Missing Te'Amo? Here's an Easy Recipe for Mango Bubble Tea.

I’m usually a frequent visitor to Te’Amo. It’s one of my favorite study spots on campus—I’ve spent a great number of afternoons memorizing Russian verbs and finishing essays while happily drinking Mango Green Tea with Bubbles.

So it came as no surprise that I quickly began to crave bubble tea while quarantining in Columbus, OH. And while lucky Chicago residents can still order boba deliveries via Grubhub, I realized that I would have to make my own bubble tea in order to satisfy my cravings. As such, attached below is my easy recipe for making mango bubble tea from home!

The Recipe (Serves 3-4)

Ingredients and Supplies—all of which are available via Amazon delivery:

• *2 Bags of Rishi Organic Jasmine Green Tea

• *Le Sirop de Monin Mango Syrup, added to taste

• 1 Cup WuFuYuan Tapioca Pearl (Black Sugar Flavor)

• Cane Sugar, also added to taste

• 3-4 Bubble Tea Straws

• *Feel free to substitute different teas and fruit syrups. Also feel free to add milk to your bubble tea. Mango bubble tea has always just been my favorite, so I ordered mango syrup first. However, the Le Sirop de Monin brand alone sells numerous fruit syrups via Amazon - from raspberry, peach, and strawberry, to more exotic flavors like blood orange and desert pear.

#1) Brew the iced tea. Boil a 32 oz. pitcher of hot water, and add 2 bags of Rishi Jasmine Green Tea. Let steep for 3 minutes. Add about 2 Tb of sugar, to taste. Let the tea cool for a few minutes, and then place in the fridge.

#2) Make the tapioca pearls. Start by boiling 10 cups of water in a large pot. Once the water comes to a boil, slowly add 1 cup of tapioca pearls and stir. Once the bubbles start floating to the surface, cover the pot and cook the bubbles for 2-3 minutes on medium heat. Next, turn off the stove and let the bubbles simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes (allowing the bubbles to soften, to preference).

Let the tapioca pearls cool. Remove the bubbles from the pot, and let them sit in cool water for about 20 seconds. Then place the bubbles in a dry bowl and add sugar.

#3) Mix the iced tea, bubbles, and mango syrup to taste. Enjoy!

The Finished Product

The Finished Product

The Finished Product

Click here for thumbnail image source.

"Quarantine Cuts" as Spectacle: Why My Boyfriend Got a Haircut over Zoom & We Recorded it

Every time I get a haircut, I’m nervous. I’ve had bangs for years, and I’m very, very particular about their length. Particular might even be an understatement. I want my bangs to cover my eyebrows, but not my eyes. This means that I need to trim my bangs frequently. And for this reason, I often drop into my favorite Hyde Park hair salon, on my way to class. I don’t even have to say anything; the kind woman at the front desk always knows that I’m there for a quick bang trim.

As such, I’ve had my mom trim my bangs under quarantine. And while she’s very good at cutting my hair, I always remind her - repeatedly - that I don’t want her to make my bangs too short. While Audrey Hepburn could pull off the super short bang look, that’s not the look that I’m going for. More than that, while I trust my mom to cut my bangs, there’s no way that I would let someone film one of my haircuts. I’m nervous enough as it is.

However, after weeks under quarantine, my boyfriend said he needed a haircut. Eli’s hair wasn’t even that long, but he’s like me, in that he’s particular about his hair. To be fair, he’s not nearly as intense as I am about hair length, but he likes having a military cut. And he was worried that his hair was getting out of control. As such, while his mom had never cut his hair before, he ordered a clipper online and asked her to cut it for him.

When Eli said he was going to have his mom cut his hair for the first time, I said that we should film it. I found myself needing a fun project to focus upon, and I joked with him that this might be it. However, I honestly didn’t expect him to agree. I knew that I wouldn’t want my first “quarantine cut” to be filmed, so I wasn’t going to push it. More than that, I knew that many of these home cuts don’t go as planned, and I wasn’t going to talk him into posting the video if he wasn’t fully supportive of the endeavor. But, to my surprise, Eli agreed.

