Guidelines from an ODU Commuter

Commuting to Old Dominion University can otherwise defined as a death sentence. With Mario Andretti drivers, disheveled bumpy roads, and the dreaded parking garages, it makes the college commuter experience 10 times as stressful. As a second year student, I've picked up some extremely useful knowledge about the whole subject of commuting. Still not 100% brilliant at it, I successfully make it to class on time every day, but face several obstacles on the way; obstacles that move about 25 miles over the speed limit.

Here's my advice...

Guideline #1: ALWAYS leave early. There will inevitably be a traffic backup about every other mile once you've successfully made it into the heart of Norfolk. Or perhaps the good ole Berkley bridge will open about 15 minutes before class starts; we all know it takes much longer for that bridge to close before you can be on your way. Definitely leave early.

Guideline #2: REMEMBER to bring food. That whole freshman 15 thing didn't happen for me. I actually lost weight because I refused to spend boat loads of money on campus food--although I caved a few times for Panda Express. I basically lived off of granola bars and coffee for my first semester. Bring snacks, a lunch, a water bottle, all that jazz.

Guideline #3: SPEND the money on the garage parking pass. Perimeter parking is a disaster at best and still costs too much money to walk miles away from your class. When it gets bitterly blustery and cold outside, that parking garage on 41st street will start looking mighty fine.

Guideline #4: LOCATE where your classes are before your first day. Getting lost and not being able to find your classroom is exceedingly embarrassing incredible stressful--this has happened to me every semester in my college career thus far. I'm that geek that has to ask an administrator to show me where to go. Take a day and explore the campus before you plunge into classes.

Guidline #5: TRY to make friends. Sounds simple right? It's not so easy to make friends on a campus with over 24,000 students. My first year I made 1 friend I still talk to. As pathetic as that sounds, it's the bitter truth. If you have the time to join a student activities group, do it. Don't be a loner like me.

As grueling as commuting is, I'd much rather spend the $125.00 on a parking pass every semester and drive there everyday instead of spending over $20,000.00 to live on campus. But that's just me. Driving from Chesapeake to Norfolk everyday is a hassle, but it's a hassle that saves me a lot of money. I want to get out of college with the smallest amount of debt as possible. Commuting has served me well thus far, even though I fervently complain about it.

Pale Pride

For those who understand what it means to be pale, it's both empowering and discouraging. Both sides of my family are Scandinavian, which essentially means there's no hope of tanning. Having a fair complexion however, is increasingly growing in popularity: particularly in social media & photography. It's a feeble encouragement, because everyone who is stuck with being pale understands these things...

Cons of Being Pale:
1. Finding foundation is fairly simple (most likely because you are the lightest shade)
2. Pink cheeks are just a normal thing to deal with
3. Fake tanning just DOES NOT work or look normal
4. In summer you slightly blind people when you take off your beach coverup
5. When you don't wear makeup people think you're sickly
6. Playing hide and seek in the dark is never in your favor
7. When you catch a glimpse of a tan line you freak out 

Those examples are just a few things about the daily struggle of being pale. But on the other hand, there's a sense of power about having a fair complexion. My sister once called herself "a porcelain goddess." Now that is how to do it. Winter is OUR time to embrace our porcelain goddess-like appearance. Think about it; the abundance of tan beach babes are either forced to tediously keep up a fake tan all winter, or endlessly complain about how pasty they look. Now this is where being a porcelain goddess comes in handy... in summer or in winter.

Pros of Being Pale:
1. You don't need to spend money on a new foundation shade every winter
2. You can just sit and listen about others complaining how pale they are
3. Wearing black is your best ally
4. Fun fact: historically speaking, being pale meant having a substantial amount of money and position
5. Your excessive amount of sunscreen means your skin is healthier than those who skip it
6. You stand out in a crowd of tan people

Take pride your fair complexion... Live it. Love it. Own it. Embrace your inner porcelain goddess.

The Unforgettable Cannes, France

I had the pleasure this past September of visiting the unforgettable city of Cannes, France. My dad--who conveniently works for an international boat company--takes my sister and I with him occasionally on his overseas business trips. Luckily, it was my turn. I visited during the second week of the fall semester so I could escape the terrors of college for a brief while and recollect myself on the Riviera.

Our Hotel, the Radisson, absolutely astounded me. It's located directly on the ocean front a few blocks down from where the Cannes Film Festival takes place annually. Upon our arrival, we received two complimentary macaroons waiting for my dad and I in our room. That being said, we took those macaroons up to the rooftop; where there are loungers, tables and chairs, umbrellas, a bar, and a fountain to be enjoyed. It really was like nothing I've experienced before. Sipping a glass of rosé, munching on a macaroon, overlooking the serene crystal blue riviera, it was absolute luxury. 

