Let's be real now, Baylor.

"Good night"

 Truth be told...
+It’s not official unless Facebook says it is.
+Nike shorts and Uggs don’t make sense.
+If your class is full of football players, get excited for a future ‘A’ ("stereotypes.")
+ “It’s alright,” is not a sufficient response when someone says they’re not in a sorority. It’s a preference, not an oppression. Oh, and it’s Baylor, not UT.
+The fact that you’re gaining a Baylor degree is an advantage; the reputation is there for a reason. Not only that, but the teachers, and general class atmosphere is superior to most.

+If you’re at a party and a shoe gets thrown out of the window, it was probably a good night. However if you are at a party and a table and chairs set gets thrown off the balcony, it was probably a bad night.

Baylor Highlights:
+Seeing the live Baylor bears get walked on a leash around campus.
+DIA: A holiday as awesome as Christmas morning that starts just as early.
+Collins flying saucer=Taco Bell with grade-A meat.
+Professor Korpi’s “F” word lecture in mass communications. One poor gal even went to the dean about this… “It’s just a word.”
+Christmas on 5th. Tell me another university that has a live stable, a concert, a Cinderella carriage, cider, and Santa Clause all in one night.
+Studying abroad…read my other blog.
+Penland worker, Pearl. She’s a gem!


Baylor Lowlights:
+No Greek row. Rumor has it that a lady paid Baylor a large sum of money to ensure this will never be in existence.
+Spring Break. It is never the same as other schools, probably in an attempt to limit the damages a week of college without class can bring. (However, this may change next year?)
+Chegg.com>Baylor Bookstore.
+Baylor Police. They’ll pursue through barbwire, fences, a forest…
+Those automated messages when someone with a weapon is trailing around our campus. Or robbing someone.

 

What every Baylor student should know but doesn't...

Baylor memorial of the Immortal Ten

The Immortal Ten: On January 22, 1927, Baylor basketball athletes, coaches, and fans were on their way through heavy rain to a game in Austin. Seconds before impact, Jame Clyde "Abe" Kelly saw the train, and pushed his roommate, Weir Washman, out of the bus window at the expense of his own life. Ten died that day, including Kelly, and the 1927 basketball season was canceled. The Immortal Ten mark one of the first sports tragedies to shake America, and they are honored during Baylor’s homecoming week every year.

Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana: “For church, for Texas” is what Baylor’s motto, originated in 1851, forever will proclaim on the University seal.

Baylor Bears iPhone app: Yep, it exists. Here to show you live scores, stats, rosters, schedules, photos, play-by-plays…

Noze Brotherhood

NoZe Brothers: The NoZe brotherhood was founded in Brooks College in 1924 after a group of freshman Leonard Shoaf’s friends said that they could “form a club” surrounding his nose which was of "such great length and breadth of nostril.” (What a great way for Leonard to be remembered on Wikipedia.) The identities of the members in this collegiate society are kept secret, however former members with notoriety include Bill Cosby "Bro. J-E-L-L-NoZe,” George Bush (43^rd President), Billy Graham, and our current Baylor Pres. Ken Starr "Bro. Non Hostis HumaNoZe Generis." The society dresses up in costumes, plays pranks, and in 1954 started its satirical spoof of Baylor’s Lariat, called The Rope. Let me quote Wikipedia once more, “In NoZe lore, there are four types of people in the world. Members are NoZe Brothers; non-members are ‘Infidels’. ‘Fortunates’ are infidels who have had sex with a NoZe Brother. ‘Exiles’ are NoZe Brothers who have graduated or otherwise left the University.”

Green n’ Gold: Our University’s colors were selected in1897 after a student committee member gazed at wildflowers and noticed that the yellow and green flowers make “a lovely combination.” Aw…

Ken Starr is so legit.

Chapel: Has always been a part of Baylor since the university opened. Originally faculty went along with the students, and it was every day instead of twice a week for two semesters. Be thankful. Plus, I completed homework, caught up on sleep, AND listened to the dude who created Veggie Tales. My favorite quote from his talk? “Imagine trying to convince a board that talking vegetables teaching Biblical lessons is a good, money-making idea.”

Ken Starr: If you don’t know he’s our University President, get out from under your rock. What not as many know is Starr was on the Independent Counsel whose investigation led to Bill Clinton’s impeachment. Go Getta’…

The Power of the Acquaintance

“Hey girl (common term for all: works great when name is forgotten), how are you?!”

