The hits keep coming for Micheal Phelps (haha hits- get it?), who has been suspended from competition for three months by USA swimming after his run-in with a bong.

I may be alone here, or I may not,  but give the kid a break. He won like, what, eight-zillion medals (give or take) for us ; if he wants to celebrate with a little pot, let the man celebrate! Yes marijuana is illegal, and yes he is a role model to millions, but you know what? Role models have to unwind too!  Not to mention the fact that it could have been alot worse. There was no DUI, no snorting coke in the bathroom, no gay hookers or pornography scandals…

He got stoned. And drank some beer. At a college.

Visit any dorm in America on a Friday night and tell me if you find anything different.

But what bothers me most is that he didn’t violate any rule! There is no rule saying what he can and cannot do in his off-time. The only reason he is being punished is because A) he has to be or his sponsors/league will look bad, and B) he supposedly disappointed so many people. I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, everyone I talked to about the situation wasn’t disappointed (including my professor, just in case anyone wants to say I hang out with a bunch of young, irresposible pot-heads). In fact, we were all a little proud; he smokes pot AND broke world records? He can obviously keep his work life separate from his personal life and hasn’t let one effect the other thus far. Good for him. Read More »

Being college-aged women, we tend to spend more time noticing what we hate about ourselves than what we love. We stand in front of the mirror and pinch our fat, measure our thighs and obsess over our pale skin/big nose/ugly ears. But how often have you ever looked in the mirror and celebrated your body and yourself?

During a week we devoted to the Eating Disorder epidemic, we feel it is important to stop hating on ourseles and, instead, focus on the extraordinary things we have to offer. So, we asked the CollegeCandy writers what they loved about themselves and it looks like we have some pretty fantastic writers.

What is your favorite thing about yourself?

Amanda – Wagner: I love my ability to laugh at myself. I think its important not to take yourself too seriously and try to just laugh at all the crazy in your life. And, of course, I always have a good story to tell because if that.

Brithny – Duke: I love how I am an ABC- American Born Chinese. It’s given me more opportunities and experiences than I could ever hope for.

Leah – Ryerson University: I love my body as a whole.  I wouldn’t change one thing about it.

Alex – Lakehead University:  My smile and laugh. I snort and usually other people laugh at my laugh, so I get people smiling. Read More »

Sport some red today to help combat Heart Disease.

God, these couples are annoying.

Nothing says “I love you” quite like vajayjay bling.

Need a car? Now may be the best time to buy!

Don’t worry, Phelps; Lil Wayne loves the pot, too!

More fun pink products to add to your makeup bag.

What to expect from dating a geek.

The best “gift with purchase” deals on the web!

Jerry Springer is so over America’s Got Talent.

Put your money where your…jewelry is.

M.I.A. may give birth at the Grammy’s

Now that half my friends are on a diet, thanks to effing New Years, I have to share something with y’all. You know that bathroom scale that you get on every morning? It’s lying to you. You heard me. It’s lying. So, everyone can just stop freaking out about what it told you this morning, because it probably isn’t true.

There are a multitude of factors, from water consumption to plain old hormones, that can artificially – and temporarily – affect that ever important number on the scale, anywhere from 1-5 pounds in a day.

#1. Water water water.

Water can affect your weight in a couple of ways: drinking too much, and not enough. As a substance, water is pretty heavy, so if you drink a couple big glasses, you’ll see an immediate impact on your weight. On the other hand, dehydration can also lead to a higher number, because it causes the body to retain what water it does have (it thinks there’s a draught or something?). Our bodies are made of 60% water, so any changes in that arena are going to have a noticeable impact overall.

#2 Food

This one seems so obvious, but people sometimes forget that food weighs as much in your stomach as it does on your plate, at least initially. Take that into account when you step on the scale, or better yet, wait ’til you’ve digested before you get anywhere near it. Read More »

 For the past few weeks I have been freaking out about the fact that I might be pregnant. My period has always been irregular and I go months without it quite often, but for some reason I couldn’t shake the idea that I might soon be sharing my apartment with a 6th roommate….and binkies and bottles.

