OCR Text |
Show THE FORUM Feb. 9, 2005 5 For What It's Worth Ms. & Mr. Fs Real Advice For Real Problem Dear Mr. and Ms. F, I have been living with my two best friends for almost a year now. We get along great for the most part, but lately there have been some issues between the three of us. One of my roommates is very sloppy and refuses to pick up after herself, leaving the chores and cleaning up to us other two. My other roommate has begun to engage in some behaviors such as drinking heavily and inviting random strangers to sleep at our house or in her bed. We all seem to be battling against each other, but Im desperate to keep our friendship intact. What can I do?! self-destructi- ve Sincerely, Rueful Roomie Dear Rueful Roomie, living with friends can be great! Since you already probably share Kate D. Pappas Staff Writer From political activism to the history of Okinawa Karate-dWestminster students have taken advantage of the Web to explain their own ideas and inform others of their interests. A Web page is so easy to set up, said Westminster student Brad Johnston. And its a great way to put yourself and your , interests out there. Johnston, one of many students who have taken advantage of designing a Web page, has , used his Web site to convey the o, importance of becoming politically aware. In 2001, he set up a Web page that has since served as a place for students and others . to be informed of. city council, meetings and politically aware - conferences. I do receive feedback from other students and people who visit my Web site, Johnston said. Its exciting to know I am making a difference in other peoples lives just by using the Internet. Many students who do have a Web page on Westminsters server have done so for a term project oriented around computer design. Unlike Johnstons Web page that targets one specific function, many of the Web sites educate others about a persons personal life and interests. Some Web pages, for example, are dedicated to a persons wedding day, favorite activities, family and , friends. But students interested in creating their own Web page dont have to wait for a class project to get started on their cyber-lifThe introductory page on e. Retirement Continued from pg. 4 holds all year long. Most seminars last from two to 10 hours and vary in cost. The seminar on Saturday was directed to people who wanted a brief overview of what is out there to help them make money and retire in the lifestyle they want. Lee Davis, a business and administration major at Westminster, said I have been to other seminars covering the same topics, but (Jeppson gave us more of a taste, and more information. There were many topics that Jeppson covered that are very important for younger generations to understand and implement early. Those who in-dep- th The introductory page on Westminster's tech support Web site explains the simplicity of creating a Web site. Westminsters tech support Web site explains that creating a Web page simply requires a campus computer with a word processor to get started. In planning a Web page, as the Web tutorial suggests, there needs to be a purpose. That purpose can be to inform, entertain, persuade or to teach. It is also important to consider how the Web page will be structured. This includes how to link text within a page, how to link multiple pages together and how the audience will navigate throughout the pages. Lastly, the Web site encourages a person to consider graphic design and aesthetics like contrast, repetition, alignment and proximity. These elements, above anything else, determine the functionality and effectiveness of the page itself. If the page is clear, concise and runs smoothly, as the tutorial suggests, the browser is more likely to navigate throughout the page with the most benefit. Westminster is unique in that Macromedias Dreamweaver, is already installed (or on some computers, can be easily invest in the market should know that investing early and diversifying those investments will give a better return. Jeppson gave many examples of why investing early in a Roth IRA, 401 (k), or a traditional IRA is a good thing. People at the age of 25 who invest $157 a month, would have $1 million at the age of 65. In dealing with inflation and tuition rates, Jeppson showed the group what the rates were in 1970 to 2000 at intervals of 15 years. In 1970 the tuition for state schools was an average of $1,205 for three quarters, in 1985 it was $3,300, and in 2000 it was just under $10,000 for three semesters. It is estimated that in another 15 years, accounting for an average rate of inflation, it would be just over $24,000. installed) on the campus computers. This program serves as Web page editor. Jordan Ellis, a Westminster student familiar with the program, explained how simple the process is. As soon as you enter the program and save your Web site under a certain location, the process is so easy, Ellis said. You choose the location for your Web page, name the page and click Save!' As soon as students have completed that task, they are able to personalize their page in order to fit their particular style. Then, students can experiment themselves to figure out the flow of the page and how exactly they want the page to look, Ellis said. Experimenting is the best way to figure out what looks best for a particular theme . . . and there are so many variations, he said. I especially like experi- menting with graphics ... it seems to be the best way to draw attention, he added. For more information about creating a Web page, visit www.westminstercollege.edusup portindex.cfm.CJ One of the most important things Jeppson said was that to be financially independent an investor needs to make a positive 2 percent after taxes and inflation on investments. This is very important considering that to live the lifestyle to which we are accustomed, we need to have enough in our retirement accounts to account for the average rate of inflation. One million dollars today is a small change considering what $1 million was 50, 20, even only 10 years ago. For those who would like more information on how to plan for retirement, and outliving investments, contact Bill Jeppson at the Financial Strategies Institute by calling 9 or by logging (801) on to the Web site www.finan- 290-496- cialstrategiesinstitute.com.C5 secrets, crushes, clothes and food, sharing a house can seem like a great idea. Unfortunately, sometimes the things that make people such great friends are exactly the types of things that make it impossible to live together. The best way to handle both of the problems you mentioned, is to talk them out Organize a household meeting at a time when both of you roommates can make themselves available. Its sometimes more effective to make a point when more than one person recognizes, and confronts the problem. Explain to your messier roommate the qualms you have with her lack of cleanliness. She may not realize that she leaves clothes in the living room or her cereal bowl in the sink. She may also not realize the undue stress caused to you when your living area is less than spotless. As for your other roommate, the best way to approach her is with concern, instead of accusation. She probably already knows that you and your other roommate disagree with some of the choices she has made, and she may not be proud of her new decisions, either. However, it is important not to alienate her, but instead, to support her. Calmly tell her that her choices are her own to make, but you would d boy appreciate some notice the next time there will be a table. kitchen on out your passed It is admirable that you hope to salvage your friendship with your two roommates, but you may also want to come to terms with the fact that it may not be possible. Friends can very easily grow apart as quickly as they came together. If things continue to get worse, you may want to consider finding a new place to live it may be the only way to retain half-dresse- your friendship. -- Ms. F Mr. F bringing a male's perspective: Dear Rueful Roomie, It sounds like its time to have a sit down with your roomies .and talk. Lets start on your messy roommate. I have had a similar experience. I had a roommate for a year, and it seemed like I was doing all the cleaning around the place. He would never wash the dishes, or clean the bathroom, and I got fed up with it. I would leave little notes around the house asking him to help me with the chores, but they would never get done. It finally led to me moving out because I could not take it anymore. I should have talked to him, and let him know how I was feeling about the matter at hand. Maybe you can set up a schedule between the three of you so that everyone has a chance to help out. Lets talk about your other roommate. Unfortunately this matter is a little harder to deal with. Your friend must be going through a phase, and right now, does not care about you or your other roommate. She obviously does not respect the two of you, but on the other hand you are not respecting her. This could turn into a no win battle, and one that might last forever if you dont get together and have a talk. Tell her that you are upset with the disrespect she is showing the two of you. Next, tell you roommate that you are concerned with how much she has been drinking lately. Let her know that its unhealthy for her and she is doing more damage then good. Explain that having an occasional drink here or there is OK, but binge drinking is not. Also tell her that you dont appreciate the fact that she is bringing home random strangers. Tell her that this makes you and your other roommate very uncomfortable, especially when they are sleeping on the couch, which you all use. She needs to understand that there are two other people in the apartment, and you all share the place together. Remember to respect each other and let everyone talk out what they need to say. I wish you the best luck and hope you all come together for the sake of your friendship. -- Mr. F Do you have problems in your life, questions about friendships or dating dilemmas? Each week in The Forum, Ms. and Mr. F provide students Ms. and Mr. F with your queswith real answers to real problems. dillemmas to: or comments tions, advicewestminstercollege.edu, or write to The Forum, Converse 201. All correspondence with Ms. and Mr. E-m- F is anonymous and confidential. |