The romance novel between the S&M dominator Christian Grey and his partner Anastasia Steele doesn’t leave much to the imagination, as their sexual relationship is explicitly documented through all three books. While at first one might wonder what pervert wrote this book, as the love story between Ana and Christian progresses, one can see that there is a method to the madness.

Mollie Weiss, a senior majoring in English, points out that while you want Christian to fall in love with Ana, you can’t help but hate her a little bit too.

“While reading, you’re confronted with all the immature tendencies Ana has as a young woman, and you can’t help but love her [and] hate her as she struggles to find consistency in her very erratic relationship,” Weiss said.

As the reader watches Christian struggle with his role of dominator, we’re not sure if he wants to hurt Ana or not, and it’s almost a relief to read something so honest. James holds back no details in their sexual relationship, but not to shock readers. Rather, James exposes both Ana and Christian in the raw. Readersare able to get a sense of the relationship physically, emotionally and mentally, and are unable to stop reading.

Andrew Kaminsky, a junior majoring in accounting, doesn’t consider the book “mommy porn,” as many readers do.

“While the book has many sexual aspects to it, it seems to really help the reader get in touch with their personal and emotional self, regardless of the physical aspect,” Kaminsky said.

Not only does James track the passion that normally goes unspoken, but she also takes you on the psychological journey of the innocent Ana. Even when she is offered all the money in the world from Christian, she still begs for love. That’s original, at least.

In an environment where materialistic shows like “Millionaire Matchmaker” and “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” dominate culture, it’s comforting to see a character that values the emotional bond between two people more than million-dollar apartments, fancy cars and five-star dinners. Rather than degrading women, the book celebrates the ultimate love story and the ability of a modern-day Cinderella to rise up and meet her match.

Jillian Ruffo, a junior majoring in English, explained why once you start reading the book, you can’t put it down.

“You’re stuck with Ana on this emotional roller coaster as you learn to understand how Christian has such a pull on her, and why she ends up accepting such a situation at all,” Ruffo said.

Ultimately, female readers can connect with Ana, S&M or not. It appears that most women can relate to the situation where they’re drawn to a relationship in which they want to save the man they love from his personal demons. And in terms of a fairy tale, it seems Ana lives pretty happily-ever-after.

As E.L. James ends her trilogy with the words “That’s all for now,” readers are left with the desire of wanting more. So do the characters in her book.

Food Type: Diner/American

Price Point: Low

Restaurant Week: Lunch only

Arriving to Cyber Café West, a usual favorite spot of mine, for Restaurant Week, I was taken aback by how many options they offered their customers. In comparison to other restaurants, Cyber Café offers a variety of different food options and in huge portions vs. a cheaper price and a smaller serving size.

Starting with the first course, you can choose from a side salad, chili or soup of the day. If anyone is as big a lover of Cyber Café West as I am, they know that the veggie chili is unbelievable and served with tortilla chips on the side. Even during Restaurant Week, Cyber still gives you the huge portion it always does and it’s just as delicious as ever.

For the second course, you have six wraps to choose from — Caesar and wrap of Khan being two of my favorite options. Expecting a small portion, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a normal-size wrap. Served hot or cold, each wrap is equally amazing. Also, you have the choice of “opening” a wrap and having the contents served as a salad if you’re choosing a healthier route.

As if an appetizer and main course weren’t enough, you’re allowed to choose from two different dessert choices, a lemon bar or a pumpkin brownie. If you haven’t been to Cyber before, you should know that this is a treat. 90 percent of its baked goods are homemade and always excellent. They always have seasonal treats and little goodies offered at inexpensive prices at the register.

Overall, Cyber Café West is the epitome of my ideal Restaurant Week lunch. It offers a variety of options to its customers and present vast portion sizes that will have you leaving very full and very satisfied. Not to mention, the hippie vibe of Cyber Café offers a comfortable and relaxed eating environment that is just as pleasant as its food.

As an avid Dylan lover, I was disappointed he didn’t even speak to fans during his show where hundreds of college students came out for him. Yes, his voice may be going, but it isn’t that hard to give students a simple hello.

Anne Kassalow, a senior majoring in human development, said she was let down by the performance.

“I couldn’t even understand anything he was saying,” Kassalow said. “It’s sad how someone so influential can hardly even speak to his audience anymore.”

