Eternal Flame 2016 Web Edition by George L. Lozano

THOUGHTS INTO WORDS SPRING 2016

CAFFEINE FIX?

BARISTAS & THE BRAIN

ATHLETES OF THE CANYON

THE WAYWARD ROAD TO RECOVERY

YOU’RE NOT LIVING UNTIL YOU’RE ALMOST DEAD.

A STUDENT’S STORY FROM ADDICTION TO REDEMPTION

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Eternal Flame is published bi-annually by Cenveo Inc. 109 S. Filmore St. Amarillo, TX 79101

THE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Athletes of the Canyon Tattoos and Crazy Stigmas Healthy Lifestyles for a Healthy Soul Meet a Student The Wayward Road to Recovery Spring Break It ‘Til You Make It The Truth Behind Modern Day Romance Coffee: Baristas & the Brain

4 10 17 20 22 28 33 38

“Many men and women have come before you, each leaving their lasting legacy within the walls of this grand institution. Passed down, from generation to generation, are the values and beliefs the founders of West Texas A&M University established. Buffs are people of diversity, yet through our diversity is a unifying sense of pride and admiration for West Texas A&M. We show this pride through our actions and our words; a lasting reminder of those who came before us.”

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Source: http://www.wtamu.edu/traditions

THE

EDITORIAL BOARD

MATT DONAGHY EDITOR IN CHIEF

GEORGE L. LOZANO VISUAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR

DANIELLE TANKSLEY ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

KIM BRUCE ADVISOR

1. CHASE MARDIS

4. BAILEY STICKLE

7. ZEB ROLLINS

10. CHRISTIAN LUCERO

2. ASHLEY SANDLIN

5. BAILEE WRIGHT

8. KELI LEE

11. TIANNA BROWN

3. ERIC ESTRADA

6. SHEA JOHNSON

9. MEGHAN HILL

12. JONATHAN ESPINOZA (N.P.)

THE

STAFF

MADIE HENSLEY COPY EDITOR

KIERSTEN NEWTON PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR

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ATHLETES OF THE CANYON “KNOWN FOR HAVING TRAILS THAT WILL CHALLENGE EVEN THE BEST RIDERS, PALO DURO CANYON HOSTS THOUSANDS OF MOUNTAIN BIKERS EVERY YEAR.”

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SPORTS

YOU’RE NOT LIVING UNTIL YOU’RE ALMOST DEAD.

Written & Photographed by Chase Mardis

Tyler Walker “What I do is actually a pretty simple process. I try to find a nice line I think I can run and just go over anything in the way.”

alo Duro Canyon is an athlete’s playground. Being the second biggest canyon in the United States the possibilities are endless on what you can do. People come from all over the world to enjoy the sites, but the sites are not what attracts the people. The canyon is a haven for mountain bikers, free runners and climbers. This is their story. Known for having trails that will challenge even the best riders Palo Duro host thousands of mountain bikers every year. It has been named as

one of the best places to ride in Texas in numerous magazines and websites. Being only 12.4 miles away from West Texas A&M University, students flock to the canyon at every chance they get. One of those students is Michael Whitfield - a sophomore criminal justice major at WT. He wakes up at 6:30 a.m. every Saturday morning, loads his bike and gear and is on his way to Palo Duro.

trail just because I need to warm up but after about an hour I take that trip down the Rock Garden,” Whitfield said. The Rock Garden was originally for just hiking but it was only a matter of time until bikers discovered its true potential. Now it is being used regularly for competitions for the more advanced rider because of its difficulty. The Rock Garden is a beast of its self, most of the trail is climbing over rocks you don’t think you can get over. It is predominantly uphill until the very end, but when you finally

trees, bushes, stumps, and of course rocks. Some of the trails are not for everyone just because of the physical stress it puts on the body, but then again there are others trails that are just free runs. This canyon has something for every one of its riders. The one down side of the popularity of these trails are the injuries. It is inevitable, people will make mistakes that will get them hurt or have their equipment give out on them. Since 2013 there have been over 34 serious injuries and one fatality. “There is always going to be injuries while mountain

“THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE INJURIES WHILE MOUNTAIN BIKING, BUT THAT’S PART OF THE GAME.” “I start the same way every time I am up there, I grab my bike and everything I need and then I’m off. I try not to start with the toughest

get to go downhill that’s when it gets dangerous going faster than most people are comfortable with and on top of that weaving in out of

biking but that’s all a part of the game, no one is making me go out there, I go out because I love being out there and I love the pressure

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Perfect for mountain biking, the trails in Palo Duro have an iconic thick red sand making it fun for the riders.

of being perfect on what I do. I have had broken bones, bruised ribs, gashes and other minor things but that’s the price you have to pay sometimes,” Whitfield said. Cordell Pike is at the other end of Whitfield on mountain biking because he focuses on the long haul aspect of it. Pike competes in cross country riding all over Texas but always trains in Palo Duro. Riding over 15 miles every time he is out there Pike has to stay in top physical strength. “This whole experience has really made me push harder. The long rides are ninety percent mental and ten percent physical for me. I refuse to stop or give up on the trail until it is finished,” Pike said. The crucial factor in being able to compete in all these competitions is what you put in your body. Being able to eat good while gaining the calories you need are a huge part of the training process. “I knew it would be tough but I knew this was something I wanted to do. It was hard at first but after a while you really just get used to the work and it really becomes a part of your daily routine. I had to learn to eat healthier and I think that was the hardest part but you wouldn’t put unleaded gas in a Ferrari and expect it to run as good,” Pike said. Every time he is out there Pike works himself to exhaustion to be able to compete in the longer races. “This sport isn’t all about winning the race, it’s about winning that battle with that thing in your head that always tells you to give up when you’re tired and once you finally do it, it

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“THIS SPORT ISN’T ALL ABOUT WINNING THE RACE, IT’S ABOUT WINNING THE BATTLE WITH THAT THING IN YOUR HEAD THAT ALWAYS TELLS YOU TO GIVE UP.”

Tyler Walker carves down the one mile Rojo Grande trail for his warm up before taking on the more challenging Rock Garden.

DID YOU KNOW?

Gears were introduced to the mountain bike giving them the ability to take on more challenging terrain.

GRAB A BIKE, AND FIND THE STEEPEST SLOPE. Eternal Flame

RED BULL RAMPAGE HAS SOME OF THE MOST EXTREME MOUNTAIN BIKERS, WITH SOME RAD MOVES. Although the Palo Duro Canyon holds mountain biking competitions they do not hold anything near magnitude as the Red Bull Rampage. The Rampage is the worlds premier free ride mountain bike event in the world bringing the worlds best mountain bikers to the demanding terrain of Virgin, Utah. People come from all around to showcase their abilities and win one of the most prestigious awards in the game right now.

NO ONE IS MAKING ME GO OUT THERE, I GO OUT BECAUSE I LOVE BEING OUT THERE.

Photo Courtesy of Redbull Yannick Granieri rides his bike in the qualifying round for Red Bull Rampage in Virgin, Utah, USA on 28 September 2014.

Known for being cluttered with massive boulders and fast trails the Rock Garden is the free runner’s playground.

becomes much easier to get that thought out of your head,” Pike said. While mountain biking is one of the most popular things in the canyon there is a small group of people who would rather knock out those trails on their feet. Palo Duro’s most famous landmark is the Lighthouse and its trail, but what most people don’t know there are many other views from the canyon. On the outskirts of the Rock Garden trail

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runner Tyler Walker a sophomore, sports and exercise science major gets ready for run but this isn’t just a normal run. Originating from a free running background this run will need every ounce of strength he has. He tries to stay off the main trails and create his own. “What I do is actually a pretty simple process. I try to find a nice line I think I can run and just go over anything in the way,” Walker said.

The closest thing this resembles is parkour (a newly developed sport using natural obstacles in urban landscapes to help the person running). The only difference is that’s in a nature landscape where anything can happen. This has become more popular in the canyon mainly because it shows the raw athleticism of the runner. The people doing this have to have extremely strong upper body strength and coordination

to get up many of the rocks and other things in their way. “When I first started it was just a few friends and I being stupid trying to one up each other on some of the rocks but we found while doing it how fun it can be. We then started having little wagers on who could finish a trail the fastest and we still do that today,” Walker said. “We don’t really take it seriously it’s just something we did out of our competitive nature and that’s how we

While free running is looked down upon in the Rock Garden due to the danger. This wont stop people from taking on the trail on a daily basis.

want it to stay. It’s fun for us and that’s why we do it. It’s dangerous but it’s fun.” The chance of getting hurt while doing this is high just because of the loose rocks that give out often. No rope, no safety net, the room for mistakes is small and that’s what they want. Walker is the lucky one out of all his friends because he is the only one that has not been injured while running in the canyon. “My friends always tell me it’s only a matter of time before I end up like them and I know that but until then I will keep charging and trying to go faster and higher every time I am out there,” Walker said. Joe Parker, one of Walkers friends has not been too lucky while he has been out there. Since they started Parker broke his leg, wrist, and sprained his ankle twice. “It always seems to be me

that gets hurt out of everysuitable places to rappel. So I would have been seriously one and I guess I will just far Garcia has found over ten injured or even worse but have to come to accept that. different locations to rappel when you get to the top there I haven’t been able to run with the lowest descent being is no greater accomplishwith them just because of around 265 feet. ment,” said Garcia. the condition of my ankle.” “Ever since I first saw While climbing without a Many people wouldn’t try someone rappel I knew I rope you know you can’t stop to rappel in Palo Duro just wanted to be a part of that because you are tired or bebecause of how loose the and have that rush,” Garcia cause you’re arms are tired, rocks can be around them said. the only way to get out of it but a few people found the After a while it wasn’t is to continue going until you perfect spot and have not THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE turned back since. With EVER ACTUALLY BEEN SCARED. some walls of the canyon exenough of a rush for him are at the top. ceeding heights of over 800 to just rappel down a safe After covering five people feet high you would think cliff face and he noticed the and three different unforgivthe opportunities would be thrill going away. The next ing hobbies their stories have endless but in this case it day he found it, the perfect all been different but the is not. Most of the canyon height for learning to climb. one thing that has stayed the walls contain sandstone He wanted to know what it same was their dedication to which is soft and very easy felt like to be on the edge so what they did. These people to break but there are some he started his climb with no love putting themselves on spots in the canyon people rope or any safety gear. the edge both physically and have found to be suitable for “This was the first time mentally and that’s what rappelling. Leonardo Garcia makes this special class of and some of his friends have I have ever actually been scared. Just one slip up and people go. been looking for different

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“ I AM GOING TO TURN MY BODY INTO A CANVAS, BUT ONLY THE PARTS I CAN COVER UP.”

