Ing Magazine December 2014

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PUBLICATION DECEMBER | JanuaRy 2014

MAGAZINE

Sweet tooth Three Sweet Treats

New BegiNNiNgS East Lansing Residents Tell All

haviNg a Ball

History of the Infamous Ball Drop

From Dream to reality a Conversation with Danielle owensby myingmag.com

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December 2014

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December 2014

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DECEMBER 2014

From Dream to Reality A Conversation with Danielle Owensby

14 7 features

in this issue

8. How International Students Spend the Holiday

4.

writing

16. Celebrating

5.

SAVing

18. COVERing

6.

EATing

18. FEATURing

7.

SERVing

21. Happening

10. A New Beginning Through Music: A Feature on The MSU Community Music School

cover

12. WORKing 14. Cooking

10. New Beginnings 14. Sweet tooth 16. Having a Ball

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15. WORKing

24. Photographing

NNECT O

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STAFF

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Publisher

Tiffany Dowling

COFFE

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C

Email: ami@m3group.biz

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NS IO

614 Seymour Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933 Phone: 517.203.0123 • Fax: 517.203.3334

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Jennifer Hodges Account Managers

Manny Garcia Penny Meadows Media Specialist

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Brewing Better Business Join us for our first quarter c onnec tions and c offee

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Skylar Kohagen Social Media Specialist

Kalynne McIntyre Contributers

Sydney Beaudreault Sarah Bohan Jenny Crakes Sharee Fink Austin Goodman Katie Grimes Nicole Handley Jessica Link Rachel Mann Lynnette Roth Charlie Thompson

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Give us a call at 517.203.0123 or email at ami@m3group.biz. ing Magazine is published monthly by M3 Group, Lansing, MI. All rights reserved. © 2014 M3 Group No part of this magazine may be reproduced whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. myingmag.com

December 2014

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WRITing

The End

photo by Jessica Meadows

BY Jenny Crakes, Nicole Handley, Austin Goodman and Rachel Mann

V

iolet meshes with jet-black to create the calm, luminous hue of a winter twilight. On the other side of the window, in your apartment, holiday music fills the empty room as you finish your last minute packing. You feel excited to see your family, yet nervous to hear the questions that will follow concerning future plans you are still unsure of. The end of the semester takes on a kind of glow as people laugh on balconies and relieve the stress inflicted by finals. One last midnight scream echoes across campus — winter break is finally here.

Our lives consist of many different worlds: those of endings, beginnings and the unknown. Like a fascinating new library book we pull off the shelf, the new year stretches out before us, full of potential. The first few chapters introduce you to unexpected twists, and as you deal with them, you 4

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December 2014

come to new revelations. Maybe a relationship has tumbled down around you, you received a grade you aren’t particularly proud of or you’re worrying about getting a job after graduation.

In this issue, you will find recipes for comfort food to heal your broken heart, interviews with successful MSU alums to calm your worries about finding a career, articles delving into the topic of new beginnings and fresh music to make all your troubles fade away. This issue of ing is all about what it means to start over — to begin anew.

One of the most beautiful things about life is that as one chapter ends, another has room to begin.

As you absorb the final words of the book and set it back on the shelf, you reach for another, full of brand new possibilities.

SAVing

Holiday Budgeting

BY Sarah Bohan

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ith the holiday season underway, many of us find ourselves stretching our budgets to cover the cost of gifts, travel, dining, etc. Because of this, it’s all too easy to end up in a financial slump at the very start of the new year. Through proper planning and execution, however, you have the power to keep a positive account balance while still enjoying the season.

One way to prepare for holiday spending is by setting a budget and sticking to it. Although an expensive gift or trip may seem like a good idea at first, it may not seem so great if you come to realize that you’ve overspent and can no longer cover your month-to-month expenses. By making a plan before you begin spending, you will be able to plan your purchases around what you can afford rather than looking past the prices while shopping.

In addition to making a budget, you can also use the resources offered by your financial institution to help you save money. Try creating a sub-savings account to house your funds for holiday spending and putting money in it each paycheck. This is something that can be done throughout the year or closer to the holidays.

The more you have saved up, the less you’ll have to worry about overspending.

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Another way to keep your finances in order through the holidays is by looking for deals to help you save money — the earlier you start looking, the more likely you are to save. You can often find coupons and special offers on company websites, social media pages, in store mailings, etc. This aspect of planning will take some time and finesse, but you won’t regret the savings in the long run.

When all is said and done, the most important thing about the holiday season is that you enjoy it with those you care about. Through planning and budgeting appropriately, you will have the resources needed to cut down on financial stressors and truly enjoy the season.

Sarah Bohan is the Vice President Corporate Relations at MSU Federal Credit Union. MSUFCU’s headquarters are at 3777 West Road East Lansing, MI 48823. Contact Sarah at sbohan@ msufcu.org or (517) 333-2208.

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EATing

The Black Cat Bistro is in Fact the Cat’s Pajamas!

