The first semester is in full swing, and with the beginning of the school year also comes the beginning of fall! As of this week, Iowa City has begun its slow climb into the low 60s and high 50s, and before we know it, that Iowa cold will come rushing in! So, for those of us like myself who absolutely love the autumn weather, this time of year is a sweet point worth savoring.
Besides the change in the leaves, the holidays, and all the pumpkin-flavored treats, I love fall fashion. So much so that last year, I made a bit of a how-to guide on what I thought were some cute outfit essentials as a freshman, and now I thought I’d do another one more catered towards the season! And, yes, this is also an excuse to show you guys mirror pics with my favorite clothes. But I promise, some of the pieces have cool stories, so read on to hear how I found them!
Two Piece Gym Fit
Yes, I know. This can get expensive, but… it’s so cute! Especially when you get one in a fun color like the light blue I’m wearing (very Cinderella-esque if you ask me!) It’s super cute to wear in classes, for the gym, and just to have in your closet. Fun fact about the set I’m wearing; the leggings are from LuluLemon and the top is from Athletica. I happened to luck out and find the same shades at both stores. What are the odds!?
A Silk Skirt
I bought this particular skirt over the summer while thrifting in NYC and instantly fell in love. These kinds of skirts are really in fashion right now, and I think they’re incredibly versatile. They pair easily with oversized sweaters or tank tops. They can be casual or formal. It all depends on how you style it! I definitely would recommend buying one, and even better, thrifting it if you can! Mine cost about 15$ which, for New York City sales, is quite a steal!
Oversized Dress Shirts
Definitely raid your grandpa, dad, or brother’s closet for this one to save some money. Personally, I think that a worn-out dress shirt is way better than a new one; they’re just comfier! You can style it with a tank top and it serves as a nice light sweater if you’re someone who gets chilly coming in and out of air-conditioned buildings in between your classes!
Neutral Jeans
I got these specific jeans at White Rabbit in downtown Iowa City, and I swear on my life, it was the best 50$ I’ve ever spent. They fit me amazingly and match everything. Yes, it can be a bit of a pain if they get dirty, but they don’t shrink in the wash and they stay comfortable even when that freshman 15 creeps in! For me, I definitely suggest branching out from the normal blue jeans and splurging a little to try something new.
A Funky Sweater
Everyone needs a fun sweater and not just an ugly one for Christmas. A crazy-looking sweater can really bring an outfit together (or totally ruin it, but we won’t talk about that) but the joy is honestly finding what works with it and what doesn’t! You can buy one pretty much anywhere; just look for something eye-catching. I don’t have a picture for this one because I honestly have so many and couldn’t decide!
White Sneakers (that will get incredibly dirty)
I’m an AirForce and Vans girl until I die, but I will admit, they get dirty quickly. However, they’re super comfortable and you’ll want shoes that you can walk long distances in that won’t hurt your feet. Trust me, this is important! Even if AirForce and Vans aren’t your go-to brands, just a trusty pair of shoes will be your best friend throughout your college career.
That’s all I have for some outfit essentials! Enjoy spicing up your wardrobe, the nice weather, and all that comes in between!
Hey everyone! It’s great to be back in Iowa City after a long summer filled with friends, pools, and campfires, and it’s equally as exciting to now be a sophomore!
Coming back, though, wasn’t nearly as hard as trying to decide what I wanted to write about for my first blog post back in town. I considered writing something about returning to dorm life since I decided to live in the dorms again this year, but I couldn’t seem to find an angle that hasn’t already been done before. For those of you who are already familiar with my page, you know that my posts aren’t always… typical.
Frustrated after I spent a couple days brainstorming this post, I sat back in my chair and reached for my phone. I was looking for a distraction but ended up coming up with an idea instead. Every day, in some way, shape, or form, I use my phone here at Iowa. Okay, yes, I like to check how many comments I got on my Insta post, or just scroll mindlessly on TikTok, but here at Iowa, technology is becoming an avenue to help make your adjustment to college just a bit easier. And for me, there are ten apps in particular that I think are worth downloading before you step foot on campus.
HawkTools
This may be a required app here you need to download, but that’s because it offers so much right at your fingertips! For incoming students, you’re able to find a variety of maps to explore campus, instructions on how to figure out the Iowa City bus system, the menus for all the dining halls, news on any upcoming events and where they’d be, and the application for NiteRide; basically free Uber for UIowa students anywhere in the city! It’s all things Iowa in one place which, for people who are new to the city and college in general, can be incredibly helpful.
Transit
As I just mentioned, the Hawktools app may give you instructions on how to read the bus system, but Transit is the actual app that the system is on! I remember last year how hard it was trying to figure out the app by myself, but once I did, there was no going back! I use the app on cold Iowa winter mornings when I’m too lazy to walk the five to ten minutes downtown, or sometimes, I take it as far as Fieldhouse on the west side of campus to get a good workout in. Knowing the bus system has allowed me to stay warm, save some energy, and yes, made me feel like an adult in a city. There are even some buses that will take even you to the Coralville mall if you’re interested in getting out of Iowa City and doing some shopping or watching a new movie in the theater with friends. Overall, it’s just a great app to have!
The Starbucks App
I know my teenage girl side is coming out right now, but listen… this is essential. For those of you who don’t know, there is a Starbucks located right across the street from Voxman, the School of Music. Since it’s so close to campus, everyone makes it a point to snatch their favorite Starbucks drink before heading to class which can sometimes lead to long lines. So, rather than being late to class because you had to wait in a line nearly out the door, I’d definitely download the Starbucks app to stay hydrated and punctual.
(For those of you who are Dunkin lovers, don’t worry, there is also a Dunkin Donuts about two blocks down and across from the Pentacrest.)
Dispo
Okay, another app that really isn’t “necessary,” but I swear by it. I mentioned earlier that I like having a strong Insta game here, and an app I recently discovered this summer that’s helped with that is Dispo! Over the summer, all of me and my friends downloaded the app, took pictures that the app would filter, and which gave them such a cute and fun summer vibe! The other cool feature in Dispo is the ability to create a film “roll” with your friends who also have the app, which is a great way to share photos without having to message them to everyone separately. I definitely recommend getting the app if you’re looking to give your Insta a nice spin for your college years.
Huji
Yes, I know, another app that isn’t reallyyyy necessary, but it is great for pictures. This one has a vintage filter put over it, and again, it’s super cute if you want to spice up your social media game. You can’t share rolls with your friends in this app, but I still think it’s cool to have.
GroupMe
Back to actual college essentials, this is definitely one of them. If you decide to join a club or organization on campus (I highly recommend you do!) you’ll quickly find that most of them use GroupMe to communicate. You can download the app on your phone and your laptop, or both. It serves as a great way to reach people who may not have the same phone types and serves as an efficient way to get in touch.
Slack
I guarantee that if the club you join doesn’t use GroupMe, they definitely use Slack. Slack is another app used to communicate and is actually making its way into the workforce. Nice way to get ahead, you know? It’s also accessible on your phone and laptop, and it’s just an overall way to make everyone connected under one app.
Venmo
There will be a day when you’re with your friends, craving some Pancheros, and have a dollar and twenty-three cents in your pocket. The nice thing about Venmo is that you can connect your bank account/credit card to the app, add your friends, and easily pay people back when they buy a classic Pancheros meal for you. It’s a lot quicker than trying to scour dollar bills in your dorm room or trying to keep track of how many people you owe money to. I promise, pretty much every college student has Venmo, so don’t be the one person left behind!
Life360
I’m sure the parents reading this are nodding their heads and grinning while the students are frowning at the screen, but I promise, you can have fun with this app! I and my group of friends have our own separate group on the app, and we’ve had a lot of fun changing the names of certain locations and making it so we get a notification when someone reaches those places. Yes, the app is used for safety, which is always good to have anywhere you go, but there’s no harm in using it for a good laugh to see when your friends are spending way too much money at their favorite store.
BeReal
Last but not least, one of my favorite apps at the moment is BeReal. It’s taken the world by storm over the past couple of months, and for good reason! This is another silly one to add, but if you get all of your college friends (and hometown ones!) on the app, it’s a really cool way to see what people are up to at random points of the day. I also think it’s a great way to show that people do the mundane; their lives aren’t always glamorous and fun when they’re studying! I definitely recommend getting the app so that you have something to look forward to every day.
Conclusion
That’s all I have for some essential apps I recommend for college. If you download some of these apps before you step onto campus, I guarantee your life will be a bit easier as you adjust to your new life. Thanks for sticking it out and I hope this was helpful!
Finals are right around the corner, and I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to feel the pressure! I lucked out this semester that most of my finals ended up being papers and speeches (my strong suit), but for the few exams I do have, I can feel them looming over my shoulder as we get closer and closer to the second week of May. Also known as the week we move out of the dorms and go home for the summer.
Still, one thing I’m most proud of that I completed this semester, considering my workload, was my ability to keep up with my reading! Now, granted, I’m an English and creative writing major and some of the books I’m going to talk about were required for me to read, but I still think that it’s pretty admirable I spent at least 30 minutes every day with an actual book in my hands.
As I’m writing this, I’ve finished a total of thirteen books and will probably finish two more before I go home in a couple weeks. Of the thirteen, I decided to pick ten of them to chat about and whether or not I think they’re worth reading over the summer. Hopefully, you clicked on this post because you enjoy reading, and if not, this is probably where we say goodbye and you check out one of my other posts. Also, two more things before we get started; one, no spoilers, and two, most of these books can be triggering and I’ll do my best to give content warnings for each one.
Anyways, let’s get started!
1. Heartless by Marissa Meyer (10/10)
This was the first book I finished in 2022 and I actually read it as a gift to my roommate for her birthday since it’s her favorite novel. I think that says a lot about our friendship if reading a book was the best gift a roomie could ask for! For those of you interested, Heartless is the only high fantasy novel I’ll be mentioning in this list. It’s categorized as a young adult novel and follows the Queen of Hearts before she became the well-known tyrant and villain in the beloved story, Alice in Wonderland. I’m already such a huge fan of Marissa Meyer’s work (she is arguably one of my favorite authors) and, once again, she did not disappoint! This book really captures young love, magic, and the struggle of finding yourself. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to get their heart broken. I promise you, if you read this book, you will never see the Queen of Hearts the same!
2. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (8/10)
This is another solid read but didn’t quite match my tastes. It follows teenage twins, Jude and Noah, as they struggle with their mother’s death, growing up and apart, and expressing themselves through the one thing they’ve always had in common: a passionate love for making art. Trigger warning; there are a lot of themes talked about in this novel like alcoholism, rape, and homophobia. For me, the reason it doesn’t rank higher is that I did not like the time skips and I wasn’t a fan of how some of the triggering topics were handled. However, I still recommend this novel since it’s a big hit in high schools currently and Nelson did a great job at differentiating the dual point of view of the twins. It’s an easy read and really shows the resilience of family during tragedy.
3. Richard III by William Shakespeare (6/10)
Yeah, you may have guessed this, but I did not pick up Shakespeare for fun. I had to read the play for one of my classes, and up until that point, I had only ever read Romeo and Juliet in my 8th grade English class. However, when I sat down and cracked open Richard III, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Yes, the Shakespearean dialogue is difficult to understand, there are a lot of characters with the same names, and it is plain old sexist here and there, but this is Shakespeare. While it isn’t my favorite novel on this list, I do think it’s one of Shakespeare’s best works, or at the very least, one of the easiest pieces to sit through and understand.
4. Circe by Madeline Miller (10/10)
I cannot stress enough how bad I wish I could read this book all over again for the very first time. To put it bluntly, it was ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!!! For those of you who aren’t well-versed in Greek mythology (I see you Percy Jackson kids!), Circe is a sorceress in the Odysseus who saves and cares for Odysseus during his journey. The novel follows Circe as she struggles with godly power imbalances, breaking away from her family, and the meaning of life. Trigger warning; there is a rape in this novel that comes on suddenly, so please be advised. Overall, though, I’m obsessed with this book. I don’t want to give too much away, but if you like Greek mythology, feminism, and plain old good writing with lines that force you to put the book down and contemplate your entire existence, this is the book for you.
5. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (10/10)
Yes, yes, another young adult novel on this list, but with a twist!!! The entire book is made of poems! For those of you who don’t want to be reading a book for long, this is definitely a quick read that’s worth the time. It follows Xiomara, a fifteen-year-old girl caught between her family’s strict stance on religion and how she expresses this struggle through writing poetry. I’ve never read a book told through a series of poems, but I absolutely loved this change of pace. Acevedo’s writing is beautiful, simple, and heartfelt. Not only is this a quick read, but it’s also a book worth learning from!
6. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (7/10)
I’m sure you can guess, again, that I did not read this for leisure. By the way, I have nothing against the classics…they’re just not my personal taste. They are my professor’s taste, though, since this was another novel I had to read for my required reading. But, lucky for me, I’d already read this book in high school. Unlike the last book I mentioned on this list, I wouldn’t characterize this classic tale as an easy read, and I hate to admit it, but I did not finish the book a second time around. It can be a bit boring at times, but if you’ve never read Frankenstein before, I encourage you to still give it a chance. The actual book is NOT the story you think it is and I truly believe everyone should take the time to read and see for themselves who Frankenstein and his monster truly are away from the childhood stories. If anything, take the time to appreciate the very first sci-fi author and her work (that’s right, Mary Shelley is considered the first sci-fi author! Who knew!?)
7. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (9/10)
This novel is a little different than the others since it’s geared toward the middle grade. However, the age group it adheres toward does little to stop the themes it presents. The novel is actually a banned book in some school districts, because, trigger warning, it touches on explicit racism, the abuse Native Americans face on reservations, alcoholism, and so much more. Really, this novel covers EVERYTHING. This book was also the first novel I’d ever read that talks about what life on a Native American reservation is like from a child’s point of view and I feel so much more informed now that I’ve read it. The only reason it doesn’t get a ten-out-of-ten is that I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending (I wanted a little more development, honestly). But this is no place for spoilers, so if you’d like to see for yourself how this novel ends, definitely go give it a read!
8. The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis (4/10)
This is the only book I’m going to talk about that I don’t think is worth reading. It follows three teens in their senior year of high school; one of which’s sister was murdered a year prior and still hasn’t received justice. Trigger warning; the novel touches on topics like rape, murder, and sexual assault, and I do not think McGinnis did enough when explaining the damage these things cause. The writing was very surface-level and I felt the characters brushed off a lot of their experiences, and in some cases, were utterly unaffected by them. It’s an easy read, but overall, not a book I see myself recommending to anyone.
9. Educated by Tara Westover (10/10)
On a completely different note, this is a book I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend. Of all the books I’ve mentioned so far, I think this is the one that’s affected me the most so far this year; at some points even bringing me to tears! The memoir follows Tara from her childhood to adulthood as she works her way through the strict Mormon rules her parents placed her and her siblings under, including no education, no medicine, and above all else, no abandoning the family. I will admit, that this is not an easy read. It is a long book, well-written, and completely eye-opening. For content warnings, there is abuse, both mental and physical, throughout the story. Most of the novel is about Tara working her way around this abuse, and it is truly inspiring. This book has altered the way I view life, religion, and growth. Please, go read it.
10. We Are Not Free by Traci Chee (9/10)
This is the last book I’ll be talking about, and it’s another one that just pulls on my heartstrings! It’s a young adult historical fiction novel that follows fourteen Japanese American teens during World War 2 when Japanese internment camps were present in the U.S. The only reason I don’t rank this much higher is that each chapter is a different point of view (one for each of the fourteen teens) which makes it a bit difficult to follow at times. However, in Chee’s defense, the novel provides fourteen different viewpoints on the internment camps; something Americans today know very little about. The book itself is utterly heartbreaking and really opens your eyes up to the racism these kids faced not too long ago in our history. Once again, I truly believe it’s worth the read.
Overall, I hope you guys liked my recommendations, and hopefully, you can pick up one of these novels for the summer. Anyways, enjoy the sunshine and happy reading everyone!!!
When the music began, I was hiding in the darkness with a katana in my hand. Crouching low, just underneath the white streak of the spotlights and the staircase leading to the center of the stage, I watched from behind as the rest of my team moved into action. I squinted up; my heart pounding in my chest as the familiar music poured over me and the thump of my teammates’ synchronized footsteps filled the air. I could see the tops of Daniel and Andrea’s heads as they jumped to their feet, right on cue, and started their portion of the dance.
Only 15 more seconds, I thought, and my stomach tightened.
The katana in my hand grew heavy, and for the tenth time, I checked to be sure it hadn’t snagged on anything behind me. Palms slick, legs trembling, I waited. I listened to the audience’s screams and inhaled their excitement. I tried to warp my fear into determination.
Too soon, Phong, Andrea, Alice, and Daniel flew down the center stairs in front of me. As he passed me, Daniel uttered a quick “good luck” before disappearing into the stage’s darkness with the others. I exhaled shakily, too scared to answer. Instead, I turned back to the stage, heard the last few beats of the song finish, and I stood. Slowly, I started up the staircase.
My face hit the spotlight, and all at once, calm rushed over me.
The music shifted. The lights bathed me in red. I took my final step off the stairs and onto the stage. The gleam of the katana reached the crowd’s eyes, and all at once, the world erupted.
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Of all the things I’ve done in my first year of college, (and trust me, there’s soooo much to unpack there) I can honestly say that performing on stage, alone, with my katana, was one of the best experiences I’ve had since coming to Iowa. There’s even a part of me that wants to say it was one of the best nights of my life. But before I tell you about the biggest multicultural organization here on campus, there are a few things you need to know about me beforehand.
First, I am a 5th-degree black belt in taekwondo. So, no, I did not just pick up a katana and hope for the best when I decided to perform with it.
Since I was five years old, I’ve been trained in hand-to-hand combat and a variety of weapons including bo staffs, knives, sai, and yes, swords. And I will admit, swords were never my strong suit. I still don’t think they are. Back in high school, I was more likely to fight with my fists and feet, and if I had to choose a weapon, I would probably have snatched a bo staff long before I even thought of picking up a sword. Or, in this case, a katana. However, after choreographing three different sequences with a bo staff, sword, and a poomsae (a series of blocks, punches, and kicks meant to resemble a fight scene), my group leaders, Kathy and Daniel, decided that the sword would be the coolest for our act.
So, despite my nervousness, I bought a katana and got to work perfecting my movements.
As you can imagine, practicing with a katana wasn’t easy. There weren’t many places to practice where I could evade attention (carrying a katana down T. Anne Cleary Walkway tends to draw a lot of stares) and even taking the Cambus (the public bus system in Iowa City) to the Fieldhouse (the University of Iowa’s west side recreational center) grew awkward when students stopped in their tracks upon seeing the katana tucked at my side.
The katana itself also proved difficult. It was heavier than any sword I’d ever wielded, and it took weeks of practice to adjust to its weight. I remember very early on, I was so nauseous after using it during one practice, that I had to lay down for fifteen minutes and sip water until the sickness subsided. Not fun.
And besides my own katana swinging practices, I was still meeting weekly with my team for the big Walk It Out show coming up in April.
For those of you who don’t know, Walk It Out is a multi-cultural fashion show here at the University of Iowa. Since I’m half Chinese, I fell into the East Asian group among other groups like Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia, LGBTQ, and Hip Hop. But saying that Walk It Out is “just a fashion show” is a complete understatement. Not only are cultural clothes represented, but a variety of dances are performed, songs are sung, and cultural acts are displayed on the catwalk. Everything is welcome; there’s nothing too big for Walk It Out!
But for me, my personal goal for Walk It Out was to push myself out of my comfort zone, starting with the katana solo. With Kathy and Becky, I mastered a fast-paced dance to Toxic by Britney Spears which required twerking, hip-shaking, and a whole lot of confidence. With Ashlynn, Daniel, and Angela, I helped choreograph a dance to September by Earth, Wind, and Fire which substituted as our fresh and fun act during the East Asian portion of the show. And lastly, I took part in our group’s finale to Kill This Love by BlackPink where my group and I completed the iconic dance that took the world by storm only a couple years ago.
Overall, in the few weeks leading up to the actual performance, we were practicing for about 6-7 hours a week! That may not seem like a lot, but when you’re a full-time college student, an employee, and a friend with a social life, these practices took their toll.
On the day of the performance, we filed into the Iowa Memorial Union aka the IMU (home to Iowa’s 500+ student organizations!) where we got to see the stage for the very first time. We admired it from behind, peered through the multiple doorways, and said over and over again, “it’s a lot higher than I thought.” If the nerves weren’t present beforehand, they definitely were now.
The rest of the morning went by in a blur; we practiced together, perfected our catwalks, and got the chance to complete a full-dress rehearsal on the actual stage. Of all the things we did to prep for the show, I think using the actual stage was the best way to prepare myself for what was to come.
And I say this because of how horrible I did during the dress rehearsal.
During the rehearsal, I fumbled with my katana, my kicks were sloppy, and I nearly lost my balance on a move I’d done a thousand times before. I was shaking during Toxic, stumbled on my catwalk, nearly slipped during September, and by the time we got to the finale, I was sick from how disappointed I was in myself. However, in hindsight, doing poorly on this test-run is what launched me into the best performance I’d ever given. I knew what it was like to fail (and that failure wasn’t as bad as it could have been), and now, I wanted to know what it was like to succeed.
But obviously, I didn’t know this at the time, so I spent the next few hours leading up to showtime completely beating myself up over it.
I scurried back to my dorm room where I could sit alone, silently fuming. I remember it took everything in me to shake the frustration and nerves out while I was sitting there. I kept asking myself, “what if that happens again?” or “what if I screw up even worse when I’m actually in front of an audience?” I had asked my friends to take videos of me and the last thing I wanted was to look back on those, watch myself screw up, and cringe over them for an eternity.
Still worried, I applied my makeup with shaky hands and forced myself to eat a quick dinner despite anxiety already filling my stomach to the brim. When it was time to head back to the IMU, I walked quickly, praying the next time I entered my dorm room, I wouldn’t be slumped with disappointment.
But weirdly enough, when I returned to my group, those nerves began to subside. Everyone looked stunning in their makeup and clothes. There were smiles, jokes, and I remember laughing as Laura applied a line of glitter along my cheekbones and as I helped Ashlynn with her eyeshadow. Once we were ready, we ventured outside and onto the patio; basking in the sunset as we posed for an abundance of pictures. Really, everyone looked fantastic, and I still can’t get over how happy everyone looks in these pictures. Those performance jitters were gone, so when the doors opened for the audience to start taking their seats, we were ready for the crowd.
Within the first 10 minutes of the doors being open, about 1/3 of the ballroom was filled, and by the time the show actually started, only a few rows in the back remained empty. Sitting in the last row, I watched as Latin America started and finished their performance, and it when then that I could feel the anxiety creeping back in. Nervous, I stole away from my group, back into our dressing room, and practiced my performances in the dark for the very last time. Little by little, my group mates filed in after me; just as jittery and nervous after watching Africa complete their act. From outside, we could hear the explosion of the applause they received.
Only Southeast Asia, intermission, and then it was us. With every second, the tension in the room grew.
I don’t remember why and who it was, but at some point during those tense moments, someone played Gangnam Style on their phone. The song filled the room; permeating the tension. We all paused, smirking at the irony, and then, before I knew it, we were dancing to the chorus; laughing, smiling, and completely at ease.
Dancing together was familiar. It was fun and we loved it. It was something we could always rely on.
No matter what happened on stage, we were a team, and that was final.
So, fast-forward again to that moment when I stepped up on stage with my katana in hand. I moved to the center of the stage, dipping into a bow. Around me, the crowd went wild. Through the spotlights, I could see a few figures jumping to their feet to get a better look. The screams, applause, and shouts echoed off the ballroom walls. I could barely hear my thoughts. I could barely hear anything.
Then, fear shot down my throat and landed in my stomach.
I can’t hear the music.
The thought was fleeting, and I strained even more to hear. I managed to pick up the familiar beats, but the words were lost to me. The rapper’s voice was forgotten in the crowd. His voice was one of many amid the yelling. I would have to go without it.
I bent into my stance, holding the sword out in front of me. I called on my muscles, my limbs, and my body; the body that have gone over this form a hundred times before this moment. So many times, it did not need music to know when to step, swing, and strike. The movements fell out of me like I was stepping into an invisible song. One after another, I hit each move. My feet flew under me. The katana whipped over my head.
And then, at the very end, I thrust my katana towards the crowd, and I kiyapped (a traditional scream used to release energy during a poomsae). I swear it rattled my bones. I could hear my voice echoing around me, rising over the din of the crowd. It was the loudest scream I’d ever let out and the crowd roared with me. No matter what, this moment will be engrained in my memory forever; me, a katana, the stage, and the crowd below, screaming with me.
Finished, I swung my katana to the side, stood with my chin held high, and basked in their cheers. And then, as quickly as I arrived, I disappeared back down the steps and into the darkness.
The rest of the performance went by in a flash with only a few significant details still vivid in my mind. I remember crouching below the stage with Kathy and whispering to her with a wide grin, “this is so fun!” before we leapt on stage to perform Toxic. I remember clapping behind the curtains when Angela revealed herself to the crowd; decked in an Empress costume as she glided across the stage. I remember how hard I smiled when I danced to September; proud of my choreography. And then, later, when the show was over, and I walked back on stage, I remember my friends who had come to watch as they rushed to the very front, waving for my attention, and flooding me with their excitement. It was unreal and I couldn’t believe how much fun all of it was.
More importantly, I couldn’t believe how bad I wanted to do it all over again!
I found a community in Walk It Out; the East Asian and Southeast Asian friends I never knew how badly I wanted and needed. Even though the show has been over for only a week, I miss all of them already and I can’t wait for next semester when I get to dance with them again.
Who knows? Maybe I’ll be the one choreographing those dances…
The second half of the spring semester has started back up and man is it moving! Last week, students went home for spring break where they got a full week of relaxation, no homework, and hopefully, some much-needed time spent with friends/family before coming back to campus. And while it is nice to be home and be with family, I wasn’t super excited about dragging my luggage halfway across the country for less than a week. So, having already seen my parents during Thanksgiving and winter break, I decided to try something different with my free time rather than fly all the way back to New York. In the end, I decided to live by myself in Iowa City for the week.
Now, something you should know about me before we continue is that I’m naturally very chatty. I gather my energy from the people around me and I’m often someone who jumps from resident hall to resident hall every single night. People know me as someone who just finds their way into certain buildings at some point in the day because of how much I enjoy talking and hanging out with my friends here. I’ve started to refer to myself as the “stray dog” friend groups tend to take care of!
But the reason I’m bringing this up is to emphasize how people thought it would be difficult for me to have no one to talk to over spring break. They genuinely thought I wouldn’t survive!
But what I have to tell you is that being here alone, with no one to talk to and nothing to do, actually helped me fall back in love with the city I toured a year ago when I was still a senior in high school. It made me really adore and appreciate the college I’m going to call home for the next three years of my life.
The first thing I treated myself to every morning were the coffee shops downtown Iowa City has to offer. Since the dining halls were closed, I was forced (I saw “forced” very lightly) to walk downtown and find places to eat. I’ll admit, that ten-minute walk grew tiring by the end of the week and, strangely enough, I was grateful for the closeness of dining hall coffee and pastries, but I still want to shine some light on the phenomenal places I went to and ate at. I’ll get to restaurants in a bit, but some notable Iowa city coffee shops I went to were JavaHouse, fix!, and Cortado. My roommate and I went to fix! together for the very first time (okay, so I wasn’t completely truthful when I said I was alone in the city; I did have my lovely roommate to keep me company) and we got the chance to sit on the second floor of the Chauncy, drink good coffee, overlook Iowa City from above, and write our novels together. It was, quite literally, a writer’s paradise.
Which leads me to my next point…
Not only did I drink great coffee every day, but I also got to do things I was passionate about. Yes, I love my major, and I know English and creative writing is the career path for me, but sometimes that passion can be lost when you’re bogged down with work from a variety of classes. In some cases, it can make you resent the things you love.
This week, however, I got to edit a novel I’d been writing since the summer. I had so much fun each day finding new places to sit, write, and pour myself into a project I adore. Iowa City truly is a city of literature (a UNESCO city to be exact!) and I could really feel the magic of this place as I sat and plowed through my writing day by day.
And something else I really enjoyed, despite being the chattiest person on campus, was how beautiful the university is when it is empty. It was a ghost town. T. Anne Cleary Walkway had no students walking to class, the hallways of the resident halls were silent, and the streets were empty of cars moving back and forth. It felt like something out of a dream. Not a nightmare, but a dream.
And I say this because it made me realize that, until that week, I’d never had the opportunity to dance on the bridges arcing over the Iowa River with my music on high. I’d never watched a movie on full volume, taken up five tables to work on a painting, while being in Currier’s massive lounge area completely undisturbed. And, this is my personal favorite, I’d never gotten the chance to walk into the local Starbucks and be the only one ordering coffee at 10 am!
Yes, it really was a dream.
And at the very end of the day, I’d get to do something that I’ve never done for myself before: take myself out on dinner dates. Every night for the week, I went to a different restaurant. I know it’s scary eating alone. I know it’s weird when servers ask who’s joining you and you tell them you’re eating alone. But when you have a Pullman’s burger in your hands or a plate of noodles from Uncle Sun’s or a full pie of pizza from Pagliai’s Pizza, it doesn’t matter you’re eating alone. I treated myself to the fantastic food Iowa City has to offer and that was all the company I needed.
So, yes, while I love my friends and I missed them terribly when they were gone, being alone in Iowa City allowed me to fall back in love with the college I first toured. With no external forces; no homework, no classes, no people, and no expectations, I got the chance to do the things I wanted. I got the chance to be myself with nobody watching, and for that, I’m grateful for the experience.
If you ever get the chance, whether it be Iowa City or a whole other location, experiment with being alone. You might be surprised by what you find out about yourself in the process.
We’re right in the middle of the spring semester and midterms are on the way! College students everywhere are currently prepping for their exams, studying hard, and yes, losing sleep. But in a couple more weeks, spring break will be here, and with it, some beautiful weather to accompany the rest of the semester!
Over the last month, fighting both my homework load and the cold weather, I haven’t had much time to write any blog posts about my time in Iowa. I ran into the spring semester headfirst, dove deep into my workload, and the most exciting part became a tour guide for the university! For those of you who plan on visiting the University of Iowa over the next three years, maybe I’ll have the privilege of showing you around!
However, during my training, I came across a handful of fun facts about the university which I wanted to write a short blog post about. There’s a lot of history around the university, and I don’t know about you, but the best facts are the most outrageous ones! Those are the ones I’m going to be listing off for you today, so let’s get started!
Joe’s Fan Club
The University of Iowa has over 500 student organizations. However, if there isn’t a club for you, you can make one! That is exactly how Joe’s Fan Club came to be.
