Audio Slideshow: How We Met

By Jada Marsden

Get Happy!

Feeling stressed out before Thanksgiving break because your professors assigned your four papers due at the end of the week? If so, meet Happy! Happy is like any other college student here at SCU...except he has a giant yellow head. Despite the strange looks he gets from time to time, Happy not only manages to get by, but goes through his day with flair!

Check him out and help my Sociology group do well on our assignment. Please comment, rate, subscribe, and friend us on YouTube because we would love to watch your videos too. Thanks!

Jada Marsden

Have You Seen The Ninja??

Back in Sanfillippo, several students graciously volunteered to be cast in a Sociology project composed by fellow collegereporter Keesa and I. For our sociology class, we were required to create a video, any video, that would have the potential of ultimately gaining more views than a video composed by our sociology teacher. If we succeed and gain more views than our professor, we will be guaranteed an A for our video production. With that said, help us out and watch away. Rate high, favorite our video, and share it with everyone you know. The competition ends on 12/4/09, so hurry and watch it before then. We promise its HILARIOUS! So, have you seen the ninja??

THE NINJA STORY

- Sara

Santa Clara hosts first swine flu clinic for students

When Heather Clayton heard there would be a swine flu vaccine available to Santa Clara students, she was determined to make sure she got one.

“I wanted to be prepared,” said the senior, a chronic asthma sufferer.

So Clayton arrived at the vaccination clinic on Nov. 12 at 8 a.m., a full two hours before a single dose would be injected. She was the first in line.

Sixty Santa Clara students had lined up outside the California Mission Room to receive the vaccine when the clinic officially opened at 10 a.m. Several dozen additional students were already waiting inside after filling out medical paperwork.

Senior Mary Werling lined up early just behind Clayton, but wasn’t getting vaccinated on her own accord.

“My mom is worried and therefore I am worried,” she said.

Swine flu, or H1N1 as it is officially called, sickened nearly 22 million Americans from last April through mid-October. The Centers for Disease Control estimates 4,000 have died from the virus, including 540 children.

Santa Clara’s first case of H1N1 was confirmed in (month). There have been a total of XX confirmed cases on campus since then. California has witnessed 237 confirmed cases of the virus since the government began tracking it last spring.

Quote from Cowell

Graph on regular flu shot statistics at SCU. When is flu season? Does Cowell always contract with Maxim?

“It’s trendy to get a flu shot nowadays,” said senior Ryan Lyles. Both Clayton and Lyles received a regular flu shot earlier in the year.

Approximately 300 doses of the H1N1 vaccine were administered at the clinic last week. Did they run out? Students can set up an appointment at Cowell Health Center if they still wish to receive an immunization. The vaccine is provided free by the federal government, but students must pay a $15 administration fee.

Swine Flu: Confessions of a Community Facilitator

Santa Clara University has made it a point to keep the students, faculty, and staff updated on the latest information regarding the recent H1N1 epidemic. Three weeks prior to the Fall semester, I arrived on campus for my Community Facilitator training. At Santa Clara University, a Community Facilitator is somewhat like a Resident Assistant. Because I would hold a position of student leadership in the dorms, I was instructed on Santa Clara University’s mission to fight any and all traces of the H1N1 disease.

I learned the ins and outs of the virus and was lectured extensively on the importance of cleanliness and “appropriate contact” with others (i.e. no hugs or hand-holding allowed). I watched detailed power point presentations, received several informational brochures, and even watched a couple YouTube videos, all about the H1N1 epidemic and how to avoid it. As a result of the school’s precaution, I was informed of the actions my dorm would need to take if someone possessed “H1N1-like” symptoms. As a Community Facilitator, I had the responsibility of noticing if one of my residents started having flu like symptoms and was instructed to immediately send them to Cowell Health Center to be tested for the Swine Influenza Virus.

The Residential Learning Communities (our special name for dormitories) each have designated isolation rooms that suspected Swine Flu victims must reside in until their symptoms subside. These students are required to stay in the isolation rooms and are instructed to wear facemasks if they need to leave the room for a short period of time. Because of the close living spaces in the RLCs, someone who might have the Swine Flu would need to be immediately isolated so as to not spread the virus to any other student. So far, a couple of my own residents have utilized these services. However, none of them have actually contracted the virus.

To this day, I still receive constant email updates about H1N1 and what other steps Santa Clara is taking to make sure its students can avoid the viral influenza at all costs. I know that we must all take precautions in terms of avoiding the Swine Flu and that its important for us to be informed about the effects of the virus. But sometimes I wonder, is it ever too much?

