Looks like Giuliana Rancic will be shopping for a new wardrobe, but not for herself. Her and husband Bill Rancic are expecting their first baby.

As many viewers have seen on their TV show, “Giuliana and Bill,” Giuliana has suffered from many hardships in trying to get pregnant. She has undergone several failed in vitro fertilization treatments and a miscarriage. Now she has turned to gestational surrogacy and the baby will be carried by a surrogate. But, the child will still have Giuliana and Bill’s genes.

The couple could not be happier, and neither could their fans. Along with the wonderful baby news, Giuliana has confirmed that she will not need chemotherapy, as is making a successful recovery from her mastectomy in December. The couple also announced that they will renew their vows this summer, right before the baby is due.

So far the couple is having a great year, and certainly anticipating many joys to come. You can watch the couple’s happiness grow on their show, which airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on the MyStyle network.

It’s safe to say that boy bands are officially back, and the British are partly responsible for the new craze.

Not long ago, One Direction released its debut album to millions of crazy girls in the States. Last Tuesday, its older, more rebellious counterpart, The Wanted, made its way across the pond, as well.

The Wanted’s self-titled record is reminiscent of a Backstreet Boys’ album; poppy lyrics, a bit of auto-tune and a natural charm that you can’t seem to wrap your head around.

Somehow, it works. The lead single “Glad You Came” has been an airwaves’ staple for what feels like months now, and other songs off the album, like “Lightening,” are steadily increasing in popularity as well.

However, the gems of the album are beyond the singles. “All Time Low” combines sweet melodies with catchy lyrics, a recipe for perfection. “Satellite” does the same, but in a much more upbeat way, while showcasing the boys’ British accents that likely make girls swoon.

The record departs from its upbeat vibe with “Warzones,” a softer song about heartbreak. The resonating lyrics are a staple for this song, but the softness is what makes “Warzones” incredible. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the album. It has boy band charm but toned down a bit more.

The final track on the album, “Rocket”, sounds too much like a Backstreet Boys’ song. The lead singer seems auto-tuned and lacks something that would make it special. Skip this one for sure.

Overall, The Wanted made a pretty strong debut record. It has everything girls look for in typical boy band albums plus the oh-so-sweet British accents. If boy bands are your thing, get it, but just be warned: it might get old rather quickly. Listening to it on Spotify may just be the smarter decision.

If you haven’t seen the video “Hot Problems” yet, don’t. Your ears will bleed. Over 8.6 million people have viewed this piece of garbage and virtually all of them regret it—just look at the dislike bar on YouTube for proof.

The user, OldBaileyProductions, released this conceited music video of two teenage girls singing in a monotone voice, “Hot girls we have problems, too / we’re just like you / except we’re hot.” This chorus repeats five times in three minutes of torture at its purest form.

As the girls sing, they somehow manage to contort their bodies in the least sexy way possible, while awkwardly seated in the back of a limo — alone. No friends, no partying, no guys, nothing. Atrocious doesn’t even begin to cover the vocals, dancing, cinematography and lyrics. There is genuinely no possible way to praise any aspect of this video.

Remember William Hung who sang “She Bangs” during an audition for American Idol a few years back? If by some disturbing twist fate Mr. Hung and Rebecca Black were to have a romp in the bedroom and produce two daughters, this is exactly how they would turn out.

As the song finishes, the girls turn to each other and go “Just kidding…we’re perfect.” No. You’re cocky and you suck at singing. Give me my three minutes back. –S. Kozlowski

“A Taste of Hamden” attracted over 300 students to York Hill campus, featuring nine restaurants from the local community. An array of student’s favorite foods were offered in a bittersweet end of the semester event organized by the Senior Class Cabinet.

“The Senior Class Cabinet thought it would be fitting as it was our last senior event as a cabinet on Student Government,” senior cabinet member, Emily Sarnoff, said. “The idea behind it was the concept of having a “Last Taste of Hamden” so seniors could have one last taste of local food before graduating. We really wanted to bring our class together and bond before graduation.”

Restaurants like Goldstar, Ixtapa, Taco King, Corner Deli, Toninos, Eli’s on Whitney, Ray and Mike’s, Side Street, and Griff’s Chicken Shack brought trays of food, including buffalo chicken subs, dumplings and wings.

