The last few days have been quite a stressful time for Taylor Swift fans following the superstar’s social media blackout and then her cryptic return to the internet. After posting not one but two videos of a slithering snake to her social media accounts, T. Swift finally put a stop to everyone’s questions and dropped the news we’ve all been waiting for: she will release her next album, Reputation, on Nov. 10. Cue hysterics from Swifties around the globe.

PEOPLE reports that Taylor took to Instagram to drop the big news, first releasing a third snake-related video that definitely suggests that this album could include scathing hits at her enemies. I was already afraid of snakes, but this video just amplified my fears. 

Continuing the frenzy surrounding her intentions, Taylor also revealed her album's name and released its cover art. This newspaper-themed photo is relevant AF nowadays—could it be a subtle reference to "fake news?"

To top off the craziness, yet another post announced that the album's first single is coming out this Thursday. Um, are you trying to kill the internet, Taylor? 

Understandably, Taylor's fans have exploded with excitement over the news. 

It's been over a decade since Taylor's breakout as a star, but the way she handled this album drop proves that she has plenty of fight left in her. There's no doubt that whatever Reputation includes, it's bound to introduce an even fiercer style of hers. Starting my countdown to November right now!

Our makeup brushes are notorious for collecting bacteria and then transferring that bacteria straight to our face––can you say breakouts?! It’s recommended that most brushes receive some type of cleaning after you use them, but how is anyone supposed to do that between classes, work and having a social life? Yeah, no. Ideally, makeup brushes should be rejuvinated once a week, but I'm applauding you if you do it even every two weeks. When you do find the time, here are five ways to clean your brushes. 

1. The tried and true method

This method is age old, and I’ve been doing it since I learned I was supposed to wash my brushes (so like two years ago). It’s super easy, and you only need two household items: canola/coconut oil and dish soap. The recipe is two parts oil to one part dish soap, and the oil will break down the product and whatever’s stuck to the bristles of the brush, while the dish soap magically washes it away. Swish your brushes around in that mixture, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry overnight!

2. Beauty blender and a microwave

This is similar to the tried and true method, but for beauty blenders! According to Allure, twitter user @2chiinzzz uses dish soap and then cooks her beauty blender in the microwave.

Everyone is jumping on board with this handy idea.

3. The StylPro Makeup Brush Cleaner and Drier

This device is so crazy, I’ve never seen anything like it! 

Basically, you fill up a bowl with brush cleanser or soap and water, choose which silicone collar fits your brush, then use the wand while whisking your brush around in the bowl until all the product and grime comes off. Once it’s clean, bring the wand up above the water line and the wand will whisk bristles around so fast that the brush is dry in seconds. SECONDS! Check out this video to see the literal magic.

4. Brush cleaning mat and soap

This method is super simple. All you need is a makeup brush cleaning mat like this one from Amazon and some soap! Swirl it around, get them all clean,and let dry!

5. Brush cleansing balm

I'm super excited about this one and want to try it ASAP. All you do is wet your brush, wipe it in the balm (this balm from CVS is only $7) and rinse. Beauty extraordinaire Manny MUA even has a super cool trick for drying the brushes after. Check it out!

If pictures of food pop up among the Hot Dudes Reading account and the travel porn on my Instagram feed, I'm a happy gal. It's hard to explain the power of food photography, but it probably has a lot to do with a delicious-looking dish appearing on social media when I have a half-empty bag of chips in my cupboard. 

So to bring you the joy of an unexpected yummy food sighting 15 times over, below is some incredible-looking food that has me salivating. Enjoy!

1. Summer is berry season

In honor of the most wonderful time of the year winding down, I think we all need to make this breakfast cake.

2. Tbh, I want this mac and cheese to be my last meal ever

3. Avocado ANYTHING, please!

4. Breakfast of champions

5. This pie is my idea of a perfect Friday night…

6. …unless these donuts slide into my DMs

7. Whose day isn't made by having a bagel?

8. In case you're in need of some chocolate

9. Brb, drooling

10. I'm still not entirely sure what acai is, but these bowls are gorgeous

11. These just look delightful

12. Excuse me—I have a hot date with this pasta

13. Breakfast never looked so good

14. Chocolate mousse, anyone?

15. Pizza doesn't have to do much to look good to me

Okay, now I have to go try out some of these recipes!

We’re coming up on just a month until Season 2 of the NBC hit This Is Us premieres on Sept. 26, and I’m more than a little excited for the show’s return. The network obviously knows how deprived fans have been this summer, and in true MVP style, an extensive sneak peek of a scene from the upcoming season was released via the show’s Twitter account, Refinery29 reports. Spoiler alert: it’s a tearjerker (of course).

The clip, which is a whopping three minutes, shows Mandy Moore's Rebecca and Sterling K. Brown's Randall in the present day, discussing the possibility of Randall and his wife Beth adopting a child. As the scene turns into a flashback, Rebecca then explains how she and super dad Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) knew that adopting a newborn Randall was a good idea. 

Call me a crybaby, but Jack's persistent love for creating this family gets me every time. Rebecca admitting that Jack wasn't perfect also gets my brain churning for more theories about his death.

While most of the cast shared the show's exclusive peek on Twitter, Chris Sullivan, aka Toby, chose today to rile up fans in a completely different way.

"Watching them film the scene where they explain how Jack dies," the actor casually wrote. Um, you can't just say that so calmly, Chris! 

It's safe to say that the This Is Us fandom is ready for this long wait to be over. We need tears, we need answers and we need them now. 

In an area still reeling from the violence of a deadly white nationalist march, workers in Charlottesville, Virginia, have draped two Confederate monuments with black tarps, CNN says. A statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee and a statue of Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, which are in different locations, were both covered with tarps as a result of an unanimous City Council vote.

The intention of the council’s vote was to honor the death of Heather Heyer, who was killed when a car rammed into a crowd of counterprotesters at the march. Although the council initially voted in February for the Lee statue to be taken away, the possibility of its removal is now being discussed in court.

“The tarps came in earlier than we expected and we had staff available today to cover up the monuments so that is what we did,” said Charlottesville communications coordinator Joe Rice. The team faced the challenge of finding weatherproof tarps large enough to cover the monuments, but their search proved successful.

"It's a good start," Jamie Dyer said of the covering to The Washington Post. "They do have to go, but it is a start, and I'm glad the city has finally recognized it has to happen on some level."

According to ABC News, the City Council meeting included so many residents angry about Charlottesville’s response to the march that three people were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct or obstruction. Protesters present called out Mayor Mike Signer, chanting "blood on your hands" and believing that he should resign. It was ultimately decided at the meeting that covering the controversial statues wouldn’t violate a state law forbidding local governments from removing war monuments.  

