I'm a Tar Heel born, I'm a Tar Heel bred. And when I die, I'm a Tar Heel dead.

So it's rah rah Carolina-lina.
Rah rah Carolina-lina.
Rah rah Carolina-lina--rah rah rah!

So I haven't blogged in quite a while, I know, but the past few days of orientation have been the most overwhelming, stressful, yet most incredibly exciting days I've experienced in while. I'll share details later (when I'm not completely pooped). And it's an absolute must at the moment to finish my Yopo while reading the DTH. Kay thanks.

p.s. Did you know the word sweet is the most popular word spoken in college slang?

"Celebrate we will, cause life is short but sweet for certain."

DMB is in less than a month! ::jump for joy:: Gosh, I can't hardly wait.

In other news, I have work today. Again. But the thing is, I'm starting to really love my job. I was able to chat with my good friend NSC yesterday (who works at a summer camp as well) and we agreed that having the chance to be in those kids lives, whether for a short period like me or for two months like her, is quite a blessing. Rather than feeling run-down and cranky at the end of my work hours, I feel, in a way, uplifted. Everyone seems to have such a positive attitude when they interact with each other; I can't exactly put my finger on it, but I believe God is teaching me something through this. This past year I struggled with being genuinely content with what God throws my way. Often I would feel sorry for myself, in turn having a horrid attitude, with things that were happening to me and how people were treating me. But that is NOT the way we should respond. God works everything for good for those who love Him. In fact it is actually my privilege to be a light to others, encouraging them and building them up in Christ. So I guess that is what God has been putting on my heart lately, even showing me this truth through my coworkers' lives.

Oh! Here's two new additions to my UNC wardrobe. (Had to edit the first picture to black and white due to my lack of morning beauty)

Carolina hat-$4.99 Marshall's

(with favorite Lilly mug in hand)

Adorable UNC necklace for game days!-grad gift from CNN

Summer Oasis?

Not quite.

The North Carolina heat these days can be described in one word. Sweltering. But on the other hand, it's been nice this week to work, talk with people I don't normally see, catch up on sleep, organize, come home to family dinners (with scrumptious key lime pie for dessert!), and have some time to myself. I've never had a summer like this. It's always been dance intensive here, mission trip there, volunteer work, and doing anything and everything to rack up impressive things to put on college applications. But not this summer! I cannot begin to describe how incredible it is to leave high school behind, people and all, and start afresh. Freeing--yes, that is the feeling. Some people are sad, some are bittersweet, but me? I'm free. And come to think of it, that's a summer oasis right there.

Thirty Day Challenge update.

Day Fifteen: A person you admire

[Not exactly a particular person but more of a group of people.] I admire our troops who protect their beloved nation day-in and day-out, without asking for much in return, risking their lives to save ours. In my opinion, they don't have enough of our respect.

check out past posts for Day Sixteen...

Day Seventeen: An art piece

Edgar Degas The Dance Class

1874 oil on canvas

I've collected postcards and stationary of his paintings ever since I was a little ballet girl myself. They capture the image I have of growing up in an aristocratic dance school or opera house, perhaps somewhere in Europe. Interesting fact: Degas hated the fact that he was known as the "painter of dancers."

Top Ten

Quick little bits to start out the week (since it's Monday and all).

1. Verse of the day. Proverbs 4:23...

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do."

Hmm. Not only my verse for the day, but even more so a challenge for life.

2. Photos of the day. Precious Baby Jack & Baby Peyton!

3. Quotes of the day.

Adorable Asian boy at camp: "Hey lifeguard, is the oil spill in this lake?" Oh my goodness, kids these days.

Henry David Thoreau: "My life is like a stroll on the beach...as near to the edge as I can go."

4. Book of the day. Reading Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin right now, absolutely loving it! At times I just hate myself for being such a fast reader...it would be nice to once in a while take a week or two to saturate myself with a good read without running back to Barnes & Noble or the library to grab another one. Such a hassle.

