Thursday, April 26, 2007

A Year Ago, Today

I woke up at Brittany's house filled with excitement and anticipation. After nine months of homesickness, FINALLY, I was meeting the movers at my new apartment in Durham.

Haha. Coming home wasn't what I expected.
Not in the least.

I didn't think I'd fall in love with Charleston before I left, never dreamt I would meet and then have to leave a guy I'd take seriously, had no clue that on days that the weather is just right and the breeze is cool I'd feel a physical longing to stand on the Battery overlooking Charleston Harbor or walk along the beach at the Isle of Palms.
I definitely never thought I'd meet some of my closest friends there. And, let's just take a moment to talk about how crazy it is that Angela moved into Mt. Pleasant as I was moving out!

Charleston is a place I could live again. I think I learned to appreciate my life while I was there. I began to really value and treasure the people I loved because when you are seperated it makes the time you do get so much more special. I also learned to enjoy the life I had.

However, Durham welcomed me back with open arms and has been full of surprises. For now, I am still glad to be home.
For every one thing I miss in the Lowcountry there were a hundred things that I missed here.

Random movie nights in front of one big screen or the other, dressing up Sarah's cats, knowing every exit number on I-40, Alisha, the Dean Dome and everyone else right down the street...my parents less than two hours away...Moving home has been nothing like I thought it would be but I think, in the end, I'll like God's story of my life better than I would have chosen for myself. I just need to keep believing...

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Bye, Brendan! Thanks for one ACC win...

1. Our favorite freshman left us for the NBA.

Jason is reminding us to rejoice with those who rejoice.

2. The African Children's Choir will be on American Idol tonight with Bono. All us proud "aunts and uncles" will be watching on the big screen at my place after prayer. (Come on over!)
.
3. I've been working in Greenville, NC for the past few days. This show was a first because I actually had to cook some of the display presentations for the restaurant owners to view. This party was a first because they had TWO live bands and we actually discussed going out on the dance floor. (It has to be really good for people to feel like dancing in front of co-workers or customers and after 16 shows I haven't yet.)
.
4. Watched Blood Diamond with Ceeece.
.
5. Found out my co-worker could be prohetic. That would explain why we are so "birds of a feather".

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Meet my summer tour guide, John Michael. (Also known as my younger brother.)
We're going to Europe for two weeks this June/July and I am SO looking forward to it.
.
Alisha is doing a semester in Florence so we're taking a family vacation over to see her and then travel to some neighboring countries. John, Kate, and their friends were there one summer so he'll be the one with he experience.
I wish I was turning 27 in Italy (my 25th birthday in Brazil was MEMORABLE) but I'll miss it by a few days. One of our dearest family friends is getting married the weekend before so we'll all be coming home for that.
.
Pictured: Kate, John, & Taryn

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Ridgecrest

This weekend was the annual women's retreat for the church and it was so good. I got the opportunity to spend time with some great bellas.

There were some really deep things that happened in my heart this weekend. I also had some really fabulous conversations that cemented what God was speaking to me.

Last week was really busy with work. My creative posting was at an all time low!

Saturday, April 21, 2007

I found wireless internet in the mountains!

The Carolina Ballet is performing Swan Lake this weekend so six of us went Thursday night. Mary drove us in the $80,000 Lexus she was driving which was a cool experience in itself. It was a fun night out but I feel like both events weren't things I really need in my every day life. I'm actually happy with my car that doesn't have the ability to park itself and ballet is BEAUTIFUL yet not something I need to see on a weekly basis. Isn't it great to love your life?

I'm in the process of updating the aXcess blog to reflect the cruise. What do you think of the Bahamaventions?

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Isaiah 52

1 Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.
2 Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion.
3 For this is what the LORD says: "You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed."
4 For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "At first my people went down to Egypt to live; lately, Assyria has oppressed them.
5 "And now what do I have here?" declares the LORD. "For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock, [a] " declares the LORD. "And all day long my name is constantly blasphemed.
6 Therefore my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I."
7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.
9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
11 Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.
12 But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
The Suffering and Glory of the Servant 13 See, my servant will act wisely [b] ; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him [c]— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness—
15 so will he sprinkle many nations, [d] and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.




