January 2018 | IC Distinct Magazine by IC Distinct Magazine

DISTINCT January 2018

BARBED NYC

2017 FASHION

NEW YEAR TRENDS

WINTER NECESSITIES

GLITTER MAKEUP

MICHAEL ZILVETTI

PURSUE WHAT YOU LOVE

LDR

SONGS FOR WINTER BLUES

JANUARY 2

TRANSFERRING TO COLLEGE

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

HEALTHY DINING HALL FOOD

FOCUS ON YOURSELF

HANDWERKER

PROFESSORS VS. STUDENTS

BISEXUALITY

2018 3

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sara Belcher

COPY EDITORS Deanna Wetmore Grace Dexter Nicole Brokaw Sydney Joyce Danielle Gazda Alexandria Logedo

FASHION EDITOR Tara Stacy BEAUTY EDITOR Akili Dorsey-Bell

DESIGN Sara Belcher Brent Ferguson Eliza Lopes Sydney Matzko

LIFESTYLE EDITOR Meredith Nash HEALTH & FITNESS EDITOR Madison Barlow CULTURE EDITOR Kalia Kornegay

FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR Anna D'Arcy

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORS Alessia DiNunno Devin Kasparian

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Raquel Borges

LOOKBOOK COORDINATOR Brent Ferguson

SECRETARY Stephanie Cordova Rodriguez

LOOKBOOK FASHION DIRECTOR Sarah Carrillo

FACULTY ADVISOR Katie Marks

HEAD OF COPY Annika Kushner

COVER PHOTO Devin Kasparian

ART DIRECTOR Courtney Yule

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Reader, The beginning of the new year is a time for everyone to reflect. Whether the year was good or bad, everyone looks at the beginning of the year as a time to make a change in their life. 2017 has brought about a myriad of changes in our country, affecting many lives since the last Jan. 1. We’ve seen the election of President Trump, the Women’s March, a solar eclipse, a new tax reform, and a shift in the way sexual assault allegations are dealt with. Our country and the ideas in it have changed farther than we’d ever thought they would. When you’re writing down your New Year’s Resolutions, consider adding something a little obscure on the list. Next to the 5k run you hope to achieve this year, add a semi-regular donation to a charity or organization of your choice. After “lose 20 pounds,” consider volunteering with an organization you care about. Instead of just bettering yourself, use 2018 to better the community around you. Taking the small time out of your day to volunteer, or the spare change in your pocket to donate can make a world of difference in our country — and 2017 proved that. However, we all know that most New Year’s Resolutions aren’t completed. As Stephanie Leger states in her own article, remember that the new year is not the only time to make a change. Jan. 1 is just one of 365 days that you have to make a change in your life. Don’t put all of the weight of your change on that one day. If you fall off the bandwagon, you have the rest of the year to get back on. Maybe your change won’t happen on Jan. 1 — maybe it’ll happen March 13, or July 22. Whatever the case, know it’s never too late to make a change. Thank you for taking the time to read our publication. We hope you enjoy. Sincerely,

Sara Belcher

IC Distinct MagazineEditor in Chief P.S. IC Distinct Magazine would like to give the warmest of thank yous to SGC for helping to fund our print editions. For that, we are eternally grateful.

FASHION

2017 FASHION TRENDS

WRITTEN BY: KELLY CARBERY PHOTOGRPAHY BY: SAM SCHMALZ

FASHION

This past year has been one which encompassed many new — and old — trends. It seems that each year, style is capitalized upon more and more due to high exposure on social media and blogs. There is also a trickle-down effect from people like Kylie Jenner and Selena Gomez that causes people to emulate and imitate the style of the elite and famous. I’m going to walk you through the top fashion trends of 2017 in their entirety. If one item of clothing sums up the year, it would have to be off-theshoulder tops. If you took a walk into Forever 21 right now, aka the place where all trends end up while they slowly fade out, many items of clothing would incorporate an offthe-shoulder element. Despite the annoyance of not being able to lift your arms much and the constant pulling up and pulling down of the cinched fabric at the top, this trend is easy to wear, fun, and something everyone can pull off. We can’t possibly talk about 2017 in terms of style without mentioning the item of clothing that has officially dethroned Converse all together: Vans. Checkered, multicolored, traditional — it doesn’t matter, as long as you flaunted that white stripe on the side of your foot with all your might. Perhaps this doesn’t quite fall into one year of reign, but

denim had yet another moment this past year. The skinny jean has gone into hibernation, with the reemergence of mom jeans, dad jeans, boyfriend jeans … basically anyone’s jeans but your own. High-waisted is a must. Rips are also a major qualification. Flares, shreds, and patches are all optional but highly-recommended. If you are one of the many millennials trying to balance work and life and your own agenda at the same time, you’ve definitely heard of “athleisure,” the easiest way to look like you tried without really trying at all. Athleisure is “a trend in fashion in which clothing designed for workouts and other athletic activities is worn in other settings, such as at the workplace, at school, or at other casual or social occasions.” Despite what moms everywhere must be thinking, sheer tops of all sorts were huge this year, as well. Urban Outfitters is still rolling them out in many shapes and sizes and patterns while the trend hangs on for one last season. I think the major appeal of them is looking exceptional while not being completely freezing. Plus, you get to show off your bra, or lack of bra, an opportunity which doesn’t u s u a l l y present itself.

FASHION

A FOOLPROOF GUIDE TO SHOPPING 2018’S HOTTEST TRENDS

WRITTEN BY: EMILY CARTWRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY: SYDNEY MATZKO Each year we experience trends recycled from the decades they originated in. The 2010s have so far been reflective of styles from the ’80s and ’90s with high-waisted shorts and bodysuits coming back in style. Rightfully so, I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to relive Jennifer Grey’s iconic looks from “Dirty Dancing.” The movie might’ve come out 10 years before I was born, but that’s not going to stop me from replicating Baby’s iconic outfit — she danced through the forest rocking a pink bodysuit, classic Levi’s shorts, and bright-white Keds. All I can say is, “Thank god for the cyclical nature of trends allowing me to recreate this look on myself nearly every day every summer.” As the colder winter months approach, it’s easy to be drawn to the sweater section and come home from every shopping trip with bags of clothes that may as well be from last season. While we could spend the dreary winter months following the new year layered up in thick bulky clothes, we really should take advantage of this time to predict upcoming trends and snatch those items from the racks before they’re featured in every Instagram you’ll look at in 2018. Among the sea of grey and black that dominates most winter wardrobes, a pop of red will brighten up any dull outfit. Red is a classic color that will truly never be off trend or out of style, but is simply essential in order to add some life back into your winter ensembles. If you’re feeling lost under your thick layers of clothes, red is a color that feels sexy and daring no matter how you sport it. Shopping for the new year can be extremely stressful. There’s always some kind of pressure to somehow reinvent yourself — no matter how large or small a change you make. One way to ensure you’re “on trend” in time to sport your new wardrobe is to shop materials. Opting for the piece made with vinyl instead of denim can make a skirt go from cute to stand-out awesome. Buying a top made with a metallic or shimmery material is another more practical way to add texture to an otherwise basic outfit. Texture is a huge part of what makes an outfit stand out. I’m sure we’ve all seen how essential fur has become to a trendy winter outfit. Of course, faux fur has allowed us to style this awesome look not only ethically, but affordably, too. Shops like Forever 21 and Zara are selling faux fur in all colors, styles, and textures, allowing us low-budget shoppers the pleasure of looking chic and stylish. Animal prints such as snakeskin and cheetah patterns are making a massive comeback this season. I never thought I would find myself purchasing a leopard-print shawl similar to one I wore when I was 12, in 2018. But here I am doing exactly that and pairing my favorite outfit with leopard print to give it a new spin. Even a pop of snakeskin on a clutch or a pair of booties is a cool way to make last year’s outfit look new again. Playing with prints 8

FASHION

and textures, and even pairing them with each other is such a fun way to energize your outfit in this post-holiday slump we all experience in the new year. My favorite trend to date is sneakers — and looks like they’re here to stay in the new year. Whether you’re pairing your look with Old Skool Vans or Adidas Ultraboosts, athleisure has allowed us the pleasure of looking chic while maintaining an exceptional amount of comfort. Pairing your favorite pair of trainers with trousers and a blouse is just one way to sport this look in a way that is trendy and practical. Staying on trend can be difficult, especially if you’re on a budget. It seems that every week the fashion world is curating some new look that we fashionistas feel we need to wear ourselves. But keep in mind that trends come and go and then come back again. Do some digging in your old wardrobe to see if you already own a lot of the pieces you’ll be seeing this year. Put your own spin on emerging trends or create them yourself based on what you stumble upon, whether you’re out shopping or digging through your mom’s clothing bins. I can assure you you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes to putting your best (and best looking) foot forward in 2018.

