Team Edward

So excited about seeing these three tonight!!

Where the Hell is Matt?

I'm certain Matt's videos are my all-time favorite on YouTube.

So creative. "He united the world with one simple dance." What a life!!

*These videos are HD, and thus do not fit beautifully on the blog. It's best to double-click on them to watch right from YouTube.

Tobacco Trail

Yesterday I biked down to the Tobacco Trail.

Once I was on the trail, I had to stop to take a water break (naturally). At that point I realized how unearthly quiet and peaceful this trail is. Especially when no one else is on it. I haven't heard that kind of quiet in the longest time. It was refreshing.

I'm already looking forward to biking on it again.

True Confession Tuesday

I hate cats, but I love Hello Kitty. It doesn't make any sense.

People Are Crazy

Think Different - A Personal Favorite

Here's to the crazy ones.

The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers.

The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see things differently.

They're not fond of rules.

And they have no respect for the status quo.

You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them,

disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.

About the only thing you can't do is ignore them.

Because they change things.

They invent. They imagine. They heal. They explore.

They create. They inspire. They push the human race forward.

Maybe they have to be crazy.

How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?

Or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written?

Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?

While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.

Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world,

are the ones who do.

- Rob Siltanen

Take a Deep Breath

I saw this on a blog I read... It's perfect. Click it to make it readable.

Grand Opening

One event I enjoy is a nicely done grand opening. I find businesses should invest a lot in their opening, because it truly pays off. First impressions do last a lifetime.

Earlier this year, I went to the opening of The Great Room at Top of the Hill. I was obviously impressed ; ) A grand opening is all about the people present, how the space is showcased and the various food and libations offered. They did it up - perfectly.

A couple weeks ago I went to the opening of a cute little store in Durham, The Merry Martini. Their opening was darling. It was bright and cheery. The h'orderves and cocktails offered were too cute. They had gift bags for you to take home, door prizes and a coupon bouquet where you could select a discount. I will definitely be back.

Last week, I went to the opening of Aloft Hotel. They had an open bar, slider burgers, crab cakes, chicken salad, brie en croute, indian fare and tiny desserts.

They gave tours of the hotel amenities as well as the various guest rooms available. I love their indoor saltwater pool, a rare find in a Chapel Hill hotel.

The rooms on the backside of the hotel have nice views of Finley Golf Course. This was a great event as well, and Aloft gave nice gift bags too! Gift bags are always a great way for a business to brand themselves and keep you thinking about them even once you are home.

And She Waits

I want video in my life, of my life, of your life, on the blog, everywhere.

I agonized over which Flip HD to buy - black or white. I contemplated, and then I finally decided on the white one. I bought it!

The same day Steve introduced the new iPhone.

Of course the HD video specs on the new iPhone are exactly the same as The Flip Ultra HD. Of course the video editing software for iPhone is even better and of course the iPhone will store even more video. Plus it's your life all in one. Thus I said goodbye to Flip without even opening him.

Then I waited to be able to pre-order iPhone 4, but then I had to wait to see if I could even upgrade early. Now my time has come, and now I must wait for Apple to release the white iPhone.

White iPhone,

After all of this waiting, I will wait until the end of July for you! Then we are getting crazy and uploading to YouTube.

Love, A

I'm on a TANK

"Everybody look at me 'cause I'm cruising on a tank."

Crewster

Super cute and unreasonably priced bridesmaid dress.

It HAS POCKETS, and I love the color. But not the price. Carry on...

Addendum 7/9/10 - UNLESS IT GOES ON SALE : )

GPOYW*

I finally got Ray Bans, and I'm so excited I'm wearing them in the grocery store Edition.



Big ones... I mean huge! I'm only a couple of decades late in getting them : )

*Gratuitous Photo of Yourself Wednesday

HDH

I love this photo of the future hubs. You should click on it to make it bigger, and see his big smile even bigger. He is the happiest kid in town - always striving to enjoy life to the fullest.