IN 2014, THE TATTOO INDUSTRY ALONE HAD OVER $3 BILLION IN REVENUE.

DUDE, TATTOOS HURT. GET OVER IT, SIT DOWN, RELAX— YOU MIGHT AS WELL ENJOY IT. TATTOOS AND CRAZY STIGMAS Written by Keli Lee

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Photographed by George L. Lozano

attoos date back thousands of years in history and remain an increasingly popular trend around the world today. In the United States alone, over 44 million people, approximately 14 percent of the population, have at least one tattoo. However, while tattoos continue to gain popularity and are often viewed as works of art and social expression, there remains much controversy surrounding permanent ink on the body. Here on the West Texas A&M University campus both students and professors alike have

“The elbow was the worst spot, then any bony area. But all in all my tats didn’t hurt that bad,” Willrich said. Willrich didn’t even tell his parents or family about getting his tattoos, he just came home with them. He chose to not tell them, so they had no option but to accept them. He brought the meaning of ‘it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission’ to life. “I am going to turn my body into a canvas,” Willrich said, “but only the parts that I can also cover up.” Tattoos have become

“ I WAS YOUNG AND DUMB. IT’S JUST THERE NOW. IT DOESN’T HAVE A MEANING.” tattoos marking their bodies, each with a unique story behind them. A senior, general business student, Lapear Willrich, got his first tattoo on his right arm when he was 18. “I was young and dumb,” Willrich said, “it’s just there now, it doesn’t have a meaning.” After learning from his mistake on the first tattoo, he got a very meaningful sleeve on his left arm. The sleeve is full of representations from different events that have happened throughout his life.

a controversial issue in the work place. Many people feel it is very unprofessional to have visible ink in the office, especially on hands and necks. “I chose a career that I’ll be in a long sleeve shirt 98% of the time, so why not be tatted underneath it?” Willrich said. In 2014, the tattoo industry alone had over $3 billion in revenue. Needless to say, this isn’t a cheap hobby. Russell Haughton-James, a senior, from Miami, Florida, has spent over $2,000 on all

of his pieces. “My parents think I’ve spent too much on them, they always say ‘that’s your last one right?’ Haughton-James said chuckling, “I just say for now.” Haughton-James was raised by his parents to be his own man, and he feels like that is what’s best for him, so luckily they support his decisions. One undoubtedly good decision he is making is carefully choosing the artist that he allows to permanently mark his body. With over 21,000 tattoo parlors across the nation, there is quite the selection of shops and artists. “I went to the same artist on all except one and I knew the main artist very well,” Haughton-James said. Along with carefully selecting his artist, James also made sure there was great meaning behind what he got as a permanent marking on his body. On his left arm is a half sleeve that is a tribute to his grandfather that passed away. The tribal piece on his right arm is in the shape of a fish because his zodiac sign is a Pisces. John 3:16 is on James’ left shoulder because he was born on March 16. Everyone has an opinion about tattoos, whether it be positive or negative. These opinions have shown that times are changing with the

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HOW ARE TATTOOS PERMANENT & HOW DOES LASER REMOVAL WORK?

attoo machines, or guns, use a mechanized needle to inject ink into the dermis, the second layer of skin, under the epidermis. Because this process involves damaging of the skin, white blood cells quickly respond to try to absorb the foreign ink particles and dispose of them through the blood stream. Since the ink particles are too large for the white blood cells to absorb, they stay in place forever. As individuals age, tattoos can become blurred from the ink being injected too deep. Tattoos also become distorted with changing body shapes leading some to turn to laser tattoo removal. Tattoo removal is a successful, but long, and sometimes scarring process. The laser focuses on the injected ink and breaks the particles into smaller pieces until they are small enough to be carried away by the white blood cells. This process can be very long, extensive, and expensive depending on the size and colors of the tattoo being removed.

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LOCATION: Screaming Mimi Tattoo, located just off Old Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, has been known for creating tattoos since their opening 21 years ago. They have also received the Amarillo Globe News Readerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Poll Award for the last seven years in tattoo merit.

PREPARATION: Before and during tattoos, artist use an ointment to keep the skin moist during the session so the needle doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drag during the work. Ointment is also applied after sections of work are finished to keep out dirt and infection and to keep the blood from scabbing.

generation. As you look at older generations you see fewer and fewer tattoos. The generation that is grandparents today are who started this epidemic of tattooing. “My dad thinks tattoos are trashy and don’t represent good moral judgment,” said Brennan Brown, a Fort Worth native studying management, but his father’s opinion isn’t going to completely stop him from getting a lifetime mark.

He also does not have any tattoos but would like to get one on his upper arm once he finds something that represents himself well. “So many people have them that you can’t control it now. The world is leading people to get tattoos, it’s just the ‘cool’ thing to do now,” Kinderwater said. Everyone is raised in a different atmosphere, some are exposed to a more edgy lifestyle as they grow up,

“I ALWAYS MAINTAIN, AND PROJECT PROFESSIONALISM.” “I do think the world is becoming more accepting of tattoos because more and more people are getting them. If I found something I wanted permanently on my body I would get one,” Brown said. Paul Kinderwater is a sophomore, agriculture business and economics major.

and others have a very traditional, lifestyle. “I love my family and religion, so I wanted to have a tattoo that allowed for them to always be with me and be represented forever,” Heath Davis, a first year communication graduate student from Aurora, Colo., said. Davis has a cross tattoo

I DO THINK THE WORLD IS BECOMING MORE ACCEPTING OF TATTOOS BECAUSE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING THEM.

CREATION: Tattoo artists apply a stencil of your artwork to the skin while you are in a very natural stance. Once the tattooing begins, they stretch the skin in all directions to be sure the ink is applied correctly and there are no gaps or patchy areas in the lines or shading. Eternal Flame

“EVERY TATTOO I HAVE HAS A MEANING; THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELIGIOUS. IN MY OPINION, IF YOU GET A TATTOO THAT HAS NO MEANING TO YOU, YOU GOT IT FOR THE WRONG REASON.”

TATTOO PARLORS GENERALLY SHOWCASE CULTURAL ART FROM ACROSS THE WORLD.

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on his upper right arm. It is based off of his faith and relationship with God. At the top of the cross is his dad’s initial because he is the head of the family and always keeps his mind right, on the left side is his sister’s initial because he’s always been close with her and she’s the closest to his heart. On the right side of the cross is his brother’s initial because he is Davis’ right hand man and always has his back, and on the base of the cross is his mom’s initial because she keeps the family together and grounded to their morals. “I don’t believe my tattoo will ever have a negative affect on my job opportunities,” Davis said. Even getting his tattoo at 18 years old, he was still unsure of his future career and how getting one may affect it. Getting tattoos has become the newest, coolest thing for kids today. They are planning their future tattoos years before they ever turn 18. At least they will have time to be sure there is a good meaning behind their ink. With an industry worth billions of dollars, we can only expect that to be on the rise at the rate it is. No stranger to tattoos is senior general studies major Shadrach Baital. Shad has spent over $3,000 and 30 hours on tattoos and has plans to get more. He believes that his tattoos are personal, and an outward expression of his inner feelings, which is why he views them as pieces of art. “Every tattoo I have has a meaning; the majority of which are religious. In my opinion, if you get a tattoo that has no meaning to you, you got it for the wrong reason,” said Shad.

SCREAMING IS SOMETIMES INEVITABLE.

After hundreds of dollars worth of work, Russel Haughton-James isn’t afraid to show off his artwork.

Although there is cultural controversy surrounding tattoos, extending to the effects they have on the workplace, Shad does not believe they

will have an impact on his career. “I did consider my career; I don’t think it will affect anything I have to do as far as a career, because I always maintain and project professionalism,” Shad Said. He believes that individuals should not be judged based on their appearance, and believes that although everyone may not have a tattoo they should still be willing to accept others’ decisions to have them. “It might not be your cup of tea but that doesn’t mean the tea is bad,” Shad said. In all Shad believes that tattoos are a way for people to express themselves individually, and are true works of art. However, Shad feels that it is important to make

such an impactful decision while sober, and encourages others to make that decision as well.

“IT MIGHT NOT BE YOUR CUP OF TEA, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THE TEA IS BAD.” Eternal Flame

BE STRAWBERRY LEMONADE SMOOTHIE Your body requires some attention during the scorching summer days. This smoothie is deliciously prepared with mouth watering ingredients that are bound to make you enjoy life. We love healthy living. Grab friends and go to national parks, travel and explore, be silly and sing your favorite song from the attractive depths of your heart. Rejoice in the beautiful things life has to offer. We encourage you to think sporadically, be free—and above all else, find love with some delicious food! You can start with our refreshing smoothie.

