Distraction Winter 2019

the

magazine of the students of

the university of miami

winter 2019

HIDDEN HEROES Unsung Campus Champions

BORROWED & BLUE Thrift for this season’s coolest hues

SPECIAL SECTION Normal? No such thing.

CELESTIAL STANDARDS Explore your astrological identity.

the

magazine of the students of

the university of miami

winter 2019

HIDDEN HEROES Unsung Campus Champions

celestial standards EXPLORE YOUR ASTROLOGICAL IDENTITY

SPECIAL SECTION Normal? No such thing.

BORROWED & BLUE Thrift for this season’s coolest hues

the

magazine of the students of

the university of miami

winter 2019

SPECIAL SECTION Normal? No such thing.

HEROES hidden

unsung campus champions

CELESTIAL STANDARDS Explore your astrological identity

BORROWED & BLUE Thrift for this season’s coolest hues

the

magazine of the students of

the university of miami

winter 2019

HIDDEN HEROES Unsung Campus Champions

CELESTIAL STANDARDS Explore your astrological identity.

BORROWED & BLUE Thrift for this season’s coolest hues

NO SUCH THING. May 2018 DISTRACTION

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Winter 2019 No. 42 F EATUR ES the guide

a biltmore for the people The Biltmore has served as a Coral Gables emblem for over a century, but so much more lurks in these hallowed hotel halls than you might think.

8

what the fork

seasonal sweets Take a dive into the history of seasonal sweets and learn why you should swap gingerbread instead of gifts this holiday season.

20 special section: normalcy

celestial standards Don’t fit the normal characteristics of your star sign? It’s time to get to the bottom of what it really means to be your star, moon and rising sign.

28 health & wellness

high impact

Forget about flat tummy teas; it’s time for a different regimen. How can high protein diets help you?

50

fashion

linked up Layered jewelry is hot right now; but, how did we get here? Learn how to pile your pieces like a pro.

65

main event

up in smoke

78

We’ve all seen it, perhaps hit it and wondered: could this hurt me? Here’s why the newest developments on the Juul debate might make you want to put your vape down.

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION

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Letter from the Editor

Covers

Normal is a hard word to grapple with when you go to the University of Miami. When I arrived on campus as a freshman, I had no idea that my “normal” would mean glitzy pool parties and fancy nights out in the city.

However, as I navigated the artifical waters of Miami, I soon realized that a normal college experience here at UM doesn’t exist. In no time at all, spending hours with my student media friends creating a magazine replaced the parties and glamour. I found that “normal,” in itself, doesn’t exist at all.

In this issue, we decided to combat the notion of normalcy all together, reporting on subjects that many people might not consider normal or defining new norms within already established subjects. In our photo series “Celestial Standards,” our astrological expert, Alexis Masciarella, explains that there is much more to know about your birth chart than just your sun sign.

“Cruel Perceptions,” written by Copy Chief Olivia Ginsberg, explores body dysmorphia—a mental illness in which your mind distorts the reality of your body, your norm. It is an issue I believe will hit home for many UM students.

We even sat down with a student who used to identify as asexual to learn more about a side of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum that is rarely explored.

Funny enough, the making of this issue operated under less-than-normal circumstances. For the first days of deadline, a few of our core staffers attended a student media conference in D.C. while the rest of the team stayed back to work. One of our Co-Art Directors, Marissa Vonesh, art-directed this issue alongside Lauren Maingot while simulaneously writing her senior thesis in preparation for her graduation in December. We even had homecoming in the midst of our #grind!

Despite it all, we are excited to present our grand rejection of the word normal and all of its connotations.

Instead of striving for normalcy, or to fit in with the Miami pace, I challenge you, instead, to embrace your quirks—they are what make you who are.

XO,

2

DISTRACTION

Introduction

Mirror, mirror, on the wall—which cover will win over them all? With four covers per issue, Distraction enjoys conducting a social experiment with each magazine’s release to better understand the preferences of the peers and faculty around us. Want to throw a wrench in our plans? Next time, try snatching a cover with an unfamiliar face—we’re itching to be surprised. art direction_keagan larkins & abby podolsky photo_kristian del rosario

Our fashion editorial, “Borrowed and Blue,” steers away from our generation’s trend, street style, and opts for business-chic in shades of blue. Did we mention the entire shoot was thrifted? art direction_staff photo_gianna sanchez

In this issue, we explore the 12 astrological signs to gain a better understanding of why we are the way we are— according to the stars.

art direction_lauren maingot photo_gianna sanchez

Distraction takes a closer look at topics like code switching, asexuality and body dysmorphia to uncover what it means to be normal, only to find that “normal” doesn’t actually exist. art direction_gianna sanchez & marissa vonesh photo_gianna sanchez

Cecillia Gutierrez, Head of Custodial Services in Hecht, is one of many “hidden heroes” on our campus.

The Guide 8. A Biltmore for the People 11. Season’s Splurge 12. Hidden Heroes

Contents

What the Fork

16. Abuela’s Legacy 18. Like Mama Made It 20. Seasonal Sweets

Special Section: Normalcy 28. Celestial Standards 33. The New Courtship 36. Cruel Perceptions 40. What the “F” Was He Thinking?

41. Pero, Like 44. Understanding Asexuality

Health & Wellness 50. High Impact 54. Good Vibrations 56. Can’t Fake Awake

Fashion

60. Borrowed & Blue 65. Linked Up 68. The Secret’s Out

A bouquet of baby’s breath flowers added a whismical touch to our fashion editorial shoot, “Borrowed and Blue.”

Find it on page 60.

Main Event 74. Bound 78. Up in Smoke 80. Your Last Distraction: Drood

winter 2019

WHAT IS THE BEST TRAIT ABOUT YOUR ASTROLOGICAL SIGN? THE TEAM Editor-in-Chief_Isabella Vaccaro libra: fixing everybody’s Co-Executive Editors_Lindsey Bornstein & Anya Balsamides dumb problems for them Managing Editor_Gabby Rosenbloom Copy Chief_Olivia Ginsberg Co-Art Directors_Lauren Maingot & Marissa Vonesh ­–30– Co-Photo Editors_Gianna Sanchez & Kristian Del Rosario taurus: being chill Illustrations Director_Jacqueline Dubois af, ability to sleep Co-Assistant Art Directors_Avani Choudhary & Giselle Spicer anywhere, boujeeness, Co-Assistant Photo Editors_Sydney Burnett & Emily Fakhoury being right about “–30–” indicates staff Illustrations Assistant_Rachel Rader everything member is graduating Co-Video Editors_Travis Laub & Elinor Howells Food Director/Co-PR Manager_Elizabeth Pozzouli Co-PR Manager/Co-Fashion Director_Keagan Larkins Co-Fashion Director_Abby Podolsky Assistant PR Manager_Katelyn Gavin Co-Fashion Assistants_Haley Lanzoni & Andie Ajello The Guide Editor_Lauren Mokhtarzadeh What The Fork Editor_Samantha Velez Special Section Editor_Elisa Baena Health & Wellness Editor_Gabrielle Lord Fashion Editor_Natalie Abatemarco virgo: perfectionism, even if Main Event Editor_Kathryn Ford it screws me up more than Business Manager_Avani Reddy it helps Sales Reps_Alexis Masciarella & Simar Dyal Faculty Adviser_Randy Stano gemini: talking forever to DISTRACTIONMAGAZINE.COM

Digital Editor_Tiana Torkan Assistant Digital Editor_Olivia Ginsberg Online Managing Editor_Scarlett Diaz Culture Blog Editor_Shianne Salazar Food Blog Editor_Dakota Regan Travel Blog Editor_Corina Azpurua Fashion Blog Editor_Emmalyse Brownstein

anyone who will listen

scorpio: being determined and passionate as hell

CONTRIBUTORS Rachel Barrett, Writer Myles Griffith, Writer Kay Ann Henry, Writer Coco Hull, Writer Lauren Jones, Writer

Gio Aprigliano, Design Julia Donahue, Design Kylea Hensler, Design Jess Morgan, Design RJ Kayal, Photographer Gabriela Nahous, Photographer Teagan Polizzi, Photographer

When it comes to contributors, we’re not picky. Whether you’ve found your niche in a bio book, you’re notorious for doing “nothing” at the comm or business school or you’re halfway into your college career and still wave that “undeclared major” flag, we want to hear what you have to say. Distraction is an extracurricular/volunteer operation made for students, by students, and covers the full spectrum of student life here at The U. If you want to get involved or have any questions, comments or concerns email our editor-inchief, Isabella Vaccaro, distraction305@gmail.com.

In our last issue, we incorrectly identified the model in our opioid crisis story, “A Bitter Pill.” The model’s name is Kate McSoley.

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DISTRACTION

Introduction

Isabella Adamson, PR Sydney Baum, PR Debra Baldwin, PR Jordyn Blau, PR Emma Foley, PR Corinne Issa, PR Max Jenkins, PR Emily Marquez, PR Melissa Mendez, PR Sophie Oustatcher, PR Machenzie Schwertl, PR

leo: fearless optimism

The magazine is produced four times per year, twice a semester. City Graphics and Bellack Miami printed 8,000 copies of the magazine on 8.5 x 11 inch, 60-pound coated text paper 4/4. The entire magazine is printed four-color and perfect bound. Most text is nine-point Minion Pro with 9.8 points of leading set ragged with a combination of bold, medium and italic. All pages were designed using Adobe Creative Suite CC software InDesign with photographs and artwork handled in Photoshop and Illustrator. For additional information, please visit distractionmagazine.com. Questions and comments can be mailed to 1330 Miller Drive, Student Media Suite 202A, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, dropped into SSC Student Media Suite Suite 200 or emailed to distraction305@gmail.com. All articles, photographs and illustrations are copyrighted by the University of Miami.

Scenes A year ago when I found out I was allergic to wheat, I went through a series of “lasts” for all my favorite foods—my last real pizza, my last real soft pretzel and, tragically, my last Cuban croqueta. I had already gone through the five stages of grief when my best friend called me in September resurrecting my hope—an entirely gluten-free bakery had opened near campus. My first five minutes at Dora’s, I was served with a smile and offered water. By the time I bit into my first croqueta, I was ordering a cinnamon roll, then a cupcake—it was all delicious. This little shop has given me (and countless others) the opportunity to eat foods I once indulged in prior to my food restrictions. The Sosadias family has an innovative and thorough method of creating their recipes. Plus, they put care into each customer even though the family isn’t gluten intolerant themselves. I hope you feel inspired by the Sosadias’ story and take a moment to try their recipes—I promise you, gluten-intolerant or not, you’ll be satisfied. My photographer, Sydney Burnett (left), can attest.

abuela’s legacy

Behind

The

-Marissa Vonesh Co Art Director

-Gabby Rosenbloom Managing Editor

bound: on codependency

When I was a freshman, I walked through Cane’s Fest and was instantly drawn to a booth that featured a burning bra. I walked toward it and learned that Distraction was UM’s student lifestyle publication and that the burning bra cover was featuring a story about modern feminism. From day one, I was enthralled with Distraction’s ability to tell truthful stories. At a brainstorm meeting I suggested the idea of writing about codependency. It is something I have struggled with for most of my life and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to tell this very important story. Writing this piece was very challenging, but incredibly cathartic. I hope that you will be able to learn something from this story.

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION

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DISTRACTION

The Guide

the guide The Guide captures the thoughts of the Miami hipster and slaps them on a page.

Despite being in-the-know, pretentious is not in The Guide reader’s vocabulary. Starbucks is out and typewriters are in. If you need a suggestion for the best kombucha in town, look no further than The Guide for insight. illustration_rachel rader.

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION

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a biltmore for the people When you first drive up to the Biltmore Hotel—a behemoth of a structure, orange in hue and whimsical in presentation—it emerges out of a sea of low-slung Coral Gables roofs. With a tower taller than anything else in this town, it hits you like a South Florida hurricane. My mind immediately compares the Biltmore to Disney World. They share the same overthe-top essence but with all the charm in the world. words_isabella vaccaro. photo_emily fakhoury. design_isabella vaccaro.

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DISTRACTION

The Guide

That first visit of mine, one year ago, was rushed—scurrying through the front doors of the lower lobby, past the valet and straight into the belly of the beast, the Fontana restaurant, I was barely on time for my dinner date where I consumed some of the best Bolognese I’d ever eaten. But it wasn’t until this month, when my last name was properly in the books for a weekend stay, that I got to know the Biltmore more intimately.

Back again, one year later, I felt a strange familiarity as I parked my car (for free, I might add) and wandered in. At the same time, the front entrance seemed too daunting to approach—with fancy sports cars parading the valet, not to mention the vertigo induced by simply looking up to the top of the 16-story Seville-esque tower—so the side route, which brings you through the pool area, seemed like a no-brainer.

The folks lounging around the pool—which was once the largest swimming pool in the world, and still resembles a man-made lake, and which, in the 1920s, used to host swim meets with grandstand seating and a young Johnny Weissmuller as its lifeguard before he went on to the Olympics and Hollywood—seemed a normal lot. However, upon walking

The lobby of the Biltmore is the starting point for 55-minute historical tours every Sunday at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. The Miami Dade Heritage Trust is responsible for these free tours, which inform guests of the hotel and Coral Gables residents about the Biltmore’s legacy and secrets.

inside, you could almost smell the wealth. As if being transported back to the days before it was acceptable to scuffle around a hotel in your pajamas or wet bathing suit, everywhere I turned, floppy hats flopped, high heels clacked. Glancing down, Gucci loafers were a commodity. The men walked with purpose, even if they were just consulting the concierge desk.

During a 7 a.m. walk-through the premises, after being hit with a potent wave of bacon, the smell of which somehow wafted throughout the pool deck from the kitchen where brunch was already being served, I stumbled upon the upper lobby. A grand fireplace, medievalesque lighting fixtures and deep blue and green velvet sofas litter the carpet.

Great big pillars give way to the main event—according to Candy Kakouris, director of the Club at the Biltmore—the ceilings, which arch in an almost cartoonish style and whose blueish hue almost resemble Ariel’s grotto. However, the 8- or 9-foot mahogany bird cages, with real-life birds flitting around behind mesh walls, let you know that you are most certainly not underwater.

Through the palm fronds of one of many potted plants in the lobby, I spotted a lone staircase, which leads to an unassuming nook of the hotel—a freshly sun-soaked corner with nothing but a door overlooking that lake-like pool, an upholstered chair and a couple of black and white framed photos on the wall. The frame closest to the window shows three men and a woman posing in that awkward old-timey type of way. A gold plaque at the bottom of the frame

reads, “Mrs. George E. Merrick and others at The Miami Biltmore Country Club.” Merrick, like Merrick Park? I thought. The shopping mall beside my apartment building? Or like the Merrick Building at the University of Miami, where the offices of all my Spanish teachers reside? Yes, and yes.

Another photo shows a pile of dirt with a stake in it, which my tour guide (the Biltmore offers free historical tours on Sunday afternoons) explained would be the front door of the completed hotel a mere 10 months after they broke ground in 1925.

“When I tell you it’s perfect [on opening day], it’s perfect. Not a blade of grass out of place,” says my tour guide, George Sarduy, a Florida Circuit Court Judge and Biltmore enthusiast. I pulled out my fingers for some quick math. It’s been 95 years since that stake was placed in the ground for the first time. Quite the anniversary. Sarduy, who’s been giving these tours for years, explains the history of the Biltmore to a group of hotel guests and me.