Prepared for Dylan to mumble his way through the set list, the least he could have done was perform songs people could somewhat decipher and sing along. The only recognizable song was “Like a Rolling Stone,” and the only way to hear it was to endure the entire show and make it to the encore. Not to mention it’s been the last song on his tour for at least three shows in a row — no element of surprise.

But, to be fair, although Dylan wasn’t as mesmerizing as expected, the band playing with him did a great job. Waiting for “Like a Rolling Stone” was less painful as the band played groovy tunes that uplifted the mood and made everyone feel like they were in the 60s.

Alex Kirby, a sophomore majoring in English, said while it wasn’t the best concert she’s seen, it was a worthwhile experience.

“It was worth going just to see the living legend that is Bob Dylan,” Kirby said.

And of course, there are always two sides to the coin — Dylan’s been known to mumble through his songs at this time in his life. Maybe we should be a little more sympathetic toward the legend.

Kira Busman, a freshman majoring in human development, said that the concert was phenomenal.

“You have to take it for what it is,” Busman said. “I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to see him perform, especially on a college campus.”

Dylan wasn’t the best he’s been, but it was enjoyable to sit and relish in his legendary aura while enjoying some well-played background music.

One of the most popular products sold through the site are peaceBOMB bracelets. The jewelry, made from the abundance of scrap metal left over from the Vietnam War, is completely safe to wear and the story behind it only enhances the desire to wear them.

Coach dreams

Beginning as a merchandising assistant for Coach, Suda had the opportunity to work in many different departments. The perks included getting free products while managing the men’s sample closet, but she began to notice all the different languages on the tags.

‘We buy these items here but we don’t necessarily know where they come from,’ she said. ‘I began to become curious about the supply chain.’

One thing led to another, and her questioning became greater when the Al Gore film ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ came out. Everyone seemed to be talking about how different industries can, and could, become eco-friendly. Her drive to research organic textiles and natural dyes became more apparent during her work with Coach and made her realize that every industry could do something eco-friendly ‘ even the fashion industry.

Going to Laos

After a few years of research and a deep personal drive to do something more, Suda traveled to Laos with anything but a plan. Having done a background check on the country, she began visiting places around the capital. During her first week of traveling, she came across a woman who ran a business containing 80 other local women who wove textiles out of natural dyes. Just as she was about to leave the house, the woman offered her the job of creating four clothing lines for a festival and asked if she could begin that very day.

‘It sounds clich√É©, but I was in the right place at the right time,’ Suda explained.

By becoming involved in the community during her first week, Suda was able to gain the connections she needed to help steer her to her biggest project yet: the peaceBOMB bracelet.

The peaceBOMB project

It all began as she spoke with Samuel Martin, a man who ran an income-sustainable energy project. The project helps bring electricity to four villages and then aids in using it in a productive way. One of the ways the villages create a sustainable living is through making handcrafts.

On an excursion to the villages in northern Laos to do a textile survey, Suda came across a village that made spoons out of the bomb metal that was dropped on it during the Vietnam War. The idea inspired her. If locals were buying these spoons, she thought there must be some way to get this product into the international market.

‘Spoons aren’t something a New York consumer wants to buy, but jewelry on the other hand is something any consumer may want to buy, and I thought, let’s make bracelets,’ she said.

By simply changing the way this village used its scrap metal, she was able to reach a larger market to help the people there. Helping to bring money back to the community and artisans, she helped people create a sustainable business that is self-sufficient without relying on charity money.

‘This is what sustainable economic development is all about,’ she said. ‘Being able to pass skills on from one generation to the next. A long-term process that doesn’t just happen overnight. A gradual step toward developing in a way that suits the lifestyle that they already have.’

Working together

Although very proud of her work, Suda emphasizes the importance that this was the village’s idea, not her own. They decided to make spoons out of something that would otherwise be unusable, but her knowledge of marketing gave her the idea of turning the metal into bracelets so that she could reach people across the world.

The peaceBOMB bracelets go full circle. The abundance of metal dropped during the Vietnam War is associated with many negative things, but this village has turned it into something constructive and positive by making spoons it can sell to create a living. Now, the bracelets, something beautiful, are being brought to the United States to help people, rather than to hurt.

