Le Chaim! American College vs. Israeli Army Service

A classy co-ed in college vs. a classy co-ed in the army
“American College vs. Israeli Army Service”
The distinguishing question youth must figure out for themselves.

By Carly Bassen
carlybassen@yahoo.com

Many believe that the youth shapes the future of a country’s well being.

As I recollect my experience up to this point as an American, I must ask myself one question-

How have I been an attribute to my country?

This is not an easy answer for anyone. At first I felt proud. Like many, I have been the best student I could be. Using the please’s and thank you’s have made life smooth. Learning a foreign language and reaching for A’s in school have been goals I continue to uphold. Thanks to the simplicity of smiling, it has been great making friends and getting along with others. Then secondary schooling is finished and the duty is to succeed. Fortunately, I was able to graduate from high school and proceed on to studying at a University. Whether or not the opportunity of college is available, every 17-18 year old American asks themself the same question at this stage-

What can I do now to succeed and better my interest?

Just recently, I traveled to Israel on an organized and spectacular Birthright trip. The group I traveled with was made up of about 40 Americans aged 18-24. It was exciting when eight Israeli’s our age joined us. Although we are at the same faze of life, we are from different countries and therefore have very different priorities. While we as American youth seek individual opportunity, Israeli youth seek to best please their country. Their question is-

What can I do to best help my country?

The Israeli youth become soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces. Both young women and men join the army where they choose a unit that best suits their skills.

The IDF said, “Going through the demands and rigors of army life on a totally egalitarian basis forges a common identity that totally transcends social and economic groupings.”

Girls are obligated to serve for just less than two years while boys must serve three years. They choose a military program that sometimes helps build a profession later on.

Throughout my journeys in Israel I talked to many soldiers that had positions such as, public relations, social work, engineering, combat, teaching, and cooking.

Each soldier must follow these four guidelines:

• Set a good example. By wearing a uniform, one is a representative of their country and must have good values that are followed through with good behavior.
• Comradeship. A soldier is expected to risk their life for a fellow soldier by not deserting one wounded on the battlefield.
• Avoid politicization. A soldier must be modest and not accept gifts or favors from anyone.
• Be professional. Each soldier must grow in their particular course so that they acquire the skills needed for a meaningful task.

My good friend Hemda Ben Zvi, who was a soldier on my Birthright trip told me, “There is a treasured peace among us that we developed being each other’s wingmen and mates during challenges.”
While they bond over life threatening and serious moments, we Americans bond over parties and social groups like a sorority.

As I contemplated the difference between our duties as American youth and the duties of Israeli youth, I had to wonder about fundamentals.
I must also add that despite Israel’s more intense and unified responsibility, they are just like us. The first question they asked upon joining our group was, “When can we take our uniforms off?”
They still want to enjoy life, make friends, and be goofy. After the first initial meeting of the soldiers who joined our group, we forgot that they were any different as we became one big family.

A savvy co-ed must realize that although cultures around the world may be drastically different, the bottom line is that people are people. We all have needs, wants, and passions. In Israel, I was lucky to hike mountains, ride a camel, float in the Dead Sea, shop in busy flea markets, and raft down the Jordan River. An American college student and an Israeli solider participating in these activities still laughs and sweats the same. Lifestyles aside, we all want to make the best of a situation and enjoy each experience together.

I could most relate to Kate Dopazo’s article, “The Savvy Co-ed’s Guide to Texas- New York Edition.” Both of us were enlightened by new cultures while traveling. Like Kate, I had to put my best foot forward and charm my way through a foreign territory. I admire Kate’s approach and agree with her charismatic attitude when traveling. Any classy co-ed can learn from her advice after experiencing a new lifestyle.
http://collegelifestyles.org/2010/06/texas-new-york-edition/

Carly is a College Lifestyles intern who attends Indiana University. Each month she becomes involved with a different and fun sport or activity. While last month she was addicted to taking Zumba classes, this month she is roller blading.

