Well lucky me I get to take a class at Berkeley this summer... YEAH for GENETICS!! yeah right! Well I am going to continue working at both my jobs. I'll pick up more hours during the month between when Spring semester ends and Summer session starts. But that's what I'll be doing this summer. Also on May 20th, I will be attending my graduation commencement.. WOO HOO!! and then after summer session and then a little break I will start school at UCSF Pharmacy school... oh, I'm so excited, yet so scared I'm going to be the stupid compared to everyone else that's going to be there!! We'll see though! Well I wish everyone well... Hope you all have a great summer and good luck!

Posted by at 1:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If it hasn’t become evident from my rather long blog posts, I like to think a lot (and thus ramble and write a lot). So it comes time to reflect on the events of my sophomore year, the highs and lows, and everything that I hope for the future.

This past year has been quite interesting, filled with so many joys and challenges. I am so glad I survived Chem 3B and lab because those two classes basically took up all of my time. Bio 1A and lab are also proving to be very challenging classes, but as I discovered, no matter how tough the lab is, I have to say that it is one of my favorite classes of all time. I had a great UGSI, and an amazing GSI. Plus, my lab itself was really hilarious. I’ve never laughed so hard during lab; the people and the environment they created helped me through the night lab. Oh, and I didn’t think I would enjoy dissecting a rat, crayfish, etc. and holding snakes, a chinchilla, a tarantula, and all of these cool organisms!!!

Taking Theater 121 has been such a rewarding experience; being in a class filled with outspoken theater students is definitely much different than in a class of science students. And I just loved the topics and the plays that we read – this class absolutely opened up my mind to so many ideas and concepts about all kinds of issues in the world, especially those dealing with Asian-Americans. If anyone needs any suggestions as to what Asian-American plays to read, I can definitely recommend some.

Being part of PAL has been such an amazing, wonderful, spectacular, and heartwarming experience. I got to meet to new people and make new friends as well as help others. It’s what I love about this college – it is definitely a community. I am so excited to be part of this group and see what PALs can do in the future. But I’m sad to say goodbye to those seniors that I’ve gotten to know. I wish the best for every one of you in all of your endeavors.

As for the future, I can’t wait to take some upper division classes and start with research. It’s definitely going to be fun.

I did want to mention one last thing. Although classes and activities make up such a huge part of our lives, outside events do too. Two words: Virginia Tech. So many things can be said about this tragic event, but it’s something that we cannot forget.

I hope that everyone had an interesting if not fun year! Have a great summer!

Posted by Irene Liao at 9:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

ffffiiinnnnaaallllyyy!!! this year actually passed by pretty quickly! but yay to summer!! the warm warm weather, doing nothin, relax, eat, sleep! cant wait till summer!!
this summer, i will be taking summer school at berkeley again, but instead of those hard core science classes i need to take to graduate or for my major, ill be taking a fun fun language class-korean! i cant wait to take that class because im super duper interested in korean culture and i have actually been "trying" to learn the language on my own. unfortunately, it is going nowhere because of my inconsistency in studying the language and my busy schedule. That will take up most of my time since its M-F 9-12 (i think). besides that, im also trying or planning to get a part time job..hopefully being a waitress or something of that kind! i always wanted to try to become a waitress so hopefully berkeley restaurants will hire me!

aside from school and work, ill definitely enjoy myself and hang out with family and friends! eat out a lot and experience berkeley more since it will be my last year next year! i cant believe that i will be a snr soon! time really flies! i think im just beginning to enjoy berkeley too and meeting a lot of fun cool people! so sad!
but yes, go out, enjoy the weather and events around your area, have fun because you certainly worked hard this year!!! =D

Posted by Linda Truong at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This semester has been one of the most difficult so far at Cal and I am really looking forward to a crazy, but fun summer. Once finals are over, I’m going to have about two and a half weeks to relax, do some research on grad schools, work on my senior thesis, and prepare for the rest of summer.

Once this long overdue break from school is up, I will be heading to Costa Rica to start my study abroad program through the School for Field Studies. This is an environmental study abroad program that focuses on field work and community involvement. To the best of my knowledge, this summer I will be working with other students from around the United States to develop an eco-tourism program for one of Costa Rica’s national parks. Because this is such an intense program, with at best one day off to explore on my own, I’m going to take about 10 days after the program is over to travel around with a friend and see the country a little.

When I get back, I will shortly be flying out again to visit my boyfriend. He will be working at a camp in New Mexico for the summer and I am already looking forward to visiting him and meeting all of his friends out there. While our plans are pretty tentative right now, I think we’ll spend the week hiking, camping, and seeing some of the sights in Colorado and New Mexico.

After he goes back to work, I will be heading off to the Caribbean with my parents for the last three weeks of summer. We plan to rent a sail boat and scuba dive on some of the prettiest reefs in the world. I think it will be quite a change to travel with my parents after a summer of traveling by myself, but I am really glad that I will be able to spend some time with my family.

This sounds like quite a crazy summer, right? Well, I couldn’t agree more! I suppose all of my college travels will be happening in one summer, because the last few summers sure haven’t been exciting.
Well, I have enjoyed writing this blog throughout the semester and I wish you the best of luck on your finals! Have a great summer and I’ll see you next year!

Posted by Liz Dow at 10:46 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Berkeley certainly has a lot more to offer other than academia. When I’m not in class, one of my favorite things to do is try new restaurants. Some of the best I have tried that you might want to check out are Berkeley Thai House on Channing, Café Gratitude on Shattuck, and Fondue Fred’s on Telegraph. I think this is a great way to catch up with friends, take a break from the ramen, and enjoy some great food. If you are feeling adventurous, I would also really recommend checking out the eateries in San Francisco. The Mission District and North Beach are great places to explore and find good, cheep food.

I also really enjoy getting away from the books and out into the fresh air. One of the best ways to do this in Berkeley is to take an urban walk. Now, this may not sound like the most ideal outdoor experience, but Berkeley has dozens of rather secluded foot paths snaking throughout North Berkeley residential areas that are very fun to explore. You can purchase a book specifically on this topic, or just take a close look at most Berkeley maps to see exactly where they are. If you are looking for something that isn’t quite as tame, Tilden Park is a great resource right in our back yards. You can take the 67 all the way up the hills and enjoy miles of hiking trails, Lake Anza, which offers a beach and swimming area, and areas to picnic or BBQ.

This is just a little glimpse of a great city, but I hope these suggestions help you get to know Berkeley a little better!

Posted by Liz Dow at 10:44 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I’m glad that the end of this semester is ending. Completing finals means a chance for good quality time spent at home with family and a time to take a step back. It seems like this semester whizzed by, with little opportunities to take a breath and relax. With back to back midterms and projects, I look back at my planner and am amazed that I actually got through all of it.
With only a couple weeks left of my junior year left, the ending is bitter sweet. While I am that much closer to exploring the next chapter of my life after college, I am also that much closer to ending my career as a Berkeley undergrad
With this in mind, I want to make it my goal to enjoy this final summer and year as much as possible. I want to enjoy the Berkeley campus scenery as I walk to class everyday. I hope to appreciate the community atmosphere at CNR even more. I also want to grow deeper in my relationships with my friends I’ve met at Berkeley. This and many more hopes I have for my final semesters at UCB.
Enjoy the simple things that make you smile and I wish everyone a safe and fun summer!

Posted by Crystal Kwan at 10:35 PM | Permalink

This year has been extremely long for me. "Sophomore slump" has definitely taken its toll on me and I'm ready to take finals and get out of school.
Academics have been harder this year. I've started taking upper divisions so my load has been much heavier than those carefree days of being a freshman. And I definitely feel the responsibilities of having my own apartment and stepping up in my roles in activities outside of school.
But because of all the difficulties of the past year, I feel that I've grown in certain ways, even if only in being able to handle more. Despite struggles, I've seen how God has blessed me with a lot, and I've learned a little more in being content in my circumstances. This is a comforting thought for next year, as I'll be an upperclassman and taking nothing but upper divs. And for the summer as well. I'll be taking Chem 3A and 3AL here in Berkeley.

I hope you guys finish strong! Good luck on finals. When you're stressing out like crazy, remember that you've survived finals before and that summer is just around the corner :)

Posted by Wendy Chen at 8:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's nearing finals and everyone is itching for summer to just hurry up and come. This semester has gone by like all the other ones do, and have yet to grasp the fact that I have 2 more semesters left. Like Alex, I will be a senior this Fall, and that thought scares me (people still think I'm in high school). I have learned much from this semester, academically and personally, that have strengthened my character. I do believe that both college's and high school's junior years are the toughest, because that is when the stress of what you are going to do for the rest of your life starts to kick in (for me at least). It is when you are beginning to see yourself as an adult and when you and all your friends are turning 21.

On a lighter note, this will be my first summer at home. I have spent the last two summers here at Berkeley, taking summer school. While that was fun and I love Berkeley during the summer, I am very much looking forward to spending time at home for more than a month. However, I have to sit myself down and continue seriously studying for the MCAT. And after that, I will be in Japan for a month, studying abroad. I am quite excited. Look for my posts this Fall, where I will try to put a picture or two up of me in Japan.

Good luck to everyone with finals, and we will miss all of the PALs who are graduating! As for me, see you all in a few months :o)

Posted by Adrienne Doi at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I usually find time to shop maybe a couple times a semester. When the urge hits me, I find myself heading to Emeryville's Bay Street (you can catch the F from Bancroft going toward SF and get off at Bay Street). I like Banana Republic, B&N, Gap, and the cute, pink bakery shop they have. And, I have a car here, so it makes going to Emeryville all the more tempting. However, I don't like to drive to SF. It makes me very nervous! I'm from Orange County, where one lane of a road can really fit two cars side-by-side. But anywho, I do enjoy shopping on Market. You can easily catch the BART, although I would recommend waiting a bit, considering the recent freeway loss will increase public transportation use.

Unless, however, you don't mind being packed into a subway with many people. There used to be a Gap that I liked right on Bancroft, but I think now it is being turned into a Walgreens.

As far as places to eat, I wrote an entry last semester on my favorite places. I also bought the Chowhound's Guide to the Bay Area from Borders. Check it out! I think it's worth it if you want to find all the secret spots around here.

If you enjoy tennis, you can call (510) 642-8345 to make court reservations. I strongly recommend it if you don't want to be kicked off by other people. I would suggest the courts on Channing to play on, as those are used by the women's Cal team and are very nice. The Bancroft courts are decent, and if you are going for more social tennis, that is a good place to be.

I would suggest checking out the Guide to the Good Life in Berkeley for alternative things to do. However, don't feel like you have to do most of the activities listed, because you do take classes! Hike up to the Big C if you haven't already (I will soon, I promise) and visit the Rose Garden down on Euclid. Have fun!

Posted by Adrienne Doi at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I always get a bit queasy when the end of Spring semester approaches, since it signifies another year of college life that has just sped past me. Now that I've seen three years go by, a very intimidating thought has continuously bugged me.

I'll be a senior.

That may sound really cool to underclassmen who are itching to get out of the lower division classes, but being a senior means it's the last year you've got at Cal, a place we often take for granted until we have to leave. The term "senior" itself implies passed time and age (for better

or for worse), and with this means transitioning from a life composed primarily of socializing-studying-socializing-studying to actually taking on "real life" responsibilities of full time jobs and paying bills. Or for others, it means entering graduate school, which may be a part of the same academic environment we are currently in...but, life as a grad student is still markedly different and still an adjustment.

I suppose the point I'm making here is that every student should take in and relish in as much of their college experiences as possible, because it is very fleeting. For me, I still got one more year, and I plan to make good use of it.

Posted by Alex Lau at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)