FlashBack Friday: Breckenridge Ski Trip

            Early in January, a large group of my friends went to Breckenridge, Colorado for the Omicron ski trip. I was really excited because I hadn’t been skiing in so long, and I had never been to Breckenridge. When I was younger, it was a tradition in my family to go every year, but we stopped that a while ago. This was the perfect opportunity.

            It was such a beautiful city! It looked like something out of a movie, very wintery and wooded. We had a great group, including all my close guy and girl friends. We had a variety of skiers, from really advanced, to those who had never seen snow, like my best friend, Jackie. I wasn’t sure where I would fall, considering I used to ski very well, but that was also various years ago. When we got to the slopes, I knew I had to keep up with the advanced skiers, since all the other people were taking lessons. I was definitely challenged being thrown into a situation where I had to ski blues and black diamonds when I hadn’t been on a mountain in such a long time.

         I surprised myself with how well I actually did! I was definitely not the fastest or the most skilled, but I was able to keep up well! I skied blacks for almost the entire trip, and really proved to myself that I could do it. I’m not a daredevil, so sometimes I psych myself out about things like this.

         As much as skiing with the more advanced group was fun and great exercise, the best part of the trip for me was when I skied with Jackie on her first run. She was completely new to skiing, so she struggled with balance and coordination. That being said, it was by far the funniest thing I have seen in a while. She was an awesome sport about falling and we laughed the entire way down the run. It may not have been actual skiing, but we always have so much fun together that every time she’d fall, scream because she was going too fast, or even lose so much control she’d ski backwards, we would crack up and have to stop anyways from laughing.

ZLAM

Francesca Herro

PC'12

        So I had never been in snow before. I mean I’m from Houston so I had technically seen snow, but nothing that would prepare me for Breckenridge. A last minute decision to join a big group of friends on an UBSki trip had me heading to Colorado in early January. My best friend, Francesca, assured me on the plane ride that she wasn’t a great skier and would hang out with me on the green (bunny) slopes. I’m more of the sun and sand type so arriving in Colorado to a big snowstorm had me terrified-I was sure that I would freeze to death. However, aside from frostbite concerns, I was excited to ski for the first time and have a chance to play in the snow like I had always dreamed of as a little kid. 

        My first run on the slopes was rough. Francesca tried her best to teach me how to “pizza” and “French fry”… Nope, I literally tumbled/skied backwards down the entire bunny slope. The funny thing about it is that I couldn’t stop laughing the entire time. I could hardly get up on my skis again because I was laughing so hard and so was Fran. I eventually decided to take a ski lesson, which, though it prepared me for absolutely no real life ski situations, helped me regroup and build my confidence back up to try again.  After that lesson I was like a different person. For the rest of the trip I couldn’t get enough. I stayed on the slopes as late as I could and even discovered a ski route that led directly back to our cabins just to get that extra 20 minutes of skiing in. Francesca’s “poor” ski skills actually turned out to be her running double black diamond moguls, so we didn’t really spend that much time together on the mountain. However, by the end of the trip I was running blues and keeping up (sort of) with some experienced skiers.  

         I never thought I would love snow and mountains and skiing the way that I did. I am absolutely obsessed and all I can think about is when I can plan my next ski trip. It was awesome to spend time outside on Breck’s beautiful and massive mountain, refreshing to breath the cold mountain air, and exciting and fulfilling to learn a new sport and see yourself getting better and better. Breckenridge was a blast and I can’t wait to go back!

ZLAM
Jackie Waterland

PC'11

Francesca enjoying the snow

Francesca and Jackie

TX Zeta Lululemon Private Shopping and Yoga

     This past week, my sisters and I got to enjoy a fun night filled with private shopping and yoga hosted by the 6^th Street and Lamar Lululemon location team.  As Health and Wellness Chair, I worked closely with their store manager to come up with a fun event idea that could take place inside their store. Zetas were offered a 15% discount on all items purchased in the store and free yoga was provided to about 40 sisters! I am so excited that we were able to plan such a successful, fun event for all my sisters to enjoy! Thanks to everyone who came out to get their shopping and Zen on! 