Whale Tale

I'm certain I have an obsession with anything water related: oceans, aquariums, sea life, SCUBA, lakes, boats, beaches, aqua and teal hues. When I was little I wanted to be a marine biologist (and a pediatrician).

I am currently wearing starfish earrings, I have a coast themed powder room, pottery fish, sea themed bowl as the centerpiece of the dining room table, a lobster guest bedroom and the list goes on. I find it all so fascinating... This is evident by the fact that I most enjoy life being near any body of water (even a pool). Just so you know : )

True Confession Tuesday

I confess I regret not Studying Abroad in college!!

This is the most amazing opportunity, and it is completely crazy that I did not visit somewhere undeniably AMAZING for a semester or as an internship. Students who are immersing themselves in another culture truly are getting the most out of life and out of their college experience. I am really proud of those new graduates that are taking advantage of the current economic climate and are traveling abroad!!!! I have some friends that are teaching in Thailand and grabbing life by the horns in Australia!

Go get 'em - Looking back, I wish I did!!

Sea Creatures

I thoroughly enjoyed this past weekend at Onslow Beach. My parents brought the Sea-Doos, so we were able to cruise down the Intracoastal Waterway. On our first cruise we were surrounded by dolphins, and it was beautiful. Of course when I brought my camera on day two they were nowhere in sight! We also discovered a local favorite... There was a sandbar type island at Topsail Beach where all boats pulled up, and everyone laid out. Each sandbar connected to another sandbar, so there was a lot of exploring to do.

My Dad and I introduced Hank to Sand Fleas. They're harmless, and kind of like little crabs. They live in the sand right where the waves come in. I don't like to touch them.

This sign was just lovely to see. Especially since we had to get in the water right next to it to load and unload the Sea-Doos.

On our exploration, I'm pretty sure we spotted an alligator egg. This definitely meant the mom was nearby. You could see indents in the grass where she had been sunbathing!

I was collecting lots of pretty shells. Then all of a sudden the shells started moving in my hands, and I screamed and I ran and I tossed them all into the water. All the prettiest shells were inhabited by hermit crabs! I've had a pet hermit crab before, but this was unexpected! Now I know where all those beach shops get them from. Thank goodness for guys, because even though they laughed at me, they found and fished out all of the uninhabited seashells I had tossed.

Onslow Beach is not only used as a military training beach (since 1940), but it is also home to two endangered species - both the green and loggerhead sea turtles. I found this to be a very impressive use of sand:

Books - God Never Blinks & Picking Cotton

I am currently reading God Never Blinks. It's divided into '50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours' so it is very easy to read a lesson, put it down and come back to it later. It is a lovely book.



Our next book for Book Club is Picking Cotton. It's also the summer reading book for Carolina's incoming freshmen class.

Oh. my. goodness.

I started it late night while at the beach, and I read it into the wee hours of the morning. Then I finished it on the drive home. I read it in five hours. I could not put it down. I recommend it times a million. It's the best book I have read in awhile - I will never forget it!! It's a true story, and it is based very local to this area. All I could text my friend (that let me borrow this book) when I finished was... wow.



Here is the back cover description:

Jennifer Thompson was raped at knifepoint by a man who broke into her apartment while she slept. She was able to escape, and eventually positively identified Ronald Cotton as her attacker. Ronald insisted that she was mistaken-but Jennifer's positive identification was the compelling evidence that put him behind bars. After eleven years, Ronald was allowed to take a DNA test that proved his innocence . He was released after serving more than a decade in prison for a crime he never committed. Two years later, Jennifer and Ronald met face-to-face-and forged an unlikely friendship that changed both of their lives. In their own words, Jennifer and Ronald unfold the harrowing details of their tragedy, and challenge our ideas of memory and judgment while demonstrating the profound nature of human grace and the healing power of forgiveness.

Read it. You wont regret it. I would LOVE to discuss it with you once you are finished!

It's FUN to be a KID!!

I made some cakes for beach weekend. They were buggin'.



On our way, we made a stop by the Golden Arches for a quick bite. I ordered a Happy Meal, and it came with a Shrek watch! I rocked it all weekend.



