FINAL

Krysten Marshall has one of the coolest jobs in today's world. Not many people get to go to work in a building also inhabited by dinosaurs, and no I'm not talking about nursing homes. Marshall works for the PR Department at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.
















The Sam Noble Museum of Natural History is a treasure-trove of information and experiences that is one of OU's best kept secrets. With free admission to OU students and the chance for some to serve internships while at the university, the Sam Noble Museum offers a wide range of opportunities.

Krysten Marshall works with the PR Department on endless projects throughout the year. She is a 2007 graduate of the University of Oklahoma, and actually was able the get the job at the museum through an internship she was serving under Linda Coldwell, head of the PR Department.

Krysten Marshall here is speaking on Journalism in today's world and the new skills young professionals will have to start learning to hold the successful edge in the mediasphere.

Although the media world is facing challenges and are requiring students to learn a vast amount of skills to keep up, there is hope for those who develop connections and do their research ahead of time.

"It's become more about who you know than what you know." Says Marshall. She couldn't be more correct, developing connections with future employers is a huge part of getting plugged in to the media business.

Krysten Marshall speaking on what a PR professional does in the museum field.

The PR Department may be in charge of getting information out there, but sometimes the medium which exhibits are advertised can take down the wrong information. It's people like Pam Stewart, Administration for the Sam Noble Museum, who can answer questions and correct misprints of information in place of the PR Department.

Pam Stewart, Administration for the Sam Noble Natural History Museum, speaking
on what she does and helps the PR Department do in her work at the museum.

Essentially working in a museum is about teamwork and covering each others back. Projects and exhibits are advertised by PR and if a good chain of communication isn't present, it can be difficult to make deadlines and put out correct information.

This assignment and looking at Marshall's job has shown me the benefits of working in the non-profit sector as well as giving me an inside view of the fun that takes place in the PR office.

MIDTERM

Deborah Gentis is the current house mother for the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority at the University of Oklahoma. After her husband's recent death in April, she took on the new title of house mother to help cope and heal from her grief. Her story is one of hope and shows us all how to keep a positive outlook on life even when things are hard.

Rough Spots HAPPEN

Photo Illustration By: Loree McDonald

Fights happen.

Bumps in the golden-paved road to Happily Ever After are something everyone must endure.

But it is okay, because fights between couples can build up and strengthen relationships. Mary Pat Bragers, Occupational Therapist, says, "Relationships are difficult-especially in college-but some of these hurdles are important in the fundamental building of relationships."

This is very true, because sometimes the way couples fight and talk things out can really show the dynamic and inner-workings of how the relationship will play out in the future. Erin Thoes, History Junior, says, "My boyfriend and I hardly ever fight, but when we do it really showcases our strength and love for one another."

Love and learning to love each other is important when conquering other bigger problems in hard times. But even when fights seem to hard to handle, you should take a step back to calm down and re-think your emotions. Friends can often be a good safety net for these kinds of situations.

Robyn McDonald, High school Junior, says that even in times where every fight is full of drama, her friends are there to help. "Taking advice from people about other situations is helpful, sometimes you can get an outside view of a problem."

Sometimes the support of friends can be the most helpful

thing in rough times within your relationship.

Photo By: Loree McDonald

Get a room

Photo Illustration By: Loree McDonald

We've all been there before, sitting in a room or restaurant and averting our eyes while a couple is seemingly groping each other nearby. It can prove to be an awkward situation to say the least, but there are several ways to prevent yourself from ever being "that couple."

First lets talk about what makes you feel uncomfortable. Like for instance, if your parent or youth pastor walked in on you giving a quick smooth to your significant other, would that make you blush? What about being pressed against a wall and breathing hot and heavy? You see my point.

Not only is PDA a reflection on your ability to act classy, but it also is an important marker for the success of your relationship. Relationships that are over-the-top touchy and physical have a greater potential of failing because physicality is a sign of insecurity.

Cody Jefferson, Youth Pastor at St. James United Methodist Church says that when dealing with teenagers he gives them a general rule: "Boys, you are blue. Girls, you are pink. I don't want to see any purple. If I see any hand holding, your eye is going to be purple from my fist." For children this is definitely appropriate, but for twenty-somethings Jefferson says any more than a peck on the lips or arms on the waist is too much.

Relationships are special and physical intimacy are a part of relationships.

But that doesn't mean the whole world has to see that aspect of your relationship.

The best rule of thumb to follow is:

If you would feel comfortable doing it in front

of a child, then it's probably okay in most situations.

Photo By: Loree McDonald

Does he pass the "So What" test?

