Happy New Year
A.S. Facilities Update
Though the county is under extended stay at home orders, A.S. facilities are open and continue to support a number of essential services.
Aztec Recreation
ARC OUTDOORS offers safe, distanced fitness options, including group classes, swimming, tennis, strength and conditioning. Reservations are required. Visit arc.sdsu.edu to learn more.
The ARC Expansion project is making good progress and the expansion phase is scheduled for completion this fall. Check out the live construction camera to watch progress in real time.
Mission Bay Aquatic Center
Spring 2021 MBAC programming includes equipment rentals, private lessons, select group classes, after school youth programs, and ENS credit classes for SDSU students. Visit the MBAC website for more information.
Children’s Center
The Children’s Center is open at limited capacity and provides essential childcare needs for SDSU students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community.
Student Union
The Union is open to support students with select in-person needs including print services and walk-up study room space. The A.S. Food Pantry reopens this week to help SDSU students experiencing food insecurity.
Viejas Arena
Men’s and women’s basketball games are being held at Viejas Arena without fans.
Visit as.sdsu.edu for the latest information on hours and programs.
A.S. Staff Honored
Congratulations to all of the Fall 2020 Performance Award and Part-Time Scholarship recipients. Your work and contributions to Associated Students this semester have been exceptional and have not gone unnoticed. We truly appreciate each and every one of your efforts, and impacting A.S. & the campus community so greatly!
Performance Awards
Aztec Recreation
Amera Bishop
Luke Denney
John Lim
Grace Gama
Alexa Garcia
Cade Ramirez
Jacob Smith
SDSU Children's Center
Marcos Avila
Kaeli Behrmann
Amanda Bixler
Joscelyn Bradley
Abby Castro
Sofia Flores
Linda Marquez Pulido
Cierra McGee
Briana Mendoza
Danielle Palumbo
Ashley Stokes
Nara You
Aztec Student Union
Kudzai Kuchingwe
Rebecca Rodriguez
Isabella Vallejo-Wolff
Marew Yousif
Scholarships
Kaeli Behrmann, Children's Center
Sofia Parker, Aztec Recreation
Kate Walsh, Aztec Student Union
A.S. Book Club Update
January Book Selection
Our book selected for January is The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig. Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?
In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig's enchanting new novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.
This month’s book recommendation is courtesy of Stephanie Dathe, Aztec Student Union Director.
Join us January 29 at 4:30 p.m. as we meet via Zoom to discuss the book in its entirety.
If you have any suggestions or care to share your favorite book to read, submit it via the A.S. Book Club Suggestion Box.
*The "A.S. Employee Relations" calendar is updated throughout the year. To help you keep up-to-date, the 2020 A.S. Employee Relations Calendar can be synced to your Google Calendar. To do this, please follow the steps below:
1. Highlight and copy this URL (Do not click link to open):
https://www.google.com/ calendar/ical/mail.sdsu.edu_ u0jrusdofjm5lcfbtd4k2sj3co% 40group.calendar.google.com/ public/basic.ics
2. Open up your Google Calendar
3. Find "Other Calendars" on the left side of the page and click on the drop down arrow (Mac users, click on +) located directly to the right of it.
4. There should be 5 options from there. Out of these select "Add by URL" (Mac users, select "From URL")
5. A box should open up in the middle of the screen. In the empty text box, paste the copied URL from step 1.
6. Hit '"Add Calendar" and then it should be added to your "My Calendars" list.
Shows & Movies to Watch
A.S. Staff Recommendations
We hope you were able to take some time to relax during the Holiday break. If you find yourself still looking for a show or movie to watch, then check out these recommendations from your A.S. family below. Don’t see your favorite binge-worthy show or movie? Email Letty with your recommendations.