‘We, in the 70s, chose to fight communism and the way we did that was to drop bombs on civilian communities,’ Suda said. ‘Now we have the opportunity to help them by taking the constructive approach to this negative time by buying back the bomb.’

Suda has created a company working to create only positive energy with the peaceBOMB bracelets.

Working toward sustainable living in Laos, she brings fashionable eco-friendly products to the western world. By taking a risk as an entrepreneur, Suda has created a fashion product that will strike consumers with something more than the price attached to it. The bracelets carry a narrative about the people who are making them.

To see her fashion line and look at the peaceBOMB bracelets, check out www.shoparticle22.com.

1. Don’t forget your bathing suit!

While first instinct is to grab a jacket when heading up to Binghamton first semester, it’s actually unnecessary until Thanksgiving comes along. The first few months are full of sunshine and warm weather, so prepare to pack your shorts and tanks. Short flowery minis and the popular maxi dresses can be spotted among those who seem to have rolled out of bed in their pajamas.

With warmer months, having at least one bathing suit at hand is also a good idea, as many students lay out on the campus green to catch some rays in between classes. And if you have access to a car, other places to tan are just a short drive away (see our ‘Where to guide’).

2. The perfect pair of boots

As the fall months approach, it’s harder to get into those cute outfits that just seemed to pull themselves together when it was warmer out. While the task seems impossible, the best way to stay in style at Binghamton seems to be the right pair of boots. With new UGG styles, it’s easy to keep your feet warm while still looking great. Sarah Brovda, a sophomore majoring in English with a concentration in rhetoric, explains that while UGGs may seem horrible at first, they’re completely worth it.

‘UGGs are a lifesaver in the winter, they keep you warm and are so comfortable,’ Brovda explained.

Other shoe brands, such as the well-known Frye, allow a range of boot styles that match with anything. Pair a cute pair of boots with leggings or your most comfortable jeans and you’ll feel good, and look good for class.

3. Two words: rain gear

While snow still allows some comfort, without the proper rain boots and rain parka, good luck getting to class with any part of you and your books staying dry. While rain attire is not always the most fashionable, Hunter rain boots spotted on celebrities like Mary-Kate Olsen and Kate Moss make it more appealing to sport rain boots out on those rainy days. Kim DeAngelo, a junior majoring in human development, explains that without her Hunter rain boots, she would never make it to class on those rainy days.

‘They keep my feet warm and dry, and don’t look as bad as you might think,’ DeAngelo said.

Other companies like Target offer a variety of cute rain boots online for a lower price if you don’t want to dish out a little extra cash for designer boots.

4. The LBD (little black dress)

While winter months may make dressing for class harder, don’t forget a cute black dress and high heels for those nights in Downtown Binghamton. No matter how cold it is, the low-key bars are packed with people looking like they’re getting dressed for New York City. While not everyone is dressed to impress, in upstate New York it’s nice to feel good once in a while when going out on the ‘town.’

5. The right pants and sweater

Dressing in colder weather, you want to be comfortable when you’re running around campus and going to class. While jeans aren’t always the most comfortable option, new jean leggings allow you to feel comfortable and look cute at the same time. It is also important to make sure you pack a good pair of sweatpants for those days when you actually need to just lounge around. Also, make sure you pack that comfy sweater to keep warm on those bone-chilling days.

The first thing you should do when cleaning out your closet is to separate what you have into three different piles: what you will throw away, what you will give away and what you will keep. After sorting your belongings into different sections, you will be more able to assess how to put everything back in an orderly fashion (pun intended).

1. Hang it up

When re-organizing your closet, hangers seem like a small issue. However, the right type of hangers, especially multipurpose hangers, can help remove some of the clutter. Hangers with clips for skirts and hooks for those hard-to-hang items can remove some of the tension involved in putting away clothes.

Mollie Weiss, a sophomore majoring in English, claims that multi-purpose hangers have created more space for the rest of her clothes.

‘With one multi-purpose hanger, I can put all my jeans together and have an excess amount of room for my shirts,’ Weiss said.

After making sure the hanger situation is under control, it’s important to find a specific way to organize all the clothes you’re about to put away. Whether it’s by color or type, like dresses, skirts, etc., finding a way to coordinate what you’re putting back in your closet will help to keep it organized.

