When Family Takes Fordham: A Fun Visit For Everyone!

One of my favorite parts about going to Fordham is that there is an endless amount of new places to go, activities to try, and experiences to have. There is always something exciting going on on Fordham's campuses, and I love going into Manhattan! This component of Fordham is especially helpful to me whenever my family comes to visit me from New Jersey. Like me, my family loves to enjoy all that Fordham has to offer. Whenever my parents and my brothers come to Fordham, we never run out of things to do and no family visit is ever dull! 

My brothers and I when they came to visit me!

My family loves coming to visit me at Fordham, and now that football season is in full swing, my parents have totally embraced that "Ram Spirit" we students hold close to our hearts. I really enjoy going to Fordham football games with my family because the community and the spirit in the stands makes everyone feel welcome and excited to be there. At the last home game, even my younger brothers got into the Fordham spirit when they saw the Ram mascot cheering from the sidelines! 

Our view of the field at the football game

Arthur Avenue is also a huge success when my family comes to town. Whenever they visit, parents and brothers love to try the many different restaurants that line the street. The delicious Italian cuisine and the authentic Italian atmosphere is very exciting and different from any restaurant back in my hometown. The proximity of Arthur Avenue to Fordham's Rose Hill campus is also a huge plus. 

Arthur Avenue is a great place to bring family!

Fordham's campus is my home, and I love it when my family comes to Fordham and feels at home, as well. The welcoming environment and the endless opportunities Fordham has to offer are fun and enjoyable for everyone. Whether friends, family, or anyone else comes to visit Fordham, a good time is always guaranteed! 

Guide to Off-Campus Italian Eating

As an incoming freshman, my biggest fear about going to college wasn’t about fitting in, or feeling homesick. It was about food. I come from a big Italian family, and naturally, everyone is an incredible chef. Everyone has their claim to fame, like my dad and his flavorful frutti di mare or my grandmother and her famous stuffed artichokes. Prior to moving to college, I had yet to go a day without indulging in a delicious home cooked meal. I was unsure how I was going to survive on dining hall food and those 89 cent microwavable cup of noodles. At first it was difficult, and I begged my parents to package and overnight Sunday dinners to me every week for the first half of freshman year. Eventually I adjusted to making the most out of the dining hall and on campus eateries; however, what really saved me from being homesick for my family's cooking was discovering what a beautiful thing it is to live adjacent to Little Italy of the Bronx. On Arthur Ave you can still stroll down the street and hear little old ladies gabbing in their native Italian tongue, and you can still order dishes that were prepared with an original family recipe that has passed through generations. From pizza joints, to bakeries, to restaurants that make you feel like you’re sitting in a piazza in Italy, Arthur Ave has it all. Here is a list of my 10 favorite stops:

1. Arthur Ave Retail Market- The Arthur Ave Retail Market is truly a force to be reckoned with. It is somewhat of an Italian bazaar, complete with vendors selling produce, meats, cheeses, imported italian products, baked goods, hand rolled cigars, flowers, sandwiches, pizza, etc. Even if you aren’t looking to buy anything, it’s worth strolling through to smell the smells, see the sights, and eavesdrop on conversations between employees and shoppers being shouted across the halls. Within the market you will find Greco’s (Mike’s Deli), Cafe al Mercato, the Bronx Beer Hall, and many other renowned stops. This is definitely a must see. 

2. Full Moon Pizzeria- Out of the million pizza places in the area, I have officially decided after three years that Full Moon ranks #1 in my heart and stomach. The slices are huge and the crust is thin and crispy. You can never go wrong with a plain cheese, but if you’re feeling adventurous try a slice of the buffalo chicken.

3. Tra di Noi- Tra di Noi might resemble an old person’s dining room, but it makes sense because the food tastes like all of the cutest little Italian grandmothers in the world are back in the kitchen preparing each dish with love. The red sauce is the best in the neighborhood, and the owners and staff treat you like family. Also, try the lasagna. You won’t be sorry.

