Author: Lauren Buckley

El McCabe

Senior Writer

Television shows, just like people, come in all different shapes and sizes. Shows are diverse in their content and thus naturally appeal to different groups of people. There is one show that transcends these differences and provides a little something for all viewers. This show, “Pretty Little Liars,” is essentially a thriller and romantic comedy combined. If that isn’t enough to pique your interest, the extremely attractive cast adds some extra spice to the show that is sure to get you watching.

Many people assume that the title and its romantic aspects make “Pretty Little Liars” a “girly” show, but “Pretty Little Liars” is truly fun for the whole family. Both men and women alike can enjoy the mystery and somewhat scary aspects of the show while admiring the attractive cast members of both genders. Even adults can get into the show because a good portion of the suspects and characters are in fact parents themselves.

Honestly, the hardest part of adding “Pretty Little Liars” to your Instant Queue is not becoming obsessed with it. With four seasons finished and a fifth on the way, there is so much information to take in, and as the plot line thickens you will find yourself on the edge of your seat during each episode. I promise after a few episodes you will fall in love with the characters and find yourself yelling at the television during intense scenes, which in a slow episode happens three or four times.

If you are looking for a new, exciting, and extremely popular show to start watching, “Pretty Little Liars” is the clear choice. Unfortunately, season four just ended, but at least it gives you enough time to catch up for the next season premiere on June 11. I promise you that by the fifth episode you will be hooked.

Justin Marinelli

Senior Writer

As many of you may know, the Facebook page “Bison Confessions” has recently been established to offer students a chance to anonymously admit secrets, thoughts and feelings that they’d rather not have attached to their names. While there are some who find this immature, infantile and indiscriminately idiotic, I must confess that I quite enjoy “Bison Confessions,” not just for the blunt, honest and sometimes shocking things that University students will say under pretense of anonymity, but also because I support the philosophical underpinnings behind the page.

I do hope that “Bison Confessions” will continue its policy of leaving the majority of comments uncensored (if not loosening it even further) and ensuring the privacy of those who submit confessions. It is this sort of protection for those who cannot otherwise bring forth their opinions (usually due to social pressures of holding certain views) that is sadly needed to open up conversations about drinking, Greek life and issues such as depression or loneliness.

Yes, there are confessions and statements that are outright offensive and rude. But people are different and are going to think different things, and naturally some of those thoughts are going to come into conflict. By censoring comments that are offensive or rude, you censor the legitimate expression of difference. If you only allow “correct” opinions to be stated, you erect a systematic groupthink that shuts down the the inherent instability of conversation and renders true dialogue impossible.

If you have an aversion to the implications of the word instability, this might actually sound like a reasonable course of action to you. However, this would show that you fail to realize the consequences of your thinking. It is through instability that innovation arises. New ideas are formed out of not only the chaos of the mind, but also through the dynamic froth and pitch of uncensored conversation. When you shut down the ability to speak freely, you shut down the ability to not only propose new ideas, but also the ability to think of new ideas in the first place.

To elucidate my point, suppose someone makes a racist remark on “Bison Confessions.”  Most people (including myself) would find such a thing offensive, but if you censor it and forbid it from being posted, then you shut down any avenue of thought that could spring from this remark. If you post it, you incite a flurry of activity. You can kick off discussion on the evils of racism or how to overcome it. You can converse on why people are racist. Is it the result of intentional indoctrination or just the result of not having a diverse friend group? Is it media portrayals of certain issues or is there a biological component to the psychology of racism? Such discussions would obviously be controversial and at times would no doubt get offensive, but through the debate, common understandings could be reached, new ideas on the subject could be put forth and everyone could be made a little wiser and a little better off.

Sometimes the beliefs other people have make us uncomfortable. In avoiding things that make us uncomfortable, we shut down our potential. Facing discomfort is how we grow and develop. You will never meet a professional athlete, Nobel Prize winner or political leader who didn’t have to endure things that made them uncomfortable. If something makes you feel uncomfortable or offended, that’s a sign that you should and face it, not run from it. By censoring “Bison Confessions,” you wall yourself off from the world and the thoughts that are in it. Anyone who lives like that has no other destiny but to end up immature, infantile and indiscriminately idiotic.

