Quarantine Diary 2: Pilates and Cake

Hey everyone! I’m writing to you from a small town in southern Illinois, just twenty minutes outside of St. Louis. Like many of you, when the governor issued the shelter in place order, I moved home with my parents to be with family during quarantine. I don’t know about the rest of you, but for me “moving out” consisted of packing bags as quickly as I could, shoving in clean comfortable clothes and whatever I thought I couldn’t live without for a week or two. I cleaned out my fridge, put my Cavalier spaniel Hattie in the car, and took off. It’s been four weeks now and our house is bustling with my parents, sister, brother, myself, Hattie, and two cats.

Cavalier spaniel, named Hattie, sitting on couch

One of my favorite things to do, especially with my mom and sister, is to bake and cook. However, not leaving the house + constant baked goods and carbo-loaded recipes + a small dose of stress/bored eating = a dangerous combination. To offset the calories we’ve been eating, we’ve been taking advantage of free yoga and Pilates on YouTube. My favorite Pilates channel on YouTube is Blogilates with Cassey Ho. She does a great job of walking you through each exercise at the beginning of the video and explaining which muscle groups you’ll be working. She has a huge library of past workouts available, and there is something for toning just about any part of your body! All I use when following along to her videos is my yoga mat, but even that is optional. The workouts are very home/apartment friendly and Cassey has even been posting workout calendars for the COVID-19 quarantine, so you can follow along with her recommended workouts, or create your own routine. Hattie is an overall great workout buddy and huge help…

Maybe some of you are experiencing the odd time warp we seem to be in where each day feels like a week and yet each day slides into the next and it’s easy to lose track. One of the best methods I’ve found to fight this is to spend some time in the sun or to break up the day by going outside. We’re lucky to be in a rural area, so we are still able to go for walks and enjoy our yard! In fact, the only one who might not be enjoying our walks is poor Hattie. She’s only two, but she is the biggest couch potato you can imagine! While I think she felt spoiled at first with everyone home, now she just wishes we would leave her alone to take her naps. I have also been going out to the trampoline to get some cardio in since I can’t go to the gym. Apparently, this is a highly entertaining part of the morning for Hattie and the cats. The cats typically spend the day bullying poor Hattie, but they call an armistice for the hour or so that I’m on the trampoline every day to sit and watch their human.

Hattie and Lyla watching Jayde jump on the trampoline from the sunroom

Hattie after her second walk for the day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After burning some calories, my mom, sister, and I love to head to the kitchen! For one of my quarantine projects I am transcribing and posting all of my grandma’s old handwritten recipes onto a blog for my aunts and cousins. We’re making as many of the recipes as we can so that I can add in little notes and pictures of the finished products. One recipe that will always hold a special place in my heart (especially around Easter) is my Grandma Ruth’s pineapple upsidedown cake. It’s sweet as can be and just makes you happy. It’s the kind of dessert where you can have just a little square and have to cut yourself a generous rectangle. My grandma makes her cake batter from scratch, but here’s a quick and simplified version using yellow cake mix. Now Grandma Ruth had a couple tricks to truly knock this recipe out of the park that you can still use with the easy cake mix version. First, toast some pecans in a small pan. You add these to the top of the cake at the same time as the cherries and pineapple. The crunch and texture that these add just takes the cake to another level. Also, if you don’t mind sacrificing some of the neat presentation, use crushed pineapple instead of the rounds. This makes the cake even more moist and ensures you get a bit of pineapple with every bite. If you have enough leftover, you should also consider using a full cup of pineapple juice rather than any water with the cake mix. Finally, use a little extra brown sugar than this recipe calls for. Don’t pat the sugar down, rather make sure it’s well blended with the butter, but leave the top “crumbly.” I hope some of you get the chance to try this and it spreads a little joy! Ours didn’t last long past Easter dinner.

pineapple upside down cake, made with pineapples, cherries, and toasted pecans

My family and I have really enjoyed exploring and preserving my grandma’s recipes, especially those that we know were passed down through generations. If you’ve ever been curious about exploring your own family’s history, consider checking out this guide from UIUC’s Main Library about how to research your genealogy. The guide includes an explanation of free resources available online as well as recommendations from UIUC’s own collections. This is an activity that the whole family can enjoy and get involved in.

