Posts by Atziri Sanchez

Jun 9

Love waits til the end of the term

In high school, if a guy liked you, he came up and asked you out for coffee or lunch. In college, it’s more likely that he’ll send you a friend request on Facebook. What’s interesting is the timing of it all. At the end of each term I get bombarded with friend requests from guys in my classes. Some were guys I talked to throughout the course, and others I had no idea were in my class. Either way, it’s interesting that the requests come in on the last day of class.

Some of my friends who also attend PSU have come across the same situation. They can’t tell if a guy in their class likes them, until the end of the term when they get asked out on a Facebook message or in-class on the very last day. My friend, Ryan Smith, explains it this way, “It’s like they’re trying to save face. If they get shot down at the beginning of the term, then it just makes the rest of the term awkward, but if they wait until the very last day, they have nothing to lose because they will probably never see you again.”

What do you think about this dating fad?

May 30

Apply only if you have experience

Coming down to the end of the term, a hopeful graduate starting a new chapter in life, I’ve begun the long-awaited job search. I’ve been warned by just about everyone that the job search isn’t easy and it would be awhile before I found anything to apply for. Even so, I go to Google and look up job openings in my area of study just to see what’s out there. Well, to my surprise, finding job openings hasn’t been the problem. Instead it’s been the years of experience required that has prevented me from applying to several job postings. I’m coming out straight from college with little to no experience, so how am I supposed to get a job?

I’m looking at broadcasting jobs and I’ve come to learn that you need to apply in rural places, like Coos Bay or some obscure town in Idaho. Although moving to an even smaller city doesn’t sound ideal, that’s where the opportunities are at. Once you get some experience there, you can apply to other jobs in big cities like Portland or Seattle that require background knowledge. So far, I haven’t made up my mind on what to do but am strongly considering moving to a small town in the Northwest if that’s where I can get a job.

May 17

4 Comments

Top five things to know at PSU

As I wrap up my senior year, I thought I’d gather a list of things incoming freshmen should know that I wish someone had told me, so pay attention class of 2016.

1. PSU offers 2 credit weekend classes. These are great to take because the credits add up, they are generally upper division, and fairly easy. However, make sure you don’t take them the weekend before midterms or finals because it will get in the way of your study time and just add stress. Consider taking one when there are holidays that extend the weekend, that way you get a day to rest and catch up on homework.

2. Tuition is usually due the second week of the term. However, I’ve come to realize that you can pay your tuition any time until the last day of the term without any fees added. It’s not until after the last day of the term that you get a $100 penalty.

3. Sign up for classes ASAP! First, look at the classes that will be available next term ahead of registering that way you have it fairly planned out. The class list is usually available by mid-term. Then find out when you’re allowed to register for classes. Log on at 8 am the day of and sign up.

4. Remember that Pass/No Pass is an option for several classes. Look for it on the class list. You’re able to change your grade option reasonably far into the term, so if you’re considering withdrawing or retaking a class, think twice about your options.

5. Save money on textbooks. I didn’t know any better my freshmen year and bought all my books new and full priced at the PSU Bookstore. Nowadays, you can rent used books at the PSU Bookstore, but do so ahead of time before they run out. The Campus Bookstore on 6th Ave. is also a cheap alternative. Amazon.com is a great online option to buy inexpensive new/used books and college students get free 2-day shipping. There are also several websites that rent books like chegg.com if you’re not interested in keeping the book.

May 4

Sex and the dorms

You’re at your dorm with your date and about to hook up, but your roommate walks in, now what? Well, some Portland State University students chimed in on this awkward dorm situation. Jacob Stein, a sophomore and King Albert housing resident at PSU, says, “I would tell them to get the hell out and let me be intimate.” Some choose direct confrontation and others take a more passive approach. Robert Penziol, a freshmen and Ondine resident at PSU, says he would awkwardly wait for them to leave.

There are many ways to go about avoiding this unfavorable situation. First, communicate with your roommate and compromise on something you both feel comfortable with. You can negotiate days and times that you are guaranteed privacy or establish a system. This could be a code that would alert your roommates not to enter the room. Instead of the cheesy sock or cowboy hat on the door, you might want to decide on something more demure that you and your roommate are aware of, but subtle enough that your RA won’t know what’s going on.

A PSU student, who prefers to remain anonymous, uses a dry erase board on their door to write an elusive sex code, only he and his roommate distinguish. They’ve changed it over time when others started catching on, but so far they’ve used the phrases: Better than chocolate, hunting rabbits, batter dip the cranny ax in the gut locker, and cannonball the fiddle cove with the pork steeple. Clearly, students at the PSU dorms are getting creative at avoiding the elephant in the room… What would/do you do?

Apr 16

4 Comments

Cover the Night Portland

Jason Russell-- director of KONY 2012

On April 20th, KONY 2012 “Cover the Night” will be taking place in Portland, along with cities across the country. Overnight, supporters will be covering the city with KONY 2012 posters, signs, stickers, and banners. The purpose of this KONY spread is to bring awareness and get other people involved in stopping and capturing Joseph Kony, rebel and leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The documentary “Kony 2012″ touches on horrific stories of child abduction, brutal mutilations, and sexual slavery brought on by the LRA.

