The Experts Weigh In: Surf's Up!

BY: ADAM RUST, CONTRIBUTOR

I'm sure some of you may have read Bennett's guest post last week and thought, "Sure, living abroad sounds wonderful and it would be nice to have the opportunity to meet people from different cultures, but I can't just up and move away from my life". Well, I'd like to share some good news with you about something that I stumbled upon a few years ago - something that changed my life in a positive way, made me see the world from a different perspective and allowed me to make some awesome new friends along the way.

About four years ago, Lauren and I discovered that we both had the desire to travel and it was time to do something about it. We wanted to travel around Europe and see all the wonders of the world. The only catch was... traveling costs money and there wasn't an abundance of that in either of our bank accounts. So we gave ourselves six months to raise some funds and to research the cheapest way possible to travel Europe without getting kidnapped or winding up with bed bugs. As I searched the internet, I came across a site called couchsurfing.org. Couchsurfing is a community of people all across the globe who have two things in common - they love meeting new people and they love travelling. The premise is this... while you are home, you offer up your couch/spare bedroom/floor space to travelers who are in need of a place to stay while they explore your town. In the same way, when you go travelling, you can expect similar hospitality.

Having deep cultural conversations on the subway with Noe.

At first I was skeptical, but the more I looked into the site, I found that they take great care to verify their members' identities. I also learned that hosts could reject a request if the person looked like a creeper. So basically, it's like internet dating, but with couches. So I decided to give it a shot. 

One month later I had four Frenchmen at my door, excited to stay on my floor for the weekend. I was nervous. Four strangers were about to enter my apartment, and I had no idea if they were going to butcher me alive or steal all my worldly possessions. But all those fears melted away as soon as I saw their faces. These guys just spent the last 6 hours flying across the Atlantic to come to New York City! They were on cloud nine. It dawned on me that they were just thankful to have a place to stay for free with someone who was kind enough to show them hospitality in a strange new land.

Lauren and I spent the better part of our weekend showing them around and navigating all the awkward conversations (since we didn't speak French and they hadn't spent much time in America). We learned so much about each other's cultures. We played 'tour guide' for them, while they gave us a unique perspective into their lives in France. 

Noe and his roommate picked us up from the train station in Avignon, drove us to some ruins on the top of a mountain
and popped open a bottle of wine with us while we watched the sunset. Hello, France!

Four months later, Lauren and I traveled throughout France, staying on the couches of two of our newly found French friends, Ben and Noe. We even stayed one night at Ben's mother's house in Calais, the port town. Noe has since been back to New York twice and has stayed with me both times. Ben's cousins have also stayed with me after we met them in France.

Ben's cousins, Marlene and Vincent, showing us around a park in Paris.

This is just one of the great experiences that I've had through couchsurfing. I've met people from all over the globe - from two wild and crazy Finnish guys to a French family of 5 that stayed in my small one bedroom apartment with me (did I mention all three children were under the age of 5?).

Our tiniest couchsurfer yet, Ael.

I've also had great experiences staying on couches throughout my own travels. When my brother and I went to Germany earlier this year, our German host took us to a pub to watch the Euro Cup soccer tournament, even though we fully intended on rooting for the opposing team. On the same trip, we also met a young, ambitious Dutch college student who let us stay on his couch for 4 days. A few months later, he stayed on my couch in the city after he completed his cross country bike trip from Seattle to New York. In 50 years, THESE will be the memories I remember from my trips.

So as you can see, I'm a big advocate of couchsurfing.org. I've met a lot of great friends and I've had great experiences that I would've missed if I'd traveled in a more traditional way. I've learned that the more you put yourself out there, wanting to learn from others, the more you will see that they are human just like you...

...even if they call them 'chips' instead of 'fries'.

Adam Rust is (surprise!) my boyfriend; therefore, I find him pretty fascinating. He's originally from Indiana, though he's been living in New York City for the last 6 years, working as a commercial editor (that means he's good with technology - me, not so much). Opposites attract I guess. Adam has a big heart and big dreams - he loves going on adventures, whether it's a hiking trip upstate or a 3-month surf trip to Costa Rica. Adam gave me the courage to explore the world and take chances (even with a thin wallet). I owe a lot of my travel experiences to him. When he's not working, you can usually find him escorting me to restaurants and testing out the food for my Saturday Splurge posts or riding his bike all over Brooklyn. He has an affinity for classic music, like the Allman Brothers, Steve Miller Band and the Grateful Dead, and he shares my deep love and appreciate for good wine. On his last trip, he brought me back a few bottles from France. Good man!!!

