Budget-less Wanderer

   
     Travel. Just the word can spark excitement. I've been blessed to travel some: Italy, Uzbekistan, Mexico. Traveling makes me feel truly alive, constantly experiencing new things. And I'm sure many of you feel the same way about wandering. 

     However, many of us do not have the money to travel. While there are many ways to travel on a cheap budget, it still costs to explore, especially if you want a back-up fund before leaving. So what does that mean? Do you have to remain stuck at home until you have enough money (and time) to go? 

     While it may seem like this at first, the situation really is not so dire. There are several ways to satisfy your wanderlust until you get the chance to really go explore. How? 

1) Explore your city. You may feel like there's nothing to do or nowhere to go, but typically, that's a deceiving thought. Drive around and get lost for a while. Go to some shops you've never visited before. Eat at a different restaurant than your typical choice. Visit the farmer's market. Is there a conglomerate of cultures in your city? Visit a grocery store that may belong to a certain culture, whether its Hispanic, Hindi, or Asian. You will definitely get a sense of new experiences there. 

2) Take a day-trip. Maybe you really do feel like you've explored every cranny in your city. Or maybe your city is small. In this case, next weekend, hop into your car with a couple of friends and drive to a nearby town or city, preferably one you've never been to before. Exploring a new city can be a lot of fun. Even if it's a small town, these can often be the most interesting. It won't cost a lot if you plan ahead, and you won't regret doing it, either.

3) Read some travel books. I know, it's not the same as actually going to those destinations. However, they can be interesting to read, and the books can contain important information for travelers. Reading could help satisfy your wanderlust until you leave. 

4) Start planning. You know that you can't go for a while yet, but that doesn't mean you can't plan. Create an outlined budget, and set money aside for your trip. Research where you want to go, the route you want to take, the places you want to stay. Estimate how much it will cost, and decide if you need to reserve certain experiences ahead of time. If you can, immerse yourself in the culture. Learn some of the language; eat some of the food; watch some of the movies. There's no way you can totally be prepared for everything when traveling, but the more you study ahead, the better off you'll be. 

     These are just a few things you can do while waiting to travel. I know they don't make up for the actual trip, and I know it may feel agonizingly slow to save up enough money. I'm a broke college student! Yet, this also doesn't mean that we have to put our traveling dreams on hold completely. Lots of ways to have adventure exist right where we live; we just have to purposely look for them.

     What about you? How do you satisfy your travel-bug? Comment below; I'd love to hear from you!

Autumn

     It's autumn! It is so hard to believe that fall has sprung upon us already. Wasn't summer just starting only a few days ago? That's what it feels like, anyways.

     When asked what is my favorite season, I always have a difficult time deciding which one I love most. There are parts of every season that I love. However, I know that many people love fall, including me. It's a beautiful time, and now, we can "officially" enjoy fall. Pull out your sweaters, mix some apple cider, and breath in the rich smell of tumbling leaves. Autumn is a time for quiet thoughts, warm actions, and new experiences. It's the season when we enjoy the smells of steaming chili, listen to Christmas music four months early (unashamedly), and go for cool walks. And I don't know about you, but I always feel inspired to write, and write a lot.

     Autumn has such a quiet beauty. It's there for an instant, and then it is gone. The leaves change from a watermelon green to pepper red and yellow, and then they are swept away by the searching breeze. So, as we go about our daily lives, from school to work and back again, we must remind ourselves to admire the falling leaves that create dancing shadows in the sunlight, to smell the scents of cinnamon and apple, and to listen to the haunting gust that brings back black and white memories. So, however you enjoy autumn, take the time to praise God for His creation before autumn disappears.

Things I Love

     Hey Everyone! Wow, these past two weeks have whizzed by. Sorry about not posting last week! Anyways, since I am mainly busy with homework and my job, I don't have any neat post about some exciting event I went to. :) However, here are some things that I am loving right now. Who knows? You may love them, too!

1) Ecclesiastes.

     I'm reading straight through the Bible, for the second time, and right now I am reading the book of Ecclesiastes. It's such a unique book because it is so raw. Solomon had some very interesting thoughts. My favorite part so far is, of course, chapter three. "There is a time to mourn and a time to dance..." etc. It really is a beautiful passage.

2) Burt's Bees Lip Balm Hydrating Coconut & Pear.

     Honestly, this balm smells amazing, and it works pretty well. Who doesn't want coconut lips? :)

3) Mango Languages.

     This language-learning site is awesome. If you love languages, this will be like Christmas for you. Mango Languages has not only the prominent tongues, like Spanish and French, but also languages like Icelandic, Hawaiian (I'm learning this one), Tamil, and Kazakh! I'm lucky. I get access to the site for free through our library. However, you might, too! Ask if your library has it or will get it. This site really does work, and it's fun, too.

4) The Dirty Guv'nahs - Hearts on Fire.

     Okay, there's a couple of songs on this album that have some questionable lyrics (from a conservative viewpoint), but most of the songs are really good. They have a unique, rough sound that is really foot-tapping, and in songs like "Someone To Love" and "Canyons," the lyrics pierce your heart. You can check them out on NoiseTrade.com or on their website.

