Katie Batchelor

The lovely Katie Batchelor, a bus driver, allowed me to interview her as she was driving. Katie was gracious enough to not only let me interview her but to also laugh at my jokes.

Katie is 21 years old and a third year at UC Davis. She balances working as a bus driver and majoring in genetics. No small feat.

Katie has a several pets; she has three cats and bunches of fish. Some of Katie’s interests include video games and reading. She especially likes reading fantasy series. She was once a soccer star, but those years are behind her now…

Katie’s favorite route to drive is the Q-line. She explains that it wraps all around Davis and requires mostly right handed turns so she rarely has to wait. A good thing for Katie because she likes to race the P-line (this line services the same stops as the Q except in the opposite direction.) As we arrived to campus, Katie beat the P-line!

Katie is a sushi lover (we bonded over this.) We discussed a few places around Davis that serve great sushi and she explained that Mikuni in downtown Davis is her favorite sushi spot. Katie was a doll during the interview; I wanted to stuff her in my pocket and take her with me! Until next time, have a nice ride.

Alex Taylor

Hola! Today’s random rider is Alex Taylor. Alex is a bus service trainer. Thanks to him our bus drivers get us safely to our destinations!

Alex is a recent UC Davis graduate. He majored in wildlife, fish and conservation biology and is a former intern of the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology. When he isn’t training bus drivers, Alex takes to the skies. He nonchalantly mentioned that he takes flying lessons at a local airport. The roads and the skies need to make room for Alex!

One of the things that Alex likes best about his job has to do with the types of buses he drives to train drivers. He loves the vintage double-decker buses. Alex explained that of the three older double-decker buses, two run on diesel and one runs on compressed natural gas. What’s even more special is that the bus that runs on compressed natural gas is the only one of its kind in the world.

Alex encourages anyone who’s interested in becoming a bus driver to apply. As a bus driver, you have unique opportunities, especially when it comes to acquiring managerial positions.

In high school, Alex was involved in cross country and he runs on a regular basis (this guy has every mode of transportation covered.)  If there was transportation royalty in Davis, Alex would be a duke. Until next time, have a nice ride.

Janaye Pierce

Janaye and I were pleasantly surprised to learn that we are both originally from two small towns that border each other. Janaye is from Lemoore, CA, while I’m from Hanford, CA. On the subject of hometowns, I asked Janaye about the types of holiday parties she and her family enjoy. She said that her family is prone to “big Irish shindigs.”

Janaye jokes that her mom is really intense about ham. Like really intense. But it always turns out well, so it’s okay! Janaye also told me about her family’s tradition of throwing a special party dedicated to decorating the Christmas tree.

Janaye enjoys walking around scenic Davis and getting coffee with friends. Like many UC Davis students, she’s currently battling finals and the stress that comes with it. Hang in there! Until next time, have a nice ride.

Cameron is a third-year at Chico State and plans to major in criminal justice. He wants to become a police officer and frequently watches crime shows like Cops and CSI. Cameron and I realized that we share a mutual love for the character of Gil Grissom and his oh so witty remarks.

Cameron Burkhart

Cameron is originally from Woodland but moved to Brentwood as an adolescent. Because he lived so close to Davis, Cameron knows downtown Davis well. Davis is a beautiful town; although, going out can sometimes get pricey for a college student.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner so I asked Cameron what his favorite Thanksgiving dish is and he described what I can only call the ultimate holiday sandwich. Cameron takes half a bun, stacks mash potatoes, gravy, and stuffing and then places the other half of the bun atop this delicious mountain. Yum! Like most college students, going home—especially during holidays like Thanksgiving—is a chance to eat savory meals for free.

Who does a Davis-ite meet on a trip from Davis to San Francisco? A funny and laid-back college student like Cameron. Cameron is no longer a stranger on a train, instead he is a nice guy with an affinity for cop dramas. Until next time, have a nice ride.

Sergei Shubin

Hola! Today’s random rider is Sergei Shubin. Sergei is an economics major and community & regional development minor at UC Davis. He is pre-law and hopes to attend Stanford Law School but jokingly says that he’ll apply “everywhere” and anywhere.

Sergei instantly greeted me with a warm smile when I plotted myself next to him on the bus. He was very friendly and open during the entire interview.

Sergei's warm smile!

Halloween is just a couple of days away and I thought I’d ask Sergei if he had any plans. Unfortunately, he has to work all Halloween day and he admits that as he’s grown older he lost some of the Halloween spirit. Alas, Sergei reminisced about dressing up as one of the three musketeers as a child. He does, however, like the Dixon corn maze and the adventure it offers him and his friends in the fall.

