Remember when you were younger and you’d play as your favorite superhero at least once or twice? You’d grab the bathroom towel and tie it around your neck and try to run as fast as you could to get it to lift up as if it were a cape soaring through the air. Then you might go outside and find the highest point you could climb and you’d jump off as if you really could fly, feeling invincible. Then when you were finished you might try to get the towel back to its original home as quickly as possible before your mom found you playing with the good linen and beat you like an unwanted stepchild. Ah, the good ol’ days. Then you grew up, entered the real world and found out you don’t fly, like you had thought, and the ground is harder to land on than you remember. Many times we find ourselves in a rut, exhausted, and wanting to give up. Life may be coming down on you from all angles and an optimistic outcome seems improbable. Go back to when you threw that cape on and all you had was faith and knowledge that you were invincible when you took that leap, and as you finish up this year/semester keep in your mind that even flight is possible when you keep your mind focused on what you need to accomplish, and not the fall you think may happen. Good luck and finish the year strong, Nation.
DETERMINED NATION
MAGAZINE VOL. 3 ISS. 2 INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
“When speaking of success and goals, it’s always when, never if.””
health
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Garrett Hayes Editor-in-Chief determinednation2311@gmail.com
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DETERMINED NATION STAFF Business Analyst and Event Planning: Perez Ansah-Mensah, Justin JonesFrazier, Niyankor Ajuaj
Writers: Danielle McConnell, Susanne “Zuzu”
community
opinion
Make it happen,
Marketing and Advertising: Keenan Bender
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C O N T E N TS
EDITOR’S WORD
cover
Wheeler, L.A. Harden, Raquel Robertson, Valerie Rammes, Niyankor Ajuaj, Dustin Huff, Ty Reeves
Editing: Zuzu Wheeler Photography: Perez Ansah-Mensah, Danielle McConnell, Marray Napue, Garrett Hayes
Wanna help with writing, graphics, photos or events? Have art, poetry, or music you want featured? Feel free to e-mail us. Submissions/Contact Us:
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critical thought
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xpressions
Sweet Thoughts
She knows he thinks about her as much as she thinks about him Even if she’s the only one that knows it in her head But this next move seems impossible Wrapped in the essence of first appearance But the urge to want to get so much deeper Daydreaming is the closest thing to reality with him He interests her. Like a majestic creature, admiring from a distance Infatuation came in like a violent wind and knocked her off her feet Fallen into the lush clouds of lust Sugar coated candies and cotton fluff She imagines that his kisses would melt into her Sugar rushed and hyper, he is all that runs through her conscience on the daily Candy cane twisted over this kid She believes she has what he needs right here Anytime he wanted to forever satisfy is sweet tooth Enough sugar to keep him occupied Tasteful enough to make him come back and keep his mind one tracked Oozing passion, she could be the icing his cake has been waiting for. Like the surprise center she could easily make her way to fill in what is empty And together they would make a combination Willy Wonka would envy. The perfect edible alone but dynamic when put in the same concoction
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xpressions
drunk on f r e e d o m Isaiah Kakule
Come meet a people whose blessing is a burden: By the same in which they boast their strength, By the same their weaknesses are exposed. Come see a nation drunk on freedom: Is this indeed the land of the free?
In freedom I ought to find free will, Yet in this kind I am enslaved by my choice. In freedom I ought to have choice, Yet in this kind I am in bondage to my freedoms. My freedom to food; I turn to gluttony. My freedom to drink; I turn to intoxication. My freedom to speech; I turn to slander. My freedom to dress; I turn to lewdness. My freedom to assembly; I turn to segregation. My freedom to material; I turn to hoarding My freedom to love; I turn to lust. If as written‌ all things are permissible to me, but not all things are good for me‌ Then what is freedom without self-control? ~The beloved~ www.determinednationmagazine.com
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What’s up family, it’s ya boy Mr. Harden back with more advice on how NOT to live your life (at least that what I like to call it). I just want to let it be known before I get into this that I am a big proponent of “flaunting what you have.” Now, this can be taken in many different ways, so I am going to restrict our “conversation” to hair. I love to see people, men and women alike, with new and creative hairstyles. This is especially when women find new and creative ways to use weaves and tracks, because when it looks good, it looks good, no ifs, ands or buts about it. I just don’t like it when I catch people trying to “fake it to make it” with what they do with their hair. I’ll give you a couple of examples that I have been seeing recently:
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This is for the fellas, if your hairline has receded past the “five head” mark (lift one hand, put all of the fingers on that hand together, place hand just above eyebrows with pinkie finger closest to eyebrows, if hairline is farther back than thumb you have a five head) just give it up and at least start thinking about the bald look. Now, I understand that the bald look is not for everyone but if you have a five head or more, then the bald look was made for you. And do not try and make yourself believe that your barber can save you because even the best barbers can’t save your hair from looking like the “beach line” when high tide comes around, but I do approve of hats being used to cover up this grave misfortune.