FASHION

WINTER

NECESSITIES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BRENT FERGUSON STYLING BY: BRENT FERGUSON AND SARAH CARILLO MODELING BY: DANIEL NUNEZ AND JAYLEN YOUNG

FASHION

BEAUTY

NEW YEARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EVE BEAUTY: HOW TO USE GLITTER IN YOUR #MOTD

WRITTEN BY: ALLISON HORVATH PHOTOGRAPHY BY: NADIA SISLEY AND ALESSIA DINUNNO

BEAUTY

A new year rings in new resolutions, new routines, and new fitness plans. However, before we begin the process of our “new year, new me” transformation, we get to celebrate the start of a new year on New Year’s Eve! When I think of New Year’s Eve beauty, I think of sparkle, shine, and TONS of glitter. I tend to gravitate toward a minimalistic look when it comes to my daily glow-up, which normally includes mattes and neutral colors. But on New Year’s Eve, all of those safe choices can go out the window! Okay ... maybe not ALL of them. Maybe strike a balance between your comfort zone and putting yourself out there. If there was ever a time to incorporate glitter into your beauty routine, New Year’s is the time. You can experiment whether you’re going to an exclusive party, reminiscent of one Blair Waldorf would attend, or whether you’re watching the ball drop from the comfort of your couch, while devouring frozen appetizers and guzzling champagne (which is my personal approach). From the safest to the most daring trends, here are just a few ways you can add glitter to your look for New Year’s!

Highlighter

Highlighter is meant to make you shine, so why not trade in your daily highlighter for one that packs a little more punch? If you don’t normally use highlighter, now’s your time! If you tend to like more warm tones, go with the Fenty. If you tend to choose cooler tones, the Maybelline product is for you. My Picks: Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Trophy Wife ($34.00) Maybelline Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter in Light Iridescent ($8.99)

BEAUTY

Eyeshadow or Eyeliner

Lips

Pack a glittery eyeshadow on your lid and balance out the glitter with a matte crease color. When you blink, your eyes will shine like the Times Square Ball itself! Or use an eyeliner with glitter on your lower lash line for a more conservative pop.

If you would prefer to keep your eyes as per usual, rev up your lip color! If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeling particularly daring, coat your lips with a thick lip balm and apply a glittery lipstick. Or just transform your go-to shade: Pick up a glitter in a coordinating color and pat it just in the center of your lips.

My Picks: Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Dark Force ($21) NYX Liquid Crystal Body Liner in Crystal Silver ($4.49)

My Picks: CiatĂŠ London Glitter Flip in Infamous ($19.00) NYX Face & Body Glitter ($6.00)

BEAUTY

Glitter Root

Nails

When I first saw this trend, I had no idea how I could ever pull it off … or if I would even want to. The more I thought about it, the idea of a sleek, high ponytail with a middle part coated in glitter sounded like it could be the unexpected touch of glam you need to make your look scream “New Year’s Eve.”

Instead of choosing a predictable darker color for winter, choose something with glitter! Wearing a glitter polish is a quick and easy way to add glitter to your look. If glitter isn’t up your alley, try a metallic instead for the same amount of shine without the sparkle. You can even just use a glitter or metallic on an accent nail, instead of coating all ten.

My Picks: IGK Preparty Hair Strobing Glitter Spray ($16.00) Jerome Russell B Wild Hair & Body Glitter Spray ($5.29)

My Picks: OPI Glitzerland ($10.50) Essie Penny Talk ($8.99)

COVER

MICHAEL ZILVETTI FOUNDER OF BARBED NYC PHOTOGRAPHY BY: DEVIN KASPARIAN

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What started as doodles in a high school math notebook has developed into a streetwear clothing line. Ithaca College sophomore Michael Zilvetti is the founder of Barbed NYC. He designs and sells hoodies, shirts, and hats from his dorm room. Since the launch of his clothing line, Barbed NYC has gotten orders from all over the country, and is running out of stock from their first season launch fast. Distinct editor Sara Belcher sat down with Zilvetti to talk about his brand and what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like owning a sole proprietorship.

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Sara Belcher: Tell me about yourself Michael Zilvetti: I’m a sophomore IMC major. I started doing sketches of [Barbed] my senior year of high school in math class because I didn’t want to be in math class, because I’m really bad at math. This came out of it and I was like “I could put that on clothes one day.” It wasn’t even a dream, it was a “that’d be cool,” kind of thing. This year I figured out how to do it and not spend all the money that I had producing it. So I was just like f--- it, I’m going to do it.

going to different zoos in the city, and you never realize that the “O” has a monkey in it, because it’s not super clear, but you can kind of see it. I kind of wanted do that, but not as discreet. So then I made the logo out of the text, which I kind of warped so it’s like a diamond, and then added the spikes like the barbed wire, so it’s one link of the chain. SB: What made you want to start streetwear specifically? MZ: I really like streetwear. I never was into the sneaker culture, like buying and trading sneakers, because I don’t really care about shoes. I wear old a-- vans. I’m a skateboarder, so I’m not wearing $200 shoes because after you do an ollie on a skateboard it rips your shoe open. But then I found that there’s huge communities that are buying and trading shirts and sweatshirts and pants and hats. I realized how intense it is in resale, because I started getting into Supreme. Their retail prices — which I’d always thought Supreme was so expensive — it’s not that expensive. The t-shirts are like $40, which is a lot for a t-shirt, but I have a few of them now and they’re very high quality. But then if you get it on the drop, which is nearly impossible, you can resell any of those shirts for like $200. Because they sell out within seconds. If you go to a store they have lines out the door two days before the actual drop. People are camping to get a t-shirt. I thought that’s incredible. It’s wearable art, that’s what streetwear is, and I’ve always been interested in the arts, but I didn’t realize how you can make new things every week and have them sell out. It’s all hype based and it ties a little bit with branding, which I’m interested in. It’s a branding mixed with art that results in being able to create something every week that’s new and collaborating with different people. Obviously I’m not going to sell out in two seconds. To get to that point is really hard. I thought it I could just make something where I can wear the things that I make. I make it because it’s for me, it’s not really for other people, and then other people can wear it for their own reasons. Barbed is kind of a vague idea, but it has some power because everyone’s seen barbed wire, people are scared of barbed wire, people think it’s cool, everyone has a kind of different idea about it. And I think for art in general that’s the real value in. I don’t care what

SB: Are you from the city? MZ: I’m not from the city. I’m from North Jersey, but it’s a half hour train ride, so we’d go into the city all the time. I’m a photographer, so I love like architecture photography, and we would go into the subways and where it says “Do not cross.” We found abandoned tunnels, clicked the top floor of hotel to get on the roof — just to get those classic shoes-dangling-over-thebuilding photos. I love that urban atmosphere and the vibe of the city. I love all of the crazy people, because there’s a lot of crazy people. Even though I’m not from the city, there’s nothing to do in my town. It’s home, but it wasn’t my personal home where I wanted to be and spend my time. I didn’t feel like an a--hole calling it a New York [City] brand, even though I’m not there. SB: And you’d never thought about creating a clothing line before? MZ: It was like in the back of my head, y’know, maybe one day I could put this on clothing. It was kind of a streetwear concept kind of thing. But honestly, I didn’t think it would ever happen. It started as doodles in my math notebook. I was like, this is going to be an old notebook that says “Discrete Math” on the cover. Like, it’s math notes mixed with doodles of barbed wire. I made the logo, which was really just a font that I drew out that just said “Barbed” with “NYC” underneath. It was actually last year that I was taking Presentation and Graphic Design with Ed Schnyder — favorite professor I’ve had so far — and he talked a lot about how the best logos incorporate the theme or idea behind what it is with text or with other images. So I know that a lot of zoos with have font with the letters made with animals. I’ve seen those logos before, 22

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“I MAKE IT BECAUSE IT’S FOR ME, IT’S NOT REALLY FOR OTHER PEOPLE, AND THEN OTHER PEOPLE CAN WEAR IT FOR THEIR OWN REASONS.”

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the artist was intending.

he wasn’t really an artist. I mean to everyone he was an artist, but he did more with layout and realizing what kind of ideas and themes people cared about at the time, which was pop culture. The whole pop art movement was pioneered by Andy Warhol mixing just big figures like Marilyn Monroe and simple objects like the Campbell soup can. That wasn’t art before, that was the grocery store, and he turned normal life into art. It wasn’t really about painting skills, he did know how to paint, he could do other art but that wasn’t what he cared about. He cared about making things that would connect with people, which I think is what’s really important in art. Because no one knows what he was thinking when he decided to put 48 Campbell soup cans on the wall. I have no clue what he was thinking

SB: Who are some of your inspirations? MZ: My favorite artist is Jean Michele Basquiat and he’s from Brooklyn. He was a street artist who started under the name “Samo” just writing one word or three line poetry on the side of buildings. And then he got recognized by Andy Warhol and started making actual paintings and then he unfortunately died at 18 years old. But his art is such a big influence in hip hop culture and street wear and all of that. I found him when I was a freshman in high school. One of my friends who was older, we were talking about our favorite artists and he mentioned his name. Then he showed one of the paintings and I was like that’s so cool. Also Andy Warhol, because 24

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MZ: We did a photoshoot in the lighting studio right before the line dropped. We just had music playing and everyone was dancing. My friend Rob was doing skate tricks in front of a camera. It was really cool. I didn’t want to do any of the video content myself, even though I love video production, I had my friend Andrew Hallenberg do the hype video at the photoshoot, and I had him edit it. He was like “What do you want me to do for it?” and was asking me all of these questions and I was like “Look, this is your video. I’m not going to give you any guidance, I know you’re going to do a good job, just make it how you want to make it.” I sent him the brand guidelines so he knows generally the kind of feel, which is kind of simple, it’s New York skateboarding streetwear, but it’s a little bit friendlier, because I know a lot of streetwear is like dark. Like we’re going to stand in a tunnel and be all serious faced. I don’t have a serious face, I’m always smiling. So it’s a little bit friendlier, but it still does have that dark, gritty, because the whole concept is around barbed wire. So I sent him that and I was like do it

but I don’t think that really matters. I think what really matters is I can go to the Museum of Modern Art and stare at soup cans and be like “that’s really cool.” I don’t know what it means to me, but it leaves an impact, so I think that’s something I want to do. I want to leave some kind of impact with people, and I think [Barbed] is the best way that I can do that. SB: What’s it like seeing your own work on clothing? MZ: It’s really cool. My mom sent me one of my sister’s girl scout troop members, and she was wearing the hat that I designed to a meeting. Like I’m not friends with this person on social media at all, I don’t know how they found it. I can’t wait until all of the orders are shipped for the people who ordered on campus. I’m going to be walking around and see people wearing something that I made without like really any help. SB: What was the atmosphere at the photoshoot like?

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can. I kind of want it to be a company [over a sole proprietorship]. That’s the goal as a whole. I just want to see the company grow. I could get a job to pay for my food and whatever else I need — I could work at Sodexo to make some money but then that’s not like a project I care about. None of the money I’m making with this is going to me. I want to put it all back into it so I can see it become something bigger than just a clothing brand a college kid started.

however you want to do it, and I don’t think if I’d told him anything, I think it would’ve been worse — then it wouldn’t be what it is now. I really think collaboration is important, and that’s one thing that I really wanted to bring to this. SB: What do you see as the next steps for Barbed? MZ: I love collaboration. And even though it is my project, part of it for season two, which is going to be released in the spring, is going to be a lot of collaborating with local artists and artists that make things that I really like. I have one friend here who is a graphic designer and he makes these really like trippy 3D landscapes, and they’re really cool. I talked to him about it and I was like “Do you want to make a shirt and split whatever profit it makes, just so we can have it on clothing.” And he said “Absolutely, I’d love to do that.” And I think at this point it’s not like a mass distribution, we have almost a thousand followers on Instagram, which isn’t that much, if you really think about it, but I think at some point it could be. It’s still growing like every day. There are so many people that are SoundCloud producers who literally just like to make EDM and beats just because they like to make it. They’re not making a penny off of it, they’re just spending money on equipment and on sound packs and on recording stuff and all of this shit that they like to do. They’re not seeing a dime and they in a lot of cases don’t have a reach. Tons of people taking art classes here and my friends in Park who make amazing stuff. Hopefully we can make enough so I can start paying people for work they do, besides collaborations on clothing, but at this point that’s not really the case because the way that I’m producing the clothing the margins are tiny. That didn’t really matter to me, I just wanted to do it. Right now all of the profits are going to season two, which is going to be released in the spring, and then we have a mini drop that’s going to be 10 hoodies that are going to be embroidered with the logo. They’re going to be a lot higher quality than what we had in season one, so it’s a step up and there’s only 10 available. They’re all going to go and all of that is to make sure I can get season two bought in full before hand. I really want it to get to the point where it’s more of a company than a sole proprietorship. This winter I’m probably going to start looking for investors just to gain the funds I

SB: Do you hope to eventually support yourself off of it? MZ: Eventually. Not supporting myself, though, because I do have bigger goals. But at some point I want it to be big enough that I can pay people for the work that they’re doing and pay myself for the work that I’m doing. Right now I’m just paying myself with free clothing — I’m not spending my own pocket money on the stuff that I have to wear because I like it. I hope at some point it grows so that I don’t have to spend my own money on it and kind of getting a little bit out of it financially. SB: So do you see this as a long term project for you? MZ: I don’t really believe in short term success, I don’t think that exists. Even the people you see who got lucky, like a bunch of rappers who no one had ever heard of until this song released. Like they’ve been working their a--es off their whole life to get there, and learning how to use production software and learning how to do this and that. They’ve been recording and writing and more writing. It’s not luck. You need some luck to get there, but there’s no overnight success. I worked at a direct marketing company over the summer for an internship, which I thought was going to be marketing. It turned out to be doorto-door sales. I learned more from that internship than I did at college, which was really just that you don’t have to be smart, you don’t have to do well in school — GPA doesn’t matter. It’s all work ethic. Whatever you put in is what you’re going to get out of it. I saw that on a physical scale because I was working commissions off of door-to-door sales. As soon as that kind of clicked for me, I was an intern and I was beating people in the company because I saw if I just work harder than everyone else I’m going to make more doing this. It sucked because knocking on doors and getting death 26

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“YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE SMART, YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO WELL IN SCHOOL — GPA DOESN’T MATTER. IT’S ALL WORK ETHIC.”

