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UCLA Roundnet Team 5th in the Nation

by Lila Hearn April 22, 2019

written by Lila Hearn

UCLA’s Roundnet Club teammates Jason Rhoads and Ryan Baillargeon are ranked fifth in the country, after proving themselves in several tournaments this year.

Jason Rhoads (furthest left) standing next to partner Ryan Baillargeon

Roundnet (also known by the popular name Spikeball) has gained popularity at UCLA and all across the nation as both a casual beach game and a serious sport. It can be played almost anywhere, needing only two teams of two and a Roundnet set. Junior Ryan Baillargeon is the founder and president of UCLA’s Roundnet Club, which has gained plenty of popularity in just two years since its founding. He and sophomore Jason Rhoads make up the team Musty-er (the duo’s team name is a tribute to the team name of their good friends from Cal Poly SLO, Musty, who are also nationally ranked).

The sport fosters a real sense of community. The UCLA Roundnet Club practices weekly at Sunset Rec, is open to anyone with an interest in the game, and has even applied to be an official club sport next year. More experienced players gladly help those just starting out, and several teams of two compete in tournaments representing UCLA.

Traveling members of the UCLA Roundnet Club

Rhoads describes the sport to those who have never heard of it as “like volleyball, but the change of possession happens when the ball hits the net, as opposed to going over.” His favorite part of the game is the community of players, and the “fun competitive vibe” of everyone involved.

Ryan Baillargeon (furthest right) practicing with friends at Sunset Rec

UCLA Roundnet is only getting bigger. Anyone interested in playing is encouraged to contact Ryan at [email protected]

April 22, 2019 0 comment

Lifestyle

Bruin Apartment Hunting: Atrium Court Apartments

by Ally Chou April 20, 2019

written by Ally Chou

It’s the beginning of apartment hunting season! Many Bruins are currently trying to find affordable apartments that are close in proximity to UCLA, but with such a high demand, it’s often difficult to find the perfect match. Let’s start finding apartments early! I’ll be sharing a few of the popular apartment complexes around UCLA and review them through resident interviews. This week, we will be reviewing Atrium Court Apartments, one of the more popular complexes situated at 10965 Strathmore Drive.

For those who don’t know where it is, this apartment is on Strathmore, up the hill past Landfair and before Glenrock. If you go past the fraternity houses, and over a steep hill, you will arrive at Atrium!

Their overall rating on apartmentratings.com is a 4.3. The floor plans consist of 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartments, 1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartments, and 2 bedroom one bathroom apartments. I’ve toured one of their apartments before, so I know that the apartments are relatively large, with a big living room area, and spacious bedrooms. The bathrooms are also very new and clean which is definitely a plus! Many of the rooms are also nicely furnished, with futuristic thermostats that make the living space much more homey.

Sylvia Chang, currently a third year financial actuarial math major, has been living in Atrium Court for two quarters already. She lives in a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom complex with three other roommates. When I asked her what she really likes about the apartment, she said its proximity to campus. She also claims that there are sufficient amenities in the complex such as the gym, a hot tub, and a rooftop that has a beautiful view overlooking Westwood. Despite being relatively close to the frat houses, Sylvia claims that the surrounding area is quiet. There are also nice managers who say hi to you everyday, and most importantly, it has a reasonable cost for a nice apartment. From what I have found out from the residential manager of Atrium Court, a 2B2B apartment costs approximately $4500.

Annie Chung, also a third year student studying art history, enjoys Atrium for its cleanliness and uncarpeted floors. She also likes how each unit has a nice balcony that is a great place for friends to come over, or just to chill. Annie also thinks the maintenance staff are very nice and friendly.

E-Ming Huang is a fourth year neuroscience major. This is also his first year living in Atrium Court, and I asked him what he doesn’t like about his apartment complex. For a 1B1B he is living in, E-Ming considers $3900 monthly rent to be too expensive, and this, according to him, is one of the cheapest prices. There is also no laundry machines in each apartment, but several communal ones which means he sometimes has to wait in line to do laundry. No utilities or WiFi are included in the rent either, which tallies up to approximately $200 more on top of the rent. However, E-Ming does think that the maintenance is well done.

All in all, it seems that Atrium Court has decent reviews, despite it being on the slightly pricier side of the apartments in Westwood. Stay up to date with BruinLife’s blogs if you want more upcoming apartment reviews!

April 20, 2019 0 comment

Health & Fitness Lifestyle Volunteer

Saving Lives – Giving Blood at UCLA

by Lila Hearn April 11, 2019

written by Lila Hearn

It’s a fact of life – happiness can be achieved through helping others. As a college student, it can sometimes be hard to find meaningful ways to benefit other people. The life-saving act of giving blood has been made incredibly easy by the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center located in Ackerman Union right across from the Bookstore. It can be a little intimidating, especially for people who have never donated blood before, but ultimately it’s quick, easy, and saves people’s lives. Here are five things you should know about giving blood on campus.

Who can donate? Almost everyone, but there are some restrictions. Generally speaking, if you weigh more than 110 lbs and are feeling healthy, there’s a good chance you’ll be good to go, but it’s important to be sure. For the complete list of requirements, click here.

Is it safe? Yes! The equipment is sterile and completely safe, so there is no chance of contracting any infection by donating.

Giving blood is very easy to fit into your schedule. It takes less than 15 minutes. The Center asks you to set aside an hour, but most of that time is spent relaxing and eating snacks (that they provide, of course).

The UCLA Blood and Platelet Center does not pay people to give blood, donations are made strictly on a volunteer basis. This ensures that everyone wants to be there, and is happy to take a little time out of their day to help others. If saving lives isn’t rewarding enough in itself, however, there are some small incentives working as a nice ‘thank you’ for coming in. Movie tickets, meal vouchers, and promotional items like t-shirts and water bottles are among the list of things you could receive for your time.

Does it hurt? Pain is hard to quantify, but this is a really common question. The short answer is yes, it does hurt a little bit, but it’s a small pinch that lasts about one second, NOT the entire time the blood is being donated.

If you have the time, or are looking for ways to help others, giving blood at the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center is a great opportunity. Everyday is a great day to save lives.

April 11, 2019 0 comment

Food Lifestyle Los Angeles Travel Uncategorized

Dates in Downtown LA

by Sarah Seran Bae April 8, 2019

written by Sarah Seran Bae

Over the past few years I’ve lived in Los Angeles, I realized that there are so many things to do in Downtown LA other than barhopping. I started to make a list of places to go with my family and friends who would visit from overseas or out of state and now that list is three pages long!

Here are a few ideas for the next time you want to be a tourist in your own city.

Walk from Grand Central to The Broad

Grab a quick bite at the historical Grand Central Market. There are so many food vendors that you could choose from, including diverse options reflecting Los Angeles’ rich cultural variety like German, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, and so much more. I recommend DTLA Cheese or Eggslut. When you’re done eating, you can take the famous Angel’s Flight trolley on South Hill Street to start heading towards The Broad Museum.

Angel Flight is a railway that is 117 years old and costs $1.00 to get to the top in less than a minute. In the past, it connected the tenement communities of the city, and after being closed for awhile, it’s a can’t miss spot! Alternatively, you could take the never-ending stairs if you’re feeling like doing a mini workout.

When you get to the top, it will be a short walk to get to The Broad museum.

Make sure to reserve tickets online (it’s free) ahead of time to avoid a line! The Broad has some of the most influential modern art from artists like Ragnar Kjartansson (beautiful music installation), Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, Ed Ruscha, Roy Lichtenstein, and of course the instagram-worthy Robert Therrien & Yayoi Kusama.

Insider tip: If you take the glass elevator down to leave, go back up the stairs to get a sneak peek of where the museum stores their art! This place is called “the vault” and it’s pretty cool to look at.

