2016 the Best Year of My Life

On this Thanksgiving evening, amidst all the holiday cheer, I've found myself reflective of this past year. It is hard to believe that 2016 has nearly come to the end. It feels just like yesterday, I was celebrating Christmas with my family. Then before I knew it we were on a plane heading to London. I remember how anxious and excited I was to be able to go. Little did I know then, of how much my study abroad experience would change me. Studying Abroad, made me into a more adventurous and ambitious individual and for that I am forever grateful.

The summer rolled by quickly, and I was excited to return to Curry and be with my best friends again. Move in day came along and I was eager to reunite with my best friends whom I hadn't seen in what felt like forever. Weeks turned into months, and I was having the best time of my life. Who would have thought rooming with your best friends would have been such an amazing experience; from late night movies, to video games, to other crazy extravaganza's, I am truly grateful to have friends like them!

2016, has hands down has been the most memorable and life changing year. I am forever grateful of the people who made this year possible. Here's to 2017, and many more happy years to come!

How Adapatabilty in Travel Can Relate to Crisis PR

Whether you have traveled abroad or within the United States, one aspect that will always be prevalent is how you adapt to an unfamiliar environment. Where ever you go in this world, there will always be different people around you who might not necessarily understand what you are trying to communicate; This might be the result of a language barrier, cultural differences or even words lost in translation. Regardless of this inevitable scenario, how you choose to communicate your messages is vital.

While I was in Florence, Italy, I found myself in a situation in which, I was not able to fully communicate to those around me, due to a language barrier. I became lost, while trying to find my hotel. No one around me spoke any English, so I had to use what limited Italian I had learned ahead of time ,to get where I needed to go. I wanted to panic in this situation for sure, but I knew that I had to keep my composure and use what resources I had with me to get to where I needed to go.

Similarly, to Crisis PR, you are not always going to have all the information about an incident in the present moment. However, you must react promptly to get your organizations message out, before the incident becomes construed by either the media or the public.  

River Veins

I stand idle upon an open road, not a soul around but mine.
I look down upon the open road and study its imperfections.
The cracks in the road remind me of river veins that run like time.
Each river vein held no semblance to one another.
Yet I found myself lost.
I found my eyes scanning the river veins, looking for some meaning to an end.
However, every time I would find a logical end, the river veins would split off to another direction.
I looked further down the road and noticed a patch of road, seemingly unfazed by anything.
It was smooth to the touch, like a freshly painted wall.
I began to wonder, why has this patch of road had stood the test of time?
Was it because the cement was made better? Or was this road was freshly laid?
Yet I came to realize, a couple days later that upon further inspection, that this perfect patch of road wasn't as perfect as I thought it was.
Indeed, it too had river veins running through it, that now little to no sense.

As a nation, we are far from perfect.
We have made our mistakes and tried our best to find semblance.
Yet as of recent events, somehow we have found ourselves searching for a logical end to the river veins that lie in the road ahead.
Mending these river veins will take time, but what we must come to together and find our beginning.
Only then with patience, will we be able to see clearly down the river veins that we once were.

Autumn Calling

Autumn leaves in full blossom, hue the morning sky as they slowly drift by.
Down by the river the weightless leaves freely glide; only to be disturbed by an occasional breeze.
In the trees they hang with a sense of delicacy and patience, waiting for that inevitable moment in which they are set free once and for all.

A Run in Richmond Park...

An open plain laid before me with blades of grass of varying hues.
The road before me was made of lightly packed dirt.
As I began running, I took in what was around me.
In a nearby tree I could see a group neon green birds surveying the land.
The wind began blowing, humming its soft song slowly into my ears.
As I continued running, deer's roamed freely about; some were busy grazing the open fields, others were at play.
I came upon a body of water as blue as the morning sky.
Swans, ducks and geese swam eagerly about the pond.
As I got closer, a path opened up with a row of trees leading the way.
Curiosity beckoned me to press on.
I continued to run and came upon a field filled with dogs frolicking about.
In the distance you could hear a woodpecker working his craft meticulous and methodically.
The sun was slowly beginning to set and I began running faster.
A hill was on the horizon and my feet were beginning to become tired, but I pressed on.
Upon reaching the top of the hill, in the faraway distance the city of London laid before me.
I stopped for a few moments to take in its beauty and watched as the sun slowly set.
I turned back around and ran back in the direction from which I came, only leaving behind London and my own footsteps...

A Band of Brothers

"THE CLOCK IS TICKING, DAN, THE CLOCK!" I hear being screamed by my suite mates at all hours of the day and night.
Let us just say we are tight niche of friends, brothers really.
We are always getting on each other's cases about everything.
We spend an enormous amount of time hanging out in the suite, with everything from video games to cooking.
When it comes to video games we get really competitive, often times screaming at the TV when the game doesn't go our way.
Cooking is always an interesting event in our suite.
Heck the other day, we spent over two hours just gobbling down bacon and pancakes!
Yesterday we spent the entire day watching football on NFL Red Zone.
Earlier in the week we had all placed bets on who we thought was going to win each game.
At the end of the semester whomever has the most wins will win the money and a portion of the money will go towards an end of semester party.
Let us just say there were many victory cheers as there were walks of shame!
Later in the semester we are also planning to go to various concerts, sports events and other related venues.
Overall, it has been a really fun semester thus far and I cannot wait to see what comes out of it!

