tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59313748898176537092024-03-19T06:05:38.122-07:00The More You See The More You Want To SeeAlyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-41548550367322946162011-04-13T17:42:00.000-07:002011-04-13T17:42:19.070-07:00The Product of Four Years at Syracuse University...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dznYIbJJPnd8HiVcKIhghtTOBftBeRcKwAJzsApVOZuURbUJNXb0-JlwXHl_NoTzhdzWpAp1-3P3xyOj_T5PQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-1933672558175500302011-04-12T19:35:00.000-07:002011-04-12T19:35:59.288-07:00Letters on the Walls<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Sure it's easy to distinguish one city from the next by depending on monumental structures such as the Empire State Building or the Golden Gate bridge. But how about being able to look at street art in one alleyway and know you're in New York City as opposed to San Francisco. I have always noticed graffiti...from Italy to the Bahamas to Pennsylvania to New York. Just by looking at graffiti, I would not be able to tell what city-style it followed, but I did find out that graffiti artists can. I became interested in finding out how engravings on walls during the ancient times became what we know today as graffiti. It went from being known as art to being known as vandalism. Today, cities are creating structures in which artists can express themselves legally.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found a local Syracuse graffiti artist on Facebook and this was the product of that discovery...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxfZlqzlWpIJNhfHUKIJaXwIZT6u_2h68B7ylwCtQk4qsv8U7BDgpN6AcnhQFYCUbdO24iflReCnBsmJ1kk' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-54556292833835092252011-03-22T18:46:00.000-07:002011-03-22T20:01:46.985-07:00Mi Casa Es Su CasaWild partying on the beach, wet t-shirt contests, drinking until the sun comes up...College spring breaks have a more negative connotation associated with them than college in general. Three spring breaks went by for me, and thinking back I could not recall what I did during any one of them. Actually I take that back, I worked during my junior year spring break. Since I had no memories to associate with my college spring breaks, I decided it was necessary to go somewhere: Cancun. <br />
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Riviera Maya to be exact. This was not the typical crazy spring break that usually goes hand in hand with Cancun. This was a break of peace and tranquility. We stayed at the <a href="http://www.nowresorts.com/jade/">Now Jade Riviera Cancun</a>, an all-inclusive resort about twenty minutes from Cancun. The resort is situated away from everything, but has all you would need to have an enjoyable beach vacation.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNkeg8tGf0vOHBL6cXqZjhiwbA599pFch_7Yyq_jrI2gdQ2egd3JeSbWp5FiV897WBREznIoTfW4BkM-HfPBcO789ryXBU7f9MEO5tJfghzcRP9iJedZX-5IOljoSFdPhDJFBrRZfmPGo/s1600/IMG_7109w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNkeg8tGf0vOHBL6cXqZjhiwbA599pFch_7Yyq_jrI2gdQ2egd3JeSbWp5FiV897WBREznIoTfW4BkM-HfPBcO789ryXBU7f9MEO5tJfghzcRP9iJedZX-5IOljoSFdPhDJFBrRZfmPGo/s320/IMG_7109w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">There was a variety of restaurants. Something to satisfy everyone's taste buds: Mediterranean, Mexican, Asian, Italian, French, and a buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food was fairly good, but was not something I would crave to have again. There was also an outdoor restaurant located near the pool and beach, which had the typical pool menu of sandwiches and finger foods. Just like you are warned to never drink unpurified water in Mexico, I would advise to stay away from Caesar dressing.</div></div><br />
The resort had more of a family feel to it. There were scheduled activities throughout the day including beach volleyball games and guided exercise classes. There were multiple outdoor bars, including two pool bars. The service at all the bars was amazing, even without tipping. It was not necessary to tip, but a small one to two dollar tip would get you over the top beverage service. Lastly, the spa was small and only had a sauna and jacuzzi. They have a variety of different massage options, and my experience was thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing. But what was even more relaxing was to close your eyes and open your ears to the calming sound of crashing waves intermixed with the sound of the cooling ocean breeze. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29hpzpdHQ4cvLaXPdcjM6Fh3CO1MhZVhv_xGeTNStzjn0tlmNlgUbxEhLVvXjaHBdE7ZvnpXf3tkoz52rysTmHNIrBtHeqsra8mNiQtjGoTpCUZbgjHkMNhQhaxEiLOGpgAeF99TZOgxV/s1600/IMG_7072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29hpzpdHQ4cvLaXPdcjM6Fh3CO1MhZVhv_xGeTNStzjn0tlmNlgUbxEhLVvXjaHBdE7ZvnpXf3tkoz52rysTmHNIrBtHeqsra8mNiQtjGoTpCUZbgjHkMNhQhaxEiLOGpgAeF99TZOgxV/s320/IMG_7072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"mi casa es su casa"</div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-89296334943101413472011-03-09T20:33:00.000-08:002011-03-22T20:49:35.320-07:00We Do It AllFor my final broadcast journalism class of my college career, we put together a half an hour newscast every Wednesday. Each week, we rotate positions. By the end of the semester, I will have been an anchor, a co-anchor, a backpack reporter, a producer, and a video editor. This is the story I completed as a backpack reporter for our 4 p.m. show.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzuLUaLuzs9XWCN_-c0d9JWy9RVkxI8VqsVI7wpK7h3_A8eNUbEjJtVEwbg61UPmhsUVs0B2Wq27U4jFY2MaA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>**Underclassmen broadcast journalism majors operate as our crew for a required one credit class.Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-66853629343677230042011-03-07T20:59:00.000-08:002011-03-22T21:11:14.597-07:00Snow Every Month Of The YearWould it be possible for it to snow in one location every month of the year in a place that has a true fall, winter, spring and summer? It's a stretch, but Syracuse is one city where I could see the temperature being 80 degrees on June 1st and 30 degrees on June 30th. The past three winters have not been all that bad. Truthfully, I expected much worse from those infamous Syracuse winters. But like I said before, the snow really did dump from the sky during my last winter as a Syracuse University student, and it's not over yet. But today, we woke up to 18 inches of snow, and apparently it was the first time in 15 years Syracuse University canceled classes. My beach car needs a little sand...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCjDtizvVpv2Gty9sYea228l3eajBWsEduYbY9TXsKibqYvMCJ_UnQPUq6YY6hXQA7f5q94SfCLKSmTjvyA6RlT5kzRuPiogBDUVZgAnJ-Wb5Y_bVTtL-_gvgzhzPi-5gJclRjDTFQJQ6/s1600/SnowCar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCjDtizvVpv2Gty9sYea228l3eajBWsEduYbY9TXsKibqYvMCJ_UnQPUq6YY6hXQA7f5q94SfCLKSmTjvyA6RlT5kzRuPiogBDUVZgAnJ-Wb5Y_bVTtL-_gvgzhzPi-5gJclRjDTFQJQ6/s320/SnowCar.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-8183498877053910442011-03-06T18:02:00.000-08:002011-03-06T18:12:31.069-08:00Sprinkler systems...and not the kind in your yard!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>For me, some of my best story ideas are generated when I am having a regular conversation with my mom over dinner. This following story is a result of dining at <a href="http://www.elementscuisine.com/">Elements Contemporary Cuisine</a>. I thought since there is much activity involving the installation of home sprinkler systems in Pennsylvania that it would be worthwhile to find out what is going on in New York.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzqb53pCsT0TmGTSYxi5WH14PKbjI4kF1WxsMdZ7L3KN4bKQbtKD_Nk_VxxqI2uVFkjGkmvYc16q0hei45mmA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-6182938291025386012011-02-13T18:56:00.000-08:002011-03-22T19:56:54.172-07:00The City of MuralsAka...Steubenville, OH. But I'd like to call this part of Ohio, the city of churches. As I was driving through the heart of Steubenville, I passed one church after another. I could not believe how many churches were in this one small area, and they weren't just average buildings of worship. They were beautiful pieces of architecture.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQ0n6h52UrIs5K2qQgjEHLq8skRhPgyEtMLQOjVsgyUXdk1rlcD53xCmLFuGg3OrdgbD9ool79wg8NWSShFfTlvNwG2A5ys5fVwLkkT8-nIJjnjmTchIp-w1fu8UJvp8AaS2W5cq8yN8U/s1600/churchalyssa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQ0n6h52UrIs5K2qQgjEHLq8skRhPgyEtMLQOjVsgyUXdk1rlcD53xCmLFuGg3OrdgbD9ool79wg8NWSShFfTlvNwG2A5ys5fVwLkkT8-nIJjnjmTchIp-w1fu8UJvp8AaS2W5cq8yN8U/s320/churchalyssa.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Many of the churches no longer hold services, but still stand along the streets and attract the eyes of visitors as well as those who call this area home.</div></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-17579770730496185012011-02-10T19:48:00.000-08:002011-02-10T19:54:42.313-08:00Tantalizing TastebudsHow do you acquire a taste for something? Acquiring an acceptance for a taste you previously detested is an interesting concept. Do you expose yourself to that taste until you begin liking it? Or do you one day all of a sudden begin to like the taste you once could do without tasting ever again? Personally, I think it is a mixture of both.<br />
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COFFEE: Most kids absolutely hate coffee. I remember being one of those kids who just could not understand how my grandmother could drink multiple cups of the stuff in a single morning! But then, it did not take long before I asked my grandmother to let me try a cup of my own. And you know what I did...? I put about two spoonfuls of sugar and about a fourth of a cup of half and half into my Minny Mouse coffee cup! That was the moment when I became a coffee drinker, but did not become a regular coffee drinker until college. But throughout high school, I would occasionally drink a cup of coffee with my grandmother and my mother. But I noticed the difference on how they prepared their coffee. My grandmother was a cream and sugar lady. Whereas, my mother drank her coffee black! I took a sip out of my mom's cup one day and almost had to spit it back in. I criticized my mom and constantly asked her how could she possibly drink it like that! Well I guess as a 16 year old girl, I spoke too soon because six years later, I now drink my coffee...BLACK.<br />
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SUSHI is another item most people develop an acquired taste for. It seems to be a trend that people experiment with sushi when they go to college. You begin with cooked sushi rolls. Then move on to the "real" stuff, which is sashimi.<br />
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BEER...Natural Light aka "Natty Light" and Keystone...no wonder I developed a hatred for beer. I found out quickly that I enjoyed mixed drinks more than beer. But that suddenly all changed when I began experiencing the tastes that microbrews had to offer. This past weekend, I went to the 15th annual Central New York Brewfest held at the <a href="http://nysfair.org/home">New York State Fairgrounds</a>. This was my second time in attendance. About 60 breweries were there. The winner this year for the best beer in my opinion was brewed by Wells, and it was the <a href="http://www.wellsandyoungs.co.uk/home/our-beers/ales/wells-banana-bread-beer">Banana Bread beer</a>. This beer tasted and smelled just like banana bread, but at the same time was not overbearing. But what was overbearing was when they added their Double Chocolate Stout, which they said made the beverage into a Banana Split beer. Now that was one taste I have not acquired a liking for...yet!!Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-30392700747240554602010-12-12T19:34:00.000-08:002010-12-12T19:35:43.918-08:00Snow Is SyracuseWhen I made the decision to attend Syracuse University, the first thing people said to me was... "You know it snows a lot up there?!"<br />
