Husky Life

I snapped this photo in the laundry room. It looks like the pictured clothing belongs to a very enthusiastic UConn fan. Everything down to the blue flip flops just barley in view represent some serious Husky Pride!

Above: Census ad that asks “should we count the cows?” Very appropriate for Storrs which has a sizeable livestock population.

I attended a workshop with one of my fellow DC’ers on understanding the 2010 Census hosted by the CT SPJ at the Homer Babbidge Library this morning. Arthur Bakis and Ana Maria Garcia of the U.S. Census Bureau gave a fascinating presentation on how to find and intrepret census data that was tailored towards journalists. I found their discussion on how college students are counted to be particularly interesting. Apparently students (even if their dependents of parents that live in another town) are counted as part of the population of the town in which their dorm or off-campus housing is located. As a result, UConn students, like myself, are counted towards the population of Storrs. That means that the Census Bureau considers Storrs to have a population around 10,000 (according to the 2000 Census) when in reality, the number of full-time residents is much smaller.

In case you didn’t know, the Census is taking place this March-April and The Consitution requires everyone that lives in the U.S. to fill out one of their forms. The good news is that the Census will only be 10 questions this year. Longer questionaires are now distributed to random households on a yearly basis through the American Community Survey. For more information on the U.S. Census or to check out data from prior years, visit census.gov.

A cell phone photo of the construction on the West Building. Gampel and the UConn School of Business are to the back left and the UConn Student Union is to the back right.

I snapped this photo as I walked by the construction site for the new West Building, the 42-million-dollar replacement for Arjona. I remember attending the press conference for the official groundbreaking of the site back in December, 2009 (they had already fenced off the site and made some preparations when I returned from Thanksgiving break). I’m surprised that work has transformed a grassy field crisscrossed with sidewalks into a pit containing what looks to be the building’s foundation in three months. The building is scheduled to open in time for Fall 2011 classes, according to the administration back in December. I hope that happens as the building will house the social sciences including journalism, my intended major.

On a side note, I noticed many tour groups walking around campus today. I can’t believe that I was walking around campus in one of those with my parents two years ago! I wonder what they think of all the construction/new buildings on campus…

A sign outside a travel agency by campus advertises spring break deals.

I’m not writing from any Carribean Island. I’m still in Storrs. But a sign that I saw outside a travel agency by campus made me want to be relaxing in a warmer climate.

While it may be 83 and sunny in Aruba, it’s 33 and cloudy in Storrs. Just a slight difference…

And speaking of Spring Break — I’ll probably spend it catching up with friends and enjoying Tod’s Point this year. As far as the plans for other people, I have not heard much about spring break plans. I saw a sign for a website advertising an organized trip to Florida but other than that I’m not sure. One journalistic question about all this: considering the turblence in the economy, has interest in spring break declined? Apparently not, according to a recent USA Today article entitled “Economy won’t stop the spring break party”:

“Typically the student business is more resilient to the economy because it’s like a once in a lifetime trip,” said Jason Chute, director of operations for StudentCity.com. “A lot of times kids will go no matter what.”

Also, apparently interest in trips that involve community service has increased, according to the article:

It’s been more than three years since Katrina, but spring break volunteering is growing exponentially, according to Andrea Hutchinson, of Adventures in Travel Expo.

That seems to be the case at my school as well. There is a wait list for the Honors Alternative Spring Break to Florida for hurracine relief. One of my friends, who has experience in construction, was actually placed on the waitlist.

I ran around campus for the first time this semester. That statement does not include running to class — I’m just talking about running for exercise here.

The campus and I have changed the last time I blogged around running around the Storrs. I now actually know the roads and terrain. Compare that newfound knowledge to my lack of experience in September when I got lost in a field of tall grass. And the landscape has changed. When I ran by that field today, I noticed that an open field of mud and dirt had replaced the grass. But one aspect of the landscape has not changed: the cows by Horsebarn Hill still smell like cows.

By now I’ve figured out my route but I’m always looking for new paths to explore. To fellow Huskies and alumni…what are your favorite places to run on or around campus?

At the Girl Talk concert tonight, SUBOG announced that Kid Cudi will perform at the Spring Weekend concert. However, there is apparently a lottery for tickets. I’m really hoping that I’ll be able to get a few tickets…it’s not everyday that a recording artist like that comes to UConn.

Creative Commons (STYLEMOM via Flickr)

Despite the fact that Girl Talk’s multimedia show emphasizes the phrase “i’m not a dj”, he runs a massive dance party.

Tonight my floor secured “reserved seats” at Jorgensen. Only the seats were not really necessary. When you hear straight mashups for two hours, it’s almost impossible to sit down.

It’s Winter Weekend.

That means that the university brings in notable performers to entertain the student body. Tonight, John Oliver did some stand-up comedy at Jorgensen.

I particularly enjoyed how Oliver localized his routine. He managed to mix in a few jokes about basketball and puppetry, two notable programs at UConn. (In case you didn’t know, UConn is the only U.S. program that offers degrees in the puppetry.) And, of course, he mixed in a few lines about the remote location of the Storrs campus.

That said it’s a rare opportunity to see as famous correspondent for the Daily Show do a show so close to home. While many students at many city campuses have the opportunity to see celebrity acts, UConn’s remote campus sees few famous pop performers. That’s why my whole floor has been looking forward to this for such a long time.

Conversely, at times I enjoy the rural location, despite that we don’t get people like John Oliver to stop by our neck of the woods (all puns intended). I like running through large grassy fields and watching the cows roam around. Living in suburbia all of my life up until now, I didn’t like the thought of living in the middle of nowhere. But now…I’m starting to like it. And one of the most interesting demographical facts about the area is that most residents/occupants are between 18 and 24. How often do you get to live in a place where basically everyone around you is in the same stage of life?

Anyway, after the show, we stopped by the union. We sat and listened to karaoke from one of the frequent performers, “The Karaoke Girl.” She comes to karaoke just about every Friday night. From what I’ve heard, she actually is a student at the local high school but she contributes to the campus atmosphere and vibe as just about any student.

And one the guys from the floor, Alex Tsuji from East Lyme, got up and sang The Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” He’s very musically talented. Often as you walk through the halls, you can hear him singing and playing the guitar. I thought that it was a great contrast to the rap/pop that most people prefer to perform.

…and tomorrow night Girl Talk is coming to campus. Ahh Winter Weekend.