Kara Rice

The Signal Staff

While watching my family stuff their faces with great food this past Easter weekend, I couldn’t help but think how this scene has played out in front of me year after year for nearly three decades.

Although monotony is typically dreaded in our everyday lives, we cling to it around holidays and welcome the same familiar activities each year.  These traditions are what tie many of our families together.

Most of us know that Easter’s origins come from the Christian belief that it is the day Jesus was resurrected from the dead and has been recognized and celebrated for centuries as such.  My family celebrates it in many of the same ways that millions of other Americans do each year.  Large feasts are laid out on colorfully decorated tables.  They include items like brisket, ham, macaroni dishes, rolls, deviled eggs, cole slaw, bunny cake, potato salad and the list goes on.  Spring time flowers in vases, porcelain bunnies, eggs, jellybeans and Peeps have all been used to create the feeling of Easter.  Dozens of eggs are dyed and decorated, including confetti eggs made by a cousin each year. Continue Reading

Sonya Lynch

The Signal Staff

Decisions, decisions.  From the time the alarm goes off we begin to make decisions.  Many of us find ourselves living day-in and day-out making pretty much the same decisions some without understanding why.

Years ago I realized that many of my decisions were made to please others, and I had totally abandoned thoughts for my own life.

I was not the only one.  Sitting in conversations with other young women, I found many of them compartmentalized their lives into the experiences of others.  I decided to take some time to reflect on my choices. Continue Reading

Pat Martin

The Signal Staff

For man to survive, he needs only three things:  food, water and shelter. Ask anyone nowadays, however, and he will tell you that it is impossible to live without things like the Internet or their cell phone.

I was recently approached with a proposition to go for one weekend without using any current technology. At first, I shrugged it off. I have always considered myself an avid outdoorsman. Just how hard could it be to spend one little weekend outdoors without some of the luxuries of modern day technology?

Everywhere I look I see evidence of just how dependent have become on technology. We have cell phones with texting, tweeting and the Internet right there at our fingertips, most even take photographs.  Nearly any public place offers free wireless Internet for our laptop computers. It is even built right into the new cars and trucks available on the market today. Continue Reading

Lindsey Watson

The Signal Staff

Life is a balancing act for most of us.  It is like walking a tight rope a thousand feet in the air.  One misstep and you fall into a deep abyss of mayhem and madness.  Fortunately, I have a good foothold.  I have a tight network of family and friends who lend their support.

Between attending college full-time, single parenting a lovable yet demanding 4 year old, holding a challenging newspaper position, enjoying a hectic social life and trying to squeeze some “me” time in there, my days are more than chaotic.  Although my life is hectic, it works because it is organized chaos.

I keep a planner with me at all times; this book is my bible.  Everything is in there, from homework assignments to T-ball practice to the lunch with my best friend next Friday.  Without my planner, I am frazzled and, worst of all, I am lost.

My mom loves to tell me that I have taken on too much; perhaps I have, but I like to chalk it up to her being a mom.  The fact of the matter is no matter how hectic my life may be, it is my life and I love it.  It is not always easy though.  Many times tough choices must be made. Continue Reading

Ryan Eldred

The Signal Staff

Ryan Eldred

In life, roadblocks will sometimes send you on a detour filled with so many ruts and pot holes that you have to wonder if you are on the wrong path. Could this possibly be what everyone refers to as karma? I would have to say the best answer I can give, is that “you are experiencing life.”

Speaking of life, remember that board game of the same name we all used to play? The game simulates situations similar to the real thing, including all the challenge, surprise, and luck you endure along the way. I will admit, however, that the “you’ve hit the lottery” card has yet to show up for me.

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Kara J. Rice

The Signal Staff

It is the beginning of a new year; 2010 signifies that another decade has gone by and with it, many of the things I love.

As I think about all of the wonderful products that have been discontinued, it is not just the sadness of their demise that comes over me, but the thought that my child will most likely never experience many of the things I loved as a child.

I suppose that is the way things go. Our generation missed out on many great things our parents and grandparents experienced in their youth.  Ever tasted Kellogg’s Puffa Puffa Rice Cereal, Black Jack gum or the Seven Up Bar?  I bet not, and you most likely never will.

Don’t get me wrong, change is mostly good and in many cases signifies great progress, but every once in awhile you have to ask yourself, “Why did they close down a place like Astro World? Did they do just what a song from recent years suggests, ‘paved paradise and put up a parking lot?’”   Continue Reading

Mary Ann Wangler

The Signal Staff

I face quite a dilemma this Christmas: no money. At the moment my husband and I struggle to pay the bills and put food on the table; I am left to wonder how we are going to have much of a Christmas for our family.

We have never had the finances to have an extravagant Christmas, but in past years we have been able to have a nice little gift exchange and provide the kids with a reasonable amount of presents. I don’t think we are even going to be able to do that this year.

Although I shun the materialism of the holiday, I am still susceptible to the brainwashing of store advertisements. I want to give as well as receive gifts, and I want to participate in seasonal activities.
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Grant Chesshir

The Signal Staff

Tuition is not cheap, and almost all students have had to work part-time jobs throughout their collegiate journey in order to cover costs. It is not a secret that these jobs are typically terrible. Of these terrible titles of employment, one stands out as the hardest and most under appreciated: server.

Here are a few suggestions from a retired server to ensure you are not regarded as “that customer” upon your departure from the dining establishment. You know the customer I mean, the obnoxious one no one wants back.

The first bit of advice seems to be the most obvious, but I guess if this were really so obvious then I would still be asking people what they would like to drink and whether or not they want to start with an appetizer.

But I digress, so back to the advice; don’t be rude to your server. When the server approaches your table and begins his or her introduction, don’t cut him off and bark out the beverage you desire. That’s a deal-breaker and a guaranteed first step toward being “that customer.” Allow him to finish his spiel as if he were a human being. Continue Reading

Christopher Curry

The Signal Staff

This Veterans Day marks the fourth year I celebrate it as a veteran. I joined the Navy in 2002 and was honorably discharged in 2006.

The Navy was a decent job. Boot camp was a walk in the park compared to the other branches of military life. I got used to the constant yelling and was issued a thick enough jacket to fend off the bitter cold of Great Lakes, Ill.

After boot camp, I was sent directly across the street for three months of Information Systems Technician “A” school. Others went off to train in Florida or California, but I was already accustomed to the weather so I figured why change now? Military training was fast paced and there was always room for improvement.

Today, I find myself in school again, but in a very different setting. I’m the assistant editor for The Signal, which brings with it authority and privileges that I am not used to having as a former enlisted military member. Continue Reading

Ruth Garay

The Signal Staff

Mother earth is dying a slow and agonizing death as she is poisoned daily by people who litter. It could be as small as a cigarette butt or as large as a mattress. No matter the size, its end effect is toxic.

Why do people litter?

The number one litter bugs in America are smokers. They flick cigarette butts out of their car window, on the street sidewalks, at the beaches and other public places. But, why do they do it?

Some smokers think the cigarette butts are not litter because the filters are   biodegradable. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate tow fibers, not cotton. It takes decades to decompose, so when it rains, toxic chemicals can end up in the soil and water supply.

Many fires that are started each year by cigarette butts also impact the environment. The cost of smokers’ dirty deed is contaminated soil, polluted water and deadly fires. Continue Reading