While Mother Nature may still be busy making up her mind, one thing is for certain: spring is here. It’s safe to say we can finally store our UGGs away for the season and bring out our flip-flops and dresses from the closet. With a salute to spring, we can finally relax and enjoy the great warm-weather activities that make the spring season so great. In describing her perfect date, Cheryl Frasier (aka Miss Rhode Island) said in Miss Congeniality, “A perfect date is not too hot and not too cold. All you need is a light jacket”. And she’s right. And what better way to celebrate spring than with your significant other? Steer away from the cheesy dinner-and-movie dates and think outside (literally) the box with these fun date ideas.

initiating the gallery...

[lead image via Sweetlana / Shutterstock]

[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. Last month Charlotte tried to stop biting her nails. This month, Tiffany is going to attempt to conquer Outward Bound. Can she do it!? Could you?]

I’m starting to the get the hang of backpacking! It’s still not easy to carry 60 pounds on your back but it is becoming more bearable. I find that it is easier to carry the weight when I don’t focus all my energy on it. Instead, I try to talk to my crewmates (something I didn’t do before) and to sing songs in my head (surprisingly, I find that dirty rap songs motivate me best–I think it’s the beats, not the lyrics). But as I was told by my instructors, although Outward Bound has a way of making you feel comfortable, in an instant you can find yourself in your “stretch zone,” the area outside of your comfort zone, or even in your “panic zone”, which for me is hysterics and tears. I’ve already been in my stretch zone the whole time I’ve been of the trip but I can honestly say that white water canoeing and rock climbing have both put me into my panic zone. When I signed up for the trip I overlooked these two components of the trip. Now that I’m here I figure I’ll just have to deal with the challenges as they come.

Canoeing Day One: Today was definitely a challenge. We didn’t jump right into canoeing on rapids,  but we practiced rowing in pond since it’s still water. I had no idea that my fear of water was so great until today. I mean, I’ve been swimming in the ocean before so I’d say my swimming level is at knowing how not to drown without really knowing how to swim. But being confronted with having to go down rapids has really shaken me. It didn’t help that I was awful at being the person in stern, or back, of the boat. I definitely made my partner and I seasick since I couldn’t keep the boat straight. To add on to my terrible day, at the end of our lesson we had to flip our boat to stimulate what would happen if we flipped our boat on the river. This definitely put me in my panic zone and I cried before I did it. I mean, I knew I wouldn’t really drown but it was still daunting to fall into the water. I can say that I’m not looking forward to tomorrow.

Canoeing Day Two: After the disaster that was day one, I tried to come into today with an open mind since it was our first day on the river. But as soon as I saw the French Broad, I knew that I would have my work cut out for me. The river was flowing so quickly and there were rocks everywhere you turned, so I had to focus on keeping my partner and myself from hitting anything as it is the responsibility of the person in the bow (there was no way in hell that I was being the stern again). Before the canoeing really started we had to flip our boats again to stimulate what we would need to do to swim a rapid. But unlike yesterday we were actually in a real rapid–s!$t. Before my nerves got the better of me, I knew I had to flip my boat first. My heart was pounding louder than I’d ever heard it before but somehow I managed to flip the boat before I lost my teeny bit of courage. I struggled to get into rapid swimmer position since I was flailing around,  but I managed to make it down the rapid in one piece. I have never felt so relieved in my life! And honestly, it wasn’t that bad. After flipping, I felt like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders (as cliche as that sounds) and I was ready to enjoy the rest of my day, so I did! Logan, my partner, was great and we managed to go down all four of the days rapids without flipping our boat. I’m actually kind of pumped for tomorrow.

Canoeing Day Three: After a wonderful night’s sleep at a dude ranch directly next to the river (the only dude ranch in the southeast!), we woke up the next morning, hopped in our canoes, and paddled down the French Broad. Today, we stepped up our game as we went down level 3 rapids. It’s rare that a beginning canoer would be on level 3 rapids by the third day, but as I’ve mentioned before Outward Bound likes to challenge us on the regular. Level 3 rapids are a lot more technical, since they involve skilled canoeing in doing things like catching eddies (the slow water around the rapid) and being able to power through faster moving water. A lot of the rapids we went on today featured enormous rocks, waterfall style drops and a lot of hidden rocks–they were definitely not places you wanted to flip your boat. Being in the bow was definitely scarier than being in the stern, since I was the first to see what we were about to face. My partner also had to put trust in my that I would match the speed of the water with my paddling, since I gave the boat momentum. My heart was beating wildly with each rapid we came to but unlike the other two days, this time it was with adrenaline. I felt like I should be on the cover of some outdoor magazine as I leaned into rapids and dug in the water with my blade. I’ve never felt that strong or quick before. And thanks to Logan’s and mine’s teamwork we didn’t flip our boat the whole day!

White water canoeing really challenged me and I wanted to quit before I even started. Now, I can say that I’ve fallen in love with the sport. I definitely want to learn how to swim and to continue doing this in the future!

Check out last week’s adventure right here

"Just smile through the pain. Smile. Through. The. Pain."

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it here another two weeks. I may kill myself. Or someone else.

I say this because yesterday I was forced to do a mini-triathalon. I’m not sure if I’ve ever endured greater agony than what I just experienced. Alright, that’s sort of an overstatement, but it really was incredibly effing hard. I could use a nap right about now. Until next Tuesday.

Since my last post (and weigh-in) I’ve lost at least 7 pounds. A couple nights ago I looked at a picture taken of me the night before I came here and one taken the other day and I saw really exciting results. I’ve definitely halved myself (at least in the stomach area).

