SUMMERTIME!!!

 aka BEACH time!!!

I'm amazing! Only my second full Saturday in North Carolina and I made it to the beach!

But first I would like to introduce a few of my new friends.

I know what you're thinking, "who's behind all that GORGEOUS hair?"

Jessica!

So story time: My first Sunday at church not quite two weeks ago, this beautiful, funny, energetic, super sweet, super smart woman was speaking. I have this thing where I think really amazing girls won't want to be my friend even though I really want them to be, and this was my thought when Erica leaned over and told me I should be her friend. I told her "of course" but fully believed it would never happen. I know dumb, self-defeating. That day I was super sick and hardly talked to anyone because I was in that snotty, sniffling, uber gross stage. My first week goes by, I go to EVERYTHING I hear about, I'm meeting a lot of great people but I don't happen to see that girl. Erica calls to check in and asks me if I've met Jessica (yes, Erica remembered her name, she's amazing like that.) I tell her the next time I see her I will make it happen. The following Sunday, Jessica happens to be sitting behind me at church. So because I promised Erica, I turn around and introduce myself and invite her to dinner that night. What the heck ya know.
She said YES!
I know its like a freaking dating play by play. But sometimes making girlfriends is just as hard as finding a boyfriend. Anyways, so we exchange info and she comes to dinner that night and we have a great time. And in only a week, we've become great friends and I'm excited to hang out with her a ton more when she gets back in August.
So back to this story, another friend I've met is Brett. He was one of the drivers to the beach, which is just over 2 hours away.
I love this picture because it looks like a scene from a movie where the driver carries on a full conversation with the passenger and never once looks where he's going and magically never crashes.

Carolina roads: thick green trees and big blue sky.

The Beach! It was CRAZY packed, Memorial weekend brought everyone out.

The below photo reminds me a bit of Anne of Green Gables, one of my all time favorite movies.

Really not the best pic of me but the only pic I have of my roommate Naomi. That girl is crazy, she was out there with no sunscreen with the goal of getting blacker than she already is. I sunscreened up and even reapplied after a couple hours.

Notice this expanse of sand between the grass and the people, it is a road for emergency vehicles, so people aren't supposed to set up/lounge there. But with all the crowds people kept putting their stuff down and lounging, and the emergency truck guy kept driving up and down and yelling at people to "stay behind the white poles." And for some reason, I found this hilarious and for the millionth time wondered why are people so dumb?

Chinese, written by Jessica, something about happiness I believe.

My toes are the cute orange ones.

Summer romance anyone?

Nick and Brett were just getting out of the surf and Brett spotted my camera...

and began his Baywatch walk :)

What a beautiful scene, but don't let it fool you. The tide was strong, the waves were rough, and it was a windy day. But the water was the perfect temperature and it wasn't too hot or cold when you got out.

In the below photo, another new friend, Diana on the far right. A super sweet girl and funnily enough works for the AICPA, the national accountants association, which keeps sending me stuff to join but I don't want to.

Whose that hottie that looks like shes about to trip over herself? 

Me, of course. 

I think I was dance running here. Doing a more theatrical Baywatch run. (And no I didn't not fall, in case you were worried about me.)

After the really great day at the beach, we all went into downtown Wilmington. We walked along the river and then found a great little restaurant to eat at. We sat outside and enjoyed fresh chips with delicious queso and pico de gallo. And I had pork tacos that blew my mind! I wish I had pictures but I forgot to take one.

I have not done that day justice here, but trust me it really was a perfect summer day.

~

And just like any other really great summer day, I had to pay my dues. Despite sunscreening TWICE, I managed to get this weird patterned sunburn on part of my shin and foot. It was much more red and splotchy looking in person and I got quite a few laughs over the next few days.

Summer is definitely here and I am going to soak up as much of it as possible!

New Beginnings

I'm not going to lie, the first week was HARD! Saying good-bye to Erica brought a flood of tears that carried over into the week. I missed my family and had this unrealistic feeling that I'd never see them again. Also work wasn't expecting me quite then, so I had nothing to do all day long. I knew something like this would happen and so I went to EVERYTHING I heard about. I talked to tons of people and got phone numbers and asked to be invited to everything. The girl whose room I took was still in town and Tuesday I met her and a few other people for dinner and a baseball game.

