"Vivir Lo Nuestro"

Amazing weekend. A meanful post to follow later.

After this off the chain weekend, I need some great music to accompany the thesising. Nothing fits better than some 80's style Marc Anthony and La India. I'm pretty sure they planned to have the same hair style at this show.

If you see me walking around the library doing a little salsa step or two, with my qualitative research method and identity development theory books, this is why...



Ah, yes. The 80's clothes and hairstyle tops off this classic salsa song.

Latino/a Ethnic Identity Development...bring it freaking on.

...and yes, Marc Anthony's hair is longer than mine...and yes, it's just wrong, but the man is a classic salsa icon.

It's The Freaking Weekend

Gracias, Sara, for the cartoon.

This is a true picture of the interaction between my apartment mate and I in the morning. Can you guess which one is me?

I'm currently on break at the International Service-Learning Conference which is happening all today and tomorrow. I am LOVING it...but it's exhausting.

Who would have known that talking about getting students involved in service learning, social justice, racial reconciliation, community engagement and global citizenship would be so tiring? But on the plus side, I am learning so freaking much. My thesis is going to be off the chain.

On a happy note, it's the freaking weekend, baby, and I'm gonna have me some fun. Tonight, I get to hang out with one of my student-turned-really-good-friend with his wife. It's going to be the bomb-dot-com reminiscing about our times at the good ol' Letu.

Don't worry readers, you will get a more meaningful entry later on. Peace out.


Don't miss the Google friend option on the right. I would love to know who my readers are!

Dive Back Into Identity

Patients of a psychiatric hospital we visited in Cuba.

I will never forget that trip and these joyful women.

They taught me how beautiful is it be alive.

After turning in major projects and papers, I am finally able to really get the thesis into the best shape it can be. As I dive back into identity development theories and the benefits of study abroad, I am reminded of the process of how I ended up at this topic. I posted an entry in May, which I think is appropriate to share with y'all again.

In this entry, I provided a small picture of my process with my thesis topic: Purpose of the study.

Thank you, thesis topic, for being a passion of mine. You are teaching me the beauty of flexibility and humility in the academic world.

Here are other entries that are relevant:

Only a Week

With the Uncle Making Jokes

Two Cents: "Don't Throw Your Pearls to the Swine"

Don't miss the Google friend option on the right. I would love to know who my readers are!

Learn: The Practice of Solitude

(Photo taken from here)

What am I learning today?

In this season of life, I am learning the true meaning of solitude. I am an extrovert, and I draw energy from being with people. At the same time, I am human.


How do I balance both my personality tendencies and my priorities of holistic health?

I must embrace solitude.

I love how Richard J. Foster explains it in his book The Celebration of Discipline:

“Solitude is more a state of mind and heart than it is a place. There is solitude of the heart that can be maintained at all times. Crowds, or the lack of them, have little to do with this inward attentiveness. It is quite possible to be a desert hermit and never experience solitude. But it we possess inward solitude we do not fear being along, for we know that we are not alone. Neither do we fear being with others, for they do not control us. In the midst of noise and confusion we are settled into a deep inner silence. Whether alone or among people, we always carry with us a portable sanctuary of the heart. Inward solitude has outward manifestations. There is the freedom to be alone, not in order to be away from people but in order to hear the divine Whisper better (pg. 96-97).”

Solitude is not always about secluding myself away in a cabin in the mountains, even though I would love to. Sometimes we still have the constant “noise” of life when we are by ourselves.

As this semester continues on, solitude is a practice that I hope to integrate in my habits. Either it’s going away for a weekend or just relaxing in my little apartment. By reflecting and being still, I hope to explore the “sanctuary of the heart” and be ready “to hear the divine Whisper”.

But why do we need to practice solitude?

As my boy Foster states, “The fruit of solitude is increased sensitivity and compassion for others. There comes a new freedom to be with people. There is new attentiveness to their needs, new responsiveness to their hurts (pg. 108).”

Preach it, brother.

That’s what I am learning today.

What does solitude mean to you?

Cheaper Than Paint and Canvases

Thank you, Mondays, for always being my least favorite day of the week.

You provide an opportunity for me to overcome the habit of being grumpy and cranky.

Thank you, 10 page papers, for being due at the same time.

You have pushed my thesis timeline back, but I’m learning the word flexibility.

Thank you, 2 hour Sunday soccer game, for making me run like the wind and getting kicked in the shins. I feel like a grandma, but I think we can dominate our intramural soccer game today.

Thank you, Howard, for being a super sweet vintage cruiser bike.

Since my water pump in my car died, I get to ride you to and around campus while looking like a hipster.

Thank you, LASP, for providing such an amazing study abroad experience. Not only do you serve as my main motivation for my thesis, but you remind me every day that’s its ok to not have all the answers in the world.

Thank you, ipod, for ditching me.

Ever since I lost you, I have faced my fear of silence, but also branched out to new music.

Thank you, blog, for being a creative outlet for me.

You are way cheaper than paint and canvas.

Thank you, future job, for being a dream come true.

Even though I have no idea what you are, I can’t wait to live in a city where I get to serve students and be committed to their education.

Thank you, International Service-Learning conference, for being this weekend.

I have looked forward to you all semester.You are providing me a chance to hang out in Indy, and you also feed into my addiction of community service and learning.

Nerd alert.

Thank you, friends, for not judging me and having patience.

Even when I say a bad word or tell you my corny jokes, you still love me for who I am.

You know who you are.

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for giving me the right words to say.

You fascinate me with your quick delivery.

Thank you, Marcel, for being a shell with shoes on.

You just gave me another reason to put another youtube video on my blog. By the way, I quote you like there is no tomorrow.

"Lady in Spain"

Don't you hate it when you have a song stuck in your head for over a week? Well, world, here's mine.


It's a cloudy day here in Indiana with the rain coming...perfect song to listen to while being in your pajamas all day. Don't forget to sip some hot apple cider....with NFL muted in the background.

If you hear me practicing my mouth trumpet, this is why...



Ingrid Michaelson is off the chain and the bomb digity. I wish I was an accomplished mouth trumpeter.


ps~Sorry for all the youtube videos. I know I have a problem.

"Icing On The Cake"

Humility is everywhere...here's one example:

Throughout my life, Mama Lima has been an example of a real Christian woman. One example that she displays is strength. Even though the woman is only 5 feet, she has strength like no other person. Through that strength she has protected and taken care of me through both the glorious and rough times. She has always instilled the value of learning and education ever since I was a little girl. Education came first. She always told me, “Do your homework…because you don’t deserve to work hard like me.”

Below is a StoryCorps video that is very similar to my story (except I’m an only child and Mama Lima is from Guatemala):



I would always get in trouble because I would steal post-it notes, paper clips and highlighters from people’s desks. I would make an “art project” (I think that’s where my love for post-it notes developed). I think I made more work for Mama Lima, but I think she got use to my "art projects" by then. That never stopped her from buying me snacks from the vending machine or giving me candy she would find on people’s desks.

It’s been over 30 years since Mama Lima immigrated from Guatemala to the states, and she still works hard. She still tells me to do my work. Whenever I’m home on break, she still brings me little treats from work. She still inspires me every day.

“There’s nothing that could stand in my way that didn’t stand in yours more. It’s the most important thing for me, having gone to college, and I feel like anything I do on from here on out is ok because I’ve already achieved my dream. Everything else is icing on the cake.”

Yes, mama…I’ll do my homework.



Who is your example of humility?

"Bodies in Urban Spaces"

If you see me straddling a tree, this is why...




I know, crazy. Reason #456 why I wouldn't mind living in a big city.

...and yes, the baby sounds do creep me out a bit.

Learn: G3 Sisters

What did I learn today?

You can never underestimate the power of friendship. Throughout my college years, I had the privilege of developing friendships that are dear to my heart.

