November 2011

Click to view full copy

Thanksgivingwith friends

MentorsGet one Now!

Winter ConditioningHave you missed your window?

AlaskaKnow when to go

Boyfriend RequestsDoes he respect you?

2 Collegerocks

HolidaysIs this the best time to bring your new guy home?

Page 24

3Collegerocks

‘11November Travel6 Alaska Know when to go, where to go and how to go.

22 Boyfriend Request Should you or shouldn't you say yes.

Campus Life

11 Game Night Think outside the box

Health and Fitness

18 Thanksgiving Dinner Alternatives

Sex/Relationships

24 Is Your Guy Spending too much time at the Gym?

21 Calves The forgotten muscle.

Money

26 Making Soap a Business

27 Student Loans Good or Bad idea?

14 Internships Finding the right one.

12 Mentors Do you need one? How do you

find one?

10 Follow your dreams Even i f you r pa ren ts don ' t ge t i t .

8 Thanksgiving How to do it when

mom's not cookin'.

16 Winter Conditioning Start training now to have a injury free season.

4 Collegerocks

When is the best time to go?

5Collegerocks

Editor in Chief Susan SukoskyCreative Director Ed Watkins

Fitness

FitnessEditor Lisa Collins

Travel

Travel Editor John Owens

Campus Life

Campus Life Editor Julie Williams

Finances

Money Editor Candice Reynolds

Production

Production Director Jenny Singer

Contributors

Elizabeth SkyLisa Ruddy

Eddie WebberJeff Kline

Colleen WatersArial Jones

Janine Fanning

6 Collegerocks

7Collegerocks

The breath taking view to the left, of Mt. McKinley in Denali National Park Alaska, would make anyone want to hop a plane for Alaska tomorrow. But the best time to visit Denali is mid June to the end of August.

The best time to visit the rest of Alaska extends a little longer. You can't go wrong if you explore our 49th state between the first week of May till the middle of September. Most tours operate during these months because nature is in full bloom and the days are long. May is the best time to go if you don't like the rain, only about 25% chance of rain in May compared to 50% in August. Whatever your passion you're sure to find it in the great outdoors that is Alaska. Cyclists, joggers, and hikers will find an abundance of trails weaving through most communities and into the vast unknown.

There is so much to see and do in Alaska I am not sure how long you would have to stay to take in everything you wanted to see. To get a good sampling of both land and sea choose between two trips, Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park, from one or more of the many companies offering day trips to these locations.

On a day trip to Kenai Fjords National Park, by catamaran, you will get a chance to see an abundance of wildlife, from sea lions, seals, sea otters, and migrating whales. Once you get to the glaciers you might have an opportunity to see what is called calving - where the glaciers break off in big chunks and fall into the sea. Most of the day trips into the National Park take about 8 hours and will offer a meal. These 8 hour trips are quite expensive but well worth it.

However, if an all day trip, and the price

of it are not to your liking there are other tours that take only 3 hours but still offer views of alpine glaciers, including the famous Bear Glacier, in Resurrection Bay for a mere fraction of the cost. Again watch for Humpback whales, Steller sea lions, Dall's porpoise, harbor porpoise, Orca (killer whales), harbor seals, bald eagles, and puffins. If you fly into Anchorage you will have as many choices of tour operators as you will have places to tour.

On land choosing to go to Denali National Park will be the easy part, deciding what to do once you get there is going to be very difficult. You could choose a few hours of white water rafting down the Nenana River or a day of scenic rafting with a white water option. Here you'll get a chance to see moose, caribou, and even bear.

If the idea of going down a glacier fed river isn't your cup of tea you might want to try a back country safari in a 4-wheel drive Jeep, or and ATV adventure to see the wilderness like the Alaskans do. Or you can take a full day narrated bus trip that will take you deep inside Denali National Park in the Kantishna region along the Park Road.

If you have the extra cash you can consider a heli-tour which will give you great views and allow you to take a walk on a glacier or you can take a flightseeing tour on a plane that will traverse the ridge line of the park and give you a birds eye view of just how big it really is. Alaska is a vast and beautiful state full of incredible once in a lifetime adventures. Take time to plan and save your money well in advance to really enjoy this spectacular natural beauty.

