LETTER FROM THE editor Welcome to the spring issue of Untold Magazine! Our staff has been working so hard to bring this magazine together, and we’re happy to finally share it with the world.
The spring started out strong, then seemed to quickly decline because of COVID-19. Before we knew it, spring break was extended, classes were moved online, and we were forced to work remotely as well. Stress was high, especially for students adjusting to online classes, job losses, health concerns, and more. Our staff had been generating lots of content already, so we kept moving forward despite the changes to come out with a great issue. I’m so proud of our team of writers, editors, artists, and other students who helped make this magazine possible. Without their dedication and new ideas, the magazine would not have been possible in these stressful times. As a senior this year, I’m feeling especially grateful for my time working with this team and for the amazing stories we get the opportunity to tell. I’m beyond excited to share the interests and dreams of Hamline students with you. Happy Spring!
Sydney Holets Editor-in-Chief Class of 2020
CONTENTS 4 8 12 14 16 22 26 28 10 20 21
LIFESTYLE
Tending to Plants and Mind by Ally Gall Spring into Bright Breakfasts compiled by Sydney Holets
PROFILES
Theater Off the Lawn by Zully Sosa I deserved better by Emily Brown Roll for Initiative by Sabrina Merritt
MUSINGS
Thrifted for Fashion 101 by Gloria Lee Living the Writing Dream by Emily Brown The Intimate Gift of a Playlist by Chloe Ricks
ART
Pasadena Pandemic in the Rain by Chloe Ricks Blackout poetry by K McClendon, Kat McCullum Ol’ Town Gender by K McClendon
Tending to Plants and Mind Hamline students reflect on how they take care of their plants and themselves. INTERVIEWS BY ALLY GALL
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Owning and taking care of plants has become widely popular, especially among Hamline college students. I jumped in on it last semester and loved it.
and another unidentified succulent), a Chinese money plant, a small rubber tree, an aloe plant, a snake plant.
I bought a medium-sized succulent from the St. Paul Farmer’s Market. I loved having a living, breathing plant in my room. It forced me to open my blinds more and allow sunlight into my room, which made me want to have a cleaner living space. Having a clean, sunlit room immediately boosted my mental health.
Gwen: I have mostly succulents and one fernlike plant. I have a medium bowl of succulents, a medium succulent, and three small/tiny succulents.
Unfortunately, some time between December and January, my succulent died. But the routine of opening my blinds and having a clean room stuck with me, and continued to positively affect me. Tending to a plant led me to take care of myself in a better way, which is the case for other Hamline students as well! Juniors Ella Smith, Carmen Danz and Molly Landaeta, and senior Gwen Fairlie shared their experiences with owning and tending to plants in their living spaces. What kind of plants do you have? Ella: I have almost all succulents. I also have a potted flower arrangement with tulips and daffodils. Molly: I have four different pothos plants, a ZZ plant, a handful of different succulents (five different cacti
Carmen: I have an aloe vera, elephant ear, ponytail plant, and cacti. Where do you have them in your living space? Ella: I keep most of my plants near the biggest window in my dorm room. The plants that don’t require sun, I keep in the corners of my room. Molly: I have the plants scattered throughout my room. The pothos are everywhere, with two on my dresser, one hanging, and another on a shelf on my wall since they are good at tolerating any amount of light. Most of my plants are on the top of my desk because it is right by an east-facing window. Also, it helps encourage me when I am doing homework. Gwen: All of my plants are in my window sills in my room so that they can get sun Carmen: I have them in my room, mostly on my desk. SPRING 2020 | 5
When did you first buy them? Ella: Three of my succulents I have had for two years now. They are the sturdiest plants I’ve ever had. The others I bought over this past summer and they have all held up relatively well. Molly: I started buying plants last year, and after killing a few, I finally got it right with my rubber tree plant. This gave me the courage to start again with buying more and more plants. The pothos I have are all propogated babies from my mother’s pothos that she has had for many years. Some of my plants were gifted; otherwise last semester, whenever I was in need of a change (and didn’t want to dye my hair again), I would buy a new plant. Gwen: I bought the medium succulents when I first moved into my dorm first year! I bought the tiny ones from Trader Joe’s this year because I thought they were cute. The fern was a gift from my friend that I went and picked out with her in June. Carmen: I bought most of them in December, but my elephant ear was from last year. Why did you get your plants? Ella: I got my plants because I love taking care of plants. They also bring so much life to my room and are pleasant to look at everyday. Molly: I initially started buying plants because I have always loved nature, and wanted to incorporate it into my room. It ended up becoming a hobby that brought me a ton of joy, and something people love to hear about and come see. Another big thing is that I love giving love, and caring for a plant and watching it thrive gives me so much joy. I love life and helping life thrive in my space. Gwen: Plants make me happy. I like taking care of something that adds a little life to my living space. Succulents are also fairly easy to take care of, so they’re a good match for a busy college student like me. Carmen: I got my most recent ones from Menards, but I got my elephant ear from a leaf from my grandma’s elephant ear. How do you take care of your plants? Ella: My plants don’t require much attention. The only thing I do to maintain them is water them once a week. Molly: I usually take care of my plants in a very relaxed way. If their soil looks dry, I feel it, and based on what kind of plant it is, I determine if it is time for it to be watered. Every two weeks or so I will do a “big water” where I will water all of my plants, taking most of them to the sink or 6 | UNTOLD
