My, my, my, readers. It’s been quite the week! Even though it was a short one, I felt like so much was crammed in all at once, in just a couple of days. Thankfully the four day weekend has arrived just in time. I certainly plan on taking advantage of it and doing some much needed relaxing. So, as I’m sure many of you know, things do not always work out the way that you plan them to. In times such as these, this next Diva Lesson becomes the most important! Yes, we all know that Tim Gunn uses the phrase all the time, which alone qualifies it as a key diva lesson, but “Make it Work!” means so much more.To be a true diva is to be adaptable, and able to think on your toes. This week was a perfect example of this lesson, which is why I figured this week would be the perfect one to bestow this lesson upon all of you!  So, without further adue, let class begin. Open your notebooks, and be prepared to take some notes! Now here we go: “Diva Lesson #6: Make It Work.”

Towards the end of last week, things already started to get a little wacky. I was casually using my computer, when all of a sudden, I heard this weird noise coming from the charger, and suddenly it stopped working. It was very weird, and I started freaking out because I had no idea what was going on. I tried unplugging and plugging the charger back into the computer, or into different outlets, but nothing worked. So, my computer charger had died. At first, I didn’t think was going to be a problem. But then I remembered that I had to facilitate a meeting with the advocacy committee on Sunday via AIM chat, and I also had a short paper due early in the week. Well snap. I called my dad right away and let him know, and he found a new charger very quickly. However, it was going to be the weekend and the mail room isn’t open, and I still had many things I needed to get done! What was a diva to do? Well of course, make it work! But more on that as the rest of my week unfolds.

As I mentioned previously, this week I had a short paper due. That paper was for my Feminist Art and Culture class. For the paper, we had to go and see feminist art work, and write a reaction paper to it. But, it can be hard to find feminist art work in general, and then on top of that, traveling around without a car also raised some worries for me. But of course, other divas come through and once again, it was another “make it work” moment! On Sunday, Jen, Jaz, Lil Fabez, and I all took a road trip! Lil Fabez was kind enough to drive, so she brought all of us to this museum our professor had told us about, called Dia: Beacon, located in the town of Beacon. Basically, Beacon is a center for modern art in the region. It was a beautiful day, and we drove over a bridge at one point blasting music from Hercules which was really hilarious and yet very cool at the same time. Dia was amazing. As soon as I walked inside, I fell in love with the place. There’s art work located both outside and inside of the main building, which is an old warehouse made of brick and painted mostly white on the inside. The large open areas make you feel so small, but it was such an inspiring space and when you walk in, you see these large colored shapes hanging on the wall. The array of shapes and colors was phenomenal. It’s hard to even describe the feeling that being inside of Dia gave me. As we walked further in, I saw other works that were just as flawless. One of my favorites in particular was a pile of shattered glass, which had shards pointing out at tons of different angles. It was so unique, and it was part of a series of similar pieces, one of which was seemingly a mound of dirt with shiny flecks in it. It was so simplistic, yet I could just stare at them forever. I wanted to just walk around for a while, but we were in a bit of a rush because it was a busy day. So we went upstairs and looked at the work of Louise Bourgeois, a feminist sculpture artist. Her work had a lot to do with natural shelters, and biomorphic shapes, while also using ideas of feminist and masculine themes. It was pretty interesting, especially because it was presented in a very secluded, quiet space. She had one sculpture in particular, a giant spider piece, which was very striking. We spent a while there, and when we had to leave, I wasn’t ready to. Dia:Beacon is definitely one of my new favorite places, and it reminded me of why I want to go into higher education, either in student affairs or admissions, at an art school. I loved the surroundings and the atmosphere. It was all excellent.