Although the media seems to be focusing on the KONY 2012 goal of capturing this warlord, there have been some hiccups along the way. Jason Russell, co-founder of Invisible Children and director of “Kony 2012″, was detained for masturbating in public just a month before his long-awaited “Cover the Night”. His actions were blamed on extreme exhaustion and dehydration. Nonetheless, this was the person everyone viewed as the trustworthy Christian who was making a change in the world. Unfortunately, this impromptu incident has a lot of people questioning the campaign now. It’ll be interesting to see the outcome on April 21st.

Because PSU is situated in the heart of Portland, it’s expected than many students will be involved in “Cover the Night” Portland. Will you be a part of this event? Have the current incidents affected your thoughts on this campaign?

Apr 2

Winter break part deux

Spring break in most areas means warm weather, hitting up the beach, and rooftop parties. Spring break in Portland means rain, snowboarding and staying in to watch movies on TV. Any kind of skinny-dipping around here will lead to hypothermia. For a lot of out-of-state students, this is quite the drastic change. Many students come from the sunny beaches of Southern California and the scorching heat deserts of Arizona. Those lucky enough to sneak back to their hometowns over break are in for a rude awakening if they expect sunny days by the time they come back for school.

Coming from SoCal, I’m used to hacking up an old pair of jeans into shorts during spring. Now, I’m continually shopping winter wear no matter the season. It’s funny that I’ve fallen into some of the habits I use to make fun of. I use to think people were crazy to wear shorts and tank tops when it was 65 degrees outside. That was still way too cold and out of the question for me. Now, I’m the one digging through my closet to pull out a sundress on a 60-degree day. I’ve learned to make the best of clear sky days and appreciate every peek of sunshine we get.

Did you flee anywhere during spring break? Was weather a strong motive?

Mar 20

Are we adults?

A lot of us enter college at a young 18, with our lives planned out, thinking we know everything. As a senior, I feel I’ve grown a lot as a person throughout my college years, but still have a hard time defining myself as an “adult.” Legally, you are eligible to vote, out of high school, and are no longer bound to your parents. Yet, how many of us feel like we are adults?

As someone who spends her Friday nights drinking Capri Sun while watching movies on ABC Family, it’s a difficult question. I just learned how to do laundry last year, I’ve never done groceries, and unless microwaving is considered cooking, I can’t do that either. These are just basic 101 things one needs to know in order to survive. What comes to mind when I think of an adult is paying a mortgage, bills, mowing the lawn (I’ve never even touched a lawn mower), cooking and having a full-time job. However, I’ve done none of those things to date. Everyone has a different opinion on what makes someone an adult. I know people under 18 that act like adults and people over 25 that act like children. So what make us adults? Do you consider yourself as an adult?

Mar 5

And the cost keeps going up

With Trimet facing a loss of up to $17 million in the next budget year, they have come up with a revenue-generating proposal that includes several changes. Many people have complained about these potential alterations and have already started planning what they’ll do to get around without having to use the MAX. Portland State University student Avery VanKirk feels that the projected increase in fare will affect his day-to-day routine. “It’s hard enough having to pay $5 every day to commute to and from school. If they increase fares, I’ll probably go back to driving” he says.

The proposal consists of changes, such as a fare increase, a transition to one-way/round-trip tickets, and the elimination of all zones, including the Free Rail Zone. Ryan Smith, a PSU student, feels that the removal of the Free Rail Zone would hinder a lot of people who make good use of it. “I know a lot of people that drive to the Lloyd Center, park there, and then jump on the MAX in the Free Rail Zone. The recession drew people to work the system, but with these changes coming up, they will be forced to find other means of transportation” Smith says.

The shortcomings in funds come during a tough economic time when many people have made Trimet their primary transportation. A fare increase would generate revenue and help avoid further service cuts, but it would also create a financial burden for people who use the bus or MAX on a daily basis, especially lower-income riders. For now, the majority of revenue-generating measures are being focused on increased fares. However, if the cost is too high, riders might stop using Trimet and inadvertently create a bigger budget problem.

What do you think about the proposal? If fares go up, will you stop riding the MAX?

Feb 22

2 Comments

Fashion in Portlandia

Having moved here from Southern California, I immediately noticed a difference in fashion. SoCal is all about boho-chic, with braided headbands, shorts, flowy tops and sandals. This fashion trend spans nearly year-round there, while we only see peeks of it here in Portland during the summer. When I first moved to Gresham, I was surprised to see how many students were going to school in hoodies and sweatpants with Ugg knockoffs. It seemed too casual, but I embraced it as much as my mind would let me.

Then I started attending PSU and saw a whole different style I hadn’t been exposed to. It has a casual hipster-chic vibe that can include thick rimmed glasses, black leggings, plaid shirts, oversized cardigans, knit hats and an assortment of warm footwear. Even rain boots and umbrellas are a fashion accessory here in Portland. Although the weather affects our choices in apparel, it’s just one of many elements contributing to the NW trend.

L.A. was all about the brands, but since I’ve been in Portland, I’ve never seen so many people shop at vintage thrift shops. Name brand or not, it’ll get sold. Whether it’s different opinions about mainstream consumerism or a difference in climate, it’s clear that Portland has established a fashion style all its own.

What do you think about Portland fashion/trends?