Several hours after the Lee statue was covered, two men were seen near the figure with a Confederate flag, arguing with bystanders. The Post reports that a man with a gun strapped to his leg also began cutting the Lee statue's tarp with a knife. He stopped when approached by police, but told passerby that he thought covering a war monument was illegal.  

Given this response, it's clear that Charlottesville is still filled with tension following such a violent event. A hearing addressing the law about war monuments is scheduled for Sept. 1.

If you’ve ever been in a long-term relationship, you know the honeymoon phase doesn’t last forever. Insta-worthy sushi dates, Friday night parties and Netflix marathons are only half of the experience. Whether you’ve been seeing your SO for three weeks or three years, chances are they’ve struggled – or will struggle – with something. College is one of the most difficult times in a person’s life, especially with additional unexpected personal struggles. A family death on top of three exams in a week may call for extra support on your part. When your SO faces a challenge they didn’t plan, there are things you can do to help them overcome it.

1. Listen attentively

No one should ever have to go through a tough time alone. While it’s really important for your SO to have a supportive tribe of friends and family members, sometimes those people aren’t always available or willing to listen. If you want to help your SO, be their go-to person who can just sit and listen to whatever they have to say. Madison Becker, a junior at Kent State University, agrees that doing this one simple thing can make all the difference.

“I would say not only listening is important but also showing that you’re actively paying attention,” she says. “Sometimes all people need is someone to talk to, but if the listener isn’t mentally present, it’s like talking to a wall.”

It may be hard for you to listen to your SO’s problems when you have plenty of your own. A fight with a sibling, a late homework assignment or an unexpected breakout are the least of your problems. However, your job is to listen whenever your SO wants to rant or feels the need to cry.  

2. Provide empathy and advice if asked

While silence may be enough for a particular situation, your SO may seek comfort or advice in others. Kind words can do wonders. Dr. Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist, media personality and bestselling author based in Beverly Hills, believes there are certain things you should and should not say to a struggling SO.

“You should tell them ‘I get it. It must really hurt that (such and such) happened’ or ‘I feel bad that you’re going through such a tough time. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help,’” she says. “You shouldn’t tell them ‘You’re such a downer and no fun to be with anymore’ or ‘Why can’t you just get over it already?’”

Sometimes all your SO wants is comfort, not advice. Voicing your own opinion about something you don’t know much about, such as their financial situation or mental health history could possibly create a new conflict. Becker also says, “Unless your SO is asking for advice on what to do, I would avoid offering your own opinion on the situation and remind them that everything is going to be alright in the end.”

Knowing when to stay quiet can be confusing and abiding by your SO’s wishes can be tough, but if you really care for them, you should respect their wants and needs.

Related: What to Do If Your SO Has Anxiety or Depression 

3. Be there for them physically

If you ever performed in a recital or concert as a kid, you probably looked out at the audience to find your loved ones. Having someone you care about support you from the sidelines honestly means everything. The same concept applies to supporting your SO through a difficult situation. Although you shouldn’t spend your every waking hour with them, you should try to open up your schedule and spend some quality time together. If that means watching a movie together while cuddling or having a heart-to-heart conversation, do those things. If your SO wants you to attend a funeral or an appointment with them, do those things too.  

Kaitlin Rush, a senior at the University of Scranton, made sure she was available for her boyfriend when his father passed away. “Just being there was the best I could do for him,” she says. “I was a shoulder to cry on and tried to remind him of the fun he had with his dad.”

In long-distance relationships, physical presence can prove to be nearly impossible in some cases. You can call and facetime your SO, but it’s not going to be the same as being there next to them. You can’t hug through a phone. Jay Hurt, a relationship coach and author of The 9 Tenets of a Successful Relationship, insists that if you can manage a trip to see your SO, it’s totally worth it for the both of you.

“There’s like an energy that we pull from each other when we’re there for each other,” he says. “I think it’s important to find a way to be there periodically – either once every six months or once a year or whatever it is. There needs to be some way to fill in those gaps when you can.”

Making a small sacrifice to be there physically for your SO can make a huge difference.

4. Encourage them to seek outside help if necessary

Although it’s critical to be honest and open with your SO, there comes a point when too much emotional dependency can take a toll on both you and the relationship. A tough situation can strengthen the bond between two romantic partners if one doesn’t rely consistently on the other for heavy advice and physical presence.

“If you start taking on all the emotional responsibility for your SO, it will be very harmful to your relationship,” Dr. Lieberman says “You will become their crutch and you will start to resent it. They will feel bad about themselves and start to resent you, too.”

If your SO won’t talk to another trusted individual, you might want to consider sitting down with them to discuss pursuing professional help, such as a therapist. Staging an intervention and catching them off-guard is much different than clear communication. Hurt believes that communication is key to avoid a rift in the relationship.

“You have to communicate how you feel, what the expectations are, and how you want to interact,” he says. “You have to communicate and let that person know and talk through these things or eventually you’ll pull away.  You’ll lose the relationship because you didn’t work through that issue.”

It’s going to get really complicated if you can’t learn to advocate for both you and your SO.

5. Give them space if they want it

Everyone deals with negative feelings differently. If your SO is the type of person who builds walls and shuts down when they’re stressed, it may be best to leave them alone. Healing is a unique emotional process. Some yearn for constant attention while others want complete isolation. It might be hard for your SO to let you know they need space.

Dr. Lieberman advises, “If your SO closes up during a tough time, don’t keep nagging them. Although the cause may have nothing to do with you, if you keep nagging, you’re liable to finally get them to explode with, ‘You’re what’s wrong! I don’t ever want you to see you again!’”

You don’t want your helicopter tendencies to be the source of a new divide between you two. Your SO is already stressed and inside their head. Let them know you’re available to listen and talk whenever they’re ready, but don’t keep pressing them.

Being there for your SO during a rough patch in their life can be both rewarding and draining. However, it’s a part of a romantic relationship that simply can’t be avoided. We all experience failure, loss and disappointment. Having the support of not only your friends and family but also your SO can expedite the process of conquering whatever stands in your way. A relationship is a two-way street.  Hopefully by helping your struggling SO now, they’ll return the favor in the future.  

Starting college can feel like a whirlwind: getting new class schedules, meeting new friends, getting used to a roommate, figuring out your meal plan…the list goes on and on! Luckily, most schools have an orientation program to help you through the transition into college and teach you the basics to survive freshman year.

