Time is a funny thing. You know that it passes and you know that you change, but it's really hard to tell in what ways, when and how. I was thinking about this the other day when I realized that I can actually track some of my personal changes/growth through the blogs that I read.
The first blog I came across was a very personal, emotional blog - mostly about relationships. I was ending high school and starting college and drama appealed to me. Not to say this person's blog was dramatic, but... well, actually it was. And little 17/18 year old Lindsay ate it up. I loved it. I read every line with that "Oh my gosh, I can totally relate" feeling.
Now, I stay away from those blogs. There is definitely a time and place for them (try my high school!), but they bore me now. I've learned that it's okay to be happy. It's okay to be content. Things don't have to be super high or super low all the time. It exhausts me just thinking about that crazy emotional roller coaster.
Most of the blogs I read now are healthy living blogs. I also read lots of foodie blogs and some fashion and interior design blogs. As well as a few faith-based ones. I know that doesn't really seem important, but it shows me that I've grown from that dramatic place of extreme highs and lows to knowing who I am and what interests me. And that...that makes me extremely happy.
Showing posts with label grateful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grateful. Show all posts
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Lent
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Are y'all giving up anything for Lent? I don't typically, but I thought I might try this year, or at least a version of it.
My first thought was to give up shopping (which I'm doing). Now, this doesn't include grocery shopping or toiletry shopping, but more specifically addresses my tiny problem that some may call a shopping addiction. I love clothes, specifically dresses. I can't get enough.
Well this got me thinking about the general principle behind it which I think can best be summed up as "overindulging." Do I need more (absolutely precious, make my legs look a mile long) dresses? No. Do I want to indulge in more dresses? Heck, yes.
So this year, I'm also giving up overindulging. Like you know, those Friday nights when you have one too many glasses of wine because 'why not?' or when you eat out because thawing one of the many meals in your freezer would take a whole five minutes (I'm really not bad about this one, but I know lots who are). I'm giving up overindulging and bringing back mindfulness. If I'm going to have a glass of wine, it's going to be at a nice dinner and I'm going to enjoy the heck out of it. If I'm going to eat out, it's going to be a rare occasion for one of my favorite meals and I'm going to savor each bite.
There are people in this world who would be in heaven with half of what we have and we don't even take the time to realize that. It's about time we/I did.
What are y'all giving up?
My first thought was to give up shopping (which I'm doing). Now, this doesn't include grocery shopping or toiletry shopping, but more specifically addresses my tiny problem that some may call a shopping addiction. I love clothes, specifically dresses. I can't get enough.
Well this got me thinking about the general principle behind it which I think can best be summed up as "overindulging." Do I need more (absolutely precious, make my legs look a mile long) dresses? No. Do I want to indulge in more dresses? Heck, yes.
So this year, I'm also giving up overindulging. Like you know, those Friday nights when you have one too many glasses of wine because 'why not?' or when you eat out because thawing one of the many meals in your freezer would take a whole five minutes (I'm really not bad about this one, but I know lots who are). I'm giving up overindulging and bringing back mindfulness. If I'm going to have a glass of wine, it's going to be at a nice dinner and I'm going to enjoy the heck out of it. If I'm going to eat out, it's going to be a rare occasion for one of my favorite meals and I'm going to savor each bite.
There are people in this world who would be in heaven with half of what we have and we don't even take the time to realize that. It's about time we/I did.
What are y'all giving up?
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday (Should I Change the Name of this Feature Since I'm Always Late?) Morning Review
Hey y'all!
As I mentioned, I headed to Nashville for the weekend to visit one of my best friends from college. We had an amazing time, complete with ridiculous photo shoot.
There was pure, unabashed laughter. The kind you only have with your best friends.
And pure sadness when we watched our Heels lose to Georgia Tech and found ourselves at the same bar as the Georgia Tech Alumni Association.
But mostly it was a fabulous weekend with a great friend.
I'm so incredibly blessed to have such FABULOUS people in my life!
As I mentioned, I headed to Nashville for the weekend to visit one of my best friends from college. We had an amazing time, complete with ridiculous photo shoot.
There was pure, unabashed laughter. The kind you only have with your best friends.
And pure sadness when we watched our Heels lose to Georgia Tech and found ourselves at the same bar as the Georgia Tech Alumni Association.
But mostly it was a fabulous weekend with a great friend.
I'm so incredibly blessed to have such FABULOUS people in my life!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Well, I've Been Blessed by the Grace of Southern Charm...
I have lived in two cities my entire life, each a mere 25 miles from the other. I was born in Raleigh, NC and have lived here for all of my 24 years on this earth with the exception of four in college when I lived in Chapel Hill, NC. For those of you who aren't local, let me tell you a little about each.
Raleigh is the capitol of North Carolina and is the second largest city in the state (behind Charlotte). In recent years, Raleigh has grown like crazy. I've always thought Raleigh was the best of both worlds - not giant enough to be considered "city life," but still big enough where there is plenty to do and see. It's a nice Southern city, but not too country (in fact, I recently read where we are among the top cities in the country for the number of college educated people).
Chapel Hill is about 25 miles west of Raleigh and is, in my mind, heaven. It's a small town that houses the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - one of the best public universities in the nation. It's a very eclectic town with people from all different types of backgrounds. The campus (which takes up a good chunk of the town) is gorgeous. Through the middle of Chapel Hill runs Franklin Street. Franklin Street is full of some of the best restaurants in America and fun bars. I.love.Chapel Hill.
The two are very different cities, but I've been blessed to live in both. I'm so grateful to be from the South. When I was younger I used to think I wanted to live in New York City, that's what writers are supposed to do, after all. Now I can't imagine it. I know every Southerner thinks this and every Northerner scoffs, but there is something so amazing about the South. A few of my favorites.
Raleigh is the capitol of North Carolina and is the second largest city in the state (behind Charlotte). In recent years, Raleigh has grown like crazy. I've always thought Raleigh was the best of both worlds - not giant enough to be considered "city life," but still big enough where there is plenty to do and see. It's a nice Southern city, but not too country (in fact, I recently read where we are among the top cities in the country for the number of college educated people).
Chapel Hill is about 25 miles west of Raleigh and is, in my mind, heaven. It's a small town that houses the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - one of the best public universities in the nation. It's a very eclectic town with people from all different types of backgrounds. The campus (which takes up a good chunk of the town) is gorgeous. Through the middle of Chapel Hill runs Franklin Street. Franklin Street is full of some of the best restaurants in America and fun bars. I.love.Chapel Hill.
The two are very different cities, but I've been blessed to live in both. I'm so grateful to be from the South. When I was younger I used to think I wanted to live in New York City, that's what writers are supposed to do, after all. Now I can't imagine it. I know every Southerner thinks this and every Northerner scoffs, but there is something so amazing about the South. A few of my favorites.
- Accents. My accent is one of my absolute favorite things about myself. It's Southern and cute, while not being over-the-top - at least not for Raleigh. When I go out of the South people seem to notice it immediately.
- Hydrangeas. Do they have these in the North? I don't think so. Even if they do, there is something quintessentially Southern about them. I'm going to have Carolina blue hydrangeas at my wedding and a bed of them in my yard.
- Family. Family reigns supreme in the South. I live a mile from each of my parents.
- Food. Southern cuisine is amazing. Especially now with award-winning chefs taking modern twists on it. HEAVEN.
- College sports. College sports are huge here. As March Madness gets started today, I know more than a few people who have taken off work. While Carolina and Duke reign supreme in basketball, football is just as popular. Y'all know I have a love affair with tailgates and wearing pretty dresses to games. I don't think they wear dresses to games up North.
- Barbeque. Eastern style. Enough said.
- Beach music. That beer-drinking music. That shagging music. Nothing warms my heart like beach music.
- The beach. And the mountains. Raleigh is two hours from each. Perfection.
- Dogwood trees.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Chapel Hill Bucket List
Most people know where my heart lies. It lies with delicious food, it lies with stunning clothes, it occasionally lies with cute boys, but more than anything it lies in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill is my one true love and will have my heart forever. The DTH (the student paper at UNC) recently published a Bucket List of things every UNC student should do before they graduate. I thought it'd be interesting to see how many I've done and if I have any fun stories associated with each. And for the ones I haven't done... I'm getting on them asap. I may have graduated, but in my mind I'll forever be a UNC student.
