In October 2016, I went to Austin, Texas for the first time. I spent the first two days on my own, and the next two days with my friend culminating in seeing Taylor Swift at Formula One before heading down to have lunch in San Antonio and visit another friend in Corpus Christi. It was too short a trip, but it was the perfect 6-day getaway. This is a monster post of everything to see, do, and explore if you go visit!

Austin First Impressions

I like Austin. Every time I go to a new city, I compare it to other places I’ve been. From my four nights in Austin, I felt that I got a good sense of the energy of the city. It feels kind of like a mix of every American city I’ve ever been to, minus New York. There’s definitely some L.A. vibe, with southwest charm, and a little Baltimore and Philadelphia in terms of the downtown area. I expected to have to hunt for the cool things in Austin, but most of what I’ve seen of Austin is pretty cool. It’s definitely a real city, with a tech scene, and passions for sports and music that don’t seem at odds with each other.  Even the most edgy, punk looking bartenders and shopkeepers are sugary sweet, and the pace is relaxed, though not quite the dazed ‘all the time in the world’ chill of southern California. Unfortunately, this is a city that I probably couldn’t live in because the public transit system, while in existence, isn’t usable for every day.  That said, it’s a nice place to visit.

What to Do in Austin

What to See

Capitol Building: This active government building is free to visit with beautiful grounds to wander. Free tours are offered regularly throughout the day. I went on the Women in Texas History tour (where I learned about a female governor in the 1920s, saw where Wendy Davis famously filibustered in the congress room, and loved the custom wood and lone star themed decor from around the world.  Lunch at capitol cafeteria was serviceable.

Blanton Museum: While the permanent collection was under renovation when I visited, the gallery space and the Andy Warhol exhibit were fantastic. The posh cafe across the way was airy and looked like a great place to grab a quick bite.

Other things to do:

• Barton Springs Pool and Zilker Park
• Bats at the Congress Bridge
• Lake Austin
• Hope Outdoor Gallery

Where to stay

I checked into the Firehouse Hostel on a Tuesday night. I can’t recommend this hotel enough. It’s across the street from the famous Driskill Hotel, around the corner from Dirty 6th, and right in the middle of every neighborhood and attraction worth visiting. When my friend came, we checked into the Hyatt Place using her points, which was a gorgeous and comfortable hotel with a great breakfast and just a few blocks away from the Firehouse.

Neighborhoods to Explore

I’d recommend spending most of the time in Austin exploring these neighborhoods. Walk around, pop into shops, and get a feel for the city.

Downtown & Dirty 6th

Austin has a typical downtown area like you’d find in any other American city.  The bars and restaurants are all much cooler than you’d expect though – they all feel new and well designed.  That’s with the exception of Dirty Sixth street, the infamous tourist stretch, which isn’t very dirty, but filled with dives and sports bars promoting terrible live music wafting out the open front doors.  Even this touristy area is not really detestable, there’s something to be found for everyone, and it’s pretty sterile considering it’s name. There are definitely some good restaurants along this strip, like the speakeasy at Firehouse Hostel, gourmet sports bar Eureka, and bakery/beer garden hybrid Flying Tiger.  The rest of downtown, specifically west 6th, has more upscale bars, and 2nd street has a modern shopping and eating district with trendy chain stores and celebrity chef restaurants.  The squid fries at Swift’s Attic are to die for.

South Congress

This neighborhood, centered along South Congress Avenue, is the part of Austin that reminded me most of Santa Monica in L.A. combined with New York’s SoHo. This is where you’ll find Gypsy Warrior, Warby Parker, and an array of high-priced boutiques selling independent designer clothes, vintage, Etsy-like crafts, tex-mex souvenirs, and cowboy boots. A spacious, sprawling street, you’ll find restaurants (slowly gentrifying – the kitschy half-outdoor restaurant we ate in was bought by a hotel chain), the best grilled cheese from a truck, the famous Amy’s ice creams, and the infamous “I love you so much” mural at Jo’s Coffee for your instagramming delight.