In Her Time of Need...

I knew the morning of the first throw up, that my life would soon be altering.
At first she was in denial that I was leaving her, but then she began to see the bags and boxes moving upstairs and she knew then that something was amidst.
For the first few days she gave me the cold shoulder, barely talking to anyone, however, in secret every night she would express her concern to my father.
Days rolled by and more and more boxes were being brought upstairs.
Her behavior began to drastically change.
She began pouting about the house and sleeping more than usual.
Some nights she would sleep up close to me, others she would sleep elsewhere.
She began to eat less, and soon became a ghost to me.
I kept trying to comfort her, telling her everything will be okay, but she would just turn her back and not hear me out...
She confronted me as the day of my departure drew closer, yelling at me, asking me why I was leaving her in such a dire time of need....
And I told her that I was off on a journey that she could not accompany me on, but that I still loved her and that someday I would return a changed man.
Although adamant about me leaving, she told me that in order for me to leave I had to give her one last belly rub and so I did.
I loaded up the car and took one last look at the window in the house and there she was looking at me, trying to conceal herself behind the curtains as I slowly drove away, ready to embark on the next chapter of my college education....

Top 6 Reasons to Study Abroad

1. A New Found Identity

Studying abroad will give you an entirely new perspective on the world around you. Quickly, you will become very aware of the differences between your own home country and the country in which you are living in. In many ways, I'd compare the experience similar to that of freshman year of college, as you are finding yourself in new situations, you have not been before, all the while experiencing personal growth.

2. Learning Another Language

Believe it or not, even in Great Britain where the language is English, I found myself constantly looking up various phrases I had never heard of. None the less knowing another language can become very valuable.

3. An International Network of Connections

While abroad, you will meet a wide variety of people from different backgrounds, which will only prove to be invaluable in the road ahead.

4. Testing Your Limits

This may seem like an obvious one, however, there is a lot to be said about expanding ones horizons. For me, I traveled Italy all by myself during my spring break. Prior to being abroad, I would have never considered taking on such a daunting task, however, in doing so I only grew into a more ambitious individual.

5. Ability to Travel

Do not simply limit yourself to your base country. Go out into the world and get a new appreciation for what is around you, whether it is art, food, culture or anything in between!  

6. An Increased Awareness of the World Around You

This was particularly true for myself, as prior to my arrival abroad, I didn't see myself as a global citizen.

A Summer Day

Summer skies christening the morning are much like an intoxication of life; it is an addiction really.
An addiction fed by the given warmth, much like how a hot chocolate warms and soothes the soul on a cold day.
Flowers are in full blossom with busy bees tending to the flowers.
The smell of freshly cut grass fills the morning air.
The children are nearby playing in the sprinkler.
Dad is watching the children as he starts to fire up the grill for lunch.
Mom is neatly tending to her garden and the dog is barking at the mail man.
The birds are eating away at the bird feeder, as the squirrel sits nearby eagerly awaiting the right moment.
The cat sits in the window intently watching the birds.
The sky is clear and the day is warm; the humidity can be seen rising from the nearby pavement.
The aroma of freshly cooked hamburgers brings everyone in as they gather around the patio.
The kids quickly gobble up the burgers and go back out to swim in the pool.
Mom sits nearby on a lawn chair watching the kids, as Dad cleans the grill.
Nightfall soon comes and Dad gathers the kids to go star gazing in the field nearby.
They all lay in the field, watching and gazing upon the starry night as Dad points out the constellations that tickle the night sky.
Soon thereafter the kids roast marsh mellows in their back yard.
Mom and Dad tuck the kids into bed and say goodnight.
All is peaceful and all is quiet as Mom and Dad gaze out into the sky watching the moon as it glimmers throughout the night...

Somewhere over the rainbow...

"Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high

There's a land that I heard of, once in a lullaby

Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue.

And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star, and wake up where the clouds are far behind me.

Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops.

That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds fly.

Birds fly over the rainbow, why can't, why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly, beyond the rainbow,

Why, oh, why can't I?"

No matter who you are, we can all agree that we are all in search of that place somewhere over the rainbow at some point in our lives. This place is not always right in front of us. Instead we must journey down treacherous paths in order to get to where we need to be. If anything, the Wizard of Oz teaches us a very important lesson, about how we find this place over the rainbow....

As many of you are familiar, the Wizard of Oz story involves Dorothy and her unlikely friends trying to make it to the Emerald City in order to seek out, the great and powerful Oz. Each of them are in search of something different; a brain, courage, a heart and a way back home. Yet as they come to find out most of what it is that they seek are in some ways intangible; as courage, wisdom and heart are not something that can be given, rather they are acquired traits that develop over a lifetime. While they might have receive little mementos rewarding them for their actions of saving OZ from the Wicked Witch; these are merely symbolic of a bigger picture, which reveals that whether or not they knew it or not, they already had courage, wisdom and heart within them; as these were the driving forces that guided them towards achieving their ultimate goal.

