Svetlana Thursday: Elf Yourself

1/4/2011
To: kappellj@uncw.edu
From: svetlanastravels@gmail.com
Subject: What a holiday!

Dear Jon,


I apologize for the radio silence, but the most amazing thing happened. After realizing that this place DIES around the holidays, Randy the Reindeer and I decided to take off as well and went to find our homeland. That's right - we went to the North Pole. Clearly, Santa was a little busy, but we got to hang out with the elves and Randy got to meet some of his extended family. They were pretty impressed with his microphone. The elves were pretty tied up until the 24th, but after they were done with all those toys they threw a huge party! You wouldn't think it to look at them, but they get ridiculous. They might even party than all you Student Affairs people. Might. 
Anyways, they taught Randy and I this great dance! Check it out!

(ed. note: there should be a link here to elf yourself, but those little buggers already took it down! Bah!)
Needless to say, we had a great time. Randy and I might have shared a moment under the mistletoe and we are exploring what that means for our relationship. It's progressing quickly, but I think it's safe to say that there are bright days ahead. Don't worry, he's keeping his antlers to himself for now. I also have a new place to stay! I ran into Phil and Lindsey McDaniel and they told me about an opening in the Crossing*. Seems like a roommate conflict went south and one of the suites has an open bed. The girls want to do a makeover, but I told them to keep their hands off, this outfit got me to where I am today. 


Well, it seems like people around here are starting to get to work, as will I. My journey continues, but never fear, I will be in touch.


Love, Svetty


*The Crossing is a residence hall on campus

Can we please make hats happen in the US? Who's with me?

*Ed. note: I started this post last Friday, but you know, I have a life. And a job. Deal.

You so knew this was coming. Being me and who I am and all that I love, I was naturally somewhat obsessed with the Royal Wedding. Although I'm pretty much a mutt culturally, I do know for sure that I've got some British blood in there somewhere (a. Clark b. pasty, pasty skin). My name also means princess in Hebrew so clearly I was meant to watch this. And who doesn't love a good commoner turned royalty story? Definitely me and Julia Stiles. It was inevitable that I would be all over this blessed event. Just look at these two! What's not to love?

What was not inevitable, yet a truly pleasant surprise, was the fervor with which I responded to the incredible millinery on display at the wedding. I am officially starting a movement to bring hats back to the US. For formal events, casual events, the workplace, and everyday chores. I can't imagine how a hat would not make any of those things better. Here are some of the hats that I love and love to hate from the Royal Wedding.

Queenie here (as my friend Lindsey has nicknamed her) looked bright and cheery in her lemony yellow ensemble. A classic hat for a classy lady.

The daughters of Prince Andrew and the ubiquitous Fergie definitely made a statement. I'm just not sure that I'd want that statement to include the terms "cracked out". However, I do kind of love the pale pink coat Eugenie is sporting. If only the tentacles on her head didn't distract from it.

Another one that I'm not completely thrilled with. While I enjoy a pop of color with a black and white outfit, this quasi-turban was just not doing it for me. Too much flower, too much tulle and too much turban.

Posh and Becks look smashing. I love them. I also love that he has a hat too. I have to wonder if he just carried it around all day or actually put it on at some point. Wouldn't want to mess up that banging coif he's got goin on. Posh can do no wrong in my book. I would like her to smile more in photos, mainly because the interviews I've read with her make her seem like a simply pleasant person. Her non-verbals do not express this. However, that fascinator is expressing plenty, mainly that she is fierce.

LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about this. The color the diamonds, the wide brim with simple, yet impactful detail.

I was undecided about this at first, but have come down on the side of love. Go big or go home, that's what I always say. Well, not really, but I might start.

These ladies seem super pleased with themselves. I don't know that I would be so smug if I were wearing my Great Aunt's holiday foliage from 1993 OR an inverted canoe that is threatening to change the very landscape of my nasal area.

Love. With all of my heart. Love the asymmetry (which is a very big deal since those that know me well know that I very much enjoy things that are symmetrical), love the jaunty angle at which the hat is tipped, love the structure of the adorning bow-like accessory.

Lastly, the greatest topper of all, a classic tiara on loan from Queenie herself. It is the perfect compliment to her amazing gown and doesn't overshadow Catherine's beauty or joyful spirit that she embodied on this day. Simply perfect.

