First, let’s talk about the basics. Mike’s Pastry, plain and simple, has enormous cannolis. Each and every cannoli is packed with delicious ricotta based filling; there is a standard size at Mike’s: huge. Bova’s, however, gives you a few different size options, so if you want just a taste there’s an option for that. If you want a little bit more, there’s also an option for that. But, none are as large as Mike’s cannoli. If you’re seeking to satisfy a roaring hunger growing in your stomach your best bet is Mike’s Pastry. There is no doubt that you will leave this place feeling nice and full.

As for the flavors, this is where the Bakery’s diverge the most. Bova’s Bakery is limited with flavors. They have your usual ricotta-only filling and sometimes have special flavors like espresso or cappuccino. And they always have the option of cannoli with chocolate-chips complementing their basic but tasty filling. As for Mike’s, the options seem endless. Sometimes it can even get overwhelming as you stand looking down at the countless lines of cannoli filling the glass case. You may stand in line desperately trying to figure out what flavor filling will satisfy your craving. From your basic filling to peanut butter and limoncello, you will certainly be able to find that sweet flavor you seem to be craving.

Now the bakery may not be as important as the actual pastry, but it certainly plays a major role in the cannoli eating experience. Mike’s, which is tucked away on Hanover street, is typically super crowded with tourists trying to pack themselves into the store. It has a great, and well-deserved reputation, but because of that the line is often out the door, and it can sometimes be a little overwhelming. If you are not lucky enough to hit Mike’s during a “slow time” then patience is crucial. Bova’s, which occupies the corner of Salem street, is more of a hidden gem, and possibly the greatest thing about this bakery: it is open 24/7. It is pretty convenient for most college students. Mike’s shuts its doors anywhere from 10 to 11:30 (depending on the day of the week). So Bova’s is basically your only option for your late night cannoli cravings.

So, who wins the cannoli battle? It’s hard to tell. They are all bursting with flavor. They all seem like they have come straight from Italy. But at least the next time you find yourself wandering the streets of the North End with a growling stomach, you have your options. You just need to determine what exactly your pastry needs are. From there you can choose which bakery is best fitted for your pastry desire and then finally you will be able to enjoy one of Italy’s tastiest treats.

With so much emphasis on hooking up, it can be easy to forget that there are, in fact, students more interested in relationships than in hook-ups. In fact, a number of Emerson students still feel invested in finding and developing possibly long-term relationships.

“I just feel like hooking up isn’t really that important or satisfying in the long-run,” says Andre Tarquinio. “I know I’d be happier in a relationship so I am not interested in faking it with people I don’t care about. It can just be hard to find people in college with the same mentality as a lot more people are interested in random hook-ups.”

Others are willing to wait it out for more serious relationships. “It’s nice when you’re really comfortable with someone,” says Aylin Elizabeth. “I think it’s better if you have a more meaningful relationship with someone before you start hooking up with them. It means that you have more say in how you interact and what’s important.”

Of course, it can be difficult to find relationships in a college setting. Meeting people is more often accomplished by going to frat parties and clubs, where few are interested in finding anything more than a potential hook-up or one-night stand.

“I went to a couple of parties and made out with a few guys, but I just realized that hooking up with random people is not as fun as when I was in a relationship,” says Alicia Vinci. “I feel like I would just rather find someone I click with than hook up with some stranger at a party.”

Though it can be difficult to find potential long-term partners, be comforted by the fact that you are not alone in your quest for a relationship. There are others out there. Hopefully the more you talk to and meet others during your college experience, the more you will come to identify others with similar romantic goals.

“It’s possible to find someone,” says Brielle Sullivan. “There are great people out there and at Emerson.”

My best friend, who goes to school in Pennsylvania, and I have been talking about this type of cleanse for a while now. While we both love the social aspect of our schools and all of the friends we made, we both admit to needing a nice long break from everyone, some more than others. While it’s easy to avoid running into different people at bigger schools, like the one my friend goes to, it’s a lot more difficult at Emerson. It seems like we always run into those we don’t want to see, whether it’s in a cramped line at Em-Café or walking down Boylston. Those whom we would rather not think about find a way back into our lives each and every week, making a total cleanse rather impossible.

