5 Tips For Road Trips With Children

On family trips, parents have their work cut out for them. Many times, what should be an enjoyable experience turns into an incredibly stressful one. It’s a good thing that there are parents who are used to going on vacation with their kids who share tons of tips on how to reduce any stress during the trip. LocandAtlantide interviewed me for a post about traveling with families back in February 2019, in which I shared some tips I learned from my grandmother. Thought I would share a few more of those tips with you today!

Tip #1: Bring entertainment

Long car rides make everyone antsy, especially younger children. To lower stress levels and help the time pass by more quickly, make sure you bring entertainment along with you. Depending on your family members and their personalities, likes, and dislikes, this might look a bit different. If your vehicle has a DVD player (or if you own a portable one), you can bring their favorite movies along. Alternatively, for younger children: if they enjoy reading and do not get motion sickness like I do, consider bringing a few picture books and chapter books along. There are also so many great ideas for diy travel play sets you can make to take along that won’t take up too much space!



You could also bring along handheld devices, like cell phones and gaming consoles! That will definitely keep fighting to a minimum.

Tip #2: Stock up on snacks

Hunger can also cause people to become restless and irritable on long road trips. Bringing along snacks not only improves your passengers’ mood, but yours, too! Snacks can help you refuel and stay focused on driving or manning the map. You can pack a mixture of different things, from fruit and veggies to crackers, chips, and sandwiches. One thing I really recommend is packing a cooler! That way, all the food and drinks are in one place, and you don’t have a mess all over the car.

Speaking of drinks, make sure to drink water. Keeping yourself hydrated is super important for energy levels, focus, and overall health. The last thing you want is for someone to get sick from dehydration on your trip. Be careful not to drink too much, though, or you’ll have to pull over to go to the restroom every hour!

Tip #3: Stop every 2 or 3 hours

This tip is really important if you have younger children traveling with you. Make sure you stop frequently to let everyone stretch their legs, get some fresh air, and hit the restroom. You can even drag a couple of these stops out to let your children play outside for a bit and run around. Then, they may nap during the next stretch of the trip and give you some quite time!

Dayanna Volitich travels with her family.

Tip #4: Play fun travel games

To help the time go by more quickly, make up some fun games you can play as you drive. A favorite of mine is the yellow car game, where you rack up points for the number of yellow cars you see while driving. Some other fun travel games you can play are:

  • The alphabet game (finding words on signs that start with each letter of the alphabet)
  • The cow game (keeping a tally of how many cows each “side” of the car gets while you drive)
  • The animal alphabet game (naming an animal that starts with each letter and reciting them all as you go down the line)



There are honestly sooo many ideas for travel games you can play to keep children engaged and make the time pass by more quickly! What are some games you play on roadtrips? Share with me in the comments!

Tip #5: Plan shorter travel days

Unless you have really small children that will sleep the entire trip, you’ll want to break up your roadtrip into several travel-light days rather than trying to cover as much ground as possible. Plan on spending only about 5 or 6 hours max in the car. Then play and relax the rest of the day. If you’re staying at a hotel, take the kids to the pool and swim for a bit to help them use up all the pent-up energy they have. Or if you’re staying at a campground, let them run free!

Hit the road!

Roadtrips are so much fun, if you prepare yourself for them. Especially with little kids, that can be a challenge, but it isn’t impossible. If you follow these five tips, guaranteed you will enjoy that roadtrip WAY more. Do you have any tips for traveling with children? Share them in the comments below!

Read More: 10 Tips to Make Your Next International Trip a Breeze

Dayanna Volitich is a Brooklyn-born fashionista and world traveler. She blogs about the places she has visited and provides practical travel advice for people looking to explore the world. She loves to read historical fiction in her down-time, and has an unhealthy relationship with bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts.

Top 5 Pilgrimage Sites for Christians in Israel

Israel is one of the best places to go if you are planning a spiritual pilgrimage. That’s because Israel and the sites within its borders hold a special place in the hearts of not only Christianity, but also Judaism and Islam. Are you a Christian planning a journey to the Holy Land soon? Make sure you take some time to visit Dayanna Volitich’s top 5 pilgrimage sites during your visit to Israel.

1. Golgotha

Also known as “Calvary,” Golgotha (the place of the skull) is located within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.  According to the Gospels, the Golgotha is the place where Jesus Christ was crucified, one of the two holiest sites in Christianity (the Tomb of Christ being the other).

