Lobsters, Anyone?

     The next time you are are in Massachusetts, make sure a visit to Rockport is on the itinerary. The town of Rockport, Ma is an hour drive from Boston and offers a perfect intimate experience for a weekend getaway. Rockport has numerous local shops with nautical themes and restaurants with seafood cuisine. Want to cool off from the heat? Then head to the beach in Rockport. This town has been the location for many films, including the romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in the "The Proposal." You won't be disappointed by the charm and peacefulness of this town.

Enjoy the local cuisine! 

Shopping 

Sunset at the beach in Rockport.

Visitors enjoying the fresh catch of lobster. 

Capturing the Harbor from the docks

Lobster Buoys

   

To Skydive or To Not Skydive!

   

     Skydiving has to be one of the extreme and adrenalin-pumping activities that you could participate in. And for someone who is afraid of heights, this would definitely be the ultimate way to conquer that fear. I so happen to be one of those people who is afraid of heights. However, I do not allow that fear to prevent me from trying new and thrilling extreme sports. I have tried everything from parasailing to bridge jumping. But when I think about skydiving, my heart begins to pump faster. How can a person in their right mind justify jumping out of an airplane? In the States, there has been approximately 30 skydiving accidents annually. Which is relatively low considering that 1, 999, 970 of skydives occur successfully. However, I have always wondered how it would feel to free fall 18,000 feet. This is my new goal to overcome this fear and experience this once of a lifetime thrill! And guess what? I am starting inside! Yes, Indoor skydiving! Throughout the States and international, indoor wind tunnels are evolving into a well-known alternative to 18,000 feet free falling. Since the establishment of indoor skydiving, there has only been one fatal incident. That fact sounds promising!

       If you are interested in learning more about skydiving or indoor skydiving the following website will be able to assist. http://safeskydiving.com/skydiving-wind-tunnel-and-indoor-skydiving/

A Favorite Peruvian Dish..

     Peru is a country full of culture, energy and delicious local cuisine! My last visit in the South American nation involved helping out in local villages and learning from the Peruvian people about the way of life in their country. The culture was quite different than the culture here in the States. But towards the end of the trip, I adventured off to taste true Peruvian food. One of the dishes that is worth mentioning would be traditional chicken filled with rich flavor and sided with seasoned fries. This may appear to be simple and nothing special, but it was some of the best chicken I have ever tasted! After returning to the States, I was introduced to a restaurant that served Peruvian cuisine. They served the same dish that I had in Peru and it brought back all those delicious flavors and caused me to miss the time spent in the country! This restaurant is called, Sardi's. According to the locals, this place has the best Peruvian food in the area. And after tasting their food, I would have to agree! If you are in Maryland, this is a must stop! This place may not be built as a 5-star, upscale restaurant, but the food definitely makes up for the simple interior/exterior, fast food vibe. The link below is Sardi's direct website:

http://www.sardischicken.com/index.php

You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu and for me, it is worth the distance when I am craving Peruvian chicken!

Disfrutar!

Facts about Landmarks...

    Did you know that the entire Taj Mahal in India is made of marble?  

    

Did you know that Buckingham Palace has over 600 rooms?

Did you know that due to the frigid temperatures in the winter of 1932, Niagara Falls completely froze?

Did you know that the Eiffel Tower is painted every 7 years with 60 tons of paint and takes 2 years to complete since it is done by hand?

    

Blue Caves, Zakynthos Island

The Blue Caves of Zakynthos Island, off the coast of Greece.

     This beautiful location is located in the Ionian Sea and is the third largest island of the Ionian Islands.   The Blue Caves, crystal clear water, white sand beaches are the prime attractions to this angelic place. 

Boats off the shore that transport visitors to the caves.

Navagio Beach, also known as "Shipwreck" beach. 

*Below is a virtual look of this landscape!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vQjpIVelx8&feature=related

The Power of Color <>

     Do you look at a color and simply see color? Or do you look at a color and feel an emotion? Did you know that there is psychology behind each color that surrounds us? There is a reason certain wall colors are chosen in hospitals, schools, nurseries and professional offices. Specific colors can create an emotion of happiness and even sadness. You can wear darker colors to create an illusion of slimness. While another color, such as, Red can enhance your attractiveness by the opposite sex. If you are interested in learning more about the psychological effects and meanings behind color than proceed to the link below.

  http://psychology.about.com/od/sensationandperception/a/colorpsych.htm

My favorite colors are yellow and turquoise, not particularly together.

For me, the color yellow is a "happy" color. And I feel energetic and more spontaneous whenever I am wearing a shade of yellow. While turquoise is soothing and elegant in my eyes. The effects that color has on us psychologically could also be due to the way we relate color to certain places or objects. For example, the color yellow and the sun. While turquoise to the ocean and clear water from a tropical beach perhaps. There is something that can be said about not looking at the world in just black and white; look at all the effects of color we would be missing!  

Spring Break......Hit the beach?

      As Spring break enters the horizon, for most students no matter their age, the weeks before break have been a time of working out to achieve that "perfect" swimsuit body, shopping for Spring apparel, even for the inexpensive trip to an ideal location and need I say, studying and finishing midterms? For others, the week of Spring break is an ordinary week filled with work meetings and hours relatively close to 9 to 5. Spring break could also be a time to give back to others, such as working at a soup kitchen, building homes, working for your church, volunteering at a local hospital and many other options. This aspect of Spring break is most intriguing to me, volunteering. There is something rather rewarding about helping someone else. Especially, when you look at the alternative of Spring break, which involves long days of partying. Although, one would not expect partying to be tiring, but the idea of 9 plus hours of nonstop fun has to be draining, right? We were all children at one point of our lives. Do you remember how tired you were after playing all day long? What do you think the purpose of the nap was? Well, I digress! Everyone has a different definition of "kicking back" and they should enjoy themselves. But after searching for some more productive Spring break options, I came across the following: 


Sponsored by United Way and involves working with children at various Boy and Girls clubs across the States. 

http://www.unitedway.org/take-action/alternative-spring-break

Another,

Sponsored by Habitat for Humanity

http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/ages_14_25/default_collegiate_challenge.aspx

And lastly,

If you have the time and resources, why not consider traveling abroad?

http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/volunteering-abroad/when/spring-break.aspx

      These are just a few alternative Spring break options to choose from. Also, if you are a college student, there are typically organized programs and trips within your school, for those interested in a break that is beneficial for others, as well as, yourself. What a great way to make a difference, make your parents proud, actually be able to remember the events of the week, share stories and pictures from Spring break with your parents, have tons of fun--you wouldn't believe how much fun volunteering could be! Plus, make friendships that could last a lifetime.

        "Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi