During finals time, Tammy, Jenny, and I procrastinated with studying and started planning a trip. We ended up with plans to Destin, Florida and New Orleans, Louisiana. They invited a friend, Jennifer, who brought along a friend, Karen T.

Monday, May 28th, we woke and left at 5am to pick up Jennifer and Karen. Then headed to Destin, Florida.

It was a long car ride but faster than we thought. When we got there we ate a light meal of McDonald’s. We got to the hotel and Tammy, Jennifer, and Karen went shopping while Jenny and I stayed at the hotel.

Jenny and I all ready for the beach! Sadly, we didn’t get to go. We kept waiting for the others to come and get ready and go with us but hours later when they got back, it was already getting dark out.

Instead, we went out for dinner at:

McGuire’s Irish Pub
33 East Highway 98
Destin, Florida
(850) 650-0000
www.mcguiresirishpub.com

One of the owners signed her first dollar tip when it first opened in May of 1977 and tacked it to the Bar for good luck. Ever since then, people started adding their own. There are now over one million dollar bills all over the pub.

Free Bread – I’m not sure what kind of bread this was but it was pretty delicious. The sauce on the top was sticky and made it a little bit on the sweet side.

Irish Wake | $7.99

I’m not sure what’s in it but it was STRONG. They limit each person to 3 of these drinks … I did not feel it but one was enough for me. Especially with the wonderful meal that I was about to have.

Oh, a plus? We get to keep the jar. A souvenir? Check!

Senate Bean Soup [same recipe as was served in the U.S. Senate] | $0.18

It’s $0.18 because that was the price in 1977. The Senate cafeteria raised their price to $2.97 but they still kept their same price. If you were to order the soup only, it would cost $18.00.

The soup was actually delicious. Especially with the crackers. I wish I ordered more! Definitely a to-try. I know it’s simple, but sometimes, the simplest of things are the best!

Irish Steak and Mushroom Pie [choice tenderloin tips baked with wild mushrooms in a strong-flavored Irish Stout Demi-Glaze and topped with a homemade puff pastry crust.] | $17.99

Look at that puff. The crust was so delicious. It was flaky and tasted so good dipped into that stew. I’m not a lover for cooked carrots, but I’m beginning to love them. Especially with the ones here. So soft and juicy. There was a lot of meat though so I guess it’s good for the price.

After dinner, we headed to the beach. Though it was dark, we thought it’d be great to get out there since the beach was our destination the whole drive there.

Day 2 recap will be coming up!

 

 

We went back to The Corner for breakfast. Nom! This place is so good.

This was the last few hours before the reveal of how much money they raised For The Kids this year. There was no open seats at the BJC. Look how gorgeous the sea of color is!

And look how much they raised! $10.6 million. Sheesh! It’s unbelievable how much people can do when they band together.

To be there … to feel the crowd. You can’t even explain it.

We all went to:

The Allen Street Grill
100 West College Ave
State College, Pennsylvania
(814) 231-4745

Free bread and butter. So delicious.

Pesto Chicken [grilled chicken breasts topped with spinach and pine nut pesto, finished in the oven and served with garlic whipped potatoes and steamed vegetables] | $14.95

This place is pricey but I was full after eating all of that. The chicken was a bit dry though and the vegetables weren’t cooked all the way. To fix that, I dunked them in ketchup and everything tasted better.

Marisol and I went to Starbucks then went to the Hotel Lobby and wrote a song for Andy. It was fun and it’s definitely a memory that will last forever.

Last day, Day 5. Keep a lookout.

For breakfast we went to:

The Waffle Shop
1610 West College Ave
State College, Pennsylvania
(814) 235-1816

Belgian Waffle with four sausage links [golden brown, light and airy, the one and only] | $6.95 One Egg | $0.95 Our Own Famous Home Fries | $1.95

The waffle bland but still delicious nonetheless. I ate it with my ketchup. Like usual. The food was not bad at all but it was very greasy and made my stomach feel disgusting afterward.

Which was not a good idea at all because it was time for the THON 2012 Tour.

