Life, Love, Stress

 

By: Nakeem Grant 

Have you ever had trouble sleeping because you were angry at something or someone? Do you come home from school or work feeling physically and mentally drained? Well guess what? You’re stressing out. Stress is not something that should be overlooked or pushed to the side. It can cause anxiety, depression, and can lead to anger. Stress is an issue that more or less everyone deals with in some point of their lives, but there are various methods that we can practice in order to reduce and ultimately eliminate stress in our lives. I can relate to stressing out pretty well because I get stressed at least once or twice a week. Sometimes I put myself in a position where I overwhelm myself with tons of schoolwork and little time to get it completed. Another instance of when I stress out would be when I fail to do something correct the first time. It turns out that stress is different for everyone in that we all respond differently to stress. Some people might have strong physical responses to stress while others (like me) may have strong mental responses.

Stress is the body’s reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental, or emotional adjustment. Stress can be hard to define because it affects each of us differently. Stress can cause anxiety, insomnia, frustration, and other mental issues of that sort. However, stress can also cause physical changes such as sweaty hands, dizziness, and grinding your teeth. Although stress doesn’t sound like a positive aspect, there are some effects that can be somewhat helpful and beneficial. Feelings of anxiety could be compared to as having the feeling of butterflies in your stomach. For example, winning a race or kissing a significant other can put your mind and body through stress just as much as losing a race or being rejected. Now that I’ve defined the true meaning of stress, let’s take a look at a break down of different categories and statistics involving stress.

Based on whatcausesstress.org, more than half of working adults and 47% of all Americans say that they are concerned with the stress in their lives. Each person however has different reasons for being stressed out. A scale known as the Holmes-Ray scale is used to measure the level of stressful occurrences. Death of a spouse causes 100% stress in the grieving member. Subsequently, the divorce process is at 73% on the scale. The top five causes of stress in the U.S. are job pressure, money, health, relationships, and poor nutrition. 76% percent of Americans state that money and work are the leading causes of stress in their lives. Also, 77% of Americans state that physical issues they deal with are caused by stress. It’s clear to see that based on these statistics, stress is a prominent issue in each of our lives to some extent. However, there are ways to deal with stress and better your lives in the process.

There are various techniques and methods that people can practice in order to reduce the mental and physical aspects of stress. WebMD.com explains that one of the best techniques of reducing stress is to meditate. Meditating helps to relax your mind and ease those stressful thoughts. It can be any activity that helps to keep your attention in the present moment. Another great technique is picturing yourself relaxed. Picturing yourself relaxed can be great for people that struggle with quieting their mind. The art of visualization (picturing yourself on a quiet beach, a penthouse in New York City, etc.) can help to keep thoughts away from any negative feelings.

In the end, the emotional and physical adjustments that our body and mind goes through are known as stress. In addition, I think it is safe to say that you and I are not alone, knowing that 82% of Americans are also dealing with some form of stress. Lastly, exercising on a daily basis, meditating, etc. are great practices that can help to diminish the stress in our lives. To reiterate what I stated earlier, we all deal with some form of stress. But I can’t stress enough (no pun intended) that if we take the necessary steps towards eradicating stress, it well better and benefit all of our lives.

The Hot Stove: 2012/2013 MLB Offseason Update

By: Nakeem Grant

            As the 2012-2013 MLB offseason is well under way, several big trades and signings have already been made. Players that have been household names for their respective franchises have been on the move including Josh Johnson being traded from Miami to Toronto, B.J. Upton being signed by ATL and Mike Napoli moving to the Boston Red Sox.  Nevertheless, there are several primetime free agents that are still on the market including All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton, former Cy Young pitcher Zack Greinke, and All-Star pitcher Rafael Soriano. The teams in line for a playoff push are trying to stocking up and teams looking to rebuild their rosters are focusing on building their team around newly acquired cornerstone players.

            Some franchises didn’t even titillate with the notion of leaving their players in free agency to see whether or not they were willing to resign. The New York Yankees reassured a portion of their starting rotation, resigning starting pitchers Andy Pettite and Hiroki Kuroda to one-year deals. They also resigned veteran closer Mariano Rivera to a one-year contract. Even so, they are a team that exemplifies the situation that a lot of playoff-calbur teams are dealing with this offseason. Outfielders Nick Swisher and Ichiro Suzuki are still in the free agent market and catcher Russell Martin turned down their two-year offer and opted to sign with the up and coming Pittsburgh Pirates. However, with A-Rod out due to hip surgery, the Yankees have made an effort to fill that void by offering third baseman/utility player Kevin Youklis a one-year, $12 million deal.