Sergei noted what a shame it was that adults lose focus of fun holidays like Halloween. Children are full of Halloween excitement and are enthusiastic to dress up. Adults are happy just “putting pumpkins” outside their door. I suggested that he dress up as a nurse during Halloween weekend. I don’t think he’ll comply.

After the interview, Sergei and I chatted about school, stress, pheromones, and the meaning of life. Typical college stuff. Upon arriving to campus, we jumped off the bus, I took some pictures of him, and then we rushed off to class. I threw him a big friendly wave from twenty feet away and soon after we watched each other disappear into crowds of college students. Sergei you are no longer a stranger on a bus instead you are a future lawyer and my new friend! Until next time, have a nice ride.

Carly, Edith, and Masako

Hola! Today’s random riders are Carly, Edith, and Masako. I met these three lovely ladies as they were waiting to board a bus. Carly, Edith, and Masako are seniors and will be graduating soon. Carly will be receiving a degree in History, Edith in Linguistics and Spanish, and Masako in Bio-chemistry and Japanese. They met in a drama class and form quite an impressive group of smart young ladies!

Carly

Finals week is looming over UCD students; it officially begins Saturday the fourth and ends Thursday the ninth. Because of this, the subject of the interview revolved around finals week. I asked Carly, Edith, and Masako to describe how the anxiety of finals week affects them and how they deal with it. Carly explained that her outlet is food. She commented that during finals week cooking meals makes her feel like she is“wasting time.” Carly laughs as she lists some of the things she eats during finals: Mcdonalds, candy, and chocolate.

Edith admits that when it comes to finals week she loves “getting a a good laugh.” However, this sometimes means surfing the web while ignoring schoolwork. But Edith explains that her “mind” needs “exercise” so it must not be stuck on schoolwork all the time.

Edith

Masako describes her past quarters as being characterized by a lack of sleep and food. Masako pointed out that in the past, her stress level was quite high but she wants to relax since it is her last quarter and just try her best.

I asked the ladies if they had any advice for fellow students dealing with the stress of finals (I too am a victim of finals week stress). Carly suggests that students try to subdue their consumption of caffeine. Edith advices that those suffering from stress let their minds wander and relax for a bit, while Masako simply says “take a nap.”

Masako

When it comes to finals week everyone has different ways to deal with the stress. This group of young ladies were kind enough to share how they interact with the anxieties of finals week. The tests, the essays, ah!

No longer are these women strangers on a bus, but students who have survived finals week and will survive this last finals week. Carly, Edith, and Masako, this is your last quarter so make sure that while you’re fighting stress you relish the anxiety a bit because it will be the last time you’ll feel this type of pressure as an undergraduate. Until next time, have a nice ride.

Alex Vercelli

Hola! Today’s random rider is Alex Vercelli. Well, today’s rider is actually a bus driver. Alex has been driving big red buses for about three years and although he drives most routes, his favorite is the F-line. Alex explains that the F-line is the most scenic and “beautiful” route. This route covers most of north Davis and includes many aesthetically pleasing homes.

Alex is an animal science major who has big plans to travel the world and a passion for soccer. Quite befittingly, Alex hopes to travel the world as a professional soccer player. Some of his fondest childhood memories have to do with travel and soccer. As a kid, Alex went on a soccer tour to Mexico that inspired him to not only play soccer but to do so on a global level.

Currently, Alex plays for the Sacramento Gold, a semi-pro team from Sac. Check out Alex’s team at http://www.sacramentogoldfc.com/. He plays soccer every single day, goes to school, and holds a job driving buses. Alex must be a dedicated young man to balance so many things.

Besides playing soccer professionally, Alex has what he calls an “infinite” amount of goals. He likes to “set goals high to reach new heights.” Some of his goals include learning how to farm and becoming a master chef. He’s ultimate goal is to one day be a good father. Aw!

Alex was an incredibly polite and kind interviewee. He was a pleasure to talk to and by the end of the interview he turned the tables and asked questions about me.

Alex, don’t let go of that steering wheel! You’re no longer a stranger on a bus, instead a semi-pro soccer player and hopefully soon to be professional player. Your passion for soccer and travel along with your goals are inspiring. Until next time, have a nice ride.

Quincy and Ben

Hola! Today’s random riders are Quincy Jones and Ben Enos. Dressed in their sporty outfits ready to hit the ARC, I couldn’t help but be drawn to this dynamic duo. In fact, Quincy and Ben, both sophomores, were dressed in identical outfits on their way to some afternoon basketball.

