EXPRESSIONS
- Student veterans trade bullets for books Ross Brooks
- Right strategy can end addiction The Nemours Foundation
- Black Snake bites at screening Ross Brooks
- Cutting calories key to weight loss Amanda Davis
- Spring breakdown on Florida travels Jamie Williams
- Oddball Antics Mike Pinree
Student veterans trade bullets for books
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For the thousands of United States service men and women called to active duty in Iraq since March 18, 2003, the transition from combat fatigues to blue jeans can be a long and arduous process.
Every soldier's return to the civilian realm differs. Some head back to old jobs, others head back to their families; a few even sign up for a second tour of duty.
A number of veterans also choose the path of returning to college. According to the Office of Veterans Affairs, there are currently 436 veterans enrolled at the University of North Florida. For many of these veterans, making the switch from soldier to student is challenging.
"I've had a lot of friends who have had to drop their classes or go active again because they just don't see the point in school anymore," said Sarah Samoraj, a senior communications major.
Samoraj spent nine months in 2004 stationed in southern Iraq as an Army reservist. She worked with Iraqi detainees at Camp Bucca, a small holding facility near the Kuwait border, as a preventative medicine specialist for the detainees.
During her time as a reservist in the Middle East, Samoraj said her view of the Iraqi people "totally changed." Samoraj described the detainees as helpful, even nice.
"The kids were so grateful that we were there, and the parents were too," Samoraj said. "If you are nice to them, it's just the way humanity is, people will give you the same respect back."
At first, the thought of being sent to Iraq hit Samoraj "like a punch in the stomach." But, after making it there and back, she said Iraq was a great experience.
"I was very fortunate with the circumstances I was put in, and I had a great job," Samoraj said.
Samoraj said the people she served with helped make Iraq such a great experience.
"You live with these people, eat with them, play volleyball and quickly become friends and family with them," Samoraj said.
It was leaving that group of people which
made her transition from military to private life so difficult.
"All of a sudden, you get taken away and it's like your whole family is killed," Samoraj said. "All my friends in Jacksonville had moved away, so it was like I was coming back to nothing and leaving everything I had made for myself behind," Samoraj said.
Once she returned to the states in November 2004, Samoraj said she had a hard time getting back into the student mindset. Due to her time in Iraq, visual cues would give her flashbacks, and the flashbacks led to feelings of anxiety.
"When I got back, I had no aim, no focus. Going to school that first semester was very difficult," Samoraj said.
In late 2005, Samoraj said she finally started readjusting. She said she no longer thinks about Iraq, and as a result, "school is going better
than ever."
While it took Samoraj more than a year to readjust, there are other student veterans fresh off the warpath who are still getting used to life as a student.
Matthew Visalli, a sophomore health administration major, spent more than a year in Iraq as an Army reservist.
The majority of Visalli's tour was spent at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad. Like Samoraj, Visalli worked with detainees. However, Visalli's relationship with the prisoners provides a counterpoint to Samoraj's experience.
"They became friends with us because they wanted us to get complacent and let down our guard," Visalli said.
He recalled an incident when a detainee feigned illness to
get a group of soldiers inside
the holding area, where the detainees then attacked the
soldiers.
"The detainees started going wild, trying to grab the
weapons away from the soldiers," Visalli said.
The soldiers had to hose the prisoners down with a substance 10 times stronger than mace just to get away.
"After that, nobody was allowed in the tents at all," Visalli said.
While Visalli said he learned a lot about "cohesion, brotherhood and self respect" in Iraq, he didn't have any qualms about leaving when his time arrived.
"I was so anxious to get
back and take my first test," Visalli said.
It wasn't until he returned to the states that Visalli realized it was going to take some time to readjust. Like Samoraj, he suffered from flashbacks triggered by everyday occurrences like a car backfiring.
"At first, you had to realize that you weren't in a war zone anymore" Visalli said.
A big motivator for him while in Iraq was the people he had left behind in the states, Visalli said.
"If it wasn't for my family, friends, and support of Lambda Chi fraternity, I wouldn't be here today," Visalli said.
Visalli said along with flashbacks and temporary bouts of insomnia, readjusting to student life hasn't been easy.
"I'm still struggling a little bit in school," Visalli said. "Going from looking after yourself everyday and then back to school was tough. You have to get used to parking, teachers and just putting school first."
Contact Ross Brooks at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Right strategy can end addiction
For most people, quitting smoking isn't easy. After all,
the nicotine in cigarettes is a powerfully addictive drug. Many people don't quit smoking because they think it's too
hard to do, but with the right approach, you can overcome
the cravings.
Nicotine is both a stimulant and a depressant. Like caffeine, nicotine increases the heart rate at first and makes people feel more alert.
Then it causes depression and fatigue, which in combination with the drug withdrawal from nicotine, makes people crave another cigarette to
perk up again. According to many experts, the nicotine in tobacco is as addictive as cocaine or heroin.
Millions of people have
permanently quit smoking. These strategies can help you quit as well.
Write down all the reasons why you want to quit smoking, like the money you'll save or the stamina you'll gain for playing sports. Keep the list where you can see it, and add to it as you think of new reasons.
People whose friends and family help them quit are much more likely to succeed. If you're having a hard time finding people to support you, consider joining a support group, either in person or online.
Pick a day that you'll stop smoking and mark it on your calendar. Think of that day as
a dividing line between the smoking you and the new
and improved nonsmoker
you'll become.
You can't stop smoking with cigarettes around to tempt you. Get rid of your ashtrays and lighters, too.
Get rid of the smell of cigarettes by washing all your clothes. If you smoked in your car, clean that out, too.
You probably have "trigger" situations when you tend to smoke, like after meals, while drinking coffee, or as you're driving. Once you've figured
out your triggers, try some
of these tips.
Avoid these situations. For example, if you smoke when you drive, get a ride to class, walk, or take the bus for a
few weeks.
If you normally smoke after meals, make it a point to do something else after you eat, like read or call a friend.
Change the place. If you usually smoke in restaurants, sit in the no-smoking section.
Substitute something else for cigarettes. It can be hard to get used to not holding something and having something in your mouth. Stock up on carrot sticks, sugar-free gum, mints, toothpicks or even lollipops.
Your body may experience some symptoms of nicotine withdrawal when you quit.
Some common symptoms
are headaches, stomachaches, crabbiness, jumpiness or depression. Other symptoms are lack of energy, dry mouth
or sore throat. Having an increased apetit is also a
common symptom when
withdrawling from nicotine.
Also remember to be patient. The symptoms of nicotine
withdrawal will pass.
The more distracted you
are, the less you'll crave cigarettes. Staying active also is a good way to keep your weight down and your energy up,
even as you're experiencing nicotine withdrawal.
For some people, gradually quitting smoking is effective. However, this doesn't work for everyone - you may find you have to stop "cold turkey."
A nicotine replacement like gum, patches, inhalers or nasal sprays, can be very helpful. Sprays and inhalers are available by prescription only, and it's important to see your doctor before buying the patch or gum over the counter.
Major changes sometimes have false starts. If you slip up, it doesn't mean you've failed, it just means you're human. Remember that one cigarette didn't make you a smoker, so smoking a cigarette or two after you've quit doesn't make you a smoker again. Remind yourself why you've quit and how well you've done.
Set aside the money you usually spend on cigarettes. When you've stayed tobacco-free for a week, two weeks, or a month, buy yourself a treat. And every smoke-free year, celebrate again. You earned it.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Black Snake bites at screening
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Justin Timberlake who plays Ronnie shocks viewers with an opening sex scene with character Rae played by Christina Ricci. |
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Good:Samuel L. Jackson does a terrific job embodying the troubled, ex-blues musician Lazarus, mixing in the edge that made him famous in movies like "Pulp Fiction" and "Jackie BBrown." |
The opening scene of "Black Snake Moan" gives its viewers all the information they need to know about the next two hours of their lives.
Before a line is uttered or a character introduced audiences view the drawing, selling and overall focal point of "Black Snake Moan" - Christina Ricci's breasts.
If the movie poster with its slogan, "Everything is Hotter in the South" depicting
a submissive Ricci chained and clothed in
daisy dukes didn't prepare you for a romp
in the mud, then the opening sex scene
between Rae (Christina Ricci) and Ronnie (Justin Timberlake) should make things
abundantly clear.
The movie takes place on the outskirts of a small southern town, a setting director Craig Brewer used in his 2005 hit film "Hustle & Flow." While the town and the characters' dialects seem pulled straight from the backwoods, some Southern clichˇs also exist. From the stars and bars top worn by Ricci, to the references to "greens" and sexual relations with second cousins, the film panders to southern
stereotypes in hopes of getting a laugh.
One of the films few highlights is Samuel L. Jackson's portrayal of the character Lazarus.
