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Entertainment
5 reasons we love fictional characters more than real people
We all have that one character who is honestly our best friend.
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Even Shonda Rhimes, winning creator and executive producer of the hit TV shows Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and The Catch agrees that relationships with fictional characters are real. In her book, The Year of Yes she states, "I have spent more time with Meredith and Christina then many of my actual friends...When you watched TV, even spending a full hour with Christina once a week, you were likely spending more time with her then you spent with most people in your life. That relationship was real."
1. They are always there
No matter what show you watch, you can always rely on the TV show and characters to all be there when you expect it. Whether you watch a Netflix show and it is just a click away or if you can always depend on Shonda Rimes "TGIT" to see your favorite characters. For me, I always know Grey's Anatomy will be on Thursday nights on ABC, but can we rely on real people to be that predictable? Sometimes when you expect someone to be there for you, they aren't. At the time you need them the most, the time you expect them to be there. Maybe they bailed last minute and for that reason, you can never trust them or rely on them the same way you
2. They are never fake
Every character is written by a TV screenwriter with a set personality in mind. Characters may grow and change throughout a season or a series, but they are never fake. Sitting on the other side of the screen you know everything about their lives and their personalities and even if they are keeping secrets to other characters in the show, the viewer always knows what is going on. You know Peyton Sawyer is always going to be the strongest character on One Tree Hill. You know Blair Waldorf is always going to love Chuck Bass. You know Michael Scott will never fail to make you laugh. The consistency of your favorite characters allows you to love them and feel a connection to them more than real people.
3. They open up and let us in
Like I said before, you always know what you're getting from a character. As the viewer, you know all their secrets. When you know everything about them, you are able to see how vulnerable they are. Their vulnerability helps us feel connected to them. You always know how they are feeling, you watch them cry alone at night and you feel as though you are there for them and you understand how they are feeling. Real people aren't always as willing to open up. You may be best friends with someone for years but you never really know what is going on in their life. It is hard getting close to someone if they won't let you in, unlike fictional characters.
4. They are strong
Some TV characters are the strongest people you will ever "meet". They can teach you a lot and can help you through various situations in your life. Most of them have been through hell and back and have made it out somehow. They have crazy pasts that make us all feel like it is okay to not be perfect. The optimism they hold and portray throughout the show is what gives us hope and inspires our own lives. All of us wish we could have the strength they have, so watching them shows us what is possible.
5. They love hard
There are a lot of relationships throughout everyone's favorite TV shows and if you are anything like me you love cute couples. Seeing your favorite couples go through the ups and downs of their relationships gives you hope for your own. There are so many 'relationship goals' couples on our favorite shows we can't help but want relationships like theirs because they love so hard. Sometimes they can even help you through your own relationship problems better than any real person could because somehow they're going through the exact same thing.
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Why hello there December! It seems like we just had a holiday season, but here we are a year later starting a new one with our stomachs full and hearts overflowing with thankfulness. If you're anything like me and didn't realize just how close the holiday season was approaching, we need to perk our spirits up for the most wonderful time of the year! Fortunately you have someone on the nice list like myself who can help you out with tips and tricks to become more bright eyed and bushy tailed about this holiday season.
1. Have a Christmas music jam out session.
Let's face it, we've all attempted to hit Mariah Carey's high note in "All I Want for Christmas is You."
2. Dig out the tacky Christmas sweaters.
What's more festive than your DIY Christmas tree sweater?
*silence*
That's what I thought.
3. Decorate a little bit!
Put up your Christmas tree, wrap your door like a present (don't forget the bow!), or hang Christmas lights in your room. Make your space feel like a winter wonderland!
4. Look up the 25 Days of Christmas movie schedule
Because you can't miss Buddy the Elf saying SANTAAAAA or the hot chocolate song on Polar Express. You just can't.
5. Go out and see Christmas lights
Some of the things you see when you go out on a Christmas light drive are just spectacular. There's at least one video a year of some of the best light shows. If not, watch Deck the Halls (refer to #4 to find out when it's on).
6. Do a crafty Christmas project
Whether it's a DIY Christmas wreath, a coat hanger Santa, or a ginger bread house, Christmas crafts aren't too costly and can be very fun!
7. Go Christmas shopping
What's more exciting than buying presents for the ones you love besides their facial expression when they open a gift from you?
8. Read Christmas stories
'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house...
9. Go caroling
Gather a group of your friends and put smiles on people's faces by singing "Joy to the World" right at their doors (or be like this lady and bump people for being off pitch..)!
10. Make Christmas shaped cookies
And decorate them too! The bonus is that you get to eat your creations!
11. Drink hot chocolate while reminiscing on Christmas memories with your family.
Nothing is more classic than your Grandma's memory of you being more obsessed with the gift box than the actual toy that was in it (thank you for the doll by the way, Grandma).
