thecurrent Welcome . . . the student newspaper of green river community college
october14.2013
www.thegrcurrent.com
issue1 volume48
currentcampus
currenta&e
currentlifestyles
Safety deters crime with new initiative
Breaking Sad
Gluten Free: Trending
Breaking Bad fans cope with post-finaly blues.
What is it, why do it and how to go about it.
Robbers beware, campus beefs up security. page2
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thecurrent
Haley Humenik| Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com
Safety deters crime with new initiative By: Olivia Bidleman Staff Writer
Olivia Bidleman | The Current
Campus safety now stations an officer at the bus stop, a location notorious for robbery.
Green River Community College and Auburn Police are on high alert for the suspects in several recent crimes near Green River campus. Since August, Green River Safety Alerts emailed four reports documenting robberies targeting Green River students at the King County Metro bus stops near Auburn campus and one incident where a man attempted to lure a female student into his car. According to the emails, the suspects in three of the recent robberies are described as two 2025 year-old Caucasian males who reportedly walked away with the students’ cell phones after asking to borrow them. The most recent robbery describes involves two 20-25 yearold African-American males who threatened a student with a knife while stealing his backpack and cell phone. One student was beat up by two suspects after the student tried to reclaim his phone. Following the altercation, the two then disappeared into a nearby neighborhood. In the situation concerning the baiting and possible abduction of a female student Oct. 4 a 55-year-old male is suspected.
The event occured around 11:45 a.m. on 124th ave where the drivers asked the student if she needed a ride When the student said no, the driver told her to ‘Get in the car.’ The student refused, and after he repeatedly told her to, “Get into my car”, she ran towards campus withthe driver passing her, turning onto 316th st, and he was not seen after. Campus safety alert emails notify anyone with a Green River email about theft, robbery, and trespassing since the program began last December. Now, starting at 4 p.m. a safety officer is stationed at the bus stop on the north side of campus to help deter would-be criminals. In a similar security initiative, cameras were installed outside of Holman Library September 26. So far at least 16 stolen vehicles, more than seven student robberies involving cell phones and money, and a variety of armed robbery. In the past, armed incidents involved a gun, knife and trespasser on Green River Campus. “The suspects pulled up to the bus stop in a red 4 door sedan when the male pulled a gun and demanded the students hand over their money and phones,” Campus Advisory said in a report describing an armed robbery that targeted three students. “The
students complied and when the suspects left they ran to Campus Corner Apartments for safety.” While most suspects remain at large, Feb., an arrest was made in connection with previous robberies. All of the victims have met with advisers and safety personnel to provide details of the incidents and to receive counseling. Campus Safety urges students to take the Green River Safety Ride whenever possible. The whitesafety ride vans are available from dusk to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and extend hours from dusk to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Safety ride routes expanded service to include 308th place where one of the robberies occured. It’s also recommended to always avoid walking alone by staying in groups, keep all valuables concealed at all times, and remain vigilant for any signs of suspicious activity. If at ANY time a student would like to request a Campus Safety Staff member escort for any reason, contact the Campus Safety Office at extension 2250 from any campus telephone In the event of any suspicious activity, students are encouraged to calling 911 or contact Campus Safety at 253-288-3350. The Safety Office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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currentcampus
october14.2014
RUNNING START
Or Just a Lonely Walk in the Unfamiliar
By: Evan Yu Staff Writer It’s kind of embarrassing to think why I chose running start. Honestly, because of the “college life”, people always borrow that term. Oh the “college life” is so enriching, the “college life” is when it all begins. I should’ve been more careful, it wasn’t the “college life” I was getting into. “The community college-living with parents-16 year old life” is more accurate. I forgot that people go to community college for an education, so it was a rude awakening on the first couple days. People didn’t ask me to converse with them, no one asked how my summer was(it was fine), or
invite me to college parties. I was straight up delusional in my expectations for Green River. The motive of going to community college for an invigorating social life was naive, so naturally I asked other running starters for their own specific reasons, wondering if any felt the same way. “Save $15,000, parents wanted me to do it too,” which also meant I was saving that much money. I smiled at that and asked Jadon about his expectations of Green River. I hoped he’d tell me how he expected it to be more social, but got the opposite. He expected for a chill, relaxed environment and got it. I heard many similar sounding responses. “Save two
more years of my life,” Tyler said, he added on about how saving the money was nice too. I realized that despite not getting the weird, social thing I hoped for there were a lot of actual, functional benefits. High School was also another factor in peoples decision to do running start. “I don’t like high school, in college everyone sits down and shuts up” Mason said. I frowned, I liked high school, and asked others, hoping for answers of regret. Andrew told me he “could care less of a high school experience,” going on to doubt the existence of one when I asked him if there was. Another student said, “Its’ different for each student,”
explaining to me that a high school experience was something that is vastly unique and in the end he could care less about. There was a running starter that argues that she still had a high school experience keeping contacts and some classes at high school too. Though the general consensus was that people could care less for a high school experience and thrived off the benefits of running start. I think I began to also. I feel silly now when I think of my original motive for choosing running start. Now I have a new understanding of what it means to be a running start student, simply to get a running start, the purpose of the program is in the name.
