Mount Hood

Tips for those who want to get a new piercing

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Getting a new piercing can be a fun, spontaneous activity when wanting to try something new. I was someone who got their ears pierced when I was very young, but as I got older, I wanted to get more — specifically in my ears. One thing I didn’t realize was just how much work went into taking care of different types of piercings, so I thought I’d jot down a few tips for anyone who is pondering the idea of getting one.

  • Always remember to clean it when necessary. Piercings can get infected very easily if careless, so it’s important to clean the spot every day for at least the first few months — unless instructed otherwise. Many businesses that offer piercings often will include a piercing care kit post-piercing, but for those that don’t have an after-care kit, use a saline solution to keep it from getting infected.
  • Do not take the piercing out until enough time has passed, ensuring that it won’t close. Sometimes the piercing will get infected despite one’s best efforts — and the pain can potentially drive people nuts. Some might think the ideal thing to do is to take the jewelry out, but depending on how much time has passed since it was pierced, it could close very quickly. Others may just be sick of the stud, hoop or bar that is currently being used, however the same problem will happen; it’s important to wait until the hold is healed for a long enough period that it won’t close.
  • Use hypoallergenic jewelry during the healing stage. For example, once it’s okay to switch out earrings, make sure the studs or hoops are safe to put into a new piercing. If the metal on the earring isn’t hypoallergenic, it can irritate the piercing and make it become sore or infected, potentially both. 
  • Don’t let jewelry snag on anything — clothing, hair, bags, etc. — because it will definitely hurt. Become more mindful of the piercing to avoid hurting yourself; having unneeded soreness is a pain and can be easily avoided. Make sure hair isn’t looped around an earring when putting up hair, or wear clothing without mesh or lace so it doesn’t get caught.
  • Finally, try not to touch the piercing too much after it’s first done. Hands can carry a lot of germs, and a newly sensitive area will sap them up easily. It’s cool to see that there’s something new on the face, ear or body, however, for the sake of the piercing, just don’t touch it.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Kay Bruley

Try these date ideas for quickly approaching Valentine’s Day

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Valentine’s Day is a time where many people decide to go out on dates — whether it’s a first date with a stranger, or an outing with a long-term partner. In a small community like the Monmouth-Independence area, it can be difficult to find a place to go to. Here are a few suggestions for those thinking of going out on Valentine’s Day.

A simple date can involve going to the movies, and the Independence Cinema isn’t far for those looking to watch one on Valentine’s Day. Located at 450 S. 2nd Street in Independence, it can provide the perfect low-key and relaxing date for a couple of lovebirds. Currently, there are options for those wanting to see a drama, horror or animated film, but the showings for Valentine’s Day are not confirmed. Potentially, couples can choose to watch the upcoming horror “Fantasy Island,” the fun fantasy “Sonic the Hedgehog” or the romantic drama “The Photograph.” For those that want to inquire at showtimes, they can go to the website independencecinema8.com, or call (503) 606-3000. Closed-captioning devices are available at the front desk at each showing.

Jubilee Champagne and Dessert Bar is nearby for those wanting to eat something sweet with their sweetheart. In addition to desserts and champagne, the establishment also has various things to choose from for a lunch date. Jubilee Champagne and Dessert is located at 296 S Main St. in Independence, and is open Tues.–Fri. 3–9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. If a more sophisticated and romantic dinner is the goal, try Roberts Crossing in Salem, which has an extensive dinner and drink menu. Roberts Crossing is in Salem at 3635 River Road South and is open Tue.–Thu. 4–9 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 4–9:30 p.m. and Sunday 4–8:30 p.m. More information can be found on Jubilee’s Instagram (@jubilee.champagne.dessert) and Facebook, and Roberts Crossing’s website robertscrossing.com.

While these places can be great for going out, a nice night in at home can be a perfect alternative for those that would rather stay in or save money. A romantic night at home can involve cooking a meal together, snuggling up under a blanket to watch a movie, baking something sweet, painting together or anything else that comes to mind.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Planning the perfect Super Bowl party

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Snacks: For most parties, snacks are some of the most important must-haves. People will graze on chips while watching TV, or start a conversation over the appetizers. An easy set up is an assortment of chips in large bowls sporadically placed around, or, if chips aren’t preferred, use pretzels and popcorn, or a combination of all of these to provide variety. Other finger foods that can be prepared with minimal effort are mozzarella cheese sticks, mini corn dogs or hot dogs, pizza rolls or various fruit and vegetable platters. Alternatively, simply ordering a pizza is a quick way to provide food for a larger group of people. 

For those that decide on chips, try making one of these dips to pair with it.

ONION DIP

Start to finish: ~1 hour

1 packet of onion dip seasoning

16 ounces of sour cream

Add sour cream to a bowl with the onion dip seasoning. Mix together thoroughly and let it sit for at least an hour before serving. Alternatively, seasoning can be poured straight into the sour cream container.

BACON CHEESEBURGER DIP

Start to finish: 40 minutes

½ pound ground beef

6 strips bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces

1 small onion, diced

1 clove garlic, chopped

4 ounces of cream cheese, room temperature

½ cup sour cream

¼ cup mayonnaise

¾ cup mozzarella, shredded

¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons ketchup

1 teaspoon mustard

Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Once finished, drain the grease from the pan and set it aside. Cook the bacon in the same pan until crispy for about 6–10 minutes. Set aside and save a tablespoon of the grease.

Add onion to the pan with the bacon grease and saute until tender, about 5–7 minutes.

Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about a minute, being careful not to let it burn.

Mix the ground beef, bacon, onions and garlic, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese, ½ of the cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and ketchup together in a large bowl. Pour into a baking dish.