The Experts Weigh In: The Journey of 1,000 Miles

BY: COURTNEY BLAIR, CONTRIBUTOR

I tend to do my best thinking in the shower. Why am I sharing this with you? Well, when one of my dearest friends asked me to share my experience volunteering in a Kenyan orphanage a little over 7 years ago, it hit me how to best reveal my thoughts while I was squeezing the last bit of shampoo out of the bottle and simultaneously humming a 1980's pop song. My solo trip to Kenya at age 21 was a true turning point in my life. I left my cushy existence as a college student in Athens, Georgia, to volunteer in an orphanage in the heart of the slums outside of Nairobi. I really had no idea what to expect, but I thank God for my naivety or else I'm not sure I would have made the trip.

I fear my life would have been very different had I not stepped onto that plane and ventured into an unknown world. I went hoping I could have some sort of impact on the orphans I was yet to meet, but those 67 inquisitive, bright-eyed children (with the most captivating smiles you've ever seen) did more for me in my short time in Kenya than I feel I could ever do for them. They gave my life a purpose that I so desperately needed to find. They enveloped me with a resiliency and strength that I didn't even know i possessed. And they guided me on a path of self-discovery that ultimately helped me to discover and pursue my life's passions. After that trip, I became so much more aware of the signs God left for me and the paths He pointed me toward, and those precious angels in Kenya are to thank.

So back to the shower. As Cyndi Lauper was on repeat in my head, I began to think about the impending day and my promised blog post. How could I possibly share this once-in-a-lifetime, life-changing experience with all of you? How could you truly understand the legacy my trip left? I thought and thought and thought some more until something clicked; there was no need to rewrite the story - to re-reflect on the past. The words of my soul - the song of my heart - was already etched into the pages of my journal. What better way to share my experience than to let you relive it with me in its most intimate form? So here it is, my raw thoughts spilled out on paper circa July 5, 2005 - the day I returned from my trip.

Courtney and Brian

                Once again, I find myself sitting at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam awaiting my flight. This time though, I am headed home with worlds of new knowledge and unforgettable experiences. I learned so much during my short time in Kenya. I learned what the word appreciation really means. I never really knew what it meant before I met these kids. In terms of material possessions, I have so much more than they have. But they have true happiness; they have true heart, and they have true appreciation. With so little, they actually have so much.

                I learned that if I really want to experience the world, if I really want to have a realistic global perspective, I must step out of my comfort zone. Not everyone thinks and does like Americans. America is not the standard to what other countries must adhere to. I have to stop thinking that everyone wants to live as an American does…that their lives aren’t good enough. That’s judgmental and unfair. I learned that although not everyone wants to live the “American Dream,” I am glad I am American. I am more glad now than I’ve ever been. I’ve been blessed with freedom and opportunity—concepts that are so lacking in other countries.

Courtney and Ashley

                I learned that although language varies and people can’t always understand spoken words, they can always understand a smile. A smile is a constant…a constant reminder that no matter how different each person may seem, we are all brothers and sisters in the end. We are all members of this great earth just trying to get by. Everyone has something to offer someone, whether they know it or not. Each person is destined to touch another person’s life in some way at some time.

Dennis and Courtney

I learned that God came with me on my trip and that He comes with me wherever I go. I learned that after I get my undergrad degree, I might want to pursue a Master’s in elementary education. While I was reading to and teaching the kids, something clicked inside of me. I thought to myself, “I want to be a teacher.” I want to influence kids the way I feel like I influenced the orphans. I want to help shape them and encourage them.

