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Show Monday December 8, 2008 Taking the edge off holiday stress ciousness of life and hope of the future. Winter Solstice is the This holiday season longest day of the year- evpromises to be the toughest ery day henceforth becomes longer. Ergo, the Winter for many families. Hundreds of thousands Solstice is the rebirth of the lost jobs in November, still sun, the promise of spring more have had hours cut and renewal. It is the univerand responsibilities added. sal law that seasons change. Living in a culture, which From nature's model we praises economic status as a have learned that as the seameasure of success, respon- sons wax and wane, so do sibility, and prestige puts times of hardship and times a lot of pressure on people of abundance. In times of even when times aren't as hardship, the people who come together to help and tough. We've all heard the celebrate each other are the cheesy lines about how the ones who not only survive holidays are about family but also learn lo thrive. and religious significance. So instead of fretting that We all also know that what you can't afford that car for everyone is really looking your wife or that mp3 player forward to is generally the for your nephew, focus on presents. Unfortunately, it the little things that make often happens that material- you like each other in the ism victimi'zes millions of first place and the activities people and turns them into that draw you closer. Even if drooling, rabid "gimme" you can't afford much, if evmonsters. The saddest vic- eryone has something to do tims, as always, are the to contribute, everyone will youngest. feel important and needed. It's time to remind people If all else fails, nothwhy people are more impor- ing works on little kids like tant than things, and it's not plates of cookies and fudge because they are the produc- all over the table- especially ers of things. It's because if they helped to make it. On other humans are the reason adults, nothing works like we have holidays in the first bourbon- infused eggnog. place. They looked up in If you don't drink, combine the sky and noticed the po- sleep deprivation with a sitions of stars and planets, sugar high and one of those figured out how to use this games that involves a blindinformation for agriculture, fold and being spun around and that's why we are able three times. to eat, drink, and be merry. Above all, remind evOh, and there are the myths eryone how important they and legends about Mabon's are and that there would be birth of the Sun, and Mary's no use for holidays without birth of the Son- the stories them. After all, why else that taught us all our lives would we ever put up with about the beauty and pre- all those crazy people? LORAINE GHOLDSTON Opinions writer Some people change into little devils the second they walk into a restaurant. Jordy Kirkman/uvu Review How to be a better customer MARY MEGAN AULT Opinions writer I have worked as a hostess, waitress, cook, bus boy (in my case bus girl) -- I've probably worked in every position a restaurant has to offer. I know how to flirt with the old men, I know how to get the little kids to smile, I can up-sell like no one's business, and most importantly, I have excellent people skills. But it took time. It is not something that came overnight; it took years of patience and knowledge of how to deal with the everyday customer who is very hungry and just wants food. Customers can be very moody. Sometimes they are really nice, but others are very rude. Sometimes I feel like walking out because customers will aggravate me so much that I want to quit. Then there are the other times when a single customer will make my day and I'm happy for the rest of the week. That is when I love my job the most. Here is a list of five ways to be the best customer when going out to eat. So take notes! Be nice. Itjust takes common courtesy for everyone to get along. If you are mean to the staff, just remember that they are the ones cooking and preparing your food. Understand that mistakes will happen, things will be cooked wrong and your waiter might getthe wrong drink. But don't worry: mistakes can be fixed! So be patient and understanding too. Please don't think or act like you are better than the person taking your order just because they work in the food industry. Don't assume you know the job of the person cooking or taking your order better than they do. They were hired and trained to be doing what they do. So trust them. Be awesome. Smile and laugh with the staff. If you have a good attitude, your service, food, and time spent at the restaurant will be 10 times better than the normal rude/unhappy person! So just remember. The next time you go out to eat or and if they accidentally mess up your order, smile and say, to just grab a shake, remember the other person across the "It's okay!" And they will be more than happy tofixit for counter or your server is just like you. So