Bwalya Mwaba

Contributing Writer

A service trip was never something I would have envisioned for myself. I was always someone who did not like getting their hands dirty or any kind of discomfort that would ruffle my feathers. We couldn’t flush our toilet paper down the pipes! This spring break challenged me and it was a beautiful, exhilarating experience that I would repeat in a heartbeat. I was lucky enough to be a part of the B.A.C.E.S. group that travels to the Dominican Republic during spring break. This was not the typical spring break by any stretch of the imagination. The sun was the same, the air was the same and yet the purpose was entirely different.

Upon arriving we were greeted by a fantastically choreographed procession. The children, who lived around the compound where we were staying, performed a traditional dance for us and that set our week off wonderfully. The following day we were at a medical drive that only happens once a year. People walked from as far as six miles to reach this service because they had no other means. There was consultation, medication and dentistry set up. I have never seen anything so raw in my life. We had to hold the heads of people as their teeth were being pulled out.

The next day we visited a school that the organization had built. We interacted with children ages nine to 19. We taught them English and played games with them while we were there. They were extremely athletic and competitive and enjoyed all sports, especially basketball, which was just as well for my group and I. The next day we returned to paint a wall of the school and a mural on the third floor playing area. It was fantastic because we were able to sign the wall, an indelible mark of our service work there and a creative addition to the school.

Thursday we had a food drive. This was the hardest day for most because the people receiving food were starving and some had physical disabilities. It was difficult because we did not know when these people were going to next to receive food after our drive. It hurt to know that the community right around us was in such despair, but it was great helping them and seeing the gratitude on their faces after being fed. We also visited many other neighborhoods to see how they lived and interacted with the locals. It was moving because they had so little but they looked so happy at the same time.

The last day I met a man named Ruben who is the head of a non-governmental organization (NGO) and is helping the poor of his nation. He has built homes for many people and has taken many off the streets into his own home. The main focus is to develop his community and help his nation grow through his foundation. We walked all over his farm and were able to cut down banana trees with machetes.

The final day was for travel and it was very emotional. I am extremely blessed to have been born into this life. My break was inspiring and it makes me want to do more to help those in need. It was a motivation for me and it was refreshing. It reminded me why I need to work hard and study at the University.

Elaine Lac

Staff Writer

Technology is a blessing and a curse. Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, provided her perspective of the impact of technology on the world and what this meant for social media during her talk for the “tech/no” spring series. Technology has connected the world but, on a superficial level, without proper maintenance it can create an unintended but ironic dissonance with reality.

Many students tote around smart phones that constantly connect them to the vast social media sites of Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, making them available for social interaction at any time and place. Despite this constant connectivity, in normal day-to-day exchange there seems to be an inability for people to socialize in tangible space. Cafeteria meals are supposed to be times for conversation and real connections but are instead riddled with constant texting and social networking. People pass up chances for real-time conversations in exchange for ones on the digital plane. Socializing has become null and unnatural despite this constant virtual connectivity. Our generation has lost the ability to hold a conversation and instead retreats to the comfort of smart phones.

This retreat into comfort has also harbored an inability to live and enjoy life as it plays out. People use smart phones to take them away from their current surroundings and direct their attentions to the internet where things are seemingly more interesting. People miss the best moments of life and this constant need for stimulation reduces our attention spans. The best moments in life are rarities and can only be enjoyed to the fullest when they’re not being compared to the internet which can provide comparatively better entertainment. Jokes are not as funny, people are overexposed and friendships become an unnatural Facebook construct of accepting an invitation. 

This inability to live without technology has degraded the quality of ideas people can have. Because the internet provides such rich distraction, there is less time for people to retreat into their own thoughts and find true inspiration. Ideas instead become a recycling of what other people say and not of organic inspiration. These thoughts become shallow and common, a dangerous future for idea development. Good ideas come from new inspiration and metacognition which requires patience and time, both of which people are running out of in exchange for technology.

Excessive technology use can be cured with a little bit of control. Technology does not need to dominate every minute of our days. Take some time, unplug your devices and enjoy life as it manifests. Enjoy the people surrounding you and the richness of reality. You develop your own identity instead of latching onto everyone else’s.

