Vol. 2 No. 3
ISTINCT. JUNE 2017
Coachella Fashion
Pamper Yourself This Summer
Ava “Knew” Bryan Talks about music on pg 21
The Truth About Unpaid Internships
Tattoos
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sara Belcher CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emma Noblesala HEAD OF COPY Annika Kushner FASHION EDITOR STYLE EDITOR BEAUTY EDITOR LIFESTYLE EDITOR HEALTH & FITNESS EDITOR CULTURE EDITOR
Tara Stacy Stephanie Cordova-Rodriguez Serena Weiss Kalia Kornegay Samantha Brodsky Mirelle Tinker
ART DIRECTOR Courtney Yule DESIGN TEAM Raquel Borges, Zoe Jenkis, Sara Belcher, Meghan Muldoon, Tori Sciara, Courtney Yule CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Raquel Borges, Anna D'Arcy, Christine Gaba, Raelyn Giansanti, Katherine Ly, Suzannah Van Gelder, Tara Stacy, Madeline Strauch, Mirelle Tinker, Serena Weiss, Deanna Wetmore, Meredith Nash CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Raquel Borges, Alessia Di Nunno, Devin Kasparian, Adam Santor, Emma Noblesala FACULTY ADVISOR Katie Marks
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COVER PHOTO Alessia Di Nunno
CONTENTS FASHION
Fashion Books 5 Sandals vs Sneakers 7 Summer Dresses 8 Coachella 12
BEAUTY
Pamper Yourself 15 Heat Proof Makeup 16 Light Coverage Makeup 19 Makeup Dupes 19
AVA BRYAN 21 Distinct || June 2017
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CONTENTS LIFESTYLE
Tattoos 27 Summer Events in Ithaca 29
HEALTH & FITNESS Bikini Body 30 Live a Healthy Life 32
CULTURE
Internships 34 Windows Books 36
DISTINCT dis • tinct /dә'stiNG(k)t/ 4
merriam-websters definition (adj) presenting a clear unmistakable impression
our definition
(n) a fashion and lifestyle magazine that celebrates the idea that beauty is inherent in individuality of expression
Fashion Books
FASHION
Written by: Tara Stacy
Let’s face it, everyone knows you’re obsessed with fashion. But have you really done your research? Here’s a list of amazing fashion books to pick up while you’re lounging by the pool this summer. Love X Style X Life — Garance Dore
GGarance Dore is a fashion and lifestyle photographer and blogger. She began her career as an artist and her illustrations have been featured by brands like Dior and Louis Vuitton, and she has won awards for her work as a photographer and blogger. This aesthetically appealing book not only features gorgeous illustrations and photos, but life and fashion advice as well. Grace: A Memoir — Grace Coddington Grace Coddington was the creative director at American “Vogue” under Anna Wintour for almost 30 years. She has recently stepped down from the full-time position in order to make time for other projects, though she is still involved in part of the creative process at the magazine. Because Coddington is a former model, her memoir offers a distinct and unique perspective of the fashion world and is chock full of advice for anyone who wants to become part of it.
It — Alexa Chung Alexa Chung is a well-known British model and journalist in the fashion world. She began her career with modelling, and been a columnist and TV host, and is currently a contributing editor for British “Vogue.” Chung has long been an inspiration for many in the industry because of her distinct street style, wearing designers like Mulberry, who created and named the now discontinued Alexa handbag after her. Her book is filled with inspiration and advice, as well as a taste of her favorite music, favorite looks, and thoughts on life.
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How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are —
Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas
This book is written from the perspective of four French women, who come from all walks of life to give you advice about how to achieve that Parisian lifestyle. These women provide more than just fashion and lifestyle advice, though: They also help to discredit myths about what it means to be a French woman today. This book gives advice about different places to go if you ever visit Paris for any occasion, as well as how to dress and act like a true Parisian. Style — Lauren Conrad People have been in love with Lauren Conrad and her style since her days as LC on the Hills. In this book she reveals her secrets for styling and talks about what she thinks should be included in every girl’s wardrobe. She also talks about how her journey in Hollywood has impacted her and her style, and delves into her experiences designing her own clothing line. Girlboss and Nasty Galaxy — Sophia Amoruso Sophia Amoruso is the famed CEO of the clothing company Nasty Gal. In her first book, “#GirlBoss,” she talks about how she went from being a delinquent to starting her own vintage re-selling company on eBay. She gives fashion tips and life advice about how to be a “girl boss.” This book started a huge movement on social media, and has great style advice as well as thoughts on how to be tough in a male-dominated workplace. “Nasty Galaxy” is Amoruso’s newly released second book, which she is calling her “coffee table book.” Though it is less about fashion and style, the book does shed light on Amoruso’s world in the industry and includes some stunning visuals, as well as quotes from her favorite girl bosses Since summer is finally here, we can finally start doing all those fun activities we’ve been planning since it started getting warm out. Whether you’re interning for your dream company or heading to a festival, make sure you pick up one of these awesome reads for some great outfit and industry inspiration! 6
*All images are stock images and not IC Distinct Magazine original content
FASHION
S n s l e a a k d ers n a S vs Written by: Tara Stacy | Photography by: Adam Santor
The past year has brought a lot of trends, but one of the most prominent has been the athleisure and consequently, sneaker trend. We decided to look into whether this sneaker trend would move into summer, ending the sandal’s long reign as the most popular summer shoe. Sneakers have been one of the biggest shoe trends of the past few seasons. Trendsetters like Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid have been seen sporting athletic shoes for some time now. Last season’s “it” shoe was a white low top — specifically Adidas’ Stan Smith sneaker. Similarly, the athleisure trend brought popularity for flip flops with a thick strap, otherwise known as slides. Slides were featured in Rihanna’s line for Puma, which has inspired a huge trend of slip on shoes. In terms of comfort, sneakers are an obvious winner, just based on the fact that some sandals can be extremely complicated to wear. There are gladiator sandals that lace up to your knees and can be extremely uncomfortable for your calves, and walking around in heels with open toes all day can cause terrible blisters. Sneakers also provide much more support than sandals do; you can wear them all day and they won’t cause your arches any pain, whereas sandals often are just a flat piece of leather or cork under your feet. If you have low arches, wearing shoes with no support can become painful. Some people love sandals because they can be dressed up or down, with heeled and flat styles, whereas sneakers have long been a staple of casual wear. There are so many different types of sandals, from gladiators to wedges to flip flops. They also allow your feet to breathe in the hot months, whereas walking around during the summer in sneakers can cause your feet to sweat and possibly smell, which can ruin your
sneakers. Open-toed mules have been forecasted as a huge trend for summer, which can also be considered sandals. Their chunky heel makes them easier to walk in than any stiletto sandal, making them perfect for a stroll across campus or downtown. We took a poll from some fashion savvy women both on and off campus to see what type of shoe they were going to be sporting this summer, and sneakers were the winner! We learned that some people actually hate the look of sandals and are happy that they now have a comfy option for summer, whereas some are ready to ditch their smelly sneakers for sandals.
