Posted by: John Hicks | March 16, 2010

HSB2U

You heard me, silly! Happy spring break to you, and you, and you!

Well… I’m home after enjoying a spring break introductory Starbucks and Boggle tradition with mah mom, and a nice visit with the peers at Haggen. It was quite nice and a very welcomed change to the Valley Library ritual I have become so accustomed to over the past 11 weeks.

Anyway, I’m very, very ready to chill… So I’ll let you go back to studying for finals or whatnot.

Peace out!

– P.S. Enjoy Italy, Kevo. Don’t elope with some Euro chick over there. :)

Posted by: John Hicks | March 14, 2010

Outro/Study & Chat

This posting part of a collection.

It’s that time of the term again… but this time almost three months later and getting my study on for 2010 winter term finals… err… final in the singular form. Yeah… Only one, nice little final on Monday night for COMM-114. Our group did a few sketch calculations, and we determined that we can pretty much suck on tomorrow’s final and still be rolling with the A’s.

But, ya know, I’m not going to let it get to my head. I’m studying… err… should be studying… err… have the intentions of studying right now, but I think I’m too hyped up on Cinnamon Dolce Skinny Latte at Starbucks – not to mention my buddy keeps instant messaging me more chats than anyone could even exchange over the telephone. Many people know what caffeine does to me… It’s a serious issue (thinking back to group meetings and presentations in COMM-114 and night class of NMC-301).

Where was I? Oh… Right… I love my COMM group – wish we could continue to be regularly-hanging friends. I sort of set up a group study session for tomorrow. Stoked to get my ass handed to me in all the information I don’t have memorized – should serve as motivation. I also need to borrow someone’s textbook to study some information that’s not in this student-created study guide. Glad I never bought the damn book – I think it was very expensive, and I’m delighted that I made it by without needing it. That makes my total textbook expenditures this term equal $10.

Anyway… That’s about it. I’m looking quite forward to spring break, going for runs in Tualatin, maybe a trip to Seattle for a few days with the ‘rents. But first of all, I need to get over this cold, finish the remaining 3/4 of one take-home final, and finally for the COMM-114 final 6pm Monday evening.

Get it done.

Posted by: John Hicks | March 10, 2010

Sidewalk Drivers

Last Saturday, I went for a run. It was great, and everyone was out and about enjoying the outdoors.

The weather was very fine. The sun shone strong, the skies were blue. The temperature was mild, but the warmest yet this year.

As I ran, I decided to go through town. I headed south.

I went for a while until the road became an off-ramp for the highway. And then I thought of something.

Why is it that we only have roads connecting major separated towns, cities, etc.? Why do we rely on motor vehicles to provide for our travels?

What happened to physical labor transportation?

Why don’t we have extended bike-only highways and sidewalks between one place or another? Is it inefficient, or has it only been guilty for causing the dependence on our automobiles?

I think we need to introduce long-distance, physical transportation routes, throwing in dedicated pit-stops along the way.

It might prove to be enjoyable on a day when the weather is fine.

Posted by: John Hicks | March 7, 2010

Sunday Morning

Today I awoke to a welcoming glow from the fresh 7AM sunshine, diffused through downward-tilted mini blinds, casting a highway of parallel stripes across my small bed.

After arising and preparing for the day, a short walk down some blocks to Starbucks re-stimulated my senses once again. The streets were quiet except for the one or two vehicles that passed me by, and as I made my way down the road, I could hear them clickety-clack over train tracks I recently passed close to home. Aside from these cars, much else was silent, yet the cursing homeless men crowding a picnic table in the park were audible as I continued on my way.

Watching each block of cement pass under my feet, I caught scent of the sweetness I have so accustom connected with spring. I looked up to the mostly-overcast sky – but my line of sight was interrupted by the source of this cherished airborne saccharine. These days, blossoms have begun to adorn the street-lined trees, replacing the dead grey of winter, and hinting at the dawn of springtime with a new shade of pale pink. Birds could now be heard playing their melodies amongst the tiny branches high up in these flowering trees. It almost seemed to echo down the road.