BY ELIZABETH SKY

8 Collegerocks

Sometimes you have to spend Thanksgiving away from home and you're bummed about it. Sometimes you can't get home and you're o.k. with that. Either way spending Thanksgiving away from home the first time can feel a little empty and uneventful unless you have made some plans with friends.

Finding yourself stuck at school because you have to work or because you didn't make travel plans soon enough can be upsetting. Don't get too sad there are probably a number of other kids in the same situation.

If you know you're not getting home for the holiday don't wait too long to start asking around about who else might be staying.

Check with your roommates and then move outward to your circle of friends. Once you have determined who might be staying put a plan into action, figure out who has the best place to meet and then divide up the dishes and make it potluck. A turkey is not hard to make but does take about five hours to cook so don't forget about that.

There are some great alternatives to the traditional sweet potatoes, check the internet for ideas. You're bound to find every family has a variation to what is considered traditional Thanksgiving food, have everyone bring their favorite (as long as they don't all want to bring garlic potatoes) and you might find a new holiday favorite that you will adopt to your own grown up feast in the future.

Thanksgiving means different things to different people. For some it's a day of

watching football, for some it's the parade, and for some it's an activity like a hike or putting together a game of football.

Try and create your own special holiday that will include something for everyone. Make it more than just a meal and more special than your usual get togethers.

Making decorations for the table can be fun if you have a crafty group. And if you have a fun loving group suggesting costumes will give everyone a good laugh. If football isn't your thing and you're in an area that's too cold for hiking or other outdoor activities, plan an afternoon with a board game. A nice alternative to sitting around gorging yourself can be to help serve food at a local mission or homeless shelter. Check with your city council to get a list of organizations dedicated to feeding the homeless. This is an especially rewarding experience if you've never done volunteer work before and will also put into perspective and feelings of 'poor me'. When you see how little others have you won't be thinking of yourself and at the end of the day you'll be proud to have helped.

If you are one of the fortunate to have several friends around, don't forget that not everyone is as lucky. Take a look around, make a casual inquiry to others on what their situation is. Reach out to people you don't know well, let others know you're staying in town and are opening your house to others that can't get home. You might find someone who needs a place to go and will be very grateful for the invitation to either dinner or to be included on a hike or football game.

With Friends BY LISA RUDDY

9Collegerocks

Setting Boundaries

with your

roommateWe're not all the same.

Believe it or not we weren't all raised the same. Some people feel it's ok to use other people's things, including laptops, printers, cell phones etc. If you're ok with that then no problem but lots of people are not ok with that so establishing rules early can be the difference between a year of hell and a year of fun.

Ask before you use something that isn't yours, and remember.....you break it you buy it!

If your roommate is on the phone all night while you're trying to sleep you will need to set up a schedule or ask her to talk in the common room or out in the hall. You may have to make some similar concessions so decide how much it really bothers you.

10 Collegerocks

Follow Your DreamEven if your parents are skeptical. Remember it's ultimately your life. But make sure to weigh the pros and cons of your dream.

Research doesn't always mean just sitting in a lab looking into a microscope. Field collection is a big part of a Marine Biologists job. Other majors can also lead to a job diving if that is your passion. For instance Engineering, underwater crime scene technology, electronics etc.

A degree in Hospitality Management could land you a job as a resort manager. This would allow you to travel all over the world.

Who wouldn't want a job where you drink wine all day? Well being a Vintner is a little more involved than that, but still, not a bad gig. A degree in viticulture or enology provides the educational background needed to understand the science of the winemaking process

11Collegerocks

G MEn ight

Planning a game night with friends does not have to mean Beer Pong. There are lots of group games out there that will allow you to have some fun and still make an eight a.m. class the next day.

Don't get so fixated on the drinking part of college that you forget how much fun it is to just have friends over, laugh a lot and enjoy some un-inebriated togetherness.

You might get some resistance at first but you're sure to find some liking the idea the rest will come around. Get a group together and rotate each week who will host.

12 Collegerocks

Mentors The topic of mentors is a confusing one to many people. First of all do you need one? Why? And who do you turn to for help in finding one?

