On a lighter note from the previous shenanigans I wanted to say a quick update. With my new leaf of productiveness and accountability I will be posting throughout the summer! Topics will include: The Apartment Adventures of Karina and Lindsey, Food: is that even edible?, and of course KPOP tons and tons of KPOP! Keep an eye out and Good Luck with Finals!!!
To be continued…
Today is Wednesday. As the semester comes to a close and we become knee deep in finals review, I started to review my blog posts. There is no lie there is a definite lapse in posting dates (that and the constant reminder from Karina…she just reminded me 2 minutes ago). I also have begun to see a serious slack in my class participation and overall involvement in my extra-curricular activities.
Another thing to know about me is that I proud to say that I am a dreamer at heart. The terrible additive that comes with being a dreamer is I am also part slacker (ok half…okay maybe 3/4). In between lectures, discussions, dinner dates, and athletic practices I LOVE to procrastinate. I mean hell I even wrote a blog post about it. This could mean doing anything on that list or simply daydreaming with doodles and scraps for my “dream” (see what I did there) of a famous screenplay or novel…hopefully…maybe. And being the dreamer that I am, and Karina can vouch for me, I like to plan things. And sometimes my plans can actually get in the way of being productive. While busy dreaming up my wonderful future life of world travels, film festivals, and creating/accepting “OMG we should totally do that” projects I become overwhelmed and ultimately push them to the back of my to-do list to dream and dream some more. Come to think of it I also push a lot of readings to the back of my to-do list.
Just think of all the possibilities!!!
Basically before I start to ramble anymore what I mean to say is this- although dreaming is awesome and I wish people would do it more often, there is a time and space for procrastination. As I start planning for my senior thesis (eeek!) I remember all those readings that I would “read later” and all of those class discussion I spent more time daydreaming than discussing. College is a prime opportunity where you sit a room after reading a piece of text or seeing a film and discuss it with people who are just as passionate as you are. And even if you have the one person who comes to class to roll their eyes at every topic or the other person who shoots down your ideas everyone at one point everyone has a new opinion; or even better a new perspective.
Accountability is a way to define respect not only for the subject or topic, but your own growth as student, intellectual, and, in general, a thing inhabiting the planet. From turning a paper in on time to telling your friend to meet at a specific time (Bryn Mawr Time: break the bond while you can) produces a physical manifestation of respect. As we inch closer and closer to summer or in the seniors’ cases the “real world” you have to think about what this means for future jobs and internships or, in my case, when you still don’t have one? A dream can only get so far before you need put on your productive pants and get going no matter the position you are in.
I also understand that it is ironic that I’m talking about accountability as I am procrastinating writing this blog post instead of one of my final papers due on Friday. HOWEVER, I do have to say that after this momentary relapse I am turning a new leaf come summer.
To be continued…
TL;DR-Accountability is a fancy word for respect. A dreamer/ part slacker like me needs to be reminded of that every once in a while.
If there is one thing I have realized since coming to Bryn Mawr its that I have a serious case of reoccurring self-doubt.
It manifested itself when I first applied to college. Everyone has the same questions- Did I join enough clubs? Did I play the right sports? Will I get in? Am I good enough? Then once we actually receive a letter and send in our deposit we’re stuck with the worst question of all- Did I choose the right school? Thankfully I’m passed that hurdle and I know for a fact that I did make the right choice. However, that doesn’t stop the terrible feeling from sneaking up in daily life. In the classroom, on the soccer field, even discussing the answer for yesterday’s daily training room crossword puzzle I am bombarded with what if’s, but’s, and maybe not’s.
Tomorrow I will be traveling to Princeton to present my theory on culture translation through K-Pop at their East Asian Popular Culture Conference. I applied to be a speaker in January, found out my paper was accepted in February, researched a ton in March, and reserved April to freak out about this whole ordeal. Don’t get me wrong, I couldn’t be happier about this whole situation. I mean the fact that there is a conference dedicated to my favorite topic and that they want me to speak at it is awesome. But then the what if’s began pouring in. It didn’t help that my practice runs haven’t been going well and last night was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
TOP has too much swag to be nervous.