At the corner intersection, streetlights illuminated red and green to an absence of vehicles, and crossing guards glowed white and strobed orange for no pedestrians.

But it was Starbucks where people congregated on this Sunday morning. Beverages and breakfast items hit the bar; Iced and hot drinks, mochas, frappuccinos, pastries and premium egg sandwiches. Families, couples, and singles make their way in and out of this caffeinated powerhouse on Madison Avenue – everyone seems to be consumed within their own busy, yet I reside within my own harmony as I sit back and watch the world spin madly on. It is, after all, just another Sunday morning.

Posted by: John Hicks | March 5, 2010

Book Spotlight: “Baking Cakes in Kigali”

Throughout this winter academic term, I have been slowly making my way through the fictional novel “Baking Cakes in Kigali” by Gaile Parkin, which I picked up at the Corvallis Public Library. This has truly been my first “pleasure reading” book I’ve picked up in years and have actually completed. I’ve never been much of a reader, but since finishing this 300-page novel, I now have the desire to pick up another good read.

“Baking Cakes in Kigali” follows the life of a woman, Angel, in the small rustic African town of Kigali, Rwanda where she bakes cakes, a novelty service in her area that earns her much attention and praise. The story, or stories as I should say, develop through her cake business as she meets many new people, those generally being her clients. As the reader, you are put in Angel’s place as she learns not only about the lives of the people she becomes acquaintances with, but also her own family’s troublesome past.

What I really enjoyed about Parkin’s novel is that, in all, it is a good and enjoyable read. Throughout its entirety, there is no central issue or plot that the text leads up to. The story, moreover, just spans a chronological portion of her life, creating a theme of development. In this time, we learn about Angel herself, as well as the clients and others in her life. I was annoyed when I finished reading “Baking Cakes in Kigali” because I know it will be difficult for me to find another novel that follows its same type of “development” storyline, because this is what really made me appreciate the writing style of the book aside from the well-flowing thoughts and ideas Parkin lays out.

This is Gaile Parkin’s first novel, and I hope she publishes again soon.

"Baking Cakes in Kigali" - Gaile Parkin

Posted by: John Hicks | March 4, 2010

Help Wanted!

Hey all you OSU students!…

In my NMC-301 class, we are creating a documentary regarding the awareness and appreciation of student media. We need your help in weighing in on a few questions we have so our project can be a success. The survey is very brief and simple, so please be thoughtful and accurate in your answers. Thank you for your participation!

Posted by: John Hicks | February 24, 2010

F1: February 24, 2010

Academic week eight of ten, and in fortunate light, everything is coming to a close relatively nicely. The weather has somewhat improved over the days, but it is still far from “spring” status. It seems that the next couple of weeks, if managed well, will conclude to a nice, one-and-a-half week spring break. But until then, there is still plenty to focus on.

