Lauren Cook

4th of July!

2010-07-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful 4th of July despite this gloomy weather that we've been having lately. It has become somewhat of a tradition to celebrate this holiday with our family friends, the Magglos family. They have a beautiful home in Malibu and it is so nice of them to host this annual event. The food was absolutely delicious- Jim barbequed ribs and my favorite was the Cuban corn with mojita cheese! It was so nice to catch up with everyone and talk about what we've been up to for the past year. It definitely felt like summer as we sat in the sun on the swinging couches! Too bad it was too gloomy to see very many fireworks! Happy 4th of July everyone! I feel so blessed to be born in and live in America- I'm so proud to be an American!

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The Grove with Lizzy!

2010-06-29T16:33:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Lizzy and I had so much fun hanging out in LA- especially at the Grove! Lizzy had never been to Dupar's before and I made sure to take her there to try their world famous buttermilk pancakes! Absolutely delicious- especially with the boysenberry syrup! We had so much fun looking around the Farmer's Market and trying freshly churned peanut and almond butter- so good! We also had a blast shopping- especially at Victoria's Secret! I absolutely love the Grove- especially during the summer time. They had a live salsa band and dancing- next time we're bringing our dance partners!

Lexie's 3rd Birthday!

2010-06-29T16:29:00.000-07:00

This weekend we celebrated Lexie's 3rd birthday- how time flies! It seems like she was born just yesterday! It's so exciting to watch her grow up and watch her little personality blossom- she has so much joy for life! The theme was absolutely adorable- Tori did such an excellent job planning it. The theme was based on bugs- especially ladybugs! Tori had a bug zoo and even a butterfly garden with real butterflies that she raised. As a party favor she gave each of the children their own bag of real ladybugs- what an original idea! It was so nice to spend time with the family and enjoy the innocence of childhood. Happy birthday Lexie!

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Lauren's Graduation!

2010-06-18T22:14:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we celebrated Lauren's high school graduation! I can't believe that she is officially done with high school- I am so proud of her and she deserves every future success. We attended Foothill Technology High School's graduation at Ventura College-it was a lovely commencement ceremony and it was so exciting to watch Lauren receive her diploma and turn that tassel! I graduated last year so it was fun seeing graduation from another perspective. Foothill is such an amazing school- they truly prepared me for college and gave me some of the best memories and experiences. I think Lauren feels the same way; she is so artistic and creative and Foothill was the perfect place to foster that passion. After her graduation we celebrated at Chicago Ribs for a delicious luncheon.
Today Lauren had her official graduation party which was so lovely. It's amazing how well the Beltrans have kept in touch with so many people throughout the years; I love that Lauren's friends are the ones that she had as a child- including me! It was so fun to look back on all the old pictures and memories. We all had a great time reflecting back on the years- so much to be thankful for.
Lauren and I will be friends forever. She is my best friend till death do us part! I am so proud of her and I can't wait to see what the future holds for her!

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My Views on the Miss USA Pageant

2010-06-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

On May 16, 2010, Donald Trump “hired” his newest employee, Rima Fakih, as Miss USA 2010 on a live television broadcast. The former Miss Michigan, along with 50 other contestants, exemplified Naomi Wolf’s definition of the beauty myth as they graced the stage in their string bikinis. The pageant literally “assigns value to women in a vertical hierarchy according to a culturally imposed physical standard” while simultaneously encouraging women to compete against each other (Wolf 12, 14). As a former pageant contestant, I will draw on my personal experience along with Wolf’s The Beauty Myth, Etcoff’s Survival of the Prettiest, and other authors who have studied the implications of the “beauty myth” in American culture from both a sociological and evolutionary perspective. I will delve into the upfront versus subliminal messages that the Miss USA pageant sends to its viewers and especially to its contestants. I will discuss how these messages affect women in the form of cosmetics, fashion, eating disorders, and plastic surgery. I will also study how this shapes the male perspective and how both sexes have become dependent on the beauty myth because of the false promises of the “halo effect” (Etcoff 49). Lastly, I will discuss how women, especially beauty queens, can and need to combat the beauty myth by empowering themselves, by appreciating rather than envying other women’s beauty, and by uniting together for the liberation of women.

It is important to note that there are a multitude of pageants, each with a different emphasis. I have competed in both the Miss America and Miss International systems which focus on talent and community service, respectively. But with the Miss USA pageant, a ballet routine or a philanthropic platform is unnecessary; it is all about that beloved bikini. The 15 second body shot is worth thousands of dollars- from custom designer gowns, pageant coaches, fitness trainers, and cosmetic implants; it takes more than a naturally pretty face or healthy body to win the title. This year’s pageant was glamorous, sexy, and noticeably synchronized as each girl did the classic hair flip and sultry yet sweet smile into the camera. The show included competitions in swimsuit, evening gown, and onstage question; and of course it would not be a pageant without that crowing moment of tears, hands over the mouth, and starry eyes looking up to thank God- believe me, I have seen this routine more than once.

As a former competitor, I can tell you that this pageant means everything to these girls; they invest hours dieting, exercising, and shopping for up to a year in advance vying for the title. These are impressive young women; they all attend universities, participate in philanthropic service, and have opinions on current political events. But unfortunately the cameras do not emphasize that. NBC and the Trump Organization make a mockery of the talents, passions, and identities of these women by zooming in on their immaculate breasts and tiny waists rather than their resumes. Sadly, while these women whole heartedly dedicate much of their lives toward winning the crown, much of the world watches this live taping as either humorous entertainment or soft porn.

