in order to create,
you must articulate
the storied woes,
triggers to your anxieties,
the deepest abyss
within your being.
not just a record of your mentality
but an inked stamp
to your everything-
in the ink
stained to your private humanity.
in order to create,
you must articulate
the storied woes,
triggers to your anxieties,
the deepest abyss
within your being.
not just a record of your mentality
but an inked stamp
to your everything-
in the ink
stained to your private humanity.
After packing two oversized suitcases and two carryons with all the boho chic clothes I thought I needed to travel across the country for my dream internship, I quickly realized that although I may look like I belong out in the entertainment capital of the world there was a lot more to it than Free People dresses and fanny packs.
Ever since I was younger I dreamed of moving out to California. There was something so amusing about being in the hub of it all that bursts with passion and artistry wherever you look. After a trip to LA when I was a sophomore in high school for dance, I fell even more in love with this utopia of a city and from that moment on, Los Angeles was that light at the end of the tunnel.
Now it is important to note that when I say I was in love, I truly mean I... was in love. My grandmother for my sixteenth birthday got me a ring with the coordinates of Los Angeles on it and you bet I wore that ring every day. My Facebook password you may ask? "BelieveLA" (don't worry I changed it so don't try hacking xo). I mean, my legitimate background on my phone for years was a photo of the cross street sign of Via Rodeo and North Rodeo Drive. Los Angeles to me was kind of like that boy who you admire from afar and have to continuously work up the courage to go for.
Well, after years of hard work and building up that courage it finally happened. I landed an internship at a company I admired for most of my life and I was ready to finally show Los Angeles what Sydney Rose Weltman has to offer.
Fast forward to a month of work and exploring the city under my belt, I decided to take some time to self reflect on my life thus far and the experiences I partook in. With that being said and all the emotions I endured, I thought of all the things I wish I knew before making this long-awaited trek. So here it is for you: Sydney's Declassified Los Angeles Survival Guide:
This is something I struggled with leading up to my flight out to Los Angeles. I was scared out of my mind. I was going to a new state where I knew next to no one. All I had were overpacked suitcases filled with clothing and shoes, bedding in a box from Bed Bath & Beyond, and a passion for what I was about to do, yet for some reason, I did not want anyone to know how I was truly feeling. The thought of "this is my dream how can I be scared?" was drilled into my brain, but let me tell you, get those emotions out before you land wherever you may be going. Trust me, this will help you in the long run.
Not only are hobbies something that will allow you to distract yourself from stressful situations, but it will give you a chunk of comfort. One of the best pieces of advice I learned in my time out here was to keep your hobbies close to your heart because it will allow you to feel as if you belong even if at that moment you do not.
Having an A++++ personality as my mom likes to say can be difficult when it comes to reaching out for help because your ego does not allow you to, but reach out to that family friend who you haven't talked to in years or that alumni your professor told you about. You never know who knows who and although this city seems big from the outside at times it can be very small.
This is hard and awkward, but I believe that every twenty-something year old should do it. Going to a restaurant and asking for a table for one may stir up the butterflies in your stomach, but it is time you do some self-reflecting and be dependent on yourself. Sitting in a restaurant or doing an activity alone will make you want to crawl inside your own skin, but in the long run, it is all part of growing up.
I saw this quote in an Instagram bio and enough said. Do your work, remember you are an intern, not a CEO, but also remember there is a line that should not be crossed.
It is March and with it comes madness, and with that madness comes the exhausting debate on whether or not college athletes should get paid.
Either side has validity to its claim, and either side has many notable and influential sources of support. On one hand, student athletes are students first and foremost, therefore the scholarships awarded to many student athletes should, hypothetically, be more than valuable enough to serve as compensation for the efforts put on a team. On the other hand, student athletes, especially those in famous football and basketball programs, bring millions of dollars into the schools that they represent; it would make sense that the individuals effectively bringing in that revenue should see some of the pay.
Every year I get an earful of both arguments, and every ear I can’t help but to think that there are simply more than two sides to this discussion. Sure, you could argue for or against player compensation or, like me, you could wonder why such a large emphasis is placed on the extracurricular activities in which students partake at an institution of education.
The simple answer to my question of “why” is an obvious one: market. College basketball and college football aren’t merely monstrous revenue makers, they are a widespread factor of American culture which, in turn, allows the games and the sport to thrive on an extremely high demand. Through this perspective, it is easy to understand why many would like to see players earn monetary compensation for their million-dollar efforts. I would argue, however, that the real discussion needs to be had a step behind that question; that discussion should be about a fundamental problem in American institutions of higher education, wherein sports teams are valued to a higher extent than the actual academic programs.
