Newport News

Every year millions of people fill out applications at the post office for a passport. They clamor to tie up loose ends and put the final touches on their trips. They will have stamps from visa check points at Charles De Gaulle, Heathrow, and Leonardo Di Vinci International. They like many tourists will seek excitement, culture, and adventure in the major cities of the international world. Also like many tourists they will miss all of the beauty here in their own backyard.  Don’t get me wrong I love to travel internationally. I could go on and on about the beauty of the world abroad. As a seasoned traveler it is my belief that everyone should experience the major cities for themselves. But I am also aware that people believe that there is little to no culture to be experienced outside of the major cities of the world. As if the small towns of America are somehow lacking. I don’t judge though, I was at one point one of them.

For all intents and purposes I thought that small town America was backwards, uncultured and had nothing of value to offer anyone other than rest stops and gas stations. This all changed my senior year of high school. My friends and I decided to take a road trip instead of heading to Ocean City for senior week like everyone else.

Our first stop was Newport News Virginia. Newport News was gorgeous; its streets were adorned with beautiful art work. The entrance to downtown was marked with a beautiful miniature Arc De Triumph, surrounded by what I can only describe as the world’s most beautiful garden. The city center was the most magnificent water fountain I have ever been to. The circular masterpiece covered about a 8^th of a mile. It was filled with crystal clear water that reflected beautiful rays of sunlight. Evenly spaced apart in the fountain were spouts that shot water far into the air. Each spout worked in conjunction with the others creating what looked like a choreographed dance number.

The Newport News Living Museum is absolutely wonderful. The zoo is filled with native and exotic creatures form land, sea, and air. The museum embodies the very philosophy of Thomas Jefferson. It is informative, educational and filled with inquisitive young minds. My personal favorite exhibit was the sea turtle tank. The majestic creatures swam through the water like birds fly through the air.  They occasionally swim over to the glass to greet the people at the outside of the tank.

Newport News’s culinary culture is that of every down south town. They served well prepared, home cooked meals. The Hampton roads area of Virginia is world famous for its food trucks and Newport News is no exception. Stuft a Mexican food truck is probably the most famous in the area. The aromas wafting from the vents of the truck lore in hundreds of patrons a day, I was one of them. The mobile kitchen is pulled by a silver pickup truck and operated by a chef with a perpetual smile on his face. The best part about Stuft is the fact that they serve beer on the truck. That’s right. You didn’t miss read that. They serve an array of Mexican beers to compliment each dish. Their meats are slow cooked, the food is made to order, and the salsa and spices are homemade. Stuft is by far one of my favorite restaurants and is probably is the best culinary experience in the area.   

 The city is small, and had it not been for our road trip I would have never visited. The beauty of the small town is that every bit of the culture is real. It has not been watered down or gentrified to seem appealing. Newport News will forever remain a vivid memory in my mind. 

 

RA Sushi

            Sushi a culinary dish consisting of raw fish, rice, and vegetables. The rice is cooked in vinegar and the raw fish is carved that day to ensure freshness. While traditionally Japanese, sushi is a cultural experience enjoyed by many around the world.  I myself, while being a novice sushi lover, have enjoyed it time and again.

            Baltimore is known for its delicious seafood, sitting at the crown of the Chesapeake Bay, we have hundreds of seafood restaurants that everyone should try. RA Sushi has become part of that great tradition. Located in the Inner Harbor, RA sushi is one of my favorite sushi restaurants. It is a popular with many residents in the area. RA Sushi was nominated and won The City Paper restaurant of the year.

            The building itself is gorgeous. It has all the aesthetic trappings one would expect from a traditional Japanese sushi bar, with modernity of 21^st century restaurant. The bar has an exquisite marble counter, and comfortable leather barstools. Behind you will find a selection of domestic and Japanese beers, liquors and juices. The tables are adorned with quilts that are hardly distinguishable from beautiful masterpiece artworks. All the dishes are served on beautiful porcelain plates accented with Japanese kanji. The kitchen, visible from just about every inch of the RA sushi, is spotless. Knives hanging from racks shine in the light, the sounds of meat searing in pans fill your ears, and the smell of ginger wafting from the kitchen permeates the entire restaurant. The hostess, waitresses and bartenders are dressed to the nines. The place is visually stunning in every aspect.

            The Menu is amazing to say the least. Filled with a collection of both traditional Japanese and Americanized dishes, there is something for everyone. My personal favorite is the dragon roll. It is filled with raw yellow tale tuna, delicious vegetables, and eel. The dish is topped off with avocado, and ghost pepper sauce. Lastly it is garnished by a ginger sauce and crunchy rolls. The dragon roll comes in many variations, and is prepared satisfy the tastes of each person who decided to order it. 

