#10: Take a Road Trip

There's nothing like going for a drive... sunroof open... music blasting... and the open road ahead. Add a couple of your close friends, a snazzy GPS system, some snacks and a full tank of gas and you've got yourself a road trip right there.

Taking a road trip is perfect if you like traveling to new places and don't mind lengthy car rides, but here's a few suggestions to make sure your next road trip is an enjoyable one:


Have a Plan
It's nice to be spontaneous once in a while, but when you're dealing with unfamiliar territories, you might as well be prepared. Plan ahead of time when a perfect week for a road trip would be. Give yourself and your friends enough time to take time off from work if needed, or to clear their schedule in advance.

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What vehicle will you be driving? Has it had a tune-up lately? Is there a chance it could break down? Will the seats hold the quantity of inhabitants comfortably for x hours? There's a lot to consider when it comes to planning for a road trip, so giving yourself enough time to do so is wise.


Know where you're going
Spontaneity will get you nowhere but lost. Have an idea of where you want to go. Once you have that in mind, you can then figure out the directions, places you'd want to stay, restaurants in the area, etc. It doesn't help to drive from New York to Georgia without having done any prior research on the town you're headed. GPS systems are really helpful, but it can only do so much. Gain some knowledge about where you're going first, before deciding to rely solely on a GPS.


Avoid "bad" company
If you didn't know, "bad" company on a road trip can go numerous ways. Here's a list, so you'll know what to avoid:

• Bad company 1: The complainers. They're constantly unsatisfied and complaining throughout the entire trip. Are we there yet?... Why are you driving so fast/slow?... Why can't we go somewhere else for lunch?... Why do I have to contribute to gas, if it's not my car?... You get the point.
• Bad company 2: The chatterboxes. This group loves to talk. Don't get me wrong, talking and laughter are essential elements of any successful road trip, but the chatterboxes are non-stop. Sometimes you, as a driver, just needs a chance to gather your own thoughts, or listen to the music and sing along with the others, or maybe just to be given a chance to speak once!
• Bad company 3: The Humdrums. Imagine yourself on your first road trip with friends and are giddy with excitement. Now, imagine that you are the only one showing excitement for the entire x hours. Talk about boredom and the desire to take the next exit home! When on a road trip, it's a time to be excited, loud and have fun. If you surround yourself with a group that plans on reading reading the entire "Hunger Games" saga on the way, you can throw excitement out the window. Bring charismatic friends who like to have a good time.
• Bad company 4: All others. Whether it's hygiene that needs to be improved or someone who gets car sick easily, there are a lot of things to look out for when choosing the right company for your road trip. Don't rush; think it through! The trip is meant to be fun, not a drag.

Side Note: If you're tempted to go on a road trip solo, at least try it out with one other friend or a close sibling. Seriously, it can get pretty lonely and uninteresting if there's no one else in the vehicle with you.

Include another licensed driver in the mix

Don't forget to have at least one other licensed driver in the car. If your stuck being the dominant driver, you might miss out on parts of the fun that goes on in the car. Sure, a driver can fun too, but he/she will be more focused on the road and the GPS directions that it can be easy to forget that the fun includes him/her too! Not only that, but we're only human and no matter how much we love driving, everyone needs a little break. Having someone take over after a few hours, or alternating between several responsible drivers will make the experience less strenuous on your part.

Have GOOD music backup
Silence is bound to happen on a long drive (unless you invited a chatterbox), so having good music is a must. One good song will help rekindle the energy that was originally in the atmosphere. The radio is great, but you can't control the songs that are played, so when the stations start to get repetitive, it's good to have an iPod or CD on deck with some upbeat music. It's also a great idea to throw in some old school jams to get everyone in the car holding an imaginary microphone and singing their hearts out.

Bring enough cash
"Cash" in this context literally means cash. As much as you hold your debit or credit card dear, it's never a wise idea to go anywhere without tangible cash on you. You may come across a gas station in an unknown town that only accepts cash, for example, so it's always a great idea to bring some good ol' 1s, 5s, 10s and 20s... and enough of it in case of emergencies.