Despite technology’s many flaws, it has provided us with an important level of connectivity and information distribution. It can be a tool for good as long as it’s used for important engagement of information and opinions. An example of this would be the Huffington Post’s use of opinion forums where people can hash out their ideas.  These people have their own original ideas and share them across a space where improved conclusions can manifest. Technology can be a positive with proper and restrained us.

Riley Schwengel

Writer

Modern news seems to be dominated by celebrity scandals and mishaps. Whenever a celebrity gets arrested, does drugs or does something “immoral,” their faces immediately appear on the front page of the newspaper and thousands scream for an apology. But why do we care? Why must celebrities apologize to us? It’s not like these people are politicians or religious leaders who actually have a significant impact on the people they represent or preach to; these are just movie stars, athletes and entertainers. I think the reason celebrity apologies have become so prevalent is that we’ve become a society that worships celebrities along with the entire idea of fame. The reason many need these people to apologize to them is that they’ve become like gods to many people, and when celebrities make human mistakes they become angry with them. It may sound ridiculous, but celebrity worship has become a religion that a dominant percentage of Americans subscribe to.

In the past, celebrities were nothing more than a mild form of entertainment. People would see them on the television or hear about them on the radio and perhaps would stop by their house if they were in the neighborhood. To many, they would have been role models, but vague ones, acting as model citizens for others to aspire to be like. Now we follow their every move, from what they eat, to what they did on Saturday and even to whom they sleep with. Just open up any copy of People Magazine or Us Weekly and glance at the many ridiculous articles that line their pages. Fifty years ago if we had followed celebrities as intensely as we do now, we would have been called obsessive stalkers, but now it’s the norm. This obsession has raised celebrities to god-like status, and we have started to believe that they are perfect and infallible. But they are not perfect; they are human and they make mistakes. When they make mistakes, the general population is outraged and acts like they deserve an apology from these demi-gods but the truth is they don’t owe us anything.

Lindsay Lohan got caught snorting cocaine and got a DUI, but does she owe every American an apology? No, she doesn’t; she owes one to her family and her friends but not every person who sees her mug shot on a newspaper. Lance Armstrong got caught using performance-enhancing drugs, should he apologize to me? No, he should profess his regrets to his teammates, his competitors and the sport in general but not to me. These celebrities don’t know you and probably never will, so don’t act angry when they do something wrong. It didn’t affect you in any shape or form.

I think it’s high time that we end this ridiculous hero-worship of celebrities. If you want a hero, look for someone who deserves your praise, like a medal-of-honor recipient, a charity organizer or a fireman who carried a child out of a burning house.

The next time you see some scandal in the tabloids and feel the blood rushing to your head in anger, just remember that all the beautiful people you see on television are only human and that they are going to make bad decisions just like you and I.

Justin Marinelli

Senior Writer

It seems nowadays that almost everyone is unhappy with the way their bodies look. While the causes for this seem intense and varied, most people seem to miss something in the whole issue. Too much negative body-image can be harmful, but just the right amount can spur you to achieve a healthier, more physically capable body.

The trick is to ignore the body image our culture and society seem to impose upon you and find one for yourself that you would like to achieve. Say you want to lose an inch off your waist or put some more muscle on your shoulders: as long as this comes from a genuine desire (not one forced on you by cultural norms or the way other students might look) and you don’t do anything too extreme in your pursuit of this goal, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. As long as you approach your ideals of body image in a healthy way, and act in a similar fashion, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve your body in some way.

My personal favorite example of body image isn’t actually image-focused. It’s the simple idea that “form follows function.” Instead of worrying about what your body looks like, you focus on its capabilities. You focus on a goal, like running a five-minute mile, or being able to do 15 pull-ups in a row, and you work to achieve that. Your body ends up adapting, and in the process, demonstrating your new physical capabilities (in the case of running, being thin and lean, in the case of the pull-ups, having a strong, muscular back).  The “form” of your body is thus dictated by its new abilities (the “function”). Without really trying to, you build a respectable body as a symptom of achieving a different goal entirely. To top it off, because it represents the results of your actions, your body now reflects a far more accurate representation of what you do (and hence, your personality) than any imposed body image. As a result, it ends up being a much better fit for who you are as a person. That’s the sort of body-image that needs to be promoted.

