Take Camera 1

Hello internet world! I am currently sitting on my couch watching Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed with my roomie Tatiana.

Since the last time you read my adventures, a lot of things have happened.

I went to Austin to visit my Sweet Sister Syd at the beginning of October and it was awesome! We went to a music festival but the awesome part was that I got to spend the whole weekend with my best friend! I can't wait for her to come home for Thanksgiving so I can beat her in Mario Party 4 and make mom confused with our inside jokes. Ya know, typical sister stuff.

I spent two out of the four October weekends in East Lansing. I'm glad I did though because I got to see my friends and it made me realize that I don't miss it. The first weekend was the Michigan v. Michigan State football game and that was fun because my friends from both schools were there and...Sydney!! Exciting. I was able to tailgate and chill out just like old times. It was a nice change of pace from my new life in Chicago.

The weekend after I went back to MSU for my sorority's date party. My BFF Michala took me as her date and we had fun dressing up in her moms 80s ski sweaters and jamming out to broadway tunes. It's like I had never left.

But I did leave. The next morning I went back to Chicago and everything was great. I spent some time at home and then went back to the city.

Since then I have been laying low. Trying to relax before the end of the semester and before I get my inevitable sinus infection. I already started all my final papers and projects though so that's exciting. I don't have too many final exams so I can work hard on my papers and projects to maintain my grades.

That's the plan this and next weekend. Get as much done as possible so I don't have to spend Thanksgiving working on things.

Next week in my studio class I'm getting interviewed about a project I did. My video was chosen to be a package in our filmed show and the segment is going to be on Columbia's television channel. So that's exciting! I really enjoy working the cameras in that class. But I LOVE being the floor director. Relaying cues from the director to the talent, counting down the broadcast and giving signals to break. It's so much fun!

I registered for my second semester classes and I am SO excited to begin writing! Learning to write for TV is the main reason I came to this school so I am super pumped to get started.

Next semester I plan to get more involved with the city and comedy scene. Gotta make some new friends first to explore with though! Baby steps.

Ciao for now my people!
Hope everyone takes time to learn the history of Thanksgiving before they feast on a bird. Don't watch Squanto though because it will give you nightmares.
Also, the City of Chicago has started decorating for the holiday season and I am thrilled to announce that I will  not be taking part in it. (Check out my blogpost from last year if you want an explanation)

Well see ya later mah dudes!!!

Oh Hey Didn't See You There

Well well well. Welcome back to @lindseyrosebini !!!
Hope the hiatus wasn't too detrimental to your everyday lives.

I assume the majority of my readers have read about some of my updates via my Facebook profile or my moms Facebook profile. But in case you literally get all your information from my life from this blog, I've got an updated post for you.

I have left the armpit of America that is East Lansing and have enrolled in Columbia College in Chicago. Don't get me wrong, I loved Michigan State. I hated my classes though and couldn't figure out a way to be happy with them. I'm at college to learn the best possible skills in the field I want a career in. I was not getting that at MSU. So here I am! Living it up in the big city of Chicago.

I have some very interesting classes. I only have class Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. BUT, I have class from 8:30am-4:00pm. So they are VERY long days. I'm tired and stressed for three days and then can cool off, do some homework, and get some sleep for the other four. It's not a perfect system but it seems to be working alright so far. Anyway, I bet you're all dying to know about my television classes. Here is the low down:

I have an Aesthetics and Storytelling lecture where we learn about camera shots, the three act structure, pitches, treatments, yadda yadda yadda, TV stuff. My professors for that class are AMAZING and I love going to it.
Then I have a university writing class that I am killing. My professor made a copy of my essay for the entire class and then he read it out loud. He said he was going to do this and honestly I don't care. It didn't seem like it was bad...but I can never tell with him.
On Wednesday I have a four hour class and then a three hour class. It is hard to get through and kind of sucks because the classes are so interesting. The first one is Television Arts: Production. That's my studio class where we set up sets, work with the heavy-duty cameras, learn audio and lighting, and put on shows! We also learn terminology and apply it to the shows we make. Very funny.
After that is my Production and Editing class. The Aesthetics class is the written work for this class. In P AND E, we learn about the cameras we use and how to shoot good footage. We talk about shooting techniques and watch examples are well shot scenes. This is also where we edit the footage into our final projects.

Aesthetics and Storytelling. Television Arts: Production, and Production and Editing are all a part of my learning community. They're all connected and have the same people in them. New friends!! We're also all in the same learning community next semester.

The last class is the one I have every Thursday; The History of Television. My professor is literally a television historian. That's her job. We talk about trends throughout television and watch examples of what we talk about. It's actually very interesting. If you have any questions feel free to message me privately. I'd love to chat.

I go to Austin this weekend to visit my sweet sister Sydney. We're going to the music festival, Austin City Limits. Gonna be a sweet time. Good music, warm weather, four days with my big sis. What a weekend!

My roommates are great! We were all random so it could've gone incredibly bad. But, they're all wonderful people and I VERY fortunate to have these four lovely ladies for the next 7 months.

