Halting School

With only two classes left in my final semester this spring, it seems incredulous to suggest putting an end to my academic career. Not necessarily for the sake of the degree, but for the want of additional time of coasting through life on another person’s dime with some, but very little, real responsibility.

Supposing the hypothetical scenario that I would no longer attend college (without earning the degree) is a rather tough experiment because, for the moment, there is no other place I’d rather be.

It is difficult to foresee at any point after college that I will constantly be surrounded by friends, people my age, exciting adventures, constant activities while maintaining fairly low expectations and living an ultra-fast paced lifestyle.

So what would I do?

I would move back home to save money as I take the appropriate steps to open a microbrewery.

Microbreweries have been expanding in popularity and profitability within the past decade, but more than that, it would be turning a hobby I thoroughly enjoy into a business.

Unfortunately I would have to move back in with the parents in the East Bay to gain a steady financial footing, but that would allow me the time to complete the necessary work of creating a business plan, finding capital, and the fun part- developing recipes for quality beers that are marketable.

By opening my own brewery, I would face many challenges and risks as well as criticism from my parents, family and close friends who will tell me not to do it for a million and one reasons. Although they are well intended, starting my own business does not fit into the ordinary career choice- especially when it’s a brewery.

However, if the fear of failure and hard work were valid reasons to not pursue an enterprise, then no new innovation, business or idea would ever take place. There will also always be people who try to say “you can’t” but by believing so before an effort is even made is simply a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The biggest pleasure I can imagine in opening a microbrewery is sharing what I enjoy with others. The complexities of producing quality brew are a challenging and rewarding process that leads to a sense of success and accomplishment. I would be proud to share something of quality that I had made myself that my family, friends and community could enjoy.

Couch-Surfing

From dirty European hostels, a stream of Motel Sixes and makeshift campsites to the more luxurious establishments such as a Sheraton or an Embassy Suites- I’ve had my fair share of lodging experiences in my travels.

Nothing, however, can quite top the mixture of adventure, intrigue and awkwardness that comes with couch-surfing.

Couch surfing is simply enjoying the hospitality of individuals who live across the globe that open up their homes for international travelers for an arranged period of time, typically from one to three nights. Websites such as www.couchsurfing.org provides the forum where prospective travelers and hosts can “meet” online and communicate with each other.

There is also no expectation of payment as individuals who host do so in order to meet new people and accompany travelers for fresh experiences- although it would not be inappropriate to buy them a round of beer or bring a bottle of wine.

Although hesitant at the concept at first, my brother and I had found ourselves in the situation where couch surfing became a more preferable lodging option than a bench at a Belgium train station mid-winter (side note- plan ahead when traveling around New Years, even hostels become booked).

When explaining the concept of couch-surfing, the immediate reaction is always an inquiry into the safety aspect of meeting strangers online for the purpose of spending a night or two at their home. Both standing over 6ft tall, fully confident in our capacity to protect ourselves and free of the concerns of women sporting the looks of Natalie Portman or Mila Kunis- my brother and I very rarely hesitate for safety’s sake.

However, for those who do not share the same indifference to such concerns, those who utilize sites such as couchsurfing.org create profiles, similar to a facebook or myspace page, but do so to gain and maintain a positive online reputation while gaining references and vouches from other users to add to your credibility. The site also obviously advises to use strong discretion and has a constantly updated list of safety tips for travelers.

The overall experience of couch-surfing was pleasant enough. After contacting a gentleman in Brussels through the site we arranged to meet at a public place before heading to his studio. After an initial awkward greeting of meeting a stranger we were quick to commence the night’s outings.

The hospitality was not lacking. He offered his own food for dinner and took us to the local hot spots for strong Belgium brew.

The only true oddity was that his apartment was devoid of any décor and there was a strange absence of any personal items (such as photographs) at his home which gave the impression that he was lonely and utilized the site for company.

Grateful for a free place to spend the night, especially during the holiday season- this was of no real concern. True to its name, we literally slept on couches although it is rumored there are hosts who have extra beds for guests.

For those who are adventurous in foreign places with a willingness to meet new people and don't mind sleeping on a couch, couch-surfing should be viable option when making your travel arrangements.

