Housing & Decor March 2024 Cooglife

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Dulce

Cindy

Atirikta

Gauraangi

Mahdiya

Delia

Nia

Oscar

Len

Anh

Raphael

Hey everyone!

My name is Sydney Rose and I am the Executive Editor of Cooglife Magazine, in case you didn’t know.

I am super excited to show you the latest edition of Cooglife, our Housing Issue! Inside, you will find all kinds of stories from personal essays, to some recipes to try, to a “house” playlist that I thought would be a funny play-on-words for this theme.

There is something here for everyone within the stories and the artwork featured in this issue, including a quiz!

The content inside here is for students whether you

Letter From The Editor

live on campus or do not. I personally lived on campus the entirety of my undergrad experience here at UH and created some of the best college memories because of it. I met great people who lived on the same floor as me at University Lofts, I had a fantastic roommate who took on the wonders of living at Cougar Place with me and half of my college stories I tell were set at one of the Cougar Villages.

There are many arguments to be had of why you should stay on campus to find your community, but even if that is not the case for you, I hope you find joy in reading about other expereinces and tips that can apply to an

apartment off campus as well!

Plus, you get to enjoy all of the great work done by our talented writers, photographers and graphic designers.

This issue will be the last “normal” issue of Cooglife this semester as our next will be the popular coloring book! I certainly think we went out with a bang here, and I hope you all agree.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read our work. It means the absolute most!

Thanks for reading,

Sydney Rose Executive Editor

It’s an exciting time to be a Coog! From one end of campus to the next, UH students are being exposed to new and engaging experiences. Don’t miss a beat. Be at the center of it all with Student Housing & Residential Life.

Scan the QR code to secure your room for the 2024-2025 school year!

https://www.uh.edu/housing/apply/

This is Not a College Roommate Horror Story

Meeting my college roommate wasn’t your typical orientation day encounter. It was the start of a journey that began with a simple direct message and solidified over a coffeefueled conversation at Tout Suite, where we would soon become regulars.

From that serendipitous first meeting, our bond grew, shaping our college

Personal Essay by:

Nia Nambisseril

experience in ways we never could have imagined.

Like many college freshmen, I turned to social media to break the ice with my future roommate. We found ourselves exchanging messages, navigating the awkward dance of getting to know each other through a screen. We both made it clear that texting was not our expertise but we still

made the effort to discuss everything from our hobbies to our fears about living away from home for the first time.

Despite the digital barrier, there was a sense of excitement building as we eagerly anticipated the day we would finally meet in person.

That day came sooner than expected when we

agreed to meet at Tout Suite, a neutral ground where we could transition from online acquaintances to real-life roommates.

Stepping into the coffee shop, I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of nerves mixed with anticipation. Would we connect as well in person as we had online?

Spotting her in line waiting to order, I made my way over, with a curious blend of excitement and apprehension. As we exchanged awkward greetings and settled into our seats, I found myself wondering if we would have anything to talk about

beyond the surface-level conversations we’d had online.

But those fears quickly dissipated as we delved into conversation, the words flowing effortlessly between us. We shared stories of our hometowns, our families and our aspirations for the future. There were moments of laughter and moments of vulnerability, each one drawing us closer together in unexpected ways.

“Can you believe we’re actually doing this roommate thing? I hope you’re not a psycho,” she quipped with a playful grin, breaking the ice

with her humor.

As the hours passed, it became clear that we had more in common than we ever could have imagined.

From our similar family structure to our approach to academics, it felt like we were cut from the same cloth, destined to become friends. There was a comfort in knowing that I wouldn’t be navigating the ups and downs of college life alone and that I had someone by my side who understood me.

Leaving Tout Suite that day, I felt a sense of relief and gratitude wash over

me. Not only had I found a roommate, but I had also found a friend (my first friend in college!) – someone I could rely on to share the highs and lows of the college experience.

Our meeting at the coffee shop marked the beginning of a friendship that would define my college years, shaping my experiences in ways I never could have anticipated.

