While everyone here knows that we are not exactly huge fans of Stony Brook dining (pizza, really? again?), we can’t complain because Executive Chef’s Kitchen and Fuzions and now… Starbucks! try to balance out the mix.

But what we couldn’t wrap our heads around was this recent article in The New York Times about campus dining. My friends, we have been missing out– please read this and tell us what you think. Vegetarian pho much?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/09/dining/09campus.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=vegetarian+pho&st=nyt&oref=slogin

Lately, we have been getting especially interested in the whole idea of “being fit.” And with summer around the corner, what a better time to start workout out?! While we recommend the whole ‘SAC gym’ scenario, we also advise you to tread with caution: the place gets packed after 4, and it’s ridiculously stuffy after 5. Thus, we don’t work out there.

Recently, one of our bloggers mentioned yogadownload.com; it’s a free podcast that you can subscribe to that does a FANTASTIC job directing you through a 20-30 minute yoga class. Trust us, we’ve been doing this for a week now, and are LOVING it. The classes even come with a supplemental slideshow to tell you what each pose looks like. The classes have been an amazing addition to our runs on Circle Road (that is, however, when the weather permits).

We highly recommend you try this, and let us know if there are any other fit tips that you would like to share…

Namaste,

S

Buy: Marimekko for H&M

Eat: SB Munchies

Do: Take a run outside! It’s beautiful!!!

Check out the highly anticipated comedy. According to Stony Brook University, “Kristina Wong combines a zany sense of humor with biting insight in Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a swear-to-god-not-autobiographical portrayal of the high incidence of anxiety, depression, and mental illness among Asian American women.” Wong, Wang. Wang, Wong. A coincidence? I think not.

Where: Wang Center

When: 7:00 PM

Students $10.00

If only we could be there tonight. At Pier Sixty in Manhattan, Stony Brook University is having their annual Gala. This year, Stony Brook is honoring Dr. Nancy Rauch Douzinas, President of the Rauch Foundation and Stony Brook Foundation trustee. According to our school website, she was named as one of the “Top Influential People in 2006″ by Long Island Business News, and the Rauch Foundation as one of the “Top 10 Long Island Non-profits.”

Though we can’t be there, we imagine it to be an extensive soiree filled with cocktails and wonderful shmoozing with Stony Brook elite. After all, tickets at $500 each. If you have any stories you’d like to tell, drop them by– we’d love to hear.

This week’s guest blogger is Emily Gover, a student at Stony Brook University. Gover is a third-year English major. Her journalism work can be found in the University newspaper, The Stony Brook Statesman, where she has been a contributing writer (and now editor) since 2006.

I’ve found lately that whenever I turn on the radio, I have no idea what the latest music is. Friends and classmates quote songs that I’ve never heard before, and when I tell them so they look at me as if I’ve grown an extra head. Not to say that I don’t listen to Rhianna, Chris Brown, Fall Out Boy or any other popular artists today, because I do when the mood strikes, but I only start listening to them once the song that propelled them into fame has been outplayed beyond belief on the airwaves.

With Sanhita so kindly extending an offer to be a guest blogger for this week, I’ve decided to use the opportunity to spread the word on two of my all-time favorite artists — both are from England, my Mother Country — but they have two very distinct sounds.

A lot of English musicians struggle to make it over here in the States. Robbie Williams, a huge popstar in England of the ’90s and early ’00s, bombed in the U.S. with his album “The Ego Has Landed.” (Only a few know him for “Rock DJ” and “Millennium.”) Keane has had two stellar albums (and a third on the way!), but is only known here for “Somewhere Only We Know.” Coldplay, Amy Winehouse, and Leona Lewis are probably the only English successful musicians in the U.S. as of late, and it’s quite a shame, because there are so many great bands in England that just can’t break onto the scene. A lot of trendy music kids today say they don’t want their favorite bands to make it big the States because they want to be the only ones who know of them (I have been guilty of this desire as much as the next person), but I think these two musicians truly deserve to be played to a much broader audience than they already are.

1. Mika

A Lebanese-Parisian-Brit, Mika broke onto the English music scene in 2007 with his second single, “Grace Kelly,” from the album Life In Cartoon Motion. When I first heard him, I was convinced his music was targeted for seven-year-olds listening to Kidz Bop, as his music was so poppy, so happy, so flamboyant. But once you listen to his music, particularly “Lollipop,” “Grace Kelly,” and “Big Girls (You Are Beautiful),” you can’t help but start tapping your feet and subsequently break out into spontaneous dance moves. His music is so feel-good and infectious, you can’t help but love him and his music. He is an incredibly talented musician and singer. I’ve seen him twice in concert and both times were absolutely incredible; not only does he sound fabulous, but he is a brilliant entertainer. If you’re ever feeling down, just put on Life In Cartoon Motion, and you’ll be sure to have permagrin across your face for the day.

