Love Chocolate Milk?

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Want a pet in college?

Having a pet in college is a huge commitment. I know. I have a beagle. The biggest surprise for me, after getting him, was the expense. Granted, he had an eye infection when he was a puppy and got a cold, so those were unplanned vet visits, but it's still a huge expense. All of the shots, neutering, and routine puppy visits can get costly. You also have to think about how often you're home, and if your roommate(s) are going to be willing to help you out with (at the very least) watching your pet.

Here's an article and some tips to help you make this big decision.

Pet spay/neuter info & general info

Questions to ask yourself before getting a pet -

1. Can you afford a pet?

2. Do you have the time for a pet?

3. Do you have enough space for a pet?

4. Is your living situation conducive to having a pet?

5. Does your landlord allow pets?

6. Are your roommates as happy about the pet as you are?

7. What's going to happen to the pet after you graduate college?

Check out more detailed information on these topics here.

College Anthems

So, music consumes a big part of my life. I listen while I do homework, while I write papers, while I'm driving, while I walk from one class to another. Every where I turn, there's music. And, I feel like all college students can attest to having listened to some everlasting college anthems. These are the songs everyone knows the words to. At a party. In a bar. Wherever. Here's what I came up with.

1. Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard

2. Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

3. Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi

4. Baby Got Back - Sir Mix A Lot

5. (I've Got) Friends In Low Places - Garth Brooks

6. More Than A Feeling - Boston

7. Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield

8. Jack and Diane - John Cougar Mellencamp

9. Blister In The Sun - Violent Femmes

10. Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

Suckered into the Vampire Craze...

Check this out.

Okay, thinkgeek created this energy drink. It has the same consistency and nutritional value as real blood. You're also supposed to heat it up so it's also the same temperature as blood. I bought it. Stay tuned to The Review next week to find out how it went. =)

Swine again

President Obama declared on Saturday that the swine flu outbreak is a national emergency.

So, how does this affect you? This means that governments are now allowed to set up emergency facilities and alternate sites for treatment and care for the illness.

Depending on where you live, there are a couple different things happening. In Delaware, two people died this week from the illness. One was on the 19th and one was on the 22nd. Agreed, this is some pretty scary stuff.

Don't forget all the precautionary measures to take. Yes, I'm sure most of these have been pounded into your head time and time again since the disease first surfaced last winter/spring. Still, keep yourself healthy.

Vaccines are still not readily available, and, even if they were, they're still being worked and reworked.

Keep on the lookout for more coverage of this... as I'm sure, unfortunately, this isn't the last of it we're going to be seeing.

Obama's campaign manager returns to UD

So, this past Wednesday, the 21st, I had the amazing opportunity of meeting with and interviewing David Plouffe, President Obama's campaign manager. He returned to UD to hold a question and answer session, open to the public.

Plouffe was a really nice, personable guy. He was incredibly easy to talk to and interview. Coming up this week, Gwen Ifil, the moderator of the presidential debates, is also coming to UD, and I'll have the opportunity to speak with her, as well.

Here's some coverage of the Plouffe event.

On the topic of news again...

I don't want to generalize, but I'm going to. I feel like most college students are slightly apathetic when it comes to paying attention to, or following, the news. I mean, really, we could get into this whole in-depth conversation about what "news" actually is, but I'm going to pass on that for that moment.

Think about it. How much do you, personally, know about what's going on in the nation/world on a daily basis? If someone in class asked you if you had watched the news the night before, how often could you reply with a "yes"? I understand you could very easily say "Well, Ashley, you're a journalism major. You enjoy reading the news. It's what you do." Yeah, I get that. But, seriously, the news affects everyone everyday at every moment. It affects you on a constant basis, and you may not even realize it.

For example, approximately three weeks ago, the "government" of Guinea (for those of you who don't know where that is, it's on the west coast of Africa) attacked innocent civilians, killing more than an estimated 50 people. This may seem like it doesn't affect you. But, alas! It does!

The U.S. government has since considered helping Guinea. (If you don't believe me, check here and here.) Guess what? Now it affects you. Your country and government are considering offering aid to the people of Guinea. It affects tons of things. Money. Soldiers. Relief workers. To name a few.

I understand this is a broad and single example of the news in another country, on the other side of the world, affecting you, but follow me to my point. I'm not saying every little thing that happens is going to affect you personally. I'm saying you should be aware of your surroundings. Be aware of what's going on. Don't be apathetic. Don't be just another college student. Be a smart one. Put your education to use. No matter how you get your news, be sure to get it. As much as possible.