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Tips for Staying Warm This Winter

It’s officially winter, my fellow Hoyas*.  You know what that means: finals, Christmas and, of course, being freezing at all times.  Here are some tips and tricks from your friends at 4E to help you stay warm over the next few months:

*Yes, I know winter doesn’t officially start until December something, but when it starts getting dark outside before I’ve eaten lunch, I consider it winter and so should you. 

1. Invest in a Nice Jacket

I mean nice but not too nice. If you purchase either a Canada Goose or a Barbour, I can guarantee it will mysteriously “go missing” from a chair in the corner of some Henle party within a month — s/o to GUPD Chief of Police Jay Gruber.

2. Stop Drinking Iced Coffee.

It’s disgusting even when it’s actually hot outside. There is absolutely no reason to order iced coffee while wearing a scarf. Ice doesn’t belong in coffee. Just order it hot and stop being so weird.

3. Eat a Hot Chick From Wisey’s

Haha, get it? Because it’s “Hot.” Also, your stomach will hurt so badly afterward that you’ll forget all about how cold you feel!

4. Run (From the Rats on Campus)

There are So. Many. Rats. On. This. Campus. You’ll be plenty warm in no time once you start sprinting away from the ones that have started nesting directly outside your apartment!

5. Get a Significant Other

Cuffing Szn, amirite #ladies?  70 percent of Hoyas date other Hoyas!*

*and end things the minute it finally gets warm enough to darty again.

6. Ghost Everyone in Your Life Who Lives in Burleith.

In these frigid temperatures, it’s just not worth the walk. Sacrifices must be made.

7. Take a Bird Scooter Everywhere

The less time you have to spend outside, the better. To get where you’re going faster, Bird everywhere. Bird to class. Bird to Leo’s. Bird to Lau. Bird in Lau. The relatively high risk of accidentally “running into someone” or “getting run over by a car” is definitely worth cutting three minutes out of your commute.

P.S. If you Lime, Skip or — God forbid — Lyft anywhere on this campus, I hope you get stuck behind a slow walker on a narrow path.

8. Stop Going to Class.

You can’t get cold if you don’t go outside. Literally stop leaving your dorm/apartment/house for any reason. The semester is basically over anyway; you’ll be fine.

9. Start Smoking Cigarettes.

In light of the recent, shocking revelation that Juuls are bad for your health, try the fun alternative that looks cool, tastes great and, most importantly, keeps your fingers warm!*

*This is sarcasm. There are already way too many people contributing to the cloud of carcinogens I have to walk through before entering Lau each day. Please do not become one of them.

10. Stress-Cry.

Nothing warms your face faster than a steady stream of stress-induced tears. Finals season is right around the corner to help you out with this one.

Stay warm, Hoyas!

 

Sources: giphy.com, pinterest.com

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The Five Stages of Being Sick at Georgetown

If you haven’t spent these past weeks drowning in used tissues and Advil, this Hoya desperately wants to know your secret.  Yes! You heard that barely concealed coughing fit from the back of your crowded microeconomics lecture correctly, the Georgetown Plague™ is upon us.

While we may be living in a petri dish, at least the relatability of this struggle can be exploited by your friends at 4E. Here are the five stages of being sick on the Hilltop:

1. Attempting home remedy

Throat coat?  Check. Advil?  Check. Suddenly wishing you were pre-med?  Check. All of the Aspirin that you packed from home might be able to save you, right?  Right??

Although copious amounts of tea and Tylenol can’t stop your impending doom, it won’t stop you from trying! 

2. Taking a trip to the Student Health Center

After your own medical knowledge fails, surely Georgetown, the fine institution you are paying your life savings to attend, will be able to rescue you from yourself!  A quick 30-minute phone call later, you’ve booked an appointment to see a doctor… next Thursday.

3. Accepting your fate

It’s true!  Sometimes you need to be sick in order to appreciate being well — or, at least, that’s what you tell yourself to feel better! Your roommate has to inevitably put up with 4 a.m. coughing fits, and you have to fight through that 9 a.m. lecture while putting up with dirty looks from students and professors alike.

Apparently, being sick is a natural part of life. Just one that no one wants to experience.

4. Freedom

The long journey comes to an end. Alas now, you have no more excuses for procrastinating your midterm paper!

The sudden rebirth you feel is accompanied by a newfound appreciation for health, along with promises to work out at Yates every day and stop eating Chick-Fil-A every night.

 

5. Repetition

That’s right folks, your already-weakened immune system will inevitably fail you again!  The close quarters of dorm life and crowded Vil A rooftops are breeding grounds for contamination.  