We established boundaries early on, setting clear expectations for our living arrangement and respecting each other’s space and privacy. We each had established responsibilities

and we stuck to them which made it very smooth sailing. Communication became our greatest asset, allowing us to navigate any possible bumps in the road with honesty and empathy.

As the months turned into years, our friendship continued to flourish. We shared late-night study sessions at coffee shops and impromptu frat parties, celebrated each other’s successes and supported each other through setbacks. We even became each other’s travel buddies, going from exploring the bustling streets of New York City to soaking up the sun in Athens, Greece. Our roommate

journey went worldwide!

From that initial meeting at Tout Suite to exploring so much together, our friendship has blossomed into a lifelong connection.

Amidst the chaos of assignments and exams, we’ve created memories that will last a lifetime, navigating the highs and lows of college life with laughter and support.

I know that no matter where life takes us, we’ll always have each other – two friends who found each other in the unlikeliest of places and embarked on a journey that continues to enrich our lives.

Shastas House Playlist: Beats and Bliss

Story by: Dulce Garza

Get ready to turn up the volume and set the mood with this curated list of songs that could either rock the house music scene or guarantee a blast at your next house party — because why not blend the beats and make it a party anthem bonanza?

From iconic classics to infectious chart-toppers, Cooglife has selected a mix of 10 tracks that will be sure to keep the energy high and the vibes electric, so listen up!

Rhythm Is A Dancer 7 Edit by SNAP!

A mix of Eurodance and techno, with distinctive and electrifying opening chords and powerful rolling beats, “Rhythm Is a Dancer” continues as a staple to any decent and credible house music playlist. Pushing past and beyond the ’90s, this iconic song is a must-listen!

The Weekend Radio Edit by Michael

Gray

This dance-pop track is known for both its upbeat

and energetic vibe. Released in 2004, the song features catchy electronic beats and sugar-pop sweet vocals, creating a lively and clubfriendly atmosphere. Its pulsating rhythm and feelgood lyrics make it a popular choice for those looking to hit the dance floor, and perhaps enjoy a memorable weekend celebration.

Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor)

by Pitbull, T-Pain

“Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor)” is your go-to track for an instant party vibe! Drenched in a late 2000s vibe, this dance-pop banger brings the heat with Pitbull’s slick rapping, T-Pain’s autotuned magic, and beats so thumping you’ll feel like the dance floor’s got its own heartbeat.

Rich

Girl by

Gwen Stefani, Eve

A lively and upbeat pop song, “Rich Girl” is infamous for its catchy chorus and fusion of pop and hip-hop elements, proving a sassy anthem that takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to the glamor of wealth. With infectious

beats and playful lyrics, the song celebrates the high life while reminding us that true happiness doesn’t necessarily come with a hefty price tag.

Promiscuous by Nelly Furtado, Timbaland

Flirty and catchy, this R&Bpop collaboration dominated the charts in 2006. The song showcases a playful dialogue between Furtado and Timbaland, exploring themes of attraction and seduction, all set against an infectious beat and memorable hooks. With overflowing rhythm, electronic beats and Timbaland’s signature production, this song can’t help but create a lively and energetic atmosphere perfect for the dance floor.

Talk by Noya Rao

“Talk” by Noya Rao is a mesmerizing electronic track that blends soulful vocals with intricate production. The song captivates listeners with its dreamy and atmospheric sound, showcasing Noya Rao’s ability to create a unique sonic experience that

transcends genres. (If magic were real, it would surely take form in this song, but you didn’t hear that from me.)

Untouched by The Veronicas

A pop-rock anthem that radiates with vibrant vibes and catchy hooks. Released in 2007, the song features the Australian duo’s dynamic vocals, driving guitars, and a contagious chorus, making it a timeless and empowering track that resonates with an undeniable sense of youthful exuberance.

Liquorice by Azealia Banks

Bold and brassy, this hiphop track showcases Banks’

fierce and confident rap style. Boasting a pulsating and bass-heavy production that blends hip-hop with electronic influences, the song’s infectious rhythm, coupled with Azealia’s rapidfire and confident delivery, creates a dynamic and edgy musical composition that stands out for its bold and experimental sound.

