Consent Week will take place throughout the week of October 6^th-10^th2014. Join The SASC every day at the SUB South Side Lounge (by Starbucks and the Cafeteria) from 11am-3pm to chat about consent with our enthusiastic Outreach team, purchase Got Consent? Clothing, contribute to our community mural on consent, and watch our new Got Consent? video!

Other events include:

– Got Consent? workshop on Wednesday, October 8 from 11-1:30, email sascprog@ams.ubc.ca to register.

– Mike Domitrz presents an engaging  discussion titled “Can I kiss You? on October 7^th, 2014 at 7pm Totem Park Ballroom.

– Get in Bed with Hillel event on Monday October 6^th at 5.30pm-7pm in the Hillel House lounge.

Garbage, recycling and composting in Vancouver, sort it out!

Our daily consumption and habits produce lots of garbage and since we are a big community, you can imagine the amount of debris we dispose of. However, did you know that you can contribute to reduce this amount by properly sorting out your garbage (garbage/recycling/compost)?

It differs from one country to another, but here are some of Vancouver’s regulations concerning waste disposal.

Recycling:

On campus, you will most likely have two different bins; one for paper products and one for plastic, cans or glass products. Here are some items which fit these categories:

Paper products: paper, paper containers (e.g. pizza box), cardboards, paper cups, newspaper, toilet paper rolls, eggs carton, etc.

Plastic, cans or glass products: Milk container, soda cans, Pringles’ container, coffee cups and lids, ice cream container, aluminum container, cans, glass container, aerosol cans, light bulbs, etc.

Compost :

If you use a plastic bag to gather your compost, it is important to not put it in the compost too. Instead, you could use newspapers or some compostable nets. Also, you can easily clean and deodorize your compost bin using water and baking soda.

What goes in: cooked food waste, raw fruits, paper towels and napkins, bones, eggshells, dairy products, compostable plates and utensils, coffee grounds, tea bags, hair, etc.

Garbage:

Anything that you couldn’t fit into previous categories will most likely end up here. However, if you have unusual wastes such as electronics or batteries to dispose of, please check UBC’s sustainability website to inquire about the proper ways of disposal of such items.

What goes in: plastic bags, Styrofoam, non-recyclable cutlery, waxed paper, etc.

How to reduce your waste imprint?

-When you go grocery shopping you can buy reusable and washable nets for your vegetables and fruits instead of using plastic bags all the time. Same idea for grocery or any shopping bags, use reusable ones or even your backpack.

-Stop buying plastic bottles and buy a reusable water bottle (why not buy a cute one with a cat on it or a cool one with the UBC logo on it?).

-Plan your meals in advance (make a list) to avoid unnecessary wastes and to save money!

-Reuse old readings prints to take notes and save money!

Finally, do not hesitate to share your advices and tricks with your friends to create a ripple effect which encourage a smart and efficient lifestyle!

Sources:

http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/what-goes-in-recycling-bins.aspx

http://sustain.ubc.ca/campus-initiatives/recycling-waste/sort-it-out/what-goes-where

http://sustain.ubc.ca/campus-initiatives/recycling-waste/what-you-can-do

You can make a difference

Although summer may have come to an end, there is still plenty of time left to try some of Vancouver’s best outdoor activities!

1)  Outdoor Net Sports

One of the best ways to enjoy the sunny weather! The outdoor tennis courts and volleyball nets at Kitsilano beach are free for the public to use, so why not take advantage of that?

2)  Hiking

This is a great way to get in touch with nature, get some fresh air, tan, and burn some calories. Try walking the seawall or a trail in Pacific Spirit Park if you’re looking for a more leisurely activity, or the Grouse Grind if you’re looking for a challenge!

3)  Boot Camps or Running Group

If you’re not that into sports, but want to get fit, boot camps and running groups are great options! Boot camps are held both indoors and outdoors, and running groups are always outdoors.

4)  Kayaking and Paddle Boarding

For a fun and easy beach-day activity, try kayaking or paddle boarding! You can rent a kayak or paddle board at Kits beach or English bay and paddle along the coast line. This is a great way to relax and admire Vancouver’s beauty from a different perspective.