Have a spare tire everything

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Bring extra bottled water, an extra flashlight, first aid kit, batteries, clothing, etc. because you just never know what can happen. Oh, and always have a spare tire, of course. Better safe than sorry & stranded.

Delegate
Planning a road trip isn't just about hopping in a car filled with friends and loud music and speeding off to the desired location, but it's about gas, mileage, rest stops, food and necessities needed. It's exciting planning a road trip, but when the driving and all financial burden is resting on you alone, it's definitely not so fun anymore.
Delegate! 
If the trip consists of you and four friends, ask your buddies to pitch in--whether it's gas money or snacks for the ride, every little bit helps. Maybe Friend 1 can look up a nice, inexpensive hotel in the destination area, Friend 2 can determine the best route for you to drive, Friend 3 can make the mixes on a CD or in his/her iPod playlist for the journey, and Friend 4 can help with budgeting and making sure you all are good to go.


REST before the big trip
Yes, I said it, my fellow night owls... REST. There's nothing worse than feeling the lack of motivation to go on a trip that's supposed to be exciting! Get enough sleep the night before, so you don't wake up irritable and groggy, due to a long night of preparations. Once you're up, you'll feel refreshed and ready to go!

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WHY take a road trip?
Because it's not only FUN and EXCITING, but an opportunity to visit a new place (or places) with people you care most about. It's great for any time of the year and you'll learn a lot about your friends and even more about yourself. After the trip, you will know if a trip like this is something you'd want to do again, and if with the same group of people!

#9: Create a Blog

People don’t give bloggers enough credit. Many think of blogging as such a mundane task that isn’t given much thought… while others may view it as a mere hobby without any meaning whatsoever. Of course, as a blogger, my response to viewpoints like those is that blogging is an art. It’s something you’ve got to make your own before you can even begin to appreciate someone else’s blog.

So, if you’ve ever considered creating a blog (and you’re up late anyway), then why not? Simply diving into a blog may sound like the first step, but if you do that, you might end up just staring at a blank page the entire night or write a bunch of nonsense.

Courtesy of flickr.com

Consider utilizing the following tools as you begin your blogging journey:


Discover your Passion

What do I love? What am I interested in? These are questions that you should ask yourself before sitting down in front of your computer to start typing. For instance, if your passion is helping younger people and providing counsel, well then maybe a blog filled with advice for troubled teens can be something to consider. If you love staying up late, how about a blog dedicated to providing fun/productive late-night suggestions? (Hmm... that sounds familiar...)

Determine your Audience

Who exactly do you want reading your blog? Is it solely for women? Maybe targeting African-American women? What about the age group? What interest(s) must your readers have?

Be sure to question the direction of your blog and think about its goal. Knowing who your target audience is, will help keep your writing focused. A blog that's too obscure and all over the place will cause many readers to sway.

Have a Unique Plan

I threw in “unique” because you can have a plan, but if it’s not original in some way or define who you are, then reading your blog might as well be a waste of time.

If you have an interest in cooking, for example, a blog of recipes might be the first thing that pops into your head, but take a moment to think. There are plenty of prospective chefs and culinary geniuses out there that have the same idea.

THINK.

How can my blog stand out in the midst of countless other blogs with the same subject matter?

Find and Create a Blog Site

There are various free blog sites to choose from. From Blogger, to WordPress, to Tumblr, there's a blog site for everyone. I chose Blogger because it seemed be pretty simple to use and looked a bit more professional than Tumblr (I registered for all three, and Blogger has always been my favorite).

Once you find a site that suits YOU, take the time to make the blog reflect who YOU are. Change up the theme and put some color in the background. There are usually numerous templates to choose from to spice up the look of your blog. Switch up the fonts and sizes and add some color to make things pop. You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but if it looks soporific, then your reader will move on quite quickly.

Publicize your Blog

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Having a blog is of little advantage to you if it’s not made public for others to see. It’s ok to use your blog as a platform to build a portfolio for prospective employers, but what about finding an audience first?

