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February 25, 2010
Wake up in the morning...
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February 22, 2010
Travel Obsessions #7
Travel Speakers: I spend a lot of time alone in hotel rooms, sitting in empty offices working on paperwork, etc., so these portable speakers can brighten up any empty room. Whether I’m working, hanging out, getting ready, or having a small party (yes I use these when I'm NOT working too), these speakers attached to an MP3 player make all the difference. I’m a lot happier when I’m surrounded by music, so these make bunking alone in a hotel room in the middle of nowhere a lot more enjoyable. Phillips makes some great ones for under $30, left,or you can get all fancy with Magellan speakers, right, for a bit more.
February 18, 2010
A Spoon, a Tumbler and Winery Tours- in the Snow
This last week off has taken me from Santa Barbara, all the way to Indianapolis- via, Denver, Charleston, Charlotte, Elon, and Cincinnati, naturally.
Well, you know how I finally made it down to Charleston (driving 6 hours through that damn blizzard) but you don’t know what I got to do while I was there! Highlights included a visit to the Charleston Historical Society where I purchased a Lyre gate necklace (designed after the famed Lyre gates all over the city), a historic Carriage ride through the Holy City, and finally a fabulous dinner and night out at High Cotton Restaurant and The Blind Tiger(yup that's right- they're on 10best.com). Our shopping trip to the City Market was by far my favorite though. I purchased an antique ring fashioned out of a spoon. AND, it only just got antique status because it was made in 1910- a century old!
Well, you know how I finally made it down to Charleston (driving 6 hours through that damn blizzard) but you don’t know what I got to do while I was there! Highlights included a visit to the Charleston Historical Society where I purchased a Lyre gate necklace (designed after the famed Lyre gates all over the city), a historic Carriage ride through the Holy City, and finally a fabulous dinner and night out at High Cotton Restaurant and The Blind Tiger(yup that's right- they're on 10best.com). Our shopping trip to the City Market was by far my favorite though. I purchased an antique ring fashioned out of a spoon. AND, it only just got antique status because it was made in 1910- a century old!
Following a fun and fondue-filled Valentine’s, I headed north to Elon for the night where I got to meet up with some old friends for a snowy reunion at the Piedmont Ale House. Despite the bad service, it was tasty as always and so fun to watch new friends meet old friends. I even had time to make it to the Beehive, where I got to visit with the little ones and *Pogo Pam, who, very kindly, gave me my very own travel tumbler. Great for having in my hotel room!
After a night in Burlington, we (a fellow world traveler- in case you were wondering) drove up to Indianapolis, with the intent on stopping at various Virginia and West Virginia wineries on our drive up- great idea right? Well sneaky Old Man Winter had other plans it seems, and the last few weeks of snow in the north prevented us from off-roading in the Virginia back country and sampling some of their finest fortified grape juice as planned. Maybe snow and wine tasting don't really mix? Dreams dashed, we continued through the snow and sought new adventures instead, so just outside Cincinnati we stopped for a delicious Creole meal to celebrate Mardi Gras. I even got Mardi Gras beads!
When we finally made it to Indianapolis, I was on my own again and had the opportunity to explore the city that I “technically” work out of. Although it was snowy and icy, not my favorite combination whatsoever, I did take myself out for walks around the Capitol, downtown in search of tasty local fare and to some darling shops. I even got a home cooked meal with my best friends mom- quite a treat. It was the perfect little break.
My week off ended with an awesome visit to Oliver Winery, a small, family-owned estate in Bloomington, Indiana. Finally made it wine tasting! And yes- that’s right- INDIANA. They have their own state wine you know.... My travels this year have afforded me the opportunity to see some really cool wineries all over the country, and this was definitely one of them.
Snow drifts and ice delayed my flights a bit to Great Salt Lake, but now that I’m finally here, I am getting to enjoy a bit of the Winter Wonderland here in Utah. No wineries nearby… but there is PLENTY of snow to keep me busy these next few days!
*A delightful North Carolinian who travels by ATV with handy travel tumbler.
February 17, 2010
A Year in Review...
My blog posts have been few and far between these last few weeks for a handful of reasons:
1.) I have been traveling like crazy! New place every 4 days, new group to meet with and work with. New reports to fill out. Laundry to do, weather to battle. Sleep to try and catch up on.... Not likely though on the sleep part.
2.) During my last visit at UC Santa Barbara, the sun was out. I haven't seen the sun for what feels like months, so I spent every opportunity I could outside. How wonderful is the beach in February? It was sooooo wonderful- see the posting below for pictures!
3.) I've been doing a little job searching on the side too... Free time is consumed with resume building and online networking.
So dear Reader, I have missed you and have thought of so many things to share with you. I was at the Denver Airport a few days ago, awaiting a flight that would eventually drop me in Charleston, South Carolina. Well, one massive snowstorm later and I was driving down from Charlotte, North Carolina, because my flight had been cancelled. Thankfully though, I met up with some Elon alum to celebrate Valentine's Day over the long weekend. We walked through the streets of Charleston, catching up with one another, and searching for lyre’s that were hidden all over the historic city. During all these adventures though, I got to thinking about where we all had been in the last year. In retrospect, it is so strange to think about where I was a mere year ago from this month...
