Shake Up the Holidays

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11/1 Colony House 11/6 Prof with Nacho Picasso and DJ Fundo 11/7 Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear 11/13 Niykee Heaton 11/27 The Ruby Revue Burlesque Show

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4 Monday, November 2, 2015

E KARIS JOHNSON Executive Editor

very Christmas Eve I remember hearing the door to my little brother’s bedroom creak open while his footsteps gingerly crept into the den where the tree – and more importantly – the presents were sitting. I could hear him rummaging through the boxes and packages, and then the counting would begin.

“One for me, two for me, three for me…” and on my brother would go, counting his stash of presents, making sure Santa didn’t skimp him that year.

No matter if he went to bed thinking he was short that Christmas or if he was elated that he’d received the most, my brother always woke up and enjoyed Christmas morning as if he had no idea how many gifts he was getting.

So why bother counting?

During the holidays it is easy for many of us to get caught up in expecting things to go our way. Final test grades come in, family dinners never go as planned and our expectations get let down.

The holidays are hectic. And like my little brother, it’s easy to worry that we won’t enjoy the season as much if we don’t get what we expect. But when we enjoy the holidays and all they entail without any expectations tied on, there is always more to appreciate.

So when your crazy aunt volunteers to make Thanksgiving dinner, or when you realize you’ll have to home-make gifts this year because you’re broke, just take a minute and let go of the unrealistic expectations of the “perfect holiday season.” It’s not real. And it’s so much more enjoyable when you stop worrying that things won’t go exactly as planned.

In this issue of Cooglife, we have compiled stories and lists to keep you on track for enjoying the holiday season no matter what life throws at you. Did your flight home get delayed? We have a list of airport boredom busters ready to test out. If you really want to hear some hilarious holiday mishaps, we’ve asked students to share their funniest memories of the season. Flipping through these pages, it’ll be easy to see that

no matter where you come from in life, the holidays aren’t perfect, and that’s okay.

So, stop counting how many presents you think you’re going to get this year. The holidays have enough to celebrate without those unrealistic expectations, and Cooglife is here to help you enjoy the season to its full potential – no matter if Santa skimped you on presents or not.

MON. November 2nd / 11AM−2PM

FREE T-SHIRTS!

Join us for FREE food & prizes

at the Student Center Circle Drive

6 Monday, November 2, 2015

EDITORIAL STAFF EXECUTIVE EDITOR Karis Johnson

(713)-743-5302 arts@thedailycougar.com

CLOSING EDITORS Glissette Santana Sean Alder Mónica Rojas

WRITERS Cristina Tovar Taelor Marquetti Greg Fails Mónica Rojas Bryce Dodds Sonia Zuniga Cristina Tovar Mia Valdez Karis Johnson

DESIGNERS A. Tomic Josue B. Diaz

PHOTOS Justin Tijerina

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Summer Davis, Jose Salazar

SALES MANAGER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 08

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18

Fall & Winter Fashions

Holiday Drink Recipes

Holiday Volunteering

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Holidays Things to Do

DIY Dorm Décor

Cultural Celebrations

Check out Cooglife’s line-up for the newest trends of the season.

Here are some holiday events to explore in Houston.

Try your hand at making one of these deliciously festive drinks.

Have a bland room? Perk it up for the holidays.

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Holiday Break Book List

Ha Ha Holidays

A list of must-reads to keep you entertained over the break.

Got some crazy holiday stories?

We do, too..

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Great Gift Ideas

Airport Boredom Busters

Here are some creative gift ideas on a budget.

If your flight gets delayed this holiday, don’t stay bored at the airport.

A list of ways you can give back this season.

Whether you celebrate Kwanzaa or Hanukkah, here’s a look at different culture’s celebrations during this season.

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Holiday Cut-out

Feel like a kid again and cut out a snowflake...just for funsies.