5. Mood of the day. A mixture of exhaustion and anxiousness.

6. Music of the day. Can't say I dig it quite yet, but it's growing on me. Phish - Round Room album.

7. Food of the day. Fish, fresh from Maryland. (Not meant to copy my musical taste at the moment). But mmm I had trout for dinner and actually enjoyed it, which is an accomplishment in my eyes. Side note: I WILL EAT HEALTHIER THIS SUMMER. Starting today.

8. Random fact of the day. Found out yesterday I am officially part of the Southern Indian Tribe of Kentucky. We finally got documentation and everything. So stop teasing me for my un-humanly dark white girl skin.

9. Fashion of the day. Currently? T-shirt, gross ponytail, tennis shoes, and Target work-out shorts. But hey, a girl can dream to look like this everyday, right?

10. Thirty Day Challenge of the day.

Day Twelve: A song that you want played at your wedding

Haven't given this much thought, honestly. Don't get me wrong, I've envisioned my wedding. Pink and green everywhere, peony bouquets, late afternoon, by the water, country club, quaint, nothing too glamorous or overdone. Simple yet sophisticated. Seems as though I don't need to pick music quite yet, goodness gracious I'm only eighteen years old; a husband/engagement/wedding is a little far off don't you think? Maybe so. But here's a few favorites that I can conjure up right now. There's too many lovely songs out there to choose from!

• The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra. Such a classy man, such a classy song.
• Carolina Girls - General Johnson & The Chairmen of the Board. That's a no-brainer, I'll be an actual Carolina girl!
• The First Dance - Corey Smith
• Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Jason Castro
• Something sung by my best friends would be ideal as well.

Day Thirteen: A guilty pleasure

Bargain shopping. Reality TV. Summer novels with hardly any literary value.

Day Fourteen: A vacation you would like to take

New Zealand. Oh my goodness yes. What a gorgeous country. Flying around the globe would be completely worth it just to catch a glimpse of this breathtaking landscape.

Love at First Sight

Keep Calm and Carry On poster - Target

PB Teen Muffy Cord bedding. Bought in pale blue!

Essie nail polish colors for J. Crew. Love love ah love.

Lilly Pulitzer coaster set. Too bad they don't match!

Side note: I've been blogging way too much lately.

"The Old Line State"

First off, the only things to see on the six hour drive to Maryland include:

• Corn fields.
• Icky diner restaurants.
• Hardee's and Burger King.
• Tractors.
• Broken-down fruit stands.
• And a bunch of nothingness.

Until you finally reach your destination in which you come across a Wal-Mart and a Cracker Barrel. So I just slept the whole way here. The Internet service is spotty, so forgive me in advance. But on today's agenda I'm going to visit my cousins' babies, Peyton and Jack, and I'm pretty siked, they are absolutely precious! And I'll hit that consignment shop, great Vineyard Vines and Lilly finds! (Oh goodness, Poppop just put Honky Tonk Tavern on the television, hah I love him to death.)

Update of the Thirty Day Challenge.

Day Nine: A photo you took

It seems appropriate to post a picture I took while I was here in Maryland, so here's one I shot of the St. Michael's lighthouse last Thanksgiving. Such a beautiful little coastal town!

Day Ten: A photo of you taken over ten years ago

Here's two photos I used for my senior slideshow. Being a pretty unattractive pre-teen, I refuse to post any pictures from the ages of 9-14, but I guess that wouldn't matter in this case since the photos are supposed to be over ten years old.

Day Eleven: A photo (or two) of you taken recently

High school graduation. What a joyous occasion!

And here's a picture of me today reading Southern Living (all I read nowadays are home and garden magazines. Pah.)

Dear TTW & CNN,

Before I go out of town this weekend, here's my update of the Thirty Day Challenge.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 8

A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life...

Oh dear, that's intense. But here we go!