This one is for the ladies. I am including drawing on your own eyebrows with this subject. To me, this is one of the ultimate acts of hair perpetration (number one on this list is what I will talk about next) and is just wrong. I’ve seen many women do this to themselves and end up looking far worse than they did with their natural eyebrows. I’d rather you have eyebrows like Animal from the Muppets than have eyebrows like a stick figure. Be who you are and rock your own eyebrows, maybe just line them up or whatever you do, but stop shaving them off.
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opinion
I’m sick and tired of seeing women with short hair perpetrating by wearing wigs like we can’t tell or something. And it’s always the same tired, old wig as always. Last week I saw this ugly chick working at Safeway with a lace-front wig on but it was lifted up off of her scalp like a ’64 Impala or a half-opened can of tuna. The wig didn’t even look real, either. It looked like doll hair, or something. This is what I was talking about when I said “the ultimate act of perpetration.” Acts of false advertisement like these have been known to turn women that look like Terrell Suggs into women that look like Oprah. Yeah, that’s not that great of an example, but if you think about it that is a big, big difference (a -5 to a 4 on a scale of 1-10, that’s a 9 point swing).
LACE FRONTIN’
Be careful out there folks, beware of those that are “faking the fonk.” Be safe out there, this is LA signing out; remember Aspire to Inspire!
fashion
what we’re wearing…
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Christopher Smith (above); Colorado Community College; sophomore; Business Major; Highlight: Olive Green Camo Pants
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s we’re fall- (left) is seen wearing his ing into Fall, original olive green and our milita- brown camo pants with rized trends a leopard print tee and are on the purple accent pocket rise. Camo for a Saturday. Kaezzy fashions have risen both Kalenga (below) is seen with men and women. wearing his “shades of It’s become the new jean. grey” cargo camo shorts Typically worn with with Sperry’s and a bablack, this fashion state- sic maroon crew neck. ment has been inspir- With these fly brothers ing people to mix and expressing their style in match, dress up, dress different ways, we can’t down, and dress out. Be- help but be drawn to the fore the trend, we’ve seen new neutral print: camthis dress paired with the ouflage! Omega Psi Phi purple and gold, or, more familiarly, our uniformed men of the U.S. Army. Today, this pattern can be seen in all walks of dress. Ladies rock camouflage jackets with leather crops and denim shorts while men typically pull out their camo jeans or car“Kaezzy” Kalanga (left); Colorado go shorts. Christian State University; Junior; Math Major; Highlight: Chris Smith “Shades of Grey” Camo Cargo Shorts
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music vol. 3 iss. 2
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health
BECAUSE YO A L P H A
C E N T E R
A N S W E R S
Y O U
WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT STDS? If you spend even a minute of time on campus, I am sure you have seen and heard that if you are sexually active, you should get tested for STD/STIs. In the United States, we are seeing large numbers of reported Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections (STD/STI). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are over 20 million new cases reported each year. Of that number, half of the infections are in young adults ages 15-24 and yet they only make up 27% of the sexually active population. Undiagnosed infections are especially severe for young women. It is estimated that 24,000 women will become infertile this year due to untreated infections. Some of the unique factors that put young adults at a higher risk are:
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health
OU MATTER R
S E X U A L
H E A L T H
• Insufficient screening: Women in particular are not routinely screened for Chlamydia • Confidentiality Concerns: Many are not open about sharing their sexual behaviors with their physician • Biology: Young women’s biology causes them to be more
Q U E S T I O N S
susceptible to STDs. • Lack of Access to Healthcare: young adults may not carry health insurance or have transportation to a medical center • Multiple Sex Partners: Many young people have multiple partners, increasing their risk.