Saigon Bay

For those commuters stuck on campus, faculty that needs a hot meal or a visitor of Sacramento State University, there is an on-campus restaurant that offers a Vietnamese specialty soup called Pho.

Saigon Bay, located on the south side of campus west of the library, serves traditional Vietnamese dishes, namely their delicious Pho soup but also sandwiches and spring rolls.

Although a fourth year student, it was my first experience at Saigon Bay- and eating Pho as well. It is a beef broth based soup served with a unique type of rice noodles, a variety of greens such as basil, bean sprouts and mint leaves. It also typically includes a variation of slim cuts of boiled beef or chicken.

As a newcomer to the Pho experience, I naturally wanted a taste of every flavor and ordered the Saigon Special- which included a mixture of well-done flank and beef balls in the soup.

Although a deliciously hot meal for a cool fall or winter day, the service and price is where Saigon Bay loses the most points in comparison to other restaurants around.

Despite walking into what I felt was a cafeteria, the staff was surprisingly very welcoming to our group of four that entered in the restaurant. After watching the other members of the group order, all of whom had been there before, I stepped up to the register.

Purposely wearing a confused look and asking about the menu, I was hoping to hear the staff explain the different variations of Pho and items on their menu. I did not- rather, I was merely responded by curt answers and an expectant look that had ruined a positive first-impression which read ‘have you made up your mind yet?’

The serving size was quite large, but cost about $7.00. This is not typically too steep of a cost to pay for an meal but considering this was a soup, with not a whole lot of meat, and no sides or drinks – it could have easily been more economically friendly, especially on a college campus.

With that being said- I doubt that there is a better spot for soup on campus. Although typically a burger, fries and beer type of guy, the tastes and texture of the meats, noodles and various greens blended together made this Vietnamese dish a pleasantly surprising worthwhile experience.

Workaholics

For those who have fulfilled their appetite for scripted reality TV shows, an endless supply of Law and Order and is currently suffering the painful reality of having The Office on life support- a refreshingly energetic comedy is out there that is a genius blend of the one liner, booze, drugs, sex and bodily function oriented humor.

The ironically titled show Workaholics follows three young recent graduates stuck in the unglamorous career of telemarketing continuing their beer-drinking prank-pulling lifestyle by shirking away from all work responsibilities and pulling the same type of mischievous shenanigans they had done together as college roommates.

The show stars Blake Anderson, an ambitious idiot filled with wild plans; Adam Devine, a long haired goofball hanging around for the ride and Anders Holm, a semi-responsible (but just as dim) narcissist. After having been discovered for their comedic sketches via youtube by Comedy Central, the stars of Workaholics were picked up by the station last year and is already gearing up for its third season.

If your searching for a sophisticated comedy that is boasting of wit and intelligence or a situational comedy that will make you feel as awkward as The Office once did- keep on looking. Workaholics comedic nature revolves around human's most basic instincts. Primarily of sex, drugs and drinking, although genitalia related punchlines are frequent visitors as well.

Season one is worth watching to find out why Blake Anderson's boss puts the fear God in his boner and to discover the hilarity of a poop-dollar for those reasons alone.

There will be those critiques that say their humor is too immature, their language pointlessly obscene and frankly, just too vulgar. On the contrary, its a very honest exposition of pure humor by poking fun at societies barriers and norms while giving hope to the fraternity graduates that the party doesn't have to end at graduation. It does not hide behind clever wit, remain masked behind social norms or mask itself with fancy Mad Men suits.

Want to laugh?

Look at the Adam Devine in a Bear suit, and watch Workaholics.

Lets face the reality- decent comedies that are reliable for a good laugh are difficult to come by. Although a brief 20 minutes (without commercials), this show will provide the much needed laugh during the day and provide quotable one liners you can share on facebook.

The Simpsons has run too long, The Office has tragically lost Steve Carrell and other comedies such as It's Always Sunny in Philedelphia and Family Guy, where once brilliant, is simply not reliable to make you laugh out loud with each new episode.

This show will not be the next great craze that everyone will follow- it has too many boner jokes for that. But for those that don't mind a bit of raunchiness while watching idiots comparable in intelligence to Dumb and Dumber's Llyod Christmas and Harry Dunn avoid drug tests, pull pranks, pursue women and maintain a job- you're welcome for the introduction.

