As a mom, I know it's hard to find great books about girl power for young women to read (you may recall the recent firestorm over the latest Barbie/engineering book. Enough said.). So when I find great ones, I am elated.

My first trip to Ecuador in 2003 was fabulous. As an ambitious 22 year old, I recruited a small group of young eager teachers and spent the summer teaching English to very poor children on the coast of Ecuador. We had a great time in the exotic land all the way in South America.

Do you like time travel? I do, too. And Doctor Who seasons are never long enough. I remember reading time travel books when I was young, and thinking - this is one of the most magical concepts, EVER!

Some places on earth are just magical, full of mystery, and have far too many places of interest to visit during one break alone.

Stephanie Barrick is a student at the University of Pittsburgh working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Communication & Rhetoric and Political Science, due to graduate in April 2015.

Remember when your mom, uncle, gramma, or older sibling read books to you when you were small? It was a magical time – maybe at bedtime, or maybe during the afternoon on a stormy day when you couldn’t go play outside (or head outside to read in a tree, as I did). Books and family – two of my very favorite things.

It is rare, when traveling, to find THE perfect restaurant. You know what I mean – we do the research (urbanspoon, yelp, chowhound), look at maps, try to figure out where you’re staying and what’s around there. But you still never know about service, food quality, location, and if it will fit your family.

Florida Culture for the Week of December 15 By Josh Garrick

Now is the time to make a list and check it twice as you choose from among the splendid variety of Holiday performances and events in Central Florida.  These are all “highly recommended,” and in most cases we still have about two weeks to take in the performances.