Story Time

Posted on January 29, 2013 by blogeastern

By: Benjamin Cooley

When we were young, we all loved having our mom’s and dad’s read us stories and even when we began to get older, we loved telling stories of what happened to us with our friends. When you get even older, you usually tell stories to remember all the good times we had when we were much younger and they always give us a laugh. Well, here at Eastern we have what is called Storytellers Lounge!

This event is on different Thursdays throughout the school year and you can listen to people tell stories about their lives. Each night has a different topic that the students telling the stories have to follow and the most recent one was on surprises. The students got to tell of moments in their lives that they were surprised and many were quite funny and gave people laughs. I personally enjoyed hearing about stories from other people because I absolutely love to hear what people have to say! Telling stories is a great way to connect with people here on campus. Sharing stories might even trigger finding out that you have something in common with each someone in the audience, and can help start lovely friendships full of stories and laughter together.

So be part of Storytellers Lounge and share your great story!

Finding Where You Fit in on Campus!

Posted on January 18, 2013 by blogeastern

By: Brooke Maggard

When I came to Eastern, I clung to the first people I met and assumed we were going to be best friends for life. I soon realized that’s not how it worked…. As time went on and the people I first met grew apart I felt like I didn’t know many people. I wasn’t even sure why I was at Eastern. Then I decided to apply for a job and little did I know it would later become the best decision I would ever make while at Eastern.

I applied to be a tour guide through the Office of Admissions. During my interview, my now bosses asked me what my favorite color was and I immediately knew this is where I needed to be. Thankfully, I got the job! Throughout the fall semester my first year, I got to meet some of the most incredible people I had ever met. The office was filled with people who inspired me and pushed me to thrive and excel at Eastern. It was so exciting the first time I was ever asked to get lunch with friends or hang out for sleepovers and late nights at the library.

Finding where you belong in college is both the scariest and the most exciting experience. One day I felt confused as to why I was even here and then out of no where the reasons hit me in the face. I have people surrounding me who make this whole thing worth every single minute of stress.

We too often get wrapped up in the papers, tests, and deadlines and forget to appreciate the amazing people who make this time worth while. The lessons you learn and friends you gain through immersing yourself in college are ones you will get no where else. Don’t let this pass by while sitting around feeling like you don’t know anyone. Go out, meet people, and make a fool of yourself. I know I did and the people I have met have forever altered my life.

Year in Review

Posted on January 2, 2013 by blogeastern

By: Freddy Karn

2012 has been quite the eventful year! Let’s recap some of the events in case you missed it! Don’t feel bad if you don’t know them, I live under a rock so researching all of this came as a surprise to me too. These are the top 10 major moments of 2012!

10. Johnny Manziel, the Quarterback of Texas A&M University becomes the first ever freshman to win the Heisman Trophy! Congratulations Manziel!

9. Korean pop star PSY released the song “Gangnam Style” which became an international hit and it even became the most viewed video on YouTube with over 1 billion views! Take that Justin Bieber, I’m no PSYchic but I saw it coming.

8. Apple becomes the largest and most valuable public company of all time with a stock market value of around $623.52 billion, which beat Microsoft’s record of $616.34 billion set in 1999.

7. Christopher Nolan released the last part of his Batman trilogy: Dark Knight Rises. The movie became the 7^th highest grossing film of all time and the Avengers became the 3^rd highest grossing film of all time. Some other noteworthy news: Tarantino released his latest movie Django Unchained, Peter Jackson made the first installment of The Hobbit, and Daniel Craig starred in his third James Bond film, Skyfall.

6. Colorado and Washington become the first two states to JOINTly legalize marijuana, and not just for medicinal purposes. This is both surprising and controversial, who knows if other states will follow suit. I did not mean to put it so BLUNTly, but it is what it is.

5. The Mayans were wrong! The world is still going around after some people believed the end was coming on December 21^st. Better luck next time Mayans!

4. Hurricane “super storm” Sandy killed around 125 people in the US and 71 people in the Caribbean during October. The massive storm flooded buildings, toppled structures, cut-off electricity and also forced the New York Stock Exchange to close for two days – which was the first time it has been shut down for weather reasons since 1888. Sandy caused about $62 billion in damage in the US, and $315 million in damage in the Caribbean.