MAN ON THE
STREET What is your favorite fall tradition? “Eating moon pie and having fun with my friends and families.”
Ying Xi
CAPTURING YOUNG MINDS WITH FILM By: Patrick Daly Staff Writer
Intro to Film Genres class was offered fall quarter and instructed by William Scott. Students will watch the classic and contemporary movies that define a genre and then discuss their impact.The class's main focus is how film genres have changed throughout history and how those changes reflected society. It is a class that involves critical thinking and discussion. The films that are being discussed all have a lot to say about the history, society, and the economic and political systems of that era. All the most popular genres are covered one at a time throughout the quarter. Analyze some of the movies that define Action/Adventure, Women's films, Costumes, Epics, Horror, Comedy and Westerns: How did a specific movie challenge the norms of a genre? Or society? What defined a genre in the early 1900's and what defines it today? Why did these changes occur? What is scarier: the most horrifying movie of the early 1900's or the Halloween episode of Spongebob? How did this happen?! Wrap your mind around those questions!
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Miranda Dedrick
“My favorite fall tradition is getting our halloween boxes out of our shed and helping my mom and dad decorate, put up our pumpkin lights and our windstockings and our window stickers.”
“Probably Thanksgiving because I’m an international student and in my country there’s no such thing like Thanksgiving.”
Yi-Hsun Chiang
“I was in an international school so I usually celebrated Halloween. I really enjoy being dressed up.”
Olivia | The Current
William Scott teaching his introduction to film class and engaging students with the cinema you call home.
Students come back saying they understand much more about the films they see in theaters. Some even go on to have careers critiquing and analyzing films. For money. Scott makes sure when he chooses a movie for the class to watch that it is either the most challenging to the genre or the most evocative of it. The object of taking the class is to change yourself from some passive "fan" into an
engaged student of film. To become a real fanatic. "You have to put on that critical lens" Scott said. He explained to me that students will be able to judge what makes a film fit or unfit for a genre. Beware, do not expect to go to this class like you are walking into a your local cinema. All in-class time is devoted to discussion about the films. There won't even be popcorn. The class is a hybrid so all the
movie watching will be from the cinema you call home. Possibly coming in Spring quarter, students will be able to earn a certificate of film. This would be added on to any degree a student earned at Green River. Scott explained that the certificate would be helpful if someone was interested in a career in media. "its a resume booster... to establish the fact that you already have a solid foundation."
Choi Won Young Every other week, The Current’s editors crawl out of their cave to ask the campus relevent questions. Suggest a subject at: thecurrent@greenriver.edu.
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a&e
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Spencer Rock | A&E Editor ae@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com
Featured Poem Far and Few By: Ellice Estrada Opinion Editor
Frank Ockenfels | AMC
Bad’ Fans cope Breaking Sad: ‘Breaking with the post-finale blues By: Olivia Bidleman Staff Writer
On Sunday, September 29th, the AMC crime drama met its end after five seasons with a well-executed series finale. 10.3 million viewers tuned in for the grand series finale, an astounding 442 percent higher than the finale of season four, which delivered 1.9 million viewers. Breaking Bad tells the story of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a struggling high school chemistry teacher who starts cooking methamphetamine with former student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), after he is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. White quickly ascends the ladder to become one of the most feared and respected drug. All of this in order to leave his family financially secure before he dies. The consensus on the finale? There’s satisfaction with the neat and tidy ending, more or less. Most just didn’t want to say goodbye. Throughout the show’s run, it has received widespread critical acclaim. The American Film Institute listed Bad as one of the top ten television series for the
past four years. The series has won ten Primetime Emmy Awards (so far), including one for Outstanding Drama Series and Bryan Cranston for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for three consecutive years, among others. Overall, the show has won 46 industry awards and been nominated for 107. With loyal fans being forced to envision their lives without the weekly dose of their favorite drug kingpin, the anti-hero, Walter White, it leaves this writer wondering: What makes this show so good? Bad is a fresh, new metaphor for the dreaded midlife crisis: “It took cancer and lawbreaking to jolt Walt out of his suburban stupor, to experience life again—to take chances, risk danger, do things he didn’t think himself capable of doing,” stated Entertainment Weekly critic Ken Tucker. For many of us, this show has provided us with a hollowed Sunday night routine that we’re not quite ready to let go of. Some will wonder if there’s been a mistake in bringing the show to a close at this point in time rather
than extending it for two or three more seasons. We’ve seen too many great television shows fall into a trend of overreaching plot lines and hit-or-miss episodes as a result of pressing for more seasons while they’re on top. Creator Vince Gillian remarks, “People have asked me, ‘Does it make you want to go on and do a bunch more episodes now?’ Just the opposite. It makes me think, through quite a bit of good luck being involved, we really did pick the right moment to exit the stage.” In five seasons, we saw a mild-mannered chemistry teacher learn what it takes to feel alive. If you’re still mourning and wondering how you’ll fill the void, know that you’re not alone. All that we can do now is reminisce, cry, watch the whole series on Netflix again or we can just wait until the arrival of “Better Call Saul.” A spinoff based on the popular character, Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), the resourceful crime lawyer who has aided Walter White since later half of Season 2. But to many of us, Heisenberg will forever be “the one who knocks.”
