If you’re thinking about entering the porn industry, you probably won’t be able to read children’s books to elementary school kids afterwards. Maybe it’s because you’ll stimulate too many of their senses with all your clothes on, or because you’ll somehow send subliminal messages and slip in sexual innuendos while reciting Dr. Seuss rhymes. Sorry, but after a career like that, you’re simply…unfit for this kind of thing.

Okay, so the above is not the exact word-for-word reaction of Emerson Elementary School parents, but I don’t think I’m too far off from what they thought when they found out that former porn star Sasha Grey was invited to visit the school’s 1^st and 3^rd grade students. Sasha read them Dog Breath by Dav Pilkey on behalf of Read Across America, a year-round program by the National Education Association that aims to motivate reading among children.

Sure, Sasha was a porn star. She even won some AVN awards during her handful of years in the business. But she hasn’t made an adult film in two years and is officially retired from the industry; she had a multiple-episode role in the show Entourage and has acted in a Steven Soderbergh film, among others. She also published a book of self-portraits and short essays on her sexual philosophy, and a portion of the book launch’s proceeds were donated to the charity Housing Works. In short, she’s moved on, but it seems like those California parents can’t see anything beyond her XXX filmography.

And even though TMZ took plenty of pictures and Sasha tweeted about it later that day, the elementary school is now denying the fact that her visit ever happened. A school district representative told TMZ, “We have several celebrities who read to our students each year. The actress you have indicated [Sasha] was not present.”

Maybe my moral compass points a little differently than that of a parent, but it’s absolutely ridiculous that Sasha is being bashed for her nonprofit activity by both the parents of the children she served and the school who was initially happy to have her. It’s not as if Sasha had a huge celebrity blunder and is now collecting community service as part of a PR stunt; she’s actually participating because she believes in Read Across America’s cause. How long should one wait after filming porn to actively support literacy? Is there a statute of limitations on scandalous jobs?! Are people scared she’s going to promote sexual activity over literacy or suddenly have sex with the kids?!?

Though denied by Emerson Elementary, Sasha reiterates how proud she is of her non-profit involvement. She tweeted a statement yesterday, a portion of which is included below:

“Read Across America” is a program that was designed to promote literacy and instill a lifelong love of reading in elementary school students. Promoting education is an effort that is close to my heart. Illiteracy contributes to poverty; encouraging children to pick up a book is fundamental. I believe education is a universal right. I committed to this program with the understanding that people would have their own opinions about what I have done, who I am and what I represent. I am an actor. I am an artist. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a partner. I have a past that some people may not agree with, but it does not define who I am. I will not live in fear of it. To challenge non-profit education programs is an exercise in futility, counter-productive and anti-educational. I cannot thank my fans and “Read Across America” enough for supporting my decision. Your support and kind words continue to inspire me. I believe in the future of our children, and I will remain an active supporter and participant in education-focused initiatives.”

For the record, Read Across America states that “There is something powerful about a policeman, firefighter, mayor, radio personality, pastor, high school quarterback, or grandmother sharing their love for reading.” The program doesn’t discount that love if it comes from a porn star, former or otherwise. Emerson Elementary School parents: neither should you.

What do you think: Do the parents have a right to be upset about Sasha reading to their kids? Or is Sasha being unfairly shamed after leaving porn for good?

[There are over 100 million sites on the Internet. 100 million! You might think you know about all the important ones (CollegeCandy, Gmail, Google, Facebook…), but there are thousands of other sweet sites out there (like Elfster, FashionStake, and GoFobo) and more showing up every day! We get it – it’s not easy or fun sifting through the crap and porn to find those gems, so we’re gonna bring the gems to you. Just sit back, kick up those feet and allow us to introduce you to the diamonds in the internet rough.]

There are only a few short weeks left until Christmas, and some of you are probably either still stressing out about finals, finishing up grad school applications, or trying to finish buying gifts. It’s so easy to get caught up in our own problems that sometimes we can forget about other people. The holiday season is a great time to think about what you can do to help others and consider giving back to the community.

One great way to give back is through volunteering.
Love the idea of volunteering, but think you’re just too busy?

Think again.

How many hours a day do you spend on the internet, browsing Facebook, watching funny YouTube videos, and reading CollegeCandy? Sparked lets you put some of that time to good use.

