Man Vs. Food

Food can get a bad reputation sometimes. All different kinds of eaters exist on this planet, and everyone has their own opinion about what is good and bad for us. Sometimes we are told that a little bit of chocolate is good for the soul, other times, studies 'say' that just one bite could take 10 years off of our lives.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/15/the-best-vegetables-for-your-health_n_5126577.html?utm_hp_ref=food&ir=Food

So how do we know what to believe? Each study reads something different, and each individual has the option to choose what foods are their friends. Additionally, they have the choice of what foods they want to stay away from. While we all know that processed foods, fast food, and too much sugar can lead to obesity, what about the silent killers? The foods that we think are good, but actually are secretly forcing us to pack on the pounds.

From what I've heard in the past, I should stay away from grapes and bananas. I've never understood why, after all, aren't they fruits? And aren't fruits good for us? But apparently they carry a high amount of sugar. Suddenly, even the foods we were taught at a young age should be our comrades have suddenly turned against us.

LUCKILY I continue to read articles every day that refute that claim. Including one attached above that tells me that grapes are a nutritional powerhouse. I will continue to eat in moderation, but I will also continue to eat what I enjoy. After all, isn't life supposed to be sweet?

The Disgusting Human Barbie

Many people believe that image plays a big part in our every day lives. People work tirelessly to achieve the best hair, weight and overall appearance. But some people take it too far. In the case of the actual "Human Barbie"  Valeria Lukyanova, she believes that appearance is everything, and even shames others who don't appear the way that she does. But the general public is revolted by her appearance and deems that kind of look to be ugly. So what happens when the outside is just as ugly as the inside?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/07/valeria-lukyanova-kids-racist_n_5106405.html?cps=gravity

Lukyanova proves that looks aren't everything when she shares in an interview with a member of the GQ team that she doesn't believe races should mix. According to the Human Barbie, women used to be so much more beautiful before people of various races start mixing, and that the only way to fix that kind of mixing is with plastic surgery. Fabulous advice.

Additionally, she claims that she absolutely hates children and that the thought of a family is unappealing to her (which actually is a vast understatement from what she really said). Some people go to drastic lengths to make themselves appear better to society. They try hard to gain respect, admiration and envy from others. But it seems in the case of the racist and hateful human barbie, the only thing she's gaining is a mass following of haters.

What Defines A Disney Princess?

Every little girl looks up to Disney Princesses. They want to be them, they want to live their lives and they want to have that happily ever after. But everyone knows that Disney doesn't always tell the truth. No one ever gets married after knowing each other for one minute, and who the hell has a waist that small?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/04/warrior-disney-princesses_n_5091322.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment

That's why, when the Huffington Post released these photos of Disney Princesses as warriors, I finally think something is being done right. Girls aren't always perfect. Getting all dolled up is enjoyable sometimes, but to constantly be a perfect princess? I don't think so. Girls need role models. They need people who they can look up to.

These warriors are perfect heroines for any young girl. To tell girls they can do whatever they want to do, and they will be celebrated for it. Frozen was only the first movie in what I believe is going to be a long line of movies to celebrate feminism and show women they don't need to be submissive princesses to get their dreams.

Hollywood: How We Define if We Love or Hate

We love Jennifer Lawrence. The way she smiles, laughs, tells jokes, acts...it's all perfect. But we can't stand Anne Hathaway. Everything she does has an air of arrogance, and she's so unrelatable. But she's a real person, one who put herself out there for the world to judge, and society has just decided that we as a whole cannot stand her. WHY?

The part of the human population that tunes into Hollywood on a daily, monthly, or yearly basis all have their own opinions on what these stars should represent. Some of us expect to see true Hollywood glamour, with the glint of success in their eyes, and the red carpet saunter of an age-old professional. Others of us would rather see someone accepting an award that represents the same things we do: normalcy, humor, and lighthearted, genuine fun. It's easy to look at different people and judge how they portray themselves. It's easy because we judge them based on what we expect to see. If they don't fit into the confines of what we fine as "right", they immediately get cast aside.

