Lifestyle

Written by: Jude Bokovoy A few members of the Howl took the time to deeply ponder what cocktail would fit best with each major here at Western. Find the drink to clink at one’s graduation toast.  American Sign Language — Mimosa  Anthropology — Old Fashion Art and Design — Jello Shot  Arts in Dance — Lavender Lemon Drop Biology — Warm Beer Business — Smirnoff Ice.  Chemistry — Azidoazide Azide Communication Studies — White Claw   Community Health — Aperol Spritz Computer Science/Mathematics — Gin and tonic  Childhood Studies — Tequila Sunrise  Criminal Justice — Whiskey on the rocks Earth Science — Lemon Drop Education — Kamikaze English Studies — Pinot Noir  Exercise Science — Spicy Margarita Gerontology — Death in the afternoon  History — Manhattan  Humanities — Pina Colada  Information Systems — Strawberry Daiquiri  Information Technology — Dirty Vodka Martini Interdisciplinary Studies — Long Island Iced Tea International Studies — Moscow Mule Interpreting Studies — Body Shot Mathematics — Vodka shot x2 Teaching — Green Apple Martini  Music — Gibson Philosophy — Whiskey Sour Political Science — A shot of tequila Pre Nursing — Bloody Mary  Psychology — Rum and Coke Public Health — Chardonnay  Public Policy & Administration —  Gin martini with a twist Social Science — Long Island fish bowl Sociology — Sangria  Spanish — Mojito Sustainability — A tall glass of water  The Arts — Cider Masters in anything — A full bottle of champagne.   Contact the authors at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu...

Written by: Jude Bokovoy The time has finally come. For some this journey has taken a decade, for others it has been as short as three years. Nevertheless, this is an accomplishment to be proud of. For some, this is another degree on their path through education, for many this is the finish line. No matter where one’s headspace is at, here are a few things to think about.  Go to events — This is the last chance to go to a Western event as a student. If something sounds interesting, might as well go check it out. If one is personally invited to an event or award ceremony, make time to attend. This is where memories are made and how one can create interesting answers when asked about one’s college experience.  Post-grad stance — A  question many ask after finding out one is graduating is “what are your plans after graduation?” No matter if one has or does not have a specific plan, remember that all that matters is how one personally feels. All that truly matters is that one pursues their endeavors with passion. Everything will work out. All of the hard work was for something. The opportunities are there, they just may not be revealed yet.  Lean on fellow graduates — This is one of the few moments in life where one is surrounded by many people in very similar circumstances. Use the community of graduates as a source of relief. Lean on friends, ask them how they are doing and release personal worries. Spend time with them because for most, this will be the last...

Written by: Mikayla Coleman I’ve had a few cats in my lifetime, but one constant was that they were all rescued and adult-aged, meaning I had no idea when their actual birthdays were. When I adopted a kitten this summer who was born in-shelter and I saw her date of birth written on her paperwork, I knew instantly that I was going to be celebrating every birthday with her.  It sounds kind of crazy right? Who throws a birthday party for their cat? Me. I do. As someone who loves to divert attention from myself onto other people — or I guess, animals — I could not think of a better way to gather my friends in a format in which I didn’t have to be the center of attention.  The steps listed below are the ones that I took to throw my cat’s first birthday party. Use these tips if one finds themselves in a similar situation — all aspects of our lives deserve to be celebrated, especially the lives and relationships of our pets.  Make invitations — When I knew I was going to have a birthday party for my cat, I knew invitations would be important. One should choose whether they would like to have a digital invitation in the form of a pdf, printed invitations or both options to choose from. I ended up printing my invitations because I wanted my friends to be able to have a physical picture of my cat to display in their homes on their refrigerators or walls. It also made it seem like more of a solidified deal, getting...

