My Alternative Break: Charlotte, N.C.
I just spent the past 11 days with six of the most amazing people ever. I was fortunate enough to get to travel to Charlotte, N.C. to work for the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. The program that sponsored and planned the trip, as well as eight other service trips around the country, is called Alternative Breaks. Because of this amazing program, we got to learn about LGBTQ issues, have our own personal sexual health lesson, spend a day volunteering at a clothing bank, and explore Charlotte.
I learned a lot about myself, about others, and about how I want to live my life. Because I had so much to share, I wrote a blog each day. If you feel like reading about my awesome experience, click on any of the links below!
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9
Seriously though, Leah, Blake, Drew, Ashley, Rachel and Mitch – you all are some of the most amazing people ever and I won’t forget our time together. Keep the Love on Top.
Mischief Managed.
What I’m Watching #6
Due to my increase in schoolwork and actually having a wee bit of a life, I haven’t had a lot of time lately to watch television. However, being me, I managed to russle up a few shows to recommend anyway.
Family Feud – I’m well aware that this show isn’t anything new or revolutionary (it’s been on since 1976), but when you’re a college student and the Game Show Network always seems to be playing on the communal television, it’s just what you watch. From hosts John O’Hurley to Richard Karn to Steve Harvey, I’ve seen it all. As can be expected, my friends and I love to play along and choose which family we think will win. We also like making fun of their clothes, hair, names and answers. It’s a swell time.
How I Met Your Mother – I’ve been watching this show since its inception and though it’s had some minor rough patches (cough – Lily leaving – cough) overall, it’s a consistently entertaining show. We all know the basics: Bob Saget is telling his teenage kids how he met their mother and through a series of flashbacks, the audience sees his long-winded explanations. What I love most about this show is that the characters remind me of my friends from high school. It isn’t even that Ted reminds me of my friend Tom – though he does. Each of these characters is so relatable that they all remind me of different personality traits that my friends have. And when a show is like this, you can’t help but enjoy it. The season seven finale is next week, so if you haven’t yet seen an episode, it would be a great time to get started as the first six seasons are on Netflix!
Game of Thrones – This show isn’t of the variety that I would usually enjoy. It’s based off of a fantasy series called A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin and since I legitimately just can’t summarize this show because it confuses me so much, I’ll let IMDb do that for you. This is a great show to watch with a group of friends, because if you don’t watch it with other people, you risk being walked in on during an awkward scene. You know what I’m talking about. I don’t think I’ve done a very good job explaining this show, so here’s a video I made that can hopefully be somewhat more convincing that I am.
Mischief Managed.
Life is Like a Mean Hamster
I’ve been up to a lot, so I thought I’d share. Let’s just delve in.
First, I’m the Publications Chair for KU’s All Scholarship Hall Council, which means I make this chiller publication (see below).
I’ve recently written a column for my dear friend Annie’s college forum website, The Roundtable, based out of Wellesley College. This month’s topic was “What Matters?” and I wrote about fandom-based activism like the Harry Potter Alliance. You can check out my column here.
I’m making weekly video blogs on my YouTube channel and will continue doing this for the remainder of my life until I get tired of it.
I’ve also been watching a plethora of One Direction fan videos, listening to versions of their songs, googling pictures and making videos about them with my friends.
Oh yeah, and school. I always seem to forget that pesky consumer of my time – or, at least, I push it back into the deep recesses of my mind. Schoolwork is like a mean hamster that you have to feed once or twice a day – it’s best to just not think about it.
And with that, I shall bid you my adieu.
Mischief Managed.
A Critical Examination of Fish & Chips
Because I only have a small slice of time in which to blog today, I have decided to educate you all with an essay that I recently wrote for my anthropology class. It is about fish & chips and you all had better enjoy it. I spent hours researching the intricate history of this delicious dish. On Wikipedia. Enjoy (if you can).
Queen Lizzy’s is a restaurant that proclaims to be “Lawrence’s first and only British style fish and chips shop.” The shop is aptly decorated with many Union Jack flags and a “Keep Calm and Carry On” style poster in the window. There are a number of Doctor Who cardboard cutouts to add to the atmosphere of the restaurant. Named after the constitutional monarch of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II, the restaurant features a number of traditional British dishes such as baked beans, steak and kidney pie, and, of course, fish and chips. The current owner, Matt Poulton. was born in Surrey, a town found on the southeast side of England. Coincidentally, Surrey is also the town where Harry Potter’s guardians, Petunia and Vernon Dursley, live.
