Birthday Ball: Harry Potter

Birthday Ball, the dance that celebrates the birthday of the immaculate Jorge Washington. A dance with an $80,000 budget and a pension for drunk students milling about. A dance I am generally blown away by. This year the theme was Harry Potter! While walking around campus I found loads of muggles in costume or dressed up in their house colors.

Great outfits turned up this dance and since I'm a Hufflepuff I went with a White House Black Market black and gold polkadot dress. One might argue that I was just a boozy housewife or a secretary from the 50s but I'm pretty sure those two are prime Hufflepuff values so I'll accept them. Another skill that Hufflepuff's are great at is finding people and out of the many times I got lost on the dance floor I seemed to find my people, mainly because Ben is 6'4".

The Harry Potter dance was a great way to cap off the tradition of Birthday Ball for me, making this the best dance to date.

College Art

I mentioned I took a Creative Process class this past semester where I mixed stories, watercolors, and portraiture. It wasn't my first art class in college I took for fun. During my first semester at Washington College I took a beginning drawing class and produced some of these pictures. I happened upon them when I was organizing iPhoto and I thought I'd reflect on them. Caution: Nude pictures up ahead. Calm yourself, it's art.

This was a picture that I was allowed to do whatever I wanted with. I used chalk to draw and had a fun time with all the colors. I don't even know what the meaning of this is. I think I just drew what was a dream turning into a nightmare.

Ah, nude models. There was a creepy man that came in and posed in a million different ways. I then was assigned to do a large scale drawing of five different poses. I wound up with this. I remember not wanting to draw the penises at all so there are mostly blue shadow ken doll areas.

The assignment for this one was to take a photo from a magazine, cut it up and come up with what the rest of the photo would look like using oil pastels. I used an Annie Leibovitz photo from Vogue of Lady Gaga and Lily Cole and Andrew Garfield from the Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus.

Printing Press

The Rose O'Neil Literary House is where all the literary and cultural happenings go on at Washington College. With a cup of tea in hand you can walk around the house filled to the brim with books and jammed pack with broadsides of all the famous authors who have stopped by the house through the Sophie Kerr program for years. There's a kitchen, a garden, a classroom on the porch where I've had Foundations of Western Lit and Creative Process, and a ceiling painted with authors stringed together in a 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon way. 

Now as wonderful as this house is, I know I do not use it to it's full potential. In fact, the only time I really ever enter the house is for class or for a class project. Well, the King Lear video I filmed had me investigating the greatest resource available to the literary house, the antique printing press. Master printer, Michael Kaylor, was printing out 75 special broadsides for the play and one of my partner's Maisie and I, made our way down into the depths of the workshop to see Mike in action.

We were there to film, we didn't plan on interviewing him, but he wound up explaining his entire process to us. He set up the machine, slapped on the ink and would run the paper through the machine as he cranked the wheel. He'd pull it out and remark that the print was either too inked or too dry. Mike would then take the paper out, measure it, and go back to the machine and adjust. He also insisted on not filming any of the "before" prints that did not qualify for the final 75. The man is a master and his work certainly reflects it.

Soon the prints were cranking out one after the other. Maisie and I enjoyed the experience, seeing and learning the process we had taken the time to watch before. The end result was fantastic, an old illustration of King Lear and the Fool paired with the poem "On Sitting Down to Read King Lear Once Again" by John Keats.

I enjoyed myself so much, I might want to take one of these workshop classes one day. I'm glad I got to  take advantage of a resource I had long forgotten.

Creative Process

This semester I decided to entertain myself with taking an art class, The Creative Process. In the course of the class I could come up with any idea and create projects while getting critiques from my class. Many chose to do musical pieces, toy making, book making, feminist art, performance art, documentaries, creative writing exploration of the outdoors, stop motion slutty dolls...you name it they tried it. I chose to go with idea of storytelling through portraiture and watercolor. I asked people what made them who they are now, what are they going through right now, and who are you? I looked at four different people and one fictional character and decided to represent their stories in pictures.

