Weekend in Raleigh

The Old Well - symbol of Chapel Hill.

Salsa on Wednesday night was really great - lifted my spirits and gave me some much-needed exercise!  Thursday I met with some ladies for a luncheon and to take notes on their group - these 12 have been meeting since 1974 once a month for lunch and they were such a fun group!  I can't wait to write the story about them.  From there I left for Chapel Hill.

Unfortunately, my old Shakespeare professor was out of town so we were unable to meet up, but I parked across from my old dorm and walked through campus including the lovely Arboretum which is awash with greenery this time of year.  Walking through campus - especially when it is so quiet and still - makes my heart ache with longing.  Just the sight of an old building where I took classes made me yearn to be back to stay.  It's hard to explain because it is like the school itself has its own identity and personality which beckons me.  Yes, I miss my classes and my old friends, but the school embodies something unique and real that has buried itself in my being and, I'm afraid, will never relinquish its hold.  The spell was broken somewhat when, as I sat reading in the Arboretum, the phone rang and Colene was on Franklin Street ready to get some dinner.

Dusk.

She had agreed to meet me in Chapel Hill for dinner and a small campus tour.  We ate at Pepper's Pizza, got ice cream from Ben & Jerry's (because LocoPops changed locations and YoPo only accepted cash and we didn't have any), then walked through campus back to my car where I pointed out monument after building after street that held meaning for me.  I'm sure Colene was thrilled. lol

Once back at her place in Raleigh, we met her husband and his friends out at a sports bar for an hour or so.  They all work with the football team at NC State and work until about 10 p.m. every night since it is currently training camp.

On Friday, Colene and I got up and went to the gym in her apartment complex for an hour. Then we went to Shelly Lake park nearby and walked 2.5 miles around the lake.  Then we came home and played tennis at Colene's complex (which we both rather suck at, but it was fun).  After showering, we went to dinner at Tir Na Nog Irish pub.  They had live music - first by an old Irishman, then by a group of drummers and bagpipers.  It was pretty cool.  After that, we went line dancing at a local saloon.  Needless to say, I was exhausted that night.

On Saturday we played a bit of tennis but it was threatening rain and right before we finished up, I twisted my ankle.  Luckily, Colene is an EMT so we went inside and she iced it for 20 min and it felt much better after that.  We went to go see X-Men First Class at the cheap theater (which I loved just as much as the first time I saw it) then to Crabtree Mall for a couple hours.  The mall was absolute chaos.  I don't know who designed the parking garage, but they should be banned from participating in any type of architectural work ever again.  It is absolutely crazy - and added in with the people who don't know how to drive and those who walk out in front of your car, it was stressful.  Inside wasn't much better.  For one, I've never seen a mall where one could not get to the next floor of the department store without exiting into the mall and going up on the main escalator then re-entering the store.  How ridiculous is that??

The bagpipe and drum band at the Irish Pub.

On the plus side, I did get two shirts that I love from H&M for really cheap.  I don't think I've been to an H&M since I was in Europe in '09.

That evening, I drove over to my friend Jason's house who lives 5 minutes from Colene.  His parents were visiting him from Charlotte and the four of us went to the Dutch club's Klaverjassen card came night (which just happened to be this weekend).  It was really nice to see Lieselotte's parents, though being back at a Dutch club gathering made me miss her so much!  However, I had a great time and came in about 5th place out of 17, which is pretty good I think.  Jason's mom was the big winner - luck must run in their family because apparently last month Jason was the winner.

We didn't end up leaving the house where we were playing until after 12, which meant I didn't get back to Colene's until 1 a.m.  This morning I got up at 9:30 and met my friend Aaron for brunch before heading back to Charlotte.

It was a busy weekend.

Culture Shock

Today the culture shock hit.  That sounds sort of ridiculous - how does one get culture shock when they were only gone for two weeks and were in the same country?  Well, it happens.  I'm not really sure what triggered it.  My aunt is in town and Mom, Grandma, Aunt Coleen and I all went to see The Help this afternoon.  It was so, so good - almost as good as the book - and made me cry four times, but it may have helped bring on the feeling of loneliness that one gets from culture shock.  Not that the movie itself triggered it, but whenever you watch a movie in a theater or read a book for a long time without interruption, you come out of it feeling a bit lost in the real world.

Out on the boat.

