What your freshman year hum class says about your aesthetic

If there is one thing that every UChicago student can relate to, it’s their freshman year hum (humanities core) class. Whether you loved it or not, it certainly was a part of your life, and no one will ever take that away. So, embrace it while we tell you what your first ever UChicago class says about your aesthetic.

Philper:

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This class self-selects in a pretty obvious way. You probably tried to go for a dark academia look and wear a sweater vest over a white button up to class at least one time, but it certainly didn’t help make your points any more intelligible.

Greece & Rome:

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Maybe you read some ancient Greek plays in a high school English class, maybe you took Latin for several years to beef up your college app, maybe you just think you’re better than everyone. How does it feel walking through campus in your plain black Canada Goose jacket?

World Lit:

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This might not have been your first-choice class, but you eventually came to terms with having to discuss two passages from The Epic of Gilgamesh for 3 weeks. This class has probably forced you to content yourself with mediocrity, and your fashion choices reflect that mentality.

HBC:

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With your workload from this class, do you even have time to pick out an outfit in the morning? You’re probably too busy sparknoting Nichomachean Ethics as you awkwardly speedwalk across campus.

Media Aesthetics:

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There are two possibilities: you either spend wayyy too much time picking out an outfit in the morning, or absolutely no time whatsoever. Half of this class is House of Sunny dupes and the other half is UChicago hoodies and grey sweats.

Reading Cultures:

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Is there any actual theme tying any of your readings together, or did the professors just search up “famous literature” and press a randomize button? You probably can’t commit to any aesthetic, even with your assortment of heavily curated Pinterest boards.

Language and the Human:

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You’re so quirky and different for taking this class! You probably tell people random facts you learned from this class at parties and they definitely do not care. Good thing your style is impeccably curated from your local expensive second-hand/vintage store, so you have that going for you in lieu of your offbeat personality.

Poetry:

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You either genuinely love poetry or you have not read a book for pleasure in the last 5 years. Regardless, you probably consider yourself to be exceptionally sensitive and compassionate, and you most likely dress for comfort over style.

Casual Tattoos: The Art of Storytelling

Not too long ago, I sat down in Ex Libris with my good friend Ariana after a bit of a rough day. We started talking a bit about everything, and suddenly our conversation shifted to tattoos. She had gotten a bigger piece on her tricep a couple months prior, and was looking to get a new one soon. I wanted to get another one soon, too; I wanted to get a bunch of them, honestly. When she asked what I wanted in the future, I was stumped a bit. What did I want to get? I know I wanted more, but what exactly did I want?

Turns out we both felt the same way: we had these vague ideas of what we wanted on our bodies forever, but nothing set in stone. Except for the stick and poke she was planning on getting soon, anyways. Suddenly I started to think, shouldn’t you talk about tattoos with some certainty? Shouldn’t you know what you’d want to put on your body forever? The answer, I think, is not always. There’s a beauty in the casualty that’s been emerging for a while in our culture. You should write about this, Ariana said. And so I am, thanks to her. 

There’s been a shift in the culture of tattooing, one that opens up multitudes of non-traditional styles. There’s a space for illustrative artists—expressionism, abstract work, minimalism, and surrealism have been on the rise compared to traditional counterparts (which are equally beautiful, don’t get me wrong). Stick-and-poke tattoos as well have been on the rise for a while, in comparison to the traditional gun. Artists have been creating more flash pieces, which are beautiful and efficient in their own right. There is a freedom, there, in opening up this space for artists of all kinds. 

FLASH TATTOOS RANGE WIDELY

IN STYLE AND INTRICACY

Tattooing is a remarkable art form, and it has a long, ancient history that signifies the human experience: from rituals and rites, to life and death. This history is paramount, and it’s essential to acknowledge it. It’s also important to acknowledge how lucky I am to exist in a culture where tattoos have become mainstream—I won't be seen as rebellious, nor am I very likely to be shamed or denied from a job position because of mine. I’m grateful to be able to have this agency over my body.

PINK RHINO TATTOO IN BOYSTOWN

I got my first tattoo on September 16th of last year. The funny thing is, it was supposed to be 3 days prior, on September 13th. Friday the 13th, to be specific.

My long-time best friend Sofia and I had been wanting to get our first tattoos since forever, and this was a perfect opportunity. We didn’t have much money to splurge on commissions, and even then we didn’t really know what we wanted, anyways. We just wanted something on our bodies, plain and simple.

What better option did we have than spooky, discounted flash tattoos? It felt like we had a master plan, and for weeks we were giddy with excitement.

Friday the 13th came and so, finally, we went.

