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Age changes holiday expectations

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Remember when you were younger and you looked forward to Christmas with great anticipation and excitement? It was a magical time. There was certainly some point in many of our lives when we were "tiny tots with our eyes all aglow," finding it hard to sleep Christmas Eve in anticipation for what Santa would bring. We were looking forward to getting ... [Read More…]

Man is flightless for a reason

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Man wasn't made to fly. Maybe that's why he acts so strangely at airports. I flew home to Virginia for Thanksgiving break. As might be expected, I also flew back to Texas after Thanksgiving. I'd been on several flights, but this trip just had me asking too many questions to pass up this opportunity to reach the masses with my discoveries. Before ... [Read More…]

BCS needs a playoff system

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BCS. This abbreviation has been the hot topic of Division I college football for several years now. This year's college football season proved again why a playoff system needs to replace the current Bowl Championship Series in determining the national championship match-up. The victim of the BCS monster this time is Oklahoma State University. OSU ... [Read More…]

Pristine precipitate provided pleasant play

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The ground has been dusted with white, and that's quite an event around here. But I grew up in Iowa. It's about 800 miles north-northeast of Abilene and a good 30 degrees colder in the winter. Up there, we had substantial snow. That magical feeling of transformation you felt a few days ago upon seeing your snow-covered yard is similar to what my ... [Read More…]

A Dynamic Duo

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Two of the things that serve big roles in my life are my faith and sports. Each defines me, albeit in different amounts, yet each does to a certain extent. I grew up deeply immersed with each alongside as I progressed through life. I have attended church since birth and been involved with sports in different capacities since my toddler years. Both ... [Read More…]

‘Tisn’t the season til the bird is gone

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Signs of the Christmas season are popping up all around. People are pulling out their Christmas music, digging holiday sweaters out of their closets, putting up twinkle lights and decorating gingerbread cookies. This time of year is filled with many unique practices that are enjoyed for only a brief period of time before being stowed away for next ... [Read More…]

Actions originate from genetics, environment

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Editor's Note: Laura Acuff, 2011 alumna, is a Fulbright Scholar teaching English in Bulgaria. She publishes a travel blog at lauracuff.tumblr.com. Before I left Texas for Bulgaria, a dear friend told me she hoped I'd be able to use my time abroad to "learn about myself." The idea shocked me, at first. It sounds so self-serving, so ... [Read More…]

Pass your finals sans preparation

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We have one week of regular classes before finals. If you are surprised by that news, you are going to be in some pretty deep trouble in a few days. But, lucky for you, the Optimist Editorial Board is chock full of caring, thoughtful college kids who are here to help you. Ask for a Study Guide Professors love to hand out study guides. They really ... [Read More…]

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