The Winds of Change

It's been an incredible last couple weeks, and the winds of change have been stirring. 

Dad and me at Ashley's wedding.

For starters, I had an interview at Providence Day School for the position in the Global Studies Department.  I thought it went really well and I felt like I belonged there and clicked with the department director. The following weekend of June 23, I went with my parents to Waynesville, NC for the wedding of an old friend of mine - Ashley.  The wedding took place at 5 p.m. on the golf course of the Waynesville Golf Resort and Spa.  The day before had record-breaking heat, but that day some clouds had rolled in with a nice, gentle breeze creating a perfect temperature and better lighting for photos.  After the ceremony, which was short and sweet but very heart-felt, we all gathered under a huge outdoor tent.  There was a yummy buffet dinner followed by six hours of dancing.  Guess who was the first on the floor and one of the last off?  Yup, that'd be me.

I'd been a bit worried at first because I didn't know any of the other friends of the bride or groom in attendance.  But the mother-of-the-bride introduced me to the brother of the groom who was also a dancer, and from there, I was introduced to many other new people.  I danced for about three hours before my shoes came off.  Then kept going in my bare feet.  Though I must say, the highlight was when the wedding crasher showed up.

Ashley and Jon.

with the bride

on the dance floor

This man, probably in his 40s, comes up to me and asks me to dance.  I can tell he's intoxicated, but I figure he's some crazy uncle or something.  We start dancing and I ask him how he is related to the family, he says he isn't.  Then he asks how I'm related, and I said, "I'm a friend of Ashley's" and he says "Who's Ashley?"  This is when I realize this man doesn't belong here.  I give him an odd look and he says, with a slur, "I'm just here on a golf trip and saw the party."  After this, he tries to spin around and falls on the ground. 

I then excused myself and found the sister of the bride to inform her about this wedding crasher.  She then told Ashley who then told her father, who'd had one too many drinks himself.  Next thing we know, the father of the bride is shouting at the wedding crasher to get out, the wedding crasher doesn't want to leave, and then throws a punch.  I'm not sure who the punch was aimed at, but next thing you know, a cousin who was an ex-cop comes flying up and tackles the wedding crasher to the ground and punches him five times. 

with some dance buddies

All I have to say is, I hope the photographer captured some of this drama.

After the police escorted the man out (along with two of his buddies who were also there), Ashley stood on a chair, commanded the DJ to keep playing the music and laughed about the whole thing.

The next day, Mom, Dad and I visited Mom's cousins who live in Waynesville and own an antique/wood working shop, then we drove home and I went to Pops in the Park with a bunch of friends.  It didn't rain on us for about the first time ever at Pops, so that was lovely. :)

I was supposed to find out the job that following week, and finally was told on Thursday that a decision should be made on Friday.  But still no call. 

sunset over Pops in the Park

I spent Friday at the pool with my friends Rachel and Vanessa, then left for Jonas Ridge (where my grandparents have a mountain house) at 5 p.m. with Scott, my new boyfriend.  It was the first time he'd met my grandparents and they got along great.  He helped Grandpa with a few odd jobs and was very talkative with them.  He told me, after meeting them, "They may be the cutest people ever."  I tend to agree. :)

We had a great time up there, even though it was hot.  (In the 80s during the day, but way better than the 105 that it was in Charlotte).  We hiked to the top of Hawk's Bill which always proffers amazing views, then hiked Upper and Lower Creek Falls where we slid down waterfalls and swam in icy mountain waters.  :)

Also, on Saturday morning I got a call from Providence Day School and it was the department director.  He said I was runner-up for the job and that the other person was still considering the salary and they'd be able to tell me by Monday or Tuesday July 9-10 if she accepted the job or not. I'm really praying that she declines because I know I can do this job, that I'd be GREAT at it and there cannot possibly be anyone more passionate about it than I would be.  If not, however, he said he'll pass my resume along to some other departments, as there may be some openings in the communications department, for example.  I would love to work at PDS in any capacity - it really seems like a great environment - but it would be a little sad for me to be somewhere else watching the job I really wanted be filled by someone other than me.  So anyway, please continue to pray for that.

on my grandparents' mountain

On Sunday in the mountains there was a neighborhood potluck/cookout in our backyard (since my grandparents live on the very top of the mountain and have a very large yard). It seemed like the entire mountain showed up and it was so nice to see everyone there.  Granted, I didn't know most of them, but I met some new people and chatted with some old neighbors.  I always love big gatherings with food involved, and boy was there some yummy food!

After driving home that evening, Scott made a delicious Thai dinner for us. It was the perfect ending to a great weekend.