It's a system of Love vs. Hate.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/26/jennifer-lawrence_n_4995339.html?ir=Celebrity

So how come no one is immune to the crazy trends of Hollywood love and hate? How come, even when someone is the brightest star one day, they can so easily be dulled the next? That's because it's just that: Trends. The rocky world of stardom is a place where things are easily unbalanced. Dating the wrong person one day could set you off the popular track just as easily as hitting someone with your car.

The trick to surviving the uncertain, wild world of fame is to follow the ever-changing trends. No one is ever going to please every single human being out there; there will always be individuals with differing views, opinions, and morals. But as long as the stars can continue to turn a blind eye to the haters, as well as to represent themselves in their best light by being 'themselves'--aka what the public wants them to be--they have a shot at being loved, instead of hated.

Divergent Makes a Big Splash

First there was the "Hunger Games", which drove teens into a frenzy to idolize those stars who appeared as front-runners in the Hollywood world. Jennifer Lawrence received a cataclysmic amount of accolades for her performance, and Josh Hutcherson became everyone's newest boy crush. But now there's a new movie on the scenes, and it's one that's causing just as much of a buzz. "Divergent", which is based on a best-seller, has turned into the newest Hunger Games, and fans are going wild.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/23/divergent-opening-weekend_n_5017481.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment

Being praised as what many would call "the next Hunger Games", Divergent attracts attention for its action, love story, and impossibly cool futuristic division of community. While it didn't have to do much advertising or PR to appeal to the masses, Divergent was immediately recognized as a potential success, and it rocked its first weekend in the box office. The main characters in the movie are all well-known actors already, and so additionally, that helped gain some notoriety for the film.

While it may not have gotten the same positive critique that the Hunger Games did, Divergent did an amazing job of gathering a following before the film even came out. There are many online polls asking people if they support Katniss, the star of the Hunger Games, or Tris, the heroine of Divergent. Whoever the public decides is the winner, there's one thing for sure: both of these movies won out at the box office, and their continuing sequels are sure to do the same.

Juan Pablo: The Worst Bachelor To Ever Hit Television

Understandably, reality television isn't always "reality", but there comes a point where even the people on the show need to take a stand against the absolutely ridiculous actions that take place on camera every week. In the case of "The Bachelor", Andi Dorfman decided that it was her time to rise up against the big commercial network, and additionally, the heavily accented bachelor Juan Pablo. When there's no spark, there's no spark, and not all the money (or airtime, for that matter) could convince this girl otherwise.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emma-gray/andi-dorfman-juan-pablo-the-bachelor-fantasy-suites_b_4858322.html

For weeks now, audiences have cringed as Juan Pablo (or if we're saving time and letters, let's just call him JP), makes himself look increasingly more and more unappealing. He has come out as homophobic, and in an earlier episode, slut-shamed a girl who he coerced into having intercourse with out in the ocean. On top of that, he struggles with a language barrier, and prides himself on the longest sentence he has mastered in the English language, "It's okay." But it's not okay. Because no girl wants to get married to the guy who spends hours talking about himself, and then when she points this out, responds, "It's okay." No, JP, just no.

Andi Dorfman defied Bachelor history when she was the first one to end the relationship. Before JP even had a chance to open his perfectly shaped mouth to tell Andi that things were no longer okay between them, Andi announced that she had felt no spark with JP, and she knew that he wasn't the one. Call it female intuition, but something tells me that this gorgeous gal can do better than a washed up has-been soccer star. As this season continues to be one of the most boring and unfortunate in Bachelor history, JP continues to be equally as such. Better luck next time, ABC.