Lazarus is abandoned by his wife for another man, with a small farm for income and a long lost love for the blues. Jackson creates a character that is both relatable and unique. On the outside, Lazarus seems calm and steady, even if embittered by the events with his wife.
However, Jackson skillfully manipulates this calm to show the inner turmoil and struggle deep within Lazarus. In a few scenes, audiences catch a glimpse of the raw emotion and angst that have made Jackson such a famous actor.
Nonetheless, gaping plot holes leave the audience feeling confused and let down by the film's end. Characters who play an important role in the initial formation of the plot disappear from the film entirely as it progresses. Also, motivations for both Rae and Ronnie are never fully developed, resulting in two very flat characters who elicit little emotion from the audience.
The lack of emotional connection to Rae and Ronnie is derived in part from poor script writing and a lack of screen presence exhibited by Ricci and Timberlake.
Both Ricci and Timberlake take on roles that need a great depth of emotion, requiring that they act just as tormented as Lazarus while possessing only half the talent of Jackson. Ricci does such a poor job in conveying emotion
through facial expressions that the audience actually burst out in laughter during a scene where she was being raped.
"Black Snake Moan" is a movie worth waiting to rent. Unless you're unable to go without a regular dose of Samuel L. Jackson, or you just want to know Christina Ricci on a more personal level, "Black Snake Moan" might even be a movie worth passing on entirely.
Contact Sarah Houston at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Cutting calories key to weight loss
After they have left the nest, University of North Florida Ospreys face difficult challenges to maintain healthy lifestyles, regardless of how long they've been college students or how much weight they have gained after the initial freshman 15.
There are numerous factors contributing to unhealthy lifestyles including stress, poor eating habits and lack
of moderation.
Whatever the cause, students who are unhappy with their
current lifestyles have many choices to consider when becoming healthier.
With Atkins, South Beach, Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers diets to consider, along with many different pills, it can be hard to decide what steps are the best to take to lose weight.
But while dieting methods and diet pills might be effective ways to lose unwanted pounds, they're not always the healthiest measures available.
Nicole Woodsmall, a registered dietician who instructs nutrition courses at UNF, says these diets are "only as effective as the user makes them." She said eating too much of any food will make the diet useless.
"There is only one way to lose weight by diet alone," Woodsmall said, "and that is by taking in fewer calories."
She said if students want to lose weight and keep it off, the safest thing to do is to eat a balanced diet.
"Think about the things you should be getting in your diet everyday and include them on your shopping list: fruits,
vegetables, grains and dairy," she said.
As for eating healthier at home, she recommends that students try to plan meals ahead of time, before they go to the grocery store. For fresher items, it is best to look around the circumference of the store. Not only are they better for bodies, but they're usually much cheaper than the higher calorie, processed food found in the middle aisles.
In addition to purchasing lower calorie snacks, eating the snacks in moderation is crucial. This tip can also be applied to beverages, such as mixed alcoholic drinks that have no nutritional value.
Alumnus Greg Lineburg and assistant manager of the Dottie Dorian Fitness Center said that even though he tries to eat egg whites, broccoli and chicken in rice, drinking alcohol on the weekends is his guilty pleasure.
"My goals are to stay fit, but when I eat poorly, it works against me," he said. "I knew I could get to my goal more quickly if I cut it [alcohol] out." In addition to eating healthy and in moderation, exercising
regularly can also help with weight loss.
Sophomore Tri Anh Nguyen, a certified personal trainer
at the Dottie Dorian Fitness Center, said the best thing a
student can do to lose weight through exercise would be
to start moderate exercise,
like walking, for 20 to 30
minutes a day. The accounting major recommends that students take group fitness classes to stay motivated.
One thing to stay away from when trying to lose weight is diet pills, Woodsmall said. Although the pills sold in
drugstores must be approved by
the Food and Drug Administration, there are still possible side effects, like nausea, chest pain, elevated blood pressure, heart attack, kidney damage and stroke.
"Most diet pills are marketed with very limited proof of their effectiveness and safety,"
she said.
Eating healthy food is not all about looking good. Additional benefits include reducing risks of heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. Other benefits that come with being healthy are an increase in energy levels and an enhancement of self-esteem.