While your school’s orientation may be awesome, there are certain things that you won’t learn until you actually dive into college life. We’ve asked real collegiettes about things they wish they knew as freshmen to help make your life easier!

1. Get off campus and explore

It’s possible you’re still getting a little lost on campus (where’s the library again?), but take advantage of your school’s surrounding area as soon as you can.

“At orientation, I wish I would have learned about how much there is to do in the town surrounding [my] campus,” says Caitlin Duncan, a junior at University of New Haven. “It took me an entire semester to finally get off campus and explore, and I regretted not [doing] it sooner!”

Do a quick Google search or ask your RA about that cool sushi place downtown or check out a street food fair in the city. College is not only about making a campus a home, but also stepping outside your comfort zone and adventuring to new places.

Want to get off campus but don’t have a car? Research public transportation in your area or see if your school provides a shuttle service. “I learned how to take the city bus and that got me everywhere freshman year,” Caitlin says. “A lot of schools also have shuttles that take [students] to areas of interest off campus for free! It’s definitely a good idea to learn about transportation around [your school].”

Of course it’s important to learn how to get from your classes to the dining hall and back to your dorm, but don’t be confined to campus for too long. There are a lot of great things nearby so go out and explore!

Related: 12 Things Nobody Told You to Pack for College

2. Go out on weeknights occasionally

We’re not saying you should blow off all your studies to go to a party on a Tuesday, but every once in a while it’s okay to go out during the week. After all, when else will you ever partake in weeknight three-dollar drink specials and not be judged for it?

“Understand that not all schools party on the same night,” says Iris Goldsztajn, a senior at University of California, Los Angeles. “When I was a freshman, I assumed that things would be the busiest on Friday and Saturday nights, but it turns out that Thursdays and random week nights from time to time are the big party nights at UCLA!”

So when your 8:30 p.m. class gets cancelled or St. Patty’s Day falls on a Monday, get your work done and head to the party. Your schoolwork should always come first, but it’s fine to have a little fun during the week every once in a while.

3. Do your laundry at night

Make your mom proud and actually learn how to do your laundry. Trust us, you will run out of socks and your sheets will get smelly eventually, so it’s better visit the laundry room at least once a week to avoid cluttering your room with dirty clothes.

To make laundry day more bearable, take it from Krista Jaworski, a junior at St. Joseph’s University, and do your laundry at night. “I always go late at night because I’m up and it’s usually empty,” she says. “You can do multiple loads at a time too. Just make sure you set an alarm so you know when it’s done!”

Be sure to stock up on quarters (if your laundry machines take them) and detergent. If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to do multiple loads, wash everything on cold. “Sometimes I just want to do one load and be done,” Krista says. “So I don’t separate my darks and lights and just wash everything on cold. That way the colors don’t bleed.”

If you know you usually stay up until midnight every Wednesday, do your laundry around 10 p.m. the same day. You can finish your work while everything washes and dries; multitasking at its finest!

4. Hit the gym in the morning or early afternoon

You’re super excited to start on your school year fitness goals only to get to the gym and realize that every machine is taken. By the time you actually on the treadmill, you have 15 minutes before you have to go to class. Talk about annoying.

It’s great the students want to utilize their schools’ facilities, but crowded gyms can really kill our patience. The trick is to hit the gym when the time is right to guarantee a full workout.

“The time to go to the gym is between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.,” says Elodie Jean-Philippe a junior at Duke University. “People usually have class during those times.”

You can also opt for a later dinner and go to the gym during prime dining hall time. It may take a couple weeks to figure out when most people are too busy to workout, but eventually you’ll figure out when the gym is the least crowded If you’re new to gym equipment, make sure you make an appointment with an on-campus trainer. They will walk you through how to work out safely and effectively on the machines!

Related: 7 Ways to Start the School Year Stress-Free

5. Actually meet your professors

You’ve probably heard this tip a million times, but getting to know your professors actually helps in the long run. Not only will you do better in class, but you might also make long lasting connections with them.

“Take advantage of you professors’ office hours!” says Lindsay Fuce, a sophomore at Gordon College. “Even if you just go to introduce yourself, they’ll appreciate making the face-to-face contact.”

Especially if you go to a school with large class sizes, it’s important to get to know your professors. You never know when you’ll need help with an assignment or a recommendation for an internship. Plus, professors have a wealth of knowledge and understanding of college life. They can be great resources as you go through your four years.

“I’ve really loved my professors so far,” Krista says. “I never thought I would become close to any of them, but they’re really cool people and have helped me a lot.”

So when your professor mentions his or her office hours, make a note. Showing up for a quick conversation can go a long way.

6. Get to know your library  

Every school’s library is different, but there are certain secrets that seasoned collegiettes know. You will study in your library at least once, so make sure you know what’s up.

“One day when you don’t have study, go to the library and just explore,” says Deanna Manniello, a recent graduate from Villanova University. “Figure out where the outlets are. Find the quiet spots early in the semester and do some research about cool amenities, like being able to reserve a classroom or rent out a charger.”

You’ll find that people flock to the library during midterms and finals, but if you go throughout the semester or scope it out a few times, you’ll know to make a beeline to the second floor to grab a comfy chair or that there are writing tutors available to help you with your paper. It’ll make your studying way more enjoyable if you know your way around the library!

Whether it’s when to hit the gym or tips for getting off campus, there are some things that you won’t learn at orientation. But if you keep these six pieces of advice in mind, you’ll be rocking your freshman year in no time!

The Pentagon will issue more information to the Defense Department “in the coming days” on how to proceed with the ban on transgender individuals in the military announced by President Donald Trump earlier in the summer, according to the Wall Street Journal. The guidance will reportedly include instructions to reject applications from prospective transgender members and additional information for how the thousands of transgender people already serving in the military will be affected. 

Reports of these guidelines come about a month after Trump, in a series of tweets, announced that he would be reinstating the transgender ban for the military, as CNN reported, ultimately reversing the policy set in place by the Defense Department during the Obama administration allowing transgender individuals to openly serve. At the time, he alleged that the "medical costs and disruption" of trans service members "burdened" the military (which has been thoroughly disputed and debunked.) 

“After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military," Trump wrote on Twitter. "Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you."

At the time of that Twitter announcement, many were unsure of how the ban would actually work — and, with these directives, we have a better idea. As the Wall Street Journal reported, the Defense Department will be advised to reject transgender applicants and to assess the deployability of the individual service member when considering whether or not to dismiss a trans person currently serving in the military. However, CNN also reported that there will be no changes in the current policy until the Defense Department receives the White House’s guidelines, and Secretary Mattis will have six months to implement the new policy.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Defense Department said it “[had] not received formal guidance from the White House as a follow-up to the Commander-in-Chief's announcement on military service by transgender personnel.” The statement also said that the “[Defense] Department continues to focus on our mission of defending our nation and ongoing operations against our foes, while ensuring all service members are treated with respect.”