5)  Exploring the Stanley Park Seawall

Walk, jog, bike, or even rollerblade around the 10km seawall. You can also explre some of the trails winding through the interior of the park. Try some of the restaurants and visit the Vancouver Aquarium!

Source: vancitybuzz

by Sanaah Dodhia

If you’re all done with exams, the only logical thing to do with your time is binge watch great TV shows on Netflix. Here are my recommendations on where to start.

1. Suits

Description on Netflix: When he impresses a big lawyer with his razor-sharp mind, a college dropout scores a coveted associate job, even though he has no legal credentials.

My description: Mike Ross – a cute, smart, college drop out with a crazy memory – meets Harvey Spector – a handsome, charming Senior Partner at a law firm and New York – and ends up with a job. Mike is not a real lawyer but because of his witts and ability Harvey decides to take him on as his associate. The whole show revolves around solving cases while trying to keep Mike Ross from being fired.

Why I like it: It’s a really engaging show in terms of the content level. It makes you think but there’s some comedy and emotional drama in it – a dramedy.

2. Orange Is The New Black

Description on Netflix: From the creator of “Weeds” comes a heartbreaking and hilarious original series set in a women’s prison. Piper Chapman’s wild past comes back to haunt her, resulting in her arrest and detention in a federal penitentiary. To pay her debt to society, Piper trades her comfortable New York life for an orange prison jumpsuit and finds unexpected conflict and camaraderie amidst an eccentric group of inmates.

My description: Piper, who’s about to get engaged gets put into prison because of a group that she was associated with when she was younger. The show revolves around her struggles as a non-criminal in prison and how she “blossoms” from this quite, logical woman into this beast that can seriously kick some a**.

Why I like it: I was addicted to season 1 because I was really curious to know what it was that got Piper in jail in the first place. It’s a really interesting story line and it’s not something a lot of people would think of – what’s life like in prison? Stay in school kids, because it’s not a fun life.

3. How I Met Your Mother

Description on Netflix: Ted’s epic search for his soul mate is told largely through flashbacks, as an adult Ted recounts to his kids how he met their mother.

My Description: Ted is this crazy believer in love and finding the right woman for him but he’s essentially obsessed with his best friend Robyn the entire show. Ted goes through multiple women with interesting backgrounds – stalker police woman, baker who leaves her wedding, a divorced woman with a child etc. Eventually Ted finds the right woman but don’t anticipate the ending of the show to meet your expectations; it certainly didn’t meet mine!

Why I like it: After a hard day of class or work, it was really nice to slip into someone else’s life story for a while. Plus it was funny seeing Ted be so ridiculous in his love life. I’m also secretly a sucker for the mushy love story stuff so I liked that aspect of a light hearted story with a romantic spin.

As you may have seen we are in the final planning stages for an electrical shutdown that will occur on June 14, 2014 from 8am – 6pm.

During the shutdown the following will be impacted:

– Hot water will not be available; however cold water and toilet operation will not be affected.

– Elevators will not be operational.

– Wifi will not be operational in your block.

– Life safety systems will be operational.

– Laundry machines will not be operational.

This shutdown is necessary for cleaning of the high voltage transformers which feed our grid throughout Fairview Crescent and Thunderbird Residence 1000 and 2000 Block and the full day is needed as the transformers need to cool for the work to occur safely.  Many residents inquired why the shutdown is occurring on a Saturday – the reason for this is that this shutdown affects many childcare centres, academic buildings, sports facilities, recreational venues as well as the residences.
Reminder that barbeques and camping stoves may not be used indoors and if you are planning on lighting candles during this time, to please attend to them.

Please ensure that you are prepared by:

– powering down sensitive appliances (i.e.: computers) before the electrical shut-down begins;

– planning your day to avoid the inconvenience of accessing your room/unit without working elevators;

– reviewing the perishable food storage suggestions below.

Perishable food storage suggestions:

– Use up foods prior to power outage.

– Consider freezing remaining perishable items.

