Rain, Thunder, Neighbors...Oh My!!!

And so I have returned....ta da!

A thunderstorm was lurking a few miles down from us a few days ago and it reminded me of this hilarious story from this past Fall that I have decided to share.

Our next door neighbor's driveway runs parallel with ours. He is a sweet man near the age 60 or so. He is married, but you rarely ever see his wife...except when she comes and goes...so, she does in fact exist. Our neighbor likes to come over and talk all of the time, usually accompanied by his long stories. Sometimes, we don't have the time to be polite and listen or engage in a 30 minute to 1 hour long conversation. I do make an exception when we discuss Carolina basketball though.

My family is maybe a bit odd, although I have found out that other people do this too. We like to go out to the garage and watch the rain and thunderstorms as they pass by. It is somehow soothing and cool at the same time. Well, on this particular night one of our favorite shows was about to come on in T-minus 15 to 20 minutes. We had actually been talking about it being about time we should go back in. Dad needed to fix his coffee and we all wanted to eat some of the freshly baked cookies.

Wouldn't you know, the neighbor's blinds moved in the bonus room above their garage and we knew we'd been spotted. But, it was dark outside as Dad pointed out. How could he have seen us? And then it happened. A flash of lightning gave away our cove, our hiding place, our lined up beach chairs we sat in to watch the thunderstorm! We began to move slowly until BAM! the neighbor's garage light flooded our two driveways with his figure standing next to his truck. We were caught! We were deer in the headlights, but we did indeed move as fast as possible. Dad grabbed his chair and headed left, around the car and safely to the garage steps. Mom also headed in that direction, or so I thought. Me, being the clever person I am, decided why run around the right side of the car when you could run on the left side with a straight shot to the back of the garage and steps. I got about halfway and was pushed down. Was it our neighbor?! I have seen way too many movies. No it was in fact Mom. I caught a glance of her as I fell against the side of the car door and then bounced into the empty computer box. Yes, I was in a box. I had nowhere to go. I could feel the bruises and the heat of what most likely was a twisted ankle. Mom helped pick me up and we made it into the house as the garage door was shutting...leave no man behind!

Looking back on that day, I believe the neighbor did witness some of this. Luckily, he may not have heard too much of it because of his loss of hearing. Until recently, he was not coming over as frequently. We should probably invite him over to watch a storm or two this summer to make a mends and to prevent further injuries on my part.

The Endb

Sneak a piece of candy on Hallow's Eve

In thinking about what to be this Halloween (since my aunt & uncle are having a Halloween party) I was trying to think about all of the costumes I had been over the years:
*Belle from Beauty and the Beast
*a 60's girl with a poodle skirt
*a witch with white hair, all black clothes, cape, and pointy hat
*a hippie
*a dancer (thanks to my dancing recital outfit that year)
*a country singer
*Pippi Longstocking
*Rainbow Bright
and last year: a witch from Hocus Pocus (great Halloween movie fr/childhood)

This year I have decided to be (and have already bought the outfit) a gypsy. It looks a bit like Esmerelda. Kinda a renaissance look to it. I thought about being Sydney Bristow, but no one would figure out who I was. I really wanted to be a pirate, but the pickin's were slim at the Halloween costume place. Alas, the runner up will do.

I think Halloween is alot of fun. It's the one day/night you can be whatever you want to be...no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Noone takes a second glance, unless you have an awesome costume. You get to be a character in the mixed up fairy tales, horror movies, and classic superheroes. Too bad you don't get a plastic pumpkin (or pillow case) full of candy over the age of 11 or 12. And as we did, you get to pick 3 or 4 pieces to throw into your lunch bag each day afterwards.
It is fun to see the crazy outfits the neighbors' kids wear now and handout candy to them AND in between sneak a piece yourself =0)

The wonderful land of Starbucks

Many people are very happy and excited to get their waker-upper, dose of espresso, etc. pretty much all day long. Who knew people purchased coffee after 9 AM and around dinner time. I think to myself, "shouldn't you be at home or somewhere having dinner?" p.s.--they usually have a cart of groceries...hmmm.

There are characters of all shapes and sizes, all different personalities, and one with many personalities (as she told me one day).

Men (from the high business excutives thru the Bank of America Administrative Assistants) keep it simple and usually with a smile...a Venti bold with room for cream. Sometimes it is a Grande Latte or a Grande Mocha or your flavor of choice Frappuccino. They (80%) always pay cash and never worry about dealing with their pennies and nickles to pay the tab as so to get a $1 bill back versus a handfull of change.

Now for the women: the details are everything. You are the person between them and the coffee.
The younger women (who do not work): they need you to calm their nerves as their child, screaming and clinging to their leg, is begging for a candy bar or something sweet. They are usually short with you and have an order like this: a Grande Sugar-Free Vanilla Latte, Non-fat, Extra Shot of Espresso, Extra Foam, Extra Hot, and a little Caramel drizzle on top. Oh yes. There are many people who order this way.

