Magazines take over the family room

           I have never noticed the pile of magazines hanging out in a basket adjacent to the couch. A short stack of newspapers obscure the bounty lying beneath them. Upon further investigation, I found several issues of Self, Food & Wine, Restaurant Business, Stricly Food for Thought, and a single issue of Cosmopolitan. I'm curious as to why my mother decided to purchase just this issue of Cosmo, but the answer scares me too much to ask. The handful of Self caught my eye, but the pile of Food & Wine piqued my interest most.

          I haven't stopped drooling thanks to the Food & Wine magazine covers. Pictures of gourmet dishes include smoky salmon, prime rib roast, glazed pork, and grilled chicken. I think the most interesting thing about this magazine is that each issue focuses on one topic. The September edition is the travel issue. The cover features Asian chicken paired with a California wine and a headline for recipes from around the world. The October issue is all about great wine from France, California, and Spain as well as California wineries the reader should visit. November is all about Thanksgiving, but includes an extra cover devoted to special offers for subscribers. The best way to end the calendar year is with an issue of the best holiday recipes, featuring a mouthwatering prime rib roast on the cover. I'm starting to drool again. To kick off the new year, and subsequently make me hungry, the January issue is all about the reader. Cover stories include the most requested recipes, favorite wines, best cooking classes, and America's top food city. I don't know where the February issue has gone, but the March copy includes an order card for the Food & Wine annual cookbook that is free for subscribers.

I hope the stack of Food & Wine continues to grow. After perusing the pages, I think I have found a new favorite magazine. I love to cook almost as much as I love to eat. I have two main interests in life, sports and food. My dad is generous enough to save his copies of Sports Illustrated to satisfy my sports appetite, and now this discovery will cover my love for food. And in a year when I am legal, I can add wine to my list of interests, making Food & Wine that much more relevant to my life.

Forming synapses and memories because my sister told me to.

"CDAE 024: Foundations of Public Communication" may first sound boring, and then even more boring, but I can assure you it sucks less than you think. I was afraid I had entered a class in which I would be giving speeches, much like a course I conquered last fall, but the first week proved otherwise. The simplest description I can offer is that I'm taking a class all about how we use messages to generate meaning in others. After all, that is the textbook definition of communication, is it not? (Yes, yes it is). My first impression of professor Heiss was positive; she seemed pleasant, and she's been an effective lecturer. The first few weeks of class flew by as usual. Soon I was filled with anxiety as the first exam emerged on the horizon. Nervous, I created a study schedule in my head, the thought of which is nice, but in reality is a pathetic attempt to be the overachieving student that I am not. I didn't start studying Friday when the study guide was posted, nor did I study over that weekend. Instead, I waited until Wednesday night because that is what average students with slightly higher-than-average grades do! At least I wasn't waiting until the night before the exam, right? Rather, I'll start two days in advance. Hooray progress!

After quickly perusing the study guide, I realized I wasn't hyperventilating or sobbing uncontrollably. I wasn't even contemplating banging my head off the wall. Feeling empowered, I decided to crank out the study guide before bed. I figured since I only had one class the next morning, I'd study for most of the day. Pfft. Me studying all day is as likely as me going for a two mile run. Time for plan B: flash cards! I decided that repeatedly writing down the information might help me better retain what I've learned.

Let's fast forward to Facetiming with my brilliant sister, and skip over how I made my flash cards while watching "How I Met Your Mother" on Netflix. Big sis recently moved to the magical land of Oz to get her PhD in something super smart like psychology or neuroscience. I don't even know, that's how crazy intelligent my sister is, the high school valedictorian with a Bachelor's Degree in Brain and Cognitive Science. (Thankfully I was skilled at sports so I was fine with not being as successful academically.) Around eleven o'clock, we began a lengthy conversation. The time difference always amazes me; I'm almost weirded out when it's way past my bedtime, but Brit is enjoying her afternoon in the sun. She and I went on and on about random goings-on in our lives. I talked about college and how it sucks, and she was brimming with excitement to start this new chapter in her life. We probably could've talked all night/day, depending on how you look at it, but I needed some rest before my exam. Being the freaky genius she is, Brit told me to read through my flash cards once more because the brain would form memories, or synapses, of the information while I slept. Though it was late, I did just that. After all, how can you not take studying advice from someone who has a degree in how the brain works?

Friday. The big exam day. I wanted nothing more than to bypass English and lunch, and get right to my exam. Anxious as I was, I needed to get it over with. Professor Heiss had scared me for the first test, saying how it's going to be so difficult, especially if you don't study. In hindsight, I think she oversold it a bit. After the first few questions, I felt great. I carefully read and answered each question, circling the ones needing a second look. Once I completed the exam, I meticulously filled in my scantron sheet and left. As I strolled around outside after, I noticed a huge weight had been lifted. Slowly, a smile formed and I sighed heavily. For the first time in my college career, I understood the feeling of being prepared for an exam. I still can't decide if it's because I actually understand the material or I studied properly, but I'm going with elements of both. I may have found the class that is the foundation of what I want to do with my life. (Get it? "Foundations of Public Communication", the foundation of my future career? No? Ah well, my genius humor often goes unrecognized. I'm looking at you, Brit.)