The good news is most STD/STIs are treatable or manageable when diagnosed early. And the best news is that Alpha Center provides FREE and confidential STD/STI screening services year round. We are located right next to campus on College Avenue between Pitkin & Edwards. Call today to make an appointment: 970.221.5121 Resource: www.cdc.gov/std/sam/ thealphacenter.org
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health
HUFF’S HEALTH TIPS THE WORKOUT OF TITANS
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CHEST AND TRICEPS EXERCISES TO GET YOU IN SHAPE By Dustin Huff
The key to this workout is to control breathing with inhaling for two seconds and exhaling with two seconds and focus more on the actual contractions within your chest and your triceps, rather than pushing up Mount Olympus. Pectorals are the larger muscle, and by engaging them first it will be easier to finish off your triceps with minimal sets, but maximum focus. If you can do more than 12 reps of any of the following exercises you should most definitely go up if you want to see those titanic gains come!
MACHINE BENCH 3 SETS – 8-10 REPS
Preparation: Sit on the bench press machine and select your weight. Grab the handles of the machine, your arms should be bent at the elbows slightly less than 90 degrees (isolates work on your chest) and slightly less than 90 degrees at your shoulders, and your elbows should be just a little past your back, your palms should be facing away from you. Your feet should be flat on the floor and your core (abdominals) should be tight. Your back can be flat against the bench or adhere to its natural arch, but you shouldn’t over arch. Execution: Push the handles away from you in a controlled but explosive fashion as you flex your chest (pectorals) and breathe out. Slowly return to the starting position and then repeat.
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cables FLYS – 7 SETS – 10-12 REPS Preparation: Take hold of the two opposing pulley handles, standing with a pulley handle to either side of you. Slightly bend your knees, position your upper body at a lower downward angle, slightly in front of your body. Your elbows should be bent at less than 90 degrees and rotate your shoulders so that elbows are slightly behind your back. Execution: Pull the cables together in a hugging motion with elbows still slightly bent and not extending. Breathe out as you complete this motion. Then in a controlling and slow fashion return to starting position.
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health
DIPS 4 SETS 10-12
TRICEP PULLDOWN (ROPE) – 3 SETS
10-12 REPS
Preparation: Grab hold of the dip bar with arms straight and shoulders above hands. Keep your core tight and hips facing forward as moving will only increase difficulty and risk of injury. Execution: Lower your body until arms are bent slightly above 90 degrees. Push body back up until arms are straight. Repeat.
Preparation: Select the weight you want. Grab hold of the rope, one hand on each side, palms facing in towards each other. Your knees should be slightly bent core tight, and chest out. Your forearms should be parallel to the floor and your upper arms are straight and close to your torso. Execution: Pull the rope downward slowly, when your arms reach full extension turn your palms from facing each other to facing the floor. Now do the reverse motion and come back to starting position in a controlled fashion. Repeat.
CABLE
PULLDOWNS
(SINGLE ARM) – 3 SETS 10-12
Preparation: Grab hold of the pulley handle with one hand palms facing down. You should be facing the pull with knees slightly bent, core tight, and chest out. Your elbow is bent at slightly less than 90 degrees Execution: In a controlled motion, pull the handle down. Only your forearm should be in motion and the rest of your body should be stationary. Breathe out as you complete this motion. Once your arm is fully extended, squeeze your triceps and slowly return to the starting position. Repeat.
PS I T & HINTS
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Make sure you are drinking at least 2 cups of water during your workout. You should be feeling a good arm burn in the back of the triceps during this workout. Try to only take a minute breather in between sets to get the best twitch/tear of your muscles. The most important thing is to get at least 20 grams of protein in your body within 20 minutes after your workout.
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health
INCLINE DUMBELL FLY – 4 SETS – 10-12 REPS
Preparation: Sit on incline bench, lift weights up and lean back. Lift dumbbells on the sides of your chest as if you were doing regular bench press, but extend your arms out perpendicular to your torso with your palms up towards the ceiling. Your arms should be like wings, but not fully extended, they should have very slight bend at the elbows. Execution: Lift the dumbbells up bringing them together, exhaling as you do so. Slowly lower your arms back to the starting position. There should be no motion at your elbow joint. Repeat. Challenge yourself by turning your palms inwards towards you at the apex of the lift.