ZLAM,  

Jenna Nelson 

PC ’12 

Health and Wellness Chair 

     

     Last Wednesday, my sisters and I had such a fun time at Lululemon! As we arrived, we were ready to shop and get our workout on! Since Lululemon is one of everyone’s favorite stores, there could not have been a better place to combine two of our favorite things, hanging out with our sisters, and of course, shopping! Once the shopping ended, we all grabbed our mats and we were ready to do some yoga! Our instructor was amazing and we definitely left feeling refreshed and relaxed. There was no better way to start off the semester than a fun activity with my zistas!

ZLAM, 

Brittany Smith

PC ‘12

Meet the 2014 Texas Zeta Executive Council!

This year, we not only asked our Executive Council questions about their basic information, but also why they wanted to hold such a high position in addition to some fun and quirky questions to help you get to know them better. Take time to get to know our chapter's incredible leaders for this year!

Name/Position: Francesca Herro, President

Hometown: Houston, TX

Major: Rhetoric and Writing w/ Business Minor

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position? I wanted to be on exec to truly make an impact with the chapter. Zeta has changed my life in more ways than I can count. Serving on exec and as president is just one way I could even begin to repay this wonderful group of girls for all they have done for me. I have grown to know exactly who I am, and that's worth more than any amount of a work I could ever need to do for this chapter. 

What has been your funniest/favorite Zeta moment?  My funniest and favorite Zeta moment had to be the twerk dance party we had during work week this past recruitment season. Being on rush team was extremely stressful, and we were all wearing ourselves thin. As rewarding as it turned out to be (we attained an awesome new pledge class!!), it was exhausting at the time. Right when we needed to blow off some serious steam, our wonderful skit group (mainly the "princes") started a twerk dance party and taught us all a really fun dance to a popular song. It was a blast and an unforgettable, impromptu sisterhood moment.

What is your secret wish?

My secret wish would be to meet Jennifer Lawrence. I'm obsessed with her and all the movies I've seen her in. I love how unique, humble, and relatable she is, and I think she's been an inspiration to our generation. Her sense of humor and opinions are great, and meeting her and getting insight from her about different topics would be an incredible opportunity. 

Name/Position: Christen May, Vice President

Hometown: Houston, TX

Major: Business Honors

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position? I wanted to be on exec because of the amazing experience that I had my freshman year. I want to help make every Zeta’s experience as life changing as mine was. I plan to help Program Council create events that are fun and exciting to attend. I want to bring this chapter closer together than it has ever been!

What is your biggest pet peeve?  My biggest pet peeve is when people send cute selfies. Snapchat exists for a reason. If your mother wouldn’t be embarrassed to see this selfie, then it’s not a true selfie. The person on the other end should be cringing in my opinion. The more deformed, the better.

What can you not live without and why?  My glasses/contacts because my vision is 20/600 and I literally can’t see my hand in front of my face. I have the floor plan of my house memorized so that I can get around without them.

Name/Position: Courtney Groos, New Member Coordinator

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Major: Corporate Communications, Business Foundations

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position?  I wanted to be on exec so that I could, to the best of my abilities, serve as a role model for our Chapter. As the New Member Coordinator, I plan to provide a welcoming environment for our new members and give

them proper guidance as they enter Zeta and college life.

What can you not live without and why?  I can't live without Pinterest. I always say, that if people want to know the “ideal me”, all they need to do is look at my Pinterest. Going to bed is so much more relaxing when I can peruse the wonderful world of inspirational quotes, cooking tips, and extravagant wedding pictures!

What is your secret wish?  My secret wish is that I was Oprah.  If I could major in “becoming Oprah”, I would in a heartbeat. I honestly can’t think of a better way of spending my time than talking to people on my own talk show, having my own TV channel and magazine, and giving away donations and items that make people happy!