Publishing your post on Facebook and/or Twitter will allow for a lot of feedback. You will develop blog followers and be provided with various comments on your posts. Seeing the comments will encourage you to continue writing and sometimes certain responses will provide you with innovative ideas for your next post. 

Don't Be Afraid to Hit a Nerve

Yes, there will be comments that make you second guess your post or maybe your entire blog, but think of it this way: Tons of comments that question your post, means that you've hit some kind of nerve that gets everyone talking. The more they talk, the more popular your blog becomes. This often comes up with opinionated bloggers who may have something to say about politics, media or just life itself. When you're unafraid to hit the nerve every once in a while, you'll be surprised how many new hits you receive in a single week.

Be Consistent

So you’ve created your blog and you’re posting the link to your most recent post on Facebook. That’s great… but what good is it if your “most recent” post was written two months ago?

KEEP WRITING!

This is key, because so many bloggers get excited during the first few blog posts and the next thing you know, a month goes by without any updates. What about your listed blog followers? What about the followers you have that you had no idea was following your writing? Don’t leave your readers hanging. Keep your blog fresh.

Get Inspired

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Everyone has experienced writers block at some point. It's when you want to write more, but the mental juices just aren’t flowing like they were the day before, or even an hour prior! So you feel stuck, fresh out of ideas... just staring at the blank page. Look, you’re never really out of ideas, but if you feel like you are or simply feel uninspired… well then, GO GET INSPIRED!

Set yourself free from the bondage of your desk and chair! Close the laptop cover and go somewhere. Go outside and smell the fresh air... or rainy air... or humid air... an air that isn't familiar. You need to be outside so you can witness that little kid across the street to fall off his bike and bravely get back on, so you can continue you inspirational blog... you need to smell the BBQ grill from the neighbors next door, in order to continue your blog of recipes... you just need to be in a new setting so inspiration can hit.

  

WHY create a blog?

Because it’s a chance to express yourself like you’ve never gotten a chance to do before. Have fun with your blog! Don't take it too seriously and don't treat it like it's of no importance either--a balancing act will help make your blog stand out as one that is always an enjoyable read.

#8: Go Camping... anywhere

There's nothing like the great outdoors. Nature and all of the surroundings of night life are usually left outside and ignored within the walls of our comfortable homes. So why not gather some friends, snacks and venture outside for a chance to go camping?

Before you roll your eyes and wonder how on Earth you can go camping when all you see are concrete sidewalks, taxi cabs and building complexes... keep reading.

If you think the only place you can have a legit camping trip is in the middle of the woods, think again.

The Woods

Courtesy of flickr.com

For those who have the luxury of heading on over to a nearby campsite, throw on some bug spray, grab some friends, and head on outside.

What you'll need:

• Bug repellent 
• Tent
• Sleeping Bags
• Flashlight
• Map of the area
• Two-way radio [Back in my day, we called 'em "walkie-talkies"]
• Plenty of food and water
• Marshmallows

You and your buddies will feel like your kids again; ones who are on an epic adventure. Camping in the woods or a camp site will make you feel one with nature, as you hear the crickets chirp, the owls hoot and count the billions of stars in the night sky. The peaceful sound of the night will probably reduce any stress you've been feeling prior and being surrounded with people you care about, will make for a great time.

Get some wood and build a campfire, share ghost stories or some laughs, play games and roast your marshmallows on sticks over the crackling flames.


Your backyard

Courtesy of flickr.com

If you can't get to a camping ground and you have a yard, why not make use of it?

What you'll need:

• Tent
• Sleeping Bags
• Flashlight
• Casa Moda "S'mores" Maker
• S'mores necessities: Marshmallows, graham crackers, Hershey chocolate

Sure, the lights from the neighborhood might not help in adding to the effect of a "real" camping trip, but you and your friends can enjoy being outside, share scary or funny stories all night and still eat those yummy roasted marshmallows. Since you're not on camp grounds, the law in your background concerning fires may be a lot stricter. Therefore, I suggest getting the Casa Moda S'mores Maker.

