Grand Opening

Within one block of my house in Clifton there are many grand openings:

Comfy Cow Ice Creamery

Pie Kitchen Cafe

Quest Outdoors (re-opening)

Just down the street:

Trader Joe's (long awaited and coveted!)

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Adventures with P. Diddy

You want to know a secret Patty?

Sure.

Sometimes when I'm on car trips, I pretend like I'm still in Tanzania.

Really?  

Yea.  Is that weird.

I dunno.  Kinda

[clash bang scrape blow out scrreeech]

Oh [snap]

What was that?

Blow out.

Uh what are we supposed to do now.

You're not going to do anything.  I'm going to change it and you're going to sit here because we're on the side of the road and I don't want you to get hit by a semi.  Unless you want to go pee in the woods down there.

No, there might be bears.

I hate wild animals.

You're really fast.
I know.
That was a compliment.
Well that was my fourth.  Look, I need to stop and get another spare.  I'm not trying to have another blow out on this godforsaken highway and get stranded here.  This is the boonies.  And I've got precious cargo.  We'll stop up here, I know a place.
Aw, you think I'm precious cargo?
No, I've got my climbing gear in the back.
It smells like burning rubber.  Or maybe your air freshener.
Both.
...
Uh is this it?

Yea I think these guys have a tire that will fit.
This is Tanzania.  Except they have double wides instead of huts.
They're just good ol' boys.
They think you're a city slicker.
What do you think they think of you?
That I'm a priss.
You are.
NO I AM NOT!  Just because I can't change a tire or kill a bear with my bare hands does not make me a priss.
Ok.
Hey, you guys rock climbers?
Yea.
Well how do you get that rope up there?
This would be a one star trip if it weren't for the Rollings Stones playing out the side of that Dodge Neon.
I think that guy just pulled a knife on his friend.
We should go.
Yup.

Did you find your shoes?
Nope.
Oh, sorry.
Yea and some briar patch cut the [snot] out of my arm on the way down.  How was your nap?
Great.
...
I think we make a left to cut through the Gorge to Muir Valley.
Uh, that's a dead end.
This would totally be a one star trip if it weren't for such gorgeous weather.

 This was my first lead route.
What was the name again?
Mr. Bungle
I give it three stars.
Overall 3 star day.
Word.
Let's hit the road.  Margaritas or a giant Pacifico?

Rose-colored glasses

A year ago today, I boarded a plane headed for Tanzania.  I had no idea what I'd find.  I didn't even know where I was going to sleep when I got there.  That was the adventure I craved.

My time there was life-changing, because I've never lived in a world where everything was an adventure.  A trip to get groceries meant a mile walk, hanging onto the side of a dala dala (bus) for dear life while the pavement raced beneath me, bartering in Swahili with a local for pennies worth of delicious produce.  The children I worked with had diseases I had only ever read about in books.  But now I have seen rheumatic heart disease, rabies, and pediatric AIDS.

I had every target on my back: Single. White. Woman.  And yet I approached my life there confidently (and only sometimes with reckless abandon).  I have never lived so simply.  It's a true test of flexibility to forego all of the luxuries of Western culture.  And yet, I'd love to live without them again.

I miss the beauty of my surroundings: Kilimanjaro peeking out of the clouds, flowers blooming on every tree, the amazing fruits and vegetables that were picked straight from the trees, the feeling of Karibu and the sweet nature of all of the Tanzanians.

I miss Dana.  Happy friendiversary!!!!

I don't know if I'll ever make it back to Moshi, Tanzania, but that's okay because I live out the lessons I learned there every day in my life here.  Karibu, work hard, be present in your community, provide resources, care for the children like they were your own.

Happy BERTday!

Bert & I go way back, and I mean wayyyyy back.  So far back that our we share genes.  And I'm not talking denim.

Bert is my twin cousin
My brotha from anotha motha (love you Aunt Janet!)
A partner in life through my formative years
Someone with whom I can be open and honest and candid and silly all at the same time.

We are three weeks apart in age but it's obvious we're cut from the same cloth.

Bert is one of the most genuine (tied only with other members of our family), loyal. caring men I have ever known.  After all of the fun we had at Carolina, how could it get any better?  But it did, we spent every Wednesday morning of the next two years having breakfast together before school at Duke.  The subjects were varied: careers, life, basketball, dating, travels.  No matter the subject, Bert is present and invested.

You're the best guy friend I have and I am so thankful to have so many special memories with you.  Can't wait to see what's to come this year!  Thanks for being my older cousin and showing me that it's safe to turn another year older :)
Note: I am not worried about your fiance seeing these pictures-- she's got to know what she's getting into :)

So happy birthday sweet sweet cousin!  We'll celebrate this weekend and again at my birthday.  (You'll have to wait for Katherine to come down for your fantastic present!)  Can't wait for a big ol' birthday hug (not that you're old or anything)!!!!

Keeneland

Sundress? Check.

Sunglasses? Check.

Bourbon? Check.

Dollar bills? Check.

No, I did not go to Vegas.  I went to Keeneland for their fall series of horse races!  Whit and I loaded up on Saturday morning for an easy 1 hour drive down to Versailles, KY outside of Lexington.  Although a little apprehensive about being allergic to horses (it was not fun to realize that) and not knowing what to expect, we headed inside.  Here's how the day panned out:

1st race: bet $4, no win
2nd race: bet $6, won $12
3rd race: bet $4*, no cash win**
4th race: bet $3, no win

*some guy told me to place on a certain horse and I bet him that if that horse lost then he owed me
**a $6 beer

There's one more weekend at Keeneland this weekend before next spring.
October 29
FREE parking
$5 admission
Lowest bet- $2

...getting very excited for DERBY!  Local Townie is currently taking reservations for May 3-7.

