A University of Montana student is being detained in China following his arrest for having an altercation with a cab driver, USA Today College reports. According to his mother Jennifer McLean, 25-year-old Guthrie McLean was accused of assaulting the driver after the latter began attacking his mom.
The McLeans have a long history with China, as Jennifer, who is deaf, teaches English there. Senior student Guthrie was studying East Asian Studies at the University of Montana when he came to visit Jennifer in Zhengzhou, China, earlier this summer. On June 10, Jennifer got into a disagreement with her cab driver when he refused to give her the correct change he owed her.
”There there was a bit of an argument, and the taxi driver started to rough Jennifer up...pushing and shoving her, grabbing her bags—she was very scared,” family friend Tom Mitchell told CBS Missoula. “She was able to call Guthrie, and he saw what was happening. He pulled the taxi driver off her, threw him to the ground, and end of story. Or so it seemed.”
Authorities didn’t contact Guthrie until over a month after the encounter with the driver, who insisted that the student had injured him. When Guthrie was arrested on July 16, no formal charges were made, but he was asked to pay a substantial settlement amount prior to his detainment. His fate is now up in the air as he waits in a detention center for a month, waiting for officials’ final decision. If charges are made, Guthrie will stay in custody, but will be freed if no charges arise during the month-long waiting period.
Guthrie’s mom has been kept away from her son since his arrest. “He is in one of the worst detention centers in China,” she wrote in an email to Montana news outlet Missoulian. “There are no separate facilities for foreign detainees, and they can hold him indefinitely without charges. Only the U.S. Embassy or consulate representative may visit him, but they are refusing because they require a formal notification from the Chinese authorities to do so.”
The severe treatment of inmates often seen in Chinese prisons has worried Guthrie’s friends and family. “China is well-known for beating its prisoners, starving them, torturing them in any possible way they possibly can—psychological, physical,” friend Zakk Winch told ABC Fox Montana. “This is the most worried I’ve ever been.”
Friends even created a YouCaring page in support of Guthrie’s release. Montana Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester are also reaching out to the American and Chinese embassies to help secure his freedom.
“This was a young man who stepped in to protect his deaf mother,” Sen. Daines told ABC News. “I realize we are subject to the laws of China (as U.S. citizens abroad) and will respect their government, but we want to make sure there is justice here.”
School representatives are also working towards Guthrie’s safety, keeping in touch with the State Department and the senators to contribute to these efforts.
We hope that this situation is sorted out peacefully and Guthrie has a safe return home!
I live for seeing new photos of Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and the kids going on royal tours with their parents has quickly become my favorite family tradition of theirs. This week, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with kids in tow, are visiting Poland and Germany to maintain relations with the countries amidst Brexit procedures. William and Kate have had plenty of cool-looking experiences so far (pretzel making? Yes please!), but ICYMI, this tour has already been a historic one for Princess Charlotte. While leaving Poland with her family on Wednesday, the adorable two-year-old showed off her first royal curtsy, Cosmopolitan says.
While approaching their plane to fly to Berlin, the family stopped to say goodbye to some Polish officials. In a video captured by reporters, Kate is seen bending down and speaking to Charlotte, who then wobbles through a curtsy as a thank you to the dignitaries. So cute!
She may still be a toddler, but Charlotte has been killing it on tour as far as simultaneously being cute and proving she knows when to be charming and serious. While big brother George has gotten attention for appearing grumpy throughout tour, Charlotte's curtsy is only one of the grown-up gestures she's made this week. Reporters also shot video of her exchanging a handshake with a German official, seconds after both she and Kate were greeted with flowers.
As our very dear friends Phineas and Ferb have articulated to us countless times, “There’s 104 days of summer vacation and school comes along just to end it. So the annual problem of our generation is finding a good way to spend it.” If there is anything we will never grow out of, it's our inability to find things to do over the summer. As college students, the summer is a time to unwind and be with our friends and family back home--which may not always seem exciting, but we are here to help. We present to you the ultimate summer bucket list!
1. Hit up all your favorite food spots
Be aware that the prices are a bit higher than the cheap pizza you've been ordering all year
2. Break into your old high school
If the police ask, we did not send you.
3. Go on a road trip
Having your car has never felt so good.
4. Crash a high school party
Warning: they are not as lit as you remember them to be.
5. Visit your college friends for a weekend
(Or a month)
6. Take your siblings out to eat
Preferably somewhere mom refuses to take them.
7. Read a book of your choosing
Because you probably haven't had the time to do that all year.
8. Catch up on the shows you love
Reconnect with your inner Blair Waldorf.
9. Relax
You've earned it.
11. Spend time with your parents
They missed you WAY more than you missed them.
12. Go to the beach with your O.G squad
13. Go to a concert with your O.G squad
14. Do literally everything with your O.G squad
15. Remember why you miss this place so much when your at school
Looking back on my college experience, there is nothing I would change—but I would have added one thing. Surprisingly, my friends from high school who each went off to different schools all agreed on this. While we all felt fully prepared for the job search and actually entering the workforce post-graduation, we all bonded over the fact that there were definitely several extremely necessary topics we weren't taught.Together, we came up with a list of courses we wished we could have taken in college—some more tongue in cheek than others—to make transitioning into "the wild" a little less challenging.
Below are the classes we wished were offered and resources to help us now.
1. The (Ta)X Files: How to File Your Taxes
This one was a universal favorite among the group of my girlfriends. No matter what your major is in college or what future job you'll have, everyone has to file taxes (unfortunately), so learning how to do so is extremely important — not to mention the law.
It sounds like a total bore, I know, but having a course or even a single seminar on the topic would definitely have cut down the number of hours it took me to research and actually file them anyway. Here's a helpful resource to learn about filing taxes:Filing Your Taxes with the IRS
2. The Science of the Excellent Credit Score
Yikes. The (sometimes) good ol' credit card.
Credit scores, especially for those who are paying off student loans, are really important! Learning how to keep an excellent CC score andwhat to do if it starts to slip toward not-so-great is vital. "Start building your credit score early" is what I kept hearing, but how do I do that if I've never learned? Research, yes, but that doesn't always help with all the questions. Here are a few great resources to help you with your credit score(s): Credit Karma Tools and Resources & Credit.com's "What Is a Good Credit Score?"
3. Negotiating Salaries 1000
Everyone at some point in his or her career has to negotiate a salary and it is something for which we can absolutely prepare. Whether it's with a mentor, co-worker, close friend, or professor, we can all grow together.
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Well, clearly people were here for it, because according to Teen Vogue, it sold out in less than two weeks.
It’s inspiring to see the way this crucial inclusivity was well received in the world of fashion. Hopefully now other brands will see that they should be embracing diversity, and a positive trend will start to appear in fashion that respects all types of women. Halima Aden and her denim hijab have taken the world by storm. More of this please.
Betsey Johnson is always at it with her unconventional, but totally cute accessories. Here for it? Here for it. If you haven't seen this particular collection yet (where have you been?), it's centered around something we all love: food! From watermelon to ice cream, Betsey Johnson has got you covered with all the wearable summer snacks. Check out a few of our faves!
BoxLunch just launched their collaboration with Nickelodeon and the nostalgia is SO real. This new collection is bringing back the '90s with the beloved cartoon characters that we all know and love from our childhood. Their super-soft tees, pet products and fun novelty items incorporate classic cartoons like The Fairly OddParents, Aaahh! Real Monsters, Rocko's Modern Life and, of course, Rugrats. This collection is the perfect way to get that oh-so-cool vintage look without having to scour eBay or garage sales. Read on for some of our favorite items and ways to style them.
This Avatar The Last Airbender tee is technically in the men's section, but the oversize fit would be effortlessly cool knotted over high-waisted jeans or tucked into a denim skirt. Add some sneakers and you'll be the coolest cat in class.
This super cute Aaahh! Real Monsters tee brings back so many childhood memories, and the coral hue is universally flattering. With this shirt in your closet, a t-shirt and jeans is no longer a boring outfit.
Pair this Rocko's Modern Life Spunky Womens Tank Top with a colorful cardigan and yoga pants for those days you want to look cute but not sloppy. Everyone will be asking you where you got it!
Patches are SO stylish right now, and these Rugrats patches are the perfect addition to your backpack or denim jacket. No sewing or ironing required! They'll stick right on so you can rock the look immediately.
If your fashion sense is a little more preppy than vintage, don't worry! You can still embrace your inner child with BoxLunch's pet products and desk accessories, like the Ren & Stimpy Pet Bed or this Catdog Vinyl Figure.
You can also grab your besties for a girls' night in and try out some recipes from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Cookbook! Find a '90s playlist on Spotify to listen to while you cook for the ultimate throwback experience.
Not only will you be the envy of every other '90s kid in these retro styles, but you'll actually be helping your community. For every $10 spent in a BoxLunch store or at BoxLunch.com, they'll donate a meal to someone in need through Feeding America. So fill up your shopping cart guilt-free—I know I will!
Fake eyelashes can be a girl’s best friend. They add a little extra something to any makeup routine, and make you feel as though your look is on par with beauty gurus. Honestly, if I could, I would wear falsies every single day.
Besides the fear of being seen as more “extra” than I already am, there are a few catches that stop my lash dreams from becoming a reality. The first is that they’re expensive. For some of the popular pairs you see on celebrities and Youtubers, you need to be earning a Kylie Jenner-sized salary. The second reason is that they don’t last forever. While they may look stunning the first few times you wear them, soon they start looking worse than the makeup that you wake up with after a night out.
Luckily, there are ways to ensure that your lashes stay beautiful and selfie-worthy for a long enough of amount of time that you don’t feel bad spending your hard earned money on them.
1. Check to see how long the lashes are supposed to last
Just like makeup, not all lashes are created equally. Trust me when I say that there is a significant difference in the quality of lashes that is usually correlated with the price. Theres a good chance that the lashes you get at the dollar store are going to behave like they’re only worth a dollar, meaning they should only be worn once. Quality is a huge part of the cost, so pay the price for lashes that last you through a few wears.
Here’s a quick breakdown of typical lash timelines:
Synthetic lashes: 3 - 8 wears
Animal (like mink!) lashes: 20 - 30 wears
Of course, these numbers depend not only on the quality and cost, but how you treat them… so listen up!
