Section 8 and Others Leave Audience Swooning

#10. Be serenaded by Singing Men of Ohio and Women’s Chorale at a concert

For my last post, I decided to turn to the Ohio University Programming Council's '100 Things to Do Before You Graduate' and select something off of their list. Number 50 caught my eye--"Get serenaded by Singing Men of Ohio and Women’s Chorale at a concert."

I have watched SMO and the Women's Chorale perform at the Ohio Upclose programs, but I have never actually (which is a shame) attended one of the many concerts the groups put on each quarter. It's something I've been meaning to do especially since my little sister in my sorority, Sarah Engle, is in Women's Chorale and Title IX.

So, tonight (actually yesterday) I trekked over to Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium and attended the OU A Cappella Invitational 2010, where smaller groups inside of the Singing Men of Ohio and Women's Chorale performed.

Singing Men of Ohio has a handful of men who perform in Section 8. They recently did an a cappella rendition of Jay Sean's Down that literally makes any person within a 50 mile radius smile ear to ear. If you don't believe me, scroll down to the bottom to watch it for yourself. Other groups that performed included: H.O.W. (Heart of Worship), The Leading Tones, Tempo Tantrums and Title IX.

Tempo Tantrums and Title IX are both smaller sections that are derived from the Women's Chorale, similar to SMO's Section 8. Both groups have performed at The Front Room Coffeehouse and do a lot of a cappella renditions of pop songs. Title IX recently performed at an Ohio Upclose visit day and left the audience in complete awe. Heart of Worship holds the distinction of being the first and only co-ed a cappella group at OU.

I wish I could do the groups justice. The quality of the performances literally blew me away. Heart of Worship performed Madonna's Just Like a Prayer; The Tempo Tantrums sang a rendition of Ego by Beyonce; The Leading Tones performed barefoot and sang I'll Make a Man Out of You from the Disney classic Mulan; and Section 8 (the hosts) stole the show with so many crowd stoppers that the entire audience was grinning ear to ear by the end. Needless to say, I'm still swooning.

I think Junior Sociology major Liz Bracher summed up the concert the best. Bracher said, "The stage presence of all of the groups was contagious and I haven't laughed that much in a long time."

Until next time,
Mak

P.S.- Enjoy the video below!

Bobcats Abroad

#9. Consider Studying Abroad

A Plant Biology major. Two Journalism majors. A History Pre-Law major. An Integrated Math Education major. A graduate of the Global Leadership Center. On the surface, you would never guess that the seven majors have anything in common besides their enrollment at Ohio University. The one reoccurring thread is that they all have had the opportunity to study abroad and experience new cultures all across the world.

Experience a Whole New World

According to Krista Baddour, a Peer Adviser at the Office of Education Abroad at OU, a number of students decide to study abroad. The latest numbers show that approximately 1,000 students study abroad each year—with the most popular quarter being the summer. While a majority of students do study in Europe, students have traveled all corners of the Earth.

Baddour also noted that regardless of the major or desired location, OU offers programs that directly relate to what the students are studying. For example, there are European business classes or health care lectures in the developing world. The difference is that students are able to have a more hands on experience while abroad than what they might experience in the typical lecture hall.

Baddour herself studied abroad in Merida, Mexico last winter through the OU study abroad program and said, “I think that it is an opportunity that every student should take advantage of. It is the best thing I have ever done in my career as a student and in my life and the experience has greatly impacted and altered my life forever.” She’s not alone in her sheer enthusiasm and passion about the study abroad program.

Endless Options

Senior Journalism major Megan Leonhardt said her six-month experience in Denmark in Fall 2008 left her itching for more. As an elementary school student, Leonhardt’s yearning to study abroad began when she received the peer-to-peer mailings. Leonhardt’s mother wasn’t keen on her going at such a young age, so she waited patiently until her sophomore year of college. Leonhardt chose Denmark and the Danish Exchange Program based on three factors: price (the Danish Foreign Exchange program has free tuition), country--Leonhardt had not traveled to Denmark prior to my foreign exchange, and language—so she could get by in the country without major language issues.