This is Katie of Tips From the Mrs. with Bear Grylls. She is figuring out what it's like becoming an adult and growing and mentions that the day she figured out she had to become an adult was the day she bought a washer and dryer.

This is Gerred: "Now, in the military, I have more order to my life than I ever did growing up. It helps me. It calms me. I still enjoy spontaneity, but I respect the discipline involved with life being a pattern of lovely things.” He says that patterns are what helped him shape him into the man he is today.

 

This is Nina. She has a tattoo on her side of an Indigo Bunting. I painted the tattoo and overlaid it on top of her. The bird represents her brother.

This is King Lear. This piece begs the question that Lear asks throughout the play, “Who am I?” The fool’s answer that Lear is only “Lear’s shadow” is represented as the light above him reflects his shadow below him. The shadow here is meant to be the man that Lear once was; the man that had everything. The watercolor represents the division between the kingdom and the division of the mind in madness. The fleck of gold in the center is the man in the epicenter of the universe being reduced to nothingness.

This is my grandpa. We went out to where his garden used to be together and talked. He told me stories about growing up on the farm, leaving for the Army, and now seeing his garden gone.  

The Making of King Lear

This semester I enrolled in the production class of King Lear. It was a large class divided into mostly actors in the play and then a few English majors taking it for their pre-1800 class. It's funny, when I first took the class I thought I'd be just reading and analyzing the play. You know, typical English class business. But it turned out that I was about to embark on a video interpretation of the play and my group and I chose to do a documentary of "The Making of King Lear."

The moment this task was assigned to my group we got straight to work on coming up with questions and e-mailing them out to those we wanted to interview. Then for the rest of the semester we scheduled one or two interviews a week and figured out what it was like making the play from everyone involved.

In the process I got to interview Barbara Mowat, the editor of Shakespeare's Folger edition of King Lear. That was really something special. My group and I also met and interviewed with all three professors involved in teaching the course: Prof. Moncrief, the Shakespeare professor, Jason Rubin the director, and TM who played King Lear, as well as Maegan the dramaturg, Chris Chronin the fool, and the actresses that played the three sisters Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia.

I am proud of the work I put into this and the way that my group worked effectively on producing the end product. Watch and enjoy.

Washington College Spirit

Now that I'm a second semester Junior, I'm sort of in a weird funk with my college. It's been three years and I still feel very disconnected from Washington College. There have been times (cough, every Winter break) where I've wanted to transfer and just sort of leave this campus but I've always convinced myself out of it  There are actual great things about WAC, it's just really hard to see it with the rising cost of tuition and the general isolated landscape of campus. You know, what I think is really getting me is that I've just come back from abroad where I was so in love with campus, the clubs, my friendships, and the all around school spirit, that now being back I just feel blah.

I don't think I should feel that way. I love the professors and the classes I take here. I love that I was able to study abroad through this school. And I do have friends here and I've involved myself with new clubs like Global Mentors and Peer Wellness Educators. I do have school spirit, but it's in a much different way then "Go team go!" I want to feel more connected and take advantage of these last few semesters of college. I need to take a new perspective and say "hey, I'm proud of my college."

And that's where I thought, maybe I should have some sort of "spirit" gear to wear around when I go to the gym or whatever. You know because I do actually like Washington College.

1. Champion Banded Pant 2. League Franklin T-Shirt 3. Legacy EZA Washed Twill Hat 4. Under Armour Women's Twisty Tank 5. String Backpack 6. Widemouth Nalgene Bottle 7. Gear Women's Furry Fleece Jacket 8. Under Armour Women's Great Escape Short

Have any of you had this feeling about your college?

Shannon

2012: A Year In Review

Now that 2013 has rolled around (and it's been here for awhile now) it's time for me to look back at this past year and think to all the good times I had kind of like I did for 2011.

