I decided the only way fit to end my four years writing for this blog was to use the opportunity to thank everyone at this university for a fantastic four years and more specifically to thank everyone in the McAnulty College of Liberal Arts for preparing me for a rewarding career and life as I move forward.

Although my life became inevitably busier as the semesters went on and I didn’t get to write as many posts as I would have liked, I hope that some of you learned something from the posts I did get a chance to share and began to understand some of the many reasons why I love Duquesne.

When I heard about this blog during my FAST day in the Summer of 2009, I immediately worked to figure out how I could be a part of it, and it’s been a pleasure to see how much it has improved over the years.  What I used to know as the Liberal Arts blog went from a few passionate students posting on a very simple site to the gorgeous multi-platform information station it is today.  Admittedly, that makes me feel very old, but also humbled to have been a part of it.  I loved connecting with readers and sharing the every day experiences I had on the Bluff so as to encourage others to follow in my footsteps.

I certainly plan to be an active member of the alumni association and an even more active reader of this site, so I look forward to seeing where the new bloggers take it in the future.  With Dr. Stoddard and Dean Swindal backing them up, I know it will only continue to grow and improve.  I can’t say enough what a wonderful university Duquesne is, and I am very grateful to have spent some of the best years of my life here.

Now it’s on to new things, and I wish all the other new graduates good luck with their own endeavors!  To all the underclassmen- remember not to take any moment here for granted because I promise you those four years will go faster than you ever imagined possible.

Thanks for reading and good luck in your amazing futures!

Erica Tuite

–Maria Londino

Dr. Goldberg gives us tips for the tomorrow’s reading.

Duquesne requires undergrads to take at least one service learning class where students serve the surrounding community. I’m participating in the 1,000 stories project, which brings to light the stories of people who live in the nearby depressed area of the Hill district. In this class, taught by Dr. Susan Goldberg of the Psychology Department, we’ve learned about the history and inhabitants of the Hill. We’ve toured it and been welcomed by people there. We’ve conducted interviews with residents. We’re doing a public reading with their “food stories” in preparation for the opening of the much-needed Shop-and-Save there, tomorrow, and I’m very excited to share what residents had to say.

Very often, I think Pittsburghers tend to see the Hill as a “bad area”. We hear the occasional news story about the violence there, avoid it, and forget about its very real history and significance. This class has opened my eyes to what the hill district was and is. The hill district was a thriving area forced into being by redlining at the time. There, African American settlers from the south were confined to the neighborhood because they were banned from moving to white areas. They formed their own businesses and a self-contained community where residents looked out for each other, and achieved many things in sports, and music. (A lot of our well-known jazz music comes from the hill!) Yet, after the demolition of the lower hill and the riots that followed the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Hill District community was left devastated. Many businesses moved, leaving those who could not afford to leave, behind.

Listening to excerpts of my fellow student’s interviews and conducting my own has allowed me to see the “faces” of the people who live there–their hopes, their tragedies and their strengths… Although the interviews we conducted were about food and family recipes, I was amazed at how personal they were. Interviewees shared stories about their childhood, hardships and trauma, families, their commitment to improving life in the hill and their thoughts on having their first grocery store in a very long time.
And tomorrow, I and my fellow students will be reading their stories. Our interviewees, hill residents and some of your fellow students and staff will be there.
This community event is free and open to the public. It takes place 5:30 p.m. this Wednesday, at the Kaufmann Center (1835 Centre Ave.). There’s also free food, which I’ve heard is a plus.  I hope you come for the food and stay for the stories. It was a very moving experience for me, and I think it will be for you also.

~Laura

iPhones, iPads and laptops: these are just some of the vehicles that we use to tap into the social media age. It’s almost like every time we blink there is a new app that is meant to connect us to people whether they are in our area or somewhere out in the world. Apps such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram make up the foundation of social media which connects us to family and friends via posts, pictures and 140 character messages allowing us to update everyone about our daily happenings.

Even new apps like Tinder connect us to singles in our area and give us the option to strike up a conversation or we can use Keek and Vine which allow people to capture short videos of specific moments in time.

Although these apps connect us to different media outlets and other people, they in turn cause disconnect from the present. They remove us from our present experience into an experience that is slightly removed from reality.   

The picture above compares when Pope Benedict was installed as the newest Pontiff in 2005 and a picture from when the Vatican announced the Catholic Church’s new Pope, Francis I. It is amazing to see the true change in society through the lens of technology. In 2005, people used their eyes to engage in the present moment, fully ensconced in the current moment. Now, in 2013, people experienced this moment through the eye of their iphone or iPad and in essence are disengaging themselves from the present moment only to capture it and upload to social media.