A few days later, I called him over Zoom. He and his mom were both in high spirits, as we discussed where to begin. Eli even arranged the lighting in his room, to improve the video footage. And what follows is a video of this haircut - plus a (post-haircut) discussion of his decision to let me record it.

The Video:

The Interview (Post-Haircut)

Me: When did you first decide it was time to get a “quarantine cut,” and why?

Eli: I think there’s always a moment when I enter a panic and realize my hair is too long. And usually I resolve that by walking to the barber. But, this time I realized that obviously wasn’t going to happen.

I’m in a noticeably worse mood when my hair is long…I’m in a bad mood, because I spend all morning trying to get my hair right. And sometimes I don’t want to look in the mirror because I’ll look ridiculous. So I swore to myself that I would always try to keep my hair short. I wasn’t going to be stingy about this. And so I bought a clipper. And I realized that maybe I got the better end of the deal. Maybe, now that I have a clipper, I’ll never have to get a haircut again. Maybe I’ll make lemonade out of lemons.

Me: Awesome. And why did you let me record it? Because I really didn’t think you’d let me do it.

Eli: Cause I’m vain, probably. I just love the look of my face.

Me: Eli! You don’t really mean that.

Eli: I think it’s because I love watching my face in action. I like watching myself make expressions. So I said, well, why not immortalize this for narcissistic means?

Me: You’re not being serious now!

Eli: That’s not true. That’s not true! [He laughs.] Is that not a good answer?

Me: That’s not not a good answer, I just didn’t think that would be your answer.

Eli: Is that not allowed to be my answer?…Well, let me tell MODA this, I love videos of myself. I am not camera shy. So the idea that there would be memories of me immortalized in film, I like that idea…It’s like a blog with my face in it. It’s perfect, right? So I’m a vain cat. Right?

Me: Well, now I know. [I laugh. I’m still not fully convinced he’s being serious.] And were you nervous for the recording? Or how did you feel the day of?

Eli: Well, I was nervous for the haircut, but I rationalized it ahead of time that if there were any major [screw] ups, then we would just call it quits and I’d go bald. And I was okay with going bald. So, I accepted that fate and I wanted to be valiant for the video. So I was ready. I think what you can say fairly is that I was ready. Was I nervous? Maybe. Was I scared? Perhaps…were there butterflies in my stomach? It’s possible. But I was ready. I was as ready as I was ever gonna be for an experience like that. And let me tell you, it paid dividends.

Me: And worst-case scenario, what would have happened? You’ve already basically said this, but-

Eli: I would go bald. Now should I stay with bad hair, that would be worst-case. But I’d already decided that worst-case wouldn’t be acceptable. I said, if we get to that place, “he’s going bald.” (But the “he” is me there.) So that was the mindset I took.

Me: That’s awesome.

Eli: What else do you got? [He laughs. He loves being interviewed.]

Me: Do you now recommend the experience to others? You’ve already answered a bunch of my other questions, but-

Eli: Can I also say this? If you think that you’re going to get some totally cheese cake answer out of me, like, “man, was I scared,” nuh-uh. Right? These are the only answers I’m capable of giving. Alright? So sorry about that. This is all I can do.

Me: You’re on such a roll right now that I can’t tell if you’re serious about the answers you’re giving me.

Eli: Ok, well look. If you love the sound of your voice and the look of your face… and I’m not kidding…if you’re camera shy, then you’re going to be even more camera shy in terms of your hair. And let me tell you this, also, I was scared. Okay? When I looked at that first-

Me: But you said you weren’t scared!

Eli: But now I’m getting to when I was [scared]. When my mom drove that [clipper] through my hair the first bit, and it was like… what did we say on the phone? A reverse mohawk maybe. I was like, “oh no, this is going to be bad.” But then it was okay…And by “do you recommend this,” do you mean have it recorded or cut your hair at home?

Me: Both.