2. Lay low on the glue
Personally, I find that an excessive amount of glue not only makes lashes harder to put on, but harder to take off and clean. If you mess up during application and overuse the glue, wait for the glue to dry on the lashes completely, and then clean them so that you don’t experience any build up (trust me, its visible!). When it comes time for you to take off your lashes, the more glue you have, the harder it will be to remove them, meaning that you run a higher risk of tearing the lashes when using excessive amounts of force.
My favorite lash glue is the Duo Eyelash Adhesive ($9 at Sephora). The clear formula is perfect for an everyday look, while the black one is great to give the added effect of eyeliner, and a darker, bolder eye. No mess or damaged lashes here!
3. Use tweezers or a lash applicator
I prefer to use a lash applicator, such as this one from the Sephora Collection ($12 at Sephora). This is simply a personal preference because I like to keep the tweezers I use on my brows away from eyelash glue. Use your applicator or tweezers to gently hold the lashes, and then place them along your lash line. Wait until the glue has dried completely before removing them. The main reason behind this is that it takes your hands out the the equation. If you’re anything like me, lashes are one of the last steps in my makeup routine, meaning that my hands have already been touching products like foundation, concealer and powder. By using an applicator, I don’t run the risk of dirtying my lashes with other products, or my body’s natural oils.
4. Avoid mascara
A common piece of advice from other blogs is to avoid mascara. I typically agree that adding mascara to your lashes only creates additional buildup and will decrease the wear time of your new pair. However, I also think that it's also important to note that sometimes this tip simply isn’t possible.
After I’ve worn some of my lashes quite a few times, I find that I’m unable to get them to fit perfectly to my lash line. This small amount of separation is sometimes noticeable enough for me to see the difference between my fake lashes and my real ones. Thus, a bit of mascara is necessary in order to blend the two together. If you are in this situation, I would recommend that you don’t use an excessive amount of mascara, only work on the lash part that needs to be fixed.
5. Clean your lashes immediately after use
I can be the first one to admit that this step is sometimes harder for me to complete than anything else. After a night out, the last thing that I want to do is sit down and meticulously clean my lashes. For a lazy-girl alternative, you can soak your lashes in makeup remover, however, this technique does waste a lot of remover and shouldn’t be done regularly. My preferred method is to first gently (with the tweezers!) remove any of the larger bits of glue from the lash band. Then, using a Q-tip soaked in makeup remover, I rub the lash band, and any part of the lash that may have gotten dirty. Clean, simple and worth it!
6. Put them away
Some pricier brands sell their lashes in hard containers that are reusable, and this is my preferred way to store the lashes I buy. A great tip if you keep your lashes in the original containers is to mark directly onto the packaging how many times you have worn the pair. That way you can track to see if they are living up to the company’s suggested number of wears. If they’re not, it could be time for you to reevaluate whether the lashes are actually as good as you thought they were, or if there's something wrong with the way you're caring for them.
If you choose not to keep the lashes in their original packaging, keep them all in one place with a lash organizer, like this one ($18 at House of Lashes).
7. Choose your lashes carefully
I am a huge false lash fan, with a ton of experience wearing and using them. I’ve come across a lot of real duds, and have had some horror stories to tell because of them. Trust me, you don’t want to have a faulty lash fall off during the middle of a date! Here are some of my favorite lashes that have lasted me through thick and thin (with proper maintenance, of course) and that always look great.
The thick band on these lashes makes application easy even for beginners. These were one of the first pairs of falsies that I was able to put perfectly on during the first try.
These lashes are my current obsession, and absolute favorite go to. They have the power of making even the most simplistic of makeup looks seem amazing. Honestly - they’re my cheat card for looking like I know anything about makeup!
After years of reading massive textbooks, hundreds of hours volunteering, an internship rap sheet so impressive Paris Geller would be jealous, and thousands of dollars spent on tuition and slightly less spent on your coffee addiction, you’re ready for a job in the real world. You’re excited and wide-eyed, ready to prove that you’ve got what it takes.
But if you find that for all your long days and rock-star presentations, you can’t shake the feeling that something’s not right and most days, you’re pretty sure you’ve swapped bodies with Andy Sachs from The Devil Wears Prada, you might be in a toxic workplace.
Dr. Jan Yager, a sociologist, workplace expert and coach, and author of Productive Relationships: 57 Strategies for Building Stronger Business Connections, has designed a short quiz to help you figure out if you’re working in a toxic environment. Be sure to look out for any of these signs at your next position, regardless of if it’s an unpaid internship, part-time or full-time position.
1. Is your boss erratic and hard to please?
One of the biggest telltale signs of an unhealthy work environment is a boss who is unsure of what he or she wants. If your boss is unable to clearly explain tasks and annoyed when you ask questions or, worse, when you fail, it might be time to reevaluate that relationship. Brandi Britton, district president of staffing company OfficeTeam, says, “A company’s leadership sets the tone—the overall corporate culture suffers if managers exemplify poor standards, such as failing to treat others with respect or not providing open and honest communication.”
Often, an erratic or difficult boss is one that also instills fear. If you or your colleagues are scared to ask questions or make mistakes, “this may be because management is cruel or dismissive of workers or has intentionally pitted workers against each other in the past,” says family therapist and yoga instructor, Justine Mastin. A fear-filled environment is one that hinders learning; it’s a sign that there’s no room for professional or personal growth within the institution.