Bake in a preheated oven (350 °F) until the top starts to turn a light golden brown and bubbling, taking about 20–25 minutes. A few minutes before it is done, add ¼ cup of cheddar cheese and a ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese to the top and stick it back in the oven until the cheese is melted. Serve with warm tortilla chips.

Recipe from wishesndishes.com

 

Decorations: No party is complete without decorations, but they don’t have to be extravagant. Red, white and yellow or gold — depending on the preference of team — can serve as the palette for decorations. Something simple like streamers can liven up a room in no time. They can be hung up where the wall meets the ceiling or arranged in the doorway in an alternating pattern. Draping all three colors on a bare wall will make for a fun, themed photo opportunity to prove just how lively the day was. 

Another decoration choice is a banner; many stores offer blank ones that can be customized specifically, or a cheaper route is to buy one and write on it. Pennant banners can come in a variety of colors to match the theme of the party, and can be relatively low cost. Take a black, gold or silver sharpie and go crazy with writing witty slogans.

Finally, either buying or making football shaped wall adornments can bring it all together. Some stores that have decorations for sale will likely have something like this, or drawing a football on printer or construction paper and cutting them out will also work just fine. Creating the decoration could also be a fun activity for those that are setting up the party.

 

Dressing up: Repping one of the teams is a must for those attending or hosting a Super Bowl party. The easy way to do this is by wearing a jersey of the preferred team, but, for those that don’t own a Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers jersey, opt to wear a shirt with the team logo or that matches the respective team’s colors. For die-hard fans of either team, try decking out fully in the team’s colors — match pants with a top to create an all red outfit, or try pairing fun socks or a beanie with the rest of the ensemble.

For those who want to take their team spirit to the next step, try using face paint. It’ll stand out in photos and can be an entertaining activity for anyone that attends. Get prepped beforehand, or plan something for the guests to do before the game begins. Set up a painting station with face paint and brushes — or markers that are safe to use on the face — and have the guests line up and start. If everyone has the same thing drawn on their faces, take a group selfie to show off some team spirit.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Caity Healy (jersey)

Photos by Rylie Horrall (decorations and chips)

Monday meditation methods to ease the soul

Sean Martinez  | Copy Editor

With midterms looming on the horizon, getting into a relaxed state of mind can be challenging for students. One of the more helpful ways of achieving that is through meditation. There are many different practices, ranging from sitting in one place to simply walking around the block. 

Dr. Lars Söderlund, the Chair of the English Department, leads a Meditation Club in the hopes of providing students with an outlet to reduce stress. 

For the past five years, Söderlund has utilized all kinds of meditations. The first method Söderlund explained was ‘concentration meditation.’ It’s one of the most commonly practiced meditations, which involves sitting in a comfortable place, with eyes closed and directing one’s attention to a single thing at a time. This can be breathing, posture, physical pain, anything. The aim is to be aware of the things the mind is focusing on. If the mind starts to sway off topic, try to shift the focus back to the initial focus.

“You can be more or less specific, you just want to make sure that you’re acknowledging what’s happening and moving back to the breath,” Söderlund said. 

Another form of meditation that Söderlund recommended is ‘loving-kindness.’ The ‘loving-kindness’ meditation, or Maitrī, is a Buddhist meditation method that wishes goodwill to oneself and others. Phrases can begin with ‘May I be happy’ or ‘May I be healthy and safe,’ but the phrases can be whatever is desired. These phrases can also be wished upon other people — loved ones, acquaintances, disagreeable people or even the whole world.

“And when I do that everyday I feel like a million bucks,” Söderlund added. 

Söderlund’s overall favorite meditation is called “do nothing.” The instructions are straight-forward — sit in one place and allow the mind to go wherever it wants to go. This strategy in particular can be helpful to students as it’s normal to have random, recurring thoughts happen in the middle of class. Dedicating some time to let these thoughts loose can be a huge relief. 

“I’ve had the greatest revelations while doing it,” Söderlund said. “You realize your brain kinda runs on autopilot.” 

These are just a few of several meditation methods. Söderlund also says that meditations can be done with apps — there are several — or they can be self-guided. Meditation Club takes place in Bellamy Hall room 122 every Monday from 5-6 p.m. 

 

Contact the author at howlcopyeditor@wou.edu

Photo by Kay Bruley

Easy homemade microwave meals for people that live in the residence halls

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

One of the biggest struggles many college students face is having access to home cooked food. Often the residence halls do not have access to a kitchen, only access to microwaves. Luckily, there are many residence hall-friendly recipes that are easy to make for all of those living off of dining hall food and crackers.

 

MUGARONI

Start to finish: 5 minutes

½ cup macaroni (or pasta of your choice)

½ cup water

¼ cup cheese

Splash of milk

Pinch of salt

Pinch of pepper

In a mug, add in the macaroni, water and salt. Mix it all together and place in the microwave for 2–3 minutes. 

Remove from the microwave and add in the milk, cheese and pepper. Mix again and microwave for another 30 seconds. Take it out, stir one last time and enjoy.

Recipe from Buzzfeed Tasty

 

MUG OMELETTE

Start to finish: 2 minutes

2 eggs

1 tablespoon water

Optional ingredients:

½ bell pepper

¼ cup spinach

Shredded cheese

Hame, turkey or bacon

Pinch of salt and pepper

Spray a microwave-safe mug with nonstick cooking spray. 

Crack two eggs into the mug. Add one tablespoon of water. Stir well with a fork. 

Season eggs with salt and pepper. Add in desired fillings. Microwave for 1-2 minutes (until eggs are cooked through and fluffy.)

Recipe from thecountrycook.net

 

BAKED POTATO

Start to finish: 12 minutes

1 russet potato

1 tablespoon butter (or margarine)

3 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese

3 teaspoons sour cream

Salt and pepper to taste

Scrub the potato and prick several times with the tines of a fork. Place on a plate.