CL’s Guide to Making the Most of Your Summer Concert Experience

It’s Thursday evening, and I can’t help but squeal with excitement to myself because tomorrow at this time I will be at a Dave Matthews Band concert!  Stuck with a lot a bit of writer’s block and a bit a lot of anticipation for the concert, I found myself unfocused and not knowing what to write about, but alas, I’m using my weakness as a strength!  So here it is: how to make the most of your summer concert experience!

First thing’s first: Getting there!

My mom always tells me, “anticipation is half the fun” and I couldn’t agree more.  If the concert you are attending is out of town, like in my case, plan about a week ahead of time 1. Who is driving, and 2. What you are driving in.  My mother is letting me borrow her van so that all five of us can comfortably enjoy the ride!  Also, make sure to bring the music of the band you’re going to see!  I’m making an awesome mix of old and new favorites, so that we can all get pumped for the concert while cruising down the highway!

Pre-Concert festivities!

If you are planning on getting to the venue any earlier than an hour before the gates open, bring some activities to keep you and your friends occupied!  This can include snacks, drinks (lots of water if it’s going to be hot), a Frisbee, football, a deck of cards, or anything else you might like to bring!

Also, don’t forget to pack practical things as well.  You never know when the weather will change on you, so be prepared; bring an umbrella, a change of clothes and even a towel in case you have to dry off before getting back in your car.

Along with that, remember to dress appropriately!  If the weather is going to be warm when you leave, but might cool down later, wear light layers so you can add or subtract as needed.  *don’t forget sunscreen to protect you from the rays!*

Main stage action!

You’ve been waiting for days, weeks, maybe months, counting down to this exact moment!  There are only two things to remember at this time.  1. Be considerate of your fellow concert-goer, and 2. HAVE FUN!!!  You won’t get this moment back, so just enjoy it!  Sing along, dance, cheer and chant!  Just remember that others are also there to enjoy the concert, too.  So if your behavior is inhibiting them from doing so, you may want to tone it down a bit.

Post-Concert highlights!

Once the spotlights go down, the house lights go back up, and you find your way back to your car, let your adrenaline carry you home!  Talk about your favorite parts with your friends on the ride back!  Chances are your ears might be a little muffled, so turn down the music and just relish in the experience with your friends!

Are you going to any concerts this summer?  What has your favorite concert been?  Who do you want to see in concert?  Let us know!  Email us at intern@collegelifestyles.org or tweet at us: @collegelifestyl!

Becky Alberico is an intern at College Lifestyles ™. She is a Communication Studies major at Edinboro University of PA, and a member of Alpha Sigma Tau! Becky can’t wait to tack her Dave Matthew’s ticket stub along side her Hanson, Warped Tour, Jonas Brothers, Journey and New Kids on the Block ones!

Can’t find any good concerts around your area?  Round up some friends and see a movie instead!  Check out Briana’s post for a great summer flick!

The Savvy Co-ed’s Guide to Texas – New York Edition

After a recent trip down south, it has come to my attention that there are certain southern elements us Yankees must familiarize ourselves with before crossing the Mason-Dixon line. As a New Yorker, I found myself (ironically) the outcast amongst the “y’alls” and Shiner Boch brews. No longer were people gushing over “the city” (who knew NYC isn’t the only city?).

However, the fantastic appeal of southern hospitality could make any northerner a secret lover of the South. To survive this world, I unveil a few guidelines for the classy co-ed so she can capture the attention of all the helpless souls who have fallen to her undoubtedly wit and charm, and once again, dominate.

1. Country – whether you like it or not, learn it. The chance of you caught in the middle of a soiree and Chattahoochee, by Alan Jackson, starts blaring, I’m going to say is about 90 percent. The chance that 60 Texans explode in full-on song and dance when this comes on, 100 percent, if not more. If you don’t take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with this song, and others of the same nature, you will be left standing there awkwardly as the honky tonk lovers engage in a fantastic time without you. The savvy co-ed has the ability to adapt to all environments, and country is one to master while south of the border.  Also, if you happen to see Kenny Chesney in a dive bar in the British Virgin Islands, apparently the witty thing to say would be “Hey Kenney, I have a keg in the closet.” Had I known this, I would have looked a lot cooler than just staring at him and saying, “that balding guy is Kenny Chesney?”

