Favorite Thing about Witt

So after hearing all the complaints about the Torch being so negative towards Witt, I sat and thought about I like about Witt. After about 10 minutes of thinking and thinking, the only thing I could come up with is the group of friends I have here. I met my bestfriend at Witt, and by my senior year, I now have a solid group of friends here that I know don't judge me and will be there when I need them. I feel like there are so many people at Witt that are judgemental towards others and it's nice to know that you will always have those few people who accept you for who you are.

Can Guys be Raped by Girls?

For my big story, I'm exposing the other side of sexual assault/harrassment and rape. There are always rumors/stories about girls being sexual assaulted or raped on campus but no one ever hears about the guys who have been taken advantage of. I've actually talked to 3 different guys who have said THE SAME GIRL "took advantage" of all three of them (at different times, obviously, ha). So, what's the story behind this? Are guys just saying a girl has taken advantage of them as an excuse for hooking up with the girl or is something really going on? All three guys said they were incredibly drunk and the girl had only had a few drinks. They all said they didn't actually have sex with the girl, but she did other stuff to them (use your imagination). I always wonder though, how a guy can...perform sexually when he is THAT intoxicated. I definitely need people's thoughts and suggestions for this!

Spring Break 2011

So this year my spring break plans are a little different from the usual "go to Panama, get wasted with friends." I still have to fulfill my community service requirement, so I decided to take an alternative spring break community service trip. Me and 14 (I think) other Witt students and 2 staff members are going to Rincon, Georgia and staying in a Lutheran retreat center. We're driving half-way, spending the night in a church in North Carolina, and then driving the rest of the way to Georiga. It's supposed to be in the 70's and there is a pool where we're staying in Rincon so that will be enjoyable. We don't really have a set schedule of community service activities--we're just doing pretty much whatever we're needed to do. I'm actually pretty excited. Going to Georgia is at least better than staying in Springfield!

Tanning Obsession?

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This is going to sound crazy, but the other night my boyfriend and I were talking about our favorite compliments we like to hear, and I realized that I love when people tell me I look tan. Being told I look tan makes me feel better than if someone told me I was smart or beautiful. How weird is that? And then I thought about what people said they were doing over spring break and several people said "laying in a tanning bed." So what is the obsession with tanning? In my opinion, I enjoy going tanning (especially in the winter) because it's hot, and I feel like I look prettier and healthier when I'm tan. I also heard that getting so much exposure to UV Rays a day can boost your dopamine levels, making you happier and refreshed. Another plus to tanning? The 15-20 minute rest you get while laying there. And they play music in the tanning bed which, according to Shelly's Sex and Music article, can release the same chemicals in your brain as having sex. I know most of you are going to say, "Tanning gives you cancer" and trust me, I'm well aware. I've had several moles already removed for looking "suspicious." But somehow, I don't care. I guess to me, the benefits outweigh the risks when it comes to tanning. What do you guys think about tanning? Why do you think so many people (especially girls) continue to go tanning even after knowing all the risks involved?

21st birthdays..



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In honor of my best friend turning 21 today, I thought I'd dedicate my blog to my thoughts on turning 21. In the United States, turning 21 (for most people) is the biggest, best birthday of their lives. It means devoting the entire week of your 21st to drinking until you black out. Why? Because you're finally 21 and, legally, you can! There is even a game called 21 where, on your 21st birthday, you take 21 "birthday shots." To me, this sounds a little dangerous. The whole idea of turning 21 kind of scares me because I know when my turn comes, everyone is going to be handing me drink after drink until I can't stand up. And if you know me at all, you know that I can't drink that much and I'm bad at telling people "no." In my opinion, 21st birthdays have gotten so out of hand because Americans have to wait SO LONG to turn 21. In any other country, the drinking age is 19, 18, even 16! If the United States had a lower drinking age and viewed it as socially acceptable, maybe Americans wouldn't go crazy binge drinking on their 21st birthdays. Just a thought. :)

Latest Story

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So the story I'm working on is the Newlyweds on Campus story. I'm going to talk to Steph Springer who I know recently got married and Jules Lininger who got married last summer. Both girls are seniors who are currently living the married life. I'm going to ask them what the biggest differences are between being a regular student and a married student, what the pros and cons are of being married while still in college, and also why they decided to get married when they did. I'm also going to talk to a few students about their views on getting married in college. For awhile it seemed as though people were waiting longer to get married, but getting married young may just be coming back in style. Does anyone know anyone else who is married on campus that I can talk to? A guy maybe?