Colleges and their students should be primarily focused on education. The argument can be made that, for those that take the NCAA name into professional leagues such as the NBA and NFL, their time at the institution was just as legitimate and healthy for their future as that of any traditional student. For those that do make it into a professional league, this might be true, but the amount of players that go from a collegiate level into the NFL or the NBA is so miniscule that this argument is simply unreasonable for the vast majority of the situation in question. The unfortunate reality is practically an antithesis to the idea of college as a means to further one’s future. Many student-athletes are so engulfed in the latter part of their title that the former is nearly entirely neglected. Not only do many of these individuals lack the time needed to study and learn the material for their supposed major, many of their classes aren’t legitimate, and even if they are, many of the grades representing those classes are fabricated--just look at UNC's 18 years of "paper classes" used to push student-athletes through "college."
Of course, this is not the case for all student-athletes, but in the context of big-name basketball and football programs, it seems to be a pretty common one. If the commitment to a team really is so much that the academic part of college becomes secondary, then the influence of these extracurricular activities undermine the entire purpose of the education system. Not only would the majority of these athletes finish their four years of college without any significant academic base off of which to explore the rest of their lives (as Mary Willingham discovered, some unable to even read or write), the fact that they receive actual degrees at the end of this four-year pseudo-academia sort of dilutes the legitimacy of degrees earned through actual study and academic devotion.
While there are certainly student-athletes that are legitimately committed to their education, the very fact that that has to be clarified should be automatically indicative of a problem. At the end of the day, colleges are schools, meant to prepare students for the rest of their lives, to secure their futures, and providing a bogus four years of fake classes as an excuse to get some kids into their uniforms doesn’t just hurt young futures, it undermines the entire system of education.
We all have those favorite movies or TV shows that make us laugh our a$$es off! SNL is the one that never fails to make me laugh until I can't breathe. So here are a couple of the skits that I can't seem to ever forget! Make sure when you're done reading this post to go look them up on youtube.
"The reason I love this specific one is because they can't control their laughter. Most of the time they have no trouble but, when you are recording this live you might have your slip ups".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8fpVNhiqKQ
This is my #1 Saturday Night Live skit. As you can see there are two pretty famous people in the picture above. Will Farrell and Jimmy Fallon. Will Farrell is playing the cowbell and their manager comes in every 30 seconds and says "I need more cowbell!". Farrells reaction will make you cry of laughter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPpcfH_HHH8
Schweddy Balls is a chocolatey snack in the shape of a ball. But, since Alec Baldwin is on an NPR show, the people sitting next to him are the only ones that can see what he is taking about. Other people on the radio think that he is taking about his "sweaty balls".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJEAGd1bQuc
This skit is kind of weird and cringy but it is definitely worth watching because Amy Poehler and Tiny Fey are the best dynamic duo on SNL. I also love watching this one because the contestants faces and facial expressions are priceless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0NgUhEs1R4
Dwayne "the rock" Johnson was known as being the most "evil inventor" in the other scientists' eyes because he decided to not create a shrink ray, or a freeze ray, but to rather invent a robot who molests children. WOW this is deep but it is also supposed to have light-hearted comedy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avaSdC0QOUM
We all love Andy Samberg SNL shorts. He has the best "music videos" like the one I listed above, D*ck in a box, and Lazy Sunday. He always has the people who are hosting or music hosting SNL in these videos, including Justin Timberlake, T-pain, and Chris Parnell. Make sure you have a night where you can listen to these and then look up the "Lonely Island" songs on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4v83JVRsPA
Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze were amazing in this skit together. They only have the budget to hire one dancer so Farley and Swayze both get a call back to dance side by side. Even though they have totally different body types they both agree that they are amazing dancers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS00xWnqwvI
This SNL skit is just too funny to pass up. It is about a haunted hotel that has 100 floors or fright. Fortunately Tom Hanks, David S. Pumpkin, and his skeletons are on most of the floors and the passengers on the elevator don't know why. The passengers are more interested in his name and why he is on so many floors if he isn't at all scary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAQRtjvtQRo
Okay guys Stefon is on SO MANY seasons of SNL, especially during the weekend update. But, the reason I love this specific one is because they can't control their laughter. Most of the time they have no trouble but, when you are recording this live you might have your slip ups... which makes the audience and people watching at home much more entertained.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWl_NbzVxB0
This is another skit where some of the actors on SNL can't keep their laughter together. I mean who could?! It is Jonah Hill pretending to be six years old talking to the two other men at the table about how he wants his fruit punch "on the rocks".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImaYMoTi2g8
This is probably THE number one SNL skit that makes me laugh. There are so many actors on SNL that pretend to be other actors and singers. They do a pretty dang good job too. Kate McKinnon plays Justin Bieber and Jim Carey plays Matthew McConaughey and how these people on SNL perceive the others' personalities and voices amazes me.
If you are looking for a laugh every once and a while make sure you go on the NBC website and look up Saturday Night Live Skits to make your day better. You'll laugh and get a kick out of the ones that I have listed above. I hope your days are amazing and full of smiles, happy laughing!
With spring break quickly approaching in the next couple of weeks for high school and college students, most will be heading home to spend time with family and friends, while others will be going to explore new places such as the beach or someplace new to go. Austin has been ranked in numerous lists of best cities to visit and move to in the U.S, but having been born in raised in Austin, I can tell you everything there is to do.
SXSW
Of course, this is the biggest attraction in Austin over spring break, it is a music and interactive film festival running from the 11th-20th. There are a lot of movies that premiere there and also up and coming music talent anywhere from indie to rap. There are a lot famous people walking around in Austin (other than Matthew McConaughey) promoting new movies, spur of the moment shows and just hanging out.
Barton Springs
Right in the center of downtown Austin, Barton Springs stays a chilly 68 degrees year round, but if swimming isn't your thing, sunbathing in the lawn overlooking the downtown skyline is a good compromise.
Zilker Park
Across the street from Barton Springs is Zilker park, probably considered one of Austin's most famous landmarks. Home to rocks to climb, shady trees, volleyball courts and multiple pickup games of frisbee and soccer, there is something there for everyone to do.
Paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake is one of the best places to look over the Austin skyline. There is paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing, and if you get hot, you can jump in the water to cool off.
Taking Your Picture in Front of Austin Landmarks
Any Austinite will tell you it is a must do to check out the local art like Castle Hill and any of the graffiti around town,
Enchanted Rock
Located about 45 minutes away in Fredericksburg, Texas, Enchanted Rock is a great place to go and enjoy the outdoors by hiking, bird watching, climbing, swimming, and stargazing at night.
Natural Bridge Caverns
Located north of San Antonio, this 3/4 mile, 75-minute tour will amaze you with the 60-foot long limestone bridge and many other formations.
Hamilton Pool
A natural cave in the side of a cliff formed from a waterfall and pouring into the pool, Hamilton pool is a great place to cool off. The wait can be long sometimes and swimming is only allowed at certain points in the day, but if you can get in, it is worth it.
South Congress Food Trailer Parks
Austin is famous for the food trailer parks, but South Congress has a wide array of them from Torchy's Taco's queso straight out of heaven and Gourdough's sweet tooth doughnuts will send you into a food coma, but is well worth it.
Mt. Bonnell
Overlooking Lake Austin and build into the hill country, Mt. Bonnell located 775 ft above sea level and not too much of a hike is the perfect place to go for sunrise or sunset.
Barton Creek Greenbelt
Starting at Zilker park and running 7.79 miles south, the Barton Creek greenbelt is one of the most beautiful places in Austin to take a hike, run or swim if there has been enough rain in the spring.
With spring break around the corner, it's time to look at some ground rules. We are used to seeing insane partying in Panama City Beach and other Florida locations. We have an image in our minds of what the perfect Spring Break is as depicted in countless movies. We are ready to party hard. With that in mind ... we all wanna make it back alive to continue on our path of this wonderful journey for a college education.
1. Rally. Do you really want a hangover at 8 p.m.? I don't think so.
2. Buy souvenirs. I know you want a new tank top to wear every day.
3. Spend most of your hours on the beach. You don't want to come back from Spring Break with no color. Being the pale friend is no fun.
4. Take a ton of pictures. These will help you remember the week for years to come.
5. Remember to have #NOREGRETS. What happens on Spring Break, stays on Spring Break. (The Vegas Rule.)
1. Don't do anything in public that you wouldn't want your mother seeing a picture of. Your friends will take pictures, I promise. You don't want this as wedding blackmail years later.
2. Don't get sick in public. If you don't feel good, go back to your hotel.
3. Don't leave any friends behind. They most likely won't be comfortable with the area. They may not even speak the native language.
4. Don't get caught. Take this whichever way you want.
5. Don't break the 'Vegas Rule'. I don't care if it is 10 years down the line.
Songs About Being 17
Grey's Anatomy Quotes
Vine Quotes
4 Leaf Clover
Self Respect
1. Brittany Morgan, National Writer's Society
2. Radhi, SUNY Stony Brook
3. Kristen Haddox, Penn State University
4. Jennifer Kustanovich, SUNY Stony Brook
5. Clare Regelbrugge, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign