Posts Tagged ‘Raina’

Study Abroad: Victoria in Switzerland

Written by Raina. Posted in Accessories

Today I have an interview with Victoria (on the right in the picture). She is a Kent State student, and a good friend of mine, who is currently studying abroad in Switzerland for the semester. She has also included a couple of beautiful pictures she has taken while there. Enjoy!

Name: Victoria Jackson

Year: Senior

Major: Pan-African studies, Minors in International Business and Political Science

  • What is the time difference between Kent and Switzerland?
    • The difference is 6 hours.
  • Have you discovered any cool shops, restaurants, café, etc. that you enjoy? If so, what are they called?  And, can you describe them?
  • Restaurants here are extremely expensive, so I have only been to a few. The best restaurant I have been to so far is the Spaghetti factory, which I can only describe as Italian fusion. The food was good but expensive. There is an Irish pub, called Mulligans, which is a half a block from our building so we usually will hangout there. The beers aren’t too expensive and the bartenders are friendly. I went to the Salvation Army here and it was really nice. It had a great selection of books in English and a nice clothing section especially the skirts and coats. There is a cafe near my internship that has a really nice tarte tatin. The café is expensive so that was a one-time thing.
  • What is something you did there so far that was a lot of fun?
    • I have done a few fun things. Going to museums, and exploring the city. I took a day trip to France. I went to a town in France just past the Swiss border with some friends; we walked around and went to a pastry shop. A group of us from the program went to a Rave, which was an interesting and unique experience.
  • How is the weather there currently?
    • I love the weather here. Recently it has been around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  I have only seen it snow twice here, and it was extremely light, did not stick to the ground, and lasted for a few minutes.
  • What are you doing in Switzerland/ What is your reason for going?
    • I am doing the Kent State UniversityGeneva Semester. The internship option for this program is why I am in Switzerland. I am interning with the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rightsof the Child, and I also take classes.
  • What has been the biggest adjustment for you?
    • Folders. Hands down folders have been the biggest adjustment. American style folders are not sold inGeneva. I wish I had brought my own from home. Also nothing is open on Sunday, which is difficult to get used to.

    Continue Reading No Comments

    Meet Courtney

    Written by Raina. Posted in Accessories

    This week I met up with a good friend from high school, Courtney.  It is always a good time when you are with Courtney, so I was honored to get to see her while she was in town! She is an actress who lives in New York, and she let me ask her a few questions. I also met her aunt Rev. Marilyn, who was wearing a beautiful caftan-style dress. I would love to have a dress like this because of the freedom of movement it allows. She purchased it at the Black Clergy Woman Conference. (A picture is posted below.)

    Name: Courtney Daniels

    School: American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA). New York, New York

    Major: Musical Theatre

    Graduated: 2010

     

    When did theatre begin to interest you?

    It all started when I was 8 years old, and my father gave me the Grease VHS. The minute I saw it, I wanted it 70 times in a day, literally I watched it for 12 hours. Rewinding and pausing, rewinding and pausing. And that is when my parents decided that I wanted to do something with the arts. So, they decided to

    give me all these Gene Kelly and Fred Astire MGM and Turner Classic movies. I watched all of them and learned them.

    Then, I began doing community theatre, and then school plays and musicals. Shortly after, I started doing internships and the Play House Square Center. Anything thing that had to do with art, I picked it up. When I was 8 years old we went to Disney World.  While other kids wanted Mickey Mouse’s autograph, I brought my own “headshots” and resume, which was paper with a heart drawn on it and said “hire me”, but no references on it.

    So instead of receiving an autograph from the Disney characters, I gave them my headshots and resume hand made by me. That’s when they knew that I wanted to be in the spotlight, that was the spark.

    While attending AMDA, did you perform in anything?

    Yes, I actually broke the rules. You are not supposed to audition the first three semesters at my school. I auditioned the minute I got to the city, which meant that my first job was a workshop. This is when you are working on a new musical. It was called “Disenchanted: Bitches of the Kingdom,” and I play Princess Tiana. I left school and came back. Then, I booked another show in school, and had to leave and come back.

    I would say I booked four shows within my time; it took me four years to graduate a two-year conservatory. I recently finished a 10-month contract with Disney cruise line on one of their newest ships, called the Disney Dream. I played the characters Rafiki and Ursula, if you’re familiar with those.

    What was your favorite part of being on the Disney Dream?

    My favorite part was the completion bonus that I just received.

    What has been your favorite show so far that you have done?

    I would say The Drowsy Chaperone at Flat Rock Playhouse in North Caroline. I played the role for Trix, the first black aviatrix. I loved that show so much because I got paid a lot to do so little.

    Continue Reading 1 Comment

    All right, spill! (The contents of your bag)

    Written by Raina. Posted in Accessories

    Not only do I have a love for handbags, but I also enjoy viewing (through magazines, blogs, and youtube) what essentials everyone else is carrying around in their bag. Today you can view what Jennifer, my twin sister, is carrying in her bag. Hope you enjoy!

     

    Name: Jennifer

    School: Miami University

    Major: Biology

    Year: Senior

     

    What brand is your bag and where did you purchase it?

    Longchamp Hobo. I won it online at Magnums.net.

    Does this bag double as a school bag and a purse for you?

    Yes, I use it as both. I do not carry a separate purse, it’s too much.

    How heavy would you say your bag is on a regular basis?

    40 pounds at least. I know because it sets off the seatbelt indicator in my car.

    Now, show/tell us what is in your purse/schoolbag! (contents shown in picture)

    • Keys-“I love my miniature moccasin because it’s an exact replica of my life size one. My I.D. is on here because I’ve had to replace this $45 card four or five times, so now I attach it to my keys.”
    • Orbit gum-“The only gum I chew. I rotate monthly between the Peppermint, Wintermint, and Spearmint.”
    • iPod-“I don’t listen to it too much, but if I get bored before class I listen to it.”
    • Perfume sample-“I always keep one in my purse.”
    • Pens (Bic 730 R)-“Only brand I use. It’s really fine point.”
    • Purell-“You can never be too clean on a college campus.”
    • Aquaphor-“It’s the best lip mositurizer I’ve used thus far. Natural with a little shine.”
    • Harney&Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice-Spicy Black Tea-“My favorite tea of all time. It’s very cinnamony.”
    • Advil-“Always have pain killers, you never know.”
    • Notecards-“I make these to study in between classes.”
    • Pencil case-“It holds everything. Its my little emergency kit.”
    • Lotion-“Always have lotion, especially in the winter. Who wants ashy hands?”
    • Contact solution-“I wear contacts so my eyes get dry really fast, especially during all nighters at the library.”
    • Sunglasses with case-“There’s always a UV index, even with cloud cover, so I always wear these.”
    • Hobo Wallet-“It’s my favorite wallet. The color matches everything and I love the French coin purse.”
    • C.O.Bigelow Lip balm-“This salve solves it all haha! It’s for lips and dry spots”
    • Blackberry cell phone-“Mostly use this for emails.”
    • Two textbooks-“Endocrinology and Biochemistry.”
    • Two notebooks-“These are the best notebooks because you can use it semester after semester and refill it infinitely.”
    • Moleskine Planner-“Moleskin makes the best notebooks and planners. This is my 6th one.”
    • MacBook Pro-“I feel secure when I have it. It stresses me out when I don’t have all of my computer documents with me at all times.”

     

    What are some necessities that you always carry in your bag?

    —Raina

    FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FASHION_BLITZ

    Continue Reading 11 Comments