Here’s the “Bruin Buzz” this week…

1. Hey, you. Yeah, you. We see you looking hopelessly defeated on the second week of winter quarter as you are trekking up those Janss Steps fretting about the topic for your research paper. Ok, yeah, we hope you’re not that stressed quite yet. But, in case you are, listen up: The Academic Affairs Commission (AAC) just released an iPhone app that allows you to quickly access all the resources on campus right at your fingertips.

The app features organized tabs for academic counseling, mentorship, tutoring, events, FAQs and deals plus offers on campus and in Westwood. The research compiled by the Academic Services Promoters committee consists of information from student clubs, classifieds and academic departments and it’s free to download here. Let us know what you think of the app. Is it useful? Tweet us @dbmojo or comment below. -SS

2. So, you couldn’t snag tickets to see Macklemore? We feel ya. Here are some other concerts happening in the L.A. area this January. – SG

• Lady Gaga – Staples Center Jan. 20 & Jan.2
• Muse – Staples Center Jan.26
• Ryan Cabrera / Tyler Hilton / Teddy Geiger – The Roxy Jan. 19
• Social Distortion – The House of Blues Jan.19 and Jan. 20
• Christina Perri, Not Now, Jon Foreman, Noah Gunderson – The House of Blues Jan. 30
• The Who – Staples Center Jan. 28 and Jan. 30
• Jessie Ware – El Rey Theater Jan. 23
• Pentatonix – The Fonda Theater Jan. 24
• Ben Folds Five – The Wiltern Theater Jan. 26

Are there any other upcoming concerts you excited to see? Tweet us @dbmojo or comment below.

—Stephanie Son

Tags: academic affairs commission, academic services expo, UCLA

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It’s that time of the year again – the other reason we love Los Angeles (besides its warm weather, which has finally returned… thank goodness). Awards season is finally upon us, and the race for the Oscars has really started to pick up since last Sunday’s Golden Globes, hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (who totally rocked).

As part of the buildup to the Academy Awards (and for your viewing pleasure), Mojo compiled a list of the nine films that have been nominated for Best Picture for the Oscars this year.

Since it’s still early in the quarter, why not take the time to watch some, if not all, of the arguably best films of the year before the Oscar ceremony on Feb. 24?

Amour

Have you seen all the films that have been nominated? Tweet us @dbmojo or comment below if so. We know Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell did … not.

—Kassy Cho

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There’s nothing that says comfort food like soup in a bread bowl. Beat the winter blues with this delicious treat.

Recently, I was craving the Boudin Bread Bowl Soup they serve at Disneyland California Adventure (yep, I’m a season pass holder), so I decided to make it homemade. But if you’re not feeling that adventurous (or don’t want the minor hand cramps that accompany the kneading of the dough – ouch!) you can buy a large sourdough loaf and an 8 oz. cup of soup at Ralph’s for $6.

This recipe is best enjoyed when the bread is fresh out of the oven, but the bread should stay good for a week – just pop it in the oven for a few minutes.

If you’re going the homemade route, prepare the bread 3 hours before you want to eat, so it has enough time to rise. Start your soup after separating the dough a second time before baking. The secret with this bread is to brush the dough balls with egg before baking. The egg is the perfect glaze and makes the loaf crunchy, shiny and perfect for soup-dipping. When the bread comes out of the oven, let it cool (and try not to eat it). Using a sharp knife, cut a lid out of the top. (Don’t be afraid to get close to the edges!)

My favorite soup in the world is butternut squash, and the following recipe is a gift that keeps giving – it makes up to six servings. I opted for Trader Joe’s chopped butternut squash, prepackaged and ready to go, to avoid the hassle and fuss of chopping the real thing.

Start by sauteing half a chopped onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium pot. Add in 2 carrots (chopped), half an apple (also chopped) and half a bell pepper (you guessed it, chopped!). Finally, add the two packages of butternut squash and 2 cans of chicken broth. Season to your preference with salt, pepper, thyme, ground cumin, a dash of dried oregano and three dried bay leaves. Cover the pot with a lid and let it come to a boil, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes until the carrots are soft.

Pour ingredients to a blender/food processor and puree for two minutes until soup is smooth. Pour the soup back into pot and simmer until it’s ready to be poured into your bread bowl. Garnish with cracked pepper, and voila! It’s the perfect way to combat the cold weather.

—Amy Giroux

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Harry Potter Week, hosted by The On-Campus Housing Council, Campus Events Commissions and the UCLA Quidditich Team, ended on Sunday with the showing of ”Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” parts 1 & 2. Last week’s events included a Quidditch tournament, a Horcrux hunt and other “Harry Potter”-related activities. Check out this Harry Potter Week highlights reel compiled by the Daily Bruin staff.

