Keep it Classy

The Rainforest

2010-06-10T07:43:00.000-07:00

As soon as we finished up with finals, it was time to take a trip to the rainforest or as it is called in Spanish, El Oriente. Our sights set for adventures unknown, we boarded our bus and headed northwest to the Amazon. Our bus ride was approximately seven hours until we made it our first destination Puya.

Because it was dark outside at the time of our arrival, it was hard to get a sense of what the rainforest actually looked like. Despite the darkness outside, we were all able to see a huge tarantula staring back at us from the entrance to our hotel. The tarantula was simply a foreshadower of what other creepy bugs and creatures were soon to come our way. After loading our suitcases into our lodge, I decided to take short rest on the bed. I glanced down at my sandle to pull it off and witnessed a jungle bug trying to burrow into my skin. Screaming to my roommate for help, we were able to pull the bug out of my skin. Because my nerves were so shattered after witnessing a bug trying to burrow into my skin, my roommate Allison and I spent the rest of the night sleeping in our program coordinator's room.

The next day was spent visiting an indegenous community where we hiked through the woods and spent the afternoon jumping off of rocks and swimming in the Rio Napo (River Napo). Once the sun started to go down, we headed back to our hostal for a delicious dinner of fresh tilapia that had just been caught that day. That night we slept upstairs in an outdoor loft on simple beds with only mosquito nets separating us from the open air and stars.

The next morning we headed out once again for Cotacocha Lodge. We spent the next two nights in Cotacocha. There was no electricity at Cotacocha Lodge and every night we were given two lanterns to help light our room. While in Cotacoha, we would set our every morning by boat. We spent the next two days hiking, jumping off of rocks into waterfalls, visitng an island full of monkeys, and visitng AmaZoonico, a wildlife preservation reserve. I am also very excited to report that I conquered another huge fear! I allowed two men to wrap a thirty foot anaconda around my neck for a picture!

Despite all the fun that we had in the rainforest, it is important to remember the severe destruction that is occuring in the rainforest. Only thirty percent of the original rainforest remains in the world. While we were on a boat, we witnessed an airport being built for the oil executives. It is heartbreaking to think that in twenty years it is possible that we will not have a rainforest left. We must do what we can such as driving less and recycling more to help preserve mother nature.

Final Days in Cuenca

2010-05-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

As I am sitting here tonight procrastinating on studying for my finals, I am thinking about how few days I have left in Cuenca.... only four more to be exact. It seems like only yesterday I was getting off the bus with sixteen other students nervous to the point of anxiety wondering what classes would be like, thinking about our host families, and trying to imagine living in a different country for two months. So, what has this experience been like? It has been every sort of adjective that I can think of to describe this trip. It's been sad, frusterating, amazing, happy, unbelieveable, magical.... the list goes on and on. I have met friends that I know will last a lifetime. The sixteen other Ohio University students are nothing short of amazing, while each one is unique and has taught me more than I ever could have hoped for. My family has shown me love, hospitality, and accepted me with open arms and never once questioned me about my customs or made me feel out of place. My professors at CEDEI have pushed me farther than I knew I was capable of going as I worked harder in Spanish classes than I ever had before. I have cried, laughed, danced, hiked, swam, and even rode on the back of a horse across a river. This experience has changed my life. I know that I am going to return to Ecuador in the future because this is the most beautiful country that I have visited yet.

La Costa

2010-05-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

I just got back from having one of the best weeks of me life! Last week, I traveled to Quayaquil, Porta Lopez, Isla Corazon, Canoa, Bahia, and Rio Muchacho. Taking a break from classes, I was awarded the luxury of a five day trip to travel to the coast. Our first stop was a banana and caocao plantation located outside of Guayaquil. The banana and caocao plantation was purely organic (no pesticides or chemicals are used), and the majority of the bananas are shipped solely in Ecuador; but also to Argentina and Chile.
After the banana plantation, we stopped in Guayaquil. Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador. The first thing I noticed in Guayaquil was the climate change. La Sierra, the Andes mountain region where Cuenca is located, usually ranges from 65-75 degrees. However, in Quayaquil it was approximately 90 degrees. Despite the heat, we spent the afternoon exploring the city. Instead of squirrels, huge iguanas dominated the parks. One interesting fact about Guayaquil is that all of the electrical wires are located underground.
After Guayaquil, we checked into a hotel in Porta Lopez. The hotel was so unique! The reception area of the hotel was designed a ship complete with a steering wheel. After checking into our hotel, we were able to enjoy a day filled with pure relaxation. We sipped tropical drinks, ate ceviche (a popular Ecuador seafood soup that consists of lime juice, shrimp, onion, and tomato), and swam in the ocean as well as the pool.
The next day we were off to Bahia. Bahia was named as an in Ecociudad (environmentally friendly city on February 23, 1999 after the hurricane El Nino destroyed a huge part of the city. After El Nino, Bahia needed to reconstuct and decided to do so using environmentally friendly methods. While in Bahia, we visited a factory called Ecopapel that constructs paper out of trash. I also accomplished one of my biggest fears! For those of you who are not aware, I am deathly afraid of turtles. I was able to conquer this fear and feed a banana to a 110 year old turtle named Miguelito from the Galapagos Islands. Miguelito is the mascot of the elementary school in Bahia. In the past, turtles from the Galapagos Islands were sold and eaten for food. It is assumed that Miguelito escaped from one of the boats returning from the island and showed up one day outside of the school. The school decided to take Miguelito in and now he lives in their backyard.
The rest of the week consisted of visiting Isla Corazon (Island Heart) where we traversed by canoe through mangroves. On our last day, we visited a Rio Muchacho Finca Organica (Organic Farm. The Organic Farm is completely self sustainable; and they practice organic permaculture where every facet on the farm is recycled. I am strongly considering returning next summer to spend a month volunteering on the farm to learn more about their practices.
Despite all the great memories I have from La Costa, there is one memory that is my favorite- our travel to Rio Muchacho. The night before we were supposed to go to Rio Muchacho there was a huge rain making it impossible for our bus to cross the river. Instead of turning around, we decided to take matter into our own hands and cross the river by horseback. In order to get to the farm, we crossed two rivers by horseback and hiked approximately 5 miles roundtrip in pure mud. It was definitely quite the adventure.

