Mount Hood

New beginnings with roomies

Tips to have a positive roommate experience

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Having a roommate can be an exciting experience for many, but daunting for those who have never had one or had a negative encounter. Here are some tips to make a positive and easy transition to living with roommates.

Avoid talking about events one plans to attend if the other person is not invited. This is a great way to be respectful while bypassing an awkward encounter.  

Try labeling food in the fridge so you don’t lose your favorite items.

Be mindful of food items. Whether it is in the fridge, a cabinet or on the table make sure to keep track of personal items. Close containers and bags to prevent insects. Watch for expiration dates to avoid both mold and a spoiled scent in the room. Don’t take up too much space either; leave the same amount of area for each roommate in shared spaces.

Establish guest etiquette. Having a guest in one’s place is not against the rules, but make sure to set boundaries with roommates beforehand. This can include things such as notifying roommates when and how long they will be there, acceptable noise levels, appropriate and inappropriate times or days, parking arrangements and so on. If in a dorm on Western’s campus, be sure to also follow all guest rules; see wou.edu/housing-updates for details.

Make a chore list. Having set chores that are assigned to someone or are to be done on a certain day will ensure a clean living space as well as fair delegation. Use a whiteboard, sticky note, Google calendar or other method that everyone will be sure to see. Start by choosing what days chores should be done and how often, and rotate names for said activities. For example, have one roommate vacuum on Sunday, another clean the bathroom Friday, trade off who takes out the trash when full and so on.

Respect common areas. Give the same amount of respect to roommates that is expected of them.

Above all else, be open and communicate with each other so living together is enjoyable for all parties.

Contact the author at lifestyleeditor@thewesternhowl.com

Sustainable decor for Halloween

Repurposing crafts for horrific handmade decor

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Seasonal decorating can be expensive or create a lot of unnecessary waste. Try these ideas that repurpose items lying around the house for a more affordable and sustainable option.

  • Artificial flowers can easily go from chic to eerie. Paint or spray paint with any color. Once dry, glue on a googly eye or draw an eyeball in the center.
  • A milk jug can be turned into a jack-o’-lantern. Wash out the jug and let it dry first. Decorate the jug in any number of ways; draw a face on the front, tape on construction paper or paint the entire jug. After the face is made, light up the pumpkin by filling it with glow sticks, string lights or battery powered candles. Add leaves to the spout to complete the pumpkin. Make multiple for variation.
  • Using newspaper or old homework, make a fake body or scarecrow. Do so by stuffing some clothing with crumpled pieces of paper. Place outside the door, in the yard or somewhere in the house for a ghoulish addition to your Halloween decor.
  • Yarn or thread can be made into spider webs. Hang up a few tacks wherever is convenient, then weave under and around the yarn in any pattern for a “threadful” look.
  • For an apothecary touch, find some mason jars and fill them with spooky items. Use plastic or candy eyeballs, water and food coloring to give a potion look, branches or crushed leaves and so much more for a chilling counter.
  • Repurpose pool noodles into a faux chain. Take one noodle, stand it straight up and down and cut it vertically in half an inch to one inch wide sections. Repeat all the way down. After all have been cut, make one horizontal cut per chain link. Connect each individual piece to another. Paint black or gray for full effect. 

Properly dispose of all items, keep decorations around for a creepy theme or store for next year after use for a completely green experience. 

Contact the author at lifestyleeditor@thewesternhowl.com

Budgeting tricks: the cash envelope system

A quick guide to budgeting effectively

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Being on one’s own can cost a lot of money; from big items like rent and other bills to miscellaneous things such as a night out or the latest video game, saving can seem impossible. Budgeting with spreadsheets can be difficult or feel like another homework assignment, so a simpler technique is the cash envelope system. This system helps teach mindful spending habits while ensuring the user stays on budget. Here is a guide to start saving money with the cash envelope system. 

To begin, a good rule to follow is the 50/30/20 method: 50% of funds go to needs, 30% wants and 20% to financial goals.

Make an envelope for each category that applies: rent, utilities, phone bill, gas, groceries, emergency, savings and leisure.

Put aside cash in each envelope corresponding to the amount used. For example, rent gets $500 each month, the phone bill gets $75 and so on. To plan for gas, look at past months to see the average spending, or take the miles driven in one week divided by the mileage of the car and multiplied by the price of gas. 

Anything left over after bills are paid can be distributed through the other categories, such as setting a certain amount towards a savings goal for the holidays or wanted item. 

