Siena’s Claim to Fame

Most people that visit Siena may find it too low key for their taste. It is definitely not Florence, where there are two story clubs that keep you dancing until 3 am; its for sure not Rome, where you have to dodge cabs as you try and make it to your next destination on the “Spanish Steps Pub Crawl”; and yes the average age in Siena is somewhere between fifty and sixty years old. Yet, unlike any other Italian city, Siena’s claim to fame is its historic “Palio”, celebrated twice a year once in July and once in August, and with such large celebration that it puts Florence’s clubs and Rome’s pub crawls to shame.

The Sienese Palio is the historical horse race that takes place twice a year between the contrade (neighborhoods) of Siena in the main piazza, Piazza Del Campo. Originally these contradas were set up as small militias that were used to compose “The Army of the Republic” used as the defense military for the city, but now the seventeen contradas, which have their own affiliated animal, ranging from a porcupine to a unicorn, are mainly the differing neighborhoods with strong localized patriotism to each of their historical pasts. (more…)

The Lynch Mob

On Halloween day, I was sitting at an outdoor restaurant on campus with a friend when our conversation was interrupted by a strange commotion. We heard some shouts followed by a small stampede of Ghanaians running out of the nearby dorms, through the restaurant area, and towards the fields behind the building. I would have gone back to my business if the kitchen staff hadn’t followed the mob in hot pursuit. I was, obviously, curious about what was going on and suggested that we go outside to investigate what was going on. Upon leaving the café, I noticed a man watching the swarm of Ghanaians running.

“What’s happening?” I asked him.

“There was a thief,” he responded.

“Oh my God,” my friend said in disbelief. “It’s a lynch mob.” (more…)

The Science of Happiness

I like to read obituaries. I like seeing the snapshot of their major life accomplishments, mistakes, and passions and why people loved or hated them. Spending a few minutes examining how they lived, I look for an example of how to live or not live my life today.

I also like finding examples in the living. In our ED191 series classes, I ask college students to give me snapshot of what they want from life. Their answers are about having a successful career, being with that special someone, raising a family, or doing something meaningful to impact their world.

Sometimes they say, “I don’t know yet. But I know I want to be happy.” (more…)

An I.V. Halloween

While just 25,000 people celebrated Halloween in I.V. this year, those that descended on DP made the most of it. Check out more photos from UCSB’s most debaucherous weekend after the cut. (more…)

Is There Graduate School in Your Future?

Next week offers a virtual smorgasbord of workshops and admission panels for the UCSB student planning ahead for possible graduate or professional school culminating on Thursday’s Annual Graduate Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside in the Arbor Mall. Most students can see the participant list of more than 80 graduate and professional business, education, law, medical, psychology programs by going to our web page at http://career.ucsb.edu under “Career Fairs”. Students might also wish to sort their options by going to the website http://gradschools.com.

Our staff is proud to have such a diverse and outstanding line-up for everyone. We work hard to pull in leading admission representatives to give further details on admission strategies, scholarships and financial aid options. We also team up with our local area Kaplan and Princeton Review test preparation services to give details for GRE, LSAT, GMAT, and MCAT. Most students do not realize that GRE and GMAT are now computerized so there is flexibility when you sign up and take either of these tests. Nor do students know that scores are good for up to five years after you graduate in case you decide to wait. Our Reference Letter Service is also good for five years after you graduate. We strongly suggest you solicit letters from your professors and/or TAs before you leave us this December or June. This way you won’t have to worry if these individuals will remember you one or two years out. Details are also on our webpage at: http://career.ucsb.edu/rls/index.html#at (more…)

Italian Food Snobbery

Going into my seventh week abroad in Italy, I am quickly realizing that I am more and more becoming an “Italian food snob.” This means that when I do eventually get back to the US, I will be the girl that is sitting at Gio’s with my friends who takes a bite of her pizza and throws it back to her plate saying, “GOD, this tastes like absolute crap compared to the pizza I would eat in Italy.” Then I would probably go into all the differences between these two slices of pizza and how no one will ever understand.

Trust me—I am not happy about this. I don’t want to be that annoying girl that comes back to school and only talks about how much better Italy is than the US, but if any one of you could try some of the food I have been exposed to, you would think that God personally reached his hand down to you and brought you up to heaven for seconds.

I think that I officially crossed the line to becoming an “Italian food snob” when I went on a field trip to Bologna with my program last weekend. Bologna—also known as “Grassa Citta” or “Fat City,”—is known for its fresh tortellini, aged Parmesan cheese, and balsamic vinegar, and a combo of all three of these things will bring you to your knees. (more…)

Pubs and Slang in Dublin Town

Hello again, everyone. I’ve been in Dublin for over a month now (the only way I’ve kept track is that I’ve used up my 30-day bus pass), and I figured I’d give you lot in the States an update on my adventures in Ireland.

First off, “How’s the crack?”

No, I’m not asking about your rear, or the quality of the cocaine. It’s craic, meaning “fun” or “good times”. So when they ask, “How’s the craic?” they just mean “What’s up?”/ “How’s it goin’?”. Little differences in slang like that can be a bit confusing for Americans when they first come to Ireland. You pick them up pretty quickly, but initially the new slang combined with a different accent (and the propensity towards mumbling that some Irish folk exhibit) can make your head spin. (more…)

Happy Halloween 2009 From Student Health

My relationship with Halloween is what you might call “complicated.”  I love the creativity and positive energy of our students dressing up.  I love this Gaucho spirit and unity.  Only at UCSB do you see your Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Dean of Students come out to greet the crowds of students on D.P. on Halloween night.

I don’t like the violence, ass grabbing, fighting, property damage, and all the trash.  Last year, Halloween fell on a Friday.  In spite of the rain, over 45,000 people came to I.V.  There were over 230 arrests made and 560 citations given out (instead of treats). 55 people were transported for emergency care and over 50 cars were towed. Two people fell off the cliffs.

This year we will have around 250 police officers on the streets, on horses, and conducting DUI checkpoints.  But, if we have the same or more visitors as last year, it will take more than just the police to keep the peace over the weekend.  Here are a few simple things you can do to help: (more…)

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