Solomon Merrick, he says, uprooted his family in 1899 from their home in Massachusetts down to South Florida due to a little case of seasonal depression. There are no high-rises, beach clubs or SoulCycle studios, and there is certainly no such thing as Coral Gables. South Florida, in those times, was simply a place where nobody wanted to live—it was too hot, and the words air and conditioning didn’t yet exist together.

The Homestead Act, which allowed families to buy plots of land for about $15 if they promised to stay for five years, couldn’t even keep people in the area. Solomon Merrick, in turn, got the deal of the century, literally, purchasing over 160 acres for no more than $1,100—around $33,279 today, accounting for inflation. Soon Solomon and his son George began growing grapefruit on their new investment. But when Solomon died, it became up to George to turn his land into a city.

“Merrick believed: build it and they will come,” Sarduy says. With his grapefruit money, George put up the DeSoto Fountain, the Granada

entryway and then the Biltmore.

Along with each monument came houses and people. But the Biltmore, “this was going to be his crown jewel,” Sarduy smiles. When it was first erected, people desperately wanted to live near the Biltmore—and George wanted them to live near it, too. An exciting new city was starting to take shape: Coral Gables.

But just like that, the beacon in an experimental town begins to face a succession of fatal blows: a hurricane, which forces the hotel into new ownership after Merrick loses everything; Pearl Harbor, which sees the hotel taken by the government and converted into a World War II hospital, its interior razed, its furniture thrown outside to rot or be stolen; and a 15-year period during which the abandoned structure was nothing more to Coral Gables citizens than a real-life haunted house.

Robert, one of the concierges at the front desk, remembers growing up in the Gables in the 1970s. He and his friends would ride their bikes to the carcass of the Biltmore, jump down its terraces and pull limp pieces of plywood from the walls. “We’d spend hours in the cupola,” he laughed, remembering how they’d spray paint girls’ names onto the decaying walls in an attempt to impress them.

“The police pulled us out and handcuffed us twice. I had no idea I’d work here one day,” Robert shook his head. He told me to look up a cheesy 1970s horror film called “Shock Waves,” which was apparently shot at the Biltmore. A man standing at the other end of the concierge desk looks up.

“I was the sound boom for that film,” he pipes up. I’m told (by Robert) that he used to be an actor named Parris Buckner. Buckner is flipping through a newspaper—probably the Herald, but I can’t see. “Don’t look me up,” Buckner chortles.

I’m starting to get the feeling that the Biltmore is more a community than anything. People hang around here to chat with old friends. Many of the employees have a 30-plus-year history with this hotel. And they stay, for one reason or another.

After talking to Robert, I had a

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION

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It has that same over-the-top essence, but with all the charm in the world. feeling I should ask Kakouris if she had grown up alongside the Biltmore too. She had.

“I used to hang down there with the neighborhood kids, and the boys would go to climb the tower with their flashlights.” And why wouldn’t they want to climb that notorious tower? The 13th floor—the Al Capone suite—had housed the famous murder of gangster Thomas “Fatty” Walsh, who ran an illegal casino for years, but at the same time entertained many dignitaries, presidents and superstars who came to South Florida in the 1920s and 1930s. Not even the double layer of linoleum they slapped over the marble floors in the World War II era could cover up the secrets this place held. Kids ate these stories up.

Christine Rupp, executive director of the Dade Heritage Trust, notes that the Biltmore is and always has been a public entity in Coral Gables, ever since it opened in 1926 through its “haunted” years and to its reopening in 1987. The golf and tennis courts, the restaurants—they’re all public amenities. Rupp says the Biltmore is something every Coral Gables denizen has in common. It unites them.

The last stop on my Sunday tour with Judge Sarduy is the courtyard overlooking the outdoor atrium of the Fontana restaurant. Peering

over the balcony, the scene below is reminiscent of an Italian piazza, an intentionally aged fountain at the center of a mosaic of tables filled with happy campers, probably eating that amazing Bolognese I once had the immense pleasure of trying.

Lining the courtyard, which on one side looks out on the sprawling golf course and on the other the backside of that infamous Spanish tower, are the original patterned tiles pulled directly from the basement of the once deserted structure. It all looks so beautifully weathered.

On my way out, I peek into the famous Granada Ballroom, where Sarduy said some of the only original furnishings, two flamboyant chandeliers, remain. The door of the ballroom creaks slightly ajar as I approach, yet nobody is there. Perhaps the alleged ghost stories from the 1970s are not something to scoff at after all. I’m totally snooping, yet I don’t feel guilty in the slightest.

I still can’t shake the feeling that I’m in a sort of Disney World, where every detail, down to the fake cobwebs on a singular light fixture in the Haunted Mansion ride, is attended to, and where everyone smiles and asks you how you are and where you feel completely welcome at all times…

Before restoring the Biltmore in 1987, many of the patterned tiles surrounding the courtyard of the Fontana Restaurant were auctioned off to raise money for the hotel. If you look closely, there is a row of fake painted tiles amidst the rest of the original tiles.

10 DISTRACTION The Guide

SEASON’S

SPLURGE

Use this quiz to figure out how you should treat yourself this holiday season. words_coco hull. illustration_rachel rader. design_coco hull.

START QUIZ When splurging on something nice, what is most important to you?

PRACTICALITY

STYLE When it comes to your style, which category do you relate to more?

CLASSIC & PUT TOGETHER

We recommend investing in a watch. Do you prefer...

UNIQUE

When it comes to your stuff, how would you describe yourself?

EDGY STREET I’M A MODERN STYLE MINIMALIST

A quality bracelet is what your jewelry collection needs. Do you prefer...

Treat yourself to the latest in technology.

Are you more into...

PHOTOGRAPHY

MY BAG IS AN APOCALYPSE SURVIVAL KIT

It’s time to splurge on a designer backpack.

Do you prefer...

LEATHER

GOLD CLASSIC

Martha Calvo barbed wire cuff, 14 karat gold

Canon EOS Rebel T3

MUSIC

SILVER

Swatch Sistem Bau watch

Tag Heuer Aquaracer watch

David Yurman medium box chain bracelet, sterling silver

Alexander Wang medium Attica backpack

SUEDE

JBL Charge 4

Chloé medium Faye backpack

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 11

HEROES hidden

Cecillia Gutierrez

head of custodial services, hecht

“I am very happy working here.

Anything you need, I am here for you.”

Hidden away above the lobby of Hecht Residential College is a woman who, over the years, has become a staple of University of Miami’s theatre arts department, though she isn’t a professor or director.

“I love you with all my heart,” says Cecillia Gutierrez, wiping tears from her eyes. Gutierrez is the newly appointed head of Custodial Services in Hecht. “I am very happy working here. Anything you need, I am here for you.”

Gutierrez was a teacher in El Salvador for 18 years, and many of her former students are now successful professionals in a variety of industries.

She says that when she looks at the current class of theatre students, she can’t wait to see them on Broadway or starring in film or television one day.

However, Gutierrez has a creative side of her own—one she would like to be recognized. In El Salvador, Gutierrez created floral arrangements, and she has brought that skill to her work within the theater department, where the bathroom’s floral arrangements rival those in professional dressing rooms. Always eager to learn, Gutierrez works fulltime at UM while taking introductory English classes at Miami Dade College and practicing with the Duolingo app.

Arney Ernst officer, umpd University of Miami Police Department (UMPD) officer Arney Ernst has 28 years of experience on the City of Miami police force under his belt. He started working at UM six months ago after retiring from the force, where he worked in investigative patrol. Despite the

12 DISTRACTION The Guide

Each day, the crack of dawn at UM sees not only swarms of brownish ducks waddling out from their hiding spots around campus, but also an army of people ready to make our university run. Some service the restrooms in Hecht and others serve you your morning roast at Einstein’s, but for these heroes, supporting the university population is the most rewarding part of the day. words_scarlett diaz. photo_gianna sanchez. design_marissa vonesh.

change in scenery, Ernst says “it’s rewarding,” a lilt in his voice.

“After 28 years of similar experience, now I’m able to maybe change a young individual’s life,” he says. “It’s a contrast, but this is why I enjoy my job. It could be as simple as locating someone’s bicycle that was misplaced to something as serious as making arrests.”

Ernst says he wishes that UM students would approach him more often. “We are approachable,” he said. “If you have any concerns, just contact us and we will make ourselves available.”

Bryan Vazquez manager, umit student service Have you ever had a computer crash ridding you of all your exam notes at the 11th hour? Well, Bryan Vazquez can help with that. Recently, a student came into UM’s Information Technology’s (UMIT) Student Services Help Desk with a corrupted flash drive. Student workers installed an app and recovered her lost files.

“She came in crying and she left smiling, so I think that’s a very important service that we provide to the students,” says Vazquez, manager of the Student Services Help Desk.

“Any feedback we can get from the student body, letting them know how we can reach out to them better helps.

We have so many resources available for the students—not only free walkin services, but for those students who are tech-savvy, we have a DIY website with everything—wireless configuration, even game console support.”

Vazquez strives to make the UMIT Student Support Service Center as welcoming as possible. His favorite part about his job? “Fixing people’s problems!” he says without hesitation.

Johnnie Mae Dawson cashier, einstein’s “Who’s my next pookie in line?”

Johnnie Mae Dawson’s affectionate holler carries over the buzz of the Einstein’s line. Even the most caffeinedeprived students can’t help but blush when their order is taken with a side of sweet talk. Dawson is more than just the smile she delivers along with your bagel. “You all are my favorite thing about my job,” she says, her eyes lighting up as she details her 23 years of experience at UM. “Oh, my baby cakes, everybody that just comes in makes my day,” says Dawson. “It’s hard for me sometimes.

I go through rheumatoid arthritis.

Sometimes I’m not feeling well, but you would never know it, because I’m here for you all. And God has been good. So as long as I can hold up and keep serving you all, I’m all right.”

“You all are my favorite part of the job.”

Unsung Champions Each day, these UM employees and many others offer up their services with a smile, and, sometimes, that extra motivation students need to make it through the day.

But have you ever wondered what puts a smile on our hidden heroes’ faces, other than seeing the student body happy? For Johnnie Mae Dawson, there is one magical place.

“One of these good old days I wish I could go to Disney World, just for me,” Dawson says. “I just want to do something for myself. But I have never. But it’s okay! Oh boy, take me to Sea World! I’m a Sea World person anyway. Oh, it’s so beautiful! I went when I was younger and that was my favorite place.”

Next to The U, that is.

With her warm smile and engaging demeanor, Johnnie Mae is a living legend among the student body at UM. It hasn’t always been just bagels and babycakes, though.

“I came a long way, babycakes. My mother had nine kids. I have four grandkids now, so my worries are just trying to help them and their trials and tribulations, going through school.”

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 13

14 DISTRACTION The Guide

what the fork What the Fork is the key to a Miami foodie’s heart. Between simple how-to tips and trendy restaurant reviews, this section is the roadmap for all things food. Our team scours the Miami marketplace to find hidden gems. Readers will drool over the juicy photos and creative recipes. Whether you’re craving a hearty meal or a sweet treat, you’re sure to find it in this section. illustration_jacqueline dubois.

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 15

Not only are these cupcakes a treat for the taste buds, but for the eyes, too. With decorative and flavorful toppings, these sweet treats will have you lining up at the door.

dora’s

bakery & bistro

16 DISTRACTION What the Fork

abuela’s ( g l u t e n - f r e e)

L E G A C Y

When the Sosadias’ family saw a lack of gluten-free dining options in Miami, they turned to their grandmother’s recipes for inspiration. words_marissa vonesh. photos_sydney burnett. design_daniella cornide & marissa vonesh.

Gluten-free dining in South Florida

is synonymous with vegan cuisine, or at the very least, vegetarian cuisine. It means modern design with crisp white tables, counting calories, cutting carbs and clean eating. But at Dora’s Bakery and Bistro, Miami’s completely gluten-free eatery located just a mile and a half from The U, this isn’t the case.

Dora’s is unpretentious. Tucked away in a strip mall off Le Jeune Road, the shop has eight seats, two small tables and two bar tops. You’ll be greeted when you walk through the door and then encouraged to make yourself at home while someone grabs a glass of water.

The food isn’t made for people trying out a fad or starting a diet. Dora’s is for normal people—normal people who want delicious food, like burgers, pizza and cake, but who also happen to have an intolerance to gluten in one form or another.

The bistro has been in the works for more than three years, but the story starts with the Sosadias’ grandmother—and great grandmother—Dora Milan in Uruguay. Milan realized that pasta and breads were making her ill, so she decided to experiment with different ingredients—like tapioca flour and potato starch—to use as a substitute for wheat, rye and barley. Years later, in the United States, Alejandro Sosadias held on to his grandmother’s recipes without anticipating what was to come.

About three years ago, Alejandro’s oldest sons, Sebastian, 20, and Alex, 22, began contemplating opening their own business after working together at Pincho Factory. After doing some research, the brothers found that there was a huge need for glutenfree food in South Florida. Most celebrated a glutenfree diet as a health kick—not as a medical need.

Once they brought the idea to the family, the rest of the Sosadias clan, including their father, mother Ana, 14-year-old sister Victoria and 18-year-old brother Mauricio, decided to establish an entirely gluten-free restaurant based on their great grandmother’s recipes.

“We have enough hands to go around,” Sebastian said. “We do this for the family. In Hispanic culture, you do whatever it takes for family.”

The family experimented with various recipes to create what is now Dora’s menu. From croquetas and

cinnamon rolls to Brioche buns, the family has gone through a testing period—often mixing different types of flour per item—to make sure their food doesn’t taste stereotypically gluten-free.

“We went around trying different gluten-free products,” Alex said. “But honestly, they all taste like dirt.”

The family’s attention to detail does not go unnoticed, especially for a family that isn’t glutenfree themselves. The customers, who usually have celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gluten intolerance or a wheat allergy, praise the family for the small taste of normalcy Dora’s has given them.

“It takes a lot to impress me, and I am impressed,” customer Denise Jacobson said, taste-testing a lemon pound cake on the counter. Megan, her daughter, added, “Being that I can’t have gluten, it’s nice to have a place put TLC in their food. I don’t have to stare at my friends while they eat good food, I have my own.”

The family notes that since opening the shop, they have come to realize how much gluten impacts people’s lives. Customers, on average, will chat with the Sosadias family for 20 minutes, often sharing the hardships that gluten intolerance—and the lack of restaurant options—has had on their lives.

According to Dr. Alessio Fasano, the director of the Center for Celiac Research, one in every 133 Americans has celiac disease, an autoimmune disease where the indigestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is also estimated that about 80% of people who have the autoimmune disorder are undiagnosed. Furthermore, Fasano estimates that up to 7% of the population, roughly 20 million people, could have other forms of gluten sensitivity. People who avoid gluten can have symptoms ranging from headaches and fatigue to rashes and even anaphylactic shock.

These numbers make it especially important that the Sosadias family goes out of its way to ensure that there is no gluten in their facility—even to the point where Alex scrubbed the oven and scrapped the kitchen prior to Dora’s opening to ensure that nothing would be left over from previous owners.

“Our audience is really grateful that we are gluten-free,” Sebastian said. “But, in reality, it’s us who appreciates them.”

“

IT ’S NICE TO HAVE A PLACE PUT TLC IN THEIR FOOD.

SOSADIAS BROTHERS Alex and Sebastian honor the memory of their late greatgrandmother with the creation of Dora’s Bakery & Bistro.