Chicago Blackhawks Season Outlook

Sean Brown
Chicago Blackhawks Season Outlook    
     

          The Chicago Blackhawks are what many would consider a dynasty. They have five Stanley Cups, a deep and talented roster and a rich history and tradition. The Blackhawks, fresh off a Stanley Cup victory in 2013, are looking to make another appearance after losing in the playoffs last season.  They return a talented team with names like Crawford, Kane and of course team captain Toews.
Chicago has had a rough going in the beginning of this year’s season. They are on a sixaway game road trip. This is taxing for any team in any sport. They are playing teams at their home stadiums, with few days of rest in between each game.
The Blackhawks traveled to Anaheim to play the Ducks and then to Los Angeles to play the Kings. They managed to survive the test and proved themselves to be road warriors according to Bleacher Report:


“He{Toews} also knew the biggest test was coming at the tail end of the trip, when the Blackhawks would face the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. The Kings, as every Blackhawks fan knows, ended Chicago's season last year with a seventh-game overtime victory in the Western Conference Final at the United Center.
The challenge of playing the Kings appeared to be a difficult one because it was coming just one day after facing the Ducks. While the travel from Anaheim to Los Angeles was not a problem—unless you look at freeway traffic as an issue—the lack of preparation and recovery time was something Quenneville and his player had to overcome.”
       


                The Blackhawks were not what many fans expected last season. They finished fifth5th in the division last season and barely made the play-offs. Once in the play-offs, many picked them as the team to win the Stanley Cup. This was not the case. In a seventh7th game thriller, the Los Angeles Kings knocked the Black Hawks out of the pPlay-oOffs and went on to win the Stanley Cup against the New York Rangers. This was hard to accept for many fans, but Chicago has retooled and is back for a second attempt. The Blackhawks overcame a tough challenge with grace and ease. Chicago crushed the Ducks and the Kings 4-1 with only a day of rest in between both games. They went on to send an even more powerful message to the rest of the NHL by shutting out the Minnesota Wild in a decisive 5-0 victory.
       
              The Blackhawks are 15-8-1 and have 58 games left in the season. The squad is as talented as ever. Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews, and Corey Crawford are the weapons Chicago needs to win them a sixth6th Stanley Cup Championship.  It is a long road to playoffs but if any team has a shot it’s the Chicago Blackhawks.

12/4/2014

12/4/2014

Has anyone ever done you a favor, or assisted you in someway, that has helped to change your life for the better? Who was it? What did they do? When did they do this? Why do you think they did it? How did your life change?


Yes, coming from the airport I missed the bus from Philadelphia going to Williamsport. I was going to be stranded there for an entire night. I don't have any close family in Philadelphia and would have had to sleep on the streets. My cousin who goes to school in York drove all the way to Philadelphia and then drove me here to Lycoming College. Had it not been for him who knows what would have happened.

12/2/2014

12/2/2014

How do you feel about the holidays? Is this a time of great joy for you? Do you enjoy spending it with friends and family? Or do you often feel alone and sad during the holidays? What would make this the best holiday of your life?

I feel like its a task or chore almost. It's hard to deal with some family members for long periods of time. They always seem to want to know what your doing or what your plans for the future are. It's kind of overwhelming honestly. I have no idea why they are so interested at the holidays and not the other 364 days of the year.

A Day With Tonya Anderson

A Day With Tonya Anderson

Sean Brown

Tonya Anderson, former chief of staff for Rick Maribito, is an interesting woman. She is a Republican who works for a Democrat. She is a Christian who practices meditation in Hindu temples. Anderson a veteran but seems to be an active member of pacifist communities. It seems rather odd that a woman of so many contradictions seems so at peace with herself.

Andersonwas born Nov. 18, 1962 to two teenage parents. Her father took the only course of action available to someone in his position; he joined the U.S. Armed Forces. He made the decision to save his family from a life of hardship by joining the U.S. Navy. Anderson speaks vividly of her time traveling and growing up as a Military Brat.

Deciding to continue her life of travel, Anderson decided to become a flight attendant. She fondly recalls all of the places she has been. She speaks of her life as a flight attendant with the same fervor the same way a sports announcer celebrates a home run.

        Anderson, a graduate University of Hawaii and former student at the U.S. Naval Academy at one point, is by far the most interesting person we have interviewed. After she graduated from the University of Hawaii, she decided to work on the 2004 Kerry Presidential Campaign. After losing, she was offered a job by Pennsylvania State Representative Rick Maribito, who initially rescinded the offer because of her spiritual beliefs. After failing to find anyone better, Maribito made a compromise and hired her despite her beliefs. After coming to Williamsport, Anderson also decided to work as a domestic and sexual violence counselor. When asked why, she said that she herself was a victim of sexual violence and wanted help make a difference.