“I heard there was free food, who doesn’t want free food!” senior Logan Wida said. “I think my top three favorites are the buffalo chicken sub, the Chinese food and the wings.”

Students took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy their favorite small businesses without going out.  As people were leaving, double the amount of were arriving.

“ [The] numbers were really impressive and the line wrapped through the cafe for at least an hour,” senior Vincent Bond, the former vice president for student concerns, said.

Bond deejayed throughout the duration of the event as seniors reminisced about their years at Quinnipiac.

“Overall, I think the event was an amazing success. It was great to see so many people come out and support our organization as well as supporting the town and their love for local businesses,” Sarnoff said.

Anime and comic book characters left the shelves of stores and appeared in costume at the first Quinni-Con conference April 28. And the fun wasn’t just for Quinnipiac students. Fans of all ages enjoyed QU’s resources.

The event’s title is a combination of the Comic-Con International convention and the ConnectiCon convention that celebrates everything from anime to science fiction. These events were the inspiration for Quinnipiac’s version.

The Rocky Top Student Center bustled with students and fans of all ages as they went from vendors to rooms. Certain locations were designated for video games like Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, DJ Hero and Pachingo. There were also panel discussions about comic book and anime-related topics, as well as a screening room where participants could watch their favorite anime films.

“It’s our life. It’s great. And the community is like no other community out there,” said Sarah “Disgea” Bauker, a senior at Central Connecticut State University, as well as a dedicated fan and vendor. “So it’s really interesting. If I wasn’t vending, I would be participating.”

Despite the open event, there was still Quinnipiac students scattered amongst the non-students.

Freshman Michael Calandro attended even with the May Weekend hype on Mount Carmel.

“I’ve always been into the books and the television shows, but my friend Mike, he really got me into conventions. We made our costumes,” Calandro said, who was wearing a lab coat and holding a large, cardboard sife in his hand. He was dressed as Dr. Frankenstein from the anime film, “Soul Eater.”

Calandro’s friend Michael Bilgore is a freshman at University Of New Haven and an expert at conventions like Quinni-Con. He started going to these events last year when he attended Comic-Con and the New York Anime Festival. He was dressed as Mephisto Pheles, a character from the anime film “Ao No Exorcist.” His costume included a pastel wig and a white umbrella.

“When I heard about a free convention at Quinnipiac, I was just like ‘Let’s do it!’” Bilgore said.

Andrea Marrero, a student from Tunxis Community College, was another vendor. She shared the same enthusiasm.

“It’s really hard to define my love for [this culture],” Marrero said. “It’s the creativity and the community that is so welcoming and they’d never shun you whether other people find it strange or not. It’s like a constant Halloween party.”

Senior Jennifer Andreozzi is the president of the Anime Club on campus. She and her staff  made the dream of a convention come true.

“I am thrilled with the turnout. I did not expect this,” Andreozzi said. “I expected a quarter of this. Last December it was a joke between me and the Anime Club, then it went into our budget, and then it happened.”

Andreozzi, who has been a fan of anime since she was 10,  explained that the conventions offer her the opportunity to meet interesting and fun people.

“There’s so much talent, too. There are some people here who make every part of their costume. It’s amazing. The talent that people have astounds me,” Andreozzi said.

Saturday night Travis Moran passed the Mr. QU torch and crowned junior Nick Frias Mr. Quinnipiac 2012.

But the ultimate success of the event wasn’t obvious before it began.

When 7:45 rolled around and the Burt Kahn Gym was still nearly empty, sophomore Nick Sczerbinski and his fellow members of Quinnipiac’s Student Programming Board feared that the Mr. QU competition – which is typically a popular campus event – had, like so many other programs, lost its audience to the allure of May Weekend.

The seven contestants and their escorts would be left to spread their enthusiasm and preparation to the still and echoing room. Then, appearing as though from thin air, about 150 students descended with posters and flashing sunglasses to cheer on their pick of Quinnipiac’s finest.

