Mount Hood

Growing up is bad for you

Escrito por: Liberty Miller | Redactora de estilo de vida

t seemed like only yesterday that my biggest concern was feeling nauseous on the 30 minute bus ride back home before getting picked up by my mom at the end of the lane; everything was taken care of, and I had little to no thoughts about the future… back in the day. 

Nowadays, we are all in the unique position of having adult responsibilities like work, the dreaded annual taxes, homework and the understanding that if we sleep wrong, our necks will hurt for the next five days; and yet, we are not quite real adults. College is a buffer where one can undergo a trial phase instead of feeling the crushing reality of adulthood immediately following high school graduation. 

There are a set amount of variables that we can count on to appear as we traverse into our early 20’s: jobs, financial responsibility, stress, challenges and independence. However, I think that there is one big fallacy — a lie that’s been incorporated into our minds by society for years now. 

Childlike wonder, youthful optimism, utter refusal to abide by the stoic and unforgiving rules of society. These are the things we need to carry into the world and possess — in tandem with all of the givens that define adulthood. 

The big lie of society is the predetermined expectation to let these things go. Don’t give up on the smallest of small things that make life joyful because of societal conditioning to be put together, ultra-productive, serious and “mature.” 

If I think that the Wiggles are the greatest musical group to ever exist — bet on it that I’m going to that Wiggles concert. If I feel that crocheting, watching Disney channel or having deep conversations with my stuffed animal is going to bring me even the slightest molecular glimpse of happiness, I am going to do that. 

We supposedly only get the first 18 years of our life to act like a fool, but it takes a brave soul, and some belligerent optimism, to carry on that joyful spirit past the years we’re told are socially acceptable. So my advice is that after reading this article, we go about life doing whatever the hell we feel like doing. 

Póngase en contacto con el autor en howllifestyle@wou.edu

Inspírese y supere el bloqueo creativo

Five tips for boosting creativity and overcoming artist’s block

Allison Vanderzanden | Editor de estilo de vida

Creative block happens to the best of us, and it seems to happen at the most inconvenient times. Whether a creative medium is needed for a class or work, or it is simply used as an outlet, it can be frustrating to be out of ideas. When inspiration is lacking, try one of these strategies to jump-start creativity. 

Set aside time to work: Creativity is a skill, meaning it needs to be practiced regularly in order to improve. Dedicating time to working on one’s craft ⏤ even if it’s only 10 minutes a day ⏤ can continually keep the creative juices flowing. Remove distractions for an optimal work session.

Do nothing for a while: Alternatively, take a complete break from everything, including social media, homework and other stressors. Give the mind a mental break and take the time to recharge. This relaxing time can also be used to daydream or meditate on possible creative project ideas and let the imagination wander.

Try a new medium: When totally stuck, it could be time to do something new, yet still on the creative track. Try a hand at painting, crafting, writing, music, photography, baking or any number of creative outlets. If a friend or family member is skilled in a different medium, ask to spend some time with them performing their activity together.

Change the environment: According to entrepreneur.com, a change of scenery, even a slight change, can boost creativity. This could look like redecorating a workspace or working in a different room or location altogether.

Enjoy other artists’ work: Gather inspiration from others’ creations; any type of media can be helpful for any artist. Listening to music, exploring social media profiles and groups, watching videos or reading books and stories can all be inspiring while also providing some entertainment.

Brainstorm socially: Sometimes, the best ideas can come out of conversing with others. Exchange ideas directly with other artists, providing prompts for one another to work off of. Or simply take the time to have a fun conversation; maybe an interesting, inspiring topic will arise.

Póngase en contacto con el autor en avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

These gardening tips are kind of a big dill

These gardening tips are kind of a big dill

Allison Vanderzanden | Editor de estilo de vida

Growing a garden can be a rewarding hobby, though winter makes it all but impossible to grow greens outdoors. Luckily, many herbs and small vegetables can be grown indoors, a win-win for those without outdoor spaces and those looking for year-round fresh goods. Here are some steps to starting a personal indoor garden.

Firstly, map out the perfect spot in the house. Most plants will grow best in a south facing window with full sunlight. If no such window is available, investing in incandescent, fluorescent or full spectrum LED lights is also an option. 

Pick out which greens are going to be planted. The possibilities are endless ⏤ from scallions to basil to oregano to microgreens. According to gardentherapy.ca, the easiest herbs to grow indoors include chives, mint, parsley and Vietnamese coriander. Seedlings tend to be less fickle than seeds — a good option especially for novice gardeners. Buy seeds and seedlings from the gardening center at a grocery outlet or home improvement store.

