Spotify Playlists

I really dig Spotify. 

It blows me away when people ask me what it is.  In my opinion, it has completely changed the way that we discover and listen to music. I really loved Pandora, 8 Tracks, & Songza, but the accessibility is really what sets Spotify apart.   

             

             

Night Run // SZA // TransAtlantic Lullaby // Peaceful Indie Ambient

Also, can we just touch on the amazing Word section where you can listen to literature and learn different languages?! Yes, please.

          

         

Russion Lit // Learn Swedish // Learn French // The Poetry of Sylvia Plath

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5 Changes You Should Make After College

If I've counted correctly, today would have been about 10 weeks since I graduated college.  Now, that's not too long, but there are certainly some 'real world' experiences that had me thinking about changes that I would like to make for myself.  Here are the 5 big ones I've encountered so far.

1. Follow through with kindness // Cleaning out my things from college I found a collection of misplaced items that disturbed me.  Pictures, cards written and signed, and little notes and friendly reminders that were never sealed, never sent, and never delivered. Stop thinking about doing nice things for people, and actually do them.  

2. Give yourself the gift of health //  Regardless of how out of shape I am, I usually find a tiny voice in my head that affirms that I am a beautiful person.  "Athlete" was always a name that went next to mine & I miss feeling strong.  I'm trying to reduce my intake of refined sugars and other processed foods, and I've gotten back into the pool a few times and made running a part of my week.  It's definitely not a diet but a conscious uncoupling of foods that are bad for my body and a commitment to movement.  

3. Take care of your skin  // I just started a skincare regime that works for me and I'm already seeing results.  I don't know about you, but I really needed to start moisturizing.  I am also committing to taking my makeup off every night before I go to bed, no excuses.  Besides the countless sources that tell us how important it is to do this, I think it's also a nice opportunity to build yourself up.  Being able to look at yourself in the mirror without any make up and still think you're beautiful is a powerful thing lady friends.  Maybe it was a blog post, or a Youtube video, or a tv show, but someone was just saying that your skin cells essentially eat whatever you put on your face, including makeup, lotions etc.  Let that sink in; pun intended.

4.  Get some hobbies // Lately I've been thinking a lot about travel and my old blog, The Anchor Drops.  I remember fondly writing out blog post after blog post about my experiences in Copenhagen and the importance of being alone.  Being alone with myself for 5 months was the most telling experience of how I liked to spend my time.  I taught myself how to knit, I caught up on tv shows I had always wanted to watch, I got lost (a lot) and learned that I love wandering without a map, and I picked up a paintbrush again.  Now that I've moved in and there isn't homework on the weekends, I am the captain of how I spend my 2 days of freedom.  I've been spending a lot more time outside, lots of walks and runs, farmers markets & book stores.  I really want to commit to those things that make me happy.  

5.   People  // I've noticed that with the excitement of new beginnings I sometimes forget the people that are the most important to me.  I had the the most wonderful month at home with my parents and grandparents.  Lots of dinners on the porch, walks to grandma's house, beach days, and shopping trips.  Maybe I'm in the market for a "Don't forget to call your mother" magnet?  I'm also crappy at remembering birthdays and sending cards on time.  This needs to change because I am fiercely loved and reminded of it over and over again.  Throw some love out into the universe and it will find its way back to you, I promise.

Are there things that you are making a pledge to change in your life?  Are you transitioning to a big change?  I wanna hear about it :) Leave a comment below.

  

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#IAmThatGirl Pt. 2

I fell head over heels because of these words by the fabulous Alexis Jones when reading the next 100 pages of I Am That Girl.  Here are the ones that captivated my heart.

"I realized that when we have truly built a reputation on making good decisions, of unbridled self-discipline, unwavering work ethic with a strong moral compass, that in spite of circumstance and temptation, people are willing to invest in us." // 104

"You attract what you are." // 105

"You have so many gifts to offer this world and you owe it to yourself (and to all of us) to be remarkable today." // 108

"I believe in a world where girls empower girls, a world in which we are each other's biggest supporters and our greatest cheerleader, a world where we are taught to celebrate one another's gifts, not to be threatened by them." // 134

"...fight for something that doesn't make sense to anyone but you." // 134

"...magic lives where fear and magic intersect."  // 137

"Being the captain of your ship is a power that most people dream of, but never have the guts to take, and that can make them resentful." // 140

"I do know that life is not too short, but rather, far too long for you to waste another day not seeking out every adventure calling your name." // 147

"In that space, I'm able to connect with the best parts of me, to really see me in all her infinite brilliance."  // 165

"And that requires digging deep into your soul on a daily basis and making the choice to be joyful, not because you have the perfect job, found the love of your life, or won the lottery, but because you chose to be that way." // 168

"Being an optimist is not the same as being naive or ignorant, in fact, it takes far more discipline to extend tolerance over judgement, faith over fear, and love over hate."  // 187

"Be a source of light - that is the real test of living well." // 187

"The reality is that the greatest map we have to our life's awesome quest is actually imprinted inside the walls of our heart, and the constellation of stars guiding us along our journey are the phenomenal people we are surrounded by."  // 199

"My identity is more found in who I love than in who I feel I need to be.  I can smoothly answer, 'I don't know,' and find power in my acceptance of the grandness and enormity of this beautiful life and my beautiful, learning mind."  - Yvonne Randolph 101 

What inspiration have you sought out after today?  Share it in the comments below :) 

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#IAmThatGirl Pt. 1

I am finding so much therapy in I Am That Girl by Alexis Jones.  

