AIDS Walk

The 21st AIDS Walk Miami is going on April 19th. This is a great event to go to that supports Miami-Dade and Broward County. According to the CDC, Miami-Dade is ranked #1 in the country with the most HIV/AIDS infections. All money raised by The AIDS Walk benefits Care Resource, which provides medical attention to over 9,000 infected individuals.
The course is 3.1 miles and begins and ends at the Miami Beach Convention. Registration is free, but participants are encouraged to raise money. This is a very important event as it directly effects our community. So show your support!
For more information visit the event page.

Go Heat?

I know absolutely nothing about basketball. OK, that is a bit of an exaggeration. I was a basketball cheerleader in high school (I know, shocking) so I picked up on some of the rules along the way. Other than those two years, however, I have never been one to follow sports. There is something though about attending a sporting event. The energy of the crowd, the food, and of course the beer. I've lived in Miami for years and have never been to a Heat game. Now that my college career is ending, I find myself with a little more time for these sorts of things. They have tickets for $5 at most of the games. Yes, these are "nose-bleeds" but if you're not that into basketball and just want to have a good time these tickets are perfect. The downside? These tickets sell-out fast. So option #2 is to buy from season ticket holders. I'm debating whether I want to do this, because you have to buy a certain amount and I only need three. I can't make these sort of decisions, so I'll need a couple of days to decide. The prices are a little higher, but definitely affordable.

Campus Event

As FIU students return to classes after spring break, the overwhelming workload that awaits them is the only thing they can think of. There is one fun thing that students can look forward to however, and that is a free Ludacris concert. SPC is hosting this show for all FIU students on April 2nd at 8 pm. You can get your tickets with your panther ID card in GC 2240. So make sure to go with your friends and grab some tickets. This will be a fun break from all the assignments that are due the next couple of weeks, and even better the event is free. For more information, visit SPC.

Please Pardon the Interruption

When I started this blog, my intentions were to show the other side of Miami that few of us are aware exist. Although I only have a few entries, I'm finding this task to be much more of a challenge than I expected. I have discovered that there is plenty going on, but the challenge lies in actually doing these things.
There are a few reasons for this. Being a full time student and having a job means I’m usually not available to attend these events because they interfere with my schedule. My free time is Thursday to Saturday after 9 p.m. How convenient. I feel that there is an underlying issue here and it’s more than just not having time, it's about money. Allow me to explain.
First of all, the options are endless when getting ready to go out with your friends. My best friend lives in Atlanta and she can count the number of lounges and clubs with her two hands. In Miami, this is not the case. On any given night, you can find numerous clubs that are good. You have South Beach, Brickell, or Downtown (if you dare) as options. Once you choose the area, the fun begins: someone knows someone that knows someone that can get us the "hook-up." Meaning, get enough people (girls) and you get free entry and more than likely a few drinks (if you weren't lucky enough to get a bottle). The result? A long night of partying that costs less than a night at the movies. Yes, everyone, it is cheaper to go out a couple nights a week then it is to watch the latest blockbuster. The ticket alone is $10 and what’s a movie without popcorn and candy?
I am by no means making excuses for myself. I simply love going out. I'm also aware of the fact that $20 in my wallet will more than likely stay put if I go out to a club than if I choose to stay home with friends. This past weekend was a perfect example. Our quiet wine night cost us over $30. It is for this reason that makes going out so easy. Even if I can barely afford to buy groceries, I know I can have a great night out with my girlfriends without spending any money. Trust me, it's been done.

Bowling for the Grownups

One of my closest friends left today to move back to Ecuador (I’m devastated). For her last night we wanted to get everyone together for one last hoorah. The original plan was to meet for dinner and then head over to Boogies. Plans, of course, changed. At the last minute, a friend suggested we check out Splitsville at Sunset Place. Wednesday nights ladies enjoy free champagne from 8-9 and I admit that this was the deciding factor in our change of plans. What a great idea it was to go. I loved this place. It definitely isn’t the bowling alley I grew up going to.
Their concept: “luxury lanes and dinner lounge.” They offer a dinner menu that offers everything from sushi to filet mignon, as well as a full bar conveniently located in the center of all the action. We didn’t have dinner, but we did enjoy the free champagne. Once there, I couldn’t resist the urge to bowl. My friend and I laced up our rental shoes and gave it our all; it wasn’t pretty, but it was fun. I found the prices to be fair. It was $6 for the each of us for one game and $3 each for shoe rentals. We played for about 30 minutes, and I couldn’t have lasted any longer
After 8 p.m. you must be 21 to get in. This is great because you don’t have to worry about having a bunch of teenagers running around that usually storm Sunset Place on the weekends. It offers everything for a fun night with a group of friends. I’m already looking forward to going again very soon.

Wine and Food Festival.. at home

The Food Network is hosting its 8th annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival. The event is February 19th until the 22nd. The event boasts the top chefs and winemakers. They offer wine seminars, dinner events hosted by famous chefs, daytime events, even family events.

The catch? Ticket prices. With prices starting at $100, I wonder if the festival is going to attract large crowds like years before. With the economy being the way that it is, I can find no justification in spending this kind of money. Yes, I would love to go and rub elbows with wine connoisseurs and culinary aficionados and see the likes of Rachael Ray (she makes cooking seem so easy!). But alas, as a college student I just don't see it happening.