Our second day in Cannes was the most memorable part of my trip. My dad and I dragged our jet lagged bodies out of bed in the morning and rented a 120CC vespa scooter for the day--it was even pink to match my helmet. We zipped in between cars in traffic and around cars on the highway... my dad might have been Mario Andretti in another life. We reached our first destination: Cap d'Antibes. Antibes is a more humble town compared to its neighbors-- Cannes and Nice. Filled with quaint cafes, numerous shops, and old military towers, Antibes had my heart. 

After a croque monsieur and an orangina for lunch--followed of course by a mandatory espresso--we left Antibes, drove through Cannes, and headed in the opposite direction to scale a few mountains on our scooter. Weaving up and around the roads placed directly on the side of the mountains, I was entransed by the views. I firmly believe William Wordsworth could not even paint a picture with his poetic words to describe the perfection and awestruck wonder of these views... I snapped quite a few pictures, but honestly it's an injustice compared to sight seen with your own eyes. Atop a mountain, overlooking the vast Riviera, yachts from the festival in Cannes, crystal clear water, and other mountains miles away with a subtle wind blowing, it effects your physical and mental state of being. Absolute silence occurs. A series of thoughts sprint through your mind--serenity, perfection, devastation of beauty, and the sobering fact that it all was real. I had no idea France had to offer a place like this. My senses were ensnared, and forever captured to the beauty of the Riviera. 

Every morning at the Radisson, my dad and I enjoyed a complementary breakfast: multiple types of croissants, baguettes, jams, butter, yogurts, granola, fruit, coffee, and juices... take your pick. There were at least 6 types of croissants baked fresh for your choosing; and that's JUST the croissants, let alone the dozens and dozens of other breakfast delicacies to dive into. Then for the biggest question we faced daily... where to eat? For lunch and dinner, whichever restaurant suited our fancy, we ate at. HUNDREDS of them, lined up among street after street, making it hard to decide where to stop. Pasta? Hamburgers? Crepes? Salad? Sandwich? Fish? Chicken? Thank God I speak un petit peu de francais (a little bit of French). After our meal had been eaten and thoroughly enjoyed, an espresso ensued, followed by dessert.

Within the next few days I realized that the French know how to live. They make time to enjoy and relax life and all it has to offer. I intend to take up this tradition with vigor, perhaps returning to my beloved Cannes one day in high hopes of perfecting french living.

Summer Postscript

Summers always speed by considerably rapid; but even more so with the inevitable fact of college facing me dead on at the end of August. I worked full time this summer, which was quite new to me. I enjoyed working full time at my dream job, it was however, a lot. Finally I am a certified makeup artist thanks to Sephora, which ended my full time career experience with a bang. Now, onto college.

ODU is certainly a convenience for one who lives local and desires to save money, yep that's me. I initially dreaded my acceptance letter from ODU, meaning I won't get the chance I desired to move and go to the college of my dreams. But with time, I took a step down off my high and mighty pedestal and grew excited about what this university has in store for me this fall. I also get to stay close to my friends, family, and boyfriend which is always a perk (plus free laundry rocks).

Still working, and a full time student, with a life... wait what? What college student has a life that works? I guess it won't be me. Maybe that's what college is about: being busy and working your a** off. Maybe every college student feels burnt out at some point, most of my college friends can concur to that. I wish not working was an option, but I rather like having gas and coffee money. 

Between work and school, looks like zero days off and late night/early morning studying will be my life for the time being. If you don't hear from me, I've drowned in assignments and hours. Looks like my poor neglected little blog will be neglected all the more. Let's do this fall semester 2015. 

Vacation among the mountains

Florida: Usually the family vacation of the year. However, deadlines are not my family's strength at times. But after searching through different vacation destination websites and various suggestions, we pinned down the default winner-- Massenutten. 

 

Back in the days of elementary school, my family and I spent a few days in Shenandoah in a cabin, tucked away in the woods... Not the ideal vacation when I think about it. Which is what found me so perturbed when I was told we were going to be staying on another mountain for vacation. Despite the fact that it was not Orlando, or the white sandy beaches of the Keys, Massentutten's beauty was incredible. 

Our 2 story dwelling for the week differed greatly from a rinky- dink little cabin; it sat on the side of a great mountain overlooking everything below. Having an entire upstairs floor-- compete with a kitchen and two bathrooms-- my 2 best friends, sister, and myself found ourselves pretty content.

