Wordpress vs. Blogger

So far I have spent close to 30 days trying this Wordpress platform and am happy to report that I have more than 30 followers! Before starting Urban Prep, I was already familiar with the features since I had worked with Wordpress for a high school project. I did a lot of research regarding which platform to begin my new blog on and ultimately decided to stick with this host since it seemed more professional. However, I have grown dissillusioned with the lack of content. 
That isn't to say that there aren't thousands of posts each and every day from fellow bloggers, but that they aren't posts in my realm of interest. I know growth takes time, but I really need to think hard about what platform I want that growth to be on. I don't want to spend all this time creating new content if my viable audience uses Blogger. And it seems like everyone is using Blogger! So what should I do next?  For now, I have launched an additional Blogger site and am updating content on each.

Creative Classroom

Zak Peric filmed this time lapse video of his students designing a wall mural entitled, "The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do!" In three days, his students created an incredible mural using only black ink. I think more schools and educators should encourage creative expression from their students, rather than stifle it.

Lighter, Easier Travel

Here's everything it holds, and it includes a pen!

I love to travel, most especially when I am not slowed or weighted down with many belongings.  This summer I spent nine weeks in South America with only a backpack and a handbag.  Admittedly though, I took twice as many belongings for nine days in China this March.

So I haven't entirely mastered the art of traveling lightly... but I have mastered carrying minimal weight onto the plane (as in after checking one heavy bag).  One item that contributes significantly to light and quick travel is a leather passport cover.  Not only does it hold my passport, but also the one or two credit/ATM cards I choose to travel with, my boarding pass, my customs documentation, those pesky immigration papers some countries make you carry throughout your travel (ahem Peru, China), and an emergency Benjamin to pull out in a pinch.

However, I find that it is difficult to remove my passport from its cover first at security, again at the gate, again through customs, and finally at the hotel.  Pulling it out from the main compartement so many times makes it easy for an important document to slip out unnoticed.  So here is the solution I stumbled upon recently: Bellroy's Leather Passport Sleeve Wallet (quite the mouthful).  Bellroy thoughtfully crafted a light sleeve with deliberate slots for all your important documents.  Because the passport resides in the center slot, away from any other documents, you never risk misplacing papers in the airport.

I love that it is thin and that it includes a small pen for filling out immigration forms.  What do you think?


Bellroy Passport Sleeve from Bellroy on Vimeo.

All American Fashion

I could not be more in love with my new white Keds. And what could be more American than baseball, blue jeans, and spiffy white Keds anyways?

I personally think they are the perfect shoe for sporting events, concerts, and quick lunch dates. Sometimes I even pair them with casual summer dresses and skirts to make the outfit more youthful looking. They are über comfy and even more so if you slip in one of those Dr. Scholl rubber arch support pads.

The only draw back is dirt!! I wore mine to a concert when it started to pour, thus creating some icky mud. I can definitely still wash them and take a speck of bleach to the white canvas but be forewarned! If you are a messy soul like me, perhaps opt for navy or another bright color!

Featuring Train and John Legend

Penn sure knows how to throw a party! In celebration for breaking all capital campaign fundraising records, Amy Gutmann, the president of the University of Pennsylvania, decided to throw a spectacular concert in Penn Park.

She invited two Grammy award-winning artists (well one is a band), Train and John Legend to perform for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and their guests. Despite some thunder and lightening at the outdoor venue, everyone had a blast. I even made it up on stage to dance with Train (who I looooooove). I was a happy camper. Check out the pics.

There was a bit of criticism from students who pointed out the sheer expense of the concert and how the funds could be used more constructively. I understand their sentiments, but I think AGutt meant for the event to be a celebration of Penn identity and pride (after all Legend graduated with the class of '99). It will hopefully push more people to donate in the future and continue to strengthen their relationship with Penn even as alumni.

Go Fish DC

 Shrimp and Mahi Mahi tacos

Earlier this week my mind was blown by an incredible lunch that came from a truck of all places.  Now Philadelphia is chalk full of food trucks, but the trend has yet to catch on quite as strong in DC so I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon this local delight through Twitter.

The woman who runs Go Fish DC graduated from L'Academie de Cuisine and has put together quite the fare of lobster rolls, crab cakes, shrimp tacos, and daily soups.  The best part about her business is that it moves around the city and through the outlying suburbs of Montgomery County.

I highly recommend the Maryland Crab soup, and the Mahi Mahi tacos are great if you come very hungry.

Go Fish DC Food Truck

Need a Reason to Smile?

As a forewarning, do not watch in an office cube or illicitly during a quiet study hall because you will be peeing your pants trying to stifle a laugh.  Seriously, you won't make it past Tyrannosaurous Rex or whale for that matter.