On the flip side, when it comes to finding that place over the rainbow, we need all these traits in order to find it.

First we must have a place in which we belong; a way back home as Dorothy was seeking. Then we must have the courage to take that first step towards the place over the rainbow. Next we take what it is that we know (our wisdom) and apply it practically. Finally and most importantly is to have the heart and determination it takes to find our place that is somewhere over the rainbow, no matter where that place might be....    

A look back at England

It is hard to believe that just a little bit over a month ago I returned home to America, after spending the past few months studying abroad in England. The strangest thing I have come to find is not riding the tube on a daily basis like I use to. I mean sure the tube can become monotonous at times, but there are always interesting things going on. Like for instance it always baffled me as to why no one really interacts with each other. The locals live amidst a wave of different ethnicities and cultures, yet it seems that curiosity had killed the cat.

Fashion was also an interesting facet of riding the tube, especially for Men. I always stereotyped business fashion as clean cut blazers of blue or black. However there was always a variety of colors and styles that I would not have considered wearing myself.

I also miss aiding people on the tube when they needed help getting somewhere. It was always interesting to hear were they had to go, because it was always somewhere different, which kept the experience fresh and allowed me to learn about other areas of London, I had not been to.

Seeing the advertisements on the tube was always a highlight of my day. I would often sit and analyze who the target market was for the message being sent, and this often times would entertain me for several minutes.

As annoying as it might of been, I also miss hearing "Mind the Gap between the Train and the Platform" as well as other little safety announcements throughout your journey. It is a courtesy that is not shared within the states, as far as I have seen.

Most of all I miss the feeling of the unfamiliar, the spirit of adventure, the freedom to explore...and the people whom I met along the way. Someday soon I will venture back...


  

Blue Bird, Blue Bird

Blue Bird, Blue Bird, flying in the sky
Oh how I envy the places you have been.
Blue Bird, Blue Bird soaring amongst the clouds
Oh how I wish I could be there too.
Blue Bird, Blue Bird, tending to his nest way up in the tree
Oh how I wish I could go to the heights that you have been.
Blue Bird, Blue Bird flying in the sky
Oh how I envy the places you have been.

And yet with these feet of mine, I have traveled far and wide, left and right, up and down.
I've seen many sights, without ever taking a foot off the ground.
For flight was not needed to go to the places I have been.
All I needed was my own two feet to get me going.
And surely you must have seen all the places I have been, and the people I met and the lessons I learned.
For flight was not needed to go to the places I have been.
All I needed was my own two feet to keep me going.

Spring Time Adventure

Spring rain was falling upon the steady stream.
With my paddle in my hand, I stroked deep into the murky water below.
The wind was gently blowing causing the rain drops to streak down my face, like tear drops of joy.
The spring air smelled of pomegranate and freshly planted tulips.
With a gust of wind daisy seeds flew freely past my face, much like a feather tickling me.
In the distance I could hear a woodpecker, tirelessly pecking away at his craft.
I came upon a swamp and my canoe got stuck in some mud.
As I freed myself from the clenches of the mud, I noticed the many mosquitos freely dancing and prancing upon the water almost as if I was the spectator of a ballet.
I continued on through the swamp until I reached a clearing.
The sun was slowly setting, casting a vibrant hue of orange and yellow and in the distance a fog was settling as the evening sky turned to nightfall.
The night sky was crystal clear and the stars were shinning ever so brightly.
The stars constellations tickled the night sky.
The water remained still and the wind had stopped.
I put my hand into the water and felt a chill go up and down my spine.
I found a camp site and set up my tent.
I got a fire going and relished its warmth.
The outside air had become cold and damp.
After having dinner, I laid awake in my tent for some time, listening intently to the world around me.
An ominous cry of a loon pierced the night, echoing in my years keeping me up for a while longer, until eventually I fell asleep into a deep sleep.
Eager the next morning I set out upon my canoe, uncertain of what might lie beyond the horizon.

An American's Surviual Guide to London

London is a city rich with cultural diversity and an array of various neighborhoods that distinguish London from any other place in the world. Being an American in a British setting is a lot more complex than most people will come to realize. The biggest anomaly being the English language in the context of England, although there are many similarities, there are also some major differences. Pronunciation of words is amongst one of the hardest things to get used to. For the first few weeks I would be sitting having a conversation with a local, and I found myself listening more inventively on what the person was saying and how they were saying it. This led me to try and adapt myself to the local language as best as I could, although, it was extremely challenging. Every time I would try changing my pronunciation of a word, it always felt weird and I would often revert back the American pronunciation. I ultimately came to middle ground, that rather than changing the way I speak, I would adopt the phrases commonly used in order to "fit in".

Being an American in London can be a mixed bag. You are either highly acclaimed or sometimes repulsed by the local community.

