I believe.

I don't wear pink simply because it's a trend--I have a reason and a passion. I know I am making a difference with my sisters. The day I stop wearing pink is the day they find a cure for breast cancer.

This Friday brings a special extra post since I am heading on a quick day trip tomorrow to Indianapolis, IN with a lot of my wonderful sorority sisters.  This trip is different than any other trip I've been on with an extremely special reason behind it.  Earlier this year, in January, 7 of my sisters headed to Indianapolis to donate breast tissue and blood to the Komen for a Cure Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center.  Only 7 were able to attend because of such short notice, but because of their wonderful experience and our entire chapter's excitement we got the opportunity to attend their second donation collection for this year. (which they only do twice a year)  The tissue bank takes all the donations of breast tissue and blood to a lab where tests will be ran in order to understand how someone gets breast cancer and what can be done to fight this terrible disease.

Our philanthropy in Zeta Tau Alpha is Breast Cancer Education, Research, and Awareness--and as you could imagine we spend many hard, working hours towards our cause.  Each year, my chapters hosts the annual Pink Ribbon Cheer Classic to raise money for our philanthropy.  This cheerleading and dance exhibition is held to honor those still in the fight, those who have conquered it, and remembering those who fought until they could no more.  Since it's inception 10 years ago, we have raise well over $400,000, which is very impressive coming from a smaller chapter on a commuter campus in a community that is trying to come back to life.  I am so proud to be who I am today, and love donating my time and efforts to this cause.  I have a friends and family members who have been affected by this disease, so it definitely hits close to home.

So tomorrow I will be on a bus to donate my blood and tissue to help find a cure.

I believe a cure will be found.
I believe my sisters make a huge impact.
I believe I am helping find a cure.
I believe we are one step closer everyday.
I believe one day no one will ever have to be faced with this disease ever again.

Check out more about the first donation in January and the donation bank:
komentissuebank.iu.edu
thejambar.com/
vindy.com/

An Unkown Paradise

Earlier this week, a friend of mine sent me a link to a beautiful, unpopular paradise.  He's very aware about my love of travel and knew this would be something of great interest and now the topic of today's future destination.  This little-known paradise is found in Croatia at their Plitvice National Park.  Tucked away in Central Europe, Croatia has not been a top destination of choice making it apparent why much of the world is unaware of this gem.  Now becoming a trendy location to visit, Croatia is getting more attention along with it's most well-known park, Plitvice.





Pltivice National Park captures all shades and colors of natural beauty imaginable.  Sixteen clear, blue lakes surrounded by green flora stretching up to reach the beautiful blue skies.  Numerous series of paths take you through the park, some leading up to docks where you can float down the beautiful rivers in the park taking in every astonishing view.  The fauna also runs wild with wolves, bears, and other various animals calling this place their home.  Pictured above and below are some beautiful photos I found.  Also, check out the websites below to learn more about this exciting European Paradise!



This has definitely been added to my list as a place I must go see!  A place for anyone to fall in love with, especially if you love nature and the outdoors.

www.hellomagazine.com/travel/

www.rediscover.co.uk/croatia

 



photos from: www.tripadvisor.com and www.zagrebworlds.com

Celebrating Easter on Vacation

In celebration of the Easter weekend (for those of you who do celebrate), I did some research on cool places to visit during Easter.  Through my searches, I found a website featuring 7 Fun Places to Celebrate Easter--not only as a vacation, but where you will find Easter as a major celebration.  Like any other major holiday, these several Easter celebrations are as big or bigger than Christmas and Thanksgiving here in the U.S.!  Typical destinations such as Jerusalem, Vatican City, and Bethlehem are on this list, but other surprising locations are on here as well.

Taking a particular interest to the Jamaica Carnival, held in Jamaica each year during Easter weekend, I did a little more research.  The Jamaica Carnival is Jamaica's largest cultural celebration held in Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.  Performers are covered head to toe in glamorous, extravagant costumes and parade the streets through dance and song.  Bands that are popular to that area perform while those dance and join the celebration.  You will experience folk customs and old traditions while celebrating Easter in Jamaica.  Little information can be found about the Jamaica Carnival, since it's annual inception was in 1990, only 21 years ago!