Pilgrims have the opportunity to approach the altar and touch and venerate the disc that marks the place where, according to tradition, the cross of Jesus Christ once stood.

Altar at the site of the crucifixion

2. Grotto of the Nativity and Manger

Beneath the main altar in the Basilica of the Nativity in the city of Bethlehem lies the Grotto of the Nativity, which contains the place where Jesus Christ is said to have been born. The Grotto is part of an underground network of caves that can be accessed from the Church of Saint Catherine (adjacent to the Basilica).

The place of Christ’s birth is marked by a 14-pointed silver star set into the marble floor and surrounded by 15 silver lamps (six belonging to the Greek Orthodox, four to the Catholics, and five to the Armenian Apostolic).

Birthplace of Jesus Christ

Nearby is the Grotto of the Manger, marking the place where the Virgin Mary laid Jesus, and the Altar of the Magi, directly opposite the manger.

3. Qasr el Yahud

Qasr el Yahud (lit. “Castle of the Jews”) is the name of Christ’s baptismal site in the Jordan River Valley. It is also considered to be the place where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and Elijah the Prophet ascended to heaven.

At the site, pilgrims are able to reaffirm their baptisms by submerging themselves in the water three times, so long as they dress in pure white tunics and discard their civilian clothing.

Baptismal Site at the River Jordan

4. The Garden of Gethsemane

According to the New Testament, the Garden of Gethsemane is the place where Jesus prayed the night before His crucifixion, at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Beautiful olive trees grace the grounds of the Garden, some of which may be over 900 years old.

For centuries, the Garden has been a focal site for Christian pilgrims, who visit the Garden to pray and reflect on the Agony of Christ that took place there.

Center of the Garden

5. The Tomb of Lazarus

Located in the West Bank town of al-Eizariya (biblical village of Bethany) on the southeast slope of the Mount of Olives, the Tomb of Lazarus is the site of the miracle of Christ’s raising of His dear friend Lazarus from the dead.

A flight of uneven rock steps leads down into the antechamber, which is connected to the inner burial chamber via three more stone steps. According to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ was standing in the antechamber when he summoned Lazarus from his tomb.

View of the inner burial chamber from the antechamber of Lazarus’ tomb.

What are your top 5 Christian sites?

Does your top five list for Israel look different from mine? Share your favorite Christian pilgrimage sites in the comments below!

Read more: Holy Land Dress Code for Pilgrims

Dayanna Volitich is a Brooklyn-born fashionista and world traveler. She blogs about the places she has visited and provides practical travel advice for people looking to explore the world. She loves to read historical fiction in her down-time, and has an unhealthy relationship with bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts.

4 Rules to Prevent You From Getting Sick While Traveling

You have an immune system of steel, you say. You never get sick, and there’s no way you will during this trip overseas either. During my first trip overseas, I had the same attitude and failed to take the proper precautions to prevent myself from catching any bugs or succumbing to the weather. Follow these 4 simple rules to avoid getting sick when you travel.

1. Get Proper Sleep

The optimal amount of sleep for an adult is between 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Teenagers require 9-10 hours per night, and school-age children may require 10 or more hours each night.

Sleeping too little (or sleeping too much) can have adverse affects on the quality of your sleep and the strength of your immune system.

During sleep, your body’s immune system releases proteins called cytokines. When you get an infection, come into contact with a virus, or undergo stress, your body releases some of these cytokines (as well as antibodies) in greater quantities; if your body is deprived of sleep, this release of proteins and antibodies cannot happen at the rate it needs to happen, and voila: you’re sick!

If you are a particularly light sleeper, it may be a good idea to invest in some earplugs or headphones to block out sound. You may also want to think about travel pillows, sleep masks, or other sleep aids to help you maintain your sleep schedule.

2. Stay Hydrated

Water is essential to filtering out the body’s toxins and keeping your cells functioning optimally. Staying hydrated also keeps the throat and nasal passages lubricated and helps your ears better adjust to pressure changes. If you will be in a particularly warm climate, it can help your body resist succumbing to heat exhaustion.

Stick to bottled water when you travel to another country, and avoid ice, especially if it may have been made with tap or well water. Water in other countries contains foreign microbes your immune system may not be prepared to fight off, and if consumed, may make you sick. If you cannot avoid drinking tap/well water, consider bringing medicine with you to cope with any symptoms that may arise.