Amongst the biggest challenge for me was adapting to the left side traffic. At first I had many close calls where I nearly got hit a few times. Within a few weeks I got used to looking the opposite direction, however, then the problem became where was the driver? My eyes would always dart to the right side of the car to look for the driver and not see a person, was often concerning to me. It was not until about three months in that I got used to this.

Another thing was that most of the time I was here it rained. This often brought my morale down, but then I learned to embrace the humorous side of it. The way I began to look at it was that I did not have to look at the weather forecast anymore, because of the fact that every single day for the most part was 50 F, cloudy, with a chance of rain. The days that we did have sunshine which were few and far between, were a blessing when they happened.

The pub culture was amongst one of the most fascinating dynamics of London. While every pub or bar has a different atmosphere, there are some defining characteristics you will find throughout. The biggest one was the social atmosphere, everyone in the pub was there to socialize with one another and drinking the beer was a very slow process. A person could be there for 1.5 to 2 hours and only have 1 pint, maybe two. The pub was a unique community in which likeminded individuals would come together and talk about life. I remember how in the first few weeks of being in London, how interesting the conversations were with the locals. It was something more than just small talk, rather it was very personal, people wanted to know about you and you're ambitions for your life.

Pubs also are characteristically intoxicating places to be in while a football, rugby or cricket game is on. I did not care for these sports, prior to coming to England. However, seeing the amount of energy and enthusiasm locals had for these sports, made me want to find out more about them. I began learning more about these sports and how they were played.

The final survival tip I have for you is to embrace London and all of its small neighborhoods. To truly experience and understand a culture, you must go on past all the cliché tourist attractions and wander down random streets and immerse yourself with the local culture. It is only truly then that you will begin to realize what it means to be an American Abroad....
 





   

When in Europe the UK and Beyond: Liverpool the Urban Industrial City

I woke up around 5am this morning to catch the 6am Tube to London Victoria Station for my 7 am departure to Liverpool. As soon as I got to Victoria Station, I walked down to my coach and hopped on. Before we got into Liverpool we first had to stop in Manchester City to drop some people off. The city of Manchester itself appeared somewhat less well kept in comparison to London. There was a lot of litter everywhere and many of the streets corners were covered in graffiti.

Getting out of Manchester was a nightmare, there was a massive traffic jam so we had to wait about an hour or so, resulting in being an hour and a half late to our original arrival time in Liverpool. Once in Liverpool, I found my hotel and tried checking in, but almost did not get the room. This was because when I booked the room online on Expedia, I only had the ability to book a  room with two single beds and this particular night the hotel was fully booked and wanted to "fully optimize" capacity. I totally understood this reasoning, but as I told them I paid for a room and therefore I should get a room. After about twenty minutes I was able to check into the room, I originally booked and everything was fine. I got settled in and then made my way down to Albert Docks, a major industrial port that was once the busiest industrial ports in England.

I made my way to go and see the Beatles Story Museum, which was located on the opposite side of the docks.

The Museum itself was very informative, it took you through the history and creation of the Beatles. There were various exhibits along the way that recreated some of the monumental moments in Beatles History including a recreation of Matthew Street, as well as the Cavern Club, which was one of the first places to kick start their careers. There was also a creation of the Yellow Submarine made famous from there well known song.

The final exhibit was a recreation of the iconic white room, in which Lennon filmed his music video for the song "Imagine". Overall, I'd say that the museum itself, did due diligence to the Beatles and is worth a visit if you have the time while in Liverpool.

I then took a stroll down Albert Docks, and boy was it windy. The wind was so loud it became deafening. Alongside the docks there is what is known as the Three Graces, which are buildings that have become iconic to Liverpool.

A few yards away there is a set of statues dedicated to the Fab Four, themselves!

Next I started walking towards the Liverpool Cathedral, Europe's fifth largest Cathedral.  Getting to the Cathedral was not an easy task however. I presumed that if I walked straight towards it, I'd eventually make it there. However, each time I seemingly got very close to it, I would become obstructed by either buildings or a fence. I eventually pulled out the map I had and found my way to the entrance of the Cathedral. This church was by far the most impressive I have ever seen. While the Vatican was impressive, I preferred this Cathedral much more because of its architectural design, as well as its massive stain glass windows.

It was around dinnertime so I made my way over to Matthew Street (a street named after me obviously), to go and check out the Cavern Club, where the Beatles and other famous British Bands played many years ago. The Cavern Club has to be one of my most favorite places I have visited while abroad. The club itself had a very upbeat culture that was energetic and playful. It was relatively crowded, but not to the point where you couldn't move around. I had a beer and hung out for a few hours listening to the live performer playing various songs from the Beatles, Oasis, the Who and other various British Bands who played there.

I went out to eat on Matthew Street, which had a quaint culture within itself. With so many music pubs to choose from, it was a hard decision. Everywhere you went was filled with an intoxicating energy and a passion for music. This is primarily due to the fact that Liverpool is home to several universities, so there were many people my age out and about. After I grabbed a bite to eat I made my way back to my hotel where I decompressed for the rest of the day.

