Vol. 3, Issue 11 The Summa - May 5, 2011 by The Summa

The Summa

University of St. Thomas

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Vol. 3, Issue 11

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Crack the Books

Apps in a Snap

Get a Kick Out of It

Finals are here! Dr. Smith shares some advice on when and how to study for finals.

Celebrate the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo around town and learn about its heritage.

Check out the Top 10 Apps that students can use to make studying a snap.

Looking for a fun, exciting way to get active? Join the Martial Arts Club this fall and get your kick on.

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Benedict beatifies Pope John Paul II UST celebrates Triduum

Friday. Meditation on the fourteen scenes connected News Editor with the passion helps The Easter Triduum participants to enter more marks the end of the liturgical deeply and empathetically into season of Lent within the Christ’s sufferings.” Members of the student Catholic Church. On Good Friday, April 22, 2011, over body also joined in the three hundred people gathered procession in order to prepare themselves spiritually for the for a day of pilgrimage. Under the direction of celebration of Easter. “I believe it serves Communion and Liberation, they undertook a Way of the a remembrance of what Cross procession from the Jesus did for our sake,” said Chapel of St. Basil to Sacred Sophomore Joseph Bedell. Heart Co-Cathedral in the heart “Sometimes we forget the of Houston. The organizers of magnitude of Jesus’ Passion, the Way of the Cross hoped Death and Resurrection and that their event would offer going to and attended an event participants the opportunity to like this really helps people blend both prayer and action to remember that Jesus died in a journey of more than two for us and He did because He loves us and for our salvation miles on foot. “This procession goes that we may be with Him one out into the city; it is a day.” The Lenten procession public expression of faith. grown into an The procession shows that has event, Catholics at UST and our Archdiocese-wide friends from the community with pilgrims traveling from take the faith seriously enough Conroe, Galveston, and other to bring it to the public square,” nearby areas to express their said Father Joseph Pilsner, faith. Although the event has CSB. “The Stations of the occurred several times in the Cross is a beautiful Catholic past, new individuals continue devotion, especially for Good CROSS, Page 2 David Markus

All Roads Lead To Rome

Photo courtesy Ed Yourdon

The Beatification of Pope John Paul II represents the first step on the road to canonization.

David Markus News Editor Divine Mercy Sunday ushered in the beatification of one of the most beloved leaders of the Twentieth Century: Pope John Paul II also know as John Paul the Great. Over two hundred and fifty thousand people visited Blessed John Paul II’s new tomb at the Vatican on the day of his Beatification. In addition, millions of individuals tuned in to live broadcasts of the Masses offered before, during, and after the Vatican moved Blessed John Paul II one step closer to sainthood.

Pope Benedict XVI presided over the rites in which John Paul II received the title “Blessed.” During a Mass held in honor of Blessed John Paul II, Pope Benedict took time during his homily to voice his happiness in being able to recognize the accomplishments of his papal predecessor. “Dear brothers and sisters, today our eyes behold, in the full spiritual light of the risen Christ, the beloved and revered figure of John Paul II,” said Pope Benedict. “Today his name is added to the host of those whom he proclaimed saints and blesseds during the almost twenty-seven years

of his pontificate, thereby forcefully emphasizing the universal vocation to the heights of the Christian life, to holiness, taught by the conciliar Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium.” Members of the University of St. Thomas community celebrated both Divine Mercy Sunday and the beatification during a special Sunday Mass at 3:00 PM and an outdoor party on the Crooker Patio. “On the day of his beatification, I arose early in the morning to set up grills so that hamburgers and hotdogs

and Natasha Alvarez. Senior senators are Bensy Benny, Jose Bolivar, and Christian Campos. The Graduate Student Association President will be Caroline Engerrand with Christie Currens serving as Vice President. The Council of Clubs Chair will be Fernanda Cooz. The newlyelected Student Activities Board President will be Estefania Hernandez, with Vice President Heidy Moreno. The Sports Clubs Association President will be Ashley Warhol and its Vice President is Grace Cheung. Vice President of Student Affairs Matt Prasifka was pleased with the elections. “I think the elections went well. I mean, there was no controversy or anything,”

said Prasifka. “I guess if there was a disappointment, it was that really only one office was really contested and that was the SGA Vice President election.” According to SGA President David Torres the lack of contested elections is the cause of the low voter turnout. “Usually when there are multiple people running for one position or the four positions that are available for each class then we see a bigger turnout,” said Torres. “I think people felt comfortable that they were going to get the spot with a couple of votes.” Torres understood that this is not the most desirable

BLESSED, Page 2

Student body elects new SGA Senators

Brien O’Donal Staff Writer This year’s Student Government Association elections were held on March 9 and 10, just before Spring Break. Although the voter turnout was low (around 200 voters) current SGA President David Torres was elected to a second term. The one seriously contested election was for the Vice Presidential position, in which Sophomore Adam Rivera won by three votes in his race against Nicole Hickl. The SGA senators for next year are as follows. Sophomore senators will be Valeria Gonzalez, Jenny Ayala, Neera Arya, and Enory Sanchez. The junior senators will be Luis Escobar, Greg Johnson,

SGA, Page 2

Walk with Christ

Photo courtesy Jason Tinder

Members of the UST community processed from the Chapel of St. Basil to Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral on Good Friday.

The Summa

News

Pop Singers perform last concert of year The UST Pop Singers ended their 2010-2011 season with a pair of concerts on May 2-3. The ensemble performed nineteen pieces of music from various American musicals. “I definitely enjoyed it. It was very entertaining and the singers performed at their best,” said Freshman Sarah Norton. “It was overall very enjoyable because they were so passionate about what they were singing about, and they really got into character, which made the audience fall in love with them even more.” The opening piece of the concert, “Lullaby of Broadway” involved the entire chorus singing one of the most iconic songs from 42nd Street. The group danced and pranced across the stage in well-rehearsed choreography. “My favorite ensemble piece was ‘That’s Entertainment,’ ” said Meeka Opong, a Sophomore and member of the Pop Singers. “I also really enjoyed the show Rent, so I really liked ‘Seasons of Love.’ I really

liked our opening number, ‘Lullaby on Broadway.’ ” From the large choral pieces to the most touching of solos, the entire concert was well-received. Individuals who had never before experienced the vocal talents of the UST Voice Program thoroughly enjoyed the performance. “Matthew Kent’s ‘A little bit of earth’ or ‘A Bit of Earth’ [was] absolutely phenomenal,” said Norton. “Then also with Diane [Mueller] and Teresa [Wells], when they sang “Marry the Man”; that was very fun to watch. I also loved the ‘Do, Re, Mi’ song; those guys were adorable.” In the case of “DoRe-Mi,” the four male vocalists from the ensemble pantomimed their own signs for the Solfage notation of Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, and Do. The antics of the four “boys” and other performers garnered praise for all of the UST vocalists, which crossed over to the University Singers, as well as the Pop Singers. “Both University Singers and Pop Singers are very, very good groups. I definitely enjoy going to both kinds of

performances,” said Norton. “The Pop Singers [Concert] was fun just because it was more of a modern type of music and everyone is familiar with the songs. It’s more of a lighter atmosphere, I guess, because it’s just a fun environment.” The vocalists enjoyed the time they spent together, learning how to create a beautiful combination of sound to cheer any and all audiences. “I just think that it’s really fun in general, and it’s a really great stage experience if you’re into that kind of performance,” said Opong. The Pop Singers and other musical ensembles encourage students to join the ensembles, in order to progress in their musical abilities and gain a better appreciation for the performance experience. “I’ve found that it really brings people out of their shells, ‘cause they’ll go in and they’ll be into the idea, but they’re not really used to performing or they’re stage shy, and they really come out during the course of the semester, and it’s nice to see people grow.”