East Austin

East Austin is like a tumbleweedy suburban lovechild between Bushwick and Santa Monica.  Definitely the cool place to be, there are tons of hip bars with outdoor seating and food trucks, tattooed salespeople in vintage shops, and exotic, expensive restaurants adorned with street art or vintage signage.  Mostly, on a Thursday afternoon, East Austin felt like a sleepy suburb for artsy liberal hipsters and yuppies. I really enjoyed chatting up a waiter and people watching over empanadas at Buenos Aires Cafe during lunch time. I imagine that on nice nights, the outdoor bars are packed with diverse young people chilling in hammocks or at picnic tables with tacos or banh mi under the twinkle lights, and the indoor cocktail bars are filled with interesting and creative folk having a good time.

West Campus

“The Drag” is like any other college main street, but bigger. That’s because the University of Texas in Austin is gigantic. You have your chains like Chipotle, fashion boutiques, the giant Coop with a great discount art supply store, and just behind the Coop a little park with food trucks. I recommend Monkies Vintage for affordable clothes from the 60s to 90s.

Rainey Street

This is the coolest street for drinking.  Rainey street is a few blocks long and full of houses turned into bars, each with a different theme. Most have outdoor seating and many have live music. We crawled our way down the street, stopping at some of the many food trucks along the way.  The crowd is friendly, laidback, and fun, mostly 20 and 30 something young professionals. Top choices are Icenhauers, The Blackheart, Bangers for a beer garden vibe, and the cocktail bar Half Step with a mini doughnut stand outside (though expect Manhattan prices at that one).  Really though, the best bet is to start at the end of Rainey by the river and work your way up the street, stopping in every bar that strikes your fancy.

Should you go to Austin solo?

Absolutely, yes. There is enough to do to keep you busy on your own, and people are friendly enough to not be lonely. There are great hostels in town and the city feels totally safe to walk around in. While Uber and Lyft don’t operate in Austin, car sharing apps like Fasten and Ride Austin are available to get you from place to place on the cheap.  Have a great trip!

The post Tacos, Food Trucks, Music, and Art – An Austin, Texas Solo Getaway appeared first on Girl, Uncharted.

A few weeks ago, I listened to a Design Mornings podcast about navigating a career as a designer. One of the panelists advised young professionals to be intentional in their career choices. If you want to be a designer, your career path should be filled with jobs that get you to your goal, not just whatever is available.As someone who has been trying to find a new path for the past five years, this stuck with me. My 26th birthday is quickly approaching, and with it, the end of my parental health insurance coverage. I’ve finally found a career path – UX design – where I think I will be happy, and want to be intentional in my pursuit of the right job in the field.

As someone who has been trying to find a new path for the past five years, this stuck with me. My 26th birthday is quickly approaching, and with it, the end of my parental health insurance coverage. I’ve finally found a career path – UX design – where I think I will be happy, and want to be intentional in my pursuit of the right job in the field.

Being intentional doesn’t only apply to career goals though.

With the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah, just behind us, and fall bringing pumpkin spice and leather jackets back into my life, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I want to spend the next year.

Finding a job that is fulfilling, challenging, and fun is clearly a main priority. But I also want to be intentional in my down-time. I want to be intentional in my friendships, my side projects, my health. I want to set up some systems and hold myself accountable, and accept that inactive time is a choice to stand by, not hours slipped into a hole due to indecision. Instead of feeling like life and time and obligations are pulling me in every direction, I want to take back the reigns and embrace that every moment spent living is a choice.

The thing is, most of my life has been guided by intentional moves with varying results:

Being intentional means recognizing that every moment of life that you are breathing is a choice.  Every minute, every second that goes by, is within your power to control. Being intentional means that you decide to let leisure time pass and fully accept the results without judgement or regret.  Binge watching 8 hours of Gilmore Girls is a decision, not a lapse that happens to you, but a choice.

