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.