            Other franchises looking to change the platform of their team are throwing their stakes out to some of the most popular free agents. Non-playoff teams from last season such as the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Philadelphia Phillies have given their bids to Josh Hamilton and his agent, Mike Moye. The Rangers would like to resign him, but money might bring up issues if they go on to bolster their starting rotation in signing pitcher Zack Greinke.

            Several other notable free agents have yet to make any concrete decisions on what team(s) to pursue. The speedy, base-stealing outfielder Michael Bourn has yet to find a new home after his tenure with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves have already made their move in securing centerfield, signing outfielder B.J. Upton to a five-year deal. It looked as if Bourn was headed back to the team that drafted him in the Phildelphia Phillies, but the Phillies looked in another direction as they traded for another speedy outfielder in Ben Revere.

Another big time free agent who is still on the market is the crafty right hander, Kyle Lohse. Lohse, leading the National League in win percentage for 2012 as well as coming off a career high in multiple pitching categories with St. Louis, has received offers from several teams including the Red Sox, the Angels and the Blue Jays.

As always, in each offseason there are winners and losers for each ballclub, and this year is no different. The New York Mets won in managing to sustain their best all-around player in All-Star third baseman, David Wright. They managed to lock him up for a record-setting contract in Mets history, seven years with over $130 million coming his way. Wright had a stellar 2012 season, making him a big free agent to pursue in the offseason. It seems however that he was committed to staying with the Mets as they were able to hold on to at least one of their star players. With Cy Young knuckle-baller R.A. Dickey still exercising his free agency, it’s safe to say that the Mets are winners for now this offseason.

One of the biggest losers this offseason would have to be the Miami Marlins. With the big splash they made in the 2011/2012 offseason, they were expected to be a force to be reckoned with in the NL East Division. Unfortunately, the entire 2012 season was a bust as they finished last in the division. The team overwent a complete overhaul, trading Hanley Ramirez in midseason and eventually trading away Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonafacio, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, and John Buck to the Toronto Blue Jays. They went from a team that was primed to win to a team that is back to the drawing board, making them one of the biggest losers this offseason.

In the end, with many free agents still out on the market, there are bound to be more blockbuster moves to come as teams look forward to preparing for the 2013 MLB season.

Rawlings Are the Way to Go

 

By: Nakeem Grant

Over 30 kids from Baldwin, NY were included in a survey to see which brand was best suitable for a baseball glove. Kids in the age group of 12-13 took part in this survey and chose from multiple brands to decide on which one they preferred the most. This survey included every fielder’s position for gloves from pitcher, to infielder, outfielder, etc. Therefore, this survey spans over each position, cumulating every aspect of a baseball glove.

Based on the survey’s results, kids prefer Rawlings over any other brand. Other brands that kids mentioned were Mizuno, Wilson, Akademiks, and Nike. Reasons for choosing Rawlings over any other brand varied with each kid. Some kids said it’s the most comfortable, others said that’s what their favorite player wears, and some said that they last very long compared to the other brands. When asked what big leaguers they look up to, they mentioned premier defensive players such as Albert Pujols from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Carlos Gonzalez from the Colorado Rockies, and Robinson Cano from the New York Yankees.

 “Rawlings is actually a sponsor for the Gold Glove Award in Major League Baseball, an award that is given to the best defensive player at each position,” said Russ Johnson, founder of the program. When the kids were asked if they knew about Rawlings being the main sponsor for the Gold Glove Awards, most of them said yes.

This program has been running for almost ten years. Each year, about 20-30 kids come out to better their baseball IQ and skills. This survey began in 2006 to see how well kids know authentic equipment.

Russ Johnson also stated, “Premium performance is essential for athletes and so it is imperative that they have the best gear to use. It’s good to see that these kids are knowledgeable on the best mitt to wear”.

 

            In conclusion, based on the survey it’s clear to see that Rawlings ranks as the top glove to wear for little leaguers.