Cook in the microwave for five minutes. Turn over and continue to cook for five more minutes. When the potato is soft, remove from the microwave and cut in half lengthwise. Season with salt and pepper, and mash up the inside a little using a fork. Top the open sides with butter and two tablespoons of cheese. Return to the microwave, and cook for about one minute to melt the cheese.

Top with remaining cheese and sour cream, then serve.

Recipe from allrecipes.com

 

EGG “FRIED” RICE

Start to finish: 10 minutes

½ cup rice

1 cup water

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

2 strips of bacon

½ cup frozen peas and carrots

2 eggs

Pinch of salt

Add rice, water, soy sauce, sesame oil and chopped bacon into bowl and stir. Place a small plate over the top of the bowl and microwave for 6–8 minutes.

Stir once done, and add in the frozen peas and carrots. In a separate mug, whisk two eggs and salt together. Place both the bowl and mug into the microwave for 1 minute.

Break up the cooked eggs by stirring with a fork and add to the bowl. Mix it all together and enjoy.

Recipe from Buzzfeed Tasty

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photos by Rylie Horrall

Ways to stay warm and cozy for the winter season

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Winter can be a beautiful season: the snow falling and crunching beneath footsteps, icicles hanging from the rooftops and not to mention the aesthetic pictures that come with it. Unfortunately, being in Oregon means that the snow doesn’t happen too often, but the winter still brings cold temperatures and potential sickness. Staying bundled up during this frosty season is simple, easy and cozy.

When leaving the house, make sure to wear layers; they can be fashionable and keep in warmth, serving as a double positive. Layer up with an undershirt, a sweater and a scarf, and pair it with a cute set of leggings or jeans. For shoes, some fashionable fuzzy boots will be warm and cozy, or even some sneakers could complete the outfit. Throw a coat on top of the finished outfit to prevent from freezing while out and about.

On the days where it’s particularly rainy — or even snowy — a pair of gloves will keep hands nice and toasty for frigid days, afternoons or mornings. Match the gloves and scarf with a stylish beanie, or even downy earmuffs or a fleece headband; all three options can be mixed and matched with various outfits.

For a quiet night at home, toss on some comfortable pajamas — whether that’s a t-shirt and some shorts, fluffy pajama pants with a matching top and socks, or even a full-on onesie with an animal hood. Snuggle up with a favorite warm blanket and lounge on the couch for those nights that are way too cold to go out.

Both of these options can also be paired with a warm beverage, and there’s a variety to choose from. A cup of coffee can wake up the brain and keep hands warm on morning walks to class. A mug full of tea is perfect for winding down the night with a good book. Apple cider can provide a cozy feeling of warmth during a study break, or hot chocolate can be the perfect sweet treat after afternoon classes.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

Ways to save electricity, water and money

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

It can be easy to forget to turn off the lights in the house, or even to turn the water off when answering a text while doing the dishes. While little things like these don’t seem too big at the time, they can unfortunately add up to a larger bill — and ecological footprint. However, it’s easy to keep track of a few simple things to save electricity and water.

  • Keep unused appliances unplugged. When the coffee is done brewing or the toaster is no longer in use, make sure it’s unplugged. Even when the contraption isn’t being utilized, it will still use up electricity just from being plugged in. This also applies to extension cords, chargers and similar plugins.
  • Turn off the lights when leaving a room. While some people may have heard this multiple times from parents and guardians growing up, it does have its benefits. By remembering to switch off the lights, up to $15 can be saved on an energy bill, according to bchydro.com. If it’s daylight, open the curtains or blinds and bask in some natural light until it’s necessary to turn on the lights inside. On another note, switch to LED bulbs if possible, as they use over 75% less energy.
  • Air-dry clothes when it’s possible to do so; dryers can consume a lot of energy, so try hanging clothes on a rack or in the bedroom to air-dry. Avoid putting clothes on a radiator, as it restricts the heat from warming up the room and causes it to work harder, according to goodenergy.co.uk.
  • For those who own a dishwasher, only run it when it’s completely full. According to sustainability.ncsu.edu, the dishwasher only uses about four gallons of water during its cycle, but handwashing can use up to 20 when there’s a large load of dishes. Alternatively, shutting off the water in between rinses or filling up one side of the sink with water also work for those who don’t have a dishwasher.
  • Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. It’s recommended that brushing your teeth for two minutes is best, but by shutting off the water while doing so, up to 200 gallons of water can be saved per month.
  • Shower instead of taking a bath; while baths can be relaxing for some, they can also use much more water than is necessary to get clean. Now that doesn’t mean that baths should be completely cut out — especially for those who use them to relax. That just means maybe limit the amount of baths taken each month, or just get the most out of one when it’s used.
  • Use cold or warm water when washing clothes, and make sure the setting size is correct for the load. Continuing from that, try to do laundry when there’s a full load like the dishwasher. Running one large load can save more water than multiple small loads. Flip off the ‘extra rinse’ option if there is one as well.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

Six nearby coffee shops for Western students

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Getting up in the morning can be a challenge, especially when the previous night lasted into the early hours of morning. For some people, the best pick-me-up for this is a cup of coffee, whether it’s brewed at home or picked up from a coffee shop. Here are some locations in the Monmouth-Independence area to try and start the day off with coffee.

On campus, students have access to Caffé Allegro — located in the Werner University Center — and The Press inside the Hamersly Library. Both have smaller areas for patrons to sit and do work, and have a container of sweets and breakfast goods for early mornings. Caffé Allegro is open 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri., and 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturdays. The Press is open Mon.–Thurs. from 8 a.m.–8 p.m., and 8 a.m.–3 p.m. on Fridays.

