Is your college life boring you? Want to enjoy a more exciting college experience from the comfort of your fuzzy slippers and warm blanket? Then tune in to Grown-ish Wednesdays at 8pm on Freeform. Set to depict the modern-day college experience of one college student Zoey Johnson. We follow Zoey around as she makes the many mistakes that us college students make.
Focusing on a young girl as she heads off to college and quickly discovers that not everything is easy, perfect, or meant to go her way. Grown-ish focuses on her issues and the cultural battlefields of people in college. A tv show spinoff from the sitcom Black-ish, which focuses on the modern-day lifestyle of an African American family often bringing up and enforcing the theme that black lives matter. This show developed from the focus on the eldest Johnson’s daughter Zoey as she embarks on her freshman year of college at the fictional California University of Liberal Arts where she makes a couple of new friends. Friends who condone intercourse, illegal activities, drugs, drama, and romance. Zoey is still the Zoey that all her fans came to know and love on Black-ish. She is cool, pretty, confident, and stylish. She just shows us that much like most college kids she’s confused, crazy, and completely falling apart inside as well. We see her struggles as she deals with drugs, sex, relationships, and finally living away from home in a dorm. This show seems to depict the extremes of college in my opinion. Then again, these depictions may be accurate at some universities though, but to me it just seems the college life on steroids. It’s a show focused on college yet theirs little representation of her doing class work or attending class. The only thing we know class wise is that she takes a fashion class, she had a paper to write on Ruth Bader Ginsburg (that she used Adderall to complete), and that she’s in a midnight class full of prostitutes and drug lords because she registered for a class late. This same late-night class where she meets her crush Aaron, and her friends Vivek a bright student with a side job as a drug dealer, Nomi the Dean's feminist niece who’s come out of the closet, Sky and Jazz the twin track athletes, and Ana a religious girl who has finally earned some freedom. This odd group reminds me somewhat of the breakfast bunch. Though I love the show because of its extreme unrealistic entertainment purposes, some people dislike the show for just that reason. These episodes range from 23 minutes to 30, but my brother couldn’t even sit through the first ten minutes of it. For someone whose deciding on a college you would think he would find interest in what may potentially be his college experience. (Though I hope not.) Instead of being interested in the drama and its sometimes-unnecessary stupidity, my brother said, “It’s unrealistic and doesn’t accurately show what the college experience is like.” We know it goes overboard for the sake of views, but don’t you think a show about college should focus more on, I don’t know college? The whole first season was basically focused on Zoey’s odd obsession for her male friend Aaron. When I say odd, I mean odd in the sense of her stalking this male at restaurants, art galleries, parties, you name it. You can tell that yourself from being a viewer, but the fact that her drugged up lesbian best friend points it out every couple of minutes surely helps. Not to mention the fact that Zoey herself breaks the third wall to tell the audience that she’s normal. Not at all crazy, because assuming a rose emoji within an Instagram caption is a sign a guy wants you is completely normal… If that doesn’t prove anything, she surely proves how crazy she is later in the season when she decides to take Adderall to stay up to see said male. Well she didn’t the first time. She took Adderall the first time for her paper on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which she failed to do and instead went off track spending $3,000 online shopping for shoes. The 2nd time she succeeded in completing the paper along with her fashion homework, and the third time she did it to see Aaron. She obviously likes the guy, then right? Well she messes things up by deciding its easy to be a player and attempting to prove so to the audience. Which resulted in her losing not one, but both her love interests, and that’s where the last episode left off. With her giving and insightful quote about realizing (hopefully) that all she needed was her friends and to focus on her future. If you loved Black-ish you’d like Grown-ish. If you want to be over prepared for a college experience that probably wouldn’t happen Grown-ish is for you. If you want a show that includes relatable comedy, drugs, romance, parties, and stupidity Grown-ish is for you.