Callista Brown 713-743-5340 csmadvertising@uh.edu

ABOUT THE COVER

Illustration by A. Tomic Let’s be honest. Houston doesn’t snow. There are those rare times when Houston experiences a few snowflakes here and there, like when we had a whopping 1.0001 inches of snow back in 2009. This cover lets Houstonians and coogs imagine a wonderful world of white snow that could be — a world of frozen bayous as humidity miraculously crystallizes into snowflakes.

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8 Monday, November 2, 2015

Fashion Picks: Sonia Zuniga Photos: Justin Tijerina

Monday, November 2, 2015 9

All outfits pictured can be found at Urban Outfitters

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Dr. Martens 1460 8-Eye Boot $140

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10 Monday, November 2, 2015

Things to Do for the Holidays KARIS JOHNSON & DEAN SUCHY Executive Editor & Contributing Writer

through the unique shops and shows. THE NUTCRACKER BALLET HOUSTON ZOO LIGHTS In city with over a milRealistically staged jousts are held A Houston tradition since its debut From Nov. 27 through Dec. 27, lion people, Houston’s three times a day, and there is always everyone has the opportunity to see in 2012, the Houston Zoo hosts the food to eat. The Renaissance Festival holiday season boasts “Zoo Lights” festival from Nov. 20 the breathtaking ballet, “The Nuthosts a series of themes which run to Jan. 9 (it is closed Christmas Eve cracker.” The Houston Ballet, located everything from 5K runs throughout the different weekends of at The Wortham Theater, has been and Christmas Day). The zoo begins to ballet performances. decorating for the event months in the festival, such as “Celtic Christputting this incredible show on for mas, ” which runs from 9 a.m. to 8 advance, and the festival lets visitors 28 years, and this is the final time There are traditional p.m. from Nov. 27 to 29. Ticket prices that Desmond Heeley’s rendition of stroll through a glittering myriad of events that have been are $30 at the gate, with discounts LED Christmas lights while sipping “The Nutcracker” will be shown in available for group tickets. going on for years, and hot chocolate. The displays offer Houston. Ticket prices range from more than just twinkling Christmas $30-$120. However, this price should there are a few which THE JINGLE BELL RUN lights, including vibrant light proOn Sunday, Dec. 13, over 7,000 partic- not stop you from having a winter are just making their jections and nightly singing perdate or experiencing this magical ipants will join the 32 annual YMCA formances from groups around the experience with your family.

Houstonian holiday Jingle Bell Run & Walk. The event greater Houston area. Admission fee features a 5-mile timed race, a 3-mile DISCOVERY GREEN ICE SKATING debut. Over the break, is $12 for children, and $16 for adults run/walk and a Kids Fun Run. The In Houston, the only thing that don’t stay cooped up with a senior discount of $9.50. race is open to all ages and fitness usually ices over is the roads, but not Admission is free for all Houston Zoo levels, and the festivities include when there is a plethoat Discovery Green Park. Starting membership owners. live music, a costume contest, food Nov. 23, Discovery Green is featuring ra of things to do with trucks and more. According to the TEXAS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL their annual ice skating rink called: friends, family or on YMCA website, the event raises funds “The ICE.” It costs $14 per person, Dust off your medieval garb and for the Tellepsen Family Downpull out your drinking horn before and the price includes a pair of rental your own. Check out town YMCA Annual Campaign, heading to the annual Texas Renaisice skates. You get to skate outside these events that Hous- sance Festival. Started in 1974 and which “helps ensure that the YMCA on real ice in the middle of Houston’s ton offers to keep you continues to strengthen our comheld at an old strip mining site, this beautiful downtown for an hour and munity through outreach programs. ” festival is the nation’s largest renaisa half. They also host themed events busy this season. sance festival. From Oct. 10 to Nov. 29, participants drive approximately 50 miles out of Houston to Todd Mission, Texas where the festival is held. Order a monstrous turkey leg and a pint of beer before meandering

So whether you stroll or sprint, the Jingle Bell Run is a Houston holiday tradition with a purpose. Register online or contact Wade Schrock at 713-659-8501 for more details.

like “Chanukah on Ice,” which will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 21. Ice skating in a beautiful place like Discovery Green with fellow Houstonians is a great way to spend a winter’s day.

