The Penn State Bubble

I don't know if I'm alone in saying this but I truly have no idea what's going on in the world. I used to watch the news and read the paper every day. Current events were a love of mine and I used to have elaborate conversations with my Dad frequently. I felt as if I really had a solid grasp on what was happening around me. Throughout my stay at PSU, I’ve found myself utterly disconnected from the rest of the world. New music is non-existent and for all I know, Osama could already be in custody. Television has been completely phased out of my everyday life. Never would I have thought I could survive without one. The rationale behind this phenomenon is simple. Penn State is its own little bubble. Everything we need is within our grasp here in the Valley. There’s no need to venture off. If one really desires their current events, the hub will useful. Headline news is constantly running and newspapers are always available. Although acquiring knowledge on the world outside Penn State is possible and effortless, I never have. To be honest, I love being trapped in the PSU bubble. I don’t even want to know what’s going on because it may interfere with what a great time I’m having. The real world is not something I need to be focused on right now. I don’t need to know how my stocks are doing or what Lindsay Lohan is snorting. All that is necessary is learning my way around campus and becoming familiar with my new world because as of now, PSU is all that matters, and I love it.

Freshman 15, Myth or Fact?

When I started hearing about the notorious freshman 15, I immediately dismissed it from my worry list heading into college. There was no way I could gain the extra baggage. I'm just too disciplined. I said to myself, I'll eat salads and work out all the time. I mean, realistically, the only way one could possibly put on pounds, is by eating pure crap everyday and drinking excessively. As hard as I've tried to stay away from the 2200 calorie hoagies, I can just never seem to resist. They are just so damn satisfying. You take one bite out of a "fat bitch" from Are You Hungry and you are in heaven. Canyon pizza is a obligation every weekend night as well. From the hours of 11-3am, beaver ave. is jam-packed with kids craving the stuff. The truth of the matter is that healthy food does not taste good and being in college, we have all the fatty meals within walking distance. I personally, have been eating at Canyon every Friday and Saturday night on weekdays hoagies are the only way to go. It’s so tempting to take five minutes out of my busy day to grab a sub at McLanahans for a couple bucks or get a cheese steak at the mix at Pollack commons. They accept meal points too.

This whole time, I’ve been in denial about gaining any weight whatsoever here at Penn State but I think I’ve come to accept that I most definitely have. I came out of denial when my parents came to visit. I asked my mom “have I gotten fat or what?” Of course she gave me the old “of course not Kev, I think you actually got taller.” Then immediately after, my Dad looked at me and said “well, you’ve definitely filled out.” Thanks Dad. So have you?

Ok, so I’ve put on some pounds. Who really cares? I think everyone should gain 15 pounds so that it’s all equal again. I’m actually going to go get a fat bitch now.

Good Times

Growing up, my parents decided to neglect the whole take your kids to Disney world craze. It seemed to me that all of my friends would take family trips to Florida to see the wonderful world of Disney. Well, screw that. I would spend my time snorkeling and swimming in the lagoons in the Bahamas. My most cherished memoires are in Nassau, sitting on the beach with my mom and dad, ordering cokes from the tiki bar up near the pool. The lady would come and hand us a menu from the grill and we would take our time looking it over. I would always order the same thing, grilled cheese and a coke. It was then I became aware that soda actually contained calories. I remember asking my mother, "How can there be calories in a drink? It's a liquid."

After lunch, my dad and I would go and snorkel in the ocean. The water, as clear as glass, warmed my soul. Barracuda surrounded us as we swam. I once saw a Bahamian dollar floating a few feet down and extended my arms to the fullest but couldn't grasp it. My Dad then snatched it and I looked and him laughing. The water slides at Radisson Cable beach were extraordinary. I can recall flying down the warm plastic and plummeting into the pool water. What a time that was.

Deep sea fishing was a shared love for me and my father. We would drive to the local harbor and pay for a crew to take us out. Bahamians are probably some of the nicest people I’ve ever been around and memories of conversing and joking around with them as we made our way out to see clout my mind. One time, I caught seven Barracuda and my Dad caught a few hammer jacks I think they were called. Good times indeed.

For some reason we took a break from paradise to tour England and then Ireland which were phenomenal, but do not match up to Nassau. Freshman summer we returned to the Bahamas with one of my friends and it brought back so many memories.

During winter break this year, we will be traveling to the Dominican which will probably be comparable to Nassau. I cannot wait.

Harry who?