Another example of this societal disconnect happened the other night when I was out to dinner with a group of friends. I took a look around the restaurant only to find everyone’s face light up like a Christmas tree from the light emanating from their glowing iPhones. Clearly, I am not innocent. Anyone that knows me knows that my phone is virtually super glued to my hand. I am a part of the social media generation and I am not ashamed. It’s a way of life for this generation. Technology will always be evolving and we will forever be connected.

However, just because technology has a large presence in our lives does not mean that we should forget to experience life in the moment; that is, without your phone in the air trying to capture it to post on Instagram. Remember, stay connected but don’t become disconnected with reality!

–Maria Londino

Food myths originated over time from a number of old wives’ tales and some smidges of wishful thinking. They seem to stick around because they are so familiar to us. However, it’s always good to brush up on this information and find out if it’s true or false.

Certain foods can burn fat.

WRONG! Although that would be an awesome addition to someone’s diet, this is just a myth. According to the “negative-calorie effect”, the act of chewing and digesting certain foods burns up more calories than the food itself. Cucumbers, celery, and grapefruit are notorious components to this myth. Although these foods are good to eat, they are not fat burners. Chewing sometimes feels as if it is a workout, and it is! It actually burns 11 calories per hour. This is great news for all sugar-free gum chewers out there!

It is better to eat six mini meals than three normal meals.

SO FALSE! As long as you’re picking healthy options, either style of eating can work. If you can’t have six mini meals a day, do yourself a favor and try not to go longer than four or five hours without eating. Doing so may make your blood sugar drop which can lead to overeating unhealthy foods. This can create the ever dreaded “blah” feeling you feel after eating high fat and high calorie foods. A simple solution would be to pack small, healthy snacks such as string cheese, a pear, non-fat yogurt or vegetables.

Fat free is calorie free.

INCORRECT! Some people indulge in extra-large servings of fat-free foods such as cookies, cakes and crackers without realizing that these foods may contain the same amount or even more calories than regular versions. Get the facts on fat-free foods by checking food labels for the serving size and number of calories per serving. To make such foods taste better, extra sugar, flour or starch thickeners are usually added. These ingredients are high in calories and may lead to weight gain.

Bananas are fattening.

FALSE! One medium banana has only about 105 calories—you’d have to eat at least six bananas to equal one slice of New York-style pizza! Bananas are a good sources of fiber, magnesium and potassium, all of which can help manage blood pressure. They’re also a good source of vitamin B6, which helps boost your immune system. What’s more, they’re portion-controlled, portable and don’t require refrigeration. Enjoy them sliced into cereal, mixed with non-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, or frozen for a yummy dessert. However, don’t assume that “banana chips” are as nutritious as the actual fruit. Banana chips contain added fat, sugar and calories. So, when looking for daily snacks throughout the pantry, remember these food facts and myths, and make informed decisions to achieve a healthy diet.

–Maria Londino

Many job and internship applicants are feeling a lot of anxiety and pressure as they wait for decisions about their potential job placement. After all, they’ve spent countless hours scrutinizing their resumes, planning their outfits, practicing interview questions, researching the company and position… not to mention the existential questions that go along with this process! ‘What do I want to do in my professional life? How does this balance with my other ambitions? Is this position right for me? Am I right for this position? Am I good at anything other than being indecisive/worrisome?!’

We’re all pretty good at worrying and being indecisive sometimes(okay, a lot of times). However, these feelings may be exacerbated when we compound the issue with variables beyond our control. These variables are … our competition. I’ve noticed a trend in how we handle our application process – we do a lot of it alone! I visit the job fair to meet with employers, I submit my resume and follow-ups, I interview, I make decisions and hopefully I go to work! Very few instances occur where I am in close, direct contact with the competition. Certainly, a good number of individuals are interested in the same positions I am, but thankfully, I am blithely unaware of their presence! However, the competition still exists even when the competitor is anonymous. In fact, this likely increases one’s sense of competition within one’s self.

To fully grasp this idea, you’re definitely gonna need to insert yourself in the situation. Think of it this way – in your cover letter and resume, you’re selling yourself. You continue this practice in the interview and any subsequent communication conducted between you and your potential employer. While you may not be standing right next to your competition, you feel some omnipotent pressure that tells you ‘You’re not as good as your competition is. You better step up your game because you have no idea how good your competition is.’ But, you do know how good you are.

Does the acknowledgement of competition help or hinder your application process? Do you acknowledge the competition? Before I noticed the autonomy exercised in the application process, I never considered the competition. When applying for a position, ideally, the applicant is doing so because he feels that he is the best candidate for the job. Therefore, everyone else simply isn’t. But, in contrast to the ideal situation, reality dictates this sentiment is not true. The competition might be better than you. And we will all dejectedly sigh and resign ‘I guess the better person should get the job.’ That is, if we are altruistic people and we actually believe in the company and its mission as opposed to the money we would have made.