Thankfully, we can use the four-month break to our advantage. No more awkward run-ins or forced hellos; no reason to fall into that inevitable hook-up that you try so hard to avoid, but in your drunken stupor just can’t seem to ignore. Summer provides the opportunity to step back and reevaluate all of the romantic decisions you’ve made in the past year. Or, if you so choose to, just completely forget it all. Whatever romantic situation you find yourself weighed down by, the summer can surely help lighten the load, allowing you to finally feel free again. Free enough to take on a careless summer fling, your only baggage being the luggage you arrived with.

Of course, like the nasty juice cleanses, summer can’t last forever, because honestly it would just be unhealthy (less so than the juice cleanse, but you get the idea). We’ll eventually have to return to seeing the same faces, but now at least you’ll be reenergized having already put the past year’s drama right where it belongs: in the past.

You may look at these statistics and just see numbers. In today’s society numbers are thrown at us all the time, so much so that many have become numb to them. Even if you do not know someone who has ever been abused, try to think of it this way: one of those numbers could be the girl who sits next to you in speech class. They could be the boy behind you in line at EmCafe. They could be the girl who held the elevator for you one Monday morning when you were late for class.

Kappa Gamma Chi, Emerson College’s oldest and only professional sorority, strives to educate the Emerson community about this important issue. The sorority participates in various community service events each semester, including blood drives, can drives, and environmental cleanups. Each spring the sisters host a week full of events dedicated to raise awareness about domestic abuse and women’s issues, and to raise money for two local women’s shelters: Casa Myrna Vasquez and Transition House. Previously, the week was called “Take Back the Night Week,” but this year it was rebranded “Emerald Empowerment.” The chosen week was April 1st through the 7th and featured guest speakers, self-defense workshops, performance festivals, and Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues. Check out the link to their PSA video to show Emerson students they have a one-in-four chance of being victimized by domestic violence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmONWgM8Kyk&feature=player_embedded

Also, check out the article entitled “Toxic Love” in YourMag’s upcoming May issue for more information!

1.)  Make out in a boat.

Bring a checkered blanket, wine, and cheese! Obvi this is easier said than done, but if you have access to a boat it shouldn’t be hard to coax that summer crush into a night of classy snacks under the stars. Remember to bring aphrodisiacs!

2.)  Mouth-to-Mouth in the Swimming Pool!

We’ve all wanted to kiss someone underwater. So just freaking do it. Try saying, “Hey, let’s try and talk to each other underwater!” But then give up and just make out. Or you can pull a Sandlot and pretend to drown so that the sexy lifeguard with the big bronze pecs is forced to French you back to life.

3.)  Flirty Ferris Wheel

If anyone here has seen Charlotte’s Web they know what I’m talking about. When Fern and Henry Fussy hit the Ferris wheel at the fair, they immediately go from cooties to cuties! Eww gross sorry for that wordplay. But truly, sitting in a cramped chair dangling above a huge carnival – it’s pretty much impossible not to fall in love with each other up there. Because what if the Ferris wheel breaks and you never told your crush that you’ve been thinking about nothing but his arms for the past five years? Ok I think you get it.

Well, this is hardly an exhaustive list. But it’s a start. I know all you forever-alone singles out there (myself included) can muster up some guts and do something I mentioned above. Come on, the Ferris wheel one isn’t that unreasonable.

Sophie explains that the first guy she slept with was just a one-night thing that was a huge mistake. She then met another coworker and began dating him. The relationship lasted five months, but they broke up right before she was leaving for Emerson in August. To add to the pain of a breakup, her ex-boyfriend dumped her through text message, unable to give Sophie the respect she deserved. “I don’t regret the relationship with my ex because there were definitely some good times, but I realized he just wasn’t into the relationship as much as I was or I needed him to be,” she says with a shrug. “I know now what I need and he just isn’t it.”

Over winter break, Sophie worked at the Shop-rite in her small Connecticut town and ran into her ex-boyfriend. “It was funny because he never texts me when I’m at college, but the second he knows I am home he will talk to me,” she says. “I can tell he still cares about me, but I am smart enough to know that he and I are so over.”