Fruitful Ways to Treat Asthma

By: Nakeem Grant

 

Asthma for many people in the U.S. can be a troubling thing to cope with. Kids more so can have a tough time growing up with asthma while they try to have a memorable childhood. For them, the asthma pump just isn’t enough for managing asthmatic problems on a daily basis. New studies however in food and health conducted by researchers have revealed that you can treat the symptoms of asthma by indulging in a more fruitful diet.

Health experts suggest that a diet that consists of vegetables, fruits and probiotics can help to alleviate asthma in children and adolescents. A treatment group filled with children from ages 10-12 were put together by researchers at the College of Life Science and a study for over 190 kids was recorded. They each had a well-balanced diet that mainly featured fruits and vegetables. A supplement that combined these foods known as FVFP was given to the kids and it showed many positive results.

Based on the feedback, medication use was heavily reduced and kids saw considerable improvement in pulmonary functions. Other trials proved that foods outside of these food groups may boost the issue that is asthma. Based on the research, it turns out that fast food is the most common food that is correlated with the buildup of asthma.

Under this controlled environment, fruits and vegetables seem to be the way to go in an effort to treat asthma. People that include fruits and veggies such as apples, tomatoes, lettuce, grapes, carrots, oranges and bananas in their daily diet from an early age can protect themselves from developing any form of asthma. It just goes to show that an apple a day can keep asthma away.

A Season to Remember 

By: Nakeem Grant

The Molloy Lions have had quite a remarkable regular season for the 2012-2013 campaign. They find themselves in great shape in the East Coast Conference holding down second place. Had it not been for Bridgeport (the team of ahead of Molloy) and their season-high 12-game winning streak, the Lions would probably be the number one team record-wise in the conference. This doesn’t undermine their spectacular year however as they shattered their school’s all-time single season wins record with 17 wins. The Lions will definitely look to be roaring in the playoffs this year.

From game-winning shots to career-highs and milestone moments, this will be a season that Molloy College will never forget. Led by their top three scorers, junior forward John Petruceli, senior guard Jimmy Nolan and sophomore guard Matt McLeod, they have proved to be a potent trio against their opponents.

Nolan joined exclusive company in men’s college basketball when he reached the 1000-point milestone. McLeod has been one of their fire starters offensively, especially during the team’s win against Mercy College when he scored a career-high 24 points. Lastly, Petruceli filled the stat sheet this season for Molloy, leading the team in major categories such as scoring, rebounds and assists.

The backbone of this team has been their stifling defense. They held opponents to a conference best 62.8 points per game. They forced bad shots and poor possessions for their opposition all season long as they finished at the top of the conference in opponent’s field goal percentage at 39%. You can credit guys like Tyler Hammett and Miles Prendergast for shutting down the paint area, grabbing rebounds and forcing teams to take tough, contested outside shots throughout the season.

When you put it all together, it’s no fluke that Molloy has had arguably one of the best seasons in their school’s history. Through grit, hard work and dedication, they played like a true team under their head coach, Charles Marquardt.

National Grilled Cheese Month

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By: Nakeem Grant

There’s nothing like melted cheese smacked between toasted bread. If you’re a fan of grilled cheese, then this month will be one your favorites. April marks the start of National Grilled Cheese Month. 

For many years, grilled cheese has been as one of America’s favorite dishes. Whether it’s summer, winter, spring or fall kids and adults alike indulge in this cheesy sandwich. Nothing truly compares to it, and so chefs across the U.S. today are making this meal into a popular mainstream dish.

Several new styles have been integrated into the making of grilled cheese. Sandwiches can be made with whole wheat bread, honey wheat, bagel bread and even homemade waffles! Chefs throughout the country even utilize different cheeses such as the traditional American cheese, Swiss cheese, blue cheese and so forth. With so many styles to choose from, it’s hard not to become a fan of grilled cheese. 

Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, CA, N.Y.C. and Chicago, IL are a few of the main sites where you can find some of the most remarkable grilled cheese sandwiches as it is highly praised in those cities. However, wherever you live, make sure to take part in the festivities of this month by enjoying a hot, steamy and cheesy grilled cheese sandwich.

Are They Still Sublime?

 

By: Nakeem Grant

 

1996 was the last year that Sublime released an album. Following the sudden death of their lead vocalist, Bradley Nowell, the band collectively decided to go on hiatus. 15 years later, it came to an end in 2011 as they returned with a new sound, a new lead vocalist and a new band name due to the fact that Nowell owned the legal rights to their original name.

Yours Truly is the latest album to be released by the newly named group, Sublime With Rome. For people that have never listened to neither the old or new Sublime, this is an album that they would enjoy. For fans of the original group, this new sound could take some time to get used to. Overall, ska/reggae rhythms are still the basis of their sound. However, it definitely has a more ‘21^st century’ vibe to it compared to the more classic sound of their last album self-titled, Sublime.

Rome Ramirez, the new lead vocalist is the main difference between the way this album sounds compared to Sublime’s older work. Sublime won their fans over with an untraditional style and blend of music which stemmed from the creativity of Nowell. His concept circled around doing what he loves whenever, wherever with no repercussions as the band would play rock chords mixed with ska music. Nowell even sampled older hip-hop and reggae songs and integrated it into the bands music to give it a unique edge. Songs such as “Let’s Go Get Stoned”, “Smoke Two Joints” and “Get Ready” embody this idea. Every now and then, he would sing songs that were a little more family friendly such as “Rivers of Babylon” and “Badfish”.

Unlike Nowell, Ramirez features music that is more love and relationship-oriented and he does not come off as an explicit artist. Similar to what Taylor Swift has done with country music, Sublime with Rome (along with the Yours Truly album) comes off as a group that is more pop-driven. “Spun” and “You Better Listen” are a few songs on this album that embrace the genre of pop-reggae. Tracks like “Lovers Rock” and “Take It or Leave It” covers both the ups and downs of love, but it isn’t raunchy like the original group. “Dynamite”, a bonus track on the album is the closest that older Sublime fans will get when it comes to that old-school ska/reggae sound.

Ramirez also sings about the recreational usage of marijuana similar to Nowell. But even that sounds like he’s just trying to have a good time while Nowell knew he was going to have a great time. Some of their qualities are similar but in terms of artistry, Nowell was clearly more of a fighter while Ramirez is a lover.

Yours Truly is simply a spin-off album that is viewed as the Sublime with Rome era rather than the next chapter to this reggae-rock group, Sublime. When it’s all said and done, older fans should understand that Bradley Nowell will never truly be replaced. Ramirez is a young, upbeat singer that is paving his own path in this reconstructed band. On this album, he brings a vibe that promotes fun, love and happiness but if there is anything to truly compare him to Nowell, it’s that he sings his music with pride and passion from his heart and soul. So in essence, the group is still sublime.

Back on Track

By: Nakeem Grant

 

 

            20-year old Joe Tarantino is focused as ever in being successful after his rocky start in college academics. After being kicked out of Adelphi University for poor grades and then transferring from Nassau Community College to Molloy in the fall of 2012, he is finally on track towards fulfilling his dreams and aspirations.

            Tarantino, a native of Bellmore, Long Island did not enjoy school very much, particularly when he arrived to Adelphi in the fall of 2010. He actually stated that he never really cared for going to class and admitted that he dillydallied through his entire freshman year. As a history major, he struggled to do all of his schoolwork and ended up getting kicked out of Adelphi, losing his scholarships in the process.

            It was not until he attended Nassau Community College where he took Liberal Arts that he came to a realization that what he was doing was not the right way to go about being a college student. In an interview, Tarantino mentions the poor structure of the gym facility and how the school looked overall compared to Adelphi as being an ‘eye opener’. It was at that moment where he truly realized that he had thrown away a great opportunity to get a solid education at a top-notch learning environment like Adelphi.

            By the end of his sophomore year at Nassau, he straightened out himself and took the necessary steps towards succeeding in college.

Tarantino stated, “I needed to turn my life around and get back to where I once was. So I got good grades at Nassau, I didn’t go out much. I studied very hard to make sure I did well and I got accepted here at Molloy.”

He switched his major to Media Communications after transferring to Molloy. It turns out that sports broadcasting is his true passion, naming sportscasters he watches and looks up to such as Scott Van Pelt and Stuart Scott.

In reference to the sportscasters on ESPN, Tarantino stated, “I’ve been watching SportsCenter since I was in the third grade. They make it enjoyable to watch. It’s not like your average news cast.”

With that said, it is clear to see that Tarantino knows what he wants to do with his life and is completely focused towards continuing to strive for success. His newfound work ethic and motivation has led to a new chapter in his life, one that I am sure he is proud of.

