Idriss adventures

  By Idriss Diarra  I had to write this down because tonight didn’t feel real. It felt like something I want to look back on years from now and remember exactly how it felt in the moment. Today, I got to manage a game at Rupp Arena, and honestly, it might be one of the wildest experiences I’ve had since becoming a team manager. The minute I walked in, I felt the history hit me. Rupp isn’t just a gym — it’s like stepping into a place where basketball actually lives. I kept thinking about all the players who were here before me: Anthony Davis, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Jamal Murray, Tyler Ulis, De’Aaron Fox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander… some of the coldest hoopers in the world played right here. And now I’m here too — not as a star or anything, but as part of a college team that gets to step into this legendary space. That alone felt crazy. When warmups started, the building shook. For real. Over 20,000 fans, all in blue, yelling like it’s the national championship even thoug...

  By Idriss Diarra Last weekend, I took a trip to The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, and honestly, it was one of the most peaceful and inspiring afternoons I’ve had in a while. As a college student who’s usually focused on classes, basketball practice, and assignments, I don’t always slow down enough to appreciate art. But this visit reminded me how powerful and creative the art world really is — and how lucky we are to have a museum like this right here in the city. The Walters Art Museum sits in Mount Vernon, one of the most historic and beautiful neighborhoods in Baltimore. The moment you walk through the area, you notice the tall brownstone buildings, the Washington Monument in the center of the square, and little cafés and restaurants tucked around every corner. I grabbed a matcha latte from Dooby’s Café before heading in  a perfect way to start the visit. Inside, the museum itself feels like walking through time. Every room has its own personality from ancient Egy...

  Intangible Cultural Heritage The main idea in the article was to provide the reader about the way that the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has taken action to put in place safeguards to protect Intangible Cultural Heritage. This is needed to preserve intangible culture for future generations, according to the author Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO. The most significant thing that I learned from the article was that I had no idea that this was ever happening. Along with this publication series, and with the UNESCO’s intangible heritage website, these two platforms will be the way that they communicate their information to the widest possible public about all aspects of living heritage. For more background information about this article, the UNESCO was founded in 1945. It is an agency under the United Nations. The UNESCO works as a laboratory of ideas, setting standards on agreements and issues. The UNESCO also serves as a “clear...

  Blueprint Café is a cozy coffee spot tucked away on Notre Dame’s campus in Baltimore, Maryland. What makes it special is how low-key and hidden it feels—it’s the kind of place you almost want to keep secret so it doesn’t get too crowded. I go there every Sunday for a matcha latte before watching the Ravens game, and it’s become one of my favorite weekly rituals. The atmosphere inside is calm and welcoming, and the staff are always friendly and professional. My go-to order is the raspberry matcha latte, which has just the right mix of sweetness and earthy flavor. I also recommend trying the sun-dried turkey sandwich or the raspberry cake muffin—both are delicious and pair perfectly with a drink. Since it’s only a short walk from my apartment, it’s the perfect spot to relax, recharge, and enjoy great food and coffee before game day. If you ever find yourself near Notre Dame’s campus, Blueprint Café is definitely worth checking out!

Attending the NBA YoungBoy concert at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. It was not only my first concert ever, but also an event that felt deeply personal because of how much YoungBoy’s music has meant to me over the years. Walking into the arena surrounded by thousands of fans who shared the same energy and excitement was unreal. The atmosphere was electric—everyone was waving bright green bandannas, a color that represents YoungBoy’s brand and identity. Of course, I had to join in and bought one myself to be part of the moment. I went with my close friends Eric and Troy, who are just as passionate about YoungBoy’s music as I am. Together, we sang along to every song, word for word. My favorite moment of the night was when YoungBoy performed two of my all-time favorites, Came Thru and Survivor. Seeing him perform those songs live, surrounded by fans who knew every lyric, made the entire experience feel surreal. It was also inspiring to s...

Hello Everyone, Today my blog is about Nightingale Drive in Lanham, Maryland. This neighborhood has a lot to offer, and since I live within walking distance, I’ve been able to see what makes it special. One of the highlights of the area is Magnolia Elementary School. If you’re a new family with young children, this is a great neighborhood to consider because of the school and the nearby houses for sale. In addition, the neighborhood is close to Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, which also includes a nursing home. I found this to be very unique—it really opened my eyes to how helpful the location can be for families just starting out, or for those living with grandparents or senior relatives. According to a 2022 report, 16% of senior citizens in Maryland live with relatives. Being close to both a hospital and a nursing home can provide peace of mind, ensuring that older family members get the care they need. At the same time, families benefit from having access to Magnoli...

  Hello, my name is Idriss Diarra, and I’m a senior marketing major at Loyola University of Maryland. I’m from PG County, Maryland, and I’m very proud to be from here. Being from Maryland is great, but being from the County comes with a certain pride and grit. I feel like people from this area work hard. They grow up around a lot of nice things, so they know how high they can set their goals. For us, there’s never really a limit to what we can achieve. Some of my hobbies include recording videos of myself trying new things, playing video games—mostly sports games or Call of Duty, though sometimes I’ll play story games if I’m just chilling by myself—and thrift shopping or visiting flea markets. I enjoy these things because they give me a chance to catch up with myself, take a break from schoolwork, and just relax. Thrifting and flea markets especially bring me peace, while gaming and recording keep me creative and connected.