A few years back, a student named Joe wanted to make more friends around campus. So, he created his own fan club! Every week, members would make presentations, go on field trips to his favorite places, and on his birthday, they had a massive celebration! Unfortunately, Joe’s Fan Club doesn’t exist anymore, but maybe we can start an Elana’s Fan Club in its place!
Hot Tub Bachelor Night
The University of Iowa’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Center is ranked 3rd in the country. Inside, there is a lazy river, pool, and a hot tub right at the very front of the building. When you go inside the pool area, you’ll see a massive TV screen on the wall, and every Monday night, a group of girls watch the Bachelor/Bachelorette in the hot tub. It fits 25 people, so if you and 24 of your closest friends like reality TV, I’d definitely consider watching it from the comfort of a hot tub!
Secret Tunnels
If you live in one of our east side dorms including Daum, Burge, Stanley, or Currier, you may get the opportunity to walk through the secret tunnels connecting them! There is a tunnel between Daum, and Burge called the Bunnel (no idea how it got this name, but it stuck!) and a tunnel between Stanley and Currier called the Stunnel (again, not sure why it’s called this). These are really nice when you’re trying to move between buildings in the winter and you don’t want to brave the cold. Not too many people know they exist, and for those of you who are really into aesthetic Instagram pictures, I’d DEFINITELY recommend going down there if you want to spice up your social media game!
The Shape of the Lindquist Center
The Lindquist Center is home to our College of Education here in Iowa and if you look at it from a bird’s eye view, you’d find the shape very odd. It’s a bit all over; the sides are bumpy, it consists of two different buildings, and the inside is, quite literally, a maze. When the center was being designed, designers decided they wanted the building that our future teachers would be learning out of to reflect their teaching styles. They wanted our teachers to think outside the box, so they made the building to reflect this way of thinking!
Molly’s Cupcakes
The University of Iowa is considered one of the best college cities because of its downtown scene. Right at the very front of the area is a light blue shop with an orange awning. This is Molly’s Cupcakes, and it won the very first Cupcake Wars on Netflix! Also, if it’s your birthday, they’ll give you half-off cupcakes. If you’re in town, definitely check them out!
The Airliner
Right next door to Molly’s Cupcakes is a restaurant called the Airliner. Today, the Airliner is famous for its 1$ pizza slices on Sundays, but another fun fact about Airliner has to do with a famous actor, Ashton Kutcher. Back in the day, Ashton Kutcher came to the University of Iowa as a Computer Science major. One night, he and his friends went to go get pizza at Airliner and that is how he was discovered by a modeling agent. Kutcher’s story gives me hope that, even though I moved from New York to Iowa, there’s still hope for my dream modeling job to eventually become a reality. Not sure how cute I look eating pizza, but I’ll be sure to practice on Sunday nights when I’m eating my dollar slice!
Filming Friends on Campus
The title is a bit misleading since there was only one scene filmed in Iowa, but it includes our Office of Admissions located in Calvin Hall. It’s only a quick shot of the outside, meant to represent Chandler and Ross’s dorm room, but it’s still something students love to remind one another of. Check out season 10 episode 11 if you want to get a glimpse!
There are so many fun (and weird!) facts about the University of Iowa, but these are just a few of the favorites that I know really pique people’s interest while I’m giving tours. I hope you enjoyed them too and maybe one day, I’ll get to give you those facts in person!!!
If you’re a first-year college student like me, the past couple of weeks have been spent seeing family, catching up with hometown friends, and finally winding down from a very hectic first semester away from home. And if you’re also like me, you’re currently diving into a brand-new schedule, running to a multitude of foreign buildings, and cramming as much work as you can before the clock strikes 11:59. Overall, just trying to get a sense of some time management.
For me, time management last semester was one of my greatest strengths coming into college and actually played a major role in balancing the topic of this post. I was fortunate enough very early on in the fall semester to be the Editor in Chief of Ink Lit magazine; a magazine run by first-year students for first-year students who had no experience in the publishing industry and funded by the Magid Center on campus. Not only was this daunting because I’d never dipped my toes in the industry before, but after I got the job, I suddenly had a team of 10-15 individuals who were looking up to me as the chief of staff. People, who were looking at me to answer all their questions. I know, terrifying.
I will admit, it took some time to find my footing. This included missed meetings, scrambling to find emails, and plenty of uncertainty, which all led to this sense of dread that I was not appearing as the leader I wanted to be. Luckily, though, I was gifted with two fantastic publishers and a team of nervous, but equally as excited, first-years who were passionate about all things creative. I’m proud to say that their faith and willingness to help made being the Editor in Chief less of a “job” or a “club position” and more of a passion. It made the experience incredibly worthwhile.
As time went on, I learned so much about the publishing industry. I learned how to sift through slush piles, how to order a magazine, and how to proofread (I’ll admit, this was my least favorite part). And then, when the magazine was curated and finally printed, I learned how to party plan, how to script, and how to write the annual Editor in Chief letter. Yes, also very daunting, but also very rewarding.
Overall, having the chance to work on a magazine was one of the best experiences of my first semester. It allowed me to learn a variety of new skills, take on a position I’d never dreamed of getting, and be the figurehead for a magazine that is the only one on campus that trains first-years in a career they may go into for the rest of their lives. I loved the experience so much that I just submitted my application for the spring semester in hopes of getting the chance to work on the magazine again and the team which made it entirely possible.
If you’d like to read the latest issue of Ink Lit magazine or submit work for the spring edition, follow us on Instagram (@inklitmagazine) and click the linktree in the bio.
Finals week is coming to an end and winter break is finally upon us. I’m currently packing for my long plane ride home to New York and I’m so excited to be back with my family and hometown friends. However, something I’ve realized while being here is that friendships in college are WAYYY different than the friendships I made in elementary, middle, and high school. In college, I quickly learned to treat my friends here differently in order to maintain them and strengthen those bonds.
When it comes to maintaining your college friendships, here are my top tips:
The Importance of Reaching Out
This may be simple, but it’s essential to any relationship you have. To maintain a friendship, obviously, you have to hang out and talk with one another. Reaching out to make plans (even if they don’t work) or just chatting to see what’s up shows effort. Effort doesn’t have to be grand gestures or worldwide plans, but just showing you want to see someone and hear from them is enough to prove that you value their friendship.
