Sweet Dessert Bar

Friday night, a few friends and myself ventured out to Worcester for a night out on the town.  After some wildly entertaining line dancing at Dance Ranch Saloon, we stopped at "Sweet", a quaint dessert bar neatly settled next to Funky Murphy's on Shrewsbury Street.  Its luxurious, yet relaxing atmosphere set the perfect mood for the end of a long night.   Upon entering, there was a glass case displaying unique delicacies, mostly cakes and cupcakes with detailed decorations.  Sweet's desserts have actually appeared on the well-known show, "Cake Boss."   After walking further into the venue, there is a wrap around bar with several tables placed around the edges of the room.  Here is where guests can enjoy a choice of any appetizer, dessert or beverage. 

My friends and I devoured several different desserts ranging from cupcakes, donuts, sorbet, martinis and a specialty item called bananas foster.  The waitstaff offered tremendous service while the chefs created delicious masterpieces.  I highly recommend "Sweet" to anyone who has a raging sweet tooth and needs a new, refreshing place to bring a couple friends for a good time.



http://www.sweetworcester.com/dessertbar.html

Europe Extravaganza

On May 21st, 2011, I will be making my way to Barcelona, Spain, with a short visit in Paris before reaching this destination.  Upon arrival, we will be boarding a Carnival Cruise which will parade us around the shores of Europe, more so Italy than any other countries, for a duration of 12 days.  We will be visiting many ancient and symbolic landmarks filled with majestic views and historical importance as we venture out on many excursions on our two week adventure.

Barcelona, Spain

Marseilles, France

Savona, Italy

Rome, Italy: Colleseum and Vatican

Naples, Italy: Amalfi Coast

Messina, Italy: Mt. Etna

Venice, Italy: Murano

Palma De Mallorca, Spain: Caves of Drach

Spring

Spring is when I am the happiest.

As the bitter cold of the winter slips away, warm temperatures invade the air.  People crawl out of their cocooned houses with lighter layers and smiles on their faces with intentions of enjoying the day outdoors.  It stays lighter out later creating a feeling of added length to each day.  With a sense of additional time, productivity is increased and more tasks are accomplished.  The semester approaches the end of its duration, promising a short distance till summer.  All things appear to be perfect.

Baseball season arrives!  Go Red Sox!  Go Palmer Panthers!  I thoroughly enjoy following the Red Sox as they travel through their season of games.  From time to time, I get the chance to visit Fenway Park to see a game with the luxury of my Uncle's season tickets.  My brother also plays baseball for Palmer High School.  He has grown up perfecting his game and striving to be the best player he can be.  Not from a biased opinion, but he is an outstanding athlete who will have a promising future in the sport if he sets his mind to the task.  I look forward to sitting in the cozy spring weather, behind home plate watching him defeat his opponents.

Spring is arriving and I am ecstatic!  Although April showers are depressing, the anticipation for sunshine and flowers keep me going as I finalize many areas of my life to make room for new adventures. 

Greatest Companion

She’s a friend.  She’s a mentor. She’s a sister and a hero.  An individual who gracefully entered my life at the most opportune time.  A time when life was gearing up to throw obstacles my way that would generate more change than I have ever experienced.  Senior year quickly approached as it promised many endings that would hopefully lead to many beginnings.  My passion for playing soccer was thrown for a curve as my eligibility for collegiate participation ran out.  My education began winding down in capacity as my concentration focused more on my near future.  Friends of many years slowly started filtering out as our lives chose different paths to follow.  In a short period of time, my emotions were sent on a bumpy rollercoaster ride generating instability and uncertainty.  To my surprise, a necessary friend unexpectedly placed herself in the middle of my chaos, lifted my dragging head, and led me in the right direction.

            As I started focusing on finding a second internship, she reached out to perspective employers who she trusted to give me the most beneficial influence.  As I thought about searching for job positions after graduation, she sent me on a mission to find a mentor of hers who could offer me a possible opportunity.  A few interviews later and several months down the road, I have found myself employed at the very company she recommended I be aggressive towards in order to start a career.  I now find myself indulging in an occupation that I have dreamed of for many years. 

            When I need a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear to bare my babbling, she is there no matter where she is or who she is with.  Her constant effort to be the best friend that she could possibly be is more than I could ever ask for from anyone.  It is a comforting feeling to know that she will always be there for me holding my hand, lifting me up, and pushing me along.  I love her like a sister and appreciate our relationship more than any other person could fathom. 

