The Huffington Post recently published a list of 10 places every child must visit. On the list: The Smithsonian, Yellowstone and Ellis Island. I remember when I was a kid and my parents somehow found it in their souls to take to all of those places.  We were a big traveling family and my parents wanted me to see (and learn about) everything. Unfortunately, instead of taking in the beauty of the Grand Canyon, I sat in the dirt and cleaned up my Tamogotchi’s poop.

In a nutshell: I didn’t let it all sink in, learn something or enjoy it.
And I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.

However, now that we’re all grown up in college, we are presented with the perfect opportunity (and maturity) to do some exploring and really experience some cool things.  Some of these things we couldn’t appreciate entirely when we were little munchkins not old enough to play beer pong at a real, living, breathing frat party.  And some of these things we won’t be able to appreciate to the same extent when we’re out of college.

So while our minds are human sponges and we’ve got loads of time, it’s time to explore the top ten places every college student must see.

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It’s official. I’m moving to New Orleans.

No, not because I love flashing my boobs for beads (it might be my favorite pastime, but I can do that right here in Ann Arbor) or eating beignets for every meal (Ok, maybe that’s part of it). I’m packing my things and hitting the road because rumor has it Brad Pitt might be running for Mayor.

Can I get a “hell yes!!”?

I didn’t think we could get a politician much hotter than the presidente, but it looks like the impossible is indeed possible. But Mayor-to-be Pitt is more than just a really freaking gorgeous face; he’d do wonders for the city of New Orleans. He’s already created a non-profit organization to help rebuild and his being mayor could do so much more.

1. He would Increase the population of New Orleans: One of the biggest problems facing New Orleans right now is the loss of population post Hurricane Katrina. What’s the best way to get people to come back (or come at all)? A hot mayor. I’m in, and I know about 10,000 other girls who’d be right behind me.

2. He would increase interest in politics: Do I watch political press conferences now? No. I’m too busy watching The Real World Cancun. Would I watch political press conferences if Brad Pitt was holding them? Three words: def.i.nitely.

3. City-Wide Unity: If anyone can pull a city together, it’s Brad Pitt. Especially with a policy of legalizing gay marriage and marijuana.

4. He would bring the attention back to the city: It’s been 4 years since Katrina and most of America has turned its attention to more current issues. But New Orleans is still suffering. If Pitt were running the show (or just walking around town without a shirt on….), the paparazzi/news/media would follow him and we’d all be reminded of what we can do to help the struggling city.

5. He would look hot behind a big, mahogany desk: What? That’s not a good enough reason?

P.S. Brad, I know my way around an office and I’m ready and available to be your Chief of Sex Staff

While Mardi Gras may certainly be cause to celebrate, there are probably some Mardi Gras traditions that should never leave New Orleans. If you plan on enjoying some Mardi Gras festivities on your campus today, keep these things in mind:

Flashing your girls is a bad idea, no matter what the reason. Whether it’s to score some beads that the frat guys are carrying around campus, at the guy at the front of the line at the cafeteria so he’ll let you cut in front of him, or to your professor in the hopes of scoring an A.  Also, don’t carry around armfuls of beads and hurl them at any girl wearing a low-cut top unless you want to get bitch-slapped.

Boozing on the way to class is a bad idea. Although drinking on the streets is totally normal in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, you probably won’t be able to get away with that excuse if you try to follow suit on campus today.  Also, don’t try to turn your roommates’ food at breakfast into a makeshift King Cake.  She probably won’t appreciate it when she goes to bite into her fruit salad and comes down on a hard plastic baby instead.

Wearing a mask/costume to class is a bad idea. I know you want to celebrate, but wearing a purple, green, and gold showgirl or court jester costume to class just won’t look right in the sea of sweats and PJs. And who’s going to take you seriously?  And you probably shoudn’t try an organize a parade through the residence halls or classroom buildings, either. This is one of the greatest days ever (next to St. Patty’s day!), but not everyone is in the mood to celebrate.