Here’s a few tips for the process of applying, waiting, agonizing, waiting, and hopefully succeeding

1. Believe that you are the best! That’s why you applied for the job, right?! Tell your future employer about your unique traits and experiences that distinguishes you from the competition. They want to know what separates you from the pack; all the candidates will be qualified, but you offer more than that! You offer that-which-makes-you-you, and no one else can offer that!

2. Show, don’t tell! Your resume tells of what you’ve done; you can narrate your life story forwards and backwards… but that will not make a difference if you cannot act upon the traits and values you are claiming to have! For example, say you’ve gone on a mission trip. That should demonstrate a great deal of concern for others in addition to skills related to the work of the mission. So how will you employ that in your job?

3. Know the company and the job they are asking you to do. While you can ask your interviewer about the company and job tasks, they cannot determine if the job is right for you. That will be your responsibility! I can say from personal experience that I had a wonderful, highly-paid opportunity before me for which I was honored to be considered. But ultimately, the job would not be right for me. The job did not encompass my interests or goals in life, and as much as I wanna make the money, I won’t let the money make me.

4. Consider what composes who you are and thus distinguishes you from the others. In most personal descriptions, people write that they enjoy movies, books, music and sleeping. Congratulations, honey, that don’t make you special. Everyone likes those things. We didn’t ask about everybody, nor did we ask for a generic response. This one requires and deserves some thought. But the result is certainly worthwhile. Never pass up a chance for self-exploration!

Good luck in your pursuits and ambitions! And thanks for reading.

Ellen

It’s time to forget about the misconceptions that are commonly held when one thinks of whey protein. For some people, they immediately think of a muscle-bound man in the gym grunting with every repetition only to finish his workout off with a protein shake full of whey to help him fuel his muscles.

Although we may laugh at those guys who chug their protein religiously after every workout, they are on the right track because protein is one of the body’s primary building blocks for skin, bone other tissues and of course, muscle.

So what are the basics of whey protein you may ask? Well for starters, whey protein is a protein that is found in milk and is fast absorbing. This type of protein stays in your body for a shorter period of time and is a good supplement after an intense workout session.

In addition, recent studies have shown that this type of protein is beneficial for those who are looking to lose weight.

When whey protein is used as a weight loss tool, one cannot solely rely on the supplement to help burn fat and achieve their goals. A major key in success is combining the protein with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Here are a few easy tips to introduce you to the fitness world or to kick-start your efforts to get back on track. For starters, exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Add at least 30 minutes of resistance training three to four times per week. Resistance training can range from exercises using your body weight or the use of dumbbells.

As a side note, women are usually deathly afraid that if they pick up a weight in the gym that they will instantly turn into the female version of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ladies, lose that misconception because muscle helps to increase metabolism and helps you burn more calories, even when you aren’t at the gym.

Now where does the protein fit in? The best time to consume a protein shake is within 30 minutes of your workout to help with muscle growth and repair. You can also have a whey protein shake as a snack. When doing so, aim for a calorie controlled shake ranging from 100-200 calories per serving. Good luck and get fit!

–Maria Londino

Female students at Duquesne University react to Valentine’s Day. What is the true meaning behind Valentine’s Day? What is the perfect date? And who is the perfect guy?

Is this what Valentine's day means?

This morning I got ready for my favorite holiday of the year. I know what you’re thinking. Valentine’s day has come and gone, silly! But hear me out, okay? There’s a reason I leave my big celebration for after Valentine’s instead of on the big day.

Valentine’s day, named for one or several Christian martyrs who married forbidden lovers and restored sight to the blind, has become one of our biggest commercial holidays. It isn’t always about doing random acts of kindness for people, or showing you appreciate your significant other as much as it is about getting the raddest new gift. Goodness knows if you don’t buy this $40 dollar box of candy instead of the $30 dollar box, you might not love your girlfriend enough!

Don’t get me wrong, Valentine’s a cool way to appreciate the people you love. Yet, if Facebook statuses are anything to go by, there’s a big chunk of us out there who dread it. If you’re in a relationship you may be running like a crazy person to look for the perfect romantic gesture rather than appreciating your significant other. If you’re single, Valentine’s might feel a little too much like singles awareness day.  The day after Valentine’s Day or any other day of the year, however, the pressure’s off.

Here are eleven tips, whether you’re spoken for or single, to spice up your personal life after the Valentine’s day rush goes by and all that fancy chocolate finally goes on sale.

Okay, so you’re in a relationship, with someone cool. You might not be getting married or anything, but you’re comfortable together and all… Maybe too comfortable? Oh no! How can you bring the excitement back?