If you want to plan a vacation over Easter next year, check out these locations featured here:
7 Fun Places to Celebrate Easter

Not only will you experience a wonderful get away, but a new way to celebrate an old holiday.  Happy Easter, and God Bless!

The Jamaica Carnival

Soggy Summer Vacation

Seattle is known as the rainy city, when quite frankly where I live is worse than it is there.  The rain is not as terrible as it is said to be, usually a light mist, even though a lot of cloud coverage is depressing.  The winters are never fiercely cold like the Northeast, usually mid 40's-50's sometimes 60's-- I never wore my winter coat once while I was there in very early January.  And the summers are quite pleasurable with the ever-green colors and scenic, mountainous views.  This is my new pick for a quick summer trip!

Aside from the previous beauty I stated, the real reason I am heading out there is to visit my old college roommate who is from Sammamish, WA and now resides in Seattle.  After visiting there earlier this year, I fell in love with this place.  The mountains are gorgeous, especially Mt. Rainier, and there is so much adventure out there.  It's a small, quaint city capturing the city life-style while be extremely clean and just minutes from the suburbs.  You get the best of both worlds with Seattle--outdoor adventures and city living.  Now I could go on for a while about how this appeals to young and old, the naturist and tourist, but I'm writing this for the sake of "Future Friday," and what I will be doing this summer.

(To the left: myself & the old roommate, January 2011)

Seattle rests quietly on a beautiful docking area, leading out towards ever-green hugging lakes and the majestic Pacific Ocean.  If you play your cards right, you'll even be able to take your boat by Bill Gates' house!  Aside from boating, hiking, camping, and other outstanding outdoor adventures await out there.  This summer, my old roommate and I plan to take the boat out for a couple of days, head on up to islands right off of British Columbia, Canada and enjoy the sun and "post card" views.  We'll spend a day or two in the city, exploring my new favorite, Pike Place Market, watch at least one Mariners game in Safeco Field, and head up the space needle to hopefully find a clear, beautiful view of Mt. Rainier.

 (To the right: Pike Place Market, also where the original Starbucks resides!)

Seattle is a wonderful place, and for those of you who think it's nothing more than a "rainy city," you may want to give it a chance.  The climate is enjoyable and there is so much to do there.  So jump outside of your little bubble and try something new.  I highly recommend this city for any and everyone.



Mt. Rainier from the plane, Jan. 2011



Qwest field, home of the Seahawks.

I'll never say no to a challenge.

One of my friends so kindly posted a link on my wall about this crazy trip that was completed in 1998.  This trip was done by Barry Stiefel, and CEO out in California, who happened to visit all 50 states in one week.  Yes, ONE WEEK.  Crazy?  Most likely, but I was intrigued and began to read all about this insane experience.  Taking one week off from work, he strategically plotted out his journey across the continental United States, as well as flights to Hawaii and to Alaska.  I won't go into detail in my blog, I'll post the link for you to check out, but it is so fascinating.

Now with my crazy brain, I am DYING to say that I have visited all 50 states, preferably at a younger age.  Being realistic, I'll never have enough time or money to spend fabulous vacations in each of the 50 states, and quite frankly there are states that I really just want to pass through and say I've been there.  As my friend posted on my wall, he expressed if I was able to do such a task?  Well this is seen as a challenge to me, especially after reading this website.  After little consideration--I decided I will do this.  Of course I'll have to thoughtfully plan out the trip as well as save up the money to do so, but wouldn't this just be a wild experience? 

This isn't for someone who wants to relax and enjoy luxury spas--no, this is for someone crazy and adventurous like me.  Follow the link below and read all about the planning, motivation, trip log, and summary of this crazy experience.

50 States in One Week