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SUMMER
DRESSES
Photography By: Mori Peri Styled By: Raquel Borges
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Floral Dress from Brandy Melville, Green Sweater from Nordstrom, Wedges from Steve Madden
FASHION
Grey Off-the Shoulder Dress from H&M, Black Chelsea Boots from Lord & Taylor
Romper from Urban Outfitters
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Red Dress from Forever 21, White Sweater from H&M, Wedges from Steve Madden
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Blue Dress from Forever 21, Black Sweater from H&M
FASHION
Striped Dress from American Apparel, Jean Jacket from Charlotte Russe, Black Chelsea Boots from Lord & Taylor
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Coachella Inspired Outfits: No Ticket, No Problem Written by: Anna D’Arcy Photography by: Devin Kasparian
It’s that time of year again where music festivals are in full swing, but just because you don’t have tickets to one doesn’t mean that you can’t still style yourself as if you do! Here are five tips for creating your own Coachella inspired outfit for the next party or just a day out and about:
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FASHION
Dress for the Weather
Not only is it summer time, but if you are going to be at a music festival or anywhere where it will be crowded with people, it is going to be hot. You are going to want clothing that feels breezy or at least have layers to take off. At Coachella, people don’t care how little clothing you wear, so bring that attitude into your daily life and let your skin be free. An idea to prepare you for mother nature is wearing a bralette with a shirt tied over that you can take off.
PPM: Prints, Patterns, Material
A major part of Coachella inspired outfits is the use of patterns. Options are endless, ranging from floral to tie-dye, but don’t mix too many together! The best thing to do is keep it to one print and then mix that with a fun material, such as denim or lace. This can simply be achieved by throwing on a kimono or jacket. Other ideas could be to pair prints with a suede skirt, or a crochet knit top. If you feel like keeping it simple, off the shoulder rompers are great on their own.
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Head and Body Jewelry of Course!
Coachella inspired outfits can be a little over the top, so make yourself stand out. A little glitz catching the sunlight will definitely get people to notice you. Head pieces look especially aesthetically pleasing if your hair is down in loose boho curls. Body jewelry is getting more and more popular so feel free to further add to your look by applying henna tattoos or body paint; maybe even some flowers or feathers in your hair.
Comfortable Shoes
The last thing you want is to be slowed down by your footwear. When choosing your shoes for a long day out in the sun, try to wear something open toed. This will cool you off immensely. Also, make sure that whatever pair of shoes you decide to wear you have tested out before. You don’t want to be out and about before you realize that you are getting blisters. A popular look that is sure to go with your outfit are lace up sandals.
Sunnies, Sunnies, Sunnies
No matter what, you can never have too many pairs of sunglasses. Never. After you have your whole outfit planned, go through all of your options and see which fit best. Utilize the round and the cat-eye styles, but also be bold. Try bright colors or even ones shaped as hearts or flowers. Don’t forget to make sure that your sunglasses are protected against UV rays. The most important thing is that you wear what you want to wear. You don’t have to just stick to trends. Style yourself with confidence and you might just determine for everyone else what is going to be “in” this summer.
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Pa m p e r Yo u r s e l f
BEAUTY
Written By: Serena Weiss | Illustration by: Meghan Muldoon
With all the stress of classes and finals being done with, it’s time to relax a bit by starting the summer off right. A pampering session is a great way to take it easy and to get rid of all the tension you had from college this past year. To start off your pampers session, get all of your products that you’re going to use and lay them out in your bathroom. This assures you that you have everything ready. Get organized so you aren’t running around looking for that facemask you want to use. This will prevent you from stressing out while you’re supposed to be relaxing. If you are wearing makeup, make sure you start off my cleansing your face. Use a wet washcloth to remove any of the excess makeup and if you want to, go in for a double cleanse to make sure your face is completely clean and ready for the next steps of your skincare. Next is the fun part — a facemask. Go for a charcoal mud mask if you feel like your skin is feeling congested or if you want your skin to look more radiant and clear. Also, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even use two mud masks at the same time depending if you have different problematic areas on your face. I call this multi-masking. My favorite masks include the Origins charcoal and rose clay masks. Leave your mask on for about 10 to fifteen minutes and rinse it off with some water and a cloth. During this time, to destress a bit more, go ahead and light some candles and play your favorite music. This will make your pamper session even more enjoyable. If you feel like taking a bath, pop in some essential oils or a bath bomb in the tub. The scent of an oil will help calm you even more. Lavender is one of the essential oils that calms and destresses a person. When you’re either in your bath or shower try using a body scrub. Exfoliating your skin can be an important step in your routine because it gets rid of any dead skin. You can either opt for a sugar or salt scrub. Sugar scrubs tend to be lighter and salt ones tend to be a bit harsher, but it’s whatever you prefer. I recommend using a sugar-based scrub. My favorites are from The Body Shop
— the mango and argan oil ones are great options. The mango one does a nice job at moisturizing your skin and there is a nice oil content in it, which will soothe the skin. Next step is to use hydrating body butter. The one I use is another favorite from The Body Shop; it’s the Hawaiian Kukui Cream from the Spa of the World collection. It smells amazing and feels luxurious on the skin — also, it comes in a huge pot as well so it’s sure to last a long time. Whatever body butter you have, massage it into your skin really well. After your bath or shower, follow up with a skincare routine. If you are into toners and aren’t skeptical of them, spray some on. The best ones to use have rose water in them or aloe vera to calm the skin. Toners can also help get rid of redness. You can follow up with a serum if you choose to. While serums aren’t completely necessary for people in their early twenties, it’s never too early to start using one. Serums are full of potent and rich ingredients that really get into the deeper layers of the skin. They are also super lightweight so it hardly feels like you’re putting anything on your face. One of the last things you can do is moisturize your face. A good drugstore moisturizer is the Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer. It’s inexpensive and effective, and it doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky, which is a major plus. Also, don’t forget to moisturize your lips with a nourishing lip balm. This is especially helpful before going to sleep because you are less likely to wake up with dry lips. Once you’re done with your skincare, you can continue with your evening. Give yourself a mani-pedi if you feel like it. A popular color that you can paint your nails is Angora Cardi by essie. It’s a nice dusty rose color that is flattering and would look beautiful on all skintones. Read a book before you go to sleep or drink a cup of tea. Sometimes it can be nice to not be consumed by technology for a bit. Give yourself a little detox. This is all about having time for yourself, full of zero distractions — you deserve a break sometimes. Distinct || June 2017
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Tips for
T
Heat Proof Makeup
Written by: Madeline Strauch | Graphic by: Sara Belcher
he summer brings with it many wonderful things. But, unfortunately, with fun in the sun comes cakey and runny makeup. If there is one thing to takeaway, it’s to invest in good face and eye primers. Priming will be one of the most effective steps you take because it happens before any makeup gets applied. Better to prevent creasing and transferring than try to fix it after it’s already happened! Here are some ideas to help make sure your gorgeous summer makeup looks don’t go unnoticed, but also don’t slip and slide throughout the day! Here are some tips to beat the heat! Make sure to cool off before makeup application It is best to begin makeup application about 10 minutes after showering. This gives the skin a chance to cool off. Makeup applied to skin that is too warm may absorb too quickly, causing breakouts.
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Apply a primer Primers are used to help makeup go on the face smoothly and help it last all day. Apply a primer after your moisturizer has set. Once you give the primer some time to dry down, your foundation should apply effortlessly. Primers are great because they help makeup last throughout a whole day. Try a primer if you haven’t already and you will notice how well your foundation will go on! Give Porefessional by Benefit a whirl if you’re oily and want a mattified face or Too Faced’s Hangover Replenishing Face Primer if you have dry or combo skin.
