I deleted my Facebook on Monday.
Well, I didn't really delete it...but I did deactivate it. I didn't think I'd actually have the courage to go through with it, but on Monday morning I thought, it's now or never. So I did it.
I have been on Facebook since September 2005. In fact, practically as soon as Mark Zuckerberg opened Facebook to college students, I hopped on the bandwagon — I was the first person in my whole high school to have an account! Okay so I was clearly kind of a loser…whatever.
The point is, I am pretty much a Facebook Queen. When my friend Matt heard I'd deactivated my account, he started laughing hysterically. I asked what was so funny and he replied: "How can you not have Facebook? You ARE Facebook!"
And that's exactly why I deactivated.
I had a deep, unhealthy relationship with Facebook. You can only post so many albums (52), tag so many photos, friend so many people, send so many private messages, partake in so many Facebook chats (so creepy, right?) and stalk so many guys, before you start wondering, am I a real person anymore?
At least, if you're me, that's what you think. I know many people aren't as obsessed with Facebook as I am (was?) so they don't need to deactivate. But you wouldn't tell an alcoholic to try and drink a little bit less so I didn't think I could just tell myself to log onto Facebook a little bit less. No, I had to cut myself off entirely. Now onto Internet rehab.
So far (onto Day 5!) I've been really pleased with the results. I feel free. I feel like I'm not over-sharing all this info with strangers, and I'm not being a creepy stalker either. I've also been more productive in the past week than I think I have been so far throughout my college career.
I'm sure I'll be back eventually...that's how addiction works, right? But for now, I'm Facebook-free and loving it.
Would you ever delete your Facebook? Do you think you're addicted?
Anonymously yours,
xoxo
Vanessa
There are a lot of perks to being in a sorority – you've seen the movies and TV shows, so I'm sure you have your ideas of what they are. But one of my favorite parts about being in a sorority is getting dressed to impress and heading to our annual formal.
I was skeptical about the concept of a formal at first; my senior prom was less than thrilling, so I wasn't too eager to re-enact that night.
The difference was that rather than being with my class of 350 students, most of which I barely knew, I was with my sorority – girls who knew more about me in a year than many of my high school friends knew about me in four.
The best part was when all of my sisters got down on one knee to serenaded our sorority's "sweetheart," which is like the prom king for the night. Our song of choice? "You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling," by the Righteous Brothers, just like in the movie Top Gun. It was classy, and I can't wait to do it again this year!
Also, I got a chance to re-use my senior year prom dress, a gorgeous (and expensive!) coral pink gown with a skirt that reminded me of Belle's from Beauty and the Beast. I felt even more beautiful in it the second time around!
My sorority's formal is tonight for 2008, and I just bought a brand new apple red dress from Macy’s for the occasion. I'm wearing a gorgeous pair of black strappy sandals from Charlotte Russe – they were only $25! And my jewelry will feature the flower of my sorority – the fleur de lis.
I love any excuse to get dressed up, so I'm definitely excited for this event. The best part is that rather than spending it with the catty girls I remember from high school, I am spending it with some of my best friends.
What are some of your favorite prom memories?
X's and O's
Kaitlyn
Web Intern
P.S. - Here is that song I was telling you about. Can you picture a bunch of girls in dresses singing this to a guy? It's a great time!
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Ever felt like doing something that would astonish everyone you know?
I did. I shocked my family and friends when I came home from college with a tattoo.
It was the spring semester of my sophomore year. I had been thinking about getting one since I was 15 and I went with my friend when she got her tattoo a week earlier. I thought hers was the coolest thing ever. The only thing keeping me from getting one myself was deciding on what I should get. I mean, this piece of art will be inked on my body forever.
I settled on a heart. The heart is a universal symbol and will never go out of style. Lately, I have been thinking of personalizing it and incorporating music symbols as well, to make it more "me." Though people were surprised that I wanted to ink my skin permanently, I have yet to wake up one day and regret my decision.
If you've been thinking about getting a tattoo, I'm all for it, just be sure to remember a few things first:
1. Be sure to do your research and find a clean, safe tattoo parlor, don't go to some guy in his basement just because it's cheap. A good tat will cost you, but shouldn't you spend more on something you'll have permanently?
2. Try to meet with the artist before you get inked. Make sure that he/she can do the design you want, and make sure it's a design you really want.
3. Consider the new ink that parlors now have. It's permanent, but easier to remove if you decide that having your ex's name on your ankle is not something you want to wear on your wedding day (I discourage you from doing that!) Check out this article on MSNBC.com for more information on the ink.
Still not sure if getting a tattoo is right for you? Feel free to check out these websites to help you get ideas, learn all the do's and don'ts, and find a clean parlor near you.
Miami Ink (as seen on TLC)
LA Ink (as seen on TLC)
CosmoGirl Tattoo Do's and Don'ts
There are historic events in your life that you will always remember where you were and what you were doing when it happened.
For my parents it was the assassination of JFK. If you asked any of your parents or relatives where they were when they first heard JFK was shot, they could tell you exactly what they were doing. It was an event so paralyzing that it will be forever stuck in their minds.
Growing up I didn't really have an event like that, until 9/11. I remember I was in Ms. Langer's English class, sitting in a circle, when she got a note saying what happened.
And now I have another moment to add to my permanent memory bank: the election of Barack Obama for President of the United States!
I will always remember how I was climbing into bed, watching Brian Williams on NBC, when all of a sudden a screen popped up saying "Barack Obama, President of the United States."
My friends can attest that I'm not generally an outwardly emotional person. But I was so happy that I actually cried, and I'm not afraid to admit it.
This is a historic occasion. Our first African American president-elect. And a change that our country so desperately needs. I look forward to Obama's inauguration day in January and hope that with his presidency comes more exciting moments that I will remember forever.
What were you doing when you found out?
Stacey
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Yesterday history was made when America elected Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States! With 349 electoral votes, Obama swept the nation because he saw what was wrong with America: the failure of the government to protect its citizens.
Obama has promised to provide America with a government that doesn't try to fix every problem but will do things beyond the power of individual citizens. So what does that entail?
-regulating the economy fairly
-keeping the air clean and the food safe
-ensuring that the sick have access to health care
-educating children to higher education
He also wants to end the war and restore America's reputation around the world. We as Americans certainly know what is wrong with America right now, and what needs fixing. The answers may seem simple and you might wonder why those things hadn't been taken care of before. Yet even so, with simple answers there are complex details and the man really does have his work cut out for him.
So whether you voted for Obama or McCain, the nation's challenges are beyond any one man and perhaps any one political party. However, Obama has tried to instill hope in the people and inspire this country to believe in its nation's government once again.
Already we can see that forward thinking can lead to change. On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama will be the first black President of the United States. This shows that America truly can overcome even the hardest challenges — and the quote "Rosa sat so that Martin could walk so that Obama could run so that our children could fly" shows that anything is possible.
What are your hopes for America's future?
xoxo,
Divya Bahl
It was strange being an American in Paris last night. The whole city, like the whole world, was fixated on one thing: the United States presidential election. Hordes of people, Americans and French alike, gathered in ex-pat spots around Paris to watch the results, talk politics and celebrate (or commiserate).
I'm a total political junkie and a huge Obama supporter, so I headed with several friends to an all-night Americans Abroad for Obama campaign party. The place was packed, and the excitement hung thick in the air. Huge screens were set up to broadcast CNN election coverage, and a DJ spun favorite dance tunes during the commercial breaks. To stay energized, we chugged Red Bull and munched on imported H&H sesame bagels.
Finally around midnight, the results started coming in. Each time Obama took a state, the crowd erupted in applause and boisterous dancing. When the election was finally called, around 5 a.m., there was mayhem. People were jumping up and down, hugging each other, screaming and crying. I don't think I've ever been so happy or so hopeful in my life.
But in the days leading up to the election, I have to admit I was anxious. Perhaps being abroad had something to do with it. It seemed like everyone I met wanted to talk about the election, the financial crisis and Barack Obama. And even though most of them were French, they were incredibly knowledgeable about American politics. I realized that this wasn't just a U.S. election, it was a GLOBAL election, but only we had the right to vote in it. I felt like my French friends were counting on me (and my country) to make the right choice. If the loads of Obama signs hanging around Paris today are any indication, I think they're happy with our decision.
Bisous,
Jess
CosmoGirl Travel Blogger
Many of you have written saying that you wish you could travel or move to another country spontaneously. Well guess what? You don't need to wait until after college, or even study abroad, to do it!
This past summer, I worked for a company called Putney Student Travel , which organizes incredible summer adventures for high school students. There's a trip for everyone, whether you want to do community service in Ghana, take theater classes in England, learn Spanish in Costa Rica or trek through Oceania.
