Relationships are hard. Confusing. Frustrating. Unbearable. Emotional. Yet if you put the right amount of time and effort into it, they can be rewarding and an amazing experience. Lets be honest here. The reason there are problems in a relationship is because of the guys. They just don’t know really what a woman wants. We want flattery, dates, flowers, sensitivity, understanding, and appreciation; the right combination to a happy and healthy relationship!
The first step to a good relationship is flattery. You want the girl to like you? Tell her she’s pretty. I take that back. Tell her she’s beautiful. Compliments always do the trick, especially when you’re in trouble and in the dog house. When she cuts her hair, notice. Noticing the little things definitely gives you major brownie points. Other examples include wearing a new outfit or looking more toned.
The next step in making a girl happy is dates. When going on a date, try not to be lazy. Laziness gets you nowhere. Don’t get me wrong; we love just sitting around on the couch and watching TV. However, we do like to be wined and dined sometimes. Take her out to dinner and actually pay for once. If you’re in a long-term relationship, switching on and off with paying for the bill is okay, but not in the beginning stages. We enjoy doing fun things on dates even more than going out to dinner. Ice skating, volunteering at the humane society, going to a movie, etc. Surprise us!
For step number three the key word is flowers. Flowers, flowers, flowers. I can’t say it enough. Roses, lilies, daisies, tulips, carnations. You name it, we like it. There is a famous quote that says that flowers say I’m sorry and chocolate says I love you. I’m kind of iffy about this statement. I think that flowers say that you really care about someone, and chocolate is just to make you fat. Personal opinion. You don’t have to bring flowers on every date. That’s a tad excessive. Once and a while is nice, especially when it’s out of the blue; simply to say “I’m thinking of you”.
Step number four: Be sensitive. Contrary to belief, girls LOVE sensitive guys. We don’t care if you cry in front of us; we think it’s cute. It actually makes us feel better because we are usually the emotional and sensitive ones. You don’t have to hide your true feelings in front of other guys about the way you feel. Show affection once and a while. We are your girlfriend, not your buddy. So treat us like one. Biggest pet peeve! Being macho is fine, but being sensitive is way better!
Step number five: Understand PMS. Don’t fight it, just let it be. It’s annoying when you ask us if it’s our “week”. How rude! We have a reason to be mean, snotty, and moody. You have no idea what it’s like to be a girl, so don’t even try to relate and say it’s no big deal.
The last and final step to a good relationship is appreciation. Girlfriends do so much that goes unnoticed. Don’t take us for granted, otherwise we’ll leave you. We clean your room, help you with your homework, leave cute notes, etc. We do these things because we care about you and want you to see how much you matter to us.
Obviously relationships take work. They aren’t easy and probably never will be. Nevertheless, relationships can be a lot more trouble free if guys actually put forth the time and effort needed. Following the steps to making a woman happy is the first stride towards a happy relationship. Your relationship can only go up from here!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
My Conclusions
My overall findings conclude that the university is an area of learning and has a wealth of hidden knowledge tucked inside it's campus. I feel that what is important to students is a little bit different than what is important to the professors of UWEC. Yes, the students care about their grades and classes, but many are not as concerned as they should be with learning the presented material. This is supported in my findings with student study habits. Some were staying up in the wee hours of the night studying, yet why didn't they start studying a week ago if they were so concerned with learning all of the material? I also think that students (not all) are more concerned with the social aspect of college. To me I believe that you have to find the right balance between your academic life and your social life. You can go out on the weekends and have a good time with friends but a certain amount of focus needs to be given to studies.
I believe that professors want to educate the students and actually want them to understand the material. They are willing to do email, have office hours, and hold study sessions for the students to do well. However, they are certain professors who have a different agenda. I have witnessed some unnamed professors that shut their doors and turn their backs when students need help. When almost 60% of a class fails an exam, they feel it is the students fault that they didn't study enough or know the material (I had a professor like this last semester). In general though, professors want to help the students become the best that they can be.