Like this by Park Hye Jin

“Like This” by Park Hye Jin is a genre-blurring track that seamlessly blends deep house, techno and hip-hop elements. The song is most commonly characterized by its hypnotic beats, ethereal melodies and Park Hye Jin’s laid-back yet captivating

vocals, creating a unique and immersive sonic experience that resonates with its experimental and boundarypushing music composition.

Gypsy Woman by Crystal Waters, The Basement Boys

“Gypsy Woman” is a classic house music anthem from the early ’90s. Released in 1991, the track features slapping, wet-like beats, uplifting piano chords and Crystal Waters’ soulful voice. It became a global hit known for its catchy melody and danceable groove, turning into a timeless and iconic piece in the history of house music

Story by: Mahdiya Bhiwandiwala

Graphic by: Len Duenas

Recipes To Try In Your Dorm

Deciding what to make and eat every day as a college student can be quite daunting. There are so many things to consider: whether we have the ingredients needed, whether it takes too long to make and most importantly whether we have the right appliances to do some culinary magic.

Most residence halls on campus only have a

fridge, a sink and if lucky, a microwave. With these restrictions, the quest to curate some appetizing and nutritious meals becomes a daily challenge for a lot of students.

In this article, we’ll explore a vast array of dormsafe recipes designed to suit the constraints of living in a residence hall on campus.

Microwave Egg-Fried Rice

Yep, you read that right! Even if you don’t have a stove, you can make egg-fried rice in a microwave. Egg-fried rice is a relatively healthier meal to make and tastes delectable.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need: two cups of instant microwave rice, one cup of mixed vegetables, two large eggs, two tablespoons soy sauce, one teaspoon granulated garlic, half a teaspoon of five-spice powder, one stalk green onions, a pinch

of salt, one teaspoon sesame seed oil (optional) and sesame seeds for garnish (optional).

The recipe suggests not setting your microwave at full power to avoid overcooking the rice. It also advises to keep mixing the rice throughout the cooking process to ensure each grain is evenly cooked.

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The recipe is meant to serve two people.

Greek Yogurt Parfait

If you’re craving a little healthy snack during the middle of the day or want a delicious breakfast meal, you can always rely on a scrumptious Greek yogurt parfait!

Here are the ingredients you’ll need: three-fourths cup plain Greek yogurt, one-fourth cup mixed berries, one-fourth cup readymade granola and honey or maple syrup for drizzles.

You can make this by layering the yogurt and fruits which is so easy

to put together.

The best part of this recipe is that it only requires a fridge to store the parfaits, and this way, you can make some in mason jars ahead of time to easily grab a bite before leaving for class. How convenient is that?

Cilantro Lime Rice

If you have a community floor kitchen that you can use, you can try making some tangy cilantro lime rice with the help of your roommates and make it a fun activity for all to try together!

Loaded Hummus Pitas

If you enjoy Mediterranean dishes, you will certainly enjoy a loaded hummus pita as your next lunch!

Here are the ingredients you’ll need: half a cucumber, one cup cherry tomatoes, onefourth of a red onion, eight kalamata olives (or any olives of your choice), one tablespoon chopped parsley, two ounces crumbled feta cheese, four pitas, one cup hummus, two teaspoons olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. This recipe creates

four pitas, so you can share some with your roommates as well! You only need a chopping board for this recipe to chop all the vegetables. Making these pitas is very easy. After you chop all the vegetables, you spread hummus on the pitas and garnish them with the vegetables, crumbled feta and olive oil. Simple and sweet!

You can customize the vegetables based on your availability and tastes.

Chocolate Mug Cake

Here are the ingredients you’ll need: one cup rice (whichever you like), one-third cup of cilantro, one teaspoon of red pepper, half an onion (white or red) and two cups of vegetable or chicken broth.

You can find the detailed step-by-step instructions along with a video tutorial here! You can accompany your fresh rice with any gravy or other sides to elevate it further. This recipe has some nutritional value.