Anderson is also a proud mother. Her son, despite having a health disability, became a police officer in Millersville. . On his first day on the job, he saved a woman’s life and was honored for his brave and timely actions. Anderson says that she raised her son to follow his dreams and she is happy that he has done just that.

Anderson is a multifaceted individual with so many stories to tell and so much knowledge to offer. I wish we had spent more time interviewing her. I hope that others will be as fortunate as us to hear her story.       

11/20/2014

Think of a wild coincidence that has occurred in your life. Now write three-four paragraphs and develop the incident, giving us the necessary background information and specific details.

The setting is Williamsport Pa. Lycoming College to be exact. Sitting in the AC waiting for my French class to start. The professor who was normally on time. While waiting, me and my class mates were discussing the news from the weekend. There is a huge car crash the same weekend that the suspension on my license was lifted. Apparently there was a cop chasing a car through a stop sign. He hit a bystanders car which killed him, but that's not all. The bystander car hit a power line which knocked power out. The live wire fell onto the roof of a home which caught fire.

10/28/2014

10/28/2014

Write about a recurring public gathering you attended in a place you visited. It should be a very pleasant memory, and could be a baseball game or street fair, an outdoor concert or historical reenactment. Put yourself there by freewriting or clustering, allowing your mind to wander back. Write about the people you saw, the smells in the air. You’ll be amazed by how much you remember once you begin writing about it.

Every year in Baltimore we have Art Scape. It is a giant music and arts festival. There are thousands of people that gather at MICA, Maryland's school of art. There are artists there to display there work. I remember every time that I have attended. There are attendees in colorful attire and musicians on every corner. The festival is so lively you can see it from the highway. I look forward to it every summer and cannot wait to be apart of it this summer.

11/6/2014

11/6/2014

Recall a funeral you've attended and write about it. Did anything unusual happen at the event? How did you feel? Describe the situation -- who, what, when, where, why and how.


I have only been to one funeral. My uncles funeral back in January.

11/18/2014

11/18/2014
Write about a dream you’ve had again and again. When did you first have the dream? When does it recur? What do you think it signifies?

There has only been on point in my life where I had reoccurring dream. It happened about January when I decided to give up drinking for a semester. I had the same bazaar dream every night about a broken mirror. The same dream every night for a week. It never stopped happening. Same thing every night me looking into a broken mirror. I have no idea why. I decided to see a psychic for help. But after talking to my mother it turns out that when you aren't drinking that your brain is more active at night.

11/11/2014

Write about your favorite movie or book and explain why you enjoyed it. Talk about the technical aspects and the creative: for example, the film’s pacing and lighting, as well as the dialogue and the plot.

Pulp Fiction is by far my favorite movie. It was the first movie that turned me onto Quentin Tarantino. The cinematography is stunning and exceptional. It is edited to showcase all the best elements of the story. The dialogue is crisp and well delivered. The soundtrack matches the well paced story and helps the viewer experience the film in a very unique way. The acting is top notch. Some of the actors deliver performance that they have yet to match later on in the careers. If there was one thing that stands out the most among all of the movie is how all the stories of the individual characters mesh together and are interrelated in a way that is comprehensible.

11/13/2014

11/13/2014

Have a character espouse a viewpoint on life with which you very much disagree, but have the character argue it well, citing examples from her life to buttress her stance. Resist the temptation to make her sound foolish or harsh. Write this in the third or first person, from the narrative.

I for as long as I can remember have urged others to become libertarians. The principles on which our government were founded are being eroded everyday.Big, centralized, bureaucratic government that seeks to become a dictatorship. Despite overwhelming evidence that human beings are perfectly capable of great things absent of government. Each day a large government seeks to remove our individual rights and freedoms. Just look at the way it treats heroes like Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden. Who dared expose the truth about our oppressive government and there heinous actions. They are beholden to special interests groups that do not deliver the best good for the people of our great country. Deals, influence peddling, and coercion and corporation. A great democratic republic is falling apart because of greed and authoritative government.

11/4/2014

11/4/2014

Recall a wedding you've attended and write about it. Did anything unusual happen at the event? How did you feel? Describe the situation -- who, what, when, where, why and how.


I went to a friends wedding recently. It was different than normal because, well it was a friend and not some distant relative that I had barely known. Aside from it being the wedding of a close friend it was also smallest wedding I had been to and the least expensive to be apart of. It was in a plant nursery that was filled with beautiful plant life and gorgeous singing birds. Me and other close friends surrounded Alex and his wife. It was strange because I wasn't counting down the minutes till it was over like had done with weddings in the past. I was excited for my friend. He was having arguably the best day of his life. This was about 6 months ago. It still seems as vivid as the day it happened though.