Photo: Loree McDonald

"He's wonderful... Smart, attractive, sweet, and totally into me."

"So what?"

Ladies, let's be real. Your friends are pretty much the people you go to when you need advice or help validating a relationship you are involved in. But how does that fit in with your actual needs?

Friends are said to hold the best interest for you, but where does selfish interest come in?

Dr. Patrick Ellis, Norman Psychologist, believes that intuitively you should always trust yourself. Your friends may know what's best for themselves, or even be familiar with your patterns of behavior, but, "no one knows you, like you."

Some would disagree with this sentiment. Meghan Bragers, Social Work sophomore at the University of Oklahoma, says that sometimes your friends can see the details that you have missed. "Love is Blind sometimes," says Bragers.

But where does this fit in with your relationships?

Here are some tips to help you decide when it's most appropriate to take your friend's advice:

1) At the beginning of a relationship, listen to the rumors - usually they care true.

2) Forgive his past, but never forget it. Some boys can really put on a show and lead you to believe they have changed, but let's be real - people sometimes never change.

3) When your intimacy becomes a personal detail, your friends might not understand the entirety of the story. Just remember, you are you and you can feel your heart.

Photo By: Loree McDonald

I Buy My Own Diamonds and I Buy My Own Rings

Wishing for Prince Charming - Photo By: Loree McDonald

Where does independence lay in our society? Society would like to believe that in the United States, men and women have equal opportunities in all aspects of life. But in our daily lives we see the lives of women being directed to either career-obsessed bitch or motherly homemaker. Women still have remaining stereotypes of being baby-makers and stay-at-home-moms. But is this fair?

Dr. Katie Barwick-Snell, Human Relations director for the Department of Women's Studies at the University of Oklahoma says that some of the main challenges independent working women face are, "Sexism and Racism and having narrow minded people make policy and women not being equal..." She continues to explain that her husband and her always faced a difference in pay, even when they worked at equal positions.

As a mother with children Barwick-Snell felt "undervalued" and wanted to get back out in the work force and make money again. She explains that these feelings were unintentional, but regardless the idea bothered her somewhat. Also she recalls once when she was working in a business office, a male employee would brush up against her awkwardly, and she regrets never speaking up against this.

The roles women in relationships face is interesting. There is so much pressure from society to have women in very "mommy" roles and are not given a choice to be the professional in the family. There is no real explanation for this other than traditional roles following through into our contemporary society. But as a woman who aims to be the professional working figure in my household, I feel that the roles should be open for either member of the household to take on.

You're more likely to end up on the ground than the roof.

Photo by: Loree McDonald

College life is all about the late-nights. There are the late-night parties, the late-night study sessions, and of course the late-night phone calls home when you're at a party that gets busted by the police. But what about those late-nights when you become so intoxicated you can't remember them? Or the late nights you don't remember at all, even when you only had two drinks.

Those are the nights all college students should be afraid to experience. One of the scariest experiences that can happen in college is when a girl goes to a party, wakes up in a strange place, and has no recollection of the previous night's events. Disoriented, sore, and nauseous the unsuspecting girl will go home and take a shower, destroying any evidence of rape or sexual abuse from the night before. This sequence of events can happen quite often, and without the precautionary steps for prevention, someone close to you could experience this very same situation.

In a study published by the OUDaily in September, it was reported that: "90 percent of all campus rapes, including acquaintance rape, are alcohol-related." This is a shocking figure and should not be taken lightly by any young students on college-campuses. An OU junior, who asked to remain anonymous, shared her story about her not-too-distant brush with this same issue. On a normal college weekend, this student went out to a fraternity house with some friends. She ended up having a little too much to drink, and was persuaded by one of her friends, who was a member in the fraternity, to come upstairs to his room. Once upstairs he completely took advantage of her and she was unable to stop him. After he had "finished" he left her crying on the floor and she was left to collect herself and walk home alone. She unfortunately had a class with him three days a week, and for the rest of the year she sat baring this terrible secret by herself.

This is a common occurrence among college females, and there are a few steps everyone should take when going out:

1) Never go out alone, always have a group and a ride planned.

2) Never set your drink down anywhere and if you do, get a new one.

3) It is more advisable to make your own drink, because you cannot know what has been put into a prepared drink.

4) Strangers and friends both have the ability to take advantage of you, be cautious.

5) If an occurrence of rape or abuse takes place, go to the doctor immediately to retrieve any evidence left over. If you should wish to place charges, this will come into use.

6) Don't be afraid to talk to someone about any incidence that has occurred.