Madeline Osman
Personal and professional blog of Madeline Osman
January 4, 2013 by admin

Semester Wrap-Up

Before moving on to talking about this semester, I want to revisit last semester. Usually, I would have a month to reflect, relax, and rest, but my winter break this year was just 2 short weeks! Lets start with a couple things I’m proud of:

3.6 semester GPA = Dean’s List, baby.
I honestly feel like I did the least amount of “work” this past semester, and somehow got the best GPA, yet. I think committing myself to a process of studying and knowledge retention has really paid off in the long run, and I’ve gotten better at it. My GPA is finally at a point that I’m truly proud of, and I know I earned it. I hope to be able to sustain it this semester, despite taking all my classes in Spanish!

New NextGen Compensated Client Project.
So I had an unpaid Social Media Internship this past summer with a local startup – NextGen Marketing Group. The internship went well, and I was contacted midway through Fall semester to help with a compensated client project. The client was 4114Less whose business is selling directory assistance subscriptions and I set up their social media presence. Working on this project was a fun way to put some of my skills to use, and a unique challenge at times due to the nature of changing technology and communications.

 

Director of Technology for AMA.
This semester, I served as the Director of Technology for my school’s chapter of the American Marketing Association. While my role had less to do with my specific title, and more to do with supporting the entire executive board and our members, it was a great experience that led to so many new friends and experiences. We planned three events – a pumpkin carving contest, a professional trip to Milwaukee, and an end of year promotional event that I tied in with my Sony ambassadorship and ended up giving away a sweet PS Vita bundle to one lucky winner. I was sad to leave them this semester, but they have a very capable and awesome replacement.

Sony Student Ambassador and Web Designer for Campus Marketing and Design.
Both of these jobs were incredibly hard to leave, for different reasons. With Sony, it was hard to give up such a solid job where I got paid to talk about technology, engage people via social media, and meet new people on campus. I handed over the torch to a very capable replacement – a girl with a lot of connections in the Greek community. She will do well. I left this semester with a new title – October Creative of the Month. I hope Sony isn’t done with me yet :)

I’ve had my job at Campus Marketing and Design since the first semester of Freshman year. I’ve grown with them, they’ve grown with me, and I’ve met sooooo many awesome people – students and professional staff. This semester I was given the increased responsibility of co-writing for the student blog, Under the Dome. I also helped create conversations and engagement on the IMU’s social media pages including Facebook and Twitter. Slightly tweaking how the IMU interacts with its student fan base resulted in many good changes. One of my favorite examples is how I put up a status asking people where there favorite bathrooms on campus were, and 50 people commented with some very strong opinions. Mission – accomplished! Finally, I helped coordinate our department’s Annual Report. You can see that and my contributions here: http://studentlife.uiowa.edu/report12/

 

Barcelona!
Finally, I spent most of the semester planning my next semester abroad in Barcelona, Spain! Check back soon – this blog will become a travel diary of sorts.
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December 19, 2012 by admin

IMU Blog: Why You Should Study Abroad

The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Photo credits: http://www.perfecttravelblog.com

This semester has been one of my favorites and I am so sad to see it go. Assisting Hanna out with the blog and the IMU’s social media pages has really been a treat, and has helped me gain invaluable experience that will help me score a Marketing job when I graduate. Next semester, I will be studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain. I’ve been to Spain before (Madrid is my favorite city in the world), but I haven’t lived in a foreign place for an extended amount of time. I would like to dedicate my final IMU blog post to the benefits of studying abroad.

Improve your language skills.
Oftentimes, students choose to study abroad in an effort to become more proficient in a language they are studying. What better way to test and improve your skills than becoming immersed in a foreign culture? There are opportunities for language learning in every aspect of your life abroad – with your host family, your teachers, local students, and people you interact with in town. Of course, it all comes down to how much effort you put into it, but the opportunity is there for if you want to take it.

Paella
A traditional Spanish dish – Paella. Photo credits: http://www.hispanickitchen.com

Become more culturally diverse.
New food, new traditions, different fashions… study abroad means learning to live in a place completely different from what you know. Embrace the opportunity to try new things that you may never otherwise have the chance to try.

Foreign work experience.
Want to really distinguish yourself from job applicants post-graduation? Many study abroad programs offer an internship component. The internships are unpaid, but give students the chance to immerse themselves into their host country’s culture even more for college credit. Even if your program doesn’t offer an internship, there are likely plenty of opportunities to volunteer and gain similar experience.

