College

It's been about 2-3 months I've been in college now. The process had been exciting (for sure), but rough at times.

I'm always keen on change. I love being put into new situations. From moving into my dorm, to living on my own, to first class and first frat party, from joining a sorority to joining the college newspaper, a lot of things have changed. Change brings joy, and I welcome it with open arms. But change also brings some challenges to the mix too.

I've realized that life is full of hard choices, ranging anywhere from "Do I really need that second cup of Starbucks today?" to "What will realistically fit into my schedule?" I've realized that I can't be Wonder Woman, as much as I'd love to be. I can't do everything I want, when I want. Choices and priorities are a harsh reality of life.

I also realized that, in life, you'll constantly be put into positions where you feel like you're at the bottom. You'll feel so inexperienced, stupid, and useless due to your stupidity. Especially freshman year, when talking to your News Editor at the paper intimidates the heck out of you, and when you see the Editor-In-Chief walk into the room, it's basically like seeing Jill Abramson (not to mention she kinda looks like a young version of her). People will be so much better than you, even people in your own age! Especially in DC, competition for internships is intense and comparing resumes is a habit. You'll think: How did he get that internship? How come I didn't get it?! It's a competitive world, and it starts now.

I also recently realized that people will tell you, straight-up, that you suck. Your Law professor will tell you that your writing is horrendous. You'll send your News Editor an article to be published, only to see that she re-wrote the entire thing before it went out to print. People will question your "strengths" and make you second guess yourself. People will make you reconsider if you'll ever be a good journalist, or if you should even think about going to law school. You just have to march to the beat of your own drum and keep moving forward. “The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.” - A "Mulan" quote I always keep with me. Trying times are times for trying. Just because people don't believe in you, doesn't mean you give up on yourself.

The last of the recent revelations is this: Friends are fantastic, but at the end of the day, the only one who will really have your back is yourself. If anything college teaches you that: a) Being a person is pretty darn expensive. b) You have to be ok being alone. Independence is a big part of college; I think people who are comfortable being alone thrive in this setting. Being alone doesn't mean you are lonely, it just means that you're ok with being with yourself. You don't need a boyfriend texting you every five seconds. You don't need a random hookup every night to feel loved. You don't need to go out to the club everyday of every weekend. Having "you" time is such a key part to your eventual growth as a person, and I think people don't treasure this as much as they should.

But, those have been the big things since moving to DC. I still can't believe that I can officially say that I live on the East Coast. It's so surreal and exciting!

More updates later? If time allows...

- Julia :)

What's In My Bag

I've seen people do these posts before, and I like them because my curiosity is a sort-of borderline nosiness (what can I say)... So I thought I should do one, even though it may or may not be interesting.

Longchamp Le Pliage Large: I very recently got this bad boy, and I'm in love. It's incredibly roomy and sturdy! I got it in navy, which will match with practically everything. The bag itself is pretty basic looking but that's what I love about it - it's a classic. The one complaint I do have is that it doesn't really have interior pockets, so the "Mary Poppins bag" effect takes place. But I love it anyway.

MacBook Pro: I got this very recently as well (graduation present) and I'm typing with it right now. This thing is perfect. No complaints. It's my trusty and constant companion.

House Key: Pretty self explanatory, with J.Crew keychain.

"You see but you do not observe": I got this free glasses case at Brandy Melville sans writing, but I decided to decorate it with one of my favorite Sherlock quotes. I thought it was pretty clever too, putting a quote having to do with observing on an eyeglass case... (it's really not that clever but whatevs)

Book: I always like to keep a book in my bag because a) my bag is so big that it can accommodate it easily and b) if I have a spare moment in a boring place and I'm tired of looking at an electronic screen, I have something to do. Right now, I'm reading Allegiant, the last of the Divergent Series (it's pretty good!)

Rhodia Notebook: I originally bought this for my summer internship, but now I just have it with me so I can jot down ideas/thoughts/have paper ready when I need it or when I see something important.

Ray-Ban Eyeglasses: I am very nearsighted, meaning that writing that is far away is as good as a blurry line from my perspective. Glasses always on hand. I now watch TV with my glasses, not because I necessarily need it, but because I can't really enjoy HD when every thing is slightly out of focus - is that bad? #concerned

Madewell Sunglasses: I left my Ray-Ban sunglasses at a movie theatre bathroom, but I got these and I don't even miss my old ones anymore.

Headphones: For Spotify and 8tracks on-the-go.

Avène Eau Thermale - Cold Cream: I got this in Paris, and it's some of the best lip balm in existence.