1. Ride a full circle of the P2P route Done. Several times. Oh heyyy, freshman year.
2. Play in the fountain at Bynum Circle Done.
3. Explore Wilson Library’s Rare Book Collection Done.
4. Get frozen yogurt at Yogurt Pump Obviously. Oreo is the best.
5. Have your picture taken with Rameses Done, despite my fear of mascots.
6. Drink from the Old Well on the first day of classes Done. (The tears are starting to well up)
7. Eat a cheddar-chicken biscuit at Time Out after 2 a.m. Done. You'd never know something that tasted so delicious late night, could be so utterly repulsive in day light.
8. Celebrate Halloween on Franklin Street Done. Four years in a row. Let's see - flapper, Daisy Duke, fairy, lady bug.
9. Pretend to fire the ROTC cannon Don't think I've done this one... can't say I have an overwhelming desire to.
10. Eat lunch at the counter of Sutton’s Drug Store Duh.
11. Go stargazing in Kenan Stadium Yes. :)
12. Pull an all-nighter in the UL If you haven't, you aren't really a UNC Student.
13. Get covered in paint at the Holi celebration on Polk Place Uh... I don't even know what this is.
14. Listen to the Pit Preacher and argue back I'm not sure I argued back, although he did tell me multiple times I was going to hell for wearing shorts.
15. Sunbathe on Polk Place Yes :)
16. Eat breakfast at Ye Olde Waffle Shop Yep.
17. Hula hoop at Weaver Street Market Been to Weaver Street, but never hula hooped.
18. Tweet at a UNC varsity athlete Of course. But even better than tweeting is actually talking to them. Preferably late night at Lucy's.
19. Play a round of golf at the Finley Golf Course Does the driving range count?
20. Play four-square in the Pit Nope.
21. Get ice cream at Maple View Farms in Carrboro Yep.
22. Visit a professor during office hours Of course.
23. Visit the Duke Botanical Gardens No. Do you see the first word in there?
24. See a star show at the Morehead Planetarium Done.
25. Complete a DTH crossword Only every day for four years of my life. Plus Sudoku the last two years.
26. Have a snowball fight on McCorkle Place Yep.
27. Climb the Bell Tower on Senior Day Yep. Tearrrr.
28. Persuade your teacher to hold class outside on a sunny day Oh yes. One benefit of having super liberal teachers.
29. Drink an extra-large coffee at the Daily Grind No. I've been to the Daily Grind several times, but I don't really like coffee.
30. Become a member of Local 506 and see a show Oh hey, freshman year. My friend's band played here several times.
31. Find and eat at the taco truck in Carrboro No. Food trucks didn't get big until after I left.
32. Sit outside Memorial Hall at night and listen to a show over the loudspeakers No, that's weird. I just bought a ticket. Oh Ben Folds, you were amazing.
33. Climb the rock wall in Rams Head No.
34. Hang a hammock and have a picnic in the Arboretum I've been through the Arboretum multiple times, but honestly we called it the Rapeoretum because it was really scary.
35. Run the stairs at Kenan Stadium Yes. Kenan, my love.
36. Watch the sun set from the 8th floor of Davis Library Yes.
37. “Borrow” cutlery and dishes from Lenoir No. I wasn't much of a Lenoir gal since I lived in private dorms the first two years that had a cafeteria and lived off-campus my last two years.
38. Crash a prospective student tour No!? That's rude.
39. Run or walk a 5k on campus for charity Tar Heel Trot, yay! Plan on doing Eve's run soon.
40. Get tickets as a senior to the UNC-Duke game Of course.
41. Dance in a library flash mob Didn't participate, did witness.
42. Walk across the Morehead Planetarium sundial on your way to Franklin Street Yep.
43. Get a letter to the editor and a kvetch published in the DTH No.
44. Attend at least one game for every UNC sports team Wow. As hardcore as I am, I don't think I ever went to a men's lacrosse game. I could be wrong though.
45. See (or participate) in the library streaking during finals Yep.
46. Attend a Zumba class at the SRC or Rams Head Yes, but Absolution is the best class ever.
47. Visit the basketball museum at the Dean Dome Yep.
48. Have a drink and listen to some bluegrass at Fridays on the Front Porch at the Carolina Inn AHHH now I'm really crying. YES.
49. See a movie hosted by CUAB at the Union Yep.
50. Play volleyball at a sand court Yep.
51. Grill some hot dogs at a residence hall grill Done.
52. Sit on the Davie Poplar bench — with someone else Aw this is sweet. I'm sure I have, but I doubt it was cute and romantic.
53. Play racquetball at Fetzer Gym No.
54. Eat a deep-fried candy bar at the State Fair No and this has nothing to do with UNC.
55. Swim some laps in the Bowman Gray pool Nope.
56. Stand on your feet for 24 hours with UNC Dance Marathon No, but donated time and money to it!
57. Paint yourself blue for a football game I've done it for a basketball game (risers, Wake Forest, senior year). I really try to look super cute for football games.
58. Trip on a brick in the Pit More times than I can remember.
59. Get a blue cup from He’s Not Here Of course.
60. Visit Gimghoul Castle at night Yep.
61. Fall asleep in a couch at Graham Memorial I don't know if I've fallen asleep, but I love Graham Memorial. It became my official study spot senior year.
62. Sing “Hark the Sound” and link arms with a stranger at a sporting event Yes. This is one of my favorite feelings ever.
63. Go to Duke’s campus wearing a UNC shirt Yep.
64. Watch a basketball game from the risers at the Dean Dome Yep. Wake Forest. T-Hans. Miss you senior year.
65. Appear in an STV show No.
66. See a movie at the Varsity Theater Yep. I've seen a couple, but I remember seeing Brokeback Mountain there.
67. Pit-sit for a student organization Oh yeah.
68. Go swimming in Jordan Lake Yes, but again, I'm a little confused about how this relates to UNC. I guess for out-of-staters?
69. Take a weekend road trip to see fall foliage in Asheville See above.
70. Head eastward and lie out on the beach in Wilmington See above.
71. Eat traditional Southern food at Mama Dips Yep. Not my favorite Southern food in CH, but it's one of those things you have to do.
72. Buy flowers from the ladies on Franklin Street Oh yes. Flowers sound like a great idea late night.
73. Check out a book from each of the eight floors of Davis Library I doubt it.
74. Have a hot dog at the season opener at Boshamer Been to season opener, probably didn't have a hot dog.
75. Make a gingerbread house in the Great Hall during finals week No.
76. Climb on the roof of a building on campus Yes. :)
77. Visit the N.C. General Assembly building in Raleigh No?
78. Play basketball in Woollen Gym Did I play basketball in Woollen? Are you kidding me? Four years of intramurals - I think I bruised half of campus with my sharp elbows.
79. Feed a squirrel on campus I had a bad experience with squirrels on campus. One fell out of a tree a mere 3 feet in front of me and broke its neck as I walking to graduation proceedings. Like really??? I think it was telling me not to graduate.
80. Participate in a football tailgate Y'all know this is my favorite thing ever. :)
81. Introduce yourself to Holden Thorp I don't know if Holden and I have met yet. He wasn't there when I was. (Which I'm making sound like it was a hundred years ago - it was less than 3)
82. Work on an election campaign for student government Yep.
83. Memorize the words to James Taylor’s “Carolina In My Mind” Of course!
84. Go to a Clef Hangers concert Oh Clefs, you have a little piece of my heart, too.
85. Sign your friend up for clubs at Fall Fest — without his or her knowledge No, but do remember Fall Fest.
86. Make money by participating in a research study on campus Haha no, but really debated it a few times.
87. Get a parking ticket and appeal it No.
88. Eat cheese fries at Linda’s on Franklin Street Yep.
89. Attend an “I Heart Female Orgasm” lecture No?? I don't even know what this is.
90. Paint a cube in the Pit Yes :)
91. Read an issue of each student publication Many times.
92. Go to a UNC Board of Trustees meeting at the Carolina Inn No.
93. Eat one of everything off the menu at Alpine Bagels Mmm, no need to eat everything. Everything bagel with bacon-scallion cream cheese is where it's at.
94. Go dancing at Players Hahaha. All of my good friends know the story behind this one.
95. Attend a Durham Bulls game and buy a baseball cap Yes, but the best ones are the plastic baseball caps that hold ice cream. :)
96. Peruse the ties for sale at Julian’s on Franklin Love me some Julians.
97. Win an intramural championship T-shirt Sadly, my stellar basketball skills never won me an Intramural shirt.
98. Head to the drive-through window at Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen and order a biscuit Mmm, yes.
99. Take a walk across campus early in the morning before anyone else is awake Yep.
100. Rush Franklin after beating Dook — and run all the way there from the Dean Dome Yes. And even cooler, Rush Franklin after winning the National Championship --- and run all the way there from the Dean Dome.
