Living and Loving as Lonni Summers

Education About Checking Into a Resort

2011-09-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

Working at a resort is something I've always wanted to do. I about to graduate with a major in Tourism, and so far I am loving interning at the Royal Palms. Although I love what I do, it has exposed me to a variety of people. With that being said, I want to ask a question. When you check into a hotel/resort, what do you think you need? Of the friends that I have asked, most answered, credit card. If you guessed credit card, then you are correct! It AMAZES me how many people will try to check into the resort and they are shocked when we ask for a credit card.

Another thing that many guest do not realize is what an authorization is and what it does. Let me break down the process of checking in. First you give us the last name the reservation is under. we then pull up the reservation on the computer and then go over the registration card with you. This information consists of how much your resort fee is and what it covers, how long your stay is and what your rate is. It also covers the no smoking policy, deep cleaning fees and the check out time. After we go over the information we then ask for a photo id and a credit card. We then swipe the card and hold an AUTHORIZATION of money. That include incidentals, room, tax, and resort fee. Now what an authorization means is that we have a hold on a certain amount of money and we release that the authorization after you check out. When you check out you can pay however you please; either with that card, another card, cash or even check. Now 9 out of 10, most people know this process and understand what it means. For the few that do not understand, we break it down and and explain it, and then for the very few that still don't understand, they are the ones who end up getting mad at the Front Desk Staff and blaming us for their troubles.

Another thing about authorizations. When people put a DEBIT card down, I let them know how much we are authorizing on the card. If they do not understand, I explain we are not CHARGING the card, we are simply doing an authorization that puts a hold on a certain amount of money.... I know this blog post is a little dry, but I guess the main reason for posting this is the frustration I get with people sometimes. Just recently I informed a guest, that used a debit card, of how much we were authorizing and she said "So you're charging me?" I told her no it was just a hold on the money. TWO DAYS LATER, she comes to the Front Desk and says I took money from her and charged her bank account and that I NEED TO BE RETRAINED. Now mind you, she never said any of that to me face.... NO, she told another Front Desk Agent. After our Assistant Manager handled the situation, everything was pretty much resolved. It just sucked being blamed for something that is has nothing to do with me, but with the error of the other person. All well.

Sorry for the little rant and rave. I guess you could say this was a little bit if a venting session... Either way, just know the hotel's policies before you check in and if you have questions about it, call them before your actual arrival. Other than that, working at the resort is wonderful! I'm meeting new people everyday and I'm really starting to get to know my co-workers, which is awesome. The semester is moving along quite quick, but its great! Looking forward to absorbing more information and fine tuning my skills. :)

Its a Bittersweet Symphony

2011-08-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

Hello World! School is back in session and for many Tourism Seniors at ASU, this means internship time! Woot Woot! Luckily, I am one of those seniors. This semester I will just be interning at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa. Its been so amazing thus far. I'm learning an insane amount the industry and I'm loving every moment of it! Although its super exciting to be a senior and just a few months away from having my degree, this entire experience is a little bittersweet. I just recently helped ASU with Fall Welcome. This consisted of meeting Freshmen in the College of Public Programs and also riding the bus with them to the main Fall Welcome events on the Tempe campus. I have to say, it was so invigorating to be apart of all the excitement. It definitely reminded me of my Freshman experience and how excited I was to be a college student. It strange to look back and realize how FAST college flew by. To all of you students out there, take this small piece of advice. Enjoy your time in college. Savor those moments. Inhale each and every adventure. Absorbs as much information as your brain will allow, and then push yourself to be better than you imagined. There will be times when it feels like the stress will be too much and just engulf you, but trust me when I say this, its not the end of the world. Take a breath, think positive, and just take it one task at a time. Before you know it, you'll be done, and be so much stronger than you ever fathomed.

I loved the time I had at ASU. I met some amazing people, learned more than I ever thought possible, and grew not only as a student, but also as a person. In conclusion, Welcome Back to School and Lets GO Sun Devils!!!!

Lonni

New Year. New Blog.

2011-08-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

So it has been a pretty long time since I last wrote on my blog, but I figured, better late than never! With this now becoming my own personal blog, and not really one for ASU, the topics will be a lot more random, and more about me! Sounds fun right?

Now for the update. Andy (my boyfriend), has been back from Basic Training since December and we moved in together in March! Yay! This is the very first time being on my own and actually living with a boyfriend. A little different, I must say. Everything has been great though. We do have our random arguments and of course the discussion of leaving the toilet seat up, but other that its been awesome. We live in Mesa in a little two story town home with my dog Latte. It has been fun trying to decorate, shop, and even budget together. Living together is a whole other ball game. It really is a learning experience for the both of us, but we've been having fun throughout the process. We both work A LOT, but we try to spend as much time together as possible. Now that this is my personal blog, you'll probably hear more about him in the up coming months. He is simply one of the best things to ever happen to me and I'm blessed to have someone so special like him in my life. Love my Ginger Boyfriend :)

Ok, so enough with the sappy stuff and on to business! I started working at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in June, and its INCREDIBLE! I love that fact that I'm doing something in my career field, and its actually in a top notch resort! I'm learning so much and I'm excited to learn even more. Its so crazy to actually do something that I worked so hard in school for. I'm actually starting my career! The resort is beautiful and my coworkers are so helpful and supportive. It is a wonderful work environment and I look forward to coming to work each day.

I have covered love, work, now School! Or should I say, graduation ;) Yes that's right people. I will be graduating this December with a degree in Tourism Development and Management. Whoot Whoot! Three and a half years of hard work, tears, and too much stress, its finally coming to a close. This Fall I will just be interning at the Royal Palms and not actually attend classes. Its a little bittersweet, but its time. Grad school will happen, but not right away. I want to gain experience and network myself, and maybe in two or three years, I'll be getting my Masters. Till then I'll just work, work, work!

This really has been my life in a really short synopsis, but trust me, there is more to come! Photos, updates,and even videos (if I can figure out how to get them on here...). Till then, Hugs and Love.

Lonni

School + Stress = Best Friends

2010-09-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

Fall Semester. Wow! Is it just me or does anyone else realize that school is really hard this semester!? Maybe it’s just the classes I’m taking or there is something in the air, but either way, stress is here for sure!

Now I’m not one to complain but I have been asking around and it seems like I’m not the only one having a rough semester. Many of my friends are taking some pretty tough classes. I guess that just comes with the territory of being a Junior in college! The test of endurance really sets in right before you’re a senior. To all my fellow college students out there KEEP IT UP! YOU CAN DO IT!

In other news I got a new job! Yay! I still work at StARs but I am now also working at Fair Trade Café just across the street from the Downtown Phoenix Campus. It is this little coffee shop located in the Civic Space Park, downstairs in the AE building. My first day of work was yesterday and it was fantastic. I had so much fun! It was great learning about all the different types of drinks and food there. I will have my espresso bar training later this week and that’s when I get to learn how to make all the different coffee drinks. Super excited! If you ever happen to be in the area go ahead and stop by. Get a cool beverage of some sort or grab a bite to eat!

I hope everyone’s semester is going ok and everyone is staying on track! Remember, we can do this! Have a Great Weekend!!!

Lonni Summers

August Already?!

2010-08-03T10:47:00.001-07:00

We are now entering the month of August and what does that mean? You got it kiddies, school is just around the corner. For many this is a time of stress which can involve moving into a dorm or apartment, buying supplies and books, or just trying to get back into the swing of things. For all you stressed out students out there do not fear! Take a deep breath and just relax. What I’ve learned over the past couple of years here at ASU is that everything will happen in its own time. Now, I’m not saying just sit back and hope that your stuff will magically move itself into your new dorm, I’m just simply stating that no matter how much you stress and worry about, it will not make time move any slower or faster, so just take a step back and let nature run its course. With only a few days left for summer vacation, now is not the time to worry about the little things. Take these last days of summer and enjoy them! Go swimming, go on vacation, hang out with some friends, or even just sleep in a little bit longer because once school is in session, sleep does not exists for us college kids. Trust me; by the time we get back to school, we’ll have plenty of stress to deal with. Hope everyone is enjoying our last few days of vacation and remember, enjoy it while it lasts. Have an Amazing Day!!!

Hello World!!!

2010-07-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

Hello World! So, I know its been awhile but I have decided to get blogging again and update everyone on my life. Where to begin!?

Lets start with the ending on the Spring semester. I passed my classes with flying colors. (It was slightly shocking for some classes because I really thought I would barely pass but I happily surprised myself!) I had the honor of receiving the Phoenician Scholarship and I also began working full time at Big Surf Water Park for my 4th season in a row, but this time as the Aquatics Manager! I have to say it has been an exciting semester and summer is looking as busy as ever.

In other exciting news, I moved out of my parents’ house for a month and moved in with my Sweetie Andy. This gave us the opportunity to spend as much time with each other before he left for the Army. Andy is in the Army Reserves and left for Basic Training on July 13th. After two months of Basic he will go on to AIT which is his training for his specific job. He chose Military Police. Unfortunately he will be gone for about 20 weeks. I miss him terribly and can only hope that the next few months fly by. For the first 9 weeks Andy will not be able to use the phone that often. Usually just on Sundays and phone calls can only be about 3-5 minutes. Not a lot of time to get to talk to the one you love, but I’ll take what I can get. We mainly communicate through letters for his Boot camp training. When he gets to AIT he will have more privileges and be able to use the phone more often. Until then, I’ll be writing him a ton of letters!

For some reason this summer seems to be the summer to study abroad. I have my Best Friend Reyna studying Spain, my close friend Danny got to study in England and travel around Europe as well, and another friend of mine is doing some sort of special Army training in Germany. I have to admit, I was a little bit jealous of everyone’s fun and exciting travels so I decided to come up with my own trip/study abroad plan. This winter I want to travel to New Zealand! I have always wanted to visit this wonderful country and now that I’m approaching graduation (3 more semesters!) I would really like to travel while I still can. So I have decided that I am going to spend 2 weeks in New Zealand just for myself. I won’t be doing anything for school or getting any sort of college credit but just traveling for my own enjoyment. I am so serious about this that I have actually started looking up airfares and hotel costs. So far it is looking around the range of $2100 to $2800 to go there for two weeks. This is just airfare and the hotel. This does not include the cost of food and all the fun activities I plan to do. If I don’t get to go this winter then it’ll be my graduation present to myself next December.

This summer has been flying by and school is fast approaching! This semester is looking pretty challenging. I am taking my first Graduate course (REC 500- Research Methods) to get a jump start on my Masters program. I’ll probably be one of VERY few undergraduates in that class and not going to lie, I feel a little intimidated. I’m really hoping I don’t make a fool of myself in there, but I guess I just have to go in with positive thinking! I am also taking Tourism Planning and Tourism Transportation Systems with Professor Teye. I heard these are difficult classes but I am looking forward to learning as much as I can about the Tourism industry. The class I am most excited for is Jazz I. I have not taken a dance class since my Freshman year and I cannot wait to get back to it! The only problem is that this class is at 8 in the morning. This is actually the earliest class I have ever had in my entire college career. I am not a morning person so this is really going to be interesting waking up super early for one class.

This has kind of been my summer in a nutshell. I am trying to make more time for blogging so hopefully life won’t bog me down too much and I can get at least one a two blogs in a week. Till next time, have a Fantastic week!

Lonni Summers

Spirit of Service Scholars Video Winner

2010-03-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Hope Spring Break is going well for all. I know I'm enjoying my time off! Expect a blog about my recent California trip with my Bestie Tee-Jay and my Boyfriend Andy, but till then I wanted to update everyone on the Spirit of Service Video winner. Check out the video below. Have an awesome day!!!

Lonni Summers

The 411 Effect April 6th

2010-03-09T15:59:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, hope midterms are going well. While I was reading another StAR's blog I came across an interesting event she had posted. This is a wonderful event with a great cause and I encourage you all to try and make it out there.

"4.1.1. Effect is an ASU student run organization focused on building partnerships between local businesses and all Arizona State University campuses. 4.1.1 Effect's mission is to rebuild and redevelop the local economy by working with local businesses, vendors and organizations to create a strong network that pairs businesses and organizations with clients and customers through special events, advertising and marketing strategies.

The event will be on Tuesday, April 6th from 4:30 pm - 9 pm at the Civic Space Park near by the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus... All monetary proceeds that we collect will be donated to the Haiti Relief Fund."

Once again, I hope you guys can make it out there because it does sound quite interesting. Thanks again Amyann (Social Work StAR) for the heads-ups! Have an Amazing day!!!

Lonni Summers

Blog of the Week-Tips for our dreaded Midterms!

2010-03-03T22:32:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of the year when it is right before Spring Break and smack-dab in the middle of the semester. Oh yes, it’s time for midterms. Lucky me, I have my Nature-based Tourism midterm on Wednesday the 10th, and then on Thursday the 11th I have both my Tourism Accommodations and my Meetings and Convention planning midterm, and to top it off, I have a quiz in my International Tourism class (Yay?). Like many of you, I am starting to feel the pressure! Not going to lie, this is about the time I start to have nervous break downs. Sometimes it just feels like there is just WAY too much. From midterms, to registering for classes, to Spring Break planning, sometimes it just seems like there just isn’t enough time. Dealing from past experiences here are a few tips and suggestions to get you through midterms and on to a happy and relaxing Spring Break.

1. STUDY! I know that seems obvious but you would be surprised at how many people don’t actually study for their midterms. Many feel like they know the material or that the test will be easy. Do Not Fall For This! Being prepared and reviewing the material is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Also, when I say study, I mean study ahead of time and pacing yourself with everything you have to go over. Cramming is never good and you usually do not retain as much information, so study ahead of time and space your material out.