It was easy to be the outlier at Michigan State. Every one was studying business, or communications, and I wanted to study media and comedy. I was the one who didn't want to think practical and wanted to spend the rest of my life in entertainment. It's harder at Columbia because every one is an outlier. I go to improv club every week and one week we went around and said our names and majors and at least 90% of the people there said they were studying Comedy Writing and Performance. COMEDY WRITING AND PERFORMANCE IS AN ACTUAL MAJOR. That is so cool! A lot of parents would think it's a waste of time but these kids are THE OUTLIERS. All in the same room. I have considered switching my major to comedy but I keep coming back to the fact that I want to learn all about the work that goes into creating my favorite TV shows. I want to know what kind of lighting is used when Midge Maisel is standing on the stage of The Gaslight. I want to know all about the crew members and what type of microphone during each segment of The Ellen Show.  That shit is so cool to me. I also want to make people laugh myself. That's why I'm in improv. I feel that in order to write comedy, I also have to be able to perform it...at least a little. And I enjoy it.

I had a meeting with a professor in the television writing department and he told me that while I'm in the city taking classes over the summer, I should also take a writing class at Second City. I mean if a professor is suggesting it then it must be done.

I get to go to Los Angeles! Maybe. Columbia has a semester in LA program that I am DYING to go on. I get to take classes AND have an internship in Hollywood! Like how cool is that! I'm working extra hard so I can get all my classes done and have a good chance to make it to the west coast in Spring 2020. Hopefully, after my semester there, I'll be able to stay out there. That's the goal!

Since I am a Television Writing and Producing major, I will end this post and future posts by telling you what I am currently watching and what I think about them.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Amazon Prime
OKAY. THIS SHOW IS SO GOOD. My roommates and I are watching it together and it is the most amazing show. It has great writing, well defined characters, and omigosh the Jewish references are just dead on. I laugh, I cry, I yearn for more.

Manifest, NBC
Not the greatest acting. The characters are way too dramatic. The storyline makes up for it though. Such an interesting concept and I'm excited to see how it continues.

UnREAL, Hulu
I just started watching this and I absolutely love it. Behind the scenes of a bachelor type show? Genius. The drama is so enticing. It's quick to get through too.

The Good Place, Netflix
Kristin Bell can do no wrong. The twist at the end of season 1 had be going forking insane. (Good Place reference) Definitely worth binge watching.

Fun Mom Dinner, Netflix
This is a movie not a TV show. I watched it because Adam Scott and Bridget Everett. It seemed a little stupid at first. But I was laughing the entire time. And Adam Levine was in it which made it so much better.


Well that's a wrap for me my dudes! See ya on the flip side.

Binge Watching the Goldbergs

I had one final exam. So, the last two weeks of school I wasn't doing much.
Lindsey, what were you doing with your free time and for the two weeks you've been home?
GREAT question loyal readers! I was binge watching The Goldbergs! (I didn't put a photo because I don't want to get sued so please enjoy some pictures of my own family)

First, I am bitter because this was my plan.
My plan was to pitch a show based on my family members personalities and events in our lives. I have been writing down funny memories and phrases about my family for years hoping that I can turn them into something.

And my gimick to make it more appealing?? That it takes place in the 80's. Because ya know, I was born in the wrong decade so I could definitely tweak my experiences so they took place in the past.

BUT, thus, now there is a TV show that has done exactly this (by now I mean the first episode was 5 years ago). Not only is it being done, but it's also AMAZING. I laugh out loud at every episode and I can't stop thinking about it.

Honestly, I can't believe I am so late to the game. I remember when it came out and my friend Jami Goldberg got the first episode sent to her house because she's a Goldberg and I guess that was a thing that happened.

A Jewish family in a small town? A show that is on Wednesday nights? That takes place in the 80's? Where the main character is a kid who loves movies?
Does not seem like its up my alley at all. PASS. (that was sarcasm)

And I shrugged it off. It was on TV every week but I had other things to watch. Until a few weeks ago when my friend gave me her Hulu account and I decided it was time to binge watch it.

For the last two weeks of school I could not stop watching, thinking about, and talking about this show. I still can't. The characters are so entertaining and the way home videos are integrated into each episode and how some of the old videos are played out EXACTLY by the actors! Like that's so cool!

And Jeff Garlin's mom and I used to get our nails done at the same beauty salon so a little piece of home is in every episode. ALSO, a Jewish family! They have Hanukkah episodes and use yiddish terms! Amazing. Couldn't have done it better if I did it myself.

Everyone's a mensch, Pops says verkakta almost every season, Beverly has a Yenta binder and the kids regularly mention something about summer camp. Unbelievable.

Now, I have been raving about this show to everyone I know and they all have the same response. "Really? You think it's that good?"
Yes. Yes I do. It's got drama, it's got comedy, it's got yelling, it's got life lessons, it's got realistic scenarios that could happen to teenagers and parents and it's got a great supporting cast. It's just good writing. It really is. And the theme song is very catchy.

I've been trying to get my family to watch it so they can realize that this is how our family acts all the time. The episode where they go out to dinner for Erica's birthday hit a little too close to home.

I am SUPER excited for the new season and cannot wait to smile and laugh.

I write about my feelings and things I love on this "blog". I love this show because it's a combination of everything I enjoy and dislike about my life. But it puts a funny twist on things to make everything better. And there is always a lesson learned at the end.

Sorry if you don't really care about TV or about this show or whatever. I just wanted to share what I've been up to and my new favorite thing!!

