Information

A report on spring break destinations: they all rock!

Posted in Information on 2/4/11 by .

Enjoy beautiful sunsets while vacationing in the tropics for spring break.Well, if there’s ever a time to be wishing you were not in America and sunning on the beach instead, this week was it.

With snow blanketing half the nation and rain covering another quarter, students definitely did not want to be in class (although when do we ever?).

While some of us want to be skiing because of the new snow, the majority of American students would rather be at a beach, basking in the sun’s warmth on a tropical island.

While it may not happen immediately, booking a spring break vacation could help melt away those winter blues that have come on strong, especially in the Northeast. With another two storms already on the way, it might be time to make those fantasies a reality.

If students are looking to let loose, the best bets are Cancun, Mexico or Panama City, Florida.

Not that other spring break destinations aren’t down for a good time, it’s just that Panama City has been earning street cred as a year-round party hotspot and Cancun is…well, Cancun!

Some big names tend to come here as well, with Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino visiting Panama City last year.

A cruise between the Bahamas and Fort Lauderdale might be necessary if you’re looking for an excuse to be on the water for a couple of days straight.

These party boats roam the Caribbean offering students a unique spring break vacation, combining relaxing days in the sun with some nightclub themed evenings. In addition, a casino brings Vegas on board the ship.

Back in the states, South Padre Island has a backyard atmosphere, especially at Louie’s nightclub, which has a waterfront restaurant, a sun deck and a sports bar. Acts such as Sean Paul and Coolio have come here, and as if that wasn’t enough, Louie’s has a go-cart track, bungee jumping and tons of other fun activities.

For a classier affair, Acapulco is the place that started spring break and it still parties on late into the night every year during college vacation. With fireworks, all-you-can drink deals and people dressed to impress, this is the place to be for a spectacle. Massive light shows and sound systems keep the students partying all night… and sometimes until noon! We want to go.

During the day, pool gatherings, concerts and contests make this stop a 24-hour party zone.

A little bit north of Acapulco is one of the most unusual spring break destinations – Puerto Vallarta (which, for whatever reason, we find really fun to say. Puerto Bai-yar-tah). With relaxing accommodations, this is the place to go if you like to get a good night’s sleep.

Not that there isn’t any good parties to be found… it’s just really hard to get out of those comfy beds! Although, there are plenty of things to do there without leaving the room…

On the Caribbean islands, an exotic adventure awaits.

The Bahamas, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic offer something a little different from spring breaks in Mexico or the United States.

In Nassau, the massive crowds are nowhere to be found. This a place where everything is intimate and everyone knows your name by the end of the week (like Cheers, only without the late 80s/early 90s overtones).

Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, offers some great excursions around the island such as jungle safaris, dolphin encounters and helicopter rides. This is also one of the best places for day parties, as there are plenty of DJs spinning tunes on the beaches, at the pools and in the clubs.

Open-air bars dominate Negril, Jamaica, allowing students to party under the stars – are rare treat, even in the Caribbean.

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A lesson in drinking

Posted in Information on 1/20/11 by .

Stick to shots if you want to keep track of how much you're drinking. Last night was one of those evenings where Wednesday becomes a Friday night free-for-all and you end up passing out way too early because let’s face it, you drank too much.

How does this happen? When alcohol beats the shit out of you, it seems to always come out of nowhere… like someone stabbing you in the back, only alcohol doesn’t deny any wrongdoing.

We have a few theories, but honestly we’re too hung over to dissect this sort of information right now. Instead, we’re just going to tell you how to prevent this sort of thing from happening while you’re on spring break – not that you’re really going to remember by the time you’ve had you’re fourth tequila shot, but hey, at least we tried.

First things first, know your alcohols. For whatever reason, different varieties of alcohol affect your mood and actions differently. For example, vodka tends to make us into fun-loving party animals while whiskey turns us into a complete mess. It’s just what happens.

Last night, we drank whiskey. We didn’t turn into assholes, per se, but since we know to avoid Mr. Daniels, we’re not used to how intense that drunk is. While sitting in a movie theatre (seeing True Grit, hence the whiskey), the room began spin and not in a “omg I’m on the Tilt-a-Whirl” fun kind of way. The “ohhhhhhhh shit” kind of way.

The lesson? If you don’t know how you react to a certain kind of alcohol…don’t over do it! We hadn’t drunk that much whiskey…well, ever. And we only had three jack and cokes! Needless to say, three was more than enough.

When you really think about it, three of those drinks means at least three shots of whiskey, more likely than not, however, you’re up to four. Which brings us to the next point: shots are wiser.