Milvali Lip Gloss - Mint Sugar Plum: I got this ages ago for Christmas, but the color is beyond perfect (just the right, natural-looking pink) and it smells and tastes like mint.

Pen: Another graduation present. Heavy, inky ballpoint pen with my initials engraved on the cap. 

USB: Handy, handy, handy to have. You never know when you might need it, so you might as well have it always.

I hope your bag isn't as boring as mine! :)

Israel-Gaza: The Polarization of America’s Youth

(Note: I initially wrote this in the hopes that it would be an Op-Ed in another digital publication, but that didn't work out - so why not post my own content on my own blog? Just to remind you guys: These opinions are totally and completely my own and no one else's. I hope you enjoy.) 

Dead bodies scattered amongst destroyed roads, blown-up buildings, tragic scenes at hospitals and hysterical, grieving mothers. These are the images we have seen and heard throughout all mediums of media - social, broadcast, print, digital - coming from within the confines Israel and Gaza.

But let’s cut to the chase and lay down the facts of what really happened and what’s happening now: Three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped in the West Bank and killed, their bodies found 18 days after the kidnapping occurred. Israel arrested close to 300 Palestinians, many of them members of Hamas, who denied taking part in the kidnapping. 10 Palestinians were killed during the arrests. On the same night the bodies were found, Hamas shot rockets into Israel and Israel performed air strikes in Gaza. Then, in what believes to be retaliation, a Palestinian teenager was kidnapped and burned to death. This sparked riots in Palestinian areas, and 3 arrests were made to those responsible for his death. Hamas fired rockets into Israel, who minimized casualties with their Iron Dome missile defense system. Israel then launched their on-going offensive called “Operation Protective Edge” to destroy cross-border tunnels between Hamas and Israel. Since then, Israel and Gaza have been and are currently in a relatively successful ceasefire, in contrast to the many that have passed prior to this one. The number of Gaza deaths have exceeded 1,900 since the start of this conflict according to some sources, Israel has had 67 deaths thus far.

People on both sides are dying and have committed terrible acts. And even if the death count is lopsided, innocent people are dying on both sides of the conflict and and both sides have received artillery fire and missile fire. Yet, the American youth is picking sides, without even blinking or thinking twice.

There are many reasons as to why Americans, especially the younger set, are so polarized when it comes to this issue. The primary reason, however, is that majority of young Americans are lazy when it comes to analyzing current events, and they only internalize one side of the picture. They take the situation at face value, as it is presented to them, and they let the influences that surround them dictate their viewpoint.

They only read the headline and scan the front-page picture. They look at the #Gaza hashtag on Twitter and see graphic images of the dead. They see tweets reporting destruction under the #IsraelUnderFire hashtag and automatically feel their blood boil out of love for their homeland. They also look at the big and colorful chart at the top of a web article displaying of the death toll on both sides, but fail to actually read the article for context regarding Israel’s Iron Dome or Hamas’ civilian shields. As a result, they memorize the heavily imbalanced number of deaths on each side, like they would a score at a baseball game, without any cognizance as to why those numbers are so different. They think: dead people = bad. Who’s killing them? Israel. In consequence, they think: Israel = bad. Then they tweet “#FreePalestine” and spout off other Anti-Israel sentiments. The same train of thought also applies to those who support Israel and are against Gaza without knowing exactly why. Young people often feel the need to have an opinion about hot topics, so they patch one up with the superficial knowledge they have on whatever the topic is. They want to be “trendy” and “in-the-know,” and if it is trending on Twitter, they have to seem like they know all about it. 

Celebrities are prime examples for this rather stunted thought process and are fuel to the flame of obtaining and proclaiming extreme views without considering the various nuances of the issue. From Selena Gomez to Rihanna, many have dished out the “#FreePalestine” tweet, only to be bombarded with offense from their Jewish fans and others who are in support of Israel. Of course, backtracking and claiming the tweet as a “mistake” follows. But young and rather impressionable Americans who are obsessed with celebrity culture will, of course, follow in their misguided footsteps and will display their support for Palestine anyhow.

It’s also no question that young people’s views on the world are heavily influenced by their parents, friends, and family. Their environment shaping who they are is natural. If you are in a Jewish household, most likely you will be in support of Israel, and same with Islam and Hamas. But what worries me is that many of my peers don’t feel the need to actively examine the other side of the issue, or even give it the time of day. Without even having comprehensive knowledge of the topic at hand, they already have an opinion. Being surrounded by friends who are just as uninformed won’t help the matter either, and if these young people are eighteen years of age like I am, having uninformed voters at the voting booth is and will be a serious issue for America.