Meet new people
Meet new people. Photo credits: http://www.ciee.org

Meet new people and networking.
Make new friends ranging from students from across the United States, as well as students living locally in your host country. Learn to get along with people who are different from you and form connections with people all over the world. You never know when it will come in handy in the future.

Independence.
College is really a student’s first chance to gain independence from their parents, but your loved ones are still a phone call or car ride away if you need them. Its a slightly different story when you’re in a foreign country – phone calls and plane tickets are pretty pricey. You’ll be making mistakes on your own with no one to help you but the people you meet locally. It can be scary, but ultimately beneficial.

Map of Europe
Map of Europe. Picture credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/khuan/

Travel.
Living in a different continent also affords the opportunity to travel with ease. Take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to explore your surroundings at a substantially minimized cost.

Original post: http://imu.uiowa.edu/news/2012/12/17/why-you-should-study-abroad/

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December 18, 2012 by admin

IMU Blog: Have a Productive Winter Break

Finals are finally over. After a hard semester, all anyone wants to do is take a break. However, winter break is an excellent opportunity to get things done that you may not normally have time for. Consider this list of options – many of them can be done without missing out on all the fun of winter break.

Refresh your resume and cover letters.
Joined a new student organization this semester? Took on a new volunteer project? Got a kick-butt GPA? Winter break is an excellent opportunity to update your professional materials. Get it out of the way while you have time instead of rushing to produce something lackluster when you really need it.

Get a job

Apply for summer internships (and full time jobs if you’re graduating).
Resume up to par? Perfect, because winter break is also the perfect time to get a head start on applying for summer jobs and internships. Many companies make hiring decisions early in the year, so don’t count yourself out by waiting until later. Your best chance at getting your ideal job is to be prepared and to commit yourself to applying for a set amount of jobs each day. You’ll thank yourself when you’re back to the old school grind and don’t have as much spare time to devote to job applications.

Get a winter job.
Between buying gifts for family and hanging out with friends, the holidays are expensive. Winter break is a great time to try and offset the cost of holiday spending by getting a seasonal job. Check out Monster and snagajob to jumpstart your search.

Learn a new skill

Learn a new skill.
Imagine if you set aside an hour a day for a month to learn a new skill. Its not a large time commitment, but could give you excellent results. Whether it benefits you personally or professionally is irrelevant. Don’t let your brain stop developing even though you’re not in class. Refer back to my earlier post about Lynda, an online skill-learning video library for some ideas.

Reflect and set goals

Reflect on the past semester and set goals for the next semester.
Now is the perfect time to think about the past semester. What did you do that made you proud of yourself? What were you not so proud of? What can you change going into next semester? After reflecting, make some goals for the next semester. Do you want to get more involved on campus? Get a certain grade point average? Set S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely) goals and go over them throughout the next semester.

Read a book

Read a book.
Its hard to find the time and energy during the school year to sit down and read a book. By the time I’m done reading the required text for a class, I’m usually too tired to do much else. Winter break is the perfect time to catch up on your reading list.

Anything else you haven’t accomplished this semester that you wanted to? Do it now!

Original Post: http://imu.uiowa.edu/news/2012/12/14/have-a-productive-winter-break/

 

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November 19, 2012 by admin

IMU Blog: Campus Insights from Foursquare

If you’re on Foursquare, you’ve probably seen me, I’m the mayor of the Iowa Memorial Union and the Pentacrest (still working on winning back the Pappajohn Business Building). Foursquare is a location-based social network that allows users to “check in” virtually to real places. Each place has its own page with user-submitted pictures – and insider tips from the people that frequent it. The following are some of the best tips that Foursquare users have left for University of Iowa students.

 

IMU Parking Ramp

Great place to park if you are visiting University of Iowa buildings located near central campus. Also there is no charge for leaving after midnight - Ben

Iowa Memorial Union

Students can rent any conference room in the IMU for free. A very useful utility for finals, meetings, or organizations. - Wade S.

Bijou here really has great opportunities to see some indie films that otherwise wouldn't get played in smaller cities. - Nicolas C.

Delicious, make your own pasta bowls in the river room! - Meghan L.

Hubbard Park

Concerts and Intramural activities happen here. This is a great place to meet people and spend some time outdoors. Its also the location of the Fall Semester Poster Sale, -> Something worth attending. – John F.” width=”587″ height=”102″ /></a></p>
<h2>Schaeffer Hall</h2>
<p><a href=Home to the Dept. of History, the Dept. of Political Science and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences! Questions about College policies, graduation and academic problems can be answered here! - The University of Iowa

Pentacrest

The Free Movie Series features a full-length movie on Friday nights during the summer time. The screen is set up in front of MacBride hall on the Pentacrest. - Michael A.