I believe that professors want to educate the students and actually want them to understand the material. They are willing to do email, have office hours, and hold study sessions for the students to do well. However, they are certain professors who have a different agenda. I have witnessed some unnamed professors that shut their doors and turn their backs when students need help. When almost 60% of a class fails an exam, they feel it is the students fault that they didn't study enough or know the material (I had a professor like this last semester). In general though, professors want to help the students become the best that they can be.
#8
8. I think that it is hard and a hassle to find a non-local paper, but it is not hard to find a local paper or campus paper. I actually found a campus paper on the floor of my math class. I unfortunately read the directions wrong and instead of finding a national newspaper, I found this current campus paper. The headline is "State budget outlines cuts, taxes". The article is about how the Governor wants to increase funding for UW schools, which means that the price of tuition will go up. The UWEC interim provost Marty Wood said he "is already skeptical of the budget's plans to support higher education in the state."
#7
7. According to wisegeek.com, a microfiche is a valuable research and archive source located in a library. It is a 4 x 5 inch piece of photographic film that has printed information that is too small for the eye to see normally. Typically books, journals, and magazines are kept on microfiche. They can be printed in a normal size. You can find these on the second floor of McIntyre Library.
#6
6. According to the University of Eau Claire homepage, the simple answer of a Blugold is that those are the school colors (blue and gold). It is the "spirit of the campus" and the faculty's passion for teaching and the student's passion for learning.
#5
5. I found this sculpture on my way to workout at McPhee on campus. At this angle, I think that the sculpture looks like a swimmer on the diving board just about to jump into the pool for a race. This piece is located right outside of the fitness center because there is a swimming pool inside of McPhee and the UWEC swimming team practices there, so it symbolizes exercising and working out.
#4
4. I first spoke with Kelly Murray, a biology professor who I had last semester. She told me that a big change she has noticed in student behaviors is that they have become more and more reliable on technology. According to Murray, they come to class unprepared and depend on the teacher handing out slides from a powerpoint. The first years that she taught at the university, most teachers lectured and the students wrote in a notebook. I also spoke with my chemistry lab instructor, Professor Gallagher. He said that nowadays students are more focused and obsessed with the grades and GPAs they receive from the university and classes. They aren't as focused on actually learning the material presented; they just want to meet the GPA required for their particular school or program they want to be in.
#3
3. An "XF" is a kind of grade that more and more professors are giving out in numerous schools across the country if a student is caught cheating. The University of Maryland is credited with coming up with the "XF" in 1990. They used it on a report card for plagarism instead of expelling a student from the university.
#2
2. I asked a foreign exchange student from China on my floor about one major difference between his country's educational system vs. UWEC's educational system. He said that the biggest difference that he can differentiate between the two is that his educational system is way more strict than ours. He also talked about how the students don't speak out of turn and usually the instructor does all the talking. The students are more respectful towards the teachers and don't fall asleep in class.
Exploring UWEC Culture: #1
1. After encountering five random people and questioning where they prefer to study and what their study habits are, I received three general answers. Four out of the five people said that they like to study somewhere quiet, which is very predictable. The fifth person said that she likes to study in a group with a lot of people so that they can all quiz each other. Two out of the five people study two nights or the night before a major test, and the other three study at least a week prior. One guy told me that he pulls all nighters in the library. He studies until 4am or 5am and then sleeps for 3 hours and then goes to class.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Illustration Essay
Walking through campus, I don’t habitually discern what students have chosen to adorn themselves in for that particular day. Yet when I widen my eyes to my surroundings, I can start to notice how the clothes that people wear portray labels, give off first impressions, and present judgments about others that may or may not be true. Although these judgments may not be accurate, sometimes a first impression is the only thing that you take from a stranger. How you present yourself, whether it’s your attitude or appearance, is the only thing to go off of. That is why “Clothes make the person” is a controversial statement. So walking to my three classes the next day, I decided to take a closer look around me about what the undergraduates were wearing and decide for myself how their appearances were perceived….
