It's Jess

While visiting friends in Wylie, Texas, I couldn't contain my excitement as I embarked on my first-ever Whataburger experience. We had just spent a day at the shooting range and were beyond ready for a late lunch.

As we received the white and orange paper bags through the drive-through window, the delicious scent of sizzling burgers filled the air. I refused to wait until we got back home. The first bite was nothing short of amazing. The juicy patty, fresh ingredients, and the special sauce came together melting in my mouth.

I was counting down the days to go back to New York City with my best friend. Tonight, we were meeting up with my long-time friend for dinner. We chose Mr. Broadway, a charming kosher restaurant, as our rendezvous point. Her familiar smile and warm embrace felt like a treasure amidst the bustling city. It took the waiter several tries before we were ready to order with the catch-up, we prioritized. I ended up ordering the breaded chicken po boy, a favorite comfort food of mine.

With each bite of the perfectly crispy chicken and the blend of flavors in the po boy, the conversation flowed effortlessly. We shared stories, laughed, and reminisced about the moments that had brought us to this point.

It was the day after the festival was canceled. In the heart of Las Vegas, I found myself at Soul Belly restaurant, savoring the rich, soulful flavors of a delectable breakfast. Little did I know that this evening would become unforgettable.

As I relished every bite of artfully flavored pulled pork, I received a text message from the friend I was staying with. It turns out she was working the event, not needing her own ticket. She revealed quite the shocker: an extra ticket to the When We Were Young festival, the music event of a lifetime!

Within moments, I asked for my check and was on my way to the festival grounds, anticipation mounting with each step. The thought of witnessing my favorite bands and reliving cherished memories filled me with uncontainable excitement.

Las Vegas had just become the backdrop for an unexpected adventure, an afternoon of music, camaraderie, and pure exhilaration. It's amazing how a simple meal at Soul Belly had turned into an unanticipated journey that would create memories to last a lifetime. I was ready to let the music take me back to the days when we were young.

Last fourth of July, my mom and I decided to spend in Orlando, Fl. We dined at Terralina Crafted Italian in the heart of Disney Springs to celebrate. The catch of the day arrives, a perfectly grilled Mahi and plump shrimp. With each bite, the Mahi's smoky grill marks release its delicate flakiness, complemented by the shrimp's briny sweetness.

Beneath the seafood sits a crispy fried risotto cake, its golden exterior offering a delightful crunch, revealing creamy, comforting risotto within. The sun-dried tomato ver blanc sauce, rich and velvety, adds a tangy, creamy complexity to every bite, I'm in heaven.

To elevate this culinary experience, a glass of Chardonnay, perfectly chilled, complements the flavors with notes of apple and vanilla, creating a harmonious pairing.

In this moment, I'm sent to a world where every bite is a celebration of taste and texture, a journey for the senses.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the breathtaking Biltmore Estate, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of awe as the day had been a journey through an opulent history. Strolling through the manicured gardens, I marveled at the timeless beauty of the estate's architecture and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. But the day's most poignant moment came as I stood outside the charming Biltmore Dairy Bar. The nostalgia of this iconic spot, nestled on the estate, transported me to a simpler time, you can learn more about its rich and creamy history in the link provided. I ordered a scoop of their decadent ice cream, savoring each lap. It was a taste of both history and pure indulgence. The combination of that memorable ice cream and the splendor of the Biltmore Estate's beauty filled me with a renewed sense of inspiration. The world is full of history, creativity, and the sweetness of simple pleasures. It reminded me that every day, no matter how grand or modest, can be a source of inspiration, a reminder to savor life's delicious moments.

When most people wake up in the morning, before they even reach over to check their phone, the first thing they do is stretch their arms and legs until they feel their stiff limbs wake up too. For Broward College alumni Liana McCrea, waking up to her chronic illness is like something out of a horror movie.

For the last two years fashion shows have been almost exclusively virtual events. In the fashion and entertainment industry the show must always go on. Designers, models, and other members of the industry have made many sacrifices and have had to adapt to strict COVID-19 policies to keep the beast of fashion fed.

In this fast-paced society, we are expected to sleep 8 hours a day. Work, or go to class for another 8 hours, and add in time to commute to and from work and/or school.  We are supposed to walk 10,000 steps every day, meditate, buy fresh food, and cook it in a timely manner so it doesn’t waste. We must make time to shower and tidy up our living space, and still somehow find time to have some sort of social life, and this was all before a global pandemic.

At Broward College (BC) as a part of the efforts made to monitor and put the lid on COVID-19 positive cases, research was conducted showing many states and higher education institutions have created vaccine incentive programs.

According to Tashika President, District Director of Emergency Management, “the on-site COVID testing, and vaccine site will run through Oct. 20, and students will have until Oct. 23 to submit their vaccine information to qualify for the vaccine incentive.”

President said so far 560 students have been approved for the $250 vaccine incentive.

Recall the days of building a pillow or blanket fort. Placing a couple dining room chairs perfectly apart making a good foundation for the blanket or bed sheet roof and playing board games with friends or family for hours. Now imagine doing this on a much larger scale and having family dinner together in this fortress, this is the premise of the 7-day Jewish holiday Sukkot, but of course it’s not that simple. Sukkot is the plural of the Hebrew term Sukkah, which is a kind of temporary booth built for the holiday that celebrates fall harvest and the mending of relationships.