Name/Position: Kate Hanna, Recruitment

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

Major: Advertising

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position?  I wanted to be on Exec to give back to Zeta all the amazing things that this community has provided for me. I plan to continue and promote the good reputation of the girls of Zeta and represent the sorority to the future groups of girls. My ultimate goal is to get the best possible pledge class and to gain new members that are excited to be a part of an amazing organization.

What has been your favorite/funniest Zeta moment?  My favorite moment was when I won a flight to come back to Austin for the weekend. I decided to keep it a secret because I didn't know if the contest was actually real or not. It turned out to be real and I flew into Austin, still keeping it a secret from my sisters that I was coming. When I arrived, I drove over to where Zetas were staying. I surprised them by running in and screaming "I'm home!" in the middle of the night. They were all so confused and so excited. It was an amazing moment that I couldn't have shared with anyone else. 

What can you not live without and why?  Diet Coke-- It's

a sick addiction.

Name/Position: Courtney Kercher, Recording Secretary

Hometown: Plano, TX

Major: Honors Nursing

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position?  I have met some of the greatest people I know in this organization and I would love to be able to give back and serve in something that is such a big part of my life. From my perspective, serving on Exec is not only rewarding, but teaches you to reflect on your actions, and motivates you to continuously improve.  It also gives you the opportunity to work with other passionate and impressive young women.

What I plan to do with my position: I plan fulfill my duties as secretary and keeps Zetas well informed by answering questions ASAP and staying organized.

What is your secret wish?  My secret wish is to hangout with Beyonce and be one of her backup dancers. 

What has been your favorite/funniest Zeta moment?  My favorite Zeta moment was

running through the tunnel of sunflowers and gorgeous Zetas on bid day and seeing my older sister, Katie, who was a senior Zeta at the time waiting for me at the end!

Name/Position: Jackie Waterland, Treasurer

Hometown: Houston, TX

Major: Finance

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position?  Zeta has been such an important part of my college career and I am excited to give back to Zeta as part of the executive council and develop as an individual as well as part of the Zeta community. My goal for this year is to diligently manage our budget so that we may accomplish all the exciting activities we have planned!

What can you not live without and why?  I cannot live without cheese, my cell phone, or hair ties.

What is your biggest pet peeve?  My biggest pet peeve is little noises in quiet spaces. Like the guy in the library going to war on his keyboard. Nope.

Name/Position: Ashton Groves, Philanthropy Chairman

Hometown: Southlake, TX

Major: Biology w/ Nutritional Studies Minor

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position?  I wanted to be on exec for two predominant reasons.  First of all, I wanted to hold an executive position within Zeta, so that I could serve our chapter as a leader and a mentor.  Secondly, I wanted to serve our chapter as ZTA’s service chair, because ZTA’s philanthropy, Breast Cancer Education and Awareness, holds a special place in my heart.  My mom finally defeated and survived breast cancer when I was only 4 months old, and my entire family has fundraised to help find a cure for this terrible disease ever since.  As a result, I grew up volunteering and giving back to many organizations that promoted breast cancer education and awareness.  Now that I am a Zeta, I am thankful to be in a sorority where I can continue these exact philanthropic efforts on an everyday basis.  As this year’s philanthropy chairman, my predominant goal is to inform our members about breast cancer in general and the preventative efforts that can help avoid the harmful effects of this disease.  

Where do you see yourself in five years?  In five years, I see myself striving to succeed in medical school, in order to further accomplish my dream of becoming a pediatrician.  I have a nurturing personality, and I have been interested in the medical field for as long as I can remember.  In five years, I want to be continuing my dream of improving the health of America’s youth, in hopes of making a major difference in today’s unhealthy society. 

