Thanksgiving break

This Thanksgiving break was extremely stressful. Let me tell you a little bit about the events leading up to break. First off I didn't book my flight home to New York up until the day before. Unfortunately as a result I had to take a connecting flight which is the absolute worst. The day of my flight takeoff was at 1:00pm. I had practice that morning and I thought I would get out around 10 a.m. For some reason the coaches decided they would give us a fun circuit to do that was an hour and a half. That set me back and I cheered myself up though, with some good music and a burger.

Africa Post 2

Chapter 5: I really enjoyed reading about the bakery business. She was able to tell a short story about the successes and failures of creating a self suffienct business run by women. I found it unique and educational when she described the woman being shy and often putting their heads down when she told them to be more outgoing and more of salespeople. It was interesting to learn that women in places like Rwanda are regarded a different way in society. It is seen as socially unacceptable as a woman to try and sell or approach people first. A cool example is seen when she trys selling the baked goods on the street and she's accepted because she is white compared to the Rwandan women who trying to sell the goods all day.

Chapter 6: This chapter discusses how aid was more harmful than beneficial. She talks about how more often than not aid money was being wasted on unsuccessful projects. Im beginning to see how harmful aid without direction can be. I found it really uplifting when she described her experience dancing with the woman in the hut. It must of felt completely liberating!

Chapter 7: I felt bad for her when Innocent stole all of her stuff. It just goes to show that when you put too much trust in someone you are vulnerable to being taken advantage of. I like how she felt guilty when she was about to buy the expensive champagne from the store. But I agree with Charles that you have to separate who you are from what you do. I also thought it was really neat how she wants to go back to school. India seems like a hectic place that I would love to go to one day. Her story about climbing the mountain made me want to get active today and workout! I like how she compared the mountain to life in Africa; how it can be so pretty but so difficult and hard.

Africa

Chapter 1:

As I began to read this book, I genuinely became inspired. As an international relations major I constantly think about changing the world. Hearing her story about starting a job out of college and the lust to do more was really relatable. She talked about being successful at Chase but the realization that there was more to life than just success and what others thought of her. I found it truly inspiring with the decision and risk she made to turn down the promising job at Chase and take a leap of faith with the new company run by woman. When she talks about entering Africa for the first time I found it somewhat relatable. This summer I decided to go to Italy by myself. Although I explored culture in Italy, her describing the conditions in Uganda, and the struggles people face made me anxious about someday making an impactful difference.

Chapter 2: She describes disappointment and acceptance. I wasn’t surprised when she described how she wasn’t accepted by the local woman. It is natural for people to feel threatened when foreigners enter native land.  I think it was a good learning experience for her to realize that you can’t help others that don’t want to be helped. The organization that requested her to help with thier finances simply didn’t accept nor want to change. I can imagine how disappointed she must of felt after putting in hundreds of hours to try and make a difference for only nothing to happen. Her resilience to continue is admirable. 

Chapter3: She describes her first success journey. I had optimism when beginning this chapter that something good would come out of this relationship between her and V. Sure enough I was proven right as she described the framework and process to build the first lending institution for woman. It was really neat how in Rwanda she was accepted, and how the woman truly wanted to make a difference. I was really happy that she was turned off by the elites at the dinner party she was invited to and didn’t succumb to their pressure and influence. I truly believe like her that you need to work at the bottom with the people who know whats actually happening on the ground rather than an outsiders perspective from up top. 

Chapter4: “We have to show them what we care” That quote was really interesting. It showed that when you start a business you are gonna face challenges. I found it impressive how the young girl really fought to make a point that the issue with the rice lady needed to be solved or everyone else would think they could take advantage of the loans. It was really upsetting to learn that constance died. Her legacy for contributing so much and caring for the woman of Rwanda will live on. I can’t believe Agnes stole.That was really disappointing; it just goes to show that with power comes corruption.  

Expert Article

Tick tock, it’s time for a shot!

Looking for a good time tonight? Aren’t we all. Everyone deserves a night on the town and a well deserved drink after a 40 hour work week. But where are the hottest spots at the moment and the the most deserving of our time?  Luckily for you, Downtown LA is full of energy and the taps are always full. Downtown Los Angeles has recently gone through a revival.  A modern day gentrification for our time. It's become THE place in town to put back a few drinks and your worries along with them.

Downtown has a ton of exclusive biergartens, rooftop bars, and underground cocktail bars. By attracting the young and lively twenty somethings of LA, the venues are playful and unpretentious. How and where can you stay hydrated in drought-stricken Los Angeles? Well you are about to find out…

The drunk list

Here are my top must-drink-at bars for anyone looking for the perfect night to (maybe not) remember.

1. The Standard. A classic upscale rooftop bar for those who are looking for a classy DTLA experience. Located on the roof of The Standard Hotel, there is always a crowd gathering at the elevators, waiting for their ticket to the real party upstairs. The Standard is the perfect place to cool down with a drink in your hand. Known for their large beautiful pools, waterbeds, and electric decor The Standard is ready to impress. The Standard arguably has one of the best views of DTLA.  Weekend afternoons are reserved for lounging and drinking cocktails. The Biergarten makes this rooftop especially unique. Boot steins and Pints of craft beer alongside sausage served daily make this place all the more special. Hint: It is important to beware of the $20 dollar cover after 7pm.