Thanks for tuning in!
I'm leaving for the summer tomorrow so I'll catch ya on the flippity flop! :)

Post-Sophomore Year post

Hey, hi, how ya doin'?

It's no secret that this semester has been a toughy. Ultimately, I hated all my classes, got in some tiffs with some friends and now I am just trying to breathe. By the time I got home, everything was fine. Classes were passed, friendships were remade and TV is being watched. While I was hating all my classes, I didn't get to watch any of my shows so now I'm catching up.

There was one good class this semester. I took a Radio and TV News class. It was the newscasting class where we had to put on shows once a week. One class I asked my professor if I could run the show and he gave me the headset and I called the shots for the last like, 6 shows. It was amazing and every episode was thrilling.

Additionally, there was an extremely bad class that poked at my self-esteem, made me question my intelligence, and caused me to cry in my car on various occasions. The one good thing that came out of it is that it was a major contribution to me changing my major! So yay!

I'm super excited to be learning about cameras and production and all that jazz next fall. WOO! It's a step in the right direction to my dream; to make people laugh. :) One day, hopefully, you'll be watching a sitcom on Tuesday or Wednesday night and you'll see my name on the bottom of the screen and be like, "great scott! she did it!"

While I wasn't crying and stressing that I wasn't going to pass my classes, (I passed) I actually made some great friendships and I am super excited to spend more time with these people during my junior year. They make leaving for the summer hard.

Honestly I don't have much to say or going on. I'm leaving for camp next Saturday and I am PUMPED to recharge and enjoy the summer at my favorite place.

But Lindsey, shouldn't you be trying to find a real job/internship for the summer to build your resume and start getting serious about your career? Well overly involved agenda pusher of a reader, I am perfectly fine with where I am at.

I was confused this year and didn't even know what to apply for. Now that I have somewhat of an idea of what I want to do in the future, I will be looking for jobs/internships for the summer; for next summer. I'm using next year to build my skills and hopefully land an awesome experience that will help me learn more about me and the profession I choose. But, that's in the future. And I'm very happy to see what it holds.

That's all for me; for now. :)

HELLO WORLD.

HELLO Blogger-sphere!
Did you miss me?
It's been a while and quite a lot of things have happened. First, let me explain myself. I am in three journalism classes. All of them drive me up the wall in different ways. Writing for fun does not fit into my schedule and it makes me very sad.

Journalism is not the profession I want to go into. #sorrynotsorry
I don't want to be a reporter and I don't want to go out into the field and find stories to write up.

I want to create stories and bring them to life. So...I have changed my major. My family gets mad at me whenever I make a change. But, this one is for the better because I really don't enjoy my classes and I'm not going to enjoy them because I have no interest in them.

My new major is Media and Information with a concentration in film and media. What does that mean? That means that I will be taking classes and learning the gist of being a film producer. When I tell my friends about my new studies they all have the same response.

"So you're studying the thing that you should've been studying from the beginning".
The answer is yes but life is a climb. I had to thrust myself up and get through some obstacles in order to get here. And I am very happy to move forward.

My classes were really getting me down in the dumps and now I feel a lot better. Of course I'm trying but my full energy could not possible be used.

What else has happened since you last heard for me? Let's get medical!

I lied to all of you. Well, technically my gynecologist did. I was prematurely diagnosed with late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia. After visiting my endocrinologist and getting an ounce of my blood drawn, it turns out my gyno was wrong. I don't have CAH, I have PCOS. Which is a more common, less intense, version of CAH...kind of.
So what does this mean? This means I'm going on medication to help the hair growth. I guess it's more to hinder than to help. But it'll help me feel better! Additionally, PCOS is triggered by weight gain and loss.

Which brings me to another new thing!
In mid February I started to feel puffy. Not fat. Not large. Not heavy. Puffy. I called my mom and I said that I felt like I was at maximum capacity and I have to do something about it. My sweet sister Syd suggested a place in Lansing that she used to work out at. I tried a free class and LOVED it. So, after spring break, I signed up for a membership and now I go to a class 3-4 times a week. The exercise started as me just wanting to get into shape but NOW it correlates to my PCOS too. It's a double-whammy situation really. I enjoy myself and feel better while also helping my new friend, PCOS.

There's more?!?!
How could I possibly have more stuff to talk about? For those of you who are loyal readers or just talk to me, you know that I don't sleep. It's getting better but I still have trouble. You will also know that I have issues with my sinuses and ALWAYS have a cold. Well, I was diagnosed with chronic sinusitis. Basically, that horrible feeling you get in your head and face right before you get a cold, is a constant feeling I have. You can only imagine how I feel when I get a real cold. I wake up every morning with a headache, my face feels like there are weights on them and I get nosebleeds more frequently than I should.

In May I will be taking a journey and will be put under so that my dear doctor can suck out all the gunk all up in there. She's gonna widen my sinus canals and fix my deviated system so that the packed in mucus can wash it's way out. And so that when I do get sick, antibiotics will actually help me! Because right now they'e USELESS and I refuse to ingest something that will not make me feel less like a zombie.

MORE MORE MORE!!
I started training to be "air staff" on the campus radio station. You can only hear me if you have the link since I'm still training. Catch me at http://impact89fm.org/fix/ on Tuesday mornings from 11am-12pm!
Also, when you're on the Impact website, my cousin Ryan has written a couple great articles for their sports section!