To learn more about Rio Muchacho and the Organic Farm please visit

http://www.riomuchacho.com/html/riomuchacho.html

Surviving Camping and Cronica Roja

2010-04-24T10:39:00.001-07:00

I finally did it! I spent the night camping in the Andes mountains. The experience of camping in the Andes mountains was both rewarding and hilarious at the same time. The hilarious part is because my dad likes to joke with me (because of all the traveling that I have done this year) that in ten years I will probably be riding alpacas in the Himalayan mountains. Well, guess what dad?! No, I was not riding alpacas nor was in the Himalayan mountains, however I camped in the Andes mountains and I saw lots of alpacas. Basically, the same thing, right?
My fellow classmates and I spent the day hiking at Cajas National Park located just outside of Cuenca. Cajas National Park includes more than 800 lakes. I witnessed some of the most beautiful sites that I have ever seen. We hiked through mountains, streams, and a forest that looked very similar to the forest in Twilight. After hiking, we pitched our tents and spent the rest of the day fishing. Besides thinking that when I woke up after sleeping in the tent my feet may be black from severe frostbite, it was one of the best days I have had yet in Ecuador.
The second experience that I would like to share is my reaction after my first football game. Football is one of South America's favorite pasttimes. America's NFL is South America's professional football. Little did we know walking into the stadium, we were about to sit in the craziest section of the entire stadium known as "Cronica Roja". Cronica Roja is the name of Cuenca's most dedicated fans. About ten minutes before the game started, we noticed three men start climbing the fences of the soccer game. Not only did the fans climb the fences, but they actually climbed into the stadium for a while to cheer on the fans. The men on top of the fances started hanging streamers; and passed out rolls of receipt paper to everyone in the section. As soon as the team officially walked out onto the field, all pandamonium broke lose: fire extinguishers filled with red gas started erupting, red flares were lit, receipt rolls were thrown as streamers, and the singing began. Like the little engine that could, we tried our best to stay standing in the Cronica Roja section; however a polite gentleman advised that it was only going to get crazier and not a safe place for gringos. Although we had to move sections, it was still a great experience. Attending a game in the United States vs. a game in South America, could not be any different :). Now that midterms are over (I can't believe we have almost reached the halfway point of our trip), we are heading to the coast and Guayaquil for a week of no classes and relaxation.

Me with Myra (one of the coordinators at Cedei) and Lilly.

Leah (our chaperone), Me, and Bailey inside our tent

Ingapirca

2010-04-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

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Last Sunday my OU classmates and I boarded our small 16 passenger short bus for a day for an afternoon of exploring Ingapirca. Ingapirca is the name of Incan ruins that lie approximately 1 1/2 hours outside of Cuenca. Not to be confused with the Incans, Ingapirca was also home to the Canaris (the name of another indigenous tribe that was prominent before the Incans). This day of exploring the Ingapirca was one of the best days I have had yet in Ecuador! It was so picturesque and absolutely stunning.
Before arriving in Ecuador, I had envisioned a country of serene lush green mountains with llamas and indigenous people quietly sowing the fields. The journey to Ingapirca was the perfect vision of the Ecuador I had imagined. The best part of the tribe was the Incan face. Carved into the side of a mountain, is the face of the Incan. The cool thing about this mountain is that the face is purely coincidental. No machines were used to constuct the face, it is purely an act of nature.

My new weekly routine

2010-04-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

So now that I am entering my third week in Cuenca, I am beginning to feel at home and have fully adjusted (at least to the best of my new knowledge) to my new routine. The process of finally feeling at home wasn't always the easiest process, for example the late night taxi rides trying to find my way home as I akwardly mutter "a la derecha" (to the right) or "a la izquierda" (to the left). Or, the other night when my fellow OU classmate came over and I tried to tell that I liked her makeup but instead of makeup, which in spanish is maquillaje, I said, "I like your mantequilla" which means "I like your butter". With time and patience, a feeling of calmness and peace has engulfed me. So, what is a normal day like for me in Cuenca? Well, every weekday morning I awake at approximately 6:30. After getting out of bed and getting ready, I head to downstairs where a delicious breakfast awaits me. Each morning for breakfast, I have a mixture of fruit, yogurt, coffee, and bread. After breakfast, my neighbor and OU classmate Lilly and I being our 30 minute walking adventure to CEDEI. Every morning, we are greeted by the smells of local panaderias (bread shops, yellow taxis playfully honking their horns, school children clasping their mother's hand, people on their way to work, and early risers in the park beginning their exercise routines. Once we have made our way through Parque de la Madre and finally across the river, we head up the stairs into "Old Cuenca" walk two more blocks, make a right onto Luis Cordero and finally enter the doors of CEDEI. CEDEI is two story institution of higher learning that is absolutely gorgeous. With European inspired architecture, a friendly staff, and small crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, CEDEI is a small, but prominent institution where I feel less like a student and more like a explorer from the 17th century. Normal afternoon classes of philosophy or economics, have now been replaced by ceramics and dance. CEDEI has allowed me to exercise my creative talents outside of just writing papers, while still being able to learn along the way.
After my morning classes are over, I then walk back to my house and eat lunch with my family. Lunch usually consists of soup, fruit juice (the fruit juices are the best because everyday there is a new one and they are always so fresh), and the main dish. Once lunch is over, I usually have a couple of hours to myself. During most of the afternoons, I return to CEDEI where I either attend lectures or an afternoon activity.
Ecuador has been absolutely wonderful thus far on my journey. There is still so more that I have to tell you about my adventures! Please continue to check out my blog :)