We had awesome seats!

 The team here is the Durham Bulls (minor league). This huge bull's eyes go red and steams comes out its nose whenever the Bulls get a home-run, it was pretty entertaining.

 On Thursdays people play Ultimate Frisbee on UNC campus. I hate sports and haven't found one I've enjoyed, but again, trying to be social. So I went. I was only going to watch but a boy with some possible dating potential, started tossing the frisbee around with me and convinced me to play. I'm glad he did, it was fun. I wasn't great but I enjoyed it and its great exercise, so I'll be doing that every week. I might have actually found a sport, I like.

 The next week I found a ballet studio close to my place and took a class that kicked my butt - in a much needed way. So I enrolled in the summer dance program. I also signed up for some photography classes through Chapel Hill's community center - they start at the end of June. Then Friday, May 25th I went out with some newly made friends. We got ice-cream, went to a Hitchcock film, and then ended the night with fireworks!

Every Friday the Durham Bulls have fireworks after their game, win or lose. The game is free in the seventh inning so we went on in and found some seats. The game actually ended up being a nail biter. It went into a tenth inning and with bases loaded and 2 outs, we got a home-run for the WIN. And the fireworks...

BREATHTAKING!

In two weeks, I've been quite busy.

PS. I apologize for the poor photos, they are all from my phone. But more posts are coming, with more incredible outings and far better pictures.

1 Day Left!!!!

In these last couple weeks, I tried to see everyone I could and catch up. Where do people meet to catch up, restaurants!

So I combined catching up with restaurants I wanted to visit one more time or restaurants I hadn't been to but wanted to try. I like two-birds-with-one-stone activities, makes me feel super productive. So here is my review of places I've eaten over the last couple weeks.

TRUE FOOD KITCHEN

Modern, "green", and actually really tasty. I wasn't going back and there were two choices that I wanted to try so I got both the Panang Curry and Shirataki Noodles. The curry was a yellow curry but more vegetables than other places and a bit spicier than I've had before and I really liked it. The noodles were a red curry and they were HOT, even my brother was surprised by the heat. It was good but a little too spicy for me. I also tried one of their drinks and I don't drink alcohol but the Hangover Rx looked so good, so I got it.  No regrets there, it was a delicious mixture of coconut, melon, and pineapple. I highly recommend this place.

CHELSEA'S KITCHEN

 I recommend patio dining, though inside was nice too. I took the boys (my coworkers) their for Christmas and they took me for my birthday lunch. The tacos were excellent! I also had the roast chicken last time which was a huge portion and perfectly cooked, crisp on the outside and juicy inside. Really nice atmosphere and great food.

Matt's house - Turkey burger was a first, patio was nice and relaxing. But he needs to update his cantina ;) Matt is a coworker and we just picked up stuff at the store and he grilled at his place. Definitely a unique and fun experience if you ever get the opportunity.

THIRSTY LION PUB

Happy Hour - I had hor d'oeuvres that were scrumptious! Their nachos were INSANE and had everything imaginable that should go on nachos. I also tried their potato cakes - wow! Really savory and delicious.

CADILLAC RANCH

Happy Hour Continued - All I had was lemonade but this is getting a mention because of the mechanical bull. It only cost $2 for 2 rides. Definitely worth it! All the girls took a turn. It was my first time and it looked so much easier than it actually was. No pain that night but holy cow was I feeling it the next day!

SUGAR BOWL

 Pink, EVERYTHING is pink - the booths, walls, counters, menus.

HOLY COW!!!! How did I not hear about this place until two weeks before I left? Honestly I don't know how I lived so close for three years and never knew this place existed. An old school ice-cream shoppe built in 1958 and all original and pink striped and totally sweet literally and figuratively. I had the most delicious banana split EVER! for dinner because I was too full for anything else afterwards. They do have meals but who would go to such a place and not get something sweet. Crazy. If you are ever in the Phoenix area - GO!

