With the advent of many conversations taking place in my life regarding old friends in new relationships, weddings, engagements, and romance of the sorts, I thought it pertinent to put it all out there-- on my sleeve if you will-- and talk about what is on every twenty-something's mind... The opposite sex.

Follow these four articles for a modern-day approach to ladies, gents, and where "courtship" has been lost, only to be replaced with the Jersey Shore mentality.
Why I Only Date Southern Gentlemen
A Guide to Being A Southern Gentleman
The New Math on Campus
All the Single Ladies

Just a few other tips that cannot be ignored:

Ladies, take some Carolina advice and STAY CLASSY.  When your mom told you to go back in the house and PUT SOME CLOTHES ON, she was right (Thanks Mom!).  The whole less is more attitude does not apply to fabric.  Take some tips from Stacey & Clinton and accent your best assets, but do it in a way that leaves something to the imagination.

Gents, man up.  Stop creepin'.  Open a door.  Surprise her.  Let your actions speak louder than your words.  And when the time is right, let your words do the talking.  A little positive reinforcement goes a long way.

Court each other.  Girls this applies to you too.  The key to courtship: Patience.  Get to know one another as the story unravels.  Don't be in a rush to get to the next step.  If you're being anticipatory, it means that you're not basking in the moment that you're in.  Get to know one another in an open, honest, candid way.  Let your freak flags fly and be okay with letting each other be unabashedly yourselves.  You'll have fun, I promise.

Think lovingly, speak lovingly, act lovingly.  This is written on my computer to remind me every day.  The first one is the hardest because sometimes I just can't help but think the worst of Indiana drivers, or wonder why that girl is wearing Uggs with a miniskirt (see above re: Stay Classy).  Speaking lovingly is easy as a Southern girl.  All you have to do is finish any statement with "bless her heart" and it sounds sweet.  For instance, "That girl has a face like a horse, bless her heart."  See?  Seriously though, sometimes it's hard to put words out there because if you say them out loud then they must be true.  But where's the adventure if you aren't a little scared?  Lastly, act lovingly.  Be intentional with every move, every hug, every smile.  But avoid the ICK factor.  

Nervous?  Good.  It's your body's way of telling you to pay attention.  This is important dingbat.  Those butterflies in your stomach mean that you're supposed to look at that girl/boy and listen to what (s)he has to say.  Compose yourself.  Good, here we go... Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot.  

Put your GAME FACE on and stop PLAYING GAMES.  

xoxo,

becky

Battle of the Blues

All KY Hoops is reporting that a Kentucky-Duke/North Carolina exhibition game between current players will take place next Friday night at Rupp Arena. That’s the night before No. 1 North Carolina plays No. 2 UK at Rupp.

The exhibition is to be entitled “Battle of the Blues” and will include Brandon Knight, Josh Harrelson, Jodie Meeks, Rasheed Wallace, Raymond Felton, Ed Davis, Nolan Smith, Dahntay Jones, Corey Maggette, Kyrie Irving and Elton Brand. More players are to be announced next week.

Forget the gravy

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~JFK

Everybody's Hugging

I heard about this project from another local blogger where they take local musicians and have them perform their music in unconventional places.  Just roll the camera-- no re-do's.  In the car wash, on a farm, at karaoke night.  This one with Jonathan Glen Wood is my favorite because he's riding in the Party Truck through the Highlands.

The Year of Becky

Preface: If  you haven't seen the show Happy Endings, you really should.  This post references a sentiment from an earlier episode.

My 26th year is going to be the Year of Becky.  I'm not going to stop at 26 though, I might just continue until the day I get sucked up by a twister (yup, that's how I decided I'm going out of this world-- riding a tornado).  But it starts today.

The Year of Becky is all about living to the fullest, taking care of myself, and making sure that I'm making the most of these few years that God so generously gives us to look cute, be fabulous, and run a muck before gravity rears its ugly head and I have to become a productive member of society.

So here's my list of things to accomplish and make a priority in my 26th year:
-Use my passport
-Learn Spanish
-Floss
-Take really good care of my skin... before gravity kicks in
-Take an art class
-Volunteer my time
-Find a posse of friends
-Put myself out there and be emotionally available
-Throw a monster party
-Go to a raging concert (preferably Lady Gaga or the Avett Brothers)
-Slip n' slide
-Be on the infield at Derby
-Make people laugh and cry during my speeches at the weddings of my loved ones
-Look back on old memories and be able to laugh (in particular June 12, 2011)
-Take more pictures
-Love on my friends and family in many ways.

This list will be ever-expanding, so please feel free to make suggestions.  I hopeful and excited to see what this new year brings for me!
...But for now, it's a four hour layover in the Cleveland airport... so I'm having a Treat Yo'Self moment  and finding my way to the nail salon followed by the buy-one-get-one-free-bar.  Happy birthday to me!

A Year in Review: 25

25 has been an amazing year.  Sometimes when I think back about my years I am astonished at all I have accomplished in this short quarter century life. I did so much at 25 that some people don't accomplish in a lifetime.  It has inspired me and made me hungry for adventure, passion, and joy in my life.  Enjoy this pictorial review of my 25th year.

Turned 25 in Tanzania-- a day of waterfall hopping through small villages around Marangu, TZ.