Arts District and Little Tokyo

On the eastern edge of Downtown LA is the Arts District and Little Tokyo. These two locations are for those who truly love galleries and boutique stores. I love visiting this part of the city because there’s always something inspirational that you wouldn’t expect to find. The last time I visited, I went to Hauser & Wirth and was deeply moved by the works of Alexander Calder.

Nearby, there is also a cute store owned by a married couple called Poketo. This place is one of my favorite stores near Little Tokyo. They have cute stationery, accessories, and home items that are sensible and aesthetically pleasing.

If you’re feeling hungry, I recommend Wurstküche for German sausages and dessert at The Pie Hole in the Arts District. If you’re willing to wait in line, the ramen at Daikokuya is phenomenal and so is the matcha ice cream at Tea Master in Little Tokyo.

And for those of you over 21 and do want to go barhopping…

Here’s a list of a few favorites:

EightyTwo (drink and play classic retro games)
Perch (french restaurant & rooftop bar)
Birds & Bees (romantic speakeasy)
Prank (walk-up cocktail bar)
Breweries: Angel City Brewery, Arts District Brewing Company, and Mikkeller DTLA

April 8, 2019 0 comment

Featured Food Interviews Lifestyle

Maya the Vegan

by Bao Yi Tan April 5, 2019

written by Bao Yi Tan

Photo by Bao Yi Tan

This week’s blog post will be an interview with a fellow Bruin and good friend, Maya. She is an English major and she is a second year at UCLA. She has been a vegan for 2 and a half years and stands strongly in support of it.

Why do you like food?

Maya: It is a human thing that we have to eat to survive, you know? It’s the most human thing, makes us human. The fact that we can choose what to put in our bodies is very interesting. It makes it a part of life. I have fun when I eat!

When did you choose to become a vegan?

Maya: I started 2 and a half years ago. I was vegetarian for 4 years before. I always knew I wanted to be a vegan, but I also didn’t know. I thought “I am a vegetarian — I could never be vegan”. I was one of those people who didn’t think I could do it. All of sudden, it was easy. “F**k this shit,” I told myself, “I am not eating anything”. The date was 7/7/17 when I first started.

Why are you a vegan?

Maya: I am a vegan for a couple of reasons. The first is because of love. Animals have heartbeats, veins, and eyes that speak things that words cannot. We have the ability to spend time and energy with animals and pets, so we should treat all of them with the same level of respect. We shouldn’t be judging which animals are better than others, letting some get killed and brutally consumed while protecting others.

There is also a health incentive for being vegan. It’s simply better for my body to not put animals inside of it; eating meat is proven to lead to heart disease and America is a great example of the consequences when a proper diet isn’t followed. So I stay as natural and green as possible for my mind, body, heart, and the hearts of other beings.

What places would you recommend for vegan food near UCLA?

Maya: Grocery stores! It is so fun to make your own food, and when you are a vegan the possibilities are endless. Any combination of beans, rice, vegetables, fruits, oats, and more can turn into a great meal. Experimenting with food and seeing what you can come up with, DIY-ing things on your own, is the best part about it.

When I do eat out, Thai and Indian restaurants are very accommodating to vegans and always have fantastic options.

Any last advice for your vegan/non-vegan fans out there?

It’s important to be aware of the fact that we have the ability to be socially conscious and spiritually progressive in many of our daily lifestyle decisions. We can understand that it is morally incorrect to be consuming living entities that have the capability to love. Our habits should reflect that understanding.

April 5, 2019 0 comment

Travel

Hong Kong could be your next destination

by Bao Yi Tan March 21, 2019

written by Bao Yi Tan

During spring break, you might have some time off. If you are thinking of traveling somewhere internationally, it could be nice to travel someone east or as Nick Young would ask, “What about us taking an adventure east?” in Crazy Rich Asians.

Reconnecting with your roots

If you are Chinese-American and you have not been to Asia in your life, it would be a great time to go to a Chinese country to experience it for yourself, such as modern Hong Kong. The weather is a little chilly and not too hot at this time of the year. There is the convenience, safety, culture, and food. Of course, it would be ideal if you can speak Cantonese and Mandarin, as those two languages are mainly spoken (but locals prefer to speak in Cantonese than Mandarin). People do speak English here and you can get an English menu if needed in some places. Hong Kong preserves its old buildings, but there are many new buildings as well. Walking through the streets will be charming itself, but having the opportunity to interact with the people will be cherry on top of the trip.