INGREDIENTS • •

3 cups frozen strawberries 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

FOR THE LEMONADE • •

1/2 cup sugar 2/3 cup lemon juice

The Process: 1. To make the lemonade, combine sugar and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved; let cool. 2. In a large pitcher, whisk together simple syrup, lemon juice and 1 1/2 cups water. 3. Combine strawberries, yogurt, lemonade and 2 cups ice in blender until smooth. 4. Serve immediately.

Source: http://damndelicious.net/2015/08/24/strawberry-lemonade-smoothie/ Photographed by Vanessa P.—Creative Commons

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T offers ways for students to stay fit on campus.

In the days of taco cleanses, Chick-Fil-A diets and pizza fasts, there are millions of options that promise to help shed pounds, inches and sizes quick. Whether students gain the infamous “freshman fifteen” or even the “freshman 50,” no one wants to be a “sophomore softie.” While it is not always easy to be health conscious in college, there are plenty of options, both on campus and off that encourage an active, healthy student lifestyle. From participating in intramural sports, to taking a fitness class in the Activity Center (AC), to the fresher options in local restaurants, WT and the surrounding area offer many options to better the health of students. The intramural program offers time slots Monday– Friday that are flexible around class schedules to allow maximum student participation. Don Connor, director of intramural sports said there are around 1,200 students signed up for intramural sports this year, 400 new students more than in 2015. “I think a lot of people look at intramurals and think you have to be competitive, and you don’t,” Connor said. “You can have not a single athletic bone in your body and still compete in intramural sports and still have a chance to win that t-shirt.” Connor said water polo was added to the program this semester “to have fun and get people in the pool.” Also, Spikeball, originally featured on Shark Tank, was added. Spikeball is played

with two teams of two players, with the object of ‘spiking’ the ball onto a small trampoline-like net in a way that the other team’s players cannot play or ‘spike’ back. “Students come to me all the time saying ‘I want this,’ or ‘I want to do this.’ Then we’re going to offer it. It might not be right then or right there, but we are going to offer it. We are trying to incorporate those things into our programs to where they can be successful,” Connor said. Whether they were foursport athletes in high school

of organizations and it combines teamwork and leadership. “To me, I think going and participating in something is fun. But I also think it keeps you out of trouble. It gives you something to do,” Connor said. “But most of all you’re getting out and you’re getting to socialize with people you don’t know and then you get to have fun.” “I don’t know if playing sports makes you focus,” Connor said. “I do know that it is researched all over the world that playing sports

Healthy Lifestyles for a Healthy Soul Written by Shea Johnson

or have never played a sport in their lives, Connor said intramurals do offer something for everyone. Connor said as a faculty member he can see a difference in those who participate in the intramurals and those who don’t. “Number one, they’re active,” Connor said. “Not only are they active in intramural programs, but they are active in other organizations. They are active on campus, they volunteer places, and those are kind of the people who participate in intramurals.” Connor said intramural participation helps students meet friends and network with their brothers or sisters

or working out will help you make friends and can help you meet a common goal. It can even help you stay in school, because you need those friends to encourage you.”

suspended running track, a fully-functioning weight room, swimming pool, an eight-lane bowling alley and a game room. There is something for everyone. “There are always 600 to 800 people coming in everyday,” VHAC secretary Lexi Taylor said. Taylor said they keep track daily of how many people come into the facility, and how they use it to ensure student satisfaction with the facilities. “A lot of people don’t realize everything that we have in here,” Assistant Director of Rec Sports Sharon Murdoch said. Murdoch said the most popular aspects of the facility year-round are the weight room and all-purpose room. “There are so many more things for students to do,” Murdoch said. “Not just here on campus, but they can go to Amarillo. There’s Zach’s Club 54, the Town Club, and all of those different areas they can go to work out. Back in the old days, if you were on campus, this was your only outlet.” Murdoch said with new technology it is easier for students to work out in their dorm rooms versus coming in to an aerobics class.

“ To me, I think going and participating in something is fun. But I also think it keeps you out of trouble.” Additionally the Virgil Henson Activity Center (VHAC) offers students several other options to benefit physical, psychological and social well-being. With an all-purpose room, four basketball courts, a

“There is just more available to them,” Murdoch said. “I think they are still as health conscious today as they were 20 years ago, I just don’t think we see it because there is more available.” Another way students can

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stay on top of their health is by visiting the Student Medical Services (SMS) in the Activity Center. SMS Receptionist Logan Harmon said students should be less hesitant to make appointments when something is wrong. “I think that students are really proactive,” Harmon said. “They want to get in as soon as something is

concerned when they have something going on and they want to get it checked out so I think they take [their health] very seriously,” Harmon said. For those who are not interested in team sports but would still like to participate in bettering their health on campus, group aerobics classes like Zumba, yoga, water aerobics, Shoto Kan

“ I think a lot of people look at intramurals and think you have to be competitive and you don’t.” going on and they’re really paranoid about it, but I think some probably wait until the last minute.” Harmon said the most common thing students seek attention for is the common cold. While it is not extremely preventable, students can take better precaution by washing their hands. “[Students] always seem

karate and kickboxing are offered in the VHAC. All classes are free for students. Senior Music Education major Paschelle Hudson began teaching Zumba at the AC in the fall of 2012. Classes are held Monday through Thursday in the VHAC upstairs in the mirror room. “I was an advocate for Zumba, I have lost over

100 pounds with Zumba,” Hudson said. “When I came here, the lady that taught it taught everything else- kickboxing, yoga, and everything. The university said they were supposed to hire students over non-students, and that is how they gave me the position.” Hudson said since the beginning of this semester she has gone from having 10-15 people per class to around 60-70, with new people joining every class. “It’s a really big jump,” Hudson said. “I tell my girls just keep moving. I know we are around people and some can dance better than others, but just keep moving.” Hudson said she attributes the popularity of her classes to her loud, upbeat teaching style. She likes to “hype them up, and keep them moving.” “As long as we are sweating, I’m happy,” Hudson said. Hudson said her classes

put her in a good mood and can make her worst days better. “[We are] a camaraderie,” Hudson said. “People that are kinda in the same boat as you, they came out to sweat. It’s therapeutic because you’re just having fun, you’re not really caring about, ‘oh, people are looking at me.’” Hudson says she is always mindful of new people and encourages them that even though they may be uncomfortable at first, they are there for themselves. “Find something that stimulates you, find something that will push you,” Hudson said. “Find something that’s not boring, like, ‘Oh I’m on the elliptical, I just gotta keep doing the elliptical. Find something that you enjoy, while at the same time you know you’re getting a full-body workout.”

For the last 46 years, the Virgil Henson Activity Center has served the community offering a place to be active and relax. With a TV lounge, game room and several all-purpose rooms, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

THE WTAMU ACTIVITY CENTER Photo by Shea Johnson

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GENIUS JUNK FOODS FOR FLATTER BELLIES

Get up

These six foods have a bad reputation, but they’re actually good for you. Let’s face it, high fat foods are generally the tastiest, and although we desperately crave it, we know the damage we may be putting our bodies through. There are 15 types of saturated fat, quite damned by nutrition experts for decades, but some of them are actually heart healthy. This isn’t an episode of tasty food gone bad, because it actually is, instead we’re saying this is bad food gone good, despite popular belief. Some foods have been unjustly convicted as felons, and we’re here to shed some light on the truth.

DORM BODY WORKOUT FOR AN OPEN MIND.

1 PORK RINDS

WHY YOU THINK THEY’RE BAD: They are cut from pigskin, and don’t forget the deep frying. The horror! WHY THEY’RE NOT: 1-ounce serving contains zero carbohydrates, 17 grams (g) of protein, and 9g of fat. Even better 43% of the fat is completely unsaturated, and most of that is oleic acid—the same healthy fat found in olive oil. Get to munching! Pigs won’t fly, but your belly will.

2 ALCOHOL

WHY YOU THINK IT’S BAD: It has very little nutritional value, and it is the reason we need the term beer belly—it’s a thing, and it’s real, just as the loch-ness monster and big foot.

GRAB A FRIEND AND DO THIS QUICK DORM ROOM FULL-BODY WORKOUTTAKE A 15-30 SECOND BREAK BETWEEN EACH AND REPEAT 3 TIMES

WHY IT’S NOT: Harvard conducted a study with more than 18,000 men and found that those who drank two drinks per day, 5 to 7 days a week, had the lowest risk of heart attack. The University of Buffalo also found that those who consume that same amount have less abdominal fat. We recommend Pinot noir—it contains many disease fighting anti-oxidants. Eat, sleep, drink, repeat!

ABS • • • • • •

30 second elbow plank 30 second side plank (both sides) 30 second plank leg raises (alternate legs) 1 min in and outs 1 min Russian twists 1 min raised leg toe touches

3 CHOCOLATE BARS WHY YOU THINK THEY’RE BAD: They’re high in both sugar and fat—it’s a natural disaster ready to happen, and you’ll get pimples! WHY THEY’RE NOT: It is rich in flavanoids—the same heart-healthy compounds found in red delicious wine and green tea. We recommend dark chocolate— it has more cocoa, and less sugar. Did you know that Greek researches found that eating dark chocolate having 100 milligrams (mg) of flavanoids relaxes your blood-vessels, which improves your blood flow to the heart? And don’t worry, the fat is mostly oleic acids.