Contact Amanda Davis at uspinnak@unf.edu -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Spring breakdown on Florida travels
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Ocean Drive is a world-famous strip of shops, restaurants and hotels in South Beach Miami. |
Come mid-March, Florida will be experiencing global warming of its own kind. Thousands of college students on spring break from across the country will flock to Florida beaches looking for fun in the sun. With miles of sandy, palm tree-speckled beaches, and plenty of sunshine and warm weather, Florida has some of the top spring break destinations in the country: Miami Beach, Daytona Beach and Key West. Instead of plunking down so much cash to hit foreign hot spots like the Caribbean, Mexico or Hawaii, why not visit the state you're in and see what it has
to offer?
Key West
If the semester's been rough so far, try getting away from it all in our nation's southernmost continental city, Key West. Located approximately 500 miles from Jacksonville, but just 90 miles from the sandy shores of Cuba, is a city rich in history and colorful people.
If you're coming to Key West for a beach-infused spring break though, be forewarned: Key West isn't much of a beach town; it's more renowned for its party atmosphere. While there are a few beaches there, only one is actually natural: the one located within Ft. Zachary Taylor State Historical Site. This beach is unique because it's here that both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico meet. The beach where you'll find the most spring breakers, however, will be Smathers Beach, located just off A1A on the southern side of the island. Although there are a couple surf shops in town, there are no waves, so don't plan on surfing.
For other activities though, Key West, which Ernest Hemingway once called "a poor man's St. Tropez," is pure gold. Fishing, sailing and diving are all at their best here. With warm, gentle waters infused with an excess of fish, and a
long, living coral reef just a few miles
offshore, Key West is delightful for water activities.
And come nighttime, Key West is an absolute gem. After the subliminal sunset, Key West truly comes alive and the party begins. The smell of cigar smoke and beer fills the air, and music of all styles blast around you, be it from karaoke bars, nightclubs, restaurants or someone's car.
People-watching is divine here as well - the later the night goes on, the better it gets!
But if you're going all the way to the Keys insistent on finding that perfect beach, go to Bahia Honda Key, located 37 miles north of Key West. It is where you'll find one of the country's best beaches.
While Key West has an excellent, lively nightlife, great history, shopping, and plenty to do, know that nearly everything here is expensive. With year-round events plus its small size (it's a mere 2 miles by 4 miles), hotel rooms are limited and pricey. Try one of the smaller hotels or motels located just outside of Key West. They are usually forgotten about, and a vacation deal can become a spring break steal.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach, on the other hand, is world-famous for its hotels. Miami Beach is a tropical-laden, hedonistic and colorful
destination, both in people and sights. South Beach, located at the southern tip of the barrier island that makes up Miami Beach, is arguably the most famous beach in the world. Why? It's a beach that can be enjoyed almost any day of the year at any time. Also, it's a place to see and be seen, especially on world-famous Ocean Drive.
Miami Beach is also one of the top architectural destinations in the world. With more than 1,200 buildings protected, the famous Art Deco Historic District contains the largest group of tropical art deco buildings in the world. Infamous hotels like the Delano and the Shore Club are frequented by the rich and famous from Hollywood's A-list.
So how does the average college student who is neither rich nor famous do South Beach on a budget? For starters, research the hotels based upon location and your needs. Plus, booking rooms far in advance helps to ensure you get the hotel you want. The Clay Hotel & Hostel, located amid the Mediterranean-Revival architecture of Espa–ola Way, is one of the best for student travelers. At just $62 a night for a private room, or a mere $24 a night for space in the hostel dorm, this place is a steal for it's premier location two blocks from the beach amongst the beautiful architectural setting in the heart of South Beach.
The soft white sand imported from the Bahamas and the coconut palm trees from Panama combined with the (usually) clear blue sky, and the transparent baby blue hue of the Atlantic Ocean makes for a stunning beach full of beautiful people. And better yet, it's free. As one of the most liberal beaches in the country, the stretch of sand located in South Beach allows topless sunbathing, so you can get rid of those pesky tan lines if need be.
If surfing's your thing, the waves at South Pointe Park are sure to please. Located at South Beach's southern tip, the waves here roar against the jetty. Make sure to find time for shopping and dining. The best place to shop is the pedestrian-only Lincoln Road Mall. Collins Avenue offers more upscale shopping whereas grittier Washington Avenue is a little bit of everything. You can find plenty of great deals on clothing, souvenirs, books and music.
Miami Beach is one of those archetypical cities that never sleeps. There are a plethora of clubs. Dress to impress and don't arrive at any club before 10 p.m. - it's considered unhip. Don't get too carried away with spending here or you'll find your wallet empty soon enough.