OVERHEAD DUMBEL EXTENTION 4 SETS 10-12
Preparation: Take one dumbbell and hold it behind your head with both hands underneath the head of the dumbbell. Your elbows should be bent but not flaring outward and your hands are behind your head. Execution: Extend your arms upward avoiding hitting the back of your neck and head. Return to starting position and repeat.
IPS T & S HINT
Try to get a protein shake during and after the workout for optimal recovery and essential growth. Keep your results with this for 4 weeks and watch the pylons of Olympus crumble in a month when you walk through campus with a chiseled chest and jacked arms!
INCLINE DUMBELL BENCH – 4 SETS – 10-12 REPS Preparation: Sit on incline bench, lift weights up and lean back. Lift dumbbells on the sides of your chest as if you were doing regular bench press. Execution: Press the dumbbells up until arms are extended, exhaling in the process. As you get closer to the apex of the lift, the dumbbells should come closer together. Lower the weight in a controlled fashion back to starting position. Repeat. Challenge yourself and turn your palms in towards you at the apex of the lift.
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community
ALPHA PHI GAMMA
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lpha Phi Gamma is the only have an interest in joining, please Asian-American Sorority at contact aphig.recruitment.csu@ Colorado State University. We gmail.com. have a strong emphasis on Sisterhood, and strive to bring together all women of different nationalities. Alpha Phi Gamma gives back in many ways through community service, and also promotes Asian Awareness to the University and the surrounding communities. We stress academic excellence, leadership, and personal development. Any questions or if you
AGREE critical thought
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IT’S DEFINITELY WORTH IT . . . IF YOU DO IT RIGHT
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There is no questioning the financial pitfalls that a college student can fall victim to. Changing your major, not finishing in four years, living on campus and retaking classes all add up very quickly, and can leave you with an outstanding loan to repay that may never be possible to accomplish considering the crashing job market and the increase in people receiving four-year degrees. The job market for a graduating college student is becoming more and more competitive and cutthroat. However, there are certain tactics that can give you an advantage when finding work in your field right after graduation, not to mention walking away with as little debt as possible. I am speaking from experience. A lot of students take advantage of student loans and refund checks. Although in many cases that refund check is essential to pay rent, scholarships are definitely worth your
time because you don’t have to pay them back, and you still get that money in your refund check. Apply for as many scholarships as possible. Keep in mind that with so many people obtaining a bachelor’s degree, it’s no longer advantageous to just get a degree. There are countless people that work at the university and can plug you into a job in your field. If you just go to classes and get good grades, you are wasting your time in college. Talk to all your professors, and take them out to lunch and get to know them on a personal level. Your professors can help you find priceless job experience, internships and work in your field that will give you a leg up on the competition that just have four-year degrees. Don’t get a job waiting tables unless you are going to school for restaurant management. Get job experience in college that complements your degree. Get involved! Student organizations, clubs, and Greek organizations are great ways to gain valuable contacts and build your network on campus, and also give you the opportunity to gain great experience through programming and holding positions of office in organizations. Also, many businesses, companies and government jobs reach out to organizations with job opportunities. In short, your college experience and your loans are much more than just classes. If you are a wallflower through your college career then you are wasting time and money and cheating yourself out of the connections and knowledge of the entire college experience. Don’t forget to have fun.
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M O N EY I N T O DAY ’ S E C O N OM Y ?
