Author Archives: Tim Rodriguez

Behavior & Food

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It was a real treat to hear from the Food and Brand Lab experts this Wednesday at the Becker/Rose Café. Hearing about their studies and ongoing work left me thinking by all the environmental factors that play a role in our decision-making processes–particularly when it comes to food. Moreover, the café has inspired me to look more into both behavioral economics and behavioral psychology.

As someone who tries to maintain healthy eating habits, I found the various tips and findings quite helpful (e.g. not going grocery shopping when I’m hungry, keeping unhealthy food options on the counter, etc.) Though I’ve been aware of the strategies used by fast-food and grocery store chains, I never really stopped to consider how practices within my own kitchen can inform certain eating habits/behaviors. Usually after I go grocery shopping, I’ll place non-refrigerated food on my countertop and, subsequently, pick at it every time I walk by the counter. Such behavior always results in my food supply decreasing at exponential rates, which is not good for my weight or my bank account…

Going forward, I am determined to alter certain “food” behaviors and be more conscious about how my environment affects what I eat, how much I eat and when I eat. I plan to fill my countertop with fruits and granola bars instead of cookies and chips.

 

“Booze & Bubbles”

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Earlier today a cohort of daring Rose Scholars ventured via Ithaca-Taxi minivan to a place that I probably would not have gone to as a child–the Ithaca Beer Co. The ride over was scenic and took us about 12 and a half minutes. Traffic was not bad and there was a slight overcast. I may or may not have seen a deer (possibly a small child) in the road on the way over, which may have held us up a bit. Nonetheless, we made great time. I knew we had arrived to our destination when we pulled up to an industrial-looking structure that had the words “Ithaca Beer Co.” largely written on it. There was simply no mistaking it. We had in fact arrived to our destination just as planned.

When we opened the doors of the taxi, a sensational aroma of fine beer rushed into my nostrils and, for a split second, I could have sworn I became a bit tipsy. I am uncertain whether this was due to the potent aroma or the fact that the rocky ride over had spurred my motion sickness. It is likely that a combination of the two is to blame.

Once inside, we received exclusive VIP access to the factory floor, where we then enjoyed a tour of the facility for about 32-45 minutes. It was truly amazing to learn about the various steps that go into making a single bottle of beer. Generally, the steps include milling, mashing, lautering, boiling, fermenting, conditioning, packing, and then, finally, distributing. “Wow,” I thought, “that’s a lot of steps!”

Following the tour, we were treated to some free samples of the company’s beer, which included one of my favorites–Country Pumpkin. I like it because of the way that it is. More specifically, I like it because its luscious taste brings me back to the times when I would go on hayrides as a little lad at the local pumpkin patch back home. Unfortunately, it was during one of these hayrides that a fellow classmate jumped from the moving trailer and, to the best of my knowledge, was never seen again. But, anyway, I digress.

After a pleasant time tasting the beers and talking with peers (<– unintended rhyme) about the good ol’ days, the minivans (the same ones that had brought us to the Ithaca Beer Co.) pulled up to take us home. Unfortunately, as we boarded the minivans, a fellow Rose Scholar closed the minivan’s sliding door on her fingers and I heard a piercing crunch. As we carefully slid the door back open, we looked to see if her fingers were still attached which, luckily, they were. The best part was that she did not shed a single tear and lived to tell about it.

That is all.

“That’s Art”

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What is art? Where can we find it? Is it hiding? If so, where? Is art an illusion of the mind? Is it a living organism? If not, is it a non-living organism? Is it a portrait drawn with a collection of crayon? Perhaps a smiley face made inside your soggy Cheerios on a Saturday morning? Is it maybe even a statue of GRF Antonio made out of Play-Doh? Questions abound, though answers are few. That said, if my grandma is correct, then art is in the eye of the beholder.

In my opinion, art is everywhere. It’s in the air we breathe, it’s in the nature that surrounds us, and it’s in the problem sets that keep us awake every night. Art is everywhere and we should cherish it with our entire being every hour on the hour until we can cherish no more.

This last Thursday, the Rose Scholars had an amazing opportunity to contribute more to the world of art through linoleum printing. What is linoleum printing? Why had I never heard of it prior to this experience? Was it hiding from me all these years? If so, why? Why am I asking so many questions?  Perhaps it is because I am on my third cup of coffee and am feeling super jittery. Anyway, back to linoleum printing.

Linoleum printing is a multi-step process that requires diligence, vision, stamina, and band-aids (for sharp blades are involved). The various steps of linoleum printing include carving designs in the linoleum with specialized carving blades, applying a layer of printing ink with a brayer, and then pressing the linoleum against a thinly sliced sheet of tree matter (i.e. paper). Once I had finished this last step, I was able to finally see the fruit of my labor and, I’ll tell you, it was as if I had temporarily channeled the creative capacity of both Vincent van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci. When I asked a Johnson official if it could be placed on display in the museum, however, I was to my surprise told “no.” It was at that point that I realized that my linoleum print was not as impressive as I had initially thought and could definitely use some work. Nevertheless, I held my head high and ran straight home to put my linoleum print on my wall.