Bugles Espresso is a drive-through coffee shop located at 444 Pacific Ave S. It’s a small establishment that’s located in a private parking lot, and their menu changes monthly. For the month of January, some of the drinks offered are The Avalanche, the Icicle White Mocha and the Frosted Chai — the beverages being a play on the cold weather usually experienced during this time. Bugles Espresso is open 6 a.m.–6 p.m. on Mon.–Fri., 7 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sundays. More information can be found on their Instagram @bugles_espresso and on Facebook.

Java Crew is a sit-down establishment near Western, just off the corner of Main Street and Monmouth Avenue. In addition to regular coffee, Java Crew offers premium drinks that contain a large amount of caffeine — their coffee containing between three to six shots. The menu has a few basic drinks with an extensive list of flavors that customers can add in, and a variety of ways to drink the beverage, such as hot, iced or blended. It’s open Mon.–Fri. from 7 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Additional information can be found on their Instagram @javacrewmonmouth and their website javacrew.com.

Brew Coffee and Tap House, located at 211 S Main St. in Independence, has both indoor and outdoor seating for patrons, and serves food in addition to coffee and drinks as the name suggests. Founded in 2016, the business provides an extensive menu to choose from, with their coffee taking up one page on it’s own. Their social media pages — Instagram @brewcoffeeandtaphouse, Twitter @BrewCoffeeTap and Facebook — show the lively atmosphere the site appears to have. Brew Coffee and Tap House is open from 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 7 a.m.9– p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.–8 p.m. on Sunday, with more information found on their website brewcoffeeandtaphouse.com.

Rick’s Place is a coffee franchise that has been open since 1995, and can be found at 123 Main St. E. Along with a diverse selection of flavors for their espresso, they have many different sandwiches, salads, soups and bakery sweets to grab on the go. If a customer comes in on their birthday, they can receive a free $3 drink if they have their I.D. as proof. It’s open Mon.–Fri. from 7 a.m.–3 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m.–11 p.m., and can be found on Facebook.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu 

Photos by Kay Bruley

Study areas available on campus to Western students

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

Want to start studying but aren’t sure where to go? Western has multiple areas on campus for students to comfortably do classwork. From residence halls to the public buildings, here are some areas to check out.

Hamersly Library is located in between the Old Education building and the Richard Woodcock Education Center, and has three floors available for students to study. The main floor contains small study areas along with a small computer lab. In addition, the Press is located towards the back for students to grab a cup of coffee before working on homework. People can talk at a normal volume on this floor, while the second and third floors are reduced to whispering and total silence, respectively. Both floors have open areas to sit and work and tables with desktops, as well as private study and conference rooms that can be reserved for larger groups. For late night studiers, there’s a 24-hour computer lab area near the front entrance.

The Werner University Center is near the center of campus; the top floor consists of a few dining options for students as well as the WolfStore, but the lower level has a large area for students to lounge and study. The bottom floor has many couches and chairs situated around tables in clusters of four to six. There’s also taller counters sprinkled around, along with smaller tables pressed against the walls. The upper floor does provide a little group of couches and chairs to study, and students are free to work on assignments in the Wolf Grill dining area.

The RWEC, located next to the library, serves as the building for most of the ASL and education classes, but also has compact study areas at each end of the building on both floors. At the front entrance, there are couches near a fireplace, so students can stay warm and cozy while studying. Upstairs, there is a large wooden table for bigger study groups to gather, swinging egg chairs to sit in and a little corner nook with a wrap-around couch and a table — great for secluded studying. At the far end of both floors, there are couches, tables and chairs placed miscellaneously around for use.

Various residence halls on campus — such as Ackerman Hall and Heritage Hall — have multiple study areas for students living in the building. For instance, Ackerman’s lobby area has private rooms that people are free to claim for individual studying or for groups, and can be accessed when the residence hall is unlocked for those who don’t live there. The doors lock at 10 p.m.

Try exploring the other buildings on campus as well, as there can be other areas students find ideal for studying that aren’t mentioned.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

First photo by Cora McClain

Second photo by Rylie Horrall

How to utilize time gaps in a class schedule

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

In a perfect world, our classes would always align with our preferred times and schedules. As many students know, however, schedules rarely end up as such. The “awkward class gap,” usually an hour or two, is a common experience in which there’s just enough time between classes for it to drag on, but for most, it’s just barely too short to dive into something more productive. There are options, though, that don’t require too much focus for those that aren’t sure how to use the in-betweens.

 

Read over notes: Sometimes full on studying doesn’t feel like an option during this time, especially for those that might study better at home and live off campus. Just taking a quick glance at notes, however, will help the information sink in, leaving less studying to do later.

 

Update your planner: The syllabus usually has a calendar, but it’s not uncommon for unforeseen circumstances to change the schedule up a bit. Things can change often in personal and professional lives as well, so taking a few extra minutes to make sure everything is still set straight can help with feeling more prepared.

 

Browse classes for next term: An option for pretty much everyone except seniors in their last term, making a rough drafts of schedules to come may not be very pressing at all times, but it may come in handy when the next registration date rolls around. Spring Term registration starts on Feb. 25.

 

Take a power nap: It’s not uncommon to hear at least one person say “I’m so tired” at least once a day, or hear stories of a term paper that took most of the night. Power naps may not be a solution, but they can certainly temper the problem. Many students live on or near campus, and even some that don’t are willing to crash for a few minutes in their car or reserve some time in the Rest and Relaxation room on in the Student Health and Counseling Center.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Stylizing learning

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

If school teaches it’s attendees anything, it’s that the same thing doesn’t work for everyone. Whether it’s studying, writing or creating presentations, different people choose to tackle the task differently. These usually relate to learning styles and how they’re used. For students, understanding personal learning style can be especially helpful when finals come around. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that learning styles can be assessed and therefore utilized.

VARK is one way of assessing learning style. According to vark-learn.com, the acronym stands for Visual, Audal, Read/write and Kinesthetic. The website offers a questionnaire to help determine which of these most effectively conveys information to different people. Though it doesn’t explain how each type should study, it does give an idea of how studying a topic might make it stick more.

For example, visual learners would learn better from charts or diagrams while a read/write person would absorb it better by reading about the topic. For audal students, they learn best by hearing information — for example, during lectures — and kinesthetic learning students benefit most from demonstrations.

Another theory is that of human behavior specialist Scott Black, according to skillsyouneed.com. This way of approaching learning styles is slightly more complicated, with eight instead of four. They are: linguistic, or writing, reading and listening; naturalist, or interacting with and observing the environment; musical/rhythmic, or using rhythms such as whistling or tapping to focus; kinesthetic, or learning by doing; visual/spatial, or using visual aides;  logical/mathematical, or categorization and finding patterns; interpersonal, which relates information to others; and intrapersonal, or processing better alone.

This longer list delves slightly deeper into psychology. While learning and separating all the terminology may be more intimidating, it might be especially beneficial to look into for students who are undecided or questioning their major or career as each learning style includes a description as the types of jobs that correlate strongly with it. For example, a kinesthetic learner might consider a job that requires hands-on experience, while a logical learner could thrive in a technical field.

College life is known by many to be a time of great stress, but also of self-discovery. For some, this just means adapting their method of studying —  for example, watching a demonstration video instead of reading more paragraphs on a subject. Once an understanding is reached on how information is best processed for each individual, it may help ease the stress that comes with acquiring new knowledge.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Which WOU Instagrams to follow

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

DISCLAIMER: There are some Instagrams I may have missed, so this shouldn’t be treated as a completely comprehensive list. I also opted to not use pages that have not been updated within the last year or so.

Instagram is a very commonly used app for people, businesses, schools and more. This applies to Western as well, as the university has many different handles it uses for multiple things that occur on campus. Here is a list of the Instagram handles that Western has.

  • @wounews : the official Instagram page for Western
  • @westernoregonuniversity : Admissions Office 
  • @wouhonors : Western’s Honors Program
  • @aswou : Associated Students of Western Oregon University
  • @woualumni : a page for Alumni to receive information on reunions and throwback posts
  • @woucampusrecreation : Western’s campus recreation
  • @woumail : Western’s mailroom and services
  • @woulibrary : Hamersly Library
  • @wou_shcc : Student Health and Counseling Center
  • @wouwolfstore : WolfStore
  • @wou.bites : Western’s Campus Dining
  • @thewesternhowl : Western’s newspaper
  • @nwponline : the Northwest Passage, Western’s art and literary journal
  • @wou.plusteam : information on PLUS Team, SOAR and New Student Week
  • @wouwolves : official Instagram for Western Athletics
  • @wouclubsports : official page for Western Club Sports
  • @wou_imsports : Intramural Sports
  • @woucheerleading : Cheerleading Team
  • @woulax : Men’s Lacrosse
  • @westernoregonmensrugby : Men’s Rugby
  • @wou_xctf : Cross Country and Track and Field teams
  • @wou_soccer : Soccer Team
  • @wou_danceteam : Dance Team
  • @wouwsocclub : Women’s Soccer Club
  • @wousoftball : Softball Program
  • @wou_mens_clubsoccer : Men’s Club Soccer
  • @wouwbb : Women’s Basketball
  • @woumarchingband : Marching Band
  • @woucolorguard : Color Guard 
  • @wou_internationalclub : International Club
  • @unidoswou : Unidos Club
  • @mechadewou : MEChA de WOU
  • @woubsu : Black Student Union
  • @wou_environmentalclub_garden : Environmental + Garden
  • @wou_mun : Model United Nations
  • @woumitu : Monmouth-Independence Tenants Union
  • @wouhawaiiclub : Hawai’i Club
  • @wousab : Student Activities Board
  • @wougsa : Gerontology Student Association 
  • @woumathclub : Math Club
  • @d.r.e.a.m_wou : Disabilities Rights Empowerment Awareness Mentoring club
  • @woucr : College Republicans
  • @wou_byte_club : Byte Club
  • @cruatwou : CRU Club
  • @wouasl : ASL Club
  • @msuwou : Multicultural Student Union 
  • @wou_ta : Triangle Alliance
  • @woudanceinfo : official page for Dance Department
  • @woudance_dept : student based page for Dance Department
  • @wou_psychpac : Psychology Peer Advising Center
  • @westernoregon_arotc : AROTC
  • @wouband : Wind Ensemble
  • @wouinterpretingstudies : Interpreting Studies Program
  • @woufinearts : Smith Fine Arts Series
  • @thewestofus : The West of Us A Capella Group
  • @wou_knights : Omega Delta Phi Fraternity
  • @kdchibetadelta : Kappa Delta Chi Sorority 
  • @wou_axo : Alpha Chi Omega Sorority
  • @wou_kappasigma : Kappa Sigma Fraternity
  • @woufsc : Fraternity and Sorority Council
  • @wourha : Residence Hall Association
  • @wouhousing : University Housing
  • @heritage_wou : Heritage Hall
  • @ack_pack : Ackerman Hall
  • @wou_veterans : Western’s Veterans
  • @wou_lab : Latino Advisory Board
  • @woumssp : Multicultural Student Services and Programs
  • @wousva : Student Veterans of America
  • @wou_sep : Student Enrichment Program
  • @wougreenteam : Green Team
  • @wou_tac : Tree Advisory Committee
  • @wouserve : Western’s Alternative Break
  • @student_engage : Student Engagement
  • @wounationalstudentexchange : National Student Exchange
  • @wouslcd : Service Learning and Career Development

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Don’t compromise your health, practice safe sex

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

College is a time for many people to start their journey to independence; most start making their own decisions — places they will be living, jobs they plan to pursue and various lifestyle choices, such as who they decide to be in a romantic or sexual relationship with. The majority of students had at least a small sex education lesson during their middle or high school years, but the information taught can be pretty basic without going into ways to safely practice sex.