What I have decided instead is to have my own mini-festival at home. My girlfriends are coming over to my apartment this weekend and we're going to have a night of fine wine and delectable cuisine, and of course great conversation. The extent of my cooking involves boiling water and throwing in pasta, so we're going to keep things simple: Manchego cheese, crackers, hummus, and anything else that we can whip up quickly.

This will be completely different from our usual Fridays. After a stressful week of school, hanging out with my girlfriends is something I look forward to. We’ll actually be able to talk, instead of yelling at each other because the music is blaring inside the club. It is definitely a welcomed change from the club scene that I'm slowly losing interest in. Wait, did I just type that?

Just Your Average Weekend

The splendid weekend is here at last. The weather has finally returned to normal and there is some sort of “holiday” going on. There is plenty going on this weekend, both day and night. First, the annual Coconut Grove Art Festival starts on Saturday. The festival will continue to Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is the perfect way to enjoy the warm weather. The festival offers live entertainment, artwork, and of course food. Walking through The Grove, one will see everything from photography to sculptures. And for $7 a day, this event is a great way to start celebrating that holiday.

Another event going on is Romance in a Can Festival. No, you will not catch me dead at an event like this, especially this weekend, but I felt obligated to mention it as an unbiased blogger. Most of the movies are European and from Latin America with viewings offered in different areas of Miami. What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than watching romance films with your sweetheart.

Now, for those of you that are fortunate enough to have your freedom, there is plenty for you to do this weekend. Fridays at Heathrow Lounge is always a great place to go. Minimal hassle at the door, no cover for ladies, and a wide range of music guarantees an exciting night. Santos (where I’ll be celebrating a friend’s birthday) is also a great spot. Although the dance floor isn’t what I would call spacious, there is a lot more room by the bar. There are tables set up where you can actually hangout with your friends without everyone knocking you around. As for Saturday, the day where all your friends in a relationship will simply vanish, there are a few options. You could have a regular night out with the girls (or guys), but my personal recommendation is to stay home. Remember when you were little and Valentine’s Day was something you shared with your parents? Well, when you’re an adult and single, you spend it with your friends. Stay home, rent movies, pop open some bottles of wine and just have a relaxing night with your closest friends.

The Weekend is Upon Us..

OK, technically this isn't true, but this is Miami. Many people start the winding down process earlier than some. My suggestion for some Wednesday night fun? Bougianvilleas, aka Bougies, at Sunset Place. Ladies drink free all night and there is a DJ playing everything from 80's Classics to Reggaeton (you can't escape this music here!). Bougies offers something for everyone. With an outside terrace, you can easily enjoy a conversation with friends. It does get crowded inside as the night goes on, so stay outside if you can't stand squeezing your way through the crowd. It's a bar people, so leave your South Beach attitude at the door and get ready for some fun in South Miami.

Free you say?

My Wednesday night was unusual, to say the least. But this is Miami and it’s expected. After a little research I discovered that Bayfront Park offers free yoga three times a week. Unfortunately between school and a job, the only time I can make it out is on Wednesdays at 6pm. The idea of driving to Downtown Miami during the week at rush hour was enough to make me run to the nearest bar. Thanks in large part to my best friend being in town, I sucked it up and made the drive. Since we got there a couple of hours early (I didn’t want to risk the traffic) we were able to enjoy some reading on the dock that overlooks the Port of Miami. What an amazing view. I forget sometimes how close I live to the ocean and how relaxing it can be. I was ready for Yoga. The class is offered under a pavilion and is on a first come basis. Try to get there about 30 minutes prior to ensure a good spot. There was a cool wind and the Miami sun was just setting. As we began our breathing exercises I could smell the ocean and feel my stress melt away. Breathing in the fresh ocean smell was much better than smelling the body odors of those around you in a hot smelly room. As we went from Downward Facing Dog to Lizard Pose, I looked around to see a beautiful lighted Downtown around me. I couldn’t help but smile thinking that in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Downtown Miami, there was a group of 50 people gathered around with the same goal: relaxation and tranquility. The class lasted an hour and 15 minutes and by the end I had relied on my own weight to give me a great stretch and workout. My soreness today proved that I need to go back. There was a visible change in everyone’s faces after the session. Mission accomplished: tranquility hovered under the pavilion.

My adventure in Miami did not end here though. My friend and I decided it was time to get the tattoos we had been wanting. It was 11:00 pm on a Wednesday night, where were we going to find a tattoo parlor? South Beach of course. We went to Tattoo’s by Lou and in no time I was sitting on the chair gripping for dear life as the needles stabbed at my side. We left at 2 in the morning, but the Beach was still wired and going. Deuce, the dive bar across the street was filled with eccentric locals enjoying each other’s company. We went to La Sandwicherie which is conveniently located right next to the shop. Their sandwiches are amazing! As we got home at 3 am I realized that rarely did I come home this late without being at a bar or club. I guess Miami does offer more.

The Beginning

Miami is known for its club scene. It is very easy to go out on any given night and find a venue with an open bar and free entry. Because of this, my occasional nights of club hopping quickly turned into a downright weekend addiction. And this wonderful city I call home has done nothing but encourage me to party even more. With offers like these, how can I possibly be expected to say no? It is time, however, that I discover some of Miami’s finer qualities. Will I give up my late nights of club hopping? Only time will tell. Follow me as I discover the other side of Miami that I have heard about but have been too busy to enjoy, because honestly, who wakes up before noon on a Saturday?