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Show AggieLife Monday, April 18, 2011 Page 7 How to spend your tax refund Robotics: Program embodies USU By ALLEE EVENSEN staff writer Look at a W2 to fill out out line 8b of a 1040A. For those who aren't accounting majors, this may seem like a foreign language. The thought of tax season may make students groan, but those eligible for refunds may find themselves with some spare change. If that refund is eating a hole in your pocket, here are a few suggestions for that long awaited shopping spree: $1 $100: It may not make you independently wealthy, but even a small tax refund can be a boost to a limited diet. For those of us living off of ramen and peanut butter sandwiches, some healthy food options may help ward off the finals week junk-athon. Try a Morningstar Veggie Burger (six patties, $4.29), or for a quick snack throw together some almonds, raisins, died cranberries and apricots in a zip lock bag for homemade trail mix. Pick an apple over that 15-cent package of reconstituted noodles and dead week may not be so lifeless. $500 $1,000: With summer around the corner, Logan is the perfect place to invest in some outdoor gear. Whether you buy a bike and ride the Jardine Juniper Trail (Mongoose Mountain Bike, $500$800), take a camping trip to Tony's Grove (Springbar Vagabond Tent, $419.95), or buy a Kayak to take down the Snake River (Perception Sport Caster 12.5 Angler Kayak, $600), the options are endless. Also, it's never too early to prepare for the slopes. A custom snowboard, boots and bindings can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,000. - - $100 $300: There may be no better investment for a student than an e-reader. For those dreading a giant checklist of expensive textbooks next fall, the same textbooks in the bookstore are often available digitally for a fraction of the cost. An E-reader also relieves the pain of lugging a heavy backpack around campus. If that isn't convincing enough, there are thousands of free books the can be downloaded with the touch of a button. Some of the most popular E-readers on the market include the Amazon Kindle 3 ($139) and the Barnes and Noble Nook (Black and White, $149, Color $249). - $300 $500: As this time of year rolls around, coats and sweaters tend to get shoved to the back of the closet. It's also the time of the year when jeans begin to fade and clothes look a little stale. Updating a wardrobe doesn't have to be a task. Instead of replacing everything in the closet, look for clothes that will go along with what is already there. Also, consider investing in a formal or business outfit. Whether it's a banquet or a seminar, dressing to impress can be a deciding factor in landing a job or internship. - $1,000 plus: If a hefty refund is headed your way and school costs are covered, consider using money to make more money. Place a piece of the refund in a savings account. Feeling really adventurous? Research a discount stock broker and invest. It's only a few dollars a month, and if a student could find a way to put away $1,000 to $2,000 a year for 15 years, they would have the potential to be set for the rest of their lives. - - allee.evensen@aggiemail.usu.edu What to do with a tax refund Almost half of all Americans expect to receive a tax refund this year. What they plan to do with it: Buy necessities Save, invest 26% 28% ■Ilin Vacation, Pay 11111pL shopping down 7% debt I continuedfrom page 6 they compete with colleges from Mexico to China and everywhere in between. Helm also mentors a high school team, which he said is rewarding in a different way than being on a college team. "It's really fun to teach kids and be their mentor," he said. The high school team Helm coaches recently took second place in their region, which allowed them to travel to the world competition. While the high school teams must place in regional competitions to move ahead, college teams do not not have to compete regionally, Helm said. The process of building a robot is a long road that starts with brainstorming, said Thomas Fisher, a team member and sophomore in mechanical engineering. Before drawing up 9% © 2010 MCT Passover: There are three branches Allman said he enjoys hosting people from all around the world. "I continue because of all the wonderful people I've met and the thrill of making new friends that traverse culture, ethnicity, age and interests. I also get to share vicariously in their adventure," he said. Mandy Saunier, a 20-year-old couch surfer from France, said she got involved by searching the Internet for a cheap way to travel. She said most of her experiences have been positive, but not all. "One guy I met was kind of looking for an affair," said Saunier, who has been couch surfing since 2009, "and another one with a girl from the United States who was boring, who never spoke, and who spent four days in my flat reading a book." According to couchsurfing.org , the process is "not about the furniture, not just about finding free accommodations around the world; it's Passover, or Pesach, symbolizes when the spirit of God passed over the homes of the faithful Israelites who marked their doors with lamb's blood, Grovert said. During Seder, a ritual dinner beginning the Passover, she said Jews celebrate their ancestors freedom from slavery. She said they read from the Haggadah, which contains the retelling of Exodus along with songs, rituals and traditions. "It's a way to feel more connected to your spiritual ancestors," Grovert said. At the end of the Seder, she said the youngest child in the room would open the door symbolically to let in the prophet Elijah. They also leave a cup of wine for him; and in more liberal Jewish homes, she said they would also leave a cup of water for Moses' sister Miriam who always could find water whilst wandering in the desert. During the meal, she said, "Everyone is supposed to slouch because free people are allowed to slouch." Grovert said there are four blessings said over wine throughout the meal. Passover is the most observed Jewish holiday in the U.S., even more