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I had thought that because my girlfriends weren't 21 my twenty first birthday would be....bland. Alas, it was not my birthday actually lasted for about 2 weeks consisting of about 3 events. My birthday had landed on a Sunday, so that prior Saturday my girls and I found a Manhattan hookah bar that allowed 18+ up instead of 21+. (Which was hard, because that was the exact reason why we could not go to a club.) At midnight we left the hookah bar which surprisingly became one of our favorites. From there we headed to the ever so expensive sugar factory where I had my first (legal) drink. A 35+ dollar 60 oz goblet that tasted more like candy then alcohol. The Sunday of my birthday I kept it chill going out to Burgerology with my mother, father, and brother and having another drink as well as a monstrous milkshake. That Thursday upon returning to school I went to a gay bar with my Albany friends that allow 18+ and got a free drink from the bartender for my birthday! The fun surprisingly did not end there. The following week I went to New Jersey with my cousin and went drinking with him. A lot, at different bars so that, you know we wouldn't get kicked out. Overall it wasn't the club with my friends in Manhattan that I had pictured. It was something so much better. Two weeks in.
Up at 8 am just to sleep at 5 am. Homework assignment upon homework assignment. Five hours of homework for one class, but wait theirs 4 more that needs to be done. Are teachers not aware we have more work? Other teachers? On top of that some people have jobs. Not just one, but some have two. We have to pay for food, rooming, classes, textbooks, you name it. You need college for a good career. You need good grades to get into college or to even graduate from it. You need to study and do hw for those grades. You need time to do said homework. You also need money to afford school. Thus, you needing a job. To maintain sane thought you also need a social life. The semester just started and I am overwhelmed and drowning. I just want to scream. Desire to be natural in your own way? Then keep an eye out for future events and meetings from the new Saint Rose club Curl Me Crazy. A name that came to be based off of the phrase, call me crazy explained the clubs president Shianne Mikell. “We wanted to bring more diversity to Saint Rose in a more natural way” shared the vice president Genesis Mercedes. “Even if you don’t have curly hair” added Shianne Mikell. This club came to be due to the mutual agreements from friends Shianne Mikell, Genesis Mercedes, public relations Joshua Mccoy, secretary Moesha McLaughlin, and chairperson Valentina Julien whom all admitted that maintaining curly hair can be a hassall. Therefore rather than suffer alone, create a club that many could relate to that is beneficial to many. This club proved to be a positive idea shown in their first interest meeting held on January 24, 2017. The clubs icebreaker whom those attending referred to as “have you ever”, showed just how many people with curly hair struggle and go through the same experiences. “In the club were going to talk about things like our stories and experiences” said Shianne Mikell. In doing so the club hopes to prove to others who are struggling that when it comes to curls, we all have our stories. Be it Shianne who shared “I permed my hair for nine years.” Moesha McLaughlin who said “I always get my hair done, but coming to Albany I didn’t feel comfortable going anywhere.” Hence deciding her easiest choice was to go natural, or even Joshua Mccoy and Valentina Julien who didn't realize the damage that heat was doing to their hair until they saw their curl pattern change themselves. It took the founders of this club about 19 years to embrace their natural hair and they wish to share what they’ve learned with others. Each person caring for their hair in a different way, seeing as we all are different thus our hair reacting to products differently. Moesha McLaughlin and Valentina Julien shared that their hair routine can take a whole day (or night) to achieve their desired look. Whilst others such as Joshua Mccoy takes about an hour. If even with a load of hair products and determination, your hair doesn't’ look quite right remember its ok. As Genesis Mercedes said “often your hair has a mind of its own. “ For those reluctant to put down the flat irons and other heat products, fear not. The Call me Crazy founders assure that like many things in life everything is ok in moderation. Use heat sparingly, moderately, rarely, and care for you hair. For those who can’t wait until the next meeting for relatable conversations and helpful advice, some words of wisdom from the founders of Curl Me Crazy include “listen to your hair” said Joshua Mccoy. “You’re doing this for a reason” added Moesha McLaughlin. “Remember what’s best for you” shared Valentina Julien. Most importantly, the one word emphasized the most as it was repeated by both Shianne Mikell and Genesis Mercedes patience A couple of years ago, if you had asked me to define pain my thoughts would immediately go to physical. Bruises, paper cuts, and broken bones etc.