We hiked several miles on our first outing-- exploring various waterfalls, creeks, and rocky cliffs along Skyline drive. We waded & tip toed into the chilling fresh water in almost every creek we came across, secretly pretending we were Pocahontas; while not so secretly singing "just around the river bend." It was my first waterfall to encounter. Now we all hiked downhill no problem, hiking back to the top was the real challenge. After several breath catching and hydration stops along the way, my friends, brother, sister and I made it back to the top joyfully-- and a little winded. 

The next few days included visiting an organic lavender farm, exploring a historic downtown city, a little more hiking, enjoying a ski lift ride to the top of the mountain, and consuming gallons of ice cream and coffee. Despite the fact that it wasn't like the typical tropical vacation I find myself accustomed to, Massenutten truly charmed me. I already miss the stellar mountainous views and natural simplicity of the Shenandoah lifestyle.

 

 

Why Williamsburg is quintessential:

Last week, I had the pleasure of accompanying my mom to a day in Williamsburg. We're relatively close in proximity-- about an hour or so of driving. However, it took us about 2 to get there due to incoherent traffic and roadways: not to mention a road raging lunatic hogging the passing lane. 

When we first clamped eyes on those white picket fences and cobblestone roadways, all driving strife was set aside. The sun shone beautifully, the breeze blew slightly, and freshly planted flowers smelled potent and looked aesthetically perfect. 

Along merchant's square, resides this darling little bistro, The Blue Talon. There I throughly enjoyed a 'croque madame', accompanied by a summer vinaigrette salad with an orangina Italian soda-- all of which I ate without feeling a shred of guilt. My entree was steaming ham and melted provolone cheese, sandwiched between two pieces of thick bread-- fried to perfection. On the sandwich itself, sat a fried egg, topped with fresh parsley. All the layers of meat, cheese, bread, and eggs, swam in a decadent creamy subtle sauce that I proudly licked off the plate. 

When my mom and I finished scraping every last crumb off our plates, we ventured into the colonial district. Despite the stifling 90 degree humidity, strolling the cobblestone sidewalks while passing colonial cladded men and women soothes the senses (and makes me desperately happy for my shorts and lack of petticoats). We visited the gardens, snapped some pictures, smelt some unknown flowers, and continued on. To briefly escape the heat, my mom and I visit the hat store to purchase some colonial made lavender soap, and browse at lovely miscellaneous vintage merchandise. 

Our final stop correlates with the phrase 'retail therapy': music to my ears. The Williamsburg Premium Outlet mall contains one of my guilty pleasures... Kate Spade. Yes, couture designer bags are my weakness. However, when you can get a $300 bag for $150, how could anyone resist that temptation? All joking aside, I always leave that store spending over $100, which for me is rare (considering I spend the majority of my money in sephora). I left with a darling pearl pink clutch wallet, with a matching bow key chain, and a darling pair of hot pink studded earrings. My girly side prominates most in that store. 

To conclude the day, a quaint little bakery we visited earlier, provided us with mandatory macaroons and palmierres to munch on during the long drive home, accompanied by over sweetened Starbucks iced coffee. Williamsburg truly soothes the soul, and desperately makes me long for a simple life. I often envision myself living in a small white colonial house, with a proud colorful healthy garden to tend to; maybe walking to the Blue Talon everyday to enjoy a gourmet brunch on the outside terrace. If staying in Virginia is an option, Williamsburg has my 5 star review. 

Bun Evolution.

Power to the sumo bun. 

My endearing, honest little brother commented on my new doo today, "Are you gonna do your hair like that from now on? It doesn't really work for you." To which I replied, a kind lecture on how to subtly inform women about certain styles that young men can learn to say, without insult. I have to say, I've never been a fan of the half up bun myself. When I first clamped eyes on it, in fact, I actually hated it. (Mostly because my hair is near impossible to tease) But after a trip to Francesca's boutique, and seeing this darling creature with a grey and blonde streaked teased sumo bun, I endeavored to recreate it. I came close; this is the bun for me. May not look like much, but the picture above in actually, is my hair teased; yes, even that tiny little bun atop my head. Thanks to this new volumizing conditioner by Bumble and Bumble from Sephora, teasing my hair is much simpler. This conditioner separates your hair fibers, giving the appearance of more voluptuous hair. I will definitely be purchasing more products by this line.

Here's to teasing combs, volumizing products, hairspray, bobby pins, and peculiar unordinary hair styles.