Looks like you don’t need a Tidal subscription after all. The video for Nicki and Beyoncé’s ‘Feeling Myself,’ originally released for Tidal subscribers only, is now hitting the Internet for anyone to view. The video features the two BFFs partying at Coachella, slaying burgers, and just being epic. Why wasn’t I invited? Check out the exclusive on californyinz here! Hopefully it stays open to non-Tidal subscribers for a while!
Someone get me to Greystone quick. Listen to the remix to Rihanna’s ‘B*tch Better Have My Money’ below. It’s a banger.
New Weeknd for your weekend. ‘Might Not’ is off the Canadian rapper, Belly’s, most recent mixtape Up for Days, which just dropped. Give it a listen. Definitely enjoying Abel on this track.
A$AP ROCKY FT. MIGUEL, ROD STEWART, & MARK RONSON – ‘EVERYDAY’
Mark Ronson, sure. Miguel, definitely. Rod Stewart? Probably not someone you would have ever thought would be featured on an A$AP Rocky track. I dig it. We can expect A$AP’s upcoming album, At.Long.Last.A$AP. (A.L.L.A.), on June 2.
There’s been some talk about Drake being featured on Fetty Wap’s track ‘My Way.’ Well, here it is. He joins Fetty arond the 2:30 mark. Listen to Drake’s melodic flow below.
…til Greek Week. That was the motto of Alpha Gamma Delta each year leading up to the best week of our lives, which is currently going down at Westminster College. Talk about a perfect #tbt. For those unfamiliar, let me break down what the week entails.
SPORTS. Lots of sports. Since I’m an all-star athlete and didn’t want to show off my talents 
among the other members of the Greek community, I stayed on the sidelines during events (pictured right), giving my fellow sisters a chance to participate. False. We wouldn’t be on this 16-year winning streak if I even attempted to partake in any of the events. You’re all welcome.
And yes, you read that correctly. The sisters of the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta have won Greek Week 16 years in a row, and I couldn’t be MORE proud to be a part of this organization. Red, buff, and green – what what whaaaaat.
I digress. Back to the events, which include: basketball, swimming, pie eating (I probably could have done okay in that), tug-of-war, kickball (Nee, remember when Z-Train pummeled you LOL – glad you’re okay), rock climbing, track events, trivia, and a singing competition known as Greek Idol. I may be missing some, but you get the gist. Events conclude on Friday. Also during the week, each organization learns a dance routine. The dances are performed Saturday night at my favorite event called Sing n Swing. Both Greek Week and Sing n Swing winners are announced that evening. There is a fraternity and sorority winner. *insert chills*
5, 6, 7, 8! Sing n Swing is where I come in. This is really what I live for. Eighty plus girls. Mixing music. Picking out costumes. Creating formations. MANY thanks to my fellow choreographers and especially to the extremely talented Ms. Amy Schillinger for willing this task down to me my freshman year. #honored. See below for our 2011 (my senior year) winning choreography. *insert more chills*
While the bond of sisterhood in general is quite strong, the bond that occurs during this single week is something I cannot explain, and I’m sure this goes for you other Greeks out there, too. But I’m telling you. Something about Alpha Gamma Delta. Few things make me emotional, but thinking back to all of this… CAN I GET A TISSUE.
What I wouldn’t give to go back to this week and to chant ‘to the Eps, to the Eps’ to celebrate both the Alpha Gams and the brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s wins by dancing on tables with multiple champagne showers (pictured left). Miss you, Johnny. *crying*
I am so proud to call these girls my sisters, both ones I went to school with and current ones whom I’ve never met (yes, that sounds creepy, but you completely understand if you’re Greek). With their determination, pride, good sportsmanship, and talents, I am not surprised we have won 16 years in a row.
Sisters, I leave you with this song. It is sure to pump you up before, during, or after any event and especially before you leave the suite on Saturday night to head over to Orr Auditorium. Jillian and Lindsay can attest to that (10, 10, 10, 10!).
So good luck to all Greek organizations this week but most importantly, good luck to my sisters of Alpha Gamma Delta. I hope you squirrels bring home another win, and I hope you crush it on stage Saturday night. Wish I could be there.
Always Gonna Dominate,
Three flights. Thirty-six hours. Ninety years old.