You ask me now and I’d have to say some of the worst pain I’ve felt is mental. The worst of them all not being your ugly, or you can’t achieve this, but goodbye. Who cares for an unimportant persons views of your self worth? Not you because you know their not only irrelevant, but about to be proven wrong. They are bullies and though their words hurt you know that the best revenge is success. So you’re going to go and make them eat those words. Their opinion does not matter to your happiness, success, or self-worth. You can push through that, but I have yet to find away to justify a goodbye to make it hurt less? Saying goodbye to your parents as you go away to school… Saying goodbye to your friends because you seem to be going separate ways… Saying goodbye to the love of your life, because it’s not the right time… Furthering your education, getting older, realizing that you have to what’s best for you, are not negative reasons yet all those goodbyes hurt. Everyone says acceptance is the first step to admitting you have a problem or moving on. But for me accepting just makes things real and to be honest, that sucks. Those people who left will always remain a memory and bruises and bones will heal. The scars on your heart, not so much . I am a hard lover.
I mean nothing bad in that, just that I am serious and passionate when it comes to whom I love. I love the same way I live life, wholeheartedly and unconditionally. Love is the most amazing thing out there. It is free and hold so much power. Alas, with great power comes great responsibility. Love can crush someone and love can leave you crushed. If you love someone else whilst someone loves you; you can kill them. If you love someone who doesn't love you it can kill you. Yet, when two people simultaneously love each other it's as if all in the world is bright. Love can create peace. It can bring life. It can produce happiness. Love can also cause jealousy... violence lust lies. Much like a candle's fire, love is something beautiful, that needs to be handled with caution and is not safe in the hands of everybody. So yes. I love with not just my heart, but my soul. I give it my everything as I do with many things in my life. If love is fire, then my love is a forest fire. Large, overwhelming, and often uncontrollable. I’m working on getting a book published. I already have a completed poetry book and am working on a Chick-lit Novel. I have to revise some poems and get my love story together, but getting one or both published is my current goal. Aside from school/Work of course.
https://www.wattpad.com/521766033-what-had-yet-to-be-written-a-new-adventure-awaits I can’t twerk. Well, I can but it’s neither sexy nor graceful. I somewhat resemble an old car. You know, the kind you need to rev up about four times before it starts. Yep, that’s me. I may not get it right away but after a while something... bounces I guess. I have been dancing for about 17 Years so you think moving and keeping to the beat wouldn’t be difficult for me. Fun Fact: I can move my feet like lightning but I cannot wine very well. That’s basically an accurate representation representation of me dancing. I’m moving, just in a cutesy way. I surely am not D. Class went to a bit like this. I don’t know where I was going so I let my mom drive me, because it was only an hour long.( Really it was so that way if I felt uncomfortable I could just hop in the car and tell her to drive. Most girls do this with their friends. But seeing as I go away to school and I don’t have many that live near me, I decided that 2018 was going to be about making safe, yet exciting decisions and being independent. So, my 21-year-old self who manages to look 16 at times walked in confident yet nervous. And let me tell you I was the smallest one there next to the instructor. I’m talking smaller in height, size, and booty. But, for someone who’s only danced professionally and not for the sense of exercise but national competitions, I think I did pretty well. I mean you can tell by my arms that I’m used to things like ballet, and you can tell by my face that I looked at the instructor often seeing as it was my first class. In the end though I had fun, exercised, sweat, and eventually caught on to the routine. All in all it went great and it stinks that when I go back to college, I won’t be able to continue with this activity. But I know that I soon as I go back home, I have a place where I’m welcome and I love it. Falling for someone is an accident, expecting them to catch you can be an accident waiting to happen. Your first love will always stand out more than the rest because of just that, it’s your first.
I fell in love with you the way people did way back when. When R&B was what love songs were made of. When men wanted women for whom they were and not what they looked like. When women were devoted to their man out of love and not money. When holding the door open or walking near the street was something most gentlemen just did. Not something rare like in our society. When social media did not determine your self-worth. I loved you as if we existed within a simpler time. The differences that made you odd to others made you loved by me. They were what made you attractive and that was when I began to fall. Little by little, then all at once. Like a roller coaster about to reach its peak. I knew it was happening, but I could never quite see when the drop would come. I was just along for the ride, sitting there with sweaty palms attached to the coaster bars. Hoping that not if, but when I fell, you would catch me. I fell for your flaws because without them and our issues, our story wouldn’t be our story. I fell for your smile, because it was so much more rare and held more value than any diamond the world could ever produce. It was something hidden from people, never seen before in pictures, and a luxury just for me. I fell for your laugh. Because I get lost in it so much I can decipher which type it is. Is it the kind you give briefly because your happy? Quick and light. Is it the giggle you make when you’re not aware you’re going to laugh? Honest and pure. Or is it my favorite, the one that puts a smile on my face because in that moment, your laughter is so genuine it makes it seem everything in the world is ok. I fell for the way you listen to me. Not with just your ears, but with your whole being. Because in those moments it’s as if I’m not the center of the conversation, but your entire world. I fell for the way you said my name. How you could make something so simple and overused sound so beautiful. I fell for the way you would sleep. Always reminding me of my importance to every night before you slept, and every morning when you woke. I fell for your eyes and how they seemed to express that which you were so fearful to say. I fell in for the way you told me everything. The excitement you had in sharing with me something as simple as what you ate for lunch. I fell for the way you made me crave more, from myself and my life. Always pushing my to do my best and giving me the confidence I lacked in myself. I fell in for your annoying ability to fall asleep at a moment’s notice, just to wake up and remind me that you love me. I fell for your strength in being the bigger person. Sticking with me when I’m ignorant and trying to tell you that your wrong, when we both know your totally right. I fell for the little moments that you would take throughout the day to make time for me. In between classes, before practice, on the way home, before bed. I fell for the weird noises you make and how I respond back, and we can have a conversation simply like that. I fell for your curiosity and your lack of filter when it came to the wonders you found within the world. I fell for your kindness, in always asking me if I was ok when I, myself, am worried about everyone else. I fell for your bravery in saying those three words first without expecting them in return. I fell for you the way you fell for me, unknowingly yet wholeheartedly. So, when people as why him, why you? I can’t simply explain how all the positives outweigh the negatives, so I instead respond “because.” Because when I think about it I windup falling all over again. And it’s also why I’ve become so cautious of roller coasters, because even with a harness, a belt, straps, and the knowledge that a drop is coming. Accidents do happen. Chapter 1 of book 2018
It's 2018 and already I feel behind. There is just so very much I wish to do in life only to be held back by two uncontrollable circumstances. School, money. How am I supposed to experience life stuck between within the auburn brick walls of a college. Or better yet. Pay to travel and embrace all the world has to offer with the money I gain from working not one, but two jobs. Wait I can't, how can I if I am drowning in student debt and loans. Either you don't go to college and live paycheck to paycheck or you do and live in debt. That is the shit system in which we live in. I know, start of small but even some minor things take time that I do not have and money that does not exist. I'd love to pick up another language, I mean if I can't travel there why not at least go as far as to learn the dialect. Yet, how do I have time to study Portuguese, French, or ASL, when for some reason a currently priority on my college schedule is at least 3 credits of gym. For which focus of mine could that possibly benefit? Criminal Justice freshman year? Communications, Computer Science, Pre- Med, which one? I'd love to make YouTube video's because I love people and speaking, but a camera cost money. Especially when you've already spent $400 on one only to find out that recording videos on a camera not meant specifically for videos or "vloging" messes it up. Now I have an expensive photography camera, plus the need for editing software ( another $200), plus lighting, mics, a backdrop, etc. ( Could come out to a grand.) And where exactly am I gaining this money from? Whose to guarantee I'll get it back from sponsors. I'm not creating a channel for fashion, or makeup, 'm simple doing it for fun. I'm not particularly savvy at anything specific, but I figure if I enjoy creating my content at least some people will enjoy watching it. Are those people car down payment price worthy though? I play video-games a lot, and by a lot as a college student living alone I mean during Christmas and Spring break. Even so you would think that would be a lot cheaper because well, if I don't show my face it is literally just screen recording and some editing. Well for good content it's not. Whose going to create your intro? Outro? Are you a graphic design person? Nope, then that may be pricey. You have to keep up to date with popular games because nobody wants to watch you play Zelda, or maybe they do. Trial and error. Do you subscribe to Game Informer? Follow a couple of nerds on twitter? Spend $30-$50 per game about 4 times or more a month to make sure people subscribe to you because you get the latest game play out the fastest and funniest? Got it in you to top PewDiePie, Jacksepticeye, H20 delerious, and Vanosgaming? Nope, didn't think so and neither do I. Basically, I enjoy making people happy. I enjoy life and experiencing it. I want to impact someone, be the one they can turn to, make a difference. Right now, I'm not even living my best life I feel, let alone am I enjoying doing it. I feel like I'm being held back and at the moment their nothing I can do to stop it and I'm not quite sure when it will end. |