10/23/2014

         This is Fin he is a Alaskan crab boat fisherman. He is a native of Anchorage and loves life at sea. He does it to support his family. At the age of 16 he joined as a greenhorn on his first ship. The first 6 months were the hardest. He spent time away from his family and friends. He had frost bite at one point and was injured handling the rig that hoists of crabs. He is now a seasoned adventurer of the Alaskan Seas and hopes to one day own his own ship. He is a devoutly religious man and seeks to spread the philosophy of Buddhism everywhere that he goes. Fin enjoys art, literature and music above all else. He likes to consider himself a Renaissance man of sorts. He is a very happy jubilant person with a heart of gold.

10/30/2014

10/30/2014

Write about an event from your childhood through your adult eyes (Perhaps Halloween?).  Add perceptions that you could not have known at the time.


I remember my first ever horror movie. As I child with virtually no idea how science works I assumed that yes ghosts and spirits were real. Those horror movies plagued everyone of my sleepless nights as a child. The thought of the dead lingering in the world of the living and communicating with us was fascinating. It was also frightening to think that the dead could cause harm to the living.

10/16/201

List six people you know (first names only) who interest you enough to write about them. Write what you find interesting about them. List some characteristics of their personalities and describe what they look like.

1) Betty my mother- She is resilient, strong, and always looking to help people.

2)  Jake my best friend- eccentric, reckless, and charismatic

3) Father Max my middle school lacrosse coach and priest- He is charismatic, understanding and always calm.

4) My sister- She is disciplined, regimented, and always looking out for my best interest.

5) Shep my other best friend- She is a little out there. She is fun, interesting, and very worldly and cultured.

6) My father- He is resilient, resourceful, and handy  

10/14/2014

Write about a private moment you’ve experienced in a distant place. Perhaps a solitary walk along a beach or an elegant dinner at a restaurant far from home. Your goal, first, is to transport yourself back to this moment, then put the reader there. Tell us what you see, what you smell and hear, what you feel.


Once I was eating in a restaurant by myself trying to avoid responsibility and other people. It was raining, as it often does in Williamsport. As I waited for my order I split time between looking at my phone and looking out a window. The rain prevented anything from being seen inside the restaurant, but for some reason I was transfixed on the window. I hate Williamsport, I hate its weather, and I hate having to stay here for extended periods of time to earn a piece of paper that says that I'm qualified to work for minimum wage. This day was different all of that hatred seemed to be absent and Williamsport became more likable.

10/9/2014

10/9/2014

Write about your favorite invention. What has made your life easier since you’ve been using it? Who makes it and what does it do? What are the benefits of this invention? What are the negative results of using this invention? If you could improve it, what would you do?

My favorite invention by far is high speed internet. I literally have a world of information at my finger tips. It makes finding restaurants, movies, and stores easy for people who are map illiterate. It has allowed us to access and connect with the world around us like never before. The only draw back is that It literally takes away from studying. It is so much harder to study when you can watch netflix.

The Science Behind the Paleolithic Diet By Sean Brown

The Science Behind the Paleolithic Diet

By Sean Brown

The Paleolithic Diet, or the Paleo Diet for short, is the newest health craze to catch the ears and eyes of the masses. It is based on the premise that obesity has gone up because human bodies were not meant to digest and metabolize newer food products. The idea is that until the last 10,000 or so years, humans didn’t eat refined grains and calorie-dense meals.

Participants of the Paleo lifestyle eat meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts -- non-processed food. They do not eat processed foods, nor grains or beans. The list of prohibited foods includes but is not limited to: cereal grains; legumes (including peanuts); dairy; refined sugar; potatoes; processed foods; salt; and refined vegetable oils.

What does all this amount to? The most striking difference is a smaller proportion of carbohydrates and a slightly higher proportion of fats and proteins. Paleo Diet followers end up consuming about 30 percent of calories from protein, 30 percent from fats (mostly unsaturated) and 40 percent from carbohydrates (mainly from fruits and vegetables).

Some people have been quick to label the Paleo Diet the newest entry in a long list of fad diets here in America. Some see it as an amalgamation of two other fad diets, low-carb/high-protein and gluten free diets. Alesh Houdek of the Atlantic claims that it suffers the same pitfalls of the Atkins Diet  that there are no long term health or medical studies on the participants. Houdek, while claiming that he has seen a decrease in weight and is feeling better after eating and that hunger has decreased, said he still has reservations.

A US News comparison ranks the Paleo Diet last in a list of diets ranging from best to worst. The methodology for the list included nutrition, easy ability to follow, weight loss and safety. Some hypothesize that the weight loss associated with the Paleo Diet might have to do with portion control than with what people are eating.