bathtub so they can be thoroughly watered and drained. I will trim dead leaves, check on my plants that are propagating, and add soil to pots that look like they could use some more. Gwen: I take care of my plants by watering them and rearranging them to face the sun. Sometimes, about once a year, I’ll repot them if they grow too big for their pot. If the succulents get too tall or have a dead section, I’ll trim them. Carmen: I water them at least once a week. Sometimes I talk to them too. I clean dust off of them if they have any and I prune them to make sure they don’t have any dead leaves. What advice do you have for keeping plants alive? Ella: Some advice I would give is to not buy plants that need a lot of sun if you don’t have the space for them. I have lost many plants because I overestimated how much sun my windows provided. Molly: My advice is to listen to the plant. It is always best to respond to how it is behaving. With soil, as soon as it looks dry, stick your finger into the soil about two inches. For plants that like moisture, if you feel a little bit of moisture, it’s a good time to water it. For plants that are tropical and like dry soil, wait until you stick your finger two inches in and it is basically bone dry. Most plants can tolerate low water over too much water, so always try to water less. Overwatering was my biggest struggle when I first became a plant parent. If the leaves are browning or yellow, it is probably just natural. If a lot start to turn brown or yellow, try watering less. Any plant that is good in “low light” can perform fine in low light, but prefers more light, as most plants do. Bright, indirect light or medium direct light is suitable for most plants. Most problems can be fixed by adjusting water and light. Also, Google is a great place to look up concerns about your plants. There’s infinite information out there to help!
Molly: Plant care is self-care, 100%. Taking time out of my day to give love and attention to something that asks for so little is amazing. Opening my blinds in the morning so my plants get their fill of sunshine makes waking up that much easier, and I can tell how happy it makes the plants every single day. The plants reward me by growing and making me happy. The act of watering, trimming, repotting, whatever, brings me closer to nature, even in the middle of winter, which instantly improves my mood. Nurturing is something that brings me peace, and plants allow that for me. Gwen: For me, taking care of my plants reflects my own journey and growth. I’ve had some of my succulents since first year (I’m a senior now), so even though they’ve had rough spots, they haven’t died yet! When I need to remember to take care of myself, I remind myself to water my plants. And vice versa. They’re very meaningful to me. Carmen: It makes me feel like I have something that depends on me, so I want to be my best for them. It also makes me feel like I have at least part of my life together because I have to keep my space around my plants clean. Is there anything else you want to include about your plant care-taking? Ella: I can’t emphasize enough how wonderful having a few plants is and how much it can really make a space more enjoyable to be in. Carmen: I want so many plants, but it’s important to know your limits. It wouldn’t be good for me or my plants if I have too many to take care of.
Gwen: Always do research on your plants! Each type of plant requires a unique amount of water and sunlight to stay happy. As for watering, space your watering out for succulents by 1-3 weeks, but when you do water, water them heavily. That’s worked for me! Carmen: Learn what plants you have! It’s not just getting sunshine and water because some plants require more sun or water than others. How does taking care of your plants relate to your self-care and self-love? Ella: Taking care of my plants keeps me healthy because it is therapeutic. Taking care of plants is also taking care of yourself. SPRING 2020 | 7
Spring Into Bright Break -fast COMPILED BY SYDNEY HOLETS
One of my favorite things about spring is feeling the warm sunshine and seeing all the green growth and vibrant florals come back. The bright colors bring me so much joy, so why not eat bright colors for joy? I’ve found some fresh colored, springy breakfast recipes that you can make right in a dorm room, or for a quick and easy breakfast at home. Take that light energy and carry it into your day!
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MICROWAVE PANCAKES WITH FRESH FRUIT Prep: 2 min Cook: 2 min Total: 4 min INGREDIENTS - 1 cup flour - 1 tsp sugar - 1 tsp baking powder - 2 tbsp melted butter - 4 tbsp oil - 1 egg - 3/4 cup of milk DIRECTIONS 1. Add all the dry ingredients to a bowl and mix. Add the wet ingredients and fresh fruit, then whisk (you want a thick consistency). 2. Lay a sheet of greaseproof baking paper on a plate (must be greaseproof otherwise the pancakes will stick) then add a heaped spoonful of the batter in the middle of the paper. 3. Lay another sheet of greaseproof paper on top and then add another spoonful of batter on top, above the first spoonful.
MICROWAVE BREAKFAST FLATBREAD PIZZA
4. Repeat until you have laid four spoonfuls of batter and finally top with a sheet of greaseproof paper. 5. Microwave for 2.5 minutes – done!
