Video Killed the Faculty Star

For this blog post, I read Video Killed the Faculty Star Inside Higher Ed. This article had some interesting points. Before I read the article in its entirety, I tried to find all of the videos that are discussed in it. Unfortunately, I was only able to find the video of the professor from Cornell who became angry with a student who was loudly yawning. The video seemed absolutely plausible to me. I did not notice any editing or breaks in the video. It seemed as if the professor was genuinely very angry at the student for yawning. If I were that student, I would definitely not fess up. I know that there is one camp--most likely other college professors--who would agree that this video was edited or taken out of context. However, there is probably another camp--most likely students--who would agree that the video was 100% real. I think that I belong to the camp of students. I am well aware of the capability of video editing but I cannot wrap my head around why the professor would say any of the things he said. Edited or not, the professor did say all of those things and that just seems outrageous to me. 

The matter of the article, however, is that this kind of "TMZ-ification"(Inside Higher Ed) is becoming a huge issue in higher education programs across the nation. The videos could simply be the result of an angry student trying to sabotage his professor or they could indicate something more serious. Everybody knows that feeling that comes about halfway through the semester...we all--students and professors alike--start to lose our minds a little bit. It seems as if there are a million papers to write, tests to take, or presentations to give and as difficult as all of that is for the student, the teacher is the one that has to grade all of that multiplied by hundreds of students. That being said, I understand why the Cornell professor would be easily agitated. Aren't we all when we're under a significant amount of stress? Even though I understand where the outburst could have come from, it does not change the fact that the professor lashed out in an inappropriate way and someone just so happened to catch it on tape. 

English 328: Blogging and Mass Politics

Blogging and Mass Politics by Michael Keren is an interesting and insightful look at the blogosphere. As a blogger myself, I was surprised in reading about all of the politics that take place in the blogosphere. The only blogs that I follow are fashion blogs and if I had to put the respective blog owners into a category, I would say that they are mostly civilized because they all talk, listen, learn and self-reflect. I guess I would put myself into that category, as well. Although, I do not have very many followers and they hardly ever comment on my posts because I don't advertise my blog as loudly as others.

The most interesting thing in this article is the vast array of typology. I never knew that there was such a science behind blogging. As previously stated, the only blogger I have ever encountered is the civilized blogger. Granted, I have seen many people on social media who exhibit many of the other qualities attributed to the contentious and pretentious bloggers.

One thing about this article that irritated me was the constant use of examples from writers and authors who would have no idea what a blog is. I just feel like it is difficult to compare a type of blogger to a writer whose works were more relevant decades ago. Though we may learn about these writers (Sartre, Rousseau, etc.) in philosophy, theory, or history classes, I do not think that their styles of writing are exemplary of blogging style at all.

It had never even entered my realm that people could see blogging as such an intense thing. I use my blog to post pictures of my outfits, cute stories, or whatever. I see it as a blank canvas to say anything I want to. Obviously, many people see it as such but many use it to actively voice their opinions on touchy subjects or argue a point to death.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that is the coolest thing about the blogosphere--one can find large quantities of people to agree with his opinion and stroke his ego.

Overall, I found this article to be intriguing. Keren did a great job at identifying each type of blogger and including examples in the article. Though I did find the examples to be irrelevant to blogging, they made sense contextually to the kind of person he was attempting to describe.

Birthday.

Yesterday was my 21st birthday. Most people spend their 21st birthdays in bars getting shwasted. Why? Just because they can? That's dumb. I, on the other hand, had the best day ever. 

I started my morning with my version of a cup of bulletproof coffee (delicious). After that, I got ready, put on my vintage skimmer birthday dress and went to church. 

Right after church, my mom, my sister, and my best friend took me out to Cafe Zola in Downtown Ann Arbor. We enjoyed a pot of English Breakfast tea with cherry preserves and lemon stirred in. I also had a bagel with scrambled eggs, mushrooms, asparagus, caramelized onions, and havarti cheese. I also got a free banana nutella birthday crepe! 'Twas all so so delicious. 