A milestone day

His brown hair to my blond.
His brown eyes to my green.
His right hand to my left.
His shy, quiet nature to my... well... loud verbosity.

We're total opposites.  But we've got one thing in common: We're siblings.   That's a bond that has an unspoken, indescribable connection.  It's something that no one can take away.

Today is a very special day.  Today is my brother's 30th birthday.  He has conquered many milestones and his birthday is an exciting celebration of his achievements and the promise of his future.  I am so excited for his life and the trajectory that it's going.

So happy happy happy birthday big brother!  I hope your birthday brings you many smiles, fond memories of your past, hopeful wishes for your future, and a feeling that you are very loved-- because you are!  Happy birthday!

"Your home sounds wonderful.  Louisville is not trying to fill the shoes of Chapel Hill, because it never could.  We are just trying to be a new pair of shoes.  A pair that is shiny, and new, and makes you feel pretty when you wear them." ~a good friend

Fail blog

Friday 8:54 AM- Wake up

8:56 AM- Try to check in for my flight to NYC to see Sesh* because I forgot to check in last night

8:57 AM- Read that my flight to NYC today is DEPARTING FROM RALEIGH...er WHAT?!?!?!?! NO!!  HOW did this possibly happen?!  Then I curse google chrome.

9:10 AM- Call Sesh.  She screens.  I hate that.  But she's legit in a meeting.

9:11 AM- Call home.  Lecture from brother.  Hang up.

9:15 AM- Call Dad.  Sympathy.  Much appreciated.  Find out they're going to the mountains that afternoon.

11:02 AM- Finally talk to Sesh.  I have never been so disappointed.  I still owe you a trip to NYC for a big weekend, but another time.  Her thought: "Maybe this weekend just wasn't supposed to happen.  Maybe the plane was going to crash, or maybe something more was meant for us this weekend."  Profound and optimistic and kind.  

2:53 PM- After getting my life together after the catastrophe of a weekend, I salvage and call my brother.  I'll meet you in Asheville.  Don't tell Mom & Dad.

9:15 PM- The surprise was classic.  I thought my Dad was going to have a heart attack.  

Saturday-Sunday: Peak color season in Asheville.  Carolina blue skies.  Perfect temperature.  Just got home.  My brother really considered stealing my dog.  I don't blame him.  She's amazing.

*Sesh, in addition to being my BFF from home, is the most wonderfully understanding, supportive, and ever-present friend I could ask for.  She wasn't even mad at me, which made me feel like I had disappointed her that much more.

Mom reminded me that I was away from my family for the longest amount of time since I was born.  I think Seshie was right, something more was meant for me this weekend.

 Sweet home Carolina.

My ears are burning

Looked what popped up on my google reader:

Recent North Carolina transplants Becky and Whitney Draper find a spot to chill and chat.

Oh it's been broughten!

University of North Carolina vs University of Louisville

Chapel Hill, NC, Center of the Universe

12 P.M. EST

ESPN2

My brother and Dad will be at the game giving me a play-by-play since I couldn't be at home.

I even made a "friendly wager" predicting the win of the Tar Heels over the Cardinals.

“We know our O-line is one of the best in the country,” redshirt sophomore quarterback Bryn Renner said. “Every series the skill player who scores goes and thanks the O-line because we couldn’t do it without them.”

If you were falling

 Then I'd say happy October.

From the city of Louisville

Funny story: So I was being utterly candid with a new friend in Louisville one night over drinks.  I was saying that I am doing all the right things-- I am throwing myself into work, I adopted a dog, I am meeting new friends, and trying new things, but I have yet to have the same ushy gushy feelings about Louisville that I do about Chapel Hill.  I'm out there, "But if Louisville likes it, it needs to put a ring on it."

About a week later, we were hanging out again and he handed me a very formal looking envelope.  I wondered if I was being served... Er, am I being arrested for my horrendous parallel parking skills?  But it wasn't an envelope at all... it was a letter, from one of the town's greatest representatives, personally welcoming me to "The Ville" and promising that this fair city would do its best to put a metaphorical (because let's face it, we're in a recession and every penny counts) ring on it.  It, being me.

And tonight I received the "ring", if you will, from my good friend.  It was "a token to help remind you of home, because I know what it's like to be in a new place and how comforting a taste of home can be."

If I live in a city that breeds not only horses, but friends that are sincere enough to track down political figures, and strangers that are kind enough to personally welcome a newbie to town, then I'll be right at home in no time.  Until then, I'll work on my parking, I promise.

St. James Court Art Show

The St. James Court Art Show is one of the biggest fine craft/art shows in the country, going strong for over 50 years.  Nestled in the historic neighborhood of Old Louisville, the St. J Art show hosts over 750 artists/vendors from all over the country.  It's such a big deal that schools cancel class the Friday of the show so that students can appreciate the culture and experience.

 I caught this painter in true Bob Ross form making a happy little home for a bunny in his scenic mountain view.  While navigating the crowd was sometimes difficult (there are over 300,000 attendees every year!), it was well worth it just to get a taste of the pumpkin bread.

 Today is the last day to hit up the fair.  Head south on 3rd St and you'll start hitting the vendors at Magnolia.    Dogs and strollers are welcome.  Bring your artistic eye and don't forget your appetite!