I thought I would approach writing this week with a heavy heart, because it has been choas. Instead, tonight, I went to the opera.
This was my first time going to a large scale performance art event. The only productions I had been to were put on by my high school. I'm usually not willing to spend the money, but my friend accidently bought an extra ticket, and I decided to go. I put on a cocktail dress that I've never worn in public before, and childishly selected some opera gloves that I bought for a halloween costume three years ago. We made these plans back in September, and the world ending because of the presidential election wasn't going to stop us.
I sat through two and half hours (with a short intermission break) transfering my attention between the stage, where actors paraded as cowboys in the old west singing at the top of their lungs in Italian, and a small box, where the english translation ran in tiny print and blue letters. Afterwards, I went outside to be surprised by a Jazz band playing in the streets.
While I would like to say that the classical beauty of the century old opera was what struck me about the evening, it was actually watching an old couple dance swing, and another old couple hold hands and sway to the music. One was same sex, the other was not. There were probably a lot of people with dofferences at the Opera house,but the came there to watch something unifying and beautiful (if you enjoy being yelled at in Italian for three hours).
Societal rifts and harsh words surround everyone now, and many people struggle to discern what role they should take. Bipartisan? Defensive of minorities? Adament in their accusations of blame? I've felt the surge to do all of those things.
This week was terrible, but it also wasn't. My friend texted me last morning to tell me that his African American girlfriend was experiencing racial discrimination in Texas. He said he didn't understand what she was experiencing, but,most noteable, he asked me what he could do to help. I showed up to work the morning after the election and found a nice note on my laptop from my coworker. My Muslim friends have shared on Facebook that they feel terrified, two other friends have gotten threatening messages. I went to school to study, and my friend took an hour out of his study time to explain the concepts to me.
The world hasn't fallen apart yet. We can still make a difference in people's lives by treating them kindly and realizing we have more in common than previously thought. Enjoy the good moments as they come, stand up for those who need it and love the people around you.
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Entertainment
15 of the Best Christmas Movies of All Time
A must-watch list of holiday movies.
13h
632
History.com
Now that Halloween is over, it's time to focus on the Holiday Season. Don't get me wrong, I think Thanksgiving is great and can't wait for it, but nothing gives me greater joy than watching Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas, lighting peppermint scented candles, decking the halls, and baking gingerbread cookies. So while we approach the greatest time of the year, let's watch the 15 best Christmas movies of all time.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
This movie is such a Christmas classic. Even though a lot of the movie is sad, the ending warms your heart and shows you that you need to appreciate what you have in life.
A Christmas Story (1983)
One of my favorite things about Christmas day is AMC's 24-hour long marathon of Ralphie, his family, and "Oh Fuuudge..."
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.Home Alone (1990)
Being home alone without any parental supervision was every kid's dream.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
The best part about this movie is that it shows you that you need to have faith and believe, no matter how old you are. That and it's always funny to see Mr. Kringle give sass to the psychologist that thinks he's crazy.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Nothing says "Christmas" quite like a claymation movie.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Not only is this movie great because of the amazing dance scene, but also because of Lionel's speech that reminds us what Christmas is really all about.
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
The Heat Miser and Snow Miser are hands down the best part of this movie.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970)
This movie is cool because you get to see the back story behind Santa and where all of his traditions come from. But watch out for Burgermeister Meisterburger!
The Polar Express (2004)
This was my favorite Christmas book when I was growing up and I remember being so excited when they turned it into a movie. It will always remind me to believe, even when I can't see it.
The Santa Clause (1994)
"Does this look like a little weight to you? - after you eat Thanksgiving dinner
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
I still don't understand why he says this after coming back to life, but whenever I wish someone a happy birthday, I hear Frosty's voice in my head.
A Christmas Carol (1992)
[Screams Internally]. While every version of this movie is worth watching, the muppet version tops them all.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Squirrels, fire, annoying neighbors, and kidnapping are just a part of a typical Christmas for the Griswald's.
Elf (2003)
If you think that this movie wouldn't be on the list, "you sit on a throne of lies" and you're a "cotton-headed ninny-muggins."
No matter how you spend your holidays, I hope it is filled with your loved ones and happiness (and lots of good food). So sit back, relax, turn on these movies, and approach the holiday season with me.
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There are various stereotypes about college students, most of which revolve around the concept of your major. Unfortunately, we often let stereotypes precede our own judgments, and we take what information is immediately available to us rather than forming our own opinions after considerable reflection. If I got a dollar for every time my friends have made a joke about my major I could pay my tuition. One stereotype on campus is the sensitive, overly critical and rigid English major. Here are six telltale signs you are one of them.
You are basically a zombie with a pencil.
That student you see in the corner of the library with papers covering the table, a pencil in their hand (possibly a highlighter in the other) and a look on their face like they have risen from the dead? Odds are it is an English major. We have to read, analyze, write, revise and rewrite for each English class. Now multiply that by three to equate each English class we take in a semester.
You receive confused looks from others when you name drop an author/literary terminology.
Using "big" words around my friends never fails to entertain me. Some of my friends ask what the word that I used means, others may roll their eyes and the rest just continue the conversation. I could stop using complex words for the sake of casual conversations, but that would just be anomalistic.
You wear your suffering as a badge.
English majors are notorious for complaining about the amount of work we have to complete, while almost bragging about it. Our weeknights are crammed with essays, explications and reading whatever book is assigned to us. We will be stressed out, and we make that clear to everyone.
You proofread every text and social media post you write.
We have to keep our typos to a low minimum. Personally, I always triple check spelling, grammar and proper use of punctuation. I feel better about my social media post when I look at the caption and see a perfectly structured sentence. I am also the type of person that texts using proper punctuation and spells every word out.
You cringe when you read a non-English major's paper,
I have a lot of my peers ask me to proofread their papers. I am happy to help, that is until I actually read it. I can't blame them for this, but using the wrong word (i.e. the use of "your" and "you're" or "their," "they're" and "there") or tense of a word makes you want to curl up into a ball.
You could spend all day in a library.
There are just so many books I haven't read. If I don't read the synopsis of every book, I might miss an amazing book. Sometimes you want to spend the entire day finding books, but other times you can't leave because you haven't found a good book, or you have too many.
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Entertainment
27 Things 'The Office' Has Taught Us
"The Office" is a mockumentary based on everyday office life featuring love triangles, silly pranks and everything in between. It can get pretty crazy for just an average day at the office.
24 December
2714
http://www.ssninsider.com/
When you were little, your parents probably told you television makes your brain rot so you wouldn't watch it for twelve straight hours. However, I feel we can learn some pretty valuable stuff from television shows. "The Office," while a comedy, has some pretty teachable moments thrown in there. You may not know how to react in a situation where a co-worker does something crazy (like put your office supplies in jello) but thanks to "The Office," now you'll have an idea how to behave ifsomething like that should happen.
Here are just a few of the things that religious Office watchers can expect to learn.
The good old days are always happening now, so live in the moment.
“Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica” are the three most important topics one can talk about.
The Dundies are cooler than the Oscars.
Everybody has a Toby, and they are just someone you have to learn to deal with.
Group pictures are hard to take (especially jumping pics).
It's never too early to eat ice cream.
Schrute’s are always prepared for anything.
Except pop culture references...
Holidays are important and a very good reason to host any kind of party.
There will always be cynical co-workers to deal with.
Putting things in Jell-O is a great use of your time.
Sometimes funny voices and personas make awkward situations easier (just ask Prison Mike).
That places you may not always love can bring you the people you love.
Determination is an important characteristic to possess.
I always get the feels when Michael tells Jim to never give up on love and Pam
by inDunderMifflin
Sarcasm is essential in everyday life.
Love can be really weird.
At Halloween time, it is trivial to come with your best costume ready.
Friendship is long lasting no matter where the future takes you.
Pranks are funny no matter the age.
Goodbyes are hard, but reunions are worth it.
Blogs are confusing.
"That's what she said" jokes will never get old.
Jim Halpert can say so much with just a look at the camera.
Bros should always come before hoes because...
Declaring bankruptcy isn't as hard as we all thought.
Office places can be weird and stressful at times.
Michael Scott loves Dunder Mifflin and the Scranton Office more than anything.
"The Office" truly does have a lot that it can teach us.
Whether you binged watched on Netflix, or on real TV, "The Office" probably has a special place in your heart and has taught you a lot in the time you have watched it.
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Student Life
10 Signs You’re A Pre-Med Student
Ah, pre-med: home of the dead at heart.
24 December
1653
TV Guide
Being pre-med is quite a journey. It’s not easy juggling school work, extracurricular activities, volunteering, shadowing, research, and MCAT prep all at the same time. Ever heard of “pain is temporary, but GPA is forever?” Pre-meds don’t just embody that motto; we live and breathe it. Here are 10 symptoms you’re down with the pre-med student syndrome.
