WOOF Issue 2

Issue II Spring 2012

meet sean casto and see how his creation could affect you

"they stole his organs"

one student’s incredible story of loss and family

music festivals:: where to go who to see & what to wear

midnight train should the MBTA extend its hours?

Editor-in-Chief Marian Daniells Managing Editor Greg Zintz Creative Director Alexa Fay Treasurer Ali Ahmad Marketing Director Marcy Teixeira Chief Copy Editor Chelsea Turner Chief Layout Designer Amelia Rossi Section Editors Kelliann Dietel Jamie Ducharme Angel Feliciano Hannah Holbrook Contributing Writers Selena Burke Hannah Kathryn DeYoung Bianca Gracie Kierra Macdougall Jordan Mandell Kelsey Zimmerer Contributing Photographers Alisha Keshavjee Katie O'Brien Marie Sullivan Š 2012 WOOF Magazine All rights reserved

interested in joining our staff? email us: nuwoof@gmail.com research us: www.woof-mag.com tweet at us: @nuwoof creep on us: facebook.com/woofmag

WOOF | spring 2012

letters from the editors » 3

letters from the editors A farewell from WOOF founder, Marian Daniells and greetings from our new Editor-in-Chief, Kristen McCleary I’m running away to Paris to study for a semester. I’m storing away my collection of expensive shoes, subletting my apartment, and packing up the best of my wardrobe.

I’m going to struggle to master the frivolous beauty of the French language, and people watch along the Champs Elysées. I’ll feast on morning baguettes and midnight Nutella crêpes, and drown myself in wine. And if I have time, I might even attend a few classes.

But fear not; I’m leaving WOOF in good hands. Fresh hands. While I am antsy to run away, these incredible students that make up next semester’s board are chock full of new ideas and an energy that I could never muster.

My friends call me Mar. Pronounced mare.

Like a horse.

Recently, when I was discussing my life and dreams and color-coded plans for traveling and writing, my dad said, “We raised you a wild mare.”

They did; I have a gypsy soul. I inherited from my parents a love and appreciation for different places, food, and culture. And every once in a while I get an itch to run away. Like how I ran to Boston for college, or to New York for co-op. Or, say, to Paris.

In the past year and a half, WOOF transformed from a page of scribbled notes and ideas into a printed publication. It took a lot of manpower and hours to get where it is today, and I’m proud of what I was able to contribute. But I’m also happy to transfer the responsibilities to new people.

I learned early on that WOOF was not mine.

I played a part in it, but one person alone cannot produce a magazine. I’ve had to make compromises throughout the short life of the publication, and I’ve tried (and, one might argue, failed) to learn to delegate.

I once called WOOF my “baby,” but that’s entirely untrue. The personality, the skill behind every picture and piece and poster belongs to others. I’ve given the magazine its inception, its name, and countless weekday nights, but this new board will give more.

They’ve already learned from my mistakes and are making moves to improve WOOF’s position on campus. So if you haven’t heard of us, or if you’re just picking up the magazine now, be ready. It’s taking off.

And so am I. As my dad says, “You can’t put a bit and bridle on a wild mare.”

Woof and au revoir, Marian Daniells Founder

I anticipate great things from them. Sarcasm, diversity, and a desire to provide the student body with a comprehensive magazine. Many of them have been with the magazine before there was a magazine. They know what it stands for, but they know how to improve it, as well.

Hey y’all, My name’s Kristen, and as Marian so graciously stated, she’ll be leaving and I'll be WOOF's new Editor-in-Chief next semester.

To start with a little bit about me, I’m a sophomore journalism major from a little slice of paradise called Ocean City, Maryland, I have an unhealthy obsession with the beach, diet coke and Carly Rae Jepsen (come on, you can’t not like that song), and I have big hopes for WOOF.

We want to show you the real Northeastern.

Not the dry, cookie cutter version you’ll get from the admissions office or the promotional pages of other publications.

We hope to make you laugh, gasp, cry and really take a look at the school you attend, all within our little magazine.

If you like or don’t like something or just want to have a chat, feel free to contact me at nuwoof@gmail.com, or call me. Maybe.

Until next time,

I’m very excited to work with my team, who work their butts off and have faithfully entrusted me with leadership of this magazine, and bring all of you something fun, fulfilling, and, at times, a little over the line.