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Well yes, I heard that rumor, but that did not keep me from attending SU. I mean, how bad could it really be?<br />
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The past three years, the winters have not been that bad. It snowed an occasional eight inches at a time and it would continue day after day after day, but it really didn't snow the way people were telling me it would. I was just talking to someone about how we have been having mild winters for Syracuse. And then, December 2010 hit, and the first snowstorm we got was the biggest snow storm I have ever seen. It just did not stop.<br />
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Each day, I went outside to remove the snow from the roof of my car. It was so thick I had to shovel it off.<br />
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It is a whole different world when it snows that much. But, I do not have one complaint because it truly makes for a new adventure all on its own!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X0k_kwyAaz_1Pn-SwKxzsN6DqhzbzBSGdxQHNos5FQtn5AQU3x2l-iWmNVPt4V9EJvmGsFBTIAIb_Lhkh6xn15SP04be28DI3O5jVdF4g8RGBr0g2EcvKoyBy_9nbQAtf3EovOdtV3kH/s1600/IMG_6920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X0k_kwyAaz_1Pn-SwKxzsN6DqhzbzBSGdxQHNos5FQtn5AQU3x2l-iWmNVPt4V9EJvmGsFBTIAIb_Lhkh6xn15SP04be28DI3O5jVdF4g8RGBr0g2EcvKoyBy_9nbQAtf3EovOdtV3kH/s320/IMG_6920.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-77119082963024202012010-12-10T09:24:00.000-08:002010-12-10T09:39:28.737-08:00Snow Stuck!Sibericuse, NY: It started snowing around 9 p.m. on Friday December 3, 2010 if I remember correctly. We were in a taxi on our way to test out our vocal abilities at a Karaoke bar called Singers. By the time we left, snow was beginning to accumulate. This would be the last time we would see that a concrete ground even existed. The snow continued to fall...Saturday into Sunday into Monday into Tuesday into Wednesday. The snow momentarily stopped on Wednesday. And each day, I went outside to dig my car out because I knew that I was going to have to do my final story for my broadcast class on Thursday. When I woke up Thursday morning, I made the decision to postpone my graffiti story until next semester. There was no way I was going to get my car out of my parking lot. This obstacle immediately sparked a story idea: Syracuse University Off-Campus Residents Stuck Shoveling Out... <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dypMXsoW_jhs-O63BwodkZkhI9WHIpPScAYhUjo74UF74zJpSYcvHt6AAPe3zLaz-xE2mcspt5e0t141Nfx' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-49495450223986255642010-11-26T08:41:00.000-08:002010-11-26T08:41:48.670-08:00Waiting!I get extremely frustrated when I wait over 15 minutes for a doctor appointment. So for my one credit class, CONNECT, I decided to put together a commentary expressing how much I dislike waiting for an appointment that ends up lasting no more than five minutes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxK5OQra3xS0Dm88wCTkODWFFZvABR7puWEp2b8CO20AkfB7yaaXSnlP9SONd1SgcA8FmAkbCBF9x20CzrlMA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<span id="goog_2068030210"></span><span id="goog_2068030211"></span>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-57327080050522515372010-11-18T20:46:00.000-08:002010-11-18T20:48:00.463-08:00Imagine Never Feeling Full...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxwjD2ErxLhGgEwx293mBjuj7CEeUksarrlntSbkR0KACspleVr5mDR7xpANYNw1_fE5SMGqgEjUG_QlfcLGQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>7:30 a.m. :: wake up... <br />
8:30 a.m. :: interview with the Graduate Assistant of the Office of Engagement Programs at Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University...<br />
9:30 a.m. :: interview with the Public Relations Coordinator at the Food Bank of Central New York...<br />
10:30 a.m. :: tried to interview people on the street (MOS=man on the street) about their donating practices...not one person talked to us. My partner and I must have asked 12 people. Some people said they were running late. Others just said no. One person said he could not talk about that issue...<br />
11:30 a.m. :: put gas in my car, ate lunch, organized information in order to chose a clear focus, thought about what I was going to say in my stand-up...<br />
12:30 p.m. :: interview with volunteers at the Elmwood Interfaith Pantry...<br />
2:00 p.m. :: transcribed interviews, logged video, captured interviews and video into AVID...<br />
4:00 p.m. :: began writing my story...<br />
6:00 p.m. :: recorded voice tracks...<br />
6:20 p.m. :: ran into my professor who suggest I change a few things and who also told me my script looked waayyyyyy too long...<br />
6:30 p.m. :: re-wrote script...re-re-re-wrote...re-re-re-re-wrote...re-tracked voice tracks...<br />
7:00 p.m. :: edited package...<br />
8:00 p.m. :: exported package and left Newhouse at 8:02 p.m.!!!<br />
Finished writing the web version of my story a little after 10 p.m.<br />
12:00 a.m. :: bedtime...<br />
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Favorite part of my day=talking to men and women over the age of 80 about their love for volunteering...Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-40647833679258129432010-11-10T19:46:00.000-08:002010-12-28T19:58:32.769-08:00"Oyy Yeahhh" TorontoI've always wanted to go to the airport without any idea of where I would go next. I love the idea of taking spontaneous trips. So I am always thinking about easy opportunities to go to new places. I was in class and a thought about going to Canada for a weekend popped into my head. I immediately texted one of my roommates and without hesitation she said she wanted to go.<br />
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Unlike adventures you say you are going to plan, but never do...this one actually became a reality. <br />
