One of my favorite sayings is from the poet and author Dr. Maya Angelou: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." I like it because it applies to people of all walks of life and from relationships to politics. It's evergreen.

“Semi-fascist.” That was how Joe Biden described “some Republicans” ahead of his stemwinder on how the GOP was corrupting the nation’s “soul.” Kamala Harris dropped the “semi” when accusing Donald Trump of harboring affinities for national socialism, a charge that the experts said fits within the ideology’s modern “looser definition.” Indeed, the GOP’s latent Naziism is overdetermined. It’s evident in their malign misuse of “redistricting and gerrymandering,” political instruments Democrats scrupulously abjure, to the “body language” and “hand gestures” that are rendered suspect by virtue of Republicans’ use of them.

People often pay to go on whale watching tours in hopes of mayyyyybe catching a single glimpse of a tail splashing the water—if they’re lucky. Sometimes, even that's enough excitement. Just the smallest glimpse of one of the world's largest species. There's something powerful about feeling that small and insignificant.On August 13, 2022 however, folks in New York City got the whale watching cruise of a lifetime as they were able to witness not one, not two, but NINE whales swimming in the harbor. An incredibly rare sight, at the time.While onboard a tour with American Princess Cruises, Celia Ackerman, who works as a naturalist for the company, captured multiple breathtaking photos of the creatures with a view of New York’s skyline as the backdrop.Here’s just one of the beauties: Gorgeous all images taken by Cecilia Ackerman, used with permission from Gotham Whales Ackerman is also a research associate for Gotham Whale, a marine mammal research, education and advocacy organization. Gotham Whale tweeted the images not only to let others join in on nature’s spectacle, but also to raise awareness and avoid potential collisions.“Amazing day to say the least,” Gotham Whale’s caption read.This once-in-a-lifetime sighting might be less of a miracle and more a result of concerted efforts to clean New York’s waters. Back in 2019, the New York Post cited a study that showed New York’s harbors were the purest they’ve been in nearly 110 years, not since “Albert Einstein had just published his theory of relativity,” according to the Post article. This was largely due to the Clean Water Act of 1972, in addition to volunteer environmental groups, according to the article.Cleaner water means more fish, and more fish means a whale buffet. Not to mention some amazing photos: Breach incoming! Celia Ackerman “Something else to make your heart happy!” someone commented alongside a blue whale emoji.Humpback whales, in particular, are an amazing conservation success story. In the 1940s, when whaling oversight first began, humpbacks were nearly extinct. Now they're thriving. What's not to love about this photo? Celia Ackerman This is the stuff fairy tales are made of y'all.Whales used to pass through New York harbor on their way to more fertile feeding grounds, but the water cleanup efforts have motivated them to stick around and feed. That's how you get incredible sights like this. Over-whale-mingly cool. Celia Ackerman Hands down, most successful whale watching cruise ever. No question. One fish, two fish… Celia Ackerman These whales gave a water show and everything (see below): We're in the splash zone. Celia Ackerman There’s even a video of three breaching whales from the same day, shared by science and health reporter Aaron Tremper. — (@) “I would’ve been screaming. This is so magical!” wrote one person.Of course, the new-and-improved coastline (and all the fish that comes with it) is not only attracting whales. On August 8, 2022, two sharks were spotted off a beach in Queens, New York. And there were 15 shark sightings in one day the previous week, according to ABC7 New York. However, shark attacks are still quite rare.I know what you’re thinking—where are the dolphins?! Don’t worry, Ackerman found some of those, too.Like this Clymene dolphin below, whose most well-known party trick is spinning while jumping out of the water. He's auditioning for the "Flipper" reboot. Celia Ackerman These images come as a respite after the news that Freya, a walrus in Norway who captured hearts by sunbathing in various boats, was euthanized by authorities after being declared a “threat to human safety.” Her death was considered by many to be an avoidable act of cruelty, brought on by human negligence. However, the walrus named after a Norse goddess of love aptly still commands reverence by her followers, who have started a fundraiser to erect a statue in her honor.Since these photos surfaced in 2022, the whale population in New York has continued to grow. Now, it's so big that officials are growing worried over whale-ship collisions. The next step, after cleaning up the waters, may be to implement lower speed limits on passing vessels. One step at a time. But we're making progress. - YouTube www.youtube.com We don’t always do right by our animal friends. But when we do, it shows. New York’s impromptu whale party is literal living proof of that. Finally, some good news about growing traffic!This article first appeared three years ago. It has been updated.