The next day I got up and made my way to the Metropolitan Christ the King church. The exterior of the church was lined with various stain glass that reflected colors onto the sides of the building. In the interior the church was set up as a large circle with seating going around the alter. Above the alter were stain glass windows whose colors reflected a vibrant array of hues. Along the side of the main sitting areas, were various stations that a person could go to and explore, such as Repentance and Remembrance with correlated activities one could partake in.

Underneath the church was a Crypt, originally intended for the use of another church that was never built. I was the only one down there with the exception of the information desk at the time and it was ominous being down there by myself. The Crypt itself was poorly lit and had various rooms for prayer and worship. There was a treasury on display that showcased various religious artifacts as well.

After I left the Crypt, I headed to go up on top of the Radio City Tower, which overlooks the city of Liverpool. It was an amazing view on a relatively clear day.

Finally I made my way back down to Albert Docks to go a visit a series of Museums that were within one of the buildings. On the first floor there was an exhibition about the history of the docks as an industrial port. The second floor looked at the impacts that the sinking of Lusitania during WWI had on the people of Liverpool and Britain. On this same floor there was also an exhibit about the people of the Titanic. The third floor was about the transatlantic slave trade that was based out of Liverpool. This exhibit was really well done, as it went into an immense detail about the day to day lives of being a slave up from its beginnings to the present day.

I went to the Bus Station and waited for my bus to arrive. Once the bus arrived we did a quick stop in Manchester to drop and pick some people up. It started snowing as we were leaving Manchester. About a half hour out the snow changed to  rain, ultimately changing as we got further south into sunshine. We hit a traffic jam for about a half hour or so, but were eventually able to make our way back into London around 8:30 pm. I went out to dinner and then headed back to Richmond and got back to my dorm around 10:30 pm.

Overall, I'd say that Liverpool was well worth visiting. However, one thing to note is the fact that you can do pretty much everything there in two days max, so if you are planning a trip to there keep that in mind. The city itself was a blend of industrialization met with urbanization. There were mainly Scottish and Irish people there and everyone was  friendlier than in London. Liverpool is a lot more relaxed than London, as the people around you are not as much in a rush as they are in London.

When in Europe the UK and Beyond: Lessons Learned While Being an American Abroad

"Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative."

-Oscar Wilde

Some four months ago, I set out on a study abroad experience to London, England. Time has somehow been able to elapse me, and these past few months have only felt like a few weeks. In many ways it is a bitter sweet feeling, to be able to return home to America, yet at the same time I have grown attached to London.  I am split between two homes, two different identities with an uncertainty of how I will fit in back home.

I remember the first week of orientation, I felt like I was a Freshman in college all over again. I met so many people from so many different ethnicity's and social classes, that to a point I became overwhelmed. With so many cultures all coming together at once, I had to begin to ask myself where did I want to fit into this community? It was certainty not a situation I had ever been in before. I knew what being an American meant to me, but as I began to explore and learn about other cultures, I began to shape myself differently. I started to become more aware of the perception of Americans  from other cultural perspectives that I never noticed before. By the end of the first week my perception of America had become skewed, and I began to start adopting new ideals.

One of the things that was pointed out to me by many Europeans was that many Americans, were very unaware of what is going on in the world around them. I found this especially true with myself. Many people whom I would talk to would often bring up various global political issues that I have never heard about. As a result of being constantly involved in so many political conversations, I found myself reading more about these issues, that I would have not otherwise paid any attention to. 

February rolled around and it was time to go to Berlin, Germany with my roommate Max. Berlin was far different than anywhere I had ever been before. To some degree it reminded me of the suburbs of New York City, but much more atmospheric. I'll always remember seeing the Brandenburg Tor, that first night that we were there. With no one around it was a moving, yet a chilling experience at the same time.

Even more impactful, just down the road was the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of the Holocaust. There were endless pillars as far as the eye could see. One could walk through the labyrinth of pillars and as you walked through the pillars, they gradually got taller, until they reached above your head. There came a point in which you could find yourself alone amongst the endless pillars, and that in itself was a moving experience.

Once you got out of all the main touristy areas, you began to run into a bunch of graffiti, but not in the sense I had traditionally seen or thought graffiti as being. In Berlin it was a communication medium, used to convey social and political messages from the artist to the viewer. This gave me a whole new respect for graffiti as a true art forum.

Spring Break soon followed and I then traveled to Italy by myself. Prior to this trip, I would have never considered traveling alone on such a journey, but it was good that I went alone. I got far more out of the experience than I would have, had I gone with other people.

Rome was everything I had always dreamed it to be. Being there was like living out a childhood fantasy. From seeing the old city to the new city it was truly an amazing experience. I will always remember that first time that I saw the Coliseum, and how mystified I was to be there. Equally as impressive was walking through the Roman Forum and getting further perspective on how the Ancient Romans lived. I was in the center of the foundation of Western Democracy and that alone was intoxicating.