Now that we all are in separate parts of the country, I know that they will always be my “G3 sisters”. Tonight they really pulled through when I texted them some words of my frustration with life and they responded with encouragement mixed in with humor and wittiness. I may have cried tears of laughter...

What is a G3er? Good question. A "G3er" is a female student who had or is currently living on the third floor of Gilbert Hall at LeTourneau University. Get it? Gilbert hall + 3rd floor = G3. Since LeTourneau does not have sororities, floor unity is pretty much what makes up the community at LeTourneau. I lived on G3 for three years and these ladies were my suitemates/roommates/bff and now they are my life long friends. Being an only child, I learned the beauty of sisterhood through their friendships. This lesson I have come to value in hopes of working in residence life when I graduate from grad school in May.

I lurve them to death.

Thank you, G3 sisters, for being there to watch TV and eat buckets of cookie dough when we should’ve been doing our homework during our college years. I long for the day when we reunite and talk into the wee hours of the morning about boys, work, Gilmore Girls, food, and how certain people can pull off skinny jeans.

Bottom line: Take advantage of the friendships you have. You never know when you are going to need encouragement and support...or someone to joke about how Hanson sounds like a bunch of girls.

That’s what one of the things I learned today.

Are you taking your friendships for granted?

Learn: Define Humility and Listen

What did I learn today?

Today I realized that I have been blogging quite a bit on the concept of humility, but I never really gave the definition of what humility means to me. It’s like I have been beating around the bush. I blogged about how I saw humility lived out and why pride is important to acknowledge when exploring the topic of humility.

Bottom line #1: Humility is being fully aware of the identity of one’s self while being modest while not being arrogant or prideful. Yet, one can feel insignificant and lower superiority while still maintaining confidence.

That’s my ideal definition of humility. Again, as I continue on this journey of exploring what humility is, I’m still in the process of finding out what my definition truly means to me.
It’s funny that ever since I have shifted my blogging to more of an intentional learning journal, I have become more aware of what I learn each day (which is pretty much the point of the assignment). Anyways, as I continue to learn, inside and outside the classroom, I realize the more I need to embrace humility. I probably have stated this in previous blog entries, but the more “education” I receive the more I realize that I really don’t know anything at all.

Funny, huh?

Learning requires humility. Without humility you are not able to receive information, knowledge, or skills to continue on in life. In order to take learning to a deeper level of learning, humility must be the front man on lines. For me, deep learning requires emotion to be put into play. For me to really grasp the deeper part, I may relate back to a memory, person or anything that is a major part of who I am. As I continue to increase my deep learning ability, I must remind myself that humility is a major part of my learning experience. I like to talk. I like to talk a lot. I like to express what is on my mind and what opinions I have about the matter. Yet, if I am to be taken serious and hopefully teach others, I must listen. That’s communication.

I must continue to remind myself that listening to others is important and that everyone comes from a different perspective. That’s part of the learning process. If we just shut up for a minute and listen to what others have to say, we could be astonished of the wisdom and knowledge that some people have.

Bottom line #2: As I continue to learn how to define humility, listening is what I must do to continue my deeper sense of learning.

That’s what I learned today.

Are you listening?

Learn: The Beauty of Memories

What did I learn today?

Memories can be a blessing or seem to be a curse. They remind us of the joyful moments of life or uncover some hurt and healing that needs to be done. At the same time, they can be humbling. They can remind us of the lesson learned or that embarrassing moment.

Today was a day full of uncovered memories. From the smallest funniest memories to the painful life changing memories, I was able to look back see the growth. Yes, there are some memories that still need a “happy ending”…but there’s hope.

Let us not disregard the beauty of memories. They represent a huge part of who we are. They change our lives. Even though they may bring sorrow, but they can also bring joy. Even though they can split us, but they unite us. Yet they are all part of the Plan.

Its how we react to and what we do with the memories that matter. Do we let them bring us down? Or do we rejoice in the growth and the hope we have?

That's what I learned today.

They Wear "Boo" Jeans

Thank you, broccoli, for not overcooking last night.

I did a little booty dance because you were so green and scrumptious.