Sparked works through a process called “Micro-volunteering,” which lets busy people (like college students, for example) volunteer whenever they have free time. Nonprofit organizations team up with Sparked to get work done for free by micro-volunteers. They post these tasks, or challenges, onto the site and site users submit their answers.

Challenges range in difficulty and time commitment–they can be anything as simple as reading an organization’s website and posting feedback to helping design a poster or brochure.

Here’s how you can get started: first, sign up. Once that’s done, you’re asked about your skills (research, copy writing, graphic design, social media, and more) and what types of issues you’re concerned with (such as animals, civil rights, or the environment). Sparked will show you challenges that fit your skills and concerns, and you can also browse for more challenges.

Sparked makes volunteering so easy and stress-free, you really have no excuse not to start giving back!

There’s plenty more web where that came from. Check out the other sites that are on Laura’s web radar!

Hey! Seniors out there! You guys ready for a round of twenty questions?

I am certain it has already begun for some of you. Those infamous queries – “What are you going to do?” and “What is next after graduation?” – can cause any senior to close their eyes and wish to rewind back to freshman year, even willing to regain the “freshie 15” just to avoid that Doom’s Day in May.

While applying for graduate schools and fishing through the job market almost always make a senior’s “Beyond graduation” options, a year or two of service rarely makes the list. Sure, community service like the Peace Corps and Teach for America are on the rise for recent graduates (especially with the economy struggling even more than Lindsay Lohan these days), but those only “employ” a teeny, tiny fraction of college grads each year.

Why??

Becoming a volunteer after graduation is a way to expand your worldview and options for your future, while giving you an experience that won’t soon be matched. Trust me, the stories you will have to tell will dominate any dinner conversation from this point forward.

As I am currently volunteering for a year with an organization in NYC, I know firsthand how intimidating the leap towards giving a whole 365 days worth of time and a solid salary can be. To help you discern whether or not you were made for volunteering, allow me to give you all the facts. And I mean ALL.

First things first, why serve?
Ah, the golden question. What is in it for me? Well first, I should warn you, you need to be willing to wipe that mindset away. You should sign onto a year to serve others, not just yourself. Yes, it will make your resume look impeccable. Yes, it will allow you to travel to new places. But no, it is not all about you. That being said, there are some sweet benefits to this volunteering deal:

1)  Loans, loans, go away!: Don’t you wish you could forget about this chunk of money that, in a way, owns you? Well, a year of service will allow you to defer those suckers for the time that you are lending your hand. Sure, you won’t be making a salary during your year of service, but you also won’t have to be wrestling with the banks for the next 12-24 months.

Plus, some service programs actually offer some type of reimbursement for your service. The Peace Corps, Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and Teach for America are just a few service programs that offer some type of loan forgiveness and/or monetary award upon completion of the time commitment.

2) Stand out credentials: Let’s face it: we are all competing against one another for the jobs out there. You are my best friend until we are both released out into the world, resumes in hand. Employers are tired of the same credentials over and over again, just on different stationary. A year of service on the top of the resume is a way to stand out and prove you can handle any challenge that comes your way. You will gain transferable skills in the year that will put you a notch higher than your competitors. And seriously, who can turn down a boost in today’s job market?

3) An experience of a lifetime: I don’t write for Hallmark but after that cheesy header, I probably should. In all seriousness, devoting a year or two of your life to humanitarian efforts will teach you so much about who you are as a person and what is your purpose in this world. It is an experience that many volunteers would not trade for any wad of cash.

Now that the benefits are all out there on the table we are ready to begin the search for a volunteer program that suits you!

1) There are plenty of fish in the sea. (Nope, that statement does not only apply to men.) Maybe you have some yearning inside of you to volunteer in Africa or lend your Spanish major to a little village in Peru. Perhaps you have always wanted to try out teaching but you didn’t get that education concentration, or you have a love for nonprofits and want to help more. All of these needs can be met through a variety of service programs. They are all out there; you just need to look for them. Apart from the huge organizations that everyone seems to know about (cough Peace Corps cough) there are a ton of smaller organizations that could use your help as well. For starters, check out GlobalVolunteers.org, UnitedPlanet.org, and CNVS.org. Also, utilize your campus ministry and social justice offices – those are the go-to places for instant and hands-on help in choosing a service program.

2) Find your glass slipper of the volunteer world: The important thing to remember is service is NOT something to settle over. You don’t want to plop yourself down in India to teach in a grammar school if the only thing you hate more than heat is children. Only apply for opportunities that strike you, ones where you feel like you would be comfortable in. Ones that you are passionate about. The year or two of service will be intense and demanding so you should at least be excited about the place you are packing your bags and heading off to.

3) Angelina Jolie doesn’t pay for service, neither should you: This is my personal rule of thumb: stay away from organizations that will make YOU pay THEM to go on a service trip.  Some organizations are banking on your desire to go to Africa and help starving children. (Yes, it’s pretty disturbing!) Don’t let them fool you. Organizations are out there who need your help desperately and they wont make you pay a healthy sum of money to give them your service.

4) Been there, done that: It is perfectly normal to have crawlers in the stomach over applying for service. It is no secret: this is a huge decision! The good news? Thousands have come before you, lending their time and energy to service programs all over the world. Attend a college service fair, talk to alums, ask organizations to put you in touch with someone who has served prior to this volunteer year. Volunteers are a rare breed of friendly individuals looking to share their experiences whenever possible. Ask them your three hundred questions: How did you like the year? What did you eat? Was it hard being away from home? Did you make a stipend? (And remember: if you are at a loss for someone to ask: there is always me!)

5) Get your game face on: Applying for a year of service can be as short as a Friendly’s application or as lengthy as a graduate school process. Be prepared to fill out a ton of paperwork, ask for recommendations from teachers and employers, practice your interviewing skills, write a few essays and/or short answers and have your transcripts in the mail. The task on the whole can seem overwhelming but keep a checklist, keep all your application materials in one place, and stay on deadline! Service organizations will frown upon late applications, so be sure to get on their good side and stay there.

OK, so I just threw a borderline unhealthy amount of words and information at you but I think you can handle it. All in all, volunteering is an option post-grad that too often gets pushed to the side. There is no denying that this world needs help and you can play your role as a teacher, an activist, a nurse… the possibilities are literally endless. So get out there, fish around, and find your own way to make Gandhi proud.

We have to be the change we wish to see in the world. Volunteering might just be the first step.

Your college experience flies by so fast that you’re often stuck standing in line for graduation wondering where the past four years went. You vaguely remember meeting your best friend when she held your hair back after your first frat party and you kinda remember that all-nighter you pulled to get 3 term papers done in one night. But the rest is a blur of theme parties, walks of shame, and begging your older sister for her fake ID.

Before you know it, you’re out in the real world, working a real job alongside real people, wondering what happened to no-class Friday and $3 pitchers. And trust me, it ain’t fun.

It gets pretty easy to get caught up in it all and forget to be young and crazy. That’s why, with only a little way’s to go until I hit the big 2-5, I’ve put together the ultimate list of everything we, as fun-loving and fearless women, need to accomplish before we turn 25.

1. Have a really good one-night stand with a gorgeous guy. Forget about your personalities matching up and forget about Facebooking him the next day. Appreciate the smoking hot naked body…and take some Plan B in the morning just in case, because if you did it right, you have no way of ever contacting him.

2. Do an illegal drug. Otherwise your kids will think you’re totally lame 30 years down the road when they’re all like “Mom, I bet you were so wild and fun back in the  ’10s” and you’ll have to respond “well, one time I drank beer before liquor.”

3. Live in another country (even if it’s just for a short period of time). You’ll get an entirely new perspective on our country, on the world, and on how far reaching American scandals go in other countries. Nothing like your Spanish host mom bringing up Monica Lewinsky years after the fact.

4. Travel on the cheap. Pick a destination and do it up, backpacking-style. Stay in hostels, eat unidentifiable food, and make sure to have anti-diarrhea medicine on hand. Once you’re over 25, your body will no longer be able to stomach staying in those places, eating that food, and experiencing food poisoning in front of a ton of foreign strangers.

5. Confront a fear. Doesn’t matter if it’s a fear of heights or a fear of spiders, figure out a way to face it head on just once.