The cabin we stayed in on the beach had a fun loft. It felt very tree house.



Mom surprised me with a Disney Princess Everything Maker! It makes waffles, brownies, EGGS, muffins, everything. I made Disney Princess blueberry muffins for breakfast.



It's fun to add a little bit of kid and a lot of imagination into your everyday!

Beach Bound

It's going to be a toes in the sand kind of weekend.

Happy Father's Day!!

A Key Says Argh!

I love my new house key. This isn't a key cover, it's completely metal with rhinestone and pink bow! Lowe's made it happen for me!!

When I put my key down on the counter at checkout, the guy in front of me said, "I'm looking head to toe and this key does not look like you." The he proceeded to die laughing. It was weird...

I have a girlie pirate side, what can I say!?

My Travel Top Five

I finally narrowed down my travel wish list to the top five places I really want to visit (in no particular order):

1. Bora Bora. I have wanted to travel here since I learned about its existence in seventh grade.

2. Paris. I've been obsessed with the Eiffel Tower since middle school. I own five of almost the exact same Eiffel Tower lamp (three are black and two are silver). I had a poster of the Eiffel Tower in my dorm room. It's the most beautiful piece of architecture to me. I want to take a blanket, lay it beneath the tower at night, watch the light show, and enjoy a lovely picnic with wine.

3. Venice. Gondola ride & Italian food (amongst other things).

Such as... Team Italy:

I'm kidding ; )

4. Sydney. Dive the Great Barrier Reef, and hug a koala.

5. South Africa. Safari.

Lovely Quote

"Learn from every being, experience and moment. What joy it is to search for lessons and goodness and enthusiasm in others."

- Eve Carson

Letters

I just got back from Book Club, and part of our discussion was on letters. In a time when it is so easy and quick to write an e-mail or send a text, we all agreed how special it remains to receive a letter, a simple note or a thank you in the mail. It's personal. It's exciting. Tender, love and care are evident. If you have been thinking about someone lately, send them a little snail mail to let them know.

Engagement Party

It could not have been more lovely. It was way more than I could have imagined, and I am so thankful. To me - It was perfect.

Gmail

Impresses me everyday. I just went to send an e-mail, and Gmail said,

"Did you mean to attach files? You wrote "see attached" in your message, but there are no files attached. Send anyway?"

Of course I meant to attach a file. Gmail's got my back.

Awkward Art

I just finished babysitting (this happens once in a blue moon). The two boys - four and six - wanted to do arts and crafts tonight. One of the boys decided to make a picture for both his Mom and Dad. The picture for his Mom had big hearts all over it, and he wrote 'Big Hearted'... I thought this was sweet. Then he drew a man with crazy eyes and steam coming out of his head. It said 'I have a temper.' This one was for his Dad!!!! He asked that I leave them on the counter for when his parents got home. So awkward... I can only imagine what his parents are thinking right now!!

California Gurls

Love her expressions.

This video is (and is going to be even more) adorable.

Spontaneous Wednesday

I did not realize Disney's Beauty and the Beast on Broadway was already here at DPAC. When I did finally realize this yesterday, I also realized every show was essentially sold out (except for a few scattered single seats). So luckily, someone listed their tickets on craigslist for way too much (and no one was e-mailing them). They were very confused. I shed some much needed light on this, and they sold them to me for face value!! They just so happened to work on campus too, which could not have been more perfect - especially on a time crunch.

Hank and I went for pre-show dinner and drinks at the newly opened Tobacco Road in Durham. This restaurant overlooks Durham Bulls Stadium. We got to see the first pitch and a couple of plays so this was an unexpected plus.

I really, really loved this show. There was a ton of adult humor which I did not expect at all. Lumier and Cogsworth were my favorite characters, they constantly had the audience laughing.

"If it's not Baroque, don't fix it." - Cogsworth

It was fun to see the songs "Be Our Guest" and "Beauty and the Beast" performed. My only disappointment was in Mrs. Potts costume. She didn't look like a teapot to me!