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt The fork goes on the left and the dessert spoon goes at the top. Moreover, do not forget to start on the outside and work inward towards the plate. The cutlery resting directly on the plate indicates the end of the meal to the catering team. These were only some of the many dining etiquette tips provided to the 150+ students and professionals by the special guest speaker of the Etiquette Dinner, Sabra Jewell. Jewell is the Communications Coordinator for the City of Monmouth, with a background in communications and experience in hospitality and catering. This made Jewell the perfect candidate for guiding guests of the event toward a professional dining experience. “I’ve done it all,” explained Jewell. “I have served every kind of level of practice and style of dining on every kind of budget. I have seen it all from that perspective.” The Center for Professional Pathways is the on-campus organization that brings the Etiquette Dinner together for students every year. However, the event — despite being a student favorite for many years — was absent from campus tradition for some time due to a brief hiatus.  This year, the Center for Professional Pathways partnered with the Stitch Closet to provide students with a double event through both dinner and a fashion show. The purpose of the culmination of the two events was to teach students about professional and business communication, as well as the importance of nonverbal cues and fashion etiquette — whilst still encouraging an environment where guests can have fun and dress in formal attire.  The fashion show took place...

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt The City of Monmouth was teeming with enthusiastic residents of the community on the evening of Saturday, May 20, as a result of the sunshine and the grand number of local festivities to explore.  The Asian-American and Pacific Islander Vendors Market was one of the many events brought to the community by the Hawai’i Club, in partnership with the City of Monmouth. The arrival of the vendors market occurred after the conclusion of the Peacock Festival and Fun Run on Main Street Park, which equally captivated and engrossed the community with a few hours of leisure and entertainment. Taking place in the month of May, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is devoted to the celebration and recognition of the historical contributions of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders — a celebration that largely extends to including the community contributions of local pop-ups and business vendors. The first of potentially more in the near future with the high number of attendees, the family-friendly vendors market featured a number of businesses owned by the AAPI community, many of which prioritize craftwork and artistry, as well as sustainability. There were food businesses at the market — some familiar to the community, some not — as well, including Da Hale, Yang’s Teriyaki, Sing Fay and Da Ayala Grindz. Furthermore, the following vendors could be found at the market: Maganda Glassworks LLC, AJE Pottery, Haole Brand Clothing — Hawaii Clothing Brand — and Treats by Yap Trap. These businesses function in that they are either pop-ups or provide catering services through commissions to Monmouth-Independence and the surrounding community in which they...

Written by: Jude Bokovoy Getting bogged down by doing repetitive activities with friends and loved ones? Looks like it’s time for a tea party. Creating a little event for those who one cherishes can be the perfect way to show appreciation for them. Hosting a tea party is ideal for people of all ages, for any season and gets people outdoors, dressed up and participating in something unique.  Thrifting — Don’t break the bank by purchasing a full tea set from an antique store. Instead, buy the necessary items from a thrift store. This is more environmentally friendly and will give the party more personality for pennies on the dollar. To keep costs even lower, and provide an activity for guests, ask each of them to bring a thrifted tea cup and tea plate. Cuisine — Simple finger sandwiches and little cookies will do just the trick. Grab some fun cookie cutters to dress up three ingredient cucumber and tomato twiddle sandwiches. This aspect could also be potluck-style if one is desiring a heartier meal along with the experience. Since iced drinks are more suited for the season, there is no need to go crazy with tea. It is more than okay to grab a jug of iced tea from the grocery store to serve from a decorative pot.  Invitations — Make this a special occasion for guests to look forward to. Send out custom invitations with the date, time, location, attire and anything else that they may need to bring. This can be done digitally or through physical print by spending no more than 20 minutes on Canva...

Written by: Jude Bokovoy The world is filled with so many amazing places ready to be discovered. Don’t wait until there is more free time, financial stability or anything else that could be holding one back; let this summer be the start of ones’ traveling journey.  Roadtrip to a major city The more the merrier — Traveling with a group of friends can keep costs low as multiple people usually split gas and housing expenses. A good number of group members is around four, so that everyone can comfortably fit in one car and can pair up in two queen beds in a shared hotel room.  Making use of time — Roadtrips give full freedom regarding the duration of the trip, take advantage of it. If one can only afford a day and a half trip, do that instead of not doing it at all. To get to the destination the fastest, research traffic times for the area to select what time in the morning is best to leave. If one plans to stay in a hotel, check to see the earliest check-in time there is. If the arrival time doesn’t line up with the check-in time, use it to pursue a planned activity. Lastly, have all activities and restaurants picked out before the trip. This will prevent wasting time figuring out what to do when there. This also allows one to make reservations, gain prior knowledge of prices and give the group things to look forward to.  Near Western — Seattle is a place traveled by many because of their attractions such as the Space Needle, Pike Place...

