Plane Ride Prep

If you have a long plane ride ahead of you, be prepared! If you’re planning to sleep, bring a travel pillow or head rest. If you’re staying up, then make sure you have plenty of entertainment. Pack your iPod, iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, so that you can watch movies or TV shows and listen to music. Don’t forget your headphones; while the airline attendant may provide you a free pair, it doesn’t hurt to bring your own. If the free pair breaks or doesn’t work, you’ll be glad you brought your trusty headphones, especially if the airplane ones do cost extra. You should also bring books or magazines to ensure that the entertainment options never end. Also, if your flight is really long, you may get a free meal on board, but in case you don’t or aren’t the biggest fan of airplane food, pack snacks for the trip. Also, consider bringing a toothbrush or anything else that isn’t a liquid or a gel that you’ll need to freshen up. With these travel essentials, you’ll be ready to go on your next big trip!

Take a Trip to Sintra

While in Lisbon, we decided to take a short train ride to the nearby town of Sintra. Conveniently, there was one bus route that took us to the major sites of the National Palace, The Moorish Castle, and The Pena Palace and Gardens. The first stop was National Palace, the preserved medieval royal palace in Portugal and another world heritage site. Then, we walked through the Moorish Castle. The high altitude made us feel as though we were explorers, walking through thick white clouds into the vast unknown. The Moorish Castle stood in stark contrast to the romantic architectural style of the Pena Palace, which we saw last. We also roamed or should I say got lost in the Pena Gardens, trying to find the Manuel Capilla. We eventually did find it, along with the Temple of Domes and the Hothouse or green house. When we returned to the Sintra town center, we got a taste of gingya, a sweet chocolate cup shot of cherry liquor. So, if you're ever in Lisbon, you should definitely take a day trip to the small, historical town of Sintra!

Who Would Ever Want To Leave Lisbon?

For the second part of our fall vacation, my friends Kasia, David, and I went to Portugal. After flying from Madrid to Lisbon, the first site we visited was St. George’s Castle. There, we walked through an archeological site and took in spectacular views of the city. Afterwards, we went to the Jeronimos Monastery, where the tomb of explorer Vasco de Gama is located. After a quick lunch, we walked towards the Belem Tower and saw El Padro dos Descubrimentos, a monument honoring navigator Henry V, along the way. Our final stop was the Berardo Collection museum, which was free and full of modern art. Then, we had a delicious dinner accompanied by the best tasting port wine and, of course, ice cream for dessert at the end of the night.

We spent the majority of our second day in Sintra, but returned to Lisbon for dinner in the Mercado de San Ribiera. Since we all wanted to eat different things, we agreed that this modern looking food court and market was perfect for us. Also wanting a taste of Portuguese nightlife, we started our night in Baixa-Alto, where a lot of people gather in bars before flocking to the clubs. The three of us talked, drank, and briefly crashed a bachelor’s party, so the night was off to a fun start. Although David headed back to the hostel, Kasia and I still had energy to go to the club Lux-Fragil. I thought I would have left earlier than I did, but I was having such a fun time I lost track of time!

The following morning, we went to St. Roque church, home of St. John the Baptist’s Chapel, the world’s most expensive chapel. For lunch, we headed to Pasteis de Belem for pasteles de nata, a yolk based and custard filled Portuguese dessert. Since, I’m not a big fan of custard-filled desserts, I was pleasantly surprised that I liked them so much, especially with cinnamon on top! All in all, we had an amazing three days in Portugal. We got to do and see everything that we wanted and to be honest we didn’t want to leave by the trip's end. Then again, who ever wants to leave the paradise of vacation?

See Seville

During the middle of my fall term in Spain, I had a week long fall break. I chose to spend part of it in Seville with my friends Kasia and David. We started our day in the Real Alcazar where we ran into some of our fellow classmates. This fortress and palace was beautiful and we took pictures everywhere from the gardens outside to the museum upstairs. Afterwards, we headed to the Cathedral, which was conveniently located right in front of the Alcazar. Apparently, it’s the largest cathedral by volume in the world and it’s the resting place of Christopher Columbus. We climbed up the Giralda Tower where we took in the most spectacular views of the city. 

After lunch, we got a little lost on our way to the Palacio de Lebrija, but eventually found it. Inside, there were mosaics from 1 BC and the most ornate rooms and tiled staircase! Then, at the Plaza de España, we rode paddleboats and walked around the fountain and the mosaic stands of different Spanish cities. We finished our day with souvenir shopping and ice cream before heading back home. We accomplished a lot on our day trip and by that point of my study abroad, I felt pretty confident traveling through Spain, so I was more then ready and excited to continue our fall break in Portugal.

