Happy Holidays! December 23, 2010
Posted by cwyneken in : Uncategorized , add a commentSo, after the winter storm last weekend, I – a. did not go to my friend’s place after all, b. went with parents to commencement in not-overly-bad road conditions and returned in ones that were utterly terrible, and c. Spent all day on campus Monday on a day that probably would have been cancelled if it weren’t the last day of classes. (On the one hand, I had a test and so couldn’t stay home; on the other, at least the test didn’t have to get moved.) A couple days later, I’ve planned on meeting Irene next week instead, I have just one final and a couple last class meeting ahead of me in my college career, and the roads are still largely terrible. But at least we can say it officially looks like winter in Michigan!
With winter comes the holidays, which means that if we can all just survive the next few days, we’ll finally have time off to relax and spend with our families. When we return to new classes- or, in the case of myself and those I graduated with last Monday- head out into the “real world”, we’ll be well-rested in and hopefully in reasonably good spirits. (Though it would be nice if the roads ever got cleared) Say what you will about the weather – most people still love this time of year. No matter what you celebrate, or if you don’t celebrate anything at all, there’s a sense of cheer that’s a nice break, given how depressing the world can often seem.
We celebrate Christmas, and don’t have any major plans this year. Besides splurging on a variety of holiday products from Lush (see last entry), I don’t plan on going anywhere. We’ll just have a nice day at home with Christmas music and maybe mimosas or egg nog. We don’t have any major traditions for this time of year besides getting and decorating the Christmas tree, but I still plan on enjoying it for as long as it lasts. After that, I’ll be launching back into my job search- I’ve been applying and getting closer to an offer, though have yet to score an actual interview. Most of all, I’m just looking forward to the time to relax. For people who are planning on travelling to visit family, have fun and be sure to stay safe when driving!
Lush December 23, 2010
Posted by cwyneken in : Uncategorized , add a commentThis Saturday, before I participate in UM-Flint’s commencement ceremony, I will be having a “girls’ night” with my friend Irene, and a few of her own friends. We don’t have a lot in mind- just dinner and a sleepover (from which I will head home very early in order to graduate!), with no specific plans. Well, except one- for the last few times I’ve been going to visit Irene, we’ve been heading to Somerset Mall in Novi, and specifically to the Lush outlet located there.
I just happened to discover Lush one day while surfing the web, and almost immediately looked up where the closest store was- unfortunately, it was a fair distance away, but fortunately, it was fairly close to where Irene lives. I showed her the brand’s website, and we made plans to go the next time I visited. The scents in the store are almost overpowering, but also impossible to resist. They have a whole variety of products for bathing, showering, and more, including their signature line of soaps.
Lush prides itself on being good for its customers and the environment, with all-natural ingredients and little in the way of packaging. This means what you buy will come in recyclable containers or, whenever possible, just wrapped in paper or put in disposable bags- both also recycled, of course. As such, and partially because of how big a name they have become, they are definitely more expensive than many cosmetic lines. Still, when I have saved up enough money, I love treating myself to a variety of different items from the store.
As we get further into the holiday season, you’re probably looking for places to buy unique gifts from, and I would definitely recommend Lush’s products. They have things for kids, lovers of all different scents, and yes, even men. If you can’t make it all the way out to Novi, you can check out their website at lushusa.com. They have a special variety of products just for the holiday season, so check them out quickly! Even if you don’t find anything for anyone else, the end of the semester is a great time to buy a little something special for yourself, too.
Holiday Movies December 23, 2010
Posted by cwyneken in : Uncategorized , add a commentThe holidays are a time for getting together with family, celebrating the things that matter most…and blockbuster movies. I remember past visits to see my grandparents in Fort Wayne for Thanksgiving and how we ended up in a movie theater after dinner on two different occasions. Of course, many of these movies are actually holiday-themed, but even aside from these seasonal films, this is one of the most popular times of the year to release big budget films besides the action-packed ones that typically come out during the summer.
In case you didn’t get from the story of my Harry Potter adventure, I definitely recommend Deathly Hallows: Part 1. But December also has and will see a whole pack of highly advertised films, many of which are made for the families with kids home from school or teenagers and colleges students looking for something entertaining but not terribly deep to watch while on vacation. These include movies like Black Swan, Tangled, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Fighter, TRON: Legacy, Gulliver’s Travels, Little Fockers, and the Illusionist.
