Category: Opinion

Since the show’s debut in 1975, “Saturday Night Live” has been more than just a comedy sketch show—serving as a reflection of current events with a hint of comedic relief.

In a way, “SNL” has become the heart of pop culture, capturing the spirit of each time era while influencing how we see the world around us.

I’ve been watching “SNL” for as long as I can remember. My dad would watch the show every Saturday night, no matter what. I’ve seen the show at its highs and lows. I’ve watched the cast change more times than I can count. It’s gotten to the point where when something big happens in the news or the pop culture universe, I start anticipating when “SNL” will cover it. 

“SNL” doesn’t just reflect pop culture—it helps create it. Over the years, cast members, hosts and guests have all benefited from their time on the show. Comedians we all know and love like Adam Sandler, Bill Murray, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler all got their start on “SNL.” The show serves as a platform for comedians to show the world what they’re capable of. 

The hosts and musical guests often reflect who is trending at the time. Each week, the host brings their style and energy, whether they’re a seasoned comedian, an actor or even an athlete.

Recently, “SNL” has secured a lot of names meant to attract younger audiences like Charli XCX, Jenna Ortega, Miles Teller and Austin Butler.

They do the same with the musical guests. Chappell Roan was a musical guest this season, and her performance generated one of the loudest crowds I’ve heard on “SNL” in a long time.

“SNL’s” live weekly format sets it apart as an instant reaction to what’s happening in the world. Whether addressing major political events or poking fun at viral trends, the show captures the moment in real time.

The best example of this would be the show’s segment, Weekend Update. This segment, currently hosted by Colin Jost and Micheal Che, is a comedic take on the week’s top news stories.

The hosts take up a good chunk in the middle of every show to poke fun at the current political state, pop culture and anything else they deem newsworthy. I find that the comedic relief this segment provides is needed.

In a world like today where the facts are everywhere, it’s nice to take a step back and laugh at it. Jost and Che will sometimes write the jokes for each other and keep them a secret until the live show. These episodes are always my favorite.

What makes “SNL” unique is its ability to act as a time capsule. Each season and episode offers a snapshot of what mattered at that moment. Watching old episodes isn’t just a trip down memory lane, but it’s also a way to understand what people were thinking, laughing at and worried about during specific periods in history. 

Recently, I watched an episode from 2017 with host Ryan Gosling and musical guest Jay-Z. Gosling was there to promote one of my favorite movies, “La La Land,” which was the theme of his opening monologue.

When it was time for Jay-Z to perform, my boyfriend and I started to guess what songs he’d do. We had to think about what he was doing back in 2017 and what his biggest hits were at that time. The sketches were filled to the brim with popular names from that time and trends. One of the sketches was about being “woke” and wearing Levi’s jeans. Watching this sketch, I thought “wow this is so 2017.” It felt like I was transported back in 2017 watching this episode. 

“SNL” isn’t just part of pop culture; it defines it. Through its constantly changing cast, hosts and sketches, the show continues to capture the essence of every era, blending humor with cultural significance in a way no other show can.

The name of 2024’s Sexiest Man Alive has been released by People magazine, and the title goes to John Krasinski.

My first thought was, seriously… the guy from “The Office?” He’s cute, but Sexiest Man Alive? I don’t think so. I can think of other people who are way more deserving of the title.

Here’s who I would’ve chosen.

Drew Starkey

Drew Starkey is best known for his role as Rafe Cameron in “Outer Banks.” He plays the antagonist for seasons two and three, but something about his character is very attractive, especially when he buzzes his hair in season three. His anger in the series appeals to the part of us women who like a bad boy, someone who defies the normal.

Starkey isn’t a social person by nature. He’d rather spend his time alone because that is where he feels most like himself. He also isn’t very active on social media, having very few posts on his Instagram. Despite this, his interviews are very engaging.

He has very captivating blue eyes and a small smirk that reinforces the bad boy idea. He not only has attractive features, but something about the way he carries himself makes him all the more fascinating.

Henry Cavill

Honestly, how has this man not won the title yet? Henry Cavill has played many iconic characters, including Superman from 2013-2022, Geralt of Riveria in “The Witcher” and Sherlock Holmes in “Enola Holmes.”