Peace and Love,

Bethany

Outside of CEDEI

To the Middle of the World and Beyond

2010-03-29T20:22:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! This is my first post from Ecuador. In less than 24 hours, I will have officially been in Ecuador for one week. It has been amazing thus far! Today was my first day of classes at CEDEI (Centers for Interamerican Studies). I can tell that the classes are going to be challenging; however I am going to stay optimistic about them because I know that I am going to learn a lot.
I met my host family Saturday evening, and so far I am in love with them. They are the Carvallo-Solis family. There are five members in the family, but only one son still lives at home. Their home is absolutely gorgeous. Inside the home there are two kitchens, three dining rooms, three living rooms, a spiral staircase, a garden, and a house for the maid in the backyard. I feel extremely blessed to have the opportunity to live in such an extravagant house.
Cuenca is a beautful city. The city is separated into two parts: the old section and the new section. El Rio Barmaba (The River Baramba) is what separates the two sections. Cuenca is lined with cobblestone streets, French-inspited architecture, parks, and 17th century churches. There is a perfect combination of new swanky clubs mixed with colonial architecture.
While everything has been great, I would be lying if I said that I was able to understand and speak Spanish perfectly. My first evening in Cuenca my host mom Marina took me out to their family owned reception hall called La Floreana. What I didn't know before arriving was that it was there reception hall and she wanted to show me where their family worked. Being a little shaky on my Spanish skills, I thought that Marina was taking me to a welcome party that was being hosted in my honor. As soon as we arrived at La Floreana, my face lit up with excitement and I turned to Mariana and repeated over and over "Muchas Gracias" (Many Thanks). I walked into La Floreana and was immediately greeted by my host brother Santiago. Not wasting any time I turned to Santiago and said, "You did not have to go through all this trouble just for me". With a confused look on his face, Santiago replied "My mother brought you here because she wanted to show you where we all worked". I immediately tried to look serious and nodded my head pretending that I knew that was the reason all along.
Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I promise to continue to keep you all updated.
Peace and Love :)

Here I go again...

2010-03-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

Well, it is time to leave the country once again. My destination this time is Cuenca, Ecuador. I am both excited and slightly nervous. Before I left for Vietnam, I felt as if I had months to prepare. I do not know if it is due to the fact that I have less anxiety about this trip or what the underlying cause may be, but I feel extremely calm about this trip. The scary part is I am heading to the airport in less than 24 hours!
What I have discovered after traveling to Vietnam is as long as you have your passport, money, underwear, and comfortable walking shoes you are good to go... at least for a a few days :). This trip is going to be different from Vietnam. First, is the length of the trip. I am about to embark on a ten week trip where I will visit Guayaquil, Quito, La Costa, and El Oriente. I will be taking 16 credit hours of Spanish classes with 18 other Ohio University Students. One graduate student is traveling with us. She will serve both as our chaperone and one our professors.
I will be living with a host family. I just received their contact information yesterday. They truly sound like great people; I cannot wait to meet them.
With an open mind, lots of sunscreen, and my malaria medication, I am ready to leave for Ecuador. Look out Ecuador here I come!

The Fleur De Lis

2010-02-25T13:18:00.000-08:00

When people notice the fleur de lis tatoo on the back of my neck, it seems to trigger a vast amount of questions. Some of these questions include: "Are you from New Orleans?" or "Are you a Saints fan?" My favorite question is "Do you know that the fleur de lis the symbol for the boy scouts?" In order to clear up this confusion, I have decided to dedicate this blog post to the reasoning behind my fleur de lis tatoo; and also to share some of my experiences in my favorite city in the world New Orleans.
The fleur de lis which means "lilly flower" originally began as a symbol of French royalty. King Louis VI was the the first French King to use the fleur de lis on his shield. Since then, the fleur de lis has become the symbol of numerous organizations across the United States. The fleur de lis can be seen everywhere from New Orleans from jewelry, to paintings, street signs, and on the New Orlean's Saints jerseys.
There is not one main reason that I chose to get the fleur de lis as a tatoo; but rather multiple reasons. First, my love for the city of New Orleans helped to introduce me to the symbol of the fleur de lis. While visiting New Orleans for the first time in the spring of 2008, a tour guide told me that after Hurricane Katrina the fleur de lis became a symbol of rebirth. I didn't truly understand what this meant until after touring the Ninth Ward. As I looked out of the tour bus windows, I saw hundreds of abandoned houses with black spray painted numbers across the doors and outerwalls. The numbers represented how many were found dead inside the house after the hurricane. Seeing house after house with the same black numbers spray painted across the doors, made me realize just how many lives were lost during the hurricane. I could not believe that the city of New Orleans especially the people were able to overcome this tragedy in such a short amount of time. Like a pheonix who is reborn from the ashes, the people of New Orleans were able to welcome by family to their city with such hospitality and gratitude that forever touched my life.
Building upon the symbol of rebirth from New Orleans, leads me to my next reason that I got my tattoo. After the passing my mom, I went through one of the darkest periods of my life. However, after time I was able to gain a whole new perspective on life that has helped to mold me into the person that I am today. I really do feel that although I am the same person that I was five years ago, there are parts of me that have been changed.
Finally, my sister and I wanted to get the same tattoo to show our love for each other. The fleur de lis made perfect sense to us to show both the love for our mother; but also to show our strength and unity as sisters.
New Orleans is certain to change anyone's life as I know that it did mine. New Orleans I love you :)

All my bags are packed, I am ready to go

2009-11-21T17:59:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the delay everyone. Nadine and I have had one hectic quarter. Now that we are finally finished, we are ready to give our attention once again to our blog. While many things have happened this quarter, I have decided what I am most excited about is two travel opporutunities that are approaching quickly. The first is the two week trip to Nha Trang Vietnam that I, along with the Global Leadership Center, will be leaving for this Friday, November 27th. The second is a ten week study abroad program in Cuenca, Ecuador.
While some people tend to associate Vietnam with death and destruction, I am proud to be able to debunk this preconceived notion. After working with students at Nha Trang University, I have come to realize that these students are some of if not the kindest people I have ever been blessed enough to meet. Apart from the kindness of the people, Vietnam is a beautiful country with crystal clear oceans, majestic mountains, and state of the art hotels. The Global Leadership Center first year students will be working with nine businesses in Vietnam. My business in JSC Nautral Cosmetics; and my teammates and I are researching how employee morale can be improved at the company.
I am so excited to travel to Vietnam. Seriously, words cannot even come close to describing the emotions that I feel. Aside from Vietnam, I applied to study abroad in Cuenca, Ecuador during spring quarter. It took a lot of decision on my part to decide if I would be able to go. Thoughts of guilt plagued me as I mulled the decision on whether or not I should go. Although I have commitements on campus that at times make me guilty on leaving for a quarter, I have decided that if I don't go this year I may never go.
This leads me to my question of the day- Does it hurt someone's goals or provide opporutunities to study abroad for a quarter? I feel that it is only going to provide opporutunities and allow me to grow as a person. For those of you who have any desire to study abroad, I suggest that you do it while you can. Who knows if you do not go you may be wondering in a couple of year... What if I would have gone?
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I will post a new blog post after returning everyone. As always, peace and love!