How to Deal
One strategy for dealing with an erratic boss is to have all of your tasks and deliverables documented. Wilma Jones, author of Is It Monday Already?! 197 Tools and Tips to Start Living Happier at Work, says, “Work to set expectations and get as many directions and tasks delivered to you via email. If your boss won’t send the email, you send the email after receiving the task. Ask for confirmation to ensure you understand exactly what is expected and to use for cover in case of a dispute.”
Similarly, communicate in writing when the task is completed, noting any complications or follow-up procedures. Sadly, she says, “Often, this is a situation where you have to learn to manage your manager.” With any luck, your manager will grow to appreciate your commitment to excellence.
2. Did the company make promises when you were first hired that have still not been fulfilled? For example, you were hired to replace someone else but that other employee is still doing your job.
Failure to uphold their end of the hiring agreement is an early sign that your workplace may not be entirely ethical. Furthermore, an organization that makes few attempts to boost employee morale, through formal or informal recognition, probably doesn’t value its workers. It’s difficult to remain passionate about the job you’re doing if you feel like your efforts are undervalued or, worse, like you don’t serve any purpose at all.
How to Deal
As a precaution, it’s imperative that you read your job offer and job description carefully before accepting a new position. Assuming you’ve done that and you still feel like you were misled, you should discuss your concerns with an HR professional at your workplace sooner rather than later. There might still be room for negotiation, and you can get a better grasp of what your role should be. If you are dissatisfied with the response, or lack of response, at least your concerns have been properly documented should you end up changing jobs.
3. Does your boss expect you to regularly work evenings and weekends without additional compensation? Or, if you are an unpaid intern, does your boss ask you to work way more hours than you initially agreed upon?
Putting in extra hours is a great way to showcase your work ethic and make a good first impression on new employers. But if you feel forced to work late nights and weekends without compensation on a regular basis, this might be cause for concern. Britton explains, “In toxic environments, work-life balance may not be a priority, leaving employees overworked and unable to attend to things outside of the office that matter to them.” If you can’t seem to stop worrying about work, even when you close your eyes at night, it’s time to check in with your manager or HR.
How to Deal
Approach the appropriate person—an immediate supervisor or HR representative, for example—about your current schedule. Explain that you have been logging way more hours than you are being paid for and explore options for support. If your company is unable to compensate you for the hours worked, they may be able to cover other expenses like travel and dining. If you are working on a time-sensitive project that requires you to work longer days, discuss the possibility of taking one or two personal days after the project is completed.
4. Do you feel like you are unable to share new ideas with your boss or that your ideas are often dismissed without consideration or valuable feedback?
Complacency in the workplace is not always a sign of lack of enthusiasm from workers; sometimes, it indicates a lack of encouragement from upper management. According to Mastin, you know you’re in a toxic workplace if “management and other workers are reluctant to listen to new ideas and are not interested in innovation…even if innovation could be more effective. In fact, they aren’t interested in listening to their workers’ ideas in general.”
The result is a severely demotivated staff with little to no interest in the success of the company. You worry that your talents are being wasted away sitting behind a desk doing exactly the same thing day in and day out.
How to Deal
“If you don’t feel safe to experiment and test out new ideas, you’ll reach a stalemate, both personally and professionally,” Lauren Cook, professional speaker and life coach on the psychology of happiness, says. She recommends finding other outlets for creativity in your life. “Keep painting, playing tennis or listening to music. Continue to do whatever sparks your creativity, even if you're not able to apply it currently towards your work environment. It will still keep your brain in that space for enlightened ideas to come more naturally,” she explains.
That doesn’t mean that you should stop voicing your opinion at work altogether though. Psychologist and licensed clinical professional counselor Dr. Nikki Martinez says, “If you have a boss who is always negative [about your input], thank them for their feedback, let them know you will incorporate it and take it to heart, then ask what strengths they see in you that you can build upon. This may help them change their frame of reference and line of thinking when talking to employees.” Sometimes, you might be surprised by what changes you can actually influence.
5. Do you find yourself wondering, “What was I thinking when I accepted this position?”
Workplace depression can be crippling not only to your productivity but also to your socialization. “You start isolating yourself from everyone else and there is such a lack of connection within the working community that you put up your white flag,” Cook says.
If you’d rather get into a minor car accident than make it to work in the morning, HR consultant Mikaela Kiner says that’s a pretty obvious sign that your workplace is toxic. And soon, your negative feelings will spread to other areas of your life, adversely affecting your personal relationships and overall livelihood.
How to Deal
Try to find the good in the situation. Identify skills that you’ve developed since working there—even if they were self-taught—that’ll be beneficial in future roles, like conflict resolution or negotiation. It’s also a good idea to start actively working on a contingency plan, either for a new job elsewhere or for an internal promotion. Update your resume and keep your eyes open for new opportunities.
6. Does the human resources department report to your boss so that you are unable to lodge any justified complaints about him/her?
HR professionals should maintain some level of autonomy and you should feel safe talking to them in confidence, especially if you believe your work environment is toxic. If you recognize that members of the HR department function primarily as extensions of an erratic or difficult boss—for instance, they share your grievances without any concern for anonymity or retaliation—this is a sign that you should seriously reconsider your future at the company.
What’s worse is that when employees distrust HR, they talk among themselves instead. Mastin explains, “A toxic environment breeds gossip. Due to the fear and secrecy, everyone is left to wonder about the truth and starts to create their own. This gossip tends to be negative and adds to the overall negativity of the environment.”
