Category: Life outside work

Day in my Life: Southport, North Carolina

by Olivia

Coming to visit family in Southport, North Carolina is the best way to relax and unwind. Zac Brown Band sings, “I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand, not a worry in the world.” Those lyrics are relevant anytime I’m by the ocean. But, being with family, while having the peace of the beach nearby, allows my mind to completely be at ease.

The charm of this small, southern town is perfectly captured in the movie, Safe Haven. I tried my best to capture the charm of Southport through my own lense. Although, what you can’t capture through a camera’s lense is the friendly nature of every resident in Southport. Every store we entered we were politely acknowledged and when leaving it was always “bye ma’am.” Talk about culture shock.

We started the morning with coffee and chit chat and ended the day in the same way. We went to Loco Joe’s for lunch, this is landmark for my family and I when we come to visit family here in Southport. Fish Tacos are a staple there, but I opted for a Ahi Tuna and Shrimp Wrap. The wrap was the size of a small hoagie and somehow, someway, I easily devoured the entire thing. My Mom, her sisters and even my 91 year old Nana were a rambunctious bunch, in the best way. They prove age is just a number. But, I don’t think the sweet, southern people who have probably lived down south their entire lives, sitting next to us, were used to loud New Jerseyans like us.

After our meal we headed into town. First, we stopped by the shore. They have swing chairs that look onto the water. We all snapped some pictures and then drove over to the boutiques.

When we got back to the house my Mom and I went bike riding around St. James Plantation. The two of us act like we’re about to get our own show on HGTV. Every house we pass we mention what we like, dislike and what we would change (I hope the homeowners didn’t hear us).

Dinner back at the house was nothing but tasty. Old bay sprinkled over shrimp, sausage and corn are one of my favorite meals. It doesn’t get much better then sitting around a table and eating with family you only get to see a few times out of the year. There is always something to talk about. The night was ended with watching the Bachelorette and drinking tea but that’s nothing new. . .

Today, and each day spent here with my Mom’s side of the family is a reminder to always be grateful for each moment spent with family.

91 never looked so good.

Loco Joes in Southport, North Carolina.

Ahi Tuna and Shrimp. YUM

Read More

That’s a Wrap: Sleeping Giant Hike

by Olivia

And just like that my freshman year at Quinnipiac University has ended. To celebrate completing finals and heading home, my closest friends and I decided a nice way to end the semester would be hiking the Sleeping Giant. Lucky for us the state the park is across from Quinnipiac’s campus.

Today was the perfect day for a hike. It was warm, with clear skies and sun. Apparently, there are two ways of hiking the mountain. One path reaches the top of the mountain over looking Quinnipiac. The other path takes you up to a castle. We didn’t have all the time in the world today so we did the quicker route to the castle.

After the hike, we ended the day with Pokemoto and shopping. It was so nice to spend all morning and afternoon relaxing and unwinding from the chaotic, stressful week we all had.

Read More

A Reflection on my Freshman Year at QuinnipiacU

by Olivia

To think I almost didn’t attend Quinnipiac. That thought now seems unimaginable. Coming to Quinnipiac has been life changing. I am so appreciative of all this school has done for me so far.

Coming into my first day I had no idea what to expect. My heart was still in Baltimore, Maryland, where I thought my home was going to be. Move in day was hectic and overwhelming. Would I be okay without my parents, would I make friends, would I do well in school? My mind frantically ran through all of these scenarios, but I kept a strong face. When it was time to say good bye to my home, New Jersey and my family I did, even if I didn’t want to say good bye just yet. Little did I know the year I had infront of me.

My direct roomate is more than a best friend to me and what a relief that is. In dorms you hear all the gossip surrounding your hall and a lot of times girls who are “best friends” become distant, problems arise and that friendships fades. That wasn’t the case with Cara and I. Our first hall meeting there was a talkative, energetic girl who for the life of her could not get her TV to work. I welcomed her into Commons Room 139 to look at our TV and the rest is history. A life long frienship began. Through rocky roads and stressful days, these two have been my backbone. These two constantly push me, better me and are there for me whenever I need. I have never met individuals like them before.