THE CORPORATIZATION OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM: YOU CAN PAY FOR AN EXPERICNCE ANYWHERE
As children we are taught that in order to succeed in life, you need to get good grades, so you can get into a good college, and once you get your degree it will enable you to get a great job and buy anything your heart desires. This may have been true 30-40 years ago but for modern times the corporatization of the education system has corrupted the integrity and true cost of a college education. The costs of college tuition and fees have risen at approximately three times the rate of inflation since the 1970s and it is not slowing down. As the economy gets worse, more and more people are attending school in order to gain an advantage and increase earning potential. A college degree will definitely help an individual get a higher-paying job, but that is not the only factor to consider when making an investment. Once you add up all of the debt accumulated while in school, the money lost not working an entry-level job while taking a full course load, the amount of time a college grad spends being unemployed after graduation, hyperinflation of the US dollar, and the interest that racks up while the grad is paying off the loan, one can see the true value of a college education. It takes the average college student six years to obtain a four
year bachelor’s degree. This college grad has now just spent six years of his or her life and now has a debt around $30,000. This would not be so bad if the job market was flourishing; but unfortunately, 53 percent of recent college graduates are unemployed, and for the other 47 percent, only a fraction of them are actually using their degree. Most employed recent grads are working entry-level jobs that require no experience. So this debt is nearly impossible to pay back, and unlike credit card debt there is no escape. A college graduate would literally have to break his or her back to evade this debt, as disability is the only way one can legally weasel their way out of paying back a student loan. For the college grads that did in fact get a good job right after college and are making enough to be considered middle class, they have just entered a new tax bracket and now have the debt of the entire nation on their shoulders. This “debt trap” is not accidental, and it is actually a very intricate, deliberate system and this article only scratches the surface. To be concise, corporatization corrupts colleges confidentially for cash, and this is just a small piece of “The Education Industrial Complex” Google it.
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Essence
music
Huff’s Dank Danish (organic homegrown music spotlight) By Dustin Huff
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“I believe I am hip-hop!”
olorado like many other places in the country has been imbedded and inflated with kids who want to rap. There are over 20,000 rappers in the state alone! The style has lost it’s luster and anymore rap almost appeals to be a glamorous act. I feel like we have forgotten what hip hop started from, and most today wouldn’t recognize the history of the culture if it was told to them. I got to catch up with one of Northern Colorado‘s original and finer emcees who has been part of the culture for the last two decades. He is feared as one of the best battle rappers in the scene and has really been prevalent in the recent years through the production side of the music and video. Eric (Essence UGP) Flores sat down and kicked some knowledge to your boy for those who do and don’t want to know the man behind the keen poetry.
HUFF: When did you start and how did Es-
ways my genre of choice. Eventually writing poetry & free styling, i adopted the rapping form naturally as I progressed with my written flows. Soon in my teenage years I made a name for myself for always free styling & being the life of the party. Essence, later changing to Essence Under Ground Productions, came to be after I battled a crew called 925 Productions & out flowed the whole team. At that moment they asked me my name & I said I never named myself, then they said I was the “essence” of the game. Since then I haven’t changed or felt any different about my hip-hop name & its origin. UGP came after i produced videos/photography/promoted/ hosted/battled. So my name now is a name you can place next to independent artists with goals of making great music & expanding their horizons. I’m always looking for new ways to express & expand.
sence begin?
HUFF: Who are your influences?
ESSENCE:
ESSENCE: My influences are very minimal.
My roots for hip-hop go back to my elementary days when I would walk to school & rap my favorite songs. Rap was al-
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I feel hip-hop has been corrupted by main stream images & acts that diluted the true
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music meaning of hip-hop, which in my opinion, is now long forgotten. I honestly look to myself & others of my standard (underground music) to give me perspective & moments of clarity. There is too much ghost writing & negative symbolism in today’s hip-hop music.
HUFF: What sets Essence apart from the rest of the local hip hop scene.
ESSENCE: When you hear the name
essence U.G.P. You think: freestyler/ battler/artist/producer/director/editor/mixer/master/promoter/ect. I just recently started a battle page on face book called epeolatry emcee to help writers express their writtens in a hiphop setting. I’m an all around artist that believes in independent productions from the ground up. I have been featured on my artists albums & also produced tracks for many local artists in the [Northern] Colorado area as well. My talents are forever expanding to a point where I will eventually own my own professional studio for others to share & learn the specifics & techniques needed to produce quality music & live shows. I believe I am hip-hop!
HUFF: What do you see in the future of Essence?
one of them. Now with so many national acts I’ve opened up for, i’ve practically seen all my favorite artists I grew up listening to. Good times fam, good times.
HUFF: What was your most memorable moESSENCE: I’m a humble dude ya dig. I don’t ment being an emcee performing? really worry about my next steps or where ill be in 5-10 years from now. I just do me, 10000%, and stay with it. We all have are ups & downs, but to me the downs are what make you stronger when you pick yourself back up & grind. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet & work with many inspirational producers & artists at a creative level. I make music for me & the true hiphop heads that love that lyrical, grimy, off the wall sound. I can only hope that my legacy inspires others to be independent & circumvent the big corporate company’s that destroy the culture.