Monday, November 2, 2015 11

Holiday Break Book List BRYCE DODDS Sports Editor

With holiday season right around the corner, students are about to experience a plethora of something that’s unheard of in their everyday lives: free time. Cooglife is here to help you find the perfect novel to make your break enlightened.

“Fahrenheit 451” This novel by Ray Bradbury is one of the classics, and offers an interesting perspective on a future where firemen burn books instead of putting out fires. The novel is broken up into three parts, enabling the reader to break it down into easy-to-read sections, but you’ll find yourself quickly devouring the book.

“Animal Farm” “Animal Farm” offers an interesting social commentary, but it’s a fun read no matter how deep you want to look into it. George Orwell is considered one of the best English authors, and the allegory offered in Animal Farm provides an interesting insight into the early 1940s. This instant classic is worth a read or two.

“Tinkers” A new novel, “Tinkers” is the work of American author Paul Harding, and is an interesting perspective on two lives in different states. Following along with life from birth, growing up, mid-life to the last few moments on their deathbed, “Tinkers” offers an in-depth perspective into the human mind. The level of detail and description offered in the novel offers an extreme sense of realism, and works to truly immerse the reader in the setting. Harding does a great job at capturing the emotions of people at their best and their worst, so be prepared for some introspection.

“I Am Legend” While “I Am Legend” is mostly known for the film starring Will Smith, the novel is different from the film. In the book, the main character is mostly confined to his house, and he spends his days drinking himself into oblivion before committing himself to finding a cure. With one main character, “I Am Legend” is another great read for those fond of thoughtful narrative and introspection, all while tinged with an overarching theme of desolation.

“The Sun Also Rises” This book is one of the best offerings from heralded author Ernest Hemingway. It offers an intricate look into the life of a journalist living abroad in Paris, and offers a dayto-day look into a life that similarly mirrors Hemingway’s. The injection of personal experience offers a real sense of liveliness and believability, which captures the reader’s attention and transports them to another time and place, leaving you in the streets of France and Spain in the 1920s.

12 Monday, November 2, 2015

Great Gift Ideas on a Budget TAELOR MARQUETTI Copy Chief

SIGNIFICANT OTHER Make a Mixtape Compile a mix of your favorite and most memorable songs, and burn a CD. This gift will allow your significant other to reminisce on special moments in your relationship. Yes, it sounds corny, but what better cliché way to vibe with your boo than with music?

Make a Coupon Book Make a book of various coupon cards to be used in the future. Think of favors or tasks to include on the coupons, such as one free back rub or their choice of dinner, movie or event to indulge in.

FAMILY Make a Scrapbook For some of you craftier Cougars, you might be interested in making a

scrapbook for your family. You can theme the book by year, event or occasion. Use a combination of family pictures, quotes and decorative embellishments to include in your book.

You can also include any small family trinkets or collectibles to preserve family memories. You can even throw in UH memorabilia such as pictures of games, award letters, e-mails or newspaper clippings. Trust me, parents eat stuff like this up.

Plan a Family Outing Use services like Groupon to find cheap, local events to attend with your family. Plan an outing to see a light show or an exhibit at a local museum. The great thing about this gift is that you can make it as casual or extravagant as you’d like, and can afford, while giving your family the most precious gift of all: quality time.

FRIENDS Event Tickets Now I’m not saying to blow $150 on Lights All Night tickets, unless you got it like that. However, tickets to see a local artist or event are a fairly inexpensive and thoughtful way to treat your friend during the holidays.

Phone Cases This is a little random, but hear me out. People use phone cases to protect their device and personalize it to their style. If your friend is interested in a certain things, such as sloths, French fries or emojis, you will surely be able to find a case that fits their taste. You can get cases for fairly cheap online at sites such as Amazon.com.

Monday, November 2, 2015 13

Holiday Drink Recipes MÓNICA ROJAS Managing Editor

Nutella Hot Chocolate 1 cup milk 2½ Tbsp Nutella 1 Tbsp Cocoa Tiny pinch of salt Instructions 1. In a small sauce pan over medium heat, whisk all ingredients together until well blended and hot.