Thank you, Patriots, for winning your game yesterday.

Even though I was a little nervous, you still pulled out some great plays. I do think that your quarterback needs a haircut.

Thank you, Chicago, for being so freaking awesome on Friday.

You reminded me how much I love big cities. Also, your deep dish pizza makes me drool with delight. I hope to live in you someday.

Thank you, North Park University, for having the 2nd Annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference. It was refreshing to see all the beautiful faces of students from different universities. Also, I may have shaken my booty a little bit when your step team stepped it up.

Thank you, TLC, for contributing to my procrastination.

You air shows that I think are mind blogging and close to “reality”.

Thank you, BFF, for not encouraging my corny jokes.

This does not mean that I will stop texting you at 12:00am asking you what kind of pants ghosts wear. By the way, they wear “boo” jeans. Ha. Gets me every time.

Thank you, Ingrid Michaelson and Paramore, for being my cooking music yesterday.

Your strong and beautiful voices make me want to shout, “I am woman. Hear me roar”. Also, singing in a Julia Child voice to your songs is one of the best things I have ever done.

Thank you, Come Thou Fount, your lyrics remind me of how human I can be.

What are you thankful for?

Learn: Acknowledge Pride

What did I learn today?

“The real issue here is not if pride exists in your heart; it’s where pride exists and how pride is being expressed in your life. Scripture shows us that pride is strongly and dangerously rooted in all our lives, far more than most of us care to admit or even think about.”

~C.J. Mahaney, Humility: True Greatness (pg. 29)

The first step that we must take towards achieving humility (which I honestly think will be a lifelong process) is admitting the pride that we have in our lives. Most importantly, we must continually examine my life and evaluate where pride has taken over. It’s important for us to admit that pride is an everyday occurrence for us humans. For the past week, I have been mulling over the last part of the above quote. Granted, I know that there will be times that I have no idea that I’m being prideful, but that does not justify that it’s ok. I must be consciously

…But I love how Mahaney continues on explaining the beauty of God’s mercy.

“He’s merciful in this act of revealing this sin to our hearts and in identifying its seriousness and potential consequences. He is merciful, and He intends to protect us. So throughout His Word, God exposes pride as our greatest enemy.”

~ C.J. Mahaney, Humility: True Greatness (pg. 35)

I don’t want to end this entry on a sad note about pride. I hope to spark some challenge in you, readers, just as I continue to challenge myself. Seek out where pride plays into your life. Find those weaknesses.

Explore. Evaluate.

That's what I learned today.

"Modern Nature"

If you see me shimmying and shaking a little booty with the fall leaves swirling all around me, this is why...



...perfect song for this perfect sunny Saturday. Thank you, Dan In Real Life, for having an off-the-chain soundtrack. You also do a great job portraying Steve Carrell as a normal sane being.


What makes you shimmy and shake your booty this Saturday?

Learn: Humility Lived Out

What did I learn today?

Yesterday the whole world witnessed history when 32 Chilean miners and 1 Bolivian miner, who have been trapped for 65 days, were saved in 22 hours. Luis Urzua, who was the group’s foreman and is now known to be the group’s leader, was the last miner who was brought up to the surface and broke the world record for being underground the longest. When the accident happened on August 5th, the world held its breath to see if there was any chance for any sign of the men. 17 days later, drillers were able to drill with a camera down to the men and they saw a face. Then they found the note on the drill stating the 33 were all alive. Since then the attempts for the rescue of the 33 continued on and ended yesterday.

I’ll be honest and admit that I spent the whole day at my desk watching the live feed of the men being rescued. Even though I missed the first rescuer coming up to the surface, I was still able to catch video clips of the young son crying to meet his beloved father.

I do have a lot of things to say about the event, I do want to stress what is the main point. Humility has been a word that I have trying to define these past couple of weeks. As I watched each of the men being rescued in the Phoenix, humility and solidarity were the two words that I could only think of. Several of the men even bowed down on their knees to thank God for the rescue. Some of them were not ashamed of crying in front of world as they embraced their loved ones.

