This rave should happen outside Mugar. But I suppose BU students are too studious (CONTRARY to “Social Network” movie’s jabs at BU, I do in fact have to study).

Things I hate during finals week:

• Finals
• People who chew gum (POP SOMEWHERE ELSE)
• People who chew food loudly (study lounge isn’t a movie theater, take your popcorn elsewhere)
• When “Self Control” app runs out and I don’t have the will power to turn it back on and end up on Facebook, Youtube or Twitter
• Realizing I didn’t learn something that I should have learned because it’ll be on the final
• Finding out Student Link has a “GPA estimator” and then proceeding to cry over estimated GPA
• GSU, Mugar, study lounges = Packed.
• Stress eating (mmm mozzarella sticks and chips)
• Home on the horizon

This text just about sums up my life right now:  (443): I just saw someone EAT a flashcard out of frustration. Finals suck.

No sleep ’till Saturday – Happy Finals!

This summer I . . .

• Went to Jamaica with my family (see blog post here)
• Took Cody & Caroline, two of my best friends from Boston University, around Los Angeles for 10 days!
• Threw a Gatsby/Roaring ’20s themed party to celebrate my birthday and invited all the 11cer’s in CA
• Watched the Lakers beat the Celtics on my 19th birthday (June 17) and win the championship.
• Went to the Laker parade (see post and article here).
• Interned for the Santa Monica Mirror and really enjoyed getting to know the editors and staff  - see all my articles on my portfolio)
• Made my own WEBSITE – www.sabahamedy.com
• Watched the World Cup
• Went to an Angels game – yay baseball
• Took a mini road trip to Ojai with my ladies (Kate, Jamie, Hannah, Sophy) – hiked, ate Mexican food, hot tubbed and spent the night at Sophy’s vacation house
• Went to the premiere of “INCEPTION” in Hollywood at the Chinese Theater.
• Helped my entire mom’s side of the family move to Los Angeles from Iran (so basically it’s been like Thanksgiving every day with my family because they now all live in LA).
• Hung out with my cousin from Holland, her Dutch husband and two adopted African kids when they visited the USA for the first time
• Gym-ed a lot.
• Went to two very fun weddings with my family
• Beached!
• Volunteered at OPCC for a day (life-changing experience, wrote an article – coming soon!)
• Re-read “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” (to prepare myself for Nov. 19)
• Read the following books: “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,”  ”Accidental Billionaires” (the movie “Social Network” which comes out in October is based off this book), “Atonement,” “Admission,” “Tar Baby” and “Poisonwood Bible.“

In the spirit of self promotion, check out my new website.

You can read about me, browse my clips, check out “So Says Saba” and look at my resume.

www.sabahamedy.com

On my 19th birthday (June 17), the Lakers defeated the Celtics and won the NBA Championship for the 2nd year in the row. To celebrate, Los Angeles held the Laker parade.

I put this in the California section because I think only in Los Angeles can you find a group of such lively, dedicated fans who would spend hours waiting just to catch a glimpse of their favorite Laker for three seconds max. I also posted it because I, like all the other fans who went to the parade, truly love the Lakers & Los Angeles.

This is a print blog post too because my editor told me I could cover it!  So I took my notepad to the parade and drove with my friends Sosi & Haley to Downtown. There, I met up with a fellow FreePer, Josh, who was covering it for his internship too (read his article here).

We left at 6 a.m., got there at around 6:30 (we beat LA traffic!), surprisngly found $3 parking and got an excellent front row spot for the parade. Sosi & Haley stayed in our spot while Josh & I interviewed crazy Lakers fans for our stories.

Here’s my article (published in Thursday’s issue of SM Mirror):

Laker Fever spread through Los Angeles on Monday at the NBA Championship victory parade.

Between 500,000 to two million fans flocked to Downtown to catch a glimpse of the all-star team and take part in the celebration for the team’s back-to-back championship.

Fans went to great lengths to watch their beloved team, even if it was only for a few seconds – some climbed on top of empty buildings, cars, and rooftops, anything to catch a glimpse of Kobe Bryant’s smile, Pau Gasol’s hair, Derek Fisher’s friendly face, and the majestic championship trophy.

Most attendees, like Jade Walker, drove countless hours in traffic to reach the parade early. Walker, who is from Moreno Valley, said the long journey to Downtown and a 4 a.m. wake-up call was worth it.

“I can’t imagine being anywhere else right now,” she said. “This is what fans do.”

Some, like Jose and Mariela Gamarro, camped out with tents and blankets in the early morning to get the perfect spot.

“We wanted to be up front for the parade,” Jose said.