As I walk into my 9am Chemistry 103 lecture, I’m not surprised to see almost 75% of the undergrads sporting the “scrub” look. They are decked out in sweatpants, sweatshirts, ratty t-shirts, and hats to cover up his or her un-washed hair. When I see someone who is wearing scrubs, I judge that they really don’t care about their personal appearance. I think that he or she either stayed up too late the night before, or were just too lazy to shower in the morning and immediately woke up and went to class in their pajamas.
After my Chemistry 103 lecture, I catch sight of a girl sauntering by me in Davies center wearing stilettos, 7 for all Mankind jeans (the ones that cost $200), and a form fitting black sweater. She looks like she just stepped out of the tanning bed, and left her foils on too long when dying her hair blonde (harsh I know). Her clothes give me the impression that she comes from a ritzy family, is way too good to be hanging out with about 90% of the students at UWEC, and only cares about two things-shopping and boys. I mean really, whom is she trying to impress? Her 60-year-old teacher?
Following my run in with the overdressed undergrad, a group of guys are huddled around in a circle as I leave the Davies center. They have shaggy hair and are wearing their pants halfway to their ankles. I noted that all besides one had on a hemp necklace and they all sported oversized crazy sweaters with awkward colors and designs. Their attire gives me the impression that they are nonchalant about school, do drugs, and just don’t really care about anything at all.
My observations lead to only harsh first impressions with the statement “Clothes make the person”. Yet who am I to judge these people? I’m guilty of going to class in sweats many of times. I do get dressed up to go to class, I have bought a $200 pair of jeans (my weakness), and I do get my hair colored blonde (although I’m a brunette at the moment). And sometimes, I wear really weird and not normal clothes. People are so critical about what others wear that they automatically assume that if someone wears a certain thing that they act a certain way and associate with certain people. No one can say that they don’t judge others, because everyone does at some point. I wish I wouldn’t do it, but a first impression of appearance is usually the lone thing to judge off of. The lesson learned here from first impressions is that the clothes do not make the person. They may make a person you are a stranger to, but once you get to know them, the judgments disappear and his or her personality outshines everything else.
As I walk into my 9am Chemistry 103 lecture, I’m not surprised to see almost 75% of the undergrads sporting the “scrub” look. They are decked out in sweatpants, sweatshirts, ratty t-shirts, and hats to cover up his or her un-washed hair. When I see someone who is wearing scrubs, I judge that they really don’t care about their personal appearance. I think that he or she either stayed up too late the night before, or were just too lazy to shower in the morning and immediately woke up and went to class in their pajamas.
After my Chemistry 103 lecture, I catch sight of a girl sauntering by me in Davies center wearing stilettos, 7 for all Mankind jeans (the ones that cost $200), and a form fitting black sweater. She looks like she just stepped out of the tanning bed, and left her foils on too long when dying her hair blonde (harsh I know). Her clothes give me the impression that she comes from a ritzy family, is way too good to be hanging out with about 90% of the students at UWEC, and only cares about two things-shopping and boys. I mean really, whom is she trying to impress? Her 60-year-old teacher?
Following my run in with the overdressed undergrad, a group of guys are huddled around in a circle as I leave the Davies center. They have shaggy hair and are wearing their pants halfway to their ankles. I noted that all besides one had on a hemp necklace and they all sported oversized crazy sweaters with awkward colors and designs. Their attire gives me the impression that they are nonchalant about school, do drugs, and just don’t really care about anything at all.