Can you imagine living underground for 65 days? Without seeing your family? Without having a comfortable bed? Having to not eat more than a spoonful of tuna and a cup of milk those first 17 days? It was hot and dark. It’s crazy to think of the things we take for granted. 33 men.

These men are miners. A majority of them went into the mining business due to the lack of finances. From business men to former soccer players, these men worked for a living because of the responsibility of families. Many of them had children to factor in and even had a couple to put through college.

Each man that was rescued was able to receive a bear hug and encouraging words from the President Sebastian Pinera, a billionaire, with the world watching. A miner hugging a billionaire, because life triumphs over death.

"The only thing I ask, personally, is that you please not treat us like celebrities or journalists," ~ Mario Antonio Sepulveda Espinace, second miner that was rescued.

I am humbled by the event because:

...the men did everything they could do to keep on living.

...no matter how cameras were on them, they still displayed their love and affection for their families.

...each person had a role while they were down in the mine.

...their leader was willing to be the last one rescued. He wanted his workers to be saved.

...these men were patient enough to develop a community underground. Even if there might have been conflict, they kept each other alive.

...when I read more about their stories, solidarity, is the only I can think of that defines their experience.

To learn more about the 33 miners stories click here, here, and here.

Picture taken from here.

My Pizza Face Now Thanks You

Thank you, Spanish guitar, for being my cooking music yesterday.

You made me talk like Julia Child in Spanish with a lisp.

Thank you, fall, for being an awesome season.

You make taking pictures fun and the essence of cool.

Thank you, Attribution theory, for reminding that I must not judge and automatically assume things. We all are fallen people.

Thank you, Land of Up weather, for being indecisive these past couple of days. Although others are grumpy about the warm weather, it provides more of a window for me to gear up for the brutal winters.

Thank you, Jumping Bean, for always having yummy drip coffee right outside my office door. Sometimes when my day gets stressful, I like to sit on your couches and let the coffee aroma fill my nostrils.

Thank you, #58 sundae, for being so divine.

You provide my taste buds the beautiful combination of mint and chocolate. Also, my pizza face now thanks you for having massive amounts of chocolate.

Thank you, Sunday night volleyball, for being so intense last night.

Not only are my hamstrings rejoicing with pain right now, but my competitiveness just increased 50 notches.

Thank you, apartment mate, for getting polar pops last night.

Your little act of kindness gave my research group a bit of hope and energy to work into the wee hours of the morning.

Thank you, Thanksgiving break, for being a week long.

I’m using you as motivation to bulldoze my way through this semester. I can’t wait to stuff my face out with Mama Lima’s turkey and watch endless hours of football with the Papa Lima.

Thank you, Wavin’ Flag, for being in my head all weekend.

Not only do I think of the World Cup everytime, but I get a little teary eyed as I picture my students waving their flag with pride and dignity.

"Mystery Zone" by Spoon

Just imagine me frolicking through the fall colored leaves with this song in the background:



...and my black curly hair blowing in the wind.

On My Way On Taking Comfort In Rituals

Thank you, trees, for producing such pretty colors on your leaves.

You make me want to shimmy and shake my booty.

Thank you, savings account, for letting me get my ticket to Texas for Thanksgiving.
That week is going to be...off. the. chain. *fist pump in the air*

Thank you, cell phone, for making a freaking annoying sound in the morning to wake me up.
You make me want to throw you across the room.

Thank you, Mama Lima, for being the bomb-dot-com and loving me for who I am.
You are not afraid to be real with me. You also don't take my crap.

Thank you, cohort, for walking alongside of me during this time called grad school.
Let's rock this trash.

Thank you, BFF, for letting me text you my corny jokes late at night.
It comforts me to know someone in Texas thinks I'm crazy.

Thank you, gospel choir, for singing your heart out at chapel.

You fill my soul with joy and grant me the liberty to dance for Jesus.

Thank you, New England, for being the location of my childhood.
You shaped my worldview and my love for the Patriots.

