Shortcut to Europe

Six girls, two miles, seven countries, five hours, (free food and drinks) and culture = an awesome adventure through Europe!

Yesterday, May 12th, the European Union Embassies and the EU Delegation presented Shortcut to Europe: European Union Embassies' Open House. The EU Open House was part of the activities surrounding Passport DC - a month long celebration of international cultural awareness in Washington, DC. Thousands of DC residents and visitors flocked to the various embassies to, according to our trusty map, "experience the best of European culture without the jet lag!"

Our adventure through Europe started at the Embassy of Portugal where, after standing in line for 40 minutes, we got a tour of the embassy, looked at a short video and sampled Portuguese pastry, soda and wine. From Portugal, the plan was to walk up Massachusetts Avenue to the Embassy of Belgium - rumour had it the Belgians were offering beer, waffles and chocolate - and stop at the embassies in-between.

Some of the loot from EU Open House 

On the way to Belgium we decided against going to Greece - the line was almost 3 blocks long! - and visited Estonia, Bulgaria and Latvia instead. We continued on our way and stopped at the Embassy of Croatia. With just about half the way to go before getting to Belgium, we came to the Islamic Center of Washington, DC where the Muslim Women's Association was hosting their annual bazaar. We stopped for a moment to see the crafts and other goods on sale and bought some food. Falafel sandwich = yum. With our energy restored, the journey continued. To Belgium!

When we finally made it to Belgium, the line outside the embassy was a little daunting but it moved quickly. Once inside we sampled sweet wafers, chocolate and beer all while touring the embassy. When we exited the embassy, we joined the line for the Belgian sugar waffles. Hot, fresh and incredibly delicious. Since we passed the Embassy of the United Kingdom on the way to Belgium, we decided to visit on our way back. At the embassy we toured the secret garden and sampled some Famous Grouse whiskey.

By the time we finished touring the United Kingdom, we were exhausted and since it was almost time for the Open Houses to end, we hopped on the shuttle bus and went back downtown for a late lunch at Pizza Paradiso. So we started with Portugal and ended with pizza. A day well spent indeed!

We Walked for Lupus Now!

On Saturday April 21st 2012, a sea of purple and butterflies took over Pennsylvania Avenue as thousands of supporters Walked for Lupus Now! According to the DC/Maryland/Virginia chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America, over 3500 people walked to raise awareness, show support for loved ones and raise funds of over $270,000.

After completing the walk (even though it was super short), I'm glad that I made the commitment to pull a team together and walk. I can't even begin to describe the energy and excitement on Pennsylvania Avenue that morning. The weather was perfect and everyone was so enthusiastic about coming together to support the cause, clearly evidenced by the dance party that popped up on the street. The Nutmeg Butterflies raised over $800 and I'm grateful to everyone for coming out so early on a Saturday morning.

My mother is the reason why I decided to walk, and her being there to walk with me made it all worth it. Thank you Mum and Dad for joining the team and Dad for making sure that we stayed in our section. Thank you to all the other Nutmeg Butteflies! - Danielle, Makeda, Auntie Angie, Uncle Ed, Nikki, Keri, Tariq, Royden, Cheryl, Roxanne, Kristina, Sieaun, Lindsay and Kelly (who walked in spirit!).

Thank you to everyone who supported and made donations. We couldn't have done it without you! If you're interested in still making a donation, funds donated will be counted towards the walk until the end of May. Here's the link to my donation page.

So now, here are some photos from the 2012 DC Walk for Lupus Now!

My parents! 

The Nutmeg Butterflies ready to go.

DC Walk for Lupus Now

The Nutmeg Butterflies! 

Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates

"My momma always used to say life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." - Forrest Gump.

I had never eaten at a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurant before three weekends ago, and then I went twice. In succession. And each time we got quizzed about the Forrest Gump movie. It's been a while since I've seen the movie, so my general knowledge was a bit rusty - but the question I did get right, on both occasions was, " life is like a box of ----. You never know what you're gonna ----." Oh how right Momma was.

So there I was on Friday night halfway through the Daytona 500 weekend randomly answering questions about Forrest Gump, though from the time we arrived in Florida, I knew this weekend was going to be anything but ordinary.