Cavill is a huge family man and talks in his interviews about how much he appreciates them and how they support him. He is also very engaging and humble.

With his broad shoulders, dark hair and square jawline, he is well-deserving of the title. Each character he plays is insanely attractive in different ways because Cavill is playing them.

Pedro Pascal

Pedro Pascal is the oldest candidate on this list at 49 years old, but Patrick Dempsey won last year, and he’s almost 10 years older, so Pascal is not out of the running. He is also Chilean, while most previous candidates have been white Americans, so his winning would be a win for diversity in the competition.

Pascal is known for his roles as Oberyn Martell in “The Game of Thrones,” Joel Miller in “The Last of Us,” The Mandalorian in “The Mandalorian” and Whiskey in “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.”

However, he was asked, along with Glen Powell, to be nominated for Sexiest Man Alive 2024 but refused the title because he says he doesn’t need the ego boost. He should have accepted the nomination because he is a very attractive candidate, and the title needs more representation.

Pascal has a very charming and charismatic personality both on and off screen. He is very humble and desires to make those around him comfortable. He is also physically attractive with his warm brown eyes and dark mustache.

Jonathan Bailey

Jonathan Bailey is a perfect candidate for this title. His roles as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in “Bridgerton” and Fiyero in “Wicked” have shown us that he is attractive and can bear the weight of the title.

His characters are charming and lovable. He would also be the first openly gay man to take on the title.

In his interviews, he talks a lot about the misconceptions and hatred he’s faced for his sexuality. His experiences haven’t shut him down. Instead, he hopes to be an inspiration to the LGBTQ community and openly talks about his experiences.

Bailey is captivating with his dark hair and toned body. Beyond that, he has a very open face that portrays both kindness and intensity.

Simu Liu

Simu Liu has gained popularity recently with his entrance into the Marvel universe as Shang-Chi in “Shang-Chi: The Legend of the Ten Rings.” He also played one of the Kens in “Barbie.” He is impressive in both movies, portraying an effortless confidence.

Liu mentioned in an interview previously that he would love to hold the title of Sexiest Man Alive. Liu is very vulnerable in his interviews, openly talking about race issues and his hard climb to the fame he has now.

The 35-year-old star is also built. Between that, his symmetrical face and small smile, he deserves to be labeled as the Sexiest Man Alive. He would also be one of the first Asian men to win the title.

Krasinski did not deserve the title he received compared to the men on this list. He cannot be described as sexy, only cute. Every man on this list has sexy qualities, both inside and out, that prove them superior to this year’s choice.

Next year, I better see some of these men nominated for the title of Sexiest Man Alive.

While most people remember the holidays for the food piled on their plates and the time spent with friends and family, sometimes it can feel like the stress piles on top of you instead.

The holidays can be a great time to spend with family and friends, but they also bring a lot of stress with them. Whether it’s pressure to live up to the high expectations we set for ourselves or conflicts with time and money, the holidays can quickly turn from a winter wonderland into a nightmare.

Luckily, I have several different ways that will let you kick back and relax this holiday season.

Time

Finding ways to manage your time can be tricky during the holiday season due to all the commitments we feel we have to make with friends, family or even work celebrations.

A great way to mitigate this stress is to plan ahead of time so that there’s no pressure to make commitments at the last minute when there’s no time to fulfill them.

Another great way to manage time during the holidays is to be willing to say ‘no.’ While it can be difficult, letting people know ahead of time that you aren’t able to make commitments eliminates stress to make various events but also mitigates stress for everyone else.

Budgeting

In addition to managing your time appropriately, budgeting ahead of time will make the holidays more enjoyable.

Especially as college students, I know there’s extra stress to get Christmas gifts when many of our budgets are tight as is. Planning your budget ahead of time helps you know how much you have to spend and eliminates the surprise from last-minute spending. 

There are several different ways to plan your budget ahead of time during the holidays. Making a list of all the people you have to shop allows you to plan for how much you will have to spend. Planning ahead of time also allows you to look for bargains during sales like Black Friday, which can help save money.