Carrying cash may be an unattractive option for some due to safety or the time to set it up; luckily, there are free applications that follow the same concept and use the 50/30/20 rule. 

“Mvelopes” is a website and app that takes approximately 15 minutes to set up budgeting goals. Another website and app with a similar tool to track spending habits is called “Goodbudget.” More popular in the budgeting category, “Clarity Money” is a free, easy to use tracker that can also be connected to bank accounts.

Trying this trick? Send in photos to be featured on our Instagram, @thewesternhowl.

Contact the author at lifestyleeditor@thewesternhowl.com

Bailey Schafer: Where would you go?

Interviewing Western students on their dream travel destinations

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

With COVID-19 limiting travel for many, “The Western Howl” set out to create a piece where we ask students their travel dreams. In between classes, I caught Western senior Bailey Schafer, an education major, to ask her about her dream destination. 

If you could leave tomorrow and go anywhere, where would you go?

Ireland.

Have you been there before?

Yes. I’ve been there twice. First when I was 11 and the next (when) I was 17.

That must be a long flight.

Yeah. It’s like 16 to 18 hours.

What do you do for that long in a plane?

Sleep mostly or read. If it’s a nice plane I’ll watch a movie.

What factors (cuisine, architecture, natural beauty, nightlife) draw you there?

I have family there, it’s really beautiful. There (are) a lot of landmarks to visit too.

What key things would you do while there?

Visit The Giant’s Causeway and the Cliffs of Moher.

Where would you go to eat?

There’s a cafe I really like called Java Republic. My uncle owns it, it’s like the Dutch Bros of Ireland.

What barriers keep you from actually going?

Money and being able to take time off of school and work.

Since you’ve been there before, how much would you say it cost to go?

A few grand. I stay with family so I save there and with food but it’s really the plane tickets that are expensive. Traveling by bus there is cheap too.

If you were able to take time off work and school with your current financial resources, realistically where would you go? 

I would go to California to visit my best friend! She lives in San Bernardino.


Contact the author at lifestyleeditor@thewesternhowl.com

Interviewing tips and techniques

Four tricks to leave a good impression on potential employers

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

The need for a job becomes apparent for just about everyone at some point in their life. One of the most important things about a job can be the interview — it sets up not only the opportunity for employment, but also for one’s path as they progress at said job. Here are four of the most important focusing points to help land the job.
Dress for the job being interviewed for. According to Jill Hurd, broker at Taylor & Taylor Realty Co. in Lincoln City, “It shows the person’s motivation and determination.”

It is safer to overdress for an interview than to underdress. If applying for a job where the dress code is casual, go business casual if possible. Dress up an outfit that is already owned with small details such as adding jewelry like a watch or earrings, accessories like a portfolio or purse and wearing a clean pair of shoes. Make sure to also be well groomed. 

Dressing for success in business casual wear is a great way to impress potential employers.

First impressions are important, so make sure you show up prepared for the interview. Know who is conducting the interview and memorize their name. Bring a resume copy and any references to the meeting. This shows organization and gives the appearance of professionalism. Research the company as well so if a question arises the ability to answer will be quicker and the interviewer will be more likely to remember you. Lastly, read the listed job post, and look up the resumes of other people with the same title. This is a great way to tune up a resume with skills that may not have previously been considered. 

Eye contact with the interviewer is proven to convey confidence and self esteem which are important qualities in an employee, according to Fusion Career Services. This can be a difficult task for many, but try to remember to look them in the eye at least 50% of the time, or try focusing on one eye and switching while they talk. 

“Eye contact is the number one thing for me,” said Jody Gaver, guidance director at Taravella High School in Florida. “I always tell my students that. If you can’t look in my eyes to talk to me and show interest and are looking around everywhere, I would be concerned you can’t do your job well.”

Tardiness to an interview can foreshadow later punctuality issues. Not only will arriving 10 – 15 minutes early to an interview allow time to decompress and prepare, but will also indicate to the employer that their time is valued and can earn respect. 

“I have always been praised for showing up early to interviews and making it a talking point before exiting at the end that being on time is something I pride myself in,” said Caitlyn Kessinger, former nanny in Dallas.

Contact the author at lifestyleeditor@thewesternhowl.com

Eight fall activities to get the blood pumping

October begins and so does the search for scary fun activities 

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor 

For many Oregonians fall is the time to flourish. As the leaves begin to change the need to go and adventure increases. From pumpkin patches and corn mazes, to music festivals and haunted houses  — the possibilities are endless. While many people have traditions they follow each year, these hair-raising options could help switch up the fun for any age. 