Kristen McCleary Editor-in-Chief

WOOF | spring 2012

table of contents scoop 5 #northeastern Funny tweets about Northeastern from Northeastern students 5 husky roundup Find out what’s going on around campus 6 to T or not to T Read as two of our own take on the controversy surrounding the

MBTA, rising T prices and earlier closing times

polish 8 nearby eats Where to go around campus for the best food to fit your taste, your mood, and your budget 10 festival style The how-to on what to wear at this year’s hottest spring and summer music festivals

focus 14 northeastern globalization Satellite campuses and international students are taking the

Northeast out of Northeastern 16 under my skin One girl’s tragic tale of how her family’s loss continued long past the funeral,

when they realized her grandfather’s organs had been stolen for money

working dog 18 q&a with sean casto Meet this innovative co-op student with an entrepreneurial app-etite for success 19 say what!? Who’s your ideal boss, and who’s your worst nightmare?

on our cover

student: Sean Casto photographed by: Marie Sullivan to learn more about Sean, read our cover story on page 18

WOOF | spring 2012

scoop » 5

#northeastern Funny tweets about Northeastern by Northeastern students

@NobodyatNUSays: The t-shirt launch girls at hockey games have really good aim @katecharlottel: I must walk under the Engineers arch everytime because I think one day it will grant me a Mario Party esque super power. #northeastern @danjwilets: I swear Stetson West, if the @NUDining site lies about you having BBQ chicken pizza one more time, I WILL EAT YOUR CHILDREN. #Northeastern @missyspitzer: the squirrels at northeastern are relentless beasts

huskyroundup Profiles on four campus organizations

by Kelsey Zimmerer

Senior Class Advisory Board (SCAB) The SCAB works to plan events and activities for members of the senior class. Seniors can finish off their time at Northeastern on a fun and memorable note, without having to take any more notes.

– Kayla DeVincentis, President

NU Eats Take a break from dining hall cuisine and indulge in your inner foodie with NU Eats. The club whose focus is on appreciating, cooking, and of course eating food will host events such as “Fine Dining” and “Food Evolution” throughout the semester.

– Allison Del Plato, President

@AztekGold: Northeastern's "hold" music is so eclectic @RyanP_Johnson: Apparently hipsters don't exist at northeastern. But maybe I wasn't checking the right dumpster @RyanPinkham: Just picked up my #Northeastern Commencement tickets. Only cost me $200K! In hindsight…I probably should have checked StubHub @hayleymiller01: “the whole university suffers if the president isn’t a fat cat” #northeastern Jrn professor layin’ on the sarcasm @Psteezay: Scouting report for all the tour groups I’ve seen today: I do not like what I see

Haute Fashion Linking the divide between the Northeastern Campus and Boston’s Fashion Industry through event planning, networking, and media relations is Haute Fashion. This semester, campus fashionistas can look forward to the organization’s 3rd annual spring fashion show. Also in the works is a student panel featuring students who have had a co-op or internship in the fashion industry and can share their experiences.

– Bianca Gracie, President

NUDANCO The Northeastern Dance Company provides NU students with a passion for dance and performance an artistic outlet. Their show at the end of the semester will showcase student dancers and student choreographed pieces.

NUDANCO is also planning fundraisers for fellow huskies to show their support of dance. ­– Shannon Brown, President

Follow us: @WOOF_mag Blow up our timeline with your #northeastern best (or worst).

WOOF | spring 2012

6 « scoop

TO

OR

With over 50 colleges and universities in the greater Boston area, one would expect the city to carry a notorious party reputation. Ask any student, however, and you will soon learn this is not the case. Transportation, among other reasons, is responsible for Boston’s lackluster nightlife, shutting off service at 12:30 a.m. on weekends.

After this cutoff time, desperate college students compete for the last remaining taxis to make it safely home. The obvious problem in public transportation sparked heated debates recently as city officials decide whether or not to expand MBTA service lines for late night party-goers.

Pro by bianca gracie and Con by hannah holbrook Photos by katie o'brien and Headshots by Chelsea Turner

Manhattan is the city that never sleeps and Paris is the city of lights. Boston may soon be known as the city that shuts down early.

The MBTA received a proposal in December that suggested extending the service hours to 2 a.m. The majority of the trains stop running around 1 a.m. (the last trip on the Mattapan-bound red line stops at 12:50 a.m.). If approved, the new hours can have a positive effect on the citizens of Boston.

With over fifty colleges and universities in Bianca Gracie the city and surrounding areas, one may think that Boston’s metro service would run until the early hours of the morning in order to cater to its growing supply of students who look for a safe way to get home. However, this is not the case.