Phillips Hall

There's a great study lounge in the basement! - Christine W.

Pappajohn Business Building

Along with good study space the Papa John Business Building also has a large computer lab on the second floor along with the MIS Lab on the south side of the third floor. - Wade S.

The fourth floor library is always dead silent. I suggest going in to the reading rooms. In the ends of the room they have really comfortable chairs and an outlet for you to plug in your laptop. - Nick D.

 

English-Philosophy Building

Don't sit by the heaters no matter how cold you are when you come in. You'll regret it in 15 minutes when you're taking a sweat shower! Gross. - Molly Irene O.

 

by Maddy Osman
@MaddyOsman on Twitter

 

Original post: http://imu.uiowa.edu/news/2012/11/15/campus-insights-from-foursquare/

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November 17, 2012 by admin

IMU Blog: Learn Something New with Lynda

Tuition is costly, but included in the price are many perks only available to students. Lynda is one such perk.

Lynda is just about the greatest thing ever invented. Ok, that may be a slight exaggeration, but the fact that students get it for free means there is no reason to not use it. Lynda is an online skill learning website where professionals in many different fields (primarily technology) teach you how to do things from the ground, up, step by step. Lesson programs include: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, etc.), Web Design, Photography, and so much more. As a student, we already have a lot on our plate as far as academics go, but Lynda is a grade-free opportunity to learn a new skill. Regular memberships cost $25/month so take advantage of this library of knowledge for free right now!

But wait… is there an app for that?

There sure is. Take learning on the go with this easy to use app – currently only available for iOS.

And finally, I leave you with an example. This particular video is an introduction to what HTML is (don’t know? watch!). It is just one of more than 40,000 videos on Lynda spanning multiple topics taught by multiple experts.

 

By Maddy Osman
@MaddyOsman on Twitter

 

Original post: http://imu.uiowa.edu/news/2012/11/13/learn-something-new-with-lynda/

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November 15, 2012 by admin

IMU Blog: Eating Healthy with Easy Switches

The dreaded (and according to Student Health, mythical) Freshman 15 was impossible for me to gain, given that I lived at Mayflower, frequently missed the bus by about a minute, and had to run-walk to make it to class on time. On top of that, the University of Iowa campus and downtown is spread around enough that you can get in a brisk walk before, between, and after classes. Regardless of favorable circumstances, its important to not only be proactive in regards to fitness, but also to make healthy choices when eating. I’m a person who likes to enjoy my food, which is why I’ve created a list of easy switches – not complete changes in habit. I sat down with Heidi Bohall, MA, CIEC, a Behavior Health Consultant at Wellness Services to provide the most accurate list of healthy eating tips. You can eat healthy without even realizing it or noticing the difference!

