Category: Travel

Aloha, Aulani! Hawaiian Graduation Vacation Recap

Posted July 5, 2014 in Travel / 6 Comments

Hello lovely readers! This past week things have been quiet around here, but as most of you know, I had the amazing opportunity to spend most of this week in Hawaii! The trip was a graduation gift from my amazing Aunt (also the one who took me to the Scholastic Warehouse Book Sale a few weeks ago- she’s great!) and it was truly an incredible experience, filled with history, relaxation, and of course, reading! Waikiki We started off our time on the island with a night in Waikiki, the first time I had ever been to the island of Oahu! […]

Scholastic Warehouse Sale and Book Haul

Posted June 22, 2014 in Travel / 13 Comments

A few days ago I had the awesome opportunity to attend the Scholastic Book Fairs Warehouse Sale, which takes place in the summer in certain major cities of the US. I was able to attend the sale thanks to my aunt who is a teacher, who was invited to attend (Remember those Scholastic Book Fair Book Orders you used to get in elementary schools? These warehouses are the fulfilling centers for them and for the rotating book fairs they set up in school libraries). Most of the books are anywhere from 20%-50% off and it goes without saying that I […]

Oxford: A History of Children’s Literature

Posted February 8, 2014 in Travel / 3 Comments

While on my travel course last month, I was able to take a day trip from London to Oxford. While the primary attraction in Oxford was the two hour Harry Potter Walking tour, we also had five hours of free time to wander the quaint, beautiful area. What we came to learn was that Oxford has a history of Children’s Fantasy Literature, from C.S. Lewis to Lewis Carrol to one of the largest bookstores in the UK. First up on the day’s agenda was Christ Church College (see above), notable for having many Harry Potter movie scenes filmed on its […]

Remember when I said I was going to Hogwarts?

Posted February 6, 2014 in Harry Potter Musings, Travel / 8 Comments

(Members of Ravenclaw house outside the Warner Brother’s Studio Tour.) Well, technically it was a Harry Potter travel course offered by my university- same thing, really! I posted about it this summer, and I just got back two weeks ago, and it was literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for anyone and everyone, especially an avid reader and Harry Potter fanatic like me. (Oh hey, Tom Riddle Sr.’s Grave) The course was an honors course, titled “Deconstructing Hogwarts: A Critical Examination of Harry Potter in Context.” Only twenty students were selected to go, evenly divided into the four Hogwarts houses, and each […]

Breaking My Own British News

Posted July 23, 2013 in Travel / 1 Comment

With all eyes, ears, and media outlets focused on the arrival of the newest heir to the British throne (also, mad props to Kate Middleton, who had to appear a cheery and glowing pregnant woman in the face of severe morning sickness, constant comparisons to Kim Kardashian, and a baby who just seemed to be fine hanging out in the womb as long as he pleased), I also have my own exciting news to announce… I’m getting the amazing opportunity through my university to go to London next term for a Harry Potter travel course! As if this wasn’t reason […]