite rude. One day, he followed my sister and I around the store like he either thought we were stealing or wanted to take us on a date. Either way, it was very uncomfortable. 

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, or Salvos, as my sister and I call it, is designed for people who extensively enjoy the physical act of shopping. Clothing is generally organized by color rather than size, which makes it much harder to find what you are looking for. Also, every time I leave Salvos my hands feel grimy and disgusting.

For some, the perks of Salvos outweigh the negatives. The prices are generally cheaper than at other thrift stores, and on Wednesdays, all clothing and shoes are half off. 

The best Salvation Army location that I've been to is the one in Henrietta. It is gigantic, with a massive furniture section in the back. Stay clear of the store on the corner of Ridge Road and North Greece Road; it is disgusting. 

I scored this desk at the Henrietta Salvation Army for only $60!

AMVETS:

AMVETS is probably my favorite thrift store. The prices are great, the store is well-organized, and every time you shop there you are helping a veteran. The store's only drawback is that is kind of smells like mothballs. 

Unlike most other thrift stores, there is ample supply of men's clothing as well as women's. There is also a separate section for nice brand-name clothing and clothing that still has it's original tags on it. They also have a substantial furniture section. My sister got her wooden four-post bed frame there for only $25. 

These are only three of the many thrift stores in the Rochester area. I encourage you to go exploring and see what other hidden gems you can find. You'd be surprised at how far your money can go at one of these stores; you are sure to find presents for nearly everyone on your list, and a few for yourself as well!

--words and photo by Kimmi Nolin

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Lady Redhawks push past RIT in the first round

This year was the 49th annual Wendy's College Classic. This tournament is for both the men's and women's teams in the Rochester area. Roberts Wesleyan Lady Redhawks were the No. 2 seed going into this tournament.

Roberts Wesleyan starts the tournament off with a win (68-56) against RIT in hopes to make it to the finals on Saturday, December 6, 2014. 

This win will advance the No. 2 Redhawks to the semifinals on Thursday where they will face No. 3, Geneseo, at 8:00 p.m.

The Redhawks started out with a bang and led the Tigers 13-4 within minutes of the first half. The Tigers began to claw their way back to the top when Taylor Burns hit a 3 and brought the score to 23-22, with the Redhawks still leading. 

Marissa Maiorano, former Redhawks player, and Taylor Burns each ended the game with double doubles to led the Tigers. Maiorano had 12 points and 16 rebounds, Burns put up 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Samantha Courtney, forward, led the Redhawks with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, four assists, and one steal. Courtney was 50 percent from the free throw line and 70 percent from the field. Freshmen Brooke Fields and Lucy Covley each added 10 points. 

This win puts the Redhawks at a 2-1 overall record.

To see live tweets from the game, click on the link below: https://storify.com/courtwyckoff/lady-redhawks-start

--words by Courtney Wyckoff