Bike,Bike,Bike,Bike

This past weekend I went home to Brevard to enjoy time with family and friends as well as to help out with the Zombie themed alley cat race (which was wonderful)!

In fact, Brevard is just wonderful!  It is so beautiful, the people are the best, and the unexpected always happens.  I honestly did not expect to spend my evening dressed as prom date zombie, while participating in some pretty incredible checkpoint activities.  Or to end the night enjoying a metal show while watching Gumby and Pokey mosh down front.  Everyone's costumes were out of this world and the level of participation made this event an overall success!  

Why did I leave Brevard for grad school??? Silly, Silly!!!

I couldn't help bust post all of these pictures.  The variations in expressions in each of them are absolutely hilarious!!! More pictures of the costumes and checkpoints to come!

Summer In Recap

In the interest of not being boring, I will upload a multi-part summer recap through photos!

(This is the part where I make excuses, I have a lot of new photos to edit but my iPhoto is corrupted so it is a very frustrating process...valid?)

This is what I have been up to:

A little photo shoot for my friend Brittany's America's Next Top Model Audtion

This awesome little fellow was in love with the roof of my car, he let me stalk him on several occasions
 

Fresh Raspberries from the backyard which were turned into raspberry-basil smoothies!

New Glasses! Zenni Optical, a dream come true!

Beautiful lavender and a beautiful Momma! More of these, with bees to come!

Mountain Laurel in bloom

I participated in the 'Fast Times at Brevard High Alley Cat Race'

This was the trophy! So much fun to hang out with some hilarious girls while making biker's don what could be classified as the runoff from MC Hammer's closet.

Caitlyn was the perfect model for the occasion, she's used the paparazzi.

The summer of breakfast smoothies! Blueberry, walnut, and honey!!!

Summer evening get-togethers!!! Too bad my croquet skillz are not up to par, I need another summer in Vermont to hone them.

More to come!!!

What Isn't New?

Hi! Remember me?

I'm back and wow, has a lot happened!

Summer is over, all of my friends have dispersed (as is the case when August rolls around), and I am all moved into my new apartment in Boone! 

Bye, bye Brevard, I did enjoy our last 7 months together.  Thanks for getting me back on my feet and reuniting me with some of the best friends a girl can have!

 
Looking Glass Rock, Brevard, NC 

There are far too many updates to cover but, in my absence life has definitely changed.

-I finished finance (the bane of my existence this summer)

-Worked a million hours a week

-Stayed up way past my bed time, way too much

-Reconnected with my lovely hometown and made many new friends

-Found an ideal apartment within walking distance to EVERYTHING

-Was chosen for an assistanship

-Started the MBA program (and maybe even fell in love with it)

I am still getting settled into this new life as a grad student.  Half of the time I can't believe that I actually decided to go through with this and the other half of the time I am kind of lonely after being surrounded by so many people I love all summer.  But, so far, so good.  I am having a huge problem with time management and establishing a schedule so that I can fit in exercise, work, homework, and some semblance of a social life (thus far, I have failed at channeling my highly motivated friend Julia).  If you have any advice about waking up in the morning and setting a routine I would love to hear about it!!!

White Squirrel Festival

Being perpetually behind as I am, I will now regale you with my account of the White Squirrel Fest over Memorial Day weekend. If you know me or have any acquaintance with Brevard, NC at all, you are well aware that white squirrels are very serious business in this town. They aren't albino and while we aren't the ONLY town that has them, we're the best!!! The town loves to push the white squirrel bit on tourists and I'm pretty sure that the tourists love it; from white squirrel poop to white squirrel beer.

I am a little embarrassed to admit that I read an excerpt from a Transylvania County periodical that equated the white squirrel to other mythical creatures such as unicorns and the Loch Ness Monster...I hope that sheds some light. Anyway, don't judge us too harshly and please don't refuse to come visit me!!!!







The town of Brevard was trying to set a Guiness World Record for the most dancing white squirrels in one place...I don't know if that was successful or not.


My lovely friend Madeline hanging out in the Beer Garden. What's that you ask? Why yes, Brevard actually served beer....how progressive!


This is Brittany being beautiful as always!

We went to Cielito Lindo, my favorite hometown Mexican restaurant, for dinner and Holly and I proceeded to order 'accidental' grandes.



Finishing these beers was honestly a struggle.

And...on to my favorite part of the day, seeing Jill Andrews perform! I am newly obsessed sooo, if you haven't listened to her or The Everybodyfields PLEASE do!