Gun shot Sirens Sing This is the land I live “Take care” No more “Watch my bike for a second?” Far and few “Pay me when you can” A run away lost touch of what is free Dignity, Integrity, Willpower, Discipline, Trust, Innocence, Gratitude, Courage, Determination Characteristics swept under the rug, far and few. Quick to lie, quick to laugh with wandering eyes. Convenience. Bottom dollar, No more brother, Only one man A man who wanted all, And has nothing. Nothing but the Cries of Collapsed lives beneath his hands, How I hope those cries play a pleasant lullaby
Featured Student Poetry Send us your poem(s) with your name and phone number and you could be featured in Green River’s student newspaper.
ae@thegrcurrent.com
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currenta&e
october14.2013 By: Matt Dalos Staff Writer
sacrificing the means for the ends, as the father does whatever it takes to find his daughter. The most accurate thing I can say When Hugh Jackman’s character about Prisoners is that when the convinces himself that the police credits started rolling I exhaled for working on his case are incompetent, the first time in about 153 minutes. he takes matters into his own hands Prisoners, Directed by Denis Viland abducts Alex Jones, played by leneuve, is a bone chilling, mind Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine, racking, crime drama thriller about There Will Be Blood) the person two girls who are kidnapped out of who was parked outside their house their front yard, one of their fathers, in a camper trailer the morning his played by Hugh Jackman (X-Men, daughter was taken from him, and Les Miserables), will go to any meatortures him, convinced this is the sure to get them back, and the previonly way to bring back his daughter. ously undefeated detective, played Prisoners doesn’t hold anything by Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko, back; it is discomforting, brutal, Brokeback Mountain), assigned to Prisoners also shows the side we do suburbs of the eastern united states psychological, and twisting. It will the case. not often consider as it follows the sometime around November, a great leave you with a sense of relief that The father in the movie is a Suryou have never had to experience tough choices and anguish of Detec- dismal setting to get you into that vivalist first and a Christian second tive Loki, who not only has the pres- “Summer is dead, now it is Fall” that something so painful. For that and who tries to protect and prepare his sure to search for two little girls, but you’ve no doubt felt since returning all the other reasons, I’m giving this family for anything and everything movie an 8/10. It is something that also has to deal with the pressure of to school. that could happen in a disaster, howI would definitely watch again, and the families not wholly trusting him. The movie grips you as you hold ever this movie shows how terrible recommend to friends. There has As the father desperately switches to your breath to see what small cona crime like kidnapping can be. It less than moral methods of investisolation can be given for all the pain been a lot of Oscar buzz surrounding displays the agony and confusion of Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal that the characters go through. As gation, the detective has to balance not knowing what to do, and the diffor their performances in this film. looking for the criminal and watch- the characters act, one may find ficulty to put your absolute faith of themself questioning whether or not I think they are deserving as this ing the father. seeing your child alive again in the they would make the same choices, movie is a must see if you can bear it. The movie is set in wooded police officer assigned to your case.
Prisoners:Movie Review
Video Games Bioshock: Infinite
The Current Picks MOVIE
BOOK
What’s Your Number?
The Looking Glass Wars
Concert Calendar MUSIC The National-About Today
Oct
15
Paramore feat. Metric and Hellogoodbye @ Key Arena (Doors open at 7:30 p.m. $26-$62) Jack Johnson @The Paramount Theater (Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $70)
By: Olivie Bidleman Bioshock Infinite is a first person shooter telling the story of Booker DeWitt, who ventures to the floating city of Columbia to retrieve Elizabeth, a mysterious young woman who is strangely significant. “Bring us the girl and wipe away the debt.” While this installment of the Bioshock franchise doesn’t follow the storyline of the previous games, it does feature similar themes throughout the gameplay. This game is richly and beautifully detailed. The overarching themes of prejudice and religion are particularly intriguing and potent. Play this is you want a truly great gaming experience.