Being intentional means activating your mind and being aware, or actively choosing to tune out.  It means showing up to work, an event, a dinner, without preoccupations, but arriving with intention, and doing your best, being the best self you can be, which really just requires being present.  Accept that wherever you are, even if it feels like a choice out of your control, you still decided to be there, and so might as well BE there.

And most of all, being intentional means that if you write an article in your head on the train about living with intention, you go home and write that article.

The post How to be Intentional appeared first on Girl, Uncharted.

This August, my sister and I took a trip to the U.K. to celebrate her 30th birthday and her first trip out of North America!  We knew we wanted to visit Edinburgh for the annual Fringe Festival, and then spend most of our time in London.  However, being over-ambitious, I looked at Google Maps for something in between Scotland and London.  There was Liverpool! Kind of in the middle. -ish. A new plan was born! Less than 24 hours of Liverpudlian magic were added to our itinerary.

We took the train into Liverpool from Scotland, past a repeating montage of sheep, windmills, and cows.  When we finally arrived in Liverpool in the dark of night, the train station was mostly empty – aside from some life-size statues and a long line of orange clad train workers getting into their cars one by one like Oompa Loompas. It was a pretty great sight. I knew I was going to like this place.

Our Uber driver took us to the Pullman hotel where we experienced plush luxury at a bargain, Liverpudlian hospitality by the talkative concierge, and an overpriced, room service pizza delivered right as we channel surfed to the Naked Dating reality show on TV.  Nothing like accepting a food delivery with a bunch of penises on screen.  This hotel was so comfortable, and spacious with a rainfall shower and tons of space to spread out. Though it was far from the central places to eat or drink, the location would have been perfect if we had time to explore the many museums on Liverpool’s pier.

Time was not something we had, however. The next day, we raced to the starting point of Sandeman’s free Liverpool walking tour. We figured, if we only had one day to see a whole city, a 2.5 hour tour would be a great use of our time. It was!

The post Liverpool! Beatles, World War II, and Reinvention appeared first on Girl, Uncharted.

Today is the day. It’s time to vote in the New York primaries. I’ve turmoiled for months over my voting decision. Do I follow my values and beliefs, which align with Bernie’s socialist and egalitarian dreams — or do I vote for Hillary, the candidate who is most qualified, a realist, and full of leadership chutzpah. And how do I know that my subconscious isn’t influencing me to vote for the Woman or the Brooklyn Jew, both of whom I identify with? When I envision myself in the voting booth, pulling that lever, or pushing that button, or whatever it is these days, I feel pride and guilt no matter which candidate I imagine voting for.

Being politically passionate without being politically aware is a common plight in today’s pop-culture politics society. I’ve done my due diligence in the form of three online “who should I vote for” quizzes by (theoretically) non-partisan organizations. I’ve watched my Maddow clips along with my SNL and John Oliver commentary. I’ve stayed awake through a couple of debates and watched the brief recap videos of the rest. I’ll be the first to admit that there are a lot of complex issues that I don’t feel I have enough information to have a strong opinion on. On these issues, I feel that Hillary just knows more. She is prepared, she is poised, she has knowledge and resources and knows how to use them. I trust her to know what’s going on and look at all the sides of an issue, even if she doesn’t pick the most overtly liberal option.

On the other hand, while I struggle to associate Bernie’s loveable, feisty grandpa persona as being “presidential,” his record of pure goodness, his intelligence and liberalism, his understanding that when “the people” are empowered, the country will grow and succeed, make for a fantastic candidate. In polls, both Hillary and Bernie can beat any republican candidate. While it’s unlikely that Bernie will beat Hillary for the nomination, it’s still a distinct possibility, and I feel good knowing that either of these candidates will be President. Whichever democratic candidate winds up running, against whichever imbecile becomes the Republican nominee, they will receive my full, vocal, active, and passionate support.