They may be a bitch to tackle, but there is no murky waters. A shot glass is always the same size, whereas with a mixed drink you never know how much booze the bartender put in. It’s easier to keep track of how much your drinking, ergo it prevents any sneak attacks.

Also a good idea? Water! Drinking water keeps you hydrated and lucid when drinking, and it helps you pee! We know, we know. That’s gross, but flushing out the system every so often is good especially when drinking as it provides a way for some of the lingering alcohol not absorbed to escape. Probably…we don’t really know. But it sounds like it could be true, right? Just drink the H2O…. it helps – somehow.

Most importantly, guys and girls, know your limits! Don’t pretend that you can handle three drinks when you know two drinks can have you dancing on the floor like a maniac. Drinking excessively never leads to good decisions nor does it do anything good.

Remember this lovely little poem: beer before liquor – never been sicker; liquor before beer you’re in the clear; beer before wine – you’re fine; wine before beer makes you queer (not in a homosexual sense, we mean the literally definition of queer: “not feeling physically right or well.” Thanks Dictionary.com!

So while you’re celebrating a fantastic spring break 2011 try to keep these things in mind. Who knows? Our advice might have just saved you from a night of praying to the porcelain gods. We’ve all been there, (who are you trying to kid?)… but none of us ever want to go back to that temple.

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Practice for spring break during the cold months before vacation

Posted in Information on 11/3/10 by .

Who can stay on the banana boat the longest is a fun competition during spring break.The month of November is a great one for college students. Mid-terms are over, Thanksgiving break brings turkey along with old flame hook-ups and fall athletics get ready for the championship season.

While there's plenty to do besides schoolwork, the cold can be a pain in the ass for many students. So how do you stay warm without looking like a marshmallow all bundled up?

As much as we want to skip class and avoid it all together, you are in college, so heading to class is a must. What you learn in class, however, is subjective, so here is our course on some spring break activities. Yes, we believe spring break deserves a tutorial before heading to the warm waters and hot temperatures.

Practicing for your upcoming spring break is a happy alternative to the winter months and daydreaming during class or while walking can provide a brief escape from the blustery cold.

During Spring Break 2011, parties will run all day long in the bright sunshine, so when it's cold outside, think of warm rays tanning your skin as you lounge on the beach.

Of course, sometimes that's not enough. Day parties are filled with more activities than just lounging, dancing and drinking.

Competitions are often a big part of these day-long events, so why not spend some time practicing during the winter months to make sure you win things like free VIP bottle service or food vouchers.

Jello Wars

Let's begin with the Jello Wars. Go out and buy one of those inflatable kiddie pools and fill it with Jello, using the leftovers for Jello shots (obviously). Two people can rumble to pin the other one to the ground. First person to fall and stay down for more than three seconds loses. Make it interesting by having a battle of the sexes match-up or do a couples tournament.

Dance Competitions

Girls who want to compete on stage in those infamous dance competitions should practice in front of some friends before heading in front of a group of horny men who will decide whether you have all the right moves. Have your friends be judges using scorecards and constructive criticism.

Racing

Racing is another big part of the party but running while full of liquor is a bitch and a half, so make sure you aren't downing 5 shots right before running a relay race. Your team will never forgive you.

Beach Olympics

Beach Olympics will likely combine many competitions in a decathlon-type event. Fun giveaways like clothing, gift cards and free entry to clubs are often awarded as prizes.

Music and entertainment is provided all throughout these fun daytime fiestas during spring break. Some times live concerts by rappers or R&B artists turn the energy level way up. Look for famous DJ's to stop by as well.

So when winter comes to college, begin practicing for spring. It may not make the snow or cold go away, but the copious amounts of running and drinking (to build tolerance) will keep you a bit warmer.

If all that fails, however, we have a one last suggestion for keeping warm during the season and it has nothing to do with competing.

Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate may be for kids, but not when you add Peppermint Schnapps. This delicious beverage, which we dub "Hot Schnocolate" is perfect to share at Christmas parties or even between close friends during a quiet night indoors. Bonus points for Peppermint Pattie shots (squirt chocolate syrup into the mouth, then pour the schnapps, swish around, then swallow).

Then of course, there's always exercise. Not the gym kind, but the snuggle kind.

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Waking up is the hardest thing to do (when you’re hung over)

Posted in After Hours, Humor, Information on 10/21/10 by .

Drinking excessively doesn't make for a good time the morning after. Waking up in the morning is usually the worst part of the day. Your vision is blurry and the thump-thump-thump of your pulse somehow becomes the never ending beat that stupid DJ wouldn’t stop playing last night… good morning, sunshine!