Positive habits

Along with the added stress to time and our wallets, the holidays can also throw off our normal routines.

This is often a great break from things such as school or work, but it can also disrupt positive habits such as exercise and healthy eating.

Finding time to continue those habits will not only help keep the pounds off but also allow us to feel a sense of accomplishment and normalcy.

I have a tradition of working out with my family on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it not only helps us feel better the rest of the day but also helps us get along better.

Respect differences

While the holidays are a great time to gather with friends and family, there can also be stress about the possibility of disagreements between family members.

Many of us dread the tense political conversations over the dinner table at Thanksgiving, so it’s important to respect differences to avoid those tense moments.

Another way to avoid those uncomfortable moments, especially coming off an election, is finding ways to redirect the conversation or leave it entirely. Setting ground rules ahead of time or trying to think positively can help make the holidays more enjoyable for everyone.

When uncomfortable conversations do happen, there are several ways to ensure it doesn’t ruin the holiday. Assuming the best intentions, looking for things in common and taking the time to listen are all great tips to ensure that everyone can feel comfortable at the dinner table.

Set expectations

Many of us have preconceived notions of what the holidays should look like, which can lead to disappointment due to the overall chaos of the holiday season.

Setting realistic expectations with yourself can help manage the stress of when things don’t go as planned. It can also make those situations more positive and make them memorable for the future.

Living in the moment helps to avoid disappointment when plans inevitably change or fall through, especially when making plans with friends and family.

The holidays can feel overwhelming at times, but there are ways to make them more manageable and enjoyable. While it is not possible to remove all the stress from holidays, that is part of what makes them enjoyable and memorable in the first place.

“Wicked,” based on the Broadway musical, has been one of the most anticipated movies of 2024. Yet, I kept thinking to myself, “What in the hell am I watching and who thought to create this?”

Granted, a lot of people out there know “Wicked” and they love it. I, however, had ZERO prior knowledge on the story whatsoever. I went into the movie with a fresh set of eyes, not being blinded by any previous love for it. 

Because of this, “Wicked” was strange because there’s intense themes like racism, but they are undermined by a story of friendship. I had to ask myself, “Is the theme of friendship the most important aspect of Elphaba’s life?”

For those like me who have no prior knowledge, “Wicked” is an origin story about the Wicked Witch of the West—Elphaba—from the “The Wizard of Oz,” and how she met and knew Glinda the Good.

I wanted to love this movie, I really did. But, at the end of the day I didn’t feel connected to it, and I left with more questions than I had before. 

What worked

The beginning was extremely boring, but by the middle and end of the film, that’s when the action happens. And when it gets good, it gets REALLY good. 

The plot twists were exactly what I wanted to see. I didn’t want to watch some musical. When different storylines started to connect toward the middle and end, that’s when I became invested in the story. Although I do wish there was a shift in themes, but I’ll get to that soon. 

This movie is visually interesting and appealing because practically every single set was built, not CGI, including a giant tulip field, emerald train to Oz and the Wizard of Oz’s golden face. And that pays off because as a viewer, I could tell. It looked truly impressive. 

And the clothing was incredible. Every single item Glinda and Elphaba wore were tailored for them for that exact scene, and costume designer Paul Tazewell is a genius for every item. 

Kudos to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for singing the songs live on set. That’s not a common thing to do, but it paid off in every way. While I’m not a fan of the music, the voices—especially Erivo’s—were rich to listen to. 

Erivo’s voice is angelic yet has this real soul to it, and I credit that to the fact there was live singing involved, and of course her raw talent. 

What didn’t work

This movie is only part one of “Wicked,” and part two doesn’t come out until NEXT YEAR. That is an insane amount of time to make an audience wait for part two when it’s already filmed. 

The creators shot part one and two back to back, so if the wait time was two weeks and not an entire year, I’d be more excited to see how the story ends. But, because I have to wait a year, I Googled what happens throughout the rest of the musical because I don’t want to wait to find out. 

Because this is a musical, obviously there are going to be songs in it. However, for a film adaptation, I really wished that there were significantly less songs. 