The biggest lesson in sex ed — in my own personal experience — was to avoid pregnancy, and the easiest way to do that was through abstinence, because, to quote my high school health teacher, “it was the only way to 100% avoid pregnancy.” The topic of ways to safely have sex wasn’t touched on, but it’s important to know when deciding to participate in sexual activities.

Using a condom can be among the easiest ways to practice safe sex, as most can be found or bought generally without difficulty. The Health and Wellness Center has male condoms available for students at Western to take for free, located on a shelf in the main lobby area. Both male and female condoms can be purchased with ease at convenience stores, health centers and supermarkets. 

It’s important to make sure they are being used effectively and correctly, as complications can arise if not. The risk for sexually transmitted infections increases dramatically, and potentially the risk of an unplanned pregnancy. Be sure to check the expiration dates and quality to make sure they aren’t damaged or compromised in some way.

Another way to stay on top of safe sex is to get tested as often as needed. If there’s an infection to be treated from previous sexual interactions but it goes unnoticed, it can lead to health problems. Some, however, don’t have any symptoms and people could be unaware of their presence, so getting tested will help an individual to continue to be up-to-date on their health. 

While participating in sexual activities, another surefire way to ensure safety isn’t jeopardized is to avoid engaging in sexual activity when inebriated. Important decisions can be forgotten while under the influence, or actions — such as putting on a condom — can be done poorly and incorrectly. 

It’s important to exercise safe sex if or when engaging in sexual activity, but a final key component is to communicate with partners to secure that everyone is on the same page. 

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

New year, new you: how to stay on top of resolutions

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

When the end of the year rolls around, many people decide to create resolutions for the new year, whether it’s fun goals to accomplish or ways to improve the way someone is currently living. A potential problem that arises from these resolutions is accidentally or intentionally dropping them not long after declaring them. Here are some tips to try and help stay on top of those New Year’s resolutions.

A simple fix that seems to be trending is to invest in a planner; not only could that assist in planning out resolutions in general, but it can also help with staying on track for the future. By using the planner, goals can be set for each day, week or month — depending on the goal itself and how often someone feels they need to be doing it.

Alternatively, merely writing down aspirations for the new year can be effective. By creating a checklist, goals can be tracked and marked off with ease. Writing down resolutions in a notebook is a simple way to do this, or even inputting them into a checklist style note on a smartphone. A fun way to keep track of resolutions is to write each individual goal on a sticky note and place them somewhere that will be seen every day. For instance, the sticky notes can be placed on the wall, the door to the bedroom, around a mirror or miscellaneously placed across the surface of a desk.

Setting reminders on a smartphone can also be beneficial to those struggling to maintain new year objectives. By going into the calendar app, an event can be set up on a day of the person’s choosing, and it can be set to repeat whenever and however long is desired. This way, a person can check their progress each day, week or month, or it can be simply a way to remember while the resolution is still fresh and potentially forgettable.

Lastly, tell family and friends about any New Year’s resolutions so they can assist in the process of keeping them. They can provide support and encouragement when first starting out, or if a goal starts to become particularly challenging. They can serve as a pep squad of sorts to make the process of completing the objective easier, or even help with completing the goal by actively encouraging, which in turn can make the activity more enjoyable as a whole. 

A final thing to keep in mind is that it’s okay to fall behind on resolutions; things can happen in life that alter plans previously made, but anyone can pick themselves back up where they left off.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Slide, glide and skate at ice skating rinks

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

An activity that becomes popular around the winter season is ice skating, and can be a fun way to get out with friends during the holiday break. Here are a few places sprinkled around the northwest.

Lloyd Center Ice Rink is located at 953 Lloyd Center in Portland, and is directly in the center of the mall. Found right across from Macy’s on the first floor, the ice rink provides an opportunity for patrons to freestyle skate, take skating lessons or even reserve for a birthday party. 

Lessons can be for people from preschool to adult level, and cost $123 for 30 minutes a week for seven weeks of classes, but is currently on sale for $113 until Jan. 4. Those who sign up for lessons get free admission to all public skating times from the sign up day through the seven weeks of lessons, along with free rental of skates on the day of class. Lessons for current registration will run from Jan. 6–Feb. 22. For advanced competitive skaters, there are 45–60 minute sessions that cost $12 for drop-ins and $105 for a 10 punch card. Admission currently for the holiday season from Dec. 14–Jan. 5 is $20 and $4 to rent skates. Their hours are Monday 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. but is closed on Christmas, Thursday 11:30 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m.–8:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. More information can be found at lloydice.com.

Mountain View Ice Arena, located in Vancouver, WA at 14313 Mill Plain Blvd., also has private and public lessons and availability. Potential customers have the opportunity to take private lessons for both figure skating and hockey. Each sport has different coaches available to choose from, and times that are available and fees vary from person to person. For individuals that are new to ice skating in general, their Learn to Skate program offers group lessons from four year olds to seasoned veteran skaters. Sessions are held once a week for eight or nine weeks, and are all taught by experienced skaters. The current price for public admission is about $10 with a $4 skate rental fee, and passes of various lengths can be bought for $299–$899. Their schedule varies each week and day-to-day, but generally times are from anywhere between 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Look at their website mtviewice.com for more information.