Dear TTW & CNN,

You know who you are. These past two years have been quite a roller-coaster. But you both have been there, despite the twists and turns and ups and downs of high school. Throughout the breakdowns. Throughout the joys. Throughout the good choices. Throughout the bad. Throughout the crap we've all gotten from people who DON'T MATTER. Throughout all of it. And I can't be grateful enough.

About TTW. It's been a privilege to watch him grow up into a person who's never afraid to stand up for what, and who, he loves. His musical ability cannot be paralleled; I'm thrilled to see what's to come out of this one. He has a heart for quality time and deep conversations, and is always willing and open to listen. And when I say always, I mean always. What a unique individual. Sometimes people don't appreciate these people who are out of the ordinary and not afraid to be themselves, but they are the people that make life interesting. No matter what, he strives to make the most out of life, living like there's no tomorrow. To me especially, that's such a valuable lesson. He demonstrates the essence of enjoying every moment, taking each as they come. There are so many qualities in him that are beyond words, so I'll just end it there.

About CNN. We started off on not the best start, but then this incredible friendship began to form my junior year. Who knew? We were total opposites. Think Carrie and Charlotte from SATC. Her, the gorgeous brunette not afraid to give people a piece of her mind and me, the people-pleaser often afraid to share what's on her mind. And then, regardless of our differences, from tastes in guys to our style and personality, we became inseparable. She embodies someone I hope to be, someone who puts her heart and soul in relationships, someone thoughtful and sensitive, yet strong and determined. She is a beauty, not only on the outside, but also on the inside. I want her to know she deserves more than she realizes. A friend like her is difficult to come by, for I know that whatever life throws our way, we'll still be there for each other. What a joy it has been to share my thoughts and dreams with her, whether it's been talking over coffee or laying out in the sand. And I know that's not going to change as we go our separate ways.

Since in my mind these two are friends for life, I think this little saying about sums them up to me.

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same."

Don't Forget to Remember Me

A random praise that's totally unrelated to this topic--the NLC pool is finally open! I now actually hold a steady summer job. Score. This is rejoicing business people.

"Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these."

-Susan B. Anthony

Thirty Day Challenge update.

Day Sixteen: A song that makes you cry

(completely out of order, please forgive me).

On my way home from Emily's house tonight, this song was playing on shuffle on my iPod. I had just been dorm shopping with Em and Anna, who are such sweethearts, and we were chatting (over cupcakes in downtown Wake Forest, yum!) about what's to come in our lives. How we'll meet our husbands, be in each other's weddings, remain close. It was so refreshing to talk about the chance to start over. A clean slate. But then we got to reflecting on all the fun times we've shared and the struggles we've faced and how we've overcome them. With our moms, our families, and each other. So through that conversation, I got to thinking about these past eighteen years of my life and how much I've been blessed and how those moments put together have shaped who I am. And then this song came on, and I well, started to cry. So my fellow bloggers, here's the lyrics and the link. Enjoy.

Don't Forget to Remember Me - Carrie Underwood

18 years had come and gone
For momma they flew by
But for me they drug on and on
We were loading up that Chevy
Both tryin' not to cry
Momma kept on talking
Putting off good-bye
Then she took my hand and said
"Baby don't forget:

Before you hit the highway
You better stop for gas
And there's a 50 in the ashtray
In case you run short on cash
Here's a map and here's a Bible
If you ever lose your way

Just one more thing before you leave
Don't forget to remember me"

This downtown apartment sure makes me miss home
and those bills there on the counter
Keep telling me I'm on my own
And just like every Sunday I called momma up last night
And even when it's not, I tell her everything's all right
Before we hung up I said
"Hey momma, don't forget:

to tell my baby sister I'll see her in the fall
And tell me-maw that I miss her
Yeah, I should give her a call
And make sure you tell Daddy that I'm still his little girl
Yeah I still feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be
Don't forget to remember me"

Tonight I find myself kneeling by the bed to pray
I haven't done this in a while
So I don't know what to say but
Lord, I feel so small sometimes in this big ol' place
Yeah, I know theres more important things, but
Don't forget to remember me

Don't forget to remember me

On My Second Cup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zikgyJ8U3HM

It's Thursday already?