Next, acquire other necessary supplies; use pots, containers or window boxes at least four inches deep, and make sure they have drainage holes with a drip tray underneath. Get organic potting soil and some type of watering can or mister, and buy fertilizer if desired.

Pat down about two inches of soil into a pot, then scatter many seeds over the soil. Top with a thin layer of soil, then water and add optional fertilizer. If repotting seedlings, make sure the roots get fully covered with dirt. Place the pots in adequate light; if using artificial light, set it on a timer for about 16 hours per day.

Each plant is unique, so follow growing instructions provided on the seed packet or online. Most plants will need to be watered every couple of days. Many greens will pop up in about one week, and some may be ready to harvest in as little as three weeks; cuttings can be taken starting when the plant reaches at least four inches tall.

When harvesting, use clean, sharp scissors to cut lower outer leaves and stems. Harvest often, but cut less than one third of the plant at a time to encourage growth. Enjoy fresh herbs and vegetables in meals, soups and salads all year-round.

Póngase en contacto con el autor en avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Reseña: "Cultivar setas sin miedo"

Sea un fun-gi y busque setas de forma segura con esta guía de campo

Natalie Dean| Editor de entretenimiento

Los amantes de la naturaleza aprecian cualquier guía de campo orientada a la seguridad ⏤ sobre todo si es exhaustiva y ofrece imágenes a todo color. Esta lectura rápida de Alexander Schwab está repleta de información exhaustiva; "Mushrooming Without Fear: The Beginner's Guide to Collecting Safe and Delicious Mushrooms" incluye pasos detallados sobre la forma correcta de cazar estas joyas ocultas en la zona. 

A lo largo de las tres secciones principales, el lector puede explorar los componentes de una seta y cómo diferenciar sus anatomías, como las branquias, los tubos, las espinas y las crestas. Dado que existe tal variedad de especies y niveles de toxicidad, es importante seguir los pasos recomendados por Schwab para una identificación positiva. La guía se divide en secciones para los distintos tipos de hongos, que tiene una visión completa y hace mucho hincapié en su "método seguro", y consta de estas directrices:

  1. Al principio, deje la mayoría de las setas en paz.
  2. Evalúe atentamente qué marcas específicas están presentes y tenga en cuenta qué identificadores están ausentes.
  3. Siga las normas y realice el proceso de identificación paso a paso.

Este método de seguridad garantiza que el recolector evitará especies mortales o que puedan causar daños permanentes, como las que tienen branquias, que son muy venenosas y deben evitarse por completo. Más adelante en el libro, hay ocho reglas que también deben estudiarse antes de recolectar o consumir. 

Además de la abundante información sobre seguridad que contiene esta guía, los lectores también pueden consultar los doce tipos de setas y sus especies, como el boletus rey, los rebozuelos, los boletos comunes, la gallina de los bosques y los boletos de la bahía. Una parte especialmente útil de la lista de identificación positiva es una escala de colores en la parte superior de la página, que representa el color correcto que debe tener el sombrero cuando se recoge.

Otros detalles de las listas de comprobación incluyen el tamaño medio de toda la gorra, en qué época del año hacen su aparición, su ubicación y otros consejos. 

Con la lista de identificación disponible para cada tipo de seta, también hay muchos detalles sobre cómo manipularlas, almacenarlas, sazonarlas y cocinarlas. De todas las guías de campo que hay en el mercado, ésta es muy fácil de usar para principiantes, asequible y, sin duda, merece la pena llevarla consigo cuando se busca setas. 

Valoración 4/5 porque ahora gastaré todo mi dinero en guías de campo de setas. 

Póngase en contacto con el autor en ndean17@wou.edu

20 classic games to play with family and friends

Board and card games to revisit this season

Natalie Dean | Editor de entretenimiento 

Between the stress of buying gifts for the holidays and the building excitement of the incoming new year, a classic board game can be all anyone needs to destress. Tabletop games are about coming together with family and friends to have a lively, fun and lightly competitive time together. Some games are straightforward and lighthearted, like Candy Land or Connect Four, while other games seem like they are designed to cause an all-out debate about the rules and technicalities at the table, like with Scrabble or Clue. 

In any case, here’s a list of classic board games that everyone loves to play and hates to lose. Nearly all of these can be purchased online or in stores; thrift stores are also a good place to check for more unique games or neat card decks to try out. These games are ranked from the least to most likely to start a debate about the rules and who won. 

  1. Uno
  2. Marbles
  3. Mancala
  4. Connect Four
  5. Dominoes
  6. Hungry Hungry Hippos 
  7. Candy Land
  8. Chutes and Ladders
  9. Operation
  10. Don’t Break the Ice
  11. Sorry!
  12. Jenga
  13. Battleship
  14. Checkers
  15. Chess
  16. Twister
  17. The Game of Life 
  18. Scrabble 
  19. Clue
  20. Monopoly

Póngase en contacto con el autor en ndean17@wou.edu

Oh, what fun: winter hobbies to try

Indoor and outdoor activities for the winter season

Allison Vanderzanden | Editor de estilo de vida

COVID-19 has forced many people to find new ways to fill their time, like picking up on a variety of hobbies. As quarantining continues, the cold winter months bring on a new season with an abundance of new activities. Get inspired to try something new or rekindle an old favorite activity with this list of indoor and outdoor winter hobbies.

Knitting/crocheting: Whether it be a scarf, hat, blanket or sweater, knitting and crocheting generate perfect products for winter days. Knitting needles and crochet hooks can be purchased for as little as $5, and yarn costs as little as $3 depending on the type. Numerous blogs and YouTube videos exist to help get started, or ask a family member who knows how to knit or crochet to pass down their skill.

Baking: Home-baked desserts can make any dull winter day sweeter. Whether it be cakes, cookies, breads or other confections, there are endless possibilities of baked goods to choose from. Check out recipes online, including on The Western Howl’s website, or invest in a cookbook; add a fun challenge by making a dessert only with items currently in the pantry.

Puzzles: Jigsaw puzzles are great for all ages with their wide variety of piece numbers and artworks. There are also other types of puzzle games to try, like sudoku, crosswords and word searches. Many different apps are available for any of these puzzles, or go old-school pen and paper by printing them from websites or buying a whole bookful.

Birding: Though the weather is cold, the trees are now bare, and that creates the perfect opportunity to pick up birdwatching. According to the Fernhill Wetlands Council, common birds to see in the winter in Oregon include the black-capped chickadee, red-tailed hawk, killdeer, northern flicker, house finch and song sparrow. Use a birding app or book and get outside to spot and identify some birds.

Photography: The world is a piece of art that can be captured in a photo. Winter’s shimmering snow and monochromatic backdrop can make for beautiful photos, and now is as good a time as any to try it out. Even phone cameras can capture great shots — try adjusting different settings and filters to see the wide range of possibilities photography has.

Winter sports: Getting outdoors and exercising can be a good stress reliever while simultaneously getting out of the house. Hit the slopes on skis or snowboard, go snowshoeing or learn how to ice skate or play hockey. Make sure to research if venues are open and what their COVID regulations are. Another outdoor activity that can be done with family or neighbors is a snowball fight.

Póngase en contacto con el autor en avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

WOU logo

Facebook   Instagram   Twitter  YouTube  LinkedIn  wouTV

UNIVERSIDAD DE OREGÓN OCCIDENTAL
345 Monmouth Ave. N.
Monmouth OR 97361

503-838-8000 | 1-877-877-1593

Herramientas

Mapas del campus
Lienzo
Encontrar personas
Portal
Visita virtual
WOU Correo electrónico
Asistencia técnica

Recursos

Índice A-Z
Accesibilidad
Calendario académico
Horario de clases
Empleo en WOU
Asociaciones
Servicios a los estudiantes

Reconocimiento de tierras de la Western Oregon University
La Western Oregon University de Monmouth, Oregón, está situada en el territorio tradicional de la tribu Luckiamute de los Kalapuya. Tras el Tratado del Valle de Willamette de 1855 (Tratado Kalapuya, etc.), los kalapuya fueron trasladados a la fuerza a reservas del oeste de Oregón. En la actualidad, los descendientes vivos de este pueblo forman parte de la Tribus Confederadas de la Comunidad Grand Ronde de Oregón y el Tribus Confederadas de los Indios Siletz.

Accesibilidad    Registros públicos    Privacidad    Información al consumidor

WOU prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de raza, color, sexo, origen nacional o étnico, edad, religión, estado civil, discapacidad, condición de veterano, orientación sexual, identidad de género y expresión de género en todos los programas, actividades y prácticas de empleo como lo requiere el Título IX, otras leyes y políticas aplicables. WOU prohíbe las represalias.