One extra hour of transportation can make a difference. Students can reach campus safely, businesses can make their daily sales goals, customers can stay longer at the upcoming casinos (which will bring in revenue for the city) and citizens do not have to empty their withering pockets to expensive cab services.

As the debate of service hours unfolded, a heated discussion of fare hikes by students and citizens soon followed when MBTA officials announced that their plans will be effective in July 1, 2012.

If passed, the subway fare will jump to $2.40-$3 from its usual $1.70-$2 fare, according to authorities. Compared to New York City’s standard subway rate of up to $2.50 per ride, this may seem unfair to many people who live in Boston.

Being a native New Yorker who has ridden the subway all her life, these proposed MBTA fares are not outrageous.

Like New York City, Boston is a well-known tourist destination where transportation is essential. Transportation runs on tax dollars, so it is only fair that the fare prices rise if the service hours are extended.

There is one factor to this proposal that is unreasonable. According to Boston.com, the MBTA is in talks of shutting down service of the E branch of the green line on the weekends. The extension of hours should come with the availabilities of all MBTA lines, not the other way around. If the E branch is cut on weekends, imagine buses filled to the brim with annoyed passengers and long, long walks to your destination. No one wants that.

Boston has always been known for being one of America’s founding cities, but even after a few centuries not much has changed. Extending service hours for the MBTA would be the spark that ignites the flame to make Boston a better city. As this country progresses with its social and technological mindsets, if service hours are not changed the Bean may get stuck in the past and fall behind.

WOOF | spring 2012

NOT TO Superficially, an MBTA schedule increase looks like a positive step toward supporting local bars, clubs and preventing drunk driving on city roads. A deeper look into the MBTA system, however, reveals financial chaos, underused services and threats of fare increases.

Considering these burdens, adding a late-night hours service at the MBTA would be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.

“This year, the MBTA is 1.6 billion dollars Hannah Holbrook in debt. Next year will be more”, says Paul Regan, executive director of the MBTA Advisory Board.

The MBTA, a unionized organization, requires that workers be paid overtime for late-night shifts. The city’s budget simply does not allow for the huge increase in wages it would have to pay should the service come into effect.

Besides the financial shortcomings of the city’s budget, history proves this expansion would not be a good idea.

“They tried extending service hours in the past with the night owl service.

Nobody rode it,” recalls Regan.

The average cost per bus passenger during the day is around $3. At the time, the night owl service was operating around $15 per passenger.

Suppose, however, that the popularity of the program did increase. There are still other roadblocks in expanding the T’s hours.

“When they close down, they do heavy maintenance,” says Regan.

Operating through the night means less time devoted to repairs and more chances of lines breaking down during the day.

Also, fare increases are inevitable should the city implement late night transit.

“We haven’t had a fare increase in five years. I think a fare increase is going to happen in any case,” says Regan. But with the addition of this service, fares would increase at much higher rates than estimated.

A fare increase, no matter how small, has drastic effects on the ridership of the MBTA. Even if students and other night owls are willing to sacrifice a couple extra dollars for more convenient hours, commuters might not be able to afford the increase.

A change in price would discourage many passengers from using the T during the day. “There will be a significant impact on ridership,” says Regan.

More commuters would drive to work, compensating for unaffordable public transportation. As consequence, the city will witness increases in congestion and traffic.

At this point in time, the city is unable to invest in such costly changes to its transportation system. The organization has to look out for its loyal daycustomers before indulging in the requests of the occasional Boston bar-goer.

scoop » 7

8 « polish

neighborhood eats Some of the best places around campus to grab a bite, hang out with friends and even take a date

by Hannah Kathryn DeYoung photos by alexa fay

Temptations Cafe 313 Huntington Ave $ Just down Huntington Ave. between Boston Shawarma and Cappy’s II you can find good, fresh sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee and tea at Temptations Cafe. Although it doesn’t look like much from the street, inside there are a few tables, a window bar and even a couch for you to sit and munch at. Temptations has something for every kind of eater, some of people’s favorites being the fresh mozzarella and chicken florentine paninis, the goat cheese salad and the Berry Patch smoothie. There are tons of great cold wraps to choose from.

I’d eat their falafel wrap everyday if I could; it’s delicious with the banana peppers and everything on it.

“

Chicken Lou’s.

The TKO frequents my dreams.