Eli: Well, if you just mean having a haircut at home, then there’s no promises… [But] my hair cuts really easily. So if you have a hair style that you really care about, then you should just let it grow out. I’d also say that most people who have a haircut that they care about, it’s not short. Because if it’s short, then how much do you care? Right? So, if you have a long haircut that can get a little longer, wait this pandemic out. But if you’re okay being bald and you like good risks, like speeding down the highway…if you’re that type of person, and you don’t mind going bald, then it’s for you.

Me: Okay. And then the last big question: are you happy with the cut?

Eli: Oh we can keep going for awhile, I promise. But, yeah, I was elated, actually. And I’ll say this-

Me: Ahh, Eli, I think recording you was a bad idea. Because now you’re just on such a roll. I don’t trust-

Eli: I’ll say this… if I had to graph my emotions, let’s say I was good, then I was a little scared, and then it went way up when I thought it was great. [He points to illustrate his “graph.”] And that [after] photo you took, that’s the height of it. Then I looked in the mirror later, and all down here [he points to the back of his head], it was too long. My mom hadn't seen it, because of my very good lighting. So I had to refine it, and once it was refined, the graph went back up.

And now, you noted that my hair has been a little uneven. But I will say, as a “vouching mechanism,” that I’m getting my mom to do this again. So if I really thought it was a bad idea, then I wouldn’t have her cut my hair again. But she’s going to. So that’s good evidence that I thought it was pretty good.

Needless to admit, Eli really enjoyed both the haircut itself and the spectacle of having it recorded (and of being interviewed).

Click here, for thumbnail image source. The video’s soundtrack is the Austin Powers theme song: “Soul Bossa Nova.”

Nike: Looking Past What Could Have Been To Focus On What Is Now

It shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone when I say that Nike needs no introduction. The sportswear empire, which made its first public appearance in 1980, has set the standard for the entire industry one sneaker at a time. To no one’s surprise, it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Tennis powerhouse Serena Williams, three time NBA Championship winner King James (that is, LeBron James), and the entire United States Women’s National Soccer Team are just a few names in the Nike family. No matter who they decide to take on, Nike always seems to be attached to victory. Even Roger Federer, one of the greatest tennis players of all time (with Anna Wintour as his number one fan, how could he not be?), couldn’t seem to let go of his Nikes after signing onto a partnership with Uniqlo.

Whether you’re a sports fanatic or not, the increasing popularity of athleisure has made it almost impossible to go about your day without laying your eyes on the famed “swoosh.” And although Nike, just like the athletes it represents, moves fast—releasing new collections and campaigns almost every month—it never gets too comfortable at the top.

Nike models show off the Team USA medal stand attire designed for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Image via

The simple, yet elegant, chevron front design creates a flattering frame for men and women alike. Image via

The 2020 Olympic Games were the perfect opportunity for Nike to remind the world just how monumental they can be. With the push for sustainability spreading quickly, every member of the garment industry is working to find ways to do their part to save the environment. Nike decided to take a stab at this challenge with their recent release of uniforms for the US men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as soccer jerseys for the US, Korean, and Nigerian teams. Paired with an all-inclusive medal stand and training apparel, it seems to me like these teams couldn’t have gotten a better deal.

In Nike’s newly invented polyester you can find anything from recycled plastic bottles to rubber and yarn waste from their own factories. Even the design of the new VaporMax sneakers, made with 75 percent manufactured waste, was said to have been influenced by waste piles. That’s right, waste piles. And if that’s not good enough news for you, the company reported that as a result of their active waste reduction they have managed to cut down their carbon emissions by about 30 percent.

Let’s just say Leo would approve.

Nike’s newly released VaporMax designed for gold medals only. Image via

The innovation, however, does not stop there. Since Nike is all about finding the balance between fashion and function, they also took the athlete’s “on-the-go” schedule into consideration. The footwear’s Flyease technology not only allows the shoes to become one with the wearer, but also allows wearers to slip on their shoes without the hassle. Additionally, in preparation for the Tokyo summer heat, all of the clothing was designed to be as lightweight and breathable as possible. How thoughtful (she wrote in the most non-sarcastic way possible).