Fish and chips originated because of the rapid development of “trawl fishing” in the North Sea in the second half of the 19th century. The first fish and chips shop was opened in London by Joseph Malin in 1860. Though the fried aspect of fish and chips would lead the average consumer to believe that the food malnutritious, fish is nutrient dense and contains protein. In fact, most varieties contain around 20 grams of protein per 30-ounce serving, the same amount as meat. Moreover, fish is low in fat and high in nutrients such as vitamin B-12 and iron. In the British Isles, fish and chips originally came wrapped up in newsprint in order to keep prices of packaging down, but concerns over ink poisoning lead to the practice being made illegal in Lawrence for the past twenty years. The printing industry however, remains adamant that modern inks hold no such danger.
Throughout parts of England, Scotland and Ireland, malt vinegar has great popularity with fish and chips because the dish can sometimes be bland without the added flavoring. The fact that fish and chips often come with malt vinegar on the side gives people the option of adding as much as is wanted. Though some would say that true “English cuisine” is an oxymoron because the types of foods contained within the genre are known be heavy and boring. It is in the eye of the beholder whether or not this holds true, but my research has led me to believe that English cuisine has a variety of interesting dishes that can hold artistic merit, dependent of course, on the chef and consumer. Two examples of such dishes are Toad-in-the-Hole and traditional Yorkshire pudding, a flour-based biscuit-like pudding usually eaten with gravy.
A fish and chips shop in Lawrence is an example of multiculturalism. Though British-style food resembles American food in many ways, when one steps into a restaurant such as Queen Lizzy’s, the change in the cultural atmosphere is immersive and fascinating. Lawrence is the ideal place for a restaurant such as this because of the many residents willing to embrace a change in cultural attitude.
Mischief Managed.
Hot Stone Oatmealery
I’m not really a business person, but today all of that is going to change. It all began when I sat down at the breakfast table with some of the girls I live with this morning. We were discussing the various foodstuffs that can be put into oatmeal to make it tastier (because that’s the kind of stimulating conversations we have) when all of a sudden an idea struck. What if there was a store that just sold oatmeal?
Picture something along the lines of a Cold Stone Creamery or one of those places that just makes weird pizzas. Except with oatmeal.
My business partners and I then decided to read our horoscopes because that is what responsible business people do to determine the relative success of their projects, obviously. Each of said horoscopes said something about accepting or creating a business proposition. And so Hot Stone Oatmealery became a thing. An odd thing, but a thing.
A ton of people don’t have the honed taste buds that I have grown to possess in the 19 years of my life. These poor individuals cannot understand the deliciousness that is oatmeal. Or perhaps it’s just because they haven’t yet had oatmeal from the Hot Stone Oatmealery (a working title)!
At this currently virtual store, you can purchase savory or sweet oatmeals with a variety of seasonings, spices, and toppings. You can consume your oatmeal through a straw, in a cup, in a cone, on a plane, whatever you want. Plus, it’s gluten free. And who doesn’t appreciate that?
I fully realize that all of the odds are against us actually making this happen, particularly because our majors are journalism, linguistics and physical therapy, respectively, and we are poor college students, but if we really want it, it can happen.
This has been your inspirational message of the day. Please do not steal our idea. Or you can, I suppose. I just want an oatmealery to exist.
Mischief Managed.
A Note to my Fellow Single Women
Due to some excessive listening of the Downton Abbey soundtrack and Justin Bieber’s new single, “Boyfriend,” I’m feeling sort of inspirational. So I’m going to do something I don’t normally feel comfortable doing. I’m going to drop some wisdom on you all. Prepare yourselves.
_______________________________________
There’s something that’s been bothering me for a while and it’s been pervading life here at college: Why is it that some intelligent women cannot get it out of their heads that they do not need a significant other to be happy?
To this I respond with frustration: why are you representing your gender in such a self-demeaning and ridiculous way? There is no need to rely solely on someone else for your personal happiness. No need.
