Cyber Monday Turn Of Events & Reflecting On It

Kaixo everyone,

Remember that beautiful tote I was supposed to get... Well LOL. Lilly Pulitzer used clickbait yet again. I honestly do not know how I was that weak to fall for it. I was not particularly enchanted with anything (still not enchanted with any of the new stuff either), but seeing *FREE* in flashing lights and all the hype in different Lilly Facebook groups, I fell to it. And as many others, I did not receive the tote.

Now, the tote was a mystery gift offered at 12pm Eastern Time and was going on for an hour. I ordered it at 23:05 Central Time, yet I received a pair of earrings. They are definitely pretty, but neither what I wanted nor what I expected. I did have some exchanges with Customer Service (including one with a rather rude representative) on the topic, and well, since the package arrived two weeks late, the only thing I had to ask the representative was to avoid marking which present we would be getting and just referring to it as a mystery gift.

At first I was mad, but then I started to reflect on it and I felt really ungrateful and mean. Why would I be mad that a free present was not the one that I wanted? A family could've bought dinner with the money I spent. I could have donated that money to charity. I could have saved it up for a future project. I bought a phone case and got a free wine tote and free earrings. I didn't get a bag, but I have similar bags that I use and could use instead. Heck I have a ton of earrings!

There were many angry ladies on those Lilly Facebook pages, including myself. However, this incident will not change the course of my life, and it has given me some perspective. Objects are not everything, which is difficult to forget when you live in such a capitalistic society. A tote won't change my life or make it happier. Coffee with friends, a chat with the fam and other everyday moments 100% make up for it.

Plus I'm not that into flamingos anyway. ;)

Love,

- Ane

Pantone 2016

Kaixo everyone!

The Pantone 2016 colors of the year are out. Yes, you heard that right, colors, in plural! And let me tell you, it's my favorite combination to date! The colors are Rose Quartz and Serenity, which combined create a tranquil, calm sensation against the chaotic world we are living in. Isn't that cool?

I personally love their choice. Apparently no one liked Marsala (not a big fan myself either), but these colors are just too gorgeous, and combined? Even better. I cannot wait to combine these two colors in my outfits. Here some inspo!

Carolina Herrera KILLED it in her Spring 2016 collection

Rayne necklace in Rose Quartz, Kendra Scott

What do y'all think about the Pantone colors of the year? Do you like them? Sound off in the comments! :)
Love,

- Ane

Current happenings

Kaixo!

Ok guys, I know I have not written much about my life lately (or the articles I lose time with), but I briefly wanted to tell you about two things that have happened to me last week:

1) I met Nev Schulman!
Guys, grad school is not eventful. Nothing out of the ordinary happens. EXCEPT IT HAPPENED. Last Thursday, Nev Schulman, the host of Catfish (you've all seen it, don't lie), came to U of I for a talk. At first I was not gonna go because I was nervous about thing 2 below, but Michaela from The Monogrammed Midwesterner convinced me to go. Also, we finally met in person, and I'm so glad! Shout out to you lady! :)

We need more pictures

When Nev came in the room, we all lost our shit minds. He started the talk by posing for us so that we could make our friends jealous, and then introducing us to Bonnie, the lady who was interpreting him in American Sign Language. So sweet. The way he talked was impressive, I wish I had that charisma and that savoir faire, seriously. His talk was not about the show, but about his road to starting it, his life path. It definitely clicked. I always struggled with the idea of getting attention from people, being the most likable person, and with being myself. I always thought that who I was inside was not enough. Through his story, he reminded me that being myself was the best choice, and if somebody doesn't like me... Well haters gonna hate. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

After the talk was over, Nev had a meet and greet with some people who were chosen at random (not us, ugh) in another hall, but Michaela and I, and 30 other crazy psycho fans, followed him. They would not let us in , but Nev came out and said he would meet us after. We waited, and waited and waited. I was losing faith, but eventually, HE DID MEET US AFTER! In fact, he took selfies with everyone there!

