Category Archives: Lifestyle

Finding a Place to Belong  

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One aspect of humanity is the desire to find themselves and their place in life. This is a desire that’s aged and developed as much as humanity itself. After all, it’s a concept unique to humanity alone, attached to questions such as “Who am I?” and “What’s the meaning of life—what’s the meaning of my life?”

 Some people find themselves in faith, concluding that they are found in Jesus Christ alone. Still, they seek to find a place to belong, a place full of like-minded individuals who are pursuing the meaning of life with Jesus, just as they are. But another question looms before them: how do they find a place of like-minded believers in a world that’s primarily secular? 

Just like Christians, modern day humans are constantly asking questions, experimenting, adapting, and seeking answers to understand where they fit in, and who they fit in with. Students at Texas A&M-Texarkana are no different.  

Many students, of all ages, are interested in trying as many things as they can, all to satisfy a yearning that’s been passed down from generation to generation. However, many students, much like their ancestors, are nomadic in the sense that they never stay in one place for too long. They lack the right factors to truly belong– community, diversity, and purpose.  

How can a student belong, when they don’t have a place to belong to or people to belong with? 

The answer is located on the “TAMUT Clubs & Organizations” bulletin board at the University Center. On this bulletin board are various clubs and organizations, many of which are student-led, student-centered, and student-based.  

From Phi Lambda Chi and Omega Delta Chi to G2:20 and Cru—each organization is unique and gives every student the liberty to explore themselves. These organizations give students the opportunity, not only to explore their identities, but also the chance to find a community and create long-lasting friendships.  

So, for any students who find themselves asking similar questions about identity and the meaning of life, find your way to the University Center and check out that bulletin board. It could be a doorway to memories, experiences, and adventures you never imagined would lead you to discovering who you really are.  

OUR CAMPUS GEESE

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Let’s Talk Geese Y’all…

Being a country girl my whole life, I have been around and taken care of every animal you can have on a farm. So, when I finally had the chance to see the geese that also enjoy our campus, I never thought of how they could be a problem for anyone, because who doesn’t know how to act around geese? I discovered last semester that some do not.

A classmate recounted a story of a run-in they had with one of our school geese. By the end of the hilarious retelling of their encounter, I had counted three things they had done wrong: they hollered at them, then raised their arms to scare the geese, but rushed at them instead of backing away, and then, in their panic, they did a 180 and ran. When I managed to stop laughing, I told my classmate that they would not be making friends anytime soon, like that. They informed me, “I wasn’t trying to make friends then, I was just trying to get away!”

Now I know I can’t possibly be the only country person at our school, and hopefully, they are helping others. However, just in case, I thought it would be nice to give all my classmates and our instructors a fighting chance if confronted by our eagle mascot’s feathered cousins. So, without further ado…

Let’s Learn Something About Our Feathered Friends

I bet y’all did not know that geese are monogamous. They mate for life, unlike some other critters. It means they will defend their mate and family to the death, if need be. That is an ingrained, animal instinct for most. Many homo sapiens will not go that far. Like most wildlife, if cornered or threatened, geese will also stand and fight. That said, breeding and nesting season is probably their worst aggressive time, March through June. If we can survive those few months, the rest of the year is a piece of cake. Another thing you might enjoy knowing is that if one gets sick or injured and has to stay behind, or drop out of formation, two healthy ones will stay to help protect their family member; that is loyalty, my classmates. Now, how do you…

Survive a Goose Attack, You Will Not Win?

According to Biology Insights, geese generally start by hissing. It is a low hiss and hard to hear unless you get fairly close; in this day and age, with everyone using earbuds, it would really make it hard for a person to hear. So, stay aware of your surroundings. Their next course of action against intruders is honking loudly. Y’all should be able to hear this over your earbuds. Biology Insights’ tips are spot on; however, I noticed there is no mention of neck vibrations in the attack warnings. No, head bobbing is not the vibration I am speaking of. Their heads may be up or lowered, but if they are vibrating from their heads to the base of their necks, it is not from the love they feel for you. Also, if you feel the need to speak to them, do so calmly as you back away; no matter how crazy it sounds, it will help calm you both. Those wings are big when they spread open, and they hurt. Which leads us to…

Will It Hurt When I Get Hit by Those Big Ole’ Wings?