BEAUTY
Try to avoid heavy foundations if possible Full coverage foundations often have a thick consistency that sits and appears heavy on the skin, especially in the heat. They are also more likely to slide around in the heat, especially if you are sweating or come in contact with water. Try, if possible, to switch to a lighter base for the summer months, as these will be less heavy on the face. Even simply applying less layers of foundation will help! However, if your full coverage foundation is your holy grail you don’t have to part with it! The best thing to do would be apply a good primer that works for you and let it set. Then try to limit the amount of layers of the foundation because extra coverage can always be added with a concealer. Just finish with a powder to set if you are oily, and make sure to use a foundation for oily skin types.
Apply a setting powder, but not too much Applying a setting powder will be especially critical on those hot summer days for oily or combination skin types because it will set tacky foundation in place and leave skin matte. Oil breaks down makeup, so making sure to apply powder to oily complexions is essential in helping makeup last all day. However, too much powder can very easily and very quickly make the makeup application more cakey, so try to blot oil with blotting papers as much as possible in order to only use a thin layer of powder. Try Rimmel’s Stay Matte Pressed Powder or Laura Mercier’s Translucent Powder. Opt for cream or liquid products Cream products are great because they melt effortlessly into the skin, helping the face appear less cakey. Liquid makeup products, like some blushes, are also amazing because they dry completely down and have a long-lasting formula which will reduce the risk of it slipping off. Try Insta-Blush by Revlon or Benetint by Benefit. Use an eyeshadow primer It is important, especially with dark colored shadows, to have a base for the eyeshadow to cling onto to avoid smudging and running in the heat. Try Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion or NYX’s HD Eyeshadow Base. Take advantage of waterproof makeup Waterproof mascaras and eye liners are your best friends to combat the summer sweat because their formulas are less likely to run or transfer. Also, try to switch to a brow product that is wax based to prevent it from rubbing off. Brow pomades are also great for the heat because they will dry down and stay set. Try Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Splashes Mascara or Maybelline’s Eyestudio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil. Finish off your summer look with a good setting spray/facial mist Setting sprays are great to use before or after makeup. Their job is to lock makeup products in place and often provide a mist of coolness, especially if kept in a cool place. A great refreshing facial mist is Mario Badescu’s Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater. A popular, trusty makeup setting spray is Urban Decay’s All Nighter setting spray, but finishing sprays exist everywhere, high-end or low-end. Don’t forget to carry your setting spray/facial mist and blotting sheets with you While various products can deliver long-lasting results, touch ups are bound to be necessary, so be sure to bring with you a good facial mist and blotting sheets if you get oily throughout the day! NYX has multiple types of affordable blotting sheet packs. Less is more Too much makeup on the face will appear very cakey and heavy in the heat. Summer is a great time to give the skin a break from lots of product, but you don’t have to give up glowy summer makeup altogether, maybe just opt for less or lighter products. Distinct || June 2017
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Light Coverage Makeup
S
Written by: Katie Ly
ummer’s around the corner, and you know what that means! Yes, it means your full face of makeup melting right off your face. But don’t worry, you can easily avoid this nightmare by going with a light coverage look! Not only will you look like you ‘woke up like this,’ your face will also feel much more lightweight and fresh. Here are some tips on how to master this technique, just in time for those hot, sunny days, starting with skincare.
Skincare
A good skincare routine is key to the perfect light coverage look. This regimen doesn’t have to be super complicated or time consuming to be effective — keeping up simple habits such as washing your face twice a day and drinking lots of water will enhance your natural beauty and glow! Other practices that I go by are exfoliating and using face masks a couple nights a week. You can find high quality sheet masks at Korean skin care stores, such as Nature Republic and The Face Shop at decent prices. Additionally, I moisturize regularly. A common misconception is that people with oily skin should stay away from moisturizers but oily skin still needs moisture. Constantly using cleansers on your face stimulates your oil glands to produce even more oil- it’s all about finding a balance.
Primer and Foundation
A pore-minimizing primer is ideal for this look not only because it reduces the appearance of large pores, but also because it makes the application of the rest of your makeup much more even. I personally enjoy the Milani primers — for only $10 they keep my makeup in place all day without making my face feel cakey. If you’re looking for something more high-end, or you already have an even skin tone and don’t use foundation, I recommend Milk Makeup’s Blur Stick because it’s super light-weight.
it provides sufficient coverage for only $9. Typically, these give off a dewy finish, so if you have oily skin or want more of a matte look with these products, you can use a mattifying primer. Tip: Mix your primer and foundation before applying to your face for more sheer and even coverage. Alternatively, you can use a powder foundation for buildable coverage, which may be ideal for those with oily skin.
Eyes and Brows
Many choose not to wear eyeliner with a natural look and just go for the mascara, but I still think it complements any look. There a couple of techniques to define your eyes: you can use a dark eyeshadow in place of your regular eyeliner and smudge it out a bit, or use brown eyeliner to tightline! As for using eyeshadow all over the lid, I recommend using neutral shades. A light brown or beige shadow in in the crease gives the illusion of naturally defined eyes as well. To fill your brows in while keeping your natural shape, use a spoolie instead of an angled brush because the brush encourages you to carve, which we want to avoid.
BB cream and tinted moisturizer are good for light coverage. I like Maybelline’s Dream Fresh BB Cream because
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*All images are stock images and not IC Distinct Magazine original content
MAKEUP DUPES
BEAUTY
Written By: Suzannah Van Gelder
BUY
THIS
Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Mascara ($6.99)
THAT not Benefit They’re Real! Mascara ($24)
This product isn’t an exact dupe, but for the dramatic drop in price, Maybelline provides fantastic volume with minimal clumps. Though Falsies gives comparable volume and fullness, it falls short in the length department. “They’re Real!” comes with a straight wand with rubber bristles, and is great for lengthening. Falsies
has a curved wand with natural bristles, and works better to produced a full, fanned effect. As someone who likes to save money (and product!) I will often use Falsies mascara on days where I’m just running errands instead of using up my precious Benefit mascara. In my experience in trying both Tarte and Sephora brand, this is an exact dupe! For $6 less, Sephora collection lip stain lasts just as long, applies easily, and it doesn’t leave your lips feeling dry. The only difference is that the Sephora Collection lip stain takes slightly longer to dry, but this is helpful if you (like myself) sometimes need a few seconds to fix up any unevenness or mistakes. My favorite Sephora shades are Pink Tea and Rose Wood!
BUY
not Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain ($14)
BUY
THIS L’Oreal Makeup Extender Setting Spray ($16.99)
THAT
THIS
THAT not
Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray ($31)
*All images are stock images and not IC Distinct Magazine original content
Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint ($20)
II have thus far been unable to bring myself to buy the UD Setting Spray, because I am a college student on a budget and I can get similar quality for less money. However, I have watched many reviews that state that L’Oreal gets the closest to Urban Decay’s formula (see KlassicKaren on YouTube for a great comparison). They come with about the same amount of product per bottle Distinct || June 2017
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and they last all day. If you’re looking for the best price, e.l.f. is an amazing product; it doesn’t last quite as long as the others, but it does a great job of setting makeup, and lasts about 6 hours. The spray bottle leaves something to be desired, but if you hold the bottle further from your face you get a less concentrated, misting effect, and you could save yourself up to $28!