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SB: What’s the balance between owning your own company and being a college students? MZ: It’s interesting because my procrastination from homework used to be videos games or Netflix, but now I’ll be doing my school work, and then I’ll start designing stuff for season two. Or watching videos on SEO targeting for websites. I’m learning all of this new stuff, so my procrastination has gotten more productive. So in that sense it’s a positive thing, because I’m learning all of this new stuff. I’m asking my professors about social media marketing...and I’m learning all of this new stuff I’m not learning in my classes. But then on the other side, I’m also spending a lot more time procrastinating now. I’m learning all of the cool stuff that’s making money for my company, so why would I not want to learn that? When we’re learning about other stuff that I can’t apply [to Barbed]... it’s making some of my other classes boring in a way. It kind of feels like they’re not productive, like I don’t need to be in this class. It’s even in the classes I really like, which is not a good thing, because i like the classes that I’m taking. But because I have something happening now that I kind of care more about learning about that’s not the best.

threats and people slamming doors in your face, it’s exhausting, but something this past summer really clicked that there’s no short term success. Whatever you put in, that’s what you’re going to get out of it. We have way more sales than I ever thought we were going to. It’s not taking off yet, it’s pulling out onto the runway hopefully. But I thought I would just have a webstore, and my mom would buy a shirt and my girlfriend buy something, and some of my friends would want stickers. But I didn’t think I would be getting sales from people in other states, or followers from the UK or other countries on my Instagram. That’s kind of crazy to me. It’s such a small scale but I really didn’t think that it was going to be anything more than just kind of an Instagram that has clothing that we sell. SB: What was the research process like? MZ: I messaged a bunch of clothing companies on Instagram — and they all responded because the community is just so nice and helpful. It was hard finding a company. There are a ton of companies who make bad quality stuff and say it’s good quality. I’m trying to make boxers for next season, like Calvin Klein boxers. I’ve emailed so many different people, they’re all warehouses in China, Africa, and other countries and they don’t speak English well so communication well is hard. When I found [the company I use now], I was like “this is really cool.” They do the printing for you and packing… and the boxes have my logo on it. Even before you open it you know where it’s from. And for some of the items they allow for tag printing and screen printed my logo for the tag.

To view Zilvetti’s line, check out their products at barbednyc.bigcartel.com, or their Instagram @barbednyc.

SB: How long was the process to make the clothing line a reality? MZ: The research process has been going on since [I started]. I would watch 8 hours of videos of people talking about how they started their streetwear brand. You could call it research, but I would call it procrastination back then. When I started serious research, it ruled out a lot of options. I had to find something that didn’t require $3,000 of my money. After doing the research, with photoshoots and product images and press, I’d say it took a month to two months. But if I wanted to do it again, it would probably take four weeks.

LIFESTYLE

PURSUE WHAT YOU LOVE AND WHAT INSPIRES YOU

WRITTEN BY: CARLY WECKEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY: LIBBY COOK

My major is writing and I’m so thankful for that. I would love to edit, and to write my own books, poems, and magazine articles. I love everything about my major, but not everyone does. Every time someone much older than me asks me about school, I say it’s going great, because it is. I’ve waited so long to finally work on writing in a professional environment, and I’m lucky to be granted the opportunities I am receiving and will continue to receive here at Ithaca College. However, when I am asked my major, I gulp. Of course I love my major, but I hate disappointing people. I answer with writing and they give me the, “Oh, that’s nice,” along with a sorrowful tone and a fake smile, because, except for a few people, nobody believes that I’ll ever do anything in this field. Everyone looks at writing as a hobby, and for me that’s how it began. I was a little kid, maybe around eight or nine, writing made-up stories with my father in the living room. That night, something clicked. When I wrote, I created something of my own. I was completely free to make up whatever I wanted. I enjoyed creating something that was completely my own and I kept to it. For a while, I passed writing off as just my hobby, but I knew I wanted it to be my profession. I never said anything because I didn’t think I could stand the negative looks I might receive. Eventually, I got over all of that. Truth be told, it’s my life, and, at the end of the day, I’m in charge of my happiness. I read this phrase: “If you start to treat a hobby like a career instead of a hobby, then it could turn into your career.” It’s glued itself to me ever since. I found that if you’re passionate about something, then you should let that fuel how you work with it. There have been times when I wrote something for either myself or school and I was not happy with it, and that’s a horrible feeling. I always feel as if I could have tried harder to achieve my goal. I also believe that everyone has felt this way before. When people say that you’re your own biggest critic, they’re absolutely, 100 percent telling the truth. I’ll admit it. I can be unnecessarily harsh on myself. I found that this is not healthy, but I’m still learning. I have come to learn that your final draft is always going to be a ways away from you, but how quickly you get to it is up to you. In high school, I remember being told that the only careers that you’ll make money in are math and science. Those careers tend to help financial stability, but they’re not the only ones. I have nothing against careers that involve those subjects and, honestly, I hope that everyone who is involved in them achieves what they want to. However, there is money in creative

“I REMEBER BEING TOLD THAT THE ONLY CAREERS YOU’LL MAKE MONEY IN ARE MATH AND SCIENCE” 30

LIFESTYLE

careers. Also, doing something creative was never about money in the first place. Money is something extra that is great to get from your passion. If you pursue something solely for the money, will you truly be happy? To put it another way, if you want money, you have to work for it. Money is a staple in everyday life. We need it to survive. But you don’t just pick up a career in math either and become a millionaire, in the same way that my first published book may not be my best-selling book, and that is okay. You’re only going to achieve greatness if you strive for it. If I want to make money in my career path, then I’ll work for it. To achieve your goals, you should become organized. Organization is key. I would suggest marking any important dates in your planner. And try to fill up your planner! I get various emails about events hosted by the writing department, such as when there is a published writer visiting. If your school has events that are relevant to your studies, then look for flyers around campus and check your inbox for any emails. These are important because they’re not only good to go to, but they’re also great for networking. When you’re trying to pursue something that you want, you should try to meet as many people as you can who have passions similar to yours.

You can also find events that cater to you interests outside of school. The internet is one of the greatest tools you can use for this. For example, I can search the internet to find out where book signings are being held for an author that I really appreciate. Also, there are various festivals around the globe that you can attend that might cater to your interests. Take, for example, music festivals and concerts; you can go enjoy music and meet new people, and you might even meet some of the musicians. Use social media. Create blogs and other social media accounts to build audiences that have similar interests. Get your voice out there. It’s important to know that a career in the creative field is valid, and you shouldn’t think otherwise! Yes, it will be difficult, but in reality every field of study has its difficulties, so don’t get discouraged. While you’re working toward your degree, don’t forget to get your voice out there any way you know how. What you do with your life is your choice. If your dream is to pursue your hobby and if you really have the passion and commitment, then nothing can stand in your way.

LOVE AND DISTANCE: MAKING IT WORK LIFESTYLE

WRITTEN BY: RHIANNON COLEMAN ILLUSTRATION BY: COURTNEY YULE

For all of those who have a special someone waiting for them at home, here’s how to make sure you’re not neglecting your long distance relationship:

actually be a lot of sexual pleasure that comes from talking about what you wish you could do to each other without really being able to do it, allowing for even more satisfaction when you finally do see each other again. No one ever said you can’t have fun in a long distance relationship!

Communication is key.

It may be cliché, but communication really is the foundation of any good relationship. This is especially true when you happen to be miles away from the person you love. It is likely that you will want to speak every day, but sometimes that’s just not possible. You and your partner are probably leading very busy lives, so it’s easy to feel upset when one of you misses that daily FaceTime call or forgets to text all day. But don’t put so much pressure on yourself and your significant other to call every night and every day. Sometimes it’s just too difficult to find the time, and that’s really not anyone’s fault. Instead, send a quick text in the morning, the afternoon, or right before you go to bed, just to let them know that you’re thinking about them. Make it a goal to call each other at least three times a week, whenever it is best for you and your partner. Carve out specific times in your schedules devoted to calling each other. The truth is, you and your partner are not always going to have something to talk about, and that’s okay. Yes, communication is key, but it’s equally important to be able to know that your partner still loves you even when you don’t get to talk everyday. It’s part of being in a mature, adult relationship.

Keep busy.