And also, this gem for my students (and for everyone in general, I'm cool you guys!):

He said my name, and he pronounced it right! My nerves for thing 2 below were gone, and I went to bed ecstatic. Although I didn't sleep much because...

2) I presented in a conference!
This summer, my MA thesis was accepted to a huge conference in my field, the Hispanic Linguistics Symposium, which turns out, was held at U of I! That meant not spending any money for traveling (seriously, I walked from my apartment to the venue) and having a lot of my friends show up! I woke up at 6am all nervous last Friday, and got there at around 8am for breakfast. Many of my friends were there, and many were presenting. But I was the first one to present at 10am. If I think about it, it's the best to be done with it soon, but at the same time it was terrifying. Luckily, many of my friends, my roommate, and many professors from my MA degree showed up. I felt so loved and supported, seriously. If these people take 30 minutes of their time to come see me present about a topic that's totally foreign to them but so dear to me, they are definitely keepers. Thank you guys, LOVE YOU!

#Profesh

I felt like a rockstar after it. I was wearing an outfit that I picked out right when I was accepted, I taught in it (the amount of confidence heels give you while teaching is astounding), went to other presentations and had Chipotle because I deserved it. After that, I basically died and went to sleep for the entire weekend (#worthit).

It was a great weekend and I hope it gets repeated soon. Now you tell me! Have you ever met anyone famous? Have you ever presented in a conference?
Love,

- Ane

Surfing the web V

Summer > everything (yep, that's me on the left!)

Kaixo everyone!

I hope you all are doing great! By the time this goes up, I'll be laying in some awesome Lanzarote beach working on my inexistent tan. But before going, I found these cool articles for you to check out. Enjoy!

- Taystee FTW: Taystee is one of my favorite OITNB characters. She's sassy and smart and has a big big heart. If her character wasn't great enough, Danielle Brooks, the actress who portrays her, is an awesome lady as well. She's gorgeous and is not afraid to defy modern beauty canons (which are terribly unrealistic and unhealthy. Look at the Human Barbie, she went bonkers.), and looks flawless while doing so. Props to you!

- Google + Chipotle: Magic!: If you go to my "About Me" page (here) and check point nº 8, you'll see that Chipotle is bae. I use that word sparingly because I believe that the English language provides a myriad of more appropriate words to express appeal, but with Chipotle I have to go full-frontal with bae. I LOVE CHIPOTLE. I like to go right after I work out to justify the ginormous caloric intake, and while I usually order online to pick it up, sometimes I forget and there's a line of already drunk fratboys in front of my hungry self, and that sucks, especially in winter when the Midwest becomes gelid. Enter Google and praise the Lord! You can now see how busy it is, and not only with Chipotle, you can also check other establishments.

- What Makes You Happy? This is a Spanish video that went viral here some months ago, and it definitely helps put things in perspective. Must-watch (with subtitles!).

- Should you write a romantic checklist? This is incredibly interesting. With time, I've realized that while some aspects may seem irrelevant to some people when looking for a relationship, for others they are vital. I have my own mental list of things that I'd like my future husband to have (although it's not set in stone), do you?

- Adulting 101: Thank you Buzzfeed for solving my life from now on. Let's see how much it lasts!

- Emotional Haka Farewell: This homage to a school teacher in New Zealand made by hundreds of students, who performed a haka (popular war dance/ritual that was popularized by the All Blacks, the national New Zealander rugby team) in his honor. Truly breathtaking.

- Easy habits to practice every day: This is such a simple yet such an effective list! I feel very off track and routine-less right now, but once I get back to school I'll start to implement these to my lifestyle!

And a bonus one that makes me very proud:

- Princeton Review's Party School List: I-L-L! I-N-I!

And that's all for today folks! Hope you enjoyed it! :)
Love,

- Ane

Surfing the web IV

Out and about with friends!

Kaixo everyone!

Well, get ready for a post full of interesting videos and stories that I've found in the internet lately! If you are very bored, here a list of things for a quick entertainment session. Enjoy!