6. Be brave and be bold and have sex with the lights on. He’ll find you even sexier, which will only boost your own self-confidence.

7. Splurge on an awesome pair of jeans that fit you really well. Bonus points if they also fit your completely different-sized best friends just as well and make magical things happen.

8. Apologize to someone you were mean to in middle school. Except for that one girl who didn’t need braces, everyone was feeling insecure and left out in those days. A quick Facebook message apology will brighten her day.

9. Make a real guy friend who is really just a friend. As in you don’t want to ever see him naked and he doesn’t ever want to see you naked. No points if you’re related.

10. Get a job working with food or working with clothes. You’ll never treat your waiters,  your bartenders, your salespeople the same way ever again. You’ll suddenly understand why they ask you to get off the phone when you’re ordering and why they request that you take your clothes out of the dressing room.

11. Figure out what kind of wine you actually like. There is life beyond Franzia and you’ll feel so mature and adult when you can tell a date that you prefer a dry Chardonnay over a sweeter Pinot. The best way to figure this out on the cheap? Go on a wine tour. You’ll sort things out real quick. Oh, and learn how to work a corkscrew. No wine is enhanced by chunks of cork floating around.

12. Take a roadtrip with your friends. The destination doesn’t matter. As Miley Cyrus once “sang,” it’s all about the climb. Nothing brings friends closer than endless games of “Count the Cracker Barrels,” hours upon hours of deep conversations (out come the family secrets!), and Disney sing-a-longs.

13. Try an exotic food you can’t pronounce.

14. Go to a college football game and go all out. Paint your face, lose your voice from cheering, and tailgate like a rockstar.

15. See a Broadway show. Even the most cynical people leave a show happy.

16. Go 24 hours media-free. That means turn off your cell phone and shut down your computer. With the exception of getting tagged in heinous photos that you can’t de-tag right away, you won’t miss anything.

17. Skinny dip.

18. Give back to the community. Whether it’s building houses for Habitat for Humanity, participating in a campus Relay for Life, or standing for days on end for a Dance Marathon, you’ll have an awesome time and feel really, really good about yourself. After a 12 hour nap, of course.

19. Learn to do your own taxes and how to manage your own money. It will make that transition into real life so. much. easier.

20. Take your parents out to a nice dinner. Because they deserve it.

21. Start a blog about your life and update it regularly. Sure it seems self-centered now, but you’ll be grateful ten years from now when you can reflect on your life when you were really living it up.

22. Go to a Pride Parade. There is nothing on earth as fun, happy and memorable than a parade dedicated to gay pride.

23. Go to Vegas and let go. Party hard, then party harder. Then hit up an all-you-can-eat buffet to sober up…so you can party again.

24. Learn to drive a manual car. They’re cheaper and, really, it’s just a cool party trick. Plus, from what we hear, it’s a major turn-on for guys.

25. Donate blood. If you think donating is scary, imagine being the person who needs it during a blood shortage. And if that’s not enough, there are cookies.

And the fact that I’m not going this year?  I’m not a very good actor, but I could almost pinch out a few legitimate tears.  You mean I have to continue to struggle up mini-snow mountain regions, and continue to suffocate under the restraints of my wool scarf?

Clearly, there are plenty of reasons for me to be bitter about my lack o’ travels this Spring Break but, I am deciding to look the bright side for a change. Sweating poolside under the shade of an US Weekly magazine or not, I’m going to make the best out of my Spring Break, and  – turns out – it is easier than I thought because you can:

1. Finally catch up on all of those books you’ve been reading (or not reading).

College is so stressful, sometimes I find myself being stressed out about the weekly T.V. shows I am trying to catch up on.  It is time to sit down and freakin’ relax. I know I have about five books I’m currently trying to read at the same time, and nothing strains my stress greater than a quality read. So kick those feet back, flip on the fireplace switch, and get reading.

2. Think of all the moo-lah you are saving!? You can spend a (small) portion on a facial. Why not?

Deciding (or being forced against your will) to not attend Spring Break just made you ten times richer.  Don’t get me wrong, in the midst of running to class and cursing the cold-I would give my left leg to catch a flight to Margaritaville.  But on the other hand, you have a lot more breathing room when it comes to the dough. Go spend a little bit of it on a facial, or for the construction of a new iTunes playlist (whatever it may be).

