Ski enthusiasts rejoice – winter is nearly here. New England ski resorts are now either partially open or planning to open soon. But before hitting the slopes this season, it’s worth hitting the gym to work on conditioning and strengthening those muscles you’ll need to help power you down the mountain. Whether you’re a competitive ski racer or a practice the sport recreationally, and from advanced skiers to novices, conditioning and strength training exercises are important for improving your performance and helping to prevent injury.

After more than six months of political turmoil during the revolution, Egypt is back on track. Parliamentary elections began in Egypt in late November of this year, following the revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak. Shortly after the revolution, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) dissolved the Egyptian parliament and seized power over the country.

All I’m asking is for a little less mellow, a little more angst. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the community of people I’ve known and met through punk music, and I would be sad to see this corner of the world I’ve come to love so dearly miss out on that experience. Western Massachusetts, please: up the punk.

As I hit the “submit” button on the ISIS web page at 11:33 am on Monday I was officially registered for my last semester of college. Ever. What am I taking, you might ask? I’ll spare you the dirty details but let’s just say that I have signed up for one too many classes and a little gym class entitled “Beginning Scuba Diving”.

It’s almost here. It’s almost time to put down that one hundred and fifty page reading for politics or that dreadful philosophy textbook that you wish you had never opened. With spring approaching fast, or at least April showers appear to be, it’s time to start dreaming of summer.

Women who have voiced protests to make a difference have created an interest in women’s issues in Arab nations. This prompted a growing number of Arab women journalists in the media, but the social and political challenges of being an Arab woman journalist are infinite.

On March 11, 2011, an earthquake of 9.0 magnitude on the Richter Scale devastated Japan; it was the largest earthquake ever recorded in Japan . The earthquake generated a 30 foot tsunami which slammed into the Japanese coastline engulfing everything in its path.

The snow is melting, the flower buds are popping up, and soon all of us will be on summer vacation doing internships, jobs, and hopefully relaxing after a busy semester. At the moment, with all of the midterm papers and exams hanging over our shoulders like big, ugly vultures, thinking of summer activities seems like a beautiful distant illusion

Sports have always been a favorite pastime and nothing goes better with a workout than some great tunes. Whether it’s techno, R&B, pop, or rock, I love to get my blood pumping along with some good jams.

I have eleven pictures on the wall above my desk. One of my best friend from childhood, several of my family, one of my cat, and a few others. This small shrine to those I love is precious, simple and extremely personal. Today, I discovered something mind-blowing: I am only friends with two of them on Facebook.