Monday, April 16, 2007

"You need more funk and less Shirley Temple"

1. John Michael came for a surprise visit on Sunday 2. Went to the African Children's Choir Concert at the church Saturday night with my parents, grandmother, great aunt, and Alisha 3. Met Ceeece for lunch at Yancy's 4. Had dinner with Margarette & Mandy at NANTUCKET on Friday 5. Went to Foster's Market this morning for breakfast 6. Watched The Guardian with John, Charleigh, and Sarah in the movie theater downstairs Sunday night 7. Mom was craving NANTUCKET so I had dinner Saturday night there with the family 8. I was thrilled to discover a piano studio just opened downstairs so I can practice here instead of driving all the way to UNC 9. Sunday lunch at Maggiano's with the family 10. Kim & Amy's Birthday dinner Sunday night at Biaggi's where I only had coffee since I was so sick of eating 11. Hip Hop gets easier and harder with every class 12. Hung out at Champp's after the concert. 13. FINALLY cleaned my house and I can see the floor in my dining room 14. I watch 24 with Ceeece, Sarah & Jason every Monday night 15. Bought a great dress at the Saturday White House/Black Market sale and another at Bannana 16. Fell in love with Trader Joe's tonight 17. Got a letter in the mail from someone I adore 18. Got four phone calls regarding the Duke Lacrosse players on Friday 19. My Great Aunt Ruthie toured the chicken plant 20. Jason told me many Gamecock alumni think Steve Spurrier spit in their eye when he told the world that they shouldn't fly the Confederate flag over the SC capital

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Triangle Jewel

I went to visit for the first time yesterday after coming back from Andrea's fabulous new salon. I was stuck in rush hour on Morrisville Carpenter and I looked and saw the sign for Lake Crabtree!

It is BEAUTIFUL! I can't believe that I have been just driving by it all of these years. I have really missed Palmetto Park in Charleston where I could run by the water.

This isn't boardwalks over the marsh but it also is mosquito-free so it is worth the trade off!

The trails are along the banks of the lake and there is a fishing pier, gazebos right on the water, and benchs all around. They also have boat rentals by the hour which would be a fun afternoon.

(Lake Crabtree Pictures)

Looking for other things to do?
I found these Fabulous Raleigh Discounts.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Shooter

Sarah and I went to a late night showing of Shooter last night.
.
I was thinking it would be some B-list movie but it was great.
.
It really was a nice surprise. If not for Sarah, I would have never gone to see it.
.
The opening scene made me want to go to Ethiopia. BEAUTIFUL. I had no idea that the mountains meet the water down there.
.
WARNING: Amy, this may not be your type of movie, however, since the body count was well over 100 by the time the movie ended! That was rough by the end but it was well done. On the violence scale I'd say it was more than The Departed but less than 300. It was definitely less graphic than both. (I still cannot believe that I escaped seeing 300 on IMAX. John wanted our whole family to go and my mom and I had no idea what it was about. IMAX was sold out so we went into the movie theater part of it down in Tampa. OH MY WORD. Some things, you don't need to see on a screen six stories high, much less, to have all the blood splattering on you in 3D.)

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

First

I went to Richmond for the first time yesterday! As we drove around the town I was thinking, "This is a place I need to spend more time in." I forget that it is one of THE Southern cities.
.

I definitely got the tour of the rough parts of town and didn't even get a chance to see the pretty parts. I'm excited to go back in a few weeks. Especially since my trip to Birmingham has been canceled! (SO SAD.)

This morning I'll be working in Reba's hometown, Rolesville. If you haven't been reading her blog, you totally should. I laugh out loud all the time!

Seventh Inning Stretch

Durham Bulls Last Night. .

MVP Tickets by first base..

SO MUCH FUN! .

