Oklahom 1 10 proof3

January 16, 2014 | Volume 2, Issue 14 | University of Oklahoma

www.theodysseyonline.com | @OU_TheOdyssey | Facebook.com/TheOdysseyatOklahoma

GIVE THE CREED ANOTHER READ page 3

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: BUST OR MUST? page 6 HOW TO AVOID EATING AWAY YOUR RESOLUTIONS page 10 WHAT TO WATCH FOR THE NEW YEAR page 12 Photo provided by: Mogann Russell

2

editor’s note

www.theodysseyonline.com

HOW SWEET IT IS We all know how the Sugar Bowl ended, and how sweet it is to reign victorious over the 2014 Sugar Bowl. Here aremy top five reasons why we DOMINATED the Sugar Bowl.

BOOMER! 1) Trevor Knight is a total badass. For the first time in our Knight in crimson armor’s career, he took the time to make the plays that made the game. We’ve suffered through three other quarterbacks (read: Bradford, Landry and Bell) who got so caught up in the stress of the game that they didn’t take the time to set up and get everyone on board, and because of that they ended up throwing the ball away on stupid plays. Knight showed his worth by taking the game play by play, not getting discouraged even if it took three downs to make five yards. He led the team both mentally and physically and stepped up in a way that we haven’t seen a QB do in a while. Sorry, Bell, but I see a starting season in Knight’s future. Oh, and thanks, @ESPN for giving us the best joke ever: “Trevor Knight is like the moon or something…He’s controlling the Tide.”

2) Our powerhouse defense. Many of us longtime Sooner fans thought the days of our crushing, nation-leading defense were over. The Sugar Bowl proved us wrong. The Tide came at us with one of the nation’s best offenses, expecting to bowl over our often rickety defense. Instead, they were met with some of the best pass coverage most of us have ever seen, leading to a complete embarrassment of the nation’s number two QB, AJ McCarron.

Who else can say that they forced AJ to have more sacks, turnovers and interceptions than he made touchdowns?

3) Our running game. How many times have we lost games to overlong attempted passes and interceptions? Our QBs have a tendency to get stressed and throw away the ball on risky passes. Bama came in expecting our stage fright passing offense and was totally umprepared when we brought out a running game like no other. We piloted the Tide by using smart running plays and being patient, even when our passing game meant taking

three downs to get only a few yards.

HALEY MOWDY

4) We got into AJ McCarron’s head. Alabama rested their Alpha Gamma Delta laurels on the thought that Editor-in-Chief the number two QB in the nation, AJ McCarron, Haley is a senior studying classical languages. You may was unstoppable. When contact her at hmowdy@ou.edu.

Bama lost this season, it was because they looked away for a second, not because they didn’t play an incredible game. We knew we needed to take good ole AJ out of the game to win, and we did just that. Through sack after sack, interception after interception, we convinced McCarron to think that maybe he wasn’t quite as good as he thought, and that was just enough doubt for us to dominate.

5) Bob Stoops is the winningest coach in NCAA football history. He’s a boss, and has now achieved a trophy at every single BCS bowl game—and will continue to be the only coach that has ever done that, since we are saying goodbye to the BCS and switching to a playoff system starting this year. Need I say more?

Bonus: Oh, and just in case you weren’t convinced of our greatness, College Football Network, using the AP poll, voted us the greatest college football program of all time.

Roll Tide roll right on home.

THE ODYSSEY AT OKLAHOMA EXECUTIVE TEAM

CREATIVE EXECUTIVE TEAM

Treasurer Jeff Scott

Editor-in-Chief Haley Mowdy

Phi Kappa Psi

Alpha Gamma Delta

Secretary Taylor Lapham

Editor-Elect Annie Roach

Pi Kappa Phi

Jamie Kahn,

Alpha Omicron Pi

Chi Omega

Editorial Assistant Beth Anne Kinniard Alpha Gamma Delta

OLYMPIA MEDIA GROUP 888.272.2595 | OlympiaMediaGroup.com Managing Editor, Rosemary Kelly Graphic Designer, Grant Hohulin

We want a representative from every house!

To apply for a writing, photography or sales position, TheOdysseyOnline.com/creative © 2014 Olympia Media Group, LLC All Rights Reserved.

The Odyssey is a private entity not associated or governed by University of Oklahoma Greek life office. The views and opinions shared in The Odyssey are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Odyssey and Olympia Media Group.

www.theodysseyonline.com

greek life traditions

GIVE THE CREED ANOTHER READ Congratulations, everyone. If you’re reading this, you survived another year and no one seems to be any worse for wear. We have spent the last few weeks celebrating the holidays with our families, vacationing on ski trips and waiting on last semester ’s grades. As long as you didn’t do anything to endanger your future political career or shoot someone’s eye out, I would say you did pretty well over the break.

As usual, we ask the same age-old questions at the beginning of this semester.

Should I actually buy the books required for this class? The length of Syllabus Week is negotiable right? How long until spring break, because I could really use another vacation. With the new year, we make resolutions to better ourselves and accomplish goals. Why not ask what can we do to better ourselves as Greeks? So many days go by where we forget about what we represent and why we joined Greek life in the first place. So let’s make more of an effort to honor our creeds as we look forward to what we are most excited about this semester.

Spring recruitment is right around the corner and, undoubtedly, starry eyed rushees will be walking in our doors. While not as stressful or as crowded as the fall, the guys going through spring recruitment still don’t really know what your chapter is about. No games, gimmicks or routines. Remember the qualities of a fraternity man described in your creed when you award bid cards to these guys.

There are so many opportunities we are presented with and earn throughout the year. We are lucky to be Greek and have got to stop taking it for granted. Yes, you got initiated. Congratulations, but you earn your letters every day. No one wants nationals knocking on the door, asking why your chapter made the news.

3

Have fun, study hard and try to remember all the cool things you get to do in college because the real world is approaching fast. Don’t ruin your future career with a few stupid decisions. As long as you represent your creed and act like a real fraternity man, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Society wants to say we are reckless, stupid and irresponsible. Don’t give Phi Kappa Psi the non-Greek media any Jeff is a junior studying political ammunition to twist what science. You may contact him at Greek life is about. Prove jdscott1993@ou.edu them wrong and remind the country why the majority of the nation’s successful leaders and businessmen are Greek. It’s a new year, with a brand new opportunity to recommit to your creed.

JEFF SCOTT

No matter the letter, Greeks do it better.

4 IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO GET INVOLVED campus connections

www.theodysseyonline.com

So, it’s your senior year and you notice there is absolutely nothing on your resume, or you’re a freshman who was too consumed with pledgeship and getting used to Norman during the first semester to get involved.

Whatever your story, everyone can benefit from joining oncampus organizations outside of your fraternity or sorority.

These organizations can include philanthropic groups, professional development organizations, the Student Government Association, Campus Activities Council – the opportunities are endless.

in every group you join. After all, you will not reap the benefits of the organization without truly being invested in it. Also, you definitely do not want a future employer to ask about the group and have absolutely nothing to say. I guarantee that going above and beyond will open doors for you, professionally and socially.

For me, being involved has provided internship opportunities, recognition on the national level and free trips to conferences all over the United States.

Some may feel that trying to get involved in the middle of the year is like showing up at the club at 1:30 a.m. However, this idea could not be more wrong. The middle of the year is the time that most organizations are no longer experiencing the influx of the come-to-one-meeting-neverto-be-seen-again students and they are in need of new ideas. This is the perfect time for you to step in. Getting involved is as easy as going to the first meeting and connecting to the people around you. Every organization needs as much manpower as possible and new people who are looking to help out are always appreciated.

This brings me to my next point: It’s important to make sure you’re joining groups Pi Beta Phi that reflect your interests.

Dea is a junior studying public relations. You may contact her at What’s the point of sitting dpenn@uo.edu. through meetings you don’t care about with people you don’t connect with?

For example, just because your best friend is in CAC does not mean you have to be.

Organizations are meant to be a way to meet new people, so take some time to really think about what you’re getting yourself into. It took me about two

Listing on-campus organizations on a resume will make you look good, but having a story about how you individually bettered the organization, or listing a position in the organization, is much better. This is why you need to focus on being an active member

DEA PENNINGTON

years to really figure out where I fit in best, so don’t give up.

Your resume is not complete without at least one other on-campus organization besides your Greek house, so check the Internet, pay attention to the flyers, talk to your professors and get out there this semester!

HOW TO AVOID SECOND SEMESTER SLUMP The time has come to put away the Christmas tree, say goodbye to your hometown friends and make the trek back to Norman. Second semester has arrived and with it comes the responsibilities you so happily ignored during the break. If you are anything like me, you enjoyed turning your 7 a.m. alarm button off and have become accustomed to rolling out of bed at noon.

Unfortunately, the world isn’t perfect and in order to make that 8 a.m. class, you must exchange your sleeping-in Chi Omega habit for a less enjoyable Ellen is a sophomore studying one. However, waking up journalism. You may contact her that early doesn’t have to be at ellen.p.pearson-1@ou.edu so terrible. I have some tips that might just turn even the crankiest student into a morning person.

ELLEN PEARSON

You can set your favorite song to wake you up and help get your day started off right.

Another piece of advice is to invest in a coffee maker, if you don’t live in a sorority or fraternity that supplies coffee daily. Bonus points if the coffee maker has a timer allowing you to awaken to the smell of freshly-brewed coffee. Also, don’t deny yourself breakfast.

As most people know, it is the most important meal of the day.

Now that you have started off your morning right, the next thing to do is invest in a nice planner that, hopefully, will make you write down those pesky to-do lists you sometimes

ignore. I would be lost without my planner. It contains almost everything I need from my passwords to what song I want to download next. The only way I will accomplish most of my goals is to write them down, so what better way to do that than in something you actually enjoy writing in? Barnes and Noble on Ed Noble Parkway has several nice and wallet-friendly choices that I recommend. Although the saying goes, “a cluttered desk is a cluttered mind,” I like to think that a “filled planner is an organized mind.” Just some made-up philosophy I live by.

This is also the new year that is accompanied by New Year’s resolutions. I find the best way to keep these goals is to tell my friends and make a pact with them. Tell a friend who you know will keep you in line and drag you to the gym if it’s the last thing he or she will ever do. These people are your incentive to put down the cake, study and go to the classes you usually skip. You may want to kill your friend for dragging you out of bed for your morning run, but you know that the punishment from him or her would be worse than actually breaking your resolution. So, make a pact with friends and hold each other accountable because nothing is worse than looking back on your list of goals and being disappointed with yourself.

My final piece of advice is to hit the ground running with the new semester, have a positive attitude towards your classes and responsibilities, and make it the best semester yet.

campus connections

www.theodysseyonline.com

FIVE WAYS TO MAKE THIS YOUR BEST SEMESTER 1. Be frugal No penny-pinching involved! Just start using the FREE services on campus! Let’s be honest – we are all poor college students.

UC Action Tutoring is FREE tutoring provided by OU! You will save tons of money on expensive private tutors. They have everything from foreign language tutors to math tutors. Visit uc.ou.edu/action to learn more about this awesome service.

The Huff – Need I say more? Hello free gym membership!

Career Services will help you build your resume.

Take advantage of this awesome resource and practice interviews with their mock interview option. They’ll help you land a job in no time.

2. Get involved Your chapter: To some it may sound daunting, but even a small role could help you get better acquainted with new members. Plus, leadership positions are a great resume builder.

On campus: This is a great way to meet people outside of your chapter.

Consider joining a club that is applicable to your major.

Delta Gamma If you are a pre-med major, Aimee is a freshman studying join the pre-med club. It is broadcasting & electronic media.

You may contact her at aimee. a quick way to meet likeminded people and potential schnebeck@ou.edu. study partners.

AIMEE SCHNEBECK

5

Volunteer: Get involved with the community. Grab some of your brothers or sisters and take them to a pet shelter like Second Chance. Who doesn’t love dogs? Check out www.secondchancenorman.com to contact the local shelter. Set up some volunteer time with you and three other friends.

3. Hit the gym Like I said before, the Huff is free. Keep in mind that spring break is coming. Along with looking great, you will also feel great. Exercise is proven to boost your overall mood and is also great for your health.

Eat healthier! You do not have to cut carbs and sugars all together. But try to make a conscious effort to add at least one serving of fruits or veggies at every meal.

4. Study Yes, this is a boring one and definitely a no-brainer. Start off this semester strong! While you are motivated you can work on keeping your grades high so that toward the end of the semester you do not have to stress over saving any grades. Make an effort to get assignments done ahead of time. You never know when an unexpected Whattaburger run may take up the whole evening! Getting your assignments finished ahead of time will give you a little more wiggle room.

Take advantage of office hours! A lot of the time, professors are much more willing to give you individual attention during office hours than during classroom time. This can also help you out if you ever have a borderline grade. (Shout out to my Spanish teacher!)

5. Catch some more shuteye One of the most important elements of your overall health and success in school is sleep. Try to set a sleep schedule so that your body can fall asleep easier. Sleep will improve your mood, health and performance in school.

TIPS TO START THE SEMESTER OUT RIGHT It’s 2014! It’s a brand new year and a brand new semester. If you follow these tips, you will be sure to have your best semester of college!

Look up classes on Myedu.com AND ratemyprof.com.

When you type in what school you attend, Myedu lets you see what percentage of people get A’s, B’s and C’s with almost every professor for each class you want to know about. Ratemyprof.com has you type in the teacher you want to know about and it lets you see all of the things former students have said. I like to use both websites when I enroll for classes or when I’m debating which class to choose.

Since classes have already started, take a few minutes to look up your classes/ teachers and if the odds are not in your favor, you can switch out of that class. Your GPA will thank you later.

HUNTER GRAHAM

Take an easy A class.

Have you ever had a semester where you didn’t even get one Hunter is a sophomore studying stinking A?!?! Well, nursing. You may contact her at nothing hurts your ego hgraham@ou.edu more. When I say an easy A, I don’t mean a class that your smartest friend told you to take. I mean take a class in which over 80 percent of the students get A’s. Beware: sometimes when people tell you that a certain class is super easy, make sure to enroll ONLY with the same professor. Once, I was told to take a class that was a very easy A and I didn’t enroll with the same teacher. I ended up getting a B in the class.

Delta Delta Delta

Go to your professor’s office hours.

Having a good relationship with your professors is a very good thing. I know you have probably heard this speech a million times, but talking to your professors, even twice a month, lets them know that you are giving more than minimal effort in his/her class. They appreciate it and if you are borderline in a class, teachers are known for bumping the grade up in your favor!

Study in a place on campus that you have never studied at before. …but maybe not the day before a test. If you go to a brand new environment to study the night before a test, things may not turn out well. Go explore campus and study a few days before your test in a new environment. Last semester, I went to the National Weather Center to study and it was so cool! Gaylord and Price are fun places to study, if you are like me, and aren’t in either of those colleges or aren’t there all the time.

Study hard, but don’t miss out on the fun.

Last semester, I made the mistake of not going to a date party because I had a test the following Monday. I wish I had gone with my friends. They have memories they will talk about the rest of their college years and all I can say is that I outlined a couple of chapters that I probably could have done the next day. With that being said, it also helps to not procrastinate.

Don’t have any regrets after the semester ends.

Make this the best semester yet! Don’t save any college bucket list items for next fall.

DO THEM NOW!

6

debate & discuss

www.theodysseyonline.com

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: BUST OR MUST? It’s a new year and that means it’s time for a new you, right? That seems to be the popular trend. I definitely support making New Year resolutions, but how many of us actually stick to the new goals that we set for ourselves in the new year? I am definitely not the type of person to stick to my New Year’s resolutions, let alone even make them, but occasionally I get caught up in the fad.

Here are some common New Year’s resolutions I hear from fellow college students: 1. Exercise more and be healthier.

2. Go to class.

3. Drink less.

4. Study more.

5. Get more sleep.

These resolutions are probably all pretty similar for college students around the country.

I could make a few of these my own New Year’s resolutions, although I would more than likely fail. So I decided to ask some of my friends in the Greek community to share their advice about staying successful with New Year’s resolutions.

“You need to have realistic goals, be disciplined and take baby steps. That way you won’t get discouraged and it can last you all year!” Taylor Schipper, Alpha Chi Omega.

If your resolution is to exercise more, do not start off the new year by planning two-adays at the Huff, seven days a week. Start out slowly and ease your way into working out. You could start out the new year by going to the Huff for an hour, three to four days a week. If the weather permits, try going for a jog or a run outside every now and then.

“Don’t shoot for the stars, keep them low and achievable.” Jeff Mayer, Sigma Chi. If your resolution is to drink less, don’t set yourself up for failure. If you know that you cannot go out to the bars without getting too crazy, then you probably shouldn’t go out with your buddies every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. If you do choose to go out, make

A CLOSER LOOK AT NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS As 2014 starts and students come back to school, people look back on the previous year and think about what they could have done better or what they should have tried to do. The feeling of inspiration that comes with the holiday motivates Americans all over the nation to set out and improve their year by completing a New Year’s resolution. Here are the top ten New Year’s resolutions for 2014.

1. Lose weight 2. Get organized and make better grades 3. Spend less, save more 4. Enjoy life to the fullest 5. Stay fit and healthy

6. Learn something exciting 7. Quit smoking 8. Help others with their dreams 9. Fall in love 10. Spend more time with family

Surprisingly, out of the 45 percent of the population who make New Year’s resolutions, only eight percent ever achieve their goals. What’s interesting is that there’s a silver lining to even making a New Year’s resolution, even if you don’t complete it. Statistics show that people who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain ALpha Gamma Delta their goals than people who don’t make explicit Lindsey is a sophomore studying resolutions for the year. journalism. You may contact her at To top it all off, out of all lindsey.scott@ou.edu. the people in the nation who do make resolutions, those in their twenties are 23 percent more likely to achieve their goals than those in other age groups.

So, Sooners, if you have made any of these your New Year’s resolution, here is my advice: if you are serious about your goal, don’t get discouraged if you mess up along the way. Your individual progress, no matter how slow it might seem, is something to be proud of achieving. Check out the articles on sticking to your resolutions in this issue if you need help staying on track. Embrace the new year and all of the challenges you might face and hopefully by next New Year’s Eve you will look back on 2014 and see it for all the strides you made. Happy New Year, Sooners, and welcome back.

LINDSEY SCOTT

Sources: http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/

a game plan and hold yourself accountable.

“Tell your friends what your resolution is so they can help to hold you responsible if you break your resolution!”

Alpha Chi Omega Hunter Graham, Delta Delta Delta.

Emily is a freshman studying elementary education. You may If your resolution is to go to contact her at Emily.A.Braun-1@ class more, then a great way ou.edu to make sure that happens is to find some friends who are in the same classes as you and hold each other accountable to being present in class.

“Setting new goals is great. But in order to achieve those goals you have to set concrete steps to get there.” Aaron Hausher, Alpha Tau Omega.

If your resolution is to study more, try writing out your schedule in a planner. Include times that you plan on studying and stick to it. Make sure not to spread yourself too thin. You know what you can handle, so take the necessary steps to ensure that you will study more.

I hope these tips from your fellow OU peers help you achieve your goals. I wish you the best of luck with your New Year’s resolution endeavors.

Bring on 2014!

EMILY BRAUN

debate & discuss

www.theodysseyonline.com

HAS OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE VIOLATED THE FIRST AMENDMENT? Living in the South, most Oklahomans know that our state is composed mostly of conservative Christians. Typically, every county votes Republican in a political election and we are not one of the swing states. Many cities have even expressed their Christian views in their state seals and display these symbols in their City Halls.

Because of the separation of church and state described in the First Amendment, the Oklahoma Capitol building has not

NICOLE SMITH Alpha Omicron Pi

Nicole is a junior studying economics & religious studies.

You may contact her at smith.a.nicole@ou.edu.

been allowed to display Christian symbols. However, in 2012, as a result of private funds and legislation passed in 2009, the Ten Commandments of the Abrahamic religions were installed as a monument on the back side of the State Capitol building.

The legality of this monument, according to many Oklahoma officials, is supported by the idea that the Ten Commandments

influenced the existing legal system and, therefore, does not violate the separation of church and state.

When this matter was further investigated, many organizations believed that it violated the Constitution and that the monument sends a message that Oklahoma is a Christian state. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) continued to investigate the issue and determined that mixing the secular and religious ideas into one monument is unconstitutional and violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

The Establishment Clause requires that “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion…” In this case of displaying a religious monument that influenced our government laws, the Capitol appears to be making a statement that the separation of church and state existed only after the Constitution was founded on Christian principles, like the Ten Commandments.

The ACLU is asking that other religious monuments be displayed near the Ten Commandments monument in order for the Establishment Clause to be preserved. Currently, it appears as if Oklahoma voters are favoring one religious faith with the one monument, but more monuments would bring more equality and religious diversity.

Hearing of this dispute between the state of Oklahoma and the ACLU, a Satanist temple based in New York requested that a religious monument also be displayed near the existing

DON’T BE THAT GUY

I like to think that in this world, there are good people, bad people and THOSE guys. He is a person whose rude, selfish and negative disposition dampens the spirits of those around him and cause despair. For those wishing to steer clear of this path, as well as those questioning whether they fall into this category, here are several ways to avoid living this lifestyle.

Say please and thank you.

I’m almost positive this is the first lesson I learned in life and it is absolutely appalling how many people seem to have missed out on it. When someone offers you something, you say, “yes, please.” After you have received, you say, “thank you.” It’s funny that my beagle Penny, who eats her own poop, knows to show Sigma Alpha Epsilon some love after receiving a dog treat, yet I get zombieNick is a junior studying like looks from people I hold journalism. You may contact the door open for. Sometimes him at nickcallaway@ou.edu.

I get the feeling that too many people around OU share a false sense of entitlement, but I can assure you that you never get too big to express gratitude.

Drive considerately.

When a lane on the highway is about to close and you’ve been getting notices three miles in advance, don’t be the guy who speeds up, cuts ahead of everybody and merges at the last second.

This method was created by the king of jerks and is completely unacceptable. Also, note that in this case, two wrongs do make a right, so feel free to go out of your way to not let this guy in your lane.

Do not tail people who are going the speed limit. If you have an issue with the speed of traffic, find an open lane and deal with it on your own. The good people who actually drive the speed limit don’t deserve to have you pressuring them and stirring up their nerves.

Don’t cut in line.

I may be overly sensitive on this topic, but it is my absolute biggest pet peeve. It is never okay to jump ahead in an organized line and those who do are among the most terrible of people. It never fails to happen at the most annoying times. You’re waiting in a line for what seems like an

NICK CALLAWAY

7

monument. The Satanist group would obtain public approval for the text and design of the monument, but they believe it would resolve the issue of the Constitutional violation that is currently on display.

Other religions are also applying for a display at the Oklahoma Capitol, including the Universalist Society of Hindus, who wish to display the god Hanuman. This god is also known as the monkey king and he is a devotee of the Rama. He is very prominent among the Hindu faith, which is the third largest religion in the world.

Those seeking to place religious monuments next to the Ten Commandments are trying to absolve the issue of religious equality and help spread understanding of their religion in a state that is mostly conservative Christians. The Hindus wish to give honor to Hanuman, but they would also have an informational section of the monument for viewers to learn from.

In the wake of this controversy, the Oklahoma Capitol has put a hold on requests for religious monuments, hoping that the legal case (Prescott v. Oklahoma) with the ACLU will be resolved before they accept new displays.

For the time being, the Oklahoma Capitol will uphold their Christian religious beliefs with the display of the Ten Commandments as an influence on our nation’s legal system.

eternity, but right when you are nearing the front region, something devastating occurs. A big group emerges from your left and waves at their friends who are at the very front of the line. They attach themselves to the side of the line while fake conversation ensues and slowly, but surely, become part of the line. The group completely bypasses the waiting that everyone else is participating in and makes your wait even longer. This is the epitome of bad things happening to good people, but it’s important to remember that patience is a virtue – and those who lead virtuous lives are rewarded in the long run.

Treat working people with respect.

Most employees at the various shops and restaurants around campus are just hard-working students trying to earn a little cash, many of whom are paying there own tuition. No matter how miserable of a person you are, you should never take it out on those working at these places. It’s not the employee’s fault that the store doesn’t carry the product you are looking for or that the price isn’t what you would like. When eating at a restaurant, there are very few instances in which you should not tip. Often times, whatever you’re pissed off about isn’t the server’s fault and should not reflect on the gratuity. Don’t be a cheapskate.

Human interaction.

I am a friendly person and while I don’t expect everyone to have this nature, there are certain instances of coldness that rub me the wrong way. At least once a day I will say hello to a stranger on campus that looks at me and completely ignores me. Would it be that hard to say hello back or, at least, fake a smile?

Conversations are another interaction that really bring the negative to the surface. A popular offender is the “one-upper.” This is the guy who can never just hear a story. Instead, the entire time you are talking, he is thinking about what he can say to do you one better. There is a time for talking and there is a time for listening. Decide which moments in life are fitting for each and you will become less of a jerk.

Negativity.

We all have that friend who is never satisfied with anything. Get it in your head right now: you NEVER want to be that friend. This is the person who looks for the absolute worst in every instance and tries desperately to bring happy people down to the dungeon of lonely darkness, at all costs. People like this may never be able to overcome being a jerk, but they can serve as the prime example of how not to be.

If you’ve read this article and decided it is impossible to do any of these things, there is a secret weapon that has been used for thousands and thousands of years. It is the smile.

Smiling can lower your jerk rating by at least 50 percent in any given situation and is as easy as moving your mouth a certain way. Try it out and see how it can change your day, as well as those around you.

8

travel & adventure: Study Abroad

STUDYING ABROAD: WORKING HARD OR HARDLY WORKING? Study abroad – otherwise known as a college student’s ultimate four-month spring break. Whether you are 21 or not, you can drink as much as you want, flirt with whoever you want and you have as much freedom as you are ever going to get while in college. Sure, you’ll have to give up a semester on your university’s campus, but gather one or two of your friends who are also interested and you will have the opportunity to experience one of the best semesters of your life.

Study abroad programs aim to provide you with so much more than a semester full of crazy weekend memories. Of course, while you are abroad you should enjoy yourself as much as you can, but remember that academics shouldn’t have to suffer and take a backseat. Asses your level of self-control and do some research to find that perfect study abroad experience with just the right balance of entertainment and education.

Traveling is one of the best ways to learn and expand your knowledge, so what better time is there to explore the world than while you are a college student? Travel exposes you to different languages, cultures and perspectives. Dedicating the upcoming semester or the summer months to enjoy this valuable opportunity deepens the benefits of the college experience and helps students develop life skills they wouldn’t learn in the classroom.

A number of obstacles can get in the way of studying abroad during school, but if you do get the chance to go abroad, the experience and life skills you learn can help set you apart from other job candidates when it is time to go out into the real world.

www.theodysseyonline.com

If you are someone who is seriously considering going abroad, be strategic when you plan your trip. In past years, students typically went Alpha Phi overseas during their junior Christina is a sophomore year. However, there are studying advertising. now more options to study Yo u m a y c o n t a c t h e r a t during the summer months c.l.ortyn@ou.edu and during sophomore year.

The flexibility of this schedule makes it possible for more college students to fit study abroad programs into their demanding academic schedules.

CHRISTINA ORTYN

Most students who decide to study abroad describe their experience as developmental, giving them a different view of the world and building self-confidence and independence. For some people, this comes from navigating public transportation on their own, while attempting to speak a language they barely know; for others it comes from eating different cuisines. Whichever way you experience it, studying abroad has many benefits.

When choosing a study abroad destination or program, pick one that fits your academic and personal interests. For some college students, exploring your heritage may sound like the ultimate study abroad experience. For others, visiting a country with future international business opportunities may be a better fit. There are numerous options to choose from, which is why it is important to lay out your interests and goals before beginning the process of choosing which program is best for you.

We live in an increasingly interconnected, global environment. This makes bringing new and different ideas and perspectives back to the United States important in setting apart college students who have studied abroad, and it makes you more marketable to future employers. Many students come back with broadened problem-solving skills, creative thinking and a heightened sense of independence, making studying abroad one of the best opportunities available to college students.

STUDY ABROAD: 10 PRE-DEPARTURE TIPS There’s no doubt that studying abroad is one of the greatest opportunities a college student can partake in. When jetting off to a foreign country, one can never be over-prepared! So before you go, there’s a few things you’ll need to keep in mind.

Know your environment.

In order to have the best experience possible, you’ll need some knowledge of your destination’s culture, Kappa Kappa Gamma laws and crime rates. One Alexis is a junior studying Public way to do this is by checking Relations. You may contact her at out the country’s government alexis@ou.edu. website.

ALEXIS HAMES

Keep documents a click away. You never know when your passport or other important documentation will be misplaced. Keep a copy of all important documents saved to Google Documents or your OU locker on D2L. This way, you can print them off from your dorm or library at anytime.

Cell phone smarts. Call your cell phone company prior to departure. Ask them about the plans they offer and how they can accommodate you. Depending on their options, you might be better off getting a go-phone once you reach your destination.

Make new friends. Prior to departure, try to meet other people in your program. Even if you already have a friend accompanying you, you’ll get more out of it by meeting new people. This can be done through pre-departure meetings, creating/joining a Facebook group or simply asking your study abroad advisor to connect you to fellow students in your program.

Money matters. Plan out an approximate budget – before you are in a foreign country! Be aware of what is being covered through your tuition payment and what is not. If your parents are financing your trip, sit down with them and go over costs. They’ll be more inclined to help you out when they know you care about managing their money.

Fly under the radar. When packing for your trip, you’ll probably feel the urge to bring your most expensive handbags and treasured jewelry. Resist this urge. The best way to experience a culture is to not be seen as a tourist. In regards to theft, it is safer to go unnoticed and blend in. This way, you won’t have to worry so much about your prized possessions being stolen.

They’ll be waiting for you when you get home, I promise.

Stock up on your meds. Instead of trying to fill your prescriptions abroad, bring a few months supply. Just call your physician and let them know how long you will be traveling. They can clear the prescription with your pharmacist. This will be one less thing to worry about while overseas.

Insurance coverage. You have insurance here, so you don’t need any more, right? Wrong.

You’ll need a policy that checks out overseas. To know your insurance options, check with your study abroad advisor.

Ditch the shampoo. Not the whole time, just until you make it to the country of your destination. Big bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and other toiletries translate to pounds in your suitcase. Your entire toiletry needs can be satisfied once you land!

Bring family and friends. In picture form. Living in a foreign country for months is going to be awesome, but you’re bound to get homesick from time to time. Bring photos of your family and friends to display in your dorm room to help this feeling pass.

fashion trends

www.theodysseyonline.com

FLANNEL SHIRTS: WHERE FASHION MEETS FUNCTION I’ve always found winter to be the hardest time to be fashionable. When it’s gray and cold outside, I have difficulty getting out of bed, let alone finding something socially acceptable to wear. During the bitter months preceding spring break, the only clothes I want to wear are my flannel pajamas. However, I have learned from personal experience that most people will judge you harshly when such an ensemble is worn in public.

That is why I have deemed one type of clothing as my savior this winter season: my flannel shirts. They have become the closest thing I can find to my warm cotton pajamas and sometimes I find it hard to even tell the difference! Being able to carry the coziness of my bed to class has been a God-send for me this winter.

The best part about flannels is not only that you feel like you’re wearing a blanket, but that they can be fashionable as well. You can look like a knock-out while still feeling like you’re at home on the couch.

The versatility of flannel is where its true value lies. There are so many ways that you can dress it, both up and down, that it can be worn for almost any occasion. From rolling out of bed for class, to heading to Campus Corner on a Thursday night, flannel shirts are the one

piece of clothing that I have been able to wear on nearly any occasion. I have found that the same flannel can be considered both casual and dressy depending on what you wear with it.

9

HANNAH THORP Gamma Phi Beta

Hannah is a junior studying english. You may contact her at hannahelaine67@yahoo.com.

