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Best 5 Unique & Affordable Gifts for Beginner Roller Skaters
What do you give someone who already has a pair of roller skates? These are five unique and affordable gifts to spoil your favorite roller skater!
1. Toe Stops
- Toe Stops – For most outdoor roller-skaters toes stops are a necessity! They serve a tremendous purpose, they allow you to stop. They may have a utilitarian job but they come in a multitude of colors and unique shapes. As a result, I have tried out many different kinds and Chaya’s are some of my favorites. I love that they come in a variety of colors. Above all they feel secure on, concrete, wood, and many other surfaces. I currently have the aqua color.
2. Toe Caps
- Toe Caps – Skates are expensive and keeping the boot in good condition is imperative to its longevity. That’s why on my second pair of roller skates I put toe caps on from the beginning. They come in different sizes, shapes and patterns. My skates are a size five so I get a small toe cap. I have had different colors and I really enjoy the durability of Rollerstuff’s toe caps. She is based in Texas and makes the toe caps herself!
3. Light Up Wheels
- Light Up Wheels– There are so many options and price points with wheels. I could write a whole post about them. However as a gift I feel like something sparkly and bright is just what your skater will enjoy and be surprised by. I love wearing my light up Luminous wheels at the rink and on night roll outs. Not only are light-up wheels fun but add an element of safety. I have the pink glitter ones but it can be fun to mix and match.
4. Laces
- Laces – Laces are a super fun way to make skates unique. They come in a variety of lengths. Laces were the first upgrade I made to my skates. I have had a variety of colors and patterns. I wear Moxi Jack boot/ Lollies and I prefer a 96 inch length. The Derby Laces come in different lengths and so many colors, patterns and sparkle. When you get stock laces for Moxi Lollies they are 90 inches however if you would like an array of choices I would recommend going with the 84 inch or 96 inch laces.
5. Helmet & Safety Gear
- Helmet & Safety Gear – Last but not least SAFETY GEAR. From helmet to kneepads being safe is a priority. I can almost always be spotted in my safety gear. The element of danger is part of the reason I enjoy skating but I look forward to skating for as long as I can! There are many pads to choose from and they all serve different purposes. Most come in a multitude of choices. It simplest and most cost effective to get a pack that includes Wrist guards, elbow pads and kneepads. It’s nice to have a matching set and you usually get more bang for your buck. I have experimented with many different brands. If your skater is thinking to get into park skating I would recommend the collaboration with Moxi and 187 killer pads. I also enjoy the Triple Eight Helmets. I find the sweat guard is nice on hot days, moreover it comes in a variety of colors that will compliment any outfit. Safety is sexy.
Thank you for being an awesome gift giver!
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Arches & Canyonlands
From Dinosaur National Monument I drove to Utah to visit Canyonlands and Arches. I saw balanced rock and hiked to Delicate arch.
Canyonlands had way more to offer but I was on a tight schedule (created by me). I will do a Utah trip to include Bears Ears, Captial Reef and more of Canyonlands.
All campsite were full, so I continued on to Colorado Monument.
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Dinosaur National Monument
After the drive through Wyoming I was happy to lay my head in Colorado. The price of the campsite was unbeatable $6.00 bucks. I went for a lovely run after I set up my tent and befriend Michael a fellow solo camper.
It enjoyed watching the sunset and got a good amount of rest. My campsite reminded me of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The next morning I got my stamp at Dinosaur National Monument. I had planned a full day and am proud I was able to stop at every sign that was dinosaur related!
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Colorado Solo Adventure
Landing in Denver to the darkest part of the morning I road the complementary bus to a parking lot filled with cars and desolate of people. I found my white Knight, a Kia Soul.
I picked up non-perishable groceries and then meet up with some friends who were nice enough to let me use their shower.
I drove to Rocky Mountain National Park as was surprised by the mass amount of snow. I set up my tent for the first time and it was incredible easy. What would have been helpful to practice was blowing up the sleeping pad. The high altitude paired with my lack of sleep turned a ten minute process into more than an hour. As the trip went on I became much more skilled.