So I ask America’s young people to take a look at their views, ask why they think what they think, why they think so extremely, and to take a look at the facts that support their view and oppose their view. I would also ask America’s older folk to challenge the views of the young people around them. They shouldn’t be afraid to play Devil’s Advocate, and if they are, it only shows the lack of substance and spine their views really have. The Israel-Gaza issue has polarized the American youth to a severe level, and if this trend continues beyond the conflict at hand, I fear how my generation will handle the future’s great and inevitable problems.

Book Club #5: Divergent

I was persuaded to read this book by a friend of mine... and I read this book with vigor.

 487 pages. I bought this book at around 10:00 AM. I didn't stop reading until 12:30 AM the next morning. With the exception of car breaks, potty breaks, and food breaks, I read this book nonstop. To say this book is a page-turner is an understatement.

What can I say? This book has everything. Action, romance, excitement, competition, drama, life-and-death situations, literally everything. It transports you to a totally different world, and the characters are so vivid and dynamic, all of them. It's so easy to get lost inside that world, it's amazing and addicting. Is it a classic novel, one of "literary merit?" Probably no. But if you want a book that will be a joy to read and will make you appreciate the excellence of leisure reading after years of assigned high school reading, this book is it.

I got SO addicted that I bought the sequel to the book two days after I finished the first. I'm currently reading Insurgent and it's pretty damn good too.

I also HAD to watch the film adaptation of Divergent right after I read the book, so I watched it online. The movie moved a bit fast for me, but it was mostly true to the book, which made it pretty good. I just love Shailene Woodley too, the girl who plays Tris, and Theo James, the guy who plays Four,  is reaaaallllllyyyy attractive. That just made the movie a lot better.

I realize that I haven't given anything meaningful about the book at all. It's probably because I'm still not finished with the story, because I haven't finished reading the rest of the trilogy. I promise that when I do finish (which will probably be very soon), I will do a proper book analysis. :)

HAPPY READING!

The Comprehensive, Cool Girl's Guide to: Abbot Kinney

Abbot Kinney, otherwise known as A.B.K for people who like to abbreviate things (like me), is the hippest block in Venice Beach. Why? It's more upscale than the boardwalk (read: less grimey, less hobos, less weed than the boardwalk) but it hasn't lost the classic Venice funk, and the vibe attracts cool hipsters from all over town. It has great shopping, good food, and interesting sights. Never been or only been once? Lucky for you, I'd like to consider myself a relatively cool person and I live only 2 blocks from from said street. So here's a handy dandy guide for all y'all hipsters out there...

I'll start with food, because food is fantastic:

Abbot's Pizza Co. - If you want a quick, cheap, and yummy bite to eat, Abbot's Pizza is your place. They have pizza with their signature "bagel crust," and it's heavenly. They also have gluten-free crust (hell yes) and tons and tons of pizza options. My choice slice: The Salad Pizza on gluten-free crust. Just try it, it's really something else.

Lemonade - There are Lemonades in a lot of lovely places in LA, and they're good all over. The one on ABK is no exception. Go there to pick up one of their signature lemonades before you start perusing the shops. It's so fast, so easy, so friggin' yummy. My fave: Blueberry Mint Lemonade and the gluten-free Chai Spiced Almond cookie.

Gjelina - If you wanna go out for an expensive brunch or dinner with an ambiance to match, Gjelina is your place. Ritzy folks with a funky tilt inhabit the restaurant to full capacity. Go there with your $300 denim, a touch of Coachella on your finery, and make sure you look nonchalant about it. While I have only been there once, my parents have been there several, and they've seen more than a handful of celebrities during their meal. (Although, rumor has it that celebs aren't really frequenting there anymore, it's gone too mainstream.) My pick: the Tuscan Kale salad. It's really good.

GTA (Gjelina Take Away) - So let's say that you want some damn good food for lunch but don't want to deal with the whole sit-down schpeal. GTA is your place. It's right next to Gjelina and is basically a food bar. You line up, order, pick up your food, and sit a nice ivy-shaded alleyway right next to the building to eat. The interior design is a thing of beauty, take note of the white marble. My food of choice: the Brisket Banh Mi sandwich - it's out of this world.

Intelligentsia - If you don't mind paying nearly five bucks for a dreamy cuppa, then this is also your place. The coffee is excellent here, and I'm a self-proclaimed coffee snob so my compliment is well-deserved. Grab your beverage and sit outside to people-watch in the sunshine, but make sure you bring a "deep" book, a newspaper, or your MacBook with you. Without it, you'd be branded as a non-local, which is almost as bad as a tourist around this neck of the woods (and we wouldn't want that now, would we?). What I Order: The Angeleno, or an Americano.