Obviously, destructive ideas of what an ideal body should look like can be incredibly damaging. This is a concern for many people, and it should not be taken lightly. Like many things in life, taking responsibility for what you feel your body should look like, and then acting on that decision is a powerful way of taking control of your life and banishing the ideals that might be imposed upon us by others. This is the healthiest and most productive paradigm you can possess to approach the matter.

El McCabe

Senior Writer

Are you tired of the old gym routine? Do you only rotate between the treadmill and the elliptical? If you answered yes to either of these questions, it is likely that you will benefit from trying one of the specialized classes the University has to offer. 

The University offers fitness classes that break up the monotony of working out and are guaranteed to be different each time. For example, the first fitness class I tried here was kickboxing. It was a great workout that helped relieve stress and burn calories simultaneously. Punching and kicking the punching bag repeatedly was fun and it allowed me to channel negative energy. The class also works your core and keeps you going for the entire hour time slot. I suggest this class if you want a solid workout and the opportunity to relieve stress/negativity.

Another amazing class to check out is spinning. This class is definitely the most intense one I have tried here, and if you do try it out, make sure to bring your “A” game. You are working hard non-stop for an hour straight, and the class is very interactive between the instructor and your fellow spinners. If you are not pushing yourself hard enough, the instructor will come and add more resistance to your bike, which may seem harsh but will really benefit you and your body in the long run. Afterwards, you will definitely be feeling sore but satisfied. I suggest trying this class at least once; it is a great feeling to know you worked that hard and burned major calories.

Finally, the most popular fitness class the University has to offer is definitely Zumba. For those of you who do not know what it is, Zumba is essentially a fitness cardio dance party. The routines, taught by the talented senior Grace Ragold, are on the whole consistent from week to week, so the Zumba-ers can master the moves. New people are always welcome, and no one judges you for messing up the dance moves. Zumba has classes three times a week, so definitely go check it out. Also, one hour of Zumba burns 576 calories, which is more than running or training on the elliptical!

These three classes are not the only ones offered here. A full list of the amazing classes offered at our school can be found online or in the gym itself. Give one a try, and I can promise that you will not be disappointed!

Caroline Schaeffer

Writer

It’s that time of year again, the time when every one of your teachers has decided to give you a gargantuan midterm worth at least 45 percent of your grade, and they all decided to do it on the same day. On top of that, clubs, projects, papers and life in general piles up on your already loaded schedule and it feels as though your workload is about to literally crush you. At a school with as demanding a curriculum as the University’s, you’d be hard-pressed to find a student not feeling the pressure every now and again but, hakuna matata, students, stress doesn’t have to kill you. There are some easy ways to avoid that anxiety overdrive.

It may seem completely counterproductive to getting your work done but you have to remember to take a break and relax. Studying for eight hours straight will drive you insane and basically turn you into a zombie. Remember to take at least an hour off if you’re having a hard-core cram session, and do something you find enjoyable. Watch an hour of mindless TV, Facebook stalk the living daylights out of your friends or just hang out with a friend for a little. If you give yourself a little leeway and enjoy some you-time, when it’s time to go back to studying, you’ll feel refreshed and ready for round two.

If it’s just one of those weeks when everything and anything is due, sometimes you’ve just got to make all the little moments you have to yourself count. Take a long hot shower, nap for an extra 20 minutes or if you’re really ambitious, crank it out at the gym for an hour and sweat out the stress. Better yet, take an hour out of your day to take one of the University’s gym classes. I guarantee you won’t be thinking about that term paper during an hour of breaking down the beat in Zumba or contorting your body in yoga. Sometimes, you just need to let loose to lose the stress.

If you’re trying to alleviate stress in your life you have to do something that doesn’t cause you stress. It sounds simple, but a lot of us forget to take a break when the pressure is on.  Just give yourself a little personal time, and do whatever makes you forget about that English paper or Econ test for an hour. By the time you’re done, you’ll be ready to crush whatever anxiety stands in your way.