Florence was my least favorite place that I visited in Italy; however, it is where I grew the most as an individual.When I got to Florence, my taxi driver dropped me off nowhere near my hotel. I had to navigate my way to my hotel on foot. My phone wasn't working, nor did anyone in this area speak any English. However, prior to going to Italy, I did learn some basic phrases that were life savers. Apart of me was starting to panic as I tried finding my way to my hotel, but I told myself that I needed to remain calm. After about 20 minutes of asking various people for directions, I found my hotel. Getting lost, ultimately, only helped contribute to me becoming a more skilled navigator, as well as a more rounded individual.  Florence also taught me a great deal about art, and gave me a new level of appreciation of art and a broader perspective on the world that is around me.

Venice was the city I explored the most. You did not have to walk very far at all to get away from the tourist. Venice was truly an escape from the rest of the world. Many hidden streets led to small little restaurant and shops tucked away in hidden little corners.

As far as London goes, it is a city that will forever remain in my heart. London is the perfect combination of the old and the new coming together. It is a city filled with a vibrant up beat culture, that is unlike anywhere else I have been. It truly has been a privilege to be here these past few months, and I look forward to sharing the lessons I have learned from studying abroad with those around me. I really appreciate everyone who has made this experience possible and has supported me along this journey. I'd like to thank first and for most my Mom and Dad for letting me even come abroad, I know that it must have been tough for you to leave me alone in a foreign country, but I am better because of it. I would also like to thank both Curry and Richmond for giving me this opportunity of a life time. Building off this, I'd also like to add that both institutions provided excellent support services for me while I was abroad. Special thanks to my Professor/Advisor Kirk Hazlett for your support thousands of miles away, as well as Ned Bradford and Pat Bonarrigo and at Richmond I'd like to thank Rachel Taylor, Dominic Alessio and Marcus Slease, you made my experience here one that I will never forget! I left America some four months ago and I will come back a stronger, more well-rounded individual, filled with a new sense of ambition.

When in Europe the UK and Beyond: Abbey Road and Tower Bridge

Late this afternoon, I set out for Abbey Road an iconic place to visit if you are a Beatles fan. I got off at Baker Street Station, and from there I walked about two miles to Abbey Road. There is a station, right next to Abbey Road but it was a nice day so I decided that I would walk for a bit.

On the walk to Abbey Road, it was extremely quiet. Aside from lots of cars passing by, very few pedestrians were out and about.

Abbey Road itself was just like any other traditional London neighborhood, although it felt very disconnected from the rest of London. With pretty much no one around, I took a stroll down the road until I came to Abbey Road Studios. A few meters away from the Studios was the famous spot that the Beatles took their album cover photo.  The cross walk in which they went across was partly shut down due to construction, although, if you looked at the right angle, you could see the similarities.

Many tourists were standing in the road, all taking the same photo of them crossing the road, however, most were completely oblivious to the fact that Abbey Road is a functioning road and that there are cars trying to get through. Cars would sit there honking at the tourist to get out of the way with very few of the tourist paying any attention.

I then went into Central London to go and walk on top of the Tower Bridge. From atop the Tower Bridge, there are two walkways suspended from above the bridge. In each walkway, there is a section which is see through glass. Below oneself, one can see pedestrians and the River Thames below. Looking down below was both an exhilarating experience, while at the same time some what scary. There was also a whole bunch of information and various videos to watch about the bridges construction and its significance to London. This exhibit was very affordable to go up and see this exhibit so if you are ever in London, it is well worth the time.

I continued my journey by taking a walk down the River Thames for one last time. Since today is Shakespeare's birthday, the Globe was putting on a film festival comprised of 37 of Shakespeare's plays, being shown on screens all along the River Thames. There was also a lot of runners out and about, who were preparing for tomorrow's marathon.

Finally, I reached Parliament and watched as the sun slowly set. I took one last stroll over Westminster Bridge and then headed home.

  

   

The Day in the Life of a 1st Grader

Today is my very first day of camp and I'm awfully nervous.
I have never been away from my Mommy and Daddy before.
Mommy and Daddy say camp will be a lot of fun.
They told me that I will make lots of new friends and play many games.
I have always liked playing games.

So Mommy and Daddy and me headed over to the bus stop.
Mommy made sure that I had a lot of sun screen on me.
She kept telling me where everything was in my backpack.
I didn't like her keep telling me the same thing.
When it was time to get on the bus Mommy was crying.
I asked Mommy why she was crying and she said she was crying because she was very happy for me.
I ran over to Mommy and gave her a big hug then went on the bus.
When I got on the bus I did not know where to sit.
There were so many seats and none of them looked like the one I sat in the car.
I asked the bus driver where to sit and he told me to sit in the front next to him and that I would be his special helper.
I like helping so I got really excited.
The bus pulled away and I waved goodbye to Mommy.
Mommy was still crying but I blew her a kiss and she smiled.

After riding the bus for what seemed like forever we made it to camp.
When it was time to get off the bus I was very confused on where I was suppose to go.
I asked the adult standing by the bus where to go and he walked me over to my camp group.
I met my counselors Max and Stephen.
Stephen was really tall, he seemed like he was a giant.
He had curly brown hair and brown eyes.
His voice was extremely loud.
Max was really short and I felt taller than him.
He had  straight dark black hair and blue eyes.
He talked very quietly.
When everyone else arrived at camp my group played get to know games.
I was really nervous when we first started playing the games, but Stephen really got into the games and it made me feel better.