”

Lindsey Sampson, Freshman, International Affairs

berry patch smoothie, goat cheese salad

“

Roxy’s Grilled Cheese Food truck at Forsyth and Hemenway $ Roxy’s is a little trickier to find but worth the effort. If it happens to be a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. you can find the truck and their incredible grilled cheese sandwiches just past the Marino Center on Forsyth and Hemenway. Sure, you could just get your typical grilled cheese, but why would you when you could have something like the Rookie Melt or Mac n’ Chorizo? If french fries are your thing, rejoice because they have hand-cut truffle fries made fresh. Some critics are wary of the food truck phenomena but Roxy’s proves you can find good food in surprising places.

Fantastic, restaurant-quality food really can come from a small truck parked on the street.

Pavement Coffeehouse is great for coffee, sandwiches, and cookies. Not to mention a great atmosphere!

Tatum Hartwig, Freshman, Communication Studies

” special: brie, walnuts, figs

WOOF | spring 2012

polish » 9 Panera Bread 289 Huntington Ave $ If you’re in the mood for some classic comfort food, Panera is always a great place to go. You can never go wrong with their tomato soup in a bread bowl or some macaroni and cheese.

This Panera also gets bonus points for their massive downstairs basement, leaving plenty of space for all the Northeastern students to eat and study in the warmth inside. Just a short walk down Huntington, you can make it there, grab your soup and get back in time for that club meeting with no rush. sierra turkey sandwich, chicken tortilla soup, chips

“

India Quality Restaurant 484 Commonwealth Ave $$ Authentic Indian fare is within walking distance at India Quality Restaurant on Commonwealth Ave. My personal favorite is their aloo gobhi (cauliflower and potatoes in lots of spices) though my roommate swears by their chicken tikka masala. Either way, the warm garlic naan alone is worth the walk. It’s never too crowded, and you can get your food to-go in a few short minutes.

India Quality has great service and ambiance—so why wouldn’t you want to go check it out? It’s practically part of my Friday routine.

I like Pho & I because the service is quick for a sit-down restaurant, and they put a lot of fresh veggies in the curries. Plus the lunch special is around $7-8 which is great for students.

”

Lauren Fitch, Graduate Assistant, Biology PhD

garlic naan, vegetable samosas, chicken tikka masala

Pho Basil 177 Massachusetts Ave $$ Can you say date night? Pho Basil not only has some of the best Vietnamese food in Boston, but the cozy, relaxing atmosphere makes it the perfect place to take a special someone, your friends or even your parents. It works for everyone.

No matter what you get it’s going to be fantastic, though I recommend getting the mango sticky rice for dessert. Beware though: the portions are massive, and you will have plenty for leftoversperfect for a college student’s budget. In short, if you like Asian food Pho Basil’s definitely one you should try. mango sticky rice

WOOF | spring 2012

10 ÂŤ polish

festival WOOF | spring 2012

polish » 11

style It’s that time of year again – when your favorite artists release their much-anticipated singles and everyone stocks up on Doc Martens and Levi’s – all gearing up for the best music festivals in America. Whether lounging in Tennessee or rocking out in California, this “Music Festival Style Guide” will show you what each festival has to offer

by Bianca Gracie photos by alisha Keshavjee & Alexa fay model eujin kim

WOOF | spring 2012

coachella valley music & arts festival when april 13-15 and 20-22 where indio, ca

bonnaroo music festival when june 7-10 where manchester, tn

Music festivals are getting more buzz with every year, so Coachella decided to up the ante and spread the popular festival over two weekends. The organizers at Coachella rarely book artists who have performed at the festival more than once, so you are bound to see a new act every year. Past acts include legendary artists like Madonna and Paul McCartney and indie sensations M.I.A and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Founded in 2002, Bonnaroo is new to the festival scene but has definitely made its mark. The festival serves up an eclectic mix of bluegrass, electronica, hip-hop, rock and jazz to please the masses.

With past acts like Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Pretty Lights, Damian Marley, TV on the Radio and The Dead Weather, this year’s Bonnaroo is sure to be one to watch.

This year’s lineup is killer and well-received (the show sold out in three hours!) It tugs at every indie music fan’s heartstrings, with headlining acts like the Black Keys, The Weeknd, A$AP Rocky, Florence + the Machine, Bon Iver, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, The Shins and Swedish House Mafia.

Oh, did I mention Radiohead?

Alongside the musical acts, attendees can also enjoy the surrounding areas of the farm-based venue that have cool activities like a silent disco, a comedy tent, a ferris wheel and more.

Coachella serves as the electronic music festival’s hipster-loving sister.

Over the past few years, the fashion at Coachella has become just as important as the music. Make sure your outfit is camera-ready for the music festival as well as the glamorous lounge parties.

