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Residential Life Week 2 News
The Truth About Whispering Woods: Fiona Pauli
Despite the circulating rumors and boorish nicknames that revolve around the Whispering Woods dorm, only true residents of Whispering Woods know that the place is just as magical as its name. Though we may have been slow or shy to participate in events at first (leading us to accumulate many negative points), things have been turning around with the help of certain spirited residents knocking on doors and convincing their neighbors to take a leap and check out many of this week’s entertaining events (such as Operation: Cipher Break, Y2K Arts and Crafts, and Karaoke Night). Additionally, I feel that many residents have begun to warm to being at COSMOS and, therefore, there has been a rise in friendships, confidence, and soon enough a rise in our dorm points. It is comeback season for Whispering Woods!
Furthermore, Whispering Woods has many student-led activities that tend to draw residents’ attention from scheduled events. The creative Whispering Woods residents have almost daily ensembles of musicians from guitarists to violinists. These get-togethers are both hard to miss and difficult to to not be entranced by. Moreover, the common room is constantly lively with movies, lego building, Nintendo Switch games such as Jackbox, card games, foosball, food, and so on.
Lastly, to prove my claim that Whispering Woods is the finest hall full of the kindest and friendliest residents and RAs, I will reveal the contents of my hall meeting that occurred a few days ago. The final part of the meeting congratulated and thanked the Whispering Woods residents (with a special emphasis on floor 2 residents!) for being one of the calmer and more respectful dorms. Our wonderful RA Vicente handed out minion popsicles (corresponding with floor 2’s Despicable Me theme) that he had been collecting for us to reward floor 2 for our courteous efforts, and our amazing suite RAs informed us that they would each be willing to take their suite to a chosen place in UTC.
All in all, Whispering Woods has much more to offer than whatever deceiving blather has been spread about. In fact, it would be beneficial for all of COSMOS to take a page out of our book and try living within a more empathetic and nonchalant mindset if they want to be as cool, calm, and collected as Whispering Woods and live in harmony with their own beautiful yokefellows.
Furthermore, Whispering Woods has many student-led activities that tend to draw residents’ attention from scheduled events. The creative Whispering Woods residents have almost daily ensembles of musicians from guitarists to violinists. These get-togethers are both hard to miss and difficult to to not be entranced by. Moreover, the common room is constantly lively with movies, lego building, Nintendo Switch games such as Jackbox, card games, foosball, food, and so on.
Lastly, to prove my claim that Whispering Woods is the finest hall full of the kindest and friendliest residents and RAs, I will reveal the contents of my hall meeting that occurred a few days ago. The final part of the meeting congratulated and thanked the Whispering Woods residents (with a special emphasis on floor 2 residents!) for being one of the calmer and more respectful dorms. Our wonderful RA Vicente handed out minion popsicles (corresponding with floor 2’s Despicable Me theme) that he had been collecting for us to reward floor 2 for our courteous efforts, and our amazing suite RAs informed us that they would each be willing to take their suite to a chosen place in UTC.
All in all, Whispering Woods has much more to offer than whatever deceiving blather has been spread about. In fact, it would be beneficial for all of COSMOS to take a page out of our book and try living within a more empathetic and nonchalant mindset if they want to be as cool, calm, and collected as Whispering Woods and live in harmony with their own beautiful yokefellows.
A Resident's Life: Kylah Kao
Ding! The sound of the notification echoed through the air, signaling the much-anticipated location for the Petr sticker drop at COSMOS. Petr, the beloved anteater mascot of UCI, has become a fan favorite for these anonymous sticker drops. The students stood on top of the hill excited. Then, they frantically rushed down to the engineering hall to be greeted by a cheerful RA handing out Petr stickers. The stickers consisted of variations of Petr such as staff Petr, slug Petr, and other designs.
On another day, COSMOS student’s played capture on the flag near Lincoln Park. As the dorms were divided into two opposing teams, tensions were high as everyone prepared for the game. Both teams were extremely competitive, each determined to win more points for their dorm building. The game was intense, with players running, dodging, and leaders strategizing to capture the other team’s flag.
In the dorms, COSMOS students gathered to play a variety of games, turning the common areas into places of gathering and laughter. Just Dance sessions occurred sometimes, with students playfully competing to see who could score the highest. Additionally, board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Life, and Connect 4 were also played.
On another day, COSMOS student’s played capture on the flag near Lincoln Park. As the dorms were divided into two opposing teams, tensions were high as everyone prepared for the game. Both teams were extremely competitive, each determined to win more points for their dorm building. The game was intense, with players running, dodging, and leaders strategizing to capture the other team’s flag.
In the dorms, COSMOS students gathered to play a variety of games, turning the common areas into places of gathering and laughter. Just Dance sessions occurred sometimes, with students playfully competing to see who could score the highest. Additionally, board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Life, and Connect 4 were also played.
