I The Behrend Beacon
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The Behrend Beacon
Published Weekly by the students of Penn State Erie
beac l on ,
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Penn State Erie,
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Cherish the
By KJ MargratT Jr
staff writer
kinl2B9 Cdll
There are several moments in life that
seem to stick out as benchmarks and cor
nerstones. It's a lot like the song "100
Years" by Five for Fighting: "I'm 22 for
a moment..." Last week I had a rare
chance to get a view of all these points in
life at the same time. It was as if I was
watching a movie picking out all the
important scenes. and it made me realize
just how short life is.
I made the six hour drive to the
Allentown area on wednesday for my
sister's wedding. It was a unique experi
ence for me because my sister had never
been much of the "girlfriend type," yet
she now acted with a new purpose and
motivation in life: it was evident in
everything she was doing, even the small
things. I was able to see all the elements
of selflessness and love in her, in a way
renewing my trust in the idea that, for
lack of better terms, everything is sup
posed to 'work out' in the end. My sister
had changed herself, and some of her
characteristics, for this man who was to
become her husband. I was proud to
share in the moment with her as one of
the groomsmen, and besides, the food at
the wedding was phenomenal.
The wedding also had a profound
effect on my parents. My mother and I
had always been extremely close, so I
wasn't surprised by how marrying off
her first child, her baby girl, was exciting
and happy to the point of tears. It
brought me great pride to escort her in
and out of the church for the ceremony.
But my father and I have had our differ
ences. I've never really had the chance to
see his more emotional side except when
he and I bashed heads. The wedding
brought out a sort of calmness in his face
that made me sort of relax more, watch
ing him interact with my new brother-in
law, Randy, accepting him into the fami
ly whole heartedly. As I stood at the front
of the church watching him escort my
sister to the alter, and then sitting with
my mother, I saw him start to well up
with emotions, and start to tear. All the
small indifference that he and I have had
from time to time seemed to melt away
and not matter to me for the moment.
Friday morning, before setting up the
church and going to the rehearsal, I made
the extra effort to drive down to Philly
where I grew up; I went to visit my
grandparents, Nan and Pop, who I'm
very close to. Every holiday, especially
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good times
Christmas (I.a, has been spent at their
house, tihi.h I account tor giving me my
strong family values. Unfortunately. my
grandfather's health is not at its best.
having a long list of heart problems and
double kidney failure. Pop relies on dial
ysis treatments to live, and the whole
family can see its effect on him.
Recently the hospital found a infection
in his blood requiring extra caution with
his regular treatments, and personally, it
scares me because I do not want to lose
this important person in my life. My
grandfather has always been a strong
example for me throughout my life. He
was the typical Italian man who enjoyed
working in his garden and spending time
with his family. so it hurts me to see him
ill pain. Despite the pain he is m, the
same strength and love I remember as a
child glows brightly in his eyes like fire.
I can only hope that when 1 reach his age
that I will he like him, still loving and
strong despite personal difficulties,
always giving in any way possible.
The last moment in time I was able to
witness was the joy and excitement of a
new baby. One of the other groomsmen
was Randy's brother Ryan. Ryan and his
wife were recently blessed with another
child, and watching them interacting
with this tiny little baby at the reception
made me realize not only how innocent
ly we begin our journey through life, but
also how much a new child can affect a
family. While I never had the chance to
meet Ryan or his wife before that day, I
felt that their marriage and love seemed
to have a fresh renewal due to this new
child.
I guess what I'm trying to say in this
mess of memories and emotions is that
life is short, and these moments in life
need to be cherished; time is fleeting. A
lot of times we, as college students, can
lose sight of the big picture and get
caught up with the stress and worry of
classes, exams and projects. This is a
point in our lives where we are not kids
anymore, but we are still not quite adults
it's good to focus the fact that there is so
much in store for us in the future, and we
should enjoy this time we have in college
as a step in that direction. I also hope
that, as dumb as this may sound, we can
all remember how important our families
are and remember to tell our loved ones
just how much they mean to us.
