Change

I've never considered myself a coward before, but as I sit here typing, I realize that I'm the worst of all. All I want is to live in this summer forever.  Go to bonfires, sit around talking about our dreams and aspirations. I don't want to go in search of my dreams. I would rather sit here in a static state as the rest of the world spins around. 

I was blessed with the resources to go in the directions of my biggest aspirations, but the most gut-wrenching struggle is catching the train that will take me there.  

Leaving my hometown was always a huge goal for me. All I wanted was to escape the closed-mindedness that is the norm. But, as with anything, the more time you spend somewhere, the more you get comfortable. I found a group of amazing people who I adored spending time with. I discovered little hidden places to go to escape. 

At times I'm jealous of those people that move around their entire lives. They never grow attached to their surroundings. It's always somewhere new, someone new. However, on that same note, I'm lucky enough to have people and places that make saying goodbye so difficult. I have roots, regardless of how much I despise them from time to time. 

Thank you to everyone who has shaped me, forced me to become sociable and sincere, and loved me no matter what. I'm sure that as we move on in our separate directions, we will achieve everything we could ever imagine. The hardest step is the first. 

Good luck as we all continue onward into the great unknown. 

Where in the World?

It's no secret that I love to travel! Lately, I've been thinking about the top places I want to visit. Originally, I wanted to make this post a sort-of "Top Ten" list, but that feels overdone. Do you really want to read another boring list of someone else's top dream destinations? Instead, I decided to create some scenarios that make you think and kick off "Where in the World Would You Go?"

If you could spend a semester studying abroad, where in the world would you go? 

Since I am going into college, I have thought about this answer a lot. I decided that I would love to spend a semester abroad in London, England! Sadly, I only speak one language fluently, so I do not think I could spend an extended amount of time in a place where English is not the primary language, especially if I was trying to learn. London seems to provide the comfort of a familiar culture, but with a whole different feel. Plus, I don't mind a little rain (or a lot). 

If you wanted to catch some rays and get a tan, where in the world would you go?

Sydney, Australia, of course! Not only could you chill by the beach and watch the surfers catch some waves, but you could spend the evenings exploring the iconic and beautiful city. The Sydney Opera House is such a recognizable fixture in Australia, and I would love to see it for myself. 

If you wanted to immerse yourself in a completely different culture, where in the world would you go?

I took four years of Spanish in high school, so I would want to go to a place where I could embrace the Latin American culture and people. Therefore, I decided to choose Mexico! The food, the language, and the people seem welcoming and appealing for a vacation spot. I would love to eat cheese enchiladas and churros all day and explore the cities and their architecture. 

If you could revisit a place where you have already gone, where in the world would you go?

This summer I went to Portland, Maine, and I fell in love with the area. People in Maine are some of the friendliest folks that I have ever encountered while traveling. There is something magical about Portland. I think it has to do with the style of the buildings and the way the city is positioned on the water. The cobblestone streets just add to the charm. I would love to go back to Portland and spend more time exploring. 

If you could visit one place in your home country, where in the world would you go?

I live the in United States, which means I had countless places to choose from. However, I decided that I would most like to go to a place on the entirely opposite side of the country, San Francisco! All of California attracts me, so it was a toss up between the big cities. However, I would love to see Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the city. 

I loved writing this post! I have some more ideas about scenarios that we could think about, so a Where in the World 2.0 may be coming up in the future! 

xoxo,

Royse 

Vacation 2K14- Part 3

Here's Vacation 2K14 Part 1

Here's Vacation 2K14 Part 2

It has been said that Maine's Acadia National Park has some of the most beautiful natural views in all of America. My family expected to see scenic landscapes, but what we ended up seeing was more than anything we could ever imagine!

In order to see as much of the park as possible, my family left our hotel early in the morning to drive up to the welcome center for the park. Once we got inside and paid the fees, a very helpful park ranger assisted us in planning our day. He told us that the most effective way to see as much of the area as possible was to drive on the Park Loop Road. This 27 mile system connects many of the highlights of Acadia, including Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, and Sand Beach. Excited, but unsure about what awaited us, my mother, father, and I hopped back into the car and started the uphill climb up Park Loop Road. 

