O'Connell's (Netta Sadovsky | Student Life)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

4652 Shaw Ave.
St Louis, MO 63110
314-773-6600

O’Connell’s Pub was not what my fellow foodie friend and I were hoping for. Usually when I insist on going to a restaurant together, it’s ethnic; it’s extravagant; it’s chic. This time we drove around for 40 minutes and got lost, all for a small Irish pub with dark walls and a gruff sensibility. When we entered the restaurant, an assortment of animal heads gazed down at us from above, and a yellow chandelier twinkled dimly over tables of beer-swigging patrons.

As we waited to be seated, my friend spotted something on the wall and asked me if it was the menu. But then she decided it couldn’t be—it was way too short. “Yeah, that can’t be the—wait, actually, I think it is…” I muttered, realizing midway that it was indeed a very sparse menu. Listed on the wall were burgers, franks, chicken breast, grilled cheese, and a few other options along the same vein. On this particular Friday night, the pub was packed, and it took us half an hour to be seated. Once we were seated, an additional 30 minutes passed before we were able to order. Both of us ordered Swiss cheeseburgers and shared orders of onion rings and fries.

Another half hour later, a very flustered-looking waitress delivered two heart-wrenchingly thick burgers to the table. The hunks of meat rested on toasted white buns with slices of molten cheese slipping down their sides. A nice bit of lettuce and a big helping of sliced onions were available to top the mouth-watering burgers.

Though we were frustrated by the wait, I would gladly wait again for that burger, which easily rivals Blueberry Hill’s and costs a mere $5.75. My jaw cracked as I opened it wide enough to take my first bite. First came the puffy bread, then came the crunchy onions and lettuce, then a zesty ketchup/mustard mix, and, finally, the burger itself. My teeth sank into a hefty meat patty, breaking through the slightly tangy Swiss to the juicy meat itself. A dribble of juice fell down unnoticed to the plate below. I’m sure a big swig of beer would have been the perfect beverage to wash it down.

The french fries and the onion rings were similarly delicious. The fries were a bit thinner than I typically like them, though not nearly as thin as the McDonald’s variety. They were still warm when they came to the table and had a nice grease shimmer to them as though they had only just been fried. I was particularly thrilled with the onion rings. Onions that slip out of their fried shell—a far too common phenomenon—always frustrate me. Having resigned myself to the fact that, by and large, this is just what happens with onion rings, I was delighted when I took a bite of both crispy dough and onion together.

I recommend O’Connell’s to anyone going out on a weekday night, because the wait on a Friday or Saturday night may be too long for some. At the end of a two-hour dinner, we waved goodbye to our new moose-head friends and paid the check, eager to return as soon as possible.

For those of you who are unaware of what the Turkey Drop is (freshmen, listen up!), here’s the basic formula: Take two students in a relationship who have been going out for approximately three months now, assuming they began dating at the start of the semester. Well, three months is often long enough for at least one party to get tired and start thinking that maybe there are better options out there. Then, said party (your significant other) goes home for his or her first vacation of the year, hooks up and, before you know it, you’re Turkey Dropped.

As funny as it all sounds, take it from a once-dropped turkey—the Turkey Drop is no fun. It’s right before finals and wildly frustrating after trying to make something work for so long. It’s enough to put a damper on the end of anyone’s semester. But there are some tricks to getting over this terrible holiday backlash.

Get “basted.” Not necessarily the best solution, but sometimes a good drink with a few friends can make the situation seem a little bit less painful—and often a lot funnier. Or you’ll get that chance you’ve been waiting for to cry until your tear ducts dry out.

Make it a marathon. My freshman roommate took care of me from the moment I got back to the dorm until our taxi to the airport before winter break. How? By renting all six seasons of “Sex and the City,” which we had worked our way through by our last final. The show can vary, as long as there’s plenty of laughter and perhaps a cynical romantic plotline. Doing a pseudo-sappy show marathon with friends is the equivalent of chicken noodle soup for the mending heart.

Milk it. When else do you have an excuse to guilt your friends into going out to eat or seeing a movie when they have a stack of homework to do? You only get to play the breakup card for a short period of time—so use it! Nothing is out of the question, from ice cream-eating contests to singing along to “Moulin Rouge” (that applies to guy friends as well as girls).

Do everything you’ve always wanted to do. That may be a little broad, but it doesn’t matter. That haircut you always thought about? Get it! A new workout you wanted to start? Grab a friend, and hit the gym. With your newfound time, there’s so much more that you can do with your life. And the more you get out there, the more likely you are to find what you love—whether it be a new hobby or a new special someone.

Breaking up is always hard to do; no one is denying that. But if you’re able to put a positive spin on it, then you’ll have a better holiday season—and even have a little fun while you’re at it.

So the most important thing to keep in mind this break? Keep it all in perspective. There’s so much more to Thanksgiving dinner than just the turkey. Maybe you’re more of a mashed potatoes guy or gal anyway—and now you’ve got the opportunity to try all the other dishes.

Playa Marsella in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Have you ever considered exploring the sights of a new country? Did you dream of studying abroad but couldn’t fit it in your schedule? With the economic recession particularly hurting the airline business, international flights are now cheaper than ever. And, with Washington University’s long winter break coming up, now is a great time to think about going overseas. So if you’ve been dying to go on a real vacation and escape the St. Louis chill, or escape America all together, here are a few international locales to check out that won’t break your budget.

Morocco

Located along the Atlantic coast of Northern Africa, Morocco has a lot to offer any tourist—but especially tourists interested in exploring rich, new cultures. Due to its location, Morocco often feels more like the Mediterranean than like Africa. Northern Morocco boasts countless historic cities full of Roman and Islamic influences, lush valleys, and cooler temperatures. But as you move south, Africa emerges.

There is much to explore across all of Morocco’s different districts: Tangiers, Agadir, Marrakech, Casablanca, Ouarzazate and Tarfaya. For a taste of Morocco’s history and culture, Marrakech is a must. And while you’re visiting the city, I definitely recommend exploring the Majorelle Garden, which was bought by famous fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and has inspired many of his runway shows.

If you’re more of a beach person, not to worry—Morocco is a coastal country and boasts 3,000 miles of beachfront. Agadir in the south is the only resort area of Morocco and claims the warmest climate. During the winter months, temperatures tend to hover around 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Morocco’s tourism industry is growing, but it has not yet become an established tourist destination—which means lower prices! You can find nice places to stay without sacrificing comfort. Food and activities won’t cost you much either. Flights to Morocco vary in cost but start around $1,000. Be sure to dig around for the best price—and always call several airlines to ask about their package deals or seasonal specials before you book anything.

Nicaragua

If you’re looking for a great vacation involving beaches, delicious food, lots of local culture and low prices, Nicaragua is for you—particularly if you haven’t had a chance to travel outside America, and you’re looking for something a little closer than these other destinations.

Nicaragua is located right in the middle of Central America and is bordered by the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. I haven’t explored the Caribbean side much, but the Pacific coast is beautiful. I recommend staying in San Juan del Sur, a wonderful coastal town with white sand beaches, great markets and authentic open-air restaurants. Not too far away is Granada—a historical town with a quaint colonial feel—which is definitely worth exploring for a day or two.

Lake Nicaragua, a large lake located in southwest Nicaragua, is also closeby. And in the middle of the lake is Ometepe Island. The island consists of two old volcanoes, some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, and wonderful conservation grounds. I recommend taking a day to hike one of the volcanoes, which are covered in forests full of monkeys and rich wildlife. Ferries take people to and from the island several times a day.

If you don’t get a chance to make it to Ometepe, consider exploring Mombacho instead. This volcano surrounded by small farms and coffee plantations is right near the city of Granada and is a protected nature reserve. At the top of the volcano is a cloud forest, where there are countless nature trails. Here, tourists can spot rare flowers and birds, as well as spectacular views of Lake Nicaragua and the surrounding area.

Flights to Nicaragua can be as cheap as $600 in December and January, and it is easy to find places to stay with comfortable rooms for as little as $40 per night.

Thailand

Thailand is perhaps the most beautiful place I have ever been to. But there’s more to do than just sit on the beach staring into the ocean—try learning to scuba dive. Due to a surge in tourism, Thailand offers visitors numerous licensed diving instructors to choose from. With the clear waters and tropical fish, divers will never be bored here. To experience some of the world’s finest beaches, try visiting Phuket or Ko Samui.

If you’re down south, there are hundreds of small islands jutting out of the water right by the coast that are often full of beautiful caves and hidden beaches, perfect for a boating excursion.