Do you need one in college or just for business? This is a really good question. But probably better answered with another question. When you are faced with a difficulty in life either personal or academic do you turn to someone for advice? Most likely yes. Who do you turn to? Someone you trust and who has experience solving your particular problem. Right?

Well simply put that is what a mentor is. A person who has some experience in your field and someone you trust to give you good advice.

So it makes sense then that anytime in your life is a good time to have a mentor. A mentor for most college students is a trusted professor, someone associated with the particular major they are pursuing that can help lead the way. For lots of students a parent can also be a mentor if the relationship has been one of maturity and trust. But as we all know many kids have had enough of their parents advice by the time they get to college and that's ok too.

"finding a mentor took years off my learning curve"

Determine Your Need Determining what type of resource you need is a crucial first step in the mentor hunt. If we're talking college only then most definitely start with the Dean of your department for guidance, he or she may direct you to a well seasoned professor. If you are just starting out you might not have even declared a major yet, then you could choose an upper class man to help guide your way through the

rigors of choosing an appropriate major, along with the day to day ins and outs of attending college.

Mentors take on many roles, their not just business. Many successful

businessmen have chosen their mentors because the felt they would be a good business fit, but also a good personal fit. They consider these mentors to be close friends as well as trusted advisors.

No matter where you are in your education you may already be thinking about life "on the outside". And wondering how you were going to find that perfect job, or how you were going to start your own business.

If your thriving in academia and confident in looking to the future then you want to start making contacts with people who are experts in your chosen field. Often

BY EDDIE WEBBER

13Collegerocks

networking can lead you to a good mentor or at least a recommendation from someone in your network can make a great connection to a mentor. For the purpose of this article we are going to focus on a business mentor since finding an academic mentor is more straight forward and has a much narrower field.

Know Your Style Define your personality and communication style. Once you've determined the best of the best in your field you'll want to do a short interview with that person to determine if they are someone you will mesh well with. It is entirely possible that the most successful person in your potential career field is, in your opinion, a jerk. If this is the case it doesn't really matter how successful they are you're not going to learn anything from them.

Does your potential mentor have time for you? If you have made a choice and they have agreed to mentor you but they are too busy to sit down with you or take a call then the relationship is going to go south quickly. Determine how much time you would really like from them and decide if it is realistic.

You may decide you want someone who is the exact opposite from yourself. Maybe you're a little shy and not really aggressive in the ways of business and you choose a mentor that is gregarious and spontaneous and that helps you break out of your shell and take chances. Maybe you like your style and want someone who is just like you, and gives guidance in a way that is a better more successful version of yourself.

Choose five or six candidates and ask if they wouldn't mind giving you some advice on business. Set up a meeting and have a stack of questions, take notes and determine if they might be a good fit. After you have interviewed everyone then you can ask if they would be willing to mentor you. You can have more than one mentor, in fact it is a good idea to have more than one.

Establish Guidelines Decide up front what your relationship will be like. Will it be a strict, regularly scheduled meeting consisting of just business related interactions. Or will it be more casual, a call as you need to kind of thing. Each relationship will develop its own rhythm, but it's a good idea to know what, and if, there are any limits. Remember the mentor is someone you sought out because they have experience and knowledge you don't have. Resist the temptation to be argumentative when given advice. Establishing the boundaries of the relationship can prevent a bad outcome.

Buy a Mentor It's not as weird or lame as it sounds. If you are pressed for time and need to get a business off the ground asap then it just means getting a consultant in your field. Of course you will have to pay them but they will act like a mentor in a condensed form. They are usually experts in their field, which is why they consult, and they can get you going if you fill overwhelmed in the beginning. Especially helpful when starting your own business.

A Mutually Rewarding Experience You might hesitate to ask someone to be a mentor because you don't want to impose on them, you might be uncomfortable showing how little you know about your field or future business, or you might just think they will say no. But the fact is most successful businessmen and women also had mentors and they are happy to return the favor, to continue the tradition as it were. A good mentoring relationship is rewarding to both parties. The mentee can bring new ideas and new life to a seasoned mentor and often a lasting friendship is formed that enriches the life of both parties.

14 Collegerocks

Finding an internship these days is not too difficult. You can find one for almost any major and/or profession you are interested in.

Most internships won't be paid jobs. This is due to the fact that it is assumed you have no experience and your training is payment for your services.

