Category: Noah

Staying Sane in Unprecedented Times

If you haven’t already noticed, the past 365 days have not been so fine and dandy. And while we’ve all found ways to struggle through the mud of this year to some success, there are moments where we still feel stuck, moments where the dead-ends pile up. I’ve had my fair share of these moments, and today I’d love to share with you some things that I’ve found pull me through the thick of it.

Prioritizing things that bring delight

Over the winter break, like the east-cost-elitst-liberal I am, I got into listening to NPR, specifically Ira Glass’ This American Life. One fantastic episode explored people finding delight in their lives, things that made the scrum of daily existence a little bit more enjoyable. Prioritizing these things has made my days all the more tolerable, and they give me something to look forward to. Delight for me has come in numerous forms, from Errol Gardner’s rendition of “Misty” (2020 remastered version), to sitting down with a good book and a tea, to watching my sports teams that have miraculously decided to be good this year (go Sixers!, go Flyers! hang in there Red Sox..) delight is abundant and plenty. Making room in our schedules to do these things on a daily basis goes a long way, even if they’re little. 

Slooowwwwinnggg Down

We live in a fast paced world. Especially living in the city, where the once-a-week trip outside is a flurry of activity and external stimuli, it can be easy to get caught up in all the busyness. It’s key to take a minute and just be in the moment with yourself. A saving grace for me recently has been the Headspace meditation app, which is provided to us for free from BU. They’ve got a ton of guided meditations and other calming media that have made a really tangible impact on my day to day moods. Go try it, it’s free!

Moderating Social Media Use

Here’s my bold take. Social media kind of isn’t good for us. Can you tell I watched The Social Dilemma? As much as our socials connect us to friends and family and drive social change and show us funny videos, there’s a lot of negatives that go very much under the radar. I can’t quite go into the psychological details, but I’ve found that spending more time off my phone and on other delight-filled things has been nothing but beneficial. (Don’t worry COM Ambassador team, I’ll be back on it for my Insta takeover :))

So there’s my advice! This is far from an exhaustive list, and even farther from a scientifically proven method, but I figured I would share some things that worked for me, and just maybe they’ll do some good for you. That’s all from me, so stay safe, mask up, and be well!

With the beginning of the new school year upon us, I find less and less time available to just sit down and watch a movie for myself. And while it’s great to be back on campus and to actually have something to keep me busy, I definitely miss being able to make myself nice and comfy and immerse myself in a movie. So, I figured why not reflect on the movies I’ve watched these past few months that took me out of the drab and dreary world we live in? Here are some of my favorites:

La La Land - Dir. Damien Chazelle

This was my absolute favorite film I watched during my quarantine. It’s really a hard film to dislike. Dazzling colors, catchy tunes, and a heart-wrenching story make this film so compelling, a throwback to the flashy Hollywood musicals of the mid-twentieth century. If you need an escapist film, this one or any of the films in the genre won’t let you down.

Coast Along the Coast - Agnes Varda

Yes, this is technically a tourist advertisement for the French Riviera directed by French New-Wave icon Agnes Varda, but it was on the Criterion Channel so I’m going to consider it for this article. This is another fantastic film to escape the world with. Complete with jazzy French music, comforting scenes of smiling faces and crowded beaches, and the novelty of sixties beach fashion, this film is a delight to watch. It’s also sure to make you long for a sunny vacation. While devoid of a narrative, this short film will certainly produce an ample serotonin bump.

Spirited Away - Hayao Miyazaki

This film speaks for itself. You’ve seen it, I’m sure. If you haven’t, stop reading this and go watch it. Probably Miyazaki’s most celebrated film, Spirited Away is incredibly endearing. Miyazaki creates this fantastical world of unique and memorable characters, so full of youth and wonder that it’s virtually impossible to dislike this film. The music makes it all the more wonderful, and it’s sure to put a smile on your face.

That’s my list! If you’re feeling overwhelmed in this uncertain time, take a breath, grab a blanket, make a batch of Redenbacher’s Movie Theater Butter Popcorn, and sit down with one of these films. Take care of yourselves!

Much ink has been spilled over the various eateries this great city has to offer. There is no doubt a wide variety of different options for us college students to reluctantly and guiltily spend our money on, but what I want to focus on is what I think is some of Boston’s best cuisine: Asian food. The city environment I’m familiar with, the great city of Philadelphia, provided me with wonderful, authentic options that never ceased to please and never failed to take money from my wallet. And when I came to Boston, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find that same level of authenticity and plain goodness that I valued so dearly back home. Boy was I wrong. Here are a few of my favorite Asian food joints that every BU student should experience.

1. Gourmet Dumpling House

• Located in the heart of Boston’s vibrant Chinatown, Gourmet Dumpling House was my first look into the amazing Asian food Boston has to offer. A relatively small restaurant with limited seating and a cramped waiting area, it was here where I had some of the best Shanghai dumplings of my life. The menu, which contains hundreds of different options (this is no exaggeration, the menu is literally massive), has anything and everything you could ever want from a Chinese restaurant. It’s a relatively cheap option (compared to some of the more boujee joints closer to campus) and the food is fantastic. I highly recommend the lo mein or the fried rice.

1. Super 88

• Now this one might come as a bit of a surprise. The Super 88 Asian supermarket in Allston is phenomenal. Though its appearance may be somewhat unsettling, the food here is surprisingly delightful. Part food court, part supermarket, Super 88 has a wide variety of dining options, from boba tea to Vietnamese food. My absolute favorite is the banh mi sandwich from the Vietnamese stand. I thought I had my favorite banh mi back home in Philly, but the one at Super 88 trumps any I’ve had before.

1. Love Art Udon

• Looking for a warm, hearty meal to combat the Boston winters? Look no further than Allston’s Love Art Udon, located two doors down from T Anthony’s. This noodle joint opened its doors just a few years ago, made clear by the vibrant, hip decor on the interior. While certainly a little pricier compared to Super 88, Love Art Udon is a great choice if you’re looking for a nice, fulfilling meal during the sad cold of Boston winters. Like all of my suggestions, options are plentiful here, and there truly is something for everyone.

Now, these obviously are not the only amazing Asian eateries in Boston. There are hundreds of spots to get your Asian fix, and I am certainly no expert on all of them. But if you’re feeling like it’s time to treat yourself, you’re tired of that Asian station at Warren, or Panda Express just isn’t hitting like it used to, these three restaurants are always a solid choice.