After our lunch, we walked around Ann Arbor, went into the cutest bookstore named Literati, and I bought The Grapes of Wrath for one of my classes this Fall. We also ventured into Urban Outfitters, of course, because I'm quite sure I had a sprained toe and my high heels were not working out. So, naturally, I had to buy a pair of flats. 

Eventually, we got home and I switched up my birthday look! I curled my hair and put on a different dress. It's fun to change it up! My family and fiancé took me out to dinner at The Sardine Room in Plymouth. It was awesome! I had Manila Clams with smoked bone marrow (I know it sounds terrible but it was delicious). 

After dinner, we came home and had cake! My sister also made me my favorite dessert--caramelitas. We drank coffee, ate sweets, and sang happy birthday. 

Then came the gifts. Oh, the gifts. I was literally showered with gifts. I can't believe it still! Mackenzie had a picture of an owl made for me. It is the cutest thing. The owl is perched on books with a candle nearby. The owl looks like Hedwig. She also got me Wuthering Heights and owl bookmarks! From my sister, I got three snow babies, a whole bunch of rare Frank Sinatra records and 45s, and an owl candle holder. My sweet baby nephew gave me the world...literally. He got me a globe! That sweet little boy. My parents got me an iHome, two more snow babies, and an owl teapot. I'm in love. My sweet Benjamin got me a glass tea infusing teapot, 4 little glass teacups, an entire box set of exotic teas and German rock sugar! So thoughtful and so sweet. My grandparents got me two vintage scarves, and gave me my recently deceased Great Aunt Toni's Austrian crystal necklace. It is vintage circa 1920s. It's absolutely beautiful. 

I could not possibly have had a better day. I am so thankful for everyone in my life and I love them all so much. My birthday is always my most favorite day and it certainly did not disappoint this year. Thank you everyone who wished me a happy birthday! It was truly happy.

Love,

Mimi

Style on Sunday pt. 2

Hello, again! 

Obviously, today is Sunday and as I said last week, it's my favorite day of the week. 

This week, I went REALLY dressy. I could also have been mistaken for a housewife. I like it. Whatever.

Anyway, my dress hails from Francesca's Collections and I got a screamin' deal on it. It was originally $45 and I got it on super sale for $15. It's honestly my idea of a perfect dress. 

My sweater this week is from Forever 21. I love the length and it works great for a breezy summer evening.

My shoes are from my place of weakness, the Von Maur clearance shoe room. I got them a few years ago and I can honestly say that they are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own. 

What did you wear to church today?

Love,

Mimi

P.s. Mackenzie and I have started a fashion Instagram. We're just a coupla college gals on a budget. Follow us! Handle: 0hprettylittlethings

^^that 0 is a zero. :D

Style on Sunday

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. Not only do I get to spend some time in the house of The Lord but I get to dress up. I love fashion but my week is pretty demanding and doesn't allow me to dress very cute. I work in a coffee shop--which I love--but my hair must be up and my shoes must be closed-toe. I love the relaxed vibe of my sweet little coffee shop but I also love high fashion and high heels which I would most definitely not want to be spilling coffee on. I digress. 

On Sundays, my best friend, Mackenzie and I wear skirts, dresses, heels, WHATEVER. And it's wonderful. 

Yesterday, I wore my new pants from Charlotte Russe. I've been searching desperately for a pair of pants like this and yesterday, I finally found them. When I want something, I do not stop until I find it, so naturally, I spent the better part of 4 hours at the mall, combing the racks of Forever 21, Love Culture, H&M, and finally Charlotte Russe. Needless to say, I'm thrilled. 