This time last year, I had just interviewed for my current position with The Organization, and was preparing to fly up for an in-person interview in Indianapolis. I had an 8am yoga class at Elon – in fact, I had five class periods! I had three jobs; working at the art gallery, babysitting frequently and working on campus at the local Greek Apparel store. I was single and celebrating Valentine’s Day with girlfriends, spent tons of time with my school friends, and was rarely alone.
I may have still spent Valentine’s Day with my girlfriends this year, but things are in a whole new place then where they were last year…. They say time flies when you're having fun- well, I think once you get old, ie. 23, things just fly by- fun or not! Yes, my travels have been fun, yet always challenging and intriguing. Class and studying has been replaced with meetings and reports; my job is full time and takes me all over the country, not just all over Burlington, North Carolina. I'm still with friends, new friends though- and most of the time I’m with them, but it is not the same. All in all, this last year has been one of extreme change and challenge. But, I’m not afraid to admit that it has been an amazing challenge, one I’ve looked forward to every step of the way, one I’ve appreciated, and really… a challenge I’ve come to love.
It will be a few more weeks before I celebrate the one year anniversary of landing this job with The Organization, but at the same time, it will be only a few more weeks before I’m done with this position all together. I find myself in this strange void, where will I go next? But, I have faith that, despite the uncertainty (and crappy economy), these last few months of traveling in my Patent Pumps will prepare me for “whatever” comes next. And really, “whatever” could mean moving on to the next big city and starting a new life, new job, or moving back home and working part time (please cross your fingers it's not the latter though). Regardless, I’m thankful, as always, for the opportunities I’ve had, the relationships I’ve cultivated and the miles I’ve logged on the road. Next stop, Salt Lake City... but before then, an update on my weekend travels to come!
1.) I have been traveling like crazy! New place every 4 days, new group to meet with and work with. New reports to fill out. Laundry to do, weather to battle. Sleep to try and catch up on.... Not likely though on the sleep part.
2.) During my last visit at UC Santa Barbara, the sun was out. I haven't seen the sun for what feels like months, so I spent every opportunity I could outside. How wonderful is the beach in February? It was sooooo wonderful- see the posting below for pictures!
3.) I've been doing a little job searching on the side too... Free time is consumed with resume building and online networking.
So dear Reader, I have missed you and have thought of so many things to share with you. I was at the Denver Airport a few days ago, awaiting a flight that would eventually drop me in Charleston, South Carolina. Well, one massive snowstorm later and I was driving down from Charlotte, North Carolina, because my flight had been cancelled. Thankfully though, I met up with some Elon alum to celebrate Valentine's Day over the long weekend. We walked through the streets of Charleston, catching up with one another, and searching for lyre’s that were hidden all over the historic city. During all these adventures though, I got to thinking about where we all had been in the last year. In retrospect, it is so strange to think about where I was a mere year ago from this month...
This time last year, I had just interviewed for my current position with The Organization, and was preparing to fly up for an in-person interview in Indianapolis. I had an 8am yoga class at Elon – in fact, I had five class periods! I had three jobs; working at the art gallery, babysitting frequently and working on campus at the local Greek Apparel store. I was single and celebrating Valentine’s Day with girlfriends, spent tons of time with my school friends, and was rarely alone.
I may have still spent Valentine’s Day with my girlfriends this year, but things are in a whole new place then where they were last year…. They say time flies when you're having fun- well, I think once you get old, ie. 23, things just fly by- fun or not! Yes, my travels have been fun, yet always challenging and intriguing. Class and studying has been replaced with meetings and reports; my job is full time and takes me all over the country, not just all over Burlington, North Carolina. I'm still with friends, new friends though- and most of the time I’m with them, but it is not the same. All in all, this last year has been one of extreme change and challenge. But, I’m not afraid to admit that it has been an amazing challenge, one I’ve looked forward to every step of the way, one I’ve appreciated, and really… a challenge I’ve come to love.
It will be a few more weeks before I celebrate the one year anniversary of landing this job with The Organization, but at the same time, it will be only a few more weeks before I’m done with this position all together. I find myself in this strange void, where will I go next? But, I have faith that, despite the uncertainty (and crappy economy), these last few months of traveling in my Patent Pumps will prepare me for “whatever” comes next. And really, “whatever” could mean moving on to the next big city and starting a new life, new job, or moving back home and working part time (please cross your fingers it's not the latter though). Regardless, I’m thankful, as always, for the opportunities I’ve had, the relationships I’ve cultivated and the miles I’ve logged on the road. Next stop, Salt Lake City... but before then, an update on my weekend travels to come!
Cross Country Lite
No time to write on the road (too many things to do with lots of wonderful people), pictures will suffice for now.
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February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day!!
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February 8, 2010
Travel Obsession #6
Nintedno DSi: I realize that I am 23 years old, but even grown ups have to have fun. Although this device is marketed more towards kiddos, I use it when I don’t want to be on my computer anymore, ie. I’m done messing around on facebook and reading blogs, I just want to relax and rest my brain. My favorite games: Sims Castaway Island 2 and Brain Craze, choc full of Sudoku, vocabulary words and other brain teasers for the over 18 range… My DS also has the capability to go online so that I can download other games from Nintendo.com!
February 3, 2010
Good visit? I think yes.
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