There is so much more that I learned on my trip, it’s hard to know where to begin and end. In short, I learned about myself and the strength and courage I possess that I always knew I had but never thought I could show. I learned, firsthand, about another culture; and from that firsthand experience, I learned what it means to humble myself. I am no better than anyone else. In the end, I learned about life, love, and myself. I set out to have a life changing experience, and a life changing experience is what I had. I hope it will stick with me for the rest of my life; may the journey of 1,000 miles begin with a single step. My journey will never be over and those wonderful kids will always and forever be in my heart <3.

I must end this post by thanking my dear friend for giving me the opportunity to look back at these words. When life gets tough, these lessons put it all in perspective; they are a constant reminder of what is truly important in life. I feel so fortunate to have had an experience that affected me so deeply, and I am lucky that I had the chance to put the daily grind on pause, reflect on this joy, and share it with you.

Hailing from Roanoke (or 'Roa-joke'), Virginia, Courtney Blair found herself in cahoots with me when she chose the University of Georgia for her 'college experience' and gave me a friendly hello on move-in day. It was friendship at first sight. Now, Courtney lives in North Carolina and teaches elementary school. They are lucky to have her. Courtney is one of the only people I know who could manage to get into a major golf carting accident, an accident so bad that she was laid up for most of the summer. She's a bit quirky, but that's why I love her! Courtney sleeps with a stuffed peanut butter & jelly sandwich (at least last time I checked) and enjoys introducing people to the joys of Wheat Thins topped with jelly and cream cheese. Hey, it might not be nutritious, but it's damn good! The most important bond we have though is our shared love for chips and queso. What I'm trying to say is, it was pretty obvious from the start that we were going to be great friends.

Advice From The Experts: Gaining the World Through Giving

This photo from college is as embarrassing as it gets, but it
sums up our relationship perfectly.

My best friend from college is a bit... how do you say it?... eclectic? Courtney Blair was my very first friend when I went off to the University of Georgia. I left the warm, loving nest of my parent's house and fell right into Courtney Blair's topsy-turvy dorm room. She was certainly a sight to behold... beautiful in the most natural way... milky white skin, a mess of freckles, and long auburn hair. To this day (excluding my brother Cale), I've never met anyone with as much personality as her. She's dramatic, funny, kind and serious all wrapped up into one charming little package.

When we met and she discovered that I had no solid nicknames, she deemed this unacceptable for someone my age and promptly nicknamed me 'Laronika'. I hated it... obviously. In an effort to work with me, she shortened it to Laron (eh, ok), then it somehow warped into Ronnie and slowly settled into Ron. Before I knew it, no one was calling me by my given name and people started to pity my luck - what kind of parents name their baby girl Ron?

But jokes aside, I actually have Courtney to thank for the fact that I live in New York. She accompanied me on my first trip to the concrete jungle, and I think it was that trip that planted the seed in me. I knew I loved New York. Maybe it was the fact that we got some airtime on MTV's Total Request Live, or the fond memory of accidentally eating someone else's food at a communal table in Chinatown or quite possibly the fact that the Soup Nazi resided here. But whatever the reason, I ended up here and I have her to thank.

Courtney and Chermie in Kenya.

Tomorrow I am thrilled and honored to have Courtney as a guest contributor. Courtney went on a life-changing trip to Africa during college, and I asked her to share her amazing experience with you. I'm sure she'll be the first to tell you that when she made the choice to give of herself and her time, she gained the world in return.

Be sure to check out Courtney's article tomorrow! You won't want to miss it!

Advice From The Experts: Weight Loss Wonder Woman!

Why is it that men just drop pounds without even trying? They could eat Doritos all day long, while simultaneously watching football and playing HALO, and still magically retain their Adonis figures (blatant generalization here, I'm aware...just go with it).

As a woman, this has forever frustrated me. Angered me even. Made me as hot as a firecracker on the 4th of July. It's JUST NOT FAIR that it's so much harder for us to lose a little weight!

That's why I'm in a continual state of awe of tomorrow's guest contributor, Jennifer Swafford. Let me set the scene... I met Jennifer almost a decade ago, when she commissioned me to paint a mural on her elementary school classroom wall. She was (and still is) a teacher and one of the most bubbly and warm people you will ever meet. In fact, she's so great at her job that she was named Teacher of the Year by her school in 2008-2009. 

