My most recent host, Megan, is a graduate student at the University of San Diego. Not only is she generous enough to set me up for the night, but she excitedly let me follow her to one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever been to, USD, and set me up with a continuous flow of inspirational dreamers to interview. I learned that USD is an Ashoka U certified Changemakers Campus. To my delight, this means that there is a specific department and talented staff dedicated to this idea of creating opportunities for students to learn and transform into changemakers. Needless to say, I was beyond entertained by my string of passionate people that I was able to connect with today. Stacey was one of my final interviews that was a little more impromptu but proved to be one of my favorites for the day. Check it out!
Although it was hard to part ways with Peggi and a place as beautiful as San Marcos, I’m glad my “re-entry” into San Diego began by spending the afternoon at Shakti Rising. Shakti Rising is an organization that provides a home (both figuratively and literally) for women and girls to grow as a community of changemakers. Conducting interviews in their backyard with their organic garden in the background was a prefect analogy for the type of community Shakti helps nurture, grow, and bloom into beautiful contributors to our society. Lisa generously volunteered to show me around and take me in for the afternoon, concluding our time together at a yoga class just walking distance away. Finally, my night ended on the couch of a recent friend Megan. Megan is a perfect example of “the power of the roadtrip" continued... Although our initial introduction was brief and amidst the hustle and bustle of a 500 person TEDx event, she connected with my project and welcomingly arranged to take me in for the night. Although that was nice enough, it was the bonus of slowly discovering all of the similarities in passions, previous experiences, and future aspirations that yet again reaffirmed my very scientific theory of “the power of the roadtrip”. Thanks Megan, Jessie, Charlene, and Kate for the comfiest couch yet!
So my past two days around the ocean have taught me a few valuable lessons. I’ll try to keep them short and sweet: 1. Simply being around the ocean is calming and reassuring that there is so much natural beauty in the world, most that has yet to be discovered. 2. Music videos and Disney movies make surfing look way easier than it is… Thanks Sasha for introducing me to such a fun, exhausting sport and making me feel like I belong in California- even if I didn’t exactly stand up for a full wave 3. Hanging out in a wet suit surprisingly did not automatically turn me into a pro surfer 4. Be inspired by awesome surfers like Erin who help set a great example to pursue and prioritize your passion, and not to let gender stereotypes hold you back in whatever your passion may be. 5. Gathering the confidence to approach/slightly harass two experienced fisherman can result in them taking the time to (attempt to) teach you how to fish! *similar to surfing, notice how my fishing skills have plenty of room for improvement ---- Oh and special thanks to Alberto and Jose for proving to me how valuable my “no fast food” rule is. Because of this rule that I set out for myself, I spent the extra few minutes searching for a local Mexican restaurant and came across a cute place called Garcias, with plenty of family photos to be amused for hours. The night ended with fun conversation and getting to learn more about the behind the scenes of the restaurant, and even interviewing my new friends Alberto and Jose!
It amazes me that it was over 3 1/2 years ago that I found myself touring San Diego State University’s campus, immediately falling in love as a prospective student. Sunny skies, unique architecture, college students everywhere with a beach just a short drive away, its no wonder I wanted to ditch Ohio for SDSU. As I enter into my junior year at The Ohio State University I couldn’t be happier with my decision to become a Buckeye. As stunning as San Diego is it feels good to be able to appreciate the universities across the country but feel confident in your own alma mater. I’d like to take a minute to say thank you to all the mentors and organizations that have impacted my life at Ohio State. I wouldn’t have ever been able to dream of all the different opportunities that could be provided to me by a single institution. Thank you friends, mentors, teachers, and peers for playing such a significant role in my personal growth over the past two years- I’m already excited with all the possibility that the next two years hold. That being said, enjoy Lyndsi’s interview (a proud SDSU alum) with the iconic Hepner Hall in the background. It may look familiar for those Bring it On fans like myself. Her positive energy always keeps me laughing and appreciating all that life brings- thanks for letting me crash at your apartment chica. The power of the roadtrip prevails! It just so happens that the day I call up my friend, Lyndsi (a fellow Semester at Sea alum) to tell her I’ll be crashing on her couch she slightly hesitates and tells me it’s going to be a busy weekend because she has rehearsal. Bad timing, I think, “rehearsal for what?”…. “TEDxAmericasFinestCity” she replies. And there it is, that beautiful roadtrip goodness that seems to have joined me since day one. What perfect timing? The day I happen to get into San Diego, Lyndsi is helping with a TEDx event- something that happens to be right up my alley! Needless to say, today was a great day. I was able to not only attend a TEDx event on the other side of the country but help out where I could. I even got to spend some time back stage as the trusty timer girl. I was incredibly impressed with the selection of over 20 speakers, the interactive displays, and creative artwork that was seen everywhere you turned. In between speaker sessions I set up camp outside the venue and interviewed attendees, speakers, and members of the TEDx team. The interviews are still loading but I’ll give you a sneak peak with some pictures from the day’s adventure! Yesterday I continued down the coast and found myself in Long Beach just in time for a walk on the beach and a surprising bit of light rain. I’m amazed with some of the commonalities that I’ve noticed along the west coast cities. For example, I am constantly seeing billboards and advertisements on the sides of buses that encourage healthy eating, physical fitness, and spending time in nature. I’ve also seen a common theme of public art displays. This could mean anything from an open space for graffiti or turning electric boxes on the side of streets into pieces of art for all to enjoy. Long Beach has found a way to turn the parking meters and bike racks into a place of expression. For example, in front of an ice cream store you may fine a large outline of an ice cream cone rather than the traditional metal bars to secure your bike to, or in front of a pet store an oversize dog treat. I particularly loved the painted “shadows” that stemmed from the parking meters that would form different pictures, maybe a flamenco or tree outline. As a general tip I’ve picked up on throughout my travels so far, I’ve realized the invaluable benefit of staying with somebody who truly loves where they live. It is so clear that my host in Long Beach, Anita, loves Long Beach and therefore takes time to show me the true essence of the community- walking around the neighborhood, showing me the communal organic farming plot that 90 families share, and of course the amazing ceramic studio that she started for the neighborhood. Her interview shares in greater detail her experience starting the ceramic studio and her passion to help strengthen the community through art.
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