All We Did: Divya Agarwal
With COSMOS halfway over, week 2 was definitely an exciting one! This week’s amazing activities included capture the flag, Y2K arts and crafts, karaoke night, and the Bommer Canyon hike! During capture the flag, COSMOS students showed off their competitive nature by going head to head, vying for points for their respective dorm halls. Meanwhile, Y2K arts and crafts proved to be an entertaining and relaxing activity that encouraged a fun and stress-free environment for students who were given beads, strings, hooks, buttons, and more to make different crafts that portrayed their creative nature. Karaoke night, which was held in a lecture hall, was a time when students let loose and sang together to their favorite songs. The night was filled with loud music and infectious energy, making this activity a definite COSMOS favorite. Finally, to wrap up the fun week, many students took part in the Bommer Canyon hike on Saturday. Students were given the opportunity to hike a 12-mile trail while enjoying the beautiful view. Although the scorching heat proved to be an obstacle, students were not discouraged and many completed the entire hike! All in all, week 2 of COSMOS was a spectacular experience filled with fun activities and opportunities that helped COSMOS students relax from the stress of their classes and have a better experience at UCI!
Our Week: Benjamin Woo
As students were getting used to life in the dorms of Irvine, the second week of COSMOS oversaw a fresh variety of activities. While people were eagerly anticipating the week’s activities, the directors of the program finally released the events for the week.
The week kicked off with a bang on Monday! Alongside a time slot allocated for a break at the University Town Center, capture the flag was announced, leading to an enormous number of participants hailing from all four halls. The two teams were split into the halls Calmindon and Grey Haven versus Whispering Wood and Woodhall. For hours into the night, students were observed sprinting all across Aldrich Park in hopes of taking down defenders, snatching flags, and lurking in the shadows waiting to strike.
On Tuesday, students were invited to hone their problem solving and detective skills in the Operation: Cipher Break event. Petr, the beloved anteater mascot of UCI, received numerous designs as well. Students were encouraged to vote for their favorite design, which would drop in the upcoming days.
Wednesday came along with a more serious theme for the day. After a distinguished lecture where the planned lecturer fell ill and couldn’t make it, a make-up session was given on the spot about earthquakes. In the evening, a resume and interview workshop was scheduled for inclined students. Perfect timing, as college application season is just around the corner for rising seniors here which comprise most of the COSMOS population.
After Wednesday’s events, the students were ready to unwind with Y2K craft night on Thursday, giving the students unlimited creativity and freedom in their designs. Perler beads, button pins, rexlace lanyards, and more were provided to unleash students’ inner artistic side during the fashionable night.
By this point, the students were itching for the week to end. Days of lectures and lab work had caught up, and motivation was starting to slump. Thankfully, karaoke night was planned to finish the week off strong. Students sang their mental exhaustion away into physical exhaustion as the night lasted hours for the students to go all out and enjoy themselves.
Once the school week wrapped up, it was time for students to relax. Some students who lived close opted to return home for the weekend, while others chose to stay and enjoy the weekend in Irvine. For the students staying, a grueling morning hike was offered as a means to explore and get some fresh air. Later in the afternoon, a field day generously allowed the students to engage in a large batch of sports. Overall, the week brought all COSMOS students together in a mix of fun activities and preparations for the future. Additionally, many students have begun working on their poster boards for the final presentation occurring during the fourth and closing week of the program.
The week kicked off with a bang on Monday! Alongside a time slot allocated for a break at the University Town Center, capture the flag was announced, leading to an enormous number of participants hailing from all four halls. The two teams were split into the halls Calmindon and Grey Haven versus Whispering Wood and Woodhall. For hours into the night, students were observed sprinting all across Aldrich Park in hopes of taking down defenders, snatching flags, and lurking in the shadows waiting to strike.
On Tuesday, students were invited to hone their problem solving and detective skills in the Operation: Cipher Break event. Petr, the beloved anteater mascot of UCI, received numerous designs as well. Students were encouraged to vote for their favorite design, which would drop in the upcoming days.
Wednesday came along with a more serious theme for the day. After a distinguished lecture where the planned lecturer fell ill and couldn’t make it, a make-up session was given on the spot about earthquakes. In the evening, a resume and interview workshop was scheduled for inclined students. Perfect timing, as college application season is just around the corner for rising seniors here which comprise most of the COSMOS population.
After Wednesday’s events, the students were ready to unwind with Y2K craft night on Thursday, giving the students unlimited creativity and freedom in their designs. Perler beads, button pins, rexlace lanyards, and more were provided to unleash students’ inner artistic side during the fashionable night.
By this point, the students were itching for the week to end. Days of lectures and lab work had caught up, and motivation was starting to slump. Thankfully, karaoke night was planned to finish the week off strong. Students sang their mental exhaustion away into physical exhaustion as the night lasted hours for the students to go all out and enjoy themselves.
Once the school week wrapped up, it was time for students to relax. Some students who lived close opted to return home for the weekend, while others chose to stay and enjoy the weekend in Irvine. For the students staying, a grueling morning hike was offered as a means to explore and get some fresh air. Later in the afternoon, a field day generously allowed the students to engage in a large batch of sports. Overall, the week brought all COSMOS students together in a mix of fun activities and preparations for the future. Additionally, many students have begun working on their poster boards for the final presentation occurring during the fourth and closing week of the program.
Resident Life Pictures
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