But fear not!  Because if you can survive the Georgetown Plague™, you can easily survive anything the Hilltop throws your way.

From all of us here at 4E, get well soon!

Sources: giphy.com, choicechiropractic.net

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Friday Fixat10ns: Songs To Nap To This Weekend

Friday Fixat10ns

Having one of those weeks where all you want to do is take a nap? Well, you are in luck because here at 4E we have come up with the perfect soundtrack to listen to (or sleep to) while you catch up on those Zzs. If you fall asleep before this playlist ends, we did our job.

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  1.  “In Your Atmosphere” – John Mayer: Didn’t get that dream internship in L.A.? Neither did John Mayer it seems. Let the soothing sounds of John Mayer sing you to sleep as you contemplate the fear of living at home for yet another summer with your family.
  2. “Like Real People Do”- Hozier: Learn to nap like real people do with awesome sound tracks like this one. Listening to Hozier’s mellow sound will send you into a hypnotizing sleep, the kind of 8 hours a night sleep that “real people” are supposed to get.
  3. “Landslide”- Fleetwood Mac: Georgetown is stressful, with so many clubs, classes and other activities, it can seem like a landslide of work is constantly pilling up. Listen to this song to get away from your worries, if only for an afternoon nap.
  4. “Stop this Train”- John Mayer: Yet another shining example of why I consider John Mayer to be the mayor (haha get it) of nap time. Drift off to sleep while contemplating growing old and all the stress that comes with it.
  5. “Clean”- Taylor Swift: This song may be inspired by Taylor’s breakup with One Directioner Harry Styles, but it can also be applied to your soon-to-be breakup with your high GPA. Listening to this song will give you a sense of peace and make you feel “clean” inside and out.
  6. “I Want to Write You a Song”- One Direction: Speaking of Harry Styles, here is a super cute 1D song that is perfect for dozing off. Bonus points if you end up dreaming about writing a song with 1D.
  7. “Cherry Wine”- Hozier: What could be better than wine and napping? That’s right, listening to this Hozier song about wine while napping. If you listen closely, it almost sounds like Hozier himself is getting a little sleepy just singing.
  8. “Hate to See Your Heart Break”- Hayley & Joy Williams:  Your heart will break if you don’t listen to this one. It has some low notes and some high points, but most importantly it will rock you to sleep like the lullaby you wish your mom could have sung to you.
  9. “Autumn Leaves”-Ed Sheeran: Yes, I know, it is technically spring right now, but it has been so cold lately that it is practically autumn again. This Ed Sheeran bonus track might be one of my favorite nappy time songs, it is just so sweet and sleepy.
  10. “I’ll Be Good”- Jaymes Young: Ah yes, what I tell myself every Friday night. I’ll be good this weekend, I’ll wake up before 11, I’ll do my homework, I’ll work out. Instead of actually doing any of those thing, just listen to this song and you will be filled with a sense that you actually did something good.

Well, there you have it! 4E’s perfect playlist to nap to this weekend! So don’t start working on all of those huge final research papers, take a nap instead.

Gifs: giphy.com

Music: https://8tracks.com/

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Winter Survival Guide

wintersurvivalguide

If you somehow didn’t notice the white stuff that have been falling from the sky recently or the freezing cold temperatures, let this article assure you it is in fact winter at Georgetown.

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So before you start filling out your transfer application to Berkley or University of Miami here are some tips to help you survive the cold.

1. Before going outside, dress in every single item of clothing in your closet. You may at first feel stupid, but you will be warm.

2. Cold toilet seat? No problem, just sacrifice a few socks to create this masterpiece.

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3. Invest in a sleeping bag suit. It may seem like an impulsive buy, but also quite possibly the warmest thing you will ever own.

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4. Trick yourself into thinking that you are in a tropical location instead of this polar vortex by decorating your room with things that remind you of summer.

5. Avoid ice at all costs. It may seem like a good idea at the time to try and slide across the ice like a cool kid, but you will most likely end up falling.

If you even find yourself feeling down about the weather here in DC, just remember that there are places that have it much, much worse.

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No one wants to live in that.

Photos/Gifs: pinterest.com; myemail.constantcontact.com; gifsoup.com; uproxx.com; memcollection.net; reddit.com; giphy.com; faxo.com

 

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How It Feels to Start Classes Again

First Day of SchoolBy now most, if not all, of you are done with the Christmas cookies and never-ending family time. The holidays were fun, but now it’s back to the Hilltop we love and the schoolwork we hate. It goes a little like this:

You get back to Georgetown, so excited to see your friends…

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… even though it’s been only 3 weeks. (But it seems like a lifetime and a half.)

