mandylain - Tumblr blog

[mandylain]

Greetings from the Garden State

One of my favorite fun facts in conversations is that I listen to a New Jersey news podcast, The Garden State. While that alone is not strange, adding the fact that I'm not even from New Jersey makes it a tad odd to people. Being from Upstate New York, hardly any of the news is relevant in my everyday life, but I look forward to the podcast each Friday. While learning about New Jersey is indeed interesting, the hosts Josh Sobo, Josh Chomik, and Jimmy Parks, weekend recaps, conversations, and humor make it an even more interesting and enjoyable part of my weekly routine. 

I started listening at the end of 2022; by that time, they were already talking about joining the 2023 Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights. I was intrigued but pushed it off, the typical ‘I’ll do it next year.’ When it came time at the end of 2023, once again they were registering, and I put it off till January 2024 for that same excuse. They spoke passionately in their episodes leading up to the 2024 plunge, so I bit the bullet and registered with my boyfriend Kyle. After my experience in New Jersey, I am so glad I did.

After listening to the podcast for a while, I knew some places I wanted to visit while there. We first started at the Summit Diner in Summit. Walking up to the diner, it had a very welcoming presence and seemed like a popular local place. For all the right reasons too, the staff was so kind, the food was incredible, and most importantly, they have The Other Fellow First Foundation, which helps and comforts New Jersey families in need.

Our next visit was the American Dream Mall, the largest mall I had ever seen. Practically any retail shopping or quick food you desire can be found here. I think the only thing I would have done differently is buy a point pass to try at least one ride while there. After a few hours of walking around the mall, we left to check into our inn for the night. We stayed at the Colts Neck Inn; it was charming in the suite we had. Everything was clean and very well thought out, like the bubble bath left for the jetted tub. 

To end our first day, we went to Asbury Park for dinner at Kim Marie’s Eat N Drink Away, an Irish pub right down the road from the boardwalk. The atmosphere and decor were just as terrific as the food, especially after a long day of travel. Our main reason for going to Asbury was to see the boardwalk and the Stony Pony. As a huge music fan, this historic venue was a must-see. The boardwalk was beautiful even in the February breeze, and the string lights from the bordering businesses had a warm glow in the surrounding atmosphere. On the walk over to The Stone Pony, you could still hear the waves crashing on the shore which was quite relaxing. That night in ‘Portugal. The Man’ was performing there, so the outside was busy with excitement. Even though we did not get tickets, it was wonderful to just see the outside. Before heading out, we went to a small bakery, Confections of a Rockstar, which made the most delightful chocolate tarte. From traveling on our first day we were quite surprised at how many highways are in New Jersey, at least where we were, and that it is illegal to pump your gas, having someone do it for us felt so odd at first. 

Onto the main reason for our trip: the Polar Plunge at Seaside Heights for the New Jersey Special Olympics. Driving into Seaside Heights early in the morning, you could already see the excitement from the first arrivals. The costumes, props, and overall excitement radiated throughout the streets. Checking in was a simple process of scanning a QR code at the dedicated check-in tent and receiving a ticket to get your incentives at the corresponding tent. Following that, we warmed up with Wawa’s Hot Chocolate, a sponsor of the event, at their station. 

After that, it was time to go to the Garden State podcast tent to meet our team, and, not to lie, I was super nervous to meet them. It is one thing to listen to a podcast each week, but another to meet the people behind the screen. Once I got there and met them, I had no reason to be nervous. The first to introduce themselves was Josh Sobo; he was extremely welcoming and kind, asking us questions about ourselves. Then I met Josh Chomik and Jimmy Parks, who were just as welcoming and asked us questions as well, such as where we were from. I'm sure it's not the answer they were expecting, but they thought it was cool how far we traveled. Instead of spinning the wheel on their table to answer a question about New Jersey more specifically, Josh and Jimmy had me name 10 New Jersey towns. I did well until 7 when I started thinking too much and got flustered because it was a surreal moment for me. Anything I knew about New Jersey vanished. But I am so grateful because Josh and Jimmy started giving me hints to guess places, and I did it—all 10! They were so patient and genuinely had fun with it, which made the experience even more rewarding.

Josh gave me a shirt from their brand for completing the challenge, along with some fun keychains and stickers for Kyle and I. He also informed me that they all pitched in so that anyone on their team could eat, which was incredibly thoughtful and kind for them to do. The burgers the Elizabeth Police Department had made were the best I have ever had. After we ate and walked around a little, photographing the boardwalk, it was time to meet up once more for the plunge. 

At this time, a girl named Becky introduced herself, who was also on the team. I enjoyed meeting her, getting to know her, and her reason for joining. A stranger is a friend you just haven't met yet; something I try to live by. We all hung out until it was time to plunge. The team walked together towards the beach, Josh, Josh, and Jimmy making sure the entire group was together, as the boardwalk and beach were incredibly crowded. By the time we hit the beach, the National Anthem had started, followed by the countdown. We all started stripping into our bathing suits and made a run for the ocean. It felt so surreal, running not only with the podcast but with over 8,000 people. Running toward the ocean with not a second thought was the first time in a long time I felt such free-seeking discomfort. 

Walking out onto the cold sand afterward was the worst part of it, as Josh Chomik had warned us. Your feet felt a kind of burning from the change in temperatures. After meeting up once more from where we ran, we made our final goodbyes. I had asked Becky if she would come back next year, to which she said yes. She repeated the question to me, and I also said yes. We did not exchange information, but I am excited about the fact that I will see her then, with a common goal. 

Overall, I loved New Jersey, the weekend trip, and especially the plunge, which was just what I needed. The sense that everyone is there for the same goal and community. Even though I was not from New Jersey, everyone was incredibly welcoming. The plunge was such a rewarding experience. The Garden State podcast hosts were incredible and made for such an enjoyable day. I am so grateful that they introduced me not only to an amazing state but also to an amazing event. Thank you, guys, for your hospitality and a wonderful podcast. I hope to join your Garden State Plungers team next year! Kyle and I are already planning our next New Jersey trip to enjoy the beach in the summer and some hikes.

I have attached some photos from the trip, as well as the link for The Garden State podcast!

Mandy Lain<3

2/28/2024

[mandylain]

A Start Towards Something New

A blog is something I have thought about a million times to start writing. Keyword: start. If I could tally the amount of times I have thought about how I would start it, I would run out of room on my walls. Starting something is the biggest hurdle, to take the jump and finally dive in takes courage. Not only that but the commitment to continue and explore further. Some people pick a niche and talk about that. I am not someone who likes to settle for one idea, my mind goes a million miles per minute, thought by thought. My hobbies and interests are expansive, there are just so many things I could write about endlessly. I am at a point in my life I want to absorb as many places, things, and experiences as I can. By not doing that I would be doing a disservice to myself. The internet has shown so much of what is out there and how others are jumping to go out and explore, meet new people, and just make the most of their time here.

There is a Youtube channel called Yes Theory, they have three mottos I have taken to heart over the past few years and have made a daily strive to do them.

Seek Discomfort

Love Over Fear

Say Yes

Seeking Discomfort, for human nature is not something we strive to do. It is scary, unpredictable, and the non-safe route, but that is the thrill. Letting yourself go and try new things, talk to new people, go to a new place, these can be the most thrilling experiences, but also teach you about yourself and others. Now why am I telling you this? Sure, I would love it if you decided to go out and try something you would not have before. I want to use this as a way to document things I do, and how I decide to seek out discomfort. I want to implement these mottos more in my own life. Yes Theory made a name for something I could not put into words as I was growing up in my early teens. 

I can remember pestering my mom constantly to travel, go to concerts, and do anything outside my house. It was not a possibility at the time to do these things for various reasons I may or may not have agreed with at the time. But there is the beauty of growing up that allows for more freedom to do those things, now that being said there are still monetary restrictions, responsibilities, and other restrictions. Do not let those things hold you back, but they do even for me. Though when the time arises I take my opportunity and run with it. Once I graduated high school that summer and onward I worked towards all those goals, so for the last two years I have done more than I thought I would have ever. 

This is one of those few times I would say this, it will never be enough. There is so much out there, bad and good, but the good outshines the bad a 1000 times over. I want to write about the kinds of places and things I do to better myself and fuel my creative outlets. I plan to write currently and about my past travels in times of dry spells. In addition, I also want to use it as a way to talk about other things that I have an interest in such as movies, shows, and music. Those are a few of many many passions. I hope this will hold me accountable to go out and do what I have always wanted to do as well as make connections with others through our own stories and passions. There is so much out there, you just have to go and find it.

Also here is a link to the Yes Theory YouTube channel (which I recommend over and over again) if you want to check it out:)

Mandy Lain<3

12/6/23