-Sara

How About Some Tunes Instead of Medication

When you catch the flu, you undoubtedly feel lethargic as well as stressed at the thought of all the school work and responsibilities you'll have to make up. During this period of physical and mental tribulation, I believe it helps to pray, relax, and listen to some soothing music. Especially in the wake of the H1N1 epidemic, it's nice to have a mix music ready to go in case we have the misfortune of contracting the virus.

Here are some pieces of music that I highly recommend for times that you just want to take it easy.

Beethoven:

Sonata #14 – First Movement (AKA Moonlight Sonata)

Chopin:

Nocturne Op.9 #1

Nocturne Op. 27 #2

Prelude Op. 28 #15 (AKA Raindrop Prelude)

Piano Concerto #1 – Second Movement

Debussy:

Clair De Lune

Reverie

Rachmaninoff:

Piano Concerto #1 – Second Movement

Piano Concerto #2 – Second Movement

Prelude Op. 23 #4

Vocalise

You may notice that all of my recommendations are from the Classical Music repertoire (or more specifically from the Classical, Romantic, and Impressionistic Periods/Styles of music). Classical music has grown to be my personal favorite genre. I like instrumental music in particular. While lyrics can be wonderful and poetic, sometimes just have melody without words can be liberating and express that which words cannot.

Here is a video of Norwegian pianist, Leif Ove Andsnes playing Debussy's Clair De Lune

Leif Ove Andsnes plays Debussy's 'Clair de Lune'

- Anton

Swine Flu: A Quarantine Experience

Name: Brad Terrill
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona

What was your experience with the Swine Flu? "I wasn't diagnosed with Swine Flu. They didn't know know whether I had it, and they didn't do a blood test, which would say whether I had it or not."

Where were you quarantined? What were the conditions?: "I was quarantined for two full days in Nobili apartments. I couldn't leave and had to wear a mask if I left."

What was your first reaction when you heard you had to be isolated? "Ahh man... that sucks."

What was your favorite pastime? "Hulu.com" (A website that offers free television shows)

Do you have any advice? "Stay away from people who have it... it's not too bad."


Interview by Keesa

Swine Flu: are you worried? - Steps of Swine Flu

1.

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2.

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3.

http://www.washtwpmorris.org/news/health/influenza/diagram.jpg

How do we know when Swine Flu attacks? Could it be the awful symptoms? Perhaps. But even then, you can’t really tell if someone, including yourself, has the H1N1 virus attacking the body. What does it look like? And what does it do to your immune system as it attacks?

Of course there are the flu symptoms including fever, runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, coughing, lethargic activity, and a lack of appetite.

The H1N1 virus is said to include parts from swine, avian, and human flu strains. Making it harder to stop from spreading because no one has been exposed to all three before, leaving the human population with no previous resistance. (image 2)

First, The virus enters the body (image 3) and begins to attack the immune system. Then, unless your immune system can fight the virus off, you become ill, and feel the flu like symptoms because your body is trying to get rid of the virus.

If you would like to see an animation about the life of a flu virus I would recommend the animation at NPR.

If you feel you are experiencing signs of the H1N1 flu, please see a doctor, and take precautions against further spreading the disease.

Swine Flu Affects Young People More

(Photo courtesy of nydailynews)

Although medical practitioners are warning people of all ages to take precautions against swine flu, children and young adults between the ages of 5 and 24 should take preventative measures in particular. Unlike the seasonal flu which targets those over 55, swine flu has hit children, young adults, and pregnant women particularly hard. Now why is this?

One reason is because swine flu has spread like wildfire in schools. When young people are in close quarters, it's easy for the virus to disperse among friends. Another possible explanation is that over their lifetime, adults have been vaccinated more often which may point to a better immune response. There is also some indication that those born before 1957 might be protected somewhat due to exposure to an older version of swine flu.

Regardless of why swine flu has targeted young people, please take proper precautions to prevent the virus from spreading. For more information on who is at high risk, visit Daniel J. DeNoon's piece on MedicineNet.

Swine Flu: are you worried?

Name: Matt Saydah

Are you worried about swine flu? No

What precautions are you taking? "Well my favorite is the batwing: coughing into my elbow. After rugby practice, I usually change into dry, warm clothes so I don't walk around when I'm all sweaty. I'm using more hand sanitizer and I got a flu shot earlier this year. If you're somewhat cautious and don't go out to parties when you're sick, I think you'll be fine."