As NPR's Tom Bowman reported, Defense Secretary James Mattis' main concern is service and there's an understanding that he'll "give a lot of leeway" to keep trans members who are already serving in their jobs. Meanwhile, LGBT advocates remain vehemently against the ban in any form. 

“[Trump's] foolhardy assertion that transgender service members are not able to deploy is simply not rooted in fact," Ashley Broadway-Mack, president of The American Military Partner Association— a support network for families of LGBT service members and veterans — said in a statement. "Transgender service members are just as deployable as any other service member. These brave men and women are already risking their lives for this country around the world.”

Fighting cancer is a battle no one should have to endure – especially alone. This October, stand in solidarity to honor those who bravely fight cancer and raise money to help fight back with Be Bold, Be Bald!

Be Bold, Be Bald! is a national fundraising event held on October 20th where participants “go bald” by boldly wearing a bald cap (or even shaving their heads!) to support everyone who has been touched by cancer – and raise money in the process for their choice of over 50 cancer charities.

Her Campus is teaming up with Be Bold, Be Bald! to encourage you to put your vanity aside and rally your friends and family to raise money for this worthy cause. Start a team (or go solo!) and you and your teammates will each have the chance to win a beauty package worth over $250 courtesy of Yes To, H20+ Beauty and other amazing partners! The team that raises the largest amount of money per team member will be gifted with over $1000 worth of prizes from Harper Wilde, Her Campus, Alma Mater and more as a special thank you from Be Bold, Be Bald!&Small Army for a Cause.

Be Bold, Be Bald!

Signaling the end of a nostalgic (if nightmare-inducing) era of Pizza-themed music, Chuck E. Cheese’s iconic animatronic band will be calling it quits. NPR reports that the infamous robot band —dubbed The Pizza Time Players — have been a part of the restaurants since 1977, but tradition was not enough to save the band from the steady winds of change.

CEO Tom Leverton, who runs the company behind Chuck E. Cheese (and its sister restaurants, Peter Piper Pizza), cites today’s technology as the reason behind the band’s removal.

“Back then, kids’ expectations of technology were much, much lower,” Leverton said. “A child today has such high expectations for entertainment that the animatronics, even at their absolute best, can’t live up to those expectations.”

Chuck E. Cheese has already begun phasing out the Pizza Time Players in seven locations, according to the Chicago Tribune. There are currently 512 corporate-owned Chuck E. Cheese restaurants in the United States.

“We removed the animatronics in seven locations,” Christelle Dupont, a spokeswoman from the chain’s Irving, Texas location, said to the Tribune on Wednesday. “We’re testing to see how those remodeled locations do and what parents and kids like and what’s resonating with them.”

While the Pizza Time Players have been a part of the restaurant chain for decades, they have suffered more than a few malfunctions and have fallen far behind today's technology, according to NPR. The robots at some of the older locations creak louder than they play music and there have even been video compilations dedicated to the band’s best malfunctions.

If you want to see the Pizza Time Players one last time, the bands will be gradually phased out over the next few years. So, there's still time! As for what is coming next, Leverton kept it vague but suggested the band will be upgraded.  

“Our animatronics are certainly legendary, and they bring up fond childhood memories for millions of adults and fans across the country,” Leverton said in a statement. “As we move forward, we believe our live Chuck E. experience provides the best entertainment value for kids, who have higher expectations of both realism and special effects.”

And, of course, you can always catch the Pizza Time Players in your nightmares.

While many Taylor Swift fans are freaking out over her ~revolutionary~ comeback, we can't help but watch the Kardashian-West family to see how they're reacting to the not-so-subtle shade thrown at them. The couple hasn't officially commented on the matter, but it's safe to assume they can't be too pleased about the way Swift has completely transformed the snake insult they once used against her. 

Ever since Kim Kardashian West had her "hissy" fit (get it?) last July, the snake emoji has flooded Swift's social media feed. In case you need a little reminder, KKW had a viral tweet about it being National Snake Day after she had just "exposed" Taylor on Snapchat over her apparent knowledge of being included in Kanye's hit song "Famous." The whole saga is hard to follow, but if one thing’s for sure—a lot of people used the snake emoji to insult Swift. 

But now that Swift has used a snake to cleverly announce her highly anticipated new album, Swifties have taken to Twitter to send thousands of snake emojis to Kim. Not so funny now, is it Kim? 

Even though Kim can't control the way people reply to her tweets, her Instagram settings have evidently been changed to block any comments with the snake emoji, BuzzFeed reports. Despite this setback, Swift's fans have still managed to flood her comment sections with a similar emoji—a dragon. 

Swift's actions on social media the past week have been unlike anything else we've seen before, and I'm sure Kim and Kanye were just as surprised as we were about the entire situation. Their social media is surely going to blow up once her new single "Reputation" is released, especially if it acknowledges their drama—which, let's face it, it definitely will!

Though President Donald Trump has never been one to shy away from confrontation, his latest political beef — this time with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — is one to watch for lovers of political drama. 

As the Washington Postreported on Thursday, Trump’s early morning tweet-storm aimed at McConnell (and, to a lesser extent, House Speaker Paul Ryan) shows a real shift in how the President deals with his allies in Congress when they don’t accomplish what he wants.

If your eyes glazed over at the unthreaded tweets or the phrase “debt ceiling,” don’t sweat it. The TL;DR version of that is that they’re debating about if/how they’d like to increase the amount of money the treasury can spend (without defaulting.)

But here’s what you need to know right now to understand this drama…

Trump wants to see success on the debt ceiling issue — especially after the healthcare repeal and replace failure— and  has been putting an unprecedented amount of pressure on Republicans in Congress to see that happen soon. Which brings us back to McConnell and Trump.

Since Trump’s inauguration, McConnell has talked his own fair share of trash about the president. Including reports from The New York Times that McConnell allegedly doubts Trump will be able salvage his presidency and that he’s criticized the real estate mogul's lack of governing experience. So when Trump tweeted again on Thursday morning, directly @-ing McConnell for the failure to “repeal and replace” Obamacare after years of hype, it mostly confirmed suspicions that the two Republican leaders aren’t exactly the best of pals.

But the plot thickens: McConnell, right around the time Trump was hitting send on those tweets, praised the president  and his administration at a breakfast-time event in his home state of Kentucky, as CNN reported. (Politicians: They can be snakes too!)