CARDIO • • • •

1 min mountain climbers 1 min jumping jacks 1 min high knees 1 min burpees

TAKE IT TO THE STAIRS! • • • •

4 COCONUT

WHY YOU THINK IT’S BAD: Coconut contains more saturated fat than butter does—now that’s alarming! Call the ambulance, we’re dying of a stroke over here! Health experts have even said they clog your arteries. Scary stuff!

Walk up 3 flights quickly Walk down slowly to cool down Repeat by running Then walk up by skipping a step

WHY IT’S NOT: Although it is high in saturated fat, it appears to have benefits to heart-disease risk factors. Here is why: more than 50% of it’s saturated fat content is lauric acid, and although it is bad and raises LDL (bad) cholesterol, it boosts HDL (good) cholesterol even more— 60 studies published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. In the long-run, this means it decreases your risk for cardiovascular disease—surprisingly effective!

STRENGTH • • • • •

50 regular squats 50 “Sumo” squats Hold a squat for 50 seconds 25 push-ups 30 push-up position shoulder taps

5 BEEF JERKY

WHY YOU THINK IT’S BAD: It’s dry unhealthy meat loaded with preservatives, need I say more?

SEVEN BENEFITS OF DRINKING A GALLON OF WATER A DAY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Prevents overeating Improves skin Flushes out toxins Burns calories Boosts your metabolism Decreases headaches Banishes dark circles

Don’t forget to stretch before and after your workout—don’t pull a muscle.

Photo by George L. Lozano

WHY IT’S NOT: It doesn’t raise your insulin levels, which is what makes your body store fat, and it’s rich in protein. Use it as an in-between meal snack. If you’re trying to lose weight, the better! If you’re worried about high-sodium ingredients, such as MSG and sodium-nitrate, you can always resort to a healthier brand which eliminates those horrible ingredients. Look for all natural.

SOUR CREAM

WHY YOU THINK IT’S BAD: Similar to coconuts, you know sour cream is high in fat, half of which is saturated. WHY IT’S NOT: A serving of sour cream is roughly 2 tablespoons, which provide about 52 calories—half of the amount that is in a single tablespoon of mayonnaise—and that is also less saturated fat than drinking a 12-ounce glass of 2% reduced-fat milk. Your options are limitless.

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When you first get to West Texas A&M University for New Student Orientation, the biggest thing that your Peer Leaders drill into your head is “get involved.” You meet new people, you learn new things and you make great memories for your college experience. Now getting involved is great, but there are only 24 hours in a day and at least eight of those are needed for sleep. As you get further into your college years you become busy and have to learn time management.

hen it comes to loving what you do and enjoying every minute of it, no one fits that description more than Cameron Tipton. Cameron is a senior from Houston, Texas and majors in psychology with a minor in English. He is the student Chief of Justice at WT, president of the Wesley Foundation, obtaining his private pilot license and also serves on 11 committees with student government. Cameron loves getting involved and the Wesley was the first thing he got involved in, from there the organizations just started to build up. Unlike most others, Cameron uses stress as a motivation to get things done.

“

GETTING INVOLVED HELPS YOU GROW.”

Cameron serves as one of the three executives for student government and manages the budget and organizes all student events. He is also the head of the student judicial board and plans large scale events for the Wesley. He also leads a small group Bible study in the Campus Evolution Apartments. Although Cameron spends much of his time being involved on campus he knows how to have fun in his free time as well. He loves being outdoors whether it’s hiking, skiing, biking or camping. The only time Cameron will be inside is when he is at Palace Coffee hanging out with friends and sharing stories. Now like the rest of us, Cameron suffers from stress, if you were soon to be graduating with 20 credit hours this semester, you would be stressed too. The way he deals with stress is through his relationship with God, faith is huge to him and God is what drives to go outside and be active, along with support from mentor Mikey Littau, director of the Wesley Foundation.

CAMERON,

MEET A BUSY STUDENT JUST LIKE YOU.

Written by Christian Lucero Photographed by George L. Lozano

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FEATURE: MATTHEW DOWNEY

THE WAYWARD ROAD TO RECOVERY

During his darkest hours, Matthew Downey hoped for death. In the depths of his addiction he often imagined a life that would end before the age of 25.

Written by Jonathan Espinoza

he normalcies of youth were not in the cards for Matthew Downey. From an early age, he knew he was a bit off. Standing taller than most, his towering height was one of the few go-to targets for the bullies in Belleville, Illinois. The bullies didn’t stop with the Lurch jokes either. Eventually, in a cruelty only specific to children, the taunts then shifted to his sexuality. Full of sadness, Matthew retreated inward, and still only a child, learned to hate himself at such an early age. “Even as a real young kid I knew I was gay,” Matthew said. As more people became aware of his sexual orientation, the taunting cut deeper than anything he had encountered thus far in life. “I don’t know if I hated myself when I was two or three years old. But I do remember hating myself when I started getting picked on for being gay. I knew I was gay. I understood that my looking at men the way other men looked at woman meant I was different. I wasn’t a normal kid. I didn’t play sports. I was a weird kid. I got picked on a lot; from second grade on to high school. I was made to feel really insecure. I felt

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I WAS A WEIRD KID. I GOT PICKED ON A LOT; FROM SECOND GRADE ON TO HIGH SCHOOL.

“I’M WRITING THIS IN PEN BECAUSE I DON’T EVER WANT TO FORGET HOW BAD THIS FEELS.” IN A CRUELTY ONLY SPECIFIC TO CHILDREN, THE TAUNTS THEN SHIFTED TO HIS SEXUALITY.

“EVEN AS A REAL YOUNG KID, I KNEW I WAS GAY.”

Photographed by George L. Lozano

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Photo provided by Matthew Downey All his life he was surrounded by a loving family, despite the struggles of everyday bullying.

very isolated. Rejected. I felt like I was what was wrong. I tried so hard: I would sit there and watch the 700 Club and pray to make this go away.” In the summer of 2004, through a mutual friend, Matthew was introduced to Rachel. She knew then, almost instantly, that she liked him even though she was three years his senior and he just in eighth grade. The friendship the two shared was vague at its start; not quite friends, but still seeing each other through various third parties. Eventually, the friendship grew. Through prank phone calls and late nights in the Walmart parking lot, the two grew as close as two teenagers can, and they created a unique bond singular to their existence. Matthew found in Rachel a friend he could connect with. But in the midst of all this, unknown to most, a deep addiction was staking claim to Matthew and his life. And he did the only thing he could do, he put on a smile and tried to function in the best manner possible.

“BY THE END I WAS SNORTING OXYCONTIN AND HEROIN PRETTY INTERCHANGEABLY.” At age 17, Matthew Downey was

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a heroin addict. So consumed by the drug, it controlled how much he worked, who he hung out with, when he could eat, how much he slept and even what

I HAD SPENT FROM WHEN I WAS FOURTEEN TO UNTIL I WAS EIGHTEEN BEING ON SOME KIND OF DRUG.”WHITE he felt; his drug use began to define almost every aspect of who he was. But it allowed him an escape from the inner torment. The drugs gave to him a brief

reprieve from life. “I don’t know if I ever put two-andtwo together, that if I did this certain drug I would mask the feelings I had on the inside. I started smoking weed and eventually it spun out of control,” Matthew said. And out of control it span. The deep-seated pain so ingrained into who he was needed to end, and the drugs, and the occasional girlfriend afforded Matthew the opportunity to put on the mask of ‘normal’ that he so craved. But while trying to be what he thought everyone wanted him to be, Matthew was lying to himself. He lived the charade as best he could and embraced the solace of drug use and began living the life of an addict.

“I WAS TIRED OF BEING SAD.” In the chaos of the storm, amidst the lying and desperate attempts to get the drugs his body needed, he had a realization that his future may not be as lengthy and robust as his peers. He felt, with an exact certainty, that he would not live past the age of 35. “I had to leave Illinois,” Matthew said. “I didn’t know how to live sober. I was living with my parents and being high. I was the most disconnected from

TAKE THE EASY ROUTE TO

COUNSELING SERVICES

â&#x20AC;&#x153;MY ONLY REAL GOAL IN LIFE IS TO LEAVE THE WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN WHEN I CAME INTO IT.â&#x20AC;?

e all have our coping mechanisms. The daily stressors of college life can be quite burdensome, and for many, the easiest escape is in the form of drugs or alcohol. While some college students traverse the trappings of drugs and alcohol almost wholly unscathed, some are not as fortunate. A 2014 study conducted by Columbia University found that half of all full-time college students binge drink and abuse prescription and/or illegal drugs. The students on the campus of West Texas A&M University undoubtedly fall into this statistic, but available to them is a place for help: Counseling Services. WTAMU Counseling Services offers, as part of student tuition, 10 counseling sessions that are one-hour long. These sessions are designed to help the student understand the sources of their drug and/or alcohol use while providing them with a healthy outlet to channel their issues in a positive and productive manner. WTAMU Counseling Services, located on the first floor of the JBK, right across the HUB

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Matthew remains hopeful about his future and the successes on the horizon.

reality that anyone could be.” At a mere 17 years of age the trajectory of his life was no where close to what he ever could have imagined, even though college was on right there, just within grasp. But as other people his age were gearing up for the challenges of college, Matthew was facing the challenges of recovery. At 18 years old, Matthew entered the Carolina Center for Behavioral Health on his own free will. Not quite the rehab facility shown on movie and television screens, the Carolina Center for Behavioral Health served as a different kind of wake up call. “They tried to get me hooked on suboxone. I had been off the hard stuff for a month and told them I’m wasn’t taking their medications; I wasn’t going to get re-addicted to something else.” The doctors attempted, time and time again, to push their medications into Matthew, but, time and time again, he refused. Drugs had gotten him to this point in his life, they were not about to get him out. The comfort and strength he searched for did not come in the form of a pill. It did not present itself written in a pamphlet, nor was it seen in a motivational video. Matthew found his strength in a kindred spirit not quite facing the same battle but one that seemed all too familiar. The best thing to happen to Matthew in South Carolina came in the form of a man named Chris.

