In Recent News... Tornadoes hit the Midwest

By now you've probably heard of the tornadoes that have occured in the Midwest of the US. For those who are looking to stay informed via the internet, here are some media outlets that are providing live updates. 

• Washington Post
• Huff Post 
• ABC News
• News 9 (local news station)
• NewsOK (local newspaper)

Please note that you should always question the information that any media outlet provides to make sure that you have accurate information. The death tolls are often different depending on network and in fact, the Medical Examiner's office even revised their death toll number today from 91 to 24. 

I've also found this twitter handle of the National Weather Service in Norman, OK very useful in getting up to date weather information for that area from a reliable source. 

• @NWSNorman 

Things that you can do

• Keep those affected in your hearts
• Research & Donate to a reliable charity or fund
• Stay informed! 

This last one is particularly important. You never know what's going to happen so even if you don't plan on being in an area with tornado risk, you should know what to do if a tornado siren goes off. I had no clue until yesterday, but now I know!

• Get in a basement. If not possible...
• Get in a bathtub (with a mattress on top). If not possible...
• Move away from all windows

There are also specialists who explain why the region is not only prone to tornadoes, but also why we are seeing such destructive tornadoes so late into spring. 

My thoughts are with those affected. 

_________________________

*Please note that I am not endorsing any of the media outlets listed or linked above.

Alumni Event at 7 WTC

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend an alumni event at 7 WTC, the only one of the planned world trade center buildings that surround the 9/11 memorials. One of our fellow alumni is on the architectural team and talked to us about the innovations that have gone into the blueprints of these buildings. I found it especially timely that the NYTimes had printed an article today about the security that is being put into place and how that might take away from not only the aesthetics, but also the experience of the area.

What the towers are going to look like when they are all built. 

You'll notice that 1WTC is the tallest and they spiral down in height. 

The WTC buildings are all to have floor to ceiling glass, allowing for amazing views of the area and for the sky to be reflected by the buildings. 

9/11 memorial

This was my very first alumni event, and I had such a great time! I'm definitely going to have to go to more. It's so nice to be around people who understand the difference between Pacific and Atlantic salmon. ;)

// Have you ever been to an alumni event? Tell me about it below!

Weekend Brunch

My brunching habits are getting out of control. 

Seriously out of control. 

The recent trend has been to have family brunch on Saturdays, and then brunch with my friend and fellow brunch-lover, Kristen on Sundays. This photo here is from brunch at Boulud Sud, one of Daniel Boulud's restaurants. This one is Mediterranean inspired. 

Of my prix-fixe meal of house smoked salmon & Spanish omlette and ice cream (blood orange, anice, cinnamon), I have to say that the ice cream was the best. I wish I could get pints of it, though I'm sure that one pint alone would be my weekly dining out budget. 

However, they did have an interesting couscous yogurt parfait in the stater options, which would be amazing to be able to recreate at home. It was honey greek yogurt, large couscous, crasins, pomegranate and pine nuts. Seriously, try this at home. (and then let me know if you come up with a good recipe ;) )

// Do you have any weekend rituals? //

In Recent News... 04/02/2013

How often do you read the news?

I have to admit that before I started working in broadcasting, I read the newspaper very little, and watched the news even less, mostly because I was so busy reading blogs. After starting my new job, I am always knee deep in newspapers and the news is like white noise to me. I thought I'd start doing a little run down of interesting news bits that have been going on so you don't have to skim the papers yourself.

Please note that this isn't intended to spark any debates and I am not saying that any opinions that I express are the ones that you should have. I just want to curate the news so it's more palatable to you. BUT I make mistakes. If you see an error, please kindly let me know in the comments!

North Korea
why you should care: The US has never been on good terms with the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), but things are starting to get seriously heated as shown by this headline: "North Korea Eclipses Iran as Nuclear-Arms Threat." Even the new Pope, Pope Francis I addressed this issue in his Easter speech.

• This weekend Kim Jong-un signed approval to send missiles to the US (HI as well as the mainland)
• Just today, they are re-starting a nuclear reactor to increase their capacity to create nuclear weaponry.  This reactor was deactivated in 2007 as part of a nuclear disarmament treaty. 
• Also today, the US moved an Aegis-grade naval vessel closer to North Korea from where it was stationed in Japan to closer monitor North Korea and to be able to intercept any missiles.