Lewinsky Flashback

History always has a way of repeating itself, and you better believe that if it's raunchy and dramatic enough, Miley Cyrus is sure to get herself involved. In order to level the playing field, Cyrus makes sure that even political figures aren't exempt from her tasteless mockery. This time, it was Bill Clinton and his sexual actions while in the oval office that were targeted.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/17/miley-cyrus-bill-clinton-lewinsky_n_4803031.html

Usually, people attend Cyrus's concerts and expect to see something racy and different. However, this pushed the boundaries of what certain die-hard Miley fans were anticipating. The singer, scantily clad as always, had a Clinton look-alike onstage while she imitated the act of oral sex. Cyrus defends her actions, calling them both "educational" and "artistic". She argues that in small towns, certain big events are covered up, and as a role model, she is there to inform the public.

Singing along to the tune of her smash hit, "Party in the USA", Cyrus demonstrates what happened during the infamous affair of Clinton and Lewinski. Ever the performer, Cyrus continues to keep up a facade to the general public of a wild girl who continues to make questionable choices. At some point, her fans may stop to wonder: is this really the new Miley? Or is it all one big show?

Valentino PR Fail

As Valentino learned the hard way, there's a time and a place for everything. And as most of the intelligent, educated general public would understand, a wake isn't one of them.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/10/amy-adams-valentino-wake_n_4760863.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

At Philip Seymour Hoffman's wake, while Amy Adams was paying her respects to a lost friend, Valentino photographed the celebrity carrying the brand's bag. While many brands will take any opportunity to snap a pic of a famous celebrity rocking their apparel, Adams was not a paid spokesperson for Valentino. Allegedly, she was "appalled" by the choice to make her into a PR woman for the brand--especially considering the timing.

Valentino eventually brushed off the incident as a "simple mistake", but a mistake like that can definitely affect a huge company, especially when such sensitive matters as death are involved. It truly comes off as insensitive and sloppy when a company of immense popularity makes an error of epic proportions.

Miley is...Marilyn?

She can't stop, and she won't stop!

The former Disney Channel pop star Miley Cyrus continues to show as much skin as possible in a daring photo shoot with German Vogue. Although it's not nearly as jaw-dropping to see her this naked as it would have been 4 or 5 years ago, it's still incredibly interesting to see that Cyrus is targeting her inner, classy vixen for the entire world to see.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/06/miley-cyrus-topless-marilyn-monroe_n_4738838.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment&ir=Entertainment

While Cyrus has never been shy about baring all, it used to be much more taboo for her than it actually is now. It's no surprise that after her big breakout with her Bangerz album and wild MTV awards show, people were scratching their heads at the new Miley Cyrus. But since all of the controversy over her new look and new 'tude started, Cyrus has really managed to capitalize on all of the attention.

With a secret slogan of "no publicity is bad publicity", the wild 21 year-old may be more business-inclined than anyone actually realizes. She has made the transition from teeny-bopper singer to sexual icon (not exactly unscathed), and that is why it holds such significance that she would want to emulate Marilyn Monroe. With the help of a highly paid PR team, "Hannah Montana" is no longer gracing the screens with cowboy hats and awkward romances. Now, the whole world gets to sit back and watch as the new and improved Miley Cyrus graces us with twerking, tongue-out photos and a whole lotta side boob.

Classy Vs. Trashy

In a world where so much of entertainment value comes from shock factor, it's truly hard to draw the line between tasteful and raunchy. Because freedom of expression is something that's valued in our modern-day society, so many outfits, actions, and people are defined as 'artistic' instead of slapped with a title of 'slutty' or 'risque'.

But then looking at our celebrities, how can teenagers and adults alike give Miley Cyrus a verbal beating for her sexual tendencies and tongue-out routine, while allowing Jennifer Lawrence to pose nearly-naked on the front of a popular magazine?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/29/jennifer-lawrence-naked-mystique-empire_n_4686532.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment

Lawrence, who dresses up (or down, however you want to define it) with body paint and a skin-tight suit for her role in the X-Men series, flaunts off her figure without anyone so much as nearly batting an eye at the choice. Truly, it all comes down to how Jennifer Lawrence has allowed herself to be perceived under the microscope Hollywood has thrust her underneath.