Junior Plant Biology major Kaitlin Hillier also chose Australia last fall for her study abroad experience based on language and course offerings. The Australearn program Hillier chose pairs students with other Ohio University students and has a three-day introduction to the country. Hillier also felt the urge to study abroad in high school-- speaking with friends who went abroad also piqued her interest even more.

Junior History Pre-Law major Audra Smith was set on immersing herself in European culture and decided visiting as a student through a study abroad program was the best choice. Smith is also studying German, so she chose Salzburg, Austria, because it was one of the two German programs that Ohio University offered. I utilized a program provided by OU,” she said. “I knew the transferring of credits would be a lot less painful.”

Limitless Benefits

Baddour also mentioned the abudance of opportunities and benefits to studying abroad. Not only do students have the opportunity to enrich their academic experience while earning course credit, but they are also able to do so in a hands-on environment. Moreover, students are able to become more independent and meet people from varying cultures. While some students do choose to earn credit in an English speaking country, students like Smith and Baddour do choose programs that allow them to sharpen their language skills and work toward a language requirement.

In addition, being able to study abroad is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd with future employers. Senior Tatum Risch who studied abroad in Thailand and England through the GLC and Education Abroad programs said, “Interviewers LOVE hearing about study abroad experiences. It shows them you are independent and can survive on your own in an environment you were not previously familiar with.”

Junior Integrated Math Education major Jenna Valentine agreed wholeheartedly. During her trip last summer to Italy, she was able to learn how to make gelato and play bocci. Even though Valentine openly admits to expecting the “worst homesickness of my life,” she admits to not being homesick at all. In fact, Valentine said the hardest thing she experienced was ending her trip and leaving Italy.

The biggest myth surrounding studying abroad, according to the Office of Education Abroad is the dent it will leave in your pocket. Admittedly, some programs ARE more expensive than others—but Baddour reassuringly stated that students who select Ohio University programs are able to use all of their financial aid (including scholarships!). If you are still coming up short, there are also specific grants and scholarships for study abroad funding that are based on financial need and merit. In addition to these scholarships, there are other funding resources that students can find on the Education Abroad website under “Funding.”

Junior Journalism major Caitlin Ash studied abroad in Merida, Mexico this past winter and said the costs were well worth it. “The money situation shouldn’t discourage you at all though,” Ash said. “It will change your life.”

Almost Convinced

Unfortunately, I’ve never had the opportunity to study abroad—you could call it a “long term” bucket list item of mine. As my time at OU is slowly coming to an end, I thought I simply had too many commitments to take a quarter off before graduation. However, after speaking with seven Bobcats who have studied abroad and the Office of Education Abroad at Ohio University—I’m seriously considering studying abroad the summer after I graduate. While it would certainly be a courageous leap for this Scaredy Cat, the pictures below are enough to make anyone a traveling Bobcat!

What are the steps to studying abroad?

* Visit the Office of Education Abroad website.

* Search through programs either by term, destination or type of experience (exchange program, volunteer, intern abroad or work) you’re interested in.

* Online applications are available on the website’s main page as well as a calendar of upcoming events and announcements.

* Visit the Education Abroad office during their walk-in advising hours Monday through Friday 1-4 p.m.

* Make an appointment with a Peer Adviser, like Baddour, who can answer questions and guide students throughout the application process.

Until next time,
Mak

Give back to the Athens community!

#8. Give back to the Athens community before you graduate.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to break out of the OU bubble--which stretches from Peden Stadium to East State Street, but still stay in Athens. For those who don't know, Athens (and Southeast Ohio) is one of the most poverty-stricken areas in the state. For a lot of OU students, the poverty doesn't even register on their radar. For others--like myself--they don't know how to help.

I was so grateful to be able to volunteer with Good Works, Inc.'s Friday Night Life, where my compassion and love for Athens grew. I was able to not only cook out for people of all different walks of life (including those who are staying in shelters and others who have well established homes) and actually hear their incredible stories.

Before you graduate, I encourage and challenge you to give back to the Athens community. We take so much for granted by being privileged enough to attend college and take over the city of Athens for most of the year. Take a couple hours out of your day and give back!

Below are links to different volunteer options throughout the Athens community to get you started. What are you waiting for?