What has been your favorite/funniest Zeta moment?  One of my favorite Zeta moments this year was hosting the initiation brunch for our newly initiated members.  I can remember looking out into the crowd after speaking, and thinking how lucky we were to have such an amazing and loving group of new members.  These girls truly demonstrate the overall definition of sisterhood.  While observing these girls undergo their first year of college, I realized how close they really became and the extent to which they all love their sisters.  These girls truly taught me more than I could even imagine this past year, and the satisfaction I felt during the initiation brunch is a memory I will never forget. 

Name/Position: Alexia Phipps, Historian

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Major: Corporate Communications w/ Business Foundations & Spanish Minor

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position?  I remember looking up to the girls standing at the front of the room when I was a new member in Zeta. They were leaders and people admired them. Since then I knew I wanted to be on Exec. My plans as Historian are to keep up the Kappa chapter's online presence and social media and to have the girls share and spread their sisterhood with one another.

What can you not live without and why?  I cannot live without Starbucks. When I don't know what to have for breakfast? Starbucks. When I'm tired? Starbucks.

What has been your favorite/funniest Zeta moment?  One of my favorite Zeta moments was at the Initiation brunch at the Zeta house. Me and my little Renee and her mother and our friends had a great brunch full of laughter and sunshine. Not to mention, Renee and I devoured the most amazing bacon we have ever had in our lives and went back for more. To this day we joke about all that Zeta bacon.

Name/Position: Aubrey Crenshaw, Scholastics

Hometown: Colleyville, TX

Major: Biochemistry

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position?  I wanted to be on Exec because I love being super involved in Zeta and I want to help Zeta grow in all aspects and specifically for my position on exec, help raise our overall GPA. 

What has been your favorite/funniest Zeta moment?  One of my favorite Zeta moments was going to Sea World for a sisterhood trip. It was so fun getting to go on all the roller coasters and just get out of Austin for a day. 

What is your biggest pet peeves?  One of my biggest pet peeves is when people smack their gum when I am trying to take a test. I get distracted so easily when I take tests. 

Name/Position: Sarah Poe, Rituals

Hometown: Spring, TX

Major: Journalism

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position? As cliché as it sounds, the amount of joy Zeta has brought to my life is unbelievable. You can’t not want to give back to that. When you really love something, you want to make it even better. I’ve been wanting to do something to leave a positive, lasting mark on Zeta for so long and I felt like being on Exec would be the best way to do just that. As for my position as Rituals Chair, I want to make PIE (Post Initiate Education) as enjoyable and meaningful as possible for our new members, as well as make Initiation and all of our Formal Entries as efficient as possible. 

What has been your favorite/funniest Zeta moment?  My funniest Zeta moment was on Bid Day when I was so overwhelmingly overjoyed that I got Zeta, that I missed the entire group of my pledge sisters walking from Hogg to the Zeta house... So, in a panic, I SPRINTED down the Drag about eight blocks in a Lilly Pulitzer dress and six inch wedges. When I rounded the corner on Nueces, I saw the house in the distance and a mob of girls with sunflowers and immediately assumed they were my pledge sisters and that I had missed the grand receiving line I had been looking forward to so much. So... I ran FASTER! All of a sudden I get a little closer, and notice the girls look a little confused? I kind of slow down and squint... THOSE WERE THE ZETAS! I turned around, and sure enough... my pledge class had walked a different route, and I had beaten them to the house and they were BEHIND ME and I looked like a crazy person! So I'm sweating and bright red, SO embarrassed. Then because I think no one knew what to do, Kate Onofrey (our Pledge Mom at the time who has since graduated) just said, "Welcome home!" and just from all of the emotion and panic and excitement and joy and just overwhelming amount of feelings... I BURST into happy tears. It was a lot to take in.

Do you have any hidden talents?  I can do the splits with each foot on a chair. 

Name/Position: Regan Seckel, Panhellenic Delegate

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Major: International Relations and Global Studies

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position?  Zeta has given and taught me so much, and I can’t wait to give back to the chapter. Our executive council for this year is such a great group of girls, they’re all so fun and hard working! I’m so excited for the year ahead of us. As Panhellenic Delegate, I want to strengthen our ties to other sororities and the Greek community as a whole.