2012 had some big events in store for me including getting my acceptance into University College of Cork, Gerred graduating from the US Naval Academy, Katie and Phoenix tying the knot, spending the best semester in Ireland, and Gerred proposing to me in Kinsale, Ireland.

It was also a big year for concerts. I wound up seeing Katy Perry, Childish Gambino, Kormac's Big Band, and Mumford & Sons. I even attended two music festivals: the Firefly Music Festival and Silopana Music Festival. Where I got to see The Killers, Modest Mouse, Group Love, Imagine Dragons, Cake, Citizen Kope, G Love & Special Sauce, and many more.

I'd also name 2012 as my year of travel. I traveled all around Ireland and even found the time to visit Northern Ireland, England, and Poland  Not only did I travel through Europe, but back in the United States as well. I hopped between New Mexico, Maryland, Virginia, and Conneticut.

2012 was a ride. Now I'm doing all I can in 2013.

Shannon

I'm Back

Back to Maryland, Back to campus, and of course back to blogging. I've enjoyed taking a break from blogging for Winter Break. I got to really soak in all the moments with my family and friends I've missed while away without checking in with all the technology. Such a great cleanse, but now I'm ready to return and boy do I have a lot to share.

I haven't even shared half the trips in Ireland, Christmas, my trip to Florida, my new internship, and of course my first steps in wedding planning. I'll share all of this soon, but for now I'd like to share with you all my new room at Washington College.

This year I'm not an RA and after a sentence of two years in Minta Martin I've finally moved away to the Western Shore. College already feels different living here. I'm living in a suite-style dorm and I have my very own single. I'm digging the vibe so far and loved decorating the room. I'm definitely cozying up in here and ready to see what this semester brings!

Shannon

Leaving Ireland

Nothing could be more bittersweet than leaving the beautiful country of Ireland. It's been four months and well I never would have imagined I'd experience all the adventures I've had here.

I really came to know the Irish landscape. I traveled all throughout the North, East, West, and of course the South. I saw Cork, Kinsale, Dublin, Limerick, Belfast, Galway and the Aran Islands. Not only did I travel in Ireland, but in England and Poland as well. I saw the Jack the Ripper Tour, England's National Wedding Show, the Harry Potter Studio Tour, Aushwitz, and Krakow. 

Not only have I explored the country, but who I am as well and I know I have grown as a person since coming here. I am now more independent. I ventured way out of my comfort zone. I went out on my own without the pack of girls in the beginning and made new friends. I constantly walk the streets at night alone without any fear. I crossed the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and didn't fall into the sea. I've tried "chips" with curry, mayo, and gravy on them. I had my first drink in a bar and my second and third. I went clubbing and stayed out until 3 am. I skipped class to play piggy in the middle. I've stood on the edge of a 100m cliff. I saw two concerts--Kormac and the Big Band and Mumford & Sons. And I've picked up on Cork slang even when I've tried my hardest to ignore it.

I even joined a club. I signed up for every club and society and chose the UCC Rovers or Scouts club. I joined and I have to admit it was one of the best decisions I ever made here. I made an exceptional group of friends that have introduced me to Irish culture, nights out, and all things new and exciting to me. Without them my abroad experience would not have been as amazing as it was. Luckily, I'll be seeing half of them this summer when they come to Maryland for their J1 so the goodbyes won't be too hard.

I'll have my memories of this country--the traveling, the landscape, school, friends, and Cork's night life. And of course who could forget I got engaged here. Studying abroad has been an eye opener to me. I've seen and I've grown and I could not be more thankful for the experience I've had here. So thank you Mom and Dad, Washington College, Cork, and all the friends I've made here for letting me Study Abroad at University College of Cork, Ireland. It's been grand.

Shannon

PS. I'm enjoying the time I'm spending back home with my family and will probably be MIA until January 14th. By then I promise I'll be posting regularly again. For now I'm soaking up all of life in order to have something to write about.

