Author: nxw77

While watching Outlander this past weekend, I couldn’t help but dwell on my time in Scottland, aka the Scottish Highlands, and how much I missed this scenic country. Oh, what it would be like to be able to travel back in time to experience being a lairds wife of a clan and to have a barin.

To this day, the culture of kilts, the highlands, bagpipes, and food express the beauty of the country. And let’s not forget about the most badass queen of all time, Mary Queen of Scots. Their national animal is the Unicorn, they are famously known for Haggis (which I will talk about later), the country is made up of nearly 800 islands, and has the largest proportion of redheads in the world…but that’s not all.

While traveling through the English countryside into rolling hills of bonnie Scotland, I couldn’t help but admire all of the untouched lands. As you travel across the border from the one country into the next, we were greeted by a large stone inscribed with the word “SCOTLAND” and a Scottish lad standing next to it, kilt and all, playing his bagpipe. (I kid you not, this is the truth)

 

We were on our way to Edinburgh, the “Athens of the North.” Possibly one of the most magical cities of all. Rich in history and culture, the town is overlooked by Edinburgh Castle, high in the skyline and able to see all that is below. While there, we toured the castle. If you are fascinated by torture, I highly recommend visiting the dungeon to check out all “special” fixings they use on prisoners back in the day.

The city is split into two, Old Town and New Town. Spending most of the time in Old Town, you must travel along the cobble street Royal Mile to get the real feel of gothic, medieval Scotland.

The nightlife in Edinburgh is supposed to be fantastic, however when we visited my brother and I was not of age yet to drink. (The legal drinking age in Scotland 18ish; you can drink beer at 16.) However, this did not stop my parents from eating at a famous pub; Arcade Bar; Haggis and Whiskey house. Two things scots are famous for. My parents live by, “When in Paris, you must do as the Persians do.” Thus in Scotland, we did what scots do, and that is to eat Haggis. In case you didn’t know, Haggis is sheep’s or calf’s offal mixed with suet, oatmeal, and seasoning and boiled in a bag, traditionally one made from the animal’s stomach. Luckily for me, this was my brother’s dinner and not mine. To be completely honest, it wasn’t awful. But it also wasn’t something I would ever want to eat again. Later that evening, while walking under the street lights, my brother threw up the Haggis in a back alleyway. Try it if you dare!

Someday I hope to go back to be able to spend more time in this majestic country. To visit Glasglow is a must, and to go off the beaten track into the highlands is a dream.

 

For as long as I can remember, one of my greatest passions has been traveling around the world. Some of my earliest memories have been places other than home, places filled with joyous memories of adventure, learning, culture, and experience. Traveling is something that I have always known is a part of my family and a part of my identity. 

I’m not entirely sure where this blog will go or how much a kindness aspect I tie into it. However, I believe each week I will pick one of my favorite places I have been and what this place means to me along some of my favorite things aspects of the trip. To start it off, I want to take you to Austria.  

Austria may be my favorite country that I have ever visited. Landlocked by other beautiful European countries, Austria (in my eyes) is a crown jewel. Austria is the home of Mozart and other famous musicians, Sigmund Freud, the world’s second International Sex School, chocolate, roaring hills and mountains, Red Bull, Fortress Hohensalzburg, and so much more. This country is not only filled with beautiful sights, but also with kindly beautiful people.  

While in Austria, I traveled from Vienna, the capital, to Salzburg, and ended in Hallstatt. Along the way, we stopped in many dainty villages, each filled with their own character. 

Vienna is a bit of a blur. We landed in Vienna, flying from the United States, and I was incredibly jet-lagged and exhausted from the lack of sleep and excessive movie watching. Despite falling asleep in what must have been an outstanding opera in the Vienna State Opera, I do recall possibly one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world; St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Towering into the sky, decorated with the most magnificent stain glass windows, St. Stephen’s Cathedral took my breath away. Vienna was great, but let’s talk about Salzburg. 