From the outside, Jennifer seemed to have it all together... a great job, a strong marriage and a positive outlook on life, but she discovered that one piece of the puzzle was missing. She weighed in on the scale at 280 pounds and just didn't feel that good!

I don't want to give too much away, as it's much better to hear the story from her, but Jennifer has been on an incredible weight loss journey for the last few years. Her story is so inspiring (even for those who don't need to lose weight) because she turned her weight loss into something much larger than just size alone. She now uses her journey to inspire thousands... and has even been recognized for it!

I should stop before I spill the beans, but be sure to check out Jennifer's article tomorrow. She has a lot to share!

Music For The Music Weary: Prado's 'Dangerously Fit' Top 10

Image courtesy of reserveresult.com

I don't know about you, but I'm absolutely and utterly fed up with the workout mix on my iPhone. Every morning I run to the same songs on repeat, and it's about to put me in the grave. As the line from the movie Sandlot so eloquently conveys... "I CAN'T TAKE THIS NO MORE!".

So who do I call when I'm in a pickle such as this? None other than the master of music mixes... the sensai of song... the lord of lyrics... That's right, you guessed it! Guest Contributor David Prado! Prado ALWAYS has a solid jam to offer in a crunch.

For today's post, Prado put together a rockin' playlist for your listening pleasure. It might even make you want to workout. So lace up those running shoes... grab some hydration... and hit 'play'!

And if you want more 'Prado jams', check him out at Flywheel Atlanta: http://atlanta.flywheelsports.com/instructors/david-prado


Now, a word from Prado...

Image courtesy of hommesdefemmes.com

"You know that friend you have who's always talking about the latest and greatest jam? They're always trying to make you listen to new lyrics? Well, that's NOT me. Don't get me wrong, I love music and I'm passionate about it, but I believe if the music is good, it will speak for itself.

You know you have a good song on your hands when your carpool buddy asks you to crank up your recently added playlist. If afterwards, they ask you where you got it, who sings it and when it came out, YOU, my friend, did something right. If you're getting no response, let it slide. Some people just can't workout to Elton John... ain't gonna happen.

I am partial to mashups. For the pop culture-challenged, I give you a definition: a combination of two or more songs mixed into one. My favoritism may be partially due to the fact that I have A.D.D. or the fact that I need to cram in as many songs as possible during a workout. Or maybe it's the fact that once I'm done with a day's worth of law classes, I need to fill my brain with as much TMZ, Entertainment Tonight and trendy music as possible to wash away my law school blues. Whatever the case may be, I hope you guys enjoy the jams. The workout, at least for now, I leave to you."

David Prado is a cycling instructor at Flywheel Atlanta, personal trainer and general fitness enthusiast. On his days off, he can be found on his road bike, biking more miles than you've ever thought possible in one day. He also makes a mean mojito and dances salsa like a pro, thereby making him one of the most eligible bachelors in the Atlanta area.

Advice From The Experts: Queen of The Juice

Some people make everyone else look bad, without even trying. You can't blame them. They don't mean to.  ...They're just SO good at what they do. They're making waves in their careers. They get to travel the world. They steal the attention of everyone in the room.

THAT person is Lisa Adams. Born and raised in Athens, Georgia, she attended the University of Georgia (my alma mater) and earned her Bachelor's in Corporate Fitness. Lisa's now living the life in Miami, Florida, and gallivanting all over the planet for business and pleasure. She's spent substantial time in Central and South America, Asia, Europe and the lovely state of Hawaii.

Can you say 'jealous much'?!?

I lived with Lisa for a short time in Atlanta after college. It was so nice to live with someone who made wellness a central part of her life. I'd like to think it rubbed off on me! Lisa owns her own business called Vitel Resources, where she develops spas for luxury resorts. I was lucky enough to reap the benefits of her spa background. She used to give me free facials on the weekends on our front porch. Now that was the life!

These days you can find Lisa on the beach, running 8-10 miles (on her day off nonetheless), playing the drums or riding motorcross with the boys. She's an active cyclist and avid juicer. For the record, Lisa is totally rockin' her age.

I asked Lisa to write tomorrow's article about juicing because frankly, she's the 'Queen of the Juice'.

Get ready for Lisa's post... coming up tomorrow!