That’s all for now! I’m going to get back to my 1000 piece puzzle and maybe sneak one of the last slices of pineapple upsidedown cake. Hattie says she can’t wait until she can get back to Champaign and all our friends–apparently, we’re a little too boring for her!

Hattie, exhausted, lounging on the couch

Written by: Jayde

Edited by: Lauren

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De-Stress Fest Spring 2018!

Feeling the pressure of finals? We sure are! Come spend Reading Day on May 3rd at the UGL and blow off some steam. Check out our schedule of the day’s events!

All Day

An orange UGL lanyard with homemade buttons of an avocado, tatiana maslany, a dog in a field, Uggles, BB-8, and tina fey

Make buttons of the things you love like avocados and Tatiana Maslany!

What: Crafts, origami, and button-making
Where: Upper level, front of the library
Spend your day making crafts with paper, pipecleaners, and pet rocks! Make a button for your backpack, lanyard, or jean jacket with the UGL’s button-maker!

What: Long Night Against Procrastination
Where: Writers Workshop
Join the Writers Workshop in the Long Night Against Procrastination. Get help from writing tutors all day long until midnight!

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

A photo of Altgeld hall with the text "Illinois - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign counseling center" overlaid in white text

The Counseling Center is here to help!

What: Counseling Center
Where: Upper Level, front of the library
Feeling the stress of finals season? The counseling center is there for you! Get help and resources from the Counseling Center all afternoon!

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

What: Research and Writing Consultations
Where: Outside patio tables
If you’re still powering through those final research papers, the UGL is here to help! Bask in the sun and spend some time with a one-on-one research consultation at one of our outdoor research consultations.

What: Bubbles, games, and sidewalk chalk
Where: Outside the UGL
If you just need a break from the library, come outside and play games! Sidewalk chalk, board games, and bubbles will be outside the UGL on the patio all afternoon!

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

What: Word Games with the Writers Workshop
Where: Writers Workshop
Exercise your brain and have fun with Bananagrams and other word games at the Writers Workshop!

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Roll for Initiative!

What: Pathfinder Character Creation
Where: Undergrad Library, Group Room 11
Take your RPG playing to the next level and create your own custom character with the help of the UGL’s Game Masters in Residence!

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

What: Research and Writing Consultations
Where: Consultation Corner

Cram in some last minute research and writing help at the Consultation Corner!

8:00 pm

SURPRISE! Show up at the UGL at 8 pm for a sweet surprise!

8:00 pm – Midnight

Yes, you can still play Street Fighter 2

What: Vintage Video Games
Where: UGL Gaming Center
Missing your old school video games? Come play with the UGL’s RetroN, a 10-system console capable of running SEGA, Game Boy, NES, Genesis, SNES and more!

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De-Stress Fest 2017

Dogged by a high-stakes final exam?

Donut know what to do to prepare for an essay test?

Tasked with a term paper and still wondering: “Button what should I write?”

Mitigate your distress and de-stress at the UGL’s Destress Fest! This Thursday, December 14th from 12p.m. to 11p.m. the Undergraduate Library is providing resources to help you relax amidst the calamity of finals week.

Highlights

Therapy dogs are back! They don’t judge, guilt, or grade you–PLUS they have fur and love to be petted.

Library staff will be running campaigns for the fantasy role-playing game, Pathfinder. Stomp out some goblins, cast a few spells, maybe even take a stab at fighting the fearsome Gelatinous Cube.

Come use the UGL’s new button maker! Bring in a favorite photo, inspirational saying, or other (paper) totem of good luck and punch out something you can wear around as you study and destress.

Here is the full list of events

12 to 2p.m. and 6 to 8p.m. Paper Hats, and Origami workshop in the New Books area

12 to 2p.m. Consultants from the Writers Workshop will be at the front of the Upper Level to offer tips and tricks on those daunting final papers

1:45 to 3:45p.m. Therapy dogs will visit the Upper Level!