Excited to meet boys in Boston, Sophie said, “I am definitely looking for a relationships, but I am not rushing anything. I am open to meeting new guys and as long as they don’t work at Shop-rite, it might actually work out! I don’t know, maybe I am just cursed by Shop-rite guys!”

Even though Sophie found herself in a chaotic mess, others have better luck. During his junior year of high school, John*, now a freshman at Emerson College, was given the opportunity to intern with the Senate. As an intern, John was completely immersed in paperwork and assignments. There were long hours and no time to relax; yet he found himself with a slight dilemma– he was falling for a co-worker.

Although it started as a fling with a pretty girl, a relationship began to form after he realized she wasn’t like other girls. With their similar personalities, they just meshed well. They joked around together, hung out all the time, and just enjoyed each other’s company.

As John tells it, they found some interesting places to hook up. He says with a grin, “We would go over to the Speaker’s balcony and sneak a few kisses in if you know what I mean.” John also mentions that they would tell their bosses that they were going to a gym to work out, but would actually grab a hotel room to, again, “sneak a few kisses.” With John’s romantic side, he found a location on a quarry in Washington DC where he brought this girl to have one of the best views of the river.

Some co-worker relationships may seem less challenging than others, but even when it seems easy, there are always complications. For John, he had to make sure he didn’t get caught and for Sophie, she had to go back to Shop-Rite and face her ex.

As a caution for those out there interested in your co-worker, be careful because sometimes it is pure chaos.

*indicates changed names of real Emerson students

One of the main places to scope out your spring fling is a sporting event.  It could be a local league playing at the baseball field or friends shooting hoops at the outdoor basketball courts.  A man playing sports is hot and if you catch his eye, maybe he will start showing off for you.  If you’re just hanging out watching the game you should tell the hottie you spotted how good he did and strike up a conversation; men love compliments.

A professional game is another great sporting event to attend to find that perfect guy for you.  Go to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park and make friends with the guys around your seating area and have a good time cheering on the team.  Having a good time and sharing a common interest at an actual event is a great stepping-stone to a great hook up or relationship.

If you like men with style, then take a stroll down Newbury Street.  What stylish guy wouldn’t be out walking down one of the most popular shopping streets in Boston looking for their next purchase on a beautiful day?  Get dressed in your perfect cute shopping outfit, throw those shades on and strut down the “runway.”  This is the time to show off and have someone take notice of you.  Maybe by the end of the day you’ll have someone carrying your shopping bags for you.

Shopping at farmer’s markets is great for two things. One: food shopping. Two: Man shopping.  This is the ideal place to get two things done at once.  Go to each tent and find the best produce and the cutest guy and ask him a ton of questions.  They will be happy to answer your questions and help you.  (Believe me, I know!)  If there’s no farmer that catches your eye, then shop around the tents.  You never know who you will spot.

Like dogs? If you are an animal lover then find one of the many dog parks around the city and take a trip there. Who doesn’t want a man that cannot only take care of himself, but an animal too?  Ask what his dogs name is and go from there, he will definitely want to chat while his dog is busy playing.

Sitting outside of a nearby café or your favorite restaurant is extremely relaxing and enjoyable with the nice weather.  Grab a cup of coffee and sit outside and just enjoy the sight of some eye candy walking by.

Not yay. What about everyone else? What about the other characters in the movies who don’t drive away in a carriage together? Everyone deserves true love, so let’s talk about the other couples the movies forgot to get together at the end. For time’s sake, we’ll just look at a couple of the greatest films ever made.

1. Pocahontas

Who got together: Pocahontas and John Smith

Who Should Have: The pug and the raccoon! Their sexual tension over the course of the movie is legendary – they are constantly wrestling and getting stuck inside logs together. And both of them are clearly sexually frustrated homosexual men with lots of feelings.

1. Toy Story 3

Who got together: Jesse and Buzz (kinda) and Ken and Barbie

Who Should Have: Sorry, Barbie, Ken’s gay. It should have been him and the hunky bug mutant muscle guy! Sure, he has the face of a fly and pincers instead of a mouth, but girl look at that body! Those scaly green biceps have got to be all Ken thinks about when he’s lying next to Barbie in that dreamhouse. Time to be honest with yourself, Kenny.

1. Mean Girls

Who got together: Cady and Aaron Samuels

Who Should Have: Umm, hello! Damian needs some love too! Aaron is so beautiful that he must be gay, so we’re going to go ahead and match those two up. Or you know what? Aaron should get with that other guy Regina dates, the blonde football player who tells her about the Kaltine bars. That would be sexy. Ok, sorry I’m getting off topic…

This may have just turned into gay matchmaking, but it’s true – we need more gay couples in movies!

Thankfully, those days have returned! No, it’s not acceptable to do your hair in pigtails with bows, but you can incorporate the feminine touch in a more mature fashion. And who doesn’t love being able to incorporate their childhood into their grown up lives?

Our first look involves those playful little ribbons. These can be used to style your hair in several different ways, but we’ll use my personal favorite as an example: the ribbon woven into a braid. I love this look because it adds this fragile femininity to your hair. I also love how it can be done in a crisp or messy fashion, yet look absolutely adorable either way.

The second look incorporates darling bows of all shapes and sizes. Whether you wish to use them on the side or down the middle, they’re bound to look adorable either way. The oversized bows are a favorite of mine, like the one shown below.

One final look is an obvious yet necessary hair accessory, with a Pocahontas like touch to it. The flower headband combines the beauty of nature with practicality to make it the perfect hair accessory. These can be found with large flowers like the one shown below, or more done in a subtler manner with smaller flowers. Either look is perfectly acceptable. If you ever find yourself having another dull hair day, take a page out of your childhood scrapbook and use these fun accessories to girly it up a bit!

“Do you know where the Treffeisen’s are?” asked my father.

A look of confusion overcame the lady as I noticed a wooden sign up ahead with an arrow and “Treffeisen Family” engraved in it. We continued up the hill until we reached the only house we could find. We drove into the driveway as Evi and Andreas Treffeisen came out to greet us.

The Treffeisen family house that contains the bed and breakfast overlooks the rolling hills into France. Heated by the warm air currents coming off the Rhine River, the village in the Southern part of Germany has the perfect climate to make wine. For centuries the Treffeisen family have been making wine here.

The first Treffeisen, Mattias arrived in the village in 1648 with his wife Dorothea. Now 12 generations later family still resides in Bickensohl. Although we are only distantly related to the Treffeisen’s in Bickensohl we can trace our family back to where our family trees meet about five or six generations ago. My great, great grandfather Christian Treffeisen immigrated to New Rochelle, NY, the city I live in now, in 1893 from Bickensohl.
As we got out of the car, we shook hands and introduced ourselves. Both Evi and Andreas, who are in their twenties, spoke a fair amount of English. Automatically, our first question to them was—“How do you actually pronounce our last name?”.

Evi responded with “Tre-fei-zen”, which is not so far off from how we pronounce it– “Tra-fei-sen”.

Once inside, we got to meet Grandma, who was sitting on a big comfy couch next to a curled up cat. She happily greeted us as the T.V. played in the background. She didn’t understand any English but gestures to us with hand motions and smiles.

Before I know it Grandma took out old photographs of their family as Evi tookout the family tree and pointed out where her family is located. My father in return pointed out where our family divides on the tree.

The family tree can be found online and is compiled by Tim Doyle. According to Glenn Treffeisen, he has Treffeisen ancestry. Glenn is related to the Treffeisen’s in Germany the same way I am. His grandfather, Gus, was the younger brother of my great grandfather Fredrick Treffeisen. He first heard about the town of Bickensohl when Tim Doyle contacted his brother John for information. After finding the old family bible, Glenn wanted to make the trip.

“In planning my first trip, I just knew the name of the town, and was going to rent a car in Freiburg. I had written (pre-internet) to the Black Forest tourist agency, and they sent me lots of information that included the Kaiserstuhl. In one brochure, I saw that there was a Treffeisen family that rented rooms in their house, and that is how I discovered them!” said Glenn over a Facebook message.