Prep: 1 min Cook: 1 min Total: 2 min
6. Peel the pancakes off and dress with butter, maple syrup, and fresh fruit!
INGREDIENTS
MAKE AHEAD FRUIT PARFAITS
- 1 large egg - 1 tbsp milk - 2 tbsp fully cooked breakfast meat of choice: sausage crumbles or patty, cooked crumbled bacon, etc. (all optional) - 1 round flatbread/soft tortilla shell (6-inch) - 2 tbsp finely shredded cheddar cheese
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS 1. Beat egg with fork and milk in 2-cup cereal bowl until blended. Add cooked breakfast meat (optional). 2. Microwave on high 30 seconds; push cooked edges toward center. Microwave until egg is almost set, about 15 to 45 seconds longer. 3. Cut egg into four or five pieces; arrange on flatbread. Top with cheese. 4. Microwave an additional 10 to 15 seconds to melt cheese. Serve immediately. From The Incredible Egg website https://www.incredibleegg.org/recipe/microwave-breakfast-flatbread-pizza/
From Theo Michaels on Theo Cooks blog https://www.theocooks.com/microwave-pancakes/
- Vanilla yogurt (or any flavor you prefer) - Granola - Fresh or frozen berries - Honey to drizzle (optional) DIRECTIONS 1. Parfaits can be made in Mason jars, cups, to-go mugs, or any other container you want. 2. Start by layering yogurt. 3. Add a layer of thawed or fresh berries, and then a layer of granola. Drizzle with honey (optional). 4. If you want to keep it overnight, cover with a lid and keep in the refrigerator. From Thirty Handmade Days blog https://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/make-ahead-fruit-parfaits/
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Pasadena Pandemic iN the Rain WORDS AND PHOTOS BY CHLOE RICKS
This series of photos seeks to capture what the typically bustling city of Pasadena, California, looked like during the COVID-19 crisis. For the first three photos, I went to some of my favorite locations in the city while driving home from the grocery store one evening. Normally, these locations are bursting with activity. However, the global situation and the current rain has made everything bare and dreary. The fourth photo is the view of Pasadena from the mountains. This photo is meant to highlight how even though it is empty when you’re in the city, it looks just as bright, beautiful, and busy from up above.
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theater off the lawn WORDS AND PHOTOS BY ZULLY SOSA
Meraki Theater is a local theater company started by junior Autumn Wilkie and sophomore MJ Luna. In their first year of productions they’ve put on interpretations of Robin Hood and Alice in Wonderland, collaborated with the Hamline Theater Department and Spectrum, as well as won the Fringe Festival lottery this February.
you need to check, there’s not someone you need to get permission from, you can just do it if that’s what you want to do,” Luna said. “It was very inspiring, so Autumn came up to me in our hotel room and goes ‘Hey, you wanna start a theater company?’ and I go ‘Sure, why not.’” He laughs as he reenacts the shrug he gave her.
When asked what inspired them to start their own theater company, the two theater majors looked at each other and laughed. Last spring, Wilke and Luna shared a hotel room while attending the United States Institute for Theatre Technology conference and were inspired by the speakers motivating others to create art regardless of their situation.
This is something Wilkie says she has always wanted to try, even before the theater conference. “I always kinda joked with people like ‘oh when I go to college I’m gonna find someone and start a theater company with them.’”Advice from the speakers at the conference gave her the final push to try, as she agreed with their philosophy of creating art no matter the boundaries. “If you’re passionate about something and you know what kind of stories you want to put up on stage, just do it,” Wilkie said.
“One of the things that a lot of the sessions were about was that you can just make art. Like there’s not a form 12 | UNTOLD
According to Wilkie, an organization like this on campus has not existed in the last 30 years. Additionally, shows usually are only directed by students when it’s part of a senior project. Meraki breaks all those rules.
Though the company doesn’t have much to their name yet, it doesn’t stop them from putting on a show. Every show the company has performed has been written by Wilkie, who previously had no playwriting experience.
You may remember Meraki’s debut in 2019, a collaboration with Hamline Theater for Robin Hood on the Lawn. Typically the “On the Lawn” shows are reserved for student directors working through Hamline University Theatre & Dance Program.
The writing process starts months before the first rehearsal, with the first stages of Wonderland coming to fruition as their production of Robin Hood was ending. Since the group has no budget available, all shows are currently adaptations of stories in the public domain. After asking the Meraki cast members what they wanted to do next, the group voted to do an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.
I asked what their relationship currently is with Hamline Theater and how they differentiate themselves. As all of their productions are on campus, it’s easy to see them as an extension of the department, especially with Meraki continuing to do the On the Lawn productions. “Originally we were just doing a collab [Robin Hood On the Lawn] and that was both the theater department and Meraki,” Wilkie explained. But when it was time to move on to Meraki’s next show, the theater’s schedule was not coinciding with theirs. This led Meraki’s second production, Wonderland, to find its home in Manor’s Main Hall. “We just want to create additional opportunities for students so we decided to remove ourselves from the physical theater space so we’re not stepping on any toes but we’re still on campus and available to students,” Wilkie said.