TOMS Roasting Co. - If you go inside the TOMS store on ABK, you'll notice they have a coffee bar inside, and if you go in the back, you'll see they have a pretty roomy outside seating area with comfy pillows, tables, coffee house music, and the like. But be warned my friends: the likelihood that you will sit near someone who has BO due to their hippy cause to conserve water is around 3x more likely here than any other spot on ABK, and they chances that you'll witness some very uncomfortable one-sided flirting from some creepy dude going on across from you is nearly 4x more likely. If you really want to observe the brunt of Venice culture, go here. I usually just order a latte and tote my laptop with me to unwind and people watch.

Kreation - I go here for one reason and one reason only - the Acai Miracle smoothie. If I have a Paradise Bowls craving, but can't go all the way to Manhattan Beach to get it, I get my fix here. It is SO GOOD. The service is slow and the people who eat there are more pretentiously vegan than I can handle, but I put up with it to pick up my beautiful smoothie.

3 Square Bakery - I go here for the pretzel bread. It's amazing, it really is. They sell cronuts too!

There's a crap ton more eateries not covered here, and even more I haven't even tried yet! For a full list of ABK food places, click here.

Now onto the shops, but a BIG disclaimer before I go on: Every boutique on ABK is expensive. Some more than others, but yeah, just as a general rule, it's pretty expensive up in these parts.

Ananda - This place has a weird name, but don't let it turn you off. This place is probably the most reasonably priced shop on ABK, and they have great finds. I frequent here for the cool scarves and unique apparel. They sell bindis too, if you guys wanted to grab some of those.

Principessa - This store is the bomb. I love everything they have. From cool t-shirts and awesome jeans, to sequin tops and party dresses. It's basically a higher quality and overall better LF. And although I love this place, they are HELLA expensive. In consequence, I frequent the sale section a lot, and more often than not, you'll find me unabashedly fishing in the "$10 or less" bin. Anything for the love of clothes, right?

Firefly - This is basically like a mini-Anthropolgie. Has the same kind of stuff - clothes, home items, books - for the same kind of price. I go here to peruse the interesting selection of books, jewelry, and knickknacks. Great place to shop for unique presents.

Urbanic - The wonderstore of stationary goodies. They have the best selection of greeting cards! They are all so adorable. They also have notebooks, pens, and tech accessories too. They also hold calligraphy classes from time to time, which is the coolest thing. Worth a peek!

Margret O'Leary - If you have a pretty penny to spend on cool scarves or cashmere sweaters, go here. And while you're there, buy me a sweater or two, alright?

Satine - The selection of clothes they have? It's all to die for. But in order to walk out of the store with your picks in hand, you'll have to stomach the very hefty price tags and brave the snooty sales ladies. For this place, I window-shop once in a blue moon. Those salesgirls are borderline toxic.

Mona Moore - This is another establishment that's strictly look-only for me. The shoe store, more or less, is set up like a museum. Every beautiful shoe is carefully displayed like the piece of art that it is. The "look but don't touch" rule applies if you're not down to drop around $400 for a pretty pair. But it's definitely worth a walk-through.

Steven Allen Annex - I love this store. Their dresses, button-downs, sweaters and basic tees are all very minimalist and classic. But, you guessed it, this store is damn expensive. Practically everything in this store is on my mental wish list.

Will Leather Goods - When you walk into the store, it smells like leather, which is supremely wonderful. They have unique bags and excellent wallets. Give it a go!

Waraku - The store is full of Japanese imports. They have awesome stuff in here, especially the shoes! They carry a really unique selection of sneakers, make this a destination if your searching for new sneaks.

Mystic Journey Bookstore - Go here for the incense, the ~~magic~~ crystals, the weird books on **enlightenment**, and the hilarity that Mystic Journey offers. I can't promise you'll like it, but it's certainly an interesting store.

These are only my highlights, but there are a ton more shops on ABK. Full list here.

Book Club #4: To Kill A Mockingbird

Every once in awhile, To Kill A Mockingbird would enter the topic of conversation with my friends, and while they all read it in English class as high school underclassmen, I have never even entertained the thought of reading it. It was my favorite English teacher's favorite, and I've heard the overwhelming praises for this classic from practically everyone. So I decided to just hunker down and read the darn thing.

I am so glad I did. This book just reminded me how important and essential it was to hold on to the child-like view of the world for as long as you possibly can. It just magnified the fact that society, now and then, shapes people in the most horrid ways. When we entered this world, we had no idea of the supposed "societal difference" between the races. We were completely ignorant to the "effects" of one's economic status to one's social standing. It didn't matter what your last name was. Back then, you looked at everyone in the same light, because people were people - no matter their differences. But this book just highlights the absurdity of it all, and the horrific consequences that this school of thought causes.