To Toledo and Back

After spending weeks learning about El Greco and Spanish art and architecture, it was exciting for me to finally get to go to Toledo. It’s a small city near Madrid, that’s perfect for a day excursion. Our Spanish Study Abroad class took a field trip to the city on Halloween. We visited the Mezquita Christo de la Luz, originally built 1000 years ago as a small mosque. Then, inside the Iglesia de Santo Tome, we saw the emblematic “El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz” by El Greco. Finally, we learned about Jewish culture in the Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca and the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes. While we took a couple one to many breaks for unnecessary souvenir shopping, overall Toledo was a great place to spend the Halloween holiday, before heading back to Madrid for  Halloween night.

Waiting at the Airport

While many people loathe traveling, they love the cities they’re traveling to, so airports seem like an unbearable obstacle to an otherwise amazing trip. I like to think of airports, however, as a place to do the things you may not necessarily have time to or necessarily want to do. If there’s no free wi-fi, take the opportunity to open your mind by reading a good book or catch up with celebrity gossip by perusing a magazine. If you do have Internet access, unwind with the shows and movies you’ve been meaning to watch. Also, with any extra time you have, take care of those little tasks you always put off like checking emails, voicemails, or returning calls. And on your way home from that perfect trip, use your airport waiting time to edit and organize photos and journal the experience if you wish, so you’ll always remember your trip.Waiting at the airport never has to be wasted time!

Passport to Paris

Since I took classes during the summer, I didn’t take an off-term until this winter. Basically, rather than having a summer break like most college students, I’m now enjoying a long winter vacation until April. I’ve spent the past month and half writing and babysitting. While both experiences have been extremely rewarding, I’m looking forward to this next part of my off-term, travel. I’ve saved up enough money to go on a dream trip to France. Right now, I’m headed on a plane to Paris and cannot wait to tell you about this next European adventure!

Visit Valencia

If you’re ever in Spain, Madrid and Barcelona aren’t the only cities to stop by, but also Valencia. We started our journey inside the Mercado Central. Then we walked to the nearby La Lonja. Afterwards, we visited the Cathedral and climbed to the top of the Miguelette Tower. We agreed that the market was our favorite of the three, but felt that the other sites were also worth the trip, especially on our road to become more well traveled and cultured y'all.

Afterwards, we grabbed lunch by the beach at La Pepica, a restaurant frequented by celebrities and even Hemingway himself. We ordered Paella a la Pepica, which was seafood paella, and to this day, we all believe it was not only our favorite Paella, but also our favorite dish in Spain. Then, we took a relaxing stroll on the Valencia beach. The warm sand felt soft underneath my feet and the clear skies put my mind at ease. It felt right to take a break from Madrid and enjoy this beach town for a day.

We ended our day with the City of Arts and Sciences, where we only had enough time to explore the Aquarium. I couldn’t believe we spent over two hours there, but it was that fun! After getting a little lost, we made our train with ten minutes to spare. On the ride back, the family sitting in the compartment next to us offered coconut sprinkled chocolate cake, icing on the cake to our beautiful day in Valencia. I hope to return in the future because there’s still a lot that I want to do and see in this city!

Sightseeing in Segovia

If you’re studying abroad, take any free time you have to travel within your city, country and beyond. During my first weekend in Spain, for instance, I took a day trip to Segovia with a couple of my new Spanish Study Abroad friends. We boarded the Renfe train in Madrid and then hopped on Bus number 11 in Segovia, which took us to the city center. First, we took pictures at the Roman Aquaducts. At the Plaza Mayor, we split up into two smaller groups where half of the group took a small break in a café while the other half went along to the Cathedral. Afterwards, we visited the Alcazar and Torre. Thanks to my recently broken foot, I was traveling with a heavy, clunky walking boot. Everyone was super considerate of my pace and well being, especially while climbing up the tower's tall and narrow staircase and I was really touched by everyone's kindness. After visiting the major sites of Segovia, we rode the train back to Madrid. On the train, I ended up sitting next to a stranger and realized that despite some language barriers, we can still share stories, laugh, and form friendships with whoever and wherever we go.