2. Office Hours. If there is something you do not understand or you need some clarification, go into your professors’ office hours. Professors are usually pretty good at clearing up any confusion you may have and can help guide you in the right direction is you feel lost.

3. Study Groups. Study groups are a great way to get together and go over what may be on the midterm. It also gives you the chance to get with classmates and collaborate and see if there is any information you or they might be missing. If you’re not the study group type of person and feel like you study better by yourself then by all means, do what is best for you.

4. Save your Weekends. I know around this time we get anxious for school to get over and sometimes we might find ourselves blowing off studying and homework (I know I have!) Do not do this. The weekend before midterms, try not to go out or do much socializing. Giving up one weekend won’t be so bad and you’ll be able to focus more on what needs to get done. Besides, once midterms are done you’ll have Spring Break!

5. Sleep. Get plenty of rest before your tests. Having a well rested mind will do wonders. Try avoiding pulling those all nighters and just hit the sack early.

6. Breakfast. Eating a good nutritious breakfast the morning of your test will do you good. I know it is kind of corny and we’ve all heard it before, but having a good breakfast is fuel for your brain.

I hope some of these tips help a little with your midterms. I know the stress can be overwhelming but keep pushing through! Spring Break is just around the corner and soon we’ll all have a week to relax and recharge our batteries. Have a Fantastic Day!

Lonni Summers

Sports, Tourism & Event Planning Careers

2010-03-01T14:32:00.000-08:00

Sports, Tourism & Event Planning Careers
TOMORROW! Tuesday, March 2
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

ASU Downtown Phoenix campus
411 N. Central Ave.
University Center Building, Rooms 282 & 286

We have 10 professionals from diverse industries ready to meet with students and offer internship, job and career advice in a small, networking forum. No RSVP required - arrive early. This is NOT a recruiting event, but a chance to network and learn from experts!

Panelists in UCENT 282

Tony Alba, Director of Media Operations
Insight Bowl & Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Myles Gabel, Event Manager
University of Phoenix Stadium

Camille Goulding, Museum Educator
Rosson House Museum

Debra Hugo, Senior Convention Services Manager
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel

Mark Stanton, Deputy Director
Arizona Office of Tourism

Panelists in UCENT 286

Darla Harmon, Executive Director
Rosson House Museum

Matt Lawson, Sales Consultant
Phoenix Suns

Alex Ryan, Associate Director of Media Relations
ASU Sun Devil Athletics

Dan Tavrytzky, Vice President & General Manager
Southwest Conference Planners Inc.

Duncan Tyson, Guest Services Manager
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel

This is a great opportunity for Tourism majors to get up close and personal with different professionals in the field of tourism. Hope everyone can make it!

Lonni Summers

Planning Spring Break Tips

2010-02-22T15:44:00.000-08:00

Spring semester is in full swing and before we know it, midterms will be on our desks and staring us in the face, but along with our dreaded midterms we also get Spring Break! Yay! My friends and I want to plan a small trip to California for our break, so we’re starting the planning/booking now! My advice to any students wanting to get out and travel for Spring Break is, Plan Now! I’m already finding that hotel rooms are going fast and the longer you wait, the higher the room rate. Also if you’re looking to save some money on your hotel accommodations I suggest finding out if the hotel has AAA discounts or military discounts. This can save you a couple dollars. I have also found that booking through a third party such as hotels.com, expedia, or priceline, you can find some cheaper room rates through them instead of booking strictly through the hotel, but once again make sure to do your research. Even though it may seem cheaper through a third party, sometimes with certain discounts offered through the actual hotel you can possibly get a better deal. Once again, just research. This also goes for Adventure/Theme parks. Most of them have AAA and military discounts, so make sure to find out.

Spring break is a time of fun, relaxation, and good times. Just be sure to research and plan ahead! Hope everyone is enjoying the weather and until next time, Have a Fantastic Day!

Lonni Summers

Topia Inn- An Eco-Friendly Hotel

2010-02-17T16:30:00.000-08:00

For my Tourism Accommodations I had to look for an article about hotels. To my great surprise I found a wonderful article in The New York Times called “An Inn Is an Oasis from Environmental Affronts” about a bed and breakfast in Massachusetts called the Topia Inn. Yet, this is no ordinary bed and breakfast. The Topia Inn is an “Eco-Friendly” bed and breakfast with style, artistic direction, and a unique experience to offer guests. The owners Caryn Heilman, a former dancer, and Nana Simopoulos, a music composer, are both artists and wanted to provide people with a green experience and show that people do not have to give up comforts to be eco-friendly, but there are some rules the guests do have follow if they choose to stay there. The rules include, no smoking, no chemical fragrances or bug repellants, shoes cannot be worn inside the Inn at all and must be left outside or covered with the inn’s neoprene booties, and also guest have to leave all grooming products at home but complimentary organic bath and body products are provided. Another awesome feature about this bed and breakfast is that almost everything about this inn is eco-friendly. The building was an abandoned hotel and the current owners decided to recycle it and add solar panels, layers of colored clay on the walls instead of paint, and the insulation is made from recycled jeans. Even some of the furniture is made from salvaged wood.

Customers have the option of picking from 10 different rooms each with a different theme and designed by different artists. Each room has a flat screen TV with a DVD player and the Inn also offers free wireless internet to its guests. Depending on the room, the bathrooms offer guests a whole new level of relaxation. There is either a low-flow, energy saving bathtub that has chromotherapy, which are colored lights that illuminate the water and in other rooms there is a low-flow rainfall shower that has aromatherapy within the showerhead.

I thought this hotel was so amazingly cool! If I ever got the chance I would definitely check it out if I was in Massachusetts. This inn is very unique and to find a hotel that is eco-friendly and comforatable at the same time is great. I have also posted the links to article in The New York times and also the link to the hotel’s webpage. Until next time, Have a Fantastic Day!!!

Article-http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/02/05/travel/escapes/05greeninn.html?scp=1&sq=topia%20inn&st=cse

Topia Inn Webpage- http://topiainn.com/

Lonni Summers

Blog of the Week- Favorite thing to do in Downtown Phoenix

2010-02-15T15:34:00.000-08:00

It’s that time again! Yes readers it’s time for the blog of the week. This week’s topic is what is “our favorite thing to do in Downtown Phoenix”. As usual I couldn’t really narrow stuff down because there is a ton of things I like to do here so I’ll just give you all a short rundown of what activities I like here in Phoenix.

My top choice for activities here in Downtown Phoenix has to be all the sporting events. I absolutely love going to baseball and basketball games. They are SO much fun and if you can find specials and deals for tickets, it makes it that much better! I also love all the concerts and shows that come to the Downtown area. Even though I have not been to a show lately there have been quite a few to roll in Arizona and many of them take place Downtown. Another activity I like doing here is walking around and finding new places to try and get lunch at. That’s usually a tasty adventure! Lastly I really just love grabbing a coffee or tea and relaxing in the Civic Space park when the weather is nice. It’s so cool to just take a load off or do some reading.
These are just a few activities I like to do when I’m in this area. I encourage everyone to at least try one of these things listed. All of them are great! Have a Wonderful Day!

Lonni Summers

Apply for the Spirit of Service Scholars Program!

2010-02-10T11:27:00.000-08:00

ASU's College of Public Programs is accepting applications from ASU undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in any field of study dedicated to careers in the public and nonprofit sectors who want to join the Spirit of Service Scholars program.

The program addresses the present and future workforce needs in the public and nonprofit sectors by awarding prestigious $5,000 scholarships to 15 outstanding students, and providing them with extraordinary intellectual and practice experiences, a lifelong interdisciplinary network, and committed, effective mentors.

More information is available at http://spiritofservicescholars.asu.edu/; contact soss.info@asu.edu.

The deadline for applications is April 2 for the Fall 2010 semester. Applicants need not demonstrate financial need, but must show seriousness of purpose.

This is a great program and I hope everyone applies! Have a Wonderful Day!

Lonni Summers

Blog of the Week- Favorite Classes so Far

2010-02-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

For this week, our Blog of the Week topic is “what is our favorite class we’ve taken at ASU so far”. This is kind of hard for me to answer because I have taken many classes and with each semester I find I class that I absolutely love so instead of picking just one class I’ll pick one for every semester!

Fall 08
My favorite classes for that semester had to be dance (modern), sociology, and English 202. My dance class was so much fun! I’ve been a dancer since before high school and when I started signing up for classes I really wanted to try a college dance class, so I took modern dance and I loved it! My sociology class was a class of about 350 students and it was at the main campus and at first I thought it would be a really lame class but it was actually so interesting and the professor was hilarious! If you ever get a chance to take Sociology 101 with Professor Whitaker, DO IT! She’s awesome. Last, my Eng 202 was a world literature course, and I am such a book worm so this class was great for me. We covered a lot of literature and wrote so many essays, but it was so worth it. I loved the content and I really enjoyed the stories we covered in class.

Spring 09
For my second semester in college, I was so excited to take Intro to Travel and Tourism (TDM 205). I had the great pleasure of having Professor Tee teach the course and it was Awesome! We learned about the many different aspects of tourism and also the different kinds of tourism. Taking this class really increased my interest in the tourism field and made me want to learn so much more about this field. Plus Professor Tee is an amazing instructor and made the course that much better. I also really liked my Public speaking class. At first I was really nervous about this course and was scared that I would get a really bad grade for my speeches, but I had a blast in that class and I also improved on my public speaking skills.

Fall 09
Last semester was a little bit rough on me, but I got through it ok. Even though it was one of my hardest semesters I still had two classes I totally loved. One was Human Sexuality (FAS 332) and the other was Inclusive Community Development (TDM 302). My Human Sexuality class was a lot a fun actually. We covered EVERYHTING in that class! The course was great but so was the instructor. Professor Goldblatt was so entertaining and so informative, I couldn’t wait to go to class every day. For my Inclusive community class I had Professor Rodriguez who is also a wonderful instructor. The class covered the topic of diversity and how to have and keep diversity in your workplace. It was a very intriguing topic and I really enjoyed the discussions we would have in class.

Spring 10
This semester I am really enjoying my Tourism Accommodations (TDM 325) class. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I really would like to get into the hotel sector of tourism and this class in right up my alley! I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can this semester!

The list is kind of long, but I really couldn’t narrow it down any more than I did. If you get the chance take some of these classes or try to get a class with one of the professors I listed. Hope everyone is having a fantastic day!

Lonni Summers

A Very Proud Big Sister

2010-02-03T14:49:00.000-08:00

Today at 11:45am, 24 football recruits returned signed letters of intent to ASU. Among these young men was my little godbrother, Ramon Abreu. On azcentral.com they wrote a small article and posted a few pictures of this event. After reading the article and viewing the photos I feel myself start to get a little teary eyed. A flood of memories wash over me and I find myself thinking about the many childhood adventures Ramon and I had. Rollerblading and playing hockey in the tennis courts, riding our bikes and getting into whatever mischief we could find, and chugging Capri Suns on the steps during hot summer afternoons, whatever we did, we did it together. Even as a kid, Ramon was always the best at sports. From football, baseball, basketball, you name it, he did it and he did it well. In my eyes, there was nothing Ramon couldn’t do. He was always the fastest, the toughest, and the best. Growing up together taught me a lot of things and even when we would get into our meaningless squabbles, we always made up in about an hour and would find some other fun/trouble to get into.

I never realized how protective I was of my little brother till we got to high school. This is when I started seeing all the little girls around him and he would have an occasional girlfriend here and there. I don’t think I have scared so many girls in my life. If they were around my brother, it was on. Even at our high school dances I would find myself shooing away girls that would dance all on him. Yeah, that was NOT happening while I was around. I know he hated me for it and thought I was overreacting, but in the end we both knew it was out of love and we would both get over it and have a laugh the next day in school.

Today, Ramon is a senior at Marcos de Niza high school and will be at ASU in Fall 2010 playing football as a Sun Devil. I cannot wait for next semester to be in those stands cheering on my little bro. As I look back on our childhood I can’t help but smile and feel a swell of pride for my brother. I have watched him grow from a carefree kid to an amazing young man. We may not be blood related, but in our eyes we have always been siblings and he will always be my little brother. Ramon, I am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments. I wish nothing but the best for you and your future. Always remember you have a big sister that will love and protect you no matter what and always support you in whatever you do. I love you Ramon.

Lonni Summers

Blog of the Week- Classes I’m Excited for & Dreading this Semester

2010-02-02T17:42:00.000-08:00

With a new semester in swing, the StARs decided to do something called “The Blog of the Week”. This is where all of us write about one particular subject during the week and this gives our readers a chance to see different views and opinions on the subject. This week’s subject is what classes we are looking forward to and the classes we’re less than excited about. For this Spring semester I am really looking forward to my Tourism Accommodation class (TDM 325). I really would like to get into the hotel sector of tourism, so this class is right up my alley. I even find my textbook interesting! Professor Lee is teaching the course this semester and I am really looking forward to getting deeper into this subject. I am also looking forward to my Nature-based tourism class (TDM 480). I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it or not but it is actually pretty interesting. We will be covering ecotourism, sustainable tourism, and of course nature-based tourism. I think it will be pretty cool learning something outside my area of interest and also because of this class I got really excited to visit New Zealand which is doing amazing things for ecotourism and becoming a sustainable country, so now I am planning a trip there hopefully for December 2011!