Address: Standard Hotel, 550 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Hours: M-S 12:00 pm - 1:30 am

Food: German food

2. Upstairs, The ACE Hotel Bar. Have a cocktail high above the city of Angels. This trendy hotel has been discovered by most as the spot to be. A year after opening, this rooftop bar has attracted the masses. It is the perfect place to stop at before or after a show at the Ace’s theater. It sports a moroccan decor with a fireplace and heat lamps to keep warm as well as a modest sized pool. Frozen drinks among other delicious cocktails are served. Stop by to take an Instagram of the “Jesus Saves” sign from above.

Address: 929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Hours: M-S 11:00 am - 2:00 am

Food: Upscale full menu

3. The Library. Looking for a do-over for your college experience? The Library is the place for you! Complete with a unique layout of wall-to-wall bookcases, this place has all the drinks you wish your school's library served.  There are multiple couches to curl up on and catch up with friends.  On Saturday nights this place is jam packed. Thier specialty drink is called “Old Fashioned.” This cocktail will cure your sweet tooth with a sugar cube soaked in bitters and topped off with an orange cherry. Cocktails are priced between $10-$12 dollars.  Drink specials include $5 cosmos, Library Lemonades, and margaritas. There are also $4 Angel City IPAs and Scrimshaw Pilsners.

Address: 630 W 6th St #116a, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Hours: M-F 3:00 pm - 2:00 am, S-S 7:00 pm - 2:00 am

Food: Gastropub bites

4. The Famous 901 Bar and Grill. Right in USC's backyard, it is the perfect spot to stop on game day, or any day! Established in 1947 the “Nine 0” has been home to generations of USC students and alumni. It is the perfect college bar that celebrates the Trojan spirit. The 9-0 offers a celebrated happy hour deal of 2 for 1 drinks (4pm-9pm.)Don’t forget to order their most popular drink the “AMF!” There are also multiple tvs to catch up on the latest sports games. On thursdays make sure you get there early or you will be sure to be waiting on a long line. You can even buy one of their legendary t shirts to sport around university campus.

Address: 2902 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Hours: M-F 11:00 am -2:00 am, S 11:00am - 12:00 am

Food: American bar bites

5. Casey’s Irish Pub. Looking for a chill vibe tonight? Head to Casey's, a semi authentic Irish pub. Whether you are looking for an Irish Car Bomb or the best Guinness in town, you won't leave Casey' disappointed. This is the best Irish dive bar in downtown LA.  Located below street level, the place is decorated with wood booths, tin ceilings, and cool secretive rooms. There's even a separate pool room and a ping pong table to challenge your dearest friend at the outside patio. Casey’s offers 30 kinds of Whisky for those Whisky lovers out there. Happy hour is offered daily from 3-7pm and mondays all night which feature $3 Pabst and $5 Jameson pickle back shots.

Address: 613 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Hours: M-F 11:30 am - 12:00 am, TH-F 11:30 am - 2:00 am, S 1:00 pm - 2:00 am, S 1:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Food: American fare

Why?

Why these bars? Why not? It's time to create a bucket list and create some memories. Put on your finest shoes and send out that group text. The time has come to have a drink.

Works Cited

Top 10 bars in downtown L.A. Carreon, Mary. 2013, October 21

http://www.laweekly.com/music/top-10-bars-in-downtown-la-4168902  

Downtown: The 11 New Bars You Need to About. Caroline. 2014, February 21 http://www.lamag.com/digestblog/downtown-the-11-new-bars-you-need-to-know-about/

10 Great Downtown LA  Bars http://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/food-drink/Downtown-LA-Bars-106558038.html

Bars with a view: LA’s best rooftop bars

http://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/bars/bars-with-a-view-las-best-rooftop-bars-and-oceanside-drinks.

Are you thirsty?

Drinking: Verb

take (a liquid) into the mouth and swallow

Intoxication: Noun

The state of being intoxicated, especially by alcohol

Looking for a good time? Aren’t we all. We all are in need of a good drink after a long day or especially after a long week. But the question is where is the “hottest location” the most deserving of our time. Where can one stay hydrated in Los Angeles? Luckily for you downtown los angeles is full of energy and the taps are full.

Downtown Los Angeles has recently gone through a revival.  It is on the come up, and it most certainly has been making a deserving name for itself. It is the best place in town to put back a few drinks and it is dominating the Los Angeles social scene.

Downtown has a ton of exclusive beer gardens, rooftop bars, underground cocktail bar, and even some wine bars.

It has been attracting a younger crowd of people. The venues are playful and unpretentious.

The Famous 901 Bar and Grille

Food Blog #2

While continuing to read the book, I learned that corn is rapidly taking over land and pushing out plants, animals and people. When talking about Greene County Iowa the author states that “Greene County is black now, a great tarmac only slightly more hospitable to wildlife than alphalt.” This really made me think about how much influence corn is having on its surrounding areas. This imagery provoked me to think of dark desolate farm towns. Its shocking how much a commodity can change a town that was once thriving with people animals and life. 

Food Blog #1

While beginning to read The Omnivore's Dilemma I thought to myself, wow who knew you could write so much about corn.  However I found it really interesting how the book talks about how much corn we use and consume, but than tells us that corn could not exist without us. Its crazy to think that corn would have gone extinct if we didn’t plant it every season.  It is nearly impossible for corn to germinate by itself. A life without corn, a life without popcorn, thats unimaginable. A huge takeaway was learning that corn and humans have a symbiotic relationship.