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

BACON DAY!!

                Christmas is over….sad face. The best holiday out of the year is gone. All the decorations get taken away. The Christmas lights no longer illuminate your home at night. Your home doesn't smell like pine trees or candy canes. But you know what it can smell like today??? BACON!!!!!!!!!!!

CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                Christmas! The best time of the year is finally here. You either celebrated last night on Christmas Eve, or you have just waited for a more traditional morning like today to celebrate. Whether you enjoy Christmas dinner the night before or the day of, today is sure to be a good day!

The Close of the Year

   Winter is coming in full force soon. This means for many the close of the Fall semester of 2013, visiting family, food, presents, carols, and renewing bonds with friends and kin alike.  As we all approach these wonderful times, there should be a moment taken to consider the state our lives are in.

What Is Education?

   What 'is' Education? Some today refer to education as 'opportunity' and others might call it 'the chance for a better career.' If I might be allowed to wax poetic for a bit, education is using your abilities towards the valuing and betterment of human life. Education proves to be the highest aim a person can work towards if it is your means to making the biggest difference for others. I believe education is the ultimate in of Humanism and Humanitarian beliefs. 

 Race Theory, Feminist Theory, Humanism, and other tools so you can make a difference. Do you believe that Politics is corrupt and that is the cause of world problems? Study the law, study economics, and study politics! Become the expert who can guard his values from being infected and champion your work. 

 This belief comes from my opinion that the only way to know how to fix the problems in our world is to actually understand what is wrong with it. Some argue that would planet still has gender and race issues, that these are the greatest troubles we as people should combat. Educate yourself on

   Mainly, I am discussing the things college can allow you to pursue in this post. I believe in it wholeheartedly. Some argue that college is a money hungry institution and it only serves to siphon income from some and to be the unobtainable carrot-on-a-stick for others. I believe the opposite. I believe, ironically, that by educating yourself early that college is not only basically free, it returns its value in innumerable dividends. Study up on the SAT and ACT, look up how scholarships work, call those who can give you answers.

   Education is indeed 'opportunity,' however like all opportunities it has to be taken. Education begins in school when we are young, however kids rarely are aware that the twitter they use can advocate social causes and that, with study, an education on Public Relations can make Twitter a force to change peoples lives.

   Education should, in my opinion, end with the betterment of others. We have a duty to champion those who cannot carry their own banners. Education is a tool we can use to make this world a better place. The University of Texas at Tyler helped me learn this while I was busy trying to create a Student Colloquium my peers could find ways to express their voice academically, so they could also do it on their own time, so they could pursue educating themselves on subjects in an extracurricular fashion. People from all levels of Academia here at the University have helped me. This model should be the kind we follow in life, not just in school.

   What nobody says is that this path to helping the world with education is difficult. It is in no way easy, however we are all blessed with the capacity to ask for aid from those who have been where we have been.

    The University of Texas at Tyler has allowed me to share my voice on so many issues, issues both large and small. Education is a gift and I hope you, dear reader, know where yours has come from. We have all had teachers, parents, and colleagues who have taught us, helped us, and listened to us.

   While obviously I love the University of Texas at Tyler and would actively encourage you to attend, you should pursue the best options for where you live. Pursue the best education you can. After you do? Help others. Thank others. Love others.

   To all those who have aided, mentored, supported, and listened to me - thank you. I hope in my life I am able to pay foreword the values and patience you have all shown to me. I am proud to know that you will do this for others in the future. 

   For those who have yet to have done this for others? In time, you will. Until then, educate yourselves as best you can. 

   

   

How To: Long Distance Relationships

Being a military kid, I know what it's like to keep in touch for long periods of time over large distances. At least with friends. With them it's easy. I never worry about moving to new places and leaving my friends behind, because I know that I'll still hear from them all the time and eventually see them (if they're as good a friend as you think they are). Then if I don't, I just know that that person was never really a friend you were meant to have. 

When it came to ROMANTIC relationships I was the biggest cynic. 

As a senior I'd talk to my friends with boyfriends and ask, "What are ya'll gonna do next year?". They'd answer with the usual, "We'll just see what happens" or "We won't be that far from each other, we can visit each other all the time", etc. In my mind I would scoff and think, "Sureeeeee..."

To me, the thought was that a young long-distance relationship could never work.

But now I really hope they can.

I honestly never thought that I would be in this situation, but now that I am, I am going to make my first long-distance romantic relationship work. I think since I've dealt with separation and moving before, I'll be okay. But looking through websites and etc, these are the helpful tips that I am filing in my head to help me (and anyone else in a similar situation) through the long lonely nights away from my loved ones. 

1. Video Chats!

I see my roommate and her boyfriend do this all the time. They call each other and set up a time to Skype each other, then they make it. On time. Whether she has to take a break from studying for about 30 minutes, she will. 