Or you could always consider taking classes in Thai cooking, Buddhism or traditional Thai massage, all of which are very popular tourist activities. And don’t forget about Thailand’s fascinating museums, temples, World Heritage sites and hundreds of national parks.

Flights over winter break can be as low as $1,000, and you can find comfortable rooms for as little as $50 per night.

Vietnam

For another alternative vacation option, Vietnam is one of the most fascinating trips you can find. To really experience Vietnam, you must look at its military history.

Try checking out the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi. Or travel to Cu Chi, and take a tour of the remaining tunnels left over from the war. These tunnels, however, are certainly not for the faint of heart (or for the short of breath). There is very little breathing room along these super-narrow underground pathways. Yet if you can manage to squeeze yourself into one, you’ll see tiny underground rooms that were once people’s living quarters, operating rooms, dining rooms and bathrooms. Most tours of these tunnels also incorporate a brief history of the Vietnam War and a description of their war strategies and weaponry, including some gruesome booby traps.

For a change of pace, head to the Ngũ Hành just south of Da Nang. These mountains are named after the five elements: Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire) and Tho (earth). But tourists have dubbed these the “Marble Mountains,” as huge amounts of marble and limestone are extracted from the hills. At the base of the mountains is a small narrow “road” full of stalls of marble carvers who sell their artistry to tourists at very low prices. And, of course, haggling is certainly acceptable here.

There are still beaches aplenty in Vietnam, if that’s what you’re looking for. A particularly interesting beach setting is Halong Bay, which consists of almost 2,000 islands extending out of the ocean, most of which house floating villages of fishermen, countless caves, lakes and small beaches, all perfect for a day of exploring.

Flights can be found for $1,500, and hotel rooms can be found all over the country for as little as $15 per night. But if you’re looking for the most comfortable setting at a cheap price, accommodations are often around $50.

What many don’t know is that these facts surrounding breast enlargement are similar to those concerning penis enlargement. While women can find reason for insecurity in their breast sizes, men can feel the same way about their penis sizes. A man with a self-assessed large penis may feel more self-assured around others or even more confident in bed from the beginning of a sexual interaction with another. From locker rooms to hallway gossip, penis size is singled out as a defining masculine feature, and thus many men feel self-conscious about their sizes. In fact, most men who are self-conscious about the length or girth of their penises tend to be around average (6 inches long, 4 inches in circumference).

My point here is that penis enlargement is something many men seek. Advertisers bombard the Internet and magazine classifieds with “natural” herbal remedies like horny goat weed, penis “muscle” enhancement exercises, and devices like penis pumps claiming to expand; all of these are similar to methods for breast enhancement. As most would guess, these techniques by and large do not work. The penis is not a muscle that can be built up by exercise, and in fact, such exercises advertised for penis enlargement like “jelqing” (much like intensive masturbation without developing an erection) or penis stretching are incredibly rigorous and can easily cause tissue damage or broken blood vessels.

Of the 25,000 penis enlargement pills on the market, none have ever been scientifically shown to permanently increase penis size. Finally, penis pumps, or “vacuum pumps,” draw extra blood into the part of the penis sealed off by the pump during use. But once the penis is released from the pump, the penis will return to normal size. If the pump is used for longer than 20 or 30 minutes, the penis can easily acquire tissue damage, blisters, thickened skin or ruptured blood vessels.

The only proven method to increase penis size—and this is still only by an inch or less in successful procedures—is, yes, plastic surgery, or “phalloplasty.” Procedures for width enhancement involve fat graft transfers, usually from the base of the penis at the pelvic site in overweight individuals or harvested from cadavers. Penis lengthening procedures involve cutting the suspensory ligament that holds back the penis through tension. While the lengthening process costs a mere $5,000-$7,000, it is not always successful for increasing penis length and the ligament can reattach itself within six months. The widening procedure can cost upwards of $20,000.

Costs aside, these procedures can also cause immense scarring, erectile dysfunction, loss of sensitivity, and even loss of girth due to fat reabsorption. Although breast augmentation carries risks far greater than these that can lead to serious infections and even death, the fact is that breast augmentation is a much more studied and researched procedure. The number of women who have received successful breast surgery is much higher than the number of men who have successfully increased their penis size and retained this change over time with phalloplasty. Although phalloplasty may increase in popularity in the coming years and become more developed, as of now, it is a risky course of action. The reality is, penis size doesn’t matter as much as it may seem in teen movies. Keeping the free use of one’s penis and its God-given sensitivity is much more important than any slight change in size.

Anheuser-Busch Hall, home to the law school and seen here in the far back, is an example of a building on campus that, according to professor Esley Hamilton is ‘just plopped down on the ground, and whatever space is left over is not considered at all." (Matt Mitgang | Student Life)

Suppose a Godzilla-like figure were to stomp through St. Louis. What parts of the city’s architecture would you immediately appeal to preserve? Most would save the Arch, Union Station, the Wainwright Building and Central West End. To many, the list of landmarks that immediately pops into mind may end there.
But to Esley Hamilton, adjunct lecturer in the architecture school, St. Louis architectural gems also include Soulard, Lafayette Square and Washington Terrace—familiar names of communities boasting beautiful Period Revival houses, hardly found in such a preserved state anywhere else in the country. “Nowadays, people use the umbrella term ‘period house,’ which could mean English, Tudor, Spanish, French or Rennaissance,” Hamilton said.
Despite the fact that St. Louis may not be known for its architecture, our city plays host to a variety of well-known constructions. In fact, if you look around when walking on campus, you’ll be surprised at what you find.
According to Hamilton, not much was written on St. Louis architecture in the past, but, as preservation historian for the St. Louis County’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Hamilton has been taking steps to right this wrong. He has invested years researching and documenting architectural sites in the city, preserving neighborhoods and buildings that are important to the county.
“The historic neighborhoods are what give the city its character,” Hamilton said about his work, assessing locales in danger of deterioration or of demolition. “People from other parts of the country are just amazed by Soulard and Lafayette Square, Compton Heights, Washington Terrace. There are very few places in the country that have that left.”
Throughout the years, neighborhoods like Parkview, which borders Wash. U. to the north, have been known to be highly attractive to artists, writers, mayors and the like, including Stanley Elkin, the famous writer and Wash. U. professor. Most of the neighborhoods surrounding the University are now listed in the National Register thanks to the efforts of the historians developing important new literature about St. Louis historic landmarks. These communities, a stroll away from campus, boast a variety of visual styles—surprising given the short span of time in which they were built, from the late 19th century into the 1930s.
But it’s not just the lovely residential surroundings that Wash. U. students should keep an eye out for. While we come to this school to study, we are also unwittingly treated to four years of a one-of-a-kind architectural experience every day—namely that of walking and learning within a National Historic Landmark. Hamilton himself wrote the nomination to the National Register of Historic Landmarks for the Hilltop Campus, now dubbed Danforth Campus.
“There’s only about 2,500 National Historic Landmarks of any category in the whole United States,” Hamilton said. “[The Hilltop Campus] was listed for its architecture ahead of Princeton, Yale and Harvard because it’s one of the best examples of the Collegiate Gothic style that started in the 1890s. It was really a style that was formulated by Cope and Stewardson, who were the original architects of this campus.”
The competition to decide which architectural design would be selected for the University attracted Carrere & Hastings—designers for the New York Public Library—and several other leading architecture firms of the time. The current campus layout was picked among other options for its emphasis on spaces rather than overwhelmingly large buildings. The design was chosen so that the campus could grow organically as buildings were added to it, instead of requiring that pairs of buildings be constructed at the same time in order to look aesthetically pleasing.
Wash. U. presents the kind of situation in which historical preservation and present style collide; however, Hamilton argued that this concept of organic growth is no longer at the heart of the renovations happening on campus.
“The buildings are just plopped down on the ground, and whatever space is left over is not considered at all,” Hamilton said. “It’s really a shame to see the campus so crowded and with so many unused places.” Some areas in campus have been redeveloped “like canyons,” like the Anheuser-Busch building that towers over the stairs at either side of it.
This perceived inefficiency is not, conceded Hamilton, entirely removed from the current state of the architecture profession today. Leading architects are not inclined to work with the kind of style that Wash. U. demands. One sees in Wash. U. precisely the difficulties historical architecture faces when subjective dismissal is large.
“Many architects that grew up with the international modern style refuse to consider period revival buildings to have any merit whatsoever. Just the very fact that the campus has chosen to try to emulate the Collegiate Gothic style puts them totally out of bounds with these architectures and critics. But that’s really not fair,” Hamilton said. “The style of the building shouldn’t determine whether it’s a good building or a bad building. It’s determined by the quality of the constructions and the spaces within.”
Assume some past generation had deemed Wash. U. an architectural disaster and had torn down the current façade. Would it have been a social wrong? Perhaps the benefit of historical preservation lies in allowing, in the most fundamental sense, for a person to decide what to think about a visible, prevailing, slice of history.