- What If I Knew I Was Beautiful: "You don't know you are beautiful, that's what makes you beautiful!" Ok One Direction, we get it. Except we don't. Cue my hero, Colbert:

Why not recognize our beauty? Love yourself, see your beauty. You don't need anyone to tell you how beautiful, kick-ass and awesome you are!

- I'm Gonna Love You Through It: This made me cry like I haven't in a while. I felt like my family and friends were singing to me to let me know they are there for me to get over my depression. Absolute love.

- 23 Ways To Savagely Insult Someone Without Cursing: I do not condone being rude to people, it's not my style, and I feel very uncomfortable when people are downright mean. But these made me laugh out loud. Some I wish I could tell to rude people in my life... But I'll probably stick to "killing with kindness."

- Lilly Pulitzer suing Old Navy: I had seen the High Tide Toile Old Navy shorts online and I was like, that looks familiar... I'd like to know how this unfolds...

- Van Gogh's death - 150th Anniversary: Van Gogh is one of my favorite painters, I could be looking at his paintings for ours. This homage with 50.000 dahlias in the 150th anniversary of his death is just beautiful.

- Puppy swarms!: And my favorite, to end this post in a happy tone. PUPPIES!!!!

The next "Surfing the web" will be coming up soon (I've found so many cool things online, I think I should get out of the house more...) but any suggestions are appreciated!
Love,

- Ane

Cecil: My thoughts

Cecil the lion via Slate

RIP Cecil, first of all. Unless you've completely unplugged for a week (is that even possible?) you may have heard about how a dentist from Minnesota killed Cecil, the face of the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Cecil was the most famous lion of the area and he was under study by Oxford University for about 10 years, I believe. Cecil was savagely slaughtered, and the outrage has spread around the world. Everyone has seen the dentist's face and has condemned his actions. Like everyone. Many many celebrities like Cara Delevigne, Ricky Gervais, Sharon Osbourne and Jimmy Kimmel have tweeted or spoken against Cecil's murder. Pretty much that's what everyone is talking about.

What Dr. Palmer did was absolutely ABOMINABLE. Trophy hunting is deplorable, and the way Cecil died was absolutely cruel. Let's make that clear.

However, the uproar about it has made me think about the value that we give to certain people or animals over others. Thousands of people have been killed in Syria. Police brutality is in an all-time high. Like really, a cop recently gunned down an African-American man for missing a stop sign. 4 children die every 20 seconds out of hunger in the world. 4 every 20 seconds. Where is the outrage? Where is the cry for justice? Where are the celebrity tweets? I'm not saying animals are less important than humans, but these issues have been going on for a very long time, and no one says anything. The media decides what is important and what isn't, and for now, Cecil is more important than hunger or refugees.

My final thought is that we should denounce the injustices like Cecil's, but without forgetting that there are many that have been silenced throughout the years. Let's denounce those too. Rant over.
Love,

- Ane

Surfing the web III

Cider Day with friends in Hondarribia (Spain)

Kaixo lovelies! Summer and being sick (my throat is killing me) means too much free time, too much internet and too much Sims 3 for me. Not that I'm complaining, but my tan is lacking. Anyway, these are some cool articles and/or videos that I found while doing nothing.

- 11 Messages Of Female Empowerment From Women in Hollywood: Who run the world? GIRLS. For those days when you feel insecure, ugly and a plethora of bad feelings about yourself, take a break, watch this video and remember that you are a beautiful unique individual who is no less than a man.

- A proposal done right: I may sound sappy but proposal videos make me tear up every single time. This one, specially, went straight to my heart. It was heartfelt, sweet and special. Props to Tyler. I'm sure Greg would've said yes.

- Contouring for lazy women: Bring out your inner Kim K with this. I gotta admit I ALWAYS use the same products and make up routine, but I've been wanting to try contouring without looking stupid. Has anyone tried this product?

- Is Kylie Jenner starting a beauty blog??: The first secret I want to know is who her make up artist. But really, it'd be nice to see what products she uses, and if a flawless face is even possible (or it's all photoshopped).

