I got my belly button pierced in a fit of quasi-teenage rebellion on my 18th birthday. Most people allow having a needle jabbed through their abdomens to look cool, to have an excuse to show off their abs or to join the exclusive cult of the navel-pierced. But for me, Read More…
As the Olympics came to a close this past weekend, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness. I could not care less about the sporting events — from swimming to shot put to table tennis, it’s all Greek to me — but I will miss the athletes, those Read More…
A torrent of words and information — PowerPoint slides, textbook pages, text messages, Tumblr posts — pervades every moment of a college student’s day. The act of reading consumes class and homework time, and perusing blog posts and Facebook messages fills leisure time. Understandably, this endless stream of letters has left Read More…
The scent permeates the household in a fit of yeasty seduction. That sweet, heavy flavor conjures memories of mornings in the kitchen, picnics with gingham tablecloths and evenings flowing with wine and cheese. Bread is the simplest form of sustenance, enjoyed by the poor man and the king alike. Read More…
Following a routine screening last summer, my dad learned that he had cancer. In the months that followed, amid doctors’ appointments and surgery and hushed phone calls and microwavable dinners, I diligently avoided partying — that is, pity partying. Read More…
Je ne comprends pas!” I say, begging for mercy. “I don’t understand!” My high school French education proved useless while I was surrounded by fast-talking, slang-slinging French teenagers, and shamefully I waved the white flag of total incomprehension. Read More…
The pursuit of pleasure is as noble an endeavor as any other. Humans need food, water and shelter to survive; but they need pleasure — and a little bit of sin — in order to really live. The argument comes down to living in the moment versus living for the future, balancing the present with what lies ahead. Read More…
From all-juice diets to deep-pore facials to wardrobe purges, popular culture has wholeheartedly embraced the phenomenon known as the cleanse. The unofficial ideology of cleanse culture is that forgoing something in this materialistic, over-indulgent society will instantly provide a clear perspective and a fresh platform for bettering oneself. Not wanting Read More…
On my first Monday of summer, I jumped out of bed with a spring in my step, ready to tap into my optimistic “school’s out” mentality and make something of my boundless free time. Summer, that wonderful season where laziness and lethargy are permissible and celebrated. But I was determined Read More…
Dogs have long been considered man’s best friend, from Old Dan and Little Ann in “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls to Marley in “Marley & Me” by John Grogan. Literary canine characters oft represent the power of love, unfailing companionship and blind loyalty. Some cultures worship their Read More…
