Belén Yudess ’25
Copy Editor
Dear reader, just like President Marcus-Newhall’s contentious tenure as Scripps president, we are soooo back. After countless failed attempts, I was finally able to commune with the spirit of my beloved co-writer, Aviva Maxon ’24, from beyond the post-grad grave.
For those of you who were #motrotting too hard last semester and missed “the most influential advice column for the silly geese of our generation,” according to previous TSV interim president Ellen Hu ’24, Maxon has bestowed upon me her blessing to offer a new round of invaluable insight on things you didn’t ask!
1. What’s the one thing you wish you knew at age 19?
Putting metal in the microwave is apparently a giant no-no. Shout out to my junior year suitemate, who taught me that lesson at the ripe age of 20 after watching, in horror, as I put my Nutella (pronounced new-tilla) jar with the metal foil in the Routt microwave. You know what they say, though: You never know until you try!
2. Besides your phone or wallet, what are a couple of must-have handbag items?
A portable charger with eight ports. An expired vintage pack of cinnamon gum. Four copies of either The Catcher in the Rye or David Bowie’s memoir. A reusable “Captain Kirk <3 Spock 4 ever” mug. An avocado.
3. If you were not a writer, what would you be doing?
Confronting my emotions instead of repressing them through overly dramatic poetry. Or, I’d be a blobrista at the Blobfish Cafe.
4. What’s something you can’t do?
The missing word in this question is “yet”! Just because you can not do something now does not mean you can’t learn to do it at some point in the future! It’s all about the mindset. But, if we’re being so honest, can’t do subtlety; not a subtle person in the slightest. And I suppose there are many other things I can’t do: whistle, snap my fingers, or follow a schedule (shout out to every incredibly kind and understanding person I have been late to meet; you all are so appreciated).
5. Where was the best vacation you’ve ever taken?
Froutt. #Frouttfamilyforever
6. What’s one city you’ve always dreamed of traveling to?
Pitzer College’s Hotel Motel Holiday Inn. It seems like a city in and of itself.
7. What’s something you always travel with?
My sense of humor and devotion to whimsy. And my emotional support Screaming Goat.
8. Favorite food?
Red pepper hummus with a spoon. Chomp chomp!
9. Favorite dessert?
Mudd apples with the right vibe. Have you not been vibe-checking your apples?! Heinous behavior.
10. Favorite snack?
Strawberry tops. My friends told me to eat more green foods; oh boy, were they right! Sometimes, it’s better just to cut the red stuff off. It distracts from the grassy delight of the stems.
11. What’s a movie that made you cry?
Twilight. Not from sadness, though, but absolute entertainment. I can’t help but crack up at the thought of Taylor Lautner in his green suit for his wolf CGI. The fact that Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattison ever got through a serious take is astounding. That alone should have earned them an EGOT, imo.
12. What’s your favorite movie of the last ten years?
Okay, this one is real, folks, so listen up! If you haven’t seen The Normal Heart, you should. It’s a beautiful yet heart-breaking story highlighting the turbulent impact of AIDS on the gay community. But also…Matt Bomer in a turtleneck.
13. What’s the one talent you wish you had?
Emotional maturity. But also, it would be cool if I could talk to possums. So maybe the latter one should be the priority. Who needs to have a healthy relationship with their feelings? If constant obsession is good enough for Maya Hawke in Do Revenge, it’s good enough for me!
14. What’s your favorite exercise?
Whatever they do at Casual Swim Club. They sound kind of cool and kind of casual (not Chappell Roan’s version). Maybe you should, like, check out their practices on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Tiernan. But that’s just hearsay. Don’t believe me. I’m just a non-biased stranger who totally is not part of that club…
15. What’s your favorite band?
Julie and The Phantoms. #bringthemback.
16. What’s the cutest thing on planet earth?
She’s not a thing but a person, and I think she is just one of the cutest, sweetest human beings! Anne Friedman ’25 🙂 AND also, our Editor-In-Chiefs this year, total cutie-pies!
17. What do you usually eat for dinner?
Egg in some shape or form.
18. What do you usually eat for lunch?
Whatever fruit I can weasel out of the Malott salad bar before getting consumed by the mob of CMC men.
19. What do you usually eat for breakfast?
Whatever said singular CMC man asked for in his Malott smoothie. It’s usually green and fruity (but in a straight way).
20. What’s your favorite thing in the world?
Breaking into my friend’s rooms (with consent, of course).
21. What’s your favorite color?
Green. If you’re a Scrippsie and your favorite color is not green, the squirrels will heckle you. I don’t make the rules.
22. What color clothing do you wear the most?
Snoopy.
