Memoirs of a Lifeguard

As I look back on yet another summer spent lifguarding, I have learned a few new things.

1. Bikinis on toddlers never work, no matter how cute they are, the girl might as well go topless
2. A guard will have to yell "WALK!" or "NO RUNNING!" an average of 3 times before the kid actually listens to you.
3. Kids can go down the same water slide for an hour and a half and still enjoy the 53rd ride as much as the 1st.
4. Intoxicated adults can be just as annoying as their kids.
5. Being a head guard has many perks; especially the fact that you no longer have to clean bathrooms
6. Even though you may feel bad watching the kid you just swim tested cry because they didn't pass, when they try again the next month and make it, the smile on their face at that time will make it all worth it.

After 5 years of saving lives, I think it is time to hang up the whistle and red suit. As much as I love getting a tan every day and hanging out with co-workers, there comes a time when I guess I must face the real world, and get a real job...or internship. But hey, I have all year to decide that, right?

Traveling Troubles

As I am about to leave for Ecuador, I am faced with my biggest challenge whenever flying: what to wear on the plane. Sure, I can pack a bag with all the clothes I need and I can remember my toothbrush and toothpaste, but the moment I always struggle with is deciding what outfit to wear while walking through security and sitting in a seat for hours. I look at it as the true test of ones ability to combine form and function, and unlike Lady Gaga, I would prefer not to wear 7 inch heels through the terminal because we all know how that ended. Well, after almost half an hour, I have decided on black leggings with a loose black top, multi-colored gladiators, a gold chain with turquoise pendant, and my watch. This lets me be comfortable while in flight and I only have to take off a necklace and watch to get through the metal detector without causing a scene. All thats left now is to put my bags in the car and adiós!

A Living Legend

One of the biggest things that my Dad and I share in common is an appreciation for good music. He was born in 1954 and so he got to experience and see some of the greatest musicians of all time (he graduated high school in '69...hello Woodstock!). I love all music, but there is truly nothing like classic rock. Last Wednesday Paul McCartney came to Charlotte and I was lucky enough to see him with my Dad. Although the tickets were quite pricey (the nosebleed section starting at almost $100), it was worth every penny. He put on such a show and performance I don't know how any one couldn't have a good time! He sang mostly classics which I enjoyed, and all of his own songs except for one tribute which he did to Jimi. He told stories of traveling around the world, hanging out with the most hip artists, and how the band started from nothing and grew to be one of, if not, the greatest rock n' roll band of all time. My favorite was when he sang "Back in the USSR" and "Blackbird". It is not possible for me to put into words just how much an impact they made on the world; I mean, people in foreign countries learned how to speak english from their records and someone a few weeks ago paid 1.2 million for a piece of paper with John's lyrics to "A Day in the Life" (still short of the 1.25 paid for the "All You Need is Love" ones)!! If I could have lived in another time, it would have definitely been the 60's.

Click it or Ticket

All I can say is thank you seatbelt and Honda for saving my life. This was not my fault by the way for those interested! Unfortunately the passenger of the car I collided with was not wearing his seatbelt and slammed his head into the windshield, all he suffered from though was a severe headache and added points to his liscense. Always remember, drive safely.

A day at the Museum

I am in New York visiting a friend of mine from school. Yesterday we went on an adventure into the city. Although I have been to the city many times, it has been over 10 years since I have returned to the American Museum of Natural History. This museum is hands down, one of the best in the world and I could spend a week there and still not see everything! Yesterday, Caroline and I spent over fiver hours just visiting the exhibits we wanted to see. My personal favorite is the Mammals of Africa exhibit. All of the stuffed tigers, elephants, zebras and monkeys seem like they could jump out at me at any minute, just like they did for Ben Stiller. And even though I have been a visitor to the great Empire State more times than I can count, I still like to act a tourist and take pictures of everything; Caroline however, refused to let me ask someone to take a picture of us standing in front of a giant tree stump...she said it was "too touristy". Anyways, we had a great time and it was so great to feel like a kid again and ignore the fact that I will no longer be a teenager in just about four months.

All for Tony

Last night I sat on the couch with my Mom and she flicked on the 2010 Tony Awards. Now, since I don't get out much to actually see a musical or play, I was watching to see who was wearing what. Over all, I was very impressed by most of what people were wearing, from mini-dresses to ornate gowns, everyone was looking their best. At 84 years old, Angela Lansbury didn't let her age stop her from looking great in red gown. Jada Pinkett Smith (and I have to note her husband Will as well who looked so handsome in his patterned tux) and Camille Donatacci Grammer followed suit in red dresses as well, although Jada's was much shorter and accentuated her toned body with large ruffles. I must say, that although I am not a huge fan of musicals, especially Glee, Lea Michele looked drop dead gorgeous in her golden yellow Zac Posen gown. Gotta say that her bangs worked perfectly with the look and her minimal
jewelry just helped to show off the dress and her figure. Cate Blanchett made a bold move by choosing a sleek and fitted silver blazer and matching pants. I must say that I approve of this look and her edgy bob--it really works for her and I would love to borrow that blazer some time. As for Naomi Watts, I was bored by her subdued nude/blush colored gown and black belt. Lucy Lui on the other hand showed everyone how to wear such a neutral color in her tulle Marchesa gown. And of course, Scarlett Johansson looked sultry and beautiful as ever in an emerald Elie Saab gown; it was also nice to see her flying solo from her Ryan. I can't wait to attend some sort of even where I can hopefully wear a gown like one of these (preferably the yellow Zac Posen).