“I knew I wanted the show to focus on mental health awareness and giving the show an adult twist. I researched the origin story and read a lot of old drafts from Lewis Carroll for inspiration on the new twists,” Wilkie said. “After auditions I had a better sense of the cast’s abilities and how they could portray characters so I finished a first draft of the script for our first rehearsal.” This was not the last draft of the show, as the actors got to mold their characters and performances as rehearsals continued. This detail completely changes how their company works, as their actors have full creative liberty over how the role is played. Ellie Dunn, a theater major from the University of Essex, was cast as Alice in the winter production of Wonderland. She commented on how different the show’s rehearsals were because actors had the playwright available to answer any questions. “Being able to work with the writer and the director, you get firsthand experience of producing the show which is really nice,” Dunn said. “I feel like you can get a bit closer to the text as characters and actors 'cause you understand it that much more because they’re there.” It’s clear that the passion Luna and Wilkie have for theater is infectious. They plan on continuing their productions at Hamline and possibly expanding to a theater off campus. “This isn’t Autumn’s fun little art project, this isn’t MJ’s fun little art project,” Wilkie said. “This isn’t Meraki takes over Hamline. This is how we as students can work together to create the art that we want to see in our society.” The two directors entered their company into the Fringe Festival lottery last fall and were lucky enough to win. They now have the opportunity to perform a show at the festival in August in front of thousands of theater enthusiasts in Minnesota—providing the festival isn’t cancelled or postponed due to coronavirus. Regardless, Meraki has accomplished much in their first year and has no plans of stopping. SPRING 2020 | 13
Content Warning: Mentions of abuse and mental illness
I Deserve Better POEM BY EMILY BROWN
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Sometimes, it will be the middle of the night Or a random lazy afternoon I’ll just be minding my own damn business It always happens when I’m minding my own damn business I remember one friend yelling at me on the bus that she doesn’t want to speak to me She screamed at me Like we had a massive fight the night before And I had no right to even look at her But, there was no fight And I did nothing wrong I know I didn’t I know Why? Because she always used the same technique One day, we were best friends The next, she was criticizing me and telling me how much of a shitty person I was Other times, I will remember that other ‘friend’ Who acted like the older sister every girl wants I question our whole friendship She just used me to do what she wanted to She used her sob story on me And I did everything she told me to I got a cold shoulder I will never forget the long hug And then, the comment that broke my heart a short hour later When people talk about abusive relationships They think about a romantic relationship or family Almost no one talks about abusive friendships I fell into the trap over and over again Because I was lonely And I needed anyone to be my friend No matter how much they hurt me It took finding some real friends Who love and care about me To realize the chain of toxic friendships I’ve been in And I deserve better I’m still learning that I deserve better We all do SPRING 2020 | 15
roll for initiativE WORDS AND PHTOTOS BY SABRINA MERRITT
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Deck: The lands of daring heroes, horrible monsters, and dangerous sword fights didn’t disappear with childhood. Several Hamline students are keeping magic and mystery alive through tabletop roleplaying games, such as Dungeons & Dragons. Pass by a campus lounge or crowded dorm room on any given night, and you might see a group of college students huddled around laptops, notebooks, and a pile of snacks. What might appear to be a rambunctious study group is actually a party of adventurers in a game of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). Dungeons and Dragons, stylized as Dungeons & Dragons, DnD, or D&D, is a tabletop roleplaying game (RPG) often set in medieval-inspired fantasy realms. Games are run by a Dungeon Master (DM) or Game Master (GM), who acts as the storyteller, giving challenges and quests to the players. Players design characters with fantasy races like elves or orcs and give characters occupations, called classes. These determine how characters navigate through their make-believe worlds, allowing players the chance to be brutal fighters or crafty spellcasters. Outcomes in the game are determined by rolling dice. Players with higher dice rolls will have more successful or more powerful attacks. Even forty-five years after its initial creation in 1974, Dungeons & Dragons is showing no sign of slowing down. In the mini-documentary, "Why is D&D So Popular Again?", gaming news outlet IGN claims the game has more players than ever before. The rise of Twitch streaming culture, where Internet personalities are able to live cast their RPG games to thousands of fans, is cited as the main cause for this influx of new players. However, sophomore Hunter Tyler Weber has another guess about D&D’s rise in popularity. “I also think nerd culture, in general, is a lot more acceptable than it has been in the past, so people may be more willing to try things like D&D,” Weber said. Weber, who was introduced to Dungeons & Dragons through his dad, has been playing tabletop RPGs for most of his life. While D&D is currently in its fifth edition (5E), Weber has also played 2nd edition, 4th edition, and a similar RPG called Pathfinder. For Weber, tabletop games are a way to connect with friends. “I like to spend time with my friends, and D&D to me is the best way to hang out and interact with them. I often find myself thinking about D&D a lot in between sessions,” Weber said. Fellow sophomore Emma Coleman also plays for the social factor. “I love being able to sit down with a group of friends and have everyone focused on one thing: being creative and having fun,” Coleman said. “I think people feel lonely a lot, especially with social media. D&D is an activity that makes you interact with people while still giving them a character to let their guard down with."
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Coleman has been a part of a fourteen-month long game, referred to as a campaign. She started playing the spring semester of her first year. Her character is currently a level seven half-elf druid with a shady past. Getting creative with characters is junior Isaac Hanson’s favorite part of the game. Though he played loosely structured sessions in high school, Hanson was happy to find a D&D party within the Hamline swim team. “[The campaign] had a larger than average party, so I was extremely honored when I was invited to the table to play,” Hanson said. “Thus Herman Grimm, the gamblingaddicted somewhat greedy cleric was born. Herman Grimm was a fan favorite. He was part comedic relief, part caring party father figure.” Hanson believes his favorite class, warlocks, has the greatest variety for customization, allowing players to really make the character unique. “As the storyline goes, essentially warlocks get their power from a contract or pact with another powerful being,” Hanson said. “I like the complicated nature of playing a spellcaster, and it’s nice to be the one who does the talking in the party and super fun when your silver-tongued character gets away with something they probably shouldn’t have.” Junior Christian Buonfiglio agrees with Hanson, saying tabletop games are a form of self-expression. With each character Buonfiglio creates, he learns more about himself and others.
But playing these beloved characters would not be possible without the imagination of Dungeon Masters who lead the games. Junior Levi Jones currently DMs two campaigns, one with high school friends and one with Hamline students. He has been creating mythical worlds and grandiose stories for as long as he can remember. “For years I would come up with campaign ideas and think of all the cool stories I could tell, yet I had no one to play with,” Jones said. “In high school, I found a group of people and got to play as both a Dungeon Master and a player for a while. Every weekend was time for D&D. We would pull all-nighters, doing nothing but playing, totally immersed in the worlds and stories we had created.” For many players, D&D brings a little magic to everyday life. Tabletop games offer a rare chance for all kinds of people to get innovative and build community with the power of storytelling. D&D has come a long way since the 1970s, and the once socially stigmatized game is now a beacon for people everywhere. “RPGs offer us the opportunity to feel like we are doing something important,” Jones said. “Nobody would work a nine-to-five if they could instead explore a magical world, cast spells or fly a spaceship. Our imaginations outpace what we are allowed to do, and more and more we rely on our imaginations to give us the joys that we can’t find in day-to-day life.”
“I put a little bit of myself into every character I build,” Buonfiglio said. “I can show parts of myself that I can’t otherwise show, or speak in ways that I don’t usually speak, and learn more about the people I play with. It’s an exercise in personal growth.”
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'OL TOWN GENDER POEM BY K MCCLENDON
Is a name dead really if it still lives in the mouths of the family that raised me? If it still conjures my response like a back porch dinner bell? Can I call it dead if I am alive, and it’s written on the certificate that says so? There is no girl here to return to no amount of breast or skirt can make her exist no ounce of my father’s will or use of his proud phrase “my daughter” They ask for my gender, want it to be easy, want to lift my dress and say there. They want me to pick sides, but this is not kickball, we’re in the grandstand now. What is a pronoun if not a stage? If not a rodeo? If not the horse’s legs, and the will to start bucking? My gender in clown make-up. My gender clinging to the stirrups. A black, a gay, and a man walk into a bar, start playing country music. The joke is that they are all the same person. So, a billboard calls it pop, making the first cowboys white like their jesus. Meanwhile, the whole wide west learns the words. A nation wearing black cowboy hats. Boots stomping on the 2 & 4
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When Lil Nas X comes out gay, my gender black as a funeral procession peeks through its fingers, sees a part of itself trending on twitter, for once because it is so alive. My gender forgets it had a name once. Considers a reality where they walk in the living room right in front of our father, and he does not flinch or hiss. While I was leaving work today a man, a white man, walked towards his office and ended his phone conversation with “I gotta let you go, it’s time for me get back to this slavery.” The white of his collar a small spangled banner wrapping his neck. A white man slaving, must be the burden of bare cotton fields and clean hands. Acres of land that do not know the sweat of you. But made your pockets, and lined them for you too. It must mean he bought the horse but calls himself trainer, thinks “master” is a strong word. Language so often fails me. A gender that fits in the mouth of no one. A lineage made into consumption. Can you hear them? Hooves pounding earth, steady like a war is coming, my name says start the song.
POEMS BY KAT MCCULLUM
POEM BY K MCCLENDON
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THRIFTED FOR FASHION 101 BY GLORIA LEE
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When I was younger, I had a minor repulsion to thrift stores. Yes, it was a great place to find little home decor pieces, such as photo frames and coasters, but I rarely thought of it as a place to go clothes shopping. It wasn’t because I couldn’t stand to wear used clothes (I grew up wearing hand-me-downs), but rather because I found most thrift stores’ clothes unappealing or unsuitable for me. A lot of clothes are donated due to being out of trend, and that doesn’t typically leave a lot of good options to browse through. Additionally, those seemingly endless racks were overwhelming. However, as I’ve grown up, my views on thrifting have changed. I got into thrifting after viewing Youtubers and bloggers succeed at finding great clothes at cheaper prices, as well as finding unique ways to style a thrift find that I would personally find unattractive. As a college student on a budget, I started obsessively browsing Instagram shops selling cool thrifted items. That inspired me to try a Goodwill trip and I found a couple of pieces from name brands like Nike and Adidas. Since then, multiple successful (and unsuccessful) thrift trips followed, and I’ve scored anything from Ralph Lauren sweaters to vintage skirts.