Winter Village is in Hillsboro at Jerry Willey Plaza at 943 NE Orenco Station Loop. It opened on Nov. 29 for it’s fifth season, and is an open-air ice skating area. There isn’t any online or pre-sale options to purchase at this location, however tickets are available to purchase 15 minutes before the skating session begins. General public admission costs $13 for ages 12 and older and $10 for ages 4–11. Family packages can be bought for $40; rental for skates is $5. Private sessions are available for Mondays, toddlers get to skate on Tuesdays and public skating is from 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m. with schedules varying for the holidays — the rink will close early on Dec. 24 and will be closed fully on Dec. 25 for Christmas day.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Enjoy another festive holiday dessert with this Hanukkah pastry

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Christmas isn’t the only holiday that happens in December — Hanukkah takes place just before Christmas, and lasts eight days. Here’s a Jewish pastry recipe that can be made during this holiday.

 

NUTELLA RUGELACH

Start to finish: 1 hour 45 minutes

Yields: 48

For the dough:

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

½ cup sugar

3 large egg yolks

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Pinch of coarse salt

2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling out dough

For the filling:

4 ounces walnuts 

½ cup sugar

¼ teaspoon of cinnamon

Pinch of salt

12 oz nutella (jam or chocolate chips can be substituted)

For finishing:

3 egg whites, lightly beaten

 

Make the dough: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and cream cheese at medium speed. Add sugar, and beat until fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition. Add vanilla and salt, and beat to combine. Reduce speed to low, and beat in flour. Remove from bowl, and divide into three pieces on a lightly floured surface. Pat into disks, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour, and up to overnight.

Make the filling: In a food processor, combine walnuts, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Pulse until fine.

Preheat the oven to 350 F°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece of dough into a 12-inch round, less than ⅛ inch thick. Spread evenly with nutella (it may help to have the nutella a bit melted so it doesn’t tear the dough while spreading). Sprinkle with ⅓  of the walnut mixture. Gently press ingredients into dough with your fingers.

Cut the round into 16 equal-sized wedges (triangle shaped like pizza slices). Beginning at the base of each wedge, roll to enclose filling, forming crescent shapes. Pinch to seal. Place on prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough and filling ingredients. Brush tops with beaten egg white. Bake until golden brown, 25 minutes.

Recipe from eatingbirdfood.com

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Hit the slopes at these locations during winter break

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

With December comes the winter season, which in turn brings snow — albeit, rarely when in Oregon. During Western’s winter break, try visiting these places in Oregon with friends or family to get in some skiing or snowboarding during vacation.

Mt. Bachelor is located in Bend at 13000 SW Century Dr. It’s open every day, and has a live weather cam on their website to inform visitors about the current amount of snow that’s on the mountain. The conditions report can be found by clicking the “what’s open” option on the main home page, which then gives the viewer an update on the state of the resort. They have a variety of winter-related activities available to patrons, such as skiing, snowboarding and sled dog rides. In addition, for customers who do not have their own snow gear, there are rental options for equipment from helmets to snowboards. Rental packages vary from about $55 to a little over $200. 

Season passes can be bought in advance and work for the 2019-2020 winter season — which varies but is typically from November to May. Their lift opened Friday, Dec. 13, and is available to use from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. The cafe they have available for use is open from 7:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m. The West Village Mountain Gateway Building is open from 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. More information in regards to passes, hours and rentals can be found on their website mtbachelor.com.

Mt. Hood’s Timberline Lodge offers lessons and various lodging options for guests; similar to Mt. Bachelor, Timberline also has a weather conditions monitor on their website. It provides updates on the temperature, snow levels and amount of fresh snow that has fallen, with pictures that are frequently updated to physically showcase the amount of snow in each area. From snow tubing to snowshoeing, it provides multiple options for winter activities for everyone. There are lifts scattered throughout the lodge along with two terrains for guests to roam. 

The operating hours for the Schoolyard and Thunder terrains are from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Multiple bundle packages for lodging and activities vary in price from around $100 to about $500. The season passes for adults is $439, and pass holders are able to gain discounts around the lodge and shops. Even more prices, deals and information can be found at timberlinelodge.com.

Hoodoo Ski Area in Eugene is not currently open for the 2019-2020 winter season, but will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, along with holidays, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. In the meantime, prospective customers can check on the current state of the mountain using the webcams and updating system on the website. Ski lessons will be available for groups, private or both, and the levels for each lesson vary by the individual or group skill level. In addition to skiing, there is snow tubing and a multitude of events for the public to attend. More information can be found at skihoodoo.com. 

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Get festive with these Christmas themed iced sugar cookies

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Once the holidays come around, my household becomes filled with various sweets and treats for family dinners. An easy and fun recipe that I do with my mom is Christmas themed sugar cookies. Here’s the recipe she uses — try it out with friends or family members during this holiday baking season.

 

CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIES

Start to finish: 4 hours and 30 minutes

For the classic sugar cookies: 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon baking powder

¾ cups (or 1 ½ sticks) unsalted, softened butter

2 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening

⅔ cup sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the basic royal icing: 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

2 large egg whites

2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

MAKING THE CLASSIC SUGAR COOKIES

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking powder, and set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until just combined. Add the flour mixture and mix until incorporated. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Dust a work surface with a sprinkling of flour. Unwrap the chilled dough, and put it directly on the work surface. Roll the dough ¼ inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutter to cut shapes in the dough, and transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets.

Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, until they are set but not browned. Remove from the oven and place the baking sheet on a cooling rack for 5 minutes. Use a spatula to transfer the cookies to the rack to cool completely.

MAKE THE BASIC ROYAL ICING

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg whites and lemon juice until the mixture is completely smooth. The mixture should have the texture of a glaze. If the mixture is too thin, add a bit more sugar. If the mixture is too thick, add a few drops of lemon juice. You can add a few drops of food coloring if desired, or you can divide the icing among many mixing bowls if you need more than one color.