Life can be pretty rough sometimes when you are hung-over. Whether it’s a terrible headache or seeing last night’s dinner come back to haunt you, drinking excessively often leads to the horrible morning (or afternoon) after. Of course, there are ways to prevent this terrible event. You can abstain from drinking or at least moderate your intake and everything can be peachy. We, and more likely than not – you, classify this as “lame,” however and don’t believe that avoiding alcohol can do anything great for you… except save your liver (and money), allow you to achieve good grades and prevent yourself from acting like an idiot. But who’s really paying attention to that?

So how do you get rid of hangovers, exactly? In all honestly, there is no cure. Like herpes, hangovers are uncontrollable and unpreventable unless you’re wearing a helmet.

There are ways to make life a little easier, however, when all you want to do is take a hammer to your head and end the pain.

Water & Pills

Before you even go out the night before, fill a water bottle and stick it right next to your bed so you don’t even have to get out of the covers in the am to drink it. Leave two ibuprofen pills next to the water and take them as soon as you wake up. It will help relieve any aches or pains in the body. DO NOT USE TYLENOL! Acetaminophen can really damage your liver, and your body is still processing the alcohol in your system, meaning the pills will be metabolized in a different way than normal that is really dangerous. Ibuprofen, however, is fine.

Try to go back to sleep after drinking in some water and popping pills. You’ll likely be dehydrated for the rest of the day, making it difficult to function, but at least you’ll probably have slept through the worst.

Sleep Alone

If you wake up and find someone is in your bed… push them out. Hangovers require plenty of space and quiet time for recovery. Let this person (whose name you can’t remember) know you don’t care if the door hits them on the way out. It’s for the best, anyway. Odds are if you’re still feeling it the morning after, they probably weren’t very good. You see, sex makes you sweat (duh), which allows toxins to exit your body, meaning the amount of alcohol in your system won’t be so high. Therefore a lingering hangover suggests a weak night of passion. Drink plenty of water after doing the deed and your hangover will be slightly curbed for the morning.

Food

What about food you ask? This one is a bit tricky. Let’s defeat the most common myth, first, however. Eating food before you go to sleep does not soak up alcohol as many people believe. It’s better to eat once you wake up and eat things that are grease-free like crackers, eggs or fruit. Try to get in the FDA-suggested daily amount of vitamins so your body can recharge quicker than eating tons of fatty foods or carbs. These might make you feel better “thanks to the rush of feel-good neurotransmitters they help release in your brain,” Farah Averill of AskMen.com says, but can lead to some bad stomach problems later on in the day.

Advil & Cheerios

One man, a 23-year old teacher, gives advice that actually may be the most unnecessarily over-share we’ve heard in a while. “Nalgene of water. 4 Advil. A banana box of cheerios (stops the weird beer poop and makes you burp). Chain smoke,” the recent college graduate says bluntly. We’re not sure chain smoking will help, but the rest will. We apologize for the vivid language of his Cheerios reasoning but we all know it’s true – beer can be a bitch, sometimes. We don’t suggest smoking is good either, if you don’t know why click here. Burping will help get up any gas your body is holding in and may relieve some of the belly aches from eating all that bacon you’re going to eat despite it being a bad idea. Honestly, who can resist bacon when you’re hung-over? It’s like trying to take cake away from a fat kid.

While AskMen.com says don’t have a Mimosa or Bloody Mary to make the pain go away, we disagree. Bloody Mary’s might not be the best, but it will unclog your pores and allow you to sweat a bit out. Mimosas knock you out for another hour or so if you just close your eyes.

A nice way to alleviate a headache is to put a cool washcloth over your forehead and lie down. Put on some calming music and try to sleep some more.

Secret Sauce

Here’s a weird question: ever seen Cabaret? Probably not (le sigh, no one sees musicals anymore), but in it, the main character has a hangover cure that sounds absolutely disgusting yet is #7 on The Top 10 Legendary Hangover Cures list by AskMen. Called “Jeeves’ Secret Concoction,” mix 1 raw egg, 1/4 oz Worcestershire sauce and 1/4 oz Tobasco in a glass and swig it down in one swoop. The movie calls it a Prairie Oyster, but that’s wrong…those have vodka and ketchup in addition to the ingredients above. Think you can handle that? Yah, we couldn’t either, but apparently it really works. So for those who love a challenge…drink on!

Of course, in all reality…nothing can cure a hangover. When you’re sleeping you’re still detoxifying. Only time will give you the benefit of feeling healthy again, but who knows when that will be?

We hope you’re only hung-over on the weekends, but for times like spring break when you’re drunk all week, we hope you take some breaks. Enjoy the sun sober, drink some water and spend a day by the pool or sleeping. The potential sexual encounters will still be there when you wake up.