The dance will be in the Tisch Commons in the Danforth University Center from 8-11 p.m. with swing lessons for beginners at 7 p.m. The event is free to anyone with a Washington University ID and $5 for everyone else. The Swing Dance Club’s events normally draw a decent crowd from both the University and the greater St. Louis swing dance community. But for this event, the club hopes to attract even more people because of the live band.

All previous Washington University Swing Dances have employed iPods and CD players, not live musicians. This event, however, will feature The Grand Marquis, a band imported from Kansas City for its unique sound. Many St. Louis swing bands might play great songs to dance to, but they do not play the most authentic versions of swing and jazz. The Grand Marquis feature a wider variety of instruments more heavily featured in jazz and jump swing such as saxophone, trumpet and clarinet. Because of the band’s special musical style, listeners are encouraged to come and enjoy the music as well.

For those interested in actually dancing, know that there will be a wide variety of dancers who attend, including highly advanced swing dancers. But this is no cause for concern, as most of the dancers are more than willing to dance with and teach those who are just starting out. If you fumble around with the steps, they’ll certainly help you out.

“Everyone was a first-time dancer at some point,” says junior Christian Frommelt, Swing Dance Club president. So no one should feel nervous or intimidated about learning a new style of dance.

For those who really enjoy dancing swing, the Swing Dance Club meets every Wednesday from 8-10 p.m. This is a great chance to practice and learn new steps. The club also offers lessons—a new round will be starting next semester.

So if you’re a cool cat with some hip moves or you just want something new to try out this week, stop by the dance and listen to some good jazz and jump blues. It’ll have you tapping like you’ve never tapped before.

Nov. 12-22 at various theaters across the city, including the Tivoli, the Hi-Pointe and the St. Louis Art Museum. The 18th annual festival features movies from all over the globe and of all levels of notoriety; films range from up-and-coming relative no-names to ones starring Robert Di Niro and Drew Barrymore. Tickets are $10 a show.

Film Festival Closing Party

Nov. 22 at Eclipse, 6177 Delmar Blvd., starting at 8 p.m.
A mixer with some of the films’ writers and directors, as well as film fanatics. Admission is free, and there is a cash bar.

The Greatest Show on Earth

Nov. 18 at The Big Bang, 807 Second St., starting at 7:30 p.m.
Come celebrate The Big Bang’s eighth birthday with a circus-themed party that will include carnival food and activities and great music. There is no cover and plenty of drink specials.

Macy’s Holiday Festival of Lights

Nov. 20 at Kiener Plaza and Memorial Park downtown, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Welcome the start of the holiday
season with lights and fireworks displays.

The tour lacks a guide, and one can start anywhere on the path; the map can be downloaded and printed from the Internet. The central hub is the Salt of the Earth store at Gazebo Park, 8150 Big Bend Blvd. At the grand opening of the exhibit in Webster Groves, the artists themselves were present. The reception lasted four hours, 6-10 p.m., with wine and beer available at several locations for those old enough to drink. Several of the stores scattered throughout the areas were designated “Friday Night Hot Spots” and had events to celebrate the opening. On Saturday and Sunday the crawl operated from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and people were seen wandering around the area carrying maps or gazing intently at Google Maps on their iPhones.

Highlights from the walk included the Salt of the Earth store itself, American Visions Contemporary Crafts, Krueger Pottery Supply and The May Gallery at Webster University.

The gallery American Visions Contemporary Crafts focuses on displaying contemporary art from the United States and Canada. Located in Rock Hill, just outside St. Louis, it is the farthest away from Salt of the Earth. The use of public transportation is recommended for those lacking a car. The artists work with a variety of mediums, including wood, metal, glass, jewelry and clay. The glasswares are particularly noteworthy and contain a veritable garden of objects, such as pears, apples and pumpkins. They come in a number of shapes, sizes and colors and are definitely worth seeing.

