Supporters for a $15 minimum wage in the U.S. are on the rise, and it has been a big issue debated between Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. She recently switched her stance on the issue, supporting the … Continue reading
We’re a week into October, which is one of my favorite months of the year (in my favorite season of the year!) and a lot is happening in my life! Aside from plenty of fall festivities and trying out new … Continue reading
I decided to enroll in two free, online blogging courses in hopes of some inspiration and motivation to blog again. I didn’t pick the best timing since I got a new apartment in January and haven’t figured out WiFi yet…but, I figured I’d still take a shot at it. The first topic is to introduce myself to the world. I have been blogging for about two years, so this isn’t my first introduction on my blog, but rather me revisiting who I am and why I decided to blog in the first place.
I’ve changed a lot since I started this blog. Prior to starting this blog, I only used Tumblr, and though I wanted to write and share my thoughts with the online world, it was intimidating at first. I was a very shy person and didn’t know how to express myself. Though I always loved writing, it wasn’t until I found out I would be studying abroad in Barcelona for the summer before my senior year of college that I started this blog. I wanted to document the experiences before and during my trip. I wanted to also share my opinions and ideas with others. Being abroad opened my mind to many new ideas and cultures and I loved having a place to share my thoughts, as well as my many photographs! Continue reading
Lent has been a continuous debate among Catholics, Christians, and even families for years. My own family has multiple views on the traditions of not eating meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent. My Catholic grandmother always followed the rule. It was a rule I was taught in Sunday School and was heavily enforced in the church and by my grandmother. For my mother, a Protestant, the only day not to eat meat on was Good Friday. But, because of my father’s Catholic background, she still tried to help my brothers and I abide by the Catholic rule. In recent years, fewer Catholics are following this rule, my family included. I’ve heard people say things like, “They only invented the rule because the fish market was down,” or “Poultry isn’t meat.” Whatever you’ve heard, make your own decision. There are other ways to acknowledge your faith during this time of the year.
Not eating meat on Fridays is just one tradition for Lent for Catholics. Many will “give up” something for Lent, like sweets or chocolate. Others will choose to “be a better Catholic/Christian” for Lent, whether this means helping others or attending mass more often. For those of you who have no idea what you want to do (or not do) for Lent this year, I will share ideas with you that I, myself, am going to do for Lent or ones that I have heard others are doing for Lent. Continue reading
I am moving back home to Pittsburgh next month, after a four-and-a half year adventure in New York City. I believe that this is the best move for me right now. Pittsburgh is known for being the “most livable” city, which is much more appealing than New York, which is becoming less and less affordable. I am hoping to gain job experience in Pittsburgh that can lead me to better opportunities later on, whether it be in Pittsburgh, New York, or elsewhere.
After graduating from Wagner College on May 23, I was back two weeks later to spend my summer in Staten Island. Throughout my final weeks in college, I was constantly worrying what my plan was once I graduated. At the time of graduation, I had two possibilities: work for the Fresh Air Fund, or work at the Staten Island Advance, the local newspaper. I actually came back to Staten Island early so that I could interview for the position at the Advance. The position was relatively new, and they had recently divided into two sections: web/content and print/design. They needed an intern to learn the new system and help out with designing news pages. The position came natural to me, since I was used to designing my school newspaper, The Wagnerian.
Despite America’s reputation for being a “melting pot” of cultures, not every American — or college student — lives up to this reputation. Intolerance is a recurring theme in America. Historically, we have “overcome” intolerances based on race, religion, and gender. Laws were created to make racism and sexism illegal. And yet, these intolerances, among many others, continue to remain prevalent in American society.
Being intolerant is hard to define. Intolerance is shown through racist, sexist, or homophobic comments. It can be treating others of a different race, ethnicity, or religion differently. It can be as simple as joking about someone being “retarded” or saying “that’s so gay.” An intolerant comment does not necessarily make someone intolerant to another group, but perhaps ignorant or misinformed. Being intolerant or ignorant is common. Many of us don’t consider these types of comments or jokes to cause harm, and we say them without even thinking of their meaning or consequences.
Now that my last semester of college is nearly over, I have been experiencing a large mixture of emotions. Graduation means many things: new beginnings, leaving behind friends and memories, being a “real” person…and generally freaking out about life. Here are some GIFs that describe the emotional roller coaster we all experience before graduation.
At first, you are super excited that the end is near and you will never have to write a paper or pull an all-nighter ever again.
The first week at my new internship has been very exciting. I had no idea what to expect at first, so I will definitely admit that I was nervous on the first day. I was afraid I would get lost, or that I wouldn’t like it, or be bored; a lot of crazy thoughts were running through my head Sunday night and Monday morning. Luckily, the office is conveniently located only about a 15 minute walk from the ferry (it’s a direct route, even my poor sense of direction couldn’t mislead me), in the financial district. I didn’t know how this area would compare to the hustle and bustle of Columbus Circle that I was used to last semester at my internship with Oprah Magazine in the Hearst Tower. As it turns out, there are a ton of cute little restaurants and eateries around here, too, and it is just as exciting as Columbus Circle (minus a bit of chaos). Continue reading
It is hard to believe that I am already in my last semester of college; my family can’t believe it, either. I still remember the day my parents left New York, my mom in tears because her first born was starting college in a new city, a six-hour drive away from my home in Pittsburgh. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, no idea where my college journey would take me. But, almost four years later, I can say that it has been an incredible journey, and that I am ready to start a new journey into the real world in May. Continue reading
Alyssa M. Brown 