- How being heartbroken was the best thing to ever happen to me: Some of you may wonder why I mention my break up so much here. It's not the kind of thing people like to talk about. But doing so is so cathartic. When I saw this TED talk, I felt related, and I saw that better days are approaching, slowly but surely.

Any other interesting vids, articles, etc. for me to check out?
Love,

Ane

Surfing the web II

Waiting for my delayed bus, Bilbao, July 2015

Excuse my grumpy face but I want to post it anyway because a) I had a very needed haircut and b) I'm wearing one of my favorite scarves, my Chicago Lilly Pulitzer murfee. Wake up #flawless. Well back to cool stuff I've found online:

- "Greek" Anniversary - Where are they now?: Tbt people, tbt. Greek was probably the first TV series that I made the effort to watch back to back (which is something that I do now non-stop, but I used to be weird, whatevs) when I was a sophomore in college. One of my best friends and I have three American dreams: 1) To be a cheerleader, 2) To go to prom with the hot quarterback and 3) To join a sorority. I think 3 was pretty much fueled by Greek (and Legally Blonde, Delta Nu forever). It's awesome to read that the actors of a show I loved so much are doing awesome (except, where is Rusty?)

- SCOTUS decision on gay marriage not respected: I was overjoyed with the SCOTUS decision that makes all state prohibitions on gay marriage unconstitutional. About time, America. Seriously, as a catholic, I am ashamed of those catholics and Christians in general that refuse people's right to love. Like Kim Davis, county clerk of Rowan County who not only denied a marriage license to this couple, but also mistreated and humiliated them. This is a reminder that while the LAW is there in theory, bigotry still runs rampant in the US.

- 6 Steps to Treating the Pain of a Breakup: Truth to be told, I'm doing better. However, recent events have jeopardized this progress. In any case, I found this helpful, and if you are in the same situation, I believe you will as well. Reading about my problems is cathartic for me, how about you?

- Greece: I'm sure you all have heard of what's going on in Greece, but if you are at loss, check out this timeline of Greece's (very, very shortened) history.

- Españistán by Aleix Saló: Speaking of the economic crisis, this video is some years old, but it explains what happened in Spain (and still goes on, for unemployment is in record numbers at the moment) and why we were affected so badly by the global economy crisis. With English subtitles!

- We still don’t know how to talk about Pennsatucky: The reality of rural sexual assault and how class plays out in “Orange Is the New Black”: If you watch OITNB, you may have seen the episode where Pennsatucky is raped. Unlike in other shows (looking at ya, Game of Thrones), I think that OITNB portrayed rape in a very unique, very needed way. We can see how she feels throughout the terrible ordeal, the aftermath, etc. OITNB has raised discussion on many issues like transgender phobia, but no discussion has started about the proliferation of sexual assault in the American countryside. This is worth a read.

That's all for today! Hope you are entertained!

Love,

- Ane

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Surfing the web

In the Crystal Palace, Madrid, June 2015

- 33 Thoughts Every New Single Girl Has: I don't know how they do it, but Total Sorority Move always has the article I need. It has barely been a month since I'm single, so finding this article made me excited. Although it is a humorous piece, I wish they had encouraged us to work on feeling good about ourselves and being enough without somebody else, rather than finding a rebound.

- 9 Reasons People Probably Want the Confederate Flag Taken Down: The only positive aspect (if there is any and we can call it positive) about the outrageous Charleston shooting is the debate it has brought up about this racist symbol. I think this is a no-brainer. A flag that represents and embodies years of pain for the African American people is as appropriate as Nazi flag in Germany. You only find those in museums. Yes, it was their flag too. Only neofascists use it nowadays. Tradition does not equal righteousness.

- 12 bocadillos de Donostia: This one is in Spanish, but if you ever decide to travel to Donostia (the beautiful place here), please re-read this article. I 100% recommend that you get a bocadillo there, specially the first one from Bar Juantxo, you won't regret it!

- What It Feels Like When Your Ex Becomes A Stranger: Another TSM gem. Spot on.

- Power of Make-Up: OMG PREACH. I love putting make up on, and even though I'm nowhere near as good as these ladies, I sometimes transform myself, but I always do it for myself. Sorry not sorry.