Thank you, Starbucks, for bringing back the pumpkin spice latte.
I'm well on my way on taking comfort in rituals.

Thank you, Today's Letters, for inspiration.

Thank you, assistantship, for letting me learn how to be a professional.
It's here where my love for community service and education are combined.
*ten awesome gold stars*



What are you thankful for?

Learn: "You Gotta Have 'Ganas'"

What did I learn today?

I’ll be honest. Grad school is tough and can be a little discouraging. Sometimes it feels like our life is consumed by: projects, readings, thesis, work, cooking dinner, laundry, relationships, finances, life, and etc. Most of the days are consumed with stress. Sleep becomes a foreign concept to most of us. Some of us lose weight, because we don’t have time to eat. Some of us gain weight, because we rely on take out and frozen pizzas to keep us alive. For me, I know that I must continue to find things that continue my momentum going. Going straight from undergrad to graduate, one can feel a little burnt out.

One of my favorite movies is Stand and Deliver. Despite the 80’s style, Stand and Deliver is listed as a classic in my list. The movie is about a high school math teacher, Jamie Escalante (played by Edward James Olmos), who is passionate about teaching his students calculus. To provide a little background, the setting is in East Los Angeles. The majority of the students are Latino/a’s and come from hard backgrounds. School is the last thing in their minds. Resources for the school are not a priority as well. The best part is that throughout the movie, Mr. Escalante uses the word “ganas” when he is motivating his students to learn.

What does the word “ganas” mean? Is it Spanish?

Why, yes it is. The word “ganas” comes from the infinitive word “ganar” which means “to win”. Mr. Escalante told his students , “You have to have ‘ganas’ to learn this stuff”. In this context “ganas” means “to feel like” or “in the mood”. Mr. Escalante says it with this deep tone in his voice while holding a fist to show strength. He is challenging his students to feel it deep within themselves to learn calculus. They have to go into a deeper level and get the motivation from the inside to keep moving forward.

In this clip, the setting is a teacher meeting. They are discussing the future of the school and the lack of resources. You can clearly see what the expectations of the teachers are of their students in this short clip. You can also sense what they were feeling about the situation. The best part of the clip is Mr. Escalante’s response to the situation that is being discussed:

(Youtube offers more clips from the movie. I would encourage you to watch a couple to gain a deeper understanding of Mr. Escalante's teaching style)

I loved Stand and Deliver ever since I was a little girl. Papa Lima introduced this movie to me and has been quoting lines all my life. Throughout my undergrad, he would always tell me to have “ganas” to the times that I just wanted to quit. Now in grad school, he still repeats, “You gotta have ‘ganas’, Melissa. Just like the movie.”

Not only is the movie an encouragement and an advocacy for urban background students, but also for educators. Since I’m choosing higher education as a career, I strive for being an educator just like Mr. Escalante. He studied his students and saw what worked for them. He did not give up on them when they gave him attitude or trashed his house. He worked with them extra hours in the morning and after school for them to learn calculus.

“Ganas” is what I need to continue on. “Ganas” is what I need to finish what is set out before me. “Ganas” is what I need to encourage and motivate my students. “Ganas” is how I need to learn.

I can't wait for the day when I hold me fist up and tell my students, "You gotta have 'ganas'".

That’s what I learned today.

Do you have "ganas"?

Learn: 32 NFL Teams

What did I learn today?

There are exactly 32 NFL teams and I named 20 of them off the top of my head. How embarrassing. I call myself an avid NFL watcher and I only got half the teams. Papa Lima would've been dissapointed.The worst part is that some of the teams I missed are so easy. I couldn’t believe it. Oh well...