ATT (Arms Trade Treaty)

why you should care: Because constant global conflict continues to drive people out of their homes, to kill the innocent, and bring corruption to many parts of the world. It also applies to the US and the ability for US citizens to purchase assault weapons (the NRA is not happy about this). 

• This UN treaty puts restrictions on the multi-billion dollar international weapons trade in an attempt to decrease the accessibility of assault weapons to 
• Iran, North Korea & Syria do not support the ATT, while the rest of the UN member nations passed it unanimously.  

Oil Spills
why you should care: We all consume a historically high amount of oil. Even the most eco-conscious person out there. It's so ingrained into our systems that we can't avoid it- yet. Putting aside the fact that we are depleting non-renewable energy sources at an alarming rate, oil spills are detrimental to the environment. Think it's a localized problem? Think again. The ocean gets around. Remember all that garbage that's washing up on the west coast from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan? Oil is much lighter than that.

• Just a couple days ago there was an oil spill in Arkansas.
• Remember the BP oil spill? That's still not taken care of. It's still affecting the environment (including wildlife!)

Violence Against Women

why you should care: Gender equality still does not exist. That means that half of the world's population is being discriminated against. For something they can't control. 

• Tourist from the US is gang raped while her bf is handcuffed and beaten in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• A huge spread in the NYT told a story of an Afghan father who agreed to trade his daughter as a child bride in order to settle debts. The word "bride" in this case simply means that she legally belongs to the family.
• North Korea's King Jong-un made a gender-based bash on new South Korean President Park

Fun News

why you should care: Because smiling is also a part of life. 

• The White House's April Fool's prank
• Orphaned baby polar bear taken to zoo in Alaska (It's sad, but the bear is ADORABLE.)
• How one company is empowering women through accessories (Okay, this is shameless self promotion, but it's still a cool company and you should read it.)

Bridesmaid Adventures | Bachelorette Party

So I'd mentioned previously that I'm in the middle of planning a bachelorette party to....

VEGAS!

photo by Allen McGregor

I've never been there and my knowledge of it is quite limited. So far I have...

• It's in the middle of a desert
• That's where the NomadGrad is from
• Necessities: Swimsuit, sunblock, dress for clubbing
• Also I hear there are shows? 

Thankfully, Vegas appears to be pretty jam packed with things to do so we're going to wing most of it. And really, it's going to be all about celebrate my friend getting married with the girls from my sorority for the weekend. 

Some ideas that have been suggested so far include:

• Taking a pole dancing class
• Going to watch the Thunder from Down Under- In fact, one of the girls just went to this on a girl's night out and said it was a really good time. 
• Renting a cabana near the pool
• Shopping at the outlets
• Wandering through all the hotels

Have you been to Vegas before? What did you enjoy doing?

Any suggestions??

Bridesmaid Adventures: Pinterest

via

I'm far from getting married, so it's really fun to be able to be a part of my friend's wedding. Unfortunately, being on opposite coasts of the US, it's hard to be actively involved. Luckily we have Pinterest to help us shrink those miles.

We have one general wedding inspiration board: K & B | Sept 2013, which is full of teal/orange and similarly cool/warm tone mixture pins.

Aside from this, we also used it when she was dress shopping. She created a board for each boutique she was going to, and we all pinned dresses that we liked. It was so much fun to be able to peruse through dresses together, well, at least virtually together. It's times like this that you thank the internet for its communication abilities.

In addition to this, I thought that I would add something a little more "me" so since I'm a travel photoblogger, I started creating a basic wedding shot list. A shot list is a list of photographs that you definitely want a photographer to take during your session. They can be as simple as "headshot" as mine was for the picture I'm currently using on my sidebar to the right. With all the planning and lists that most brides have on their plate, I thought I would try to help out by curating photographs that I think are both basic & creative for a wedding. Enjoy!


How do you use Pinterest? | Do you have any fun group board ideas?
Do you pin? Leave me the link below and I'll follow you!

Win a Trip via NY Travel Fest

Photo by ZeWaren

Who doesn't love a free trip? 

The New York Travel Festival is holding a story contest where the grand prize is a trip for 2 to... Prague!!

You'll need:
1- Your story about how travel inspires you within 800 words
2- Why you want to go to the Czech Republic within 100 words.
3- Your cell phone number
Send the above to czechcontest@nytravfest.com 

Deadline: April 1, 2013

You can find more info here.

Please note that this is not a sponsored post.
I just like traveling, especially when some of the expenses are covered and equally enjoy telling other people of such opportunities!