sweet tomorrows

One of my favorite things to do during the spring is to laze around Burke Lake Park located in Fairfax County, Virginia. As a resident on campus, Burke Lake is a convenient getaway and only minutes from George Mason University. This 900 acres recreation facility houses outdoor volleyball courts, an 18-hole par 3 golf course, picnic areas with grills for outdoor barbecues, multiple playgrounds, a carousel, trails, a locomotive train for kids, and to top off all that, there is an amazing 218-acre lake where anyone can rent rowboats. Regardless of what sort of activity you enjoy or are into, there is always something to see and do.

Being a big fan of exercising and staying in shape one, of my most favorite work out routines is going for a nice relaxing run. So when I discover Burke Lake, boy did it make me grin; not only are the well-maintained trails rugged and challenging, but the trail pulls you away from the worries of everyday and sucks you into a world that is calm and serene. It is also perfect on sunny days because it is completely shaded by beautiful foliage.

Another fun thing to do is to grab a few friends and go out on the lake and fish (you have to be Virginia resident ages 16 and up with a fishing license). The lake provides a 5.25 mile fishing shoreline and a fish population comprised of Walleye, Muskie, Catfish, Black Crappie, Yellow and White Perch, and a variety of Sunfish and Bluegill.

So, whether you live in Fairfax or not—you have been missing out if you have not visited Burke Lake Park because its got a little bit of everything for everyone. It is the perfect place for families having picnics, friends enjoying a nice social gathering, or romantic couples looking for an adventurous date.

For the very first time, I recently had the chance to eat a true Philly cheese steak at the famous, Jim’s Steaks, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As if the food wasn’t enticing enough, celebrities who have waited in the long line to get inside Jim’s, have signed photos of themselves which now line the inside walls of the restaurant. Once I was full on cheesesteak, I was able to explore perhaps the most entertaining strip Philly has to offer. South St., a place where the nice and naughty meet, contains art galleries, lavish dessert and pastry restaurants, and even a few stores to keep the children away from. With an open mind, one will love to see the entertainment South Street has to offer.

Additionally, I toured historic Philadelphia and splashed into the Delaware River on the Ride the Ducks tour. This amphibious cruise not only traveled around the Liberty Bell and the famous Delaney St. (where several famous movies were filmed), but also visited Betsy Ross’s house and the Philadelphia Seaport. Its interactive tour gives you a duck’s eye view of the city and it is a must-do when visiting this city.

Chinatown was the last stop for me. I enjoyed the dirt-cheap produce at the fresh oriental markets, and the cute Asian boutiques where little ‘thingamajigs’ can be found. Whether you are looking to get educated by the historic monuments, or to just enjoy a mouthwatering Philly cheese steak, Philadelphia has a great atmosphere for anyone young or old.

This past weekend I adventured down to the old town of Urbanna, Virginia, where my roommate Allyson lives. Surrounded by the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, Urbanna welcomed me with its captivating and simplistic culture. With a landmass of less than a half a square mile, Urbanna is considered one of the smallest towns in the nation.

While there, Allyson and I enjoyed the relaxing sounds of flowing water, as her house is found right along the edge of the Chesapeake. With her swimming pool filter purifying the water, we enjoyed the cool, breezy air whistling between the trees while we tanned under the sun.

Later, when we went out on her boat, the scenic view was as breath taking as seeing the beach for the first time, thanks to the vast array of beach houses, waterfront restaurants, hotels, and the beautiful horizon.

However, as extraordinary as it was—there are a few things you guys should know about going to a place as tiny as Urbanna. Having only one cell phone tower powering the entire town, it can be challenging for those who live minute-to-minute hooked on technology, but at the same time, it allows people to break away from the techno-savvy world we all are consumed by today. Second, if you are not a fan of fish, crab, lobster, clams, or in other words—seafood, traveling to a town like Urbanna, might not be the place for you.

Known for its Oyster Festival held annually during the first weekend in November, Urbanna breaks the record as being one of the most charming towns on the East Coast. I would recommend anyone to visit this beautiful town, full of rich scenery, historical landmarks, and friendly people.

If your looking for a new way to enjoy the Washington D.C area, why not join a local kickball league? NAKID Kickball is a great way to stay active and meet new people. What separates this kickball league from its school-recess counterpart, is that this adult kickball league includes parties, beer, and several hundred people. The playing field is accessible via the D.C. Metro system, and is located right on the National Mall in front of the Capital Building. If you would like a change from the normal D.C. sightseeing, come out Sundays and Thursdays and look for groups of players in colored shirts kicking and screaming.

Playing this game is simple; the only requirement is to have an open attitude and be ready to have fun. While most players want to win, NAKID is truly a sport league where friends and newcomers can let loose and play sports, immediately followed by a happy hour at two sponsored and local bars. NAKID is also year-round, offering indoor kickball during the winter.

Several weekends throughout the season, NAKID kickball also offers special events such as:

• Free parties
• A Boomerang Bus trip
• A wine festival event
• Free movie screenings
• DC United tailgates at the RFK Stadium

For those of you who are looking for a good time, meeting and making new friends, or even networking, NAKID Kickball is a fun take on a traditional childhood recess game.

If you would like to join: visit NAKID for more detailed information.

A couple months ago, I spent the most amazing day at the Inner Harbor, located in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland. Being one of the most visited areas in Baltimore, the Inner Harbor’s breath-taking seaport and surrounding attractions offered an experience that contained fine dining, new cultures, and a unique shopping experience.  Its up-close and personal street performances around the waterfront also provided a lasting impression of its exhilarating atmosphere.

One of the places I visited was the National Aquarium. Housing a beautiful 35-foot waterfall in the entrance way, the aquarium showcased an abundance of underwater sea critters such as stingrays, sea turtles, sharks and bullfrogs. In its latest exhibit, Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out of Balance it offered a wide range of jellyfish species from costal waters to the open oceans. Another exciting attraction found within the Aquarium was its Dolphin Show, which explored the underwater world of dolphins through two TV projectors and a live-action performance by four Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and its Aquarium trainers. Whether you want to learn of the waters that surrounds us, or you just want to check out a variety of exhilarating exhibits, the Baltimore National Aquarium is an interactive experience you do not want to miss.

After walking around the Aquarium, it was a must do to check out the view of the harbor during the sunset. It is simply beautiful! As the waters glistened, people rode on ferries down the harbor while the sound of music could be heard in the distance from live bands playing throughout the area. During special holidays, the Inner Harbor is decorated with its corresponding theme, making the area an even more enrapturing experience.

For dinner, although there were so many great dining places around the harbor, I chose to go to the Hard Rock Café located right beside the ESPN Zone and Barnes and Noble. And like always, Hard Rock never fails when it comes to great burgers and  hickory-smoked bar-b-que ribs. The plaques and antiques of famous artists lined the ceilings and walls, and the sounds of musical legends provided a fun and relaxing meal.

Whether you are looking for a fun day trip with the family or a romantic night out with a special someone, the Inner Harbor has everything. Make sure to check out this Baltimore landmark if you ever find yourself in the area.

During my spring break, I ventured down to the beautiful Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This area is a great vacation spot for those who wish to get away from industrialized cities which many of us live in today. For a couple days, my boyfriend, Stephen, and I relaxed and watched the calm yet cold waves pierce onto the open sand from the balcony of our hotel room. For the most part, we spent our days sightseeing and walking along the beach, but occasionally we decided to check out the town and experience its main attractions.

An interesting place we explored was Broadway at the Beach located only a few miles from our hotel. For those who are not familiar with Broadway at the Beach, it is a premier shopping center with a wide range of entertainment; fine dining and popular retail stores like Planet Rock n’ Roll and Build-a-Bear Workshop can be found here, as well as the Ripley’s Aquarium, MagiQuest and an IMAX 3D Theatre. While we spent a large majority of our morning just wandering around the lively boardwalk, we wanted to take advantage of the restaurants that Broadway had to offer.

For lunch, Stephen and I ate lunch at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville—and let me tell you that place is incredible. The whole restaurant was decked out brilliantly with a life-sized ship, gift shop, and a giant blender. The restaurant was anything but normal and the food was delish! I had nachos that towered higher than my margarita glass. And about once an hour, a special event within the restaurant takes place where the giant blender makes an oversized margarita while Buffet’s song, “5 o’clock Somewhere” plays in the background.

During the last night in town, we decided to try something new and check out an originally themed diner, called Dick’s Last Resort. What makes this hot-spot so unique is the fact that the waiters and waitresses actually act like, well, dicks. When we asked for napkins, our waiter threw a handful on the table and exclaimed, “Here.” To top it all off, every customer receives a tall white hat made of paper with a quirky line written by the waiter. Many of these are not appropriate, but all should be taken lightly. While humor is the restaurant’s main seller, the food and service was great. If you’re going to Dick’s, be prepared to share many laughs with friends, and to leave with new memories to take home.

In a nutshell, for those who are traveling down to Myrtle Beach be sure to check out Broadway at the Beach, and Dick’s Last Resort (if you’re up to it), because not only is it affordable for families and college students, but it is a perfect way to spend a few days because there is truly something for everyone.