How Does a Hawkeye Spend the Summer? A List of my Summer Highlights

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For those of you in Iowa, you know it’s been a very warm welcome for students returning to campus.

With heat waves amassing over 100 degrees, the first week of classes is well underway with blasted air conditioning, sweaty hairlines, and lots of golden sunshine. It really does give the heavy vibes of summer vacation but with the extra load of homework and classes. And while I’m sure most of us wish we were still spending our days sitting by the pool, this weather has really made me reminisce on my summer vacation. So, before the school year officially kicks off, I wanted to take a second look back and tell you guys about one of the best summers I’ve ever had!

Writers House Internship 

As I write this, I’m actually still finishing up my summer internship with one week left to go! Earlier this spring, I was picked to be an intern for Writers House which is a literary agency in New York City that produced a handful of best-selling titles such as Twilight, The Fault in Our Stars, Eragon, and more.

I supported the desks of Rebecca Eskildsen and Merrilee Heifetz (the agent for Neil Gaiman, Alexandra Bracken, and C.T Adams!) where I read queries, partials, and full manuscripts and wrote rejection letters, reader’s reports, pitch letters, editorial letters, and submission lists. I also got the chance to talk with a lot of people working at Penguin Random House, Macmillian, Simon and Schuster, and other publishing companies who ran seminars and tutorials about marketing, sales, publicity, scouting, editing, agenting, and even what it means to be a good assistant in the industry.

As you can probably tell, I learned so much during this internship and it was influential in understanding the career I want to pursue and the industry I plan on one day working in.

Trip to the Met

For those of you who don’t know, my family is from New York, so I have a tendency to venture into the city during my winter and summer breaks to spend some time doing fun things with my hometown friends. One of my side quests into the city happened to be a trip to the Met to see Karl Lagerfeld’s collection a week after the Met Gala happened (sadly, I did not see any celebs there, but one can hope!).

The collection was absolutely stunning along with the rest of the museum and the trip served as a great way to kick off the summer with some of the people closest to me.

Weekend Getaway to Wildwood, New Jersey

I think the theme of this summer should be “How many places can I go?” because I ended up last minute going on a weekend trip with two of my best friends and their families to Wildwood, New Jersey. The famous boardwalk there consisted of rollercoaster rides, carnival games, shops, and lots of places to eat. We got to see live music from local bands, play mini golf, check out aquariums, and we even rented out a massive bike to travel from one end of the boardwalk to the other, so we got to see everything it had to offer!

Overall, it was a warm trip, and I was glad to get some alone time with my friends after we’d been separated for far too long.

My Return to Iowa City

I guess I couldn’t stay away for too long, because halfway through the summer, I found myself on a plane back to Iowa City to spend the week visiting my boyfriend. While both of us did have to spend time working, it was nice being back in my college town and being able to see what Iowa City is like in the summertime (void of students and full of the local community!)

My boyfriend and I split our time trying out some new things like going to the flea market and doing some old traditions like getting dinner at Sumo. It was such a relaxing week, and it went by too soon because before I knew it, I was back in the place and returning to the east coast.

Seeing Big Time Rush in Concert

I was making a long-time childhood dream come true when two of my best friends and I decided to go see Big Time Rush on tour for their newest album. After paying only 40$ for our tickets, my friends and I braved the rain as we waited for the gates to open and sprinted into the stadium where we ended up getting front-row seats! It literally could not have gotten better than that!

We had the best time watching the group on stage and singing along to all their songs. Overall, it was a concert to remember!

Seeing Taylor Swift’s Outfits on Display in the Museum of Art and Design

For those of you who don’t know, I’m a massive Taylor Swift fan, and while I couldn’t spend the money to go see her in concert, I did end up getting tickets to see her outfits on display in the Museum of Art and Design. Some of the clothes on display were her red ball gown from the I Bet You Think About Me music video, her cloaked bodysuit from the Reputation tour, and even some of her favorite instruments like her ukelele!

It was such a cool experience and I love joking around that it truly was “my Eras tour!”

Cutting My Hair

This isn’t a massive event, but still something to note! I had previously dyed the ends of my hair purple and I’ve been slowly bleeding the color out (even if the ends are holding onto that purple for dear life!) Considering how my hair isn’t totally its natural color, I was a bit nervous going to my good friend and stylist with the idea of trying out a butterfly cut, but she absolutely nailed it! She even made it so that the ends with color still on them blended together which is super cute if you ask me!

Going to My Friend’s Movie Premiere

Another massive highlight of my summer was attending a good friend of mine’s indie movie premiere!

My friend had been working on this movie for two years and he invited me and my friend group to join him at the official premiere. It was so much fun putting on my most medieval/formal fit (the movie was medieval fantasy, so I had to fit the vibes!) and getting amazing pictures with my hometown friends.

It was a great opportunity to get full glam and support my friend’s passion.

Lollapalooza

If there’s only one thing that I could tell people about my summer, it would be my experience at Lollapalooza. I might even write my next blog post on this festival because there truly is so much to talk about!

From seeing Billie Eilish sing What Was I Made For to being front row for Sabrina Carpenter to discovering new artists like rapper JID and then nearly being crushed in the mosh pit when Joey Badass brought out Chance the Rapper, everything about Lollapalooza was the experience of a lifetime and I was so glad that me and my boyfriend took the time to make this trip happen. Assuming the headliners are amazing artists next year, we’ll definitely be going back next August.

Moving Into My First Apartment

To end my summer on a softer note, I moved into my very first apartment right before the start of classes. Thanks to my family and my lovely roommate, the process went smoothly and I’m so excited to have a new place to call home. Yes, adulting is scary, and so is cooking and calling maintenance, but this is a whole new level of life that I can’t wait for and I’m super excited to spend it with one of my best friends on campus.

Wow! Reading this back makes me realize how crazy of a summer I had and how many memories I made. This past summer was definitely one to remember, but now it’s officially time to put my head down and dive back into my schoolwork.

Wish me luck this semester and look out for more posts from me in the meantime!

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My Top 6 Moments This Semester!

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Hi everyone!

I am T-minus 48 hours before I leave Iowa City and head back home to New York for the summer. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m looking forward to a carefree summer with my hometown friends, some free time to write, and a couple summer getaway trips that I plan on taking. But before I do all of that, I’d like to take a look back on my semester and highlight some of my favorite moments from the past couple of months.

Having Purple Hair

Before this semester began, I decided I wanted to go into the new semester with a brand-new look! It’s been a bit of a hassle to maintain over the past couple of months, but I’m excited to go home and try something new. Maybe another color, a clean cut, or some bangs? Who knows?! All I know is that purple hair served me well this semester and it definitely made me stand out during this eventful period of my life.

