From D.C. Back to N.C.

Whew. I would love to say that I have time for lots of updates, but I'm really just too tired. Not to mention that I have a new book waiting for me. (Fast Food Nation. More depressing food journalism--my future awaits.)

I am now back in Cary after a whirlwind adventure. I packed up most of my stuff on Friday, moved out Saturday, then drove to Nags Head the following afternoon.

Rosie took me hang gliding and kayaking on Monday, from which I am still recovering. I had so much fun learning to fly, but I could have done without the whiplash.

Now, I'm back here until Friday. I cannot wait to move into my Chapel Hill house. My own room, my own bathroom, a kitchen with an island...

Speaking of islands, I'm leaving for St. Thomas on Sunday. I don't know when I became so good at traveling around eastern North America, but I really can't complain. And that's all for now.

Sh-whoops

I was setting epic records for a while there, posting almost as often as I had a new thought. Apparently I have been focusing my thoughts on other topics, such as my many end-of-the-year papers. Whew.

March Madness is the most fitting excuse I can think of. And I'm not just referring to basketball.

Here is a rundown of the last month, with pictures:

We made our first meal of spring.

Slept in boxes during a rainstorm.

Celebrated Katie's 20th birthday.

Celebrated a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

Celebrated JJ's presidential retirement.

Visited the Carrboro Farmer's Market, ate lots.

Held our last full SAIL meeting before commencement.

So, many celebrations occurred. Plus, today is Easter, so I will be elaborating on my life later.

'Twas a beautiful day

Katie and I chose not to let it get away.

We took a lovely walk to Gimghoul Castle and around the Battle Park trail. Naturally, the combination of Katie's company and the sun's presence inspired me to take pictures.

trees at the cemetery

Gimghoul Castle

pretty Katie!

Reminder: It snowed last week. Gotta love inconsistent North Carolina weather. (But really, can it stay in the 60s until summer?)

The Last One in the First Month

It's funny how much emphasis is placed on change-- from our climate to our new president's election campaign. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, but seemingly always inevitable.

So I feel incredibly fortunate to have friends who have not succumbed to the change mania. Friends from elementary, middle and high school who mean the same to me now than they did back then. (Though I'm sure I didn't realize it 10 years ago.)

They're the ones I may never see, but can always call. The ones I see everyday, who maintain my sanity. In a world full of change, it's nice to have that solid foundation.

Though perhaps there has been an almost imperceptible change in all of us. The influence of college, of new life experiences cannot have left us unaffected. So I suppose I am even more grateful that as we change, we evolve even closer together.





...just to include a few :-)

The Mark of a True Friend

They'll go with you to the bathroom. They'll pick you up from bizarre locations in the middle of the night. They'll call you out on being a pompous jerk.

And, as I learned this weekend, good friends will not only pee with you, but also pee on you.

Yes, I was stung by a jellyfish on Sunday. I get shivers of pain just thinking about it. Due to my nonexistent experience with these stings prior to several days ago, I thought that that pee was key to recovery. (That really rolls off the tongue nicely. Perhaps I should write public service announcements.)

As one of my friends squatted over my arm in the middle of a public beach, I was struck by her willingness to wash away her sense of decorum with the tide. Then, as my other friend poured a water bottle of her own pee onto my swelling arm, I was primarily impressed with the sheer volume of her contribution. My friends are fearless and generous.

I suppose that the pee friendship test is not practical for any situation other than the unique one in which I was involved. I guess it's just the fact that they would, if they needed to, which reassures me.

As a post script, I will say that I read online that the effectiveness of peeing on a jellyfish sting is mostly determined by the pH of the individual's pee, so vinegar is still the best bet. I would also highly recommend educating yourself before becoming actively involved in ocean water sports.