Studies have been conducted recently on the effectiveness of the diet and how much better it is versus conventional diet wisdom.    Another study, Lindberg, Josson and Grantfelt, showed that people on the Paleo Diet decreased the amount of calories by coincidence. The study showed that people who were on the Paleo diet ate fewer calories and smaller portions without even attempting to do so.  Secondly, the drop in blood pressure may because they are cutting out processed foods, more so than cutting out dairy and alcohol.

        A series of studies, conducted by Frassetto-Jonsson- Osterdahl, have shown that Paleo participants did not have statistically significant changes in waist size and blood pressure. When compared to other conventional diets, the effects of the Paleo diet weren’t all that dramatic. The differences were minute and from the outside looking in barely noticeable.

Another study showed that women benefited more from the diet that men did. Liver fat is a marker for metabolic diseases. Female participants who suffered from type 2 Diabetes also showed higher glycemic control and insulin sensitivity than before starting the diet. According to Dr. Ryberg of PubMed.Gov “The fat content of liver and muscle cells are a risk factor for metabolic disease. In this study, the women had an average reduction in liver fat of 49%, but no significant effect on the fat content of muscle cells.”  

        With these studies, one may wonder why the Paleo Diet has become so popular in the first place. The evidence shows that amongst men the results are not statistically significant. That the majority of the benefit could be contributed to fewer calories taken in and smaller portions.

So what does all this mean? That desired results could be achieved by consuming more whole foods and fewer processed and highly refined ones.

Tom Venuto, author of the best-selling diet book "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle," claims that whole grains, skim milk and non-processed dairy products are great for your diet. “To condemn natural foods like brown rice (a staple food for centuries in the Asian cultures, well known for being among the healthiest and longest-lived), 100% whole grains, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, legumes and so on for healthy carb-tolerant people, especially those who are highly active and already reasonably lean, doesn't make a whit of sense to me.”  Venuto claims that natural grains and wheat are very different from highly processed and refined ones that most people consume today.

       How can we be exactly sure what our ancestors had eaten in the past?  Venuto goes on to align with what many archeologists have claimed. No one knows exactly what our ancestors ate. As Venuto eloquently puts it “I'm pretty certain that it depended a lot on the culture, climate and geography. Therefore, the amount of carbs eaten could have varied quite a bit, so I don't think there is just ONE type of Paleo diet.”

The evidence doesn’t add up either when you consider diets from around the world. The Finish consume the most dairy per capita in the world, but has a much lower obesity rate than here in the United States where dairy consumption isn’t even in the Top Ten. Dairy is one of the Paleo diets third deadliest sins behind eating grains and lastly processed food.

Studies have shown that humans who consume three glasses of 2 percent milk a day lost more belly fat than those who didn’t. Dr David. Katz of the International Journal of Obesity claims that “Calcium found in milk decreases the level of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3—a vitamin that spurs the growth of fat cells—in your body, helping to accelerate the effects of weight loss, according to a recent study in Obesity Research. Eating lots of dairy helps slow down the growth of fat cells, but only when combined with a weight-loss diet are the effects powerful enough to make a noticeable difference.”

        I’m not going to claim that the Paleo diet is completely useless. It has great advice for anyone looking to lose weight. Its advice to eat more organic meats, green vegetables and consume less sugary beverages is sound. Unfortunately,there is no benefit in cutting out all natural grains, wheat and protein-rich dairies. Until studies show that there is a statistically significant difference in Paleo vs Non Paleo I will see it as another fad.

Five Sources

Nutritional Quality of Organic Food

(http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/90/3/680.full)

Role of Health Conscious Organic Food Suppliers

https://dspace.stir.ac.uk/bitstream/1893/828/3/IJCS_Michaelidou%20%20Hassan%20Role%20of%20health%20consc.pdf.txt

5 Paleo Diet Studies

http://authoritynutrition.com/5-studies-on-the-paleo-diet/

PubMed.gov Paleo Diet Studies
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17583796

PubMed.gov Liver Fat and the Paleo Diet

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23414424

10/7/2014

Write about something special that belongs to your mother. Why is it special to her? How long has she had it? Why does she keep it? Where does she keep it?

My mother has the biggest collection watches I have ever seen. It has the most diverse set of watches and clocks that would impress most jewelers. She has never really explained why she collects so many watches or why she thinks they’re important. She has them in her room behind lock and key and to be honest I have only ever seen them once.   

10/2/2014

10/2/2014

Consider some of the bigoted remarks, common myths and stereotypes people make about ethnic groups. Defend your heritage and talk about some of the more interesting and special cultural activities or physical differences.

Some of the most offensive racial stereotypes in this country belong to African Americans. People often associate you with failure and misery. I have parents whom are successful and who have 2 successful children. It seems as if in every media depiction of blacks they are seen as deviant or uncivilized. We have made long strides in the world and it is a pain in the ass to have to defend yourself constantly.