Our initial plan of attack was to drive completely upwards in order to reach the look-out spot known as Cadillac Mountain. Apparently, this was going to be the best vantage point for the park. However, we decided that we would pull over as much as we liked in order to see the landscape from all different points. Acadia is set up very nicely. Every mile or so there is a pull-off spot where you can see down the mountain. This enables you to get a real sense of the depth and wonder. The park is also "user-friendly"! There are countless signs pointing you in the direction you wish to go and most of the roads are one-way, helping to reduce confusion and accidents as you make your way up.  

My Picture

Once we reached Cadillac Mountain, we realized that Acadia may just be the most beautiful place in North America! 

On one side of the mountain was water and rocky islands. On the other side you were able to see trees and forest for miles and miles. The sandstone mountain top made it easy to hike around for the best views. The area was a tad bit crowded (because it was a Sunday in late June), but the sheer size and vastness of the mountain top made it simple to get pictures of the scenery and not pictures of the tourists in front of the scenery!

After spending a good amount of time on top of Acadia, we decided it would be a good idea to head back down and start exploring inside of Acadia

Our next intended stop was Jordan Pond. Apparently, popovers are a very popular dish in the Northeast, and Jordan Pond was rumored to be a great place to eat one. As we turned into the parking lot, we realized how popular popovers and Jordan Pond is. There was not a single parking spot in any of lots. After a bit of discussion, my family decided we didn't need to waste our time driving around for a spot, and headed on to the next destination: Sand Beach.

The coolest thing about Sand Beach is that it is the only sand beach in Maine (who would've guessed?)! Because of erosion and the flow of the tide, the beach is covered in sand, not rocks like the rest of the Maine coast. A flight of wooden steps takes you down onto the water. Oh my goodness. I never expected the view to be so amazing! Maine water is notoriously frigid, but there were kids splashing around. It was not a particularly warm day, but there was a handful of people sunbathing on the beach.

My picture 

To finish off our day at Acadia, we went to Thunder Hole, known for the incredible splashing of water and roaring of tide during certain parts of the day. We arrived in the late afternoon and it was low tide, meaning we would not get to experience the thunderous roar the area is known for. However, I took a few pictures, simply because Maine landscape is a wonderful mix of rugged coastlines and lush forest. It really is breathtaking and something I believe every person should experience. 

There are a few more days left of vacation! So stay tuned as we work our way back down the coast!

                     

Fangirl- A Review

Screenshot of Google's
blurb on Fangirl.
I do not own this image.

Rainbow Rowell. I love every about the woman. From her quirky name to the perfection she writes. The characters are believable and unique. Somehow, Rowell takes a cliché storyline, boy meets girl, and makes it into one of the most engaging and wonderful things you will ever read. 

So far, I have read three of Rowell's four books: Attachments, Eleanor & Park, and Fangirl. I was lukewarm about Eleanor & Park until I read more of her work. For some reason, the more you read of her writing, the more you love the characters. There seems to be a familiar air in every character, almost as if the personalities from the different stories are building on each other. That being said, they never feel stale. It's more akin to meeting someone who reminds you of an old friend, but you can't put your finger exactly on it. It's remarkable!

Fangirl was my favorite of all the Rainbow Rowell books I have read so far. I think this can be chalked up to the fact that I am a fangirl. I could relate to the main character, Cath. So let's get into it!

Cath and her twin sister Wren are college freshman. So many things are changing, include their relationship. Before, the two girls were bonded over a love of Simon Snow, a wizard (very akin to Harry Potter) whose story has a massive following. Together, the two of them would write fan fiction. However, as they grew older, Wren turned to boys and partying and Cath stayed on as the author of various incredibly popular Simon Snow fan fiction. The story revolves around Cath's struggle to grow up and find herself. There is an adorable boy, Levi, who helps guide Cath through this awkward, but magical part of life. 

