Category Archives: Lillian G.

January 15, 2013 · 3:27 pm

Philly Arts and Culture Check List

Author: Lillian Gardiner, GEd’11

Since I moved to Philly two years ago, I’ve frequently found myself thinking: “I want to do that!” in reference to some cool Philly thing. But until recently, all I had to show for my enthusiasm was a night at Eastern State Penitentiary’s “Terror Behind the Walls”—which I attended for a work event.

Working at Penn, I find myself confronted often with a myriad of activities, both in and around Philadelphia. Having a job in West Philly near the trolley and El lines makes getting to these events that much easier.

I decided to make a list of these “cool things” and check them off one by one. So, I did what any Type A personality would do when setting out to achieve a goal, I created an Excel spreadsheet. Now, all of the fun places to visit are nicely laid out in columns, along with web links, price of attendance, status updates, and a rating of my level of interest in said fun thing.

The Morris Arboretum’s Summer Palace Credit: M. McClellan for GPTMC.

Many of these events have a Penn connection, such as the Morris Arboretum and the Mural Arts Tour, but others are off campus. So far, I’ve gone to the new Barnes (free because of the Free First Sunday program), toured the “American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition” at the Constitution Center (with discounted tickets as advertised through Uwishunu), and attended a Sixers game, followed by a beverage at Xfinity Live (biggest TV screen ever).

Up next, part two of the discounted tickets will be the Titanic Exhibit at the Franklin Institute. Then, a trip over to the Please Touch Museum, primarily because it’s housed in Memorial Hall, a remaining structure from the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876, the first official World’s Fair in the United States.

Image from upcoming exhibition at ICA, White Petals Surround Your Yellow Heart.

Image from upcoming exhibition at ICA, White Petals Surround Your Yellow Heart.

Also on the list are the Aquarium, the Kimmel Center, the ICA, and the Penn Museum. I also hope to make it to a free student rehearsal at the Curtis Institute and take a free class at Fleisher Art. Along with my cultural pursuits, I plan to include some less highbrow outings to Silk City Diner, Barcade, the Union Transfer. And maybe, if I get lucky, an Eagles game.

Feel free to post your suggestions as I’m sure there’s a lot I still don’t know about this awesome city both on and off campus!

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Campus Life, Lillian G., The Arts, The Arts at Penn

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December 13, 2012 · 6:46 pm

Penn Spectrum on the Road: Philadelphia

Author: Lillian Gardiner, GeD’11

Last night, over 60 alumni, friends and family gathered at the Gallery on Market Street to listen to a panel on “Art and the City.” Guests mingled in the Mural Arts Program’s space on the third level of the Gallery where the artists sometimes work.

After Vice President and Secretary of Penn, Leslie Laird Kruhly welcomed everyone, panelists Esperanza Altamar, GFA’00, Jane Golden, and Ernel Martinez, GFA’04 were led by Penn faculty moderator Mark J. Stern, PhD, in a discussion about the impact of the arts. A few of the questions covered included: How important is art to any major American urban center? What impact does its presence – or its absence – have on our children? How can Penn alumni with an interest in art make a difference in Philadelphia?

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Participants (from left to right): Penn Faculty Moderator: Mark J. Stern, PhD,Principal Investigator, Social Impact of the Arts Project; Co-Director, Urban Studies Program; Kenneth L. M. Pray Chair Professor of Social Policy; Esperanza Altamar, GFA’00, Director of Youth Programs, Norris Square Neighborhood Project; Former Manager of Community Programs, Philadelphia Museum of Art; Jane Golden, Executive Director, Philadelphia Mural Arts Project; Lecturer, Fine Arts and Urban Studies at Penn; and Ernel Martinez, GFA’04, Artist, Designer, Muralist and Mural Arts Instructor for the Amber Art & Design, and Philadelphia Mural Arts Project

As many of you may already know, in October 2010, Penn Alumni hosted the first-ever Penn Spectrum conference on diversity and community. The “Penn Spectrum on the Road” events are designed to continue the discussions from the conference and carry the ideas to the greater alumni body.

This is also your opportunity to save the date for the fall Penn Spectrum conference to be held in Philadelphia from September 20 to the 22, 2013. Learn more about that upcoming conference and see what other “Penn Spectrum on the Road” events took place on our website.

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Alumni Programming, Lillian G., Multicultural Outreach, Philadelphia

November 9, 2012 · 8:47 am

Exercising in Winter, or “How to Not Gain 20 Pounds Because It’s Cold Outside”

Author: Lillian Gardiner, GeD’11

Just as it seemed I was back on the exercise wagon…it got really stinkin’ cold.

Now, I realize one’s definition of “cold” depends upon where you grew up, how extensive your winter wardrobe is, and whether or not you are a man. But I think it’s COLD! And more relevant to this blog post, I think it’s too cold to exercise outside after dark.

Rather than do what I did the last two winters (hibernate, eat sweets, and gain weight) ,I committed to finding ways to be healthy that work with my budget and lifestyle. Thus I immediately crossed off “run at 6 AM” and “join a gym for $65 a month.”

I have found a few things that help to keep me headed to the gym, even on winter days like we’ve had recently.

TIP 1: Set a long term exercise goal. To keep me motivated, I set a goal to run the Broad Street 10 miler or a half-marathon in the spring. I’m goal-oriented so this helps me stay motivated on days when I’d rather go straight to bed after work (every day).

TIP 2:  Commit to manageable, realistic exercise goals. I know that if I promise myself I’ll exercise every single day, I will soon run out of steam. I do know that I can swing three days a week; even if that means walking to work once, doing a short exercise video at home, or biking on the weekends. If I keep the exercise goals within limits, chances are that I won’t burn out or disappoint myself, and I might even exercise more than four times a week.

TIP 3: Join a gym.  For budget-conscious Penn students and staff (like me) consider joining the Fox Fitness Center. For staff, it’s $180 for the year (versus $378 for Pottruck); this prices out to be about $15 a month–a huge steal!  Though Fox Fitness Center does not  have a pool or locker rooms, it does offer exercise machines and free weights. Best of all, it’s never crowded. Check it out here.

TIP 4: Look for fitness deals. I started scouring the daily coupons sites LivingSocial.com and Groupon.com for discounted gym or yoga classes. I love yoga, but $18 per class is above my budget level. With coupons, I’ve taken excellent yoga classes for as low as $10. And that allows me to do things like…

…Purchasing these new work-out shoes, shown here against the backdrop of the autumnal view of Locust Walk.

I will not be posting before and after photos of my physique, but let’s just say,  I’m cautiously optimistic about my chances of exercising three days a week this winter.   You should join me!

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Athletics, Lillian G.