#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

Courtesy of flickr.com

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.