IF YOU GO LOCATION: 4702 S. Le Jeune Rd. Coral Gables

HYPE: ALL made from scratch & entirely gluten-free

TRY: A Serrano ham croqueta or a sweet sugar cookie

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 17

like tomato soup

since they are so closely related to upbringing, comfort foods vary enormously across cultures. Here in the United States, fried chicken, some variation of cheesy pasta and chicken soup are among the most popular comfort foods.

grilled cheese

made it Let’s be real. No one ever asked for a big bowl of kale because they were feeling blue. When it comes to comfort food, there’s nothing that can compare to our favorite salty, fatty, sugary or carbloaded treats. Our love for comfort food doesn’t just come from our taste buds, but the memories we associate with them.

Flavors and smells have the power to make us nostalgic. words_ kathryn ford. photo_gabriela nahous. design_jess morgan. food styling_dakota regan.

mac n’ cheese fried chicken 18 DISTRACTION What the Fork

I

t’s Sunday morning in late February.

The sun is shining outside, but the frigid wind and sub-zero temperatures are a constant reminder that it’s still the peak of winter in the Midwest. I finally gather the strength to leave my bed, putting on my slippers and walking downstairs.

Immediately, a warm, familiar smell wafted toward me. It was my mom’s famously delicious chicken noodle soup simmering on the stove. Whenever it’s depressingly cold outside, she cooks up an enormous batch for my family to eat for the next week or so.

My mom is no Martha Stewart, but she knows how to make a good chicken noodle soup. Her secret ingredients are thick homestyle egg noodles and shredded rotisserie chicken. These ingredients are what make the soup equally delicious and effortless. She begins by cooking up the classic mirepoix of carrots, celery and onions with a bit of butter and a dash of salt and pepper in a large pot.

Next, she pours in lots of vegetable stock and an array of herbs from the spice cabinet.

Most importantly, she adds a few dried bay leaves and brings it all to a simmer. Lastly, the frozen egg noodles and shredded rotisserie chicken—you’ll find the best chicken at Costco—are added to the mixture before letting all the flavors mingle on the stove over low heat for a few hours.

When it’s finally done, we are all more than eager to plunge the ladle deep into the pot. I make sure to take a moment to swirl it around and pick up the most noodles while avoiding the bay leaves. This allows the delicious, aromatic steam to vacuum into the air, making my mouth water. I will never forget the rush of warmth, happiness and love I get every time I taste my mom’s homemade chicken noodle soup.

food for the soul Usually full of fat, salt, carbs and too many calories to handle, the meal gives me reason to question whether comfort foods are worth the indulgence. However, it’s not just the ingredients that bring us sunshine on a rainy day; it’s the connections we have to the food. “Certain foods are predisposed to be satisfying, and that’s what comfort food is,” said University of Miami professor and anthropological archaeologist Traci Arden.

The term comfort food was first coined in The Washington Post in 1977, and it referred to simple and warm carb-based food that one’s brain associates with happy memories.

“Food plugs into memories because it has so many sensory characteristics,” explained Professor Arden. “Visual, taste, you can even hear it.”

All the senses involved in food and the

experiences surrounding food are tied to specific memories—the same way the smell or thought of tequila may make you gag or the thought of Kraft dinner may remind you of your childhood. Even though boxed mac’ is not the best you’ve ever had, nostalgia makes it so mouth-wateringly delicious.

“There’s really nothing that replaces that social aspect of cooking with other people or serving other people food,” Professor Arden said. Subconsciously, your brain connects feelings of belonging to certain foods.

For example, the smell and taste of sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top is usually associated with spending time with family during the holidays, so if you find yourself eating it in July, you’ll have the same feelings that make the term comfort food perfectly appropriate. It is this notion that makes comfort food better than anything else on a bad day.

cultural comforts Comfort food is different for everyone.

For some, it’s grilled cheese and tomato soup; for Juan Carlos Reyes Ramirez, a sophomore at UM, it’s Mexican street food and traditional mole sauce.) Ramirez grew up in Phoenix but has strong ties to his roots and family in Mexico.

“It reminds me of my family, my roots and who I am culture-wise, which is Mexican-American,” he said. Ramirez shared a memory of his 12th birthday, spent in Mexico with his father’s family, who whipped up what he calls the best meal of his life.

A few of the older people of the pueblo had spent three days cooking goat meat and making mole. “The community came together to make this dish,” he said. “It was something special.” With high standards set by his family, he said there is no taco or mole in Miami that could ever compare.

culinary evolution Besides being so closely tied to our memories and relationships, most comfort foods have characteristics that naturally make us feel good. Why do salty or sugary foods make our mouths water more than a salad?

The answer is human nature. Looking back to the very dawn of human existence, humans needed high-calorie, fatty and protein-rich foods to survive. Today, food has evolved to the point where humans can survive on a completely plant-based diet, but our brains still recognize foods high in fat and salt. Studies show that the smell or taste of these kinds of foods may trigger the brain to release feelings of “pleasure” chemicals, such as dopamine, into the body. While you may feel a little guilty after a plateful of fried chicken, there’s a reason you couldn’t resist.

ETHNIC eats Not all comfort foods are made equal. Many countries have their own signature feel-good dish.

mole mexico

A variety of chiles, tomatoes, onions, cinnamon and berries are just a few ingredients found in authentic Mexican mole.

Mole is a sauce made from blending these ingredients and other spices with a homemade broth. It may sound simple, but the process is long and laborious, usually taking at least a day.

m e a t pa t t i e s jamaica

Jamaican meat patties combine a flaky crust with a decadent, spicy beef filling.

This Caribbean delicacy functions as both a snack and a full meal. Turmeric serves as a flavorful addition as well as a color additive, giving these patties their vibrant orange hue and aromatic zing.

t i ropi ta greece

Flakey phyllo dough stuffed with a feta cheese filling is known as Tiropita, or Greek cheese pie. Tiropita is a common breakfast pastry often served with coffee, but is delicious at all times of the day. Found on the street or in Grandma’s kitchen, this tangy, cheesy dish is a popular indulgence in Greece.

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 19

20 DISTRACTION What the Fork

Seasonal Sweets The holidays are a time for family, friends and food— cookies to be exact. Yummy treats are a common part of holiday traditions; they’re the key to a sweet winter season. But when did baking cookies or receiving them as gifts become a normal part of the holiday tradition? words_samantha velez. photo_gianna sanchez. design and food styling_elizabeth pozzuoli.

A

ccording to the History Channel, holiday food exchanges originated during the Middle Ages. During this period, winter solstice celebrations were held across the world.

These festivals included feasts to celebrate the harvest. Popular spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger were introduced at this time and were in high demand. Although widely available, they were expensive and used mostly on special occasions.

Cookies were much simpler to make and distribute to family and friends than most desserts, since they were usually baked in large batches and shared among big groups. By the beginning of the 16th century, cookies—especially of the gingerbread variety—had become more popular in Europe, and they still remain one of the most frequently baked cookies today.

Although many cookies have since gotten modern upgrades, gingerbread has stayed true to its original form. And though

not all are cut into the shapes of little men, the strong and prominently spiced flavor remains. Fun fact: the first person to shape a gingerbread cookie into a man was Queen Elizabeth I, because she wanted to sculpt the treat into the shape of one of her courtiers.

There’s no denying that one of the best parts about baking cookies for the holidays is the potential for personalization. Cookie cutters are an awesome way to do this, and they even contributed to the widespread popularity of holiday cookies in the 17th century. Before these utensils, cookies were shaped into squares or rounds. Cookie cutters started to gain exposure when import laws in America shifted, making them easier to access in the marketplace.

Over the years, many cookbooks started mentioning cookie cutters as tools that could be used to enhance the average cookie, and the trend stuck. The shapes of cookie cutters have evolved and now come in any mold imaginable, allowing bakers the creativity to craft customized festive desserts.

Don’t go empty handed to a holiday party. Cookies are the ultimate complement to any celebration. Easy to share and fun to make, these treats are sure to spice up the season.

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 21

Recipes Pistachio-Cranberry Biscotti These pistachio-cranberry treats are a delicious twist on the classic almond biscotti, and they’re the ideal complement for a cup of coffee or a glass of milk. You’ll fall in love with their crisp texture and sweet taste.

Twice-baked, they’ve got the perfect goldenbrown hue and are easy to customize. If you want more pistachios than cranberries, or if you want to add a dash of chocolate chips, just throw them into the dough and pop them in the oven. You can even coat them in melted chocolate to add some sugar.

Ingredients 6 ¾ 2 1 1½ 2¼ 1½ ½ 1 ¾

Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened cup sugar large eggs Tbsp. grated orange rind tsp. orange extract cups all-purpose flour tsp. baking powder tsp. salt cup orange-flavored sweetened dried cranberries cup shelled natural salted pistachio nuts, chopped

Gingerbread Cookies Feeling nostalgic? With a soft texture and light spice, each bite of these classic gingerbread cookies will have you begging for more. Although they are simple to make, the fusion of spices is sure to dance across your tongue and put you in the holiday spirit.

Customize these treats by using unique cookie cutters and shaping them into any decorative design. Pair your sweets with any seasonal beverage like eggnog, espresso or a cold glass of milk. Don’t forget to top your cookies with creamy icing and seasonal candies for a festive finishing touch!

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Ingredients 1 1½ 2 ⅔ ⅓ 6½ 2 ½ ⅛ 2½ 2 ½ ¼

cup butter, softened cups firmly packed brown sugar large eggs cup molasses cup fresh lemon juice cups all-purpose flour Tbsp. baking powder tsp. baking soda tsp. salt tsp. ground ginger tsp. cinnamon tsp. ground cloves tsp. ground nutmeg

Pair your sweets with any festive beverage. From coffee to hot chocolate, cookies are the perfect companion to your drink of choice.

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 23

Want to throw an easy and fun holiday party?

Here are our tips to hosting the perfect holiday cookie exchange.

Step 1: Invite about 5-8 people to achieve the perfect amount of cookies to swap. Make sure to tell your guests to bake a batch of about a dozen cookies, so that everyone can get a taste. This will allow for some variety in flavors, but not too much variety that you’ll be eating exclusively cookies for the next month.

Step 2: Now comes the fun part: choosing which cookies to bake. There are many recipes that are perfect for every palate.

Remember to tell your guests to disclose which kind of cookie they are baking so that there are no repeats in the mix. The world is your oyster—or in this case—cookie!

Step 3: Decorate your space with decorative platters and trays so that each cookie can have its moment to shine. You can even add labels or place cards for an added level of sophistication. Next, set aside some boxes or Tupperware that can be used for your guests to store their cookies.

Step 4: Now, enjoy the party! This is when you get to sample all the festive cookies your guests have brought. Brew some coffee and grab some eggnog, because this is going to be one tasty party!

24 DISTRACTION What the Fork

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26 DISTRACTION What the Fork

special section: normalcy Typical. Average. Not exceeding expectations.

Normal’s counterpart may equate with boring, but Distraction’s adaptation is anything but. Explore the roots of what’s considered normal in the world of linguistics, then expand your definition. Challenge your perspective of asexuality. Confront warped ideas about body image. We’ve even mapped out “the new normal” when it comes to dating in our technologically driven culture— now, are you up for it? illustration_jacqueline dubois.

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 27

celestial standards

The question “What’s your sign?” is so much more complex than the simple answer of, “I’m a Taurus.”

In your birth chart, the three main planetary points that outline your personality are your sun, moon and rising. Your sun sign is how you personally express your identity determined by date of birth.

Helpful in understanding the energy that drives your physical body, your rising sign’s element represents an approach to life calculated by birth time and location.

According to your exact birth date and time, your moon sign’s element explains your inner world and how you react in emotional situations. If you don’t feel that you relate to your sun sign, don’t fret. It might be because your moon and rising are very different, and you relate better to all three together. words_alexis masciarella. photo_gianna sanchez. design_lauren maingot. illustrations_jacqueline dubois & gabby rosenbloom

28 DISTRACTION Special Section: Normalcy

fire

model_travis laub

model_jordanna pierce

model_deandre joseph

the aries

the leo

the sagittarius

Like their fellow fire signs, Sun in Aries is a passionate, driven and confident leader who builds community with their relentless determination. However, they easily become frustrated by exhaustive details that inhibit their direct approach.

Those with an Aries rising make a striking first impression. Usually coming off as a dynamic go-getter, the rising sign could also read as overwhelming or aggressive.

The Aries moon reuires autonomy, action and to be “first.” While needing a challenge to feel alive, this fiery moon wants to be babied and demands attention.

These kings and queens of the astronomical jungle love to bask in the spotlight and celebrate themselves. Known for their stability, loyalty and consistency, Sun in Leo loves to watch their mates triumph— until they feel threatened.

Warm and powerful, the Leo rising is impossible to ignore with blaring laughs, vivid outfits and trademark tangles of hair.

The Leo moon possesses a strong sense of leadership that must be met with attention, glamour and non-stop entertainment.

Someone to celebrate life with would satisfy this fiery moon’s craving for a thrill.

Always on a quest for knowledge, Sun in Sagittarius is governed by the planet of abundance, spirituality and growth.

Effortlessly magnetic, the archer can easily attract both friends and lovers with their wit and bluntness.

A know-it-all at times, the Sagittarius rising sign is attracted to big ideas and hates small talk. The style of this ascendant is colorful, sophisticated and eclectic.

Attracted to worldly and open-minded people, the Sagittarius moon loves to have new experiences and interact with all types.

Life should feel like a constant carnival, for this fiery moon bores easily.

march 21 – april 19

july 23 – august 23

november 22 – december 21

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earth

model_cj weiman

model_natalia rovira

model_emma lam

the taurus

the virgo

the capricorn

The most sensual of the zodiac, Sun in Taurus is captivated by physical manifestations of luxury. Despite accusations of laziness, these bulls know to play the long game in both professional and romantic pursuits for the best return on investment.

Built to last, the Taurus rising has a powerful and unwavering presence, a solid work ethic and an eye for design. This rising sign’s style is both classic and a little tough.

A tad security-obsessed, the Taurus moon wants return for all emotional investments.

This inner world needs stability, affection and to feel that they’re building something to last.

Rational, practical and systematic in their approach to life, Sun in Virgo is hyper-aware of every detail. This goddess of agriculture longs to be meticulous in all pursuits, but must learn that not all flaws are defects.

Virgo rising sign people tend to look young and dress in white or neutral colors.

This ascendant is observant, analytical and may seem solemn or lost in thought.

Needing to feel of service, the Virgo moon prefers to problem-solve and analyze. Order is the only thing to calm this often anxious or worrisome moon sign.

Sun in Capricorn can conquer whatever stands between them and their long-term goals while simultaneously exploring their psychic strengths. Having already endured hardships in their lifetime, this earth sign becomes increasingly youthful as they mature.

The Capricorn rising sign shows off a keen business acumen but can also read as heavy or overly grave. This polished ascendant comes across as hardworking and no-nonsense.

Power is a turn-on for the Capricorn moon. Although emotionally distant and not very nurturing, there is a need for someone with firm boundaries and ambition.

april 20 – may 20

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august 23 – september 22

december 22 – january 19

air

model_andres preschel

model_ashley howell

model_ellie perrigo

the gemini

the libra

the aquarius

Falsely represented as two-faced, Sun in Gemini boasts an intrinsic duality. Their agenda is far from hidden; it’s exploding with passions, professions and friend groups.

Gesticulating with their hands, this ascendant is a natural communicator who speaks a mile a minute. Very lively, the Gemini rising sign is never afraid to flaunt a bright color or eye-popping pattern.

The Gemini moon needs constant communication, new ideas and stimulating dialogue. Drawn to kindred spirits, this airy moon prospers with someone who can reflect the same intense energy.

Sun in Libra fixates on balance and harmony represented by the scales, the only inanimate object of the zodiac. Struggling with indecision, this air sign often ignores close relationships in favor of attention of distant admirers.

