I just got back from a two week tour of the supply chain in southern China and had the opportunity to try lots of cool fruits and foods and wanted to share a few of them with you here.  If you have a chance to try any, DEFINITELY SAY YES.

This past week I traveled to Seattle, Washington for the Net Impact Conference.  Net Impact is a community of more than 80,000 student and professional leaders creating positive social and environmental change in the workplace and the world.  I first got involved with the organization last year at Ithaca College and had the honor of reviving the Cornell University undergrad chapter my first semester on campus.  I hate to sound redundant, but Net Impact was what had the most impact on my my first year and I am so thankful that I got involved.

At Cornell, I have a stellar team running the club with me and we are learning so much throughout the process.  Sadly, only I was able to attend the conference this fall though.

Last year, after seeing pictures of the Net Impact Conference and watching the live stream as the executive board from my chapter attended, I proclaimed that I would be there next year, no matter what.  I started building my business casual wardrobe with "I'll wear this at the Net Impact Conference" as my mantra while I shopped.  I was looking forward to this conference for literally a year and let me tell you, the conference did not disappoint!

Being in a room full of people like you (in the sense that you can say CSR or SDG and they'll know exactly what you mean) is comforting and empowering.  I felt like I had found a home and wish I could have had a conversation with every single attendee.  Everyone had such diverse backgrounds, majors, and jobs, and that just added to the greatness of the conference.

The theme this year was "Game On" and attendees were challenged to take a competitive approach to making a positive social impact.

What I hadn't realized earlier was that Net Impact is predominantly a network of graduate students, then professionals, and then undergrad students.  On one hand, I felt very young and inexperienced, but it also helped foster a community between the undergraduate attendees and made me feel like there was so much to learn from the people who surrounded me.

One of the best keynotes from this conference had to be Stephen Ritz from Green Bronx Machine.  He was energetic, zealous, and extremely captivating. 

To watch his talk, click "watch again" and then the arrow on the right so you get to the video titled "Thursday's Keynote" and then skip to an hour in to hear about Green Bronx Machine.  The first keynote, Sue Desmond-Hellmann, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  She also had a really good presentation but it was not as exciting as Stephen Ritz's was.  Watch both if you have time!

Ever watch The Story of Stuff?  This project/movie was shared in classrooms with me probably almost every year since it was released in 2007.  It's a great quick video that really makes you think about what goes into everything that you buy.

Annie Leonard, the woman who is featured in the Story of Stuff videos, is Executive Director at Greenpeace.  She also happened to be at the conference wearing her hat as a board member at Ben & Jerry's.  It was pretty crazy to meet her (pictured on right), based on the fact that she's only ever been on my screen!

I met a ton of people at this conference that I am so excited to keep in touch with and reach out to for career advice and more.

I also had the opportunity to explore Seattle a bit, although it was pretty quiet for a Friday night!  I saw the famous and disgusting gum wall before it is being taken down, and even added a piece of gum to it (quickly followed by using hand sanitizer)!  I walked around the waterfront, Pike Place Market, and to the Space Needle.

Oh and I highly suggest a visit to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room on Pike Street!  It was incredible to see what they do with coffee there and there are so many hipster guys with crazy cool mustaches that it's definitely a must see!

This post is dedicated to Amanda L. because her postcard for which these were compiled for got lost in the mail.

Which was amazing.  Definitely not natural, but delicious smelling.  Only downside is that every time I showered I was reminded of how much I wanted marzipan and I really had no idea where to find marzipan while in France.

Are all French pool noodles solid?  Were these the exception and not the rule?  I'm not sure but I missed blowing water at other people through them.

4.  Everything comes pre-made and packaged.
Chocolate crèpes?  Chocolate croissants?  Raisin rolls?  Pancakes?  Any and all of those come prepackaged.  The fresh versions are better, but the others are there for convenience!

One of the ice cream chains I saw all across Bordeaux and the surrounding area was called ôSorbet d'Amour and they had this flavor called "Cookies" that I decided I should try.  It tasted like everyone's favorite shortbread cookie, a Lorna Doone.

So.  Many.  Roundabouts.  The French love using roundabouts to control traffic flow.  Some towns rely solely on roundabouts and don't have any stoplights.  They were fun to drive around and a lot are decorated interestingly in the middle, so definitely take note!

I recently visited Bordeaux, the Best European City Destination 2015 and retraced my visit of May of 1999.  Sixteen years later, at age nineteen rather than age three, I was able to experience the moments frozen in time through photographs.  I don't remember my first visit, but I can only imagine I enjoyed Bordeaux as much then as I did now.

I only spent a few hours in Bordeaux but easily could have spent days wandering the streets just exploring.  It was my first time experiencing such old architecture and it honestly took my breath away.  I saw stuff Napoleon built, that guy in history books!  I am already saving up to visit again!

If you have the chance, Bordeaux is definitely not a city to miss!