By: Lisa Gray Anna Faris plays Ally Darling, a girl who is tired of heart break and just wants to find the one. Darling gets the idea that her number of sexual partners is too high. She decides to take a look through her list of former beaus and takes a second look to see if any of her any of themhave gotten better over time. This movie is a typical romanic comedy, but that is also the reason that I love it. With its witty banter and funny characters it is a perfect movie to lift up anybodys bad mood. I suggest this movie to anyone who wants to have a laugh for a couple of hours.
By: Haley Humenik
By: Spencer Rock
The Looking Glass Wars is author Frank Beddor’s intruiging twist on the classic tale of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol. In this fantastical world a young princess, Alyss Heart, who is left to defend her “queendom” from the dark forces of her estranged Aunt Redd, accompanied by her body gaurd Hatter Madigan and her best friend Dodge. This book is part of a trilogy and, in part, inspired aspects of the 2010 movie, Alice in Wonderland such as the card soldiers. This book is great if you want action in a magical setting with a hint of romance.
About Today is one of the most simple and mvoing songs I’ve ever heard. In 2011 it was featured in the movie, Warrior, which is where I fell in love with the thought provoking nature of it. Every aspect of this song aims to soothe the listener. What makes ABout Today stand out is tits simplicity. It’s not a song that is meant to be performed, it is just meant to be felt as every lyric means something deep and important. I would definitely recommend this song to anyone who needs time to just relax and live in a song for a couple of minutes.
Oct
18
The Avett Brothers @Key Arena (Doors open at 7:30 p.m. $45-$61) Passion Pit @Knitting Factory Concert House (Doors open at 8:00 p.m. $34)
Oct
19
Kanye West @Key Arena (Doors open at 8:00 p.m. $36-$195) Tim Allen @Emerald Queen Casino (Doors open at 8:30 p.m. $40-$117) Living Colour @Knitting Factory Concert House (Doors open at 8:30 p.m. $20)
Oct
24
Katherine McPhee @Snoqualmie Casino Ballroom (Doors open at 7:00 p.m. $65-$122)
welcome to g
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thehelp Information Center
Location: Lindbloom Student Center Hours: M-F 7a.m.-7p.m. Services offered: The Information Center is the number one place to go to answer a question. If they don’t know it off the top of their heads they will search until they find it.
Campus Safety
Location: Administration building Hours:24/7 service Phone: (253) 833-9111 ext. 2250 Services offered: Campus Safety gives a wide varriety of services from responding to emergencies to security escorts.
Book Store
Location: Lindbloom Student Center Hours: M-Th: 7:45 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. F: 7:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Services offered: The Paper Tree Bookstore has most everything a student would need to attend Green River.
Writing Center
Location: RLC-173 Hours: M-F 8a.m.-3p.m. Services offered: The Writing Center offers one on one tutoring on all of your writing needs.
Math Learning Center Location:CH-313 Hours: M-Th 7a.m.-7p.m. Services offered: The Math Learning Center offers one on one tutoring for a majority of different math classes and calcula-
thecu
Hello, and w Green River Com This is a culmination of h dates, and entertaining t If you’re just starting out o
theda fallquarter
In-Service Day (day classes cancelled) Advising Day (day classes cancelled) Veteran’s Day Holiday (campus closed) Thanksgiving Holiday (campus closed) Study Day (day classes cancelled) Final Exams LAST DAY OF THE QUARTER Christmas Eve Day (campus closes Christmas Day Holiday (campus clo
winterquarter
New Year’s Eve Day (campus closes New Year’s Day Holiday Observed ( Facuily In-Service Day CLASSES BEGIN Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (cam President’s Day Holiday (campus clo Study Day (day classes cancelled) Final Exams LAST DAY OF THE QUARTER
springquarter
CLASSES BEGIN In-Service Day (day classes cancelle Memorical Day Holiday (campus cl Study Day (days classes canceled) Final Exams LAST DAY OF QUARTER
green river.
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urrent
welcome to mmunity College. helpful places, important things to do on campus. or if you need a refresher.