Checking Up
This aligns with the last tip but checking up on someone with a simple “How are you doing” can speak volumes. Showing you care is vital for any relationship, especially friendships where you confide in one another often. People appreciate being checked up on and knowing that, even if you don’t talk every day, you are someone who is in their corner if they ever need a helping hand.
Making Plans
What’s important to realize is making plans can’t be one-sided! There should be a balance between who decides what the two of you are doing, even if it’s simply getting coffee, going for a walk, studying together, etc. Plans don’t necessarily have to be big events but be sure you’re actively trying to see the other person and the other person is actively trying to see you. Like I said earlier, even if the plans don’t work out, the effort is still there!
Deep Conversations
Yes, small talk is perfect for when a friendship is first starting out. It’s awkward to talk to a stranger about the hard things in life, but, after a while, small talk can only last so long. That’s why it’s important to show trust and tell people the hard stuff! To really strengthen the bond you’ve already begun to build, give people the ability to understand you for who you truly are and show empathy for what you’ve been through. Truly, this is what makes a friendship worthwhile.
Communication When You Don’t See Eye to Eye
One thing I will never understand is why people tend to sit with “uncomfort.” If you’re upset or angry or confused with someone, sitting on those emotions won’t help your relationship. If anything, you may begin to resent the other person. Caring about someone means doing things that may be out of your comfort zone in order to salvage the relationship. So, if something is bothering you, don’t be afraid to tell the other person. Chances are, they’ll be grateful you cared enough to talk to them about it rather than being unhappy with them.
Obviously, there are hundreds of different ways to maintain a healthy friendship. Each person will have a different perspective and show the meaning of friendship in their own way. In the end, it’s just about showing the other person they mean something to you!
It’s almost the end of the semester which means two things are happening: finals, and then, home for an ENTIRE month! Yay!!! I’m so excited to go back to New York and see my parents (just kidding, I’m going for my cats), but I’m also going to miss my friends, classes, and the university so much while I’m gone. But before I can start thinking about winter break and prepping for the next semester, I need to get through finals week just like everyone else.
As an English and creative writing major, most of my finals involve final portfolios in which I advise the writing I workshopped in my classes. Up until this year, I had never workshopped any of my pieces. Besides giving my friends and family snippets of my writing and scribbling bad poetry in my journals, I had never written anything with the intent of having it read aloud, discussed in front of me, and interpreted by my peers.
And upon first thought, this is terrifying.
I can think of very few people who want to have their work discussed in front of them. Especially, when you aren’t able to give any input on the piece. I know for me; this was one of my biggest fears. I remember thinking, what if someone says something mean and I can’t respond? What if they misinterpret what I say? What if I’m just plain bad and everyone judges me? A whirlwind of questions and concerns worked through my mind as the weeks led up to my first workshop.
But when it finally happened, I fell in love with the process.
When we workshop, we usually start with what we liked in the piece, the meaning behind it, and things we noticed that emphasized and made the writing stand out to us. Personally, one of my favorite parts of this round is also getting the chance to hear people’s interpretations and seeing how people saw my work in ways I never would have thought of. It’s incredibly rewarding to hear my classmates appreciate things like my descriptions, my word choice, and my plot devices. Overall, just having other people my age appreciating the craft and time it takes to write anything has always made me feel like a real author and made me really enjoy having my work discussed in a group setting.
And even when we get to the constructive criticism round, this enjoyment doesn’t end.
Because, what I failed to realize before I workshopped, people in my classes don’t want to pick up on my mistakes/failures to be mean or cruel or to prove they’re better writers. At the end of the day, everyone in the room is a writer, and we love watching one another succeed. In that moment, when we’re all sitting in a circle, it’s a small community of people who are trying to help you. This is more beneficial than praise and is what ultimately strengthens a piece to its fullest potential.
Another part of workshop that I adore is at the very end when I get my printed copies back, filled with annotations from my classmates. Yes, it’s annoying and sort of expensive to print out page after page and staple them together, but it’s worth it to see those genuine reactions and notes for my peers. Seeing people react in “real-time” to my writing is so fun and exciting, especially when they leave cute little notes, hearts, or highlighted quotes that were their favorites. It’s equally as fun doing this for your classmates when it’s their writing you’re looking at.
Plus, not only do you get handwritten annotations, but usually, everyone in the class will write personalized letters. In these letters, my classmates were able to air out all of their thoughts (especially ones they may not have been able to mention during class) so I could get the full picture of how my story affected them and where I could go from there. Getting this much feedback from so many different people is incredible and does mind-blowing things for a piece.
And then, once you have all of these edits and notes in the palms of your hands, you get to actually work on revising the piece. This is the best part; being able to see my writing change and warp into a better version of itself. Every time, I’m shocked by how much workshopping improves my story and makes me a better writer and listener because of it.
If you’re an English and creative writing major who wants their writing to improve drastically, I would definitely consider the University of Iowa and the classes where workshopping is available. These classes are fantastic, broad (you can take a writing class on pretty much anything! I’m currently taking one on writing romance fiction!), and overall, a lot of fun. The #1 public university for English and creative writing lives up to its name and I hope this post sparks your interest in this phenomenal program!
By the time you read this, Thanksgiving break should have just ended, and you’re stuffed on turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing (my personal favorite!). Plus, you should be getting ready for the end of the semester along with a nice, long, and well-deserved, winter break. But if you’re like me, before we can enjoy warm cups of hot chocolate, reading by the fireplace, and unwrapping gifts with loved ones, you have a good number of finals to sift through. And if you’re also like me, and have three final portfolios for your creative writing classes due at the same time, you’re going to find a way to procrastinate it.
Hence, the reason I started writing this article.
However, this method of procrastination isn’t laying in my bed scrolling through TikTok, going on late night adventures with my friends, or gorging on snacks at 2am. This time, I wanted to tell you guys about an event I heard about during my first week at the University of Iowa: UIowa Walk It Out.
I heard about Walk It Out at a club fair right before classes started. From what I was told, it was a fashion show for people of color to show off their culture through music, dance, and clothes, to the rest of the university in a fun and lively environment. Honestly? It sounded like a lot of fun, and for someone like me who grew up in a predominantly white community and was far from home, I wanted to give myself the opportunity to tap into my culture in a way I hadn’t been able to before. Also, I was desperate for friends, and any excuse to meet new people seemed like a good one.
