Question of the Day

What would you tell and anthropologist about your life?




A question from my text book.

Week one done

Week one of school is done. Lots more to go. Here are some things I've noted this week.

Anthropology - 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
~Anthropological is one of my new favorite words.
~My professor was forced to teach "extemporaneously" yesterday and thanks to debate I know what that means.
~"Don't trample each other, it's tacky." A quotation from my professor about evacuating.
~Lesson of today - be careful what you say in front of an anthropologist.

Chemistry - 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
~Esoteric - another word I like the sound of.
~"I'm typically not such a tricky bastard on exams." One of the things I love about college is that teachers don't have to tip toe around the truth. This quotation is from prof. I believe it was in reference to Sig Figs.
~Contemplation--> Teachers must have incredibly strong shoulder muscles. All that erasing...
~Observation --> Chemistry professors/instructors seem to hate Sig Figs as much as students.

Math - 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM (Yes, you read that right. I have three classes in a row, MWRF. Tuesdays are my only exception when I don't have Chem. lecture and an added lab on Thursdays.)
~Extrapolate - an over used word in mathematics.

Other
~There is a guy I see frequently on campus "ducked" out in UO green and yellow. Every time I see him I happen to be wearing OSU orange. Why is that? I want to know his story.
~Apparently all the elevators in the Environmental Sciences Building get stuck from time to time. Yesterday on my way down this happened. I looked to the girls next to me, one looked equally concerned, the other looked at the two of us and said "oh don't worry all the elevators in this building get stuck." "You're kidding," I replied. "No, just give it a sec and it'll start again." Sure enough it did, but why isn't anyone worried about this?
~Spaghetti still remains the perfect meal after swimming.
~How many calories am I burning everyday between biking, hiking, walking,stressing, swimming, while schleping my backpack (excl. swimming)?
~To schlep is probably one of the coolest verbs in Webster's Dictionary.

More observations from yours truly

I like my TA's old haircut much better than her new one. (The class has me so engaged that this is what I think about.)

Today, a discussion turned debate about the best way to raise children, seemed a bit irrelevant when the class is an introduction to communication technology.

Further extending the metaphor about newspapers being like eating ice cream cones, constantly seeing phantom drips coming off my cone is like having newspaper dreams.

If the class understands what the informal logical fallacy of division is after two examples, the class probably still understands after example five. Stopping after example two would have been appreciated. (Not to mention a better use of class time.)

The newsroom fish, Woodstein, does not seem overly fond of the rubber ducky I put in his bowl.

Lesson Two

There's really no reason to be in a rush for dining center coffee.

Situation averted: another college skill

I knew there was going to be trouble.

The nicely dressed old man may have looked innocent enough, standing in the middle of the sidewalk, but I'm no longer a freshman. I saw the cardboard boxes at his feet, noticed the small green book in his hand. He was not out just to enjoy the sunshine.

I was on my way to get coffee and had no wish to be deterred. I put my head down, wore a stern look, and quickened my pace. But he would not be deterred either.

"Good morning," he said, as I walked by.

Torn between my annoyance and desire for coffee and distress at the thought of being rude to a nicely dressed old man, I said, "Good morning," but compromised by continuing to walk.

"Would you like a copy of the new testament today?"

"No, thank you," I replied over my shoulder.

Situation averted. I've learned much since I first arrived at college.

Problematic Prepositions

There are several phrases I use while typing that puzzle me. I am not a grammar expert, though I know my co-author and several AH readers are, so I have some questions.

"Into" VS "in to" - Should you use "in to" in certain cases or always use "into"?

"By" VS "from" - I was given your contact information by/from Christina Watts. Or does that sentence not work at all?

"So" - I realize so is an adverb not a preposition, but is it grammatically correct to use it at the beginning of say a blog post?

College Stress Update

Officially as of right now I only have 10 credits (2 classes). I couldn't get into the math class I need so I'm just going to show up tomorrow and do anything (almost) to get in. I also have to attend the biology class I dropped, just in case I can't get into the math class.

I also think I'm going to change my major, again. It's actually more of an alteration. I think I'm going to do the Bio/Anth BA instead of the BS. The BA is only 89 credits and the BS is ~105. I could still go to medical school if I wanted and I wouldn't have to take a full year of math this year. Only one term is needed. SWEET.

Right now I'm in the process of weighing my pros and cons for the BA vs the BS. Thoughts anyone?

I can't wait to get off this roller coaster, but that's life isn't. I should write a song.

Song of the Day

This is one of my new favorite songs. It helps me feel good.

"Everything" by Michael Bublé

Song of the Day

I've been saving another song for a long time to use for Song of the Day but I feel like I need to make fun of myself a bit here so...

"Anxiety" by Pat Benatar

Apologies

I am going to apologize right now for any further blogging that has to do with me slipping into my shell mode, panicking about college, or missing home. I'm sorry. That's just what I do.