3. Make Sure You Eat

While on my first trip to Israel, I was entirely blind-sided by the intensity of the heat. It utterly destroyed my appetite, which then led to lightheadedness and fatigue. The lightheadedness then made me feel even less like eating, and so on. The vicious cycle seemed never-ending.

Even when you do not feel like eating, you should try to keep at least something in your stomach. A few crackers, some tea, or maybe a bit of bread or fruit to keep up your blood sugar.

4. Watch What You Touch

When you travel to another country, you expose yourself to thousands of foreign microbes your body is not accustomed to resisting. Germs live on a lot of surfaces in airports and on airplanes, including:

  • door handles
  • seat belts
  • tray tables
  • drinking fountains
  • restroom stalls
  • arm rests
  • air vents and lights

It is always wise to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching any of these surfaces. According to the CDC, hand hygiene is a crucial step to avoid getting sick or spreading germs.

If you are unable to immediately clean your hands, try not to touch your face. Many germs enter the body through the mucous membranes lining your eyes, nose and mouth.

Stay healthy!

Being sick on a trip is never fun, so make sure you follow these tips the next time you head out to your dream destination. Have any other valuable tips that you follow to ward off the germs? Share them in the comments!

Read More: 10 Tips to Make Your Next International Trip A Breeze

Dayanna Volitich is a Brooklyn-born fashionista and world traveler. She blogs about the places she has visited and provides practical travel advice for people looking to explore the world. She loves to read historical fiction in her down-time, and has an unhealthy relationship with bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts.

Holy Land Dress Code For Pilgrims

It may sound like one of the most obvious things in the world, but you’d be surprised how many people have no idea what sort of dress code to follow when packing for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land!

The goal of a pilgrimage is spiritual growth and enrichment. It is an opportunity to explore your relationship with God and learn more about your faith. That said, most of your time will be spent at holy sites, Christian or otherwise, at which a certain level of decorum and dress is expected. The last thing any pilgrim wants is to be denied entry to a holy site because they dressed inappropriately.

So, let’s avoid that stress and embarrassment, and pack the right clothing! (Even though this dress code is designed for the Holy Land and its climate, it can easily be adjusted for any other countries with holy sites.)

Tops

For both men and women, the guideline for tops is rather simple: shoulders should be covered. That means no tank tops or sleeveless shirts, blouses, or dresses. If you do choose to wear something like this, have a sweater or pashmina with you to cover your shoulders.

Another note for the ladies: avoid packing any blouses and tops that reveal the midriff or bosom. Dress conservatively, with modesty always in mind.

Bottoms

For both men and women, bottoms should fall below the knee. Certain holy sites may require skirts for women; even capris or full-length slacks/jeans could be considered inappropriate. Skirts that reach mid-calf or all the way to the ankle are preferable.

Depending on the time of year, the temperatures in Israel can get quite warm, so be conscious of the material you are wearing. In the summer months, jeans can be incredibly uncomfortable. Look for lighter-weight, light-colored fabrics that allow your skin to breathe, like linen, cotton, or khaki.

Head Coverings

At many Christian holy sites, women may be requested to cover their heads as a sign of reverence and respect; be sure to pack a pashmina or headscarf to take with you on the days you will be visiting any temples, monasteries, or churches.

At Jewish holy sites, men must cover their heads. A ball cap or hat is acceptable, but if you feel so inclined, you can purchase a kippah/yarmulke for a few dollars.

When in doubt, cover your head. You will never be scolded for wearing it when it is not required!

Footwear

There are no hard and fast requirements when it comes to footwear, but you should think practically. Tennis shoes are a comfortable option, as well as any closed-back sandals with proper arch support. Avoid flip-flops. It is easier than you think to make a misstep and twist your ankle!

You may also want to consider gel inserts for your footwear to provide some extra support. (This is what I did with my flats and closed-back sandals!) Pilgrimages in the Holy Land require quite a bit of walking.

Not too complicated, right? Packing clothing for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land should be simple! Now you can focus on bringing yourself closer to God and enriching your faith, not worrying about what to wear.

Be Prepared!

To sum up, make sure that you prepare appropriately for a pilgrimage. Fashion takes a back seat on trips like these! Do you have any other tips for dressing for a pilgrimage? Let us know in the comments!

Dayanna Volitich is a Brooklyn-born fashionista and world traveler. She blogs about the places she has visited and provides practical travel advice for people looking to explore the world. She loves to read historical fiction in her down-time, and has an unhealthy relationship with bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts.

