distinctly beautiful

On Saturday night, Stonehill College had the great honor of hosting an event featuring the poet, playwright, actor, activist, and teacher...

Carlos Andrés Gómez.

Not only did he share personal stories and perform incredible slam poetry, he also promoted a campaign based on a writing exercise he created for his students.

It's called the "Distinctly Beautiful" Exercise. Here are the directions:

TWO OPTIONS:

1) WRITE "I AM DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE..." 24 TIMES DOWN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN OF A LINED SHEET OF PAPER.
WRITE DOWN 24 DIFFERENT REASONS THAT YOU ARE "DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL." INTERPRET THIS HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE. ONCE COMPLETED, HANG YOUR "DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL" POEM ON YOUR MIRROR OR SOMEWHERE IN YOUR ROOM THAT YOU WILL SEE EACH DAY WHEN YOU WAKE UP.

2) WRITE "I AM DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE..." AT THE TOP OF A PAGE.
WRITE FOR 10 MINUTES WITHOUT STOPPING (SET A TIMER) ABOUT ALL THE WAYS IN WHICH YOU ARE "DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL." INTERPRET THIS HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE. ONCE COMPLETED, HANG YOUR "DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL" POEM ON YOUR MIRROR OR SOMEWHERE IN YOUR ROOM THAT YOU WILL SEE EACH DAY WHEN YOU WAKE UP.

Fairly simple, right? There's more! Click here to purchase a Distinctly Beautiful bracelet! They're all made in Guatemala in order to enable small businesses and help them reach a sustainable result in their community.

Also, watch Carlos' moving performance of his poem, Distinctly Beautiful, by clicking here!

"I care if I do something special."

This little girl is wise beyond her years. Click here for empowerment.

Be the change. Be a feminist.

for the love of tea

"Everybody is genius...

but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree,

it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

-Albert Einstein

battery powered

Have no friends? No hobbies? Here's something you could do for funsies!

let life grow on me

My soft heart makes me gullible

and I'm always the fool.

So turn these tears to petals,

grow lilies on my wounds.

Let life grow on me

My arms will turn to ivy;

they'll stretch and they'll bloom;

hugging the buildings

and wrap around you.

Let life grow on me

classy Sara

I make friends and my friends make music

Check out this song, written by my dear friend Rex Macapinlac. It makes you want to jump around and hug your best friend! You may even hear me in it at one point. Maybe not. You won't know until you listen to it by clicking here! February is a time to create - let this inspire you to create something of your own. It's the only way we'll make it to tomorrow.

why Stonehill?

Welp, this was a big moment for me. I hope you enjoy seeing my happy freshmen face getting on the T in this promotional video for Stonehill College that my friend filmed last year. The music reminds me of the music that would be played in a driver's education video from the '80's. So rad.

color me hipster

This Ray Ban colorize kit is taking "artsy hipster" to a new level. Everyone knows that if you want to be a hipster, you must wear a pair of thick framed glasses. Now add the creative ability to color those thick frames! You're so artsy! These have the potential to look wicked cute or terribly lame. It'll all depend on how alternative the music is that you're listening to while you're coloring them. Think Florence and the Machine. Avoid My Chemical Romance.

Alexander Hamilton

He gets total props in this incredibly creative poem read at the White House. My roommate showed me this video, informing me that the poet, Lin-Manuel Miranda, also wrote the book for the musical sensation In The Heights. He's definitely you'd want to be friends with. As you're watching this, notice Michelle Obama snapping along!

you can wake up now, the universe has ended

the hottest new club is...

I died of laughter.

Twice.

Watch and enjoy the SNL sensation, "Stefon."