Multicultural Food Fest

On Thursday, we had our Multicultural Food Fest. It was in honor of homecoming, and it brought together a diverse group of organizations. The food was good . . and lasted about 20 minutes!!! Here are some memories that I think represent this experience well, and bring out Tulane’s multi ehtnic student group.

This is the representation from the Asian American Student Union. Here at Tulane, what the actual color of your skin is doesn’t matter at all. What does matter is the interest you have in learning about other cultures. We’re very open and all of our multicultural groups have members of widely varying backgrounds.








These are girls from my sorority, Delta Xi Nu. We are the only multicultural Greek body on campus, and just by looking at us, you can tell that we’re a very diverse group of girls. But sisterhood ultimately brings us together, and we learn about each others’ cultures in the process!









Here’s our poster!














My friends Jacob and Annabelle goofing around. She’s eating this interesting macaroni and cheese with some spices in it . . .












These freshman are all in the India Association of Tulane University. They signed up for it at the ACTIVITIES EXPO, where all the multicultural groups are represented by booths. Their executive boards sit at the booths and try to get members to sign up. In several of these groups, you can be on the email listserv without paying dues (which means you can even be invited to events without paying dues, which are usually only $10 anyways). That way, you can choose to pay for whatever events YOU want to do.




And this is the girl who made it all possible in terms of this Food Fest- Sarah Chiapetta. She’s on the Homecoming Committee this year.

Internet at Tulane

Oops so it’s been awhile since I last posted. Ok partially this is my fault, but partially because the internet connection in my room has gone from bad to worse. Now many of you may not know this already, but Tulane, as a private university, doesn’t allow you to use file sharing software like Limewire. This means that you can’t really download anything you want to download because Tulane is particularly conscious about copyright laws. Now I tried to get around this by using another downloading system, using torrents, but that is what causes my internet to go from bad to worse.

But then I found this thing called ctrax. It’s like this free online music database, and its REALLY fast. It’s a great way to download music, and they have most of the popular music you’d find on Limewire anyways. And now, they’re letting you download a special player for it so you can put this music on your ipod like with files you download from Limewire. As a freshman, I never knew about this. Only after I got onto the Residential Hall Association did I find out. So pretty much I spent an entire two semesters being angry that I couldn’t download anything here. Ctrax is not a bad option, and they’re fast-growing as well. They also don’t violate copyright laws . . . which no longer is a concern for most of us but in the end, downloading music from Limewire is still sort of illegal.

So here’s to all you incoming freshman: Don’t fret about Limewire- check out Ctrax instead!

Bourbon Street Bluff

What are people really looking for on Bourbon Street?

I found myself wondering that when I was on Bourbon street awhile ago with my friends. Why do people go there?I was there at a jazz cafe, stuffing my face with beignets, enjoying some good music, when I looked outside the gates to the almost surreal world outside. The actual street is littered with these characters . . all of us searching for something.

Jazz on Bourbon

But what?

Bourbon Street’s appeal comes from its lawlessness and its ability to provide an easy good time no matter what. Part of that comes from its alcoholic beverages. The other part is because in some ways it embodies the spirit of New Orleans: flashy and colorful, living for the moment and the quelque chose ephemere (the here and now). The part that gives little regard to the past or future, to the yesterdays and tomorrows. The part that lets you get yourself into a stupor and not worry about waking up and getting things done the next day.

I think Bourbon Street is extremely appealing when you first get to college, like all things new and forbidden. It’s very exciting to be in that environment of lost souls, searching for a good time to forget about their troubles. For those moments you’re all the same, all there to have fun: laissez les bons temps rouler. Once you get a little older you start to see that Bourbon Street is only a temporary fix to problems that need a better approach. Plus, there’s a fine time to be had at Tulane and near it. You don’t need to go all the way to Bourbon to search for whatever you’re looking for. It might just be in front of you.

I bought this t shirt once that said BS: Bourbon Street. I think that pretty much captures it. If New Orleans were a card game, Bourbon Street would be its biggest bluff.

But when you’re in the mood for that, I guess its ok. Once in a while, you even need a little lie. And then you find the truth at Tulane, studying for classes, socializing with friends, playing somewhat treacherous intramural sports =) . . . . and you realize that you’re not like all those older people you see on Bourbon Street still searching.

My friend Sasha and beignets!

Me and Clint- lab partners then friends! A Tulane connection!

Only at Tulane . . . .

Battle Wounds

So for all of you wondering where I’ve been the last week I have two words: head injury.

I got it while playing soccer. Now granted, I’m not that good at soccer, and I probably shouldn’t have blocked a ball with my head and then fallen to the ground but still . . . . intramural sports is one of those things that I occasionally wish I hadn’t volunteered for but most of the time thoroughly enjoy.

Let’s just say my coordination with any type of ball is pretttty limited. Now in high school I did karate and dance . . . so I can move. But with a ball in my hand or around my feet . . not so much. But I’m a quick learner and I’m definitely learning the rules of the game. See that’s kind of how it goes for intramurals. You just get with these players that know what they’re doing. Nobody teaches you the rules, you have to sort of catch on. But you’ll become a LOT better player in the process.

And who knows if I’ll actually ever need to block a ball with my head again. Even with my head injury, my heart is still in the right place. I wish that’s all that counted . . . but I think I have some learning to do too! Next time I’ll definitely use some other body part . . . .

Oh the joys of college life!

Saints Game

So on Sunday, I went with my wonderful sorority to a Saints Game. We were vendors there, along with a whole group of Tulane students, and as a compensation for our hard work, we got to keep a commission on the concessions we sold and all the tips we received. We went up and down in the stands selling stuff. . . . . very grueling work but also very rewarding.

Rachel, Mayra, Lauren, Me, Iris, and Keisha (front)- go Xi Honeys!

More than just the money, going to the Saints game was another reason why we came to New Orleans to go to school. It was definitely a bonding experience for me and my sorority sisters in Delta Xi Nu, and we got to see all the fans at these games, all the fans who support their team no matter what. The Saints’ return to New Orleans marks a new beginning for this city, and the thousands of people dressed in fleur-de-lis gear certainly proved that. Even when we were outside the stands we could hear the crowds cheering and booing and we knew exactly what was going on. It was an incredible sense of pride and team spirit that I’ve honestly never seen anywhere else, not even at the University of Texas, which last year was certainly known for its football team.


The field before the game started














Me during the third quarter














Bucs are about to score . . . but that’s ok, we still beat ‘em in the end!

It’s because the Saints are more than just a football team like any other football team, college or professional. They’re a lot of attitude, representative of the people of New Orleans’. Every win of theirs says: “That’s right folks. We’re back and better than ever.”

Salsa Night

So Friday night was Salsa Night. For all of you who haven’t tried it, I strongly encourage you to!

We ended up going to Cafe Brazil, which is at the corner of Frenchman and Chartres. The cover is like $7, and they teach you how to salsa first. Then a band comes on around 10, and by 10:30 its easily the only place in New Orleans that’s already busy and packed. If you get there early enough, not only will you learn how to dance, but some Latino men will dance with you, further improving your skills. It’s a little different from your average club, considering many of the guys there are older, and people who have taken lessons in salsa and merengue just as a hobby. They will definitely respect you when you dance.

We took the bus down to Canal and walked what seemed a REALLY long distance, but it was good exercise and the weather was great. We didn’t walk on Bourbon, rather, we walked through le Vieux Carre and got to see some really interesting art galleries along the way. We had with us a New Orleans native who knew exactly where to go.

<<(Me and the girls on the bus on the way to Salsa Night)

I think in the end, a good night out is what you make of it. If you pick a place, have a plan, and have the right people with you, it can be successful no matter what. But here at Tulane, in New Orleans, salsa dancing will make it a great night out. How many other schools can say that? =)