If there is any one thing that is going to help you cope with being far away from the person you love, it is staying as busy as possible: not so busy that you no longer have time for your partner or anyone else, but busy enough where missing the other person becomes a little more bearable. When you allow yourself to be devoted to your classes and extracurricular activities, you create a life that is separate from your partner, which is a major part of being in a mature relationship. Going to class and then sitting in your dorm all day thinking about how much you miss your significant other and dwelling in the sadness is not going to help you be any closer to the person you love. Instead, get involved and stay busy; you’ll have a lot more to talk about with your partner and less time to spend being sad. Before you know it, you’ll be back together again.

Learn to deal without each other.

The most important thing to remember is that you’re not really without the other person. You and your partner may be far away from each other, but that doesn’t mean that your relationship should mean any less. There are going to be days where you never knew you could miss a person so much and you’ll feel as though you would give up anything to be with them again. These days can be some of the hardest you will ever experience, but in the end, it makes seeing your partner again so much more worth it. The truth is, you’re probably never going to be 100 percent okay with not being able to see the person you love and you probably shouldn’t be, anyway. Cry about it if you have to, talk to someone you trust about it, and especially talk to your partner, because they understand better than anyone — they’re going through it, too. It’s hard to be in a

Keep the sex life alive.

Since you and your partner are in a long distance relationship, there’s obviously going to be a lot of waiting around for when you can finally be together again, but you can still maintain the sexual part of your relationship. That’s where phone sex and FaceTime comes in. You live in an advanced technological age, so take advantage of it (only if you feel comfortable, of course). Most people would agree that the worst part of being in a long distance relationship is that you go for long periods of time without being physically intimate with your partner. But there can

LIFESTYLE

long distance relationship — hell, to be in any relationship. But that’s the whole point. If you weren’t so saddened by not being with your partner, then you wouldn’t really care about them. Yes, it’s hard to be without each other, but isn’t it great when you can come home to the person you love?

for those who truly love each other and know that even though they can’t always be with one another, there’s no one else they would rather wait around for. A lot of work is required in order to maintain a long distance relationship. But as long as you remember that it’s possible, then leaving becomes a little less unbearable and coming home becomes that much more meaningful.

Long distance relationships are possible.

Yes, it’s true that long distance relationships are plausible and possible, and can work despite them not being entirely ideal. But if you and your partner can handle being without one another for long periods of time, then a lot of the other bumps in the road become a lot less significant and easier to handle. Long distance relationships are not for everyone and there is no doubt that they are a difficult experience. But there is also no doubt that they are

LIFESTYLE

CULTURE

A PLAYLIST FOR YOUR WINTER BLUES

WRITTEN BY: ALEXANDRA ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BRENT FERGUSON Did you know that music has been proven to have positive effects on mental health? Research shows that music therapy can help conditions such as depression, trauma, schizophrenia, and more. Music can also be a calming agent for anxiety or dysregulation. The National Alliance on Mental Illness says that music has a rhythmic and repetitive quality that “engages the neocortex of our brain, which calms us and reduces impulsivity.” For a lot of people, mental health can tank during the winter time. Here are some of my favorite songs to get through a difficult winter day.

is going right. Everybody feels hopeless at times and the lyrics validate this emotion. Despite this, I consider “Clocks” to be a feel-good song. It is one where I can just focus on the melodies as the car is moving, as I sit there marveling at the clouds and watching the world whiz by. But it is also a song that I can listen to over and over again and find comfort in whatever portion of the lyrics best describes my not-so-good day. I’m a firm believer in that you can find beauty in sadness, and this song is proof of that saying.

“Caribbean Blue” by Enya

“Clocks” by Coldplay

Feeling sick of being stuck in Ithaca on a snowy day and want to be transported to the Caribbean for a blissful three minutes? Listen to this heavenly song by Enya. Enya is the queen of new age music, and her haunting voice combined with dreamy instrumentals makes for some of the most uplifting, zen-like songs I’ve ever heard. “Caribbean Blue” makes me feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel despite whatever is going on in my life. If you need to find hope on a sub-zero degree night, then listen to “Caribbean Blue.”

Coldplay, one of my favorite bands, is loved for their melodic beats, the velvety voice of Chris Martin, and an out-of-this-world vibe. The piano work of the song transports you to another world and makes you feel as though you’re walking on clouds. If the planet Pandora from the movie “Avatar” were to have a national anthem, “Clocks” would be it. This song has a cool juxtaposition between an uplifting beat and sad lyrics. However, these sad lyrics are also relatable, which makes it perfect for those bitter cold days when it feels as though nothing 34

LIFESTYLE

loved. A lot of Lana Del Rey’s songs have a sad tempo, but this one is upbeat and makes me feel less lonely on those cold winter nights.

“Another Day in Paradise” by Phil Collins

I’m probably biased because I’m a huge ’80s band junkie. For those of you who don’t know, Phil Collins is best known for being the lead singer of Genesis. But millennials probably know him best for his award-winning Tarzan soundtrack. I love Phil Collins because his music is incredibly poetic and about relatable, real-life issues. His music helps me put things in perspective when I’m having a bad day. This song is about how we need to count your blessings and stop taking your life for granted. It is easy to feel like the whole world is against you on a bleak winter day. However, something as simple as having a roof over your head is such a blessing. If you want to snap out of a bad mood, listen to this song and let the haunting drum work help you put life in perspective.

“River” by Sarah McLachlan

Sarah McLachlan is best known for the ASPCA commercials that make everyone cry. Despite that wellknown song, she is one of my favorite artists and has a huge body of work. Sarah McLachlan has an earthy quality to her voice that is incredibly easy to listen to. Her song “River” is perfect to listen to on those days you just want to escape your current situation. There were many winters where it felt as though nothing was going right and I wanted to escape my environment. I’d picture myself skating my troubles away on the ice when she sang. While you can’t run from your responsibilities, this song did remind me that I would eventually escape whatever miserable situation I was in. If you want something easy to listen to, that will also lift you up, listen to this song.

“3AM” by Matchbox Twenty

It’s no secret that I have a huge crush on the lead singer Rob Thomas and not just because he’s one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen. He has such an amazing, distinctive voice that is gritty, but easy to listen to. He’s also a huge mental health advocate, as he writes songs that help destigmatize mental health disorders. I love that Rob Thomas doesn’t sugarcoat issues and is honest in his songs. One of my favorites of his to play on a cold winter night when I can’t sleep is “3AM”. The song was inspired by Rob Thomas’ experience watching his mother battle cancer when he was a teenager. However, I believe that this song is applicable to all situations. We’ve all had those moments where it feels as though the clock has frozen and the days are going by slowly. I’ve played this song many times, and it has been sort of a friend to me during rough times.

“Reindeer King” by Tori Amos

Tori Amos is best known as an indie singer from the ’90s and has one of the most unique voices I’ve ever heard. Tori Amos is still creating beautiful music and just released a new album this year. As soon as I heard her new song “Reindeer King,” I was screaming “WINTER SONG!!!” inside. It’s a long song, but the piano work is absolutely gorgeous and the lyrics are ones that stay with you. This song is about feeling like you lost yourself and getting yourself back to who you truly are. Sometimes, we wake up in the winter and wonder who we are. This song makes me realize that my true self is still inside of me and that I’ll eventually find her again. Winter, at times, can feel like an entire year instead of a season. Little things, such as music, can make the winter blues so much easier to handle. No matter how sad you’re feeling, keep the music playing, because it will always be there to uplift you.