no such thing as a free lunch

As I was browsing the paper today I came across an article about Chapel Hill offering free lunches for families who demonstrated need. This reminded me of my Poverty and Human Capability class that I took Spring term and all that it encompassed. The class opened my eyes to the issue of poverty in our nation and the problems that exist in the way we measure and handle it. I would attach my final paper but it is 16 pages of my opinion that you proba
bly don't want to read during your summer break. I believe the biggest contributer to poverty is the way children are raised and the places they live; when they have parents who never went to school or value and education that mindset is almost always passed onto the kids. As a college student in the world and economy today, I really understand the value of an education and the necessity of one to truly succeed in life. The neighborhoods these kids grow up in affect them as well, especially when they are gang ridden and surrounded by other families growing up in poverty. There is a ray of light in these situations, that the child will possibly see his current life as one he wants to escape and so he will go on to higher education and eventual escape of poverty, but this ray rarely shines through the clouds. Anyways, the big picture I got out of it and the part of me that really changed is the way I now perceive the poor. I used to look at the man holding the cardboard sign on the side of the road as simply a guy who never got a job or put any effort into his life, but after Spring, I understood that being lazy was rarely the case of people living in poverty. There are many changes that need to be made in our welfare system and the treatment of the poor, many that I fear may never be addressed. If you have a chance to take a course about poverty at any time in your career, take it. It will make you question what the American Dream really is now and how it has changed over time.

Too hot for rain boots?

Not a problem, invest in a pair of rain flats! My new obsession. Rain boots can get really hot in the summer, and lets be honest, you can't wear rubber boots with every outfit. Caroline started my infatuation when she walked into my room with a pair of hot pink "rainy day flats" from J. Crew. It was the perfect day for them--not quite raining, but there was still puddles around and a slight mist. Although it seems a bit obscene to spend $150 on a pair of rubber (even if they are crazy cute baby blue Ferragamo ones), there are many more affordable ones out there that wont bust your wallet. Find a pair that fits your style. This Chinese Laundry pair are only $40 at Nordstroms...and come in a few different colors.

Only one freshman year

There are so many firsts in life, and your freshman year of college is definitely one of the best. I packed up my SUV all by my self, and boy did I underestimate how much crap I have accumulated over this year. I mean, I could barely see out of the back of the car, thats how packed it was (and I drive a Chevy Tahoe). I finally finished packing every thing Saturday morning and so the only thing left to do was say goodbye to my room 215 and all of the great friends I had made on that floor. I was able to keep the waterfalls in until I had to say goodbye to Kelly Mae, and it was all downhill from there. Seeing everyone leave is hard, but being the one to leave your friends is even harder. Life in the dorms was great, and life on the co-ed hall was even better. There is no place I would have rather spend my first year of college at Washington and Lee. The guys were some of the greatest, especially listening to them play guitar and yelling at Halo every night, and the girls were one in a million. It's sad to think that next year I will not have little slips of paper under my door inviting me to the hottest frat party, or that I can't just walk down the hall and speak to my RA if I have a question (or if I just want to steal his Nip Tuck season 4). I will never forget our hall Christmas when Johanna bought us all dollar tree gifts, or when we filled Stephen's room with balloons, and I can't forget the "person" Caroline made and left in the hallways and scared me every single day. Any way you put it, freshman year, Davis floor 2, was by far one of the best experiences I could ask for in college, and in life.

Modern Family

If you share the same sense of humor that I do then you will love this TV show. It is filmed similarly to The Office, but is centered around a family. With the end of a school year closing in, and a 14 page paper looming in the distance, funny TV shows keep me in line and give me a half hour or so to relax. Click on the following link to watch the pilot episode of Modern Family. I promise you will laugh. (if you don't laugh, I feel very sorry for you).

click here

a quarter done

As my freshman year of college comes to a close, I am left with many memories and the anticipation of being back at home. I always enjoying packing for vacation, but packing up everything in your dorm room is much different. I have started a week early because I know how much stuff I have, but now I wish I had waited a few more days. Every frat party invite, every article of clothing, even the old food in my cabinet seems to hold some memory and makes me want to go back to that first week of school. I hate to leave my dorm room hall and the friends I have made here on Davis floor 2, but I have come to learn and accept the fact that change is inevitable. All you can do is adapt and make the best out of the situation. I will always remember the day I moved in, when my RA highly doubted that I would fit everything I brought into my room, and the moment I realized that I would be living on a co-ed hall. I guess I can look forward to once again decorating a new room and a new roommate next Fall, and hopefully making even more great memories. My first year has been everything I had hoped for and even more, I could never ask for a better university or place to spend the next four years of my life.