By idolizing the bodies and faces of these women rather than their personal identities, the Miss USA pageant ingrains the “beauty myth” into not only the contestants, but to its female viewers. Women begin to think that the only way they can be loved, happy, or successful is by being seen and judged by others as beautiful. What these women do not realize is that “what is really at stake is not fashion or beauty or sex, but a struggle over political hegemony” (Wolf 188). While these beauty queens appear to be empowered by tossing their head back and laughing or swinging the hips along the runway, their petty preoccupations silently undermine the political, economic, and social progress that women have made during previous feminist movements. Trapped by the “Iron Maiden”, a term that Wolf uses, which teaches women that they must fit into a “rigid, cruel, and euphemistic” mold, even these pageant contestants can never be the perfect woman as is evidenced by their scores shown in the upper right hand corner of the television screen (17). Not one constant scored higher than a 9.1- even Miss USA herself is not a perfect ten. If this is the case, what is this telling women across America regarding their own bodies? Because the beauty myth thrives on competition amongst women and seeks approval from a patriarchal society, females will continue to be a celery eating, treadmill running, and lipstick wearing population in order to match up with their female peers.

While the beauty myth is sociologically driven; there is a biological and evolutionary explanation for our desire to be beautiful. According to Nancy Etcoff’s Survival of the Prettiest, we have an “extreme sensitivity to beauty that is hard wired…by circuits in the brain shaped by natural selection” (24). It has been evidenced that people can identify and agree on physical attractiveness quickly and consistently so it is plausible that most humans would find “fair, blushing skin” and hair full of “color, shine, texture, and movement” as attractive because it is genetically coded in the human brain (Bell and McLaughlin 456), (Etcoff 104, 120). In the pageant, every contestant had full, lustrous hair, though surprisingly only about ten were blonde, which from an evolutionary perspective is favored because it suggests youth (126). There was even less diversity with skin color; while there were only five African American contestants, only Miss District of Columbia was actually dark skinned. While it may be evolutionarily encoded to prefer “light skin because it is a more transparent window to health, age, and sexual interest than darker skin”, this has taught many women of color that unless you are fair skinned, you are not beautiful (Etcoff 105). Because the beauty myth thrives on the division of women, unchangeable skin color has continued to establish “privilege and higher social status” for Caucasians. In the case of Miss USA it is usually the difference between “the crown” and “the frown”- or the winners and the losers (Berry 66).

Even the evolutionarily prized clear, pale skin is not enough to win a pageant though. Most contestants pay thousands of dollars for make-up artists and this year’s broadcast showed contestants hurriedly applying make-up under glamorized Hollywood mirrors backstage. Make-up is an essential factor of the beauty myth; it is “part of the social organization of gender, race, class, femininity, sexuality, and the social construction of self” (Beausoleil 33-34). Most women have been subconsciously taught to enjoy wearing make-up because they have been told to associate it with being “healthy, energetic, well rested, and heterosexual,” (Bell and McLaughlin 458). Due to the subtly of the beauty myth, make-up has become an essential part of a woman’s identity, whether she wears it or not. For many women a tube of lipstick or mascara establishes their level of confidence, self respect, and happiness for the day. Without it they are worthless. With it, they are priceless. What many women do not realize is that this dependence on cosmetics strengthens the power of the beauty myth because it makes women powerless.

A pretty face is worthless without the dress. Usually priced at around $2,500, these custom-designed, Swarovsky crystal encrusted, and tightly fitted evening gowns are a trademark of any pageant. This was my favorite part of the Miss USA pageant because they had voice-overs of each contestant as she modeled her gown. Girls said the following: “I feel like a goddess”, “I’m the epitome of poise, glamour, and elegance” and “I feel the most beautiful I’ve ever felt”. I found these comments uplifting and it was so refreshing to hear women celebrate their beauty rather than be ashamed of it. Unfortunately this moment was quickly tainted by Joan Rivers: “You can’t buy poise; like herpes, you either have it or you don’t”. Nonetheless, all of the gowns represented the personality of each contestant, and each girl unconsciously used style to “look younger, taller, and richer” and to display “sex and status” (Etcoff 209). From both a sociological and evolutionary stand, clothes “add to sex appeal” whether it is for mating purposes or for the standards of the beauty myth which encourages fashion as a way to establish status and self-worth. Whether we use fashion as a form of self expression or to submit to supposed trends, “great clothes make a drop dead entrance”- especially when the newly crowned Miss USA actually tripped in her gown (208).

Rima Fakih is an exception to the stereotype of a typical pageant queen. Born in Lebanon, she began a mentoring program and currently attends the University of Michigan, majoring in economics. This Miss USA is definitely no “pageant patty”- she won the pageant on her first try, even though she had to sell her car to pay for the many expenses of competing. Rima serves as an excellent role model for young women because her success proves that you don’t have to be white, blonde, or wealthy to win a pageant or make a difference in the world for that matter. Her final comment was unnerving though. When asked, “How do you feel? she said, “Ask me after I’ve eaten a pizza!”

While it has not been proven that any of the contestants have an eating disorder, it can be estimated that many of them do, especially since the current statistic is that “5 to 10 percent of all American girls and women are anorexic” (Wolf 182). Inevitably these contestants feel an intense amount of pressure to be thin; five million people and a celebrity panel of judges are looking at their every curve, jiggle, and fold. Eating disorders are a private battle though; the cameras do not show contestants throwing up, starving, or going to the gym for hours. By engaging in the obsession to be thin, some contestants are undermining themselves and in the process they are teaching, encouraging, and forcing other women and girls who watch to do the same. As Wolf writes, “Where feminism taught women to put a higher value on ourselves, hunger teaches us how to erode our self-esteem,” (197). Many women of all ages are willingly becoming prisoners to the beauty myth, hoping to find a false sense of security and control. Instead, all these women find is emptiness, insecurity, and an insatiable craving for pizza among other things.