Good Works, Inc.
United Campus Ministry
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Athens County
Passion Works
Athens County Humane Society

Until next time,
Mak

Sushi in Athens

#7. Try Sushi Tuesday at Lui Lui Restaurant

This past Tuesday, I finally got the opporunity and motivation to go to Lui Lui Restaurant for their Sushi Tuesday event. The restaurant flies in sushi every Tuesday fresh from Hawaii and has a monopoly on the nonexistent sushi market in Athens, Ohio. Their only competition is at the student food court at Baker Student Center and Kroger.

Most students don't know about Lui Lui as it is sort of off the beaten path--located across from the Smiling Skull Bar on Union Street.

I grew up eating sushi, so I'm extremely picky about the quality of sushi that I eat. I'm not the only one as my roommate Clare Lowry and friend Jaden also experience that insatiable craving for a good spicy tuna roll.

When we arrived, I was immediately blown away by the extremely reasonable prices. The most expensive roll on the menu is under $8, with most prices averaging out at $6.

After careful deliberation, I chose the New York Roll (smoked salmon rolled with avocado, cream cheese and wasabi)for $5.95 and the Sunburn Roll (spicy tuna, avocado and cream cheese, tempura fried) for $7.59. Of course, I mentioned the free sushi a la carte deal I told you about before.

Jaden chose the Sunburn Roll and the Shrimp Tempura roll, while Clare chose the Island Roll (spicy tuna and cucumber topped with avocado and almond).

The service was wonderful and pretty quick. The cool part is they have an open sushi bar where they make everything. It's visible from the entrance, so it lured me in. Iwas extremely excited to see if Lui Lui sushi lived up to what I had heard and moreover, what I expected.

I have to be honest. The Sunburn Roll was a mistake. I was not a fan, to say the least. Maybe it's because I'm not a fan of cooked rolls, but it definitely sounded better than it actually was. As for the New York Roll, it wasn't anything I'd rave about for days--but it helped cure my sushi craving.

The Sunburn Roll is to the left and the New York Roll is to the right.

Clare, on the other hand, said "it was the best sushi I've ever had. I will definitely be coming back." Jaden also seemed equally satisfied with her choices.

As for myself, I'll probably be back when I need a sushi fix--especially for the cheap prices. However, I don't think I'll be a regular.

Until next time,
Mak

Athens Goes International

#6. See a movie during the week long Athens International Film and Video Festival

After three years of hearing about The Athens International Film and Video Festival, I finally decided to take advantage of the opportunity to see some pretty sweet films and documentaries.

For an entire week, the seemingly teeny tiny Athena Cinema (tucked away on Court Street) shows films that come from around the world. Many of the documentaries feature a lot of political, international and religious issues.

The best part? The film festival is FREE to Ohio University students with a valid student id.

I actually found out this week (April 23-29) was THE week for the festival. Naturally, I've been living under a rock (a rock filled with midterms and interviews) and didn't find out about the film festival until Wednesday. Of course, Wednesday was the second to last day.

I immediately found the schedule for the films online and decided I wanted to see Orgasm Inc. For those who don't know, I am currently working on my certificate in the Women's and Gender Studies program. Orgasm Inc is a documentary about the quest to create a pharmaceutical product for a "disease" that doesn't exist--female sexual dysfunction.

I immediately thought of Jenny Bak, a very good friend of mine as well as someone I've taken several WGS classes with. Just as I expected, Jenny was as excited as I was. Plus, she was a film festival first timer, too.

When we arrived, there were literally multiple movies playing at the same time. I was amazed to see the variety in topics--ranging from a documentary on skateboarding culture to the oddities found in families. Jenny was especially interested in My Neighbor My Killer, a documentary about the Rwandan Genocide. Unfortunately, it was playing at the same time as Orgasm Inc.

However, Orgasm Inc did not disappoint. It was insightful and gave a scary look into pharmaceutical companies and their marketing strategies. I can only imagine how fantastic some of the other films were.

As we left, we both couldn't believe we had missed out on such an AWESOME event for the first two years. Jenny said, "I wish I would have known about the Athens Film Festival earlier. I'll for sure be seeing movies every day at next year's fest!"


