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The Truth about Truffles 
 
Truffles
By Michan Myer
English Major
 
Thinking About New Year's Resolutions?  Me too.
 
I find profound enjoyment in a chocolate truffle-the way it melts, slowly at first and then into a sweet river of rich chocolate when its center is finally reached.  It is truly delicious.  Lindt makes the best, the milk chocolate come in festive red bags with Christmasy-looking decorations and a rather high-brow closure on the top-I feel like I'm getting something special, a gift even, when I grab them from the grocery shelf.  The second tastes just as good as the first, though, and the 15th-nearly the bottom of the bag-tastes just as rich and sweet and lovely; then the bag is gone.  I'll have shared one or two with my husband, who also deeply appreciates them, and maybe a very-well behaved little one will get a taste of the best of the best chocolate that enters our home; the rest I eat-one at a time, slowly, appreciatively-I eat them until they are gone.  What a delicious experience, in the thick of it, to taste those rich and beautifully shaped truffles; until the bag is empty, and festive red foil sheaths are scrunched guiltily along the table-top and I realize that I've eaten every last one, I am wrapped in the blissful moment of pure pleasure. 
 
I never knew that pleasure when I was a young, but never quite small, child.  I remember vividly the taste of Estes sugar-free peanut butter cups and Velmints-the market's answer to sweet-craving diabetic elderly folks; they were terrible, but I ate them anyway-desiring the aspartame equivalents with the same exuberance as a normal child begging for a lollipop or a twix bar in the grocery check-out line.  My mom went out of her way to make me feel normal, though-employing her at-home ice-cream maker to create honey-sweetened confections, and seeking out anything kid-friendly with a label that declared "sugar free" or "naturally sweetened".  As hard as she tried, it wasn't difficult to discern by the time kindergarten arrived that I was different.
 
As if it wasn't enough that I missed weeks of school at a time for hospital stays, and my classroom birthday treat was sugar-free red jello with limp dream-whip topping rather than a girlie-looking pink frosted cupcake like the other girls-I was huge.  Though I don't recall exactly, I'm certain that I tipped the scales at nearly a hundred pounds in kindergarten; combine that with intelligence and a bossy nature, and the outcome is a lonely, awkward child who-when asked to play "house" with the other kids-was the dog.  I learned very quickly that when the farmer was in the dell-I was the cheese that stood alone. 
 
I was so used to being the lonely, fat kid that by the time I was in the second grade I knew that if I wanted to be noticed, I needed to be extraordinary in other areas than appearance; I made it a point to shine socially with gregariousness and serving others, to shine intelligently by studying hard and out-performing other kids, and to shine emotionally by never showing how hurt I was at the unkind words and disgusted stares.  Being fat essentially caused my personality to develop in a certain manner rather than just making the dietary and exercise decisions needed to change my situation.  Instead of changing my appearance to become acceptable, I changed everything else about me to make my appearance acceptable, and my love affair with food continued.
 
School lunches were never quite enough food.  In 1991-during fifth grade-I learned to bake, and after school never tasted so good.  Peanut butter cookie dough made only a few rogue cookies after taste-testing, and brownie batter never became brownies; all those forbidden sweets from early childhood-that would make me terribly ill and hospital-bound until that point-became my best, secret friends.  Before Mom and Dad got home from work, I was indulging decadently and then quietly cleaning up the messes-hiding my vices to avoid health lectures and disapproval.  Along the way, I made a few human friends that shared my secret friendship as well, and we would bake together on the weekends-presenting our parents with (what they didn't know were) well-practiced, delectable recipes.
 
Being fat underscored everything I ever did:  My grades were better so I could prove I was just as good as everyone else; I fell in love often and deeply-and blamed all unrequited love on my size; I dreamed of what life would be if I were thin and pretty like other girls.  Why did I choose to let my appearance inform the rest of my being instead of vise versa?  Were all those sweet moments of tasty treats and sorrows drowned in root beer and chocolate syrup worth the loneliness and heartbreaks?

It occurs to me that my lover is my enemy and my enemy my heart's delight.  Like Paul's struggle with his flesh in Romans 7:15, where he wrote, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do" (NIV), I struggle with my desire for my dear food-friend and my desire to just once be like everyone else. I glory in the normality of my life-my husband, my children, and dear, close friends-but I don't put down the truffles.  Being fat has become such a part of me that I don't know what to do without it.  Perhaps that is why I still reach for the sweet bites of velvety chocolate that I so love.
Writer's Block
 Writer's Block
 
Ashley Andrews
Journalism Major
 
There it is, a blank page. One solitary space you are expected to fill with words, hundreds upon hundreds of words. And what happens? Writer's block.
 