Totally love Dtwn Durham.


(Baseball is great bc you can have plenty of time for conversation at least twice every inning! We lost by one which is a HUGE improvement from the last game I saw two years ago! )

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Let's Go to Atlanta!

Charlotte has an Urban Prayer Room which is supposed to be close to Uptown. Erin, they even have a local justice project. I found the site while trying to find the song, The Dream of the Father's Heart, which may be one of the best songs I've ever heard yet is almost impossible to find online. Lucinda played it for me first but it looks like I'm going to have to buy the CD to get the track, unfortunately.



I am VERY excited about the Onething Conference in Atlanta this summer. I really think we should go to this one. It is put on by IHOP (not the pancakes, people) and is supposed to be an amazing weekend. Seacoast always sent their leadership teams down. This is for all of you who were wishing that there was something directed towards young adults that is hip AND spiritually powerful.

The crazy thing is that the conference is free. I'm already registered although I won't go down until Friday. There is a Homewood Suites right down the road from the conference that has a 2 bedroom apartment with a king, two doubles, and a sleeper sofa. Fun times at less than $20 a night per person... Come on Grace Girls...

Monday, April 09, 2007

Formerly Spinning

Do you equate songs with certain periods of life?
I do ALL the time. I love music. But I want purposeful music. It is rare that I would just turn the radio on to listen to any old song. Music affects me and reinforces things in my life. I burned this CD off the first couple of songs I pulled together for the first relationship seminar at the end of January. This playlist has just reinforced Christ's love in my heart over the past few months. I'm putting together something new to run to so I thought I'd post the former list.

1. Made to Love Toby Mac
2. Black, White, Tan Nicole C. Mullen
3. L-O-V-E Nat King Cole
4. Blessed Be Your Name Tree 63
5. I Need You to Love Me BarlowGirl
6. Draw Me Close Michael W. Smith
7. Family Man Andrew Peterson
8. Your Grace Is Enough Chris Tomlin
9. What the World Needs Now is Love Dionne Warwick 4th Floor Manly Lip Sync

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Charity

This picture is for Eddie:

I really enjoyed the creativity of the graphic designers who put these Easter cards together for Charity: Water.
.
I'm at home with my family and my grandmother and great aunt are in town. Today has been a nice Easter...complete with bunny slippers from the Easter Bunny.
.
(I just kept thinking about the movie where there was a bag mix-up and someone pulls out these bunny slippers and says, "Poor thing, she's single.")
.
However, I could probably take comfort in knowing that I have FLip Hops... "The embroidered bunny face features a coy little wink of an eye and the poufy tail provides a sassy farewell as you sashay about."
.
Haha! Nothing like "a sassy farwewell as you sashay about" to keep you trendy chic. haha!

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Take me back...

Pig Picking, colored swirling lights on the dance floor, a DJ playing country music and four generations of friends I've know since I was five...

That was Michael & Stacey's engagement party last night at Maxwell Mill in Eastern NC.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

First Wednesday

Isaiah 41
The Helper of Israel 1 "Be silent before me, you islands! Let the nations renew their strength! Let them come forward and speak; let us meet together at the place of judgment.
2 "Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his service ? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.
3 He pursues them and moves on unscathed, by a path his feet have not traveled before.
4 Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD -with the first of them and with the last—I am he."
5 The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward;
6 each helps the other and says to his brother, "Be strong!"
7 The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer spurs on him who strikes the anvil. He says of the welding, "It is good." He nails down the idol so it will not topple.
8 "But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,
9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
11 "All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
14 Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
15 "See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff.
16 You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up, and a gale will blow them away. But you will rejoice in the LORD and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
17 "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.
19 I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together,
20 so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
21 "Present your case," says the LORD. "Set forth your arguments," says Jacob's King.
22 "Bring in your idols to tell us what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come,
23 tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear.
24 But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless; he who chooses you is detestable.
25 "I have stirred up one from the north, and he comes— one from the rising sun who calls on my name. He treads on rulers as if they were mortar, as if he were a potter treading the clay.
26 Who told of this from the beginning, so we could know, or beforehand, so we could say, 'He was right'? No one told of this, no one foretold it, no one heard any words from you.
27 I was the first to tell Zion, 'Look, here they are!' I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good tidings.
28 I look but there is no one— no one among them to give counsel, no one to give answer when I ask them.
29 See, they are all false! Their deeds amount to nothing; their images are but wind and confusion.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Durham Girl