Last weekend my aunt, uncle, and I flew into Pittsburgh to surprise one of my most favorite people in the whole wide world – my grandma. And boy was she so so surprised! Thinking she was going to the Montour musical that evening, which actually doesn’t start until next weekend, she claimed she wasn’t ‘dressed’ for dinner once we told her the plans. She mumbled this through the tears and crying. Grandma always has to look the most presentable. With that being said, I think this blog post could best be told through pictures. Enjoy 🙂
red-eye from LAX landing in the burgh
#sergesselfiestick bros – Michael’s man bun not pictured
delicious dinner from Alla Famiglia
Happy 90th, grandma! You are one of the flirtiest and most kind-hearted people I know! I am so glad I was able to fly home to celebrate this milestone. Until next time!
…would you walk to Las Vegas from Los Angeles? This was the question of the weekend that started on the roughly 270 mile drive to Sin City.
Last weekend some girlfriends and I went to Vegas for ONO (One Night Only – thanks, Kylie). Some may wonder why you would go to Vegas for only one night, but the truth is when you live fairly close, you start to develop a love-hate relationship with the city. Anyways…
Vegas essentials. Aside from the obvious outfits, one clearly needs a selfie stick (thanks, Chiou), a fifth of Fireball, and some dignity (not pictured) to fully capture and enjoy a weekend in Vegas.
We left the South Bay bright and early Saturday morning with an expected arrival time of around noon. Cue an oil change light, a shady auto service center, pit stops at Jersey Mike’s and a gas station for beer, we finally ended up in the City of Sin and checked into the Flamingo Hotel around 2:00pm just in time to hit up the pool. Maybe walking would have been better. KIDDING. Totally kidding. I can barely run one mile let alone walk 270.
Post-pool party antics.
After a hearty dinner, courtesy of the Flamingo food court, it was time to freshen up for the evening.
South Baybes pictured below.
Pictured from L to R: Danni, Sydney, Serge, Kylie, Bre, Mackenzie
Time to see Avicii. We ventured to XS Nightclub located in the Wynn hotel. We were put on a guest list earlier that day (thank you, Danni!) and were able to get ahead of the line. As if that wasn’t epic enough, another group of friends (shout out to my Hokies!) had a table (thanks again, Chiou). The inside part of the club was completely packed with people awaiting the arrival of the 25-year-old Swedish sensation (Avicii). Some of you may know I don’t do well with large crowds. Especially large crowds who are pushing and shoving. One of my actual nightmares. But when you’re in Vegas, you face your fears and YOLO.
After lots of pushing and shoving, we made it to the very front. #ragecage
Not the best quality, I know, but you get it. You can check out my Instagram video here.
After about an hour waiting for a cab, we made it back to the room around 3:45am. Went to bed, woke up around 8:00am, and got the HECK out of there. I would tell you about the drive back (thanks again for driving, Mac!), but Kylie, Mac, and I were pretty delusional. We did snag some chicken fries, took selfies with aliens, and jammed out to Smash Mouth, but that’s all I want to say about that.
Now, for two million dollars… would you walk back to LA?
Welcome to my blog, californyinz! This has been a long time coming, so I am very excited it is finally up and running and even more excited you are here reading!
Why californyinz? Having vacationed to the City of Angels since I was baby Serge, now a resident of the state (almost four years!), and having been born and raised in the Steel City, both California and Pittsburgh have always held and will continue to hold special places in my heart. I wanted a creative way to combine these two loves of mine through writing and knew a blog was just the thing!
californ + yinz*
= californyinz
This isn’t a blog about Drake, you ask? Well yes, I could indeed dedicate a whole site to the 6 God, but that sounds a bit stalker-esque. However, there most definitely will be a Drake presence throughout, as well as a hip-hop music and live entertainment influence, as those are two things I am very passionate about.
What makes this blog different from other lifestyle blogs? This blog stems from experiences with my friends and family. Without them, it would be one lonely girl going to the GRAMMYs, Vegas, a Lakers game, the beach, or wherever else alone. Who wants to read about that? Because of yinz, I have enough stories to curate some pretty epic content for californyinz, so you can expect some personal shout outs!
Get ready to follow my journey from here on out in California and from those frequent trips I make back home to Pittsburgh. Yes, I still consider Pittsburgh home. This bigger platform, compared to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, will allow me to tell yinz about my West and East Coast happenings and all things hip hop that I love.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this. I look forward to sharing my ‘californ’ and ‘yinzer’ experiences with you!
And shout out to my roommate Megan, follow her on Twitter @megstraw – she’s pretty awesome, for helping me choose the fonts for the californyinz logo!
*How someone from Pittsburgh would say “y’all” or “you guys”
Californyinz 