A new Thanksgiving tradition

Thanksgiving generally looks the same for me every year. The day typically consists of watching the home chef prepare the meal, and watching football in order to build up enough of an appetite to eat as much as possible.

This year was no different. I did my part to help set up by carrying chairs from the basement to the dinner table, and the meal was just as good this year as its ever been.

I also watched plenty of football. The NFL outdid themselves this year with three solid games on paper, and that's including the Detroit Lions. The Lions game was the worst of the three, but still entertaining nonetheless. Fortunately, the Cowboys and Dolphins stepped it up with a 20-19 thriller in Dallas.

More recently, the NFL has added a third game on its own network to round out the evening. It serves as a great wake-up call from he mandatory post-dinner nap.

This year was a bit different. Instead of waking up to watch the game on TV, I got suited up to go watch the San Francisco 49'ers take on the Baltimore Ravens, live at M & T Bank Stadium. The atmosphere was unlike any other football game I've been to, as the two teams that played are among the best in their respective conferences, and featured two brothers at the helm on either sideline.

The game was a close one, and the Ravens ultimately came out on top thanks to their best defensive performance of the season.

I think I've found a change in my Thanksgiving routine that I could really get used to. Unfortunately, the Thanksgiving night game moves around from year-to-year, but you better believe I'll capitalize on the opportunity to go if it comes my way again.

I've been to nationally televised games, and playoff games, and big divisional games, but none have been as electric as this one was. It's hard for me to find something more important than a turkey-induced nap, but I think I have.

Speaking of new traditions, my fellow Ravens fans have adopted a new one at the stadium that I've never encountered before. When the Ravens find themselves in key defensive situations, the fans, prompted or otherwise, join in harmonizing the White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army.' There's not a whole lot more impressive than seeing 70,000+ people singing in tune, and it seemed to have an impact on the Niners' offense late in the game.

Here, see for yourself:

(Note: the video isn't from the Thanksgiving game, but you get the idea).

5 things to do before Thanksgiving break

To do lists make everything easier. It's even better when your list is limited to fun, or even practical tasks.

Here's my short list of things you should try to do before you head home for Thanksgiving, and return to wintry Boston for the rest of "fall" semester.

1. Check out the foliage

New England is renowned for it's glorious fall foliage. If you have the means, you should definitely hop in the car and go for a scenic drive. Even if you don't go too far outside the Boston area, you'll still be in for a nice view.

The leaves are finally starting to change colors, after a brief interruption by snow, but they'll probably be close to gone by the time Thanksgiving break is over. Head down Rt. 2 off 128/95, or Rt. 24 off the expressway for some nice scenery close by.

2. Attend a major event
The NBA lockout has put a bit of a limit on entertainment options this fall, but there's still plenty to see and do. The Bruins are finally starting to get over their Stanley Cup hangover, so now might be a good time to get into the TD Garden for cheap. And if you're a sophomore, the Office of Student Activities still has some discounted tickets ($20) available.

The next option might be limited only to a few like-minded individuals, but WWE Raw will be at the Garden next Monday (Nov. 14) for a three-hour sports entertainment bonanza. WWE Hall-of-Famer The Rock will be returning to Raw as he and Mass. native John Cena prepare to team up at the following week's pay-per-view.

I'll be laying out the newest edition of The 1851 Chronicle that night, but I'll be there in spirit. Tickets start at just $20 for the show.

3. Witness the Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting

Can't make it to 30 Rock in NYC? No problem. The Faneuil Hall Christmas tree will be lit up right in town on November 19 at 5 PM. the 19th is the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and will help you get in the holiday spirit for the following week.

4. Make your shopping list

There has to be more than a few people planning to take advantage of the great savings that come with Black Friday. If you've got the motivation to wake up early (like, before the sun early) then you'll be in a great position to pick up some solid bargains, no matter where you go.

5. Take part in college night at the Frog Pond

What better way to warm up (or, cool down) for winter than ice skating? The Frog Pond at Boston Common has a new promotion this year: college night. Students can skate for just $2 when they present a valid college ID on Tuesday nights. The first college night takes place Nov. 15, and will feature a range of music courtesy of WERS, Emerson College Radio.

What's on your list of things to do before the cold creeps in? Anything I forgot? Let me know in the comments!

Weekend Preview: 11/4-6

You think Tuesday is too early to start looking at the upcoming weekend? Maybe you're right.

