And the Winner Is....

**SPOILER ALERT: THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE IS ABOUT THE SEASON FINALE OF AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL. HIGHLIGHT THE BLACK SPACE BELOW TO READ.**

Last night was the season finale of Cycle 10 of America's Next Top Model. After a Covergirl commercial shoot, the final three were narrowed down to the final two. Fatima was eliminated, leaving Whitney and Anya to battle it out in the runway fashion show. The show was in Italy and the clothes were picked by Donatella Versace herself. The girls gave it their all but when it came time to chose the winner, Whitney was chosen. She became the show's first ever full-figured model to win.

SGPG's take: I have been a fan of Whitney since day one. Not only is she an absolutely beautiful girl, but she really does feel confident in her own skin. Most of the time, full-figured models come into the competition and eventually they loose their composure and their insecurities come through. This was never the case with Whitney and I admired her for that. However, as much as I loved her I don't think she deserved to win more than Anya. Anya was an amazing model from day one. She took gorgeous pictures and was the type of person that you just wanted to be best friends with. Although both were talented, I feel that in the end Anya was more talented. That being said, Whitney did a fantastic job also. Overall, it was a great season. And I cannot wait for Cycle 11!

Don't Worry; Be Happy

As I write this, I am sitting in a cute little study carrel (sp?) in the Art Library that faces out towards Raymond Ave. I should be working on my Spanish final, but instead I am writing for you eager readers. With everyone getting into frenzies about finals and projects and papers, I have learned something rather interesting about myself. I don't really stress out about that kind of thing. Not that I don't worry about things from time to time, but I rarely feel so overloaded that I just freak out.

I think this is good and bad. It is good because I don't have to deal with the feeling of absolute doom that some of my friends are dealing with now (don't worry guys, it will all be over soon!). But on the other hand, sometimes I don't realize just how much effort something is going to take until I sit down to do it a day or two before it is due. I am desperately trying to break out of my habits of procrastination, but it is so difficult. I know in the end that it will all get done. And I know, or at least I hope, that ultimately I'll get a good grade and everything will be fine. I hope this isn't sounding cocky. I don't mean it to be at all. I just think that too often people stress about things to the point where they doom themselves to failure, and it doesn't need to be that way. So, even if you are swimming in work (as I think most of us are) just try to think positively... Yes, you have a lot to do but when you finish it will be summer! Good luck with the rest of the year!

<3 SGPG

Pop Bottles

Oh Founder's Day. I have to say, it was definitely a success. For so much of the year it was shrouded in mystery. I knew it was a big deal, but I didn't know exactly what went on. Now, after experiencing it I have to say that I absolutely loved it. Mimosas for breakfast and screwdrivers for lunch. Just about passed out by Walker at 6. Slept till 9 then up for another round. I'd say thats pretty much the idea. Anyways, hope yours was a success too.

Only two days of classes left!
<333 SGPG

ANTM Predictions

One of my favorite shows is America's Next Top Model. Every week when I realize that it is Wednesday, I get really really excited. This season has been particularly interesting. I have to say that Anya is my favorite. She is such a sweetheart. I really want her to win. And despite the fact that Dominique is hated by most people, her naivety is kind of endearing. I'm guessing I am not the only ANTM addict here at Vassar. So, I want to know predictions. Who is going home this week? What is in store for the rest of the season? Here is what I think:

Elimination this week: Whitney goes home
Next week: Dominique
The I think Fatima will get eliminated, with Katarzyna and Anya in the final runway show. And then Anya wins. :)

Hope you have a great week. Only one more week of classes to go :):)

<3 SGPG

A Great Place to Eat

As much as I just LOOOOOVE the food at the DC, every now and then I like to go off campus and get something to eat. I used to limit myself to the few places right off campus (Babycakes, Zorona's, etc) but yesterday my roommate introduced me to something new. We at La Cabanita, a teeny tiny Mexican place on Main Street just down from the fast food places (KFC, Wendy's, Taco Bell). It was so so so good. If you are looking for some authentic Mexican food (and believe me, I know it) you should definitely check it out. It was really reasonable, too. AND they have Jarritos…. Which I LOVE.

