Lifestyle

  • Mason lights up campus with Chinese traditions

    Lifestyle February 21, 2011 at 7:34 pm Comments are Disabled

    Taking place on the 15th day of the first month in the Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year celebrations. This festival originates in the Han Dynasty which dates from 206 B.C. to 220 A.D. Centuries later, George Mason University holds its own Lantern Festival.

     
  • Moments that make you go “aw…”

    Moments that make you go “aw…”

    Lifestyle February 7, 2011 at 7:27 pm Comments are Disabled

    1. “Titanic” Jack embraces Rose as an instrumental rendition of the age-defining “My Heart Will Go On” plays in the background. Spoiler Alert: Little did they know that was the last sunset Jack would ever see. Aw… 2. “The Notebook” “The Notebook” – After a dramatic revelation in which Allie discovers that Noah had written her every day for a year, they passionately kiss in the pouring rain. Aw… 3. “Lady and the Tramp” Sharing a plate of spaghetti has never been so romantic, especially when the lovers are two adorable pups! Aww… 4. Say Anything “Say Anything” – Who needs iPods and Segways when you’ve got a boombox and a lawnmower? John Cusack can blast music outside our window any day. Aw… 5. “10 Things I Hate About You” When bad boy Patrick Verona “sacrifices himself on the altar of dignity,” by singing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” during Kat’s soccer practice, Heath Ledger reminded us that hot bad boys have feelings too.  Aw… 6.“Top Gun” Before Tom Cruise starting shoving Scientology down people’s throats,  he showed men everywhere how to master the pickup line by singing “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” as Maverick. Aw… 7. “Casablanca” […]

     
  • Colors of love

    Colors of love

    Lifestyle February 7, 2011 at 7:18 pm Comments are Disabled

    Red seems to be the defining color of love. It is the color we think of when we picture Valentine’s Day – like roses, lips and hearts.

     
  • Q and A with  Spirit of King recipient  Mark Hopson

    Q and A with Spirit of King recipient Mark Hopson

    Lifestyle February 7, 2011 at 7:14 pm Comments are Disabled

    How long have you worked with George Mason University? MH: I’ve been with Mason for a little over six years now. How has your experience at Mason helped shape your views and teaching methods in the field of multicultural and diversity education? MH: Well, there are two things that automatically come to mind. One is I’m reminded on a regular basis to never take anything for granted, to never assume that our students are willing or desiring to be educated around difference at first. Not all students find that information to be as valuable as I do. So I am reminded through what we call cultural conflict or intercultural crashes or bumps in the road of life that there is a need for education and consciousness around difference. Conversely, I am also reminded that there are people, individuals and groups, who are actively seeking information and consciousness around these issues and so one can never assume that the classroom isn’t full of progressive, active leaders. I want to give credence to those students who take risks in the classroom and across campus to make sure that multiple voices are heard. The Spirit of King Award is being presented to you […]

     
  • African-American culture celebrated  during Black Heritage Month

    African-American culture celebrated during Black Heritage Month

    Lifestyle February 7, 2011 at 7:12 pm Comments are Disabled

    Ranked by the Princeton Review as the fourth most diverse college campus in the United States, George Mason University works to maintain a level of diversity and multicultural knowledge on campus and abroad. Recent Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations marked the beginning of a month of cultural awareness and education. African-American historian Carter G. Woodson started Black History Month in 1926, first called Negro History Week. His initial intention was to establish a period of celebration and recognition for a group not mentioned in history books. More than 80 years later, Dr. Woodson’s dream is more than alive. “The Mason sspirit encompasses both celebrating our diversity and embracing our differences,” said Teejay Brown, program manager for the Office of Diversity Programs and Services. “Commemorating National Black History Month on campus allows our community to connect an often politicized collective identity with personal experiences, historical events and current issues.” With over 2,000 African-American students enrolled at Mason, a month-long series of celebratory events directed at educating students, faculty and staff about the African-American culture is a Mason tradition. “Programming facilitated by [ODPS] and our partners provides an opportunity for community building across all groups and important discussions about race and ethnicity […]

     
  • Majesty crowning, talent show and  annual Block Party all part of Homecoming festivities

    Majesty crowning, talent show and annual Block Party all part of Homecoming festivities