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach bills itself as "The World's Most Famous Beach." But does it live up to this pristine standard? For the most part, no. The strong points here are the abundance, perhaps overabundance, of moderately priced hotel rooms, the opportunity to drive on the hard-packed sand beach, and its overall reputation as a top destination. But keep in mind its reputation is largely derived from NASCAR and its annual motorcycle events. Unless you're strongly into both or either one, chances are you won't have much fun here.
But what about the beach itself? Is it world famous quality? Compared to other beaches in the world, no, it's definitely not. Although its 500 feet wide at low tide, offering a profusion of beachfront, the sand is hard on your feet and is covered with scattered cigarette butts and various litter.
The water is ugly, the waves aren't usually good, and it seems every other person
you observe is homeless and begging
for change.
Want a better beach that's relatively close? Try the beach at Ponce Inlet, just 12 miles south of Daytona. Soft shell-sprinkled sand, steady waves and peaceful ambience are part of the beach at Ponce Inlet, which is overlooked by the second tallest lighthouse in the country.
When it comes to shopping, Daytona Beach isn't that impressive either. There isn't much variety, and the majority of stores are either tacky souvenir shops seen everywhere in Florida, or racing and motorcycle merchandise stores accompanied by overpriced surf shops. The dining scene is half decent, but the nightlife scene is far worse. However, in recognizing some of these faults, the city is currently undergoing revitalization.
Daytona is a beach town that is improving year after year, even if at what seems a turtle's pace. You're bound to find a hotel, and chances of getting one cheap look promising. Despite its faults spring breakers - most of whom don't know better - will still flock here in hordes. Because this is the closest spring break destination to Jacksonville, at only 85 miles south, it might be your best bet and safer on your wallet. The choice is up to you.
Contact Jamie Williams at uspinnak@unf.edu -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Oddball Antics
I TOLD A LITTLE FIB, HOPE YOU'RE NOT MAD AT ME, SNOOKUMS
When a San Rafael, Calif., man wrecked his wife's new car, he was so afraid she would hit the roof that he told her he had been kidnapped, He said two men held him at gunpoint, and he had to crash the car to escape. His story fell apart under police questioning.
I'M JUST AS SURPRISED AS YOU ARE,
OFFICER
Police in Southbury, Conn., arrested a man they had stopped for speeding after they discovered he was carrying 43 plastic baggies of cocaine. They set bail at $5,000, so he called his aunt to bring his small portable safe, containing money, to the lockup. However, in addition to the money, the safe also contained more cocaine. Upon seeing this, the cops filed additional charges against him, and upped his bail to $125,000.
SOMEHOW, IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT
A man sued to discontinue paying $1,200
a month in child support to his ex-wife after a DNA test revealed that his 3-year-old son had been fathered by another man. The Florida Supreme Court ruled against him on a technicality,
and he must continue to pay, saying the situation was partially his fault because he trusted his unfaithful ex.
I JUST LOVE SHOPPING HERE, I DON'T KNOW WHY
A department store in London was accused of installing "distorting" mirrors in the changing rooms that make women look slimmer when they are trying on clothes.
I THINK I'VE MADE MY POINT
After their marriage went bad, a Washington, N.C., man stole his estranged wife's car, filled it with the mementoes of their life together as well as her Chihuahua, and set it on fire.
FIRST A MOMMY AND A DADDY LOVE EACH OTHER VERY MUCH
A Woonsocket, R.I., couple was arrested for "lewd and depraved" behavior because they often had intercourse in front of the woman's 9-year-old daughter. The woman told an investigator they did it to teach the child about sex.
BUT WE WISH YOU LUCK IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS
A teenager was given a job "on a trial basis" at a carwash in Slidell, La. On his first day, he stole a $70,000 BMW and led police on a seven-mile, high-speed chase before crashing the vehicle into a tree. He was not given a permanent position.
KILL ME!? BUT I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME!
A 70-year-old woman in Ibaraki, Japan, was arrested for stalking after she deluged a 79-year-old man with more than 200 love letters. After he complained to authorities, she threatened to kill him.
DEFENSE WILL STIPULATE THAT DEFENDANT IS AN IDIOT
A man went on trial in Winnipeg, Canada, for threatening to kill prostitutes after having been convicted 12 times over 10 years of threatening bus drivers, prison guards, police officers and restaurant owners. His attorney told the court the man was harmless, although he admitted his client was "appallingly stupid."
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