With every semester we always have at least one class we know we’re going to struggle in or just dread going to. This semester I have to say my online Tourism Marketing class will probably be pretty difficult for me. Don’t get me wrong, I like the content and the subject of marketing is very important in the tourism industry but there is SO MUCH reading for this class. Not only do we have textbook readings but also articles that are occasionally posted on Blackboard and these can be pretty long. I’m not really an “online class” type of person and considering this is my first online class, I’m a little worried. I like being in class, hearing the lecture from the professor, and getting extra little bits of information when I’m in the classroom. I feel like I can’t really get that from an online class. Hopefully I’ll be able to get into the groove of this class and make it through it with a decent grade, but of course it is going to be a challenge. Till next time, hope everyone has an Amazing Day!

Lonni Summers

Second Semester and ASU Basketball

2010-01-25T16:30:00.000-08:00

So it begins again. It is now time for our second semester of school and get right back into the swing of things. I’m not going to lie, this semester is looking pretty tough for me. I have all tourism classes and all are 300 and 400 level. Looking at the syllabi for these classes, I have a lot of group projects and a lot of term papers. Intense semester? I think so. I know I can do it and I’m sure I’ll be able to survive but it’s going to be pretty rough! I’m also taking my first online class ever and not by choice either. It’s only offered online, so we’ll see how that goes as well. Even though I’m a little nervous for this semester, I’m really looking forward to learning more about the Tourism industry. So far I really like what I’m getting in my lectures, just not looking forward to the huge papers down the road. Anyways, this is my schedule for Spring 2010.

TDM 325- Tourism Accommodations
TDM 345- Meeting and Convention Planning
TDM 350- Tourism Marketing (Online)
TDM 458- International Tourism
TDM 480- Nature-based Tourism

Like I said, all tourism and all 300 and 400 level classes. Other than my grueling schedule, I got to have another awesome experience here at ASU. I went to our men’s basketball game for the first time. It was on Saturday night and we were playing our rivals, U of A. Just like the football games, students and alumni were gathered together to cheer on our Sun Devils. The energy was high and since we were facing our rival team, the desire to win was overwhelming. Unfortunately, we lost, but my friends and I still had an amazing time. If you haven’t been to a game yet, you should soon! Try going to both the men’s and women’s games. The season is almost over so go out there and support your ASU Sun Devils! Hope everyone is having a great second semester and have an Awesome Day!!!

Lonni Summers

Support for Haiti

2010-01-15T12:46:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, there was a devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday. Many are badly injured and desperately need medical attention, shelter, food, and clean water. One of our very own ASU students, Christa Brelsford, was in Haiti as a student volunteer and was injured during the earthquake. Thankfully she is recovering in a hospital in Miami. Unfortunately most of the people in Haiti do not have access to good medical care and are in need of our help. Donating whatever you can will be greatly appreciated. These are a few organizations that are taking donations to aid people in Haiti.

American Red Cross

UNICEF

The Salvation Army

World Vision

Operations USA

CARE

I found out about these organizations through the email we received from Michael Crow, our ASU President. I’m sure there are more organizations that are aiding the people in Haiti that you can donate money to. Just be sure to do your research and be sure that the “organization” isn’t a shame and claiming to be something it’s not. Remember, any amount of money donated can help more than you know.

Lonni Summers

Honey and Acne

2010-01-11T14:21:00.000-08:00

Today, I have decided to blog about something not related to tourism, ASU, or anything school related. I actually want to share my excitement over a new beauty tip I just discovered that can be used for guys and girls. We all get breakouts here and there and I know it’s not fun. I have recently been breaking out a lot which is weird because I never really ever had that problem before. I decided to look up a few ways to treat breakouts/acne. I don’t like using a lot of chemicals and I find that when I do my skin doesn’t like it very much, so I started researching natural ways to help my skin. That’s when I came across honey. At first I thought it was impossible! I mean, putting honey on my skin will help my breakout? You’re kidding, right? Yet, the more I researched, the more I found people raving about the results they were having, so I thought “What the heck! I’ll give it a try”.

I decided to just a do a plain honey mask. What you will need is pure honey. Make sure you have PURE honey and it doesn’t have any additives like corn syrup or anything else because those ingredients are not good for your skin. You can find pure honey at your grocery store or if you’re lucky like me, you might have some in your kitchen already.

Directions

1. Take about a tablespoon of honey and put it in a microwave safe container. Heat the honey up for about 6 seconds or less. Do Not overheat the honey because this stuff will boil and you don’t want to put that on your face. You just want the honey to get to a liquid consistency so it’s easier to spread on your face.

2. For girls, pull back your hair so it is out of your face. Next put some of the warm honey on your fingertips and starting with the affected area on the face (the area of the face with the acne) gently massage the honey into the skin.

3. Once you’ve cover the affected area, take more honey and start massaging it all over the rest of your face. You want to keep massaging the honey into the skin for about 3 to 5 minutes and after that, leave the honey on for about 15 to 20 minutes.

4. After the time is up, wash your face off with warm water. You don’t have to use soap; the warm water should do the trick just fine. Pat your face dry with a clean towel, and you’re done!

This treatment was great for my skin! I was really skeptical at first but after trying it, I love it. I instantly noticed reduced swelling and redness from my breakouts and the honey left my face feeling soft and moisturized. Now this treatment doesn’t completely get rid of your acne right away but it does help. Even if you don’t breakout or have any acne try doing this mask anyways. The warm honey feels really nice when you apply it and when you wash it off it leaves you face feeling amazing, so just try it! Have an Incredible Day!!!

Lonni Summers

Snow, Snow, Snow, and Oh Yeah, Sledding!

2010-01-07T18:05:00.000-08:00

On December 30th through the 31st, my friends and I decided to take a trip up to Flagstaff to play in the snow. It turned out to be a couple’s trip because my best friend Reyna and her boyfriend Sean went with me and my boyfriend Andy. We loaded up our boxy Honda Element with a cooler full of food, snack food, water, and Capri Suns, crammed a couple of plastic sleds and a giant pink inflatable tube (which is actually suppose to be used for water, not snow), and we all piled into the car and headed out of the Valley. It was about a two and half hour ride up to Flagstaff so we entertained ourselves with a hodgepodge of music from all of our iPods and there was a lot of karaoke style singing going on in that car!

We finally made it up to Flagstaff and of course it started snowing, which was a little scary because Sean our driver has never driven in snow before, but he learned quickly! We made a quick stop at Target to get a few clothing items (I needed a belt and Sean needed a jacket. Who doesn’t bring a jacket to the snow?! Haha!) then we went and checked into our hotel. After resting for about an hour we all got ready and headed out to go ice skating! It was an indoor rink and we only paid six bucks to for skate rentals and admission. We all skated for about an hour then went to grab some dinner. We ate at the Beaver Street Brewery and the food was pretty good. After a long day, we all went back to the room to get some shut eye and wake up early the next morning for sledding.

The next day we woke up to a non snowing day and the sun was bright and shining. It was the perfect day to hit the hills and go sledding! After nourishing ourselves with the complementary breakfast from the hotel, we checked out, grabbed our belongings, and drove to the snow play area. We went to Crowley Pit Snow Play Area which was free of charge and plenty of big hills for us big kids! We grabbed our sleds, blew up the pink tube, and charged up the hills. There was a good amount of people there but it definitely not over crowded so there was plenty of room for everyone. We all took turns going down in various ways, front ways, head first, sideways, and every other way. After awhile, Andy and I decided to try going down a hill and then hitting a snow ramp while going down. At the time, it seemed like a good idea. He went first and ended up hitting the end of the ramp. When it was my turn, he told me to start to my right then start leaning left as I went down the hill, he said I should be able to hit the ramp right in the middle. Following my boyfriend’s directions, I actually did hit the ramp dead on the middle, BUT what I wasn’t ready for was hitting it at full speed, getting some serious air, freaking out, letting go of my sled, and totally wiping out. Mind you, all of that happened within like 7 seconds. After landing right on my butt and knocking all the air out of me, you would think I would be in tears. Well, I was but I also couldn’t stop laughing. I was in pain, cold, wet, and all bruised up but it was by far one of the funniest things I’ve ever done! I could not stop laughing despite the pain I was feeling on my behind. Andy came rushing down the hill to see if I was alright only to find me laughing, crying, and saying ow. He chuckled at my silliness and continued to help me up and brush the snow off of me. After that incident, we called our friends over and of course boys being boys, Sean and Andy decided to make the ramp bigger and better and try it out again. On my second run I was so scared but thankfully I didn’t eat it like last time, my friend Reyna… well not so lucky. She kind of hurt herself, so we decided that we had enough sledding for the day.

Completely exhausted, we got lunch, climbed back into the Honda Element and drove back down to the Valley. The trip was so much fun and full of memories that I will always keep. If you haven’t made it up North yet, GO NOW! Break is almost over and my advice to all of you is to do some sort of snow activity. Even if it’s just for the day, it’s so worth it! I added some pictures of our fun filled trip at the bottom. School is just around the corner but I hope everyone is having a fun break. Have a Wonderful Day!!!

Lonni Summers

A Night on the Town

2010-01-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

Saturday nights for me usually consists of hanging out with friends, getting dinner, or maybe going out to see a movie. On January 2nd, my Saturday night was a little more exciting than usual. For a Christmas present I bought my boyfriend and I tickets to go see the Phoenix Suns play. I decided to turn his entire Christmas present into an all day event we could both enjoy.

We started our day around 3pm, and since he has never ever been on the light rail, we drove to the Apache and Dorsey Park and Ride stop and hopped on the light rail! Another bonus that came with riding the light rail on that particular day was the fact that my boyfriend didn’t have to pay for a light rail pass. To our benefit, the Metro light rail and the US Airways Center teamed up to create a special deal for light rail riders. It’s called Ride Rail Events. From October 1st till September 30th, 2010 if you purchase tickets to any event taking place in the US Airways Center, you are able to ride the light rail absolutely free. The time frame for this offer is four hours prior to the event and all the way till the end of the transit day. You just have to make sure to keep your event ticket with you at all times and must show this ticket to a fare inspector if asked. I really liked this, especially for Saturday night’s game because not only did we save money on gas, but my boyfriend and I did not have to spend time looking for a spot to park and also we didn’t have to pay any parking fees. If anyone is going to an event at the US Airways Center I highly recommend taking advantage of this deal!

After getting onto the light rail we rode it all the way to McDowell & Central where we hopped off to get dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory. If you enjoy Italian food, I definitely recommend giving this place a shot. It is so awesome! This restaurant offers “complete meals” which means you get fresh baked bread, soup or salad, and a scoop of ice cream. This is all included in the price of your main course. It was my first time eating there, and the food was great. We ordered the Spinach Artichoke and Shrimp dip as an appetizer, then for the main course I ordered the Eggplant Parmigiana and my boyfriend got the Chicken Penne. Both dishes were so tasty and the prices were very reasonable. Also, not only was the food great the restaurant itself was so cool. It is decorated in all antiques and there is even a streetcar in the center of the restaurant that you can dine in! This place was so much fun and I highly suggest checking it out. Take a look at their website and their menu www.osf.com.

After dinner we got back on to the light rail and head towards the US Airways Center to watch the Phoenix Suns! The arena was bustling with people and the energy was high. Everyone was looking forward to a great game. Our seats were in the upper level and I was a little worried that the seats wouldn’t be that good but fortunately to my surprise they weren’t bad at all! In fact, they were great! We watched a very exciting game but in the end we lost, which put a slight damper on the rest of our night but it was nothing a little ice cream at Golden Spoon couldn’t cure! (They have really great frozen yogurt there and their portions are huge! Give them a try! http://www.goldenspoon.com/)

This was a great night on the town and I had a blast with my special someone. If any of these things sounded fun or interesting go ahead and check out the websites and for the Suns game schedule and ticket info go to www.nba.com/suns/. I hope everyone had a great New Years and have an Awesome Day!

Lonni Summers

Let’s Play in the Snow!

2009-12-28T11:39:00.000-08:00

We are now in the month of December and you know what that means! Snow, Snow, and more Snow! Maybe not here in the Valley at least but up north there is plenty of snow! A couple of my friends and I were debating whether to go have an overnight “snow play day” up in Flagstaff but thanks to azcentral.com once again I found a couple of good snow play recommendations for sledding, skiing, and snowboarding, so it looks like we’re definitely going now! Here are just a few places suggested by azcentral.com for some fun in the snow

Sledding/Snow Play Areas

1. Oak Hill Snow Play Area
Features: Only soft flexible materials may be used here - no metal, wood or hard plastic sleds are allowed. Inner tubes are best. Toilets, designated parking area.
Status: Open.
Where: From Williams, take Interstate 40 east to the Pitman Valley Exit (No. 171). Turn north, then proceed east on Historic Route 66 for about two miles.
Admission: None.
Details: 800-863-0546

2. Crowley Pit Snow Play Area
Features: No restrictions on snow play materials. Toilets on site.
Status: Open.
Where: From Flagstaff, take U.S. 180 north. About a mile north of the Flagstaff Nordic Center, look for the parking sign near Mile Marker 233.
Admission: None.
Details: 928-526-0866, www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/winter-rec-opportunities.shtml.

3. Wing Mountain Snow Play Area
Features: Only soft snow play materials are permitted on the trails - no metal, wood or hard plastic. Toilets, concessions.
Status: Open.
Where: From Flagstaff, drive about 10 miles north on U.S. 180. Near Mile Marker 226, turn west on Forest Road 222B and proceed about a mile to the parking area.
Admission: $10 per vehicle.
Details: 928-226-0493, snowplayaz.com.

Skiing and Snowboarding

1. Arizona Snowbowl
Features: Four lifts, 32 trails. Open to skiers and snowboarders. Lessons and rentals available.
Status: Open.
Where: From Flagstaff, take U.S. 180 north about seven miles. Turn right on Snowbowl Road and continue seven miles to the ski area.
Lift tickets: $26-$53.
Details: 928-779-1951, arizonasnowbowl.com.