Then, going over to Uncle Bob's afterward, everyone sat around playing games on the computer, or iPad or iPod and I was just sitting there, youngest by 30 years, staring into space wondering why talking is apparently not enough to keep people entertained these days.  All my friends make fun of me for not having a smart phone.  I don't care.  I don't want one.  I know one day I will have to give in, but I don't want to be one of those people who, when the merest hint of boredom approaches, whips out the phone and starts to play Angry Birds or Stupid Zombies.  And that is where you get me longing for Utah.

I miss walking/hiking every day and being out in nature.  I miss the stars and how everyone there seemed just as enthused about the rocks as I did.  You also didn't see people playing Angry Birds on the top of Angel's Landing or amongst the hoodoos in Bryce.  Yes, the people in Moab may have been hippies, but life just felt slower and the people more appreciative.  I could be doing what all travelers do - seeing the world around them in rose colored glasses - but what's wrong with rose-colored glasses?  I'm in favor of them.  I'd rather be ignorantly happy than cynically depressed.

It's just hard going from living with the land to being in a constantly air conditioned house surrounded by pavement and cars and buildings and light pollution.  Thank God I don't live somewhere like NYC or LA.  I'd really be going crazy by now.



On a happier note, I went out on my Uncle Bob's boat with Mom Monday and it was hot but really fun.  I also completed several complicated moves in silk aerial yesterday and there was no falling on my head.  I'm definitely getting stronger and more flexible which is awesome. 

Last night, when Aunt Coleen arrived, she brought 2 giant trash bags of clothes/shoes to me from Megan (my cousin).  It's better than Christmas.  I never have to buy clothes thanks to her and they're all so beautiful!  I had fun trying everything on and giving Mom and Aunt Coleen a fashion show. lol

Clothes and shoes from Megan!

Tonight I'm going to salsa and tomorrow at 11 I'm having lunch with a group of elderly ladies who have been meeting for lunch once a month for about 20 years.  I'm going to do a story on them and I'm sure I'll enjoy some lively and entertaining conversation.  From there, I'm driving to Chapel Hill to visit and get some things done (like pick up transcripts), then I'm staying with Colene in Raleigh for the weekend.  I'm also going to join the Dutch club (the one I went to with Lieselotte when I was in town last) for their Klaverjassen card game which happens to be this Saturday.  I'm sure the weekend will make me feel much better! :)

Weekend of Friends and Fun

The croche with arch move.

This may have been the best post-trip weekend I could have imagined.  On Friday, I spent 11-2:30 with Jessy and her 6 week old and her 2 year old.  They are such adorable little boys and it was so good to see her and catch up.  We took the oldest to the mall to let him play at the indoor play area while I held the sleeping baby, then we ate lunch at Harpers.  Though I must say, I got a whole new respect for people with children that close together. It sure makes things like eating out and going anywhere a logistical mess.  Especially when it's pouring rain.  I really don't know how she does it when no one is with her.  (Note to self: have children at least 3 years apart).

After that, I met a fairly new friend out for tea at Amalies.  And, I actually drank tea. English breakfast tea to be specific.  It was pretty good. :)  I love making new friends because there is so much to talk about that neither one knows.

Brian (teacher) trying to explain a complicated move.

From there I worked out and it felt so good after having not been to the gym in weeks that my 8 1/2 minute mile flew by in no time and I was barely out of breath.  That evening, my friend Brandon came over for dinner and we played Boggle and watched Soul Surfer with the family.  The movie is based on a true story about a girl who wanted to be a pro surfer and had her arm bitten off by a shark (she lived/surfed in Hawaii).  She went on to become a pro surfer and got first place a few years later.  The movie was surprisingly good and touching - with unbelievable scenery!

On Saturday morning I took another silk class and this time I mastered "the scorpion" - the move that caused me to fall on my head last time.  I also learned several other cool new moves and had a lot of time on the silk because only two of us were sharing one silk.  I really like the teacher on Saturdays - he's only a year older than me and very chill.  If I say "I really want to learn this today" then he's like "okay."  Today, of course, my muscles are screaming at me - but I consider it an unproductive day if I don't feel the effects of it the next day. lol

This would be the complicated move.

After that I went over to Nicole (the girl I tutor)'s house and took her out to lunch and shopping and then to see Crazy, Stupid, Love which was just delightful.  Not only was it funny, but Ryan Gosling is beautiful and I've decided that he could propose to me tomorrow and I would say yes.  I've also decided, I need to re-watch The Notebook for the 150th time (give or take). 