While it’s certainly in both of these Republican leader’s best political interests to play nice, Trump hasn’t been shy about butting heads with other big players in Washington since taking office. This situation with McConnell is notable, however, because of what it might mean for his relationship with the Republican party in the long-term. After all, we’re still only in the first year of his presidency.
 

I see a couple of different versions of my life.

In one, I'm in a city. I wear high heels with red soles and drink black coffee and hail cabs on my way to the office. I have a glass of wine in my loft apartment every night and I might have a cat but I’m not sure yet.

In the other, I'm with you. We live in a cozy house in the country and have two dogs and maybe a couple kids and we’re happy. It’s a version of my life that I never considered before but now I can see it every night when I close my eyes.

See, I’ve never been much of a small town girl. Something in me just always believed I would end up in some big city with this big, fancy job, and that would be my life. I craved sexy lingerie and dimly lit restaurants. I wanted to wear heels to get groceries and get my hair blown out just because I felt like it. I wanted a city life. Now I just want you. I want a life with you.

And so I’m not dating. I can't. Because at the end of the day it just wouldn’t be fair. Because no matter many things he did right or how hard he tired, it was never going to be enough because he was never going to be you. No one else will ever be you.

I’m not dating because I’m not interested in where he works or what his mother’s name is or what makes his eyes light up with excitement. I don’t care what school he went to or where he spends his summer weekends. I don't care about him.

I’m not dating because I like that other version of my life. It feels safe and warm. It feels like we’d have Christmases with our parents but we’d host Thanksgiving. It feels like our bedroom would be painted yellow and I’d wake up smiling. It feels like everything I’ve always written about but never imagined I’d actually get. I’m not dating because this life is inextricably linked to you and no matter how hard I try, I can’t unlink it.

I see a couple different versions of my life. One is me in a city. The other is the reason I’m not dating. 

Look out, Harvard! Malia Obama has arrived.

On Monday, the former first daughter got settled into her dorm at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, People Magazine reports.

With her famous parents Former-President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama both there to move her in (and probably cry a lot), the campus was buzzing with excitement over the 19-year-old's arrival.

​Malia’s journey to Harvard was delayed when she announced last year that she would take a “gap year” after graduating from high school. 

The oldest Obama daughter didn't spend that year just chilling and listening to the Killers, though. As Quartz reported, Malia took that time to explore her interest in the entertainment industry by attending Sundance Film Festival and working as an intern with the Weinstein Co., an independent film and television production company owned by Bob and Harvey Weinstein.

But, now (just like everyone else on campus this month) she’s ready to hit the books. Here’s hoping Malia and everyone else starting classes this month have the best back to school 2017 possible (and also that someone got to watch our former POTUS and FLOTUS wrestle with a micro-fridge.)

For a lot of new collegiettes, freshman year is their first time sharing a room with someone else. While dorm life and roommate bonding are wonderful experiences to have and are trademarks of college life, they can also be the source of some drama.

Roommate trouble isn’t uncommon, and there are plenty of ways to solve any issues that may arise. Lucky for you, we’ve got your go-to guide of some common roommate problems and ways to fix them, complete with advice from collegiettes!

1. She’s messy

Everyone has a different standard of cleanliness, so it’s not unlikely that you and your roommate may disagree when it comes to the state of your room. It’s safe to say that the both of you will have to make compromises and work a little harder to keep your space clean now that you’re sharing it.

Alex*, a junior at New York University, says that she’s dealt with messy roommates for a couple years. “Sloppy roommates can be a problem, but it’s one of the easier roommate problems to fix,” she says. “There are tons of ways to talk to your roommate and let her know that she needs to be a little bit cleaner. Everyone can be messy at times, so it’s an understandable problem that’s generally easy to approach if you do it right.”

If your roommate’s messiness is bothering you, it’s best to step up and talk to her about it instead of letting the issue go on.

How to deal

Make a chore schedule. No one likes forcing themselves to do chores, but trust us, you’ll be thankful you did it. A cleaning schedule is a great way to divide responsibilities and make sure that your room is clean on a regular basis. It’s best to come up with the schedule at the beginning of the year so you can stick to it – no excuses!

If cleanliness problems arise throughout the semester in spite of the chore schedule, take it up casually with your roommate. The conversation doesn’t always have to be awkward – it can be a quick, “Hey, do you mind picking up your side a bit? My parents are visiting!” or even just a short note on your whiteboard while she’s at class.

If the problem gets to be more serious, then consider approaching her about it. Remind her that it’s your space, too, and it’s her responsibility to help keep it looking nice. If the problem gets way out of hand and your roommate gets angry or aggressive about it, consider taking the problem to your resident adviser (RA) or another member of Residence Life – they’re there to help you with housing and roommate issues, so take advantage of their assistance!

2. She’s mean

Even if you and your roommate have the same sleep schedules, are both tidy and respect each other’s belongings, problems can still pop up. Some roommates simply just don’t get along.

Katherine, a senior at the University of Rochester, says that one semester she was randomly assigned a roommate who appeared to hate her for no reason. “Whenever possible, she would get up and leave when I entered a room; if we were hanging out with a group of people, she would make faces anytime I said anything and she only spoke to me if she had something mean or condescending to say,” Katherine says.

Eventually, Katherine took their problems to a mediator and began to get them sorted out.

How to deal

Communicate with your roommate and with others, if necessary. “My advice…would be to communicate about the little things early on, because they can escalate quickly and become unbearable,” Katherine says.

No matter what it is that’s bothering you, it’s best to address it sooner rather than later. If your roommate is making mean comments, ignoring you or just plain being disrespectful, try to nip the problem in the bud and address it as soon as you can. This will save you from months of frustration and an awkward, overdue conversation that would otherwise happen at the end of the year (or never!).

“Even if you're good about communicating, you might end up with a roommate who dislikes you and isn't afraid to show it,” Katherine says. “I coped with this by reaching out to other people. My mentor helped me see that the negativity my roommate had towards me said more about her than it did about me, and my friends helped me put things in perspective by finding the humor in the situation.”

If you’re having issues that even the two of you can’t figure out, consider taking the problem to an RA or counselor. He or she can act as a good mediator and help soothe the tension or even help you relocate if the problem is getting out of hand.

3. She’s absent

When you pictured your dorm, you may have imagined you and your roomie hanging out, eating snacks and watching chick flicks every night. While that’s not a completely impossible scenario, it’s not always the case.

When collegiette Ivy first came to Keene State College, she was assigned two roommates. A few weeks later, though, it seemingly dwindled down to just one. “[One of my roommates ended up] sort of moving into someone else's room and would come back to our room only when she needed clothes or when she was drunk and got in a fight with her new ‘roommates,’” Ivy says.

