Couples kiss to raise awareness

Usually on Valentines Day, you receive chocolates or cards from a special someone or go to dinner with friends to celebrate the holiday. But, some students at Penn State honor the holiday in a different way. 

This week I chose the article "Couples kiss to raise awareness," it talks about an event that takes place in the middle of the HUB-Robeson Center. The event is sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Student Alliance. Gay and lesbian couples "kiss out" to raise awareness about homosexual couples. The event has been going on for seven years thus far and this year, fifteen couples joined together to publicly display their affection for one another.


I believe that every couple should be treated equally and fairly regardless of their sexual preference. People should not have to hide who they care about especially on any day especially on Valentines Day! One student expressed that the Penn State Community has been accepting of his boyfriend.“In high school, people used to yell ‘dyke’ at me or throw things at me...But when I came to Penn State, I found a community. It was so much more accepting,” (Hartman). I went to a Catholic grade school and an all girls Catholic high school, needless to say, the administration was not accepting of any relationship between two girls. It was frowned upon and inexcusable to show affection for someone of the same gender. I am happy that at Penn State the student population is so large that each student can find someone or some group that they fit in with. These couples have the right to be with one another. They also have the right to publicly display affection without about being harassed. I hope that this event continues in years to come.

"HUB could expand"

Every University Park Penn State student has ventured over to the HUB-Robeson Center to study for an exam, eat sushi or pizza, meet some friends, grab a cup of coffee, raise money for an organization, or lounge around until your next class. The article discusses the $29 million project to renovate the HUB which will add about 35,000 square feet to the HUB and a potential addition to the White Building. Unfortunately, the HUB is constantly crowded, unless its early in the morning or late at night, I usually have a hard time finding a place for my group of friends to sit together. I try to avoid the HUB at certain times during the day when I know it will be jam-packed. For example, going to the HUB at noon is an awful decision, the lines for food are extremely long and almost all the tables are full. In addition, it is hard to even walk through the bottom floor of the HUB, people are rushing to class or darting to an open seat not to mention that it’s loud and busy, so trying to get some homework accomplished is often difficult unless your music is blaring through your headphones.

The problem is with the HUB is simple; it is not big enough to accommodate the many students who attend University Park. “As it stands now, Powers said the HUB –– 246,592 square feet –– doesn’t match up to student union buildings at other comparably sized universities.” We need a bigger place to gather with our peers to study, eat, or socialize. The HUB is meant to be a place where students can convene and it should not be a place that any student should avoid. The new HUB will have more student spaces, a renovated Barnes & Noble bookstore and a creative winter garden.




http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/01/31/HUB_expansion.aspx

"Disabled athlete speaks of obstacles"

Whenever the word athlete comes to mind, I think of a tall, strong, intimidating, and self-disciplined person. For example, Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning, and David Beckham all fit the criteria for an athlete. But, the image of a man sitting in a wheel chair never crosses my mind.

I have been playing sports for my entire life. I have learned that the amount of effort you put into a sport will determine your success. When you're an athlete you have been taught by coaches and team mates that you must always give 110% during any practice, match, or game. Through hard work and training, you will see results. Rohan Murphy fits the description of an amazing athlete. But, there is one thing that makes Rohan different than many other athletes because he was born with his kneecaps on the opposite legs.

This article gives inspiration for athletes everywhere. His disability is rare, but the fact that he overcame this obstacle is even rarer. I honestly cannot imagine being handicapped, let alone coping with your disability and then making an all-county team for wrestling. He started out as the team manager for soccer and wrestling in high school, he took a chance and became a wrestler instead of a manager.  Throughout his life, he struggled with his disability but he never gave up. That is the true definition of an athlete, failing over and over again until you succeed.

This article has changed my perception of an athlete. Some people are born with coordination which makes them proficient in sports. Others, like Murphy, are born without things that we take for granted each day, in his case, legs. He is a true example of an athlete and his story is uplifting. Murphy says that Mother Nature just dealt him a bad hand. Well, Murphy took his "2-7" hand and turned it into a royal flush. He triumphed.

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/01/13/Rohan_Murphy.aspx

"Freshman, beware of Creamery"

While scanning through the Daily Collegian the word "Freshman" caught my attention. This article discusses how creamery ice cream can help the naive freshman gain the horrid "Freshman 15." Rather than focusing on the creamery's delicious sweets, I'm going to focus on the "Freshman 15" itself which is mentioned throughout the article.

Before I went to Penn States Summer Session I made a vow that I would not gain the "Freshman 15." Luckily, I met girls who were also worried about the weight gain that came with the freedom of college. We got into the routine of exercising daily in the sweltering heat, whether it was basketball or volleyball or swimming which carried onto my Fall and Spring semesters. But, I can say first hand that many of my fellow classmates in the graduating class of 2014 have started to put on the pounds from eating fatty foods or taking in the calories from those glorious cans of Natty Light we put into our stomachs and livers each weekend.

I know of a few friends of mine that have gained up to 25 pounds from June until now. Are they lazy? Honestly, yes! I can count the number of times that I have seen them take the initiative to actually venture out to the IM building, Fitness Loft, White Building, or Rec Hall. But, I cannot keep track of the amount of times that they have ordered food to their dorms from Lion Menu's at 3 am, not to mention the trips they have taken to Are You Hungry or McDonalds each weekend. The Creamery is not to blame for the underclassman's weight gain, we are!

If you don't exercise weekly or you take the bus every chance you get, 8 times out of 10 you will pack on the fat. Fitness and diet are a big part of my life, its not for everyone. But, staying healthy should be! I hope you take this message in a positive manner, get to the gym or walk to class! Put down the pizza from the Big O, turn around and grab a salad! Yumm. Trust me, it will help you in the long RUN.


Some advice:
http://www.freshman15.com/
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-10-22-freshman-weight_x.htm

 

"Shirt Sends the Wrong Message"

Today I scanned through the Daily Collegian to find an interesting article. The title, "Shirt Sends the Wrong Message", immediately caught my attention. The article discusses a Facebook group that is selling t-shirts for the annual State’s Patty’s Day and the non-students who visit Penn State to binge drink each weekend, specifically, on State Patty’s Day. This t-shirt disturbs the public because many believe that the slogan “KISS ME, I’M WASTED” sends the message that it is okay to be sexual with someone who is under the influence of alcohol. But, why do I feel the need to blog about this specific article? Because I am one of the many college students who will be attending this event which starts at 12:00 AM on February 26, 2011.

As a born and raised Pennsylvanian, I can safely say that the word “partying”has been synonymous with “Penn State” ever since I was old enough to understand the significance of what it meant to “party.” As we all know, my university has a party-school reputation and the 241 citations issued by police last year at the 2010 State Patty’s Day proves it. But, out of the 241 citations, 150 of those citations were given to non-students of Penn State. This fact brings me to the dilemma that concerns the administration of PSU, that non-students come to Penn State “to take advantage of our hospitality, our sense of community and our party-school reputation,” (The Daily Collegian Online). I personally know that people come to the student created State Patty’s Day to binge drink because I have received many phone calls, texts and Facebook messages asking if a friend or a friend of a friend could stay with me (a.k.a. drink with me and my friends) on State Patty’s Day. I agree with the article when they say that the outsiders are “contributing to our party-school standing.”  As a matter of fact this year one of my friends came to visit me and left the next morning crying with a nice souvenir for her parents. Can you guess what this souvenir was? A citation for underage drinking. People come to Penn State expecting to have a good time and naturally we give it to them. Is this a problem? Yes, but that does not mean I won’t support the event on February 26 in order to prevent the visitors from wreaking havoc. State Patty’s Day can be a safe and fun holiday for everyone if visitors learn to safely celebrate OUR holiday.

"Shirt Sends the Wrong Message." The Daily Collegian Online. 19 Jan. 2011. Web. 19 Jan. 2011. <http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/01/19/shirt_sends_the_wrong_message.aspx>.