Have y’all ever been hit with a baseball? I do not mean a baseball thrown at you. I am talking about being hit by a baseball struck with a bat by a batter looking to make a home run, and he connects; a line drive. That is the kind of pain you could feel; it depends on how far your fight for survival is taken. And if contact is made, there will be bruising with an awesome welt, yes, everywhere you are hit. In Popular Science, we discover that biting from a goose is not the norm. If you are bitten, the skin is usually broken because their bills are serrated like a steak knife, top and bottom, and the geese use them like little saws. The pinching they can do with their bill is a fun experience, too. In fact, either of those things is preferable to being beaten with those big, bad wings. Finally…

To Wrap This Up

I have liked the line in the movie Rampage that Dwayne Johnson’s character says, ever since I heard him say it, “If animals like you, they lick you; if they don’t, they eat you.” That is not necessarily how it happens, but close enough. Unlike humans, animals never have unnecessary drama; all we have to do is pay attention. Additionally, we need to show not just our school geese, but all animals, a little respect. Many wildlife species have embedded migration routes, not just birds. Just because we clear and build does not change their routes.

One more beneficial thing that geese bring to the table, y’all might like to know: many breeds make awesome guard dogs. In Yard Life, Canada geese, like the ones I often see in the yard, happen to be one of those breeds. With our school in a secluded, wooded area, it is a good idea to see what they might be barking at if y’all hear them sounding off. Coyotes do not have to be rabid to come out in the daylight. Now, once more…

How You Will Survive a Goose Attack

  1. Pay attention to your surroundings. If you miss the hissing, hear the honking.
  2. If you get to the part where the goose advances, keep eye contact, back away as quickly as is safely possible, and talk to them calmly.
  3. If you choose to make yourself bigger by opening your jacket or throwing your hands over your head, do not rush at them; continue backwards.
  4. NEVER turn your back and run, unless you are looking for an adventure, and possible rear-end damage.
  5. Carry something that can be used as a block between you and the goose, if the confrontation gets that far. Backpack, notebook, umbrella, and if needed, throw your jacket over their head, then turn and run.

Axel Diaz: Fight for Life

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Axel Diaz

Axel Armando Diaz Juarez was born in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico on March 6th, 2002. The same year, his father left the country and entered the United States for work. In his father’s absence, Axel grew up with his Grandfather. Around age 10, Axel’s grandfather passed away, and the patriarchal duty fell upon his uncle. During this time, Axel found himself at the end of some disciplinary troubles. “I’m ashamed to say it…but I was the bully, always picking on other people, really bad grades, all that stuff.” His uncle, in looking after Axel, took him to his first Taekwondo class, “He was like,You wanna hit someone? Okay let’s go [To Taekwondo].-At least here, you’re not gonna get in trouble”. Influenced by his admiration for action heroes like Jean-Claude Van Damme and Jackie Chan, Axel discovered his fondness for martial arts. “Once I started training in Taekwondo, I was like, I can do that! I can do this! And I like it.” From then on, his training in the martial arts began to feel like home. 

In 2015, Axel joined his father in America, he referred to this as a “Complete culture shock.” He said, “I got here on a Saturday, then Sunday we went shopping for clothes because I didn’t bring anything, and then Monday I was in school.” Axel spent time with his father’s wife, Katy Diaz, who taught at Redwater Middle school where Axel attended. Being new to the country, Axel didn’t speak fluent English so he received help from two elementary teachers. “I feel like I learned more in those 6 months at Redwater because I didn’t have an option.” He continued, “Whenever I moved to Texas High and I had a lot more people to speak Spanish to, then it became a little more challenging to learn English.” It was here however where Axel met two inspiring teachers that introduced him to his favorite subject; History. “Its funny, whenever I was younger I used to hate history… Like, what’s the point? I don’t care what a person did back in the 1800’s.” He attributes his fondness to his teacher’s teaching styles, citing their passion for the subject and that, “They didn’t make it boring.”  