Interestingly, the move I’m most looking forward to is one I only recently heard about- a version of Shakespeare’s The Tempest starring Helen Mirren as a female version of the main character, Prospero. As a lover of the bard, I’m thrilled to see any big screen adaptation and this one looks epic and fanciful. There’s also Rabbit Hole, based on a play I’ve read and seen onstage. This one is set apart from many holiday movies in that it is quite dark and depressing, being about a couple who’s lost their young son. But I always liked the play and there are some good moments of humor. Finally, there’s the highly awaited I Love You, Phillip Morris, a comedy with Jim Carry and Ewan McGregor playing lovers who escape jail together.
Snow December 23, 2010
Posted by cwyneken in : Uncategorized , add a commentWell, we all knew it was coming. The white stuff as arrived in Michigan, bringing with it a sense of officially being in winter. There are a lot of aggravations that come with the weather, so here are some tips on dealing with it.
1. Give yourself time to drive slowly- This one is common sense, but it doesn’t mean people follow it. Getting into an accident isn’t worth getting some place as quickly as you would in other seasons. Professors, work superiors, etc. are generally more lenient when the roads are difficult to drive on, and will excuse occasional lateness. That that, take extra time- more than you think you might need- to get places. If you keep being late, they’ll be less forgiving.
2. Put emergency items in your car- check online for a full list, but besides things like jumper cables and a spare tire, you’ll want extra jackets and/or blankets, flashlights and even non-perishable food. The chances of actually getting stranded anywhere are very slim, but if you do, the low temperatures can make for a bad situation. The good news is cell phones have reception even in most deserted areas these days- but bring boots, too, just in case you need to walk.
3. Clean your car windows- Again, this is obvious, and yet you would be surprised to see how many people drive around with their windows still covered in snow. It’s more important now than ever that you pay attention to everything going on around you when you’re driving. Keep an ice scrapper/snow brush in your car at all times, and if you have to park outside, it might be worth paying more for a heated one.
4. Watch your step- At last, one not related to driving. We’ve all found ourselves in some less-than-graceful winter moments, and while they’re inevitable, they can also be dangerous if you’re on uneven ground or near a busy street. Walk cautiously- if I’m on ice, I usually end up just sort of shuffling along like a penguin- and if you do fall, break the impact with your arms and hands.
5. Embrace winter- Despite everything irritating about the snow, there’s a whole list of things to enjoy as well. First of all, the holidays are quickly approaching, bringing with them time and good spirit from (most) everyone you know. Then there’s the potential for snow days, skiing, snowboarding, sledding, etc., hot chocolate and more. For as long as any of us are going to be in Michigan, we’ll have to deal with snow. We might as well enjoy it, too!
Winter Workouts December 23, 2010
Posted by cwyneken in : Uncategorized , add a commentWorking out is an important part of being a college student. Exercise is necessary for life in general, and people don’t get enough of it, but when you’re trying to maintain a busy lifestyle and often eating the diet a very limited budget allows, it becomes even more influential. Unfortunately, as winter descends upon us, many of our fitness pursuits become more difficult. The temperatures and icy conditions make doing anything outside pretty much impossible past a certain point in the year, and even getting out of the house to go to the gym is unpleasant on the worst days. Thankfully, we have a lot of other options.
When the weather isn’t too bad, going to the Recreation Center on campus has several advantages over a regular gym- primarily the fact that is free to registered students and the fact it is close by. You can easily fit a stop between classes, with time to work-our shower, and get changed before having to leave. In other words, you don’t have to go out in the cold much more than you would be doing so already. I’m a bit unusual and like swimming no matter the weather- if you do that, you’ll want to allow extra time before you need to be in class. The idea that wet hair makes you more likely to get sick is something of a risk, but it’s still best to avoid any risk.
However, this is Michigan, and some days you’re not going to want to do so much as leave your house, even when you know you should be moving around in some way. In that case, I recommend turning to technology. I don’t mean a home gym- though certainly use it if you have one- I mean exercise videos online. This might immediately conjure up images of Richard Simmons, but there are lots of workouts illustrated on YouTube and other sites that can easily be fit into your daily schedule. Also, if you have a Wii or similar gaming console, invest in games like WiiFit. These are already great tools to get you moving and some of them are specifically designed for fitness.