So, I signed my name on the sheet, and a month later, auditioned to be a model using Fergie’s “London Bridge” to strut across the room. And if you were wondering, yes, I absolutely killed it. There’s nothing more rewarding than being hyped up by a bunch of strangers, which was my first indication that Walk It Out was going to be a lot more fun than I’d given it credit.
About a month after my audition and acceptance, I attended my first meeting as a model for the East Asian group, and during that meeting, our group leaders dropped a bombshell of news: We would be performing a five-minute dance in front of all the other models and a live audience and we had two weeks to come up with something, starting, right then and there.
Great.
I remember looking at my group leaders in horror. How were we supposed to create a cultural dance with so little time and with people who had such little dance experience? How would practices work with everyone’s different schedules? Dancing with friends is one thing, but with strangers, it’s awkward and intimidating. How would we be comfortable?
But despite my hesitations, my group leaders had it under control.
During that first meeting, they separated us into two groups: Cpop (Chinese pop) and Kpop (Korean pop). I was a part of the Cpop group with two other girls, including our instructor, Selina. Since I’m half-Chinese, I wanted to get the chance to connect directly with my culture. Connecting with my culture was, after all, my original reason (besides wanting friends) for joining Walk It Out. So, I wanted to fulfill that promise.
There was initial confusion over where we were practicing, when, and how we were going to dance with such little time, but Selina had it under control.
Speaking of Selina, I think it’s necessary I give her a proper shoutout! With the two weeks we had, she managed to teach us an entire two-minute dance she learned, choreographed, taught, and then modified when we struggled on the moves. She was the most patient teacher, made sure we stretched beforehand and took the time to answer all our questions until we were confident in the moves. Once, she even taught us to dance with a burrito in her hand, because she skipped lunch to make sure we had time to practice.
As the days flew by, I was surprised how fast I caught on. Now, granted, I was practicing every night in the mirror with my roommate giggling beside me and during my study sessions with friends whenever I needed to get up and stretch the stiffness out of my limbs. But this all stemmed from wanting to do well and not make a fool of myself out on the dance floor. Also, I wanted to make my group leaders and my group members proud, and I couldn’t do that if I was fumbling around on the dance floor.
In the last few days, we practiced with the Kpop group, solidified the music, and concocted a transition where I got to showcase my taekwondo skills to the crowd. Those last few practices went smoothly leading up to the day of the event: The Model Mixer.
On the day of the Mixer, I found myself mingling with a few of the girls from the South Asian group. I had a close friend there, and being that there were so many other people, I desperately clung to someone familiar and stayed there. Still, that discomfort didn’t last long, because the executive team of Walk It Out planned a variety of fun activities to keep our spirits up before we had to perform for one another. We did icebreakers, ate pizza, played musical chairs, and even got to take turns strutting our stuff on the runway. The vibes were fantastic and the warm hug of a proper welcome made me feel at home.
But then, it was time to perform.
Each group was fantastic. The LGBTQ group went up first and set the tone for the night. South Asia’s dance was upbeat and fast-paced and Hip Hop absolutely destroyed their dance without a single fault. My group was the last to perform, and as each group went up one after another, I couldn’t stop my hands from shaking. Fear pulsed through my veins and the urge to puke, run, and hide quivered in my body no matter how well I knew the moves. My eyes watched group after group absolutely KILL their dance and the roar of applause that erupted from the crowd after they sat down.
I was still shaking when our group was finally announced. I remember my mind was scrambled with stage fright as I turned the moves over and over in my head. Struggling to breath, I moved to my first position in front of the crowd and stared off into the audience. Anyone looking closely could see my knees wobbling under me.
But then, the music started, and I began to dance.
All at once, the stage fright fell away. I smiled, moved, and let my feet guide me. My confidence only grew when the crowd began to applaud and cheer for us, their support pushing me to continue and smile harder. It was hard not to bathe in their support. Later, after the dance was over and the two minutes flew by in what felt like seconds, a girl came up to me and said my facial expressions “told a story.”
But really, I was just having fun. I was dancing with my new friends and letting myself accept a part of my culture I hadn’t had the chance to explore. The stage fright was well-worth the reward.
And thankfully, it’s not over yet.
The Model Mixer was just the beginning because the actual show will be on April 9th in the IMU and open to the public. I’m so excited that my group and I will get the chance to learn another dance and get the opportunity to model some stunning East Asian clothes for Iowa City. If you’ll be in Iowa around that time, I encourage you to come and watch us perform. Or, better yet, come see me kill it on the dance floor!
Me and the East Asian group for UIowa Walk It Out 2021-2022!!!
Yes, I know. This can get expensive, but… it’s so cute! Especially when you get one in a fun color like the light blue I’m wearing (very Cinderella-esque if you ask me!) It’s super cute to wear in classes, for the gym, and just to have in your closet. Fun fact about the set I’m wearing; the leggings are from LuluLemon and the top is from Athletica. I happened to luck out and find the same shades at both stores. What are the odds!?
I bought this particular skirt over the summer while thrifting in NYC and instantly fell in love. These kinds of skirts are really in fashion right now, and I think they’re incredibly versatile. They pair easily with oversized sweaters or tank tops. They can be casual or formal. It all depends on how you style it! I definitely would recommend buying one, and even better, thrifting it if you can! Mine cost about 15$ which, for New York City sales, is quite a steal!
Definitely raid your grandpa, dad, or brother’s closet for this one to save some money. Personally, I think that a worn-out dress shirt is way better than a new one; they’re just comfier! You can style it with a tank top and it serves as a nice light sweater if you’re someone who gets chilly coming in and out of air-conditioned buildings in between your classes!
I got these specific jeans at White Rabbit in downtown Iowa City, and I swear on my life, it was the best 50$ I’ve ever spent. They fit me amazingly and match everything. Yes, it can be a bit of a pain if they get dirty, but they don’t shrink in the wash and they stay comfortable even when that freshman 15 creeps in! For me, I definitely suggest branching out from the normal blue jeans and splurging a little to try something new.
I will admit, it took some time to find my footing. This included missed meetings, scrambling to find emails, and plenty of uncertainty, which all led to this sense of dread that I was not appearing as the leader I wanted to be. Luckily, though, I was gifted with two fantastic publishers and a team of nervous, but equally as excited, first-years who were passionate about all things creative. I’m proud to say that their faith and willingness to help made being the Editor in Chief less of a “job” or a “club position” and more of a passion. It made the experience incredibly worthwhile.