I met Judge Aquilina and she is the coolest person ever.
I also got to shadow an ESPN producer and sit in the truck for the first half of a MSU basketball game.

EVEN MORE?!?
I turned 20 this month and I feel fantabulous. I was in Austin with my sister and mom during my birthday and there is nothing like ringing in the but 2-0 with the two people who have literally been with you your entire life. Sweet sister Syd moved to Austin and that's super cool and I am very excited for her to make memories. I spent my birthday alone because I told my mom to leave me alone. It was great. I chillaxed and enjoyed my time with me.

MOVIES.
I saw Black Panther twice and I still cannot get the image of Michael B. Jordan shirtless out of my head. It is permanently there every time I blink. Also, I saw Love, Simon and I LOVED it. Ask me about it privately and I will rave. Especially since the soundtrack was written by one of my favorite people in one of my favorite bands, Jack Antonoff.

MUSIC!
Me and my friends are going to see All Time Low next week and I'm super psyched. I've been listening to the Unhappy Hour podcast and I love it. Not music but still something you listen to. Been thinking of starting my own podcast. Thoughts? Opinions? I don't really care I'm gonna do what I want anyway.

SORORITY!
I was chosen to be a recruitment guide for recruitment in the fall and I am so stoked! I have to be unaffiliated from my chapter in the middle of August so peace out homies! I'm excited to take on this responsibility and help these young women find a home here on campus.

LOVE!!
JK LOL. No boys for me. It's been a little busy up in here. Some people I do love is the class group chat that is formed with me and 5 of my friends. The chat is called *internally screams* and we complain about class and chat with each other all day everyday. And we have a snapchat group. Shoutout to those chicks for keeping me sane.
Also I would like to mention my littles since one of them said they would like to be in one of my blogposts at some point. Love you two like I love Shawn Mendes. (a lot) The Zack and Cody to my Carrie.

That's it for now I think. I'm going to try and post more soon. I NEED to post more soon for my sanity.
Ta-ta for now!
Happy first day of spring! And happy international day of happiness!

Late Onset Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Hello loyal readers. You're probably trying to read and pronounce the title of my article. It is also known as non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia. But for the sake of our brains, let's just shorten it to "CAH". In the middle of January, I got a call saying that I had a mutation in one of my genes that caused me to develop CAH.

Let me back track a little before I explain further.

I have always felt very masculine. I had hair on my armpits at an early age. I started waxing my lip in 7th grade. I had to use extra strength mens deodorant because women's deodorant wasn't strong enough. I have a wide build and broad shoulders that cause me to feel uncomfortable and less feminine in certain clothing. I've always been randomly strong in my arms even though I do nothing to make the muscles stronger.

I recently went to my gynecologist because I had begun to grow hair on my chest a couple months ago. Not just a few stragglers. It was a lot. To the point where I would shave my chest because I was embarrassed. I was always reassured that no one can see the hair but I could see it. And I can feel it. And it was everywhere. My gynecologist told me to come in the next day for a blood test but she didn't think I had a testosterone problem. So I came in the next morning and they took two vials of blood.

I waited about 10 days and the office still hadn't called with my test results. I was getting kind of nervous so I called them and they told me my testosterone levels were fine but my doctor wanted to talk to me about an irregularity that was found. She wasn't available at the time so she called me the next day.

It was a 4 minute phone conversation. (she is a VERY busy woman) She told me I had a mutation in one of my genes and I had something called late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). It was something I was born with but it developed over the years. My adrenal gland doesn't have enough enzyme to produce enough hormone. That's all I really know about it. Like I said, I've had it all my life but it's just popping up now.

But that's actually not true. It's not just showing up now. This is the answer to literally every problem I have ever had with my body. My mom and I were on FaceTime together looking at symptoms of this mutation to see what other problems can be explained by this.

Essentially, this mutation is the reason I started growing hair all over my body, (yes ladies all over) in 2nd grade. This is the reason why my laser hair removal hardly worked. This mutation is why I am always sweating and feel like I wreak of B.O. constantly. It's also why no matter what, my body stays a very similar shape. I could gain weight, I could lose weight, but my body always looks similar to before.

So what now? I'm not gonna die. I'm not gonna lose a limb. It's not like that. I could lose hair on my head though. I also could be infertile. But, that's a different conversation. For now, I will meet with an endocrinologist when I come home next month. My gynecologist said the common way to deal with this is with steroids so we shall see.

I'm writing something so personal on the web because I finally have answers. I finally have a reason why I have always felt manly. There is a reason and I am very happy about that. The only thing that bothers me is that I would've loved the answer sooner.

It's weird to look back on the things I tried to do to feel or look more feminine and ultimately feel better in my skin. None of it mattered because biologically, I couldn't. It didn't matter how many times I got waxed/lasered. It didn't matter how much perfume I put on or the countless times I tried to shave my sideburns. It didn't matter how many times I tried wearing bras and shirts that made my shoulders feel less broad and big. I physically, and biologically couldn't be more feminine.

That's all. I'm okay. I swear. Like I said, I'm not dying. It's just weird to think that there is actually something wrong.

I could go to my endocrinologist and she could be like nope that's not it. It's something else. But I guess there will be another post then.

I'm not gonna let this get me down. I technically am biologically stronger than the average girl.

(this looks like a memorial to myself I apologize)

Second Semester Sophomore

Almost half way there! How exciting?!?!

Here is an inside look at my semester:
I have 18 credits.
3 Journalism classes
1 Online media class
1 History class
1 Semester long internship for credit.

I am more busy this semester than ever before. But, I only have class Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and all my days start at 12:40pm. On paper, it looks like I have a lot of free time. As a journalism student at a Big 10 university, I know that's not true.

I'm trying to make more time for myself this semester and so far so good. Also, I'm trying out new clubs involving campus media. Two weeks in and so far so good! Not too stressed but not too relaxed. The perfect balance.

I want to give you a little insight on the courses I'm taking. This is more for my mom because in all my years of life she has never known what classes I take or what I do in said classes. Let's start with the journalism courses. Like I said previously, I have three of them this semester. They are all very different and have already made me realize that I'm in the wrong major but we're gonna power through and do our best. I am taking one class that all journalism majors have to take and it is very generic. It involves me going out into the community and reporting the news. I know I'll learn a lot from it but not what I want to do with my life. One of my other classes is a law of journalism media and ethics class. That one is interesting. Thanks to Mr. Elbaum and my high school constitutional law class, this stuff interests me. Finally, my third journ class of the semester is radio and TV news. This one is cool. The other day I got to direct a fake news cast and I was the person in the back pressing buttons to switch what was on the screen. I had the time of my life.

My online media class is Media and Information 101. I was thinking about double majoring and figured I'd take this class to dip my toe in. I like it. It's interesting and it's more of an entry level course so there is not a lot of new information in it.

Something about me is that I love history. So, when my advisor said I need more higher level electives I knew I was going to add a history course to my schedule. Modern United States History. I don't particularly like U.S. history but so far so good. Taking this class was my choice and some of my friends think I'm crazy. It's a night class from 6:00pm-7:15pm and it's not technically required for my major but I find it fun and interesting!

Finally my internship. This semester I have an internship with Rostrum Records. I am a college marketing representative. Some of their artists are Wiz Khalifa, TeamMate, Mod Sun, FREEWIFI and The Bird and the Bee. You may be asking yourself, why is this girl, a journalism student who likes film and movies, have an internship with a record company? Well I'll tell you. It sounded cool. A friend of mine did it last year and I was waiting all fall semester for Rostrum to post this job. It's something I could totally do and be good at and enjoy. Music is an essential part of life and entertainment. This internship will help me with my marketing skills and people skills and other skillz that I didn't know that I didn't have. Anyway, I'm excited. And it's a RECORD COMPANY. BASED IN LOS ANGELES. HOW COOL????!!!

That's me for this semester. I mentioned that I am trying to get more involved with campus media. Tonight, there is an informational meeting for the campus magazine, which I will be attending. I just submitted my application to volunteer at the radio station. I'm continuing with HerCampus this semester. (EXCITING!!) And a friend and I are talking about making a YouTube channel. I'm still in my sorority, still doing things with Hillel, and plan on continuing going to improv meetings.

Lindsey, are you spreading yourself too thin? NO. NEVER. I know myself and I know when to slow down and get out. I'm trying these things. If I don't like them, then I'll leave. It's all about time management. It's all about doing what you love. But mostly, it's about putting some stuff on my resume and creating a portfolio.

The truth is, I don't know where I want to end up or what I want to do. I figure that trying some things out and seeing what I like would be the best way to go about it. It's a bonus that I can put this stuff on my resume to look good for potential employers. ;)

This post wasn't as fun loving as some of my other ones but it's only two weeks into the semester! Don't leave me precious readers!! Your girl will be back and more exciting in no time. :)

Please enjoy this picture of me and my sorority family at a darty that was ski themed but I unintentionally dressed as a hippie. (again)

Holy(land) Moly

Hello family, friends, and loyal readers!!

I have recently returned from my 10 day trip to Israel and wow-wee was it an adventure. For those non-Jews out there, you may be wondering how and why I spent 10 days in the Middle East. There is this amazing program called Birthright. It's a FREE 10-day trip to Israel! Why would I want to go to Israel and why would someone want to pay for me to spend a week and a half there? Simple. It's my right. I was born Jewish and should get the opportunity to grow my Jewish identity by learning more about the history of my people and immersing myself in the culture of Israeli life.

Taglit-Birthright did exactly what it set out to do. I feel changed. I feel that I have a duty to Israel. And I feel that it's necessary for me to return and root myself into the home of the Jewish people.

During the trip, the idea of family was stressed. We, as a bus, are a family. But on a wider scale, we as the Jewish community are a family. This idea made the trip even more special. I got to experience my first time in Israel with my new family.

I went on this journey through the Michigan State Hillel. The Hillel at school has an alliance with all the Hillel's in Michigan so there were kids from schools all over the mitten. Additionally, we were paired with the Hillel from the University of Cincinnati. We blended very well together. I was very fortunate to be with this group of people. If I had gone at another time, with another group, things would be VERY different for me.

I'm not going to go into detail about everything I did. I made a vlog for that. :) Also, I feel everyone should experience it for themselves. You can't live through me. Being able to walk around Israel and take it all in is something everyone should do. Regardless if you're Jewish or not, it's worth the trip.