As a want-to-be-journalist, writing is something I have to get used to. There is no maneuvering past that. But, the one thing I cannot get used to is writer's block; and from what I hear, this is a symptom of writing that never completely goes away.
 
Now, admittedly, I am somewhat of a procrastinating perfectionist; and as such, my writing can come easily one day and hard the next. Now, obviously, as a procrastinator, I usually put off any essay or article till the day of or the night before thinking that no paper can ever be too difficult for me. Also, as a perfectionist, I always set out to achieve some sort brilliance, believing that if I think hard and long enough, I will eventually stumble upon some hidden wisdom. But that does not always happen; in fact, that rarely happens. So, what's the solution for those of us struggling with writer's block?
  1. Writing, as you may have heard from your professors, does not stop after the first draft. Writing is a process, a long process that takes brainstorming, editing, and researching.
  2. When you "get stuck," take a break; do not just sit aimlessly in front of the computer. Or, try writing something else. Write about a topic that you are passionate about.
  3. As you write your first draft, just put down whatever thought comes into your head. Do not mull over every word while you are writing; leave the editing for later.
  4. Plan your paper ahead of time. Do not start the paper without knowing what you want to say, or how you want to say it.
So, for those of you like me, stop over-thinking and just write.
 
Mantex. "Overcoming Writer's Block - guidance notes." (2007). Accessed on December 14, 2008, from http://www.mantex.co.uk/samples/writers_block.htm.
 
 
Beyond Composition
 
Mark Gatlin
Assistant Professor, English
School of Undergraduate Studies
 
 
Do you have stories within you for which you just can't seem to find a means of written expression?
 
Do bits of verse occur and reoccur to you in a maddening cycle of unfulfilled invention? 
 
Have you written and, having expressed yourself, become mired in indecision regarding where to take your work from there? 
 
I'm delighted to share with you our Creative Writing program designed to expose you to writing forms and to courses of study helpful to answering the previous questions and many others.  The Creative Writing cognate at Regent supplements our major in English but classes are also available to students in an elective capacity.  The cognate consists of Engl 240, Introduction to Creative Writing, Engl 320, Poetry, Engl 321, The Short Story, and culminates with Engl 410, Seminar in Creative Writing.  Each course provides students diverse opportunity to read authors renowned for their contributions to genre and theme as well as from cutting edge work.  These readings serve to "feed" writing as students experiment with form, style, and theme from a unique Christian perspective.  So, no matter your background or field of study, we'd love for you to join in our exciting Creative Writing courses.  Come with an established love of creative expression or a blossoming curiosity but join us indeed.  I hope you will contact me at 352-4464 or [email protected] with any questions you may have.
 
Professor Mark Gatlin comes to Regent from Old Dominion University where he studied non-fiction, fiction, dramatic writing, and poetry before taking his MFA in 2005.  He is the author of a published play, Dambala, and Escape Velocity, a travel memoir.
The Big Read Kickoff: The Death of Ivan Ilyich
 
Ivan IlyichBook Discussion - The Death of Ivan Ilyich
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Time: 12:00-1:30 pm
Location:  Regent University Library, Second Floor Balcony

 
The Regent University Library Book Club will discuss The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Regent University faculty, staff, students and guests are welcome to attend. RSVP with Harold Henkel ([email protected]) by January 12.
 
War, Love, Repentance: A Festival of Russian Cinema
Friday, January 16, 2009
Time:  7:00 pm
Location:  Regent University Library Auditorium

Regent film faculty Prof. Andrew Quicke and Dr. Dennis Bounds will host a festival of Russian cinema on three Friday evenings. 
 
The premier film of the series will be Prisoner of the Mountains (1996) - Sergei Bodrov's adaptation of Tolstoy's short story A Prisoner of the Caucasus.   This event is free and open to the public.
 
War, Love, Repentance: A Festival of Russian Cinema
Friday, January 23, 2009
Time:  7:00 pm
Location:  Regent University Library Auditorium

The second film of the series is Anna Karenina (1967) - Alexander Zarkhi's classic film of Tolstoy's masterpiece. This event is free and open to the public.
 
