Baton Rouge!

Today is a very special day. One of my best friends from way up north is flying in to spend a week's vacation with me here at LSU! I am so excited to show her campus, and to explore Baton Rouge!

You may not know this, but I'm a bit of an organization junkie. I like everything to be orderly and planned out, so of course I've been planning our vacation for weeks. I have the most beautiful spreadsheet detailing all the locations we want to see, the cost, the hours of operation, and how to get there. It might sound a bit crazy, but at least now I can share some of the details with you. Here are a few places that we plan to visit:

LASM- The Louisiana Art and Science Museum looks AWESOME! They have so many interesting things to see. Right now they have a special exhibit called "CUT! Costume and the Cinema", where you can see historical costumes from many famous movies. It only costs $7 to get in, and I know I'll get hours of entertainment! For more info, go here.

Old State Capitol- The Old Louisiana State Capitol looks like a castle. How cool is that? And even cooler, you can tour it. You may have noticed by now, but I'm a huge history nerd, so this is really exciting to me. The building is not only old and beautiful, but is supposedly haunted as well... I'll let you know next week if I think that is true or not. You can find out more about this historic landmark here.

Houmas House Plantation- So this one is a bit of a drive from Baton Rouge, but how can I come to the South and not go see a plantation house? I've wanted to see a real plantation for myself since I first watched Gone With The Wind when I was 8. While I know that Tara doesn't really exist, I can still appreciate the grandeur of a time gone by, and get a great southern meal at La Petite Houmas restaurant.  And if I stand on a hill overlooking the house and whisper "I'll never be hungry again" like Scarlett O'Hara, so what! See the plantation for yourself here.

LSU Museum of Art- The LSU Museum of Art, located in the Shaw Center for the Arts, was established to offer the Baton Rouge area access to its "diverse art collection, changing exhibitions, education programs, and special events" (www.lsumoa.com). The LSU MOA houses more than 3500 works, and is sure to offer a great afternoon of entertainment. Plus, there is a great sushi restaurant called Tsunami on the top floor! It's definitely worth a trip! For hours and exhibit info, go here.

Blue Bayou- So I realize that this list of activities is a little history heavy, and while I LOVE history, I also love to just get out and have a good time! That is why my friend and I are spending a whole day at Blue Bayou. For only $35, you get to go to the waterpark and Dixie Landing amusement park! With all this heat down here, it is definitely worth the price to go. Besides, nothing beats amusement park foods. It's going to be great! Find out more here!

I can't wait to get started with my Baton Rouge vacation! I have many more activities planned. Don't worry, I'll be sure to share plenty of pictures and more of my vacation itinerary next week! Can you think of other places that I just have to see?

xoxo-- Girl in the Purple Polo

Do U REC?

I recently discovered the UREC, and it is AWESOME!!! If you haven't been there, you should check it out! Memberships are quite affordable (trust me, if they weren't I wouldn't be going...), and the facilities are great. I made it a goal of mine to get in shape this summer, but after one attempt at running outside in this heat, I knew I had to find a different way to exercise. The UREC is the perfect, air-conditioned place to work out!

Now, I'm not very experienced when it comes to working out and I'm not very athletic, but when I walked into the rec center for the first time, I knew I could find a way to have fun and get in shape- there is literally something for everyone to do! They have cardio equipment (like treadmills and stationary bikes), raquetball courts, a track, basketball courts, weights, a pool, and much more!  My personal favorite so far has to be the elliptical machines.

 I have no idea how to play raquetball, but these courts make me want to learn.

They even offer fitness classes like Zumba and Boot Camp. I never thought of myself as a fitness guru, but I'm feeling good and having fun! I can even bring my headphones, plug them into the stationary bike, and hear the TVs that are mounted to the wall. I actually look forward to going to the gym each evening, which has NEVER happened to me before...

Running on these treadmills is so much better than running outside in this heat!

If you've never considered joining UREC, I hope that you will! If I can do it, so can you! You can find more information about UREC here. Hope to see you there! Just keep your eye out for the clumsy girl in the purple polo... :)

xoxo-- Girl in the Purple Polo

Cooking on campus?

One of the coolest things about living on campus at LSU is that there are kitchens in each residence hall! This may not seem like a big deal, but where I am from we don't have this luxury (stoves in the halls are considered a fire hazard). When I went away to school back home, I was stuck cooking with just a microwave- no stove, no oven. And while dining hall food is convenient and tasty, sometimes you just get hungry for a taste of home. Nothing beats being able to whip up a batch of your mom's signature chocolate chip cookies when you've had a hard day (except maybe having mom send some to you). 

Blake Hall kitchen before a program

Here are a few of my favorite recipes to make when I'm away from home. I've even found ways to make them fit my college student budget...