2 to 4p.m. Stress Management Peers will be at the Front Table to talk about dealing with finals pressure

3 to 5p.m. and 7 to 9p.m. Button making in the New Books Area of the Upper Level.

4 to 6p.m. Representatives from the counseling center’s Integrative Health and Wellness Team at the Front Table on the Upper Level

4 to 11p.m. Writers Workshop Midnight Madness drop-in hours

4 to 5p.m. Breathe, Relax, Focus at the Writers Workshop conference room

6 to 8p.m. Pathfinder Campaigns in dungeon-ized Group Room 11

At 8p.m. there is a a surprise that will make its way around the UGL!

9 to 11p.m. Research and Writing drop-in hours with librarians in the Consultation Corner (back of Upper Level, by the Writers Workshop)

We’ll see you there.

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December Events 2017

December is often a hectic time with holiday shopping to do, travel plans to make, and finals to study for. Fortunately, there’s plenty to do around campus and Champaign-Urbana to help take your mind off things. From the performing arts to adorable therapy dogs, there’s hopefully something here that will keep you sane until that sweet and much deserved winter break.

The Nutcracker

Darrell Hoemann/Champaign-Urbana Ballet during a rehearsal of CU Balllet's production of the Nutcracker at Krannert Center on Wednesday, November 30, 2016.

Darrell Hoemann/Champaign-Urbana Ballet
during a rehearsal of CU Balllet’s production of the Nutcracker at Krannert Center on Wednesday, November 30, 2016.

Friday, December 8th – Sunday, 10th (Times Vary) at the Tryon Festival Theater in the Krannert Center. $20-45.

The Nutcracker returns to Krannert this winter, performed by the Champaign Urbana Ballet and the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra. Performances started on December 1st, but run until Sunday, December 10th. Don’t miss your chance to see dazzling choreography and the enchanting music of Tchaikovsky this holiday season. Showtimes and tickets can be found by clicking the hyperlink above.

Destress Fest 

DeStress Fest Fall 2017

DeStress Fest

Thursday, December 14th, 12:00-11:00 pm

Do finals have you pulling your hair out? Have you resorted to doing mundane tasks such as folding your laundry as a form of procrastination? Do you like dogs, making paper hats, button making, or RPGs? Then Destress Fest is the perfect opportunity to be creative and let off some steam as we approach the end of the semester! Come to the Undergraduate Library on December 14th and take advantage of an entire day’s worth of fun, self-care, and maybe even some (tasty) surprises. Tune back in for another blog post with a detailed schedule next week!

Mottainai: Annual Japan House Bazaar

Japan House

Japan House

Saturday, December 16th 11:00 am-5:00 pm and Sunday, December 17th at the Japan House

“Mottainai” is Japanese for “what a waste” and is the title of Japan House’s annual bazaar featuring various Japanese and Asian goods from kimonos to tea equipment. The Japan House is also asking for donations of any Asian-related objects to help support the Japan House Internship Program. Come enjoy the crisp Winter weather and see the gorgeous Japan House and its gardens all while doing some last-minute holiday shopping and supporting an amazing cause.

University of Illinois Jeopardy!

Spurlock Jeopardy

Spurlock Jeopardy

Thursday, December 21st, 4:00-5:00 pm at the Spurlock Museum

How well do you know your school? To cap off its “Knowledge at Work: The University of Illinois at 150” exhibit, the Spurlock Museum is hosting a University of Illinois-themed round of Jeopardy! If you’re not confident in your U of I trivia, fret not because the Spurlock Museum started posting some facts on their Facebook page this month that just might help you claim victory. Admission is free and be sure to check out the “Knowledge at Work” exhibit before the game starts!

Hopefully we’ve covered most of the major events happening around Champaign-Urbana for the month of December, but if we missed anything, reach out to us on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages, and stay tuned for an events post every month!

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Star Pet-ential

Having a ruff day? Semester got you going mutts? Take a paws and check out these photos of our staff’s pets to help you get through your day and read on for details for an op-purr-tunity to share pictures of your pet!

Photo of Addie

Addie

Name: Addie
Breed: Maltese Yorkshire Terrier AKA Morkie!
Age: 2
Fun Fact: He likes to perch on the back of the couch and put his head on your shoulder and watch TV with you.