be happy and nice, you! Tip your bellmen; they need it now more than ever which is so commonly interMIKE THOMAS twined with the Hollywood Guest writer elite, as well as the fact that As the economy strug- it boasts a wide range of acgles, , resorts around* the tivities, from skiing in the nation are facing major winter to mountain biking in setbacks, and with no imme- the summer, it has still seen diate change on the horizon, major decreases in the last employees are now faced year. with an untimely ultimatum; Allison Green, who is the find a new job, or lose your Reservations manager at the benefits. resort says, "We have seen' Sundance Resort, which' a dramatic change in call is a fifteen minute drive up volume over the last year, Provo Canyon, was recently as well as higher rate resisnamed second among all U.S. tance." mainland Resorts, by the It seems those that still Conde Nast Traveler's 2007 haven't checked off a winReaders Choice Awards. ter getaway for the year, Despite the accolades , and are taking full advantage of the allure of a unique resort the opportunity to get their Letter to the editor requirements uvu.review.opinions@gmail.com • Letters must be turned in on Wednesday by noon in orderto be primed in the next edition. • We make no guarantee thai letters will be printed. • Letters 300 words or less have a greater chance of being published anything longer will be edited for content. • Please provide an electronic copy regardless of whether or not you wish to submit a hard copy. • A l l letters become the property of UVU Review as soon as they are submitted. own custom rates drawn up. Green says Sundance has had to drop rates to meet competitors throughout the year, and offer new incentives, such as free dessert and breakfast to the Foundry Grill and Tree Room, the two restaurants located on the property. She explains however, that the true test will be in the high season, from December through February, to see exactly how extensive the economies affect will be. In a resort like Sundance many suffer from the downtime, and some lose benefits, on top of a lower monthly salary right before the holidays. The bellman at the resort don't have a high hourly wage because they work primarily for tips, which coincidentally is an area most vacationers find it easy to cutback on, since it's the one thing that is completely at their discretion. So for those planning a getaway for the holidays, keep in mind that the same people carrying your luggage, digging your car out of the snow, or fixing your broken television at 3 a.m., are making just enough to drive to and from work; aside from your tips of course. Humor in sports section And that's saying a lot. It was amazing. I was reading the latest The sports section can issue of the paper and I was be dry at times. But Waters pleased to see something incorporated a joke about out of the ordinary 'in the Guns N' Roses. Seriously, sports section. That is hu- who jokes about Guns N' mor. The Editor - in - chief, Roses in sports? Or even in Jack Waters wrote a piece a newspaper? This type of about Ryan Toolson miss- humor and original writing ing two free throws. The makes this paper. So thanks idea sounds average at best Mr. Editor for your refreshhowever, Waters made me ing perspectives. almost snort milk out my nose with his witty humor. Mr. Student Dear Mr. Editor, Staff What would Jesus buy (for Christmas)? Enough. Enough love, compassion, gratitude, peace, loaves and fishes, understanding, inclusiveness, graciousness, light, joy, miracles and abundance for all. And, perhaps because the gifts are offered so freely by one whose intentions are absolutely pure, we within our limited perception as spirits presently embodied, will accept these gifts which^we have previously neglected to acknowledge. Enough would be perfect. Peace be unto you. -Robbin Anthony, Office manager He would buy love in the form of fruitcake and wine and give it to those who really need a boost. -Parker Donat, Sports writer I'm sure it would have to do with buying a menorah for his dad, a dradle for his mom, and maybe some a nice poinsettia ^or his girlfriend Mary Magdalene. You know, cause he's a Jew... or was a Jew. Now he's Mormon, right? -Dave Iba, Photo editor He would buy me a puppy. Because he knows I have been more than good enough this year for a puppy. Thanks for having my back big guy. -Jennie Nicholls, Editor at large A Fathead of Denver Broncos Quarterback Jay Cutler. The Cowboys might be America's team, but the Broncos are Heaven's team. Championship! -David Fullmer, Life writer Probably sight for the blind, health for the sick, and food for the hungry. But I don't know if he would necessarily have to buy those^things or if he would bring them about by mearts of s~^ miracles. I'll ask next time I see him. ^ -Jordy Kirkman, Multimedia editor Jesus would buy food@- his year supply. No , manknoweth. -Lavyrlle Christantsen, "Maverick Eagle" o r '^•^'•••J^^^^M'^ \:mmmm§ mza |