so than Hanukkah, Grovert said. The main difference religiously and doctrinally between Judaism and Christianity surrounds Jesus, whom Grovert said Jews consider to have been a great person, but did not meet all the requirements of the scripturallydescribed messiah. THE JEWISH PASSOVER, which begins Monday, April 18, is celebrated with four blessings on separate cups of wine. Strict food and tradition makes Passover a sacred experience for most Jews. MCCLATCHY TRIBUNE photo "Mostly we consider him a good man, a good teacher, a good rabbi," she said. According to Jewish beliefs, the Messiah's coming would invite a golden age to Earth and she said, "It doesn't feel like the golden age; there is still suffering in the world." For some Jewish students at USU, the nonexistence of a local synagogue makes regular service attendance difficult. Brianna Limb, a freshman in deaf education, does not currently attend synagogue services because of the distance and said she also still practices Mormonism. Limb was raised in a Mormon household, but said she began questioning the faith and "fell in love" with the Judaic faith. Limb follows the Messianic movement of Judaism, which she said technically falls under the Reform branch. She explained the differences between the branches is in their varying levels of strictness. "Messianic followers believe that Jesus Christ is the messiah, but they follow the law of Moses because they believe that Christ's church and higher priesthood was taken with him." Messianic Jews can be either Orthodox or Reform, Limb said. She will be celebrating Passover this year and said her faith means a lot to her. She enjoys having two days of religious worship. Steve Crass, a junior in broadcast journalism, said he also does not regularly attend a synagogue, but was more active in Jewish services when he was younger. He said if he were to live in a bigger city, he could guarantee it would be easier to practice. "Judaism thrives in big cities like L.A. or New York," he said. Crass, who is a Reform Jew, said he and his sister were not born into the religion, but were given the choice to decide. His mother is not Jewish but his father is, and according to Jewish law, Judaism passes through the mother's side. He said he went through a similar process to what Christians would call baptism. "You have a prayer and are emerged in water. You say you will devote yourself to Jewish life," Crass said. To acknowledge his faith today, he said he occasionally wears the star of David. "I accept that I am Jewish. More than my religion, it is my heritage and my culture," he said. Crass said he is not looking to marry someone based on if they are Jewish or not, but he would like to raise his children to know the culture and history of Judaism. "It defines who I am really, I was raised in it and I feel for the people of my heritage," he said. "There is just this feeling that everybody who is Jewish recognizes, you have this sense of family." - natashabodily@gmail.corn about making connections worldwide. We make the world a better place by opening our homes, our hearts, and our lives. CouchSurfing wants to change not only the way we travel, but how we relate to the world." Natalie said the best part was meeting new people from around the world and learning about their culture. A new member is able to get step-by-step help and advice through the website. The website addresses everything from getting started to surfing alone and safety tips. Couchsurfing also organizes events where members can go to meet other members. Natalie said it is a chance for everyone to meet each other and establish those connections for next time they travel. -megan.b@aggiemaiLusu.edu 4TH OM GOOD RIM SERVICE fi.t.c.6epte6- ,f;044, a/lid dr" (5;00 h 54 r " memokiat tieskoViee ht, cuk • ` 16 tkce awe/ drall0k, Aka. VAPkedi APRIL 22 1St AUDITORIUM I PM continued from page 5 when the slaves escaped from Egypt. The name -allee.evensen@aggiemausu.edu continued from page 5 Source: Bankrate.com poll of 1,002 adults, March 18-21, 2010; margin of error: +/-4 percentage points Graphic: Judy Treible States finest innovation because we're competing against the world." Fisher said when he started building robots, all of his knowledge from the classroom such as the math and science suddenly became applicable to his life. "This makes the classes worth it," he said. "You realize `Oh, that's why I need to know vector calculus.' Despite the 2 a.m. studying in the engineering building, Fisher said the program has brought his education full circle. "This is engineering at it's finest," he said. "This is the hands on the real world application." Surfing: Background checks a must 30% Something else, don't know plans for a robot, the team had to figure out funding issues. The money to build the robot comes from many sources such as the college's dean, ASUSU and NASA. After planning, the team must create a design specifically tailored to the task the robot needs to complete, Fisher said. Plans are drawn out while the team considers every possible bug that could prevent the robot from doing its task. After building the robot from the ground up, the team must test it in competition-like settings and make sure the kinks are fixed. A robotics program embodies USU well, Fisher said. "It really represents us well, it shows we're innovative," he said. "We've up there in the top of the game. This club represents Utah ft, Sponsored by: Freedom Christian Fellowship, USU Navigators, Tribu Independiente, Oasis Bookstore. Logan Oriental Mission Church 1 Create Your Own MASTERPIECE! 40-000_1110111. ■ft 504 11111111.1 i!;;:j1r.: ' 1, .„„.11•00.0 i t ■ RA.' 4.11pl— - ... ' 1, • Nt.'•••„... I Iri I0 . A A AIP -10111111.44 111111ftimmitiiiiii , itt, s, , N )‘ 0°1017111 11 ...roe. /AV / A.,- . 111' 0 , , ArgY/A ,o. Affillir kV"1 •••.• (#' , 4 With our innovative design software, you help us create your own unique masterpiece and we custom make it for you. At our store, you don't just browse for the perfect ring—you create it! S.E. 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