She is so talented and beautiful. I listen to this song at least once a day. I hope you enjoy!

Update

It seems like yesterday that I was in the pit of despair, worried about how to fill all of my free time and panicked about what was next!!!
Well, I'm still worried about what's next, BUT I certainly do not have any free time.

The past couple of weeks have been so busy with work, friends, a trip to Boone, and planning for the future. So here is a little look at what I have been up to:





Exploring all of the features of my new camera!



Cooking!!! The unbelievable strawberry-rhubarb pie is not pictured!
(It was so good and so easy that I have to make another!)



Visiting Highland Brewery in Asheville with my lovely ladies for a fun evening of beer tasting and delicious food at Tupelo Honey Cafe!



A trip to Boone to visit friends and interview for grad school!
(ps: I was accepted into the MBA program!!! Now to be or not to be?)



A visit with Archie, Zack, and Cameron!



My first time fly fishing (and I actually liked it!)
Too bad Miles caught this fish and not me.

More updates to come but I must get started on my to do list!

PS:
I have been dreaming of a D-SLR camera for quite some time so, I splurged and bought a Nikon D-5100 about a week ago. Needless to say, I am obsessed. I have so much to learn however, I can't believe that with my feeble skills I am still able to capture such amazing photos! Hopefully you will see the difference in my photography and frequency of posting!

Brevard

I have been back home, in Brevard, for a couple of months
and I guess I'm just now settled in...
that is, I'm no longer plagued by constant worry and anxiety about my future
(most of the time, ha ha ha)

I have a temporary restaurant job that is actually going pretty well.
Prospects of starting an MBA program, which perfectly combines my interests,
and the desire to live my life in the now.

Don't worry, I still have moments of panic where I think, "Is this IT? THIS is it? This is my life...oh God!"

So, if you haven't realized it, THIS IS IT, it's really happening...right now!

In the meantime, these things are making me happy


Blueberry Walnut Yogurt Cake, which turned out this perfectly!
Recipe courtesy of shutterbean


These BOC shoes which are like walking on a cloud!



Reuniting with these lovely ladies, TODAY!

So, pardon me, I'm off to Richmond for the weekend!

Loose Ends

Ok, ok, ok...I am a slacker. I have been too busy ticking off the days until I am thrown into the most uncomfortable situation of my life. I have been trying to fain enthusiasm for everyone else that is excited for me but ultimately, in my mind, Spain is synonymous with anxiety and an uncontrollable fear of the unknown. Clearly, I am not cool enough to be one of those people that are truly adaptable and capable of throwing themselves headlong into a situation and landing on their feet. Don't get me wrong, moving to Spain is going to be an incredible experience however, the idea of adjusting to speaking Spanish, leaving with an old widow, and being judged by the quality of my shoes is daunting. I'm pale, blonde, and American...what a target!!! Give me a month in Seville and I am sure I'll be singing its praises but I've recently learned some things about myself...

1. As much as I love to travel, doing so is awkward, intimidating, and exhausting
2. I love a well structured routine--really, I thrive in it!
3. I am a homebody with the mindset of a world traveler (problem.)
4. I have at last concluded that I am lucky to be from the best place in the world and ultimately would not mind moving back to good 'ol Brevard.

Too many contradictions--at least I have no choice and am going to be forced the overcome these problems, at least for four months!

In the meantime I will get around to posting pictures from Alaska, as soon as my iphoto library can rebuild itself. Oh yeah, and being a better travel blogger!

Brevard, North Carolina

Earlier this week, I was finally able to take some time away from work so that I could go home to the most fabulous little town in the States, Brevard. In the last year of school I haven't made it home as much as I would have liked, but, it wasn't until this last trip that I realized how much I miss this incredible place. I feel so much at home when I come back to this town. The places are so familiar and the people so personable, charming is the appropriate word! There are great local shops and restaurants to take advantage of; my favorites being Bracken Mountain Bakery, The Square Root, and Kiwi Gelato!!!


Brevard is located in Transylvania County which has a wealth of natural beauty. It is the land of waterfalls, 250 to be exact, home to pristine rivers such as the Davidson, and a mecca for anglers, climbers, bikers, and hikers. There are so many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors whether it be on the parkway or eating ice cream in town! This time, I only had a day and a half to see family and friends and run errands too. I was able to spend a little time with my cousin Makaela at a new spot in the Pisgah National Forest!