NUNTHAPORN'S THAI CUISINE

First, yes, that is a hilarious name! and yes part of the reason I went. Its actually a cute place, plenty of parking behind the restaurant and really good yellow curry, just the right amount of spice. The waiter was super attentive and they didn't charge me for extra rice to go, which I appreciated.

 AUNT CHILADAS

Another place I can't believe I'd never heard of. REALLY good Mexican food, I had a combo plate with a green chili tamale and chicken enchilada - AMAZING! So flavorful and the tamale was the perfect corn shell consistency not too grainy. And it's also a really cute place with indoor and outdoor seating.

WILDFLOWER BREAD CO.

I am in love with this place, I absolutely love EVERY soup they have. I generally don't like to go to the same restaurant after I've been once or twice but I love their soups and sandwiches and of course their bread.

CHEESECAKE FACTORY

Can't say enough good stuff about this place. I know I just said I don't like going to the same restaurant repeatedly but I make a big exception for this one. I had a Virgin Dairquiri and desserts (yes I ordered two) with a friend, YUM! The following Monday I met another friend for appetizers - MORE YUM!  Then my office going away lunch tuesday - WOWZA! Normally a place does a great meal or a great dessert but this place does both!

I think I've eaten out more in the last two weeks then I have in the prior year. Its been fun, great food and even better company. Thanks everyone!

IT'S A BOY!

At the time my sister (the youngest) was born, my dad was working with a bunch of slightly older women and they threw him a baby shower. He enjoyed it but said it was a bit girly for him. Well my younger brother is having his first and my mom, remembering my dad's baby shower, wanted to throw a surprise baby shower for daddy-to-be, Matthew. I went down for a quick over-night trip a couple weeks ago and helped decorate and put some things together before the guest of honor arrived. I also got to see my 10 day old niece Kelsey. Precious!

We bibbed Matthew, the "handsome little guy." LOL, mom (back of head showing) was very excited about him wearing this bib the whole shower.

The AWESOME rice-krispy train, with cars full of candy!

My mom, the creator.

 

Enough food for all of the men coming. This was a baby shower for a guy and other guys, wives were invited but mainly just to be onlookers.

The guests getting some eats. Matthew Thomas in the back, Chris Cox and his girlfriend, and Nancy showing off her baby bump.

I most definitely love babies and I find newborns being held and looked at by adults are the sweetest moments/pictures. Especially when it's grandpa holding his granddaughter. I think I want to do a series of photos on newborns being held, it would be beautiful. The adults always look so tender.

I need editing equipment so I can blur out the background, but Kelsey steals the show anyway. The right hand looks 3D in this photo, she's about to punch you. But its okay because she looks so sweet doing it.

Proud parents of Kelsey, Tennille and Nathaniel. (My brother and his wife)

We had plenty to eat 

and plenty of company to enjoy it with. 

My sister Becca and her husband & my brother Matthew's best friend, Josh.

We played Baby Bingo and the markers were various candy pieces and then the REAL games began. First up, finishing off a bottle of apple juice.

These men were up to the challenge, seriously hilarious watching grown men suck away at little pink bottles. Chris in black on the right was the champion.

Then a big challenge for pregnant women, tying the shoes with a bun in the oven. Nathaniel got twin balloons.

All the guys got their baby bumps and obviously even found themselves hilarious looking this time.

Ready, get set, 

GO!
So fun to watch! Matthew Kirkland (yes, we know a lot of Matts) in the black shirt and ball cap on the right was the winner of this one. We all agreed he must practice this at home because he was INSANELY fast.

More food and then it was gift opening time. My dad got him a baby carrier, mainly with himself (grandpa) in mind, he's excited to use it with their baby. :)

Friends got him pokemon balls, he loved it.

I got him a mini-vacay, a bumbo chair to stick baby in and a 6-pack of Mt. Dew. See that excitement on his face!

Quentin got him a disaster diaper changing kit, nose plug and gloves, sick! But of course he loved it and I won't be surprised if he uses it for kicks.

Obviously, this party was off the chain!!! And most importantly all the men loved it and found it interesting what we women do at these "showers" we're always going to. Congrats Matthew and Kamber on your baby boy (coming in June)!