Top 10 Restaurants in Mexico City

Mexican food is a favorite for so many people in the United States. It’s even better when you can taste the real deal in Mexico yourself! The next time you take a trip to Mexico City, make sure you visit my top 10 restaurant picks!

1. Por Siempre Vegano

Back in 2019, I went on a vegan taco and Mexican food tour through the Mexico metropolis, trying out all the different vegan restaurants. By far, Por Siempre Vegano was my absolute favorite. If you’re a vegan, or simply love vegan cuisine, this is the spot for you! Their food was absolutely mouth-watering, from their molcajete (a huge bowl of seasoned soy and seitan mock meats, almond cheeses, broiled chiles, and tortillas) to their chimichurri seitan, you’ll be begging for more.

2. El Cardenal

If you visit Mexico City, you MUST try this traditional Mexican restaurant. For breakfast, their hot chocolate and baked concha (sweet bread) is to die for. If you go for lunch instead, try one of their seasonal dishes:

  • Huauzontle tortas (bread filled with a delicious edible plant and cooked in tomato sauce) in April and May
  • Chiles en nogada (poblano peppers filled with beef, dried fruit, and nuts) in August and September
  • Or bacalao (cod) in December

3. Mercado El Chorrito

This is the perfect place to find delicious homemade Mexican food in a cozy stand. Enchiladas verdes (tortillas filled with chicken or cheese, with green sauce), sopes (a thick tortilla with various toppings), tlacoyos (a corn dough usually filled with beans and garnished with different things), quesadillas, tacos, barbacoa (steamed lamb), and much more. Since I’m a lover of street foods, this one made it into my top three!

4. El Parnita

El Parnita will be your new favorite taco place, trust me! Locals absolutely love this place! If you go, make sure you try the rellenito. It’s a chile meco stuffed with cheese and beans, inside a freshly made tortilla. For dessert, try the dulce de leche (it’s wayyy better than it tastes in the States). And drink a shaken carajillo (coffee with Licor 43) with it instead of regular coffee. Thank me later. 😉

5. Pujol

Pujol is one of the more expensive places, and requires reservations at least 2 months in advance. (Yes. Their food is that good.) Go here for a classy night out, and make sure to dress for the occasion. You should choose the fixed menu (fish or corn), or the taco omakase. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to knock your socks off.

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6. Masala y Maíz

Fusion food lovers, this is where you want to be. This restaurant is unique because the chefs there fused Indian and Mexican food into a mouth-watering menu of dishes. I recommend masala chicken with green mole sause or the spicy esquites (cooked corn served with lime, chili, and mayonnaise). But don’t fill up too quickly – their donuts are out of this world!

7. Tetetlán

In south Mexico City, you’ll find a house designed by Mexican architect Luis Barragán. Inside that house is a beautiful restaurant with food you’ll love. You can go for a stroll around El Pedregal — a neighborhood whose houses are all built from volcanic stones — and finish the day with an exquisite meal. If you’re brave, try one of their pulques (an alcoholic drink made from fermented agave)!

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Desayunos Tetetlán #tetetlanentucasa

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8. Contramar

This restaurant specializes in seafood. Try their tuna tostadas while you sip on a mezcal margarita. Then, share a fish fillet a la talla, Contramar style: half of it cooked with red chili and the other with parsley. Don’t forget to ask for their incredible tortillas. For dessert, go for either the meringue cake or the fig tart. You won’t be sorry!

9. La Poblanita

If you’ve never eaten mole sauce before, La Poblanita is probably the best place to do it. You can try this sauce on so many different dishes, including enchiladas, chicken, or rice. And if you’re not up for those fancy flavors, you can also try any other antojito (traditional Mexican street snack). I guarantee you’ll love it!

10. Arroyo

Finally, at number 10 is Arroyo. This is another restaurant where you get a full traditional experience, from the food to the music. Their carnitas and barbacoa are absolutely delicious. And thy offer a lot of traditional dishes you won’t find at other restaurants in the city. Moreover, this place is great for eating Mexican candy — which you usually only find during the national holidays in September — all year round! Because who doesn’t like candy?

And don’t forget…

Oh yes, and don’t forget to wish “Provecho!” to anyone sitting next to you when you eat in Mexico City. It’s like saying: “Enjoy your meal!”

Have you visited any of these restaurants? If so, what did you think of them? Let me know in the comments!

