State Fair 2012

 I always enjoy seeing the animals...especially the farm animals-- must be my roots.

 Biggest pumpkin I've ever seen.

 I'd never paid attention to the produce section before...didn't know there were so many kinds of apples out there...

 Seeing the pottery is always a must for me...buying is optional...

 I don't know about other years, but this year they had a turkey shoot (you shoot at targets, not actual turkeys). The winner gets a frozen turkey (or a t-shirt, if you don't want the turkey). My husband tried his hand at it, but didn't win.

 Neat magnets in one of the craft buildings.

The Village of Yesterday is always one of my favorite places to visit at the fair-- all the crafts (and pottery!) are so neat to see...lots of fine craftsmanship and talent...

Carolina Basketball Game

Michael took me to my first ever college basketball game. I would've loved to use my bigger camera at the game, but I settled for my little point-and-shoot camera...minus the flash. I had a really good time...not just with taking pictures, but also spending time with Michael, and enjoying the new experience altogether. I didn't enjoy walking in the rain for ten minutes, from parking deck to stadium (thankfully it had stopped raining by the time we left the stadium)...but I dried off quick enough and got over it-- the experience was worth it. :)

"Walking with Dinosaurs"

Very cool show, very cool effects...alot of hard work was put into this to pull it all off, I'm sure...

Harvest Crusade/Third Day

Great music. Great message. Greg Laurie is a great speaker, and Third Day is an amazing performer (and Dennis Agajanian, too).

Harvest Crusades

State Fair 2006

--If you wanna ride rides, go in the morning-- the lines are alot shorter.
--My sister can barely step onto a stool or ladder without freaking out, but riding the ferris wheel didn't bother her a bit-- what's up with that?! I can get on a stool/ladder just fine, but the ferris wheel scares me-- but I'm drawn to it each year and ride it regardless. It seems to scare me even more at night, for some reason...
--The older I get, the more alluring (and costly to me, lol) that The Village of Yesteryear becomes...especially if it's pottery. :)-
--Going to the fair with family is nice, and going with a group of friends is great, but somehow it doesn't seem to compare to going with a guy (aka a significant other).
--NASCAR racing (with the miniature cars) is addictive.
--Fireworks at the fair are beautiful, but they're even better when there isn't a tall tree right in your line of vision...and you're not so close that you get hit with some of the fireworks. :)

I love the sights, sounds, and smells of the fair...but it's definitely something I only want to do once a year. It's too expensive (and tiring) to do it more often than that...

Staind Concert-- Reflections

I went to a [secular] rock concert-- for the first time ever-- with a group of friends a couple of Sundays ago. I had a really great time, just hanging out with my friends, taking pictures (of course), and enjoying [some of] the music. Now that I've experienced a "rock" concert, I appreciate my simple, somewhat prudish (no cussing, drinking, or smoking, among other things-- by choice) life even more. I don't regret going, but I don't think I'll be as inclined to go to another rock concert (of that nature) in the future.
I'm slowly starting to open up and try new things, go new places...it goes against the grain a bit, but I'm getting there. The more things I do, though, the more I realize that I'm content with who I am...but I know that no matter who I decide to be, I have people that will continue to be my friends regardless . You can't ask for much more than that...

Wedding Weekend

"...When we were young,
And truth was paramount.
We were older then,
And we lived our life without any doubt.
Those memories,
They seem so long ago.
What's become of them? When you feel like me I want you to know.
Don't cry.
You're not alone.
Don't cry,
Tonight, my baby.
Don't cry,
You'll always be loved.
Don't cry,
Tonight.
My baby.
Today I dreamed,
Of friends I had before.
And I wonder why.
The ones who care don't call anymore.
My feelings hurt.
But you know I overcome the pain.
And I'm stronger now,
There can't be a fire unless there's a flame.
Don't cry.
You're not alone.
Don't cry,
Tonight, my baby.
Don't cry.
You'll always be loved.
Don't cry oh..."
--Seal, "Don't Cry"

Ever just need some soothing music to help you relax? That's what I needed last night, and listening to Seal really did just that. I probably would've popped in some Simon & Garfunkel afterwards, but I got a call and was ready to go to bed by the time I got off, so maybe another night... :) I just needed something to quell my thoughts for a bit...
This weekend was crazy. I've been on the road since Thursday afternoon, pretty much. Went up with Heather to Chapel Hill to take pictures all around campus. Got all hot and sweaty in our dresses, too-- that was fun. And my feet definitely weren't happy with me that night-- let's just say that next time I go walking all around a campus, I'm going to be wearing flip-flops or tennis shoes. :) Hopefully the pictures turned out pretty good, though. I "lost" my sunglasses temporarily while up there-- turns out they'd been snatched to use in the reception Saturday afternoon. I got them back in the end, so all's well that ends well, right? :) Heather and I got back a little before 2 the next morning...it's been a long time since I've felt that tired. I dropped into bed when I got home, only to be up in time to leave for Durham again, this time with my mom, around noon. It rained pretty much the whole time I was driving around Friday. Yeah, we definitely got lost a time or two while up there this weekend-- I couldn't tell you how many times I turned around because I was headed in the wrong direction, or I left something behind, etc...it was crazy. I felt a little unbalanced the whole weekend. Rehearsal went good, and the wedding was beautiful, as was the bride...there were a few last-minute glitches, of course, but I think that's normal for every wedding. The bridal party entered the reception to the tune of Men in Black, with every bridesmaid wearing sunglasses (since the guys were already wearing black). It was great. The groomsman I was paired up with was really nice and attentive-- it's been awhile since I've been around I guy that acted that gentlemanly. I had pulled my chair out about halfway before I realized he was trying to pull it out for me-- doh!-- so I quit pulling it out and let him finish. Silly me. Guess I'm not used to that kind of treatment. We were paired up together on purpose, I might add...the lovely bride was trying her best to do a little match-making at the reception, but it didn't work. Sorry, darlin', I've got to pick him out myself, I think...but thanks for trying. It's what my friends are for, right? :)
My mom and I watched Failure to Launch at the hotel Friday night...I'd heard from plenty of people that it sucked, or that they'd heard it sucked, but me and my mom laughed alot during it...guess you can't always listen to everything you hear...
Went to Baker's Saturday night, after getting back from Durham. The food was great, as was the company-- for the most part. *Anyone wanting to read into that can do so, but if you want to know what I actually mean by it, you can ask me.* It was an interesting night, to say the least-- I think I topped my record for getting picked on, and for dishing out insults (sorry about that, Daniel--what can I say, you're good at getting me "riled up", lol). I also learned some things I didn't already know-- not that that's really a good thing, though. Oh well-- the better you get to know people, the more you're bound to find out. Nobody's perfect, including myself. Sometimes I think I hold people up to too high of a standard, and then I get disappointed when they don't meet that standard. Maybe I'm naive to think they could meet that standard, I don't know-- and for anybody that may think that was an insult for them, it wasn't, though it may have sounded that way. Anyways...
I slept almost all of Sunday, once I got home. I was just so tired...it was the main reason I didn't go to Bible Study, though truthfully I don't think it was the only reason. But no need to go there...again, if you wanna know, you have to ask.
What a weekend...

Congratulations, Adam and Alaina!!!
Saturday, June 24th, 2006

Girls' Night Out :)-

Girls' Night Out was great! Amber, Heather, Holly and I went up to Raleigh Friday for a night on the town. :)- We picked Kasey up from State, then headed to Applebees, where I spent alot more than intended, but that's okay I guess-it's not like I do that kind of thing every day. We headed over to Comedy Worx after that, which was pretty funny...the Watergate dance was probably one of my favorites of the night. We went over to Cookout after that, but I wouldn't get anything because I felt like I'd already spent too much...I may have to get me a caramel fudge milkshake next time, though. :) Back at State, we snuck into Daniel's dorm and up to his room, only to find he wasn't there...we had fun getting up there at least, lol. We got back late Friday night (early Saturday morning?)...at what, 1:00 or so?...and everybody headed for bed. So much for watching movies. :)- I had a great time, though- I just hope that all my pictures turn out good...
I took a nap after I got home Saturday morning, then showered and got ready for Candace's wedding...she was a really pretty bride, and I wish her the very best...
We had Homecoming at church Sunday...so many people, some of my favorite hymns, Mr. Tim playing the piano and Ms. Patty playing the organ...it was wonderful. And, of course, there was plenty of food, and plenty left over. We used our new fellowship hall for the meal which suprisingly fit everybody (unlike our old fellowship hall- everybody sitting everywhere, in whatever room people could find an empty table in).
Bible Study was okay...I haven't gotten as much sleep lately as I've been needing to, and I guess Friday night didn't help...my allergies are acting up (at least, that's what I assume all this crap is that's going on with me lately), which has made things worse...so Sunday night I wasn't feeling the best. I ended up leaving almost right after the lesson because I felt crappy...I had brought shoes to change into and even had on clothes I didn't mind getting sweaty in, but oh well. Went home, cried a little (woe is me), showered and ate a little something (although I wasn't hungry), watched a little of "Desperate Housewives", took some Ibuprofen, then headed to bed. What a night. Ugh.

Now things can start to slow down. I hope.

Can Words Even Express...

