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Columns


Life

Looking up

We grow up being told to find our fairytale, to pursue happiness, to attain perfect pleasure. But what is happiness without meaning?


Life

The plight of the English major

I’d love to be enrolled in the Engineering school for a day. Better yet, I’d love to be a physics major or a Nursing student or even one of those exceptionally rare Northern Virginia-born “pre-Comm” or “pre-med” first-years.


Life

The ice-cream-for-breakfast principle

As a young child, one of the main principles I learned was to always save dessert for last. This began as a sort of mandate from my mom in order to ensure that I did not skip over my vegetables in search of the delicious chocolate that I knew would come.


Life

A Sochi of our own

I have no way of confirming this, but I think this week was a little off for everyone. I can’t remember the last time there were two snow days in a row at the University. Surprisingly, though, last weekend was beyond perfect, and I don’t think anybody — besides a couple of professors with their panties in a bunch — would have had it any other way. We got our own taste of Sochi.


Life

Popping the University bubble

The best advice I have received at the University came when I least expected it. Still floating in the honeymoon period of first year, when the perks and problems of college are still fresh and exciting, I found myself walking along Rugby Road one evening with a fourth-year.


Life

Does this iPhone come with a downgrade?

There comes a point in every girl’s life when she realizes she is no longer current. For many women, this point comes when their children begin to pepper conversation with unfamiliar acronyms. For others, it comes when they realize they spout out certain phrases with the exact intonation as their mothers.


Life

Showing you care

Whenever I call people to talk on the phone, they always sound surprised I am reaching out to them so directly, like something must be wrong or else I would have sent a text.


Life

Life as a budding Olympian

The “CAValanche,” as we’ve so charmingly named it, came at a convenient time this year. With the 2014 Winter Olympics going on, I have re-realized my ultimate dream in life: to be a double Olympic gold medalist in curling and race-walking.


Life

How are you, really?

I had a comically bad day yesterday. I won’t use this space to divulge all the details, but I will say the highlight was falling asleep in an art history lecture, only to be woken up with the professor standing over me, having stopped the class of 70 to publicly shame me for dozing in her class.


Life

I wish I were a minimalist...sometimes

After being in Paris for fewer than 24 hours, so many of my expectations are already shaken. I have surprisingly managed to fit everything into my tiny urban apartment, which is a feat in itself given my pathetic status at the airport.


Life

Lonely hearts

I have always felt a special connection to Valentine’s Day. A few years ago, I put together the logical implications of having a birthday exactly nine months after the holiday and I feel this fact is responsible for my deeply romantic nature.


Life

The truth about teaching

A few of the more memorable things I’ve received in my life include a sportsmanship award, my U.Va. acceptance letter and an email which began, “Dear Professor Trezza.”


Life

'I can't even' speak

You know when something really dumb catches on, becomes widely recognized and is subsequently accepted as a norm, despite being utterly nonsensical? I’m referring to some of the more serious social epidemics: Crocs, AIM buddy profiles, YOLO and Instagram selfies.


Life

V-Day isn't D-Day

I have seen too many of my friends get hurt because they did not love themselves and stand up for what they deserved — and that is one thing I do not want to remain quiet about. Even if, in the end, you still resent my insistence that Valentine’s Day is worthwhile, I hope you can at least take away a little extra love for yourself.


Life

A major Tinderance

Today, it was brought to my attention my peers log into Tinder with a wide array of intentions. Basically, it perplexed me my friend actually slept with someone she met using the app. My personal philosophy is this: use it sparingly, don’t respond when someone messages you and never meet in person.


Life

The not-so-super Bowl

Chances are, by the time this column comes out on Friday, almost everyone who happens to read this will have already consumed hours of Super Bowl pregame, mid-game and postgame commentary.

Latest Podcast

From her love of Taylor Swift to a late-night Yik Yak post, Olivia Beam describes how Swifties at U.Va. was born. In this week's episode, Olivia details the thin line Swifties at U.Va. successfully walk to share their love of Taylor Swift while also fostering an inclusive and welcoming community.