9/30/2014

9/30/2014

In a single sentence, declare who you are – your ethnic and regional background, your social class, your religion, or whatever is appropriate to you. For example, “I am a third-generation American of Irish-German heritage, raised Catholic in the middle-class suburbs of the Midwest.” Follow this sentence with an autobiographical paragraph or two, perhaps shifting back to the time you were born, or perhaps showing how your background influences your beliefs and actions today.

My name is Sean Brown; I am a black, middle class, catholic male from Baltimore Maryland. I was born in June 29th 1992 to Betty Whitehurst. I spent my formative years in catholic school. I learn to read and write a 5 years old. At 6 I read my first chapter book. From there on out I was incredibly interested in science. That changed around 8th grade When I discovered politics. That obsession faded around college when I discovered economics. It was the first time where I was learning about something that I didn't eventually tire of.

My first elementary school was a very small and religiously conservative. I never really fit in, I always felt like I was getting dumber and dumber every year. So in sixth grade I convinced my parents to let me transfer to a different school. Then from there it was boarding school and then college.

9/25/2014

Associate an object or an action with someone in real life. Does someone you know have a cherished possession or a unique ritual? Describe it. Use that object or ritual to begin a character sketch about that person.


I like to associate my mother with an AK-47 mounted assault riffle. She mows down just about every thing in her path and with deadly precision. An AK-47 never jams, it will fire if filled with water, mud, or sand it is the worlds most reliable gun. My mother is also incredibly dependable. She is never late, always makes deadlines, and never breaks promises. She is the worlds most reliable mother. While my mother doesn't own an assault riffle, she owns a bullet necklace. It was given to her when my sister was over seas in Bosnia. It has become one of my mothers most prized possessions. It is a reminder of how much she almost lost.

Write about your vision of the afterlife, if you believe in one. If you don’t believe in one, write about what happens after we die or, if you prefer, write about your vision of what the afterlife should be.

I think that there is no Hell, or at least not in the way Christians characterize it. How could there be we already live in a world that is less than ideal and certainly not fair or just. How could life be any worse than it is now after we die. It seems unfair to banish someone to a place where there is poverty, war, and crime; then expect that person to be a saint. If they don't act according to a very strict set of rules they go to a place worse than they already live. I think that people die and at least go on to live a better life than the one they have now. I think the after life should be fair not equal but fair. Each person would have their needs and desires met. I don't really have an idea of what that would mean or how it would play out but it at least would be better than the world we live in now. A world free of poverty, crime, war and famine. A perfect world that is free from the ills our current world suffers from.

9/16/2014 (Please hyperlink)

Retell a myth or a fairy tale, changing what happens or exploring characters more deeply than in the original. For example, GRENDEL is the story of the monster in BEOWULF and WICKED is a story about the Wicked Witch of the West. Reverse the myth or tale and try to create an anti-hero.Once upon a time there was a little girl. Her name was Red. She wore a  beautiful red trench coat. She didn't wear it everyday, because she loved it but because it rained everyday in Seattle. Red was delivering a special package to Gram. Gram was Red's boss and Grandmother, whom Red made weekly visits to. The packages Red delivered were very special and of a very sensitive nature. The packages were never delivered to the same spot or even country. You see Red and Gram were smugglers. The sold any and everything from stolen cars to cigarettes. This week Red was delivering weapons grade plutonium to a plant were it could be separated and shipped to various black markets. But Red wasn't alone. Hot on her trail was Special Agent Wolfe. He had been detailing and assembling a case against Gram and Red for the past 3 years. He thought to himself "Today is my day". Following her from the city through the woods and to Gram's place by the harbor. Gram and Red surprised by the tail load the plutonium and pull off in their getaway boat. They planned to load the materials on a plain stationed on a small island of the coast of Washington. Having lost them Wolfe decide to leave. Only to be greeted by ex-con and soon to be murderer, The Ax man. Before Wolfe could utter a syllable his head was rolling on the floor. You see Special Agent Wolfe's first arrest and sting was made with fake evidence. Karma is a bitch.  

You’re very old. You’re on your deathbed. (Sorry.) Family and friends gather around you. What do you tell them about life? What advice about living do you offer them? Spill a few pearls of wisdom from your experience.  

It is always better to say sorry then ask for permission. With a few notable and obvious exceptions this rule applies to about everything. Enjoy life it is very short. One day you’ll wake up and be as old and dying as me. “Memento Mori” one day you’ll die. Remember this because time is very precious. It is more valuable than gold because once it is gone you can never get it back. Some of the best years of your life will be with your friends. You can always make up time with family. If it looks or sounds dangerous its probably fun. Get your hands dirty from time to time. Try as hard as you can to meet new people and try to enrich their life as they enrich yours.    