4. Casa Della Mozzarella - While Casa is lined with imported oils, cookies, pastas, and other goods, the main attraction of this narrow little store is its famous (creamy, delectable, amazing, mouthwatering, etc) mozzarella. Try the bocconcini (little balls of mozzarella) or the made-to-order burrata, which is a big ball of mozzarella with a soft, creamy center. Cheese lovers rejoice.

5. Tino’s Delicatessen- Tino’s is the deli that sponsors a lot of Fordham events. They deliver yard long subs and pastas to campus, and to be honest, by the time you get to eat, usually everything's unfortunately pretty soggy or cold. I never thought twice about Tino’s until I actually went to the shop to grab a quick sandwich when my family was visiting. To my surprise, the La Nonna panini I got was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever tasted. After that moment, my perception of Tino’s changed from soggy food Fordham gets in bulk to the best sandwiches in town. They also have gelato and a great selection of imported Italian goods so you can do some shopping around while you wait for your food to be made!

6. Borgatti’s - This is your go-to stop for everything pasta. They sell ravioli, manicotti, and a million different flavors of noodles like spinach, mushroom, basil, carrot, egg, tomato, and squid ink. Everything is cut by hand right in front of you, and you even get to designate your desired noodle thickness. The pasta is also very reasonably priced which is great on a college budget!

7. Zero Otto Nove- Zero Otto Nove is the place to take your parents when they come for a visit. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but also 110% worth it. From amazing Neapolitan style pizzas to a wide array of pasta dishes (try the Mafalde e Ceci - pasta baked with chickpeas, crispy pancetta, pecorino, and bread crumb), you cannot go wrong. It’s really cool inside, and the service is extremely friendly. 

8. Madonia Bakery- Madonia smells like what I envision heaven to smell like. Go there for all of your gluten needs- breads, biscotti, etc. They're mostly known for their specialty loaves like olive bread, cranberry walnut bread, cheese and pepper bread, and my personal favorite, white chocolate bread. Also, a little known secret is that Madonia also has the best cannolis in town.

9. De Lillo Pastry Shop- De Lillo is by far the best place to grab a pastry and coffee in the area. They have an amazing cookie and pastry selection, and their iced cappuccinos are also amazing and a perfect pick-me-up for weekend studying. It’s a great spot to hang out with friends anytime of the day, and it’s also a nice place to sit by yourself and get some work done!

10. Michaelangelo’s- Michaelangelo’s is definitely the best place to go out to a nice dinner with friends. It’s a classy sit-down restaurant with great atmosphere, but it’s also a slightly cheaper option for all of us on a college budget. The Pear Salad or the Chicken a la Michaelangelo’s are two of my favorites.

Happy eating, Rams!

Happy Spring Break!

Alligators in South Carolina (from a safe distance)

Hello from South Carolina! I am spending my very last spring break at Fordham down south with my roommates. So far, I've seen about 20 alligators (very scary), three gorgeous sunsets, and more palm trees than I could count. It's the ideal place for some rest and relaxation before out sprint to graduation.

Exploring Little Italy (the Manhattan version;
it's not as good as Arthur Avenue) my sophomore year.

Spring Break at Fordham always gives students a lot of opportunities. Freshman year, I flew home to celebrate my birthday with my extended family and catch my cousin's play. Some students stay at Fordham over break, and that's what I did my sophomore year. I took advantage of the extra time to explore while helping finish a volume of the Fordham Undergraduate Research Journal. Although some residence halls close over break, students who stay can relocate to on-campus apartments. I lived in Salice-Conley and got a taste for the still-new apartments that seniors (and some juniors) get to enjoy.

I spent my junior year abroad in Granada (you might be able to find a few posts about my study abroad experience here or here), so spending spring break in Paris was a no-brainer. A lot of Fordham students jump at the chance to travel a little further during break. I know friends who have paired off to explore Europe (spending today in Ireland, of course), grouped up to head to a Caribbean resort. or signed up for GO! projects to devote their breaks to immersion and/or service. Some GO! projects this break include San Jose, California; the Adirondacks in upstate New York (which you may hear about later this week-- stay tuned!); and Les Cayes, Haiti.