While pageant contestants strive for a small figure, one thing that is not small is their bust size. Priced at around $3,000, many pageant contestants get breast enhancement surgery because “they look official, photograph well, and will never change- the beauty myth’s ultimate goal,” (Berry 72), (Wolf 248). As these women strive to achieve this “cookie cutter standardized form of ‘beauty’”, women are not only losing their unique physical traits, they are losing their naturalness that makes them human (Berry 82). Furthermore, what is this telling young girls in their training bras or older women in their extra support underwires? There is a “widening gap” between the beautiful and the average, possibly making plain Jane “the subject of even greater bias”, insecurity, and intimidation because of the beauty myth (Berry 82). These subhuman models are creating an unattainable standard of beauty that only money, silicone, and a knife can achieve. The beauty of a real woman is no longer celebrated by the Miss USA pageant.

Some men watching the pageant are learning to not appreciate a woman’s natural beauty, either. Men are equally affected by the beauty myth, but in different ways; they are often taught to be fetishists, becoming more “aroused by symbols of sexuality than by the sexuality of women themselves,” (Wolf 175). Though the Miss USA pageant is not pornographic, the startling “glam shots” of each contestant in fish nets, lacy bras (or no bras), and tousled hair was extremely controversial this year in particular. Rather than apologize for the pictures, the Trump Organization chose to showcase each girl’s picture during the live broadcast. This overemphasized sexuality is only hurting male viewers, though the drool coming out of their mouths may seem otherwise. The beauty myth is ruining the humanness of men by “preventing them from actually seeing women…It does not stimulate and gratify sexual longing,” rather, it was “a numbing effect, reducing all senses but the visual, and impairing even that,” (Wolf 174). Many relationships are suffering between men and women because the beauty myth has taught both sexes that “beauty is the most universal symbol of success,” and without it, a person is worthless (Martin 155).

Therefore, it is natural that women want to become this symbol and men want to find a woman to embody this symbol because of the social exchange theory stating that social power can be obtained by being “romantically associated with attractive people” (Martin 155), (Berry 32). Because of the “halo effect”, good-looking people are perceived to be “smarter, more sociable and popular, have higher self-esteem, and are more desirable,” (Bell and McLaughlin 456). Yet this assumption of a happier life is not necessarily true. Happiness is based more on “optimism, a sense of personal control, self-esteem, and ability to tolerate frustration,”- all of which the beauty myth tirelessly works to undermine (Etcoff 85). These pageant contestants are no exception to the beauty myth or to the “attribution theory” which correlates beauty with prosperity and success; the only difference is that instead of seeking a halo, these women seek a crown (Martin 55), (Berry 32).

We need to take a stand against the beauty myth, not the Miss USA pageant. These pageant contestants are not at fault for competing in the pageant; they, like the rest of the female population, want to feel beautiful, loved, and successful. Unfortunately, the beauty myth has taught them that the only way to be worthy of receiving such adoration is by being judged as a “10”. Until women realize that “10’s” do not exist and that they are instead victims of a political battle in which appearance, dieting, surgery, or cosmetics are merely symptoms of the beauty myth, many women will continue to suffer.

The beauty myth does not have to be permanent or inevitable. Pageant contestants have a prime opportunity to liberate women from its bindings, and it is not by refusing to wear make-up or by gaining twenty pounds. Because of the competitive nature of the pageant system, women can instead take this as an opportunity to see their fellow contestants’ beauty not “as a threat or an insult, but a pleasure and a tribute,” (Wolf 287). It is time that all women embrace their bodies and the natural beauty that comes with it. If women can take a united stand, beauty can be “reinterpreted as noncompetitive, nonhierarchical, and nonviolent” once and for all (Wolf 286). Who cares if Donald Trump says, “You’re fired!”…he would soon be out of money anyway because no girl would compete in his pageant anymore.

Miss USA has become an icon; young girls want to be her, men want to date her, and fellow women mock, envy, or admire her. She is the emblem of the beauty myth; her victory means the failure of many others and her body and face are symbolic of ideal beauty- even though scores show that she is not even a perfect “10”. Every woman, whether modeling a bikini on TV or watching the pageant at home, is affected by both the subtle and blatant messages of the pageant. These messages say that a woman cannot be loved, special, or happy unless she is deemed beautiful. In order to attain this unattainable goal, women are painting themselves, designing themselves, starving themselves, and surgically altering themselves but it is still never good enough. It is not just Caucasian women that are subjected to the beauty myth; from the six year old girl with wide eyes, to the 28 year old man with his jaw hanging open, the Miss USA broadcast affects both men and women, all races and ethnicities, and all social classes- no one is exempt from the lure of the crown. Yet it is my sincere hope that one day women of every size, shape, and color will feel loved, appreciated, and special not by a cold society that ranks them with a calculated score but instead by their lovers, children, and friends who find them irreplaceably beautiful as they naturally are.

Works Cited
Beausoleil, Natalie. "Makeup in Everyday Life: An Inquiry into the Practices of Urban American Women of Diverse Backgrounds." 33-34. Print.
Bell, Myrtle P., and Mary E. McLaughlin. "Outcomes of Appearance and Obesity in Organizations." 456, 458. Print.
Berry, Bonnie. "Cosmetics, Cosmeceuticals, and Other Superficial Changes." Beauty Bias: Discrimination and Social Power. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2007. 66. Print.
Berry, Bonnie. "Looks and Romance." Beauty Bias: Discrimination and Social Power. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2007. 32. Print.
Berry, Bonnie. "The Plastic Surgery Industry." Beauty Bias: Discrimination and Social Power. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2007. 72, 82. Print.
Etcoff, Nancy L. Survival of the Prettiest: the Science of Beauty. New York: Doubleday, 1999. 24, 85, 104-105, 120, 208-209. Print.
Martin, Courtney E. "What Men Want: The Truth About Attraction, Porn, and the Pursuit." Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters: the Frightening New Normalcy of Hating Your Body. New York: Free, 2007. 155. Print.
Miss USA 2010 Pageant. NBC. Las Vegas, Nevada, 16 May 2010. Television.
Wolf, Naomi. The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used against Women. New York: W. Morrow, 1991. 12, 14, 17, 174-175, 182, 188, 197, 248, 286-287. Print.

