neverland

Yesterday marked my very last day of school, so I was too upset/confused/anxious to blog. Then: five o'clock rolled around and my roommate and I met friends for happy hour; by seven, her and I came back to the house for one of the most special senior-focused events with all of our sisters; and once the clock had struck eleven, I had cried about nine gallons of tears. I feel so much better. Late last night, I went out and celebrated everything, all of it--the past four years, the people I've met along the way, the memories we've had. 

"Forever young, I want to be, forever young."

When I got back from my year abroad, I posted about souvenirs; the word holds so much more meaning in the French language and literally translates as memories. I love this idea so much. It's the realization that no matter what the future holds, we never lose the past--the friends we've made, the things we've done, the places we've seen. We carry our memories with us forever, they're never lost, and the most important ones are never forgotten.

"I hope you dance."

Phew! Now that that's settled, let's venture into the unknown with confidence. Here's a little background about my career aspirations: When I was little, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I was not one to play with dolls or barbies so I surrounded myself with stuffed animals instead, and ran a vet office out of the closet next to my room. Unfortunately, I threw myself into my work so quickly that I got burnt out before the age of seven. By that time, I had my heart set elsewhere; I was going to be a teacher. A bossy girl at heart, I led the after-school kids my mom watched in lessons in our basement. I had a great little kit with all of the elementary school teacher necessities like stickers and a pointer. It was fun for all... until they lost interest. Not one to have the virtue of patience down quite yet, I moved on quickly to art. 

I was somewhat gifted in my artistic abilities; I was an all-star in art class when most students were focusing elsewhere, but I knew I needed more practice. I went to art camp, participated in theater-after school programs, took photography and poetry classes, and by sixteen, was attending Saturday courses at F.I.T. to craft a portfolio. Somewhere around fourteen years of age, I had also become set on becoming an interior designer. I collected books, followed the industry, and soon signed up for an interior design class alongside my fine arts portfolio one at F.I.T. I hated it.

Back to the drawing board! I've told you before that I was very multifaceted in my involvement in high school, right? As such, I wasn't sure how to figure out my path with so many passions. Enter: magazines. I could write about interior design, art, education, or health. I would have the freedom to develop a voice and become an expert on any subject I researched. I came to Syracuse University for their magazine journalism program and majored in modern foreign languages as well. The two, although seemingly different, are quite similar: translating is a powerful thing, and a key to understanding. Just as I'd hoped to be able to communicate in other languages and cultures, I hoped to clearly convey new topics/ideas to others that would otherwise be foreign to them. 

My Communication Law professor said Monday that we are all artists; our field requires skill, talent, and craft; we take a group of facts and organize them, and so it is our art that writes a story our way. Incredible.

Well, now that I am actually somewhat of a grown-up, all those dreams of the future have a chance to become a reality. It's scary but exciting, and amazing to look back at all of the things to get to where I am now. What did you want to be when you grew up? Tomorrow afternoon I have my first real interview. It's for a job within social media and the online world, a recent development in the plan for my future. I don't want to get my hopes up, but my fingers are definitely crossed. Are you loving what you're doing now? No matter what, I will soon enough be working in the real world. I guess that's my queue to focus my brainstorming on some hobbies :).

"Ready or not, here I come..."

Words: D. Alvarez, Photos: Kate Ottomanelli

P.S. HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

stoked & sentimental for life

Hey there, good lookin'. What a past two days I've had! Pro: I crammed in everything I wanted to do. Con: I'm behind on studying for finals and preparing for final assignments. Pro: No con, no matter how important, could make me regret any of it.

Most of Saturday was spent inside the confines of my study zone. I worked on my magazine article and an iced coffee at Freedom of Espresso for the early afternoon and then made my way over to Panera for the rest of it. I've been getting excited about how well the article is coming together; Countless studies, ten interviews, seven references and three months later and I am almost done! Although I doubt I'd wish to read about fertility, infertility or acupuncture for the next hundred years, I hope you're interested in reading it eventually :). 