To this day, it hangs proudly on my wall amidst my impressive collection of paintings that I have purchased over the years from various distributors like Target, Walmart, and Amazon.com. There are rumors floating around that I may host an art appreciation night at my apartment soon to showcase my art to the art lovers of Ithaca. If the rumors are true, there may or may not be wine and cheese.

That is all.

 

Prospering @ Cornell

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The Thrive workshop was a valuable reminder of how our mindset while at Cornell should not simply be to survive–it should be to thrive! The speakers talked about the different kinds of stress (e.g. daily vs. extreme stress) and how appropriate levels of stress are normal and beneficial to us, as they keep us alert, focused, and driven to accomplish the things that we set out to do. They also emphasized the need for sleep, exercise, balanced eating habits, and downtime. One major point stressed throughout the presentation was the importance of being flexible, adaptive, and resilient in the face of adversity and stress. Doing so provides us the opportunity to grow in a way that will prepare us for future instances of adversity.

This presentation really got me thinking about all the stress I have dealt with and continue to deal with as a college student. If I didn’t experience stress in regards to my academics, for instance, I might be more inclined to put my homework off and even neglect my courses altogether. Moreover, if I didn’t feel stressed about getting a job in the future, I might not even consider applying for internships or developing any “professional skills” (e.g. proper interview etiquette).

I feel as though this workshop would benefit a lot of incoming freshmen as they embark on their four-year journeys here in Ithaca. I know, looking back, I would have really appreciated it!

That is all.

 

Feeding Cornell!

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When one is hungry, they could usually care less about where their food comes from or how much effort goes into making it. Especially as busy college students, we are often so consumed in our schedules, that we prioritize our studies over our eating habits. That said, it is awesome that Cornell Dining has made it their priority to deliver food that is both great-tasting and nutritious.

I was blown away to learn that Cornell Dining serves over 20,000 meals per day. Paul and Chef Daniel’s accounts of the elaborate steps that go into every meal speaks to Cornell Dining’s hard work, effective coordination and professionalism and why it has been consistently ranked one of the top dining systems in the United States. New initiatives to provide more fruits and vegetables and healthy options for those with special food needs are great in that they ensure all students are accommodated and that all students have the opportunity to receive the nutrients they need to be healthy, happy, and successful in their academics.

Having lived on campus for my first three years, I can definitely attest to the top-notch service that Cornell Dining provides. Now that I live off campus, I have a new-found appreciation for Cornell Dining since I must now fend for myself every time I am hungry. I think about Chef Daniel’s cooking every day as I ration out my Cheerios and frozen burritos.

P.S. Someone, swipe me in!!!

 

Creative Expression in Ithaca

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As a Cornell senior, I have seen and experienced a lot of amazing things here in Ithaca which have greatly impacted me. That said, even as I approach the midpoint of my fourth and final year here in Ithaca, I realize that there are still countless places, activities, and things that I have not taken the time to appreciate. One aspect I, until last Saturday, had never stopped to fully appreciate was Ithaca’s public art scene.

Throughout the public art walk, I was completely blown away by the different pieces (primarily paintings) that filled various walls in both Collegetown and the Commons. What I found amazing, aside from the vibrant works of art themselves, were the powerful messages that the artists sought to communicate through them. As a musician, I similarly utilize the arts in an attempt to communicate my thoughts, ideas, or messages in a way that–I hope– will resonate with listeners. Therefore, I feel I was really able to  appreciate the pieces and their messages in a very meaningful way.

What is also really cool is the fact that anyone can propose to do a piece of public artwork here in Ithaca. This is awesome, because usually we get the sense that such opportunities are reserved solely for “actual” artists. That said, it would be awesome if some Rose House artists proposed to do a piece!

 

Pumpkin Carving as a Stressbuster

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Last week I arrived at the Rose library ready to sit down for an hour and listen to some tips on living a healthy and happy life. When I walked in, however, I was pleasantly surprised to find that all of the tables were covered in pumpkins and carving tools. I quickly looked around to check if I was in the right place and, when I was assured I was, I found a seat alongside some fellow peers who seemed just as surprised as I was. Then, we all did some verbal brainstorming of carving ideas and hesitantly began carving (since many of us had not done so in a very long time).

Through the duration of the activity, I felt extremely relaxed and carefree. I could not remember a time this semester that I had not thought about work or upcoming exams. Like many Cornell students, I am so constantly bogged down by academic, social, and career pressures, that I often fail to step back and take my health and happiness into consideration. While many students cope well with pressure and effectively manage their time and responsibilities, many (like myself at times), often find it difficult to handle all of life’s many challenges at once–especially in a rigorous academic environment like Cornell. That being the case, it is extremely important that we take the time out of our schedules to step back and engage in activities like pumpkin carving, for they allow our minds and bodies a chance to rest and recuperate.

In the end, while this was not the event I was expecting to attend, I did walk away reminded of the value that fun, social activities can have for one’s health and happiness.

Happy early Halloween, everyone!