Name: Brigette Heitman

Are you worried about swine flu? No

What precautions are you taking? "I've used more hand sanitizer this year than I've ever used in my entire life. I've always been good about washing my hands. My roommate never covers her mouth when she coughs or sneezes. That's pretty gross. I got a flu shot already because my mom was nagging me to."

-CEW

Swine Flu: Are you worried?

______________________________________________________________


Name: Allie Lopiano (SCU Sophomore)

Are you worried?: No

What is your opinion about how people are dealing with this issue?: I think it's ridiculous that people are freaking out about H1N1 which is basically a regular flu. I understand people's concern if for they have a pre-existing medical condition that makes them more vulnerable to sickness, but other than that, people are worrying too much.

-Anton

Swine Flu: Are you worried?

Name: Taylor Womack

Hometown: San Mateo, CA

Are you worried about getting the Swine Flu? "No. I'm just not worried about it and I don't get sick very often. I don't feel like the Swine Flu is as big a deal as everyone makes it out to be."

What precautions have you taken against the Swine Flu? "I wash my hands more frequently but that's about it. I haven't taken any vaccinations for it. I haven't even taken the seasonal flu shot."

Sara

Swine Flu: Are You Worried?

Name: Marcel Juarez-Garza
Hometown: San Juan Bautista, California

Are you worried about getting the swine flu? "No because I got it over the summer."

What was your experience with this particular influenza? "I would wake up and I felt like I hit a train. I had diarrhea, and I would have hallucinogenic dreams and an extremely high temperature (105-107 degrees Fahrenheit)."

Did you seek out medical professionals? "My doctors would not tell me what I had. They said it was a severe strain of the flu. I asked them if it was swine flu, and they didn't know, but the swine flu symptoms were there, and I had to stay home and not go to work."

What do you think are the symptoms of the swine flu? "High fever, diarrhea, upset stomach, irritability, lost of appetite, coughing and sore throat"

Are you afraid of any of the symptoms appearing again? "No because my system is immune to it... I hope."


Interview by Keesa

Swine Flu: Are You Worred?

Name: Peggy Kelly
Hometown: Santa Clara, CA
Are you worried about getting the Swine Flu? "Well, the Swine Flu hasn't really affected any of my friends or family but it does worry me because it's out there and that a lot of people are being affected by it and that schools are shutting down because of it. So yeah, I would say I'm worried about it."
What do you think are the symptoms of Swine Flu? "I heard they are much like the regular flu, except a little bit more severe."
Have you taken any precautions against Swine Flu? "I took the flu shot."

- Samantha

Swine Flu: Are You Worried?

Name: Sarah Mirto

Hometown: Pleasanton, CA
Are you worried about getting the Swine Flu?
"I'm not that worried because I haven't heard of too many people having it. I think it's mostly just people getting the flu and then Cowell getting kind of scared because they want to be cautious but I don't think it's that big of a worry."
Have you taken any precautions against Swine Flu?
"I was supposed to go get the flu shot but I don't even know if that helps. And if anyone was told to be quarantined, [I would] obviously just stay away from them."

Santa Clara vs. Gonzaga Volleyball Game

On Saturday, October 17, I attended the Santa Clara Volleyball Game against Gonzaga. Sadly, Santa Clara lost the match after their lead in the beginning. Santa Clara won the first two sets, but lost the next two, causing them to go into a tie breaker set. Santa Clara lost the tie breaker, giving the match to Gonzaga. Although I took pictures at many volleyball games in high school, this was my first time taking volleyball pictures at Santa Clara, and I must admit it was pretty successful. The game speed was faster than high school games, in terms of ball speed, which I feel helped me get better photos. I could feel the adrenaline from the players while I was sitting on the sidelines, which helped me keep up with their speed. Here are three of my favorite photos from the day.

Samantha

Webcomics: The Best of the Best

(Photo courtesy of survivingtheworld)

Have you ever read a webcomic? Odds are you have at least heard of them. According to webcomics editor T. Campbell, American middle-class college students make up a large portion of the webcomic reader community. If you haven't read a webcomic, that's okay too. Whether you are looking to get into the world of webcomics or if you are an old-time reader, check out these Jada-approved comics:

• Questionable Content by Jeph Jacques -- This was the first webcomic I ever read. Contrary to its title, the comic is pretty SFW (Safe For Work). While I don't read it anymore, the story lines are always intriguing and the artistry is impeccable. If you start from the beginning, seeing his style slowly transition into his current sophisticated design is fascinating. The website is updated every weekday so for those of you who constantly press Refresh to see if a site has new content, this is the webcomic for you.
• Acid Zen Wonder Paint by Stephen Heintz -- His stick figures say it all. There's no plot, there are no characters, just funny lines and expressions from the mouths of stick figures. His commentary is usually unrelated but just as funny, if not more so at times. He rarely updates anymore so I suggest going through the archives if you are looking for a good laugh.
• The Perry Bible Fellowship by Nicholas Gurewitch -- Gurwitch's artistic range is incredible with every comic in a different but distinctive style. Some strips contain slight nudity so it's probably NSFW (Not Safe For Work) or class. He doesn't update very much but he has a substantial list of old strips to peruse.
• White Ninja by Scott Evan and Kent Earle -- White Ninja is a cute, naive guy wearing a ninja costume. Most of the strips end in non sequiturs so if you enjoy random comedy, this might be the webcomic for you.
• Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal by Zach Weiner -- This might be my favorite webcomic. It's usually just one scene with funny, contradicting text below but occasionally he will employ a standard four-box comic model. Characters are not reoccurring and there is no plot. Warning: advertisements on the sidebar can be graphic. Refresh if you see anything that bothers you.
• Surviving the World by Dante Shepherd -- I am not 100% sure if this qualifies as a webcomic since it isn't drawn but it is funny nonetheless. The author, who has a Masters in Philosophy, uses each strip to teach his readers a daily life lesson. This comic's target audience is college students so I'm sure you'll get a kick out of it.
  

I hope this helped open the doors to the realm of webcomics. There are so many different styles that you can pick one that suits your humor and aesthetics pretty easily. If none of the preceding ones intrigue you, my friends and family recommend xkcd, Dinosaur Comics, and Cyanide and Happiness. Read away!

Jada

Things I Miss From Home

All college students miss something from home...whether it be their living room couch or their mom's cooking. I asked a couple of my friends to share what they missed the most from home and this is what they said.

Artistry At the Piano

On Saturday, October 3, Professor Hans Boepple performed in a solo recital here at SCU. In a word, it was AWESOME! His technique was fluid, and virtually effortless while his style was elegant, and smooth, with a pleasant romanticism tempered by years of experience at the keyboard.

Starting with a Beethoven sonata, Professor Boepple captured the composer’s emotional honesty, sense of drama, exciting shifts in dynamics and characteristic rhythmic drive. Next, he played a rather atonal and difficult to grasp sonata by Barber. It was interesting, because amidst the seemingly incoherent sequence of dissonant notes, one could detect a sort of hidden melodic line. After the intermission, the Professor played a wonderful rendition of Chopin’s Barcarolle (I particularly appreciate his moderate use of rubato which created a sense of spontaneity while still maintaining the piece's architectural solidity) and then he concluded with a set of pieces by Liszt which showcased both the composer’s and the performer’s impeccable pianistic abilities. After hitting the final chord, the audience applauded thunderously and received a total of three encores from Professor Boepple. The first two were Etudes from Chopin’s opus 25 set. The last piece of the night was an intermezzo by Brahms which the Professor dedicated in memory of his late Mother-in-law (and his dedication is an outward sign of his benevolence since typically most people don't seem to demonstrate such fondness for their mothers-in-law). In the future, I (as well as many others I am sure) look forward to hearing more from SCU's very own Professor Boepple.

- Anton

SCU's Salsa Clara: 1st Club Meeting

(Poster for SCU's Salsa Clara's 1st Meeting of the 2009-2010 year)

Last week Wednesday was Salsa Clara's 1st meeting
of the 2000-2010 year.

At the club meeting, our choreographer taught us the salsa basic, a right outside turn, and a simple dip. It was really exciting to see so many enthusiastic people, especially ones who never danced salsa before. As I watched people dance for the first time, it made me realize how much I have learned in one year.

I can't wait for what's to come this year.

Peace,
Keesa

Water Polo

I decided to take some pictures at the Water Polo Alumni Game Saturday, October 10. The game was between current Santa Clara Water Polo Players and alumni that played Water Polo for Santa Clara. The next home game will be the two-day Rodeo Tournament, Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25.

Samantha Juda

Santa Clara University in Photos

When asked what I like best about going to Santa Clara University, I usually mention the amazing weather, small class sizes, and approachable staff; never do I forget to detail how stunning the campus is with its statuesque palm trees, elegant floral overhangs, and freshly cut grass.

One lazy weekend last November, I embarked on a campus-wide adventure to photograph the beauty of our school. This experience helped me grasp how lucky we are to be here at SCU and it gave way to more exciting photo adventures throughout the year. Here are a few of my favorites.



For more photos, click here to go to my photoblog.

Jada