I adored the story of Cath. Even though the book was relatively large (433 pages), it felt like I flew through it. This has to be a part of Rainbow Rowell's magic. I enjoyed how the plot made me smile to myself and get that warm feeling in the pit of my stomach like I was the one falling in love! Throughout the novel, there are excerpts of Cath's fan fiction. This was the only downside for me. Don't get me wrong! I love fan fiction, but Simon Snow's universe was too close to Harry Potter for me. For quite a while, I thought that Cath existed in an alternate dimension where the Harry Potter series did not exist, but at one point it is mentioned, so I guess I was wrong about that. Even though there was background information about Simon Snow, I did quite understand everything that was happening with his story, causing me to haphazardly skim the pages containing the fan fiction. I wish I had been able to get more into his subplot. 

All in all, I recommend Fangirl to everyone! In fact, to get the best Rainbow Rowell experience, I would suggest reading her work inthe order in which they were published: Attachments, Eleanor & Park, Fangirl. This way, you will be able to get a sense of her quirky and fun way to writing and creating. I have yet to read Landline, but that will definitely be next!

Favorite Television Shows

Since it is summer, I have been spending a large amount of time catching up on my favorite shows that I had lost track of during the school year. I recently wrote a post on "Netflix culture", but I still use Netflix for my binge watching. What can I say? Some habits are harder to break than others. 

Today, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorites. Comment your favorite TV shows, so I have some more to watch! 

Logo for Scandal- from Netflix

My newest obsession is Scandal, starring Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, the leader of a crisis management firm in Washington D.C. This show is addictive, especially because I'm a person who loves politics! Olivia Pope is such an interesting character and the show is full of twists, turns, and cliff hangers. There have been many episodes that end with my mouth hanging open! If you love drama, romance, and politics, I highly recommend Scandal.

Logo for Gossip Girl- from Netflix

Continuing on with the drama,my next favorite is Gossip Girl, starring my girls Leighton Meester and Blake Lively. The show follows privileged teenagers from New York's Upper East Side, and let me tell you, it is entertaining. I got really into this show last summer, and earlier this year, I finally finished all six seasons (all of which can be found on Netflix). As you watch, you will get very attached to your favorite characters and will rooting for them throughout the seasons. 

Logo for Hart of Dixie- from Netflix

Hart of Dixie is a feel good show. When I want to watch a show that makes me laugh, it's the first one I turn to! I love watching Dr. Hart's adventures in the South! It has an air of Southern charm, which I adore! If you like love triangles and hilarity, this show is perfect for you! (I always watch this show when it's late at night and I don't want to watch something scary).

Logo for Psych- from Netflix

One of the first shows I ever watched on Netflix was Psych, starring "psychic" detective Shawn Spencer and his side-kick Burton Guster. I'm not a fan of gory murder shows because they scare me and convince me that murderers are around every corner. Instead, I tune into this comedy-crime show! The jokes that ensue are absolutely hilarious. 

There are two other television shows that I want to start watching: Sherlock and The West Wing. Both shows spark my interest, but I have yet to start. Let me know your favorite television shows so I can start watching them too!

xoxo, 
Royse

Vacation 2K14- Part 2

If you didn't see Part 1 of the Vacation 2K14 chronicles, click here. 

Following our stay in Portland, we moved further north! On Sunday afternoon, we began the four hour drive to Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine. Acadia is known for its beautiful landscapes and wonderful summer weather, but it exceeded all expectations. However, on the way up, my family decided to take the scenic route and experience a true road trip! 

The first stop on the list was Len Libby Chocolate store in Scarborough. Now, this was not just your average sweet shop. Oh no, it is so much better! Len Libby is home to Lenny the life size chocolate moose! I was incredibly excited about this stop. We bought a few souvenirs to remember our time with Lenny and got on our way. 

We drove 45 minutes down the road to Yarmouth, Maine, home of Delorme mapping company. Inside the Delorme headquarters is Eartha, the world's largest rotating and revolving globe. It was insanity! The globe was ginormous and the building had multiple sets of stairs and platforms so you could view the continents from every angle. As a geography junkie and a lover of travel, this place was heaven. The woman working at the desk was especially entertained by my excitement.