Once, a friend told me that "Atticus is a bad ass mother fucker." And after reading this book, I have to agree wholeheartedly with that statement. Not only was Atticus brave, but he is also intelligent, honest, and kind. The fact that he was a lawyer just made him more awesome in my eyes. But I think the most important thing was that Atticus was a phenomenal parent. Not in the traditional sense, but he gave his children very important life lessons and life values that I only hope to impart on my children when I become a parent.

I'm probably the last person on the planet to have read this book, but if you haven't yet, I highly urge you do. It's fantastic. They have a movie version too! But, don't be that person who cheaps out and just watches the film without reading the book. The book is always better than the film adaptation. For this book, it's worth the read.

I made a pact with myself that I will read as many books as I possibly can this summer, so expect lots of Book Clubs in the coming future. :)

Journalism's New Frontier: It's pretty fucking beautiful.

Here I will list some of my favorite "new-start-up-techy" online news outlets that have popped up. So if you want to stay informed without having to deal with Fox/CNN/MSNBC's bullshittery, look no further. Isn't it refreshing? Aren't these new things exciting?! (says the news geek).

Vox

I can't fully articulate to you just how much I love this site. I love it so much, it's crazy. They comprehensively explain the news - they give you context and history so you actually know what the fuck is going on in the world beyond what the headlines tell you. It's BEAUTIFUL, ok? Fucking revolutionary, this shit is. And if you aren't impressed with the news part, just go on the site to look at the gorgeous interface and web design. If the graphics on the site don't make you wanna marry the crap out of the site, then don't talk to me.

Politico Magazine

I also love this little segment of Politico with all my heart. If you want political news with a punch, this is your place. All of their articles are oh-so-very well-written by people who know their shit, and the web design is just out of this world. 

VICE News

People may know VICE for their weird culture magazine. And while this is Vice Media's mainstay, they have been putting serious resources into expand VICE News. They report current events with their signature grit and alternative attitude, their short documentaries are really something else, and they cover important stories from all around the world that aren't really covered by the mainstream media. It's  awesome, period.

FiveThirtyEight

For most of their stories, they take statistical data and interpret it to current events. God bless.

BuzzFeed: Just News

Have you ever been on BuzzFeed, wasting time reading various lists and taking various quizzes, and then clicked on an interesting headline about Hillary Clinton or Syria or something like that? You then read the article that corresponds to the headline, and then you realize, holy hot shit, I just voluntarily read a news article. That's right guys! YOU JUST READ THE NEWS! Feel proud, because you have taken the first step to becoming an informed electorate and an educated citizen of the world around you. Now read some more. :)

READ THE NEWS IT'S IMPORTANT OK? OK. BYE.

Playlist #3: Summer 2014

Summer started on Friday. But it's not just any ordinary summer - it's the summer before college. Post-senior-year, mega-stress-free summer.

A summer like this needs a playlist. So here:

The Communication Gap

This has nothing to do with the post, I just thought it was funny

While the "Confidence Gap" between girls and guys have been making major news across all mediums of media, I think that a major communication gap is going on between the sexes, particularly between the Feminists and the Men's Rights guys.

This broken communication is highlighted by the tragic UCSB shooting that happened yesterday due to the hand of Elliot Roger, a seriously ego-centric dude on a major God complex and with some influence by the Men's Rights movement. (If you want to read up on how he was influenced by the Men's Rights movement in detail, click here) In his video manifesto, he basically stated that he had no clue why females and popular people as a whole weren't paying attention to him. All he wanted was "adoration" by women and was brutally denied of sex, pleasures and love. Therefore, he was going to go to a sorority house on campus and shoot all the "blonde sluts." You'll just have to watch the video to believe it. It's disgusting.

Facebook automatically blew up with anger. A lot of girls, including myself, couldn't even comprehend this guy's entitlement mentality. He felt that he deserved sex and adoration, and he didn't get it. He, in "retribution," would kill a bunch of girls because "it wasn't fair" that he was a 22 year old that had never been kissed. He granted himself the license to kill because he was no one was paying attention to him, the "supreme gentleman" and "alpha male," while all of the girls threw themselves at other "obnoxious" guys.

But, in reaction to the girls' reaction, the guys blew up a bit too. The guys, in short, stated that it was wrong to drag feminism into a tragedy where people died, and this crime wasn't due to his attitude towards women, but it was his very unstable mental state. Some guys even stated that, by speaking out, the feminists were lumping all men into Men's Rights believers and enablers, even if they were just disagreeing.