Calvin's Kahlua

Trying new things can be messy.

The mess in my kitchen that I have been cleaning (to the surprise of the roommates) is a testament to that fact as I have left quite the disaster behind creating my latest concoction- Calvin's homemade Kahlua.

For those unaware, Kahlua is a coffee-flavored liqueur from Mexico that is made with coffee, sugar, corn syrup and vanilla bean. It's also a blast to make, despite the eventual cleanup.

Beginning a new venture, whether experimenting in the kitchen or starting a business, starts with an idea. This idea can originate from anywhere: within yourself, inspired by others or simply lifted off of the internet.

Admittedly, the idea to make Kahlua was not my own but suggested by friend. Despite my first reaction of doubting its plausibility, as this particular person is prone to using hyperbole and tall tales, the idea to make my first liqueur based drink was planted.

Curiosity drove me to the next step- researching and judging the feasibility of the idea. After determining through research that it can be done reasonably in one's own kitchen, the major aspect I looked into was the cost. As a college student, it is a survival skill to learn how to cut down one's expenses.

The cost of 1 Liter of Kahlua at club price at BevMo is $21.99. The cost for all the ingredients to make Kahlua which includes water, instant coffee, sugar, vanilla bean and vodka came out to $28.50, but makes 2 quarts. It roughly equates to $14.00 per Liter to make at home, seven dollars less than buying it at a discount price at BevMo.

Once a plan is made to carry out an idea, there is little left to do but execute it. Fortunately for me, the various actions and steps that are needed to make Kahlua are not difficult at all. It took no more than 30 minutes to complete and was primarily adding new ingredients together at specific times to avoid burning off the alcohol.

However, not every plan is as trivial or as easy as making Kahlua in life. Nor goes as smoothly.

Trying to execute an idea can cause anxiety because external factors can effect your results. A four year plan to graduate college can turn into five due to budget cuts, a business entrepreneur effected negatively by the economy or attempting a new sports trick ending in injury area are examples of beneficial ideas being subject to change because reality does not always align itself with our plans.

The Kahlua tastes great and I had planned on bringing my new concoction to this weekend's Halloween party; I had not planned on mopping most of it up because it was accidentally spilled on the kitchen floor.

“Well that was sort of pointless,” commented my roommate.

No, it was not pointless.

While cleaning up the mess my thoughts turned to other plans and ideas of mine that involve more risk. Although I highly doubt every idea will pan out, or plan be successful, it should not deter the very attempt to do so. Success can not be accomplished by fearing failure to the point of inaction.

Despite the majority of the Kahlua being wasted, the little bit in my coffee this morning tastes great and I look forward to another successful-tasting batch in the future.

A New Experiment

You can't always drink beer. I know, it almost sounds like blasphemy but tell the jogger that runs past my window every morning right around 6:04am to hydrate herself with a Guinness and guaranteed, you're going to get a disdainful look.

I took a break this week from my handcrafted beer production and focused on two different homemade recipes for a sports drink. Sports drinks can often be more beneficial than plain water during extended physical activity because of the particular additives.

Most common sport drinks are based on what is called in the science community as oral rehydration therapy. It is a simple solution of salts and sugars for the primary use of treating dehydration by allowing the body to absorb and maintain more water.

Gatorade, the official sports drink of the NFL, is the most famous of sports drinks and uses these exact ingredients plus flavoring and dye. The sports fans out there would be interested in knowing that Gatorade derived its name from the University of Florida because it was developed to maintain hydration for their football team, the Florida Gators.

The two different recipes I tried both utilize sugar and salt to mimic the oral rehydration therapy benefits but differs from one another (and Gatorade styled drinks) by adding different flavoring ingredients.

The first recipe called for sugar, sea salt, water and one package of unsweetened Koolade. Oh, did I forget to mention how simple and easy this is? With four simple ingredients you have replicated a fairly comparable drink to commercial sports drinks.

The second recipe calls for the same ingredients, only replacing the Koolade with one half-cup of orange juice. Despite the obvious benefits of drinking vitamin pumped orange juice over the processed artificial flavoring of Koolade, the latter easily remains a better choice in regards to taste.

Perhaps it has been the years of drinking nothing but artificial flavored sodas, sweetened tea's and sugar pumped latte's as an adolescent, but there is an appreciable taste of processed flavoring that makes the homemade Koolade based concoction a bit more pleasing to the taste buds than the orange juiced based solution. I know the words 'processed' and 'Koolade' have bad stigmas, so you can begin throwing your judgments now.

However, unless you are constantly engaging in extended durations of physical activity, bored, or curious about making your own drinks, you may want to stick with buying a Powerade or Gatorade at your local Seven-Eleven.

There is a potential for savings by making it yourself but it would be nominal unless you made large quantities and bought ingredients in bulk. Unless your a football team or a soccer-mom, chances are you won't be needing that much.

My advice- give it a whirl and see if it works for you, but don't have huge expectations.

Homemade or not- sometimes its just necessary to put down the beer on a Sunday afternoon, namely because the 49ers are on a bi-week, get outdoors and give your body an excuse to enjoy a refreshing sports drink.

Lets Occupy! But for what?

Just as one would expect a legislator to know the contents of a bill before passing it, I would expect a protester to know what they want before protesting. Or am I asking too much?

Prior to the passing of Obamacare, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi had infamously claimed that Congress must “pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.” Do the protestors occupying Wall Street know what they want, or has positively-intended actions without first exercising rationale thought become a trademark of those who fall left of center?

From New York City to Sacramento, hundreds of protestors are occupying public parks or places against what seems to be an underlying theme of corporate greed in a movement coined OccupyNow. It is clear what this leaderless, peaceful occupation is against; but it is downright confusing about what should be the main ingredient- what they stand for.

A younger cousin of mine, in eighth grade, has recently learned what it is to be a critic. Any movie, music, food, or object possible he can find a million problems with it. I asked him the other day what he likes.

 “I don't know,” he said.

It is much easier to voice harsh criticism than to take a stand for something. Understandably, times are tough, but if you insist on tearing down the current establishment, is too much to ask for a plan on how to rebuild it?

With no shortage of communicative mediums, or media coverage, there should be no excuse to have a lack of clear goals or specific reason articulated in either the media or by the protestors themselves- unless you don't have one. Rather than being a group that represents 99% of Americans that are not high income earners, OccupyNow is a byproduct of a harsh economic reality.

OccupyNow is made up mostly of an ad hoc group of unemployed college-graduates, laid off workers, labor unions, the homeless and poor. Unfortunately the percentage of this group has grown and although they believe they are acting in the interest of the commons, there are other groups such as the Tea Party that would vehemently disagree with the root of America's problem and on how to fix them.

Just because you genuinely believe you are acting in the best interests of the majority, does not mean you are nor does it mean that everyone feels the same way you do.

Occupy Wall-street are not the protests of the civil rights movement that they are being compared to. Corporations, nor the government, are restricting the individual rights or wrongly discriminating against any group of individuals that are a part of the movement.

It has been asserted by protestors that corporations unfairly disregards the interests of the American people, but rather act in selfishness to expand profits and answer only to their shareholders. I would ask, however, is it not unfair to ask corporations to act like what they are not?

If a corporation can make money better somewhere else- then it had better do it. It has to worry about making bottom lines, investing in the future for its survival and yes, answering to its owners. If we chain and limit corporations based in America by strict regulatory measures or high tax rates, then we slowly suffocate them by giving their competitors distinct advantages.

Instead of trying to change the nature of corporations to act contrary to its interests, why not promote an environment that gives corporations incentives to manufacture and keep jobs in America?

A Brewer's Contemplation

This past weekend was a success. Not only did I manage to completely avoid any schoolwork, or shirk all responsible pursuits for that matter, but I am one step closer to finishing my next batch of homemade beer.

The process that occupied my Saturday morning is known as racking. Unlike the corporate breweries such as Budweiser or Coors that produce a shameful example of beer, home brewers do not utilize a filtration system but instead use the racking process.

In the most simplest of terms, to rack one’s beer is to move it from one glass carboy (container that holds beer) to another. Compared to brewing day, or opening the first bottle, this is a bit more tedious of a process but one that is necessary.

Once a beer has completed the fermentation process, it leaves particulates and a caked layer of yeast at the bottom- not something you would want in your drink. Racking beer allows it to continue to the next stage in the process, while leaving the junk behind.

There are often moments in life, where we too, may need to undergo a racking process. An opportunity to move forward and mature as an individual while leaving those unwanted particles of the past to be tossed out on garbage day.

I remember using the transition from high school to college as racking process. As a student in a new town where there was fresh start, I was able to remove obstacles from my home town that would have impeded my capacity to grow as both a student and an individual.

When racking beer, there is a specific procedure to follow. One cannot merely pour it into another container, as it would carry the undesired content with it.  The beer must be siphoned with highly sanitized equipment that is carefully placed as to eliminate splashing and minimize the amount of oxygen and external elements that could be exposed to the beer.

Certain tasks, that seem tedious in procedure and minimal in importance, can often play a major role in the success or failure of a goal. When racking, it is just as important to keep new bacteria and possible contaminants out as it is to leave the unwanted behind. Beer is highly sensitive to its surroundings and easily contaminated while it is being produced.

If self-improvement is to be a worthy end worthwhile of one’s effort, then as individuals and as a society that is constantly moving from one stage to the next; it becomes important that as the next chapter is entered, old stumbling blocks are left behind while necessary precautions are taken to eliminate new vices and corruption.

It is necessary to go through a filtering process. It can be unhealthy for the beer, as it ages, to remain mixed with the particles and yeast that, through a reactive chemical process, made it what it is today.

As an individual, it is important for progress and growth to learn from the experiences and challenges that are faced. It is unhealthy that as one grows and matures, he or she still faces the same problems of one’s younger years.

When it comes to racking, it’s best to do it right and as clean as possible. A little work can go a long way and after all, no will want to taste bacteria infected beer.

George Will: A Brain Workout

After a lazy summer of eating processed foods and drinking beer, I decided last night to get back into shape and begun the laborious routine of pushups, weights, kettle bells and sit ups. Needless to say, my body wasn’t used to it- I woke up sore.

Reading a George Will article can have a similar effect on one’s brain. If you haven’t been exercising your brain, it might hurt when you get to the end. In spite of the possible headache, the columns are well worth the effort, like I hope my efforts at the gym are.

Will writes a column twice a week, providing refreshingly logical analysis on political and domestic affairs. He is able to boast of a Princeton doctorate degree in political science, a Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1977 and an extensive career in journalism ranging from an editor for the National Review, a news analyst for ABC’s This Week, and is a columnist as a member of the Washington Post Writers Group.

From a strong conservative viewpoint, Will is able to consistently convey current political events in an intellectual manner. It provides a unique insight into the controlling entities that govern our lives and encourages readers to also critically contemplate the implications of our leaders in government.

Will’s columns are eloquent and articulate in pointing out the disastrous policies (such as high speed rail) under our current President, while maintaining a capacity to think independently of the Grand Old Party’s rank-and-file members. In the Bush era, Will supported such Republican-opposing policies of withdrawing U.S. soldiers from Afghanistan and a ‘path to citizenship’ for illegal immigrants.

Too few people involved in politics are able to simply look at the facts and make an informed decision based on evidence without an illogical and unbreakable chain to their ideology. George Will is one of those.

Unlike many political columnists on both sides of the aisle, Will does not need to rely purely on heated emotions and repetitive talking points. His most recent column embeds his own opinion, but is intermingled with solid research and factual evidence to support a sensible conclusion.

Will writes in a style similar one would expect in an academia debate. He commonly ties America's past conflicts to today’s circumstances and the world’s aged philosophers to today’s ideology. His opinions are well-grounded, but can necessitate an encyclopedia or history textbook to understand.

Perhaps Will took an extensive course at Princeton in how to use big words that is not common for everyday language, because a dictionary has proven to be a necessary tool to conquer an understanding of his articles.

Unfortunately, his columns don’t have spark notes.

            At some later point today, I will drag myself back to the gym. Despite the hard work and pain, the benefits outweigh the cost.