And speaking of HR, a high employee turnover rate is also a red flag. Mastin warns, “A toxic environment will burn through workers quickly—there’s probably a reason they’re leaving.” A quick look at a company’s HR policies will often reflect its corporate values; be wary if these do not match your own.
How to Deal
If you can’t speak to your boss and you can’t speak to HR, the next best thing you can do is make the most of a bad situation. Although you can’t control everything, you can always control your reaction. Britton says, “Try to remove yourself from the negativity by staying professional and focusing on what you need to get done. Don’t fall into the trap of being part of the problem.”
According to Dr. Yager, “If you answered yes to just one or two of these questions, your work situation might still be salvageable. However, you will need to make a concerted effort to better cope with, or try to reverse, the negative situations at your current job. If you answered yes to all of the above questions, you might want to start dusting off your resume and, discreetly, begin a job search now.”
Other signs that you might be working in a toxic environment include: you dread going to work every day; you witness a lot of tension at your office and people are often crying or yelling; and you are constantly afraid of doing something wrong.
Sadly, Britton says, “Sometimes toxic environments can’t be resolved. Ask yourself two key questions: What do I stand to gain by remaining in the position, and can I adopt coping mechanisms that will enable me to manage through difficult situations? Your answers will help you decide whether to stay or pursue other opportunities.”
As best as possible, try to remain positive and professional. Remember that toxic workplace situations often force you to develop useful skills like adaptability, teamwork and problem solving that will help you land better positions in the future. As the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Sean Spicer handed in his resignation as White House Press Secretary on Friday morning, furious that Trump had appointed New York hedge fund manager Anthony Scaramucci as his new Communications Director. Since the departure of former Communications Director Mike Dubke, Spicer had taken over some of his duties, but is now less than thrilled to hand them over to Scaramucci. Trump asked Spicer to continue his role, but Spicer refused, and a source close to the administration told The New York Times that Spicer believed the appointment was a "major mistake."
While Scaramucci has a year-long friendship with Trump on his side, he might face opposition from White House Chief-of-Staff, Rience Priebus, who has blocked Scaramucci from other White House positions before, and allegedly objected to this one as well. Nevertheless, Scaramucci and Trump have worked closely before, first when Scarmucci joined Trump's campaign as part of his national finance committee, and later when he served on the executive committee of Trump's transition team.
Scaramucci lacks a "traditional communications portfolio," according to the Times, but despite his background in finance, he may be more adept in his new role than it would seem at first glance. After all, Scaramucci is also known as a frequent guest on television defending the president and his policies. He also recently (and successfully) fought for a retraction of a CNN story that implicated him in the ongoing Russian scandal. Three CNN staffers, one of whom has won a Pulitzer Prize and another who was a nominee, have since resigned. Scarmucci accepted their retraction with grace, tweeting, "CNN did the right thing. Classy move. Apology accepted. Everyone makes mistakes. Moving on."
With the ongoing special counsel investigation into Trump's ties with Russia, his appointment may have come at an opportune time to control the White House narrative. If nothing else, his more reserved communication style seems like it might balance out Trump's notorious Twitter sprees. Scaramucci announced in a White House press conference Friday morning that Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be the new White House Press Secretary once Spicer departs in August, and Sanders called him "an important addition to this administration." In the meantime, it looks like all we'll be seeing of Spicer is from rewatching old SNL skits.
On Wednesday, 15 young women wearing traditional quinceañera gowns, ascended the steps of Texas State Capitol building to protest a recently passed immigration enforcement law, Senate Bill 4. The bill, which has been nicknamed the "Show Me Your Papers" law would allow for law enforcement to ask for proof of residency during any routine detention, and police chiefs could receive jail time if they prohibit their officers from following the law, NPR reports.
The political rally, titled “Quinceañera at the Capitol,” was organized by Jolt, a political advocacy group whose mission is to mobilize Latinos across the state, theHuffington Post reports.
The advocacy group, chose to use a quinceañera theme for the protest because the cultural tradition “highlights the bonds of family, community, culture and brings people together through celebration.”
“Texas has become ground zero for the fight for the rights of immigrants and Latinos," Cristina Tzintzun, founder of Jolt, told NPR. This last election we saw Mexicans and Latinos demonized and criminalized and really scapegoated. And so we want legislators to know and Trump to know that we won't sit idly by while legislation of hate is passed. That our communities are going to organize and mobilize."
During the protest, the young women danced to Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton hit “Immigrants (We Get The Job Done)” and “Somos Mas Americanos” by Los Tigres del Norte. After finishing the coming-of-age rite of passage, the young women proceeded into the Capitol to speak with legislators about the harmful impact of the law before it goes into effect on September 1.
“Using [this] quinceañera is showing that as an adult and as a Latina, we are responsible in voicing those who cannot speak for themselves in the moment,” Maggie Juarez, one of the young women who participated in the quinceañera protest, told NPR.
These young women are dedicated to fighting for social justice—and they'll do it in style.
Make your passion for fashion permanent, and get inspired by these fashionable tatts! Some come right from influencers, models and people in the industry, while others are simply from those who can't get enough shoes, lipstick and Vogue.
