Zoe Covey
Chief Copy Editor
Palate Cleanser Editor
Dear McWoo,
I honestly didn’t expect to still be on campus at this point, so I packed really light. I don’t have many decorations in my room, and it’s starting to feel like a bit of a bummer. How can I make my dorm less boring?
– Blank Space
Dear Blank Space,
College is, for most people, their first time living away from home. It can be hard to know what is actually your style! It’s also difficult to decorate a temporary living space, and of course college students usually don’t have the money to spend on nice decorations. Even the most creative people have trouble knowing what should go on their walls. It’s pretty overwhelming to be the sole creative director of a temporarily occupied space. It may seem easier to leave it empty, as you have, but that can quickly become uninteresting. With so many classes happening in remote or hybrid formats this semester, it can be a real boost for your mental health to keep your space clean and interesting. Since there are so many styles to choose from, I would go on pinterest or another social network based around images and “like” everything that appeals to you, even if it doesn’t seem like it goes with the rest. Look to your friends for inspiration; it’s always cool to see what they’ve deemed important enough to put in their rooms. If you’ve exhausted these, you could also browse sites like etsy and redbubble, just to see what other people are interested in. Some people prefer store-bought posters and knick-knacks, while others collect nice notes from people they know, or door decks from previous semesters. Use the printing money that is no longer being used thanks to virtual formats and make a collage, or print some important quotes in a nice font. Making a space comfortable and personal is not easy, but this year especially, it’s an act of kindness for yourself.
Hang a portrait of me, maybe?
McWoo
Dear McWoo,
How can I get a flu vaccine?
-Heard About Immunity
Dear Heard Immunity,
The Longbrake Student Wellness Center is offering flu shot clinics two days a week, every week of October. You can sign up for a time through a Microsoft Bookings Link (see below), and you must sign up seven days in advance of the appointment. Times that will be available for signup after the publication of this issue of The Voice are Monday, Oct. 19 from 1:00 to 4:00, Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 2:00 to 5:00, Monday, Oct. 26 from 1:00 to 4:00, Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 2:00 to 5:00 and Monday, November 2 from 1:00 to 4:00. You can call the Wellness Center at 330-263-2319 with any questions, and the link to sign up can be found on the Health and Wellness Services page of the College website, as well as here: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/FluShotClinic1@live.wooster.edu/bookings/
Good luck!
McWoo
Dear McWoo,
My mom recently visited campus (safely, of course) and delivered some delicious fall goodies—squash, sweet potatoes, grapes and, my absolute favorite, corn muffins. I ate one immediately and then put them on top of the microwave for easy access. My roommate returned not too long after, and was also captivated by the cornucopia that was now our kitchen. He said he also loves corn muffins (who doesn’t?) and asked if he could have one. “Sure!” I offered. Flash forward to a few days later, I catch my stomach growling a little before dinner so I go to the kitchen to grab a muffin. To my horror, I notice eight out of the 12 were gone! I asked my other roommate if he ate any and he said he hadn’t. Wanting to save the remaining four, I cached them in my room for safekeeping. A little while later, the guilty, muffin-stealing roommate commented that he “knew the corn muffins would be the first to go.” After explaining that they were not gone but rather that he ate too many so I had to hide them, he claimed that he thought he only ate four (which is still a lot for not asking, right?). I’m no Malcolm Gladwell, but that sounds like some revisionist history to me. I don’t want him to eat the rest of my food, but how do I confront someone who can’t even keep track of how much he eats?
With gratitude,
Muffin-less
Dear Muffin-less,
Unfortunately, too many of us know this story well. No matter how many times you write your name on a tupperware container, someone will always ignore it. Have you tried glitter-glue? Or maybe a food-safe wax seal, complete with a personal royal insignia (my motto is “Commodum copia iter?” which my classics majors and google translate users will know roughly translates to “C-store run?”). All jokes aside, inconvenient as it might be, you may want to keep especially delicious snacks in your room from now on. Sharing is a joy that is best experienced on purpose.
Does your mom have any interest in sharing her recipes in Palate Cleanser?
Good luck!
McWoo
