How Bad is the Swine Flu? (Video Commentary)

Things my father taught me- Part II

It is impossible to describe my father's character without reflecting upon his actions. This is why I am sharing the things my father taught me.

It is rare, when meeting someone new and speaking of my past not to start a sentence with "why I was a little girl, my father..." I never realized before just how much of who I am and what I love has come from my father. One of my biggest passions is dancing. It is not a rare sight to see me dancing at every opportunity, even if it is just around the kitchen while doing dishes. At a wedding, someone once asked me who taught me how to dance. The answer? "My father." From the time i was old enough to walk, my father would spin me around the kitchen, teaching me how to keep time to the music and some of the swing moves he had used in his heydays. In high school, track was the love of my life, and my father never missed a meet, whether it was 20 miles from home at the local level or 200 miles away at the state level. My biggest heartbreak of my life came my freshman year, when I was ranked in state in the 400 meter race, but was unable to qualify at districts because I got called for jumping the gun. I walked off the track with my head held high- right to my father, who held me while I sobbed like a child.

My father taught me the importance of support and hobbies, and he also taught me the importance of family. Our family is incredibly close-knit, and my father has been a major part of it. Both parents have worked hard at peace-keeping among our family, but it was my father who wouldn't rest until he made sure everything was fine among the family. Even when I moved away for college, if I got in an argument with either my brother or mother, I could expect my father to call me every day and pester me until I made up with the person I was bickering with. If it was my brother, he would also get similar calls until the issue was resolved. This always drove me crazy, but it always worked. Because of the values our father instilled in us, my brother and I are extremely close and also close with our parents. My father also taught me, through example, several things about relationships. I got to see firsthand the way in which he treated my mother, which was with a manner of utmost respect. Our household was one in which important decisions were joint decisions made by both parents. I never doubted whether my father loved us or whether my parents loved each other.

The most important decision my father taught me, however, was the importance of religion and a strong faith in God. Though he was catholic, my father sacrificed, attending a Methodist congregration to ensure our family would attend church together every Sunday. He worked to make sure my brother and I were familiar with the scripture, even at an early age. When my neighbor died prematurely of a heart attack, my father told me after the funeral, "We live, we die, and everything in between we do for God". I never forgot these words.

It is because of my father that I am the person I am today. When I was younger and foolish, I would cringe and feel insulted to hear people tell me I was "just like my father". Today, when I hear that phrase, I smile, say "I know" and feel truly honored. I feel I can be a decent person because I was able to absorb the things my father taught me.

* Photo is of my family at my brother's wedding

Things my father taught me: Part I (When he got sick...)

Four years ago, my father got sick. I can not say what disease ails my father, because not even my father knows. At the time, I'm not sure what was worse- seeing my father plagued with a disease which could not even be diagnosed, let alone cured, or watching a man who had been vigorously active slowly become less and less energetic. Our family watched with heartbreak as my father slowly went from a man who played golf at least 350 days out of the year, refereed basketball and even played basketball with friends a few weeks every winter to a man who required 12 hours of sleep per day.


Even though I was an "adult" by this time, I could not fathom what was happening to my father. It did not make sense that he could go from so active to so tired in such a short amount of time. His condition went from bad to worse and it wasn't long before he had trouble standing. He would 'bob' up and down or brace himself against whatever he could grab to prevent himself from falling. Once, at a wedding reception, a man who had just been introduced to my father made a joke about his balance being affected by too much alcohol. My father has not drank alcohol in almost 20 years.

My father has been to countless doctors, been "diagnosed" and re-diagnosed far more than is acceptable and changed medication almost regularly for the past four years. By now, my family has almost come to accept the gut-wrenching fact that no one seems to be able to help him, but it doesn't make it any easier or less painful. My father doesn't let us feel sorry for him and he tries acting tougher than he is at times or even downplaying his condition. I think he forgets sometimes that I'm 22 now, not 5 and this makes it impossible to hide the severity of his condition from me. I love him for trying, though. Having a sick father has been heart breaking, but it has also made me appreciate what he has meant to our family. He is our pillar, and I will never forget the things my father taught me.

*Picture is my mother and father dancing at my brother's wedding

Why I was wrong about blogging

When I first heard this class included tri-weekly blogging, I cringed. In my mind, blogging was a lame outlet for drama queens to express their every thought and emotion. The last thing I wanted to do was read multiple entries including boyfriend problems, fashion disasters, chick flick raves, Twilight talk or the phase OMG. Nor did I want to contribute to writing which I feel is not the least bit credible.

This is why I am so grateful I was mistaken about blogging. While undoubtedly these sub-par blog entires exist on the world wide web, the UNK blogs have been delightful and can be put in the category of legitimate compositions. I have discovered the power of using the web to express your viewpoints on vital issues, politics and even the things you love (in my case sports). With the click of the mouse and the stokes on the keyboard, you can voice your opinion on pressing issues, entertain others, critic anything from food to movies or just blow off some steam during finals week.

Perhaps the best part of the blogging experience has been the opportunity to read high-quality writing. While I have taken several literature courses, some of the best student writing I have encountered has been in the form of my fellow classmates' blogs. It is refreshing the read such good writing, and I fully expect quite a few of my classmates to be published in the future. Blogging can be shallow, but it does not have to be. I have enjoyed the experience, and I am glad that I was wrong about blogging.

Still running...