Our entire train ride was full of skittish nerves and undeniable thrill. It’s laughable to think back on now, how nervous we were. We played a game of rock-paper-scissors to decide who’d get tattooed first—winner goes second. I won, thankfully, and so I felt a little more at ease knowing she’d have to find out how it felt first (as bad as that sounds, but I know she’d feel the same way if it was me who lost). When we arrived and saw the huge line outside of the shop, we knew we’d be there for a while. We parked ourselves in the back of the line, and as time went on we decided to sit. We chatted with the group of kids to our left, a collective antsiness and boredom rising within all of us. I don’t even remember how long we were in that line—it had to be no less than five hours. We felt delirious at that point: our initial excitement was dwindling into exasperation, and at this point we started to give up. By no means were we upset at the artists: their job is ridiculously hard, and I can’t imagine the pressure and exhaustion that comes with a line of people down the block waiting on you for ink. We were just a bit mad at the world.

Eventually 10 o’clock hit, and the shop decided to give out vouchers for those who didn’t want to wait in line anymore. We got them, grabbed some McDonald’s, and wallowed in our misery. At that point, we couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous we felt. We went back on Monday, with the addition of her boyfriend Cody, and this time there was no line. We finally got to take a look at all the flash tattoos in the books (even though we had some idea of what we wanted already) and decide for sure. I saw mine, a broken wishbone with the text WISH ME LUCK! and immediately knew I needed it. I was drawn to it instinctively, and I didn’t want to overthink it too much. And so, I got it. Sofia first, me second, Cody last. It didn’t hurt, and when the needle hit my skin I just knew I could get more and more. I loved everything about it.

And I think there’s some magic in that. The three of us simply liked them, so we got them on our skin forever. 

And no, I’m not promoting going and getting inked up on a whim (even though that’s kind of what we’ve been doing for the last couple of months). If it’s something that’s not for you, that’s completely fine. But if you’ve been on the fence or thinking a little too hard about it, I say go with your gut. Get something small in a place just for you, or get something big and bold that everyone can see. It is by no means a shallow form of self-expression for just wanting something that you think is beautiful or interesting on your body.

The ability to form a relationship with an artist you admire, to commission a piece with them because it means something important, is an absolutely beautiful thing. This memory, symbol, or tribute will stay with you forever. It’s an immortalization. I want to do it too, one day, when I’m ready. 

But right now, I’m not. And that’s okay, too. I don’t have many at all, but right now my tattoos are an immortalization of the stories I have when I got them. Do they mean anything? Yeah, to some extent. I was drawn to the style of my artist’s flash, it resonated with me at that moment in a way I couldn’t explain. There’s a story behind them that I won't forget. 

NON-LINKED IMAGES COURTESY OF SOFIA AND I

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Seven Boozy Drink Recipes to Warm Your Soul

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I hope you have successfully fended off the cold that the steep drop in temperature brought upon many of us.

I hope you have watched A Star is Born.

I hope you are faring well in your first HUM/SOSC papers, Econ PSETs, and midterms.

On top of it all, I hope you are finding the time to hang out with friends.

If any of the above sounds remotely foreign, read on and make one (or all) of the boozy drinks to warm your soul and body when it gets colder outside!

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Cider, Next Level

Apple Cider Mimosa

Put a spin on your basic mimosa for brunch by substituting orange juice with cider. Who said you can’t compare apples to oranges? You sure can when they are mixed with some bubbly.

Read the original recipe post by Becky Hardin on the Cookie Rookie here.

1. [Optional] Dip your glass (champagne preferably, but who’s judging?) into a bowl of cider first and then coat the rim with glittering sprinkles;

2. Fill the glass with cider to ½ or ¾ full;

3. Pour in the champagne.

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Spiked Cider

Pump up your cider game in 10 minutes. This spiked apple cider cocktail asks for simple ingredients, little time and is perfect for a party, study break or any other group drinking occasions.

Read the full post by Aaron Mccargo Jr. on Food Network here.

1. Pour cider, rum, and schnapps in the ratio of 1:2:2 into a large pitcher;

2. Toss diced apples in lemon juice and thread them onto skewers

3. Fill individual glasses with ice and pour in the mix; decorate with skewers!

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Salty Maple Buttered Rum

Into rum but feeling more adventurous than a classic buttery rum?

Using hot cider in place of hot water might be a good place to start. Read the original post on Serious Eats here.

1. Rim the mug/glass with lemon and coat in salt;

2. In a bowl, combine 1 tbsp of softened butter, 2 tbsps of maple syrup and ½ vanilla bean pod (slit open and scrape out the seeds);

3. Simmer 4 oz of rum and 8 oz of cider over medium-high heat;

4. Pour the liquid into prepared containers and top with the butter mix.

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Wine, fortified

2-step Sangaree:

For the classy wine lovers, the port wine from Portugal is a great choice for the season. It’s nutty, flavorful and sweet. Reminisce about the sangria in summer with this Sangaree recipe!