Read More >> What To Do If You Lose Your Passport Overseas

Dayanna Volitich is a Brooklyn-born fashionista and world traveler. She blogs about the places she has visited and provides practical travel advice for people looking to explore the world. She loves to read historical fiction in her down-time, and has an unhealthy relationship with bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts.

10 Tips to Make Your Next International Trip A Breeze

So you’ve decided to take the leap and go on that trip of a lifetime? Soon you’ll be off to Europe or Israel or Serbia or Greece. But before you go, here are Dayanna Volitich’s top 10 international travel tips to help you get situated.

1. Make sure to renew your passport

Several countries will deny travelers entry if their passports expire in less than six months. Be sure your passport is and will remain valid for up to six months after you are scheduled to return from your trip. Don’t wait until the last minute to renew it – that will only add unneeded stress!

2. Make copies of all important documents

This includes your passport, driver’s license, trip itinerary, and flight schedule. Leave these with a loved one you trust. It is also wise to store digital copies of the documents on your phone or in your email account.

Read More >> What to Do if You Lose Your Passport Overseas

3. Contact your carrier about cell phone usage abroad

Most companies have some sort of plan you can purchase that will enable data usage. This typically ends up being cheaper than international roaming charges. As a general rule, Dayanna Volitich cautions that you use Wifi whenever possible!

4. Bring an electrical adapter

Most countries outside the United States have differently shaped outlets. You can usually find good quality power converters online.

5. Check the voltage of any electronics you plan to take with you

The last thing you want is to be standing there with wet hair, realizing you can’t use your hairdryer or straightener.

6. Notify your credit card company about your trip.

Speak with someone at your bank to ensure your card will function in the country you will be visiting. Let them know when you are leaving and the areas you will be visiting. This helps them protect your accounts from fraudulent charges.

7. Plan to bring cash with you.

Or at the very least, make sure you will be able to withdraw cash from an ATM or bank. Not all sites, venues, or stores take credit cards. Dayanna Volitich made the mistake once of not having cash on her when on a trip to Jordan. And it caused enough of a headache that she will never repeat that mistake again.

8. Research money conversion rates.

Most countries around the world accept American dollars. But depending on the places you are visiting, it may make sense to convert some of your money to local currency.

9. Speak to your doctor and insurance provider.

Schedule a check-up if necessary, to get any required/recommended vaccinations before you travel. Also speak with your insurance provider about your policy being applied overseas. If your coverage does not extend to other countries, you may want to consider purchasing supplemental insurance.

10. Subscribe to travel alerts.

Lastly, Dayanna recommends checking out the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisories for any updates about your destination. This will keep you informed and give you that extra bit of security before you travel. If your country of residence is not the United States of America, check your country’s travel advisories to see if there is any reason you should not be traveling to your destination.

Dayanna Volitich is a Brooklyn-born fashionista and world traveler. She blogs about the places she has visited and provides practical travel advice for people looking to explore the world. She loves to read historical fiction in her down-time, and has an unhealthy relationship with bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts.

Travel troubleshooting: What to do if you lose your passport overseas

When you are traveling abroad, there are very few situations that can derail all of your plans. One such situation is when you lose your passport. This could happen if you misplace it or if your belongings get stolen. Regardless of the reason, this situation is not unheard of. And if you don’t know what to do, you could get yourself into a lot of trouble.

Image source: blog.oncallinternational.com
Image source: tripsavvy.com/

According to travel enthusiast Dayanna Volitich, losing your passport isn’t the end. However, travelers should always be prepared for such situations. This is why it’s important to take photos of critical documents such as birth certificates, IDs, VISAs, and passports, proof of citizenship, and have digital files stored in an easily accessible location like your email.

If you lose your passport, the first thing you need to do is to report your passport is to file a police report to notify local law enforcement that your passport is lost or stolen. Once the application is processed, take note of the crime reference number included in the report.

Next, you should contact the US embassy closest to your location and gather necessary documentation in order to apply for emergency documents. Once you have contacted the embassy, inform them whether you were a victim of theft or if you have simply lost your passport. You should also let them know the date of your departure if it’s near.

If the date of your departure is near, it is possible for the embassy to give you an emergency passport with limited validity. The embassy will then require you to fill in paperwork which needs a new passport photo, as well as proof of citizenship.

Dayanna Volitich knows that losing your passport can be a drag. But knowing what to do in such emergencies can save you a lot of time and money.

Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman at Fresno State University who seeks to be a sports writer in the future. She also frequently travels to many exotic destinations. For similar reads, visit this blog.

