a piece by Lyndsay Gundesen, a fighter for the peace. 

It’s an issue that is in everyone’s hearts, on everyone’s minds, and on many people’s thighs, as well. Ever since the first rains were blessed down in Vancouver, since the controversial union of nylon, spandex and wizardry in deep, dark West Coast caves on dark and temperate nights, and the introduction of ancient Eastern fitness crazes to housewives and housewives-to-be everywhere,  our world has been stricken with agitation, uncertainty, and distrust. We don’t know what to expect when we walk outside anymore – our only hope is to keep our gaze well above hip-level and force ourselves to become less uncomfortable with the idea of leggings as pants.

As a self-identified leggings-as-pants supporter and, indeed, compatriot, I speak for all of us judged on our choice of leg-wear. I do, however, recognize and understand the hell that some undergo and battle every day when catching sight of us, in our special kind of stretchy and comfortable heaven. I courageously wish to bridge that ever-widening, gaping gap, and reach out to those who find themselves on that safely-denimed side of the street with one luon-clad leg, and a warm, if tightly wrapped, heart.

I don’t know where this clash of the clothing, this strife against the stretch, all began. I just know that it is time to unite as one fully-clad unit, if we wish to avoid an earth-shattering disseverance of our generation. Let those who wish to don their leggings and proudly show off their backside and impressive calf definition do so without fearing stony glances on the 99 and smirks from those in less daring khaki wrappers. And in turn,  legging-wearers, make sure that your leggings are thick enough to hide those parts of you that are not generally publicly applauded (unless you find yourself on Wreck Beach), as to safeguard against negative attention to your leg-wear.

So whether you be a disciple of denim, a lackey of khaki, a sycophant of skirts, a junkie of jeggings, a courtesan to corduroy, a lover of leggings, or an aficionado for absurdly elongated shirts as dresses…let us all put aside our differences, as fanatics of fabric in general. Give pleats (or lack thereof) a chance, before our world is ripped at the seams (or lack thereof).

by Kaity Lalonde

Whether you have spent every summer in Vancouver, maybe only a few or this is your first – you will learn that there are tons of things to do and places to see. However, sometimes it can be tough to think of things to do (other than sleep, study or sit on the grass). So, here is a list to get you started:

1. Spend time on the beach – Wreck Beach, Spanish Banks, Kits Beach

2. Go for high tea – may be a little pricey, but could be something nice to splurge on

3. Go hiking – ever tried the Grouse Grind? The Chief? Even just do the Wreck Beach stairs a few times…

4. Try to learn something new – perhaps a new language? a new talent? I am learning to knit (and yes I realize it is summer) and also trying to improve my french skills. C’est bon.

5. Go shopping downtown – hop on the buses that end in a 4 and head downtown!

6. Grab your laptop and watch a movie outside on the bean bags in front of the library or the courtyard of Marine Drive

7. Grab a Slushy. Enough said.

8. Or my other favourite, Menchies.

9. Call up an old friend and hang out – now is the perfect time!

10. Read a book for fun…Sometimes this is the best thing – textbooks are not allowed.

Get out and enjoy the sun (wearing a hat, sunglasses and/or sunscreen).

Have a great summer!

It’s that time again! UBC Alumni Weekend 2013 is drawing closer and we’re looking for 150 volunteers to make it bigger and better than ever.

What’s Alumni Weekend you ask? Well, Alumni Weekend is an annual event that invites UBC alumni back to Point Grey Campus for a day of exciting lectures and classes (without quizzes!), tours of the newest buildings on campus and a chance to reunite with old friends.

We aim to create a warm and exciting atmosphere every year but we need fun and enthusiastic volunteers (like yourself) to do so. So, if you want to gain on-site event experience, develop job skills & build your resume then this is a volunteer job for you.mni back to Point Grey Campus for a day of exciting lectures and classes (without quizzes!), tours of the newest buildings on campus and a chance to reunite with old friends.

This year, Alumni Weekend falls on Saturday, May 25^th, 2013 with activities running from 8:30AM – 5:30 PM. Volunteers are often asked to arrive earlier or stay later than the times listed above and will be allowed to choose their shifts from the following options: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM. They will assist at the various venues, tours, educational sessions and registration. They will also help with event preparation, assist with wayfinding and transportation and overall, ensure that everyone feels welcome.

To register, please follow the instructions below:

Go to http://www.alumni.ubc.ca/events/alumniweekend/ and click “Frequently Asked Questions” to find out how to register. Well, what are you waiting for? Go sign up!