A lucky few may find paid positions but most likely you will have to have some prior experience in the field

If you're lucky your internship could turn into a paid full-time position when you complete the terms of the internship. Which is of course why most people do an internship.

There are two different thought processes that go into choosing an internship. The first is to choose a company or field that you would ultimately want to work for or in. The second is taking an internship in an area you think you might want to go into and checking it out before you graduate. If you are uncertain in your career choice and you have the resources to do two or three internships to help narrow the field, by all means test the waters of several different career fields.

Begin Looking Early

If you're looking for an internship for the summer start looking as soon as school starts in September. Many companies will start hiring their interns in November or even earlier. The best way to find an internship is by networking, career fairs, and internship listing boards.

Networking

Begin with family and friends, then check with school counselors, student services, and faculty in your department. Don't forget to send thank-you notes to people who assist you in your search. It will pay off somewhere down the line, and it's just a nice thing to do.

Career Fairs

Check with your Career center at your college to identify career and/or internship fairs happening during winter break. Employers attend career fairs to recruit, screen, and hire talented interns and employees for the upcoming summer. Prepare a brief introduction about yourself that describes your skills, interests, experience, and motivation to the employer.

Internet Boards

There are several good choices when looking for both paid and unpaid internships. To start you might want to go to www.internships.com, www.internshipprograms.com, and www.summerinternships.com.

The first two offer an fantastic variety of internships, some paid some not. But a good reliable resource to pick from. The last one is offers internships abroad, which can be a little intimidating and scary. But they have a program that puts you with a host family and works out the details for you. Of course that's not free and there is a fee for these internships. But again if you have the resources it's a great opportunity.

InternshipsBY JEFF KLINE

15Collegerocks

16 Collegerocks

Still Time!

If you want to rock it on the slopes this winter you need to start your conditioning now, it's not too late.

There's

17Collegerocks

conditioning

The conditioning for skiing is quite different than the conditioning for snowboarding. For that reason separating the two will be beneficial for clarity in training.

Snowboard i ng The primary muscle groups that are involved in snowboarding include the muscles of the core, hips/gluteals, quadriceps/hamstrings, and the muscles of the lower legs and feet. These muscles should be trained in the most specific way possible. The core makes up the most important training area and should receive the most attention.

The greatest number of injuries occur in the ankles, shoulders and neck. Strength training in these areas is essential to maintain an injury free season. Although there is little need to strengthen the upper body to perform a typical day of snowboarding, it is recommended you work on arms for maneuvers such as pushing yourself up off the snow after a fall.

Begin your off season training by developing basic strength in your lower body and core. This basic strength training can incorporate squats, lunges, heel and toe raises, and all types of core work.

Cross-training in gymnastics and trampoline have proven to be very effective in both strengthening and improvement of overall balance. Balance discs, wobble boards, and half-dome stability balls can

Winter Whether you snowboard or ski, proper winter conditioning is essential to an injury free and exciting snow season.

For

assist in balance training and core strength building. Strengthening the core, particularly the muscles responsible for stabilization are key to your training routine. Stretching the hip flexors is extremely important because injuries related to tight hip flexors constitute the most common, unreported injuries to snow boarders.

As with snowboarding having good overall cardio endurance is extremely important. As is a well toned and fit core. Remember to tone those twisting muscles (the obliques).

If you plan to ski all day then you'll need to be able to stand in a partial squat for quite awhile. If you can't do that then you'll need to get working on some target muscle training.

Inner and outer thighs, quadriceps, hamstrings, calfs and shins. Shins are important to pull you out of a potential seat fall when you lean back too far for something like deep snow.

It's important to keep knees strong to prevent injury. Squats, lunges, leg curls and extensions all work to strengthen the muscles that protect you knees.

Remember to stretch and stay limber in both sports to avoid impact or sudden movement tears.

