Unrest, Politics, and the Importance of Critical Thinking

 [NOTE - As always my intent is never to expressly disregard the beliefs of a particular group or to seem like I am championing one side in a conflict over the other. It is more like the opposite. Consider the whole article here and, as always, feel free to talk about this in the Comments Section or on FB]

Quick! turn on the TV and see what kind of things are currently listed as 'big news' as of today, 2/26/2014. You are likely to come across three things:

Civil Unrest in Ukraine

Civil Unrest in Venezuela

Texas Federal Judge Challenges gay Marriage-Ban

New shopping location for UT Tyler students!

     Tyler,Texas is a small city that with every new establishment there is always guaranteed buzz. Everyone likes to experience new things and get a feel of something different. Whenever a new restaurant opens, the establishment is always full of people waiting to try food from a different place they haven't before. This is why it is very exciting to see that Tyler is getting a new shopping square called The Village at Cumberland Park!

Fizzing out on treats!

                As young adults we sometimes forget how it was to be a kid; to let loose, have fun, and enjoy every moment. But there is one place where your memories as a kid can come back and you become full of joy and cheer once you’re inside. This place is Rocket Fizz!!!

Ender's Game --- Hit or Miss?

 
  I was lucky enough to have gotten to see the film Ender's Game this past weekend. How was it? Considering I grew up with the novel by Orson Scott Card which was released in the mid-80's I'd have to say it was rather good. For starters the whole premise of the book is amusing - kids use videogames to train for fighting off genuine aliens who will soon attack Earth.

Snows cones that will cause you to Shiver with goodness

             If you haven’t noticed, Texas weather is for lack of better words…cray cray. Some days it’s hot like the sun just decided to hover above us and say “oh hey! I’m just hanging here for a bit,” but other days, it becomes really cold even if we’re in the South. Summer is over, but there is a delicious icy treat that we don't let fall take from us.

                I’m talking about snow cones!!! If you’re like me, they remind me of my childhood days where I used to run to the truck where the snow cone man sold these cooling treats; though you don’t have to run anymore as there is a snow cone stand that is a drive-thru service. YOU MUST GO TO SHIVER’S SNOW CONES!

Summer Heat at UT Tyler

Summer days are here again as the heat rises and the stress filled sweat of the past semester begins to fall. We skip and dance about in the summer sun, taking in its rays with each passing second. Yet, these summer rays are deceitful and full of lies and hate..... especially when it comes to your skin. Before leaving your apartment / house / condo / penthouse / underpass / cave, you should take the time to prepare for the intense heat the East Texas summer tends to bring. Last summer I wrote a blog on keeping cool in the summer inside your place of residence and now it's time I take a different approach to the summer.

According to statistics (these you can believe) between 1979 and 2003 there were about 8,000 heat related deaths in the United States. The heat in Texas is especially dangerous as the local weather's personality is wishy-washy to say the least. this is even true during the summer months as the weather can go from a comfortable 76 degrees (This is America so I'll use Fahrenheit) to a sweltering triple digit afternoon with high humidity and not a cloud in the sky. So I though I would put together a short but useful tip guide on how to prepare for the summer in Tyler, Texas.

Before even thinking about stepping foot outside there are a few things you must do first.

1) Check The Weather

Look up what the weather will be like for the day and separate the forecast by morning, afternoon, and
evening. the weather. this will allow you to see what the day has in store so you can plan your day accordingly. For Example: If it's supposed to be warm and sunny early in the day and rainy and muggy in the afternoon head out to the lake or swim in the pool earlier in the day. If the weather disrupts all outdoor activity you can always travel to the local movie theater and check out one of the summer blockbusters in air conditioning. Also, be aware of severe weather that the early summer can bring through the region such as lightening, thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes. It is always best to stay inside and pay attention to your local news stations in the event of severe weather.

2) Dress Accordingly
Whether you are planning on staying in all day or planning an all day hike you always need to plan your attire. Cotton is always your friend in the summer months. It's a breathable fabric that is easy to wash and care for. As most of you may know you should avoid most synthetic fibers as they are usually rough, hot, and generally uncomfortable to wear. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to keep you cool. That being said you should always think about tip #1 when dressing for a summer day in Texas. For example: if you get caught out in a summer rainstorm you want to have more than your toms and a Wal-Mart sack. Try keeping an umbrella in your car at all times just in case. Plus you can open up the umbrella even when its sunny to make some quick shade for yourself. You may think you look silly but all those onlookers won't be laughing when their skin turns red and starts to peel (too much?)