On the top of my “Place’s I’d Love to Live” list is Salzburg itself. Now I may be slightly biased for my favorite movie of all time was filmed there, that is The Sound of Music. Might I say the hills are truly alive with the sound of music there. Luckily for me, on the local television, a channel plays the movie 24/7 for tourists. But that’s not all. Salzburg is hugged by Salzach river is overlooked by the handsome Hogensalzbugh Fortress. Rich in history from Motzart’s birthplace to Saint Peter’s Abbey and the oldest known restaurant in Europe, Stiftskeller St. Peter, Salzburg is the place to go. One of the most vivid memories was having dinner Austria’s largest beer garden, Augustiner Brau – Kolster Mulln. Tucked away under the shade of chestnut trees, everyone there made you feel like family. Not only was the battered food and live entertainment amazing, but the atmosphere there, the atmosphere that captures Austria as a whole, was kind and warm. 

Someday soon I hope to return to experience even more of what this historical and charming country has to over. 

Let me tell you a story. Let me tell you a story. Now, if you were to ask my brother, I’m a terrible storyteller, and maybe that is the case, but I promise this story is short and sweet, straight to the point. When we are young, we have many fears. When I was young, I feared many things including the dark, the monster under my bed, going downstairs into the basement… but my biggest fear when I was really little…was of going to the bathroom on the toilet. For I wholeheartedly believed that I would fall into the white vitreous china toilet, it would flush itself, and take me far away to place where I’d never see my family again. 

This fear of mine turned into one of the first struggles in my life that I can remember. Now, I know this seems rather silly, but in the end, with much time and support from my loving grandmother as she held my hand as I went number 2, I overcame this struggle and life went on. Although, what I didn’t know then was that I would face many struggles in my life, some big some small, some that affected me for a day, and others months or years. 

But let be completely frank: 

I hate the struggle. I’ve always had a strong disliking for it. For most of my life, I’ve viewed my struggles as enemies, high-stakes tests, or sources of overwhelming fear. But over the past few years, I’ve come to realize that struggle provides insight, struggle provides perspective, and struggles provide a connection to other human beings. 

Throughout high school and now college, I often struggle against insecurities in class. When I didn’t understand or grasp material the first time around, I would tend to see my “struggle” as a bad thing, something that is even painful, because I viewed myself as a failure. But repeatedly when I looked to my teachers and professors, they never saw the struggle in a negative light like I did. In fact, they seemed to accept my frustration as just another part of the learning process. And through my teacher’s kind words and confidence in me, I found a new perspective: meaningful learning comes from a good struggle. And when I think about it some more this same lesson has been taught to me over the years. It just took me a little extra time, a little extra struggling to see it.

Now, you may be thinking that I’m ridiculous, speaking to you about struggles when we attend one of the top universities in the world with unlimited opportunities, compared to others in the United States and around the world. And I completely agree that some struggles can seem minuscule to the problems of the world. But, no two struggles are exactly the same, for one does not need to suffer more than another in order to experience a valid struggle. (POSSIBLY DELETING THIS PARAGRAPH) 

Many of us face internal struggles; not being good enough, fear of not being smart enough, grief, (mental health), body image and even not be accepted for who we are. Many of us will face unforeseen struggles, and whatever they are, you are not alone. 

It’s not easy, and if the struggle ever seems like too much, I have to remind myself there is always help, someone to help, and somewhere to get help. As I sought my grandmother’s help and support to go to the bathroom, I was able to overcome my fear and struggle. `

Right now at this very moment, I am facing one of the greatest changes and perhaps struggles in my life. (ADD MORE OF A STORY HERE) 

Even if you feel like you might be sucked down the toilet, embrace the struggle. I believe in embracing the struggle. Because without it we wouldn’t be who we are today.

For my passion blog, I have decided to take up a passion of mine that I hadn’t previously mentioned, traveling the world with kindness.

For my civic issue blog, I’m interested in investigating education.