Llama Llama Red Pajama first debuted 20 years ago, and tells the story of young Llama Llama who gets scared while waiting in his bed for his mother. He begins to scream until his mother, Mama Llama, retreats to comfort him. It’s a simple story that teaches children to feel safe when alone in their beds.But what takes this simple bedtime story to the next level is the bouncy way it is written, with a perfect, satisfying rhyming meter. It also helps that the main characters, Llama Llama Red Pajama and Mama Llama, have names that rhyme. A sample of the book:Llama llama red pajamaFeels alone without his mamaLlama llama red pajamaCalls down to his llama mamaMama says she'll be up soonLlama llama red pajamaWaiting waiting for his mamaLike many parents over the past few decades, North Carolina dad Austin Wade noticed that the story lent itself to a rap song, so he filmed himself reading the book over "Mask Off" by Future. The video is cute because dad is doing his best to spit tight bars, while his son, Carter, watches on in amazement. In just four days since being posted, it has received nearly 2 million views. @austinwade_ Kids rap album coming soon. Yes, I also do birthday parties. ? #dadsoftiktok #parentingtips #kids #dadtok #llama "We do a calm bedtime story during the evening and a fun story time during the day," Wade told Good Morning America. "We try not to get him too excited right before bed! He's still a little confused when dad raps to him, but we think he likes it!" The viral post received a lot of love from commenters."The way he didn’t miss one beat tells me this wasn’t his first performance," Julie wrote. "'That’s NOT how daddy does it' - that sweet baby, anytime someone else reads that book to them in 2/3 years," Tori added. “I’m telling my kids you are Eminem when I play this for them at bedtime," Laureness wrote in the comments.This isn’t the first time someone has gone viral for rapping Llama Llama Red Pajama; it’s been a popular part of The Cruz Show on Real 92.3 in Los Angeles. The host, J Cruz, has a son who loves the book, and that gave the DJ the idea to have some of hip-hop’s top rappers perform the song live on air.There have been plenty of notable rappers who have taken on the Llama Llama Challenge. Who do you think did it best?Glorilla @real923la #Glorilla takes over on REAL 923s #llamallamaredpajama challenge?? Ludacris @jrzradio #ludacris #llamallamaredpajama #power106 #fyp Chance the Rapper @thecruzshow #CHANCETHERAPPER TAKES ON @thecruzshow #LLAMALLAMAREDPAJAMA CHALLENGE ?? STARLINE OUT NOW? VISIT CHANCESTUFF.COM Rae Sremmurd @real923la #RaeSremmurd killed this #llamallamaredpajama challenge!! Ultimately, the great thing is seeing a father read to his child not once, but twice a day. In an era when fewer and fewer people read for entertainment, it’s great to see parents instilling the joy of reading in their children at a very young age. Studies show that kids who hear their parents read five books a day enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than kids who were never read to. That huge difference can significantly impacts their vocabulary and reading development.

