Relieving stress

When the day comes to an end and I'm ready to relieve some stress, I turn to my usual glass of white wine followed by a steamy bath and listening to Michael Buble or Frank Senatra. Both help with physical and mental tension. It is the ultimate relaxation technique.

poll no.2

COLLEGE LEVEL STUDENT- ATHLETES ARE EXCEEDING THEIR EXPECTATIONS

Students and staff of Anoka-Ramsey Community College say National Collegiate Athletic Association sports are not helping students graduate. It is a balancing of the two that can lead to victory or destruction.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) is home of the Rams. The collegiate level sports players

A recent survey asked students of ARCC if college level sports contribute to the player’s academic success. A total of 26 students participated in the survey and of that 61 percent said no, players will not have a better chance at graduating even though they are involved in a sport and 39 percent said yes, being involved in sports will increase the chances of graduating with a degree.

Members of the NCAA conducted a study in 2002 that focused on the relationship between athletics and academics. Their results show that 79 percent of freshmen student-athletes who entered in 2002 earned their four-year degrees.

NCAA’s results show that the graduation rates for student-athletes continue to significantly exceed those of the general student body. This may be a result of the NCAA’s academic reform package that is designed to improve the academic success and graduation of all student-athletes.

The University of Minnesota- Twin Cities holds a report showing the statistics of the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) compared to the Federal Rate. It shows that every sport offered to students between 1999 and 2002 have succeeded in maintaing the same rate as the Federal Rate or above.

ATTN: Classmates

Due to computer difficulties I am unable to continue the story. I’ll post the rest of it at a later time-

Toddler found unconscious at day-care

Bloomington day-care provider says supervision was adequate- Star Tirbune

A 22-month-old boy was found strapped tightly into a car seat in the basement of Mama D’s 24-hour day-care and died after he suffered from oxygen deprivation. Doris Meeks and daughter, Harmony Newman operated the daycare out of Meeks Bloomington home. Both have been charged with three counts of second-degree manslaughter in connection with child neglect, child endangerment and culpable negligence.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE GAY COMMUNITY

A survey reveals that Gay/ Lesbian/ Transgender/ Bisexual (GLTB) organizations are completing their mission of raising awareness and ending oppression. The survey showed that organizations are helping but more may be needed to complete their goals.

The Gay/Lesbian/Transgender/Bisexual community is a growing community. Support groups and awareness organizations flyers can be found just about anywhere. Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) developed the Gay- Straight Alliance (GSA), at both the Coon Rapids and Cambridge locations, where students of all sexual orientation are able to come together and empower one another. The GSA group at the Coon Rapids campus meet every Monday at 2 p.m in room H223 for the fall semester.

A recent poll was taken by ARCC staff, faculty, and students along with member of the community. There were 67 respondents to the poll, of which 71 percent said that existing GLTB support groups help raise the awareness of oppression experience by the gay community. Of those same respondents , 61 percent said that there should be more organizations similar to ARCC’s Gay-Straight Alliance and let the voices of GLTB people be heard.

GLTB communities are spread all across the globe and still experiencing a significant amount of oppression. In the U.S there are only five states that have established same sex marriage.

The survey showed that 77 percent of the respondents say all U.S states should recognize and establish equal rights for the GLTB community. The results show that more people are supporting the rights of GLTB and would like to see that same notion of acceptance across the country.

Alaska wont go down without a fight

Alaska fights to reverse polar bear listing- MSNBC

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell is trying to find a way to get Polar Bears off the Endangered Species list, he has made accusations about some people improperly using the Endangered Species Act. This could harm Alaska's main source of revenue, petroleum development.

Costa Rica, 2003

A Spanish course in high school gave me the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica for a month. I went on this tour with several other spanish students around the entire country of Costa Rica. We rode on buses down the sides of mountains. through rolling hills and under waterfalls. My trip to Costa Rica was exhilarating to say the least. I witnessed a whole different way of living. A more simple and accepting way of living. The people of Costa Rica changed my life with out even knowing it. I saw inner city residents washing their clothes in buckets or a small creek behind their house. Some homes did not have four walls to shelter them. They endured a poverty stricken life. My junior year of high school I learned not to take everything in life to granted. The most convenient of things, a washer and dryer. I learned that Dolce and Gabbana were not necessary to make me happy or life more enjoyable to live. If I had the opportunity to go back to Costa Rica, I would go in a heat beat. There was a lot of tanning on the beach, watching professional surfing competitions, exploring the rainforest and steering clear of the untamed lizards. I can vividly remember laying on the beach, watching sailboats float near the cliffs, green ocean water carrying friends out further and further as the tide came in and out and three large lizards sun bathing no more than a couple feet away from me.

Could this have been preventable?

Clear Warning Signs, Hanan’s colleagues say - MSNBC

Ft. Hood, Texas experienced a tragic event that left 13 dead and 29 wounded. Major Nidal Malik Hasan is the only suspect involved in the rampage. People that have come into contact with Hasan all commented about his questionable behavior. Many have witnessed his anti-american propaganda and doubts about being deployed to Afghanistan.