PHOTOs BY Jessica Link

BY Austin Goodman

I

f you’re tired of the usual franchise fast-food restaurants on Grand River and are looking for a way to indulge your taste buds, make your way over to the Black Cat Bistro. This new restaurant is located right next to Menna’s Joint on Albert St. and offers a wide range of multicultural dishes that will definitely have you coming back for more. When you enter this contemporary, stylish bistro, you instantly feel as if you have left East Lansing and entered a chic hideaway. The tasteful interiors and pleasant staff will make you feel right at home.

Having been to this restaurant twice, once for dinner and once for lunch, I have experienced two wonderful dishes. The first time I ordered the Bistro

Burger, which is famous for its signature scallion bacon aioli sauce and the sunny-side up egg served on top. After scarfing down this mouthwatering burger, I moved on to the dual style fries, a mixture of plain and sweet potato fries that gave my mouth the blast of both worlds. On my second trip, I ordered the lobster roll, which reminded me that you don’t have to fly all the way to Maine to get a taste of authentic seafood.

These were two of the best meals that I have ever experienced in East Lansing thus far. As a Michigan State student, it is rare to experience fine dining without the long ride to Eastwood Towne Center.

Black Cat Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants not only for their savory meals but also for their prime downtown location, as it’s literally in my backyard.

Although the menus change for lunch and dinner, you will be sure to find something to satisfy your every desire. Next time I go to this new off campus hot spot, I will be sure to shock my taste buds with another one of their great entrees.

Austin Goodman is a professional writing major focusing on editing and publishing. He lives with five girls and is constantly breaking up cat fights. When not dealing with drama, he’s watching reality junk on Bravo. He wants to move to LA after college and become the toast of the town.

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SERVing

Alternative Spartan Breaks

BY Jessica Link with fellow Spartans to give back to the community, students are changing their own lives and creating their own Spartan sagas. photoS provided by Catie Bargerstock

ASB participant and Michigan State senior Catie Bargerstock says, “I loved the challenge. I loved being somewhere completely novel, and it taught me that there is perhaps no better feeling in the world than doing good with people who are just as passionate as you are about making this world a better place.”

The desire to change the world is enough to bring people together anywhere and the opportunity to do so with other Michigan State students is an unbelievable experience.

Doing good for others and for the world makes anyone feel their best. Changing the world takes time and collaboration, but with ASB, anyone can change their life and those around them with just one trip.

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pathy and hesitation get you nowhere, and you cannot expect the world to change unless you are willing to try to change it yourself.” - Catie Bargerstock Embracing Michigan State spirit goes well beyond learning in the classroom; it’s about finding something you’re passionate about and using that passion to change the world and do good for those around you. This idea is a core concept for Alternative Spartan Breaks (ASB), an organization encouraging students and faculty to give back and involve themselves in other communities not only across the country, but also around the world.

Jessica Link is a senior in professional writing with minors in Spanish and economics. She’s an SEO marketing intern and avid Miami Dolphins fan. She spends her free time laughing at her own jokes, looking at pictures of puppies and eating any and all forms of cheese and potatoes.

Offering 20 different service opportunities throughout the year, ranging from weekend trips to week-long trips, ASB gives students a chance to find their passion outside the classroom. The style of the program allows students to choose a service opportunity based only on a social issue and description of the project. Without previous knowledge of the location, students are able to work with others who have chosen the same path. This also gives students the opportunity to travel to new places that they may have not chosen on their own.

The idea of traveling to a new, undisclosed location with other students may make some people nervous, yet, this shouldn’t be something to make students shy away. By embracing the chance to work together myingmag.com

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How International Students Spend the Holidays

photo by Aslina Chua

BY SYDNEY BEAUDREAULT

A

fter the stress of fall semester exams is over, many MSU students will have a short drive home for a well-deserved winter break; others have a much longer journey home. I spoke with several international students who spend their breaks traveling, on the beach or celebrating holidays with their families.

...go somewhere warm.

Marina Bohrer Porto Algere Brazil

- Bahadir Senel

Every year I go home for the winter break. It’s a special time because I get to see my family and friends. We celebrate the same holidays as America: Christmas and New Year’s. A significant custom is to consume lentils and rice on New Year’s Day. Doing so is considered to confer blessings, good luck, fortune and prosperity in one’s life. Also, there is a tradition of wearing white on the day, as doing so is traditionally believed to bring and sustain good luck for the rest of the year. On the midnight 8

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of the arrival of New Year, local people residing in and around the beach city gather at the beach, and as a part of tradition jump seven times into the beach and throw flowers in the beach while wishing for a happy and prosperous year ahead.

December 2014

Bahadir “Baha” Senel Bursa, Turkey

I usually use the break to go somewhere warm. I like to travel and shop during winter break. We have traditional holidays, but I guess I’m not a traditional guy. I always take someone with me.

Last year I went to Austria and France for skiing; this year probably Bahamas.

photo by Qian Qingdao

Cheng “Stella” Qian Qingdao, China

I won’t go home, but some of us will; they go back for a rest and to meet their families.