After a terrible dress rehearsal las I slumped in my rolly chair in a Dalton classroom banging my head against the desk. I gave up, I was down for the count, on the verge of a melt down. “Its terrible I know it. You know it. They’ll know it.” I even started to think about not going. I mean would it really make a difference?
I looked out to my “audience” (a.k.a Karina a.k.a the only person willing to listen to my K-Pop conundrum) for a response. “Its not bad…its not great but its not bad.” For the next 30 minutes she poked and prodded my presentation pushing me to the brink of tears in a back in forth conversation of its terrible’s and work through it’s. Finally out of all of that nonsense the most important thing she said was “this is about convincing that one person in the audience that your theory matters and your topic is relevant. Just remember Lindsey, life is a stage, you have to sell it”, and it clicked.
I was selling the product but I wasn’t buying it. I got caught up in trying to translate my theory into a stuffy presentation that I forgot about what my theory was about in the first place. And if there is one thing I do know its K-Pop. So, after decoding my presentation and returning it to its former glory my confidence was restored!
As cheesy as it is, it is true that you can do anything you want to. But, you have to convince yourself before you can convince others. From summer jobs to a K-Pop conference sometimes you just need to believe in yourself. All it takes is a bit of encouragement (or a high five from Terry haha) to realize how irrelevant that nagging little voice in your head really is.
Words of encouragement from my big sister. =)
To be continued…
TL;DR- self-doubt sucks and its inevitable but calm down and just believe in yourself a little bit and you will make it through…dance parties and high fives help too.
This Monday (aka in 3 hours) marks a momentous occasion. It is my 21st birthday. Now understandably no one other than myself and (hopefully) a few friends actually care about this situation. However as I was shopping for a birthday outfit I came upon a rather startling fact. I, Lindsey Crowe, will be unable, for the the first time in my life, unable to wear high heels. Oh the horror!
If there is one thing that people notice about me it is definitely my height. Standing at a whopping 5 feet and 10 inches I pretty much overlook everyone in my friend group and my entire family. Yet despite my already wonderful height I still choose to wear 4-5 inch heeled pumps placing me over 6 feet tall. And I love the feeling they give me as I strut around a room (even if it is my own). Unfortunately, this past December I had ACL reconstruction surgery from a previous injury which hinders my ability to wear anything but sneakers or flats. Forgetful little me didn’t remember this as I was purchasing the cutest pair of red mary-janes (pictured below) at the local thrift shop.
Don’t they just scream “Wear me!”
I was ricocheted back to my Junior Prom when my date told me I couldn’t wear heels cause I would be taller than him (complete regret by the way). I asked my friend if maybe… just this once… I wear heels that would be okay, right? I tried to argue my way out of it but she immediately shot me down with the Terry Face. I would have to decide between boots,flats, or sneakers.
After a trip to King of Prussia Mall my good ol’ friend Karina had bought a gorgeous pair of pink Enzo Angiolini peep toe pumps while I shopped for boots. In comparison I would’ve taken the pumps in a heartbeat, but I loved the way the boots looked. I felt powerful much like the way I feel in my pumps. As the day looms closer I have started to realize that it isn’t about the look of the shoe or the height in the heel, but how you feel when you wear them. Placing your foot into a Coach black bootie or a sick pair of neon Vans sneakers can transform you from Beyonce to Sasha Fierce.
My dream pair of Jimmy Choos…if only they weren’t $600 YIKES!
In the words of Bette Middler “give a girl the right pair of shoes and she can conquer the world”. So when Monday rolls around I will be trading in my pumps for my trusty gold flats. But no matter, I’ll still be strutting around Rittenhouse Square even if I am lacking a few inches.
Love these babies!
I Am…Lindsey Crowe
To be continued…
TL;DR:
Shoes are amazing. They can give you that extra boost you need for the day and I have a severe obsession with them. =)
I recently pulled my hamstring. Now this isn’t breaking news, I know, but bear with me. As a Bryn Mawr athlete you have two options when you become injured 1) Tell Terry the athletic trainer or 2) wallow in pain until it goes away or gets worse. For the untrained eye the decision is simple, option one obviously. Which is true, unless there is a story behind the injury.
After this weekend I decided to take stock of how my list of pulled muscles have happened and trust me these weren’t my shining moments. Freshman year as we crashed the International Dance I decided to show off my moves and drop it like it was hot. Injury: Pulled Groin. Sophomore year during a dorm room dance party I wanted to wave my luscious locks and whip my hair back and forth. Injury: Whiplash. And last but not least this weekend Lil Jon and the Eastside boys told me to touch my toes so I obliged. Injury: Pulled Hamstring. Other stories of unforeseen tales of other athletes include losing a fight to a vending machine for pretzels-injured knee and kicking a girl in the calf resulting in a broken toe.
Trust me I definitely thought about changing my story, but I couldn’t think of anything…literally. So, with each injury I had trudge down to the training room look Terry in the eye and recount my tragic tales. And every time I received some of the many faces of Terry. First there was the “Seriously” face, which is easy to spot as he says “seriously” with a raised eyebrow. Then the “Again” face- the disapproving head shake with closed eyes. And, my personal favorite, the “I-Can’t-Even-Handle-You-Right-Now” face- hand pressed against the forehead and temples, other arm crossed over torso, and a sigh.
So as a public service announcement to those dancing fiends out there, stretch a little before hitting the dance floor. It could be the one thing standing between you and many embarrassing “oh remember that time when…” moments.
To be continued
This week I have the Hell Week Blues and by blues I mean so much sister class pride! Today class of 2016 ended the week long journey to becoming official Mawrters! I dusted off my old Hell Week schedule last weekend to pass down some tasks to my grand-hellees and got me reminiscing about my first Hell Week. I have to say the biggest accomplishment was finishing the duck pond run and not getting thrown in.
Soccer Frosh getting their schedules last Wednesday
For some people unfamiliar to it, the idea of Hell Week can get lost in the throws of musical skits, marriage proposals, and proclamations of crimes against the campus (I loved K-pop too much), and even the title, Hell Week. For the prospective students, parents, and alumnae that may read this I have found that though the tasks and traditions have evolved with the changing times and student life, the meaning remains the same. There is a moment that some may notice, but other will miss, and it is the quick smile of an alumnae recalling a distant memory of their own Hell Week as if it were yesterday. Whether you are an even or an odd we are all a part of the same family that have passed out tickets to a fake concert, proposed to that one professor, and sang our hearts out to that one song that was popular that one time. If there is ever a time in which love for Bryn Mawr is at its highest I will have to say Hell Week takes the cake.
No matter how much time passes Hell Week will forever remain a week of bonding that connects with past and future Mawrters. The perfect example of this is when I heard a teammate of mine call her alumnae mom and wish her a Happy Hell Week. This week is about a history that we will continue. We will pass down these traditions to keep Bryn Mawr the unique college we know and love.
So, class of 2016 I tip my hat to you. Congratulations, Happy Reconciliation Day, and Welcome Home.
“Remember tonight, for it is the beginning of always.” Dante Algihieri
To be continued…
In order to spice up our lives my friend Karina and I thought we would have a mid-week adventure courtesy of Campus Philly. Now for those who are unaware of this little gem, Campus Philly is a glorious website that caters to the needs of collegiate students and others in the Philadelphia area that would like to spice up of their life or get a few discounts on social life necessities. Our social life necessity was an early screening of the box office hit Warm Bodies. (Did I mention it was a FREE early screening? #lovecampusphilly) I was super excited because I had just finished reading the book and ready to see the adaptation.
