“Josh Recommends” for the week of July 16, 2021 by Josh Garrick
Final Weekend --
‘Energizers stimulate vitality in others; by interacting with energizers, others feel motivated and inspired. Energy givers are optimistic, attentive, reliable, and unselfish. They attract others.’
- Marcella Bremer (Positive Energizers)
I love this book—and I think you will, as well. The new intercultural memoir from Margarita Gokun Silver, entitled I Named My Dog Pushkin (and Other Immigrant Tales), is both an extremely humorous memoir about living an international life, and an unflinching glimpse into (as expected, with a global life) the never-ending process of cultural adjustment.
Here’s my recommendation for your must-read book this summer: Shari Wallack’s extraordinary memoir, From Hell to Challah: Rising from Fragile to Fearless, One Grain at a Time. Here’s why…
This book is an exceptional glimpse into pandemic travel, reconnecting, friendships, food, mental health, growing into fearlessness, the importance of travel and always expanding your worldview, and self growth. It’s one of the best travel books (and memoirs) I’ve ever read, and is funny, to boot!
With a conceptual approach, Chinese-born and Oakland-based interdisciplinary artist Zhang Mengjiao, aka Jasmine’s work investigates social issues of “immigration” and explores questions pertinent to the autonomy behind being a woman of color, Chinese, artist, and human being. Her socially engaged art takes the form of photography, texts, painting, performance video, and sculptural installations.
Heading to the beach? I can see it in your eyes…a day filled with laughter, play, surfing, paddling, sand castle-building, snacking, napping, and building memories. A day at the beach is one of those things that we long for, enjoy, and remember always.
The quarantine has lasted for what seems to be an eternity. But the vaccines were developed lightning-fast, and they've proven to be just as effective. As a result, people can't wait to roam outside freely, and travel agencies are overloaded with people booking their holidays.
One of the fondest memories of people growing up come from camping with family and friends. You just can’t help but smile whenever you think about the fun times you had whenever you go camping.
Even if you’re not a fan of outdoors, you can still enjoy camping and make the same memories with your family today. The key is to put some time and effort into planning your camping activities so that it can be a memorable, fun, safe, and stress-free experience for everyone.
Nature is a deep source of inspiration for musicians. At times, that might lead to a symphony, or a concerto. It might lead to a children's song, a dance tune, or a hymn. There are many paths to explore and consider nature through music, through stories of weather, time, space, landscape, and many more aspects.
Haley Vetere earned an Associate of Science Degree in Tourism Management (2021) from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). She is continuing her education at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Haley’s outgoing personality, combined with her absolute love for travel, is the foundation on which she based her decision to pursue a career in the travel industry. She discovered an interest in event planning while serving an internship at Hotel Indigo (South Side).