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It only took us a little over four hours to get there. We arrived in Toronto just in time for lunch. I told my roommate we had to go to this dim sum restaurant on the harbor of Lake Ontario. <a href="http://www.pearlharbourfront.ca/">The Pearl</a> has one of the best dim sum menus. My mom goes to Toronto just to eat at this restaurant. Dim sum is a Chinese dish that is made of a variety of different foods served in steamers. The different items on the dim sum menu are pushed around the restaurant on carts and when they come to your table you can chose what you want to eat. They have all different kinds of steamed dumplings, from pork to shrimp to vegetable. They have sticky rice that is served inside a lotus leaf and many different types of noodles and wontons. And of course they have dessert. I get the same dessert no matter where I get dim sum: Jin deui. It has an unexplainable consistency. It is a ball of dough that is rolled in sesame seeds and inside is a sweet bean paste. Delicious!<br />
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I believe eating is a huge part of exploring a city. But that is not all we did while we were in Toronto. We walked through <a href="http://www.torontoeatoncentre.com/en/Pages/default.aspx">Eaton Centre</a>, which is an enormous overwhelming shopping hub. It was so crowded, we decided we did not need to buy anything. Once we left, we just walked. Looking up and down and all around. We took a break from walking and enjoyed the live entertainment in <a href="http://www.ydsquare.ca/">Dundas Square</a>. And the last touristy thing we did was to glide to the top of the <a href="http://www.cntower.ca/">CN Tower</a>. At the top level of the tower, there is a section of the floor that is completely glass allowing you to look 1,465 feet down. I am not afraid of heights, but I definitely felt an uneasiness in my stomach as I lifted my foot and lowered it onto the glass floor. A lady caught on to our laughter that was generated by an uncomfortable emotion and told us the glass is actually stronger than the concrete! I found that fact to be absolutely incredible. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2_uGhtk_k1z3ST5QFKnsTNMeWNeOJalL9h_LdK_WIFIq6J0x6PAhfuMZ7guC3y3l7zZmw1FABuVFnqWrHzHVEYfDJSVHGIJ_GBghq0xy-gePKKxb8Kpl3T7x7WnCGUS31WuUdBzFMxjt/s1600/IMG_6855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2_uGhtk_k1z3ST5QFKnsTNMeWNeOJalL9h_LdK_WIFIq6J0x6PAhfuMZ7guC3y3l7zZmw1FABuVFnqWrHzHVEYfDJSVHGIJ_GBghq0xy-gePKKxb8Kpl3T7x7WnCGUS31WuUdBzFMxjt/s320/IMG_6855.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We ended our trip by driving to <a href="http://www.greektowntoronto.com/">Greektown</a>, which was only a ten minute drive from our hotel. And besides walking down the street peeping through windows, we stopped to eat lunch at <a href="http://www.mezes.ca/">Mezes</a>. We ordered Dolmades (or grapeleaves), lamp chops, Gemista (which I tried for the first time and loved), and Skordalia. This is my favorite way to eat: trying a little bit of everything! That saying is also true for how I like to live my life!Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-65418632224077982642010-11-04T21:54:00.000-07:002010-11-04T21:54:53.895-07:00Air Purification in Pulaski, NY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>For my International Entrepreneurship class, the Executive Vice President of HealthWay, Vinny Lobdell came in to talk to us about his company and his experiences in international business. I was so intrigued by what he had to say, I decided to further research air purification systems. For my fourth story in my Broadcast and Digital Journalism class, my partner and I went to Pulaski, NY to see where the manufacturing of HealthWay purifiers took place and what the whole operation was all about!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwTNnqvV-8GJiI97ryvm6Iex5klJD5XT9Dt8xwRYdnNb0zZZdIZTyhJ6wJgPq1YFRD3tyG5yRqkwVbSgwiGMw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-8497582461876809822010-10-27T18:17:00.000-07:002010-10-27T18:19:49.731-07:00Colors of Fall<div>Green Lakes State Park in the Fall...</div><div></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvLXHr87L5ERnejuWrRm8_CjukE1ahjAb2eQPpBVGR97mBEACGzsRtNzCD6zA8gMkwXehWggki8ut5S5yIs5vsSwTZzqg99laZYzUn10vPOnXMUyQZoPyGT6rPwBswB6ftNaDCxg3e3EV/s1600/IMG_6831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvLXHr87L5ERnejuWrRm8_CjukE1ahjAb2eQPpBVGR97mBEACGzsRtNzCD6zA8gMkwXehWggki8ut5S5yIs5vsSwTZzqg99laZYzUn10vPOnXMUyQZoPyGT6rPwBswB6ftNaDCxg3e3EV/s320/IMG_6831.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Enjoyable Sunday Run...<br />
<div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JyC6znTss8HVjK3NotxfeZ3hKWUMakU21mfUQ8OKaLc_M7m315OarkfOEtg86lGsN3-rzVH6uNGzccfgwDqyafGM_7ceyjOQx9mGTrA_BrjTSttyjUrP_ePcNF4Qa2J_yrEw7Lj7H-S8/s1600/67730_10150311878335118_832605117_15320715_3333919_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JyC6znTss8HVjK3NotxfeZ3hKWUMakU21mfUQ8OKaLc_M7m315OarkfOEtg86lGsN3-rzVH6uNGzccfgwDqyafGM_7ceyjOQx9mGTrA_BrjTSttyjUrP_ePcNF4Qa2J_yrEw7Lj7H-S8/s320/67730_10150311878335118_832605117_15320715_3333919_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I could spend all day here!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsB7h52oM5dpri11v8kVBL4hurWYRVd0wGIxYZIDr-8IpexGMCQcimuZjVG96EPp89sx-EgfLUKkJN4v2QgCfBiBxL399PboYVGU0jEWeIuiVGPU1BdElzw1zcl6Papj2nBFBJKenl6Hy/s1600/IMG_6824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsB7h52oM5dpri11v8kVBL4hurWYRVd0wGIxYZIDr-8IpexGMCQcimuZjVG96EPp89sx-EgfLUKkJN4v2QgCfBiBxL399PboYVGU0jEWeIuiVGPU1BdElzw1zcl6Papj2nBFBJKenl6Hy/s320/IMG_6824.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-5088165036033315602010-10-21T16:45:00.000-07:002010-10-27T16:46:33.969-07:00Four Loko!At less than three dollars a can and four times the amount of alcohol in a light beer, the alcoholic energy drink, Four Loko, has been a popular drink of choice at college campuses. There have been many mixed reactions and concerns about its affects at Syracuse University. For my broadcast journalism class, my partner and I put together a story about these popular alcoholic energy drinks.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx4GI7--CevD5iN_xn2D2M5d3Hb-95sTZVncHY3HBa0ukkABoA5cJqJf0uHXaUqRUMaIjIlxL3sNlBeqP8QEg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-82541728894111520612010-10-15T16:33:00.000-07:002010-10-27T16:36:14.944-07:00Hidden Escapes in Central New York<div>Green Lakes! New York State Fair!! Skaneateles and Otisco Lake!!! <br />