The ingenuity of kitchens from the 1960s and 1970s is every bit as recognizable as avocado-green fridges and patterned linoleum floors. Many adults from this era had grown up watching their own parents stretch every dollar due to their experience during the Great Depression, so thrift and creativity were practically baked into the culture.Even as modern appliances and convenience foods became all the rage, most households still relied on good old fashioned resourcefulness to put a full-fledged meal on the table. Leftovers were transformed, substitutions were celebrated, and nothing edible went unused.Today, with grocery bills rising and budgets feeling tight again, those retro tricks have found new life. They remind us that even in leaner times, food can still be joyful, comforting, and deeply satisfying.Here are some clever vintage kitchen hacks that prove good cooking has never been about how much you spend, but how much care you put in:Fridge Buffet Food in the refrigerator. Photo credit: CanvaFor one night, families would throw culinary caution to the wind and create a festive smorgasbord of anything and everything remaining in the fridge. A leftover drumstick here, a spoonful of mashed potatoes there, a single solitary deviled egg for good measure. This mismatched assortment of noshes kept things interesting while making sure nothing went to waste. Having a “substitution mindset” An elderly man makes food with a child. Photo credit: CanvaIn a time when folks had a recipe that called for a specific ingredient they didn’t have on hand, they usually just improvised. Need butter milk? Some plain milk with a dash of white vinegar or lemon juice would do the trick, no sweat. Crushed heels from yesterday’s bread could be the breadcrumbs. Point being, necessity became the mother of invention in the kitchen. Perpetual stew, aka forever soup A woman stirs a pot of soup. Photo credit: CanvaThis one actually dates all the way back to the 14th century. During this time, it was called hunter's stew and included whatever game meats, vegetables, and other fixin’s were available that were stewed together for at least a few days. In the '60s that looked like a pot resting on the back burner on a constant simmer. Every dinner scrap would be put into this broth, transforming it day after day. Using crackers for filling and topping Mixing crackers into meatloaf. Photo credit: CanvaMixing crackers (or oats) into ground meat was an easy way for families to make it appear as though the main course was fuller. With a bit of mixing, a pound of hamburger meat could now feed a family of five. And to think, without this strategy, we’d never have meatloaf! Crackers also blended well with spices and butter, making them perfect toppings for any meal that needed a little crunchy oomph. Plus, pounding crackers into dust doubled as a fun pastime for the kids.Adding mayonnaise to cake batter for richer, moister cakes A chocolate cake. Photo credit: CanvaMayonnaise might sound odd in a dessert, but back in the day it doubled as both eggs and oil, which already exist in cake batter. A dollop in the mix meant a mouthwatering dessert every time. Home bakers in the '60s and ’70s knew this well.Salvaging slightly soft tomatoes (and other veggies) by soaking in cold salted water Tomatoes in a basket. Photo credit: CanvaIf tomatoes have lost their firmness, soak them for about an hour in cold salted water and they often bounce back, firmer and with better texture. This bygone hack, popular in older-school kitchens, works for other veggies, too.Canned soup sauces A variety of soups. Photo credit: CanvaCondensed soups were frequently transformed into quick sauces for casseroles and pasta. Thinning the soup with milk or water and adding other ingredients also worked for tenderizing meat. And if you were really in a pinch, some watered-down ketchup would do just as well. Using a bit of tomato paste (or soy sauce) to boost umami in dishes like burgers or sauces A hamburger. Photo credit: CanvaCooks of yesteryear created the OG “flavor bombs” by reaching for concentrated ingredients like tomato paste or a splash of soy sauce to deepen color and taste in sauces, stews, and even gravies. It’s still one of the best ways to make simple meals feel richer. Thread or dental floss slicing for cakes and loavesWant a neat, clean cut through your cake (or loaf, or sausage)? Use a piece of thread, dental floss, or unflavored string to slice through. This strategy was used for precision back in the day and works just as well now, especially for soft or delicate foods.Use nutmeg strategically in unexpected dishes Mashed potatoes. Photo credit: CanvaVintage kitchens knew that nutmeg isn’t just for holiday baking. Home cooks sometimes sprinkled it into meatloaf, mashed potatoes, or gratins to subtly boost complexity. It's a small touch, but it can elevate the ordinary into something rich and memorable.Sprinkling flour or cornstarch on bacon for extra crispiness Bacon. Photo credit: CanvaBefore air fryers became a kitchen staple, homemakers would dust bacon with a little flour (or cornstarch) before frying, keeping it from curling and making it crisp like it’s been deep-fried. Think of it as old-school mastery over the skillet.Curbing sweet cravings with cinnamon sugar toast Cinnamon sugar toast. Photo credit: CanvaParents could whip up this kid-friendly treat in minutes, using bread, butter, cinnamon, and sugar put in the oven until golden. Such a quick, simple, and satisfying snack. Sure, we’ve got Cinnamon Toast Crunch now, but it doesn’t hold a candle to that delectable fresh-from-the-oven factor. If you’re looking for ways to stretch your dollar in the kitchen, the best strategy might be to look at what worked in the past. No gadgets, nothing fancy. Just a “no waste” mindset and a bit of creativity. That’s always a good ingredient to include.