Every word has me thinking, every testimony of strengths and choices and wishes has me wondering, questioning, and planning.  What a perfect time to read such an uplifting and inspiring piece of work! Alexis Jones dreamed of changing the world and worked her bum off to do so.  She has started her own nonprofit, I Am That Girl that empowers women to believe they are enough, they do enough and they can be exactly who they want to be.  

I thought that I'd split up the book in thirds & let you walk this transformational journey with me. 

I'm falling in love with words all over again.  

So here are the words that moved me (and my pen) and I think they'll move you too.  

All quotes unless otherwise described are by the author, Alexis Jones.  

"To invalidate part of who you are, to cast it out as "imperfect" and pretend it's not an integral part of you, means you will never fully know or love you." xvii 

"This book is my attempt to inspire that girl in you: the girl who has the potential to create magic, to ignite change, and to inspire the world." xix

"I speak my truth." xxi

"I throw my hands up, close my eyes, and revel in life's awesome and mysterious ride." xxii

"I owe it to myself to be remarkable, so I am." xxiii

"...don't let self-doubt keep your magic from the rest of us.  We want in." - Jackie Tohn

"...somewhere, someone else has already won this battle for me." - Mashad Vakili

"You are so much more valuable to everyone around you and to the world if you begin everyday knowing exactly who you are and try to be the best, brightest version of yourself." 22

"Do one thing every day that represents a conscious effort to expose yourself to the extraordinary instead of the ordinary, the profound instead of the pedestrian, the breathtaking instead of the mind-numbing." - Gina Rudan

"Your own words are the bricks and mortar of the dreams you want to realize.  Your words are the greatest power you have.  The words you choose and their use establish the life you experience." - Sonia Croquette 

"There is nothing more beautiful than a confident woman who knows what she wants." 66

"... a reason to feel electric." 81

"Empowerment is recognizing that in any situation, no matter how small or lost or scared you feel, you have a choice in how you choose to react to your life circumstances.  Exercising that choice is a freedom and it's also the warehouse of your power." 82

"You have mountains to move, dreams to dream, and a world to change, even if the only world is your own." 83

Are you excited for Pt. 2?  Same :) 

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Link Loves

Loving so many articles this week on the web.  Thought I'd share a few.

PS Can't wait to reveal a few new projects that are in the works. 

I'll give you a hint: SGG.

Kaitlin + myself exploring Hamlet's castle in Denmark.

Thought Catalog "Letter to all of the Wanderlust-stricken Souls"

This article was really wonderful to read and reminisce about my travels in Europe.  If you've had the luxury to travel alone, I commend you and encourage to do it as often as you can.  With graduation approaching, this article makes me want nothing more than to pick up everything and backpack around Europe for the rest of the summer.  There is still so much I have yet to see and I'm itching and eager to just go. 

"I Am A Ukrainian." 

I'd like to think of myself as pretty 'up to date' with current events, however I was so inspired by a classmate today when she told us in Feminist Playwright class (right? it's an ah-mazing class) that she gets her news global.  She diligently checks the daily news from networks and publications of that country, not specifically American sources of international news.  I think that is amazing and I'm really interested in doing that for myself.  

This youtube called, "I Am A Ukrainian" shows the devastating turmoil in the Ukraine.  It is absolutely  heartbreaking but I'm so glad this video is going viral.  This conversation needs to happen.  

Here is another great article about the revolts occurring in Kiev right now. 

Things That Haven't Changed for Women Since the Feminine Mystique

I literally just received my $3 copy of Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique in the mail 2 days ago.  It was today in 1963 that the leading lady published this status quo shattering read.  A few weeks ago in Women and Politics (another ah-mazing class) we spent some time on second wave feminism and I fell madly in love with the movement.  I was always aware of its implications, but watching clips of protests and hearing from women of that time was really moving for me.  I can't wait to catch up on actual school work so I can get started. 

Any thoughts on Ukraine?  Or The Feminine Mystique?  

Let's start chatting!  

the scariest question

An obsessive, time consuming addiction I've developed.  

Asking myself, "Who am I going to be?"

With this fall semester over and time to myself to work on my thesis and job hunt, I can't seem to turn my brain off.  There is something so powerful and exciting about knowing that there is a whole world waiting to be seen, languages to be learned, food to be tasted, and skills to be sought.  

I'm usually faced with the argument that "now is not the time to worry about that."