This S'mores Maker grill comes with ceramic containers for marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate, roasting forks (eliminating the need for filthy sticks lying around in the woods) and includes a burner for the fuel and handle and a snuffer to extinguish the flames. This thing is fully loaded with what you need to have a real camping night whether you're in the middle of nowhere or your own backyard.

Your Living Room

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So, if you look out your window and instead of a yard, you see concrete, lights, and yellow taxicabs zooming in and out of traffic... then camping out in your living room or spare bedroom might be the perfect option. It may not be what you had in mind, but no one said you couldn't enjoy camping indoors!

What you'll need:

• Chairs and a large sheet for your "Tent"
• Sleeping Bags
• Sound machine
• Microwave
• S'mores necessities: Marshmallows, graham crackers, Hershey chocolate

Your tent may be a sheet draped over several supporting chairs and your sound machine just might be an illusion of crickets chirping or a fireplace crackling, but there's nothing wrong with using your imagination. Surround yourself with some of your closest friends and plan to have a good time. Being indoors provides so many conveniences, and the microwave is one of them. Create your epic s'mores sandwiches, pop them into the microwave for just a few seconds, and enjoy. It's quick and easy! Turn off all the lights in the house and share the same stories you would if you were outdoors.

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So, obviously, camping in the woods requires you to be much more prepared than your backyard or inside your home, but any way you look at it, you'll not only appreciate nature/your surroundings (wherever you may be), but the time spent with the people you care about. Not to mention, you now know you can enjoy marshmallows and s'mores anywhere! Yum.

#7: Have a Movie/TV show "marathon"

There's nothing like kicking back and enjoying the heat of the summer. Ok, so maybe the heat can be just a little bit too intense... but that's what air conditioners are for, right? So, the next time you're relaxing in the cool breeze of the AC, consider occupying your lazy days with a marathon of TV shows or movies!

Courtesy of  carseywolf.ucsb.edu

I absolutely love "How I Met Your Mother." That's a fact. However, I started watching it when the world was already six seasons in. My initial intention was to watch the first episode of the first season, solely to figure out why so many people I knew loved the show so much. I honestly didn't plan to go any further than that episode. Next thing I know, I'm all caught up and in anticipation of the 7th season.

Netflix pretty much saved the day (No, it didn't take me a single day to catch up; but you know what I mean!). I'm telling you, have a TV/movie marathon; you'll thank me.

Here's how to begin (Yes, I have steps on how to go about starting a TV/Movie marathon. Relax.)...

Step 1: Make a List
Create a "TV" list and a "Movies" list, with each having its own column on the page. I suggest writing down the top 3 (Top 5 max) TV shows you want to watch. In the Movies column, write down as many films as you want. I say Top 3  for television because you wouldn't want to overwhelm yourself with a plan of watching 20 TV shows that each have an endless number of episodes/seasons! It'll end up being a race and not a time to actually enjoy the shows

Step 2: Divide into genre (Optional)
I did this with my movie marathon. For a while I focused on Romantic Comedies because there were quite a few I hadn't seen before, so I just stuck with that genre, caught up on some new and old (mostly new) and then moved on to something else. Don't underestimate, Wikipedia... the site has super long lists of genres from television and from movies/films.

Maybe it's because I'm too organized for my own good, but I think having a movie marathon based on the genre can be pretty fun, instead of randomly skipping from a comedy to a horror film to a documentary. At least space it out a little bit, if you don't want to stick with the same genre for too long.

Again, this step is optional. If you prefer to mix up the genres one after the other, that's fine too, Spontaneous One.

Step 3: Remember, it's not a race
I call it a "marathon" because it's meant to either catch up on shows/films you haven't seen before or are behind in and OVER A PERIOD OF TIME eventually are 100% caught up.

Breathe. It's not a race to watch everything on your list in the shortest amount of time.


Sites like Netflix and Hulu can be really helpful in your marathon endeavors. (There are other other sites that I've stumbled upon, but let's stick to the legit ones, shall we?) Not only that, but if you're willing to make DVD purchases of the TV shows and films you'd like to see, that's definitely an option as well. Whether it be in-store or from a site like Amazon.