Mary Morris

Contributing Writer

Feb. 24 served as the pinnacle of the 2013 awards season as the world evaluated dazzling dresses and argued the Academy’s credibility at the Oscars.

The night began with a procession of glittering fabrics, fitted figures and princess skirts. Jennifer Lawrence looked stunning in a blush Dior gown that preluded her fairy tale night, while Naomi Watts took a risk in a sparkling gunmetal Armani gown featuring an off-center cut along the bust-line. Reese Witherspoon, Amy Adams and Charlize Theron also lit up the red carpet in original and eye-catching gowns.

Eventually, the lights dimmed and Seth MacFarlane commenced with what continued for quite some time as a hit-or-miss performance as host. Audiences were left feeling confused and uncomfortable at moments, especially those including a song devoted to exposed breasts, a flying nun costume and a joke about John Wilkes Booth. While there are some who find MacFarlane’s jokes harmless and entertaining, the Oscars may not have been the best platform for such humor. The recurring question of the night was where are Tina Fey and Amy Poehler?

Things finally picked up as the awards got underway. “Life of Pi” walked away with multiple awards in Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects and Best Director. Personally, I was a little surprised considering the hype surrounding many of the other nominated movies for some of these awards, particularly Best Director. Regardless, students have cause to join in the celebration of the wins of “Life of Pi,” as alum Bill Westenhofer ’90 was a member of the visual effects team.

Daniel Day-Lewis deservedly won his third Best Actor award for his memorable and awe-inspiring role in “Lincoln,” which made him the most decorated male actor in Oscar’s history.

The award that had viewers biting their nails must have been the race for Best Actress. In a stacked category including Naomi Watts for “The Impossible,” Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Linings Playbook,” Jessica Chastain for “Zero Dark Thirty,” Quvenzhané Wallis for “Beasts of the Southern Wild” and Emmanuelle Riva for “Amour,” America’s newest sweetheart Jennifer Lawrence came out on top for her first Oscar win. Lawrence was endearing and gracious even as she tripped up the stairs to accept her award. Adele also made her Oscar debut as she joined the ranks of new Oscar winners for “Skyfall” in Best Original Song.

The final award of the night, the coveted award for Best Picture, went to “Argo” and its famously snubbed director, Ben Affleck, had his fabled return to the Oscar stage. Although I was rooting for “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Lincoln,” I have heard great things about “Argo.” Still, I wonder if anything could compare to Day-Lewis’s portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, or the realistic and moving story produced by David O. Russell in “Silver Linings Playbook.” I guess the only solution will be a weekend-long movie marathon, during which I can curse the Academy for its obvious mistakes or applaud them for recognizing the true art of filmmaking.

El McCabe

Senior Writer

One of the most exciting additions to Lewisburg this semester is Mercado Burrito. This restaurant is the final piece of the ethnically diverse puzzle of restaurants Lewisburg has to offer. With great food and even better prices, trying Mercado Burrito is a must. It has all the delicious options of a Chipotle or a Moe’s, as well as the chance to personalize your burrito without breaking the bank. It is also perfect for going out to dinner for a friend’s birthday because he or she will get to wear a “birthday sombrero” and the restaurant provides a relaxed atmosphere.

I suggest trying the mini-burrito combo that comes with an eight-inch burrito, chips and your choice of soft drink. The burrito is the perfect size and it leaves room for the delicious chips and salsa. Mercado Burrito’s salsa comes in three varieties, but the medium has just the right level of spice. Another exciting aspect of this culinary gem is the late night specials. On select nights Mercado Burrito is open until 3 a.m. when tacos are sold for two dollars and breakfast burritos for six. It is the perfect place to go for a midnight snack after the Caf and Bison are closed, or after hanging out downtown. Finally, I suggest trying the virgin strawberry daiquiris and margaritas. The restaurant is BYOB, but these tasty mixed drinks are satisfying without the alcohol. On select days, these drinks are half priced, and as spring approaches they will be perfect on a hot day.

There is nothing not to love about Mercado Burrito. It brings an entirely new taste and type of food to Lewisburg and for prices under 10 dollars. And who doesn’t want to see his or her friends wear a birthday sombrero? Go out and try it before the semester ends; I promise you will not be disappointed.