“I LIKE WHO I AM TODAY. I LIKE ME.” Today, when Matthew enters a room he is still taller than everyone, but he also does so as a man no longer held back by dependency. He carries with him a story of hopes come to life. A life he thought he would never live to see is just beginning. The hopes and dreams of a Matthew today are rooted at West Texas A&M University where he will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Though he has lived in Canyon for the last three years he calls home New Orleans, Louisiana. A state he hopes to one day be the governor of.

MATTHEW HOPES TO, ONE DAY, RUN FOR THE GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA.

But today he is focused on the present, ever mindful of what he has gone through to get where he is today. “I had spent from when I was fourteen to until I was eighteen being on some kind of drug. I hadn’t spent anytime trying to develop who I was as a person. I spent a lot of years trying to figure out what do I stand for, what are my values, what are my aspirations, what do I want to do? I should have been thinking about all this stuff back then.” Just a few years ago he began to find himself. Although he was not completely lost he began to get a better understanding of the person he was finding himself to be. His eyes may be set on the sights of a governorship one day, but his aspirations in life are pure. “My only real goal in life is to leave the world a little better than when I came into it. I would like to make things better, someone’s life better. That’s what I shoot for. It’s not realistic for me to sit here

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE

and say that I plan on changing the entire world. That’s not possible, but I can hope to help at least one person.” Hope is a funny thing. It is as mighty a force as humankind could ever conceive, yet it is still something that is as intangible as time itself. The hope within a person like Matthew Downey though is set apart from most others in how it manifests itself. Much more than a hopeful person, Matthew is the ultimate optimist who is driven by a need to make those he encounters on daily basis that much happier and at ease with who they are. He will hug you. There are many more chapters left to write in his life; his desire to be better than who he once was drives him to make each day better than the last, the best day of his life…so far.

•

SOBER AMARILLO www.soberamarillo.com 806.468.5711 P.R.I.D.E. (Potter and Randall Intervention and Drug Education) provides free services including counseling, group counseling and case management.

•

AMARILLO RECOVERY www.amarillorecovery.org 806.353.2862 Amarillo Recovery from Alcohol and Drugs provides affordable treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.

“I MADE IT.” Photo Coutesy of Matt Downey

THIS IS MY ONLY GUARANTEED SHOT AT LIFE, AND I REFUSE TO NOT ENJOY IT. Photo Coutesy of Matt Downey

Growing up in a loving home, Matthew had no idea of the troubles that lie ahead. Eternal Flame

SPRING BREAK IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT

Written by Eric Estrada

Photo Courtesy of SXSW Media

pring Break has been the time of year where everyone sets out on new adventures for as long as it has been around. Students take trips to their favorite destinations or try new ones every year. Each trip has a story to tell.

JOSH HIKING IN THE MOUNTAINS

oing out to Wheeler Peak, New Mexico and hiking with some of his buddies was how Josh Wilson wanted to spend his

Spring Break. Hiking up to the peak was pretty self-explanatory, but the altitude made it harder for them and made them get tired a lot faster than they anticipated.

“Be safe and make good memories, just do crazy stuff with your friends.” Once they finally reached the peak, they stopped, looked out, and talked amongst themselves and then about how to go back down. “Always go down the way you came,” Josh remembers saying. The group passed an older man who gave them some helpful advice, and pointed out a short cut back down the

BUDGET TIPS FOR TRAVELING 28

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mountain. The guys trusted him and went down the path pointed out to them. They made it down about half way, and they bumped into a couple that was hiking up

the mountain and found out they were going the wrong direction. Now they had to hike back up the peak for six miles and go back the path on the original trail, what ended up being a 22-mile hike. They only had one bottle of water left. Luckily, they made it to a new location, that looked like an old camp building. Josh spotted

the caretaker and asked if he could buy some water from him, but he refused. After some small talk and negotiation, he agreed. Meanwhile, the caretaker and his partner took one of his buddies out to get them some help, but Josh and his other friend realized that their truck was only two miles away. They discussed it and wanted to go for it, so they loaded up and set out on their final stages of their hike. Once they made it to their truck, they set out to find their friend. They couldn’t find him and pulled into a diner to think about what they could do to find their friend, but there he was, eating without a care in the world. If he had a choice, Josh wouldn’t change anything about his spring

Spring Break, a true college tradition that many people look forward to experiencing. Thousands of students flock out of campus to spread their wings, but many don’t think about the BIG PICTURE. How am I going to do it? Lets face it, we’re college students, we’re not rolling in dough. But—there are ways to get to that tropical get away. Curious, aren’t you? Here is a list of four things to consider.

1.5 MILLION STUDENTS GO ON SPRING BREAK EVERY YEAR AND COLLECTIVELY SPEND OVER ONE BILLION DOLLARS Photo Courtesy of SXSW Media

them up and go the hospital. By the time they got to the hospital she couldn’t remember anything and Josiah had to answer all the doctor’s questions and call her parents. Her flight that she was schedule to be on was not to leave until Thursday, but they switched flights and she left later that day. Josiah, the savage man he is, went out with his friend to enjoy the rest of spring break and his friend ended up getting a concussion. He still says he didn’t cause these things. Him and his ex are on good terms and even joke about the experience they had. She says that he sent her to the hospital from a broke heart. But both agree that they will never be in that kind of relationship again.

osiah Valadez set out early on his trip to Austin, Texas; he had to travel to Laredo, Texas to pick up his girlfriend. They made their way to Austin, where Josiah played a few pranks on her before pondering the idea of breaking up with her. “Yeah, it’s a break up story,” Josiah laughed but insisted he isn’t a bad guy.

Later that night they talked about it, and she gave him the option to stay together till the end of spring break or be done right then and there. They went to go see a friend at Dairy Queen and gave him a fair warning that they had broken up. After that they went back to where they were staying to sleep. The next day she asked him if he was OK, and he noticed that she was acting strange. She started to forget little things, and big ones like who she was and where she was. She thought that they were at Josiah’s house and they were together. And almost as a sign for things to get worse, her mother called. Together they decided to take her to the hospital. Josiah called his friend, Bubbles, to come pick

1. PICK A PLACE

2. GETTING THERE

3. ACTIVITIES

4. SAVING UP

It doesn’t have to be anywhere new; you could go to your favorite place. Are you going alone? Can you take someone with you? Is there something going on while you’re there? These are all things that you must ask yourself. The answers to these question can drive the price up or down of the total trip.

Sometimes, the most affordable way to get there is to just drive there on your own and split the gas with your buddy. Try to research different modes of transportation before you make the big move. Go old school. Can you take a train? Bus? Greyhound has come in “clutch” for me. You can go on an airplane, just look up the costs on different websites like Kayak or Airfare Watch Dog.

I know this is going to sound lame, but you’re going to have to think like a mom. Set a budget on activities alone, don’t lump this in with your total trip cost or food money. Look up things to do there, do something unique. Try to make this a memorable trip, make it make you forget about that you have that project due waiting for you. Remember unique can mean free.

Give your self an allowance. I can hear the groans already, but do it. It gives you more to work with. Set aside money until the trip. I know, I know. You’re already on an allowance, but just 20 dollars a week isn’t that bad. Throw all your change into a jar; you know you weren’t going to use it anyway.

break, other than the descent back down the mountain. “Be safe and make good memories, just do crazy stuff with your friends,” Josh said.

JOSIAH SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (SXSW)

Photo Courtesy of the White House

MICHELLE OBAMA Wednesday, March 16, First Lady Michelle Obama makes an appearance at SXSW to talk about the 62 million girls around the world that are not in school.

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START AMARILLO, TX 351 mi.

1. ARLINGTON, TX • • •

Six Flags Ranger’s Game AT&T Stadium Tour

530 mi.

2. NEW ORLEANS, LA • • •

195 mi.

The French Quarter St. Louis Cathedral Bubba Gump

3. ORANGE BEACH, AL • • •

Ferris Wheel Tacky Jacks Bushwacker Parasailing and Para353 mi.

4. ATLANTA, GA • • •

Georgia Aquarium Lake Lanier Coca Museum

363 mi.

5. MYRTLE BEACH, SC • •

Hollywood Wax Museum Dolphin Watching

A road trip can make for a great spring break. A good road trip can bring you closer to friends, make new friends from here to you destination. Who knows you might meet your future spouse on your trip.

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TRAVEL, CULTURE AND THRILLS

Ellen Page and Ian Daniel : Keynote speakers for the 2016 SXSW Event.

THE MOST ELIGIBLE OF BACHELORS PRESENTED HER WITH THE FINEST OF ALL ORANGE PEELS AS A RING. Photo Courtesy of Viceland

Josiah said he wouldn’t go through that again, because it was way too stressful; the feeling of still being together once they were in the ER. He wants to let all the guys know to not bring your girlfriends to Spring Break, and just enjoy it with your boys.