I loved my hip hop class. The hour went by so quickly. I think that I will want to take more than one class a week. My body is COMPLETELY stretched. Apparently, hip hop takes a whole different posture from ballet. The instructor told me that I needed to be less prim and proper. It was intense and she moves through the routines very quickly. It is so much fun and definitely a new challenge. The funny thing is that now I want to run so I can get conditioned for dance class when the point of signing up was to push myself to the next level in my workout.

Monday, April 02, 2007

Your Regularly Scheduled Post

1. Kate & Kayla took me to Maple View Farms yesterday afternoon for icecream.
.
Tina's family owns it and I've been buying the milk in glass bottles for years but I had NEVER actually been out to the country store before.

.The view from my rocking chair on the front porch was BEAUTIFUL.

.My flavor: Cookie Dough Mint Twist (in a waffle cone made right before my eyes)

2. I'm starting my first night of hip hop classes at a popular dance studio. I took 11 years of dance and now decided to return to what I love. This will be the first 100% hip hop class I've ever taken. I keep thinking, "I'm too old for dance" but now I realize that I'm only getting older and 26 is definitely not ancient!

3. That's also the number of times I went to Bean Trader's this weekend. I need to cut back from those triple shot, sugar-free vanilla, skim lattes. (Yeah, Jennifer, I'm one of THOSE people and I still get tongue-tied over the sugarless part of the order.)

4. I canceled my subscription to Netflix last night. This is becoming a pattern that I drop it in the spring. I think with the warmer weather I become newly motivated to read, clean, run, and frolic so the movies in my mailbox just become a tool to suck me into the black hole of entertainment.

5. That is how many nights last week I ate my dinner on the patio of some restaurant. Mt. Fuji, Nantucket (twice), & Foster's Market (twice).
I went to Whole Foods last night with the good intentions to buy groceries to cook and came home with prepared salads and lillies, instead.






Half Past Forever's CD Release (aka Chris Sigh's Band)

I just found out Chris Sligh has been voted off American Idol. (I forgot to watch last week.) However, it turns out that he and his band recorded an album before he went on the show and it released last week.

Isn't that a fabulous turn of events? Talk about a great way to promote your album on all of those morning television show interviews. Instead of giving them the gory details of how sad you are and how wronged you were by Simon, you pitch your new music venture. If he hadn't tried out for Idol at the last minute, you'd think that type of press strategy was planned!




This is 40 sec. text slide show presentation on Chris outselling Gwen Stefani. She gets a lot of credit for him not getting enough votes in the last show but so does Sanjaya.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Good Morning!

It is such a beautiful morning.

I wish it were Saturday, again! I spent most of yesterday organizing my apartment. (Somehow, organizing sounds much better than cleaning.) I had seriously considered finding an early Episcopal service for Palm Sunday but I didn't get up early enough. I'm planning to go to Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill for their evening service. Last year, I went to an evening service at St. Michael's which is one of the most beautiful old churches in Charleston.

I just love the liturgy and seriousness of the traditional services. I really like kneeling being a part of the service. Having grown up Charismatic, I never got to do any of that stuff. The liturgy for Ash Wednesday is so powerful. It reminds me that the people who wrote those words did have a passion for the Lord.

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Seacoast comes to NC!

My church in Charleston, SC has opened a new location in Greensboro. The services are telecast which is fabulous because that means I now only have to drive an hour away when I want to go to First Wednesday praise & worship services.

It is great to be a part of two awesome church groups in Seacoast & EveryNation.