Photo of Louie

Louie

Name: Louie
Breed: Domestic Longhair
Age: 11.5
Fun Fact: Louie is a shelter rescue and loves to eat plastic bags, so they have to be hidden from him!

Photo of Parker

Parker

Name: Parker (after Peter Parker)
Breed: 4
Age: Tabby
Fun Fact: Her hobbies include drinking water directly from the sink faucet, chirping at birds out the window, eating pumpkin spice yogurt, and visiting her Meowma and Purrpa.

Photo of Max

Max

Name: Max
Breed: American Brittany
Age: 6.5
Fun Fact: Max enjoys daily runs, snuggling, and stealing food, so you can never turn your back on a plate of food if you plan on eating it!

Photo of Raven

Raven

Name: Raven
Breed: Shorthair Mixed
Age: 7
Fun Fact: Loves to play fetch. Yes, you read that right.

Photo of Ollie and Fin

Ollie and Fin

Name: Ollie and Fin
Breed: Miniature soft-coated Wheaton terrier poodle mixes AKA whoodles
Age: 6
Fun Fact: Their favorite place in the world is the vet’s office. When they escape the yard and run away, we find them at the vet!

Photo of Skitter

Skitter

Name: Skitter
Age: 16
Breed: American Shorthair/Siamese
Fun Fact: As his name may suggest, Skitter is scared of literally everything. He once got stuck in the loop of a plastic bag and ran around for ten minutes to try and get away from it, to no avail.

Photo of Riggins

Riggins

Name: Tim Riggins
Breed: Goldendoodle
Age: 7
Fun Fact: Likes dressing up in people clothes and taking glamor shots.

Photo of Misty

Misty

Name: Misty
Breed: Seal Point Siamese
Age: 14
Fun Fact: Frequently spotted plotting world domination with squirrels.

Photo of Rumi

Rumi

Name: Rumi
Breed: Tabby
Age: 3
Fun Fact: Has a foot fetish.

Now it’s your turn! Submit pictures of your pets through this form for a chance to have your furry friend featured in our Student Art Gallery on the first floor of the UGL!

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October Events 2017

Attention fall lovers: your time to shine is HERE! Find all kinds of Halloween happenings and autumn activities around campus and Champaign-Urbana during the month of October. Whether you want to be chased by killer clowns, dance to the Time Warp, or drink some apple cider in the crisp fall air, read on to find the perfect October event for you!

 

One Book One Campus G. Willow Wilson Author Lecture

Ms Marvel book cover

Friday, October 6th 7pm at Illini Union. Free admission.

U of I is yet again participating in One Book One Campus, and this year we are reading Ms. Marvel #1: No Normal. Go to the Illini Union for a chance to see the author, G. Willow Wilson speak. Immediately after the lecture, there will be a book signing and refreshments. You do not want to miss out!

Flannel Fest

Flannel Fest poster

Saturday, October 7th, 11am-4pm at Hessel Park. Free admission.

Don your favorite plaid shirt and head over to Flannel Fest for a day filled with fall activities! There will be music, art, games, food trucks, and even a mustache contest. With the Timberwork’s Lumberjack show doing demos throughout the day, this is an event you don’t want to miss! Check out the Facebook event page to get a full schedule.

Hocus Pocus Screening

Hocus Pocus movie poster

Saturday, October 7th, 2 pm at The Virginia Theater. $5 admission.

Let the Sanderson Sisters put a spell on you during this screening of the classic Halloween movie! The perfect way to spend an October afternoon. Find tickets and more information at their Facebook event page.

Midway of Madness

Midway of Madness haunted house poster

Every Friday and Saturday in October (plus Halloween), 6pm-11pm. $15 admission.

Scare yourself silly at the Champaign County Fairgrounds. Midway of Madness is the perfect haunted house attraction for all you thrill seekers looking for a fun Halloween event.

Check out their website for more information… if you dare!

Fall Festival

Photo of Apples

Sunday, October 8th, 3pm-6pm at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery. Free Admission.