Other discoveries since this last weigh-in: Read More »

The following is the second of a five-part series I’m calling “The Top 5 Things You MUST Do In College.” Everyone’s already heard about buying flip-flops for the shower, stocking up on veggies to avoid the Freshman 15, and to steer clear of mojitos before midterms, but there are other tips for enjoying college that the experts might have neglected to tell you about.

This series is meant to provide advice for getting the most out of college, rather than just getting through it. So far we’ve already discussed having a professor as a BFF, and now we’re going to explore the college town…beyond the pub crawl!]

College is a learning experience that extends outside classroom walls. You’re not just amassing knowledge from textbooks, but learning how to manage your time and live on your own. It sounds corny, but it’s true. And one aspect of learning at college that many tend to overlook is learning about your surroundings: your college town.

You may know the basic landmarks (the freshman bar, the frat bar, the upperclassmen bar, the jock bar), but if your only contribution to the local economy is your weekend drinking cash, you could be missing out on much, much more. Whether you go to a small college tucked away in the hills, or a major university in an urban jungle, there is sure to be something exceptional about the land just off campus. Read More »

As we approach August, we may have started to take summer vacay for granted. In the dog days of summer, it’s easy to sleep until 2 p.m., get caught up on Maury, and not realize we still have our PJs on until it’s time to go back to bed. But with the countdown to Fall Semester ticking fast, it’s important to make the most of every spare minute. Whether you’re working your ass off or dedicated to being a lazy bum until a full courseload kicks back in, it’s time to get in gear and create some glorious summer memories.

1. Take a roadtrip. Sure, gas prices are skyrocketing, but you’re only young once, right? And once you’re shackled into a nine-to-five, you’re going to crave the spontaneity that’s currently yours for the taking. I’m a self-professed workaholic, but even I’ve been known to squeeze in a few quality roadtrips between May and August each year. One summer, I took a fourteen-hour drive to Ohio with two girls from work I barely knew, for the birthday party of one of my brother’s grad school friends. And no, my brother didn’t go. So, three random girls showed up at a party in the boondocks (aka Wooster), and promptly put on our party shoes. Liquor flowed, regrettable hook-ups were had, and the girls and I totally bonded over the experience. Even if you can only spare one day, find a town you’ve never been to before, and head out to explore. You never know what adventures might arise. Read More »

So we are finally in the dog days of summer (which I realized when I went for a run at noon). Some of us are working, going to school, or schlepping around interning. Others are laying by the pool sipping sangria (*jealous*). But, I think we can all agree that a break of any kind is welcome. Especially when that break is a trip to somewhere cool, offbeat and–the best part– cheap. So pack your favorite flip flops, airy sundress and camera and head somewhere, anywhere but here. Might I suggest any of these destinations:

Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico.

This 21 by 5 mile island is referred to asIsla Nena by residents, loosely translating into “virgin island”. Located only 6 miles off Puerto Rico’s coast, it is a hotbed of natural beauty and tropical activities. You fly onto the island after flying into San Juan, Puerto Rico, so be prepared with a your iPod, a magazine, eye mask or Valium–whatever it takes to get you to board an 8 seater plane to Vieques Airport.

Once you’re on the island, you can stay anywhere ranging from $90 a night B&B’s to luxury hotels, so whether you’re on a typical college budget, or you happen to have a trust fund, there are accomodations for you.

Activities on the island include: hiking, snorkeling and diving, biking, fishing, sightseeing and dining in Bravos de Boston, Vieques’ most fashionable town. However, the highlight of this destination is definitely its Bioluminescent Bay. The bay is filled with phosphorescent microorganisms, that glow in the dark when disturbed. Nighttime charter boats take you on a guided swimming and kayaking trip to the brightest bio bay in the world. If you’re looking for a tropical getaway that won’t break the bank and is off the beaten path, Vieques is it. Read More »

Well, the blisteringly glorious months of summer are upon us. Here we are, drenched in sweat and heat irritation, more concerned with our margaritas than all of the things we swore we’d be doing once summer came back when it was cold. Let it now be known; I am against this summertime laziness. I will not abandon the to-do lists I made in January for July. I will freeze bottles of water and let them nurse me through my adventures, because winter already depresses me as it is…I don’t need to add summer regrets to my list of things that bum me out when the cold weather returns.

So here are some things I’m definitely doing before summer ends…maybe you should add them to your list, too! Read More »

Most people love summer. And why not? You get to prance around in sun dresses, drink and eat outside, and enjoy all sorts of recreational activities that the cold weather just…ruins.

Nonetheless, I feel like a lot of people take the warm weather for granted! Having spent the last four summers touring the country in a van, I’m ready for my first summer off.

I’m lame, yes, but I’ve already put together a lengthy list of fun sh*t to do this summer while home. And I’m going to remember these experiences forever. I encourage you to look into these ways to soak up summer fun: Read More »

• Bartending in college is perfectly fine, but if you’re going to crush beer cans between your boobs…well, you just might deserve what’s coming to you.

• Are you ready for New Year’s 2008?

• HEY U R COOL <333!! Is this the way we’re dating now? Apparently, the answer is yes and we hate it.

• Zombies are coming!! Be prepared!! (Really!)

• This is the most adorable story involving Boy Scouts and helping and being prepared (zombies!) that I’ve read all week!

• Hey you! Stop being lazy, get off your ass, and clean out your life! Get with it!

• You have a boyfriend and we’re happy for you! But please, please don’t turn into this girl.

• I didn’t even know people still described themselves as “Goth”. Either way, it’s certainly not distracting.