Welcome Back A.I.

Sooo excited to have The Answer (Allen Iverson) come back to Philly. I had always hoped he would end his career here with us. Welcome back A.I.
Enjoy this video:

Bohemian Rhapsody- Muppets Style

I love the muppets and this is why:



Need I say more?

Out and About: Rittenhouse Square

When I go out for a night on the town in Philly I intend to have a lot of fun, as most people do. It has been difficult to do so in the past because downtown isn't that party friendly to those under 21. It also doesn't help that everything closes around 2 and that Septa (arguably one of the worst transit systems in America) shuts down before that. But as soon as I turned 21 I let loose! I am now free to hang out at bars and clubs closed off from me before and I feel comfortable taking public transit downtown and catching a cab back, because I know that the time spent in Philly will be well worth it. My journey last night reaffirmed that fact. It was my first time hanging out after hours in and around Rittenhouse Square and I must say that I was not disappointed. The first stop of the night with my lovely friends was Alfa Lounge on 17th and Walnut. It is a two floor spot with a charming and cute bouncer at the door for the 1st floor and a really nice hostess at the door for the 2nd floor. We decided to first check out the first floor lounge as we were waiting for one more friend. The place was crowded at the bar, it was a bit difficult to walk around, and you had to search for a spot to order a drink. But, once the drinks were in hand, we felt a bit better about the spot. I would definitely suggest either reserving a table so that you don't have to stand awkwardly in the lounge area or get there a bit earlier than 10 to situate yourself at the bar. The crowd was friendly and laid back and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. And for $8 a drink (good ones at that) you can't go wrong. The upstairs area was what really sealed the deal for me. The music was bumping with fantastic 90s hip hop and r&b. They played artists like Camp Lo and The Fugees and had a little dance area were we grooved. The music was excellent and the other male patrons were friendly and fun, making Alfa a spot my friends and I will definitely return to.

The other destination of the night was The Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. The name in itself sounds nothing like the place it is, which is exactly the point. We walked past it twice searching high and low for where it could possibly be (especially because buildings in that area like to not have address numbers visible). Staring at the door that had a larger 112 on it we were very confused as it led to someone's home. We would have definitely left in confusion if we hadn't noticed the nicely dressed gentlemen standing by a set of steps right next to it. We noticed right away that the steps leading down led to the very unassuming and hidden place that we had been looking for. He politely told us that our party of 4 would have to wait 15 minutes for a seat as they were at capacity and the place is seating only. We waited a bit longer, a good 20-30 minutes, but it was well worth it.
The place is tiny but cozy. You have definitely been sent back in time to the speakeasy era, with the barmen and waitress dressed in 20s finery. It would have made the atmosphere even more authentic if they had mixed their modern music with old classics, but I can't really complain since it didn't detract for the atmosphere all that much. Our patience was well rewarded with fantastic and delicious cocktails. The menu is fantastic and all of our drinks were definitely amazing. I had heard this place has some of the best drinks in Philly and I was definitely not disappointed. If you can brave the wait (if there is one) it is definitely worth it to come. The drinks are priced at $12-13 or so, but the money is well spent. Some drinks I would suggest: Mexican Firing Squad, Conquistadora, Airmail, Carroll Gardens (not for the faint of heart), or the Passyunk Punch.

Cheers!

I Love Sushi!

I happened to be one of those sushi lovers that popped up when sushi became mainstream and popular for yuppies, hipsters, and college students alike. I don't like avocados (gasp the horror!), so I was adverse to sushi for a very long time, until I realized that I could order many of the rolls without it. When I found this out, I quickly made sushi a favorite meal option of mine. That being said, I have found my favorite sushi place in the US, and whenever possible I try to have dinner at this restaurant because the food is oh so worth it. Jade Eatery and Lounge in Forest Hills (Queens), NY has the most delicious sushi and sashimi of any sushi restaurant I've tried, and I've gone to quite a few.

The shrimp tempura roll($9) and the spicy tuna roll($7) are my favorites but I have had many equally delicious rolls and sashimi that are definitely worth the price. The fried rice is also a great choice if you want something hot as a good compliment with the cold dishes. If you like shrimp, definitely get the shrimp tempura roll which is the perfect blend of hot and cold, as well as the most delectable blend of flavors. This is a perfect date, group of friends, or party place. The decor is sophisticated and warm with Asian flare. I would suggest reserving for groups more than 2, especially on the weekend, as it is always full of people enjoying the fantastic food. So if you are in the New York area, definitely stop by Jade for lunch or dinner. You will not be disappointed.

