Reaction to woman suing Lehigh for a receiving a C+

The latest local news circulating around campus is not the newest party list that Lehigh has topped or an influential speaker coming to campus, but that our university is being sued by a former grad student for receiving a C+.  If this wasn't outrageous enough, she is seeking $1.3 million in damages.  

Also, in court testimony it has been stated that the plaintiff, Megan Thode, cursed in class (the grade in question was in a master's fieldwork class) and acted inappropriately in general.  

When I first heard of the lawsuit, I was baffled because of the ridiculousness of the case.  I have received less than stellar grades before, but knew it was because I did not put in enough effort in the class.  Thode is saying that she could not continue with her program and had to get a different degree, so she is seeking damages to make up for the loss in salary.  

This is the second thing I am baffled about--if you are not willing to act in a professional manner, you will not receive good grades, and consequentially you may affect your future prospects, and possibly you directly affect your career, as Thode did.  

What happened to taking responsibility for your actions??

As a Lehigh student, I am angered at this lawsuit.  I hope Lehigh does not settle, and certainly hope Thode does not manage to win the case.  I, as well as many of my friends, am taking loans to pay Lehigh's tuition and am working hard to get good grades so that I can have the career of my choice.  It would be a travesty if Lehigh students, their parents or whomever foots the tuition bill ends up paying Ms. Thode for her lack of responsibility, decorum and hard work.  

Additionally, Thode did not even have to pay tuition because her father is a professor at Lehigh.  Not only did she receive free undergraduate tuition at York College of Pennsylvania, but she was attending Lehigh's College of Education for free (she did graduate, but with a master's in human development instead of counseling and human services).  So she not only received all of her higher education for free and now has a job as a drug and alcohol counselor, but is trying to win $1.3 million from Lehigh, taking it away from students, programs, athletics, and scholarships that need it.   

Lehigh prides itself on being a tough school that graduates students who go into successful careers.  Ms. Thode's lawsuit undermines the legitimacy of our university and I sincerely hope that she does not win and that she learns some sense in the process.  

Not Another Bitter Rant: a Different Single Girl's Perspective on Valentine's Day

DISCLAIMER: this is not another one of those bitter single-girl rants. I can't stand when people do that, so I hope they stay off my social media timelines this week.  

I feel like Valentine's Day is very similar to New Year's Eve--hyped up by the media,  society, and retailers by how amazing, fun, and special the day is, but it always ends up being a let down.  I have never heard anyone say, "Oh my god, I had such a great New Year's!"  Likewise, I have never heard anyone said, "Wow, my Valentine's Day was so great."

Why is that?  If someone is in a relationship, it just did not live up to be the most romantic and special night of their lives, which is what it is expected to be.  And if you're single, then you did not receive a  dozen roses from an anonymous Lothario or the man you've been crushing on in class/the office/the gym/elsewhere did not suddenly profess his love to you. 

Sometimes I miss the Valentine's Day of elementary school, when everyone would send the paper cards that fold over and candy to everyone in their class.  In second grade I had N*SYNC cards and sent the Lance Bass ones to my closest friends and three crushes in the class and the Joey Kirkpatrick ones to the kids I didn't like so much, whoops.  I remember overanalyzing the cards the boys in class sent, and if he put a smiley face after his name it must mean that he was madly in love with me.  And in second grade terms, this meant he wanted to hold my hand in recess.  

This generation's N*SYNC cards.

Valentine's Day is much less of an event in college.  There will likely be a few extra people complaining that Lehigh isn't a dating school, some dates to Asian Bistro or Mama Nina's, and probably a Heaven and Hell themed party or something of the like.  

How will I be spending my Valentine's Day? I have a Senate meeting and exam that evening, so pretty much like any other night.  When the exam ends at 8:30, I don't know how I will spend the rest of my night, but I can guarantee it won't be with a bottle of wine in front of "The Notebook" or "When Harry Met Sally" (while those are two great movies).  I will not tweet about being "forever alone" and I refuse to wallow in the day that many of the single people in the world have decided is their day of mourning.  And I will absolutely not call it "Singles Awareness Day."

While I am single right now, I don't feel like there is any lack of love in my life.  I have my best friends and an amazing network of people at school plus an incredibly supportive and loving family at home.  

So this Valentine's Day, I am going to let them know how much I appreciate them being in my life, because that is what the heart of this holiday is all about (no pun intended).  Plus, I always love an excuse to craft.  

But in the spirit of the day, here are some of my favorite romantic clips from movies, TV shows, and YouTube. 

High Five for First Kiss

The Notebook, of course

When Harry Met Sally

The Parent Trap

So no, this scene from Gilmore Girls isn't exactly happy and romantic, but I bawled the first time I watched it and it is a great scene.  Also, none of the other Rory and Jess scenes I love were on YouTube. 

So many scenes in P.S. I Love You are great.

Happy (almost) Valentine's Day! 

The Winter Blahs

Late January to early March is without a doubt my least favorite time of year.  The excitement from the holidays is over, New Year's resolutions have generally been broken or given up on, the flu tends to be going around, and there is an overall negative feeling in the air.  

I call this time of year "the Winter blahs."

It's persistent, frustrating, and feels impossible to shake off.  I have no motivation to do my work, it's harder than usual to wake up in the morning, and I don't get excited for things that I usually do, like having a good workout at the gym or an interesting speaker coming to campus.

Everything feels like a chore, and no matter what I'm doing it seems like curling up in bed and watching Gilmore Girls would be a much better option.   

It doesn't help that I've been feeling under the weather for the past two weeks and never seem to get the good night's sleep that I need.  But I almost never get the optimal eight hours a night and usually can keep up with my usual schedule even when I have a cold.  

I have even complained about writing this blog post, and am finding it difficult to put together coherent thoughts or even have the desire to finish it...

So how can you combat the winter blahs?

Slowing down a hectic schedule and getting a good night's sleep can be a good starting point.  I also made a point to not worry about the pile of work I have and took advantage of National Frozen Yogurt day, which did cheer me up a bit.  

At least for me, though, the winter blahs will only truly be over when the temperature gets to 60 degrees and I can sit on the front lawn in between classes and afternoons are spent at barbecues.  

For now I'll bide my time, combating the winter blahs with maybe a little more sleep and remembering not to let everything pile up so I feel overwhelmed. 

Art Inspiration Mondays

Well, it's been a bit of a hiatus.  

2013 and spring semester kicked off a lot faster and busier than I anticipated.  A rushed last week at home led into a busy recruitment week, Big/Little week, and ensuing weeks of meetings, other obligations, and my usual frantic running from one thing to the next.  

But after a nice half weekend home (Thursday night to Saturday evening), and an extra long sleep last night because I was feeling sick, things feel a bit more on track.  

This week's Art Inspiration Monday is bold, which is because I need a little pick-me-up when feeling sluggish and uninspired.  

Picasso's "Woman in a Hat with Pom Poms and a Printed Blouse" is one of my absolute favorite pieces.  It isn't one of his most well-known works, but I was lucky enough to see it in person at the Met two summers ago.  It was part of a special Picasso exhibition, and it absolutely took my breath away.  

It is a linoleum cut made in 1962 and is believed to be inspired by his wife at the time, Jacqueline.  I love the bold colors, that she looks directly at the viewer, and despite disproportionate facial features and straw-like hair, she has a reserved confidence that I would like to emulate.  By the straw hat, unkempt hair, and rough material of her dress, she is clearly not a woman of status, but she appears proud of who she is.  

Happy Monday!