I'm going to take my new found love for Israel ONWARD. (hopefully :)) I'll take what I've learned about being Jewish and what I've learned about myself with me into starting the new semester.  This isn't like a "new year, new me" type of thing. This is a wake up and smell the roses, carpe diem, and do what you love...type of thing.

I look forward to seeing where the semester takes me. Stay tuned for more intricately written updates on my life. :)

Obligatory End Of Semester Post

Hello there! It's been a minute since I last posted and I apologize because I have actually been really busy. I don't have any final exams so I get to come home a week early, but I have a lot of final papers and projects. And on top of those papers and projects, I have assignments for those classes to still turn in that aren't finals. AND on top of that, I'm a college student, I've got stuff going on.

Something I want to shed light on is an issue I have had for about....a year and a half now. I don't sleep. I don't think it's insomnia. I think my brain is shut down. I just can't sleep. I know what you're thinking, "She probably goes to bed really late and sleeps in really late. Those crazy college students ruin their sleep schedule. She's complaining but she's the problem." Well, no. I go to bed between eleven and one every night, and wake up between nine and ten every morning. Sometimes I go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. But my class on Mondays and Wednesdays starts at 12:40pm, and my classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays start at 10:20am. So I go to sleep accordingly. I don't want to get more than nine hours because then I won't go to sleep the next night. I also don't nap for more than 25 minutes a week because then everything is thrown off.

I am not a crazy college student who stays up to all hours partying or studying. I don't sleep until noon and waste my whole day. I am very meticulous with when I go to bed and when I wake up because I know that 6/7 days of the week, I don't sleep. Or sleep well. But usually not sleeping. I can't quite figure it out. I'm always tired but always have energy. It's like I don't need sleep to function but I do need sleep so I'm not yawning with a headache all day. I have tried reading, drinking sleepy tea, countless sleeping pills, and more. Nothing seems to work effectively. I'm immune. So, if anyone has any suggestions or explanations, I'm all ears. I truly don't know what's going on.

On a different note, I'm really happy. I'm in a really good mood ending the semester. I've done pretty well in my classes and I feel like things are looking up for me. I'm applying to internships this week for over the summer and I am really excited. I'm looking at social media ones but honestly, I just want a high executive at a magazine or TV company to yell at me to get their coffee. It's my dream.


I'm excited to step my foot into the real world. It's about time. I'm only a tad nervous because the only thing on my resume is camp counselor so I don't know how that will be appealing for social media internships but fingers crossed! I know I would be good at it so hopefully if I get an interview I can dazzle everyone with my personality.

I'm also happy because I have time next semester to do more things! More clubs! More adventures! More fun! A friend from one of my journalism classes is in a similar boat as me where the only thing on her resume is being a nanny so we're making a plan to try out and join a bunch of clubs so we can throw them on this godforsaken life-changing piece of paper and hopefully stand out more. I'm excited! Bring it on real world. I've been waiting for you to pick me up.

Sorority-wise I feel good! Well, except for the radiator in my room. One of the reasons I can't sleep but not the only. Anyway, I feel good. I won't have a ton of responsibility next semester so I can be as involved as I want. I don't have to try and look good or go to a bunch of things so the higher ups can take notice. I can be me and do what I want. There's a couple of us that are excited to start fresh next semester and I'm looking forward to what it brings me.

I'm planning on joining a gym. Updates to come. But, this is not because I don't like my appearance. This is because I have the time, I want to start the routine, and maybe I'll get really tired and fall asleep? You never know!

I want to mention my improv class again. Innovation Through Improv with Sarah Hendrickson. I will talk to anyone who will listen about how much fun I have in this class. I have been watching old "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" clips on YouTube to find inspiration for my final performance. I thoroughly enjoy getting up there and making a fool of myself. And I don't think I suck at it. I'm looking for internships in Chicago so that I can take classes at Second City. I really enjoy improv and it makes me happy. So if something makes you happy, you stick to it and try and incorporate it into your everyday life. So thank you THR 208 (Mon and Wed), you've motivated me to do what makes me happy and what makes me laugh. And everyone knows I love to smile and laugh. :)

I get to go to Israel in a few weeks and I am BURSTING with excitement. A new place! The old city! The warmer weather! The tradition! The history! IT'S ALL SO THRILLING! L'CHAIM! I haven't been so excited for something in so long and I cannot wait to have this experience. Look out world, your girl is making her way to the Holy Land.

There is no better way to end a semester of college than on a good note. I'll tell you guys, I was a little skeptical at first. But things are tying up well and the future is more exciting than scary. I know my whole family worries constantly so don't fret Bini Clan. We're doing well here in EL. Looking forward to what the next half year brings me.

I'll see you in a week sweet home Chicago! :)

Lindsey Rabinowitz, Damn Proud General Member

My weekend was a hefty one. I went to Southfield, MI for a job shadow and spent the whole day at my Big's house in Huntington Woods. I shadowed Jennifer Hammond, a Fox 2 Detroit sports reporter. It was an amazing experience. I watched her write stories, got a tour of the station, and even got to sit in the newsroom while she taped the 10am sports broadcast.

Before going to this job shadow, I got a call from the president of my sorority saying I had been slated(chosen by a committee) as the new philanthropy chair on the executive board. Out of pressure and time, I said yes to the position. Then I hung up the phone and started crying. I did not want this position, nor did I think I would excel in it the way I could in other places.

I did not throw a fit after I got the phone call. I cried. I cried a lot. Then I talked with my Big Nikki, who was there with me, and my GBig Jane on the phone for 25 minutes. And after that, I told the current president to post the positions with my name next to Philanthropy. I don't care what you heard happened. I'm a mature person. I would not stomp my feet on the floor, pound my fists on the table, or yell at people if I didn't get what I feel I deserved or wanted. I simply slept on it and returned the next day with my decision. I would not do it.

I'm not mad. I'm not disappointed. I'm not bitter. I'm actually happy. I'm in a great mood. I wasn't going to do a job, for an entire year, that I didn't want to do. I was on the phone for a half hour with my mom and sister before finalizing my decision. One thing they reminded me is Bini's don't get pushed around. Think of my family. We are strong people. We don't submit to what people think we should do. We're not ones to sacrifice our happiness for something we don't want. We know ourselves and we know what we want. And this was not what I wanted. Mama didn't raise no fool.

It could be a Greek Life thing because my sister said something similar happened to her. She was groomed to be a position, and she was given another one. So she said no. I guess it runs in the family.

Like I said, I'm not mad. I'm not angry with the committee or the people who got the positions I wanted. I think everyone did a fine job and is going to do amazing things for the house. But if this was truly thought to be the right position for me, I would've taken it. There would've been no back in forth trying to decide what I wanted. And ultimately ending in me saying no.

I'm simply upset. I'm hurt because I feel like I wasn't listened to. I also feel like I was highly encouraged and told that I had the potential to hold certain positions in the sorority and that my time was wasted trying to prove that I was fit for them. My Big received various texts after I got my phone call asking if I was okay. Which makes me think that it was known I wouldn't be so I don't understand why this all happened in the first place. I guess it's part of being in a house though. You think one thing, and then something completely different happens. Happens all the time in life too.

I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and relieved. I stand by my decision. When your whole family is on your side, when the current position holder agrees with your decision, and when a founding member of your house tells you you're doing the right thing, it's hard to not feel good about it. Sure I would've done okay if I were to have taken the philanthropy position, but its not what I'm passionate about. So, I'm going to take my wonderful sister Syd's advice, "take your passion and skills and use them elsewhere". Oh sister Syd, I intend to. :)

If any of my sisters are reading this, please don't look at me in pity. Don't continuously ask me if I'm okay and please don't tiptoe around me because you think I'm mad or angry and want no part of the house. That is SO not the case. Also, I am not writing this to place blame or to cause a scene or anything like that. I just wanted to explain my side and how I feel. Everyone is entitled to their feelings. I genuinely believe everything happens for a reason. I wasn't meant to be on this executive board. The sister who was chosen to be philanthropy is going to do a 10000x better job then I ever would've because she actually wants to do it. And the fine young ladies that are on the board, they have my full support and are going to do the most amazing things for the girls of SDT.


In other news, my littles got initiated!! YAY RACHEL AND RACHEL. OFFICIALLY A PART OF THE GIRL GANG. ;)

Female Comedians

I've mentioned in many posts that all I want to do in life is make people laugh. Instead of talking about myself, I want to give you all the gift of laughter. The entertainment business is a male dominated world, which has been demonstrated recently. My improv teacher told one of my peers, woman to woman, that if we want the scene, we have to take it. Otherwise, as a woman, we will always be put in the position of the mother, or the sister. Some type of submissive, female, character. This applies to life too. If you don't go for what you want, a man is going to upstage you. It's the society we live in. To give you some inspiration, I want to tell you about my favorite female comedians because I hope to someday embody the amazing-ness that they exert onto their audiences.

We're going to begin with an obvious one, Amy Poehler. Jesus Christ Superstar this lady is hilarious. If you haven't read her book, I will lend you my personal copy because EVERYONE needs to read it. She's one of the earliest female comedians I remember. My dad and I used to watch her all the time on SNL and would regularly view her early stuff on the show. This lady is not afraid of making a fool out of her self and is sure as hell not afraid of a man upstaging her. She steals every scene she is in. If you haven't seen Parks And Recreation then you are missing out. I found it to be slow at first but this show is one of the greatest shows to ever be on TV. Just the premise of it is amazing and the supporting cast is unbelievable. Amy Poehler makes me laugh no matter what and I strive to be like her.

To continue, let's talk about her Partner In Crime, Tina Fey. These two ladies make me laugh when they perform apart, but when they're together, I'm on the floor and can't breathe because I laugh so hard. Tina's book, Bossypants, is so well written and very inspirational I laughed at all her creatively positioned jokes and related to some of her troubles as a teen. I see myself being like her when I'm older and that's why I feel I like her so much. She carried 30 Rock season after season and I cannot wait to watch her show, Great News. Additionally, she was an SNL writer way before she appeared in front of the camera. These two women are two of the greatest people to ever grace Saturday Night Live. In a male dominated industry, they're on top.