Luis' 60th Birthday!

2010-06-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

Tonight we celebrated Uncle Luis' 60th birthday at the Montecito Cafe in Santa Barbara. We have gone there to celebrate for years; Lauren and I also love to think back on all the fun memories there. The food was absolutely delicious- my favorite was the caviar pancakes but the coconut cake was also divine! We are also celebrating Lauren's upcoming graduation- she will offiically graduate from high school this Thursday- I can't believe it! I love the Beltran family so much- it's always such a joy to spend time together and I can't wait to relax together over the summer!

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Jessica's Birthday!

2010-06-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

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Last night we celebrated Jessica's 20th birthday! It was one of the best dinners I've had in a long time- wonderful people, wonderful food, and a wonderful atmosphere! I have been so sick the past week so I was so glad that I was finally better! It was so nice to see all my favorite girls one last time before the summer- I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such talented, intelligent, and kind girls. We all had so much fun chomping on endless garlic balls and singing "That's Amore!". Not to mention the desserts are fabulous there- who can beat snickers cheesecake and spumoni among others? We even had a Kate Beckinsale sighting to top it all off! I hope you had a fabulous birthday Jessica and I'm so glad I got to celebrate with you!

Panhellenic Awards Night

2010-06-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago we had our Panhellenic Awards Night at Ackerman Grand Ballroom. Our former president, Victoria Tenney, was nominated as President of the Year and I was so honored to be nominated for New Member of the Year. I was so excited to represent Chi Omega; I was especially excited because I made the top three of all the houses! I had an interview for the award and it was nice to meet some of the Panhellenic delegates in the process. Though I did not win the award, I was still very excited to just be in the running! It was a great evening and I went with some of my best friends to Big Chill afterward- best frozen yogurt on the planet! Only they would have chocolate raspberry truffle and chocolate covered banana flavor!

Below is my entry for the essay on "What It Means to be Greek"

As soon as I read the Chi Omega Symphony, I knew that I had found a home on Hilgard. Becoming a sister of Chi Omega has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life and I am continually grateful for the friendships, traditions, and community that have been offered. Our Symphony has defined my experience in the Greek system: I see every verse embodied in so many of the women on a daily basis; “placing scholarship before social obligations,” “character before appearances,” and being “democratic rather than exclusive.” I especially admire how my Chi Omega sisters exemplify the phrase, “lovable rather than popular.” These are the traits that I strive to embody as a UCLA Bruin, Chi Omega sister, and human being. The melodic inscription of the Chi Omega Symphony has given me a new perspective; whether it is to “work earnestly” by pursuing my degree in psychology in hopes of one day becoming a motivational speaker or to “act sincerely” in the presence of my sisters, my family and friends, or anyone for that matter. Through its words I have discovered a greater appreciation for the loyalty and companionship that grows from the bonds of sisterhood.
I hear the Symphony every day on campus; it is a shared smile across Bruin Walk or a wave walking down Hilgard. It is a friendly conversation in the kitchen and a hug on Monday nights when I arrive at the house for dinner. The Symphony is not heard just in Chi Omega though; its notes are being played across campus in every house of the Greek System. Sisterhoods are being strengthened on a daily basis; handshakes are being exchanged, songs are being sung, and oaths are being vowed. We are apart of a tradition that has lasted over a century; women have been playing the Symphony long before we could ever hear it. But the tune still rings louder than ever just as I and so many have promised to be a “symphony of high purpose and helpfulness in which there is no discordant note.”

Rho Beta

2010-05-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

On Sunday night we celebrated our Chi Omega senior send-off with the traditional Rho Beta dance. The theme was Las Vegas hotels- first years were Circus Circus, second years were Luxor/Caesar's Palace, third years were Rio, and seniors were the Hard Rock. Everyone had such great costumes- I was a clown! Greg had a little more trouble with his costume...we finally decided on Papa Georgio from Vegas Vacation. Although Greg and I were absolutely exhausted from Rose Ball, we definitely made a showing and had a great time dancing! This was my last Chi Omega social event of the year and I was so glad that I could go and celebrate a fantastic year with my sisters!

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Rose Ball

2010-05-25T22:05:00.001-07:00

I had the best weekend in San Diego! I went with Greg for his Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity formal, Rose Ball. I have made a lot of friends in Pi Kapp so it was so much fun spending time with them in the beautiful San Diego sunshine! It was also nice because a lot of my Chi Omega sisters were there as well. We had a great time relaxing by the pool and of course we had delicious Mexican food at El Indios- which is a must when you visit San Diego! The formal was lovely; it was on a classic boat and we had a delicious sit down dinner with chocolate cake to top it off! I was so proud of Greg; he was awarded as Scholar of the Year. We had a great time dancing the night away and everyone had such a great time. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to go!

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Walk for Wishes

2010-05-15T23:37:00.000-07:00

This morning (at 7:15 no less) I walked with my sisters at the Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser, Walk for Wishes. Because this is the Chi Omega national philanthropy, it was very important to me that I participate. This cause is something truly special and it was a huge deciding factor as to why I wanted to join Chi Omega. I love what the organization stands for; as someone that has been touched by cancer, I love that the Make-A-Wish foundation takes a tragic situation and makes light of it by granting the wish of not just the child, but the family that suffers from a cancer diagnosis in the family. Whether it's a puppy dog, a day with Miley Cyrus, or swimming with dolphins (which is a gift that our house sponsored for a boy) this organization changes lives and makes lives better than they were before. I am hopeful that our house will get even more involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and that girls in our house become more aware of what the organization stands for. My good friend Shelby has served the organization for years and she has taught me so much about the program. We had a great time walking and talking this morning and the event was extremely well planned. They had so many food vendors- the P.F. Chang's chicken lettuce wraps at 10:00 this morning along with the truffles was a nice touch!