Outside of my dorm I had so many other things to be grateful for. One being my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. The news paints a harsh picture on what Greek life is like, but Greek life here is nothing to be scared of. The girls apart of move in crew had on bright pink hats with “theta” written across the front. The Kappa Alpha Theta girls were so sweet and we began chatting. Little did I know a few months later I would be initiated into Kappa Alpha Theta, a place that felt like home the moment those girls moved me into my dorm. Months ago I attended orientation where I was broken into a small group of incoming freshmans, we were assigned two groups leaders who were older students. Their job was to get us excited about going to Quinnipiac and make us feel welcomed. I instantly got close to my orientation leader, Erica. Fast forward 3 months later she is my big in Kappa Alpha Theta. She is the closest thing I’ve ever had to an older sister.

Q30 is my home away from home. A family, away from family. I can’t explain it any better. To those unfamiliar, Q30 is Quinnipiac student run televison station. Q30 covers, sports, entertainment and news. I worked as an Associate Producer for the Newscast, but I look forward to working more within sports next semester. Q30 is so much more to me than just being Quinnipiac’s television station. The people I have met are the most genuine, caring and hard working individuals. They each strive for greatness. A lot of people strive for greatness but don’t actually work towards it, that is not the case for people in Q30.

From formals, to nights in and nights out, this year at Quinnipiac has been more then I ever imagined. The quote, “everything happens for a reason” is something I never believed in until now. Loyola wasn’t meant to be and it all makes sense now.

Quinnipiac, you will be missed. I’ll see you in August.

Bid Day for Kappa Alpha Theta: September 4, 2017

Surprise of seeing who my big is: October 16, 2017

Mom visits: September 29, 2017

Celebrating mine and Cara’s birthday: March 23, 2018

Interviewing President Lahey: March 28, 2018

Read More

One for the Books: St. Patty’s Day

by Olivia

Being a red head on Saint Patrick’s Day sometimes isn’t the most fun. Although, dressing up head to toe in green and spending time in New York City makes for the best day.

The energy in the air on Saint Patrick’s Day is contagious. Let me tell you, the train ride is EXCITING. People are chanting and singing constantly throughout the ride. As I exited the train and people pilled up the stairs, I noticed a girl with a green Quinnipiac Unviersity sweatshirt on. I immediately felt the urge to yell, “I go to QU too” followed by an awkward wave. My odd action was out of impulse, but she happily waved back. I was so excited to see another QU student because Quinnipiac is a relativaly smaller school.

Once my friends and I left Penn Station, the journey began to find the parade we never found. This was typical. Since I was a junior in high school we have been going to the Saint Patrick’s Day parade, and not once have we watched the parade. In fact, I don’t think we have even heard the parade in the near distance. Much of the short trip to New York City was spent wandering, eating and laughing.

Once the shenanigans ended it was time to take the train home. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll see the parade next year..

Read More

Honey, I’m Home

by Olivia

When you come home from college there are two things you want to see. One being loved ones and two being good food on your plate. You come home exhausted from the frozen, fried and foul food you’ve been indulging in while at school. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is better than biting into freshly made food. Going out to eat is the most extravagent of occasions for me these days and oh have I missed the food by the Jersey Shore. I’m all for a home cooked meal, but I treasure a moment to put on an outfit not consisting of leggings and a pullover (my college uniform) to go out for a bite to eat. Going out to eat  and catching up with friends makes coming home for spring break so much sweeter.

With just a week home, I knew I had to take the 20 minute drive to Stay Gold. The coziest beach cafe found in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The smell of freshly made coffee fills the space and immediately I feel at home. They have everything from coffee to freshly squeezed juices, from burgers to acai bowls.

Now on nearly any day of the year you can find me on the beach, but when it hits 30 degrees and the wind is taking me like a kite, I just can’t get myself to step onto the sand. Thursday, Rosie and I drove up the beach from Belmar to Point Pleasent. For a moment I forgot it was the middle of winter. Thankfully, the beauty and charm of a New Jersey beach is not seasonal.

In just two days spring break has ended and I head back to my other happy place, Quinnipiac University.   I have about seven weeks left of that delicious college food. The countdown to summer and good Jersey Shore food is on.

Read More