Charm personified, the Libra rising is polite, well-dressed and soft-spoken. Those with this rising sign hate conflict, but may go too far in order to keep the peace.

The Libra moon needs harmony, companionship and equality. An aesthetically pleasing environment, tasteful clothing and strong sense of justice make this airy moon.

The most humanitarian of the zodiac, Sun in Aquarius can be identified by their nonconformist attitude and rebellious heart. These big thinkers are so focused that they can gain a reputation for being aloof and detached in relationships.

Marching to their own beat in attitude and style, the Aquarius rising sign adds a rebel edge to their energy. This ascendant has a passion for social justice and progressive ideas.

The Aquarius moon craves collaboration as well as a strong sense of individuality. Settling down is hard for this moon sign, although they can lapse into people pleasing at times.

may 21 – june 20

september 23 – october 22

january 20 – february 18

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water

model_bhargavi pochi

the cancer

june 22 – july 22 Highly sensitive to their environments, the emotionally vulnerable Sun in Cancer can adapt easily in order to protect themselves. Their gentle nature and genuine compassion is worth getting to know.

Those with a Cancer rising are empathetic creatures who come across as deeply sensitive or thoughtful. Usually feminine and nurturing, this ascendant has classic charm.

Fearful of abandonment, the Cancer moon requires lots of reassurance. This inner world houses a creature of comfort that thrives through good food, nesting and cozy clothes.

32 DISTRACTION Special Section: Normalcy

model_valentina shelton

the scorpio

model_casey goodman

the pisces

october 23 – november 21

february 19 – march 20

The most misunderstood of the zodiac, Sun in Scorpio harbors an intense passion and power. Although their intentions are not always malicious, each move made by this water sign is carefully calculated.

The Scorpio rising sign exudes strength and sensuality, while being drawn to pursue spiritual journeys. Coming across as intense and daunting, this ascendant’s presence can be felt without saying a word.

The Scorpio moon has a hard time opening up, but the person who proves their allegiance will be rewarded with eternal loyalty. Privacy, intensity and strong sexual chemistry are a major part of this inner world.

The most empathetic creatures of the astrological wheel, Sun in Pisces can easily become caught up in emotions. Their attention is constantly divided between fantasy and reality, symbolized by two fish swimming in opposite directions.

With luminous eyes that reflect the world’s suffering, the Pisces rising is a powerful healer that may be prone to addiction.

Enamored by fantasy, compassion and security, the Pisces moon can be extremely hard to pin down. This dreamy moon is drawn to artistic and spiritual pursuits.

the

new

courtship With the explosion of social media and modern technology, the concept of “dating” has changed drastically. In this new world of direct messages, swiping right and “You up?” texts, many college students see the traditional “date” as a thing of the past. So, has Netflix-and-Chill become the new dinner-and-a-movie? words_emmalyse brownstein. illustration_michaela abuhayar. design_giselle spicer.

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 33

Top 10 Things to Watch During Your Next Netflix and Chill: 1. The Great British Baking Show 2. Across The Universe 3. Shameless 4. Friends 5. Y Tu Mamá También 6. Hush 7. London Has Fallen 8. Blue Is the Warmest Color 9. House of Cards 10.

Adventureland

34 DISTRACTION Special Section: Normalcy

M

any UM students and staff feel that technology, social media and a slew of dating apps have significantly changed the way people interact in romantic relationships.

“I’ve met 99% of my hookups through dating apps,” said Sheikh Muhtade, a freshman at UM studying musical theatre. “The whole experience of going out on a date is very rare. It’s all about the app, especially from my experience as a gay person.”

Tinder, Grindr, Bumble— Muhtade has used them all. Even so, he said that he would much rather get to know someone by taking them out to dinner instead of over pillow talk.

Muhtade isn’t alone.

Distraction conducted an Instagram poll to find out what UM students prefer.

Surprisingly, 87% of the 320 participants said they’d rather go on a date than have a casual hookup. Why is it, then, that a proper date seems to be the exception, rather than the rule?

“I have to get used to the culture that’s trending,” said Muhtade. “Sometimes wanting dates can translate to being clingy. People don’t like making anything official.”

Picture this: You lock eyes with a perfect 10 from across

the room. You don’t know each other, but there’s clear interest from both sides. What now? The answer from our parents and grandparents would be clear— ask them out. For Millennials and Gen Z, however, it would be more along the lines of, “Can I get your Snap[chat]?”

If you’re active on dating apps like Tinder, it’s even simpler.

Just look for someone’s picture, and with one swipe right, you’ve expressed interest without having to say a single word.

This is exactly how Matthew Calle, a sophomore at UM, started dating his current girlfriend. After seeing her in class, he “super-liked” her photo on Tinder to gauge her level of interest. They matched and have been dating for seven months.

The last time Calle asked someone on a date in person was three years ago. He expressed that having a one-on-one conversation with someone he’s interested in is easier virtually than in person.

“It’s more convenient, and it takes the pressure off both parties since you could always just not answer if you feel like you’re not interested,” said Calle.“If you’re talking in person, you can’t just walk away from a conversation.”

Kiss and Tell After matching on Tinder, Calle and his girlfriend continued texting.

According to a 2015 study by the Pew Research Center, this trend is common.

The study showed that 72% of teens in relationships spend a significant amount of time communicating with partners via text.

However, the digital age brings challenges that previous generations never faced. Today, interactions on social media have double meanings—whether it’s liking another girl’s Instagram photo, leaving a guy on ‘read’ or using a red heart emoji instead of a blue one.

“There’s new levels of trust that people need to have in each other when dating in a world based on social media and technology,” Calle said. “There are literally apps made for cheating. They look like calculators but actually are a photo-vault to hide pictures you don’t want people to see.”

Just because some people view our generation as increasingly disconnected and desensitized doesn’t mean that we’ve lost our longing for love. As human beings, we’re constantly looking to connect. The difference today, according to students, is an inability to meaningfully do so.

Sam Terilli, a Department Chair in the UM School of Communication, shared how dating has changed since he was in college in the late ’70s. “We didn’t even have email,”

said Terilli. “We passed notes, we used the telephone. Back then, you actually had to do something in person and have some sort of interaction.”

Terilli met his wife in high school marching band when she, the drum majorette, complained about his poor rhythm. He recalls that she had confided in a friend that she wanted him to ask her out. He did, and the rest is history.

“The biggest thing that’s different now is the risks,” said Terilli. “The importance of practicing safe sex and being smart about it are much greater and more serious.

Casual hookups occurred; they just weren’t technologically-enabled. We didn’t have things like social media, cell phones or dating websites.”

As for the future of apps and social media, Bumble campus ambassador and University of Miami senior Camberlyn Sparks believes it will all eventually fade to make room for the next biggest thing.

“I think our generation is actually going to move past social media,” Sparks said. “I have a feeling that it will become so big and control so much of our lives that a lot of people are not going to want to be a part of it anymore. I still think it’s going to evolve, but I feel like our generation and our kids are going to want more.”

In an Instagram poll, Distraction asked its followers a few questions about their romantic experiences. Here is what 320 followers had to say.

1. Do you prefer a date or a hookup?

87% prefer a date 13% prefer a casual hookup

2. When is the last time you went on a “real date?”

60% this semester 40% over a year ago 3. Have you used a dating app?

53% yes 47% no 4. How long do you wait to hookup?

45% I don’t 55% at least one date

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 35

A LOOK INTO BODY DYSMORPHIA

36 DISTRACTION Special Section: Normalcy

You’re standing in front of the mirror, your eyes painfully searching your body as you take in the fat dripping from your skin.

You force yourself to stare at it.

The creature in the mirror repulses you to your core. How are you supposed to be around other people looking like this? The thing is—that isn’t you. It’s like looking at the wavy reflection of a funhouse mirror. The person in the mirror is just an illusion that your brain has constructed to sabotage you. words_olivia ginsberg. photo_rj kayal. design_avani choudhary.

T

his serpent of anxiety and obsession that has so tightly wound itself around your psyche is called Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). The constant hatred of your body—whether that be your weight or a specific body part—is a telltale sign of BDD. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a mental disorder in which you can’t stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance—a flaw that, to others, is either minor or not observable. But you may feel so ashamed and anxious that you may avoid many social situations.”

Overcome With Anxiety For many people, this disorder is easy to relate to, even if you aren’t diagnosed yourself. Almost everyone has, at some point or another, stood in front of the mirror and poked and prodded themselves, picking at every flaw like a stubborn scab—it’s almost become normal for people to hate a part of themselves. However, this feeling becomes extreme in someone diagnosed with BDD. Terina K. Lopez, a licensed mental health counselor with a focus on eating disorder therapy, said that the most common symptom of BDD is an intense anxiety about a specific flaw. “Anxiety is rooted in fear. There is a lot of fear of how the body will be perceived by another individual and how it will affect their lives,” said Lopez. “There is a continuous focus and over focus.” This anxiety is something that can cast a dark shadow over people’s daily lives. Even with the help of counselors and medication, it can be difficult to escape this constant cycle.

There is not a specific cause for BDD—it varies depending on each person. This disorder can affect people of any gender, age, race, shape or size. However, there are definitive links between BDD and family history, bullying and other childhood traumas related to weight or selfesteem, according to Lopez. The main way to try to manage it is by regularly attending therapy sessions and, in some cases, taking prescription medication.

What models Laura Bruggerman and Tasher Odom look like through the fish bowls is not an accurate depiction of their real-life bodies.

Their self-reflection is skewed by social media, a significant catalyst for the spread of BDD among today’s young teenage females.

“It took me a long time to stop comparing myself to those I see on social media, because I knew that they did not even look like that in real life,” said Victoria Norquist, a UM junior.

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 37

Lauren Madonia, a junior at UM, has been battling symptoms of BDD since middle school. She explained that there are ups and downs, but it continues to rear its head. “I’ve been comfortable in my own skin, sometimes even proud, but there have been many more times when I’ve hated what I saw in the mirror so much I would cry for hours, isolate everyone around me and wear clothes so big that even I wouldn’t know what my body looked like,” Madonia said.

Madonia has also experienced the reclusive effects of suffering from BDD. Even though she was barely eating and was working out to the point that her ribs protruded from her skin, Madonia’s BDD was not satisfied. “I still wasn’t happy,” she said.

“I was so terrified of people seeing me that I would only go grocery shopping at 3 a.m. at a store that was 15 miles from where I live, so I knew people wouldn’t see me. I wouldn’t leave my house, I would skip class and stay at home so that none of my friends, nor I, knew what I looked like anymore.”

Social Media’s Dark Effect In today’s society, where there is a constant push to look a certain way—whether that’s tall and thin or curvy like Kim K.—this disorder is becoming more prevalent. Lopez attributes this to the omnipotence of social media in our daily lives.

“The pressures are much higher; body image is much more in people’s faces,” said Lopez. With influencers like the Kardashians and models like Emily Ratajkowski broadcasting their lives onto our feeds, it’s hard to not compare ourselves to this ideal of perfection. Even seeing someone on Instagram that had an extreme, post-summer glow-up can trigger negative thoughts.

This superfluous influence of social media can sometimes yield unfortunate consequences. For one, it is hard for someone who is seeing a photo to know if that person floating through Mykonos with the seemingly perfect body is actually happy. Because of this phenomenon, people have developed unrealistic ideas of what they should look like. Lopez explained that this has created a mental link between appearances, both physical and constructed via social media, and success, both socially and in other aspects of life. People often think, “If I change my body, it will make me more successful, it will make me more popular, people will like me more,” Lopez said.

Although people often try to negate the effects that social media can have on mental health, these platforms can be powerful triggers for those suffering from mental illnesses and disorders—especially in young girls. For Madonia, social media became a

38 DISTRACTION Special Section: Normalcy

place of comparison that drove her to eat only 800 calories a day and not leave the gym until she had burned more than she had eaten. “When I saw all of the perfection on Instagram, I began to try to replicate what I was seeing,” said Madonia. “I turned into a shell of who I once was, and I couldn’t stop, because all I saw on my phone was beautiful girls with tiny waists and perfect skin.”

Even Instagram has begun to realize its adverse effects. In October, Instagram announced that they would be pulling filters from their app, specifically the ones that allowed users to fake plastic surgery in their stories. Users under 18 years old were also blocked from viewing content posted about miracle diet products, such as fit teas and diet-suppressing lollipops. This might be a step in the right direction, especially due to the fact that, according to Lopez, BDD is “happening at a much younger age.”

Apps like Facetune or photo-altering computer programs like Photoshop make it extremely easy for everyday social media users to tweak and change their bodies to fit the ideals of society. However, to the average Instagram user who only sees the final, edited photo, these changes seem real—and they can lead to unrealistic body expectations.

Victoria Nordquist, a junior at UM, said that she noticed this phenomenon when she saw that people’s online personas often did not match their appearances in real life.

“The internet has become a warped version of reality, and we are comparing ourselves to people who don’t even look like the people in their own photos,” said Nordquist. “Society and social media definitely have a link to how we view our bodies, and when we don’t see bodies like our own in movies, TV shows and advertisements, we begin to feel unworthy— we have to take a step back and realize that is not real life.”

Concerning Campus Culture College campuses are also seeing an uptick in the diagnosis of BDD. This is partly due to the constant use of social media at universities and partly because of the culture of the institution—especially at warm weather schools like UM, Lopez explained.

The majority of the social culture at UM, whether we like it or not, is centered around partying, bikinis and showing off your best and most flattering angles.

“In this place of transition, adjusting to a new city, there is a lot of pressure to engage with others—to be accepted,” said Lopez.

“This campus can be a place where one can easily fall to the pressures of perfection instilled in our minds,” said Madonia.

“Walking to class and seeing crowds of

In this shoot, model Tasher Odom aimed to capture the internal suffering of an individual possessed by BDD. Fueled by an obsession with one’s perceived flaws, symptoms of BDD have the power to consume one’s daily life and diminish self-value. “Although you could see my ribs bulge through my skin, I would nearly faint every time I stood up and was freezing all of the time, I still wasn’t happy,” said Lauren Madonia, a junior at UM.

“I turned into a shell of who I once was, and I couldn’t stop, because all I saw on my phone was beautiful girls with tiny waists and perfect skin.”

perfectly manicured beings can make one question themselves.”

Nordquist said that the combination of social media and the “pool party culture” that exists at Miami contributes to the pervasiveness of negative, anxious thoughts relating to body image. “Seeing other people’s content can make me feel like I’m missing something, especially because so many people are so gorgeous and have great bodies, and it can become a comparison game between yourself and others.”

They’re Getting Younger As people continue to document their lives on the Internet, these pictures and experiences are easily accessible to younger and more malleable minds. Thus, BDD and other related illnesses are on the rise.

Recently, a new term—orthorexia—was coined by social scientists. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, orthorexia is the destructive obsession with healthy or “clean” eating.

Although people may not be purposely trying to starve themselves, orthorexia creates intense levels of anxiety around only eating foods that are considered healthy by society.

Both body dysmorphia and orthorexia can affect people of all body types and lifestyles.

“No matter what size you are, it is easy to fall into that negative mindset of ‘Could I be better?’ said Madonia. “It is always great to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly for the sake of your health, but taking it to unhealthy extremes to fit a standard that is not achievable is an evil cycle that will never end up well.”

Although unrealistic body types still dominate social media, campaigns like #AerieREAL are making small steps to encourage self-acceptance. Despite the media and all of its unachievable perfection, it’s up to us to realize that people come in all shapes and sizes. Madonia said, “Learning to love the body you are in is a treacherous journey, but it is one that is worthwhile.”