Absent roommates can be tricky, as they’re usually absent for their own reasons. Some girls get invested in their new significant others, make friends in a different building or are simply too busy to hang around the room. There’s nothing wrong with a busy roommate, but it can be kind of a bummer hanging out by yourself when you come home from class!

How to deal

If your roommate’s absence bothers you, try inviting her to hang out on the off days when she does come back to the room. Ask her what she’s been up to lately. If she’s not giving much of an answer, don’t pry, but do be wary. You want to make sure she’s not getting herself into a bad situation!

If you’re truly worried about your roomie and where she might be, encourage her to talk with your RA. She could be getting into a sticky situation with a controlling boyfriend or girlfriend or staying out too late and crashing at other people’s rooms who aren’t exactly wanting her there. If you have the chance to have a chat with her, make sure she’s not getting into any unwanted situations. If she is, try to help her out or direct her to the RA or another member of Residence Life who can help her out in her situation.

4. She’s always in the room

While having a roommate who’s never there can be a bummer, so can having a roommate who’s constantly in the room. It’s always fun to have some roomie bonding time, but you’ll need a break from each other once in a while. It’s easy to get sick of each other when you’re sharing a small space for at least a whole school year!

How to deal

If your roommate is in your room around the clock (except for class time), you might want to have a chat with her. If it’s the case that she’s simply not involved in anything else or doesn’t have many other friends, encourage her to commit to something on campus. Perhaps even consider taking her to a meeting of a club or organization that you’re a member of. Clubs, organizations, sports or on-campus jobs can be a great way to spend your time, get involved and meet new people. You may be able to get your roommate involved while scoring yourself some alone time!

It could be the case where your roommate is more introverted and less involved on campus, so your room is her natural retreat. If this is the case, steer her toward the library or student lounges on campus, or bring her along to one of your club meetings.

If she’s not responding to your suggestions, remind her that there are plenty of other places on campus to hang out and get work done. If it’s necessary, remind her that your shared room belongs to you as well, and that you’d appreciate having the room to yourself once in a while.

5. She’s nocturnal

In college, it’s likely that your sleeping patterns will be all over the place – until you get into a good routine, at least. There are some classes that start as early as 7 a.m. and others that end as late as 10 p.m., so it’s easy to see that students’ schedules may vary by quite a bit.

This was the case with Kira*, a third-year student at Northeastern University, and her freshman-year roommate. “I went to sleep with the lights on every night and then woke up at 7 a.m. as she was just going to sleep,” Kira says.

How to deal

If you’re not a heavy sleeper, this is something you’ll have to take care of right away, as you shouldn’t be compromising sleep for your roommate’s convenience. It’s understandable that based on different clubs and class schedules, your sleeping patterns will differ, but you might have to work to find common ground when it comes to bedtime.

If your roommate’s sleeping schedule becomes a problem, first try to communicate with her about it; she may not even know it’s been bothering you. Consider sitting down with her and going over your schedules, trying to figure out the best times you can have some down time – maybe even consider designating specific quiet hours or bed times if it’s necessary. If it’s something she can’t necessarily fix herself, seek out resources like the library or a student lounge during the day to give her some peace and quiet, and ask her to do the same for you at night. If you just want to stay in your room, think about the alternatives, like sleeping masks or earplugs.

6. She always borrows your personal belongings

For some new college students, having a roommate is like having the sister they never had growing up: double the closet space, sleepovers every night and tons of clothes to share. For others, a roommate is just a roommate, and their belongings are personal, not to be shared or borrowed. No matter how you treat your property and privacy, you should make sure your roommate is on the same page.

How to deal

As soon as you’ve settled in, you should discuss boundaries with your roommate. This could even be done while you’re crafting your roommate contract or cleaning schedule. Make sure you tell her specifically what you’re comfortable sharing and what you’d rather keep to yourself. This can range from sharing clothes to sitting on each other’s beds and chairs. Everyone treats her privacy and property differently, so make sure to remain open-minded and respectful!

If a borrowing issue arises as the semester continues on, you will have to address it. If she happens to borrow a scarf off the back of your chair for a day, simply mention that you’d rather she didn’t do it. If she repeatedly goes through your belongings to pick out her favorite things to borrow, you may want to consider having a more serious conversation about personal belongings. If the issue persists even after the conversation, take it to an RA who may be able to help you out.

7. She brings in a “third roommate”

“The more the merrier” isn’t always a true phrase, especially when it comes to sharing a relatively small space. Unfortunately, some roommates don’t think about this and bring in friends and significant others to hang out – all the time.

“I live with three other girls, and we were all best friends, but [my other roommates and I] don't talk to one of them now,” says collegiette Joanna*. “She had her boyfriend move in with us for the summer without asking us, so he is at our place 24/7, [eating all our food and leaving dirty dishes].”

While the occasional visitor may be welcome, it’s not cool to let your friends in all the time, especially so often that they essentially become new roommates.

How to deal

Joanna says that communication is key, as it is with so many other roommate problems. “I let her know first semester that this wasn’t okay with me, and things were much better second semester,” she says. So, right off the bat, make sure you address the issue.

While it might feel a little awkward telling your roommate to kick her friends out, she has to realize that your room is a shared space. If you’re having trouble coming to an agreement, look at your schedules and find a way to fit in times or days where it’s acceptable to have guests. For example, let her know that she’ll have the room to herself and she’s free to have friends over if and when you go home for the weekend. The night before a huge exam, on the other hand? Probably not.

While your experience sharing a room may not always go smoothly, it will, all in all, be rewarding. As long as you’re communicating effectively with your roommate and letting her know of any issues that arise, your relationship shouldn’t suffer. Roommate bonds are like no other relationship and can last a lifetime, so don’t let silly little habits get in the way of an awesome friendship!

*Names have been changed.

This article has been syndicated from Hello, Her​, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here.

I am *very* irresponsible with my money. Fingers crossed my future husband is good with his because if not, we’re royally screwed. I have always loved shopping, it gives me something to do when the weather is crappy and it gives me something to do when I sure has hell should be doing something a little more productive.

So, I decided to give up shopping for 30 days.

This isn’t the first time I attempted to go a full month without shopping; the first time I tried I broke down on day three. Pathetic. This time around it was a little easier because I had/have a couple big bills coming up (car insurance, car repairs, etc.) so not only would I be proving to myself that I could go without shopping for 30 days but I was also able to put a little extra money away to pay for said bills. I allowed myself to still purchase beauty items (only the necessities, no “fun” purchases) and my skin care products, along with any other items I needed on a day to day (coffee). What I couldn’t buy: clothing, shoes, accessories. So what did I learn over the last month?