Spring Sing!

2010-05-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

Last night I attended Spring Sing in Pauley Pavillion- it was absolutely amazing! It was another night to remind me of how thankful and proud I am to be a Bruin- there are so many talented students here! The show had various acts- everything from the beloved male acapella group Bruin Harmony to solos, duets, bands, dance groups, and fraternity and sorority song and dance numbers. It was so entertaining and I especially loved the Company which was responsible for providing the comedy- and boy were they funny! I was so proud because we had two Chi Omegas in the Company and they did such an excellent job. It was also exciting because a fellow pageant contestant (and American Idol finalist) Arianna Afsar was in the show and she did a phenomenal job- she even won the award for best duet! It was great sitting next to my Big Sis Kelly and finally getting a chance to catch up. I'm so grateful to have such wonderful friends to share these experiences with! I wish I could watch the show again!

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

I had such a wonderful and relaxing weekend at home for Mother's Day. Of course my mom planned a family party to celebrate and she made the most beautiful and delicious Boston Creme Pie! It was really nice to spend time with my cousin Sara who just completed her first year at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Earlier in the day we went to afternoon tea with my Grandma Farr and it was really nice to see my old singing coach, Linda. It was such a perfect weekend- so glad that I could see everyone- especially my little Kiko!

Mom's Day

2010-05-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

Today was Chi Omega's Mom's Day- it was a fabulous day! Not only was the weather absolutely beautiful- it was a lovely venue on the patio of Covel and we had amazing entertainment- Bruin Harmony. They are UCLA's signature male acapella group and they sang everything from Billy Joel, Jay Sean, Carole King, and Amy Winehouse. They are so talented and so entertaining! Lunch was delicious and it was so nice to get to spend time with my mom and two grandmas. I finally got to give my Grandma Joan and Grandma Farr a tour of Chi Omega and they both really liked the house- so exciting that I will be living there next year! My grand big Jenna planned the event today and she did such an excellent job. Everything about the day was perfect- not to mention stopping at Golden Spoon on the way home made the day even better! I do love my sweets!

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Cinco de Chi O!

2010-05-08T22:33:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week we celebrated Cinco de Mayo with the fraternity Phi Psi. The official theme was sports jerseys and I went as a classic Bruin fan. We all fun dressing up and it was great getting to go out dancing. Everyone looked so cute and it was especially fun getting to do the classic Macarena on the dance floor to celebrate the fiesta!

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Tree People

2010-05-03T09:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I volunteered with my Chi Omega sisters and with Theta Xi fraternity for the organization Tree People. It was a beautiful day in Malibu and it was great getting to spend some time in nature. We had an excellent nature guide who told us about how so much of the Los Angeles county mountains are being destroyed- both for natural reasons and because of human interactions. There have been a lot of new oak trees that they have planted though to help combat this problem- unfortunately the weeds have tried to ruin the progress. It was our job to remove the "ripgut" as it's called and I think we made a considerable difference! It was great getting to spend time with my sisters and meet some of the guys in Theta Xi. It's nice to get away from the big city sometimes!

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Westwood Volunteer Day!

2010-05-01T20:04:00.000-07:00

This morning I volunteered in Westwood for their beautification day. I had the lovely task of sanding, priming, and painting the trashcan holders of Westwood for three hours. I really enjoyed meeting new people though and the food was really great at least. I do love Westwood- such a great little college town- and hopefully we were able to spiff it up just a bit!

April Birthdays

2010-05-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I went home to celebrate my Grandma Joan's, Aunt Mary's, and baby Courtney's birthdays. Courtney's birthday was especially exciting because it was her first birthday! She definitely made use of her birthday cake...We all such a good time catching up with each other and it was really nice to see our relatives from Idaho. They brought their dog, Panzer, who is one of my favorite dogs of all time! He has amazing mouth-eye coordination and I love how he nudges the ball back to you with his nose. Everyone really enjoyed being together and eating Grandma Joan's classic homemade tacos! Looking forward to seeing everyone again!

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UCLA Relay for Life

2010-04-22T20:03:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was UCLA's Relay for Life. I have been doing the event for the past four years in high school but I had never done a college relay before. It was definitely a different experience but just as enjoyable and just as meaningful. My dad and grandma were so great- they arrived the morning of to help set up our Chi Omega campsite- we definitely had the best campsite on the track! We had 10 girls on the team but we had a lot more Chi Omegas come by and keep us company. I heard so many touching stories throughout the day and it made me appreciate how fortunate I am to have all my family still alive today. It also reminded me that you should never judge others because everyone has a personal story that you never know about until they tell you- there is a reason for why people are who they are and why they do the things they do. This year was especially touching for me because I was reminded of how thankful I am to have my mom in my life; I am so thankful for her health and well-being. Chi Omega did such a great job fundraising- we raised over $7,000! I believe that was 3rd place at the Relay! Definitely the best Greek House at the Event! You go girls!

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Chi Omega Formal

2010-04-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

On Friday night Chi Omega had our annual formal. I had the best time and it was definitely a night to remember! It was so nice getting to celebrate with my sisters and I had so much fun dancing the night away with my date. Our formal was on a four story yacht so that made the experience all the better. These events always remind me how fortunate I am to have such wonderful friends and people in my life- it makes life all the more special.