Step 4: There is no step 4; simply begin your TV/Movie marathon

#6: Learn Sign Language

“Just a thought….it is interesting to see that DEAF people can function in the hearing world very well while hearing people cannot function well in the DEAF world." –Gil Eastman (Gallaudet Theatre Art Professor 1934-2006)


Gil Eastman has a point there. (I'm hoping you actually read the quote above. Quotes with meaning are my thing, and I often find them to be a nice opening to an important topic... just saying).

Now that you've fully absorbed the quote, I'll begin again. *ahem*...

Gil Eastman has a point there. Individuals who are deaf often feel forced to adapt to the "hearing world" and are at times looked down upon and viewed as handicapped. "Handicapped" is such a strong term, especially when looked at from the perspective of someone who is deaf and living his/her life with a positive attitude. There are so many opportunities out there for those who are deaf/hearing impaired and even blind/visually impaired. Despite the difficulties in an atmosphere designed for the hearing (and seeing), they are able to "function" graciously... so why can't we try doing the same?

So why not turn off your voice for the night and practice communicating with your hands?

Photo courtesy of cchdwi.org

Sign Language is all about gestures, facial expression and emotion, with the rise and lowering of the eyebrows being important to the full comprehension of a conversation. Speaking with your voice, versus your hands are clearly extremely different. I must say, it is unlike any other language because it's as though a picture of the conversation is being painted in your head.

Youtube is a pretty popular website for looking up millions of different videos by millions of diverse users; so how about searching for some Sign Language lessons? Since I'm in the U.S., I thought it only made sense to start off with American Sign Language (ASL) before branching off to another one of the two hundred [sign languages] around the world! Youtube helped me learn a lot of the basics, and books like "A Basic Course in American Sign Language" allowed me to understand the root meaning of certain gestures. If you need a more hands on approach, utilize the hours of the night doing research and looking up some ASL classes in your area. I plan to look into the Sign Language Center in New York City this summer and see what they have to offer.

Have an infant?

Photo courtesy of culturemap.com

Try learning some Baby Sign Language and teach the simplified words and phrases to your child that is too young to speak! Think about it; both you and your baby will be happy knowing that fussiness and crying won't be the only clue to indicate the need for something. With Baby Sign, you'll know if he/she wants  "milk" or "blanket" or even "Daddy." You'll no longer have to be stressed with guessing games. This seems like the perfect solution, if you ask me.

Now...
I know all about the cochlear implant (Clicking this link will take you to a website that has been widely acclaimed for its unreliable content; But yet, I visit this site almost every day...) and the advancements in technology that are giving the deaf community a chance to hear and speak vocally... but did you know that a majority of those in the deaf community view hearing technology (such as cochlear implants) as a threat to their primary language (ASL)? Many fear that in years to come, Sign Language will become extinct, due to the power of technology.

I am currently taking a Sign Language class at my university and it is definitely my favorite class this semester. I've tried teaching myself some basic signs before, but it feels great learning even more from a professional and developing my phrases and conversation skills. I can finally say, I will have no problem communicating (on a basic level) with my older cousin in Brooklyn who has been deaf since childhood. I've been looking forward to showing her what I know for a while now, and I think I'm ready!

If you know someone who is deaf, impress him or her by incorporating ASL in the discussion. There are many deaf people who can read lips and will simply vocalize their response, but you both will get a lot more out of the conversation if you decide to step inside of their world for a little while.


Why learn Sign Language?
It's fun! American Sign Language (ASL) is a very popular foreign language, but it's unfortunate that many people disregard it as such. The art of communicating with your hands and facial expressions is amazing and the only way you'll fully understand this, is if you try it out!

#5: Enjoy a hotdog from Gray's

I feel like I mention New York quite a lot in my blog. What can I say? As much as I try to be fair to my readers who may not be anywhere near NYC, there are just certain aspects of the city that is very difficult to overlook. Either way, Tip #5 will probably have you on the next flight, train or bus. Destination: New York City.


So, when's the last time you've had a hotdog? A good hotdog? No, no... I mean a good hotdog?