What is your secret wish?  That a long lost grandmother invites me to tea and tells me I’m secretly the Princess of a small kingdom in Europe…

What has been your favorite/funniest Zeta moment?  After making Open House decisions during rush, our recruitment team sat in the living room

and watched Saturday Night Live videos until 3am. We were completely sleep deprived, so at that point everything was hilarious. We couldn’t stop laughing!

Name/Position: Caroline Meyerson, House Manager

Hometown: Houston, TX

Major: Business and Plan II Honors

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position?  I wanted to be on exec because I wanted to become more involved in Zeta and see the ins and outs of our organization. As house manager, my goal is for the house girls to have the most enjoyable living experience possible!

What can you not live without and why?  I cannot live without Icees - I’m addicted. I love all flavors, but my favorite is Dr. Pepper. One of my favorite parts about the ZTA house is that it’s so close to 7/11 - slurpees all day everyday!

Where do you see yourself in five years?  In 5 years, I hope to be at Jenna Nelson and Trevor Seybold's wedding with all my Zistas….let’s get real - that’ll happen way before 5 years. :) But on a serious note, in 5 years, I hope to be waking up every morning, as happy to be living my life as I am now. 

Name/Position: Amanda Brauer, Standards/Risk Management

Hometown: Grapevine, TX

Major: Advertising 

Why did you want to be on Exec/what do you plan to do with your position?  I wanted the opportunity to serve such an amazing chapter and bring new ideas to Zeta Tau Alpha. Serving on Exec would allow me to have an input on what our chapter does and how to make it even better. I plan to create a stronger sisterhood and manage risk one Zista at a time.

What has been your favorite/funniest Zeta moment?  My favorite zeta memory was when I got to play the part of a frat boy in the zeta skit for rush. #blessed

What can you not live without and why?  My roommate, Lauren Liles. We share the same love for cats and nothing else. Also, she doesn't wake me up when she gets ready in the morning and thats the sign of true love. 

We hope this blog allowed you to get to know this years leaders. 

As always, ZLAM <3

Texas Zeta Historian Team

Zetas Touching Lives: Nicaragua

        During my Christmas break, I went on an incredible adventure.  I realized how fortunate I am to be going to school, have a house made of brick with nice, comfy beds, air conditioners to keep me cool, and to live in the United States.  The trip I went on, the places I went, and the things I got to see and experience opened my eyes to how poorly living conditions and communities can be.  I am so happy I got to not only see these impoverished communities, but I was able to help the people trying to live within them.    

        Earlier this month both my twin sister Kiersten (pre-pharmacy major) and I (bio/pre-med major) got the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua to perform medical mission work through a national organization called Global Medical Training.  However, we were not alone in our adventure.  We were 2 of about 27 UT students that got to partake in the several medical clinics we hosted all throughout Nicaragua.  In addition, GMT provided us a team of 5 Spanish-speaking doctors as well as about 6 Spanish-speaking dentists, many translators, and trip guides to make the trip as successful as possible.  Our trip consisted of gaining more knowledge in the medical field, lots of bus rides, 4 clinic days, a couple hotels, and some fun group activities.  

         Driving around the different areas of Nicaragua, we didn’t expect anything too ornate just by looking at the buildings and civilization within the towns.  I would even say that we were slightly impressed by the towns and cities like Managua, which is the capital of Nicaragua, and Grenada.  However our clinic days were not in these towns.  In fact some clinics were hours away from our hotel.  On the way to clinic I would look out the window at the tiny, little shacks made of aluminum with the dirt as the floor these families called home.  I would see groups of people walking the same direction our bus was going because they had heard our clinic was being set up nearby.  We would stop at the location the clinic was supposed to be and I would see lines of people, families, and young children waiting to be seen by us.  All of our clinics took place inside classrooms.  There would typically be two classrooms that were a part of the same building and we would all just be sitting in old, wooden desks as we visited with each patient and the doctors would be going to and from each room giving their approval on our diagnoses.  

