Second annual waves weekend—A BIG tradition in the making

The upcoming Waves Weekend will be bigger and better than ever before. As the official launch of the University’s 75th Anniversary Celebration, the University hopes that current students, alumni, faculty, staff, relatives, friends and donors join together to celebrate the University’s unique and special community.

The celebration will take place Oct. 14 through Oct. 16, with Blue and Orange Madness on Friday at 6 p.m. The concerts will begin Saturday at 4 p.m. in conjunction with the Waves Weekend Festival.

No corners were cut this year in planning the exceptional weekend of events. Highlights of the weekend will include a special performance by the Pepperdine Improv Troupe (PIT), various mixers, Blue and Orange Madness, and a concert featuring Lady Danville, Andy Grammar and Grammy Award winner Colbie Caillat.

Last year, several separate events planned to draw together parts of the Pepperdine community, like Family Weekend, Blue and Orange Madness, Spirit Cup, Homecoming and athletic events.

In honor of the University’s 75th anniversary, Pepperdine has decided to join forces to pull together the best possible event in hopes of creating a lasting tradition of Waves Weekend and to engage the entire community.

“At the heart of Waves Weekend is our desire to focus on the larger community of Pepperdine as a whole. From current students to alumni, faculty, staff, relatives, friends, donors and other supporters, each of us are Waves,” said Matt Ebeling, executive director of Alumni Affairs. “Together, we all have an equal stake in carrying out the University’s mission, and Waves Weekend offers an engaging university-wide rally point toward that purpose.”

Ebeling, a Pepperdine alumnus, and his dedicated team are responsible for leading the high-level vision behind the evolution of Waves Weekend, a concept that is almost four years in the making.

“Waves Weekend cannot exist without the brilliant collaborative efforts of our chief partners from Student Activities, University Events, the alumni offices of Pepperdine’s graduate schools and dozens of other teams throughout the University dedicated to bringing all Waves together. This is truly a team effort that does not happen without the passion and talents of many,” Ebeling said.

Senior Courtney Niemann, weekend and special events chair on the Student Programming Board (SPB), is excited about the ability to plan more engaging events.

“With the increase in the student activity fee we are able to expand the event and make it bigger than ever,” Niemann said.

The increase in the student activity fee played a major role in the development of the second Waves Weekend. Since the event will be the biggest event at Pepperdine this year, with an estimated attendance of 2,700 this year, the increased fee will help to provide a memorable experience for Waves of all sorts.

Although this year’s festivities will be only the second Waves Weekend, Pepperdine has the resources to bring big names to campus.

“The creation of these new traditions involves a moderate investment on the front end, but as attendance increases, the participant fees and sponsorships will begin to cover the bulk of the associated event costs,” Ebeling said. “Pepperdine also feels that this is the perfect experience to invest in, as Waves Weekend is such a powerful venue for building, sustaining and growing the sense of community and family that is such a crucial part of our institution’s culture.”

The decision to make this event bigger than ever before was largely based on Pepperdine’s goal to seek more student involvement, appreciation for the tradition and a memorable experience for the entire community.

“I fully expect that the success of Waves Weekend will ultimately be led by the indomitable spirit of our student body, and I would like to take this opportunity to challenge every single student to personally own Waves Weekend to help us harness its power to unite Waves everywhere,” Ebeling said. “Nothing will help this new tradition take off more than having all of our students at Friday’s Blue and Orange Madness festivities, and especially at Saturday evening’s Waves Weekend concert.”

A carnival will be held during Blue & Orange Madness, which will feature a full sized, 55-foot ferris wheel, a spinning ride and a large fiberglass racing slide. In addition to the rides, there will be premier food trucks and games such as human bowling, twister, a rock climbing wall, speed pitch and basketball. These activities will be followed by a performance by IaMmE — the winners of America’s Best Dance Crew.

“I hope that students will come early to enjoy all the ‘Village’ portion event has to offer. A lot of clubs and organizations take a lot of time to create fun carnival games and prizes so I challenge them to come out right at 6 and really take in the whole event,” Niemann said.

Ebeling and his team have worked to plan an incredible Waves Weekend event and hope that it will be an impactful time for the Pepperdine community to realize the potential of the University and its students.

