Call Your Girlfriend

 Podcast Review by Ella Bodle

I acknowledge that I have no real legitimacy or credibility to review a podcast - but, I'm going to do it anyway... spoiler alert: I love this podcast.

Over the past year or I have gotten into podcasts. This is nothing revolutionary, but I love listening to them while I drive, workout, and even just in my free time. Podcasts have become a really great way for me to pass unpleasant time as well, like sitting in traffic or getting a cavity filled two things I've been doing a lot of this summer. While I first became hooked after listening to Serial, I have discovered some that I really enjoy, as well as a few that I don't quite like. I'm sure there are thousands fabulous podcasts I have yet to discover, so if you have any suggestions for me, let me know in the comments section below.

Call Your Girlfriend  is a "podcast for all the long-distance besties out there" that started in May 2014. The hosts Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow, along with producer Gina Delvac, are irl long-distance best friends, so they know. Based off their real-life conversations, the podcast discusses anything and everything from race and political issues to Pitbull (yes, the musician) to menstruation news, and so much more. The show is based off a loose agenda and the topics often take twists and turns delving from work place issues to hard-hitting current events like the Ferguson shooting with more fluidity than your relationship with your best friend. The women have a great banter and connection providing a variety of intellectual opinions along the way in a way that just feels so natural. While immersed in the podcast it feels as if you're sitting in the room with them, surrounded by their infectious laughter with a bottle of wine and your long-distance best friend. To date, they have released 33 episodes, and full disclosure, I have only listened to nine episodes - but I am hooked; I am in it for the long run.

Ann and Aminatou (who goes by Amina at times) are both powerhouse ladies working respectively in journalism and tech. They provide more sophisticated, informed, and generally more intellectual opinions on topics than I typically conclude on my own - and that's part of the reason I love the podcast. Both ladies are not only bad-ass, but they are well established in their careers and their industries, making their opinions all the more insightful and informed. Both are slightly older than myself and my friend group, however their discussions and topics  are incredibly relevant and attainable. Both Ann and Aminatou have become positive forces on my social media feeds, providing a fresh take on culture and politics, and are women I can aspire to be like as I'm navigating my early twenties. I think my woman-crush on these two smart and reputable ladies is just beginning. Heart eye emoji.

I would recommend this podcast for all listeners, specifically young adults - even if you don't have a long distance bestie. Check out this podcast and let me know if you like it- or not.

Additional Podcasts to Check Out: Serial - if you haven't listened to this yet - grab yourself some headphones stat. Mystery Show, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and NPR's TED Radio Hour. All are hyperlinked and can be found in the iTunes store as well. 

Happy listening :)

post-grad arts & crafts

 
bitches be stitchin' 

Treat Yo' Self Twenty-Fiffffteeeen

I've been stitchin', I've been stitchin'...

Now that I have an overwhelming amount of free time, I've been trying to find a new hobby - but instead of starting something new, I decided to work on improving an craft I tried to learn a few months ago. Over the past six months I've lightly dabbled in stitching and taught myself some basic cross stitching in all the free time I had in college. I think it's cool and vintage and funny and ironic all at the same time. Its a good way to pass the time and mindlessly watch TV without feeling guilty. This is my first post-grad stitch. I've been trying to find some more productive ways to occupy my post-grad, not-working-full-time, free time (aka this blog). I don't have the time can't bring myself to unpack, or rearrange my room, or workout for an hour everyday, sooo I decided to put a few hours to good use and created this gem. Vintage crafts are in now, right? Maybe I'll try macrame next...

Now if you watch Parks and Rec, you'll remember Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle's infamous Treat Yo'self days. One or two times a year, they set aside a day for relaxation, fine leather goods, and buying pretty much anything they want just to treat themselves. A true inspiration and reminder to set aside a little time for yourself in your hectic schedule. 