We can all agree that life is pretty hard. People deal with the difficulties in a lot of different ways. Some cope with substances or chasing thrills. Others control what they can with diet and exercise. Some people go to talk therapy. And others cuddle.Touch-based therapy—like professional cuddling—has been growing in popularity for several years now. What started as an unusual niche service is catching on because of all of the known benefits of platonic touch. It's been shown to ease stress, help you sleep better, manage anxiety, and promote positive feelings. And best of all, most of the benefits of cuddling don't require you to be in love with the person who's doing the holding, spooning, or hugging. That's where the professionals come in.Keeley Shoup, a professional cuddler, says our isolated, individualistic culture has left many of us starved for touch. If "touch starved" sounds like a strange, new-age term, it's not. It's a well-studied and observed affliction. "Missing out on regular human touch can have some serious and long-lasting effects," writes Healthline. It's also sometimes called "skin hunger."In a series of videos on TikTok, Shoup explains the reasons "pro cuddling" even exists."I get all kinds of reactions to me telling people what I do for a living," Shoup says. "Lots of them are very curious and some of them are very confused. Why does that even exist? The biggest reason this job is important is because of isolation."Shoup then references the U.S. surgeon general declaring loneliness an epidemic in 2023."The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day," Dr. Vivek Murthy wrote at the time. "And the harmful consequences of a society that lacks social connection can be felt in our schools, workplaces, and civic organizations, where performance, productivity, and engagement are diminished." @yourcuddletherapist #professionalcuddling #cuddletherapist #cuddlekeeley #cuddlist #cuddletherapy #professionalcuddler #cuddler #isolation #mentalhealthawareness #lonely #loneliness In a series of follow-up videos, Shoup says many aspects of modern culture (especially American culture) exacerbate our sense of isolation. For example, American individualism. We're a culture that highly values independence, creativity, standing out, and self-reliance. Many of those values are good things, but they often come at the cost of a sense of community.Then there's productivity culture, which Shoup says dictates "your worth as a human is tied into what you are producing...It doesn't leave space or time for rest for recreation or play. We know that those things are essential for happiness."There's also the fact that online interactions are slowly usurping in-person encounters. A Deloitte study found that 48% of people under 42 years old interact more online than off.Add it all up and it paints a picture of people who are connecting with each other less than ever, and that includes touch. Little things like a handshake, a friendly hug, a pat on the back, and even a stranger's leg bumping into yours on the bus. They're more valuable than we ever realized.Not getting the right amount of human touch can, according to Healthline, lead to symptoms like loneliness, feelings of depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and feeling disconnected in relationships. @yourcuddletherapist isolation due to productivity vulture Many of these reasons aren't completely new. In the early 2000s, a small group of people invented the concept of "cuddle parties" in New York City. People would attend and, with clear, spoken consent, enjoy platonic cuddling with friends or strangers. Even the founders were shocked when cuddle parties became a massive, nationwide phenomenon.One thing that's changed since then is the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced even more isolation. Though many of the lockdown and social distancing restrictions have long since been lifted, many people have struggled to return to "normal" ways of connecting with others.