Falling Behind

I'm trying so hard to stay in control of my emotions here. I took my math placement test this morning with high hopes that I wouldn't have to take any more math and that I would finally be done messing around with my schedule. I was foolish to get my hopes up. It turns out that because I took business math last year I'm still technically a full year behind and now have to math a science math series. Last year was apparently a waste of time and money. I'm so pissed off.

Now I have to drop my biology class and try to sign up for my a math class, return my biology books, and try to decide if I can handle taking 18 credits each term. I also might have to go to school for an extra year. NO! I hate this. I don't even want to be here right now let alone 4 more years.

I also didn't realize that the saying "up hill both ways" could actually be true, but it is.

I just want to go home.

Now A Viking

It's been a long time AH readers, but I'm back. Over the summer I found it increasingly difficult to use my Internet and somewhere in the middle of July I gave up. Now that school has started I will be able to use a decent service and go back to my normal blogging habits.

I moved into my dorm today and am now mostly unpacked. I have yet to make the space mine, but am doing it slowly.

I had a quick goodbye with my mom and sister so as not to drag it on like last year. I called her about an hour ago and it was rough. Even now thinking about it is impossible to do without welling up. So, moving on.

My roommate is from Taiwan and speaks English quite well. I have met only one of my other two suite mates and things went fine.

I'm not sure if I'll make dinner tonight because I wish just informed by my suite mate (who works for Dining Services) that the dining halls close at 6:45, convenient. I was going to meet a friend for dinner at around 7:30, but now I don't know. It'll hopefully be fine because I had a big lunch and am not hungry, so no worries.

Tomorrow I will be taking a math placement test in the morning. I would have done it sooner, but because I changed my major in the middle of the summer I didn't know to take it during "Transitions." I will also be exploring the campus, meeting up with a friend or two, and going to declare my new major.

For now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping things go smoothly this year.

So much for a break

A fire broke out near a couple apartment complexes around 3:30. The editor, managing editor, and I happened to be in the newsroom when the call came in on the scanner and drove to the scene. There were several natural fire breaks so only about an acre of field was burned. In the photo I'm waiting to talk to the head firefighter. I had already interviewed several people watching.

A week well done

While Pullman is by no means a bustling metropolis, I'm a firm believer in making the best of things and moving forward. So while the Communication School has thus far been a disappointment, I console myself and am made happy through working at the newspaper.

Similarly, while I sometimes miss Olympia's downtown, it is possible to spend an afternoon just as pleasantly in Pullman. After our noon class where we watched an episode of Law & Order (it's a Criminal Law class) the editor and I walked to a nice little thrift shop, hidden among a throng of fraternity and sorority houses. I couldn't resist picking up what at the time I thought to be a rather tacky tie (now I think it's just more ugly) for a collection, and two old books.

After our adventures at the thrift shop, we returned to the newsroom and picked up the managing editor for another trip to Ferdinand's for ice cream. As today was surprising warm, the walk was pleasant. Tomorrow we plan to visit the Farmer's Market in Moscow, ID.

The relaxing and laid back day was all too welcome after a week full of breaking news due to the sexual assault incident on campus. I also had two tests this week. I'm proud of the way we covered the incident but am looking forward to things dying down a bit. I skipped a class on Thursday and spent the afternoon at the courthouse with the copy chief to get an update on the Russell case also.

The week has been a busy one and though I'm a bit tired, it's nice to have busy week once in a while. It makes you feel like you accomplished something. It also makes me appreciate a day like today that much more.

A Cold Day

It is quite cold out this morning. This did not matter to some.

Girl 1: Tank top and T-shirt with a mini skirt and flip flops.

Me: Long-sleeve shirt, jeans, and a sweater.


Girl 1: Shivering and covered in goosebumps.

Me: Perfectly comfortable.

Did you find it?

If you find this, and you know who you are, my favorite posts are my stories from working at the plywood plant. Most of them are under the label work. You'll have to sort through them. Some are much better than others.

Also, you should refrain from negative judgements. They aren't nice.

First Home Football Game

At least 90 percent of the campus is wearing red. It's amazing and in some ways, creepy. That's Cougar devotion. At least 5 percent of the remaining 10 percent is sporting grey. As I said, I am amazed.

Don't ruin the holidays

Why?

Why are there Halloween cookies on display at Safeway?
It is not yet October.

Why?

Why was Christmas Vacation playing on the T.V.?
It's not even October yet.

There should be no Halloween references* until at least October. There should be no Thanksgiving references at least until after Halloween. There should be no Christmas references until after Thanksgiving. Everything has a time and place. It should be kept this way. Part of what makes the holidays enjoyable and special is that you have to wait for them. They aren't supposed to be around every day.

For shame.

*References include decorations, music, television, print, and casual conversations. This post is excluded.

Like eating ice cream

Eating an ice cream cone is like working at a newspaper. You have to constantly watch the edges of the cone for any possible drips. Sometimes a drip comes really close to falling off the cone because your attention was on another drip, but you catch it at the last minute. Other drips get on your clothes. The end of the cone, when ice cream starts melting out the bottom, is like deadline.