Silent Disco

If any of you are on TikTok, you’ve probably seen Silent Disco as one of the hot new things to do in your 20s. Silent Disco is when you have colorful headphones, and each time you change the color, you get a new station to listen to! During the winter, I found out that Iowa City was hosting a Silent Disco party in the center of their downtown area, and I just knew I had to go! I quickly grabbed two of my best friends, bundled up in my mittens and coat, and danced for two hours in the freezing cold. The music was great, the people were fun, and I would have stayed longer if they didn’t have to pack up for the night! This was definitely one of my favorite events of the year and I’m so glad I got to dance around with my friends for fun and for free!

Another Photoshoot (because I love them!)

If you read my last post about my top moments from last semester, you might recall my photoshoot with the space buns and the gold dress. This time, I had a photo shoot for my student organization, Walk It Out, and I opted for my natural hair and a black dress that I had. I’m obsessed with how the photos came out, so definitely check out Voxman Music Hall if you need some new photos to spice up your Instagram!

My Chicago Trip

I already did a whole post devoted to this trip with my boyfriend, but I can’t help but give it one more shoutout! I’m still reminiscing about the stunning artwork we saw, the shining skyscrapers, and all the mouth-watering food we got to eat on our trip. I’ll actually be going back to Chicago for Lollapalooza in August, and I cannot wait to see some of my favorite artists perform in my new favorite city.

Performing for Walk It Out

This was another event that I did a whole post on, but rightfully so! My team and I worked endlessly for months on our performance and I’m so, so, sooo proud of their hard work! For those of you who don’t know, I was one of the East Asian choreographers for this year’s showcase where we put on cultural dances, model-walked traditional wear, and performed on stage. Our theme this year was Multiverse, and my group did a take on the Oscar-winning film, “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once” which was a huge hit!

I really wish I had one more opportunity to perform on stage with my group again, but I’m so lucky to have the memories (and some amazing professional photos!) to remind me of the good times.

Getting My Dream Internship

This bleeds a bit into my summer plans, but for the past month, I’ve been interviewing with Writers House Literary Agency, and I recently got confirmation that I’d be 1 of 10 interns working for them this summer. Nothing beat getting that call and the excitement of telling my friends and family about how excited I am. I can’t wait to get my foot in the door with the publishing industry and see what it’s all about with one of the biggest literary agencies in New York City! Wish me luck this summer!

There were countless other moments this semester that stuck out to me and will continue to stick with me as I round out my sophomore year. It’s crazy to think that I’m nearly halfway done with college and that I’ll be joining the workforce or going to graduate school in just two more years.

But, before all that happens, I’m so lucky to have this summer to focus on my priorities: my writing, my internship, and my loved ones. And then, I’ll come back to campus as an official upperclassman!

Thank you, guys, for reading my posts, and enjoy the summer, wherever you may be!

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A List of the Best Coffee Shops in Iowa City

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Hey everyone!

We’re getting to the end of the semester and with that comes an abundance of final projects, long study sessions, and back-to-back final exams that students are gearing up for. For me, getting out of my room to do my study sessions has always made me so productive and has allowed me to really hone in on my work while treating myself to a sweet drink and snack. For those of you looking for spots in Iowa City to get some homework done, hang out with friends on your break, or maybe you want the author aesthetic for your creative writing, this is the post for you!

The Coffee Emporium

Previously known as “High Ground Cafe,” The Coffee Emporium is a popular study spot on the edge of Iowa City. It’s known for having amazing sandwiches, an assortment of teas, and coffee blends that are locally blended. Inside, you’ll find tables, couches, a fireplace, and if it’s nice, some outdoor seating to finish your homework or chat with an old friend. I find myself here once a week because I love the community and how friendly the workers are. The windows also wrap around the side of the building, so it gives its clients a great view of Iowa City, and if there’s anything about me, it’s that I LOVE to people-watch.

Tru Coffee

If you’re looking for a coffee shop that has more of a social vibe then this one is for you! Tru Coffee doubles as both a coffee shop AND a thrift store. Crazy right!? They’re constantly adding new clothing items to their racks and it’s a lot of fun to grab a drink and pick through the new materials. It also has a great plant collection, windows that face the road, and some colorful couches to sink into. Every once in a while, they’ll also let people set up their small Etsy shops as booths to help get their work out there. This place is definitely community-oriented, and it shows!

Javahouse

One of my favorite things about Javahouse is its aesthetic. Unlike the other coffee shops I’ve mentioned, this one has a dark interior, warm lighting, and self-portraits whose eyes seem to follow you as you walk by. It definitely has a quieter vibe to it and if you’re someone who likes feeling like they’re cocooned in a blanket while they work, this might be the spot for you! They have themed drinks for every season, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and they’re connected to Heirloom which is a sandwich/salad bar if you need a bite to eat. Located right in the heart of Iowa City and about a block away from Target, this is also a great spot to go if you want to kill two birds with one stone and get your grocery shopping done while you’re out and about!

Prairie Lights Cafe

An absolute classic here in Iowa City! Prairie Lights Cafe is located above the famous, small business bookstore, Prairie Lights. It’s known for bringing in best-selling authors who do readings of their books and talk with the Iowa City community. The cafe really reflects the writer vibes with its wood seating, walls of artwork, and tiny feel. Since it’s adjacent to the bookstore, this is a great place to go if you just need some time to relax with a good book and chill in a quiet spot.

fix! Coffee

Located inside of the Chauncey, fix! Coffee is another well-lit coffee shop with comfy seating, big windows, and friendly service. It’s not well-known which gives it an intimate feel and its upstairs seating gives clients a great view of Iowa City from a hotel point of view. It’s good for socializing, writing, and studying, and if you’re feeling like a much-needed study break is needed, there’s a movie theater, an arcade, and a bowling alley downstairs just waiting for people to go and have fun! They also typically have some events going on down there, so you can take a peek during your study breaks.

The Encounter Cafe

When I think of this place, my mind immediately goes to all the food choices it offers. Of all the places I mentioned, The Encounter Cafe has some of the best breakfast and lunch options in Iowa City. They have fresh pastries, healthy omelets, packed paninis, and sweet smoothies, to name a few! This location fills up pretty fast, so I recommend going early and securing a table for you and your friends. Definitely treat yourself to brunch and try to get some work done if you don’t mind a bit of noise in the background.

But hey, anything for good food, right?!

Cortado Mediterranean Cafe

Located right across from the Pentacrest, Cortado Mediterranean Cafe is another coffee shop that might be good if you’re not looking to spend so much time inside. While there is seating with a clear view of the Old Capitol building, its closeness to campus makes it a great spot to get your drink and continue with your day if you don’t have much time to stick around. Even though the cafe has vivid green walls, pristine white tables, and all the Mediterranean food options you could ask for, sometimes it is good to get out and enjoy the weather while you can. If that’s the case, Cortado has you covered!

T-spoons

Hidden inside the Old Capitol Mall, this small business is super tiny, but makes up for it by how cute it is! Inside Tspoons, there are only a couple seats, but it has great drink options, a lot of snack choices, and they serve homemade donuts! I’ve yet to indulge myself in the donuts, but I know there will come a day when I can’t resist!

Don’t worry if there isn’t much seating inside. There are plenty of spots inside of the ped mall to sit and study, so just grab your food and find a table to get your things done!

That’s all I have for coffee shops! There are so many located in Iowa City (some that even I haven’t had the opportunity to discover in my two years here) so there really is something for anyone.

Enjoy the shops, your coffee, and any studying you might have to do! Good luck on finals and as always, Go Hawks!

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Walk It Out: My Experience Being a Choreographer

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A year ago, I wrote a blog post about my experience being a model/dancer for Walk It Out, the largest multicultural organization here at the University of Iowa that puts on a massive fashion show in the spring. I talked about how amazing the community was, how I felt during the performance, and how meaningful the entire process was from start to finish. I truly loved being part of the organization. So much so, that I applied to be a choreographer for the 2023 school year.

I heard back late that summer and was granted the opportunity to be one of two East Asian choreographers. My partner, Phong, and I had all of the fall semester to work on our theme, chose our dances, recruit our models and dancers, and overall prepare for the spring semester where we’d devote our time to learning and perfecting the actual performance. But, before I get into my experience as a leader, let me tell you more about our theme this year.

This year, our theme was Multiverse and each cultural group had the opportunity to produce a fresh take on the word. Early on, Phong came up with the idea of doing a play on the film, “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once,” and while I was reluctant at first, I agreed to it. Little did I know, we would later build upon this theme and would make our performance unique among the other groups.

With our theme in mind, we bounced back and forth between having a model be our “main Joy,” one of the main characters in the film, as someone that would move us through dances (aka universes), if we wanted to have elaborate costumes and makeup, whether or not we wanted to do ten dances or less with the number of dancers we recruited, etc. I’ll admit, we shot our expectations a bit too high, but looking back on it, I’m glad we did. It allowed us to be firm in what we wanted out of our group and how we wanted our performance to go.

Once we figured out the order of the dances, we let the dancers choose which ones they wanted to participate in and set the date for our very first practice. From there, the real work began.

On the day of our first practice, I remember being terrified as I made my way to Halsey Hall. I had never been a choreographer before. I hadn’t even danced on stage until last year. Was I supposed to be firm or should I be that laidback, fun leader? Was I supposed to have a perfect timeline set up? How much agency should I give the team? Was Halsey Hall even open on weekends? Luckily, it was.

But those first couple of practices proved to be mayhem.

There was so much confusion about the time stamps for each dance, discourse between me and Phong about our changing ideas, lack of attendance which set us back multiple practices, and even some budgeting issues which forced us to buy a lot of our props and costumes. There were multiple nights when I came back from practice late and fought the urge to cry because of how stressed out I was. Every day, it felt as if one step forward equaled two steps back, and as we neared the showcase, I wasn’t sure we were stage ready. Considering how prepared I felt last year around that time, it made me feel like a failure of a leader.

But I kept pushing.

I had the team stay late after each practice to catch up, ran through dozens of dress rehearsals, finalized our model walk (literally days before the showcase, we were still trying to figure it out), and we drilled that final group dance to the bone. Thanks to Phong, we got our music finalized, our slideshow completed, and he put together an amazing list of light cues that highlighted our performance to a T. Even though we argued and disagreed on so many accounts, I’m really grateful for all of the hard work he did behind the scenes. This performance wouldn’t have been possible without his creative drive, and I owe him a big thanks the next time I see him.

Before we knew it, the Friday night when all of the cultural groups in Walk It Out came together to perform for each other was upon us. I remember Phong and me being transparent about how we wished we had had another practice or two to prepare, but we were still so proud of the progress we had made. This semester had been a tough one for everyone and we were grateful for all of the hard work our dancers and models had put into our show. We knew we couldn’t have asked for a better group to lead and perform with.

And I’ll admit, I was shocked by the applause and cheering we got from the rest of the organization when it was our turn to perform for them. The love, support, and excitement people had for our theme, dances, and all the beautiful cultural clothes were impossible to ignore. I was insanely proud of my group afterward, and for the first time, I felt confident in where we stood. We were just as good as the other groups and, maybe, we had been on the right track all along.

That night, after all the models and dancers left to get a good night’s sleep before the big day, I, the rest of the choreographers, and our executive board met to discuss the order of the show. Every single group was phenomenal, unique, and sharp, which made finding an order nearly impossible.

But, in the end, it was decided that East Asia would be this year’s opening act. I announced the good news to my group that night even as a whole new wave of pressure set in.

Opening the show meant setting the right tone. If we weren’t hype enough, good enough, or exciting enough, then the rest of the show would reflect our performance. I went to bed that night stressing once again about the progress we had made and whether or not we were truly ready for what was to come.

The next morning, bright and early, we completed our first dress rehearsal on the actual stage. And, as I feared, it was messy. Models were walking up and down the wrong set of stairs, people fumbled their dances, and the main model walk we’d been adjusting for months ran over time.

But I had prepared for this.

Last year during our dress rehearsal, I messed up so many times. I remember how devastated I was and how scared I was for the actual performance. But this year, I knew not to let that get in my head.

After we got off stage, I huddled my group up and took the time to tell them my story. I told them how last year I’d messed up so much and that it’s part of the process. It’s why we run a rehearsal on stage, to begin with.

Together, we re-watched the video, got really nit-picky with the details, and addressed each of the mess-ups and transitions. We were lucky enough that this time around, our executive team allowed each group to do two run-throughs on stage, so for our second rehearsal, we focused mainly on those small details. Because of that, our second run-through went ten times better. I don’t know about the rest of the team, but I know I felt a lot more confident coming off that stage the second time around.

The last few hours before the show were a whirlwind. I went back to my place, ate some noodles, and put on my makeup. I braided my hair the night before and finally let it down, fluffed out the curls, and sprayed a thin layer of hair sprayer to keep them intact. Then, before I knew it, I was out the door and back to the Iowa Memorial Union for the performance.

When I stepped back into our dressing room, it was complete mayhem. Everyone was touching up their makeup, chewing their last bites of dinner, and putting on their outfits for some cute balcony pictures. Of course, we timed those pictures, so they’d be during golden hour, and we got dozens of photos as a team, with our friends, and some solo ones where we hyped each other up from the other side of the camera. It was so much fun and a great way to break the tension before we had to gather our things and head backstage.