Living in Moshi, Tanzania.  

Returned home to spend the next 3 months travelling, looking for jobs, and visiting friends all over the country.  I also welcomed this sweet little nugget into the world.  

Soaked up post-grad life and made the most of my time in Chapel Hill.

Graduated from Duke University

Quit my job in the PCICU at Duke when I found my DREAM job at U of L in the Peds ED.

Loved on my wonderful friends and had some cherished memories with the townies.

Moved to Louisville, KY

I couldn't pass up one last epic weekend in Chapel Thrill with the celebration of the 3rd annual Greatest Kickball Tournament Ever!

Building my life in Louisville has meant lots of hard work and persevering.  Luckily I landed some pretty awesome friends.  My climbing friends in particular are wonderful.  This is only the start of the adventures we'll have together.

I rescued the sweetest little puppy dog, Lulu.  Named her after my new town, and proceeded to whip her into shape with obedience as she whipped me into shape dragging me down the street on our runs.  She makes Louisville feel more like home.

Digging in with old friends and new in Kentucky.

 Not knowing what happens in the future is always one of the most exciting, inspirational, and endlessly frustrating aspects of life and I am so very excited about what the future holds for me.  It could be anything and I am open to the opportunity.

Dear birthday fairy

Now it is Nov. 12
Not to be hard but I need party.
xoxo
becky

Breeders' Cup

 An unexpected invite to a horse race and an even more unexpected Carolina blue sky made for a wonderful Friday afternoon when the Breeders' Cup came to Louisville's Churchill Downs.  I'm still quite new at the horse racing thing, but I'm getting the hang of it and will be ready for Keeneland in the spring.

Becky's rules of gambling:
Rule #1: If you're not okay with losing money, don't gamble.  Simple as that.
Rule #2: Get a program and sit with someone who knows what it means*.  Preferably a Kentucky boy who has been at the races his entire life.
*See Rule #3
Rule #3: Don't be a sucker for statistics.  In the 5 races we saw, only 1 of the favorites won.  Sometimes you're better off betting based on a pretty horse, good jockey colors (i.e. Carolina blue), or the size of the horse's booty (the bigger the better).
Rule #4: Know how to place your bet.  Name the dollar amount, type of bet, and horse.  Ex: Hiii!  I'd like to place a $2 exacta bet on 2, 4, and 9**.
**Make sure you name the right horses.  Otherwise you'll end up like me and think you won but realize you told the lady at the booth the wrong number.  Oops.
Rule #5: Cheer loudly-- it makes the horses run faster.  Not really, but it's very exciting so you can't help but cheer!

We finished up the night at O'Shea's, dining on fish n' chips and a beer sampler.  I highly suggest the Southern style breading (c'mon, would you really think I'd suggest anything else?) and the BBC's Bourbon stout.

I am currently taking reservations in my sweet little apartment for the 2012 Kentucky Derby.  I've already had 3 RSVPs and there is plenty more room.  

Shake it out

It's always darkest before the dawn...
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back
So shake it out

Thank you Florence for once again putting my life to music.  The last couple of weeks have been rough, with ups and downs that I could not control.  But a little time with family, old friends, and new friends helped me to shake it out and become re-energized about my life.  I'm taking control and moving forward.

Trader Joe's at home in Louisville

I've been eating the remnants of my fridge for a week in eager anticipation of the GRAND opening of Trader Joe's in St Matthews.  *Sigh, and it was everything I remembered and more.

Top 10 things to buy at Trader Joe's:
10. Mango apricot Greek yogurt
9. Edamame
8. Tomato soup
7. Frozen sweet potato fries
6. Chocolate center shortbread cookies
5. Salad dressing- I'm a fan of their Asian sesame
4. Whole bean coffee
3. produce- any and all because it's so fresh and most of it is organic
2. Almond champagne
1. Two buck Chuck (I giggled to myself at a sweet person who walked right past the SUPER GIANT display of Charles Shaw and asked the employee where the "$2 Chuck" was)

P.S.

I got the most wonderful letter today from one of my best friends.  A hand written letter really makes me feel closer to someone and I always save her letters because they are so uplifting, sincere, and we are always on the same page.
Her P.S. today made me smile so much because it was like a bucket list for the day.  Read on...

P.S. Things I hope for you today:
Peace in your heart. (I'm working on it)
A lick from your pup. (Plus she's sitting in my lap right now refusing to let me type)
A view of some stars. (It's a little bright and cloudy tonight, but it's a beautiful night.  I know because I was out enjoying it)
No traffic. (Thank goodness, with the bridge to Indiana closed it makes traffic insane in Louisville)
Good music. (The music was better last night when I had a dance party to Lady Gaga/Beyonce and sang along while my friend played The Avett Brothers on his banjo.  It was pretty late so I'll technically count it as today)
Smells of fall & leaves. (Which were perfect on my run with Lulu)
Open windows. (All the way down on the way home from work.)
Tea.  (No, coffee. Way more important).
An intriguing stare from a cute, mysterious boy. (Working on that too.)
And rest for your soul. (On my way to bed to rest my body at the same time)

Oh, and there were pirate tattoos in the letter as well.  Kelly, you're the best s.mate ever.