Krueger Pottery Supply is a one-stop shop for all things pottery. One can buy homemade pottery, supplies and equipment or even take a class. The store was founded in 1988, the atmosphere is very friendly, and the staff is willing to help any interested parties. They sell everything required for pottery, from wheels to rollers to kilns themselves, as well as clay and various coloring agents. Taking a clay class, something many of us did when we were younger, looks very tempting here.

The May Gallery is a photography gallery located at Webster University. The current exhibit, which runs from Nov. 6-25, is “Gunther Cartwright: Industrial Blues.” Cartwright focuses on the relationship between industrial society and its surroundings. Pictures include several photographs of barren land with the telltale smokestacks of power plants and a variety of photos concentrating on warning signs. The photos bring into contrast manufacturing and nature, yet indicate a sort of beauty within the industrial world. This excellent gallery is a must-see for all with even a passing interest in art or photography. Located at 8300 Big Bend Blvd., a mere 10-minute walk from Salt of the Earth, it is easily accessible.

There were many more stores and galleries to visit, and all were worth visiting. The crawl ended Sunday, but opportunities still abound for students to visit the shops. It was an enjoyable experience, one that is highly recommended for all inquisitive persons.

Bobo Noodle House offers delicious food in a trendy place reminiscent of New York City restaurants. (Matt Mitgang | Student Life)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars
278 N. Skinker Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130

Bobo Noodle House is the perfect solution for the hungry Washington University student who is in the mood for a special meal but not willing to brave the cold for too long. The 1-year-old restaurant is located about as close to campus as you can get—right next to Kayak’s Coffee. Bobo is small but has a hip atmosphere and serves up some tasty Southeast Asian fare. The menu includes appetizers, salads, pho (a noodle soup), sides and, of course, noodles! In addition, Bobo offers desserts and a full selection of beer, wine and sake.

Upon entering the noodle house, I felt for a moment like I’d been transported to New York City. I found myself admiring the tiny, trendy space, with its dim lighting and paper chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and an eclectic mix of edgy music playing in the background.

At Bobo, food is ordered as soon as you walk in. Appetizers at Bobo include spring rolls (both vegetarian and pork are available), Asian barbecued spare ribs, and a shrimp summer roll. My friend and I decided to try the summer roll. In addition, we ordered the vegetable dumpling, pho, and the “ginger pork with gailon and egg noodles.”

The shrimp summer roll was perfect for sharing because we were served two large rolls. They came out promptly after we were seated, which surprised and impressed me. The rolls were presented on a clean white rectangular plate. A thin, translucent casing covered a filling of thin vermicelli noodles, basil, shrimp and lemongrass. The roll was garnished with slices of carrot. While the roll was attractive and fresh, my two main complaints were that it was impossible to eat with chopsticks and tasted bland. Luckily, both of these issues were easily resolved. I set the chopsticks aside and ate the roll by simply tearing it apart with my hands. The blandness was quickly fixed by dousing the roll in the spicy chili sauce that accompanied it.

For my main dish, I tried the ginger pork with gailon and egg noodles. The generous serving consisted of tender pieces of pork and a wide variety of colorful vegetables: red and green peppers, sliced carrots, onions and leeks topped with basil. I debated with my friend about the broccoli-like vegetable that was in my dish: Was it bok choy or brocollini? It turns out it was gailon. (Hence the name “ginger pork with gailon.”) Apparently gailon means Chinese broccoli. The sauce in this dish initially seemed mild, but progressive mouthfuls indicated that it had a substantial kick accentuated by chili flavors. While I found the dish quite delicious, I needed to take frequent gulps of my water to turn down the heat, so I wouldn’t recommend this entrée to those who can’t tolerate spicy foods.

For those who would be less inclined to try my pork dish, whether due to vegetarianism or spice intolerance, I’d recommend the other dish we sampled that evening—the vegetable dumpling pho. This dish was served in a wide bowl and consisted of a light broth with firm, vegetable-filled dumplings. The pho also included tofu and scallions. My friend said the tofu was some of the best tofu she has ever had. It was not too soggy or soft but instead had a nice, firm consistency around the outside. While I found the pho a bit bland for my tastes, a dish of chili sauce was offered on the side to compensate.

To finish, my friend and I ordered the chocolate coconut ice cream sandwich, and I must say that this was the highlight of the evening. Creamy coconut ice cream with a sweet and subtle flavor was sandwiched between two moist double chocolate chip cookies. To die for.

