Flying Off Into the Future

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I have enjoyed creating Frequent Flier posts throughout the semester. I am a little sad that it has come to an end because there is still such much more to share. I have loved thinking back on my past vacations and reminiscing about the memories I have made abroad. They are some of my fondest memories as a kid.

Looking back, I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had to see other parts of the world. I shared about the European towns of Cinnque Terre in Italy, Wengen in Switzerland, Salzburg in Austria, and London in England as well as my time in Ireland. I also wrote about my Latin American travels to the Galapagos and Costa Rica. And, let’s not forget about my longest flight over to Japan. I have made it to four continents so far, which means I have three more to go in completing one of my bucket list items of visiting all seven continents. Antartica, Africa, and Australia are all definitely on the top of my list of places to visit along with Paris, Greece, and Tahiti making the cut as well.

My next destination is New Zealand as I will be traveling threre with my family next winter break. I am so looking forward to it, and I can only pray that it goes as well as my previous trips. Throughout my college career, I plan on studying abroad in Italy during the summer to fulfill my HD FS minor requirements, spending a spring semester in my favorite city of London, and if my schedule permits it, I would love to squeeze in an additional semester in Australia. I also hope to be able to go on more family vacations and continue on what some may even call a tradition with my own family one day.

I urge you to study abroad sometime during your time at Penn State. It is a great way to explore other parts of the world. So, tell me what is on the top of your travel bucket list?

My Path of Exploration

Penn-State-Campus-General-Campus-Fall-in-Pugh-Mall-PS-CP-GC-00036lgSource: http://www.amesphotos.com/psu/misc.htm

When I think back to my first two weeks on campus. I am amazed by how much more familiar I am with campus. I have definitely figured out where many resources are located during this first semester. And, I’m sure there are still some places I have yet to explore. It is really great how many resources there actually are on campus.

During my path of exploration, I ventured over to the Library, Career Center, White Building gym, Old Main, and the All Sports Museum for the first time. Off campus, I went to the farmer’s market, Schlow Library, and 2000 Degrees. I was also able to explore the different Penn State news sources as well as all of the different minor options and the countless student clubs and organizations.

Overall, I really enjoyed this assignment. I definitely learned a lot. I feel that one should always be exploring throughout his or her life because there are many places and topics that are unknown. I hope to keep exploring what Penn State and State College have to offer during these next four years. What was your favorite place to explore this semester?

 

News Update: Mayon Volcano Quakes in the Philippines

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Source: https://achividaryan.wordpress.com/mayon-volcano-2/

Previously in the semester, I have been following a news story about the possible eruption of the Mayon Volcano in the Philippines. You can see the first traces of the story on social media here and the initial report I found here.

Now, almost three months later, the volcano still has not erupted although 12,000 families have been evacuated since mid-September. On November 3-4 families within a 7-8 kilometer distance away were allowed to return to their homes. Just within the past 24 hours. However, at least three volcanic quakes have been recorded causing the volcano to remain on Alert Level 3 meaning it is still in danger of erupting at any time. For further details, today’s news update can be found on the Good Morning America News online site. So, I will be curious to see if the Mayon Volcano eventually erupts sooner or later.

Following this news story, I wasso surprised how often updates would be reported, even months later. So, I am wondering if this is common or not. Were you able to find current reports this weekabout your the news story you have been following?

Ireland

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The summer before I went into the seventh grade, my family and I took a trip to Ireland. The picture above is pretty much what I picture of our whole trip: sheep in the countryside on a rainy day. We flew into Dublin and then rented a car to drive to various Bed and Breakfasts in the countryside throughout the week in towns like Oughterterard Killarney, and Doolin.

We went to Trinity College to see the book of Kells, saw some castles, took a hike in Connemara National Park, saw the Cliffs of Moher, drove the Ring of Kerry, visited the Muckross House, and went jaunting in the carriage of a horse through the Gap of Dunlow.

While my dad had his first real Guinness beer in a pub, I had my first real hot chocolate. You know, like not the kind from a packet, but the real deal. Let’s just say I pretty much ordered it at every meal. It was a nice warm treat as we escaped the rain inside.

Although, Ireland was not my favorite trip, it was nice to see a different part of the world. Have you ever gone on any trips where the weather has not quite cooperated like you wish it had?

2000 Degrees

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Recently, I went to 2000 Degrees for the first time. 2000 Degrees is located on College Avenue just past Fraser Street. It is a paint your own pottery studio. They have tons of different pieces for you to choose from, ranging greatly in price. There are some pieces that are pretty straight forward and others where you can get creative. I opted to choose a plate shaped as a gingerbread man from the Christmas section.

Once your piece is chosen, you have to wipe it down with some water using a sponge, and then you can pick out your paint colors. The possibilities are endless! Picking the colors was the hardest part for me since there was so many choices. My true indecisiveness (I am a DUS student) came out. Once I finally made my decisions, I painted on three coats. Then, you can come back three days later to pick up your masterpiece after they fire it in the kiln.

Overall, I really had a great time. It was actually really therapeutic. Hopefully, I will make it back there some time soon. If you’re felling creative or want to do something different, don’t be afraid to head to 2000 Degrees! I promise you it will be worth the trip. Have you done anything out of the ordinary in State College lately?

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

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Source: http://www.twc.edu/twcnow/blogs/student/11703/missed-opportunities

The Newseum located in Washington D.C. defines news as stories about firsts, life, death, love, hate, war, and peace. I actually had the chance to visit the Newseum when I went to D.C. on a spring break trip with my eighth grade class, but I never even knew about their criteria for newsworthy stories.