Out of the few things I've managed to love in my life, track my be one of the biggest. In high school, track was my life, but I made the mistake of giving it up so I could follow my at-then boyfriend to a community college that did not offer the sport. At the time I made the decision, I vowed to never look back, never think of track again, but lately it's been all I've thought about because I have come to a conclusion as of late: a college semester is like one big race.

I ran the 800, so I will use that as a basis of comparison, partly because it's what I'm familiar with, but also because it is a fitting race to compare a semester to. When running this race, one starts out strong, working to get into a good position. This is much the same as a semester, when a student begins with enthusiasm, working to be placed above the rest of the pack. However, the race is longer than the first hundred meters, and soon you find yourself settling into a comfortable pace. You find yourself lulled into a false sense of security, thinking this isn't so bad. This is parallel to the middle of the semester, when students begin to relax, organize their schedule and feel as if they have control.

Just when you get comfortable, you go a few meters further and suddenly, the pace does not feel so comfortable. Fatigue has set in, and you find yourself struggling to push through the exhaustion. This is comparable to the phase toward the end of the semester, when students feel worn down, and have trouble envisioning the light at the end of the tunnel. You find yourself wondering why you strapped on your cleats (or picked up your pencils). The reward does not seem worth the means, and one finds themselves thinking, what's the point?

This is the stage where the weak falter, and drop out of the race, or their classes. The strong push through, even though they're undoubtedly dreading the last phase: where you must run harder than ever despite the fact that you're thoroughly exhausted. Naturally, this is the 'dead' week and finals week stage. If you can manage to push through, however, nothing feels sweeter than crossing that finish line. So put on your running shoes and finish the race that is the final part of the semester.

Column #3- The Glass Passenger (A Review)

Andrew McMahon and his band mates are at it again, with a brand new CD titled The Glass Passenger. In the months after battling his bout with leukemia, McMahon has resurfaced with his band, Jack's Mannequin, producing the band's sophomore album. While the band's freshman album was filled with the angst and hopelessness that goes along with being diagnosed with cancer, their second album is filled with optimism and hope. The band's second album's content seems to be in contrast to Everything in Transit, the band's debut album. While Everything in Transit deals with the goodbyes associated with battling cancer, we see the joys associated with survival in many of the lyrics found in the tracks of The Glass Passenger.

Throughout the tracks on The Glass Passenger, the audience is blessed with poetic lyrics which serve as a seeming portal into McMahon's feelings and emotions. These lyrics are extremely expressive, with phrases such as "I'm alive, i don't need a witness, to know that I survived, I'm not looking for forgiveness. I just need light, I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution" and "I swim for brighter days despite the absence of sun, chocking on saltwater... I'm not giving in- I swim". These type of phrases allow the audience to not only experience the thoughts and emotions McMahon dealt with but also give them an opportunity to understand how he felt about these complex emotions.

Poetic lyrics are not the only asset offered by this album, however. The tracks range in both subject and tempo. The listener can enjoy soft ballads such as "Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)" and "Caves", but also is offered up-tempo songs such as "The Resolution", "Swim" and "Miss California". The subject matter is extremely diverse as well, ranging from a ballad about perseverance in "Swim" to a tragic love tale found in "Miss California". The Glass Passenger also offers subject material such as the emptiness of hollow sex, insecurities of losing fame even when McMahon healed, survival, love and the desire to help ailing friends. The listener is exposed to songs which are filled with great sadness, such as "Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)" and "Bloodshot". However, these songs are also contrasted with songs filled with hope, such as "Swim" and "The Resolution". The audience is even subjected to songs which deal with shallow love, such as "American Love". Those who listen to this cd can expect an extensive array of material.

The soulful lyrics are paired with skilled bass, guitar, drums and melodic piano rifts. McMahon composes and plays rifts which perfectly accent the lyrics and accompanying music.
Jack's Mannequin's music throughout The Glass Passenger is refreshing and original. The music offers compositions which include great depth in an industry that produces seemingly shallow music. The lyrics have meaning and the background music is extremely expressive. It also serves as a reprieve, music which can be used as an escape or method of therapeutic release.

In an industry which does not put a premium on meaningful music, it is rare to find a band which produces music with actual meaning and depth. Jack's Mannequin serves as an oasis in a desert of mainstream bands. So, if you're looking for soulful piano rifts, beautiful vocals and well-written compositions, don't hesitate to give The Glass Passenger a listen. Just don't be surprised to be blown away by the music, the lyrics and the heart that was put into producing this album.

Tips to survive "Dead" week

A friend of mine recently pointed out that next week is "dead" week. This sent me into a mini-panic because I am nowhere near finished with all my projects. So, I have developed a few tips on surviving "dead week" (which is far worse than finals week if you ask me) and decided to share them.

* Make a list of projects due and set goals on time-line for accomplishing them. For example, put "have three pages of my ten page paper done by Wednesday"
* Don't spend too much time on facebook. Getting online is almost synonymous with getting on facebook, so it's only natural to want to get on facebook while being online to work on homework. It's important Never a good situation, trust me.
* Take breaks- while it may never seem ideal to stop working, spending too much consecutive time periods on homework can be detrimental. Good break ideas include exercise or going for ice cream.
* Make time for your friends and social life. Pick a day when you're not completely boggled down with homework and have some fun with your friends. Homework will seem more desirable after you've relaxed a little.
* Talk to your instructors. Most will help clarify assignments and may even be flexible on due dates.

So good luck everyone!