“It is our hope that through Waves Weekend, all attending members of the Pepperdine family will be re-energized in their affinity to alma mater and will be inspired to connect with the University in ever-increasing and meaningful ways,” Ebeling said. “This enormous gathering of Waves will remind so many people of the reasons they initially fell in love with Pepperdine and will encourage continued involvement through countless other events, programs, regional alumni chapters and service opportunities in the years ahead.”

If Pepperdine has changed your life, join us at Waves Weekend. Registration is free to students, but please register online by Oct. 12 at www.pepperdine.edu/wavesweekend and select the “Student” option.

To view my article online go to: http://www.pepperdine-graphic.com/lifearts/2nd-annual-waves-weekend-expected-to-be-bigger-and-better/

Music Review: Torches by Foster the People

80’s psychedelic pop meets indie dance—a strange combination to say the least—but Torches by Foster the People have mastered it. Whether you are driving down PCH or dancing the night away, front man, Mark Foster’s falsettos and keyboard knack will instantly boost your mood. Their first album debut has proved that the frustratingly likeable L.A. based trio will be around for a while.

Drawing largely from inspirations such as MGMT, Passion Pit, and Empire of the Sun, the electro-indie band’s first album, Torches, is unique in a good way. In spite of its quirkiness, it has great danceability.

Foster the people joined together in 2009 under the name “Foster and the people” but were misunderstood for “Foster the people” which eventually stuck. The trio is comprised of Mark Foster—front man in charge of vocals, keyboards, piano, synthesizers, guitar, programming and percussion. Mark Pontius—drummer and extra percussion, and Cubbie Fink, bass and back-up vocals.

Torches reached the coveted number one spot on both the U.S. Billboard Alternative Albums and Rock albums and single “Pumped up Kicks” soared to number three of the U.S. Billboard’s Hot 100 since the albums release on May 23, 2011.

Each track is comprised of funky electronic instrumentals underneath subtle lyrics you will catch yourself singing along to—when you least expect it. Foster can write a chorus so bold and simple that you can hear it once and sing it for a fortnight, a technique that made hits of "Helena Beat" and "Pumped Up Kicks".  

“Pumped Up Kicks”, deemed the ‘song of the summer’ ironically chronicles the storyline of a hipster-style school shooting. The track begins with a mellow entrance that transfers into a psychedelic acceleration. Lyrics, “All the other kids with their pumped up kicks you better run, baby run, outrun my gun, all the other kids with their pumped up kicks you better run you better run faster than my bullet” are questionable. It seems somewhat morbid to be singing along to an upbeat pop song about a school shooting. Perhaps Foster’s falsettos dissolve the lyrics into the overpowering, yet tremendously upbeat melody.

I will be the first to admit that the songs are enjoyable and easy to sing along to, often doing so without even realizing, and without even knowing the lyrics.

"You say, ‘Now what's your style and who do you listen to?'" "Who cares?” “Your social guides give you swollen eyes”, “We’ve got nothing to loose.” “But, what I got can't be bought so you can just call it what you want.” Lyrics to “Call it what you want” lack depth but who cares? It’s a fun-to-listen to, inspire spontaneous dance parties type-of song anyway. 

“Waste” gets in touch with a more personal side. “And every day that you want to waste, that you want to waste, you can, and every day that you want to wake up, and you want to wake, you can, and every day that you want to change, that you want to change, yeah I'll help you see it through,  'Cause I just really wanna be with you.” Indie-pop meets a sappy, semi-bitter message—how original!

Foster’s voice is controlled through most of it without letting his falsetto sunny the atmosphere. The chorus isn’t stellar by any means. But that is okay because after all—who wants to be singing along to serious lyrics that are depressing. I’d rather be left feeling jovial.

Foster the People’s Torches is the perfect laid-back summer indie-pop album. It’s disco-pop vibes and catchy lyrics provide for a great visceral effect but if you are looking for more than the surface offers, you will be disappointed.

The young L.A. based trio has proved that their album Torches will continue to top the charts, while they continue touring around the World to perform in front of sold-out audiences. Despite the meaningless lyrics, Foster the people’s Torches is a great summer album to inspire dance parties of all kinds. 