Ideas for my “This I Believe” podcast: 

1. Grandparents and the love for the Elderly 
   1. So far, in my life, my grandparents have significantly impacted my view of the elderly. A look that has been shaped into a love. From this love, we need to love the elderly. So many societies around the world put much energy and care into taking care of the elderly. However, I feel this is not as prevalent in the United States. We don’t even necessarily need to love the elderly, but we need to respect them. We can learn so much from their achievements and failures. 
2. Outlook on College Life – Penn State 
   1. Over the break, I was asked what I thought of Penn State, and I answered, “I like it.” This response completely shook who I was speaking too, and their immediate reaction was, “You’re the first person who has ever told me that. Everyone I know LOVES Penn State.” I believe there is more to college than the walls in which we are confined. The most important, college is an investment for our future. 

Laundry List of other ideas: 

1. Forgiveness and Being the Bigger Person 
2. We are all here to help each other.
3. There is always something Good in the Bad. 
4. We shouldn’t be afraid to die. 
5. Hard work. Period.
6. Everyone deserves to be loved.

 

Ideas for my new Passion Blog: 

1. Finding Happiness 
   1. Something that kept crossing my mind over break is finding happiness in college. I want to explore where I find my joy and what I can do for others that make me happy. Happiness isn’t our phones and social media, but happiness is in helping others, is in nature, is in good food. 
2. Mission Work 
   1. One of my greatest passions and something I hope to continue throughout the entirety of my life is to serve others. More specifically, through medical mission trips. I want to explore this passion through this blog on the places I want to go to and the places I’ve been to. 
3. Being something for someone 
   1. Something I have always enjoyed and sometimes work to do is genuinely being something for someone. This ranges from trying to be the best daughter I can be to my parents or being a supportive, real someone to a friend. I think it would be interesting to look more into how to be better for others. And also possibly reflect on what I have seen before in my life and aspire to be. 

 

Ideas for my Civic Issue Blog: 

1. Education: College Admissions 
   1. Getting rid of ACT/SAT for admission requirements 
   2. Family income → student loans 
   3. Nepotism 
2. Health Care 
   1. People cannot afford their medication → , especially the elderly, who ultimately stop taking their medications and thus lead to more significant health problems that are significantly more expensive. 
   2. People cannot afford their healthcare deductibles → lower, and middle-class citizens struggle to pay their health care deductibles. Thus resulting in getting rid of health care insurance or going to a lower provider where science shows, especially in the lower class, people need health care the most.  
3. Education: Cost of Education – Is it work the cost? 

• For all three of these, I would focus on the cost of education today. Another outlook I am interested in looking into is the length of education, especially graduate school, and, more specifically, medical school. Today, many are reasoning that four years of strict school before residency may not be necessary for all specialties. As for private schools, I’d investigate the cost and how even just the name of a private school impacts acceptance rates into some of the top universities and colleges also when some public schools provide a better education. 

1. 1. Private Schools 
   2. Undergraduate 
   3. Graduate

Last Wednesday, November 13th, was World Kindness Day. This day was created in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement with the purpose to encourage kindness throughout the world. 

This year hit a little bit closer to my home and my heart. UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital of Pittsburgh celebrated the day by dressing up six newborn babies in crocheted Fred Rogers outfits to commemorate him and to surprise his wife, Joanne Rogers. After reading about this in the news, all I wanted was to spread this kindness here at school. 

As a child, watching Mister Rogers Neighborhood was a staple in my household. When of the only T.V. shows I was allowed to watching while growing up, Mister Rogers, in some way or another, had an impact on my childhood and even the way my parents raised me. On the randomness of days, I have this vivid memory type flashback of sitting in my sunroom in front of the grain, box T.V. watching the beginning of a Mister Rogers episode. I believe that Mr. Rogers is the king of kindness. Even though he passed away in 2003, his legacy, love, and message of kindness still live on. 

After World Kindness Day this year, I reflected on kindness, more specifically, the kindness of Mr. Rogers and how we can all live a little more kindly. Mr. Rogers preached love through kindness. Every day I think of how my actions and my words have greater meaning if I choose them through kindness, not only for myself but right for others. Kindness can be holding the door, thanking someone when it isn’t necessary, smiling at a stranger, or going out of your way to do something for someone because no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. 