2. A place for everything, and everything in its place

Besides managing your clothes, it is important to evaluate the little things. Scarves shoved away beneath everything can help add to the clutter. Instead of pushing them into any space possible, hang them on hooks on closet doors or find a box in which to put them. Putting things away neatly can change the entire atmosphere of the closet space.

3. Shoe-in

Here’s the tricky part ‘ all the shoes you have lying around. One technique to arrange your shoes is to place them into boxes, one box for every pair of shoes. Another technique is to get over-the-door shoe holders that can be found cheaply at almost any discount department store.

Danielle Nackash, a freshman majoring in English, says hanging her shoes over her door has helped her clear up much of the disorder found on her closet floor.

‘By putting my shoes into compartments, I removed so much of the mess that was making my closet space seem messier than it actually was,’ Nackash explained.

4. Develop a routine

After taking the time to re-organize your closet, the key to maintaining it is to develop a routine. Set a time where you put away clothes and can maintain the order you’ve set up for yourself in your newly organized closet.

By cleaning out your closet, you’ll find more room for your new spring wardrobe and will feel more organized as you tidy up the space around you.

Although medications are offered to help those in dire need deal with allergy symptoms, the side effects are usually negative and the relief is short-lived. With drastic advances in the medical field, the first course of action is to run to the medicine cabinet, but there are other, more natural allergy remedies that can also do the trick.

Nasal sprays are a good alternate medication for temporary allergy relief. While they’re not good to use all the time, when it comes to decongestion these sprays can do the trick.

Beside nasal sprays, small lifestyle changes such as avoiding using window fans to cool rooms and keeping the windows closed when driving can also offer short-term relief.

One remedy that is often overlooked is the neti pot.

A neti pot is a small bowl shaped like a teapot that has been used in India to flush sinuses and keep them clear. While the act of using a neti pot seems intimidating in the beginning, it is somewhat like using a nasal spray.

Medical doctor James Li on his MayoClinic.com question forum explains the use of neti pots step by step. First, you must fill the neti pot with warm salt water or a saline solution. Then, you tilt your head while placing the neti pot spout in the upper nostril of your nose to gently pour the water, which flows through the nasal cavity and outside the lower nostril. Li says this remedy, though difficult at first, seems more effective in the long-term.

“Some neti pot enthusiasts say that regular use of neti pot is more effective for nasal allergy and sinus symptoms than are over-the-counter medications,” Li explained.

In an Italian study published in the International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, it was found that the use of a neti pot for nasal flushing was effective in children and reduced the use of antihistamines.

Beside using nasal flushings and medications, one remedy for allergies is changing your diet.

A Germany study published in the journal Allergy found that those who ate foods with high omega-3 fatty acid content did not suffer from allergy symptoms as much as those who didn’t eat these foods. Food with high levels of omega-3 include fish, walnuts and eggs — all readily available foods. Also, apples and onions are said to have a natural antidote to help block the release of histamines that lead to common allergy symptoms.

Along with changing around your diet, taking multi-vitamins can help strengthen your immune system to help you fight off that runny nose and those itchy eyes.

Other than the allergy remedies generally used, there are always those “home remedies.” For instance, Ashley Edelsberg, a sophomore majoring in psychology, explains that she suffers from severe allergies and has done just about everything for relief.

“I’ve even tried putting peppermint tea bags on my eyes, hearing that it could take away the itch,” Edelsberg said.

Stinging nettle and the common weed Butterbur are also remedies said to be alternatives to the medical antihistamines.

Whether it’s home remedies or trying out a neti pot, getting rid of allergies can take some trial and error. When fighting off allergies in the springtime, it may be time to put down the medication and find a more natural way to keep yourself comfortable.

What seems to be the cheapest place to get your nails done around Binghamton is Tina’s Nail Spa, located on Vestal Parkway East. While there are no deals for college students, they offer a manicure at $12, cheaper than any other salons in the area. Danielle Levy, a junior majoring in human development, describes her experience at Tina’s as better than her experience at home in Long Island.

‘Tina’s is amazing; great service for a great price,’ Levy said.

Tina’s Nail Spa also offers pedicures for $25, while a combination manicure-pedicure is $35.

Another nail salon well known to students is Angel Nails located on Main Street. With the price of $14 for a manicure, it seems that this is the place to be. But, Danielle Lazar, a senior human development major, explains that it’s not worth the money.