With the recent release of the new Harry Potter move (I’m not going to look up the name because I could care less) there's definitely been a certain buzz on campus. Why is everyone so infatuated with a four eyed teen who rides around his little wizard school on a broom? Is he running late for class or what? I mean, I guess his lightning bolt tat is pretty cool? I remember walking into the theatre for the premiere of the sorcerer’s stone, and then walking in the opposite direction as soon as I saw hundreds of people dressed up as the freaks of nature depicted in the film. Harry Pothead has just always bugged me out and I can't get over everyone's obsession. If you're into the series types of movies, get into star wars, die hard, the godfather even scream. My niece is a big harry potter fan, she's 6. But should college students be fans? C'mon guys be real. If you want to see some people flying around on broomsticks I'd suggest Wizard of OZ or Hocus Pocus. Those just never get old. Who doesn't love the tin man? I have to say though; my Dad is a huge Potter fan. Whenever the books come out he sits on the couch and knocks em down. He doesn't stop to breathe just keeps reading about weirdos. The series just seems so childish to me. In the next book, I want to see Lord Voldermort take over Hogwarts. They should make him the Don over there. There'd be no more misbehaving and no more using magic in the goddamn classroom. That's against the wizard law and just because you a cool tattoo doesn't justify deviance. Lord Voldermort would show these little brats whose boss and excel their academic careers so they will get accepted to Penn State. Harry needs to take a sabbatical until everyone is saying Harry who?

your school has cop cars, penn state has choppers

So arts fest was a big hit here in state college. It seemed like the summer session turned to fall in a split second as thousands of people piled onto campus. The crowds were swarming and this town was truly alive. The booths stationed around campus were filled with sensational art that could appeal to all ages. Allen Street was especially eventful. You could get a slushy, walk through the mist machine, and even listen to a live band. But with all the excitement came great supervision and the cops were not there to watch over the 4 year olds eating their snow cones. Practically everyone with off campus housing during the regular school year comes up for arts fest. Actually, a few fraternities that are closed for summer session reopen just for the special week. Come the weekend, the police were in full force as they patrolled the streets of State College. They came on horseback, cars, bicycles, foot, and even helicopters. That’s right, helicopters. It was hard for me to believe horses were being used but choppers were definitely out of the question. Apparently, they are used to watch over the streets for fights and riot related activity since there was one that took place at Penn State some years ago. I would be walking around town and all the sudden I found myself struck with the brightest light you could ever imagine. To tell you the truth, it was awesome. It adds to the ambiance of a large state school. So whenever someone questions the credibility of PSU, just tell them that besides being excellent academically, we also have helicopters that regulate our weekend activity and that counts for something indeed.

i want my mommy! actually nevermind

As I was preparing to start my college experience at Penn State, I began growing worried as to whether I'd miss my family, friends and even the dog surprisingly. My perspective or outlook of my life was changing as July 1st closed in and it felt just plain weird. I didn't know what to expect from State College. Would I be happy and meet new people or simply break down and cry? The only situation I’ve encountered similar to leaving for college was Camp Seagull in North Carolina at age 11. Seagull was a seafaring camp where kids would engage in outdoor activities such as motor boating, sailing and target shooting. I remember it like it was yesterday. Scott Davis, the camp director, threw his arm around my shoulder and escorted me to a baseball game to take the edge off missing my parents as they left. I started playing and then proceeded to look around. "Wow this camp is actually alright," I thought to myself. "Mom, Dad, what do guys th.... MOM! DAD! WHERE ARE YOU? Had they actually left? My own parents left without saying goodbye? I couldn't believe it. As I proceeded to break down in hysteria Mr. Davis assured me I would have a great time. After I ran to a distant location I thought to myself, maybe this won't be as bad as I'm making it seem. Umm...actually forget that this is the worst possible thing that could have happened to me.

So after reminiscing on the past and pondering what my response would be when my parents finally got rid of me, my brainstorm wasn't all that positive. These people were my parents and I was going to miss them dearly. Well, the truth is, for some odd reason, as the 5pm meeting deadline on move in day drew closer, I began finding myself wanting my them to just let me be free. The truth of the matter is that I love this place and everything about it. State College has the most homely ambiance to it expect for of course your actual home. Everyone is so kind and helpful in every way. As for the friend situation, I miss all my friends back home but I feel as if I've bonded with kids on my floor in the same way as back in Arlington and am just having an awesome time. I can definitely say now that PSU is my home away from home.

livin large

What's up everyone I'm Kevin Logan from the small town of Arlington, Va which is about five minutes outside of DC. My first couple days at PSU have been far from boring but I did run into a couple of unexpected twists. The frats here or should I say fraternities (the brothers grow angry at the word frat) have always been a main attraction of mine growing up a Nittany Lion. My Dad was a member of Sigma Pi here and has his name, Cliff Logan, written in blood on one of the walls in the basement. Judging from driving down frat row a half dozen times on college trips, I knew that come sophomore year, there was no other place in the world I would want to live than in one of those stunning mansions. I mean c'mon, they're incredible with their huge columns and fancy Greek letters and what not. Yes, I've come to realize that the outside of these places are definitely something to drool over, but the inside is a far different story. The fraternities here were basically built to party at, not live in. You walk in and there are certain substances all over the floor and more cigarette butts than actual people partying. People will intentionally spill their drinks and if not that then find other clever ways to trash the place. I checked the bathroom out and was greeted with a nice display of an overturned trashcan and puke all up in the stalls. I did not use that bathroom. Props have to go out to Chi Phi for their lounge area though but that's about all that caught my eye. Oh and the outdoor scene they had was pretty happening. Lastly, the heat situation is a major problem. Once they begin getting crowded the houses become sauna. Now that I've stated my opinion on fraternity living here at Penn State I guess I have to answer the question you've all been waiting for. Will Kevin go Greek?

Of course I will.