In his junior year of highschool, Axel was reintroduced to a local Taekwondo class. “The first time that I walked through those doors, it felt good, it felt like home.” Axel split his time between school, training, and working, eventually taking on a new position as an assistant instructor at his gym. “I went to work and it’d just tear my soul out, whenever I went to Taekwondo I realized I was really happy there.” Early on, he found it difficult to explain concepts like self defense to kids after seeing how different life was for them compared to his hometown. “How do you justify standing there getting hit, so that you can hit someone back?” He continued, “As much as I hate to say it I kind of grew up in a hostile environment… I kind of grew up knowing what it was like to get hit.” As he gained more experience, his love for teaching was truly realized. “Whenever I was helping the kids..teaching on my own, whole classes full of kids and I was like, you know what? I think I *can* convey my messages.” He continued,”If I wouldn’t have been in Taekwondo, I wouldn’t have come to the realization that I could teach.”

Now a second degree black belt, Axel has invested several years into his training and has garnered numerous awards and trophies, going so far as to win consecutive national titles for 2020 and 2021. Axel is currently working towards completing his education degree and teacher’s certification. He plans on becoming a social studies teacher, eventually moving into history and hopes to teach at the collegiate level. He continues to teach alongside Gary Jones at the East Texas Martial Arts in Wake Village.      

100 days until Graduation: Money Management post-graduation

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Graduation 2022 is coming upon us this winter as our seniors get prepared with caps, gowns, and more. I am one of the several students that will graduate this year. Many seniors will have a lot of plans. However, they may not know the importance of keeping finances in check. Otherwise, the future will likely promise slim chances of sustaining aspiring careers besides the increases of life’s calamities. That is why this ongoing event will provide insight and support towards life after graduation.

The 100 days until graduation event involves a social meeting between graduates of two semesters and the host, Dr. Juan R. Castro. Dr. Castro is the executive director of the CBET. The meeting shows us how to correctly manage money after graduation along with supporting details to aid us with this new pursuit.

Here are the 4 main tactics for currency management in the most secure and beneficial ways:

  1. Building a Positive Net Worth
  2. Emergency Fund
  3. Control and save the expenses
  4. Learn to Invest’

Net worth is the total amount for an individual and such, with reporting of assets and liabilities included. Liabilities are what you owe from your properties or assets. In turn, the knowledge of what you have and owe makes out the budget, describing the possible net worth. One aid to prevent any disastrous outcomes is too not buy expensive goods like glamorous cars. Having this kind of luxury will guarantee in owing much more than its base price. We would not go far with other financial goals if buying an expensive car is a part of the plan. It may sound depressing, but it is much better to be stable than regretful with that irresistible mistake.

If any disasters occur even if the finances are efficiently managed, be prepared with emergency funds. With those funds, there is coverage for any damages such as job loss, sudden health expenditures, and replacing household necessities. Plus, it further supports financial security and stability.

A quote to recall from the event: “Remember, the poor is not the one who has little, but the one who needs a lot.” Regarding sustainability of money, poor is the one who spends more of their income. If anyone is not in control of their debt or their spending, this error will run your life. It is best to focus on the expenditures while overseeing how much is spent.

It is important to build an investment. There are four common misconceptions and mistakes that will trample stability if a young graduate is careless.

  1. It is easy for a prime adult to ponder about retirement near the end of their careers. But withholding the idea for that long period is likely to stop the contentment of maintaining the lifestyle when reaching senior age. Instead, they need to think about retirement while they are still working, even if it sounds too early. 2. There should be a plan for investment. Otherwise investing is just a fleeting thought. 3.When a graduate begins the plan, start gradually to attain knowledge so the process is proper. It is advised not to jump into the plan without learning anything. 4. Lastly, pay attention to retirement accounts while working your career. Ignoring them is another determent in the retirement plan.

Those are the most integral points that I wanted to discuss from the lecture. All of this may seem a lot to take in yet learning how to use your money along with managing it is more than helpful when going out into the world after graduation.

Veterans Service Center wins Education Excellence Award in 2022

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Recently, Texas A & M University-Texarkana has received the Education Excellence Award granted by the Texas Veterans Commission. For this university, the award is for outstanding services provided by the Veterans Services Center. State Governor Greg Abbott selected 17 institutions to obtain the achievement. The award is based on the extent of the providing aids and services while also assorted on three rankings. The University managed to receive the silver rank of the award in 2022.

The Texas Veterans Commission has provided service and advocation to the veterans of the state to improve their lives. It also performs as the State Approving Authority under the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ jurisdiction. SSA verifies that educational foundations and its employers agree with federal guidelines and are certified for teaching through a process.