HUFF: Who was your favorite artist opening up for?
ESSENCE: Hands down my favorite show I
opened up for was Redman at Cervantes Ballroom in Denver, Colorado. There were two stages & the fans were great. Redman is a chill dude & the show was a big success. I always grew up listening to Redman & Methodman & never imagined sharing a stage with either
Essence: Cinco de Mayo in Greeley, Colorado at Island Grove. I grew up there with crews/ labels never showing me love with shows/ recording/battles/ect. Which drove me to become independent, eventually getting the recognition I deserve. I performed at the Cinco de Mayo event at Island Grove & received great feed back & artist props. It was a turning point in my career to look back on. HUFF: Where can people find your music?
ESSENCE: If you want to get to know me &
my history, look for my albums. One song to me is one picture in the photo album of visuals. Essence U.G.P. Presents: Vol. 1./A Cold Day in Hell/Smoke Signal, these albums will give you a great idea of what i do this for & why. You can find these albums & more online on itunes, amazonmp3, and more. Facebook:www.facebook.com/essenceugpofficial Soundcloud:www.soundcloud.com/essence-u-g-p Epeolatry Emcee Battle Page:www.facebook.com/ epeolatryemcees
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advice
5
Tips to Help You Deal With a Job (Class) You Hate
We all know that sometimes there are things that we really don’t want to do: jobs we really f@#!&%$ hate, tasks that test us in the worst ways, or bosses that are living proof that the devil is real and he did create a spawn child. But never fear, we have five ways to help you through it.
This may sound crazy, especially at a job that you hate, but putting in just a little more effort, initiative, and meticulousness while at work, can go a long way. At the very minimum, it could help you get your mind off of the reasons why you hate the job, but working hard can also help in other ways as well. One way is that it could help to put you on notice with your supervisor or boss and help you get a promotion or recommendation if you ever need one. You might actually find something within the job that’s beneficial for you in your future. Your diligence doing something you hate can also give way to the good habit of learning to put forth your best effort in things that you don’t necessarily want to do, but know that you have to do. Let’s be honest, if you’re working your butt off in a job you hate, do you really think you’d put in a half-assed job anywhere else? So you’re only building yourself up for success here.
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Where do you want to be in the future? One year from now? Five years? Ten years? Because clearly, it’s not where you currently are. Set goals for yourself so that you know where you’re going, where you want to be, have a set destination, and know exactly what you need to be doing to get there. Do you need to be learning other skills while at your current job? Do you need to be filling out applications? Figure out what needs to be done to obtain your goals and get started, because this will put the end in mind and get your mind off of your burdensome work load.
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advice
Talk to yourself, talk to your co-workers, talk to your boss. Talk to anyone, but speak up! Talk to yourself and pep yourself up before you go into work. Coming in with that passion can make the day go quicker and make the job appear easier. Talking to your co-workers can not only create a friendly environment that might actually make you want to come into work, but building those relationships can build trust so that you can vent later (outside of work) and get your frustrations out to someone who probably feels the same way and can empathize with you. Talking to your boss or supervisor can be more beneficial than you think. Try to build that relationship with them and learn more about them, being as professional as possible, of course. I’m certain you’ll learn that he or she is just a regular human being like you and not some soul sucking alien from Nebulon 54. This also helps you build rapport in case you ever do need anything, or want to express some of your frustrations if things get too bad.
It’s actually proven that a simple smile, real or otherwise, releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel better. So, as simple and silly as it sounds, no matter how bad the day is going and no matter how much you hate your job, smile – it’ll be over in only a few hours.
Take a break, for goodness’ sake. You don’t need to be bringing your work home all the time, or even most of the time if you really hate your job. Keep work and your personal life as separated as possible, because if you bring it home, all you’re doing is just extending the time that you’re frustrated and not giving yourself time to recuperate for the next day. Go do something you enjoy, something positive, like play basketball, listen to music, knock boots with your significant other, but don’t bring work home. Don’t even come home talking about it, because that could also extend the time you’re frustrated. If you really need to talk about something with a friend or significant other, do so, but don’t make it a habit. At the end of the day, hopefully one of these five tips helped you cope with that job you hate. If nothing else, remember that it’s not permanent and that you will move on to bigger and better things, this is just a stepping stone. Good luck Nation, aspire to inspire.