I also squeezed in a bit of Spanish-paper-writing and Beer-final-studying. Did you know that a good beer is essentially ruined when a slice of lemon or orange is added? Anyway, supposedly the weather was beautiful. I obviously completely missed out, but with good reason. Case in point:

Saturday night. A group of 13 girls and I went to Tokyo Seoul to celebrate our friend's second 21st birthday (otherwise known as her twenty-second birthday but who's counting?).

Despite our reservation, we were sent to the bar, before being seated, as the staff prepared our table for us. I had a glass of refreshing Pinot Grigio to keep me company.

Not too long after, it was onto the food! FYI: This Korean restaurant is popular for it's Japanese Hibachi. No questions asked, we enjoyed soups (mine was miso) and salads as watched as the chef prepared our meal right before our eyes.

Later, as I nearly cleared my plate, I was thinking about how unhealthy my dinner most likely was... and how I did not give a damn. When I think of living a healthy lifestyle, it is representative in times like this. You see, most of the time, I eat well and clean because it makes me feel my best and is ultimately better for my health, but on that same token, doing so allows me to have these out-to-dinner meals (that don't quite get the nutritionist's bill of health) without guilt. Mental well-being is just as important as, if not more so, than physical well-being. Nourish your soul.

And that is why it is important to have fun and live a little, or a lot. I did not partake in the sake-bombing at dinner (I was a driver, after all) but I certainly enjoyed watching it and once home, made up for it with a fabulously-extended night on the town Marshall Street.

STAY STOKED FOR LIFE.

Thankfully, beneath my fun-loving exterior I am quite the mature little college student, so I made sure that I was able to hop out of bed at 8 a.m. this morning. I had a race to run for me. Remember?! Breakfast was thus kept light, highly-digestible, and energizing: almond butter toast with cinnamon and banana, cut into fours because I am additionally a child at heart.

At nine, myself and three other lovely girls drove down to Clinton Square for the Mountain Goat Run.  I was pretty excited to pick up my shirt and get right up to that starting line :). 

I love the energy on race day! Without that, I doubt I would have made it through as quickly as I did (15:42). The run itself was fine, I had prepared myself well, the air, on the other hand, was disgusting. I was literally carving my way through it with each stride. 

But of course, despite our states of complete grossness, Kate and I were pretty thrilled and proud to have made it through with flying colors. Following a the entirety of a refreshing water bottle and quite a few orange slices (I felt like I was at an AYSO soccer game), we walked over to the starting line again to watch our other friends take off for their 10 miles. There were so many people, young and old. Inspirational, to say the least!

Then we made our way back to the Syracuse University campus, but not before acting our age and posing along the way.

It was a spectacular morning and I only have Kate to thank: When I found myself suddenly single, it was her that suggested I find something healthy to motivate and distract myself with. Enter my re-entry into running, and putting myself back together again. What will I do without her and everyone else in a few months?

Hi, my name is Danielle, and I apparently cry for everything. Oh yes, sentimental Sunday made an appearance once again, and multiple times this round! In addition to my last day of classes ever (this Tuesday), last final ever (next Tuesday), and my first day as a college graduate (the Sunday after next), tonight marked my last Alpha Chi Omega chapter meeting. 

I will also be moving out of the house three Mondays from now, unless I can figure out to pause time...

mayfestive

Words cannot describe the annual event to celebrate the end of the school year/the arrival of spring, nor the two performances of creative genius that took place before and after it... 

A lecture by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz

A greasy yet delicious brunch at Stella's Diner

An early afternoon of friends and free beer in Walnut Park 

A brief misunderstanding with the boys of the Brock ;)

A beautiful walk to Euclid, the original Mayfest location

A bundle of un-sober fun with my favorites

An evening display of senior fashion collections

...'twas simply college. Hope your Friday was just as sweet. Au revoir.