“Stay-at-home orders resulted in people isolating themselves, and in a time of heightened anxiety during this collective trauma, keeping yourself isolated was actually a way of protecting yourself that, now, has been integrated into people's defense mechanisms,” Dr. Stephen Rush told UC Health. “The internal message became that being alone protects me from these things that are scary and out of my control. And that's now become a habit that is really hard to break.”In fact, you don't have to be completely alone to feel lonely. Just because you're in a relationship, for example, doesn't mean you can't be touch starved.One divorced man on Reddit wrote that to deal with the sadness and loneliness of his breakup, he attended one of the cuddle parties: "One girl held my hand, while the other cozied up to my side. Then, we just laid there, silent, for nearly an hour and a half. It was wonderful. I felt so content. My mind was perfectly clear and all I could do was smile through it all. I felt worthy and loved. When I reflect back on this, I realize that I was touched more that night than in the last few years of my marriage."The good news? If you are craving more human touch in your life, you don't have to pay a professional or go to a party with strangers (though if you choose to, there's no shame). Getting a massage, a pedicure, or even just a haircut is a good way to experience physical human interaction that's not sexual or emotional. Sometimes even a hot bath, a heating pad, or a weighted blanket can be a close-enough simulation to fire up the nerve endings in our skin. You can make a more concerted effort to affectionately touch your friends (yes, even us guys) as long as they're okay with it.As for Shoup, she loves to share her favorite cuddling positions for those that do have a friend or partner they can try them with, like the Story Time, the Santa Claus, or the Pancake: @yourcuddletherapist Puzzle Pieces #procuddler #cuddlekeeley #chicagocuddletherapy #cuddlist #cuddletherapy #cuddle #cuddleposition The vocation of "professional cuddler" will probably always raise some eyebrows. But when you really stop to think about how nice it feels to be held or hugged, it speaks to something deep within most of us that craves human connection and touch.In a world that feels more and more isolated much of the time, many of us have to seek out those sensations and connections in other ways. The science says it can do wonders for your health.

The Jonas Brothers had all the tween girls "Burnin' Up" for them when they first entered the pop scene, seemingly reigniting the dying boyband era of the early 2000s. It didn't take long before parents of tween and teen girls knew Joe, Nick, and Kevin Jonas by their first names and signature vocals. If you were a parent of a tween who originally escaped the initial Jonas Brothers craze like I was, Camp Rock solidified the brothers' place in your car speakers...or any speaker within proximity.While girls did go absolutely feral over the curly-haired brothers, boys were not outside of their lyrical reach. Now that they've reunited for a tour, one man on TikTok is showcasing his nostalgic joy for the former teen heartthrobs' music. The tour marks their 20th anniversary, and Official Tmac posted his uninhibited excitement while attending their concert recently. Vibrant concert night with a lively crowd and colorful lights.Photo credit: CanvaThe man shared several joy-filled videos of himself having a blast at the concert. It serves as a reminder that boys were also fans of The Jonas Brothers, though they may have been more discreet about their enjoyment of the music. Seeing him embrace the nostalgia and joy without shame or worry proves that men experiencing this level of excitement over a boy band doesn't diminish their masculinity. @officialtmac_ IM WALKIN ON BROKEN GLASSSS? #fyp #jonasbrothers #jonasbrotherstour #jonasbrothersconcert #viral ♬ original sound - OfficialTmac In fact, there have been several men who begrudgingly accompanied their girlfriends or wives on the anniversary tour, only to reveal that they were shocked at the level of fun they had. One man made a sign specifically asking Joe Jonas to sing directly to his wife for his own personal gain. Apparently, Joe understood the assignment. The man made a video thanking Joe for being the best "wing man" he's ever had, telling the singer that he plans to attend another concert with a sign to benefit himself this time. People have been enjoying watching the videos of men having a blast at Jonas Brothers concerts. Many have been celebrating the unadulterated joy some of the men have been showing. One person writes, "I’m so happy you had the best time! They are magical live!" @sophlaskaris also he bought the tix ?? i married the right man @Cameron Guzzo #jonasbrothers #jonasbrothersconcert #husband ♬ original sound - soph Someone else says, "No cuz i really be listening