Everything is fab, until you realize you actually have to take classes.

tumblr_mg3jorsMT21qh402go1_250Like any good Georgetown student, you spend an unimaginable amount of time picking out that perfect “back-to-school” outfit, which seems to not exist.

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Finally, you find “the one” and you feel like a million bucks (or like a 4.0 GPA).

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But Wednesday morning is not too friendly.

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And there is always that one person who is way too excited.

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Your teachers actually expect you to learn.

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But your mind is blank. Or possibly still frozen from the cold.

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The bookstore is a total mess.

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And then you see someone in the library already. GOOD. FOR. YOU.

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You realize that Leo’s is once again your main food option and all happiness disappears.

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But being back with Jack the Bulldog makes everything much better.

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And despite the teachers, classes and long lines at the RHO, at least you are back on the Hilltop. Now you will have about a week or so until you are actually allowed to be stressed again. So enjoy the time off, Hoyas … we are all going to need it!

GIFS: tumblr.com, Photo: paulgerst.com
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An Open Letter to the World/Georgetown: I Want Second Semester NSO

NSO Part twoDear absurdly cold Hilltop,

New Student Orientation can occasionally get a bad rap: Students sometimes complain about the icebreakers, receiving the same questions from everyone (name, hometown, major, dorm) and the weird amount of blow up contraptions and fake gambling. But as I ride an Amtrak train with regrettably spotty WiFi back to the school, my heart yearns for a bit of orientation.

Many of my friends from home are going back to college early to start rushing sororities or train for a sport, so in my imagination they’re basically frolicking around in flowery fields of eating, socialization and “bonding” (read: games of Never Have I Ever). I, on the other hand, am going directly back to class. Tomorrow I will wake up at 8 a.m. for my 8:50 class (I know that as the semester goes on my wake up time will get later and later, so I might as well start out early). I’m going to have to pay at least minimal attention in class, I may have to start reading and I’ll certainly have to start drinking coffee again. But all I want to do is have fun, play Ninja and stay up late in my common room discussing the intricacies of American dialects and [insert something cool].

Though I now know what a DFMO is, have fully memorized the fight song and somewhat can make my way through the ICC, I still need some direction or at least some time to veg. Or maybe just a group of people cheering for me when I walk back onto campus in this frigid weather.

I understand another NSO would take a lot of time and planning. But it’s just a suggestion, (you’re welcome, Georgetown) and second semester students would enjoy an NSO period, too. As my mother likes to say, “I’m an idea person.” This is one of my ingenious ideas, so take it or leave it, President DeGioia. I think the doom and gloom of post-Christmas/New Years/winter vortex needs a bit of dancing, ice breakers, diversity training and anonymous question sessions.

Please and thank you,
Emma

Photo: Georgetown.edu
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Weather Wusses? Actually, Yes.

Weather WussesToday, the Washington Post ran a piece by Clinton Yates that defended the District’s winter weather habits. The article argued that lack of regular snowfall, large amounts of commuter traffic and D.C. jurisdiction nightmares simply make winter storms a bit tough for the District. We don’t disagree with the logistics, be we at 4E do believe that D.C. is still a bunch of “weather wusses.” Here’s why:

Federal Government employees were given the option today to take unscheduled leave or work from home.

Winter Weather Mid AtlanticOthers also warned of the blustering cold, which would drop D.C. temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Things are looking chilly, folks!

Even Georgetown University had a delayed start today.

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That would all be fine and dandy…

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…except Boston just received approximately 14 inches of snow (compared to D.C.’s 2-5 inches).11730759313_81875100b0_b

And meanwhile in Canada, it’s been as cold as the surface of Mars.

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That’s right. Mars.

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In comparison, it looks like we’re the weather wusses after all.

Photos: thegrio.com, Washington Post, Georgetown University, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Universe Today, patriciaheatherington.blogspot.com
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How to Beat the Flu (Before it Happens)

Sneeze PicIt’s that time again, Hoyas: BeWell Week. So if your life is anywhere near as ironic as mine tends to be, you’re either deathly ill or you’re about to become so in the coming days. And, chances are, you’re about to get hit with that bizarre throatache-turned-flu that’s been hitting campus harder than these gymnasts hit the mat.

While 4E has given you tips and tricks before for beating illnesses, we’ve never really told you how to prevent them. So, before you catch the strange bug that’s going around, follow some of these pointers to keep yourself in tip top shape:

1. Don’t touch the railings I know, the Hilltop is covered in stairs. And I know, that means the Hilltop is covered in railings, too. But I beg you, please do not touch them. Handrails are homes to all sorts of viruses, bacteria and germs (E. coli and mucus are quite common… Yuck!) Just work your legs a bit harder than usual and don’t grab those railings.

2. Carry wet-wipes and/or a container of Purell This goes along with good ol’ #1 (see above). If you aren’t going to touch anything, then it might get a wee bit difficult opening doors, walking up stairs and going to the ATM. A little bit of sanitizer can go a long way, people.

3. Beat your illness before it starts I made a quick trip to Vittles today to give you the scoop on preventative medication.

One-A-Day Vitamins: $11.19 for a mega bottle.
Airborne immune booster: $9.29.
Emergen-C immune pack: $8.25.
Not getting devastatingly ill while the rest of Georgetown does: not priceless, but pretty darn close.

4. Eat well Neither The Hoya nor The Fourth Edition advocate stealing an orange or two from Leo’s, but I personally do, especially if it means beating the common college cold. Stick to those fruits and veggies; they naturally pack a punch to any of those pesky viruses that are circulating. Also, get some electrolytes in your system and use a healthy diet to keep your immune system in peak condition.

5. Get some (more) sleep I’m not trying to make a joke. Really. Though it’s really difficult to find any time to sleep while trying to balance the million and five things you’re juggling as a Hoya, getting 8-9 hours will save you a lot of grief in the future. Do it now, or you’re going to be doing it in a few days… just with a 102-degree fever.

Now, get Purell-ling, stop touching, start sleeping and prevent those illnesses, Hoyas!

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Simply Science: Cherry Blossom Chem

As Spring cometh, it brings with it the beautiful Cherry Blossoms of DC (and allergy attacks). This weekend marks the last days of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

What many people may not realize is how relatively late these famous flowers bloomed this year. We saw their peak in the past few days (April 6-April 10), which is defined as when 70% or more of the Blossoms are blooming. The peak can last up to two weeks, and this year’s is the latest in recent memory. (Last year’s was on March 20, and the latest ever was on April 18, 1958). But why is this year’s so late?Travel Cherry Blossom Festival

Many of us understand that it is because of the cold spring that late blooming occurs — but many of us aren’t really sure why this is true. It is no secret to my close friends that chemistry is my favorite science, and it is precisely because every living thing is driven by it (including Cherry Blossoms). A general rule is that chemical reaction rates double for every increase in 18ºF, due to an increase in particle interaction. The blooms are driven by chemical reactions and are highly affected by temperature. Blooming times can even vary depending on where you are in the city.

Cherry trees are able to survive the unforgiving DC winters (unlike some of my SoCal friends) and are brought out of dormancy by rising temperatures. I’m sure you’re aware that our Spring weather hasn’t been very typical. But, there may be an upside to the delayed blooms! If a cherry blossom is exposed to high temperatures it will immediately bloom and last 4-5 days. However, prolonged colder temperatures may slow blooming times and nearly double the length of blooming times. Yay!

So get out there, Hoyas, and enjoy the last days of the Festival. See the beauty of science bloom right before you eyes.

Source: ouramazingplanet.com

Photo: katu.com

Simply Science is a reoccurring post that aims to make recent scientific discoveries accessible and applicable to the Georgetown student.

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Springtime Weather Woes: The REAL Madness of March

Springtime weather

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. In case, you’ve no place to go… HOLD ON! It’s springtime, right?!

If you think the weather has been a bit weird lately, you aren’t alone. According to the Capital Weather Gang at The Washington Post, March 2013 was (on average) 13 degrees cooler than March 2012. In fact, it was the 59th coldest March in DC on record since 1871 and the second coldest March since 2000.

Throughout the month, scientists recorded an average temperature anomaly of three degrees Fahrenheit on the cold side. The month was so cold that the highest temperature of the month was only 63 degrees– the first time March did not have a high temperature of 70 degrees or higher since 2001.

Although last March was also one of the driest March months on record, when it did precipitate, the cold temperatures were especially conducive to snow. Dulles Airport set two separate snow records (3.3 and 3.2 inches on March 6 and 25, respectively) and Reagan Airport bolstered the highest snowfall measurements since 1990.

According to WaPo meteorologists, the weird March weather was caused by “a powerful atmospheric ‘blocking’ pattern that formed over northern latitudes over the course of the month. As a result, cold air was released into typically warmer areas, including North America and Europe.

However, the blocking pattern is no reason to get your knickers in a bunch. As of right now, the blocking pattern is currently breaking, and as a result, the National Weather Service has predicted a warmer-than usual April. And you know what that means, Hoyas.

In conclusion: IT’S BEEN COLD AND WE’RE SICK OF IT. THE SUN IS ON ITS WAY. HAPPY APRIL!