NBA Playoffs Preview

 

By: Nakeem Grant

 

 

On 94 feet of hardwood in front of thousands of fans, the spotlight shines brighter than ever. After 82 games, the stage is set for the stars to become legends. Pride and passion takes over logic and meaning. The impossible becomes possible. As much as people analyze and follow the game, no one can truly write this script. It all comes down to who wants it more? It’s survival of the fittest. All bets are off in a battle to see which team is the best. It’s the NBA Playoffs.

With the buzz of the NCAA’s March Madness over, all basketball attention has shifted back to the NBA. 16 teams, eight from both the Eastern and Western Conference will slug it out for a chance to reach the NBA Finals and play for a championship. Some of the notable teams that are favorites to win the title or at least reach the Finals are the Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The defending champs, the Heat, have played outstanding basketball this year as they have the best record in the NBA. All of their key players including their LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are healthy and many believe that they will come out on top for a second straight season in the Eastern Conference.

“Knicks are gonna make it far in the playoffs but the Heat are gonna take the East. I see the Heat winning it all,” said Tyreek Burwell.

The resurged New York Knicks have gained prominence in the NBA once again, winning more than 50 games for the first time in over a decade. They locked up the 2^nd best record in the Eastern Conference with the league’s top scorer, Carmelo Anthony. Injuries to players like Kenyon Martin, Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemire might affect them in the playoffs, but Knicks fans are hopeful that they will return and help the team win.

Knicks fan Jonathan Carter stated, “Only threat to the Knicks are the Heat & Celtics. Knicks only problem is our point guards are too slow to guard other guards. If we get our bigs [Power forwards/Centers] healthy I’m feeling finals.”

Another fan I ran into seemed to be quite optimistic about the Knicks’ chances this year. “Knicks vs. Clippers for the NBA Finals! I think these two teams will go because of their bench depth & emphasis on defense,” said Nadiym Evans.

Demetrius Randle, a passionate Heat fan had this to say, “Man all those other guys you talked to are Knicks fans. Brooklyn is going to the 2^nd round & Miami is in the Finals!”

After winning the Western Conference in the playoffs, the Thunder have put together another solid season with two of the league’s top players, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. This young, exciting team has electrified the league and will surely have great success in the postseason. Several basketball fans believe that the Heat & the Knicks are going to square off in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In reference to the Western Conference teams, Burwell stated, “I think the West is between the Thunder and the Spurs. Spurs have a good chance but it could go either way.”

Other teams that look to make some noise this postseason are the Brooklyn Nets, the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets. These three teams in particular have seen changes in their player personnel over the last year and to this point, it has paid off. After leaving the Atlanta Hawks, Joe Johnson for the Nets has won several games this season with his clutch performances late in games. James Harden emerged as a superstar in the NBA for the Rockets after he decided not to re-sign with the Thunder. Following the trade from the Sixers, Andre Igouldala has been a solid all-around contributor for the Nuggets.

When asked about the Western Conference, Randle stated, “I can see the Nuggets going somewhere. Every night someone else can step up. But it’s all about the L.A. Clippers & Memphis Grizzles match up.”

When it comes down to it, every prediction will be put to rest on April 20^th as the NBA Playoffs begins. Who will steal the show? Who will rule the storylines? Who will rise to the occasion?

Can I Have a Large?

You go to the movies and order candy, nachos, popcorn and of course a soda. Now you know the small is miniature sized and the medium is alright but the LARGE is only ten cents more so why not? You don't really stop to think about how much sugar your consuming or what that could do to your health. I mean its just a treat right? Well Mayor Bloomberg doesn't think so. As a matter of fact Mayor Bloomberg wants to ban the sell of over-sized sugary drinks.
The problem with this is that many people feel as though Mayor Bloomberg is taking away their rights. He is basically telling people that they cannot drink whatever size sugary drink that they would like. On the other hand he is trying to enforce the teachings of a better lifestyle for all Americans but is this really is job? People want to be able to go wherever they want and be able to drink and eat whatever they want. Is Bloomberg overstepping his place.
Another thought is that what else is he going to do next? People are beginning to call him "The Nanny" because he is acting as though all Americans are children. He is "enforcing" us to learn about our health, when nobody really wants his opinion. What other ridiculous request is he going to ask for in order to keep us in check?
Obesity is in fact a nationwide problem but does he really think by banning large sugary drinks that obesity will be cured forever?