I learned to shop my own closet.

How many times have you gone to get dressed for the day and said “ugh, I have nothing to wear”? More times than you can even remember, right? This is basically me all. the. time. With no new pieces entering my wardrobe I was basically forced to re-love older pieces that have found their way to the back of my closet and probably haven’t seen light in 6 months. I also realized which pieces I really never wear so now I can donate those! It’s a win-win.

I saved more money.

Duh. Clothes cost money, and the cost adds up pretty fast. Instead of spending that money on other things, I put what I typically spend on clothes into my savings account and guess what? It was an extra couple hundred dollars! Even though I am bound to shop again (hellllooo fall fashion!), I will definitely be making it a point to not shop every single pay check and put that extra money away into my savings account!

Spending money doesn’t make you happier.

This should be a no-brainer, but I had this horrible habit of buying myself something special on those harder days to cheer myself up. I’m sure I’ll do this in the future because, treat yo self, but I realized that just because you’re having a bad day and a little something cheered you up, doesn’t mean it was because you spent money. It’s because you did something for yourself. It’s because you took the time to appreciate yourself and your hard work. Whether you spent $100 or $0, it’s the self-appreciation that makes you happier.

Read the full post here. 

‘Twas the night before bid day and all through the house, all the rushees were stirring and fretting about. After all, they were about to know which sorority would become their home for the next four years on campus.

Picking which sorority to join is one of the most stressful decisions of the first week of college; you’re choosing your family for life. When you “pref” houses during each round, you want to make sure that you’re picking sororities with women that fit who you are. College sorority women share their 11 tips on how to know if a house is right for you. 

1. You feel comfortable

This is the number one tip from college women: feel comfortable with the sorority.

“I would advise incoming freshmen to pick a house that they feel comfortable in. One that they know they can be themselves in,” says Hannah Wren, a senior at UCLA who is in the sorority Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi. Hannah was previously a member of two Panhellenic sororities, and she knows that feeling like you belong is really important in choosing your new family.

Her sorority sister agrees. “No matter what type of sorority you are rushing, the most important thing to consider when picking a chapter is to get a feel for where you feel most comfortable and where you have a genuine connection with the women of that chapter,” says Anasazi Levy, President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi at UCLA. “That connection is what makes the sisterhood of a sorority so life-changing.”

If you’ll be spending multiple nights a week bonding with these girls, make sure you can picture yourself chilling with no makeup on or celebrating at a club when finals are over. 

2. The women are your role models

Pick a sorority with girls you look up to as role models and want to surround yourself with. "That's why I picked Sigma, I felt really comfortable, they enjoyed the same things I did, and I looked up to them,” Hannah says.

Jillian James, a junior at the University of Central Florida, chose to accept a bid from her sorority because it seemed like a natural fit. “You want to join a sorority whose values align with your own and whose members are girls that you look up to as role models,” she says. “The girls in my chapter held important leadership positions on campus and seemed like a group of intelligent and driven women.”

Surrounding yourself with smart, empowered women will not only inspire you to be your best self, but also provide you with a support system of sisters. They can advise you about internships, career moves, classes and relationship problems, so it’s good to join an organization full of people you can look up to. 

3. The sisters remind you of your friends from home

A good sign that you’re in the right place is when the sisters act like your BFFs from high school.

“Think about what people you've talked to, and if they remind you of your friends from home or other best friends,” says Ashleigh Lalla, a senior in a sorority at Illinois State University. Picture yourself walking around in sweats and no makeup—would you feel at home around all the girls? You should!

4. Visualize yourself in the house

Is this where you want to spend the next four years? If you’re torn between houses, try to picture yourself living there.

“Every conversation that I had during recruitment was substantial and also felt very natural and easy,” Jillian says. “I could see myself fitting right in with the girls in my chapter, whereas I couldn’t see that so much with other houses. My best tip is to visualize yourself in every house you visit. If you can easily see yourself assimilating into the chapter and easily making new friends, then it’s probably a good fit.”

Get a feel for how well you fit in and think about where you feel most at home.

5. You have the best conversations with them

You won't necessarily know which house is "the one" right away, but throughout recruitment, one sorority will most likely stand out to you because of the interactions you have with the sisters.

"During recruitment, I felt at home at my sorority chapter because the conversations I had with sisters felt the most genuine and memorable out of all the houses I visited,” says Darcy Schild, a junior at the University of Florida. “I felt comfortable enough to ask sisters deeper questions about the chapter (questions about diversity of sisters, what the climate is actually like, etc.).”

Darcy knew that the best choice for her was a chapter full of diverse girls who were down-to-earth and easy to talk to. “I'm lucky that I found that during recruitment,” she says. 

6. You’re not doing it because of prestige

You may want to avoid joining a sorority simply because it's cool or prestigious. The house with the best parties isn't going to be a good fit for everyone. Know your priorities from the start; it's better to choose a home with amazing people over an amazing Instagram account. 

“If you feel like you're acting like someone you're not when talking to the girls, then it probably isn't the house for you,” says Gabby Mahamood, a senior in a sorority at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She advises not to choose a house based solely off reputation or ranking.

Everyone has something to say about every house—good and bad—but don't let that influence your experience with each one. “Use your own judgment, and you'll see where you fit in. Every house has something special to offer,” Gabby says. 

7. The sorority fits your personality and values

Though it's not required to find a perfect home, having the same taste in clothing or music is a great way to be sure you’ll have a connection with your sisters outside of the sorority. You can go to concerts together or get advice on outfits. Some Greek organizations are based on interests, which can be great for finding like-minded individuals with the same passions. For example, UCLA has Greek organizations for band members, students interested in Judaism, business majors and students passionate about making films.  

Ashleigh says, "Do you share the same values?" Having things in common, like sharing a hometown, will pave the way for more intimate conversations and a deeper understanding of one another. It’s just another factor to consider if you’ll fit in and make lifelong friends.

8. It’s not based solely on rush week activities

Remember that rush week activities are just a sliver of what a sorority is really about. Chapters want to look extra impressive during rush week. That doesn't mean recruitment activities don’t give you any insight into the chapter, but joining a sorority is about the other 50 weeks of the year, too. 

Anasazi knew her sorority was right for her because she felt that the women were people she could truly become best friends with—not simply because of activities during rush week, their social media presence or their "rank." 