2. Pour in a cup and top with homemade whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

Broiled Bailey’s Hot Chocolate 3 cups milk 1/3 cup half and half 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream marshmallows 1. In a small saucepan, add milk and half and half. Turn on medium heat and let the mixture warm up. Add chocolate chips.

2. Let chocolate chips melt in milk mixture, whisking frequently. Once the chocolate has fully combined, add Bailey’s. Stir to combine and transfer to oven safe mugs.

3. Turn on broiler to low. Place marshmallows on top of hot chocolate and place mug under broiler.

Keep the oven door open and watch your marshmallows, they cook fast!

Once your marshmallows are nice and toasty, remove from heat and enjoy.

Eggnog Latte 1/2 cup eggnog (or soy eggnog) 1/4 cup whole milk (or soy milk)

1/4 cup espresso Ground nutmeg (optional) Mix together the eggnog and milk and heat up, either on a stove top or microwave. Pour the espresso into a mug and top with the hot eggnog and milk mixture, and stir. If you want, sprinkle with ground nutmeg to add pizazz.

Coquito (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) 1 12 ounce can evaporated milk 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk 1 15 ounce can sweetened cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez or Goya) 1 14 ounce can coconut milk 3 cups white rum (gold rum can also be substituted; see notes below for low* and no-alcohol** versions) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 cinnamon sticks 1 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise Combine evaporated milk, condensed milk, coconut cream, and coconut milk in a large blender and blend until well combined. Add the rum, vanilla, and ground cinnamon, and blend in.

Pour into a pitcher or glass bottles with sealed lids and drop in the cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean halves. Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least two hours.

Serve straight in small glasses garnished or on the rocks in larger ones. Garnish with a sprinkle of cin-

Check out our Cooglife Videos!

The holiday season is upon us, so check out the upcoming Cooglife videos on our Facebook page or YouTube channel each Monday. In this first video, we went around campus and asked people what they’re excited about the holidays with a sneaky nod to Halloween.

namon and a cinnamon stick. *** **For a non-alcoholic coquito, cut out the rum, and replace it with one cup ice cold coconut or whole milk and one cup ice cold filtered water. *** Let sit out for about 15 minutes to thin it out before serving, then shake vigorously.

Autumn Crush 1.5 ounces spiced rum 2 ounces apple cider 2 ounces apple syrup 2 ounces hot chai tea, chilled 1 teaspoon maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg 1/2 cinnamon stick 1 clove 1. Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until combined and chill.

2. Strain into an ice-filled rock glass and garnish with an apple slice and piece of a cinnamon stick. *To make the apple syrup, dissolve equal parts water and sugar over high heat. Grate 1/2 an apple and add 1 cinnamon stick into the boiling mixture, simmer for 10 minutes. Let it cool.

North Pole Strawberry Smoothie 1 package (10 ounces) frozen strawberries in syrup, partially thawed and undrained 1/4 cup water 2 cups vanilla frozen yogurt 2 tablespoons vanilla reduced-fat yogurt 1 strawberry-flavored or peppermint candy cane, about 6 inches long,

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finely crushed Betty Crocker™ green decorating gel 1. Place strawberries and water in blender. Cover and blend on medium-high speed until slushy. Blend on medium speed until smooth. Transfer to 2-cup measure.

2. Wash and dry blender. Place frozen yogurt and reduced-fat yogurt in blender. Cover and blend on medium speed until smooth.

3. Place crushed candy cane on small plate. Pipe decorating gel around rim of two 12-ounce glasses. Dip rims into crushed candy.

4. Carefully pour yogurt mixture and strawberries at the same time into glasses, creating a half-and-half design. Serve with large drinking straws if desired.

Candy Corn Punch Ice 1/3 part Crush orange soda 1/3 part yellow Gatorade 1/3 part zero calorie lemonade Vitamin Water 1. Fill your cup/pitcher/whatever you are using up to the very top with ice.

2. Pour the orange soda in first until you’ve filled about 1/3 of your glass.

3. Next, slowly pour the Gatorade directly on top of the ice and let it trickle down on top of the orange soda until it fills 2/3 of your glass.

4. Finally, slowly pour the lemonade on top of the ice and let it trickle down on top of the Gatorade. *Note: Take care not to stir this drink or it won’t work.

Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Bible Class 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

14 Monday, November 2, 2015

DIY Décor for Your Dorm DESIGN IT, CUT IT AND TAPE IT UP DEAN SUCHY Contributing Writer

Do you ever look around your room and ask yourself: “Why is my room so basic?”

Here are a few cheap and easy ways to decorate your room for the upcoming seasons. There are three main places where you can decorate your room: your window, your door and inside your room. So whether you are crafting for fall or winter, these easy-to-make decorations can make your room feel less bland, and more like a fall festival or a winter wonderland.

Decorate your window with tape art. All you need is colorful paper, scissors and tape. The basic idea is to cut designs and then tape them to your window, but keep in mind that everything you tape up will look opposite from the outside. If you enjoy fall colors, cutting different leaf patterns and taping them up will give your window a beautiful fall look. If you’re excited that winter is coming, then try your hand at making a snowman. All you need to know how to do is how to cut your basic shapes. Don’t let these suggestions limit your possibilities, so whatever you want to create, design it, cut it and tape it up.

TURKEYS AND TREES If you live in one of the residence halls, putting decorations on your door looks really festive. Fire Marshal restrictions you are only able to cover “20 percent” of your door, but you can still do a lot with that space,

like making a Christmas tree out of Post-it Notes. If done correctly, this looks really great. You could have other people put messages on the bottom of your tree like presents.

For fall decorations, you can cut out some hand-traced turkeys. It never hurts to craft like kids do. These trees and turkeys will definitely convince your neighbors of your creativity and holiday spirit.

WINTER IS COMING… TO YOUR ROOM For those of you who don’t care about showing off your creativity, or if you just want to have a bigger space to decorate, then your room is the best place to start. The possibilities are almost endless. If you are good with scissors, cut up a bunch of paper snowflakes and hang them from your ceiling. You can also dress up your refrigerator. All you need are scissors, paper and tape to turn your ordinary fridge into a cheerful snow man.

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Monday, November 2, 2015 15

Ha-ha-Holiday Family Stories

Funny Holiday Stories DEAN SUCHY Contributing Writer

Holidays can be great time to relax, eat and enjoy some good company. You might be lighting candles during Kwanzaa or enjoying a Thanksgiving feast, but for many of us, these picture-perfect holidays are not reality. Instead we deal with weird uncles or crazy aunts, undercooked turkeys, massive amounts of traffic and unusual gifts from relatives we never see. For all those people who have the interesting holiday experience, know that you are not alone.

NEW YEAR NINJA Finance senior Nelda Gomez had to get creative one New Year’s Eve. After going out and shooting fireworks, Nelda and her family returned home only to realize that the power was out on the entire block. This would normally not be a problem, but they were so used to getting into the house by the garage code, no one had their house keys. So Nelda’s mom had to climb on the roof to a window on the second floor and open it. Nelda was boosted in through the window and into the house and proceeded to let everyone in. This late-night New Year ninja stunt won’t be forgotten.

ONESIES AND WEDGIES Broadcast journalism senior Riley Vaughan also had a hilarious experience over the holidays. One Christmas, Riley’s mother bought her, her

brother and her sister matching onesies. This alone is hilarious, but it gets better.

However, she bought them all the same size, and Riley’s older brother was not the same size as Riley and her sister. So the “butt flap” was somewhere around Riley’s brother’s lower back. They thought that this was funny, so he went to sleep in the onesie. However, during the night, Riley’s brother’s crotch fell asleep, because of the tight pajamas.

Their experience is one that shall not be forgotten.

vegetable, and the other one would finish cutting it. Obviously, this did not go as planned. One of the cousins ended up cutting into the other’s finger, and there was blood.

