SB '11!!!!!!

Spring break....

I normally love it. It's a nice (yet much needed) break from school, and a good excuse to go somewhere out of Ohio--which I can attest we all need--this year, however, I loathe it.

Around this time of year, I think I'm asked my spring break plans daily.  Groups are forming, final plans are being made, tickets are being booked, and bikinis are even coming out in stores. Planning your spring break is one of the best parts...when you have a spring break to plan that is.  This year I feel like one of the only un-fun kids from Ohio that isn't going somewhere fun.

For the past two years I have made the 14 hour drive down to Jacksonville, FL, to a fun campground that's right on the beach (that's our campsite pictured above).  It's perfect. But, although it doesn't look like it, it's expensive. Gas alone cost all four of us $100 each there and back, factor in the $150 campsite, $150 on groceries for the week, another $100 on "activity money", $55 for touristy activities...this adds up.  Even though it may be a smaller percentage of what some people pay, on a poor college student's budget, $550 goes a long way....(that's 2,750 packets of ramen!!!!!)

Basically, this year I can't afford a $500 vacation--although, I guess I can't complain since I will be spending 2 weeks traveling around Europe this summer--but that's too far away. I just hate having to say that I'm going to Granville, OH for my spring break.

Well, I guess for now I'll just have to be the un-fun kid from Ohio who's not doing anything for spring break. I'm kind of starting to accept it now, though...kind of.  

I'll just have to resort to pictures, memories, and fake tanning (...only kidding). 

News writing for dummies.

I think I need to go purchase a "News Writing for Dummies" book.  I've never liked news writing, therefore I've never been particularly fond of news writing.  But after not writing a news article for almost a year, you forget how difficult it is to pick it back up.  So how am I doing with my first story? Let's just say...I'm struggling.
After I stared at a blank computer screen for almost an hour trying to think of a lead, I made the decision two days ago to change my topic-- a topic that I thought would be much easier...(key word here--thought).
My first story, about the lot where Mercy Hospital is, came to a halt when I spoke with John Paulsen about Witt's future plans with the lot.  Upon hearing that Witt has made no plans on purchasing the land, and even better, doesn't even know what they'd do with it, I quickly saw how hard it is to write about something that didn't happen.
On the positive side, I did have a great experience with stepping into my reporting shoes again.  After emailing Paulsen, I had a phone call from him within 15 minutes of sending it.  Not only was it was quick response, but he was beyond friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.  What a great way to start reporting again, right?!
Well, I'm rambling.  So to shorten things up--returning to news writing after months of "10 page paper writing", it's always a big jump that I once again have to grow used to.  But hey, I don't want to say too much about it until I see the grade of my first article...

"Watch your words, for they become actions..."

To be honest, even though I am proud and respectful of the Wittenberg community, I would have never expected to see the chapel filled with students, faculty and staff during the convocation yesterday.  Black, white, gay, straight, old, young....everyone was there, or well, everyone who cared. 
In response to the horrendous note that was posted on a black student's door on MLK day reading, "Whites only, no coloreds", it was truly a beautiful sight to see.  Looking around at my friends crying, or even my professors crying, was a good reminder as to why I came to Wittenberg; the feeling of family.
When I first heard of the incident, I was shocked, confused, MAD, saddened, deeply hurt...and this wasn't even directed towards me!  I can only imagine how the targeted student felt, or even the remaining black students on our campus.  Who would have thought that in 2011, we would have been referencing back to the time period between 1955-1968?  I know I sure didn't...
It truly baffles me that someone would feel compelled to write such hateful words directed specifically at another person.  After coming to such a diverse university, you'd think that their background would match their college choice...
Although, even after such a hate crime, following yesterdays convocation I can once again say that I am proud to be a student at Wittenberg University. But let's still get things straight--I think we all can agree that the picture posted above needs to stay in the past & not continue to arise in the future.


And to those who need reminded....always remember....

"Watch your thoughts for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."

Contrary to popular belief..

Marijuana is a plant.  Sure it is classified as a Schedule I drug, but it's still an easily accessible plant.  So, what's my opinion on the dope smoking on Witt's campus?  In two words--it's inevitable. 

Just last night at a party, I began to tackle this question immediately after I was told that there was a "smoking room" upstairs.  At first it sounded absurd that there was a room set aside specifically for smoking weed, but as I looked around at the beer cans covering the floor and the 15+ half-empty hard liquor bottles, I questioned whether marijuana was the problem here.  

As I see a group of students sitting on the couch talking, it was blatantly obvious they were stoned.  Not only did they wreak of weed, but their red, squinty eyes easily gave it away.  As they continued to carry on a normal conversation, I now see the other group of students simultaneously chugging beers to the song "Thunder".  Fist pumping to the music, throwing their bodies into the air, and trying to string together at least a few words to complete a sentence, I feel it is this group who is going to regret what they did the next morning (or at least I would be embarrassed...).  

What I'm trying to say, while taking the long way around in doing so, is weed is not the problem.  Sure, it's on our campus, but its use does not even begin to compare to the amount of alcohol use, nor do majority of the problems that arise around campus stem from smoking weed or weed in general.  

What would be an intriguing and compelling argument would be to investigate whether smoking weed leads to an increase in the use of hard drugs on our campus, as some call marijuana a gateway drug.  Maybe it already does, but I'm not sure of the exact use of other hard drugs on campus.  It would be an interesting statistic to know, but as of now, I "blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol".

But, in all seriousness, I don't want it to sound as if I'm fully supporting marijuana and all it's uses.  I do feel that some people overuse, as well as misuse the drug, however, I'm simply stating that the specific use of marijuana on Wittenberg's campus is not as prevalent as alcohol--which, let's not forget, alcohol is a drug too!

Oh yeah, one more thing. It is sometimes overly obvious that some kids may be smoking before class, but how come we're not hounding the student who drank a beer in my math class (then stupidly left the can in the classroom!)?? Get smart....just don't do either!

But, lets be real here...it's college & it's everywhere.