Until next time,
Mak

P.S.- Did you see any movies at the film festival this year? If so, what do you recommend?

10 Things Ohio University Students Should Add to Their Bucket Lists...

#5. Challenge YOU to not be a scaredy cat!

While I love knowing that you enjoy living vicariously through my experiences thus far (and the ones to come), I feel like part of my job is to encourage you to experience what OU and Athens have to offer.

Below you'll find an interactive map that includes the 10 things every Bobcat should add to their bucket list. Most of the items on the map I've tried, but there are a few I haven't yet (like trying Sushi Tuesday at Lui Lui Restaurant, climbing the rock climbing wall, attending the Athens Film and Video Festival and visiting Passion Works at their new location).



View 10 Things OU Students Should Add to Their Bucket List in a larger map




Until next time,
Mak

P.S.- If you think I've missed something major, feel free to let me know in the comment section. I'd love to try any suggestions you have for me!

A new favorite: German Village

#4. Visit German Village

Today, I ventured outside of Athens and traveled to Columbus to visit German Village. It's been a longtime goal of mine since it's where my parents actually met and where my dad lived. The opportunity to visit just never presented itself until recently.

My boyfriend Bob was in the area a couple weeks ago and discovered The Book Loft, a bookstore with over 500,000 books and 32 rooms. I had to see it for myself--being the nerd that I am. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, but let me just say: if there is a heaven, I imagine it looks similar to The Book Loft. I literally think any book you could possibly imagine wanting to read is there.

Bob and I also grabbed lunch as well. I took suggestions from friends from Columbus and heard Schmidt's Sausage Haus und Restaurant was the place to go. It's not a place I would recommend for vegetarians or someone on a diet. However, the buffet (which I was told most people get) was definitely a new experience. It was enough to clog my arteries in one quick swoop. I highly recommend stopping in to try the bratwursts!

Until next time,

Mak

Church a la Athens Style

#3. Attend "church" at the Pub

I had heard rumors about a rather offensive church sermon that takes place at the Pub on Sunday nights after my roommate Clare's 21st birthday shuffle. Clare claims that the "pastor" shouted and told the crowd to "shut the f up" multiple times.

At the time, I had no desire to be verbally assaulted by a very burly 250-plus pound man.

But then, Adventures of a Scaredy Cat was born and I somehow found myself making plans to go to the Pub late Sunday night to do just that.

I coerced my next door neighbor Rachel, who is a little bit of a daredevil, to be my partner in crime.

For those who aren't familiar, the Pub is one of the many bars on Court Street in Athens. When Rachel and I walked in, the crowd literally was a sample of Athens. There were the Athens townies, the prepsters, some graduate students and the occasional 21st birthday girl. The "sermon" was scheduled to begin at midnight, but I quickly learned the Pub definitely does things on a relaxed schedule.

Needless to say, the sermon didn't begin until 12:30 and only after someone tipped off the "pastor" that there was someone in the audience who wanted to hear the sermon. The so-called pastor was a big, burly bald man in the audience who presumably was either an employee of the Pub or a regular as a Pub customer. I admittedly was a little scared when the bartender announced that "church" would be starting soon, especially when there were clearly some regulars in the audience who knew the sermon ritual by heart.

The sermon began with a song that sounded like a mix between AC/DC's Hells Bells and organ music. The pastor began by asking people at the bar to confess their weekend sins--which ranged from being a 21-year-old virgin to drinking too much. There were a couple (and by a couple, I mean at least 5) shots for 'JC' and a lot of sexual comments made to girls at the bar. The pastor finished with the scripture reading from a shot and cocktail recipe book. Sunday's sermon included the recipe for the "party starter" drink, which included Cointreau orange liquor, lemon juice, lime juice and a slice of orange as a garnish.

All in all, it was a little bit of a rowdy crowd and clearly sacrilegious. Not recommended for the conservative or scaredy cat crowd, but definitely something to cross off the bucket list!

I needed a little liquid courage once I realized what I had gotten myself into, so a Jack and Coke was exactly what I needed.

This shirt was too epic not to photograph. Admittedly, I was scared he may turn around and smash my camera. The quote on the back was shouted at least 30 times in a 10 minute span.