__________
Recommended by Andrew Miller, Systems Analyst
11.22.63
Historical Fiction/Action, on Hulu
Barry
Dark Comedy/Drama, on HBO
Baskets
Dark Comedy/ Drama, on FX
Bob’s Burgers
Animated Comedy, on Hulu
Brooklyn 99
Comedy, on Hulu
Chernobyl
Historical Drama, on HBO
The Expanse
Science Fiction, on Prime Streaming
Fargo (The Show)
Fictional Drama/Comedy, on FX
Halt and Catch Fire
Semi Fictional Drama, on FX
The Imagineering Story
History Documentary about Disney, on Disney+
Kidding
Very Dark Comedy, on Showtime
The Last Man on Earth
Dark Comedy, on Fox
Man Seeking Woman
Magical Realist Comedy, on FX Streaming
Sherlock
Drama, on BBC Streaming
Silicon Valley
Comedy, on HBO
Ted Lasso
Lighthearted Comedy, on Apple TV+
Watchmen TV Show
Superhero Drama, on HBO
What We Do in the Shadows
Vampire Comedy, on FX
The Zoo: San Diego
Documentary About Our Great Zoo, on Animal Planet Streaming
__________
Recommended by Cali Tolbert, Fitness & Wellness Coordinator
Umbrella Academy
Sci-Fi/Superhero, on Netflix
Haunting of Hill House / The Haunting of Bly Manor
Drama, on Netflix
__________
Recommended by Diana De La Rosa, Student Organization Accounts Specialist
Lovecraft County
Drama, on HBO
Virgin River
Drama, on Netflix
Away
Drama/Space Travel, on Netflix
Criminal (Germany, France, UK)
Anthology Series, on Netflix
Professor T
Crime, on PBS Passport
Last Tango to Halifax
Romantic Comedy/Drama Series, on PBS Passport
Endeavour
Crime/Drama/Mystery, on PBS Passport
__________
Recommended by Becky Villaseñor, Payroll Coordinator
The Mandalorian
Sci-Fi, on Disney+
Mulan
Live Action, on Disney+
The Undoing
Suspense/Mini-Series, on HBO
15 Questions
Gage Sanders
- What is your name, job title and major?
Hi! My name is Gage, I am a third year Biology major and I am a Kitchen Assistant. (Gage is a Children's Center alum. He attended the Campus Center in 2002-03, and the current Center in 2004.) - Which A.S. department do you work in?
I work at the SDSU Children’s Center where I prep breakfast, lunch and snacks for the children who attend the Center. - How long have you worked for A.S.?
I have been working for A.S. for about a year and a half. - What was the last movie you saw? Thumbs up or thumbs down?
The last movie I watched was “Antebellum.” I’d give it a thumbs up. - If you won $5 million what would you do with it?
I would create a scholarship for African American students interested in attending medical school and pursuing a career in the medical field. I feel that African American people are underrepresented in the STEM field and this could help. Then I would buy mom a car, buy a house and invest in a business. - Which three people (living or dead) you would like to have dinner with?
Grandpa Chuck, Grandma Flo, and Kobe Bryant. Growing up I did not have the privilege of seeing my grandparents often because they lived so far away. I wish I had the opportunity to get to know them better. I’d also like to have dinner with Kobe Bryant because he was a huge inspiration of mine growing up and pushed me to be great on and off the court. - Which famous person from history would you most like to meet?
Martin Luther King Jr. because he was a great leader and an activist for love, peace and equality. I would love to talk to him. - What is your favorite book?
“The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. I love the moral and lesson it portrays. - Would you rather build a sandcastle or a snowman?
Sandcastle! I love the beach and sunny days! - If you could go back or forward in time, where would you go?
I would go back to my childhood middle school days because I feel like I am going too fast and I miss being a kid. - “Most people don’t know that I like to…
...make music.” - What does your perfect burger have on it?
Pepper jack cheese, avocado, lettuce, bacon, a squeeze of lime and chipotle mayo. - If you could have a superhero power what would it be?
Time travel because I could change the events that occurred in history and impact the world today in a positive way. - Is your favorite part of working for A.S.?
Amazing staff!!! - During stay-at-home are you ordering more take-out? What's your favorite restaurant for take-out?
Yes indeed! OB Noodle House is my favorite take-out restaurant right now. I order the House Fried Rice and Korean Beef Short Ribs.
Health & Wellness Events
January Calendar
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! As we continue to stress the importance of mental & physical well-being, the January Health & Wellness Calendar provides many more fun & interesting activities for you to complete solo or with your household. Enjoy baking? Are you a self-declared trivia champ? Still missing the outdoors? There are a plethora of activities to participate in this month.
We have also continued our Wellness Wednesdays, where you have an opportunity to double and triple your points earned by completing activities that count toward the Health & Wellness Challenge!
It is still not too late to join in on the friendly competition and have a chance to enter in January's opportunity drawing! It's easy, just simply start tracking your activities at as.sdsu.edu/challenge.
= Hike - Health & Wellness Challenge
= Physical - Health & Wellness Challenge
= Mental - Health & Wellness Challenge
= General - Health & Wellness Challenge
= Family Oriented Activity
- Happy New Year!