Bethany

Saying goodbye to 18

2009-08-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

As the summer draws to a close and my birthday fast approaches, I have decided to reflect on my past eighteen years and also discuss the exciting adventures that next year holds.Although I know that I still have a lot to learn, I feel that I have experienced some memorable life experiences to be able to offer some advice.

Tip #1- Hard work never goes without reward

I know that a lot of times in life it seems as though no matter how hard someone works there is never a light at the end of the tunnel. I have to disagree with these skeptics. Although at first you may not see how hard work is paying off, I can assure you that over time you will be able to see the satisfaction and/or payment that is recevied through hard work and patience.

Tip #2- Sometimes life has to knock you down in order to able to appreciate things

Even when life is bad, there is always something to be learned after every situation. Sometimes you have to go through hell to experience heaven. I often think about this with the passing of my mother. It was a very terrifying experience without question; but somehow in a weird way I am thankful that it helped me to become the person that I am today.

Tip #3- Always stay true to yourself and never compromise your beliefs to satisfy someone else

I feel like this is the hardest thing to do in life. In high school, I was definitely a people pleaser, and I would find myself in situations doing things that I did not want to do. I feel like that it is important to realize that no matter what you do or try to get along with everyone, there is always going to that person who does not agree with you or like you.
This is hard to deal with. The best way to handle these situations is to just shake it off and realize that no matter what at the end of the day you did the best you could do and you are the best person that you can be.

Tip #4- Don't be afraid to get involved.... but also don't be afraid to say "No".
If there's something that you really want to do, just give it a try. Always go into a situation thinking to yourself, "What is the worst that can happen?" Often, you will find that there is no bad that can come out of the situation. Sure, you might have less time and be more busy. In the end, however, you will notice that jumping into things is never a life or death situation.
At the other end of the spectrum don't be afraid to say "no". If you don't feel like going out on a Saturday night and would rather stay in to watch a movie just say "no". Often we get over-stressed because of our inability to say "no" because we try to please people before putting our own wants and needs into consideration.

On another note, I am so excited for my sophomore year to begin at Ohio University. Heather Farr and I are account executives for ImPRessions and our client is... Athens Humane Society! PRSSA is going to rock as well. I hope that by being the VP of Member Relations I can help increase number of students in our chapter and develop the mentor/mentee program. Finally, I can't wait to do media relations for UCM.
I hope all of you had a great summer! Until our next blog entry! Peace and Love :)

SVU and inspiration.

2009-06-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

New life ambition: to become detective Olivia Benson and work as an NYPD detective in the Special Victims Unit.

Seriously. She kicks so much ass. This is the type of woman we SHOULD be seeing on television. The next time you see me, I very well may be on my way to becoming a badge-flashing, gun-wielding, rapist-catching brunette bombshell with a fierce attitude. Stay tuned.
-Nadine

Reality Check.

2009-05-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

All right, I apologize straight up for the gender-bias inherent in this post, but this has been on my mind for a while. Have any of you, dear readers, seen the movie or read the book He's Just Not That Into You? Well, I had the pleasure of seeing this film when it was playing at Baker Center (hooray for thriftiness!) and some of it has just been weighing on my mind as of late. For those of you who are unaware of the book/movie franchise, let me sum it up for you in a few words:

If a guy really likes you, there's nothing that’s going to get in his way.

The moral? Women need to stop making excuses as to why a guy doesn't want a relationship (i.e. he's confused, afraid of commitment, etc.) and just accept when he's just not that into you. I'm floored. It makes so much sense, yet these are some incredibly disheartening facts to face. I'll make this brief, since I have some sociology studying calling my name, and list off some of the key signs that the book says warrants you to throw in the towel and face the cold, hard truth. Ready? Deep breaths. Here goes.

He's just not that into you if:
He's not asking you out
He's not calling you
He's not dating you
He only wants to see you when he's drunk
He's breaking up with you
He's disappeared on you
He's married (and other insane variations of being unavailable)
...the list goes on.

So, this is where you come in. Are these rules set in stone? Are we really all dating the same guy who will give us the same telltale signs that he's just not interested? To be honest, I have no clue. But I'm thinking this might be the wake up call that I needed recently. Leave me your thoughts, concerns, suggestions...I'd love to hear what you think about these (maybe not so new) insights into the male mind. Until next time, good luck on finals and have an amazing summer!
-Nadine

We're back!

2009-05-25T10:52:00.000-07:00

Hey folks! It's Nadine here, sorry for the absence! Life has just been so hectic these days, but I promise, more bountiful blog days are ahead. Today's insight: podcasts are awesome! Listen to this one by my good friend Rob Schreier. Blog updates are forthcoming...in the meantime, enjoy this original review of Athen's own China King restaurant!
-Nadine

For more, check out: http://allthingsrob.podbean.com/

Life's been good to me so far

2009-05-01T20:13:00.001-07:00

Wow, I can't believe it's been two months since my last blog post. I hope that everyone has been well. Spring quarter has been beautiful, and for once this year I can actually say that it has not been too hectic. Since my last post, I have been to two concerts Nickelback and The Eagles.... both were a lot of fun! I am happy to report that I have a job this summer and one for next year. So...with all that being said I can basically summarize my life at this point with a famous Eagles song by Joe Walsh "Life's Been Good to me So Far".

In order to try to keep a focus on this blog post, I have decided to blog about an experience that I had this past weekend. This past weekend I traveled approximately 35 miles from my home to a Hare Krisha community that is located on the outskirts of Moundsville, WV. For those of you who have never heard of the Hare Krishnas, it is a religion that is similar to Hinduism and was founded by Prabhupapada in the early 1900's. The Hare Krishna community was started by a group of followers in the 1970's. The group of followers wanted to build a temple where Prabhupapada could relax during his journeys. What began as a simple sketch of a basic house on a piece of paper, transformed into a beautiful golden palace nestled in the hills of WV. Despite the wear and tear that the palace has endured from the past 30 years, the palace still withholds a beautiful majestic mystique that is sure to hypnotize anyone.

My experience at the Palace of Gold is something that I am sure I will always remember. It was like being in another country. For once in WV, I felt like I was the outside intruding on sacred land. I would advise anyone who is traveling through WV to stop at the Palace of Gold. The people who live in the New Vrindibian community (the name of the community where the followers reside) are extremely nice and welcome to visitors. Until my next blog post take care of yourself and others!!