‘It’s like every other manicure, but more expensive and nothing special,’ Lazar said.

So while the pedicure and combination manicure/pedicure price of Angel Nails is around the same as Tina’s, it seems frivolous to drop the extra cash when you can get the same services for less elsewhere.

While there are the normal service nail places, hiding in Binghamton is the White Rose Spa located on Bunn Hill Road. While the manicure comes at $22, it is worth every penny. Besides the normal grooming that always comes with the service, peel and wax treatments are included. To make up for the price of the manicure, even though it seems worthwhile, the cheapest pedicure is only $30.

While the ‘Express’ pedicure would be the one priced at $30, they also have different variations offered at different prices. The pricier options offer wax treatments and other various spa luxuries that aren’t offered in other nail places around Binghamton. Besides these luxury pedicure options, White Rose Spa offers student specials. One of these specials includes a 45-minute manicure/pedicure treatment for $35, depending on which services you wish to include.

So just when you thought there was no hope of getting that spa treatment you look forward to at home, you were wrong. Finding the right places, especially when living at school, can seem like a struggle, but once you find them you’ll be glad you put in the extra effort. On top of finding nail places, once you know the different deals available, you’ll be able to manage your own personal comfort, along with managing your wallet.

While countless artists have been noted to die around age 27, the five most influential musicians have impacted music even today. Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and the original Rolling Stones member Brian Jones are the five musicians that make up the legendary club “Forever 27.”

This famous club is regarded with superstition by musicians as including the most important musicians who died under mysterious circumstances.

Both Joplin and Morrison died under probable drug causes, but there was no investigation to follow up on their deaths. Found dead, the circumstances leading up to their deaths remain a mystery even today.

Later, Cobain died by suicide, but his rocky relationship with Courtney Love raised questions. Before this, Hendrix asphyxiated on his own vomit, and Jones “drowned” in a swimming pool.

Following the light

These mysterious deaths are closely linked to the superstition that white lighters are bad luck, as four out of the five members of the 27 Club were said to be carrying a white lighter when they died.

Cobain was also rumored to be nervous about turning 27 because of the deaths of the four other artists.

I’ll cover you

Many seem to question whether these artists’ early deaths made their influence greater than if they had lived on. However, nothing can show greater influence than the number of cover songs available on iTunes that were originally performed by these five artists.

From Jones’ death in 1969 to Cobain’s death in 1994, these artists and their “club” are still influencing the way we look at rock music today. With new emerging bands and techno lifestyles, people of all ages are still rocking out to tracks such as “Purple Haze” by Hendrix, which is used in a Pepsi Cola commercial.

Andrew Zeevi, a junior actuarial science major, explains that all genres of music have been influenced by at least one of these artists.

“Whether the progression of the California music scene … the grunge scene, or music anywhere … no one can say these artists didn’t influence them, even just a little,” Zeevi said.

Direct impact

The consensus remains the same; whether they had lived on or died before the age of 27, they would still have had an impact on the musical world.

One needs to only watch Hendrix’ performance at Woodstock to realize why he is still Rolling Stone Magazine’s No. 1 greatest guitarist out of 100 year after year.

Morrison’s legendary performances are still being made into movies, with an upcoming documentary coming out this year. Geoffrey Weinberg, a freshman philosophy, politics and law major, explains that these musicians brought life into their music.

“They weren’t just on stage to make money like bands are today. They were there to get into the music and play it like they meant it,” said Weinberg.

When comparing musicians from past to present, these five musicians are the ones that critics everywhere enjoy. Morrison, Joplin, Jones, Cobain and Hendrix were influential artists that defied the status quo of rock n’ roll in their short lifetime.

Joplin challenged the female stereotype, and Morrison was willing to reveal himself on stage. Hendrix lit his guitar on fire while Cobain brought all of his emotions to the stage. And Jones was part of one of the most influential bands in history, The Rolling Stones, which is still popular.

It seems that Joplin summed it up for all five in the band after a show in Paris, France: “Being an intellectual creates a lot of questions and no answers. You can fill your life up with ideas and still go home lonely. All you really have that really matters are feelings. That’s what music is to me.”

So although these artists’ lives were cut short, they lived them to the fullest, exceeding their potential. They poured their hearts and souls into their music, which is the reason it still lives on.