This morning, I saw a lot of friends at church who I hadn't seen in a while and we all ate at Witch, Wich afterward (which is a sandwich place that let's you choose your sandwich by marking everything you want on a paper bag and writing your name on it.  It then goes through the line of production and the sandwich is put in the bag at the end and your name is called out).  My friends and I chose to do Captain Planet names.  I was Fire.  We also had Earth, Wind, Water and Captain Planet himself.  (But he was, apparently, Heartless).  The guy who was calling out the names was tickled to death and actually called out the last one (Captain Planet) by saying "And with these powers combined, CAPTAIN PLANET!"  (He said this very loudly so the whole restaurant could hear). 

The scorpion - done successfully! (And close to the ground!)

Then I bought new running shoes (I figured I might as well since mine are getting a bit worn looking and they are on sale and tax free right now), saw my grandparents and soon will be trying out my new cleats with some Frisbee.  What a great weekend!

Ready for church wearing the shoes the girl I tutor loaned me. :)

New Beginnings

Today I bought a new (1 year old) laptop off of my grandfather which was a good thing considering mine took a turn for the worse today.  The screen on my old IBM will only stay on for about 20 seconds before going black.  This makes getting files off it difficult.  I planned to buy a new one this weekend since it's tax-free weekend, but I really don't need a BRAND brand new computer, and Grandpa hardly used his and had been thinking of selling it anyway. 

Though I have to say, I miss my old keyboard.  No, it is not special or fancy.  Yes, it is dirty.  Yes, the letters are chiefly illegible and the keys have grooves in them from my fingernails.  But it has character.  It has been with me through the best six years of my life.  It is a testament to thousands of hours of hard work, hundreds of papers, and page upon page of creative genius (or, you know, close to it).  It was with me in foreign countries and favorite classes.  It also fit well in my laptop case.  And yes, I'm waxing nostalgic over an inanimate object.  Sue me.

I do like the new one though and I'm sure I'll grow very fond of it.  For one, I can see the screen, which is a huge plus.  The screen is much bigger, which will be good for watching movies.  The hard drive space is about quadruple what my old one was, so maybe I can actually fit the majority of my music and photos on it.  (Well, realistically, probably not all the photos...but you know, a chunk. ;)). 

I also put my first pair of cleats on hold today at Omega Sports which I will buy in the next two days over the tax-free weekend.  I'm so excited - now I can be an Ultimate Frisbee master. ;)  But seriously, I plan to play a lot more once the weather cools a bit.  I can't help it - it's in my blood.  Like father like daughter.  (Because let's be real - we know Brett is never going to pick up a Frisbee...or ball...or bat....or anything else sports related).  He does fix my computer though (after much protest, whining and explanations of my stupidity).

So, it is a time of new beginnings.  Get ready computer: 10 grad school applications are about to be crafted on your shiny new keys.

One of Those Days

It has been go-go-go ever since I returned home from Utah.  I'm still waiting for the dust to settle so I can sit back, reflect, and realize what an amazing experience I had.  Though when it hits, it will probably hit more like a blow than like a caress.  While it was an amazing gain, it was also a loss - leaving amazing places, and amazing people who you may never see again.  Luckily, the gain is significantly more than the loss because I can always tell myself "You will go back," and "You will see x,y, and z again."

Back home, I have gotten together with several friends over amazing meals and long chats. Though yesterday was a little rough. 

I interviewed an artist in Matthews about her business and then went over to Matthews Elementary where my friend Lisa is about to start teaching 3rd grade.  I helped her and our other friend Christina set up her classroom before returning home and writing the story about the artist.  I was so excited for silk aerial class which was from 5-6:30 uptown in NoDa.  Unfortunately, I forgot to eat before class which meant that as the moves got more strenuous, I got more hungry and weak.

So, after doing a series of sweat-pouring, muscle-shaking moves, the teacher shows us a new one.  Meanwhile, there are four silks and four different levels in action all over the room - with one teacher.  There were 3 of us sharing our silk.  After she showed us The Scorpion (the name of the move) one girl tried and the teacher came back and helped her out - but the girl had gotten so tangled it was hard see how it looked anything like the move the teacher had shown us.  Then I tried and was closer, but still needed some help.  The third girl didn't even attempt it.  When I tried for my second time, the teacher was nowhere in sight and I was hanging upside-down getting a head-rush so I figured "I'll just do what I think I'm supposed to do."  Well, I figured wrong. 

Next thing I know, I'm flipping out of the silk and landing straight on my head on the mat (which was thin because we weren't doing stuff really high like the advanced girls).  I got a mat burn on the top left part of my forehead and cracked my entire neck and upper-back.  When I landed, I'm pretty sure I issued an "ow" or "whoa" or something pretty loudly.  And then there was the thunk of my body hitting the ground.  Either way, the entire room of about 15 people went dead silent.  The teacher came over and was all anxious and telling me not to move, but I told her I was fine - which I was.  Just a little shaken up, sore and red. 