New Year's Day on the other hand, is a time to relax and enjoy the start of a bright and promising new year....a new beginning. It is a time to be with family. - The Weir Hiking Trail
The Weir Trail, in Palomar, is fairly level, with only a 100 ft elevation gain/loss, and follows along Doane Creek underneath forest growth before it opens out into views of the lower Doane Meadow and continues to the Weir historic site. - Festival of Sleep Day
Now that the holiday season has passed, take this day to sleep in, lounge on the couch & catch up on those last few episodes, or even treat yourself to a new bedding set that will keep you nice & cozy for 2021! - National Trivia Day
Calling all Trivia Buffs! Show off your trivia knowledge and challenge your friends & family to a fun game of trivia. - National Keto Day
Still finalizing those New Year's Resolutions? Try adopting new keto recipes into your diet that are sure to keep you full, fueled & festive all 2021! - Wellness Wednesday
Complete two different challenge tasks, and double your earned points for the day! - Learn your name in Morse Code Day
Gather your family or friends and learn your name in Morse Code. On this day in 1838 Samuel Morse and Alford Vail, demonstrated the use of the electric telegraph to transmit a message in Morse code for the first time. Check out this Morse Code chart to get started! - Flex-It Friday
Finish your week strong and participate in one of the virtual ARC Group Fitness classes. - Walt Disney World Trivia Night
Enjoy this magical evening with your household & see who will be crowned victor of this Virtual Disney Trivia Challenge! - Houseplant Appreciation Day
Today is the day to get back to tending to and loving your houseplants. And it's also a day to appreciate just how special and important they are. They are therapeutic, lifting your mood and outlook. They add warmth and a calming effect. If you are a gardener, they give you an opportunity to play in the dirt, until spring arrives. Here is a great article on where to start! - Relax, Breathe & Let It Go!
Take two 15-minute breaks, one in the morning & one in the afternoon, to meditate and take just a few moments to decompress your mind! - Seasonal Vegetable Mix
Change up your weekly dinner routine by adding some roasted root vegetables in the mix. Root vegetables typically consist of beets, parsnips, turnips and carrots all of which you can find in season. They may seem intimidating, but try this simple roasting recipe. - Wellness Wednesday
Complete 3 different challenge tasks, and triple your earned points for the day! - National Pastrami Sandwich Day
Are you a self-declared foodie? Head over to your favorite deli and enjoy a scrumptious pastrami sandwich. Some local favorites include Ike’s Sandwiches, Lit’l Pepper, and Fatboy’s Deli! - Friday Dine-In
Kick off the weekend and order in! Here are 219 critics and readers’ picks for San Diego’s best eats in 2020. - Nature Outing
Bayside Trail at Cabrillo National Monument. This trail is 2.5 miles (round-trip) with great views of the ocean, Ballast Point (where Cabrillo landed), downtown, Coronado Island, Tijuana, sandstone cliffs, ships, plant life, and, if the season is right, snow on the tops of the mountains. - Music Therapy
Enjoy the soothing sounds in this Iconic Balboa Park Spreckles Organ Concert Webcast. - Love Yourself!
Start your morning off by giving yourself 3-5 positive affirmations first thing to kick off your day! - Brain Teaser Day
To celebrate Brain Teaser Month, it would be a great idea to head to the store and look for books with brain teasers. These will be enough to keep you, your friends, and your family’s brains active and thinking throughout the night. - Wellness Wednesday
Complete 2 different challenge tasks, and double your earned points for the day! - National Banana Bread Day
It's hard to think of a more appropriate way to celebrate National Banana Bread Day than whipping up a loaf. We guarantee your family and friends will thank you for your creation. Check out Chrissy Teigen’s yummy recipe to get started! - Flex-It Friday
Finish your week strong and participate in one of the virtual ARC Group Fitness classes. - Nature Outing
Iron Mountain Trail, don’t let the name intimidate you. In Poway, this boulder-lined trail is manageable for most hiking levels, making it ultra-popular on weekends. - National Compliment Day
Celebrate National Compliment Day by going all out with praise. The power of a compliment is pretty remarkable: either giving or receiving one can boost your happiness and confidence — making the act a win-win. You never know when someone could use some good vibes, so spread the positivity by giving someone a reason to smile! - Relax, Breathe & Let It Go!
Take two 15-minute breaks, one in the morning & one in the afternoon, to meditate and take just a few moments to decompress your mind! - National Peanut Brittle Day
Everyone loves a bit of Peanut Brittle, and the sweet treat, which dates back to the 19th century, has become so nationally adored that it has joined the legion of foods with their very own day. Try your hand at making your own brittle by following this simple & easy recipe! - Wellness Wednesday
Complete 3 different challenge tasks, and triple your earned points for the day! - National Lego Day
Dust off your old Lego set — or use your kids' — and tinker around for a while. It's good for relaxation and mental stimulation. Let your imagination take control! - A.S. Book Club
We will be meeting at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom to discuss The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig. - National Croissant Day
The best way to enjoy a croissant and really appreciate the way they're made is to make them from scratch. It may be a time-consuming process, but it will take you on an unforgettable culinary adventure with a reward so buttery and so good, it's definitely worth it. - Nature Outing
Get some fresh air with the Batiquitos Lagoon Hike. Great for kid and families!
Entertainment
VIEJAS ARENA
Aztecs Basketball Home Games