Grabbing a glass of wine may seem like an easy thing to do, but think before you act. When delving into the research of wine and keeping off weight, the results seem highly inconclusive.

Media miscommunications about weight-loss techniques could create issues for people actually struggling with their weight. “Live with Regis and Kelly” is seen by millions of viewers, so when Kelly Ripa declares that a glass of wine helps keep off the pounds, it is easy to believe.

So lets get the facts in order — wine can help keep you lean in some cases, but that isn’t true 100 percent of the time.

In an online blog for Prevention magazine, author of “The Fat-Free Truth: Real Answers to the Fitness and Weight-Loss Questions You Wonder About Most” Liz Neporent states that a nationwide survey showed that those who had one to two alcoholic beverages a day were less likely to be obese. While this information seems hopeful, she recognizes in her blog that people who consumed more than two drinks a day actually happened to be more obese.

“More wine doesn’t mean leaner,” Neoporent wrote.

So while in some instances wine can help, an abundance of wine can hurt. The miscommunication about the effects of wine could cause those looking to shed pounds to actually gain weight.

In a 2004 research experiment, the International Journal of Obesity found that on a restrictive diet, wine was effective in helping overweight and obese subjects. However, the same amount of weight was lost and/or kept off as when drinking grape juice.

While body weight reduction was achieved, the evidence still does not conclude that wine had anything to truly do with it. In fact, it only seems to infer that the energy in grapes may have a direct effect on weight.

Jenna Schulner, a sophomore studying to be a nutritionist, states that the only healthy way to lose or keep off weight is eating correctly and taking care of your body. Unhealthy weight loss techniques can be associated with the issue of obesity, and is just as bad as eating poorly.

“You can’t trust all the hype about weight-loss techniques; you have to stick with what actually works and keeps your body healthy at the same time,” Schulner explained.

So when looking to keep lean, a glass or two of wine here and there could help, but don’t rely on it.

Even though it may seem like a great idea to enjoy a drink to keep off the pounds, the best way to stay lean is still to eat healthy and get exercise.

If you have to, fake it

Explore sunless tanning lotions; if you mess up, you have a week to take care of it. Even though one might not be able to go away for the break, it is possible to look like you’ve been on vacation. With new and better tanning lotions coming out year-round, it is possible that when you get back to school, you’ll be asked the question, “So where did you go for spring break that you’re so tan?”

Catch up on your drama — television drama that is

With so much time on your hands, and so many great television shows out there, it’s time to get to Blockbuster. Doing work at school can leave absolutely no time to check out that show that everyone seems to be talking about — so here’s your chance.

Pamela Wexler, a sophomore accounting major, looks forward to finally getting a chance to watch “Lost” after all the hype she’s heard about it.

“With all the work I’ve had this semester, it’ll be nice to finally get a chance to watch the show I’ve been meaning to all year,” said Wexler.

Whether it’s “Weeds,” “Dexter” or “Lost,” grab a series that seems to be staring you in the face, dim the lights and crawl onto the couch to relax to your new favorite show.

Rekindle some friendships

Although most of your friends may be away on some spring break extravaganza, there is sure to be somebody home that you haven’t seen in a while. A week at home is the best time to reacquaint yourself with someone whom you’ve lost touch with due to being away, school work, etc. While going from the initial conversation to hanging out may be a little awkward, it’s surprising how much spending a week with somebody can do for a long-term friendship.

Get the perfect body no one will have when they get back

So while all your friends have been spending the weeks leading up to spring break dieting and exercising, what do you think spring break will do to them? Most people crash diet the week before spring break, only to get there and eat massive amounts of food while guzzling down drinks on the beach. However, here’s your chance.

With all the extra time on your hands, it’s possible to finally make it to the gym without class schedules and extracurricular activities weighing you down. So, when all your friends come back from break bringing a few extra pounds with them, you’ll be the one ready to go out bearing that toned body you’ve worked a little extra for.

Go shopping

You weren’t able to dish out the cash to go on spring break, but as a result, you most likely have more money saved up than you would have. Melanie Alese, a sophomore psychology major, looks forward to finally having cash to shop with.

“By not spending $1,500 on a trip away, I have extra money to finally spend on myself,” said Alese.

Although being home may seem like a limitation, those summer clothes your friends bought for spring break won’t compare to the practical clothes you’ve bought on your shopping spree to bring back to school.

While a week away seems like the most enjoyable option for spring vacation, a week home may very well do the trick.

1. Don’t linger

But before you get to the ride home, it’s important to remember that whether you’re the girl or boy, do not overstay your welcome. Despite the fact you may wake up cozy in bed, as reality sets in, make the getaway quick and don’t linger.

2. Please, take her home

Although a girl may not want much to do with someone after a one-night stand, you should be familiar enough with etiquette to know that you should at least help her back to her house — sorry boys, a cab doesn’t cut it. You may wish that both parties involved could get out of it more easily, but usually that’s not the case, so man up and drive her back to her place.

Blair Ratner, a sophomore nursing major, explains that it isn’t that difficult to just drive someone home and save them the embarrassment of finding another ride.

“How hard is it? Just help the girl get home,” Ratner said.

3. Don’t babble

So while your car ride may be awkward enough, figuring out what to talk about can be even harder.

Anne Kassalow, a junior human development major, makes the point that sometimes a person can look dumber trying to think of something to say, than not saying anything at all. Although it may seem helpful to try and pull conversation out of thin air, it could make the situation worse.

“Word vomit is the last thing you want to occur while you’re trying to piece together the night and how to get the hell out of there,” Kassalow said.

4. Give a little thanks

Even though you don’t want to sound stupid, boys and girls should both have the courtesy to thank the other party for the night. It doesn’t have to be sexual, it doesn’t have to be affectionate, just a mere agreement between the two that the night was good. A simple “thank you” may seem a little over the top, but there’s no harm in remembering to say the night was fun to make both people seem more comfortable afterward.

5. Don’t ignore the past

So after everything else, how do you act when you see the person next? Whether walking on campus or across the bar, chances are you’ll see your one-night stand again, but it doesn’t have to be completely awkward.

Pamela Wexler, a sophomore accounting major, makes the point that not all girls are looking for something grander after a one-night stand.

“Don’t ignore them, say hello. A simple acknowledgment is fine; chances are we don’t really want to talk to you either,” Wexler said.

It’s easy to wish that a one-night stand would just disappear out of mind and out of sight. However, if a person handles the situation in the most proper way, it can be as painless as ripping off a Band-Aid.

While the audience walked into the theater expecting gruesome action and torn flesh, that was not what they got. A mind game from the very beginning, it seemed naÃ.ïve to assume that anyone could expect what the ending would be like.

Opening as a prison escape mystery on a highly secured island, the audience follows as leading actor Leonardo DiCaprio attempts to uncover the prison’s secret.

As one of Scorsese’s favorite actors to work with — the two have worked together on four films — DiCaprio presents his character so well that by the end of the film it seemed half the audience was brought to tears as his downfall unraveled.

Besides epic performances by all members of the cast, including Michelle Williams and Ben Kingsley, the filming and presentation were something to brag about.

Hearts seemed to race as the music, perfectly placed, roared loudly in the background of a scene. At just the right moments, the camera zoomed in on DiCaprio to catch his angst as he watched his recurring nightmare replay over and over.

Jason Blackman, a sophomore creative writing major, describes Scorsese’s direction as epic.

“Cinematography: great; product design: incredible; I was on the edge of my seat,” Blackman said.

Despite receiving praise for years from fans and critics alike, Scorsese has been snubbed at the Oscars about a dozen times, until his triumph in 2007 for his star-studded crime film “The Departed.”

Like his other films, “Shutter Island” seems to grab audience members and pull them into the film so that they can feel the emotions going on within it — when one person loses it all, viewers feel like they’ve lost it all.

So while Scorsese seems to be slighted at the Oscars, with six Best Director nominations and only one win, his countless other awards, from the Golden Globes to other recognition, has made him a man of honor.

Erin Pitkow, a sophomore cinema major, recalls never being disappointed by a Scorsese film.

“As many movies as Scorsese has made, I’ve never walked away from one feeling that I didn’t get my money’s worth,” said Pitkow.

Martin Scorsese may not be a “success” in relation to the Oscar world, but it seems he has won more in the hearts of his fans. The movie “Shutter Island” hooks you, and it’s no wonder movie buffs seem to gravitate toward the almighty Scorsese when hitting the movie store.