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visit our New stoRe!
385 fiRSt stReet iN Lake Oswego (suite 121)
503.635.1063 meRiNgueBoutiQue.com
IT'S COMING i
February 14thl
Condoms are the only method
of contraception that also help
* reduce the risk of STIs.
Condoms along with other
contraception services are free
through FPER Contact the
Health Center at 346-2770 to
see if you qualify.
Condoms are 98% effective in
preventing pregnancy when
used correctly.
Condom valentines are available
at the Health Education office for
your lovin' day.
VALENTINE’S DAY BRIEF
Bite-size Valentine’s Day
factoids
• Valentine's Day is the second
largest card-sending holiday of the
year. An estimated 2.6 billion
cards are sent for Christmas, with
1 billion on Valentine's Day.
• Valentine's Day is celebrated in
Canada, Mexico, the United
Kingdom, France and Australia.
• Cupid is the son of Venus, the
Roman goddess of love.
• The oldest known valentine in
existence was a poem written by
Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his
wife while he war imprisoned in
the Tower of London! ? /
SOURCES: The Greeting Card Association,
http://www. histofydiannel.com
—Jennifer Sudick
COUPLES
continued from page 2B
Melton said the feelings she has
about homosexual representation
change. She added that the type of
representation that homosexuals do
get is often a person acting heterosex
ual with a homosexual orientation.
"I think, 'which is worse, bad rep
resentation or no representation at
all?'" Melton said. "Sometimes 1
think no representation at all be
"Not every relationship is
perfect — it is work, but a
work of love. I'm more
than willing to work with
him on that level."
Susan Harrison
NSU codirector
cause inaccurate representation cre
ates stereotypes that are forever
binding."
Melton said society discriminates
based on how one "wears" his or her
gender, not their sexual orientation.
But society is perhaps leaving out
more than just same-sex relation
ships from its national holiday of
love. This is where Susan Harrison,
co-director of the Nontraditional
Student Union, fits in.
Harrison, 44, is currently dating a
man who is 16 years her junior. They
two met four years ago and have
stayed in a strong relationship.
"We are a nontraditional couple
in age and gender roles because
we've swapped them," Harrison
said, adding that while she works for
most of the year, her partner cooks
and washes dishes at home.
Harrison and her partner had a
bumpy start because both of their
families could not swallow the idea
of such a big age difference. Harri
son said counseling through the
University Center for Family Thera
py taught her and her partner a lot
about what a "functional relation
ship" is.
"(Functionality) means to show
them their value to you, and to let
them know their sense of worth,"
Flarrison said in reference to her
partner. She said she was in an abu
sive relationship before she met her
current partner.
"Not every relationship is perfect
— it is work, but a work of love," she
said. "I'm more than willing to work
with him on that level."
For this Valentine's Day, Harrison
plans to pass out valentines with her
7-year-old daughter Caitlin, fol
lowed by a dinner and spa retreat
with her partner.
Athanasios Fkiaras is a freelance
reporter for the Emerald.
GIFTS
continued from page 2B
room. When put into a bowl or
funky top hat, they make great one
of-a-kind decor.
Feather boas and huge feathers,
also available at West Moon, can be
a fun way to tickle that special some
one's fancy.
The Gimp, a small soft toy made
from vinyl that comes in two choic
es, is a less-serious Valentine's Day
gift. The yellow one laughs, giggles
and chuckles when squeezed, and
the black one spouts up to three
different sexual obscenities when
pressed.
Try http://www.snapfish.com to
make personalized mouse pads,
coasters, playing cards and photo
books. Ipads at
http://www.ipads.com offers note
books, note cards, stickers and
notepads that can be personalized
with pictures of loved ones.
"Something related to your mem
ories with that person would be
good, like a scrapbook of your pho
tographs together," freshman Akiko
Nakajima said.
For those who need a little peace
and quiet, mini Zen gardening kits
might help. Mini art sets, pressed
flower kits, voodoo kits, aromather
apy kits, spa kits and even a "Take
out for Two" kit are also available
online at http://www.running
press.com. There are many massage
parlors and steam bath services in
Eugene as well.
There are also creative variations on
more traditional gifts. Miniature
wooden benches, available at Hiron's,
make a surprising gift, especially with
chocolates or flowers placed on the
"Something related to
your memories with that
person would be good,
like a scrapbook of your
photographs together."
Akiko Nakajima
freshman
seat. Another alternative is to buy
small metal buckets, decorate them
and fill them with candies.
If all else fails, there are dozens of
roses waiting as backup.
Reese Lee is a freelance reporter
for the Emerald.
STUDENT GROUPS
Advertise in iWe Emerald.
Call 346-3712 to speak with a rep.
We have great University rates.