travel Archives - Ellie Lewis

Pack the Perfect Amount For Your Island Vacation

August 28, 2017February 11, 2019 By elizabethNo Comments

In other words, how to pack a normal amount of clothing when going to a low maintenance location. I try to use these tips I'm about to share with you no matter where I'm going. If you're like me, than it's hard not to overpack because you are NOT an outfit repeater. (I would rather wear my blue aloha shirt over my long-sleeved, neon patterned romper and call it "street style" than be caught dead in the same getup as the day, week, month before.) For me, my most recent trip to The Bahamas was a way to put to use each and every rule I had learned in my years of travel. Every time I have returned from a trip only to sigh at all of my unworn clothes was a lesson that would lead to my goal for this trip. I would try to whittle down my obscene amount of clothing to an almost understandable amount for the trip. Without...

What Was It Like Rowing In College?

August 16, 2017February 13, 2018 By elizabethNo Comments

Here I am. I'm dragging myself up the stairwell to my room on the third floor of my dorm. All of the get-to-know-you games I played in my classes today burnt me out. A poster catches my attention as I rounded my way out of the stairwell. It doesn't really jump off the wall, but it catches my attention. It said "ROWING" in big, block letters at the top. My cousin had rowed in college and always raved about it. It intrigued me. I stared at the poster for an uncomfortably long time, reading each word on the page. That evening, I decided to email the coach and note my interest. I sat through an information meeting two days later with the head coach, assistant coach, and four of the team members. They hooked me. The videos of the past teams rowing made my heart race. As a novice rower, I did not expect to need much commitment. A couple of practices a...

How Perfection Drove Me To Leave College

June 20, 2017February 10, 2019 By elizabethNo Comments

"Hi, my name is Ellie, and I have a fear of imperfection," I say, making eye contact only with my hands, which I have folded in my lap. "Hi, Ellie," you all chime back. "You see, I was born this way," I say, flashing back to the time I threw a fit because my mom braided one of my pigtails thicker than the other. "How does it affect you?" asks Yaris, the guidance counselor, who insists on wearing linen pants everyday and hasn't cut his hair in two years. I stare at him, as if I’m debating my answer. "Well, my desire for perfection holds me back, y’know? I get so overwhelmed by the idea of making the 'best' choice or needing to excel that I think I sabotage myself. So, I guess I keep picking the road most traveled.” Without thinking, I add, “it also has something to do with my fear of disappointing people.” "Wait, what do you mean by sabotage? You don’t produce your best...