Results of an Asian Pear Varietal Testing at the Berkeley Farmer's Market:

Hosui - my favorite. Complex flavor, not too sweet.
20th Century - green/yellow fruit. This is the one we have growing in our garden at home.
Olympic - crisp, super sweet, but good
Shinko - tastes like crisp water, faint flavor.
Nitaka - strong "blow out your pallette" flavor. Delicious, but too intense of a flavor for me to eat regularly.
Conjuro - wasn't able to try, but sold here.
Shinseiki - wasn't able to try, but sold here.

Today I stopped by the Farmer's Market (located on Center street, just two blocks away from campus). I had a great time! I spent a considerable amount of time poking around the table for the Ecology Center, asking them compost and vegetable gardening questions. I walked away with an "Organic For Life" bumper sticker and a magnet with resource information. I wandered the little street market and spoke with a few of the vendors about the fruit and vegetables they have available, and complimented a couple on the high quality of their produce. I jumped as I saw the boxes of a farm that the University Student Cooperative Association (USCA) gets our pluots and persimmons through. Since I started delivering produce for the student coops in September, I have solidified my understanding of produce, and this trip to the farmer's market showed me that I could comfortably speak with others in this world of plants without feeling uninformed or intimidated. What a great feeling!

After the farmer's market, I hopped on bus #67, which took me to Tilden Park for the much-anticipated Native Plant Fair at the "Here Native Nursery". I had such a great time listening to speakers on various native plant topics, such as landscaping and building a wildlife habitat in your own yard. I spent my time speaking with experts and amateurs alike about advice on planting under the towering eucalyptus trees in my house's backyard. I then wandered the rows of native species, making notes of my favorite blooms and native grasses.

What a great weekend!

Posted by Christina at 11:33 PM | Permalink

I am always excited about going home and seeing my family, friends, room, and of course kitties! When I was packing Friday afternoon I felt even more excited to go home because Eid was on Monday and I was going to spend it with my family and friends. I got picked up by a friend of mine and I dragged a long my friend Maya with me (she also lives in Sacramento). The train ride is lots of fun when you are with someone else, especially when you watch Wedding Crashers!

Right when we got to Sacramento we got off the train and RAN to Starbucks to get some coffee...yay...I loved my Double Carmel Iced White Mocha..and it definatly is a home signature. Then we went to my house and I was excited to bring home part of Berkeley (Maya..lol). We had dinner, which was nice, and then Maya's mom came to pick her up and our families further bonded. I felt a sense of security knowing my mom knows one of my close Berkeley friends and having her approval. After they left I went to my high school's halloween dance and saw my school for the first time since graduation. It felt really awkward but it was nice at the same time to see people and catch up!

The rest of the weekend I hung out with friends, went shopping, bought all of Target, wrapped presents for Eid, ate lots of ice cream, and celebrated Eid! It was really sad to leave home Monday night (partly because I knew I was going to have SOOO much work to catch up on when I come back home) because I love feeling comfortable, secure, and relaxed at home. I feel like everytime I come to Berkeley I come to only work, stress, do HW, sit in lectures all day, and worry about my midterms. But when I go home I can have fun and relax. Don't get me wrong I have lots of fun at Berkeley, but it seems as if this is the place for work and home is the place for fun and relaxation. But then again, I think it's only because I am so close to my friends and family that I always feel sad at the thought of missing out on so much of their lives while I'm far away!

I am only glad Sacramento is only a 1 hour 45 minute train ride...I better run to my Peace and Conflict lecture!!!

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 1:55 PM | Permalink

Alright, so it doesn't quite fit the short-and-sweet naming scheme of Apple, but I just recently stumbled across this site, whereon you can download audio and text of a myriad of Darwin works. I just finished uploading On the Origin of Species to my MP3 player - if only I could get someone to record all my actual homework readings I'm supposed to get done this week, I'd be all set.

On another note, did ya' hear about Iceland starting up commercial whaling again? Taking this fin whale (note: if you're squeamish about dead animals, don't click that link)? Now, I don't want to use this blog as a soapbox, but part of being in CNR (and CRS, for me) is making sure you get involved in this world full of natural "resources." As such, if you don't agree with the decision, I'd recommend shootin' off an email to the Icelandic Tourism Board or the Chamber of Commerce - let 'em know that you aren't happy with their choice and will spend your tourism/consumer funds elsewhere, if that's your stance. Part of the whole college experience is fostering and cementing that ability to put forward your thoughts and ideas in a rational, focused manner.

Chamber of Commerce: info@chamber.is
Tourism Board: info@icetourist.is

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 8:48 PM | Permalink

I went home to Sacramento this past weekend and felt much more normail than expected. Many of my college friends say that everything changes once you move out- your room feels odd, there's a feeling of missing Berkeley, and everyone treats you like an outsider- but I didn't feel any of those. I couldn't believe my sister actually missed me! She's 4 years younger and very involved in high school already- as busy as a senior. The rest of my family tried to cater to my wishes.. like getting Halloween decorations out and asking me what I wanted to do.