For those are you who are interested, here are the 20 I remembered (no particular order):

1) Patriots
2) Steelers
3) Bears
4) Texans
5) Cowboys
6) 49’ers
7) Ravens
8) Packers
9) Raiders
10) Dolphins
11) Bengals
12) Broncos
13) Vikings
14) Jaguars
15) Lions
16) Colts
17) Giants
18) Jets
19) Seahawks
20) Titans

Here are the ones I missed (Again, no particular order):

1) Falcons
2) Bills
3) Chiefs
4) Saints
5) Eagles
6) Rams
7) Buccaneers
8) Redskins
9) Pathers
10) Cardinals
11) Browns
12) Chargers

Bottom line: I learned that there are 32 NFL and I knew about 20 of them. Follow-up questions: How many Bible verses do I know? How many of my family member’s birthdays do I remember? How many hymns do I remember? How many answered prayers in my life do I remember?

Funny…the things we remember.

That’s what I learned today.

Which NFL teams are your favorite?

ps~*ten awesome gold stars* for NFL this Sunday for supporting Breast Cancer Awareness month (picture taken from here)

Background Music

On this crispy fall day (also while doing homework), soundtracks are my background music. I'm currently listenting to these soundtracks: Juno, Eat.Pray.Love, Vicky Christina Barcelona, and Moulin Rouge.




What are some of your favorite soundtracks?


ps-Stayed tuned for what I have learned these past couple of days...

Learn: Cornhole

What did I learn today?

I learned what the game of cornhole is and how to play it. I have never even heard of the game before. So when I was invited to a cornhole tournament at a friend’s house, you can imagine the confusion I had prior to arriving. My friends encouraged me by saying this is a cultural thing of the Midwest and that I truly will experience the Midwest through playing this game. Well, they were right. (Picture taken from here)

So for my New England/Texas/wherever-you-from friends, I have included information on what is cornhole and how to play it.

So Lima, what the heck is cornhole?

“It has been called many things, Corn Toss, Bean Bag, Bean Toss, Soft Horseshoes, Indiana Horseshoes, but to many of us born and raised in Kentucky and the southern part of Ohio, the game is passionately referred to as Cornhole.

It has been said that the game originated in Germany in the 14th century, and then was rediscovered in the hills of Kentucky over 100 years ago.

The truth is, who really knows, but the game is great fun for all ages and can be played anywhere!

Cornhole or Corn Toss is similar to horseshoes except you use wooden boxes called cornhole platforms and corn bags instead of horseshoes and metal stakes. Contestants take turns pitching their corn bags at the cornhole platform until a contestant reaches the score of 21 points. A corn bag in the hole scores 3 points, while one on the platform scores 1 point.

Scoring can be swift and the lead may change hands several times in a match before the winner is decided.

The game is generally played tournament style with an individual or team being named the champion at the end of the tournament.” (Information taken from American Cornhole Association website)

Even though it'a a popular game in Kentucky and Ohio, people in Indiana love to play this game.

So why do people play cornhole?

“The biggest reasons to play Cornhole or Corn Toss instead of horseshoes or other similar games is that Cornhole can be played anywhere and everyone can play Cornhole.

If you can aim and toss a corn bag 30 feet, you can master the game of Cornhole - It's great for family outings.

Cornhole can be played anywhere - driveways, parks, backyard, campgrounds, beaches and even in-doors.

Safe for everyone - no metal or pointed objects. Corn bags are made of extra soft 12 oz. duck canvas material and filled with pliable high quality feed corn.

No muss; no fuss. Two cornhole platforms and 8 corn bags and you’re ready to play the game.

Very portable. Can be taken anywhere. Fits in most car trunks and there are fold-down models that are even more portable.

Horseshoes require a sand pit and are hard for the kids to pitch, lawn darts require a lawn and hasn’t been seen since the 70’s, ring toss was made for children and bean bags are for wimps; Cornhole is the game for everyone!

It’s great fun for the whole family.” (Information taken from the American Cornhole Association website)

Once I finally understood the concept, I concluded that it was just like a beanbag toss that I use to play at harvest parties in New England. It did take me a little getting used to the throwing technique. Let’s just say that after a warm up, I impressed the “experts” that I improved greatly.

Watch out, world. Cornhole champ in the making, here.

That’s what I learned today.

For more information on:
How to play Cornhole, click here.
Cornhole official rules, click here.
American Cornhole Association, click here.