2. Sunrise Park Resort
Features: Eight lifts, three peaks, each with several trails.
Status: Opens Dec. 23.
Where: From Show Low, drive about 30 miles southeast on Arizona 260. Turn south on Arizona 273 and proceed about seven miles to the ski area.
Lift tickets: $16-$57.
Details: 928-735-7669, sunriseskipark.com.

3. Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley
Features: Two lifts, 21 trails. Lessons and rentals available.
Status: Awaiting more snow.
Where: From Tucson, take the Catalina Highway off Tanque Verde Road. Drive 4.2 miles to the Coronado National Forest boundary and continue 26 miles to the Ski Valley turnoff. Turn right and drive one mile to the ski area.
Lift tickets: $15-$37.
Details: 520-576-1321, skithelemmon.com.

4. Elk Ridge Ski and Outdoor Recreation
Features: Tow rope, 9 trails. Tubing, lessons and rentals available. A snowmobile can take experienced skiers higher on the mountain, at no extra charge.
Status: Opened Dec. 12.
Where: From Williams, drive south a couple of miles on Fourth Street (which becomes Perkinsville Road). Turn right onto Ski Run Road (also posted as Forest Road 106) and proceed about 1.5 miles.
Lift tickets: $15-$30.
Details: 928-814-5038, elkridgeski.com.

Cross-Country Skiing

1. Flagstaff Nordic Center
Features: 25 miles of groomed trails. Lessons and rentals available.
Status: Opened Dec. 10.
Trail passes: $10-$18 (skiing); $5-$10 (snowshoeing).
Where: From Flagstaff, take U.S. 180 about 15 miles north. The center's parking area is near Mile Marker 232.
Details: 928-220-0550, flagstaffnordiccenter.com.

2. Hannagan Meadow Lodge
Features: 16 miles of groomed and/or marked trails. Ski and snowshoes rentals available.
Status: Call for details.
Trail passes: Free.
Where: From Alpine, drive 22 miles southwest on U.S. 191.
Details: 928-339-4370, hannaganmeadow.com.

3. Mormon Lake Lodge
Features: 17 miles of trails. Ski rentals available.
Status: Call for details.
Trail passes: $8 per day.
Where: From Flagstaff, drive about 20 miles southeast on Lake Mary Road (Forest Road 3). Between mile markers 324 and 323, turn west on Lake Mary Loop Road (Forest Road 90) and proceed about seven miles to the lodge.
Details: 928-774-0462, ext. 10, mormonlakelodge.com.

These are just a few of the awesome places you can visit and do various snow activities in. I really recommend heading up north to check out some of the snow we have here in Arizona. The drive to Flagstaff is only about 3 hours from Phoenix so a short little day trip can easily be done. Hopefully this weekend I’ll be up there with my plastic sled hitting the slopes! For more information call or visit the websites of the areas. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and have a Great Day!!!

Lonni Summers

Another Semester Completed

2009-12-21T13:12:00.000-08:00

Bubbling in the last answer on my scantron sheet, I stop, review the entire Geography final I just finished, check my answers one more time, grab my things, turn in my test, and I walk out of my last lab science class I ever have to take. “Thank God! I’m DONE!!!! Oh My Gosh that test was flipping Hard!”. This is the exact thought that passes through my brain. At first I could not have been happier. I mean, I’m done with the semester, got pretty good grades, and now I get a month to catch up on all the sleep I didn’t get this semester. I should be happy, right? Then it hits me, school is almost over for me and graduation is literally around the corner and a small sense of sadness washes over me. My college life is moving so fast and it feels like I just got here. I can still remember my freshman year, walking around campus, feeling like I was beginning something new and exciting. I never dreamed it would go by this fast, but I guess it has.

Looking back at my college career, there have of course been many ups and downs, good times and bad times, laughter and tears, but despite it all, I would not change one single thing. It’s kind of crazy to think that this will all be over in about a year. That seriously just boggles my mind! Where did the time go?! In some way it is a little weird thinking that I will really have to enter the real world and be a real responsible adult, not just a college student. I will admit that I am very excited about my future in the Tourism industry and looking forward to really immersing myself in it but at the same time it is a little bit scary. Exciting, but just a little bit scary.

With another semester completed, I come closer to graduation but until that day comes, I am going to enjoy the rest of my time here at Arizona State University because before I know it, I’ll be in a maroon cap and gown walking out with that special piece of paper in my hand. For all new and current ASU students, my advice to you is to really get all you can out of your time here and love the good times you have while at ASU because it will fly by faster than you could ever imagine. I hope everyone is having a great break so far and catch up on as much rest as you possibly can! Have a Fantastic Day!!!

Lonni Summers

It’s About that Time!

2009-12-14T14:02:00.000-08:00

Winter break, for many of us, is almost within our grasp, and for others, you might already be enjoying the leisure and laziness that happily comes with winter break. For those of us that still have finals (like myself, I’m not done till Wednesday!) keep pushing on! We are almost done! Now before we enjoy the awesomeness of our well deserved break here are a few tips/suggestions I have picked up over the past couple semesters that I believe will help many of us college students.

First and foremost, Study For Finals!!! Even if you think the class is easy as pie, STUDY! You never know what curve balls professors might throw in.
Sell back your textbooks. You can do this through the bookstore where they will give you cash upfront for your books, and usually you get a coupon for 20% off clothing and gifts which is great for buying more ASU gear! I have also heard from other students that you can sell your books online through eBay, Amazon, and various other websites.
Save the Holiday shopping for the end of finals or at least till the last week of finals. I found that I got way too distracted from studying and it just got too complicated trying to figure out what family and friends wanted and still study and retain information for my tests. So if you can, try to save the shopping for the end of finals.
Stay focused and motivated. I know with me, towards the end of the semester procrastination really starts to kick in. Don’t give in to it! Keep pushing through those tough projects and test. Trust me; it’ll pay off in the end.
Last but not least, take small breaks when you need them. We all need time to eat and rest, so don’t overdo it on the studying. As one professor once told me, “Study smart, not hard”. If you try to cram too much information into your brain at once, you’ll get information overload, so take it easy. Study your material, but try not to cram it all in your head all at once.

These are just a few tips and I’m sure there are plenty more but do what is best for you and your finals. Good Luck with the rest of your finals and have a Great Day!!!

Lonni Summers

Sweet Hotel Deals!

2009-12-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

Thanks to azcentral.com Deal of the Week, I found some great specials going on at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix. This is an amazing hotel and if you get the chance this winter break I highly suggest doing one of these specials. Here is a list of just a few of the specials offered at the JW Marriot.

• Cloud Club Elite Package for Two
• An Unlimited Golf Experience for Two
• Girlfriend's Spa Getaway for Two
• Revive Spa Romance for Two
• Stay Two Nights, Get the Third Night Free!

These are just only a few of the deals offered and there are plenty more on the JW Marriott website. Be sure to check out some of the awesome perks that come with these packages as well. With school almost over, I think we all deserve a little R & R and a reward for all our hard efforts this semester. I hope this fall semester has treated you all well and good luck with finals!!! Have a Fantastic Day!!!

Lonni Summers

CFE Opportunity!

2009-11-30T15:59:00.000-08:00

Still need a few CFE hours before the end of the semester? There is this great opportunity for students this Friday December 4th to volunteer at the Phoenix Art Museum for First Friday. The deadline to work this event is Wednesday December 2nd. To volunteer for this event be sure to email studio@enterlaruche.com with your info and interest.

Besides the fact it is First Friday that night, it is also the Phoenix Museum’s 50th anniversary. This is sure to be an exciting event and one you definitely do not want to miss out on. Plus, you get to earn CFE hours at the same time! If you are not volunteering be sure to check out the First Friday event and all the cool activities that will be happening in the museum. I hope everyone had a Wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and enjoy the rest of your week!!!

Lonni Summers

A Thanksgiving Blog

2009-11-24T12:52:00.000-08:00

With the holidays right around the corner and Turkey Day on Thursday I thought I would get a little personal and share a little holiday story/advice for everyone. Now I know that Thanksgiving is all about family but let’s not forget about what brings our family to the table…. The Food!!! Thanksgiving is what my family and I call the Olympics of Eating. It’s the best! Now its tradition in my family for everyone to pitch in and help out with the cooking duties and I’m always in charge of the mashed potatoes and let me just say, I can make some pretty amazing mashed potatoes. Now what goes with mashed potatoes? Gravy of course! About 2 years ago my mom decided to assign me the duty of not only making the mashed potatoes, but also making the gravy that goes along with it. Gravy does not seem that hard to make and I watched my mom years before make it. Didn’t really seem like there was much to it but yeah, I was wrong.

My mom had already cut up all the giblets everything was all set up for me. All I had to do was boil the stuff in a pot and slowly add cornstarch to thicken the sauce. All was going well until I had to add the cornstarch. I started to add the cornstarch power into the mix and stirring then adding some more. I then noticed my gravy was lumping and not thickening. I proceeded to taste test my gravy, then I gagged. It tasted AWEFUL! Not knowing what to do to save the gravy, I added more cornstarch, which of course did not help at all. Finally giving up, I ran to my mom for assistance. She asked me what I did and I told her step by step what I did. She then stopped me at the cornstarch step and started to laugh. Apparently I was supposed to mix the cornstarch with water then slowly add it to the rest of the ingredients in the pot. No one told me this! With a pot full of nasty gravy, we had to run and get gravy at the store. I attempted the next year to make gravy, but still came out as a failure. Thankfully all turned out well and no one was upset with me, but now either someone else makes the gravy or we buy it.

I really hope this story gave some of you a laugh because I know it cracked my family up when I messed up the gravy. They kept asking me “Who ruins gravy?!” and to this day, I still don’t know. My little word of advice is to make sure you know what you’re in that kitchen on Thanksgiving because even the simplest things can go wrong. I also looked up some Thanksgiving dishes and ideas so feel free to take a look and get some ideas or learn to make something awesome for Thanksgiving. You can check out azcentral.com and click on the food tab at the top of the webpage or you can take a look at foodnetwork.com for some more great tips. On that note, I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving Holiday and enjoy your break. You deserve it!

Lonni Summers

Special Events and CFE Hours

2009-11-18T15:30:00.000-08:00

Interested in Special Events? Want to earn some CFE hours while learning about Special Events? Monday November 23rd from 1pm-3pm there will be a Professional Workshop held in UCENT in room 822A. This workshop will cover Event Planning Design and Décor and also contracts.

This is a great workshop for those interested in Special Events and also for any Tourism students who are also interested in the Special Events field. This is just one way to get some expert advice about this field, learn some more about Special Events, and also earn a few CFE hours if you need some! Be sure to check this event out, I’m sure it’ll be awesome! Have a Wonderful Day!!!

Lonni Summers

Registration for Classes and My Frustration

2009-11-16T16:17:00.000-08:00

Registration for classes can be a very fun experience for many, but for some it is anything but enjoyable. I’m usually one of those students that love signing up for classes and getting ready for a new and exciting semester. That was until I experienced getting a late registration date. Like many sophomores, I got a late registration date (Nov 11 to be exact). Not thinking much of it, I honestly thought I would get into all the classes I needed for the Spring semester. WRONG! When I hopped on my laptop and got all ready to sign up for my classes two of the five classes I needed were completely filled with no more room for little old me. Now mind you, I actually need these classes for my major. They weren’t electives, they were actually required courses (the courses are TDM 325 and TDM 415). Not going to lie, I was a little upset because I was really looking forward to taking these particular classes. Thinking that maybe I could change this, I went up to see an advisor to see if there was some way I could possibly get into these classes. I was put on a waiting list and told that I would be informed later on in the day if they had opened up more seats. This was on Thursday; it is now Monday and still no word. I am assuming that no seats have been opened so I will probably have to make my way back to see an advisor and inquire about these two classes. I know I can take these classes in the Fall, but honestly I was really hoping to take them this Spring.

This whole late registration appointment is somewhat of a downer for us sophomores and I wish the University had a different way for us to get into our classes. I have talked to many other students from the Tempe and Downtown campus and those with late registration dates were not too happy about it. I’m sure there is some particular reason we have the system the way it is, but either way, I am still a frustrated student that couldn’t get into certain classes due to a late registration appointment. I guess we’ll see if ASU can work some magic and get me into these classes! Other than that, I hope the semester is going well for you all and don’t worry, Winter Break is just around the corner! Have an Awesome Day!!!

Lonni Summers

Historic Tempe

2009-11-13T01:12:00.000-08:00

Today in my Geography lab we did a lab on re-photography lab. This is where we look at old photos of a site then take another photo and compare the differences. Today we got to take a little field trip and compare old photos of Old Main, then we traveled down to Mill Ave and looked at a couple of different historic buildings. It was pretty cool looking at the old photos and then comparing them to what the building now looks like. One of the buildings is called the Laird & Dines Building which is now a Hooters. Other buildings we examined were the Tempe National Bank building and the Andre Building which is now Rula Bula. It was fun learning the history behind each building and comparing the picture to what it looks like today. If you ever get a chance, visit http://www.tempebeach.com/museum/ and learn more about awesome Tempe and all the history the city has that you never realized! Have a fantastic day!

Lonni Summers

Hotel Deal in Sedona!

2009-11-09T16:18:00.000-08:00

Once again azcentral.com to the rescue! Today I found the deal of the week in their Travel section and it just so happens to be in Sedona, AZ! The hotel is called the Kokopelli Suites and this particular hotel is running a few awesome deals for Arizona Republic readers! If you book your stay online and enter in the promo code AZ when looking for availability, you should come across some of the fabulous deals they are running.

