A Guide To Prague

czech republic
Prague. The city of a thousand spires. Of a thousand dreams. Bohemian paradise. The jewel in the crown of Central Europe.

To say that my adventures getting to Prague were a nightmare would be an understatement. After our flight departing from Rome switched airports without alerting us, we raced from Roma Fiumicino to Roma Ciampino via cab, praying to get there on time. It was 6:00, and our flight was to leave at 7:10. Things looked optimistic until we drove into a traffic jam that can best be described as one of Dante's levels of hell. I had resigned myself to accepting that we wouldn't make our flight and would have to catch one the next day - which was of course disappointing considering we only had a weekend holiday.

We arrived to the airport at 7:00. By some miracle, we raced through security with the help of a guard who, after rolling his eyes at us Americans, let us cut through line. We arrived to the gate by 7:05 and were, by some miracle, the last ones on the plane. I actually think I cried a little out of joy when I got to my seat. Of course, that joy only lasted until I had realized that I was seated in the middle of an obnoxiously drunk bachelor party - but hey, beggars can't be choosers.

Prague better be the best damn city in the world, I thought.

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How to Pack Your Carry-On Bag

carry on

I have a love-hate relationship with packing. Love - because it usually means I'm going somewhere exciting and there are adventures to be had. Hate - because it's tedious and I usually just end up shoving everything I own into one bag and having to sit on it to get it to zip. That being said, it always pays to have an idea ahead of time of what you want to pack. Your carry-on bag for example - make sure it's filled with in-flight necessities, entertainment, and a few extras for whatever life has to throw at you.

How do I pack my carry-on bag? Here's my ideal packing list for keeping what you need with you.

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Advice from a College Senior

advice
As the first half of my senior year comes to a close, I've found myself reflecting quite a bit on my college experience.  I can't deny that there is a panic that's setting in. With only one semester standing between me and the rest of my life, I find myself holding on to what's familiar. There's a part of me that's ready to graduate, of course. I know that no matter what I choose to go on to next will be a crazy and wonderful adventure.  But there's a part of me that is admittedly so sad to graduate. I love being a university student.  I love the people I've met, I love the classes I take, I love being a part of this incredible community. I don't want to leave it behind.


I've heard a lot of people say that college are the best years of your life.  I don't want to fully accept this as a mantra, because I think there's still some really great years to come. But college has been a whirlwind if nothing else.  There have been a lot of incredible highs, and with those have come some lows. And as the end nears, I find myself looking back at what I would change. What I would do differently. What it all meant.

Though it was a roller coaster, I don't know if I could say I'd change any of it. I do think that certain things happen for a reason, even if that reason is simply to teach you a lesson, or help you understand yourself better over time.  But even if  I wouldn't change anything, there are things I've learned - inside the classroom and out - that I would pass on to my younger self.

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