        The clinics would consist of listening to each patient’s problems and concerns, their symptoms, taking their vitals, and then from that we would make a diagnosis and propose certain medications for the patient.  One of the GMT staffed doctors would then use their knowledge to check and verify our decision.  I don’t know enough Spanish to converse with the many patients and families we saw during a clinic day so thankfully there was a translator per couple of students to aid in the communicating process.  It was nice how many patients immediately opened up to us in informing us of their pain or concerns.  Depending on where the clinic was located, the families and people living in the area experienced many of the same symptoms and illnesses as others living in the same area. A few patients we saw in the clinics were so hypertensive to the point that it was life threatening.  It’s sad to think that if we saw them sooner, we could’ve helped control their blood pressure so it wouldn’t get so chronic.  During the clinics we diagnosed a lot of children and families with parasites due to the lack of sanitary water they drink.  It was sad to see some mothers of 6 or 7 children try to provide for their family in these destitute communities.  Many children explained to us that they lived in a “house” with as many as 10 other people and had to sleep in the same bed with as many as 4 of them.  There were many stories from patients that caught me off guard and scared me.  Some stories I couldn’t even believe.  Others told us that they could never go to the stationary clinic because it would be a daylong walk there and back.     

        Just by working our first clinic day, both Kiersten and I realized how incredibly grateful each patient was just by the medications we gave them.  For some of them, it is this medication that is keeping them alive and healthy.  Even for some patients we would have to recommend them do something as simple as drink more water every day.  We would see kids with no shoes, tattered up clothes, dirt all over their feet and hands, and yet they would have the biggest smiles on their faces.  We would give them toys and stickers we had brought from the U.S. and their faces would light up even more.  It was incredible to see.  

        One of our favorite memories of the trip lasted just 45 minutes.  We boarded the bus in Granada on the morning of our ‘free day’ and one of the guides explains to us that there is this orphanage nearby that we will be visiting.  He continues by saying that we were going to get dropped off at a market to buy whatever we wanted to give the children in the orphanage.  Kiersten and I just lit up and went crazy shopping at the store.  We bought tons of rice, eggs, beans, vegetables, snacks, you name it, and we even found these really fun giant bouncy balls we thought the kids would enjoy playing with.  After everyone in our group bought the things they wanted to give to the orphanage, we headed over to the orphanage and just started to pile all sorts of food on a counter in the back of this big room.  As we continued to pile all of the food on this counter, in the background were all the kids screaming and running around all excited to see us.  They wanted stickers and pictures and they kept wanted to play this hand-slapping game.  They all just looked so happy, it was hard to believe we were in an orphanage.  The man in charge of the orphanage began to explain to us in Spanish about the living conditions and family situations these kids come from and how his orphanage gives them an escape and a refuge from their lives back at home.  It was sad to listen to but in looking at each smiling little boy and little girl, I couldn’t help but smile myself.  Unfortunately we didn’t get to stay long but besides the clinics, visiting the orphanage and seeing all the fun, cheerful kids was our favorite.

        Overall, to me, this trip was a life changing experience.  It not only solidified my passion for medicine and my love for helping people in need but it forced me to see the good in the bad.  Some of these kids had infections that, if in the United States, it wouldn’t even get that bad.  We have access to doctors and hospitals at our fingertips compared to the people living in these slums of communities.  The doctors who accompanied us on our trip earned my upmost respect as they devote their lives to traveling with GMT in their home country and help their fellow Nicaraguans live a healthy life and yet they are so incredibly thankful for us and we were only there for one week.   

        Our goal on this trip was to help as many as we could, and with the help of the GMT staff, we were able to touch and mend the lives of a little less than one thousand Nicaraguans total in the clinics we hosted.  There is no other experience like this.  I will definitely go on another trip with GMT, whether it be to Nicaragua or another foreign country.   