Following that, the four of us wanted to go and get something to eat since we all hadn’t eaten yet that day. We tried to go to Panera, but it was packed because it was a Sunday I suppose. Once again, it was another “Make it work” moment. So, we went next door to Coldstone Creamery and ate ice cream. Sure it was weird to eat ice cream first, but that’s what we did and it was perfect. After that, we went into town once we were back in New Paltz and we got Chinese food. Then, we made our way back to campus and I tried to get some work done. I had to rush to the print lab since my computer wasn’t working and I couldn’t use my printer, then I wrote my Japanese composition, and then it was off to the magazine meeting to plan the launch party which would take place the following day. After that was my next “make it work” moment. I had to rush back to Dubois, where a bunch of my friends live to use Lindsay’s computer for my chat with the NACURH Advocacy Committee. The chat was very successful. We were able to get everyone going on a couple of project ideas, and it’s nice to finally have that forward momentum. As the Vice-Chair, I was even able to take control and lead the discussion for a couple topics which was also very cool. I love working with the Advocacy Committee because all of the members come from all over the nation, and it’s really interesting to see all of these people come together in one setting, working towards a common goal or idea.
Monday finally arrived and I went to my classes. In Japanese, my professor surprised all of us and said we would be having a test on Wednesday, along with a guest speaker who would talk about studying abroad in Japan. None of us were expecting to have a test on Wednesday, so it turned into another “make it work” moment. The rest of the day went by pretty smoothly, but my professor for Intro to Law sprung another surprise on us, letting us know we would have to type up the briefing of a case and hand it in on Wednesday. Yet again, I couldn’t believe I didn’t have a working computer for this week. This was truly a week to end all weeks. Later that day, I yet again returned to my friend’s room in Dubois to use her computer to type up my paper for Feminist Art and Culture, and then I spray painted a pair of glasses gold because it just felt needed, and I prepared myself for the magazine launch party. The party went surprisingly well. It was a lot of fun and it was great to have the whole staff all together. A lot of people came which was also very exciting. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Tuesday morning came around and I headed off to Feminist Art and Culture, my only class of the day. It was time for class to begin, yet my professor hadn’t shown up. Sure enough, she called one of the students in my class and let her know there was an emergency so she wouldn’t be in. Instead, we would hold class ourselves. We were told to talk about the work of a particular artist and relate it to the Slut Walk (which it taking place this Saturday, conveniently enough!) So, as you can probably guess, this turned into another “Make it work” moment. My week was really full of them through and through, I wasn’t kidding. It was actually a very interesting discussion filled class and it was really awesome that we were able to operate without the professor. It was a unique class to say the least. For the rest of the day, I took care of little business things that needed to be done, and did some more computer hopping. My charger arrived that day, but it was the wrong one so I needed to have my dad order yet another computer charger for me. So, I used Jordan’s computer to type up my Law homework, and then studied for my test the next day.

Wednesday came quickly, thankfully, and I went to my morning classes, the second of which was Japanese. We listened to the guest speaker, and then took the test which was kind of difficult, but short. I think it went pretty well overall. After that, I had my staff meeting for OL, and went to lunch with Stephen, Soraya, Christie, Jon, and Marissa. The rest of the day was spent waiting for my last class so that my four day weekend could begin. When I went to class, there were only twelve people there. This was expected because it was a late afternoon class right before a long weekend. We had class anyway, because even my professor knows the “make it work” rule and held a smaller, more intimate class. Once it was over, I was relieved that I had weathered my way through the week, and I went to reward myself with a caramel latte. It was my second latte of the day, but don’t judge! It’s National Coffee Week! What else would you expect?

So with that, the weekend began. Last night, I went to dinner with Jen and Stephen, and then we met up with Allison and hung around Espous before going to Stewart’s for ice cream. Our favorite worker, Robin, was there and I had pumpkin pie ice cream in a waffle cone. It had crust in it and everything! Then I returned to Capen and had a sleepover with Jordan in Sam’s bed since she went home for the weekend. Today, I got up at 12, and I had an e-mail from mail services. I had a package and it was my lap top charger! At last, I could use my own lap top once again. Clearly, this was a sign that the “make it work” week was coming to an end. Later on, I went to the mall with Stephen and Jen and we just walked around from store to store. We went to a Halloween costume store and a teacher’s store where I bough cute French stickers too. Then we went to dinner and Panera and closed out the evening with Starbs where I bought a pumpkin spice latte, despite ridiculous rain and lightening. Hey, it’s National Coffee Week! Sometimes coffee is just that important and clearly, this is one of those weeks. It’s been a great and relaxing day, and I’m looking forward to enjoying the remaining days of my long weekend.

Despite the fact that oddities or curveballs may arise in any given week, it’s always possible to handle them and navigate accordingly. Dealing with not having a computer was certainly a challange this week, especially when I had so many things going on which I needed it for, and then a kind of surprise test was another unexpected element, along with of course, probably the finest example of this week’s lesson, holding class without a professor. The key is to always remain calm and in control. A true Diva is one who does not crack under pressure, but finds a new path, and navigates anew in her own way. Although this should be saved for another lesson, and probably will be its on at some point, this lesson is similar to my favorite saying, “Fake it till ya make it!” Always remember that you can accomplish whatever tasks lie ahead of you, just remember what you’ve been taught here in this lesson, and the next time you have to deal with some sort of strange, random, or seemingly daunting situation, turn it around, make it fun, make it you, and take control. In closing, I want you to close your eyes and picture Tim Gunn standing before you, saying his favorite phrase (no, not “What’s all this flotsam and jetsam?” or “It looks like faux-bois.”), and then repeat after him, this week’s lesson, Diva Lesson #6 “Make it work!”

Extra Credit:  Upon reviewing my life choices since coming to New Paltz, I decided that I am more than likely going to add an Asian Studies minor onto my double major. I’m already a decent way into the program, so it would make sense to take advantage of that. I also really enjoy Japanese, so it would make sense for that reason as well. Political Science, Women’s Studies, and Asian Studies. What a combination.

Also, one of my best friends from home is coming up this weekend to take a look at New Paltz and get a feel for it to see if he wants to apply or possibly come here next year! I’m very excited to show him around because he’s never been here before and I also haven’t seen him in some time.

Finally, I really want to go to the Deadmau5 concert next weekend, but I still don’t have tickets, a way to get there, or someone to go with. This is a situation. Oh well, I guess we’ll just see how everything ends up playing out.