Now that I'm officially in tears and missing Carolina more than ever, I absolutely cannot wait to be over there for the Dook game Saturday. And since I'm all nostalgic, here are some of my favorite memories from UNC.
Chapel Hill,
Please keep being forever amazing and let's continue this little love affair of ours until the day I die.
Always yours,
Lindsay
1. Ride a full circle of the P2P route Done. Several times. Oh heyyy, freshman year.
2. Play in the fountain at Bynum Circle Done.
3. Explore Wilson Library’s Rare Book Collection Done.
4. Get frozen yogurt at Yogurt Pump Obviously. Oreo is the best.
5. Have your picture taken with Rameses Done, despite my fear of mascots.
6. Drink from the Old Well on the first day of classes Done. (The tears are starting to well up)
7. Eat a cheddar-chicken biscuit at Time Out after 2 a.m. Done. You'd never know something that tasted so delicious late night, could be so utterly repulsive in day light.
8. Celebrate Halloween on Franklin Street Done. Four years in a row. Let's see - flapper, Daisy Duke, fairy, lady bug.
9. Pretend to fire the ROTC cannon Don't think I've done this one... can't say I have an overwhelming desire to.
10. Eat lunch at the counter of Sutton’s Drug Store Duh.
11. Go stargazing in Kenan Stadium Yes. :)
12. Pull an all-nighter in the UL If you haven't, you aren't really a UNC Student.
13. Get covered in paint at the Holi celebration on Polk Place Uh... I don't even know what this is.
14. Listen to the Pit Preacher and argue back I'm not sure I argued back, although he did tell me multiple times I was going to hell for wearing shorts.
15. Sunbathe on Polk Place Yes :)
16. Eat breakfast at Ye Olde Waffle Shop Yep.
17. Hula hoop at Weaver Street Market Been to Weaver Street, but never hula hooped.
18. Tweet at a UNC varsity athlete Of course. But even better than tweeting is actually talking to them. Preferably late night at Lucy's.
19. Play a round of golf at the Finley Golf Course Does the driving range count?
20. Play four-square in the Pit Nope.
21. Get ice cream at Maple View Farms in Carrboro Yep.
22. Visit a professor during office hours Of course.
23. Visit the Duke Botanical Gardens No. Do you see the first word in there?
24. See a star show at the Morehead Planetarium Done.
25. Complete a DTH crossword Only every day for four years of my life. Plus Sudoku the last two years.
26. Have a snowball fight on McCorkle Place Yep.
27. Climb the Bell Tower on Senior Day Yep. Tearrrr.
28. Persuade your teacher to hold class outside on a sunny day Oh yes. One benefit of having super liberal teachers.
29. Drink an extra-large coffee at the Daily Grind No. I've been to the Daily Grind several times, but I don't really like coffee.
30. Become a member of Local 506 and see a show Oh hey, freshman year. My friend's band played here several times.
31. Find and eat at the taco truck in Carrboro No. Food trucks didn't get big until after I left.
32. Sit outside Memorial Hall at night and listen to a show over the loudspeakers No, that's weird. I just bought a ticket. Oh Ben Folds, you were amazing.
33. Climb the rock wall in Rams Head No.
34. Hang a hammock and have a picnic in the Arboretum I've been through the Arboretum multiple times, but honestly we called it the Rapeoretum because it was really scary.
35. Run the stairs at Kenan Stadium Yes. Kenan, my love.
36. Watch the sun set from the 8th floor of Davis Library Yes.
37. “Borrow” cutlery and dishes from Lenoir No. I wasn't much of a Lenoir gal since I lived in private dorms the first two years that had a cafeteria and lived off-campus my last two years.
38. Crash a prospective student tour No!? That's rude.
39. Run or walk a 5k on campus for charity Tar Heel Trot, yay! Plan on doing Eve's run soon.
40. Get tickets as a senior to the UNC-Duke game Of course.
41. Dance in a library flash mob Didn't participate, did witness.
42. Walk across the Morehead Planetarium sundial on your way to Franklin Street Yep.
43. Get a letter to the editor and a kvetch published in the DTH No.
44. Attend at least one game for every UNC sports team Wow. As hardcore as I am, I don't think I ever went to a men's lacrosse game. I could be wrong though.
45. See (or participate) in the library streaking during finals Yep.
46. Attend a Zumba class at the SRC or Rams Head Yes, but Absolution is the best class ever.
47. Visit the basketball museum at the Dean Dome Yep.
48. Have a drink and listen to some bluegrass at Fridays on the Front Porch at the Carolina Inn AHHH now I'm really crying. YES.
49. See a movie hosted by CUAB at the Union Yep.
50. Play volleyball at a sand court Yep.
51. Grill some hot dogs at a residence hall grill Done.
52. Sit on the Davie Poplar bench — with someone else Aw this is sweet. I'm sure I have, but I doubt it was cute and romantic.
53. Play racquetball at Fetzer Gym No.
54. Eat a deep-fried candy bar at the State Fair No and this has nothing to do with UNC.
55. Swim some laps in the Bowman Gray pool Nope.
56. Stand on your feet for 24 hours with UNC Dance Marathon No, but donated time and money to it!
57. Paint yourself blue for a football game I've done it for a basketball game (risers, Wake Forest, senior year). I really try to look super cute for football games.
58. Trip on a brick in the Pit More times than I can remember.
59. Get a blue cup from He’s Not Here Of course.
60. Visit Gimghoul Castle at night Yep.
61. Fall asleep in a couch at Graham Memorial I don't know if I've fallen asleep, but I love Graham Memorial. It became my official study spot senior year.
62. Sing “Hark the Sound” and link arms with a stranger at a sporting event Yes. This is one of my favorite feelings ever.
63. Go to Duke’s campus wearing a UNC shirt Yep.
64. Watch a basketball game from the risers at the Dean Dome Yep. Wake Forest. T-Hans. Miss you senior year.
65. Appear in an STV show No.
66. See a movie at the Varsity Theater Yep. I've seen a couple, but I remember seeing Brokeback Mountain there.
67. Pit-sit for a student organization Oh yeah.
68. Go swimming in Jordan Lake Yes, but again, I'm a little confused about how this relates to UNC. I guess for out-of-staters?
69. Take a weekend road trip to see fall foliage in Asheville See above.
70. Head eastward and lie out on the beach in Wilmington See above.
71. Eat traditional Southern food at Mama Dips Yep. Not my favorite Southern food in CH, but it's one of those things you have to do.
72. Buy flowers from the ladies on Franklin Street Oh yes. Flowers sound like a great idea late night.
73. Check out a book from each of the eight floors of Davis Library I doubt it.
74. Have a hot dog at the season opener at Boshamer Been to season opener, probably didn't have a hot dog.
75. Make a gingerbread house in the Great Hall during finals week No.
76. Climb on the roof of a building on campus Yes. :)
77. Visit the N.C. General Assembly building in Raleigh No?
78. Play basketball in Woollen Gym Did I play basketball in Woollen? Are you kidding me? Four years of intramurals - I think I bruised half of campus with my sharp elbows.
79. Feed a squirrel on campus I had a bad experience with squirrels on campus. One fell out of a tree a mere 3 feet in front of me and broke its neck as I walking to graduation proceedings. Like really??? I think it was telling me not to graduate.
80. Participate in a football tailgate Y'all know this is my favorite thing ever. :)
81. Introduce yourself to Holden Thorp I don't know if Holden and I have met yet. He wasn't there when I was. (Which I'm making sound like it was a hundred years ago - it was less than 3)
82. Work on an election campaign for student government Yep.
83. Memorize the words to James Taylor’s “Carolina In My Mind” Of course!
84. Go to a Clef Hangers concert Oh Clefs, you have a little piece of my heart, too.
85. Sign your friend up for clubs at Fall Fest — without his or her knowledge No, but do remember Fall Fest.
86. Make money by participating in a research study on campus Haha no, but really debated it a few times.
87. Get a parking ticket and appeal it No.
88. Eat cheese fries at Linda’s on Franklin Street Yep.
89. Attend an “I Heart Female Orgasm” lecture No?? I don't even know what this is.
90. Paint a cube in the Pit Yes :)
91. Read an issue of each student publication Many times.
92. Go to a UNC Board of Trustees meeting at the Carolina Inn No.
93. Eat one of everything off the menu at Alpine Bagels Mmm, no need to eat everything. Everything bagel with bacon-scallion cream cheese is where it's at.
94. Go dancing at Players Hahaha. All of my good friends know the story behind this one.
95. Attend a Durham Bulls game and buy a baseball cap Yes, but the best ones are the plastic baseball caps that hold ice cream. :)
96. Peruse the ties for sale at Julian’s on Franklin Love me some Julians.
97. Win an intramural championship T-shirt Sadly, my stellar basketball skills never won me an Intramural shirt.
98. Head to the drive-through window at Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen and order a biscuit Mmm, yes.
99. Take a walk across campus early in the morning before anyone else is awake Yep.
100. Rush Franklin after beating Dook — and run all the way there from the Dean Dome Yes. And even cooler, Rush Franklin after winning the National Championship --- and run all the way there from the Dean Dome.
Now that I'm officially in tears and missing Carolina more than ever, I absolutely cannot wait to be over there for the Dook game Saturday. And since I'm all nostalgic, here are some of my favorite memories from UNC.
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| My brother tailgating at Spring Lane. I don't think I realized at the time what a big deal it was for my dad to give up his normal tailgate spot and come to my house. I'm very appreciative now. We had some great times there. |
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| Miami football game in Chapel Hill. You can't tell, but this is a picture of them being cocky and dancing to our music. We won the game and they looked silly. This was one of the first big football wins when I was in school. |
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| One of my best friends and I at a Carolina football game. This one particularly stands out because the guy behind us kept calling the other team "Sneaky Creatures" and whispering it in a weird, creepy voice. |
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| My little sister from my sorority who turned into family. One of the best friends I made in college. This was at a Valentine's Cocktail. We always made the events our own. :) |
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| I always had fun when my friends from home came to Chapel Hill. Here we all are at Spring Lane getting ready to go out for Halloween my Junior Year. |
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| This is my favorite bar in Chapel Hill. It changed its name to P.T.'s, but will forever be Lucy's in my eyes. You will find many references to it on this blog. |
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| This was at one of my best friend's apartments. I spent many hours on that couch, reading magazines with a rum and diet coke, while he played XBox. Those were some of my favorite, quiet moments. |
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| Wine, cheese and pepperoni became a tradition that my little sister turned best friend and I participated in often. I miss those afternoons/evenings more than anything! |
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| Daddy and I in the Dean Dome for my last game as a Carolina student. Tears. |
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| Mom and I before graduation. |
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| My brother and I at graduation in rainy Kenan. |
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| Daddy and I at graduation at Kenan. |
Chapel Hill,
Please keep being forever amazing and let's continue this little love affair of ours until the day I die.
Always yours,
Lindsay
Thursday, February 17, 2011
I'm More of A Sunshine and Solid Ground Kinda Girl
This past weekend I went to the mountains for a long weekend with some of my best friends. I'm not really a mountain girl, I've never skied in my life (save one traumatic incident when my dad took out all the kids in my lesson when I was six because he couldn't stop) and I'm not a big fan of snow (unless I'm wrapped in cashmere and sipping a hot toddy on a snow day). That being said, the idea of a long weekend with some great people sounded fabulous. So I packed up sweet Baby Civi and head to the mountains after work on Thursday.
Friday morning we hit the slopes (don't I sound like a pro now?). There were three of us who didn't have much experience, so we decided to stick together and snowboard (I've since learned snowboarding is thought of as way harder than skiing). Let me tell you, it was the hardest thing ever. First of all, the board is really heavy. For those who haven't met me, I have abnormally thin arms and legs. That snowboard weighed my legs down like crazy. To start things off you get on the ski lift. Which is terrifying. You have to jump off at exactly the right moment. The first time I went, I barely got off and the chair pushed me about five feet. After you get off the lift, you strap in and head down the mountain.
My group apparently isn't the brightest because we tried an easy level slope BEFORE we tried the bunny level. Needless to say I spent most of the time on my rear end. The times I did get going, I was so petrified that I made myself fall. I went down the slopes two times and then made myself at home at the ski lodge bar. It was so much fun, but I would definitely take a lesson next time.
Complaining about snowboarding aside, it was an amazing weekend. It reminded me how blessed I am to have this group of friends. Most of us have been close since we were in high school and I consider them all my brothers and would do anything for any one of them. This trip reminded me that no matter what happens, our group has a bond that is unbreakable. And for that I am so incredibly grateful.
It's supposed to be 78 here tomorrow! Maybe I'll head to the beach... :)
Friday morning we hit the slopes (don't I sound like a pro now?). There were three of us who didn't have much experience, so we decided to stick together and snowboard (I've since learned snowboarding is thought of as way harder than skiing). Let me tell you, it was the hardest thing ever. First of all, the board is really heavy. For those who haven't met me, I have abnormally thin arms and legs. That snowboard weighed my legs down like crazy. To start things off you get on the ski lift. Which is terrifying. You have to jump off at exactly the right moment. The first time I went, I barely got off and the chair pushed me about five feet. After you get off the lift, you strap in and head down the mountain.
My group apparently isn't the brightest because we tried an easy level slope BEFORE we tried the bunny level. Needless to say I spent most of the time on my rear end. The times I did get going, I was so petrified that I made myself fall. I went down the slopes two times and then made myself at home at the ski lodge bar. It was so much fun, but I would definitely take a lesson next time.
Complaining about snowboarding aside, it was an amazing weekend. It reminded me how blessed I am to have this group of friends. Most of us have been close since we were in high school and I consider them all my brothers and would do anything for any one of them. This trip reminded me that no matter what happens, our group has a bond that is unbreakable. And for that I am so incredibly grateful.
It's supposed to be 78 here tomorrow! Maybe I'll head to the beach... :)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
New Years Goals :)
Let me start by saying Nashville, the bowl game and New Years at the Grove Park were all amazing. Rum-and-dc, sunny spot on a cold day, dinner of only wine and cheese, skinny day - amazing. But to write a post now without including all the pictures I've yet to upload would be doing the incredible trip an enormous injustice. So, my friends, you will have to wait. But let me tell you, it's worth the wait.
Okay, okay. Here's a preview:
:) More to come soon. In the meantime, I'd like to share some New Years Goals. Now, I'm not trying to go against the grain by not using the word "Resolutions." But most New Years Resolutions are solid, measurable things (lose X lbs, sleep X hours a night, etc) while mine are a little less tangible so I'm using the word "goals."
1. Live in truth. It's not like I'm a liar. But over the last year I caught myself in a couple little white lies. At the time, I thought I was sparing others feelings, or making a situation less awkward, or being generally harmless, but now I know I was really rationalizing. I want to live in complete truth.
2. Be grateful. Y'all know this is a constant goal of mine. I always make an effort to count my blessings and focus on the positive. This year I am making more time to spend in fellowship so that I may walk closer with God and grow in my relationship with Him. (Dedicating more time to Him these past few days has already made my load feel tons lighter and made my heart feel more open)
3. Don't judge. My least favorite part of me is the judgmental part of me. And it's a weird part. It's not judgmental against different races or classes, it's judgmental against personalities. If someone and I do not automatically click, I write them off immediately. Now, in my mind it's not always their fault. In fact, most of the time, it's my fault which leads me to goal #4.
4. Be confident. This is my toughest task. I am my hardest critic. And I'm naturally an introvert - not a scary, creepy introvert (no offense), but an 'it's hard for me to speak up with my ideas in a group' introvert. Somehow I always feel like my idea won't be good enough. And I'm horrible at public speaking. Horrible. I get the red splotchies like I do when I have the first sip of a glass of wine. This year I'm trying to do things that scare me. I'm trying to speak up before I have a chance to analyze the situation 50 million times, I'm trying to put myself in positions to be heard and seen. This is an ongoing struggle for me. Sometimes it helps to get outside of myself and say, "Hey. You are a kind person. You have a great job that you love. You are pretty enough. You have wonderful friends and family that love you. You are okay. Don't be so small and scared." I never realized it until I wrote that, but "feeling small" is the best way I can describe it. I remember my last year at UNC, I felt larger than life. I was confident in school, I knew the town I lived in inside and out, I went out all the time and smiled and laughed and lived life. I never thought I'd feel small in the city I was born and raised in, but Raleigh has really grown. And as I begin my career, I'm back on the bottom. I need to work on getting back to that confident place. (Part of this goal may involve putting this blog "out there" a bit.)
5. Be social. I have so many awesome friends. And I'm at this great place where I'm meeting some really cool new ones too. But most of the time, when friends call, I ignore the call. Most Friday nights I'd rather be on my couch with a bottle of wine by myself than out with people. I vow to change this. There will be plenty of times for Fridays with wine on the couch when I have kids and they go to bed. I'm 24 and I need to start acting like it a little more. I think moving into a house with one of my best friends in two weeks will help the process, too.
6. Be open. I've been through a few things in my life that have made me guarded. It's funny because most would not describe me as guarded. I'm extremely caring and my heart tends to beat out my head every time. But, internally, there's a lot going on. This year I'm vowing to not let all the past "mess" get in the way. I will be open. I will start a clean slate with everyone I know. One of my favorite sayings applies here, "If you agree to bury the hatchet, don't leave the handle sticking out." I also vow not to turn down opportunities because I'm afraid nothing could beat what I've already had. If it doesn't, no harm done; if it does, well I would have missed out if I hadn't. :)
7. Stop overanlayzing. Pretty self-explanatory, but much needed.
This sums up how I want to live 2011:
Happy New Year loves!
Okay, okay. Here's a preview:
:) More to come soon. In the meantime, I'd like to share some New Years Goals. Now, I'm not trying to go against the grain by not using the word "Resolutions." But most New Years Resolutions are solid, measurable things (lose X lbs, sleep X hours a night, etc) while mine are a little less tangible so I'm using the word "goals."
1. Live in truth. It's not like I'm a liar. But over the last year I caught myself in a couple little white lies. At the time, I thought I was sparing others feelings, or making a situation less awkward, or being generally harmless, but now I know I was really rationalizing. I want to live in complete truth.
2. Be grateful. Y'all know this is a constant goal of mine. I always make an effort to count my blessings and focus on the positive. This year I am making more time to spend in fellowship so that I may walk closer with God and grow in my relationship with Him. (Dedicating more time to Him these past few days has already made my load feel tons lighter and made my heart feel more open)
3. Don't judge. My least favorite part of me is the judgmental part of me. And it's a weird part. It's not judgmental against different races or classes, it's judgmental against personalities. If someone and I do not automatically click, I write them off immediately. Now, in my mind it's not always their fault. In fact, most of the time, it's my fault which leads me to goal #4.
4. Be confident. This is my toughest task. I am my hardest critic. And I'm naturally an introvert - not a scary, creepy introvert (no offense), but an 'it's hard for me to speak up with my ideas in a group' introvert. Somehow I always feel like my idea won't be good enough. And I'm horrible at public speaking. Horrible. I get the red splotchies like I do when I have the first sip of a glass of wine. This year I'm trying to do things that scare me. I'm trying to speak up before I have a chance to analyze the situation 50 million times, I'm trying to put myself in positions to be heard and seen. This is an ongoing struggle for me. Sometimes it helps to get outside of myself and say, "Hey. You are a kind person. You have a great job that you love. You are pretty enough. You have wonderful friends and family that love you. You are okay. Don't be so small and scared." I never realized it until I wrote that, but "feeling small" is the best way I can describe it. I remember my last year at UNC, I felt larger than life. I was confident in school, I knew the town I lived in inside and out, I went out all the time and smiled and laughed and lived life. I never thought I'd feel small in the city I was born and raised in, but Raleigh has really grown. And as I begin my career, I'm back on the bottom. I need to work on getting back to that confident place. (Part of this goal may involve putting this blog "out there" a bit.)
5. Be social. I have so many awesome friends. And I'm at this great place where I'm meeting some really cool new ones too. But most of the time, when friends call, I ignore the call. Most Friday nights I'd rather be on my couch with a bottle of wine by myself than out with people. I vow to change this. There will be plenty of times for Fridays with wine on the couch when I have kids and they go to bed. I'm 24 and I need to start acting like it a little more. I think moving into a house with one of my best friends in two weeks will help the process, too.
6. Be open. I've been through a few things in my life that have made me guarded. It's funny because most would not describe me as guarded. I'm extremely caring and my heart tends to beat out my head every time. But, internally, there's a lot going on. This year I'm vowing to not let all the past "mess" get in the way. I will be open. I will start a clean slate with everyone I know. One of my favorite sayings applies here, "If you agree to bury the hatchet, don't leave the handle sticking out." I also vow not to turn down opportunities because I'm afraid nothing could beat what I've already had. If it doesn't, no harm done; if it does, well I would have missed out if I hadn't. :)
7. Stop overanlayzing. Pretty self-explanatory, but much needed.
This sums up how I want to live 2011:
All I want from you is to trust me with what little you can,
and grow in loving people around you with the same love I share with you.
It's not your job to change them, or to convince them.
You are free to love without an agenda.
The Shack
and grow in loving people around you with the same love I share with you.
It's not your job to change them, or to convince them.
You are free to love without an agenda.
The Shack
Happy New Year loves!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
(What's Supposed to Be) The Monday Morning Review
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Mine was truly magical. I know I sound like a broken record, but I am so, so blessed.
I'll start with the basketball game last Tuesday. Carolina took on William & Mary in the Dean Dome. We won pretty soundly and my brother and I got to enjoy the awesome lower level seats. I've been so fortunate to go to many basketball games in the Dean Dome throughout my life and even more fortunate to have had season tickets since I was about sixteen - there is nothing better than Carolina basketball, even from the top row of the upper deck. That being said, lower level seats are pretty amazing. You can hear what the players are saying and see their sweat drip down their faces - too much for some I'm sure, perfect for me.
Christmas Eve was wonderful. While I miss my grandmother and Christmases in South Carolina dearly, nothing beats Christmas Eve at home with mom. We get on our pjs, drink apple wine (well, drink a sip because it's really sweet and disgusting before switching to regular wine, but we have to do it for Dolly) and make only our favorite parts of Christmas dinner - turkey, gravy, dressing and mac & cheese. Mom makes the most incredible homemade cornbread dressing and my macaroni and cheese is pretty delicious, if I do say so myself. We had a fabulous night and all three of us (Mom, Tuck [my 11-year-old puppy] and I) fell asleep in her bed watching tv.
When I woke up Christmas day Mom and I opened presents. She, as always, was way too generous! She starts shopping so early and ends up getting more than she knows! I then went to my dad's and had a great time opening presents with them. After presents, we headed to my grandparents for more food, fun and family. It was all so much fun.
Another short week this week as I am headed off to Nashville tomorrow for the Music City Bowl. I am so excited! More to come on that later...
I'll start with the basketball game last Tuesday. Carolina took on William & Mary in the Dean Dome. We won pretty soundly and my brother and I got to enjoy the awesome lower level seats. I've been so fortunate to go to many basketball games in the Dean Dome throughout my life and even more fortunate to have had season tickets since I was about sixteen - there is nothing better than Carolina basketball, even from the top row of the upper deck. That being said, lower level seats are pretty amazing. You can hear what the players are saying and see their sweat drip down their faces - too much for some I'm sure, perfect for me.
Christmas Eve was wonderful. While I miss my grandmother and Christmases in South Carolina dearly, nothing beats Christmas Eve at home with mom. We get on our pjs, drink apple wine (well, drink a sip because it's really sweet and disgusting before switching to regular wine, but we have to do it for Dolly) and make only our favorite parts of Christmas dinner - turkey, gravy, dressing and mac & cheese. Mom makes the most incredible homemade cornbread dressing and my macaroni and cheese is pretty delicious, if I do say so myself. We had a fabulous night and all three of us (Mom, Tuck [my 11-year-old puppy] and I) fell asleep in her bed watching tv.
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| Tuck |
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| Apple wine! YUCK! But a tradition! |
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| You can't use pre-shredded cheese for good mac and cheese! |
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| Perfection! |
When I woke up Christmas day Mom and I opened presents. She, as always, was way too generous! She starts shopping so early and ends up getting more than she knows! I then went to my dad's and had a great time opening presents with them. After presents, we headed to my grandparents for more food, fun and family. It was all so much fun.
Another short week this week as I am headed off to Nashville tomorrow for the Music City Bowl. I am so excited! More to come on that later...
Monday, December 13, 2010
Never...
Never, ever, EVER take for granted a friend that can make you laugh when you feel like crying. These people are angels. You know who you are in my life and I'm eternally thankful and indebted to you. I love you.
Here are a few of those angels I could not live without:
Here are a few of those angels I could not live without:
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| My oldest and best. Meet halfway? |
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| Love this girl, even though she pulls for the Pack! |
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Even in the land of exile, Especially in the Land of Exile
I heard the most amazing sermon on Sunday. I'm sort of ashamed to admit this, but sometimes I DVR local church services. Last week I did just that and the particular sermon spoke to me in a very real way. The preacher began by referencing a "Peanuts" cartoon in which Charlie Brown's sister declares that she's "decided to be a better person... but in a few days, of course."