The couple and their two children, who were lying asleep on the ground, had been waiting since midnight.

“I live in LA, it’s my team – I have to support it,” Jose said.

On every corner, vendors sold merchandise such as purple and gold boas, striped hats, Lakers shirts, bobble heads, flags, and vuvuzelas.

Many fans proudly held up banners, posters and homemade signs, which entailed everything from declarations of love for players –“Sasha! I’m single and I love your eyebrows” – to praises for the MVP –“This is Kobe’s Town – Back to Back Without Shaq.”

Attendees flaunted their purple and gold pride in an array of creative ways. One man painted a Lakers jersey on his body; three eight-year-old boys sported “LA” spray paint on their heads; four people put Lakers gear on their dogs; another man spray painted his beard yellow and purple; one teenage boy wore a purple and gold Iron Man mask.

Sisters Vanessa and Valerie Romero and their cousin Alyssa Gonzalez wore cowboy hats painted purple with matching black leotards and Laker necklaces.

“We wanted to stand out today for the celebration,” Gonzalez said.

In the hours leading up to the parade, fans entertained themselves by napping, playing cards, chanting “Go Lakers!” / “**** Boston!” or doing the wave.

However, no parade is perfect. With the large amount of attendees, conflicts over space were common.

“I’ve been here since two!” yelled one fan to another fan who was trying to get to the very front of the parade.

To alleviate such congestion, which was also common in last year’s parade, players were on flat-board buses rather than buses and there was no rally at the Coliseum.

Police also took extra precautions at the parade because of the reported incidents of public assault, drunkenness, and vandalism outside Staples Center after the Lakers won the championship in game seven on June 17, LAPD officials said.

At about 7 a.m., 15 orange metro buses arrived by Staples Center, filled with police officers, who then patrolled the parade by foot, bike, car, Segway, and helicopter.

Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Daniel Wong, who has attended six Lakers parades since 2000, said congestion has decreased since the first parade he attended.

According to Wong, in 2000, the area around Staples Center was packed several rows deep with fans, where as this year, the crowd was more spread out and peaceful.

At about 11:30 a.m., a half hour after the scheduled starting time, the two-mile celebration began at Staples Center on Figueroa Street and ended at University of Southern California’s Galen Center on Jefferson Boulevard.

First came fire trucks carrying the Laker Girls, followed by trucks carrying famous Laker players from the past such as Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the team’s family members such as Lamar Odom’s wife, Khloe Kardashian.

Finally, the team arrived, with the championship trophy on board, smiling and waving goodbye to the crowd – until next season, that is. Did someone say “three-peat?”

Or you can check out my article on the SM Mirror website – click here for my story.

Filed under: California' dreamin, Print Tagged: article, california, laker parade, lakers, SM mirror ]]> http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/printcalifornia-dreamin-laker-fever/feed/ 0 sosayssaba http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/globe-trotting-jamaica-me-crazy/ http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/globe-trotting-jamaica-me-crazy/#comments Mon, 28 Jun 2010 06:57:23 +0000 Saba Hamedy http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/?p=255 ]]>

The first week of June, my parents and I ventured to Negril, Jamaica for our family vacation. Negril fortunately seemed untouched by the chaos in Kingston(see news on the situation here). Though much of my time was spent at the resort, I did have the opportunity to travel around in a van while going from place to place and talking to the locals I encountered. My dad was especially social and because of his inquisitive nature, we learned a lot about the people, culture and country. Overall, the trip was amazing. I’m breaking this blog up into two parts with a slideshow in the middle (TO TURN OFF SOUND IN SLIDESHOW JUST CLICK THE SPEAKER AT TOP OF SLIDE). Enjoy!

TOURIST EXPERIENCE:

My family and I stayed at the Beaches Resort where we had our fair share of fun with the following activities:

Swimming: Obviously a classic activity in any area located near pool, beach, river, lake etc. In addition to the Paradise-esque seven-mile beach, Beaches has two pools, two slides and a lazy river. A HIGHLIGHT: Swimming in the Jamaica caves, where we saw bats! The cave we swam in, Pirates Cove, is one of the oldest in Jamaica.

Banana Boating: A banana shaped inflatable boat is attached by a string to a boat that tows the banana around the ocean. The boat driver takes sharp turns and maneuvers the boat through the water to cause a bumpy but fun ride. It can fit from three – ten people.

Day boat cruise: The day boat cruise took us around the island to places where we could snorkel (see bellow) and to the caves where we swam (see above highlight). There was a dj and slide on board. The cruise was a great way to see the island, get a nice tan and swim in deeper waters.

Zip Lining: A van took us to a jungle area about an hour and a half away where we hiked and then zip lined! It was beautiful but

Aside from the outings listed above. . .