My observations lead to only harsh first impressions with the statement “Clothes make the person”. Yet who am I to judge these people? I’m guilty of going to class in sweats many of times. I do get dressed up to go to class, I have bought a $200 pair of jeans (my weakness), and I do get my hair colored blonde (although I’m a brunette at the moment). And sometimes, I wear really weird and not normal clothes. People are so critical about what others wear that they automatically assume that if someone wears a certain thing that they act a certain way and associate with certain people. No one can say that they don’t judge others, because everyone does at some point. I wish I wouldn’t do it, but a first impression of appearance is usually the lone thing to judge off of. The lesson learned here from first impressions is that the clothes do not make the person. They may make a person you are a stranger to, but once you get to know them, the judgments disappear and his or her personality outshines everything else.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Intro To Me
My name is Alecia and I am from McFarland, Wisconsin, which is a suburb about 11 minutes south of Madison. This is my second semester here at UW-Eau Claire. I am a Biology major with a Pre-Physician's Assistant concentration. I've also been thinking about a Microbiology major, because I really like the field of Biotechnology. I have one younger brother, Cameron, who is a sophomore in high school. I have been studio dancing for the last 15 years of my life. I took classes in lyrical, jazz, ballet, and pointe. Unfortunately I tore a ligament in my leg last summer and can't dance anymore. Dancing is a realse of tension and emotion and I miss it terribly. I would have to say that my favorite season is summer, because I love being outside. I also love hanging out with my friends, shopping, working out, and going to Badger football games.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Toyko
Some of my most cherished memories aren’t the ones that were planned weeks or days or hours in advance. They are the impromptu decisions or surprises that make a night unforgettable. I thrive on these memories, and my surprise this last week led to the review of the restaurant Tokyo.
Walking into Tokyo, I was in awe of the authenticity of the restaurant. The hostess staff was dressed to the t, with the overall tone of the restaurant coming off as formal. My boyfriend of three years, Nick, came up to Eau Claire to surprise me just because he “wanted to”. I’d like to think that we are an adventurous couple and like to try new things, so we decided on this hibachi restaurant.
As soon as I walked into the dining area, the aroma of the steak overwhelmed my senses. My mouth started sizzling right then and there. Although this restaurant was recommended to me by a friend, I felt a bit out of place; the majority of the customers were well over there 30s. They all seemed to be enjoying their experience though, so I wasn’t worried. The waiters, staff, and cooks crafted a comfortable and inviting atmosphere with their smiles and comical demeanor.
Hibachi is iron-board cooking, so our meal was prepared right in front of our eyes. As our cook, Max, poured water onto the cook top, a fire roared literally a couple of feet in front of our faces. I’ve never been to a hibachi restaurant, so it was hard to get used to at first, but after a while I decided that I really enjoyed this technique. It was a way to get the customers to interact with the cook, to turn the formal atmosphere in to informal. The only downfall of the hibachi method was that the restaurant climbed to around 80 degrees. Before ordering, Max joked around and tried to get to know us better, which made for a relaxed ambiance. He even teased and asked if we were married!
Deciding to go all out, Nick and I both ordered dinner entrées, he teriyaki steak and I hibachi shrimp. They were both served with authentic chicken noodle soup, salad, and fried rice. Before we picked up our utensils to dive into the plethora of food that was making my mouth water, Max “washed” our hands with a warm damp towel. Can you say amazing service?
The first bite was an explosion of wonderfulness in my mouth; the combination of the spices and the choice of seafood complimented each other perfectly. This definitely beat Red Lobster any day. Since the dinner came with extras, I had trouble stomaching all of the food in front of me, even though I wanted to consume it all. The portion of the meal was a little on the large side, but who doesn’t love delicious leftovers to microwave the next afternoon for lunch?
Leaving the restaurant 60 dollars poorer was definitely not a bitter feeling. Usually even going to Applebee’s causes hesitance, for being a college student indicates having absolutely no money. Yet sharing an amazing night at an equally amazing restaurant seemed to trump the amount of money spent. Nothing can beat an impromptu “date night” with high-quality food and good company. Tokyo is a first-rate restaurant, easily the best of the best in Eau Claire!
Walking into Tokyo, I was in awe of the authenticity of the restaurant. The hostess staff was dressed to the t, with the overall tone of the restaurant coming off as formal. My boyfriend of three years, Nick, came up to Eau Claire to surprise me just because he “wanted to”. I’d like to think that we are an adventurous couple and like to try new things, so we decided on this hibachi restaurant.
