New York State of Mind

Billy Joel, Tony Bennett, Alicia Keys and Jay-z are just a few of the many artists to sing out on their love for the big apple. A city that truly never sleeps, lives like a dream, and allows one an escape from reality.  

For Spring Break 2014, I spent my week in New York City with my boyfriend Brandon. It was my first visit to the city, and it certainly won't be my last. 

We saw as many sites as we could in our time constraint of about 4 days. New York has a lot to offer and no where near enough time. We saw the Statue of Liberty, rode the ferry, paid tribute at the National Memorial for 9/11, strolled the American Museum of Natural History, rode on a horse drawn carriage through Central Park, got weird at Ripley's, gamed out at Dave and Busters, shopped at Rockefeller Center, wondered Times Square, explored the city and ate a LOT of food. 

Food and culture are what make the city.  Chinatown is a must see. We went to a more whole in the wall establishment, but it was some of the best Chinese I've tasted. Everyone has to get a giant slice of pizza in the city or stop by a food vendor cart. The Nuts 4 Nuts carts are such a tasty quick dessert, and I always love a good hot dog. Times Square is fun if you want over the top, themed restaurants. We visited an Irish pub, went into the movie world at Planet Hollywood, and dined with Forrest Gump at Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company. 

New York offers so many great experiences, and is lively and action packed whether it be spring, summer, fall or winter. So if you are looking for an idea for next years break, and love that city atmosphere...start spreading the news. New York, New York! 

Journey to Honduras

After two consecutive years of alternative spring breaks, this was the year I was going to be a “normal” college student and head to Florida. That didn’t happen after an overwhelming urge to speak Spanish. I mentioned this desire to a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionary at Catholic Campus Ministry and she hooked me up with an application and a month I was accepted in the program.

I stumbled upon this trip because of my desire to go to a Hispanic country, but the trip packs much more of a punch. A group of 16 are in the mountains of Comayagua, Honduras to work in orphanages, nursing homes and to bring Catholic Mass to villages that only have the opportunity once or twice a year.

As much as I would like to say this is just for the people, I am excited for all I can do! I will be hiking the majestic mountains of Honduras, taking only a backpack to each village and growing closer to students across the country who have the same desire to grow in faith, self-knowledge and service.

One hard to digest requirement of this trip was fundraising. I had a fundraising coach who talked up my confidence to write family and friends to support my trip. The response was huge! I was able to raise enough money for my trip!

Although asking people for money feels awkward, you are giving others an opportunity to serve monetarily if they can’t go physically. So next time you think volunteering comes at too high a cost look into fundraising. You could end up giving back in somewhere you never thought you would be!

To look more into the mission trip I am on go to:

http://focusmissions.org/honduras/

PCB Bound!

See.....very pale

If you're reading this, I hope you are having a great beginning of spring break! 

Right now, I am probably laying on the beach in Panama City with the sun blazing over me (a welcome change from the frigid cold in Harrisonburg right now). What I would like to emphasize is sunscreen! A sunburn can absolutely ruin a vacation and make you miserable.  While I of all people understand the importance of a tan, being extremely pale, I have been taught the importance of taking care of your skin!  With the emphasis on anti-aging and anti-wrinkle products, why would you engage in an activity that would actually increase the speed of this process. 

This brings me to my next point, tanning beds. While these are extremely popular, they are detrimental to your health and result in dangerous diseases.  A spray tan can achieve this same effect without all of these potentially negative side effects. 

When you really think about, how important is a temporary tan when it has such lasting consequences? Snow White is one of the most popular and beautiful Disney princesses with skin that is described as "white as snow". So work with what you've got and embrace and take care of the skin that you're in!