1. Vogue Girl
Some things will just never go out of style, and I’m positive Vogue will ensure that this doesn’t.
Diamonds are forever, and your new tattoo will be too!
4. Back to Basics
Perfect for the fashion designer (even if it's only at heart).
5. Little Details
This little bow is so sweet, even your grandma won’t hate your new ink.
6. Lipstick Lover
Unfortunately, you can’t get lipstick tubs that look like this at Sephora, but a girl can dream, right?
7. Personalized Hanger
Get inspired by this cute lil’ hanger that belongs to the queen of fashion herself, Chanel Iman. `
8. Fuss-Free Ring
This simplistic ring will ensure that you never leave the house without jewelry again.
9. Lashesfor Days
This beauty-inspired tattoo belongs to popular Youtube NikkieTutorials.
10. Creative Outlet
Those who love fashion know that its not just about the clothes and designer labels. Clothes represent who you are, and show your unique personality. All you fashion lovers know that you’re not just throwing together an outfit every morning, you’re creating yourself.
11. Retro Glasses
Does anyone else thing that if Taylor Swift were to get a tattoo, this would be it?
12. Perfume Perfection
Half the fun of wearing perfume is getting to look at the gorgeous bottle that it's stored in! Sport one all the time with this fun tattoo.
13. Audrey Hepburn
You couldn’t find a person more willing to be your fashion inspiration.
14. Princess at Heart
C’mon, who didn’t think that this dress was the most fashionable thing that they had ever laid eyes on during their childhood?
15. Get In Formation
Somehow this dress form seems prissy and cool at the same time, and we’re loving it!
Gina Rodriguez is not one to stay silent when it comes to social issues and injustices, especially concerning women. She's spoken out about equal pay, diversity, mental health and acceptance, just to name a few, and is overflowing with valuable life advice. The Jane The Virgin star recently graced the cover of Bust magazine's upcoming August/September issue with her adorable dog Casper, and as you can already tell, this fierce feminist is about to get seriously frank on some important topics—feminism and masturbation included.
"In all honesty, I used to feel guilty for masturbating. Oh my god, this extreme guilt!" the actress admitted, talking to the magazine about how she was affected by"'purity culture." "And that lasted way too long. Or maybe I masturbated too much!" But what she really wants readers to know is that self-love is absolutely nothing to be ashamed about.
"It’s okay to look back in retrospect and be like, it wasn’t good that I felt bad about touching myself. And it isn’t bad that I want to share my love with my boyfriend. I’m 32 years old, I’m an adult, I can do that!" In a world that can find just about anything to shame, it's important to realize that touching yourself is totally natural—even if you've dealt with conflicting feelings about it.
Along with bringing self-love to light, Gina is also an advocate for feminism and credits her biggest inspiration. "Hell yeah [I’m a feminist]. Everybody should be a feminist," she explains. "My grandmother is the biggest feminist. She is an activist, she is a voice against injustice. I grew up with that."
Finally, Gina shares how she and her boyfriend Joe LoCicero met at a boxing gym, and what you can do as a consumer to bring more diversity to the big screen.
"The second time I saw him, I didn’t recognize who he was," Gina says, who didn't realize that LoCicero had acted in a Jane The Virgin episode just months before running into him at the gym. Awkward! "He came in through the door and I was like 'Good God!' and I fell into his eyeballs. On the fourth day [that we saw each other at the gym], he asked me out, and I have been dating him ever since. Now I know what it means to date your best friend." #Relationshipgoals.
As a Latina woman, Gina is also passionate about diversity, especially in the entertainment industry. When it comes to what you personally can do to see more diversity in film, Gina says that all it takes is refusing to consume the products that don't represent you—or America. "Latinos make up 38 percent of the box office every weekend," she explains. "That’s a lot! So if you want to see Latinos in big studio films, and they don’t exist in them, don’t see them, because in this industry, money talks more than anything. If you do not see yourself and your community in the ways that you want, don’t purchase tickets. If you don’t purchase, they’ll stop making. If you don’t purchase, they’ll start to include.”
Masturbation, feminism, love and diversity—it's never a dull conversation with Gina Rodriguez. Can she just be our best friend already?
I’ve never been to France or China or Australia, but with the help of Google, I might be able to at least see space. That’s right, Google Maps has added the International Space Station to its Street View, according to BBC.
The project was released Thursday, 48 years after our first landing on the moon (otherwise known as Moon Day in popular culture), and shows all modules of the International Space Station (aka the ISS) for all those who curious about how astronauts live when they aren’t on land.
The ISS, which is inaccessible for most wanderlusters, can be viewed in 360 panorama views for the general public on Google Street View. All fifteen nodes (rooms, for us non-celestials) of the space station can be seen and experienced right here from Earth. Each room not only has the full panorama but text descriptions of objects and rooms to explain what it's really like to be up there. According to Newsweek, the ISS contains five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a gym and many space labs for the different space stations. Six people are able to live in the station at a time—and now it feels like we do too.
The project, which took six months to complete, presented unique challenges for the Google team. While they have gone to extreme places like the Great Barrier Reef before, it's not like Google could just head on up to the ISS. Since they couldn't use a member of their own team, they had to find an astronaut to help photograph the station. The entire station was photographed by French astronaut, Thomas Pesquet, of the European Space Agency. The station was captured on DSLRs rigged by bungee cords, since there are no tripods in space. Don't forget about the whole zero-gravity thing either.