“Love” by Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey has a soothing voice that always calms me down when I feel anxious. This song has outer space vibes and reminds me that love is both important and exists all around me. While this song is about romantic love, it can be applied to many different relationship situations. Sometimes our love for other people can make us feel crazy, but in the end, it’s the best feeling to love and to be

LIFESTYLE

COLLEGE: THE IMPORTANT STUFF TO KNOW WRITTEN BY: RHIANNON COLEMAN

There’s no right way to enter college. But, there are definitely things to remember that could help you greatly in your transition whether you’re a transfer student or just now starting your college education in the spring. Here are the top ten things you should know at the start of college:

1. You’ll need snacks

2. You can choose who you want to be

You probably spent most of your money devoted to school expenses on dorm essentials and textbooks, but the number one thing you probably forgot was snacks. You want to make sure that you have a fair amount of food in your dorm for times when you just don’t feel like walking to a dining hall, especially in the cold Ithaca weather, or don’t have the time. Make sure you have snacks in case you’re feeling groggy in the morning and you need energy to get through your day. It’s a small thing to learn when you just start college, but it’s important (especially when you’re up at midnight craving a certain snack and you don’t have anything in your dorm). So stop by the store and build up a stash of some tasty snacks: granola bars, popcorn, crackers, etc. You’ll thank yourself later!

You’re in a new place and you’re going to be here for a while. What does this mean? You still have time - time to choose who you want to be. College is a great place to do that because of all the new people, classes, clubs, organizations, and new opportunities that are open to you. Not to say that you can’t just stick to the person you’ve always been, but don’t feel like one’s growth and self-awareness stops at a certain point in your life. You have so much more time to have new experiences and find the person you want to be. College is a place of learning, studying the important things to help you in the future, but part of that is crafting the person you want to be.

3. How to be a good 4. Staying healthy is up to you roommate

Let’s get right to the point: you’re on your own. But, that doesn’t have to be as daunting as it sounds. Basically what that means is all of the decisions you make about your lifestyle from here on out are on you and only you. Some of the most important decisions you’ll make include your health, so pay attention to it! It’s easy to load your plate with all the unhealthy but tasty food you see in the dining halls, but remember that’s not necessary. Eat when you’re actually hungry (try to eat some vegetables) and exercise every once in awhile, even if that just means going for a walk. But it’s not just decisions about your physical body that you have to make; you also should pay close attention to your mental health. You’ve made a huge change in your life and it’s normal for your mental health to take a little dip because of the stress. If you notice that you’re feeling sad or empty for days at a time, seek help! CAPS is a great place on the Ithaca campus to seek the mental support you need and get back to a healthy state of mind. It’s okay to not feel like yourself; what’s not okay is just letting it happen and not doing anything about it.

Choosing to have a roommate can turn into an aspect of the college life that you probably didn’t expect required actual effort. For example, maybe you want to go to sleep semi-early because you have an eight AM class the next day, but you see your roommate reading. Usually, if you were living alone, you would just turn out the light and go to sleep, but now that you have a roommate, compromises have to be made. A good thing to do is just talk about these things and make sure you find a way where your routines don’t clash with each other. Even if you do end up clashing with your roommate, you can always talk to your RA or refer to the roommate agreement in order to settle the conflict. You can’t expect to always get along with your roommates or that they will become your closest friends, but having a roommate is a good experience to have and a great way to learn about the importance of compromise. This probably isn’t the most important relationship in your life, but it’s still a relationship!

LIFESTYLE

5. Your professors are not 6. The upperclassmen are also not scary scary

Every upperclassmen you’ve seen on campus was once exactly where you are now. They know how hard it can be to transition, they understand that college can be a lot of work, and they know how this campus operates. Upperclassmen can be a great resource to you, showing you different places on and off campus and introducing you to new hobbies and clubs that you never even thought of before. You don’t necessarily have to befriend every upperclassmen you see (a lot of the time, you can’t even tell who’s an upperclassmen and who’s not), but just remember that if you get the chance to meet one, they’re not as scary as you think!

Yes, every professor likes their assignments done a certain way, but your professors really are there to help. They have office hours for a reason and it’s important that you take advantage of them if you’re having trouble understanding a certain topic and to make a good impression for future help. Especially, if you are transferring and are in the later part of your college career, now is the time to make those connections. Your professors expect you to act professionally but they understand that you don’t know everything, so ask questions and don’t be afraid to make a real connection with them.

7. Making friends takes 8. It’s okay to miss home, time One of the most nerve-wracking aspects of entering like a lot college is having to make new friends. Finding that group of people where you feel comfortable and accepted is what everyone wants. Not to mention it always seems like everyone has found theirs before you. Well, if you’re someone like me, you may have realized that finding your group is going to take more time than you thought. This is totally okay. You have four years to find people that could become your lifelong friends. Sometimes, it’s just not as easy as putting yourself out there. Sometimes, you just have to live your life, always being yourself, and the people who vibe with you and what you have to give will find you.

Everyone’s home life is different; some people are overthe-moon happy to finally get out of their hometown while others are very apprehensive about leaving the familiarity behind. If you happen to be in the latter, I hope you have learned that it’s totally okay and normal to be really homesick. Feeling sad for the first few weeks, months, or not feeling sad until you’ve been away for semesters does not mean that you’ve made the wrong choice to leave. You made a hard decision and it’s okay to second-guess it because you miss what you’ve left behind. Take a moment, cry about it if you need to, call the people you miss and talk to them as long as you want, and just be sure to let the people back home know that you love them and appreciate what they’ve done to get you to this place. There will be days when you’ll just be too busy to even think about how homesick you are. This may be somewhere down the line, but for now, you’re entirely valid to feelings of homesickness.

9. Time management is huge

Higher education depends heavily on developing better habits in order to keep up with the challenging and heavier workload. In college, everyday has its own schedule and you are likely taking on new responsibilities, so time management is a big deal. If you haven’t figured out a way to stay on top of your classwork, it’s a good idea to get a planner (The Happy Planner is a great one that can be found at Target) and take a moment before every new week to review when you have a free time and write down specifically what you will work on during that time. Procrastination is easy, but it can really be your downfall if you don’t stay on top of it!

10. You’re here for a reason

As soon as you enter college, it’s pretty obvious that there are a lot of new experiences and opportunities that you are faced with. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed and, as a result, forget why you’re here in the first place. First of all, don’t be ashamed to give yourself a pat on the back, rewarding yourself for getting into a respectable school and earning an education. That’s the whole point: you’re here to learn. You know there are going to be some hard times - times when giving up seems really appealing and a good escape. But you didn’t come to school just to give up before it’s over. So, if you’re ever faced with those hard times, I don’t think there’s any other fact more uplifting and beneficial to remember than the fact that you are here for a reason. Carry on. 37

LIFESTYLE

NEW YEAR, NEW ME? WRITTEN BY: STEPHANIE LEGER ILLUSTRATION BY: COURTNEY YULE

How exactly do you turn a resolution into a permanent solution? Well, consistency, for starters. As I said earlier, there is no reason why you can not implement a significant change in your life right now. The beginning of a new year signifies nothing except for, quite literally, a new year. If you want to make a change, you can at anytime of the year. There is no need to put it off until when the clock strikes midnight. Each month, write down goals that you want to achieve, and then narrow it down weekly. Setting short term goals on top of the long term ones will keep you motivated, because results do not happen overnight. If you can achieve your weekly goals, you have a better chance of achieving your monthly goals. Instead of attempting to do a 360 with your life on Jan. 1, take small steps to create a more effective change in the long run. A New Year’s resolution is simply a fancy way of forcing yourself to make an impractical change. You can take initiative in your life whenever you want — no need to wait until the new year. With that being said, cheers to the new year, and may all your resolutions be somewhat effective!