to them too and everybody be making fun of me for it.""This has to be one of the best videos I’ve seen a grown man enjoying the Jonas Brothers this much and not caring what anyone thinks is incredible! I had to go see them in Nashville by myself," another fan shares. @wolfboyforest This is the definition of black boy joy man!! Probably one of the best nights of my whole ass lifeee man wtaf!!! I can die happy! Shoutout Naps for helping me get a ticket!! #jonasbrothers #jonasbrotherslondon #jonasbrothersconcert #wafflehouse ♬ Waffle House - Jonas Brothers "Such a joy to just see people enjoying music and letting their worries go away," someone else comments.One person gushes, "A man confidently going to see the Jonas Brothers? My dream hope you had loads of fun!"Another writes, "You win the internet. This brought me joy. I usually feel like the only one when I go to a concert. so so so happy for you that you got to experience!"The Jonas Brothers helped shape the adolescence of so many kids in America, and clearly the adults that those kids grew to be still appreciate their music. Maybe more men who secretly bobbed their heads to their sister's Jonas Brothers CDs will brave the screaming women reliving their youth to join them in belting out the lyrics they've had memorized since they were 12 years old.

The Brady Bunch ran for five seasons from 1969 to 1974 and is one of the most beloved television shows in TV history. For many Gen X kids, the reruns were a staple on TV in the ‘70s and ‘80s, so kids saw the classic episodes countless times, burning iconic scenes in their memories—from Jan stomping and yelling “Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!” to Cindy being bullied for her lisp to the crackling sound of Peter’s voice changing.Kids who grew up with The Brady Bunch also have the song and imagery from the show’s iconic blue-box intro etched in their minds forever. The intro is like comfort food for people who grew up with the show, but for the cast members who had to shoot a new intro before every season, it was torture.On a recent episode of TV We Love, Barry Williams, who played the oldest son, Greg, and Christopher Knight, who played middle son Peter, explained why doing the intro was so difficult.“Filming those credits was probably one of the most uncomfortable things of all that we had to do,” remembers Williams. “There’s really nothing to do but be on a chair and look around. So, someone would say, ‘And down,’ and you’d look down, ‘Bottom right,’ and you’d look and pretend to be making contact with Cindy. And then I’d look over here and they’d go, ‘No, no, Alice is not in here yet!’”“Insidiously difficult,” Knight adds. “You don’t know what you’re doing. Nobody’s really describing to you, clearly, what you’re doing — ‘Look up! OK, not that far up!’ They weren't really sure where we were going to be in those boxes." Knight said that in the first season introduction, he looks in the wrong direction. The idea for the blue-box intro came from the show’s creator, Sherwood Schwartz, who believed that television was all about close-ups. But how was he supposed to have close-ups of the six kids, two parents, and Alice the housekeeper? Schwartz solved his dilemma by drawing a checkerboard with nine boxes for nine smiling faces."One day, I came into the living room and dad was at the bridge table, drawing a diagram of how he could get nine people into boxes, at the beginning, and could see their faces,” Sherwood's son, Lloyd Schwartz, told TV We Love. Why does Alice show up last in the introduction? It’s because actress Anne B. Davis had it written into her contract that she would receive a unique intro that would stand out from the other cast members, according to Flavorwire. The show’s theme song was a follow-up, of sorts, to Schwartz’s previous hit Gilligan’s Island. The theme of Gilligan’s Island was a way for him to placate the network, which thought that new viewers would be confused about why the castaways were stuck on an island. So he wrote a theme song that told their story. The Brady Bunch theme song does the same by explaining how the parents met and created a blended family. However, it doesn’t explain why Carol and Mike weren’t with their first spouses. It was described in the pilot episode that Mike’s wife had died. As for Carol, Schwartz later said that he wanted her to be divorced, but given the taboo surrounding divorced women in the ‘60s, the circumstances surrounding her daughters’ father were left vague.For many generations of viewers, The Brady Bunch is more than a TV show; it’s a window into a simpler time when all our troubles got wrapped up in 30 minutes, and how, after two parents with three kids each had to move on from their first spouses, they could still create a harmonious and loving family. Those blue boxes may have been tough for Williams and Knight to sit in, but for millions of people, they represent how nine people could somehow form a family. - YouTube www.youtube.com