Today, though, who to vote for? If I vote for Bernie am I caving to millennial pressure? If I vote for Hillary, am I just being contrarian? The Woman or the Jew? The dreamer or the realist? The loyal leftist or the more flexible liberal. Today, I am going to listen to the pleas of my family and friends. I’m going to vote for Bernie. I’m going to vote for the dream. At this point in the election, a vote for Bernie is a vote for his ideas. I’m going to be true to my dreams. But when the actual election day FINALLY comes, if and when the candidate is Hillary, she’ll still get my full and enthusiastic support.

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Astoria. Queens, New York. It’s not quite as “exotic” as living in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, but the melting pot of cultures and the traditional community-like nature of Astoria provide an extraordinary maze of hidden gems to explore in the neighborhood.  There are Greek bakeries, 24/hour fresh markets, and ethnic restaurants aplenty in Astoria – but in my expeditions around the neighborhood I’ve found some truly unexpected spots nestled in between traditional Queens establishments.  Here are my top 3 Astoria hidden gems so far – all near the N/Q train on 31st street between Broadway and 31st Ave.

Broadway Silk Store

The outside of this store looks like any old-fashioned, cheap fabric shop. What drew my eye was an array of quirky, cheap jewelry displayed outside.  I figured I’d duck inside and see if any of the fabrics would serve as curtain inspiration.  Inside, I was shocked to find an array of quirky art prints, jewelry and other crafty miscelenny front and center, surrounded by the expected bolts of fabric.  Hangable wooden blocks hand painted with celebrities’ faces, including that of the late David Bowie, were for sale in a bin on the counter.  I bought 2 adorable framed prints ($15 a pop!) to decorate my new apartment.  This store is a true Astoria hidden gem, and unless you happen to stumble in, you’d never have a clue as to what quirky wonders are inside!  I love that a store that has clearly been a neighborhood staple for decades has reinvented itself to support local artists and attract hip young thangs like myself, while retaining it’s traditional visage and not alienating its original fabric-shopping clientele.

Broadway Silk: Yelp

Crystal Gardens Terrariums

Walking down Broadway in Astoria, you’ll see a wide array of trendy restaurants and bars nestled between classic neighborhood staples, delis, butchers, bargain shops, markets, etc. My favorite hidden surprise was this Terrarium shop.  Beneath the awning of a neighboring bodega, Crystal Gardens is easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Inside a tiny glass storefront on the corner a pink backdrop accentuates hanging glass orbs filled with plants and colored sand.  I mistakenly went into the deli next door on Broadway, trying to get inside Crystal Gardens for a closer look, but the man at the counter informed me the entrance was right around the corner. I didn’t have time to stop in, but I will definitely be back! I clearly wasn’t the first to find the shop notable – I found an article in the Huffington Post about the store owners, Mexican actor Gilberto Gonzalez and Dominican chef Onesis Castillo – a refreshingly far cry from the waifish kids who seem to run all the little crafty shops in Brooklyn.  I can’t wait to buy one (or some) terrariums to furnish my Astoria apartment.

Crystal Gardens: Huffington Post

Cafe Madame Sou Sou

I love this cafe. In fact, I am writing this very post while seated at the lone stone table in the center of the little shop.  Madame Sou Sou certainly hits you over the head with quasi-French charm. There is an array of baked goods, sandwiches, and salads, and the server makes one of the best Chai Latte’s (Ok, the prettiest) this side of the East River. Well, this coming from someone who has only been sipping Chai Lattes in Queens for a couple of weeks.  There are pretty hooks to hang your coat, it’s well enough lit but atmospheric, the WiFi is strong, and the French music is pleasant without being distracting. Patrons can dispense their own water into well-sized plastic cups, and there is an outlet in the corner, easily accessible from a few different spots around the small cafe. The bathroom is clean, has chic furnishings, and the walls are covered in real photographs from around the world. A steady flow of international visitors of all ages adds to the ambiance.  It seems that no detail has been overlooked here. It’s a terrible place, don’t come. Seriously, stay away. It’s mine!  But if you must stop by for a hot, frothy drink, make sure to say hello.