Library Media October 29 November 6 November 11 November 28-29 December 10 December 11-13 December 13 December 24 December 25
December 31 at 12 noon) (campus closed) January 1 January 3 January 6 January 20 mpus closed) Fedurary 17 osed) March 16 March 19-21 March 21
ed) losed)
Campus Trails
Location:South East Corner of campus Hours: N.A. Services offered: The trails give students a glimspe into northwest wildlife right on campus, and a great lookout point of Mt. Rainier.
ates
at 12 noon) osed)
theentertainment
March 31 April 21 May 26 June 10 June 11-13 June 13
Location: Holman Library Hours: M-Th 7a.m.-10p.m., F 7 a.m.-6:00p.m. and Sa-S 2p.m.-6p.m. Services offered: The library contains wide and fairly recent sellection of movies and CDs free for all students.
Helen S. Smith Gallery Location: Holman Library Hours: M-Th 7a.m.-5p.m., F 7a.m.-4p.m. Services offered: Helen S. Smith Gallery is a student driven gallery with most of its content being created by students ranging from drawing, painting sculptures, photography and other forms of art.
Lindbloom Arcade
Location:Lindbloom Student Center Hours: M-F 7a.m.-7p.m. Services offered: The Lindbloom Arcade has a great variety of games ranging from old to new and four pool tables.
Get Wired Esspresso
Location: Technology Center Hours: M-Th 7a.m.- 2:30p.m., F 7a.m.-2:30p.m. Services offered: Although it serves much of the same things as the cafe in the LC, the atmosphere is much more like a cafe. It is a perfect place for a relaxed study space.
opinion
thecurrent
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thestaff Dominic Yoxtheimer Editor-in-Chief Sport Editor 253-833-9111 x2375 Spencer Rock Managing Editor Ad Manager A&E Editor 253-833-9111 x2376 Haley Huminik Campus Editor
Lisa Gray Opinion Editor
Laura Gray Lifestyle Editor
Olivia Bidleman Photography Editor
Ian Lobdell Photography Editor
Staff Writers: En Ning Foo, Olivia Lu, Hunter Franee, Eudrice Gildon, Alex Craig, Meagn King, Matt Dalos, Patrick Daly, Aaron Macnofsky- Bales, Evan Yu, Alyssa Decker, Jeff Waits and Kristen Peter Photography: Olivia Bidleman and Ian Lobdell
Corrections As much as we like to think we are, journalists are not perfect. Because of this, we welcome our readers to let us know when we make mistakes in our paper. If you find that we’ve spelled someone’s name wrong or stated our facts incorrectly, please contact us at: OEB room 17 (253) 833 9111 x2375 thecurrent@greenriver.edu
Editorial
Many readers may realize that this is the first issue of The Current that is being released this year. What many may not realize is that behind the scenes this issue is not just the first issue of the year but it is also many of our first issues. The new staff has little to no experience with the paper and those of us who do have some experience have truly found that experience put to the test as new challenges and long hours have kept us on our toes for the last couple of weeks. However, these past few days have been special as we have found ourselves leading the charge in the battle that is releasing our very first newspaper. Our goal being that it is not only appealing to students here at Green River, but is also of exceptional quality to those who work in the newsroom. If this process has taught us one thing, it is that the end of a journey is not what’s important; it is the adventure that ensues prior to grabbing your ultimate prize that makes the goal worthwhile. As we have tirelessly inched towards our imminent deadline, we couldn’t help but ponder how many people rarely feel this sense of accomplishment from something they’ve worked very hard to achieve. Due to advances in technology, among other things, people have become complacent with convenience; almost anything that is difficult or takes more than a few minutes is worth giving up on. If someone wants to know the circumference of the sun, they can Google it and
find out in just a couple of seconds. If someone wants to listen to their favorite song wherever they go, they have that ability with the help of 99 cents and iTunes. Even if someone wants a date they can bypass the experience of mustering up the courage to ask someone out by joining a dating website and doing it all online. We feel that people who adhere to this are depriving themselves of possibiliy growing as a human-being. Pass or fail, putting your best foot forward is never a mistake when there’s something that is really worth having. The worst thing that anyone can do for themself is give up too soon. This shows that hard times appear, it’s okay to give up. Not to mention, the regret that it instills in a mind that looks back and sees how they could’ve done better. One of the challenges we have faced here is pushing ourselves as well as each other to be better and do better for the sake of the newspaper. We are lucky because we get to see the people around us grow and perform at a high level for an extended amount of time which is more than anyone could expect from a fledgling staff like ours. As writers, editors and photographers we are far better having gotten this issue out to the public. Our only request is that those reading what we view as a milestone in our professional careers, take on the same attitude and make an effort to take that journey because win or lose, pass or fail it will still be worth it in the end the same way that this paper is worth it to us.
Lisa Gray | Opinion Editor opinion@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com
That’s what
HE said SHE said
Anderson Cooper
Alice Munro
“Anyone who has experienced a certain amount of loss in their life has empathy for those who have experienced loss.
The complexity of things - the things within things - just seems to be endless. I mean nothing is easy, nothing is simple.
Bill Nye The more you find out about the world, the more opportunities there are to laugh at it.
Betty White Keep the other person’s well being in mind when you feel an attack of soul-purging truth coming on
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currentopinion
october14.2014
Is my Degree Really MY Degree? By Meagan King
As school starts up once again here at Green River, there’s a new influx of starry-eyed freshmen trying to find their collegiate paths. One may seek a path in business, another in arts, another in nursing. Though the paths they take may yield different results, they all find their foundation looking at the same thing: their degree requirements. Though this guiding source is a great tool for the freshman who doesn’t know where he or she is headed, I find myself, rounding my second year here, looking at that paper and wondering: Am I going in the direction I want, or am I just following requirements? Now, I’m a business major. With this come statistics, economics, accounting, business law, and other classes like that fit perfectly into my degree. These classes make sense to me; of course I’m going to need that kind of knowledge for a career in business. The thing is, these classes aren’t the problem, the problem is in the ones that don’t make sense: the arts classes, the science classes, the P.E. classes, and all the other classes that I’ve seen very few successful business majors use to fulfill their new day-to-day job duties. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind venturing into diverse subject matter. I do like subjects that aren’t business-related and I understand that the school sets these standards to make sure I’m a “well-rounded individual.” But,
Letter to the Editor Dear Editor,
Thankfully, I’ve had minimal necessary doctor visits in my life. Lately, however, it feels like we’re experiencing a rennaissance in medical guidance. Sex positive culture, vaccines, testing for disease, and disease awareness movements have made huge strides. Each are a large part of my identity because these are things I am taught, in media, the classroom, and life in general. I know and care about these topics because it concerns my own well-being. But I wonder: how much should I care? It’s been so long since I’ve seen a doctor that my personal health isn’t something I actively worry about. When it comes to present bills, work, tuition, and my next homework assignment, healthcare doesn’t seem like the predominant priority when nothing seems to be wrong. Until something is wrong. It’s partly why I wasn’t enrolled in health benefits with my employer. I’d rather pay rent on time with my paycheck. Having a place to live trumped living with the added bonus of being able to seek medical attention IF and when I would need it. Things got even more confusing when I moved back home, I wasn’t sure anymore if I was covered or not. And what would happen if I moved out again--and what about that lucky number: age 26? Emergency room visits are expensive. I’ve learned that I cannot be denied or turned away. But there is still a bill to be paid. The long term benefits of affordable healthcare coverage suddenly seem more than a nice idea. There is now a monetary fine applied to anyone not enrolled in a health
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the problem is, these requirements aren’t letting me or other students have much choice in how we are rounded. The school sets out particular class subjects that one must fulfill even if, let’s say, he or she hates Science and loves English; if their degree doesn’t correspond much to either subject, the requirements treat the two pretty equally. What if the student knows they’ll write in their spare time? What if they know they’re never going to touch a microscope? Another problem arises when, within a particular subject, there are only certain classes that fulfill the requirement. Take the P.E. requirement in my degree for example. When I saw it, I cringed, like I imagine most students do, but then I got excited. I thought maybe I could try some archery, or yoga, or maybe learn karate. Wouldn’t that be cool? But once I looked up the classes that fit into my degree, none of these were in there. I found myself struggling to find a class I’d be mildly interested in, while all of the above were left out. Would it really be a big deal if I took archery rather than core training? Is there some sort of standard that says one is better than the other? What if yoga is better for me? Shouldn’t it be the student’s choice (to some degree) on what they choose to study outside of the core needs for their degree? While a basic understanding of math, English, science, and social studies is necassary, most students get that in high school. The difference is that now we have to pay. Shouldn’t we be able to decide where our money goes and what subjects best fit our needs as students?