When 25-year-old traveler Sarah Margaret opened the windows of her Italian apartment, she didn’t expect them to open both sideways and inward. “I thought I broke the window at first,” she quipped in a TikTok video that’s now racked up over a million views. That small moment of confusion kicked off what became a charming tour through all the little details of Italian daily life her "American mind couldn't comprehend."In an interview with Newsweek, she said that she had spent a month in northern Italy, splitting her time between vacation and work. Her final stop was an apartment in Turin, a picturesque city near Milan. From there, she decided to document the things that made her stop and say, “Wait, what?”The first mystery: those ingenious tilting windows. Turn the handle one way, they crack open from the top; another way, they swing open like a door. “Wild to me,” she said, equal parts baffled and impressed. @probablyhangry Would these also blow your mind?? Or are these things normal to you? I’d love to hear from others too!! #italy?? #travelitaly #travelvlog #americanmind #walkablecities ♬ original sound - Sarah ?? | Living Abroad Then came the washer-dryer combo that didn’t exactly…dry. “It spins the clothes and gets a lot of water out, but it’s not like a dryer I’ve ever seen before," she explained. Instead, she found herself air-drying her laundry for an entire month, something she quickly learned is just part of Italian life.Down in the comments, folks confirmed that yes, while there might be machine settings to remove some water from freshly washed clothes, air-drying was still a way of life. “These options on the washing machines are ‘centrifuga.’ It takes a lot of water off so that they’re gonna air dry faster,” one viewer explained. She also noticed the air conditioning felt, shall we say, gentler than in the United States, something she did come to appreciate after a few weeks of acclimating. Continuing into the kitchen, she showed off a sleek induction stove. “I struggled at first, but once I figured it out, it felt very fancy," she admitted. Other surprises included tiny trash bins—barely big enough for a few scraps—implying how serious Italians are about recycling and composting, along with equally tiny elevators. She even filmed herself in one, which was barely wide enough to fit her outstretched arms. “It blows my mind every single time,” she said. And let’s not forget the bidet next to the toilet. “I’m not elaborating on this one, but it’s definitely been an experience," she teased. But her favorite “quirk” really sums up what’s so magical about Italy to Americans in the first place. “I can smell pizza cooking from my window,” she said, grinning. “There are hundreds of restaurants within walking distance and a grocery store right next door. I’ve never lived anywhere this walkable. It’s one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve ever had.”Between that and being able to look out a window—albeit a confusing one—and see gorgeous city architecture…seems like Italy’s got life figured out. A view of gorgeous Italy. Photo credit: CanvaAfter her month abroad, she told Newsweek that she left Italy with a deeper appreciation for the slower, friendlier, and more intentional rhythm of everyday life there. Shopkeepers remembered her. Neighbors said hello. “Traveling alone can be peaceful but also very lonely, so I was extra thankful for those little interactions," she shared. Having grown up in the Midwest and now working remotely while traveling, she has made it her goal to see as many corners of the world as possible—25 countries so far. As far as Italy’s concerned, Turin has stayed with her most.“It’s not crowded with tourists the same way other Italian cities are in the summer," she said. "It was peaceful."Whether you are in a touristy area or in a lesser-known hidden gem, staying in a new place and learning about different ways of life also feels like a mini-adventure.