After leaving Eartha and Delorme we continued north up the coast. Between stops, we would drive through countless little towns and rural areas. I wish that we had the chance to stop and tour all the quaint city centers, but we were on a mission! However, this trip gave me an idea of what I want to do when I come back to Maine (and I will 100% come back to Maine one day). I would love to just drive up the coast, stopping at restaurants and shopping in the family owned stores. 

We took a brief break from driving in Freeport, home of the L.L. Bean headquarters. The town consists of outlet stores and shopping complexes. Outside of the L.L. Bean store is a giant boot! I could not resist taking a picture with it. This is what a road trip is all about! 

After a late afternoon shopping break, we collapsed into the car, partly dreading and partly excited about the remaining drive time ahead of us. Thankfully, we had one final stop to help break up the monotony. 



In Camden, Maine, we drove to the top of Mt. Battie. As we drove up the winding dirt road, no one was completely sure about what would be awaiting us. As we emerged, we were met by a wonderful sight. It seemed to encompass everything Maine is: rocky coasts, rustic landscapes, marine towns. Mt. Battie and the surrounding city of Camden has a rich history. I found a wonderful website that summarizes the interesting events behind the monuments. Click here if you are a history lover like me and would like to learn more! 

Mt. Battie Tower

From the top of Mt. Battie

                             
                                   

Panorama view from the Mt. Battie Tower 

Late that Sunday night we finally arrived in Ellsworth, where our hotel was located. The next day, we visited Acadia National Park. Stay tuned for Part 3, where we visit what is said to be the most breath-taking place in America!

xoxo,

Royse

Hall of Fame Football Game

One of the most exciting moments of my summer is going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame game at the beginning of August. Every year my dad's side of the family meets in Canton, Ohio, to catch up and root a random football team to victory. 

I hate to further any female stereotype, but football isn't exactly my thing. I understand how the game works, but I do not have a particular attraction to the sport. I show up at the game in order to take in the atmosphere and catch up with family members I do not see often. In fact, I had to Google what teams were playing while I was in the car on the way there! The 2014 game was played by the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills. I decided to root for the Giants. There was no real reasoning behind it at first! The only downside of this year's game was the stadium allowed alcohol for the first time. In the past, no alcohol was permitted inside the gates or sold by vendors. This year, there was a large amount of foul language and inappropriate actions by many of the spectators. It made the atmosphere less family friendly and more crazy. I was disappointed by the NFL's need to rake in more cash at the expense of the day's festivities. 

Now onto the good stuff! The game started with several parachuters flying into the stadium. Everyone around me was hooting and hollering as they came in, but I was dying! I'm not a huge fan of heights, even if it's not me flying through the sky. The game itself was very surprising! My family has been going to the Hall of Fame game for close to fifty years, so they have seen their fair share of boring pre-season match ups. The rivalry between the Giants and the Bills was obvious, and it made for a great game. The score was back and forth, giving us a lot to watch. 

At halftime, the Tennessee State marching band came out onto the field. I have seen a lot of marching bands, but the Tennessee State Band was one of the best I've ever seen! The drum majors danced and the entire stadium seemed to be enjoying the performance. While the band was on the field, the punter from the Buffalo Bills decided he needed to practice his kicks right that very second. He began kicking over the band whilst they were performing. The group I was with saw this happening, so we began paying more attention to the situation unfolding in front of us. Finally, a security guard came over and attempted to escort the punter off the field and away from the band. He was posing a distraction to the performance, taking away from everything they had worked so hard to perfect. As the security guard led the player away, a coach for the Buffalo Bills came over and began aggressively screaming at the guard. At this point, my family began booing and screaming "You're special teams suck!". Someone has to stand up for the band!

We left before the game was over, but I was so happy that we had another successful year at the HOF game. My grandpa spends so much time and money trying to make every game a pleasure for everyone. I will look back on these events and remember the great times catching up with my cousins, eating popcorn, and shuttling in the beginning of the end of summer. 

xoxo,
Royse