Zombies need love too <3
So after my class at UPenn (perks of the Bryn Mawr consortium) we decided to have a dining crusade by exploring Rittenhouse Square for a new cuisine, finally deciding on Continental, a restaurant and martini bar. After furiously scouring the 3 block radius for a parking space we were starved and ready to dive into the menu. Served in tapas style the menu ranged in all types of cuisine from asian flare to italian spin offs and lucky for us we stumbled in during restaurant week…hello meal deals!
Mesmerized by the overflowing table of ravioli, salmon platters, hummus dips, and a blonde brownie smothered in chocolate and butterscotch, we realized the movie was about to start in 20 minutes! We hurriedly paid the check sprinted (well Karina did, me and my recovering knee speed walked) to the theater, thankfully it was only 3 blocks away. Sadly we arrived only to realize our dreams of a free early screening were crushed by the long line of other free ticket holders. We rushed to the back and our wait wasn’t long as less than 5 minutes later we were told the screening was full. So, instead of trudging back to car with sorrow filled sobs we wandered around the city exploring the neighborhood, nightlife, and stalking other theaters for future adventures.
Though it didn’t end up as spicy as we thought it would be, our mid-week adventure ended in twisted turn of events that landed us in the position to notice the quiet beauty of Philly neighborhoods and city streets. Not all adventures need to be adrenaline pumping and luxurious outings. Sometimes the best adventure is a walk in city.
To be continued…
** Correction: The original article mislabeled 2 of the acapella groups. They have been restored to the correct description**
With a freezing wind chill, dash of snow, and the madness of shopping week I offer a large and grand WELCOME BACK. After a nice long break I have to say I am so happy to be back at Bryn Mawr. Seeing all my friends from abroad reminds me how much I missed my Mawrter family. I will be posting about my winter shenanigans in a later post, but for now I want to warm everyone up with a little adventure I had last night.
In lieu of the the end of shopping week the acapella groups on campus and in the Bi-Co held a Welcome Back performance last night. It was Aca-mazing to say the least. The Campus Center was packed with eager ears waiting to hear the sweet sounds of the beatboxing and melodic voices. Here is a breakdown of the performances:
Counterpoint- Made up of Bryn Mawr and Haverford students this group sings all types of genres from Top 40 hits to folk songs primarily in jazz, rock, gospel, soul, and R&B.
Chaverim-a tri-college, co-ed a cappella group that sings songs from many countries, including traditional folk songs, rock and popular music, and original compositions while bringing in various music from different cultures in the community.
Acabellas -Compiled of Bryn Mawr students this group sings a wide range of song, from 80′s pop to indie rock.
Lavender’s Blue- A Bryn Mawr acapella group that dedicates their melodic voices to song of the oldies.
Extreme Keys- Originally known as the Suburban Squares when they were founded in 1981, Extreme Keys is a Bi-Co all-female acapella goup known for their “Extreme, electric energy” and sing songs ranging from 70′s and disco to their current song list which is mostly Indie/Pop.
The Night Owls-Founded in 1989 they are the official acapella group of Bryn Mawr College singing various arrangments.
Unable to make to the performances, check out the newest installment of Bryn Mawr Adventure: Acapella Edition
To be continued…
P.S I also hope you caught on to my cheesy homage to Pitch Perfect ; )
As everyone is gearing up for the holiday season there is a thick layer of anxiety and stress that comes along with it. I am definitely the first one to scream “AHHH I’m so stressed!” at the top of my lungs come December (or any month for that matter). Finals, packing to go home, shopping for presents, and airport security are enough to make my head explode. However, in the midst of the study sessions and crammed shopping malls there is one thing that can make me stop for a second and breath. That beautiful thing is the rain.
After running around doing errands and shopping for a class tea in between my countless study sessions and meetings I parked my car outside of Denbeigh. I turned off the ignition and before I grabbed my bag to leave I stopped and listened. The mystic combination of rain water on metal sent chills up my spine. Not the creepy “great, I’m gonna die right now” chills , but the “oooh that’s good” kind of chills. I ended up sitting quietly in my car for about 30 minutes…just …listening. If it hadn’t had been for a friend of mine texting me to remind me to pick up my other friend from the airport I probably would have sat there all day.