As soon as I walked into the dining area, the aroma of the steak overwhelmed my senses. My mouth started sizzling right then and there. Although this restaurant was recommended to me by a friend, I felt a bit out of place; the majority of the customers were well over there 30s. They all seemed to be enjoying their experience though, so I wasn’t worried. The waiters, staff, and cooks crafted a comfortable and inviting atmosphere with their smiles and comical demeanor.
Hibachi is iron-board cooking, so our meal was prepared right in front of our eyes. As our cook, Max, poured water onto the cook top, a fire roared literally a couple of feet in front of our faces. I’ve never been to a hibachi restaurant, so it was hard to get used to at first, but after a while I decided that I really enjoyed this technique. It was a way to get the customers to interact with the cook, to turn the formal atmosphere in to informal. The only downfall of the hibachi method was that the restaurant climbed to around 80 degrees. Before ordering, Max joked around and tried to get to know us better, which made for a relaxed ambiance. He even teased and asked if we were married!
Deciding to go all out, Nick and I both ordered dinner entrées, he teriyaki steak and I hibachi shrimp. They were both served with authentic chicken noodle soup, salad, and fried rice. Before we picked up our utensils to dive into the plethora of food that was making my mouth water, Max “washed” our hands with a warm damp towel. Can you say amazing service?
The first bite was an explosion of wonderfulness in my mouth; the combination of the spices and the choice of seafood complimented each other perfectly. This definitely beat Red Lobster any day. Since the dinner came with extras, I had trouble stomaching all of the food in front of me, even though I wanted to consume it all. The portion of the meal was a little on the large side, but who doesn’t love delicious leftovers to microwave the next afternoon for lunch?
Leaving the restaurant 60 dollars poorer was definitely not a bitter feeling. Usually even going to Applebee’s causes hesitance, for being a college student indicates having absolutely no money. Yet sharing an amazing night at an equally amazing restaurant seemed to trump the amount of money spent. Nothing can beat an impromptu “date night” with high-quality food and good company. Tokyo is a first-rate restaurant, easily the best of the best in Eau Claire!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Narrative Essay
The Magic School Bus Biology Field Trip
While the teacher lectured, I stared out the window and let my mind drift away from the monotone voice dragging on. A woman with bright orange untamed hair caught my attention walking by the lecture hall. She was wearing a vivid cobalt dress with elements from the periodic table screen scattered all over. Her appearance and frazzled nature reminded me of one very loved person from my youth: Ms. Frizzle. Learning about cells and their structure with Ms. Frizzle would definitely keep my mind from wandering….
“Alllllllll aboard!” jolted me awake.
Opening my eyes, I slowly took in my unfamiliar surroundings. To the left of me were eight eager elementary students talking a mile-a-minute about things I couldn’t understand. I detected an anthropomorphic lizard in the drivers seat, and in front was the woman I saw outside of my biology lecture window. And I was definitely on a yellow school bus. Becoming more conscious, I took notice of the familiar faces. The eight children were Carlos, Keesha, Phoebe, Dorothy Ann, Wanda Li, Ralphie, Arnold, and Tim! The orange-haired lady was definitely Ms. Frizzle, and the lizard navigating the bus was Liz. Oh yes, I was on the magic school bus.
“Classssss!” sang Ms.Frizzle, “Today we are going to learn about cells, their structure, and their function. So hold on tight, we’re going to get this bus a-rockin!”
“Oh boy,” whimpered Arnold, “I have a bad feeling about this. I think I’m going to be sick!”
Ms. Frizzle grinned and winked secretly at the other classmates. “Well then Arnold, I think the class will take full advantage of your illness and explore your ‘sick’ cells.”
“Oh boyyyyy.”
As the “magic” school bus lifted off of the ground, life outside of the windows seemed to multiply in size.
“We’re going in through Arnold’s mouth and into his bloodstream!” Wanda yelled out.