LAKIN THE SOUTH PADRE GET AWAY

akin O’dell went to South Padre for Spring Break and was not disappointed. It’s most 21-year-old’s dream destination. She spent five days on

of bachelors presented her, the finest of all orange peels as a ring, but unfortunately he didn’t get his beach beauty. After all the commotions of marriage passed, the party took on a rousing game of Dizzy Bat, where Lakin claims she won every time. Exploring the beach, Lakin collected her fair share of beads and that’s when she saw her goal. She spots a bigger guy holding a Slab bag, the opportunity was there and she took it, she cocked her hand back and slapped it as hard as she could. The bag went flying out of his hand. Legends says the loser must chug the rest of the bag. Lakin broke all the nails on her hand, but said it was well

“THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS BRINGING YOU OWN COOLER AND MONEY MANAGEMENT.” this island paradise with her sister and her best friend. Lakin and her two friends got their room and wasted no time partaking in the Spring Break festivities. They pregamed with mimosas in their room and went to the Ultimate Music Experience music festival. Lakin says that there were thousands there and they were her audience when she entered a twerking contest and had to get on stage. Lakin said she witnessed girls running naked across the beach. and her sister received a marriage proposal. This most eligible

worth it once she was standing on the winner’s coolers looking out, and she actually got a crown for it. Then they saw Waka Flaka, Big Sean, and T-Pain. Every night from there was the same wake up drink, beach and back from 10 a.m. to 5 a.m.. Lakin says she owes her amazing week to Pedialyte, which is not actually a proven way to get over a hangover. “I wouldn’t change one second of my trip,” Lakin said. Lakin said the key to success is bringing your own cooler and money manage-

There are over 6,500 bars, taverns and nightclubs in the U.S. today. You haven’t seen half of them, so get to it. Time is running out!

14 BEST NIGHTLIFE CITIES IN THE U.S. • • • • • • • • • • •

Las Vegada,NV Miami Beach, FL New York City, NY New Orleans, LA Chicago, IL Los Angeles, CA San Francisco, CA Austin, TX San Diego, CA Key West, FL Atlantic City, NJ

ment. “Don’t spend all your money at the bars, remember pre-gaming is a thing, and pack food, don’t take your phone to the beach, invest in a go pro or a whatever prof camera,” Lakin said. Spring Break holds many different experiences for everyone. Next Spring Break, make it a memorable one, spend it with friends and take an adventure. Take the advice and tips of these Spring Breakers; see where the road takes you. Remember to stay safe Buffs.

Lakin uses a GoPro to take selfies and capture the memories of South Padre Island.

Photo provided by Lakin Eternal Flame

ARE RELATIONSHIPS WORTH THE STRUGGLE?

kay it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Whether you should tilt your head right or left is an answer you sought from the goddess of love, but never heard back from. Will their breath stink? Then you realize, it’s perfect.

need you to answer me now! Look, chillax! Learn to be mentally stable, it’s not that they don’t want to talk to you, they are busy—or not, but either way, you have to calm down. Drink herbals!

ou see the love of your life for the fist time, and can’t help feeling like you need to use the restroom, badly. Your digestive track can barely hold in the excitement of your new eye candy.

y now, your entire circle knows who your dear boyfriend/ girlfriend is. The mere name of their existence sends everyone into a vomiting frenzy. Don’t be that person. We get it, you’re in love.

2. KISS & TELL

ou’re going to feel attacked. It’s absolutely normal for your friends to tell you that you need to consider yourself above the needs of your partner. They love you too, but don’t let them dictate your relationship.

3. TEXTING EVERY... SINGLE...MINUTE.

1. BUTTERFLY ALERT!

4. IT’S NOT A SECRET ANYMORE

5. TOUGH LOVE

he millennium you’ve been waiting for is a couple of seconds away from being world official. Yes—you’ve been praying for this moment forever! You change the status...now you wait for acceptance. Will they do it?

6. FACEBOOK OFFICIAL

7. WE’RE GOING TO GET MARRIED

ou hear the bells, and I assure you that isn’t just ringing in your ears. This is very real, and you know it. You tell your partner, and things don’t go as expected. What do you do now?

THE CYCLICAL ROLLER COASTER OF RELATIONSHIPS

8. I WANT TO NAME OUR DAUGHTER HELGA

fter so much desperation, you’ve infiltrated your partner’s mind with a baby. You’ve said the B word, and your partner goes bonkers! Perhaps Helga wasn’t the best choice for a Generation Z baby.

9. THE FIGHT

10. A NAIL TAKES OUT ANOTHER

12. OVER IT! 11. STILL STALKING FACEBOOK

pread your wild wings like a wild bird. The food is nasty, Polly does not want a cracker, you are not tamed, and if rumor had it, you don’t need his/her love anymore—sing it proudly. “Goodbye,” said AOL once.

ou, yes you— move on. Look— we know you cared deeply about your destiny baby, and so did we, but it’s time to leave the past where it belongs. They say finding another love helps, we recommend starting with a date— eat food and enjoy it!

OVE ON ALREADY! He/she isn’t stalking you, we can assure you that, and they probably don’t even care. Don’t let a dream ruin your real life. Lucidity is asking for a handshake, shake it—it will get better.

y golly, you’ve done it! We knew you had it in you. You’re feeling the love all over again, and this time, he/she is perfect. You feel butterflies, and the cycle everlastingly repeats until it’s time to find your true love. Be patient—good things come to those who wait.

RELATIONSHIPS

THE TRUTH BEHIND MODERN DAY ROMANCE. Written by Bailey Stickle

Erik Jones “It’s really hard especially when you care about someone for so long. It kind of becomes a part of who you are.”

hether you’re just hooking up or you’re with the love of your life, relationships can be confusing. College is a time to focus on your future career, but to also have some fun. No matter your relationship status, everyone has some tips to share. Emma Although Emma McClellan, a junior general studies major, hasn’t had much experience when it comes to relationships, she has some advice for dating. Starting a new relationship can be difficult, but Emma thinks it’s important to always be yourself. Sometimes dating doesn’t go as smooth for some people, but there are different

ways to move past it. Turning to music is something Emma and her friends do when they need to take their minds off of failed dates. “I’ve recently listened to Panic! At The Disco, sometimes Tokyo Hotel. Taylor Swift helped a lot,” she said. Friend-zoning may be something people are experts at. For others…it isn’t that simple. Emma isn’t good at friend-zoning, so she’ll ‘ghost’ them. “Ghosting is when you don’t reply to their text mes-

should be done in person, but nobody is perfect. When it comes to social media’s affect on relationships, Emma thinks that it has definitely been a game-changer. She said that even texting could change the dynamic of the first date. “You know all about this person before the first date. You can get into serious topics really quickly over text, because it seems less serious since you aren’t face-to-face,” she said. Emma calls herself the Queen of Awkward Silence. She tries to have good questions prepared to break the awkward silence, such as, if you could go anywhere in

times it works—sometimes it can come across as creepy. Emma said, depending on where you are in the relationship, flirting could be okay unless someone crosses the line and starts hinting at sexual advances. “Then it just gets creepy and uncomfortable,” she said. Erik Erik Jones, a freshman mechanical engineering major, has some advice for break-ups. Erik met his now ex-girlfriend his sophomore year of high school at one of his football games. They only

“YOU CAN GET INTO SERIOUS TOPICS REALLY QUICKLY OVER TEXT…SINCE YOU AREN’T FACE-TO-FACE.” sages and you don’t acknowledge them at all,” she said. She thinks it’s better to talk to the person face-toface. In a perfect world, it

the world, where would it be? This helps her get to know the person better. Flirting is a skill that many people lack. Some-

CUT THE CHIT-CHAT, MORE NEWS.

saw each other during school, but they talked and hung out when they got the chance. “I got to know her first by spending a lot of time talking,

Seeking to inform, educate, and entertain readers accurately and responsibly, The Prairie News Organization as been serving the students at West Texas A&M University since 1919. The Prairie has a monthly print circulation of 3,000 during the fall and spring semesters and is printed by the Amarillo Globe-News. We also have weekly meetings every Thursday at 12:15 in FAC room 268. We strive to be accurate, honest and transparent with everything we publish.

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“I don’t really think you ever get over somebody, you just kind of come at peace that they’re not in your life anymore.” we didn’t even have our first kiss until six months into the relationship,” he said. They made it clear in the beginning of their relationship that they wanted to take things slow so they could really get to know each other. “I think that’s why we ended up dating for 19 months, because we took it really slow and we valued spending time with each other,” Erik said. As the relationship continued, they went on several breaks, broke-up and got back together, and then ended it once and for all. At this point, it was Erik’s junior year and he was going on college tours. His girlfriend was a grade below him so they were away from each other for a few days. “It kinda showed me an idea of what it was going to be like if I stayed with her when I went off to college,” he said. His brother made him reevaluate his relationship with her by explaining that she was distracting him from focusing on football. “I realized he was right. The next day, I literally walked over to her at lunch and broke up with her,” he said. He could tell his relationship was going downhill when there was less communication and they started spending less time together. “You start becoming more selfish in your actions instead of thinking about how the other person would feel,” he said. The lack of communica-

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tion is something that Erik thinks can ruin a relationship. He said communication is the basis of any relationship, not only romantic, but friendships too. He said if you think a break-up is about to happen, just talk it out because the signs could be different in every relationship. However, don’t give any hints of a break-up. “Especially in an emotional state, if you put something like that in their mind, they’re gonna think breaking up is a better idea than talking it out,” he said. Erik said the best thing you can do during a breakup is to be honest and talk about everything. Getting over an ex was harder than he thought, even though he was the one that ended the

relationship. “It’s really hard, especially when you care about someone for so long. It kinda becomes a part of who you are,” he said, “you start associating things with that person.” Something that helped Erik get over his ex was doing his own thing, such as focusing on something you love doing, hanging out with friends, and taking some time away from dating. For some people, getting over an ex can take a couple of days or a few weeks. For others, it can take much longer. Erik said it depends on the length and depth of the relationship. “It comes in phases. You’ll be fine right after the break-up, and then it’ll start hitting you as you start thinking about dating again,” he said. “You’ll start thinking about what you had and how much time and effort you put into the relationship.” Erik thinks that love and intimacy have a big role in