3) Mind The Sun
According to the CDC only about 58% of adults properly protect themselves against the sun through things such as applying sunscreen or simply seeking shade. Only 32% reported to using sunscreen at all. Sunscreen is one of the most important tools you can use when protecting yourself against the sun. You should apply a generous amount to any part of your body that is not covered by clothing including you nose, cheeks, and forehead. I recently made the mistake of not applying sunscreen when I was outside recently and paid for it with a nasty sunburn on my forehead. In accordance to tip #2 you should also take advantage of the many stylish wide-brimmed hats that are available at your local clothing retailer. Seriously... PROTECT YOURSELF!

4) Water Is Your Best Friend
The CDC recommends that you drink about 2 full glasses of water each hour to stay hydrated in summer conditions. Really cold ice water is not recommended after being exposed to high temperatures for an extended period of time as it can lead to bad stomach cramps. You should also avoid alcoholic beverages or those high in sugar as they will both further dehydrate you. Sports drinks are fine if you sweat a lot but not as a substitute for water. As you sweat you also lose important minerals such as salt which a sports drink will help to replenish. However, you should be wary of how much you drink and remember how much better water is for your overall health.

Be sure to visit the CDC's webpage on extreme heat for further information on how to stay cool and safe this summer.

Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q: The Best BBQ in Tyler, and Possibly All of Texas

     

Stanley's Famous Bar-B-Q

     I hear this statement far too often on campus at UT Tyler: “I have never eaten at Stanley’s.”  Every time some poor soul says this to me I get excited, because I know a great opportunity awaits them.  If you have never eaten at Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, let alone heard of it, drop everything and read the rest of this blog post.  You are about to be enlightened.

     

     My first experience at Stanley’s was in Mid-August of 2011, the day I moved to Tyler.  My debate coach told me all of his new students are required to eat at Stanley’s at least once while they attend UT Tyler, but after taking a bite of their ridiculously amazing barbecue, I knew that it would be a restaurant I would return to more than once.

The Giant Frito Pie.
Good luck finishing it in one sitting.

     

     Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q has been around for over 50 years in Tyler, but in the year 2000

Watching Your Language in a Time of Tragedy

     I'm sure by now that we are all aware of the tragedy that took place in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. In short, there was a school shooting in this small town of just over 25,000 people, where 20 young students and 6 adults lost their lives. I do not want to talk about what happened, as that is not my place. However, this situation really hits home with me for several reasons, so I would like to urge you, the readers of our UT Tyler Student Blog, to think carefully about the language you are using when discussing this situation, if you choose to do so.

     First of all, I am personally deeply saddened by this shooting just knowing that I was on-track to be an elementary teacher in just a matter of weeks. Prior to this fall semester, I spent 4 years as an Early Childhood Education major, and that would have certified me to teach Preschool-4th grade in the public schools. I did end up changing my career path because I no longer felt called to teach, but I still have a great love and adoration of children and their development. Also, because of my education background, I know much more about the public school system and what is it that teachers REALLY do on a daily basis.

     Secondly, I from Lindale, TX (only 20 miles from Tyler), and these are both small towns, like Newtown. A tragedy is a tragedy no matter the location, but I truly believe that the citizens react differently in a small town than they would in a large city.

The Coffin Shop- My favorite place

                Here lately, I've  been making the occasional trip to a place called “The Coffin Shop.” It’s not a literal place where you go and buy coffins or caskets. The Coffin Shop is a venue in downtown Tyler that hosts concerts every so often. I went a few weeks ago to see The Problem Preachers, and I went again on Saturday to see who else plays there.

                I must say that I was quite impressed with everything. I never imagined that there would ever be a place this awesome in Tyler, but thankfully there is! The Coffin Shop is without a doubt one of my favorite places here.

                The Coffin Shop is like an underground music scene right in downtown Tyler. There is always artwork of some kind displayed on the walls there, and sometimes it’s even for sale! The people there are always nice to me, which I enjoy especially if my week hasn't gone so well. When I’m sad or bored, or just want to have a good time, I know where to go.

                If you’re interested in visiting the Coffin Shop anytime soon, you can definitely join their Facebook page. They always post concert times on there, so it’s easy to find out when you should go. It does cost a few dollars to get in, but it’s easy to afford even for broke college students like me. I promise you that if you even make one trip to The Coffin Shop, you won’t be disappointed. The atmosphere is amazing, the music is incredible, and it’s a great place to make new friends!

Movie-Viewing Entertainment

So, it's definitely getting to be that time in the semester when everyone is stressing out. Mid-terms are causing a campus-wide panic, and we realize that we really DO need to study and pass these classes! Luckily, if you LOVE going to the movies (like me), Tyler has plenty of options for your trip to the theater.