Contestants included freshmen Charlie Doe and Andrew Nocera, sophomores Theo Siggelakis, Shawn McClory, and Nick Palumbo, junior Nick Frias, and senior Andrew McDermott, all of whom arrived with overflowing QU spirit.

The event was hosted by students Brad DePrima and Alyssa Lungarini, and judged by SPB president Lauren Enea, the winner of last year’s Mr. QU Travis Moran, and Lila Carney, the assistant director of student media.

After introductions filled with QU apparel, body-paint, gyrating, showboating and attempts at the classic bobcat growl, Enea asked the men to leave the stage and return with some talent.

While the acts that they performed –singing, parkour, comedy and ribbon twirling to name a few– were occasionally less than impressive, they were certainly entertaining. The cheers, chants and ceaseless support from the audience showed that talent isn’t always required when there are men sharing tales of their 26-hour birth or wearing red velvet onesies.

The contestants were narrowed down to five, and then asked to dance. McClory’s interpretation of “My Humps” had the judges doubled over, while Frias’ blatant flirting to “Hey Juliet” inspired some rosy cheeks from the audience.  ‘N Sync and One Direction songs also made for some loud crowd involvement, but it was McDermott’s story-depicting dance, complete with ring-pop proposal, that warmed the judges’ hearts.

The bathing suit and pickup line portion of the show gave spectators a bit too much insight into the competitors, and relied heavily upon a flashy speedo, lots of sunscreen, and shameless flattery of judge Enea’s eyes.

When the finals arrived, it was Frias and McDermott duking it out in their formal wear, after McClory, Nocera and Doe placed fifth, fourth and third respectively.

After a competition that he labeled as “fierce,” Nick Frias was the surprised victor, causing his many fans –dubbed by DePrima as worse than the Beliebers– to charge the stage.

“I thought it was an excellent turnout, and the crowd was really getting into it,” Frias said. “Honestly, when it was announced that I was in the final, two I was really surprised, and I definitely thought that he was going to win.”

Frias, who acknowledged during his comedy routine in the talent portion of the night that “this is probably the only weekend when students’ BAC is higher than their GPA,” is a broadcast journalism major. He looks forward to coming back his senior year as a judge, and until then he will stand as the school’s official Mr. QU.

“The event was very awesome,” freshman Chanse Scott said. “It showcased some very talented and unique men, and in the end, I’m proud Nick Frias brought it home. I think he represents our campus and our community very nicely.”

The final haul of the semester is underway and the combination of assignments and finals never fails to stress everyone out. To avoid a complete breakdown, check out these tips.

1. Study for more than one test each day. “A common mistake students make is to pour all of their energy into one class at a time. This means that by the end of the week, they have no energy left for those later exams and papers,” said Tracy Hallstead, an academic specialist at The Learning Center. “What we recommend for students is that they study for two subjects one day, three subjects the next so they are not teaching themselves unfamiliar material the night before the exam.”

2. Exercise. “Even just a 20-minute walk outside will clear your mind,” Tami Reilly, associate athletic director for fitness and wellness, said. There will be finals week yoga sessions from May 6 to May 8 every day on the Mount Carmel campus and Sunday to Monday at York Hill. Check each location for times.

3. Take breaks while you work. Senior Aya Porte, a resident assistant, recommends taking a few minutes between assignments to close your eyes and focus on your breathing pattern. Count to 10 or let your mind wander; anything to temporarily get your mind off of school work. “It allows you to zone everything out and when you open your eyes again, you feel really refreshed,” she said.
4. Get the right amount of sleep.  The Mayo Clinic recommends that we sleep for at least seven or eight hours per night. Not getting a sufficient amount of sleep increases the chances of getting sick after being exposed to a virus, such as the common cold. Lack of sleep can also affect how fast you recover if you do get sick, and being sick during finals is never fun.
Tackle the unknown first. Make sure to clear up any questions you have by either asking your professor during the last week of classes or going to a tutor at The Learning Center. Then, make your own study guide that prioritizes aspects of each exam you are unfamiliar with.

5. Tackle the unknown first. Make sure to clear up any questions you have by either asking your professor during the last week of classes or going to a tutor at The Learning Center. Then, make your own study guide that prioritizes aspects of each exam you are unfamiliar with.