Robert Hernandez oversees the Veterans Center at the University. He is a veteran from the United States Air Force for 30 years. Like his fellow employees, Hernandez strives to make sure a veteran and their peers get the best support for their education.

Young militants struggle to get themselves into a normal stature after serving their time supporting the country. Even veterans’ families had to contribute to the military efforts. Therefore, the transition from the military and into education can be difficult.

            The Center’s jobs range from assisting the veterans to transition from the military and into the campus. Robert Hernandez has said “In the Veteran Services Center, we try our best to give back to those that gave so much for our nation”. Even if these students do not come daily all the time, the service job is always on the watch for them. From admissions to graduation, the Veteran’s center will make sure that militant students are able to get the best experience while acquiring education.

             The Veteran Service Center motto, “Let us serve you” shows appreciation to the students along with perseverance to aid them. Plus, it adds to the willingness of using the most needed resources for the student’s guidance through university livelihood. The Silver Award in Education Excellence is undeniable proof that the Center and its people do their jobs at their very best.

Minding Mental Health in May

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It has been about two years since the Covid-19 breakout began and since then mental health and mindset awareness has gained more public attention than ever before. The CDC said, “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.” And while the term mental health has been in common use, its importance nowadays seems to be highlighted by Covid-19. 

Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Unfortunately, back then there were no guidelines for how to live in a pandemic-driven world other than trying to hold on to faith and finding someone to talk to. Because almost everything we are experiencing is unscripted and uncertain, leading to more anxiety, fear, and depression. Since COVID-19, millions have fallen victim by being taken away from their loved ones causing mental and emotional damage.

Mental Health and Awareness month is hosted every year in May. And with it fast approaching it can give people a sigh of relief and help them acknowledge their weakness and fears. The National Alliance on Mental Illness said, “Now more than ever before, it is important for the mental health community to come together and show the world that no one should ever feel alone.”

From Grounds to Leaves

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There is nothing better than a fresh, hot cup of joe… Or is there?

Have you ever found yourself wanting more from your average cup of coffee? Do you love coffee but get tired of the same thing every day? Sure, you can try different creamers, syrups, and add-ins, but it’s still just coffee… Again.

I urge you to step out of your daily coffee routine and give hot tea a try. Coffee is surely a staple, but the versatility of hot tea is astounding. Hot tea can be found in an impressive variety of flavors to suit any mood or situation. Need a boost in the morning to start your day? Try a bright and citrus-y lemon ginger tea. Need help winding down at the end of a stressful day? Try a soothing vanilla chamomile tea. Feeling festive around the holidays? Try pumpkin spice in October or spiced apple cider in November. No matter the reason for drinking hot tea, there is surely a flavor to suit your taste.

For new tea drinkers, I recommend purchasing a sampler pack. This provides the opportunity to try various flavors without committing to a whole box of tea that might not suit your taste buds. Once you find a tea you like, try amping it up even more by customizing it to your preference. Try adding things like lemon, honey, or cream.

Hot tea also comes in a variety of caffeine levels ranging from maximum caffeine, for those difficult Monday mornings, to having no caffeine at all. This allows anyone to enjoy tea at any time of day (or night… I won’t judge).

In short, hot tea is easy to enjoy in any situation. Of course, it might never fill that special place in your heart that’s reserved just for coffee. However, it can be a delightful supplement for those days when you just want something different.

Your Brain on Mindfulness

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When stress hits, how do you relieve it? If you’re a college student, you might say you play video games, binge your favorite TV show, or sleep. These are all excellent ideas when you’re bored, but they don’t necessarily resolve the issue, which is stress.

Stress is defined as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” The word itself evokes feelings of anxiety and causes you to sweat. So why do we stress? According to the Mental Health Foundation of the United Kingdom, stress is often caused by new experiences, unexpected events, and even when we feel like we don’t have control over a situation.

While a healthy diet and exercise have been the fundamental ways to fight stress for years, mindfulness meditation is another way to achieve peace of mind. Psychologists J. Creswell and Bassam Khoury think of meditation as a way of training your attention to attain a mental state of calm concentration and positive emotions.

Mindfulness meditation can be broken up into two phases: attention and acceptance. The attention phase is about tuning into your surroundings and focusing on what is happening in the present moment. The acceptance phase involves monitoring your feelings and sensations without judgment. Instead of reacting to your thoughts or feelings, you accept them and let them go.