Night Life: When traveling with your family, night life is limited. However, if I was less lazy and had companions my age, I may have gone to the discoteca at the resort. If I was maybe two years younger, I would have gone to the teen lounge, but I looked there and it was mostly 13-year-old boys playing Xbox. Fortunately, the resort has nightly shows so I was able to see acrobats & Jamaican dancers (see slideshow bellow).

Food: I had the opportunity to eat the traditional Jamaican meal of jerk chicken (delicious!). But, most of  the time, we ate  buffet style meals offered at the resort. However, food aside, Jamaican coffee is probably the most delicious coffee I’ve tasted.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCE:

• People: Everywhere we went, Jamaican people greeted us with smiles and welcoming words. They love their country, despite its corruption. Like I said above, my dad is a really talkative guy so I ended up hearing quite a few tales about people’s lives. One woman named Latoya, who worked at the hotel, befriended my mom. Latoya is one of six in her family – her parents, however, are divorced. Her mother moved to the US and married an American man, they send money to her and her siblings. She and her siblings worked their way through online college and are hoping to work their way up at the hotel. Latoya said working at the hotel has huge perks for Jamaicans and it is easy to be promoted – all employees also get health insurance and tips. Hollywood (i’m not joking, that was his name) on the other hand, doesn’t make much money as a driver. A sign at the front of the bus reads “Please tip ” in hopes that he can get extra money. Fortunately, he doesn’t have to pay for gas. He pointed out his neighborhood on the long drive to the zip lining area and told us about his favorite American movies. Hollywood told us most of the information I included below about the Jamaican lifestyle. I asked both Latoya and Hollywood why they don’t want to move to America and they said they love Jamaica too much and can’t imagine living anywhere else.
• “Yeah mon”: This phrase is not a Jamaican stereotype. People say “mon” after everything. At first I thought it would be offensive to say it back but then I realized it’s super common to say it at the end of every sentence. Jamaican dialect is hard to pick up or understand because it’s quick but elongated and they use a lot of slang, such as “boom bahm” means awesome.
• Lifestyle: Although Jamaicans have the luxory of oceanside living, the lifestyle is far from glamorous. Most Jamaicans live in huts, shacks or one bedroom houses – some even with outhouses! There are no addresses on houses, natives just rent out boxes in the local post office to get mail. I learned from one of our bus drivers that they do not even own the property, the government does. At any given time, they can be evacuated. There is one main road to get from place to place (it can take you from Negril to Kingston in about four-five hours) and people don’t really have cars. To get from place to place, natives usually walk. If they work farther away, they take the bus or hitchike. Every town has a small center where there are little boutiques and stores to purchase the necessities. Some towns have schools, others don’t. This means that some kids walk from town to town just to get to school every day. School for students is in shifts because there is not enough room for all the students to go at once. One shift is from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and the other one is from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Most Jamaicans are very religious practicing Christians. They do not have sex before marriage and dating isn’t really common. Latoya, the woman my mom befriended, told my mom that if a woman and man like each other, the man must go to the woman’s church where the preacher will see if they are a good match. Then they will date.

Filed under: globe trotting Tagged: beaches resort, globe trotting, jamaica, negril, vacation ]]> http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/globe-trotting-jamaica-me-crazy/feed/ 0 sosayssaba http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/break-a-sweat-power-yoga/ http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/break-a-sweat-power-yoga/#comments Fri, 14 May 2010 07:46:36 +0000 Saba Hamedy http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/?p=238 ]]>

BREAK A SWEAT: Welcome to my new summer fitness and health section! Here I will post fitness tips, how to’s, places to work out and some personal anecdotes on staying in shape over my summer break.

In an attempt to lose the freshman 1503202010020, I have decided to devote part of my summer to “breaking a sweat” or being active and healthy to get back in shape.

To start off, I decided to go to a power yoga class at Santa Monica Power Yoga on 2nd street. I took a class with Anaswara, a pregnant yogi who is probably more fit than I am despite her pregnancy, on Tuesday evening.

The class began with stretches and ended with abs. Then, the class repeated cobra, warrior, downward facing dog.   My body felt the burn and the stretches but also elation and relaxation.  The class ended with just lying on our backs and letting our bodies and minds rest. It was a euphoric experience. And despite the fact that I was sore and drenched in sweat, I could tell my body was going to thank me later for letting loose.

The classes, which are each an hour and a half, are donation based. If you don’t have a mat, you can rent one for $2.

RECOMMENDATION: If you go to Power Yoga, take a more beginner class and go at your own pace. My mistake was following the lead of others rather than listening to what my body felt more comfortable with.