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cover
Interviews by Niyankor Ajuaj, Ty Reeves, and Valerie Rammes
Heroes don’t always have to wear capes and spandex. Sometimes, the most amazing heroes are the ones that take advantage of the opportunities they were given for good. The men and women who give back to their communities, fight for what they believe in, or dedicate themselves to never giving up and being their for their families. These are our real heroes, our neighborhood superheroes, and these are their stories.
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cover I feel that J.E.M.’s scholarship is just our way of paying back the paths that were given to us. I was blessed enough with the opportunity to go to a university on scholarships, which helped my family and me in so many ways. If I had the opportunity, why shouldn’t more people? This scholarship shows that just because we’re young doesn’t mean we can’t make a change, and that people like you and I control the future.
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ITH THE HELP OF HIS BROTHER AND SISTER JONATHAN LOBATO RIDES TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
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ith motivation and genuine forced effort Jonathan Lobato and siblings, Mathew and Erica, decided to create something that would make a difference in the community, something that had made an impact on their own lives. Valuing the significance of education, they created the J.E.M.’s (a combination of the first letter of all of their first names) Scholarship straight from the heart. In the point of making this a selfless, future driven, act of building strength within the community, they look to use this scholarship to better the opportunities for Denver youth while enabling the community to contribute to building a better future for the young and eager.
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What made you decide to start a scholarship foundation? I really just wanted to do something that gives back to the community and makes a difference in as many lives as possible. A scholarship was something that can last long and help countless people in many different ways. How did you go about getting it started? I went to two advisers that have helped the three of us throughout our college years, Marcus Elliot and Mrs. Bridgette Johnson. They sent me in the direction of talking to someone who was in charge of CSU scholarships and gifts, Ginny Fanning. From there, the rest slowly started falling in place with the help of so many people.
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y name is Jonathan Lobato, the co-founder of the J.E.M.’s Scholarship, along with my siblings, Matthew and Erica (graduates of Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, and Colorado State University). We started the scholarship based on the journey of three siblings who always stated that they wanted to give back to their community based on education.
How do you stay positive when things don’t go according to plan? There has never been a life that didn’t encounter a bump in the road. Success has been built off of continued failures, and this is no different. When things don’t go according to plan, it is because it was the wrong plan. So we just have to find the right road after that and keep rolling down the path that leads to success. Most importantly, staying connected to family, good friends, and God will always keep you motivated and going forward.
The purpose is to help build our community with one of the strongest tools we have: education. It’s getting kids from the inner city that may not have the funds to go to a university, and helping them to achieve that goal.
““It Won’t Come to You Boy!” A phrase we live by that means you have to go out and make things happen.”
The FUTURE
The long-term goals are to make it a four- or five-year, multi-recipient, and all DPS (Denver Public Schools) scholarship. Expansion is the biggest goal as of now, just trying to get sponsors, donors, funds, and scholarship recipients. The short-term goal is getting it established within the communities.
Here is the link to find out more and to become a donor of the J.E.M.’s Scholarship: https://advancing.colostate. edu/j.e.m.sscholarship
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cover We want students to be aware of and take advantage of EVERY opportunity that they have. We foster learning and empowerment by providing leadership development programs and promoting education as a requisite component of success
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ILD MANNERED Kenneth Crowley Sr., IS . . .
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handhi once said, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.� Kenneth Crowley Sr., the founder and executive director of the Crowley Foundation, has certainly found this to be true.
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cover First, you definitely need to be sincere about the cause. Second, be careful about your board selection. Third, protect your name and image in the community. Lastly, STAY HUMBLE!
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ince the foundation launched in 2009, it has awarded 18 scholarships totaling $9,000, escorted 160-plus students to CU Boulder, USSC, CSU, and UNC for campus tours, provided SAT prep testing for 180 students, fed 500 students at East High School for a seatbelt safety campaign with the Colorado Department of Transportation, and touched the lives of over 300 young men at their boys2MEN workshop.
