Hill Auditorium

Positioned in the heart of campus, Hill auditorium is the largest perfomance venue in Ann Arbor. Designed by Albert Kahn and Associates, it is hailed as a ‘monument to perfect acoustics’. Such accolades make Hill auditorium a beloved venue for numerous musicians and performing groups. Hill’s unique oval-shaped stage and hosted the likes of everyone ranging from the New York Philharmonic to Ludacris. Hill recently underwent renovation before reopening in 2004. If you have not had a chance to check out a production at this eminent venue, I would definitely recommend it!
By: James Oh

Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland may not sound as exciting as New York or as inviting as the warm beaches of Miami, but it is still one of my favorite places. When I think of Baltimore, one thing comes to mind: blue crabs. That's what Baltimore does best.

Most people prefer snow crabs or king crabs or other variations of crabs, but to those people, I say, "phooey, you just haven't had Maryland blue crabs." Now, I'm not saying king crabs and snow crabs are bad. I'm just saying Maryland blue crabs are better. The reason most of these people prefer other types of crabs is simply because they're easier to eat. The shells of these crabs are a lot less complicated to open and the meat is a lot easier to find than in blue crabs. However, if you know how to open and eat a blue crab, it is well worth the time. In fact, cracking open the shell to the tantalizingly steamy meat and picking through every nook and cranny is all part of the experience of eating a blue crab. These crabs are not meant to be any old regular meal. The act of partaking in a crabfeast with a group of people is a holy social experience in the state of Maryland.

Eating Maryland blue crabs is delicious, but that is only half the experience. They are meant to bring families together, to turn friends into family, and to turn strangers into good friends - it is a bonding experience. The long, difficult process of picking through the intricate layers of the crab and finding warm golden nuggets of crab meat is like a journey that you take with whomever you are eating. Because you rarely have food in your mouth, the only thing to occupy your mouth during the two to six hours of crab-eating is talking. When eating crabs, it is necessary to engage in conversation with your eating partners. In our fast-paced society where it is a rare thing to have an actual conversation with an eating partner, it is nice to take the time once in a while to have a long sit down meal with someone. You laugh with them, you cry when random particles of spice fly into your eyes, you rejoice together when someone finds a particularly large chunk of meat, and then you give that chunk that you worked so hard to procure to someone you really care for. I could write about eating crabs until my fingers bled, but the only way to really understand what it means to eat Maryland blue crabs is to come to Maryland and try it yourself.

By: Dan Jun

THE DIAG

Frankly, if you do not know what or where the Diag is, you shouldn’t be here.

In all likeliness, you have probably crossed the Diag at some point in your life (except maybe you, North Campus kids J). During every half hour, hundreds of students cross the Diag to get to their next destination. Surrounding the Diag is plenty of open space and benches for people to gather and socialize. Beyond that, some of the most prominent academic buildings encircle the Diag – Angell Hall, Hatcher Graduate Library, Chem building, etc.

The Diag is at the center of Central Campus and is the cultural hotspot on campus. Besides from being a convenient traveling route to get to classes, the Diag is always a fun and vibrant place. At any point (actually, only when they weather’s nice), one is able to see a multitude of people sitting and talking, sunbathing, napping, or maybe playing frisbee. The diag is also home to many events (like Festifall), fundraisers, outdoor concerts or shows, demonstrations, or area for public speech or promotion. From pure and simple recreation to fanatical preachers ranting about the immorality of college students (my personal favorite), the Diag is considered by many to be the cultural and social center of our campus.

If one goes out and sits by the Diag and observes the center of the Diag, he or she can that there is a big brass M embedded in the ground. The legend states that if a student steps on the block M before taking his or her first blue book exam. Students will go completely out of their way to avoid the M, even if they have already taken their first blue book exam. I would tell you how to reverse this dreadful curse, but I’ll give you better advice: DON’T STEP ON THE M!!!

So, whether passing through the Diag on the way to class, meeting someone there, or checking out the events, the Diag is always bound to be thriving with activity. But, learn, live, and enjoy in your four years (or more?) here at the University of Michigan because they go by quickly. So, when you’re passing by there or just sitting and relaxing, take in the environment and learn to appreciate your time here and the beauty of the campus. Though school might seem tough, the real world lies ahead…

By: Henry Kook (Guest Blogger)

The Arb

The Nichols Arboretum, also known as “the Arb” is an arboretum located on the eastern edge of central campus at 1610 Washington Heights in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Inside the Arb you’ll find pine forests, huge open green fields, and plenty of gradens and trails! This place is perfect for strolls, picnics, frisbee, or to clear your mind from the stress of everyday life!

The Arb really makes you appreciate the four seasons that Michigan has to offer! The vibrant colors that the fall season brings is something you shouldn’t miss! Winter season allows for snowy hikes and some intense sledding. If you’re still here during the spring and summer, the Huron River is great for tubing and kayaking! Whether it be for picnics, relaxing strolls, romantic dates, or quiet happiness.. you should definitely check the arb out!!!!