Nike has been so deliberate that they applied their new eco-friendly techniques to even the smallest of details. Recycled waste rubber, dubbed Nike Grind, makes up the clothing’s zipper pulls, Olympic emblem, and logo. The power of Nike Grind was also applied to the drawstring cords, zipper pulls, and iconic swoosh that adorns the uniforms. They really thought of everything. At this rate, it wouldn’t be totally unreasonable to say they’re starting to reach levels of detail comparable to haute couture.

Nike prepares incoming skateboarders for victory as they take on the Olympic Games for the first time. Image via

Team France Skateboarding uniforms. Image via

Team Brazil Skateboarding uniforms. Image via

Still, my award for Most Exciting Piece in the Release probably has to go to the brand’s, for lack of a better word, cool skateboarding design, which is sure to stun viewers at the sport’s debut in the Olympics. Dutch visual artist Piet Parra worked alongside Nike’s Chief Design Officer John Hoke and team to create colorful and unique abstract designs, which are intended to celebrate some aspect of each country’s sport history. Once again, the attention to detail blows my mind.

Before you read any further, I give full disclosure that the world of skateboarding is almost completely foreign to me. The most I know about the sport is Tony Hawk’s significance to it and hearing people use the phrase “popping an ollie.” It doesn’t take a diehard fan, however, to notice that most skateboarders don’t tend to be in favor of uniforms when they’re getting in the zone to, forgive me if I’m wrong, “pop an ollie.” Therefore, much like how the collection’s medal stand shoes were designed to accommodate the athletes, the Bruin React sneakers are designed to allow skaters to feel one with the board underneath them. This way, even with the unfamiliarity of uniforms, skaters can feel one with the board. And of course, Nike’s sustainable designs also apply to their fancy new get-up. Compared to the other uniforms Nike has put out, those of skateboarding seem to have the most variations.

The women of Team France will fashion gorgeously red fitted jumpsuits, popular to American youth in the ‘60s, while Brazilians take on comfortable leggings, shorts, and jerseys, an obvious ode to the significance of football in the country’s culture. You’ll never catch me rooting for anyone other than team USA, but I’ll admit, Parra’s playful designs for both France and Brazil come close to making me question my loyalty.

But what happens if this glorious collection never gets to see the light of day?

COVID-19

Turning Nike Air Into Safe Air

Although certainly unfortunate, the postponement of the Olympic Games came as no surprise to anyone when Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made the announcement in March. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love talking about fashion as much as the next person, but it would be irresponsible of me not to address the severity of what is happening in the world right now—COVID-19. Since 1896, when the first modern Olympic Games were held, there have only been three cancellations, all due to war, which goes to show that the Games’ cancellation was not taken lightly. Athletes, who have spent a lifetime training for this once-every-four year event, will have to take a step back. Japan, which according to Japan Times has already invested $12.6 billion in preparation for the games, will face a devastating blow to its economy. Even so, what has happened over the course of the past few months has, hopefully, given the whole world a new perspective on what really matters—taking care of others. 

NIKE, Inc., will provide an additional $1.6 million to help local organizations meet immediate needs…Our people and our communities have always been at the core of who we are and what we do. Nike’s leaders, the Nike Foundation and Nike have committed more than $17 million to COVID-19 response efforts around the world. —Nike Community Response, via.

Nike Air technology. Image via

There is no doubt that Nike has dominated in its work from the start, and they’ve shown how much thought and care goes into what they do through their endless collection of clothing and shoe designs. But now they’re stepping into uncharted territory. Their skilled teams have joined forces to build Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Furthermore, the company has discovered a way to engineer full-face shields and powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) lenses for protection using Nike-owned materials.

As Nike works hard with health professionals to take care of the doctors, nurses, and other honorable members on the frontlines, please take care of yourselves. Reach out to loved ones. Listen to stay-at-home orders, practice social distancing, and wash your hands.

Just do it.

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Featured image/gallery images via. Mask image via.