Filed under: break a sweat ]]> http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/break-a-sweat-power-yoga/feed/ 0 sosayssaba break a sweat http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/04/29/print-my-big-fat-freep-family/ http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/04/29/print-my-big-fat-freep-family/#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:22:29 +0000 Saba Hamedy http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/?p=213 ]]>

Last night marked the end of the FreeP-mester. It’s been four months filled with countless caffeinated nights, highs, lows, drama, parties and of course, journalism.

To celebrate the bittersweet end, the staff ate cake (Happy 40th anniversary FreeP!), pulled an all-nighter, and bonded.

This year’s highlights (brace yourself for some sappy stuff):

• First article  - covering the “Urban Adventure Race,” I felt super cool and accomplished after and it was a great first experience at the FreeP! (read article here)
• Meeting and interviewing Howard Zinn, RIP king of history (read article here)
• Covering the Ellen DeGeneres segment filmed at BU (read article here)
• Covering Michael Cera/”Youth in Revolt” screening (read article here or check out blog post here)
• Meeting Noam Chomsky after covering his speech (read article here)
• April Fools Edition: The Daily Free Prophet – Meninoster of Magic, merpeople in the Charles, BC = vampires, housing at the Castle
• “Humpfest” – bonding at its finest (see photos in slideshow)
• Gaining important skills like the ability to talk to someone on the phone without being awkward
• Learning that it is possible to pull an all-nighter, go to 8 a.m. classes and still get work done
• Neiman Conference with Neal and Chelsea – learning cool journalism facts from journalists in the field, eating three-course meals and getting lost in the rain. WIN.
• Meeting my big fat FreeP family! I can’t imagine my freshman experience without Annie, Neal, Chelsea, Allison, Josh, Cary, Shannon, + the assignments (Suzanne, Susan, Gianna, Jaime, Yi,  Meaghan) – everyone is so talented, dedicated and fun. I couldn’t ask for a better newspaper family.

Filed under: Print Tagged: FREEP, highlights, the end ]]> http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/04/29/print-my-big-fat-freep-family/feed/ 1 sosayssaba PRINT http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/get-ready/ http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/get-ready/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:58:48 +0000 Saba Hamedy http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/?p=210 ]]> Again, please excuse my lack of update. With finals (and summer!) just around the corner, time is scarce. However,  ”So Says Saba” readers have a lot to look forward to in the next week:

• PRINT – highlights from a year on the FreeP
• DORM LIFE – Ode to 11C
• DORM LIFE – How to pack-up your life

And over the summer:

• FACELIFT – anticipate changes to the website! It’ll be exciting so keep your eyes peeled
• What’s Cooking? (Recipe of the week), new section
• Break a Sweat (Workouts), new section
• Film Fan (movie reviews), new section

PLAYERS: 11C

ATTIRE: All black, no exceptions

BOUNDARIES: Mugar Library to the Towers

SAFE ZONE: The Castle

Tag, capture the flag, and cops and robbers used to be games of our past. But who said going to college meant letting go of childhood? My floormates and I decided to play a capture-the-flag game at Boston University. Using towels, the campus and our creativity, we created the ultimate game. The boundaries, though extremely spread out, were between Mugar Library and the Towers. The Castle marked our safe zone. At 11 p.m. on Saturday, the game began.

Two teams, two hours, two flags.  It was epic, to say the least.

Running, screaming, tagging, shouting, hiding, chasing…it was like regressing to the good ol’ days on the playground of elementary school, but better. It was re-exploring childhood fun and putting a college twist to it. But the best part: floor bonding at its finest.

With four weeks left until the end of freshman year (and 11C), this classic game was just what we needed to celebrate the nearing of an end and the greatest of bonds.

Filed under: dorm life Tagged: 11c, capture the flag, college, dorm life, games ]]> http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/dorm-life-capture-the-flag-11c-style/feed/ 0 sosayssaba dorm life flag http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/print-boston-spring-fever/ http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/print-boston-spring-fever/#comments Wed, 24 Mar 2010 04:54:01 +0000 Saba Hamedy http://sosayssaba.wordpress.com/?p=200 ]]> FIRST: I’m sorry for the lack of update for the past 3 months – it’s been quite the rollercoaster ride. However, fear not, I am back and ready to blog once again!

SECOND: Today’s print section features my feature from the Daily Free Press titled “Spring Fever.” This was my first feature for the FreeP because I’ve been really busy with campus news but it was fun! Here it is, hope you enjoy:

In Boston, any temperature that reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit is an excuse to celebrate. Despite the predicted showers this week, last week was a good preview to spring. It’s (more or less) time to set aside your North Face jacket, boots and long underwear and head outdoors, because the seasons? They are a-changin’.

Make the most of your Boston springtime, using this list of tried and true favorites as your guide:

Take me out to the ballgame

This year, baseball season for the Red Sox begins on April 4 –– opening day –– when they will play against the New York Yankees.

Purchase a few cheap tickets from stubhub.com for a game in the next two months and head over to Fenway to watch the team kick off the season.

While there, make sure to get some peanuts, Cracker Jacks and Fenway dogs and watch “America’s sport” at its best.

“The best part is cheering on the team and singing with the crowd,” said College of Communication freshman and Red Sox fan Rachel Blumberg.

Although Blumberg is a New Jersey native, she has been going to Red Sox games since she was 5 years old.

“Nothing beats going to a Red Sox Game,” she said. “I’ve been going since I was little and it’s always been exciting and fun to watch.”

Not much of a baseball fan? Still head to Kenmore Square. The historic Fenway Park is open during the day for tours for $12 per person.

Marathon Monday
Get ready for Marathon Monday madness. On April 19, up to 25,000 runners will race from Hopkinton to Boston –– a total of 26 miles –– in the 114th Boston Marathon. Traditionally, Boston University students gather on Beacon Street on the day of the race to cheer on runners as they near the finish on Back Bay.

Tan at a real beach
New England may not be California, but it still has its fair share of sandy beaches not too far from Boston.

College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Samantha Flick, a Massachusetts native, says she enjoys going to Revere Beach because of the quaint places to eat and dance.

“It’s really nice because it has a lot of cool ice cream shops and night clubs,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun to get off campus for a spring day.”

To get to this beach, you can take the Blue Line to the Revere Beach station and walk.

Another beach not too far away is Carson Beach, which is a short walk from the JFK/UMass stop on the Red Line.

However, unlike at Revere Beach, there is just one place to eat at Carson Beach, called the Seaside Café.

If you have extra cash, you can even travel to different states to visit beaches such as Old Orchard Beach in Maine, which offers a full-scale amusement park and weekly fireworks displays. Trips to OOB will cost you a $46 round-trip via Amtrak train.

Picnic Palooza

On a sunny day, venture to Shaw’s and purchase your favorite sandwich condiments and some cold drinks, and get a group of friends together to picnic at the Esplanade, the Boston Common or the BU Beach.

College of Fine Arts freshman Jacqueline Jané said picnicking is the perfect activity for a nice spring day in New England.

“It’s great because you are outside, relaxing and eating good food with friends,” she said.

Don’t forget to grab Frisbees, volleyballs and kites to complete the picnic experience.

Museum Mania

If you are an art lover or avid museum go-er, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is free for all BU students.
“MFA is something to do whenever you need inspiration,” said CFA senior Amanda Dunham. “It’s a great cultural experience.”
According to its website, there are about 450,000 objects in the collection for visitors to look at, including exhibits such as “The Secrets of the Tomb 10A,” musical instruments and contemporary art.
For political science majors, the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, also located in Boston, is a tribute to President Kennedy, a Massachusetts native.
It has three theaters, period settings and 25 multimedia exhibits, the website says. It is located just off the Red Line at the JFK/UMASS station and tickets are $12.
Even if you aren’t a science geek, the Museum of Science’s quirky exhibits and IMAX films are enough to make you want to take the trip down the Green Line.
From a butterfly garden to a human body, the Museum of Science offers a variety of educational and fun exhibits. Tickets are $20 for non-Museum members.

Be a tourist in your own town

Some of Boston’s most interesting attractions are made to cater to tourists on day trips, and flourish in the warm weather. Rarely do Boston residents have the opportunity to see their own city because of the cold winter weather. However, spring makes it easier to explore.

If you’re a big history buff, the Freedom Trail will take you through Boston’s most historic locations, including the site of the Boston Massacre and Paul Revere’s house located in the North End.

There are a variety of options for the tour, but the “Walk Into History Public Tour,” which costs $12, is the most common option.

“The Freedom Trail is a great thing to do in good weather,” said CAS sophomore Jacqueline Strawbridge. “You get to know Boston because it takes you all around the city.”

However, if you’re short on cash, a map of the Freedom Trail is available online for free and a red brick line painted on the ground, starting at the Boston Commons, guides you through the historic sites.

For people who prefer sitting to walking, the Duck Tour provides a way to see the city by boat.

A “conDUCKtor” narrates your amphibious tour as you travel through places such as Quincy Market, the Prudential Center and the Charles River.

A student ticket costs $27, but $24 per student if you go in a group of 20 or more people.