Skiing

BY COLLEEN WATERS

18 Collegerocks

Ingredients

* 5 sweet potatoes * 1/4 teaspoon salt * 1/4 cup butter * 2 eggs * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract * 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon * 1/4 cup white sugar * 2 tablespoons heavy cream * 1/4 cup butter, softened * 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour * 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar * 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Or similar oven baking dish (round). 2. Boil sweet potatoes for about 10 minutes or until you can easily insert a knife into them. Cool slightly, peel, and mash. 3. In a large bowl, mix the mashed sweet potatoes, salt, 1/4 cup butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar, and heavy cream. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. 4. In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup butter, flour, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Mix with a pastry blender or your fingers to the consistency of course meal. Sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture. 5. Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until topping is crisp and lightly browned.

A Little Something Different for Your Thanksgiving DinnerA Little Something Different for Your Thanksgiving Dinner

Ingredients

3 sweet potatoes, unpeeledKosher salt2 teaspoons finely grated lime zestPinch of cayenne pepper1/4 cup canola oilFreshly ground pepper1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Parcook the potatoes: Place in a pot of water and boil until fork-tender; let cool. Slice each potato lengthwise into eighths.

Preheat a grill to medium or place a cast-iron grill pan over medium heat. Mix 1 tablespoon salt, the lime zest and cayenne in a small bowl.

Brush the potato wedges with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until golden brown on all sides (including the skin) and just cooked through, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter; immediately season with the salt mixture and sprinkle with cilantro.

Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Lime and Cilantro Recipe

If the 'sweet' in sweet potatoes turns you off then try a little something different.

19Collegerocks

A Little Something Different for Your Thanksgiving DinnerA Little Something Different for Your Thanksgiving Dinner

Ingredients

* 2 pounds Yukon golden potatoes, washed and quartered * Salt * 4 tablespoons butter * 3/4 cup heavy cream * 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled * Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Place potatoes in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Add salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to medium and cook until fork tender. Drain well. Add back to the pot that they were cooked in.

Meanwhile, heat butter and cream until hot. Add the crumbled blue cheese and stir together. Add sauce to potatoes and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans with Goat Cheese and Pine NutsIngredients:a few tablespoons olive oil and/or butter for sauteing1 lb. green beans, washed and stem ends snapped off2-3 cloves garlic, mincedsea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste1-2 oz. pine nuts (soaked and dehydrated would be ideal...but that didn't happen for us this week.)2 oz. goat cheese (chevre)

Method:Heat a large heavy skillet over medium low heat. Drizzle in some olive oil. Add the green beans and cook covered, stirring every couple minutes, until they are almost all tender and some are lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook a couple minutes longer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add the goat cheese and pine nuts and stir gently to distribute, cooking a couple minutes longer to lightly toast the nuts.

20Collegerocks

Walking

The benifits of a 30 minute or one mile walk everyday are often overlooked by hard core fitness enthusists.

Benefits:Can be done during your work day without requiring a change of clothes or a shower.

Will keep your butt from look like the seat of your chair, wide and flat.

Burns calories but doesn't increase appitite like a big workout.

21Collegerocks

The forgotten MuscleCalvesDumbbell Standing Calf Raise

The dumbbell standing calf raise strengthens the gastrocnemius. A dumbbell adds resistance. Dumbbell standing calf raises may be done on the floor, but standing on a step is ideal.

Stand with your heels hanging off the edge of the step with one arm at your side holding a dumbbell and the other arm a stationary object for balance. Rise up onto the balls of your feet and then lower your heels back over the edge. Switch hands halfway through your set. If you can't perform the exercise correctly with the dumbbell, perform it without the weight.

Once you've built up some muscle with both legs try doing one leg at a time.

Stand facing a wall, using the wall for balance. Lift one leg, like a Stork or Flamingo, and again raise up and down in a controlled fashion then switch legs.

Seated Calf RaiseThe seated version of the calf raise exercise targets the soleus muscle. The soleus calf muscle is a smaller muscle than the gastrocnemius and is not visible on the surface of the leg. To perform this exercise, sit with your feet on the floor and place a barbell or two dumbbells across your thighs just above the knees. Lift up onto the balls of your feet and then slowly lower your heels back to the floor. The gastrocnemius still acts as a secondary mover

in this exercise, but seated calf raises are the only way to emphasize the soleus.

There aren't a lot of exercises for the calf muscle individually. Most people believe running or climbing stairs works the whole leg. It's true you will use the calf muscle in these exercises but the larger leg muscles develop more quickly and soon the calf in a vulnerable position.