By: Taejoon Han

Michigan Football!

This might be the most obvious place to visit on campus, but I would really like to promote waking up early on a Saturday morning, gathering with fellow Wolverines, and going to a football game! I am ashamed to say that I have only been to 1 and a half games, as a senior. My sophomore year, I had season tickets and went to half of the first game of the season and became too tired to endure the game in its entirety and opted to go to Panchero’s during halftime…and never coming back. However, three weekends ago, I attended my first official pre-game and football game!

Seeing the entire campus, dressed head to toe in maize and blue Michigan gear, united by the most enthusiastic school pride in the country, and probably the world, is simply amazing. No other two colors go as well together.

 Last weekend, was our annual KSA Tailgate/BBQ! It was a ton of fun. We had delicious cheeseburgers, hot dogs, snacks, drinks, and of course, maize and blue jello shots, courtesy of me and Michelle Park. Everything, from the attire of our members to our solo cups were maize and blue, of course! It was great to see our members mix and mingle, while pumping themselves up for the great rivalry between the Wolverines and Spartans! I had a lot of fun by getting to meet a lot of new friends and had a lot of fun screaming the lyrics to “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls with my old friends. Even though we lost that game, my day was definitely a winner!

As a regretful senior, please underclassmen, make the effort to go to a game at least once this year! Get to know why we, as a campus, worship a guy called ‘Shoelace’. Go blue!

By: Sorah Park

north quad

What used to be a mythical place upperclassmen would send unknowing freshmen to has now become a reality… After over 5 years of planning and $175 million in investments, the enormous residence hall and academic complex is now home to 450 students, the School of Information, the Sweetland Writing Center, Department of Communication Studies, and Department of Screen Arts & Cultures. The building is the first new residence hall since Bursley Hall opened in 1967. The North Quad residential community is only open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors (of any major), while the academic portion of the building is already being used for classes. North Quad also has its own dining hall that accepts meal plans, Blue Bucks, and cash, so not only can dormitory residents swipe in, but campus visitors can also pay cash for a pretty good (albeit overpriced) meal. Currently, the building is open to the public until 6pm and to those with M-cards until 10pm.


The residential tower is ten stories high with three lounges on every floor; the third floor has two large lounges, called “lofts,” as well as the Community Learning Center. The academic areas house 14 different classrooms, as well as large study areas called “Media Gateways,” where several flat-screen televisions are mounted on the walls for students to use. You can hook up your computer to these screens, watch cable TV, or even use the screens to watch movies or play video games on your Xbox360 or other gaming consoles. The other tower of North Quad, the academic tower, is seven stories high.

Reading about North Quad in a blog doesn’t do it justice; it really is an amazing building that you’ll have to go and see for yourself. Feel free to just walk in and check it out any time, or get someone to swipe you into the cafeteria! My brother lives there and said the food is pretty good.

North Quad is located at 105 S. State St, on the corner of State and E. Washington St.  Please visit the link below for more information about the building, dining hall hours, etc!

http://northquad.housing.umich.edu

By: Jasmine Huang

the ugli

The Shapiro Undergraduate Library is located off of the Diag on central campus.  It sits between the Hatcher Graduate Library and West Hall. Affectionately known as the “UGLi,” it serves as the meeting and studying spot for undergraduates as well as high school and graduate students. From my experiences, the UGLi is more of a social hot-spot than somewhere to study. You’ll be sure to run into friends and acquaintances on every floor. The UGLi consists of five floors. The basement, the first floor (lobby) and the second floor all consist of large tables, convenient for friends and large groups to study. The second floor also has individual study rooms for a little more privacy. The third and fourth floors are quieter and are technically the Science Library portion of the University. If you really need to get work done and you want to study at the UGLi, I recommend studying on the third or fourth floor.

From past experience, UGLi is where we went to “study,” convene, talk, gossip, and have late night study sessions with friends. While studying for finals during freshmen year, we used to order from Pizza House and Insomnia Cookies. Although this may contribute to your freshmen 15, I encourage you all to experience the college life!  

By: Guest Blogger, Amy Park

the ark

One place I've always wanted to go was The Ark on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor.  It's basically a small music concert venue that fits roughly 400 people.  The artists who frequent The Ark aren't particularly mainstream, but are underground bands and singers who are very talented and deserve to be discovered. From what I've heard, it's a rare intimate experience that you get to have with the performers.  So if you're bored and have nothing to do, do something spontaneous like grabbing dinner at one of Main Street's restaurants and attending a random Ark show! Check out who's performing at the Ark! http://www.theark.org/

And check out some of these YouTube links of Ark performances

Howie Day-Collide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNmp_3ocd1w
Matt Kearney-Breathe In, Breathe Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs3gikMWGCY

Ingrid Michaelson performing at the Ark

By: Grace Hong