– Place ice (you have previously made) in a leak proof container in your fridge the morning of the power outage.

– Refrain from opening the fridge or freezer doors during the power outage.

Frozen food and refrigeration during a power outage (Canadian Food Inspection Agency):

– A freezer should keep food frozen for about 24 hours during a power failure if the freezer is kept closed.

– A refrigerator will keep food cool for four to six hours. Put ice, if available, in the refrigerator, an ice box or cooler to help keep perishable foods temporarily chilled.

– Food that still contains ice crystals or feels refrigerator-cold can be re-frozen. If raw food has leaked during thawing, clean and disinfect the areas the food has touched. Do not reuse wash cloths until they have been cleaned and disinfected.

– Discard thawed food that has remained at room temperature for two or more hours and any food that has an obvious strange colour or odour. Remember that food contaminated with bacteria does not necessarily smell or appear spoiled. When in doubt, throw it out.

– For more information visit: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/tipcon/emurge.shtml

by Cathy Wang

What If I’m Not Interested Composting?

That’s fine; you can still help by not throw garbage into the composting bins. Garbage such as plastic bags, juice boxes, or glass contaminates the compost and the entire bin will be thrown in the garbage instead. Place unsorted waste in the large metal garbage bins outside each block.

What Can I Compost?

How Do I Compost?

Place all accepted compost into a compost container, and empty it into the green compost bins outside each block. Wash out your container, and repeat. Make sure not to put any plastics, wood, or any of the items which are not accepted into the compost bin. Congratulations, you’re a proud composter!

What is Compost?

Compost is organic waste that can be turned into nutrient-rich, soil-like material by worms and/ or other organisms. Compost is extremely useful for making land more fertile and preventing moisture loss.

Why Should I Compost?

Composting reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, decreases the harmful emissions from landfills, and makes for a more sustainable future for all of us on this planet!

For more information about composting at UBC, visit: http://www.buildingoperations.ubc.ca/municipal/waste-management/composting/

by Simran Cheema

Living in suite-style residence calls for grocery shopping. It is not only a daunting task but also very demanding when it comes to expenses. When shopping for groceries, one has to keep in mind about healthy food items that they SHOULD pick up, guilty pleasures that they WANT to pick up and the $$ in the pocket which will restrain them from picking everything up that is in the “SHOULD” and “WANT” list. So I am presenting to you a guide which comprises of just 5 points. But if followed, these 5 points will be very helpful in managing your budget and groceries.

1. Pick a timeline: It is very important that you decide as to for how long you are purchasing the groceries for at a given time. Some people like to purchase groceries for 2 weeks and some go for 1 month. This will give you an idea of how much food you should pick up and save you from the hassle of going to the store too often. Additionally, it helps to avoid buying either too much or too less food. If there is something left from the past weeks, make a note of that and avoid picking it up from the store when you go in the next time.
2. Make a list: This sounds very boring but it is an essential element of efficient grocery shopping. A lot of people prefer to pick groceries as they see them at the store. Due to this, they tend to pick up more stuff than what they need. Having a list allows you to grab products you need and avoiding the unnecessary purchase of products you do not need. I prefer to have a small pad in my kitchen, preferably on my refrigerator door, and write items I need on it as soon as they come to my mind. This way, you will also not forget things that you absolutely need.
3. Avoid guilty pleasures: Often unnecessary items make a bulk of our grocery shopping. Avoid such items by not including them on the grocery list. It gets very tempting to pick up chocolate bars or gum at the checkout. If you do look at them, start humming a tune in your mind or think about something important that you need to go home and do. This will help you get your mind off of these items. And trust me, IT REALLY WORKS!
4. Choose a good store: As a student at UBC, we are very lucky to have some very good and cheap grocery stores around campus. I prefer No Frills personally because it is very close to campus (15 minutes of bus ride). The University Village as a produce store which is super cost effective. If you’re someone who liked to shop at Save-On Foods in the Wesbrook Village, then get their Save-On More card. It helps you gain points and also save money every time you buy something.
5. Pile up items on sale: A lot of times you’ll see cans and other items on sale. It is a good idea to pile up those items for later times because the sale might not last for too long. These items do not expire for a really long time. Same applies to items like cleaning supplies, soap, etc. However, it is important to purchase only such items that are needed. Do not stock pile things that are on sale but not necessarily needed by you.

