Alright! Post numero uno for me. I suppose we should start off with some background info, right? Well, I'm a junior transfer student, very excited to be in the Conservation and Resource Studies major. The major itself is awesome - from the ability to take classes that run the gamut of offerings (due to the fact that you write in your own area of interest into the major) to the superb advisors and support staff, my interactions with all aspects of Cal have left me in a state of quasi-euphoria.

Living off campus some might argue that I'll miss some of the "college experience," but I'm extremely satisfied with my situation. In a quaint little apartment in north Berkeley, not only am I a six minute bike ride away from Cal, but much of what Berkeley has to offer is right outside my door. One thing that I'd recommend to any new Cal student -- explore Berkeley! Yes, the school has more than enough to offer, but there's much more outside its doors as well. From the three farmers markets per week that bring in mostly organic farms, to the fabulous restaurants, and a myriad of earth-friendly events that can be found through the ecology center, there is a true wealth of activities to explore.

 
Oh, right, back to Cal-related topics. My first day of classes went off exceptionally well - my instructors have all been very passionate about their work, and class sizes are relatively small. I did a "dry run" since I arrived an hour before my first class was to start, and managed to find all the buildings and classrooms easily enough. I did have some concerns about making it to class on time, seeing as how the fox squirrels were just too cute not to stop and watch now and again, but I managed to make it everywhere on time nonetheless. I'm tempted to bring in some foreign foods for them (a-la peanuts and walnuts...which I'm sure they're adept and adjusted to eating already), but then I remind myself that such a decision isn't helping any problems. With all the natural, quiet spaces scattered around Berkeley, it's easy just to kick back and relax - feel free to check out a few
Looking forward to dropping in now and again to post some thoughts and experiences - stay tuned, or, um, don't touch that dial, and all that jazz.

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 11:17 AM | Permalink

Actually, this was supposed to be posted yesterday. But anyway, here is an account from a procrastinator. Oh, by the way, I am a first-year intended Molecular and Environmental Biology Major (MEB) at College of Natural Resources (CNR).

Yesterday (Monday, August 28, 2006) was my first official day at Cal. What I mean by “official” is because even though I have been living here since last week, it is the day when instructions begin. I woke up pretty early in the morning since I was kind of afraid that I might need extra time for this very first day. But everything turned out to be ok.

My first class started at 10:00 AM but I arrived there (1 Pimentel) around 9:25 AM, so I was able to oversee the last part of Chemistry 1A lecture where the professor did some “explosion” stuff (Hydrogen gas + Oxygen gas + sparkle, I guess). 1 Pimentel was a really huge lecture hall, and its front stage can be rotated so that the settings for each class would not disturb the other. I encouraged you all to check this out!

Then I was commuting between different buildings since I have back-to-back classes…

Even though most of the lectures I am in are huge and intimidating since you are sitting with hundreds of people, the professors were really trying to make class atmosphere as dynamic as possible.

Or by the way, the Freshman Seminar I am taking is really engaging since there are only 20 students there – allowing a more intimate and approachable environment. It is nice to be such a small class within the context of a public research institute, namely Berkeley.

That is about my first day, and I am really looking forward for my first semester of college life. GO BEARS!!!!

Posted by Yang Cao at 11:13 PM | Permalink

August 28, 2006. For some, this day might be the worst day of their lives since it means summer is over and school is starting. For others, like the many freshmen that I know, this day is one of the most exciting days of their lives. Today they start their first day of their college adventure. Meeting new friends, waking up early, going to class or not going to class, are things that we all have to worry about now. You might be wondering why i am so excited for the fall semester to begin.

Well here is why: Today starts the first day of my last FALL semester here at Cal. My plan is to graduate in the Spring and i am so excited for what this semester has to offer. I am sad at the same time because that means that i am one semester closer to being an actual adult and finding a job before grad school. It also means that i wont be part of this amazing institution, as a student at least, any longer. Since this is my last year at Cal, I plan to enjoy it to the fullest.

Another reason why i am so excited to be back is because of my friends. Many of my friends were gone this summer either abroad, back in their hometowns, or they decided to travel around the world. But finally the day has come for us to reunite. My friends are amazing and are a good support system for me. Like every semester my schedule seems to be very hectic but thats okay because I know i will have the support of my friends, family, and college advisors to push me through a successful semester.

Also, this semester will be great because i will have one of my siblings living literally four blocks away from me. My little sister is attending Cal this fall. Watching her embark in this new adventure is exciting for me. I know she will do great things just like many other students here at Cal will do so as well. I am also extremely happy with the classes I am taking this semester. They all seem really interesting and hopefully not too difficult. Let the semester begin.

Have a Great First Day of Classes everyone!!!

Posted by Mayra Ceja at 12:02 PM | Permalink

Starfruit! Here we have an incredibly delicious fruit that I hear about, but, sadly, have never eaten. Today I decided to look into the fruit, so in case I run into some at the Berkeley bowl, I can figure out if it's ripe or not, and have a general idea of what it tastes like.

Here is a good image that shows the overall look of the fruit:

Here is a fun, artsy photo of Starfruit:

Here is an image that describes what it looks like as you cut into it:

Starfruit has a lot of Vitamin C. It is said to taste like a combination of plums, pineapples and melons. Starfruit has been in cultivation in Southeast Asia for several hundred years. You know it's ripe when the tips of the ridges turn a light shade of brown. Avoid those with shriveled ridges. There's no peel, and often no seeds (10-12 flat, brown seeds might be present depending on variety) - just cut and eat.

The tree itself wouldn't do well planted outdoors back home in Ventura County. The tree cannot handle dry, strong winds - which come with force each year. It does best in tropical climates - Hawaii, Malaysia, Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia. But the young trees do great as a container plant in any climate where there isn't frost. Each year, it blooms several times! The pink-to-lavendar flowers are 3/8" in diameter.

Here is a photo of a Starfruit tree: (on the campus of the South China Agricultural Univeristy)

Carambola Blooms:

Photos come from these sites:
http://www.paradasia.com/Photos_reduced/starfruit_b10_reduced.JPG
http://www.bridgebrand.ca/pics/starfruit.jpg
http://food.oregonstate.edu/images/fruitveg/star_fruit/starfruit_slices.jpg
http://www1.scau.edu.cn/pub/tree/protect/img/zybhzw/ybbhzw/yt.jpg
http://www.bz.upjs.sk/obrazky/ave_car.jpg

These websites were handy with information:
http://www.foodreference.com/html/art-star-fruit.html
http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/carambola.html

Posted by Christina at 9:55 AM | Permalink

Who would expect Organic Foods to join forces with Star Wars?

Http://www.storewars.org/flash/index.html

Posted by Christina at 9:23 AM | Permalink

Do you love citrus and flowery springtime all at once? Lemon Verbena is what you're looking for. It is common in perfumes, soaps, lotions, and you can even make it into some great desserts!

Here's what the blossoms look like:

You can spot it as anything from a 2-3ft ornamental shrub to a tree that is 2 meters tall. 200 years ago, it was one of the most common European ornamentals. But on this side of the world, it requires more trimming than most people want to do - in order to keep it a manageable size.

Most of the commercial Lemon Verbena is grown in France, but it is found natively in Peru and Ethiopia. You'll find it growing best where there isn't winter frost, and summer temperatures do not exceed 100 degrees (USDA zones 8-10 are best). Seeds are difficult to purchase, so most people start their own plants with softwood cuttings.

Image taken from:
http://rustylopez.typepad.com/imagoarticulus/2005/11/index.html

These websites were helpful with information:
http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Lipp_cit.html
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/279/

Posted by Christina at 9:39 AM | Permalink

Packing for leaving is hard to do when all high school friends want to say goodbye and celebrate friendships. I began filling boxes today with clothes and items I usually bring when traveling. I appreciate living close to campus (less than 2 hours), and being able to leave scarves, long socks, and all those winter items at home.

I used to think that moving stuff would be easy- just grab stuff and go to a dorm, but no, I must consider each shirt, shoe, and book's worthiness in my tiny (I'm only guessing at this moment) triple dorm room. I have contacted my roommates and so far so good!

I'm looking forward to meeting all the Berkeley students I'll meet this Saturday. I hope it's at least half as fun as CalSO. That orientation was the best one I've come across- CNR didn't tell me to write that. I was part of my high school's Link Crew leadership and last fall I spent hours with other seniors brainstorming
ways to connect freshmen with other students and each other, but in our Link Crew we never managed the endurance and spunk of the CalSO counselors.

Every one of the 45 upperclassmen led cheers with their groups (and actually got us to shake and jump) and was (or seemed to me) to be genuinely interested in giving advice to incoming frosh. There was an activity called 'Stand Up If...' that I was changed by participating in it. After seeing fellow classmates stand up to statements like: Stand up if you've ever felt like a minority, and Stand up if you are mentally or physically disabled, I realized how TRULY diverse Berkeley is.

One of the reasons I chose UCB is that there is more than 20% minorities attending (don't laugh.. Boston College and Georgetown are in that ballpark sadly enough). I don't enjoy being around clones. I hope I am not offending identical twins- I don't mean to- I just mean that I learn so much from people when they've experienced different things than I have experienced.

From the morning CalSO started (boy was that early...) to noon the next day I kept on meeting people and learning more about people in my group. My group was made up of other CNR students, 2 of which had the same EEP major as I. My stereotypes of southern Californians were shattered, and I kept wanting to ask my new friends questions about their life, school, travel experiences, and all the stuff that got them here. I anticipate Saturday to be like that- introducing myself to all those in my hall and dorm, and being blown away by others' identities and personalities.

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 10:41 PM | Permalink