THE SEVEN DO’S AND DONT’S OF RELATIONSHIPS & DATING.

r. Maxine De Butte, an associate professor of psychology, frequently discusses relationship advice during her lectures including her ‘7 do’s and don’ts of relationships.’ Her first piece of advice is positive framing when communicating. For instance, if someone and their significant other are trying to think of something to do say something along the lines of, ‘I would enjoy going to the movies,’ don’t

say, ‘I don’t want to go out with your stupid friends.’ Dr. De Butte said one thing that couples don’t do enough of is express appreciation for one another. “If your partner does the dishes, say ‘thank you’. Don’t say, ‘oh you missed a spot’ and start being very critical. Be appreciative, sometimes that goes a long way,” she said. She said that avoiding the silent treatment is very important. Always say ‘goodbye’ when someone is leaving, greet them when they arrive, and never go to bed angry. “Communicating is really, really important,” she said. Dr. De Butte said her favorite piece of advice is to not analyze your partner in the form of being critical. “For instance, don’t ever say ‘hmm, well you’re acting just like your mother’

moving on. He said what you’ve done with someone is always going to be there, because it affects how you perceive things in the future. “I don’t really think you ever get over somebody, you just kinda come at peace that they’re not in your life anymore,” Erik said. JOSH AND AUDREY Josh Jones, a senior criminal justice major, met his girlfriend, Audrey, his first semester at WT at the Cafeteria. They started getting to know each other at Baptist Student Ministry and other campus events. After they started to really get to know each other, he took her to go see 300 for their first date. “The movie choice was horrible for a first date,” he said. Josh thinks that effort is what makes a relationship last as long as him and Audrey’s relationship has. “It takes a lot of effort. You gotta win some and you gotta lose some. If you actu-

because then that brings in that negativity, especially if you know that they have issues with their mother,” she said. “That’ll just stay in the back of their mind.” Some more tips of hers are to speak for yourself, not your partner and say things directly. Especially when it comes to picking a place to go eat. If you have a craving for Mexican food, say something instead of getting mad at your partner for suggesting a place you didn’t want to go to. “Women can’t read their partner’s mind, men can’t read their partner’s mind,” she said. The last thing Dr. De Butte suggests is if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. “Once it’s spoken, it’s out there and that’s just going to contribute to issues in the future,” she said.

A MESSAGE FROM

BUFFALO FORENSICS My palms are sweaty, I can hardly breathe—I’d rather DIE. According to most studies, people’s number one FEAR is public speaking. Number two is DEATH… This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy. —Jerry Seinfeld

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BALLIN’ ON A BUDGET

ally listen to the person and “The high school cheeryou get to know what their leaders would come teach us feelings are and how they cheers and he was on the varthink then it’s gonna last,” he sity team his freshman year, We all know it takes a pretty penny to go to college. The said. so I got to cheer for his games average price of tuition alone for the 2015-2016 academic When it comes to balancas a little cheerleader,” Jillian year for in-state students to attend a four-year university ing school and spending time said. is $9,410; for out-of-state students the average cost is with his girlfriend, Josh and Growing up, Kelly was $23,893, according to College Board. Even though we are Audrey set aside time at night Jillian’s brother’s best friend. all lucky enough to attend a university that is known for offering an exceptional education at an affordable price, to talk to each other. With an age gap of 6 years, there is still the cost of housing, fees, books and living in “If you don’t have com- they never looked at each general. munication, that relationship other as more than just isn’t gonna last that long. friends. He moved to Dallas, Which leads us to believe Rapper, Nappy Roots said it Communication is the key,” and about a year ago, they best when he said, “I’m just ballin’ on a budget.” Josh said. Josh said that “If we let what people 1. Tuesday & Thursday $5 fried rice plates at Thai long distance makes Kitchen it hard, but they say affect us, we 2. Wednesday discounted oil changes for women at spend as much time wouldn’t be together.” Kwik Kar in Amarillo together as they can. “Those precious reconnected as camp coun3. Half-price shakes at Sonic after 8 p.m. seconds that you have with selors. each other, you can’t take “We spent a ton of time 4. Thursdays Buy One, Get One ½ Off at Hill’s Burgers them for granted,” he said. together, and it kinda just He said to just be calm, started something. We had a 5. Student discount at Modern Cleaners patient and always get there counselor party on the last 10 minutes early. 6. $1 fountain drinks at Chicken Express day and that was the day he “Don’t rush things, let told me that he liked me,” she 7. Kids eat free on Sundays at Buffalo’s Café. things happen on their own,” said. he said. This is Jillian’s first rela8. $10 Dinner Box from Pizza Hut tionship and they’ve been toJILLIAN AND KELLY gether for about nine months 9. 4 for $4 Meal at Wendy’s. now. Kelly proposed to her Jillian Black, a freshman during Christmas games with 10. Discounted gasoline from Walmart with Walmart Gift elementary education major, his family and they are planCard. and her fiancé, Kelly, have ning on getting married in known each other since they May of 2017. were kids and attended the “I was totally shocked, same school. When Kelly I had no idea it was gonna was a freshman on their high happen,” she said. school football team, Jillian Jillian and Kelly see each was a 3rd grade mini-cheer- other about every two or leader. three weeks and always cook together. Whenever she goes to Dallas to see him, they go A WIN FOR THE MONEY shoot archery together. “When we first started and keep track of what you A survey conducted on the dating, he took me, so now spend, such as Mint. Hint: little West Texas A&M campus we try and do it every time,” showed that 64% of the males expenses can add up quickly. she said. feel they successfully budget Having that extra help can themselves monthly, and 41% make you feel more confident Jillian said the best adabout your money saving of the females feel the same vice for anyone in a long-disdecisions. Low confidence can way. According to Forbes, tance relationship is to talk. money budgeting is all about translate into fear, which can She said it may not work for confidence. Practicing with translate into failure. So step it your allowance when you are up on the budgeting and walk some couples, but it works for younger may help you create confidently! them. a budget. If you don’t know “We talk to each other where to start, don’t worry. every night, for a little while. There are many phone apps to help learn budgeting skills Communication is immensely needed for a relationship,”

Written by Bailee Wright

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Photo by Daniel Schwen—Creative Commons

Jillian said. Jillian and Kelly are six years apart, which may seem like a lot, but to them it’s just a number. Jillian said when they were younger, the age gap seemed pretty big. On engagement, Jillian thinks that if you are truly happy in the relationship, marriage is going to be something you’re excited for. She said it’s nerve-racking, but it’s the next step she wants to take. “I know that my life is not going to be gone once I’m married. I’m still gonna finish school, and I’m still gonna work,” she said. She said there have been a lot of remarks about her getting married so young, but she and Kelly try not to think about it. “If we let what people say affect us, we wouldn’t be together. We listen to what people have to say and be respectful about it, but we just push it to the back of our heads,” she said. Jillian and Kelly have a bucket list of things that they want to get done before they get married, such as, in-door skydiving and exciting things they can do as a couple. “We have a date bucket, which is full of things like, cook dinner together, so we don’t end up sitting on the couch the entire time,” she said, “Kelly’s brother and his fiancé will take us out on double dates to kinda see what they do and try new things.” Disagreements frequently come up in any relationship. These can be resolved by talking it out with your partner. For Jillian and Kelly, this keeps them from being mad at each other for too long. “Throughout our entire relationship, we have never gone to bed angry at each other, because we have always been able to talk something out,” she said.

TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2015 ACCORDING TO IMDB Written by Ashley Sandlin

1. Inside out: Inside Out is in a three-way tie with Toy Story 3 and WALL·E as Pixar’s highest-rated movie on IMDb. 2. Mad Max: Fury Road: Mad Max: Fury Road turns out to be one of the best critically reviewed films of the year and the second-highest-rated movie by IMDb’s worldwide audience. 3. The Martian: The Martian has become Matt Damon’s toprated starring role on IMDb to date. 4. Straight Outta Compton: Straight Outta Compton is IMDb’s top-rated true story of the year. 5. Sicario: The film received three Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Sound Editing. 6. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl: The film premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival to a standing ovation. It won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and the Audience Award for U.S. Drama at the festival. 7. Kingsman: The Secret Service: In the U.S., Kingsman: The Secret Service never experienced precipitous box-office drops for the duration of its theatrical run. 8. Ex-Machina: The National Board of Review recognized it as one of the ten best independent films of the year, and it won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. 9. Ant-Man: Ant-Man grossed more than $519 million worldwide, and received positive reviews from critics. 10. Avengers: Age of Ultron: It grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide, making it the seventh-highest-grossing film in history and the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2015.

IMDb (Internet Movie Database); Twitter: @IMDb

Eternal FlameL. Lozano 37 Photographed by Kiersten Newton & George

DID YOU KNOW?

The brain produces enough electricity to power a small light bulb.