2. DOC (Drink of Choice) – not Heineken. In fact, anything but Heineken. It could result in you branded with the name “Heiney” for the rest of the night (trust me, I know). A proper drink would be Shiner Boch, Lone Star or Crown Royal Whisky. Of course, the classy co-ed uses this knowledge to her advantage, but does not take advantage of these drinks, because there is little that’s deemed more unattractive than a co-ed who has had too much to drink, or a Yankee who can’t handle the South.

3. Y’all, Not “You Guys” – If you’re staying in the South for an extended period of time, the savvy co-ed must immerse herself in the language. You’re below the Mason-Dixon line, and must play by their rules. “You guys” will leave you mocked, furthering your stance as an outcast. Acclimatize yourself with that southern drawl as if it comes second nature. Not only is it fun, but it also saves you from looking like a pretentious New Yorker who has no interest in other states. It goes without saying that the savvy co-ed’s nature is chameleon-like, mastering the ability to adapt to and command anywhere she goes.

4. There’s More Than One City – No longer can you refer to New York City as “the city.”  Yes, we have the tendency to be self-centered (because really, it’s New York City, the concrete jungle, the center of the universe), and if you’re a Leo like myself, then there’s nothing more valued than pride, especially for this glowing city. However, Leo or not, the classy co-ed renounces all stereotypes, for the time being at least. To them, the city could mean Houston or Dallas. To our surprise, there is more than one city in the world, so when referring to “the city,” we must be more precise.

The summertime opens the realm of travel for the alluring co-ed to explore. However, while she’s on the prowl, she must keep in mind how to uphold her image of class and charisma, though this is rarely a problem, as no world, not even Texas, is too big for her to charm her way through.

Kate Dopazo is an intern with College Lifestyles and a senior at the University of Maryland. After crossing the border and exploring the state of “bigger and better,” she’s looking forward to her next conquest…Aspen!

Packing my Suitcase the College Lifestyle’s way for ΔΔΔ’s Biennial Convention!!!

I LOVE traveling and going on trips and vacation, but I HATE packing.  The process itself is always frustrating, and I always do it incorrectly, and end up with multiple bags for just a one night trip, or I end up with a suitcase full of wrinkled clothing.  Now that I think of it, everyone I know hates packing.

This is what I normally look like as I pack for a trip.

Stressed. Confused.  A general mess.

But next Wednesday, I am leaving for ΔΔΔ’s Biennial Convention in Florida, and I am NOT going to let myself get to the point where I feel stressed out or crazy, and I am not going to pack too much, or not pack enough.  I am going to follow my list of packing tips that I have (unfortunately) learned the hard way.  You should too!

Christine’s Packing Tips:  Learned by Trial and Error

1. Make a list of exactly what you need
This avoids just throwing random clothes into your suitcase the night before, or forgetting to pack anything.  Plan each day of your trip, complete with shoes, accessories, and cosmetics.

2.  Choose “basic” items so that you can pack less
Basic items can be reused throughout your trip, so you can pack less!  Instead of bringing multiple pairs of shoes, bring just one pair of black heels that will match all of your outfits!

3. Pack dresses
This works if you are going to a business casual convention, like I am, or if you are going on a relaxing vacation!  Essentially, bringing dresses takes up less space, and they are easier to fold!

4.  Bring a purse with a long strap

While running around in the airport, it is hard juggling pulling a suitcase, holding a boarding pass, all while holding onto your purse, making sure that no one steals it.  For my trip, I am going to be using a purse that I can wrap across my body, so I won’t need to worry about it!

5.  Pack light…literally
Do not pack heavy items, such as boots, that will weigh down your luggage, and take up unnecessary room.  If you do need to pack something heavy, wear it on the trip!

6. Section items properly in your bag
I have experienced this in many trips:  on the first night of the trip, it comes time to go to bed, and I am too tired to unpack, let alone search through my luggage.  I just want put pajamas on, brush my teeth, and go to bed!!!  So, pack your bags so you can find what you need!  Put your panties in the compartments on the side of your bag, keep all outfits together, and for that first night, put your pajamas on top!