We got to the Orlando Airport without incident and our plans to meet the other team members and then drive to Daytona Beach together seemed solid, except half an hour after the planned rendezvous time, Kathryn and I were still searching the rental car garage for the others while they were doing the same...on the other side of the airport. Who knew that each terminal would have its own rental car desk and parking garage? We eventually made it to Daytona Beach, and I was ready for the Great American Race, my first Daytona 500.

Lake Lloyd

As I had done for the last race, I studied maps and itineraries and crammed as many random facts as I could, so I knew about the lake... Yes, Lake Lloyd situated in the infield of the Daytona International Speedway is huge. As a matter of fact, so was everything else - the campgrounds, trailers, foot long corn dogs, nothing like what this Island Girl had ever seen before!

The race weekend followed a similar pattern to the Homestead race, except on Sunday it rained all day. We still managed to get a tour of the race garage and pit road, albeit very wet, and we got stuck on the track for the emergency vehicle parade. Fire trucks, ambulances and the 3 Stooges in go-karts made their way around the track. (Not sure why the 3 Stooges were there, but I think it had something to do with their new movie). It wasn't as cold as Dover, but the rain took away from the excitement and fanfare that usually accompanies driver introductions. The rain eventually led to the first postponement ever of the Daytona 500.

I was a little disappointed, because after spending the entire weekend at the track I wanted to see some Sprint Cup racing. Once I got back to DC, I tuned into the race much to the surprise of my brother. There I was rattling off random facts about the drivers and cars, and he couldn't believe it. And neither could I, although just a few days before, while standing looking at Victory Lane from the Daytona 500 club, I realised that maybe I am beginning to enjoy this NASCAR thing.

Life. You really never do know what you're going to get.

Some more photos! 

Early morning walk along Daytona Beach

Daytona 500 walk of fame 

Oh hey Jeff!

Not much action on Pit Road

On the track for the parade 

Someone I Love Has Lupus

I was ten years old when my Mom was diagnosed with lupus, and every day for the last fifteen years I have counted my blessings that she has been able to attend every concert, see me graduate from school and support every dream. But I'm one of the lucky ones, because so many mothers don't get to see their daughters grow up, like my Aunt Marilyn who passed away due to complications caused by lupus two years after my Mom was diagnosed.

Lupus is one of those diseases that you hear about but you never know exactly what it means. There are many complicated, scientific definitions of lupus, but I think this one from the Lupus Foundation of America explains it best.

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body)... In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

There is still no definitive cause of lupus nor is there a cure, but there is hope. Advancements in medicine, research and a deeper understanding of the disease are making it possible to live well with lupus. However we still have a long way to go.

The Nutmeg Butterfly 

And this is why on April 21st 2012 my team, the Nutmeg Butterflies, will be joining hundreds of other supporters of the Lupus Foundation of America for their annual DC Walk for Lupus Now to raise awareness of lupus and funds to support research and the various programs of the Foundation. As a team our goal is to raise $1000, and with your help we can do it! Help us make a difference with every small step. No donation is too small, and I'm already grateful for your support and encouragement. Visit my Walk page to make a donation or just check on my progress.

Thanks again for your support and look out for updates and coverage from the walk!

I'm walking for my Mom, my Auntie Maro, the Lupus Foundation of Grenada, the Lupus Foundation of America and every family that has been affected by lupus. Join me! 

Here's the direct link to my Walk page:
Donation page of Alyssa Bierzynski

Pretty Woman Walking Down the Street

Pretty woman the kind I like to meet...

When I was younger my babysitter Carol had a VHS tape of the movie Pretty Woman featuring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, and based on the foggy memory of my eight year old self, I think we looked at it every day for about a month. Carol would send me away for the parts I guess she deemed too raunchy for me, and since I haven't seen the movie since then I really don't remember much about it. So when I got on to the elevator at the Beverly Wilshire and saw the red seats, I was a little confused. But then it clicked - this is the elevator from the movie! And no, I wasn't at the Beverly Wilshire to reenact some scenes from Pretty Woman, I was there to work at the Movies for Grownups Awards Gala... but more on that in a little bit.

Santa Monica Beach

We landed in Los Angeles on Saturday at around 11am and it was an absolutely gorgeous day. Seventy degrees, blue skies and a gentle breeze - the complete opposite to what I had left behind in DC. We dropped our suitcases off at the hotel, checked on the event space and headed out to get lunch and do a little exploring. Our goal was to see the beach, so we went down to Santa Monica in search of water. We walked along Third Street Promenade and lingered a bit to observe the various street performers. I swear I saw Hanson performing, but I could be wrong.