Time

Time has been on my mind. I feel like there are not enough hours in the day. I feel like a lot of my time is spent wasted on things that are 'mandatory' for me to go to. I am constantly discouraged and annoyed about the things I have to attend that I would really rather not. 

My latest frustration is the time and energy that I have devoted to my sorority. Maybe my priorities have changed, but I used to LOVE going to chapter, planning events, getting involved, going to on-campus philanthropies and what not, but now, it seems as though every Sunday is a drag for me, and I dread the events required to attend throughout the week. 

My greatest joy has been finding a church in Los Angeles that I feel a connection to. My friends and I have been venturing to Hollywood every Sunday to Reality LA, which is an amazing, upbeat, inspirational, and life changing environment to be in every Sunday afternoon. Every single person who attends Reality is not there because someone is forcing them to be there--they are there because they WANT to be there and have made it a top priority. 

Life is about making priorities and I've been thinking a lot lately about my priorities. Throughout the past four years, my priorities have completely changed. Freshman year I was dedicated to my sorority, my school work, and my future. Now, I am dedicated to living life with God, I am passionate about my future and my relationships with others, and I am feeling more inspired and more motivated than ever before. I am now dedicated to living a life of purpose and meaning that at the end of the day, is worth it. It is worth every tough moment. It is worth the pain, the suffering, the years of trials, all to ultimately receive the best gift possible, which is God's grace and love. Sunday's are currently the only thing getting me through. It would be impossible to complete my tasks that I have to do every day without faith because truthfully, I have taken on too much. 

At what point do you draw the line? At what point do you throw in the towel and start sacrificing? That is the question I am wrestling with. How can I best spend my time to maximize my faith, my life, and my potential. I don't have all the answers yet but I am one step closer today then I was yesterday. 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Heartbreak

Heartbreak is something I never wish upon anyone. For some reason, I have experienced heartbreak one too many times. Heartbreak seems to come in cycles for me--all significant devastation's that result in positive growth. Heartbreak has shown me that God is in charge. God is aware of everything--He knows His plan for me and is never early but never too late.

I am a firm believer in the notion that we all go through seasons. Seasons of ups and downs, great sadness, and great happiness. We can never be prepared for the seasons when they strike, but we can influence the outcome. Currently, I am in a very very very stressful season. My heart was broken in High School and just when I thought I had overcome it, my heart was broken again, but in a different format. 

In College, my heart was broken in the sense that everything that I thought was "me", everything that I thought represented my character, my identity, my world, came crashing down. The past four years have been among the most difficult, if not the most difficult years of my life. Constantly faced with uncertainty, fear, and wondering when this is all going to end--I can finally say that I have found comfort in all of this. 

I firmly believe that God will never give you something you cannot handle. My heart is still broken, but my spirit is renewed and my soul is alive. My identity is stronger than ever, and my future is bright. My stress levels may be off the charts from time to time and I may have to work harder than the average woman my age, but I would not change a thing. My wounds have not been healed, but my faith has been revived, and my hope is at an all time high.

God has placed amazing, inspirational people in my life to guide me down the right path. God has placed his faith in me to walk in his image and he has shown me that there is a time for everything. 

There is a time for everything, 

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die, 

a time to plant and a time to uproot,  

a time to kill and a time to heal,  

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 

a time to search and a time to give up, 

a time to keep and a time to throw away,   

a time to tear and a time to mend,    

a time to be silent and a time to speak,  

a time to love and a time to hate,    

a time for war and a time for peace.

--Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

There is a time for everything--a time for heartbreak and a time for rejoicing. My current season is dealing with heartbreak and coming out a stronger, more confident woman. It is OKAY to hurt. It is OKAY to show emotion and it is OKAY to admit that your heart is breaking.

 A beautiful image that inspired me today

 

Following your dreams

This may sound superficial, but I just got home from a long night class, poured a glass of wine, and turned on the season finale of The Rachel Zoe Project. I am an avid Rachel Zoe follower in all media outlets--I subscribe to the Zoe Report, watch her show, follow her on Twitter, and spoke with her assistant, Jordan, on a weekly basis at my internship at Christian Dior. I am extremely inspired by her. She essentially founded her career--she is the first of her kind. 