And last one...

5) Powerade Zero Calorie Sports Drink.

    Let me just say that after a long workout, or in my case, several classes of taekwondo, this drink is really refreshing. It hydrates me really well, it has zero calories, and it even tastes good! Perfect after sweating and working out.

     Got an opinion on one of these things? Want to just say hi? Comment below! I'd love to hear some of the things that you guys are loving right now. Have a great weekend!

"Let's Get Rowdy"

     Hello, friends! How's life? My life has been very busy. I got bronchitis the first week of my classes, and that was not thrilling. However, I am much better now, praise the Lord. In fact, I was so much better that I felt good enough to go to a concert that my church was hosting. Who was performing? The Attic Wolves! Um...you say. Who's that? Well, if you have not heard of the Attic Wolves, then you need to check them out. Add them to your Spotify, look them up on iTunes, buy one of their albums. I don't care; just give them a listen.

     Most of the Attic Wolves members actually grew up in our church. And one of them led my youth group's high school worship on Sundays for quite a while. So, of course our entire church was excited for the return of our "wolves" from their tour across the US. I grabbed my sister and her friend and we booked it to our church. The concert was, like I figured it would be, awesome. The band made our whole sanctuary thump, and the members encouraged us to "get rowdy" and enjoy the soulful tunes. We all clapped along, and several kids there danced around to the banjo and drums. And at the very end of the concert, we all worshiped together with some beautiful worship songs. The whole experience made me think of David in the Bible. He would get so excited about worship that he would dance and sing. There's no reason in the world why we can't still do that and praise God.

     So, give the Attic Wolves a try. Their lyrics are meaningful and intentional, and their sound is fun. Also, I'd suggest keeping an eye out for little concerts like this. It's a fun thing to do on the weekends. Many small bands perform free of charge, so this kind of activity is easy on the budget, too. Anyways, hope your Labor Day weekend is awesome. And don't forget! Try listening to the Attic Wolves. :) You may discover that they are your newest favorite band.

P.S. Here's the band's link. http://www.atticwolves.com/  :)

Cultures and FOOD!

 

     Hey Everyone! How's the first week of college been? Mine has been super busy, and it doesn't help that I have a bit of a cough. But hey, otherwise, things have been great! I couldn't wait to tell you all about my experience this last week. I went to an ethnic festival, and it was a blast. You see, I love different cultures, and a party that brings a ton of cultures together for a weekend is so much fun. 

     Why is it so much fun, you ask. Let me tell you about my excursion. I went to the festival with my neighbors (who are from India!). We first paused by a vast pavilion, where a few girls were performing an Indian dance. What elaborate footwork! (If you don't believe me, look it up on Youtube)We then began to stroll around the grassy field where several tents were posted. Each tent represented a different country, and each one had facts, food, and items from their country. You can imagine how much fun this was. The closest example I can think of to compare this to is a shopping bazaar. The Mexico tent had woven patterns and sunset colors. The skulls below, with their artistic colors and flowers were from the Mexico tent.

     The Japan tent had Asian coins; the Ukraine tent had tiny, handcrafted eggshells; the India tent had gleaming sequins and bangles. The shopping isn't the only interesting part of the ethnic festival. The beautiful languages and unique outfits are amazing to hear and see. The ethnic festival had a parade of all the different cultures, and it was fun to see the people proudly representing their country.

     Now, I just thought this was pretty. :) The Laos tent had buckets of delicate young flowers that were so lovely.

     Finally, as if all of that weren't enough, there was the food! Every tent had something to sample. My friend chilled on some Hawaiian shaved ice. 

     I went for a Middle East mango shake. It was so fruity and sweet! Perfect for that hot day. I also tried some Greek baklava, but unfortunately, I devoured it before I could snap it. I guess you'll have to imagine it, or go out and get some. :)

.     In the end, ethnic festivals and events like this aren't just for the food and shopping. The cultural experience is what makes days like these so memorable (wow, talk about cheesy, but it's true!). So, there's no excuse for you to not go out and try something fun like this, too! Even if you say there aren't any ethnic festivals in your neighborhood, that doesn't have to stop you. Check out your local college, or read your town paper. There's normally events occurring like this. For example, our convention center will be having an Indian festival in the fall, and my community college will be having a Japanese festival soon. So, if you want to try something different from the normal mall or park, try a cultural festival. It will be worth it, and it's a great way to meet more of God's loved ones. Have fun! 

Persecution

     Okay everyone, normally I will only be posting once a week, but there is something on my mind that I need to share. If you watch the news at all, or read newspapers and magazines, or even get on Twitter, then you probably are already aware of the terrible persecution towards Christians that is occurring in the Middle East. Now, this blog is not meant to be a political blog, but I can't just stand by while this event is happening.

     Even if you aren't a Christian, this issue should be in the back of your mind. Many are starting to call what ISIS is doing to Christians in the Middle East a "genocide." And the sad thing is, that term is not an exaggeration. ISIS is doing barbarous acts, torturing and killing not just men, but also women and children. Over there, you're considered blessed if you were "only" forced out of your home. Most of the Christians there have suffered much worse.