But there are a lot of other reasons why shopping second hand has become so important. In today’s heightened social awareness regarding waste and needless consumerism, thrifting has become more acceptable and even trendy. The U.S. EPA estimates 3.8 billion pounds of post-consumer textile waste is recycled, but also notes that this amount only accounts for 15% of total textile waste. In other words, the other 85% end up in landfills. It’s a partial reason why our pollution problem has grown so monstrous. Furthermore, the production of clothes alone can harm the environment. Producing synthetic fibers such as polyester requires a lot of energy. Additionally, according to the Guardian, the continuous washing of polyester clothes releases non-biodegradable microplastics that end up in our oceans. “Thrifting allows you to update your closet without giving your money to large corporations who pollute with clothing factories and may have questionable labor sources,”Harrington says. Secondhand shopping helps prevent clothes from ending up in the landfills and keeps the fashion cycle circular.
On the other hand, some people grew up thrifting with their parents and it has become a regular part of their lifestyle. For example, sophomores Molly Landaeta and Emma Harrington both grew up going to thrift shops with their moms. They found thrifting as a way to establish their own individual styles. “You can be almost 100% sure that no one else will have the same pieces as you,” says Harrington.
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Additionally, vintage clothing trends are returning to the fashion industry. When I was growing up in the early 2000s, there seemed to be a slight stigma against secondhand. Telling someone you thrifted a certain piece came off as a subtle way of saying admitting ‘I can’t afford new clothes’ that resulted in shame or embarrassment. Nowadays, people happily share their coolest thrift finds, rarely in judgment. Harrington, for instance, loves “older clothing styles, such as turtleneck sweaters, high-rise/baggy jeans, and funky t-shirts”. Mom jeans and dad sweaters are increasingly and openly worn by younger generations. Society has generally become more accepting of different styles that are not confined by gender or generational expectations. Below are some useful tips for a successful thrift trip. Find inspiration I found motivation to scout the thrift racks from watching videos. Youtubers I highly suggest checking out include HaleysCorner, Sarah Dunk, and AlexaSunshine83. A majority of their videos center around thrift vlogs and hauls, but also helpful tips and DIYs. The fact that they are all young Gen-Z or millenial women make their videos easier to relate to. Browsing Pinterest and Instagram thrift shops is another good way to see what’s possible to find at the thrift. For example, a Minnesota based shop is @urbanoutthrifters on Instagram. Although you don’t have to purchase from these Instagram stores (be aware of scam shops), scrolling through their feeds gives a general idea of what people are capable of finding. Additionally, if you do decide to buy from these shops, remember it’s always great to support a small local business.
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Take advantage of smaller thrift stores, sale days, and the bins It always feels more gratifying to find a stylish piece at the thrift store than at a normal retail seller. However, on my recent thrift trips, I’ve noticed thrift chains such as Goodwill and Savers inflating prices on certain donations from more well known and popular brands, such as Columbia, Levi’s, Calvin Klein, etc. Perhaps they’ve noticed the growing popularity of thrifting fashion. The best way to find more expensive brands at better deals is to take advantage of sale days. Savers, for example, has 50% off of their clothing and shoes on holidays such as Presidents' Day and Memorial Day. Goodwill also does sale days on specific tag colors. Additionally, try thrifting at the Goodwill Outlet bins. Instead of sweeping through racks, you shop by digging through multiple bins filled with inventory. How much you owe is determined by weight instead of per item. However, it’s not the most sanitary option, so be prepared with gloves and hand wipes. Patience is very much required. “You need to be willing to dig through the bad to get to the good,” Landaeta advises. The ‘good’ includes Harrington’s new favorite pair of Wrangler jeans, which she found in the bins. Supporting smaller, independently owned shops is another way to possibly avoid the price inflation. They are typically less visited compared to the more popular chains, therefore their selection is usually less picked over. Landaeta and Harrington both recommend checking out Flying Pig Thrift, which is a few steps away from the Hamline campus. “I always find at least one thing to buy when I stop in,” Landaeta says.
Try your best to look through everything One thing my impatient self has learned how to deal with is looking thoroughly through the stuffed racks to spot that one good find. I try to reserve a lot of time, sometimes a couple of hours to a full day, if I’m planning on going full out thrifting. I then choose a rack, push all the hangers to one side, and quickly swipe through all of them until something I like catches my eye. If you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, aim to look through a select couple of sections. For example, look through everything in the men’s sweater section, or the dresses. Another option is that I like to walk around the racks sometimes and look for a pattern or color that catches my eye, and then start there. If you find something, great, but don’t get discouraged if you don’t. Also, if you get tired out, give yourself a break. Sometimes I try to remotivate myself through watching thrift vlogs or browsing social media for ideas. Keep an open mind while shopping This is probably one of most important tips in order to have success in thrifting. “Do not be afraid to look in sections that don’t seem right for you. Branch into each section regardless of gender, look in pajamas for nice silk tank tops, and in sections that aren’t your size, especially sizes larger than you would typically buy,” Landaeta advises.