Good luck with everything and have a great summer!

The Asian/Pacific-Islander Student Association and the Anime Club co-sponsored Dragon Fest, an afternoon of food, performance and cultural awareness on April 22.

Burt Kahn was filled with dragon costumes, leis, kimonos and Origami-adorned tables while Asian music thrummed through the speakers. The smell of bubble tea, noodles, rice dishes, flan and many other staples in Asian cuisine floated from table to table.

The event began with a buffet that represented foods from an array of different Asian cultures. Free henna tattoos and a booth to take pictures of attendees in kimonos were also featured.

The Hong Tinh Duong Lion Dance Team performed in sparkling, dragon-like lion costumes to the beat of a drum. The dancers moved among the audience, occasionally using the lion’s mouth to steal hats from audience members.

Next there was a martial arts demonstration, followed by a commemoration video in honor of the tsunami that devastated Japan last year.

The mood was quickly lightened by a rousing game of “Family Feud ‘Asian Edition’” and dances by The Quinnipiac Ballroom Society.

“I had fun and the food was really good,” junior Danielle Martin, a dancer from QBS, said. “I liked the dancing and the dragons, which were awesome. I thought it was great.”

Other attendees participated in a game of Omikuji, which predicted what the future held for them.

“I thought the event was really successful,” freshman Neha Malhotra, the historian of APSA,  said. “A lot of people, including faculty and kids, came around, which added some great variety. I’m really happy and we hope to do it again next year and make it even bigger.”

I could tell you why I had the best four years of my life here, and I could tell you not to let your four years fly by without getting involved or making an impact. But, that’s not as important as what I’m about to tell you.

I was recently inspired by a Quinnipiac alum who spoke to students on campus and said that college is an important time of your life because the penalty for messing up isn’t nearly what you’ll have to face in the “real world.” Mike Germano is absolutely right. Yup, we are telling you it’s OK to screw up.

His best example: What happens when an RA catches an underage student with alcohol on campus? He or she gets a warning. In real life? There will be a huge fine to pay and the police will suspend your driver’s license.

I don’t think Mike was encouraging underage drinking, but it’s just a great example of how you can make mistakes in college and, in the grand scheme of things, get away with it. Hopefully, you will learn from it.

College is like a playground for young adults. You can chill out on the swings and spend your time having a little fun on the Quad, or you can challenge yourself on the monkey bars and learn how to become successful.

I chose the latter, but I still wish I had made more mistakes. It would have made me a better person.

I would have had a better sense of how far is too far. I might know a bit more about what works and what doesn’t. And I could have used what I learned to make better decisions in real life, which is now less than three weeks away, seniors.

One way to make mistakes is to take risks. I know, it can be scary, when you don’t know the outcome of whatever it is that you are about to try. Hopefully, your curiosity takes over and you test the water. You might fail, but you can still leave with something to help you for the next time. Walk away a winner no matter what.

Join the Chronicle

If you were inspired by the first 350 words of this article, then I hope you will do what I did and attend one Chronicle staff meeting to see what we do. (No, this is not just targeted at the few print journalism students who haven’t gotten their acts together yet.)

The Chronicle is the closest thing to the real world that Quinnipiac has to offer. What we write in print or post online is open to everyone – not just the student body, the Quinnipiac community or Hamden. What we report can get picked up nationally (seriously, it has, on a few occasions). What we publish can make an impact on the community and cause change. There is a risk for every story we publish.

No matter what your major, the Chronicle has a spot for you, and I promise you will become more responsible. Perhaps most importantly, you will learn how to write. Even if you choose not to write for the paper, we will teach you how to write a professional email, which is a very underrated skill.

No matter what part of the paper you join, you will have a boss, and you will have co-workers. Learning how to work with people and learning how to work for people are also underrated skills. News flash: You aren’t going to like everyone you work with or for. That applies in the real world, and the Chronicle.

We are a friendly bunch of students; we understand that each student brings something different to the organization.

The Chronicle will help you take risks. Without a doubt, it helped me.

Let this sendoff be a thank you to the Chronicle and everyone who I worked with in my four years. I just hope others will follow suit.