It is exactly 5:42 p.m. on a Wednesday night and I have anxiously been awaiting the next episode of “America’s Next Top Model” (followed by the “PCD Search” and the ever-popular “Real World”). Why? I haven’t the slightest clue, except that for some reason, I have become fixated on reality television.

Recently, I have not welcomed my emotions. I have become silent and turned back into my shy, introverted self. I call it crawling inside of myself to protect the pain I find in my heart. I am the type of person who finds everything beautiful and cannot see the worthlessness in anyone or anything.

Most Salve students can’t wait for the junior year; finally, they’ll be able to live completely on their own. Off campus housing is like the reward after living two years on campus dealing with roommate drama, those meddlesome RA’s, sharing bathrooms and cramped closet-sized rooms.

* Twenty percent off the total price of your purchase when you open a credit card.
* Ten dollars off today’s purchase just for trying on a pair of pants.
* A $25 coupon just to keep you coming back.

It certainly seems as though shopping is better in the winter, judging from some of the special offers from Newport’s retail stores.

Imagine an unknown conglomeration of prescription pills being poured into a bowl, then grabbing a handful and ingesting a random and often dangerous combination of drugs in hopes of getting high.

This is the disturbing new trend that teens are now turning to in lieu of illegal drugs like marijuana.