Anyways, peace out kids. Good luck with work… I hope isn't piling up for you like it is for me.

Love SGPG :):)

Saying Goodbye

Almost every American teenager's dream is to get a car for their 16th birthday and I was one of the very lucky people for whom this dream came true. When I turned 16 I got a car from my grandfather, just as he had promised me for years. It wasn't brand new and wasn't the coolest car ever but over the last two and a half years I've grown rather attached to my 1999 Mercury Sable. I've even named him- Baby Blue. Baby Blue has been with me through thick and thin… late night drives with friends, the 45 minute drive each way to high school, hours of driving while listening to sad music as I tried to cure my broken heart, my first road trip. I always knew that there would be a time when we had to part, but I never thought it would this soon. I got the news today that my car is being sold… in fact, there are already people interested in him.

When I heard I honestly became choked up. I'm bringing a car to school next year and I never thought any car but Baby Blue would make that nine hour drive with me. I'm really sad about it, but I am also really excited. I'm getting a new car to bring with me. Something a little "nicer" my dad says. I guess the thing that upsets me most is that I won't get to see him one last time. I know, I know- just a car. But like I said there are a lot of memories. I never knew that the last time I drove at home was the last time I'd see Baby Blue. So Baby Blue, this post is dedicated to you- I hope your new driver loves you just as much as me.

Love SGPG

PS: If you want to break down the first time your new driver takes you out in spite that is fine with me. :)

Commercialism Strikes Again

I was sitting in the TV Room of Main last night, watching Hell’s Kitchen and pretending to get work done at the same time when I felt a little rumbly in my tumbly. I looked at my cell phone. It was 10:48 pm. Time for a snack. The food supply in my room is running low, so I set off for the vending machines. I began to scan the rows… Skittles, Kettlecorn, ice cream bars. All seemed normal UNTIL I reached the very bottom row. There, to my amazement, were none other than NILDA’S COOKIES! I was astounded and also appalled. Nilda’s in the vending machine?! It must be a mistake. I blinked furiously, urging my eyes to refocus and reveal that what I had thought were Nilda’s were in fact Milan Cookies. To my disappointment, there remained the neatly packaged Nilda’s Oatmeal and Chocolate Chip cookies.

Okay, so by this point you may be wondering why in the world I am so very upset by Nilda’s in vending machines. Well to be honest, it furthers shatters my vision of Nilda. You see, in the beginning of the year I was missing very much the home baked cookies that my mom makes. Around that time discovered Nilda’s. They were each wrapped in their own plastic wrap, with a hand cut looking piece of paper. I was in love. In my mind, Nilda was a kind little grandmother who mixed each batch of cookies by hand and offered them to Vassar students to assuage their craving for homebaked goods. Then a few months later, they began to come in factory-like packaging. This was the beginning of the crumble of my vision of Nilda. And now this!? I just don’t know that I can handle it. So instead I will continue in denial… in fact, maybe I'll go visit Nilda. We'll talk and she offered me hot cookies out of the oven and hot cocoa. We'll sit in rockers on her front porch and she'll tell me stories of growing up... Yes. That is the Nilda I'd like to know.

SGPG

Sports Nation

The one thing I feel that I miss out on going to Vassar is the excitement of college sports. I know, I know… I’m going to have a thousand comments from readers astounded that I would ever say such a thing. BUT it’s true. I come from the world of Big 10 college football and let me tell you- there is no rivalry in the WORLD that compares to that of the University of Michigan and The Ohio State University. The rivalry breaks down families, tears best friends apart, puts teachers and students at odds. EVERYONE watches, convinced that their team will take home the win.

I see facebook albums from high school friends with college sports pics and I get a little sad. I miss that. Even in high school, Football Friday was what we lived for. Dressing up in jerseys or T-shirts that we made. Ribbons and glitter and face paint. Bonfires after games and obscene cheers from the student section. I’m getting excited just thinking about it.

But here at Vassar that just doesn’t happen. Sport teams support each other, and groups of friends go out to games but that is it. It is sad because we have some GREAT teams here. Men’s Volleyball, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Lacrosse and others too. Attending sporting events gives people a reason to get excited together, even if you don’t really like the particular sport or know people on the team. It’s a way to build of school spirit. And it’s really fun.