At some later point this week, I will be reading Will’s next article. Despite the tedious work of looking up definitions, historical meanings and obscure philosophers that are referenced in his columns, the reward of insightful knowledge and intellectual challenge to look meaningfully in today’s political realm is well worth the slight headache.

Make It Yourself

              College is plagued by bills. From tuition payments to Comcast and SMUD, it has become an inevitable, and unpleasant, constant in life. This summer, however, I was struck with an epiphany on how to reduce my expenditures on the biggest weekly grocery item of mine: beer.

              It was sparked by a nostalgic memory I share with my two brothers; a warm sunny afternoon spent messing the kitchen tossing grains, hops, malt extract and yeast into each other. After a couple very complicated steps later and an agonizing month-long wait, we were drinking our very own hand crafted home-made beer that had a memorable taste of ale similar to a Sam Adams.

              Like walking right into a light pole, I stunningly realized that customers are spending a minimum of $11.00 per twelve –pack (if on sale) on their favorite micro-brews such as Fat Tire, Sam Adams or Sierra Nevada when taking a trip down the beverage aisle at the local Food Source; while home brewers can spend as little as $7.50 per twelve-pack while creating a product that is comparable in taste and quality.

Brewing your own beer at home is a cost effective option of ensuring your parties are never in short supply of beer without giving up one’s gas money for the week. After the initial investment in the proper equipment, which ranges from $90-$150 depending on how frivolous one is, a payment of $35.00 on ingredients can be turned into five gallons of pure, liquid nectar.

It’s not always easy to start new projects or learn a new skill. As a busy college student or faithful employee, life can become a zero sum game where one activity comes at the expense of another. Home brewing has become a positive new hobby as it requires a mere approximate four hours to make before placing it under the stairs and forgetting about until its ready the next month.

The rewards of making your own beer are not exclusive to saving money however. Home brewing is a hobby, and it does require a bit of hard work, research and time (three weeks minimum to sit), but the end result is a creation that you can be proud of and is worth every effort.

The first sip of one’s own batch of beer is like receiving the first paycheck for the first job one ever had. There is a beautiful aroma consisting of a blended mixture of accomplishment, success and satisfaction in knowing that each pint is a deserved reward for the work and patience put into it.

I recently finished my first five-gallon batch of beer by myself without my genius brew master brother-in-law at my assistance. Admittedly, I was a bit anxious about how it would turn out. But beyond my own expectations, the beer is vibrant in color, full in flavor, and strong in aroma, leaving a large frothy top once poured in a glass.

If necessity is the mother of invention, I can oddly say I’m glad I am a poor, thirsty college student. When faced with the challenge of spending less on essential groceries (beer is essential), necessity had thrown me in a new, cost-effective, hobby that I thoroughly enjoy and would now do just for enjoyment it brings.

Plus, nobody will remain unimpressed at the Sunday’s football game party when delicious, hand-crafted beer is served refreshingly cold.

Quit Worrying About the Grades & Meet People

Today’s college students will be tomorrow’s global leaders, and today's college students are in the prime marketplace to network themselves as competent employees. The familiar faces at the cheapest happy hour hot spots will soon graduate, maybe mature a bit, and be a familiar face in a professional career.

A good friend of mine from our very own Sacramento State University’s Government department recently obtained a position with a state legislator. In today’s tough economic times, the proverb “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” is ringing especially true. As an expectant graduate this year hoping to work with legislation, having a friend in the field can be a great asset.

Forget the academics. With the exception of a few essential major requirement courses, students can barely remember who their academic professors were, let alone the details about a subject they are forced to take in order to graduate.

A roommate of mine, who is a rather studious civil engineer student, was recently explaining how the beginning of the semester is a review of previous course material but it still felt new and foreign. The frank reality is that most students will forget the bulk of what they learn. Of course college students will develop the fundamentals in a particular skill set, but the four years one spends in college offers opportunities far greater than facts and figures.

College is the natural residence of numerous social and academic groups that can often equip students with further networking opportunities and valuable experiences that can make an individual more competitive. Numerous industry-related clubs have brought local professionals and entrepreneurs of their trade to speak and share advice to students.

Although tedious and, even worse, for no pay; many students are able to intern at various institutions and establishments. From observing videotapes of sewer pipes for cracks to entering data on excel files and volunteering at Mercy Hospital, there are numerous Sacramento State students who are currently taking advantage of college internships.