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 39

WHAT THE

“F ”

WAS HE THINKING? We’ve all been there. Deciphering texts from guys can be confusing. We took some common guy code and had both male and female UM students give us their opinion on what the “F” these boys are really thinking. words_anya balsamides. illustration_avani choudhary. design_anya balsamides.

A guy lives on the 11th floor, and a girl lives on the 10th. The guy sends this text to the girl: “You make it back ok?”

What the “F” was he thinking?

“It’s an easy way to be able to text that person again so that they can hook up or hang out again.”

-Jeremy Augustitus, Senior “If it’s a guy friend, he could just be genuinely concerned if you’re okay. Or, if it’s someone you’ve been flirting with, he could want to hang out with you more.”

-Shereen Khatibloo, Senior

A guy has a small fight with his girlfriend, because he wants to go out with his friends. Her text to him reads: “You can go if you want. It’s fine.” Is it really fine?

What the “F” was he thinking?

“The guy is thinking he’s not really fine, but he doesn’t know for sure, so he’s gonna go anyway.”

-Madison Hembrick, Junior “Obviously, it’s not fine, she’s pissed and being short with him, and she’s also probably annoyed that the situation hasn’t been resolved.”

-Dalia Paskin, Senior

A frat boy slides into a girl’s Instagram DMs on a Friday night. He sends her: “Full send,” with a general geographic location.

What the “F” was he thinking?

A guy walks up to a girl at a bar, who is wearing a full face of makeup. He says this: “You’re so naturally beautiful.”

What the “F” was he thinking?

“I think the frat boy is having a party and wants her to full send the party and drink copious amounts of alcohol.”

-Evan Rofe, Junior

“He is probably drunk and doesn’t realize the makeup and just wants to get laid most likely.”

-Carson Coudriet, Senior

“He is 100% trying to have sex with her; that is why he said ‘full send’ because he is not messing around, and he wants her to come to his location. She’s just a booty call.”

-Ella Wayne, Freshman

“He’s most likely in SAE, and he most likely thinks Kim Kardashian is a natural-looking woman.”

-Grace Williams, Senior

40 DISTRACTION Special Section: Normalcy

PERO, Code-switching is everywhere. It can be organic or deliberate for those who speak one language in professional settings and another at home. It happens during moments of intense emotion, “like moments of intimacy or sharing something with someone that might feel awkward if it’s in that other language,” said linguist Caleb Everett.

LIKE Distraction’s exploration of code switching Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 41

You’re walking to class, chatting with a friend from New Jersey, when you get a call from your grandmother. “I gotta take this,” you say, and within seconds, your steady, articulate English shifts into your native dialect. words_elisa baena. photo_emily fakhoury. design_kylea henseler & gabby rosenbloom.

“

it violates sentence boundaries, mixing a variety of words, phrases and sentences with distinct grammatical systems during the same speech event.

”

M

aybe it’s letting your words run into each other, dropping the last syllable of your nouns. Or maybe it happens at the coffee cart between your first and second class, when your neutralized New Yawker orders a strong black “cawfee.”

This switch is generally unconscious, and its seamlessness characterizes codeswitching. The linguistic term refers to the process of shifting from one code—be it a language variety or dialect—to another within the same sentence or during the course of a single conversation.

Linguist Einar Haugen most likely coined the term and defined it as “when a bilingual introduces a completely unassimilated word from another language into his speech.”

It violates sentence boundaries, mixing a variety of words, phrases and sentences with distinct grammatical systems during the same speech event. Code-mixing embeds a variety of linguistic units, such as affixes or clauses from different languages, so the participant must draw from what they know to infer what they hear.

The classic example of code-mixing for a Spanish-English bilingual is, “Sometimes I’ll start a sentence in English y termino en español.” The distinction between codeswitching and code-mixing isn’t always hardline among linguists, and many scholars

42 DISTRACTION Special Section: Normalcy

use code-switching to refer to all types of combined languages.

A bilingual person has access to three systems of communication. Two languages—A and B—and a combination of A and B: C. In Miami, there are billinguals aplenty; most speech exists in this C space.

Common Miami-isms include, “pero like” and “cógelo con take it easy.” Both expressions are fusions of English and Spanish that form part of the local Spanglish dialect.

Miami houses a community of secondand third-generation immigrants that grew up linguistically split between their native tongue at home and English at school or work. This breeds a hybrid language that borrows Spanish phrases that cannot be translated and inserts Spanish words in mostly English sentences.

Caleb Everett, linguist and chair of the Department of Anthropology at UM, said that a lot of what motivates people to codeswitch or code-mix is sometimes a lack of fluency in one language.

“For example, you’re struggling to come up with the word in English, so you put in the Spanish word or vice versa,” Everett said.

“And then there are people who grew up fluent in both languages, but there’s usually a social trigger as to why you need to switch, because it feels awkward to speak Spanish

LIKE or something in a different context. So the motivations are understandably married, but it doesn’t necessarily suggest a lack of fluency.”

Code-switching from English to Spanish or Haitian-Creole or Portuguese has been generally perceived as harmless, but for African-Americans, particularly AfricanAmerican men, code-switching, or failing to code-switch, sometimes means the difference between life and death.

Everett says, “In the case of AfricanAmerican men code-switching between dialects, there are incorrect perceptions that it’s just an incorrect English. The English spoken by white men became the standard, because they were in positions of power, but not because it’s some pure or better way of speaking English. A lot of the things we now see in African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) have been around for centuries, and linguists who specialize in this stuff are seeing that a lot of the key features trace back to African languages.”

In Chandra Arthur’s TEDx Talk titled “The Cost of Code Switching,” she discusses how African-Americans adopt the language of conformity in different contexts to gain access to professional opportunities. She challenges the idea that “sounding black” or speaking AAVE means an individual is uneducated.

AAVE has its own grammatical system, vocabulary and accent features that are classifying characteristics of a language, and Arthur questions why she is expected to conform to standard English in order to fit

these stereotypes. Arthur suggests that “the expectation of code-switching threatens true diversity. But what if there was just one world where we could all be our true selves instead of the brand of diversity which purports that minorities are acceptable, provided they behave in a specific way?

What about an acceptance of different speech patterns even within our own American lexicon, so that when a person says the word ‘y’all,’ we appreciate what that might mean about their heritage or upbringing?”

For African-Americans, code-switching can be crucial to getting a promotion or leaving a police encounter unscathed, but changing their speech patterns doesn’t necessarily ensure they will escape the threats of racism. In 2015, 28-year-old black activist Sandra Bland was pulled over by a state trooper in southeast Texas after she allegedly failed to signal a lane change.

The trooper ordered her to get out of the car, but she refused. He yelled, “I will light you up,” while pointing a gun at her head, and soon Bland was in handcuffs.

Before the encounter escalated, Bland spoke a version of mainstream English to the officer. Her ability to code-switch did not save her from the stereotype that her blackness was an inherent threat, and she was arrested.

She died by suicide three days later.

Code-switching doesn’t just exist in everyday speech in multilingual settings—it also appears in literature. Pulitzer Prizewinning writer Junot Díaz popularized codeswitching in fiction, choosing to use Spanish

words in his mostly English narratives without the use of translations or italics.

His radical use of Spanish words and phrases in his short story collection, “Drown,” and novel, “The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,” deploy powerful bilingual images that prove his Dominican-American narrators can codeswitch consciously and unconsciously.

The University of Miami’s MFA Program in Creative Writing is unique in its emphasis on multilingual writing. The program supports the linguistic and cultural differences that students bring to UM and encourages their appearance in students’ writing. It allows students to write using various regional dialects, slang and technical jargon to explore their unique history and culture unapologetically.

Cuban-American writer Chantel Acevedo, director of the Creative Writing program at UM, says the code-switching she experiences while writing isn’t at all random. Her inclusion of Spanish words in her English works are “generally emphatic words—those of heightened emotion—that add a new layer of connotations that cannot be translated.”

Code-switching can embrace the diversity that exists within different cultures and speech patterns; it doesn’t need to conform to the standard forms of speech that have been created by those in power. It can be a vehicle for appreciating uniqueness and rejecting the dilution of someone’s identity.

CODE-SWITCHING DICTIONARY African-American Vernacular English

Miami Spanglish

She looks really good.

She came to slay

Get motivated.

Bro, ponte las pilas.

That’s cool.

That’s fye.

It was a mess.

It was an arroz con mango.

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 43

understanding

a

s

e x u a l i t y People who are unfamiliar with the characteristics of asexuality may compare it to celibacy. However, according to The Trevor Project, asexuality is the lack of sexual feelings towards another person, not the choice to abstain from sex.

44 DISTRACTION Special Section: Normalcy

A T T With various communities falling under the LGBTQ umbrella, not all of them receive equal visibilities.

Those who identify as asexual, for instance, possess no sexual feelings or desire, according to the term’s dictionary definition.

words_kay ann henry. photo_kristian del rosario. design_olivia ginsberg.

P

eople who are “ace,” as the community prefers to say, may feel romantic and platonic affection without sexually desiring one or more partners. As with any aspect of sexuality, asexuality exists on a spectrum, and no single definition can completely encompass what it means to be ace. There are some who feel no romantic or sexual interest, known as aromantic asexual, while others feel no sexual attraction but have romantic interest in males or females, known as biromantic asexual. On the spectrum, there are identities including aromantic and demisexual, which means that one doesn’t develop sexual attraction until a deep emotional connection is built. Becca Swan, a junior at UM, identifies as demisexual.

DM: How did that happen?

BS: I developed sexual attraction once we had gotten romantically close, but it took a long time. I didn’t have those thoughts until about eight months into the relationship.

So, then I was like, “Maybe I’m not fully asexual and just somewhere on the spectrum.” That’s when I shifted over to identifying as demisexual.

DM: There are other terms and identities on the asexual spectrum, including people who don’t feel any romantic feelings. Did you ever feel like that in your life?

BS: I definitely wasn’t aromantic. I’ve always liked people and had crushes in my life. An issue that does come up though is that a lot of people will say, “Well, you’re only ace because of a traumatizing experience or a negative view of sexuality.”

R A C DM: When did you first realize you might be ace?

BS: That was when I was 16. I found out about asexuality online and just started researching it. I had a friend who I thought was asexual and aromantic, because she never was interested in dating anyone and had no attraction to people in that way. So I started looking it up, and then I was like, “Wait a second, maybe this also fits me.” From when I was about 18 to 19 I identified as ace, but that changed because I got into a relationship and started developing sexual feelings.

DM: Do you feel like any of those apply to you?

BS: It’s interesting, because I think growing up in a religious home and having a negative view of sexuality contributed to it. There are still some lingering ideas about sexuality that I have to deconstruct and figure out how I’m going to operate in relationships with my identity. This has been hard, because for the longest time, I didn’t think I would have a sexual relationship. So now, I have to think about things like consent and autonomy.

DM: Let’s unpack some of that and focus on your background. What was it like to live in a religious home while figuring out your sexuality?

BS: Sometimes I wonder what I would be like if I didn’t grow up in a Christian Evangelical home, because I think about whether I would have this same aversion toward sexuality. I do remember parts of my life around puberty where I had a positive view of sex, but obviously that changed as I got older.

T I O N Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 45

NO

DM: What kinds of messages were you getting from your parents?

BS: In the beginning when I was identifying as asexual, and I first told my parents, they were very unhelpful, and it’s strange, because you would think for someone who is in a religious setting, they would maybe be happy. My mom was like, “No guy is going to want to marry you now that you’re asexual.”

RM AT

DM: It always comes back to marriage, huh?

BS: Yes, but regardless of my background, I’m glad I found this label because it was just a huge relief, like a weight off my shoulders. I felt distanced from people my age, because even though I wanted a relationship, there was always the fear of the sex part. But I ended up being in a relationship. It was good at first, because I was told, basically, “I don’t care if you’re asexual; I just want to be with you.” But then eventually that changed, and it got into coercion and things like that which were not good. It has been kind of difficult navigating dating because people will say they’re okay with you being ace…

I V E

DM: …then they’re not.

BS: Exactly. I have one friend who’s fully ace, and he’s been putting himself out there to meet women, because he wants to have a relationship, but every time he gets to that conversation of telling them he’s ace, they’ll ghost him or cut off communication. I feel like it might be easier to be aromantic and asexual because at least you don’t have to deal with the romantic part. But that’s just my opinion.

46 DISTRACTION Special Section: Normalcy

DM: How has dating been for you, especially as you changed labels?

BS: People are more understanding of me being demi[sexual], because I think they’ll be more patient. I am in a relationship now, and it was a different process than my first.

DM: What changed?

BS: I was friends with this guy for about three months, and we spent a lot of time together doing non-romantic stuff, and then eventually romantic and sexual feelings came. It was difficult for me because I was like, “We just started dating,” and I had sexual feelings really quick. But demi relationships are relationships, and regardless of everything, there still had to be that close emotional connection.

DM: Adding sex to the equation seems to make things a little confusing, right?

BS: Yeah, and you know sometimes I think I have to feel that sexual feeling all the time, but I’m realizing that just because I identify as demi doesn’t mean I have to always be this sexual being.

DM: What were some of the affirming moments for you in accepting your asexual identity?

BS: In the spring of 2015, I went to a concert and made a friend in line who was gay but had a lot of ace friends; that was the catalyst. I think three months after I met him, I went to my first Pride [festival] which was really helpful. Also spending more time in the city, meeting more people from outside that bubble—it was all really helpful.

It made me feel better about me.

CELEBRITIES AND ASEXUALITY Janeane Garofalo: The comedian and actress, best known for her roles on “Saturday Night Live” and “Girlfriends Guide to Divorce,” said she was asexual in 2010 and has been in various long-term relationships. According to Vice, Garofalo said people think she is gay, which she says is much more flattering than being called an “asexual atheist.”

Paula Poundstone: Paula Poundstone, a well-known stand-up comedian, said that she was asexual in an interview with Edge Media.

Edward Gorrey: Edward Gorey is an American writer and artist known for his illustrated books.

He was often questioned about his sexuality, to which he would say that he didn’t know if he was gay or straight. According to asexuality.com, he once agreed in an interview that the “sexlessness” of his works reflects his own asexuality.

Emilie Autumn: According to Lesbian News, Emilie Autumn is a musician, songwriter and violinist who identifies as asexual.

“The reality of the situation is that while I enjoy being alone for long periods of time, I do in fact have relationships— but these are based on far more than just sex drive,” Autumn said in an interview with Curve Magazine.

48 DISTRACTION Special Section: Normalcy

health & wellness Genuine, bohemian and free-spirited, Health and Wellness gives our readers a holistic take on physical, mental and spiritual restoration. Living by the mantra “my body is a temple� can be just as easily done as it is said with the wisdom that Health and Wellness has to offer. illustration_jacqueline dubois.

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 49

the ultimate guide for protein-focused eating

Whether you’re looking to lose weight, beef up or simply lead a healthful lifestyle, you might be considering a high protein diet. While there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” diet, the Mediterranean, ketogenic, Paleo and vegan regimens are some of the most effective. words_lauren jones & emmalyse brownstein. photo_rj kayal. design_marissa vonesh.

50 DISTRACTION Health & Wellness

ditch the bunny food.

Eating a protein-focused diet doesn’t have to be boring or without greens.

Choose what works best for you.

LIFESTYLE mediterranean The Mediterranean diet looks to the sea for heart-healthy foods that promote weight loss. Aldana Almutairi, a research assistant for the Center for Children and Families at Florida International University, says that the Mediterranean diet is the most sustainable and the best. High intakes of nuts, beans, olive oil, seafood, whole grains, fruits and vegetables are staples of this diet, but prepare to say goodbye to foods high in sugar.

The diet is big on healthy fats, meaning lots of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in olive oil and fish such as

salmon, lake trout, mackerel and albacore tuna, says nutrition author Kris Gunnars. In a 2018 Healthline article, “Mediterranean Diet 101: A Meal Plan and a Beginner’s Guide,” Gunnars recommends fish twice a week. And for the winos out there, the Mediterranean diet allows for one glass of red wine each day, as it’s been linked to lower heart disease risk.

A typical day on the Mediterranean diet might include oatmeal for breakfast, a wholegrain sand-wich with fresh veggies for lunch and broiled salmon for dinner. Snacks can include nuts, Greek yogurt or berries.

avoid added sugar, refined grains, trans fats, processed meat, food labeled low-fat

paleo The Paleo diet, also known as the Stone Age diet, consists of the food that early humans ate at least 10,000 years ago—before farming introduced new foods such as legumes, dairy and grains. Nutritionists argue that the human body hasn’t had enough time to genetically adapt to the new foods and dietary changes that farming has produced.

But if most foods are farmed, what does that leave? Lean meats, fish, veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds and oils such as walnut oil, writes Gunnars in another Healthline article.

That means you will need to cut out bread, yogurt, beans and sweeteners. Even vegetable

oils such as soybean oil and sunflower seed oil are too modern. This diet might be helpful for people trying to achieve weight loss, better blood pressure and lower levels of triglycerides. One drawback, Almutairi notes, is that this diet may be hard to sustain because it can be so specific.

“Some people struggle because it’s a hunter-gatherer diet,” she said. While one doesn’t have to live exactly like a caveman, food choices are decidedly more limited.

A typical day may include eggs and bacon for breakfast, chicken salad for lunch and a bun-less burger fried in butter for dinner.

avoid sugar & high fructose, grains, legumes, dairy, vegetable oil, trans fats, artificial sweetener, processed foods

keto The ketogenic, or keto, diet has become one of the trendiest plans for weight loss and diabetic health; it’s a diet that’s high in fat and low in carbohydrates. According to healthline.com, a standard keto diet calls for meals that are 70 to 80% fat, about 20% protein and only about 5% carbs.

The goal of the keto diet is to get the body to stop burning glucose, which is produced by carbs, and start burning ketones, which are produced by fat.

When this happens, the body has reached a state called ketosis. As a result, the body

becomes efficient at burning fat for energy.

This diet calls for fatty fish such as salmon and trout, dairy products, avocados, nuts and seeds, and meat such as steak, ham or turkey.

“Some people like the keto diet because it helps maintain their sugar levels and it helps them lose weight,” Almutairi said. “But sometimes people can’t maintain the keto diet because you can’t have carbs.”

Sports nutritionist and researcher Rudy Mawer offers a sample meal plan, which includes fried eggs for breakfast, a burger with cheese and guacamole for lunch.

avoid sugar, grains & starches, fruit, beans & legumes, root vegetables, low-fat & diet products, alcohol

Winter 2019 DISTRACTION 51

protein packed

BUT STILL PROTEIN-INFUSED Veganism may look a lot like vegetarianism, as both diets exclude fish, meat and poultry. However, a key difference is that vegans don’t consume animal byproducts such as dairy, eggs or honey.

Some vegans even avoid using everyday products that are tested on animals or made from or in part by animals, such as leather, fur or silk.

Veganism may seem restrictive at times, but in reality, there are a lot of options, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grain products.

“A lot of people think you can’t survive on the vegan diet, but you can; you just have to remember to supplement enough B12,” Almutairi said.

A sample vegan breakfast may consist of chickpea pancakes, while lunch may be spiced red lentil, tomato and kale soup. Dinner could be a grain bowl with quinoa, vegetables, avocado and tempeh.

protein sources

offer 18 grams of protein per cooked cup and include essential nutrients such as iron, folate and manganese. lentils

has 10 to 19 grams of protein per 3.5 ounces, as well as calcium. tofu

Still crave the taste and texture of meat? Try brands such as Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat. The Beyond Burger has 20 grams of protein without GMOs, soy or gluten—and, it’s kosher.

Here are some of the highest protein sources according to Today’s Dietition Magazine.

MEAT (per 3 oz)

28 g

26 g

23 g

chicken

steak

lamb

SEAFOOD (per 3 oz)

20 g shrimp

SMALL BUT Legumes, seeds, beans and nuts offer an alternative (and quick) snacking protein. chickpeas,

also known as Garbanzo beans, contain about 15 grams of protein per cooked cup while offering fiber, iron and potassium.

kidney beans

pumpkin seeds

black beans

contain 6.5 grams of protein per half cup. These seeds are packed with magnesium and may even improve your quality of sleep.

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have 8.7 grams of protein per half cup. But take note: improperly cooked kidney beans are toxic to both humans and animals. aren’t beans at all; they’re legumes. These complex carbs are known for their high protein (7.62 grams) and fiber count (7.5 grams) per half cup.

22 g salmon

22 g tuna

If you need a meal-on-the-go or you’re just looking to pack more protein into your daily diet, protein shakes can be an easy and mobile option for all dietary needs.

KOIA KETO

REBBL DARK

plant-based and keto friendly

chocolate plant protein elixir

Calling all Keto lovers! Koia makes a vegan, keto-friendly protein shake with 5 grams of net carbs, no added sugar and 9 grams of MCT oil. At 210 calories and 12 grams of protein, you can choose between Chocolate Brownie, Caramel Creme or Cake Batter without cheating your diet.

This vegan drink packs 16 grams of protein and plant extracts like maca, reishi and ashwagandha into one drink. With 230 calories and no processed sugars, this sweet delight could satisfy anyone (even non-vegans). There are six flavors ranging from Cold Brew Coffee to Mint Chip.

PREMIER PROTEIN

ORGAIN ORGANIC

classic protein shake

go-to organic protein shake

Looking for high protein for a variety of taste buds? Premier Protein’s shakes come in nine flavors! Vanilla, Strawberries & Creme and yes—Pumpkin Spice. With 160 calories and 1 gram of sugar, this shake has a whopping 30 grams of protein. You can pick up these shakes various stores.

If you prefer whey as your protein source but still want to fuel cleanly, look no further. Orgain makes their shakes with 1 gram of sugar, 150 calories and 26 grams of certified organic, grass-fed protein.

You can find these shakes in Creamy Chocolate Fudge or Vanilla Bean.

MUSCLE MILK pro series shakes

DIY chocolate shake

You may have seen these protein powders, bars and drinks peeking out of duffel bags in the gym. Muscle Milk’s Pro Series line provides 32 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugar and 160 calories. They are also gluten and dairy free. This shake is available in Knockout Chocolate, Intense Vanilla and Go Bananas.

2 cups sliced, frozen bananas

1 cup chocolate-flavored milk of choice

1 Tbsp. cacao powder 1 Tbsp. nut butter of choice 2 Tbsp. protein powder of choice— whey, hemp (vegan), collagen (keto) *Option to add a splash of vanilla extract if your protein powder isn’t already vanilla-flavored!

Blend on high until smooth. Enjoy!

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GOOD

V I B R AT I O N S In ancient civilizations, certain instruments were used to inspire soldiers for battle and celebrate village-wide holidays. Today, therapists are able to use instruments in an interesting way—to relax and destress their patients. words_myles griffith. photo_sydney burnett. design_lauren maingot.

V

ibrational sound therapy is the practice of using sounds and frequencies for therapeutic purposes.

Therapists relax their patients by playing different sound therapy instruments, such as singing bowls, drums or turning forks, at specific frequencies. Therapists can also play certain sounds or types of music through speakers to create a calm environment while guiding patients through meditation.

Sound therapy can be thought of as a combination of relaxation therapy tactics. Similar to a massage, it is said to relieve stress, improve mood, alleviate physical pain, lower blood pressure and increase blood flow. Sound therapy is also similar to meditation, as it can increase mindfulness and bring patients to a more peaceful state of mind.

Jed Shlackman, a licensed mental health counselor and University of Miami alumnus, said our bodies are made up of vibrational energy, and we all put out certain frequencies.

When we are exposed to another frequency, our bodies naturally respond by trying to harmonize with it. “If you use a therapeutic type of sound, that form of sound wave gives the body something to use to help harmonize,” Shlackman said, which can help both the mind and the body relax.

Some people experience immediate results, such as physical relaxation and instant stress relief, after an initial session with a sound therapist. However, depending on an individual’s goals, multiple sessions can be effective in helping people become more mindful overall.

“With repeated sessions, people tend to go deeper into the healing process,” Shlackman said. In this way, sound therapy can be compared to meditation, in that practicing it consistently can influence one’s overall mood and the way they deal with future stress.

The origin of sound therapy goes as far back as human civilization itself. “Sound therapy is not unique to one particular culture or one particular instrument,” Shlackman

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said. Although it’s widely believed to have originated in the autonomous region of Tibet, the practice of sound therapy can be found in multiple cultures across many different time periods. In ancient African civilizations, drumming was used to inspire soldiers for upcoming battles.

In ancient Australian civilizations, the didgeridoo was used for ceremonial dances. A 2005 study reported in the British Medical Journal found that learning and practicing the didgeridoo helped reduce snoring and obstructive sleep apnea by strengthening muscles in the upper airway, thus reducing their tendency to collapse during sleep.

In the study, intervention subjects were trained in and practiced didgeridoo playing, including circular breathing and other techniques. Control subjects were asked not to play the instrument. Subjects were surveyed before and after the study period to assess the effects of intervention. A small 2010 study noted improvements in the asthma management of Aboriginal teens when incorporating didgeridoo playing.

From these early instruments, therapists now have modern methods of using sound to treat patients. “Sound affects everyone,” Shlackman said. It’s human nature to have some reaction to the sounds going on around us, so it would be unusual to find a culture that doesn’t use sound in some therapeutic or ritualistic way.

Not everyone will experience the same results from the same kind of sound therapy. “Because we all have our own unique tastes and experiences with music or sound, we might not all respond the same way to the same stimulus,” Shlackman said. Some people may respond to singing bowls, while others may respond to listening to a certain type of music and others may respond to playing an instrument themselves. It depends on the person. Try out different methods and see what works for you. It may be the perfect way to relieve stress and become more mindful.

If you’re interested in trying vibrational sound therapy, here are some local venues.

PsychoEnergetic Healing 12965 SW 112th Ave., #4453, Miami Run by Jed Shlackman, PsychoEnergetic Healing provides therapeutic services with both singing bowls and tuning forks in individual and group sessions.

Bodhi Wellness 191 Giralda Ave., Penthouse 100, Coral Gables Bodhi Wellness is a center that provides group sessions in sound bowl healing Meditation to unblock energy and recharge the body.

Wellness Room Miami

The Five Sisters event, hosted

by Jed Schlackman, brings together Miamians interested in Reiki healing involving Tibetan singing bowls and sound baths. Reiki, the high-vibration energy of divine love, is neither a religion nor a dogma.

“Sound healing methods can foster deep healing and rapid transformation—physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually,” Schlackman said.

7340 SW 48th St., Ste 103, Miami Wellness Room Miami is a wellness center that offers individual and group sessions in areas including sound therapy, meditation and breath work.

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can’t fake awake College exposes many students to their first dose of independence. As the semester intensifies, the realization that there simply aren’t enough hours in the day sets in.

Trying to balance a successful academic career, healthy lifestyle and budding social calendar is a tough feat.

Instead of cutting back on their to-do lists, students often cut back on something even more important: sleep. words_corina azpurua. design & illustration_gabby rosenbloom.

t

he American Sleep Association defines sleep deprivation as failing to obtain the recommended amount of sleep each night. “Although each individual is different, most adults should sleep around seven to nine hours per night,” said Dr. Douglas Wallace, a professor of clinical neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in three Americans is sleep-deprived. Especially in college, most students are severely sleep-deprived due to the constant changes in their routines—just look at the long lines at Starbucks. Such interruption is called “social jetlag” and refers to the habit of having different sleep schedules throughout the week.

Sleep schedules are so different that they disturb the circadian rhythm, known as the body’s internal clock. Disrupting the body’s clock can have several adverse effects on health, mood, performance, retention rates and overall well-being.

When the body’s internal clock is interrupted, it affects the body’s physiology as well. A severe lack of sleep negatively impacts physical appearance—you certainly wouldn’t go on a first date after pulling an allnighter—production of hormones, weight, immune system, metabolic processes, insulin

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resistance and high blood pressure, making the body vulnerable to feeling foggier and fatigued throughout the day.

“Our bodies are made for 16 hours of wakefulness. The longer we stay awake, the more impaired we become,” said Dr. Salim Dib, a clinical neurologist and sleep specialist at Jackson Memorial Hospital. After 16 hours, it’s time to stop bingeing on caffeine and close the laptop. When cramming study material without rest, the brain cannot commit the information to memory. It can only hold onto the overflow of material for a few hours until ultimately forgetting it. When stressed and tired, the increased levels of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, leave the body feeling tired and lacking motivation.

Research has shown that a person who has been awake for 17 to 20 hours displays the same cognitive and physical capacity as someone under the influence of alcohol.

“After I pull an all-nighter, I feel like my body is numb and I just can’t focus like I usually can,” said Veronica Cortez, a junior at the University of Miami. Sadly, there is no substitute for a good night’s sleep. It is essential to have a consistent bedtime routine, making sure to hit seven to nine hours a night, to feel rested and fully present.

sleep hacks Use the bed for only two occasions: sleep and sex.

Studying, eating, watching Netflix or simply lounging in the bed throughout the day is not a good idea. The mind associates the bed with rest, but when it doesn’t get it, it leaves the body feeling confused. Eventually that confusion takes over, making the body less ready to sleep when actually laying down.

Don’t binge watch an entire season or go on deep Instagram stalking sessions before going to bed.

The artificial light in the screen affects the body’s internal body clock, delaying and messing up sleeping patterns.

When feeling overwhelmed with stress: meditate.

Apps like Calm or 10% Happier can guide your meditation practice. Even YouTube videos can be extremely beneficial.

Sleep in a totally dark room.

Sleep masks are a great way to block out the light that might creep into the room.

CURIOUS CATS. SPORTS GENIUSES. TECH GEEKS. GRAMMAR FREAKS. ZINE QUEENS. PHOTO FIENDS. VIDEO ADDICTS. SOCIAL MEDIA FANATICS. We think you should get paid to do what you love.

Apply.

HAPPY GRADUATION MARISSA VONESH ~OUR BELOVED CO-ART DIRECTOR~

CONGRATULATIONS We love you!

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fashion Fashion keeps an eye looking forward, showcasing the best in style. Whether it’s bringing a new look to light or bringing back some chic, retro style of the past, our readers are given a peek into what’s on the come up. Fashion is for those looking to make a statement, whether it’s an expression of yourself or the world around you. illustration_rachel rader.

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BORROWED & BLUE Pairing shades of homogeneous hues and baby blues may be this season’s biggest risk—and reward. With thrifted pieces from Goodwill and The Salvation Army, “upcycled” never looked so elegant.

A combination of sensual slips and striking cobalt blazers may just melt away your winter blues. words_ staff. photo_kristian del rosario. design_lauren maingot. styling_keagan larkins & abby podolsky. models_alexa hirt, mareshah morton, francesco bianchi & ning geng.

Blue Blaze Models Alexa Hirt and Mareshah Morton keep things minimalistic by focusing on statement pieces. Alexa stuns in a pair of bold pumps and Mareshah sports a bulky blazer in a sultry blue tone.

Mareshah: wearing a men’s blue blazer thrifted from The Salvation Army.