Faculty Lunch Symposium: Ivan Ilyich's Problems
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Time: 12:00 pm
Location: Regent University Library Atrium

A panel of Regent University faculty will discuss The Death of Ivan Ilyich from the perspective of their disciplines: Dr. Susannah Clements, Department of English; Dr. Rosemarie Hughes, School of Psychology and Counseling; Dr. Michael Palmer, School of Divinity; Prof. David Wagner, School of Law. Also joining the panel will be Fr. James Pavlow, pastor of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Virginia Beach. Lunch will be served. The event is free and open to the public. R.S.V.P. Ellen Cox ([email protected]) or 352-4170 by January 20.
 
War, Love, Repentance: A Festival of Russian Cinema
Friday, January 30, 2009
Time:  7:00 pm
Location:  Regent University Library Auditorium
 
The final film of the series is Ostrov (2006) - Pavel Lungin's powerful film of guilt, repentance, and holiness set in a Russian monastery in the far north. This event is free and open to the public.
 
A Taste of Russia
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Time: 11:00 am-8:00 pm
Location:  Regent Ordinary
 
Chef Dan Murphy will present a traditional Russian meal at the Regent Ordinary from 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM. The event is open to the public.
 
Give War and Peace a Chance:  How Tolstoy Can Change Your Life
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Time:  6:00 pm
Location:  Robertson Hall, Moot Courtroom
 
Dr. Andrew Kaufman, scholar, author, actor, lecturer at the University of Virginia, and Russian literature expert for Oprah's Book Club will discuss how Tolstoy's works confront the essential questions of life: What does it mean to lead a good life? What is necessary for true happiness? Is suffering beneficial? How does one truly live by the teachings in the Gospels? Dr. Kaufman (aka Professor Andy) will explain how Tolstoy's books can inspire, challenge and change you and why the works of a 19th century Russian aristocrat are the best self-help books on the market. A reception, including the announcement of the video and essay contest winners, will follow in the Robertson Hall Lobby.
 
Click here for more information.
The Big Read - Essay Contest and Video Contest
 
Ivan IlyichEssay Contest

As part of our Big Read celebration of Tolstoy and The Death of Ivan Ilyich, the Regent University Library is sponsoring an essay contest based on the prompt:
Several times over the course of the novella, we find statements very much like this one: "So that on the whole Ivan Ilyich's life proceeded as he felt it should-pleasantly and properly." One's first, instinctive reaction to such comments might be, "Well, what's wrong with that?" What, according to Tolstoy, is wrong with that?
 
The following rules will pertain to the competition:
  • Essays must be no longer than 500 words.
  • Essays must be written in MS Word and emailed to [email protected] by midnight January 31.

Essays will be judged by the following criteria:

  • Adherence to the topic
  • Creativity
  • Quality of writing

Prizes for each category (18 and under; 19 and over): First- $150; Second- $50; Third- $25

Click here for more information. 


The Big Read - Video Contest
 
Act out your favorite scene from The Death of Ivan Ilyich!
Three minute digital videos are being accepted as part of the Big Read celebration hosted by Regent University Library. Pick a scene from the novella and act it out by yourself or with friends; animate it, claymate it-you name it!

All submissions must be posted on YouTube.com and the link sent to [email protected] by midnight January 31, 2009. There will be two levels of competition: 18 and under; 19 and over.
 
The following criteria will be used for judging:
  • Adherence to the text
  • Creativity
  • Production/sound quality
The winning videos will be played on February 10, 2009 at Regent University. Dr. Andrew Kaufman will present the awards to the winners of both levels. Links to winning videos will be placed on the Regent Big Read Website. 
 
Prizes for each category (18 and under; 19 and over): First- $150; Second- $50; Third- $25
 
Click here for more information.
Quick Links
In This Issue
The Truth about Truffles
Writer's Block
Beyond Comparison
The BIG READ
Essay and Video Contest
Upcoming Events
Who's Who?
Alpha Phi Omega
Study Tip
Refworks & Zotero
Get Connected... Pronto!
Information Security
God-focused Career Development
Fellowship in Faith
Comments
Upcoming Events
 
 January
 
12 - Christian Thinking Roundtable: Leadership Examined, 12-1:00pm.
 
13 - Speed Reading, 12-1:00pm, RH 114.
 
15 - Speed Reading, 5-6:00pm, RH 114.
 