CROSS Continued... to join in each year. “This was my first time I attended the event and I will be sure to attend it in the future,” said Bedell. “I was just one of many who decided to attend the event to listen to the Word of God and to walk to each place we attended.” The route for the Way of the Cross procession included several stops along the way to the Co-Cathedral, with each location offering an opportunity for a brief reflection and prayer led by members of the assembled people. The stopping points included the Edward P. White Memorial fountain on the edge of the UST campus, Holy

Rosary Catholic Church, and the Catholic Charities Center. “I gave a reflection on the Agony in the Garden,” said Fr. Pilsner. “Essentially, my point was that Jesus did his Father’s will – he said, ‘not my will, but thine be done’ – even at the ultimate cost. Jesus taught us to pray, ‘thy will be done,’ and we frequently repeat these words, but regrettably, we often find ourselves disobeying God’s will, even in small matters.” Finally, after making their way through the outskirts of Downtown Houston, the pilgrims arrived at their destination. After more than two hours of walking in the windy weather of that Good Friday, they were ready to

enter into the house of God. “The part that affected me the most was our procession in the Co-Cathedral,” said Bedell. “It was a humble experience, and the song that we sang, ‘By the Cross,’ as we entered really helped me to remember what Jesus did for us.” Once the crowd shuffled into the Co-Cathedral, a brief ceremony took place, wherein Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza gave a brief reflection upon the Gospel of John. A choir of UST liturgical singers led the assembly in several Lenten hymns. Then, the crowd received a blessing before being dismissed to return to UST for further Good Friday liturgies.

David Markus News Editor

A Procession of faith

Photo by David Markus

Over three hundred people joined in the two-mile long Way of the Cross procession on Good Friday.

Thursday, May 5, 2011 SGA Continued...

of St. Thomas know about the SGA’s role in University result. affairs. “I need to make people “[SGA] deals with feel, or give them the $300,000 that is contributed to mentality that it doesn’t matter the student activity fee and it’s how many votes; it’s who you probably the most important talk to,” said Torres. “It’s not organization if you want a about getting the least amount change on campus,” said of votes possible to win. It’s Rivera. about going out there and He has set a goal to really making an impact and involve more students in showing everyone that you are the SGA so they can better up for these responsibilities, understand what they do. that you can handle this “We really need to get our position and represent the name out there and it’s through students well.” the efforts of changing things This year’s Elections for the better for the student Commissioner was senior body,” said Rivera. Kailey Posterick. She was Looking forward to disheartened by the voter next year, there are still open turnout as well. She wants senator positions in the SGA. more students to understand There is one position open for how important the SGA is to juniors and one for seniors, as them. well as all four positions for “It always upsets me to graduate students. see how few people come In the final meeting of the out to vote,” said Posterick. SGA for the spring of 2011, “I think if the students knew they decided to hold special what these elections were elections for these positions to really about, your student coincide with the election of activity fee for example, we’d next year’s freshman senators. have a lot more voters.” “[The process’ It was Kailey’s paperwork] would basically responsibility to organize the look like the same election elections and make sure they packet for spring elections,” were efficiently publicized. said Rivera. “They would have Even though she performed a week to campaign and they her duties as commissioner are voted on within a two day well, there was some criticism period.” about the advertising of the The details are not elections. final yet and the packets “There wasn’t much will not be available until advertising and it fell on an the fall semester, but Torres off week,” said Adam Rivera, urges potential candidates the newly-elected SGA Vice to read the constitution that President. “It’s definitely is available online. Students something we can improve should get in touch with him on.” at sgapresident@stthom.edu Rivera expressed concern or through the SGA Senators about how little the students that represent them. an important formative stage BLESSED in my life, when I was deciding Continued... on an academic career, he could be enjoyed by all who modeled for me an ancient were present at the Divine ideal for Catholic scholars: ‘a Mercy Mass,” said Father love of learning and a desire Mike Buentello, CSB. “It for God.’ The Cold War also was my great joy to be the weighed heavily on me and main celebrant at the Mass. my generation. John Paul II’s There could be no better way witness and leadership helped to celebrate his beatification end the Cold War in a way than by offering a Mass.” that no one foresaw.” As the chaplain for the Both reflections upon the university, Fr. Buentello past and hopes for continued showed special interest in blessings in the future fueled the celebration of both of the the celebration. events within the Church. “I see the beatification A few alumni and of [John Paul II] as assurance current UST students also that from heaven he continues helped Fr. Buentello cook to intercede and pray for and serve hamburgers and the Church on earth,” said hotdogs to passersby. Several Buentello. “I will continue of the volunteers offered to call on him in the years their opinions regarding to come as I journey through the character of the newly my priesthood, helpings souls elevated Blessed John Paul II. make their way to Jesus. I “The Beatification of practice my Catholic faith as Pope John Paul II holds deep a priest and it brings me joy significance for me,” said that such a holy priest is with Junior Dominick Aquila. “At God in heaven.”

The Opinion

“The time to win the game is during the game” - Dr. Randall Smith

Take Memories, Leave a Legacy

My Dearest Readers

Rebecca Mechler

Editor-at-Large In merely weeks I shall be returning to the good ol’ United States of America, and even better, back to the great state of Texas. It’s been a long five months for all of us, but it was definitely worth it. I think. Although I can now state with clarity what “homesickness” means, it certainly hasn’t overcast my whole experience. Not by a long shot. This semester has been amazing. You may totally count this article as my endorsement of students studying abroad. It was terrifying to leave home for so long, and to be so far away. At least in the States, you can call home pretty much whenever you want. Not so much here. For one, I’m currently six hours ahead of central time. And the calls cost a fortune. There’s Skype and email and Facebook, but they’re not quite the same as a random call in the middle of the day just to say “Hey Mom. I need to come home to do laundry this weekend. Thanks. Bye.” A common phone call, from experience. But not from England. Because not only can you not call home (or go home, for that matter), you also spend an arm and a leg on washing. But these are just the issues all students end up dealing with at some point in their lives. For me, as I only moved an hour’s drive down I-45 from my folks, I just happened to undergo this experience this year rather than freshman year or postgraduation. Whether spending a full semester at a sister school in another country or joining one of UST’s shorter trips during the summer and winter breaks, take the opportunity

to go abroad. Sure, they may be a lil’ pricey once you figure in tuition, airfare, and souvenirs, but it is so incredibly worth every single penny. You have your whole life in front of you to make money. Then, one day, you may have enough to take an amazing trip around the world. But will you be an active young adult, or a crotchety old dude who’d rather sit on a tour bus full of strangers than climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower with a group of friends? Travel now. Go out and have fun. Explore the USA if leaving the States isn’t possible. Grab a few friends, a car, a rooftop carrier, a map, last year’s Summa Travel Guide (Volume 2, Issue 8) and hit the open road. I know a lot of us at UST are from Houston. Get out of Houston for a bit. We sometimes forget there’s a world north of the Red River and the cotton fields of the panhandle, or east of Louisiana, or west of the Hill Country and El Paso. There’s so much to see and do that it’s a shame that only 7% of our students study abroad. That may be higher than the national average, but it should be even higher than that. I love Texas and UST. I loved them both before I left, but it’s only now that I have truly begun to appreciate what they mean to me. If I never left the city of Houston ever again (which totally isn’t going to happen – I’ve got the travel bug, baby), I know that I have truly chosen a place that I love and people that I adore and didn’t just settle with what was already in front of me. So, even if it’s just for a weekend this summer, go out and see the world outside your city limits. Then come back and tell me all about it. See everyone very soon! For now, cheers!