Amy Schumer is not my favorite but she sure is funny. I don't find her movies funny, nor do I find her Netflix stand up specials funny, but her social media presence and interviews tickle my fancy. She's a riot on instagram and twitter and does anything for a laugh. I love her "fuck it" attitude and confidence. I haven't read her book yet but it's on my list. I like her better when she's just thinking off her feet in an unscripted situation. Like when she is a guest on a late show. She was great on Saturday Night Live though. She pushes boundaries, and I love that.

Jen Kirkman's Netflix stand-up special is amazing. She talks about how she basically models her life after Matthew Mcconaughey's line in Dazed and Confused, "Just Keep Livin'". She has JKL tattooed on her body. I'm not gonna lie, I'm thinking about it too. She's a regular on Chelsea Lately and an overall funny woman. I'll be honest, I haven't seen too much of her stuff but what I have seen, hilarious.  She also has a book that I intend on reading. I'll keep you updated.

Jessi Klein wrote one of my favorite books, You'll Grow Out Of It. I saw my friend Ava reading it at camp last summer and I had to try it out. It was AMAZING. She's hilarious and can really appeal to the reader. AND JEWISH. She also is the voice of Jessi on the new animated show on Netflix, Big Mouth. This show is awesome. Great cast, great storylines, amazing writing. It's SO stupid that is works. I keep telling my mom she would like it because she enjoys raunchy humor but she's on a "no animation" policy when it comes to TV shows.

I've been writing this article for a while now because I wanted to show the world that women can be funny! It seems like men dominate the comedy world but there are some hilarious women out there. It may take longer for us to reach our peak, but we'll get the laugh eventually. And once it starts, it never stops.

I've said before that all I have ever wanted to do is make people laugh. These women inspire me with everything I do. Oh, also obviously my mother and sister are pretty funny. My dad is a hoot too. You can't even imagine how our family dinners go...

I hope I can convince you to read these ladies' books and watch their stuff! If you need more convincing or more funny shows or comedy specials to watch in general let me know because I watch a TON of them. It's good to laugh. It makes you live longer :)

Harvey Weinstein

I'm going to assume everyone has heard about the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment allegations. I hate that word. "Allegations". Over 30 women have stepped forward. He did it. That's it.

Anyway, I'm currently writing a paper for one of my classes on this story and I've learned a lot in my research. I want to begin with the fact that the first indication of a sexual harassment by Weinstein was in 1987. THIRTY YEARS AGO. That's ridiculous. You're telling me that in over thirty years, his colleagues and peers heard, and said, NOTHING about his actions. My mom knows when I have my period just by my tone of voice when I call her.

Seems a little fishy doesn't it? I'm not digging for inside information here. All I want to do is state facts and to show everyone that this has been a common thread throughout his career. Taking advantage of young, females and promising them success in return.

I googled Harvey Weinstein when the news broke out and I was angry because he took part in making some of my favorite films. Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting, Spy Kids, Ella Enchanted, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Silver Linings Playbook, all tainted with his name in the credits.

The Weinstein Company said they had "no idea" what was going on. NO IDEA. Harvey literally had an assistant whose only job was to organize "meetings" with aspiring female models and actresses. I think they knew but nobody said or did anything. Nobody wanted to stand up to the beast. And no one came forward out of fear. The thing that also keeps me thinking is that there is no way he's the only one. There are probably other key players in the entertainment industry that are doing the same thing but nobody has stepped forward. Hopefully the recent events will encourage others.

I interviewed a friend in my sorority for the paper I was writing for my class. She is a sexual assault survivor. I asked her what she thought of the number of women who were speaking out. She said something that burrowed it's way in my mind.
"sexual assault is sexual assault. It doesn't matter the number."

HOW TRUE?? SEXUAL ASSAULT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT.  And it's not okay. Of course it's not okay for over thirty women to go through it, but it's also not okay for one woman to go through it. Or men for that matter.

If someone would have spoken up THREE DECADES ago and unveiled this monster, maybe less women would've been harassed. But that's the past. The important thing is what's happening now.
Women are coming out all over social media and the world is starting to talk. The conversation is more exposed now than ever before.

So what now? Now we must fight. We must show the world that these actions are not okay. We must educate the youth about sexual assault, harassment, and relationship violence. We must expose those who feel they "deserve" something from us or think just because they have power, that we'll be submissive to unwanted actions.

Alyssa Milano started the Me Too campaign on social media. Those who have been sexually assaulted or harassed write Me Too on a social media platform. The amount of facebook statues I saw with these two words shocked me. My peers, my family, my friends, all with those two words on their timelines. We must show our support and stand up for ourselves.

THIS STUFF IS SO NOT OKAY. Sorry that wasn't very formal but it makes me so angry. I am appalled by Harvey Weinstein and everything I am reading about this situation. It makes me more fearful to enter the professional world and being afraid, frightens me even more.

I'm sorry if this post goes around in circles or makes anyone uncomfortable. I've been doing a lot of research on Weinstein for my paper and I had to write down my thoughts. It urks me so much that people who are serial assaulters can get away with it for so long. It urks me that anyone can get away with unwanted forceful actions.

This is one of my more serious blogs, but it needed to be done.

A member of one of the sorority houses on my campus has started a campaign called We Know What Happens. She sells shirts and buttons to help bring awareness to sexual assault and harassment. There are people all around campus wearing these words. I encourage you to support her by following the instagram @weknowwhathappens

Thank you all for reading! Stay safe, and stay aware.