The best way to ice sugar cookies is with a pastry bag fitted with a small or medium tip. First, outline the cookie or design, then fill it in. Let the icing harden before serving.

The cookies can be kept in an airtight container for up to three days.

Recipe from “BAKED: New Frontiers in Baking” by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Check out Haole Island Grill for another food truck option

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

Haole Island Grill is located in Independence at 1350 Monmouth St in the parking lot near Roth’s. It’s owned and operated by Christopher Savignard, who started the food truck in February.

Savignard is a graduate from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, and is a classically trained French chef. He wants to own his own restaurant someday, using the food truck as a step towards reaching that goal. 

Savignard and his wife initially lived in Las Vegas, Nevada before moving to Monmouth in June 2018. He picked the area based on the size of the town and the desire to slow down his fast-paced lifestyle.

“We love small town living and wanted to stay local and offer a unique dining choice for the wonderful people in the Monmouth/Independence Community,” he said.

He got the name for the food truck from a previous term used by his coworkers while he worked in Las Vegas.

“I used to work with quite a few Hawaiians in Las Vegas,” said Savignard. “I would often cook family meals for my crew, and they would say ‘Wow! This Haole can cook!’ They said it with love & affection and I never took it any other way.”

Their menu consists of island inspired dishes; Savignard and his wife had travelled throughout the Hawaiian Islands, Polynesia and the Caribbean, which is where he got his inspiration from.

For first-time customers, he recommends a few items based on the customer’s preference or current mood. Usually, the Hawaiian-inspired Haole-Huli Chicken or Mojo Steak topped with homemade Chimichurri sauce is what he recommends. The Haole-Huli Chicken is chicken with Hawaiian-style BBQ, and the Mojo Steak is made with a Cuban Citrus Marinade.

If a customer is craving something with a little heat, Savignard recommends the Jamaican Inspired Jerk Chicken. In addition, he suggests the Tropical Chips and Pineapple-Mango Salsa as a beginning appetizer along with a Marionberry Mock-Mojito as a beverage choice.

According to Savignard, their signature dish is the Haole-Huli Chicken Island Plate on a bed of Coconut Rice with Polynesian Macaroni Salad & Tropical Mango Coleslaw, and he recommends that it be paired with the signature drink: the Marionberry Mock-Mojito. For customers that don’t prefer meat, Haole Island Grill offers a few vegan dishes, such as tofu and Caribbean Spiced Black Beans.

“Our goal is to provide the best of the best while creating something special for our guests,” Savignard said. “Every detail, every component is made with passion and pride in order to craft a delicious meal that will keep them coming back for more. As we like to say, Come and Get Your Grub On!”

Haole Island Grill is open from 11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 12–6 p.m. on Saturdays. They also travel for events, which are posted to Facebook and their Instagram at the handle @haoleislandgrill, and can be found on their website www.HaoleIslandGrill.com as well.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@mail.wou.edu

Photos by Cora McClain

How to become ‘too blessed to be stressed’ during finals week

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Finals are fast approaching, and with finals usually comes stress for most students. For many classes, the final project or exam can be a deciding factor for grades, so here’s some helpful tips to keep the stress down during prep and finals week.

 

  • Try drinking a warm beverage of some sort — such as tea, hot chocolate, cider or coffee — if an energy boost is needed, especially. For some, a warm beverage can really relax both the body and mind, and could be largely helpful during study breaks.
  • Continuing from the previous point, be sure to take breaks while studying. While it’s nice to finish homework all at once in the span of four hours, study breaks should be taken every hour or so. Smaller breaks — 10 to 15 minutes — should be taken every hour, or about a 30 minute break every two hours. It gives the mind a chance to rest without overloading it with information.
  • Take naps during the day to fully rest the mind as well as the body. After a nap, students can be left feeling refreshed and ready to take on more studying.
  • Additionally, yoga and meditation are the perfect chance for relaxation; yoga is a good way to get in some exercise as well. Even just taking the time to take some deep breaths can help someone calm down and ease the stress they could be feeling.
  • Try going for a walk — or jog or run, whichever works best for each individual person. By getting outside, it can help clear a student’s head if studying becomes overwhelming. The fresh air can feel nice and revitalizing during a study break.
  • If baking is relaxing, try baking brownies; the prepping process can busy the mind so it isn’t focused on schoolwork for a short amount of time, and a sweet treat will be waiting after all the studying is done. Try adding in something to make the brownies special as well, such as chunks of peppermint.
  • If frustrations need to be taken out physically, go to the dollar store and buy some cheap plates. Cover a wall with a tarp and chuck them at the wall and floor. The tarp will make for an easy cleanup, and the shards from the destroyed plates can be used for an art project, like a mosaic.
  • Take a hot bath with bubbles, a bath bomb or bath salts — or all three if desired. A hot shower or a foot soak with epsom salts both work as alternatives.
  • Take a moment to write something; venting stresses from the past days, weeks or months by writing them down can help relax those tense shoulders. If jotting down stressful happenings doesn’t help, try writing a short story or designing a character.
  • Blast loud music and sing to distract the mind from all the chaos swirling around. Do it in the house, or take a drive with the windows down and stereo turned all the way up.
  • Simply watching TV serves as a good break from schoolwork. Find a TV show on some streaming service — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc. — and just let autoplay do the rest.
  • Find a Humane Society that’s nearby or within driving distance and pet dogs. The pets will have a fun time and the body won’t feel so tense.
  • Finally, going in hand with study breaks, find time to partake in hobbies — like painting, reading, drawing, knitting or baking. Students may lessen their stress levels by setting time aside for themselves instead of constantly worrying about exams and finals.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

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