Author: fernandt

February 10, 2022

Local Date-Night Ideas

Looking for a last-minute date night idea? With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the pressure to make plans is starting to set in. From breakfast all the way to dinner, these date night ideas will be sure to have you covered.

 

1. If you have never visited Green Bay’s Titletown, you are missing out. Not only is it filled with shops, restaurants, and outdoor skating, but it also has a sledding hill that you can purchase passes to. After some fun outside, warm up and refuel at one of the many restaurants Titletown has to offer. Taverne in the Sky serves fine dining with a beautiful view. For a more casual dinner, visit one of the other four great restaurants for a quick bite. https://www.titletown.com/
   
   
2. Like Titletown, ski hills are a perfect way to get outside on Valentine’s Day. For the more adventurous pair, Pine Mountain and Ski Brule are two awesome ski hills for beginners or anyone who doesn’t want to travel too far. It is about an hour drive to Pine Mountain and an hour-and-a-half drive to Ski Brule. Pine Mountain also offers night skiing on the weekends ($25 dollars from 3:30 – 8:00 p.m.) as well. Night skiing is a great idea for anyone who wants to go for a small part of their day without having to pay $50 or more for a ticket.
   
   
3. Are you looking for a place to hike around and explore with someone you love? Look no further than Dave’s Falls in Pembine, Wisconsin! Pack yourself a thermos of hot cocoa and take a hike around the winter wonderland that appears around the rushing falls. You can use this time to grab a seat somewhere beautiful to enjoy the view, get some killer winter photos, or enjoy a hike both on and off the designated trails. Trust me when I say that Dave’s Falls in the winter is a lovely sight. Plus, there are several other falls nearby, which provide you with ample opportunities to explore the outdoors. It’s found between Old 38 Road and Old Highway 141 Road in Pembine, WI.
4. Trees are pretty special, but big trees? They’re something else. About an hour drive North-West from Marinette, you can explore Cathedral Pines State Natural Area. Cathedral Pines is one of the area’s last standing old-growth forests, a rare escape from cuttings by lumberjacks in the 1900s. Bundle up and take a hike through towering pine and hemlock. The trails are few and short, so it’s perfect for a low-key, winter date night. Make it extra cozy with a traveling mug of tea. Find the trailhead at Cathedral Dr, Lakewood, WI.
   
   
5. For a spot of breakfast on the day of romance, The Serving Spoon in Menominee has amazing breakfast (and lattes for coffee nuts.) Stop anytime between 6:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon for breakfast or noon – 2:30 p.m. for lunch at 821 1st St, Menominee, MI, to enjoy delicious food and an amazing atmosphere. The friendly staff is what really makes this cafe so warm and cozy.
   
   
6. Valentines would not be complete without a fancy restaurant. For a fine dining experience, The Landing in Menominee truly has some of the best food this area can offer. This restaurant is located at 450 1st St. and is open from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. (8:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.) From handcrafted drinks to perfectly cooked steak, there is something for everyone. The friendly staff and great quality are what makes this restaurant so inviting and appealing.

February 10, 2022

Journal for Positivity

A negative outlook on life can have lasting effects. According to an article put out by Marque Medical titled “The Damaging Effects of Negativity,” people who spend months or even years thinking negatively can experience numerous mental and physical effects, including hostility, anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, headaches, fatigue, problems sleeping, and eating disorders. Living with positivity can lead to better self-confidence, good habits, and a healthier body. But how can someone go from a negative outlook to a positive one?

One method that can help is journaling. Journaling for positivity is about forming habits that lead to a heightened awareness of one’s own mood changes, enabling them to slowly change their negative outlook into a positive one by focusing on the good occurrences present in their life. 

How It’s Done:

1. Choose a method of recording (notebook, computer, audio recorder, etc.).
   
2. Watch closely for moments when your mood transitions (happy to sad, mad to angry, and so on). Reflect on why these moments happened. Write down your thoughts and review them often. This will make it easier to identify similar occurrences.
   
3. In addition to changes in mood, write down one thing that made you feel regret and how you might change it, so you can begin to catch yourself before the mood comes on, thereby altering your outlook on the situation. Also, write down something that made you feel happy, encouraged you, or caused you to feel at peace. This will help you to keep sight of how you want to feel more often.
   
4. Answer each of the prompts above once daily. If or when you find that more things happened and you want to write about them, feel free to do so. If you can’t remember to write in your journal, setting an alarm can help you until it becomes habit.
   
5. Realize all of the positive experiences and opportunities that come to you. Don’t forget, life is worth so much more when experienced with positivity.