Store front || Courtesy of ronsaari.com

Gray's Papaya is a 24-hour hot dog restaurant which is a chain founded by its former partner Papaya King in 1973. I remember the first time I went to Gray's--I walked in hungry and walked out satisfied. (Laugh as you may, at this cliche, but it's true!) I knew it wouldn't be the last time I returned to that place. Well... unfortunately, I only had a few more opportunities to go to that specific Gray's Papaya on W 37th Street, because before I knew it, it permanently closed down... leaving just two remaining in the entire city.

Between the upper west side (Broadway at 72nd Street) and the West Village further south, I chose the West Village, right on 6th Avenue at 8th Street, to be my personal spot whenever visiting Gray's. Of course, I was still satisfied.

Did I mention it's 24 hours?

From the "Home Run" (with sauerkraut & NY onions) to the "Slaw Dog" (with coleslaw & sweet pickles) or from the "Cheese Dog" (with jalapeno cheese) to the "Original Frankfurter" (my personal favorite with some good ol' ketchup and relish), it's all about quality and you'll leave with your hunger needs met and money still left in your wallet. So, not only does Gray's Papaya satisfy your taste buds, but the hotdogs are inexpensive!

Now, don't think I've forgotten about the vegetarians or anti-meat individuals out there. (This goes to shows you just how important it is to read all the way through!) Gray's Papaya has crinkle cut fries on the menu, which you can choose to order regular or with cheese and also a sandwiches option. The drinks that are served at Gray's Papaya come in a variety of refreshing selections. According to the company description, listed on their Facebook page, the "papaya" in the establishment's name refers to the fruit drinks sold there, which include orange, grape, pina colada, coconut champagne (non-alcoholic), and banana daiquiri (non-alcoholic) in addition to papaya.

What's not to love about Grays?

I suggest you give Gray's Papaya a chance, because it's definitely worth whatever travel you have to make and the mere cash you will have to shell out.

It's open 24 hours. No excuses.

WHY Gray's Papaya?
Why NOT Gray's Papaya? (But if you prefer your own frozen hotdogs in your own kitchen with your own stove, be my guest).

#4: Be a tourist... in your city

New York City || Courtesy of galadarling.com

As a born and raised New Yorker, I know just how easy it is to forget how special the city truly is. For those living in NYC, you may have grown accustomed to the hustle and bustle of city life, your fast-pace walk and effortless maneuvering through the crowds of people on-the-go, and the familiar skyscrapers and landmarks. Ever wonder if visitors and tourists have seen more of the city than you have? Ever slow down to fully absorb the beauty that's around you in the city that never sleeps? Ok, so that sounds a bit corny, I admit it. Beauty? Absorb? But seriously, you know I'm right. Just keep on reading to see why #4 is perfect for any and all insomniacs.

Grab your camera, a map (or maybe you have the convenience of Google Maps in your phone, like me), and comfortable shoes. A friend/travel buddy is optional. Set out to your nearest city, whether it be New York, Chicago, Boston, D.C. or Los Angeles! Make use of the public transportation and get out there and put yourself in the shoes of a tourist who is getting a feel of everything that is around. Don't take your usual route, go someplace new! Chances are there are certain places you haven't gone to before and will find just as fun.

There's so many things you can do. Take New York, for example, the lights and vivacity of Times Square can be so overwhelming, but if you're used to it, it can be so... normal. So, how about just standing there--in the midst of it all--and look up. That's right, look up. New Yorkers tend to have their eyes on their destination, no matter how far, forgetting to look up and admire the lights, colors and pizazz of the city. Take out your camera and snap some photos. You'll suddenly realize how fast everyone and everything is moving, all because you are standing still.

Now, let's look at Boston; a bit less fast-paced than the Big Apple, yet has a pretty dynamic night life. Look up hot spots of Boston on your phone and check it out! Instead of heading to that one restaurant or bar you like so much, take a look around and admire the aesthetics the city has to offer. Boston has its own artsy look that I found to be beautiful, when I made my first visit and those who don't take the time to view the entire picture may not grasp it in time. At the end of the day, write down your experience and all the little things that you finally took time to notice.