While many celebrities have been known to self-sabotage and toss themselves off the deep end--landing in rehab and debt--Jennifer Lawrence has remained humorous, down-to-earth, and relatable. Whenever she is in front of the camera, she positions herself in a way that the public can smile along with, and her reputation has thus remained untarnished and glorified, no matter how minimal her clothing choice may be.

Greek Life Public Relations

Usually when people think of the phrase "public relations", they picture a group of hardworking, corporate individuals sitting in a room and trying to discuss how to best handle the crisis management of a particular business. I think an aspect of public relations that goes unnoticed is that sometimes it can be applied to every day life, and not just businesses that pay for a pr team.

One example of an organization that uses public relations each and every day is a sorority. Greek life is often laughed at and looked down upon; people think that all individuals in Greek life do is drink, party and mess around. They don't always take the time to acknowledge that both sororities and fraternities not only participate in philanthropies, but they also foster lifelong friendships. But this doesn't stop people who aren't involved in the Greek community from chastising those who proudly wear their letters, and that is why it is so important for the people that proudly shout, "Go Greek!" to watch how they act and present themselves.

http://elitedaily.com/women/dukes-adpi-takes-the-crown-for-most-cringeworthy-sorority-video-ever/

In the attachment above is some of the worst Greek life public relations I have ever been witness to. Sororities and fraternities have an obligation to the other organizations involved on their campuses to promote themselves in a positive light; it is laughable and appalling that not only is the video terrible quality, but it does not allow other members outside the sorority to see any sort of good or depth within the ADPi chapter at Duke University. Without mention of any valuable sisterhood bonds, community value, or social responsibility, this pitiful, embarrassing video falls flat in an area where it truly could have excelled.

Better luck at recruitment next year ladies!

Who Am I?

That's kind of a broad question isn't it? Asking the question of: "who am I" requires us to dig past the superficial birth marks, favorite shoe designers, and movie tastes (for the record, I love anything horror related), and delve into the piggy bank of identity capital that we've gathered over the past 20--and soon to be 21--years of our lives.

For me, I am absolutely certain of a few things that define me. First, I am a mover. That doesn't mean that I sit in class and shake my foot up and down until my neighbor politely asks me to stop. I like to relate it to a nomad in modern times. My family has always had what I like to call "locational ADD". My dad buys houses all over the country, and a few months later, he'll buy and sell more. He was once asked by the town of Vero Beach, FL to stop because they believed he was playing real-life monopoly. I guess that makes me highly adaptive to new situations and new people; it doesn't mean that I like or enjoy moving, but it means that it has become a way of life and I'm accustomed to it. Even now, staying in one place for more than a year feels foreign to me.

Second, I am half of a whole. My identical twin sister is one of the most beautiful people I know (inside and out), and I wouldn't be the same person without her. Having a best friend growing up that did everything with you is the luckiest thing that can happen to a little girl, and I know that I am blessed to have a permanent soul mate. She goes to the University of Arizona, but that's just because she hates the freezing cold, and I thrive best in a chilly environment.

Lastly, I am outgoing beyond belief. This isn't something I was born with. I was one of the ugliest kids in elementary and middle school, and sadly, there were two of me proving just how unattractive I was. Believe it or not, hot pink classes, a palette expander, and bushy eyebrows weren't contributing to my stellar features. But my parents owned a summer camp, and they stressed the importance of always exuding confidence amidst large crowds of people. I may only be 5 feet tall, but I can talk louder, walk taller, and shine brighter than anyone who is vastly over the standing height of a legal midget.

Where do I want to work one day? That's an easy question. The entertainment industry. It holds such allure for me because I know that it is where I belong. I have always been interested in celebrity life, and I have a passion for what other people roll their eyes and call "fluff news". To me, celebrity interest stories are fascinating. I have friends who wish Miley would get hit by her wrecking ball, but I could watch that music video 100 times and still not get bored with the hammer-lick and slow motion wall collapse. Everyone has talent, and those who are at the top are just an inspiration for everyone else to find theirs.