2. Arctic Monkeys

Okay, now these four lads are growing to be my favorite band ever ever ever ever ever. Arctic Monkeys grew to popularity at a startling rate in 2005 with their first release “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” off their album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, released in early 2006. The single reached #1in its first week of release, and that was essentially the beginning of Monkeys madness. Whatever People Say I Am… broke England’s record for being the fastest-selling debut album, selling over 360,000 in the first week. Their second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, also reached #1 on UK charts, and did tremendously well on the radio and in reviews.

If their music had to be classified, I guess indie-punk would be most appropriate. Alex Turner is quite possibly the greatest lyricist I’ve heard since Tomas Kalnoky, and Jamie “Cookie” Cook, Nick O’Malley and Matt Helders are all amazing musicians, and create a sound that literally puts my iTunes on repeat over and over again. Their songs range from angry, fast-paced, bass-thumping rock, to mellow acoustic ballads. Each track has a different sound, but all are equally addictive. “Brianstorm,” “Teddy Picker,” “Still Take You Home,” “505,” “Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured” and “Perhaps Vampires Is a Bit Strong, But…” are among my favorites (although there is not one single track I don’t like — which is rare for me).

Please note: none of the boys are over the age of 22, and considering their enormous success in the past two years, it’s very indicative of their overall talent and highly promising future. Perhaps what’s best is that despite their fame in England and across Europe, they are still just a bunch of normal guys from Sheffield. In one interview, when pressed for what audience members could expect to be different from their last performance, Turner said, “Well, we have different haircuts….” When asked about their fame, they say that they’re just the big thing for now — they don’t revel in the glory or stardom, nor does it seem they even want it. They play because they love to play, and that’s it. I feel all bands start off feeling this way, but once they reach star status, they struggle to stay in that mindset. Arctic Monkeys are not in this group, thankfully.

Rumors are stirring that the Monkeys are trying to pull a musical hattrick by releasing their third album in three years sometime in 2008. Their fanbase is slowly growing in the States, but their talent is imcomparable and the U.S. needs to hear their incredible musical skills. Turner is also working on a side project with Miles Kane (The Rascals), The Last Shadow Puppets. Their first single, “The Age Of the Understatement,” has been released, and contains a sound I can’t even describe. Perhaps it is a sign of my unfortunate lack of word choice, but give it a listen and tell me if you can think of a band that sounds like them (if you actually can, please tell me, because I’d love to hear more stuff like this!). Their EP was released on April 8, and is available on iTunes, so if you have $6 to spare, I’d strongly advise you purchase it ASAP.

So there you have it. My two cents on two amazing musical acts hailing from my home country. If you’re stingy with money, or wary on spending cash on bands you haven’t heard before, YouTube their music, or join a blog community where you can find .zip or .rar files to extract their brilliant music onto your computer. There are more than enough resources online, and I know you’re sneaky and resourceful enough to figure out how to get ahold of the music. Although, I think supporting these acts with your own money is obviously the best way for everyone involved.

Happy listening, and thanks for reading!

- EG

So by now you are probably sick of even looking at campus food. Don’t worry, we feel you. But unlike the majority of The Brook, we have been sneaking off across the tracks to grab some Mexican delight. Yes, Green Cactus is overpriced, and the menu is a tad too similar to Blue Agave, but the portions are generous and the salsas can’t be beat. And afterwards, there’s always Dunkin Donuts (or Strawberry Fields for you frozen yogurt lovers). We’ll meet you there?

Photo Courtesy of Flickr: sheeshoo

We are oh so pleased to announce our first guest blogger, Emily Gover. Stay tuned for daily updates…

(Now why would you ever want to leave this place?)

It’s been a while since we’ve given you some decent cultural exposure at The Brook, so we’re happy to say that S has finally found something. After grabbing some bubble tea at Jasmine, check out the Wang Center today for a great photo exhibit on the story of Sicilian Immigration. The Wang Center always has very interesting exhibits, so be sure to check this one out. And while you’re there, check out the gift shop– it’s finally open!

Photo Courtesy of Flickr: Isola!

See: The Kite Runner, tonight at Staller Center.

Taste: Fondue Nights at Z Pita. Only $13 per person for unlimited chocolate and cheese!

Hear: ICON 27th Annual Science Convention, tomorrow at The Brook.

Photo Courtesy of Flickr: William Couch