The sermon went on to say how we are always putting off being the best person we can be for "a few days" or "until things are better." It spoke of how we need to happy, joyful, grateful and the best person we can be "even in the land of exile, especially in the land of exile." The preacher said that he added the especially because most of this life is not paradise, we are often in the land of exile.
Goodness, gracious, did this speak to me. There have been some recent hard times and I have used them as an excuse to pout, cry, even be meaner than I would ever like to be. I am someone who prides myself on being kind and I know that I have let my emotions get the best of me recently and have strayed from that. This sermon reminded me that no matter what is going on in my life, I need to be kind, joyful, pleasant and grateful.
I am so blessed in so many ways - I have a great family who loves me, awesome friends who make me laugh and put things in perspective (never, EVER underestimate the power of a friend who can make you laugh at something about which you've been crying), a job with which I'm absolutely in love - and so much more. I need to remember that, even when times are tough, even in the land of exile, especially in the land of exile!
Lovelovelove.
The sermon went on to say how we are always putting off being the best person we can be for "a few days" or "until things are better." It spoke of how we need to happy, joyful, grateful and the best person we can be "even in the land of exile, especially in the land of exile." The preacher said that he added the especially because most of this life is not paradise, we are often in the land of exile.
Goodness, gracious, did this speak to me. There have been some recent hard times and I have used them as an excuse to pout, cry, even be meaner than I would ever like to be. I am someone who prides myself on being kind and I know that I have let my emotions get the best of me recently and have strayed from that. This sermon reminded me that no matter what is going on in my life, I need to be kind, joyful, pleasant and grateful.
I am so blessed in so many ways - I have a great family who loves me, awesome friends who make me laugh and put things in perspective (never, EVER underestimate the power of a friend who can make you laugh at something about which you've been crying), a job with which I'm absolutely in love - and so much more. I need to remember that, even when times are tough, even in the land of exile, especially in the land of exile!
Lovelovelove.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Hello, Perspective
Ok. I promise to post about Carolina Cake Balls and the Va. Tech game later, but some things trump food and football (gasp, I know, it is hard to believe and I can't believe I said it).
I have had a series of events lately that have been HUGE wake up calls. There is no denying that God is trying to tell me something (to realize how blessed I am, to lean on him and to stop sweating the small stuff, I think) and I'm so grateful for it.
I won't get into specifics for the sake of people's privacy, but there have been a couple scares in my life lately. They both have turned out to be nothing more than scares, but have provided ridiculous amounts of perspective.
In addition to those two scares, my brother is giving me the same much needed reality check. He will be 9 on Friday. WHAT?! I remember the day he came home, the day I was the only one that could make him stop crying, the day I complained awkwardly about how starving I was to distract from the fact that I didn't know how to feel about getting a new brother the day before my 16th birthday.
I cannot believe he will be 9. He is starting to get this great little personality that makes me so proud of him. He's smart and funny and we have a bond that I cherish. His sense of humor kills me and I cannot imagine my life without him. I'm so grateful for my brother in my life.
Anyway, all this is to say there are way more important things than the things that stress us out day-to-day. And I have to believe that God really does have a plan for me. He's been trying to tell me to relax and appreciate all the blessings that I have - He will handle the rest. What an enormous gift to have such amazing friends and family AND be able to give all the little daily stresses to God. Life is good!! :)
I have had a series of events lately that have been HUGE wake up calls. There is no denying that God is trying to tell me something (to realize how blessed I am, to lean on him and to stop sweating the small stuff, I think) and I'm so grateful for it.
I won't get into specifics for the sake of people's privacy, but there have been a couple scares in my life lately. They both have turned out to be nothing more than scares, but have provided ridiculous amounts of perspective.
In addition to those two scares, my brother is giving me the same much needed reality check. He will be 9 on Friday. WHAT?! I remember the day he came home, the day I was the only one that could make him stop crying, the day I complained awkwardly about how starving I was to distract from the fact that I didn't know how to feel about getting a new brother the day before my 16th birthday.
I cannot believe he will be 9. He is starting to get this great little personality that makes me so proud of him. He's smart and funny and we have a bond that I cherish. His sense of humor kills me and I cannot imagine my life without him. I'm so grateful for my brother in my life.
Anyway, all this is to say there are way more important things than the things that stress us out day-to-day. And I have to believe that God really does have a plan for me. He's been trying to tell me to relax and appreciate all the blessings that I have - He will handle the rest. What an enormous gift to have such amazing friends and family AND be able to give all the little daily stresses to God. Life is good!! :)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Grateful
You know when you have those moments when you realize how incredibly blessed you are? Whether it's a specific event that causes the realization or one of those times when you just feel an overwhelming sense of peace - it's so important to be grateful. I realize this would be a good Thanksgiving post, but its on my mind now and I figure we should be grateful all year round, not just at Thanksgiving, right? So here goes.
I am grateful for:
I am grateful for:
- The absolute most incredible family in the world. Okay, so it's definitely not the most traditional family and there have been some hard times, but I would not change one single thing. To be as close to both your parents as I am is an incredible blessing and I wouldn't be anywhere in this world without them (literally, of course, but I mean more metaphorically). I'm Mama's best friend and Daddy's little girl and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have a ridiculously awesome brother who is finding new ways to make me proud everyday (including, but not limited to, early morning game day texts). I have a stepmom that makes even ordinary events seem fun. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc are all incredibly cool. So blessed.
- Carolina. Even if you take sports out of the equation, there is no place I feel more sublimely happy than Chapel Hill. And once you add sports, well, game over (no pun intended). Chapel Hill has been in my heart since I was a baby, but it means even more to me since I graduated. I literally feel a weight lifted off of me when I am in Chapel Hill. Everyone should be so lucky to have a place that makes them feel the way Chapel Hill makes me feel. So blessed.
- A job I love. Sometimes I literally have to pinch myself. I get to do public relations for the best jewelry store ever. (I know it's my job to say that, but I was a customer prior to the job). Some days I find myself writing about the latest designer line or playing Santa and giving away jewelry and I can't believe I got so lucky. So blessed.
- Amazing friends. You know, friendship is a funny thing. Growing up changes friendships in a way that at first really frightened me. You don't always talk as much and people you considered your best friends move on with their lives. But then there comes a moment when you realize the coolest part - these people are more "there" for you than they ever were before. Yes, we all grow up and move on with our lives, but I've come to learn that if I ever needed any of these people they'd be there in a heartbeat. And that's what friendship is really all about, isn't it? So blessed.
- Sports. I really don't know how people cannot like sports. There is so much raw emotion behind them and so many great storylines. Picking a favorite player (love you Teej!), a clutch shot to win a game, a kickoff return for a touchdown - these are some of the great moments in life. Not to mention, game day dresses. Go HEELS! So blessed.
- North Carolina weather. How fortunate are we to experience all four seasons, but none of them too harshly? So blessed.
- Food. Obviously, I'm grateful for food on a purely sustenance level, but as I've grown up I've come to appreciate the ingredients in food and love experimenting in the kitchen. So blessed.
- And some more: Walking into a warm sunny spot on a chilly day, the peace that passeth understanding, pretty dresses, good books, fashion magazines, wine, girly tv, a good night's sleep, meeting a goal, writing.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Living the Dream
Do you ever have those moments where you realize you are, in fact, living your dream? I'm having one of those moments today. It's funny because when you are thinking about your dream life - you know, the dream job, your own place to live, a healthy and happy social life, inner peace, a fully stocked fridge and wine cooler (whatever your particular dreams are, mine just happen to include a nice brie and sauvignon blanc) you think it's going to be this groundbreaking insanely exciting thing. And it is, in a way. But life being as it is, and people being as they are, the "omg this is it," feeling fades quickly. Today I'm taking the time to step back and really look at my life. Upon doing this, it's clearly obvious that I AM living my dream. I am smack-dab-in the middle of my dream life. That, my friends, is insane.
When I first got out of school (two years and three months ago, le sigh), I was slightly lost. The economy was awful and I had some idea of what I wanted to do - but I wasn't sure. I knew writing had always been a love of mine and I hoped to get into some communications field, but besides that, I was lost. The summer before I got my first job, I lived at home (God bless my mother, I know I was difficult to live with coming off of a senior year of going out, only twelve hours of classes and more going out). That summer I made a "vision board." I really didn't know what I was doing, I just wanted to move out and into a place of my own. On the board there were apartment layouts from three different apartment complexes in Raleigh, there was a picture of me and my boyfriend, pictures of me and my family, and a fake business card I made dubbing myself a "PR specialist" or something similar.
