Plans

So since I didn't go out this weekend since I wasn't feeling well, I decided to be productive. I didn't get too much work done, but I did cook up a good plan. This summer I will be coming home (after traveling around here for a week or so) and continuing my online internship. I'll be getting my tefl (teaching English as a foreign language) certification online so I can teach English abroad after graduation in December. This is a good way for me to travel, make money, and try to get published in an english speaking magazine which will look great on my resume. Teaching English is definitely a dream of mine and I don't want to be 75 wondering what my life would have been like if I had taken such a trip. There are some locations where I would be able to make some real money, and there's others that I would save a little and really enjoy it. There is a high demand throughout Asia and some spots in Europe like the Czech Republic. South America could be cool. I guess we'll see.

Guess I got a little carried away with this bike ride

I ended up going from a simple plan: 5 mile bike ride to the beach to do homework, to biking over 30 miles today. I love days where I can just wander. They are always my best days.

Talk about a sick bike ride

Wednesday

Wednesday's are my day off. I haven't taken a day off in a little while as I've gotten slammed with work and intern work and such but today, I biked I the beach and relaxed. I'll probably end up getting some stuff done tonight, at least laundry. It's nice to know that when I do want to take an afternoon off, I get to be here instead of that cold dorm room back in jersey.

This Blog

So I've realized this blog is not going to be as amazing as Freehold to Florence (check that out if you haven't, by the way) but that is because Seaside is no Florence. Sure I am having fun and enjoying the area around me: the sun, the beach, the fog, the people, the hikes and all. It's just that I'm not having extravagant meals each night and laughing over a language barrier. This trip is no better and no worse, it is just a different style.

California is like the half way point between Tuscany and Jersey, and no, I do not mean on a map. I know my geography, thank you Dad. But in a sense, this school is a blend of my last two. In California, I have work. Real work. Not Italian, write a few papers, spend a couple hours in a computer lab then go get some gelato work but real, writing papers due in a week, read these zillion pages and write this up about it work. Yes, it's fine to show up a few minutes late, and we do always get out early; that is California showing their Italian side. The classes aren't too difficult, I just somehow ended up with a lot of work.

I actually don't think my homework is really what is giving me so much work; it is the internships. Right now, I have an internship with eCampus blog and Travel Host magazine. I also do some freelance writing and have just sent an article to Dallas Flow Magazine. Did I mention I've been filling out applications for internships all over the country and crazy work abroad programs also? I figure this is my last summer as a student, so I better go big or go home. As my grandpa says, "You gotta rock'n'roll while you can." I think all of these work is showing off my Jersey side. Growing up and going to school in what is considered the greater New York City area, I was taught this lifestyle. Also, growing up in Freehold, New Jersey, I would sometimes appreciate the small town, but I always knew I needed to get out of there and working my butt off was how to make that happen.

I have been making time each week to explore and see more of California. I don't even mind overloading now and getting things done in advance so I can enjoy this place later in the semester when there's hopefully a few less clouds and a little more sun. Plus, I've got the whole year now to explore.

Interning

While I'm out here, I've been interning for eCampus blogs and Travel Host magazine. It's been exciting to see my portfolio grow! Check out my online work:

eCampus blog

Knetbooks blog

These are the links to all of my work only on each site. There are a handful of bloggers who write for each of these blogs.

Rock Climbing

I was introduced to Rock climbing last semester as Ramapo has a free wall for students. I found a rock gym here which isn't too expensive. I would love to learn the sport but for classes with equipment rental and all, it adds up. Maybe after saving a few paychecks....

Sparknotes Weekend

So to give you the sparknotes version of this weekend:

1. Hiked through Ford Ord with my backpacking class to end the workweek. The three mile hike turned into seven, but it was still fun.

2. Kickball at a deserted baseball field aka ran around, had a lot of fun, and met more people

3. Went to a cookout complete with burgers, hot links, and a fire pit

4. Hiked up Garrapata with a friend. We could have went a little higher into the mountains, but we ended up stopping at a nice spot with an old school wooden bench that had an incredible view as you can see under this post. It took us an hour and a half to get up there and only twenty(ish) minutes to get down. We met some people; one girl was from Kinnelon, New Jersey (that's where a best friend of mine lives)

5. Just got back from the library with some friends and got a few articles written so not only did I have fun, but I feel accomplished as well.