Personally, I got a recharge from the trip
home, despite the ungodly amount of
driving that I had to do, and the memo
ries of the week will stay with me for a
long time.
DFIifJ Oif
Student Life Editor
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Copy Editors
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Rachacl
Justin Pliininis
Photography Editor
Vcra Surox icc
Jeers to gym jocks
By Justin Plansinis
Despite external evidence to the contrary, I go to the gym a
lot. However, one cannot simply workout on the equipment at
the gym; Penn State Erie, in its infinite wisdom, opened the
Jageman Fitness Center to all students. Such an open policy
means that I have to share the gym with other people. and a !ot
of these people really irritate me for some reason.
First we have the hardcore lifter. This guy isn't doing the flat
bench: he's there hefting giant weights from the floor over his
head and grunting like a
Neanderthal attacking a
mastodon. The hardcore lifter
usually has a pal with him who
is iust as into it as he is. They
both compliment each other on
how hardcore they are and try
to one-up each other on their
grunting display of masculinity.
My flabby form is awestruck by
their skills. Oddly enough,
these are the same people who
don't pick up their trash at
Bruno's. I thought you guys
were tough!
One group of people doesn't
irritate me as much as they just weird me out. These are the
professors who come in to workout wearing antiquated athlet
ic wear. They wear these short shorts and goofy shirts that look
like something out of a 60s health video. "I say, let us travel to
the gymnasium and toss around ye olde medicine ball, old
sport!" "Capital idea, gents!"
While jock professors simply creep me out, this next group
really makes me want to start shoving cutlery into my eye
sockets: the people who monopolize the equipment. Who do
these people think they are? Yes, Hercules, you really need to
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Beacon Thumbs Up
4 \ A
...i.•
- It's FRIDAY
- Mardi Gras Parties around town
- Lion cash at Quiznos, UPS and
Sheetz
- St. Patrick's Day is around the
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corner
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copy editor
jjp242o' psu edu
While
simply creep me out,
this next group really
makes me want to start
shoving cutlery
my eye sockets...
40.0."
411 \ I
pie
N
have that bench press for an hour and a half. Those two bench
es were specifically ordered for you and your knuckle-drag
ging pals to use for as long as you like. Don't mind me. I real
ly have nothing better to do than to watch von And Ido
watch.
I always hope that somehow the entire contraption will col
lapse. They'll he trapped under a barbell fore N er.
The treadmills are a source of a lot of trouble as well. I had
this one gu‘ get on the treadmill next to me once. and he had
his little iPod with him. Of course, he wasn't just listening to
the music: he had to make sure I appreciated that music too by
cranking up the volume and singing along. I have to say. I real
ly don't want to listen to "Total Eclipse of the Heart'' ‘vhile I'm
: jogging. (Okay. it wasn't really
Bonnie Tyler, but let's sas it was: it
makes the guy seem like more of
tool ) Besides. it I have to listen to
stuff like 'Don't vou syish your
girlfriend was hot like me. - then
so should everyone else.
jock professors
gym is not the place to mix sex and
athletics. lt's a biological impossi
bility to operate the muscles in the extremities if all blood Hoy,
has been redirected to one area of the body.
Most people I know (myself included) are obnoxious in
some way, but we all do the right thing: o e repress our more
asinine tendencies until they fester into a painful kidney stone.
That's the American way! Get with the program gym jocks!
Disclaimer: If you happen to be one the grin jocks that I'm
talking about. congratulations! I didn't know you could read!
Also. I am simply pointing this out so that you can improN e
yourself. Isn't that what any good friend should do"
Beacon Thumbs Down
* ow
pi." II "ft
1 NIP
- Horrible drivers
- Reed machines being sold out
•
- NCAA banning Native American •
Mascots and slogans •
- Missing Bruno's Balcony Chairs •
•
Friday, February 24, 2006
As an equal opportunity com
plainant. I Can't overlook the
women. Women. stop vu caring
sexv clothes to the pm! Now
don't get me wrong here; I like the
ladies (not that there's anything
wrong with the c o neu \ ). hut the
into
•
„ m .o.
apor
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