Especially with the holidays coming up, I’m challenging myself (and others if they’d like) to remember kindness in their thoughts, but especially their actions.  This can be by being thankful for your family and friends when you go home and see some of these people for the first time. This can be participating in a food drive, such as the ones here at Penn State. This can be telling your friends or even professors how you are grateful for their help and support in and out of the classroom. 

By being kinder to yourself, you’ll, in turn, be kinder to other people, and help create more kindness in the world. When in doubt, think to yourself that it is a beautiful day, think of Mr. Rogers, and think of kindness. 

Choose Kindness. 

With love, 

Nina 

 

This year on December 14th, will mark the seven-year university of the tragic and devastating shooting of Sandy Hook Elementary School. At this time, I was just a 6th grader who knew how to use the internet beyond most 12 years olds capabilities. After this happened, for days, I searched the internet, read numerous news articles, and watched hundreds of minutes worth of footage of this event. All of this threw my 12-year-old mind into a dark and upsetting place. I remember so clearly sleeping with my parents for the entirety of the week following this event. Not having any real connection to Sandy Hook, I still felt the grief and the aftermath.

When given this RCL post, I searched the internet and looked at about 100 images when I came across this one. Many may have seen this image before; however, it hasn’t surfaced the internet for years. This image is beyond powerful; it’s truly impactful. The first main observation in this image is Robbie and Alyssa Parker in the middle of the picture. Just from them alone, one can tell something tragic has occurred, something that has seemed to change their lives forever. This image evokes strong emotion in the viewer of feeling sorrow for those two, specifically. In an argument, an event that nobody should have to go through. With further research, I found that their precious daughter, Emilie, was one of the 20 children killed in the shooting.

The second main observation made from this image is within the text. The only words present are “Sandy Hook” on the back of the fireman’s coat. Today, those are two words everyone is familiar with. Sandy Hook is more than just a place. It’s was one of the most tragic school shootings that, in 2012, everyone believed could never and would never happen again. Sandy Hook is a reminder of a need for desperate change to keep our people, our children safe.

The third main observation from this image is embedded in the background: the cameras and the news reporters. It makes you wonder why kind of impact the news has on these type of events. Indeed, the media helps evoke emotion, awareness, and voice within the people. It is thus allowing us to be aware and speak up for gun regulation and a need for change. However, one thing I have always thought about is how the media influences others to commit such inhumane crimes. I believe this argues a greater awareness of being genuinely engaged and aware of our surroundings.

When first presented with the passion blog, my first instinct was to write about my dogs. The passion I possess for my dogs, for dogs, for animals in general runs deep into and through my veins. For quite a long while, I contemplated studying to become a vet. However, with much thought and consideration, I decided against it. Though, I still plan on having ten dogs when I grow up (Are we still allowed to say “when I grow up” now that we are in college?). 

You may be thinking to yourself how it is that animals, especially dogs, relate to kindness. Hold on and walk through me with this. Today I will specifically be referring to my dogs, my three dogs. I have two Labradoodles, Mia (13) and Coco (2), and one Maltipeekapoo, Brandi (2). For the first 16 years of my life, my family was always a one dog family, and I always thought we would stay a one dog family. Though, when Mia turned 11, my mom believed we needed another dog, Coco, to keep her company and youthful. And Brandi…oh Brandi, my mom calls her an orphanage. Brandi was my grandmother’s dog for the first six months of her life. Very suddenly and unexpectedly, my sweet grandmother passed away, and my family inherited the dog. 

There is nothing like coming home at the end of the day (or even an hour after I have left my house) and being greeted by my dogs. This feeling to me is/was my daily dose of kindness, and filled my heart on both the best and the worst of days. Coco quite literally smiles when anyone in my family walks through the door. A learned response from us smiling at her, she shows her kindness and excitement through her smile. Never has anyone been so excited when I’ve walked through the door. Dogs support you, always listen when you need to talk, give you endless love and support, and can even save lives. 