Alexa: wearing a shimmer slip dress and heels thrifted from The Salvation Army.

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Breath of Blue Hues of cobalt and sapphire serve as the basis for these monochromatic power ensembles.

Who said fashion has to cost a fortune?

Ning: wearing gloves thrifted from The Salvation Army.

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BORROWED & BLUE

Cold Shoulder Bring on the blues. Don’t be afraid to layer two-toned blazers, dress shirts and pants to achieve a refreshing look this winter season.

Mareshah: wearing men’s blue blazer thrifted from The Salvation Army, pants thrifted from Goodwill, Jeffrey Campbell shoes.

Francesco: wearing thrifted button-down shirt and pants from The Salvation Army and Nike sneakers.

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BORROWED & BLUE

Cobalt Dreams Nothing breaks the ice like a hint of skin. No matter whether you’re covered up like Mareshah and Francesco or flaunting some skin like Alexa, impress in shades of blue.

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LINKED LINKED UP UP

Gold chains are stacked on model Cleo Hastings’ neck for this exaggerated look. Layering as many chains as possible can add visual interest to an otherwise boring outfit.

“I believe everyone owns a piece of chain as a staple look. It’s a piece that all generations own,” said Calvo.

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That slouchy street-style fit, complete with those new Balenciaga kicks everyone’s drooling over these days, needs a little something extra to render it South Beach-, Brickell- or even Design District-ready. Miami’s token “club-casual” trend has the potential to be too casual without a few chains of bling. Both men and women are layering multiple chains on top of each other for their daytime and evening ensembles. words_keagan larkins. photo_ gianna sanchez. design_ gio aprigliano.

T

Model Cleo Hastings poses with an array of necklaces and rings provided by Joolz by Martha Calvo. Draping chunky necklaces with elegant pendants is an easy way to implement the layered jewelry trend, allowing each piece to stand out. “I like pieces that are layered, that have chains that fall at different lengths with the same shape,” said Calvo.

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here are countless ways to strategically style your jewelry. Whether it’s with eye-catching pendants paired with dainty chokers or a few layers of classic gold chains, layering necklaces has become a fashion staple, especially for celebrities, influencers and fashion bloggers. However, it’s easy to adopt this ultra-chic and functional look for yourself, too.

Like most trends in fashion, layered, chunky jewelry gained its popularity in previous decades. The cyclical nature of the fashion industry has inevitably brought back this craze. The ’80s are making a comeback, and today’s popularity of exorbitant jewelry is just one example. In addition to a distinct link to the ’80s, layered jewelry also has ties to the early 1900s.

According to the Journal of the History of the Reception of Ancient Egypt, written by the curators of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, some of the earliest examples of statement jewelry date all the way back to Egyptian times. Golden collar necklaces and thick rings were unearthed in the tombs of pharaohs and upper-class Egyptians.

The Romans followed suit with their craftsmanship of simple link necklaces and various styles of garish rings. These pieces were meant to be worn during specific seasons and festivals, such as Saturnalia, the festival of the Roman god, Saturn.

According to Harper’s Bazaar, fashion mogul Coco Chanel began crafting her own jewelry using crystals and colored glass in the 1920s. She is credited with the popularization of “costume jewelry,” which mixes real and imitation stones and pearls to create a perfect combination of chaos and elegance.

The ’30s and ’40s saw the emergence of cocktail jewelry. This style

incorporated enormous, extravagant rings garnished with jewels, layered pearl necklaces and an excess of gilt metal and radiant rose gold.

This trend resurfaced in the ’80s

by Versace, Madonna and a myriad of influential rock bands. Martha Calvo, founder of Joolz by Martha Calvo, a Miami-based jewelry brand worn by celebrities including Kylie Jenner and Sofia Richie, can attest to this fact.

“The chain collection and anything chunky or layered started back in the ’80s,” said Calvo. “What comes around goes around, and I believe a lot of designers have developed pieces that are ‘80s inspired.” Versace was known for creating dense, intricate jewelry designs. These necklaces were often crafted in gold, incorporating the brand’s iconic Medusa-head logo.

In pop culture, performers had a great deal of influence over the layered look. “George Michael influenced this aesthetic with his earrings and chokers, but basically it was Madonna who inspired it. Then, a lot of rock band artists and regular artists picked up the trend,” said Calvo.

Madonna was a pioneer of the layering trend. In the music video for her hit song “Like a Virgin,” she donned embellished necklaces of different lengths and materials. Many of these chains featured crosses or resembled religious rosaries. The rock world fell in love with this look; popular bands didn’t hesitate to adopt this style and incorporate it into their

own identities.

In recent years, brands like Tiffany & Co. have also garnered inspiration from this trend. In 2017, Tiffany & Co. launched its HardWear collection, which features pieces made from chunky chain links adorned with padlocks. The company’s website describes the collection as “urban in attitude, yet elegant in appearance,” demonstrating this trend’s growth among the vast streetwear audience.

“Layering chains is an easy way to add visual interest to any outfit, perfect for social media,” said Calvo.

“You can dress it with streetwear or formalwear.”

The Spring 2020 fashion season was inundated with thick chains and intricate layers of jewelry.

Fashion bloggers and models wore dramatically layered chains to their favorite shows. Men and women, in blazers and t-shirts, day or night, embodied the true versatility of this trend. “Right now, what’s happening is that links are very ‘in’ for women or men. It’s just a matter of how you style it,” Calvo said.

Calvo definitely isn’t worried that the public’s fervor for flashy layers will die down any time soon. “I think this trend is classic,” Calvo explained. “A chain is always a staple in everyone’s closet. It doesn’t matter what decade it is—this trend is timeless.”

Whether you’re into high fashion or street style, stacking your chunkiest jewelry pieces this season is essential.

GET THE LOOK Mix and Match Mix different styles of chains so that each piece stands out. Pair a large link with a smaller link to add contrast to any outfit—it’s all about the details!

Start With a Coin Necklace Let a coin necklace be the center of attention. Start with this piece and build around it. Add chains that are longer and shorter than the coin pendant, but don’t let them distract from the centerpiece.

Layer Different Lengths Consider layering chains of different lengths when wearing low-cut tops or blouses. This style looks best when all chains fall in the same shape.

Less Actually Isn’t More For this style, layer as many necklaces as you have. When you think you’ve added enough, add more. Don’t be afraid to go overboard because you can always pair this look with an otherwise understated outfit or simple tee.

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VI CT

Model Ellie Massaro poses in “sexy” VS angel wings. Victoria’s Secret models are typically over 5’8” and wear no more than a size 4.

It’s an unrealistic expectation of beauty,” said a UM student in a marketing study.

The Secret’s Out You’re not just sexy—you’re very sexy. An angel.

Lights flash. In the distance, eau de toilette mists between the swarm of paparazzi. You’ve got the “perfect body.” Very sexy indeed. words_lindsey bornstein. photo_kristian del rosario. design_giselle spicer.

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T SE OR IC CR I T E SE OR T CR I A TO ET ’S S

ince the company’s founding in 1977, Victoria’s Secret has offered lingerie to women with the explicit promise of sex appeal. The company has been historically adamant about selling a “fantasy.” In a 2018 interview with Vogue, former Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Ed Razek—who stepped down last month after a series of public blunders—admitted that this fantasy ideal is the reason the brand hasn’t included transgender runway models in its campaigns and has failed to diversify its sizing.

In the same interview, Razek pointed to “skinny shaming” as an issue, while suggesting that Portuguese model Sara Sampaio, who wears a women’s size 4 may be too heavy.

He insisted that “no one had any interest in” broadcasting a plus-size program.

But times are changing—at least it seems that way for retailers. From 2015 to 2019, the yearly income of L Brands, Victoria’s Secret’s parent company, has decreased from $1.04 billion to $644 million, according to MarketWatch analysis.

Meanwhile, competitor Aerie’s un-retouched marketing campaign has attracted a younger, more inclusive client base. Aerie’s embrace of body positivity has yielded the company 18 consecutive quarters of double-digit growth.

Another inclusive brand, Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty line, recently secured a reported $50 million in new funding, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal.

Razek has since stepped down as CMO, while L Brands’ longtime CEO, Leslie Wexner, has been embroiled in controversy for his ties with accused sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This year will mark the first time in 23 years that the Victoria’s Secret Annual Runway Show will not be televised.

Under marching orders from new VS Lingerie CEO John Mehas, the brand is embarking on a new campaign called “by her, for her,” which is unambiguously inspired by #MeToo. Last month, Ali Tate Cutler was hired as the company’s first plus-size model, and the company has also hired Valentina Sampaio, its first transgender model.

FISCAL FUTURE

The changes may be coming too little, too late. According to the company’s internal financial reports, sales have been sliding since

2017. The total operating income tumbled 45% to $512.4 million in 2019, according to Forbes.

“Given the decline in performance at Victoria’s Secret, we have substantially pulled back on capital investment in that business,” said L Brands executives after permanently closing 53 retail stores in 2018 and 2019.

“They’re going to have to adapt. There’s a very famous saying in business, which is ‘Either you change, or you become a victim of change,” said Professor Ian Scharf, who teaches retailing at the University of Miami Herbert Business School.

In a focus group made up of 10 University of Miami students, the company’s marketing campaigns were deemed “horrendous” and “ignorant towards real women.”

Scharf suggests the company brings in thought leaders, or influencers who better represent the changing demographics across the country. Although the company is engaged in what many have deemed ‘influencer marketing,’ models like Alessandra Ambrosia or Gigi Hadid no longer reflect the majority of Victoria’s Secret’s client base.

STOPPING TRAFFIC

The company’s troubles may not be wholly financial in nature. During the summer of 2019, longtime financier Jeffrey Epstein was revealed to have been trafficking and exploiting girls as young as 14, capitalizing off youth and lack of structural support in order to profit both personally and professionally.

Epstein offered sex with victims to wealthy friends, allegedly including President Donald Trump, Prince Andrew of Britain and former President Bill Clinton. As a close friend and professional confidant to Wexner, Epstein served as L Brands’ unofficial financial advisor.

After Epstein was charged with sex trafficking on July 8, Wexner downplayed Epstein’s role.

“While Mr. Epstein served as Mr. Wexner’s personal money manager for a period that ended nearly 12 years ago, we do not believe he was ever employed by nor served as an authorized representative of the company,” said Tammy Roberts Myers, the corporate spokesperson for L Brands.

Epstein committed suicide on August 10, 2019, while being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York.

Despite the lack of knowledge of Epstein’s criminal exploits, scholars point out that the

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Looking to buy lingerie from a company that supports body positivity? These brands offer bras and undies in a wide range of colors and sizes, with advertising that celebrates all types of bodies.

Savage x Fenty

Rihanna’s brainchild doesn’t just slay because of its famous founder; the brand sells bras and bralettes up to sizes 3x and 42H, as well as undies and sleepwear for any size or shape.

Aerie

This American Eagle subsidiary garnered widespread praise, starting in 2014, for its Aerie REAL campaign. The company pledged to sell bras in cup sizes 30A to 40DD and feature unretouched images of models of each size in their branding and on their website.

ThirdLove

With 78 sizes in a wide range of colors (including an array of nudes!), this company— founded by former Victoria’s Secret executives—thinks everyone, regardless of size or shape, should have a wellfitting bra. The company’s founding principle relies on its “Fit Finder” test to offer people lingerie they’ll love.

LIVELY

LIVELY’s guerilla social media advertising promotes real women with real, unretouched bodies. Their website showcases images of models using “Size 1” and “Size 2” markers to de-emphasize differences in women’s bodies.

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connection between wealthy, powerful men and the exploitation of women directly mirrors the modeling industry as a whole.

“We know [the modeling industry] is a pretty brutal industry, one that—like a legitimate form of sex work—tends to see the largely women workforce as expendable,” said Claire Ouselati-Porter, a professor of women and gender studies at UM. “It’s about the youngest, hugely-conforming to a certain body type, kind of profile. Modeling careers are usually over by the time you’re what, 26?”

In the past, messaging from Victoria’s Secret has promoted the advertising ideals of thinness and whiteness, while also more explicitly rejecting other body types.

“Why doesn’t your show do this?

Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show?

No. No, I don’t think we should,” bragged Razek, famously. “Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy.” It is widely suspected that public pressure due to such overt discrimination—not the overt discrimination itself—is what finally led Razek to step down.

“Modeling and the fashion industry produce these ideas about women and their bodies—it’s obviously a way to have a sort of ‘soft power’ influence,” added Ouselati-Porter.

former roommate who was coerced to engage in a sex act with famous photographer and repeatedly alleged sexual predator Terry Richardson. When the roommate tried to report the incident to her agency, the agent shrugged off the allegation, reportedly saying, “That’s just Terry.”

The inherently capitalist nature of modeling means little protection in exchange for the promise of success, said both Ziff and Ouselati-Porter. “[The fashion industry] is sort of telling a story that if you ‘make it,’ you can have this really glamorous, posh life, which is often what women who are trafficked are told too,” Ouselati-Porter added.

TIME’S UP

In the wake of the Epstein controversy, 15% of staff at Victoria’s Secret headquarters were laid off in October, including junior and senior staff. In its separation agreements, reviewed by The New York Times, there was a non-disclosure clause included to prohibit employees from discussing the company’s operations with the media. Employees were told to direct media inquiries to company spokesperson, Roberts Myers, who did not respond to requests for comment.

According to Business Insider, “everything is on the table” in terms of a company restart.

The organization’s upper echelon, after multiple fiscal quarters of negative growth, seems to realize the market’s appetite for corporate “wokeness.”

In the company’s first foray into body positivity, Tate Cutler and transgender model May Simón Lifschitz were featured alongside Olivia Sang, a London-based model of Kenyan descent. However, many are questioning if the evolution is insincere.

The Daily Beast asks a valid question in a recent headline: “Victoria’s Secret Promotes Its Wokeness, But Is It Too Late?”

“The images are less of a campaign and more of an apology,” the article reads.

VI CT

A New Wave

MODEL BEHAVIOR

American model and labor activist Sara Ziff penned an opinion editorial in The Cut after allegations against Epstein resurfaced in July.

“We visited a residence, presumably his Palm Beach estate, during the day, and I chatted with him as he sat beside me facing a swimming pool,” Ziff wrote. “He was personable, casually dressed and asked me about myself. When I told him that I grew up in New York City and attended Dalton, the elite private high school on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, he seemed surprised.”

“I was relatively privileged compared to many of my peers who entered the modeling world from working class backgrounds and less prosperous countries,” said Ziff, which is why she believes that Epstein ultimately did not attempt to exploit her that day.

“In the case of Epstein, he knew how to target poor areas nearby his, sort of, fabulously wealthy neighborhood,” said Ouselati-Porter, which she notes is a tactic of sex traffickers.

Ziff also explained that when abuse does happen, models lack adequate resources—including unions or human resources departments, among other legal protections—to be able to address the exploitation. She recounted the story of a

THE FINAL STRUT

Regardless of turmoil, Victoria’s Secret still maintains the largest percentage of the commercial lingerie market; according to the L Brands website, it continues to operate more than 950 retail stores across America.

“Nonsense gets written about us,” Razek quipped in last year’s Vogue interview. “God bless, we understand, we’re a big target, a very big target. We get it, we’re enormously successful and have been for a very long time.” Fortunately for Victoria’s Secret, history doesn’t suggest that their success will change any time soon.

T SE OR IC CR I T E SE OR T CR I A TO ET ’S “

“

It’s an unrealistic expectation of beauty

Victoria’s Secret’s refusal to comport with the societal shift towards body inclusivity has lead to not only declining trend in sales but also serious media backlash. “It appears very disingenuous, like [VS] is shifting their position all of a sudden,” said retail analyst Charcy Evers in the Daily Beast.