Peace and Love :)
-Bethany

Just like the White Winged Dove

2009-03-14T23:42:00.000-07:00

I have decided to dedicate this blog post to one of my idols Miss Stephanie Nicks, or as most she as she is most commonly known Stevie Nicks. Stevie Nicks is the lead singer of the legendary classic rock band Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac is one of my favorite bands. For some reason, Stevie Nicks intrigues me. Could it be because of her sultry voice or amazing song writing capabilities? I am not really sure. I just think that Stevie Nick epitomizes what a female lead singer in a band should be. She writes her own music, has a unique voice, and dresses in a respectful manner. In my opinion, there are truly no other singers out there quite like Stevie Nicks. I was fortunate to be able to see Fleetwood Mac in concert on March 1, 2009 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Although Christine McVie did not tour with the rest of the band members, Fleetwood Mac still performed an unforgetable show.

For those of you who don't know, my hobby is going to concerts. I attended my first concert when I was 5 years old (I saw the Monkees!) and ever since then I have been hooked. Sometimes it scares me to think of the music industry today in our generation. While there are still great bands, I feel that the music scene is just not even close to what music was in the 60's and 70's era. Think about it, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin.... These bands were the pioneers of rock music.

These bands such as Fleetwood Mac and ACDC are still just as popular as they were 20 years ago if not even more so. For example, ACDC, who just released a CD this past November titled "Black Train" has sold over 5 million copies of their new CD and headlined a world-wide tour. Singers/bands that are considered "oldies" were the acts there were selling the most concert tickets in 2008 (According to "Rolling Stone Magazine", Issue 1071 February 5, 2009)

1.Madonna
2.Eagles
3.Bon Jovi
4.Bruce Springsteen
5.Neil Diamond
6.The Police
7. Tina Turner
8. Dave Matthews Band
9.Tom Petty
10.Jonas Brothers

The most highly anticipated tour of 2009 is Britney Spears. Depsite the anticipation, Britney Spears has thus far been the victim of mostly lackluster reviews.

This evidence and own preference makes me wonder what the future of the music industry may hold. I would love to receive comment(s) letting me know how you all feel as well.
-Bethany

Chicago (A PRSSA nextworking opportunity)

2009-03-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to network with such extraordinary PR Professionals this past weekend in Chicago. I want to give a special shoutout to Edelman, Ogilvy, and Ketchum for graciously opening their doors to Scripps PRSSA and allowing us to tour their agencies.

After my Chicago experience, I can honestly say that I would love to start out by working agency. I felt that at each agency the PR Professionals who worked there truly enjoyed their jobs. Each employee spoke with such passion about what he or she did, and this excitement motivated me to one day work in agency. I learned a lot of valuable information during my time in Chicago. I learned that when working in agency everything that a PR professional does is a direct representation of the client whom he/she is working for. For this reason, it is imperative that the PR professional make sure that everything he/she is saying is professional and to be mindful of this when it comes to any form of social media. Agency is also very useful to graduates who aren't sure exactly what field of PR to go into. Agency provides one with the opporutunity to work for multiple clients.

Anyway, I loved Chicago. It could not have been a more perfect trip! The weather was beautiful, my roomies were so much fun, a painting was broken, and my van almost got in a wreck three times. Lol, it was definitely a memorable experience! Get ready Chicago Rachel Csazar and Bethany Scott are hitting the town in Summer 2012!
-Bethany

Stars in our lives.

2009-03-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, the brother of a dear friend passed away. It has been heartbreaking, to say the least, to see all the people that loved and cared about him so upset and so lost. However, amidst all this tragedy, there is a spirit of coming together from all of those who knew him. To see kindness and hope in this time of grief is truly an inspiration. I think the word of the week is perspective—the realization that perhaps all the small things you worried about aren’t as important as you once thought. It is moments like these, moments of tears and immeasurable sadness, that allow us to see all that we are blessed with in our lives. There is a well-known proverb that says:

When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.

Dear readers, I encourage you to pause and think of the stars in your life—your family and friends that make your world a better place to live in. Think of them, and then thank them for all that they have done. Chris Glaser was most certainly a star in the life of everyone he met, and he will be missed by every single person whose life he was ever a part of—even if it was for the briefest of moments.
-Nadine

FB withdrawal.

2009-02-27T17:31:00.000-08:00

So this past Wednesday began the season of Lent, as some of you may already know. For those of you who weren’t aware, let me offer you this definition of Lent, courtesy of the all-knowing Wikipedia.org:

Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where according to the Bible he endured temptation by Satan. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial—for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

All right, enough with the religious rhetoric…I’m not here to convert anyone. However, the Lenten season plays a large part in the topic of this post. During Lent, it is common to give up something that you enjoy on a daily basis—for example, pop or ice cream. Hence the self-denial thing. So these 40 days I have decided to go without…are you ready for it? Facebook. Yep, you read correctly. And you know what else? It is only day three and already I’m dying. And to be perfectly honest, I’m not too sure why I feel this way. I mean, it is only a website. Really. I had thought much higher of my self-restraint. I should be able to go a few days without seeing if someone wrote on my wall or commented on my status.

So I’m looking to you, dear readers, if you are still out there and haven’t been swallowed up by the copious amounts of homework professors are handing out these days…what is it about Facebook that makes it so hard to live without? I have my own assumptions, but I’d like to hear yours first. Maybe once I’m further along in the detox process I’ll be able to write about it without feeling my right hand spasm towards the Facebook bookmark at the top of each webpage. Hope to hear from you soon!
-Nadine

Is it spring break yet?

2009-02-22T18:10:00.000-08:00

All right, folks. I have a confession to make. I’ve been avoiding blogging because I feel like I have nothing to talk about. I know, I know—it’s a blog, write whatever you want, there are no rules, etc.

But here’s the thing: winter quarter has sucked out all the happiness and originality from my soul. Extreme, you say? Perhaps. But it’s how I feel, nonetheless. I’ve spent so much time in the study lounge down the hall these past few weeks that I have a pillow and blanket stowed away in the corner, just in case my homework load gets out of hand. What is more (warning: impending girl moment), I feel pale and chubby and I do not like it. However, this is not a venting outlet for me, dear readers. Quite the contrary…I am confessing all of this in order to share with some of you who may feel the same way a revelation I had. The other day, I was wondering what might be the cause of this recent uneasiness with my life…after all, I thought to myself, I don’t remember this happening in elementary school or high school in the winter time. It was then that I stumbled upon this quote, by good old Anton Chekhov:

People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.