Wow. Two years later and look where I am. I live in one of the three apartment complexes that were on my vision board (with plans to move into a cute house in a few months), my relationships with family and friends are stronger than ever and I am an account associate at a pr agency. AND I just got my first ever business cards to prove it. Hello dream!
Now, this post is most definitely not a "go make a vision board" post. I don't really think the vision board had much to do with me being where I am today. Honestly, the biggest thing I can credit is learning more about who I am (which at times takes some pretty serious and scary soul searching) and coming out the better for it. I don't have everything right now, but for now, right now is a pretty good place to be. :)
When I first got out of school (two years and three months ago, le sigh), I was slightly lost. The economy was awful and I had some idea of what I wanted to do - but I wasn't sure. I knew writing had always been a love of mine and I hoped to get into some communications field, but besides that, I was lost. The summer before I got my first job, I lived at home (God bless my mother, I know I was difficult to live with coming off of a senior year of going out, only twelve hours of classes and more going out). That summer I made a "vision board." I really didn't know what I was doing, I just wanted to move out and into a place of my own. On the board there were apartment layouts from three different apartment complexes in Raleigh, there was a picture of me and my boyfriend, pictures of me and my family, and a fake business card I made dubbing myself a "PR specialist" or something similar.
Wow. Two years later and look where I am. I live in one of the three apartment complexes that were on my vision board (with plans to move into a cute house in a few months), my relationships with family and friends are stronger than ever and I am an account associate at a pr agency. AND I just got my first ever business cards to prove it. Hello dream!
Now, this post is most definitely not a "go make a vision board" post. I don't really think the vision board had much to do with me being where I am today. Honestly, the biggest thing I can credit is learning more about who I am (which at times takes some pretty serious and scary soul searching) and coming out the better for it. I don't have everything right now, but for now, right now is a pretty good place to be. :)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Thank you...
As I'm sitting here on my second to last day of work, so many thoughts are coming through my mind. I am going to my dream job, but it's so bittersweet. I wanted to do PR out of school, but now I see things have happened just how they should (haven't I learned this lesson yet?!?). Getting the job here has prepared me for this new PR job. I have learned SO much in my time here, both life lessons and career lessons. There is one lesson, however, that stands out above all of them. On that note, thank you SA, for teaching me:
OPENMINDEDNESS. I remember when I first started here, I was shocked. There were two of us from the South. The rest were from England, Italy, even... New York. Even though I've travelled all over the world, I have been in a certain environment most of my life. Broughton and Carolina are both very southern, old money schools. And because of my family, I've been surrounded by those type of people often. Before SA, I felt a certain superiority for being from this background. Not in a financial sense - just in a "I'm Southern, I'm better," sense. I often found myself not relating well to people not from this same type of environment. Now I realize it's because I didn't try to relate. While I will always be a proper Carolina girl who loves her mama and daddy, can't get enough bbq, appreciates wine and cheese, would do anything for her Tar Heels, and puts college football before most other things in her life, I've learned that different types of people are what make the world go round. I have met some of the most amazing people here - people I never thought I would be friends with that I now cannot imagine my life without. Now when I'm not cheering for my Heels, I'm cheering for Inter-Milan. Instead of fighting with the nearest Duke fan, I'm fighting with an Ohio State fan. Instead of a sandwich from the perpetually Southern classic Village Deli, I'm getting a turkey club (so much better than Village Deli's) from Meridian Cafe, a local cafe owned by a Greek family from Jersey. While this job has not made me so openminded as to like Durham, it has opened my eyes to the beauty of difference and for that, I am forever grateful.
OPENMINDEDNESS. I remember when I first started here, I was shocked. There were two of us from the South. The rest were from England, Italy, even... New York. Even though I've travelled all over the world, I have been in a certain environment most of my life. Broughton and Carolina are both very southern, old money schools. And because of my family, I've been surrounded by those type of people often. Before SA, I felt a certain superiority for being from this background. Not in a financial sense - just in a "I'm Southern, I'm better," sense. I often found myself not relating well to people not from this same type of environment. Now I realize it's because I didn't try to relate. While I will always be a proper Carolina girl who loves her mama and daddy, can't get enough bbq, appreciates wine and cheese, would do anything for her Tar Heels, and puts college football before most other things in her life, I've learned that different types of people are what make the world go round. I have met some of the most amazing people here - people I never thought I would be friends with that I now cannot imagine my life without. Now when I'm not cheering for my Heels, I'm cheering for Inter-Milan. Instead of fighting with the nearest Duke fan, I'm fighting with an Ohio State fan. Instead of a sandwich from the perpetually Southern classic Village Deli, I'm getting a turkey club (so much better than Village Deli's) from Meridian Cafe, a local cafe owned by a Greek family from Jersey. While this job has not made me so openminded as to like Durham, it has opened my eyes to the beauty of difference and for that, I am forever grateful.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Awake...
I've always been a bit of a moody person. Most people I know would describe me as happy, but internally I've always had some pretty intense highs and lows. I attribute most of that to thinking with my heart and not my head, something that I have always vowed never to give up. I will always accept the fact that sometimes I must endure the lows for the most incredible highs that follow. But recently, I've felt a lot of nothing. Apathy and non-chalance have never been two words used in the same sentence as "Lindsay," but I have felt them often lately. I have felt like I was sleepwalking through life, more sad than happy, but not sad enough to do anything about it. I felt, for lack of a better term, asleep.
In the past few days though, I have woken up. I'm not sure what caused it, but I have suddenly been graced with all the ambition and energy I had before. I have been reminded that I AM smart and worthy. All my dreams and goals have been pouring over me in a way that I can only describe as intoxicatingly overwhelming. But it is such a welcomed overwhelming feeling. I have missed you, Lindsay. :)
In the past few days though, I have woken up. I'm not sure what caused it, but I have suddenly been graced with all the ambition and energy I had before. I have been reminded that I AM smart and worthy. All my dreams and goals have been pouring over me in a way that I can only describe as intoxicatingly overwhelming. But it is such a welcomed overwhelming feeling. I have missed you, Lindsay. :)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
I believe...
I was reading another blog today and she mentioned a series called "I believe" that was on NPR. She wrote her own and I thought I'd do the same. Thanks for the inspiration. :)
I believe that family is not only who we share blood with, but also those we would shed blood for. For that reason, I will forever be a believer in adoption, both literally and metaphorically.
I believe in forever love. Love that won't go away even when we want it to.
I believe in princesses and fairy tales and all things magical.
I believe that icecream and a rum and (DIET) coke (together or separately) really can change a bad day.
I believe that divorce/betrayal is the worst thing one can experience.
I believe that everyone deserves a second chance. And a third. And a fourth. People can change. And if you see a little bit of yourself in everyone, how can you ever pass judgment on anyone?
I believe that the outfit you wear to a football game CAN affect the outcome. For that reason, wearing dirty clothes is okay for Football Saturdays if your team is on a winning streak.
I believe in the power of prayer. "Letting go and letting God" is the most powerful lesson I've learned in my twenty three years on this Earth.
I believe that fashion can change the world and unite people from all corners.
I believe in less judgment, more grace. :)
I believe that family is not only who we share blood with, but also those we would shed blood for. For that reason, I will forever be a believer in adoption, both literally and metaphorically.
I believe in forever love. Love that won't go away even when we want it to.
I believe in princesses and fairy tales and all things magical.
I believe that icecream and a rum and (DIET) coke (together or separately) really can change a bad day.
I believe that divorce/betrayal is the worst thing one can experience.
I believe that everyone deserves a second chance. And a third. And a fourth. People can change. And if you see a little bit of yourself in everyone, how can you ever pass judgment on anyone?
I believe that the outfit you wear to a football game CAN affect the outcome. For that reason, wearing dirty clothes is okay for Football Saturdays if your team is on a winning streak.
I believe in the power of prayer. "Letting go and letting God" is the most powerful lesson I've learned in my twenty three years on this Earth.
I believe that fashion can change the world and unite people from all corners.
I believe in less judgment, more grace. :)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
things i lovelovelove today.