Fresher's Ball: Paint Glow

Last night I did something completely out of the range of my comfort zone. I went out on my own to the Paint Glow themed Fresher's Party. I didn't know anyone, but just went with the feel of the place and the music and started dancing. Now aside from it being a great DJ dancing party, this was Paint Glow so water guns of glow paint were pumped into the crowds, buckets were dumped on heads, and people would go up and draw on your face with paint. I met a great bunch of people and had a blast dancing all night covered in paint.

Before, during, and after. I was drenched in color, most can't be seen in the last because there isn't a black light. But I loved the glowing heart on my shirt pocket.

 [photos via Daire Calnan]

I think the best part was that no one was freak dancing or grinding, just crazy people dancing. Be sure to check out this video to sort of get the full effect.

So. much. fun.

Shannon

Homecoming Dresses

With the arrival of Fall comes homecoming where school colors are worn and everyone is showing their school spirit at the games. I however, have never truly had a "spirit" for homecoming in high school or in college. It's probably because of the dances. See, I like dances that are more like a Prom or a Ball. I like to be fancy. Homecoming has never been classy. I've seen so much body-con metallic zebra print tulle sparkle dresses that I'm sort of done. 

So, I beg of you, just leave that terribly made high school homecoming dress at home (nay donate it) and don't wear it to your college homecoming. Now, while I try to dress fashionably now I didn't before and have committed this crime of wearing the ugly dress again. It shouldn't happen. (Also why did I ever feel like curling my hair was my best option...since it doesn't work?)

Dresses for events like these should really only get one shot and that's why Rent the Runway is great because you can find a $400-600 dress and rent it for $50-75 for the night. I rented my Birthday Ball dress for the first time from Rent the Runway and looked fantastic. Redeeming, from the above pictures right? So here are just a few Rent the Runway dresses that would be great for homecoming or any sort of social dance coming up.

Erin by Erin Fetherston // All For You Dress

Tracy Reese // Not Over You Dress

Shoshanna // Blush Wedding Lace Dress

Sachin + Babi // Neon Nightlife Dress

Z Spoke Zac Posen // A Little Respect Dress

You can sign up for rent the runway here.

Shannon

P.S. Karyn just pointed out that the model in these photos is Chantal from ANTM.

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

The reason I've been in Ireland a month earlier than classes start at UCC is because I am enrolled in the Early Start Programe of Folklore & Ethnology. It's more of an anthropology class I'd say since we are learning about the Irish peasants and their marriage and death rituals, food, homes, and music. Class is Monday through Thursday, where Thursday is reserved for field trips around Ireland. Last Thursday the class went on our first field trip to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. It was great because all that I had learned in class was there at the park (especially the homes and furniture.)

Our next field trip will be to Inisheer in the Aran Islands.

Shannon

Back to School Supplies

I've always gotten a sort of rush out of school supplies shopping ever since I was little. It's the same feeling I get when I walk into an art supply store. I just stand there in the aisles staring at every little stamp or pen and thinking of all the things I can create with it. Going back to school brings that up in me, especially with all the beautiful shapes and bright colors there are out there in the office supply world. Now that I'm in Ireland there's a few things I wish I had with me in terms of school supplies.

1. Sweet Tea  Paperie // Classic Sailboat Note Sheets // I realize that I'm using less of my phone to make the lists that I need just to go through the day and would love to just have a pad of paper around to help organize the to do lists and Tesco grocery lists. These look like they could even double as stationery even. 

2. Martha Stewart Home Office // Sticky Flourish Notes // Martha Stewart is a classy gal. Well aside from her brief moment in prison, she's great. I mean everything that woman's company creates looks clean, polished, and put together. These post-its would make me feel like I should actually complete the reminders I leave for myself. Right now I miss my cute set of post-its on my desk at home my cousin, Tina, gave me that are pink damask ones that I used daily.

3. Maybooks // Custom Design // I've always wanted to use Maybooks after seeing all the different customizable notebooks you can make and even have the class title or your own monogram written up at the top. Honestly, cute notebooks make me actually want to open them up and write neatly in them. This proved true after last semesters Green room Target journals.