My team and I quickly placed our props and clothes in their spots with only minutes left until 7:00pm, the official start of the show.

Already, the ballroom was packed, and the voices of hundreds of students, families, and friends echoed throughout the space. Right before it was time to take our positions, I called my team to the very back and we huddled together one last time before we performed. I remember telling them how proud I and Phong were, how we couldn’t have asked for a better team, and most importantly, we encouraged them to go out there and have fun. We broke our huddle, got into our positions, and waited.

Maria and I were the first performers in our show. We would begin the performance with a model walk in our cultural dresses before the first dancers crossed the stage for their all-girl group dance.

From the staircase, I held on tightly to the railing as the executive team welcomed the audience and announced our group. As soon as they stepped off stage, the lights dimmed, and the entire ballroom went black. Then, on the two massive TV screens on either side of the stage, a clip of Evelyn and Jobu Tupaki from “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once,” began to play. The sound echoed throughout the room and then, the clip shut off, the lights turned back on, and I found Maria’s eyes from across the stage.

We nodded, stepped into the spotlight, and officially opened up the show.

I remember the gasp that rippled through the crowd when we stepped into their view. Then, the applause rose as we posed, walked the stage, and then disappeared to change for our next performance. The girls in the girl group absolutely killed their first dance and another clip of Jobu and Evelyn brought us right to our next dance.

I and the other five dancers were dressed as cowboys with colorful flannels and baggy jeans as we strode on stage. We danced, smiled, and gestured for the crowd to keep hyping us up before we slipped off stage again. Another clip of Evelyn and then our powerhouse female duo took the stage for a tut routine that was clean, sharp, and so fast that if you blinked, you missed it.

After that, there were some more clips and modeling before me and Laura glided on stage with our traditional pastel clothes and fans to match. This was my first time doing a cultural fan dance on stage, and even though I’m sure the audience could see me shaking, I managed to get through it with some grace and poise. It was our slowest dance, but one of the most beautiful performances we had in our show. Afterward, we danced our way off stage and made room for the big runway portion which included East Asian cultural wear, modern-day outfits, and more.

While that was happening, I quickly threw on my uniform and snaked my way toward the back of the stage with my bo staff. Last year, I did a katana form, and this year, I decided to use my taekwondo skills once again and bring out my bo staff for a spin. From the cover of the stage, I watched the last of the models as they walked to the exits and waited for my cue.

I remember taking a deep and shaky breath. My hands shook on the staff, my palms sweaty. I checked for the hundredth time that the two sides were screwed tightly together, and I felt that familiar wave of calm roll over me like it always does right before I’m about to perform. Then, the lights cut off, the stage went dark, and I slowly stood from my hiding spot.

From the crowd’s point of view, I was just a silhouette moving backstage, prowling up the ramp with my bo staff at my back, and my hair across my shoulders. I paused at the edge of the stage, waited for my music to roll in, and for the lights to sweep over me. Before I even got to the center of the stage, the crowd was screaming for me.

And, similar to last year, they were so loud that their screams stood over the music, and I had a second of fear that I might miss my cue. But luckily, I got a wisp of the music just in time to begin my segment. The whole thing flew by as I struck, turned, kneeled, and screamed at the top of my lungs. I still have a bruise on my knee from how hard I landed with my final move.

I was brought back to the present and then I was on my feet, bowing to the crowd, and taking off down the ramp again to change into my final outfit for our show.

I changed quickly and had enough time to watch our trio perform. I cheered them on and watched them land each move perfectly in time with the music. Then, the lights cut off, and we scrambled to our places for our final group dance.

When the lights flicked on again and the final song began, we raced on stage and completed our final dance. There were smiles, sweat, and so much joy as we hit our final pose and the crowd’s applause filled our ears. That moment will forever be locked in my memories, even though we had to immediately race off stage, gather our things, and make room for the next group coming in to perform.

But the celebration continued in our dressing room as we cheered for ourselves and I told them that our performance, the thing we’d worked so hard on these past couple of months, was the perfect way to start the show. We set the tone and the rest of the groups that followed matched it to a T. It was such an amazing showcase and I’m so grateful to have been able to see it.

Even more so, I’m so proud to have choreographed part of it.

For me, this experience is even more meaningful knowing that I came into college never having danced before. And yet, I succeeded as a choreographer, dance teacher, and leader, and even though I wasn’t always confident in myself, I’m proud of the way I handled things. I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.

For those of you who are looking to get involved in multicultural organizations on campus, find a community of people of color who look like you, or maybe have an excuse to be a dancer and/or model, I would definitely recommend participating in Walk It Out next year. Recruitment should begin within the Fall of 2023 and if you follow their Instagram page (@uiowawalkitout) all of the information will be right there for you!

My time with the organization has been amazing and I can’t wait to see what ends up happening next. Thank you, guys, so much for reading about my experience. It’s truly been amazing.

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She-cago!!! An Overview of my Spring Break Trip to the Windy City

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During a cold December night this past winter break, I was FaceTiming my boyfriend Riley at 1:00am from halfway across the country. Lying on my stomach, I listened as he brought up the idea of going to Chicago during spring break; a city I visited back when I was seven or eight years old but have little recollection of.

Indulging him, I looked up a few of the city’s attractions and said, “The big thing I want to do is go to the Art Institute of Chicago.”

He replied, “Only if I get to take you to the Shedd Aquarium to see the penguins.”

We went back and forth about it for about an hour and, somehow, a tentative itinerary locked into place. Two days later, he sent me the link to a cheap Airbnb just outside of the city. Another day, and we paid for three nights of the week.

We anxiously awaited the next two months, and in the meantime, we looked up more exhibits and attractions, aesthetic eating locations, and what clothes were “Chicago-worthy.” I’m an avid planner and it’s nice that my boyfriend and I were on the same wavelength of keeping busy but also having enough time to sit and relax. It made planning our trip so much smoother and more efficient.

Finally, that Monday morning rolled around. We lugged our bags into the trunk of his car and set off on our first trip as a couple!

The three-and-a-half-hour drive flew by as we listened to various artists from Gracie Abrahams to Quasimodo (if you know anything about either of those artists, you know how chaotic that car ride must have been!). When we arrived in Chicago, our first stop wasn’t the Airbnb but the Art Institute of Chicago. We parked using the app SpotHero (this was an absolute lifesaver when it came to Chicago parking) and we happened to emerge from the underground ramp right in front of the museum.

Cold, stiff, and amazed by the windy city, Riley led me into the museum. Inside, we got to see an entire gallery devoted to Claude Monet, the wall of George Seurat’s most famous painting, Sunday Afternoon, hallways of sculptures dating back 5,000 years ago, and my personal favorite, a pile of candy by Felix Gonzalez-Torres that made me gasp so loud that Riley came running back in confusion by how star-struck I was to see one of my favorite pieces in person. Something else my wonderful boyfriend surprised me with were tickets to see the museum’s exclusive Dali exhibit with some never-before-seen paintings and sculptures completed by the artist.

The entire museum was unlike anything I’d ever seen, and we would have stayed longer, but the rumbling of our stomachs was getting a bit too distracting. Almost at closing time, we left the museum and moved on to dinner.

We drove into Wicker Park and ate at the Kennedy Rooftop, a rooftop restaurant that overlooked the Chicago skyline. It was so dreamy to see the sky darken and all the lights within the skyscrapers slowly come to life. We devoured our meals, and the most memorable part was the 1-pound brownie we got for dessert. We were way too stuffed to finish it though, so we packed it up and took it home with us to pick at over the next couple of days.

Exhausted and ready to rest our feet, we arrived at our Airbnb, got into our bathing suits, and hurried outside, shaking from the cold. Outside, a hot tub had been reserved for us and it was the perfect way to end the day. Well, that, and the midnight Taco Bell we ended up DoorDashing as well!

On Tuesday, we woke up early and got breakfast at Wake’N’Bacon which had some of the cutest decors I’ve ever seen in a coffee shop. Slurping down our coffee and devouring some chicken and waffles, we finished in no time and hurried to the Shedd Aquarium. Inside, we were surrounded by thousands of fish species from across the world, pools of starfish and sturgeons that you could touch, and Riley’s favorite, a massive penguin exhibit that we spent wayyy too much time looking at.

Once we saw everything, we still had two hours left with our parking, so we took the Chicago Riverwalk down and saw Chicago’s most famous attraction: The Bean! After way too many pictures, we did some light grocery shopping, hauled everything back to the car, and went to Kyuramen, a delicious ramen place located in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Riley and I chose this place not only for its mouth-watering menu but also for its unique seating! We lucked out that we got the middle section and, I have to admit, this is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. I love how everyone around is in their own bubble with completely different things happening in each booth. Maybe it’s the writer in me, but something about it just seems so poetic! Once we were too full to take another bite, we headed back to our Airbnb and spent the night once again in the hot tub and enjoyed some much-needed relaxation.

Since we didn’t have any planned events for Wednesday, we slept in and got breakfast at Riley’s favorite coffee chain in Chicago called Yolk. The coffee ran smooth, the breakfast sandwiches packed a punch, and we got a great spot right by the train tracks where we could see the trains running back and forth along the rail.

Afterward, we burned off those calories by walking the Magnificent Mile and seeing the Chicago River dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day. Of course, I forced Riley to be my photographer and take cute pictures of me before I dragged him into the Starbucks Reserve to check out all of the coffee smells inside.

As we roamed around some more, we happened to stumble upon the Museum of Contemporary Art. Since we’re a bunch of museum junkies, we just had to go inside and explore. We saw this amazing bubble sculpture which was one of my favorite pieces in the museum! We spent so much time inside that we ran late picking up the car, but thankfully, we were still able to leave the lot!

Back at the Airbnb, Riley cooked dinner for me (it was his idea, I promise) and we sat together, reminisced about our trip, and shared too many laughs over the table. It was an intimate way to spend our last night in Chicago and was such a memorable experience for both of us to see how the two of us work in the kitchen.

Thursday morning, we left our Airbnb for the last time, got breakfast at a cafe called Honey Berry, and ate the best hashbrowns in the world. Our plan to go to the Navy Pier was, unfortunately, curb stomped by the incoming snow, but as we started our drive back to Iowa City, we agreed that we’d definitely come back in the summer to check it out in better daylight and with a new itinerary in mind.

We rolled back into Iowa City around 5:00pm, unpacked, and immediately DoorDashed some food. We were excited to be back, but even more excited now that we had a couple days to relax before classes started back up again. Of course, there was still some homework to worry about, but for that night, it could wait.

Overall, my trip to Chicago had to be one of my favorite trips of all time. It was a mix of exciting and relaxing, refreshing and invigorating. I was so lucky to spend that time with my best friend, and we loved the city so much, that we actually just bought Lollapalooza tickets to go back in August and see some of our favorite artists play live. Our next time in Chicago will most definitely be a blast, just like this was!

I hope the rest of you reading this also had some memorable spring break experiences (parents, maybe you’re reminiscing about some of those old college trips you did back in the day!). Whether you were at home or in a far-off place, I hope you guys enjoyed yourself, and thank you for taking the time to read about my trip!

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10 Books I Read Over the Winter (including ones I read for class!)

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I know this title is a bit misleading since winter isn’t totally over, but we had our first breath of spring air the other day here in Iowa City, so I’m taking that as a sign that spring is close by! For me, one of my favorite things about the warm weather is being able to ditch my blankets, warm lamps, and big mugs for some grass, sunlight, and soft breezes. As an English and creative writing major, I’m alwayssss reading: for pleasure and for class, for rain or for shine! So, I’d love the opportunity (once again!) to talk about the books I’ve read and what I thought of them. Here are ten books that I read under the covers of my warm and fuzzy bed, both for pleasure and for my classes this past semester.

Klara and the Sun by Kazou Ishiguro

I read this novel for my Global Science Fiction class (a class where we read famous science fiction works that were written by authors outside of the United States) and I absolutely loved it! It follows Klara, a solar-powered AI that is designed to help families and be companions for children in a futuristic United States. Klara is bought by Josie, a young sick girl, and her single mom. As Klara continues to learn more about human life and emotion, she encounters Josie’s strange family dynamic and the real reason why Klara was the perfect AI for Josie.

This novel was longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize and the 2022 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. After reading it, I could definitely see why this novel was up for such prestigious awards! It is a bit slow in the beginning, but it really picks up halfway through, and the big reveal is insane! I think this is a great book for just about anyone to pick up.

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

I read this book for fun because it’s a quick read and there’s actually a show on Peacock based on the novel (I’ll admit… I haven’t watched the show yet, but I’m sure I’ll get to it) The book follows five high school students in detention when one of them suddenly dies when the teacher exits the room. After suspicions about the incident being more than “just an accident” start to circle, the four remaining students band together to try and clear their names, all the while not knowing if one of them actually did kill their classmate.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of murder mystery books, but I decided to give this one a shot. I thought the book was good and the reveal was well thought out, but I felt it dragged a bit too much. I didn’t feel super connected to any of the four characters whose point of views we examined, and the writing style didn’t entirely fit with my personal taste. I think there is definitely an audience for this book but unfortunately, it might not be me! That being said, while I don’t think I’ll be picking up the second book in the series, the TV show on the other hand??? I might still have to check that one out!