After we learned each others names we went for a walk down to boating.
I have never been boating before, but Stephen said I will like it.
On the way to boating we sang songs.
I like singing songs.
Stephen sang loud.
I sang loud.

We got to boating and went and saw the turtles in the swamp.
I like frogs more.
Turtles are slow.

We went back to camp and colored for a bit.
My favorite color is red.
Jimmy had the only red crayon.
I asked Jimmy if I could use the red crayon when he was done with it.
Jimmy didn't want to share.
This made me sad.
Stephen heard me ask Jimmy for the crayon and said that it would be my turn soon to use the red crayon.
This made me happy.
I like being happy.

Lunchtime came and I was excited to see what my Mommy had packed me for lunch.
I got my brown paper bag and found a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich and a juice box.
I like peanut butter and jelly

We then went to swimming.
I was really nervous, I had never been swimming without Mommy and Daddy before.
When it was my turn to go swimming a nice man in a red swim suit helped me swim.
I like the color red.

Next we went down to play sports.
I really like to play soccer.
Some day I am going to play soccer so everyone can see me.
My daddy plays soccer with me all the time.
I always score goals on him.

After sports we went to nature.
I like playing with dirt and bugs.
Mommy is always upset when she see me come inside all dirty.
She says, "Honey, I thought I told you to not play in the dirt. You don't want to ruin your clothes!"
One time I brought Mommy, a worm.
I told her the worm was a present for her.
She got scared and screamed.
My daddy came running and he asked what was wrong.
I showed Daddy the worm, and he laughed.

At nature we learned how to make a fire.
We were each told to go and find sticks.
I wanted to get as many sticks as I could, so I ran as fast as I could.
I fell and got a boo boo.
It hurt bad.
I was sad.
Stephen gave me a ban-aid and I felt a lot better.

After nature it was time to go home.
I got on the bus and waved goodbye to Stephen and Max.
Today was fun.
I like camp.
I can't wait to come back.

When I got back to the bus stop I saw Mommy and Daddy.
Happy to see them, I ran and gave them a big hug.

When in Europe the UK and Beyond: Observations from London

The following are observations I have made over the past few months:

If you are lucky enough, you might be able to see a spot of sun shine on a good day in London. Most days are often consistently the same that you don't have to even check the weather to know that it will be partly cloudy with a chance of rain. Many locals often joke about the weather to lighten up the mediocracy of everyday life.

London is an extremely busy city. Where ever you go someone is always in a rush to get somewhere. You begin to realize just how many kinds of suitcases there are. While most of the suitcases are different shapes and sizes the real difference is in the wheels. There are many different types of wheels on the suitcases the most common I have noticed are designed in such a way that one can easily roll a suitcase up a staircase. 

People are often times also in a rush to get up escalators for whatever reason. You can easily tell a foreigner apart from a local, when you see them standing in the middle of the escalator. This often angers the person trying to get by, and the foreigner is completely oblivious to their surroundings that they do not even notice that someone is trying to pass.

London is one of the most diverse cities I have ever been to. Whether it is by individual self-expression, or by language, you do not have to walk very far to experience a multicultural environment.

National pride is evident. There are clear distinctions between Scottish, Irish and British

Royalty is a very big deal in England. One does not simply see many things in England without at least some reference to Royalty. Take for example: Royal Mail, Royal Parks, Royal Boroughs, the currency and etc....

Queuing or getting in line is very orderly and proper. The queues are amongst the most structured I have ever seen.

Smoking is extraordinarily prevalent in society, despite very visible anti-smoking campaigns that I have not seen in America.

Grocery stores especially, the glossiness of magazines are not as in your face as you would see in America. Sure you can still find magazines, but they are not located right as you check out, often times they are down an aisle. Even then the language used on the magazines is of a different variety, taking on a more formal tone.

Pubs and bars promote a very social culture. Inside you will not see people getting drunk, rather you will see people hanging out and enjoying the ambiance. There is also something very intoxicating about being in pub while a football game is on. The amount of energy inside makes me care about the outcome of the game. Do note, I do not care for football otherwise.

The roads are extremely narrow in London to the point that two cars can barely fit. Often times when two cars try and pass each other, one car ends up going on the curb, because they were too anxious to pass by, that there is not enough room for the other car to pass.

Even with green crossing signals one must be cautious of the bikers whom seem to not think it applies to them.

The Tube can be either your best friend or your mortal enemy. Often times it is your best friend in that it is usually punctual, in that you won't have to wait more than ten minutes. Or even if you are a person like me who commutes, the trains will often arrive and leave at the same time every day.  However, there are times that various factors contribute to a chaotic scene in the train stations. This is often due to signal failures or strikes by the unions whom operate the facilities.