So, I feel obligated to clear some of the water between the guys and girls because I was one of those girls that posted on Facebook about this. I can't speak for all girls out there, but I think a lot of them would agree with me. In my opinion, there were a buttload of things that made this guy do what he did, one of them being that he felt that he deserved sex and love from women. I also think that this guy was unstable as hell and had really, really deep-seeded insecurities. So the Men's Rights influence wasn't the  sole factor for this, but it was a factor that shouldn't be minimized.

I also think that last month's stabbing of that girl who declined a prom offer by the dude who asked her shows a disturbing start of a trend. I won't call it a full-blown trend because the Prom thing and the UCSB thing is only 2 instances, but I hope to God something like this never happens again. But in these two instances, the girl's "no" was not respected. In both of these situations, the guys acted violently to rejection rather than taking it and moving on. It's very troubling to see that, in these two instances, a girl's "no" was lethal. And I understand that plucking up the courage to approach a girl is hard, and getting rejected is even harder, but that rejection gives the guy no right to act violently. I've been in the guy's shoes too: I asked this guy to Winter Formal this year and he declined. I didn't react violently, nor did I make his life hell afterwards. I just took the hit and moved on. I respected his right to decline my offer, and I didn't feel entitled to a yes.

And when girls are speaking out against a guy's rather horrid actions, we are not clumping ALL guys into this particular guy's category. Let me repeat that: We are not clumping ALL guys into this particular guy's category. This goes for Elliot Roger, this goes for the crazy prom guy, this goes for those disgusting guys who catcall girls and harass them verbally from the sidewalk. WE DON'T MEAN TO CLUMP. WE REALLY DON'T.  There are some really great guys out there. We are not men haters. Most guys are normal and nice and totally with it. If you're reading this right now, you're probably one of the good ones. We like guys. We especially like you nice guys in a nice suit. So, please, don't take it personally because it's not personal at all.

So what the hell do girls want? They want to be on equal footing with men, and yet, they want guys to be chivalrous and treat them like princesses? (the princess thing only goes for some girls, I'm not really one of them) They want nice guys, but a nice guy comes along, and they friendzone him. They flirt with guys, they string them along, they make them pay for food and presents and what the hell?! And dude, I empathize with you. Truth of the matter is, girls really don't know what they are feeling 75% of the time, or at least, that's what I'm like. You feel that girls are demanding more from you and giving you less of what you want in return. And I get that, I recognize your frustration. We are pretty damn confusing, so lemme try to clear some stuff up.

The modern woman wants to be respected. The reason why we really hate hearing "get back in the kitchen," and "go make me a sandwich" is because they are commands. No girl, or human being for that matter, likes to be told what to do or be backed into a corner. Does that mean we will never make you a sandwich? NO. I will gladly make you a sandwich if you ask nicely and are respectful. You make me a sandwich in return? You get bonus points. If I really don't want to make you a sandwich because x, y, and z? You can make your own sandwich, and I will make my own as well. Simple as that. We can both make dinner together, or we can switch off, or we can just order takeout (ugh, yum). It's a balance. We are not your subordinates, we don't want to be ballbreakers either. We just want to be your equals. I don't know about other girls, but I hold doors open for guys when I get to the door first, because it's common courtesy. So if you hold a door open for me, I will say "thanks" and be happy that you did, and maybe will hold the door for you sometime in the future.

But at the same time, don't get carried away with "common courtesy" concept. Just because you are nice to a girl, does not mean she owes you anything emotionally or sexually. Just because you give her a great first, second, or third date doesn't mean she owes you sex. Sex is not like making sandwiches for each other or holding doors, it's not a matter of common courtesy. Stuff like that is really personal, and the girl shouldn't feel obligated to give it to you. If she's diggin' you and she's feelin' it, she'll probably let you know. Let that choice be hers, like that choice is for you.

And there is a difference between being nice and friendly and being flirty. Some girls are just natural flirts and her "friendly" might be easily confused with "flirty." That's just humans though - I'm sure guys do the same thing sometimes. If you get a hunch that a girl likes you, but doesn't and wants to remain friends, she shouldn't be punished for that because GUYS DO THE EXACT SAME THING. Girls are friendzoned too - I've been friendzoned! It sucks but you get over it. It's a different story when a girl purposely flirts with a guy to lead him on or have him buy things for her or any other ridiculous thing like that - that's not respectful nor is it right.