Hmm. Interesting. Could the weather really not be responsible for my foul mood? I mean, if I was truly happy, it shouldn’t matter if it is cloudy and 25 degrees outside, right? And to be fair, there’s a lot of beauty to be found in wintertime—what with all the snow on the ground and in the trees. My conclusion: I need to stop using the fact that it’s winter as an excuse to be lethargic and irritable. For so long I’ve been telling myself that I’ll be better come spring; that once this quarter ends I can go back to being a pleasant and active person…but to use the weather as a cop out for reaching my true potential is kind of immature.

So, I’m going to take a few vital steps to expel these so called “winter blues,” and you can join me! In these next few weeks, I’m going to avoid clutter in my room and keep the blinds open to let some light in. I’m going to exercise more, replace sugary coffee drinks with tea, and stay in touch with family and friends. Any other suggestions? Let me know! Hopefully soon, we’ll all be able to be happy in spite of the chilly weather and, like our friend Anton says, not even notice whether it’s winter or summer.
-Nadine

Diving into the PR world

2009-02-08T13:34:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! It's been ages since my last blog post... so here we go. I want to start out by saying that in comparison to last quarter, this quarter has been going a lot more smoothly. Despite the constant studying that Journalism 133 entails, I am actually enjoying that class and finding it nice to have a lot more time on my hands to get my studying done and an adequate amount of sleep.

A few week ago, I had the opporutunity to attend a focus group for Zolio.com. I came into the experience a little nervous because I was afraid that I would be put on the spot and my inexperience with focus groups would show. However, to my surpise, the focus group was laid back and everyone's input was appreciated. For those of you who don't know, Zolio.com is an online resume builder that was started by two Bobcat alums. Zolio.com allows you to build a profile that includes your resume as well as work samples. You are able to highlight your talents with not only your resume, but with work samples or videos about yourself that can be easily uploaded. Zolio.com is just getting started, however exciting things will be coming in the near future. The founders of Zolio.com hope to create a video podcast where employers can set up video interviews with you, a service where with a few clicks of the button you can have your resume sent to fed ex, personalized, and shipped to future employers, as well as an online organizer where employer contacts can be stored. I encourage all of you to visit the site and build your own profiles.

On another note, I am so excited to be going to Chicago in about a month. So far this year, I feel that I have been submerged in the PR world. Although I have learned a lot about what the PR world is, I am excited to actually see a PR agency in person. Coming for a small town in West Virginia, I have yet to have had this experience and I am excited to go to Chicago so that I can make sure PR is a field that I want to go into.

For my next blog post, I plan on dedicating it to classic rock. About a month ago, I went to the ACDC concert in Pittsburgh. In March, I am going to a Nickleback, Fleetwood Mac, and Eagles concert. Anyway, thanks as always for visiting our blog :). Peace and Love!
-Bethany

Have You Heard...

2009-01-25T20:21:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Sorry for the delay, I swear I’m trying to hold up my end of the bargain with this blog. Going along the lines of Bethany’s last post about doing things that make you happy, I thought I might comment about avoiding some things that make us unhappy.

Which leads me directly (for probably the first time in the history of this blog) to the point of this post: GOSSIP. I put that in all caps because, not only am I trying to spice up the formatting of this post, but also because gossip plays such a huge role in many of our lives. And to those in whose lives it does not—bless you, it’s hard to resist a juicy bit of scandal. We don’t gossip to be intentionally cruel or to hurt someone’s feelings…we do it because it’s therapeutic, because it’s easier to feel better about ourselves when we talk about others’ shortcomings, and because we really don’t think that there is a chance we’ll get caught. Are you shaking your head? Are you saying, “Well, Nadine, what they don’t know won’t hurt them…where’s the harm?” Well, perhaps you are right—who am I to determine the answer to that question? But here is a Spanish proverb to provoke a little thought, and (I can only hope) a little discussion:

Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.

What do you think? Here’s my take: it’s a vicious cycle, and continuing to gossip only encourages an environment of criticism and negativity—a place where it’s acceptable to say awful things about one another, as long as you can find someone else to agree with you.

Think a little about your life, dear readers. Do you spend most of your time saying things that will build others up, or tear them down? Until next time, I challenge you to make some changes. It’s hard to avoid gossip entirely, but try not to participate as much. You may find that the more positively you speak of others, the greater the likelihood is that they will do the same for you.
-Nadine

New Year

2009-01-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! It has been over a month since my last blog entry. Crazy! I am so glad to be back in Athens, and I hope that all of you had an awesome break. Since it is the New Year's resolution I think that you would all be glad to know that I did not make a cliche resolution such as that I am going to finally stop biting my nails or lose that last 10 pounds that I may have gained over winter break ( I actually gained 4 but sometimes I swear it feels like 10 when I try to wear my AE jeans). My resolution for this year is to do things that make myself happy. And no this does does not mean that I am going to become an inconsiderate person. I just think that sometimes we get too caught up in things that we are only doing because "oh that club might look good on a resume one day" or "although i really don't like what I am doing this is where all my friends are and if I quit I will have nothing left". I don't know about you, but I did too much of that in high school and it really just isn't worth it anymore.
I challenge all of you to be selfish this week. Use the word "no" when you really don't feel like doing. Join the bowling team although you're a pre-law major. I have found that since my New Year's resolution I have become so much more happy and I just thought that I would pass on my words of wisdom :). PS- The video that Nadine posted of me is just my initial reaction after Barack Obama won, I do not consider myself a political expert in any shape or form. Also, I am pretty sure that I could have passed for a homeless person that video lol.
We just want to keep our blog personal and fun. We will definitely keep uploading videos as the quarter goes on because everyone know that I am not a technolgical expert and I have no idea how "Facebook is going to surpass Myspace by 20% views in the next 6 months". Remember my challenge and please comment! Thank you so much for visiting our blog.
-Bethany

It's been a while, folks

2009-01-11T18:01:00.001-08:00

Hello all! Firstly, I'd like to apologize profusely for being MIA for weeks and weeks. But no worries, Bethany and I are back and ready to kick this blog into gear once again...in fact, we have both resolved (New Year's style, of course) to keep up with the entries this time around.

So, without further ado, I would like to introduce a video taken all the way back in early November, when the nation elected Barack Obama president of the United States of America. In light of the upcoming inauguration, I thought it would be fitting to give you, our dear readers, a glimpse into Bethany Scott's reaction to the country's historic decision. I apologize for the sub-par picture quality...hopefully Bethany's enlightened musings will more than make up for it. Enjoy!
-Nadine

Original Video- More videos at TinyPic

Everything will be alright in the end...

2008-11-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

Wow it been a while since my last blog post. Let's see well I survived through finals week! Now I am back in lovely West Virginia. I was quite excited when I got out of my car because I thought that I heard someone playing jingle bells as I exited the car, only to realize that it was the firing of shot guns. No surprise there...it's dear season in West Virginia.
So last night I went to check my grades and realized that I had received a failing grade for a class that I didn't even know was a class or that I was enrolled in. Right now, I am having some difficulty getting it worked out but I hope that it can be resolved in the near future.
On another note, I am so glad that I read Paul Matson's blog post this morning. The main focus of the post was gpa vs. experience. Based on the evidence in the blog, it seems that in the world of journalism it's important to be well-rounded in both. After reading the post, I feel so relieved. Hopefully, I am on the right track.
Right now, I am just looking to the future and hoping that things will work out. As one of my favorite quotes says "Everything will be alright in the end. If it's not alright it's not the end" things will always work out. If not, I can always reference one of my favorite Tom Petty songs "I won't back down." Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
-Bethany

Finals Week and Final Thank Yous

2008-11-18T08:51:00.000-08:00

Hello! I hope exam week is going swiftly and productively for all of you…stick with it, we’re almost there! So, this week has contained a series of interesting twists and turns. Bethany are living life Facebook-free after having trusted individuals who shall remain undisclosed change our passwords for us (just as a warning, this course of action is not for the faint of heart). It’s been rough, but I feel I can safely say that I’ve gotten more studying done without the pressing need to change my status to “Nadine hates finals” or “Nadine is considering life as a hermit in the foothills of the Himalayans.” Anyways, on to the point of this post: this week in particular, I’ve had time to think about all the wonderful people in my life—both here at OU and at home. I’d like to point out something that our old buddy Matthew Kelly says about the people we meet in our lives:

Along the way you will meet many people. Some of them you will help, assist, advise. Others will help, assist, and advise you. It has been my experience that when you think you are there to help someone else, chances are they are really there to help you.
People are a gift. Each person that crosses through your life is a chance to love, a chance to really live.
Cherish people.

I’m not sure why this week I have been struck with this feeling of intense appreciation for all the friends and family I have in my life. Maybe I’m just sleep-deprived or experiencing some kind high brought on by an excess of Starbuck’s coffee. Perhaps it was the snow last night that looked so beautiful as it fell. Or maybe it’s the knowledge that after a few days I will have my first quarter as a college student under my belt. Whatever the reason, I am radiating the spirit of Thanksgiving and it feels amazing. I encourage you to do the same—take a step back and look at your relationships, both the failures and successes, the prominent ones and the seemingly minor, and say a little thank you for what these people taught you that you couldn’t have possibly learned on your own. Spread some love this upcoming break, I know I’ll be trying to! Until then, good luck on all your finals and have a safe trip home, or wherever your journey is taking you this winter.
-Nadine

The Communication Principle

2008-11-04T15:14:00.000-08:00

So yesterday I was just sitting in the laundry room waiting for my clothes to dry while Bethany was jetting around being Miss Involved (she won the spotlight award at PRSSA!) and I started to think. Recently I’ve been wishing that I could understand people better and relate to them more. You know, just be able to see where they are coming from. I know this is kind of mopey, but I swear this post has a point. I was reminded of a book I had to read in high school called The Rhythm of Life by Matthew Kelly—particularly one chapter called The Communication Principle. I think if we all took the author’s advice on how to talk to people, the world would be an easier place to live in. Here’s what he says:

Let others talk. Avoid arguments. Don’t complain. Give honest and sincere compliments. Appreciate people. Always compliment more than you criticize. Compliment before you criticize. Invite input. Never be afraid to seek advice. Never criticize someone in front of other people. Be aware of other people’s desires. Find joy and pleasure through taking an interest in people. Only talk about yourself if asked. Smile—it is contagious and opens people’s hearts. Learn to listen. Remember other people’s names, it is music to their ears. Remember people’s birthdays and anniversaries—it shows you care. Encourage people to share about themselves. Engage people where they are—talk in relation to their interests. Help other people to discover their uniqueness, to feel special and important, without patronizing them. Respect other people’s opinions. Admit when you are wrong. Be kind and friendly to every person you meet. Ask questions people respond to positively. Encourage other people in their dreams. Try to see it from the other person’s point of view. Hold up ideals. Challenge people gently. Talk about your own failures. Appeal to higher motives. Always look for yourself in others and others in you.
Be clear, concise, open, and honest.

So dear readers, I encourage you to think about that list. What do you struggle with the most? I know for me it's seeking advice and admitting when I'm wrong. Until next time, let's all take Mr. Kelly's advice and be clear, concise, open, and honest...we all could use a little more of that in our lives.
-Nadine

This One Time in Yoga Class...

2008-10-30T22:02:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, I’m back! Before I begin, I’d like to thank my partner in crime for picking up my slack in this blog writing business and being extra-proactive—she is fabulous. So, after having taken my all too long hiatus from this blog and being rejuvenated from my Bethany-induced caffeine fast (ha!) I have decided that it is time that I start paying the people around me some attention. This morning I endured the frigid cold and traveled to Ping for the 9 am yoga class. After too much “downward-facing dog” and not nearly enough “child’s pose,” I feel that I can safely say that all five of us in the class were feeling sufficiently serene and reenergized by the end. Before we had a chance to roll up our mats and make a mad dash for the swiper, the yoga instructor pressed her palms together and said “Namaste.” Umm…excuse me? Is that even a word? I mean, do they teach yoga instructors a special language along with that freaky ability to bend their legs in 180-degree angles? Puzzled, I decided that my biology homework could wait—I needed to figure out what on earth this woman had said. After much intensive research, I came across this definition from www.yogajournal.com:

The gesture Namaste is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flow—the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart.

It sounds really deep, but the message behind it is so simple. Saying Namaste basically means that you are forming some kind of spiritual connection with another person. So, if I came up to you on the street and was like “Hey, insert-your-name-here. Namaste!” I’d just be finding a short and condensed way to let you know that the same emotions and physical influences that make up you are also inside of me…that you and I really are not that different. Okay, so now that I’ve enlightened you on the true meaning of the word, go ahead and use it! You’ll affirm the oneness of the human family and sound like you know an exotic language. The next time you see a friend or are about to part with a group of acquaintances, just whip it out and see what happens. I promise, you won't be disappointed!
-Nadine

Spiritual Enlightenment

2008-10-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

In today’s world of chaos sometimes we forget to take a moment for ourselves to breathe. After the stress of midterms Nadine and I have decided this week to rejuvenate both our minds and our bodies. I have been reading a book titled “A New Earth: Awakening to your life’s purpose by Eckhart Tolle. This book is a great read. I am not finished with the book yet, but I would like to share with you some of the messages I have read about thus far. One of clichés that we would like to consider ourselves a part of is that of popularity. Eckhart Tolle writes about how it is hard for this idea to overcome and how at times we become too obsessed with our egos. Tolle writes “The word ‘I’ embodies the greatest error and the deepest truth, depending on how it is used. In conventional usage, it is not only one of the most frequently used words in the language, but also one of the most misleading. In normal everyday usage ‘I’ embodies the primordial error, a misconception of who you are, an illusory sense of identity. This is the ego.”

With those words in mind, what I think is important to think about this week is what things are you doing in life simply to stroke your ego? What things can you take out that might seem meaningful at the time but when looked at on a more profound level are mere objects of our consumer-obsessed society. Just take this week to evaluate what is most important for you to achieve in school and life and block out that internal voice that is always telling you to be what others want. We encourage you to take some time for yourself, maybe hop on a treadmill or listen to some calming music—just get some alone time and reflect. It’ll be nice.

Also, Nadine and I have decided that this week we are doing a body cleanse to rid ourselves of toxins. Although it will be tough, we have decided to take out sugar, gluten, caffeine, and animal products. Wish us luck on your journey! Until next time (make sure to come back in about a week because we will have video footage uploaded about some of our experiences here at OU) Have a safe but happy Halloween!
Peace and love.
-Bethany

Bethany Has an Opinion

2008-10-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

As Nadine stated in our last blog entry “what would you do if could grab n go the perfect guy?” Well, my response to this dire question is “What if you find this guy and he is exactly like you?” I mean think about it, girls are always obsessing “life would so much easier if I could just create my own perfect guy." But do we ever stop and think that maybe it might not be the best idea? I mean, maybe we shouldn’t come up with this perfect guy. If he turns out exactly how you wanted him, then there are no surprises. Predictability is something that I think everyone could agree makes life boring. Also, whether or not people like to say “opposites attract” girls wants their exact counterparts. And, when I say exact, that’s what I mean. So, if you found this guy that was exactly like you, you have to think “how could I keep the relationship interesting?” Regardless if you find this ideal man or not I think that it’s important to realize that you must never compromise who you are to get a guy to like you. Also, just be up front with your feelings if you like someone. If there’s one thing I hate it’s mind games. I think that it’s just best to speak your mind. That’s my relationship advice for the time being.

Ok, on to another subject. I can be a pretty philosophical person so I am going to try to write on a profound level. The other day I realized one of my roommates was upset. After asking her what was bothering her she told me that her friend was diagnosed with leukemia. I think since it is October and yes we all want to celebrate Halloween; I think that we need to stop and think that it is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. Since coming to college, I have yet to share even with my roommates and some of my closest friends that my mom passed away from breast cancer on April 23rd, 2007. The reason I am hesitant to tell other people is because the last thing I want is a pity party. Instead what I try to do is count my blessings every single day. Since her passing, although it was definitely the lowest point of my life, my personality has definitely changed. I find it hard to stress about small things and it has definitely changed my outlook on life. Yes, I know that you have all heard sayings like “there’s no reason to be upset because your life could be so much worse” or “you have to make the best out of everyday because you only have one life to live." But, I think that we should all really stop and think about what these sayings are about. I am sure we could all admit that although life really does suck sometimes, it could be so much worse. Forget about regret and just move on with your life. We have all made mistakes. Go out and have some fun! Who cares about what other people might think? On that note, I am going to end this blog entry. October is my fav month and I am ready to live it up! Until my next entry…peace and love ☺
-Bethany

Grab-and-Go Your Guy

2008-09-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

So one day Bethany and I were having some scintillating conversation about the opposite sex over a delicious dinner that we had hand-picked from the Boyd grab-and-go (nothing goes better with veggie nuggets than some serious relationship drama) when we came across an interesting idea: how convenient would it be if males came with that same option?

If we could just walk into Boyd, pick what looked appealing and leave the rest for someone else? We could go straight to Mr. Jake Gyllenhaal look alike-vegetarian-loves animals-knows sports-I’ll hold open any door for you, and skip right over Mr. asshole-hates kids-and his mom-watch me shotgun ten beers-and then vomit all over your new Guess purse.

Just think about it, what if we could grab-and-go our guys?

Here’s the set up, ladies: you walk in, pick up a tray, and get in line. No pushing, there’s plenty of everything for everyone. Join the line on the left if you want some nice warm loving—here are the guys that think romance is a beautiful thing. They’ll hold your hand in front of their friends and won’t think twice about whispering something completely adorable in your ear just when you need it the most. Head to the right if you’re looking for something a little lighter on the stomach—this is where you’ll find the cute guy from your Wednesday bio lab who plays it cool but always sits by you if he can help it. He’s not too substantial, but on a Thursday evening when you’ve got nothing to do he’s just the person to call. Run to the fridge and see if there’s anything you forgot, maybe you want your man wrapped in sarcasm or tossed with a little humor. Swing by the condiments and pick up some brown hair and blue eyes for that irresistible combo you’ve been dreaming of…and finally, get in the beverage aisle for that quick, but necessary, cup of “respecting women” you know he needs. Before you know it you’ve got everything you ever wanted in a man, and it’s time to head to the check out counter to swipe your card.

Which leaves me with the tantalizing question…if you could grab-and-go your guy, what would he be like? Okay okay, I know you’re dying to know my order so here it is: I want him kind and sweet, not too abrasive, mostly calm with a fabulous smile, and served with some serious ability to make me laugh. What about you? Think about it and get back to us, we’d love to hear from you. In the meantime, don’t forget to keep it classy. If you don’t find that one guy your looking for just have patience—Bethany and I are working on a patent of some sort to get this guy-grab-and-go idea up and running. I mean, what did you think they were doing over at Shively?
-Nadine