U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A.!

From scenic canoe rides in Minnesota to jazz filled nights inside a "movie-theater-turned-concert-hall," the good ole United States has a lot more to offer than the dollar menu at McDonald's. The best thing I read this week was this online article titled, "This Is The ONE Thing You Must Do In Each U.S. State," by the Huffington Post, a thrilling exciting article for any travel enthusiast!

(Canoe the Boundary Waters- Minnesota)

(Balloon Glow-New Mexico)

One event that caught my eye was the Balloon Glow that is known throughout the world that takes place here in New Mexico. This air balloon even is the largest in the world that has the sky filled with hundreds of balloons throughout the day! It is a weekend event that takes place in October, that costs around $300 for a ride that will be a  lifelong memory. 

(Drive State Route 1 - California) 

This online article grabbed my attention from the start with all the photographs of places, food and events that each state has to offer. I find it interesting how as Americans we are always looking for places outside our own country to travel to when our own home has so much to offer! Looking at this article makes me want to travel more throughout the U.S. and I definitely will be adding a few of these places on my bucket list!

Huffington Post

Latino Loving!

 Saturday night Student Union’s room 330 was occupied with college men and women searching for some love! Latin American Student Association held a dating game show modeled after the notorious Telemundo television show called, Doce Corazones. There were two parts of the show which included three men hoping to find a special lady from a group of 12 girls; following the first part, three women were search on a man for themselves, too. The night was filled with sexual innuendo, unstoppable laughter and tons of Latin love! 



The first round had the men running across the stage in search of their partner’s “hole” to stick their toilet cleaners in. Once the toilet paper was transferred onto their “stick” they had to run back across stage and drop the paper into the basket. Afterwards, there were a series of questions for both sexes to answer leading up to an elimination round. The second game involved some balloon popping with a side of some hip thrusting. Let’s just say there were a lot of balloons popped that night. Finishing the first part of the show two guys walked away with a date and one unfortunately walked home solo.

The next round was definitely a bit more playful and quite naughty! The first game refereed to “The Anaconda,” it was a race between the girls.  The boys had to sit down while the girls pumped air into the long sized balloons, once the balloon exploded the next person was up. The girls surely got their jobs done!  Similar to the first part the game held a questionnaire and elimination. Following the rejections and broken hearts, the best part of the show was saved for last. At this point of the show, the guys were instructed to show off their special talents. Jackets were coming off, shirts became unbuttoned and blindfolds were initiated! The audience became alive during this round and the room only became hotter. The lap dances were more than impressive and enjoyable to watch, luckily some were recorded! ;) During this round everyone walked away happy with a prize and a special date.

From the food to the crowd, Latin American Student Association is a very diverse club filled with an audience that seems to love to have a good time. The music made any amateur want to dance and the food was beyond delectable; provided by Niagara Café, one of Buffalo’s best known Puerto Rican restaurants. LASA (Latin American Student Association) holds Latin Socials weekly in the Flag room in Student Union every Tuesday at 8 p.m. and general body meetings every Thursday at 5 p.m. 

Best thing I ate this week

Lately all that I can dream of is the summer sun hitting my face and backyard barbecues accompanied by my closed loved ones. Ever since starting college family time has seemed to decrease and life's side aspirations and deadlines have somehow become first on my priority list. Recently time has always on a crunch and with everyone's schedules not matching up yesterday I was finally able to go out to dinner with my family. Spending time with them might sound like a minor everyday event but it meant a lot to me, it reminded me of how much I had missed simply being around them. My family and I went to Bonefish Grill located in the the Boulevard Mall and I ordered Pumpkin Ravioli and Baja Fish Tacos for dinner and for dessert I couldn't pass up their Crème brûlée. It was an odd mix of food but delicious in every way! I couldn't help but look for a recipe once I arrived home and looking and it, it is a perfect college meal that is quick, easy and nutritious! (recipe provided by mango.org)

Preparation Time:

20 minutes

Cooking Time:

15-20 minutes

Ingredients

	MANGO SALSA
2	large ripe mangos, peeled, pitted and chopped
1/4	cup minced red bell pepper
1	tablespoon lime juice
1	tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
2	green onions, sliced (green tops only)
1	small jalapeno pepper, stem, seeds and membrane removed
	TACOS
1	pound cod fillets, rinsed and patted dry
1	teaspoon chili powder
1/2	teaspoon ground cumin
1/2	teaspoon Mexican oregano
1/2	teaspoon garlic salt
8	corn tortillas, warmed
2	cups shredded green or red cabbage
1/2	cup crumbled cotija cheese (may substitute shredded Monterey Jack)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Stir together mango, bell pepper, lime juice, cilantro, onions and jalapeno in a medium bowl; set aside. Place cod on 2 large sheets of parchment paper. Stir together dry seasonings in a small bowl and sprinkle over cod. Bring edges of parchment paper together and fold twice. Fold ends under to enclose fish. Place packets on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Open packets carefully to let steam escape. Place equal amounts of cod in each tortilla and top with cabbage, cheese and mango salsa.

Nutrition

Nutrition per serving: 337 calories (21% calories from fat), 8 g total fat, 65 mg cholesterol, 285 mg sodium, 45 g carbohydrates, 7 g fiber, 29 g protein - See more at: http://www.mango.org/recipe/baja-fish-tacos-mango-salsa#sthash.NddOSAQS.dpuf

Servings: four

- See more at: Mango Baja Fish Tacos

Art and the Self

Best Thing I Read This Week
(^click link)

Lately, I have been on this art kick and as an art junkie and enthusiast I’m guilty of over analyzing almost everything in my life. However, more recently I have been over drilling myself with articles to books to music I come across somehow relating it back to my own personal life. Whether it is an eye-catching mural or crappy abstract graffiti filled wall to a two-dimensional piece in a museum I find myself wanting to more. While reading this article it made sense it was almost as if something clicked within me. I found out that it wasn't the art or the music I was looking at or listening to for an answer, it was me. I was examining me this whole time. I couldn't agree more with the idea of art giving one sometimes unfathomable feelings; feelings that self-analyze and stimulate that flame within us. Our desires and displeasures are engraved in everything around us; it is just waiting for us to take that moment to look at them in a different light.

The Best Thing I read this week

http://hyperallergic.com/104347/the-art-worlds-casual-racism/

The best/worst thing I read this week was a controversial issue that came up within the past week that I heard about but wanted to take the time to look a bit further into the details.  On Martin Luther King, Jr’s Day an article was published that featured an image that made headline news, at least within the art world. This article featured an elite socialite, Dasha Zhukova, sitting on a “piece of artwork,” that was more attention grabbing than your average newspaper cover.

Zhukova was pictured sitting on a black woman mannequin that is presented to be lying on her back topless with heeled boots up in a position that is quite PG-13. While reading further into the article this artwork was part of a series that was a tribute to a pop sculptor, however, this artist used women of color, unlike its original artist.

After hitting the news in an unfortunate way apologies were sent out and the public seemed to only continuously bash the article. I just believe the timing of this release, especially on one of the most profound holidays was just disregarded at all cost. I am not against the article or the gallery because nowadays there’s not limit to one’s expression. Art is art. The artworks are can seem offensive and clearly objectify women especially when a white woman is put into the picture but it also could be completely taken out of context when both are combined. Without the white woman it would just be a mannequin chair part of a collection in a gallery. 

My favorite place

Growing up as an only child I have grown to attach myself to certain places fairly quickly. Whether it is due to my quick understanding of how much I like a place or not, I have always been that person to go with my gut feeling. My connection with particular locations and people I have noticed is something I like to deeply analyze. Travel is not only a passion but it is a form of dedication. However, the comfort of your home is hard to find as well as replicate and that is why my home is my favorite place.

 As a young girl and adult I have been blessed with many opportunities to travel, see and experience cities and countries one can only dream of. The unknown adventure that travel brings is exciting and sometimes nerve-racking; it’s a thrill I personally live for.  But coming home after hours of being stuck in coach wishing you were in first class is pretty relieving. The familiarity of my home and the aromas from my mother's kitchen that seem to be forever enclosed are calming and always warm welcoming.