Madame Sou Sou: Yelp

The post Discovering Astoria: 3 Hidden Gems appeared first on Girl, Uncharted.

Big news! I have officially signed a lease. Having grown up on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, it was very difficult to get up the will to leave the nest and start paying the high price of New York City rent.  However, as a 25-year-old committed to kicking off my career in the City (us jaded New Yorkers always refer to New York City, and sometimes Manhattan, as “the City”), it was time.  Moving to the most desirable neighborhoods in Manhattan would be expensive, and not a far enough move from my parents’ place to be truly worth it – so the question became: Brooklyn or Queens?

For those of you who don’t know – the city consists of 5 boroughs: Manhattan (you may have heard of it), Brooklyn (creatives and Coney Island), Queens (diversity and film studios), the Bronx (Yankee Stadium, Botanical Gardens), and Staten Island (which doesn’t really count).  My mom grew up in Queens and my dad grew up in Brooklyn, and they got married and moved to Manhattan (the old New York dream). Nowadays, it’s not only (generally) more affordable to live in another borough, but actually desirable – Brooklyn and Queens haven’t become quite as gentrified with big chains as parts of shopping-mall-esque Manhattan, and they have tons of cultural centers, parks, local bars, restaurants, and other establishments that make the boroughs destinations for even the staunchest Manhattanites.

What do you think of when you think of Brooklyn?

Photo by Simon Welsh

Artists. Musicians. Artisinal, local, craft cocktails and food.  Brooklyn is to many creative millennials, without a doubt, the coolest place to live in America.  For years, I dreamed of being one of those hipster-denying hipsters, living in one of many awesome Brooklyn neighborhoods home to giant lofts and beautiful brownstones, strange niche bars, thrift stores galore, amazing parks, and delicious if overpriced nosh, not to mention all the cute boys. Brooklyn’s beautiful tree lined streets and quirky haunts are filled with a mix of young, creative, liberal people.  I thought my life would be perfect if ONLY I could live in this perfect, magical borough of happiness.

Things I dream of Doing in Brooklyn – And Somehow Still Haven’t Gotten to:

• Dance my butt off to bands at Brooklyn Bowl and Baby’s All Right
• Stuff my face at Smorgasburg, Traif, and Roberta’s
• Get smart and cultured at Brooklyn Brainery, Union Hall, and Videology

Despite all these awesome places on my bucket list, I couldn’t find a spot in Brooklyn that was the right blend of fun, safe, convenient, and affordable.  I wanted to live on a block surrounded by not only restaurants, but also big grocery stores, convenience stores, banks, and affordable shopping. Maybe Brooklyn was overrated. Maybe Time Out New York‘s description of millennials like me as “selfish, bratty, instagram-addled Bedford Stop wanna-bes” wasn’t so far off from my Brooklyn fantasy self.  In the end, Brooklyn was out.  Dreams crushed.

How I Decided to move to Astoria, Queens

Photo by I Astoria

After months of apartment searching, when my Astoria dwelling roommate-to-be’s lease was up, I decided to join her in a new apartment right off bustling 30th avenue.  While Brooklyn has it’s awesome mix of high and low, grunge and glamour, hidden gems next to run-down store fronts, my new neighborhood is fully developed, packed with tons of restaurants, stores, cafes, bars, banks, and everything you could even need, while still feeling residential.  It is safer, more active (no lonely streets at night), and more like a neighborhood than some of the streets in Brooklyn, which can be pretty quiet off the main stretches.  What I lose in “cool factor” and artsy music scene, I gain in Greek restaurants, festive lights, a giant 24/hour fresh fruit and vegetable market, and a guitar school just a couple blocks away.  I’m pretty sure Queens is the most diverse place in the world, and Astoria is also one of the safest neighborhoods in New York City – even safer than the Upper East Side where I was raised.

