Valentine's Day Guide – The Orion Vol. 72, Issue 4

guide 2014

I could be your baby, you can be my honey, let's spend time not money...

Busy bee makes Do-It-Yourself cards time for romance True meaning of Valentine's day

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Parenthood.

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Busy schedules don't have to hurt relationships Single diva proud to spend the holiday with herself Reflect on the true meaning of Valentine's Day Skip the store and make your own personalized cards

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what's inside

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Valentine's day guide

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Maintaining a healthy relationship while living an always-bustling life isn’t as easy as it appears

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Katrina Cameron

Katrina Cameron is a senior journalism major, studying both news and public relations options, with a minor in women’s studies. She has a passion for storytelling, keen eye for copy editing and admiration for learning all she can about the craft of journalism. Katrina is the editor-in-chief for The Orion this semester and is enthused to work alongside a talented staff. Still a San Diegan at heart, she enjoys strolls on the beach, listening to live music on a sunny day and strives to catch a glimpse of every sunset. After graduation in May, Katrina aspires to pursue a career that fits her inquisitiveness.

Liz Coffee

Liz Coffee is a senior business major, drawing extraordinaire, cat enthusiast and owner of a Costco Club card. Her hobbies include drawing pictures of cats and sarcasm. She gives great high fives and can do a spotless impersonation of every single one of her three roommates.

Michael Karp

My name is Michael Karp and I am a senior economics major. I was born in South Africa but grew up in the Bay Area. My goals for the sex column are to both inform and entertain my readers, as well as help improve their sex lives. Everyone deserves a joyful, fulfilling sex life.

And I believe that with the right motivation and the right direction, anyone can achieve this.

Katrina Cameron Editor-in-Chief

Lindsay Pincus

Lindsay Pincus is a sophomore journalism, news editorial, major and project management minor. She is passionate about writing, photography, and women’s studies. This semester, she is the do-ityourself columnist for The Orion where she writes and photographs step-by-step tutorials on how to create projects catering to college students. Her goal is to make projects that are fun and accessible to all students.

The Orion ∤ cover ILLUSTRATION by liz coffee

The Orion encourages letters to the editor and commentary from students, faculty, staff, administration and community members.

• Letters and commentaries may be delivered to The Orion, Plumas Hall Room 001. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday.

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• The Orion does not publish anonymous letters, letters that are addressed to a third party or letters that are in poor taste. The opinions expressed by The Orion’s columnists do not necessarily reflect those of The Orion or its staff.

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Busy bee still buzzes with romance Katrina Cameron Editor-in-Chief

My life is pretty fast-paced, with very few minutes to spare for anyone besides my partner.

Jordy Gore, the love of my life, often understands my hectic schedule better than I do. We’ve been together for two and a half years and every semester our lives seem to become busier than the last.

Maintaining a healthy relationship while living an alwaysbustling life isn’t as easy as it appears, but it’s definitely feasible and worth it.

Here are some ways Jordy and I make our busy lives work for the sake of our relationship: The balancing act My big brother Ben always told me that finding balance is the key to every relationship and (as always) he was totally right.

My boyfriend and I understand that accumulated house chores can become overbearing if the responsibilities aren’t shared. We both aren’t home as much as we would prefer to be, but in the end, we strive to ensure that the workload isn’t heavier for either of us. For example, Jordy often does the laundry as he does his trivial civil engineering homework and I’ll wash dishes late at night after an extensive day of copy editing at The Orion.

Don’t waste any time spent together We spend way too much time apart, so we try our best to make every minute we spend together count.

We’re both big on planning ahead, we often have an agenda for the moments we have together. Jordy and I have each other’s schedules on our phones to make sure to plan for a quick meal together if time permits.

I also abandon my iPhone in another room when I get home from a long day of class and work to ensure that Jordy will have my undivided attention. Don’t worry, my ringer is often at its loudest setting so my staff can always reach me.

Hear each other out The first thing we ask each other when we see each other is, “How was your day, love?” Who knew that such a simple question could make communicating so much more effective?

Our busy lives come with a lot of stories and stresses, so getting that weight of each other’s shoulders is extremely helpful. We also strive to ease whatever stresses each of us may have.

We also text and call each other throughout the day, even though we’re both on campus during the same time and we’re just too busy to chat face-to-face. Nothing makes my

The Orion ∤ ILLUSTRATION by liz coffee

busy day brighter than knowing we’re constantly on each other’s minds.

Sure, Tina makes spooning at the end of the day difficult, but it’s only because she loves us as much as we love her.

Caring for our cat We adopted a kitten named Tina last November and that shared love and responsibility made us even closer than before.

Jordy and I always split our cat-related responsibilities, such as feeding her, grooming her and cleaning her litter box. What’s even more important is that we know that she’s being taken care of and is given the appropriate amount of attention from both of us.

As Valentine’s Day nears, I can’t help but think of how lucky I am to be in such a symbiotic romantic relationship.

Knowing that I have such a supportive partner to come home to every day makes every bustling day effortlessly breeze by.

Katrina Cameron can be reached at editorinchief@theorion.com or @katcameron91 on Twitter.

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Freedom is just as sweet as chocolate Liz Coffee Art Director

Being single this time of year can be especially difficult.

While Hallmark executives are stuffing their wallets with the dollars of those in cupid’s grasp, the singles of this world are left to drown.

I am 22 years old, and have never had a Valentine. On a scale of 1 to Jennifer Anniston, I’m pretty single. I watch Netflix in bed, the guy at the pizza place knows me by name and I consider leggings appropriate attire for all situations. There is nothing wrong with not having a Valentine, I got my sweet self.