  • Eating a hearty breakfast is important for stable blood sugar levels. Try to add some lean protein. (Examples – nut butter, milk, yogurt)
  • Try greek yogurt. Greek yogurt offers twice the protein and half the sugar with the same amount of calories. Not crazy about the taste? Get a flavored version or mix it into a smoothie.
  • Bring a lunch to work! Its tempting to take advantage of the convenience of take out on campus, but much healthier and cheaper to plan ahead. On average, people consume less calories when they bring their own lunch or make it at home.
  • Add in vegetables whenever possible. (Examples - soups, casserole, pizza, smoothies, and sandwiches)
  • Know the Dirty Dozen and go organic when possible. The Dirty Dozen are 12 of the most pesticide-ridden produce foods and should be avoided/replaced. Check out the Iowa City Farmer’s Market when its in season for affordable alternatives.
  • When possible, opt for fresh produce or frozen instead of canned – they tastes better and are cheaper with higher nutrition density.
  • Travel around the edge of grocery stores as much as possible – the processed foods are in the middle. Marion Nestle talks about the benefits of eating non-processed foods on her Food Politics blog. Try to choose more natural foods with less ingredients you don’t recognize.
  • Add a side salad to the meals you make at home – its an easy way to get in your servings of vegetables!
  • Eat whole grains instead of refined grains. (Examples – pizza crust, bread, tortillas)
  • Eat brown rice instead of white rice.
  • Make your desserts more healthy. Instead of eating processed sugars, satisfy your sweet tooth with natural sugars like fruit. (Example – Apple slices and peanut butter are tasty and satisfying)
  • An easy way to cut out unnecessary calories and sugars is to drink water instead of sugary drinks like soda or juice. Eat delicious food, instead of calorie-heavy drinks!
  • Opt for lighter versions of your favorite coffee drinks.
  • Eat white meat more than red as much as possible. Choose lean cuts to avoid fat.
  • Bake or grill meat instead of frying.
  • Adopt healthy eating habits – chew slowly, avoid distractions while eating (like the TV), don’t overload your plate, shop with a list and stick to it, and don’t shop on an empty stomach.
  • Keep healthy snacks on you when you get hunger cravings so that you don’t splurge on something unhealthy that would otherwise be more convenient. (Examples – apples, trail mix)
  • Opt for “light,” “low fat,” and “low sugar” when possible. Its an easy switch, and doesn’t require a large sacrifice in taste. When in doubt, check the nutrition label. (Example - choose skim milk instead of whole milk)
  • Be careful with your toppings. Use spices instead of high calorie, sodium-laden sauces to season food whenever possible, or serve sauces on the side for better portion control.
  • Use olive oil instead of vegetable/canola oil when cooking. Olive oil has “healthy fats” and a pleasant aroma and flavor. The important thing to consider when choosing a cooking oil is how much saturated fat there is – you want the smallest possible amount.
  • Although it probably seems counterintuitive, splurge every once in awhile. Schedule a “cheat day” where you can overindulge. It gives you something to look forward to and reward yourself for otherwise healthy eating habits. A healthy diet includes balance, variety, and moderation. Keep “satisfaction” in your eating for long-term health.

Have specific questions or want to learn more about healthy eating? Check out the Wellness Services area at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center to consult with a professional. Wellness Services is a collaboration between UI Wellness and Health Iowa, and Recreational Services.

Maddy Osman
@MaddyOsman on Twitter

 

Original Post: http://imu.uiowa.edu/news/2012/10/29/eating-healthy-with-easy-switches/

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November 15, 2012 by admin

IMU Blog: [College Cuisine] Quick and Easy Mug Cakes

What do you do when all you want is a delicious treat but have neither the time nor energy to whip together a cake or batch of cookies? Easy – make a mug cake. What’s a mug cake?  Similar to Betty Crocker’s Warm Delights, a mug cake allows you to make a single serving sweet treat using a reduced recipe and can be cooked in your microwave in under a minute. I tested out three recipes, including Apple Crisp, Chocolate Chip Cookie, and Chocolate Cake (which is also vegan). My favorite was definitely the chocolate chip cookie, but they were all extremely delicious.

Single Serving Apple Crisp

1 small apple (half of an apple is sufficient)
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. oats
1 1/2 tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. butter

Thinly slice the apple and place in a mixing bowl. Add 1 tbsp. brown sugar, 1/2 tbsp. flour, and 1/8 tsp. cinnamon. Coat the apples with the dry ingredients and place in a small baking dish. Mix together the rest of the dry ingredients and the butter; put on top of the apples. Microwave for 60-90 seconds. Start with a minute, then add time as necessary – you don’t want to overcook it. 

Source: http://lacreativitedelafille.blogspot.com/ 

 

Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie 

1 tbsp. butter, melted
1 tbsp. white sugar
1 tbsp. brown sugar
3 drops of vanilla
pinch of salt
1 egg yolk
1/4 c. flour
2 tbsp. chocolate chips

In a bowl, mix together the butter, sugars, vanilla, and egg yolk.
Add in the flour and salt.
Mix until combined.
Add in the chocolate chips.
Put the dough into a small microwaveable bowl, ramekin, or coffee cup.
Microwave for 40-60 seconds or until the cookie looks done.
Best served warm… Enjoy!

Source: http://lacreativitedelafille.blogspot.com/

 

One Minute Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake

4 Tablespoons Flour
4 Tablespoons Sugar
2 Tablespoons Cocoa powder (if you use hot cocoa mix, adjust your sugar)
1/2 Teaspoon of instant coffee (for added richness)
a few drops of vanilla extract
2 Tablepsoons Vegetable Oil
2 Tablespoons Water
Dash of salt

First, mix dry ingredients and set aside.
Second, mix wet ingredients.  Using fork, mix wet into dry.  Make sure to mix the bottom edges of your mug.
Set your microwave to high and cook for approximately 1 minute. Don’t cook over 2 minutes (you’ll get a block of coal).