3. London Summer Olympics the US wins the most amount of medals with 104 total. 46 Gold, 29 Silver, and 29 Bronze. Michael Phelps also won his 22^nd Olympic Medal, becoming the most decorated Olympiad of all time.

2. In what seemed like a close election, Obama was reelected for a second term. Congratulations to Obama, we have him in office until 2016! “I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting,” -Obama’s winning speech

1. *Drum roll* NASA landed the Curiosity Rover on Mars to find out if life once inhabited mars. It has also dug up some soil for further testing and explored some of the terrain of Mars. This is exciting news! Who knows, we might get a person on Mars within a decade!

What a great year 2012 was. What was your favorite highlight?

Letter to Me

Posted on December 13, 2012 by blogeastern

By: Sarah Drabik

I heard Brad Paisley’s “Letter to Me” on the radio on the way home from work today. After actually listening to the lyrics, I thought “huh, I wonder what my letter would say?” I laughed to myself, sat down, and started writing…

Dear Freshman Sarah,

Most people will call you Drabik – that also gets transformed into Dray, Dray-Beezy, and Draby Baby. Each name has its own funny story so just let it happen. Dad still calls you Sarah Lou and you’ll invent a face that makes you look like a Cindy Lou-Who from the Grinch, which becomes sort of a photo-bomb trademark.

The next few years are somewhat of a rollercoaster, but I promise you it’s all worth it. To help you through the ride, here are some pointers:

Transitioning the first couple weeks was rough, but you make tons of friends in Downing Hall. It’s true that you meet some of the most amazing people at school and you stay friends with many people from the second floor all through college.
Remember to say “hi” to the girl in the bathroom at sorority recruitment. Her name is Katie; you join the same sorority and she becomes one of your best friends.
Flirt with the guy in American Government; he’s actually a pretty cool guy and makes class at 9:30 AM a little more tolerable.
Once you complete your Math requirement, don’t worry about taking Calculus. You don’t become a Math Teacher.You’re going to get your heart broken… more than once. I know it’s tough, but you learn something more about yourself every time.
- On that note, don’t take Econ. Honestly, you aren’t that good at it and you don’t become a Social Studies Teacher.
- While we’re on the topic, you don’t become a teacher at all. It is okay that you switched your major and completely normal that you changed your mind. You’re now doing something you really love, but I’ll let you figure that out.
Tell people how you feel. Your first heartbreak is because you didn’t share your feelings; the second is because you did. Either way, knowing is better than sitting with a life of “what ifs”.
When the girls are going out to Theo’s – don’t think twice about going. It’s like “Cheers” and everybody knows everybody. A majority of the best memories are created here and they will keep you laughing forever.
Finally, spend as many summers as you can at school because nothing beats an Ypsi Summer.

Now this may not make sense right at this time, but you’ll look back and smile. You’ll have some rough patches and days where nothing seems to go right, but your spirit (just like your horrible “Snooki” poof) won’t ever completely deflate. Remember to smile, love, and live every moment.
-Sarah

Random Acts of Kindness

Posted on December 11, 2012 by blogeastern

By: Brooke Maggard

One act of kindness can completely make someone’s day. I know personally, when someone does something nice for me it often turns my whole day around. Being in college can sometimes be stressful and little acts of kindness make you stop and appreciate the little things that can be done. Here are a few kind things you can do around campus!

Help someone carry their groceries from the parking lot.

Making multiple trips from the parking lot can be time consuming and tiring. With the help of one other, everything could probably be brought in with one trip. Next time you see someone with groceries, offer five minutes of your time to help!

Clean the bathroom, even if it’s not your turn.

Whether you live on or off campus, if you have a roommate, the bathroom is probably an issue at least once in awhile. If you have a cleaning schedule or not, forget it for a day and just clean the bathroom. Your roommate will appreciate it and who doesn’t love a clean bathroom?

Remember important dates of your friends.

If a friend seems really nervous or stressed out about a test or for an event they are in, set a reminder on your phone’s calendar to wish them luck. Showing that you took the time to remember what was important to them might relieve a little stress, even if only for a few minutes.

Offer to pick something up from the store for a friend.