3. Use this extra time to get a step ahead of applying for jobs/internships.

With everything going on during class, your social life, and trying to maintain a close relationship with Mr. Treadmill, it is super difficult to navigate a time to apply for jobs and internships during the school year.  Spring Break is the perfect time to stick your nose in front of the pack and apply, apply, apply for jobs and internships.  Use this time to do some extra research on jobs, networking with experts in your field of study, and editing your LinkedIn profile. It may not be as fun as a keg stand via pool side, but the benefits are way up their on the ‘success scale.’

4. Get involved with some volunteer work during your free time.

This is a great and feel-good way to spend your Spring Break.  Not only are you keeping  yourself occupied, but you are giving back to your community. Try calling a local non-profit organization or even a museum, to see if they need volunteer help.

5. Re-acquaint yourself with your favorite letter of the alphabet: ZzzZZz.

I don’t know about you, but I love a good nights 13-hour siesta every once in a while.  Sleeping keeps you from getting raunchy colds, helps you lose weight, and most importantly, feels totally awesome!  So while everyone else is getting three-hour-drunk-sleep in Mexico and waking up with a monstrous hangover, you are nursing the bags under your eyes you’ve accumulated from midterms. Win.

6. You can explore what your home town has to offer. By yourself.

Even if none of your friends are around, don’t be afraid to go explore a new restaurant on your own, or a nearby museum. Really, when do you ever get the chance to do these things unless you are retired? And have you ever gone to a movie by yourself? Take it from me, it is amazing.  Nobody is awkwardly reaching into the popcorn bowl the same time as you are, you can keep your movie preview commentary all to yourself, and you can shamelessly go to the lame guilty pleasure movie you’ve been wanting to see forever (Dear John anyone)?

7. Call one of your old high school friends.

Now, even I haven’t done this in a while-which is mildly depressing.  But something deep down inside of me, really really wants to.  And there is never a better time than the present!  There are bound to be a few friends home for Spring Break, and I’m willing to bet it is refreshing to talk over coffee with the people who stood next to you when you hit your 5-year long awkward stage in middle school. Now that is something you guys can talk about.

8. Learn how to cook.

If you’ve gotten a chance to watch the movie ‘Julie & Julia’ this idea will really tickle your fancy. If you’re at home, Mom is sure to have some serious cookbooks sitting around, and if not, Google up a storm for some awesome recipes for whatever you are craving at the moment, and get cooking!  And they don’t have to be food recipes, either; learn how to make a few tasty cocktails for when everyone returns.  If anything, when your roommates return from vaca, they will probably adore you for your (feeble attempt) at out-cooking Rachel Ray.

9. Watch an entire television series (just because you can).

Now, this is something I’ve been wanting to do for ages now, specifically with the three seasons of MadMen. So I am sure everyone has a television sitcom they want to get their hands on (and finished) in one week.  So why not take the time to tackle your utmost guilty pleasure via television and get watching!

10. Spend some quality time with family.

Nothing is better than sprawling out on your couch at home and having one of those totally crazy conversations with your family.  Did Dad really just say that out loud? Your family never gets to see you when you are away at college, and this is the perfect time to relax at home prove to them how much you’ve missed them (and the scene in their refrigerator).

So with the recent influx of Spiedi-bites and Guidette catfights on MTV, there is finally hope for our generation to be remembered for some old fashioned do-gooding.

MTV’s latest reality show, The Buried Life, chronicles the journey of four boys from Canada, (Ben, Duncan (<3), Jonnie and Dave) who realized that they didn’t want to die with unfulfilled lives, so they wrote out a list of things they wanted to do before they died, bought a bus (Penelope) and set out to accomplish their own “bucket lists.”  But in addition to every dream they crossed off on their lists,  they decided that they would do one thing for someone else, making it doubly fulfilling.

In the first episode (which I just watched thanks to 200 pages of reading on Monday night), the boys set out to accomplish their sixth list item: party at the Playboy mansion (they are guys after all).  Two of the guys dress up like Oompa Loompas and attempt to get in through a cake and Ben dressed up as soccer star Christiano Ronaldo to try and get in.  The mission was successful as far as the boys were concerned, but not just because they got to party with some scantily clad lady friends.  They also (through some serious street performing skills) got a new computer for an LA grade school in need.