I’m not just trying to sound alliterative when I say “dynamic duo.” Indeed, Quincy and Ben are quite the pair; they’ve been friends for about two years. They’re also roommates and both work as intermural sports officials at the ARC. Both Quincy and Ben are political science majors and plan on attending law school. They met through a basketball club their freshman year and have been inseparable since!

Ben

Ben is originally from Humboldt, CA. He really likes Davis, but is glad to be “close to home.” Ben is “quite the dancer,” according to Quincy. Quincy claims that Ben dances in “any and all venues.” Who knows, maybe Ben is the next Fred Astaire!

Besides his awesome dance moves, Ben shared his disappointment in not being able to play sports at the college level. Mostly, due to the amount of time required. He was quite the athlete in high school, but the demands of college sports is “overwhelming.”

It appears as though Ben has the dance moves, while Quincy has the vocal talent. Quincy is interested in rapping and regularly does so with his brother. In fact, Ben sometimes works as his “producer.”

Quincy is originally from LA. He explains that Davis is definitely “different” from what he’s used to, but he’s enjoying the Davis experience.

Quincy

Like Ben, Quincy was an athlete in high school. Now, he only plays recreationally. Quincy is also interested in joining the cast of the Real World in the near future. Quincy looked excited as he talked about creating an “audition tape for the Real World.” Good luck Q!

Ben and Quincy. Quincy and Ben. This dynamic duo is no longer just strangers on a bus. Both young men are aiming high as they approach graduation in the next few years and plan to attend law school. Ben, don’t forget to shake your money-maker as your face is deep in law books. And Quincy, the Real World house awaits you! Until next time, have a nice ride.

The Dynamic Duo

P.S. Yes ladies, they’re both single.

Agnieszka Lewandowski

Hola! I’m Yesenia, a UCD undergrad double majoring in English and African Studies. I believe everyone has a story to tell and I want to hear it. I’m randomly interviewing riders on the UCD Unitrans, whether they be students or not. It’s my goal to depict the unique stories and unexpected interests of Unitrans riders. If you regularly ride the Unitrans your quirky traits and interesting stories might end up in Davis Life Magazine. Just look out for the tall girl with a legal pad!

Today’s random rider is Agnieszka Lewandowski. On April 8^th I hopped on the K-line and was instantly drawn to Agnieszka—who was dressed in a snazzy formal suit. Agnieszka (19) is a sophomore at UCD. She’s working toward a degree in bio-psychology and plans to one day become a doctor.

I asked Agnieszka where she was headed and she told me she was on her way to “an interview with Phi Delta Epsilon,” a pre-med fraternity at UCD, in hopes of “being more involved” in non-academic activities. Although Agnieszka was dressed in business attire for her interview with Phi Delta Epsilon, a little part of me wants to think that fate sent an interviewee dressed in formal attire just for me!

Agnieszka “entered as a psychology major” and eventually landed on bio-psychology to “incorporate a biological outlook” into her interest in psychology. She wants to become a doctor and Agnieszka notes that an organization like Doctors without Borders would be a “great” and optimum opportunity. She’s already caught the travel bug, Agnieszka plans on spending her junior year at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

One might already be envious of Agnieszka’s future goals (this girl is quite the humanitarian!). And I’d like to tell you that Agnieszka has incredibly high aspirations in the professional and the humanitarian realm but she leads a boring life. This might make us feel a little better about our goals, which sometimes include trying our hardest not to fall asleep in those basement lecture rooms in Wellman. However, Agnieszka is also a very artistic and well-rounded individual.

Agnieszka has an artsy side. She plans on minoring in art and is especially interested in the urban designs of Si Scott. Check out some of Scott’s designs and see if you and Agnieszka have similar aesthetic tastes http://www.siscottstudio.com/.

Furthermore, Agnieszka played classical piano for thirteen years. Folks, Agnieszka has played the piano for more years than she hasn’t played the piano. From the age of five to eighteen, Agnieszka was tickling the ivory. In fact, she was once a member of a junior organization of the National Piano Guild, which sounds fancy because it is.

While Agnieszka played the piano, she performed in many concerts. One which comes to memory is where Agnieszka’s hands were “so shaky that the audience could literally see them shaking.” Yet, Agnieszka gave a great performance and someone commented that she had “spirit in her fingers.”

Agnieszka, you play piano, you are an artist, and you’re going to be a doctor. No longer are you a stranger on a bus, but instead a goal oriented young lady with interesting and dynamic interests. Until next time, have a nice ride.