In the not so distant past, I did not have this pattern of thinking. I constantly scroll Instafacebooktwitterwhatever and see a feed of blissful couples doing couple-y things and coupling all over each other. To be honest, it can make a girl feel a little lonely. But, who can blame me? The world is always telling me to “love the one you’re with,” but I am not with anybody.

This year I have decided to do something different. If I

am supposed to love the one I’m with, I’m going to love the one person who has been there for all of my 22 date-less Valentine’s Days: myself. I’m freaking awesome, and instead of spending Valentine’s Day elbow deep in some Ben and Jerry’s, I’m going to appreciate the single life for what it is and how I am so much more than single.

I am independent. I can change my own oil, pay for my own drinks and stay out as late as I please. This is one of the best things about being in your early 20s, making your own path. I may get a little too enthusiastic when “Independent Women” starts playing at the bar, but I regret nothing.

I am busy as hell. I work two jobs and have a full course load. If I am not making lattes, studying or putting The Orion together, I’m usually thinking about how I should really be doing one of the previously mentioned activities. I barely can remember my own birthday, let alone someone else’s.

It’s completely okay that with all the hats I wear, that one of them does not say “girlfriend.”

I am in college. Yes, many people marry their college sweethearts, but it is more than just a place to meet your mate. While I may despise the exams and papers, the access to knowledge and opportunity to learn is something that I will eventually miss.

I am one of a kind. I drink too much coffee, I watch too many cat videos on the internet, I bake cookies when I’m stressed and I’m wicked good with a pen and my sketchbook. I know all the words to "Bohemian Rhapsody" and I have read all of the "Harry Potter" books, twice. Everyone has their own crazy mixture going on, and I happen to love mine.

So maybe Ryan Gosling won’t come bursting through my door anytime soon with a heart-shaped pizza, but I know that someday there will be someone who can keep up with me. Until then I’m going to love the one I’m with.

It’s completely okay that with all the hats I wear, that one of them does not say “girlfriend.”

Liz Coffee can be reached at artdirector@theorion.com or @theorion_news on Twitter.

The O-Face: Dig deep for meaning this holiday Michael Karp Se x columnist

Hate it or love it, Valentine’s Day is almost upon us.

If you are single, odds are you either dread Feb. 14 or are indifferent. If you are in a relationship, you’re probably either excited or stressing about planning for it.

In 21 years, I have never had a Valentine. I was always largely indifferent to the holiday, but deep down I would not have minded having someone to spend it with.

This is my first year spending the holiday with someone. I am both excited and anxious, but I believe I am taking a different approach to the day than most people.

This Friday should be a day of appreciation and thoughtfulness for your loved one. It should be 24 hours of utter

focus and attention on your relationship and possibly a day to rekindle the fire that might be dying.

That is the general consensus, and I do not deny it. My day will consist of lavish gifts, a thoughtful experience and extensive private time.

However, when considering one’s relationship as a whole, the spirit of Valentine’s Day should be expressed every day of the year, in every moment of the day and in every moment you two are in loving embrace between the sheets.

Long term relationships can be a great source of happiness in one’s life and should be taken seriously. Express your love and affection freely, unconditionally and without inhibition, as if it were a gift to your partner.

When considering how to make this Friday a memorable experience, dig deeper than the surface value of what you do and the gifts you exchange.

Think of the most romantic scene in a movie you have ever watched, and try to top it. I'm talking picnics, sunsets, massages, flowers, nature -- the works.

Head over to the sex shop and buy something sexy for the

The spirit of Valentine’s Day should be expressed every day of the year.

bedroom, not for your own pleasure but for your partner's.

When you are spending that precious alone time, take extra care when providing oral sex. Try positions that emphasize the feeling and passion you two share, such as missionary rather than doggy-style. Make love instead of just having sex.

The gifts I will give on Valentine’s Day are a symbol of the emotions I feel for my girlfriend in every single moment.

They represent the connection that holds us together and the joy I feel being with her.

That connection and joy does not diminish once the day is over, it increases as we continue to learn more about each other and experience new things together.

We live within each other in the form of the memories we make, and Valentine’s Day will become one of those memories. I aim to make it a spectacular one for both of us, inside the bedroom and out.

This Valentine’s Day, single or not, make it memorable with the people you truly care about.

Life is too short to waste the precious moments that encompass our lives and the moments that touch the lives of those around us.

Michael Karp can be reached at sexcolumnist@theorion.com or @_MichaelKarp on Twitter.

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Craft Cat: Customized Valentine’s Day card 1

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Lindsay Pincus Do-It-Yourself Columnist

This week, I chose to make a Valentine’s Day card because it is festive and it is always better to give a gift that took time to make. Give this to a partner, friend or family member and they will absolutely love it.

Step 1: The materials needed for this project are some jewels, two pieces of paper, paint, pencils and a hot glue gun.

Make a quick paper heart by folding a piece of paper in half and cutting half of a heart around the crease. Fold the other piece of paper like a greeting card.

Step 2: Next, tape the heart to the other piece of paper so it does not move while you are painting. Dip the eraser of the pencil into the paint and dot the paint around the heart onto the card. Be sure to make a lot of dots to get the heart shape.

After the paint dries, peel the heart off the card.

Step 3: This is optional, but after painting, add a little something else to make the card more festive and special. I hot glued some jewels onto the painted heart to give it some sparkle.

Step 4: Finally, write a message inside the card and it is ready to give to your sweetheart.

Lindsay Pincus can be reached at

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featureseditor@theorion.com or @theorion_news on Twitter.

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