You can never get enough of food

In America, everything is far apart and there is a need for a car. Food is everywhere, but portions are huge and there is a need for doggy bags and that would probably be dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow. In this sense, there are lesser opportunities to try different food in a period of time. However, this isn’t the case for Hong Kong. The portions are smaller and there is a huge food culture here. Instead of going to the movies at Westwood or Santa Monica for a beach day, people plan to go out for food. One day it could be Dim Sum (a style of Chinese cuisine prepared as small bite-sized portions of food served in small steamer baskets) for lunch, then a famous Hong Kong style cafe like Mrs Tang Cafe for dinner. Then there is also the option for snacks like fried chicken and other small eats due to walking around a lot – starting at Goldfish Market to Sneaker Street and eventually, Lady’s Market could last for hours. The probability of getting hungry will be very high and when that happens, there are many food shops around to get yummy snacks from.

There is a lot of things to do

As I implied before, there is a lot of walking to do as everything is close to each other. The MTR (short for Mass Transit Railway) is very convenient for both locals and tourists. People barely drive in Hong Kong, even when they do have driver’s licenses. It is too expensive and unpractical to own a car in Hong Kong. So it isn’t a shocker when there are many things to do in Hong Kong. For instance, there is a lot of shopping to do. There are sneakers, imitated branded bags, goldfishes, and clothes to get from. There are a ton of varieties and when one is tired, there are plenty of beauty parlors to choose from as well. There is just an abundance of everything here. I would definitely recommend getting a massage when you are tired of walking and shopping. There is also the option to play darts for HKD 5 (about USD$0.64 at Joe’s Billards & Bar) at night or taking the ferry to see an amazing city view – filled with lights everywhere.

The Final Closer

The air ticket to Hong Kong ranges from USD$400-$700 during spring break and it is a round-trip ticket. It is not too expensive if you are planning to go on an international trip. The food and transportation will be affordable and living at hostels would be a great way to save some more money too! It’s an option, but I would definitely recommend a trip to Hong Kong and one week will be plenty of time to explore this beautiful island.

March 21, 2019 0 comment

Lifestyle

Top 10 Diverse Songs to Listen to in the Rain

by Tiara Suguitan March 20, 2019

written by Tiara Suguitan

Looking for song recommendations that are a vibe and go with the rainy weather? I got you. Here’s a list of a few of the songs I enjoy listening to in the rain that I completely stand by and recommend.

1.) A song about a relationship that’s toxic and keeps repeating the same mistake. An alternative/r&b type feel. Same Thing — Marian Hill

2.) A song about a girl that has all the guys mesmerized but the singer can’t figure out what it is about her that’s charming. Stuck on a Puzzle — Alex Turner

3.) A song that’s instrumental. Sunset lover is just ooof if you want something nostalgic that’s a little bit of happy and a little bit of sad in a reminiscent, nostalgic longing for the past and happy memories sort of way you’ll love Sunset Lover — Petit Biscuit

4.) A song about the pressure of relationships with a nice contemporary r&b beat to it. Pressure — Jhené Aiko

5.) A song about how electrifying it feels to be in love. Electric —Alina Baraz ft. Khalid

6.) A song from a rockin’ all female band from the state of Washington about a party in Seattle with a pop/garage/alternative/indie type feel all at the same time. Seattle Party — Chastity Belt

7.) A song by The Smiths most definitely had to be on the list. How dare I if I hadn’t! There is a Light that Never Goes Out — The Smiths

8.) A song about falling in love with the allusion of a person and then not knowing how to keep loving them when they turned out to be different than the way you imagined them to be. Don’t know How to Keep Loving You — Julia Jacklin