Svetlana Thursday: Art is weird

Well friends, it's Thursday, heralding the return of that saucy minx Svetlana and her continuing adventures around my workplace. Feel free to review her last two posts here and here as a reminder of her journey up to now, if necessary. Another thing to keep in mind: Jon, who actually won Svetlana in the gift exchange and is the recipient of these emails, has no idea that I'm the one sending the emails. I'm also cc'ing multiple work friends on these emails as it is providing much needed entertainment during our slow period at work.




12/21/10
From: Svetlana <svetlanastravels@gmail.com>
To: kappellj@uncw.edu
Subject: The adventure continues.....


Hi Jon,


Man, those Student Affairs people really love their happy hour. Happy hour turned into happy night for Svetty! Which then turned into not so happy morning. So I got off to a late start, but have learned a lot so far and made some significant changes since we last spoke. I think I mentioned yesterday that I heard some conspicuous changing down a loooooong hallway. Come to find out, it was Andrea Dorow, practicing a new cheer for the Orientation leaders. 

Even though they've chosen this year's team already, I suggested that they might need a mascot. Maybe that could be my new role in the division! I could go to SROW and see more of the country and even do a session during Orientation on the importance of dressing for the holidays (never forget the hat - so important). She said she's consider it, but that I will of course need to go through the proper selection process. She is one tough cookie. She suggested I start in the Career Center and get a resume critique.

See what I did here? So sneaky. 

So I went and met with Sarah and we went over my previous experience including, but not limited to, watch dog, annoyer of Frank, alternative holiday fashion model, and grocery bagger. Sarah said that it would be a challenge, but we could surely pull some transferable skills out of that and make a pretty great resume. 


On my way out of the Union I wanted to stop by the Boseman Gallery, but was sadly rebuffed by the locked door and intimidating rope. 

Not exactly sure what I missed, but it looks like some kind of giant wormy thing made out of toilet paper. Art is weird.


Finally, thank you for your kind note. I'm happy that I have your support in my adventures. I just ask that you be patient and let me find my own way. And don't worry about the reindeer (Randy is his name), I've got it under control. He's wrapped around my little finger, or mitten I guess.


Happy Trails!

Svetty


While Svetty is sticking to her plan for now, I have a feeling things are about to take a turn for our foliage-carrying friend. Tune in next week for the continuing adventures of Svetlana!

There's more to life than books you know, but not much more.

I've always loved reading. I think it's something that I've just always enjoyed and I give complete credit to my parents for that. They instilled that love of reading in me early on and never denied me a trip to the library or picking out one more book to take home at the store. I credit that early love of stories and books for much of the success I had in school (well, in the liberal studies areas at least) and the extensive vocabulary I've somehow managed to cultivate. I also maintain that it's responsible for my spelling bee domination in the 5th grade. You read a word enough times, you just remember how to spell it, I guess.

Although I always loved to read, I wasn't always proud of it. In middle school I was painfully shy and very unsure of myself. I wanted to melt into the walls most days and never wanted to be in the spotlight. This is important to know as it makes the rest of this story that much more cringe-worthy. The summer between 6th and 7th grade, the school gave us a booklist and said that the person who read the most books from the list (as well as in addition to the list, if I remember correctly) would receive a commendation at the opening day assembly in the fall. Well, naturally I read all of the books plus some more, but only recorded about half of them in order to avoid the most embarrassing thing to ever happen, according to my 12 year-old brain. I know you know where this is going. Sure enough, I still won the contest and received the commendation, which meant I had to go up onto the stage in front of the entire middle school population, which if you know anything about middle schoolers, was not the most gracious audience. I was completely mortified and got off that stage as quickly as possible.

Looking back, I hate that I was so embarrassed by something that I loved so much, but such is the fragile neuroses of a tween. Luckily, I didn't let the mild trauma of that day deter me from continuing to love the written word and I happily embrace my identity as a bookworm these days. The following are a few of my favorite books that I want to share with you. I come back to these every once in a while (for some, annually) and feel like I'm visiting an old friend.

Of all the works of Austen, this is by far my favorite. The film adaptations, particularly the BBC miniseries are pretty good representations, but there's nothing like reading Mr. Darcy's words to Elizabeth in print for the first time: "In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." Sigh.

I resisted the Harry Potter craze for a while, but got sucked in while procrastinating in college. I can't help it, I love them. I become completely obsessed when I re-read them and do little else until I've made it to the end of book 7. I just get caught up in the fantasy and magic of it all and can't wait to share these with my kids one day.

