U/U Zot Blog – Read all about the experiences of our Undergraduate/Undeclared Freshmen!

February 14, 2025Glenda Orozco No Comments

Deceived or Trompé?

Learning just one language is never enough. Once you begin, you’ll find it hard to stop, as the journey of language acquisition is endless. Embracing a new language is a rewarding hobby that demands discipline, curiosity, and humility. It extends beyond mastering alphabets, pronunciation, symbols, and even tongue movements. Today, language learning is not only a professional skill and an academic requirement but also a gateway to unique and enriching experiences.

There is often a hidden motivation behind the pursuit of learning a new language. This endeavor requires dedication, so having a strong source of motivation or a clear goal is essential. For some, it’s the desire to communicate with coworkers or loved ones, to enjoy movies or series without misleading interpretations or intrusive subtitles, to deepen their connection with their own culture, or to integrate into a new one. It might also be driven by the benefits to neurological health. For me, it’s been a complex blend of all these reasons.

In fact, I am learning new languages so that I can ‘chew my own food.’ My journey into this learning community began after a catharsis moment: I had been reading translations and, consequently, someone else’s interpretation—I had never experienced the author’s original work. After going through a substantial number of books by global authors and praising their meticulous attention to syntax, their skillful use of semantics, and their innovative literary devices, I realized that I had only been consuming a digested version. This realization left me feeling deceived and as though I had been deceiving myself.

Subsequently, I embarked on a challenging quest. In my pursuit of truth, I had to confront several obstacles. Considering that mastering my native language, Spanish, took a lifetime, and my journey with English required years of practice, I wondered how I could find the time for this new challenge. However, after learning English, Italian, and currently studying French, along with conducting some research, I have developed an effective plan for busy individuals to learn languages:

Duolingo, the well-known and widely used language learning app, is recognized for its accessibility and engaging approach. While Duolingo’s exercises and course structures are scientifically designed to facilitate learning in a few minutes, achieving ambitious language goals requires more than just completing a 3-min lesson.

Listening to native speakers is quite different from listening to Duolingo. Although Duolingo provides a solid foundation, the language as spoken in everyday life can sound quite different. Memrise addresses this by incorporating clips of native speakers asking everyday conversational questions, simulating real interactions. This allows users to observe and learn from facial expressions, mannerisms, and intonations.

A shortcut to becoming articulate in a new language is mastering ‘the 50 most common’. When real-world interaction is the goal, focusing on these common elements can quickly elevate you to a functional speaker.

Irregular and regular verbs
Pronouns
Question words
Idioms/ expressions
Words
Curse words

Finally, strengthen your ear by watching native TV shows–especially the news and talk shows– and series.

There are 7,100 languages in the world to choose from now it is just a matter of committing.

Happy studying,

Glenda O.

February 13, 2025Lucas No Comments

My New Obsession

People who know me know that I am a huge rap/hip-hop fan and love artists that date all the way back from the 90s to today’s rap/hip-hop! I used to strictly listen to modern rap/hip-hop, but once I discovered more of the famous ’90s rapper Tupac Shakur’s music, I instantly fell in love with the old-school rap/hip-hop sound. It broke me out of the shell of just listening to today’s music and drove me to discover new genres within rap/hip-hop from all eras. This led me to uncover many other different types of sub-genres of rap/hip-hop such as G-Funk, Trap, Gangsta Rap, Mumble Rap, Underground, and most recently Alternative Hip-Hop and Jazz Rap (both pretty similar)!

I be hitting the gym almost every day of the week, which allows me to put on random playlists while working out. One day, a song came on that was like candy to my ears. I quickly finished my set so I could grab my phone and see who I was listening to. It was J Dilla! I was completely fascinated by the unique sounds of his productions (he mostly makes hip-hop instrumentals), but I also really loved a lot of the songs that he has produced for other rappers in the Alternative Hip-Hop and Jazz Rap genres! And oh my, do I love the choice of samples he chops in his productions—he knows how to blend them into a style that’s uniquely his own. A popular and very ear-catching song I would recommend listening to by J Dilla is ‘Don’t Cry’. It has a chopped-up sample of a song by The Escorts that comes together so well—probably one of my favorite songs by him. This led me to search for a lot of artists that J Dilla has produced for in my newly discovered genre of Alternative Hip-Hop and Jazz Rap, such as A Tribe Called Quest, Common, The Pharcyde, Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, and Slum Village. His productions and the artists that rap/sing over his instrumentals are so good that I can’t name one song I don’t like. J Dilla’s music is great for any time of the day, whether it is working out, studying, doing chores, etc.

Unfortunately, J Dilla no longer exists on this Earth to make more music; however, his productions are timeless and worth a listen. If you’re looking for something new to listen to, PLEASE LISTEN TO J DILLA!! There might be some songs you might like or don’t like, but I can’t say which ones are good or bad for sure because I love them all. So, just bounce around from song to song and listen to some of the artists he has produced for.

Here are some of my personal favorites to help you get started with the hip-hop subgenres of Alternative Hip-Hop and Jazz Rap (in no particular order):

“Don’t Cry” by J Dilla
“The Light” by Common
“Drop” by The Pharcyde
“Climax” by Slum Village
“Spot N’ The Shade” by San Quinn
“Didn’t Cha Know?” by Erykah Badu
“That Shit” by A Tribe Called Quest
“Electric Relaxation” by A Tribe Called Quest

Enjoy listening!

Thank you for reading my blog and please stick around to read even more of my Zot Blogs!

All the best,

Lucas

February 12, 2025Rohan Roy No Comments

My UCI Overview

As prospective Anteaters and their families do more research into UCI, they may be wondering—what are some things that UCI students are interested in?

For this post, I’ll share a few hobbies and interests I’ve been engaged in recently, including playing club soccer, watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and reading books recommended by some of my family members.

Soccer

Soccer has always been a passion of mine, and joining a soccer team at UCI has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The sport not only helps me stay active but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Playing soccer and being a part of a team was one of the things I missed most about home and high school. If you’re looking to get involved, UCI has club teams, intramural leagues, and pick-up games happening regularly.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Lately, I’ve been watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a comedy series that follows the detectives of the 99th precinct in Brooklyn. The show combines humor, witty dialogue, and heartfelt moments to create an engaging experience. One of the highlights of Brooklyn Nine-Nine is its diverse and lovable cast of characters, each bringing something unique to the precinct. I am into shows that do not require much attention when watching and where episodes are not necessarily connected. If you’re looking for a lighthearted but clever sitcom, this is a great choice.

Reading

Recently, I’ve been reading books about influential CEOs, including Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson and Steve Jobs by the same author. These biographies offer fascinating insights into the minds of visionary leaders who have shaped modern technology and business. I find it inspiring to learn about their journeys, the challenges they faced, and their leadership philosophies. These books are often sent to me by my parents and give some nice conversation when we talk on the phone daily. Reading these books has helped me understand the importance of innovation, perseverance, and strategic thinking—valuable lessons for anyone interested in entrepreneurship or business.

Why These?

Each of these interests offers something unique: soccer keeps me active and connected with others, Brooklyn Nine-Nine provides entertainment and laughter, and reading about CEOs fuels my curiosity about business. Whether you’re a prospective student or just looking for new hobbies, I highly recommend exploring activities that challenge you a bit but also give you a sense of exhilaration.

February 1, 2025Glenda Orozco

Who pressed fast speed?

This is going insanely faster than the first quarter. This quarter I decided to enroll myself in the standard 12 units since my last experience got me close to burnout. I have seen significant improvements in academic performance and mental health, but I honestly miss the pressure, playfulness, and vibrance that G.E. classes can add to my schedule. My priority this quarter is chemistry– it involves several hours and countless practice problems–, and research opportunities to gain technical skills for a scientific career. Here are some highlights of my past weeks at UCI.
First, here are some of my research findings. I found a couple more clubs that align with my interests. They all can help me develop skills through volunteering but more importantly, can help me network with organizations that could result in an internship or even a future job. My struggle now is deciding which ones to join. A UCI medical school student advised me: “Commitment. It is quality over quantity. Show responsibility”. I believe it is a good strategy. I have also thought that in that way it will be easier for me to get a leadership position within the club or organization I end up joining.

*AMWA focuses on helping women in the pre-med track build a strong resume*

Continuously, changes are inevitable. I went from a triple dorm to a double. One of my roommates moved out. I did not think it was possible to move amid the year, but it turns out it is (just tell your RA and they will send you a form). She told me about her plans beforehand and I was mourning her absence until we both noticed she had been moved –literally– to the dorm next door. It might sound contradictory but our friendship has been strengthened by these changes. After our rushed days, we sit at a not-so-comfortable wood bench on our floor, and unknot all the tension and concerns that the discrepancies of life arise. The moral of the story is don’t resist changes, instead appreciate the new experiences they come with.

*My roommate-and best friend- attending Teddy Bear Hospital Club meeting together*

Finally, my personal life matters as much as chemistry class. When I set up my schedule and do my to-do list I would only do it for my classes. I noticed that I have been ignoring my personal projects and regarding them as optional. My family has helped me notice this and now my calendar has deadlines for both personal goals and academic goals. My identity was being reduced to school and I must correct that. I am keeping up my language learning journey and will make sure to continue writing my poems, reading, and preparing myself for more top-secret projects I have– I might need to take some business class next quarter-.

This is Chalino (the most apathetic cat on Earth). He likes to work out with me–or judge me while I work out.

Dear Reader, thank you.

Write to you soon,

Glenda Orozco

January 31, 2025Lucas

My Last Two Weeks in Pics!

I’ve been pretty much chilling for the past two weeks, preparing for and finishing up some of my first midterms of this quarter and getting lots of homework done. But I’ve also had lots of time to do some fun things. I’ll share some pictures of my past two weeks with you!

Caption for photo above: This was a photo I took at Hillcrest Park in Fullerton, California. It was taken during the evening, where we get a nice and late sunset view of the city. The main highlight of this park would be the few hundred stairsteps that lead up to this viewpoint. It is like a mini trail with LOTS of incline. I did about four sets going up and down those steps, and I was already sweating like crazy by the end of my second set. If you’re into all things active, definitely check this place out! Great for cardio!

Caption for the two photos above: This was a photo that I took at a Japanese marketplace called Mitsuwa Marketplace (this one was in Costa Mesa), which has a huge variety of different Japanese foods. I was treated by my Auntie and Grandpa to some very tasty ramen, and matcha puffed pastries! Mitsuwa Marketplace has several mini restaurants that range from Japanese curry to sushi, to ramen, and many other traditional dishes—perfect if you’re craving Japanese food. There are also many goodies and produce that come directly from Japan and are sold here!

Caption for the three photos above: These are a few photos that I took from my last weekend’s trip to Newport Beach. We got some nice views of the houses along Newport Beach and a cool shot of the basketball courts. I’m really proud of my basketball court photo because it looks like it’s floating in the sky! Unfortunately, I and my friends went on a bad day since it was raining most of the time (none of us bothered to check the pouring hours); however, I came prepared with an umbrella that could barely cover two people, so the rest of my friends got soaked. Next time we’ll know NOT to go to Newport Beach on a rainy day.

Thank you for reading my blog and please stick around to read even more of my Zot Blogs!

All the best,

Lucas