You can begin mindfulness meditation anywhere and anytime, whether through meditations or mindful moment practices like taking time to pause and breathe before replying to that text from your boss. Take your time, find a safe space, and breathe. Notice the breathes as you inhale and exhale. As thoughts come and go, recognize them and bring your attention back to your breath. You are now mindfully meditating and one step closer to a stress-free lifestyle.

COVID-19 Testing Troubles

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Let’s pretend you woke up this morning with a sore throat, a headache, and body aches. You are needed at work, but you work at a nursing home. Sure, it may just be allergies, but it could also be COVID-19. Since you work in close quarters with at-risk elderly patients, you decide to be cautious and get tested for COVID-19, just to be safe. However, all medical offices near you are booked until the end of the week, and at-home tests are sold out everywhere. Do you risk it and go to work anyway? This is a scenario people are faced with regularly right now.

As infection rates rise and fall, the chaos continues. Controversy arises from conflicting opinions regarding all things COVID-19. Should we get vaccinated? Should we wear masks? Does social distancing actually work? The opinions and ideas vary across the nation. Amongst the confusion, one thing remains true: people are still contracting COVID-19 everywhere. The demand for COVID-19 tests is at an all time high. We test when we feel symptoms. We test when we are exposed. We test before traveling. We even test when we are in recovery and need to know if it is safe to return to normal life. In short, massive quantities of COVID-19 tests are needed every day.

During a time of such increased demand for COVID-19 tests, the citizens of the United States have received some good news. According to VOA News, “The Biden administration will soon require health care insurers to cover the costs of up to eight home test kits per person per month.” Under normal circumstances, this would be greatly beneficial to the United States.

However, it is incredibly difficult to get an at-home test right now. Jennifer Avegno, New Orleans Health Department Director, says, “We placed an order for tens of thousands of tests almost a month ago, but have yet to receive it.” The national shortage of tests is causing an abundance of setbacks, and unfortunately, it is unknown when the issue will be resolved.

For the time being, there is an official U.S. Government website that offers four free at-home COVID-19 tests to be shipped to you. While waiting on the shortage to resolve, be sure to visit COVIDtests.gov – Free at-home COVID-19 tests to order your free tests. Fingers crossed you don’t need more than four before they are replenished!

The Patterson Center and Starbucks

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 You do not need to go far to enjoy a delicious seasonal Fall drink and a pizza or a sub sandwich. The Patterson Center at TAMUT inside has a Starbucks and a place to get food called Ace’s Place. With finals approaching, a cup of joe and some food makes for the perfect brain fuel needed to finish the semester. Starbucks on campus offers the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Maple Pecan, which can be customized as a hot or cold beverage and with dairy or non-dairy milk options. While Ace’s Place offers pizzas and sandwiches. Barista and senior student who works in Starbucks and Ace’s Place, Malik Tucker says, “Students’ favorites are the Cajun turkey and classic Italian sub sandwiches.”

Now that students have been back on campus, Tucker says, “I feel bad for students who can’t get their usual drinks due to supply shortages.” The Starbucks on campus mainly offers the regular drink menu items and Fall specialty drinks. The difference between the Starbucks on campus and the ones off-campus are the cake pops, winter holiday drinks, and merchandise not available at this location. But if a student prefers a winter holiday drink, the closest would be a peppermint-flavored coffee.

But you can go to any off-campus Starbucks locations, which recently released its new holiday drink and brought back some old favorites. Although some may have supply shortages on some menu items and merchandise, the new variety of holiday cups, mugs, and tumblers are out now. Sweet treats and winter holiday drinks are great for this season. Starbucks this year has introduced their newest holiday drink, which is a combination of a sweet treat flavor called, Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte. Starbucks has also brought back their holiday favorites and classics such as the Peppermint Mocha, Chestnut Praline Latte, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino, Caramel Brulée, and Irish Cream Cold Brew. Which all can be customized to your liking. Some options are iced, blended, or hot, with a variety of milk options and non-dairy. But you can always ask a barista what all the drink consists of when creating it to your preference. 

The Patterson Center at TAMUT makes it a more convenient way to grab food and drink. But if you are looking for the newer holiday drinks, a 5-minute drive to the closest off-campus Starbucks would be your best bet. Either way, you can enjoy a nice cup of cheer either on campus or off to get through the rest of the semester.