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The Summa is the official newspaper of The University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. It has a circulation of 2,000 copies. The Summa is a student run organization, whose purpose is to inform, comment, and interpret events of local, national, and worldwide importance. This paper serves as an open forum of student expression and welcomes letters from the UST community. All submitted materials will be printed at the discretion of the editorial board. The Summa is dedicated to serving as a model of ethical journalism, acting with honesty, objectivity, and integrity.

Matt Wood Editor-in-Chief I remember distinctly nearly four years ago when I rolled on to campus in my old ’92 Crown Victoria packed to the brim with all the clothes, books, and video games that represented my entire life. My pride that I was able to fit all my worldly possessions into one car was outweighed only slightly by my concern that I was fighting to keep my clothes from spilling over into the driver’s seat. As I began moving my things into the (late) Augustine Hall and wandered around campus waiting for the first orientation activities to begin, I remember thinking to myself, “Where did the last 18 years go?” It seemed like only yesterday I had been starting my first day of high school. The day before that it seemed like I was graduating elementary school. Now I was venturing out on my own— almost 30 whole miles away from my home! I had no idea how to be responsible and live on my own. I was not prepared. Just like that, in a blink of an eye, the last four years have come and gone as well.

Now I find myself wondering the same thing. Where did the time go? It used to shock me how quickly college had gotten here. Now it’s shocking how quickly it’s gone. Of course, the stakes are even higher now. Before, the worst that could happen was turning my socks pink or getting yelled at by a professor. Now I have to go out in the real world and learn to truly fend for myself. Around this same time the past three years I’d be counting the days until summer. Now I’d rather go through a month of finals than subject myself to neckties and job interviews. I’d eat Crooker’s mystery meat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if it meant I didn’t have to learn how to cook more than eggs. Unfortunately, that’s not in the cards. However, I’d like to think that, as ill-prepared I am to face the mundane tasks that come with being an adult, UST has given me the tools to succeed as a human being. Of course, as Dr. Ivany has noted time and again, the “succeed professionally” portion of the UST mission statement doesn’t necessarily mean heaps of financial success. For the past four years, any time someone asked, “What are you going to do with a degree in Philosophy?” I’ve had to resist the urge to say, “I’m going to take my diploma and beat you and everyone else who’s asked me that over the head with it.” Now, I’m wondering the exact same thing myself. Philosophizing doesn’t exactly lead to a lucrative career. Still, graduating with a degree from UST does qualify you for several jobs right off the bat. If you live off-campus,

your mountains of experience speeding over their pits and perils of our wonderful roads while running late for class might just land you a job as an off-road racecar driver. And anyone who has had to spend more than ten minutes in the Business Office trying to pay for tuition is probably qualified for a career as a forensic accountant. All kidding aside though, I am very thankful for all the real lessons and skills my time at UST has taught me. I know several people who have been to schools like the University of Texas and Texas A&M who have never used a single thing they learned in school. I am very happy to know that the things that UST has taught me about what it means to live well will guide me for the rest of my life. I can honestly say that this school has given me the tools to lead, think, communicate, and succeed. Obviously, every one of us will have a different experience here. My recommendation to those who will still be here is that you will get out of it as much as you put into it. Be the change you want to see in the university! The reality is, whether you realize it or not, this school has a lot to offer. I think each of us owes it to this community to do what we can to leave it better than we found it. After working on the school newspaper for three years, looking back I would like to think that, in some small way, I have contributed to this school. At the very least, the Summa house is still standing. What will you leave behind for future classes when you walk across that stage?

Regarding the article entitled “Go ‘Stros! Go Away.” by Chelsea Ferramosca in the previous issue of The Summa, the author felt that the title chosen and edits made by the editors did not reflect an accurate depiction of her true opinion. The article, which was originally titled “Go ‘Stros!” was intended to be a positive message. Jeremy Heallen • Faculty Advisor Matt Wood • Editor-in-Chief Katie Thomson • Managing Editor Bradley Basker • Business Manager David Markus • News Editor Anthony Pejerrey • Opinion Editor Michael Brannon • Features Editor Katie Thomson • Entertainment Editor Katie Jahangiri • Sports & Clubs Editor James Ramos • Photography Editor

Staff Writers & Photographers Natasha Alvarez • Chelsea Ferramosca Laura Gonzalez • Stephanie Hernandez Anum Khan • Sean Kriger Sarah McDonnell • Brien O’Donal Matthew Ramirez • Sasha Stinner-Trimble Becky Tapia • Matthew Weatherford Editor-at-Large Rebecca Mechler Webmaster Lauren Cooper Ad Sales Representatives Jenny Ayala • Emilio Gonzales

Opinion

The Summa

The Promise of Embryonic Stem Cells

Chelsea Ferramosca Staff Writer Stem cell research is always a touchy subject. On one side of the argument you have the idea that taking an embryo with the potential to become a child then destroying it for science is murder. On the other side you have the possibility that the research garnered from these cells could lead to a cure for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or any number of other diseases that typically end with a funeral. My argument lies somewhere between these two. I do believe that life begins at the moment of conception, and it is murder to destroy an embryo that has the potential to become a child. But what if that potential will never be fulfilled? What if losing a child is out of its family’s

and doctor’s hands? Then shouldn’t the family be able to choose what happens to their baby? I think so. A common misconception about embryonic stem cell research is that the stem cells are only taken from abortion, which I am against. Although they are sometimes taken in this way, they can also be taken from miscarriages or from embryos that go unused after in vitro fertilization. In these cases, I think the mother should get two options: lay it to rest, or give it to the scientific community. I do not have a problem with a family choosing either of these options, but personally, I would choose the latter. Embryonic stem cells are important for a couple of reasons. They allow scientists to study the process a cell goes through as it replicates more accurately than ever before; and they also show promise for treating many different illnesses and symptoms. Stem cells have these benefits for a simple reason: they are onesize-fits-all. This means that they can grow into virtually every type of specialized cell found in the body. For example, they can be grown into liver cells, blood cells, kidney cells, neurons, and so on. This pleuripotency, or ability to become many types of cells, is what allows

embryonic stem cells to have the possibility of curing diseases such as diabetes and severe symptoms such as paralysis. Much research has been accomplished in the area of paralysis. It was found that stem cells could be used to repair spinal cord damage, allowing a paralysis victim to regain certain abilities that they had lost. I do not think embryonic stem cells should be taken from abortions, but then again, I do not think there should be any abortions. I do, however, think that a family that loses a child to miscarriage or is unable to use all of the embryos taken for in vitro fertilization should get to decide what their child’s fate will be. Many families would probably decide that they want to lay their child to rest in peace. However, others might decide that they do not want their child’s death to be in vain. I am not a mother and I have never suffered a miscarriage, but if I had, I think I would want my child to be able to contribute to the world in the best way possible. I would not want him or her to just become a sad memory for me and my family. If my child could make a significant contribution to curing Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, or any other disease, I would be one proud mother.