The above is a discussion I had with the editor-in-chief as we walked back from covering an event while eating Ferdinand's ice cream. She made the comparison.

Flushed Away

I never thought Jacques would come to mean much to me. I never really had a desire for a fish; I bought him on a whim. He wasn't the prettiest beta, more of a dull pink than a vibrant blue or red. He almost never became mine. I was interested in a small sapphire blue female when the swish of his tail caught my eye. I grabbed his plastic cup and he immediately proceeded to throw himself against the edge of his container like he was having a seizure. He was a psychotic fish. I knew he belonged with me.

I bought him a few plastic plants and an octopus holding a sign reading, "No Fishing." The first few days were a bit strenuous. I learned betas can puff out their necks much like a frilled lizard or cobra snake. He didn't like light, fingers, or pencils. He puffed up at them all. After a while, we got used to each other. Last year, while I sat at my computer working on homework, I could look out of the corner of my eye and see Jacques watching me. It was as much comfort as a fish can offer.

As I was preparing for bed this evening, I went to tell Jacques goodnight. I tapped on his bowl as I often do. He was sitting on the pebbles at the bottom as he often does. Tap. Tap. Tap. Slowly, his body floated to the top of the water. His fins were still, eyes glazed over.

He had already survived two nearly fatal accidents. Our cat at home tipped over his travel cup, then pounced on him, and as I was preparing him for his journey back to school, I poured him down the sink. Luckily, he got caught in the drain. I was so shocked tonight to see his spunk had finally run out.

Jacques is gone now. I can only hope, gone to a better place where the bowls are bigger and there are no pencils or sinks or cats. I feel guilty about his passing. I don't think he knows I did become fond of him. Lately I've been spending much more time with the newsroom fish. The newsroom is where I do my homework now. Jacques had no one to connect with. I left him with only Ollie his octopus for company. I was busy, but I didn't forget.

I never thought Jacques would come to mean much to me. He was just a fish after all, something I could never envision myself becoming attached to. But over time he wasn't just a fish to me. He was my first fish, my big-lipped study buddy. He was a comfort. I'll miss seeing him perk up when I tap his bowl. I'll miss him watching me work.

Jacques was a good fish. Slightly neurotic perhaps, but that made him all the more endearing. All future aquatic pets shall be judged against him.

A rant about direct relationships

The more time I spend sitting through college classes, the more fond I become of my years in the International Baccalaureate program. A large part of the problem arises because I am still in required lower-division courses. The classes are ridiculous. I constantly feel like I am being spoken down too and that professors purposefully draw out lectures to fill the entire class period, even when they could finish them in half the time.

The I.B. program was a good program because more than being challenging, the teachers expected things of students. Perhaps I have become disillusioned during these years I haven't been in high school. I didn't like all my classes, but save for a single instance (a horrible zero hour class) I don't remember constantly feeling like my time was being completely wasted.

It's not that I know everything already. I.B. prepared me well, but I still have much to learn and am eager to do so. The classes introduce new material, they do, but it is presented in such a way that it's better for me just to read the over-priced textbook. It bothers me that the lectures aren't really necessary.

All throughout high school, we were warned. College will be different. It is different, but not in ways I had hoped. I miss the challenge. I miss having more expected of me, than merely showing up. I suppose I may take all this back when the first set of mid-terms come around, but somehow I doubt it.

I'm not suggesting classes should be made unnecessarily difficult, but I want to gain something from them. I sincerely hope upper-division courses will be an improvement.

A few words and random quotes

Being news editor is different than I thought it would be. It also keeps me busier than I expected. Still, though I practically live in the newsroom, I am enjoying myself. As I enter the third week of the job, my staff is finally beginning to come together so I have a moment to type these few words. Ariel will return to school soon also and with a better internet connection, I expect the frequency of her posts to increase as well.

As I have not posted in a while, I wish this post to be at least a little entertaining. I've decided the easiest and most efficient way to accomplish this is to share quotations from the newsroom quote board, my profs, and the paper's "Overheard in Pullman" feature.

Newsrooms are special places.

"If I ever get married, I want my wife to give birth to a puppy." - He dislikes children

"This is like eating rainbows." - In reference to a Scooby Doo push pop

"Stop copy editing the people."

Professors

"How do we know Angelina Jolie is a liberal?"
"Because she cares about poor people." - Student response

"Their grooves are hellaciously deep." - referring to the schemas of bigots

Overheard

"My poli sci class is such a joke. My professor kept talking about the Cuban Missile Crisis. What the hell is that?" (This was my poli sci class. Thanks to I.B./my H2O class and my literacy, I knew what the CMC was.)

"You can't have a memorial service without Hawaiian Punch." - mourning the death of Weekly World News

"I will not carry two half-gallons!"
"You WILL carry two half-gallons!" - arguing over vodka transport