I’m not saying get rid of them, because there’s a time and place. But every 10 minutes of the movie it felt like a song was interrupting what was going on. I didn’t feel connected to the songs, and I didn’t want to go learn them after. 

What was confusing to me, and I don’t know if part two will address this more intensely, but the movie focused heavily on friendship, which isn’t a problem, but there was this underlying message of racism and discrimination. I kept wanting to know more about that part of the story.

Interestingly enough, the musical was based on a book called “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” I went down a rabbit hole learning about this book, and it has more mature scenes and content in it—very different from the musical. 

So, while I understand the Broadway play and this film want to appeal to a wider audience by making it more friendly, the adaptations still could have gone the route of exploring the discrimination theme rather than the friendship theme. 

And this is for those who have watched the movie, but I honestly was anticipating to see what happens to Dr. Dillamond, the talking goat, and my favorite character just from his few scenes. BUT I Googled it and am extremely disappointed. #justicefordrdillamond

The verdict

What it comes down to is I didn’t love the main storyline of friendship, and I wished other routes were explored. I’m rating “Wicked” a 2 ½ out of five stars and you should wait to stream it at home. 

While I love me a good “villain” origin story, I really wanted to see less of Glinda the Good in “Wicked” and more of Elphaba, along with exploring the discrimination theme. It just didn’t have the effect I wanted it to. I know people love this story and the play, but I wanted more from the film. 

I’m hoping part two will change my mind on this, but as of now “Wicked” is just OK by me. 

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation,
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

As a child, I would stand for the flag and repeat those words alongside my classmates. And that was one of the few times I consistently felt united with my peers. As we have become adults, it feels like we have forgotten the importance of uniting as “one Nation,” especially after this past election.

I respect the opinions of both the Republican and Democratic sides of the political viewpoints; however, I disagree with the negative treatment toward each other after the election. This includes shunning the other party for who they voted for, unfollowing people or being flat-out rude.

All of this negativity led to me taking a social media cleanse just to escape the cloud of toxicity and hatred floating around the internet. I understand being upset when a certain party is elected that you were not aiming for, but this should not be a driving factor to further divide our nation.

The day following the election, my social media feed consisted of people from both parties posting political statements. Usually, this does not faze me. Yet, this time, the political posts were not just statements of support but harsh and rude towards the other party. I was shocked. I do not remember such an extreme reaction to the previous elections. I understand a lot was on the line depending on who won the votes, but emotions spiked to new levels.

Additionally, let’s not allow social media to control our emotions. Don’t believe everything that you see online, research it first. When you are researching, also take into consideration that there are extremists in both political parties, and the mainstream media loves to highlight these extreme points. When this is done, form your own opinions and emotions. Then, it is OK to have those intense emotions and reactions.

Most importantly, it’s OK to have differing viewpoints. To provide an example, let’s not talk about politics for a second. I, personally, absolutely hate seafood. The smell itself sends me into a fight-or-flight response. Regardless, I do not hate people or shame them when they tell me they love seafood. Now, I know this is a minimal consequence scenario, but why can’t the same aspect apply to other things in life?

Very rarely in life will you 100% have the exact same opinion or view on a topic as someone else. And once again, that’s OK. Personally, I love hearing a diverse set of opinions from my own because it helps me expand my knowledge and empathize with others. Every single person has gone through a different set of challenges in life that help shape their opinions, meaning we should not belittle other’s opinions.

If you don’t agree with someone, nod your head or swipe past the post and continue on. It does not have to lead to a negative result. And, hot take, it should DEFINITELY not be the deciding factor of whether you are friends with a person or not. At the end of the day, this negativity will not solve anything.

Kamala Harris, during her concession speech, said: “A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results. That principle, as much as any other, distinguishes democracy from monarchy and tyranny, and anyone who seeks the public trust must honor it.”

With all of this in mind, let’s not allow whom you voted for to stand in the way of taking action toward some of the world’s issues. Instead of spreading hate, let’s promote change.

Make a difference in the local ways that you can like attend city council meetings, join a commission or union, and volunteer. Part of this includes voting on a local level, which can impact a person just as much and is how most change is introduced into politics. Elections happen more frequently than the heavily advertised presidential elections. When you participate in these political activities, it ultimately will begin to bring our communities together.

Saying the other party is terrible for this reason or that does not solve the issue but further divides the two political parties. No change from either party is going to happen if we do not listen to the opinions of both sides. Be a voice that promotes change instead of hatred.

I know this is a time of confusion and fear with a new president and cabinet coming into office. However, hatred should not be added to this list of emotions. So, during this very divisive time, let’s not allow who you voted for to stand in the way of fixing the issues at hand. Let’s, instead, come together as one Nation and make a change.

While there are some possible drawbacks, a combination of on-location work combined with remote work allows employees to be more productive while also promoting a more balanced lifestyle. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced everyone to stay inside and out of the office, remote work has become a more available option to workers. A study by LinkedIn’s Global State of Remote and Hybrid Work study found that in April of 2022, the share of job postings that offered remote work reached 20.3%. This is a stark contrast to the 3% to 5% estimate before the pandemic. 

As employees have been moved out of the office and into their homes, moving workers to full-time remote work would be a mistake. A study by Stanford University in January found that fully remote workers are around 10% less productive than their other coworkers. Remote work can serve a purpose, but it should not be the standard for the future. 

Working completely remote has several drawbacks that cause it to be less productive than other methods. Communication is essential in nearly all jobs, and it takes a severe hit when everyone is remote.

Despite things such as video chats, they simply do not replace the benefits of meeting face to face. Online communication causes more distractions and confusion due to the inability to read things like body language and social cues. We also all learned during the pandemic when we were forced to do school or work completely online, technology isn’t always reliable and it was never quite the same as meeting in-person.

While I was in my senior year of high school during the pandemic, we were forced to go fully remote for the first portion of the year. While we were able to get some things done, it didn’t come close to the learning experience in the classroom. The same disconnect that many felt during the pandemic continues to exist for those who work fully remote, as it hinders communication and productivity.  

While working completely remote has been shown to lower productivity, there are benefits to a mix of both on-location and remote work for both employers and employees. The previously mentioned Stanford study also found that hybrid working had no significant impact on productivity and also helped employee recruitment and retention.

This gives workers greater flexibility, which many people became accustomed to during the pandemic, while also allowing them to remain as productive as if they were in an office every day. 

Hybrid work allows workers to live a healthier lifestyle as it creates a better balance between work and home life. Workers save time commuting from work on days they aren’t in the office, which allows them to spend more time with their families. It also helps build a stronger community between employees and their employers as they feel more connected and retain flexibility, while also building relationships with their colleagues.

This also promotes a healthier work environment as a hybrid work method makes workers happier to be a part of their respective companies and reduces negative work relationships. When negative relationships do come up, the hybrid method also allows workers to work through it during their time at home. 

The hybrid approach simply allows workers and employers to find the middle ground between productivity, a healthy lifestyle and flexibility. It also reduces the drawbacks that come from both fully remote and on-location work, such as productivity and a balance between work and the rest of life. 

I never thought I would reach this point, but here I am. In the 2016 election, I had the naive hope the people who voted for Donald Trump were merely misled, desperate or too numb to the chaos that the 2016 election was.

I believed that there was some rational thought around why folks would vote for a man who called fallen soldiers “suckers” and “losers,”  to which Trump said, “For somebody to say the things that they say I said is a total lie. It’s fake news. It’s a disgrace.”

Or how he constantly attacked the news for “fake news” despite how thin that rationale was.

But this time, there are no excuses; we all know what he is capable of. Hello, Jan. 6th… and y’all just chose him to be president. A man who bragged about grabbing women without consent and dismisses and degrades the American people at every turn, especially if you are NOT a white, straight, Christian man.

Trump: a walking embodiment of misogyny

If you voted for Trump, disrespectfully, I do not want to hear any excuses from you. YOU CHOSE HIM. When you voted for Trump, it felt like you looked me right in the eyes and said, “You don’t matter.“

You voted for a man who gloated about his treatment of women and how he uses them as props to boost his ego; he degrades us and belittles us.

He said, “Birdbrain doesn’t have the talent or temperament to do the job,” about Nikki Haley, a member of his party, because she dared to run against him in the primaries.

Yet, you still supported him.

He outlined how he and his goons are going to take away our autonomy, our safety and our right to exist without fear of harassment and assault. I mean, he already gloats about how he got Roe V. Wade overturned, and just a week after the election, I had a guy come up to me, slap my butt, and say, “Your body my choice,” which is a phrase coined by white supremacist and Trump supporter Nick Fuentes.

I’m done with the idea that I should be tolerant of people who support someone so openly hostile to women’s safety and dignity. You chose a man who sees women as objects, and by casting your vote for him, you chose to uphold that worldview.

Kamala Harris fights for women

We could have had Kamala Harris. A leader who fights for everyone right in front of you, and you STILL spit in the face of progress.

Instead your vote was for someone who said “I moved on her like a bitch” and has made it clear that he hates women. While we almost could have had someone who has spent her whole career fighting for women, she defended survivors of domestic violence, fought for reproductive freedom and worked for gender equality. You could have had a leader who believes in women’s right to choose, a LEADER who is representative of what women have been fighting for since 1848 with the start of Women’s Suffrage.

Instead, you rejected her. You rejected a candidate who deserves a seat at the table. When you chose Trump, you told women like me that I should stay in my lane, I should accept being silenced, I should just smile and endure. I refuse to respect anyone who thinks that not choosing Harris is an acceptable choice.

Your vote is an endorsement of racism

I feel horrified knowing that people in my life decided that racism was acceptable. You may claim you’re “not racist,” but when you voted for Trump, you chose to support a man who stokes hate, who emboldens white supremacy and who consistently targets Black, Brown and immigrant communities.

I feel the weight that your vote did. I look at my friends who aren’t white, who come from families that are immigrants, friends who had to fight for the basic respect in this country. Your vote told me their lives don’t matter. And if their lives don’t matter to you, I have to ask: why should I believe mine does?

I can’t believe we are here. Those people who I thought had some decency looked at Trump’s hate-fueled platform and went, “Yes, this is the president for me.” You voted for a false promise of a better economy and an outdated policy on immigration, which shows me that you have ZERO concepts of what goes into the economy and are racist.

I have nothing but contempt for you choosing “cheaper gas” over the most vulnerable people in our society. I don’t care how you frame it. I say this with complete disrespect: you are vile human beings for voting for Trump.

Kamala could have been the first Black and South Asian woman president

Harris is everything that Trump is not. Firstly, she is a Black and Asian woman—everything Trump’s America fears and despises. Harris represents a future in which not just white men can be in power.

Instead, the presidency could have represented the diversity that makes America great. We could have had a future where not only white voices are heard, but Black and Brown voices are heard, valued and celebrated.

Instead, you voted for hate and racism against every person who has fought to have a voice, be seen as a human and be respected in this country. You put some of my friends and godmothers at risk of backlash based on the color of their skin, and for that, I will never look at any of you the same.

You are complacent in bigotry

When you voted for Trump, you didn’t just vote for “different policies,” like ending birthright citizenship and reinstating his “Remain in Mexico,” rolling back Biden’s policy of expanding Title IX protections to transgender students, and ending gay marriages. You voted to uphold a worldview that says only certain people deserve respect, rights and opportunities. I’m furious knowing that people I care about chose bigotry over equality.

You may think that’s harsh, but I’m not mincing words—your vote told me everything I needed to know about what you truly value, and it’s clear that it doesn’t include the rights and safety of people who are different from you.

I’m exhausted from pretending that we can find common ground when you’ve made it clear that you don’t care about equality. You may not think you’re “against” women, people of color or the LGBTQ+ community, but when you chose to support Trump, you DID take a side. And it’s not a side that I can ever respect.

Harris could have protected rights for LGBTQ+ individuals

Harris has been a fierce advocate for people who are LGBTQ+ and maintaining their equality. She has fought for marriage equality, protections for transgender individuals and rights that everyone, regardless of your skin tone, nationality or how you identify.

She doesn’t say she supports these marginalized groups; she shows it through her actions, like attending a Washington D.C. Pride Parade.

You don’t get a pass anymore

If you’re reading this and feeling angry, good. Because I’m angry too. I’m angry that people I once respected—friends, family members, co-workers—chose to throw their weight behind a man who is the very embodiment of misogyny, racism and bigotry.

I’m angry that people are STILL making excuses for his vile behavior, for the harm he causes, for the future he’s going to take from us. We can expect war on women, immigrants, African Americans, Latinos and LGBTQ+ people, and that is a bleak future that I wish I could have avoided. Still, you decided these culture wars are more important than progress.

I’m done explaining to people why this feels personal—it is personal. This isn’t about “moving on” or “finding common ground”—it’s about justice and survival. If you don’t understand that, you’re part of the problem.

If you voted for Trump, you told me that my rights, my voice and my very humanity were not worth protecting. You don’t get to brush that off, and you don’t get to ask for my understanding. I’m not obligated to forgive people who see me as a lesser person, and I won’t pretend this was just another election. You made your choice, and now I’ve made mine.

Question: How do you feel about motherhood?

Dear readers,

I’m a digital media major. What am I going to do with my degree? Be a mother. 

Here I am in college with three weeks left in my final semester and 30 days until my wedding. Truthfully, I entered college 2 ½ years ago without knowing exactly why. I knew that my biggest goal in life was to be a wife and a mother. In the meantime, college was my next best option, so here I am trucking along. 

But at the end of the day, when I’ve graduated and have my degree up my sleeve, I don’t want to be a news anchor. I don’t want to be a social media manager. I don’t want to be a journalist. I want to be a mom.

Was college all for nothing then? Of course not. I wouldn’t have traded my college experience for anything because I know I was meant to go for a reason. In some way, shape or form, I will use my degree one day whether it’s to educate others about what’s going on in the world, create a blog to share my own experiences or do social media and writing on the side, but that’s not what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Anyone who knows me knows this. 

What hurts about wanting to be a mom is not that it won’t happen for a while. What hurts is the people that tell me it shouldn’t happen. 

“Wait until a couple of years.” 

“Wait until you’ve settled down with your husband.” 

“Wait until you get your master’s degree.”

“Wait until you’ve traveled the world.”

“Wait until you have more money.”

“Wait until you’re actually ready.” 

“Wait. Wait. Wait.” 

I smile and nod as you tell me the things I’ve heard countless times already. As you walk away, I say thank you for your advice, but what I really want to say is this. 

If I waited for all these things, I’d never be ready. I’ll never be prepared enough. I’ll never be wealthy enough. I’ll never be knowledgeable enough. But there comes a point when you know in your heart that you are ready.

Every mother’s story is different, and just because some moms have regrets about getting pregnant too soon or doing this and that “wrong” doesn’t mean you have the right to tell me to wait. You don’t get to make me fear that I’ll have the same regrets as you. 

Your story is not my story.

You telling me to wait doesn’t make me doubt my ability to be a mom. It doesn’t make me think, “Oh, well, maybe I should wait.” It honestly just boils my blood. 

The main reason people tell me to wait is this.

“Angel, being a mom is so hard.”

Yes, I am aware of that. I have a mom. I’ve watched her for 20 years struggle, cry, mourn, sacrifice and push through every hardship with strength I can only hope to emulate. 

But I’ve also watched how happy she is fulfilling the one job she always wanted. When I ask her if there is anything she would have done differently, she always tells me she has no regrets. She says every challenge and sacrifice was worth it, and that the joy she feels now wouldn’t be the same without her kids. Her journey hasn’t been easy, but she’s shown me what it means to follow your heart and find fulfillment in what truly matters. 

It’s because of her that I want to be a mom, and when I tell her I want to be a mom, she doesn’t tell me to wait. She doesn’t make me doubt my dreams. She doesn’t make me feel like I can’t have what I want. She encourages me wholeheartedly, reminding me there’s no perfect time to pursue motherhood and that following my dreams is worth every challenge. 

To my mom, thank you for being the mom I hope to be like one day. 

To my future kids, I can’t wait to meet you.