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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Where There is Hope

Anthony Pejerrey Opinion Editor Listen carefully to the media when they have news on “stem cell research.” If it happens to be embryonic stem cells that have led to a breakthrough (which they rarely do), the media will be sure to say “embryonic.” But if it is adult (somatic) stem cells, or the new Induced Pleuripotent Stem Cells (IPSCs), the media will merely say “stem cells” and hope you think “embryonic.” It is obvious how this media bias leads to the grand misunderstanding that embryonic stem cells are a great boon to mankind, when in fact they have never benefitted a single human up to date. Adult stem cells have repaired spinal cords, re-grown kidneys, and performed countless other medical marvels, yet the general population regards these as embryonic successes. Why will the media frame it this way? As always, the answer is money. The money goes to embryonic stem cell research. Again, why? Because the doctors who patent embryonic techniques can be sure that they own the rights to the cells they use. Adult stem cell procedures are made from the person’s own cells, so the doctor does not own the cells. Think about what this means. A doctor who is experimenting on an embryo, whatever its origin, believes that he has the right to perform unspeakable acts to that (genetically, and logically) human person. And the company paying him considers the embryos to be property. Slavery. A human being can be owned by no other, and is beholden to no other without consent. Yet embryos are spoken of as being owned, as property, both by the parents of in vitro babies and the doctors and researchers who use them in experimentation.

Further, they are not, and cannot be asked for consent. So the conclusion should be clear from the present contradiction: embryos, as human persons, are not the kind of thing that can be owned for any purpose. And even if they are not considered property, they are not the kind of thing that ought to be mutilated for any purpose. So do not treat them as such. The media brands this bioethical view as being against science and technology. But we are not Luddites: what we propose is the opposite of scientific lockdown. Rather, we ought to fund the more promising areas of stem cell research: Somatic and Induced Pleuripotent Stem Cells. Somatic stem cells come from the stem cells already found in the body, and unlike stem cells, pose no risk for immune rejection and less risk for teratomas. They are only multipotent, however, but can become most of the necessary cells of the body. IPSCs are a new discovery, where a normal somatic cell is changed back into a stem cell, then grown into any kind of cell. Neither of these require the death of an embryo for research or treatment. And both have already shown results. So put the money where there is hope. What the opposing argument must conclude, if they are to continue experimenting on embryos, is that embryos, while human, are not persons with rights. So who are? Are coma patients? Are infants? The noted bioethicist Peter Singer carries these arguments to their logical conclusion: even infants up to two years old can be “terminated” for any number of reasons. Because, after all, what is the difference between a child in the womb and the same child a minute later, out of the womb? Or a year? Or two? Not much, to be perfectly honest. The rational person will shy away from this conclusion, but that is the undeniable end. To espouse the separation of “human” and “person” is to espouse the killing of innocent life, to deny the rights of infants as well as the elderly, the terminally ill and the comatose. I urge you to check all of this out for yourself. Avoid the slippery slope. Keep human life, not some quality of life or the supposed usefulness of life, as the highest good.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Opinion

The Summa

Finals Stink: A Professor’s Advice on Exams

Dr. Randall Smith Faculty Guest Writer “Can you do an article on finals and preparing for finals?” they asked me. “How long?” I said. “Roughly a thousand words, and can you have it to us in two days?” So, let me get this straight: I have to produce a lot of writing on a poorly defined topic in an insufficient amount of time for people who aren’t really interested? Sounds like the perfect metaphor for finals! There’s no way of getting around it: finals stink. You hate doing them; we as professors hate grading them. But we do them anyway because, well, they’re important. I won’t go into why they’re important, because (A) no one ever really explained it to me, and (B) you’d undoubtedly find the explanation mostly unconvincing. So let’s just say, finals are a part of life, like death and taxes, so you might as well get used to them — at least until you’re finished paying taxes and dead. So in the mean time, what should you do about finals? Well, my advice as a professor, with years of experience and several advanced degrees, would be this: you should study for them. That will be 200 dollars please. No, really, I’m serious: you should study for them. Now what do I mean by “study”? Well, sociological studies show that when students hear the

word “study,” they think of something that happens the night before an exam. (There actually are such sociological studies. I didn’t make that up.) But these very same studies suggest that such “studying” (if it can be called that) has a very limited value. It can help you with certain sorts of basic information questions, but for anything beyond basic recall of facts, you’re probably in trouble. In other words, as long as what you’re facing is multiple choice or truefalse questions, you might be okay. But since this is college, and since collegelevel work usually involves writing analytical essays or doing word problems that involve actual thinking, then if all you’re planning on doing is cramming the night before, well, prepare yourself for a C or lower. In which case, hey, it’s no skin off my nose. Getting a C isn’t a moral fault. But please don’t come whining to us when you get your C about how busy you were, how hard you tried, how much trouble you had at home, how many of your dogs died, what kinds of drugs your Uncle Frank took before he got sent to jail in Kazakhstan where he was beaten up by a gang of very tough Azerbaijani thugs (we’ve heard it all). We’ve had students at UST who have had over a half dozen grandparents die — at least one every time

finals are coming up or a big assignment is due. After years of hearing stories and excuses, my advice would be this: Please call all your relatives right now and let them know that you’ve got finals coming up. Finals are, it seems, a very dangerous time for the relatives of college students. More relatives of college students seem to fall seriously ill, get into automobile accidents, or have heart attacks and strokes during the last two weeks of a semester than at any other time of the year. I’m just glad I don’t have any collegeaged children; my chances of having something terrible happen to me at this time of the year seem dramatically better without them. So, if “studying” isn’t something you do right before the exam (as everyone assumes), then what is it? Well, let me make a very controversial suggestion (indeed, almost unthinkable): namely, that “studying” is something you should be doing throughout the semester. Let me further propose to you what seems (to some) to be a rather odd notion: namely, that course work is something that should be finished during the semester. It never ceases to amaze me the people who come to my office after the semester is over to ask what they can do about their grade. Asking a professor what can be done about your grade after the semester is over is a little like asking the ref what can be done about the final score after the game is over. Work harder next time? Get better? Practice more? One hates to seem crabby or ill-tempered, but the plain truth is: the time to win the game is during the game. And you prepare yourself to win the game not the night before the game is played, but with lots of hard work and practice in the weeks and months that lead up to the game. Now, I know that many students have got it into their minds that there’s “school” and then there’s “real life,” and while it may be true in “real life” that you have to practice and prepare and develop skill, “school” is mostly just a “game” of a different sort — a game that primarily involves figuring out what the teacher wants, or wheedling out of the teacher what you want. However true that might have been in high school, this is college, and to be honest, what most of us want is some good