More importantly even than the neighborhood’s values, is my apartment itself. For my rent, I get a Super who lives in the building, a buzzer system, 2 sizable bedrooms, closets, a giant kitchen, and a large living room.  What the apartment lacks in polish, it makes up for in charm.  For an apartment at the same rent in Brooklyn, I was looking at spaces either much smaller, much crappier, or in much less safe areas. In fact, I couldn’t even name a neighborhood in Brooklyn that is quite similar to where we are in Astoria. I am happy with my decision.

Things I am Excited to do in Queens:

• Drink & Draw and other events at Q.E.D.
• Stuff my face with Greek food (and every other nationality known to man), and get my Beer Garden fix at Bohemian Hall
• Finally check out contemporary art museum and summer party spot – MoMA P.S. 1
• Stalk the sound stages where Orange is the New Black and Sesame Street are filmed

One day, I might still want to live in Brooklyn.  I am still trying to figure out the best way to get to Brooklyn from my new home.  For now though, I am a very happy Queens girl.  Please send me any and all Queens suggestions

The post New York Dreams: Brooklyn to Queens appeared first on Girl, Uncharted.

Last month, I drafted at least 4 or 5 posts to publish on my birthday, November 30th, about all of the amazing things I accomplished as a 24-year-old and all my hopes and dreams for my 25th year of life.

My 24th year was rich with travel, friendship, music, art, unexpected risks and rewards, and a lot of personal growth.

Photo by Ryan McGuire of some chick with my dream hair

Writing a brag list (or several) was a great opportunity for self-reflection, but I never published any of those posts because the act of diminishing each singular, extraordinary moment of my 24th year to a mere bullet point in a list for the sake of highlighting my “incredible” life to the (imaginary) masses felt really uncomfortable.

For one thing, every time that I publish a post, I want to be sure that it serves a purpose. I want to only write pieces that benefit other people or benefit myself. I don’t like listicles for the sake of listicles, and I don’t want to write a bragging piece for the sake of showing off how awesome my 24th year was.

It just felt disingenuous to publish that list, rather than giving every memory the time and attention it deserves.

I grew so much in my 24th year and I am infinitely happier now than I was a year ago, but all of the things on my “Top Memories of 24” list feel so distant now that I’m back in the 9-5 (10-6) grind and almost like they happened to another person.

Life is like that. When you are in a routine, or even in a place, it seems to be the only life that has existed and who you were in another land or time or memory becomes foggy and disconnected.  The benefits of my travels and free time are still sizable, but my appreciation for that time feels like it is fading.

I think this is why travel blogging is so popular, and so important. There are a million travel bloggers out there who write about their journeys, and while many of them do it in hopes of monetizing their travels, the biggest benefit seems to be  in taking the time to appreciate the moments you are experiencing abroad more fully, and to make those memories concrete and everlasting.

The ability to visit a past self, to recall what Stacey of 8 months ago in Cambodia was thinking and feeling, is invaluable. But putting those memories in a simple list would have cheapened the value of truly revisiting that time and recapturing who I was and what I learned, not to mention the true value for anyone reading.

I’m going to make more of an effort to blog about my Southeast Asia trip, and other trips I’ve taken.  I’m also going to make more of an effort to write about my life, thoughts, and experiences in New York, and share all the things I find of value while I’m charting my course through the world.  I encourage you to do the same!  Don’t let great memories and lessons disappear from inattention.

I am looking forward to year 25 being filled with even more memories, even more self-reflection, and even more joy than my 24th!

Cheers! x

The post Hey Look, I’m 25! appeared first on Girl, Uncharted.