The women who have children in school OR have left the nest: very pleasant to be around. They are not in a great hurry. Are open to conversation and don't mind if you take your time a bit. They are more laid back and don't worry about details: a Grande Mocha with Extra Whip Cream or a Venti Caramel Light Frappuccino no Whip Cream.

The teenage girls: they prowl in groups of 4 or more after the school day is over and before the school day begins. They do not come by themselves b/c that would so not be cool at all. Some worry about all the carbs and calories of every drink...ummm you are at Starbucks, not too many things are low calories. They are sorta laid back b/c they are glad they are out of school for the day.

The retired women: they are the most fun to talk to. They always have a great story they want to tell you and always remember your name as if you are part of their family. They are some of the regulars and you know their order by heart b/c it never changes. If you are not there a day they come in, they ask why you are not there.

All women search their wallets and the bottom of their purses for every nickel and penny that can amount to the 65 cents needed for the tab of $3.65. They don't want the change back. No sir-ey. They want $2 back from their $5 bill they handed you. I am gilty as charged. I too look for change at the bottom of the purse.

The night caps: these people are usually couples. They have finished dinner and swing by for their last dose of coffee and sweetness before their television watching starts or their movie rental for the night. Their tummies are full so the decision of what to get is a little hard. After about 7:30 PM most people are at home or in the middle of various activities to even think about coffee, which is great for me since we close at 8 PM.

And so, I have introduced you to the land of Starbucks and all of the inhabitants. If you wish to become a citizen, please give me your order now.

Historic Charleston and Shampoonditioner

I went to Charleston, SC this past weekend and, as always, it is the best ever...who knew so much history could be found in one city. Every time I go, which is like twice a year, I learn something new. This is pretty awesome for a history major let me tell you. It's like a city specially created for us history buffs. In fact, I would love to be a tour guide part-time down there vs. the whole Starbucks thing. My family and I did do something different...we walked the streets around the battery at night and saw the 17th century houses lit up with gas lanterns...beautiful. We also spent part of a day at our favorite beach, Kiawah Island, followed by the biggest icecream sundaes ever! =)

I have told many people I am going to live in Charleston one day. Some may think I'm not that serious about it. BUT, if you have been around me more than 6 months, you will have most likely heard it about 100 times. This trip I actually went over to Mt. Pleasant (right outside of Charleston) and checked out the condos, etc. Now I just need to find a job down there and I'm packing up and heading down there!

If you have not been there or have only been once or twice, here are a few suggestions:
*Andolini's Pizza (right outside of Charleston)
*Hyman's Seafood/Aaron's Deli (downtown Charleston)
*Civil War walking tour with Jack Thomson
*Ghost walking tour
*Fort Sumter ofcourse
*Calhoun house
--and just pick a street to walk up and down...there are stories about pretty much every house!



Completely different topic. I really think I will always be a kid. I'm two months from being 23 and, WOW!, I sure don't feel like it. Take for example, my cousin Chad, who just turned 30 this year. My great-grandmother was in the hospital back in Jan./Feb. and there were a couple of chairs and the wheel-chair in her hospital room. Unfortunately, I did not witness this first hand, b/c Anna (my sister) and I had gone to get some food...Chad decided to sit in the wheel-chair since my aunt, uncle, mom, & dad had the chairs. A bit restless, he decided to pull a few wheelies and ended up flipping over backwards in the chair. =0) Moral of the story, "caution: keep wheel-chairs away from anyone under the age of 35. They can cause injuries." I wonder when you truly feel like a "grown-up" or if it is just an act our parents and grandparents put on for us.


Desperate Housewives started off pretty good. BUT, the real star is going to be Grey's Anatomy again. The CSI thing is SOOOO old and the spin-offs that take place in NY and Miami just drag it down even more. Criminal Minds and Without a Trace are good alternates. LOST starts next week, so we will see if it's a competitor.

Panthers finally have a win over Tampa Bay and face New Orleans next week. We should be able to take care of that game. However, N.Orleans and Atlanta are undefeated so far, at least until the end of tonight...one will have a loss. Bottom line_Steve Smith, John Kasay, Delhomme, & KJ are the key offense_bring out Peppers for a few sacks and Manning for an interception & we are in good shape.

Random thought of the day: a bottle of shampoo such as Pert, some Herbel Essence(s), and the little bottles that you get in a hotel, say they also contain conditioner. why not call them shampoonditioner?

How do you choose?

Choices. There are so many choices. They vary in the degree of importance, but are still there. Cherry Coke or Sprite? Sleep another hour or go ahead and get up? Believe or question things? Run or walk? Take this job or take that job? Live here or there?

Running would help me get to that place faster, but I might miss it. Walking might be slower, but I would be able to notice the details. I used to run all the time, sometimes I still do, but not as much. Most times I was trying to run away from "reality" if you will...like nothing could catch me...I wasn't consumed with having to make a choice.