For example, when it comes to class I like to keep it practical, using my flannel mostly as a source of warmth rather than a fashion statement. This may have to do with the twenty minute trek I have to make to each class, but with flannel it becomes almost bearable. Sometimes, on those really arctic days, I’ll put a long sleeve shirt under my flannel and that is sure to keep you warm and toasty. I’ve also seen a lot of students pair it with a vest which is both stylish and conventional.

When going for a more stylish polished look, flannel also offers many options. I prefer to pair mine with jeans and boots and occasionally a stylish necklace to finish off the look. I have also become a huge fan of layering. After Christmas break, when the majority of us are sure to have put on a few extra pounds from Mom’s cooking, layering acts as a perfect camouflage.

Whether putting a cardigan over it, or wearing a shirt or sweater under it, you can come off as put together and laid back. So my advice to you is to invest in as many flannel shirts as you can because they have proven to be a glorious woolen essential.

VESTS When it comes to fashion, I tend to gravitate towards a Jennifer Aniston-esque style. Aniston always looks wonderful, but she is never over-the-top in her clothing choices. Her style is very “every day woman.” The effort level is minimal, but the appearance is still fashion forward.

Fashion can be overwhelming and putting an outfit together can be quite the task. However, like Aniston, you can be fashion forward in a simplistic way.

A simplistic trend I’ve noticed is the vest. Whether fancy or casual, vests can make even the simplest outfit stand out.

One of the most fashion forward vests is fur. At first, I wasn’t too sure how to feel about fur vests. They kind of weirded me out. Fur gives me the same feeling as deer heads hanging on the wall. The creepy little glass eyes watching you 24/7 isn’t the most desirable of sought after attentions. Wearing fur would feel the same way, I suppose. However, not all fur vests are made of real fur. So, I got over my initial hesitation.

Fur can be a hard look to pull off; it takes a certain type of person to wear it successfully. Whether it’s real or fake, fur is just so glamorous. But hey, everyone deserves to feel fabulous, so if you have the confidence to wear a fur vest, they can really make a statement outfit. All you need is a simple base: jeans and a plain colored t-shirt or you can even throw it over a dress.

If you’re not a fur girl, there are plenty of other types of vests. One of the most common vests is the J.Crew style puffer quilted vests. They come in a variety of colors, both vibrant and neutral. Once

again, pair it with a simple Aniston style outfit and you’re transformed into a fashionista. The J.Crew vests run pretty expensive, around $110 a pop. For a typical college student, this may cause a little bit of heartache. No fear, because there are always more affordable options if you have the heart of a determined bargain hunter. One of my favorite affordable vests can be found at Old Navy. In my opinion, they are just as Kappa Kappa Gamma fashion forward as the J.Crew vests, but run around $20.

K a t h r y n i s a f re s h m a n studying public relations.

They come in hunter green, You may contact her at black, white and a few other kathryn.e.andrews-1@ou.edu vibrant colors.

KATHRYN ANDREWS

Looking for a more casual option? Fleece vests are great investments, especially in Oklahoma. Not only do they make your lazy outfits look like you put the tiniest bit of effort into them, they are great for layering and keeping you warm. You know you’ll be wearing them well into the spring. Columbia sells fleece vests for $29.99 and they come in several neutral colors. If you’re willing to spend more, North Face designs a great fleece vest as well.

College students have limited time as it is. We are always seeking ways to make life a little easier and attempt to look as if we really didn’t get dressed in under a minute (even though we probably did). Vests are an easy and fashionable way to look like you have your life together, even when you don’t.

10 sports talk

www.theodysseyonline.com

NEW YEAR, NEW SPORTS

When I was a freshman, I decided to attend one of the OU women’s gymnastics meets. I had never been to anything gymnastics related, with the exception of taking a gymnastics class when I was five. It turned out to be one of my favorite events at OU! I still have no idea how it’s judged and can find absolutely nothing to critique, but I love the spectacle.

Soon after my first gymnastics meet, a girl in my sorority, who worked with the OU Athletic Department, said they needed volunteers to help the judges with the events. After signing up to help, I found out that it was the easiest way, ever, to get service hours.

So, during this month, while all of us are telling ourselves to try something new, here it is!

We consistently have top-ranking gymnastics teams every year, so go out and see them.

If you’re sitting here thinking that you want to watch a sport that’s a little more masculine, need I remind you that wrestling is still in full gear for their season. Holding the number four spot in the NCAA rankings and with senior wrestler, Kendric Maple, ranked third in the nation, our wrestling team has been awesome to watch. Their biggest moment Alpha Phi of the season so far was Jennifer is a freshman the one point victory over studying journalism. number five ranked bedlam You may contact her at rival Oklahoma State. This jennifer.n.nygren-1@ou.edu. match had the McCasland Fieldhouse sold out and sent the Cowboys home crying right before their loss in the bedlam football game.

JENNIFER NYGREN

I got the best seat in the house, sitting right next to the judges at their tables, and my job was to turn the scorecards after they told me their results. The best thing was that all of the gymnastics volunteers got assigned a team to follow at the meet, so you didn’t have to sit in the same seat the whole time. All the volunteers traveled to each event and got a front row seat at the vault, floor and bars competitions.

So here is my shameless plug. If anyone wants to volunteer at men’s or women’s gymnastics events this spring, feel free to email me! I now have an internship with the Athletic Department and volunteers are needed for each event, so if you want the best seat in the house at a gymnastics event don’t hesitate to contact me!

OU women’s gymnastics will be hosting a meet this Friday, January 17 starting at 7 p.m. at the Lloyd Noble Center. The men’s gymnastics team will host their meet at the Lloyd Noble Center the following day at 5 p.m.

Watch OU wrestling take on Northern Iowa on Sunday January 19 in the McCasland Fieldhouse at 2 p.m. Also, next Thursday they will face off against Missouri at 7 p.m.

My sophomore year is the first year that I ventured to a wrestling match and it turned out to be a blast once I got accustomed to the moves and point system. Who knows what sport I’ll venture to next year, when I’m a junior.

My charge to everyone is to get a little out of your comfort zone and check out a sport you may know nothing about. Part of college is being in the atmosphere of fans cheering on an athletics team, so branch out beyond just basketball and football.

HOW TO AVOID EATING AWAY YOUR RESOLUTIONS You’ve made it halfway through January, but have you kept up with your New Year’s resolutions? Although some of us promise ourselves this year will be different, most of us have given up or lost the will power to stick to any self-made promises by February. However, if you are really determined this year, these tips could help you along the way.

MARLEY DABLO Kappa Kappa Gamma

Marley is a junior studying journalism. You may contact her at marleydablo@ou.edu.

Expect to hit some bumps in the road. When pursuing a goal, it’s obviously important to know your goal and how to achieve it, but you should also keep in mind what could interfere.

It’s safer to assume that problems will arise that affect your motivation. For example, if you are trying to learn to cook, plan to shop ahead of time and prepare weeknight meals during the weekend so you won’t be too tired after a long day and resort to fast food.

Speaking of food, it’s very important to eat regular meals full of protein and good carbs, like turkey sandwiches with cheese on wheat bread. If not, glucose levels get low, which means low will power to keep pushing toward reaching those goals.

Oh, and never start a new task on an empty stomach. You need those glucose levels to stay up so that you’ll have energy to move forward.

Develop more self-control by doing the opposite of what you would normally do or modifying your normal routine.

For example, try brushing your teeth or hair with your nondominant hand. Once you’ve succeeded in minor changes like brushing, you will have the practice to help change a more substantial habit.

Reward yourself. When changing your behavior, pick something that you can treat yourself to once you’ve fulfilled your mission of the day. It could be a while before a habit forms and it becomes routine, so placing your attention on the end goal and reward will help reduce your focus on the difficulty or effort of the activity itself.

Don’t beat yourself up over setbacks. It could lead to further indulgences. Think about the bigger picture and what caused you to slip up in the first place. Once you’ve figured that out, think about how to avoid the problem in the future and let it go.

Don’t let your goals get so big so that you won’t be able to prevent setbacks. Overly ambitious goals can backfire, burn you out and lead to abandonment. Set goals that take more effort than usual, but are not an overreach.