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Taylor Swift Concert

2010-04-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

On Thursday night my friend Lizzy from Chi Omega invited me to see the Taylor Swift concert with her at the Staples Center. We had the best time and I was so happy that she asked me to go! We had a great dinner at Fish and Stone restaurant and we had so much fun dancing and singing during the show. Kellie Pickler and Gloriana also performed before Taylor so it was fun to see them as well. Also- fun fact- while we were in the merchandise line Lisa Rhinni from Dancing with the Stars was standing behind us- I can't believe how many people asked to take pictures with her! As for Taylor- wow! What an amazing show- I've never seen a concert like that before. It was like watching a Broadway musical- she was so talented and every song was such a production. She seemed like such a sweet girl and was so humbled by all of it- I can't imagine being 19 and selling out the Staples Center- what a feeling. I love her music and she sounds just as good live as she does on the radio. She had the best costumes and it was cool that Katy Perry made a guest appearance! It was a fabulous night and I'm so happy Lizzy invited me!

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Eleusinia

2010-04-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my Chi Omega sisters and I celebrated the 115th anniversary of our sorority. We went down to Pasadena at the Sheraton and it was a very lovely luncheon. The Calpoly Pomona chapter along with our alumnae members were also present and it was great to meet some new people in the sisterhood. Lunch was delicious- and we all especially enjoyed the red velvet cupcakes- at least I did! I was really honored to be given the "Emerging Leader" award which is voted on by the girls in our chapter. While I am very flattered, I want to continue working hard for our sorority and making sure that we continue to shine on campus! We have our Relay for Life event coming up and I hope that the event is a huge success for us. Yesterday was just a reminder of why I want to be at UCLA and why I want to keep striving for success.

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John Lovitz Comedy Club

2010-04-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

Last week Kelly, Jessica, and I went to the John Lovitz comedy club in CityWalk! We had so much fun and it was definitely a new experience. I was impressed with how talented he was- I never knew that he could sing and play piano along with being a comedian. We all had so much fun hanging out together even though there were some awkward moments in the show- one of the opening acts pegged me out from the audience and I asked me how old I was- I guess I looked pretty shocked by some of his racist jokes- but then again he did say he was a felon and that he shot someone so most people would look a little shocked. Nevertheless, it was a great time and I'm so glad that we went!

Bridal Shower

2010-04-04T23:57:00.000-07:00

One of the main reasons I came home this weekend was to help my mom with the bridal shower she was hosting for one of her coworkers, Jamie. We had so much fun preparing for the party- but there was definitely a lot of work to be done! Grandma and I had fun making appetizers together and of course I got into character for the fiesta theme! The best part of the night was getting to relax with my parents in the jacuzzi and just talk about life together. They give me such great advice and it's really interesting to compare our experiences of college life- so much has changed but yet so much is still the same. I guess that's life.

My Brain!

2010-04-04T23:37:00.000-07:00

Last week I participated in a psychology study testing the effects of empathy on the brain. It included two weeks of nightly surveys on how connected I felt with people and the final segment included an MRI of my brain. I was a little worried that I'd be claustrophobic but it wasn't a problem at all! Especially since they put $10,000 goggles on me that showed everything on the experimenter's computer. I was so glad that I could participate and I got paid for it, too! $110- woo hoo! And apparently, according to the pictures, the lab workers said that I have a very healthy brain! Great!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T23:18:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated Easter with our family which was so wonderful. We began the day by going to church and celebrating the Lord's resurrection. He is risen! After church we went our to the Saticoy Country Club for a delicious brunch. My ultimate weakness is all the sweets- especially since I was supposed to give them up for Lent. Notice the words "supposed to"! Anyway- we all had a great time spending the morning together even though we missed my cousin Sara who is away at college in Colorado. It was beautiful day and I'm looking forward to seeing them all again in a couple of weeks!

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Tomorrowland Party!

2010-04-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

Last week I had so much fun going out with my Chi Omega sisters to celebrate the beginning of spring quarter! Our theme was tommorrowland so we all had fun in our space age outfits. It's always so much fun to dress up and I've surprisingly made good use of my mom's outfits from the 70s and 80s- so glad she saved so much of all that good stuff! It was especially great to go out dancing with one of our newest Chi Os- Nivedita. She and I have been friends since the summer from the UCLA Wildnerness Welcome program but she only recently became a Chi Omega. I think we all had a great time that night!

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Debutante Ball 2010

2010-04-04T22:57:00.000-07:00

This post is a little late- I just got the pictures- but I remember the night like it was yesterday! A couple weeks ago we celebrated at my best friend Lauren's Debutante Ball. It was a beautiful ceremony and as a former debutante, it was so much fun to see the presentation from the other side of the curtain. Lauren looked absolutely beautiful and I couldn't help but cry when she was presented- I am so proud of her and I am so blessed to share so many special and fun memories with her. We are lifetime besties!
Everything about the event was perfect: the room looked absolutely gorgeous- from the ornate bouquets to the silver and china- it was a night to remember. I loved the fillet mignon but Lauren and I especially loved the Dulce De leche dessert- so good! We had so much fun dancing the night away- even my Grandma Joan got on the dance floor! I was impressed! And it was so much fun to swing and waltz with my dad- he was so excited to get on the dance floor! Every minute of that night was special and happy. I'm so glad that I could come home from college to see the event and I hope you enjoy the pictures!

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Spring Break!

2010-03-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

Well, today is the last day of spring break- my last hoorah. I had a wonderful week and I loved getting to relax and spend some quality time with family and friends. I've posted a slideshow of some of my highlights of the week- I was pretty busy socializing! On Thursday we had a water balloon fight in the park which was pretty fun- too bad the weather was foggy that day. On Friday night I went out to a Hollywood club with my friends (one more goal on the bucket list completed!) and we had fun dancing the night away. On Saturday I went to Alexis' water polo game- Stanford vs. UCLA where we lost. I was so proud of Alexis though and it was so exciting to see her! Later that night we celebrated Sara and my birthdays with our family- I always love getting to catch up with everyone and share laughs and memories together. This is such a short summary of my week- I had such a great time all and all! I can't believe spring quarter starts tomorrow- only one more to go! I'm looking forward to all the fun adventures coming ahead!

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Ruth Chris Dinner to Celebrate!

2010-03-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to Ruth Chris Steakhouse (my favorite restaurant) with my parents to celebrate the completion of my second quarter as a freshman at UCLA! I'm so excited that I got straight A's this quarter! Last time I was there was a year ago to celebrate my acceptance into UCLA- so much has changed since then! I'm so happy at UCLA and I'm so glad that I made the right choice. I love being in Chi Omega, Relay for Life, and the campus atmosphere in general. It is such a beautiful place to go to school and though the transition was difficult at first, it showed me how strong I am and how independent I can be. I have gained more confidence as an individual and I feel more courageous in pursuing my goals. A year later I am still working toward becoming a motivational speaker and majoring in psychology. I am so happy and I want to keep enjoying and making the most of every day!
As for dinner- it was absolutely the best! I've stopped eating red meat but I still enjoy it occasionally- I had a few bites of my dad's fillet Mignon and my mom's rib eye- heavenly! (Especially when it comes in sizzling butter haha) I ordered a delicious lobster bisque, corn pudding, and my favorite- sweet potato casserole (it tasted like pumpkin pie!). As for dessert, I had a little carrot cake and cheesecake- which is the best I've ever had- absolutely fantastic! It was such a celebration and I'm so glad that I have such amazing support (financially and emotionally!) from my parents. Looking forward to another quarter of fun adventures!

Lauren's Karate Tournament

2010-03-22T14:27:00.001-07:00

This past weekend I attended Lauren's Tae Kwon Do Tournament- she has been doing it for over 12 years and this is the first time that I've actually gotten to see her do her thing! She is a fourth degree black belt (she had the highest ranking amongst all the other girls there). She did an excellent job on her form- she got third place- but she at least deserved second place. She also did a great job in sparring and in her free form routine with her boyfriend Travis. It was so much fun to watch and I was so impressed with Lauren! It was especially entertaining because Lauren is the sweetest girl I know and I've never seen her look so determined and serious! She is strong and she means business! (No pepper spray necessary for her!). Later in the day we had the best time hanging out and having a girls' day together. We had fro yo and tacos and we sunbathed in my backyard for a bit. We baked peanut butter whoopie pies which were absolutely delicious and we had the best time just chitting and chatting. I am so blessed to have her as my best friend and I know it will stay that way throughout our lives. I'm so proud of her and I'm so glad that I could finally see her kick and chop and hi-yah!

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Iron Bruin

2010-03-07T23:25:00.000-08:00

This morning I helped volunteer and cheer on my fellow sisters at the Iron Bruin Triathlon event. I was so impressed by the athleticism of so many people of ALL ages- it definitely made me want to head over to the gym! I was so proud of all our girls that participated in the event- we had over 10 participants! Also, I was so proud of my Grand Big, Jenna, who was the director of the entire event. There were hundreds of people there- from Stanford, UCSD, even USC- not to mention many out-of-college athletes. I was so glad that I was able to attend and cheer on my girls! Who knows- maybe I'll participate some day?

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Tennis Match: UCLA vs. USC

2010-03-06T17:27:00.001-08:00

Last week Sindhuja and I went to the UCLA vs. USC tennis match. Even though we lost 1-6 it was still fun to watch! We have a beautiful tennis stadium and we finally got to enjoy some pre-summer sun. The weather has been so volatile lately- I thought we lived in southern California?! Anyway- it made me miss my tennis days! I definitely need to pick up a racket this summer!

Day at Venice Beach

2010-03-06T17:11:00.000-08:00

Last weekend my dad visited me at school to take me to Venice Beach! As a native Californian, I'd never been there before and it was quite a sight to see. We tried out the restaurant Lemonade which was absolutely delicious- I love trying out places! The best thing on the menu was their panini filled with macaroni and beef stew- sounds like a weird combo I know but it was actually delicious. Afterward we walked along Main Street and I gave in and had some gelato (even though I gave up sweets for Lent- but that was my only slip up so far and it's Day 18 now!). It was worth it though! As my dad and I were walking along I stumbled upon such a cute new dress that my dad bought for me- thanks Dad! Now I just have to find the perfect occasion...
After we drove down to the seashore and walked along the beach. I've never seen so many kinds of people. There were so many "interesting" folk there- I think my dad and I stuck out like sore thumbs. My dad got me a really beautifully painted skull though- it's perfect because it is one of the symbols of Chi Omega. We had a great time people watching and spending time together. It was so nice of my dad to come visit me- and it was nice to get out of the dorm for a few hours! I get cabin fever sometimes (especially since I feel like I'm literally living in a cabin in Hitch). Looking forward to more fun outings: next adventure: Santa Monica pier!

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Motorcycling in Malibu

2010-02-22T00:05:00.000-08:00

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This past weekend I had such a fun father daughter day with my dad! He just bought a new Harley and since I've never been on a motorcycle before (and it's on my bucket list) it was only fitting that we should go for a ride. I really liked the Harley but I have to admit it was pretty windy- to the point that it was hard to keep my eyes open! After we took the Harley for a short spin, my dad and I went on his friend's bike which was a little more comfortable. It had a great windshield, surround sound music system, and even butt warmers (which I took full advantage of!). We drove along the coastline on the PCH- it was a beautiful day in Malibu and I felt like I was in heaven watching the waves crash on the shore! I love living in California and it was the perfect day. We had lunch at Marmalade Cafe and then we looked-but didn't eat-Crumb's cupcakes (so tempting though!) We had the best time- I feel so blessed to have such a great dad who wants to spend quality time with me. My dad has been so supportive in this time of my life and he's given me some great advice. Love you, Dad! Thanks for such a fun day!

