Jay Dubashi

Bay to Breakers.  The biggest, wildest party in the Bay Area.  Every third Sunday in May, thousands of people, ranging from professional runners and San Francisco residents to public nudity enthusiasts, will run, walk, and stumble from one side of San Francisco to the other.

Oh and drunk college kids.  Lots and lots of drunk college kids.

Bay to Breakers was started in 1912 as a way to lift San Francisco’s spirits after the devastating 1906 earthquake.  For over 100 years, the 7.46 mile route has remained unchanged and is one of the world’s largest footraces.  However, Bay to Breakers is more than a race:  it’s an experience unlike any other.  From the crazy train ride into San Francisco to the course itself, it’s something every Santa Clara student should partake in at least once. It’s guaranteed to be the wildest, craziest, and most spectacular Sunday you’ve ever had.

However, do note that because of the Boston Marathon tragedy, Bay to Breakers will be increasing security measures this year. There will be a ban on backpacks and runners will be required to wear an official bib. Additionally, all bags must be smaller than 8½” x 11” x 4”. Be sure to keep these things in mind when planning for this Sunday!

Cal Train tickets go on sale May 13 until the 18.  Simply go to the train station off El Camino, and buy your ticket using the ‘Bay to Breakers’ option.  The train leaves at 5:30 AM on Sunday, May 19, so don’t be late!

Photo Source: The Huffington Post

We’re so spoiled with the weather here in California that even the few months of cold and wet weather we get seem torturous.  Flip-flops and tanks go back in the closet, and out come the rain boots and jackets.  Fortunately, spring is here, and with it comes warm weather and bright sunlight.  It can be easy to let yourself go during the winter months.  We all look shapeless with all those layers on, anyways.  With spring arriving, now’s the time when people think about getting back into “swimsuit shape.”  We’ve got a harsh reality to share with you:  it’s not going to happen overnight.  But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start.  Don’t think of it as getting in shape for swimsuit season. Don’t think of it as a rush diet to drop 3 pounds before we all head to the pool after classes.  Think of it as getting in shape for life.

Too much of fitness media is written with bad intentions.  Just look at the covers of health magazines.  They scream about “new” and “exciting” routines, secret tips and tricks that will help you lose weight quickly and easily.  Fitness publications have stopped being about health and well-being.  Instead, they’re about gimmicks and destinations.  Instead of helping people live healthy, active lives, they talk about looking good for beach season or fitting into a wedding dress.  It’s the wrong message to send.

Fitness shouldn’t be about preparing for frivolous goals.  It should be about promoting well-being.  Otherwise, all the mistakes we make will catch up with us in the end.  Right now, we’re in the prime of our lives.  Most college students can drink all night and be right as rain in time for class the next day.  We can stuff our faces with pizza and chicken tenders and feel perfectly healthy.  Not tackling these bad habits will come back to haunt us in the future.  Age has a way of making us feel our mistakes.  Check out this picture:

Most of us went on a tour of the school before we decided on coming to Santa Clara.  On that tour, chances are that you passed by an odd looking house in a strange place, between Malley and the parking garage.  What most SCU students don't know is that this building represents one of SCU's biggest achievements.  It's the 2009 Solar Decathlon house, and it has helped to propel Santa Clara into the top tier of engineering schools. 

The Solar Decathlon is an international competition run by the U.S. Department of Energy, where twenty schools from around the world compete to design and build a completely solar powered home.  The houses, which are fully student designed and built, are transported to the competition site, where they're judged in a variety of contests, ranging from architectural beauty to engineering efficiency.

Santa Clara has competed in the Decathlon twice before, taking third place in both 2007 and 2009.  We're back in it again and our prior successes put our team in the top seed for the competition this fall.  The current SCU team is celebrating the start of construction on April 25th.  Come to the back lot of Sobrato at noon to see what the current team is planning for their house.  Both President Engh and the mayor of Santa Clara will be speaking, so don’t miss out on this unique and exciting event! 

Photo Source: Facebook.com

Friends, it's week 10.  This is the point in the quarter where the only thing on our minds is getting through finals.  Dishes pile up in the sink and we start digging through the bottom of our closets for the one clean shirt we know HAS to be in there.  We exist for three things: studying, sleeping, and occasionally stuffing our faces with whatever sugary snacks the cellar has to offer.  Nerves are frayed, and tempers rise.  It's not a fun time of year to be a student.

But fear not!  One of the many great things about Santa Clara is how much the school cares about the students’ well being.  APB, and RLCA are teaming up to put on two great events for students to de-stress before finals week. Bronco Night is on Thursday March 14th, from 9:00pm to 11:30pm.  Come to the Locatelli Center for some fun activities that take the edge off of studying.  Play trivia and win prizes, get a massage and mud mask, or just grab a snack before you go back to the library!

Then, at 11:30pm, head to Benson for the quarterly Midnight Breakfast!  What’s become a Santa Clara tradition, Midnight Breakfast, offers pancakes, eggs, orange juice, and all your favorite breakfast goodies.  Recharge your batteries with some great food before you get back to the books!