So, naïve college students, stop trying to fight a losing battle…give in to the hangover and use these cures that aren’t actually cures to make your mornings-after a little brighter and a little less painful.

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What NOT to do on spring break

Posted in Information on 9/22/10 by .

Spring break calls for fun and responsibilitySpring break is an amazing time for college students. The sun shines all day long, parties last day and night, and everyone is smart and responsible, right?

Yeah, that’s what we thought.

Everyone has their spring break horror stories but for those who have never been away on a college break, here is some advice to ensure that your vacation is amazing and fun without creating drama or making a fool of yourself.

Don’t hang out alone

First off and most importantly, never walk alone. Have a buddy that is always by your side and make a game plan so that at least one of you is always in the right frame of mind. How many stories have you heard about students being robbed/mugged or found passed out on the beach? Don’t let it be you!

Don’t get all “girls gone wild”

Trashy reality shows are always fun to watch, but anyone can see them… like your family! Wet T-shirt contests might be a great way to show off, but remember a lot of these contests are videotaped. A girl we know told us that her entire family witnessed her-ahem-performance on on E! two months after spring break. Horrifying? Yup!

Don’t do the boardwalk of shame

In addition, avoid the “boardwalk of shame,” says Cosmopolitan. Walking home in the morning is never any fun and your hair will be a mess. A good way to avoid this is to stick with your buddy! If you make a pact to not break up the group, there’s no way you can sneak off only to wake up in the same clothes as last night.

Don’t @overshare on @Twitter #hashtag

Don’t tweet everything you do! Twitter and Facebook updates might be fun and make you feel important, but no one needs to know what happens on spring break. It’s like Vegas: What happens there, stays there. In addition, using your cell phone in a different country is wicked expensive. Your parents (or whoever pays the bill) will not appreciate paying $1 every time you walk into a bar and announce your arrival via Twitter.

Don’t do homework

Some students on break might be nervous about their school work upon arrival back to reality. Spring break destinations, while relaxing, are not meant for reading! Leave the books at home. Your friends will thank you for not making them help figure out how to reduce fractions.

Don’t get hurt

Want to act like a superhero? Sorry! You can’t all of a sudden magically fly on spring break. Jumping off balconies into the pool is dangerous and the hotel will likely kick you out so keep your feet on the ground, guys.

Follow our advice and you’re sure to have a fun spring break without any regrets!

Feedback

Do you have any spring break horror stories? Let us know in the comments!

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Where To Go For Spring Break 2011: College Edition

Posted in Information on 9/8/10 by .

Cancun is famous for its beaches and spring break partiesSpring break destinations span all over the Caribbean and this year should be no different.

Luckily for you, we have all the details that you need to make a well-informed decision on your best-suited city for Spring Break 2011. No matter what, though, your spring break is guaranteed to be filled with beautiful people, pool parties and a really good time!

The most obvious and popular destinations tend to cater to the more outgoing and party-seeking crowd. Considered to be one the most popular destinations, Cancun is the city most commonly associated with spring break. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, the beaches and pool parties will bring non-stop fun during your to any break.

On the other side of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco offer a similar atmosphere to Cancun.

For those who still have fears about Mexico’s frequent mentions in the news, Quintana Roo state Attorney General Francisco Alor says, “It has absolutely nothing to do with the tourist hotel area. We won’t have to increase security in the hotel zone.” Recent major arrests have also led to a decrease in crime across the country.

On the other side of the Gulf of Mexico, cities on the Florida coast like Panama City Beach are planning celebrity appearances far in advance. “The Situation” from Jersey Shore is scheduled to appear. Panama City Beach will also be MTV Spring Break’s home base. Just don’t pull a Snooki – she recently was fined $500 for disturbing fellow beach-goers while drunk.

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, consider a Bahamas Party Cruise where you can enjoy spring break on the islands for 4 days and then take a 5-hour cruise back to Florida.

Jamaica and Punta Cana, Domincan Republic offer the same spring break amenities (aka parties) as other destinations but are usually less crowded and more affordable in terms of spending cash once you’re there. These places are usually more natural than tourist-happy Florida and Mexico which see massive numbers of visitors year-round, creating the need for more hotels than beautiful landscapes.

South Padre Island off the coast of Texas is a popular destination for UTexas and ASU students. Take your newly found mate on a romantic sunset horseback ride; don’t let your new special someone have just memories of you in a bikini or always drink-in-hand.

Spring break options abound when you think about it. As we said before, however, no matter what you choose spring break 2011 is sure to be a blast!

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