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I find myself questioning what the meaning of love is during this romantic month. I have been in a few relationships, yet none have led me closer to defining that word. Is it the pain in heartbreak or the beauty in yearning? Whatever it may be, I am constantly left begging for more.  Valentine’s day, the “day of love,” and the perfect day to berate partners for not getting you the chocolates you like. It is supposed to be a day full of love and passion, unless you are anything like me and still miss that one boy from sixth grade. Then the holiday can be an endless misery, leaving you to question if you will ever get over this unbearable feeling. Still, I go about my day, walking around campus and going to work, surrounded by love. The birds that sing to each other across the sky, the friends that laugh unabashedly together, the person at the Union who plays for the lunch-rush crowd. So much love and I still want more. I have come to the conclusion that because I do not have a definition for love I am left wanting more. That cannot be true, though.   I used to tell myself I was put on this earth to show others love, so why do I crave it the most? Stephen Chbosky, author of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” states in the book, “We accept the love we think we deserve.” This made me realize the battle I was fighting was always in my head. I am a person who wears my heart on my sleeve, but simultaneously has many walls built. Of course I could not feel loved. I am worthy of giving others honest love, so, I too, am worthy of receiving pure love. If I believe that I am surrounded by love then I am abundant in it. I do not need more, I am more.  Learning that love comes from within is something I am still learning. My human desires tend to overcome my subconscious mind. Self-love is the one kind of love that I have always had. After losing someone or something I loved,  it still comes back to me. Love is always around me. I am still learning how to let go, maybe that is a part of love too. I never got over how my grandma got rid of a toy microphone of mine that I loved. The day I could not find it was the first time I experienced heartbreak. The memory of it lives on, and there is a picture of me holding it with my grandma that I cherish. The love I have for it has not gone away and I yearn for it.  Maybe I will always miss that boy from sixth grade, the cute guy from the bakery, the one from class and maybe even the asshole who broke my heart. I will always love. I will love loudly and unapologetically because in a world so seemingly hateful, love is a powerful feeling. Love can change someone and love can grow. I still do not have a definition of love, but I know that I am in love - with myself and with my beautiful surroundings. Love is everywhere.  Moon Phases is the treasurer for Women In Media and may be reached at 114mchavez@gmail.com  or @beyondthestarsintothemoon on Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons. As cyber attacks have become more prominent, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) reached out to its community regarding phishing and scam attacks sent to its students, faculty and staff through email. Jeopardizing several accounts, these phishing and cyber-attacks seem to continue to circulate throughout university emails. Local news station, KFOX-14 , reported that, "A ccording to UTEP, cybercriminals sent fraudulent emails to deceive students into revealing their login credentials, which were then used to alter bank deposit details and redirect funds to the criminals' accounts.”  The university’s Career Center later addressed other phishing emails scamming and targeting students by advertising false job openings asking students for incredibly personal information such as bank account information. UTEP’s Career Center sent an email advising job seekers to not share personal information without verifying a company’s identity and encouraged people to research the legitimacy of companies through trusted sources before responding. While the university has taken measures to investigate the phishing attacks, its Information Security Office provided students, faculty and staff with adequate measures  to avoid falling for these  phishing attacks. If individuals are  unsure about a suspicious email, UTEP’s Information Security Office advises to report and forward the original email to its office at security@utep.edu .  The Information Security Office advises people to follow these steps to help reduce the chances of falling for fraudulent scams: “Do not click on any links listed within the email message. Do not open any attachments included in the email. Forward the email message to The Information Security Office. Review your credit card and bank statements, and your bills, for unauthorized charges or withdrawals. Never enter personal information using a pop-up screen. Legitimate companies will provide secure web forms for you to fill out.” For more information visit the link for UTEP’s Information Security office here. Sol Dueñez is a contributor at Women In Media and may be reached at thewomeninmedia@gmail.com