PYT

Northern Liberties is fast becoming my favorite area in downtown Philly and as it continues to evolve and grow, I'm excited to see what great bars, restaurants, and other hot spots pop up. It is a great place to walk around and sightsee, and if you like architecture, as many of my friends do, it's a great place to go for some architectural appreciation.

I recently happened upon a great little burger place, PYT (may have some Michael Jackson connection), in Northern Liberties with my friend. PYT is an example of the good, though somewhat pricey, food the area has to offer. If you are looking for a good burger, come here. It has a very cute and appealing diner-esque feel with a more modernized burger bar twist. Bright green bar chairs line the colorful bar where patrons seem to prefer to sit and enjoy their meal. The place itself isn't that big, so I would suggest not coming in a large group if you want to eat together.

I sat on the inside in a booth with my friend, but it seems that most customers prefer either to sit outside on the Piazza at Schmidts (and with good reason as there is always something going on out there) or at the bar.



The milkshakes are great, though $5 is a bit much to pay for it. Chips come with the burger so there isn't a need to order fries or onion rings unless you are really hungry. And if you do order the fries, I would suggest asking for mayo on the side for dipping (if you like that sort of thing). The burgers at PYT are small but filling. I really enjoyed my PYT Burger and my friend liked his Shroom Burger as well.




Great background music, cute decor, great burgers, great location, overall great place. If you are in Northern Liberties and craving a burger, PYT is the place to go.

Muslim. Hijab. Conservative Garb No Longer?

Taken from The Customized Hijab (linked below).

So I was walking to the Broad Street Line in the 15th street free interchange from the Market Frankfort Line (Septa) yesterday and I came across a sight that definitely confused me. I noticed a black female, approximately between 17-20 wearing a long black Hijab and hot pants.... Now, I never thought these two article of clothing would come into the same sphere. The Hijab is a statement of religious and social values that include conservative dress for females: "In one tradition, the Prophet Muhammad is quoted as saying: '...If the woman reaches the age of puberty, no part of her body should be seen but this --- and he pointed to his face and hands'". (Linked from: Hijab in the Workplace) This conversation encompasses a much grander social, religious, and moral sphere than the small issue I am touching on today, but when I envision a female in a Hijab, I see a statement of either a religious consciousness or a social choice of conservative dress and living. I do not equate it to a showcase of skin or a way to allure interested parties to you, as I would hot pants. Women wear hot pants generally to make a statement, to appeal to the opposite/same sex, and to garner attention (usually of the sexual type). It is a clearly revealing item of clothing and in a world society where the Hijab is majorly connected with a religion that promotes female and male conservative actions and dress, I would think the paring of the two an oxymoron.

But maybe this is a new trend in Islamic religious culture? Is this an example of Muslim women seeking a freer mode of dress? Or this particular female's way of rebelling against her Muslim religion and culture? However, there is also the idea that she was not in fact Muslim, though her Hijab points otherwise from my general experience. But even if she was not Muslim the pairing of the two garments still points to a dramatic cross of style and dress.

I happened upon this piece that illuminates more of what I have touched on: The Customized Hijab.

I suppose the larger question is what has the Hijab evolved into, religiously, socially, culturally, and in the fashion industry? Is it now becoming only a garment meant to showcase a religious connection/belief, no longer a religious lifestyle? And how does one equate a garment equated with such conservatism with the continually more risque/revealing fashion trends of today? Does it even need to be? I have seen Muslim young adults in Philadelphia wearing tight jeans and shirts, which begs the question of whether there is some sort of regional acceptance of a much less conservative dress? As I am not Muslim myself, I cannot judge what is conservatively fitting in Muslim culture, only say my take from what I have read and learned from Muslim friends.

So what's your take? What does the Hijab mean to you in this quickly evolving world?

10 Best Cites....

So Huffington Post has a new article rating the 10 best US cites for Local Food. Interesting picks. What do you think??