Once more, here is my plug for Naeem's podcast.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

On the Road ALL DAY

I'm driving 9 hours today!

(In case you were wondering that translates into a LONG DAY.) Chad (co-worker) is in PA with a new customer so I have to visit one of his customers.

In other news, my favorite restaurant is definitely Nantucket Grille. I've eaten there two nights in a row this week on the outdoor patio tables by the big fountain. In about a month, they are re-starting their concert series on the lawn that runs every Thursday and Saturday night.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Julie's Baby Girl

FINALLY!! A little girl I can buy frilly clothes and hair ribbons!
Julie's first child is a really cute little boy. That is when I realized that they just aren't as creative with the boys' clothing as the girls'...

Monday, March 26, 2007

Google Search: "I don't want to be that girl"

If you want to know what is going on in the hearts of women, just google the phrase, "I don't want to be that girl."
.
I think our biggest fears and insecurities are realized in being "that girl". It helps me to check in every now and then and remember what the rest of the world is going through. (P.S. I think I may have scurvy. This picture looks SO good.)

Some of the Search Results: "I don't want to be that girl who forgets God in her quest to figure out what her life's about. My life IS, and always WILL BE, about God."

"I don't want to be that girl - the one who spends hours in front of the mirror blowing herself kisses and telling herself how fabulous she is. And I'm not."

"I don't want to be "that girl". Am I being that girl cause I am interested in him?"

I mean, I don't want to be "that girl" that is all "don't eat turkey. what about bird flu? do you feel like dying?? kill all birds.

i can't believe i did that i never kiss people in the bar i don't want to be that girl thats kissing a different guy every week.

I don't want to be that girl that shuts down, closes off, and becomes bitter. But I don't know what else to do.

I don't want to be that girl who ate 6 skittles a day, and lied and told people she'd already eaten, and fainted in the shower.

I don’t want to be that girl….you know the one. She graduates, settles for some job, goes back to her hometown or close to it, marries, etc, etc.

"I was waiting for her to say, "I don't want to be THAT GIRL crying in the limo" but I think she did want to be that girl, just for the drama of it."

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Innamorato is over! So is our basketball season...

I am SO tired after months of preparation for Innamorato, the American Idol-like competition at Campus Harvest this weekend.

It was Friday night.
.
My feet still hurt.
.
Today, I spent three hours relaxing on the lawn patio of Foster's Market with Kim, Jason, & Charleigh, slept straight through the game, and then went to Char's for Chinese and a really horrible movie.

Friday, March 23, 2007

James who?

Jaimie and I went shopping at our favorite store in Cameron Village, Certain Things. Then we had dinner at Mojo's. The weather is so beautiful and we sat outside on the patio overlooking the intersection of Peace Street and Glenwood Avenue which was suprisingly fun.

We decided to see the new James Bond movie at the dollar fifty theater.

A couple on a date talked NON-STOP throughout the entire movie. There couldn't have been thirty seconds of silence from them in the whole two hours. The worst was when they started speculating on the ending of the movie. The girl was having a hard time distinguishing one old white Englishman from another so the plot twists where throwing her for a loop and the subject of much discussion. (To the point I had to explain something just to stem the tide of talking when her date couldn't answer the question.)


With only a few minutes left in the movie, Bond gets a text that says, "For James..."


The girl behind us starts frantically whispering, "WHAT?? WHO IS JAMES?? HEY, WHO IS JAMES??"


Jaimie and I couldn't hold in the laughter!




Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Currently Intaking

Seems like I shouldn't have time for anything other than work, aXcess, Innamorato, and the rest of my life however...

Sarah and Jim have encouraged me towards West Wing and I'm now making my way through Season 3.

Monday, March 19, 2007

Crossing Borders

I spent last night at Duke filming out takes for Innamorato. You know, the really super funny auditions of people for American Idol who really believe they can sing but are really horrible.

The campus ministry group has TALENT! The crowd Friday night is going to be cracking up! Tonight I'll be at UNCG filming craziness.