basic prose, clear writing that isn’t a chore to read, and a few interesting thoughts. So, if you want to delight your college professors beyond belief, learn to write and think. Unfortunately, that’s not a skill that can be mastered the night before an exam. Be that as it may, it’s pretty late in the game, and you might be asking yourself: “Does this guy have any advice for finals other than “You should have started studying twelve weeks ago”? Not much, actually, except for this: When you’re studying for finals, you should start out by trying to get a sense of the whole. What you want is to be able to see how the various parts fit together within the overall structure of the whole. And then you want to allow the basic framework or structure of the course help you to organize the vast, chaotic mass of material you’ve got swirling around in your brain into meaningful segments. For many people, once you’ve given them a “clue” or a “prompt” to jog their memory, then a whole host of stuff will flow out — stuff they never imagined they could recall. But they must have the key word that triggers their memory, or they’ll just draw a blank. That is why people use mnemonic devices such as “Old People From Texas Eat Spiders (O, P, F, T, E, S) to remind them of the bones in the skull (Occipital, Parietal, Frontal, Temporal, Ethnoid, and Sphenoid) and to stay away from old people in Texas. I’ve known students who have gone into finals not knowing the titles and authors of the books they were assigned that semester. What is that? You think you’re going to write an A essay because you can put together a few vague recollections from the mass of material you were asked to read? Not going to happen. So you might start by at least writing down the titles and authors of all the books and articles you were assigned to read during the semester. You’d be surprised how much that alone will help. And then, after you’ve written down the titles and authors, make sure you know the basic thesis of each one of those works and the major points. It doesn’t take much skimming to be able to get these things. Let the book’s author and editors help you. Pay special attention to chapter titles and the major divisions and sub-divisions of

the book. Write down the titles of all these divisions if the author or editor has provided them. And make sure you pay special attention to italicized phrases and places where the author has said things like: “Now here’s the basic point,” or “I can’t stress this enough!” Many students seem to think they can get away with the “game” of school they learned in high school, which involved going to class, “getting the notes,” and then cramming with them the night before the exam. Too many students seem to think they can get through their exams without doing any of the reading. Bad idea. When I ask an essay question, I don’t necessarily want to hear my own words from class echoed back to me. In fact, I usually find that pretty annoying because it usually implies that the student didn’t do the reading. If you’re one of those students who is constantly trying to “figure out what the teacher wants,” let me assure you, what most of us want is a clear, well-argued essay that shows some real thought. And to do that, you’ll need to do more than just memorize some dissociated “factoids” from here and there in the notes to throw into a jumbled, confused mess of an essay that doesn’t really say anything. Rather, you’ll need to get some sense of the context within which those “factoids” are meaningful. That’s what I meant above when I said you “need to get a sense of the whole.” And quite frankly, that is why we give you finals that are, by university regulation, comprehensive: because we want you to review the material in such a way that you see “the big picture.” We want you to be able to “see the whole” and see the parts in relation to the whole. Then we hope you’ll be able to say to yourself: “Aha, now I get why the professor did it that way. Now I see what she was driving at. Now I get it.” If you can do that, no matter what grade you get, you will have succeeded in studying for your finals. But don’t get me wrong: finals will still stink. Be that as it may, please know that we’re all rooting for you. Seriously, we are. We all hate grading lousy finals. It’s depressing, and it takes too long. So for our sakes, if not for your own, please study. And next semester, start earlier.

The Summa

The Features

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Cinco de Mayo: For some a day of pleasure, for some a day of culture Becky Tapia Staff Writer Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not the Mexican equivalent to the Fourth of July. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin. Cinco de Mayo has its roots in the French occupation of Mexico. The French occupation took place in the aftermath of the MexicanAmerican War of 1846-48, the Mexican Civil War of 1858, and the 1860 Reform Wars. These wars left the Mexican Treasury in ruin and nearly bankrupt. On July 17, 1861, Mexican President Benito Juárez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt payments would be suspended for two years, with the promise that after this period, payments would resume. In response, France, Britain, and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew, but France, at the time ruled by Napoleon III, decided to use the opportunity to establish a Latin empire in Mexico that would favor French interests,

Photo courtesy Alan English

the Second Mexican Empire. Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large French force and driving President Juárez and his government into retreat. Moving on from Veracruz towards Mexico City, the French army encountered heavy resistance from the Mexicans near Puebla, at the Mexican forts of Loreto and Guadalupe. The 8,000-strong French army attacked the much poorer equipped Mexican army of 4,000. Yet the Mexicans managed to decisively crush the French army, the best army at the

time, and one that had not been defeated for almost 50 years. The Battle of Puebla was important for at least two reasons. First, although considerably outnumbered, the Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army. The 4,000 Mexican soldiers were greatly outnumbered by the well-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for almost 50 years. It is also significant because since the Battle of Puebla no country in the Americas has been invaded by a European military force. As you can see, this is

a proud day for anyone of Mexican heritage. That being said, most of you are interested in the celebrations (read: drink specials) around town, so here you go. Miller Outdoor Theatre will host a parade downtown, Mariachi music, and musical performances in Hermann Park. On Saturday, May 7, the Tornados Running Club will host its 7th Annual Cinco de Mayo 5K Run/Walk and Kid’s 1K,. Bring the family for an early morning Saturday run or walk celebrating the Hispanic community in the Greater Houston Area. Race

proceeds provide educational scholarships for Hispanic students and support the Neighborhood Centers, Inc. The event will take place in Historic East End, Houston, Texas, 77003 on a certified out-and-back course through city streets. The start is near Navigation Blvd. and Canal St. It runs into downtown on Franklin and then out on the Elysian Viaduct before returning. For more information, go to www. tornadosrunningclub.com On May 7, Northline Commons will host a large (if late) Cinco de Mayo Celebration that will include moon walks, live bands, face painting, and plenty more activities and games for the whole family. Admission is free. For more information go to www. thingstodoinhouston-tx.com/ details-E0-001-038533964-4/ Northline_Commons_ Cinco_de_Mayo_ Celebration_Houston/ Since I don’t wish to detract from the importance of this holiday by telling you where to drink tequila on the cheap, I’ll end by saying that many restaurants around town will have “Drinko de Mayo” specials, including La Tapatia, Chapultepec, La Mexicana, Hugo’s, Berry Hill, and Niko Nikos’. Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Finals week approaches at UST, find out how you can prepare Michael Brannon Features Editor Like it or not, finals start next week. Whether you have just one or six, finals week has proven year after year to be a hectic time of stress and last minute cramming. There are ways to help though. Starting early is most likely not an option at this point, but organization can be just as effective. Organizing projects, finals, test, and appointments into a priority list (based on dates due or importance) can cut down on some of the space in your head. This might make it easier to balance the things you need to know and when you need to know them by, cutting down on the amount of time you spend sorting priorities. Another way to study is to make flash cards. It might seem like something silly that you haven’t done since grade school, but flash cards help tie certain bits of information to others; thus, when triggered by a word or phrase on

Photo courtesy John Robitaille

the test, the information is recalled. Sophomore Andrew Hite uses this method to help him study for any test. “I usually get my study guide together and then I’ll go through the study guide and make note cards for the questions,” said Hite. “The morning before the test I’ll wake up early and just do an overview of all my notes.” While some people find solace in textbooks and

class notes, others are taking a more relaxed approach, confident that they have been studying for the final all semester long. “Study and game,” said Sophomore Brian Bui. “It relaxes the mind, soothes the soul, and calms the nerves.” Bui raises the point that too much studying can clutter the mind and push students off track, sometimes causing them to recall and include information that was

not pertinent to a test at all. One place students can always go to get a little extra help before the big exam is the Tutorial Services Center. Dr. Connie Michalos, the Director of the TSC, has been trying to spread awareness about exams and how knowledge of what kind of test you’re taking can aid a student greatly. “I would recommend that [students] know exactly the kind of exam they’re having,

whether it be objective or essay, whether it’s cumulative or from the midterm, so they can study appropriately,” said Dr. Michalos. “They need to put their time management skills to work as well so that they leave themselves enough time, not only to study but to clarify any questions that they may have before the exam.” The TSC has also put on several workshops in the past. Many of these workshops included handouts, some of which are now available to any who are interested. They will also be open during finals week, although the website should be checked for an updated list of hours. Students seeking help should stop by and talk with some of the tutors. For more information check the website at http:// w w w. s t t h o m . e d u / P u b l i c / index.asp?Page_ID=3528. Although the end is in sight with finals just around the corner, there’s no need to panic. With so many options available to UST students it would be hard to not find help.