COFFEE: BARISTAS &THE BRAIN Written by Meghan Hill

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Photographed by George L. Lozano

o some, coffee is considered “nectar of the gods,” a spiritual, awakening experience happening in eight ounces of hot water and ground South American or African beans. To others, coffee is just another drink that should be used only to wake oneself up and should not taste as bitter as it originally is. On average, our United States of America leads the world in coffee consumption, with our American citizens downing 400 million cups of coffee per day thanks to daily coffee drinkers (74% of adults aged 55 and older drink it daily. 50% of adults 18-34 are daily drinkers as well). We have easier access to it whether it be through local coffee shops (like Palace Coffee Company in downtown Canyon) or chain coffee shops like (Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, etc.). With all this easy access to coffee and an increasing number of coffee drinkers growing every day, we must ask ourselves: how good can coffee actually be for us? Coffee contains a significant amount of caffeine, making this drink one of the easiest ways to stimulate our bodies, minds, and senses, but sometimes, coffee may not always give people the “jitters.” Some people use this as a way to start their day. Robert Reagan, a WT nursing major, has worked at Palace for a little over three years and describes himself as a “more than regular” coffee drinker. “I have about two, maybe sometimes three cups of coffee a day,” explained Reagan, while admitting that he always prefers his coffee black.

Reagan mentioned that he has coffee before he goes to work, but the more coffee he drinks, the less effect the caffeine has on his body. “Honestly, I think it’s lessened its effect on me over time [because] I do drink it so much,” Reagan said. Reagan does admit that while on an empty stomach, the caffeine will kick in and affect him more, but more now than ever, coffee to him is just for the taste and the “ritual aspect of it” he claims. Cary Early, a WT psychology major and employee of The Jack B. Kelley Student Center Starbucks location, drinks about the same amount of cups as Reagan,

drinkers nationally use coffee as a way to unwind and relax throughout the day. A perfect example of an unwinding female coffee drinker is Christina Williams, who works with Earthbound Trading Company in Amarillo and studies pre-nursing at WT. Williams also admits to drinking two to three cups of coffee a day (if she has the resources, she mentions), and even though she has an early onset of arthritis, coffee brings her into a good mood and gives her the ability to meet new people. “I usually use a little cream and a little sugar,” Williams said, “but sometimes I’ll drink it black when I’m waking up in the

I have about two, maybe sometimes three cups of coffee a day. but his preferences are based on an emotional aspect. “I think it depends on my mood,” Early says. “Most times, I’ll drink it black and take it just like that, but there are some days where I’m just like, ‘I’m not feeling straight up coffee today.’” Early explained that when he started working at Starbucks last August— where employees enjoy free coffee. Coffee helped him stay awake and alert throughout his work day. As time went on, he said that coffee hasn’t stimulated him as much as it used to. “My body has gotten used to coffee and the caffeine now, and now it just makes me tired,” said Early, who admits the tiredness effect is weird to him. Early should not have to worry though, as the majority of female coffee

mornings.” Williams claims to have been drinking coffee since the early age of 12, and while she can still wake up with coffee, she’ll usually have to drink more for a better caffeine effect. Williams elaborates, “It’s sort of lost its touch over time. It’s gotten to where I’ll have to drink two cups in the morning sometimes, but…it still does its job.” Williams further says her love for the social circle coffee brings her to and the small local coffee shops that bring out a relaxing atmosphere for coffee drinkers. “Coffee makes me happy,” said Williams, a statement every coffee drinker would agree on. Unfortunately, no coffee drinker likes to admit they have a problem, but while coffee does come with a

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This image was shot at Evocation coffee. Their coffee is award-winning in the Amarillo area.

DID YOU KNOW? Coffee is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second most valuable traded commodity, only behind petroleum.

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DID YOU KNOW? Coffee is most effective if consumed between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

The coffee beans at Evocation coffee are roasted by them, and not third parties.

small amount of disadvantages, some coffee drinkers can drink so much that they can get addicted to the caffeine and have it become a problem. While Williams won’t quit her coffee habit any time soon, she has admitted to the coffee terribly affecting her premature arthritis. According to an article on caffeine on WebMD. com, caffeine causes a “mild physical dependence,” and quitting coffee cold turkey can temporarily cause depression, fatigue, irritability, and a slew of headaches. Even though women admit to coffee relaxing them, too much can cause insomnia, making it hard for everyone to fall asleep and get the right amount of sleep. Another setback for female

coffee drinkers reveals that for those who are pregnant or may become pregnant, drinking a high amount of caffeine (especially early in the pregnancy) increases the woman’s chances to miscarry or have a stillbirth. However, Dr. Lisa Davis, a WT nursing professor, said her students who are affected by caffeine are not strictly coffee drinkers. “I really haven’t seen any effects that I can attribute strictly to coffee drinking.” Davis said. Davis admits that most of her nursing students who like a caffeine habit get more of it from soda and energy drinks instead of just coffee. However, Davis says that to an extent, coffee would be a good stimulant. “A lot of students rely on

caffeine products like nodose pills or those Monster drinks that have mega doses of caffeine in them, and I think the effect is probably more related to those than actual coffee,” Davis said. Like any other drug, caffeine and coffee can turn into a terrifying addiction. Only 10% of coffee drinkers

people experience seriously ill effects since only 10% of all coffee drinkers admit to having a problem and wanting to cut back. To the small number that is addicted, Davis would offer help. “As with most addictions,” Davis said, “it’s a matter of changing behavior [and] habits, so I

“I’ll drink it black when I’m waking up in the morning.” that drink just one cup of coffee consider themselves addicted, but the number dramatically increases with those who drink two cups (29%) and three or more cups (46%). Not a lot of

would coach them over time to change that behavior. Usually when you have a habitual behavior, it serves a purpose. It helps you to cope in some way, so you don’t want to take away something

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that helps somebody cope without replacing it with something that helps equally well and that’s from the perception of that person.” Davis notices that people who are having an unwanted coffee addiction are those who are unfortunate sufferers of insomnia or are having problems with high blood pressure or a dangerously increased heart rate due to drinking too much caffeine, therefore causing an addiction. These people look to help replace their addiction with physical effects that they do want and will be

“…SOME COFFEE DRINKERS CAN DRINK SO MUCH THAT THEY CAN GET ADDICTED TO THE CAFFEINE.” beneficial for their lives. Davis suggests substituting the desire for caffeine with exercise or a hobby or reading or “something that gives you the same type of pleasure and involvement without the effect of the caffeine.” Once again, coffee has stood the test of time and has proven itself to be a drink universally loved by many. Coffee has provided our world with many different types of purposes and uses. To modern day working men and women, coffee helps them start their day and/or night shifts. To the baristas, their whole career is dependent on coffee (and that big espresso machine as well, right?). To students, coffee promises good grades, well done projects, and an abundance of flavors and weird poetry

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COFFEE RECIPES & ACCESSORIES!

3 SYRUPS & EXTRACTS The final process of making your ultra delicious coffee is adding your favorite syrup or extract. Here are a few recommendations for you: •

FRENCH VANILLA: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon hazelnut extract.

•

MILK CHOCOLATE: 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

•

CARAMEL MACHIATO: 2 tablespoons caramel syrup and 2 tablespoons vanilla extract.

•

CINNAMON COFFEE CAKE: 2 teaspoons cinnamon and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

•

HAZELNUT: 2 teaspoons of hazelnut extract.

•

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT (NUTELLA): 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup and 2 teaspoons of hazelnut extract. Source: Mrshappyhomemaker

1 THREE STEPS TO SPECTACULAR COFFEE

STARBUCKS’ WHITE CHOCOLATE MOCHA Ingredients:

STEP 1. Make your favorite coffee. We used Starbucks’ White Chocolate Mocha.

• • • •

STEP 2. Add your coffee creamer STEP 3. Add your favorite syrup or extract

2/3 cup whole milk 6 TBS white chocolate chips 4–6 of your freshly brewed starbucks coffee whipped cream

The Process: 1. Brew your favorite Starbucks coffee according to package directions. 2. In a saucepan or double boiler combine milk and chocolate chips. Heat on low until melted and creamy. 3. Pour half of the chocolate mixer into the bottom of the coffee mug. 4. Fill mug with Starbucks coffee leaving enough room at the top for some whipped cream. 5. Enjoy!

Source: CoffeeProTips

COFFEE CREAMER Some regular coffee drinkers usually take coffee creamer to cool down their coffee and add a little sweetness and smoothness. Unfortunately, buying many popular brands of coffee creamers can be pricey, and some don’t even contain actual milk! A cheaper alternative would be to mix your own! Ingredients: • •

1 can (14 ounces) of sweetened condensed milk 1 3/4 cup of milk (any milk will do) or cream. Almond or soy milk will also work for non-dairy drinkers.

The Process: 1. Whisk ingredients together and enjoy

Source: Driftaway

slams. To professors and teachers, coffee helps them deal with the students who have no idea what they’re doing with their work, life or anything else. To those who have not had one sip of this, coffee is just another beverage. However, coffee seems to have this overwhelming power to bring people together, break people apart and all in between. One sip of coffee may hold an idea or just another kick to get through work. Furthermore, coffee may have its downsides (especially to women), but as time goes on, coffee is proven to do more good than harm. Whether you make your coffee using a Keurig or old fashioned coffee filters and cups, whether you make it or buy it in a store, and whether you prefer your coffee black, dark roast, balanced, with plain cream and sugar, or

use the fancier creams to spruce up your coffee tastes, coffee will always find its way through our lives. Maybe it’s the caffeine talking, but coffee will not seem to slow our minds and our consumption rates down any time soon.

“ONCE AGAIN, COFFEE HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME AND HAS PROVEN ITSELF TO BE A DRINK UNIVERSALLY LOVED BY THE MANY.”

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