The hotel also has some current specials that are available to you! One is a 50% off special, and it is from November 1st - January 31, 2009. Enjoy 50% Rack rate on our Sugarloaf Suites ($179 per night to $89.50) on any stay! Pricing is based on single or double occupancy. Please use Promo Code 50 when checking availability. *(Sunday - Thursday stays only, excluding Nov. 24-28 & Dec. 24th - Jan. 2, 2009)

The next deal is the Santa Express. This great Christmas getaway for you and the kids includes a one night stay in our newly renovated Sugarloaf Suite with two queen beds. Your stay will also include a complimentary breakfast, wireless internet access, and use of our outdoor heated pool and whirlpool. Make it a festive occasion on the Verde Valley Railway’s Santa Express- fun for kids of all ages! Join Santa and Mrs. Claus on their adventure through the Verde Canyon. Everyone will join the fun singing Christmas carols, drinking hot chocolate, eating Christmas cookies, and candy canes. Kids will also have the chance to make their Christmas wish list and sit on Santa’s lap. If you are really lucky you may even see an elf or two! $245 for 2 Adult Coach class tickets and 1 Child Coach Ticket. The Santa Express runs every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday December 2nd- December 23rd with a 1pm Train Departure.

The last special is the Sedona at Sunset Romantic Vacation Special. Enjoy a relaxing stay in one of our single King suites and an amazing sunset ride through the western canyons of Sedona. Your accommodations with us will include deluxe continental breakfast, high speed wireless internet, luxurious bedding, friendly service and many other amenities. Start your sunset tour with a stop at Page Springs Winery on Oak Creek for a tasting session and a $15 credit towards one of their fine wines; then set off to explore breathtaking landscape of Sedona's outback country. As you ride along your guide will share his knowledge of an area once home to the Apaches and Sinagua. Price: $329 plus tax

I hope some of these awesome hotel deals caught your interest and now maybe you can start planning a little getaway after finals are done! Yay! We have about a month left of school so keep on trudging! You’re almost done!!! Have an amazing day and enjoy your Wednesday off!

Lonni Summers

Registration for Spring 2010

2009-11-04T16:08:00.000-08:00

The Fall semester is coming to an end and you know what that means! It’s time to sign up for the Spring Semester! For many of you, registering for classes is a breeze but for those of you having some trouble, don’t fear, help is here! If you log on to your myasu and look at your list of classes (this should be listed under “My Classes”) you should see a tab that says “Spring 10”. Click on this tab and then click on “Registration” on the bottom left hand corner. After that you are free to roam and add whatever classes you need for the spring semester!

If you are interested in something new and exciting there is a new course being offered in the Spring. It is PRM 494/REC 598 cross listed as REL 494/REL 598: Place and Meaning. Students will read and discuss theoretical literature on “place” in a variety of fields (philosophy, anthropology, natural resource social sciences, and humanities). This is offered to graduate students and upper undergraduate students. If this sounds interesting to you, sign up for it! Hope this semester is treating you all well, and don’t worry we’re more than half way done with the Fall!

Lonni Summers

Creative Ways to Get Rid of Your Pumpkin

2009-11-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

While pondering an interesting blog topic, my fellow StAR Eddie, gave me a great idea. He proposed that I blog about fun and different ways to get rid of your Halloween pumpkin. This lead to us doing some serious research on YouTube and finding the most different and out there ways to get rid of a pumpkin and still have some fun with it! Some of these ideas include a trebuchet, dropping it down on a bus, explosion (safety first and a permit is probably required), and last but not least lighting the pumpkin on fire then launching it. Now Eddie and I realize that most of these ideas are a bit crazy and most we probably would not be able to do, the videos however were a ton of fun to laugh at. I hope you have just as much fun watching the videos as Eddie and I did. Enjoy!

Lonni Summers

A Vampire Tale

2009-10-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

For my birthday my dad bought me tickets to “A Vampire Tale”, a performance put on by Scorpius Dance. Being a dancer myself and a fan of the performing arts, I am so Excited for this performance. I have read nothing but awesome reviews about this show and I can’t wait! This performance will be at The Phoenix Little Theatre, located on 100 E. McDowell Road. This show is running till November 7th, so get your tickets while you can! This should be a spectacular event and is sure to entertain. If you would like more information you can visit The Phoenix Little Theatre website or the Scorpius Dance website. With Halloween just around the corner, how awesome would it be to see a vampire dance show?! I say, pretty darn awesome! With that being said I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween this Saturday and also come out and enjoy the Homecoming activities on Saturday and support our Sun Devil Football Team! Happy Halloween and Go Devils!!!!!

Lonni Summers

GlendOberfest

2009-10-26T16:35:00.000-07:00

Shameless Promotion!!! For my Special Events Management class, our big project this semester was to put on the Haunted House for the City of Glendale. This Halloween event will be taking place on Halloween evening at the Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area from 5pm to 10pm and the best part is that ADMISSION IS FREE. Yeah that’s right, FREE! All of the Special Events students worked very hard on this and most of us will either be in the haunted house acting out a scene or doing behind the scene work, so you just might run into someone you know! The theme is “Sinister Sinema” and basically the spectators enter the haunted house and witness different reenactments of different scary movies. Trust me, it’s pretty darn scary so we recommend not bringing the little ones or anyone under the age of 11 into this particular attraction.

Along with the awesome Haunted House, there will be plenty of other attractions for everyone to participate in. There will be plenty of games, on-site trick or treating, and even a parade! This is a great event for everyone including families. Remember this is a FREE event so come out there on the 31st and support your fellow ASU peers and all the hard work they put into this event. This event will be a ton of fun! If you have any questions about this Halloween event, please visit their website for more information. Hope to see you all out there!

Lonni Summers

Hotel Deals!!!

2009-10-21T17:29:00.000-07:00

While surfing on azcentral.com I found some great hotel deals! If by some chance you feel like taking a small weekend vacation after midterms, well then, this is for you! Listed are a bunch different hotels with different specials and offers and most of them are running till December or January.

The deal: Staycation at W Scottsdale.W Scottsdale has a deal for Arizona residents: Pay from $199 a night and get a room, drinks for four and VIP access to bars. Available through Dec. 30.Details: 480-970-2100, whotels.com/Scottsdale.

The deal: $100 resort credit at Desert Ridge Resort.Stay at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa and get a $100 resort credit for each night of your visit. You can use the credit for golf, spa treatments or dining. Room rates From $189 per night, based on availability. Good through Jan. 31.Details: 480-293-5000, www.jwdesertridgeresort.com. Use promo code D50.

The deal: Fall savings at Four Seasons Troon North.The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is offering a variety of fall packages. The "Stay Longer" deal includes a third night free with the purchase of two nights. Rates begin at $295 a night. Valid through Jan. 3. The "Experience More" package includes a $100 resort credit when you book two nights. This offer is good Nov. 29-Dec. 22. If golf is your thing, the "Fall Golf" special includes a casita guest room, one round of golf per person per paid night, access to the driving range and breakfast or lunch in Crescent Moon. Rates begin at $530 per night for a single or $705 per night for a double, through Jan. 3.Details: 480-515-5700, fourseasons.com/scottsdale.

The deal: Rate special at Westin Kierland.Stay one night at the Westin Kierland Resort and get 50 percent off the second night. Offer valid with a minimum four-night stay (two nights at full price, two at half price) through Dec. 31 when you mention the "Better Tomorrows" package.Details: 800-354-5892, kierlandresort.com.

The deal: Second night half price at Wild Horse Pass.For every night you pay the regular rate, get the next night for 50 percent off (minimum two-night stay) at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass on the Gila River Reservation. Rates from $209 per night. The offer is good through Dec. 31. Stays must be prepaid and are not refundable.Details: 866-716-8134, www.wildhorsepassresort.com. Use promo code ZBT.

The deal: Golf at Xona Resort Suites, Scottsdale.The "Grip It Rip It Package" features savings of up to 65 percent on one-night stays and 55 percent on two-night stays through Dec. 31. Stay up to four nights for $129 per night and get a round of golf at the TPC Champions Course (worth up to $131). Get a second round of golf for $99. The package also includes a breakfast buffet at Asada Desert Grille.Details: 800-903-4057, www.xonaresort.com.

The deal: Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore.Check out this "hotel within a hotel" with a package that starts at $299 per night, based on availability. It includes an Ocatilla Club Room with mountain views and lounge access, 50 percent off spa services, continental breakfast, resort fee, plus lunch and dinner for two at Biltmore restaurants.Details: 800-950-0086, use promo code P5; or www.arizonabiltmore.com, select the "All-Inclusive Package".

The deal: $100 resort credit at Montelucia.The "Great Escape" offer at the Intercontinental Montelucia Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley provides a $100 credit to be used anywhere on the property, including Joya Spa, Prado restaurant and Kasbah Pool Bar and Grille. A two-night minimum stay is required. Subject to availability.Details: 888-627-3010 or www.icmontelucia.com. Use promo code Great Escape.

This is just one way to get away from it all and take time out for you! I hope some of these hotel deals caught your attention and you get started on your mini vacation! If you would like more information visit azcentral.com and click on the “Things to Do” tab. Have a fantastic day everyone!!!

Lonni Summers

Walk to Save Animals!

2009-10-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

Today in class a fellow student of mine informed me this great event called Walk to Save Animals. It is on Saturday November 14th, 2009 at the Tempe Beach Park from 10am to 2pm. This event is so wonderful because not only do you get to bring all your doggies with you, but you are also raising money for a great cause. This 2K or 5K Pet Walk raises money and awareness for the Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA and also help thousands of homeless animals find homes. You can create your own team or help sponsor/donate to help another team.

Besides the actual Pet Walk there will be plenty of other activities at this event as well. There will be an activity area, booths set up in the Pet Zone, and also food and refreshments for both you and your pet! This is a great way to get out and enjoy the weather, have some fun with your pet, and also raise money for an awesome cause! Hope this sparked some interest for all you pet lovers out there! This is definitely an event you don’t want to miss! For more information about the Walk to Save Animals or if you want to register a team visit their website at http://www.aawl.org/AAWL_walk_2009/default.asp Have a Great Day!!!

Lonni Summers

Haunted House Anyone?

2009-10-14T17:38:00.000-07:00

While surfing around on azcentral.com I came across an amusing “How to” guide. This particular guide was “How to Survive a Haunted House”. It gave me the Do’s and Don’ts of how to go through a haunted house. Some of these tips are really funny but great advice nonetheless! Here are just a few of the tips mentioned and if you would like more check out azcentral.com and click on the “Things to do” tab.

Do know that the actors at the houses can't touch you. They can scream and chase you with chain saws, but that's as far as it goes.

Do practice calming exercises while standing in line. Be prepared for the sensory-manipulation scare tactics, like low lighting and misdirection, used by haunted house creators.

Don't close your eyes the whole time. It would be a shame to waste hard-earned money by missing out on what you paid to see.

Do wear comfortable shoes. Standing in line to get into a house of horror and running out of it take up most of the night. Don't be the cliche scary-movie character who trips and falls when the bad guy's hot on her heels.

Don't act scared. The actors are trained to find and frighten the vulnerable people. Try being the first one to go into a room; odds are they'll target the person behind you.

Now that we’re in the awesome month of October, be sure to try and hit up one of the many haunted houses/mazes that the Valley has to offer. Some scary haunted houses include The Gauntlet, The Nest, and Arizona’s Original Scream Park. These are just a few out of the Many offered this October and for more info check out azcentral.com, so get out there and get scared!!!!

Lonni Summers

Downtown Events!

2009-10-12T17:01:00.000-07:00

There are events galore at the Downtown Campus this month! Besides the fact that it is My Birthday today (Yay!!!), there are other events going on! Thanks to the Downtown Devil News I found a couple of events that would be great for students to partake in.

Wednesday October 14, 2009
Interviewing and Professional Dress Workshop
12:45p.m.; Historic Post Office, Suite 110
How should you answer behavior-based questions? What are the do's and don'ts of dressing for success? Learn about the latest trends in the world of interviewing and how to prepare to make the best impression visually and verbally.

Friday October 16, 2009
Family Weekend Reception
5:00 p.m.; Civic Space
Start Family Weekend by joining other members of the ASU family at this light reception.

Saturday October 17, 2009
Family Weekend Tailgate
5:00p.m.; Old Main Lawn – Tempe Campus
Join us for food, fun, and BBQ at this alcohol-free event. Parents and families will have an opportunity to learn more about their student's activities, and connect with organizations on campus.
ASU vs. Washington
7:15p.m.; Sun Devil Stadium

Monday October 19, 2009
How to Prepare for the Career Fair Workshop
12:45p.m.; Historic Post Office, Suite 110
Improve your professional and networking skills while discovering what employers will look for at the Fall Internship & Career Fair! Learn the answers to the following questions and many more: What is the best way to approach an employer at their booth? Should you place your nametag on your right or your left? How many resumes should you bring?

Wednesday October 21, 2009
Internship and Career Fair
11:00a.m. – 2:00p.m.; A.E. England Building
Attend the Fall Internship & Career Fair at the Downtown Phoenix campus. From freshmen to alumni, this event is for ALL STUDENTS and is a good place to begin gathering information about your career options. Enjoy this networking environment! Explore opportunities in a range of industries! Discuss internships & career related positions! Dress professionally & bring resumes! To watch a video on How to navigate a career fair, link here: students.asu.edu/career/events.