care plan. At the surface, a fine seems very intimidating. It’s even more intimidating since Obamacare was labeled a major contributor to the government shutdown. But public service announcements, which seem a bit heavy-handed in targeting my demographic and psychographic (young people without healthcare coverage) illustrate the point clearly. Without coverage, I’m taking a chance that I can get through whatever future problem on my own. This can be devastating, broke as I am. It is in my best interest to seek out the answers for myself now, rather than later. And it’s ok to ask for help. We’re all sorting through the answers here. The Affordable Healthcare Act (Obamacare) was signed into law March 23, 2010. It was upheld by the Supreme Court. And already it’s easier to find coverage. Over 10,000 people have signed up since the Washington Healthplanfinder went live Oct. 1. We have until March 2014 to ante up and decide. But, like enrolling for classes, I don’t want to wait too long. My health isn’t going to cost me. I don’t want to risk it. Do you? -Jean Pierre Garcia
Letters to the Editor
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lifestyle
Gluten Free: Trending. What is it, why do it and how to go about it. By:Laura Gray Lifestyle Editor Lately you may have heared about people being on gluten-free diet all the time. This has become the new trendy diet much like the Zone or the Atkins diets have been. Gluten-free is different from these though, in that you are not cutting back or counting calories but that you are actually eliminating an entire ingredient from your diet. Gluten is found in wheat products as it is a by-product of wheat. This means that to be gluten-free you cannot eat normal pasta, bread, a pretty much anything made with normal wheat flour. This does not mean that you can’t ever have pasta or baked goods. It just means that they need to be made of different kinds of flour like rice or tapioca. Some of the gluten-free alternatives taste just the same as their wheat counterparts, others like brownies, I have found taste better. The hardest thing has been finding bread and hamburger buns, these tend to be dry and crumbly unless you get them from a gluten-free bakery, like Haley’s Corner Bakery next to Kent-Meridian High School in Kent. I have found rice noodles to be the best pasta alternative so far as they keep a normal consistency and taste when cooked unlike some other alternative pastas. When baking you can find gluten-free all-purpose flour and Bisquick as well as gluten-free cake and brownie mixes. There is even gluten-free cookie, pie and pizza dough from Pilsbury. The key with going gluten-free is that you must read the labels of most everything to see if it contains wheat. This is not hard once you get used to it but it does take a week or two to get in the habit. You learn that the strangest things contain wheat, for example I never knew that soy sauce and teriyaki sauce contain wheat. The best places for getting gluten-free groceries are Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. However, these are not always convenient for most people. Fred Meyer and QFC will place little tags on their prices stating that the item is gluten-free. There are even some gluten-free options at Safeway, but it does not have a very big selection.
Ian Lobdell | The Current
Once you give up gluten you can lose weight as long as you are not constantly eating junk food. After all, eating mostly junk food is never good for health and weight loss. I, personally, was good for over two months then went off on a vacation to Hawaii where I strayed some. I came back and had gained three pounds but after ten days of being good on no gluten again I lost six pounds. Those initial three pounds I had gained where gone within three days. It just went show me just how much gluten has been affected my weighting all along and I never knew it. While weight loss is a large factor for most to decide to go gluten-free, there are even better health reasons to quit eating wheat. Once going gluten-free people tend to report a drastic decrease in the frequency of heartburn, digestive issues and headaches. Gluten has even been linked to diseases like diabetes, heart and autoimmune. The big thing I noticed, personally, was that the acne I have been fighting a losing battle against for
years actually cleared up within about two weeks of cutting gluten out of my diet. Some people have a true allergy to gluten and have always been gluten-free, but a good portion of people are intolerant to gluten and should stay away from it for the good of their health. Being intolerant of gluten just means that you avoid eating gluten for the most part but eating gluten every once in a while could be okay if it is a special occasion or something like that, just be prepared to feel kind of sick for a little while after and maybe have a hard time sleeping. I would recommend everyone to try going gluten-free for two weeks just to try expierince it. Think of it as a gluten detox. I have to do this at least once a year with caffeine, you may be miserable at first but in the long run it is always good to do a detox. For more information regarding wheat, gluten and the effects they have on people I would highly recommend reading Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis. Be sure to consult you doctor before you cut out gluten from your diet.
Laura Gray | Lifestyle Editor lifestyle.editor@greenriver.edu www.thegrcurrent.com
5K all the Way
By:Alex Craig Staff Writer The inspiration to try running a 5k came from my mother, who wanted to test her own physical ability by trying something new. In preparation for our first 5k in Tacoma on July 13 we were watching what we ate, for example eating meals of proper porportion at specific meal and snack times, working out to increase our heart rate and breathing rate and most importantly getting enough sleep. On race day we were prepared to join a number of runners at the Color Run in Motion 5k and for three members of my family and my self’s first 5k. During the race volunteers were throwing colored powder on the runners. By the end of the race I was covered in various colors, although the main color was probably orange. Throughout the whole experience I was glad to be a part of and the more I thought about it, I wanted to continue to improve myself to run the full 5k, not walk and run as I did with this one but I was doing this for the first time. With having gotten the taste for running and the sheer number of 5k runs in the greater Seattle area. My mom and I just had to be a part of more. We decided that our next race would be the 5k Foam Fest held in Issaquah on Aug. 3. By the title I knew to expect a lot of foam, but more than that there was also water, mud and obsticles. It was a great time for family and friends, though most of the race consisted of waiting for people to finish obsticles.