ZLAM
Sydney Braasch
PC12

Texas Zetas take on Chicago

Although it feels great to be back in Austin, winter break went by super fast because I got to spend a week in Chicago with four of my zeta sisters: Alexia Phipps, Bianca Morrison, Tara Woolheater, and Kate Hanna. 

We arrived to the windy city late at night on December 28^th and were greeted with famous Chicago deep-dish pizza. With our stomachs stuffed we went and got some sleep for the big day we had planned. The next morning, we put on multiple layers of clothes, coats, hats, scarves, and gloves and took a train into downtown Chicago. We walked up and down Michigan avenue stopping in the huge malls and department stores and, of course, the Hershey’s chocolate factory. We ended the day with a giant Chicago hotdog, which was worth every bite. The next day we saw the Shedd Aquarium and walked through Millennium Park. Although it was freezing we stayed outside most of the day to enjoy the amazing buildings and Chicago scenery. Finally it was New Years Eve, which we spent in Lincoln Park. It felt so great to welcome 2014 with four of my best friends in one of my favorite cities. With a bittersweet goodbye, we finally returned to the warmer temperatures of Texas with incredible memories that won't be forgotten. 

ZLAM

Amanda Brauer PC12

My New “Home” Away From Home

           Before you go to college, everyone tells you that college becomes your new home.  I never understood what that meant or how that was possible until I came home over Winter Break. I have lived in Manhattan Beach for eighteen years, but when I came back it didn’t quite feel like Austin. Manhattan Beach is a small beachy town in Southern California and it is one of the greatest places in the world (in my opinion).  I adore where I live because it is so incredibly warm, even in the winter and it's the perfect place to go to the beach on Christmas Eve.

While I was home for the holidays, I worked for my mom’s friend wrapping Christmas gifts, hung out with my friends at the beach, and went to Spain and Morocco. Being at home for a short period of time gave me a well-needed break from my first semester at college. Delightfully, it felt as though nothing had changed between my best friends and I, so staying in playing Monopoly on Tuesday nights felt just like old times. I now understand that family is everything because seeing my uncle and cousins' smiling faces as they greeted me into their home on Christmas was just what I needed.

Brooke and her twin sister at the People's Fountain

After the New Year, my mom, my twin sister, my aunt, and I flew out at eight AM to Barcelona, Spain. I can honestly say this is one of the most interesting and beautiful destinations I’ve ever been to. Right when we arrived we went to an interesting tapas restaurant and I ate anchovies that were salty and not the best along with other things. The streets lit up at night are an incredible sight to see. The next day we took a bike tour throughout the city, which was one of the most fun activities we did during the trip. We biked through the Olympic City, went to the People’s Fountain, visited the Bones House, and so much more. The buildings and other forms of architecture are breathtaking and were some of my favorite things to see in Spain. Barcelona is an incredible place and one of the most spectacular destinations to visit with extremely kind people.

From Barcelona we went to Marrakech, Morocco in Africa, which was an eye opening experience.  The old and new cities are polar opposites with impoverished people wandering the streets in the Old and new shopping malls being built everywhere in the New. While in the true place that the Sex and the City 2 movie was filmed, we had a personal guide walk us through incredible markets. Walking through the main market, the Souk was a jarring experience. Every step you take there is a new vender in your face trying to push their product at you in a different language. One man even wrapped a scarf around my face before I could say “no thank you”.  Also, being one of the only blonde teenage girls in the city was slightly frightening, but an important cultural lesson. My favorite thing that we did during the entire vacation was riding camels through the Sahara Desert. When the camel stands up it feels as though you will fall straight forward, but it manages to lift you up quickly and start heading through the sandy trail. It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done (and of course I had to get a selfie with the camel for Instagram). Morocco overall was a magnificent vacation and a beautiful city to explore.

Although this month from school has been a relaxing break, I know I am more than ready to go back to Austin and run into the arms of all my Zistas. UT has been so great to me and I cannot wait to continue my journey back at my home with all the Zetas!

ZLAM <3

Brooke Winterhalder

PC13