Pretty great, right? And not just for them or those students with a sweet new computer; The Buried Life has already totally inspired me. These guys have decided that they are not going to live their lives without a purpose and are not only accomplishing things that are their personal dreams, but are helping others to do the same.  They’ve made me realize (yes, after only one episode…that involved Hugh Hefner) that everyone’s dreams can be realized, even my own. Like singing in front of a large audience, or performing (and not bombing) some stand up comedy.

So what about you guys?  With The Buried Life in mind, what’s on your bucket list?  What would you need to do or say to feel that you have had a life fulfilled?  Sound off!

Summer date ideas? Thanks, Tuffy!

Olivia

P.S. Cheap ones would be good because I’m still in college! Thanks!

Dear Olivia,

Do I have some ideas for you? Answer: Yes. Yes, I do.

(1) Go Swimming

Find out where the neighborhood pool is. (Even better if you can find a neighborhood beach!!) Slather each other with sunblock and head over for a guilt-free indulgence. Yeah, you’ll have to put up with all the neighborhood kids, but it’s so much cuter that way, anyway. At the end of the day, when you’re done splashing and sunbathing, take a cool nighttime walk home.

(2) Paint Each Other

Pick up some cheap supplies (don’t worry about quality here–this is just for fun) and paint pictures of each other. Laugh hysterically at what you each come up with–and compliment each other for seeing things other people would never have seen. Got a little messy? Shower’s this way…

(3) Have a Neighborhood Date

Do all the stuff you’d do if you were visiting your town. Do the local tourist attractions (no matter how lame). Look in the paper and find events. Spend the whole day like you were on vacation in your own town. Eat at the neighborhood favorite. And then go home and finish the vacation with dessert! (Winkyface.)

(4) Learn Something New Together

This is a great chance to get to know each other! Spend at least an hour talking about all the different things you always wished you knew how to do. Compile a list and then find the things you have in common. Pick something to learn and find an event or a class at which you can learn it. And then learn the heck out of it. Voila! Something new you can do together whenever you want!

(5) Volunteer Together

Find something you both feel passionate about – kids, animals, old people, iguanas, bananas, anything works – and find a local organization that helps. Volunteer together once, once a week, once a month, whatever. You’ll bond and do some good at the same time.

Have fun, summer cat!

Anybody else have any great date ideas?! Post ‘em below!

Hearts & Skulls,

Tuffy Luv

When I think of spring break, I usually imagine lounging on a beach in Mexico sipping some type of frozen cocktail by day and dancing at a nightclub with all my friends by night.

This March, instead of doing any of the above, I’ll be in New Orleans with 11 strangers, volunteering at an animal shelter that was damaged in Hurricane Katrina. We will be walking dogs, helping with some repairs, and doing some administrative work. At night, we’ll be sleeping in an old church that has been converted into temporary volunteer housing (into which I cannot bring my flat iron!!).

So why would I possibly want to spend my break waking up every morning (without a hangover) at 7:30 a.m. to work with people I don’t even know?

I can think of lots of reasons!

Meeting New People: I wanted to meet some new people and do something fun without having to pay the expensive price of a ticket to somewhere tropical. What better way to make some new friends? At least you know that they’re all going to be nice; I doubt mean people spend their free time volunteering. And while it might be a little awkward at first, after some dreaded icebreaker games and bonding over scooping dog poop together, I’m sure I will leave this week with awesome new friends and memories.

Cheaper Than Cancun: While ASB does cost money, you can fundraise for it. I wrote letters to family and friends, and managed to raise most of the money. We also had several UNO’s nights, where Pizzaria UNO’s donated 20% of the price of every meal towards our program. While I did have to pay a little out of pocket in the end, I saved a ton of money. Plus, I’ll probably be saving a couple hundred dollars by not drinking and partying every night (and day).

Experience a New City: The focus of our trip is to donate our time to fix up the animal shelter, but we also get to do some fun things in New Orleans. Our group leaders have mentioned going to the zoo, visiting jazz cafes, and eating at some well-known New Orleans restaurants.