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz In the relentless pursuit of fulfilling societal expectations, one can easily find themselves wandering along an unyielding path paved with predefined notions of success and happiness. But what if we dare to question these dictates? What if we challenge the status quo that confines our dreams to a corporate ladder? Life should be a journey of redefining one’s own measures of fulfillment, seeking solace in the authenticity of one’s soul, which is much easier said than done. In the ceaseless symphony of societal pressures one experiences when graduating from college, one’s senses are bombarded with benchmarks for success and happiness. We are often told that fulfillment lies in ascending the corporate ladder, where each step comes with a price — our time, our passions and ultimately our very essence. It is within these confines that the definition of success becomes distorted, reduced to mere numbers and status symbols. Yet, people often fail to recognize the silent toll that conformity takes on one’s well-being. As we march dutifully toward the prescribed ideals, our spirits grow weary, shrouded in a gloomy culture that seeps into the very fabric of our existence. Our mental health falters under the weight of rigid standards. One’s self-worth becomes entangled in the twisted web of comparison and content with worthlessness. There is no reason one truly needs to conform to the monotonous rhythm of societal expectations. We should have the audacity to question, redefine and reclaim our very essence. It is within the realm of human potential that we could liberate ourselves from the shackles of societal conformity and witness the flight...

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Twitter and just about every other social media app have accumulated over 4.5 billion users worldwide. These platforms can easily cause one to align their actions, decisions and daily habits far away from any positive values and aspirations, given that many users spend precious time unintentionally surfing the apps. Mindfulness is a key element of intentional living; it entails connecting with one’s experiences, being fully present in each moment and developing awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings and behavior. One can gain a deeper awareness of themselves and how one reacts to the environment around them by avoiding moments where there is no intention.Social media platforms have become an integral part of modern life, but their ubiquitous presence can inadvertently lead one away from acting with intention. With endless scrolling and mindless content consumption, we often find ourselves disconnected from our core values and aspirations. Mindless social media usage can create a constant state of distraction, hindering our ability to live with intention. This doesn’t mean one needs to drop social media usage altogether, but gain control of its usage and align it with things that one feels truly matter. Prioritizing quality over quantity in one’s usage of social media and online connections can help foster a sense of belonging, support and authenticity. Intentional living extends beyond social media. It is about being mindful and intentional in every aspect of one’s life, including daily routines, relationships and personal growth. One becomes more conscious of their values, desires and the effects of their actions when they engage in mindfulness and self-reflection. Doing...

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt On Jan. 10, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency on the homelessness crisis in response to the prevalence of unsheltered individuals and a lack of shelter beds. The emergency declaration was followed by a round of funding for projects allocated to various regional groups across the state. The overall priority goals of the funded projects are in alignment with the governor’s orders and action plans, which are to rehouse and prevent homelessness for at least 158 unsheltered households in the regional areas and increase shelter capacity by 79 new, low-barrier shelter beds. The plans also include the renovation and expansion of existing emergency shelter locations, including the addition of new bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities. The Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency and Church at the Park were two regional groups that received millions from a grant for the opening and managing of a new micro shelter.  Church at the Park is a nonprofit organization that aims to serve and assist the homeless population. In 2022, Church at the Park contributed to the opening of a new youth micro shelter village in Salem, Oregon. There are two micro shelter sites that can be found in the big city, on Southeast Turner Road — specifically for youth — and Northeast Center Street. Church at the Park is consequently the one responsible for finding and securing a location for Polk County’s new micro shelters for homeless youth. In the past, Polk County lacked the funds to open a micro shelter site for the youth in their rural areas, forcing homeless youth to make the journey...