“I’m great, girl, it’s been so long!”

“I know, let’s catch up soon girl!”

“For sure, I’ll see you later girl!”

“Bye, girl!”

[Repeat when another run-in occurs]

And there it is. The acquaintance relationship. Good for feeling like you have more friends than you do. Also works in situations where you find yourself around no one you recognize. The acquaintance then can be bumped up to temporary friend status.

We all have acquaintances. These can also be called “hey friends.” Will we be catching up soon? Nope. In the situation of catching up, would there in reality be anything to be caught up on? Maybe not, but it would be nice to think so. I have 1567 Facebook friends. To say I know them personally (or even by name), would be ridiculous; however for the most part, we have been acquaintances  at one point or another.

So where is the power in the acquaintance? People only have the capacity to maintain so many personal relationships, so inherently, most relationships in the walk of life will inevitably be kept at the surface level. It would be impossible to be an actual friend to 1567 people.

“Connections are everything,” said Professor John Cunningham in one of my classes last spring. “It’s not what you know, but who you know. It’s not the grades you make, but the hands you shake.”

He is full of them, but the clichés offer a priceless lesson. In our world, education, excellence, and involvement are becoming the societal norm. I’ve been through so many “make your resume stand out!” lectures. And when it comes down to getting an interview, or really getting anything you may want, connections are oh so valuable. An acquaintance is a connection. It is an inlet to resources. It can be the start of a grand friendship or an important business tie. A way to score a meeting with a future employer. A way to gain knowledge and more networking opportunities.

Connections are everything. The power lies in all the acquaintances that you find yourself wanting to “catch up” with throughout your day.

DIA del WINNING.

It's my day!

    DIA. Baylor calls a holiday and cancels class. The university pays for tug-of-wars, dog shows, free food, and Jack Ingram (the concert pick for this year). Tenth street residents pay more for inflatable slip-n-slides, bounce houses, neon paraphernalia, and kegs. For one Thursday, Baylor students get a glimpse of what life would be like at any state school. Everyone is accepted, and everyone is looking to have a great holiday.

    Last Dia, I walked up to tenth around 11 a.m. to a bonfire in someone’s front yard. After a closer look, that bonfire was actually a person (who is in good health today), and that accidental engulfment ignited a series of Dia festivities that ended with a $40 medium pizza (*with tip), losing a car, and scars that have some great stories behind them.

    What was Dia like when it started in 1931? It was organized by Baylor as a way "bring smiles to the faces of students" (according to the Baylor website), and was reorganized by the Chamber of Commerce in 1935. Dia del Oso (Day of the Bear) was not named until 1966, and before then the holiday’s official name ranged from All University Day to Physical Fitness Day to May Day.

"Witty" tanks are a Dia trademark.

    Dia del Winning (thanks, Charlie Sheen.) was the consensual slogan for 2011 Dia. Mud slides and mud wrestling. Dance parties on the roofs of houses. Spray-painted tanks. More neon-clad bodies than a techno rave. Shameless fanny packs and men wearing short shorts.

    Dia is the one day that anything goes, just remember that Friday brings class, physical ailment, and stories that may be better left in yesterday.

Baylor Bubble Penetration

I was recently training for the Bearathon and ran past 18^th street on Lasalle and through the neighborhoods around there. At 22^nd street I was chased by a snarling mutt. Two blocks later, two men started following me in their broken-down (but nice rimmed?) car, and kept asking me where I was going. As I began to turn up my ipod, a group of Wacoans smoking marijuana on their front porch caught my eye. All of this within a few minute span. Welcome to Waco…

And this is why the Baylor Bubble exists.

The Baylor Bubble is a zone of Baylor students isolated on one side of the highway closest to campus. The native Waco population and those that attend Baylor (NOT always, but in general) tend to be distinct and recognizably different from each other. So when does a Baylorite venture outside of their bubble? To the other side of the highway even?

Here’s some not to be missed hot-spots that Waco does have to offer…

Viteks: Gut pak. You will be on the verge of a heart attack and isolated in a food coma for a few hours after eating at this famous destination. Worth it.

Rudy’s: Drive-through BBQ that is attached to a gas station. The key to every man’s heart.