     Here, this is an issue that we cannot ignore. ISIS won't simply stop after finishing the genocide of the Christians there. They are going to be even more emboldened to continue their "quest" throughout the globe. This genocide is having a global impact. Its effects won't simply stay on the other side of the Atlantic.

     Now, Jesus said that as Christians, we will face persecution. "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted...." (2 Tim. 3:12, NIV). And what is happening to the Christians there breaks God's heart. However, I know that God has "a bigger story." This persecution that is occurring is part of His greater plan. I believe that the strength, perseverance, and faith of the Middle Eastern Christians is affecting people throughout the world. It is spurring Christians to live lives of faith, and, hopefully, it is awakening others to the terrors of ISIS. 

     But, even though this is part of God's bigger story, there are still ways we can help put an end to the terror. What? you say. How can I help? Well, the biggest way you can aid the Christians there is to pray for them. Pray that they will stay strong and remain faithful and continue to trust God. Pray for the people who are harboring the Christians. Prayer is the best way to help. Also, you can sign petitions that push Congress to help the Christians in the Middle East. The American Center for Law and Justice is a website where you can do this. If you sign up for their newsletter, they will keep you updated on what is happening, and they will tell you of the latest petitions they are presenting in Congress. Finally, you can raise awareness of the ISIS terrorism. Tell others if they don't know about it, or talk about it on Facebook or Twitter. Every little bit that you do helps, even if you feel like it's just a small act.

     I promise I won't be posting political/global posts all the time, but this issue is important to me, and I can't ignore it. In the end, my main point in this post, the words that I hope struck you, is to please pray with me for the Christians in the Middle East. For prayer is the best way that we can help them.

Back to School (For College Students)

     If you walked into a store right now, you would most likely see posters promoting back-to-school sales. Notebooks, pencils, calculators, and folders are spilling out of the shelves. When I was younger, this always filled me with a touch of excitement. New school supplies and new opportunities! Even now, I still feel the same way. I still get sparks of enthusiasm when I see the notebooks being pulled out. And although I am beginning college in a week (yikes!), I found that there are still ways that college students can make some fun "back to school" preparations. Let's look at some now.

School Supplies:

     This one is obvious. Get yourself several notebooks. I bought several cheap-y ones that will hopefully last me throughout the semester. It's a good idea to pick up a bundle of them while they are on sale. I also got a couple of fun notebooks. One of my favorites is the Studio C 1-subject standard notebook with the neon paper. It's a nice size, and the bright colors look great with some ink pens.

     Speaking of pens, invest in some quality pens and pencils. It's tempting to go with the 50 cent pencils, but those don't pay off in the end. I like to use Paper Mate WriteBros mechanical pencils, along with Paper Mate InkJoy pens. These writing utensils always finish the job. If you want to splurge a little, also pick up some Sharpie Fine Point Pens. They look really good on the neon notebook paper mentioned above. :) Other miscellaneous school supplies can come in handy too, like a good planner, Post-it Flag dividers, and index cards.

Neon Paper!

Clothes:

     Now be careful on this one. It's easy to see the cute new styles on store racks and be tempted to buy them all. However, make sure you get the items that you really need. Pick up some basic, but cute shirts that will match a variety of jeans and shorts. Also, check to see that you have a couple pairs of jeans that you love. Jeans are great because they match with practically anything. Next, buy a couple of cardigans, hats, scarves, or whatever other accessories you want, so that you can play up your campus outfits. Finally, get some good shoes. Most likely, you will be walking all over your college campus, so you'll want something cute, but comfortable. Personally, I love Converse shoes. They're a classic, and they last forever.

Sorry for the terrible pics! Lighting was not good...

Music:

     Wait a second, you say. Music? That's part of your back to school prep? Well, if you know me, I love music, and I'm almost always listening to it. Music, namely scores or classical compositions, can be great background noise while studying. Normally, I buy the music and make it into a personalized playlist. A few of the items included in that playlist are several Hans Zimmer scores (Inception, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.), Gravity by Steven Price, Transformers by Steve Jablonsky, any classical music, and a few dubstep/electronic albums, like Lindsey Stirling. But if you don't want to take the time to download and sync music, make an account on Pandora or Spotify. These online radio and music providers have pre-made playlists that can play hours of good studying music.

Devotion:
 
     This is optional. I know many don't consider themselves "religious." However, college is a time to try new things, and getting involved in a Bible study group is worth giving a shot. :) Or some of you may just want to try a new devotional. Maybe get a devotional with a college theme. There's lots of great student devotionals to read. While it's not college-oriented, the book I've been studying along with God's Word is Francis Chan's Crazy Love book. His illustrations are riveting, and his points are sharp and clear. This would make a great devotional to start this semester.

     Well, I hope you are now inspired to make a couple of back to school preparations, and I hope this post has been helpful. Whether you go out and buy a bunch of supplies or just rest at home with some coffee and mentally prepare yourself for classes, get excited with me for the new experiences and opportunities that are bound to come with a new semester.

P.S. Got some back to school faves that I left out? Comment and tell me about them below! I'd love to hear how you prepare for a new semester.