1. I quit my safe, secure, “dream” job for the complete unknown
2. I volunteered at Art Relief International in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where I met amazing people and scratched the surface of understanding Thailand much better than I would have as a regular tourist
3. I spent a weekend in Pai, questioning yet enjoying the western expat oasis, and then suffering through the already nauseating 3-hour ride back to Chiang Mai with a bout of food poisoning
4. I went to Chiang Rai and got lost in local, modern life, instagrammed some monkeys, saw the Golden Triangle, and explored the artistic White Temple and Black Houses in awe
5. I took the slow boat to Laos – again with food poisoning – and met many friends along the way
6. I took a natural dye and weaving workshop at an ethical silk company in Luang Prabang, Laos – where I also experienced too many things for this list
7. I went tubing in Vang Vieng on the most wild and fun day of my entire trip, if not life (not that it took much to achieve this)
8. I saw Belle and Sebastian, the Tune-Yards, and Caribou at a concert on top of a mall in Bangkok, where I also experienced reverse culture shock at the modernity of the city
9. I did a 5 day yoga retreat that felt like 5 weeks, where I learned a lot about myself, good and bad, and had a truly unique, thought provoking, physically challenging experience
10. I explored the majestic ancient temples of Angkor Wat
11. I spent a day learning to make pottery with a local Cambodian woman in Siem Reap, where getting to talk with her was the best part (and buying way too many souvenirs, necessitating buying a wheeling suitcase, was not)
12. I flew to Sihanoukville and went to Otres Beach – where I pretended to bartend for an Australian stag party, got a terrible sunburn, and encountered so much terrible lodging that I thankfully I was able to crash with friends from the Yoga retreat
13. I spent a day shopping at social enterprises in Kampot, and ran into a friend I met in Pai for the third time in a different country
14. I learned about the horrible genocide in Cambodia through several educational and tragic sites in Phnom Penh
15. In Hong Kong I spent the night in a triple-layer bunk bed before spending the entire next day hopping from restaurant to restaurant, eating way too many meals
16. I came home to New York just in time to attend the bridal shower of one of my best friends, her bachelorette party in Flordia, and finally her beautiful wedding in New York!
17. I mourned the loss of my Grandfather alongside my family during a very difficult month
18. I completed a month of painting classes at the Art Students League
19. I took up weekly guitar lessons – though I still suck terribly
20. I participated in my first “Startup Weekend” and my team came in 2nd place!
21. I took a road trip to Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal with my college friends and got to see some of my favorite bands live while eating too much poutine
22. I got a new job at a Marketing startup in Brooklyn!
23. It took my parents, hundreds of dollars in car damages, my married friends, an unrented apartment in queens, and a lamp to spend a night with my ex. IYKYK lol
24. I spent a fun Halloween in Boston with my high school friends
25. As an early birthday present, my family went to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival and HARRY POTTER WORLD!

The post 25 Things I did the year before turning 25 – A Pre-Birthday Reflection appeared first on Girl, Uncharted.

In the days following the horrific terrorist attack in Paris, I’ve seen an uncomfortable amount of backlash against those showing their support for Paris.

The sentiment isn’t totally nonsensical, it is true that we are bringing so much attention to this occurrence in Paris, yet we ignore all the atrocities in other parts of the world, notably in Beirut, Baghdad, and Kenya (in April, when 147 were killed at a University).

Then there is the complaint that makes less sense, that we are, once again, mourning the loss of white people; white people who have historically colonized and murdered countless people of color, while we ignore the murders of non-white people. Of course racism plays a part in unequal media coverage and public concern, but it is absurd to say that we shouldn’t mourn the loss, injuries, and trauma of today’s Parisians because of racist and horrific acts politicians made with no connection to the everyday citizens of Paris – particularly the young, progressive Parisians targeted by the attacks. That would be like blaming German millennials, many of whom I befriended in my Asia travels, for the horrific acts of two generations before them. Nonsensical.