What is the benefit of completing tedious tasks for free?

Besides the obvious answer of having another item to fill up the white on a resume and networking for jobs; it gives students the chance to observe working people (hopefully in their area of interest) on a daily basis. As a student intern myself, I have been able to observe and analyze the difficulties of the full-time staff, the challenges they face and more importantly the skill sets they utilize to overcome those challenges. It can shed light into a career path that cultivates enthusiasm or provide a realistic portrait of an idealistic dream.

Another roommate of mine is currently a master graduate student working on his thesis. During this time, his advisers and professors have been able to give him personalized advise of where to job hunt and has even been introduced to potential employers because of his instructors assistance. College professors and advisers can play key component of aiding students in finding volunteer and job opportunities. There are multiple professors’ college departments that were successful in their careers prior to teaching and are often too eager to share their knowledge of the industry.

The greatest aspect of college is the series of opportunities it provides. It’s about the extracurricular that makes a graduate both competitive and competent in a rough economic market. Facts can be learned and skills developed, but college provides the opportunities to obtain experience in an educational atmosphere while opening doors into the offices of current, leading individuals in a variety of industries. The networking and extracurricular activities a college can offer gives a major advantage to those fortunate enough to pursue higher education.

I am often told by professionals through my internship that its not what you know, its about who you can trust. Students can quit worrying about the A, and use these four years to harvest relationships.

Know Matter How Hard You Plan

   As an immaculate planner, there has never been a semester that I have had difficulty finding a schedule that works flawlessly. One that fits in rhythm with the various activities I have engrossed myself in; ranging from club meetings as a student officer to a dedicated intern for a state assemblywoman. That was true until the beginning of this semester.

   Contrary to certain perceptions, a 294.00 tuition increase is not maintaining the availability of classes and possibly, the quality, of education in the California State University system. The experience of my first week as a senior has give an unfortunate, but personal, taste of the effects that budget cuts in California is having on numerous students throughout the state. 

  As a senior entering into the first semester of my fourth year, I personally had been enrolled in each class I needed to earn my degree this fall. That is correct, it would have been possible for me to graduate in only three and a half years; quite an achievement I would have been proud of. However, one of the mandated classes that I was enrolled in for my degree in Government-Journalism was dropped before school even started. It quickly became an administrative nightmare to try to overcome. I have reluctantly settled to pick up a minor and graduate in the spring instead.

   Despite a slight annoyance at not graduating this semester, I eagerly began my week on Monday to attend the three classes I was fortunate to get into. As I show up for my first class of the day, Western Philosophy, I am surprised to see no instructor in the classroom. I had unknowingly enrolled in an eLearning class, which meant that our classroom merely displayed a live televised version of the class (this was actually a welcomed surprise for most students). However, it was by mere fortune that one student in the classroom knew how to operate the classroom projector because there was only a mere note on the chalkboard instructing us to turn to channel 30. Interestingly, I was not the only student who was expecting a professor in the classroom. I'm not sure why I was surprised to find that a quality education has been reduced to a handwritten note instructing us to turn on T.V.

   After going through the introductory motions of the first day of school, filled with mispronounced roll calls and repetitive syllabuses, I was looking forward to the last class of the day. Upon my five-minute early entrance to this class, I had found myself stepping into a furnace. There were already more students than desks crammed into one of the campus's smaller classrooms and an even greater number of students trailing behind. Lets not forget, I was early. Sitting in the stifling heat at a small table in the front corner of the classroom craning my neck forward desperately trying to read the potential test material on the chalkboard regarding something important (I recall something about a constitution), I was merely thrilled I was not the unfortunate late student sitting on the floor in front of the doorway. As this was an American political thought class, my thoughts began to dwell on our nation's political roots.

   In ancient Greece there was a legislator that made the death penalty a common form of punishment for even minor of offenses. His name was Draco, hence the term draconian. Although my life is not quite at stake here, the term does seem to apply towards the administrative behavior of our beloved school. Ancient Greece also gave birth to democracy, which begs the question, how would things be different at Sacramento State if decisions were made a little bit more democratically?