I wore my new pants with a top that I also got from Charlotte Russe during happy hour (all tops are $12!!). It's not exactly what I was after but for all intents and purposes, it worked out. My shoes are a gift from my soon to be mother-in-law. I'm fairly certain they're from Target. My bag belongs to my mom but it might as well be mine because I think she's only used it once (sorry, mom). 

Also, the tips of my hair are not actually that red...weird church lighting. 

 

^LOL. My brother--who is frequently mistaken for Adam Levine--is one of my very best friends. Wouldn't trade him for anything!

What's your favorite day of the week and why? 

Love,

Mimi

What I'm Wearing: Grandma's Dress

Today, I'm wearing my sweet little southern granny's dress. She is an angel and words cannot describe how much I love her. 

She gave me three of her old dresses: one in which she wore to my parents wedding, one that she wore to my aunt's wedding, and the one that I'm wearing today. I'm not sure where she wore this one but regardless, I love it. The fabric is so breathable and it's very easy to style. I'm wearing it with a denim vest from Express that I thrifted at the Salvation Army for like $3. 

Disregard the clothes and the little doggie butt. 

I love this look for many reasons, but I love it most because someone I love very much wore it. 

What are you wearing today?

Hiya!

Hello dear people,

I told you I wouldn't remain absent for too long!

I am about 2 days away from being DONE with school this semester and boy, am I ready. The end of this semester marks the end of my years at Schoolcraft and the beginning of my years at Eastern! I am SO excited for this new chapter in my life. I can't wait to be done with school forever and embark on my career and my life, in general.

Speaking of which, the tentative wedding date is still the same. Ben and I are just trying to finish school and have careers and a solid financial situation before we do something so very serious. But in any case, I am so happy to be spending my life with him. He's very good for me. And, of course, I like to think that I'm very good for him. :]

In unrelated news, my hair is red!! I dyed it for the first time ever and I LOVE IT. I have only ever had highlights but I'm obsessed with my sassy, darker locks. It was done for me by my wonderful friend, Chelsea. She's a peach!

Yay! Red hair! New things! Great!

Time for bed, gang. 

Nighty night,

Mimi

STAY TUNED.

I am just about ready to graduate with my associates degree and then I will have a little bit more free time to blog. I'M SERIOUS THIS TIME. I'M SERIOUS.

In the meantime, here's a blurry picture of an outfit I wore to a "white trash" party last weekend.

Vest: Express (thrifted)
Shirt: Also Express
Pants: Forever 21
Socks: Forever 21
Totally rad sneaker wedges: Wet Seal

As you can see, my attempt at trashy was, indeed, not trashy at all. 

More coming soon!

Goodnight,

Mimi

Happy New Year...a month late.

Hello, my dear two followers who may or may not even read my blog. Probably because I post so infrequently. It's kind of hard to feel motivated to post when I am working almost 40 hours a week and going to school full-time. Also, my computer is old as dirt and doesn't allow me to do very many cool things with my posts.

Anyways, I thought I'd catch everyone up on what's been going on in my life as of late! The biggest and most exciting this that I am engaged!!!! It happened in late December, just before Christmas in Chicago, at the top of the Hancock tower and it was perfect. Many people have asked me when Ben and I will be getting married. We do not yet have a solid date set but we are thinking it will be something like June 2015. It is a couple years off but we both think it is wise for us to save up some money and make sure that we are financially stable before we get married. Does anyone else find it comical that in my last post, I talked about catching the bouquet at a friend's wedding and four months later, I am engaged?! Hehe.

Aside from the engagement news, I have also made the Dean's List for the Fall 2012 semester which is a huge accomplishment for me. I haven't been on any sort of honor roll since 7th grade and I worked really hard last semester to bring my GPA up. The plan is to be a Schoolcraft grad by this summer. Then, come Fall, I will begin classes for my Bachelor's Degree in English at Eastern! And hopefully, within a year, I will be an Eastern grad and will be able to begin my editing career. Exciting stuff is ahead for me AND my new fiance!

What's new for you in 2013?

So much love,
Mimi