Not everything is a bad idea! Although you might not be able to have all the fun as at a typical New Orleans Mardi Gras party, you can still celebrate!  Gather some friends together for drinks, celebrate Fat Tuesday with a yummy Mardi Gras snacks road rally. Or start a new King Cake tradition: find the baby in a giant Hurricane. On second thought, nix that one. It could get dangerous.

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.

Very few stars these days can legitimately claim to be top-notch actors and musicians, but Harry Connick, Jr. is certainly one of them. A stylish crooner with a killer smile to boot, Harry puts the swagger in suave. His dinner-jacket-and-slacks style makes me want to slip into my best little black dress, some Chanel No. 5, recline on a velvet chaise…and eff his brains out.

Originally a professional jazz pianist, Harry got his big break arranging the soundtrack for everyone’s favorite rom-com, When Harry Met Sally. Seriously, hottie Harry’s eff-me-tender tunes made WHMS my number-one rainy-day chick flick, hands down. His work even won him his first Grammy! To date, he’s released several albums of music, from jazz to Christmas classics. Harry’s the kind of guy who will take you by the hand and sing your sweet little soul to the heavens of effable merriment, a true gent if I do say so myself.

Of course, his acting career has truly taken off over the past few years. His guest-starring stint on Will and Grace had me so glued to the television (Sexy Harry? My fave sitcom? Almost better than a good, long eff.) that I totally bought the series on DVD to relive every effable moment at my convenience.  Meanwhile, he’s broken out onto the big screen, with starring roles in Hope Floats, P.S. I Love You, and his latest release, New In Town, which opens today.

And of course, Harry wouldn’t be a great eff if he didn’t have a heart. He’s been a huge supporter of disaster relief programs in his native New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Yes, I know he’s married with children, but I’ve gotta say, if you ever need some (effable) relief of your own, Harry, you know who to call.

No need to leave campus – ever. The big brands are comin’ to you.

The Democratic National Convention would only take a day if it weren’t for all the clapping.

The question on everyone’s mind: how do I store my sex toys?

Save a tree (or a thousand)!

Set your DVR – Lord knows you won’t be home on a Saturday night at midnight – Michael Phelps will be hosting SNL on September 13th.

Low Alcohol beer? Why on earth…?

New Orleans just can’t get a break.

Get to know America’s Next Top Model’s most – er – unique contestant.

He asked his GF out via Facebook relationship status.

A two-headed baby. For real.

The 30 porniest American Apparel ads.

You’ll need:

a large skillet

10 oz. Turkey sausage

1 whole Green or Yellow Pepper

1 can STEWED tomatoes (make sure they’re stewed ladies!)

2 cups uncooked instant brown rice (instant is a must, any other kind will result in al dente Jambalaya. Yuck.)

8 chicken tenders, uncooked.

1 bunch fresh green onions.Chop up your pepper(s, if you love the spice). I only use one–because I’m still trying to teach myself to eat all my veggies– and prefer yellow because of the color it adds to the dish.

Slice the roots and tops off of your onions, then cut (the smaller the better). *Tip after slicing your green onions, wash your knife & hands, then rub your fingertips on the flat side of the knife (obv.) Tada! your digits won’t smell like onion all night.

Now slice about 8 oz. of sausage to the thickness of your liking. Teehee! Optional: dice another 2 oz. for more even distribution. Don’t be grossed out or worried if some of it squeezes out of the lining, it’s all good once it hits the skillet.

Speaking of the skillet, now would be a good time to start heating it up on medium.

Cut up your chicken strips into bite sized pieces.

Toss your sausage and pepper into the skillet, stirring for about 5 minutes, until sausage is evenly browned.

Crank that bad boy up to high, add a cup and a half of rice, 3/4 cup of water, a pinch of salt, and stir until it boils.

At this point, your skillet should look like a gross, gunky mess, but trust me you have done nothing wrong and this will only result in deliciousness

Once it’s boiling, cover and turn the heat to low and let the soupy mixture simmer for 10 – 15 minutes until the rice is cooked.Remove from heat. Mix in your green onions and serve! Goes best with a SoCo & Lime to maintain that Southern Hospitality.