One idea my group discussed for the History of a Public Controversy Project was the drinking age topic. I feel that this would be a successful  yet important topic to research, since drinking and the official drinking age in the United States has always been controversial, and has evolved much throughout history. It is also an important topic to understand, since there is always debate surrounding the official drinking age in our country; some believe it to be helpful and sufficient, while others find that the age and laws that come with it end up doing more harm than good. By researching and explaining the history of this controversy, we could understand both sides of the argument.

Another topic that I found and feel would be very interesting to research is abstinence-only education. Similar to the drinking age, this topic is always up for debate; some in full support, while others fully look down on the idea of an abstinence-only education and believe that it does more harm than good. This research would also prove to be important because through fully understanding the outcomes of both educations, we can find which education would be more successful and helpful for future generations.

I have been so grateful to see and experience the locations I’ve written about this past semester. However, I saved my absolute favorite location for last. This city is where I’ve met some of my closest and most valuable childhood (and now lifelong) friends. This city holds so many of my dearest yet most chaotic memories. This city not only has so much meaning and importance to me, but to my family as well. The city of Belgrade, Serbia, has truly become a second home to me. Although I have spent a lot of time in Belgrade, I am faithful that anyone would understand why Belgrade is my favorite city in just one visit.

Belgrade is full of old world charm as well as new world experiences. Belgrade’s main park is Kalemegdan, which is actually an old fortress dating back to the 3rd century B.C. (but has obviously undergone many updates and repairs since then). At any hour of the day, you’ll find people in Kalemegdan doing a multitude of activities: walking, sitting on benches or along the walls of the fortress (where you can see the best sunsets, since the fortress overlooks the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers), or even enjoying one of the restaurants or bars built into the fortress. Kalemegdanska Terasa is a beautiful restaurant, which serves both traditional Balkan cuisine, as well as other well known European meals, from pastas to French pastries (for dessert only, of course)! In another corner of Kalemegdan, for those 18+, one can find Boho Bar; a bar that truly lives up to its name! If you bring some young ones along on your trip, you can leave them at the famous Belgrade Zoo, located just a few minutes past Boho Bar and still within the fortress walls!

Across the street from Kalemegdan is Knez Mihailova, the main shopping street (where no cars can drive through) in Belgrade. Both sides of the street are lined with Western and Eastern clothing brands, as well as some of the best casual restaurants. Some iconic stops along the street include: Coffeedream, a coffee shop that sells what I like to call “dessert coffee” (coffee with ice cream, whip cream and cookies-although there are dozens of variations of this on the menu), homemade, fresh-brewed tea, yogurt parfaits, and, of course, regular cappuccinos and lattes. Coffeedream in Serbia has a similar popularity to Starbucks in America-there’s one on almost every street-and two on Knez Mihailova alone! Another one of my favorite places I always end up treating myself to for a sweet treat at night is Icebox, where you can find the most authentic and delicious frozen yogurt!

Splavovi are also something that one must experience in Belgrade. A splav is a restaurant, club or cafe on a water boat-which, may sound bizarre now that I’m explaining it, but both sides of the Danube river are lined with Splavovi! My favorite splav for a morning or afternoon coffee is Savanna; always playing jazz, knowing their regulars, and keeping their prices low! In one area of the river, these splavovi are mostly clubs-in my opinion, for a super active and fun night out, with mostly local music, I’d recommend Lasta or leto. But, if you’re looking for a calm night with some more low-key house music, I’d recommend Kućica-its a place you can take the parents!

Here is a link to the slides for my Ted Talk!

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_F-P8b6_ggNgAYtZScKAQtFCj1NkUBRiNZvgXA_o6G8/edit#slide=id.g11daacbd15b_0_13

Now that Halloween has passed, can we all agree that it’s time to start celebrating the holidays? I’m sure some of you are rolling your eyes at me right now, but I know at least a few of you are agreeing with me! For me, the holiday season brings back memories of cozy times with family and friends. Being an out of state student who lives too far to go home over the weekends, the nostalgia has been hitting me hard this week, so I remedied by making my weekly phone calls back to Chicago. When I was catching up with my hometown friend Frank, he brought up his plans for the winter-which I am extremely jealous of, since one of his stops is a place I’ve always wanted to travel to! So, for this week’s blog, I’m turning to my Polish friend Frank (who is also an expert on Polish travel), to help me tell you about a true hidden haven: Zakopane, Poland.

Located in Poland, near the Slovenian border, the town of Zakopane is in a valley in between the Tatra Mountains and Gubałówka Hill. According to my father, who has spent a great amount of time there in his winters, Zakopane has been a popular destination for Many Eastern Europeaners during the winter for skiing and the comfortable village atmosphere the town has to offer. Although he loves the surrounding mountains for skiing, Frank says “ my favorite part of Zakopane is the town itself-it’s all wooden, and reminds me of a true Christmas and holiday town.”

Frank is also a foodie, so of course I trust his opinion of the best eats anywhere. “The famous food there is oscypki, which is like smoked cheese with jam. My family had to roll me out of the restaurants we ate at because I’ve gotta indulge in real oscypki whenever I can get it!” Frank told me.