Is it just me or is this summer flying by? I thought the days were supposed to feel longer. Nope, not really. Anywho, here's a video to a piece that took my breath away last night on SYTYCD. Absolutely stunning. I have to say, ballet dancers bring something to the stage that others cannot. Marvelous. (I might be a bit biased, but I promise it's true.)

My update of the Thirty Day Challenge: Days Six-Seven

Day Six: A moment you wish you could relive

There's no doubt in my mind that I would pick the closing night of Beauty & the Beast. An enormous amount of emotions were wrapped up in that show, it was unlike any experience I've ever had onstage. I was a dancing napkin, enchantress, townsperson, hah and hag. Sounds magical, right? But honestly, it truly was. The seniors in that show inspired me not only to perform and develop as a character, but they also were incredible role models. I will never forget the chills and memories of that night.

[Mid-morning break of gym, laundry, and smoothie making. Mmm half a banana, strawberries, orange juice, raspberry sherbert, and crushed ice. Bon appetit!]

Day Seven: Five things you could not possibly live without

1. Laughter. (not necessarily a thing, but totally necessary for my sanity.)
2. My calendar/planner. I write everything down, from to-do lists to appointments, so it literally becomes a life-saver. Ask anyone.
3. Caffeine. Bad habit to be attached to, I know, but it's a no-brainer that I need my coffee in the morning to survive (see title).
4. The people I love. And photographs of them.
5. Scripture. Life is meaningless without it.

:)

"GROWING UP SOUTHERN IS A PRIVILEGE, REALLY. IT'S MORE THAN WHERE YOU WERE BORN-IT'S AN IDEA, A STATE OF MIND THAT SEEMS IMPARTED AT BIRTH. IT'S MORE THAN LOVING FRIED CHICKEN, HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL, AND COUNTRY MUSIC. IT'S BEING HOSPITABLE, BEING DEVOTED TO PORCHES AND SWEET TEA, AND EACH OTHER. WE DON'T BECOME SOUTHERN-WE'RE BORN THAT WAY."

Thirty Day Challenge: Days One-Five

Day One: A favorite song

This is difficult. My music taste is all over the place, and there have been so many songs I've come to cherish over the years. But if I had to choose just one it would probably be Let It Be by the Beatles. A classic, yes, but I think the meaning is profound. The lyrics move me every time I listen to it. I can remember that Beatles 1 cd we used to play on long car trips, and I just fell in love with this particular song. Only over the past couple years or so have I listened through the rest of their music, but this song remains the closest to my heart.

listen

Day Two: A favorite movie

Hmmm...too many to choose from once again. So I'll give you a few (wait, maybe more than a few) that I can think of off the top of my head.

Childhood: The Little Mermaid and The Parent Trap.

Romance: Sleepless in Seattle--thank you Mom! And The Notebook. And The Holiday.

Drama: Forrest Gump.

Action: Lord of the Rings (the whole trilogy) and The Patriot. Yep, thats's right.

Day Three: A favorite book

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. A powerful story of heartache, forgiveness, love, and God's grace. It's incredible. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is another favorite, the underlying symbols and themes are to die for.

Day Four: A favorite television program

Gossip Girl. As of now. Don't watch much TV, but I can't get enough of the style on that show.

Day Five: A favorite quote

"Keep your face toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you."

-Walt Whitman

My senior yearbook quote. A sweet reminder for me to keep pressing forward, staying positive, allowing my past to, well stay, the past.

Thirty Day Challenge: Blog Style.

Since I'm new to this and everything, I thought I would give this thirty day challenge a try, perhaps to give everyone a little glimpse of who I am and what I'm all about. I probably will combine a few days however, but you get the idea.

