Hey yinz guys! aka Pittsburghese 101

Posted on June 21, 2010 by meghan

There’s a place where people use gum bands and warsh their clothes, a place where they cheer for the Stillers, eat pierogies and drink pop. Oh it’s a magical place, this place. A place with a lingo all it’s own…

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania…

If you are from Da Burgh you know exactly what I’m talking about. But let’s say you aren’t from Pittsburgh and have no clue what “yinz” means or why you don’t chew a gum band. This blog happened because I stumbled upon a site devoted entirely to Pittsburghese and was so incredibly amused I just had to share. I must admit, even though I’ve spent the past decade in the Pittsburgh area, I still have no clue what people are talking about sometimes. So let’s have a crash course in Pittsburghese!

Definitions:

gum band – rubber band

hoagie – submarine sandwich

nebby- nosy, snoopy

Dem Stillers – The “Steelers”

pop – a carbonated soft drink

slippy – slippery

yinz – you (plural)

redd up – to clean or tidy

warsh – wash

pierogies – a small dough envelope filled with mashed potato, meat, cheese, or vegetables

Eat N’ Park – a restaraunt with speciality Smiley Face cookies

buggy – shopping cart

crick- creek

“Jeet jet?” – “Did you eat yet?”

To some this may seem an incorrect use of the English language, but to others this is a sign of pride of being part of a unique and special city. If you want to become fluent in Pittsburghese check out the website Pittsburghese website Want to dig a little deeper into the dialect? Check out the research done on the Pittsburgh Speech!

Happy speaking yinz guys!

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Summertime Couch Potato

Posted on June 18, 2010 by lana

It’s Friday!  Wooo Hooo!!!  It’s absolutely gorgeous outside– sun shining, clear blue sky, moderate temperature, and low humidity– what more can one ask for on a Friday?  Perhaps plans.  Yes, I have to admit that when I get off of work, I’m just going straight home and parking it on my couch.  It’s been a long week, and it’s caught up with me, so all I want to do is veg.  Friday is also the night my favorite show comes on– Friday Night Lights.  If you’ve never watched, you have got to check it out.  You’ll quickly become a fan. 

I’ve been watching a lot of TV this summer (and, I’m not embarrassed to say it).  During the regular semesters, I’m so busy with school work that I don’t even have time for something as leisurely as watching TV, and I am a self-proclaimed TV junkie.  So, it’s nice to be able to watch television without feeling guilty. 

The best nights for  TV (IMHO) besides Fridays are Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  Army Wives is a must watch.  The entire cast is gifted, it’s well written (not to mention the men on the show are gorgeous), and it’s just one of those shows that will have me reaching for a Kleenex one moment, and cracking up the next.  Not many shows can do that– except for Friday Night Lights (do you see a pattern here?).

I’m a huge lover of music and secretly I wanted to be a great dancer at one time (ok, it’s not really a secret), and So You Think You Can Dance (on Wednesday nights) satisfies both of my loves in one sitting.  The judges can sometimes be a bit irritating, but watching such promising young talent makes it all worth the while.  On Thursdays it’s all about the Housewives (don’t judge me).  Actually, The Real Housewives of New York had their season finale last week, but that’s ok since one of the cast mates now has a spin off– Bethenny Getting Married– and it’s hilarious.  So now you know I love TV, music, and dancing… and if you’ve been following our blog, you should also know that I’m a foodie (food is definitely my greatest love of all).  And believe it or not, there’s a show that feeds that appetite– Top Chef.  Oh no, this is no ordinary cooking show!  It has plenty of drama, comedic value, and sometimes romance, all while revealing great recipes to practice in my small galley kitchen.

So there you have it.  An entire summer line up.  Join me, why don’t you?  I’m also looking forward to the return of HawthoRNe with Jada Pinkett Smith, and a whole host of shows that premier next week.  I may just fill you in… from my favorite corner of my couch.

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It's not fall, yet, but you can still watch football…

Posted on June 11, 2010 by lana

Well, it’s only June 11, but Pittsburgh has definitely seen its share of rain this month.  The sun has been shining brightly all day, which is why I’m enjoying it while I can… even though I have to do it from the window of my office.  The view is beautiful.  I’m seeing young mothers strolling there kids downhill, and earlier we had a local 3rd grade class hanging outside of the graduate admissions’ office.  They were on a field trip (I know, not my idea of a great field trip, but there are worse places).  Besides, a university campus can be inspiring to a bunch of 8 and 9 year olds.  They seemed to enjoy the freedom from their desks and books and pens & pencils; instead, they were able to run amok and do what kids do.  Somehow, I have a feeling they knew that this would be their time to do so, since we’re expecting more downpour over the weekend.  So, if you had plans to hang outside, you will have to postpone them until next weekend… that is, if Mother Nature doesn’t have other plans. 

