Do the Lakers have enough talent to beat the Warriors?

If there’s one thing basketball experts and enthusiasts clearly witnessed during the Christmas Day meeting between the Golden State Warriors and the L.A. Lakers, it’s that the Warriors appeared very vulnerable. It was a huge, blowout win for the Lakers, which dominated the Warriors in the final quarter to win by 26 points. And the Lakers did it with LeBron sidelined due to a groin injury.

Image source: nbcsports.com

In any case, this season has so far been erratic for the vaunted Warriors franchise, with many teams managing to beat them both on the road and at home. There seems to be a lack of synergy among the death lineup of Curry, Thompson, Durant, Iguodala, and Green. Worse, their shooting has been largely inconsistent. The Warriors keep sliding up the down the top spot of the Western Conference while teams in the East (the Raptors and Bucks, in particular) are sporting a better record.

More importantly, there’s no guarantee this year that the Warriors will be in the top four in the West, as the win-loss records of other teams in the conference are not that far behind. Some critics blame the Warriors’ woes on the hole in the center spot, but this should be addressed once DeMarcus Cousins starts playing.

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As for the Lakers, the stellar play of its young players Ball, Kuzma, Ingram, Hart, and Zubac is being complemented by the veteran smarts of Rondo, Stevenson, and, of course, LeBron. McGee is a solid threat in the middle alongside Chandler. In short, the Lakers is showing that it’s the deeper team when compared to the Warriors.

Unless the Warriors begin to play more consistently and address the lack of offense contribution outside Durant, Thompson, and Curry, the Lakers may be able to end the Warriors’ dynasty in just LeBron’s first year in the West.

Hello, my name is Dayanna Volitich, a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. I’m a huge fan of LA-based sports teams and an avid traveler. For more on my hobbies and interests, check out this page.

Packing problems: Backpacking tips to prevent overpacking

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Overpacking is one of the biggest problem a beginner backpacker usually experiences. It’s sometimes difficult to decide whether or not to bring something that we feel we might need. These can be anything from extra clothes to accessories, gadgets like portable Bluetooth speakers to an electric tooth brush.


Just keep in mind that backpacking is done for a long time so starting with a stuffed bag will only mean you’ll be carrying the thing for the duration of the trip. It also gives you very little or no space at all to buy new items like clothes or souvenirs. Here are some tips to help you avoid overpacking.


If you’re bag is already full, cut everything in half

Not literally cut everything in half, just bring half of whatever you already packed in terms of clothes. You’d be surprised as to how you can manage to cycle through three or four dresses and some shirts while you’re traveling.

Image source:  travelfashiongirl.com

Avoid bringing cotton clothes

Cotton clothes don’t pack as tightly as those with synthetic fabrics. They also weight heavier than most fabrics. Maybe one or two cotton dresses would be okay, but go for mixed-blends for other clothes as long as you can mix and match them perfectly.


Bring flat shoes and sandals

Have one big shoe for activities like exercise, hiking, and walking the city all day while the rest should be flat. Flat shoes, sandals, and slippers are easy to store, low maintenance, and they go well with most of what you wear.


Hello! I’m Dayanna Volitich, a college freshman attending Fresno State University studying English. My goal is to become a successful sports writer, but I also want to try out other genres. Ever since I was young, my parents have always encouraged me to love reading. For more reads on traveling, visit this website.

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.

Image source: Gatlinburg.com

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.

Image source: Shortlist.com 

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.