Heading Home // by Catherine

This has been such a crazy week. I have had 3 papers and a midterm, but I’m finally done and that means THANKSGIVING BREAK!! It is definitely time for a much-needed rest after such a busy fall.  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because I love being surrounded by family and friends and being able to share a meal together.  But let’s get real… I really love pie! Some of the things I most looking forward to about being home are the beach, the amazing restaurants in Newport, seeing all my family and friends from home, and finally getting to SLEEP!  I love everything about Stanford, but there is nothing like the feeling of being home. Currently, I have “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros running on repeat and loving every minute of it! Big Game weekend is going to be amazing and I’m just excited to drive home on Sunday because that’s one step closer to home, Thanksgiving most importantly food!!

My First Trip to Oklahoma // by Cassie

It was the beginning of my first summer after college. I had finished my last final and was on my way to the airport for a little vacation... My destination: Oklahoma. Melissa drove me to the airport, and even though I was going to see her in two weeks, she cried when dropping me off. I think it was the feeling of saying good-bye. It was the end of our freshman year. Everyone was leaving. Our first year at Stanford was over. Anyone can agree its an emotional time, but then again its Melissa.
Oklahoma. Say it out loud. Next thing you know you'll find yourself singing the song from the musical like on that Bing commercial. That about sums up all the knowledge I had about it before I went to visit. Probably about as much as you have right now... Well it's that state right above Texas. Looks like a toothbrush, you know? I realized I was a true American and anything past Arizona was kind of a mish mosh to me. Moving on, I didn't think Oklahoma was going to be any different than California, except for the fact I couldn't hit up the beach anytime I wanted.

While landing there was a thunderstorm. I could see it off in the distance. 

Apparently spring time is their main storm season? I could see the lightning striking. Something we would almost never get to see in the regular season here in Cali. Freaked me out a little bit, especially when riding in the car to Midwest City there was a tornado warning! I mean, why would you stop right in the middle of the Black Eyed Peas hit “My Humps” to let me know a tornado was near but it wasn't a BIG deal.

At dinner I met Sterling's friends from high school. They were pretty cool guys. I understood about half of what some of them said. But the smile and nod and laugh every now and then really worked and got me through dinner. They invited us to go to the river the next day. Did I mention I LOVE the river? I was so excited.

I worked out at an Air Force base nearby then we met up with his friends. There were four of them, and they told me that we were going noodling at the river. I was so excited. I kind of pictured us all on a boat being pulled on one of those banana things. Never got to do it in Havasu so this was definitely my chance. As soon as we pulled over in the middle of nowhere in a two lane road, I was a little confused. We literally were at a river, so then I pictured us floating down the river on noodles. for some reason my body couldn't physically allow myself to get into the river. They didn't understand why I wasn't getting in the water.

Reason #1, they had told me I had to wear shoes to this river so my feet wouldn't get cut on rocks but the only shoes I had were Sperry's. They didn't understand either what Sperry's were or why I did not want to ruin them. (If you don't either... here's why)

Reason #2, people were fishing and pulling out fish that were as big as my leg out of the water they wanted us to go swimming in. Not cool man.

Reason #3, DO YOU KNOW WHAT NOODLING IS? Noodling is the act of fishing for catfish bigger than a toddler with your BARE hands. People lost fingers, even hands from noodling. Now if you ask me, thats a quality first date right there. Nothing more romantic than submerging yourself in doo-doo water and pulling out a fish that could possibly swallow me whole.

Now there's a good old fashioned American right there. Apparently there is a show about noodling now. Good. It can educate us over here in California. Remind us why fishing poles were invented.

Now the truth is, this was quite an experience, and actually made me a lot more open-minded. Plus as the day went on I began to understand around 80% of what his friends were saying to me. I'm not going to lie, they were hilarious. Oklahoma may seem like a completely random place to visit, but it's actually now one of my favorite places to visit. It is completely different from California in so many ways, but in a good way. Now that Hillbilly Hand Fishing is now a TV show, more people can be better prepared than I was.

Okieville. I salute you.

Photos from a Fashionista // by Kaitlyn

You guys may not know this about me, but there are two things in life in which I absolutely love, photography and fashion. I was lucky enough to stumble upon a job this summer in which I am able to combine these two passions together into one, taking photos for a fabulous store called Trunk Show Couture located in downtown Palo Alto. The store is absolutely amazing from the moment you walk into it, whether it is the gleaming chandelier hanging from the ceiling, or the vintage posters on the walls, the store simply echoes romanticism, elegance, and fashion. Every weekend I set up a time with Kim (the owner) to go into the store to shoot a round of inventory in which we can eventually sell over the internet, as well as use the photos to gain more publicity over Facebook (you can check out the page here). I absolutely love this job; Kim and I go through the products which need to be shot and set them up in the best light and try to capture the best angles in order to show the true beauty of each object. From glamorous Chanel dresses to gorgeous Hermes handbags, the store has a unique array of some of the best vintage high fashion clothing, shoes, and accessories in which I could spend hours photographing. It is almost like going in and playing dress up with the mannequins, although not going to lie it took a little bit of time to get used to ripping off the mannequins arm each time I needed to dress her. I love taking photos of beautiful things and really being able to portray that beauty and more to the rest of the world. I always have such a fun time while working in the store with Kim as well, it is sort of a relaxation or better yet, break from the daily pressures of both school and water polo. To me keeping up with my creativity has always been important--math and science are definitely not my forte, but hand me a camera and a beautiful closet and I am all yours!

One Crazy Weekend // by Ashley

I want to talk about two things: The football game and Halloween!

First of all, the football game was so ridiculously exciting.  The wopo (that's short for water polo) freshies along with Ron Burgundy watched the game in Cory's room and it was ridiculous.  I really like football and I normally know what is going on, but the whole thing was so chaotic that I had a hard time following and keeping my emotions in check.  I also learned that college football does overtime differently from the NFL...cool! Click here to relive it!

Secondly, although Halloween weekend is not over and in fact tonight is actual Halloween, it has been spectacular.  The first night I was an Indian and Em and Ki were cowboys so all together we were cowboys(girls) and indians.  Saturday night Carpie Em and I were the Stanford Dollies! And let me tell you, we looked so real that people asked us how we got back from USC so quickly after the game!  Then Sunday night Carpie and I were hippies and we just looked adorable.  And now tonight, I have NO idea what I want to be, but I plan on rummaging around in my costume box... I'm sure I will find something! Wish me luck!