Marissa's LIVE Blog!

When in Rome...or the Roman Bath.

   Recently I took a trip to Bath, England with friends of mine and had an amazing time! I have never in my life seen such beautiful scenery and how historic and educational this trip was. We explored the Roman Baths as well as Bath Abbey Church and the whole city center itself. Experiencing the Roman baths was like reading an old history book. Everything was from thousands of years ago and was surprisingly very well kept. They told us not to touch the water but we did anyway! It was warm, just like bath water!! :o) It was interesting to see how these people lived and what they did for fun back in 1100.
   After the Roman Bath we visited the Bath Abbey Church. Absolutely break taking. The statues and the architecture of the church were unlike anything I have seen in my life! I loved walking around the church, lighting a candle and just being happy that I was there!
   After that we all ate lunch at this tiny cafe while we listened to the outside street musicians sing on and play music on homemade instruments. Then we walked around the town into vintage shops and boutiques and just took in all the sights that Bath had to offer us, it was truly an amazing time.
   Check out my pictures! And the next time you're planning a day trip, plan in to Bath!

Bath Water, Literally!

When in Rome...



Bath Abbey



Walking the streets of Bath!



How Serious is Serious?

   This week the Travel Alert Authority put out a message to American travellers abroad in Europe, specifically England, France and Germany, the message was, "Try not to look like an American." Well if that isn't a stereotype, I don't know what is. Not only are we being extra cautious about where we are going, we now how to change are image? And what categorizes you or "us" as Americans?
   So how are we supposed to look? Talk different, dress different, walk different? And how serious is this threat? There are gunman lining the streets of Paris and now the main focus has switched to Germany. It is very hard, in my opinion to follow the news and know what is true or not, what do you think?

Armed guardmen protecting the Eiffel Tower

Officials have been claiming that this is the most serious talk they have picked up on since before 9/11. Also, that they are assuming that these attacks are going to be similar to the Mumbai attacks. During the 2008 Mumbai attacks terrorists opened fire and killed a total of 174 hostages. Officials are encouraging Americans to stay away from tour like areas, such as the London Bridge, London Eye and Buckingham Palace. Also, last week in Paris, France the Eiffel Tower was evacuated twice due to suspicion of terrorist threats. Obviously the Eiffel Tower is a huge tourist attraction for everyone which is just another reason to be paranoid and on guard.  
   Another concern is how this is going to effect travel. WHO CARES?! Airlines are supposedly paying off news station to shift their angle of the story to not take money away from them. Ridiculous. Our lives could potentially be in danger but let's sugar coat it because of money!?!? What do you think about this rumour?
   So the question remains, how serious is serious? Should we board up our windows and doors and not leave the house? Should we continue to live like it is no big deal and we will be fine? Or should we try and find a happy medium? In conclusion, I feel like this is a serious matter and should be brought up constantly so that people do not forget and continue to be alert and cautious, no matter what Nationality they are.

Does this issue effect you?

Why or Why Not?! Interviewing classmates

Xbox Live: Jamin Felder a fellow classmate did his interactive communication project on the highly notarized Xbox live. Xbox live is not only a gaming console but a way to communicate with the world. Whether it is playing games with friends around the world, chatting, or watching TV, Xbox live allows you to enter into all of these aspects for free.

When I interviewed Jamin and asked him why he chose Xbox live he said it was a "bonding experience." You and people from all over the world have something in common when it comes to your love from a particular game or what not. Even though Jamin doesn't play Xbox often he still watches his boyfriend, family and friends interact with it. When I asked Jamin if there were any negative aspects to Xbox live he stated, "Little children being able to get on and say whatever because they can hide behind the game, also when kids see violence they tend to think it is acceptable." Jamin said he wanted to bring the negative to people's attention so they were at least aware that it is out there. Overall he liked the topic he chose and was happy with the outcome of his project.

Facebook: Cenk Bitls another fellow classmate did his project on this infamous social networking site, Facebook. Over 500 million people have a facebook account and are active participants in the site. From updating pictures, status's, friends etc. people are constantly involved with the Facebook world. 

When I interviewed Cenk the main reason he chose Facebook was because he likes to see what his friends and family are doing constantly, also to interact whether it be through messages, facebook chat, or "poking." Cenk explains that he liked the privacy options he has and that he can be part of as many networks as possible. On average he visits his facebook page at least once a day but there are other times that he visits multiple times a day or even hour!  Do you have a Facebook?!

Toptable: The number one restaurant finder and reservation securer for Europe and the UK! If you want a night out with your loved one at a romantic restaurant or a fun family atmosphere you will find it on this website! Alex DeClaris is a huge fan, which is why she chose to do her project on this interactive media outlet. She told me that she uses Toptable at least twice a week to book dinner or lunch reservations for her and friends. " It's easy and Toptable gives you discounts that you can't find anywhere else!" Aside from discounts, Toptable will plan events for you and your family. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter etc. All these holidays you can set aside rooms, demand what food you want to have and it will be set up for you!  The only negative comments that Alex had was other people's reviews making it hard for you to decide. Alex's favorite restaurant find on Toptable?! L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon- a beautiful restaurant serving French food daily! Check it out for yourself!

Do's and Don'ts

                                  The Do’s and Do not’s to a good blog:

Before I start with the main purpose of this blog I would like to address the rules and regulations in my opinion about what makes a blog work well. First and foremost you need feedback! Whether it is comments from readers, suggestions, opinions, etc. you need to keep your reader engaged. If you don’t have active and interested readers then you don’t have a blog! Next, you need to stay in the positive as much as possible. It is okay to get angry about a topic or disagree with a reader or blogger but do not get mean. It creates a bad energy around your blog and will ruin it in the long run if thats all your blog is known for. Also, keep yourself involved with the blogs. Update as often as possible with anything! It necessarily doesn't have to pertain to you blog but just keep yourself involved. It could be the littlest thing as thanking your readers and commenter’s, just so they know you are there! Next, add some life to your blog! Pictures, videos, music, whatever it is that entertains you will end up entertaining your readers as well! Design a blog that is warm and inviting so people will constantly come back for whatever it is that your blog offers. If you are boring people will easily get bored and then you will be forgotten, so add as much life to your blog as you possibly can! My final advice is be open to everything! Yes there will be positive and negative feed back with everything but grow from it! Use it to help better your blog or fix something that you might have thought was okay but other people didn't. If your readers know you listen and grow from their input then you will never have to worry about your blog being ignored! Happy Blogging, Cheers!

                                             Ten Tips for Good Blogging!