My academic plan for this Christmas is to learn HTML. For relaxing, I’m planning to watch a TV show that was very popular in China; a story about the relationships between wives of an empire in old times. In addition, a friend of mine from home will visit me for three days.

of luck and p r o s p e r i t y.

The fireworks symbolize scaring off your bad luck or demons. We wear red the whole time. Dark colors are forbidden. We also give out oranges and little red packets of money to little kids as a token of luck and prosperity.

Sydney Beaudreault is a contributer for ing Magazine.

Gabriel “Gabe” Mallmann Porto Algere, Brazil

Most of the time I go back home to see my family and friends. We always spend Christmas at my grandparent’s place; we’re very attached to family.

It’s summer in Brazil in December so I enjoy the outdoors a lot and go to the beach.

Aslina Chua Malaysia

We celebrate Chinese New Year, Eid Al Adha (Muslim New Year), Gawai (which is a native tribal celebration) and Christmas. We don’t have a winter in Malaysia, but around this time of year, there’s a lot of Christmas feel. Christmas and Chinese New Year mainly. We usually have a feast at home with family and close friends. We play with fireworks during Chinese New Year, then we go visiting our relatives and friends. The celebration lasts around 15 days. We have fireworks going off every night. It’s a celebration where we leave the past behind us and welcome a new year

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December 2014

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A New Beginning Through Music A Feature on The MSU Community Music School

BY Lynnette Roth

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Since its founding in 1993, the goal of CMS, according to its website, has been “to offer music and its inherent possibilities to everyone in the community regardless of age, ability or income.”

Their East Lansing school offers private lessons on over 20 different instruments, more than 15 classes

photoS provided by CMS

he gift of music is something to be cherished.

Music provides more than just sound to those involved; it is a way to express feelings on a level that exceeds all other forms. With schools making cuts to arts programs, parents and communities are at a loss. Michigan State University College of Music has found a way to give this gift back to their community by creating the Michigan State University Community Music School (CMS). This subdivision of the college brings music education and music therapy to all individuals within the community. and young music students who were struggling academically have found the confidence and resolve to succeed in school. Others have found their professional calling at CMS and have gone on to study music at the collegiate level.

Community and a sense of belonging can be found here for those who once felt isolated and lost. Director Jamie DeMott experiences this firsthand. She has many favorite activities within the school, but she particularly enjoys “watching students enjoy themselves in classes, ensemble rehearsals or recitals and concerts.” Not only is CMS beneficial to the students, but it also helps its workers gain realworld teaching experience.

David Moul, a senior in the College of Music, loves working at CMS: “It gives me a chance to connect with the community and put into practice what I’m learning in my classes. It’s a huge asset to be able to work with real students in real ensembles and classes.”

to offer music and its inherent possibilities to everyone in the community regardless of age, ability or income. and ensembles, five different summer camps and music therapy. Anyone is welcome at CMS, with students’ ages ranging from infancy to 90 plus, and financial aid is offered to those in need.

Music services provided by CMS programs have the ability to change lives. Clients involved in music therapy have spoken their first words at CMS, 10

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The need for more arts education is not specific to the Lansing area, but is a problem across the state of Michigan. In fall 2009, a second CMS opened in Detroit’s Cultural Corridor to serve Metro Detroit

December 7 residents. It offers youth and adult classes in jazz, piano and guitar; group music lessons in wind and string instruments; early childhood music education and summer camps. As the needs of the community become apparent, more programs are being added.

All events held by CMS are open to the public, so show your support and be sure to check out performances throughout December. For more information, visit cms.msu.edu.

2 and 4 pm Studio Recital for students of Sue Garber (violin) CMS Performance Hall

December 11

5:30 pm Suzuki Winter Concert CMS Performance Hall

December 13

3 pm All School Recital CMS Performance Hall

December 14

photoS provided by CMS

3 pm New Horizons Band Combined Concert CMS Concert Performance Hall

Lynnette Roth is a senior studying creative writing. She loves life, sewing, fall and her husband. Her closet has more shoes than clothes, and she believes that coffee is the only way to survive.

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MSU Alumni: Where Are They Now?

BY Rachel Mann

F

or many students, the thought of graduating and entering the “real” world can be intimidating.

The closer graduation gets, the more thoughts of prospective careers, worries about resumes and fears about paying off student loans start to surface. A lot of students doubt whether or not their major was the right choice to ensure employment after graduation.

These fears are understandable, but more often than not, that’s all they are: fears.

Chelsea Wuth

Chelsea Wuth graduated in 2011 with a degree in professional writing. While she was in college, she saw herself pursuing a career in the communications field. She graduated in May and by July she became the Creative Marketing Specialist for Michigan State Federal Credit Union — a career that she loves. She is definitely living out her ambition to have a career in a communications field and the skills she learned while obtaining her degree helped her achieve that.

bosses a promotion that is based upon research and personal experience in the field. I’ve learned what my target audience responds well to in certain instances and address that accordingly through my marketing pieces.” Wuth attributes the foundation that she built in her career to the writing and design skills she learned in her professional writing courses at MSU. She says that those skills helped her get started in her career and her in-the-field experience has helped her develop marketing skills.