The world is different than it was in the '50s. I'd make a horrible housewife, I really would. I'd just get bored and I'm no chef either. But my point is - girls just want to be respected as men's equals. I'm sure the Men's Rights movement just wants respect too. I think both the Feminists and the Men's Rights guys have super extreme wings - but I think that most girls today who like the Feminist movement just want respect and equality, and guys really don't feel like being a girl's servant at her every beck and call. Both guys and girls have desires, wants, and needs, but it's all a give-and-take, two-way-street thing. If we both just understand that, maybe the UCSB tragedy would have never occurred.

And if you read this whole thing, thanks! You deserve a medal. And I spoke kind of candidly too, so if it was weird, sorry. k bye.

Words vs. Numbers

Let me make an observation: It seems like today's parents, teachers, and school districts are ALL pushing towards the math and science track for today's student. It seems, to me, that if you're excellent at biology, biochem, engineering, or any science/mathematics of any sort, the nation's top universities and institutions are clamoring at your feet and are in the palm of your hand.

This observation is coming from someone who is, in every way possible, not a math and science individual.

It's really funny though, because I had thought that math and science was my absolute jam until about freshman/sophomore year. Way back then, I had wanted to be a chemist and I had simply put off my ease of understanding in underclassmen english and history as my "scientific skills" of great memory or something to that effect. 

But my interest in science soon turned into a great interest in Political Science, and the only numbers I ever wanted to look at were numbers from the stock market, the federal budget, and from Gallup Polls. I realized late into my sophomore year and into my junior year that I loved the stories that the history books and fiction novels told. I could spend hours reading books and articles, researching current events, and watching the news. Writing, in general, seemed so easy and natural for me. I liked facts that came in words, not charts from lab experiments. When I took Intro to Law, Model UN, and joined the Mustang Morning News staff for the second year in a row my junior year - my fate was sealed. I was, and am, an English/History person. 

The problem is: today's world has no room for English/History people. You want a stable and fairly lucrative job? Take Computer Science. Be an engineer. You want to be lauded as the smartest person in the room? You better be good at math or science. If a student is good at Math/Sci but bad at English/History, they are simply branded as a Math/Sci person - no issues there. But if an individual is good at English/History but bad at Math/Sci, they are stupid. People say, "Everyone can read," "Anyone can write an essay," and "Anyone can learn how to BS if they try hard enough." People want to pursue a Political Science/History/English degree in college? Completely worthless. Even some are questioning the merit/usefulness of a Business degree and even a Law degree nowadays. Bottom line: You want a job? Math/Sci is your track.

But to say the need for people who are good at subjects such as Politics, Law, Economics, Writing, and History is completely unnecessary in this world is wrong, and absurd. And frankly, I'm sick and tired of the stigma too. The people who create the laws of the land, run the media and entire nations, I can almost guarantee, are English/History people.

I don't want a chemist in the Oval Office or the Situation Room. I highly doubt a physicist can write a proper treaty, law, or UN Resolution. I don't want a medial doctor as a US diplomat, nor do I want a biologist telling me what's best for the economy. Fact of the matter is that chemists, physicists, doctors, and biologists - as brilliant and intelligent as they are - are not fit for these duties. They are fit for their craft, which they have honed to an incredible level, and they deserve the utmost respect for doing so.

We live in a highly specialized and trade-specfic world. A biologist can do what a politician can't, and vice versa. Some can write like mad and words just pour out of them. For others, the bond between numerics and man is simply inseparable. Both are needed, both should be equally valued. One is not "easier" than the other, and anyone who thinks that should get a reality check.

Schools need to get this message. We all know that tech development is a growing and hot job market that is likely to get to a booming level with time, and we all know that schools want you to learn and get a job. But when Standardized Tests like the SAT are kind of math-heavy, it's no question that Math/Sci people will have an easier time, and colleges will more likely be impressed with an A in AP Calculus or AP Physics rather than an A in AP English or AP US History. 

If you judge every animal on its ability to climb that one damn tree, it's obvious that the monkey will the best, and everyone else won't really preform as well in comparison. So if you're like me, who can't help but to compare herself to others, feel stupid and worthless at school, and feel the sting of parental disappointment once it was evident that I would not be a Math/Sci girl in the professional world, remember that you have your own set of skills. Rather than focusing on the subjects/skills you absolutely hate, focus on the things that make your heart smile and give your life zest and gusto. Hard work, passion, and raw talent are a powerful trifecta - so go kick butt and do what you do best.

(P.S: To any of my Math/Sci brilliants out there, this wasn't an attack on you whatsoever. I have mad respect for what you guys understand and accomplish. Go you. You rule.)