So next time you go for grocery shopping, make sure you follow the above mentioned points for an efficient and cost-effective grocery shopping.

Happy Grocery Shopping!!

In this blog, you’ll find some unique and easy recipes for everybody! These include peanut butter banana split sandwiches and beef-broccoli stir fries.

APPETIZERS:

1) Chocolate Bruschetta

(yields 10)

-10 thinly sliced French Bread slices

-bittersweet Baker’s chocolate (or nutella…)

-1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt

-optional grated orange rind

How To: Preheat your broiler while sprinkling each slice with about 1.5 tablespoons of chocolate. Then, broil for 5 minutes, sprinkle with sea salt and garnish with orange rind. Serve warm!

2) Guacamole

(yields 4 servings)

-1.5 tablespoons of coarsely chopped red onion

-1 tablespoon of lime juice

-1/8 teaspoon salt

-1 garlic clove

-1/2 jalapeno pepper

-1 avocado

-2 tablespoons of cilantro leaves

How To: place your red onions, lime juice, salt, garlic, and jalapeno in a food processor or blender. Pulse 5 times, or until finely chopped. Add the avocado and mix by hand with a fork if like chunks, or in the blender for smooth guacamole. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with nachos.

SANDWICHES:

1) Mashed Chickpea Pitas (vegetarian & healthy)

(yields 4)

-2 minced garlic cloves

-6 tablespoons of plain fat-free Greek yogurt

-2 tablespoons of low-fat mayo

-1 tablespoon of lime juice

-1/2 tablespoon of salt

-1 can of chickpeas

-1/2 cup of diced cucumber

-1 tablespoon of chopped fresh dill

-1shredded carrot

-2 pitas cut in half

-4 lettuce leaves

How To: Mash the garlic cloves, 5 tablespoons of yogurt, mayo, lime juice, salt, and chickpeas in a bowl with a fork. Now, stir in the cucumber and dill. Then, stir the remaining yogurt in with the carrots in a separate bowl until the carrots are well-coated. Heat up the pitas in a toaster oven, then line each pita with a lettuce leaf. Fill it with 1/2 a cup of the chickpea mixture and 2 tablespoons of the carrot mixture.

2) Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana split Sandwich

-2 slices of bread

-1 teaspoon of softened butter

-1 tablespoon of your favourite peanut butter

-2 teaspoons of honey

-1/2 teaspoon of semisweet chocolate chips

-1 thinly sliced large strawberry

-1/2 a small banana cut lengthwise into 3 slices

-1 optional tablespoon of pineapple jam

How To: Spread one side of each bread slice with butter. Combine the PB and honey, then spread over the plain side of one bread slice- sprinkle with chocolate chips. Top evenly with strawberry and banana slices. Spread the pineapple jam (optional) over the plain side of the other bread slice. Carefully put the two slices together. Heat a skillet over medium heat on your stove. add the sandwich and cook for around 2 minutes on each side until lightly browned.

3) Cheesy Chicken and Pepper Sandwich

(yeilds 4)

-8 slices of bread

-1 pound of chicken tenders

-1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

-1/4 teaspoon salt

-1/4 teaspoon black pepper

-1 large sliced yellow bell-pepper

-1/2 cup marinara sauce

-2 ounces of mozzarella shredded cheese

How To: Preheat your broiler and lightly toast your bread. Sprinkle chicken tenders with oregano, salt, and pepper and cook on a skillet over the stove. Add bell pepper to the pan and cook for 2 minutes before stirring in the marinara sauce. Heat the mixture for another 30 seconds then divide the mixture evenly between the 4 sandwiches. Top them evenly with cheese and broil the bread slice with the mixture and cheese until the cheese melts. Place the top slice on the sandwich.