Go public with your goals and lean on support from friends and family when you are struggling. If you make your intentions known to others, they can help keep you accountable. Friends and family will also want you to succeed so enlisting those with whom you have a reliable relationship is key when your will power is lacking.

Put your needs first even when it might seem selfish. You should be your first priority. Don’t feel guilty for saying no to those cookies at the first chapter meeting of the semester just because everyone else is enjoying them.

Remember to take lessons and learn from both your successes and failures along the way. Focus on making progress instead of only looking for the finish line.

Lastly, and most importantly, remember the real reason behind your goal(s). You are more likely to reach a goal when it has personal significance to you. Not every dedicated runner loves running, but they have a deep desire to stay healthy so they continue to rack up the miles. As long as it’s important to you and you remind yourself why it’s important, your goal(s) will be much more achievable.

health & fitness

www.theodysseyonline.com

FOUR TIPS TO HELP YOU GET TO THE GYM New Year’s Eve has come and gone and sticking to that resolution of going to the gym is getting harder and harder as your schedule fills up and time is difficult to come by. Luckily, there are several things you can do to motivate yourself and make getting to the gym easier.

One of the first things to focus on is making the gym a fun and rewarding experience. If you think of the gym as horrible and monotonous work (which leg day always seems like) then getting out of bed and heading over to the Huff or Gold’s is going to seem like the hardest thing in the world. But if you put on some good music and think of it as a rewarding experience or as a way to improve yourself, then heading to the gym will feel like a necessity instead of a chore.

ERIC PARSONS Lambda Chi Alpha

Another really great way to insure that you keep fitness a priority is to schedule some time every day. You may not lift or exercise every single day of the week, but setting aside time helps make sure you’re not rushing through your day to get it in. And on your rest days, you’ve got a little free time to unwind, which never hurts.

Eric is a junior studying chemical biosciences. You may contact him at snosrap@ ou.edu.

11

too comfortable to leave in exchange for the gym. At the end of the day you’re dead tired, but in the early afternoon you’re still full from lunch and fully awake.

Find a partner to exercise with. While it may be difficult, at times, to sync your schedules, having someone to hit the gym with will make you more accountable. This will also go a long way to improve your workout. Exercising with someone else generally causes you to push yourself harder and increase the efficacy of a workout.

The next tip is kind of a no-brainer, but it’s one of the most effective things you can do to get yourself in the gym. If you’re having trouble getting to the gym, then change your routine to make it as easy as possible. Don’t have some long drawn out routine to accomplish before you head out to lift. Instead, have your workout clothes and a water bottle in a bag already in your car so you can run straight to the gym. Keep in mind that it’s not something you have to be all dressed up for. Going to the gym is something you do for yourself, not for anyone else. It really doesn’t matter how you look, as long as you get a great workout in and feel good doing it.

As classes begin and life gets more complicated, it can become harder to find time to get to the gym. Make it a priority. The gym can be an extremely rewarding experience.

A great time to settle on is around 3 p.m. because, in the morning, a warm bed always seems

NEW YEAR, NEW BODY, NEW WORKOUT ** DISCLAIMER: If your New Year’s resolutions do not include “be healthy” or “get fit,” then congrats to you for doing you and don’t see this as a suggestion for a resolution. If you’re happy with the lifestyle you’re living then I am in no way trying to tell you to change it. Rock on in the New Year.

With a new year and a new semester, the resolutions list continually grows. However, there’s one resolution that no one can ever seem to get rid of: “live healthier.” Give it a month and

exercise routine through the combination of the aforementioned plethora of research options.

Run in place bringing knees up to chest.

What I’m offering up is a routine that hits each area of the body that girls typically want to work out (sorry if the arm section is a little bit weak) that can be done at one repetition for beginners and up to four reps for those who want a challenge.

Run in place and kick feet backwards as far as possible

CORE Plank (1 minute) Bicycle crunches (20)

ANNIE ROACH Chi Omega

Annie is a sophomore studying professional writing and international studies.

You may contact her at annieroach@ou.edu.

Right side plank (30 seconds) Mountain climbers (20) Left side plank (30 seconds) Reverse crunches (20) V-sit (1 minute) Hip raises (20) Wall sit (1 minute) LEGS/GLUTES Squats (100)

it’s pretty common to find yourself lounging in bed with good ol’ Ben and Jerry’s (I recommend Half-Baked) and watching Netflix instead of going to the gym.

Many turn to magazines or old routines for guidance, most flooding the domain of Pinterest in search of a top-notch workout routine. The main issue everyone discovers, however, is that there’s just too much. An overabundance of information can sometimes be a bad thing, because who’s to know which routine is best? Because of the overwhelming amount of options, I’ve seen people give up because they have no clue what the best choice for getting fit is.

For those who know what I’m talking about, or those who are just too lazy to go searching through websites and magazines for a decent workout routine, I’ve compiled a simple but effective

Lunges (30) Leg circles (20 per leg) Hip scissors (50 per leg) Hip raise hold (2 minutes) ARMS Push-ups (20) Ballet arms (30) Sit criss-cross, back straight, open and close arms stiffly and slowly.

Arm circles (30 each direction) Bicep curls (20 each arm) Use a full water bottle/milk jug if you don’t have weights.

CARDIO Jump rope (1 minute) High knees (100)

Butt kicks (200) Jumping jacks (100) Run (10 minutes)

For questions about any of these exercises, email me!

These exercises are easy to do with great results, if you stick to them, and can be done at home, srat or apartment with no excuse for not making it to the gym, because you don’t need to. If you want to up the cardio, but not the strengthening, do two to four reps of only the cardio workouts back to back for a serious calorie burner.

As far as eating healthy goes, don’t be unrealistic. If you try to cut yourself off from all your overly eaten, guilty pleasures at once, you’re pretty much doomed. It’s impossible to take away that much tastiness and not go through withdrawal and ultimate failure. Take it one week at a time, subtracting a new item that probably shouldn’t be in your diet bit by bit and you might just succeed.

The biggest tip has got to be water. Drink enough each day and your overall health will get so much better. Buy a water bottle and keep that thing near you day and night; after awhile it’ll become habit.

Don’t lose the New Year’s motivation on bad planning and execution. Fnd a plan you like and stick to it. Try to keep sticking to it past the month of February. There will always be excuses, but the only person you’re really trying to convince is yourself, so those are dumb to start with.

Celebrate 2014 by staying true to the get fit resolution and by 2015 we all may be giving cheers to good health.

12

entertainment news

www.theodysseyonline.com

WHAT TO WATCH FOR THE NEW YEAR

The new year is upon us and with it comes more entertainment! Here are just a few of the upcoming shows and movies on my watch list.

Game Of Thrones, Season 4

Chances are that in your group of friends at least one of them has watched Game Of Thrones. Since its premier in April 2011 on HBO, the popularity of the series has grown exponentially. The show is based on a series of fantasy novels written by George R. R. Martin, beginning in 1996, titled A Song of Ice Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Fire. Before the word “fantasy” turns away your Peter is a junior studying letters. You interest, understand that may contact him at petershadid@ Game Of Thrones is much more than Dungeons And ou.edu.

Dragons formed into a show.

It focuses on the struggles of a vast kingdom and how corruption and betrayal can easily find a way into the equation.

Mix this with many cleverly thought out plots and engaging characters and you have one hell of a show. And in usual HBO fashion, nudity and vivid violence happen at least once in each episode, so that’s always fun. The series starts up again in early 2014, giving you plenty of time to get caught up and ready for more.

PETER SHADID

House Of Cards, Season 2 Netflix has aided many of us in the act lounging on the couch for hours at a time. They stream practically anything one could possibly desire. But Netflix took it even further

by producing their own original series, releasing each season in full, just as they do with other network shows. House Of Cards debuted as their first original series last February.

Although I did not think much of the trailers, it more than exceeded my expectations.

With Kevin Spacey as the lead actor, it’s hard not to. Other than Spacey, Robin Wright and Kate Mara, the cast is filled with many actors you might not recognize. The acting and dialog are absolutely fantastic. Kevin Spacey is more diabolical than ever and the other characters remain dynamic and interesting throughout the episodes. Some of the best scenes are when Spacey talks directly to the audience, speaking his inner thoughts which reveal his true sadistic and egotistical nature. Start watching, just do it. Before you know it, you will have blown through the 13-episode season and eagerly await the next season this coming February.