Greek Food in Philly

Having spent four years this past winter/spring in Athens, Greece, I like to think that I know a little bit about Greek food. And now that I am back in America I've had some serious craving for authentic and good Greek food. My favorite Greek cuisine are: Moussaka, Grape Leaves, Pastichio, Saganaki, Tzatzichi, Greek Salad (Horiatiki Salata), Domata Salata, and Kleftico. With these foods you can't go wrong! You also can't forget the Greek yogurt with honey (always a must have) for dessert or breakfast. And a glass of Retsina (for the brave of heart) is always a good mix with food (especially fish)! Now as a strong critic of Greek food I have been looking for great places in Philly to enjoy some of my favorite cuisine. It takes a lot to impress me when it comes to such food, especially after spending four months with the legit stuff, but I have found a restaurant that has done just that.



I was a bit worried when I saw the menu for this place (what can I say I'm a thrifty college student), but Estia was pleasantly surprising. I went there for lunch today and fell in love. Not only did they have warm and inviting staff and a beautifully decorated dining space (as well as bathroom which took the cake for me), but they had authentic and delicious Greek food! Even out waiter was from Athens! The selection and decor of the restaurant reminded me of beloved Greece and many of the restaurants I dined in during my time there. I dined there for lunch with my friends who had also studied with me in Greece and I can say equivocally that we all enjoyed the food. I order the lunch 2 course special of Domata Salata and the Moussaka ($17 not including tax and tip) and was extremely happy and satisfied by the end of my meal. I never expected to find Greece again in Philadelphia so easily, but now that I have I will be back to enjoy and reminisce. They have a very extensive wine list from all over, but the glasses and bottles are not cheap. The food is a bit pricey as well ($$$) but definitely worth it for the quality. One thing I will say is that I would have loved to have ended my lunch with a Greek dessert, but though I did not, I was too stuffed from the bread, salad, and moussaka to really care all that much. So for authentic and quality Greek food in Philly, Estia is the place to go.

Chicago Does Food

I love to eat, especially when it's good food. Chicago does good food. Whether it's pizza, burgers, pasta, or ice cream; Chicago has yet to fail me. Sure there are the restaurants that I would never go to or return to because of food or service. But Chicago has definitely impressed me with a few good places that definitely made my time there memorable. So here's a small list of my must stop by places for food:

For Sweets:

1. Medici in Hyde Park

Some of the best ice cream I've had. Delicious flavors with a smooth and creamy texture. My favorite is definitely Pirate's Booty. The milkshakes are also delicious, not icy or too watery. I would try the Mexicana for a little different spin on a chocolate milkshake. And for coffee the Chocafe is the best on the menu, if you like chocolate that is. It is definitely my favorite thing on the menu. All in all, a fantastic place to stop for goodies on a hot or cold day. They have outdoor and indoor seating and they also bake right on location so the goodies are fresh and fantastic. It can be a bit pricey, but a worthy splurge.

2. Navy Pier

The Navy Pier is a fantastic place to take the whole family, friends, or date. It has rides, a museum, arcade, boats, theatres, and restaurants. It is fantastic in the summer and certain nights have firework displays. It's the perfect place to stop and people watch and it has carnival food! When you go to the Navy Pier you must get Elephant Ears. Now I had no idea what these where before visiting Chicago, but now I like them almost as much as funnel cake. They are made out of the same ingredients as funnel cake, but doughier and in the shape of elephant ears. I would suggest getting one with powdered sugar and vanilla ice cream. Perfect sweet but sticky summer treat. Definitely have water with you because it is very very sweet.

For Food:

1. Exchequer

This pub/restaurant is located in downtown Chicago, easily accessible through all modes of transportation. It is in an ideal location, especially if you want to catch a show afterwards (as I did one night) or walk around the downtown area. It is a fantastic place with great food. I had the best bacon cheese burger (The Old Hickory Burger) I've ever had there and the deep dish is great too. That's me at the restaurant. Don't worry folks, the bill wasn't that bad. Also, see that delicious deep-dish? Makes me want to hop on a plane right now!

The staff are friendly, though some familys may be a little put out by the scantily clad female bartenders (this may have changed from last summer). The food and service is great and I had some of my best food in Chicago here, so I would suggest a visit. It can get crowded during peak hours so I would suggest calling ahead for a reservation or to show up in smaller groups.

2. Medici in Hyde Park

Did I mention that I really liked this place?? I even (on a whim) order a grilled cheese (with bacon) sandwich and fries and was impressed. I have never eaten inside the actual restaurant as I spent most of my time on the bakery side, but you can make take out requests on the bakery side. I love this; especially because I could go pick up my food and order a coffee while I was at it.

3. Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop

This place is perfect for Sunday brunch. I came here after a church service (Baptist so you know we were in there til about 2) and had some fantastic southern inspired soul food. The food is good so you know you'll have to wait for a table. A group of five of us had to wait about 25 minutes for a table, so ladies I would suggest wearing flats if you can't hold up in heels for that long. Also come with an empty stomach, because the amount of food they give you for the price is sure to fill you up.

This is an example of a meal at Dixie Kitchen. My friend ordered this, the catfish fillet platter as well as a Shrimp Po'Boy because he wasn't sure it would be enough for him. He has a healthy appetite and a bottomless pit for a stomach, but even he could barely finish either plate. Both are great suggestions and any side works well because they are all good. Good southern eating.

4. Caffe Florian

The best chicken parmesan I've ever had. I've heard the pizza is good, but I've never tried it myself. If you are looking for good pasta/ Italian, go here. It's a really cute and cozy restaurant where you can also order out or have food delivered. The staff are very friendly and the prices are good. Great Italian in Hyde Park.

AN: If you haven't noticed, much of my food experience is centered around Hyde Park. Unfortunately I didn't experience food (or food I really enjoyed) in more areas of the city. I do, however, plan to remedy this when I make another trip back there, hopefully soonish. So when that happens, I'll update and add to this list. But this is just a sampling of a few places to look for.

Good eating!

Happy Birthday to ME! 21 is so sweet!

Thanks to everyone for the many birthday greetings and well wishes. I feel so loved!!! My 21st was fantastic!!! I drank a little in front of my mom at lunch (and didn't feel guilty at all!), got my hair done, and finished my night off with a few drinks! A satisfying way to start the 22nd year of my life (and yes the math does work).

Any celebration worthy birthday must come with a few comments and recaps. And I have a few of course!

I have re-found a great natural hair place in Philly. Au Naturale is a fantastic natural hair care salon that has impressed me with its charming and warm staff, holistic feel, and cutely decorated interior. It is a bit pricey, but the staff and the ambience of the salon make up for it. I have been natural all my life, save for added color, and have been weary of hair salons from past bad experiences. I have had multiple experiences of burned and damaged hair after coming from a salon because the iron was too hot and/or they just don't know what to do with my type of hair. It can be very frustrating to have to chop off my already short (less than shoulder-length) hair to a very close to scalp length curly doo. It does help that my head shape makes my short doos work but after growing my hair out for so long (and my hair grows very slowly), having to cut it all off because someone who is supposed to be certified in hair care failed to actually care for your hair, can be a bit annoying. So I hide from hair salons, and have taken to doing my own hair and trimming it myself. However, as it was my birthday and being in Europe for 4 months didn't afford me the chance to get my hair done (language barrier, money, and fear where key in my decision not to try hair salons over there) for a very long time, so a trim and a new style were in order. Looking through the few options of natural hair places in Philly (which is shocking since we are the soul capital of America) I chose Au Naturale because I had been there once before and had an okay experience and because the other places looked a little too out of my price range.

I appreciate the simple things, and Au Naturale is simply a great place to go and get your hair done. The staff and other customers are friendly, not too talkative, and very laid back- qualities I find necessary for a great salon experience. They know and understand well natural hair. I truely appreciate this because (nothing against chemically treated hair) their is something very holistic about natural hair treatment and it's hard (IMO) to find someone who specializes or at the very least knows how to take care of natural hair correctly. At the very least stop by, get a consultation, check out the place and staff, and look over the price list. You can either make an appointment or do walk in Tuesdays. If you are going to do Tuesdays, there is a 10% discount on every style and if you arrive early (opens at 8) you could be first in and out. I got there at 7:55 and was out by 9:30. I paid $75 for two strand twists and a trim, a bit pricey, but for the overall experience, worth it in my book.

AN: Now that I'm 21 I'll be checking out drink spots all around Philly and the surrounding area. Look out for upcoming updates! Summer in Philly is so much fun and the perfect time to explore!! Year 21 here I come!!

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!