There is no wrong way to do spring break, but I've found that the best way is to spend it with your Fordham family.

P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

TL;DR - Spring is Pretty Cool...

Snow days are great – and we had quite a few of them this year – but I think we can all agree that Fordham’s so ready for spring to get here. For the past few days, we’ve had consistently warmer weather, which basically means spring’s right around the corner. And very few things in this world are as absolutely beautiful as Fordham in the springtime.

Saturday concert - Spring Weekend 2014

When I was visiting colleges, I made sure to visit all of my top choices during all of the season changes, just to see how different the atmosphere was between the fall, winter, and spring, and let me tell ya…. Nothing beats spring at Fordham. The campus is truly reawakened and reinvigorated. I went around and asked some of my friends about some of their favorite things about Fordham in the springtime; here’s a list of what everyone can agree on! 

1. Sitting on Eddie’s.

2. Eating lunch on Eddie’s.

3. Meeting friends after class on Eddie’s.

4. Playing Frisbee/football/WHATEVER on Eddie’s.

5. Tanning on Eddie’s.

6. Eddie’s. (Or Edward’s Parade – the large grassy area outside Keating. You can’t miss it.)

7. Attending Spring Weekend, the final weekend of the spring semester before the start of finals. There’s a DJ on Friday night, a concert on Martyr’s Lawn on Saturday afternoon, the Under the Tent dance on Saturday evening, and a comedian act on Sunday. Definitely a memorable weekend each year.

SPRING BREAK EXCITEMENT
Can't wait to see these palm trees again...

8. Being able to wear skirts and shorts to class after months of wearing 3 layers of heavy sweaters and still somehow managing being cold.

9. Opening the windows of your dorm/apartment after huddling in 3 layers of blankets and still somehow managing being cold.

10. That one tree in front of Queen’s Court that blooms pink flowers.

11. SPRING BREAK is NEXT WEEK. 

12. Fordham landscaping in general (it’s on point, you guys…).

13. ICED COFFEE.

14. Walking down Arthur Avenue and eating lunch or getting a cup of coffee and sitting OUTSIDE for a change.

15. Going to the city because it’s finally not sleeting anymore…

16. And finally: realizing that graduation for the seniors is only a few months away, which means we’ll be saying goodbye (for now but not forever) to some of our best friends while simultaneously saying hello to a new class of freshmen – the newest additions to our Ramily. 

Either the graduation tent going up or
the spring weekend tent coming down...

What do you love about springtime at Fordham? 

----

And... the not-so-fun part about spring:
early morning finals study sessions...

Fordham PhilRAMthropy

Fordham philanthropy – Fordham students for students!

In the true vision of men and women for others, Fordham students are committed to one another both on and off campus. Philanthropy is very much a large part of campus life, whether it is fundraising for scholarships or raising money for Global Outreach Trips. As a member of two philanthropic organizations, Fashion for Philanthropy and the Student Philanthropy Committee, as well as a former Fordham Annual Fund student-fundraiser, I can attest to this spirit of “giving back” on campus.

A picture of my friend on his Global Outreach trip in Mexico
which was funded by fellow classmates!

Flier of the different groups present at the
Student Philanthropy Fair

As an executive board representative of Fashion for Philanthropy, FFP, I had the chance to meet with other philanthropic groups on campus at the previous Philanthropy Fair. At the Fair, students held bake sales to raise money for their respective causes. Many students filtered in and out of the McGinley Center and stopped by the Fair to support their friends and the groups of which they were a part. I tabled for FFP in order to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. FFP is indicative of the philanthropic spirit on campus. Members raise money all year in support of our annual Fashion Show, whose proceeds directly profit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For example, throughout the year we will hold bake sales and food deliveries which are funded by fellow classmates. An example of another philanthropic organization on campus that was present at the Fair was the B+ Foundation, an organization where "kids help kids fight cancer." It is chapters like these that bring students together in the spirit of helping others and the community at large.

The Fair was a success on two levels – on a surface value, it helped raise money and awareness about different charitable causes; on a deeper level, the Fair exemplifies Fordham student’s commitment to one another.