Mom's Pasta Sauce: My mom makes the BEST pasta sauce in the world. Every time I eat spaghetti anywhere else, it leaves me feeling homesick because it just can't live up to hers. Lucky for me, I learned to cheat and make a sauce that tastes basically the same for way less money- it may not be from scratch, but it is still delicious. Try it, you won't be disappointed.

Ingredients- 

1/2 pound ground beef

1 bag frozen fajita vegetables- green peppers, red peppers, onions (you can get fresh veggies, but frozen is way cheaper
1 can of mushrooms

spices- oregano, rosemary, garlic powder, salt, black pepper

1 jar Ragu Chunky Garden Vegetable pasta sauce

Start by browning the ground beef in a saute pan. Drain, then add the vegetables. Saute until the veggies are warm and tender. Next, add the Ragu. Turn to low heat, add in spices to taste. I use about 2 tsp each of oregano and rosemary, and just a pinch each of the garlic, salt, and black pepper. Let this simmer for at least a half hour- that is where you really get all the flavor from.  (Hint: if you kind of grind the rosemary up in your palms before you add it in, it will give a stronger flavor). Then, make some pasta to go with it and enjoy!

Easy Mushroom Burgers: Every who has ever tried my mushroom burgers LOVES them. These are super easy, super cheap, and super tasty. And, as a bonus, they reheat well (yay leftovers!). 

Ingredients-

1 pound fresh mushrooms

1 onion, diced

oil (for cooking)

1 cup quick oats

1cup bread crumbs

1 egg

1 cup shredded cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Saute the mushrooms and onions until they are golden brown. Put them into a large mixing bowl. Add the oats, bread crumbs, and cheese. Beat the egg and add to mixture. Stir until moist (you may need to add a second egg if mixture is too dry). Form mixture into patties and fry in oil until browned, flipping only once. You can eat these on a bun like a burger, or on their own. They are truly delicious.

Microwave White Chocolate Cheesecake: I mentioned before that where I'm from, we don't have kitchens in our res halls, which means that I learned to be really creative with a microwave. This isn't a true cheesecake, but it sure tastes like one. And it looks way fancier than it actually is- all of your friends will be impressed, trust me. 

Ingredients: 

2 packages cream cheese

1 package of Dream Whip (a powdered mix for making whipped cream, you can get it in the baking aisle)

1 package white chocolate chips

1 graham cracker pie crust

1/2 cup milk

2 cups powdered sugar

Optional: 1 can cherry pie filling

In a bowl, beat together cream cheese, Dream Whip, milk, and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until creamy. Set to the side. Pour chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl. Melt chips in microwave on low heat for 1 minute, stirring every 20 seconds (make sure to stir so they do not burn). Once chips are melted completely, add to cream cheese mixture. Stir well, then spread mixture into pie crust. If you choose to, cover with cherry pie filling (or another type of filling). Refrigerate for 1/2 hour to let cheesecake set up. Serve and enjoy! 

Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake:

Ingredients- 

4 Tablespoons flour

4 Tablespoons sugar 

2 Tablespoons baking cocoa 

1 egg 

3-4 Tablespoons milk 

3 Tablespoons chocolate chips 

Small splash of vanilla

Put dry ingredients into a coffee mug, mix well. Add the egg and mix again. Pour in milk and oil, and give the batter a final mix. Put your coffee mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, don't be alarmed. Allow to cool a little, tip out onto plate and eat! 

Easy Pizza Dough:

Ingredients-

2 1/2 c. flour 

2 3/4 tsp. baking powder (if using baking soda use half and omit salt)

1 tsp. salt 

1 tbsp. oil 

3/4 to 1 c. water

Mix dry ingredients. Add 3/4 cup water and oil. Stir until it forms a ball. If dough is stiff, add more water.The dough will be soft, not sticky. Knead on a floured surface for 3-4 minutes. Bake at 400°F for 15-25 minutes. Add your favorite toppings, then bake for 10 more minutes (or until cheese is melted). Slice and share with friends!

Cooking in your Res Hall kitchen is a great way to relax, make friends, and share a bit of where you are from and what you enjoy with the people around you! While you are waiting for things to bake or simmer, you can study, play games, or just catch up. You can even have cooking competitions with the people in your building! These are just a few of my favorite things to cook in my Res Hall... what do you like to make?

xoxo-- Girl in the Purple Polo

Summer Fun!

Being on any campus during the summer can be a little odd - there aren't that many students around, dining options are sometimes limited, and (as I've mentioned a few times before...) it is HOT. Don't let any of those things stop you from having a good time here at LSU though! In fact, I think that summer is the perfect time to be on campus! There aren't that many people around (no lines for ANYTHING), it's nice out, the trees and flowers are in bloom (just don't touch the magnolias, it makes them turn brown.... learned THAT the hard way) and your homework load, if you have homework at all, is significantly smaller than it usually is- what's not to love!