Somewhere in the mess Becki’s elderly great-grandmother decided she wanted to taste-test some of the freshly-cut veggies. So, thinking that the blood was some sort of sauce, great-grandma ate a few pieces of the bloody vegetables. Although this is very gross and not safe, it’ll still be a funny story to tell for generations to come in the Heisig family.

UNUSUAL SAUCE Psychology junior Becki Heisig had an especially gross experience during Thanksgiving on year. Her two cousins were cutting up vegetables together in teamwork effort where one cousin would cut part of the

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16 Monday, November 2, 2015

Airport Boredom Busters GREG FAILS Cooglife Writer

The holidays are a wonderful time full of family, food, celebration and sleeping in an airport because your flight got delayed for eight hours. Let’s face it, holiday travel sucks. So while you’re stuck sitting in the food court of an airport, take a look at these apps, movies and activities to help you bust your travel boredom.

APPS Why bother walking and socializing when you can sit on your phone and not interact with anyone? Here are three apps to help you kill time while huddled next to the wall outlet with all the other millennials.

Figure Figure is a simple beat-and-loopmaking app that is free and provides dozens of different drum, bass and synthesizer samples. A simple,

streamlined interface lets you tap out drum beats with ease. You can distort the bass, or maybe add a little arpeggio to your composition without complication.

The app’s simple interface is Departures easy enough to understand that even someone without any musical ability can make something. This app provides a free way to waste time and maybe even beef up your SoundCloud.

Rhonna Rhonna is a free app that lets anyone be creative. It’s a life-saver when you realize that you forgot to make Christmas cards, or when you just decide want a new phone back-

WIBIT

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ground. The app lets you use tools like masking and cropping among editing tools, font packs and sample icons and images to layer into your image.

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MOVIES

Yeti One of the hardest parts of being stuck somewhere is having no one to talk to. No one is responding on Groupme, Yik Yak at the airport is dead and you’ve already stalked through the Facebook profiles of

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November 18, 4–7 pm

Bring Your Resume & Dress Professionally Location: Campus Recreation & Wellness Center - Multi Activity Court

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November 21

Registration & Payment deadline: 11/16 UH Students - $15 Sponsored Guest - $40

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everyone on your friends list. Yeti allows you to post to a collective campus story and see how much fun is going on everywhere you aren’t.

Don’t worry though – they’ll be jealous when they see how much fun you’re having huddled against the wall because you only brought a 2-foot charger.

SWIM & DIVE MEET

December 3, 6–9 pm

Registration deadline: 12/3 Location: Natatorium

DEPARTMENT OF CAMPUS RECREATION CRWC Thanksgiving Break Hours Nov. 25 (Wed.) 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM Nov. 26-27 (Thur. – Fri.) CLOSED

uh.edu/recreation

Monday, November 2, 2015 17 “Trains, Planes, and Automobiles” John Candy and Steve Martin travel together as an unlikely duo selling shower curtain rings for cash, nearly crashing their car and hitting all sorts of touching family movie moments as they attempt to race home for the holidays.

“Airplane” One of the best comedies of the ‘80s, a cast of characters attempt to pilot an airplane. All the while they are doing gags that “Family Guy” will be referencing for years.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” You get to see Clark and the gang attempt to have a nice family dinner, but as always, things don’t go as planned. There’s a good chance the remake of this is going to fall flat, but the Griswolds’ original adventures are classic.

ACTIVITIES Okay so here’s a hypothetical situation: you forgot your charger in your bag, and there is not a charging station in sight. Now your phone

10019-UH Cougar Life November v02.indd 1

died and you know that Brad saw the message you sent him, and you’re sure he is replying right now – but to no avail.

This sucks for Brad, but not for you, because whether you’re flying nationally or internationally, airports are full of interesting art, shopping and dining for you to enjoy while you pass the time.

Art and Culture Every airport has a unique culture.