But a wet weekend is just fine with me.  I absolutely love the rain.  It’s the best sleeping weather.  It also gives me an excuse to clean my apartment and do loads of laundry (love the rain, hate doing laundry).  It’s also a great time to catch up on my movie watching via Netflix or on demand.  This wet weekend is also perfect for watching the World Cup.  I’m not much of a soccer fan, but someone told me earlier that the FIFA World Cup is definitely worth the watch.  I just may tune in… after I finish my laundry.

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Summer time fun!

Posted on June 8, 2010 by meghan

Just because classes are done, for most of us that is (sorry health science folks!), doesn’t mean that there’s a shortage of things to do at Chatham this summer!  In fact, Chatham sponsors lots of events if you are still on campus or around the area during these warm, sunny summer months! 

Tomorrow,  Chatham is taking students over to Schenley park to watch the Blind Side.  There’s a shopping trip to Robinson on Thursday and Monroeville on Saturday.  And did I mention free smoothies?  Grab a smoothie voucher every Monday for a free smoothie at Rachel’s cafe!   Perhaps you are looking for a good toe tapping, hum along time with the summer musical series with $5 tickets to “Miss Saigon” and “Curtains!”  Maybe you’d be interested in a BBQ and pool party at Eden Hall campus.  Or maybe you want to get to know Pittsburgh more by going up the incline and visting Station Square or  experiencing Squirrel Hill.  Passionate about vampires?  Chatham will be taking students down to the Waterfront for the Twilight Experience and premiere of Eclipse!  And start July off with a bang at fourth of July fireworks downtown!

Needless to say, there’s lots going on even if it doesn’t involve homework or classes!  Take a peek at the list of events this upcoming month and HAVE FUN THIS SUMMER! :)

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My gown had wings.

Posted on May 25, 2010 by meghan

The best part about getting a master’s degree is simple: the gown you get has wings.  This proved to be both a good and bad thing, because I had to consciously tell myself NOT to perform a puppet show by shoving my hands in my elongated sleeves during the graduation ceremony.  I did, however, make the Loch Ness monster AFTER the ceremony was completed.

Amid all the pomp and circumstance, speeches, and moving my tassle from right to left was the reality of the day: I’m done.  I graduated!  After all my hard work these past two years, I’m finished and have received my master’s degree!  While I sat in my black gown and hood thinking about the future and what’s next, I couldn’t help but reflect on where I’ve been.  These past two years at Chatham have been a pleasant surprise.  After going straight from undergrad to grad school and becoming a commuter, I figured my Chatham experience would be nothing more than me going to class a few hours a night for three nights out of the week.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Chatham, however, had different plans for me. I quickly made great friends with peers and professors, joined badminton, soccer, and kickball teams, and found many restaraunts and cafes to frequent in the city.  I ended up spending more time up at school than I thought, and I loved every minute of it! :)

While I am ready for the next step in my life, I am happy and thankful for the past two years that have gotten me ready for this point.  I’m glad I came to Chatham and for the experience I’ve had here.  It wasn’t what I expected, and I’m glad it wasn’t!  :)   For all of you who are just embarking on your graduate school career, best of luck!  Enjoy it, it goes by fast.  And make the most of every opportunity, it might be better than you could have ever imagined!  And someday, you’ll be like me.  Making puppet shows with your graduation gown…

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Break Time

Posted on May 24, 2010 by lana

Another semester has come and gone and now it’s time to relax (some of us, anyway) now that summer is upon us.  And, if you’ve been keeping up with the local news, you should know that Pittsburgh has been named the nation’s most livable city for the second year in a row.  As someone who is not a native of Pittsburgh, I have often said that this city is one of America’s best kept secrets.  As soon as I arrived here, I instantly fell in love with the city’s green hilly terrain, the downtown skyline, the architecture, and the friendly people.  As I explore more– learning my way around the city– it seems that I’m always discovering something new. 

But what I truly like about this city are the unique neighborhoods.  I would hate to be bias and say that I have a favorite neighborhood, so I won’t.  I can say, however, that Shadyside is the neighborhood that I frequent the most, but that’s probably because I live there.  It offers so much, and it’s in walking distance from my apartment; definitely a great convenience!  Not only is the shopping wonderful, with stores such as Banana Republic, Pottery Barn, the Apple Store, and trendy retail clothing/shoe stores (new and vintage) all within steps of each other, there are a plethora of places to eat (one of my favorite past times).  You can shop til you drop, but I prefer to eat til I’m overstuffed! 

