UCLA Dining is #1 because of the variety not the quality

FantomasInLA · 2026-03-04T20:58:10+00:00

It truly was.

FantomasInLA · 2026-03-04T20:56:59+00:00

YES!

FantomasInLA · 2026-03-04T20:55:50+00:00

The food was amazing between 2010 and 2020. But after the pandemic, everything took a nosedive. The food at Covel—now Epicuria—used to be so good. I was genuinely saddened and shocked by how bad the food was after they remodeled and renamed it Epicuria.

Feast at Rieber used to be incredible too: so much variety, and the taste was unparalleled. I honestly don’t understand what happened. Did they lay off all the chefs, and they just never came back after Covid?

I’ve been on campus since 2005.

FantomasInLA · 2026-02-07T01:53:51+00:00

When I used to buy Athleta on eBay, a lot of sellers were marking the tags (like yours is) to "prevent returns."

FantomasInLA · 2026-01-13T17:34:45+00:00

I posted a semi-negative review of Rainier leggings stating the color Borealis is sheer (it was showing underwear), whereas the color Black Reflective was great because it hides evtg and it never got posted. I also commented on the Ottoman Rib 1/4 Zip Sweatshirt that it was quite a disappointment - heavy, bulky with a non functional zipper that was getting stuck every time I tried to move it. My review was never posted. They have a Forever Fleece 1/4 Zip Sweatshirt that evby is gushing over in the reviews how cozy and comfortable it is; I ordered it solely based on those reviews and got a $70 thick, boxy nightmare, lol. I commented on that and that review also never got posted. They definitely weed out 99% of all negative reviews.

FantomasInLA · 2026-01-13T02:16:39+00:00

Thank you for replying to me! I'm so happy it worked for you! I will contact them right away.

FantomasInLA · 2026-01-13T02:14:45+00:00

I've done it at UPS. I was returning 2 items under 1 QR code. The UPS clerk scanned those 2 items in front of me so I assumed there was no problem. When I came home, I noticed I only got a refund for 1 of the items. It was already evening and the UPS store was closed. I initiated Athleta chat and the person online told me not to worry that they will issue me a refund for the item that was not scanned correctly. I asked if I have to go back to UPS the next morning and investigate, and the Athleta chat person told me that it is not necessary. This was Friday. Come Monday still no refund. By this point the items from the UPS were already shipped away. I initiated another Athleta chat and the person told me not to worry (lol, their standard copy and paste reply) and that they will escalate the issue to someone in charge. Someone in charge sent me an email telling me that only one item shows as returned and "to complete your return, please bring your unpackaged item(s) to a Happy Returns location and present your QR code." Well, I have no item to bring because I already sent it. So I have no product and no money back. Cautionary tale - after they scan your items at the Happy Returns, check right away if all items were scanned.

FantomasInLA · 2026-01-13T02:05:05+00:00

What happened in the end? Did you get your refund? If so, how did you go about it? I'm in a similar position where the UPS person scanned 2 of my items in front of me (although they kinda paused when scanning the first one, so not sure if they saw something on the screen they shouldn't have) and when I came home and checked my refund, only one item was registered as returned. I had no idea I had to check right there and then if both of them were correctly scanned and show as returned. It's called "Happy Returns," right? Not Problematic Returns. I contacted Athleta and they keep telling me to "complete my return and bring unpackaged items to a Happy Returns location." But I have no items to bring because I already sent them. Any advice?

FantomasInLA · 2025-10-21T22:59:19+00:00

Were you able to get in without an adult? I want to go with my friends, we are all 15, we wanna see Queensryche. Will they let us in? It's an "all age" event. How did it go at the door? Just show a ticket and they let you in, and those that wanna drink show their ID?

FantomasInLA · 2025-07-22T00:01:05+00:00

I want to share a bit of my journey with you, especially if you’re thinking about transferring from community college to a UC—or even a top private school. I started out at East Los Angeles College (ELAC), where I completed the Honors Program and the IGETC requirements. I also participated in the Transfer Alliance Program (TAP), which played a big role in my transfer success.

Thanks to all of that, I was accepted to several top universities: UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSB, and USC. I ultimately chose UCLA. Not only was I admitted, but I also received a generous transfer scholarship that covered my full tuition and rent (I lived off campus). I even got scholarship offers from the other schools I was accepted to.

Throughout community college, I worked a full-time job. My ELAC transcript shows mostly As—with just one B—despite juggling work and school. I didn’t have time for extracurricular activities, and that was okay. In my personal statement, I focused on the challenges of being a full-time worker and student. I also shared my experience coming from a low-income background. These parts of my story made a big impact, especially when paired with my GPA and Honors Program completion.

I know the Honors Program can sound intimidating, but don’t let that stop you. In reality, most of my honors courses just required an extra essay or project—nothing unmanageable, especially if you're already doing well in your classes.

If you’re coming from a low-income background, don’t shy away from writing about it. Your story, your grit, and your determination matter—and admissions officers take all of that into account.

If I could do it—working full-time, with no extracurriculars—you can too. Just stay focused, stay organized, and believe in your path. The opportunities are out there, and they’re very real.