The Mojo crew just couldn’t resist making a list of the top five “Harry Potter” series moments. If you’re a serious Potterhead, narrowing down the series’ best moments is no easy task. Don’t take it personally if your favorite “Harry Potter” moment isn’t on the list. Oh, and warning: there are spoilers below if you have not seen the movies or read the books.

1. Hermione Granger punches Draco Malfoy – “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”

Don’t talk trash about Hermione (a lesson Draco learns in this moment), because she is not someone you want to provoke. After Draco continuously insults Hermione, Hermione faces Draco once and for all. Hermione is not only the smartest witch, she is also the fiercest.

2. Molly Weasley kills Bellatrix Lestrange – “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2”

For many, when Bellatrix killed Sirius Black and Dobby, we experienced severe emotional trauma and were grieving for days (we tend to get dramatic). When Ron’s mom finally killed Bellatrix, no one will ever forget the epic line Molly said right before Bellatrix was about to hurt Ginny.

3. Harry Potter finds out he is a wizard – “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”

If Harry Potter never found out he was a wizard, then this list could never have been compiled in the first place! When Hagrid arrives to tell Harry he is a wizard, it is a moment that brings back countless nostalgic feelings from our childhood, including wishing we could be wizards.

“You’re a wizard, Harry.” – Hagrid

4. Expecto Patronum! – “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”

It’s the most amusing spell to recite in an exaggerated voice while pointing your imaginary wand. Or in Harry’s case, the best thing to say to prevent yourself from being killed by dementors. In that moment, no one could take their eyes off the screen as Harry saved Sirius from his death.

5. Ron Weasley hates spiders – “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”

Sure, Ron can be brave and strong, but how about when it comes to spiders? Forget it. In what has to be one of the funniest quotes from the entire series, Ron finds a way to make us laugh, even it if it is at his own expense.

“Why couldn’t it be ‘follow the butterflies’?” – Ron Weasley

What are your favorite “Harry Potter” moments? Tweet us @DbMojo or comment below.

—Sarah Greenwald

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Coughing and sneezing? Trouble breathing through your nose? Let’s talk about ways to deal with those annoying colds that everyone gets this season.

The best way to prevent winter sicknesses is by following the cliché prevention methods you always hear about: Wash your hands often, and get plenty of rest.  If you start feeling sick, see your doctor and ask if taking some over-the-counter medicines – such as cough syrup, antihistamines or allergy medications – would be helpful.

Here are some other tips to cope with winter sicknesses.

1) Eat spicy foods

If you’re feeling daring, eating something quite spicy can be helpful. Not only are spicy foods helpful with decongestion, but since a cold sometimes inhibits your sense of taste, and the spiciness can add some flavor to your meal.

2) Drink liquids

Your parents, grandparents, friends and significant other have probably given you soup when you had the cold, and indeed, this is a fairly effective remedy. First of all, the rising steam helps with decongestion. Secondly, since many soups contain many vegetables, they also provide vitamins and antioxidants for added health benefits. The steam and antioxidants from hot teas provide similar benefits as well. Lastly, it’s important to keep drink water. The water will lubricate the mucus in your throat, making it easier for you to cough or sneeze it out. Disgusting, right? Yep, but you’ll feel a lot better. It will also keep you hydrated, since the mucus dehydrates you by absorbing a lot of the water in your throat. But be warned: although coffee is a hot drink, it should be avoided since it may dehydrate your throat and make you feel even worse.

3) Vitamin C

Foods rich in vitamin C will aid your body in fighting against sicknesses. Foods with lots of vitamin C generally include most fruits and vegetables, in particular oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes, strawberries and broccoli.  You can drink fruit juices as well.

4) Turn up the heat

If you live in an apartment (where you’re actually allowed to have humidifiers) you can use them to create steam, which will help you decongest that stuffy nose. Otherwise, standing in a hot shower can also create this effect.

5) Saltwater

All of that mucus and coughing will make your throat itchy and irritated after a while. A great quick fix to this problem is a salt water gargle. Add about a quarter to a half teaspoon of salt to an eight-ounce glass of warm water and gargle the solution for a while.

Information courtesy of Amrit Ubhi, Administrative and Special Projects Coordinator of the Ashe Center. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health.

Also, click here to listen to a related segment from Monday night’s Daily Bruin radio show “Long Short Short.” Dr. David Baron, the executive director of the UCLA Ashe Center, dispelled myths and discussed facts about the influenza vaccine along with preventative measures that students can take to remain healthy for the quarter.

—Brian Pham

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