Today I lovelovelove:
my diploma hanging in my office, hercules hooks (thank you jmcclenn!), thursday night fun with kay-j, icebreakers sours, my new vitamins, the fact that goodberrys will soon be in camvill (a fact my waistline does not lovelovelove), the song i love your love the most (describes my life!), the fact that fball season is ohhh 49 days away :), my birthday is soon (ok, i know i said i was not excited, but its me, its a birthday, and a VALID excuse to wear my tiarra and make people call me princess), the fact that im a rams club baller and moved up another level and will get the MEDIA GUIDES!!
lovelovelove.
my diploma hanging in my office, hercules hooks (thank you jmcclenn!), thursday night fun with kay-j, icebreakers sours, my new vitamins, the fact that goodberrys will soon be in camvill (a fact my waistline does not lovelovelove), the song i love your love the most (describes my life!), the fact that fball season is ohhh 49 days away :), my birthday is soon (ok, i know i said i was not excited, but its me, its a birthday, and a VALID excuse to wear my tiarra and make people call me princess), the fact that im a rams club baller and moved up another level and will get the MEDIA GUIDES!!
lovelovelove.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Apology
While I'm in my content moment of clarity, I wanted to send out an apology (ies). I know most people that these apologies go out to probably don't read this blog (thank goodness!), but maybe just putting it out there in the universe and vowing not to repeat my actions is good enough. Some are general, some are specific (but not named), others are specific (and named).
I'm sorry if I've been too preoccupied with my own problems to give yours the time of day. I realized how blessed I am to have such an amazing life and wonderful friends who are willing to listen to me. If I've ever cut you off while you were speaking or belittled your problems, please forgive me! I really do care about you all more than you know! Though I can be a bit of a homebody at times, I love you all so much and know I couldn't survive a single day without you.
I'm sorry if I talked back to you (Mom). I know we butted heads a lot and for that I'm so sorry. You are EVERYTHING I want to be when I grow up (still not grown up...) and I respect you more than I respect anyone in the whole world. Everyday I find myself saying "Mom was right." I'm glad I've gotten over my stubborn, stupid self and we've gotten to the point where we can be best friends. I love you. :)
I'm sorry if I held you to unreasonable/stupid standards. I recently realized how often I do this with you! I get mad at you for things I wouldn't give a second thought to if someone else did them. After all those years of telling you you needed to read the sign in your kitchen, I now realize that I am just as guilty as you! I am so grateful for you in my life and I do not tell you that enough! Squeezes.
I'm sorry to everyone I let down, especially you little brother. You are the one person I want to see me in the best light possible. I know how much you look up to me and when I let you down it hurts me more than anything on this earth. Since the day when I could get you to stop crying when no one else could, you've had my heart entirely. I'm sorry for the times I've fallen short of the big sister I should be. I promise to try to do better. Lovelove.
I'm sorry if I've been too preoccupied with my own problems to give yours the time of day. I realized how blessed I am to have such an amazing life and wonderful friends who are willing to listen to me. If I've ever cut you off while you were speaking or belittled your problems, please forgive me! I really do care about you all more than you know! Though I can be a bit of a homebody at times, I love you all so much and know I couldn't survive a single day without you.
I'm sorry if I talked back to you (Mom). I know we butted heads a lot and for that I'm so sorry. You are EVERYTHING I want to be when I grow up (still not grown up...) and I respect you more than I respect anyone in the whole world. Everyday I find myself saying "Mom was right." I'm glad I've gotten over my stubborn, stupid self and we've gotten to the point where we can be best friends. I love you. :)
I'm sorry if I held you to unreasonable/stupid standards. I recently realized how often I do this with you! I get mad at you for things I wouldn't give a second thought to if someone else did them. After all those years of telling you you needed to read the sign in your kitchen, I now realize that I am just as guilty as you! I am so grateful for you in my life and I do not tell you that enough! Squeezes.
I'm sorry to everyone I let down, especially you little brother. You are the one person I want to see me in the best light possible. I know how much you look up to me and when I let you down it hurts me more than anything on this earth. Since the day when I could get you to stop crying when no one else could, you've had my heart entirely. I'm sorry for the times I've fallen short of the big sister I should be. I promise to try to do better. Lovelove.
Content :)
I lovelovelove those days when I feel an overwhelming sense of peace... today is definitely one of those days. It's ironic because I'm having a fat day (gross!) and I have absolutely no voice (thank you, laryngitis), but I'm feeling wonderfully, blissfully content. :)
I'm kind of getting used to this whole not talking thing. Normally, I am a talker. If I am privileged enough to call you one of my good friends, then this is nothing new to you. And let me just apologize now for the sometimes (often) incessant talking. This laryngitis is teaching me that it's nice to sit back and really listen and observe. Sometimes I get so caught up in myself and my emotions (trust me, emotional describes me on my most stoic of days) that I fail to put myself in other people's shoes. That is something I've been trying to work on, ESPECIALLY with people that I am very quick to ostracize or put down because of past history or our close relationship. I realize how unfair I have often been in that capacity and not being able to speak has only served to shed more light on the subject.
My race is Saturday. I was so excited that I actually trained for something and stuck with it... until I got sick. I've managed to walk almost everyday, but it's been about a week since I've run. My mom keeps suggesting I skip it and go to the beach, but something is telling me I have to go through with it. I'm debating training for next year's half marathon. One of my "to dos" in life is to set a goal that absolutely terrifies me. This 5k was a step, but a half marathon would be the ultimate terrifying feat.
I'm kind of getting used to this whole not talking thing. Normally, I am a talker. If I am privileged enough to call you one of my good friends, then this is nothing new to you. And let me just apologize now for the sometimes (often) incessant talking. This laryngitis is teaching me that it's nice to sit back and really listen and observe. Sometimes I get so caught up in myself and my emotions (trust me, emotional describes me on my most stoic of days) that I fail to put myself in other people's shoes. That is something I've been trying to work on, ESPECIALLY with people that I am very quick to ostracize or put down because of past history or our close relationship. I realize how unfair I have often been in that capacity and not being able to speak has only served to shed more light on the subject.
My race is Saturday. I was so excited that I actually trained for something and stuck with it... until I got sick. I've managed to walk almost everyday, but it's been about a week since I've run. My mom keeps suggesting I skip it and go to the beach, but something is telling me I have to go through with it. I'm debating training for next year's half marathon. One of my "to dos" in life is to set a goal that absolutely terrifies me. This 5k was a step, but a half marathon would be the ultimate terrifying feat.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Hodge Podge
I guess I should start by saying, GO HEELS!! My boys won the National Championship in rather dominating fashion. I'm going to miss this team. It makes me tear up just thinking about it.
Speaking of tearing up, my brother cried when the boys came back to the Dean Dome from Detroit. He was so confused. At seven you haven't really experienced many cries except selfish ones (ie I'm physically hurt, my feelings are hurt, I didn't get my way, etc) and so when he cried when the boys came home he didn't understand. I was sooooo proud of him. What else would I expect from the boy who got his first report card at age five and asked, in all seriousness, "Are these grades good enough to get into Carolina?" :)
I'm sick... which sucks. I think I have the flu. I stayed out of work yesterday. It was miserable. Every part of my body hurt. I could barely walk. Today I'm back at work with basically just a sore throat. It is a welcome reduction to the pain of yesterday. It's also kept me from running which is AWFUL considering my race is in a little over a week. I ran a quick mile on Tuesday. Yesterday I ran a mile with my brother at his school because he was so excited about it. I felt horrible and like I was going to die, but I'm glad it made him happy.
I'm all dopey on meds today and keep getting confused really easily -- which is not good when you struggle enough pre-meds. I am looking forward to going home and crawling in bed. Or maybe going on a walk, tanning, and then getting a free drink or two at Third Thursday....then crawling into bed. :)
Speaking of tearing up, my brother cried when the boys came back to the Dean Dome from Detroit. He was so confused. At seven you haven't really experienced many cries except selfish ones (ie I'm physically hurt, my feelings are hurt, I didn't get my way, etc) and so when he cried when the boys came home he didn't understand. I was sooooo proud of him. What else would I expect from the boy who got his first report card at age five and asked, in all seriousness, "Are these grades good enough to get into Carolina?" :)
I'm sick... which sucks. I think I have the flu. I stayed out of work yesterday. It was miserable. Every part of my body hurt. I could barely walk. Today I'm back at work with basically just a sore throat. It is a welcome reduction to the pain of yesterday. It's also kept me from running which is AWFUL considering my race is in a little over a week. I ran a quick mile on Tuesday. Yesterday I ran a mile with my brother at his school because he was so excited about it. I felt horrible and like I was going to die, but I'm glad it made him happy.
I'm all dopey on meds today and keep getting confused really easily -- which is not good when you struggle enough pre-meds. I am looking forward to going home and crawling in bed. Or maybe going on a walk, tanning, and then getting a free drink or two at Third Thursday....then crawling into bed. :)
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