This cute celebration of fall will include cider-pressing demonstrations, apple cider floats for purchase, $5 hayrides through the farm, and more! Enjoy the beautiful fall weather by strolling around this local farm and checking out all they have to offer.

Illini Wellness Week

Illini Wellness Week logo

October 9th-12th, Locations Vary

Don’t forget to take care of your health this month! Student Affairs will be set up at different locations around campus October 9-12 and offering varying services such as yoga, counseling services, a health expo, and the ever pawpular therapy dogs! One therapy dog will be at the UGL from 1-3 pm on Monday, October 9th. For a full list of events and locations, visit their Facebook event page.

The Toast of Champaign

Toast of Champaign logo

Saturday, October 14th, 1-10 pm at The Blind Pig Brewery

For those over 21, The Blind Pig is hosting a “hyper-local” beer fest! Swing by their beer garden to check out some local favorite breweries include Triptych Brewing, Riggs Beer Company, and many more! More information is available at their Facebook event page.

Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch

Photo of Curtis Orchard sign

Through October. Free Admission, prices for activities varied.

One of the most popular fall destinations in the C-U area is Curtis Orchards! Just a fifteen minute drive from campus, Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch features U-Pick apples, a petting zoo, corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, and live music. Check out their Facebook page for more information!

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Rocky Horror Picture Show Logo

Friday, October 20; Saturday, October 21; Wednesday, October 25; Thursday, October 26, 10pm at The Art Theater. $10 admission.
Event is anticipated to fully sell out. Buy tickets early!

What’s the Halloween season without a late night screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show? Grab some friends and head over to The Art Theater where the Illini Student Musicals will be accompanying the movie with their live performance. Don’t forget to practice your Time Warp moves!

Can’t make the Art Theater dates? Try to catch the screening of the film at the Virginia Theater on Saturday, October 28th at 7pm. Tickets are $5.

Links to purchase tickets can be found on the Facebook event pages:

The Art Theater

The Virginia Theater

Hopefully we’ve covered most of the major events happening around Champaign-Urbana for the month of October, but if we missed anything, reach out to us on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages, and stay tuned for an events post every month!

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Therapy Dogs Returning to the Library!

Winter has come, and with it, finals week and all the associated tension. Thankfully, the library has your bark — I mean back.

Take a break from studying for finals and stressing about deadlines to hang and take selfies with therapy dogs at the library (#UGLPawParty). This year’s pack is all geared up to play away your anxiety on the following dates:

Thursday 12/8/16 (2-4 PM): Nala, Henri, Star, and Raven will be sitting and waiting for you at Grainger Library.

Monday 12/12/16 (2-4 PM): Atlas, Maisey, and Zeus are already rolling over in excitement at Funk ACES Library.

Tuesday 12/13/16 (2-4 PM): Atlas, Star, and Widgeon are itching for you to scratch behind their ears at the Undergraduate Library.

Now, let’s meet a few of our canine pals:

Atlas

atlas

Atlas is a Rottweiler that was adopted from South Suburban Humane Society when he was a year old. He especially loves hanging out with kids at libraries and schools, helping them read. His favorite toy is his Kong and his favorite spot to be scratched is his “bow tie” on his chest.

Henri

 henri

Henri is a 2 year old Field Spaniel who comes to us all the way from France (yes, he is bilingual)! He enjoys long walks on the beach, cuddles, and ear scratches. Don’t think he’s too serious, though! This guy is a goof with some serious heart melting eyes and a huge heart. When not doing therapy work, Henri enjoys showing, lure coursing, tracking, and living life on a farm.

Maisey

maisey

Maisey is an Australian Shepherd-Retriever Mix that was adopted back in 2011 from a local shelter in Muncie, Indiana. Maisey participates in various therapy dog events, including visits to the Carle Foundation Hospital, kids read to dogs programs at local libraries, and a number of school visits. When not doing therapy dog work, Maisey enjoys taking long walks, chasing squirrels, and squeaking her plush hedgehog toy.

Raven

raven

Raven is a Standard Poodle. She does most of her therapy work at libraries and loves people of all ages. In her downtime, Raven likes to play fetch with Frisbees and tennis balls.