Any other articles, videos, etc. worth perusing?
Love,

- Ane

My two cents on the whole Caitlyn Jenner media explosion and its repercussions

Kaixo!

As I mentioned in my first post, I enjoy fashion, a lot. But as a global citizen that I consider myself to be, I believe that being informed about current issues is a MUST. Recently, former Olympian and reality show star Bruce Jenner came out as a transgender woman "for all intents and purposes."

Although at the time (April 2015) he preferred the use of the masculine pronouns, in the latest Vanity Fair issue (June 2015), she has become Caitlyn Jenner.

Caitlyn Jenner is beautiful. Caitlyn Jenner is on her way to happiness. Caitlyn Jenner has freed herself from the shackles that her biological sex had put her in. Caitlyn Jenner is transgender. Caitlyn Jenner is a woman. If we just took into account the statements I have written above, which are over simplistic representations of what a transgender person should feel and should be accepted as, there would not be a discussion. However, media has exploded.

We are talking about how an Olympian champion, married 3 times and father to 6 children who has been part of many Americans' home entertainment, has become a woman. Many claim she is a hero. Many claim she is just pulling a publicity stunt. Many will not call her Caitlin, they will keep calling her Bruce. And of course, we have the backlash of the transgenderism taboo.

This is my opinion:
- Heroism: We all have a different concept of what a hero is. Single mothers who work 3 jobs to take care of their children. Soldiers who put their lives first in order to protect a country. Missionaries. Selfless people. They all contribute to society in different ways and in different degrees, but the most important thing is that they make a difference in the life of somebody. Caitlyn Jenner IS a hero because she has made a difference in her own life. She is her own hero, a hero for herself. The struggle to find yourself in a body that does not feel yours and the anxiety and depression that come with it must be inimaginable. Anxiety and depression make you wish you could to take off and switch off your brain for a rest. It does not feel right. Imagine wanting to take off your body.

- Publicity stunt: It is true that the sex reassignment of Caitlyn has yet again, put the Kardashians in the spotlight. I am personally not a fan. And I am sure that the revenue that this has given them must be staggering. However, we are not talking about a photoshoot, a contract with X clothing brand or *gasp* another porn video. We are talking of children whose father figure is a woman. Even more specifically, somebody who used to be a man. It is definitely life-changing for many of the closest people in her life. Could a human being go that far for money? I doubt it.

- Denial of pronoun use and name: Language is powerful. As a linguist, I cannot stress this enough. The whole "sticks and stones" thing is a blatant lie. One word, one phrase, it may change your day, your week, your life. Not using "she", "her" and "Caitlyn" denies the identity of an individual. Since birth, each individual acts and reacts in different ways to shape his/her identity. When you deny somebody's gender identity, you are denying a massive part of this person.

- Transgender issues: Transgenders comprise a 2-5% of the population, yet very few of these undergo sex reassignment surgery. I mean, not even Caitlyn Jenner has undergone a full sex reassignment.

However,  "A nationwide survey of bias-motivated violence against LGBT people from 1985 to 1998 found that incidents targeting transgender people accounted for 20% of all murders and about 40% of all police-initiated violence." Transgender Law

Look at that. Many visible transgender advocates like Laverne Cox (total fangirl moment, God I love her) have been pointing out the issue for ages. Being a transgender person is HARD. It exposes you to crime, abuse, rape and murder to unimaginable extents. Your gender identity, who you are, is making you vulnerable to a violent life (and/or death), not to be accepted in jobs, to being shunned from society and even your family. Now, who would choose a life like that? It is not a capricious act. It is not a selfish act. Is it selfish to save yourself from the pain that not living in the body you were meant to have? Is it selfish to make your life bearable at all? It is not.

Now this is my opinion. Many people do not agree, and will not agree even if they start thinking about the points I have expressed here. In any case, Caitlyn Jenner is an independent person, and if you don't like it, you don't look at her. Simple as that. As they say in Spanish, vive y deja vivir. Caitlyn Jenner, you do yo.

Love,

- Ane