I knew deep down that there was no possible way there was a baby in by belly (I use multiple forms of birth control), but whenever I would feel a pain in my stomach, or have the urge to dip things in frosting, I let my paranoia get the best of me. I would go to CVS to buy a pregnancy test, but every time I walked into the store I would freak out at the prospect of a little blue plus sign showing up and walk out empty handed.

It just seemed easier not to know for sure and let the irrational thoughts pass. Read More »

Well…its February.

I dislike almost everything about this month. It’s cold, it’s snowy and it’s also the month whose only claim to fame is Valentine’s Day, a holiday which simultaneously makes me gag and cry.

It’s also when most of us are getting into the meat and potatoes of the semester. The work is starting to pile up and all you really wanna do at 8 a.m. is hit the snooze button.

So, in an effort to curb the “winter slump,” I created a playlist that will simultaneously motivate you to finish that English paper and kick someone’s ass.

Cheers to March in …how many days, again?

So it’s the season of love. Yay! Love! But now you’re down to the last minute and you don’t know what to get the special geek in your life. You know he’d love a new 42 inch Plasma, but your budget isn’t really there. That doesn’t mean he (or she) has to be stuck with the crappy card/teddy bear combo. There are plenty of great geek-friendly gifts out there that are cheap and special.

Here are a few ideas:

Handy?

If your Sig other is a tinker then a new Swiss army tool set could be just thing. I am constantly trying to find a screwdriver to take something apart. I imagine boys do it more often than me. This little beauty is small, it fits on your keychain and isn’t silly and bulky looking. Pair it with their favorite candy and your sweet smile for a great gift.

Retro Gamer?

Try some sw33t wall stickers! These decals will make any geek think of the hours they spent in front of a screen mashing buttons and killing enemes growing up. Plus they are really freaking sweet. Who hasn’t wanted to live in Mario land?

Something more Traditional?

Maybe you want something a little less unique and a little more mainstream. How about a wallet? It’s something they’ll use and yet still maintains that certain nerdy quality to it. Read More »

Happy National Weatherman Day, everyone!

I have so many problems with this whole National Weatherman Day thing. For one, what about the weather-women? Don’t they deserve the same honor? And why you get a national day to begin with? You have the only profession in the world where you can be wrong all the time and no one holds you responsible. In fact, we celebrate it by giving you a freaking day!

But I can’t hate. I mean, I don’t know what I’d do without my daily dose of Sam Champion. That man is ridiculous. In fact, upon further research (Read: Stalking Sam Champion), I learned that most weather people are ridiculous. So, in honor of National Weatherman Day, I’ve compiled some of my favorite weather-people moments. Enjoy. Read More »

I’m sure you already are aware, but Valentine’s Day is slowly creeping up on us. For those of you who have a special someone, it means lots of chocolate and money spent on some BS gift. For those of us that have no one, it means lots of chocolate and money spent on things that will make us feel better.

Or does it?

Why is it that Valentine’s Day has to be about being with a romantic partner? It’s a holiday about love, so why can’t you spend it with the people you love (even if you aren’t getting naked with them)?

This year the people over at Dentyne are kicking off a new V-Day tradition. They want to take back Valentine’s Day and encourage everyone – coupled up or not – to make face time this February 14th. Read More »

While some colleges have a quick one-day orientation or even a simple online registration, other colleges have week-long activities ranging from seminars and lectures to outdoor orienteering adventures. The goal of orientation is to make sure students feel at home on campus or, at least, well versed on where to go, whom to talk to, and what the school offers. Orientation is a way to make nervous first-years feel connected to their academic community of students.

I will never forget moving into my dorm during my first year orientation week being completely scared out of my mind. However, at Hollins, meeting people came easy. In fact, we were put into groups of six or seven students with a student advisor, who was a grade or two older than us, to spend the week with. We played ice-breaker games, talked about high school, and spent the days getting to know each other in the August heat. My student advisor, known as a Student Success Leader (SSL), was a quiet sophomore, English major (just like me). She helped my fellow group members put together our schedules, get to our seminars on time, and learn all about Hollins and its academics.

Although orientation went quickly, I never forgot how amazing my SSL was. She went out of her way to stay in contact with all of us first years, even leaving us goodie bags of finger puppets and Hello Kitty stickers. She always made herself available, and I couldn’t have thanked her more. Read More »