So, get out of your comfort zone, hit the city and walk a little slower... breathe a little easier... and open your eyes to what's REALLY around you.

WHY be a tourist in your city?
Because too many people are in a rush! Living in New York and simply taking the time to observe my city teaches me to slow down sometimes. I've taken the time to take pictures of eye-catching buildings and other appealing aspects and have always felt a sense of excitement. It was as if the norm had transformed into something just a tad bit fresh and new.

#3: Start a fundraiser

For those of you in college, you may have witnessed numerous events on campus, hosted by various clubs and organizations. Whether students encouraged you to wear purple for Domestic Violence Awareness, pink for Breast Cancer Awareness or red for AIDS awareness week--it was all for a cause and this kind of awareness is always meant to bring about a positive change for the promoted cause.

So why not start a fundraiser of your own? If there is a specific organization that is of great importance to you, get involved... Night-Owl's-Guide style!

Let's take St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for instance. I have admired St. Jude for quite some time now--most importantly their promise to never deny a child treatment because of the family's inability to pay. Its motto "Finding cures. Saving children." is one that has been resonating for years. Feb. 4, 1962 marked St. Jude's 50th anniversary of doing just what its motto states. According to their Mission Statement, their mission is "to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment... no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay."

If you're on college/university campus, how about spreading the word about an After Hours Fundraiser? Whether it's a pajama movie night on a big screen with s'mores as a snack or a game night with raffles, it should be fun, provide an incentive and be ready with information about the cause to which fees and donations will be sent to. You're already at a very good advantage--one can only imagine the turnout (given that there is effective and sufficient promotion, of course).

Do your research, create flyers, band with a friend to make this work and spread the word! Once the event has concluded and you see the donation jar filled up, you will feel a sense of accomplishment--not solely due to your efforts, but because children at Saint Jude will be appreciative of the gift of life.

To donate to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, click here or visit www.stjude.org.

WHY start a fundraiser?
Helping to raise money for a cause that is important to you is such a selfless way to get involved. There are so many organizations out there that need our attention, and the time you can take out of your busy schedule to help another life is such a blessing.

#2: Experience Teppanyaki

When was the last time you went to a nice restaurant? Not bow-tie-and-gown fancy, but... a really nice restaurant?

When was the last time you let your taste buds try something new? And I'm not talking about a new skittles flavor... I'm referring to a full fledged meal.

Ok, so when was the last time you tried Teppanyaki? (Got you there, didn't I?)

Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cuisine using a hibachi grill. For those of you who have never experienced Hibachi cooking, grab some of your closest friends and head on over to the nearest one--immediately! Not only is the food delicious, but the atmosphere (especially if you are from an entirely different culture) is amazing.

Our meal being prepared at Sakura

My first experience was with several friends for a birthday celebration. When I first saw the food being prepared by the chefs on an iron hot plate, right in front of me, I thought it was the most phenomenal thing ever. We all sat in our seats in anticipation as we felt the heat from the tall flames that the chef intentionally created. He performed little tricks like flipping his spatulas around and catching them with ease and then tossing pieces of chicken or shrimp in our direction so that we could attempt to catch them in our mouths.

As much respect as I have for places like Red Lobster, Applebees and T.G.I. Fridays, I must say that it felt really great stepping out of the usual comfort zone and trying a new restaurant for once. Sakura, in Westport, CT, is the Japanese restaurant I went to, for my first Hibachi experience. The latest that this place is open, is 11 p.m., but that's only on Fridays and Saturdays. It may not be open the entire night, but after your delicious meal, you and your buddies can find something else to do if you please.

Have no way of getting to a Hibachi Restaurant? How about preparing your own teppanyaki meal? Portable teppanyaki grills are available for purchase and you can cook a creative meal right in your own kitchen! With Valentine's Day around the corner, this certainly makes for a perfect meal with your significant other! It beats all the other cliche dinners and allows you to be innovative together.

Check out http://www.cook-n-dine-usa.com/ for more info.

