It’s time to get vaccinated
It’s been more than a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began. While we spent last spring in a nationwide lockdown, this spring looks promising because it coincides with the dispersion of adult vaccinations in the United States.
Ramadan 101
Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims, began Monday evening. During Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from sunrise to sunset and perform other religious duties.
Trying out the Paleo diet
Over two million years ago, our primal ancestors roamed the earth, searching forests for game animals and making fires in caves. This is called the Paleolithic period, when humans were close to nature and hadn’t begun farming. With the advent of agriculture, humans began domesticating animals and growing crops such as wheat and barley. Farming transformed the way humans live and eat — too quickly for the human body to adjust.
Revisiting ‘Malcolm X’
In honor of Black History Month, I will be reviewing one of my favorite films of all-time: Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X.” This 1992 masterpiece is a biopic of civil rights activist Malcolm X, chronicling his early childhood, time in prison, conversion to Islam and life leading up to his assassination.
A guide to driving in Boston
When I finally got my driver’s license my sophomore year of college after years of putting it off, I was really excited to be able to start driving around the city. What I’ve since realized, however, is that passing the driver’s test does not prepare you for Boston’s notorious driving experience.
New finds at Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s has some hidden gems to keep you from spending what’s left of your broke-college-student budget on Uber Eats. These underrated food items make eating at home and diversifying your palate so easy.
Celebrity beauty brands worth buying
As soon as I click on the Sephora website, the first thing I see is an endless list of beauty products, from bronzers to eyeliners.
Halloween costumes that aren’t cultural appropriation
There’s no doubt Halloween will look different this year. Even without Halloween parties, you can still dress up, go out and even go trick-or-treating while social distancing. And yes, Halloween is more than three weeks away, but it’s never too early to plan your costume.
A guide to sunscreens
Spring has arrived. The sun is shining and the days are getting longer. Everyone is rushing outdoors to catch much-needed Vitamin D after a long, dark winter. In the excitement, some people forget to apply sunscreen. But sunnier weather is no excuse to forget to protect your skin against the sun’s harmful rays.
Analyzing ‘The 5 Love Languages’
“The 5 Love Languages” is a quiz that tells you how you give and receive love. It was developed by Gary Chapman, a counselor who wrote several books about the subject matter.
Trying intermittent fasting for a week
Since New Year’s Eve, I decided to try a new diet each week in the hopes of finding a long-term solution to my unhealthy eating habits, most of which I developed due to college stress.
Netflix’s “Emily in Paris” is full of stereotypes, but provides needed escape
Although the show is filled with over-the-top cliches about Parisian life, perhaps a bit of escapism is exactly what we need.
Senioritis: We all go through it
Although I’ve managed to avoid catching COVID-19 thus far this semester — knock on wood — I find myself afflicted with a different type of illness: senioritis. Senioritis is, of course, not an actual medical illness. Rather, it’s a term used to group feelings such as lack of motivation and stress that students often experience during the year leading up to graduation.
Cleaning out your closet: How to get rid of physical baggage
After realizing I have to pack four years’ worth of items once I graduate from Boston University next semester, I decided this week that a closet cleanout was long overdue.
My love-hate relationship with winter
But in Boston, good weather is often too good to be true. Even though it’s not always cold and gloomy in the city, it feels like Mother Nature is pulling a prank on us whenever it’s warm because as soon as we know it, snow falls and temperatures go below freezing.
Best Boston Black-owned restaurants
The pandemic has taken a toll on the restaurant industry this past year, and although it feels like we’re constantly told to support small businesses, it’s always a good reminder that restaurants still need locals’ support to stay open.
Discovering your heritage through DNA testing
Humans are complex creatures. Our genes, which we inherit from our parents, carry our biological lineage. If you think about it, even the smallest amount of our unique DNA is shared with our most distant relatives.
My thoughts on road trips
Travelling has become much more stressful during the pandemic. I’ve mostly avoided making unnecessary trips out of Boston since the pandemic started, especially because air travel isn’t a good idea during this time and Spring Recess was canceled.
Going Vegan: An enlightening experience
Veganism isn’t just a trendy diet, it’s a lifestyle increasingly adopted by many people around the world. Vegan restaurants and plant-based meal options have been popping up everywhere over the last decade.
Shows I binge-watched over winter break
This winter break provided me some much-needed time to unwind. Instead of choosing to be productive, I spent most of my time binging show after show on Netflix.
Painting for dummies: an unexpected quarantine activity
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced us into a nationwide lockdown in March, we came face to face with the reality that we would be spending the majority of our time at home.
The struggles of group work on Zoom
While the online learning experience has pros and cons for everyone, I’ve personally had the hardest time doing group projects remotely. If you’ve always hated the idea of working in a group like I do, then it only gets more complicated on Zoom.
The stigma surrounding Reddit
One weekend, I was hanging out in my friend’s apartment when I overheard one of my friends saying, “But like, who even goes on Reddit?” I quickly chimed in that I, of course, browse through Reddit from time to time.
My last first day at Boston University
Monday was a bittersweet day for seniors — myself included — because it marked the start of our last semester at Boston University. For many of us, this is the end of our journey through the education system.