What initially inspired Kenneth to start his foundation was the lack of organizations, such as the ones he experienced while he was in high school. Thus, upon graduating college, he decided to return to Denver in order to make a difference in his community.
T Rather than waiting to see if things will change, go out and make change. Soon enough, you, too, will be able to achieve your vision of a perfect world.
he mission is to provide educational opportunities to Colorado youth through academic instruction, life skills, college preparatory programs and scholarships.
Long Term Goals
Kenneth hopes to provide out-of-state campus tours, as well as full ride scholarships for students. Kenneth believes that it is important to expose students to a campus atmosphere prior to them being accepted into an institution, simply because a majority of the time, students enroll into a university without a clue of what the school is like.
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I’m passionate about what I do and the community I serve. When you have a true desire to serve, it’s easy to stay positive
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eriving her strength from HER SPIRITUALITY AND her FAMILY, Shirley NICHOLS overcomes the impossible to be . . .
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“…. . . and most importantly learn how to love yourself.” truggling with the idea of death close at hand, numerous health hardships that would be unpredictable and life changing, striving to hold on to her faith, Shirley Nichols experienced the dreadful diagnosis of cancer. Shirley was diagnosed with lymphoma in July 2011. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts within your immune system cells. It occurs through the multiplication of these cells called lymphocytes, causing a tumor. Through continued confidence in God and trust in doctors, Shirley, now 54, became a survivor of this continuous battle of cancer.
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I didn’t think I would reach 54 and here I am today. Blessed. God let me see my baby get old enough to take care of herself and that is the true blessing itself. If I do what my doctors ask me to do and pray I will live a long life.
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When first diagnosed with lymphoma
y first thought was I wasn’t going to make it and what’s going to happen to my daughter after. I didn’t think the treatment was going to work because I am also HIV positive and have had some heart problems in the past. I didn’t hear anything the doctor said because I was really scared at the time and although the cancer was in early stages I didn’t think I would make it out as a survivor. I got educated about the cancer and talked to a lot of people within my support system, read about others who had been diagnosed and survived. I also got my faith back in God. I had lost my faith but during my treatments I prayed everyday. Sometimes all day.
Advice from Shirley Have a good support group or circle, keep the faith in God and keep praying. Let Him do the worrying. Follow your doctor’s orders, take your medication no matter what the side effects are, if you can stand them and most importantly learn how to love yourself. You spend a lot of time in your thoughts so you got to be comfortable being there.
cover No one will be there for you like your sister will be there for you..
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hen the community needs an organization to make a difference many look to . . .
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he mission of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. is to promote and foster Latina leaders through educational and professional development, relationship building, and community involvement. Our intent is to provide our members exposure to resources for continued growth.
Though our foundation came from Latina women, we pride ourselves on diversity and are inclusive to all races, ethnicities, cultures, and other backgrounds.
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Pillars of foundation:
Academic Excellence
We give back to the CSU community by participating in such events as Cans Around the Oval and CSUity which are great community service opportunities which allow us to provide to those in the community who can't necessarily provide to themselves.
Community Service Sisterhood
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Most of our sisters also do individual community service around the community based on their personal interests whether it be, children, at risk youth, animals or the elderly. Lambdas give back!
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Believe in your organization, its foundation and in its mission. When people are interested in getting to know your organization show them your passion for it and hopefully they will see and believe your passion.
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ur organization has done everything from walks, fairs, conferences, football games, icecream nights, Halloween parties, fundraisers and lots of volunteer work. We like to stay busy and we love to provide CSU students with a mix of events so they can each find a connection to us and get to know our organization.
cover Our main goals for our organization this year all tie directly back to our main three pillars: Academic Excellence, Community Service and sisterhood. Academic Excellence: our organization strives to bring in and support woman who value their academics. We strongly believe that though we are Lambdas forever, we would not have this amazing opportunity if we were not students first. Community Service: we would like to host another successful Latina Youth Leadership Conference. We have the hopes of one day never having to turn any girl away due to finances. Sisterhood: Here in Lambda Theta Nu we each found our place. We want to not only cherish our bonds with each other but also we want to find those women whose values align with ours, so that we can continue to grow.
Lambda Week will take place from Monday October 21st to Friday October 25th. The week will close with our Annual Halloween Party: The Beta Chapter of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. Presents: Disturbia- A Lambdas Nightmare