How did the last four years fly by so quickly? Who let that happen? I arrived in August 2014, checked in at the ITT, then somehow I was returning to the same indoor track to be handed my diploma. Well, not my diploma, but someone else's. Read about the Diploma Circle, another of Smith's many … Continue reading I just graduated from college
After the extremely dark and depressing election season last year, my friends and I were inspired by all the protests and everyone's willingness to fight for what they believed in. John Oliver's Emmy-winning "F*ck 2016" segment and episode gave us the idea that rather than buying or making something useless for each other, we could … Continue reading Friday Favorites #3: Christmas donations!
I have a Spotify playlist for this time of year - and it's only 9 hours and 7 minutes long! I can appreciate most genres and style of Christmas music, but I certainly have my favorites. 1. All of the Killers's charity Christmas songs! My favorites from the collection are "A Great Big Sled," "Christmas … Continue reading Friday Favorites #2: My Christmas Playlist
This is a new series I'm starting to give myself a weekly focus. Today, I will be describing some of my favorite aspects of the Christmas season! There's a lot that I love - there are reasons I make Christmas last AT LEAST two months! 1. Christmas music! As Buddy the Elf said, "The best … Continue reading Friday Favorites #1: My Favorite Things about Christmas
I had very few expectations for my host families. Having never had that kind of experience sent me into a whirlwind of confusion. Before arriving in Tokyo, the concept of host families alone was worrisome, but I soon realized how much of a complication the language barrier would be. Upon meeting my first host family, … Continue reading Thoughts on my Japanese Home-Stays
I've heard so many people say, "My mom is my best friend." I don't know if it's the post-Gilmore Girls excitement, but it's becoming increasingly common. However when I say this statement, I actually mean it. We have been each other's traveling companion for as long as I can remember. We would go on road … Continue reading Traveling with my mommy.
I've been doing a lot of driving these past couple of months which has led me to discover some great radio stations around California. These stations provided the soundtracks to my trips to Sequoia, Yosemite, and Los Angeles. "Don't Take the Money" Bleachers I'm a big fan of their first album, but hadn't given their … Continue reading My Summer 2k17 Playlist
I remember reading nearly twenty books the summer after fifth grade. I spent my school breaks at home by myself. I had school-day friends, but rarely did I find someone with enough mutual interest to go out of our way to see each other after the bell rang. Having that much time to myself at … Continue reading A House is a Home
Independence Day took place in the midst of my return road trip and it happened to be the day I planned to spend time in two of our nation's beautiful, preserved parks. I dragged my mother first to Grand Canyon National Park, a place I've only seen in movies and television shows. I had booked … Continue reading Crown Jewels of the USA
My earliest vacation memories are of my mother and I basking in the Myrtle Beach sun. For as long as I can remember, we drove annually to the coast of South Carolina to spend a week on the beach. I loved being in water as a child, so it made sense for us to choose … Continue reading On the road again
