Writing for Modern Media

This semester I find myself in an odd place academically. Last year as an overzealous sophomore, I completed the majority of my English major requirements. Signing up for my current classes felt a bit misdirected at first, but the flexibility I gave myself in course selection allowed me to flex some English muscles I didn’t know I had. One of my favorites this semester is Writing for Modern Media with Professor Vicki Stiefel, which teaches how to write articles that could be submitted to periodicals. It stresses the importance of adapting to the rapidly changing publishing industry (in my professor’s words: “the publishing industry is like a crazy person on speed running around with his head cut off”) by maintaining an internet platform. Daily posts to Twitter and Facebook aren’t my favorite, but each week we get to dig in to a new style of article writing. Peer review sessions conducted around a conference table and detailed written edits from Professor Stiefel have initiated a new level of consciousness for my writing, and the variety of assignments creates a fun and challenging academic environment. Sample an assignment I wrote for the class after the break.

Pay Less, Papusa More

Hacienda Don Juan
875 Main Street, Worcester
(508) 756-2076
haciendadonjuan.com

As a stereotypically broke college student, I can assure you of my expertise in all things frugal, but don’t think this means I’m willing to sacrifice taste or quality. Fortunately, Worcester’s Main South has a multitude of affordable yet tantalizing dining options--and Hacienda Don Juan rests comfortably at the top of my list.

My initial thoughts upon entering the little restaurant weren’t great. In fact, the florescent lighting, plastic table cloths, and pair of flat screens holding a shouting contest made me consider an immediate retreat. Fortunately, I was there with a group for a friend’s birthday dinner, so I stayed to try the food.

The menu was impressive--both in size and variety. Hacienda specializes in a mix of Salvadorian and Mexican cuisine, so there’s always a fun yet sometimes lengthy process of decision making. For the hearty eaters, I’d recommend the Azteca Combo: it comes with an authentic chicken tomale, roasted pollo, a shrimp burrito, their house-made guacamole in a crispy tortilla cup, and a side of beans and rice (not just any beans and rice, the most delicious and creamy beans and rice in all the Main South). At $12.99, this meal that satisfies two hungry bellies will also satisfy your wallet. If you’re being extra stingy—something I can usually relate to—they also have an appetizer section, and if you know the right combination of items you can eat a dinner so cheap it’ll feel like stealing.

Perhaps the most famous of Salvadorian foods, papusas are hands down the highlight of Hacienda Don Juan. What are they? Think a handmade corn or rice tortilla stuffed full of cheese and whatever other item you desire: they offer beans, loroco (a type of green vegetable), chicken, or beef. If you’re lucky, they’ll be offering their famous “papusa loca,” filled with cheese, beans, loroco and jalepeños. They start at $1.50, and I’ve never been able to eat—comfortably, at least—more than two and half. Pair the papusa special with a couple tacos--the best is made with cow tongue. On frisky nights I’ll even order a batido fresa, which is a frozen strawberry milkshake smoothie hybrid. Speaking of drinks, the restaurant is BYOB, and they have a free uncorking service so you can leave the wine glasses and corkscrew at home.

After trying the food, the harshness of the unfortunate decor becomes less obtrusive, and there’s even some charm to be found in the various knick-knacks labelled “DON’T TOUCH.” Hacienda is a great location for a casual group party, a place to bring friends, and certainly one you’ll add to your list of go-to restaurants.