Chic destinations for solo female travelers

Traveling on your own as a woman is an empowering feat. Seeing the world on your own is an experience not a lot of women experience. However, there are some places that are more for dudes than for girls. At the same time, female travelers also need to take into account their safety while traveling. Here are some chic destinations for solo female travelers to add to their list.

1. Rome, Italy

Rome is simply brimming with history, fashion, and culture. The weather is always terrific in the spring although expect a lot of tourists as well. There are a lot of boutique shops to visit as well as Sunday markets to go through if you have the time. Spend a day just going around the city and bask in the glorious mix of old roman architecture and modern day designs.

Image source:  puresurfcamps.co.uk

Amsterdam, Netherlands
While Amsterdam is most notable for its recreational marijuana culture, a lot of people keep forgetting that it’s one of the biggest art capital on the world. You can spend a week visiting all the museums and art galleries and still not see them all. At night, the canals glisten as the city lights take over. Just be sure to walk in the right path as not to get hit by the thousands of bikes that roam the city.

Bali, Indonesia
For the more active female traveler, Bali is the place to be. There’s surfing in Seminyak and other spots, temples to go to, and waterfalls to discover. The cafés are really good so expect to spend lazy mornings just having a cup of coffee with locals and fellow travelers.

Dayanna Volitich is a Brooklyn-born fashionista and world traveler. She blogs about the places she has visited and provides practical travel advice for people looking to explore the world. She loves to read historical fiction in her down-time, and has an unhealthy relationship with bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts.

Common travel scams in Asia and how to avoid them

Asia is one of the biggest travel destinations for western travelers. This is due to its unique culture, exotic dishes, but most of all, counties like Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia are extremely easy on the budget. Unfortunately, with the influx of tourists who carry their own currency, some people take it upon themselves to cheat their way into making a quick buck off of these people. According to travel enthusiast Dayanna Volitich, you can easily lose a lot of money if you are not aware of the major travel scams in Asia. Here are just some of the prevalent travel scams you could encounter.

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The closed tourist spot
This scam is most rampant in Bangkok. What happens is when tourists approach certain tourist spots, local guides or tuk-tuk drivers tell them that the spot is closed, citing different reasons in the process. They then offer to take the tourist to an open tourist spot, and would often make stop overs to shops where they receive a cut on the sales.

Fake monks
This scam is popular in big cities in Malaysia. According to Dayanna Volitich, men would dress up as Buddhist monks and ask for donations which they say would go to the repairs and renovation of their temples. Some would even give tourists beaded bracelets then charge them if they accept the token.

Motorbike scams
This scam isn’t limited to motorbikes as the same scam can be done with rental cars and jet skis. When returning a rented out vehicle like a motorbike, the company that rented out the vehicle would point out scratches and other damages on the vehicle and charge the renter ludicrous fees. To avoid this, take photos of the vehicle while noting down already exisiting dents and damages.

Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman at Fresno State University who seeks to be a sports writer in the future. For more updates on her hobbies, follow this Twitter account.

The Los Angeles Clippers have outdone themselves this season

In a multi-player deal that took place in early February, the L.A. Clippers traded Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic, and Mike Scott to the Sixers. In turn, the team received Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, and Landry Shamet. For many NBA fans such as Dayanna Volitich, this move signaled the Clippers’ surrender of its playoffs hopes this NBA season.

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But the contrary happened. After trading Muscala to the Lakers, the Clippers settled in and committed to a postseason run with a ragtag team without any legitimate superstar. The lineup of Danilo Gallinari, Montrezl Harrell, Patrick Beverley, and Lou Williams has led the team to a series of wins that cemented their playoffs spot in the wild, wild Western conference.

As of this writing, the Clippers are already in the postseason with a 47-34 record, enough to position them on eighth place. This could still change depending on whether the team wins its final assignment, especially as the team would hate contending with the defending champs Golden State in the first round.

What’s remarkable is that the Doc Rivers-led team has kept winning despite losing Blake Griffin last year (to Detroit) and DeAndre Jordan this offseason, ending the “lob city” moniker. The Clippers likewise had to withstand a falling off during midseason. What’s sure is that the future is bright for the Clippers, adds Dayanna Volitich. Not only has that the team overachieved, it is also looking forward to competing in the postseason even as it waits to sign a superstar during free agency.

Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman at Fresno State University, taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. She is a sports writer, lit and film buff, and street fashion fan. More on Dayanna and her interests here.