From time to time, we all have sweet cravings to fulfill. Luckily, making easy and rich mug cakes in the microwave is the solution for all those cravings. Here are the ingredients you’ll need: three tablespoons of allpurpose flour, two tablespoons of granulated sugar, one and a half tablespoons of cocoa powder, one-fourth teaspoon baking powder, three tablespoons whole milk, one and a half tablespoons vegetable oil, a pinch of salt and

one tablespoon peanut butter.

Mix all the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and whisk until it’s all combined.

Microwave the batter for around 70 seconds and enjoy!

Once again, you can replace the peanut butter with other flavors that you like, whether it be Nutella, lotus biscoff spread or even Oreos and chocolate chips. You can make it just the way you like!

Top 10 Dorm Essentials

Story by: Delia Grantham

Graphic by: Len Duenas

Living away from home can be an eye-opening experience for university students. Many mixed emotions are present on move-in day when given a new, blank space. Here are 10 essentials that can improve organization, the overall experience of living on your own and representing your personality in unique ways!

LED Mirror

A good versatile LED mirror serves many benefits. It can help increase energy and mood by being illuminated in the early mornings. Most mirrors have the ability to adjust the brightness, allowing the mirrors to cater to your daily needs and environment.

Improved visibility is also a plus, and the lights are helpful for doing makeup, shaving or getting ready for a long day on campus.

Shower Caddy

A shower caddy is an important bathroom essential if you want to maintain organization and get the best out of a confined dorm bathroom. Shower caddies can help save space in the shower, whether you dorm alone or live with a roommate. With all your personal belongings organized into one space, it also prevents lost or misplaced items.

Charging Station

A charging station can be essential for organization, minimizing wires being displayed and even the risk of not seeing them until it’s too late!

Charging stations can hold two to five items, depending on what you may have. By using one outlet instead of numerous for every item, or an extension cord (which are prohibited), the charging station can also be outlet efficient.

Tapestries and Posters

Who wouldn’t want to

represent their true self while living in a home away from home? Tapestries and posters are a perfect way to show your personality, interests and even personal artwork.

The policy for dorms is to make sure these items are not hung up by the use of nails, screws or staples. Blue painter’s tape or 3M Command Strips are acceptable ways to display the decor.

Streaming Device

While some of the dorm televisions are not “smart,” you can make them one by buying an outsourced extender to access your favorite TV shows. The Amazon Firestick, Roku Stick and Apple TV are efficient ways to connect to your favorite streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu and hundreds more.

These streaming services also include screen mirroring, allowing you to share your phone, tablet or laptop screen. You can even use gaming consoles such as the PlayStation 4 or 5, or the Xbox One to stream content.

First-Aid Kit and Medicine

The thought of a first-aid kit may not immediately come to mind when moving into a new apartment; this is due to always having quick access to bandaids, gloves and more when living in a home with parents or guardians.

Not only is a first-aid kit essential for yourself, but it can serve as a crucial item for your

roommate and neighbors.

Just like a first-aid kit, medicine is crucial to have in a dorm. You should aim to get medicine for every type of illness, even the ones that may be least expected. If you have prescribed medication, be sure to switch where the medicine gets delivered; if it’s a pharmacy near your previous residence, switch it to a pharmacy near the University.

Water Filter

Filtering water can relieve the cost of buying water daily, or in big packages from the store, saving students lots of money. Filters can also give students improved water quality, essential for washing your face or hair.

Laundry Backpack

A laundry backpack is ideal for carrying large amounts of clothes from your dorm to the laundromat. Most have multifunctional sleeves and pockets that are great for storing preferred laundry detergent and fabric softeners. These roomy backpacks can also be used for carrying other items such as groceries, new clothes and small appliances.

Dry-Erase Board

Organization and time management are key in college! By having a dry-erase board, you can plan out your week, study times, what’s for dinner and more. It can also be used to coordinate messages or small reminders with your roommate.

Moody Marriage: Life For Faculty-In-Residence

At Moody Towers

Story by: Atirikta Kumar

Photo by: Oscar Herrera

If you have seen two English mastiffs being walked on campus, they are probably accompanied by Moody Towers Faculty-in-Residence, Scott Gilbertson or his wife Michelle Gilbertson.

The chemistry professor and the associate dean of faculty affairs in the College of Natural Science and Mathematics, has been a FIR at Moody Towers for three years. He lives with his wife and two English mastiffs on campus after both his kids graduated from high school and left for college.

“We’re kind of empty nesters. And so, my wife likes to say that we decided to fill our nest up again by living on campus with students,” Gilbertson said.

Gilbertson’s wife is an

assistant chair in the Chemistry Department at Rice University and serves as Gilbertson’s full partner in the Faculty-in-Residence program.

“Our situation is somewhat unique in that we’re really copartners in doing this,” Gilbertson said. “My wife, she’s on a non-tenure track faculty at Rice, but she really identifies with UH. We have season basketball tickets. She’s become a Coog in many ways.”

Michelle is there at every event they have at Moody Towers, whether it’s tutoring or having dinner with students, Michelle is intimately involved, Gilbertson said.

“It’s important to recognize that because we both are really intimately involved in this, it’s kind of a two-for-one, in that case,” Gilbertson said.

This is not the first time Gilbertson and his family have lived on campus, while he was a professor at Washington University in St. Louis, Gilbertson was the Faculty-in-Residence for three years before leaving the University.

Growing up in a small town in Wisconsin, Gilbertson is accustomed to living in a tight-knit community. For him living on campus reminds him of his small-town community, Gilbertson said.

“I stop at Cougar Grounds to get coffee and I have gotten to know a number of the people there who are sort of regulars,” Gilbertson said. “So, it’s kind of fun, it’s very much like being in a small community and that you get to talk to people and bump into people.”

Living on campus for faculty is not much different than a student living on campus. However, instead of living in a traditional dorm, the Gilbertsons live in an apartment built within Moody Towers. To connect better with students, the Gilbertsons open up their

home to students to come in and have a snack.

“One of the programming things we do is during finals week. We’ll have cookies and coffee and then at Christmas time, we do spiced cider,” Gilbertson said. “Students come in, we have an open house.”

The Faculty-in-Residence program was created to strengthen the connection between the students’ academic and residential learning experiences, according to Student Housing and Residential Life.

As the FIR, the Gilbertsons’

plan to participate in events to encourage students to connect with them.

“So, every Monday, we go to dinner with a different floor. We announce that we’re going and encourage the RAs to invite their residents to come along,” Gilbertson said.

Every month they try to have an educational or fun event planned for the residents. In the past they have held pool tournaments, game nights and resume workshops.

Every Wednesday the Gilbertsons hold a “smart cookies” event to hand out treats to students passing by.

Navigating Meal Plans on Campus

As a college student, choosing what to eat every day can turn out to be more of a struggle than expected. Thankfully, UH offers some options to make sure students are getting fed daily. Let’s go through some meal plans and see which one is best for you!

Unlimited Meal Plans

Students living in residence halls on campus are required to purchase an unlimited meal plan. Freshmen have three options to choose from while upperclassmen have four. There’s the 24/5 Unlimited Bronze for $1,475, 24/7 Unlimited Silver for $2,780, 24/7 Unlimited Gold for $3,040 and 24/7 Unlimited Platinum for $3,260.

All of the plans include unlimited access to Moody Towers Dining and Cougar Woods Dining Commons which have buffet-style foods available.

The only difference between the meal plans would have to be how often you can get meal exchanges, how

much Cougar Cash is allotted and the amount of guest passes you receive. Each meal plan is also only for a semester.

A meal exchange allows you to get a meal from any restaurant in the Student Center including Asado, Chick-fil-A, Panda Express and Mondo Subs to name a few. The only downfall of this exchange is having to wait until 2 p.m. and the lines can get pretty long. The meal plans offered range from one meal exchange a week to one meal exchange a day.

As for Cougar Cash, it’s basically cash that you can use at any retail restaurant, food truck and campus

Story by: Cindy Rivas Alfaro

Photos by: Anh Le

market.

With the new Retail Auxiliary and Dining Center opening up this year, more food options will be available to students including The Burger Joint, The Taco Stand, Paper Lantern and more.

The most cost-efficient meal plan provides $150 in Cougar Cash while the more expensive one allots $500.

If you have Cougar Cash left over from one semester, it rolls over to the next.

Last but not least, if you’re ever feeling nice, all the meal

plans except Bronze allocate guest passes for you to take a friend into the dining hall for free.

Commuter Student Meal Plans

Alongside being able to buy an unlimited meal plan, commuters and UH apartment residents are the only ones able to purchase a meal plan from the Block and Cougar Cash category separately.

Commuters are not always on campus so it doesn’t make sense for them to pay for a 24/7 meal plan

sometimes. With the Block meal plans, commuters can choose between buying 50 or 100 meals that would grant them access to the Dining Halls or paying $250, $500, $1200 or $1650 flat in Cougar Cash.

The best part of Cougar Cash is that you can use it to pay for the Starship Robot to bring your food wherever you are on campus, saving you time in between classes.

Which Meal Plan is Best For Me?

Having to pick a meal plan from all the options can seem overwhelming but it all comes down to your eating

habits. If you plan to go home on the weekends or don’t like fast food, the Bronze option would be best.

The Silver option would work best for people who want more food options without having to buy the most

expensive meal option. It also gives you 24/7 access to the dining halls compared to the 24/5 access provided by the Bronze option.

In between the Gold and the Platinum, the Gold meal plan is the best.

Platinum seems like an overpowered meal plan where you won’t end up using up all your money unless you like to stock up on snacks. The only difference between the two is that the Platinum plan provides $200 more in Cougar Cash and 20 more guest passes.

Keep in mind that

sometimes you’ll also eat off campus during the week for any outings you have with friends.

You won’t be able to use your unlimited meal swipes at the Dining Halls or Cougar Cash on those occasions.

Ultimately, choosing the best meal plan comes down to preference and how often you’ll find yourself looking for a quick meal.

Story by Gauraangi Gupta

Photo by Raphael Fernandez

UH has a number of students living on campus at various residence halls. But have you ever wondered which residence halls resonate the most

with your personality? Cooglife has got you covered with a quiz that will help you identify your “ideal dorm!”

Also, if you don’t live on campus, this is a good opportunity to find out about your dream residence hall too!

Q1: What’s your typical Friday night?

A.Movie Marathon with the besties

B.Going out for dinner

C.Catching up with homework

D.Cooking together

Q3: What describes you the best?

A.I am vibrant and and love socializing

B.I choose my friends carefully

C.I am cozy and introverted

D.I enjoy hanging out and getting to know people in big groups

Q2: What kind of roommates do you prefer?

A.Love having roommates but prefer different rooms

B.Pair of two is always the best!

C.Having a close-knit group of roommates to hang out with regularly

D.Enjoying a mix of social interactions and personal space

Q4: What’s your favorite go-to activity?

A.Going to a basketball game

B.Going to the recreation center and working out!

C.I love Barbecue!

D.Love spending time at the Den!

Q5: What’s your favorite place to eat on campus?

A.I love ordering from Doordash or getting takeout food!

B.Moody Dining

C.Cougar Woods

D.love cooking!

Answers:

Mostly As- Cougar Place: You are someone who loves spending time with your besties who are more often than not your own roommates! You enjoy socializing and watching UH games with your friends.

Mostly Bs- Moody Towers: You love working out on campus. You choose your friends carefully but when you do, you spend all your time with them! You love going for dinner too but would rather prefer eating on campus.

Mostly Cs- The Quad: You are indoorsy and love catching up with homework on fridays to keep those grades up high! You’re an introvert but have a very close knit group and friends and love spending time with them. Barbecuing every weekend runs in your veins.

Mostly Ds- University Lofts: An ambivert who loves spending time and getting to know people in large groups while maintaining some space for yourself.