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The Entertainment

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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Antlers’ Burst Apart lacks cohesion, but their message speaks higher volumes Matthew Ramirez Staff Writer

I forgot who said it, but I’ll say it again: Rock ‘n roll meant well, but it couldn’t help telling young men lies. One day you realize most of your record collection consists of people with guitars spewing lyrics about sadness or alienation in a vague, unsatisfying way, or taking the opposite tack and vamping guitars and drums to ear-splitting level to yell at young people about lives of which they can only fantasize. These are attractive lies, but lies nonetheless. Rock and roll has been dead at least since Radiohead came along and buried it with Kid A. Recently, we watched Girls make a last-ditch attempt to save it, with varying degrees of success. Appropriately enough, it was at church that I discovered I genuinely don’t even enjoy the sound of guitar; there needs to be something else there. When the Antlers dropped Hospice in 2009, I was in a completely different place, but still found solace in that heartbreaking concept album

about losing someone you love to disease. It told a story about a sickness unto death in a gripping, blunt, but not overwrought, manner. Joyce said, “The sentimentalist is he who would enjoy without incurring the immense debtorship for a thing done.” It’s funny because I always thought the Antlers were sentimental in the best possible way—sincere without embellishment. Burst Apart lacks Hospice’s cohesion and central artistic conceit, but is good nonetheless. There’s no precedent for songs like “Parentheses” or “Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out” in their catalog, tracks that sound like Antlers-as-rock-band. But Burst Apart contains moments of great beauty, like “Rolled Together,” built on a simple chord progression and Peter Silberman’s falsetto (comparable only to Jeff Buckley’s) and the line, “Rolled together, we’re about to burst apart.” The instrumental “Tiptoe” gets a lot of mileage out of a saxophone melody that snakes its way through, and there’s the

Photo courtesy Antlers

opener “I Don’t Want Love,” a mission statement about the sustainability of self: “So if I see you again, desperate and stoned, keep your prison locked up, and I’ll leave my gun at home.” Silberman’s voice is a thing of beauty, in that it sounds familiar but always manages to surprise with its subtlety and depth. “Put your trust in me, I’m not gonna die alone,” he wails at the end of

“Putting the Dog to Sleep,” and it sounds mawkish, desperate, yet self-affirming. Put your trust in me; trust me so I can trust myself. Burst Apart is a great record, but I don’t want it to seem like something it’s not. It’s not a genre-redefining masterpiece, but I don’t believe in genres and I don’t believe in “masterpieces,” at least not in that hokey “five stars in Rolling Stone” way. I only believe in artistic self-

Out and About: Houston in May

actualization. When you start with an album as fully realized as Hospice, where do you go? The Antlers went and wrote a bunch of good songs, nothing more, but for right now, the truth in them speaks volumes. Graduation isn’t the “end” of anything, and I refuse to acknowledge the awkward attempt at euphemizing “graduation” as “commencement.” Everything is in flux all the time, and I’d rather just acknowledge that this is a snapshot in time, that I’ve accomplished something. There’s still so much more out there, and so much I’ve yet to do, because more than celebration or attractive lies built on guitars or movies or naïve but well-meaning adults wishing you good luck and filling you with advice; we don’t want, but need, and demand, truth. And this is just a record, and this is just a record review, but as things wind down here, I find myself happy to be alone at home, safe that I can surround myself with truth, rather than things merely invigorating or scintillating, and empty. Rolled together, we’re about to burst apart.

May 5: Jimmy Buffet will perform at The Woodlands Pavillion May 6: Wilco will be at Verizon May 7-8: Houston International Festival will be Downtown May 7: Rusko will play at Warehouse Live May 8: Tower of Power is playing at the House of Blues May 10: Hollywood Undead and 10 Years are playing at the House of Blues May 10: Kylie Minogue is playing at Verizon May 12: Diddy-Dirty Money will be at Warehouse Live

Photo courtesy Bruno Mars

May 13-15: “Stomp” will perform at the Grand Opera House in Galveston May 14: Slightly Stoopid is playing at Verizon May 14: The Maine and Augustana are playing at the House of Blues May 15: Mustard Plug will be at Warehouse Live May 15: Neon Trees are scheduled to perform at the House of Blues May 17: Bon Jovi will be playing at the Toyota Center May 18: Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe are playing at the Reliant Arena May 18: Carlos Mencia will be at The Improv May 20: My Chemical Romance will be performing at the House of Blues May 23: Primus will be at Verizon Wireless Theater May 27: Manchester Orchestra and Cage the Elephant will be at Verizon

Photo courtesy Kylie Minogue

May 31: Papa Roach is scheduled to perform at Warehouse Live Compiled By Katie Thomson

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Entertainment

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Ke$ha brings “sleazy” to the dance floor at Verizon Wireless Theater Katie Thomson Entertainment Editor If you were able to make it out to the nearly sold-out Ke$ha concert when she came to town last Friday night, chances are you and about 2,000 other fans walked out of the concert plastered in glitter and sweat after experiencing mayhem during the wild pop party performance. The emerging party girl brought “sleazy” to the dance floor when she came to Verizon Wireless Theater during her Houston stop on her tour promoting her latest album Cannibal. Though her lyrics are simple, Ke$ha’s dance beats were irresistible to get into –there wasn’t a single person in front of the stage or on the balcony who wasn’t moving, and the whole place transformed into a chaotic, dancing nightclub-like mob. Arriving at the venue was slightly overwhelming; the 22-year-old Ke$ha’s biggest hits talk about living the lifestyle of a clubbing, partying, wild girl and the demographic of fans who came to the show portrayed themselves to be no different. There was a sea of young girls who all had to be between 15

and 25, and just about every one of them was dressed in high heels, short black dresses, shimmering vests or tops, and tribal headbands. If you didn’t come looking like this or with any kind of spikedup fauxhawk hair-do with an Indian headdress, you were in the minority. At about 8:00 P.M., Ke$ha kicked off her wild 90-minute show in a pitch-black theater only lit up by her glowing glasses that emitted the lightwatts of several headlamps over the crowd. She began the performance singing her song “Sleazy” a cappella to the crowd, while occasionally beating on the electronic drums assembled around her to keep the tempo. The band transitioned in further into the song and the concert-goers got riled up, stewing the craziness that would be unleashed throughout the night. The stage was busy with over-the-top back-up dancers and an amazing set that looked like a three-story-high jungle gym on which the drummer and the lead guitarist played at the top corners, separated from Ke$ha, who performed in the dead center of the structure, encircled by a glowing diamond –I’m assuming the