Being home made me recognize my accomplishments (hahemm..) and experiences of college so far. It's summarizing two months to neighbors using one sentence.

The worst part of going home, though it was really on the 'coming back' part of the journey, was the transportation. My arrival to my dorm room was delayed by an hour and a half!! All because I have no experience on deboarding trains and buses! I stood up with my heavy large three bags on the second floor of the Amtrak train from Sacramento, when it arrived at the Berkeley station (which is beautiful). I moved quickly and a man coming on the train and upstairs let me go past first, but I was too late! the doors were already shut and I couldn't open them. No buttons. No cord. No helpful train conductor or anything! I just yelled and looked everywhere, but resigned myself when I heard, to my luck, that the Emeryville stop was 4 minutes away. I got off there, spoke with a generous ticket man who said I could catch a train at 8pm (it was 7:15 at the time), for free.

I did catch that one, and found the AC transit bus stop easily enough, but couldn't deboard that one on time either because of so many people on it.

Well..now I'm an experienced public transit college student and know better than to wait until a vehicle comes to a complete stop before standing up.

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 1:04 AM | Permalink

I have never studied for a test harder or longer than I've studied for my Chem Midterm II. I am sure some of you may agree with me on this one.

Because I want to major in the bilogical sciences and be pre-med, I have this fear that if I don't do super well in Chem 1A which is the basis for all science, then I am going to have a really rough time with my career. As a result, I have been studying almost non-stop for the past 5 days. I had a 4 hour chem lab today and it was packed with review and then when I got out I went straight to library (my current location) and I started doing even MORE practice problems and example midterms.

On the bright side, I do feel much more prepared for this midterm than my first horrific midterm. My test is tonight at 6:30 so wish me luck!

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 1:50 PM | Permalink

So i know there are alot of places on campus that people dont really know about and i have made it my goal to inform people of these places. So what did i do you may ask? well i borrowed a camera and went out to take pictures of these places. These are places that i enjoy being at either to study or just to relax in between classes. The Student Resource Center in 260 Mulford hall was on my list. Not only do they have the most comfortable couches but its also really quite. Its a good place to take a nap in between classes..or so i have heard...i dont speak by experience...

Plus, the resource has computers and free printing if you decide to do homework! what more can you ask for.

Another of my favorite places to be at is the North Reading Room in Doe Library. This room is so peaceful and quiet good for you just to sit and relax. When i have time i just go up there (to the 2nd floor of doe) and read my favorite magazines. Most people only visit this room during midterms and finals but everyone should visit the north reading room as much as possible. It truly relaxes me plus using the library is free of charge so why not use it.

Just look at the light coming into the room. Doesnt it inspire you to go?

If you dont want to be inside i say you vist the 8th floor of Barrows Hall. The view of city is amazing. It is said to have the second best view after The Campanille. Also, If you like Evans Hall, go up to the tenth floor adn go into the Student Lounge and look a the view it offers...you wll be surprised!!

Posted by Mayra Ceja at 11:34 AM | Permalink

I am really excited because this week is I-week at my sorority (initiation/inspiration week). The purpose of this week is to

get to know the girls in the house and bond more. Therefore, we are asked random (and mostly odd) questions every night about inside jokes, stories, nicknames, etc and our task is to ask around the house to get thye answer by the next day. This week is going to be a lot of fun and I can't wait to get on with it. At the end of the week, as an award for enduring all of the questions we must research on top of our already existing midterms, we are initiated and officially titled "Alpha Phi Actives" a.k.a member. Sadly though, I won't be there Friday night because I am going to be going back home (to Sacramento) because it is the end of Ramadan and Eid (A muslim holiday in which you celebrate the end of the holy month Ramadan for 4 days by visiting friends, getting presents, dining out, and basically having a blast and getting lots of money from relatives..yay!!), is on Sunday and I have to go spend time with my family. Speaking of Eid, I better go buy some presents for my younger sisters and parents...hmmm, maybe I should hit all the antique stores on Telegraph!!

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 5:44 PM | Permalink

I seem to have totally neglected blogging in an effort to keep on top of work, school, midterms, and some semblance of a social life...but CNR, Cal, and Berkeley have so many interesting and pertinent seminars, colloqiums, and the like - thought I'd share just a few links to finding a few:

CNR Newsline
Cal Event Calendar
Ecology Center Event Calendar

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 11:16 AM | Permalink

What is a "jerk"?

Definition 1:
The third derivative of position, the second derivative of velocity, or the first derivative of acceleration.