If a sorority recruitment event dazzles you, that’s great—enjoy it, but take it with a grain of salt. The same can be said if one event is more low-key, but you still feel like you bonded well with the girls. Don't let the type of activity influence your decision too much. 

9. The sisters treat each other with respect

If you see any subtle digs or sass between members of a sorority, that's your cue to think twice about joining.

For Anasazi, she felt the connection to her chapter was cemented during one of the rush week activities, which was a hike to the Hollywood sign. "When some of the girls were feeling really hot and tired, instead of splitting up or pushing the tired girls to keep going, the whole group decided to go get fro-yo instead,” she says. “We had so much fun laughing and talking, and the sisters made a huge effort to really get to know us."

It's important that you watch how the sisters respect one another, like not pushing each other beyond physical limits. That will be you soon enough, and you want sisters who lift you up. 

Related: What to Wear to Every Event During Sorority Rush

10. The price

If money is an issue, then make sure you ask the chapter about dues and other fees. You don’t want to commit and then realize later that it’s too expensive.

“It’s very important to consider factors such as cost and chapter size when going through recruitment. Don’t choose the house on campus with dues that are $1,000 higher than the other chapters if you can’t afford it,” Jillian says.

Though it’s not a fun topic to think about, money matters. Joining a sorority costs a lot, and the price tag should be one factor of your decision. 

11. Don’t talk to your friends about their decision

You’ll meet a lot of new friends during sorority recruitment and it’s tempting to all want to join the same house to stay together. “Try not to talk to your other friends about their decision,” Ashleigh says. “It’s easy to get persuaded and it’s important to make this decision by yourself!” You might not all be invited to the same houses, either.

So, what about your rush friends? “Either way, you'll still remain friends if you end up in different houses, and each of you will make your own friends, too,” Ashleigh says. Remember that this is a personal decision, so go with your heart. It has to come from you.

“My best advice for anyone going through recruitment is to follow your instincts and tune out negativity from other girls. Do what's best for you!” Darcy says.

And remember, even if you get dropped from a house that you loved, don’t fret! Jillian says there are bound to be women in every chapter on campus that you can form friendships with that you may not have even met during recruitment. Every house has something special, so weigh these factors and join the sorority you fall in love with. 

A man is critically wounded from a police officer’s shot after the former fatally shot someone and began a hostage situation in the Charleston restaurant where he works, NBC News reports. The employee reportedly emerged from the kitchen at the downtown restaurant Virginia’s around noon on Thursday, holding a gun. According to local paper The Post and Courier, two waitresses and three kitchen staffers hurriedly left through Virginia’s front door minutes before the man came out.

He reportedly announced to patrons, “There’s a new boss in town.” Witnesses speaking with The Post and Courier claim that he said, “I am the king of Charleston.”

Mayor John Tecklenburg assured reporters that the situation was “not an act of terrorism.” “This was not a hate crime,” he said. “This was a disgruntled employee…[a man] who took his anger into his own hands.” Tecklenburg also revealed that the man had "mental health challenges." 

After entering the restaurant’s main dining area, the shooter ordered diners to leave. Customer Patsy Plant recalled that he looked like “an ordinary grandpa...But he had a crazy look.”

The gunman, who CNN says was a former dishwasher at Virginia’s, rushed patrons to the exit. It’s still unclear when gunfire eventually went off. When Charleston police arrived, the shooting victim, believed to be a chef, was found inside and taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. At least one hostage was kept inside and later released safely.

Despite a SWAT team and police forces congregating outside and the rest of the street’s businesses staying on lockdown, the area was deemed safe by 3:30 p.m. Notably, the restaurant is only a few blocks away from the Methodist church where white supremacist Dylann Roof killed nine black people in 2015. When news of the restaurant shooting hit Twitter, interest in the shooter's race spiked, causing a bit of a stir online. 

While this incident is definitely frightening, it’s good to know that the city of Charleston is mostly unaffected following the shooting.

It’s been over a year since Disney Channel announced its plan to make a High School Musical 4 that’s completely separate from the original trilogy’s characters. Since that announcement, not much else about the film’s status has leaked, so are you even surprised that fans have turned to their own devices to fill this void?

Hello Giggles reports that a fan-made trailer for HSM 4 has emerged, featuring our favorite characters thanks to footage from the actors’ more recent projects. God bless the internet, right?

Firstly, you know the trailer is good because it kicks off with a low-key version of “What I’ve Been Looking for,” aka our generation’s “My Heart Will Go On.” The concept for the imagined movie, Once a Wildcat, introduces high school sweethearts Troy and Gabriella 10 years later, still pining for each other and both wondering what their old love is doing nowadays. I’m sold!

Of course, the rest of the old gang pops up too. Sharpay seems to have found success in show biz, while Ryan has settled down with a family. Chad and Taylor are there supporting their BFFs, but there's no hint as to whether or not they're still together. 

This trailer flows so smoothly that I'm seriously disappointed that it's fake. While the actual HSM 4 will surely charm a new generation of Disney fans, I'll definitely miss the true cast of these films. 

Whole Foods is basically the Holy Grail of supermarkets. One day I aspire to reach the financial security that entails shopping there all the time. Although, now I may be able to ease up on my budgeting—following its complete acquisition of Whole Foods on Monday, Amazon plans to cut prices of several of the chain’s items, The Chicago Tribune reports. Given this news, Amazon truly deserves its dominance of the retail world.

Amazon says that it will cut prices on bananas, eggs, salmon, avocados and more when its takeover of Whole Foods is finalized. The decision has emerged following the store’s gradual loss of customers, which is allegedly a result of patrons finding healthy, organic food at a better cost elsewhere. On top of seeing lower prices, members of the Amazon Prime program are also expected to find certain products available to them.

“Rivals should be under no illusion that they are now dealing with a competitor that is not afraid to damage profits and margins if it creates long-term goals,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail.  

Amazon certainly isn’t the first online entity to strike up a partnership with a large chain. According to The Tribune, Walmart is partnering with Uber to improve its grocery delivery service, in addition to having Google devices work with customers ordering products.

While this news inspires me to buy all the cookbooks and try out the most elaborate dishes, Whole Foods still has a challenge ahead of it. The store faces the possibility of maintaining its reputation of quality food regardless of the price cuts.

Luckily, the team behind the process is hopeful about doing this. “Everybody should be able to eat Whole Foods Market quality—we will lower prices without compromising Whole Foods Market’s long-held commitment to the highest standards,” Jeff Wilke, CEO of AmazonWorldwide Consumer, told The Tribune.

We won't know how successful this deal will be immediately, but I'm going to reap in all the benefits (cheap avocados!) as quickly as possible.