Reference letters are available upon request. For more information, contact Dannielle Piper – Alumni Weekend Program Coordinator at alumni.weekend@ubc.ca or 604 822 0515.

by Jenna Ostash

I know that some of you are like me, this is your first time living in an apartment, having to cook for yourself, budget for groceries, clean your own bathroom etc. While it can be daunting and downright scary to think of all the new responsibility that has been added, here are some quick tips to help the transition to be a bit smoother.

1)     Set up a cleaning schedule

This goes whether you are in a shared unit or a studio. Knowing when cleaning is going to happen and who is going to do it (and actually sticking with it!) will make life easier and help avoid the blame game when you think someone isn’t pulling their weight.

2)     Create a grocery budget, and stick to it!

It can be difficult to figure out how much to spend on food and necessary items at first, but it’s important to keep costs low and avoid over-spending. Shop around to find the best prices and know exactly how much to spend, and don’t go over that. A good way to stick to your budget is to pay in cash and only have your budgeted amount in your wallet, or if you usually shop in one store, buy a gift card with your monthly budget on it, it will help you keep on track.

3)     Plan your meals ahead of time, cook large portions, and freeze!

By creating a plan for the meals you want to cook, you are able to shop more efficiently, save yourself from late night pizza orders, and lessen stress. Save the meals that take a lot of time to prepare for the nights when you have more time to spare. Cooking larger portions and freezing meals helps to save money and time. Buying in bulk is cheaper than buying small portions at a time and on those busy nights when you don’t want to cook, all you have to do is thaw out a frozen dinner!

by Stacy Bonin

One way to create a cleaning schedule:

• Start by writing down each and every one of the chores that will need to be done. These might include vacuuming common areas, cleaning the washroom, or mopping the kitchen.
• As a group, decide how frequently each chore should be done. Every day, every week, etc.
• On a calendar, write down the chores you decided as frequently you decided. Then go back and assign each task to a roommate, making sure that everyone does an equal amount of everything, or that ALL of the roommates agree that the tasks and split up evenly. Put the calendar in a visible place!
• If these steps don’t float your boat, don’t worry- there are many other ways to create a cleaning schedule with your roommates. Be creative!

Some tips to consider when divvying up cleaning responsibilities with your roommates:

• What happens if your roommate forgets to do their share of the cleaning? Create a contract, write down expectations, or agree on a course of action in case this happens and sign it together. That way, everyone is on the same page and knows what to expect- no surprises and no hurt feelings!
• Just writing “clean the washroom”  on the schedule is very vague. What does a “clean washroom” include? A clean toilet? A mopped floor? A clean mirror? Make sure that you agree on what it means to be “clean.” Different people have a different idea of how clean something should be, so make sure to write down the definition for each chore as a group and sign it.
• Remembering to do your chores when you are expected to can be challenging. Treat it like an assignment that’s due- write in in your agenda, put it in your Google Calendar, write it on a post-it and put it somewhere you know you’ll see it.

If you are having trouble creating a cleaning schedule/contract, or want an outside opinion to make sure everything looks good or is done fairly, ask your RA for help!

by Ivan Yastrebov

 You constantly hear how   UBC is a beautiful campus. Though looking out a window in Irving into the oncoming rain during April exam season, this idea seems distant and untrue. Well summer has arrived, the rains have gone and you’ve passed all your exams. The perfect time to explore all this campus has to offer. Here are a few of my favourite hidden gems on campus:

• Nitobe Gardens: This small little garden is tucked away on a corner of campus near Place Vanier residences. The walking path (that apparently resembles life) circles a pond and is covered by a plethora of trees, guaranteeing that this garden will stay cool.
• Museum of Anthropology (MOA): This is also another hidden gem on campus. It is located at the north side, near the Chan Centre. Before heading into the museum I would recommend to walk around the other side to take in the wonderful architecture that the building is. After that, check out the exhibits that feature a lot of first nation heritage and learn more about the history of this land.
• Beaty Biodiversity Museum: You know that big glass building with the whale skeleton? Well that’s actually a museum that extends underneath the courtyard behind it. There is a multitude of specimens down there with enough information to take up a few days to read it all. Free with a student card it is definitely worth checking out.
• UBC Botanical Gardens: These gardens feature a wide range of plants and serve to educate you about them all. There are long trails that lead you through the large area. A highlight of the experience are the canopy walks. You get to walk among the birds and see the forest from a different perspective.