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main event Main Event feeds your craving for the intellectual and worldly. Whether it means revealing the local significance of an international issue or discussing topics too often ignored, Main Event has something to offer each of us. Set aside responsibilities for a bit and divulge in Main Event. illustration_rachel rader.

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Models Rafael Llamas and Queen Griffin share a glimpse at what it’s like to have a codependent bond. Many individuals, even without an official diagnosis, find themselves in relationships that show signs of codependency.

“Codependence is an imbalanced relationship pattern where one partner assumes a high-cost ‘giver-rescuer’ role and the other the ‘taker-victim’ role,” explains Shawn Meghan Burn, Ph.D., and a professor of psychology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

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Malfunction of the mind is a mysterious thing.

We throw diagnoses at people like spaghetti on a wall, hoping that something, anything, will stick. We look for meaning. It’s something hardwired into our brains. We do our best to figure out why we feel the way we feel; we look inward. But what happens when the answers don’t come from within oneself, but from another human being? This is a question I have come to ask myself many times over the past few years. The best answer I’ve found?

Codependency. words_gabby rosenbloom. photo_kristian del rosario. design_gabby rosenbloom.

I

t’s a tricky thing to understand. Perhaps that’s because the entire concept is counterintuitive and distinctly unique to each individual.

It’s hard to understand that which we cannot see. As is the case with most mental illnesses, issues surrounding codependency are seemingly invisible to those not experiencing them. The interesting thing is that they are also somewhat invisible to those who are.

Codependency has a tendency to fly under the radar, just beneath our noses. More often than not, one doesn’t realize they have been in a codependent relationship until they are out of it.

According to Mental Health America (MHA), “[Codependents] have good intentions. They try to take care of a person who is experiencing difficulty, but the caretaking becomes compulsive and defeating. Codependents often take on a martyr’s role and become ‘benefactors’ to an individual in need.”

At its core, codependency is an issue of boundaries or lack thereof. People with codependent tendencies negate all standard human boundaries, attaching themselves to another individual and internalizing everything that person does and feels; they lose themselves in the process.

I’m lucky. My parents, especially my father, have always been transparent when discussing the ins and outs of personal relationships—both codependent and not. Codependency is a phenomenon born in the fires of trauma.

My family certainly endured its share of trauma. When my mother was eight months old, her father died suddenly of a heart attack. My grandmother remarried, but when my mom was a sophomore in college, her second father also died—this time from cancer.

Despite tragedy, my mother and grandmother persisted with the utmost grace. They were bonded; this bond formed from a deep love for one another as well as shared trauma. The relationship my mother had with my grandmother was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

I remember as a child watching my mom call my Grammy every night just to talk. I’d walk into my parents’ bedroom late at night when I couldn’t sleep, my red teddy bear named Roger in hand, while my mom was on the phone, my dad asleep. Every time. Without fail. I was mesmerized.

What I did not know at the time, though, was that despite all the beautiful and wonderful things Mom and Grammy shared, they struggled with what some might label as issues of codependency. I had heard the word thrown around in meetings with my therapist, so at around age 12, I started doing some research.

“Excessive emotional or psychological reliance on a partner.” This the first thing that comes up when you type the word “codependency” into a search bar.

I remember sitting there in the dark, reading the words on my screen over and over again until my eyes burned.

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“Excessive.” It just didn’t make any sense. I could not wrap my head around the fact that the relationship I had idolized as a girl could possibly be flawed in any way.

That night, I went straight to my dad, begging for answers. We went to our favorite diner across the street from our apartment building; the six-minute walk felt infinite. I remember grasping my dad’s hand so tightly, trying to cling to something, anything stable, when the world around me was falling apart. We sat down and ordered our usual—egg white omelet with fat-free mozzarella and tomato. He told me something that shifted my worldview forever.

“Gabs, Mom and Gram have a beautiful and powerful relationship unlike any other,” he said. “In a way, they are two parts of one person.” My father’s voice, resonant as ever, rang through my ears for the rest of the day. It was this conversation that sparked deep introspection surrounding my own relationships with my parents.

I was 12. Everything feels like the end of the world

“IN A WAY, THEY ARE TWO PARTS OF ONE PERSON.”

when you’re 12. We went home; I sat for hours, thinking.

For the sake of brevity, let’s skip ahead five years. I was 17, applying to colleges and once again evaluating my life and my relationships. Interestingly, I began to label every close relationship in my life as codependent out of fear of actually becoming codependent. Painfully ironic, no?

Bound by my own intrinsic lack of boundaries, I began to alienate those I held closest.

MHA conducted extensive research on codependency.

The culmination of this research is a cohesive list of the most prominent, tell-tale signs of codependent tendencies. Take a second and fill out this checklist.

Check any of the boxes that might apply to you.

When going through this list, it’s likely that almost everybody you know would answer yes to many of the qualifiers. Is it really because everybody is somehow dysfunctional or broken? Assuming that’s not the case, then this list should tell you there is something else—something that we are overlooking in our clinical

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conversation about codependency.

The distinction that I needed to learn to make was between empathy and codependency. The thing is, I am an empath. But more often than not, I would really rather not be.

It’s no secret that people have a tendency to help others with their issues so that they don’t have to deal with their own. I, like others with codependent tendencies, just happen to take it to a particularly extreme level. I often lose myself amidst the chaos and tumult of other people’s lives.

I had this friend once. We had been friends for as long as I could remember. Yet, as college drew closer, I could feel an impending expiration date on our relationship.

She and I were fundamentally different people with different needs. I had an insatiable urge to pull away from her, but I couldn’t bring myself to pull away completely.

I would try to take some space, and she would get mad. I’d ask her about her life, and she’d tell me, “Oh, it’s okay—you don’t have to pretend to be my friend.” I felt like I simply could not win.

This back and forth caused an inescapeable aching inside me. The idea that my words and actions could be hurting someone else hurt me. It was a vicious cycle of self-inflicted pain. I continued in this cyclone of self-sabotage and destructive behavior—spinning and spinning in circles, losing bits and pieces of myself along the way. This is just one of many examples how my battle with codependency has reared its ugly head.

The question then became, how do I fix it? How do I go back in time and collect the pieces of myself that I’d left behind, trapped in the remnants of old relationships?

Taking inspiration from my mom and Grammy, I began to closely evaluate my relationships and, finally, started to chip away at the toxicity in my life. What I had to accept was the fact that I’m prone to codependency.

Born into a family that has overcome the seemingly insurmountable, I inherited the need to be a “fixer.”

There isn’t a prescription to cure this; the only remedy is self-awareness. Finding the balance between being kind, generous and empathetic while taking care of yourself is most definitely a challenge—one I face almost every day.

If you think you may be struggling with issues of codependency, the Miami Counseling & Resource Center can be reached at (305) 284-5511.

With so many behavioral symptoms of codependency common among “normal” relationships, sometimes the lines are blurred. “You have this codependency that you think is love,” said Selena Gomez in Teen Vogue last month.

Do you fit the clinical definition of “codependent?”

Read the list and check the boxes that apply to you.

I feel guilty when I assert myself.

I keep quiet to avoid arguments.

I struggle with trusting people.

I have trouble saying ‘no’ to people.

I value other people’s feelings over my own.

It is challenging for me to take a compliment.

I often feel inadequate.

I can be a generally anxious person.

I have a tendency to catastrophize.

I am a people pleaser.

I require a lot of reassurance.

People think I am fragile.

I am deeply empathetic.

I am very analytical of my own relationships.

I am a chronic over-thinker.

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Two years ago, Juul was introduced to high school and college campuses across the nation with promises of a “safe” alternative to smoking. Many young adults began vaping, both with Juul products and other e-cigarettes, unaware of or unbothered by the potential health risks. Now, there have been dozens of adverse health claims reported to regulatory agencies, a handful of lawsuits and even deaths caused by both nicotine products and THCinfused cartridge pens. words_rachelle barrett & kathryn ford. photo_teagan polizzi. design_rachel rader.

Electronic cigarette alternatives such as Juuls, Blu cigarettes, STIGs and THC cartridges have begun to infiltrate the market. At first, e-cigarette brands used young models holding Juul pens to commercialize the product, but the advertisements soon sparked ire from action groups like the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CFTK).

According to a January 2019 article from Vox, a CFTK investigation deemed that although the advertising allegedly targeted young adults, the product could potentially attract minors. Tobacco Free Florida found that 25% of Florida high school students reported use of electronic vaping in 2018. According to Juul’s website, the company’s marketing intentions weren’t to reach youths, but instead to reach addicts who are looking to quit smoking incrementally. However, marketing through social media platforms like Instagram and Snap[chat] was the company’s main method of generating revenue and buzz.

According to the CDC’s early November analysis, there have been 39 reported deaths across 24 states and the District of Columbia related to e-cigarettes. The agency also found that the average age of these victims is 19 years old.

Since the legal age to purchase e-cigarettes varies by state— in Florida, it is 18—it is likely that Juuls, STIGs and other vaping devices are being purchased via illegal means.

E-cigarettes have contributed to lung illnesses and related diseases according to the CDC, the Surgeon General and state officials. The CDC has also reported symptoms including excessive coughing and chest pains, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, fever and diarrhea.

As the official in charge of creating and enforcing school conduct, Senior Associate Dean of Students Steven Priepke promotes UM’s status as a non-smoking school with antitobacco placards and disciplinary action. Violators are faced with a fine, which started at $75 and has recently been increased to nearly $300. “The school was having a hard time making an impact against tobacco with a fine that

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Model Rebecca Stewart represents the thousands of college students with vapingrelated illnesses.

While the legal age for a person to purchase a nicotine product is 18 in most of the United States, age restrictions often do little to stop kids from getting what they want. “You have a lot of otherwise healthy young people suddenly arriving with fast-developing pneumonia in emergency rooms— that will raise red flags in a hurry,” Sean Callahan, a physician at the University of Utah, told BuzzFeed.

Photos of Stewart mimic advertising techniques often deployed by e-cigarette manufacturers. Healthy, attractive young people are often portrayed with a Juul in hand at parties or other social gatherings surrounded by friends. “It’s impossible to review the data and conclude anything other than the marketing is the major reason this product became so popular among young people,” said Matt Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

seemed so easily paid,” said Priepke.

“The number of students smoking on campus has definitely decreased since the change.”

According to the CFTK, more than a dozen states and over 500 localities have attempted to curb use of Juul and other vaping products by changing the legal age of purchase to 21. Although this may have contributed to the slowdown of Juul product sales— sales volume rose just 31.2% during the latest 12-week sales period, down from 52.6% from the previous period, according to Nielsen data—the move may have helped give rise to black market products.

THC cartridges and vapes, also known as weed pens, have been responsible for at least 12 reported deaths across the country, the CDC found. Since marijuana and THC products are illegal for recreational use in most of the country— only 11 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures—few users have a definite idea of the pens’ contents.

A September investigation by NBC News found that THC cartridges are often bootlegged, counterfeited or filled with unknown substances.

A UM senior who requested anonymity said she used THC cartridges recreationally for over a year before she had any problems.

However, as soon as she used a seemingly counterfeit product for the first time, “I got this really bad congestion in my head, a really bad cough, runny nose.” Like most college students, she gets sick often and didn’t think much of it.

“Then I stopped using the pen because I thought I was sick, and then all of a sudden, all of my symptoms immediately went away,” the senior said. She reached out to a friend who she thought would be able to tell the difference. After taking a look, “he immediately said the brand was fake,” even though it had looked normal to her. She said she hasn’t used a THC pen since she got sick, but said that if she does, “I will definitely buy them from a more trusted source.”

Due to the increase in recent deaths, individual states—including Florida—have taken action against

e-cigarettes and vape pens with either partial or complete bans. As part of the 2018 midterm elections, Florida voters passed a statewide constitutional amendment banning vaping in indoor workplaces; the corresponding bill was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April of this year, and it will take effect on July 1, 2020.

In October 2019, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody opened a statewide investigation into vaping companies’ marketing practices.

“We will hold accountable any companies that are intentionally targeting and misleading our youth regarding vaping products,” Moody said at a press conference. Meanwhile, the City of Miami Beach banned vaping in public parks last month, citing health care concerns among adolescents, according to an article in the Sun Sentinel.

As legislation goes into effect, alternate vaping options continue to penetrate the market. With health concerns mounting, Juul Labs’ decelerating growth may indicate nothing but trouble on the horizon.

BREAKING NEWS On November 7, 2019, Juul Labs’ CEO K.C. Crosthwaite announced an immediate ceasure of the sale of mintflavored Juul pods both online and to retailers. The Journal of the American Medical Association found that mint was the most popular flavor among high school students, while menthol was the least popular. With menthol and tobacco as the sole remaining flavors on the market, there is a possibility that younger users will be discouraged from using Juul products, perhaps allowing for a resulting rise in bootlegged or THC-laced e-cigarettes.

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your last distraction.

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD words_shianne salazar. photo_gabby rosenbloom. design_avani choudary.

The Department of Theatre Arts will close the semester with “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.”

Loosely based on Charles Dickens’ final novel of the same name, Rupert Holmes’ musical adaption takes Victorian debauchery to ambitious heights as audience participation is a key factor in the outcome of the show. SPOILER ALERT: Drood is murdered, but who did it? Well, as an audience member, it’s up to you to decide.

A show within a show, the frame narrative revolves around the acting trope at the Music Hall Royale as they run a “first night” performance of Dickens’ unfinished novel. Dickens died before completion, (gasp!) so it’s up to the audience to determine the course of the final act during a round of voting that will occur before the titular character is slain.

With over 40 potential endings and dual roleplay, the actors have their work set out for them. From dialect training to era-specific choreography, the challenges that can arise from this degree of complexity are plentiful. “The convention that’s written into the show is that the audience isn’t watching the University of Miami’s production in 2019, but rather the “Music Hall Royale’s” production

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in 1873,” said Noah Vesey, a senior who plays Clive Paget/John Jasper.

Nicole Delsack, a senior, plays Angela Prysock/The Princess Puffer. Angela, the actress, is the grand Dame of the Music Hall Royale, while Puffer is a madame within the Drood universe.

The shifts between the two characters are dramatic as Delsack must quickly change from an upper-class dialect to a cockney accent at any one time.

“The biggest challenge so far has been finding the differences between the two and playing them to the fullest, grandest potential” Delsack said. “Grand” is a word that gets thrown around a lot when describing this show, especially by the director NDavid Williams. “This is the stupidest business in the world. We take the stupidest stuff so seriously,” he joked during a rehearsal a week before the premiere.

For cast members like Noah Skurtu, who plays Cedric Moncrieffe/Reverend Crisparkle, these intricacies are what make the show worth watching. “We vie for ourselves,” said Skurtu.

“That keeps the energy high and everyone enthusiastic.” The actors work hard for votes, not dissimilar to a reality competition show.

C U LT U R E

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Rainy Day Fashion “While rainy-day fashion is often big jackets, sturdy pants and knee-high boots, Florida weather doesn’t exactly lend itself to this kind of attire.” Read More

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Reasons It’s Okay To Be Undeclared in College “You’ll hear it nonstop until you graduate: “What’s your major?” Whether you’re at a Thanksgiving dinner, a networking event on campus or just in a conversation with someone new, this question is bound to come up.” Read More

Little Shop of Horrors “Theatre Arts students at UM will take the stage to perform Little Shop of Horrors, the musical, at the Ring Theatre this week.

Little Shop of Horrors, a musical adaptation of the 1980’s film, tells of strange events unfolding in the most unlikely of places.”

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