Anyway, I stitched up this little baby in about 5 hours (refreshing my skills), using an idea I saw online. I usually just look at something online that I want to replicate and figure it out with my own errors twist included. This was my first time doing an ombre technique and the first time I used the black Ada cloth - and honestly, I'm kind of obsessed. Heart eye emoji. I added a few cute little hearts because I love hearts, and isn't Treat Yo'self all about loving yourself?

final product

I'm working on creating a collection of these subversive cross stitches for a wall in my ~future~ home. Reminder: I'm just a beginner, am self-taught, and typically just find ideas online to replicate. 

If your interested in purchasing something like this, or a custom order - hollla at me and remember:

actually though

how to survive moving away to college

Up First: tips on how to survive moving away for college.

A topic I'm verrrrry familiar with. 

The only thing I've really known for the past few years has been college. So I thought I'd take a shot at writing some advice-like columns, mostly related to things I learned while in college.

As a recent grad, I can finally say it: I did it! Yes, I got my degree, but I also completed something else I'm proud of: I survived four years living 1000 miles away from home. And to be honest, I kind of wish I was back in my college town... I never thought I'd say that two years ago, let alone four years ago. So I've complied some tips and tricks to help out anyone who may be nervous about moving away for college:

1. Just commit. If I could sum up the advice I give most in one word it would be COMMIT. As Nike would say "Just Do It." You're brave enough to move away, but now go, and go wholeheartedly without regrets. You're probably going to be nervous to move to a place where you know one or two people, or no one at all. You may be worried about your new town because you've never even lived in a different house, let alone a different state. I was a nervous, worried, excited, emotional wreck when I moved away - and it took a while but I got there- and you can't get there if you never leave in the first place.

2. Keep in touch. I'm the type of person who sends my parents a quick text or call nearly daily.  I know that can seem like a lot, but it works for me - and it saves me from having one or two multi-hour long phone calls per month. Keep in touch with friends too. Friends at home can be your biggest support system and probably know you better than most of your college friends will at first.  Share your new experiences with them - but don't spend all our time on Facetime or chatting with them because you want to spend your first few months actually meeting new humans and making new connections in person. Pro-tip: Call while you're walking to class, that way you can dictate how long the conversation lasts. 10 minute walk to class, perfect amount of time to chat with Mom.

3. Roll with the punches. When you move away for college to a new town you are going to have many new experiences, both positive and negative.  From living on your own, to sharing a tiny room with another human being, to buying  groceries for the first time, this will likely be a time of firsts. But that's what's great about moving away to college - you get to learn so many new things once you leave your comfort zone. Things will go wrong (ooops! you shrunk your fave shirt) and you will do things you've never done before, but go with the flow and trust it will all be okay.

4. Get involved, seriously. In more than just academics. Now this is a classic piece of advice, but it couldn't be more important. I became involved in Greek Life right off the bat, and I've said it time and time again: I don't think I would've made it four years away from home without the friendships and support Greek Life gave me. So whether it is Greek Life, a club, an intramural sport, a job - these things will not only add a some fun into your academic schedule, but they will allow you to get to know your new town and to get to know new people.

5. You will get lonely / sad. It's inevitable. Unless you are some sort of unemotional creature, there's a great chance you will get lonely at some point. Maybe you'll get the blues after a month every semester, or when you can't celebrate your birthday with family. It will pass, but not it won't pass easily if you don't do anything about it. You will miss Easters and Thanksgivings but make the most of it with new friends that can become family. Do something to help the lonely feelings and know that most people ultimately will be feeling the same.

In sum: Everyone has a different collegiate experience, especially when making a big move away home. Keeping a positive mind is hard, but just know even if it's tough, it goes by quickly so enjoy every minute. Enjoy the ride.

a lil something about me

I'm a 22 year old post-grad with a sassy attitude and a sarcastic mouth. Here I am - not a teen, yet not an adult- simply stuck in-between ages and there's nothing I can do but figure it out. Stuck in yet another awkward phase in life,trying to figure out how to make new friends and readjust to living at home with my parents (sigh). I'm just average at everything and haven't quite figured out my niche or what I really like to do - lost in my twenties, trying to find myself. Just fiddling around thinking about writing, thinking about sewing, thinking about working out - but instead living in an alternate world of pop culture, puppies, social media and reality TV.