Saturday October 24, 2009
Fall into Service
7:00a.m. – 12:30p.m.; St. Mary’s Food Bank
Breakfast and lunch provided, call today to register: 602-496-0973

I hope some of these events spark some interest and everyone will check them out! Hope everyone has an “Eventful” day!

Lonni Summers

Nonprofit Career Month

2009-10-05T16:53:00.000-07:00

The month of October usually means Halloween, candy, and of course three of the StARs' Birthdays! Also this happens to be the Nonprofit Career Month. Although my major deals with Tourism, in the College of Public Programs, all the majors in one way or another relate to each other. With that being said, take a look at this video from idealist.org to learn more about Work that Needs You. Have a fantastic day!!!

Lonni Summers

Arizona State Fair Coming Soon!

2009-09-30T17:55:00.000-07:00

October 16th. You may be asking yourself “What is the big deal about the 16th”? The answer is “It’s the opening day of the State Fair”! YAY! It’s sure to be amazing! Filled with fun, happiness, and joy, the State Fair is by far one of my most favorite things to attend every year. With all the rides, exhibits, concerts, and Food, there is always something there to keep you entertained!

This year the concert lineup is sure to impress. Just to name a few there will be Bob Dylan, Stone Temple Pilots, The Black Crowes, Old School Jams, David Cook, Little Big Town and Billy Currington, and Kelly Clarkson. This is just a fraction of the bands and artists playing at the Fair this year.

If concerts aren’t your thing, there will be plenty of rides to keep you busy! From the Ferris wheel to the mini roller coasters, there is a ride for everyone and every age group. Tickets for the rides will be put on a credit card sized pass that will hold “e tickets” which are the electronic tickets that you will use to get on the rides. The costs for tickets are $20 for 40 tickets, $50 for 100 tickets, and $100 for 200 tickets. The Fair will be running some ride specials throughout the week including unlimited ride wristband days on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

These are just a few of the events going on at the State Fair this year. I hope this has got some of you stoked for this Fair season; it should be a great one! On that note, Have a Great Weekend!!!

Lonni Summers

So Many Activities for this Week!!!

2009-09-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

I was looking for different activities to do for this week and thanks to azcentral.com I found a ton of events for this entire week! If you’re bored or are looking for something to do, check out azcentral.com and check out their “Things to Do” section. I’m sure you’ll find something that catches your fancy. Here are some of the event s and activities that are going on this week.

Monday: The Killers at the Dodge Theater. 8pm and Tickets cost $33-$44

Tuesday: Creed at Jobing.com Arena. 7:30pm and Tickets cost $10-$85

Wednesday: Arizona Iron Chef. At 6pm in the Sub-Zero/Wolf Showroom. Cost $65 and reservations are required.

Thursday: Jamie Foxx “Blame it Tour” at the Dodge Theater. At 7:30pm and Tickets cost $59.75 - $69.75.

Friday: Phoenix Fashion Week at the Hotel Valley Ho. This is a three day event from Oct 1st-3rd. It is from 9am to 2pm and Tickets cost $165 for 3-day VIP package; $60 for VIP per day; $75 for 3-day general admission; $30 for general admission each day.

Saturday: Oktoberfest at Fountain Hills, Tempe Town Lake, Phoenix Old World, and Litchfield Park. Times and cost vary from location to location.

Sunday: “Star Wars: In Concert” at the Jobing.com Arena. Show times are 2pm and 7pm. Tickets cost $294.75 for the platinum package; $144.75 for the hot seat package; $29.75-$69.75 general admission.

These are just a few of the exciting events taking place here in the Valley. If you want more info or want to find other activities visit azcentral.com and click on the “Things to Do” link. There is a ton of events that you can attend this week and I hope everyone finds something that is particularly interesting to them. Have an awesome day everyone!!!

Lonni Summers

Drive-In Movie Idea

2009-09-23T17:15:00.000-07:00

For this Friday, my date and I were trying to figure out something to do that wasn’t too expensive but would be fun for the both of us. He and I have been on dates before and we’ve done the whole movie thing but I didn’t really want to do that again. I started brainstorming some ideas and some of them included a night hike on South Mountain, picnic, or even just going to the movies again! Then it hit me, I suggested we go to the movies, but in a nontraditional way. Hence the drive- in movie idea was born!

I started looking up locations and prices and finally came across one that was close by. It is called the Scottsdale 6 Drive-In. It is located on McKellips Rd. and it is literally down the street from the Tempe Marketplace so if you and your date wanted to grab a bite to eat then head over to the drive in, you won’t have to worry about a long drive. This place is awesome for dates and also families because it only cost $6.25 for adults and kids 5-11 cost only $1.00 to get in and also all movies at the this drive-in are double features. That means you would see two movies for the price of one!

The management suggests getting there early so you can get a good spot. Also you can bring in blankets, lawn chairs, pillows, and even sleeping bags into the complex which is awesome! If you are looking for something fun to do that won’t cost you an arm and a leg I highly suggest checking out the drive-in movies. If my date and I decide to go, this will be my very first drive-in movie! If you have any questions or concerns you can check out their website for what movies are playing and the show times. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Lonni Summers

Fall Frenzy Crazy Fun!

2009-09-22T03:43:00.000-07:00

Just this past Saturday I went to Fall Frenzy to see a couple of amazing bands including Blink 182! This being my first kind of outdoor musical festival, I was so excited! I brought along my friend Reyna with me and on Saturday at 1:30pm we stood in a LONG line to get into the Tempe Beach Park and have what would surely be one of the craziest fun times, Ever.

After waiting in line for about 30 minutes we finally made it through security and we were in the park at about 2:15. The first band up was Authority Zero. We missed the first few songs but we caught a couple of good ones including “One More Minute”. Having not eaten all day, we made our way to the food vendors. If there was ever a place I would spend the most money for the day, it would have to be all the food tents they had set up. There was everything from Indian Fried Bread and burgers to Snow cones and Jamba Juice. Reyna and I decided to split an Indian Fried Bread with the all the works. The price for food was kind of expensive, but we were expecting that even before we got there. With our tummies full we headed back to the main stage to get ready for the next set.

Up next was Asher Roth. At this time, the heat was really starting to kick in and it was getting hot! Even with the heat the crowd went nuts for Asher Roth. He had so much energy and was a big crowd pleaser. He got the crowd going with his hot singles “I Love College” and “Be by Myself”. Everyone was dancing and just having a good time. Next up was Anberlin. This band was a little heavier but they totally rocked out! For some reason the sound quality was a little off and it was hard to hear some of the vocals during their set, but all in all it was fun. At this point, the crowd was getting bigger and now starting to create mosh pits. This part of the event was a little scary, especially when you don’t want to be in the mosh pit! With all the aggressiveness of the “pits”, Reyna and I avoided them.

After being in the heat for so long, we needed to refuel ourselves. We headed back to the food vendors, bought some curly fries with cheese (yum!) and more bottle water. The band that was up next was Pepper. We missed about half of their set but what we did get to see was pretty good. There was a lot of dialogue between the band members that was a little raunchy, but funny. After Pepper, Slightly Stoopid took the stage. At this point the crowd was really getting rowdy and pushy. Reyna and I made a BIG mistake and wore flip flops to the concert and of course our feet got stepped on like crazy! Yet, when Slightly Stoopid started to play, the masses calmed down and we all just vibed out and danced to the music. Slightly Stoopid put on an awesome show! We loved them!

After an awesome show Slightly Stoopid put on, the next band really had to rock. Unfortunately, the next band, in my opinion, didn’t really deliver. Fall Out Boy came on and they did alright. The band was greeted with cheers and boos as well. Many in the crowd were not feeling the music and continued to boo the band. Fall Out Boy did their set and continued to endure the negative energy. They did ok, but I was really expecting more out of the group. After their set was done, they pretty much just walked right off stage. After, it was the moment we had all been waiting for. The main reason many of us endured 8 hours of heat and sweat. Blink 182 was up next.

The crowd’s energy began to build and build as the roadies set the stage up for Blink. Everyone in the crowd was getting restless and anxious. At this point I was just being violently jostled around and shoved by people trying to push their way forward to the stage. It was literally just bodies to sweaty bodies, and of course my feet were getting stepped on every second. This had to be a scary low point in the concert because it was hard to breathe let alone move.
Unfortunately I saw a couple pass out and hit the floor from the closeness and heat. These unlucky ones had to be rushed out of the crowd and taken to the medical tent. Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, the lights come up and the emcee announces that he had some bad news. He said “The bad news is… we ran out of churros, But here is BLINK 182!!!”. The crowd roared with excitement and then Blink took the stage.

Blink dominated that night! Not only were they amazingly awesome, but they were so dang energetic! Musically they did mess up on a few of their faster songs, but I don’t think the crowd minded that much. The band really showed off musically on some of their slower songs such as “I Miss You” and “Stay Together for the Kids”, which is one of my personal favorites. During their entire set they were happy, fun, and just awesome to watch and listen to. Everyone completely rocked out, and I mean we all Rocked out Hard!

Drained of all energy, hungry, dehydrated, bruised, sore and sleepy, I still couldn’t come down from my natural high I got from the concert. I was just so dang happy! I have to say that had to be one of the best times in my life. Even though I went through a world of pain and because of it and ended up bruised and sore, it was SO worth it. Next time I just have to remember not to wear flip flops! Fall Frenzy was so crazy fun, and I can’t wait for the next one!

Lonni Summers

International Day of Peace

2009-09-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

Once again in my Inclusive Communities class, we had another great guest speaker. Today Judy Butzine came in and spoke to our class about the International Day of Peace which will be taking place on September 20th and 21st. There will be a ton of activities in the Downtown Phoenix area on both of those days and so much for everyone to partake in.

Monday is the official Day of Peace and some the activities include yoga at the Japanese Friendship Garden in the morning, a peace program in the ASU Downtown Campus lobby, and also a Flash Mob Dance in the Arizona Center. These are just a few of the activities and there will be plenty more throughout the day.

This is a great day to not only explore Downtown Phoenix but also get involved during our International Day of Peace. If you would like more info about some of the events taking place that day take a look at their calendar and scroll all the way to the bottom and you can view the list and times of the events. I hope everyone will participate in one of these events, it should be a great day! Hope everyone has a Peaceful Day!

Lonni Summers

The Japanese Friendship Garden

2009-09-15T01:25:00.000-07:00

Just last Wednesday in my Inclusive Communities class Diana Larowe, the Executive Director of the Japanese Friendship Garden, came and spoke to our class about this spectacular place. The Japanese friendship Garden is located on North 15th Ave, literally just a few blocks away from our lovely Downtown Campus. This garden is just amazing. It is a complete Japanese garden with a pond filled with Koi, a tea house, and of course all the beautiful vegetation all around.

Diana told our class about how the garden was started and all the history behind the Japanese Friendship Garden. She also informed us of the many upcoming events in the near future. Some of these events include Gong Meditation, Otsukimi Moonviewing festival, and the International Day of Peace. I highly suggest checking out some of these awesome events, but that’s not all! If you would like CFE hours you can actually work at some of these events! This is a great and fun way to get a couple of CFE hours. The Japanese Friendship Garden also needs volunteer docents to give tours to visitors and also they need gardener volunteers to help tend to the garden. All of these things are great ways to get some experience in tourism, nonprofit, or parks and recreation.

The Japanese Friendship Garden is a great place to visit and just relax. It is also an awesome place to get some CFE hours if you need them. If you at all interested in volunteering for the Japanese Friendship Garden visit their website and also you can contact Diana Larowe at 602-256-3204. Hope everyone has a Great Day!!!

Lonni Summers

Experiencing ASU Football!

2009-09-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

This year I decided to purchase ASU season passes which grants me access to all home football and basketball games. This is my second year at ASU and I never got the chance to experience a football game my freshman year. With seven home football games I was totally stoked to have season passes. My excitement was deterred due to some scheduling conflicts including having to work on the very first game of the season. Saturday morning I got up and got ready for a long day of work at Big Surf Waterpark, I then received a call from my boss informing me that the park would not open that day due to the weather. With a grin on my face, I hopped right back into bed and slept! Upon waking up, my dad asked me what my plans for the day were and just like that, I realized I could now go to the football game! I got part of my homework done, then after threw on my gold Sun Devils shirt, and headed towards my very first college football game.

In high school I attended all the football games, but nothing could prepare me for this game. The energy is INSANE! Students, family, and even children were decked out in gold ready to cheer on ASU. The line to get into the stadium was so long and later I found out that people have been waiting in line since 3 o’clock in the afternoon! Thankfully my group got really good seats in the student section. As it got closer to kick off the energy in the student section continued to rise. It was nothing like I have ever seen or felt before. I couldn’t help but get sucked into it. Screaming at the top of my lungs and creating the Pitchfork with my fingers, I cheered on our ASU football team.

Shouting A-S-U, I watched our Sun Devils dominate the field that night, crushing the Idaho State Bengals 50-3. With numerous interceptions and touchdowns, the game surely did entertain the masses. When the game was over and the students started to file out of the stadium, I felt a great sense of pride being a Sun Devil. Not only because we won, but also just seeing all the spirit in that stadium and watching my fellow peers come together for this one event to support not only our football team, but our university as well. If you haven’t gone to a game yet, I HIGHLY suggest going. Even if you’re not a football fan I still believe every student should try going to a game least once in their college life. This game will forever be a part of my college experience and something I will always remember. Go Sun Devils!!!

Lonni Summers

What is a “New American University”?

2009-09-02T17:04:00.000-07:00

Today in my Inclusive Community Development class, three students gave short presentations on diversity and some of the challenges that sometimes arise when there isn’t diversity. One student today began her presentation by asking the class “What comes to mind when you think of a New American University?” The class for the most part was pretty silent. I began to think about what it meant and the only thing that popped into my head was “Having a large student population!” One person yelled out “Michael Crow!” or “ASU”. The student presenter smiled and politely nodded at the answers and then gave her own interpretation of the meaning of a New American University.