December Events around Vancouver

By Katie Kalk – MD1 Advisor

As classes finish up and the weather slowly gets colder and colder, we have to fight the temptation to do nothing but hole up in our rooms and hunker down for the remainder of the term.  It would be a shame to let the holiday season pass by without any side trips from studying. So without any future ado here are five December suggestions for cheap Vancouver day trips.

1-Vancouver Christmas Market

It’s not quite the trip to Germany but the Vancouver Christmas Market is a great chance to get a little Christmas shopping done while enjoying German street food. My personal favorite is the mugs of warm mulled wine which you sip as you walk around the booths. Yum! Tickets are just 2$ before five on weekdays or 2$ all other times of the month.

2- Vancouver Carol Ships

Throughout the month of December boat owners deck out their ships in lights, play Christmas music and take part in an annual floating parade. Bring a thermos of coco and watch for free at Canada Place.

3-Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain

I’m personal a sucker for any situation where I can pet cute animals. The Peak of Christmas adds the chance to meet reindeer to its usual winter sports and activities. Why not say hello to Blitzen before Ice Skating, tubing or Skiing down our local peak.

4- Hanukkah Events

Vancouver also has plenty of wonderful events for Hanukkah. On December 8^th in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery is the annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony. Featuring delicious food, live music and a chance to win prizes; the Ceremony is another wonderful example of a community coming together and celebrating during these cold dark weeks.

5- Polar Bear Swim

Are you a brave soul who wants to start off the New Year with an act of bravery? Then join your fellow dare devils in the Polar Bear swim in English Bay on January 1^st. Registration is free and bragging rights last forever.

First years tend to say that UBC is a town, sometimes even bigger than a town they came from. And most of us will agree that that is precisely true. Living in residence, going to classes on campus and going shopping to Save-On-Foods on occasions pretty much summarizes weekly activities that lots of people do. I am not going to get into a philosophical discussion if this is good or bad but instead I want to give you some ideas you can explore off-campus.

First, who does not like food? So far, I have met none. Therefore, if you love food, tired of cooking and looking for a good place to eat? Here is a couple:

1)    Stepho’s Souvlaki Greek Taverna

Location: 1124 Davie Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 1N1

The restaurant has very nice Greek food at very affordable prices. For $15-$18 you can get a massive dish, a glass of wine and a very pleasant experience. It usually has a line up waiting outside, but it is worth waiting for!

2)    Coppertank Grill

Location: 3135 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2H2

This place is one of my favourites and I am recommending it to anyone who wants to spend a good time with friends. They offer nice meals, reasonably prices alcoholic beverages and awesome atmosphere. Check it out!

Second, who does not like museums or aquariums? Here are some:

1)    Museum of Vancouver

Location: 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9

The museum offers exhibits that show the life of Vancouver from its beginning – how the city was established, who lived here, what working and living conditions were, etc. Personally, I enjoyed it. It was nice to learn something new about the city all of us currently live in. Check it out!

P.S. Right next to it is the Space Centre, a very cool place worth looking into!

2)    Vancouver Aquarium

Location: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2

Located in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium is one of the biggest attractions in Vancouver. It holds more than 50,000 animals and offers a spectacular experience. Did I mention they have belugas, dolphins, sea otters, Amazon birds and sea lions?

3)    Vancouver Art Gallery

Location: 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H7

The Gallery’s permanent holdings are more than 10,000 artworks and the exhibits always challenge one’s perception of art and imagination. I strongly recommend visiting it!

Lastly, what do you think of a cirque?

1)    Cirque du Soleil

Location: Concord Pacific Place

Duration: From November 23 to December 30^th

Cirque du Soleil is the best cirque in the world! They come to Vancouver annually for the tour. The performance is spectacular and unforgettable and would strongly recommend getting with friends and attend one of the best performances in the world.

There are lots and lots of other interesting places that you can visit and they are definitely worth exploring! Don’t forget that UBC Campus is only a one part of Vancouver and there is so much more to the city. So, get with your friends and check it out, check out the nightlife of the city, its attractions, and its secrets. Cheers!

“Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish” – Steve Jobs

Read More…

Want to learn about ways to get involved on campus?? 

This Wednesday Nov. 21 at 7pm

Come to Meeting Room 2 (in Commonsblock)

And hear about the various opportunities on campus

FREE hot chocolate, tea, dessert, fruit etc.