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</div><div>Three fabulous experiences that kicked off my senior year.</div><div></div><br />
<div>1. Green Lakes State Park: Fayetteville, NY</div><br />
<div>My one roommate, Sarah, and I love to run around the trail that outlines the glacial lakes known as Green Lakes. Running around the largest lake ends up being just under a two mile run. But if you add in the smaller lake, known as Round Lake, the run turns into about a three mile run. The scenery is gorgeous. When I run I completely forget I am running because I become consumed by my surroundings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TVPWT-MRnJittWePfjnDYttxfiOc2A2acBmcrYlKyHRvobM5G124tY05ikLbi0S_gVl7tIcopGtXtSgNnVGoj5uMBJBjJqo-JQFrUpXmYjCNR97vWcxnHT2ya_GXCo7XxZLtuCBaYAzS/s1600/IMG_6827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TVPWT-MRnJittWePfjnDYttxfiOc2A2acBmcrYlKyHRvobM5G124tY05ikLbi0S_gVl7tIcopGtXtSgNnVGoj5uMBJBjJqo-JQFrUpXmYjCNR97vWcxnHT2ya_GXCo7XxZLtuCBaYAzS/s320/IMG_6827.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div>The water looks like a pond of blue Kool-Aid. You know what would be a better description of the color of the lake...the color of the blue raspberry fruit by the foot snack! The lake is intermixed with greens and blues of multiple shades, and the green trees that outline the lake further accentuate the incredible colors of the lake. Green Lakes and Round lake are known as meromictic lakes, which means the different layers of the water do not intermix. Because of this characteristic, distinct layers of color can clearly be seen.</div><div></div><br />
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<div>2. New York State Fair: Syracuse, NY</div><div></div><div>The fair for the entire state of New York is located in Syracuse. This was the first time I went to the state fair. It was just what I thought it was going to be like except it was a lot bigger than I imagined. Hundreds of cows were lined up. We saw: chickens, alpacas, sea lions, a butter sculpture, a man playing more than 10 instruments and much much more...</div><br />
<div></div><div>But the best part of the fair was of course the food!</div><div></div><br />
<div>Let me clarify that....the FRIED food. We had deep fried oreos and deep fried reese's cups. Followed by a wine slushy. The state fair was the first time I have ever heard about wine slushies, and they were delicious. I also tried a barbeque pulled pork sandwich. And finally, four of us girls split a bag full of sugar and cinnamon donuts. I am pretty positive I didn't leave anything out!</div><div></div><br />
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<div>3. Two of the Five Finger Lakes: Skaneateles and Otisco</div><br />
<div></div><div>The drive down 81-S to the Finger Lakes is an adventure in itself. The landscape of Central New York makes a car ride so much more enjoyable. My roommate and I could not wait to pull over to take a picture.</div><br />
<div></div><div>We went to a cabin that was situated on Otisco Lake. There was a dock right on the water and you could see almost the entire lake and its surroundings. It was beautiful.</div><br />
<div></div><div>After we stared into the distance for quite a long time, we went to a community fair. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEzzYI7WNeUYYDevLAfP41l6GMdcCnG4wSSMfWeCPtHt-OGEo6jwnwHyjNulczyEU1AFFHcUeHC0vMTp21NRTP3CUaZPscS3aJoFGkeqPeV3MizM1gXGj6RdkgJ0vxfgWVW2uLYk7GEbd/s1600/IMG_6729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEzzYI7WNeUYYDevLAfP41l6GMdcCnG4wSSMfWeCPtHt-OGEo6jwnwHyjNulczyEU1AFFHcUeHC0vMTp21NRTP3CUaZPscS3aJoFGkeqPeV3MizM1gXGj6RdkgJ0vxfgWVW2uLYk7GEbd/s320/IMG_6729.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A firework finale is always an incredible way to end a night...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOFqMTESphV5W8Rtl-ipCVxsIAYjmjKafLbGImlch2__LUhcMKn0cDUo2L2hnYJUub6VS84h4xmz-gRlM6mgzhNHVNQPBgdm5yGQKyIHlJdNTEFbrAjM2Vty70lWJ_cSrINGjQsc_HtC6/s1600/IMG_6747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOFqMTESphV5W8Rtl-ipCVxsIAYjmjKafLbGImlch2__LUhcMKn0cDUo2L2hnYJUub6VS84h4xmz-gRlM6mgzhNHVNQPBgdm5yGQKyIHlJdNTEFbrAjM2Vty70lWJ_cSrINGjQsc_HtC6/s320/IMG_6747.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>***<br />
<div></div><div>I love being outdoors. I love hiking. And I love exploring. The more I get away from Syracuse University the more I realize how much of a bubble the campus is. Syracuse University sits on top of a pristine hill with a capsule surrounding it. I do love the university, but sometimes you just need to get away and explore your surroundings. I plan on continuing to explore what Central New York has to offer!</div></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-66372558153227327512010-10-14T17:28:00.000-07:002010-11-26T09:11:41.622-08:00If you could go anywhere in the world...<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">CONNECT is the name of a one credit class that focuses on producing a half an hour public affairs show. For each show we try to include a Vox Populi, Voice of the People, piece. Members of CONNECT went to four different locations </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">downtown at Armory Square, at the intersection of Fayette and Salina Streets, on the Syracuse University hill at the corner of Marshall and S. Crouse Streets, and at Carousel Mall and asked 110 people three different questions.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1. What is one interesting thing most people do not know about Syracuse?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2. If you could kick one state out of the United States, which state would you like to see go and why?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">3. If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would you go and why?