BUY
This is one of my favorite dupes. I actually prefer the staying power and coverage of NYX to the more expensive Benefit product! For a NYX Above Benefit Boiing not quarter of the price of Benefit & Beyond Concealer Boi-ing, you can get a betFull Cover($20) ter product. I found to get age Concealthe appropriate coverage, I er ($5) needed more product when using Benefit than I did NYX, which caused the Boiing to run out sooner. No one wants to spend $20 on a product that won’t last! Plus, the NYX concealer comes in more shades (and three color-correcting shades) to match your exact skin tone.
THAT
THIS
BUY
THIS
got2b Smooth Operator Smoothing Lustre Lotion ($6)
THAT not
Chi Silk Infusion ($24)
As someone with thick, curly hair that often struggles with frizz, I love finding cheaper products that work to control my hair. I’ve yet to find a product that works quite as well as Chi Silk Infusion, but for the significant drop in price this product works very well to provide adequate shine and frizz control.
Brand Spotlight: NYX Cosmetics NYX has amazing products for a fraction of the cost of many popular brands. Many of their products are close to exact dupes, and often times I even prefer NYX. Some product favorites of mine are: Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick ($6.99)
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These liquid lipsticks are right on trend! You can steal Kylie Jenner’s lip look with this dupe. NYX carries matte, nude and neutral lip shades that last all day and don’t leave your lips feeling dry!
Hi Definition Photo Concealer Wand ($4.99)
I use the green color correcting concealer wand and pair it with their full coverage concealer and my blemishes disappear! It does a fantastic job of correcting red spots (great for covering stress acne!) for less than $5.
Micro Brow Pencil ($9.99)
For on trend full brows, this inexpensive pencil comes in 8 different colors to provide long-lasting pigmentation in the form of an easy to use pencil. (Many even compare it to Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz!)
Ava “Knew” Bryan
Ava Bryan is a junior cinema and photography major at Ithaca College — who also happens to create her own music. Ava, who goes by “Knew” in the music industry, writes and freestyles her own raps, and has begun to gain an international fan base with her music. Being that hip hop is a male-dominated field, Ava has made great strides with her music, using her own life and identity as a guide when she writes. She’s a a woman who knows how to never give up — no matter how hard the road ahead looks. Distinct editor Sara Belcher sat down with her to talk about her music.
Photography by: Alessia DiNunno
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Sara Belcher: How did you get started with music? Ava Bryan: I originally am a poet, poet by heart, poet by nature. I’ve been writing poetry my entire life and so I always have a natural rhythm to my poetry. People have been telling me over time “You should think about doing music.” So I was listening to this one beat and I ended up writing to it, and that’s what became “Do You.” After doing that I just decided I wanted to do music full time. Basically, since then I’ve just been writing every day, going to the studio during breaks and coming back and working on music, music videos, working on promoting music and all that.
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because I would be at parties and I would just end up spitting a freestyle with my friends. And they considered themselves to be practicing musicians. So it was like “Oh wow this girl,” because hip hop itself is a very male dominated sport. So I feel as though people were kind of excited to hear what I had to say, but then also surprised by what I had to say. I think that really challenged the way I would start making music moving forward. So now sometimes I like to work on melodies, and then transfer that into thinking about: Okay, if I have this one melody, now what is it that I’m really trying to say? And then I spin that over the verse. And that’s pretty much how my process goes in terms of the music making process. I do most of my recording off campus, so that also plays a part in the amount that I get to record but also when I actually get to record, Because living in New York City but going to school in Ithaca is really fucking crazy.
SB: Where do you get some of your inspiration from? AB: I’m mostly inspired by the people who have come before me. I’m inspired by feminist theory, I’m inspired by pretty much the people I consider to be the greats. It’s like Angela Davis, Assata Shakur, Lauryn Hill, kind of those modes. And I use that because I feel SB: Are you recording at a studio that’s local to Ithalike something that has been hard for me is looking to ca? music and never really seeing AB: The only studio that I’ve been at “Something that has been myself in music, in the music in ithaca is a studio at the South Side that is produced and that music hard for me is looking to Community Center run by Nia Make that I listen to even. I feel like Peace (Nia Nunn) who is a profesmusic and never really seethere are always aspects of mysor here. I have volunteered there in self that I don’t see [in] that. So terms of the Delta Girls Academy ing myself in music.” I just try to incorporate all of and also other community organizathat into my music as opposed tions there, and so sometimes I end to just feeling like that all the time. I just kind of want- up going there just being in the studio. But in terms of ed to create something that I could listen to, something the music that I’ve put out thus far all of that music has my friends could listen to, and something that people been recorded in Brooklyn, New York at Court Street who didn’t even know what I was talking about could Studios. also listen to. That’s basically where my inspiration comes from for my music. I read a lot, so I incorporate SB: So out of the music that you’ve written, do you a lot of that into the topics that I write. The things that have a favorite song you’ve produced, and if you do I want to talk about, but also then where I bring my what’s the story behind that song? music to is very much influenced by what I read, the AB: I think my favorite song will always be Assata, people I talk to, and the ways in which I feel may be which is the first song on my 3 track EP. It is mostly the most powerful to get that out. about Assata Shakur, but also about me, and I think that it’s going to forever be my favorite piece just SB: Do you have a process you go through when you because of the fact that she’s one of my favorite peowrite a song? ple; and also because through reading her book and AB: Well, I write a lot, so I use a bunch of differwriting that piece I discovered parts of myself which ent methods. Sometimes I kind of just let it happen also end up in that piece. So I felt like it’s like one of my where I just will play the entire instrumental, and I’ll most well rounded pieces. It’s basically about the event just listen to it over and over again and then just rap in which Assata is pretty much “known for.” I feel like a freestyle over it — just see how it works out. That’s a lot of people misperceive what actually occurred in really how I started music, that’s also how I [got] a that event. Assata Shakur is a political activist, a dope lot of people telling me “Oh you should go record,” is person, a black person, a black woman, and right now
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she is living in Cuba because she escaped prison in the 1970’s. And the case that surrounds that incident, even though there are a lot of cases piled on, is the case in which one a member of the Black Panther Party Zayd Malik is killed, another member is shot, and Assata Shakur herself is shot. Then it’s kind of spun to be this thing where she pulled the gun out on the cops, but it’s 100 percent a fact that there was never any weapons involved besides the one that shot her. It was interesting even reading her book because as she was in jail the doctors were saying: It is physically impossible for her to have been shot in this position unless both of her hands were up. So I think that Assata is definitely someone who is constantly overlooked but also perhaps, in my opinion, the most powerful person in the fight for black rights.