The airport is a welcome sign to wherever you’re going, and it’s usually the first, and often only, glimpse visitors get of the city. As a result, they make a concerted effort to attract visitors by making it a mirror of the cities art and culture. Chicago didn’t just put up a life-size replica dinosaur skeleton for laughs, and Houston didn’t put a cow statue in a spacesuit because we like cheese. The city did these things because they reflect their culture and they want you to know that. A layover in a new airport is always a great opportunity to catch a quick glimpse of a city.

Shopping Brands know that if you can pay to fly you can probably pay to buy. Nowadays, airports double as malls — and good ones, too. There’s always an opportunity to shop at brand-name stores, and in larger international airports they even go a little overboard.

You could easily waste an afternoon just window shopping in an airport.

During the holidays, this can also be a lifesaver for getting last-minute gifts.

Dining Airport food! Even Houston’s airport has everything from Buffalo Wild Wings to Chili’s, and there are so many fast food options. When traveling abroad it gets even crazier, with international delicacies and a myriad of snacks and alcohols — even Canada feels like it’s worlds away. It’s a safe bet that, at the very least, when you fly anywhere you have the choice of eating whatever you want. You just have to get off your phone and adventure a little bit.

10/20/15 5:52 PM

18 Monday, November 2, 2015

Houston’s Holiday Volunteering CRISTINA TOVAR Cooglife Writer

Today, charity is popularized as raising or donating money.

According to Giving USA’s website, Americans donated an estimated $358.38 billion to charity in 2014, the highest total in the report’s 60-year history. Though money is a high contribution in helping others, there are other ways to give back to the community without spending money this year.

According to volunteering America, only 21.9 percent of Houston residents volunteered in 2013. Charity doesn’t require donating buckets of money, but volunteering and allowing yourself to give back can go a long way to help those in need.

HOUSTON FOOD BANK The Houston Food Bank has many open shifts at the Portwall and Warehouse locations throughout November. There are no shifts on Thanksgiving, but from 6 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 20 volunteers complete a shift at the food bank, socialize and receive a handout with information on where to volunteer on Thanksgiving Day. Registration is available online at www.houstonfoodbank.org.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Want to help a child in need during Want to help a child in need during the holidays? Decorate and fill an average -size shoebox with toys and supplies. You can also include a personal photo and note in the box. Upon

donating $7 you receive a tracking label and can see where your box will end up in the world. Complete the box and take it to a local drop-off location during national collection week, which is Nov. 16-23. More information on drop-off locations, gift suggestions and box guidelines can be found at www.samaritanspurse.org.

CITY-WIDE CLUB OF CLUB’S ANNUAL THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS EVE FEASTS On Nov. 22 and Dec. 24 the George R. Brown Convention Center will host its annual Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. Thirty five thousand to 40,000 people are expected at this event, and volunteers will be needed for set-up and meal service shifts anytime from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. To register, call City Wide Club of Clubs at (713) 523-1640.

VOLUNTEER HOUSTON – HOLIDAY PROJECT Volunteer Houston’s “Holiday Project” gives a day for volunteers to visit nursing facilities and hospitals to let people know they are not forgotten on the holidays. On Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, volunteers can meet at the Grace Care Center in Cypress or Katy. They are given a map and holiday cards to share with the patients they’ve been assigned to visit.

The “Holiday Project” is a great way to give back and help those who have lost connections with family because of health problems, advanced age and other circumstances. More information can be found at www.volunteerhouston.org.

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Monday, November 2, 2015 19

Cultural Celebrations MIA VALDEZ Cooglife Writer

December hosts a myriad of multicultural holidays, celebrations and festivals, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the Festival of Human Achievement and Accomplishment. While many participate in different celebrations and some choose to abstain, understanding other people’s cultures and traditions is one of the best things that we can do for each other.

CHRISTMAS

HANUKKAH

Mechanical engineering freshman, Marissa Borchering-Foster takes a trip to her mother’s family home where gifts are exchanged. Christmas morning, she opens gifts with her immediate family, all dressed in the year’s newest set of Christmas pajamas. Later in the day they head to her paternal grandparent’s home.