Once floating down the bloodstream, we navigated our way in to a white blood cell. There Ms. Frizzle explained the difference between a phagocyte, which engulfs and destroys invading microorganisms, and a lymphocyte, which produces antibodies against the invaders. The nucleus of the phagocyte looked like a lobed boomerang while the nucleus of the latter appeared as a giant blob.
Maneuvering through the contents inside the blood vessel, red blood cells engulfed our bus. The red blood cell resembled an apple-colored donut and transported oxygen to the body. Dorothy Ann consulted her book of knowledge and informed us that Hemoglobin is a unique feature and they are missing a nucleus.
“Don’t forget the platelets!” Smarty-pants Wanda shouted out.
So our last stop was to examine a platelet, which is a imperative part of a cell.
“They are important for blood clotting when a blood vessel becomes damaged,” Ms. Frizzle announced. “You never want to be without these!”
Suddenly, I was jerked awake by students trying to leave the class, with my daydreaming self in the way. I must have been asleep for the entire hour and a half lecture, yet I still managed to learn everything I needed to know about cells. Oh how I wished that Ms. Frizzle was the one up in front of the class instead. For if Ms. Frizzle was my professor, I would never fall asleep.
While the teacher lectured, I stared out the window and let my mind drift away from the monotone voice dragging on. A woman with bright orange untamed hair caught my attention walking by the lecture hall. She was wearing a vivid cobalt dress with elements from the periodic table screen scattered all over. Her appearance and frazzled nature reminded me of one very loved person from my youth: Ms. Frizzle. Learning about cells and their structure with Ms. Frizzle would definitely keep my mind from wandering….
“Alllllllll aboard!” jolted me awake.
Opening my eyes, I slowly took in my unfamiliar surroundings. To the left of me were eight eager elementary students talking a mile-a-minute about things I couldn’t understand. I detected an anthropomorphic lizard in the drivers seat, and in front was the woman I saw outside of my biology lecture window. And I was definitely on a yellow school bus. Becoming more conscious, I took notice of the familiar faces. The eight children were Carlos, Keesha, Phoebe, Dorothy Ann, Wanda Li, Ralphie, Arnold, and Tim! The orange-haired lady was definitely Ms. Frizzle, and the lizard navigating the bus was Liz. Oh yes, I was on the magic school bus.
“Classssss!” sang Ms.Frizzle, “Today we are going to learn about cells, their structure, and their function. So hold on tight, we’re going to get this bus a-rockin!”
“Oh boy,” whimpered Arnold, “I have a bad feeling about this. I think I’m going to be sick!”
Ms. Frizzle grinned and winked secretly at the other classmates. “Well then Arnold, I think the class will take full advantage of your illness and explore your ‘sick’ cells.”
“Oh boyyyyy.”
As the “magic” school bus lifted off of the ground, life outside of the windows seemed to multiply in size.
“We’re going in through Arnold’s mouth and into his bloodstream!” Wanda yelled out.
Once floating down the bloodstream, we navigated our way in to a white blood cell. There Ms. Frizzle explained the difference between a phagocyte, which engulfs and destroys invading microorganisms, and a lymphocyte, which produces antibodies against the invaders. The nucleus of the phagocyte looked like a lobed boomerang while the nucleus of the latter appeared as a giant blob.
Maneuvering through the contents inside the blood vessel, red blood cells engulfed our bus. The red blood cell resembled an apple-colored donut and transported oxygen to the body. Dorothy Ann consulted her book of knowledge and informed us that Hemoglobin is a unique feature and they are missing a nucleus.
“Don’t forget the platelets!” Smarty-pants Wanda shouted out.
So our last stop was to examine a platelet, which is a imperative part of a cell.
“They are important for blood clotting when a blood vessel becomes damaged,” Ms. Frizzle announced. “You never want to be without these!”
Suddenly, I was jerked awake by students trying to leave the class, with my daydreaming self in the way. I must have been asleep for the entire hour and a half lecture, yet I still managed to learn everything I needed to know about cells. Oh how I wished that Ms. Frizzle was the one up in front of the class instead. For if Ms. Frizzle was my professor, I would never fall asleep.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