Then there is the very real issue of France’s airstrikes in Syria following the Paris terrorist attacks. But regardless of whether you support the military action of France as a country, you can still support and mourn the victims of terrorism in Paris, and recognize the difference in meaning that an attack in Paris has on American society from an attack elsewhere in the world.

The fact is, in a perfect world, we would be equally aware of, shocked by, and passionately distraught over the atrocities in Paris, and in Beirut, and in Baghdad, and in Kenya in April. In a perfect world, Terrorists wouldn’t exist, and we wouldn’t need to be distraught over such atrocities. The reality is, we aren’t shocked when murders happen in parts of the world where we expect (rightfully or not) murders to happen.  The reality is, Paris matters because this was the worst terrorist attack in Western Europe in 11 years.  The reality is, for those who live in the relative safe comfort of America, Paris feels a lot closer to home than Beirut does, and an attack on Paris is as shocking as if an attack were to hit us, again.  The reality is, Paris is an international symbol of light, of magic, of prosperity, of romance, of sophisticated thought and culture, and when Paris is attacked, even those in Beirut were shocked and saddened.  Paris is a symbol beloved by the world, and that symbol was hurt. Things like this aren’t “supposed” to happen in Paris.

Things like this aren’t “supposed” to happen anywhere. All the lives lost around the world to terrorism are devastating and heartbreaking.  Parisian lives are just as valuable as Lebanese lives or Syrian lives or any lives. But Paris is special, and those who change their profile pictures to the French flag shouldn’t be shamed for doing so, or shamed for connecting more with Paris than with Beirut.  That’s life.  If only we could stop trying to “out-liberal” each other, we could focus on educating each other without tearing each other down.  There is plenty of room in our hearts to support Paris deeply in their time of loss, and room to still be saddened over the lives lost in Beirut and around the world.  Let’s just try out empathy over accusation.

For a very powerful and sad piece from the perspective of someone in Beirut, please read: From Beirut, This Is Paris: In A World That Doesn’t Care About Arab Lives

The post Why Paris Matters appeared first on Girl, Uncharted.

Careening up a narrow mountain path in the open back of a red pick-up truck was not how I imagined my first day of volunteering with Art Relief International in Thailand. Nonetheless, this city girl took it in stride when we found out, moments after arrival at a dusty, mountainside, primary school campus, that instead of the planned art workshops we were supposed to be facilitating in conjunction with students from an American university study abroad program, today was “Scout’s Day” at Wat Prachakasem Hill Tribe School.

All morning, we watched the students climb, run, and hike through nature, culminating in a rafting challenge across a small, muddy stream.  There were also ropes the students could use to teeter across the river, and we had a good laugh watching as the little Thai kids shook the ropes with all their might to make crossing a challenge for the volunteers who chose to join in the fun.

Sunlight through Trees in Thailand

Scouts Day at Thai Hill Tribe School

For lunch, the kids built their own small fires and roasted their own skewers of raw meat.  Can you imagine for a second this being allowed, basically unsupervised, at a school in the U.S.?  But the kids knew what they were doing, had fun with it, and took care of each other.  Meanwhile, the teachers and school staff had a slightly booze-filled picnic undisrupted by the children, though they were happy to share their spicy homemade food and veggies with us volunteers.  It was fascinating.

Kids cooking lunch at Thailand Hill Tribe School on Scouts Day

After lunch, all the volunteers and study abroad students led the Hill Tribe kids in games like Duck Duck Goose, Tug of War, and of course, Chilli Chilli.

“Hands UP Chilli Chilli, Chilli Chilli Chilli
Hands DOWN Chilli Chilli, Chilli Chilli Chilli
Touch the GROUND Chilli Chilli, Chilli Chilli Chilli
Turn around Chilli Chilli, Chilli Chilli Chilli”

Overall, my first day at Art Relief International was, as I had learned would be the case during orientation the day before, an unexpected and memorable experience.  What a day!

You can read more about the experience on the volunteer blog: http://art-relief.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-week-with-lagrange.html

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