Doin’ Something Nice: Obviously, the main reason I chose ASB was to give back to a community that really needed it. The other things are awesome perks, but helping out and giving my time is the real reason I am heading to New Orleans this Spring Break.

I’m sure I would have had a blast partying south of the border for a week (or, more realistically, watching reruns of Keeping Up With the Kardashians on my parents’ couch), but I’m really excited to leave for my trip on Feb. 28th! The only thing I have left to do is try and squeeze a week’s worth of clothing into a small duffle bag. (That’s right, no giant suitcases allowed!)

It may be too late for you to sign up for an ASB trip for this year, but there are tons of different programs out there. It is definitely something worth looking into.

When I think of spring break, I usually imagine lounging on a beach in Mexico sipping some type of frozen cocktail by day and dancing at a nightclub with all my friends by night.

This March, instead of doing any of the above, I’ll be in New Orleans with 11 strangers, volunteering at an animal shelter that was damaged in Hurricane Katrina. We will be walking dogs, helping with some repairs, and doing some administrative work. At night, we’ll be sleeping in an old church that has been converted into temporary volunteer housing (into which I cannot bring my flat iron!!).

So why would I possibly want to spend my break waking up every morning (without a hangover) at 7:30 a.m. to work with people I don’t even know?

I can think of lots of reasons!

Meeting New People: I wanted to meet some new people and do something fun without having to pay the expensive price of a ticket to somewhere tropical. What better way to make some new friends? At least you know that they’re all going to be nice; I doubt mean people spend their free time volunteering. And while it might be a little awkward at first, after some dreaded icebreaker games and bonding over scooping dog poop together, I’m sure I will leave this week with awesome new friends and memories.

Cheaper Than Cancun: While ASB does cost money, you can fundraise for it. I wrote letters to family and friends, and managed to raise most of the money. We also had several UNO’s nights, where Pizzaria UNO’s donated 20% of the price of every meal towards our program. While I did have to pay a little out of pocket in the end, I saved a ton of money. Plus, I’ll probably be saving a couple hundred dollars by not drinking and partying every night (and day).

Experience a New City: The focus of our trip is to donate our time to fix up the animal shelter, but we also get to do some fun things in New Orleans. Our group leaders have mentioned going to the zoo, visiting jazz cafes, and eating at some well-known New Orleans restaurants.

Doin’ Something Nice: Obviously, the main reason I chose ASB was to give back to a community that really needed it. The other things are awesome perks, but helping out and giving my time is the real reason I am heading to New Orleans this Spring Break.

I’m sure I would have had a blast partying south of the border for a week (or, more realistically, watching reruns of Keeping Up With the Kardashians on my parents’ couch), but I’m really excited to leave for my trip on Feb. 28th! The only thing I have left to do is try and squeeze a week’s worth of clothing into a small duffle bag. (That’s right, no giant suitcases allowed!)

It may be too late for you to sign up for an ASB trip for this year, but there are tons of different programs out there. It is definitely something worth looking into.

I know I do some of those things. I am a huge supporter of animals’ rights, but even I think that PETA is a bit extreme when it comes to getting their point across. And it appears that some of their members are taking that extremism even further.

PETA intern, Jennifer Thornburg, Cutout Dissection.com convinced federal courts to change her name to support Cut Out Dissection Month in October.

Now, I don’t know if it’s fame, pure insanity, or a real dedication to the cause, but this girl is making a bold statement. This is originality and creativity at its finest. All in the “name” of community service!

So why did this 19 year old intern do this? She wanted to raise awareness about the six million animals that are killed for dissection each year. The animals suffer painful deaths. She hopes to raise awareness amongst students and teachers to say no to dissection, and yes to alternative ways of anatomy.

Around PETA and to her fellow interns, she is known as simply Cut Out, but her parents still call her Jenny. She loves introducing herself as Cutout Dissection.com because it engages people in conversation about dissection efforts, thus leading to ways they can get involved and help the cause.

Although, I can’t help but wonder what strangers think when she introduces herself at the bar:

“Hey, pretty lady. I’m Jon.”

“Hi Jon. I’m Cutout Dissection.com.”

“What?”

Tell me what do you think: is this amazing dedication or just plain crazy?