Speaking of magical children's books, this is one of my all-time favorite children's books. I must have read this book over 10 times as a child and remember it's yellow cover and cracked spine. I absolutely love the way Matilda, herself a child, takes control of her circumstances and creates a better life for herself.

Growing up in Alabama, this was more than required reading. It was a point of pride for our state. Yes, it brings to light the harsh realities of racism that my home state still deals with on a daily basis, albeit at a different level, but the fact that a young woman from Alabama wrote a renowned novel, read worldwide, well, that's just somethin'. I visited the world of Boo Radley, Scout and Jem, Tom Robinson and Atticus Finch many times throughout my education and continue to do so periodically today.

Disclaimer: Do not judge the value of this book on the quality, or lack thereof, of the film adaptation. It is the prime example in my mind of why some books should be left in the imagination and off of the screen. The book itself spoke to me for a couple of reasons, I think. As in To Kill a Mockingbird, it is set in the deep South, where I come from and consider my home. It also addresses the racial and gender inequities of the time, but in a more peripheral way. I believe it also captures the spirit of the South, but even more than that, the strong bonds between women. It chronicles a decades-old friendship between four women who have literally been there for each other in the darkest and happiest of times. There are very few things more important to me than my friends and I think that's why I relate to this book so much.

So, the question remains.......

Svetlana Thursday: First Stop

I had every intention of posting on another topic before Svetlana Thursday rolled around again, but my prime blogging time (M-F, 8-5) was consumed by actual work. Crazy, I know. Anywho, onto the continuing adventures of Svetlana. A little bit of context: I work at a university in Student Affairs, which basically includes anything that students are involved with or affect them at the university outside of academics. At this point, Svetlana's mission is to find a suitable area for her skills and talents within the Division of Student Affairs and have a little fun along the way.


12/20/10
From: svetlanastravels@gmail.com
To: kappellj@uncw.edu
Subject: First stop
Dear Jon,


So I decided to start my journey in Alderman Hall with my old friend, Ann Glossl.

I'll be honest, I was a little pissed she threw me to the proverbial wolves and auctioned me off to the highest bidder, but I was tired of Frank* looking at me and just sighing and shaking his head all the time. What? He's never seen a dog in a hat? Anyways, I figured she was as good a source as any about other places to go in the division. Being the consummate student affairs professional that she is, she suggested I visit other offices and try to find ways to get involved. 


So my next stop was in CLES where I met with Donna about community service opportunities.

They sure do have a lot of toys in their office. More importantly, while I was there I made my first friend. This reindeer guy was super cute and sang me a song.

I love a man who can sing. And has antlers. We're gonna hang out later and maybe take it to the next level. I'll keep you updated, as I'm sure you'll want to know every detail. 


I was getting hungry and seriously considering a seafood lunch when I heard this weird chanting down the hallway.....

Ooops! Gotta run! Have to freshen up for happy hour. Polish my boots, spruce up the foliage, lint roll my hat, you know, the usual. 

Til next time,

Svetty

12/21/10
From: kappellj@uncw.edu
To: svetlanastravels@gmail.com
Subject: RE: First stop


Dearest Svetty,


You sound like you are having a wonderful adventure out in that big world of Student Affairs. Thank you for sending me pictures so I get to partake in your travels. Remember to cook the fish before you eat them....unless you like sushi. And as far as that reindeer guy...if he gets out of hand, you just let me know and I will make sausage out of him.


What was that chanting you heard? Hopefully not a group of wild dog-wearing-hat eaters. Keep me posted on your travels and I look forward to hearing more about your adventures!


Jon


*Frank is Ann's husband, who dreads the day every holiday season when Ann would pull Svetlana out of storage and place her on his desk at home. When the white elephant exchange came up this year he was more than happy to part with Svetlana for the good (and entertainment) of the division.


I know that you are on the edge of your seats to find out what happens next. What do Student Affairs people do at happy hour? Did Svetty and the reindeer make a love connection? What was that chanting coming from down the hall? All of these questions will be addressed and new ones will undoubtedly be raised....next week. 

Svetlana Thursday: The Backstory

So things are getting a little too serious around here, which means it's time for the unveiling of Svetlana. No, Svetlana is not my fishnet-wearing, burlesque-dancing, hula-hooping altar ego, although that would be interesting.  She is, to be completely direct, a stuffed dog dressed in Christmas-wear who can stand on two legs and carries an impressive amount of foliage while wearing a jaunty little hat. For those of you are thinking that I finally went over the proverbial edge, a little backstory.