But... it turns out this week has already been busier than last week's midterm adventure, so I'm looking for anything to get my mind off the 3 papers I have due tomorrow.

In case you're wondering, I haven't started any of them.

I'm also looking for a way to wind down from submitting two job applications for, you know, the real world.

Anyway, the weekend ahead is a big one for Lasell. On Friday, the original winner of Last Comic Standing, Dat Phan, will be performing on campus. He could arguably be one of the most well-known acts to come to Lasell so it's definitely a can't-miss event. Phan will be joined by opener Ray DeVito to help round out the show in Yamawaki.

On Sunday, the rugby club will host its second home game of the year, and their first playoff game ever at 1 P.M. on Grellier Field. The Lasers had a tremendous regular season, finishing the year 5-0 after topping formerly undefeated Framingham State.

The game was originally scheduled for last week, but was postponed in the wake of the Halloween snowfall.

For me, it's a bit of a shame, as I had every intention of going last week. Since it was rescheduled, I won't be able to go since I'll be in sunny Los Angeles for the weekend. (That shouldn't stop the 1851 Chronicle from live-blogging the event. Follow the paper on Twitter @1851Chronicle). End: cheap plug.

I've been planning this trip to LA for about a month or so, and I'll be attending the Education Writers Association conference at UCLA while I'm there. Of course, there will be plenty of time to explore the city (I've never been), and I'll be sure to post an update and maybe even some pictures from when I tour Nickelodeon Studios.

Midterm madness, but that's not all

I don't know about you, but midterms snuck up on me quite quickly this semester. This post is being written in between two of those exams.

The only physical exams I'll be taking are for closely related courses taught by the same professor. I feel confident about how I did on the first one, and I'm not necessarily sweating the second one either. However, it's definitely a lot of information to remember and it's hard to be sure that you're going to be able to retain everything long enough.

The fact that the tests are 100% essay based makes it just that much harder, especially on my ever-so delicate wrists that have become so accustomed to typing anything and everything.

If that were the end of the madness, I'd have little to worry about.

But wait, there's more:

As the Co-Editor-In-Chief of the 1851 Chronicle, it's always exciting to see a new issue of the paper come out. But, it doesn't happen without a fair share of challenges. There's plenty of reading, re-reading and more reading after that to be done before it can go to print, and even then, mistakes still happen.

That's why I'll be on campus for about 14 hours today, worrying about tests, work, and getting close to wrapping up the paper.

It's fun, exciting work for the most part but that doesn't mean I'm not looking forward to next week, especially now that the two research papers I have (for those same history courses I'm taking exams for today) have been pushed back a week.

What gets me through with such a heavy load? It's nothing more than a healthy balance of procrastination and hard work. There's nothing wrong with pushing studying back an hour to play a game of MVP Baseball 2005, or to browse Facebook. But I've learned that these things, while they technically do get in the way of getting things done, can actually be beneficial when crunch time comes.

How's your week been?

October Preview: Wide range of events and activities all month long

It's hard to think of any one month that is the busiest for the Office of Student Activities, except for June of course.

But, in terms of the fall semester, it's looking like October might come out on top. There is a full slate of events throughout the month that cover a wide range of interests. Basically, you're bound to find something that you'll want to do.

Of course, there are ticket sales to a variety of off-campus events at a great rate. We're currently selling tickets to the New England Revolution game on October 15 at Gillette Stadium. Wouldn't that be a great way to welcome family and friends to the area for Family, Friends and Alumni Weekend?

If you're looking for a way to get in the Halloween spirit ahead of LCR's annual Creeps and Ghouls dance, tickets for the Boston Ghost Tour on the night of October 22 are available for $10 each at the Office of Student Activities.

The most activity, though, is happening right here on campus. Next week is Lasell's annual spirit week, featuring free T-shirts for each class, the first ever nugget eating competition as well as Family Feud, Lasell style!

Spirit Week runs directly into Family, Friends and Alumni Weekend, which features plenty of trips of its own, as well as movie nights, a mentalist duo, river day canoe races and the undefeated rugby club's lone home game of the season.

Also in October: CAB Fright Fest tickets, Class of 2012 pumpkin carving, the All for Haiti talent show benefitting victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the more recent disaster in Japan, as well as various visiting musicians, comedians and the ghost hunter, John Zaffis.