shape was intended to reference to her lyrics “I don’t need love lookin’ like diamonds, looking like diamonds,” from her opening song “Sleazy.” Ke$ha’s stage debut was followed by one of her many chart-topping songs “Take It Off,” and a few other tracks off of her album. The night was lit up with glitter and confetti cannons, and the crowd only got rowdier when it pushed towards the front to get a taste of the heart Ke$ha brought out, held above her head, ripped open, and poured blood all over herself from during her song “Cannibal.” Some poor (or lucky) crowd member was handpicked

to sit in a chair onstage and get wrapped in saran-wrap while being bumped by a dancer in a costume dressed as something a little more than PG-13 during her song “Grow A Pair.” Her showmanship was impeccable and entertaining as she narrated her set with humor, attitude, and a spoiled-girl persona as she bossed around her stagepartner dressed, and referred to as “Santa.” It was hard not to enjoy the show, even if you didn’t like her music. Ke$ha later graced the crowd with even more glitter cannons and showed off some of her instrument playing talent with a pearly white LesPaul shaped guitar that she

strummed a few chords on, and a custom-made machinegun rifle-bodied guitar that she used mostly for show. Her softer ballad, “The Harold Song” seemed slightly out of place when she chose to perform it in the middle of her set list at the peak of the wild night. The dancers wearing the dinosaur masks while ‘dancing’ in synchronized Egyptian-robot moves during her song “Dinosaur” was a little much as well, but she kept to her image and made sure the night stayed fun, immature, and sleazy –who wouldn’t take an artist less seriously with song titles like “Party At A Rich Dude’s House” and “Blah Blah Blah”? Despite the fact that her lyrics are as effortless and catchy as a more mature version of Rebecca Black’s would be, the production was seamless and the party was infectious. She ended the night during her encore with her top hit “We R Who We R” telling the audience to never be afraid of being themselves and following that statement with a cover of the Beastie Boys’ “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)” –a song that sums up what Ke$ha’s message is all about.

allows you to save web pages for later offline reading on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad screen. This application is great for saving long articles and blog posts you may not have time to read when you find them. The Instapaper Pro application can be downloaded directly from the iTunes store for $4.99 and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices. 8.myHomework myHomework is a straightforward and easy to use iPhone application that allows you to keep track of your class assignments by due date and color to make sure your homework is turned in on time. You can also enter your class schedule to differentiate between homework assignments. You can also see homework entries by using a day or calendar view and transferring homework or class entries to your friends and e-mail reminders. The myHomework mobile application can be downloaded directly from the iTunes store and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. 7. Urbanspoon This app is GPS-based

and finds nearby restaurants and offers rating and reviews. You can also filter your search by cuisine, neighborhood, or price, which is great for college students on a budget. The Urbanspoon mobile application is available for download for free from Urbanspoon.com for Android devices. It is also available at BlackBerry App World for Blackberry devices, and from the iTunes Store for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. 6. Cramster Have you ever wondered how you can get help solving tough questions in science, English, math, and more directly on your smartphone? Cramster, the leading provider of online homework help now has a mobile-application that you can download directly from the iTunes store that will give you access to 800,000-plus step-by-step textbook solutions and the ability to ask experts any homework question using text or a photo taken from your device’s camera so that no matter where you are, you’ll always have help. The Cramster mobileapplication can be downloaded for free from the iTunes store

and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. 5. Dictionary.com With an inventory of almost one million words, this app is great for any college student. The entire dictionary and thesaurus are available offline, with additional features available with Wi-Fi connectivity. The Dictionary. com mobile-application can be downloaded for free from the iTunes store and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices. 4. Brain Tutor 3D Great for Anatomy and pre-med students who can study the brain from the palm of their hand. Learn more about the structure and function of the human brain by interacting with rotating 3D models. The Brain Tutor 3D app can be downloaded for free from the iTunes store and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices. 3. Answers: powered by Yahoo! Answers This application connects your iPhone or iPod touch to Yahoo! Answers, a community based website that allows users to submit questions to be answered by other users. With over 100 million questions

answered you might find just what you’re looking for. Download the app for free from the iTunes store. 2. NYTimes.com Get the New York Times on the go with the NYTimes. com application that brings news, features, and games directly to your smartphone. Download for free from the New York Times Mobile Apps page. The mobile-application is available for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, The Palm Pre, BlackBerry, and Android devices. 1. Chegg Chegg, the number one textbook rental company has been helping students save money off the price of their textbooks. With their mobile-application, you can sign into an existing account or create a new account. You can search for your textbooks by author, title, or ISBN and compare Chegg’s rental price to in-store and retail prices. You can then rent books directly from your iPhone or iPod touch. The Chegg mobile application can be downloaded for free from the iTunes store and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

Photo courtesy Ke$ha

Top ten phone applications college students shouldn’t be without Laura Gonzales

Staff Writer College life means studying, job searching, making deadlines, budgeting, and on top of it all keeping yourself organized in order to keep your sanity. Nowadays, college students have smartphones to help them both to stay in contact with friends and relatives and also to make their lives a little easier by using mobile-applications that are great to have while on-thego. Here are a few apps that I’m sure every college student could use. 10. gFlashPro Are you tired of hauling around stacks of flashcards? Use the gFlashPro mobile application to create your own flashcards and share them with study partners. gFlash Pro can be downloaded from the iTunes store for $3.99 and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. 9. Instapaper Pro Do you want to make sure that you have constant access to articles and new posts even when you don’t have a constant Wi-Fi connection? The Instapaper Pro application

The Summa

Entertainment

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Houston’s Farrago in midtown: world cuisine unfortunately homely Sasha Stinner-Trimble Staff Writer For my last restaurant review for The Summa, I decided to finally sample a restaurant I have wanted to visit for a long time. It is located in my beloved Post Midtown area and is always alive with young, hip, welldressed patrons. Farrago World Cuisine boasts a variety of exotic dishes and fusion foods, as well as sensational wine tastings and excellent martinis. Unfortunately, for all that boasting, the only thing remotely exotic about this restaurant was its live Indie band complete with an androgynous singer and groupies dressed like fairy animals. I think I have actually had better ethnic food from a microwave dinner. I was so excited to taste Farrago’s curry chicken empanadas, a mixture of Spanish and Indian tastes (two of my favorite food genres!), but I was thoroughly disappointed. The empanadas

were fried and dripping with oil, and yet still managed to be soggy in the middle with barely a hint of curry. And the red-pepper “yogurt” felt suspiciously like the consistency of mayonnaise. I hoped, though, the goat cheese “brulée” salad would redeem this Midtown hotspot. It did not. The goat cheese was cold and clearly had not been brulée-d as it was not melted in the least and instead had black smudges of pepper, perhaps imitating flame marks? The “field greens” was simply lettuce, and there were no roasted pecans or tomatoes, and the roasted garlic that was present was mushy. I am not a picky eater, but I actually did not want to eat my food because it was so unappetizing. The prices at Farrago’s were also disappointing. At first appearing reasonable for Houston, and especially a trendy place like Midtown, with entrees between $1520 and appetizers at about $10, the prices proved to be greatly inflated due to the size

Sudoku

Joke of the Month!