Saturday, March 17, 2007

Grief

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purposes that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

I guess we think that the people we care about will always be around. I lost someone this week who would be in the Top 10 of people who have most affected and shaped my life. I thought I had a lot more time with her. I got an email from Eddie with this verse on the bottom and it really ministered to me.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

For the Foodies...

I eat in soooo many good restaurants that I don't often mention them but after a week of traveling, I've decided to share my top picks of the trip.

Awesome restaurants you MUST try:

Columbia Restaurant: A Florida tradition since 1905

“If you cherish your palate, visit the Columbia. Try the Paella “A la Valenciana,” the Red Snapper “Alicante,” and the Pompano en Papillot. Relish the black bean soup and fried ripe plantains. And with every iota of conviction you possess, order the flan. Made in the Cuban style with sweetened condensed milk, this evanescent egg custard tastes like a dream from which you hope to never awaken.” Southern Living - April 2005
.
We tried everything in the review and they were right. We ate there TWICE while in Tampa.


Buddakan: Philly, NYC, & Atlantic City

OH MY WORD.

You must eat there.

Every bite was beyond delicious.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

3,000 Miles in 5 Days

Durham to Tampa to Clearwater Beach to Orlando to Philly to Atlantic City to Philly to Columbia, SC...

1. You know you've been in too many hotels when you forget your room number and have to try your key in every door. I started at Rm # 200 and had to go all the way up to 230 before getting a green light!

2. I love Hampton Inn. It is more consistent than a lot of hotels. I love their emphasis on lots of big, fluffy pillows. Hilton and Sheraton just vary WAY too much to be dependable. They can be really great or really awful depending on the city.

3. At 6am this morning, I was coming out of my room in Bally's Casino & Hotel in Atlantic City and there was a little old lady already playing the slot machines.

4. 6:15am some guy on the elevator hit me up for $5 so he could get home. I may have been more sympathetic if we weren't surrounded by slot machines.

5. The Columbia,SC airport is SO beautiful and nice. After five days spent in the Northern regions of the country (Florida is not the South), I could literally have dropped down on my knees and kissed the floor of this place shimmering of Southern Hospitality and sparkling cleanliness. Praise the Lord for public places that you don't have to worry about contracting a disease if you touch anything! I never thought I'd be so happy to see Columbia!

6. Jenny's gallery is SO awesome.

7. 4 of my 10 foodshow decorations were shattered into many pieces by the time I reached Atlantic City. Apparently, the airline beats bubble wrap.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Tampa, Florida ACC Champions 2007

We spent the weekend in Tampa for the tournament. Mom, Dad, Alisha and I got into town on Friday.
John, Kate, and her parents, Rick & Dunlop already had plans to be in town.

We had FABULOUS seats. I love how you bond with the people you sit with all weekend. Alisha and I caught a lot of flack from the people sitting around us for reading fashion magazines and novels on Friday. It was the third straight game of the day. We needed a break!
..
Do you KNOW how many games they play in a weekend?? 11 !!
.
(I think Kate is cute with her pom pom pigtails!)

Of course, the news going into the weekend was NC State sending home the Durham crowd. A guy who sat with my parents all weekend and his sons had band aids that said, "Where is Duke?" at the championship game. Christian Laettner was honored during the weekend and, although the crowd met him with boos, I had to clap bc I had a HUGE crush on him when I was in middle school!
.
Alisha and I were screaming and waving behind the guys when the ESPN cameras came over to film them.
Since Kate is in Charleston and John is in Cincinnati, it isn't often that we are all together.



The band's brass section wore face masks to support Tyler!
..
Alisha and I spent the weekend appreciating the creativity of the fans. Our favorite was a girl who changed outfits two or three times a day!




Thursday, March 08, 2007

You'll never believe it!

Eddie is a graphic design genius!!
Vote on which hairstyle you think he should choose. (They are all so awesome that I'm having a hard time deciding.)

Even if you don't know Eddie, you'll have to appreciate his hair aspirations!
Here's a sample of what he could look like with hair...