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SB: Do you want to talk about your involvement with Black Lives Matter? AB: In terms of Black Lives Matter the movement, I wouldn’t say that I am officially involved in the movement. I’m not one of the three people who founded it or anything like that, but it’s definitely something that I think is important. I think it is something that I think about a lot and I live my life around, the idea that black
lives do matter, should matter, should always matter. It’s something that I feel like a lot of people believe, but not necessarily. In terms of me, it has been not only thinking about black lives mattering when there are physical things involved that allow that statement to be something that needs to be said, but also remembering that black lives matter when there aren’t physical things happening. So black lives matter when black minds need to matter; black lives matter when black theory needs to matter; black lives matter when our ideologies around the ideology of whiteness need to be changed. SB: Does that inspire your music at all? AB: Yeah, definitely! I think the personal is always political. I think that a lot of my music is geared towards making the subject and the belief that black lives, black minds, black thought matters all the time and kind of reevaluating that in every song that I put out. But I think that also with my music something that I try to do is situate myself within the social structural position of the people who would be listening to my music. I try to think not only about ways in which to portray or to show them the same ideals, but also for them to understand that everything that happens in their life — whether it’s love, whether it’s something that they
don’t even feel like is a big deal — is most of the time racialized, they just don’t know it yet. So I think that’s something that definitely drives my music.
but also something that helps me to create the videos that I do. Especially under a budget, especially under timing, is the fact that I know how to edit, I know how to describe exactly the images I want to see. When I’m SB: As a woman in the hip hop industry, like you working with a filmmaker, I have seconds of what I said it’s a male-dominated field, what advice do you want the cuts to look like. I usually have them show me have for someone who is in a similar position that three or four drafts before I even decide if I’m going to you’ve been in if they want to get into it? put it out. And also working with people consistently AB: The only advice I’d have is you have to keep on who I think are people who share my vision. So for going. That’s the advice I would give to a woman in any example, another rapper, actually, his name is Kota the field. I would say to any black woman in any field — I Friend, he also directs music videos, and so something would say you have to keep going, and I think that that I’ve been working with is figuring out when the sometimes we underestimate how much we really do time would be right for him to come up to Ithaca. But have to keep going. That means that even if it’s hard at also it’s kind of helpful because I know there’s someone the moment, even if things don’t seem to be working who sees what I see. We can craft that image together. the way in which you want them to, you have to keep I think that something that’s important with making going — because once you stop, that’s when it’s really music videos is knowing that it’s just as much a colover. It’s not over until you stop. I think that that’s just laborative effort as music, so you really can’t half ass one of the things that has gotten me through every it. And I think that a lot of times there’s a belief that if rough patch I’ve ever had in my entire life, is the idea your music stands alone, then it doesn’t matter what that I can’t stop. You can’t be “Even if it’s hard at the moment,the visuals are, because people stagnant, even when everyare going to want to watch it. even if things don’t seem to be thing’s hitting you full front, But it’s also the idea that even you can’t stop. So that’s the working in the way in which youthough people already want to advice I’d give. Also, too, watch them, how are they benewant them to, you have to keep goknowing when or what you fiting from that image, how are want to say I think is iming — because once you stop, that’sthey benefiting from that prodportant. Because sometimes uct? So I try to showcase that. when it’s really over.” you speak and you’re speakI always want to have an image ing just because you feel as in it that people are going to see though you have to say something. And a lot of times it and be like: Wow I’ve never seen that before. the reason why it doesn’t work out is because you’re not thinking about what it is you want to say, and then SB: Is music something that you can see yourself also why you want to say it, why other people want doing the rest of your life? to hear it, and why the people need to hear it, I think AB: Definitely. I think that that’s like my ultimate goal is the most important thing. And kind of working at this point, is to pursue music for a very long time. I through yourself with that, I think that’s how the magic am planning on just like putting out as much music as starts. I can before I graduate but also continuing that after. SB: What’s the process that you go through when you want to shoot a music video? AB: So for me it’s been not necessarily planning a video for everything but more so finding the images that I want to show, and deciding when are the moments that are going to be right for the images, and how am I going to portray it. The hardest part is always finding who’s going to do it. For me, I like to work with multiple filmmakers both within Ithaca and outside, just because I’m a Park student. I’m a cinema and photography major and that, I think, really is a privilege
SB: Do you think you’d like to also direct and produce music videos for others? AB: I actually did that before I became a musician. When I was in high school, I used to direct music videos for people, actually most of the time for free, because I interned at three different places in New York City: BAM [Brooklyn Academy of Music], BRIC Arts and 651 Arts. And all three of those [were] simultaneous, so I was always just able to check out equipment, and that’s also how I became interested in the Park School. A lot of time what I’ve noticed about that, 25 Distinct || June 2017
is that the only problem as a filmmaker is that trying to find new artists is hard because you may find people who have a lot of talent, but aren’t necessarily willing to do the work, or people who are willing to do the work, but don’t necessarily have a lot of talent. So how to balance the two of those things out, and also for me, something that I’ve realized is that I really think that there are images that I have that I want to write to as well. So I think that starting out for maybe the next few years, I’m just going to be working on creating music videos for specifically my own images and my own music. But I think that in the future I’d love to get into cinema because of the fact that I’ve always loved cinema and even now, being in Park, even though I may not necessarily like all the classes, I love cinema. SB: What would you say is your biggest milestone that you’ve reached in terms of your music career? AB: I would say one of them has been opening for DRAM; that was a big opportunity, that was in Ithaca so it was cool. And then also it was one of my biggest shows to date. But also outside of that show, I would say finally consistently being paid for my shows is something that is definitely a milestone that has had me head over heels recently. Just because I’m actually finally finding ways to get paid to do what I love. And people have always told me that, but actually seeing it manifest itself has been reassuring that things are actually possible, and that people aren’t always starving — there are actually sometimes ways in which you can navigate that space. And I guess another milestone would be being featured on MONTREALITY. Just because it allowed me to begin planning an international fan base, which is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time because I like to travel. So right now I’m planning on travelling a lot throughout the next year internationally, and I think a lot of that has to do with MONTREALITY.
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SB: What’s your favorite place that you’ve performed? AB: I would say my favorite one, I don’t even remember the name of it which is crazy, but I got to perform with Sammus [in Brooklyn], and Sammus is one of my favorite artists in the entire world. She’s a [black] female hip hop, rapper nerd from Ithaca, New York, and I think that that is just powerful in itself, seeing someone like me, but happening to find them in Ithaca and then end performing with them for the first time in Brooklyn. It was just great and I feel like that’s
probably my favorite experience. I actually have a song that’s coming out soon where I mention Sammus, just because she stands for so many things that I believe in, and because of the fact that she’s been in the industry for a long time, but she’s also a woman [of color] and she’s also someone who’s in school just like me. So seeing her progress but then also getting a chance to share in that experience with her has been some of the most life changing things ever. SB: Are there any other big projects that you’re involved in? AB: I am the creative director of Malaika apparel. Malaika apparel is a pan-African clothing line designed to empower people of color in various geographical places I guess. The CEO is Rita Bunatal, and Malika has definitely been something that not only has inspired me, but also shaped the community around me that allows me to produce this music. You can check out Ava’s music on her Facebook page at facebook.com/knewblackbeauty or on her SoundCloud at knewblackbeauty.
The art of the ink
LIFESTYLE
Wriiten by: Kyra Bean } Photos Provided by: Kyra Bean Tattoos: sexy, alluring, mysterious. According to The Harris Poll in 2015, about three in ten Americans reported having tattoos, which had doubled since 2008, and almost half of millennials said they had at least one. Despite this recent surge in popularity, tattoos are still considered by many to be controversial pieces of cultural art. One hour in a studio can produce a permanent mark of self expression. So why would anyone purposefully get ink embedded beneath the skin with a pulsating needle?
