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The ramblings of a mad senior

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So far, 2013 has been my most grown-up year of all time. I've gotten a new job, passed my previous year's classes (an immense accomplishment, believe-you-me), did my taxes early, and planned out the beginnings of my new life after graduation. Now, at the ripe old age of 24, I finally feel like I'm growing up. And yet, at the same time, I feel ... [Read More…]

Respecting those who continue to mourn

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By Rebecca Dial, SA president After we learned of the wreck a week ago, there have been varied reactions. There are some who want to hold their friends and be held by them. Some are angry at what happened and cannot comprehend why Lindsey was taken from them. Others look to the words of hope that are found in scripture. The ways people react to ... [Read More…]

The Cowboys aren’t popular with the Brits, either

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A normal person is 80 percent water. I'm now 80 percent tea. Instead of having holidays like Columbus Day and President's Day, the British have enough tea breaks to replace them. Studying abroad feels a bit like they dropped us on an island with some matches and shelter and waved good-bye. Except maybe not at all. Life without the Bean or food ... [Read More…]

Reporting with understanding and heavy hearts

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The life of a journalist is not an easy one. In fact, it's probably one of the most demanding professions. There's the late nights, the struggle to meet deadlines, the sources that never call back and those dreaded Oxford commas. But there's even more to it. Journalists expect that one day they will have to cover difficult situations. And we ... [Read More…]

‘Lincoln’: Dusting off dreams

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A poll of today's kindergarten class shows that when asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" the bygone favorite "President of the United States" is out with the floppy disks. Or that is what I imagine the results would show. First Female President of the United States was my actual dream. Since the beginning of my braces age, I was on a ... [Read More…]

Michael Young no longer ‘Mr. Texas Ranger’

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Thank you Michael Young for showing me what a selfless professional athlete looks like. It is sometimes hard to get a picture of that in this "show me the money now" sports world we live in. You may have heard, earlier this offseason, Young waived his no-trade clause and accepted a trade to the Philadelphia Phillies. He is expected to become their ... [Read More…]

Human rights for everyone

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I have always been proud of my country. Being a part of a country where everyone is free to believe what they want is an amazing thing we all should be proud of. It makes me proud to be part of a country that does not force laws prohibiting my rights as a human being or as an American Citizen. Lately, as we listen to what is going on around us, ... [Read More…]

The great American risk takers

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The American people are fundamentally risk takers. I say this as a spineless wimp myself. It's all right, it's true. I can't imagine jumping from a plane or going in big on a horse race. Or even getting too physical in a sport. I'll spare you the cheese of recounting the many moments in American history that involved a successful gamble, ... [Read More…]

Staff turnover no match for the ‘Optimist’

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I am not a dictator. I'm just taking over even more of the Optimist.  We've had a lot of turnover. David Singer, our opinion page editor last semester, quit, making some lame excuses about how he's an "art major" and wants to do more "freelance design work" and focus on "getting a job after graduation." Good riddance. I'm kidding, of course. ... [Read More…]

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