There are several movies that are currently out in theaters that I want to see! Just yesterday I crossed one off of the list when I got to see Pitch Perfect, and it was absolutely HILARIOUS! :) If you think the preview looks funny, then you have to go see this movie! You will have done a work out from laughing so much after this movie, and it would definitely be an awesome study-break.

Other movies that are currently in the theater that I want to see are: Here Comes The Boom, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Seven Psychopaths, Taken 2, and Trouble With The Curve.

My personal favorite movie theater in Tyler is Times Square Cinema. They have good prices, a student price (must have valid and current student ID), and they are pretty close to UT Tyler! (Here is a list of all of their promos/deals).

Well there you have it! You can probably learn a lot about someone by what movies they like/want to see. :)

Family Ties

I come from a large family-I'm one of 5 kids! Now we are all starting to venture off into the world and do different things, so we don't always get to see each other as often as we want to. For example, my only sister, Valerie, has moved on to finish school at Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas! She and I are very close in age, so I miss her very much. Now that I'm attending UT Tyler and living at home, we never get to see each other!

Our first picture at the hotel!

Last weekend, we went to watch her play softball in Conway, AR! I am very proud of Val and her many achievements, both on and off of the field. 

Family is such an important aspect of my life, and I think my family is vital to my success in life. Often, they are the ones who provide the most support and love, and they are always there for you without judgement.

Sometimes, people are dealt a less-supportive group of people in their blood relatives. In that case, it is vital that you work towards making good, solid, close friends wherever you are so that you can support each other through the good times and the bad!

My mom is very supportive and loving, and apparently I look like a mini-version of her! You can't tell in this picture though, because it was FREEZING at the softball fields! It was raining off and on all day, and the temperature was about 50 degrees-WITH WIND! I am a summer baby and very cold-natured, so we tried to stay warm by bundling up!

Rules for the Road

Do you ever notice how every driver on the road, except for you of course, is a terrible driver?!?

For the first few years I had my license, this was definitely the mindset that I had. Whatever speed I was going was the right speed, and anyone driving faster was a maniac and anyone driving slower was a turtle.
(Exhibit A)

Luckily, some additional years of driving have changed that mindset. The most recent cause for change in my driving demeanor was buying a manual transmission Mustang, as seen in New Kid on the Blog. As a new driver to a stick shift, I have a few requests to you-my fellow drivers. They not only apply to me and other stick shift drivers, but also everyone on the road.

Let's agree to make driving more fun and stress-free for everyone!

Art Walk This Saturday

This Saturday September 22 the city of Tyler will be hosting another Downtown Art Walk. you've probably seen our previous post and video about the June 14 Art Walk past art walks but this one will be slightly different. The official art walk will end at 9 but that is when the After Dark Art Walk at The Coffin Shop begins. (yes that place again)

The Downtown Art Walk will last from 4-9 but immediately following there will be a music/art show at The Coffin Shop. The show will feature local live music by Lauren Alexander and Risky on the Rocks. Lauren Alexander is a local singer/songwriter who has been playing around the state so if you haven’t seen her here’s your chance. Risky on the Rocks are a Tyler based band that helped establish The Coffin Shop as a great place to hear music and have a great time. There will also be local art on display for the art walk. It'll be a great time for your eyes and your ears. So come on out this Saturday to the Art Walk for some great artists and then head on down to The Coffin Shop for some good friends, good vibes, and Great music.

For The Next Batch Of International Students

First of all, Welcome to Tyler!

Second, I know exactly how you feel.

The week before and the week of move-in day was very stressful and scary and exciting all at the same time. Especially flying from Dubai to LA to Tyler. I don't know where you'd be flying in from but still, I know how you feel. The rush of knowing everything is new and you have a completely new slate.

Here are a few pointers that I could gather from my experience last year:

Comedy at Liberty Hall!

If you're in the mood for something to lift your spirits before the long arduous semester begins on August 20 head to downtown Tyler on Saturday August 18 for Card 53 Comedy featuring stand up from a few talented local comedians. The show will include the comedic stylings of  Tyler Elliott, Brandon Davidson and from the TBS Just For Laughs Festival Dominic Harris. Tickets can be bought online before the show for $10 or at the door for $15. I hope I see a lot of smiling faces out there!

Art Walk

On the 14th of June a few of us from the office visited the Downtown Tyler Art Walk. The Art Walk is a local artist exhibition which spans throughout several businesses in Downtown Tyler. Check out the video to see what it's all about. Also if you would like more information or how to submit your artwork or become a performer just click this link and you'll be on your way. the next Art Walks are scheduled for September 13 and December 13.

Life Cheat #49038: If you want the real story go and ask the milkman.