The torn or injured gastrocnemius muscle is a painful and requires a very long recuperation period. It's a very common injury to the forgotten calf.

22Collegerocks

He Wants What! Girls through out your life you will date a variety of men. Some will be nice some will not. Some will be exciting and some will be boring. But every now and then you end up with "that guy", the one that is soooo cute you loose your mind.....not to mention your self-esteem, your better judgement and some times your friends.

To be honest it is partly our fault that some men end up being such self-centered a**holes that we let them think they can get away with anything.

But if you're dating a guy who asks you to do things that make you uncomfortable you need to hit the road and fast.

Ever had this happen to you?

Your boyfriend of a few months starts asking if you'll watch porn with him. You don't really like the idea but you agree. After watching he wants to try some of the things from the movie, you are definitely not into that. But he gives you that smile and kisses you a bit and says how hot he thinks you are. Later you just feel cheap and used.

Shortly after that he starts to seem less interested in the relationship and you drift apart. Believe it or not when a guy starts to loose interest sometimes he will just push the envelope to selfishly fulfill a fantasy that he would otherwise not dare broach.

Booty Call

You may not think it can happen when you have a steady, but if you realize you're boyfriend wants to see you more after dark than when it's light, beware.

Just because you've been dating for awhile doesn't mean you can't get used. Make sure your together time is well rounded and equally proportioned between quality time and sex time. If you're not having lunches together, doing activities outdoor activities and hanging out with friends, it could just be a relationship of convenience. For the most part his.

If the relationship has run it's course and he doesn't bother to call it quits because the sex is good and readily available, you'll find yourself his night time buddy and nothing else.

Maid Service

And let's not forget the guy that adores you so much he'll let you clean his house. Most girls like to nurture, it makes them feel special and let's face it girls are nesters. Girls have been playing house since they were old enough to have tea parties with their teddies. So how great is it to have a guy to hang out with, cook dinner for, clean up after.....just like being married. SNAP OUT OF IT!

No girl should clean a guys house until they have a ring on their finger, otherwise, again you're being used.

Give me some Respect

You won't get respect in a relationship unless you demand it and respect yourself enough to say no if things don't feel right. Never be afraid of being alone, it's just an opportunity to be available when the right guy comes along.

BY ARIAL JONES

23Collegerocks

24Collegerocks

25Collegerocks

Is your GuySpending too Much

Time at the Gym?BY JANINE FANNING

People go through phases in their lives that are sometimes set off by a particular life altering event. And then sometimes you just wake up and say 'today I'm gettin in shape' for no apparent reason.

If suddenly your guy wants to get in shape it could be a bad sign. Especially if you've dated for a long time. Or maybe not, it could mean he just wants to get in shape. But just to make sure, take a look in the mirror, have you been spending too many nights on the couch watchin movies and eating pizza lately?

If he suddenly wants to spend all his free time at the gym you might want to join him. Even if you don't need to and you have you're own work out routine. If he's obsessed and your not it could drive you apart because suddenly you're not involved in the biggest thing in his life, jealousy will set in and you will be annoyed with him and he won't know why.

It's natural for people to want to move forward and make changes to themselves and their surroundings. Often it helps keep things fresh in a relationship. And other times it breaks a relationship at it's weakest point.

It is true that many relationships survive with two people who are completely different. If you hate the gym it's important to know if his time at the gym is to get away from you or to better himself only.

Don't be afraid to ask if he would like you to go to the gym with him, even if you don't really want to. Maybe he would love to have you there, working out together, spotting each other etc.

But he might think of the gym as his "Man" time. Where he goes to the gym and yucks it up with his buddies, does gross man stuff and flexes a little muscle (literally). And you being there might cramp his style. Just like you wouldn't want him going over to your girlfriends house with you for manny, peddies.

Knowing his motives without getting freaked out or annoyed is important. Remember guys don't think like girls, if you want to know why he is spending so much time at the gym just ask. And if it annoys you because he's there instead of with you, ask him to cut back a little but be reasonable. If he feels he needs the time then find something to do with the girls while he's there.

You might just find he's doing it all for you because he thinks you're so hot and he feels inadequate. Going to the gym is a really good thing as long as he doesn't let it take up all his free time. Be happy your guy wants to get ripped and put in a request if you have one. Abs, pecs, legs.....it's all good.