    Lifestyle February 7, 2011 at 7:07 pm Comments are Disabled

    The George Mason University campus was a blur of green and gold the entire week of Homecoming, as students were eager to show off their spirit and get pumped up for the final festivities of the weekend. Despite the rainy weather, students, faculty and members of the community came out to watch the Homecoming parade early Saturday morning. Included in the parade were members of student government, resident advisors, student organizations, community members and all of characters from “The Wizard of Oz.” Directly after the parade at the 13th annual pregame Block Party, students lined the pavement with tents and chairs galore. A number of different fraternities and sororities had tailgating spots, while alumni mixed with students and friends joined each other to visit the heated tents. “The tailgate was fun because we normally don’t get to do that at Mason,” said sophomore management major Justin Vollmer. At half time during the men’s basketball game, senior Matthew Casper was crowned the winner of the Mason Majesty Pageant. For the team competitions, Catholic Campus Ministry came in first place while Alpha Omicron Pi with Pi Kappa Alpha placed second, and the Lollipop Kidz, made up of Mason’s orientation leaders, came in […]

     
  • First date faux pas

    First date faux pas

    Lifestyle January 31, 2011 at 8:35 pm Comments are Disabled

    First dates – we all know the protocol. There are some things that just aren’t appropriate to talk about. If you don’t have too many beverages and make a conscious effort to steer clear of hot button issues, then you may save yourself some embarrassment. Over break, some of my friends were telling me about a couple of dates they went on and it seems like the perfect time for me to make it clear what you absolutely should not talk about on a first date. Ladies and gentlemen, it is not cute to brag about how much money you make or things you own. No matter how much you think this will increase your chances of getting laid, money is not the best way to get somebody to like you for you. Telling a person you just met how much you earn is a major turn off and has no relevance. Also, do not talk about how little you make, either. (In guy lingo, that’s like admitting you are a gold digger.) Do not bore him with your life story. If a guy is out on a date with you, it is because he is interested in who you […]

     
  • Cheap Eats with Ramy Zabarah

    Cheap Eats with Ramy Zabarah

    Lifestyle January 31, 2011 at 8:32 pm Comments are Disabled

    One meal at a restaurant or at the food court in the Johnson Center is harmless to your wallet. It might even be feasible the second time. However, the third outing in a week might raise some concerns, especially when it’s time to check your bank account balance. But here’s a crazy idea: cook at home. Many students reject the idea of cooking because they think it’s too difficult, time consuming or expensive, which isn’t necessarily the case. I intend to provide you – the average college student – with simple, cheap recipes for meals that can be made in your apartment, dorm or communal office kitchen. This week, I bring forth the conversation of eggs. Whether you prefer them hard-boiled, scrambled or sunny-side up, eggs can make all the difference in your daily budget. At only two to three dollars a dozen, eggs contain enough protein to keep you going from the minute you leave the house until lunchtime. And we all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Give this recipe a try: GOAT CHEESE OMELET Servings: 1 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 eggs 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped. 1/2 tomato, diced 1/4 onion, diced 1/2 […]

     
  • More of the Same: Cage the Elephant delivers predictable sophomore album

    Lifestyle January 31, 2011 at 8:25 pm Comments are Disabled

    To follow up their hit debut album, Cage the Elephant had to do something truly fantastic. For their sophomore effort, “Thank You Happy Birthday,” Cage seems to have accidentally stumbled on what could be called a valiant effort and a worthy successor. People know Cage the Elephant widely for the mainstream success of their single “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” which was largely overplayed by the end of the 2009. For those who enjoyed that single, “Birthday” is going to be largely something new from the 5-piece alternative rock outfit. The album opens up strong with “Always Something,” a heavy, rhythm-driven power anthem that is sure to please Cage’s mainstream and casual audience. In general, “Thank You Happy Birthday” is lightly sprinkled with songs people would expect from Cage such as their latest single “Shake Me Down.” Things get messy when Cage taps into their punk and grunge influences with songs like “Aberdeen” and “Around My Head.” These songs feature frantic tempos and lazy vocals over sloppy arrangements that are probably much better live than on the album. Still, these strange punk songs have a boyish charm that, when juxtaposed with every other song on the album, aren’t too […]

     
  • From The Vault: ‘The Girl Who Knew Too Much’

    Lifestyle January 31, 2011 at 8:23 pm Comments are Disabled

    In 1963, while Americans were raving about Elizabeth Taylor in “Cleopatra,” Italy was pioneering a new genre of film called “giallo.”