WHY experience Teppanyaki?
Because it's an opportunity to take part in a different culture by accepting its cuisine as part of your appetite! This certainly does not exclude those of Japanese backgrounds, because often times we get so attached to our own style of cooking that we don't think about trying out a restaurant (from our own culture) that everyone else is going to! Give your taste buds a party and try teppanyaki!

Spotlight on Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh|| Photo courtesy of entertainment.ezinemark.com

Vincent van Gogh’s work has always been intriguing to me. His use of colors and his technique will remain a unique one, in my opinion. I won’t bother digging into a Designer’s Handbook for the proper terminology for describing artwork, so I’ll just proceed with a profile on this renowned painter AND insomniac.

Yes, the late Vincent van Gogh was said to be an insomniac; but how about we backtrack a little bit? (Waay back… like, 19^th century back). Van Gogh was born in Groot-Zundert, Holland on March 30, 1853 (Hey! That’s my best friend’s birthday; only… over a century earlier! Ok, now back to Van Gogh...)

He decided to become an artist between 1860 and 1880 and studied art in Belgium. He apparently suffered from malnutrition, excessive alcohol consumption and overwork. Overwork. Hmm… sounds familiar. As a college student, and senior at that, it seems as though “burning the midnight oil” and stress are quite common (for a majority of students). Van Gogh produced over 2,000 artworks in just over a decade which reveals quite a lot of dedication—but I wonder how much dedication was given while the moon was in the sky.

“The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh || Photo courtesy of VanGoghGallery.com

A collection of his letters, titles, “Van Gogh’s Letters,” reveals excerpts from Van Gogh to his brother, Theo van Gogh, and one from his parents to his brother, related to insomnia and being unable to sleep. Vincent Van Gogh had completed a painting very late in the night before and later on in the day was actually amazed at the work he, himself, had done. This is a good example of how creative we can be during the hours many individuals find unusual to be awake.

Unfortunately, Van Gogh’s mental and physical health were nowhere near perfect and on July 27, 1890 he attempted suicide by shooting himself in the chest with a revolver. Luckily, he survived this ordeal, but two days later, he succumbed to his injury and passed away. It is sad that a man of such talent would choose to end his life, but he left behind thousands of his creations for the world to admire many years later and even more years to come.

                                                

Sources:

1.      Vincent van Gogh: Biography. http://www.vangoghgallery.com/

2.      “Van Gogh’s Letters” http://www.webexhibits.org/

#1: Read a book

There’s nothing like curling up with a good book.

Book worm || Courtesy of Sodahead.com

With the stillness of the night, reading a book is a sure way to really focus on the main plot of the story. If you're from New York, like me, "stillness" may not be the best word to describe the night, so the sounds of the city which one has gotten used to, is a suitable background noise and is a clear substitute for the chirping crickets or deathly silence. 

Maybe you’re the type of person who has so many books crowding the bookshelf, but just no time to read them. With busy schedules bombarding our everyday lives, bookmarks have nestled on a specific page in several books and have made a semi-permanent home, awaiting the reader to transfer them to a subsequent page—story of my life.

Next time you’re up late, grab that novel that you haven't cracked open in a while or haven't even touched at all. Devote the night to reading. Forget about beating your latest Angry Birds score or accessing Facebook (technology nowadays..smh) on your Nook, Kindle or other e-reader... use it for what it was originally meant for: reading.

Let’s say you’re not like me and have no interest in the books you have around. What do you do?

READ IT ANYWAY. 

How do you know you don't have an interest in the book? Is it the unappealing cover design? The mundane summary on the back? Or perhaps it was the seemingly dramatic praises for the book by strategically selected (yet pretty legit) sources. Whatever the reason, you never know until you blow the dust off the top and start reading. It might end up being a really good after all.

WHY read a book?

It's the end to a long, stressful day--so diving into a book is a sure way to unwind and shove those bombarding thoughts to the back-burner for a little while. It's exciting and many people don't realize that books are more than capable of moving readers to the edge of their seat like any suspenseful movie can! Plus, you build your vocabulary, gain new ideas and most importantly it puts your mind to work and makes you think.