It’s not that I don’t completely understand wanting someone with whom to share your life. I completely understand that. I want that. But instead of doing 50 million Cosmo quizzes about how to get a guy, I wish that girls could spend some time finding ways to put themselves out there.
My beautiful darlings: you’ve got to remember that love is like a butterfly – if you chase it, you’ll never catch it. But if you wait patiently someday it will land on your shoulder. (There’s absolutely no way I got this from an episode of My Fair Wedding. No way. Okay, there’s a definite way.) Just remember that being open to something is different than chasing it down like you’re Jason Bourne. After all, Hermione Granger sure wanted a guy, but she tried not to let that impact anything like schoolwork, relationships with her friends, or her personal happiness. And trying is all that anyone can ever do.
Be yourself, enjoy the stuff that’s happening around you and don’t let anyone bring you down (not even Voldemort).
Mischief Managed.
What I’m Watching #5
I am aware that I’m more inclined to obsession than the average person, but this time I’ve been chomped on quite hard by that pesky obsession bug. Therefore, I only have one show to discuss this week, because I just couldn’t turn any attention towards anything else while this beautiful ball of genius was sitting there staring up at me.
Downton Abbey – I’m obviously a bit late to hop on the Downton bandwagon as filming has commenced for the third season already, but at least I’m on it. I just can’t stop thinking about it. Like, when I woke up this morning my first thought was, “I wonder what delicious food Mrs. Patmore would be cooking up for me for breakfast if I was Lady Mary.” Really.
I’m getting ahead of myself though. Downton Abbey is a BBC costume-drama about the class system in England in the early 1900s. It features the Earl of Grantham and his family who live in a large castle and have about a bazillion servants. The show begins with the sinking of the Titanic and goes through to the end of World War I. Every drama is equal in intrigue, every character is equally interesting, every episode is equally entertaining. And then there’s the Dowager Countess of Grantham played by the ever amazing Dame Maggie Smith. I can’t even describe her magnificence, so I will just let this video do the talking for me.
I watched the first two seasons of Downton in just under 48 hours. It’s sad, I’m aware. It seems that all I ever do since I finished watching is make Downton Abbey lolpics, mumble to myself in a posh British accent, and Google things like “dowager countess cardboard cutout” and “downton abbey inspired fashion.” I’ve even looked at the rates of admission to Highclere Castle, the gorgeous place where the show is filmed, and ordered this little gem of a shirt.
If you like watching television, you’ll like this show. And if I have somehow managed to convince you to watch (or you are already enlightened) you’ll be able to understand the hilarity of this:
Mischief Managed.
Satisfaction is Satisfying
I’m starting to feel a bit antsy about certain goings on in my life. There are internships to apply for, tests to take, deadlines to remember, and summer to look forward to. Therefore, I’ve decided to make a little list of the things that give me satisfaction and contentment in my everyday life, in the hope of becoming a little more at ease. Sometimes you just have to take a step back and appreciate the little things.
- Stuffing my face with peanut butter and chocolate chips on a pita pocket while sitting out in a tank top my front porch. In March
- When I see someone doing the “Bossy” dance. You can’t tell me you don’t get some satisfaction from this too.
- Getting mentioned in a Landon Austin vlog!
- When someone posts a screenshot of their computer screen and you can see a tab that they have open called “how to take a screenshot.” This actually happened to someone I’m friends with on Facebook. As pitiful as it is, I’m glad that someone is learning something worthwhile!
- Reading a good book. Currently, I’m working my way through Josh Kilmer-Purcell’s I Am Not Myself These Days: A Memoir. I definitely suggest you check it out if you’re into breaking down stereotypes or if you’re just interested in learning about the world of drag. I know I am.
- People who try to change the world, no matter what is against them. Of course, I’m referring to the Kony 2012 campaign. I know that there is a lot of controversy surrounding this movement, but above anything else I think it’s important to remember that at least there are people trying to help in whatever way they can. Check this out if you have no idea what I’m talking about, or if you just want to watch it again.
What makes you happy? Tell me in the comments below if it floats your boat (as my grandmother would say).
Mischief managed.