Here is a list of some summer fun I've found at LSU so far:

The Dairy Store- Who can resist a ice cream cone on a hot day? Everything sold at the Dairy Store comes right from the LSU farm, so it's not only delicious, but locally made and sustainable. Sounds great to me!


Chimes- I'm a bit of a foodie, so I've been sampling the local cuisine as much as possible. Chimes is definitely one of my favorites so far. Delicious food, great drinks, and all only a ten minute walk from my Res Hall... yes, please! Seriously though, Chimes serves some of the best catfish I've ever eaten. Go try it.

UREC- Being the foodie that I am, I've been sampling the local cuisine a little too much... so I decided to make my way over to the UREC. Summer memberships are CHEAP, and what better time to get in shape than during the summer? The facilities are excellent, whether you are a newbie to fitness (like me) or an experienced athlete. Need more info? go here!

The Quad- This is definitely one of the most beautiful places on campus- flowers are blooming, the fountain is flowing, and there is plenty of shade. This is a great place to take a walk, read a book, have a picnic, or otherwise just relax. 

Middleton Library- If you are a geek like me, then you will enjoy relaxing with a good book in the library. It's also a great place to cool down after a walk outside on the Quad.


The Lakes- Have I mentioned how beautiful this campus is? If you don't believe me, take a walk to one of the campus lakes! I personally love to drop a line in the water, but if fishing's not your thing you can get your tan on (wear sunscreen though!), or just walk around the shore.

The Parade Ground- Speaking of tanning, this is a great place to spread out a blanket and tan, or picnic with friends. You'll enjoy iconic views of the Memorial Tower and the Law building as well... what beats that?

Visit Mike- I don't think I'll ever get tired of walking over and watching Mike the Tiger play with that giant ball of his... (though most of the time he's napping).

Leisure Classes- Have you seen the new leisure studio in the Union? There is a whole list of classes that you can take in the summer just for fun... they include sculpting, painting, stained glass making, wine tasting (at Chimes, no less), and many more. Seems like a great way to meet some new people, or relax with friends! For more info, go here!


Your Res Hall- When all else fails, take some time to relax in your room! It's air conditioned and comfortable, so curl up and watch a movie, play a board game with friends, watch some silly YouTube videos (or checkout this LSU channel) or have a mini-dance party to your favorite song. You can even take an online class through the UREC website from the comfort of your own room.

So, reader... how do you stay busy during the summer at LSU?

xoxo-- Girl in the Purple Polo (and lots of sunscreen)

Did you know?

Hi everyone!

So, I've officially been in Louisiana for two weeks- weird. Time is just flying by this summer! Every time I think I'm getting used to the heat, it gets a little bit hotter or a little more humid. I suppose I'll adjust eventually. 

One thing you should all know about me is that I am a huge geek. I love history, random facts, and learning about anything and everything. I've been on a couple of tours since I got to LSU, and I'm happy to say that while I was incredibly hot the whole time, I learned quite a few interesting facts about LSU and some of the buildings that are on campus.

Journalism Building- This building was brought to its current location brick-by-brick from LSU's previous downtown Baton Rouge location, making it the OLDEST building on campus. 

East and West Laville- These buildings were named for Cpl. Germaine Laville, the first woman from LSU to die in WWII.

Acadian Hall- Acadian Hall was supposedly a Spanish Embassy at one point in time, which explains the unique architecture and courtyard.

Purple and Gold- Purple and Gold were not the original LSU colors- blue and white were. This was changed after football coach Charles Coates asked the fans to find a way to show their support during a game against then rival Tulane. They went to a local Mardi Gras store to buy apparel for the game- they couldn't get green, because that was a Tulane color, so they ended up buying out the store of purple and gold. Coach Coates liked the spirit these colors inspired so much that he soon had the players wearing them as well, and the rest is history.

Allen Hall murals- These murals were originally painted in the 1930's and 1940's by art students.They depict the agricultural and industrial development of Louisiana that took place during that time period. At one point, the murals were covered over, but they were found again in the late 1980's when improvements were being made to the building.

Tiger Stadium- Did you know that Tiger Stadium was originally a men's dormitory? Gov. Huey Long couldn't get the funding approved for a football stadium, so instead he built a round dormitory with a field above it. Pretty clever, eh? Today, the old dorm rooms are just used for storage, but I've heard tell that they will be renovated at some point for use as offices and public space. 

Earthquake Game- On October 8, 1988 LSU was playing Auburn when they scored the winning touchdown moments before the clock ran out. The fans let out such a roar of noise that the seismograph went off in the nearby Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex, marking this game in history as the Earthquake game. Don't believe me? Watch this and you will!



I'm sure that these are just a few of the interesting stories floating around about LSU, and I can't wait to hear more! Do you have any stories to tell?

xoxo-- Girl in the Purple Polo