Destination Asia: What to bring when backpacking in Southeast Asia

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If you’re a female traveler who’s planning on backpacking throughout Southeast Asia, there’s a lot for you to do, see, and experience. As one of the cheapest destinations in the world, don’t be surprised if you’re able to stay there for months with just a few thousand dollars. And given the climate there, you don’t need to bring a lot of clothes. For you to fully enjoy your backpacking trip, here are some items that you must bring.


A good pair of sunnies

Day hikes, city tours, and beaches galore. These are some of the most sought-after activities when backpacking in Southeast Asia. Having a good pair of shades is invaluable unless you like squinting most of the time. The weather is often sunny and bright so don’t miss out on the view by not bringing a good pair of shades.

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Light dresses

You can bring at the most four dresses for the trip. You never know if you’ll end up in a nice club or joining fellow backpackers for a nice semi-formal event like a birthday celebration. You can bring a mix of maxi dresses, sundresses, and short dresses just to give yourself options, especially if you’ll be traveling for a couple of months.


Proper footwear

As for footwear, all you need is a sturdy pair of flip-flops, comfortable walking shoes, and a functional pair for activities like jogging, hiking, or trekking. Going beyond these three will simply take up too much space on your luggage.


My name is Dayanna Volitich. I'm a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. My goal is actually to become a sports writer in the future. Apart from sports, I also love fashion and traveling. For more reads like this, follow me on Twitter.

Traveling with the family? Here are a few tips

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While having the kids on a trip is almost always a blast, it would do good for parents to remember that children are easily distracted by lights and sounds and colors. When traveling to an unfamiliar place, it’s best to be prepared.


Parents should start off by looking up the place and knowing the areas or sections restricted to kids. If the family is traveling abroad, knowing the locations of the American embassy as well as the police stations and hospitals is a good idea.


Other things parents should know about the travel destination are the weather, availability of wi-fi (in case of emergencies), and the crime rate. If the family will be spending time in nature, parents should know of the wildlife in the area and if they pose risks, as well as the plant life and if the kids are allergic to any of these plants.

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A big part of the preparation is getting the kids ready. Having a family talk a few nights before the trip just to go over things such as ground rules and how to get in touch or where to go in case they get separated from their parents or lost, is a big deal.


Finally, parents should teach their children how to ask for help from police officers in case they do get lost. Knowing these things will keep children calm, and help them avoid making rash decisions.


Can you think of other ways to ensure the safety of a family vacation? Sound off in the comments below.


Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. She is an LA streetwear fashion follower, a movie buff, a fan of LA-based sports teams, and an avid traveler. More on Dayanna here.

Five famous authors’ inspiration to write

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Aspiring writers often wonder: Where do my favorite authors draw inspiration to produce such beautiful works? It can surprise you to know that their inspiration can range from the mundane and every day to the grand and beautifully tragic in their lives. Here are the sources of inspiration of five renowned writers.


Haruki Murakami: When writing a novel, Murakami gets up at 4 a.m. every morning, works for up to six hours, runs 6.21 miles (10 km), reads for the rest of the day, and then calls it a night at 9 p.m. sharp. He follows this routine for six to 12 months, employing the repetition to stay inspired. “I mesmerize myself to reach a deeper state of mind,” he once noted.


Cormac McCarthy: The novelist talks to people to stay inspired. He pays attention to conversations and even recalls specific things said by the other person. In his novel "The Road," he used particular discussions with his son as inspiration.


Mark Twain: The celebrated author, dubbed the “Father of American Literature,” preferred writing in a comfortable, relaxed state, thus choosing to do so while in bed.

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Kurt Vonnegut: It might not be the ideal setup for many, but Vonnegut revealed in an interview that his tech-oriented writing job helped enhance his interest in writing science fiction. He worked in public relations for GE before becoming a novelist. At GE, he didn’t disregard the cutting rotors and machines that surrounded him but instead used them to develop a strong interest in the subject.


Nicholas Baker: It couldn’t be simpler for him: he simply set a mental deadline to finish penning a novel at age 30. He didn’t meet the deadline, but he became inspired to write "The Mezzanine" when he quit his job and spent every day writing so hard.


Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. For more reads like this, visit this page.