(P.S.S: It's currently past midnight and I'm way to damn lazy to edit this. If you see any spelling/grammatical errors, I apologize. I may be a English/History girl, but I could never wrap my head around spelling and grammar, mostly because I really don't care.)

Stripes and Heels

Ya feel?

J.Crew shirt / Madewell skinny jeans / Ruche peep toes

I didn't buy my skinny jeans ripped by the way. I took an unfortunate tumble while ice skating, and the rip at the knee was the result. 

Shout out to La Vista for featuring me in their spread about bloggers who go to my high school! I wish I took a picture of the article, they did a great job!

In other news, I head over to New York early Monday morning with my Model United Nations team for the NHSMUN conference. I'm pretty stoked but really nervous. Wish me luck?

I'll try to keep you posted with my NYC adventures! :)

Quote Philosophy

I personally think that the easiest way to tap into your inner life philosophy and beliefs is finding certain  quotes that resonate with you or you can remember off the top of your head. I think the quotes, or even lyrics and poetry, that somehow stay with you say a lot about who you are. Your virtues, morals, your perspective on life, love, etc. I'm a big word and language person, and quotes have always been a favorite of mine. I currently have 22 quotes taped up to the walls of my room! That's maybe a bit much, but I just love having something to read on my wall to remind myself who I am and where I'm going.

So, without further ado, I'll share some of my favorite quotes! All typographies from tumblr. :)

Book Club #3: The Catcher in the Rye

If you have not read this book, please do me and do yourself the biggest favor in the world and read this masterpiece. This is probably one of my favorite books of all time, and I'm re-reading this gem for the first time since freshman year. 

I'm about 100 pages, or two sittings, into this book. It was marvelous and beautiful and tragic the first time. It's even more so the second time around. I think when you read or watch something multiple times, you have the opportunity to enjoy the piece each time with a different perspective and it allows you delve deeper into the meaning and pick up things that you may have missed before.

Holden Caulfield. No words to describe this character. J.D. Salinger. One of my three favorite writers of all time. He writes like no one else, and his characters are just as vivid and alive as real people.

This tale, more than anything, is a psychological one. You may not relate to Holden 100% of the time, but what he says, how he feels, how deeply he feels, and his confusion and disillusionment between youth and adulthood is something that resonates with countless of readers. I think it's a mistake for readers to pass Holden off as simply complaining about a lot of things, that's not what Salinger was trying to convey. If you read carefully, if you really listen to Holden, you'll see his heart wrenching struggle and his sadness.

I'll go more into how much I love this book and why once I finish the re-read. I'm telling you, though. Catcher is a quick read and is absolutely worth every second you spend reading it.

Cybersecurity and Cybersecrets

This post was a long time coming. I have no idea why, but I have a healthy obsession with the lives of Snowden (as in Edward) and Assange (as in Julian). Which is weird, right? What these men did was treasonous, and wrong, and put the US in danger, right? 

Or what if what they did was an extreme form of citizen journalism or whistle blowing? Sure, what they did was risky and questionable/downright wrong legally speaking, but was it morally wrong? Are these men criminals? Or are they the ultimate martyrs for truth and transparency?

Personally, I think the latter is true.

Think about how the world would be today without folks like Assange, or Snowden, or Deep Throat and Daniel Ellsberg if we want to go back further into history. What if WikiLeaks didn't exist? What if the NSA leak was smothered before it lit aflame in the media and the public? What if The Washington Post never printed that article? What if the public never got to see The Pentagon Papers?

WikiLeaks: Exposed corruption in Kenya, "friendly fire" in Afghanistan, the US government's blind eye regarding reports of torture in Iraq during the Iraq War

Snowden: Exposed NSA's PRISM (and more) programs, use of metadata interception, and various international and commercial partners

Some may argue that this type of action, especially regarding WikiLeaks, is "aiding and abetting the enemy." But is that what it's really doing? Has the actions of Assange or Snowden put a major number or lives in danger? I think if that was the case, we'd hear something about the life-or-death thing blasting in the media. 

What is does endanger is the chance of governments getting away with questionable actions and it highlights the fact that "transparency" is to "government" as "classy" is to "Kardashian."

Governments denouncing Assage and Snowden? Snowden threatened with treason? Of course! They just got caught. You think that they're going to let him get away with it?

My point is that people like Assage and Snowden, like Deep Throat and Ellsberg, are brave. In the face of big, BIG punishments, they go out and they speak the truth, wether or not it wants to be heard or wether or not it is allowed to be heard.

And I know I shouldn't, but I can't help but find that honorable.

(This is here because I like Benedict Cumberbatch's face)