Stephen Wright

Stephen Wright, graduated in 2013 with a degree in English, a concentration in creative writing, and specializations in screenwriting and poetry. Wright really wanted to become involved in screenwriting and film and imagined himself as a writer or a production assistant. Before Wright even obtained his degree, he landed a full-time job working as a production assistant for “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in New York.

“On SVU, I take information that producers and agents had worked out in order to draft contracts for guest actors,” Wright says, “This means, very specifically, wording professional documents which say how much the actors will make, how many episodes they are guaranteed, what their daily bonuses might be, and what kind of special perks they might get.”

Wright explains that - Chelsea Wuth the time management techniques he learned in college have been extremely important to understand and utilize in his field.

Every day is different!

Chelsea Wuth, Creative Marketing Specialist at MSUFCU. “Every day is different! I work on print projects mostly, but I’m involved in my promotions from conception to execution,” Wuth explains,.“For example, I can identify a business need to increase the amount of money we have in certificates. I then propose to my 12

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Jennifer Marinelli

Jennifer Marinelli graduated in 2012 with a degree in professional writing and a minor in theatre.

While in college, Marinelli wanted to pursue a career in performing arts. Within a few months of graduating, she accepted a yearlong Digital

WORKing

Stephen Wright: Stephen Wright and coworkers at the Law & Order: SVU wrap party last spring.

Marketing apprenticeship with Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City. Now, Marinelli is a digital content assistant for Signature Theatre, an off-Broadway theatre company in New York City.

Marinelli says, “I count myself lucky that I don’t have a typical

day, but typical tasks include creating internal e-blasts, making updates to the company website and moderating our social media accounts.” The skills she learned in her classes at MSU are prominent in her career. She says that the group work she did in college prepared her for working in teams in her professional life.

I count myself lucky that I dont have a typical day...

No matter what your major is or what your career ambitions may be, there will always be some level of fear before you get your foot in the door of your career. These alums prove that with a little hard work and a lot of drive, the real world is nothing to be afraid of.

- Jennifer Marinelli

Jennifer Marinelli at the opening night of Cabaret on Broadway for Roundabout theatre, where she was an apprentice.

Rachel Mann is a senior studying professional writing and English with concentrations in creative writing and editing and publishing. She currently writes and edits for three different magazines. She is an aspiring author, a Johnny Depp fanatic, a lover of ‘80s comedies and a green thumb in her garden.

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COOKing

Sweet Treats

BY Rachel Mann There is no better companion for a wintertime, fireside relaxation session than something delicious to satisfy your sweet tooth. From breakfast all the way to dessert, winter offers the perfect opportunity to add a little indulgence to any menu. After all, it is the season of bulky sweaters and comfy sweatpants!

Instructions:

Belgian Waffles ingREDIENTS:

3.) Beat egg whites for about five minutes until stiff peaks form; fold into batter.

2 cups all-purpose flour ¾ cup sugar 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder 2 eggs, separated 1 ½ cups milk 1 cup butter, melted 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1.) In a bowl, combine flour, sugar and baking powder.

2.) In another bowl, lightly beat egg yolks. Add milk, butter and vanilla. Mix well. Stir into dry ingredients until combined.

4.) Bake in a preheated waffle iron according to manufacturer’s directions until golden brown.

5.) Serve with strawberries, strawberry dessert topping and whipped cream.

This recipe was adapted from tasteofhome.com.

Snickers Caramel Apple Pie ingREDIENTS:

Whipped cream (optional) Fresh strawberries (optional)

1 graham cracker pie crust

Strawberry dessert topping (optional)

3 green apples, diced ¼ cup caramel ice cream topping 1 8-ounce package Snickers Unwrapped Minis 2 ½ cups Cool Whip, thawed ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

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COOKing Instructions: 1.) Spread Snickers bars on the bottom of the pie crust.

2.) Add a layer of apples and drizzle caramel on top.

3.) Combine Cool Whip, cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk in a bowl and spread on top of the pie.

4.) Drizzle with caramel and add a few Snickers Unwrapped Minis on top.

5.) Refrigerate for four hours and enjoy!

This recipe was adapted from iheartnaptime.net.

Instructions: 1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.) Place the sliced apples in a 9”x13” pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour and ground cinnamon together. Sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over everything.

3.) Combine the oats, 1 cup of flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.

4.) Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

This recipe was adapted from allrecipes.com.

Apple CRISP ingREDIENTS: 10 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ cup water 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Apple Crisp Topping:

Rachel Mann is a senior studying professional writing and English with concentrations in creative writing and editing and publishing. She currently writes and edits for three different magazines. She is an aspiring author, a Johnny Depp fanatic, a lover of ‘80s comedies and a green thumb in her garden.

1 cup quick-cooking oats 1 cup packed brown sugar ¼ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda ½ cup butter, melted 1 cup all-purpose flour

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CelebraTing

Lighting Up a New Year With an Old Tradition The History of the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

BY Jessica Link

F

or over a century, Times Square has been a central point for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Dating back to 1903 when the owner of the New York Times first held a fireworks display to celebrate the opening of the newspaper’s new headquarters at One Times Square, this New York City location has been leading the world in New Year’s Eve festivities, growing larger each year. Starting in 1907, the New Year has been rung in with the ball descending the flagpole atop One Times Square while wmillions of people gather in the streets of New York City.

Even though the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop is the most famous, the ball drop tradition started long ago in England. Dating back to 1833 in Greenwich, a ball was dropped to signal the passing of time specifically for captains in nearby ships. Today, the ball drops at the stroke of midnight to signal the passing of time for a new year, not for captains, but for millions of spectators around the world.

The first New York New Year’s Ball Drop that rang in 1908 was five feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds. In 1920, a wrought iron ball weighing 400 pounds replaced the original. After 35 years, the aluminum ball took over the job of signaling the start of the New Year. This aluminum ball remained consistent throughout the years until 1981 when it was transformed into a giant apple for the “I Love New York” campaign. The most memorable ball drop was the Waterford Crystal and Philips Lighting ball, which rang in the new millennium. In 2007, these two companies again teamed together to create a spectacular sight for all who witnessed the ball for the 100th anniversary.

With the exception of 1942 and 1943, the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop has been a staple of New Year’s celebrations. In 1942 and 1943, the celebration had to cease in the midst of World War II and the dimout of lights in New York City. Despite these regulations, crowds still gathered where the celebration usually takes place and filled Times Square. At the stroke of midnight, instead of lowering a ball, there was a minute of silence followed by chimes ringing from

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trucks parked at One Times Square.

Today, there is a ball above One Times Square all year long. It consists of 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles illuminated by 32,256 Philips Luxeon LEDs. Even though this is an attraction available all year long, millions of people trek to Times Square on Dec. 31 to watch the tradition unfold, while millions of others watch on their TVs worldwide.

To learn more about the famous New Year’s Eve celebration, check out timessquarenyc.org.

Jessica Link is a senior in professional writing with minors in Spanish and economics. She’s an SEO marketing intern and avid Miami Dolphins fan.

She spends her free time laughing at her own jokes, looking at pictures of puppies and eating any and all forms of cheese and potatoes.

The Life of a Nontraditional MSU Student

BY Jenny Crakes | photo provided by Libby White

W

hat’s it like to attend MIchigan State University as a nontraditional student?

Professional writing junior Libby White is a mother who chose to return to college to pursue her passion for writing. Here’s her story.

White lives in Mason with her boyfriend and her fouryear-old daughter, Parker. In her free time, White is a photographer, and she has been riding and training horses for much of her life. “My daughter and I show horses over the summer,” she says, “and I try to ride as often as I can.”

The experience of returning to college can be challenging, and White says, “It’s been a really rough and rocky road getting to where I’m at.” She began at a university directly after high school but had to leave for health and family reasons. Before returning to college, she worked for 15 years in the insurance industry.

White has always been a writer, keeping journals, writing short stories and even helping former employers write policy and procedure manuals. In addition to her schoolwork, she is currently working on a book inspired by women in crime fiction. She hadn’t considered turning writing into a career until after her first semester at Lansing Community College (LCC), where she originally studied early childhood development but realized it wasn’t the right fit: “I started looking at other things, and really going for what I love to do, which is write.”

Challenges are part of life as a nontraditional student, and time management is a big one. White usually works 25 hours a week while attending school, and as a busy parent, finishing assignments can lead to some late nights. Even with taking classes full time and working two jobs, White still makes the Dean’s List, first at LCC and now at MSU. She is also seeking internships to gain experience in digital and technical writing. The challenge is what White likes best about attending MSU. “It really makes me stretch my brain and think about things in a different way.”

Teaching at MSU is White’s dream career. After graduating in December 2015, she plans to work for a year, potentially in freelance work or technical writing,

Libby White and her daughter, Parker, at a horse show. and pay off some of her student loans. Then, she’ll go for her master’s in digital rhetoric and writing and start her doctorate. She writes from a feminist perspective and plans to write her doctoral dissertation on women in technology. “I’m intrigued by the glass ceiling,” she says. “Why is it that women are not seen as being able to keep up with technology, use technology and create solutions within it?”

Although her biggest fear coming to MSU was that she wouldn’t be able to make friends, she’s made great friendships every semester and enjoys her experiences.

“It’s cool being a nontraditional student because I add real-life experience to the conversation, and I’m not afraid to speak up,” White says.

Her network of friends and family are supportive of her studies. “My boyfriend is awesome. He picks up the slack, does the dishes and does what needs to be done.”

Her daughter is also very understanding; sometimes when White is studying, Parker will grab a notepad and crayon and pretend she also has lots of homework to do. White is inspired to complete her degree to show her daughter that “if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.”

Jenny Crakes is an arts and humanities and professional writing senior in the editing and publishing track. She’s an education coordinator with the RCAH Center for Poetry, and an intercultural aide with the Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions. Her interests include creative writing, theatre, dance and the outdoors. myingmag.com

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COVERing

Studying the Arts: A Conversation with Danielle Owensby

BY Katie Grimes | Photos by Danielle Owensby

Danielle in her childhood bedroom, part of the Home Sweet Home series.

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tarting a career in the arts can be difficult, but photographer Danielle Owensby is doing all she can to make her dream a reality. Danielle is a dual major in English and studio art with a minor in art history, and her story proves that with talent and hard work, you can study what you love and pursue a meaningful career.

Photography hasn’t always been a large part of Danielle’s life. It wasn’t until her first photography class in high school that she discovered the unique creativity it allowed her. “With photography I could construct my ideas in reality and photograph them…

I wanted to create, and finally had a way to do it.”

Taking photos was a passion for Danielle, but not necessarily something she saw herself dedicating her life to. It wasn’t until she was rejected from her university and program of choice that she began to rethink her life goals. “I had a bit of a crisis when I started at Michigan State University,” Danielle

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explains. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do…so I gravitated toward what I thought I was good at.”

What at first seemed like the end of the world was actually a fabulous new beginning. Danielle decided to study what she was passionate about, literature and art, and never looked back.

At MSU, Danielle discovered a community of students and professors that have challenged and encouraged her as an artist. Having this support system has had a profoundly positive influence on her creative development. Danielle especially appreciates the open atmosphere among her fellow art students: “The environment in the department is one of motivation, and the best part is most of us students share our secrets to success with one another. You don’t get that everywhere nowadays.”

Recently, Danielle’s artwork has taken her to new heights. Her photo series “Home Sweet Home” was featured at the 2014 ArtPrize, an international art

COVERing

Photography is everything in my world so I essentially draw inspiration from living.

Danielle plans to graduate from MSU in the spring. Right now she’s focusing on applying to photography graduate programs across the country. If grad school doesn’t work out, she wants to get an internship with an established photographer. Danielle’s ultimate plan is “to conquer the photography world and share my passion with anyone who is willing to hear me gush about how much I love it. It’s a bit daunting, but so was ArtPrize. So, bring it on.”

To learn more about Danielle Owensby and to view her work, check out her website at danielle-deo-owensby.com.

competition held in Grand Rapids, Mich. Danielle says the event, at which her work was displayed with that of artists from around the world, was the “most surreal experience” she’s ever had. “During the opening, I watched hundreds of people look at my work — and they were really looking, not just walking by. It was an affirming moment … seeing people enjoy my work, having people come up to me to talk about my work and having people write about my work on their blogs was a dream come true.”

Danielle gets inspiration for her photos from a variety of sources. “I browse through websites like Flickr to see what other photographers are up to, I check out books and folios from the library, I rip photos out of magazines because I liked the lighting and I read whatever I can get my hands on pertaining to photography and its history.” Her personal experiences, she says, also play a huge role in her work. “Photography is everything in my world, so I essentially draw inspiration from living.”

The photos in “Home Sweet Home,” a self-portrait series featuring Danielle in her childhood home, were particularly influenced by her memories of the past. “My home environment wasn’t exactly normal while I was growing up,” Danielle admits. For the vast majority of her childhood, her house was constantly under construction. Its unfinished state made her ashamed and embarrassed to invite friends over. But as a creative kid, she was able to find the possibilities amidst the chaos. “My series takes my current adult self and inserts me into recreations of my past shenanigans in my home. It’s a reflective piece, about how sometimes in life there are circumstances that we can’t control or overcome, and how that’s okay.”

A photo from Danielle’s Home Sweet Home series.

Katie Grimes is a professional writing and religious studies student. She enjoys using obscure words (such as colloquial and pastiche in all contexts and has a strange fascination with Star Trek. Her varied interests include feminism, reading Shakespeare and drinking caffeinated beverages.

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FEATURing

OneSound

photo by Charlie Thompson

BY Charlie Thompson

From left to right: Ryan Casler, Tanay Salpekar, Adam Schoonmaker and Phil Prescher.

M

any Michigan State University students desire to start their own businesses after they graduate. For Adam Schoonmaker, Phil Prescher, Ryan Casler and Tanay Salpekar, their entrepreneurial experience has already begun.

Since July of this year, the team has been working on developing their very own app for the Web and iPhone and Android devices.

The app is called OneSound. Casler explains that the app is designed to “let everyone at [an] event choose the music with collaborative playlists where users can vote on songs that stream to one central device.” Tanay adds, “It’s usable in party situations, like for frats, but it’s also usable in casual settings, like at home.” Essentially, OneSound allows partygoers to send their song suggestions to the host, who can decide what to play next.

Adam says that he was inspired to create OneSound by turntable.fm, an interactive music sharing website.

He thought the app “would be cool and something that people would actually use.”