Natalie Parker: Olympic Wallyball Player Extraordinaire
Tonight, after an exhausting day of watching Gossip Girl, sending loads of emails, going to class, eating, and attending an emotion-filled Student Senate meeting, I played intramural Wallyball with some girls from my hall.
Wallyball, to answer your nonexistent question, is like vollyball in a racketball court. There are two teams of four players each who play two rounds up to 18 points. Other than that, I really don’t think there are many other rules.
The magnificent thing about playing intramural Wallyball is the people that we get to play against – girls from our hall. Apparently no one else really wanted to play this lovely sport, so we’re stuck playing against each other. And it’s awesome.
Every girl really does try, but suffice to say, no one is going to be playing Olympic Wallyball if it ever becomes a thing. Most of us are slightly afraid of the ball, the net, each other, etc. I know you’re going to be shocked, but a large percentage of the time, it’s me who’s having the issues. I have this thing where I’m not quite able to control my body when the ball comes towards me. I always try to bump the ball with both hands together, but somehow they always end up in one of three ways:
1. Protecting my face.
2. Coming apart and resulting in pain from my lack of wrist strength.
3. Flailing around like Muppet arms.
Our ridiculousness often results in uproarious laughter. I have never left a game without having tears coming from my eyes from laughing so much. Speaking as someone who has never played an organized sport in her life (unless you count that one week of cheerleading in first grade and I don’t), I’m finally beginning to realize why people do it. It isn’t about how amazing you are, but about the bonds you make with your fellow teammates and, in my case, the opposing team.
We may have lost every single game we’ve played, but that doesn’t mean that we’re not going to rock the championship next week. And by “rock the championship” I obviously mean make a fool out of ourselves and laugh a bunch. It’ll be a good time.
Mischief Managed.
What I’m Watching #4
I’m all over the place this week.
Gossip Girl – In my last “What I’m Watching”, I referred to Revenge as the ‘more mature and less ridiculous Gossip Girl.’ While that still holds true, it would be remiss to say that I didn’t enjoy a bit of ridiculousness from time to time. Gossip Girl was one of those shows that I got into during high school and then gave up because I thought I was too good for it. Not so. When you’re feeling unamused by your own boring existence, there’s nothing better than some drama-attracting, gorgeous-clothes-wearing, Prince-of-Monaco-loving Manhattan socialites. Not to mention, everyone in the show is amazingly good looking. The acting isn’t perfect and most of the story lines are incredibly stupid, but that’s not what a show like this is supposed to be like. It’s entertainment and it’s entertaining. Seasons 1-4 are available on Netflix Instant.
NCIS – I’ve been a long-time fan of this show, but just got back into it lately because of my roommate’s obsession. If she’s watching TV, she’s watching NCIS. So I decided to hop back on the bandwagon. In case you’re unenlightened, NCIS stands for Naval Criminal Investigative Service and it’s about a team who investigates military deaths, kidnappings, etc. It sounds pretty basic until you find out that this show is the #1 drama on television (!). Why? Two words: Character. Development. There’s DiNozzo, a cocky, lover of old movie references, Ziva, an ex-Mossad agent who can never quite remember certain American phrasing, Abby, the goth tech who owns a stuffed, farting hippo, Ducky, the Medical Examiner, and McGee, the intelligent and rational ‘probie’. And they’re all held together by Gibbs (Mark Harmon). He’s just Gibbs. The plot isn’t what draws me back to this show episode after episode, it’s the humorous interactions between these friggin amazing characters.
Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys – Speaking of Mark Harmon, he guest-starred in a little show in the late 1970s starring Pamela Sue Martin, Shaun Cassidy, and Parker Stevenson. I can hardly express in words how amazingly epic it is. There’s cheesy acting, short shorts, Navajo sweaters, perfume spilling, the dude who plays Friedrich in the Sound of Music, hip thrusts, badass women, ghost footprints, Shaun Cassidy singing, hilarious ninja skills, Jamie Lee Curtis as a biker chick, ice cube trays filled with jewelry, surfing, and Alex Trebek. It’s like a time capsule of the 1970s. If you have to watch one show for the rest of you life, you must try this. All seasons are available on Netflix.
Mischief Managed.
