Winter 2013
The Truth Behind
New Year’s Resolutions Butterflies in Action By Hara Wang Guest Writer
In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated the Atlantic coastline, and has since killed 131 people in eight states, stripped 8,100,000 homes out of power, and washed 25,000,000,000 dollars down the drain. Affecting 24 out of the 50 U.S. states, Sandy is also the second costliest hurricane in U.S. history and the deadliest to hit U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005. The more fortunate of us around the nation sprang into action. Blessed by electric power yet heartbroken by the news footage of the superstorm aftermath, our sorors Jessica Peñaranda and Ivettelis Perez of the New York metropolitan region knew that they should lend their hands to the more helpless. As a social services professional, Jessica knew that the people in Sandy-stricken regions were not only in dire need of physical supplies, but also desperate for emotional support. She signed up for Occupy Sandy’s social media-based on-the-ground relief alerts, and mobilized the Xi Alpha chapter through connecting the sisters with neighboring communities in need of relief assistance. Images courtesy of Google Images.
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Image courtesy of Google Images.
Hurricane Sandy Relief:
By Ellen Goodacre Contributing Writer Each year, approximately 45 percent of Americans make at least one New Year’s resolution, according to a study conducted at the University of Sacramento in 2011. But only eight percent of participants in the study reported achieving their resolutions. Despite these unappealing success rates, many people continue to make New Year’s resolutions. “I tend to cringe when I hear the words, “New Year’s resolutions,” mostly because they often have to do with weight,” Beatriz Craven, doctoral psychology intern for Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Houston, said. “If this is the case for you, make sure your goals are not about others perceptions of you, but rather about your own health and well-being. Take some time to reflect on what you would like to work
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