The international fashion blogger-meets-California native crowd takes the classic 70s bohemian vibe and puts a modern spin on it. Think vintage dresses, cutoff shorts and Ray-Bans galore.

Indio is located in a part of the California desert, so it is very hot. This festival’s most important essential is: lots of water. Also, you want to wear clothes with breathable fabrics like cotton. Flowy flowerprint dresses, worn-in ankle boots, tribal-inspired jewelry, feathery headdresses and wide-brimmed straw hats are all key pieces in the “Coachella Look.”

Bonnaroo has a similar style to Coachella, but adds its own country twist. Fringe vests, leather purses and cowboy boots are a must. The fashion scene is not as vital to Bonnaroo, so you are free to dress in a more laid-back and carefree style. Do not make your outfit too fussy; you want to be comfortable as you lay in the grass. Add personal touches with cool accessories like a friendship bracelet or your borrowed-from-grandma sunglasses to make the outfit your own.

lollapalooza when august 3-5 where grant park, chicago Because of the grandeur of festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza does not get the coverage it should. But this Chi-town music festival is a great way to end your summer with a bang. The festival has helped give exposure to rock bands like Metallica, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and 30 Seconds to Mars. It is no surprise, seeing how it was formed

by Jane’s Addiction’s frontman Perry Farrell in 1991, which means the festival will be celebrating its 21st birthday this year.

The fashion scene at Lollapalooza is the most casual of the three music festivals. Attendees usually don a simple outfit with a modern rock n’ roll edge. Your favorite band tee, acid-wash jeans, neon-colored hair extensions, statement jewelry or high-waisted leather shorts all are welcome here.

WOOF | spring 2012

Music festivals are all about having fun surrounded by people who share the same music interests and lifestyles. They all have their own distinctive style that sets them apart and draws different crowds.

If you like the chill Southern atmosphere of Bonnaroo or if you love getting rowdy in a dubstep mosh at Ultra, there is bound to be a festival that fits your personality. So slip on your Chuck Taylors, grab that ripped tee and get ready to live in the most electrifying moments of the year!

14 « focus

northeastern With the introduction of satellite campuses and an ever-increasing population of international students, Northeastern is going global by selena burke graphic by amelia rossi

glo

or years, the name Northeastern University has conjured up images of a bustling Huntington Avenue, frigid New England winters and the legendary Beanpot hockey tournament.

Now, however, with plans to open a string of satellite campuses nationwide and a growing emphasis on international learning, Northeastern may soon be known for far more.

Last October, the university began its domestic expansion with the unveiling of a Charlotte, N.C. campus. Philomena Mantella, senior vice president for enrollment management and student affairs, described the Charlotte campus as being geared toward graduate students and adults unable to leave their homes or jobs to attend class. It consists of five classrooms as well as online courses.

The Charlotte campus offers co-op opportunities for Northeastern students as well, and alumni who wish to pursue further education can also apply to attend. “[The programs offered in Charlotte] will be of importance for students in particular fields” like health, education, science and business,” Mantella said.

Mantella also said Northeastern has plans to develop additional campuses in locations including Seattle, Texas and Minnesota. If all goes according to plan, Mantella said the Seattle location, which will focus on technology and global health, should open by the end of this year.

Mantella also said she thinks Northeastern’s expansion will increase the number of opportunities for students.

“The extension of the Northeastern educational system is going to be valuable to current students, alums and future students,” she said.

WOOF | spring 2012

Aoun advocated the new system in a December 2011 New York Times article examining Northeastern’s growth.

“We’re in the business of higher education, and when there’s a new space, we want to step in,” he said.

The school’s goal, Aoun said in the article, is to become a national power.

“We’re trying to be the first university with a national network. Because of our co-op program, we already have 2,500 corporations and N.G.Os [non-governmental organizations] that work with us,” he said.

Mantella explained that many students opt to complete global learning in English-speaking countries. She cited the Children’s Hospital of Costa Rica, the Foundation for Sustainable Development in Kenya, the United Nations and the United States Commercial Service in Egypt as the school’s leading global co-op employers. “[Global experiential learning] is a transformational kind of experience because there’s just so much learning students are taking away,” said Mantella.

But Northeastern plans to go much further than domestic expansion. Since Aoun’s presidential appointment in 2006, the school has also experienced rapid global growth.

Michele Le, a senior health sciences major, affirmed Mantella when speaking of her Dialogue of Civilizations trip to Israel.