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">I put together the piece for the last question for my third semester of CONNECT...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">So if you could go anywhere in the world right now...where would you go and why?! </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO15KdAGNg0">Voice of the People</a></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-50604636941343979092010-10-10T17:17:00.000-07:002010-12-29T08:23:50.965-08:00Apples. Apples. Apples.There is a first time for everything...Apple picking in Central New York. There are many apple farms throughout Central New York that are set up so people can pick the apples right off of the trees. The one I went to this fall was called <a href="http://www.beakandskiff.com/">Beak and Skiff</a>. I never picked apples off of a tree before and I've never baked an apple pie by myself. Well I can no longer say "never have I ever" to those two things because I managed to do both in one day.<br />
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With two of my roommates, I took a tractor ride to the apple trees and immediately began pulling apples off of trees. It was an unusual activity to me, but I now know the attraction. We did not stop picking apples until our entire bag was filled. Pulling an apple off a tree created a slight thrill! <br />
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We could not help, but try the apples as we pulled them of the trees. Since we figured we got all our needed nutrition for the day, we decided to fill up on the sweet delicious apple treats that were being sold at the apple farm. We ate warm apple fritters and apple donuts. Followed by a glass full of warm apple cider. Since our tastebuds wanted more, we went into the store and bought apple bread and a jar of peach salsa. The salsa was so good, we knew we would need to go back to Beak and Skiff to stock up on peach salsa to get us through the winter!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx0bRlo9FLIEbKTwW-ItyPsxdtNMQoaq3d2yYhEhx57ZIydCgUibfp2pNcf4qtbYZx5_pkzPYldr8Va8nSJQVg_FwL03uQiRRVuqADy0Px3tCh4Ud11JvA_DJfMyk3AEyyaKCc3S9c6gU/s1600/44185_1496274727060_1239840088_31534994_2467086_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx0bRlo9FLIEbKTwW-ItyPsxdtNMQoaq3d2yYhEhx57ZIydCgUibfp2pNcf4qtbYZx5_pkzPYldr8Va8nSJQVg_FwL03uQiRRVuqADy0Px3tCh4Ud11JvA_DJfMyk3AEyyaKCc3S9c6gU/s320/44185_1496274727060_1239840088_31534994_2467086_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-29775303883781092222010-10-07T16:15:00.001-07:002010-10-11T05:51:39.075-07:00Its Just A SwipeVisa and MasterCard agreed on a settlement that will allow businesses to offer incentives to customers to encourage them to use credit cards that have lower swipe fees. American Express was another big credit card company involved in this, but they did not agree on the conditions that were proposed. For my story, my partner and I talked to businesses in downtown Syracuse to find out their thoughts.<br /><br />Take a look!<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwPHlPMSpXtgw89i_ZKqVmoJqyJ9HEjVu_kkH5rHrSExTgWP1R4RL31dHOEYMb4-a08MLNbVUWM_ySfKli6gA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-16019893695243177892010-09-28T19:44:00.000-07:002010-09-29T17:47:17.452-07:00Cobblestone Creek Farm<div style="text-align: left;">I went to visit Steve and Diane Eggert today at Cobblestone Creek Farm. When I went to their farm last spring, I told them that I would be back to buy a pumpkin from them!</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicS_LflqKsWx5BUelnInwsGbOK8jVbR6Lfy0WfQX_ZY_fQnhAFg3Lq0LUIWlnfcnN5HnlcujZ9Ir3rQlezFpiNU23RvMnW6_5IfFmDLrgGHccaPeQR17J0AbGuHnT4r_8kTODkpCfh6q4/s320/61350_10150287166310118_832605117_14879717_1704087_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522499088153130562" /></div><div>I got more than just a pumpkin when I went to visit them. Diane made Acorn Squash Soup, Zucchini Bread, Chocolate Beet Cake, Sweet Pepper Salad and freshly brewed iced tea. Then Steve gave a tour of the farm to people who were picking up boxes of vegetables. It was really interesting to see how everything changed on the farm since I was there in the spring. The tomato plants that were just above the ground were touching the ceiling and the carrot seeds that I saw planted were already picked. Once again it was a beautiful day at the farm!!</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCD_LGid91QDfHr0XZky6LB4LJ_aPK3ZGstmZnA-hBiBsO27aPoXrpg-pGTkfZ72W-fXYzfz_e80pnYi49FK07COsxKBy1SmlWWsdYejiEGUUN0shpd4X2GyXTv62XUxjNBW9iP3Q48w/s320/61499_10150287169570118_832605117_14879782_110111_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522499687159113010" /><div><br /></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-83150684645824299502010-09-25T12:47:00.000-07:002010-09-25T13:07:41.002-07:00Phone In One Hand Ticket In The OtherOne of my classes this semester is Television News Reporting. Every Thursday, we rotate between live lab and producing packages. During live lab, we work on our ad libbing skills where we get a topic and have to talk about it on camera for about one minute and thirty seconds. I find this to be the most difficult part of my major. We have all been telling stories our entire lives, but for some reason when you are stuck in front of a camera and told to talk about a subject for a certain amount of time it becomes difficult and unnatural...at least for me it does. However, each time I do it I feel more comfortable (which is how it should be!!)<div><br /></div><div>Below is my first practice package. I started at 8:30 a.m. and had to have it uploaded to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF_xPDXHTAg">youtube</a> by midnight that same day. I actually finished it with plenty of time to spare!