Being busy is part of the definition of college. If you are running to the store, offer to grab something for your roommate or friend. If they were needing to go the store or thinking about what they needed, it will be a bit of relief to get the stuff without the hassle of running to the store.

Don’t forget to thank the people who do things for you.

We often get caught up in our own stress that we don’t thank the people who do the simple things for us. No matter how simple something is, effort was put forth and a simple thank you goes a long way and keeps the cycle going.

Project Runway: College Edition

Posted on November 23, 2012 by blogeastern

By: Andre’ Moses

For anyone who knows me, they know that I want to be a fashion designer…so bad. I have known what I’ve wanted to major in since I was a freshman in high school. When I found out that Eastern had a fashion related program, Apparels, Textiles, and Merchandising, I cried tears of joy. Not literally, but figuratively of course.

I came to Eastern super pumped to finally go to school and be a “fashion” major. My freshman year, I immediately immersed myself in whatever I possibly could to learn more about what it takes to become a fashion designer. My first month here, I volunteered to work backstage at one of Eastern’s biggest fashion shows, the Fashionality show, put on by the student organization Fashionality. Being backstage was so eye-opening, surreal, and most of all, motivating. I didn’t know how to sew during that time, but my next semester, the basic sewing class for my program taught me. With those newly learned skills, I embarked on a fashion journey that leads me to where I am today.

Ever since I volunteered backstage and helped other designers dress their models, I have taken part as a designer in many fashion shows here on campus, ran by Fashionality, my program, and also another student organization Fashion Avenue. I’ve taken classes here that have taught me so much when it comes to designing clothing (pattern making, computerized fashion design, history of haute couture) and how to break into the fashion industry as a designer. With graduating in December, I feel prepared, excited, and a little anxious to really get into the “real world” and start trying to make a name for myself. However, with everything I have learned here, I am ready to go out and reach my dreams.

Do you want to see some of the clothing I have made? It’s your lucky day! Take a look:

How to Eat the Most Turkey (or Tofurkey) on Thanksgiving

Posted on November 21, 2012 by blogeastern

By: Joy Schollmeier

Well, as many know the national holiday where we can consume as much turkey/tofurkey as possible is tomorrow! I thought it best to lend the Eastern community some great tips on how to eat the most possible amount of turkey/tofurkey on Thanksgiving!

For the calorie-conscious turkeyeater:

White meat has less calories than dark meat
Turkey is low in fat and high in protein.
Turkey has more protein than chicken or beef
Eating just the turkey, without skin, has the fewest calories

Or You can consume the good ‘ol fashion way… shove like the professionals.

Another method is partaking in the “turkey trot.” There may not be a definition of what the “turkey trot” consists of, but all versions have the individual getting up away from the dining table and either:

A.) Flap your arms and stretch your belly muscles; or

B.) Do the running man for a few minutes, and yes you can take breaks.

Either of these options can get you ready for round four or five of your turkey/tofurkey consumption!

Remember this is a holiday… feel free to indulge!

If by the end of this grand day you still haven’t gotten your fill of this yummy bird, left-overs are a great option! Whether as a sandwich, in stew, chili or soup, casseroles or as a burger, you can keep getting your turkey fix! (And here are some great leftover tofurkey recipes) Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

P.S. Do not forget to make room for a yummy slice of pumpkin pie!

Thank You EMU

Posted on November 20, 2012 by blogeastern

By: Sarah Drabik

My journey began five years ago,
Excited, nervous, and feeling all alone.
Now the time has flown right by;
Ypsi is my second home.

In April, I’ll graduate for the second time,
This time with a Master’s degree.
But, Thanksgiving’s around the corner,
Time to say “thanks” to who means the most to me.

Thank you to my family
For supporting me so far away.
I love you all dearly
And think about you every single day.

Thank you to my closest friends,
Time and distance may set us apart.
I miss our late nights, stupid fights,
And the best heart-to-hearts.

Thank you to my sisters,
For accepting me for me.
I wear my badge with honor;
Delta Zeta now and always, my sorority.

Thank you to the student org advisers,
I know I was quite the challenge.
I’ve lived, learned, maybe crashed and burned,
But now you know there’s nothing you can’t manage!

Thank you to my professors,
You taught me to think, critique, and analyze.
But more importantly, treated me as a person,
I’m not just a number in your eyes.