One does not simply talk to a stranger on the tube. Rather he or she keeps to themselves, by either reading the newspaper, playing on their phone, staring into blank empty space and or staring at their shoes.

Many people do not "Mind the Gap" between the train and the platform. Many passengers stumble off, despite being reminded many times to be careful.

Hand scooters are a very popular forum of transportation around the city, for all ages.

Around every block there is a Starbucks.

 London is home to many amazing parks that you can easily spend hours strolling through.

Politics is a very big deal in London. Whenever I tell someone that I am an American, they instantly jump on all these different political issues facing the US and the world abroad. However, initially when I encountered this I was very unaware of many of these issues. As the result of being prompted, constantly, I would say I have become a more globally aware citizen.

When in Europe the UK and Beyond: The Independent Traveler

"I have wandered all of my life, and I have also traveled; the difference between the two being this, that we wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment."

-Hillarie Belloc

Con-form-ity it is a funny word actually.  It implies a person who follows the set standards of a society and does not dare to venture away from them. This person goes down the path that has been traveled by many. However, as the famous poet Robert Frost once wrote: “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

During my spring break I went on a life altering trip by myself to Italy. Along the way I deviated from the social conformity of the tourism industry. I strongly held a belief that the tourism industry is a very blurred line between the reality and the accepted perception.

What I mean by this is that there are two entirely different experiences when it comes to traveling. One can choose either to experience a new place on their own or they can choose to follow a guided group. The difference here in lying that the guided group is a blurred perception, as they tell you what it is you are supposed to be getting out of the spectacle in which you are observing. Whereas when left up to the individual perception, one gets more out of the experience as it is more of a reflective, self-discovery experience. As opposed to a perception in which has already been laid out for you.

Sure I visited all the sights that all tourists do, while in Italy, but I expanded my horizons beyond the norm. I did what many might consider mad. I wandered down many side streets not knowing where they would take me or what I would get out of them.   I knew that in varying down the normal pathway, I would only grow further as an individual. I’ll admit there were plenty of times in which I got lost and had to find my way back, but I am better because of it. I became more self-aware of my surroundings and a keener navigator. 

As a result of going down random side streets, I got more out of the experience in each city as I ran into various cathedrals, buildings with unique architectural designs and restaurants that I otherwise would not have seen and or experienced.

In many ways I am glad that I choose just to stay in one country as opposed to jumping around from country to country. I got more out of the experience in this way as I got to experience a culture more thoroughly.

I am also glad that I choose to travel alone, because I got more out of this experience than I would have otherwise. I was able to travel at my own pace and observe, learn and grow immensely in ways I never thought were possible until now.

I leave you with one final thought to bare and mind next time you travel : “A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.”

-          John Steinbeck

When in Europe the UK and Beyond: My Final Day In Italy

This morning I got up and took the water bus to Saint Marco Square. I queued in line to go on top of the Saint Marco Square's tower. After a brief wait time I made my way up to the top of the tower.

The first glimpse from atop the tower was a view of the Grand Canal and the rest of Venice in all its beauty. It was a partly cloudy day, but very good weather regardless, which made the view all the more spectacular.

I then made my way to the island of Murano, a place in Venice well known for its glass making. In order to get to Murano you had to take either the 4.1 or the 4.2 water bus. The fastest and most efficient way that a majority of people take is the 4.1. However, since the water buses run once every twenty minutes, and there is massive line of people getting no where.  I opted instead to take the 4.2 which was longer but  practically nobody was on the water bus and it was all the more enjoyable rather than be cramped in the 4.1. 

By noon I arrived at the Island of Murano. I walked around Murano and till I found an interesting place to eat. What surprised me the most was that I had expected the meal to be more if not just as expensive as Venice, but I actually got a meal for a lot of less. A full plate of pasta and a coke for only 7 Euros was the cheapest meal I had gotten in Italy.

To some extent while Venice is quite lovely within itself, I somewhat preferred the island of Murano. For one it was much smaller and quainter. Secondly there was a lot less going on and rather relaxing. Not to mention the outstanding glasswork.

They shaped glass into pretty much anything imaginable. What stood out to me the most was an Electric Guitar made out of pure glass. Its body was a light blue hue and its neck was a light brown. I was just impressed that they were able to craft such an object out of glass.

I kept walking along until I came onto a glass structure. It was a spherical structure covered in various spike liked tubes sticking out in various directions. I was not sure really how to interpret its meaning, but regardless it was still very neat.

I stopped by one of the glass making factories to watch a glass blower at his craft. The particular factory I went to was very chauvinistic. As the glass blower did his craft there was a narrator who described what the glass blower was doing. Every so often the glass blower would make a overly dramatic pause and show everyone what he was doing. Of course the audience was awe inspired. It reminded me of one of those old sitcoms people use to watch, that indicated when something was funny by inserting laughter into the background. Similarly the audience made sound effects almost in sync with any overly dramatic moment.

  

The glassblower ended up making two objects. A vase which wasn't all that impressive and then a small miniature horse.

I got a boat back to my hotel and took a short siesta. I went back out for dinner and then watched as the sunset over Italy for one last time.....