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxgBodgJHMNihYbE55QMC-yNtA8AhJMeupfdUTBIzm5xs0SvwOWPhJGiNxRVXDZIsSczHX0ZuJY9wy-2njAYw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-42792982895338238052010-08-04T11:01:00.000-07:002010-08-04T11:46:15.019-07:00Articles I Wrote During My Internship At WTAEWhile at my internship this summer, I spent a lot of time writing articles for the station's <a href="http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/index.html">website</a>. The online presence of a television station is continuously becoming more important. As new information comes out about a particular topic, an article can be changed immediately to provide new details. Below are the links to a few of the articles that I wrote during my internship...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/23656624/detail.html">Suspect's Release Prompts New Sex Crimes Rules In Allegheny Co. </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/23757025/detail.html">Police Arrest Parents After McKeesport Meth Lab Bust</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/23755651/detail.html">Construction Worker Falls From Bridge In North Beaver Twp.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/23758133/detail.html">Uniontown Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Aunt, Boy</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/23902674/detail.html">Man Wounded In Homewood Nightclub Shooting</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/23903556/detail.html">Vandals Key Cars In Ellsworth</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/23904986/detail.html">New Target Store Coming To East Libery</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/23974841/detail.html">One Of Allegheny County's Most Wanted Arrested</a>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-84127781846053093362010-07-29T07:00:00.000-07:002010-09-21T19:10:29.887-07:00If I Could Be Anywhere In The World Right Now...<div style="text-align: left;">A cloudless aqua blue sky meshes seamlessly with crystal clear turquoise water. Water so clear that it is possible to see the sand 50 feet beneath the surface. And scenery so perfect that it seems as if you are seated in an artificial bubble.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKv68VfnOnR7ZR_2fPKZgRAerLR1jfVWrbLSuZquo4nPYq5xmya2hBxwQVgKti5yAf-DUIxlw6EIXk27V3dYp5a-Zhyq6bkFJW5pfa8gunqvCbwWRQIeyqNlN7ZMBLFBy74djkwQ7TwOE/s320/IMG_6618.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519548504619429698" /><div><div>The Turks and Caicos fulfill my definition of paradise. The British islands are located 75 miles southeast of Miami, 30 miles south of the Bahamas and 90 miles north of the Dominican Republic. The past three times my mother and I escaped the real world, we situated ourselves on one of the many gorgeous beaches of the Turks and Caicos known as Grace Bay. I have been to many islands and none can compare. My travel agent of a mother has been to even more islands than I have and she continuously tells all her clients that they will not find a more beautiful tropical paradise.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Unlike many of the other Caribbean islands, the Turks and Caicos islands are better off economically. There is a lower crime rate, and the inner part of the islands are noticeably cleaner. It is actually rather expensive to live on the island. The prices for mostly everything in their grocery stores are much more expensive than the grocery stores in which I have regularly shopped.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>On our way to our hotel from the airport, we stopped at a grocery store, Graceway IGA. Everything was so expensive. I thought to myself that this must be the grocery store for tourists. There was no way that locals could afford to pay this much. This assumption ended up being false. Our taxi driver told us that this is the same place he shops. He continued on to explain why prices for produce and other essential groceries were so expensive on the island.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Mostly everything that is consumed on the island has to be imported from other countries because the land is not suitable for agriculture. I am not sure of exactly why this is the case. I have read that agriculture declined on the islands since hurricane Donna way back in 1960. Also, the soil composition is a major factor in why the island cannot produce. They do grow some things locally, but they do not have the ability to supply the island. Because of the inability to grow locally, the cost of living on the island is rather high.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This does not prevent the island from having numerous incredible restaurants.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Coyaba, Coco Bistro, and Anacaona are three restaurants that will tease your taste buds. All three restaurants are expensive, but worth the experience. And each restaurant has a completely different feel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Eating at Coyaba makes you feel as if you are dining in a secret garden. The restaurant is completely encased by foliage and dimly lit only by candles. The atmosphere is calming. Every </div><div>time I have gone to this restaurant, I ordered their appetizer gnocchi. They are mouthwateringly delicious. Thinking them right now is making my mouth water at the remembrance of their taste. Ever since I can remember, my mom and I used to make homemade gnocchi every Sunday. Some people call us gnocchi connaisseurs. So when I say these gnocchi are the best I have ever had I truly mean it. They are served in this round metal serving plate that comes out stemming hot because after the gnocchi are cooked they place the plate back into the oven to bake. The dish comes out with baked, but almost burnt cheese on the top. But as soon as that top layer is pushed around a smooth creamy sauce fills the space between each gnocchi. And when you place the gnocchi in your mouth, it is the perfect consistency...not too hard and not too soft...you don't even want to chew it because you just want to let it dissolve by itself in your mouth. The true example of a little taste of heaven.