Widgeon

widgeon

Widgeon is a Yellow Labrador born in Ireland more than a decade ago. He spent his younger days traveling, training, and hunting in Oxford, Mississippi before taking on his current position as a therapy dog operating out of Champaign, Illinois. Though he still loves trekking all over America, Widgeon is happy to take on his new, more suburban role.

Have any questions about therapy dogs? Want to express how excited you are to meet these animals? Tweet at us (@askundergrad), check our Instagram (@askundergrad), or contact us on Facebook (Undergraduate Library at Illinois), and don’t forget to come see all of these dogs and more furry friends in person!

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De-Stress Fest! Therapy Dogs, Chair Yoga, and a special guest

The Spring semester is almost to an end and finals are near. Take a break and refresh with therapy dogs at the UGL, Grainger, and Funk ACES libraries. And check out the UGL’s first-ever De-Stress Fest, featuring yoga, coloring books, McKinley Stress Management Peers, and the UIUC Counseling Center. For the grand finale, Uggles the UGL Cat (weather permitting) will be outside of the UGL for a meet-and-greet!

Join us for the de-stress fest!

Join us for the de-stress fest!

The Therapy Dog Schedule is:

May 7th ACES:

Jeannie 2-4 PM
Fitz 2-4 PM
Wyatt the Cat 2-4pm

May 11th Grainger:
Sam 2-4 PM
Lilly 2-4 PM
Atlas 2-3 PM

May 12th UGL:
Raven 2-4 PM
Twiggy 3-4 PM
Atlas 2-3 PM

The De-Stress Fest will include Chair Yoga sessions provided by Christine Janak (http://www.christinejanak.com/). Two sessions will take place at 2:15 to 2:45 and 3:00-3:30. The UIUC Counseling Center will also be at the UGL providing information on campus de-stress resources, as well as the McKinley Stress Management Peers.

There will also be a scheduled meet and greet with Uggles the UGL Cat on Tuesday May 12th on the plaza level outside the UGL (weather permitting). Take this opportunity to take a selfie with #Uggles.

Now – let’s meet some of our certified therapy animals, provided courtesy of the CU Canine Connection and CU Registered Therapy Animals (https://cucanineconnection.wordpress.com/).

 Lilly

Rub Lilly's tummy!

Rub Lilly’s tummy!

This cutie will be at Grainger on May 11th. She is a Goldendoodle with many talents. They include being a registered therapy dog and a certified Reading Education Assistance Dog (READ). Like many dogs, her likes include snuggling, playing with humans, and listening to a good book.

 Hercules and Fitz

Hercules and Fitz

Hercules and Fitz

We also have Hercules and sibling, Fitz. Fitz is a visla/chocolate lab mix, while Hercules is a boxer/Boston terrier/American Staffordshire terrier.They both enjoy chasing each other and squirrels, taking naps, and being cuddled. They will be at ACES on May 7th, so come say hi!

 Raven

Raven, on the left

Raven, on the left

Raven is a Standard Poodle.She does most of her therapy work at libraries  and loves people from all ages. In order to relax, Raven likes to play fetch with Frisbees and tennis balls. She will be at the UGL on May 12th.

Sam

Sam. Photo courtesy of the Media Commons

Sam in all his glory. Photo courtesy of the Media Commons

Sam is an adorable and fuzzy Alaskan Malamute. He is great company and enjoys when people pet him. Like everyone, he is not a fan of finals but is very happy to be at UIUC to relieve peoples stress. Sam will be at Grainger on May 11th. Come on by and take a picture with him!

Wyatt

Wyatt the Cat. Photo courtesy of Lori Kistler

Wyatt the Cat. Photo courtesy of Lori Kistler

Wyatt is a “puppy cat.” What does this mean? He loves people petting him and how good of a boy he is, He is 6 years old and has been a certified therapy cat for 2 years, His likes includes getting petted by humans and eating junk food. Wyatt will be at ACES on May 7th.

Remember, these are just a couple of dogs (and cats) that will be here during finals week. Mark them on your calendar and we look forward to seeing you all there.

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