Check out the video below for some truly awe-inspiring views.
The commencement ceremonies have ended, the celebrations have come and gone and it's finally time to face reality: college life is over. Even though it's summertime and you shouldn't have a care in the world, you do. In fact, you have a whole list of worries. Mostly surrounding the fact that you actually have to become a functioning member of society and are slowly realizing you have no idea how. Welcome to the 25 struggles you'll have the summer after you graduate college.
1. Crying a little every time you realize you're no longer a college student
What do you mean college is over?
2. Seeing all the upcoming seniors complain that they have so little time left
You have NO idea.
3. Moving out of your place and being forced to relive your most precious college moments
*Sobbing* And there's the table where we ate pizza every Saturday at 3 a.m.
4. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms from your roommates a week after you leave
Can we just live together forever?
5. Finding a job
Can I just not?
6. Buying a new wardrobe for that job
Bye-bye crop tops, hello button-downs.
7. Trying to figure out what "adults" wear out
Am I allowed to show my midriff anymore?
8. Trying to figure out how "adults" act
So, did you see the evening news last night?
9. Deciding where you want to live
Maybe somewhere I don't have to live in a cardboard box?
10. Finding a new roommate(s)
Looking for non-psychos.
11. Splitting costs of everything with those roommates
Venmo for days.
12. Making new friends
Please like me.
13. Realizing you'll never find drinks as cheap as they were in college
Do you have anything for less than $5?
14. Figuring out what a 401K is
Please tell me why I have to worry about retirement right now.
15. Setting up a savings plan
This is going to take some practice.
16. Trying to learn about all the necessary life skills they never taught you in college
Did I miss the lesson on how to fill out a W-2?
17. Paying for actually everything
Yay, I got paid! And...there it goes.
18. Dying a little inside every time you look at your student loans
Remind me again why I have to pay all this?
19. Slowly losing the ability to party as often as you used to
I need more sleep.
20. Getting a hangover basically every time you drink...
This never used to happen.
21. ...then taking a full day to recover
My rallying abilities have seriously declined.
22. Realizing you can't skip work like you skipped class
I just can't today.
23. Being forced to be productive every weekday
This 9-5 thing is getting kind of old.
24. Being separated from people who have been in your life for years
Why does this have to happen?
25. Pretending you actually have this whole adulting thing figured out
Applying for college is hectic enough… and now your parents are asking you if you want to work with a college counselor? What does that even mean!?
If you’re confused, we’re here to set things straight—college counselors are professionals you pay who can help you choose the right college or major, edit your college applications and answer any questions you may have along the way. So how do you know if you should work with one? Read on for questions you should ask yourself if you’re considering hiring a college counselor.
1. Do I have someone to support me throughout the process?
Although your parents may be the ones nagging you about applying to college in the first place, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to be helping you every step of the way. If they are, you’re in luck. But, if they aren’t, a college counselor may be exactly what you need to guide you and keep you on track.
Michelle Podbelsek, co-owner of College Counseling Associates, gives us her two cents on the issue. "The application process can be complicated and stressful, so having someone who is supportive and good to bounce ideas off of is very important," she says. "Applicants also need to be sure their expectations are realistic regarding a balanced college list. If the student doesn’t have a school counselor, friend or family member who can help with those aspects, a private college counselor is a great resource."
You may be the first person in your family going to college, or maybe your parents are simply less involved. Whatever the reason, a college counselor will be there for you to clear up any uncertainties.
2. Do I know what I want in a college?
If you’ve known you wanted to go to Penn State your entire life, you likely don’t need a college counselor to reassure you of your choice. However, if you have no idea what you’re looking for in a school (location, size, programs), then a college counselor will be of great help.
"Many students come in to our office with very little idea of what they are looking for in a college," Podbelsek says. "We help talk them through the various elements they need to begin learning about—such as locations, size, school spirit, academic programs offered, etc. We also share (anonymous) anecdotes about how other kids have gone through the process or how their interests evolved as time went on, and discuss our impressions of our visits to the campuses." This could be super beneficial for some students!
Jamie Kravitz, a senior at Emerson College, says, “I worked with a college counselor during my senior year of high school, and she was incredibly helpful. She was so knowledgeable! Because of her, I was able to choose the right college for me.” Jamie’s counselor helped her create a list of schools she was interested in applying to, which ended up being super helpful in the end.
Maybe you have your college list narrowed down, but have no idea what to major in. While going in undecided is perfectly okay, it may be reassuring to some people to narrow down your interests before starting. College counselors are extremely knowledgeable about different majors and can help guide you in the right direction.
"I have either a very brief career test—takes only 10-20 minutes—or a full blown administration of the Strong Interest Inventory," Podbelsek says. "I also show students how to learn more about majors by getting on the college websites and looking at the class requirements for majors they are potentially interested in. The more they learn through these tasks, the better idea they have of how all of that may come together in narrowing down a major."
This will put you a step closer to knowing what you want to study.
4. Am I organized and efficient?
Organization is key during the college application process. If you’re scatterbrained and always leave things to the last minute, it may be best to hire a college counselor who will help you stay ahead.