What better way to kick off the next year than with a resolution? A list of goals to eatbetter, behave better, and be better. Maybe quit a bad habit, make amends with an old friend, or make weekly trips to the gym. I mean, why not? It is the new year, right? As wonderful as the resolutions made on New Year’s Eve might seem to be, I personally believe they really are not all that effective and life-changing. There is no need to wait until 11:59 p.m. to decide that when the clock strikes midnight, you will have transitioned to the “new year, new me.” Change does not happen overnight, and there’s no reason to wait until Jan. 1 to make a change. Resolutioners: This is the name given to the wave of people who sign up for gym memberships the weeks prior to and following New Year’s Day. Whether you have been a resolutioner yourself, or you have seen these people flood the gyms for a month or so in January, you know it usually doesn’t last long. Of course, there are some success stories out there, but for the most part resolutions do not work in the long run. Busy schedules, unrealistic goals, and an “I’ll do it tomorrow” mindset quickly begins to set in. Making drastic lifestyle changes in one day is not practical. If you want to change your lifestyle, you don’t have to wait until the beginning of the next year. But I’m a hypocrite. I’m someone who, leading up to the new year, spends a few hours a day writing long lists of changes and aspirations I have. Spoiler alert: They hardly ever pull through. That rush of excitement and motivation to be the “new me” quickly fades once I realize that the only difference about the next year is writing the date out on my assignment notebooks, which I tend to get wrong for the next six months or so. Resolutions fail quickly because they are not practical. You cannot expect to make a complete transition into a new lifestyle overnight. It takes time and repetition to break bad habits and accustom your body to a healthy, long-lasting routine. 38

HEALTH AND FITNESS

TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY IN THE DINING HALLS

WRITTEN BY: SYDNEY JOYCE PHOTOGRAPHY BY: SYDNEY MATZKO

When you first come to college, the dining halls can be quite overwhelming; there are so many options. It can be hard to keep the “freshman 15” at bay when you could have a delicious cheeseburger every day. Here are some simple tips for eating healthy in the dining halls.

1. Stay away from sugary drinks.

There are so many drink options to choose from in the dining halls: almost every Coke and Pepsi product. I know it’s tempting to have soda with every meal, but these drinks contain a lot of sugar. Try having water or juice with some meals and only having soda once in awhile for a special treat.

2. Look at your options before eating.

There are multiple food options at every dining hall, especially for lunch and dinner. Take some time to look at each option before you decide what to eat. Eating the same thing every day doesn’t keep your diet very balanced, but changing up what you eat can help.

3. Don’t forget your fruits and vegetables.

There is a salad bar at every dining hall and there are also usually baskets of apples or bananas out. Take advantage of these. I know that it can be hard to remember your fruits and vegetables when they’re not served as the main part of a meal, but they’re a very important part of a balanced diet.

4. Take your time.

College can be quite hectic. You may feel like you don’t have enough time to eat, but it really doesn’t take that much time to sit down for a meal, and your body will thank you for it. Take your time eating, too; studies show that it could make you feel more full.

5. Watch out for desserts.

I know that some of the desserts that the dining halls have look extremely tempting, especially after a day of classes, but having a dessert with every lunch and dinner definitely doesn’t make for a healthy diet. Try to limit how often you have dessert, maybe to at most one per day. 39

FOCUSING ON YOUR OWN FITNESS GOALS HEALTH AND FITNESS

WRITTEN BY: MADISON BARLOW ILLUSTRATION BY: COURTNEY YULE

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Media outlets these days are often bombarded with conflicting messages about body image, health and fitness, and body positivity. Most of the time, it depends on what types of media you expose yourself to, but these mixed messages can creep up on you at any time. It easy to allow yourself to consume these messages and let them impact your personal health perspectives; the hard part is ignoring them and instead paying attention to the messages you find important. Even though it’s a difficult process, it can be made easier with a few guidelines.

1. Recognize the negative, and ignore it.

We don’t always realize that negative messages of “thinspiration” and “fitness goals” are impacting how we think of ourselves because, most of the time, they are coming to us through people and outlets that we admire. Celebrities can be huge victims of promoting certain body images or weight loss products. The Kardashians and Jenners are huge perpetrators of this. Nearly all of them sponsor weight loss products from FitTea to Waist Trainers. And we’ve all seen the headlines on beauty and lifestyle magazines telling us the easiest ways to lose 10 pounds or get rid of our cellulite. By making an effort to unfollow or unsubscribe to these outlets, or even just consciously recognizing the messages they send and ignoring them, you can focus more on the messages that matter to you.

2. Be your own fitness goals

As cheesy as this sounds, I’ve found it to be really helpful — especially when I find myself comparing my body to fitness bloggers and Instagrammers considered “fitspiration” or “thinspiration.” Allowing other people’s bodies to be my own inspiration is far from helping me reach my personal goals. Instead of comparing yourself to others, recognize the progress you’ve made on your own health. It doesn’t necessarily have to be your fitness progress, it can be how your mindset has changed and evolved over time as well.

3. Focus on how you feel

There’s nothing wrong with being proud of your body and how you’ve worked to improve it. If your goal is to lose weight, gain muscle, or tone your body, then paying attention to your body is great. But being mindful about how you feel about your body is also important. Are you confident in your own skin? Do you feel good about how you view your own body? These are great questions to ask yourself daily in order to remind yourself that feeling good about yourself comes first. In her Huffington Post article, “How to Feel Great About the Way You Look: Lessons I Learned After Being Blinded,” Lisabeth Saunders Medlock gives several pieces of advice for learning how to focus on the way you feel. She says, “focus on your whole self, especially what’s on the inside. It is that inner glow that comes from happiness, harmony and confidence that makes us look great.” Following Medlock’s advice and allowing yourself to feel your inner happiness will make all the difference when looking in the mirror. As corny as it sounds — it will make you feel beautiful on the inside and out.

CULTURE

DEFINING SPACES AND TIME: HANDWERKER GALLERY WRITTEN BY: DEANNA WETMORE PHOTOGRAPHY BY: SAM SCHMALZ When the Handwerker Gallery was opened at Ithaca College in 1977 by Murray Handwerker, it was meant to inspire and create a space for artwork to be enjoyed by students. Forty years later, the Handwerker Gallery is living up to the legacy of Handwerker and much more. Mara Baldwin, the director and curator for the gallery, says that the Handwerker Gallery is not only a place where art is displayed, but a space that allows educational discussion and conversation. “Our main goal is to have exhibitions that excite, inspire, and set up faculty and students to have interest in conversations and gather around,” she said. “The space that I am hoping to create is one where students break open the expectations of what a gallery is.” Besides having various exhibitions on display, the Handwerker also hosts artists’ talks, readings from authors and poets, and musical performances, making the gallery more than just a place to observe artwork. Each year the gallery has a theme that prompts a question. This year, the theme is “Shapes of Time.” Baldwin says the theme is inspired by a book by art historian George Kubler called “The Shape of Time.” The book discusses how humans desire to simplify time by making it linear. But by studying Mesoamerican art, Kubler explores the idea that time is also recorded cyclically and can be told in many different ways. Baldwin also sees time as emotional rather than factual. With this idea that time is not one thing but many things, Baldwin has created four sections within the theme: stackable, cyclical, portal, and archive. “The ability of time to be more than one thing to different people at the same time amazes me. For the shows that we are planning this year, we are trying to map out that flexibility,” Baldwin said. “Using structures that say that time can be linear, a stack, a cycle, a portal, an archive is a conflict and open

up questions for students think about.” One of the last exhibitions being shown this fall semester is “Another Time” by quiltmaker Anna Von Mertens. Von Mertens hand dyes and stitches her quilts to create different representations. Her older works had political and historical representation, and were only displayed on rectangle frames to emulate a bed. Later, she would stitch silhouettes of people from famous paintings, such as the “Whistler’s Mother,” and dye her canvas different colors of the painting’s aurora. Her most recent quilting work is of tree ring and star patterns. Von Mertens studied the patterns, motions, and positions of stars as they were thousands of years ago. Von Mertens’ work “Jupiter Rising” depicts the path of Jupiter on Jan. 7, 1610, in Padua, Italy. By representing the cyclical nature of time, memory, and history in her work, Von Mertens allows viewers to time-travel to a specific moment in time. “This is fascinating because we (humans) are mapping this immeasurable chains of space where we find ourselves in the unknown, and we are trying to orient ourselves. For me as a visual artist, what I find most interesting is showing a representation of our supercluster at all different points of view,” Von Mertens said. “I could mold and shape these pieces as if molding a clump of clay.” Von Mertens’ work combines history, science, and artistic creativity all revolving around time and how it occupies space. This is what makes Von Mertens’ artwork perfect for this year’s theme. Next semester the theme will continue on with exhibitions from transgender artists whose artwork represents their demographic’s culture. Another artist that will be featured is Andrea Geyer, who created a map of women in modernism who have been important to history. Both of these exhibitions continue with the section archive and portal within this year’s theme.