According to promotional materials from the Office of the President, experiential learning opportunities such as global co-ops, study abroad programs and Dialogue of Civilizations trips are now offered in 85 countries, a 113 percent increase since 2006. Global co-ops alone have grown in popularity by 145 percent since 2006.

“It definitely expanded my horizons of the world ‘cause Israel’s somewhere I never thought I would go on my own,” she said.

“But after having been there, I learned so much about it and their culture and the people, and it really makes me want to go back and just explore other places that I never thought I would want to go.”

focus » 15

obalization 14% of Northeastern students are from one of 125 countries outside the U.S. Northeastern has experiential learning in within

85 countries.

171cities “The basic item we’re trying to assess is, can they be successful in undertaking their studies ­­— are their English skills adequate to undertake the level of study they’re pursuing?”

Mantella said.

Northeastern has also made efforts to extend global learning by attracting international students to the Boston campus.

Mantella said the university consistently advertises internationally through its website, mail, social media and school visits. So far, these methods have paid off. The school has experienced a 445 percent increase in international student enrollment since 2006, according to promotional materials from the Office of the President.

International students are evaluated for admission based on the same criteria as domestic students, Mantella said, though they do have to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOELF). Still, Mantella insisted that international students do not have an edge over domestic students in the application process.

Mantella noted that while all new students face difficulties, international students can face a greater acclimation challenge than their peers. She cited adjusting to a new language and new foods as some of the most common challenges. The difficulties students face are often unique to their native country.

“Australia is pretty similar to the States at the moment,” said Kasey Altstock, a senior international business and Japanese major from Australia. “Obviously we speak English, so there’s no language barrier. I haven’t encountered any difficulties as of yet.”

To ease the transition, the International Student and Scholar Institute (ISSI) is available to international students the moment they arrive in Boston. The students first come to the ISSI for immigration clearance, and are then free to attend events the ISSI hosts throughout orientation week to help them both adjust to the city and meet other foreign students.

“If the international students are interested in exploring Boston, the first week they’re on campus [orientation week] there are events about going around Boston and really seeing what this country and city’s all about,” said Kirti Kewalramani, a senior health sciences major and ISSI executive chair of planning and public relations.

The ISSI also offers multiple cultural events intended for both international and domestic students. Featured events include an international fashion show, an ice carving competition and various food-oriented gatherings.

“The new goal is to incorporate domestic students and to bridge the gap between international students and domestic students, because if we want to be a global university this is how we start,” Kewalramani said. “We want to really globalize the university mentally as well as physically.”

WOOF | spring 2012

16 polish ÂŤ focus

under my skin WOOF | spring 2012

After her grandfather died of cancer, Jordan Mandell had to confront another tragedy: learning that his body had been illegally harvested for organs. Here, the story of how she came to grips with the past and learned to let go

by JORDAN MANDELL

focus » 17

My family likes to play this game called “Don’t Tell Jordan Anything.” I kid you not. It could be something small, like going over to my grandparents’ house for dinner. I wouldn’t know until five minutes before we had to leave.

It could also be something rather large, like going to Florida for a family vacation. I would find out the day before our flight, forcing me to run around my house like a madwoman trying to find that adorable sundress I could have sworn was in my closet. Or it could be something life-altering, petrifying, sickening and absolutely disgusting, like when my grandfather’s body was illegally harvested for his organs.

I was twelve when my grandfather passed away from cancer. I understood death and its implications, but I didn’t know how to react. His was the first death I had ever had to deal with. Being the tough-as-nails tween that I was, I felt the need to be strong for everyone in my family. Grieving just wasn’t something I wanted to think about or go through, especially since emotional expression and I aren’t the best of friends.

My grandfather was the kindest, most compassionate person I have ever known. The last time I saw him, he was in the hospital bed that had been set up in my grandparents’ living room, his oxygen machine whirring beside him. His once strong face was gaunt, his head completely bald. My last conversation with him wasn’t about him, his condition or how he was feeling. The first thing he said to me that day was, “How was your choir concert? Tell me all about it.” Through his pain and suffering, he made sure that he put everyone before himself.

Clearly I didn’t forget his death, but it just wasn’t something I wanted to deal with. I was forced to face it, however, when the longest game of “Don’t Tell Jordan Anything” finally ended my freshman year of high school. I was in my kitchen pantry, trying to find the Goldfish crackers I knew my mom was hiding for my school lunch. My mom came in to the kitchen and started a cooking frenzy.