She established styling as a career and has not only made a career of out it, but she made her dream a reality. During the finale, her successes throughout the past year were channeled. In the past year she started a new clothing line (with eight store-in-store's in Bloomingdale's), had a beautiful baby named Skylar, moved into her dream home, expanded her business, styled the host for the Oscar's, and is more in love with her husband Roger than ever. 

I found myself tearing up during the finale. I couldn't help but tear up when she and her husband Roger had their "team"over for a barbeque to celebrate their successful year as a company and she and Roger made a toast thanking everyone for their contributions to their company. Neither of them (Rachel or Roger) could have experienced the level of success they had with out them. The point in all of this is that Rachel diligently followed her dream from an early age and through hard work and perseverance, she achieved it. Not only did she achieve her dreams, she 100% exceeded them in all aspects. 

Graduating in April is a constant reminder that my dreams are just beginning. My dreams for my future are more relevant now than ever and are more important than ever. My journey through college has adequately prepared me for the future to live out my dream. 

When thinking about my dreams and my future I am constantly reminded of the following quote:

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined"
Henry David Thoreau

My new found dreams surround beautiful things. I am excited by beautiful things, inspired by beautiful things, and uplifted by beautiful things. By going confidently in the direction of my dreams, I am one step closer to living the one I imagine for myself.

We are always getting ready to live but never living --Emerson

This is so true. We are so caught up in "living" that we forget to actually live our lives. Why are we never satisfied? Why are we always searching for something that doesn't exist? Everything that we are working so hard for is just 'stuff'. 'Stuff' that might be enjoyable to have, but it should not shape our identity and does not provide eternal happiness. Without the 'stuff' who are we really?

This has been something that I have struggled with for the past few years--identity loss after your identity has been stripped away. Growing up with a very plentiful and privileged life was wonderful, until it ended a few years ago. Losing nearly everything forced me to look within to discover who I really am as a woman. Was I living up to my potential? No, I was not. I was simply buried amongst my 'stuff'.

The past few years have been undoubtedly the most challenging moments in my life, but I would not take them back for anything. Through the hardships, the trials, the countless tears, and the stress, I can truthfully say that I now know who I really am. 

I am confident in the identity that I have built. I am confident that I can stand alone without the security blanket of my 'stuff'. I know what is feels like to work hard. I know what it is like to appreciate everything that you have. I am now understanding what it truly means to live life.

We don't need to be constantly getting ready to live life--let's start living it each day.

Here are some beautiful things that have helped me through my hard times....

 

Pepperdine alumnae ‘Kind Campaign’ reaches millions of girls internationally

This is an article that I wrote for my school newspaper about two very inspirational, young women, who are helping young girls to see the beauty in each other.

Pepperdine alumnae ‘Kind Campaign’ reaches millions of girls internationally

Girls are caddy. Girls are mean. Girls are vicious. Girls are competitive. Girls have the potential to ruin one another’s lives. It is tough to be a girl. But two young women and Pepperdine alumnae, Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson, have dedicated their lives to take a stand against what they call girl-on-girl “crime.” The Kind Campaign, an internationally recognized movement, encourages girls to stop the competition, stop the cattiness, stop the hate and to be kind.

Kind Campaign’s documentary and school program are based upon the powerful belief in KINDness that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-on-girl “crime.” Since the movement’s 2009 launch, Parsekian and Thompson have gone on three national tours to spread awareness, held assemblies at hundreds of schools across the United States, been featured in the New York Times, appeared on Dr. Phil, had a theatrical release of their documentary “Finding Kind” at AMC Theatres in Los Angeles and New York and collaborated with Mattel’s Monster High line of fashion dolls.

The Kind Campaign defines girl on girl “crime” as physical fighting, name-calling, threats, power struggles, competition, manipulation, secrets, rumors and ostracizing other girls. Girl on girl “crime” is an issue that every single girl has experienced in their lifetime— whether they were the victim or the aggressor, according to the Campaign.