The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu

I also read this book for my Global Science Fiction class and, honestly, I think this was one of the most difficult books I’ve ever read! So, this is your official warning that this IS NOT AN EASY READ!!! However, if you’re someone who’s interested in more math and science works then this might be the perfect novel for you!

As mentioned above, the reason I struggled so much with this novel is because there were so many math equations, physics explanations, astronomical studies, etc. which are areas of study that I personally don’t know much about and have trouble understanding. But what I can do is appreciate how well-thought-out and detailed this novel is, and how the science of science fiction literally MAKES SENSE!!! For those of you who also like a little bit of history in your novels, this book takes place in the 1960s during the Cultural Revolution in China. It follows an astrophysicist who discovers a new planet, TriSolaris, during her undercover studies at Red-Coast base. If this story sounds interesting but too difficult to read, Netflix has plans to develop this novel into a TV show, so stay tuned for that!

A Thousand Years of Good Prayers by Yiyun Li

I read Li’s collection of short stories for my International Literature Today class (a class where we interacted with International Writing Program writers and got to read their work and ask questions in person). For those of you who don’t know, Yiyun Li is actually an Iowa Writers Workshop alum, and she was also a visiting professor in 2015. A lot of her famous works have been written in Iowa City and take place in the Midwest. Some have even been adapted into films!

Personally, I really enjoyed her stories and her writing style. It was nice that her stories were easy reads and super short, so I usually read a story a night before going to bed. That being said, each story really packed an emotional punch and really got me thinking before I fell asleep. It’s nice being able to see the influence Iowa City has had on such a well-known and talented writer, so if you want to support some Iowa alum, I recommend picking up her collection!

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

Another book that I read for my Global Science Fiction class (as you can tell, I did A LOT of reading for this course!) and follows a chief engineer whose working on a completed spaceship for his dystopian world. The novel is written in journal format, and in this particular world, humans don’t have emotions. But as the novel progresses and the main character, D-503, meets I-330, he falls in love with her and starts to learn what emotions are and the faults of his society in removing them.

I really enjoy books that play around with the format, and I enjoyed the journal entries of this book as chapters. I thought it was really interesting to see someone descend into their own madness and emotion for the very first time and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a weird and different science fiction book written out of the US!

Love By Night by S.K. Williams

While in Barnes and Noble, a friend of mine recommended this book to me after I told her I wanted to read more poetry books. She explained how this was a great book for people who are just getting into poetry, and I completely agree with her! I really felt that this collection of poems was a great bedtime read and a perfect way to “cleanse my pallet” after reading so many science fiction books over the course of the semester.

While I’m not a poet, poetry is a genre I really admire and love to read, so if you’re looking for some insightful poems regarding love, self-healing, mental health, etc. I would definitely check this collection out!

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

I feel like every time I do one of these book recommendation blog posts, I ALWAYSSS end up mentioning a Sarah J. Maas book. I’m currently plowing through her Throne of Glass series, and this is the fourth book in the collection. So, I can officially say I’m halfway through!

For those of you interested in a young adult fantasy series that’ll keep your attention for a while, the first book follows Celaena Sardothien, a famous assassin who’s recruited to fight in a contest to become the King’s official assassin and potentially gain her freedom back. In the fourth book, (I promise, no spoilers), so much of the story is expanded and it’s so cool watching all of the characters come together in this fantastic edition! If you’re looking to dive into a stunning fantasy world then this series is one you don’t want to miss!

Hrafnkel’s Saga and Other Stories translated by Hermann Palsson

Doing a complete 180, this novel is one of the official Icelander sagas that tell the tale of Vikings in the 10th century. It’s an interesting read and follows generations of Vikings as they conquer lands, get into disputes, and fall in love with princesses. I didn’t read the entire thing (the novel has some short stories at the end which I, unfortunately, did not get to), but I found the first stories to be really insightful, funny, and a cool way to examine how Vikings went about their storytelling back then!

This was not a book I read for pleasure, but one I was glad to have read! I am currently in a Medieval Norse Literature class where we focus on Norse mythology, Vikings, and more!

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy

For my Novel Writing class this semester, I had to read a couple books as I worked on my novel draft for class. The very first book we read happened to be this one and, I hate to admit it, but I’m not sure I’m the biggest McCarthy fan… I definitely understand the hype; he’s a fantastic writer and storyteller, but I personally wasn’t a fan of the writing style in this novel. Then again, maybe you’re a reader for McCarthy’s writing!

The story follows a young cowboy after his father sells the farm he grew up on. The cowboy, John Grady, ends up going to Mexico where he finds himself in dangerous situations, making new friends, and escaping death time and time again. I found this book to be a bit of a hard read, but if you’re into cowboy stories, countryside reads, and books that follow characters from a distance, then maybe this is the novel for you!

The Saga of the People of Laxardal by Unknown

The final book on this list is another book I read for my Medieval Norse Literature class and, yes, this time I did read the whole thing! This book is similar to Hrafnkel’s Saga in the sense that it follows generations of Vikings and gives its readers so many perspectives on what Viking storytelling looked like. If you’re interested in something longer with a touch of romance as the side plot, I would definitely recommend looking into this novel!

Those are the ten books I read over the winter! As you can see, my writing taste is a bit all over the place, but hopefully, there is something for everyone thrown into this mix. Stayed tuned for what I ended up reading over the spring and summer and, as always, Go Hawks!!!

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So, How Did I End Up Here?

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Hi everyone!

For those of you who have been with me since my first post, you know I’ve written about all aspects of my college life from Halloween in Iowa City, events I’ve participated in, books I’ve read, and even social media apps I swear by. It’s been such a joy to share my college experience with everyone since deciding the University of Iowa was my forever home, but as I was scrolling through some of my old posts the other day, I realized that I never told you guys how I actually ended up here. As someone who came from New York to Iowa, my story bends the typical Hawkeye origin tale, not only because of how I ended up here, but also what I ended up learning in the process.

At some point throughout my high school career, I made the decision that I wanted to go to college to be a nursing major. With that idea in mind, I spent the first half of my junior year applying to nursing colleges from Vermont to Oregon (much to my mom’s dismay!). Of the nursing colleges I applied to, one happened to be here in Iowa because, if you didn’t know, the University of Iowa has one of the best nursing programs in the country. I’d like to say it was me who discovered this fact, but it was actually my dad (an Iowa alum) who nudged me toward applying here.