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Coco Bistro by far has the most unique atmosphere. At first glance, the restaurant looks like it is going to be inside a vibrant salmon color plastered house. But as soon as you walk in the door and straight through the next, the outdoor area opens up into a large spacious outdoor area that almost seems to form into a room because dozens of enormous palm trees come together to create an enclosed like structure. Tables are interspersed throughout the restaurant. And the vibrant salmon color plastered house looks like a make believe backdrop.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Anacaona is situated one step from the beach and could not be more perfect for a romantic dinner equipped with a mesmerizing sunset as the backdrop. This is the picturesque setting for the prelude to that romantic shoeless walk on the beach that goes along with the intertwined fingers and the love struck gaze (Hokey...? No!!). Even though I love my mother more than anything else, I did feel out of place sharing a meal with her while surrounded by love gushing couples. I still was able to put a finger on this dinner as one of those moments in time when you question how something so beautiful could actually exist.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIDGQ5cIPeI7_flIkw11VKIFFQQ14_qLMMJxa9yKoPzfWZkstsZkQdqrWs3lZTZXq_KLuFTXhdhQ0rbpEAyKMVv429Rx8agEggp_e-pNN_bGdSH0XKZYfRVQHVJgWqMfWX5qdvZ6PCrk/s320/IMG_6633.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519551715843990418" /></div><div>I have used my memories of the Turks and Caicos as my escape. It is where I turn my mind when things are getting gray and cloudy. There are many more places in the world that offer that sense of mental release. But if I was asked where I would go if I could go anywhere in the world at this exact moment I would automatically reply by saying..."Send me to Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcVGbWH9uYbhptlC95mYVrd2hr0MXvzPZfi07kVvePlw3XxdKTR8j9sV1o8LRpzlZ2fvmfmfxx0a5o54v9rXwofmbZwV-szTlYDSI3i8ET0pFQjmlM7bv34jCMCpYrBWaE-qqGZU3AWY/s320/IMG_6611.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519553233944158754" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Majestic. Surreal. Tranquil. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#2B3087;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;font-size:14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#2B3087;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;font-size:14px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931374889817653709.post-18148816513785582782010-07-19T10:22:00.001-07:002010-07-20T18:37:29.365-07:00Exploration Of My State Capital<div style="text-align: left;">HARRISBURG, PA - About one year ago, I went to Harrisburg for the first time. I have worked for the same law firm for the past three summers and last summer one of the partners in the law firm asked if I could drive him to Harrisburg for a meeting. I set my alarm for 3:45 a.m. in order to arrive at his home before 5 a.m. We arrived at our destination a little after 8:30 a.m. and I had an entire day to explore Harrisburg. Little did I know that it wouldn't take an entire day...</div><br /><div> </div><div>Just last week, I had the opportunity to venture to Harrisburg once again. But instead of walking around the city, reading historical signs and taking pictures I was just a stereotypical girl. This time, I didn't do anything that couldn't be done in any other city. I went to Barnes and Noble and I went to the mall. After purchasing three pairs of heels, a new pair of Nike shoxs, running pants, an outfit for vacation, and getting a pedicure with a fancy design I drove back into the center of Harrisburg.</div><br /><div> </div><div>The week before I left, I did some research on where I was going to eat lunch. I found exactly what I was looking for. The restaurant was fabulous! <a href="http://www.mangiaqui.com/">Mangia Qui</a> is a tiny restaurant located on North Street. They have a few outdoor tables, which is exactly where I situated myself even though it felt like it was 90 degrees outside.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlbnO4bDo3BJExEPGTA-7YfLfmuTnbMohM51HEEjhS216HRwjkVp7fQA79oMOHf__sX6LJQy4TqBPs2aeYBPr6YIxMcIHm7hSFdKA5N2XlqpOoFKSXfAB-mVMw4v9O7lxA9w2-g1qCa0/s320/IMG_6530.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496162187156152322" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It was hard for me to decide what I wanted to eat. I was teetering between the Crabcake Caesar Salad, the Filet Mignon Sandwich, and the Chicken Diablo. I ended up ordering the Crabcake Caesar Salad and a freshly brewed iced tea. Great decision on my part for an extremely toasty summer day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div> </div><div>Mangia Qui also has a tapas menu. It is the first tapas bar in Harrisburg. I was interested in trying some of the dishes on this menu, but I found out that it is only open Tuesdays through Saturdays after 5 p.m.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>After I finished my lunch and responded to e-mails using Mangia Qui's free wireless, I grabbed an iced coffee and ended my day walking around the city.</div><div><br /></div><div>The capital building in Harrisburg is a beautiful piece of architecture. It is symmetrical and extremely decorative. There are many levels to the structure and the roof of each level act as public spaces. Picnic tables fill the second tier. While shrubs and flowers create small rooftop gardens.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjk_L_kWRz54ZLl1cnV1HxiKDYXts9hTKghw9FZVP0YlTAXyyc_6U-GQiPSazmRzGSEnxkc50qFryBR-CGEJUL_uBPxYI98ZuIYth2gr6BTHLcXpdcxPHcRkRE4CdQz5K-5LdY3aqVaI/s320/IMG_3731.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496165260300420530" /></div><div>Every city has something to offer. I am sure that if I went back to Harrisburg a year from now I would discover many more interesting and exciting things about this small city that is known as Pennsylvania's capital.</div>Alyssa Raymondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347562686520687249noreply@blogger.com0