Rain boots, Christmas Spirit, and AIDS - Be kind to me, December

First of all, happy December - it's about time. Fall is typically my favorite time of year, however, December certainly is growing on me. With December comes Christmas lights, which are already draped around my dorm room along with some tinsel, hot cocoa, snow (hopefully) and, most of all, winter break. Fifteen more days of school and then I've got a few weeks to gather myself and come back to Philadelphia hopefully refreshed and ready to push through the rest of the year.

Anyway, not only is today the first day of December, but it's also World AIDS Day. Spontaneously, my roommate and a few girls from my floor made our way to Temple's Underground where Temple's Health Department (for those of you who go to Temple, learn a little more about HEART... with ten condoms for a dollar, free testing for just about anything you can get tested for, and plenty of other awesome information, it's a preferable first choice over, say, the doctor's office) was hosting a Red Lounge. We originally attended with the intent to watch Amy, a girl on our floor, perform in her dance group, however we stayed for most of the event, which featured step groups, theater groups, singers, musicians, and poets. One man in particular, though, stuck out to me - unfortunately, I can't remember his name. He's a fifty-something man suffering from AIDS who has some incredible information to share. He was diagnosed with AIDS a few months after a wild night out, during which he'd had a little too much to drink and was unable to defend himself when he was shoved into an alley and raped. He's been living with AIDS since, and though he generally looks a little ragged, a little worn, his aura is nothing but glowing positivity. One of his best friends passed away from AIDS merely hours before he came to speak to us - this man, he said, had no family, so he's responsible for the body, the funeral, the ceremony. He told us that his medications (he takes 44 pills a day - one pill is for AIDS, the others are to eradicate the symptoms of that single pill) are so expensive that he can hardly afford his own funeral, much less someone else's, but, with a weary smile, he said he would figure it out.

I know this has little to do with relieving stress - in fact, it does the opposite. I thought that it was worth mentioning though, as it was a major part of my day. I suppose I can tie in this piece of advice, though: look around the bulletin boards and sidewalks on campus and choose some events to attend. I never would have thought twice about this Red Lounge event, but I'm so grateful that I did - I will never, ever feel the same about AIDS, and the event almost convinced me to get tested, just to have that sense of complacency, as unnecessary as it might be. Anyway, go to that weird event, the one you think no one will attend but sounds interesting nonetheless. You never know.

On another, wetter, note, as cute as my brand new red Ralph Lauren rain boots are, I've never appreciated them for their practical purpose more than today, which served up a torrential downpour with a side of hurricane-esque winds - the weather was unbelievable. Happy December.

Keep calm,
Sarah

Goodbye November

This is a mural in Philadelphia that I've seen while riding the Market-Frankford line westbound. This mural and numerous other inspirational paintings can be viewed out the window of the subway - if you're ever in need of some enlightening words, a ray of hope, I'd suggest you take a ride on the Market-Frankford line if you're in the area.

Anyway, I've been writing a lot less than expected, particularly this past week or so. Thinking about posting one way per day to stay calm has been a thought that's almost overwhelmed me. Not that I'm drowning in school work or anything; finals are coming up and I've got a few papers due, but all is manageable. Lately, though, I just haven't been even close to the best mindset to write positively, so I haven't written at all.

Thanksgiving break was the most relaxed I've been in a while, which is perhaps the best and only advice I can offer up for today: if you're feeling stressed, spend time at home. That can be infeasible during college, though, so it hardly counts as advice.

Anyway, my boyfriend and I went to see Michael Buble last Wednesday night at the Wells-Fargo Center in Philadelphia. After an interesting performance by Naturally 7 (or, as we joked, Melodic 8), and a fiery internal debate over whether to blow $8.50 on Chickie's and Pete's infamous crab fries (I ended up deciding that cup of fries wasn't worth almost ten bucks), Michael Buble took the stage. Although I know Michael Buble's a talented singer, I wasn't his biggest fan prior to the concert. Even afterwards, I can't say he's my favorite artist. But man, can that guy entertain an audience. Not only is he a great live singer, at one point filling the arena with only his voice, sans microphone, but he captivates his audience. I found myself genuinely laughing at plenty of his comments. It didn't feel scripted as most concerts do. If you're at all into Michael Buble's music, or hell, even if you're not, I'd suggest you scrape up some money and buy tickets to see his Crazy Love tour - it's quite a spectacle.

All in all, my Thanksgiving Break was the best I've felt in a long while and, with three Thanksgiving dinners, a few Christmas movies, one game night, some new purses from my boyfriend's mom, and a rare visit to the movie theaters under my belt, I packed up my clothes and reluctantly headed back to Philadelphia.

While returning to college hasn't exactly brightened my week, I've been doing what I can to maintain a cheery smile. Me and my boyfriend's one year anniversary is coming up next Monday, the sixth, and I've been keeping myself busy with his gift(s). I'm not a very crafty person, but hopefully he'll enjoy my presents. I've got a few other surprises up my sleeve too!

In true post-Thanksgiving fashion, my Christmas enthusiasm has been intensified tenfold. Sixteen days until I go home for Christmas break, and counting - I've never been so excited for Christmas break.

In the meantime, I'm occupying myself with schoolwork - superfluous studying for finals will certainly be in order these next few weeks - and working on Christmas gifts. How is everyone else making it through the last push of the semester?

Keep calm,
Sarah

Old stuff isn't always wrinkly, saggy, and bad

I'm not a music snob by any means; I'll willingly share with the Blogosphere that I love Lady Gaga's wacky music, and Green Day's always been a guilty pleasure of mine. Nah, I'm not a music snob. But I do appreciate good music when I hear it.

That's why, today, I'm suggesting that you relax yourself, and perhaps even make your mind a more peaceful place to reside, by listening to some good ol' folk.

Ke$ha sure as hell is an entertainer to say the least, and Taylor Swift definitely does a better job than any of capturing the hearts of teenage girls because, well, let's face it: what she says is so relatable: we all have crushes who probably don't like us back, we all like southern gentleman who come to us in the form of a Romeo and Juliet-esque fairytale. Yeah, yeah.

But don't you ever wonder about the bigger things in life? I really hope so. That's why I suggest you take a time travelin' trip backwards by about forty years and listen to some good folk, some folk that will, hopefully, expand your mind more than 'Ye ever could. If you need a little push in the right direction, here's what I've got to say:

Pete Seeger - Sitting through my Dissent in America class was what first made me realize that Pete Seeger was more than just a name I heard all of my favorite musicians attribute their success to. My professor played a few songs for us, and I was instantly enchanted by his smiling face, positive songs, and simply happy attitude - despite the fact that most of his songs were protesting something. If you don't know where to start with Seeger, try listening to "Turn! Turn! Turn!" - a song that you'll undoubtedly recognize that was covered by the Byrds, but I suggest you listen to this original version, featuring the lovely and talented Joni Mitchell (also worth giving a listen): 

I feel like Bob Dylan is this guy that everybody knows about but very few people know. And I've got to admit, I'm quite possibly one of those people who doesn't really "know" him; I have his Highway 61 Revisited album and I know his quintessential songs (Mr. Tambourine Man, Like a Rolling Stone, etc. etc.), but it's tough, for me at least, to really get into Dylan; his lyrics are really, really obscure to me - not very relatable in the way that a lot of times the lyrics sound completely bananas ("The ghost of Belle star, she hands down her wits to Jezebel the nun, she violently knits a bald wig for Jack the Ripper who sits at the head of the Chamber of Commerce") but I guess that's all part of his reputation as a lyrical genius. You've just gotta listen to him to get it. My favorite song by him at the moment is "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright". I couldn't find a good enough version to do the song justice, so if you're curious, you'll have to go look              it up.

Wanna really chill out? Try the Grateful Dead. I'd suggest "China Cat Sunflower", my dad's favorite.

Other suggestions? Try Janis Joplin, the Rolling Stones, or, of course, the Beatles, who I hope you've already exposed yourself to in more ways than just "All You Need is Love". 

Keep calm (and listen to some new music),

Sarah

"I lost my childhood to Draco Malfoy"

Due to my excessive status updates on Facebook, constant countdown, and two posts in a row about it, everyone probably gets that I saw the Harry Potter movie last night. But I'm not writing to review the movie or anything; not only am I horrible at writing reviews and feel a little unqualified to do so, but my mind has officially been BLOWN by this movie and I feel as though I should save any and all discussion of the movie until I'm able to speak.

Anyway, watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows reawakened my passion for the series - I must have read the series about six times in total (in completely different order each time, of course) and, as odd as it sounds, the series brings me endearing complacency in a way that almost nothing else can. Perhaps it's my familiarity with the characters? I understand that Harry's always going to be the one who makes me say, "GOD, DON'T DO THAT; ARE YOU RETARDED?" and Ron's always going to be the under-appreciated sidekick with awkward tendencies, and Hermione will forever be the bushy-haired genius. Of course, it goes a lot deeper than that, and that's kind of the point: I know this trio better than I know some of my friends. And I find the deepest sense of comfort in reading their stories.

You could say Star Wars has about the same concept. This summer, my boyfriend took me to the Star Wars convention in Orlando, Florida (true story!), and I witnessed many, many enthusiasts who seemed to almost dedicate more of their lives to the epic saga than George Lucas himself. This story is the childhood, and perhaps even the lifestyle, of many.

I'm including the Twilight series too, only to refute the fact that this series can live up to either Harry Potter or Star Wars. It just doesn't hold the same value, and I'm not just some kid hating on Twilight because I think the Edward Cullen/Rob Pattison hype is a bit superfluous. I've read the series, at first out of curiosity, and later, because of my intensely obnoxious need to finish everything I start. The series hasn't built itself that following. It's not become a lifestyle in the way that Harry Potter and Star Wars have, sorry.

ANYWAY, this isn't really a post dealing with keeping calm or relieving stress, sorry. I'm trying to deal with the stress myself. I'm still out there lookin' for ideas though, so please keep checking in! Also, I sincerely apologize for my long-winded and pretty much unnecessary rant.

Keep calm,
Sarah

"To possess them all is to make oneself immortal"

You actually have no idea how much I love Harry Potter. So, my proposition for college kids to stay calm: forget your papers, forget your reading, forget your studying; drop everything and go see The Deathly Hallows. 

That's what's up.

Keep calm (read Harry Potter),

Sarah

Inspiration? Nowhere to be found.

I'm fresh out of inspiration, witticisms and humor, so I can only offer up one piece of advice that parallels my mood - watch some Spongebob. Remember what it was like to be familiar with something.

Speaking of familiarity: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out tomorrow night. I've got my midnight premier ticket out and ready to go. These stories are my childhood, they're my comfort zone. And you'd better believe I need some comfort.

"Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win."

Keep calm,

Sarah

Still feeling lost, but making myself known

I came to Philadelphia from a small town. And when I say "small town", I mean it: my first high school had a "Drive your tractor to school day". I thought there would be something almost romantic, somewhat spontaneous about moving to the big city on my own. And here I am.

It's ridiculously simple to feel lost in the city. People are everywhere. The city makes me dizzy. Even though I've become literate in subway map-reading, I know a few of the best little boutiques to poke around in, and I have a few nice restaurants I'd love to eat at if I only had the dough, I am, by no means, a "city girl" yet. I still feel lost. There are people absolutely everywhere.

And so here's my little tip of the day - and this doesn't just go for university students in the city; any college campus is large enough to feel a little infinitesimal in. Get involved. Know people. 

In high school, I was involved in whatever I could get my hands on: marching band, musical pit, designing costumes for the school plays, the school paper, concert band, Girl Scouts, what have you. College is a bit different. To get involved, you've really got to go for it yourself. 

Luckily, I took some initiative before classes even started and got my lonely ass signed up for multiple clubs and organizations, everything from Temple's Socialist club to a Gardening club. Currently, I'm only involved in one of said clubs (Students for Environmental Action represent!), but I make sure to attend as many meetings as possible and volunteer for everything I'm available for. 

Similarly (and no, this is not in any way a plug for what I'm involved in), I've very recently become involved with something my Journalism and Society professor has set up: a magazine all about the Philadelphia music scene. It's called Jump. It's a strictly volunteer-based staff of music enthusiasts/students at Temple who want to explore the jungle of the Philadelphia music scene. So far,the ball is still rolling. WWe've got a media package set up, a few hundred Facebook group conversations going, and a group meeting in the works. It's lookin' good, and it feels really good to be involved with something so fresh, so innovative. Look world, I can actually be somebody in a city.

Stay involved. Join something, anything, and most importantly:

Keep calm,

Sarah