1. Get scared. Go on a roller coaster. Watch a horror movie, whether in a movie theater or staying at home, snuggling together on the couch. Studies have shown that the adrenaline rush of something frightening increases attraction.
2. Do something unexpected. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be something simple like bringing your girlfriend or boyfriend a coffee when they’ve had a long day.
3. Custom design your gift. Get them someone to serenade them with that song they keep singing in the shower… or something more obscure that they might like. Like potting soil and some seeds, or a ticket to an aviary with that cool bird they’ve been waiting to say.  It’s the stuff that romantic comedies are made of….you know those indie ones with Zooey Deschanel? Yeah.
4. Make a difference, together. Do you both like helping people? Create a project to make the world a better place. That might just be donating a bunch of goods to a food pantry or even starting your own nonprofit. When you’re both doing something good for other people, you will fall in love all over again.

So you’re single… No! Don’t stop reading. The most fun stuff is ahead for you.

I love you guys! (In a platonic way, and all, you know. Yeah.)

1. Make unusual Valentines for your platonic friends, family, and/or crush. Origami flowers, a custom wooden cup holder, funky cards, or little post it notes with nice comments. The sky’s the limit!
2. Plan a platonic fieldtrip with your bros, and or gal-pals. Maybe both at once. Bond over some new restaurant you’ve discovered. Share some secret you’ve never told anyone. Make it a yearly pact. Realize that this is super-easy to do since you’re single, and next year, who knows?
3. Go it alone. I know this sounds weird and terrifying, but make a date. Just you. Go the whole nine yards. Dress up, go out, treat yourself… Who knows, you might just meet someone new and amazing. That person just might be yourself.
4. Go gourmet. Take all that discount chocolate you bought, and make a new recipe with it, if that’s your thing. It might not be brilliant, but it will be fun. (Or eat it right out of the box. That’s good too.)
5. Do an impromptu movie screening with a pal. Watch anything you like-horror, suspense, historical-drama and chick-flicks are all good. Ironic commentary is recommended but not necessary.
6. Go to somewhere you wouldn’t ordinarily go. You a rock chick? Try a classical concert. Are you a really academic dude? Try and watch a comedy show. You might discover new tastes and things about yourself you never knew before.
7. Do a random act of kindness for a stranger. It could be something relatively minor, like holding open the door a couple extra seconds for a person you don’t know or asking someone how they are, or something bigger, like helping at a soup kitchen. You’re increasing the love in the world. How is that not a good thing?

So if this valentine’s day wasn’t as perfect as you hoped, don’t sweat it! You can do anything nice about any day of the year. And that, I think, just might be what love’s about.

-Laura

February is National Heart Health month and what better time to get a second chance on your New Year’s resolution to be fit and healthy.

Sure, on January 1, we all made a pledge that we would get healthy, whether it was logging more minutes on the treadmill or foregoing the usual side of fries in exchange for a healthy fruit salad. Although these may be small changes, they can all add up in the equation for a healthier lifestyle.

If you fell off the health wagon this past month, it’s your chance to hop right back on and do as Demi Lovato says and “give your heart a break” from your unhealthy lifestyle.

As a college student, we may think that we are invincible. We don’t stretch before workouts (I learned the hard way having suffered an Achilles tendon strain), we eat whatever we want and comfort ourselves with the excuse that our metabolisms are so fast that we can sometimes skip a workout because let’s face it, we don’t have time. These are all preconceived notions that have led some of us to where we are today: lethargic and overweight. In a society where everything is super-sized right down to waistlines of Americans, seize this moment to make a change in your life.

Carbs are the devil? Contrary to popular belief, rice, pasta and bread can be healthy, depending on which type you choose. Steer clear of white, starchy breads that have no redeeming nutritional values. Opt for the whole grain variety, whether it is a 12 grain bread or whole wheat. Just as an aside, always check your bread labels. If the first ingredient is anything other than whole-wheat, keep searching. Many of us, especially Italians, can’t live without our fix of spaghetti. Have no fear! Getting healthy doesn’t mean that you have to completely cut out pastas. Instead, make a small change and switch to whole wheat pasta to reap the benefits of heart healthy whole grains.

Get moving! The life of a college student can be very hectic. Between class and studying and meetings and more studying, free time is at a premium. If you feel like there are not enough hours in the day to fit in the gym, reconsider. One way to always make time is to pre pack your gym back the night before. Fill your bag with socks, shoes, your gym clothes, a lock, and any other items you may need. This will remove the stress from having to get up early to pack a bag and you will be more likely to hit the gym. Also, instead of taking a study break and lounging on your bed catching up on the latest reality TV shows, head to the gym and watch them while you do cardio. You will be killing two birds with one stone!

Eat right – Small changes make a big difference. Instead of reaching for the calorie laden ranch dressing at Towers, make your own dressing and mix a little olive oil with vinegar. This will add healthy fats and cut some calories from your diet at the same time. Being more conscious about your food choices will lead to better choices and simple swaps such as side salad rather than a side of fries will help you in your efforts to get healthy.

–Maria Londino