Hark the Sound

In a fun turn of events, I'm heading to Tampa after work today for the ACC Tournament! I'll fly from there to Philly on Monday.
.

Someone gave us tickets yesterday!

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Innamorato 2007


Be a part of my current project.




1700 kids from all over the country will be joining us for Campus Harvest 2007.


College kids submitted auditions through YouTube and winning entries were uploaded to the website. The six with the most votes will be performing on Friday night for our panel of judges to win an all-expenses paid trip to Nashville where they'll get to lay down a demo with Grammy Award Winning Producer Michael O'Martian (he's also one of the judges).





Card Sharks

Jaimie and I took on all challengers in the spades tournament.

We lost fairly embarassingly!
.
Jason was one of the many onlookers to our being blown out of the water.
.
(That's what happens when you do too much trash talk on the Evite. Everyone wants to see how it will turn out.)

The Score: -41 to 400

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Excitement


I just found out that I'm headed to Philadelphia next weekend!

I have to be in Atlantic City for work so I am going to go up a little earlier and stay with Jenny.
.
I'm really looking forward to finally getting to see her art gallery! She is getting great reviews since opening. I love this feature on her decorating services!
.
I'm also looking forward to shopping in Philadelphia...

This installation is a part of her current exhibition that opened last weekend. It is called "Son of Arnold".

Friday, March 02, 2007

While waiting for my drink at Starbucks, I heard one of the barista's conversations...

"I saw the two of them together but they didn't know I saw them. I was so furious. I didn't even care. I went and banged on the door and she answered it. I told her, 'Where is he? I'm ready to leave.' Then she told me, 'He isn't ready to go yet. He came over here to see his kids.' Then, I heard him yell, 'Don't lie to her.' I guess it was because he and I have had that conversation about him choosing between seeing me or seeing his kids."

Wow, this is getting a little intense. Maybe I should move to the other side of the counter. I really shouldn't be listening. BUT IT IS SOOO interesting.
"He told me that if it was between being with me or being with his kids, he would have to choose his kids."

No. Okay, moving to the other end of the store. Hmm, these desserts look pretty good. Wow, I can still hear her.

"So, I guess I was already upset but I told her, 'Look, I don't care if you don't like me or not. He is my boyfriend and he isn't with you anymore.' I told him, "I'm leaving. You can come with me now or you can stay here with her and your kids but I'm not staying any longer."

Oh, no. Bad move. Why'd she give him an ultimatium like that? She already knows what he is going to say. Ugh, I'll bet he chose the kids.

Oops! This is none of my business. Focus on the half price Valentine's coffee mugs. Ahh, this one is cute...

"Then she said, 'That's what you think.' Then, he jumped in and told her to keep her mouth shut and that set me off. I told him, 'I ALREADY KNOW you are cheating on me with this skank ho..."

Oh, my word. WAS HE KISSING HIS KIDS' MOM when she walked in?! Wow, I missed that part. I am SO posting about this on my blog. Ick. That's not right. This is someone's private life. I can't post that...

"...I saw the two of you in there kissing each other and you didn't think that I saw you but I did."

Maybe if I take a few steps closer I could hear this a little better. Besides, I am still waiting for her to finish my drink.

"Then, she called me a . I had it. I hauled off and slapped her right across the face."

NO! I cannot believe she is going on and on about this at Starbucks. Do not stare, Kristin. Act like you don't even notice.

Then, she slapped me back and we went at it and he was standing right there watching us.

!!! this is CRAZY!!! wow!

"I don't really remember what happened after that. It was right after that I woke up."

Are. You. KIDDING. Me. it was a DREAM?

I knew it was too good to be true. I guess my friends and I really are the only ones with that type of high drama lifestyle. I cannot believe I got so sucked into someone's dream. This is like one of Sarah and Eddie's emails only I got completely sucked in. Well, the bright side of things is that it doesn't cross ethical boundaries for me to tell this story to other people now that it didn't really happen.