Until next time,
Mak

"I'll have the Balls Deep."

The title alone should be enough evidence that my life does have an abundance of awkward moments. I warned you before.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to not only enjoy the beautiful weather Athens has been having as of late, but to also help my friend, Jaden cross something off her bucket list--eating Bagel Street Deli sandwiches on the Athens County Court House steps. It's a clutch spot for people watching and basking in the sunshine--two of my favorite things. Jaden wasn't disappointed by the pure 20 minute bliss we experienced.

Jaden is a senior hospitality major from Virginia and lucky for me, she isn't quite ready to graduate. In fact, she'll be a "super" senior for all of next year. However, she's treating this quarter as if it's her last quarter at OU with a bucket list checklist hung proudly in her room (when it's not hidden under her piles of clothes...her room looks eerily similar to mine).

Bagel Street is a locally owned bagel shop that makes the most delicious sandwiches (and pickles). There's everything from the Wendy's Way (personal favorite--turkey, spinach cream cheese, avocado and sprouts) to the dedicated OU Bobcat (roast beef and smoked cheddar). I always recommend it to visitors and freshmen.

Unfortunately, every time I enter BSD--I'm reminded of my mom's favorite sandwich. I'm not sure if I've told you about my mom, but let me preface it by saying she is exactly like Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side, down to the size, looks and sass. She's also a huge food snob, but she sure loves BSD. Her favorite sandwich is naturally the Balls Deep--a mess of meatballs, onion, spicy mustard and pretty much any ingredient guaranteed to give you heartburn. It's also the most uncomfortable name on the menu. Who wants to hear their mom order a Balls Deep? Not this girl, but I miss her just enough that I would sacrifice the embarrassment to see her.

Until next time,

Mak

Arthritis research: 1, my burnt nose: 0

This past weekend, my sorority hosted our first annual AOII Goes Blue Ruby Run (it was a 5k) and raised over $2,000 for arthritis research--which is our national philanthropy. This is for sure the first thing to cross off my bucket list as it has been in the works since LAST YEAR! We had an after party with one of the fraternities on campus. The weather was beautiful, so we played corn hole, grilled out and had a DJ.

In years past, we've rented a dunk tank to raise money for our philanthropy. Sadly, we almost always broke even with the cost of the dunk tank almost outweighing our earnings. Our advisers were a little skeptical at first about the 5k idea. They both knew how much work it would be and were afraid it might be too much, but the executive board was determined to make it happen.

One thing on my long-term bucket list was to be able to create something that the chapter could continue doing long after I graduated. The 5k was perfect for that. Some of our girls even got to play traffic director for the day and wear those neon orange police vests. Awesome.

We even had the Ohio State University chapter participate in the event. There were also a couple dogs running the race...and we all know my unhealthy obsession to pet every dog in sight. Needless to say, I was happy as a clam.

The only downside to the entire day?
My summer freckles that have appeared and my burnt nose.



Until next time,
Mak

P.S.- If any of you local Athens or Columbus readers have some fun events or activities you think I should add to my bucket list, feel free to comment and tell me all about it!

Contrary to what you might believe, I'm not a dying middle aged man like in the cinematic version of this blog, The Bucket List. It's actually a little less morbid than that. I'm actually a 21 year old junior in college (out of state student!)--with less than a year left before I enter The Big Scary World. Before I graduate, there are a number of things I would like to see/do/accomplish--hence the title of this blog: OU Bucket List.

I will also be writing about other "bucket list" items that I hear or read about others doing as well as spotlighting a few of my own friends on their mission to cross off those coveted bucket list items. It's almost as if bucket lists are one of the things that seem to transcend cultures, languages and beliefs. Everyone has one (even if inadvertently). Hopefully, I'll learn a little more about myself and others as I attempt to tackle my own BL.

A little bit of a preface: My life (and this blog) is sort of like the movie, Diary of a Wimpy Kid--except I'm more of a scaredy cat than a wimpy kid (also, I'm not a prepubescent teenage boy). However, like Greg...my life is surrounded with interesting characters and some seriously awkward situations.



Until next time,
Mak