Read the full post on Serious Eats here.

1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 60ml of Madeira (Blandy's 10 Year Malmsey or H. M. Borges Old Reserve Malmsey 10 Year, for instance), 15ml simple syrup, and 15ml fresh lemon juice;

2. Shake for 12 seconds, pour over a strainer into a chilled coupe glass (if you feel swanky), and finish by sprinkling freshly grated or ground nutmeg on top.

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Hot Chocolate, spiked

Minty Tequila Hot Chocolate

The peppermint wakes you up and the chocolate cures the hangover. And it’s super easy to make!

If you have a half-emptied bottle of Tequila left over from the party last night, you probably want to try this tequila minty hot chocolate. Read the original recipe here.

1. Add ¼ cup of cocoa powder, 1 tbsp of sugar and  a pinch of salt to a decently sized pan;

2. Over medium-high heat, stir in 3 cups of milk, 4 oz of milk chocolate chips, 4 oz of bittersweet chocolate chips; gently whisk everything into a smooth mixture;

3. Add 4 oz of tequila and 2 oz of Peppermint Schnapps; resist the temptation to drink out of the saucepan, divide into individual servings;

4. [optional] Top each serving with whipped cream and mint leaves

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Eggnog, the holiday season previewed

Peppermint Schnapps + Eggnog

Common sense dictates balancing the sweet and rich flavors of eggnog with high-proof spirits such as rum, bourbon, or whiskey. Corinne Caputo from Bustle has tested them all, including some unconventional options. And the winner is…... Peppermint Schnapps!

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Not your Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte

Drunken Pumpkin

This recipe calls for a little more work than just mixing everything together, but it’s worth the effort. Plus, are you really serving straight up vodka shots to your guests in the holiday season?

Read the original recipe in full by Kris and Wesley on How to Feed a Loon here.

Step 1: Infuse vodka

1. In a lidded container, mix 1-cup pumpkin puree, 2-tsp pumpkin spice, and 750ml of vodka;

2. Shake vigorously, store in the fridge, and shake vigorously once a day for about 3 days (tasting is key);

3. Get the infused vodka with a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth; discard the solids.

Step 2: For brown sugar simple syrup

1. Combine 1-cup water and 2-cup brown sugar in a pan;

2. Over medium heat, stir and mix for 3-5 minutes;

3. Let it cool and store in the fridge

Step 3: Assemble

1. Add 1oz infused vodka, 1oz dark rum, ½ oz coffee liqueur, 2tbsp simple syrup in a mixing glass filled with ice;

2. Strain and pour the liquid into individual glasses (optional ice);

3. Top with half and half and serve!

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Drink responsibly, stay warm and healthy!

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An Incomplete Guide to a Summer in NYC

When I got assigned this piece, never in a million years would I think I’d enjoy living in NYC. Yes, the City and its hustle and bustle, the never-ending stream of cars and people, the scorchingly hot sun, and the occasional breeze over the Hudson River.

At this point, if you are in New York, you have probably mastered the art of jaywalking. You have also likely figured out that it’s safe to walk on the street after midnight. But riding a Citi bike after a few drinks might still not be the best idea, even if it’s 1 AM. You might have noticed how difficult it is to find an actually bad restaurant. If you've been to Soho recently, perhaps you’ve experienced a tangible rendition of eudaemonia in a sea of beautiful summer sales dotted with ice-cream shops. 

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If New York is so great and everything, why did it take me so long to write this post? In all honesty, it took me a long time to reconcile the fact that this post could never be as comprehensive as I would like it to be. In fact, there would always be another shop I would want to go to and a bar I need to try out. In addition to some of everyone's tried and true favorite spots in the city, I am proposing some alternative pitstops that will make summer your NYC summer truly memorable.

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Your Local Grocer

I love grocery stores because they are a gateway to the local way of living. You might wonder why anyone would cook at home when there are so many places to eat out in the City, but these neighborhood markets are more than a place to buy fruits and veggies–they also have a great deli selection, prepared foods, and daily supplies. I mean, why would you say no to having some cheese and charcuteries in the fridge? Plus the stores might be a perfect spot to do some photoshoots!

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1. Sunrise Mart: a Japanese grocer with freshly made lunch & dinner options and a small selection of baked goods.