I think local stories are newsworthy if they are relevant to the area; I think nationwide stories are newsworthy if they are relevant to the nation, and I think worldwide stories are newsworthy if they are relevant to the world. Therefore, people on the other side of the world must be affected or care about a story for it to be newsworthy worldwide. The types of stories people care about are those that have an impact on their lives, whether it be a political decision dictating their lives, a natural disaster far away in which they can take action to help those in need, new innovation or technology that will be available to them shortly in the future, and so much more.

I have learned that different sources have different information about events going on in the world. This means that after reading an article, I have the option to go to a different source to get more information if I feel like I want to know more.

Overall, I am glad that we had this assignment to force me to be informed about the current world around me. After this semester when the assignment is over, I will definitely check out the Daily Collegian at least once a week, but hopefully more, to see what’s going on on and around campus. For national and world news, I guess I’ll have to check out the sites I look to get my assignments. And, for my favorite type of news a.k.a celebrity gossip, I will continue to check out People.com!

Were there any news stories you read that were particularly interesting to you this semester?

 

Salzburg, Austria

DSC_0107Three summers ago right before my junior year of high school, my family and I took a a vacation to Austria. One city we visited was Salzburg. Salzburg was interesting because it is kind of divided into two sections: the New town and the Old town, separated by a river. I personally liked what both sections had to offer. I loved all the history and prominence in the Old town and the newer more modern feel of New town. They flowed together quite nicely though, and both had great streets lined with little shops.

In the Old town part of Salzburg, we visited Mozart’s birthplace and attended a Mozart dinner concert. Basically it was just a nice multiple course dinner with his music being performed live. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy at least one fancier occasion to dress up nice while away on vacation. In the New town, we bought a torte, which is supposedly the most famous cake in the world, and Salzburg is the only place where you can get the chocolatey goodness made from its original recipe. We also drove a little ways to a salt mine while we stayed in Salzburg. We rode a tram and a boat underground to get to these chutes that we slid down.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time in Salzburg after not really knowing much about the city before. Have you ever visited a place you didn’t know about before, but was pleasantly surprised after exploring what it had to offer? I’d love to know where.

All Sports Museum

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Recently, I went to the All-Sports Museum for the first time for an event for another class. For those of you who don’t know, it is located directly under Beaver Stadium. As a sports fan, I was curious to see what was in there. I was only able to go to the bottom floor that the event was on since I did not pay, but I was able to see lots of the museum. There was a ton of memorabilia including awards, trophies, uniforms, and sports equipment. On the bottom floor was football, field hockey, baseball, golf, tennis, softball, soccer, cross country, and track and field. Each sport had their own little designated area, but they all cohesively flowed together into the room. On the top floor that I didn’t get to see was gymnastics, fencing, riffle, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, swimming and diving, boxing, and bowling. There is also a bookstore on the bottom level. I believe they also give stadium tours.

It was amazing to see all that our fellow Penn State athletes have accomplished. Hopefully, I will be able to visit the top floor one day. Have you visited the All-Sports Museum yet? What is your favorite Penn State sport to follow?

Obama in Myanmar

U.S. President Barack Obama and opposition politician Aung San Suu Kyi hold a press conference after their meeting at her residence in YangonSource: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/14/us-myanmar-usa-idUSKCN0IY0HO20141114

Recently President Obama traveled to Myanmar. He showed his support for Myanmar’s reform for democracy although he pointed out his opposition to their refusal to amend their constitution to allow Aung San Suu Kyi to run for president and  to deal with the violence and discrimination towards Muslims. Khi is unable to run since her two sons have British passports. Part of the reason why Obama went to Myanmar is because he finds it important to encourage other countries to become democracies and give them constructive criticism about how their efforts are holding them back from getting there. He also feels that a national is important for Myanmar.

Overall, I think it is great that the U.S. maintains healthy relations with other countries and tries to help them better their systems. Would you say Obama’s trip to Myanmar was successful or a waste?

Article Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/world/asia/obama-aung-san-suu-kyi-myanmar.html?ref=world&_r=0

 

 

London

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My very first trip outside of the U.S. was to the UK when I was six years old. We went to London and then visited my grandfather and his finance, who lives across the pond, in Plymouth. Then, five years later when I was eleven we went back to London after traveling around to some other places in Europe. After the second trip, I had come to realize that London is my favorite European city. Now, I am just dying to go back. I even want to study abroad there, so hopefully I will be able to make it back over there soon. I just love all the tradition.

When we visited, we mostly travelled around using the subway system. We walked miles and miles every day to get to the stop when on the second to last day, we realized there was a way closer one just a block away. We did so many things, that is hard to choose just one favorite. We went on the London Eye, which is that ferris wheel that gives you a whole view of the city. We saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace. We went to Westminster Abbey where Prince William and Kate Middleton got married. We went to Windsor castle. We went on a river cruise down the Thames. We rode on one of those red double decker buses that my younger brother was obsessed with at the time. We saw the crown jewels. We took a day trip to Hampton Court. We shopped at Harrod’s. We watched the summer Olympics in Trafalgar Square. We went to the Marry Poppins and The Lion King broadway plays, and so much more! I also loved hearing all the British accents!

Next time I go I want to go to a tea and where one of those fancy hats and go to a polo match. Hopefully I’ll be back soon and be able to visit the other boroughs like Chelsea. So, now I’d love to know what’s your favorite city?

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