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.

Halloween memories to last a lifetime

This years Halloween was celebrated by trick or treating. A few days before the holiday, my husband and I taught our 18 month old son to say "trick or treat." On all Hallows Eve our family met up with several other families to circle the neighborhood blocks. Our son was dressed up as a leopard with a painted black nose and whiskers. The only noise that were to come out of his mouth during the door-to-door adventure, was "gurrr." The only words to exit were "treat" and "please." He actually caught on to the concept of trick or treating. He collected his candy from the participating homes faster than I could have imagined at his age. He would race a head of the group, beating 4 and 5 year olds to the doors. He really enjoyed himself. Seeing your child happy is what parents always want. I felt proud of him, yet sad that he isn't a tiny baby. We spent some time checking candy and of course letting him eat his hard earned treats. The night came to an end after my husband and I pulled an all 'nighter' watching horror movies back to back. Needless to say I didn't get any sleep. Every crick in the floor made me think of the ORPHAN.

Grandmother accidently kills grandson

A Lakeville woman was found sleeping on top of her 6-week-old grandchild. She was taking perception medication and drinking alcohol before the incident. The grandchild was not breathing and later announced dead. She faces 45 days in jail and 10 years probation for second-degree man slaughter.

Knowledge is Power

Do you want to expand your horizons and go back to school? Juggling work, family and education can be done. With a lot of hard work, planning, strategy and commitment to your future, the possibilities are endless.

Anoka- Ramsey Community College employs many mothers with a full-time position and a desire to continue their education. One employee fits the description. Kally Kruchten, of Sauk Rapids, is a full-time employee with ARCC and serves as a Administrative Assistant for the Marketing & Public Relations department. She will soon be celebrating her three year ‘anniversary’ of employment. Kruchten’s work responsibilities consist of a variety of things that include the weekly College Bulletin for employees, the construction of the new ARCC website, the Visual Arts Center Groundbreaking Ceremony, the Cambridge Campus Patio Dedication Ceremony, and assisting the ARCC President. Kruchten applies her special skill of keeping a positive attitude on a daily basis.

As a permanent employee, Kruchten, receives full benefits with a bonus. After three years of employment she is eligible for the MnSCU Tuition Waiver. This is a program that allows employees that would like to further their education and enroll in curriculums free of charge.

It is clear that Kruchten is right where she belongs. She added, “All that and a job i enjoy!”

Kruchten’s weekly schedule consists of 40 hours of work a week, not including her daily drive of one hour each way. On occasion she will bring her work home with her. She says this is not mandatory but helps her keep up with her tasks. She can recall one instance where she applied family time to a work related project. She put together candy boxes for legislators and senators in efforts to persuade them to vote to fund a college building project. She says her boxes must have helped because the Visual Arts Center now be constructed was funded by the state. Beyond her life at work she has a husband, a toddler at home and goals to register for classes at ARCC.

When asked about what motivates her to go back to school, Kruchten said that is her family’s well-being and her personal ambition. “I know it will allow more career options for me to provide for my family.”

Spring semester 2010 is when Kruchten plans on ‘hitting the books.’ She will sign up for six credits as a part-time student. She has not limited herself to campus classes, she is taking full advantage of an online class and what it will provide. Her goal is to first attain an Associate in Arts degree with an emphasis in Psychology, then she would like to go and an receive her Bachelor of Arts degree in Community Psychology.

Most mothers can agree that raising children and caring for a husband is a job in itself. Others may say that there isn’t time for anything else. Kruchten said her biggest obstacle she will have to overcome is her ability to manage her time. She says it will be difficult to draw the line where work ends, school begins, and then go home to her family.

Kruchten’s strategy for successfully providing time for work, school and family is taking one night class and one online class. She hopes to get studying done between work and her evening class, an hour of study at home, and to find time on the weekends.

“My options range from taking evening classes, to online, to classes offered off campus in a college on Your Corner program.”

ARCC was an obvious choice of colleges for Kruchten to attend due to benefits and her busy lifestyle. She promotes that ARCC has flexible courses.

“I would recommend Anoka-Ramsey because of those options that people have and also because we are the lowest cost tuition in the system,” said Kruchten. “ I think that those are two very important aspects when it comes to choosing a school.”