Since visiting the first time Glenn has visited four times in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2011. Glenn said that the Treffeisen and Kunzelmann families from the Bickensohl have been very great at showing him around and enjoy when Treffeisen’s come back to discover their roots. Glenn says that by visiting the town it has helped him find his roots.

Glenn says, “I tell them I feel like the prodigal son returning home!”

After looking at the family tree, Evi then offered us tea and chocolate cake. We sat around the dinning room table that is adjacent to the living room. It was covered with a plastic tablecloth with flowers on it. Behind the table a cabinet with china sat. A fish tank sat in a corner as a pregnant blonde cat rested on a chair.

We made small talk about what Evi and Andreas do for a living. Evi is a kindergarten teacher. She still lives at home with her Grandma and Andreas works an hour away at a different winery. Their parents, who also live in the area, couldn’t make it because they were on a business trip until the next day.

We made the connection that Andreas strangely looks a bit like my father. It had something to do with how they have the same eyebrows. Evi and Grandma agree that Andreas has the most typical “Treffeisen” look to him out of everybody else.

Then, before we know it we were carted off to go on the tour of the winery. Patrick Chelaifa, a close friend of Andreas, meets us outside. He works more on the marketing side but was asked because he speaks English well.
The winery is a cooperative between the families that live in Bickensohl. The Treffeisen family only owns a small amount of the grapes that are used but contribute to making a special white wine.

The entire building smelled like sweet wine as Patrick showed us how the wine is processed. There were gigantic metal cylinders that hold the wine upstairs and old wooden barrels that hold the wine in the basement. There are a few wooden barrels in the back that are engraved and date back to the 1920’s. These barrels are no longer in use but are displayed for the tours.

Germans who live in the North like to come down to get the warmer temperatures. They enjoy riding their bikes to the different wineries, taste the wining, and then coming back with their cars to buy what they like. According to Patrick, they have tour buses recently with tourists who come from China.

After the tour, Patrick gave us a wine tasting of the wine from the region. We sat down at a round table located within the shop. He gave us glass after glass and I began to get nervous that I was getting tipsy in front of my parents. All of the wines have their own unique taste but every one of them is delicious.

We said our farewells to Patrick and headed back to the Treffeisen family house. For weeks Evi had been planning our stay and wanted to make us dinner. As she finished preparing dinner Andreas continued to pour us wine as talked of him and Patrick coming to stay with us in New York for next year’s Super Bowl.

The timer went off and Evi invites us to the table. For dinner she chopped up mushrooms and peppers on toast topped with cheese. The dinner was simple but delicious. Grandma sat on one side of the table listening in and getting some translations from Evi and Andreas as my parents continued to ask questions about the winery and the town.
It was only ten but my parents and I were exhausted, most likely because of all the wine and food we ate. So, we headed upstairs to go to bed.

The next morning the blonde cat, looking to get some love, woke me up. It was raining outside but we had to leave anyway to get me back to school in time. Downstairs breakfast waited for me with tea, a boiled egg, bread and cheese: a typical German breakfast.

Evi and Andreas’ Aunt came to visit us during breakfast. She too didn’t speak English but was able to communicate through hand gestures and Andreas and Evi translating a few things. My Father asked how many Treffeisen’s still live in the area. Grandma, Evi and her Aunt all started counting on their fingers and naming German names. It turns out there are about 20 Treffeisen’s still living in the area.

“It’s amazing how many families can say they have over 15 generations in the same village,” says my father.

Since Evi’s parents wanted pictures as did mine, we all gathered into the living room to take a family photograph. My Dad set up his tiny tripod on the table as Evi’s camera was put on self-timer. Grandma sat up front in her big comfy chair as my Dad, Andreas and his Aunt squeezed in. Behind Evi, my Mom and I stood with our hands behind each other’s backs smiling. The picture was taken; proof that our family had been re-united after centuries of separation.

As we drove away from the Treffeisen family house Evi, Andreas their Aunt and Grandma stood outside waving. It really did feel like saying goodbye to family.