Real Women

I thought the new spread in the November edition of Glamour magazine, "Oh wow. These Bodies are Beautiful", was wonderful for women in america. These 7 women are all "plus size" models from sizes 12 to 14. They all have curves and features such as voluptious thighs, breasts, bellies, love handles, etc. These are all features that REAL american women see everyday when they look in the mirror. Afterall, the average dress size in the U.S. is a 12. The article talks about how in the 1940s and 1950s bodies that belonged to Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor were idealized and women embraced their curves. But, when the Twiggy era hit women started to diet and still continue today to get that model like figure. I worked in a designer clothing boutique in highschool and I remember a lot of the major brands like Tibi, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Milly, Diane von Furstenberg, etc stop making their clothes at a size 10 or 12. If these are just the average sizes, think of all the women that are left to not get a chance to wear these clothes. This was also brought up in the article. Not everyone can be a 0,2, or 4. I love clothes & fashion, but I think the fashion industry needs to realize the difference between what's real and what is unattainable for most. These women are beautiful and I really supported this spread because they are the majority of America. Even through they are the average size, most women don't have stick straight figures or flat stomachs. Whether you're a size 4 or a size 14, every body has imperfections. But I think it's the imperfections we need to embrace because they create individuality. Not everyone should strive to look the same, it's not healthy, and it's not REAL!

NObama

I would not deem myself a liberal or conservative by anymeans, but say that I am more moderate. I am more conservative when it comes to fiscal policy and liberal when it comes to social issues such as gay marriage, abortion, or what have you. I am not trying to hate on Obama, but I really don't understand - like manyyyy people - why he was awarded the 2009 nobel peace prize. Nominations had to be postmarked by February 1, 2009, and he had only been in office for 12 days. What had he done at this point? Sure he had efforts to "better international diplomacy", but 12 days into office, he hadn't ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING YET. Obama is the 3rd sitting President in history to win this prize and I don't think he compares to Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, or Jimmy Carter Jr. at this point in time. Maybe he will live up to them since he has only been in office for 9 months, but I think there were better candidates that have actually accomplished major actions for peace in the world.

Deer In the Headlights

One of the most pecular and strange events occured yesterday in Savannah, GA (where I'm from). Somehow, a baby deer wondered into the downtown metro/historic district. It was speculated that it may have wondered all the way into the heart of downtown from the woods that border the parkway, but nonetheless, this is a very long journey. The deer was first seen on stoops of houses downtown. When people started to chase it in order to catch it, it only began to run more and more. Once after it was clipped by a car it ran into a near by parking garage - up the ramps and onto the second floor. Surprisly, the deer jumped from the 2nd floor onto a Land Rover, and still survived. Since it was moving slower, officials tried to tranquilize it so they could help it. Unfortunately, the tranquilizing was not strong enough and the deer got hit a second time by a car. I thought this story was very sad but it reminded me how humans and animals alike panic when they are in unfamilar situations or environments. I am taking a wellness 2 scuba diving class at SMU and am not usually an anxious person, however, the first time I dove underwater in full equiptment, I got overwhelmingly scared because it was such a new environment. Luckily, I didn't panic bad enough to injure myself or anything like that - but it is scary to have to trust and rely on those around you to feel safe. Sadly, the deer obviously couldn't trust in animal control or the police because he probably thought they were trying to hurt him. Nonetheless, I think new environments like the first day of highschool or college, skydiving or scuba diving, etc., are all scary at first but you have to learn to let go and embrace these new experiences rather than feel overwhelmed.

Shoes to Die for, Literally....

Since I was a little girl I have always been obsessed with clothes and fashion. I love to read Harper's Bazzar, Vogue, Glamour, etc, and see all the new trends and styles being created. As most people know, September is like New Year's for the fashion world. All the new pieces come out and are displayed in New York's fashion week, London, Milan, and then the infamous Paris fashion week. This year, Paris fashion week lasted from September 30th-October 8th. I have kept up with the designers a little bit the most shocked I have been is by the Alexander McQueen Fall 2009 couture shoes. These shoes sport elaborate paint details, crystals, sculpture, and not to mention, THEY ARE ALL 10 INCHES tall. This is ridiculous to me. I am 5'2 and if I wore these shoes (emphasis on the if because I know I wouldn't be able to walk), I would be 6 feet tall. You have to be at least 5'7 to walk the runways, so I think this made all the models look like giraffes. Seriously, who would wear these? I lovee Alexander McQueen - I love his scarves and knits - but 10 inches is a little much, and not to mention, a safety hazard. These shoes are nonetheless very creative & modern - I think the painted one I posted reminds me of a Picasso painting. However, my thoughts are that these shoes should only be displayed in a glass case for art, or, if you want to wear them - keep a pair of crutches handy!

Really, SMU?

Almost 2 weeks ago, a 19-yr-old Jordanian, Hosam Maher Husein Smadi, was arrested by the FBI for placing a car bomb at Fountain Place in downtown Dallas. Fountain Place is the unique prism-shaped 60ft. sky scraper in the Arts district. Smadi said he was acting as a soldier for Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. This could have potentially been an event like 9/11 and is very scary! I am utterly shocked that SMU has not addressed this event. Students get mass emails multiple times a day about closed streets, lectures on campus, and the H1N1 Influenza, but not anything about a mass destruction attempt miles from our school? I know it did not actually happen and the man was seized, but shouldn't it be something worth addressing or maybe talking about a plan of action if something were to happen in the future? Obviously for whatever reason Dallas is a target city and the University should do its best to make the students and faculty feel safe in case of an emergency. I think that if the administration can address a detour on Binkley or a survery for SMU on-campus dining, then they can send out a mass email informing us about the attempt of a mass terrorist attack in DALLAS.

Pony Reality TV

I think one of the most interesting and successful ideas for a reality TV show, although it would never pass, would be to follow a small group of people around at SMU and see how they interact, much like "Real world" or "Laguna Beach" on MTV. SMU is not your average college and attracts many people from affluent and priveldged backgrounds. Where there is lots of money, there is always interest from the outside world. This is true for many reality shows which follow celebrity lifes like Rachael Zoe or the Kardashian Sisters, or even shows like The Hills, The City, NYC Prep or Sweet 16. Sweet 16 and NYC Prep are good examples of how SMU might be because kids compete to have the best clothes, parties and cars, much like SMU (hehe). Not putting SMU down, many people don't necessarily "compete" with eachother but with society, they strive to have the nicest things. I loveeee this school but I think it is definitely different than the majority of universities because it is a medium sized private school and is not as diverse as a big state school which attracts people from all races and economic backgrounds. Also, if you have read the book "Pledged", it is known that SMU has one of the most intense sorority recruitment processes in the nation. The opening chapter of the book features SMU and is uncanningly similar. Greek life is one of the major social aspects on campus and when many people want to do it, there is more competition due to the fact that there are not as many sororities as a school our size. There are many aspects of SMU that display status, drama, and competition so I think this plot would make for an extremely successful reality TV show and attract many viewers!

Dear Past,....

Dear Stefanie's past,

I know it's your senior year and you're really nervous about deciding the right college. I am your future and let me just tell you, SMU will be the best decision you have made thus far. I know you are really set on your home state university but getting out and broadening your horizons will change your worldview and help you mature. Dallas is a big city that provides many things to do, see, and resources to make your college experience the best possible. I know you're scared about not knowing anyone and being the only person from Savannah, GA, but you will meet so many amazing friends. You will meet someone from ever major city: Chicago, NYC, L.A., D.C., Dallas, etc., and everywhere in between. If you would have gone to your state school it would've been everyone from your highschool and you would not get the chance to meet as many people from all over the country. Their perspectives and friendship will change how you view the world and help you grow. I can promise this will be the best decision because you will get to create your own path and be different. You will still maintain friendships with your friends from home, too.

Lots of love,

Your Future