But Zakopane isn’t just a winter wonderland; according to Frank, “Zakopane is a true summer oasis,” as well. During the summer months, the mountains and surrounding nature present the public with beautiful and lush hiking trails. Frank’s favorite trail is called “Morskie Oko.” Frank recounts that the trail has “absolutely stunning views, waterfalls, and a clear and not-too-difficult way to reach the summit of the mountain.”

Another one of Frank’s must-do activities is the Slide on Gubalowka. “I know it may sound like it’s for kids, but it’s truly enjoyable for all ages- and actually scarier than it looks!” The slide begins at the top of the Gubalowka hill, and takes riders down to the bottom, giving a beautiful panoramic view of the town and surrounding nature. Who wouldn’t want to experience a bit of this adventure?

Whether it’s in the well-celebrated winter travel season, or the peaceful summer season, Frank and I hope we’ve given you a new travel destination to add to your travel bucket list! 

https://psu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Katarina+Ana+Zigic%27s+Zoom+Meeting/1_qky3s8ds

Here is a link to a recording of my elevator pitch!

For the last month, many of the conversations I’ve had with my friends have consisted of us raving about this upcoming autumn and cooler weather. The fall foliage is absolutely beautiful in State College, and the weather has been exactly what we’ve been asking for; but, as the cloudy days roll in, I can’t stop myself from reminiscing on the summer time! I’m sure the cold weather will bring out the missing summer mindset of many of us, so, for the holidays, I suggest you ask for a ticket to the Greek island of Skiathos, Greece from Santa Claus this year!

Skiathos is home to truly, the most beautiful beaches i’ve ever seen! The beach scene resembles those as seen in the movies-except, Skiathos has actually been the set for a few movies, including one of my favorites: Mamma Mia! On the island, there are tours you can take to see the locations featured in the movie. One of those locations is the old port of Skiathos featured at the start of the film. In the film, the main character, Sophie invites three men who could be her father to her wedding, since she grew up not knowing who her father was, but found names of potential fathers in her mothers diary (its a crazy concept, but it makes for the best movie of all time in my opinion). It is at the port where Sam and Harry (two of the potential fathers) miss their ferry to Kalokairi, but are given a boat ride instead by Sophie’s potential third father, Bill. The movie captures the breathtaking beauty of the island, which is especially evident once you see the amazing beaches this unknown-to many-island has!

If you ask a local, people will tell you that you must see Lalaria beach in your lifetime. It will truly make you feel like you are stepping into a postcard, and have you saying “Mamma Mia!’! Not to mention, the beach is usually quiet, which allows for absolute relaxation and enjoyment. The bright blue waters and mountainous views, combined with the organic and out of the ordinary rock formations within the water make for a unique and beautiful beach experience.

The old town of Skiathos dates back to the 6th and 7th centuries B.C. Since then, the old town has become a hub for those on the island, filled with designer and local shops, handmade jewelry stores, and, arguably my favorite part of the town, amazing restaurants. Greek food has to be my second favorite cuisine besides Serbian cuisine, with a few must try dishes being: saganaki (flaming cheese), Spanakopita (pita filled with cheese, spinach, and other ingredients upon request), and gyros (lamb meat usually served in a sandwich with tzatziki, and with fries). Some of the best meals I’ve had in life have been on this island!

Being in the middle of the semester, taking midterms left and right, have you been daydreaming about your next (well deserved) vacation? Maybe you’re thinking about escaping to a place with stunning and peaceful  nature. Or, escaping to a vacation spot with a historical and charming old town-or, the opposite; maybe you’re looking to experience some new art and music. If you wouldn’t be able to pick between those options, Then Ljubljana, Slovenia is the place for your next voyage! Ljubljana is a city that combines a lively and captivating old town with historic fortresses, but also has a modern side. Both sides of the city are located within breathtaking nature sites! Located in central slovenia, Ljubljana is the largest city and capital of the country.

Ljubljana was first documented in written sources in 1144, and, since the middle ages, it has grown into a bustling metropolis! The medieval fortress that surrounded the old town dates back to the 12th century, so there are more than plenty of historical sights to see. One of the oldest establishments in the town center is the Ljubljana castle. Originally, the castle of Ljubljana was built during the middle ages to defend against the ottoman empire and local peasant results. Today, the castle acts as a museum of the history of Ljubljana, and also offers many modern amenities, such as: restaurants, a coffee shop, a gift shop, a jazz club, and an escape room. As you can see, the castle has become just a bit more modern since the middle ages!

The Ljubljanica river also runs through the old town. The river has always been a large part of the city’s history; the river is a gold mine for archaeologists; so many ancient relics have been found in the Ljubljanica-from the stone ages, to the renaissance! Aside from the river being a hub for history, it also attracts many visitors, due to its absolutely breathtaking views and scenic walking trails along the river. The city is surrounded by high points of the Julian mountains, which are visible at many places within the city, but especially from certain points along the river.

If there’s just too much old town talk within the city center for you, take a step into ljubljana’s modern side! Located nearby the old town center is a neighborhood called Metelkova Mesto. Here, army barracks that were abandoned after the breakup of Yugoslavia are now covered in modern and alternative art pieces. The former barracks feature eclectic artwork from highly regarded and lesser-known Slovenian artists. The neighborhood is also home to many restaurants, bars, and concerts, making the modern atmosphere feel welcoming and alive!

Don’t overlook this beautiful city when planning your next vacation-make a stop in Ljubljana to get the best of many worlds!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyq2Wo4eUDg&list=PLAAswjIrOb4R2bMubSTu0j-1OVFDRlH4n&index=4

This ted talk discusses the differences between how men and women fall in love. There are many things I like about this Ted Talk! Firstly, regarding content, it’s a very interesting topic that relates to the social life of people, so it’s entertaining and useful knowledge about a somewhat taboo and funny topic. I like how the speaker includes humor in her presentation as well; she included it seamlessly, since it made sense with what she was discussing, and also did not distract too much from her main claims.

Something else the speaker did well was her use of visuals. She used graphics that were easy to follow, and did not distract from what she was saying. The visuals only enhanced what she was discussing, and did not confuse the audience since they were straightforward.

One idea I have for my Ted Talk is the evolution of lip filler. I think this topic would work because it is something that applies to me, so I would be motivated to work on it. Also, it would be an interesting topic, since it is somewhat humorous and not formal considering other speeches and work students are used to. I would pursue my research using resources provided on the RCL page, but also conducting interviews or obtaining statistics myself. My argument would be based around how and why the usage of lip filler has increased over time.

Reflecting on my speech performance, I can definitely spot some strengths and weaknesses. One thing I would like to improve when recording a speech is memorizing it. I feel that because I knew we were recording the speech, and we were able to use notes, I relied on them and looked down at them too frequently, and almost read it in a script-like manner. I know that from practicing so many times and recording many times as well that I basically had my main points memorized. However, out of habit, I stuck to reading my notes. Next time, I could improve this by only reading off my slides and engaging with the audience more (even though in this case I was only talking to a camera!)

One strength I think I demonstrated was my articulation and volume, as well as not pausing or using filler words (such as “like” or “um”). I believe that this came from being aware not to do this after reading some of our readings in class, and also because I was prepared with what to say. 

One thing I adjusted while recording was the pace at which I spoke. I noticed in my first free recordings I was speaking too quickly, likely because I wanted to stay within the time limit. After noticing this, I took another take while slowing down my speech and I still was within the grace period.

Something I have learned is that recording a speech takes a longer amount of time than anticipated! I also learned that there is no such thing as a “perfect” take. I think that when we are given the opportunity to record, there’s pressure/ a belief that you can get a flawless take. However, after trying many times I’ve found that you don’t have to restart your recording if you just stutter once or twice, but you can keep going and move on!

Are you familiar with the famous novel about the vampire “Dracula” (or, one of its many screen or cereal box adaptations)? If you’re familiar with the story of Dracula, you’ll know that he is said to live in the dark and stormy, spooky, and chill-inducing region of Transylvania, in Romania. But-what if I told you that Transylvania is actually the opposite of the reputation that Dracula has bestowed upon it? In today’s blog, I’m going to tell you about what the public calls “the hidden gem of Transylvania” which is the beautiful city of Sibiu, Romania. 

Sibiu was founded sometime in the early 12th century, and became popular when it was named the capital of Transylvania after officially becoming a part of the Habsburg empire in 1692. During the late 18th and most of the 19th century, Sibiu became a key city involved in defining  a Romanian national consciousness. Albina Bank, the first Romanian owned bank, started with its headquarters in Sibiu, further demonstrating the importance of this charming city during intense political times! After world war one and the fall of austria-hungary, Sibiu became part of Romania, still with a high German population as well. 

The town center of Sibiu is home to brightly colored cottage-looking buildings (and, as you can tell, some have eyes!). The city of Sibiu has the nickname “The town with eyes.” Sibiu has this nickname because the holes on the roofs of the buildings resemble eyes. Some myths say that rulers put these dormers in the roofs to purposefully resemble the eyes of a secret organization, and to overall instill fear in the population, since the message coming across was that someone was “always watching.” The real reason was actually just for ventilation purposes-but, the myth is much more entertaining to tell to tourists!

The old town is full of old tales and myths. Another is the tale of the “Bridge of Lies.” It is said that when a lie is told while crossing the bridge, a piece or rock or scaffolding will break off- making this a great location to take your significant other if you have any suspicions. . .

One of the town’s favored streets is Nicolae Balcescu street, lined with colorful buildings containing bakeries, bookstores, souvenir shops, local clothing and name brand clothing shops, and restaurants. 

Another street that is considered the most beautiful street is Citadel street. I bet Dracula gave you the wrong impression of this lively, bustling city! 

If you want to experience a picturesque, medieval city filled with myths and legends, you should definitely add Sibiu to your travel bucket list. In Sibiu, you’ll find what you’re looking for-and what you’re looking for will find you!