Here's everything cool that I ran out of time to blog about... GO!
Hello, bloggers! I apologize for the gap in posts this August, but it’s because I’ve been so busy! As this summer comes to a close, I wanted to reflect on and compile many of the exciting things I did this summer but did not already dedicate a post to. So, prepare yourselves for a diary-entry-esque blog!
Swing City in Squirrel Hill (7/7)
If you're an old soul who’s nostalgic of past decades, swing dancing may be for you! At Swing City, attendees are given a lesson in the first hour on the basics of swing dancing. The rest of the night is dedicated to practicing your moves and meeting new people. I went several times last summer, but this was my first time bringing Willy with me. He caught on pretty well! It made me really happy that he was willing to participate.
Apple Hill Playhouse Gala (7/28)
This was a super last minute plan, but my friend interned with Apple Hill playhouse in Delmont this summer. She had an extra ticket to the Gala, which was a fundraiser that included a cocktail hour and several hours worth of wonderful vocal performances. So much talent in one building! I was so glad I got to experience it.
Pittsburgh Regatta (8/3)
Another fun thing I went to was the Pittsburgh regatta. In which, Willy and I met up with friends, consumed drinks, witnessed a balloon man with a bubble machine, and watched live music at Point State Park. The whole reason we went was to see Bad Custer, a band whose lead singer is friends with Willy. Give them a listen— they have a really cool sound.
McFarland’s (8/3)
Afterward, we went to McFarland's and danced on the bar. Shortly after, I cut my toe on glass, but luckily there were like ten people in the bathroom who just happened to be nurses, so I was very well taken care of. Also, shout out the Lyft drivers for being awesome that night! It literally takes them less than a minute to pick you up.
Lake House Party (8/4)
The very next night we went to a friend’s lake house located near Ohiopyle. We boated on the lake, swam, and had a hand-me-down “formal” party. It was pretty much a bunch of drunk people wearing Goodwill blazers, but was fun nonetheless.
RESS Presentation (8/9)
This summer I was accepted into the Research Experience for Summer Scholars program at IUP. Essentially, the program is like a scholarship, but instead of being given a check up front, you put in research hours throughout the summer to receive the award. I did my research on Corporate Social Responsibility in the Fashion Industry by sending out a survey. The goal of my research was to find out what factors hold consumers back from buying ethically produced fashion items. It was interesting to find out consumers’ preferences and how contradictory our demands can be. Below you will find my final presentation poster.
Carnegie Science Center’s Sky Watch (8/11)
Finding out about this event was actually serendipity. Willy and I were planning on attending a laser light show at the Science Center, but to our surprise, we were informed of the Sky Watch occurring upon our arrival. In which, everyone went into the planetarium for a quick lesson on what to look for in the sky. Afterward, we went out on the deck to star gaze and find planets. Although it was cloudy, I saw Saturn and totally geeked. Astrology is definitely underrated. However, seeing a laser light show is still on my list, so we will be returning!
East Pittsburgh Greek Food Festival (8/16)
My friend from high school, who also happens to be Willy’s neighbor (a weird coincidence), had a sign in her yard for the Greek Food Festival at Olympia Hall on Electric Ave. I attended this event with her three years ago and knew how awesome it was. At the festival, there’s homemade Greek cuisine, as well as performances by the Grecian Olympia Dancers, which my friend is apart of. They wear traditional Greek garments while performing traditional dance routines. Did I mention one of the guys danced on a table held up by group members? It was fantastic.
Bowling in Greentree & Thirsty’s in Oakland (8/17)
It’s amazing what deals you can find on Groupon. We went bowling at this high-end bowling alley for only $8 each. Of course I still suck at bowling, but I found a new technique: the Granny Roll. After that, we went to Thirsty’s, which is where I ordered this super cute, super fruity gummy-bear martini! We played Card Against Humanity until like 2am and I almost won, so that proves that I’m actually funny sometimes. To finish off the night, we stopped at Lotsa Stone Fired Pizza. It was soooooo good after drinking all night.
Anissa’s 21st Birthday Bash (8/18)
This was my third day in a row of doing things, so I was honestly kinda tired, but it was worth it. For my friend’s birthday bash, I drove an hour and a half to West Virginia because she rented an Airbnb called “Grandma’s House” for her birthday weekend. The house was located on a farm and was actually HUGE— so many bedrooms and still so homey! Because of work, I could only go Saturday night, but I made the most of it. We played Jenga and my friend had written objectives on each block such as, “ladies drink,” or, “two truths and a lie.” She got the idea from Pinterest. It made the game way more interesting. The person who knocked over the tower had to drink the giant “bitch cup” full of an alcoholic beverage….and guess who knocked it over. No complaints though, I didn’t have to get up to refill my drink for a good while. After Jenga, we played Cards Against Humanity, so I was glad I had brushed up my playing skills the night before. Singing happy birthday and playing those games was definitely my favorite part of the night.
Sebastian Olzanski’s Concert at the Smiling Mouse in Southside (8/20)
My friend Demi got tickets as well as meet-and-greet passes to see Sebastian Olzanski, an up-and-coming artist on Spotify. This was such an intimate venue, and I didn’t know what to expect since Sebastian is only 19 years old. As it turned out, he’s actually super genuine and sweet, on top of being talented. He’s really got some pipes and outstanding stage presence! After his set was done, we were able to get a better picture with him than we did during the meet-and-greet and even chatted a bit. He truly cares about his fans and I’m so proud of him for being successful at such a young age!
Looking ahead...
Now that I’ve filled in the blanks, I’m sure you see why I haven’t blogged in a hot minute. I really don’t want summer to end, but here’s to starting school on Monday!
Last semester, here we go!
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