12. Play reindeer games
This will bring out the best competitions within your family, as well as determine whether people should really be on the naughty list instead of the nice list!!
13. Spend as much time with your family as you can.
Live out family traditions, create new ones, and laugh together. You never know what the future holds.
There you have it. Those are just 13 of the many ways you can have a holly jolly Christmas this year! I wish you a fa la la fantastic holiday season!
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Twist Photography
Going to the gym and working out on a daily basis (with breaks once in awhile) has been a great way for me to feel good about myself. It is 100% more than just looking good. Especially after starting college and having the stress and anxiety of tests, assignments, and just figuring out my future, the gym at my school has definitely been a place of relief for me and I have numerous reasons of why everyone should push themselves to get to the gym when they can.
1. Just another place to study
This sounds completely dangerous, but really if you're doing any cardio that doesn't require holding on, you can definitely take a notebook with you to study. When I first saw it, I thought it was crazy, but when you need to take every minute of every day to study anatomy, you'll definitely want to try reading some notes on the treadmill or something.
2. Relief of stress
DEFINITELY the main reason I go to the gym. Nothing is better than getting all your anger out and somehow miraculously running a six minute mile. After going to classes, getting a good workout in helps clear your mind.
3. Feeling better about yourself
Of course after several gym trips, you may be able to see a physical difference in your body, but aside from that, you also feel a sense of accomplishment. That plus the endorphins that are released, just make you feel so much better about yourself. You're making yourself stronger physically as well as mentally.
4. FREE
In my time of visiting of colleges in high school, I have never been to a school that did not have a free gym included with your tuition. Take advantage of that. You're in college, so you're going to love free stuff. Appreciate it now because after these 4 years of college, you'll either start paying for a membership or doing at home workouts.
5. Get motivated
Starting homework after not being productive all day is very rough. After a good workout though, you will feel motivated and productive and it will be easier to push yourself to get your work done. A body in motion stays in motion and one at rest will stay at rest, so after binge watching Netflix all day, you probably won't feel like starting your work.
Whether you're doing it for your physical or mental health, it is definitely a great idea to get to the gym when you can. College is a great opportunity to create a balance of laziness and productiveness. Force your friends to go with you and you can all look and feel better in every way possible!
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Sometimes you need a break. A break from school, studying, work, anything that life throws at you. We are all guilty of binge watching a show that we just cannot get enough of. I know that I've gotten so fixated on a show that there have been entire days that I have day-dreamed about getting home and watching a particular show. Next time you find yourself having an urge to binge watch a series be sure, to check out the following.
1. Shameless.
Shameless, a Showtime original series, has given me hours of entertainment. About a dysfunctional family living in the South side of Chicago, this series is sure to keep pulling you in episode after episode.
2. Gilmore Girls.
Surely, by now, you have watched Gilmore Girls but if you haven't then you should ASAP. Lorelai and Rory's witty banter is brilliant.
3. Friends.
Friends is of course a classic that will never get old.
4. The Originals.
This show is about a family of vampires that will do whatever it takes to protect their family. It is full of thrills that will keep you on the edge of your seat for the whole season.
5. Parenthood.
Parenthood takes a closer look at a huge family and its different dynamics. Everyone is sure to find a character that they personally relate within the show.
6. Girls.
This HBO series is brilliant. This program that shows the lives of young adults in NYC is sure to grab your attention.
7. American Horror Story.
Providing us with unique, thrilling and horrifying seasons, it is easy to lose yourself in this one.
8. Narcos.
Telling the story of Pablo Escobar, Netflix hit it out of the part with this enticing original series.
9. Game of Thrones.
The cult following of this show is insane. Just be prepared to lose your favorite character.
10. Gossip Girl.
Telling the story of over-privileged teens/young adults in NYC, this show pulls you in and shows you a world all its own.
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Student Life
5 GIFs That All College Students Can Relate To
Trust me: If you're a college student, you would want to read this...
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Flickr Creative Commons
Oh college, lovely, lovely college. A four-year time span that is filled with many highs and many lows. Between procrastinating on an essay that is due at midnight to getting your first library card (if you know what I mean), college is a time that you should not take for granted, yet it is also a time where you feel like your entire world is falling apart. It is a time where one day you can feel like you are on top of the world and then the next day you are 500 feet below the ground surface.
But once you take a look back at a semester, despite all of the stress and anxiety that the endless amount of work causes you to have, you get to realize how lucky you are to be where you are surrounded by the friends and memories that you have made.
So without further ado, here are some #relatable GIFs that every college students can relate to:
1. When you told yourself that you were going to start studying two hours ago:
2. When you realize that everyone is trying to #adult:
3. When you have been pulling an all-nighter in the library and you run into one of your friends on your way back to your dorm room:
4. Two words: Finals Week:
5. But despite all of these emotions that you feel every day:
You realize this:
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