“What’s going on? Why are you making so much food?” I inquired. For a family of four very small people, the amount of food seemed to be enough to feed a starving family of ten.

“I’m making dinner for tomorrow night, too. I’ll stick it in the freezer for you guys since I won’t be home. I have to go to court tomorrow,” she replied quietly.

I’m the sarcastic bitch in my family. If you set me up with the chance to be snarky and insulting, I will take full advantage of it. My mom had just set me up perfectly. “God, Mom, what the hell did you do? Rob a bank or something?” I sneered.

“Jordan. It’s for your grandfather,” she snapped back. She was not amused by my endearing sense of humor and charm, though this was not new.

“Well, what did he do then?” I pushed.

My dad’s father was very alive, very healthy and very Italian, so naturally I assumed she was referring to him and some illegal mafia activities. His being ordered to court would be the final evidence I needed to prove my hypothesis that my dad’s family was in the Italian Mob.

“No, I have to go for my father,” she said, exasperated. “Remember everything that happened? With the funeral director?”

The confused look on my face was enough to let her know I had been kept in the dark for three years.

brother. I was given just what I needed: the opportunity to sweep my feelings under the rug, where they stayed hidden until my junior year of high school.

That year, I participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, a fundraiser for cancer research in which teams stay up all night and walk. At the fundraiser, there was a remembrance ceremony featuring a slideshow of pictures of cancer victims set against songs like Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up.” I’m not sure what it was about that night that made me forget who I thought I was and forget that I was in public, but during that ten minute ceremony, I completely lost myself and broke down. I reached out to someone for the first time, literally and figuratively. Clutching my friends’ hands like there was nothing else to hold on to in the world, I sobbed until there was nothing left.

After that night, I learned that it’s okay to cry sometimes and to be vulnerable.

I don’t have to be the rock that everyone else grabs on to; it’s okay for me to need someone else to lean on. For five years, I pushed my feelings aside and refused to deal with the situation. In a moment, that perfectly corked bottle of emotions burst under too much pressure. I thought my forever-strong front would be ruined, that I would be judged as weak. Instead, I found it to be the opposite. My friends wanted to listen to me and wanted to hear how I felt. They respected me for finally opening up and being honest with myself.

My grandfather’s despicable treatment also taught me that you can’t trust everyone. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but it’s true, and the sooner you realize it, the better. That sweet funeral director who told my family he would take good care of my grandfather’s body turned out to be one of the most vile, repulsive human beings I have come across. He willingly let Mastromarino and his company take whatever they wanted from my grandfather, knowing of our sadness and of my grandfather’s disease.

The most important lesson I learned from this ordeal, however, is that family can get through anything and can become stronger through tragedy. I have never felt closer to my family than I do now. Some members may have traveled down the wrong paths, spiraling into depression, eating disorders, drugs or alcohol but we’ve always found our way back to each other, a stronger unit than before.

My family has become more forgiving and accepting, knowing that life is short and precious and cannot be taken for granted.

Plus, my family has discovered that they should probably fill me in on things from now on.

“I couldn’t believe someone would illegally dissect a deceased person to make money off of his or her organs, especially when said organs were cancer-ridden.”

“Oh, my God. We never told you, did we?” She made me follow her to my dad’s office, where she pulled up an online article about the body harvesting ring run by a man named Michael Mastromarino.

Mastromarino and his company, Biomedical Tissue Services, stole body parts and organs from countless corpses, my grandfather’s included. Signatures were forged, allowing for the harvesting of the organs, and funeral home directors were paid off to give Biomedical Tissue Services access to the bodies. This sick business scheme had no regard for the people’s health and condition before they passed away. Diseased body parts, like my grandfather’s, were stolen and distributed to people who needed organ transplants and the like. All because of Mastromarino, someone would be receiving, or had already received, cancerous body parts from my grandfather.

My stomach turned. I couldn’t believe my family would keep this from me. I couldn’t believe someone would illegally dissect a deceased person to make money off of his or her organs, especially when said organs were cancer-ridden. I couldn’t believe those twisted, greedy people could forget that those corpses were once people, people who left behind loving, grieving families. Everything Mastromarino had done was so dehumanizing. Nothing made sense to me. My world came crashing down.