Ithaca’s Body Art
Todd Kuhaneck, a veteran tattoo artist at Stiehl’s Body Modification on the Commons, said he has seen an incredible change in the scene since he started about twenty-five years ago as a young apprentice. He had been studying architectural design in college when he decided his passion was more in the art of tattooing. “When I started doing this, I was tattooing bikers and hookers and convicts and sailors,” Kuhaneck said. “Now I literally tattoo grandmas and sorority girls.” Kuhaneck believes the rise in popularity of tattoos comes mainly from the influence of the media, especially TV shows. He has travelled extensively and experienced the tattoo scene from coast to coast, noticing the differences in the types of tattoos people tend to get. “The East Coast is eurocentric,” Kuhaneck said. “They look at Europe for art. The West Coast looks towards the Orient. They look at Asian Art, they look at world art more.” Kuhaneck said he sees people come in for many
different reasons, including memorial or remembrance tattoos, celebration tattoos, or even pain therapy. “It’s a release for them,” he said. “They don’t want to negatively go through pain and hurt themselves, so this is a positive way to go through something like that.” Kuhaneck also does tattoos to cover up or even highlight self-harm scars. Sometimes he’ll incorporate them within the design, either to distract attention away from them or to frame them. Similarly, he does a lot of cover-up tattoos that either blackout a previous design or trick the eye into not noticing it within the cover-up. Kuhaneck said he loves what he does, and he wouldn’t have any other life; but said that sometimes it’s hard being a tattoo artist. “We have to deal with this thing of loss,” Kuhaneck said. “We tattoo it, and it walks away. You have to learn to accept that ‘cause you probably won’t ever see it again.”
Painful Reminders
For Bri Lapa, a junior gerontology studies major at Ithaca College, tattoos carry a painful weight. While they are often used to remember important events, there is one event in particular that she does not like to remember: the Holocaust. Within their Jewish faith, Lapa and her family were very close to a concentration camp survivor, who carried around his number tattoo as a permanent reminder. “Everyday, he would see this mark on his arm that would never go away,” Lapa said. “He always wore longsleeves, even in the pool.” Distinct || June 2017
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Because of this cultural history, in addition to her traditional faith beliefs against body modification and her desire to maintain her dad’s respect, Lapa said she would never get a tattoo. To her, they don’t quite capture the positive essence she’s looking for. But many of her friends have tattoos, and she respects their choices. “They’re a form of expression, just not my form of expression,” Lapa said. Instead, Lapa chooses to express herself through other means, like wearing emerald earrings to remember her grandmother because that was her birthstone.
Self Love, Strength, and Motivation
Senior writing major Christina Tudor uses tattoos as positive motivators and sources of strength. She has two: one on her ankle reading, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” and one on her shoulder reading, “I go to seek a great perhaps.” “Both are quotes that I really believe in and try to live by,” Tudor said. “I think the idea of getting a tattoo means that you get something that means a lot to you to be a permanent part of you.” Though her family doesn’t really like the idea of tattoos, Tudor took the risk because of what they meant to her self-concept. She said her inspiration came from art that others have created. “I was inspired to get my first one because my camp counselor in the eighth grade had the same one,” Tudor said. “My second tattoo is a quote from Looking for Alaska. It inspires me to start new adventures, but it also reminds me of this book that has meant so much to me since 2008.” My own tattoos, done by Kuhaneck himself, have a similar significance: they are daily reminders of values I strive to embody, the best parts of myself that I nourish beneath my skin. Words like “fearless grace” and “faith” bring out hidden strength and give me the perseverance to get through anything. Without these pieces of art, it wouldn’t be so easy to remember everything I have conquered and everything I have yet to master.
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LIFESTYLE
Ways to Have Fun in Ithaca This Summer Written by: Christine Gaba | Photography by: Emma Noblesala
As the school year draws to an end, we’re about to welcome another well-deserved summer vacation. While most of you may be going home, some may have plans to stay in Ithaca or visit over the summer. But what is there to do in Ithaca once the school year is over and there isn’t three feet of snow outside? Here are some of the fun things going on this summer that are totally worth checking out!
Ithaca Festival of the Arts
Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival
When: June 2 - 4 When: July 20 12:00 PM — July 24 12:00 AM Where: 209 Dey St, Ithaca, NY 14850 Where: Trumansburg Fairgrounds Release your inner hippie at the 27th annual FinHosted every summer since 1977, the Ithaca ger Lakes GrassRoots Festival. It’s a four day festival Festival of the Arts (also known as Ithaca Fest) is a that hosts 80 grassroots bands, along with dancing, weekend long festival that celebrates music and the art, yoga, camping, and more! A popular festival, creative arts. Kick off summer break by satisfying it has held many famous artists in the GrassRoots, your funnel cake cravranging from the Ameriings while watching over Ithaca Farmers Market cana band Donna the Bufa thousand local artists, When: Saturdays and Sundays May – October falo to the alternative rock musicians, and performWhere: Steamboat Landing, 545 Third St. Since 1973 Ithaca Farmers Market has been a hot- Silversun Pickups. Only a ers participating in this year’s festival. Along with spot for the area to buy fresh produce and meat, and twenty minute drive from Ithaca, it’s a festival music to check out local artists. Stroll with your friends a parade and local film festival, there is something under 30 miles of pavilion, grabbing a tasty brunch lovers won’t want to miss. or lunch dish while exploring over a hundred venfor everyone to like! dors’ unique and interesting booths. And if you find you can’t find the time to visit during the day, no Rock out to free outproblem! Try out Now that it’s warm and door concerts this sumthe Night Market, the sun is out, take admer by checking out the a recent addition vantage of it by going for CFCU Ithaca Summer to the market, and a hike or swim at Robert Concert Series. Held see what late-night H. State Park. Spanning every Thursday night, goodies await you! over a 110 acres, the park listen to local and nationcontains hiking trails, the al musicians perform in scenic Enfield Glen gorge, twelve water falls, includgenres ranging from hip-hop, reggae, folk, rap, rock, ing the famous 115ft. Lucifer Falls waterfall, and jazz, and more! Having featured notable artists in the camp areas. If not in the mood for a hike, take a dip past, such as notable hip hop artist Talib Kweli and in a pool fed by a waterfall, with a lifeguard always reggae band John Brown’s Body, it’s a concert series present (during swim hours) and a diving board. Just worth checking out. Good for people looking to save don’t forget the sunscreen! money, but still have some summer fun!