Thanksgiving November 29, 2010
Posted by cwyneken in : Uncategorized , add a commentAt about this point in the year, a lot of people feel like the semester is somehow both dragging on and coming to an end faster than they could have ever expected. Thanksgiving break is a welcome respite, and a great time to hang out with friends and family. What are you thankful for? Here are some of the things that I’m happy about now (For the record, family, friends, my health, etc. are givens. I wanted to go beyond the traditional)
1. Lots of help in looking for a job- at the moment, my job search is everything I do when not doing work for classes, and it can be a depressing experience. That said, within UM-Flint and my own life, there area lot of resources that make the process that make the process a lot easier. I know I’ll get something eventually- even if there is a lot of frustration in my attempt to get to that point!
2. Seeing change in Flint- I was going to try and avoid being too serious with this, but as it connects to this blog, I think the progress being made in this city really is a big deal. There’s a growing sense that despite all the poverty and crime still present here, the people of Flint are determined to show the rest of the world that the city isn’t what they’ve labeled it. And that’s a good thing.
3. The changing seasons Michigan I know, I know- everybody starts hating the state around this time of year. But I’ll admit it- I don’t mind the cold too much, and I even like the snow. The ice on the roads…well, that’s a different story. Regardless, you have to admit that with the way the weather changes around here, at least it’s never boring.
4. My favorite TV shows- I’ve talked about Detroit 1-8-7, and as a resident of Michigan, there are a lot of reasons to be thankful for that show. But in general, with a lot of stress at this point in my life, it’s nice to have things there for me to relax to on a near-weekly basis. The characters I know well, the storylines to get caught up in- it’s all a great way to escape.
5. Knowing that there are people out there as nuts as I am- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows midnight premiere. Need I say more?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows November 29, 2010
Posted by cwyneken in : Uncategorized , 1 comment so farAs I mentioned when talking about Trillium Cinema, I had tickets to the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. That was last night- or this morning, depending on how technical you want to be? How insane am I? I went two hours early, in 35 degree weather that felt still colder, knowing we’d be standing outside. But to put that in perspective? There were hundreds of people in line before me when I arrived. Here’s a timeline:
10:00 PM- I depart my house, just five minutes from the theater, after locating my keys and wondering whether people will really show up this early in November in Michigan.
10:10: I arrive. There’s a line running back and forth three times in front of the theater and extending back around the side of the building. I run in and get my tickets and take a position so far back, I can’t even see the front doors.
10:40- I’ve been playing with my phone while my fingers go numb. The line has doubled behind me, and I can’t see where it ends. There seems to be movement in the line ahead, but it doesn’t reach back to where I am.
10:50- The line finally moves! We seem to be progressing forward towards warmth at a good rate.
11:00- Just about a hundred feet from the door, the line stops dead. I later realize they’re filling one theater at a time. We’ll be some of the first to our screen.
11:15- The line starts moving again. It’s another 10 minutes or so before I’m in and have dropped off my jacket to save a seat.
11:40- I return to my seat with a medium popcorn that is actually a large and more than I could ever eat, as well as a medium drink. I take out my phone again (the lights are still up) for the last 25 minutes
12:00 AM- I run out to the restroom, return, and pick a better seat (one of the benefits of seeing a movie solo) The lights dim, the previews play, and the movie begins
2:25 AM- The move ends, the credits start playing, and everyone jumps up. I jog out to my car and manage to get out before the biggest rush. I’m home in around fifteen minutes. I get online for about five minutes, and then go straight to sleep.
The movie itself was great, though I don’t want to give away too many of the details. Suffice it to say it’s very dark- some quite disturbing images in there. But there’s also a good amount of humor and lots and lots of action. The end it in an especially emotional place in the story, though the last scene ends on a foreboding note- clearly designed to make the wait until Part 2 feel as long as possible.
International Education Week November 29, 2010
Posted by cwyneken in : Uncategorized , add a commentI’ve mentioned the study abroad experiences I’ve had several times in this blog. Though these took place through Saginaw Valley State University, study abroad is an opportunity offered by nearly all colleges- and it is one of the best things higher education has to offer. The prices are reasonably affordable, the trips often include meals and tours or admission to certain places related to the course’s content, and you get to travel and share in your experiences with other people. Most of all, you get to see and experience other parts of the world- how people live and work outside of America, as well as their culture, food, and history. You might even come away with a desire to work outside of the United States, and move overseas permanently as an American.
My trip to London as a part of a two-class program on government and politics included trips to Parliament and to meet with English representatives. However, we also had plenty of time to explore on our own. We were able to visit many different museums, ride the Millennium Wheel, participate in tours to other parts of the country, and more. Though the travel portion of the program lasted only two weeks- many study abroad programs take up full semesters- it still gave us a chance to be emmersed in the culture.