I organized activities and taught a Survival Italian course for the Excel Oxford/Tuscany program, which combines fun summer classes, like Medieval History and Creative Writing, with travel. Our program started at Oxford University, where we spent ten days living in campus dormitories, catching outdoor Shakespeare performances, learning to punt and drinking ridiculous amounts of cream tea.
We then headed to Paris for a four-day whirlwind sight-seeing tour before catching an overnight train to Italy. The last two weeks of the program were spent in a beautiful 16th-century villa
It was an unforgettable summer, for me but especially for the kids. I watched my students grow so much over the course of the month. They made new friends, learned new things and opened their minds to different worlds. On the last day, there wasn't a dry eye in sight, including mine!
I'd recommend Putney, or a program like it, to everyone. With financial aid
Can you believe that in less than 24 hours, we'll know who our next president will be?! All day and night, pollsters will be trying to predict the outcome by surveying voters as they exit the voting booths. We never know how accurate those polls will be...after all, four years ago, they showed Democrat John Kerry with a small lead, and he ended up losing the election to President Bush.
But would you believe me if I said a cookie poll has correctly predicted the presidential election outcomes since 1984, before you and I were even born? It's true! The Busken Bakery in Cincinnati, Ohio — a swing state — makes a cookie with a cartoon face of each candidate. Local bakeries sell the cookies and the candidate who has the best selling cookie has always ended up winning the election.
So far, the Obama cookie is selling 12,719 to McCain's 5,564. No matter which candidate you support, you've gotta admit that the competition has never been sweeter.
Happy voting!
Tammy
Editor of MyPromStyle.com and MisQuinceMag.com
p.s. Sarah Palin cookie, anyone?
As an English major, my guilty pleasure is totally reading in bed. When I was little I used to stay up long past my bedtime reading in the dark with a flashlight — I thought I was so rebellious. Nowadays I'm pretty busy reading hundreds of pages a week for school, but I still like to fit in some recreational reading when I have the time.
With all the reading one can do on the Internet nowadays, I feel like sometimes books don't get the love they deserve. So, in honor of being done with my midterms, I've put together a small list of my top 3 favorite books that I can't wait to reread.
1. The Good People of New York, Thisbe Nissen
This was the book that convinced me to move to New York City. It chronicles the life of a ballsy girl named Miranda, focusing on her relationships with friends, boys, and her mom. Whenever I'm unsure how to handle a situation, I legit ask myself: What would Miranda do? She's like my very own Jesus.
2. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, David Sedaris
No one makes me laugh like essayist Sedaris, and I find this particular book particularly hilarious. Self-deprecating and witty, I find myself laughing in public when I crack this book open…embarrassing, but worth it.
3. Autobiography of Red, Anne Carson
Any book that can bring me to tears gets a gold star in my book, and Carson should get about 3 of them. Her beautiful coming of age story, "a novel written in verse," follows Guryon, a red monster with wings, as he falls in love with Herakles. Loosely based on the myth of Hercules, Carson manages to make the most beautiful, modern story about loving someone else and love oneself.
What books are your favorites? Any that you could read over and over? Let me know, I'm always looking for suggestions!
xoxo,
Vanessa
Web Intern
Living in New York City truly is a girl's dream come true, but it's not always easy. Walking down Fifth Avenue on any given day, you're going to pass countless fashionistas, models, and girls who look like models. It's easy to start thinking, "I'm not pretty enough," or "I'm not fashionable enough," and especially, "I'm not thin enough."
When I first started school in New York, my friends and I got caught up trying to be all of these things. A couple of my really close girlfriends struggled with eating disorders. It was really hard to see them go through this, but I can understand why they got to that point. Being super thin was in our heads as the image of what was beautiful, even though it totally wasn't.
I've talked to a few of my guy friends about this and they all agree that it's not attractive when a girl is extremely stick thin. Besides that, it's a really unhealthy lifestyle to maintain and can have dangerous consequences. For more information about the dangers of eating disorders look here.
It's easy to look at models and the girls on TV and want to look like them. Recently, the media has noticed that the actresses on 90210 are really skinny. Most girls in the spotlight are pretty thin. We shouldn't feel like we have to live up to that kind of standard, but sometimes it's hard not to feel the pressure. In reality, girls who are content with themselves — imperfections included — are the most beautiful to those around them. They end up having the best sense of style because they have confidence.
Do you feel pressure to be super skinny?
xoxo,
Lauren
Web Intern
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If you go to college, chances are you've heard about JuicyCampus. We wrote about it in the November issue and on the Daily Kiss, but thankfully I've never had a personal encounter with the Website.
Still, the site is one of the #1 things that has been making me mad lately. A few of my good friends have been written about, and while sometimes the comments are totally ludicrous (sex on the 8th floor of the library? No thanks!) the hateful things that people tend to write make my blood boil.
Seeing the often-untrue stuff written about my friends made me wonder how I could take action — I figured there had to be a way to deal with it legally. Libel, slander, defamation–these words came to mind.
Turns out, that's not exactly the case. JuicyCampus has an extensive FAQ section, most of which is dedicated to explaining exactly why they are not responsible for the content of the site, and how if you think they should be obliged to take down content on the site you should move to China because here in America "we believe in freedom of speech." What?!
I was furious that I couldn't do anything to help my friends, and that the site doesn't take any responsibility for the vicious words posted. In real life, I would feel comfortable confronting a rumor head on; I'm that kind of girl. With people shooting insults behind the comfort of an anonymous gossip site, however, it's difficult to know who to be mad at, and who to pin as responsible. For now, I'm just frustrated.
The owners say that if they receive an e-mail with what they deem a legitimate request to remove a post, they will…but no guarantees. I do believe in freedom of speech, but something about this site feels wrong. What do you guys think? Is JuicyCampus legit? Do we all just need to get over ourselves? Or is this just one more way that the internet is allowing everyone to be meaner than ever? And what's the best way to deal?
Be nice online this weekend,
For my first Halloween at college, my friends and I were determined to find a creative group costume that all of us could wear on the big night.
The only problem was, we weren't looking to spend more than $10. After suggesting several failed costume ideas (Pink Ladies, the many stages of Britney Spears) we finally decided to simply wander around the mall and see what we could find. We went into every store imaginable, finding nothing that could cheaply satisfy our desire to coordinate our costumes. We were ready to give up, until we wandered into the costume shop and found a tube of fake blood.
The red, sticky liquid inspired me – we could be zombies! It would be cheap, unique, and we would still be able to look cute and impress the boys we met while out on the town.
First, we each bought a tube of fake blood, which cost about $4. Then we went to Target, where we found cheap white t-shirts (about $1.50 each). Finally, we found really pale powder foundation for $7 and split the cost. This brought our total to just under $8 each.
To make the costume, we ripped holes in the shirt and splattered fake blood on it. Once the blood dried, we took brown eye shadow and rubbed it randomly on the shirt to make it look like dirt. To keep our outfits uniform, we all wore jean skirts and leggings.
To complete the look, we each covered our face with the pale powder, and drew lines of fake blood coming from our mouth and eyes. It was easy, and fun!
People loved our costume idea, and it saved us a ton of money! We were the cutest zombies around.
What creative Halloween costumes are your favorites? How do you save money on your costume?
Last night in Paris, I had a 30-minute conversation with an 80-year-old Chinese cab driver who thought I was Italian. We talked about American universities – he knew that Harvard beat out Princeton in the U.S. News & World Report rankings this year – and he tried to convince me why John McCain should be president. He held my change ransom as he called Barack Obama a bleeding-heart idealist and criticized his foreign policy stances. An ardent Obama supporter, I argued right back, defending Obama's experience and highlighting the need for a Democrat in office. What started as a quick late-night taxi ride turned into a lively political debate.
Since I've been in Europe, I frequently have random experiences like these, when I look around and think, "Where AM I?" There was the time in Oslo when I was rocking out on a bizarre pirate-themed dance floor and the pumping electro music was interrupted by Jason Mraz's I'm Yours. Then there was the day in Austria when I worked up the nerve to take a 15-kilometer bike ride along the Danube despite my irrational childhood fear of cycling. Even just stepping out of the Paris metro at dusk, with the monuments lit and the Eiffel Tower blazing resplendently in the distance, is an other-worldly experience.
Traveling is all about stepping out of your comfort zone, and I've certainly done my fair share of that over the past few months. But you don't have to fly to the other side of the world to add a little spice to your life. Learn a new language, join a community theatre troupe, sample a different cuisine, befriend that quiet indie girl in your class. Get some ideas here. Embrace the unfamiliar - you might just end up learning more about the world and yourself.
So tell me: have you ever had one of those "Where AM I?" moments? How did it change you? I want to hear all about it.
Bisous,
Jess
CosmoGirl Travel Blogger
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