9.) A song about a couple that remains committed to each other regardless of the world’s distractions. A hip-hop & jazz type feel. An absolute classic from the 90s. You Got me — The Roots

10.) Rain or shine, a song that’ll make you feel like a boss: 7 Rings — Ariana Grande

March 20, 2019 0 comment

Lifestyle Uncategorized

UCLA From a First Year Out-of-State Perspective

by Victoria Delamora March 10, 2019

written by Victoria Delamora

Seeing as UCLA is the most applied to university in the United States, it is expected that it is full of students from all around the country. Although, even with its high application rate from students from all over the nation, UCLA is made up of a predominantly California residents, with the out-of-state undergraduate population making up around 20% of the student body. Out-of-state students are met with a great change from their hometowns. They are thrust into a new city, new surroundings, and new experiences, all while not having the comfort of being close to home and their families, which is something that many California students do not have to deal with. All of these things may seem difficult, but when UCLA is the school you attend, it’s not as hard as it may seem. Here is what some First Year Students have to say about the issue:

Chloe Wyn Evans-Svarre (Home State: New York)

I’m originally from Manhattan, New York, born and raised. Moving to a city as spread out as Los Angeles has been quite a transition, as I am not used to things being so far from each other, and so quiet. However, instead of looking at this as a negative, I like to think that I can adventure around Los Angels bit by bit throughout by four years here. Moving from coast to coast has been a pretty smooth transition for me personally, but the support system I have around me has definitely made it easier! I don’t feel very homesick, or feel like I am struggling to find my place at UCLA. I speak to my friends and family back home everyday, and being independent has really helped me enjoy this next chapter in my life.

UCLA has become a second home for Chloe and she feels very comfortable being away from school. UCLA has allowed her to feel independent and really start her journey to finding herself and figuring out what she wants to do when she graduates. Although far from home, attending UCLA has been a great transition for Chloe.

Julianna Laurentano (Home State: Massachusetts)

Coming from boarding school in Massachusetts, going to school in California has definitely been a change. However, I love adventuring and exploring new places, so living in LA has been an awesome experience. Although I miss my family and friends back home, I am lucky to be surrounded by amazing students and faculty here, making this campus truly feel like a home.

Being an East Coast native, the physical difference between Julianna’s hometown and California is evident, but this physical change is not hard to adapt to when you are in a place as beautiful and full of opportunity as Los Angeles. There are so many different things to do to keep busy in Los Angeles, giving any person an opportunity to find something that entertains them and makes them more okay with being across the country. UCLA and Los Angeles as a whole have been very welcoming for Julianna, as she states that the people UCLA has given her have made her feel like she has a second home.

Kaitlin Kearns (Home State: North Carolina/ Connecticut)

I’m from Connecticut and now live in North Carolina, so coming all the way to the West Coast was definitely a daunting experience. However, as soon as I got here I felt comfortable and campus felt like home. I love being in Los Angeles and experiencing new things.

Kaitlin was afraid to make the big move to California, but once she made it here, she has had great experiences and feels like she has a second home. Across all three people interviewed, it is clear that UCLA is a place that feels like home. Each student has found a community that makes them feel welcome and it has made their experience as an out-of-state student worthwhile.

Being an out-of-state student comes with its difficulties and drawbacks, but UCLA makes students feel very comfortable and often provides students with a community which makes them feel at ease. There really is no place like UCLA, and that is evident in the student happiness here! (that is, when midterms aren’t going on!)

March 10, 2019 0 comment

Lifestyle Travel Uncategorized

Keeping it PG at Vegas

by Ally Chou March 9, 2019

written by Ally Chou

Still not 21 yet but you and your friends want to make plans to go to Las Vegas for spring break? Sounds like a pretty familiar scenario to all college students in the Southern California area. After all, Vegas is just a 4-5 hour drive, or a 50 minute plane ride! But what can you do when you are still underage in this City of Sins? Don’t worry, I’ve got your back! Here are a list of some PG things that you could totally do that can still pack your schedule up for a few days.

1. The Neon Museum

This place is super worthy of going at night-time, because the outdoor museum showcases beautiful vintage neon signs that are from all over California. There is a tour, and the tour guide informs you of the stories behind all the special neon lights — some not working, but some still flashing in bright lights. Nevada was the state where neon lights became popular in the Google architectural movement, and this museum is a super enlightening way to learn about the state’s culture. The museum is located just 20 minutes or so from the Las Vegas Strip.

2. 7 Magic Mountains

This impressive landmark by land artist Udo Rondinone, is not technically in Las Vegas, but it is on the way back or to Los Angeles if you are taking a road trip. This is a must see because the “7 Magic Mountains” are so beautiful under the sunlight. An awesome place to make your Instagram feed more colorful.

3. The Venetian

Many of you may already know the wonderful Venetian that is like an indoors Venice with actual canals and gondolas you can ride on (though the rides are pretty pricey!!). There’s an abundance of shopping you can do there so you will never get bored!

4. Shopping at Aria and Caesar’s Palace

More shopping at other hotels! The shopping mall at Caesar’s Palace has very nice interior architecture that emulates the Ancient Romanesque culture. Aria is one of the newer hotels located in the Strip, and it comes with a newly renovated shopping center that contains many luxury brands, in case you are feeling like you need a lavish makeover.

5. Adventurous options like ziplining and the ferris wheel!

At the outdoors shopping area in the Strip, there is a ferris wheel ride (High Roller) which takes you above ground, giving you a view that overlooks the entire Strip (which is actually quite small) and beyond! Not for those who are scared of heights though. If you are feeling extra adventurous, there is also a zipline (FlyLinq) that takes you through the Strip. TIP: If you show your student ID, you get a big discount!

Whether you are at a legal age or not, Vegas can be a super enjoyable experience if you know how to make the trip worth it! Hope you have fun in the City of Sins!

March 9, 2019 0 comment

Lifestyle Uncategorized

Why You Shouldn’t Skip Class

by Victoria Delamora March 8, 2019

written by Victoria Delamora

Skipping class can be very intriguing: maybe your friend in the class is out sick and you don’t want to go a lecture without a lecture buddy, or perhaps it’s an 8am that you can’t bear the thought of getting out of bed. It’s even more enticing if the lecture is Bruincasted, although it’s something that you shouldn’t do. Of course, it seems obvious that you shouldn’t skip class, but what are the real reasons why?

Firstly, you’re paying for the class. When the cost of your tuition is divided, the amount you’re paying for each class is around thirty dollars. Thirty dollars going down the drain each time you don’t go to class just seems silly, yet people do it all the time. That seemingly minute amount of money adds up quickly, and with each skipped class you are only wasting more of your own or your parent’s hard-earned money. You are paying for an education, so why not go to the lectures and discussions that you are paying for to receive that education?

Secondly, there’s just something about being in a classroom that makes you more engaged. Say, even if you got notes from a fellow classmate, you will never be fully engaged in the material. You won’t be able to hear comments made by fellow students or important clarifications from the professor that your friend’s notes may fail to include. Even if the lecture agenda is just watching a documentary, it is very beneficial to watch it in a lecture hall. Being able to discuss what you have seen on the big screen with the entirely of your class is very enlightening. It’s interesting to see how people who have watched the same thing you have may have an entirely different takeaway from yours. Their different takeaways allow you to see different perspectives on a singular topic, which is critical for a developed knowledge on said topic.

Thirdly, skipping class can become a habit, and it is definitely a habit you do not want sticking with you. Going to class is not only about going to learn material, but in a broader sense it’s about having a schedule and sticking to it. Skipping class is failing to follow the schedule you have put into place for yourself, which is only a detriment to you both now and in the future. As a college student, you are able to make your own schedule, which is something that you may not be able to do when you become engrossed with a full-time job after college. Following the schedule you make for yourself in college is crucial if you want the transition to a post-graduation schedule to be smooth.

Skipping class may seem like a good idea when you want to take a nap or watch some extra Netflix, but it really just hurts you in the long run.

March 8, 2019 0 comment