My Day in Photos

My Sunday was extra interesting this weekend. First, both Saturday and Sunday, we had Admitted Students Days for incoming freshmen. As the president of Student Ambassadors, I was required to be there both days, so this was my view for 4 hours...

Admissions counselors and Student Ambassadors... Look how excited they all look!

With the snow outside, most families left early without getting a campus tour, so our day was pretty uneventful. However, the one thing that really helped us all get through the boredom was...

ENDLESS AMOUNTS OF COOKIES! 

For lunch, I killed some time by wandering around the MUC. I got lunch at my favorite new food venue on campus, Einstein's Bros Bagels...

I got my usual but added a mixed berry smoothie to the lineup. 

Unfortunately, they forgot to make my smoothie. After ten or so very patient minutes, I finally said something, and they upgraded me to a large. Score! My stomach was very satisfied.

Then, after lunch, I finished out my day and got a phone call from a friend. He said he was on his way to Vermillion at that very minute just to see me! I was very surprised. We stopped in during my sorority's dinner to hear some announcements before we headed out to our own dinner...

Jenny and Rachel listening to our visitors. (PS- They hate this picture!)

Finally, my friend and I went out to Mexico Viejo for dinner. (He refused to have his picture taken, so that explains the lack of visuals.) We spent the rest of the night watching The Bachelor, doing homework, and hanging out with my friends.

It was a very exciting day, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way!

My Playlist

Music is my safe place. The great thing about music is that there is always a song to fit exactly how you are feeling! The following 5 songs are great representations of my life:

1. "Ocean" by John Butler- This song is my favorite study song. I love the simplicity of its sound. Plus, when I study, I can only listen to instrumental music... Maybe it's because I have too many things going in my head that I get too distracted by songs with lyrics. This song helps relieve stress and focus!

2. "You Make Me Feel Like A Star" by the Beu Sisters- You can't listen to this song without wanting to dance around in your pajamas singing into a hairbrush... Am I right, or am I right?! Even though it's super poppy, this song reminds me that I will never be perfect, but I'm perfect just the way I am. This kind of attitude I hope will follow me into a future career and all throughout my life!

3. “Take Me Home” by Cash Cash- Ok, the words of the song mean nothing when it comes to my future self. The reason I chose this song is because it became really popular at the end of my study abroad semester last fall and was sort of an anthem for our group. It’s amazing how much I learned during my 4 months in Rome, Italy. I experienced so much about life, culture, and the world. These skills will definitely cross over into my future profession, making me a more well- informed employee.

(Warning: This song will get stuck in your head so quickly. Proceed with caution.)

4. “Shambala” by Three Dog Night- This song is mellow and go-with-the-flow. It reminds me of all the good things in my life and all the amazing qualities I possess which follow me down my path to paradise! (Plus, who doesn’t love a little Three Dog Night!)

5. Anything by Mr. Elvis Presley!- He’s the King. He redefined rock and roll. He wasn’t afraid of standing out or blazing new trails. I respect him and his career a lot. Well, except for the whole drugs thing…

Thanks for... Listening!

The "Superbowl" Wasn't Very Super

Alright, I think we can all agree that the Superbowl this year was, well, uneventful. As a fan of college sports, this is really the only time I bother watching professional football. However, like most people, I do not just watch the big game for the actual game; I watch it for the commercials. Maybe that's the PR/ Advertising side of me pulling toward the television, or maybe I'm just a weirdo like the rest of America.

Besides the game this year being uneventful, I thought the commercials this year weren't any better. Brands like Doritos and Budweiser always strike big with audiences, but they too fell flat in my mind. The one commercial that struck gold with me was one very interesting commercial from a small company called Coca-Cola. (Watch below.)

What I find so funny about this situation is that the second it finished airing, I yelled out, "Well, that will be controversial in the morning!" Sure enough, it was plastered all over the internet the next day. The reason it was so controversial was because it displays people of all religions, races, and nationalities singing "America the Beautiful" in multiple languages. Apparently, people were offended by this. Unnecessary? Yes. I'm guessing the people offended were the same people who say things like, "This is America. Speak English." Funny, I thought America was known as a "Melting Pot"...

Did Coca-Cola know this would get backlash? They had to have known. Were they choosing not to care and make a statement? Of course. I think Coca-Cola was being bold and showing the real beauty of America (in all its shapes, colors, and forms) in the one game that brings all Americans together: football.

They knew they had the platform. They knew they had the audience. They knew they had the money to fill the time slot. And, they created an awesome hashtag of #AmericaIsBeautiful for further marketing. So good for you, Coca-Cola! And they are right... America IS beautiful!