House Party absolutely rocked this year...throwing and chasing frisbees and footballs, playing Gin and War and 2000 (I'm ready for a rematch on that one, Heather and Amber- lol), listening to all the groups playing, getting hoarse from talking over the music and singing to it...all of it was wonderful. Michael W. Smith was awesome- I loved every minute of it. This year topped out the two previous years I've been by far. And the ride up there and back was fun enough, too- wedged between Joey and Jason in the backseat, lol. Great times.
I can't help but feel so thankful for everything in my life...my friends that are always there for me when I need to rant or just go out and have a good time every once in a while...my ankle that continues to improve and feel more like normal (finally)...the deer that I (thankfully) didn't hit late last night on the way home, and the ones that were standing on the side of the road first thing this morning on the way to work...being done with desk duty for the day- man, this morning was crazy...I'm thankful for the little things and the big things alike. And maybe it's nothing extraordinary, but a repaired friendship as well...I never thought Josh and I would get along as well as we do now, and although things will probably never be what they once were, they're a heck of alot better now...wouldn't you agree, Josh?

"...things get more comfortable
Everything is going right...
And it's such a miracle that you and me are still good friends
After all that we've been through
I know we're cool...
Memories seem like so long ago
Time always kills the pain...
We have changed but we're still the same
After all that we've been through
I know we're cool...
So far from where we've been
I know we're cool..."
-- Gwen Stefani, "Cool"

God is amazing. He can do anything...never doubt it.
-I got my hair highlighted!! Watch out world, here I come! LOL.
I love my life!! :)-

Class of 2005

I finally made it!! After all the papers, presentations, projects, homework, and lectures- not to mention the tears, major headaches and really late nights- graduation finally came. Bright and early Monday morning, May 9th, 2005, I graduated cum laude with a Bachelor in Business Administration...'course, I would have liked to have graduated magna cum laude, but anyways...my whole family got sunburned (myself included...the right side of my face only- how lovely, lol) during the two and a half hour ceremony. They took plenty of pictures during the ceremony (not sure how many we'll actually be able to distinguish as me in them, lol) and I made sure to take several pictures afterwards. Hopefully they'll all turn out...it isn't every day a person graduates, after all... :)-
The weekend leading up to graduation was so crazy...I shopped with my mom and sisters in Cary all day Saturday and had a wonderful time...we got lost once, for about 5 or so minutes, but other than that, the trip was a success, lol...I talked to Joe for a short time Saturday afternoon while we were out shopping...neither of us had alot to say since we'd just talked the day before, though...my family picked up a pizza on the way back- one of my sisters went in to get it because I was afraid of running into Sam...I'm such a chicken, lol...
The Baccalaurate Service was Sunday morning in Turner Auditorium...the speaker was really good, pretty funny...I had an interesting moment with a fellow graduate during (and right after) the benediction, lol...still not sure what that was all about...went out to eat with my family at the Mandarin House afterwards ("Good news will be brought to you by mail." ~fortune cookie), then headed back to Campbell for the President's Reception, where we got to shake Dr. Wallace's hand (Campbell's president). Whoop-de-doo. Not really the kind of reception I was expecting.

And as if graduating on Monday wasn't exciting enough...today at work, we had a feast (and I mean a feast) at lunch in honor of my graduation...home-made lasagna made by one of my Italian co-workers, chicken casserole, scalloped corn casserole, salads, breads, banana pudding and, of course, cake, made by one of my favorite co-workers. There were other things, too, but I can't remember everything we had- I couldn't get around to eating it all. Everyone was stuffed afterwards...we all agreed that we needed to celebrate things more often, lol. One of my co-workers bought me some pretty earrings, and a couple of others went in together to get me a [very generous] gift card to Belk. I couldn't have felt any more loved today...
I've got to start working on thank-you notes...the money and cards keep coming in, lol...

Lord, thank you for all the many blessings you've given me...my family and friends...my co-workers...and all the people I've had a chance to meet and come into contact with so far...I can't wait to see what the future holds... :)

Flyin' High :)

Oh, what an awesome weekend...I played some intense basketball with Baker, Heather, and Wesley on Friday afternoon (got a little sunburned from it, too, but oh well)...went to TGIFriday's on Saturday night with Heather, Holly, Baker, Anna, and Jason and got embarrassed like crazy since it was for my birthday and all (let's just say it involved me standing on a chair in front of everybody, waving a red napkin around above my head- it was an interesting night, lol), then we went to see Alot Like Love starring Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet. My first choice was Fever Pitch, but our meal was so slow arriving that we had to change our plans.
Baker: "There better be alot of skin in this movie."
(And oh my, was there, lol...)
Me (afterwards): "So, was there enough skin for ya?"
Baker (jokingly): "Oh, you don't know the kind of movies I watch..."
Overall, it was a great night, despite the embarrassing moments. :)- Sunday we had an inside picnic before Bible Study and played some basketball in the wind and the cold...me, Heather and Josh won the basketball game, so I guess that makes up for it... :)

One exam down, 3 more to go... :)-

God's been so good to me lately...I've been really stressed out recently with school, but despite that, life has been really great...I've never enjoyed life more than right now...