Steven Troup

Steven Troup was born in Pittsford New York. The town is located just outside of Rochester and is also home to Team USA’s Abby Wambach. Steven grew up playing sports but his favorite by far is lacrosse. It seemed like a natural role for Steven who grew up in an area so rich in lacrosse tradition. In fact New York is the birthplace of the sport and is home to some of the country’s best teams, high school and college. Steven describes the sport as the love of his life. He states that he has been a participant in the sport since he was in kindergarten.

Having played at Pittsford Mendon High School, which at the time was nationally ranked, decided he would bring his talents to Lycoming College. Stevens off the field exploits are numerous. He is a Corporate Communications major with a Criminal Justice minor. Steven served as a liaison for a nonprofit charity organization in Cincinnati. He plans to work in marketing, specifically retail science. Steven describes it as “Ensuring that firm’s products are properly displayed. This will increase the likelihood that customers will purchase or give attention to certain products”. He also at one point considered working for the FBI.

When Steven is not staying on top of his academics or staying in shape for lacrosse he enjoys videos games. Video games are one of Steven’s favorite pass times. He says that they help him relax and clear his mind. It is the only thing Steven enjoys almost as much as lacrosse and school work. His favorite types of games are sports games and first person shooters. Steven highly recommends Destiny or Madden 25. Steven also finds multiple physical activities enjoyable as well. In fact he spent his 21^st birthday enjoying his other lifelong hobby, skiing. Skiing has been a passion of Stevens for quite some time. He has skied all over the country. These trips have ranged from Denver to Vermont and everywhere in between.

Rochester is also home to some of the east coast’s greatest restaurants. Steven describes one dish in particular that he misses the most, the world renowned Garbage Plate. For those unfamiliar with this culinary masterpiece allow me to explain. It is a well crafted amalgamation of macaroni salad, home fires, and two cheeseburgers and is garnished with a signature meat sauce. It has been featured in the Huffington Post, New York Times, and The Baltimore Sun. The dish has even received critical acclaim from famous chef Chantal Martineau of the Atlantic and Food Republic.com. Steven describes the dish as a cultural experience on par with Maryland Blue Crabs, Russian Beluga Caviar, and French Seared Fois Gras. The evidence is compelling and I must agree.

Steven Troup’s accomplishments are many. His peers are few. His accolades go unmatched. He is cultured, articulate and well read. Steven’s experiences have groomed him for a lifetime of success and good fortune. One day people will read my piece and be amazed that such a man comes from such humble beginnings.   

              

09/11/2014

Write about your hometown – where your family lives now. Write about what you like best – the landmarks, the best restaurants, the recreational activities.

I’m from a small town outside of Baltimore. It’s south of the city by about 20 minutes. I love the giant parks the most.These places rival most metropolitan area’s on weekends. They are filled with vendors, farmers, artists who are there to showcase their products. It is filled with people looking to shop, the laughter of children, and the bustling noise of adults walking through the park. The majority of my weekends are spent in the city though. Baltimore isn’t like any other city in this country. It is comprised of giant neighborhoods that  surround a small downtown area. It has a magnificent harbor and the worlds best aquarium. i

9/9/2014

9/9/2014

Where were you on 9/11/2001? At the time, did you know what was happening in America? Write about your dominant memories of the events of that day.

I was in elementary school. Grove Park elementary to be exact. We were outside playing. All the teachers on break for student recess were crowding around the television. On teacher had exclaimed to another that had just walked in about an accidental plain crash. About minutes into the math portion of our class, teachers were claiming that school was being let out early and that we were going home. At the time I hadn't realized what was going on. Being a kid I was happy to be leaving school early. I didn't realize that a state of emergency had just been declared and that we were under attack. It was only years later that I would begin to appreciate the significance of that day. As a child I remember being confused and utterly unaware of what was happening. As and adult I am now able to understand the gravity of the situation that was unfolding in front of my young eyes.  

9/4/2014

9/4/2014

Write about a picture you tore up. Who was it? How old were you? Why did you tear it up? Do you still feel the same way?

I have honestly never torn up a picture of anyone. I have deleted ones that I found less than flattering or deleted ones that documented me doing something less than legal. I honestly never understood the point behind tearing photos up as an emotional release. Maybe its because I’ve never been that hurt by anyone I cared about.  I try to choose the people I let into my life carefully. It would probably be more accurate to say that I have deleted people’s numbers from my phone. I feel like once I’ve had enough of someone I stop contacting them. This has really only happened once but it’s not something I care to talk about. I still feel the same way I did when I stopped talking to him. I guess you can say I know how to hold a grudge. To be honest I don’t hate that person. I can honestly understand why they did what they did. I can even empathize with them. That doesn’t mean I agree with their choice or even have to respect it. And I certainly don’t have to forgive them for it.