Q: How many priests does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: A Basilian!

and quality of the serving. The “crab cakes” cost $8 and only had, in fact, one cake. The martinis, which cost $10, were barely palatable, not mixed at all and clearly made of very cheap alcohol. To make an already disappointing situation worse, the service was incredibly slow and the waiter was very pushy and rude. Overall, I am so upset not to have found another great Midtown café to frequent before a night on the town. I suppose if I want to go to Midtown I will just have to stick to yummy Coco’s Crepes. This restaurant unfortunately gets one out of five stars. Since this is my last restaurant review I will probably ever write, I wanted to thank anyone who read my articles. I love going to restaurants, and I must confess, this love affair was one of the reasons I chose to go to college in Houston. From this year of exploring some of Houston’s amazing restaurants, my favorite by far was Indika on Westheimer. For any occasion

Photo courtesy Farrago Houston

and any taste bud, I strongly suggest Indika; it will be an experience you will never forget! My second favorite restaurant in Houston is Pronto Cucinino on Montrose. It’s my home-away-from-home food. For a tasty Thai treat, I always visit my fellow UST students

Puzzles Corner May Crossword

ACROSS 1. “Oopsy!” evoker 3. Pakistani-language 6. Oscar ____ Renta 8. Banks with an Emmy 9. Washington-based Warehouse club 12. Quarterback Flutie 14. Needle hole 15. Pets on Wheels

17. Largest city in Africa 19. Common teenage emotion DOWN 1. “Play” or “room” follower 2. ____ Bell 4. Barbeque morsel 5. 911 Respondent 7. Cat also known as the dwarf-leopard

at Khun Kay Thai Café for pink pad Thai (because pink is my favorite color). And any time I do not know where to hold an outing, I always go to El Meson for my favorite cheese plate and nachos. So, happy eating UST!

Created By Katie Thomson

10. “Law & Order: ___” 11. Storage closet wood 13. Tall Hat Wearer at Buckingham Palace 16. “Sonic the Hedgehog” developer 18. Rowboat need

The Sports & Clubs

The Summa

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Astros still hopeful despite early regular season disappointments

Chelsea Ferramosca

Staff Writer The start of the 2011 regular season has been tough for the Houston Astros. For only the second time in the last ten years, the Astros began away, playing at Citizens Bank Park against the National League East Champion Philadelphia Phillies. It was also the first time in ten years that the Astros began the season without two of its stars: Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt. The Astros prepared for the season as much as they could with the young team, but a disappointing spring training had fans worried. However, former Astros pitcher Larry Dierker, assured the fans that spring training does not necessarily reflect how a team will play during the regular season. “It’s just Spring Training. It’s usually windy down there and the infields are bone dry,” Dierker told MLB.com, “A lot of balls get lost in the wind and sun. The atmosphere is completely different, don’t worry.” Astros fans hoped this advice was true as the Astros finished spring training with a record of 11-24. Despite

high hopes, the start of the regular season did not start off promising. The Astros were swept by the Phillies, unable to provide run support against the Phillies starting rotation, including former Astros ace Roy Oswalt, Cliff Lee, and Roy Halladay. Manager Brad Mills expressed his disappointment with the teams performance, but refused to let the series define the season. “Being swept doesn’t feel good, but we’ve still got a lot of season left,” Mills told the Houston Chronicle, “They put it on us. We’ve got to regroup and try to find a way to get some wins and come back with a little bit of momentum.” General Manager Ed Wade agreed with Mills, reminding fans there is a long season ahead. “We can’t lose sight of the fact we’re in the early stages of the season and we’re not going to win five games tonight,” Wade told the Houston Chronicle, “We just have to go out there and do what these guys have done the last couple of years when they’ve gotten into rough spots, and that’s show up and play and make the results mean something.” The Astros have

Photo courtesy Houston Astros

continued to play poorly, solidifying a spot in last place in the National League Central. Contributing to this has been poor performances by both the pitching rotation and the lineup. Wandy Rodriguez, Nelson Figueroa, and J.A. Happ have failed to pitch at a major league level, all with an ERA higher than 5.5, while the line-up has failed to produce runs and perform in the field. Carlos Lee, Angel Sanchez and Chris

Johnson in particular have been disappointments despite high expectations. The three have a combined .189 batting average and 12 errors. On the bright side, ace Brett Myers and Bud Norris have pitched better than expected, while Hunter Pence, Michael Bourn and Jason Bourgeois have led the line-up to the fourth best batting average in the league at .272 Still currently in last place, fans have begun to

question the potential of the struggling team. Despite doubts, right fielder Hunter Pence has high hopes and expectations for the Astros. “We’re not happy with where we’re at, and we’re going to continue to go out here and work to get to where we want to be,” Pence told MLB.com, “That’s to win the division and be in the playoffs and have something to hang our hat on at the end of the year.”

Kick off the fall semester right by joining the Martial Arts Club Katie Jahangiri Sports & Clubs Editor We have now hit the end of the Spring Semester here at UST; finals are starting, the campus events are winding down, and students are starting to think about the classes and extracurricular activities they would like to take come fall semester. The number of on campus clubs at UST has grown immensely over the years, and come fall the number is only expected to rise, but whether or not you’ve ever joined a club or you just can’t seem to find the perfect fit for you, the UST Martial Arts Club isn’t just for young aspiring karate masters—no, the benefits are so much more than that. Phillip MacArthur, President of the UST Martial Arts Club, initially became a member because of the selfdiscipline he knew taking martial arts would bring him. “I joined because I knew I was going out into the world, and thought I could really use something to help me in learning how to deal with people,” said MacArthur. “Learning jujitsu has helped

me immensely.” Of course being in an athletic club is going to have tremendous health benefits (and as college students we all know how hard it is to find the time to exercise...) But the mental health benefits are just as rewarding; gaining knowledge, self-respect, and respect for others, as well as overcoming the fear and shyness of meeting new people when you’re in a new environment. “By far, this class has been one of the most helpful in my college career in teaching practical, realistic

life lessons,” said MacArthur. “Those lessons are the most valuable.” Not only does the club have a great purpose, and a small but growing number of members, but the group was fortunate enough to study at TNT Jujitsu, a dojo located in Northwest Houston (about a 30-minute drive from campus), where they are able to study under eighth-degree black belt Torey Overstreet, who has been trained in not only jujitsu, but karate, as well as other forms of martial arts for over thirty years. The club meets at 7:30

P.M. Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 P.M. on Friday, and 8:00 A.M. on Saturday, and members are welcome to come to all of these times. Some of the really important classes that this club offers in self-defense and crime prevention, which is particularly important for young women living on campus or going off to college for the first time alone. Learning how to be aware of your surroundings, and will create a more safe and fun experience during college. You don’t have to have previous experience to

be a part of the club, just the willingness to learn and the desire to make some new friends and have fun So when you get to campus this fall, and you’re looking for a great way to make new friends, come out of your shell a little bit, and get a great workout in the process think about the martial arts club. For more information, or to check out the dojo during the summer, visit http://www. tntjujitsu.com/ where you can find lots of information about the instructor, the building, and the art of jujitsu!

ATTENTION GRADUATING SENIORS Baccalaureate Mass at the Co-Cathedral on May 13 at 6:30 P.M. Graduation Ceremony at Reliant Arena on May 14 at 10:00 A.M. For the full Commencement Celebration Schedule, please visit stthom.edu/graduation

The Summa

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Thursday, May 5, 2011

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