Sit Back and Enjoy the Movie(s)

I am passionate about films with strong female leads, and stories of women who work to get themselves out of difficult situations. It is difficult for me to choose my "favorite" movies, but these films are included in my top choices. Movies that leave me with a strong emotional response, or lead me to question the ethics of my actions or of society's actions generally inspire me most. 

Movie Choice of 2013-2014

Begin Again (2014) 

"You're only as strong as your next move."

Begin Again combines the stories of an executive producer and an upcoming singer-songwriter as they search for new zest in life in Manhattan. Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo are stellar actors and their refreshing chemistry creates a winning storyline. I particularly loved this movie because it isn't your typical romance story, and it involves music and the culture of New York City. The soundtrack, acting, and location really bring the story alive. 


I compare this movie to a modern day "The Notebook," and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great movie to watch with a date, friend, or solo on a weekend night. Romantic comedies are usually not on the lists of the top cinematic masterpieces of the past century, but I can always rely on them for a pick me up on a rainy day. The boy and the girl and the comedic situations they encounter only get better as the times pass.

  

All-Time Movie Choice

Girl, Interrupted (1999)

"Sometimes the only way to stay sane is to go a little crazy."

Girl, Interrupted features Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie in a memoir of Susanna Kaysen's 18 month stay in a women's psychiatric ward. Kaysen has borderline personality disorder, and she shares her experiences with mental health with the other women in the hospital. She documents her experiences in a journal and becomes friends with Jolie's character, Lisa Rowe, a diagnosed sociopath.

The drama and intense real-life emotion drew me into becoming a huge fan of the movie. I am a fan of Angelina Jolie's work, and she won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for this film. Not only does it tell the stories of the women in the ward, but it depicts the cruel and unethical ways patients in mental institutions were treated in the 1980's. It called for justice and led people to question how well our psychiatric hospitals are treating the mentally disabled. While I have a list of movies that are in my top favorites, Girl, Interrupted always comes to mind because of the long lasting impact it had on my view on mental health. 

Fitness4U Magazine Proposal

CONCEPT

Fitness4U is a new magazine specifically catered toward female college students who want to read about news ways to stay in shape, eat healthy, and maintain overall health during college. The "U" in the title is an abbreviation for "U"niversity. 

While most magazines use well known models in their pages, Fitness4U will only use real college students to remain as relateable to out key demographic as possible! When college women see other women in college staying in shape while managing school, they will be more inspired to read the stories in our magazine. 

It will contain exercises to do at home or in your dorm, ways to balance a healthy lifestyle with school, healthy recipes that are easy to make, affordable advertisements for fitness wear, and articles from real college women. 

READERS

This new magazine's key demographic is women in college aged 18-26. It may be more attractive toward college students in a university setting who are living on their own. 

It is also aimed toward those interested in fitness, wellness, and cooking. The main demographic income varies, but is aimed to women on a generally low college budget. 

It may attract students who are looking to avoid the "Freshmen 15," lose or gain weight, tone up, manage their weight, and see their peers (real everyday women) in a magazine.

COMPETITORS

Fitness4U's competitors include popular fitness magazines SHAPE, Fitness, and upcoming online magazine Fiterazzi.  While these magazines all highlight important points about fitness and health, none of them are specifically targeted to college students. 

Also, Fitness4U  differs because it is written and developed by college students throughout America. This will attract women in college because they will be getting advice and inspiration from students just like them.

ADVERTISERS

1. University, College, and Local gyms and fitness centers

2. Fitness clothing stores (Lululemon, Nike, PINK)

3. University town grocery stores (Trader Joe's, Safeway, Whole Foods)

4. Local fitness events (Zumba, Yoga)

5. College student government bodies 

HIGHLIGHTED ARTICLES

"Balance Studying for Midterms and Daily Workouts": A guide to staying active while studying for midterms and how to have a proper school and health life balance

"What You Really Need to Succeed": An overview of the essentials needed to balance out all aspects of college life

"Comfort Fall Foods: Dorm Ready": A collection of easy to make dorm recipes for the fall season

"Affordable Activewear: Perfect for cooling temps!":  Article that features affordable active wear for college students on a budget

"How 5 REAL University Students Improved their Health in College": Stories from 5 women across America who have improved their health while in college and tips on how they did it

“Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.”

-Lemony Snicket, Horseradish

I grew up as a bookworm and remember taking trips to the library to pick out new books every week. I can easily compare my childhood experience with books to Matilda's from Roald Dahl's Matilda. I don't read as much for personal enjoyment as I would like to as of lately due to digital and every day life distractions. I am currently reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed.

My favorite books of the last year are Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self  by Rebecca Walker, Covering America: A History of a Nation's Journalism by Christopher B. Daily, and Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg.

Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self  by Rebecca Walker was assigned to me in my introductory women's studies class. Rebecca Walker is the daughter of Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple and activist. The autobiography reflects Rebecca's childhood and experiences as the daughter of a famous activist for women and people of color. 

I particularly enjoyed this book because I was able to relate to the idea of shifting in between locations and never quite having a whole self. Rebecca's parents were divorced, and she depicts her experiences of moving in between her parent's households across the country for two years at a time. It is one of my most highlighted books because many of the quotes in the book highlight significant parts of my life. 

Check out Black, White, and Jewish: A Shifting Self here

I read Covering America: A History of a Nation's Journalism by Christopher B. Daly last year for my "The Past, Present, and Future of American Journalism" class. It was our class textbook, and the only textbook I've ever read from cover to end. It covers the history of the nation through a journalist's perspective in a new and innovative way.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about American history because it differs from your typical AP US History class, and provides new insight into the past of our country. This is a must for aspiring and current journalists!

Check out Covering America; A History of a Nation's Journalism here

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg was on the New York Times bestseller list when it released, and turned out to be a very controversial book about the role women have in the workforce. As a feminist and activist for women's rights, I enjoyed the book because of its ability to inspire women to ask for raises, speak their voices, and further the role of equality in big businesses.

 It became controversial because the author, Chief Operating Officer at Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg, is a white, wealthy woman with the privilege to speak up about these issues because of her status in society. Many argued that they could not relate to the book because it was written in a way that only related to upper class white women already established in their careers.

Check out Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead here