Posts in personal
Geek Out: Google Maps lets you be Pokemon Master

Update

I guess I'm not going to be hired by Google. I was not able to collect all the Pokemon. However, I know my 10-year-old self would be freaking out right now. I'm glad simple games can give the best pleasures in life. 

Check out what others at the York Daily Record facebook said about the April Fools game:


Original

Do you ever want to be a Pokemon Master? You can start catching Pokemon on your tablet or smart phone.

Google has created a fun activity for fans and all ages to catch Pokemon for April Fools according to The Verge.

It took me awhile to understand the maniacs of the game. It is simple and effortless. You don't even have to fight them. 

After you hit start adventure on the app, you are directed toCERN (Centre europeen pour la recherche nucleaire) in Geneva. You can catch up to 150 Pokemon. 

According to the youtube video by Google, you have until April 2nd to catch them all. Well, I a few hundreds of Pokemon to catch. 

Dozens of wild Pokémon have taken up residence on streets, amidst forests and atop mountains throughout Google Maps. To catch 'em all, grab your Poké Ball and the newest version of Google Maps for iPhone or Android. Then tap the search bar, "press start," and begin your quest.

The April Fools game by Google and probably Nintendo did this to bring life back into die hard fans. I myself found it entertaining and educational. What better way to explore a real place with a a purpose.

The best prank ever.

My friend and I had a conversation about the new discovery:

Mocha Want More

Is coffee good for you? Well - we all know its sometimes a good idea to treat yourself ounce in awhile to a fancy coffee.

I had a a break over the weekend and Yelp on my trusty phone. I found Square One Coffee in Lancaster, Pa. It was about 6 minutes walking distance from volunteer destination at the Letterpress Heritage Museum.

I pop a squat at the hippest place on earth with wood cut benches and chairs. I felt generous to myself and ordered a mocha. 

After I drank it with true glee on my face, I wondered if what I was drinking is good for your health. I googled it and found it is not. 

According to the Daily Mail, drinking mocha is just like eating a brownie. They gave the health habit a 1 out 5. 

"A mocha is an espresso with added steamed milk, chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Because of its high fat content, it can contain more calories than most coffees - 310 calories when made with whole milk and 230 calories when made with skimmed milk. That's almost ten grammes of fat and 80mg of caffeine." - Daily Mail

Well. I guess to have it ounce in awhile. Everything in moderation right? 

 

Travel: One Day Harrisburg, PA

Empty. Lonely. Surprising. Words I can describe a Saturday afternoon in Harrisburg. I took a field day trip with a friend and wondered the ghostly city. 

The day was beautiful with the weather being a slightly warmer. It was a good break from the recent snow storms to hit Pennsylvania. Both my friend and I had cabin fever and ventured outside to Harrisburg, a 40 minute drive from York, Pa. 

 

For on Saturday afternoon we visited: 

Broad Street Market
Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe
The Pennsylvania State Capitol
The Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick 
Arepa City Latin Eatery

Broad Street Market

####_travel_harrisburg_001.jpg

There are two separate buildings with 2 hour parking on each side. It was easily accessible and I had no problems finding it. However, upon entering, there was not many people around 2 p.m. You visually can see Mennonites working and selling meats and specialty goods.  

Overall, my friend said, " I can really appreciate Central Market (markert house in York, Pa)" It was not what I expected from a farmer's market. It was cramped and did not appeal to my food scenes. It took 10 minutes to tour both buildings. 

  According to Wiki, the city completed a $2.5 million restoration project in 1996. 


Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe

####_travel_harrisburg_002.jpg

Across from the Broad Street Market is a used books store and cafe. For anyone who is a book lover, this would be your hipster spot. It's has an open atmosphere with different levels and rooms to visit. 

The deeper you go into a room, the stronger the old wet book smell. Some people just don't like that smell, oddly enough, I like it. 

According to Visit Hershey and Harrisburg website, the building is the nation's largest academic used bookstore. It has over 100,00 books with six levels. 

The Pennsylvania State Capitol

####_travel_harrisburg_003.jpg

It's a public venue where you can visit. It's free to walk-in the rotunda. Take the guided tour because that is also free and you will be able to see three rooms and walk up the stairs.

The place reminds me of the Capitol from the Hunger Games. The surrounding area is gray and empty. The inside is covered in gold leafing and architecture is inspired by a catholic cathedral. 

My favorite part of the tour is to see paintings by a woman named Violet Oakley who was the first woman to receive a public mural commission. She created the Love and Wisdom painting found in the Supreme Court Chamber, which is my favorite. 

####_travel_harrisburg_004.jpg

The Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick 

####_travel_harrisburg_006.jpg

After the Capitol, we walked across towards the Susquehanna River and stopped in at the Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick. The scared place was quiet with beautifully stained glass windows. The afternoon light hit the windows and reflected an orange glow across the wall. 

####_travel_harrisburg_007.jpg

Arepa City Latin Eatery

####_travel_harrisburg_008.jpg

It was a difficult location to find at first, but it was a walking distance from the the church. The little shop is hidden. A place you would never expect. It's practically a hole in a wall place close to the bars. 

I tried the Arepa, a flat bread made from corn. It was crunchy and warm filled with anything you want. It's like a overflowed hot pocket. 

Great service and found a coupon on yelp for $10 for $20 which they honored. 

####_travel_harrisburg_009.jpg