Midtown location: 12 E 41st St, New York, NY 10017

Ukrainian Village location: 4 Stuyvesant St, New York, NY 10003

2. New Foods of India: from chappati and dal, to Biryani masala and Amchur powder, this place has got you covered. 

121 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

3. Kalustyan's: literally next to the New Foods, here you'll find delicious halva and baklava in addition to racks and racks of spices, grains, and dried goods.

123 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

Anecdotal evidence of how good Kalustyan and New Foods of India are: a friend of mine took a tea break from work and 30 minutes later, her boss called her to question where she went. She returned to office full-handed with food.

4. Dainobu: another small Japanese store selling from prepared dishes and fresh produce to beauty products and living supplies. 

Midtown location: 129 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017

Union Square location: 498 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10011

Columbus Circle location: 36 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019

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5. Garden of Eden: produce, bread, pastries, cheese, and deli–you might come out of there with a full stomach and food for the next week

Flatiron location: 7 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003

Bloomingdale location: 2780 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

6. Fairway Market: food snobs can hold their criticisms now, this place is a bonafide gourmet store.

Upper East location: 240 East 86th St, New York, NY 10028

Harlem, Upper West location: 2131 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

Chelsea, Kips Bay location: 766 6th Ave, New York, NY 10010

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The Great Outdoors

Just because you're living in one of the largest metropolises on Earth doesn't mean you can't find ample and engaging green spaces to relax in, recollect and have fun with friends. From picnics in Central Park to strolling down the HighLine or basking in the sunset orange glow of Manhattanhenge, there are a myriad of vantage points from which to enjoy the City–you just have to know where to look!

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1. Hudson River Greenway: ride a bike or walk along the waterfront on a nice day for a temporary getaway from the City

2. High Line Park: an elevated rail trail that takes you from Hell's Kitchen through Chelsea and the Meatpacking District, where art, food, and culture come together to redefine green spaces throughout the City.

3. Manhattanhenge: twice a year, the grid system creates a perfect spot for the sun to shine over the City and you get to take breathtaking photos. It's legit, New York Times even has an article about it.

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Late Night Show Tapings

Act early and fast! The tickets are free so they go very quickly during the summer season. By early, I mean start thinking of a reason to get off your internship early on whatever days tickets are still available!

1. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Tickets | Location: Ed Sullivan Theater, 1697 Broadway 

2. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Tickets | Location: CBS Broadcast Center, 530 W 57th St

3. Late Night with Seth Meyers

Tickets | Location: NBC Studios, 30 Rockefeller Plaza

4. The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

Tickets | Location: 733 11th Ave

5. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Tickets | Location NBC Studios, 30 Rockefeller Plaza

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This list of things to do is by no means comprehensive. The City has so much going on all the time that we might be able to pull off "partying all night and showing up to work on time." It's all part of the experience, while at the same time there are some alternatives to choose from that will complement your summer in NYC. Enjoy!

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Spotlight on Decanter Magazine

We here at the MODA blog like to decode and debunk what's trendy, and mostly it's just luck, or being in the right place at the right time. However, I'm naturally competitive, so I'm gonna try to one-up that. I think it has to do with being in the right place with the right wine.

As college students, many of us understand the struggle with wine. On a student budget we often resort to Franzia or Three Buck Chuck. To be fair there's nothing wrong with that and, in fact, I'm an ardent lover of Three Buck Chuck and would encourage everyone to capitalise on its low price. But what do we do when we're networking, or at dinner with a friend's unexpectedly fancy parents? What if they ask as about wine?

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Okay, so I understand how this topic isn't necessarily relatable. But knowing a bit about wine pays off. Not only can you use your knowledge to impress Real Adults, but also to improve your own life — even if that just means knowing which flavour of Franzia will pair best with your instant ramen.

So where do we start? Most kids in the US aren't raised around wine, and even if they are, their perceptions are usually limited to their parents' tastes. I fall into the second category, but as you can see I'm super passionate about it. So I decided to subscribe to Decanter magazine.

Articles I've enjoyed (clockwise from top left): pairing with barbecue, great value rosé, wine and charcuterie, pairing wine and chocolate.

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Decanter is a British magazine affiliated with TimeInc., a company that manages brands such as Homes and Gardens, and MarieClaire UK. They're known for reviewing and discussing wine, but what I appreciate most about Decanter are their sections dedicated to helping you find your feet in the wine world. From the basic tasting notes, to quizzes on wine production, and even recommending what to pair with mooncakes during the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, Decanter teaches you everything you want (and didn't know you want) to know. Moreover, Decanter also puts a fair emphasis on phenomenal wines that are affordable too. So even though we might not have the same selection as in the UK, you can at least get a decent idea of what's in your price range.

Once you cross that river, the whole world of wine awaits.

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Happy tasting!

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Decanter Magazine's Website

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