My fascination with Scientology began with the infamous South Park episode, “Trapped in the Closet,” and was recently reignited by the Emmy award-winning documentary, “Going Clear: Scientology and The Prison of Belief.” The film gives an extensive history of the formation of the church and includes interviews of former members who recall their harrowing experiences….
Why is beauty what we value most? There’s no diet in the world that could give me a body like Sofia Vergara or plastic surgery that could give me a face as perfect as Rachel McAdams. The unfortunate truth is that beauty is a quality that we all strive to achieve but one that is…
Whenever I ask my twin brother about a girl he likes or overhear a guy tell his friends about someone he’s interested in, they always say the same thing: “She’s so chill.” The concept of “chill” is something along the lines of “relaxed and going with the flow,” or at least it is according…
I’ve been a server at the Rat for two years, and I’ve learned that nothing is more insulting than a tip in pennies. People leave pennies because it isn’t really like spending money – it’s an effective way to lighten their wallets. People like pennies, I assume, because they hold sentimental value. Characteristic American phrases…
Is it white and gold, or black and blue? Chances are, if you haven’t been living under a rock, you’ve heard about “the dress” and have an opinion on it. Besides dividing netizens, the Internet’s obsession over the dress shows an interesting transition: Internet sensations have replaced television’s place at the water cooler. The Internet…
For a single woman, Valentine’s Day sucks. Watching couples celebrate their love for each other leads to a combination of nausea, depression, jealousy and cynicism – not an ideal mix for happiness. So this year, I’m proposing that instead of moping about Valentine’s Day, we celebrate Galentine’s Day. Over the last few weeks of winter…
We’ve all met this type of girl: while she sits drinking beer with a large group of guys, she casually mentions that she doesn’t have as many girl friends as guy friends. As girls ourselves, why do we champion platonic relationships with men but condemn friendships with members of our own sex? Why is a…
This past summer I spent two weeks in Cost Rica on a volunteer trip without electricity or the use of my cell phone. I learned about being completely off the grid during this time, how much I relied on my phone…and that scared me. Our cell phones have become our social crutch and an excuse…
We’ve all heard it, and, my fellow ladies, we’ve probably said it on occasion. “I just want to marry rich.” This comment is never met with scrutiny or opposition, but with laughter and agreement. We accept this joke because it’s founded in truth. The business world is still run by men with only 14.6 percent…
Although I could afford to lose a few pounds, every time I diet, I’m told diets or eating healthy is “stupid” by my peers. Why, in a country that has the highest rate of obesity in the world and idolizes the size-two supermodels, am I always condemned for dieting? This dieting paradox exists because the…