4. Papersource // Airmail Pencil Case // Pencil cases made out of recycled products are so trendy and of course if it's going to be any design, it better be airmail.

5. Papersource // Canning Jars A2 Stationery // Classy note cards are always important to have on your desk along with some stamps in case you need to wish someone well or give a thank you to a professor for writing a recommendation letter.

6. Lilly Pulitzer // 2012-2013 Large Agenda - Skip On It // I'm so glad that this is one of the only office supplies I did bring with me to Ireland. My Lilly agenda from last year is still usable since it goes all the way until the end of 2012. I used this agenda more than I ever used one in my whole life.

7. Sharpie // Essentials Combination Pack // Sharpies, highlighters, pens, and pencils oh my! This may be the most exciting part of school supplies shopping. And it's terrible because I have way too many highlighters because of this in my desk. I will say having so many different clickable colors made me feel like a boss during AP Lit when we had to annotate any text in front of us.

As much as I am fawning over these, I will most likely opt for the cheapest items I can get with my euro. I may get some UCC notebooks though since I'm feeling actual school spirit here.

Shannon

Dorm Room

It's weird to finally be moving out of my dorm and back home. I've had a lot of memories this year and can proudly say that I have had a significantly better Sophomore Year experience. I also got along really well with my roommate...me. But I'm seriously going to miss my awesome single that I completely decked out with so much color.

Having the little lanterns above my bed was perfect. It was like there were little fairies above me whenever I was reading. The quote on the wall is from Albert Camus "In the midst of winter, I found within me, there was an invincible summer." I cut the letters out myself and love waking up and reading it.

Here's one of my favorite things about my room, the string of pictures, postcards, and telegrams all along my walls. Then there's my futon which is probably the best thing you can have in your dorm if you're an RA. Since residents always came in and just sat on the couch if they had issues and well it's also the best place to study in my opinion.

And here's my vanity closet. I'd like to say that when I was in a Minta double last year my room was the same size and this thing had to be split between two people. It's impossible, but for just me, well I loved the closet space.

I'll miss this room, but I'm excited to go home.

Shannon

Summer Jobs

I made a bulletin board for my hall of How to Apply to Summer Jobs. I printed off a power point of information from reslife.net that had a few bits of information on the more cool "travel oriented" jobs out there. Then I added a few quick watercolor paintings to keep it fresh and highlighted the important information for my residents...so they'd actually read it.

The board talks about what kinds of jobs are out there and how to as well as how not to show up to a job interview. But I think there are a few more tips out there for all the job seekers.

1. Apply to more than 10 jobs because chances are only one place will call you back.

2. Dress nice when you do the round up of potential jobs and carry around resumes neatly in a folder as well as a pen to fill out resumes on the go.

3. Apply to everything you can on usajobs.gov if you're looking for good internship.

4. Meet with the career center at your school and they can help you out.

5. Tailor your resume to each job. Internship resumes should include more scholarly work, while retail jobs should include skills of customer service and organization.

And above all else, remember that what you have out there on facebook is seen by potential employers. So when you're looking for these jobs think about taking down those drunk college photos of yourself.

I'm still waiting on what I'll be doing this summer. Best of luck to you all. I'd love to know what your summer plans are.

Shannon

Study Day

It's final exam week! That means I've got two final papers and two exams left before I can go dance off into summer. Tomorrow is actually my Chesapeake Bay exam and so today is the official day of studying.  Please note that I've been studying all week but today I'll be going over notes, doing practice quizzes, group studying, and even playing a game of Jeprody! Here are some photos from the Otter Trawl lab where we went out on the boat again. 

This is one of the fishermen hoisting in some fishies.

Check out all them White Perch. There's also one creepy looking Catfish peeking his way through.

Identifying the fish and throwing them overboard.

Now all I've got to do is remember everything that happened this semester. I hope I do well tomorrow and I wish you all the best with your own study days.

Shannon