Tagged sizes can actually fit differently depending on brand. The men’s sections are frequently lauded for their selection of t-shirts, sweaters, flannels, and vintage jeans. Harrington adds, "Try something on even if you feel questionable about it. Some of my favorite pieces have been ones that I look at and think, ‘maybe I will like this, but it might be a little too funky for me.’ Once I try it on, I might love it!” Thinking outside the box and planning DIYs, such as cropping larger tops and sweaters or distressing jeans, are fun ways to turn items into trendier pieces. Even the little girls and boys section can have tops that will fit as a crop. Small holes and tears can be fixed. Landaeta also likes looking for fabrics that she can DIY into something else, such as a pillowcase. Furthermore, Landaeta recommends avoiding anything with stains, as they probably can’t be washed out. Finally, try not to think about looking for something to impress others if you’re shopping for yourself. If it’s a cool piece from a name brand, but not something you would actually wear, then that leaves risk for perpetuating the cycle of textile waste. Incorporating secondhand shopping into your lifestyle is an eco-conscious and fun way to vamp up your closet. Not every trip is going to be a gold mine, but constant practice and open mindedness will help you become a pro thrifter. SPRING 2020 | 25
LIVING THE WRITING DREAM WORDS BY EMILY BROWN
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There was once a little girl in a wheelchair who dreamed of writing. She hoped that one day, if she worked hard enough, she could make that dream come true. I never knew that dream would come true so early.
was in the back of my mind, but I was more focused on getting through class than the ‘seeing yourself in 20 years’ question.
I thought it would have taken five or ten years after college. I would have never guessed it would happen in my second year of college. It gives me hope for life beyond education. If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s if I work hard enough and have enough passion, I can make that little disabled girl’s dream come true.
When it came time to start thinking about after high school and finding the right college for me, that became tricky… and heartbreaking. The picture of me writing in that cozy library kept popping up in my mind. I knew I wanted to pursue writing, but I also knew I needed some way to pay the bills after college. I was stuck between my passion and my future.
Like most people, I wanted to be many things when I grew up. Some of my dreams were to be a teacher, a pastor, a waitress. But I don’t remember wanting anything as much as being a writer. I have this vivid daydream of a future me, a full-time author, surrounded by fancy books in a cozy library, wearing a nice sweater, and handwriting a novel.
From the beginning of my senior year to this past summer, I tucked writing away. I tried to tell myself it was just a hobby or a childish dream. I needed to be more practical. I declared a double major in Legal Studies and Creative Writing, thinking I could help people as an attorney during the day and work on my writing at night.
This dream makes me laugh. Right now, I am sitting in my living room in my PJs, using my trash can as a footrest, typing on my MacBook Pro and dual monitor (oh, yes! I’m one of those assholes) and talking to some online writing friends.
And then this summer, something amazing and dangerous happened. I fell in love with writing more than ever. I was outlining novels and making relatable characters. One night, I was lost in my own world, and it hit me like a train: Writing is what I want to do with my life.
Writing has been my escape for 13 years now. It has always been my light in the darkness. Although it’s different from my childhood dream of writing, I like it better. I’m more comfortable. I’m not lonely, and my hand isn’t cramping. Even when I had that dream, I had a fire in my heart. I remember knowing I was going to be a writer someday.
The realization made my heart flutter and broke it in a million pieces. I got a whisper in my ear, telling me that law was not my passion. It was faint, but it was there. Still, I ignored the feeling. I told myself I was tired and high on summertime happiness.
Writing has been my escape for 13 years now. It has always been my light in the darkness. It’s how I express my voice to the world. I feel like I have a purpose when I write.
Jumping ahead seven months, I finally listened to that voice in my head and dropped my Legal Studies major. I am now a Creative Writing and Professional Writing double major. On top of my new job and major change, I am working towards my dream of being a #1 New York Times Bestselling author. I am currently 6,000 words into my first manuscript and have full intentions of finishing it this year.
I recently landed a writing job at a small medical supply company. I do blog posts, mass emails, report summaries, and other projects. The job is amazing. Even though the job isn’t novel writing, it’s still writing. I’m working on my craft. I’m learning new skills and techniques daily. This job gives me hope that I can find a career somewhere in writing. I’m interested in everything from publishing to editing to marketing.
The time I get to open my Scrivener file and jump into my own world is my absolute favorite part of the day. I could not be happier with my decision to dedicate my life to writing, and I can’t wait to live out my childhood dreams.
I started taking my writing somewhat seriously in high school with my writing club. It was a social club, and I mainly used my writing as an escape from my shitty mental health and loneliness. The dream of being a writer SPRING 2020 | 27
the intimate gift of a playlist
WORDS AND PHOTO BY CHLOE RICKS
I have always thought of music as an incredibly intimate artform. From the way that lyrics often lend themselves to intense, personal emotion to the way fingers gently brush over the strings of a guitar, it’s apparent that music touches people both collectively and individually. As a child, my babysitter used to make CDs for me as a gift with all of my favorite songs on them, including the theme song from Dora the Explorer and various songs from Disney films. She created CDs for when I was happy, sad, and all kinds of other emotions that I was unable to express at such a young age, but could definitely feel. Music continued to be an integral part of growing up for me. I learned to play many instruments and sang in choirs. I started attending concerts with my dad, and continued to see live music with friends as I grew older. However, playlist making has really stuck with me consistently throughout the years.