After that, she made us switch moves.  But I plan to master that stupid scorpion on Saturday!  And ps - she wrote me an email today to ask how I was doing. lol  (I'm fine.  Just sore - but I think that's more from doing silk again after being out of it for 3 weeks).

Well then, I'm sitting in the parking lot trying to makeup over my mat burn before I have dinner with my friend Cleve, when all of a sudden, I fly toward my steering wheel.  I have no idea what just happened because my mirrors are facing toward me.  So I get out of my car, and sure enough, some girl in a Volvo just hit me as she tried to pull into the space next to me.  She is completely flustered and doesn't know what to do so I tell her to go ahead and park and we'll talk.  She does so, and she's shaking like a leaf and saying "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I just got my license."  No freaking kidding. 

Anyway, my car looked okay - she scraped along the back left corner and side of my car, but luckily on the CRV, it has a black bumper-like material that runs all along the bottom and it was just a bit scuffed.  I got her information and told her I'd call her if my dad thought it needed any work.  I tried to calm her down because she was so scared.  She goes to Chapel Hill, so I probably had a bit of a soft spot for her. 

By the time I met Cleve for dinner, I was practically passing out from hunger and exhaustion.  I devoured a pineapple milkshake and 2/3 of a burger before my stomach started yelling at me for overeating. 

I was super tired by the time I got home, but Mom really wanted to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I, so I didn't get to bed until 12:40. 

Tonight I'm so excited because I have my Bible study meeting with all the girls and I've missed them so much!  I'll also go see my grandparents who I've missed terribly. 

I find that it's difficult for me to have so many friends and loved ones because I can't half-ass any relationship.  If you're my friend/family, I WILL spend time with you either on the phone or in person.  I WILL be there for you if you need me.  I'm fiercely loyal - which is a difficult personality trait to have when you keep making more friends! lol  But, I love it.  I feel so blessed to have so much love in my life!

Going Home

View from plane.

July 30: 
So I am sitting in the Las Vegas airport, feeling slightly sick from swallowing 6 mini Cinnabon's whole (well, practically), and reflecting on the last two weeks.

It's hard to believe all the amazing sights I saw.  The topography is just so different than anything on the east coast, that every turn is breathtaking.  I can understand why people would just pack up and move out there.  The vastness alone is so freeing.  While driving around, the song "Wide Open Spaces" by the Dixie Chicks came on my iPod and I suddenly got it.  I understood.  Being able to see for hundreds of miles without any buildings in the way.  The freedom in it all.  The slower pace of life.  While in Moab, we frequented the Wake and Bake coffee/ice cream shop and while there, I saw many people walk in and say hi to someone else inside that they knew.  This happened again and again.  Everyone knows everyone.  There is a sense of community.  And when they get together they don't talk about banking or shopping - they talk about interesting new trails they discovered, or their latest rock climbing adventures.  Yes, yes, this could get old after a while, but there is something so delicious and pure about it.  Like a perfect piece of watermelon next to a deluxe French pastry (or six gooey Cinnabons).

I feel so blessed to have made the trip with no accidents, injuries and tons of amazing good times and weather.

July 31: Home again, and going through a bit of culture-shock, per usual.  It is always strange coming home after being in a totally different atmosphere for a while.  However, I went to church today and saw all my girlfriends and we had lunch after and I was really happy.  Everyone said I seemed to be glowing and that the vacation did me good.  (Of course, they could've just said that because I'm actually some semblance of tan for once! lol).  But really, I was thrilled to see everyone and still on a trip-high.  It was, after all, marvelous, and the memory of it will keep me jumping in excitement for a time I'm sure.

On the plane ride from ATL to CLT, I talked the poor man's ears off who was next to me - telling him all about my trip and then about the places I'd been in Europe and about my job back home.  He told me about his family and how they were coming home from scuba diving in Bon Air.  I told him I wasn't sure I could scuba dive...the idea sort of freaks me out.  He said if I like heights (which I do), then I'd be fine because it's sort of like that - you above everything else.

Today I played rummy-cube with Mom, Dad and Brett, then unpacked everything, and tonight I'm going for dinner at my friend Christina's house, then hopefully running.  It will feel so good to run again!

Canyons/mountains.

River views.

Crop circles?  There were so many of them!!

Sunset from the air.