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is not just a day to celebrate romantic love, but friendships and family and all kinds of love. The other night, my family and I went over to my cousin’s house to celebrate my cousin’s early Valentine’s Day birthday. I not only go to see him, but also my other cousins, uncles, and aunts. I hadn’t seen them in a couple of months, and it was good to catch up. To be honest, I had an amazing time. I didn’t even check my phone for the time or beg my parents to leave. And hopefully, we'll have another family reunion on my other younger cousin's birthday in March. Today, my mother got my brother and I chocolates and cupcakes to wish us a Happy Valentine’s Day. Usually, my parents are pretty sweet and get us candy and flowers or whatever. After all, Valentine’s Day is a holiday and holidays should be fun. Even though I’m single, I still have people I love who love me back and I actually enjoy this day. So, Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

In Barcelona, You Got To Strut Like You Mean It

This past fall term, I studied abroad in Spain! During my three-month stay, we had several class excursions and our last one was to the beautiful city of Barcelona. Our first stop was to Parque Guell, designed by Antonio Gaudi, the face of Catalan modernism. This public park has gardens and architectural elements inspired by nature and geometric shapes. Although it is open to the public, the main terrace of the park is accessible only with the purchase of a ticket.

After the park, we went to the Sagrada Familia, a basilica again designed by Gaudi. When I first saw the church, I was surprised by its impressive size. It’s still under construction too, which means that it’ll only grow bigger! As we walked inside, I immediately looked for my camera trying to capture the beauty of the stain glass windows and overall design, but none of my pictures do it it any justice.

During our second day, we strolled through Las Ramblas. I was reminded of New York City, not only because it was crowded with lots of tourists, but also for the stores and restaurants. I saw a McDonald’s next to a KFC along with stores I hadn’t found in Madrid like Urban Outfitters. I didn’t even think Urban Outfitters existed in Spain considering my host sister told me she never heard of it. Then, we entered La Boqueria market. There, I sampled turron, a sweet Spanish nougat typically eaten during Christmastime.

All throughout the city, I noticed Catalan flags and signs saying “Si o Si,” urging people to vote yes to Catalan independence from Spain. On our last day, prior to entering the Barcelona Cathedral, I saw “Si o Si” posters on a nearby office building. When we returned later that day, after visiting the Iglesia de Santa Maria, the signs were gone. Most likely people against Catalan independence took them down, but aside from that one action, there was a general environment of peace surrounding the vote. Approximately 2 million people came out to the polls, resulting in a majority vote for independence. Cataluña, however, remains a part of Spain because holding the referendum itself is technically unconstitutional.  

My trip to Barcelona was both entertaining and educational. I cannot wait to return and learn and see even more of this modern and globalized city. Before I do though, I need to catch up with The Cheetah Girls 2 and their adventures throughout the Barcelona streets.

Sequels That Won't Disapoint

There are so many amazing movies I want to see this year. Surprisingly, a lot of them are sequels or prequels to some of my favorite films. Sequels are rarely as good as the originals, so I always wonder why people bother releasing a new installment that no one wants to see. I have a good feeling though, that the sequels below won’t disappoint, but will be even better then the originals.

Insurgent

The second installment of the Divergent triology hits theaters on March 20^th. Naomi Watts and Octavia Spencer join Shailene Woodley, Kate Winslet, Miles Teller, Theo James, and Ansel Elgort to form a star-studded cast. I'm sure this sci-fi thriller will leave your heart pounding.

Pitch Perfect 2

Funny females Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson reprise their roles in this much-awaited Pitch Perfect sequel. I had such a great time watching the first film during a girl's movie night in that I cannot wait to see this new film hit the big screen on May 15^th.

Magic Mike XXL

When my friend and I went to see Magic Mike, the theater was made up us two and middle aged women, but that's okay! Anyone can enjoy this guilty pleasure flick featuring Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, and Joe Manganiello, as they show off their amazing abs, on July 1^st.  

Minions

If you fell in love with these yellow creatures in Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2, you'll go crazy over this animated film that traces their beginnings and search for an evil master. Playing in theatres on July 10^th, the film also features the voices of Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part Two

Before I catch this highly anticipated film, I need to watch Mockingjay Part One! At least I have more than a bit of time; the film hits theaters on November 20^th. This final installment, centered on the full-blown revolution against President Snow and the Capitol, is a must-see movie this year.  

Galentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is less than a week away, but there’s another holiday we cannot forget to celebrate, Galentine’s Day! Some of us, including myself, don’t have that special someone who we’ll be canoodling with over a candlelit dinner or cozying up to afterwards. What I do have though is a great circle of girlfriends, and we’re close enough to canoodle and cuddle together if we want!

Last year, my friends and I celebrated the occasion by going out to dinner and then enjoying red velvet cake dessert back in my room. I’m pretty sure I ate 2/3 of that heart shaped dessert, but it was a holiday, so calories don’t exist! We also sent each other candy grams and other little presents leading up to the day. It was like recreating elementary school Valentine’s Days, when everyone got cards and candy. 