Robert H. Treman State Park
When: Everyday, 10:00 AM — 6:00 PM Where: Tompkins County, 105 Enfield Falls Rd
CFCU Ithaca Summer Concert Series
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How To Combat Still-Unrealistic “Bikini Body” Standards Written by: Raelyn Giansanti | Illustration by: Meghan Muldoon
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nline bathing suit shopping when you’re not 95 pounds is outrageous. However exaggerated that statement may seem, head over to any popular women’s clothing site and browse through the bathing suits. It really is impossible to picture how a midline plunge halter top fits chests bigger than an A-cup. Love those cheeky bathing suit bottoms? Yeah, too risky to order online. Sure, that ruffled bandeau looks fantastic on Candice Swanepoel, but what about those women (most of us) who don’t look like they’ve come out of HBO’s “Westworld”? Victoria’s Secret, Tobi, even Amazon exclusively feature models dressed in extra-extra-smalls. Well, maybe that’s not entirely true — they throw in a token plus-size model to scroll by every few pages or so. There’s an industry for body standards — a.k.a. the industry. Warm weather does wonders for our health and happiness, like providing our skin with Vitamin D and the means to comfortably bask in nature again. But it also has the potential to stir up negative thoughts about our own bodies that may have hid underneath our layers all winter. And even if the industry has come a long way, it’s still leading us into summer with one goal: look better. Fighting society’s notions of “beauty” can be exhausting, especially since negative body image can affect everyone. It doesn’t help that women’s swimwear resources are only further perpetrating these beliefs. Here are some things to remember so you can combat any toxic thoughts and make summer 2017 the most beneficial one yet. Let’s not forget the universal summer mantra: every body is a bikini body. Being “bikini ready” is a myth. There’s no body standard to wear a bikini despite the unrealistic images clothing companies still display that tell us otherwise. Ignore behind-the-times People magazine articles (that somehow crop up everywhere) talking all about juice cleanses or diet plans that will “get you bikini ready in no time.” Exercising and eating healthier will always be good advice, but don’t think they’re essential to rock a two-piece. Your body deserves love and respect — give yourself the credit you deserve this summer. When in doubt, embrace the one-piece trend. Seriously, the return of the side-scooped ‘80s onepiece had to be a godsend. There’s a refined confidence when the trend you’ve seen on your friends, on Instagram, in magazines, and on television looks just
HEALTH & FITNESS right on your body. Besides being in-style and adorable, one-pieces are also slimming, stylish, and sexy. Simply pick a bathing suit that makes you feel the most comfortable. You are and always will be the most important person you need to please. It’s important to wear a suit that feels right. Finding a worthy one can be a bit grueling. Spending all day judging yourself in a dressing room mirror is right up there with getting a Pap smear from an old male doctor. However, this process makes finding “the one” clear and simple — just pick a suit you feel good in. Cut down on comparing yourself to others. We all do it. Being social creatures, it’s inevitable that we’ll compare ourselves to others around us and on the Internet. It’s easy to analyze how our outward appearance measures up to others’, because it’s always the go-to when it comes to comparisons — how we perceive others, sadly, starts with the outer. But this can come with a price. I advise you to compare with caution; it’s a natural habit (I promise) that no one can rid completely. If you feel good about yourself, holding yourself to the standards of how you view others won’t really affect you. Because, well, you’ll be your own standard of beauty. The media likes to focus on specific body types, and even if it’s making strides in the self-love department, token plus size models like Ashley Graham and Iskra Lawrence are still being idolized as what “thick” should look like. The problem with this is that it gives the consumer a false idea — it’s ok not to be skinny, but your curves are still supposed to look a certain way. Although recent body positive campaigns are mostly good-natured, they can be portals to unhealthy comparison. So find inspiration from them if it makes you feel good, but don’t get too caught up in idolizing anyone else’s body but your own. Feeling good about yourself won’t happen overnight. But every day you can focus on different steps that will gradually make the process easier and not so daunting. There’s not a reason in the world that you can’t learn to love yourself and your body. Blow off some steam at the beach to get your mind off your love life or a never ending job search. Take a vacation. And when you do, don’t forget to sport that bathing suit — and your always-ready “bikini body” — in style. Distinct || June 2017
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How To Live A Healthy Summer Lifestyle Wriiten by: Meredith Nash | Illustrations by: Tori Sciara
The temperature is climbing, faces are sprouting sunglasses, and the grass is growing. We all know what that means — summer. Although it’s probably one of the most relieving times for college students, that doesn’t mean you have to revert to your winter midday naps and Netflix. Let’s leave that snowy funk with the cold and turn over a new leaf. I know what you’re thinking — that’s pretty hard especially with all the responsibilities of being a young adult. But you’ll thank me in the long run, trust me. Here are just a few tips for leading a healthy summer lifestyle, so you can come back next fall refreshed and feeling good.
1. Make goals.
1. Make goals. I’ve bought about 20 different self-help books over the years that aided me in organizing my thoughts and deciding how I wanted to make my life better. One I especially like is Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin. It’s all about breaking bad habits, starting good ones, and setting goals. While reading, I tried getting back into flossing and remembering to drink more water. The book helps you fight those excuses and promotes positive behaviors such as getting enough sleep, exercise, or simply uncluttering a space. All these behaviors start with you setting a goal. Making goals for yourself is easier than you think. To start off, challenge yourself to feel better in your own skin, whether that be by exercising more or working on your state of mind. Either way, you’ve got to start somewhere. Now that school work is off your plate, it’s time to get up and begin focusing on your ambition. Make a goal to clean your bedroom, help out around the house more apply for that internship you’ve put off for so long or make a list of what you want to accomplish before school starts back up again. Crossing off these individual missions will make you feel good.
2. Eat sensibly.
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I know it’s easy to let this one slip — the dining hall is right around the corner and, even worse, that bag of chips you crave so badly is stored right below your bed. But with the many fruits and vegetables in season, there are better (and healthier) options during the summer. I don’t know about you, but I could totally go for some corn on the cob or watermelon right about now. Cook more for yourself. I promise you it’s not only more fun than reaching for the premade snacks, and it tends to be healthier since you know exactly what you’re putting in your body. When you eat these healthy foods, it’s proven to make you happier. According to HealthLine.com, foods like complex carbohydrates that contain soluble fiber can slow the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream and increase serotonin, the “feel good” chemical, both of which lessen mood swings and depression.
HEALTH & FITNESS
3. Care for your skin and body.
It goes without saying that this is the only body you’ll have. No one likes a massive sunburn sprawled across their back. It hurts, it dehydrates you, and it’ll just keep you from going outside to enjoy the fresh air. So please get some 50 SPF and put on sunglasses so you can protect those retinas — you can do this in style. Speaking of dehydration, you can’t forget to drink lots of water throughout the day. Even when you don’t feel thirsty, the hot sun will drain you and it’s so important to keep hydrated. How much water you need really depends on the person, reports Health.com, but that just means listening to your thirst is the “best way to gauge when to drink.” We’ve all heard the “eight 8 oz. glasses of water a day” rule, and this approximation maintains the functions of your body including your heart, brain, and muscles.
4. Dedicate time to work and vacation.
This one really pulls from my experience. I have a lot of plans come next fall, and if I didn’t out and got a job under my belt the summer before, none of them would be possible. So find something regular. An 8-4 job is always great, especially camp jobs — but you definitely have to like kids. That being said, there are so many options, and having a steady job will keep you both mentally and financially healthy. Although busying myself always helps me maintain a good state of mind, sometimes I do crave a break. It’s summer after all — it’s okay to take a weekend off and spend time with friends or family. Go to the beach, walk your dog or take a loved one out for coffee. But know that you do deserve a break sometimes. Finding that balance between working hard and hardly working is extremely important. You can’t put everything you have into your work if you’re rundown, worn out, and in need of some major recharge.
5. Let’s talk about sleep.
I lack it, you lack it, we all lack it. Summer is the time for you to catch up on those hundreds of hours you missed out on while playing BS with your friends until 3 a.m. or studying for an astronomy exam until dawn. According to the University of Georgia Health Center site, the average college student only gets about six hours of sleep per night when they should be getting at least seven to eight to minimally function. So please, if you’re not doing it for you, do it for me. If you don’t have that 8-4 (or 9-5) during the week this summer, go to bed before midnight and get up before noon. If you do have a busy schedule, make sure you’re catching up on rest during the weekends. But remember, don’t waste all those beautiful hours of sunshine. You can do so much, and this is when you can — yes — relax! These are just a few things you can do while off from school to feel happy and healthy. In the end, we all deserve that refreshing summer glow. And we need this vacation. So live a healthy lifestyle now — work hard, stay hydrated, and focus on yourself — and your body will thank you later...perhaps when those exams start up again come September.