17 - Cooking with Bob, 9:30-12:30pm, The Ordinary.
 
22 - My Personality, My Career, 12-1:00pm, FVR.
 
23 - Career Quest: Clarifying Career Values and Interests, 12-1:00pm, FVR.
 
26 - Professional Etiquette, 12-1:00pm, FVR.
 
27 - Resumes, 12-1:00pm, FVR.
 
28 - Town Hall Meeting, 4:30pm, LIB Aud.
 
29 - Ice Cream Social, 8 pm, Ordinary.
 
*Sign up for all workshops here.
Who's Who?
 
Congratulations to Regent's nominess for the Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities!
 
 
Ann Abel, Kimberly Adams, Ashli Allen, Wesley Atwood, Larry Bateman, Ariella Beard, Shannon Beattie, Tammy Bollman, Jammie Brown, Jessica Burns, Anna Campbell, Karina Carlson, Helen Caruth, Sandra Cline, Mindy Cook, Kenna Cribb, Keri DeGrazia, James Dick, Denise Fines, Teresa Goudy, Peggy Haddad, Rebekah Hall, James Hathaway, Brian Hunsaker, Lisa Kiraly, James Kuhn, Paul Messa, Cally Peterson, Kathy Purvis, Karyn Raney, Yvonne Salazar, Regina Shaw, Deborah Simpson-Packett, Matthew Stuebe, Melissa Tedeschi, Steven Thomas, Chrsta Tickle, Chrstopher Van Dyke, and Rebecca Young.
 
For more information on Who's Who Among Students click here!
 
Alpha Phi Omega

Alpha Phi OmegaAlpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity is looking for men and women to establish a new chapter here at Regent University!

If you have the heart for service, desire to strengthen your leadership, and make new friends, then this organization is for you - no matter what your major is, you are welcome in Alpha Phi Omega.

Information sessions will be held on January 6 at 1pm and 6pm and again on January 12 at 1pm and 6pm on the 3rd floor of CRB in 300W.

For additional information, please contact Jamie Stewart at x4881 or [email protected] or visit www.apo.org Hope to see you there!!
 

Study Tip: Fresh Beginnings
Organized 
Start your semester by organizing and planning your homework early. Steady your pace. Begin and end each day with scripture and watch yourself excel!
Refworks & Zotero 
 
Learn how to use RefWorks or Zotero to track and format your sources in APA, MLA, or Turabian! Register here.
 
Who:  Open to Regent students, faculty and staff
When:  Nov. 6 from 7-8 pm
Where:   Library 218
Get Connected... Pronto
 
Pronto IconEver wish you could just shoot a quick message to one of your classmates, or have an instant conversation without the parameters of a class discussion board post? Well, you can!
 
Pronto is Regent's instant messaging service (e.g., AIM, Yahoo!) that automatically connects you to your classmates. Download Pronto through Blackboard and start communicating - pronto!
Information Security
 

Password security


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(click image or here for video)
 
1. Never give out your password
2. Refer to tip number 1
3. Choose complex passwords
4. Change your password regularly 
God-focused Career Development 
 
Sillouette pondering with sunsetThe Center for Student Development has launched a brand new career development web site for you. This is your link to fantastic resources, preparation tools, assessments, and coaching. How do you plan for your career while following God's leading? How do you determine in which career you can work to glorify God? Click here to begin (or continue) the journey.
Fellowship in Faith Online Community
 
Fellowship in FaithOver the last year, numerous undergraduate students have indicated that they want a way to connect to other undergrads at Regent. No matter where you take classes, you can now fellowship with others anytime online.
 
Fellowship in Faith is a safe place to share prayer requests or praise reports, and of course, prayer for your peers. You can chat in the general community or join the discussion in the men only or women only groups. Share your favorite God Tube/You Tube videos, song lyrics or links, or testimony, not only in your own words but even in your own voice.
 
Fellowship in Faith also has links to devotionals, a daily word, and other resources. You can also link to the weekly chapel, which is streamed for online viewers (Wednesdays at 12 noon).
 
Chances are you are already able to access the community in Blackboard! Check out this page for thorough instructions on how to start enjoying the fellowship you want within the context of your faith 24/7.
 
Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? 
 
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Please let us know how we are doing. Our staff
endeavors to bring an you up-to-date, relevant, and interesting newsletter.
 
Email [email protected] with "Newsletter" in the subject line.