Almost immediately after I hit the send button on my last nursing application, Covid-19 trampled through the country, and I was taken out of school. Suddenly, I was left at home with nothing to do, no one to talk to, and for once, no college applications to worry about. For the first time in my life, I was forced to sit and, well, do nothing.

As you can imagine, that didn’t last very long.

Gradually, I resorted back to my love for reading and writing; something that I adored in middle school but forgot about when I got to high school. I remember I was the type of kid that would read by herself during lunch, write bad short stories on my phone, and practically beg my mom to let me write fanfiction on Wattpad (I know, embarrassing). I fell right back into my love for literature and started writing novels (still bad ones, but at least I was finishing them) and reading books that were collecting dust on my bookshelf for years. It was the most fun I’d ever had, and to this day, I still miss being able to wake up and write without a care in the world.

As I spent months typing away, I also received a handful of acceptance letters, one of them being from the University of Iowa as a nursing interest, but not a direct admin. It was a major accomplishment to still be accepted and all the college acceptances secured that I’d be going somewhere, but as they kept rolling in, I never found myself truly excited about them. I feigned a smile, hugged my family, and then went right back to my writing. I realize now that I was secretly dreading the idea of giving up my newfound freedom to go back into a rigorous academic space.  At the time though, I wasn’t ready to admit that nursing might be a major I couldn’t see myself in anymore.

As time continued and a decision loomed over me, I knew I needed to make a choice: do what I set out to do and become a nursing major, or start at square one and be an English and creative writing major. I remember that idea scared me so bad that I continuously shoved it down and hoped it would go away. And I succeeded in that… until I finally toured the University of Iowa.

My tour happened to be on one of the snowiest and coldest days of the winter semester. I remember that my eyelashes had icicles on them from how fast things were freezing. On the day of my tour, my dad and I were the only two people to show up because even a snowstorm couldn’t stop the fact that we had a flight to catch the next day and no time to reschedule.

I mentioned to my tour guide that I was looking into nursing, but for the entirety of the tour, I distinctly remember tuning in to anything she mentioned regarding the English community. I’d done my research beforehand and knew that the University of Iowa had one of the best creative writing programs in the country, and I couldn’t help but tune back into the tour any time she mentioned it. I think that realization was the defining moment for me.

Because by the time the tour ended, I realized I didn’t care about the nursing program and the things I once liked about it, all I could pay attention to was what I thought I’d be missing. And I knew, surrounded by the snow, the campus, and the city, that I couldn’t let this opportunity slip by.

Immediately after the tour, I sat down with my dad and told him I wanted to commit to Iowa as an English and creative writing major. I was lucky to have his and my mom’s support, so I flew home, talked to my advisor, and I officially switched my major. There were a few moments of hesitation, yes, but there was also so much relief. I was letting go of one dream to dive into another. That’s no easy feat, but one that I knew was worth it, even if I didn’t know where it would take me.

A couple weeks after I switched my major, I received a call from the nursing college at the university where I was told I had moved up the waitlist and had been directly admitted into the college, something that very few first-years are accepted into upon arrival. Confused, I told them I switched my major and there was a moment on the phone where the woman gave me a second chance to decide if I was truly turning down my spot in the nursing college. Seated on the steps of my childhood home and staring at the snow-covered hills that reminded me of the campus I toured only a few weeks ago, there was no hesitation when I declined a second time.

And there has been no hesitation since.

Now that I’ve been at the University of Iowa for nearly two years, I can honestly say that I made two of the most important and best decisions of my life back-to-back: changing my major and coming to Iowa to pursue it. I have no regrets and I’ve enjoyed every second of my academics, my literary community, and all the free time I have to write creatively. I was able to make my newfound freedom and my long-time passion into a career, and for that, I’m grateful.

For incoming freshmen, I want you to really consider your passions and know that they, and you, are subject to change. It is a brave thing to go for the life you want, and I promise, if you want something bad enough, it will happen for you. Choose to take dreams and make them into reality.

I hope you guys enjoy my story and I wish you all the best of luck on your college journey. Go Hawks and see you guys soon!

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A Hawkeye Valentine: Things to do on Valentine’s Day

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Hey guys!

I hope all of you are having a great start to your February (minus the weather of course!) Right now, Hawkeyes all over campus are bundled up, getting into the full swing of their classes, and diving into their passions whether it’s a club project, a new job, or maybe participating in Dance Marathon that happened this past weekend! Whatever people are up to, the students at the University of Iowa are putting their best foot out there, even if they’re met with a bunch of snow in the process!

Something that I’m looking forward to in this chilly weather is Valentine’s Day. Iowa City has so much to offer young couples and singles looking to enjoy the day of love. So, if you’re stumped on what you want to do or you need some more information on what the city offers, then you’ve come to the right place!

Here are just a few things to do in Iowa City over the holiday:

The Vue Rooftop: Valentine’s Day Themed Dinner

For my Valentine’s Day plan, my boyfriend and I made reservations to go to The Vue, a rooftop restaurant with amazing views and fantastic food! It’s super aesthetic to sit inside one of the tallest buildings in Iowa City, and for their Valentine’s Day meal, the Vue is offering an appetizer, meal, and dessert, all for 75$!!! So, grab that steak, take some pictures, and if any of you see me there, stop by and say hi!

XOXO Valentine’s Day Ball

Hosted on the Heights Rooftop, the ball will go from 8pm to 2am with a DJ, dance floor, live performances, treat stations, and free prizes! It’s recommended that those who are planning to attend come in formal entire which makes this event the perfect excuse to grab that dress/suit that you’ve been holding onto for wayyy too long. Maybe after your dinner at the Vue, you can hop on over and dance the night away with your significant other!

The Last-Minute Vibes Concert

For those of you who are big music lovers and are looking to support some local Iowa musicians, Gabe’s in downtown Iowa City is hosting a live concert night that starts at 9pm. They recommend coming a bit early to hang with the cast while they set up and get a good spot to watch the performance. For those of you who are interested, the event is 19+ and be sure to bring 10$ to support local artists and the lovely music they’ll be playing for us to enjoy.

Galentine’s Day at Field and Finch

Do you and your single gals need something to do? How about jewelry shopping together!? Field and Finch are hosting an open house with snacks and sales from 10am to 5pm. They’ll also be doing some giveaways with some free jewelry! This is a great option if you want to do something with your loved ones during the day so you can be snug and warm at night.

Silent Disco

While this isn’t being offered on Valentine’s Day, Silent Disco is another great activity for you and your friends if you want to get out and have fun. On February 10th, 17th, and 24th, the Graduate hotel will have a bunch of headphones available, and you’ll be able to dance outside with your friends while deciding what station you want to jam to! I’ll admit, you will have to brave the cold, but dancing with your best friends is sure to be a sweat fest and a great way to spend some time together over this holiday!