So, if you don’t have a date, make Valentine’s Day a fun day with cake, cards, and candy! Invite your closest friends or family to share in the festivities or if you really want, you can stay in by yourself; that’s cool too. Take Galentines’ Day as a day to do what you want, but either way I highly recommend you start by watching the Parks and Recreation episode of “Galentines’ Day” to celebrate it the best way possible. 

Grammys Red Carpet 2015

People tune into the Grammys not only to see the out of this world performances and talented winners walk away with awards, but also for the glamorous fashion. Taylor Swift added a pop of color to the Red Carpet with her teal Elie Saab gown. The unique high-low dress showed off Swift’s long legs and her fabulous magenta heels. Nicole Kidman looked effortlessly cool in her black long sleeve dress by Thierry Mugler. Her pointy toed black heels and straightened shoulder length hair made her outfit that much more chic. Finally, Katy Perry shimmered in a flattering, formfitting dress by Zuhair Murad. The nude colored ensemble balanced her short, purple hair. I cannot wait to see even more awards show fashion at the Oscars in a few weeks!

Taylor Swift / Nicole Kidman / Katy Perry

Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2015

While at the market the other day, I noticed all the heart shaped candy boxes, balloons, and flowers letting shoppers know that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. The holiday may seem stressful if you’re unsure of the right gift to get that special someone. So, check out some of my ideas below to guide your Valentine’s Day shopping this year:

For Her

If you’re an excellent baker, whip up her favorite brownies, cookies, or any dessert that her heart desires. If you’re not as handy in the kitchen, buy the best box of chocolates to satisfy any sweet tooth. Since it is a holiday, take that as an excuse to indulge in all the delicious foods. If your date likes the finer things in life, buy her favorite piece of jewelry or that new scent she's been dying to try. You can also try a more traditional and simple route with flowers and a teddy bear. Up your game by treating her to a fancy dinner and pop a bottle of champagne to toast the holiday.

For Him

Give him the gift of sweets buy baking or buying his favorite dessert. Be creative and add a sweet twist to his favorite manly meal by making chocolate covered bacon or a heart shaped pizza. Purchase his favorite manly accessory like a watch, a pair of sunglasses, or a baseball cap. Make him smile and show him how much you care by writing him a thought felt card. If your guy is more laidback, stay in and relax with a nice, cool beer. You know the gift of alcohol, whatever his favorite may be, won’t go to waste. 

Just remember that it’s not so much the present, but the company that’s important on this special day. Hopefully, this little gift guide will help you all have an amazing Valentine’s Day!

Naples, Home of the Best Pizza

When I was planning our family trip to Italy, my initial plan was to hit up Venice, Florence, and Rome. When I read online that Naples is home to the best pizza not only in Italy, but possibly the world, I immediately added it to the list. To be honest, the family and I didn’t do much in Naples except eat and sleep, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

By the time we arrived in Naples, we were all really exhausted from our week of museum and monument sight seeing. While my brother and dad napped in the hotel, my mom and I perked up with lunch at Da Michele. After waiting about half an hour, we were seated inside the totally packed restaurant.

From the two options on the menu, Margherita and Marinara, we ordered the Margherita Neapolitan pizza to share. Each bite tasted perfectly balanced from the simplicity of ingredients like the gooey mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and basil leaves. The location, however, is less than desirable considering my mom almost got pick-pocketed on our walk over there.

Afterwards, we visited the Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, an art museum mainly of Neapolitan paintings. When I laid my eyes on Antea by Parmigianino, a painting I first saw on Gilmore Girls when Stars Hollows through on their Festival of Living Art, I got so excited. Then, we returned to the hotel to rest for a bit before heading out to dinner.

Located just outside of beachfront Naples, Brandi Pizzeria was tucked away in a side street of a quintessential Italian neighborhood with intimate outdoor tables and a romantic and friendly ambiance indoors. I ordered a ham and mushroom that time, to mix things up from lunch. Although the location and ambiance were more pleasant at Brandi, the pizza at Da Michele was slightly better.

My brother and I returned to Brandi for lunch the next day, after our visit to Pompeii. We were both craving meat, so he ordered ham and mushroom, while I asked for the chorizo and broccoli leaves topped pizza. We agreed that both of our pies hit the spot and were just as satisfied as the night before.

Everyone reunited for dinner at Di Matteo.  The line outside was even more chaotic then at Da Michele, and after waiting for over half an hour, we decided tto get in the shorter line for pizza to go. Normally, I’m not a fan of spicy foods, but for my last pie in Naples, I chose to go for the Diavola. The spicy salami was surprisingly delicious and luckily we found a random open table to eat outside.