DINNER:

1) Shrimp Pad Thai

(serves 5)

-8 ounces uncooked spaghetti

-1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

-2 tablespoons hot water

-3 tablespoon creamy peanut butter

-1/4 teaspoon Sriracha hot sauce

-2 teaspoons dark sesame oil

-1 teaspoon minced garlic

-1 pound shrimp

-4 cups snow peas

-1/3 cup chopped cilantro

-5 lime wedges

How To: Cook pasta and drain. Combine the teriyaki sauce, hot water, peanut butter, and Sriracha. Heat the sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and saute the shrimp for 2 minutes or until almost cooked. Add in the teriyaki sauce mixture and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens. Add the pasta and snow peas, cook for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and peanuts, then serve with lime wedges.

2) Beef-Broccoli Stir Fry

(serves 4)

-7 ounces of rice

-2 tablespoons of soy sauce

-1teaspoon sugar

-1 pound pre-sliced stir fry beef

-1/2 cup beef broth

-1 tablespoon cornstarch

-1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

-1 teaspoon Sriracha hot sauce

-2 tablespoons canola oil

-1 tablespoon bottled ground ginger

-2 tablespoons minced garlic

-4 cups chopped broccoli

-1/3 cup sliced green onions

How To: Cook rice. Combine 1 tablespoon soy sauce, sugar and beef. In another bowl, combine the other tablespoon of soy sauce, broth, cornstarch, hoisin, and Sriracha. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil on a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef mixture and saute for 3 minutes. Remove the beef from the pan and add the remaining oil to the pan. Now cook the ginger and garlic for 30 seconds while stirring. Add the broccoli and 1/4 cup water, cook for 1 minute. Add the onions, cook for 1 minute while stirring. Add the broth mixture and beef mixture and cook for 2 minutes or until beef is thoroughly heated and sauce is slightly thick. Serve the beef mixture over rice.

by Shazia Damji

            Whether this is your first year at UBC or your fifth you deserve to have the best year of your life. You deserve to learn new things, have new adventures and make memories in the moment. Laugh until you cry, mess up horribly, don’t let others govern how you live your life and most importantly BE YOURSELF. Here’s how to get there:

1)      Stop Settling. It’s easy to get stuck, to fall into a routine and never break free. University shouldn’t be about routine, it should be the time in your life where you verge from the norm, try new things and create new and interesting paths on which to travel. At UBC you are surrounded by hundreds of clubs, dozens of sports leagues, thousands of classes, and an infinite amount of people with unique stories, experiences and histories. Don’t allow yourself to settle for just going to school. UBC is home to countless ways to get involved, ways to leave your comfort zone and ways in which you can design your own unique paths.

2)      Say No. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed, especially in university. There are times when we say ‘yes’ to too many things and as a result have no time for ourselves. There’s a saying that university consists of three things: school, sleep and a social life, you can only do two of them well at any one time. Sometimes it’s necessary to say ‘no’. Don’t feel guilty about taking a night to hang out in your pajamas and watch movies rather than going out with friends. Know your limits and don’t let yourself get to your breaking point. Saying ‘no’ is tough, but ultimately it’s an essential word to avoid exhaustion.

3)      Don’t Think Long Term. Every day is full of little challenges. We don’t live in a perfect world and things are not always going to go our way. Although having long-term goals are great they force you onto a conveyer belt. When you set your mind on something that is still five years away you set your life onto a five-year plan. Five years down the road how do you know that that goal is still going to be what you want? What if you’ve just wasted five years striving for something that no longer compliments who you are? Instead make small term goals and celebrate every time you complete one of them. Eat breakfast every day for a month, learn to run 5 km, study for an hour every night. Being able to have small victories allows you to appreciate those moments of accomplishments, and they will help you learn where your passions are. All of your little successes will eventually build up and take you to exactly where you need to be.

4)      Allow Yourself to Fail. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to not be able to do everything exactly the way you were expecting. It’s okay to not be perfect. Being able to recognize defeat and accept failure is an easy thing to do, it’s what comes next that is difficult. Getting up and trying again, asking for a second chance, starting from the beginning, those are the things that are truly challenging. It takes courage to keep on going even after you’ve failed. Failure is part of life, it’s nothing to be ashamed of, it’s what makes us human, and we learn the most about ourselves from how we deal with defeat. It’s okay to allow yourself to fail; it’s not okay to allow yourself to give up. So keep trying, be tenacious, fight for what you want and don’t ever stop believing that your can accomplish whatever you put your mind to.

5)      Be Scared. Eleanor Roosevelt once said you should do one thing every day that scares you. Some of our greatest achievements can come from accomplishing something that absolutely terrifies you. Whether it’s bungee jumping, learning to dance or saying “I love you”, our fears should not hold us back. The most memorable moments come from looking back on those moments of fear that we were able to overcome. So take time this year to figure out what you’re scared of, allow the fear to wash over you and then do it anyways, the view from the finish line is worth it. 

 by Kaitlin Flemons

It’s funny that I’m giving relationship advice on the internet. Partly because I don’t consider myself an expert in romance, but mostly because every couple is different and there is no one correct way to do things. All I can really share is my own experience, so here we go!

I went on exchange last year and had a great time, while staying in a long-distance relationship.

The night before I left, I had a small panic attack when I realized I had NO CLUE how to do long-distance, so I sought help from one of my friends, who is now in year four of a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend in Guelph, Ontario. He told me some valuable things that I will now share with you.

1. COMMUNICATION. Sounds like a no-brainer, but putting in effort to communicating effectively will make your life a lot easier. Carefully choose words to communicate your own feelings, as well as any concerns you may have. A relationship where both parties are open and communicative fosters trust, which will give you less stress and a lot more fun and relaxed relationship.
2. LOWER YOUR STANDARDS. You can still have a lot of fun, but the relationship aspect of your life probably won’t be as good as living in the same place. You love them! Of course it’s nicer when you get to see them every day. The good news is: it might be worth it. Once you move past trying to recreate the intimacy of being in the same place, it can be really valuable to have a support system at home that will love you from afar and hear your stories, and understand what you’re talking about when you get back.
3. YOU CAN’T BE A BIG PART OF EACH OTHER’S LIVES, and you need to be ok with this. When you live in the same place, you know pretty much everything about what the other person has on their plate. You know their friends, you know what they’re currently exited about, you know what’s stressing them out. When you don’t see them in person, you miss out on most of this. Skype is great but there is no way you can remember everything that’s happening for you or fully convey your mood, and to tell every minute detail would be a boring anyways. If you can accept that your partner can be a small, very nice part of your life, without coming into every aspect of it, it will make room for friends and events in the same place as you, and be way more fun.
4. YOU MIGHT OVERREACT, but that doesn’t mean you have to over-respond. Little things can turn into big things when you don’t know the full story, and some detail could make you angry, jealous, worried, feel neglected, etc. If it isn’t something that obviously needs to be dealt with right away, give it 24 hours to settle in and for you to calm down. Approaching your partner with a plan for what you need to say, what the problem is, and how you want to solve it is much more productive than a sudden skype session with you in a jealous rage because they commented on someone else’s facebook profile picture instead of responding to your 15 paragraph message. Odds are you’ll realize it was silly anyways and move on.
5. YOU MIGHT BE WRONG, SO KEEP AN OPEN MIND. This one is a great life and relationship skill in general, and works in a lot of ways for when there’s distance involved. The stereotype of long-distance relationships is that they don’t work, but in my experience they often do! Be open to both possibilities, and keep expectations realistic. Being apart can also change the dynamic of a relationship, so anticipating some bumps and surprises for both while you’re apart and when you’re reunited can make it easier.
6. IT CAN’T LAST FOREVER. A relationship is like a savings account. You can put all you want in there when you’re together, and the more awesome stuff you do together, great things you discover about each other, and good feels you share in each other’s company, the longer that account can last. The thing is, once you live apart you can no longer add anything to that account. It can last for a long time, but no relationship-account can last forever. Eventually you need to be together to start investing again.

There you have it. Best of luck in your romantic and travelling endeavors!

 by Britta Antonsen