it is to create a compilation of songs that I have found through my friends or to share with my friends. Other times it is to give music to a feeling—sorrow, angst, nostalgia, and many other common emotions. I’ve also created playlists centered around situations and moments of my life. For example, one of my favorite Born to Beg - The National playlists is centered around when Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd one of my best friends and I stayed up all night just talking next to Fate - Grey Reverend a bonfire in their yard. In a way, All of Me Wants All of You - Sufjan Stevens this is still a feeling that I’m trying Tangles - Lady Lamb to capture, but it is an incredibly specific feeling that is not easily depicted using just one word. No matter which of these methods I choose, they all help me begin to Blitzkrieg Bop - Ramones determine what music will go into Post Break-Up Sex - The Vaccines the selection. Sweet Jane - The Velvet Underground
Chamomile
Ginseng
Add It Up - Violent Femmes Hey - Pixies
A Moon and Her Goon
My Sister’s Tiny Hands - Andrew Bird Casimir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens
After I know what the intention of the collection is, I spend a few hours listening carefully to a lot of music. I listen for how the instruments make me feel and take note of how I react. I listen to the lyrics and try to take in what they have to offer. I’m often looking for lyrical similarities across songs, but I often find that the feeling of a playlist is most clearly determined by the instrumental aspects of songs.
Light On - Pinegrove I started using the website 8tracks when I was in middle school, but Word of Mouth - Shakey Graves eventually found my way to Spotify. Stubborn Beast - Bear’s Den Now, I often find myself creating playlists that capture emotions as well as playlists for friends filled with music I think they would For example, if a song is soft and melancholy, it would not enjoy or should hear. Music can be incredibly therapeutic, make sense to put it on a playlist with grungy garage rock and it is equally as therapeutic to take the time to truly from the 90s because they don’t necessarily evoke the listen and think about what a piece is trying to tell us. same feelings in the listener. Instruments have a unique way of communicating through timbre and dynamic When creating playlists, that is exactly what I do. I take my without saying any words at all. If those qualities aren’t time and put a lot of care into them. similar amongst songs, the flow of the playlist is disrupted, consequently disrupting the mood that it is encapsulating. First, I think of what the purpose of the playlist is. Sometimes
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Once I’ve compiled a number of songs that I feel belong together, I listen to them all together one last time to make sure that everything fits and flows nicely. This play through helps me determine whether or not there is a song that sticks out. I find that this is fairly intuitive—if I don’t feel like it fits with the playlist, I just get rid of it without much further thought. That said, what it’s supposed to sound like varies from playlist to playlist. Occasionally, I make a playlist that has to be listened to in the order that songs appear. However, more often than not, the playlist can simply be shuffled and listened to in any order one would like. I like being able to shuffle a playlist more because then it sounds a little different each time. After I feel like the selection of songs is perfect, I give it a name. Sometimes it’s a line from a song on the playlist. I’ve also tried making names that are just silly puns. For example, one of my hip hop playlists is called “hippity hoppity” followed by the rabbit emoji. Lately, I’ve been naming playlists after herbs and what their medicinal properties are. For example, I have a playlist titled Chamomile that sounds calming and melancholy. I also have a playlist called “ginseng”, named after an herb that has energizing effects. This playlist consists of a lot of music that is kind of punk but also has a kind of folk or grunge sound. I try to pick a name that I think fits the playlist perfectly. Lastly, I publish the playlist or send it to the person I made it for. While the playlists I create are no longer compilations of songs from Disney movies and Dora the Explorer burned onto CDs, they are still little gifts of feeling, expressed musically, and shared with others. Music has an incredible power to comfort and bring together that is meant to be both cherished individually and shared with others. Crafting playlists through Spotify has made it easy to spread joy and understanding to both those that I care about and those who stumble upon my playlists merely through wonderful circumstance.
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EDITOR IN CHIEF Sydney Holets
COPY EDITORS
Lydia Hansen and Gabe Mianulli
SECTION EDITORS
Ally Gall and Kat McCullum
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Zully Sosa
DESIGN CHIEF
Jennifer Rosario
DESIGN ASSISTANT Hannah Keller
PHOTOGRAPHER Sophie Warrick
CONTRIBUTORS Emily Brown Gloria Lee Kat McCullum Ally Gall Zully Sosa K McClendon Chloe Ricks Sydney Holets Sabrina Merritt
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WHAT IS UNTOLD?
Untold Magazine is a paying publishing market for written and visual pieces on all topics surrounding Hamline's campus. We tackle the strange, the quirky, the serious, and the overlooked once a semester through our print magazine. We offer students a place to contribute their work and gain insight into the editing and publishing process.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
We are looking for contributors and staff members to join our Untold community. Untold is a wonderful way to get involved, whether through writing or visual art, get paid for your creative work, and be a published creator.
CONTACT US
email: untoldmagazine@hamline.edu social media: @hamlineuntold website: hamlineuntold.com SPRING 2020 | 31