Source: http://soychick.com/foods/recipes/oowy-gooey-1-minute-vegan-chocolate-mug-cake/

MaddyOsman
@MaddyOsman on Twitter

 

Original Post: http://imu.uiowa.edu/news/2012/10/23/college-cuisine-three-delicious-mug-cakes/

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October 18, 2012 by admin

IMU Blog: Get Your Finances Under Control!

Set a Budget.


It’s easy for a college student to get overwhelmed about money. Some people have jobs, some don’t, but we all have expenses. I’ve created a Student Budget Spreadsheet to help you figure out where your money is going and how much you have to work with after paying for everything. Allow me to explain…

The expenses are listed per month. Rent is the amount you pay each month, and utilities are all of the add-on services not included (most commonly electricity). Depending on your situation, you may be responsible for paying tuition and other related expenses, so there is a space to figure in school-related expenses. Everyone has to eat, so a food category is included that separates what you buy to stock your kitchen, and what you spend when out with friends. Some students bring their cars to campus, so there is a very basic category devoted to figuring out those expenses. There is also a category for pets so you can be proactive in thinking about their health and care. Finally, under the miscellaneous category, there are other things to consider when setting a budget, such as laundry (boring but necessary), entertainment, shopping (my favorite), and hobbies. I tried to make the list of expenses as exhaustive as possible without getting too specific, but if I left anything important out, please tell me in the comments and I will update the file! Obviously, not all of these categories apply to everyone, so put a “0″ in for whatever row isn’t applicable.

There’s also a column to enumerate sources of income. The miscellaneous row could be used for scholarships, research studies, etc. There’s also a row to specify monthly savings for people interested in being proactive about putting away money. Whatever money is leftover is computed at the bottom of the spreadsheet.

A few handy tips:

- Account for things that don’t happen every month, like car repairs, vacation, gifts, etc.

- Track your spending to make sure you’re sticking to your budget and that your budget is accurate

- If the above budget isn’t exhaustive enough for your needs, visit the Student Credit and Money Management office (more details on that later) for a much more in-depth version

Get a UI Bank Account.


Before even starting school at the University of Iowa, my parents encouraged me to open a University of Iowa bank account. At the time, the UI bank was the University of Iowa Community Credit Union. However, the UI bank is now Hill’s Bank. If you want to avoid ATM fees (due to widespread Hill’s Bank ATMs around campus), and have quick access to your money and bank tellers (they have a branch located in the IMU), then this is the bank for you. I didn’t close my account from back home – just added on a new one. Depending on how you manage your money, this may complicate things, so undertake at your own risk. Cathy Fitzmaurice-Hill of Student Credit and Money Management concurs that its a good idea to establish a local checking account. It gives you a connection to the community, and bank tellers that are familiar with you are more likely to help you when problems occur.

Get a Credit Card?

Photo credit: http://premierconsolidationloans.com/credit-cards/

Credit cards are not for people who have no spending plan, nor are they for people who don’t have enough money to pay for their big purchases. I got a credit card so that I could start building credit while I’m still in school. There are plenty of good reasons to start building credit now. When you graduate, you will likely start looking for a job and will be applying for loans. It would be a shame to lose out on a job because of a lack of financial history, or not be able to buy a car because you have no credit to show that you’re capable of paying for it. We live in a credit society and its very difficult to get buy without one. However, it’s easy to get caught up in the psychology of getting things without immediately paying for them, so don’t go into it blindly. If you’re under 21, you’re required to show proof of being able to pay or have a parent co-signer. If you need help managing your money, it is an especially good idea to have a parent co-signer that can keep track of your spending habits and make sure you’re on track. I make it a rule to not put anything on my card that I couldn’t immediately pay off. A bad credit score can hurt you in so many ways, including higher interest rates. A good rule of thumb is to not exceed 30% of your credit limit in any given month. Being a good credit card user has additional perks in the form of points and rewards… I’ve already earned $100′s of dollars worth of gift cards to stores I love.

Get Personalized Financial Advice.

Still have more questions? The Student Credit and Money Management office, located in the IMU, is here to solve your problems.You can meet with a consultant that can help you with questions about many different topics, including budgets, credit cards, and dealing with debt. For issues regarding student loans, see the Office of Financial Aid.

 

What financial tips would you give to a student?

 

Maddy Osman
@MaddyOsman on Twitter

 

Original Post: http://imu.uiowa.edu/news/2012/10/18/get-your-finances-under-control-2/

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October 15, 2012 by admin

IMU Blog: [College Cuisine] Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

When I get home most days, all I want to do is sit and relax. Usually I have to throw in some studying, but I definitely don’t want to spend an extended amount of time in the kitchen after a long day of work and classes. Making dinner in a slow cooker and having it ready for me when I get home sounds so much more appealing to me.