Cedar City, Kanaraville, Kolob Canyon

Yesterday Jarod and I drove from Moab to Cedar City, stopping at Fremont State Park along the way.  We walked along an easy trail there that took us to many rocks with petroglyphs on them.  We finished our drive from there and in the 4.5 hrs total from Moab to Cedar City, were amazed at the change of topography.  The whole way you could see mountains but when you weren't driving on them, you were often driving over a completely flat plain with mountains around it.   Then next thing you know, you're driving in the mountains again.  And the rocks kept changing color.  Red, gray, yellow, and then sandy with green shrubbery.  Here in Cedar City, there are rolling hills/small mountains(?) all around us dotted with many green small trees/bushes.  Its more green than Moab, but still arid.

Anyway, we arrived in Cedar City to CouchSurf with a family here.  They have a really big and beautiful home and were also hosting a family of 4 from China.  It was nice that we came too because Jarod speaks much better English than the Chinese family, so he could help translate.  The mother of the Chinese family made a big Chinese dinner for all 9 of us (the Chinese family of 4 - they have 2 sons - the husband and wife hosts and their 7-year-old daughter, Jarod and me).  The hosts are very nice and gave us some great ideas for hiking today.

I woke up this morning at 7:50 from my phone ringing - it was Jarod telling me that he got himself locked in the sewing room where he was sleeping.  I was sleeping in a bed in the oldest daughter's room because she was out of town. So, I went to try and rescue Jarod, but I couldn't open the door either - it was stuck - so I went up stairs and luckily the wife was awake and she came and opened it.  It took a lot of shoving because apparently the house has shifted some since being built - Jarod and I just didn't want to break anything!  So, we got up and ate and got ready to go to Kanaraville where the husband said there was a great hike through a creek and up some waterfalls in the bottom of a slot canyon.

We got there and immediately noticed how the trail crossed in and out of the creek.  It was really cold water, but I got used to it pretty quickly - though it did make my shoes heavier.  Jarod doesn't take to cold well, and his feet were freezing.

At one point, we were walking the trail right alongside the creek and I heard a rattle slightly behind me to the left.  I ran up the trail a bit more, then stopped to look for Jarod.  He'd heard it to and being behind me, jumped into the creek.  From there, he watched as the five-ish foot rattle snake slithered about and went into some rocks.  We were both freaked, but I think he was more so.  lol  After that, he found a stick and started swishing it back and forth as we walked.  I told him that prob. would just piss one off and make it attack more.  I'm glad they have rattles.  If I hadn't been warned, I might not have gotten out of the way.  As it was, I never actually saw the snake myself.  

I tried to stay in the creek as much as possible after that.  Eventually we came to the first slot canyon (which means a really narrow canyon that has high walls on both sides).  The first waterfall we had to go up had a nice little ladder made from a log with boards nailed to it.  It was fairly simple.  Then we came to an area where a big Mormon youth group were all hanging out.  There were probably fifty kids but they left shortly after we arrived.  We warned the leader about the snake.

Continuing up the canyon, we reached another slot canyon, and the lighting on the red rock and the clear water was a photographers dream.  The second waterfall we had to get over was more tricky.  There was only one slat to step on, and after that you had to hold onto ropes chained to the rock face and step on random logs/rocks to get up.  I don't think I got a photo of it because I had to put my camera in double zip-lock bags inside my backpack because we got pretty wet on that one. 

We probably hiked about two miles or so before turning around and heading back.  It was really so much fun and thanks to the arid weather, my shoes are almost dry already.

When we left Kanarraville, we drove to Kolob Canyon which is part of Zion but not accessible from the part of Zion we were in at the beginning of the trip.  We drove a five mile scenic drive in this northern part of Zion, then did a one mile round trip hike to the top of a mountain with a beautiful view.  It felt right - ending the trip where we began it, and was the perfect peaceful ending to the trip.

Now we are back at our hosts home and are chilling out here until they all get back so we can have leftovers for dinner.  The wife is working and the husband and little girl are helping a neighbor pack up boxes because they are moving soon.

Tomorrow we will leave here at 8:45 and I will fly from Vegas to ATL, then ATL to CLT arriving around midnight.  Fun times in airports I'm sure. :)

At Fremont Indian State Park in UT.

In Kanaraville Falls slot canyon.

Climbing up a waterfall in the slot canyon.

Jarod and Lauren by a waterfall on the Kanaraville trail.

Hanging around ;)

Beautiful.

Jarod on the "trail."

Taking a little break from the freezing water.

At the top of Kolob Canyon in Zion.