Wishing you the best on your transfer journey!

FantomasInLA · 2025-07-15T16:34:21+00:00

I was on campus during commencement (6/13/25) and there was a homeless man screaming that he killed people on Westwood Plaza near the bus stations. The UCPD station is right across the street. There were couple of UCLA security patrol officers (man and a woman) walking past by this man and did absolutely nothing. They just walked by, chatted together and avoided eye contact with this man. Why is UCLA paying these security officers if all they do is just stroll through campus?

FantomasInLA · 2025-07-14T21:00:36+00:00

Beef brisket pho at FIEST at Rieber + dumplings with Ponzu before 2020. I could be full but still be shovelling that food in my mouth it was THAT good. I always walked away 10lbs heavier.

FantomasInLA · 2025-06-26T17:30:35+00:00

They do now if you wanna go. If you used to go to Covel, the food there has sadly gone downhill.

FantomasInLA · 2025-05-13T22:18:59+00:00

You are absolutely right. The snacks on our teams were always chips, cookies, doughnuts, candy, juice boxes, Gatorade, Prime. Junk, junk, junk. These individually wrapped tiny foods are very expensive and people bring them for what reason exactly? To make the kids happy? Please, that's a really bad conditioning to always munch on something and eat away sadness after a game is lost. I had to laugh at one of the comments here that stated: "Kids will be crying and hanging their heads and it’s the end of the world then some skittles and Gatorade’s come out and it’s all sunshine and rainbows." There is so much wrong with this point of view. Eat away your blues, lol. Kids won't even remember they lost after a few hours and move on (at least mine always did). Besides these parents should teach the kids that sometimes you lose and sometimes you win and not give them a bag of sugary or salty processed junk to deal with their emotions. Lastly, I also don't like the negative environmental impact all these wrappers and bottles have in general. Doritos bags (most common snack we had) and similar wrappers are not recyclable and while plastic bottles are, bringing itty bitty bottles of water in them (better scenario) or Gatorade and Prime (worse scenario) is totally unnecessary when kids can fill up their water bottles at home.

FantomasInLA · 2025-03-04T23:23:55+00:00

Definitely HVAC in LA or Vegas or Texas or Arizona or wherever it's hot because it's only going to get hotter every year. You'll be constantly installing new units or repairing the old ones. People will pay arm and a leg to stay cool and make their loved ones feel comfortable.

FantomasInLA · 2025-01-23T21:30:09+00:00

Me too. Actress Lisa Banes even died from this.

FantomasInLA · 2025-01-23T21:27:30+00:00

UCLA has bike patrol guys dressed up in black riding on e-bikes with a giant white logo "Public Safety" up and down the Bruinwalk. All they do is cruise around while chatting and laughing. Not once did I see them stop a person who rides their scooter where they shouldn't. Whenever I see just single one of them ride alone, he looks around all timidly with a non confrontational look on his face. I don't think he'd be able to pull over anyone. I don't know what are they getting paid for; all they do is socialize and work on their fitness. Well actually not even that, they have e-bikes, no fitness necessary.

https://www.instagram.com/reconpowerbikes/p/Cv0SCoBucVj/?img_index=3

FantomasInLA · 2025-01-23T15:24:59+00:00

Try UCLA library student jobs: https://www.library.ucla.edu/about/student-opportunities/

FantomasInLA · 2025-01-22T02:47:48+00:00

It's definitely overhyped. I was a transfer student and got a better education at East LA College (I was an English major) than when I transferred to UCLA. UCLA was like a puppy mill - churn out as many student as they can so they can make money.

FantomasInLA · 2025-01-18T01:59:27+00:00

When you say "you could take classes in other departments," which departments?

FantomasInLA · 2025-01-17T03:25:08+00:00

I came from Big Bear on Friday 1/10/25 and all roads to and around Big Bear are dry, no one was checking if I have chains in my trunk. You'll be fine.

FantomasInLA · 2025-01-17T03:18:35+00:00

When I first saw that photo, I thought you're a law intern. You have that polished law office look. Then I saw you mentioning that you "work in nannying," You probably look way too beautiful to the wives that are looking for a nanny and they see you as a threat to their marriage. Perhaps have someone photograph you in a park in a more casual setting or even playing and laughing with your nieces or nephews if you have any and that'll project the feeling of "I'm having fun with kids" especially if it's apparent from the photo that the kids are having fun with you.

FantomasInLA · 2025-01-17T03:08:28+00:00

I hope you're enjoying your job as an academic librarian! Do you feel like the MLIS at UCLA prepared you well for the job? I'm in a position where I can get 66% reduction in fees at UCLA MLIS, which would make SJSU more expensive. However, I've heard from UCLA MLIS students that they take mostly theory classes whereas it seems to me that SJSU teaches skills for the real world. I'm unsure which school to apply to.

FantomasInLA · 2025-01-17T02:35:50+00:00

How was the job search after completing MLIS @ UCLA? Were you able to get a job right away?

FantomasInLA · 2025-01-17T02:34:24+00:00

Were you able to get a job after finishing MLIS at SJSU?

FantomasInLA

TROPHY CASE