I work at a university in the Division of Student Affairs, a generally happy environment with the occasional holiday merriment. Our annual holiday social last year included a white elephant gift exchange (also commonly known as yankee swap, bad santa, etc.). Basic gist - find some craptastic item from your house that you no longer care for or never did and pawn it off on some unsuspecting schlub you work with. Typically, the best of these gifts are either completely random, somewhat sexual in nature, or so completely random that you wonder who thought to create such a product in the first place.

Svetlana falls in the last category. I immediately spotted her on the table of gifts and started strategizing about how to claim her for my own. I imagined that she would become something of a mascot, creepily greeting students as they walk into my office. Long story short, it was not meant to be. Another coworker managed to snag her before I got the chance through a highly biased version of white elephant. I was crushed, yet determined. Jon, the coworker who now had ownership of Svetlana, proudly marched her back to his office where she stood at the front desk creepily greeting students at the campus activities (CAIC) desk.

Svetlana respecting all cultures during this holiday season.

I immediately started plotting a kidnapping expedition and managed to wrangle some help from Jon's coworkers who were more than happy to send Svetlana on an adventure far far away from their front desk. Luckily, Jon was headed out of town early for the Christmas holiday, giving me the perfect opportunity to enact my plan. I stealthily whisked Svetlana to my office and set up a gmail account for her where she immediately started sending Jon messages (CC'd to all of her [my] friends in the division of course). What follows can only be explained by the extreme boredom of students abandoning campus and a career counselor with an overactive imagination.

12/20/2010
Subject: I'm sorry to report
From: svetlanastravels@gmail.com
To: kappellj@uncw.edu

Dear Jon,

I have flown the coop! Exited the building! Made like a tree and left, leaved? leafed?, you know what I mean. I just couldn't stand sitting up on that counter anymore taking in all the ridicule about my outfit and especially my hat. I just don't think CAIC is the right place for me and will therefore begin my journey through the division to find a more suitable home. I know that many will want to take me in based on the outstanding reception I received at the holiday function the other day. Don't feel guilty Jon. You did what you could. But it's just not going to work out. However, I will keep you informed of my journey since you were kind enough to grace me with a name (and then change it). By the way, Sasha sounds like the name of a drunk ice dancer. We're going with Svetlana. Take note.

I hope you have a happy holiday. I know I will. :)

Svetlana

That's all you get today my friends. Check back next Thursday for the continuing adventures of Svetlana!

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

One of my top three tv shows of all time just released it's final season on dvd. Yes, Friday Night Lights is coming to a close, ending one of the most underappreciated, little-watched, yet incredibly scripted, acted, and directed television shows in the history of American television. Not only is the show technically flawless, but it has something way more important - heart. You actually care about these characters and want to know what happens to them from week to week. I find so often that I don't really care about the characters I'm watching, which is a sure sign to drop that show from the dvr and search out more like Friday Night Lights. Once I finish the season and give other hard core fans time to do so as well, I fully intend on writing a complete piece about the show itself, but today I want to focus on the part of the whole that literally gives me chills when the premiere of a new season starts.

No words, just a slightly haunting, rhythmic cadence that characterizes the show so well. It's hard to explain, but it just perfectly fits the show's themes, characters, and overall feeling. I find it hard to articulate, but there's just something about it that gives me chills. A good tv theme song can do that. When it so perfectly captures the show and adds to the overall experience of enjoying it you know you've got a great opener.

Here are some other favorite show openers:

Gilmore Girls

 Another all time favorite show, this theme was sung by Carole King with her daughter, which is a great tie-in to Rory and Lorelai's relationship. Although the song is a bit too cheese-tastic for the witty, smart, and often wry banter between the Gilmores and their oh so quirky neighbors, it always brings a smile to my face.

The Simpsons

 Yet another great example of solid instrumental composition fully capturing the essence of a show. Why do you need words when "baaaa ba ba ba baaa ba ba ba babababa" is enough?

The Muppet Show

The Muppets need to be on Broadway. I need them to be on Broadway. Immediately. Hey, maybe they can use the theater Spiderman is in. Once they kill off or injure the rest of their cast it should be available.

What's your favorite?