However, I didn’t have a slow cooker, and neither did my roommate. I read a couple cooking blogs that have reviews on cooking implements, and eventually decided on this model from Hamilton Beach is affordable, easy to clean, and big enough for any crazy college kitchen concoction.

This week, I decided to test out a slow cooker orange chicken recipe. The following is adapted from Six Sisters’ Stuff, with some suggested changes and comments (in bold).

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

Ingredients:

boneless chicken breasts, chopped into small chunks (I used about 4)
1/3 cup flour
olive oil
1/2 Tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
3 Tablespoons ketchup
6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate (thaw or throw it in the microwave for 45 seconds) (6 ounces = half of the can from the grocery store)
4 Tablespoons brown sugar

In a bowl, mix the orange juice, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, and ketchup.  Pour the flour in a small bowl.  Cover the chicken chunks in flour and shake off the excess.

Pour a small amount of olive oil in a skillet and brown the flour-covered chicken. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked since it’s going in the crock pot (I used my wok to cook it all quickly and efficiently)

After the chicken is done cooking, pour the pieces into the crock pot. Then cover the chicken with your sauce mixture and give the pot a stir (make sure the sauce really covers the chicken, because it will burn where the sauce isn’t thick enough. The solution? Consider using all of the orange juice concentrate and double the rest of the sauce ingredients).

Cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-3.

Serve over rice and even add veggies if you want a healthier meal (I paired it with brown rice and broccoli).

 

Maddy Osman
@MaddyOsman on Twitter

 

Original post: http://imu.uiowa.edu/news/2012/10/15/college-cuisine-slow-cooker-orange-chicken/

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October 2, 2012 by admin

REVIEW: Sony Xperia Tablet S

I am so grateful to have a job that puts the latest tech toys in my hands and allows me to share how awesome they are with other people.

Xperia Tablet

Last year, I got the Sony Tablet S, Sony’s first foray into the quickly growing tablet market. It was a functional piece of technology that addressed and solved many of the problems that the iPad didn’t (and still hasn’t). It became a definitive player in the market, and the Sony Xperia Tablet S has built upon the foundation created by the first iteration. What makes it so amazing? I’m glad you asked.

Splash-proof and Guest Mode
The new Xperia Tablet S is splash-proof which means you don’t have to constantly worry about it getting wet. I like cooking and the Tablet is the perfect companion – especially considering this new benefit. There’s also a new “Guest Mode” which allows for multiple profiles on one Tablet. Its about time that tablets became personalized based on whoever happens to be using it.

Media Remote and Watch Now Application
Watch Now App
The Media Remote was a huge selling point of the original Tablet S. It turns your tablet into a remote for virtually any device with an on/off switch (TVs, DVD Players, Stereo Systems, Cable Boxes, etc). Building on the Media Remote is the Watch Now app, which analyzes your interests on your social networks and recommends shows that you can “push” onto your TV in a beautiful, visual display.

Slimmer, sleek body
Slim Body
If I had any complaints about the original Tablet S, it would be that it’s not as sleek as many other Tablets on the market and it’s body is made of plastic. The Xperia Tablet S comes with a completely redesigned body that is thinner and made of a more durable material.

SD Card slot (like the first Tablet S)
The complaint I hear most often about the iPad is that there is no easy to way expand memory. Whatever amount you end up buying, you’re stuck with. There are different memory options when buying an Xperia Tablet S, but each also comes with an SD card slot that allows for an expansion of memory.

Functional Accessories
Keyboard Case
I am seriously in love with the keyboard case that came with my Tablet. It’s both a keyboard and a protective leather case and works better than I thought it would. I bring the combo with me to class instead of my laptop. For people who like to put their technology on a pedestal (literally), Sony offers some fashionable stands that could allow your Tablet to double as an alarm clock or digital photo frame.

Sony Electronics Trade-In Program
I know what it’s like to get a new piece of technology only to have something new and exciting come out. You don’t want your money to have been wasted, but you’re dying to upgrade. Luckily, Sony has a trade-in program that allows you to get credit for your older products that can be applied towards new ones. More information on that here.

Some current deals include $40 off and $45 worth of free movies. Education pricing is available at http://www.sony.com/UIowa

What tablet are you considering? Let me show you how the Sony Xperia Tablet S beats it to a pulp!

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