7.  Pack a cosmetic bag
It is always difficult finding all of your toiletries when they are thrown around in the black hole that is your luggage.  Putting your make up, tooth brush, and lotions in a separate bag makes it much easier to find everything!

8. Pack a bathing suit!

They do not take up that much room, and you never know when you will need it!  Chances are, even if you are going on vacation in the middle of December, the hotel you are staying in may have a pool or hot tub!

9. Keep accessories minimal
Think of bringing a few simple pieces that can be worn with many different outfits!  For example, pack pearls and plain gold earrings.  Leave those crazy magenta earrings that only work with one outfit at home!

10. Pack Febreeze and Anti-Wrinkle Spray

This is not an alternative to washing your clothing!  But no matter how carefully you fold your clothing, wrinkles while packing may be inevitable.  Also, while sitting in a suitcase for hours, your clothes may smell musty, and a little Febreeze can help!

Check out these cute, affordable BUSINESS CASUAL CLOTHES!!!
(And click on the picture to find where to buy them!!!)

The “Don’t Forget This” List:

You can always pick up a toothbrush at a drug store, but these are items to NEVER forget!

1. Cell phone (and charger!)

2. Medication

3. Identification (driver’s lisence, passport)

4.  Insurance card (Thank God I had mine when I got an ear infection while visiting Ocean City, MD  L)

Have a great trip!  Happy packing!!!

Christine Palaski is a proud sister of Delta Delta Delta at Adelphi University, where she is a nursing major.

The Classy Co-Ed’s Guide to Glamour on the Go

Recently, I took a trip and found that my cosmetics were the hardest thing to pack. However, thanks to Spa Week Daily, I’ve also found a great solution to the beauty packing woes! 3floz.com is a beauty boutique that offers different brands and products, all of which are a travel friendly three fluid ounces or smaller.

Another travel friendly and economical option is visiting stores like Target that usually have travel sized shampoos, toothpastes, etc. A possibly overlooked option is your local department store’s cosmetics counter. Most brands have “free gifts with purchases” that also fit the TSA guidelines.

When I travel, I like to keep it as simple as possible and just bring essentials like mascara, lipstick, foundation, cleansers, etc., as well as some lip balm and hand lotion. I’m also sure to drink lots of water in order to stay hydrated throughout the day.

For a great idea on both easy travel fashion and music to add to your airplane mix, be sure to check out Kaitlyn Nevel’s post about She & Him.

Happy travels!

Jacqui Brown is an intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a junior Apparel Marketing major at Kansas State University and a sister of Alpha Xi Delta. She loves to travel and is so glad that the problem of packing cosmetics has so many great solutions!

10 Things This Classy Co-Ed Can’t Live Without!

Hi Everyone! I’m Becky, and I am one of the newest interns here at College Lifestyles!  I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful family and am thrilled to have the opportunity to share with the wonderful readers! I figured there would be no better way to introduce myself then to tell you all the TEN things I can’t live without! So, here they are! Enjoy!

• My iPod: I only asked for one thing this past Christmas and it was an iPod touch! I absolutely love love love it! I use it tohold all of my favorite music like Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Hanson, William Tell and so much more! It also lets me use all sorts of fun apps like Facebook, Tweetdeck for Twitter, Sudoku and other fun games! What more could a college student ask for then a portable social networking gadget?! My fellow intern, Kaitlyn, and I like to use our iPod touches to tweet back and forth to each other!

• Purses: I love purses more than you can imagine! Every time I am in a store, I must look at the purse section. I like purses better than any other articles of clothing because they always fit! My favorite purse is a grey Versace one I got on a trip to New York City last March!

• My Library Card: Every summer, I go to the public library at least once every two weeks and check out multiple books and CDs.  Usually, during the school year, it is difficult for me to read for pleasure since I am already so busy, so I take the summer to catch up on fun reads!  Last summer I read The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom and loved it! Some of my friends also rent movies from the library!

• My Buick:  I am the proud owner of a 2003 Buick Regal (sometimes referred to as Regis).  I love my car!  It has gone on many road trips in the short time that I have owned it, and there are many more to come in its future!
  

  My sisters and I in our jackets.

• My AST jacket: It is a tradition in the Alpha Tau Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau that your Big sister gets you an AST jacket.I wear my jacket all of the time, but it is more than just a way to protect myself from the crazy weather that Edinboro, PA gets; to me, it shows that the letters across my back are the ones in my heart, too.

• My DVD collection: Even though my collection isn’t as plentiful as I would like it to be, it has most of my favorite movies and television shows included.  Some of my favorite movies are Juno, That Thing You Do!, Green St. Hooligans, and The Mighty Ducks.  I also own DVDs of television shows like Freaks and Geeks, Gilmore Girls and American Dreams.  My collection came in very handy when my college friends and I would have movie marathons in our dorms!
  

  Sunset in Charleston, SC.

• My rings:  Anyone that knows me would be shocked if they saw me without my four rings on.Two of my rings are chunky silver rings I have purchased while on vacation in Charleston, SC.  Another ring I wear is from a local shop in my hometown of Erie, PA called Grasshopper. My last ring and my most special ring is one I got for Christmas from my mom that both my sister and I have.  It is white gold with three diamonds in a row.  When I look down at my hands, these rings bring back memories of fun vacations with family, epic adventures with friends and loved ones that will never be forgotten!

• Mutt: The very first present I ever received was a stuffed dog named Mutt.  I have had Mutt since I was born and he has traveled everywhere with me!  In the winter months, he dons a sweater that my aunt knitted for him, and in the summer, he relaxes in an open window in my bedroom.

• Cell Phone: My cell phone never leaves my side (even when I sleep)! It is the way I keep in contact with my family and friends, which are both a huge part of my life.  I also love to tweet and update my Facebook status using text messages! It’s so convenient!

• The Cottage: If I had to pick one place to spend the rest of my life, it would be the Cottage.  Every year since I was in my mother’s womb, I have gone to the cottage at the end of August with my family and friends.  We do fun activities like go swimming and tubing in Lake Erie, paint rocks to display at our houses, have campfires to roast marshmallows and even have karaoke parties at night!  Every year I go, it takes me back to my childhood where I feel (and sometimes act) like a kid again!
  

  Face painting fun at the cottage!

Becky Alberico is an intern at College Lifestyles. She is a Communication Studies major at Edinboro University of PA, and a member of Alpha Sigma Tau!  She is looking forward to her first trip to the library this summer, and will tweet about it as soon as she goes!

Check out one of my favorite posts!

Traveling? Let me Discount that for You!

“I never realize how much I like being home unless I’ve been somewhere really different for awhile.” –Juno

Several things go into deciding which college to attend. Majors offered, number of students and, of course, price. However, many students also consider the distance away from home. That’s right, some college students want to move far, far away! In fact, according to collegetoolkit.com, 85% of students at Harvard University live out-of-state. More so, 87% of Duke University, 90% of Notre Dame and a whopping 96% of the Brown University student body come from other states!

So what does this mean? That students are traveling, and often.

Anyone who is (or has been) a college student knows that there are tons of advantages to having a student ID. This includes discounts on everything from movie tickets to museum entries and sometimes even free food! People seem to have noticed that college students love a good deal (probably because they are often broke).

So what does this mean? That students love discounts.

Students are traveling and students love discounts–are you seeing the connection here? Lucky for us, many of the popular airlines have noted this connection and they’re doing something about it.

For example, AirTranU (a program offered by AirTran) offers standby flights to students starting as low as $69. Sign up with the United Airlines College Plus and Frequent Flier program and you will get a lovely graduation gift of 10,000 bonus miles. Not too shabby.

And the rewards don’t stop there. In her article, Travel Discounts for the College Bound, travel writer Harriet Baskas gives the details of travel deals from AirTran and United Airlines, along with Lufthansa, JetBlue and American.