So no matter how far away you are, you can always see each other

2. Communicate in more than one way!

Phone calls get old. But everyone loves getting mail, so be sure to send people you care about little small packages and gifts, maybe even a long handwritten letter or two (if you remember how to do those).

3. Remember, it's not all bad!

Now you have time to ACTUALLY do homework, study, see your friends, make new friends, spend time with your family, play video games... whatever it is that you like to do that you never had time to do before! Maybe you can even take up a new hobby, the possibilities are endless.

4. You can still do things together!

   <<-------------------->>





Watch a movie individually and call each other to talk about it when it's done, start a little mini-book club together, synchronize watches together... anything that you can do to still feel connected to them.

5. You can always visit!

Whether it be by plane, by train, in a box, or with a fox there is ALWAYS a way to get to see your loved one. Schedules get busy, work and school get in the way, even money starts to become an issue, but no matter how long it takes, you can always go see your special someone. Just take advantage of the time ya'll have together and have as much fun as possible.

There are so many people in long-distance relationships. Ask your friends who have already dealt with it how they did it (I know I do). Just remember to communicate, to be honest, don't be controlling, be patient, and know that it's only temporary. 

United to Serve at UT Tyler

I've always been a fan of volunteering. Here at UT Tyler we try to give back to the community as much as possible. Recently, Student Government Association has announced that they will be participating in United to Serve through the East Texas Crisis Center.

They ask students to bring in toilet paper, paper towels, cotton balls, q-tips, and dixie cups to donate to the shelter that helps out with victims of family violence, sexual assault, and violent crimes.
Some of the senators will be going door to door at the housing complex to collect supplies, so I'm excited to see the results.
During Christmas time SGA ran an Angel Tree. I remember for a couple weeks I would sit out at a table in front of the Chik-fil-A with papers spread all over the table for people to come pick their "angel", or the child they would get Christmas presents for.
It amazed me that even though we were all students ourselves who could be worried about buying our own Christmas gifts for our own friends and family with the little money we have, so many students adopted angels. On the very last day there were only about 6 angels left.

The power of giving never ceases to amaze me and I absolutely LOVE the big hearts the students here at UT Tyler have.

Be sure to support Untied to Serve!

V-Day Thoughts

 
   Soon the big V-Day will be upon us, and we all know what that means ~ having friends who are not in relationships being surrounded by lovey-dovey, mushy, kissy-face'n people ( here called LDMKF'ers ).

Ah, Valentines Day .... we meet again. 

[ Please understand, I 110% support the lovey-dovey, mushy, kissy-face'n "thing" ]

   I currently speak for the non-LDMKF crowd and hope to champion their plight to you, the romantically involved, date having person who  might not be too aware of how much pressure V-Day burdens us non-taken people with.

CAN'T. HOLD. ALL. THIS. DESIRE. FOR. A. DAAAAAATE!  
[ Picture depicted is an exaggeration - no man wears slacks like
this while holding the Stone of Pressure ]

   If you know anybody who will be single on Valentines Day, go out of your way where possible and give them chocolate - people love chocolate. Get them a small card, perhaps? Or, heck. just call them or let them know they matter. Valentines Day isn't just a day for romantic love, it is a day to show all the people in your life that you care.

   For those of you who are looking into taking your date out for a night on the town, fellow blogger Chrissy Jones has this to say about making sure you keep that special someone in your life!

But, seriously - people LOVE chocolate. 

   It can be hard sometimes for people who wish for love to watch others delight in it, however kind words, attention from friends, and being acknowledged go a long, long way in making Valentines Day great for everyone. 

 

A Student's Letter To Parents

 First, let me say that I am approaching this article from a very unique standpoint and it deserves some commentary beforehand so as to have my thoughts make the most possible sense. First, I have spent way more time in college than I should have on account of having switched majors, as well as for the fact that my degree searching took me across two states. This journey caused a severe delay in my expected graduation date of 2013 ... and I started in 2005-2006. I hope you might listen to my perspective as I look forward to being a dad someday, I really do. I understand that I am going to have to watch my kid go from being wholly dependent on me; to likely know that they think that ( while trusting that he/she/they love and respecting me ) that I don't “get" his/her trials, tribulations, and difficulties. Or, who knows, we could be thick as thieves? The point is that I'll have to watch him or her go off to college.

Sounding Off - Love & Support on UT Tyler's Campus

                          Sounding Off – Finding Love & Support on UT Tyler's Campus

   As I write this I am currently in a strange state on the topic as it (currently) exists in my mind and as a draft in front of me. I’d love to share all the details about this subject, however as this is a student blog there are obviously many, MANY things to consider about the nature of the topic, where the conversation can lead, etc…