Having the time to sit and think made me want to remind everyone that in this time of “ugh”s and “FML”s make some time to just sit and listen to Mother Nature at her best. And if you are in a part of the world lacking rain please click and enjoy.
To be continued…
On November 9th I attended a historic moment in Kpop history. BIGBANG , my favorite all boy group, made their American concert debut.**insert minor fan-girl outburst**…Phew… Now that we are past that let’s dive into the good stuff.
It all began on a beautiful Friday afternoon when me and my girl Emily made the trip to the great city of Newark, New Jersey to meet our other friend Lizzy and attend history. Prepared with a bangin’ playlist of Kpop, cash for merchandise, and enough jitters and enthusiasm one can only have with a concert road trip, we were about to blaze a trail of greatness. Unfortunately our trail of greatness ended up getting stuck in gridlock for 4 and a 1/2 hours. HOWEVER, this did not deter us from having some of the most outrageous and complex conversations about the wonderful genre of Korean Pop. Ranging from what bands we love, dissecting the Korean music industry, exploring other genres, and the most complex of all…who is the hottest of course!
It was a unanimous vote for BIGBANG rapper TOP (above)
Finally after exhausting all conversation topics and a half tank of gas we finally made it to the Prudential Center. Sure we made it to the arena, but we still had the issue of my car. We weren’t able to get the permit to park in the attached structure, but there was a secure lot perfectly located across the street. As I was fumbling with my keys a deep voice that could not possibly belong to Emily came out of the darkness. It was none other than **dun dun dun** a scalper, who I’m pretty sure skimmed a few years of my life. But a concert isn’t a concert unless there are sketchy people in parking lots trying hawk fake merch and tickets. We quickly shooed him away to meet our date with destiny.
Walking into the arena we were quickly thrown into the masses trying to get as much merchandise as possible, including us. I took a quick glance around the lobby to see the different fans and before I knew it I was next in line then dragged to escalators. We finally made it to our seats which anyone can see are obvious nose bleeders, but in the end they ended being some of the best seats in the house.
From the top the wave of the yellow VIP light sticks turned into a sea of light that moved to and fro with the beat of the music. And the funny part was that the concert hadn’t even started yet.
Me and Emily before the concert started
Now when I first started this post I thought I was going to do an all out play-by-play of hands down one of the best concerts I have had the pleasure of attending. But sadly, there are not enough words to accurately describe that night. The moment the giant stage banner dropped to reveal BIGBANG every fan’s dream was made into a reality. It is not just the idea of seeing attractive 20-somethings serenade you for 3 hours on a Friday night. For a majority of the fans in the arena, including myself, the only way to see this band was to watch videos on Youtube or listen to an mp3 player. The idea of having a Korean artist from any genre perform on American soil was unfathomable, let alone sell out 2 arenas like the Honda Center and the Prudential Center then have to add a second date for each show. With the help of the Hallyu movement and the growing popularity of these musicians through the internet and music festivals like Southern California’s annual Korean Music Festival (which just celebrated its 10th anniversary this year)and the addition of Billboard’s Kpop Hot 100, BIGBANG was able to finally meet their American fans.
They even let the crowd sing a majority of their smash hit Haru Haru
It wasn’t until the middle of BIGBANG’s set that it hit me. As I looked around the arena I saw fans of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. I saw some fans who have listened to Kpop their whole lives and those who had just heard about it because of Gangnam Style. And I even saw amazing parents who were kind enough to bring their child to the show while they quietly sat with earplugs. I am so grateful that I was able to see so many people join together not only see their favorite band play, but also share a piece of themselves with fellow fans who have calmly waited for this moment to arrive.
VIPs Unite!
Who knew Stupid Liar and Monster had such a profund effect. I can’t wait for the next one.
To be continued…