That’s all the ideas I have for you! I hope one of these events piques your interest and gives you the chance to get away from your homework to have some fun! I hope all of you enjoy the holiday and spend it with lots of love to go around.

See you next time and happy celebrating!

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Songs Hawkeyes Are Listening to Right Now

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Welcome to the new year everyone!

I apologize for being quiet this month! It’s been hectic getting back into the swing of things with classes, but now that I have a steady schedule and a consistent routine, I’m ready to take on the semester! For my first blog post of the semester, I decided to do something fun and asked some of my current Hawkeye friends what their favorite song is right now to let you guys know what’s getting Hawkeyes up in the morning.

Whether you’re walking the length of T. Anne Cleary Walkway, roaming the halls of the English Philosophy building, or studying in one of the many coffee shops in downtown Iowa City, a love for music is something that all Hawkeyes can relate to. So, pull up Spotify or Apple Music (Spotify is superior. There, I said it) and get ready for some great recommendations!

For Those of You Looking for Throwbacks:

  • House of the Rising Sun by the Animals (recommended by Mackenzie, a biology major)
  • Waterloo by ABBA (recommended by Brett, a geology major)
  • Rich Girl by Hall and Oates (recommended by Ethan, a biochemistry major)
  • That’s Life by Frank Sinatra (recommended by Katie, an English and creative writing major)

For those of You Looking for Pop Songs to Dance to:

  • Another Sad Love Song by Khalid (recommended by me!)
  • Treasure by Bruno Mars (recommended by Scout, an English and creative writing major)
  • She’s American by the 1975 (recommended by Ashlynn, an engineering major)
  • Tommy Boy by Kid Smoko (recommended by Max, a communications major)

For those of You Who Need Something a Little Bit *Dark*:

  • Dark Red by Steve Lacy (recommended by Sydney, an English, ethics, and public policy major)
  • Kill Bill by SZA (recommended by Eva, an English and creative writing major)
  • Better People to Leave on Read by Emei (recommended by Elisa, an English and history major)

For Those of You Who are in Your Feels Right Now:

  • The Last Time by Taylor Swift (recommended by Jenna, an English and creative writing major)
  • Bluebird by Beach House (recommended by Hayden, an art major)
  • A House in Nebraska by Ethel Cain (recommended by Jenna, a linguistics major)

For Those of You Looking for Some New Hip Hop Hits:

  • Walkin by Denzel Curry (recommended by Riley, a philosophy major)

Those are all the recommendations I have for you guys! There’s definitely something for everyone on this list and what better way to listen to some new music than when you’re stuck inside because of the cold weather!

Happy listening and I’ll see you guys soon!

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My Top 7 Moments This Semester

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Hey guys!

The end of the semester is finally here! If I close my eyes, it feels like yesterday that I was just moving back into the dorms as a sophomore in college. The muggy August air, the excited buzz in the hallways, and the overflow of new people, new classes, and new experiences feel like a breath away and I can’t believe we’re nearing the end.

Since that day I moved all my stuff into my new bedroom, so much has happened, and I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on some of my favorite and most meaningful moments that have come out of this semester.

Meeting My Boyfriend on the Very First Day

I know it’s a bit cheesy, but I wanted to pay homage to one of the best people I’ve met this year! I could go on and on about how much of an impact Riley has been on my life and how grateful I am to have met him. He’s my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the coolest person I know. I’ll definitely miss him over winter break, but you know what they say! Distance makes the heart grow fonder.

Finding This Stray Cat Outside of Stanley Hall

Speaking of Riley, there was one night that I got a call from him (It was at 3 a.m., and let me tell you, I was soooo nice and cozy in my bed by that point) but he called to tell me how he and his friend were outside of the residence hall and found a cat he wanted me to see. Of course, when I heard a cat was involved, I sprang out of bed, threw on a sweater, and bolted outdoors. And, let me tell you… this was the sweetest outdoor cat I have ever met!

She let us pet her, carry her, and play in the parking lot before she ultimately ended up running away. I haven’t seen the cat since, but this picture is my favorite picture of me taken this semester.

Signing the Lease for an Apartment Next Year

This was definitely a highlight of my year. Not sure if any of you are aware of the term, “adulting” but this was a moment in my life where I really felt like I was growing out of childhood and into adulthood. Researching places, scheduling tours, and then completing the signing was such a whirlwind (and very stressful) but I’m so glad I found the perfect place for me, and I’ll be living with one of my best friends here in Iowa City!

Listening to Taylor Swift’s Midnights Release

For those of you who don’t know, Taylor Swift released her newest album, “Midnights” in October of this year. If you haven’t listened to the album yet, I’m not sure what you’re waiting for. Drop everything and turn it on now!

On the night the album was released, I and my freshman year roommate sat in my room with glasses of apple cider and listened to the release together. We gushed over every song and spent an hour and a half just dissecting every line, every beat, and every hidden metaphor. Even though we were up until 2am, it was definitely a night to remember.

My “Vogue” Photoshoot

Earlier in the year, I was able to get in touch with a friend of mine, Samm Yu, who has a photography business here in Iowa City (I’ll link their Instagram here). We were able to set up a photo shoot, and then the next thing I know, we were doing an official photoshoot on the rooftop of Stanley IN THE FREEZING COLD!!! Even though I was shivering the whole time, it was so fun being able to pose for Samm and eventually getting some of my favorite photos of myself.

If you’re interested in getting your photo taken for any sort of occasion, I would definitely reach out to Samm!

Performing at Mirage

I actually did a whole blog post about this performance purely because of how much fun it was!

I had such a great job performing with the organization “Walk It Out” and being part of a show that advocates for sexual health! Even though we didn’t perform until midnight and those nerves felt like they were never-ending, it was just a reminder of how much I like to perform, and yes, how cool I am when I have a sword in my hand!

Throwing a Surprise Party for My Friend’s Birthday

Only a few weekends ago, I and my closest friends threw a surprise party for our friend, Eva! She’s one of the sweetest and most hardworking individuals on campus, yet I haven’t been able to see her much because of how intense classes have been and because she lives off-campus this year. It was great that we got to spend her big day with her and spend that much-needed friend time before finals.

After we surprised her in her apartment, we ate some homemade cupcakes, caught up, and then got dinner at Unimpaired, a dry bar here in Iowa City, where we got some delicious pizza. I loved being able to get together with everyone and it really felt like the perfect weekend to wrap up the semester.

Those are my top seven moments this semester! Thank you guys so much for spending time with me these past couple of months and I can’t wait to start strong in January with a whole new set of blog posts for the spring semester.

See you then and be safe and happy holidays!

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