The Wolf Of Wall Street Since I saw the trailer for The Wolf Of Wall Street this past summer, I have been suffering in anticipation of its release. If you haven’t seen the trailer, pull out that iPhone and witness two minutes of sheer greatness. The Wolf Of Wall Street is about the true story of Jordan Belfort’s descent from wealthy stockbroker into a life of crime and corruption. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead, as Belfort. Even though he may be reprising his role as the seriously intense and confused guy, similar to his roles in The Departed, Shutter Island, Inception, The Great Gatsby, he plays that character type so well that it really doesn’t matter. Next is Jonah Hill, who I would argue is one of the best actors today. From a bumbling idiot in Superbad, to a statistical genius in Moneyball and an overly caring and creepy friend in This Is The End, Hill has shown that he is more than capable of portraying diverse roles. Then there is Matthew McConaughey, but this isn’t The Wedding Planner or Failure To Launch McConaughey. No, this is Dazed And Confused and A Time To Kill McConaughey – the cool McConaughey. Oh, and it’s directed by Martin Scorsese.

I mean, come on! If this movie does not even remotely spark your interest, then I don’t know what would.

THE BEST TV SHOWS OF 2013 Looking back, 2013 was the year of the series binge. Let us all take a moment to thank the TV gods for the creation of Netflix and Hulu, which have forever changed the way we watch TV. Over Christmas break I’m sure many of you sat in front of your TV and computer screens for countless hours watching your latest addiction. Here is my list of recommendations for the best TV shows of 2013 that are, oh, so binge-worthy.

1. Breaking Bad Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Breaking Bad is the story of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), who begins as a high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He then turns to a life of crime to secure his family’s financial future by making and selling methamphetamine. He teams up with a former student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul).

KELSEY GOSDIN

Alpha Omicron Pi Kelsey is a junior studying public relations. You may contact her at Kgosdin@ou.edu.

You must be living under a dark rock if you did not hear about the season’s climactic finale. Breaking Bad has been nominated for Best Television Series at the Golden Globes and was named the highest rated TV series of all time by

the Guinness World Records in 2013.

2. Scandal When someone in Washington D.C. gets into trouble, there is only one person to call, Olivia Pope. Olivia is a professional “fixer” who gets rid of problems and spins bad situations into good ones. This political thriller is my latest addiction. Starring Kerry Washington, Scandal was created

by Shonda Rhimes, who also created Grey’s Anatomy. The show focuses on a crisis management firm headed by Olivia Pope, as well as her associates and the staff of the White House. Spoiler alert! Olivia may or may not be having an affair with the President of the United States…

This series has conspiracy, love triangles and family drama. What more could you ask for? The show is currently in its third season and airs on ABC. 3. New Girl Hey girl, whatcha doin? Probably watching New Girl.

Who’s that girl? It’s Jess a.k.a. Zooey Deschanel. This lighthearted and hilarious show takes a modern look at friendship and romance as it follows five quirky friends in their somewhat awkward and hilariously misguided attempts to find their place in the world.

New Girl premiered in 2011 and made serious headway this year in its third season. The main characters – Jess, Nick, Schmidt and Winston – all live in a downtown Los Angeles loft. Last year, New Girl was nominated for two Golden Globes including best actress in a TV series and five Emmys. If you like Friends, you will fall in love with New Girl.

4. American Horror Story

This year, American Horror Story started its third season on FX. If you are looking for a source of insomnia, look no further. Each season of American Horror Story has the same actresses and actors, but has a different (and equally creepy) storyline. The first season follows the story of a family that moves into a house that is haunted by its former tenants. The second season takes place in the 1960s in an asylum for the criminally insane. The third season, currently on FX, follows the battle between witches and voodoo practitioners.

While some portions of the show are slightly disturbing, an IMDB critic wrote, “You have got to love this weird, haunted freak show,” and I agree.

5. The Americans Named one of the best new series of 2013 by Buzzfeed, The Americans is a truly unique TV series from AMC. It is set during the Cold War in the 1980s. It is the story of Elizabeth and Philip Jennings who are Soviet KGB officers posing as a typical American couple in Washington, D.C. According to the New York Times, former CIA agent Joseph Weisberg created and writes the show.

6.Orange is the New Black This Netflix original series made its debut in 2013.

The series revolves around Piper Chapman, who was an engaged woman living in New York City until she is sentenced to a women’s federal prison. The story follows the experiences of Piper and the other inmates during their time in prison. This series was also named one of the best new series of 2013 by Buzzfeed.

entertainment news

www.theodysseyonline.com

THE GOOD AND THE BAD OF 2013 2013 was in no way an uneventful year for the good ol’ US of A, as far as I’m concerned. The positive events of the year seemed spectacular, while the negative and cringeworthy seemed to splatter obnoxiously across the front pages of tabloids day after day, providing never-ending entertainment. We saw new stars become superstars, like the amazing Jennifer Lawrence. We also witnessed the demise of some of our favorite celebrities, like Amanda Bynes. There were also a few events that may have caused you to question the sanity of the world we live in today

EMILEE O’HAIR Delta Gamma

Emilee is a sophomore studying public relations.

You may contact her at Emilee.B.Ohair-1@ou.edu. (ahem… Miley). But there were also some exciting incidents here on the home front at OU. So fasten your seatbelts and get ready to take the trip down memory lane of 2013.

As far as the cringe-worthy goes, I only have two people to single out and they are Miley Cyrus and Amanda Bynes.

Miley’s grind-sesh with Robin Thicke on the VMA’s pretty

much ruined “Blurred Lines” for the rest of the country.

Additionally, her music video featuring a money sandwich and a french fry skull was the talk-worthy sensation for several months after its release. Not to mention the fact that, according to Cyrus, the video was inspired by true events. Miley also sparked a widespread obsession with twerking, which I can safely say has been a prime source of amusement at every college party throughout this year.

Not everyone agrees that her acts were inappropriate and I have to give her credit for making a statement. Personally, I think her tongue action alone proves that she is well beyond her days as Hannah Montana.

two lovely ladies and their shenanigans. Now, bring in the dancing lobsters!

As for Miss Bynes, I should have knocked on wood when I used to rave about how she was the only child star to refrain from going crazy. My bad, guys. This year featured Amanda shaving her head and donning the worst wigs ever. She also invested in some dermal piercings where we used to see the most beautiful dimples when she smiled.

On top of that, she was caught and arrested after starting a fire in the front yard of a neighbor’s home. Maybe she was perfectly happy singing “Kumbaya” and roasting marshmallows by the fire that morning, but this act alone proves that she needs a little help. Luckily, Amanda has been in a mental facility for the past few months and is allegedly making a comeback. Hopefully, her story will have a happily ever after.

It would seem that the loss at OU/Texas left a lot of us down in the dumps in regards to our football performance.

Let’s not be too blue because our win at Bedlam made up for it. I’m a very superstitious person and in the final minutes when it seemed that all hope was lost, I convinced myself that I was causing the team bad luck by watching the game and that’s why we were losing. I promptly left the room for the last few minutes of the game and what happened?

Yeah, 33-24, you’re welcome OU. Some people argue that the last call of the game was questionable. However, in my experience, every single football game ever played has had questionable calls, so keep your britches on people.

Of course, there were other events this year that made us cringe, but for your sake I’m only going to mention these

UPCOMING MOVIES TO LOOK FOR IN 2014

2013 didn’t seem to offer much at the box office, at least not until the last few months of the year. The frontrunners for the Oscars this year, Gravity, 12 Years a Slave and American Hustle, were released in October, November and December respectively.

The last year had its rare hits throughout the year, but was anything but consistent. The Great Gatsby, Despicable Me 2 and This is the End were the most memorable in my book.

ALEXANDRA BARE Delta Delta Delta

Alexandra is a senior studying professional writing.

You may contact her at alexandra.bare@ou.edu.

So far, 2014 is looking to be a big improvement. There are two noticeable trends: book-to-movie adaptations and superheroes. Marvel has booked a new superhero movie release consistently for the next few years. And let’s not forget the Batman vs. Superman match-up that’s headed our way.

