A few nights ago, while staring idly at tiny print in a huge history book, I got a call from one of my best friends who goes to college right next to mine. Because of the rush of Back To School shenanigans, we hadn’t hung out in a few weeks, so it was nice to ignore work for a while and catch up. As she talked about her wild weeks, she mentioned that she had met two guys and had already been out with both of them once.

“It’s so weird!” she said, her voice stretching into a smile. “It’s been one and a half years of nothing, and now I’ve met two cute, nice-seeming guys in the last two weeks.”

“Dude, that is awesome.” I turned away from my history book and looked out my small window. “Just make sure you save some cute, normal guys for the rest of us.”

As my friend continued to talk excitedly, I continued to cheer her on. Because I was happy for her, you know? She’s a fabulous girl who’s completely down to earth, cute as a button, and is sure to be a famous fashion designer some day (without the bored, holier-than-thou attitude of most designers). I was glad she had found some prospects.

I was something else too, though. Something I didn’t even know I was until I hung up the phone. I was worried. If she gets a boyfriend, a tiny voice whispered in my ear, I’ll be one of the only single people I know. She can’t get a boyfriend! Maybe those guys won’t work out.

As soon as I realized I had thought those things, I felt gross. Read More »

The world is just too small. The more involved you get in any particular social circle or subculture, the more you realize that it’s all one big web.

As I’ve grown older, for example, I look around and see connections everywhere between my friends. Thank god Tom put that new “Mutual” friends function on Myspace. Now I don’t have to waste so much time figuring out how many of my friends that cute guy I met at the show last night already knows. Nonetheless, there comes a time in the lives of most women, provided she isn’t socially handicapped, where she realizes that she has to say:

“You’re cool, but I’m gonna go make out with your friend now.”

Of course, she doesn’t have to say it like that. In fact I would advise against it. So how do you tactfully reject a guy and then move onto his buddy? Read More »

Days as a Freshman: 1
Current Mood: Exhausted.

So today was my first day. First day without my parents around, first official day on a college campus, and first time waking up in a bedroom that wasn’t the one my crib had been in 18 years earlier.

Moving in yesterday was like hell. It was hot, there were a lot of stairs, and everyone was trying to do the same thing at the same time. I’m in one of the dorms closest to the dining hall, on the second floor. Which, judging by this morning, means I’ll be smelling the day’s breakfast way before I officially wake up.

Saying goodbye to my parents yesterday was weird. I couldn’t say all the things I wanted to say because there were people everywhere. I promised I’d call a lot. I hugged them. And then they were gone. I felt like crying, got this weird ache in the back of my throat, and ran back up to my room before my emotions made me That Freshman Girl Who Bursts Into Tears in Front of Everyone.

Last night my two roommates and I went to dinner and then to a Welcome Session in the student center. Stacey is my first roommate, and she’s your typical polo shirt clad, bleach blond, heart charm necklace wearing California girl. She only ate a peach at dinner and kept saying how “Massachusetts is so cold in the summer!”

I’m not sure we’ll get along. Read More »

As a strong advocate for play time, I am always up for anything spontaneous. Whether it’s something simple like skipping class to go on an impromptu shopping extravaganza with my closest lady friends, or more daring like impulsively deciding to go bungee jumping in a skirt (A feat my mother has accomplished at the ripe age of fifty-one…and you wonder where I get it from). If it’s daring and it’s fun, sign me up.

There’s just something strangely liberating about being brave, about stepping outside your comfort zone. So for all you bored rigid sun-drunk college girls out there who are feeling fed up with your summer jobs or deliriously restless with your lack thereof, here are five trouble-chasing, fun-seeking, life-loving ways to shove a little excitement into summer. Because we all know rules are made to be broken.

1. Be someone else. If only for a day, undo your daily routine. If you usually spend an eternity on your makeup, stick with blush and let your tan do the talking. If you’re more of an earthy girl, put on some bright colored lipstick and use a little hairspray. If you’re feeling extra ballsy, chop your long locks into a short bob, like Katie Holmes’ or give in to curiosity, buy some bleach, and see if blondes really do have more fun. (Though I can tell you now, there’s no way they do.) Read More »