July has always been my favorite month of the year. Just one more reason, other than it being my birthday month and the summer holiday from school, that July is fantastic. A holiday that brings together everyone to celebrate not only the Country's independence, but also family. I love Independence day because it has become another holiday to have off from work so that everyone can get together and take a break. Sure you have those (like me) who man the grill for most of the party or those glued to the television instead of mingling with the family. But when the burgers and hotdogs are laid out with the salad and corn, everyone crowds around together and enjoys the holiday as a family should. In this day and age it is not often that my whole family gets to eat together, especially as us oldest three children all in, or in my older brothers case fresh out of, college spend most of our time socializing with our college friends away from the house.

I did of course have to make time for those college friends (love you Eun Yoon!) and head out to Penn's Landing for the Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat ice cream festival held on the festival pier. This was my first time in many years making it down to Penn's Landing for the 4th and I was not disappointed. It was crowded and parking was scarce, but if you look hard enough and are willing to walk a bit, you can find meter parking and save yourself at least 10 dollars. The crowd was a friendly Philadelphian crowd, making the most of the warm weather and delicious treats for free and sale. The ice cream event was well worth the 5 dollars spent on the entrance fee. After you wait in line and pay (the proceeds of which go toward The Joshua Kahan Fund for pediatric leukemia), you are given a spoon and free range on all the frozen treats you can handle. It was pretty packed, but nothing too overbearing, as there were places to stand and eat the ice cream or water ice. You can choose from Shoprite and Haagen Daz to Starbucks and Ben and Jerry's. The flavors vary depending on the station and my favorite has to be the water (pronounced wood-er) ice.

~Now, I will speak more on this in a later blog. But I must say now that Wooder ice, as it must be called, is in fact a Philly thing. We created it and therefore don't appreciate when people try to correct the way we pronounce it. ~