The basics of cutting costs on your trip

Are you planning your next trip?  Or is it going to be your first?  In any case, going on a vacation and exploring new places can be really exciting.  So exciting, in fact, that you might not notice how much you might be spending on stuff that doesn’t need much spending.  Let’s take a look at some tips on how to cut costs on a trip from frequent travelers.

Search online for promos

The digital age allows access to information with just a tap, swipe, or click.  Take advantage of this during the planning stages of your trip.  On the internet, you’ll find dozens of lists of promos and tour packages that may make your trip so much cheaper.  From plane tickets to accommodations, there are discounts for everything the whole year round.

Stay clear of hotels

If your trip doesn’t revolve around staying in a resort or a hotel, then avoid resorts and hotels.  For one, they cost an arm and a leg compared to other establishments for guests.  Always look up places to stay other than hotels in an area.  You may get lucky and find a cheaper Airbnb or a reputable motel.

Don’t eat near tourist spots

The menu for eateries near tourist locations is notoriously overpriced.  And the food isn’t anything to write home about either.  Take a packed lunch when on tour.  But if you want to sample the region’s cuisine, ask the locals.  They’ll be more than happy to help out. 

Dayanna Volitich is a 19-year old freshman student taking up BA English at Fresno State University who eyes a career in sports writing. She’s also been bitten by the travel bug. For more on her and her passions, check out this blog.

La-Based Streetwear Brands To Watch

Los Angeles is a streetwear haven all right, with so many different labels and brands vying for attention and longevity in this fashion space. There’s Fear of God, Unravel, John Elliot, and Billy, alongside streetwear giants like Supreme with their own cult following. Here are some LA-based streetwear brands to watch during these exciting times for the hypebeast.

Image source: Complex.com

Pleasures

Launched in June 2015 at a gallery pop-up by Alex James and Vlad Elkin, this label now enjoys over 100 retail doors across the globe and at least 80,000 followers on Instagram. Its collaboration with the Grateful Dead is only one of many in the pipeline for the year and beyond. To quote James: “We create clothing based on feelings through past experiences.”

Uprising

Created by Roski School of Fine Arts alumna Michelle Hanabusa, it’s a self-described minimal, streetwear-inspired brand transforming the iconic white t-shirt into a garment for all seasons. Launching at the end of 2016, the designer is heavily influenced by her Japanese roots as well as LA’s streetwear vibe.

Dimepiece LA

It was established just over 10 years ago, but this brand has an expanding footprint on Instagram, with the likes of Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson rocking its sporty chic designs. It draws inspiration from LA’s “polarized landscape, flitting between the glamour of Hollywood and the chilled, laidback flow of the city’s downtown,” as Highsnobiety puts it.

Madhappy

Launching online last April, it has built buzz with pop-ups emerging not just in LA but also in New York and Aspen. It has four co-founders (two sets of brothers) who were inspired by the fact that “most streetwear brands are closed off, inaccessible, and somewhat dark,” as co-founder Peiman Raf told Fashionista.com.

Image source: Highsnobiety.com

Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. She is an LA streetwear fashion follower, a movie buff, and a fan of LA-based sports teams. Learn more on this page.

The Most Inspiring Football Movie You’Ll Probably Ever See In This Lifetime

Sean Astin is a lovable fellow. His most famous role was that of Samwise Gamgee from Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Astin represents the every man. Short, stocky, and without the Hollywood leading man’s smolder, he projects life as we all know it.

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This is probably why Astin was such a perfect fit to play Daniel Ruettiger in David Anspaugh’s 1993 football movie, “Rudy.” Astin brought the intense dignity of a boy with a dream, one life kept putting down, in a performance that kept everyone rooting for him.

Yes, I’m saying it -- “Rudy” is the most inspiring football movie ever made. And that doesn’t come lightly as there are many inspiring football flicks out there such as “Remember the Titans” and “The Replacements.” But the inspiration “Rudy” gives us is on a whole different level. We weren’t rooting for a team, or a community, or a city. In fact, we weren’t even cheering on Rudy himself. We were cheering for each one of us, every person who ever dared dream and had everyone tell us it was impossible.

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Sure, it’s a classic tale, and quite cliché, but the down-to-earth direction, Astin’s appeal, and an extraordinary story elevate “Rudy” to the top of our football movies list easily.