FFP Table at the Fair!

Another example of on-campus philanthropy is the Student Philanthropy Committee, SPC, which seeks to work with other groups and departments on campus to help fundraise with the Development Office. For example, the SPC will be working with the Athletics Department and Career Services to jumpstart philanthropic efforts to make improvements within each office. As such, members of the SPC are Fordham students working for current and future Fordham students.

It is clear that there is a philanthropic spirit on campus, which I believe is unique to the Fordham experience. It is rare to find in competitive college settings students who are so willing to help their peers. I feel as though this spirit transcends campus and truly fosters strong community ties that exist even after graduation. Once a Ram, Always a Ram!

Poster distributed at the Fair promoting
the Bronx Community and its goings-on.
 

Fordham, Pizza, and Family

There are plenty of exciting things to see and do outside of Fordham's Rose Hill campus, including the Bronx Zoo, Botanical Gardens, and Manhattan. However, sometimes staying on Fordham's campus and enjoying its beautiful atmosphere can be just as enjoyable. This weekend, my mom and my two younger brothers came to visit me here at Fordham Rose Hill! Since it has been so cold here lately, we decided that going out for dinner would not be very comfortable. Luckily, Fordham has many authentic Italian, Chinese, and Mexican restaurants that deliver right to the residence halls on campus! After some deliberation, we finally decided to order pizza. 

One of my brothers was so excited about the pizza,
he took this picture and uploaded it to Snapchat!

We ordered two cheese pies from Pugsley's Pizza, a family owned Italian pizzeria located just outside Fordham's campus. When the pizza arrived, my younger brothers were astonished that the delivery came right to my residence hall! It was very convenient, and my family was happy that they did not have to go outside in the cold. We ate the pizza in my residence hall, and we had a great time laughing and catching up. I am so happy that my family loves to come to Fordham just as much as I do! 

Fordham has two amazing campuses that feel like home to its students. My family is very pleased that when I am not at home with them, I am just as happy at my home here at Rose Hill. Fordham has always been a very welcoming place for me, and I loved showing my family that here at Fordham, we are a "Ramily!"

Shopping on Arthur Ave

One of my favorite things about being a Fordham student is the proximity to the amazing food on Arthur Avenue. And while the restaurants may be famous (and rightfully so, they are delicious), I’ve found the best food comes from the Italian ingredient stores. If you come visit campus, do some grocery shopping while you are here! Here are the top 5 Arthur Ave essentials that my friends and I have discovered over our time here:

1. Casa Della Mozzarella: 

This is the best fresh mozzarella you will ever taste. Order the boccaccini and be amazed at the amazing freshness of these little mozzarella pillows. If you want something to pair it with, order the prosciutto de parma and you have a delicious lunchtime snack. My friends and I had a tradition of going there every Sunday morning before we started our homework.

2. Calabria: 
Pork lovers will drool over the heat of the hot sopressatta, and its funky taste. If you are more of an adventurous eater, check out their n'duja. It is an orange colored, spreadable sausage that tastes amazing on some of arthur ave's famous bread.

3. Calandra:
While Casa is the holy grail of mozzarella, Calandra (all the way at the end of the block) is the king of ricotta. Stop by for a heaping portion of this light and fresh take on authentic ricotta and get same amazing free samples from their friendly staff. But don't stop there, stop by during the holidays for sheeps milk ricotta and try their amazing imported burrata. And make sure to check out their burrino (butter stuffed inside aged mozzarella). It is well worth the walk.

4. Borgatti's
Located on a street right off Arthur Ave, this store has been making the freshest of handmade pastas for over 70 years. Stop in for a fantastic selection of pasta including ravioli, manicotti, egg noddles, linguini - all cut to your specifications.

5. Madonia:
For the chewy semolina bread and freshly filled cannolis, look no further. This bakery has some of the best bread you've ever tasted and goes great with all the meats and cheese you'll have picked up at your other stops. End your meal with a cannoli, filled while you watch. It is a little piece of heaven