Scruffy Murphy’s: If you find yourself here at the end of the night, you most likely will not feel good the next morning and/or have ridiculous stories beginning with washed off "X"s. Beware of the long island ice teas.

Café Cappuccino: Banana nut bread pancakes. White mocha hazelnut coffee drizzled with caramel and topped with whip cream. Chic environment, usually crowded.

Czech Stop: 20 min drive down the high way, fresh home baked kolaches and every other good thing that the Czech has to offer America all packed into a bakery. A must.

Fat Ho Burger: The next big thing. Hour long waits. Lines out the door. Controversial title. “Offensive” menu that some claim is degrading to women and insulting to cultures. Check this scene out.

Baris, Se Cocina, Shorty’s: All the BYOB places worth knowing about. Home to underclassmen and pretty tasty food.

Sam’s on the Square: The purple marg (limit of 2!) keeps everyone happy and coming back. This is where you want to find yourself on Thursday nights. There’s a beer and taco room downstairs. While it appears to be a restaurant, more drinks are sold than dishes. This is usually seen as a plus.

There are quite a few hidden gems Waco’s depths. A few other honorable mentions include Spice, Buzzard Billy’s, Pink, and Schmaltz’s. Break the bubble, venture out, preferably in the daylight, and check out what Waco has beyond the Baylor community…

PICTURE perfect.



Just look at that 45!

 With a greater online presence emerging into today’s culture, comes a greater obligation to always look your best wherever a camera may be involved! And this is where the physical art of the 45 degree angle comes into play to create the perfect pose.

This pose can be used when you’re looking chic with your sorority sisters, clad in a formal dress! When you’re getting ready for that half marathon race, the bearathon,  in your running gear! The stance even works in such a way as to prop yourself up when you’ve had a little too much punch on a Saturday night! 


Even MOTHERS can do it!

Just what every gal has always wanted: the most flattering posture for every photographic occasion! Everybody's doing it...



You never know when the pose will be
needed..
middle of a Madrid night club!

So what is this camera-ready carriage that has taken over facebook profiles everywhere? It’s simple! All you have to do is put your hand on your hip! That’s it! Immediately one is transformed into an arrangement of poise and beauty.

One trick of the trade to always look like you are having fun is to hold your friends hands and jump off the ground! Action shots rock. It’s almost like you need to be anchored to the ground because you are having such a blast.

 

…and of course, you have to make sure someone always has a camera! If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen! You went on spring break where? Obvs not! Where’s the photos!?

(I have fallen to the picture pose, as seen from these pictures. I was looking at pictures before I came to college, and in not a single one of them am I making sure my hips are still attached. In one of my past sorority meetings, we had a “workshop” that was supposed to help everyone always look their personal best. What was said to keep the cameras clicking? The 45….I'm officially a "Baylor gal"...in pictures)

The Wives Club.

I walked into a party where the girls were downstairs gathered in the kitchen cooking food and the guys were upstairs drinking and watching football. The gals would take food out of the oven, set it nicely on trays, walk it upstairs for the boys to devour, and then go back downstairs for salacious gossip and to fulfill their womanly duties of feeding their men…

Welcome to Baylor, where if you don’t get a good education, you will at least get a ring by spring and MRS degree. Well, of course if you don’t find your Lacoste and Sperry clad-man, you’re not totally doomed. You could get a job or something but let’s not get too aggressive.

While I wanted to be in the boys’ crowd upstairs, I am the newcomer in the group. And so, I left my boyfriend with the fun crowd and gleamed my pearly whites in the direction of the housewives in training…for at least ten minutes or so.

“Can you imagine a world without men?  No crime and lots of happy fat women.” 

                                                                        ~Nicole Hollander

Baylor gals are a different breed, and many (oh, don't get offended, not ALL!) have their vision set on marriage and being the trophy wife. Is it another southern culture phenomenon that I haven’t grasped yet? A Baptist thing? A Baylor thing?

Men will never have to be faced with how to balance birthing children and a career; this is something most women have to make choices and sacrifices about. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. 

Am I bashing the elementary ed and home-ec majors? Heck no. I'm a communications major, let's be real. But Baylor women are notorious for getting hitched, or at least being on the prowl.

Anyways, I have not applied for membership in the wives club, and after my ten minutes, I went upstairs, had a brew, and pretended like I knew what football is all about.