Just imagine if humans could be just as kind as their dogs or cats (nice cats). Have you ever met a human who loves you endlessly, always forgives you, continually wants to be by your side, never judges you, and only wants to be loved. Not only all of that but your dog protects you (to the best of their ability). The other fantastic thing about dogs and possibly dog culture is how they allow us to connect to other people, strangers even. There is nothing else that I can think of that engages and encourages strangers to talk to strangers in such a thoughtful way. Think about it. Have you ever asked someone to pet their dog, or has anyone ever asked you to pet your dog? Exactly. 

 

Choose Dogs.

Choose Kindness. 

With love, 

Nina 

Many of us have seen this exact statement in a variety of ways. Either on bumper stickers, T-shirts, poster boards, and more commonly on social media, we all that these five words are referring to climate change.

Without further argument or explanation, the analogy is simple. In the green text, we read the words ‘Plan B’, referring to an alternate solution if the first one fails. Though, in the picture, we read ‘There is no Planet B’ referring to how there is no alternative solution, backup planet if we destroy this one.

This bumper sticker is the hierarchy of logos. It makes perfect sense to the viewer whether or not they agree with it. The logical appeal used is, as I mentioned earlier, if we destroy this planet, there is no other planet we can move to. This sticker calls for action now, before it’s too late and bring awareness to the issue of climate change. We, through our next steps and actions, determine the fate of the planet.

Although, with this specific bumper sticker, there is some humor behind it as well. As seen, ‘Plan B’ is in all green. Some have taken this with the interpretation to relate it to how there is no Plan B pill to fix the planet. Plan B is emergency contraception that helps protect against unwanted pregnancy. Connecting to the grander idea that there is no artificial method to protect the earth or quick-fix solution.

Climate change and the current state the planet is currently in is nothing to joke about. Though, through this humor, it helps remind citizens that this is something to joke about and that there truly isn’t any backup plan, or simple pill (solution), that reverse the effects and the damage overnight.

Sometimes, only ever once in a while, I truly believe the universe is against me and fills my week with unfortunate events. Indeed, I have a story that inspired me to write about and reflect on this week’s message. Though, instead of telling the story, I’m going straight into the message. I believe this is an important one and something we all need a little reminder of. 

As Hannah Montana sings, “Nobody is Perfect.” We all make mistakes, have slip-ups, hick-ups, and much much more. Sometimes we hurt people’s feelings and can are inconsiderate. Sometimes we can be described with other words *bad words*, too. Let’s back up to hurting people’s feelings. Even when we try our best, someway somehow somewhere along the path of life we have hurt someone close to us. Usually, we do accidentally, but sometimes maybe even purposefully (try not to fall into the hands of the devil). When these unfortunate events take place, our concern always falls on who is affected and how they handle it. 

 Here’s today’s message through kindness. The way in which we handle this harmful or hurtful thing. Possibly one of the hardest life skills we may ever learn and will always, ALWAYS be working on is being the bigger person. 

Life and the people we love can throw some of the nastiest curve balls at us. And ultimately, despite how terrible that curveball may be, it all depends on how we react. (Do we decided to hit the curveball or catch the curveball?). With the greater idea of how we then, in turn, decide to treat others back. 

When these bad things happen, we have the choice to either treat that person in a similar way or to “kill them with kindness.” 

From a very young age, I have always been told to be the bigger person, or at least to try to be. (Now, as a child, I was abnormally shorter than everyone else, so at first, this was quite the concept.) The core of this, to be the bigger person, is forgiveness, one of the greatest attributes any one person can possess. Forgiveness is filled with kindness, the kindness to be able to forgive oneself, and to forgive others. 

In the worst of moments, try always to remember this. Some may say that the truth will set you free; I say that forgiveness sets you free. The next time something crappy happens to you, choose the kind route, choose forgiveness, choose to be set free. 

Choose Kindness. 

With love, 

Nina