She said at first she thought that it meant that the university was only meant for natural born Americans. She thought that it would discriminate against immigrants and transfer students from other countries. She believed that a New American University was something negative and she didn’t understand how ASU could possibly promote that. This was all before she did some research on her own. This student found that ASU becoming a New American University wasn’t something negative but actually something profoundly positive. ASU is trying to break the mold and make positive social, economic, and cultural changes. Arizona State is striving to make an impact on Earth for the better. After getting the real meaning of what a New American University was, her whole view on the idea changed. The student then went on to show a short video of what ASU is striving for and what a New American University really means.

After this student’s short presentation it really made me proud to be a Sun Devil and be a part of Arizona State University. I feel enlightened knowing what it actually means to be a New American University and it makes me want to be more a part of this change ASU is aiming for. Check out the amazing video our class got to watch and also check out this website to get a better understanding of ASU becoming a New American University. Have a Positive Impacting Week!

Lonni Summers

First Week Down!!!

2009-08-31T22:57:00.000-07:00

First week of school is done and out of the way! This past week has been fun, exciting, and even a little frightening. All in all I have to say I’m really glad to be back at ASU and see so many new faces and also recognize some familiar faces as well. The first week of school I find is always pretty cool. It gives me the chance to get back into the groove of things, preview what my classes are going to be like, and start preparing for the challenges ahead!

So far my classes seem to be pretty good. I love learning all types of new material and each of my classes brings something different to the table. I believe my most challenging class this semester will probably be Special Events Management. This class consists of learning about events and all the work that goes on behind the scenes. Although this will be a tough class I’m so excited! The subject alone is intriguing and on top of that, our class gets the chance to put on an event! As the semester progresses I will keep you updated on our class event project.

We are now in week two of the semester and the real work begins! I hope everyone is enjoying their classes so far and learning as much as they possibly can! Have a Great second week of school!

Lonni Summers

First Day of School

2009-08-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

August 24th 2009. The day many of have either been looking forward to or dreading. Today was our first day back in school! When I was getting ready this morning, it didn’t really faze me that I was actually going back to college. I wasn’t quite in the mind set yet. My first two classes were on at the Tempe campus, and literally taking my first step on to campus, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I’M BACK IN SCHOOL! Walking around campus and seeing all the hustle and bustle put a smile on my face. In some weird way I actually missed school and the craziness that comes with it. Just being on campus put my brain on “school mode” and I was ready to go!

My first class consisted of about 150 students and all of us were crammed into a lecture hall. After that first class I met up with some friends and headed towards the ASU watering hole, aka the MU. My next class was science and that also consisted of about 150 students as well. It wasn’t all that bad and honestly I really don’t mind big class sizes. It gives me the chance to meet more people! I then had another break and hopped on the lightrail and headed towards the lovely Downtown Phoenix campus. Before I entered University Center I thought that it would be a little calmer than that Tempe campus. I was wrong. University Center was packed with students, chairs were occupied in the lobby, and more students were just kind of walking around. I then realized that many programs had moved to the Phoenix campus, and with the programs, also came the students. Not that I’m complaining or anything, it was just different! Seeing so many students at once in the University Center is a change of pace. I’m excited to see new faces here at the Downtown Phoenix campus!

Now that I’m back on campus it really made me realize that summer is over and a new semester has now begun. Now I must say goodbye to my summer days and summer nights and say hello to all nighters! With that being said, I hope to make this semester the best it can possibly be, both academically and socially. Here’s to making a great fall semester and I wish everyone the very Best of Luck!!!! Go Sun Devils!!!!

Lonni Summers

Skate! Roll! Bounce!

2009-08-20T12:33:00.000-07:00

Music blaring out of the speakers, lights flashing, kids laughing, and three college students in the skate rink having a blast. That was how I spent my Wednesday night! My fellow StAR, Kirsten, and a good friend of mine named Reyna; all went to the Cardinals Kickoff Skate at Skateland. We dressed up in our Cardinals gear and got in for free. The only thing we had to pay for was our skate rentals which was only $2.

Although Skateland is usually associated with middle school kids, we three ASU students had so much fun! We skated, took a ton of pictures, played skating games, and even won prizes for answering trivia questions. I haven’t been to Skateland since I was in middle school, but just being there brought back fun memories of skating around with friends. I wasn’t as graceful on the skates this time around but thankfully I didn’t fall! If you are ever looking for something to do with friends one night, I highly suggest going to Skateland! Its fun, inexpensive, and also a good workout! I posted a few pictures of the fun so feel free to take a look! If you want more info about Skateland’s hours or events visit their website. Have an amazing day!

Lonni Summers

Fall Welcome!

2009-08-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

After a long and relaxing summer, school is now a week away and it’s time to get all the preparation going for classes! Yay! Time to hit up the bookstore, get your textbooks, supplies, ASU gear, and even buy season tickets! For all new incoming students Fall Welcome is an excellent way to start getting pumped for this semester! Starting on Wednesday there will be different events and activities for everyone at ASU. If you are coming to the Downtown Phoenix Campus this semester this is a great time for you to come take a tour of the campus and learn more about it. Also on Friday you will also have the opportunity to meet with the COPP StARs!

Fall Welcome is the perfect time to meet some of your peers, socialize, and also see how awesome ASU actually is! One of the activities on Friday is climbing “A” Mountain and Whitewashing the “A”. I remember my Fall Welcome last year and that was one of my first memories of being a Sun Devil and it was great! It is one of the University’s longest traditions and you would be missing out if you didn’t do it! It is something you will never forget.

With school just around the corner it’s time for us to get stoked for an amazing semester! If you have any questions about Fall Welcome or you just want more info about the event and activities that will take place, take a look at the website. Have a Great day everyone!

Lonni Summers

Skate Free at Skateland!

2009-08-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

Remember those fun field trips when you were in elementary and middle school? Remember how Skateland was like the best field trip ever!? Well, get ready to relive those awesome adolescent memories because Skateland is offering a great special. Thanks to azcentral.com I found that the Skateland located on Ray Road is having a Cardinals Kickoff Skate and on Aug 19th from 5:30 to 8:30. If you come dressed in Cardinals apparel it is free admission! Skate rentals cost $3 for rollerblades and $2 for regular skates, or if you have your own skates bring them in!

This a great deal for anyone looking for some FREE fun. Bring your family and friends, strap on some skates, and hit the skate rink! For more information about Cardinals Kickoff Skate or Skateland visit their website or call at 480-917-9444. Have a fantastic day!

Lonni Summers

Hurry 4 Curry

2009-08-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

For lunch today I decided to go on a little food adventure. After hearing continuous raves from my fellow StAR Amyann, I decided to try this place called Hurry 4 Curry. It is located in the Arizona Center right by the movie theater. When you first walk into this restaurant it’s small but cozy and really busy! The menu changes from day to day and the daily options are located on a TV screen. To order your food, you walk up to one of two touch screens and order what you want. Then the cooks whip it up and call your order. I was only there for a few minutes and their service is very fast. Even though it’s Indian “fast food”, the flavors are amazing! I ordered the Butter Chicken with a side of Basmati Rice and the flavors were great! The portions are just right and after eating I felt full but not over stuffed. This is great place to get really good food really fast. Also it’s a good way to try some new foods and expand your taste buds! If you want more info about Hurry 4 Curry and the amazing food they serve visit their website, or better yet just go there and order some food! Have a Flavorful day everyone!

Lonni Summers

Need a Mini Vacation?

2009-08-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

While surfing around on azcentral.com I came across some pretty sweet hotel deals. If you’re an Arizona resident and you need some time to get away from it all then you might want to look into some of these local hotel deals.

The first of three deals is at a hotel called Aloft. This hotel is offering a special package for Arizona residents through September 7th. Rooms there will only cost $69 a night and in addition to that guest will receive about $70 in discounts for different activities around the Valley. Some of these discounts include $25 off a Sunrise or Sunset tour of Tempe Town Lake, $30 off a 50 minute massage at Massage Envy, and even $18 off a race package at the F-1 Race Factory. This hotel deal is really great and is full of different activities to fill your time. The Aloft hotel itself is amazing and located just a few minutes away from Downtown Tempe and the Tempe Marketplace. For info about the hotel take a look at their website. For reservations call 480-621-3300

The second deal listed was through hotels.com. If you book three nights or more through their website, guests will receive a $55 prepaid gas card! Hotels.com has so many options and choices when booking a hotel so you’re sure to find one that fits your needs!

The last hotel offer is through the Hampton Inn and Suites in Surprise, AZ. They are offering a deal called “It’s a Dry Heat” package. This package includes a room with two queen sized which cost $89 a night or you can choose a studio suite with either a king sized bed or two queen sized bed which cost $109 a night. On your stay there you will also receive a lunch sized cooler with bottled water, sunscreen, and trail mix, all of which you can use to get out into the great outdoors!

These are just a few summer deals I found but I am sure there are plenty more! If you want to have a little mini vacation right before school starts, try booking a hotel in the Valley and having a ton of fun right in the Valley of the Sun! Have a fun filled day!!!

Lonni Summers

Fall Frenzy 09!!!!!

2009-08-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

So I know it’s a month away but I’m SO EXCITED for Fall Frenzy! For those of you who are asking yourself “What is Fall Frenzy?” well I have the answer for you! Fall Frenzy is three whole days of music and fun. From September 18th to the 20th there will be a ton of different bands performing and each day there is a new line up. Along with awesome music all day long there will be a bunch of different activities, attractions, and food! From water slides, a gaming center, and even a Ferris wheel, there is something for you to do.

I am attending the September 19th concert where Blink 182 will be performing! I am so stoked for this concert I can’t even contain myself! The bands performing that day will be Authority Zero, Anberlin, Pepper, Slightly Stoopid, Fall Out Boy, and Blink 182. If that wasn’t enough, I just found out today that Asher Roth will be performing and other acts will be added pretty soon!

This festival of music will be completely AMAZING! I highly suggest purchasing tickets to this event. Don’t miss out on all the fun! For more information about Fall Frenzy or where to buy tickets visit the website. Hope this blog got some of you amped up for Fall Frenzy! Have an Awesome Day!!!

Lonni Summers

D-Backs Game!!!

2009-07-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

Just yesterday I went to the D-backs game. The D-backs played the Philadelphia Phillies and we were there to see it! Family friends of ours got us suite box tickets so we kind of got the luxury experience. The suite had a little sitting area with a big TV, an area outside the suite that had stadium seating, and of course there was a ton of food. We all were so excited about the game but we were even more excited to see each other. We haven’t seen each other in awhile so it gave us a chance to catch up and find out what everyone has been doing for the past few months.

The game itself was pretty entertaining. The D-backs were behind 4 to 1 but at the bottom of the 9th with one man on base, they knocked one out of the park! It was so awesome, but not enough to win the game sadly. The score was 4 to 3 and the Diamondbacks lost. Even though the home team lost, the night wasn’t a complete failure. I got to see friends and family and just have a good time with everyone which was the best part of my night!

My family is complete baseball nuts so they totally enjoyed the game. If you ever get a chance to hit up a D-backs game, GO! It is so much fun and if you’re around fun people you’ll have blast! Here is the website to check when the D-backs play, so get out there and watch some baseball!!!

Lonni Summers

Are you for Scuba?

2009-07-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

Just this past Friday one of my fellow lifeguard instructors at Big Surf set up a Discovery Scuba lesson for all us supervisors and lifeguard instructors. She works part time at Sports Chalet and we all got the lesson for free! I have never done anything like this ever in my life so I was so stoked! At the Sports Chalet in the Tempe Marketplace, there is a decent size pool that goes down to about 13 ft. We all got our flippers and goggles and hopped into the water. We had two instructors and they were very excited to teach us. After we got into the water we put on our BCD’s which stands for Buoyancy Control Device. This thing looks like a vest and it holds your air tank. It also controls your buoyancy, so it can make you sink or float.

Before we got into the deep part of the pool we sat on the ledge and tested out our equipment out and learned how to use our BCD’s and how to breathe underwater with our Regulators. Once we figured all the equipment out we sat on a ledge under the water and the instructors slowly let us descend to the bottom of the pool and made sure we were ok as we sank to the bottom. After we reached the bottom it was a ton of fun! We got to swim around, play underwater football, swim through hoops, and we even drank Capri Suns under water! We spent about two hours just swimming and playing with all the cool scuba gear. Some of my fellow lifeguard instructors had waterproof cameras, so we took a load of pictures so I will be posting a few photos of the whole underwater adventure when I can.

This whole Discovery Scuba experience was so awesome and really peaked my interest into maybe learning more about scuba diving and actually take some of the classes they offer there. If you want more information about the scuba program at Sport Chalet visit their website and you can also call the Sports Chalet Tempe Marketplace location for more info as well. The number is (480) 966-9139. Hope everyone has an Adventurous Day!!!

Lonni Summers

Outdoor Adventures to be Had

2009-07-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

Hiking is something I really enjoy doing. It’s a great way to get out of the house, get some fresh air, and enjoy nature. This summer I really wanted to do some hiking. I wanted to try some different trails so of course I hit up the World Wide Web for some more information. On Arizonaguide.com from the Arizona Office of Tourism I found a ton of places that sounded fun and exciting. This website is great if you’re looking for something to do around the state. Here are just a few trails that caught my interest and that I would love to go check out sometime.