February 10, 2022

Why We Swear

Swearing comes to some of us as a reaction to something surprising and to others like a first language. Normal for some, it might also point to underlying personal troubles that may need addressing in order to lead a fulfilling and happy life. Recognizing why you swear can help you determine if it’s a harmless occurrence or if you’re struggling mentally and emotionally to cope with negative situations happening in your life. Left unchecked, these issues can lead to a highly negative outlook on life and all the damaging effects that come with it. It’s important that you know when you need to take a break and address these feelings directly, rather than attempting to cope alone.

Reasons We Swear:

1. Habit/Personality—Some people swear. It doesn’t mean they’re angry. It’s just a part of who they are and maybe even the culture they were brought up in. Oftentimes, swear words can be used in different tones and contexts, such as for humor purposes.
   
2. Frustration—It can be freeing to say a few bad words about a tough situation—like dropping a rock on your foot. Someone can use swearing as a mode of coping. In many situations, refraining from swearing is necessary, such as in front of children because they might think it was directed at them.
   
3. Fitting In—We might do it to fit into a group or culture with people who commonly swear or have their own variations of swear words. Nobody likes to be left out!
   
4. Sympathy/Empathy—Sometimes we don’t even realize when we sympathy- or empathy-swear. Maybe you don’t swear often, but hearing your friend upset and using the same words can have you repeating those as you share in her experience. It’s just one way we let them know we’re there for them and we understand.
   
5. Self-Defense—Swearing can be used to scare a potential threat away like the hissing of a cat, or even to put off dealing with troubling emotions we’re not ready to face. It can also contribute to a buildup of negativity down the road.

February 10, 2022

Alternatives to Coffee

We all know that feeling of grogginess, exhaustion, and overall disgust when you wake up in the morning, wanting to immediately fall back asleep. One common method of removing this disgusting feeling  is drinking coffee, but that energizing effect gradually weakens the more often you have it. There’s also the fact that you can become addicted to coffee, so trying to quit after a long period of time will likely make you feel worse. If you’d prefer not to become dependent on coffee but still have something to help you wake up, here are some suggestions:

Fruit Water

• 3½ cups of water
• fruit/vegetable of choice (oranges, lemons, limes, and cucumbers highly recommended)
• ½ teaspoon of sugar (optional)

Cut your fruit and/or vegetable of choice into thin slices and place into a sealable container filled with 3½ cups of water. Leave in the fridge overnight. You may also add ½ a teaspoon of sugar to add some sweetness if you so desire. You can fancy it up however you please, and it is a pleasant drink to have throughout the day.

Lemonmouth

• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• glass of lemonade

Brush your teeth and then immediately drink an entire glass of lemonade. This will surely wake you up, and you will see why with the sharp contrast between fresh toothpaste and citrusy lemonade. The intensity of the combination is similar to that of drinking hard alcohol, and I only recommend it if you need to wake up RIGHT NOW.

—Jake Puestow, Recipe Roundup Editor

February 10, 2022

Serial Story: Noah’s Dream Journal

October 23, 8:32 AM

I found myself in an unusual situation. In front of me was a plate of scrambled eggs, pan-fried bacon, toast, and freshly squeezed OJ. There wasn’t anything wrong with that, but it had no taste whatsoever. The dining room looked like something out of those family shows from the 1950’s, same with the people I was eating with. It was this big, happy family, and I didn’t know any of them.

The mother was standing over the sink whistling a song I never heard before, yet it felt familiar and comforting to hear it. The melody must’ve attracted some birds, as one came over to sing with her, only it had the head of a balding old man. I knew then it was a dream. I’ve had friends who’ve told me about the lucid dreams and how great they are, and now was my chance to try one out.

The man in front of me with only a newspaper and mug of coffee became a supermodel curving over to talk to me. So far a pretty good start. Then, out of nowhere the bird yelled, “HE KNOWS!!!” All of a sudden, dozens of men in black suits came in from every nook and cranny of the house and took everyone with them into these black cars. I struggled to break free, but everything went to black after that. Somehow, I didn’t wake up. I don’t know what happened to the family. I never saw them again after that. 

To be continued…

—Jake Puestow, Serial Fiction Editor

February 10, 2022

Flash Fiction: Dandelion

Mr. Jameson strolled along the familiar winding path to see his lover, despite the constant ache in his bones. Once he reached her, he lowered down to the morning dew-soaked grass, and he set to work. He tidied her plot, pulling weeds from the gravestone’s base, but left a single dandelion sprouting from the earth. He could see her dancing around the yard, tiny yellow suns stuck in her short, springy hair as she smiled in utter joy. Spinning her at arm’s length, the love of his life laughed in a voice that sounded like home. Just as he leaned to kiss her soft, dark cheek, she faded from view. Mr. Jameson rose from the ground with a tear in his eye and the words, “I’ll see you next week, dear” on his lips.