They say if you don't understand something you should ask questions, that's how you learn. But, what if by asking these questions you change what your beliefs are? You don't have to know the facts to support your belief...noone can hold it against you what you believe...but, if you would like to encourage others to convert to your way of thinking you will need facts. So, do you ask a question or do you believe?

You can have Cherry Coke one day and tomorrow have Sprite. Easy choice. It's not like the whole world is going to change in the minute you decide which soda you want.

Random entry, but that's why this blog is titled "Randomness"

Drum Roll Please....8 Months Later

Hello all!

So many unexpected things have happened since January that I completely forgot I even had a blog. In fact, I forgot my username...good thing I had tagged my blog in "my favorites."

I've read and talked to many of my friends who graduated with me this past year about the next step in life. Most of us are/were expecting to land the career we wanted in no time at all. I for one thought I'd have a real job by the end of January or at the very least February. It's funny looking back on things. God really does have control of the paths we take and maybe brings things to reality or maybe it's showing us humility and teaching us to be more humble and gracious for things we take for granted. I had a seizure in January and it really set me back. I was really upset, confused, and even tried to blame myself for a few months...since it was probably due to too much stress among other things. Little did I know my parents were blaming themselves also, for what reason I don't know. It was a big scare at first, but now having had plenty of time to look back on it, I know that things do happen for a reason. Maybe God cannot completely change our stars in the sky, but at least he can control the severity of the bad things that happen. Not to go on and on about this, but at least I was at home when it happened...not at school...not driving...etc. The ironic thing in all of this is that I had an interview set up that afternoon. Hours before the interview, a different path was somewhat forced upon me.

I feel like there is more for me to see, more for me to learn, and that I was putting way to much pressure on myself to begin the "next chapter" in life back in January. Time off was not in the plans, but it was definitely much needed. The eagerness to move out of my house back in January may have been due to the independence I grew to love in college. The seizure made me depend on so many people to get me around to places (couldn't drive for 6 months) and help me when it was hard to get used to the medicine...the somewhat big changes....but, now I can drive again and things are more routine.

Having been confined to the house hours on end from the end of January to mid March, I really needed to get out. The new Harris Teeter a few miles down the road across from my church was set to open in early April. I got a job there at the Starbucks. Kinda neat that it is across from my church...don't know how to explain it, but it comforted me to be so close while at work. I'm still at Starbucks, even though I thought may only be there for a few months until I could drive again and start the job hunt...without as much stress.

The girls I work with come from very different backgrounds, each special in their own way. Some have grown up similar to me...similar families...similar backgrounds...and have lived in NC pretty much forever. A couple of other girls I had hardly anything in common, but they have taught me so many things. One of the girls, or women, is 29 and she has 3 kids. She is a single mother and is now a full time employee, but for many months was part time with another job to try to provide for the family. She was in the military for 5 years after she graduated high school, primarly because she could not afford to go to college and if she did go, she wanted to pay for it herself without getting "charity" from anyone else. I asked her if she could be anything, have any job she wanted, what would it be. She said she would like to be a nurse. She enjoyed taking care of her children and wanted to care for others also. I was like "wow." Some people take that question not as seriously and say "movie star" or "country/pop/rock star" or even "retired with as much money as I needed to live an extravagant, gold-ridden life..." you get the point. She and I have been working on possibly getting her enrolled in a community college for some night classes. Her mother lives nearby and has offered to take care of her children. Now that's pretty cool.
Another girl I work with is one year younger than me. She has a daughter that is 2 years old and she's also never been to college and never thought she would ever go. She's married and content with where she is in life and is probably one of the sweetest people I've known. I admire her strong character. Lord knows I would never be able to have a 2 year old this early in my life. I'm still learning to take care of myself.

So...my path is still winding and it is very cool not to have a plan...go with the flow. I watched Disney's Pocahontas (it's nice to go back to the kid classics) and I think we should do as the Indians and the John Smith's did (no, not fight over territory), explore the unexplored and embrass the unexpected.

That is all. I WILL post again soon.

Hello 2006

First off...HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! A new year full of expectations, resolutions, and exciting happenings awaits us all :)

Most common question of the last couple of weeks: How does it feel now that you have graduated college?
Let me tell you, my friends, it's pretty awesome. Although it has been very similar to my usual holiday breaks from school, I am comforted in knowing that I will no longer have homework to do on the weekends and I can read whatever I want to read nowadays.

However, some big decisions will be made in the near future...what kind of job will I be able to get and can it become my career?...living at home is nice for now, but where will I live come 9 months from now?....hmmmm. exciting...yes. a bit scary....yes. As we all have learned at some point in college, you can only take one day at a time. Don't try to plan your whole life!

Ok...that is all for now. Good luck in your upcoming spring semesters and I'll be visiting soon! ;)