Fear

Fear is an emotion that is capable of controlling your decisions and actions.  Recently, as I approach a time in my life where I will endure a lot of change, I have discovered the type of feelings fear can ignite.  It can force you to turn down great opportunites, take for granted your successes, and restrict you from experiencing the excitements in life.

For my entire life, I have been sheltered by my family, friends, and authorities.  I have created a routine that has allowed me to stay within my comfort zone. For years, I have returned to school in the fall, I have played soccer year-round, I have maintained many friendships, I have lived under my parents roof, I have gone on family vacations, and I have jumped from one job to the next.  After having something for so long, it is difficult to walk off that beaten path.  Don't get me wrong, I have ventured out of my limits by taking chances and learning from my mistakes, but I have always remained in close proximity with the people I love the most, the ones that support and love me back.

Now that I am graduating, I am leaving the school that has supported my education and extra curricular activities for the past 4 years, where I have developed many relationships with a diverse group of people.  Although the idea of graduating does not worry me, I have bits of fear that make me question what my future entails.  With my new job, I will be traveling a lot.  The feeling of independence excites me but I find myself scared when I think about being away from friends and family for long periods of time.  Since I have grown so dependent on them over the years, it is an uneasy feeling to know I will be distant from the communication channels I have created. 

As all these feelings envelop my thoughts, I have to find a way to overcome my fearful emotions.  If I were to let them control my life, I would jeopordize my chances of being succesful, of making new friends and establishing a family.     

Strong Would Be An Understatement

Recently, a kid I went to high school with was diagnosed with a very rare type of cancer, ALL.  There are only 10 other cases of it throughout the world which makes it very difficult for doctors to conduct the necessary research that provide them with vital information that could help cure the leukemia.  It started as little bumps on the side of his neck.  Everyone thought they were side effects to having mono, but obviously that diagnosis was incorrect.  Currently, after completing round one of chemotherapy, doctors say the cancer has been retracted from his body but its a possiblity he could go into remission.  Their best source to a fast, permanent recovery right now is to have a bone marrow transplant. 

Today, in Palmer, they had a bone marrow drive.  Over 100 people from town attended the drive at St. Thomas to support Matt and his family by donating DNA samples.  This was performed by rubbing cottom swabs along the inside of your cheek.  It was a fantastic turnout, lifting the spirits of the Ziemian family.  Now, we have to wait for the DNA samples to be analyzed as we all cross our fingers for a perfect match.

Incidents like this one make me step back and appreciate my good health.  And also to think twice before I complain.  Matt is an unbelievably strong individual who is fighting through this illness.  While he struggles with this cancer, he still finds in his heart to look out for others before himself.  I wish the best for him and hope there is someone out there who can donate in order to make a difference in his life.

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/Bone-marrow-drive-helps-to-save-a-life

The Glamour of a Little Girl

Not all girls are raised in similar environments.  As a result, it's not certain that each one will transpire into the world of a stereotypical "girly-girl."  Some desire a much more unorganized and adventorous lifestyle.  Some even fall somewhere in the middle where they strive to be athletic and competitive but still enjoy to be pampered and beautiful.  Personally, that is where I have taken a seat on the bench of womanhood.  It may take quite a few years for most girls to find where they are comfortable in society and to know how to feel comfortable in their own skin.  Until then, it is an exciting experience to watch them transform and grow as individuals.

There are two little girls in my life, my cousin and a friend, that have looked up to me as a role model, and also a female who knows the ins and outs of fashion and beauty.  They have defined the meaning of being a "girly-girl."  Together, we updo our hair, paint our nails, apply our makeup and dress ourselves with the latest trends.  It is an exciting experience for all of us.  Luckily, they have brought me along with them on the journey of learning what makes them feel beautiful, but also what sets them apart from others.  It is fun for me to show them the ropes but also teach them a lesson on how to express themselves through inner beauty.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult for a young girl to grow up in this manipulating and judgemental society we live in.  There are high expectations set for the female gender that not everyone can live up to, depending on their standards of living and personal perspectives.  Some girls make it out alive, while others struggle to be accepting of their image.  Since I have experienced this first-hand, I do my best to help the younger generation survive the maturing stage a little bit easier than I was capable of doing.  The glamour of being a girl can be fun and entertaining but it is important to keep realism at an arm's length away.