I enjoyed the view of the stars, which was glorious to behold. The highlight of every night was being able to look up and see the stars so clearly. For many reasons I look forward to warmer weather but especially getting a celestial view out the tent without the wind cover.
I hiked a bit in Rocky Mountain and choose to leave for my long drive ahead to Dinosaur Monument. There was road closure due to snow. So my route took me through Wyoming.
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22 Hours in Bogotá, Colombia
Colorful keychain pom poms jump up and down to the rhythm of a Spanish melody. The pom poms are gifts for my nieces I attached earlier to my tiny backpack while exploring the mountain view of Bogotá. The keychains and I are not leaving Bogotá till we have absorbed every part of the city.
I am solo in the middle of a packed dance floor and I let the music take my body over. Looking up to the sky I realized that I have a little less then three hours in this exhilarating country. A rare wave of uninhibited freedom took over. It is exhilarating to dance and know in only a few hours you will be in an entirely different country, 1,000 miles from every person that is surrounding you.
Earlier in the day I arrived at the airport to drop my big backback off at the airport locker and packed the essentials into my tiny backpack. My camera, wallet, passport, snacks, phone, notebook and a phone charger/ battery pack. I took an Uber and was dropped off by the gold museum. The sun was bright and I decide to explore Bogota from the sidewalks and narrow streets. I got an Arepa de Queso (cheese stuffed corn cakes) for breakfast. Bought an apple from a fruit seller in one of the colorful neighborhoods and took in the street art.
As I walked I heard that the view from the top of Bogotá was a wonderful way to see the city. So I took the Telefèric to the top. I ate a late lunch of Ajiaco (potato chicken soup) as the sun went down.
The transformation of the city was dazzling with Christmas celebrations in full expression. The lights took over the expansive landscape. A mass and music took over the speaker system. Families attempted to take selfies and their laughter filled the chaos.
Taking the Telefèric at night felt like I was returning to a different city than I had left. I stopped by The Bogotá Beer Company and shared a conversation with an Oregonian. I had time to burn because I opted out of staying in a hotel. Instead of stark white sheets and a universal remote I was spending every moment taking in Bogotá. I traveled to Andrés Carne de Res. It was described as a Theme park/ Night club/ Steak house. As I entered I went to the dance floor. There were several to choose from. Couples pressed against one another, co-workers encouraging others to let loose and single men sitting at the near by tables desperately wanting to dance but not sure who with.
Between dancing I was eating and drinking (mostly water). I got a personal plate of steak, sausage and chips. I made wonderful friends who made sure I got safely into an Uber. We drove off to the airport and I had 20 minutes to myself after going through security. My next stop was about three hours away in Cancun, Mexico. I boarded and fell asleep right away, eager to take on my next adventure.
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Hoover Dam Marathon (Recap 2018 pt. 2)
So I was in LA and headed out on a road trip this time with mom, Edlin! Our Destination… Lake Mead National Recreational Area.
View From the Hotel Edlin and I explored the Hotel/ Casino and found a room with Japanese pinball machines!
The next morning we got up and headed to the race!
Starting line 
My first marathon… I crossed the finish line. I got first in my age group!!!!!4 hours and 52 minutes of my life I spent running.
Standing at the starting line I almost started to cry. I was there. Facing a monster that I had prepared for starting 17 weeks prior. There was over 1,000 feet of elevation. After the first half marathon with a time of 2 hours and 7 minutes I thought if I stopped right now I could be happy. That was the fastest half marathon I have ever run. My body and my mind had prepared for one more go around.
Before I knew it my mom was popping out of a low cactus and my friend Edlin was running right next to me! I sprinted to the end. My legs went from cotton candy to cement. I ate an entire jar of pickles. We saw the Dam at sunset and had a celebratory meal at IN-N-OUT.
MY OUTRAGEOUS UNBELIEVABLE SUPPORT TEAM 
2018 Hoover Dam Marathon Finisher If I believe it I can do it. It’s remarkable. If I create an attainable set of goals I am capable of much more then I could have imagined for myself. A long the way others were inspired to run too. One action affects many.
My next adventure took me out of the country. I have a beautiful, talented, brilliant friend that lives in San Andres, Colombia. So I took up her offer and went to visit. I found incredible cheap flight which required three layovers. Before visiting I described them in my journal I am going to have an amazing night in Panama, I am going to have a beautiful time in San Andres. Bogotá is going to be epic and Cancun is an amazing adventure. My predication came true!
In the following weeks I will write about my adventures abroad. From the open road to the runway this adventurer has gone global!
Where is your favorite road trippin memory? What do you sing along to in the car?
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Recap 2018 pt. 1
This update is long overdue. I have been around the world and back and I will soon tell you all about it. Here is part one of the adventure!
To begin I worked on a movie in Kentucky and had an absolute blast with the amazing crew. I took weekend trips to National Parks, Dollywood and near by states. It was hard work and I learned a great deal. Thank you Kentucky for welcoming us into your mountains with open arms. Truly working together, and creating an environment where we came together to tell a story was beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing the final film. Being a 2nd AD isn’t always easy; I have my share of frustrations and dilemmas however everyday I also find solutions and a positive moment. I felt accomplishment finishing my first distant location film! It was difficult to say goodbye to the crew, which became more like family.
On a weekend outing to the Pine Mountain Settlement School Instead of returning to New York I went west. I took pleasure getting some rest and relaxation on my trip to Oregon. I had a wonderful time just relaxing. I had never been to Washington so I took the train up to Seattle. I had a lovely time eating and exploring the city. I got recommendations from locals and took my time taking in the city.
Must see the Space Needle! 
I rented a car and took a pacific west road trip south. I am lucky enough to have friends and family along the way. I drove down from Seattle and stopped in Astoria, Oregon for dinner. I was so close to Haystack Rock I had to visit. It was at night so I don’t have any pictures. The Oregon coast is majestic. It felt like a dream. At the entrance there was a steam of water and at first it seem as if I wouldn’t get past it unless I was willing to dunk my shoes in. Then I found a bridge I walked across it, taking me to dry sand. The light of the full moon guided me to the outline of the rocks and the waves. I walked till I saw the reflection of the rock in the water that laid upon the packed sand. The wind took my hair and made it dance. It felt like the dream sequence in A Flower Drum Song minus the man. It was a dream in reality. I was right where I was supposed to be. I brought my headlamp and used it sparingly. The calm of the repeating waves and the whistle of the wind keep me company.
I drove down Highway one. On my drive only a few thing kept me company. An audiobook of Crazy Rich Asians, the sound track to A Star is Born (which I sang my heart out to) and conversations I had with my future self. I returned to Salem slept up and hit the road again.
(Great) Aunt Yvonne and Uncle Victor were overjoyed to meet me for lunch in Jacksonville, Oregon. I completely forgot that it had been more then fifteen years since I had visited them. We gabbed till the sun went down and we all determined I would stay the night and we would wake up to have breakfast together.
We had an absolutely amazing cinnamon rolls at Rooster’s Restaurant. Even writing the word cinnamon makes my mouth water… I truly enjoyed hearing about my great grandmother and other stories of my families past. My Aunt and Uncle have been married for over 60 years and to see them together was inspiring.
Uncle Victor in front of the house he built I continued my drive to San Francisco to visit my fabulous, determined, organized friend Lauren from College. We had a wonderful time catching up and exchanged advice. She has wonderful friends that I farted around. “I am not capable of making that smell, no human can make that smell”- A San Fran friend…
Did I mention while I was in Kentucky I was training for a marathon? I started to run because I craved accomplishment. I was in-between film projects and wanted a good reason to wake up in the morning. I can accomplish so much when I’m working I have a difficult time demanding the same rigger from my daily tasks when I have time off. So I started a Nike training plan. I would wake up and run as far as the training plan said. Once I got to Kentucky and started working I was committed to keep training. Even after hours on set I would go run. There was amazingly a 24 hour gym and I was able to go at anytime. Mostly I had the gym to myself. I am not a treadmill runner but I learned to adjust. I ran two 5k races in town and after that I had an idea of what was a good place to run outdoors.
5K Halloween
Costume Race…as walking tacos
Winners Circle Running was the best break from shooting. It let me clear my mind and breath in the fresh air. The leaves changed every Sunday. I ran up to 18 miles while I was in Kentucky and it was the ideal place to train.
