Technology: Does it foster or hinder relationships?

Jennifer A

January 29, 2012 - 12:00 PM

Technology is fascinating the way it is constantly evolving. What is even more fascinating is how we adapt our lives around it. So much so that it has changed the dynamics of relationships.

 

In many ways it has been a blessing. Couples can be separated by thousands of miles and still have face to face conversations everyday via Skype. We can easily learn about big events like engagements or pregnancies from people in all sectors of our lives. Facebook allows me to see my cousin's children in Maryland. With relationship statuses, news feeds and tagged photos it makes it more difficult for someone to cheat on you without finding out. Plus, technology lets you stalk people legally. (Or as I refer to it ‘research'.) But, there is a dark side to all these gadgets.

Because of the ease of communication that technology has provided, we expect a lot of it. Since texting is effortless we become upset if a guy has not texted all day. You can tell your significant other that you were staying in but the next day pictures of you are tagged taking shots with your cute ‘friend' from Biology class. People can become jealous for the most random of reasons such as ‘liking' a girl's picture. With iPhones providing the World Wide Web at your fingertips constantly it can get in the way of alone time. Instead of focusing on your significant other you have everyone on the Internet competing for your attention.

 

Many of fights have started because of something to do with technology. Whether it is not texting or a Facebook comment, it can lead to a potential end in a relationship. However, many relationships would have never started without the help of technology. Does it foster or hinder relationships? I guess that is an individual decision for us all.

 

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Midterm Season

Jennifer A

January 28, 2012 - 12:00 PM

It's that time of term again where midterms are upon us. There is a rush of scantron buying, energy drink consuming and eye-rubbing from staring at the computer for hours on end. I have multiple issues with midterms that I will explain.

First off, it shouldn't be considered a ‘midterm' if it isn't in week five, the middle of the term! I had one last week (yes, in week three), which would make it only a ‘triterm'. How much can you learn in six classes? The first two are going over the syllabus, course requirements, academic dishonesty and so on. It is only about the fourth class where everyone who wants to add/drop the class has done so.

Even though the tests aren't exactly in the middle of the term, they all seem to land on the same day! I believe that once I have my schedule made, my professors all e-mail each other to make sure the tests all match up to the same day. I am choosing to believe they don't do this out of spite, but out of character building. Whatever their reasoning is, I wish they wouldn't do it.

And lastly what I hate most about midterms is the amount there are! I think in all of college I have only had two classes where there was only one midterm. Most of them are at least two but others have three or four. Why don't they just call them giant-tests-worth-most-of-your-grade? I guess that isn't as easy to say as midterm though.

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Intramural Sports

Jennifer A

January 22, 2012 - 3:00 PM

In my old high school (Sisters High School) over 80 percent of us were involved in at least one sport. It's what we did. Most of my best friends were my teammates in those sports as well. As we entered into college we realized our sports would be left behind. That's where intramural comes in.

 

We all came to college for our education, that much is a fact. But we are not thinking about our education all the time. Besides the stereotypical college activities, we need something else. Intramural helps fill that gap with something we already loved in high school. When I was a freshman I joined an intramural basketball team ‘for fun.' I was shocked at how competitive it was!

 

Intramural sports are set up in a very intricate way. There are so many people wanting to play that it runs slightly like football tickets. You have to go to a long meeting, get a registration number, and register at a specific time. And then if you do all that and get in a league, you have to pay at a very specific time or you are kicked out. Well fortunately I jumped through all the right hoops and will be playing on a co-ed basketball team this term! Wish us luck, we will need it.

 

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A Magical Trip to the Symphony

Jennifer A

January 21, 2012 - 10:00 AM

This afternoon about 20 of my sorority sisters and I went to the Eugene Hult Center and witnessed magic in the form of the Disney Symphony.

 

I have viewed the arts before, but nothing like this. Eugene was out in full force! From children dressed like their favorite Disney princess to couples fully decked out in evening attire on dates. As a sorority, we dressed up nicely ourselves (see picture) and I was a little curious at first why we did so. I though "yes, it is the symphony, but it is also Disney." Then I walked into the Hult Center.

 

If you have never been in there, you need to. It is very grand. With high balconies, plush carpets, and ushers dressed to the T. This place screamed sophistication. Actually it was more like it elegantly told us it's sophistication.

 

I think the beautiful atmosphere and getting dolled up for the event was part of the magic. You could have just watched The Lion King if you wanted to hear the music. But we all went for the experience. And what an experience it was! Not only did they have a full symphony of talented musicians, they had four vocalists who gave you goose bumps with the range of notes they could sing. Once again, Disney out did itself.

 

I think it is important that even in college (as broke as we are) that we still appreciate the arts. Whether it be participating in an art walk or going to the ballet. I am very thankful that I got to experience this wonderful event with my sorority sisters and hope that there are many more to come.

 

 

 

 

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It Has Begun

Jennifer A

January 15, 2012 - 4:00 PM

I have officially gone through an entire week of school for this term. My schedule is manageable, my syllabus synchronized to my planner, my books bought and my mind boggled. The beginning of a term is always hopeful, and daunting.

 

If it did not terrify me so much, I would count how many thousands of pages I have to read in three months. From those thousands I have to regurgitate dates, connect themes and learn new equations. Not that I am complaining, on the contrary, I am actually impressed with myself and other college students for doing it. In one class I read seven books in one term. I am very thankful to have the ability to attend college. I know I am one of the lucky few. Looking at the syllabus for what I have to do makes me feel that at least I am working hard and getting the most out of my fortunate experience that I can.

 

Along with the start of the term something else has made its way into Eugene, snow! My Facebook has been blowing up all day from all the So Cal students ranting and raving about it. With the snow came sub-freezing temperatures and bitterly cold walks to class. It is for certain, the coldest term is upon us.

 

 

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