To myself, when you are ready to be a mom, you will know it in your heart, and you will be the best mom you can be. 

To everyone else telling me to wait, thank you for your concern, but this is my dream, my heart and my journey. 

I’m not going to tell you to wait to be a doctor or a teacher or an entrepreneur. You’ll have plenty of waiting to do yourself. So don’t tell me not to follow my path just because it’s different from yours or doesn’t make sense to you.

I may not have it all figured out, but I have a vision for my life, one that includes raising a family and nurturing a future I have waited a lifetime for. So when the time comes, I’ll embrace it, ready or not, because I believe that some dreams are worth stepping into even before we feel completely prepared.

Sincerely, 

Angel Wood

If you are seeking advice on something, message me on Instagram at @angelwoodknow.

After countless left swipes, you eventually spot a promising match. This is a familiar struggle for many young adults, myself included, searching for the right person in a seemingly endless sea of profiles.

Throughout the short years of my adulthood, dating has not come easy, if anything, I have found that it is a living hell. As time goes on, dating is not a necessity but what feels like a chore. The need for validation or a glimpse of hope is what drives people back to the dating scene.

The thrill of wanting to experience a meet-cute by meeting my soulmate, from bumping into each other at a café or locking eyes from across the party in a strobe-filled room, to then having to settle on seeing a “you matched with…” at the top of your phone, brings the same euphoric feeling.

To save you the mental turmoil of trying out dating apps and deciding which one feels right for you, I have tried four popular dating apps and indicated which ones work and which ones you shouldn’t waste your time on.

Tinder

“See who’s out there, swipe right.”

★☆☆☆☆

Tinder, is the app for hookups and unwanted situationships. If you want your heart broken by a man or woman who is talking to 10 other girls or guys, then please humor yourself and download this app.

When you first download Tinder, it asks you a few generic questions, what your dating preferences are like, and what you’re looking for. Then comes the swiping.

Left for uninterested and right for interested. In my experience and years of using the app, it may be the most pointless dating app one could use unless you’re looking for nothing but a hookup.

Despite Tinder’s visible popularity, some users feel bored and disappointed, especially those looking for deeper connections.

Hinge

“The app designed to be deleted.”

★★★★☆

Throughout my experiment, Hinge has been my go-to app so far. My favorite parts of the app are some of the reasons why it is my favorite, including how it allows you to add voice responses to your prompts about who you are, you can see who likes you before matching with the other party, and the prompts require more genuine responses than a three-word Tinder bio.

I also enjoyed how once a week the app suggests a group of people they think would be your type and allows you to give a rose to your top pick. The downfall is I find that when I find a guy I like and start to know well, we exchange numbers or social media and then tend to ghost you within a few days.

Mutual

“The feeling is mutual! Find others like you.”

★★☆☆☆

Mutual is intended for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and as a member of the church, I have not found success on Mutual.

It is difficult to find options when it feels like the app doesn’t show you anything unless you pay for the app. It also feels like there aren’t as many people on Mutual, so it is hard to find a genuine connection with someone. You can also see when someone has unmatched with you, and I wish that wasn’t a part of the app.

You’re either going to find a return missionary who wants to get married within the first three months of dating or someone who isn’t a member of the church.

Bumble

“Putting women first, always.”

★★★☆☆

Bumble is the app I am least familiar with, and I only downloaded it to see what it is all about. My first impression of the app was that it was a fun setup process but was not user-friendly.

When you join Bumble, it feels like the organization of the app isn’t laid out very well. Most of the app’s aspects can’t be utilized unless you pay $32.64 a month for a premium subscription. That was honestly a turn off for me, as I feel it should be more accessible to those who use the app.

The aspect of the app that I liked is how it is up to the women to reach out first, as that is something we have only seen on Bumble.

Out of the four apps I tried, the one I favored using the most was Hinge because in my experience, you can get to know someone on a deeper level just by looking at a profile. I also enjoy how Hinge allows voice prompts, allowing you to hear their voices before liking someone.

Overall, each of these apps has its own unique benefits. One’s online dating experience and what they’re looking for will determine how their experience turns out.