In true Italian fashion, we followed our pizza with gelato for dessert. We actually got into the habit of going out for gelato at the end of each day and continued the tradition into our next stop, Rome. We all agreed that there was no better pizza in the world and that the Italian cuisine alone made the trip to Naples worth it.

Pretty in Pink

Oh My Love / Kimchi Blue / Sparkle and Fade

With Valentine’s Day a week away, you have the perfect occasion to buy that pretty and pink dress you’ve been eyeing. One of my favorite shops is Urban Outfitters, which has plenty of feminine frocks that you can find under $75! While the dresses above veer towards lighter pastel colors, there are so many other shades to choose from like bold magentas or bubblegum pinks. So, take your pick and you’ll be guaranteed to shine on that special day! 

Pompeii

If you’re ever in Naples, then you should stop by the nearby Pompeii. This ancient town was destroyed and buried under ash in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. My brother and I took the hour long train ride in the morning and luckily there was no line at the entrance. We bought a guidebook and map to help navigate our way before scanning our tickets at the gate. My parents came several hours later and visited almost all of the same sites we did and without purchasing a book, so depending on the trip you want, the purchase is up to you. 

We walked through the polygonal stone streets and visited noteworthy sites such as the Forum, the Temple of Apollo, the Large Theatre, the Basilica, and the Amphitheatre. Rather than sit in one of the tourist trap restaurants of Pompeii, we took a train back to Florence for a late lunch after thoroughly exploring the town. I was glad that I learned a little and laughed a lot on this special day trip with my younger brother to Pompeii, a definite stop on anyone’s Italian vacation.

License

Yesterday, I finally did it; I am officially licensed to drive! Also, please enjoy the fake McLovin license, and don't worry, because mine is 100% real. At the age of 21, I’m probably no longer in the appropriate age frame to brag about the news on any social media site, but here I go letting you all know the exciting news. The reason this milestone took so long to achieve was based on the fact that there was never a strong need or want to drive.

Growing up, my parents took me everywhere from school to the mall. When my friends started driving, they were also kind enough to lend me a ride. In the rare instances neither could take me, I could rely on the metro, bus, or my own two feet, so either way I was set on transportation. In college, a car wasn’t necessary to get around my small, walk-able campus and thanks to the quarter system, I never had sufficient time to practice driving to a point where I felt comfortable enough to take the road skills test.

After getting my permit in my late teens, I aimed to get my license in my early 20s. After driving maybe 11 hours, I took the test and failed. The older I got, the more I realized the importance of driving. Not only does it give you the independence to go anywhere anytime, but it is also a useful skill to have in case of emergencies or with whatever type of situation pops up. With roughly 45 hours under my belt, I returned to the DMV and thankfully passed. So, here, I am, an early twenty something, proudly checking this milestone off my list! 

Studs that Sparkle

J Crew / Kate Spade / Marc by Marc Jacobs / Shy by Sydney Evan

When it comes to earrings, I’m a big fan of studs. They’re not too heavy on my ears and they add the finishing touch of elegance to any outfit. My go-to earrings are pearls, but sometimes I like to mix it up with a uniquely designed pair or one that adds a pop of color. There’s something for everyone, so take a look at some of these sparkly studs!

Thanksgiving in Florence

This was the second year that I wasn’t home for Thanksgiving. Last year, I spent it with my family inside the Miami National Airport on our way to Bolivia. The four of us didn’t even eat Thanksgiving dinner together! My mom and dad ate at Cozzoli’s Pizzeria, while my brother and me caught up over a Wendy’s feast of burger and fries. Despite the lack of turkey and airport location, it was one of my favorite Thanksgivings because I got to spend it with one of my favorite people, my brother. My family was not at home again this past Thanksgiving, but instead we spent the holiday in Florence.

My mom and I started our day in the Galleria degil Uffizi where we saw artworks by El Greco, Goya, and Velazquez. Afterwards, we explore Il Duomo di Firenzi, where I went up Giotto’s Tower and went inside the Cathedral. Then my dad and I climbed up the Dome after a hearty lunch with the whole family. In the late afternoon, my parents and I headed to the Galleria dell'Accademia where we saw Michelangelo’s David otherwise known as the David of David and Goliath; who knew? Well, my mom did, and I probably should have pieced that together.

For dinner, we all wanted to eat different types of food, but still wanted to dine together as a family. To create the homiest holiday possible, we each brought back our own food to eat around our hotel room’s tiny table. Although my pesto pasta to go was not the most appetizing of meals, at least the four of us celebrated Thanksgiving together. Our holiday feast ended on Via de Neri, where we returned to Neri Gelateria for the second night in a row. Gelato dessert was the perfect way to end the holiday and I cannot wait to see where I’ll be on Thanksgiving next year!