The Golden Gate Bridge is Turning 75

It's the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge and it's time to celebrate!

On  May 27, San Francisco will be offering a program of "75 Community Tributes" to honor the bridge. A variety of activities will take place throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.  Major venues such as Chrissy Field and the Marina Green will be involved. Additional activities and events will be held at the Presidio, Fort Mason Center, Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39.

 Festivities include live music, dance and music festivals, a film night in the Presidio,an  outdoor art installation, and a display of vintage automobiles. Be sure to check out their website for information on location, and date of events.

http://goldengatebridge75.org/celebrate/golden-gate-festival.html

Perspective: When is My Next Day Off?

By Sasa Maksimovic
Menlo Oak Staff

We all know all too well about the life of a student who works full time and goes to school full time is an absolute pain. Juggling this kind of schedule will have you feeling like you are losing your mind. But this is something must be done if students like me are going to get the money to pay for their education.

During my first few years of college, I had a few jobs here and there,  but nothing full time. I started working full time around October of 2011. And boy was I in for a surprise. 

From that October to about middle of January,  I worked 48 hours a week while going to school. I had one day off every week, and every day I was working 8 hours. That’s when I really started to appreciate a few hours of free time.

I would get to school at around eight in the morning and I would leave at 1 p.m. and go straight to work to work from 2-11 p.m.  I would get home from work and be absolutely exhausted and just want to sleep, but as we college students know there is always some one-page assignment your professors wants you to type up.

Most nights I wouldn’t get to sleep till around 2 .m. After getting a few hours of sleep, I would wake up and do it all over again.

It got to the point where I felt like I was a zombie, I had no idea how I was getting up in the morning. I was always so tired. And it wasn’t like I was doing some office job where I was sitting at a computer for 8 hours. I work at a warehouse where you are running and lifting things nonstop.

You have to be really focused on what your goal is if you are going to accomplish working full time and going to school. You have to know what you want and be ready to sacrifice for that objective. Because there will be many days when you want to go out with your friends, but you can't. Instead,  you might have to go home and get those few extra hours of sleep.

Some of us college students get these jobs just because we need some extra money; some of us get these jobs because we have no choice. Gas is getting more expensive you got to drive to school every day, and your parents can’t make that money available for you anymore.

It is a lot of pressure on students because on top having to worry about making that money, you also have to make sure you stay on top of what is most important--and that is school. Before I got hired I told all my bosses that school is No. 1 priority. I told them  I would  not jeopardize my grades under any circumstances.

But while you are working full time and your body is starting to fall asleep at random times of the day, it is so easy to get side tracked. It is so easy to just say,  well I’m not going to go to my first class, I need some more sleep.

Before you know it you are missing, a couple a classes a week. It happens, none of us are robots, and people get tired.

But you got to make sure it doesn’t happen too often and you keep those grades up. Here are some tips that get me by on a daily basis.

•          Invest in some 5-hour Energy shots. These things saved my life many times

•         Start taking naps, every time you get a hour break or so to go home. Take a nap, you will love yourself for doing it.

•          Get your homework done at school, don’t leave your homework sitting there untill after work. You will be exhausted and won’t want to do it. Do your homework at school in those hours you have between classes. 

  When you have a day off, make sure you get a lot of rest. Don't get stuck helping someone carry a piano up the stairs to their new apartment. 


This is part of an occasional series reflecting opinions of Menlo College students who have part-time jobs while they are full-time students. Let us know if you would like to write for "Learn, Earn" by sending an email to themenlooak@menlo.edu 

Menlo College Opens New Doorways with the iPad2

Justin Padilla
Menlo Oak Staff

The development of technology has drastically changed the way the world works. People are always looking for innovative ways to accomplish things faster and better. Menlo College seeks change through the use of implementing iPad2s in class.

Menlo College has currently been experimenting on the use of the iPad 2 in one of their courses, Human Resource Management. Luckily, I was able to be a part of this experiment and see first hand how useful it will be to use the iPad 2 in class.

The Human Resource Management professor, Pauline Fatien gave to each student an iPad 2 with a protective case. Students rented the iPad 2 for free, however they were responsible for any damages with the product with the consequence of having to pay a fine at full retail.

The implementation of the iPad 2, allowed the class to upload the power point slides based on required readings, open up an ebook and add their personal notes. Students were also given class activities where they had to answer questions on a forum in Menlo College’s Moodle website, which is a course management system that creates a collaborative online learning site. With the iPad 2, students had the opportunity to do online simulations of situational analysis based on each chapter.

I think the use of the iPad in a classroom is very different. I like how I don’t need to carry that much to class. All I really need is my iPad and some writing material just in case. I no longer need to bring a textbook because now I can read it on the tablet. By using the iPad 2 in class, I am able to organize my notes as well as submit homework quickly and efficiently on the device.

The iPad is very compact and has versatile applications, but some students may be having too much fun with their new devices. A downfall of having the iPad in class is that students become distracted. Students are always on their iPads while there is a presentation or class discussion. Students are expected to be participating, taking notes and giving their attention to the speaker. But sometimes, students are browsing the web and playing with different applications. Unfortunately, the professor has little control on what actually happens on each student’s iPad. Some students found that they would rather use a traditional laptop instead of an iPad.

“I find that using the iPad 2 isn’t as effective compared to my laptop” explains Menlo College student Theresa Yi Ng. “I find it faster to type on a keyboard than on a screen.”

With new technology come new opportunities that can only be successful if they are properly implemented or controlled. I think the use of the iPad 2 is great, however it still needs some improvements. Maybe the iPad 2s used in class can have preset restrictions to prevent students from spending time on websites such as Facebook. Another option is the use of i>clicker, a small handheld device that allows for class participation and interaction through problem solving. Nevertheless, Menlo College’s efforts to advance learning techniques through technology are and hold promise for the future.

‘Street Fighter,’ a Rising Phenomenon (Video)

By Anthony Foster
Menlo Oak Staff

In 1987, the world saw its first glimpse of  “Street Fighter,” an arcade fighting game that would take the video game industry by storm.  With this year’s release of “Street Fighter x Tekken,”  casual players and gamers alike are taking note of  how an arcade game hobby that has transformed itself into a sport, complete with professional players.

While the “Street Fighter” game has had many installments, “Street Fighter x Tekken” brings two coveted fighting franchises together for the first time, “Street Fighter” and “Tekken."

“Street Fighter” is the most popular among video games of the fighting genre, but other titles such as “Soul Calibur,” “BlazBlue,”  and, “Street Fighter’s” counterpart, “Tekken,”  have created a diverse, and competitive environment. 

The impact of  “Street Fighter x Tekken” can especially be seen at the gaming competition known as the "Norcal Regionals."  The Norcal Regionals are Northern California’s premier, annual fighting tournament, complete with a large list of game titles.  It attracts fighting game competitors from all over the world. If anybody wants to be a fighting celebrity, they must attend this tournament, and they must do well.

Players who go by stage names such as “Daigo” and “Filipino Champ” make a living off of complex combos and competing in nationally recognized tournaments such as the NorCal Regional. Games that once required players to pay quarters to play has evolved into a sport that pays its professionals. 

Being skilled in “Street Fighter” is like being a professional athlete.

 “I’ve been following Street Fighter specifically since I was a little boy,” says Renfro Lagutan, a GameStop employee and avid “Street Fighter” player. 

“Every year that has passed, not just ‘Street Fighter,’ but the whole scene, has gotten more popular.  It feels like a sport now, I mean there are people who have become celebrities from their talent in the game.”

On March 6 when the latest version of “Street Fighter” was released, Lagutan was a part of the GameStop staff in San Carlos that hosted a midnight tournament. 

We had a tournament planned and we were expecting only  a few people, but we)had a big turnout.  Nearly everybody was there to compete, he said

California's Presidential Primary: Q&A with Melissa Michelson

By Bill Bennett 

Menlo Oak Staff

Melissa Michelson is a political science professor at Menlo College. Naturally this makes her a great person to speak with about the upcoming presidential election in the United States. I emailed her with a short list of questions regarding the election to clear up any uncertainties people may have.

1) Why are the presidential primaries important?
They are important because they determine who the nominees will be in November. Specifically, this year, there is a heated battle on the Republican side to determine who will run against President Obama. Beyond that, the decision will impact the future direction of the Republican Party.


2) Is there still time to register to vote in California
Yes, there is plenty of time to register. In California you can do so until 15 days before the election.

3) Are the Republican primaries closed elections in California or can anyone vote?
Republican primaries in California are open to both Republicans and also to those registered as "Decline to State" (unaffiliated).

4) How how important is the California decision compared to the rest of the country?
The importance of the California vote varies by year. In 2008, it wasn't important because we held our presidential primary in February and it was still too early to swing the race to either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. In 2012, we're holding our primary in June, but Mitt Romney may have enough delegates by then to clinch the nomination. Or he may still be battling it out with Rick Santorum. It's too early to say.

5) You were recently featured on TV for an interview. Can you tell me about what you talked about?
I'm interviewed by the media from time to time. The last television interview concerned an announcement by the GOP about their new strategy for wooing Latino voters. I spoke about the opportunities and challenges they would face.


The links provided below will take you to the California voter registration web page. Any information regarding the election can be found here.
An FAQ with common questions and answers is available here
The voter registration form can be downloaded or filled out online here

A Team Manager Wants to Play Out His Hoop Dreams

By Patrick Greene
Menlo Oak Staff

It’s not every day that a team manager for a basketball gets to try out  for the team. But this is not any day and this is not any team manager.

Michael Urica is from Ewa Beach Hawaii and attended the  Academy of the Pacific. He was the star basketball player at his high school, leading the Dolphins to a 19-9 record in his senior year, and taking them to the third round of state playoffs.

When Urica came to Menlo College he tried out for the basketball team. Unfortunately, he did not  make the final cut. Even though he didn’t make the team, he did   become a team manager.

A team manager is an important part of any team. He, or she, keeps  stats, works the shot clock, and makes sure all the jerseys are clean and ready for the team before practice and games.

After the 2011-2012 basketball season, Urica went into the coaches’ office and said that he wanted to retry out for the team. Coach Jon Surface granted him a second opportunity.
So, this spring Urica, along with the entire returning class, is killing himself in preparing for next basketball season. The work out the team is doing right now is far from easy. Each player has to complete a 3-mile run, a 1-mile run, four 400-meter sprints, and four 800-meter sprints. An that's just on the track portion of preparations.

Urica's endurance and skill level is is not to far behind returning players.  He is keeping up with the best of them.

"This has to be one of the hardest training I have gone through, but I refuse for my work to be in vain," Urica said.

Although, the team is packed with guards, the position Urica plays, and the training is tough, nothing, Urica says, will discourage him from chasing his dreams.