After lunch, we started walking in the direction of the ocean. I could smell the salt as we got closer and for a fleeting moment I felt like I was home. Except the massive expanse of sand that lay between me and the water was a clear indicator that I was nowhere close to home. When I finally made it to the water's edge, I paused for a moment to appreciate everything around me. Saturday February 4th 2012 - my first time stepping into the Pacific Ocean and my angel's birthday. Happy birthday Lesley, I know you were with me taking that step into the water.

Artistic shot?

It. Was. Cold.

So much for splashing around in the Pacific Ocean. Instead I looked for shells in the sand and attempted to take artistic photos of the waves crashing on the shore. We returned to the hotel and went for a walk along Rodeo Drive. Window shopping and car spotting. Sigh. One day.

Now back to the reason why I was in Beverly Hills. Every year, AARP The Magazine hosts an Awards Gala honoring some of the year's best Movies for Grownups. I was there to coordinate transportation for some of the invited guests and assist with general logistics. Long hours, hard work and I was never in the same spot for too long once the event started, so I didn't get to take any pictures. But I did get to escort Burt Young to the red carpet and to his seat for dinner. A little cranky, but he was an adorable little old man. Goran Visnjic is even more gorgeous in person than on ER. Meryl Streep and Sharon Stone looked stunning. It was hard trying not to act a little star-struck, especially during those moments when it dawned on me who the person I was greeting actually was. At least this time I managed more words than a feeble "Hi".

Take a look at some more photos from the adventure! 

Santa Monica Beach

Santa Monica Pier in the distance

Heading to breakfast off of Rodeo Drive

At night

A day of service

In recognition of MLK Day on January 16th, I joined thousands of other volunteers in a day of service commemorating the incredible legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr - a man whose unwavering dedication for social justice changed the world.

When I found out that I didn't have to work on MLK Day, I figured this was as good a time as any to give back to the wider community that has been my home for the past year and a half. I joined Cheryl's team - Friends Making A Difference - with Hands On Greater DC Cares and we were assigned to the Harry Thomas Sr Recreational Center for a morning of painting.

P.S. If you're in the DC area, go visit the MLK National Memorial. All reports have been great. I've only walked past it, but one of these sunny days I'll go spend some time there - new post maybe? 

Here are a few pictures from our Day of Service!

Our volunteer t-shirts

My assignment for the day - paint the walls of the stairwell

Progress! 

All of the volunteers at Harry Thomas Sr Recreational Center

Cheryl & I

Friends Making a Difference!

Hooray! It's a new year!

2011 was a good year.

I survived my first winter, submitted the Capstone I thought was going to be the death of me, walked across the stage at the School of Communication of American University's Commencement ceremony and then three months later graduated from American University. I had my heart broken, made tons of new friends and patched up old friendships. I landed a sweet internship and got to travel all over the place. I started writing this blog. I lost my best friend but gained an awesome angel.

Part of the view from Ashannah

In years past I would've gone to the Grenadian by Rex Resorts to ring in the new year with several hundred of my closest friends. Every year we would say that we aren't going to go back to Rex, that we'll do something else, but we still went to Rex. To ring in 2012 we finally did something else. We headed up the hill to Ashannah - Asha and Hannah's house - to welcome 2012 eating, drinking and dancing with good friends.

Ashannah sits on top of the hill overlooking Grand Anse, and while the view is spectacular year-round it offered the best vantage point for seeing the fireworks from the hotels around the Grand Anse area, those in the Valley, the Lagoon and even those from Spice Basket further away from the coast.

Boom! Happy New Year from part of the group!!!! 

We arrived at the house with just a few minutes to spare before midnight but the party was already swinging. Asha and Hannah's parents had their friends over, so the young and the young at heart reveled in the fireworks and toasted to the new year. Then the dancing started. And the old talk. Even an impromptu parang performance. We still dressed up in our party dresses but with sandals - no heels! (My feet were very grateful). We posed for lots of pictures. It was indeed a good night.

Now that 2012 is here, I wonder where the next adventure will be... but I guess that's the best part, not knowing where life will take me next. For 2012, no new year resolutions, just a promise to make each day count.

So from this Island Girl, I wish you all love and laughter for 2012. May you see each day as an adventure and embrace it!

Best wishes,
Alybiz!