1. Apache Maid Trail. Sedona
Apache Maid Trail skirts the rim of Wet Beaver Creek Canyon, one of the scenic red rock gorges that cut the southern rim of the Colorado Plateau. The trail starts at the mouth of the canyon and continues up this picturesque drainage, offering glimpses of the clear, cool stream, until it branches off from the Bell Trail to climb the canyon's north wall. Once atop the basalt flows that form a caprock in this area, the Apache Maid Trail winds along primitive jeep tracks across the grassy, juniper flats. From the trail, the canyon appears off to your right as an eroded rift in the ancient lava flow.

2. Humphreys Trail. Flagstaff
This steep mountain trail leads to the highest point in Arizona. If you consider it merely as a means to that end, however, you'll miss much of the reason to come here. Along its 4.5 mile course, a thriving alpine forest streaked with huge rock slides and avalanche tracks hugs the mountain's slopes. Scenic Hart Prairie stretches out the base of the incline and the Grand Canyon is easily visible on the horizon.

3. Kartchner Caverns State Park. Benson
Kartchner Caverns boasts many world-class features that have been protected since the cave was discovered in 1974. Kartchner Caverns State Park offers visitors to this very popular attraction both a cave tour and an opportunity to experience the site's excellent Discovery Center. All caves tours are guided by a park interpreter. Guests will be taken to the Throne and Rotunda rooms. The tour is one-third of a mile in length and the complete tour will last approximately 60 minutes, 45 minutes of which are in the cave.
These are a just a few of very many trails that are all around Arizona. I’m hoping to at least hit one these trails and see how they are in person. Hiking is so much fun so if you ever think about visiting a trail make sure to look at the Arizona Guide from the Arizona Office of Tourism. Hope this little gives you some insight and encouragement to get out there and hike! It’s a ton of fun! Have a great day everyone!

Lonni Summers

Concerts!!!

2009-07-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

I love going to concerts and seeing artists live. I recently got tickets as a gift for a concert in September, but with my love for music I started looking for more shows that are coming to the Valley. Thanks to azcentral.com I found some pretty awesome concerts that will be here soon. Here are some upcoming shows that will be amazing and I really suggest getting tickets to!

1. July 24: Earth, Wind and Fire and Chicago at Jobing.com Arena. Tickets cost $29.75-$89.75

2. July 25: Keith Urban’s “Escape Together World Tour” at Jobing.com Arena. Tickets cost $20-$74

3. July 27: Aerosmith at Cricket Wireless Pavilion. Tickets cost $41-$206

4. July 27: Asher Roth and Kid Cudi at the Marquee Theatre. Tickets cost $32

5. July 28: Pat Benatar and Blondie at the Dodge Theatre. Tickets cost $42 - $54

6. July 29: George Thorogood and the Destroyers and Jonny Lang at Celebrity Theatre. Tickets cost $58-$88

7. July 31: Hollywood Undead at the Marquee Theatre. Tickets cost $23-$25

These are just a few concerts but there are a ton more! Get out there and see some live music! If you’re interested in looking for more concerts or events check out azcentral.com. Hope everyone has a Music filled day!!!

Lonni Summers

Career Field Exploration Opportunity!!!

2009-07-15T13:17:00.000-07:00

While looking through the lovely E-update Jamillah Anderson sent for this week I came across a couple of CFE opportunities. If anyone still needs to fill their 200 hours (Like me!) then there might be a few opportunities available for you!

1. Crossroads Youth Intervention
Mission- To help children, youth, families and individuals overcome the challenges of life in the inner-city.
More information at http://www.cryi.org/

2. D1Football
Sports Recreation volunteers needed as soon as possible. Contact: Dyzell Wilson at Dyzell.Wilson@asu.edu.

3. Food for the Hungry
For more information about the Internship Program visit http://www.fh.org/help/students/internships or email david.curtis@fh.org or brittani.thielen@fh.org.

4. Greenbuild 2009
Greenbuild is the International Conference and Expo of the U.S. Green Building Council. It will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center November 10-13, 2009. Last year's Greenbuild in Boston had 29,000 attendees. We are anticipating amazing opportunities as a result of Arizona's hosting of Greenbuild. View Flyer

5. Hike in Phoenix
If you want to learn how to run a business and what is needed from an official business card, phone lines installation, reservations center, on line and telephone reservations, to processing a credit card transaction and ordering snacks and refreshment for guests, and Take a Hike while learning, email Rob@HikeInPhoenix.comto schedule an exploratory phone interview and see what this internship is all about, or call 877 Hike-PHX and ask about out internship.

I hope some of these offers are interesting to you and make sure to take advantage of them! Remember we need our 200 CFE hours to start our senior internship so try to get some hours done over the summer! If you have any questions or concerns make sure to contact your advisor. Have a fantastic day!!!

Lonni Summers

“The Hangover” and Caesars Palace

2009-07-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

Just the other night I watched this hilarious movie called “The Hangover”. If you haven’t seen it, the movie takes place in Las Vegas and the main hotel the character stay in is Caesars Palace. Now I found it interesting that as I was looking up hotel deals I came across one in azcentral.com that mentioned an amazing deal for Caesars Palace. The resort is taking great advantage of its role in the movie “The Hangover” and is offering a spectacular deal. The Hangover package will be available for certain dates in July and the package includes a nightly rate starting at $120 and also a $50 food and beverage credit. This is a great deal for anyone and everyone who is looking to get out of Phoenix and have some fun!

If anyone has seen the movie then you know some of the crazy stunts the characters do and NO it is not allowed in the hotel, but if you are looking to visit Las Vegas then this may be a great deal for you to look into! If you want more information on the Hangover package for Caesars Palace here is the link to azcentral.com to read more about it. Here is also the link to check availability and to book a reservation if you want to take advantage of the package. Have an Amazing Day!

Lonni Summers

Take a picture and be on ABC 15!

2009-07-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I just got this really awesome link forwarded to me by my fellow StAR Eddie. Today for only one second we will have a pure numerical order of time and date. At exactly 12:34pm and 56 seconds time and date will be 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9. To me, that is just so cool! This only happens once each century and ABC 15 wants everyone to take a picture of themselves at that exact time and post it to their site. The photos will be put in a slide show on the site so make it a good picture! Be creative and have fun with it! Here is the link and hope everyone has a perfect numerical day!

Lonni Summers

Funny Videos!

2009-07-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

Just this Friday, all of us lovely StARs had a photo shoot for our website. While we were sitting there looking pretty, Candi and Amyann found some amazingly funny videos which I will now share with you! Of course this really has nothing to do with school but we all need a laugh here and there.

The first video is the Turtle Dance. This has to be one of the cutest things I have ever seen! The next video is The Gummy Bear Song. By the end of this video I swear you’ll be singing all day! Enjoy!!!

Lonni Summers

Big Surf’s 40th Anniversary!

2009-07-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone just wanted to give you a heads up about a great deal going on at Big Surf. Big Surf is celebrating its 40th anniversary and they have an awesome special. If you’re looking to cool off and have a ton of fun then you should hit up Big Surf. They are running a 4 for 40 deal online. You can purchase four tickets for 40 bucks! You can also do 5 for 50, or 6 for 60, and so on from there. The deal can only be purchased online and it is valid Monday through Friday from 2pm to 6pm. This is great for groups of people because everyone can pitch in 10 dollars and have a fun day in the sun!

There are plenty of attractions for everyone including our 2.5 million gallon wave pool which also hosts Body Board sessions Mon through Fri from 4:00 to 4:30. There are also plenty of body slides and tube slides as well.

Here is the website to visit to purchase the tickets http://www.golfland.com/tempe/. See you at the Wave Pool!

Lonni Summers

The Light Rail after 6 Months

2009-06-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

It has been 6 months since the light rail opened and it is as busy as ever. An article in the Arizona Republic reviewed the Metro light rail system and had many positive things to say about the system. Ridership rose each month and of the 27 accidents Metro has been involved with, damage was mild and also Metro was not at fault.

After reading this article I began to remember conversations I had last semester with many of my peers commuting on the light rail and hearing their opinion on the whole operation. Many of the Downtown students use the light rail to commute back and forth instead of paying for parking or driving. Reflecting back on those conversations I realized that many of the student opinions I encountered were not always that positive. Many students disliked being crammed into train with a ton of people due to a baseball or basketball game. Some students also felt uncomfortable with the occasional encounter with a “sketchy” rider. I also remember many students complaining when the train was late due to an accident and because the train was late, they were late for their class. Now I realize that nothing is perfect but after reading the article in the Arizona Republic I found that the positives outweigh the negatives.

One awesome benefit of the Metro light rail is the money saved on gas and parking. As ASU students we all know how expensive a parking permit can be and if I can find a way to say a couple hundred bucks I’ll take it! Also rush hour traffic can be a pain to deal with especially if you’re driving back and forth from Tempe to Phoenix. The light rail avoids all that I-10 traffic and gets you from point A to point B without sitting bumper to bumper. By riding the light rail we also pollute less! We don’t use our cars with means less pollutants in the air. One other benefit of riding the Metro is meeting people. Yes it can be a little crowded at times, but I have met many interesting people and students while riding the train.

I have to say that the light rail is great for us students. It looks like the Metro light rail is here to stay and hopefully the longer it runs the better it will get! Any comments or concerns about the light rail feel free to let me know! Have an Awesome Day!!!!

Lonni Summers

Pictures from My Trip to the Philippines!

2009-06-23T21:54:00.000-07:00

My Trip to the Philippines

2009-06-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

On June 11th I returned from a three week trip to the Philippines and it was amazing. This was my very first international trip and I know it won’t be my last. Starting with week one, my sister, my mom, and I started our adventure in Manila. It is a very busy city with so much do! There are a ton of hotels, clubs, shopping areas, movie theaters, and other activities as well. We checked into the Renaissance Hotel in Makati, and then headed towards the newly built Greenbelt Mall. There we met up with a family friend and explored the very stylish mall. We grabbed lunch at a Japanese restaurant called John and Yoko, and the food was pretty good and had a great 60’s theme. After lunch we showered and got ready for a night on the town! We ate at a Thai restaurant called Thai Silk and the food there was delicious. It was literally the best pad thai I have ever tasted in my life! After dinner we went to a see a live show at place called Club Mwah. The performers were wonderful and really knew how to put on a show! The next day we took a trip up to Tagaytay and saw the Taal Volcano. We also went to this really cool restaurant called Sonya’s Garden. The setting of this restaurant is absolutely breathtaking and the food is just crazy good. The owner, Sonya, makes fresh salads, breads, pasta, and desert. By the end of the meal I was completely stuffed!

After three days in Manila we checked out of our hotel and headed towards the provinces! Our first stop was Pangasinan, just about five hours north of Manila. There we visited with family, went to the beach, and just enjoyed ourselves. After about two days in Pangasinan, we took a six hour bus ride back down to Manila and stayed there for just one day. We bought local plane tickets and then headed to the next province which was Baybay, Leyte. We stayed with family and had the time of our lives. Some of the activities we did were going down to the beach, tricycle rides, visited with family, and ate like crazy! One downer to my trip was I caught a slight cold while I was there. That was not all that fun, but I dealt with it and enjoyed myself even though I was fighting a cold! My family made some really amazing Filipino food and even though they didn’t have much, they we very giving and always tried to give us the best while we stayed with them.

After about a week in half, we left Baybay, Leyte and headed back to Manila. We took a 24 hour bus ride which was a little rough, but we got through it. For the last part of our trip it rained but it wasn’t too bad. The humidity was killer! Unlike here in Arizona, the humidity there can be a little hard to handle. On our last few days in the Philippines we just relaxed and hung out family. We stayed in Manila for about 5 days then it was time to head back home to Arizona.

Being in the Philippines was a fantastic experience for me. I had an awesome time on that island. The Filipino people are so hospitable and friendly. It was so great getting to meet and visit my family and I cannot wait to go back! I will soon be posting a few photos of my trip for everyone to see! Till then, Have an Incredible Day!

Lonni Summers

About Me!

2009-06-20T14:13:00.000-07:00

Hello! My name is Appolonnia Trisha Summers. For short, everyone just calls me Lonni. I am a new addition to StARs and I thought I would share a little about myself. I was born and raised here in Arizona and every since I was five years old I’ve known I wanted to come to ASU. I am currently a sophomore at ASU in the College of Public Program at the Downtown Phoenix Campus. My major is Tourism Development and Management and I have very much enjoy the courses within my major and I love learning as much as I possibly can about tourism and all the different aspects involved in the field. Right now I am very interested in Hotel and Resort management and I hope in the future my career will be in that field.

Along with being a full time student I am also involved in a student organization called Camp Sparky. We mentor 5th graders and talk to them about the importance of their education and how they should continue their education through college. We also discuss the benefits of a college education and how they can pay for school. At the end of the year we have Big Camp, where we take a group of fifth graders camping for three days and learn, be around nature, and just have a ton of fun!

Over the summer I work at Big Surf Waterpark as a Lifeguard Instructor/Supervisor. I teach people how to be a lifeguard and also make sure that current lifeguards at Big Surf keep up on their skills. This will be my third season there and I love it. I like the interaction I get with my lifeguards and I also enjoy meeting and talking with the different customers that come through our park. Plus, who wouldn’t want to work at a waterpark? It’s a blast!

I love being around my family and friends and without them I don’t know where I would be! I also enjoy reading, hiking, dancing, traveling, and spending time with the people I love. I just recently returned from my trip in the Philippines and it was AMAZING! I was there for three weeks and did so much while I was there. I will soon have another blog up with a full detail description of my trip and photos as well.

I hope you got to know a little bit about me will and keep an eye out for more blogs from me about being a student at Arizona State University and the wonderful world of tourism!