Scene Magazine

When my sorority sister asked me to accompany her to Laughlin for the weekend to attend a fraternity event, I didn’t think twice. The week had been extremely busy and I felt a road trip and a few days away would do me some good. So at the end of the week, we loaded up the car to set out on our adventure.

Although we were scheduled to leave at 3 p.m., things kept coming up and we didn’t get on the freeway until about 5:30 p.m. Why we decided to leave around rush hour, I have no idea. Sitting in traffic on the freeway on a gloomy and humid day was not the exciting road trip I had in mind. Half way there it became extremely windy and the endless line of trucks that we were caught between moved slowly. When we were finally in Nevada my sisters and I immediately snapped out of our sleepy dazes. Our route was no longer just open terrain. In the distance there were rows of city lights and signs of life. Our car quickly filled with chatter about what to do first after we check in. Continue reading →

Spring break from a college student’s point of view is supposed to be a time for relaxation, letting loose and turning off your brain for several days. I should know—I wrote a story on how to vacation for cheap. Lord knows we could use the mental and physical recuperation, but unfortunately I didn’t quite get that chance. Rule #1 on the steps towards becoming a responsible adult is there is little time to yourself, meaning less time is spent being nonproductive. Continue reading →

After conducting business at UCLA, I suddenly had the urge to eat something sweet. I decided to seek out the infamous Diddy Riese, a bakery that specializes in cookies and other sugary treats. I heard about this place from reading a review of it in the “Daily Sundial.” Apparently the appeal to the shop isn’t so much the cookies as it is the pricing of their goods; $3.75 will buy you a dozen of freshly made cookies. Yeah, right. I wondered what kind of ingredients they were skimping on to make such cheap cookies. Hell, Mrs. Fields sells single cookies for about that price.

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My first semester here at college was an unique and stressful experience. Yes, I say stressful because of the change in environment, the workload, the studying all kept me busy. In my state of constant activity, I needed something, someplace, to help me wind down. A friend of mine introduced me to an arcade no more than several blocks from CSUNl and it was exactly what I needed. Family Fun Arcade embodied all the nostalgic moments I’ve had with arcades in my past. The atmosphere was noisy and exciting.  The room was filled with all kinds of game cabinets, including some from my childhood. The place hosts fierce weekly competitions from money matches to ranbats (ranked battles) and is the hub for one of the best fighting game scenes in North America. Continue reading →

Skateboarders coasted across the newly paved concrete of the Santa Clarita Skate Park as BMX cyclists tested their skills in the half-pipe tunnel last Saturday. More than 75 people, ranging from five to 35 years old, crowded into this 12,000 square foot park to master the tricks of professionals. No matter the age, they pushed themselves to the limit riding along handrails and speeding up ramps to catch air. There were even a few girls showing up some of the boys. But only a handful of people were following the rules and not one person was there to regulate the facility.

Less than 15 people were wearing the required apparel, which includes a helmet and knee and elbow pads to protect against injury. Inexperienced skaters were inches away from talented bikers.

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There was a time TLC, the basic cable television channel, was more than a catchy acronym.  Those three letters used to stand for “The Learning Channel.” But those days seem to be long gone. 

It only takes one or two episodes to get addicted to the overwhelming cute factor in “Jon & Kate Plus 8.”  The kids are adorable and unlike other reality shows, this family seems stable.  Continue reading →

In these tough times, with our economy failing, the high rate of unemployment and people struggling to keep their homes and cars, nearly everyone is looking for an outlet to relax that is cheap, or even free. What better way to spend a lovely afternoon or the whole day if you would like, than to take in the Griffith Observatory Star Parties?

The star parties are hosted about once a month in front of the Observatory. The amount of telescopes set-up for viewing the sky vary with each date. On most occasions, though, there are between five to fifteen telescopes. Each is strategically placed to look at something different. For example, last Saturday, there were three scopes set up, one facing Saturn, one facing the Sun and the last for viewing the moon.

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When I think of hiking, I think of an activity that you do outdoors as a form of exercise, or even a “bonding” activity you were forced to do when your parents sent you away to camp as a child. Never would I have thought hiking could be a tool for relaxation and self-help until now.

Recently, a group of friends and I decided to do something athletic every other Sunday during the summer. This was meant to be a tool to bring us closer together, as well as a way to stay fit. One of the installments of these outings was to go hiking on a trail in Griffith Park near the Observatory. I was under the impression that this was going to be a random group/relationship building trip, but it ended up being much more than that.

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After being here five years, I finally have to go back to Japan to get a job.  I am an international student and I think studying in a different country was a great experience.

There are about 2,000 international students at CSUN, but I just know  international students who are journalism majors. I think the journalism major is one of the most difficult for international students because of our limited English. Continue reading →

My brother just got married in Marina Del Rey aboard the Dandeana.  The Dandeana is a custom-made, contemporary tri-level yacht.  The yacht can hold up to 150 people, and is available for weddings and other special occasions. 

The wedding ceremony was held on the yacht at sunset, as the Dandeana sailed the waters of Marina Del Rey. 

After the ceremony, where I was a bridesmaid and cried my eyes out, the guests went to the first level for appetizers and cocktails.   

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