Don’t want to fly? That’s okay, too. Amtrak and Greyhound offer discounts to students as well. For these, as well as some of the airline deals, you may need to invest in an ISIC, or International Student Identity Card. You can get one on their website by filling out a simple online form and paying $22. Now, I know that college students are often wary of handing out more than a few dollars for anything, however after seeing the discounts the ISIC can get you on travel fees (and at places like Macy’s, New York and Co. and Hard Rock Café), I think you will agree that it is well worth the money.

But my parents insist on coming to visit ME…

No problem. It’s even ok to be excited from them to visit (We may be in our 20’s but we will always be Daddy’s little girl or Mom’s best friend).

Guess what, you can get discounts for them, too! While saying “I’m going to visit my brilliant college student” is unlikely to inspire the airlines to whisk away all fees for parents, hotels may be a different story.

As Baskas notes in her article, parents of students at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, can get free membership in the 1924 Club. This includes discounts and preferred bookings during popular weekends like Homecoming and Commencement.

When your parents decide to make the trek to see you, make sure they ask around for the best deals. As we know as students, many places offer a student discount, but you have to ask for it. Remember, just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.

It’s time for a trip…

Now that you’ve got the savvy travel know-how to be fabulous for less, it’s time to grab your iPod, pack all your dirty laundry and head home to Mom and Dad. They’ll be so happy to see you (and that you saved money) that they’ll cook your favorite meals and even do your laundry for you.

But don’t get too comfortable; you’ve got a flight to catch—back to your College Lifestyle.

You can read Harriet Baskas full article HERE. Follow her on Twitter for more helpful travel tips.

Emily Trimble can be reached at intern@collegelifestyles.org. She is a Valparaiso University grad who loves writing, the shuffle setting on her iPod and bargains.

3 Things you Simply Must Do Before you Graduate! (#1)

“Happiness is an attitidue. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong.

The amount of work is the same.”

As a recent college grad, the back to school season is a weird one.  For the first time in my life, I am not buying notepads and pencils, shopping for my new ‘back to school’ look, or even searching for new things for my dorm.   Actually, I am watching as my brother packs up his room to move off to Purdue for the first time.   This has made me a bit nostalgic, and sent a slideshow of memories running through my brain.

This being said, I have decided to compile a short list of things you simply must do before YOU graduate! (So look out for all 3 installments!)

Take it from this old-timer: the four years will go fast, so don’t let them slip by without having some F-U-N!

3 Things you Simply MUST Do Before you Graduate!

1. Take a Roadtrip with your Best Friend

“The journey, not the arrival, matters.” -T.S. Eliot

We all know roadtrips are pretty much the best thing ever invented, but a one-on-one roadtrip is extra special. My good friend, Brynn, and I specialized in fabulous roadtrips during college. Our senior year alone we traveled from Valpo to Nashville, TN twice (an 8 hour trip one-way), Milwaukee, WI for the Brewers/Cubs game and downtown Chi-Town!

One of our trips to Nashville was only over the weekend, as many college roadtrips are (since there are these little things called classes during the week). Here’s the deal:

• Plan ahead! Know when you are leaving, how to get where you are going, where you will stay once you get there and the top 3-4 things you want to do in order to keep from wasting time on the trip trying to decide.

• Make a Roadtrip playlist. Make sure there are ballads, dance tunes and songs to bring back blissful college memories. Grab your iPod and adapter, and you’re ready to roll.

• Take a snack! Our staple was a box of Cheese-Itz. It cuts down on stop times (if you are on a tight schedule) and cuts back on costs!

• Pack lightly. Believe me, the less, the better. If you are taking a weekend trip, there is no need for a suitcase. Our trip to Chicago resulted in us being stranded in the city because of flooding…we were glad we didn’t have huge suitcases to haul around!

• Take Extra $$. You never know what might come up—another great place to stop along the way, or an emergency situation. Make sure you have some extra cold, hard cash with you because credit cards aren’t always accepted! The last thing you want to do is have your trip ruined because you are stranded miles from home with no money!

Now hit the road, Jack! Then tell me all about your roadtrip!