So, to get my college sports fix this weekend I’ll be at all three home lacrosse games. If you feel so inclined JOIN ME. I promise it’ll be a good time

Take Note: Things That Annoy Waitresses

While I was at home over Spring Break I went back to my job as a waitress for a few days. Whenever I go back I remember how many things annoy me when I’m waiting on people. Really, they seem like common sense things that customers should know, but I guess they aren’t. So here, for all the world to see is a list of all the things that annoy me when I waitress…. (Learn from them)

1. TIPPING. Bad tippers are my biggest pet peeve. If you come in for dinner and your bill is fifty dollars, leaving anything less than $7.50 is being really really cheap. Tips are essentially my only income while I waitress… my hourly wage is so low that it barely covers the money for my taxes.

2. It is NOT your waitress’ fault that your steak isn’t done how you wanted it. She doesn’t cook the food she just serves it.

3. DEFINITELY don’t leave a lower tip because the food isn’t good. Again, she has no control over it.

4. If something is wrong (ANYTHING) tell the waitress… don’t wait until you are at the register paying for your meal to complain to the hostess about. How can anything be done if you don’t speak up??? Plus, the waitress will end up in trouble for something she didn’t even know about.

5. Don’t take it out on me if you are having a bad day… and don’t tell me your whole life story when I ask how you are. I really don’t care that you’ve been constipated for days… I’m just being polite.

SGPG

Papers + Midterms = Stress Like w0ah

The lateness of this blog is a testament to how busy I have been with midterms. In addition to three in class midterms, I have three papers and have to prepare discussion notes for class on Wednesday. Greaaaat. I have been so stressed out with work lately. I haven’t had time to do anything but work and sleep. Even eating goes by the wayside, and for anyone who knows me- I loooove me some food. But all I keep thinking about is that once I get through this week I’ll get to go home for Spring Break.

It seems like I just got back from Winter Break and now I get to spend two weeks at home. Some people dread going home for break, but I cannot wait. I have the most amazing friends at school and the most wonderful boyfriend in the world, but nothing quite compares to going home and hanging out with my best friends. Just driving around the tiny town I live in. Singing songs really loud, gossiping about people, finding someone’s house to party at, and just generally causing chaos and mayhem. You can find us doing any of these things on any given night.

But actually, my favorite thing is just driving around and having really deep conversations. We literally spend hours upon hours talking about what might happen after we die. Talking about God and our respective beliefs. Talking about the reasons for things that happen. Talking about poverty and why it happens. But none of this on a political level- we dig deeper. We bare out souls and our feelings. Our secrets and our biggest fears. All the while knowing that I don’t have anything to be afraid of in saying these things out loud because I am with my best friends. It is such a great feeling. And the excitement of seeing them again is what is getting me through.

Good luck to everyone with your midterms and I hope each of you have friends as great as mine or that you will find some very soon.

<33333 SGPG

Saturday Night

So just in case anyone missed it Saturday night…. E2 was craaazy!

Some highlights of the night:

•Ongoing beer pong… providing lots of entertainment. Drunk boys get wayyy into it. :)
•Almost getting into a throwdown with some drunken douche who decided it was okay to give me the finger after I nicely suggested that it would be difficult to play a BP game if his cups weren’t set up.
•A few intense OT rounds.
•Barely making it to Acrop with my boyfriend…. Only to leave as soon as we got our food because the poor boy was too sick.

Oh, TH parties. Gotta love ‘em. Can’t wait for it to get warmer so we don’t all have to cram inside.

In other news… the hell known as midterms is starting. My thoughts are with you, my friends… but on the bright side- less than two weeks till Spring Break.

Peace Out Cub Scouts. <3SmartyGalPartyGal

The Nonconformist

Hey I'm SmartyGalPartyGal signing in as correspondent for Main House.

So haikus are the theme for today's blog. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to summarize myself in one. Maybe I'm just not poetic. But I will tell you what I am- I'm a girl who is all about getting her shit done and having a good time while I do it. So look out for some posts about life and class but also a ton about wild and crazy weekends.

This is gonna be good. :) Peace out girl scouts!