Almost There!

A week from this moment, Friday evening, I'll be on summer break. I'll be at a music festival with a bunch of my recently graduated friends, setting up a tent and enjoying the amazing bands. I'll probably feel pretty carefree, giddy with newly acquired freedom and imaging the whole beautiful summer lying out in front of me. I'll slap mosquitoes and sleep in as late as I want. When I get home I'll do summery things like go swimming and drink iced tea and eat peach sandwiches. I’ll finally have time to read all the books I've wanted to read and start painting again and go on long, aimless bike rides through corn fields. I am so damn excited.

But a week is a long time, or at least it can be, and I have a lot to accomplish before then. It feels like an eternity. I shouldn't be indulging in these elaborate summer fantasies now, when I know my attention should really be directed towards finishing up the semester and doing well on my exams. The temptation is always to give up near the end. Summer will happen whether or not I do well these next few days. I wish I didn't realize that, but I do and I keep being reminded. How many hours are between me and summer? If I take the time to count, I might go insane.

The rest of my family is on break and, as of today, so are all the seniors (congratulations guys!), which is making me feel slightly imprisoned in school. One of the main reasons I’m so excited for summer break is that I won’t have to worry about school anymore. Now, don’t get me wrong. I actually really like some aspects of school; at least, I like learning. But academic achievement has been breathing down my neck since last August, and I’m so very ready for a chance of pace. Everyone was right about junior year being super stressful so I’ll be quite relieved for it to be over.

I’d be lying if I said all I felt was excitement and happiness at this year ending. Yes, I’m very excited to escape the grind of school, but I’m also realizing the end of this year is going to mean saying goodbye to a lot of really amazing friends who are graduating. I hope to stay in touch with everyone and see people as much as I can over the summer, but I recognize that things will never be same. I know that I can’t compare my feelings of bittersweet to those of graduating seniors who are leaving behind everything they know and have grown accustomed to over the past five years, but all the same I feel that this school year ending marks a big shift in my own life, which is hopefully something I can embrace.

In parting, happy almost summer to all of you and a giant hug to my seniors!

Leggings are NOT PANTS

(It's springtime and I'm feeling very frivolous.Time for a little ranting about things of little significance!)

It irks me when people wear leggings or tights as a substitute for pants. Like it irks me a lot. I mentioned this offhand to my buddy Sid Madhubalan and he seemed, I think, rather disappointed by my disdainful and admittedly over-the-top ranting. I am usually pretty accepting; I believe in each person's autonomy to dress and live however they wish, but there is something fundementally indecent to me about strutting around in leggings like it is totally normal and modest. It's not even that I find the skin-tightness of them indecent, it is more that they are parading around as pants when they were so clearly intended to be worn as an under layer. It's like wearing spandex or boxers and claiming that they are perfectly legitimate shorts. Not okay!

I am not the first to express outrage at this obnoxious trend, nor shall I be the last. In fact there is an entire website dedicate to photographs of unknowing legging-wearers on the U of I campus, as well as a hilarious and typographically appeal anti-leggings manifesto that a friend pointed me to. But I know there are plenty of people out there who love leggings very dearly and consider them a staple in their wardrobe. I can think of several good friends of mine who wear them on a regular basis and it has never been a cause for strife. What can I say; agree to disagree?

I know what people say--leggings are so comfortable! Leggings are inexpensive! Leggings are flattering and go with any top! I disagree. As for comfort, wearing actually sweatpants is far more comfortable and significantly warmer and cozier. I'd argue that there are more durable leggings which are intended to be worn solo and leggings which were intended to be worn underneath something else that are made of thinner material and are cheaper. So yes, leggings can be quite inexpensive, but when you think about what you are actually paying for, material wise, it is pretty underwhelming. Really if you are going to commit this faux pas you might as well shell out from a good quality pair that fits well and is warm.

I feel it is time to dispel a myth: leggings are not universally flattering. They show everything--imagine your lower half being dipped in opaque paint--and if you have a perfect body then fine, great, but if you have even the slightest imperfection then it immediately becomes obvious to everyone you walk past. They are such an unforgiving fashion, leaving next to nothing to the imagination. I can't imagine not feeling horribly self-conscious walking around with everything so visible. I should make very clear, I don't hate leggings because they are leggings; I hate them because people wear them like pants, which is simply wrong. Leggings can be quite attractive if they are worn under a dress or even, yes, a sufficiently long shirt. In short, I don't want to see your butt.

Yes, I am staunchly anti-legging, but they don't actively both me that much. I mean, I don't explode in paroxysm of rage every time I see this particular abomination (being on the U of I campus would be hell if I did). But I am often tempted to make a snide remark or roll my eyes, or worse shout out "get some pants!" I suppose every decade must have its regrettable fashion, so hopefully this look will fade into that past and become an outdated relic of the 2000's. In parting, keep it classy!