There was also a wait for what is known as the Death Drop, a 40 foot inflatable slide that if anyone passed up would be missing out. With less than a quarter mile left before the finish I was more excited to take away from a race a medal than looking forward to a shower, which I did need. To end the summer my last 5k race known as the Electric run on Aug. 13 and that is unlike anything else you have experienced. It was a night time race that was held at the Washington State Fair Grounds in Puyallup other than running in the dark, the electric part as you can guess was all along the trail to the finish was a spectacular display of lights, art and fun to just run and see. Being a part of these races was about more than just having goal to actually doing them, it was about having fun with family or friends and thinking about what and who you are running for. I was not only running for myself but I was running for my mom. Not because she had any kind of disease but for her to live a healthy life by both of us inspiring each other to make good decisions of a healthier lifestyle. If you eat healthier choices, drink water, keep a routine workout, and most importantly get a good night’s rest you will be on track to a healthy life style. To test that healthy living lifestyle, look up any early registrations for any of the races I was a part of or search for others. Personally, I am looking forward to the Run for Your Lives 5k, the Warrior Dash, and even the races I did before in the upcoming year of 2014.
Olivia Bideleman | The Current
currentlifestyles
october14.2013
fin on a small matching plate. This only added to the absolute warmth and welcoming attitude that made this place feel different as most corporate coffee houses just provide a biodegradable piece of plastic and cardboard that feels like it has no personality. The caramel latte was absolutely delicious. It was the perfect amount of the sweet caramel Dominic Yoxtheimer | The Current taste mixed with the coffee kick so it was enjoyable while still having the desired effect, making me feel awake and alert. The Morning Glory Muffin had more sense that though this place is meant to ingredients to it than any other muffin I be comfortable, it is still a business and have ever tried, but despite the carrots, being professional is important. With hazel nuts, raisins and various other all of these elements the atmosphere is calm and inviting to the point where you additions, it was quite moist and comalmost feel like it would be a crime to be pletely enjoyable. However, I would say it was far from my favorite muffin as the loud or disrupt the peace around you. ingredients were too varied and made it When it came time to order the young hard to pick out a signature taste. lady behind the register was pleasant All in all I would say that Zola’s Coffee and willing to recommend plenty of Shop hits every mark that it strives to drinks and food that she enjoyed. Her recommendations led me to order a car- hit. Though, the muffin I had was a bit too complicated for my taste, the atmoamel latte and a Morning Glory Muffin. sphere and the great coffee made it a The service was friendly and prompt disappointment to leave. There was just as we did not have to wait for very long something about Zola’s that made me to retrieve our coffee and pastries. feel like I was welcome there and that My drink arrived in a large, ceramic, my service was appreciated. cream-colored coffee cup with my muf-
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streetwear “This week I’ve really been into scraves because it keeps me warm.” -Morgan Holko
Zola’s for a Good Cup of Joe By:Spencer Rock Managing Editor You walk into Zola’s coffee house and you feel a sense of comfort, but where most coffee houses tend to over-compensate for the homey feel that they’re striving for, Zola’s excels. It stresses the comfort of the café with a decorative fireplace and walls covered in abstract paintings that are worth talking about over a cup of your favorite coffee or a muffin. The seating is a mixture of common coffeehouse tables, chairs and booths mixed with a couch that looks like its sole purpose is to have fire lit in front of it while you enjoy a warm beverage. The floors are hard wood giving you the
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When it comes to hard work, dedication and inspiring others, this cross country runner seems to hit all three of those marks. Oksana Carlson is a 39 year old woman from the Ukraine, who moved here to United States in 1990. She has been attending and running for Green River Community Colleges cross-country team for two years now. Within those two years she has become an inspiration to her teammates; from being at first one of the team’s slowest runners to being the fastest woman on the cross-country team. When asked what her own personal inspirations were for running, she said, “I wanted to give back to and involved with the school”. Although the sport is very individualistic, Oksana is very much a team player. When she runs, her motivation is not to herself but her team. She inspires the younger girls, showing them that hard work pays off in the long run. Oksana knows that everyone on the team needs each other to keep working hard and to get exciting results for the races. But, Oksana loves seeing her teammate’s results and she is glad to bring positive changes for the overall team. Oksana did not have any difficulty choosing Green River; it was one of the closest schools to her home. But most importantly, she chose Green River because of the athletic director Bob Kickner who inspired her to enroll in Green River and run for the college. After her years at Green River are done, she hopes to transfer to University of Washington to major in Accounting, and to someday have a carrier in CPA.
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