Hi there! I’m Dayanna Volitich, a college freshman attending Fresno State University and studying English. I plan to become a sports writer someday. Learn more about me here.

Kobe Bryant: a Quick Guide To a Legend

He’s not known as The Black Mamba or the Lord of the Rings for nothing. Kobe Bryant is among the most significant players to ever play American basketball, taking his team Los Angeles Lakers to great heights and charting a career of unprecedented wins and new records. Here’s a quick look at the life of the legend in the hard court.

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Born in 1978 in Philadelphia, Bryant spent his childhood in Italy and joined the NBA right after high school. He was chosen by the Charlotte Hornets as the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, and was eventually traded to the LA Lakers.

He was always known for being a dominant score, winning five NBA championships and the 2008 MVP Award with the LA Lakers. His later seasons were marked by a number of injuries, but they didn’t stop him from breaking records and demonstrating excellent play. In 1998, he was voted a started for the All-Star Game, becoming the youngest All-Star in the league’s history at age 19. His team-up with Shaquille O’Neal won the Lakers three consecutive championships.

On December 2007, Bryant created a record of being the youngest NBA player to reach 20,000 points. In the 2009-10 NBA season, he broke Jerry West’s record and became the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Lakers. In December 2014, he surpassed Michael Jordan as third place on the NBA all-time scoring list. His retirement in 2016 was highlighted by a 60-point score in his final game.

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Bryant received multi-year endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas and Sprite during his basketball career. In 2018, he earned an Academy Award when Dear Basketball won Best Animated Short Film. He married Vanessa Laine in 2009 and together they have two daughters, Natalia and Gianna.

Dayanna Volitich a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. Her goal is actually to become a sports writer in the future. Learn more on this page.

Safety Tips For Women Who Want To Go Backpacking Alone

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A lot of backpackers say that solo backpacking is one of the most enriching experiences they’ve had while traveling. While guys can do this with relative ease, it’s a different story for women in general. If you’re planning a solo backpacking trip, here are a few safety tips to follow.

First, solo traveling doesn’t mean you are always on your own. The fact is, you will always be surrounded by people. A lot of these people are fellow solo backpackers as well, making it easier to make friends because of these dynamics. And with new friends come perks like saving money by sharing meals or booking a tuk-tuk for 2 instead of just 1.

If you’re uncomfortable staying in dorm rooms but want to experience life inside hostels, some hostels offer private rooms as well. And always check the reviews of your hostel in terms of security and the overall experience of previous customers.

Image source: hostelworld.com

Lastly, don’t carry too many valuables. For travelers, material objects don’t matter as much, but may still attract the wrong people. When going out, bring just enough money and leave any expensive jewelry.

Hi there! I’m Dayanna Volitich, a college freshman attending Fresno State University and studying English. My goal is to become a sports writer, and I ’m happy that my degree allows me to develop my writing skills while exploring literary tradition. For more on me and my interests, click here.

Michael Jordan: A Quick Profile Of Basketball’s G.O.A.T

Countless things have been written and discussed about Michael Jordan, deemed the Greatest of All Time, the living legend who single-handedly defined what basketball should be all about. Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships.

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Born on Feb. 17, 1963, Jordan dominated the sport from the mid-80s to the late 1990s. He is no less than the most decorated player in the NBA with his five regular-season MVPs as well as three All-Star MVPs and maintained a number of profitable ventures ranging from a stake in the Charlotte Hornets and corporate sponsorship with Nike to endorsement deals with the likes of Gatorade and Hanes.

Known for nicknames “Air Jordan,” “His Airness,” or simply “MJ,” Jordan played shooting guard and small forward positions. He was born in Brooklyn, plays right-handed, and is 6 feet, 6 inches tall. He retired from basketball three times: in 1993, fresh from his third consecutive NBA championship, in 1998, after his second three-peat, and in 2003, at the age of 40. He pursued baseball as well and played for a minor league team for a year.

Many sports fans and spectators believe there will be no one else like Jordan, but in his book, MJ is quick to say: "There is no such thing as a perfect basketball player, and I don't believe there is only one greatest player either … I built my talents on the shoulders of someone else's talent. I believe greatness is an evolutionary process that changes and evolves era to era.”

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Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman at Fresno State University who seeks to be a sports writer in the future. For similar reads, visit this blog.