I ran upstairs to my bedroom, opened my laptop, and immediately instant messaged my best friend at the time. I needed someone to talk to. The only attempt at consolation I got from her, however, was her saying she was really upset because she could have been in my position a few years earlier when her brother died of meningitis. The conversation quickly turned to my friend venting about her

WOOF | spring 2012

18 «

Q&A with Sean Casto

by Angel Feliciano photos by marie sullivan

Sean Casto is a Northeastern University junior majoring in business with a dual minor in entrepreneurship and finance. Casto currently works at Tapwalk this semester for his co-op where he develops downloadable applications for iPhones.

Angel Feliciano: What’s one of your favorite apps you’ve created?

Sean Casto: I created this new app called DrinkTV. It is a database of drinking games you can play while watching your favorite TV shows and movies. There are drinking games associated with How I Met Your Mother and The Office, as well as a bunch of classic movies. It’s tailored to college students because many drink while watching TV and movies so this adds a fun and exciting new aspect to what they watch.

AF: What app are you working on now?

SC: My new project is called Campus Dining App in which users can instantly view the dining menu at any given cafeteria and local retail dining at Northeastern, Boston University, and Boston College. For example, in International Village it would have a database of the breakfast, lunch and dinner offered for that day. What makes this app unique is it allows you to add to your “favorites” and you can get notified whenever your favorite meals are being offered. So if you like the chocolate chip cookies at Stetson East, you can get notified whenever they are being offered. It also applies to retail dining so all the food

WOOF | spring 2012

chains in Curry Student Center, like Wendy’s and Taco Bell, would be included and students will get notified if their favorite food becomes available. Luckily, especially for college student budgets, this app would be free.

AF: How long have you been working on the Husky Dining App? SC: This one in particular, a few months. In November 2011 AF: What sparked your original idea for this app?

SC: I saw an opportunity in the fact that there’s no app out there like this and the fact that it’s just inconvenient to go online and try to look at the menu. Personally, I would like to get notified whenever my favorite food is available since I don’t really go to the campus dining halls that often. I saw an opportunity to provide students with what’s available and help them to be able to better coordinate where they want for breakast, lunch, and dinner.

AF: How do you get your apps out there to be popular in the community, including Northeastern?

SC: We’re applying to Apple soon so it should be out within a couple of weeks. As for Northeastern, I’ll probably do a little bit of marketing around campus with flyers.

Hopefully, word of mouth and social media will get the app the popularity it needs.

AF: How is this app different from the website?

SC: On the website you can see the menu for that day but with the Husky Dining App you can view the menu without having to go online. All you have to do is open the application on your phone. Also, the ability to get notified once your favorite meal is being offered. That’s something the website cannot do. Finally, our other great touch with this app that the website does not offer is maps.

This is especially helpful if you are new to Northeastern’s campus. You can see where all Northeastern dining establishments are and where the different dining halls are located.

There is also a search bar, which allows you to, for example, type in “Pizza” and it will tell you where pizza is being offered that day.

Whatever you’re craving, you can actually see what’s being offered on campus and where.

AF: What are you working on next?

SC: For the past year I've been working on the first online social platform connecting mobile app developers with mobile app users. This is the largest venture I’ve been apart of yet and I’m really excited for its official launch date on July 1st.

working dog » 19

If you could have any job at the moment regardless of the circumstances, it would be… written and photographed by Kierra Macdougall

Isabelle Palumbo, Sophomore Major: Business Accounting Best: “Ideally, I’d like a boss who knew my ability and wanted to push me to succeed and grow as a person and in the workforce."

Worst: “The worst would be someone who has no time and doesn’t care if I succeed or isn’t a good member of society.”

Joel Smith, Junior Major: Human Services Best: “My ideal boss would probably be my Pop, because he will push me and never give up on me.”

Worst: “The worst boss would probably be one who never takes responsibility and doesn’t care about his/ her employees.”

Pascaline Olhats, Freshman Major: Environment Studies Best: “My ideal boss would be someone that expects me to work hard but also rewards me for that hard work. They should be skilled at being in an upper position, have good communication abilities and love what they do.”

Worst: “The worst boss would be someone that undermines everyone's work, ignores the needs of those that work for them and works just to make a profit.”

Priya Gandhi, Freshman Major: Biology Best: “The best type of boss is able to take charge of the establishment and work on improvement.

Him/Her and his/her workers would have mutual respect. My old boss exemplified many positive characteristics with his work ethic. He both befriended his employees and worked with them to achieve their highest potentials. Each employee of his business emerged with a new mindset about their careers: give it all you have and you shall reap the benefits.”

Worst: “The worst type of boss is rigid and impersonal. Your boss should be amicable enough to talk to, but efficient enough for the success of the business.”

WOOF | spring 2012