But, if you’re trying to watch your waistline this summer, you should definitely make a pit stop at Karmic Yogurt.  And believe me, this is not your typical yogurt shop that sells artificial frozen yogurt.  Having said this, you should definitely try it for yourself, and I assure you your taste buds will not be dissapointed.  Karmic offers their original tart and pomegranate (just in time for summer) flavors with fresh fruit toppings such as huge strawberries and plump blackberries; and more than a dozen sweet toppings, such as gummy bears or Oreos.  Mmmm!  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  I think I’ll take a break now.

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Crunch Time

Posted on April 6, 2010 by lorena

I hate to admit that I’m counting down the days before school lets out, but how can I deny it when it’s 80 degrees and sunny outside?  Last weekend was a battle between the Easter holiday and homework demands.  With school and family pulling me two different directions, it’s hard to imagine I made it through at all.  With about three weeks left in classes, everyone’s cramming in last-minute essays and study sessions, all while putting summer plans together. 

I’m looking forward to the first week in May when I’ll take my car and my cats back to Oregon for the summer.  I haven’t seen my family since December, so it will be fun to spend a few months catching up with everyone.  I look forward to sleeping more than six hours per night, waking up without homework on my mind, and remembering what it’s like to have a life.  As much as I love graduate school, I can’t help but develop short-timer’s syndrome.  By August I’m sure I’ll be itching to get out of Oregon and to start another year at Chatham.  In the meantime, I should get back to the stacks of books and paper sitting on my desk.  It’s time to wrap this baby up.

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Job Preparation Marathon Event

Posted on March 22, 2010 by lorena

Graduating Soon or Seeking Summertime Employment?

Don’t Miss Career Development’s Job Preparation Marathon Event

March 29-31


 
Come to one event or all of them – Just in time to prepare for upcoming job applications
Monday, March 29 – Job Search 101
Seminar 5:30-6:30 p.m., Open for Questions 6:30-7:30  JKM Library, Rm. LCC1
• Job Search Guidance
• Online Portfolio Development
• College Central Workshop

Tuesday, March 30 – Interviewing 101
Seminar 5:30-6:30 p.m., Mock Interviews 5:30-7:30 p.m. JKM Library, McGuire Room
• Interviewing Tips
• Sample Questions
• Mock Interview

Wednesday, March 31 – Resume Building 101
Seminar 5:30-6:30 p.m., Resume Review 5:30-7:30 p.m.  JKM Library, Davis Room
• Resume and Cover Letter Writing Tips
• Step-By-Step Help in Developing Professional Documents
• Resume Review
Email Questions to: Careers@Chatham.edu

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Did someone say, graduation? *gulp*

Posted on March 17, 2010 by meghan

The snow is finally gone and there’s nothing but green grass in sight (possibly in tribute to St. Patrick’s Day?).  The birds are chirping and the squirrels are frolicking by the pond and the tree outside the Graduate Admissions office is flaunting some pretty red buds.  Spring is in the air!  But even though the warm sun makes me happy, I can’t help but freak out on the inside because I’m almost done with graduate school!  *Pinches arm just to make sure this isn’t a dream*

There’s a part of me that’s ready to be done with homework since I’ve been going to school straight since preschool.  And then there’s the other part of me that’s going to miss the life of a student, staying up late doing homework, sleeping in until well past noon, having summers off…

I’m already nostalgic about my time at Chatham, it’s hard to believe I’ve been here for two years already!  Time flew by so fast.  Too fast, actually.  I’ve had so many great experiences and opportunities from traveling to Puerto Rico to writing silly children’s stories to meeting great writers, faculty, and friends. 

And now the real world is knocking on my door and I don’t know if I’m ready to answer!  Can I take a rain check?  Come back in a few… years? 

I’m not sure what the future holds for me, but I know if it’s been as good as my past years in academia I have many more great things to look forward to…

And perhaps I’m not done with my education yet… Those PhD people do get AWESOME hats…

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Oh, Spring, How I've Missed You!

Posted on March 12, 2010 by lana

The snow is melting, melting, melting, finally!  And though the sun has taken a temporary break after seven straight days of sunny weather, spring is definitely in the air.  I’m loving the 60 degree temperatures because I’m finally able to wear my flip flops.  One thing is for certain, you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can’t take the Texas out of the girl.

Today is the official last day of spring break; however, it hasn’t been much of a break for me.  I’ve been busy with school work all this week, but I did manage to take in some of the beautiful weather as I walked around Shadyside.  I think this weekend will be a total wash because of the rain, and supposedly some areas of the city are expecting flooding thanks to all of the snow we’ve had this winter.  I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that.  As a native of Louisiana who has experienced a fair share of flooding, I wouldn’t wish those conditions on my worst enemy.

But I won’t dwell on the negative.  It looks like winter is finally behind us and only six more weeks of school before summer break.  And, it looks like the sun is peeking out.  It just may be a beautiful day after all.  Viva la spring!!!

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