From the ever so genius thoughts that I believe in that cross my mind during late nights to the books that never stop stacking themselves on my floor; as much as a travel junkie that I am, I am a homebody and I am okay with that.  My room is my private studio of endless imagination and messy dreams I hope to one day obtain.  It’s my place of security some never seem to find. 

2/2/2014

Summer Lookbook ♡

Morning thoughts;

We all try to escape reality and live in an imaginary world that only concerns ourselves.

Wash.

The last couple months have given me life lessons that have made me weaker than your average person. At times if feels like everybody but me wants to engage themselves in some form of progressive activity but I just sit there and watch. But I've had enough and now it's time to wash all the people that have tainted me in way that has polluted my values and morals I once believed in.

I anticipated some great change before entering college and now I’m finally realizing all I’m left with in the end is myself. I thought you saved me from falling but I saved myself.

I need to live for me

...because my time is coming now.

 

song of the day: Wash. by Bon Iver

Bright star

I remember when I was younger I use to see so many stars. Why is it now we forget to look up and appreciate the small beautiful things?

The Human Seasons

Untitled, a photo by Amber Marie Chavez on Flickr.

"There is nothing in life that is not beautiful or sweet or great that is not really mystery." While sitting in a library looking through books looking for that perfect quote, for some reason this one stuck out to me most. There is a deep truth behind this quote and I believe it is something rather hard to explain. In life, we are only promised one thing and that is death. As much as we would want to run or escape from it we simply cannot. We are born in the image of God and hopefully live a life of charity, humility and kindness. One of my favorite poems that this quote reminded me of is by John Keats called "The Human Seasons," it is a poem that relates human life as the four seasons of a natural year. We are born, we grow up, reproduce and eventually die. In a natural year, we bloom throughout our childhood during the spring. Grow up and learn about life's obstacle while enjoying our youth in the summer. Become older and mature during the autumn, eventually to wait upon our destiny. Lastly, slowly learn to let go of all that life has given to us and depart to where we are destined to be which describes winter.

The beauty of life is that we will never know where it may lead and take us. One theory of life I hold close to me is that all things happen for a reason. Whether or not we know what that one reason may be, I believe there is a deeper meaning in all that is set in front of us. All we have to do is look for that reason. During life, obstacles I believe are put into our lives to prevent us from harm's way. At times I have become upset with life's impediments that have set me back, but in the end I have learned to think positively and believe that things have redirected themselves for the best. The universe tilts everything; it can open a door, an opportunity, a downfall all that can teach a life lesson. Life is beautiful and not knowing or ever finding out the answers to everything I believe is the beauty of it all.

college love.

Untitled, a photo by Amber Marie Chavez on Flickr.





december 5, 2012



 I thought I was immune to this thing called “college love,” but then soon enough I found myself falling in love. 

We aren't happy till we are running away.

Untitled, a photo by anne symons on Flickr.

innocent love
i need someone somewhere
i need some way to come down
i need some way to make things right

clueless repitition

Some days I can look at myself and be perfectly content with who I am, then others I can pick out a myriad of flaws. I have recently realized I constantly try to find myself in things, people, hobbies that serve me no good in the end. I have no clue what I’m trying to find exactly but it’s as I’m searching for that pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. However, with every rainbow I stumble upon there’s nothing waiting for me on the other end.

Untitled.

Untitled, a photo by eros turannos on Flickr.

Meeting new people is always a stimulating experience. We can either enjoy the ride or hop off and never want to reflect on the memory. We all fall victim to some people who leave a large impression on our lives and others that simply come and go. Earlier today while I was reviewing old photographs it reminded me of times when everything was simple but since then things have changed. Friends that I highly consider lifelong pals, teachers that I looked up to as friends rather than an adult figure, family members that now no longer fit that definition and a young girl that was once fearless. Now that I’m eighteen things are feel as if they are spiraling out of control. I’m a young adult in the eyes of others. College is my newest responsibility. Then again, life is just beginning and is in my hands.