Each member has been working separately: Adam works on the iPhone app, Ryan on the Android app

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and Tenay on the Web, while Phil works with the Cloud technologies on all three.

The OneSound team has received a lot of help from The Hatch, an entrepreneurial work space just north of campus where students learn to build their startup business ideas and can collaborate with others working on similar projects. The team will pitch their app on Nov. 19 at The Hatching, a presentation competition for local entrepreneurs held monthly at the Marriott Hotel in East Lansing.

They hope to win first-place and receive a prize of $1,000 of funding for their project.

OneSound is scheduled to come out for the Web at the end of this year and for iPhone and Android by spring break. To find out more about the app’s development, sign up for email updates at onesoundapp.com.

Charlie Thompson is a junior majoring in professional writing. A windy city native, he is a fan of Chicago hot dogs and the Cubs. Last summer he interned at American Trade Magazine as a writer. He enjoys watching Oscar nominated films and going to art museums and fairs.

HAPPENing

December 2014 EVENTS CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & LECTURES

student events 12/6 – Help-Portrait Help the Creativity Exploratory celebrate International Help-Portrait Day at the East Lansing Public Library from noon-5 p.m.!

This global movement brings photographers, editors, and event planners together to give pictures, instead of taking them. Anyone wishing to have portraits taken may come to receive a free sitting with a photographer and receive a copy of their photograph.

12/11 – English Country Dancing The Lansing English Country Dancers offer instruction in the figures and sequences of English dances at all events. No experience is necessary. Join the festivities at the RCAH Theatre in the basement of Snyder-Phillips Hall from 7-9:30 p.m.

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HAPPENing

December 2014 EVENTS compiled by Katie Grimes and Sharee Fink

ARTS 12/6 – MSU’s Home for the Holidays Enjoy a family afternoon of traditional Christmas music with carols, storytelling and sing-alongs. Come for a nostalgic trip to the Christmas of old featuring College of Music ensembles and soloists, including a Santa saxophone quartet. Children will have an opportunity to help decorate the Christmas tree during the show. For ticket information and times, visit whartoncenter.com.

12/14 – Holiday Pops Enjoy an afternoon of all your holiday favorites with a guest vocalist and the marvelous MSU youth Chorale. For ticket information and times, visit whartoncenter.com.

1/16-1/18 – Blue Man Group Experience the Phenomenon – Blue Man Group returns to Wharton Center! Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts 12/7 – Wind Symphony and Spartan which combine comedy, music and technology to Youth Wind Symphony produce a totally unique form of entertainment. For Presented by the MSU College of Music. For ticket ticket information and times, visit whartoncenter.com. information and times, visit whartoncenter.com.

1/18 – Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and 12/13 – Jazzy Little Christmas Protest Concert Party with the MSU Professors of Jazz for a swinging This Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorative good time as they celebrate the season in style with their concert will feature Jazz Orchestras and Take 6, an own favorite holiday tunes. Join them in the Fairchild a cappella gospel sextet, in the Fairchild Theatre, Theatre, MSU Auditorium at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for MSU Auditorium at 3 p.m. adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for students with ID. 1/26 – Happy Birthday Mozart 12/16-12/21 – Annie What better way to celebrate a 259th birthday? Join With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little the College of Music at the Fairchild Theatre, MSU orphan Annie is determined to find her parents, Auditorium, at 7:30 p.m. for this year’s musical tribute who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of to the “Wunderkind” who changed the world! Works an orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss include the Piano Quartet in G minor, the Clarinet Hannigan. In a series of adventures, Annie foils Miss Quintet and the Kegelstatt Trio.

Hannigan’s evil machinations and befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new home with 1/27-2/1 – Pippin billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Pippin tells the story of a young prince on a deathGrace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. For defying journey to find meaning in his existence. Will he ticket information and times, visit whartoncenter.com. choose a happy but simple life? Or will he risk everything for a singular flash of glory? For ticket information and 1/10 – MasterWorks 4: Tchaikovsky & times, visit whartoncenter.com.

Beethoven This concert features guest artist and Michigan native 1/30-1/31 – “Master Harold”...And the Bion Tsang, who will perform Tchaikovsky’s Variations Boys on a Rococo Theme on the cello. Attending listeners Caught up in a whirlwind of post-World War II traumas will also hear performances of Haydn’s Symphony and the suffocating tensions of racism in 1950s apartheid No. 43 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6. For ticket South Africa, the three actors of this masterpiece by information and times, visit whartoncenter.com.

Athol Fugard bang and clash against their fluctuating society in this tale of hope, escapism, dark secrets and the cruel power of language. For ticket information and times, visit whartoncenter.com.

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HAPPENing 1/30-2/8 – Theatre2Film Project An experimental show developed by students that will play first as a theatrical piece and later be filmed. In a show that explores the terms “theatrical” and “cinematic” audiences will be witness to this unique experiment. For ticket information and times, visit whartoncenter.com.

1/30-1/31 – 13th Annual Mid-Winter Singing Festival Spend an evening, or a whole weekend, singing great songs with some of the country’s favorite folk musicians of East Lansing at Hannah Community Center. Find more information at singingfestival.com.

