No dancing at the metro station.

One thing I always loved when visiting D.C. was the adrenaline rush I got from riding the metro train.  Basically like a subway, but you're not always underground.  There was something I loved about it in all it's unglamorous glory.  Not only did I enjoy taking the metro, I was excellent at navigating my way from all the different stations and the different lines.  When I was in D.C. this past April with fellow classmates for a communications convention, I was the tour guide.

After introducing them all to the craziness of the metro and paying our respects at Arlington National Cemetery, we were heading back to the city to check out some of the Smithsonian museums.  While waiting in the station, I walked up closer to the track by the floor lights.  Now I've never been diagnosed with ADD, but I often believe I have it.  I was distracted and highly amused with those flashy floor lights, that I felt the need to tap my right foot, then my left foot on top of it in a dancer fashion then strut my way back to my classmates.

Little did I know a security worker of some sort from the Pentagon happen to catch a good look at my 4 second routine.  I saw the man as I walked back, but he didn't appear to be a security worker, plus he was carrying a few grocery looking bags which I thought he was losing grip of.  Oh no he didn't--but oh yes he did.  Marching towards me such urgency and a clear mission in mind: "Now there is no dancing or playing around, especially that close to the tracks.  You understand that I could arrest you for this.  I have more serious criminals to worry about, do you think I really want to waste my time and yours on something silly as this."  Horrifically embarrassed, myself and my classmates were stunned in disbelief that this man made such a big deal.  Sir, I understand your concern for the safety of the public as well as the safety of our government figures, but do I look like I'm 12? or that I'm suicidal?  No sir, I think not.  It was highly uncalled for.

After about 5 minutes, all we could do was laugh and talk about that incident until our train had pulled into the station.  Lesson learned kids, don't get ADD and try to dance in the metro station.  Security folk are lurking and will swoop in for the attack.

Stay Tuned!

Lately I have disappeared from the blog world, abusing my blog and my love of writing about travel.  My busy schedule has worn be down a bit making me lack the motivation to blog.  While I think this is a horrid excuse myself, I have also been thinking of a new idea and here it is--hosting my own mini-series about travel.

I have career dreams, and this one is a crazy one that I will always strive for even if I don't reach it.  I would love to host my own travel show on the Travel Channel opening the eyes of viewers to see beauty in very popular places, but also the "hidden gems" you wouldn't expect.

So here it is, my first episode.  It's short and give you a brief synopsis of what this series will entail.  More episodes will be coming regularly a few times a week.  Please watch, stay tuned, and feel free to comment or suggest things!  Enjoy!

Caitlin Takes on the World -Introduction: "Just a Small Town Girl"



What's for dinner?

The age old question of what's for dinner.  This week I got to experience two dinners inspired by two different regions miles from where I live.

My aunt and uncle from Louisiana are in town for the week, and my uncle being born and raised Louisiana thought it was only appropriate to share his love of Cajun food.  My aunt served us all with some homemade jambalaya, craw fish pie, and Cajun shrimp.  Since I'm not a huge fan of fish, I passed on the craw fish pie--even though everyone else said it was absolutely delicious.  I did eat the rest though.  The Cajun shrimp was amazing, perfect kick of spices and southern zing, just how one may imagine Cajun food making your taste buds go wild.  The jambalaya was a nice pallate cleanser, neutralizing the spices of the Cajun shrimp.  Altogether, a wonderful southern home style meal.

This week, I also took my love of Italian food and created a delicious meal for my mother and I while my dad was out golfing (he missed out!). 

So for inquiring minds, here's my little recipe to make a delicious Summer Pesto Pasta.  Also a healthy meal!

You will need:
One garlic clove
Basil
Whole wheat thin spaghetti or capellini
Feta cheese
Cherry tomatoes
Zucchini
Pesto Sauce
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil

-Boil whole wheat thin spaghetti or capellini until it is al dente (moderately soft, still semi-chewy.)

-Peel & slice a zucchini, place round slices on a cookie sheet (sprayed with cooking spray).  Drizzle some olive oil over top, season with pepper and basil.  Broil in the oven for 10 minutes on eat side.

-Slice cherry tomatoes into fourths.

-Once zucchini is finished, let cool for 5 minutes and cut into halves or fourths depending on size.

-After pasta is drained, mix in enough pesto sauce to coat the spaghetti.  It's not meant to be overly covered in sauce.

-Mix in feta cheese, the cut cherry tomatoes, basil, fresh pressed garlic, pepper, salt, and zucchini.

Enjoy!

Where have I gone?

Where have I gone?  Somewhere you would think since I've disappeared from my blog for about a month.  Sadly, I have not gone anywhere except to work.  The energy and motivation to write great posts hasn't been as exciting as usual, mostly because I'm exhausted.  But I'm not here to complain.

This girl has some new and coming ideas to my wonderful blog readers (and in hopes to attract more!)  The past few days I have been gearing up to launch a photo site as well as a YouTube channel.  I will be bringing my readers beautiful pictures that yours truly has taken--and maybe a few I find of places I have yet to go.  I will also be starting a mini-series on my YouTube channel covering tips, ideas, jobs, hidden gems, and so on which are all travel related.

Stay posted and don't give up on me yet!  I'm finding more time to get back to it all and keep you all up on the latest in travel.  Get excited and enjoy any travels you have this summer!

Travel Tip #6: Creating Relationships While Abroad

Whenever traveling on a vacation or studying abroad, you're bound to create some type of friendship with a new face.  This is more common, though, when studying abroad.  When studying abroad, you're gone for an extended period of time, without having your friends and family there and needing someone to spend your extra time with.  Creating new friendships and networking with new people, especially in another country, is a great experience.  While it is great to create new relationships while abroad, you must also be smart about the relationships you make.

The benefits of making new relationships are obvious.  You have people to hangout with, create networks to potentially help your future, and a person to keep in touch with once you have returned home.  The downfall is letting yourself get too attached or too romantically involved.  Sure you may find the love of your life while you're overseas, but don't let this idea cloud your common sense.  Don't get sexually involved either, you don't know what repercussions could come from that as well.

Above all, just use your common sense and enjoy your time you have while overseas.  Create new friendships and stay in touch after you've come home.  You never know how these relationships may help you in the future!