COVID-19 had a more unconventional start for me than it did for many of my friends and peers. It was March of 2020 junior year spring break. I decided to visit my best friend, who was studying abroad in Prague. We planned a week-long trip to travel Prague and different cities in Italy during my time there.
Since I was a young child, I have always enjoyed traveling and seeing what the world has to offer. Growing up, my family and I were always moving, which allowed me to view and appreciate new experiences. Throughout my life, I’ve called three states, six towns, and 11 houses my home. Each place I have lived has taught me an important lesson and has helped me grow.
Prague, where the beer is cheaper than water. Prague, home of some of the best shopping in Europe. Prague, the city where every street contains magnificent architecture. Prague, home to the oldest castle in Europe. Prague, The City Of 100 Spires. With all the places to see and go, there was no time to waste. So this is exactly what I did and this is what you should do as well.
The beginning of a new year always leaves people questioning the future and wondering what’s to come. So when the ball dropped in 2020, it was not a weird thing for my family to wonder. As the year started to progress, everyone went on with their lives, business as usual, until a new opportunity arose.
Now, every night, my family sits down in our dining room and we watch two or three of the cassettes. It is something we all look forward to, and it helps remind us how fortunate we are even during these difficult times.
As social distancing continues, state and local tourism employees and those who operate short-term lodging options are feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as reservations decrease while event cancellations and postponements increase.
When thinking of where I wanted to go to college, I realized my sophomore year of high school that I wanted to be in the South. I would only look at schools at college fairs located in the South. I only toured schools below the Mason Dixon line, and only applied to those schools.
Growing up in a military household can negatively affect some people. But I wouldn’t be who I am today without it. Yet a lot of people don’t understand what children go through who have a parent in the military.
With the addition of a new mural on University Avenue and Oxford’s arts center, the Powerhouse, located there – this semester Oxford Stories is embarking on a small solutions journalism project. Our reporters are starting a community conversation about the possibility of a continued arts emphasis in the University Avenue area.
Portland, Oregon is a city with a population of about 647,000 people compared to Oxford’s 23,000. With the slogan “Keep Portland Weird,” the city focuses heavily on the arts, with hundreds of galleries, theaters and murals.
University Avenue is in an area that is transitioning with new business developments, and the street has experienced new business growth, but some also view it as the older part of town. Opinions are mixed on whether an arts district, or area of arts emphasis, would be beneficial.
Oxford, Mississippi is well known for its creative culture. Many renowned artists, writers, chefs, and other artistic people reside in the town. Travelers from all over visit. Some in the arts community envision an Oxford arts district with residential and studio artist spaces.
If you spend a lot of time on the west side of town, you may not have much of a reason to venture over to University Avenue for anything, which might lead you to believe business is declining in that area. However, according to two University Avenue business owners, business has been steady.
Arts, culture, and creativity can improve a community’s competitive edge, attract new visitors, and integrate the visions of both community and business leaders. That’s why some view public art as an investment.
To many outsiders, the South is racist, uneducated, country, and uninformed about events outside Mississippi. At first, these were my opinions too, but living here and experiencing it, the outside world has their views wrong.
One of the things that stood out to me most during class-time was one of our guest lecturers and his charge for us to think of six words or less to describe ourselves. One phrase he used that really stuck in my mind was “comfortably lost.” This is a good way to describe how I felt during my time in Ireland.
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