Winter activities

US 27. Breakfast with Santa is from 8 to 10:30 a.m., children’s crafts are from noon to 3 p.m. and the craft show and trees festival are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit clintoncountychamber.org.

11/28-12/28 – Wonderland of Lights Potter Park Zoo is transformed into a magical winter wonderland with thousands of holiday lights and extraordinary displays every Sunday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5-8 p.m. at Potter Park Zoo, Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing.

12/6 – Winter Glow This year’s Winter Glow will feature ice carving, a reindeer petting zoo, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse and carriage rides, a special outdoor holiday farmer’s market, a heated music tent, a kid’s winter carnival, marshmallow roasting, merchant activities, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and much more. Find more information at cityofeastlansing. com. Participate in this free event in downtown East Lansing from 2-5 p.m.

12/6-12/8 – MSU Arts & Crafts Holiday The MSU Holiday Arts and Crafts Show at the Union is one of the largest arts and crafts shows in the state. There will be a broad range of exhibitors selling handmade items that are perfect for gifts. Items include candles, wooden items, jewelry, aromatherapy, clothing, children’s toys, painting, photography, pottery, holiday decorations and much more.

12/6 - Annual Christmas Festival St. Johns. Join the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce for their annual Christmas Festival.

Enjoy a festival of trees, breakfast with Santa, craft show and children’s crafts. This year’s festival will be held at the CC RESA Building, located at 1013 S

12/6 - Holiday Open House Join Capital Area Humane Society for their Holiday Open House. You and your family can enjoy photos with Santa, a bake sale, adoption specials, and more. You may even find a new member for your family. Don’t miss the fun from noon to 6 p.m. For more information or to donate an item for the bake sale, email programs@AdoptLansing.org 12/6-12/27 – A Festival of Holidays Join the Lansing City Market as they transform the Market into a Global Holiday celebration. Every Saturday at the Lansing City Market from 10 a.m to 2 p.m., the event includes live music, crafts and foods from around the world.

12/12 - A Holiday Concert Okemos. Join the Mason Orchestral Society as they present A Holiday Concert. This festive concert will be held in the Okemos High School Auditorium beginning at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. For more information, email information@masonorchestras.org or visit masonorchestras.org.

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PHOTOGRAPHing

HUMANS OF EAST LANSING compiled by Austin Goodman Photos provided by interviewees Darren Weiss What’s your definition of “new beginnings”?

I think it’s different for every person. New beginnings aren’t always a bad thing.

Sometimes people need to close their book and start a new one rather than keeping the same book open and starting a new chapter. I think new beginnings is meant to be positive because that individual or group is trying hard to go out of their comfort zone to better themselves.

What was the best gift you’ve ever received?

Best gift I’ve ever received is life and just being surrounded by people who care about me and look out for my best interest as a person and who try to constantly better me.

Codie Feldman What’s your definition of “new beginnings”?

New beginnings for me means being able to wake up every morning with the ability to start fresh, regardless of what happened to you the day before.

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

My New Year’s resolution is to not use the word “like” as much when I’m speaking.

Keely Nowland What is the worst gift you’ve ever received?

My worst gift was when my grandma gave me Hello Kitty underwear, and I opened it in front of my five boy cousins.

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

My new years resolution for 2015 is clean eating and positive thinking.

Jake Levy What’s your definition of “new beginnings”?

Every day is a new day and a new beginning. People get trapped in autopilot and forget to take each day as a chance to work harder, be more involved and step out of your comfort zone. Seize the day.

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

My New Year’s resolution for 2015 is to meditate more. I recently did a little research project on the benefits of mindful meditation for my Communications class. It really opened my eyes to all the benefits available from the practice. As a busy college student, I find it remarkable for helping my concentration, getting my thoughts organized and relaxing my mind. It’s like fully wiping the whiteboard clean before school, friends and other thoughts fill the brain and cloud the mind.

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CALLING ALL PhotoGrAPhers Are you A skilled PhotogrAPher?

WAnt to be Published in A mAgAzine?

ing Magazine is looking for photographers to contribute to the monthly publication.

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If you’re interested, please email Ami at ami@m3group.biz with your experience, along with three samples of your work.

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BACK COVER Federally insured

by NCUA

msufcu

Reason #17

Say “Hello” to specials just for MSU grads Congratulations MSU grads! No matter where life takes you after graduation, be sure to take your MSUFCU account along too.

Save money with auto loan rate discounts just for grads and a low-rate credit-building Visa Credit Card.

Don’t have an MSUFCU account? There’s a lot you’ll need after graduation. High rates and fees aren’t on that list. Now’s the perfect time to join and save.

Not an MSU student or employee? There are many ways you can join. www.msufcu.org • 517-333-2424

Campus Branch Locations MSU Union, 49 Abbot Rd., Rm. #108 523 E. Grand River Ave. 4825 E. Mt. Hope Rd. 3777 West Rd. 26

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