So when is the time?  If I'm not mapping out my future now, when is it gonna happen?  My biggest fear is that it will be too late for me to pursue a dream.   But that's the thing about dreams, you can't have them all lined up like ducks in a row.  Sure you can pay your credit card bills, keep your credit high, remember to turn in checks, papers, signatures, buy cards, etc. You can schedule every last second of your day but inspiration, growth, creativity, how do you schedule that?  I think it's so evident in this very structure, this little piece of the internet that I have.  I can't sit here and type a post to you without creativity or desire to do so. It would be forced and unpleasant and not worth your time.  Hence, my sporadic appearances and jolts of activity.  Hi.

I feel like I'm living in a constant vertigo (ha!) of teetering between the fantasy of life's fullness and the ability to be anyone.. and the reality of what will probably be.  Why is that this second questioning of doubt always springs up before I have the chance to develop a second thought or longing.

I could create something new...how?

I could be famous...and spiral into a pit of self destruction?  

I could pursue politics in DC...and end up dead like that guy on House of Cards?

I could be a successful creative and blog for a living...and work from home?

I could pick up everything and move to San Francisco...and have no friends?

I could find a studio and move to NYC and struggle to afford rent...and not eat food?

I could be an actress yet to be discovered...and be in really awful commercials?

I could get over my fear of writing...and? I don't even know. 

I could just travel the world...without any money?

I could pay lots of money to take computer classes..and then find out I hate it?  

OR. 

i could live at home

work at a restaurant at the beach 

take a job from 'dad's friend'

move to baltimore 

What's wrong with safe?  Why am I scared of safe?  Shouldn't I be grateful that I have safe?  Especially when most people in the world are grateful to have a roof.  

With graduation 3,246 hours away, how am I supposed to sleep?  I know that I don't have to have it figured all out before I put the cap and gown on, but shouldn't I have a game plan? Is anyone else feeling like this?  

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If You Can Read This, You've Got It Good

Everyone has been reposting this article, "How to Get Flat Abs, Have Amazing Sex, and Rule the World in 8 Easy Steps" from Kate Bartolotta at HuffPo.  It REALLY struck a cord when I finally read it.  Thank goodness someone is having this conversation.  Thank goodness we are picking apart our everyday discourse to bring it back down to a more humble understanding.  In addition to this, she is pointing out our biggest flaw; always wanting more & "I will be only happy when.." syndrome.  

At the start of her argument she makes a simple, valid point. 

 "If you can read this, you're life is pretty awesome." 

She explains to the average GenY or Millennial that by shear luck you have electricity, wifi that you are able to connect to, and a computer to use.  

But then I thought of something I had read earlier that day on Facebook posted by the Half the Sky Movement.  

"Globally, 123 million youth aged 15 to 24 lack basic reading and writing skills."

Let's drive the point home further.

"61% of them are young women."

In addition to reading this wonderful article, tonight Washington College hosted Don McPherson to speak to the student body about violence against women and the conversation revolving domestic abuse.  I could not be more grateful and excited about his basic message: Why aren't we having positive conversation?  Why aren't we working to love everyone around us everyday?  What is it in our human nature that flaws us so to assume the worst or fall to temptation to please the masses?  And most importantly, why aren't we talking about it?  

The former NFL quarter back introduced himself as a feminist and I nearly stood up clapping.  If only more men would join this conversation.  This isn't a women's issue, it's a human issue.  

Feeling pretty grateful today about my life, the opportunities I've received by luck, and the everyday experiences I am able to have.  

Intern Spotlight: Kim Uslin

Think you did a lot this summer? 

Think again.

Meet Kim.  

"Hi! I'm Kim Uslin and I am a rising senior at Washington College. This summer, I am lucky enough to have three separate internships - one at the Baltimore City Paper, one at Baltimore Style Magazine, and one online internship at Limerence Magazine. I am working hard and learning a lot about the publishing world...but I still have no idea what I want to do with my life."

3 Internships?  Ding ding ding, we have a winner!

I asked Kim a few questions about her summer internship experience(s)!

• 
  

  What new skills are you looking to obtain:  While I took these jobs anticipating that I would be learning a considerable amount about the mechanics of publishing, I never could have believed how much I would learn about the people in the publishing world. At each of my three internships, I have learned not only practical skills like fact-checking and phone etiquette, but what it's like to work with the personalities of different writers. Though the internships are drawing to a close, I'm still holding out to see if I can learn how I, too, can posit my personal attitudes to both contribute to the success of the publications for which I work and to put a little of myself in each one

  
  

  What environment do you work in best:  I have found that I definitely work best in a more demanding environment. The deadlines for weekly and bimonthly publications are obviously wildly divergent, and while I do appreciate the more leisurely approach of a magazine, there is definitely a difference in how much I get done directly correlative to the amount of pressure put on me. That said, it's nice to be able to interact more with coworkers, and serious deadlines don't allow that nearly as much. 

  
  

  What's your favorite work outfit:  While the paper I work for is a more jeans and t-shirt environment, I'm not really comfortable dressing down quite to that extent. I compromise with dark wash jeans, which are a bit fancier, and a pretty floral chiffon top with colorful earrings. For my magazine job, I love to pair a summer dress (not too low cut!) with a cardigan to counter the air conditioning. As for my online internship, well...i'm not above wearing my pajamas

Thanks so much Kim for all of your insight & see you back at WAC for our senior year! :)