Delight

When it came to paying off my student loans, I understood that the bulk of it would have to be done after I walked across the stage to get my diploma. However, I was eager to make the most of my time and money in the interim of being a full-time student and you should be too. There are several things you can do in the midst of college to save yourself thousands of dollars. 1. Pay off interest while you are still in school. If you allow interest to accrue, that amount will add onto your principal loan amount, which will result in more interest accruing and more debt come the start of your repayment period. Still not convinced? Try this little trick. Multiply your interest rate by the current principal balance of your loan. Then, divide that number by 365 (number of days in a year). The result is how much interest is accruing daily. Example: (4.4% x $21,000)/365 = $2.53 That may not seem like much, but it sure grows when your are lying in bed trying to sleep at night. 2. ...

There comes a time in every student's college career when they are faced with that frightening question, "What if I don't get a job in my field of study?" In 2013, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York* released study results showing that only 27 percent of college graduates had a job related to their major. That's not a very comforting number. However, regardless of what job you land, it's important to understand that  college will still be one of the best investments you ever make in yourself . Here's why: 1. In today's market, there is a positive relationship between education level and income.  That means, the person who received a bachelors degree is likely to make more money over their lifetime than the person who only holds a high school diploma. Even if your career is unrelated to your major, you could still be making a good sum of money. 2. College challenges your way of thinking. The people you meet and the classes you take will for...

An Easter Challenge Christianity hinges on Easter. The holiday originated when Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary and Joseph, came back to life. He resurrected. Three days prior, he had been beaten to the point of being unrecognizable and nailed to a cross, which during his day was the most shameful way to go. As his body began to slump, the only physical things holding him to that dead tree were the nails in his hands and feet. He died as all humans would in his position. No angels came to attend him. No sinners were smote in his presence. The skies did not open to retrieve Jesus’ sad body from the cross. He went just as he had come, in humility. If that had been the end of the story there would be no reason for me to write now. And Easter would not exist. And Christianity, along with several other religions, would not be practiced. Paul, an early spokesman for the faith, put it very frankly in a letter he wrote to the church located in Corinth, “And if Christ has not...

Beautiful Eats Venice Beach, California When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie you are at C & O Trattoria. Offering an atmosphere that almost exceeds the flavor of the food (which is a feat in itself), this Ristorante Italiano transports its guests back to the Old Country with its charm and romantic appeal. Whether you choose to dine under the stars and twinkling Edison lights, or in the cozy indoor dining area, this restaurant is a must for everyone.   That includes the GLUTEN FREE and the carb connoisseurs alike! A favorite dish of mine is the Penne Sausage made with gluten-free penne noodles. This includes a huge portion of "Sweet Italian Sausage and Roasted Red Peppers in a Smoked Mozzarella Cream Sauce." That's straight from the menu and I could not have said it better. For those of you without a gluten intolerance, this next bites for you. Every time your table's plate begins to run low, the fresh, warm garlic bread knots are replenis...

Beautiful Eats La Jolla, San Diego              Overlooking the turquoise waters of La Jolla and serving up irresistible dishes is the Brockton Villa. The current structure that serves hundreds of guests each day is a renovated beach cottage that was built in 1894. The contemporary charm, with its white beams and unique oyster shell/concrete fireplace, is an indistinguishable blend of the old and the new. When it comes to the food, however, there is no question of freshness. I visited the Brockton Villa for breakfast and ordered one of the establishment’s signature dishes, Coast Toast. The French toast was so moist that I had to agree with the menu’s claim; it was very much like a soufflé in texture. The hint of orange, berry dipping sauce and overall sweetness were expertly balanced by the saltiness of the seasoned potatoes. All of this was enjoyed beside the ocean, looking o...

                     Hello readers and writers! I've been fighting a bad case of writer's block for the last month or so, but it seems like I have finally found the motivation once again. A few things have changed for me recently. First, I finished my bachelors degree! Second, my old laptop --with years of stories and creative gibberish -- stopped working. I am really trying not to think about the documents I presently do not have access to, because even if they are not worthy of an audience they are a reflection of my development as a writer...like I said trying not to think about it (plus they might be recoverable if I can get it to the repair shop).      Anyway, the bit I am including in this post is short. My inspiration came from a blend of two writing prompts I had pinned to my Pinterest board "Unwritten." Now that I am on the other side of a blocked month, I recommend reading prompts ...