Emily Trimble is a 2009 graduate of Valparaiso University.  Her roadtrip playlist includes “Glamorous” by Fergie, “Calling You” by Blue October and “Right Kind of Wrong” by LeAnn Rimes.

Everything’s Bigger In Texas Country

Have you ever visited Texas? I JUST DID! All I can say is, “WOW!”. The farthest west I have ever been was to Memphis, TN for a sorority conference. Texas was a whole new experience. I spent 6 days wondering around 2 amazing cities. I visited the good ol’ capital Austin, and also visited San Antonio. Both of those places have so many exciting things to do and experience. The only problem with Texas is that it is SUPER hot. Besides that, Texas is one cool place.

While visiting Austin, I experienced the late nights of downtown, I rode down the river in intertubes, and experienced the lovely food called Tex-Mex. It was great! Downtown is definitely a place to visit. There are many different scenes to check out and you don’t want to miss it! The city police block off areas of downtown so you can walk in the middle of the streets and it is pure craziness! Definitely a lot of fun! If you get the chance to go, definitely visit “The Ranch”. It is a great place to hang out with your girls or meet new people. Riding down the river is another thing you can’t leave Texas without doing. You can enjoy a lazy ride down the river with your friends and get some sun while doing it. One place I definitely recommend to eat is Chuy’s. It is a delicious tex-mex restaurant and has great chips and salsa!

San Antonio is one amazing city. The Alamo, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, The Wax Museum, The Spanish Palace and the Menger Hotel are just a few hot spots there. There is an abundance of history in this place that you can’t miss out on! The beautiful old buildings and the gorgeous riverwalk are places that you have to visit. On the riverwalk, there are many different kinds of restaurants and shops. There are boat tours that ride up and down the river that give you an amazing tour of the riverwalk in 15 minutes. The Alamo is a beautiful place that contains history of heroes like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. San Antonio also has Sea World and the San Antonio Zoo! Definitely places that are fun to visit if you are an animal lover.

Visiting Texas was an awesome experience and the people there are wonderful. It opened my eyes up to a completely different world. It is so different from Savannah, Georgia. I definitely enjoyed my time in Texas.

That was my fabulous summer vacation. Where have you gone for your’s? Share your fab vacays with us here at College Lifestyles!

Emily R.

Trust in Tom-Tom…or the Top 5 Things I’ve Learned on This Roadtrip

I know my main blogging topic this summer is pageants, but for the past five days, I’ve been on an adventure filled roadtrip! This experience has been way too interesting to NOT blog about it, so here’s my very first traveling blog!

Coming to you from a Fairfax, Virginia area Starbucks, sipping on a non fat iced latte…. here it is!

The TOP 5 Things I’ve learned on this roadtrip:

5. Be open/honest with your traveling companion(s) about your feelings. If you hate pizza with a passion, but your friends want to stop for pizza- be sure to tell them how you feel. If you do, then you can come to some kind of compromise (a pizza parlor with a great salad bar) instead of letting angry feelings turn into resentment… that blow up later on when you’re stopping for pizza for the third time in two days. Be honest about how you feel! You’re in a small space with the same people… don’t let things explode!

4. Take pictures! Snapshots will add up to an awesome Facebook album documenting your good times, and when they get posted, tagged, and commented on- it’ll give you a chance to re-live the fun you had!

3. Your GPS is your friend! I purchased a Tom-Tom GPS unit for this trip- and I am SO glad I did!!! It has gotten us through the New Jersey Turnpike (in Vermont, our largest highway is two lanes on each side. And we don’t have traffic jams.) and has helped us navigate through downtown Washington D.C. It’s a live saver!!

2. Plan a non-plan. For this trip- we knew we needed to be in DC for the first three days, then in Fairfax for the next two… but we’ve just now decided we’re going to spend the next three days of our adventure camping on the beach! I love to make plans (detailed, specific plans), but I’ve learned that sometimes living spontaneously can be pretty great!

1. ENJOY it! Live in the moment! Appreciate simple pleasures like swimming, ice cream, roadside produce stands, or a Little League baseball game.

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