Biology sophomore Ikem Iguh also celebrates Christmas with his family in Nigeria with the final celebration culminating on Christmas Day. Iguh’s family buys goat meat and chicken, with dishes like fufu and jolluf rice. He and his family celebrate the holiday by giving back to the community and volunteering their time to help widows and single mothers. Christmas Day begins and ends with a prayer, with the annual town soccer match in between.

Hanukkah is a traditional eight-day Jewish holiday held in celebration of the “triumph of light over darkness,” hence its alternate title the Festival of Lights. At the center of Hanukkah is the nightly lighting of the Menorah.

During Hanukkah, it is customary to eat fried foods, play with the dreidel and give gifts of money, to children.

KWANZAA Kwanzaa is a non-religious festival kept by many African Americans in celebration of their culture, heritage and traditional values. Kwanzaa is celebrated from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. The festival was introduced to the U.S. in 1966 by Maulana Karenga in an attempt to provide a meaningful alternative to what is called “the commercialization of Christmas.”

Kwanzaa celebrates the history of

African Americans with the five common values of ingathering, reverence, commemoration, re-commitment, and celebration.

FESTIVAL OF HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT Freshman Kaylin Grant does not celebrate any holiday, but would like to begin celebrating the Festival of Human Achievement, which is observed on Dec. 23. “It’s like Christmas for atheists, or secular humanists. Everyone likes a sense of community. Atheists like gifts too.” Grant was raised as a Mormon and upon exploring other religions she found that she wanted to celebrate the Festival of Human Achievement, which celebrates human accomplishments and being together. Grant said because she it’s a lifestyle, not a religion, the holiday explains that a person can be a good moral person without a deity.

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Monday, November 2, 2015 21

Holiday playlist FROM: COOG RADIO

Fa la la Justin Bieber ft. Boyz II Men Boyz II Men plus Justin Bieber for a Christmas carol? This song is the perfect way to begin your holiday playlist. A combination of smooth R&B and soul vocals from both Justin and the old school group will have you feeling the Christmas spirit in no time.

Last Christmas Wham!

Who doesn’t like a good old fashioned ‘80s Christmas song? Listening to George Michael’s smooth voice is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit, even if he is singing about his broken heart.

Santa Tell Me Ariana Grande Ariana is like a mini version of Mariah Carey, but what this pop star has done is make a her very own Christmas song AND video! It may not be your traditional Christmas carol, but is definitely a fun song to dance to while setting up the Christmas tree.

Christmas Lights Coldplay This song gives the perfect post-Christmas feeling, and will have you imagining that you are watching as snow softly falls out your window. Even if it doesn’t snow in Houston, this song can help you imagine it!

This Christmas Chris Brown This song will have you reminiscing the old Chris Brown and the good ol’ days where “Excuse Me Miss” used to play on the radio. Check out the movie and sing along.

Baby It’s Cold Outside Michael Bublé and Idina Menzel Bublé’s deep, smooth voice and Menzel’s jazzy flair will not disappoint in this song. A remake of Dean Martin’s original piece, this is a great tune to play with a fire crackling and a cup of eggnog in your hands.

Christmas Treat Juliann Casablancas In the mood for an impromptu dance party? You might remember this cheerful, upbeat song from an Saturday Night Live skit starting Haratio Sanz with Tracy Morgan, Chris Kattan and Jimmy Fallon.

Mistletoe Justin Bieber Justin’s whole Christmas album was the best thing to happen to all the beliebers around the world. I mean “I should be playing in the winter snow, but imma be under the mistletoe, with you?” You know you wanted to be that girl in the video.

Jingle Bells Sugar and the HI-LOWS You may have heard this catchy tune on your way to get a hot chocolate, or on an episode of Pretty Little Liars. It may not be your typical Christmas carol, but it’s chill and relaxed beats make a great addition to your holiday playlist.

8 Days of Christmas Destiny’s Child Before QueenB there was Destiny’s Child. This song may not have all the bells and whistles of your usual Christmas tune, but is a great R&B adaptation of the original Christmas classic.

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