I continued my running as I traveled.
Oregon in the Rain One of my favorite runs was a nine mile run from Lauren’s house to The Golden Gate Bridge as the sun went down.
My next stop was visiting my older brother his wife and my AMAZING nieces. Seeing the people I love, sitting on the couch and catching up is truly an amazing gift.
Visiting the seals with nieces My younger sister Arisa picked me up and I went back to home base in LA. She had also been road trippin and I was happy to have the reunion.
I rest and I ran in LA and that weekend My mom, Edlin and I took a road trip to Lake Mead National Recreational Area.
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Lebanon Day Trip
We started off our drive from Beirut to see the Baatara Pothole in Tannourine.
It is just a short hike to see it’s beauty. On your way down if you’re looking for adventure you can choose to walk across a monkey bridge.
If you don’t want to hike back up you can take an open air teleferique back up for an additional fee. It’s worth it even if just for the view.
Our next stop was the Phoenician Wall in Batroun.
My Mama, my sister and my cousin! By then we were starving so we headed to Jammal restaurant.
The view of the Mediterranean Sea was absolutely beautiful! You pick out the fish you want and you can have it fried, baked or grilled.
Our table was directly in the sea, we ate in our bathing suits and swam afterwards. It was my first experience and I can’t wait to bring someone special to experience the beauty and decadence. It is a must visit!
I really recommend bring water shoes the rocks were a bit tough on my bare feet.
Taking a photo of the family at our table in the sea 
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Lebanon part 1
Visiting Lebanon was a dream of mine since I first ate Tabouli with my mom as a little girl. My Mama spent her formative years in the Middle East. She told me stories with such detail about Lebanon that when we visited, it felt like it wasn’t the first time. I knew the roof top where my mom preformed her first play as a child and the house that my great grandma made snacks in. The beautiful garden where they picked fresh tomatoes.
The front garden of our families mountain house It was my Mama’s first time back in 38 years and my first time visiting.To see how the light shines on the Mediterranean, drinking fresh mint tea, and having lemons to accompany every meal was a dream. Getting to know and meet my family members was extremely special. I got to learn the source of the traditions and customs that make me who I am.
My Mama riding in a vintage taxi For instance when you invite some in to your home you insist that they sit and stay awhile. You always offer them something to drink and eat, you bring it out preferably on a tray. I have come to learn that these acts which use to feel like obligations are actually a way to show that you appreciate your guest.
Our Family When you greet someone in Lebanon you give three kisses! My Mama has always shown my sister and me a tremendous amount of affection. To the point where me sister asked her to please stop, she was too old for kisses. In Lebanon I learned you are never too old to have your cheeks pinched or to receive a kiss.
Getting to know people and explore the land that I come from has helped shaped me. I have been so fortunate to be linked to my history. To not only know the names of my favorite dishes but to be able to make them. I could speak a few worlds of Arabic before I left and I came back with so many more. I am honored now more than ever to be Lebanese. I am so excited to go back!
This is a sneak peak of my 10 day trip! Keep a look out for my new posts!
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Trippin Alana!
Hello!
Two years ago I wanted to start a blog but lacked the commitment and dedication. I also felt like I didn’t have anything to write about. I followed blogs in a hope to inspire me. Instead I felt like I had nothing to say or contribute. I learned that I was holding myself back. That instead of saying yes to adventure I was making excuses. If I wanted to go visit someone I waited for an invitation that never came. If you don’t communicated to the world what you want, it will never give it to you. I felt like I was at In N Out waiting for a milkshake I never ordered (strawberry is def the best). I saw inspiration and was even hungry for it, so now I am living the daydream!
Trippin Alana is me saying YES! even when I am not sure what will happen. Going on the adventure and figuring it out on the way. Every moment can truly be extraordinary. I got to be a princess in India, learn how to eat sugar cane in Mexico and ate Tabule everyday in Lebanon. That’s only the start. When you go on a trip whether it’s a bike, car or hot air ballon ride away there is adventure to be had! So stop trippin and take a trip.
This is a space where I will share my travels, photos and what I learned along the way. So please, sit, and stay awhile.