Definition 2:
Imagine that your friend was driving and you were in his car. Your friend saw the traffic light turned yellow and believed that he could make it. So he stepped on the gas pedal and you experienced a pull forward. Suddenly, the traffic light turned red and your friend had to stepped on the brake. You felt being pushed back and were like "Shoot, what a jerk..."

This is from my math professor when he was trying to explain higher derivatives and how useful they are in kinematics. So I guess the moral of the story is do not be intimidated by the huge lectures and do approach your professor during their office hours. They are very friendly and willing to help.

Posted by Yang Cao at 9:48 PM | Permalink

It's not even the end of the first semester and I already have to worry about my classes for next semester!

My Phase I appointment is on 11/07/06 Which worries me because I know a few freshmen who have an earlier date. So I'm worried I wont the classes I want..which is crucial considering I am a double major, pre-med student! I guess I'm just going to have to test my luck. But, on the better side, I did just get my Near Eastern Studies midterm back and I got an A, so that's lovely. And I just turned in my midterm for my Peace and Conflict CLass which didn't go too bad, so I'll be waiting for the results pretty soon! However, what is NOT cool is the wonderful chem midterm I have next Tuesday. I had to cancel out on the Lake Tahoe retreat my sorority is planning so I can stay in my dorm, alone, and STUDY!! I guess school is important right?

Well I am off to my two-hour Peace and Conflicts lecture!!

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 1:43 PM | Permalink

Remember making solar ovens when you were a kid? Ok, maybe I was the only kid with a girl scout troop crazy enough to cook this way...

For my friend Lindsay, who currently has no kitchen.

I'm sure that if you take a look at the general themes of the recipes here (looks like it's just a longer cooking time), you'll be able to adapt some of your favorite desert recipes to make them work in a solar oven.

Delicious solar cooker desert recipes:

http://solarcooking.org/recipes/desserts.htm

Solar Ovens out of cardboard boxes:

http://solarcooking.org/collapsible-box.htm

Here's a link to a bunch of solar oven and stove plans, including an awesome-looking permanent backyard solar oven - I want one of these!!

http://solarcooking.org/plans.htm

With an hour in the solar-cooker, you're good to go with delicious food!

Posted by Christina at 6:10 PM | Permalink

Today I scrubbed grease off the stainless steel wall beside the oven in the kitchen. It's an industrial kitchen. As I was cleaning, I thought about how I really do enjoy the cooperative living arrangement, and community living in general.

I now wonder what life was like before I shared one toilet and shower with 10 others, and how I managed to make every meal on my own. Now there are 30 wonderful people in my life, many who are close friends, many others who are just aquaintances that I see on a regular basis. But we all do things for one another. I purchase, pack, and deliver produce to 7 of the Coops in the morning - 5:30am - 8am three times a week. Other people cook, maintain the house, work in the garden, keep things organized, clean up after the usual college parties. Then there's the close friends that I have made here. Last night, there was one of those parties: relaxing evening by the fireside with wine, cheese, and smores. then all-out dancing. I ditched part of the party with a few friends and played a rousing game of "Mario Party". Then they went back to the mess of crazy dancing and fun people, while I retreated to my basement bedroom and slept. I can sleep through the parties here, through the people walking by my door at 3am, or the fights that the neighbors have in the courtyard just beyond my walls. I lay there in my room with the doors locked, knowing when I wake up in the morning it wil be another adventure.

Posted by Christina at 1:55 PM | Permalink

I am taking away from my precious midterm study time to write this little blog entry. I am too kind. Anyway what I wanted to talk about is the X-lab. It stands for Experimental Social Science Laboratory and it's located in F310 in Haas. What you do is sign up for a couple appointments and then you go in and you do these social experiments and then you get paid at the end (by check, irritatingly). Sounds good right? Wrong! The X-lab is in reality a simulation of the world, a eat or be eaten mentality that pits you against the smartest (and poorest) Berkeley students on campus in a dangerous and high stakes game of chance and probability. Only the luckiest survive!

Seriously though, it's a good way to make a couple bucks. You get at least 5 dollars for your trouble - if you really really suck at probability games and are really unlucky. Unfortunately it seems like you need to have a little knowledge of game theory before you start making the big bucks ($20!). Today's x-lab was a little thing about "Would you rather have someone in your group get 2 dollars and you 9? Or would you rather it be 6 both?" I told this to my roommate and he started spouting some nerd talk about Nash Equilibrium. DIdn't Nash win MVP last year? Or is he talking about Russell Crowe?

Try X-Lab. I'm serious, it's really fun. You get paid for playing a game (it's almost like being a professional game athlete) and you get to help other researchers at Haas. I feel like I'm helping the world over, and that feeling is classic.

Posted by Jonathan Yu at 12:34 PM | Permalink