WritingWriting has been one of my main hobbies since I was a child. I constantly wrote stories and filled notebooks with all my ideas. Whenever we did writing prompts in elementary school, my teachers would have to ask me to shorten my assignments because I would write pages and pages without being able to stop. In addition, I've been journaling my entire life. I find it incredibly therapeutic and illuminating.
These days I write regularly at work, as well as using my writing abilities as a volunteer blogger for various sites. You can visit the Blog tab to read more of my writing, as well as my resume to see some of my other writing experience. |
Volunteering
I began volunteering at an early age and quickly learned that I get as much out of it as those I was helping. Volunteering has become one of my favorite hobbies. I'm always on the lookout for new opportunities to help those in need and achieve the wonderful feeling of making a difference in someone's life.
The first photo was taken as I was volunteering for THON, the largest student-run philanthrophy in the world. THON, or Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is a year-long fundraising effort for Four Diamonds at Hershey Medical Center, that culminates in a 46-hour dance marathon. I was involved as a Rules & Regulations committee member, and then a Dancer Relations committe member. I was also involved with Relay For Life of Penn State, which raises money and awareness for the American Cancer Society, as a public relations captain. Over Thanksgiving break of my sophomore year, I volunteered in Washington D.C. with multiple poverty alleviation groups. This experience was both heart-wrenching and heart-warming, and I made some unforgettable friends. More recently, I volunteer with various animal shelters. Check out my resume to learn more about the work I do with them! |
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CookingCooking has always been a huge part of my family life. Every night growing up, my family sat down for a home-cooked meal. This feeling of fulfillment when cooking for the ones you love was instilled in me over time, and that's why cooking is so meaningful to me.
I only learned to cook relatively recently, but since I did I find enjoyment and relaxation in it. I take after my dad in the sense that if I have guests, there is no better act of hospitality than creating a home-cooked meal for them, and no better compliment than their telling you how delicious the meal was. I get most of my ideas from Pinterest, and no weekend feels complete without bringing a recipe to life. If it involves avocado and/or cheese, I am all for it. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, so my favorite things to make are savory dips, bowls, and appetizers. I also love cooking shows. I'm a huge Gordon Ramsay fan, and I love watching Chef's Table on Netflix and Chopped on the Food Network. |
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Touring WineriesI never get tired of wine tastings and winery tours. Luckily I live in a place where there are close to 10 wineries within a half-hour radius. I've visited wineries in California, New Jersey, upstate New York, and Pennsylvania, and it's my goal to explore and experience wineries all over the country.
I'm always impressed by the employees' extensive knowledge of wine. They know when the grapes were harvested (which I know is called "the vintage"), how the fermentation process varies, and how the resulting flavors interact. Maybe I don't have a sophisticated enough palette, because most of the time I just taste some variation of red/white, and like/dislike. When the connoisseurs start talking about oak vs. stainless steel barrels, the mouthfeel, tannins, the hints of currant, whispers of boysenberry, and the floral finish, I listen politely and intently without ever being sure of what they're talking about. My plan is to visit and experience as many wineries as I can, and learn the ins and outs along the way. |
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