Thank you to my colleagues,
For teaching me to relax.
Life’s too short to worry –
Just enjoy and try to laugh.

Thank you to my supervisors,
There have been quite a few.
With confidence and trust, you’ve let me lead
And unlocked strengths I never knew.

Thank you to the CTGs,
You’re the best – hands down, no competition.
Every day is something different, But you’re always an inspiration.

Finally,

Thank you to you EMU,
Home of the green and white.
The people, love, and memories have shaped my past,
And left my future twice as bright.

ResLife Recruits!

Posted on November 8, 2012 by blogeastern

By: Kerri Musick

On October 29th applications for Residence Life hit the cyberspace presses! http://www.emich.edu/housing/housingDTL.php?f=cp There are several positions up for grabs:

Resident Advisor (RA): Mentor students and help them find their groove in EMU’s community.

Community Programmer (CP): Plan events for your themed floor to help build community amongst your residents.

Office Manager (OM): The ringmaster when it comes to the front desk, billing, and mail.

Currently I’m an RA in the First Year Center and thus far it’s been a rewarding experience. You have the opportunity to think outside the box and meet new people. I feel like I’m part of a secret society. . . except it’s not so secret.

What are the requirements to obtain one of these positions?

1. Good student conduct standing 2. 2.5 GPA (or 3.0 GPA for Honors Hall) 3. 24 credits at the end of Winter 2013 4. 2 semesters of community living

Good to go? Now attend an informational session on one of the following dates:

1. November 12th in Phelps/Sellers lounge @ 6p (Community Programmer), 7p (Resident Advisor), and 8p (Office Manager).
2. November 14th in Hoyt’s 10th floor lounge @ 5p (Community Programmer), 6p (Resident Advisor), and 7p (Office Manager).
3. January 8th in 320 Student Center @ 10a (Community Programmer), 1p (Resident Advisor), and 3p (Office Manager).

You need to attend one session per position you plan on applying. At these meetings you can ask questions to current ResLife employees, learn about the expectations of your potential title, and the tangible benefits that come along with it. Personally, I only did the job for the official looking name tag and the fancy long sleeve t-shirt.

Good luck! And if you have any questions please comment below!

Epilepsy Awareness Month

Posted on November 5, 2012 by blogeastern

By: Katie Cooley

Have you ever heard of epilepsy? Do you know what to do if someone has a seizure in front of you? If a complete stranger goes from asking you what time it is to convulsing on the ground and biting their tongue, how would you react? It might sound dramatic but that is exactly the type of thoughts a person with epilepsy agonizes over because, chances are, the person they are walking next to on their way to class won’t know what to do.

Epilepsy is defined as a medical condition that produces seizures affecting a variety of mental and physical functions. This basically means that the neurons in their brain are just firing electrical signals randomly and the person has no control. If a person has two or more unprovoked seizures then they are considered to have epilepsy. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the U.S. It’s more common than autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease combined. Despite how common it is, epilepsy is one of the most misunderstood disorders, even though one out of every hundred people suffer from it.

Even with how fast epilepsy research has been advancing, there is still a stigma surrounding epilepsy and the people who struggle with it. Even as early back as the early 1900s, there were U.S. states that had laws forbidding people with epilepsy to have children or marry, and some states would have people sterilized in hope of ‘stopping the spread of the disease’. Epilepsy was considered a curse of the gods for centuries. For example, a 1494 handbook on witch-hunting, written by two Dominican friars, said that one of the ways of identifying a witch was by the presence of seizures. This book and others like it created a wave of persecution and torture, which caused the deaths of up to 100,000 women because they thought they were witches.

Unfortunately, some people still haven’t moved on from the ideas of the early 20th century. I’ve had people avoid me once they found out, afraid that they might ‘catch’ it. Epilepsy isn’t like a cold. It isn’t contagious. You can’t get it from someone else no more than you can catch autism or Alzheimer’s.

That’s why November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. Every person who struggles with it doesn’t only have to struggle with having random seizures. They struggle with how other people treat them because of it. So this month, it’s so important to start talking about it because then more and more people can start to understand this condition. So support the cause by wearing purple and talk about it!

For more information, check out these sites!

http://epilepsyfoundation.org/

http://www.epilepsy.com/

http://www.talkaboutit.org/