Get your wallets ready, because 2014 is going to be a great year for movies!

Book-to-movie Divergent. Based on the novel by Veronica Roth, this film is set in a dystopian future where a test predicts your future.

With a strong female protagonist, this trilogy has a chance of following in The Hunger Games’ footsteps.

The Fault in Our Stars. Get your tissues ready. This

13

adaptation of John Green’s novel is sure to have you sobbing. It’s the story of two teens who meet at a cancer support group and fall in love. I’m tearing up already.

The Giver. In this adaptation of Lois Lowry’s novel, Jonas is chosen to be “the receiver of memories,” and enters into a mentorship with the Giver (Jeff Bridges). It doesn’t take long for Jonas to realize that his seemingly perfect world isn’t exactly as it seems.

Heaven is for Real. The novel by Todd Burbo and Lynn Vincent rose to popularity very quickly after its release.

The story of a young boy’s journey to Heaven and back is sure to be a heartwarming movie for the whole family.

More books to movies: Gone Girl, The Maze Runner, If I Stay, Vampire Academy, Serena, The Monuments Men. Sequels 22 Jump Street. They’re back! The hilarious duo of Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are headed to college.

The red band trailer is a sure sign that this sequel will be as great as the original.

Now for the positive occurrences of this year. It’s nearly impossible to dislike J-Law and this year only proved that she is even cooler than we originally thought. From her f-word slip up as she tripped up the stairs trying to accept an Oscar, to her freak out after meeting Jack Nicholson, she just seems like someone we all would like to know. If the situation called for it, I’m pretty sure I would sacrifice my right arm to meet Jennifer Lawrence. She is not afraid to be herself in any situation and, after this year, she’s America’s sweetheart.

There you have it, a little taste of the good and bad of 2013. God bless America and her freedom, which gives us the most interesting and action-packed country on the planet. Happy New Year everyone.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. Who will Katniss choose? Peeta or Gale? What’s in District 13? In the most depressing book of the trilogy, Mockingjay is sure to give you PTSD and still answer all of your questions.

Comedy Neighbors. Having a fraternity move in next door? No thanks. Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne are forced to wage a war against Zac Efron and his fraternity. A Robert DeNiro themed party? Count me in.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I can’t help but be excited for this remake! I still have the original movie on VHS. Megan Fox as April has me a little apprehensive, but I’ll definitely give these heroes in a half shell a chance.

Sex Tape. As much as I never want to see Jason Segel’s naked butt again, this movie actually looks pretty great.

After husband (Jason Segel) and wife (Cameron Diaz) find that their sex tape goes missing, they go on a frenzied search to relocate it.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Marvel fans, prepare yourselves for the next chapter in the hunky superhero’s story.

Into the Woods. Another star-studded cast has me excited for this twist on fairy tales. Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt play fairy tale characters come to life. Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?

Dumb and Dumber 2. Finally, the sequel I’ve been waiting for my entire life. Lloyd and Harry are back for more in this upcoming film. With appearances from Sea Bass and Billy in 4C, my hopes for this follow-up are high.

Godzilla. No, I’m not messing with you. The trailer for this movie looks pretty epic. It’s action packed and you get a shadow glimpse of the big lizard. Oh, no! Look out Tokyo.

Horrible Bosses 2. That’s right, the disgruntled employees are back, and so are their bosses. The first one was so funny, I’m a little worried that this one won’t be able to contend.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Like I said earlier, superhero movies out the wazoo. Peter Parker juggles high school, a girlfriend and the bad guys – poor Spidey.

The Hobbit: There and Back Again. Peter Jackson is making a killing off of this franchise.

Other

Maleficent. Angelina Jolie’s role in this remade fairy tale looks wicked. In this twist on the classic Sleeping Beauty, we see the other side of the story. Is Maleficent as evil as we were always led to believe?

Foxcatcher. Channing Tatum, Steve Carell and Mark Ruffalo team up in this movie that is based on the real story of Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz and the death of his brother. Mark Schultz wrestled at OU in 1981-83 and won three of our NCAA championships.

14

laugh out loud

www.theodysseyonline.com

THE WORST PEOPLE TO TALK TO

I once heard that there are two types of college kids. Those who read books that they don’t have to read and normal college kids. However, I have found that there is a third type of student that occupies local coffee shops and commandeers conversations whenever they catch wind of them. They are the students who buy books only to read the first third or so, thinking they’ve got the gist of it. Then, after silently congratulating themselves, they proceed to inform everyone unlucky enough to be within their proximity of their newfound intellectual enlightenment.

These students can be detected within the first few seconds of talking with them. They will spend the majority of the conversation explaining to you that they chose to read the book and that it wasn’t for any class they were taking. This segues into an unwanted listing of all Kappa Alpha Order the upper-division classes that they want you to know Ryan is a sophomore studying advertising. You may contact they are taking. Then they him at ryanbarrett@ou.edu. subtly pat themselves on the back for sharing such an enlightening book with you because, despite their countless attempts to try, they just can’t express what a profound effect it had on them and God knows how you could possibly go on living your life without them.

RYAN BARRETT

They will continue to frolic in the feeling of superiority, only to leave the conversation with the abruptness of an obnoxious child leaving your doorstep on Halloween after taking as much candy as they can fit in their sticky, unwashed hands.

Encounters with these pedantic, self-loving bookworms often result in a haze of confused anger as your mind races, trying to pinpoint exactly what it was about the person that made you shift from listening to them, to daydreaming about punching them in the face. You eventually realize that this attempt is futile due to the enormity of their incompetence and that it is not worth wasting any more time on.

Although these attention-craving parasites will continue feeding on those too well-mannered to tell them they are idiots, in 2014 we can strive to evolve our coffee shop conversations from parasitic relationships to mutualistic ones. If people would finish books before becoming freelance promoters for them, then maybe people would actually enjoy talking about books in daily conversations. But be cautious, if you decide to stray from the pack and wander down the road of learning on your own, you might find yourself wanting to have intellectual conversations with people who have no interest in anything not on a final.

laugh out loud

www.theodysseyonline.com

15

@abbeytaylor007. Also every time I read or type “using” I read it as U-Sing. #OUGreekProbs.

@MuggleHustle. Ugh, it’s been a smiling poop emoji kind of day.

@annieharrington. What’s it called when you’ve seen more movies than people? Asking for a friend.

@megancrum. “Meg, do you like your Michael Scott earrings?” -dad #almost.

@notBuntyPatel. brb switching my major to political science so i can work in washington and be olivia pope’s right-hand man.

@yoDovie. The name Troy Bolton will always give me chills.

@alexisRmurray. Run into the mall real fast looking homeless, see every person I’ve meet since birth. @DPaulMoses. All this ice melting and falling off makes it look like each individual tree is either crying or producing rain and its makes me lol. @sammyrhodes. Just watched 3,576,789 episodes of Scandal in a row. @AveryJaggers. Lizzie McGuire, you’re an outfit repeater! @hipstermermaid. Try not to think about the fact that Santa is a magical sugar daddy. @ConanOBrien. Gift cards: the best way to say “Here. You figure it out.” @bweeek. I WISH I WAS JIM HALPERT.

@rebekah_rae. in case you guys wanted to know how small town life is, last week there was an article in the paper about a man losing his cell phone. @AldynBrooke. Is it wrong to eat three plates of Mac and cheese in one day? Asking for friend. @SkylerSikes.Praise Jesus that the season of cutout faces on elves and cutout faces on victoria secret models is over. @DavidBuckley7. Just taught my mom how to copy and paste. What have you done today? @tylerblock_. “How are you doing?” “I want a donut.” @JordanLNix. Came home to my mom playing Roar on her phone while my dad did the robot... Just another Sunday afternoon.

@CLAIREcummins. Tis the season to get engaged. @taymccrayy. To every comment ever: CANT EVEN WHAT? The suspense is killing me! @kymoreland. Just put face wash on my toothbrush. Good morning, America.

ANNA WHITE Pi Beta Phi

A n n a i s a s o p h o m o re studying human relations.

You may contact her at annawhite@ou.edu.