New Pledges

2010-02-22T00:01:00.001-08:00

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Last week we welcomed five new pledges from our continuous open bidding process. I was lucky enough to get to go in the limo with the new girls and welcome them to the Chi Omega family. We had such a blast and it was so much fun going out into LA- I'm such a food coniseur so I love any opportunity to try LA's vast array of dining experiences. We went to C&O's Italian restaurant which was absolutely a delicious and memorable dining experience! The served a limitless supply of garlic balls that just kept popping right into my mouth! Also- every girl was able to order her own dessert- too bad I gave up all desserts for Lent! But I was so proud to have resisted the Reeses peanut butter cheesecake! (In a former life that would have been an impossible feat!). My favorite part of the night was when everyone in the restaurant sang that Italian song, "That's Amore". All the waiters danced around as the music played on the loud speaker and we all toasted each other- I was just so happy to be there!
I love the new girls, too! I nominated my friend Nivedita and I'm so excited that I can now call her my sister! I know she has so much to look forward to and I know we'll grow even closer! I'm so excited to get to know the new girls better!

"Dreams Do Come True" Party

2010-02-21T23:10:00.000-08:00

Last week Chi Omega had a really fun raid with Pi Kapp. The theme was "Dreams Do Come True" although somehow the boys thought it was a "teachers" theme (I feel bad for the boy that dressed as Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus, haha). Anyway- I had a great time dancing the night away with my sisters- I feel like I'm forming some wonderful friendships. Events like this remind me of how thankful I am to be in a sororitity- at a school as big as UCLA it's nice that I can have a group to connect with. Just loving life right now!

All the Single Ladies!

2010-02-17T11:40:00.000-08:00

So it was my first Valentine's Day in awhile being a single lady. That's okay though because all my best friends are also newly single so we celebrated our singleness together- which was a better time anyway! We went out to Santa Barbara to the restaurant State and A (delicious!) and we just had the best time sharing our stories. It was nice being home from college and catching up with my dear high school friends. The night only got better as we were delivered a delectable peanut butter pie by a pretty charming waiter- who later invited all of us to attend the Santa Barbara Film Festival! We didn't go but we were still pretty flattered! Who says Valentine's Day is only for the lovebirds?!?!

Dance Marathon

2010-02-16T23:15:00.000-08:00

Dance Marathon was last weekend (as was my 19th birthday!) and I had the best time! I admit that I had been pretty nervous about it all last week because I knew that it would be a challenging feat. You're supposed to dance for 26 hours straight- no sitting, not even to pee! (I may have cheated on that part!) Anyway- so many of my sisters in Chi Omega participated in the event and I loved getting to bond with them. Also, I love dancing so this was the perfect thing to do on my birthday! I was so proud to see so many Chi Omegas on the committee spearheading the event- it was a huge success. UCLA raised over $407,000 for pediatric HIV/AIDS. The money we raise goes toward vaccines that help prevent the mother from passing on the disease to her child during childbirth and the money also goes toward paying for camp tuition for children that are affected by this terrible disease. Many of these children were at the event dancing with us and I loved hearing them share their touching stories. Every dancer at the event was required to raise $208 (each vaccine is $8 so $8 for every hour of 26 hours makes $208). I lasted for eight hours and I would have stayed longer except that it was my birthday and my parents took me out to P.F. Chang's for dinner. But the music, the friends, the cause, the fun- it was the perfect day. I'm so blessed to go to UCLA where people are committed to being the change they wish to see in the world!

Lauren Cook

4th of July!

The Grove with Lizzy!

Lexie's 3rd Birthday!

Lauren's Graduation!

My Views on the Miss USA Pageant

Luis' 60th Birthday!

Jessica's Birthday!

Panhellenic Awards Night

Rho Beta

Rose Ball

Walk for Wishes

Spring Sing!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mom's Day

Cinco de Chi O!

Tree People

Westwood Volunteer Day!

April Birthdays

UCLA Relay for Life

Chi Omega Formal

Taylor Swift Concert

Eleusinia

John Lovitz Comedy Club

Bridal Shower

My Brain!

Happy Easter!

Tomorrowland Party!

Debutante Ball 2010

Spring Break!

Ruth Chris Dinner to Celebrate!

Lauren's Karate Tournament

Iron Bruin

Tennis Match: UCLA vs. USC

Day at Venice Beach

Motorcycling in Malibu

New Pledges

"Dreams Do Come True" Party

All the Single Ladies!

Dance Marathon

Grab-A-Date!

Happy Birthday Tori!

Happy New Year's!

Merry Christmas!

Junior Panhellenic Council

Myth Night and Initiation

Date Party

UCLA vs. USC Volleyball Game

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Cheers for Children

Viva Las Vegas!

Brunch at the Biltmore

Thanksgiving Weekend

So You Think You Can Dance?

New Moon Week!

UCLA Volunteer Day

Al Gore: Our Choice

Tom's Walk

All Star Raid

Out of Darkness Walk

Date Party

My Big Sis!

Chi Omega Presents

Dad's Day!

Parent's Weekend

UCLA vs. Oregon

Chi Omega Girl!

First Week at UCLA!

Farewells From Home

Blue Mountain State

Aunt Janet's 60th Birthday

Life Goals: September

Sara's Send Off

Jake Owen and Josh Turner

We love our cats!

Life Goals: August

Harris Ranch

Beach House

UCLA Orientation

Wilderness Welcome