We got to go down on the dance floor and see everything from the dancers’ point of view. I didn’t want to leave. So much excitement!

My friend is a Hospitality Captain and was working on the dance floor during this time but sadly, with all the people, I wasn’t able to see her.

We went to the dancer alley and saw such inspiration. The dancers get to see who they do it for. There were so many down the hall. But it makes sure the dancers get pumped up enough.

We also got to see where the captains hang out. They have designated sleeping times and rooms. Just look at that spreadsheet. It’s crazy how everything is done. The person’s name is even on there so if you miss your time, you don’t get to sleep.

We took a few pictures with some Star Wars characters.

A few of us went to:

Jersey Mike’s Subs
4123 Washington Road
McMurray, Pennsylvania
(724) 942-0202
www.jerseymikes.com

Grilled Veggie Wrap [grilled peppers and onions, melted swiss and provolone, lettuce, tomato, and home-style ranch dressing] | $6.45

I got it to go so that we could head back to the hotel and get an hour and a half rest time before having to head back.

It was very delicious but I wished they didn’t drench it with dressing. It was slimy sticky!

We headed back at 6pm for the 10pm Pep Rally session. But before that began, they got us doing some Yoga so everyone can stretch out. They think of EVERYTHING!

It’s amazing how much spirit Penn State has. I mean, I know they are a big school and it’s been established. But standing there in that Center, you feel like you are a part of them. Freaky to say but I did do one of their chants. I’m an imposter.

I don’t even remember what we did that night. I think we just sat around and chilled since we were so tired.

Day 4 … coming up next.

For breakfast, we went to:

The Corner
100 West College Avenue
State College, Pennslyvania 16801
(814) 237-3051
www.cornerroom.com/individual.php?id=2

I stole one of Cindy’s homefries. It was so delicious!

Corner Special [three buttermilk pancakes, two eggs, and your choice of bacon, ham steak or sausage] | $7.25

It was so good. The only thing I didn’t like was the eggs. They were funky tasting.

Everyone made fun of how I eat my pancakes. I usually don’t dip them with anything and eat them plain. I don’t use butter or syrup either.

But today I was a little weird and dipped them in ketchup …

No, it’s not weird at all ..

“The Original” Grilled Stickie Bun | $2.55

I shared half of this with Liliana. It was really good, really stickie. But too sweet!

We toured all over the place around campus.

Then we went to get some sweets!

Berkey Creamery
119 Food Science Building
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
(814) 865-7535
www.creamery.psu.edu

Alumni Swirl [vanilla ice cream with swiss mocha chips & blueberry swirl] | $3.95

I think that was the price. I’m not a big fan of ice cream and it gave me a heart attack that it was this big! Three scoops? I was hoping for half a scoop.

Nonetheless, it was delicious. Jakob got the same flavor as me. That’s my face of fear. Ice cream coma.

We all went shopping a little bit then back to the apartment to rest up.

Then came the THONventure.

THON Opening Night … geezes. So amazing.

Inspirational. One day, this will be FTK.

I bought food at the BJC while waiting. Chicken tenders with fries and the THON Theme cup. So excited.

Breathtaking. Unbelievable. We stayed all the way until they finished the Line Dance. It was hella long but so worth it being there and being able to live it.

We road the bus back to The Corner for dinner.

New England Clam Chowder [a rich creamy soup made with Meyer Dairy cream with chopped clams, potatoes, vegetables, & bacon.] | $2.50

Mashed Potatoes with Gravy | $1.95

So good. I love The Corner Store.

We went back to the hotel and hung out sang songs and talked. It was great and getting to know them was that much better. I feel more connected to everyone on this trip.

Three different situations made me annoyed and such but in the end, it doesn’t matter. What happened has happened and all I can do is pretend everything is okay.

Day 2, check! Tomorrow we have plans to go down on the floor of THON. I’m excited. My friend is in Hospitality on the floor where she helps feed the dancers. Hopefully she’s free when I’m down there so I can give her a quick hug and hello.

Hope everyone’s weekend started out amazingly!