Moving on. All in all, the super scooper festival is a fantastic event to attend especially because it benefits a great cause. With so many ice cream and wooder ice flavors to choose from, why not stop by next year and sample a few. It's family, friends, and date friendly so there's really no excuse why you shouldn't stop by even for an hour.

~~~~~

But this year 4th of July was otherwise spent as a family with my older brother's girlfriend's family (that's a mouthful isn't it?). The women were the cooks. The men prepared the backyard for our activities. I bbq'd. My siblings enjoyed a short respite from the toils of camp (hear my sarcasm) with the pool and basketball court. And when I finished cooking and eating, the pool was my haven for fun and games with both families. Nothing beats a hot July day that a cool pool.

And when the sun went down and it became to cold to swim in the pool, we all slipped into the jacuzzi, fitting seven of us comfortably.

We ended our 4th of July celebration with our own fireworks. And yes I did say fireworks- not those sparklers- but real pricey need to stick in a pail of sand because they're so powerful type of fireworks. The running joke is that we do the fireworks until the bomb squad comes, something that happened last year. This year however the bomb squad overlooked us and we set off enough fireworks to compete with the local township's display. Pretty fancy if I say so myself.

So sitting down to write this tiny little piece I decided family made this day such a great celebration. Even without the fireworks and all the other party fanfare, family can always throw down and make any get together well worth it.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY FROM PHILADELPHA!!!

Also, as my 21st draws near quite quickly, I'm hoping to update this much more frequently. I have lots to say and I hope you'll enjoy reading about it!

No Longer a Teenager, Not Yet an Adult

Turning 20 in Chicago (IL) was a definite blessing. My experience during my two + month tenure as summer student at the University of Chicago was most definitely one I will never forget. I met some of the smartest, opinionated, passionate, fun, and compelling individuals that I had the privilege of interacting with. I attended Mellon Mays Summer Research Training Program between June and August in order to begin my senior (though I was only a rising junior at the time- never to early to get a head start on research) thesis research, network with fellow Mellon students, and to gain a first hand look into the careers of graduate students and professors. I met Mellon fellows from Cornell, Bowdoin, UPenn, UChicago, and Cuny, as well as building upon relationships with fellows from my home institution: Haverford College.

Research and class took up much of my time during last summer, but the time spent with new and old friends was always fun; exploring Chicago, eating out, debating ideas, and partying. My 20th birthday was a definite highlight during that summer, fantastic fun with a group of intellectuals who knew how to get down after a long day of library research. I know personally that academia is an intensely work oriented field where you have to remain focused enough to write lengthy and sometimes wordy papers filled to the brim with new ideas and provocative spins on old ideas. After reading 3- 300+ page books a week, my birthday was a very welcome reprieve. My birthday celebration was held at the Noon Hookah Lounge in Hyde Park.

This particular hookah lounge is set in a very convenient location for University of Chicago (Hyde Park) students and residents of the Hyde Park area. It is a 15 minute walk from the center of campus and is surrounded by small markets, delis, restaurants, and residential buildings. It is a cute 2 floor place, very sensual and warm decor, with welcoming and helpful staff. The selection of tobacco is plentiful though I would suggest the double apple and the mint. Upstairs they have a separate room set up for larger parties, which is were my party took place holding nine of us comfortably. I suggest that you call ahead to reserve if you are going to have a large group to make sure they have space for you.

It can be a bit pricey but definitely worth every penny. Even my surprise birthday cake (not free unfortunately) was so delicious that my group ordered another one. I have heard, though I did not have the chance to try any myself, that the food is very good and the drink are tasty, so definitely throw down a couple extra dollars and splurge. It's well worth it! It is definitely a place to check out while you in Chicago, especially in the Hyde Park area.

(A.N. There is apparently a Chicago law that only 3 people can smoke at one hookah at one time in Hookah bars. I haven't been able to find any actually evidence, though I am still looking. Just a warning, as a I experienced this myself with having to buy multiple hookahs because I had large parties with me. It can be crazy annoying to have to buy another hookah when there is a group of 4 because of this law, but the hookah bars' staff definitely enforce this.)

20 and counting

The year twenty is the difficult age between no longer being known as a teenager but also still not being able to legally enjoy such past times as grabbing a drink while mingling at a club/bar. It is that year where everything adult seems just out of grasp. Where (in Pennsylvania at least) people can still tell your not quite 21 by the vertical driver's license you carry around. Where, especially in my case, all your friends are 21 and making plans to head out to places that card at the door, making you feel a bit left out or at the very least guilty when they have to change the outing place to accommodate you (those are fabulous friends by the way). It is also an age when, after going abroad to Europe for four months and enjoying all the pleasures that come with being a legal adult, you come back to the states and become abruptly reminded just how young you still are in the eyes of the government.

However, even with all these downsides, twenty has definitely been a year to remember as a turning point in my mental and spiritual maturity, personal growth and development, as well as giving me the ever cliché "new outlook on life". During my time as a twenty year old, I have met some of the most amazing people, many of who I know I can treasure as long term friends and acquaintances. I found out my love for Europe after spending four months primarily in Greece, but also traveling to London, Paris, Milan, and Amsterdam (second time there). And I rediscovered America by finally leaving the east coast to venture towards the midwest where I spent two months in Chi Town studying and living at the University of Chicago (Hyde Park); as well as taking the time out to socialize more in Philadelphia and explore the city I love so much more.

(That's me on the right.)

As I am soon to be twenty one, I think it necessary to reflect on my past exploits as a fresh faced twenty year old, just to give you a bit more incite into where I am coming from. So in the next few posts I'll be recapping the most significant places I've visited and the people I've seen who remind me of the fantastic, though often stressful and difficult, year I've had. Just a little information so that you'll learn a lot more about me and the places and people I find significant.

Ciao.

Beginning of an Era

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog 20s in America. I've decided to revamp this blog, originally under the title Philly Soullounge, into something more appropriate for my current interests. I began my previous blog in 2007, but never kept with it, so it was indeed time for a change. This blog will pick off from where I left off, with my interest in music, however I plan to focus more on my interactions with various areas, societies, places, and therefore cultures. I will focus primarily on the Philadelphia region, but as I travel a good amount, I will also blog on my past and present experiences wherever I've been during my roaring 20s.

A little bit about me:
I am from Philadelphia and am embarking on my senior year at Haverford College (Haverford, PA). I am a Classical Culture and Society major and Archaeology minor (at Bryn Mawr College). I am a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow and I am working towards becoming a professor in the field of Archaeology. I have traveled extensively in the first year of my 20s, interacted with a multitude of people from various backgrounds, found little nuggets of cultural bliss, and discovered many things that have greatly impacted my overall development as a person. I therefore found it necessary to put down on paper, or I suppose the internet, my experiences as they happen, not only keeping notes for myself, but to share the many people, places, and things that I myself enjoyed.

I describe my 20s as roaring as both a play on the 1920s in America, but also as a testament to the overall versatility and craziness (whether good or bad) I expect the next decade of my life to be. I hope you have as much fun reading this as I have recounting my experiences and writing this.

I hope you all enjoy a lil' taste of my journey through adulthood.