"Many organized and efficient students may come see us for only one-two appointments," Podbelsek says. "They just want to see if their college list is realistic and balanced, their applications are correctly filled out, and have someone with experience read their essays to see if they are on target."
Jamie mentions that her counselor helped keep her on track with her various applications and essays. If you have a counselor telling you to complete things by certain dates, you’re way more likely to actually do it. Although we may think our own minds are strong enough on their own, the lure of Netflix can sometimes be stronger.
5. Will a college counselor make me feel more comfortable?
Although you may have a support system on your side, that doesn’t always mean you feel secure in what you’re doing. “Even though my parents were supportive during the college application process, I felt like a college counselor would be more knowledgeable and could help make my applications the strongest they could be,” says Emily*, a junior at the University of South Carolina.
Having a professional to work with and edit your applications may make some people feel better about the entire process. If you feel comfortable on your own, there’s no reason to recruit someone to help you. It all depends on you!
6. Can I afford a college counselor?
Cost is an important factor to take into consideration. Podbelsek says costs will vary depending on where you live and how experienced the counselor is, but if you think they will be helpful, it's probably worth it!
"At our office we offer both hourly consulting and a comprehensive program that begins January of the junior year and helps the student through the entire process for a set amount," she says. "We also offer a summer intensive program to motivate kids to get going on their process early."
College counselors will likely start with an evaluation of you, which can cost about $150. Prices for a counselor to review your applications and help you edit them can range anywhere from $250 to $40,000, so it's important to do your research beforehand! It's probably a good idea to talk to someone who's used a specific counselor to see if their price tag is worth it.
When it all comes down to it, working with a college counselor (or not) is entirely your choice. If you’re feeling lost and uncertain, a counselor may be the perfect person to help you step in the right direction. If you like to do things on your own, a counselor likely isn’t going to help you. If you ask yourself these questions, you should have a better idea of whether or not a college counselor is for you!
The thirsty girl values romantic and sexual attention above all else, but there's nothing wrong with that! It just means you know what you want, and you aren't afraid to spend your time obsessively trying to get it. Whether it's seeking a boyfriend or a hookup, here are 17 things that only the thirstiest of thirsty girls can relate to.
1. "UGH I want a boyfriend" is pretty much your catch phrase
2. There are days when your only motivation to leave the house is to meet someone
3. You would be embarrassed to admit how many dating apps are on your phone
4. Alcohol has been known to increase your thirstiness by 1000 percent
5. But you don't like to be called "easy" (even if you kind of are)
6. Even when a guy is super interested in you, you try to keep you options open
7. And you know how to drop a hint or two when you're interested
8. Your friends are familiar with your thirsty lifestyle
9. They're always excited to hear your crazy story from last night
10. You have countless flirty conversations saved on your phone
11. And a set of tried-and-true pick up lines at the ready
12. Sometimes you realize that enough is enough and you need to be stopped
13. Which usually happens when you REALLY like a guy
14. You're constantly worried that he will find out about your thirsty past
15. But when things get serious you realize that you're not about that relationship life
Having a unique name is both a blessing and a curse, but mostly a curse. When your name is uncommon it comes at a price, and if you happen to be part of the club, you'll definitely be able to relate.
1. The annoyance that comes with having to listen to people continuously mispronounce your name.
2. Having a mini heart attack when a restaurant hostess asks for your name.
3. Immediately raising your hand as soon as there is a pause in the roll call.
4. Automatically spelling out your name when someone asks for it.
5. Repeatedly asking your parents if they're positive we've been pronouncing it correctly.
6. Getting asked if we're foreign.
7. The feeling of having a complete stranger pronounce your name correctly on their first try.
8. When you correct someone’s mispronunciation and they continue to say it wrong.
9. Giving a fake name to the Starbucks barista.
10. That time when Coca Cola started the name campaign...
11. Never being able to find a cute souvenir with your name on it.
12. And knowing that your name isn't here, but still looking for it just incase.
13. Cellphones refusing to recognize your name as a word.
14. People thinking its a typo.
15. Microsoft Word underlining your name with that annoying red line.
16. When the only thing you can find about your name’s meaning is on Urban Dictionary.
17. Or not even being able to find it on Urban Dictionary.
18. Having your own family occasionally mispronounce or misspell your name.
As girls we all have things in common, but us Jewish girls tend to vibe in a special way, often tracing back to the similar upbringings we all have. We all starve through the high holidays, or feel bad if we don’t. We all have mother’s that overfeeds us but still somehow make us feel bad for making poor health decisions. We even find that we know an excessive amount of the same people. However there's so much more, so we compiled of list of 15 things all Jewish girls understand.
1. How good manischewitz is
2. Playing Jewish geography
3. The importance of bagels
4. And really just brunching in general
5. The appreciation you will always have for Matisyahu
6. As well as using Yiddish words completely out of context
7. Reminiscing about the best summers of your life at camp
8. Or telling everyone (and we mean everyone) how amazing birthright was
9. Returning with 3000 bracelets from Ben Yehuda St
10. As well as a clear stance in the shwarma vs. falafel debate
11. Eating Chinese food on Christmas
12. Taking your non-Jewish friends to your family holidays
13. Bar Mitzvahs
14. Or any of the prayers that include fun gestures and banging on tables
15. Constantly being on the lookout for a nice Jewish boy your bubbie will approve of
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