Photos courtesy of Karly Packineau
  • Bauman’s Farm & Garden (Gervais) — Starting in 1895, this family run farm has activities for all ages, ranging from farm animals and pumpkin picking, to obstacle courses and mazes. Open Oct. 8 – 9, 16 – 17, 22 – 24 and 30. Hours vary. Admission is $11 – $26.  
  • Chamber Of Darkness Haunted House (Monroe) — Not recommended under eight years old, this premiere haunting experience is themed as a “Wicked Wonderland.” Open Oct. 12, 18 – 19, and 25 – 26 from 7 – 11 p.m. Admission is $8 with $1 discount if a canned food donation is made. 
  • Escape The Room Oregon (Springfield) — This fun adventure features six fully immersive Halloween puzzles to escape with a group. Open Wednesday – Sunday with various hours. Admission is $30 a person, with a $5 coupon on special days.
  • Hood River Valley Harvest Fest (Hood River) — The old fashioned fall festival is a fun filled event with over 125 local vendors of food, wine, crafts and more for the whole family. Open Oct. 15 – 17. Kids 12 and under are free, adults are $10 and seniors are $5. 
  • Milburn’s Haunted Manor (Hubbard) — Both a trick and a treat to experience a total immersion experience that will make you scream. Open Oct. 8 – 10 from 7 – 11 p.m., and 15 – 17, 22 – 24 and 28 – 31 from 7 – 10 p.m.
  • The Fear PDX (Portland) — With five terrifying attractions, this haunted house is known as the scariest in the Pacific Northwest. Open Thursday – Sunday through the month of October, from 7 – 10 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, and 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Halloween. Tickets start at $29.99 with discounts for bigger parties.

  • The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island (Portland) — This 52 year old farm offers free hayrides, a newly designed corn maze each year, a cafe, a fresh market, an animal barn and a cow train on the weekends. Open daily; dates, hours and admission vary depending on which attraction is chosen.
  • STRANGEST THINGS HAUNTED FARM (Eugene) — This terrifying interactive haunt covers popular horror films from the last 30 years with themed mazes, rooms and zones. Open Thursday – Saturday, 8 – 11 p.m. Admission varies on party size.

Contact the author at lifestyleeditor@thewesternhowl.com

Four tips on combating homesickness in college

A student’s guide to managing feeling homesick while living away from home

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

While COVID-19 continues on its rampage around the world with the recent emergence of the delta variant, college students have held out and moved back to campus for in person classes. Although most welcome the change, many first-year students have taken the biggest hit. Following the events of virtual classes in 2020 and 2021, more college students than ever are having to endure a stressful change in schedule and routine. Here are four tips on managing homesickness while away at college.

Connect with family and friends back home. A good way to combat feelings of homesickness is to find ways to stay in touch with family members. An easy way to do so is by taking advantage of today’s technology and video chatting with friends and family. Seeing a familiar face in the midst of unfamiliarity has proven to be cathartic in more than one way. For those who live closer to home, setting up a time to meet up with family in person is also as effective.

Establish a routine and familiarise oneself with the new surroundings. College students can spend up to nine months at a time on their college campus, sometimes more. It is important that students learn to establish a set routine that makes their temporary living situation feel more like home. Walk around campus and become familiar with scenery and surroundings. Explore the town that will be called home for the next few years, such as grocery stores, restaurants and retail stores.

Get involved in campus activities by joining clubs, community organizations and volunteering. Everyone wants to be welcomed and feel a sense of belonging. Getting a job or joining clubs or other student organizations is a great way to combat feelings of homesickness. It keeps the mind occupied while also providing comfort and security. Western is home to more than 60 clubs and organizations, so students are sure to find something that reflects personal passions.

Take advantage of campus resources. Many first-year or transfer students do not take advantage of the resources their university provides. Western is proud to have their WOU Ambassadors, which work with the Admissions Office on campus to provide campus tours, help with preview days as well as other various on campus activities. Sometimes feelings of homesickness can be brought on by stress. When classes or workload gets tough, or if one is in need of a much needed emotional or psychological break, the Student Health and Counseling Center is open for virtual and in person appointments from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to provide counseling. Western is also home to the PLUS team — students who welcome first-year students during orientation, New Student Week and registration. The PLUS team is there to serve any students in need of guidance, and are always willing to help make college a happy and healthy experience.

Contact the author at staffwriter@thewesternhowl.com

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Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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