Lifestyle


Eat Like Official Kentucky Derby-Goers




Try out this menu at your Kentucky Derby party this year.Getty Images





Everyone's going to be eating hot browns and drinking mint juleps for the Kentucky Derby -- except for the people attending, that is. We got the Derby's official culinary team to share the recipes they'll be serving at this year's race. Don a fancy hat and pretend like you're there with this authentic food.

Spring Greens with Pickled Peaches



Levy Restaurants
PHOTO: Kentucky Spring Greens Salad



Fried Chicken and Waffle Salad



Levy Restaurants
PHOTO: Fried Chicken Salad



Pear and Arugula Flatbread



Levy Restaurants
PHOTO: Pear Arugula Flatbread



Smoked Turkey and Brie Sandwich



Levy Restaurants
PHOTO: Smoked Turkey Brie Sandwich





California Sorority Surprises Housekeeper With $21,000 for New Car



Baltimore Curfew Lifted While Protestors Prepare to Rally Again


Fannie Randle got the surprise of her life two weeks ago when "her girls" at the University of Southern California's Gamma Phi Beta sorority, where has been housekeeper for decades, presented her with a $21,000 check to put towards a brand new car.

"I almost passed out," said Randle, 65, with a laugh. "I never in my wildest dreams thought I had so many good friends. I think it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I can't thank those kids enough.

"I walk in and their smiling face brighten up my whole day. They're just so wonderful."




Brand Videography
PHOTO: The girls raised $21,000.



Randle has been keeping house for the sorority for 24 years.

In less than one week, the sisters raised $21,000 for their beloved housekeeper. They presented the gift on April 20 at Gamma Phi Beta's Staff and Alumni Appreciation Dinner.

"Her reaction was priceless," said Gamma Phi Beta's former president, Alicia Jewell, 21. "She was so excited, jumping up and down and screaming, 'Yes!' She said she needed to sit down before she fell over.

"She came up to me the next day and said, 'You're the best friend I've ever had," Jewell added.



Brand Videography
PHOTO: The girls raised $21,000.



Jewell told ABC News that although Randle had been saving money to buy a new car for some time, the sorority wanted to help move the process along.

"I've always seen her car and I had talked to her about it," she said. "The hardest thing for her was coming down with the down payment, and I had been thinking for a while that we should do something nice for her."

From there, Jewell organized a GoFundMe page to cover the cost of Randle's car.

"Fannie has been driving the same little, red, bucket car, as she would call it, since I met her my sophomore year," Jewell said. "The whole side was held together with duct tape. And Fannie just works so hard, I didn't want her to have to worry about something like that. That's why I wanted to make a difference for her."

"Fannie would do anything for us," Jewell added. "She's hardworking, she's loving, she's supportive. You can talk to her literally about everything, and its wonderful for us college students who are away from home.

"The best thing about her is her energy," Jewell said. "She's so happy and infectious and it's a great start to our morning every day."



Brand Videography
PHOTO: Former president Alicia Jewell organized the fundraiser.



Beth Saul, USC's director of fraternity and sorority leadership development, said in a statement to ABC News that her office "is delighted with the outpouring of compassion and generosity in raising these funds for Fannie, Gamma Phi Beta’s loyal and beloved house keeper for over two decades. ... This is one extraordinary example of how USC sororities and fraternities give their time and heart to enrich our community.”

Randle said she is forever grateful to the girls for giving her a moment that she'll never forget.

She hopes to be driving either a new blue Honda or Kia within the next few weeks.




Where You Can Stay in Thailand for $12 a Night



Double AirCon Room at the Khaosan Baan Thai.Oyster.com





Thailand was at the top of our list of destinations that are expensive to reach, but cheap to stay at, so when we found rooms starting at $12 a night at Khaosan Baan Thai, we had to share as proof.



Oyster.com
PHOTO: Entrance at the Khaosan Baan Thai.



The guesthouse-meets-hostel has 10 rooms, and four (spotlessly clean) bathrooms. You won't find any bunk-bed type dorms here. Instead, simple rooms have one to three beds and are brightly painted and decorated with wood furniture.



Oyster.com
PHOTO: Double Fan Room at the Khaosan Baan Thai.



Some rooms have air conditioners and patios. Oddly, mattresses are placed directly on the floors, but this feels typical of Asian decor. And yes, the $12 rate includes both Wi-Fi and breakfast.



Oyster.com
PHOTO: Lobby at the Khaosan Baan Thai.



For cheap street food and an endless selection of bars, bustling Khao San Road is a 10-minute walk away. With prices this low, you may be tempted to extend your tropical Thailand vacation indefinitely!













Man Wins With This Zebra Selfie Photobomb Picture



Zebra Photobombs Man’s Zoo Pics In Epic Selfie SessionCourtesy Malte Woestefeld





This is one frisky zebra.

When Malte Woestefeld, a German business student, was visiting a zoo in Germany on April 18, he certainly got more than he bargained for -- a large, new striped friend, and one of the most awesome selfies the Internet has ever seen.

“I was super excited and it seemed like it felt comfortable and wanted me to pet it,” Woestefeld, 24, told ABC News of the outgoing zebra. “I wasn’t scared at all, I was just blown away that this wild animal was so cuddly and putting his head next to my face.”

Woestefeld and his friend were driving through the exhibit where the zebras, antelopes and rhinos roam, when he noticed a large pack off zebras in the distance. One particular zebra, however, was standing on the side of the road instead.

“It looked like it was waiting for us,” he recalled. “We had our windows closed the entire time since this is the regulation of the safaripark (they also have very dangerous animals) but as we were standing next to the Zebra I wanted to pet it and rolled down the window. That’s when it leaned its entire head in the car.”

What proceeded to happen was one incredibly photogenic striped selfie session.

“I realized this is a great chance to make an awesome memory and take a picture with my phone in my right hand,” said Woestefeld. “It laid its head next to mine and smiled for the camera.”

Although he got awesome pictures as souvenirs, Woestefeld also realizes the dangers that could have been involved in rolling his window down.

“I was just super excited to make a new friend,” he said. “I'm not encouraging people to do the same. They have rules for a reason.”

After their brief photo opp, Woestefeld added, “The zebra got a carrot and I had a great day to talk about."









Everything You Can't Miss at Disney World With a Preschooler


















I've been in the travel industry for a decade, and one of the top three questions I get most often is "What's the right age to take my kids to Disney World?"

(The other two questions, are where should I go on my honeymoon and what's your - my - favorite travel destination. Answer: Mauritius and Bali, Italy and Koh Samui, Thailand).

But the question and answer about the right age to go to Disney is actually far more complicated. Because even though my ten years in the travel industry have required as many trips to the most magical place on Earth, I had never brought my kids - until this last trip.

(Editor's note: The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News.)

I worried that my kids - three and one - wouldn't have enough to do and that they should go when they were older to appreciate it more. It makes sense why parents are so concerned with timing the trip perfectly; a Disney vacation can be an expensive one.


So while I'm not sure that the ages of my kids were "perfect," I can say with certainty there was a lot to do for little ones. The three days were filled with activities, mostly enjoyed by the 3-year-old with the baby along for the ride. Literally. I was very surprised at how many rides he was able to go on: the Carousel of Progress, it's a small world, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid, Dumbo The Flying Elephant and the Mad Tea Party.

There was, however, much he didn't appreciate that his older sister loved: the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, the Disney Junior show, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall, the fireworks cruise, Chef Mickey's character breakfast and more were lost on him. But the preschooler? She had the time of her life.

The only con? I'm not sure how much of the trip she'll remember in a few years. But having been there myself as an adult so many times, I know I definitely will never forget being there for her first visit.

For those wondering what to do with a preschooler at Disney, watch the video, and make sure to check off everything on this list. We did much more than this on the three-day visit, but if you manage to get to these attractions, you'll have hit the best of the best for this age group.

Enchanted Tales With Belle

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

The Barnstormer

Chef Mickey's Character Breakfast

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Fireworks Cruise

Princess Fairytale Hall

Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

I know lots of families stress about the dining aspect of the trip. My advice? When the kids are as young as this, don't worry about it. Fine dining is lost on them and not that enjoyable for the parents if things aren't going as planned. We skipped a made-months-in-advance dinner reservation at Be Our Guest when I sensed the sit down meal would be too much on top of the long day we'd already had. Instead? Pizza and sandwiches from the to-go counter at our hotel. It was more than fine.


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