The movement provides an outlet for those who have been bullied and for the bullies themselves. Their truth, apology, pledge (T.A.P) sector allows girls to come forward on the campaign’s website and after school assemblies and apologize to the girls they have hurt. The girls can tell the truth about their experiences with girl-on-girl “crime,” apologize for hurting other girls and pledge to treat girls with kindness.

An anonymous girl recently wrote on the truth wall, “People think I’m the meanest girl in school. May be I am. But people judge me. They don’t know what I go through on a daily basis. My life sucks. People don’t know that. So I’m sorry if I’ve learned to take my aggression out of other people. If you walked a day in my shoes maybe you would understand. I’ll forgive you all for not understanding because you don’t know any better. You just see this black dot at your school who likes to act really tough. Well, I’m not so tough and I’m told that on a daily basis.”

Another girl responded to the anonymous post: “Dear anonymous, I remember middle school when you were ‘shunned’ from your ‘group’ and people at school talked about how bitchy you were and ugly and I went along with it even though I didn’t know you. Now I do and I feel terrible. I’m so sorry,” Chinna wrote on the apology wall.

Isabelle wrote, “I pledge to be kinder to people, think about people’s feeling and to stop female bullying.”

The reality and prevalence of girl-on-girl “crime” caught the attention of Lori Pantel, vice president for girls marketing at Matell, after hearing Parsekian and Thompson on a Ryan Seacrest radio show. Soon after, Mattel teamed up with the Kind Campaign to create a Monster High fashion line of dolls that features teenager’s experiences with various social trials and imperfections.

“We developed a relationship with Mattel — specifically the brand Monster High — and we went into their virtual world to bring the Kind Campaign message to their viewers,” Parsekian said. “They actually animated Molly and I into monsters which they call Monster High’s version of ourselves in a webisode that has reached millions of viewers.”

The collaboration with Mattel enabled the Kind Campaign to reach millions of viewers internationally and has helped Mattel add a positive message to the nation’s third best-selling doll.

The Kind Campaign’s new relationship with Mattel is crucial in their quest to combat girl-on-girl “crime.” Mattel agreed to sponsor events that include the webisode featuring Parsekian and Thompson, a screening of their documentary “Finding Kind” and a forum moderated by the two alumnae.

To kick-off October as anti-bullying month, Parsekian and Thompson embarked on their third annual tour. They said they are excited to touch the lives of thousands of girls and debut their Kind Campaign school curriculum, “Kind clubs,” created this past summer.

Kind clubs are designed to offer a safe place for girls to come together to create strong and healthy friendships. Parsekian and Thompson hope that by starting an open and honest dialogue about the reality of girl-on-girl “crime,” girls will be more likely to create change and inspire a more positive community.

“It is a way to continue the conversation after we leave to create a permanent presence within Kind Campaign at schools,” Parsekian said.

Parsekian estimates that they have been to over 300 schools and organizations thus far and hopes that through Kind clubs, the schools and organizations will continue to fight girl-on-girl “crime.”

“Neither of us expected to be where we are right now,” Parsekian said. “[The Kind Campaign] continues to grow and surprise us. Even our own ideas surprise us. Molly and I inspire each other and have just been along for the ride.”

http://www.kindcampaign.com/

To view my article online go to: http://www.pepperdine-graphic.com/news/pepperdine-alumnae-kind-campaign-reaches-millions-of-girls-internationally/

Seeing the beauty in life

They say that beauty is everywhere. They say that beauty is a profound aspect of human life. They say that beauty is inspirational. They say that beauty is at the heart of our soul's. They say that beauty is easily concealed by sadness, heartbreak, and loss. 

It is easy to forget to look for the beauty in things when you have been deeply hurt or let down, but they say that beauty can heal a broken heart. They say that wounds can be mended by simply appreciating the beauty in life. 

Beauty is my inspiration--the thing that keeps me going. Without beauty, my life would be stale. My world would crash and my sorrows would never cease. All things beautiful enables me to persevere, to never give up, and to never look back. 

This blog will be an honest compilation of my thoughts, my inspirations, my experiences, and my writings. Please join me in celebrating the beautiful things in life by realizing that all things are beautiful.