—Serenity Block, Flash Fiction Editor

February 10, 2022

A Flower

The reaches I would go for you be deep
From Hades’ pool to Zeus’ high perched view
But matter not how much you pray nor weep
No flower dare come close to match with you

A flower lives surrounded by the loam
At nature’s mercy, it lives small and meek
To live in solace, never free to roam
With breathbound pollen making great men weak

But you who makes the choice to step on stone
Who moves both wind and wave at her own will
Who makes her creatures sing with tender tone
Your value lies not a lone, green hill
And when the blossom ends and petals wilt
My love for thee shall be my temple built

—Jake Puestow, Poetry Editor

February 10, 2022

Travel Tales: Punta Langosta

As human beings, each and every one of us has a cherished real-life experience that we yearn to share with the world. Something that we are either proud or embarrassed about, something in which we simply find nostalgia. Travels, silly mishaps, successful achievements, and warm family interactions are some of the many events that will forever be placed in our long-term memories. If there are any real-life stories that you yearn to share—it can be ANYTHING—email our Driftwood advisor to share it here. Aim for 150-250 words.  

The cruise ship docked at the harbor of Cozumel, Mexico. As I awoke, I found that the weather on the promenade was fine and favorable. Waves of turquoise saltwater crashed on the beaches of warm sand that stretched across the island, and the air was perfumed with warm tropical aromas. The town of Cozumel appeared to be quite ritzy, with beautiful palm trees and well-paved roads bordering the luring shops. It was 2015, and my family and I were experiencing an exhilarating vacation that would never escape our memories. As we boarded off the ship with our cameras and IDs in hand, the dock called us to make our way towards the tourist traps that enriched the town. “Don’t drink the water,” said the crew as we made our way. Punta Langosta was the destination we went to, a massive plaza with authentic artisan shops. In the entirety of this bustling place, there were performers, “living statues” painted in gold or silver. They stood as still as possible with straw hats beside their feet used for collecting money. There were stalls of jewelry and clothing, stalls with souvenirs and knicknacks, as well as traditional eateries serving delicious delicacies. I bought myself a poncho and a couple of shelf decorations, which I still own. The beach was fine and divine, although loud and crowded. It was a very special moment as I stuck my feet into the water, as it was my first time setting foot in the ocean. Inclement weather ruined the rest of the day as my family and I took refuge back in the ship. It was a short visit, but one I will surely not forget.

—Connor Tuthill, Travel Editor

February 10, 2022

Celebrity Q&A: Tom Holland

Tom Holland is an English actor who has starred as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far from Home and, the most recent one, Spider-Man: No Way Home.



Q: What are your thoughts on executing almost all of your own stunts?
A: I don’t do everything. There are some things that I just can’t do, and I am very happy for my double to do it if he can do it better. If there is a version of the stunt where it just looks better with him doing it, then he should do it for the sake of the movie.

—Source: Coup de Main

Q: What is your favorite Spider-Man costume?
A: The homemade one, since it was much more comfortable.

—Source: Coup de Main

Q: How does Peter feel towards M.J.?
A: I think it’s really nice for him to have someone to lean on and how Peter accepts M.J. for who she is.

—Source: Coup de Main

Q: Has Peter Parker matured in any way?
A: I think we are seeing a very similar Peter Parker to the one we saw in Spider-Man: Homecoming. I really enjoyed in the first one the aspect of seeing a teen with superpowers. I really want that to come across again. He is still a teen, who just wants to enjoy himself.

—Source: Coup de Main

Q: What is your favorite Christmas movie?

A: One of my favorite Christmas movies since I have a strong connection with it, because of my mom, would be Just Friends with Ryan Reynolds.

February 10, 2022

What are You Proud of? 

Success, achievement, advancement, and ego follow you. You are predestined to have something you are proud of. In this platform, you have the opportunity to share what makes you feel proud, in up to 250 words. (Send your stories to our Driftwood advisor.) Poetry, stories, essays, narratives, and plays are some of the many forms of writing. You may use any of these forms of writing to express yourself. 

The final forensics competition took place at UW-Madison. I was in my senior year of high school, waiting in sweaty anticipation as I listened for the judges to call my name. Out of the many options, I chose to write a “moments in history” speech, discussing Eisenhower’s address to the American people over Stalin’s death. “My voice will sound horrible. I could mess up,” my mind trembled. I began to doubt myself, and doubt led to fear. When my time came, however, my soul became on fire as I passionately delivered my speech. After the eight minutes of my lecture, I sat back down at the desk, slightly dissatisfied. The judge scribbled down some notes and graded my performance, although I could not see the results until later. When those results came in, however, I found that I came nearly one point away from the highest score. If it were for only one more point, I could have attained a gold pin; nevertheless I was satisfied in the fact that I was not mediocre in my act.

—Connor Tuthill, Student Success Editor