Which event(s) are you most looking forward to?

Eating Out: Five great places for food off campus

So, now that the semester is completely underway, you've probably gotten used to, or at least re-acquainted with eating on campus most days. First year students in particular are probably starting to wonder what the best options are for off-campus dining. Even upperclassmen may not know all of the options available outside of Valentine dining hall.

Here are some of the top choices for eating out around Lasell, in no particular order:

1. Bruegger's Bagels

Bagels, coffee and breakfast sandwiches are all available for a low price right by campus. They're also the only place on this list that accepts Laser Loot, which means no cash is neccessary if you have money on your torch card. Also, if you're looking to buy in bulk, baker's dozens are half-off on Wednesdays.

2. Prime Deli

Located right next to Brandeis University in Waltham, the Prime Deli offers everything from omlettes to cheeseburgers, and you won't be disappointed regardless of which one you pick. They deliver as early as 9 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., giving you a choice of breakfast, lunch or dinner.

3. Prospect Cafe

The reccomended dish: buffalo chicken calzone. If you're from outside the Massachusetts area, it's possible you've never heard of such a concoction (I hadn't either), but once you feast on one for the first time you'll never be the same again. If the calzone seems too intimidating, their pizza comes highly reccommended by many and they deliver, making it even easier to fill up without going out.

4. Carl's Steak Subs & Burritos

Philly's got nothing on this. Carl's steak and cheese sub runs away with the honor of 'best cheesesteak', not just in Mass. but the world. Be warned: only order the large if you don't want to eat again for at least 24 hours, as it has the potential to overload your stomach. If the subs aren't for you, the burritos just might be. They're equally overloaded with fresh ingredients and come at an affordable price. The only down side is that they don't deliver, so you'll need to find a ride to their location at 55 Prospect St. in Waltham.

5. Wing Night at John Brewer's Tavern

Sunday and Monday nights are king at John Brewer's Tavern in Waltham. 20 cent wings are available from 6 p.m. on those nights, meaning that you can get as many wings as you can handle, plus a drink and blue cheese (the wings are hot, so you'll need it) for under $10. Watch out during football season, though, as it can get crowded pretty quickly for the big Sunday and Monday night games.

So, What are you in the mood for?

Welcome to Lasell, and Boston!

It looks like the countdown shows less than a month until first year students move-in to Lasell! But wait, classes don’t start for another four days after that, so what’s going on in the meantime?

Well, starting on the 3rd, there will be an array of trips, adventures and experiences for first year students to take part in. No matter what your interests, you’ll undoubtedly find activities or outings for you that are being offered during Lasell Laser Welcome Weekend program.

There’s a free tour of Boston’s North End and Fanueil Hall, but be sure you bring some money for lunch at one of the countless eateries in the North End. If you’re looking for a history lesson and shopping excursion in one, you’ll definitely want to think about the faculty-led tour of Boston Common (the nation’s oldest park) and Newbury Street, home to a wide variety of shopping destinations.

Baseball fans will be interested in the tour of Fenway Park ($5), offering first year students the chance to site on famed Green Monster, visit the press box, learn why the grandstand seats (you know, the wooden ones) are so uncomfortable and find out what Manny Ramirez was really doing when he would duck into the scoreboard.

If you’re interested in touring the city, but aren’t so interested in all that walking, check out the Boston Trolley tour or the Duck Tour, both of which take you around to the city’s must-see sights, but only one will give you a view from the (dirty) water.

Fashion majors can get an early intro to their careers with a trip to the American Textile History Museum ($5)in Lowell, MA. Students who take this trip will get a glimpse into what was once the epicenter of the New England textile industry as well as the use of textiles in cars, aero-space and other industries in the museum’s primary exhibit: ‘Textile Revolution: An Exploration Through Space and Time.’

That’s not the only museum available during welcome weekend. Students will also have the opportunity to attend the Museum of Fine Arts (free) or the Kennedy library ($5), home to a wide-ranging celebration of President John F. Kennedy’s life, legacy and presidency. Also available is a trip to Boston’s Museum of Science ($10), home to thrilling natural artifacts and the OmniMax theater, a fully enveloping motion-picture experience.

Those are just some of the trips and activities that first-year students will have the opportunity to be a part of. Registration for these trips will begin soon and advanced sign up is required. So, which trips do you think you’ll attend? Have you already done some of them? If so, what’d you think?