In Class Interviews

Dylan Barton
22
Williamsport Pa
Major: Corporate Communications
Minor: Philosophy

1)When you where in Elementary School were you a bully or the bullied?

Neither school was boring and did my work. Then I would go home and watch The A Team or History Channel
2) What Music are you listening to write now?
All kinds I generally avoid the mainstream. Some bands I've been listening to MGMT a lot as of recently.

3) Mac or Pc?

Its a question finances. I would love to buy Mac if I had the money. 

4) If you could live anywhere where would it be?

Some where tropical and warm... like Mexico minus the cartels

5) What languages do you speak?

I speak German, French, and Spanish poorly. I only speak English fluently.

6) What are your Hobbies?

Stealing music, Radio Show, and watching Soccer. Drinking.... its in the blood.

7) What do plan to do you with your major?

I honestly want to live like Don Draper. I want to do as little as possible and make as much as possible.

8) A word or expression that you hate?

Schematic or Smorgasbord.

9) Your mind is a work tool. How do you take care of it?

Short answer I don't. My mind is mush at this point 8 concussions. I actually just recently suffered a head injury.

10) How do you deal with telemarketers?

By screwing with them. I was recently banned from Cutlery Corner

11) In moments of tension what works to calm you?
Drink, smoke you know the usual

12) Who is the most influential person in your life?
Jeff Bridges the Big Lombowski. Being ordained priest of dudeism which allowed me to meet Woody Haralson.



Marissa Bayer
21
Freeland, Pa
Major: Theatre and Corp. Comm.

1) If you were a food what food what you be?

Steak, BEST FOOD IN WORLD.

2) What are you plans after college?

Become a Disney World performer and/or try to break into entertainment industry in Hollywood.

3) What's your secret to happiness?

Surround your self with people who are happy and positive.

4) Most interesting experience as a theatre performer?

Having to improvise with my character mid-show in the Dragons Lair.

5) If there were a Lifetime original movie about you, who would star about you?

Natalie Portman

6) How does your corporate comm. help with theater?
It honestly helps with public speaking. My back up plan is to be a writer so it makes it seem like a natural pair.

7) Why do you like Disney so much?
Growing up I spent a lot of time ay Disney World growing up. Its honestly like a second home

8) Are you satisfied with your education so far?
Somewhat. I've had conflicts with the casting of certain roles. But you know c'est la vie

9) What's your favorite campus experience?

Planning an event for my sorority at the Old Corner

10) If you were stranded on a desert island what book would you take with you?

The Great Gatsby



Kelly Blasi
21
Dushore, Pa
Major: Business
Minor: Accounting

1) Which type of persons do you feel work best in a team?

I like people who are organized. I like to lead and need people who are great followers. I like people with untapped potential.

2) Why did you decide to take this class?

Last spring I switched majors and I needed to satisfy a requirement and this class filled it.

3) What are you not looking forward to?

Filing. It is the bane of my existence. Period

4) Your first car?

I had a 2001 Ford Focus. It was my dads and then it became mine.

5) Do aliens exists?

No. I don't believe in anything other than humanity

6) Bucket list?
Skydiving

7) Why did you change majors?

During finals week I realized I hated my life mostly accounting. In short accounting sucks

8) What is the most best placed you've traveled?

The Dominican Republic. The people are great. I had heard some much about the dangers. Honestly I felt more connected with the people down there than in my own neighborhood. The people living in the less developed areas made me feel more comfortable than the people in the city.

9) If you were going to conquer the world where would you start?

If the end of the world to end I would take over during the rebuilding process.

10) If you had a button that could kill a random person or a family member?

I would pick a random stranger.

8/26/2014

Why did you choose Lycoming College and what were your other choices? What is your major and why did you choose it? What do you hope to accomplish with your degree once you graduate?

I chose lycoming college because it was a small college rather than a large university. It actually started with my grandfather telling me a story about his first year at Cornell. He had been granted admission to study engineering, but after a semester had decided he wanted to study biology. Unfortunately he was enrolled in the College of Engineering and needed to reapply to the College of Science and Letters.Because the university is a collection of colleges he needed to apply to a different college at the university. Even more unfortunately he was born before the internet. So the application took a week to submit. Sadly it didn’t take a week for the College of Sciences and Letters to say no. The day after his application was submitted he was denied. That was his parable to me when choosing where to go to school. Based on his experience I chose a small school .

My major is Economics. I chose it because I have always been curious as to why people chose to make the choices they do and Economics is a very behavioral science. Its a very interesting experience to watch factors that are  causally related effect people in their day to day life. I plan to work in financial service upon graduation before going back to get an M.S. in Economics and help oversee urban problem solving for the U.S. government and/or help write economic policy for developing countries in the third world.