  • In COMM-114 (Argument and Critical Discourse), we have our final extra credit arguments to present tomorrow. There have been a total three of these speech/informative presentations – one each week. My group won the first round, however, many of our members were very busy and burnt out to give the second round any effort. We thought that we’d just opt-out since it’s likely that our voting class would have a bias against us anyway, since we already won extra points. But, we didn’t know that if we opted out, we would lose our points from the prior week. What did we do?… We winged it. Yeah, it wasn’t pretty – but even our T.A. said it wasn’t that bad for being presented without research or rehearsal. At least we got to keep our points.
    • There was one group last week that put a lot of work and practice into their presentation, but as a class we voted the winners to be a different group. Yesterday, one of the kiddos from the group that lost had a little chit-chat with our T.A. – complaining that it was unfair that they put so much effort forth and didn’t win. Can you believe this guy talked our T.A. into giving them extra credit points?! They were awarded half the amount of what a winning team gets – so five points instead of ten. I was still a little angry because I feel that it’s just tough luck if the class didn’t pick you. Now I feel like there needs to be a solid guideline in the class justifying who will get the effort points. They are awarded just out of her discretion? Now that is unfair.
    • Tomorrow’s presentation… We are going to win! No points for you whiny Group A! My group meets tonight at 9pm – this class requires us to meet so often to get our work done, that 9pm on Wednesdays has become similar to a ritual.
    • We have our big presentations covering our term-long research next week. I’m pretty nervous – fortunately I have the conclusion part of our argument… I feel like this is my strong-point.
  • In my NMC-301 (Writing for the Media Professional) class, we’re in our own small groups and have been working on one, giant project all term. We have lots left to record – not to mention editing! But I know we will pull it off… And it’ll be great! I’ve never failed a project like that in the past… Never will.
  • I register for classes tomorrow evening – I didn’t set up a counseling session this time – but I know what I need to take for requirements and whatnot – I just need to let them know that they made a mistake on my degree. But I’m also quite happy because I worked two schedules that I’d be willing to take next term. This way I have like a fail-safe… If one fails I’ve at least got the other… And no Friday classes again. This is so good! I can imagine the spring and summer weather already… and no strings to hold me down on Fridays. This should be fantastic.
    • I’m also considering volunteering at KBVR. I need experience for the real-world and practicum credit. The sooner the better. I feel like I’m starting a little late if I want to get a summer internship. Maybe… Lets hope for the best.
  • Recently, I’ve taken up running – mainly in the late afternoon or evening. It is absolutely phenomenal because I can jog now and not get so tired. When I was heavy, I just plainly never considered running. Towards the end of freshmen year, I tried running at a nearby track. My legs… They would hurt so bad. And my lungs and heart… They just couldn’t provide for my heavy self. Now it’s so different. The only thing that’s really holding me back are side-aches and mucous stuck in my mouth because I can’t spit. Talking about this all I want to go running right now, even though it’s raining. Dry and warmer weather ASAP, please!
Posted by: John Hicks | February 17, 2010

Glass and the Jeans

Just past 9pm, class was dismissed. Minutes later, goodbyes and fist-bumps exchanged, I took step towards the doors of Strand Agriculture Hall located just down a few feet of stairs. I look forth to see the bordering panes of aged glass around the exit of this dated building. The absence of sunlight blackened the windows looking out, leaving just the glossy appearance from reflections of the floor and walls. It was only as I approached did I turn my vision from the rubber slip-guarded steps to the pane of glass that harbored directly in front of me. And in the instant my eyes set forth and caught focus, I was taken aghast by my apparent twin in reflection. My mind instantly pulsed with remembrances of my image time ago – the days I have subconsciously forgotten – the days that I will never allow to return.

From the glass, the reflection I mistakenly viewed weighed in at 223 pounds, wore a lint-balled, black zip-up sweatshirt, and size-38 blue jeans that were both too big and too small at the same time. The rear of these pants was always baggy and loose, though, my large legs would fill the rest of the jeans quite considerably. It was a miserable battle as I would be seated and my thighs looked like rolling waves in the ocean, cling wrapped by denim – the seams of the pants became pressed to their max, and the line of embroidery appeared like a row of rivets on an airplane’s fuselage. Standing and walking, the jeans assumed a role similar to wearing a potato sack. With each stride, my colossal thighs would brush together, the texture of denim striking itself, sounding a sort of wisping and zipping blend of noises. The self-consciousness of such audible movements mentally beat me down. When I would look in the mirror, my sides would bow out after the hips and the side pockets would poke outwards with no more space left to reside. Then, one day the front button just seemed a bit harder to hook, and my envy in the appearance of others became unbearable. This was the last straw.

I’ve lived so much of my life in shame behind this damn fat – it’s over! My mental health was consistently in shambles as I endured this evil cast upon me day-after-day. I never went one moment without the feeling of sadness and disappointment. I am above that now, and life is very good. Sixty pounds later, I am never going back, for the glass and the jeans marked the last time being that twin on the outside looking in.

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