Thursday, February 26, 2015

10. Beanies


I wore a beanie for the first time yesterday.  I felt strangely like a hipster.  It is not usually my style, but I have to admit, I kind of like it.  Maybe I'll buy one of my own

9. Weather


Fuck this cold weather
I came to Dallas for warmth
Not in New England

Sunday, February 22, 2015

8. FAIL


My entire life I have been a competitive equestrian rider.  I spent 2 full semesters of high school living in Florida where the most elite equestrian competition takes place for 12 weeks of the winter.  The division I mainly competed in is called "equitation" it is a judged division for people 18 years and under.  It is the most technical, you have to be poised, stay at a steady pace, leave the ground the same distance before each jump, have a certain amount of steps in between certain jumps all while maintaining a perfect position and having a beautiful horse who fits the criteria of what the judge is looking for.

This was something I was naturally very good at.  I would compete all year to gain enough points for the 'finals' at the end of the season.  There are 4 main ones, the ASPCA Maclay, the USEF Medal, the USET Talent Search and Washington Finals.  For the Maclay finals, which is what the following videos are of, you must gain enough points to make it to 'regionals' and then you must place in the top 30 to move on to the final.  I was lucky enough to make it through to the final every year I competed. In 2012 I had one of the best rounds of my life, which is what the first video is of.  Showing what an equitation class is supposed to look like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lICLIgxUCQ

The next video, was the following year, in 2013, which was also my last junior (under 18 equitation rider) year and this was the last final of the year.  I had been riding a lot, my horse felt great and I was excited to get in the ring.  However, the universe had another plan for me...as I was cantering up to the first jump I thought in my head "phew, I found the distance to the first jump, this is awesome."  Finding a distance is how far away you leave the ground from the jump and it has to be the perfect distance, which isn't always easy to find, especially to the first jump because you don't have a lot of time to get your pace set.  Needless to say, I was excited that I felt good about the first jump.  As my horse went to take off, he took a funny step, and fell through the jump, I fell off, and that was it.  Although this happens to everyone, and this was not my first time falling off, it was the definition of an EPIC FAIL.  Even the commentators had no idea what happened.  There was nothing I could have done, and it wasn't my fault, but I absolutely failed.  I was extremely disappointed and upset for weeks after because that was how I had ended my junior riding career.  But, I got back on and kept on doing what I love.  And in the end I learned that sometimes you have to fail to appreciate your success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80OC1UITzd8

Sunday, February 15, 2015

7. Pi Beta Phi big/little week day 3


This is for the final day of big/little....the crafting took about 8 hours over 2 days and more money than I can to admit to fill it with stuff.  Pi Phi's symbol is "angel" and our colors are wine and silver blue, so that's where the sayings come from on the sides.  I had a lot of fun crafting for my little, but I am definitely happy it is over.

6. Pi Beta Phi Big/Little Week day 2



Last week was my sororities big/little week.  As a sophomore, I got a little and you spend the whole week crafting things for them and giving them gifts and hints to who you are.  This picture is a collage of what I made for my little for the second day.  You decorate and fill a trashcan with lots of Pi Phi gear and their favor foods and give them a note that hints at who you are.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

5. Embrace the shake


http://www.ted.com/talks/phil_hansen_embrace_the_shake?language=en

I thought this video was not only inspirational, but also extremely impressive.  Although the point he was trying to get across was that you can not let anything get in the way of what you love, but rather embrace the challenge, I think a huge factor that he fails to mention is that he is an unbelievably incredible artist.  This is what stuck out to me the most.  I did find it moving that he found a way to embrace the shake and turn his art into something amazing, but I mainly focused on how awesome his art work turned out.  I was extremely impressed by the fact that trying a new approach on his art turned into such incredible pieces.  This is something I don't think everyone could do by embracing a challenge, but for someone with as much talent as him it clearly allowed him to create masterpieces.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

4. Superbowl Commercial


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAsjRRMMg_Q

My favorite commercial from the 2015 Superbowl was the Budweiser Best Buds one.  I think this commercial absolutely works.  It captures the emotional connection of the product to the consumers and although it doesn't make the viewer necessarily think about their beer it makes them think about their brand as a whole, showing high customer satisfaction and a strong relationship between consumer and brand.  This commercial is definitely effective because I think most people know exactly what product has the commercial with the puppy and the Clydesdale, therefore they successfully advertised their brand and their products.

3. Superbowl outfit


Being from Massachusetts I am a strong Patriots fan.  The day before the Super Bowl my mom sent me a package with this shirt as well as a Brady jersey.  The shirt proved to be good luck.... and will stay the shirt I will wear for all future Pats games to ensure their win.