Like a Boss!

My boss, who is a senior at the University of Maryland, got accepted into one of the law schools he applied to - DePaul University Law School. To congratulate his success, my colleague made him a cake - and it looks fantastic!

Penn Masala at College Park

Penn Masala - a world-renowned Indian acapella group that originated at the University of Pennsylvania (NOT Penn St.) 15 years ago - gave a nice show here at the University of Maryland this afternoon. Take a look and listen:

Viva La Vida

The Remedy

Don't Stop Believin'

Here Comes the Sun

Heartless

She Will Be Loved

Desi Girl + Down

To Sum Up Today's Game:

It's Scheduling Time, Again!

Yup, Terp undergrads, Venus is now up-and-running, so your registration date should now be posted on my.umd.edu. Mine is on the 7th of next month.

Here are some possible classes that I could be taking next semester:

GEOL204 - Dinosaurs: Early Humans, Ancestors, and Evolution


HLTH377 Human Sexuality (I heard that this is a VERY popular class - at the beginning of each semester, there are 180 filled seats AND 180 students ON THE WAITLIST!)


KNES100O Coed Basketball (Intermediate) (I've already taken beginning basketball and it was too easy, and I want to up my game)


GEOG445 Climatology (A course that is required for my major)


GEOG473 Geographic Information Systems (Ditto like above, but for my minor - it's an upper-level course for the introductory course I'm taking this semester)


AOSC401 Climate Dynamics and Earth System Science (Ditto, but for my OTHER minor)


My Temporary/Possible Schedule for the Spring of 2012:

Homecoming Acapella 2011

If you were unable to make it to yesterday's acapella performances, featuring PandemoniUM and Faux Paz, or were unaware of the event, no need to worry. I have compiled the best-of-the-best from the annual acapella performance of the Fall 2011 school year:

Anoka






DaCadence

Faux Paz

Kol Sasson

PandemoniUM

Rak Shalom

UMD - Did You See That?

I'm typing this post the day after Maryland released *two* of their new football uniforms + helmets in last night's nationally televised game against the Miami Hurricanes. I'll be talking (typing) about the *NEW* changes throughout the College Park campus compared to last academic year - not in any order. Don't worry, it won't be ONLY sports - I'll talk about the improvements/new facilities at and around Stamp and other places. I would REALLY appreciate any comments from students and others about what they think is different from previous years.


Let's go!

Maryland Football Jerseys

The majority of the media/public may not like the jersey combos, but I love them (all BUT the double-red and anything that goes with a yellow jersey). Under Armour did a great job deciding to come up with new jerseys as a new head coach was entering the fold.

251 North

 I have been to the *NEW* north campus diner twice this semester, and I have loads to say about the facility. I liked the idea of having the North side go once a week (mandatory) at a discounted rate, but dislike the fact that the South campus only being allowed to go 4 times at a discounted rate. The food here is EXCELLENT - so good that I have boycotted The Diner for good. The last time I went to the old Diner was on August 22 - 16 days ago and counting. What surprised my roommate and I was, why cant the Diner have just as good food as the 251 Diner - from the everyday steaks, WARM pasta and various other food made to your tastes. I dislike the fact that it's ONLY open from 5:30 - 8:30 PM ONLY on weekdays; they should have the occasional *special* holiday dinner opening on the weekends, simply just extend the hours to 10:00 PM on weekdays or open the Diner during lunchtime hours on the weekends.

The Stamp Sidewalk

You all most probably remember going up that hill/sidewalk/asphalt road against the baseball field leading up to the Stamp Student Union, right? Well, the asphalt got replaced by concrete, and they added a MUCH-NEEDED sidewalk behind the stadium. There would be many times where I would tippy-toe on the edge of the path, not wanting to walk on the dirt path or walk on the edge of the road behind Stamp.

University Book Center

Remember this bookstore? Well, it got revamped this year - for better and for worse. The flooring got replaced over Spring Break, and most items got shuffled around (i.e. Caps got moved to the right of the entrance; no sight of a jersey - football or basketball; dorm supplies got removed from ground floor [replaced by girly University of Maryland outfits]; and the art supplies are at the front of the ground floor)

The *Brand-New* Oakland Hall

If you haven't made the trip to the new dormitory, I HIGHLY recommend it if you are in or around the Denton Community. I work as a Community Assistant (CA - the guy that mans the front desk) there, and have a room w/ a roommate there as well. As soon as I entered the building for the first time, it was "hotel-like", with the plush cushions, the VERY nice carpeting in the lobby, the touch-screen television and a large front desk. I haven't even mentioned the gorgeous bathrooms or the fact that there are 2 study rooms (each with their own whiteboards) AND two lounges AND a laundry room ON EACH FLOOR!

TV's in the ERC

 
I tweeted this a few days ago. I'm SO relieved that TV's got installed in the cardio section on the top floor of the Eppley Recreation Center (a.k.a. the campus gym). In past instances of going to the ERC, I would have to bring my bulky 30 GB iPod Classic with me, and most times than not it would slip out; the other issue is that I would rather watch TV (esp. something like college football) rather than listen to music as I work out. It's nice that I just need to bring my lightweight headphones the next time I head to Eppley. :)

Notice anything else on campus that has changed since the Spring 2011 semester? Please email Sameer (sameermalla@gmail.com), tweet (@skinsballr), Facebook message or simply comment on this post with your findings. 

My Opinion on Art Attack

As of 9 PM EST yesterday, SEE (Student Entertainment Events) at the University of Maryland finally released their much-anticipated artist/band that would highlight the annual Art Attack at Byrd Stadium. The winner was...DRUMROLL, please... Nelly.

When I first heard late last night that Nelly would be the singer, I was shocked. Out of the possible artists (such as the Goo Goo Dolls and Kid Cudi, among others), Nelly was chosen. He was a safe pick... only if he was presenting five years ago. He's one of those artists that were past his prime, and newer artists, such as Kid Cudi or Mac Miller, would bring in a larger audience/fanbase.

I'm disappointed that Nelly was picked by SEE - this year's concert will not match last year's of Ben Folds and Weezer - and both didn't disappoint me. I probably will attend this event, but my hopes are really low - unless there's a surprise at the event.

Even some of my Facebook friends were displeased by the result:

"Is ANYONE going to Art Attack this year? I don't understand who would have even recommended Nelly..."

"Mixed feelings about the choice. I probably would've been more excited in 2003."

"Nelly at Art Attack. PFT. Guess I'll just work security or something."

"Now if Nelly just does songs before "Over and Over," this could actually be pretty awesome...given the right level of drunkenness"

"There were much better options than him"

"uh...nelly? really?"

It Only Takes Four

As you might or might not know, I am currently taking a half-semester bowling class here at the University of Maryland. We are only five classes in (the first class - the Tuesday before spring break - was just handing out the syllabus) - and I have noticed a theme here.

When I sat in the second class, I took the third lane (out of eight). Reason was basically convenience. I was close to the counter to pick up the bowling shoes; close to the lighter bowling balls, and one of the closest to the exit. I luckily did not take the second lane because it was malfunctioning for the first three classes - students in that lane had to share with the first lane, making the game extra-long.

Each class is composed of a ten-to-fifteen-minute lecture on a certain theme - such as choosing the right bowling ball and bowling etiquette. Then, the remainder of the one-and-a-half-hours (from 8:15 AM to 9:45 AM ) is just free/open bowling.

So far, I was very, VERY rusty two/three classes in. The first two games in the first class, I bowled both in the 40's - horrible scores. The other three guys in my lane were bowling in the low-to-mid 100's (anywhere from 100 to 150). As the classes went by, I bowled better and better - for instance, today, I bowled a 77 (a high for me) and a 76. The first game, I had three spares. The second game, one spare and a strike.

Between the third and fourth classes, the teacher gave me some tips, such as being 'stiff' and don't be moving horizontally while bowling - which really helped me get better and better scores; that and choosing the correct ball. When I scored in the 40's, I was using a 12-lb. ball; the current bowling balls I use are 11-lbs.

And, here's why I chose the heading. In one of today's games, I had scored 25 after two frames, while the others were anywhere from the low 20's to mid-30's. After just four frames, in which I failed to make a single spare or strike, the other bowlers in my lane were on a roll, hitting strike-after-strike and spare-after-spare. Their final scores were 109/119/150 - the last guy hitting spares and ending the 10th frame with a Turkey (triple strikes in a row)

So, I hope I can score in the mid-to-upper 80's next week - and hopefully, reach the 90's by the end of the semester!