As part of an ancient history class, I spent even less time in Greece- just one week, over spring break. But it was an event-packed week that left me with a desire to return to the country for a longer period of time. We, of course, walked through the most well-known remains of Greece’s history, most notably The Acropolis. We also took two excursions as a group- to Delphi and to Epidaurus, with its famously acoustic theater. Very soon after the inauguration of Obama, this was a very interesting time to be traveling abroad, and we saw many changing views towards Americans while we were there.
Though these are very brief summaries of my experiences overseas, I encourage everyone enthusiastically to take advantage of this opportunity while in school. There is information about different programs around campus. There are also presentations on working overseas, should that topic peak your interest as well. There are ways to help with the financial burdens of study abroad, and plenty of people willing to talk about any concerns you might have, so don’t hold back. This is one of the best opportunities you will ever have to travel, and you don’t want to regret taking it later in life.
Detroit 1-8-7 November 16, 2010
Posted by cwyneken in : Uncategorized , add a commentLiving in mid-Michigan, you’ve probably heard about Detroit 1-8-7, one of the new shows to premiere for the fall season. You’ve likely even seen some of the additional news coverage it has gotten from local stations because of its significance to the area. If you have yet to watch an episode of the new drama, I’d strongly suggest giving it a chance. On one level it is just another crime drama, but the characters are likeable and interesting and the writing’s been good.
To sum up, very briefly, the show is about Detroit’s homicide police unit. The detectives include Louis Fitch, who initially comes off as stoic and almost unfriendly towards his rookie partner, Damon Washington, but also shows many signs of kindness- and a dark past. Arianna Sanchez is the somewhat stereotypical “strong female cop”, but also smart and likeable. She’s paired with John Stone, a former narcotics undercover agent, after the first episode. And Jesse Longford, a veteran of the force is partnered with Vikram Mahajan to bring the intelligence and depth of their experience- as well as a lot of comic relief.
If you’re not into crime dramas, it’s probably not going to be your type of show. That said, it’s worth giving the show attention and promoting it to others because it’s a big deal for Detroit, and thus for Michigan as well. The show is filmed on location, which already means big money being brought in. But it means more than that as well. While it might seem odd that a show essentially all about the crime and worst elements of Detroit can actually be good foe the city, Detroit 1-8-7 is promoting a love of its hometown, too- a feeling shared by the actors and crew. Following a few of them on Twitter, they’ve already attended local events, sports games, charity functions and more.
They’re making their presence in Detroit known, and as such, they’re giving the world more reason to pay attention to Detroit than just the suffering going on there- even when that makes up the bulk of episode plots. Unfortunately, Detroit 1-8-7’s ratings aren’t that great, and its chances of a second season are still up in the air. So consider tuning it if you aren’t already or, if you aren’t interested, recommending it to someone who might be.
Money, Money, Money November 10, 2010
Posted by cwyneken in : Uncategorized , add a commentThere’s no stepping around the fact that paying for college is hard. The politicians debate tuition in Washington and Lansing so intently because more and more students and parents are speaking out about the issue. I’m one of the lucky ones, with parents who can afford to support their education, but many other students find finance and financial aid extremely stressful. If you’re finding your budget is becoming too tight, or even that you aren’t sure you’ll be able to keep going to college, it’s time to try and get help.
The wages you earn at your job, if you have one, only go so far when you have to work the schedule around the classes you need to pay for. Chances are, you won’t be able to do it on your own, and this is where many students turn to loans- and soon after run into trouble. It’s not that loans are bad thing, it’s just that they can too easily be thought of as free money. I would definitely recommend talking to someone in the financial aid office before going any further. It can be overwhelming, but you’ll find the people there are very helpful in explaining complicated concepts and getting you the support they need.
The best option through the office, though, is a scholarship. Many people think that because their grades aren’t perfect, they aren’t eligible for one, but that’s often because they underestimate the sheer volume of scholarships available in countless different fields. Some you can apply for with an essay- some ask that you be working in a certain area or interested in something like attending a conference. Check these out and see if you can find one that’s right for you. They’re as close as you can get to free money, and they look great on a resume.
In the meantime, see if there aren’t anyways you can make your financial situation less stressful in the meantime. Everyone mentions carpooling, but with unpredictable gas prices, it really does save you money- and is great for the environment. Cut channels you don’t watch on TV, cook food instead of going out, or work out at home instead of at a gym. You don’t have to give up everything, just the things you could do without. Cutting corners can add up to a lot of saved money.