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POWER DYNAMICS BETWEEN PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS WRITTEN BY: KALIA KORNEGAY In every college there is a team of professors entrusted with one central task: teaching. It is their professional duty to objectively educate each and every student who registers for their course to the best of their ability. This is undeniable. However, things get trickier the deeper you go into the dynamics at play within these classrooms across the country. Students are entrusting a significant amount of their academic future to the hands of these professionals. They hold the key to their GPAs, education in the field, and future within the industries. It is safe to say that these figures hold a certain amount of power within the classroom and over their students. A professor, who requested anonymity, said over email that “power” can be defined as, “The person or entity with leverage to develop its ‘will’ and enforce that will. It’s the variable that enables someone, or people, to change — positively and negatively — the interactions, relations, policies, and consequences.” In a survey sent out by Distinct, 12 respondents, mostly female senior students at Ithaca College, shared their experiences with power exhibited in the classroom. Despite the low response rate, these students’ stories lend another perspective to the issue and how it has affected members of the IC community. One respondent wrote, “Sometimes professors have a superior attitude and it feels like when you talk to them they aren’t really listening.” Another said, “I’ve been intimated by some professors, mostly male.” A professor wielding power has the ability to affect an entire group of students for better or for worse. In situations where they take advantage of that, there is a need for responsibility and accountability. This came up recently in a situation involving Michael Stuprich, a former professor in the Department of English at IC. He had been teaching as a tenured professor for 30 years, but was fired due to alleged mistreatment of a student. Stuprich sued the college over wrongful termination, seeking $1 million in damages. According to an article published by The Ithacan, the alleged threats are likely in reference to Stuprich’s treatment toward sophomore Ahad Rauf. Rauf said in the piece that he believes he is the student referenced in the lawsuit due to his enrollment in one of Stuprich’s classes freshman year. The incident occurred when Rauf took his adviser’s advice on speaking to Stuprich after receiving a failing grade, and was met with the

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professor rudely dismissing him over email. If the allegations against Stuprich are proven to be true, this showcases a lack of responsibility on his behalf. For a professor to see a student in need and deny them the help they need goes against the very fundamentals of being in the teaching business. A classroom is meant to be a place of learning, a safe haven for students to engage in meaningful discussion with professionals without fear of being attacked or scoffed at. In the survey, 66.7 percent of responders said that they had been belittled by a professor either outside of or during class and 85.7 percent said the risk of grades/GPA makes students hesitate to take action against problematic behavior. “They have the power to lower your grade, and have the power to make your learning experience in the classroom miserable,” one said. Another wrote, “The power is implied when the professor is the single person granting your good/bad grade. In some subjects, like Humanities, the grade is very subjective.” The professor said that this power dynamic is part of the structure of any college and has a tendency to be twisted in various ways. “Professors have the power to develop curricula, majors, experiences in and out of the classroom,” they said. “They have the power to develop assignments, grading criteria, etc. They can set the tone … in their classrooms depending on how they discuss, lecture, use language and examples. Professors can make students feel small, invisible, harmed, privileged, or protected.” When asked whether anyone had taken action against professors in the past, the answer was a resounding “no.” “No, I didn’t think anything could be solved by me taking any actions,” one respondent said. “No, because I didn’t want to make things a bigger deal than it already was,” another said. Beyond the impact of being treated unfairly, there lies the seemingly dangerous risk of having your actions held against you in the form of grades. If speaking against a professor who called someone out during class results in failing the course, that leaves few options open to the student. In order to create real change, there needs to be more done in terms of leveling the playing field between the two parties. The quoted professor said that sometimes threatening power goes both ways, with evaluation time for professors being the first thing that comes to mind. The professor also said students have the power to impact the classroom environment by regularly disrupting class discussions. “I have heard accounts of students openly and purposefully being disrespectful to the professor, via body language, words, comments,” they said. “This can forcefully change the dynamic in the room.” Change begins with honesty and respect. Both parties need to step back from the roles expected of them and see the classroom as what it is: a space to learn and teach. If those two objectives aren’t being met, then there is work to be done.

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WHAT YOU GET WRONG ABOUT BISEXUALITY WRITTEN BY: ERIN SHUSTER ILLUSTRATION BY: SARA BELCHER

In today’s society, people have become increasingly aware of how what they say and do can affect others. It is important for people to understand and accept one another for who they are. This allows others to consider the emotions and perceptions of those who have differing ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. People have also begun to consider the emotions and perceptions of those with different genders, different pronouns, and different sexual orientations. Although the LGBTQ+ spectrum has become a central topic of discussion, there are some aspects of the spectrum that are not fully understood, one of these aspects being bisexuality. Bisexuality is still not seen as a valid sexual orientation to members of the LGBTQ+ community and those that exist outside of it. There are several misconceptions that surround bisexuality. To obtain visibility for the bisexual community, I am going to highlight the key misconceptions about bisexuality.

1. “Bisexuality is just a phase.”

When a person who is bisexual hears these words, they begin to doubt their feelings about their sexuality. They wonder if maybe their attraction to both genders is all in their head. They begin to chalk up their attraction to nothing, telling themselves that this is a mere case of curiosity. They feel ashamed for feeling the way that they do, which can lead to low self-esteem. It is important for others to respect those who are bisexual. Although some may consider it to be a transitory stage, the decision someone makes about how to label their sexual orientation is important and should not be dismissed as a phase.

2. “People who are bisexual are easy.”

When a person who is bisexual hears these words, they are instantly insulted. They wonder how someone could assume how they express their sexuality based on their sexual orientation. They will not understand why their sexual

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orientation has this hurtful stereotype slapped over what it means to be bisexual. Bisexual people are just like anyone else: They have different preferences when it comes to levels of attraction. Bisexual people can be monogamous. Bisexual people can have multiple sex partners. Bisexual people can have no sexual contact with another person at all. This decision is up to each individual and should not be judged or analyzed by another person. This choice is theirs alone.

3. “People who are bisexual are more likely to be unfaithful.”

When a person who is bisexual hears these words, they are instantly confused. They wonder why another person could assume this based on their attraction to their own gender and another gender. This attraction has nothing to do with them remaining loyal to their partner, whoever this partner may be. Just because a bisexual person is attracted to people of their own gender and another gender does not mean that they are attracted to everyone they see. Attraction for bisexual people is a spectrum, similar to those who are not bisexual. This attraction does not prohibit the ability of bisexual people to have a monogamous relationship with another person. Their attraction can be just toward the person they are with, and they might have no desire to be with anyone else.

4. “People who are bisexual will pick a gender eventually.”

When a person who is bisexual hears these words, they are ultimately erased from the LGBTQ+ spectrum. They wonder why they are invalidated based on who they want to love. They want people to know that their attraction to another gender will not waver once they are committed to another person. Bisexuality is part of who they are, and this is something that will most likely not change. If this does change, it does not invalidate the attraction or sexuality they once identified with. Sexual attraction exists on a wide spectrum; it does not always stay the same. Whether change occurs or not, bisexuality is a sexuality that will always be valid. There is a great deal of understanding and compassion that accompanies acknowledging another person for who they are. It can often be difficult to be accepting of another person because of their differences. We cannot always understand their struggle or the obstacles that they have faced to reach where they are today. The most important thing we can do is appreciate another person for who they are, just as they are. Bisexuality is something that should not be ignored or dismissed. We must act as allies for those who are bisexual, as well as the rest of the LGBTQ+ community. We need to remind these people that they are valid and loved, no matter who they love.