1. You have forsaken all your friends for coffee.
Coffee: the sweet nectar of the pre-med gods. One cup used to be enough to keep you awake for as long as you wanted. Now, you cannot get through the night without at least six.
2. 8 hours of sleep? Try 4 instead.
Especially when the MCAT comes around -- the amount of hours you sleep will slowly average out to three every week.
3. Everyone asks you for medical advice, even though you’re not a doctor yet.
Friend: What’s going on with me? What does this look like?
Me: Oh, I don’t know. Might be a tumor. You might as well just check WebMD while you’re at it.
4. Your second home is the library.
You might as well drag your sleeping bag and toothbrush with you and spend the night at the library, considering how often you go there. Pre-medical students spend an average of eight hours a day come midterm and finals season.
5. Almost all of your nightmares are about school and exams.
It’s only a matter of time you start yelling “NO, NOT A C! ANYTHING BUT A C, PROFESSOR!” in your sleep.
6. You don’t see the problem with taking 3 technicals in one semester.
Biology, chemistry, and physics all at once? Or, better yet, why not just throw lab research and clinical volunteering into the mix? If I die, please hire Lorde to sing at my funeral.
7. Research, research, research, research, research.
If you’ve ever been to your school’s pre-med advising, you’ve probably heard the phrase “Ask a professor for a spot on their research team” at least once.
8. You volunteer more than any of your friends.
Pre-med volunteering consists of more than just medical clinics and blood drives. True pre-meds aren’t in it for the money -- we’re in it to save lives. So, community service is a common pastime for us, and we would love to help in any way we can.
9. You like going to labs more than going to lecture.
At least you’re up, out, and about during lab. During lecture, you’re sitting in one spot trying not to fall asleep. And, God forbid your professor calls you to answer a question during class.
10. But, you know it’ll all be worth the struggle the day you don that white coat and call yourself a doctor.
Despite all the whirlwind madness and nervous breakdowns, you know you have to stay strong and power through. Because your future patients depend on it.
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Entertainment
High School And College Sucked All Of The Fun Out Of Reading
Books were always about understanding for me, about learning the way someone else sees, about connection.
24 December
1221
Photo by Clementina Toso on Unsplash
I keep making this joke whenever the idea of books is brought up: "God, I wish I knew how to read." It runs parallel to another stupid phrase, as I watch my friends struggle through their calculus classes late at night in our floor lounge: "I hope this is the year that I learn to count." They're both truly idiotic expressions, but, when I consider the former, I sometimes wonder if there's some truth to it.
Now, I can absorb textbook chapters and assigned texts like the best of them — poorly, skimming, right before class and barely taking in any information — but it's hard to place exactly when I stopped reading for fun. I used to know how to sit for hours at a time, drawn into ever-growing worlds of fantasy and magic, inhabiting realms that someone else created. Books were always about that for me, about understanding and learning about the way someone else sees, about connection.
I ruined my sight as a child by never peeling my eyes away from the pages of my latest acquisition from the library. I couldn't tell you now where that library card is, though 10 years ago I had the number on the back memorized "just in case."
By the time I reached middle school, all I really read were the newest trends, like "The Hunger Games" trilogy, the "Divergent" trilogy, and whatever John Green book was popular at the time. It worked because everyone around me had heard of or read the books, or at least seen the movie adaptations, and it helped cultivate a new passion within me: criticizing things other people have created.
However, that big community of reading wore off as I continued growing, and I feel like it did the same for a lot of other people. I've heard from so many people that the last time they truly read was when they were ten. Granted, most of those people never read the books in our high school English curriculum, so they really haven't read a book, even for educational purposes, in a while.
It seems like a shame, especially when there's so much to be communicated through literature that cannot be expressed in an equivalent way through a different medium. It's like passion lost. There are whole worlds out there to find and explore, but many of us are not inclined or motivated to take the first step.
I brought a little library to college because I wanted to change. I picked the most interesting books from a shelf that I had never read, bought some cheap Amazon bookends, and planted them on the back of my desk. My little library functions as a sweet little decorative piece. It looks really nice when the light hits it just right.
Ultimately, I don't exactly have a point to this, besides the fact that I'd like to have that tidy little Pinterest aesthetic, in which I can carve out a couple of hours, sit with a hot beverage of my choosing, and read someone's memoir. I really wish I knew how to read.
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