Do you got the bug?

It’s springtime. Thank God.

Depending on where you are, hopefully no snow has coated your driveways, yards, and roofs. With springtime, comes warmer temperatures, blossoming flowers, and of course, longer days! It also comes with upcoming travel plans.

If you’re struggling on where to go on your next vacation, let me help you out. Why not go to Sicily? Aside from the fact that my family heritage hails from there, there are lots of wonderful things to explore. I could tell you, but I think it would be better if I show you. Below is a link of a travel magazine I designed for my final online design class project.

Flip through and see what Sicily has to offer. FYI: The only thing that’s fake is the ad on page 6. Grazie!

http://issuu.com/noseyrosie/docs/final_indesign_project

 

Rising above the hate at E-town

I am and will always be a proud Blue Jay.

Four of the best years of my life were spent at Elizabethtown College. I will always regard it as my second home.  It was there that I was inspired by incredible professors, developed some long-lasting friendships by awesome people near and far, smelled the chocolatey air (which I ultimately knew it was a good day), was welcomed with open arms the very first night I spent on campus (thank you, Sarah Polite and all the peer mentors!), and gained the acceptance, confidence and independence to be myself.

My heart broke this morning when I read the news story that E-town had to call the FBI for suspected hate crimes. Apparently, some people have written words like “kill” and posting offensive languages in bathroom stalls and whiteboards outside of student’s dorm rooms.

Here’s the link to the story: http://www.wgal.com/Elizabethtown-College-calls-FBI-over-suspected-hate-crimes/-/9361174/19581230/-/r5cr6r/-/index.html#.UV2cpmeb6X4.facebook.

This is not the E-town that I knew and loved. This is not to say that E-town was like Pleasantville. There were some douchebags on campus from time to time, but for the most part I have never seen anything quite like this. This is a whole new low, and it needs to be stop right now! I am proud of my college for stepping up.

I understand that people have the right to express themselves, but they also need to learn to be RESPECTFUL of others when it comes to color, beliefs, and creed. We are sending the wrong message to not only the future generations but the future Elizabethtown College alums. There’s no excuse for ANYBODY to hate or judge someone who doesn’t share their personal views. My best friend from E-town has different religious beliefs than me, but I love her just the same because I respect her opinions and frankly, she’s an awesome person all around! #truefriend!

We may black or white, short or tall, gay or straight, but we are still perfect in God’s eyes. Let us all be accepting of one another. Let us all come together and help the students who walk the campus every day feel comfortable about being themselves. Let us give back to the college that gave us 4 years of fond memories.

We need to start up a conversation and engage in a discussion to make E-town better. I encourage all alums to Like the Alumni United for a Better Etown page on Facebook.

We are better than this. We are family! It’s time to rise above the hate.

 

Book Preview: “Scottoline is synonymous to suspense”

Happy Belated Easter!!

I hope everyone had a lovely time stuffing themselves with lamb, unless you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, and other wonderful treats this religious day has to offer. Easter is time for family and for reflection. We reflect that Jesus died on the cross for us. He sacrificed his life for us.

I did my own reflection this weekend, and I said to myself: “Self, I need to do something on this blog that will get my readers itching to go the bookstore!” Since we just celebrated Easter, I decided to do my first-ever book preview post about an author’s upcoming book that revolves around the subject of sacrifice.

Because of her devout love of her fans, Lisa Scottoline recently unveiled the first four chapters of her upcoming book called Don’t Go (out in bookstores on April 9). After 20 years of writing female leads, Scottoline pens a male lead character for the first time! Whoa.

The story is about Mike Scanlon, an Army surgeon, who is serving in Afghanistan when he finds out that his wife Chloe has been killed at home, in an apparent household accident. He finds himself a single father to a baby girl he barely knows and has to make his way on his own. He risks everything to uncover the secret behind his wife’s death and ultimately learns the true meaning of what it means to be a man, a father, and a hero.

The novel tackles on many themes, including single parenthood and the meaning of bravery and courage at war and at home. According to Scottoline on her Facebook page, she wrote the novel to spotlight and honor those who serve in the Armed Forces and all the sacrifices their families make. The Armed Forces sacrifice their lives to protect our country, and we can’t thank them enough for doing all that they do. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

After reading the first four chapters, I came away with a lot of questions, which is usual when I begin reading her books, but Scottoline has this uncanny ability to tug at the core of your soul. She is by far one of the best writers I’ve read and met. She is passionate. She is talented. She is strong. She’s Italian. Ok, I had to throw that in there, but it’s the truth. She has written over 20 books, and each time I read her prose, she blows me away (figuratively, I mean)! She packs quite a punch, and she keeps her readers hooked on every page. Scottoline is synonymous to suspense. If she ever reads this post, I am sure she’ll love that semi-alliteration. 🙂 Her books get better every time, and this book is going to be a home run for Scottoline.

Check back to this blog for my complete review of this book.

If you don’t want to wait until April 9 and want to read the first four chapters of “Don’t Go,” visit http://issuu.com/stmartinspress/docs/dontgo_excerpt/30. For more information about Lisa Scottoline and/or her books, visit www.scottoline.com. You can also friend her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @LisaScottoline.