All in all, this was the best weekend I've had in a long time.

What did you do this morning?

This is all at Garrapata State Park.

Hike

I have a backpacking and hiking class, a class I get two credits for just to walk around and hike and go camping, which is pretty much a dream come true. Today, we went on our first day hike all through Fort Ord. It was supposed to be a little 3-5 mile hike, but it ended up being more like 7 because we got a little off track. It misted a bit but the weather held out and we saw a few rainbows. Too bad I left my phone in the car. Its nice to be out and about without your phone sometimes though.

Anyway, I'm so excited for the rest of our day hikes and our camping trips. I've got plans to hike again on Sunday. Hopefully the weather holds out this weekend! I've got too many outdoor activities planned for it to be crappy out...

Breakfast

So I've just had my first bagel here. I know this is a topic no one else is going to want I read but I'm not expecting many people to read this anyway, and if you know me at all, you know I take my food very seriously.

I had half a sesame and half an everything bagel with spinach and bacon cream cheese. It was interesting that they left it open face snow hefty amount of cream cheese was ensured. The bagel was decent and the cream cheese was very savory.

With a stomach full of happiness, I'm off to class.

The view from my dorm

Taking a break

What I love about Seaside is similar to what I loved about Florence: the little things. Yesterday, I locked myself to a desk in the library (one near a window since it was so nice out), but eventually I did need a break. I ended up taking a little hike with my friend, in flats mind you. He showed me a tire swing and there there used to be a piano connected to a tree. I know here are little aspects about home that are just as interesting, but the fact that this is all new to me makes it exciting.

Cloud 9

There are many reasons why the past few days have felt surreal to me:

1. Giants won the Superbowl
2. Interview with Travel Host magazine that went so well
3. Seeing George Lopez while at Starbucks in that interview
4. Met so many cool people the past few days here

When you add in sun and beach, all in all this place is heaven. I know I'm still in the honeymoon phase of being here, but I really feel like I am right where I belong.

In-N-Out

Just had my first double double animal style burger. To explain those who don't know, it's like a cheeburger cheeburger mixed with johnny rockets with a little Wendy's thrown in. It was delicious; next time I need to order animal fries and shake though.

The closest one is 30 minutes away in a semi-shifty area so I can't bike it. I'm glad I don't have my car here cause its ruin the work I'm starting to put in on my bike.

Birds at the Beach

So no one else is at the beach this morning and it's nice and quiet. It's just me and some birds. There's what looks like a mama and some babies, and the babies seem to be acting like teens pushing their limits going as close to the shoreline as possible, but then a wave rolls in and run their little feet so they don't actually get wet. A few went off of heir own and the mama kept trying to chase them all down. It's pretty cute. Back in Jersey I'd probably beg a friend to wake up and get breakfast with me hen settle for cereal and a movie in my laptop. This is so much better.

Oh and these waves are the biggest I've ever seen in my life.

And now I looked up and just saw dolphins! Wish I had my nice camera on me. Incredible.

Living dream

So I woke up early this morning, biked to the beach and am spending the day here doing homework and reading and such. It's February. It's times like this I wonder what I'd be doing if I were home.

PS: The fog is beautiful. I don't know what those other kids were thinking.

Not All Who Wander Are Lost

It is official: I will be staying at CSUMB for the Fall of 2012, then I'll be graduating in January from Ramapo. Technically, I have no obligation to be home aside from a wedding in October and even that is just for a weekend. This is crazy! No more planning. No more spring do this, summer do that. No more living knowing exactly what my next move is. I love being 20.

This is by no means a cop out from working, interning and studying of course. I am currently an eCampus blogger. You can check out my stuff on eCampus Blog and Knetbooks Blog.

I have a few things in line for the spring and summer so we will see. I could end up staying in California or checking out another part of the country if funds hold out. I just hope someone in New Jersey asks, "what happened to Kelly?" so another friend could respond, "she went to California and never came back."