I left Bobo Noodle House with a full stomach (the portions are huge) and a smile on my face. I must admit, though, that I also left feeling a bit perplexed. The idea of ordering at a counter seemed odd to me at a restaurant with such a fancy, hip feel. While the service was excellent, I left wondering if I was meant to leave a tip. As I walked out the door, I handed the girl at the counter a couple of bucks. The neutral expression on her face left the mystery unsolved.

Leadership Summit

This is an overnight retreat for emerging leaders, specifically freshmen and sophomores, and occurs every fall.

The program focuses on helping students increase their knowledge of themselves and their passions, and guides them toward a foundational understanding of leadership, which they can use in their remaining years at the University.

“We want them to start thinking what it is they care about and then use their passions to get involved in leadership opportunities [on campus],” said Mike Saxvik, who works for the Office of Student Activities (OSA) as the coordinator for student involvement/programming leadership.

According to Saxvik, during the first day of the program, students are encouraged to look at themselves, their values and their previous experiences, and explore how these have shaped them as leaders.

Students also participate in a nationally recognized self-discovery evaluation called StrengthsQuest with exercises that highlight the importance of group dynamics and behaviors.

Redefining Community Experience (RCE)

The focus of this winter program is to examine leadership through the lenses of community, identity, diversity and social justice. Students spend time thinking about how their own identities and personal experiences shape them as leaders.

“Probably the most moving and powerful part of this retreat is when every student sits down and shares life stories with each other,” Saxvik said. “Sometimes it’s really sad, or it can also be really incredible. But all of their stories are so inspirational. It’s amazing what some students have been through, and it’s so great when they share those experiences with each other.”

Because of this community bonding aspect of the RCE retreat, long-lasting and trusting friendships are often one of the most valuable things that students take away from the program.

“It’s really important for student leaders to trust one another and understand each other, which RCE really promotes. Since these students are Wash. U.’s leaders, or future leaders, I think this part of the retreat is essential,” Saxvik said.

Students on the RCE retreat also discuss ways they can directly improve the University community, particularly concerning issues of diversity and social justice.

Because the RCE retreat forms a community of students with strong relationships, many participants are inspired to get involved in RCE again the following year, Saxvik said.

LeaderShape

LeaderShape is an international nonprofit program that the University brings to campus every year through its LeaderShape retreat, which will be over spring break. Wash. U. is one of 60 national universities that works with LeaderShape on a regular basis.

Because it is such a large, developed program, the LeaderShape retreat curriculum is very thorough. The program was the initiative of several national leaders who studied leadership development and what leadership can look like for college students.

One of the strongest components of Wash. U.’s LeaderShape retreat is developing a personal vision—students are encouraged to define their goals clearly and to think about what they want to achieve. Discovering these individual goals is the first step to taking action and initiating positive changes on a global level.

“The main difference about LeaderShape is that it’s on a much bigger scale,” Saxvik said. “The other retreats tend to focus on leadership on the college campus, but this one really stretches the boundaries. I think it makes students think bigger, beyond themselves.”

How do I get involved?

Many people who attend these retreats were nominated by RAs, WUSAs and campus faculty. Each year, these people are asked to be on the lookout for emerging student leaders, and they can nominate students for specific programs. If you have been selected, you will receive an e-mail informing you of your nomination and your nominator. But even if you have not been nominated, the applications are open to all students interested in attending. Each program has an application form online, all of which can be found on the OSA website: http://www.get​involved.wustl.edu.

How will I benefit from participating?

First and foremost, each of these programs builds strong community relationships and a solid network of campus leaders.

Saxvik said students have overall been very happy with these programs.

“What they take away from these retreats really influences what they do with their time at Wash. U. and throughout their lives,” Saxvik said.

Senior DeAndra Nichols, who participated in all three retreats, agrees: “[These programs] helped me mold my vision of what I desired from WU, and then equipped me with a support network of like-minded friends to pursue those visions and find my place on campus.”

Nichols is best known on campus for The Stories Project, an initiative that began on the RCE trip. When students were sharing their life stories, Nichols was inspired to begin this project, and it has grown immensely since then.

Important information:

The Leadership Summit retreat was held over fall break and will not be offered again until fall 2010. The other two programs, however, are currently accepting applications on the OSA Web site. RCE is three days long, from Jan. 15-17, and LeaderShape is six days long, from March 6-11.