26Collegerocks

MakingSoapSoap making is not terribly complicated but it does have a

number of steps, a lot of equipment (not expensive) and some chemicals that need to be handled with extreme care.

It is a craft that can allow you to use your creativity. You can create recipes that are good for dry skin, oily skin, old skin etc. By changing the types of oils you use, colors, fragrances and additives (like lavender seeds, oatmeal, even glitter to name a few) you can customize your soap to reflect your personal taste or someone elses.

If you go online you can find a million different recipes for soap. You'll find goats milk soap, Aloe Vera, Cucumber, Beer (yes there is a beer soap!) and so on and so forth, the list is as long as there are differences in people. Just stop by your local LUSH store to see how many possibilities there are.

Soap is a composite product made from fats, lye, and water. It can also contain botanicals, fragrance, and dyes. The trick, and the dangerous part, is mixing things at the right temperature so you will need to be very careful that you check melting temperatures and add things in the correct order.

Make sure you have safety gear like goggles and gloves as well as vinegar to counter act the effects of the lye should you get any on yourself.

This is an age old craft that has turned into a huge money making business for those that capitalized on folks wanting something other than a white

square in their showers. Designer soaps are even fun enough to give as gifts. These days the market seems drawn to what looks rough and handmade, less perfect and mass produced.

If you're not familiar with LUSH check them out on the web. In 1994, husband and wife Mark and Mo Constantine opened the first Lush store. Now they have 600 stores in 43

countries. All from a little bar of soap!

27Collegerocks

College LoansGood or Bad Idea?

If you're thinking a student loan sounds like a great idea you might want to think again.

If monies were not set aside strictly for school and your parents are not in a position to help because they took a big hit during the recession then financial aid is your only option.

But financial aid comes in many forms as you are probably already aware. Before getting a loan try all the free money options first. Filling out the FAFSA forms is the first step, that will tell you whether or not you qualify for and free aid like Pell Grants or your chosen University discounts/aid packages.

Scholarships are available in many strange and different areas and there is no limit to how many scholarships you can apply for or receive. Yes it will take a lot of your time, writing all those essays and filling out applications. But it's well worth it in the end if you can get some free money.

Once you've exhausted all the options for free money then it's time to really do your homework on the loans. Ask your parents to help, this is not a decision to be taken lightly. Most federal loans are given for a 20 year payback, think about that, 20 years! That's a long time to be giving up vacations or new cars and it may come down to that, because federal loans have to be paid back. A federal student loan is not like a bank loan where you can write the debt off if you hit a bad patch 10 years down the road and file bankruptcy.

There are also Bank loans for students. The banks really want you to do this because the interest rate is not set for the life of the loan like it is with a federal loan. So what starts out as a $100 a month loan payback

could increase to a $200 a month loan or more down the road.....that 20 year road. If at all possible stick with he federal loans, the biggest problem with federal loans is that there is a cap on how much you can borrow (and that's usually a good thing).

The other big issue to consider is the payback schedule. Federal loans will start being paid back six months after you graduate or drop to a less than full time schedule of classes, with the exception of a PLUS loan which start 60 days after being given. Personal bank loans start their payback immediately.

Federal loans come in three main varieties: Stafford loans, Perkins loans and Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students, better know as PLUS loans.

The Stafford loans can be taken out in the students name and don't take credit backgrounds into count. They come subsidized (the government pays the interest while your in school) and unsubsidized (your stuck with he interest). The catch on this loan is that they are limited and go to families in need (making less than $100,000) first.

If at all possible loans should always be the last resort. If it is the difference between going to college and not, of course college will almost always be the better way to go. You will still have to pay back loans even if you drop out though so make sure you're serious about finishing before signing on the dotted line.

Here is an interesting link to an article worth thinking about. http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/16/debt-free-u/

BY BRENDA JENSEN

28Collegerocks

Whennothing goesright

Go leftSimply wanting something isn't enough, you need to lay out the steps for reaching that goal..... or it's just a fantasy.

College

Career

Masters Degree

Promotions

Sacrifice, dedication

Sacrifice, dedication

VP, President, CEO