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What You Need to Know About
Unpaid
Internships Written by: Deanna Wetmore
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As summer approaches, every student gets excited for some time off from the stresses of school. Still, some college students may be taking advantage of this free time to get experience through an internship. I myself am going through the process of getting an internship for college credit. But because of my circumstances, I also have a full time job lined up for this summer, so I will be potentially working seven days a week. Yet the idea of having to manage a full-time job on top of an internship is an ambitious yet stressful endeavor. I am certainly not the only student to try and work two jobs; according to Stephanie Nunez, a contributor for the Elite Daily, many other students feel the same. For other students it’s hard to find internships near where they live, or they may not be able to
afford to work a full day without getting paid. Because of these complications, unpaid internships have been criticized for favoring people who are well off and for exploiting young adults into free labour. Unpaid internships have been criticized for being unfair for a while now, especially with a spike in students participating in unpaid internships after the recession in the 2009, according to a research article by Kirkland & Ellis’s Craig Durrant. Although unpaid internships may be unfair, companies are not violating any laws by hiring unpaid interns. According to the New York State Department of Labor, all states follow the State Minimum Wage Act and Wage Orders, which requires employers to pay employees the minimum amount per hour designated by the state. Unpaid in-
CULTURE terns are exempt from the State Minimum Wage Act as long as they do not have an “employment relationship.” In order to determine whether or not the internship has an employment relationship, NYS Department of Labour established these guidelines: training is not for employment, any training builds on what interns have learned in college, the intern isn’t replacing any employee positions, activities don’t provide immediate advantage to employer, interns are notified in writing they will not be paid, interns don’t receive employee benefits, and that the screening process isn’t the same process as employment hire. Under these guidelines unpaid interns aren’t protected against harassment or discrimination. Still, many college students may be unaware or may choose to ignore this lack of protection, simply taking unpaid internships as a way to beef up their resume. Moreover, unpaid internships affect different socioeconomic groups disproportionately. An Intern Bridge Inc survey showed that of over 27,000 undergraduates from more than 200 different colleges 77 percent of women took unpaid internships. Additionally, the majors that most likely took unpaid internships were: education, social sciences, health sciences, arts and humanities and communications. The survey also found that students with low family income (>40,000 dollars per year and between 80,000 - 120,000) were more likely to be in unpaid internships with nonprofit organizations. The research concluded that low income students have a higher level of participation in unpaid internships than higher income students. According to Durant, there’s a risk that unpaid internships raise the unemployment rate as well. This could happen if employers simply hire unpaid interns to take places of paid staff; which violates New York State Department of Labor guidelines. Unpaid interns are easy to find since so many college students are looking to gain experience, no matter what the cost (or lack of). According to Craig Durant’s article, a survey from 2010 showed that 70 percent of employers were looking for college graduates to have prior experience. This number hasn’t changed today, which puts pressure on students to get any internship they can. Yet a survey conducted in 2013 by the National Association of College and Employers reveals that most unpaid internships don’t result in students getting jobs. So really the employers are the ones who are benefiting most from unpaid internships. You’re probably
wondering “is an unpaid internship is even worth it?” But it all depends on what the internship offers. Doing a bit of research on an internship can save everyone’s time. If the internship doesn’t explicitly say what interns will be doing, that may mean getting coffee and running errands for people. But if an internship opportunity includes a description about actually producing something, then that can be beneficial. For example, if a writing major has the option of interning at a magazine company, where interns write and publish content, then that would beneficial for their resume. This way a potential employer can see physical evidence of experience that the student created. Doing research on the company that’s offering an internship is also a good idea to make sure that they have their own fair internship policy. Of course, knowing your state’s laws on internships is important as well. From my own experience doing a basic google search about the organization that I’m interested in has worked in my favor. I have been able to find great opportunities that will benefit me, not with pay, but with learning new skills; and this opportunity to learn something new is really what an internship is all about. Overall, gaining experience in what you’re interested in should be your main priority; don’t take on an internship that doesn’t offer you something in return.
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Windows Book Recommendations
Written by: Mirelle Tinker | Graphic by: Annika Kushner When we pick up a novel, we crave to experience a feeling, a conflict, an achievement, that has been barred from us in our current lives. Yet each story carries a unique perspective, and sometimes it can be difficult to choose which life you’ll want to inspect. That’s why Windows Book Recommendations exists. The purpose of these recommendations is to give you a quick glance at three different works, each offering a ‘window’ into a distinct story, an engaging point of view. Listed below are: “Revolution” by Jennifer Donnelly, “China Dolls” by Lisa See, and “Vessel” by Sarah Beth Durst. Award-winning Novelist Jennifer Donnelly is wellknown for her artfully crafted historical fiction, and this is especially true for her powerful novel “Revolution.” After troubled college student Andy decides to spend her summer in France with her detached father, she discovers the diary of young woman living during the rise of the French Revolution — and this discovery sparks not only the rebellion in France, but also Andy’s return to power in her own life. Donnelly explores the consequences of violence, the depths of grief, and the universality of human perseverance in her work, making this novel an unforgettable adventure. Linda Buckley-Archer, a writer for “the Guardian writes: “Donnelly, who won the Carnegie medal in 2003 with her debut novel, A Gathering Light (also historical), covers much ground and some big themes in her second novel for young adults: the French revolution; grief and guilt; the redemptive power of music and of love...With such a complex intertextual mix it could easily have gone horribly wrong, but...Donnelly does it well: this was a book I was sad to finish.”
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CULTURE
Lisa See dives into the nuanced friendship between three Chinese-American women in 1940s United States in her novel “China Dolls,” presenting an intricate and emotional perspective on the historical and social complexities of the time period all while keeping in mind the individual struggles and accomplishments of the characters. As a result, the book displays a snapshot in time, a brief view into the various aspects of these three women’s lives, that takes into account the different factors that force them to make decisions and triumph despite living in an unforgiving era. The San Francisco Chronicle says: “China Dolls” plunges us into a fascinating history and offers an accessible meditation on themes that are still urgent in our contemporary world. The women’s story explores burning questions about the possibilities of friendship, the profound effects of betrayal, the horrors of prejudice and the nature of ambition – especially female ambition. Though love affairs abound in this book, the women’s central romance may be with their own artistry: their passion for the stage and hunger for glory in a world that belittles them at every turn.” Winner of the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award in 2013 and a finalist for the Andre Norton Award, Sarah Beth Durst’s “Vessel” follows the story of a young woman named Liyana who, after failing to bring a goddess to her tribe, is abandoned and must now search for others like her to restore life to the desert. Exciting, descriptive, and atmospheric, the novel offers a unique tale embodied in an admirable protagonist. Kirkus Reviews states: “Durst offers a meditation on leadership and power and a vivid story set outside the typical Western European fantasy milieu. From the gripping first line, a fast-paced, thought-provoking and stirring story of sacrifice.”
*All images are stock images and not IC Distinct Magazine original content
Distinct || June 2017
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