Here we go!

Day 1 — A favorite song

Day 2 — A favorite movie

Day 3 — A favorite book

Day 4 — A favorite television program

Day 5 — A favorite quote

Day 6 — A moment you wish you could relive

Day 7 — 5 things you could not possibly live without

Day 8 — A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life

Day 9 — A photo you took

Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago

Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently

Day 12 — A song that you want played at your wedding (or was played)

Day 13 — A guilty pleasure

Day 14 — A vacation you would like to take

Day 15 — A person you admire

Day 16 — A song that makes you cry

Day 17 — An art piece

Day 18 — A time when you felt passionate and alive

Day 19 — A talent of yours

Day 20 — A hobby of yours

Day 21 — Something you know you do differently than most people

Day 22 — A website

Day 23 — A way in which you want to be remembered

Day 24 — A movie no one would expect you to love

Day 25 — A recipe

Day 26 — A childhood memory

Day 27 — A physical feature you love

Day 28 — A scar you have, and its story

Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days

Day 30 — A motto or philosophy

Carolina On My Mind

Well said James Taylor,

well said. Or should I say sung?

Orientation is in less than two weeks? What?! This is craziness. I have been waiting to set foot on that campus as a student all year. Besides working at camp, lately I've running around like a maniac, trying to find dorm bedding, cute little knick-knacks, dishes, and why yes, a mini coffee maker. Come August all those things will be wiped out, so I decided to give my college shopping list a head start.

(Yes I know these pictures are flipped incorrectly...I took these on photo booth, my camera is nowhere to be found at the moment.)

Southern Belle?

Currently obsessing over...

1. Pottery Barn bedding. Just bought a duvet/sham set in carolina blue!

2. Golden retrievers. I will have one one day!

3. Monogrammed stationary. Lilly of course! Makes all those thank-you notes seem like a wonderful task to undertake.

4. Ray-Ban Wayfarers. An absolute heaven-send these past few weeks of lifeguarding!

5. Southern Tide t-shirts. Seriously, the softest clothing you'll ever wear.

6. Ceramic coffee travel mugs. Thank you Mrs. Weekman for introducing me. Adorable and eco-friendly. I could slip a cardboard Starbucks sleeve on it and pretend I just splurged!

7. Pretty Pretty Bows. For cheap!

http://prettyprettybows.weebly.com/

8. ihategreenbeans.com Hilarious. Thank you Emily Bell.

Some Thoughts

Journaled this last night. Here's some tid-bits.

Haven't written in a while, actually it seems like a very long time ago. Maybe it's because I've lost motivation, or rather I just haven't sought the time, or maybe I haven't scrambled for the energy. Lately I've been feeling that my world is finally opening up. College is in just a few short months, I'll finally be freeee. But somehow, I still feel closed in. Realization #1: I run from problems. I guess I don't necessarily run from them, it's just that I avoid them at all costs. I'd rather leave things unsaid, put issues in a drawer and close it quickly. Take relationships for instance. They're tricky for me. In fact no matter how much I sought for one these past two years I can't help but be scared as hell. I've been hurt, and it frightens me to think I could be back in that place again. Perhaps this is why I run--I run for the sake of preventing future heartbreak or disappointment. I run to escape broken promises, lies, tears. Realization #2: I need to man up. I'm an adult now for goodness sake, it's time to get a grip on things and start acting like one. Graduation was just a stepping stone...I haven't yet reached the end. I'll be leaving what I've grown accustomed and comfortable to--my home, my friends, my family--and instead be setting off in a new place. I'm not fearful of this, no, but I'm not quite sure I'm ready for it. There is so much left to learn, and I am just now beginning to understand the depths of what my family has done for me. Realization #3: Happiness found from this world isn't going to cut it anymore. I'm tired of seeking joy in all the wrong places, it's not doing it for me anymore. These walls I've built for myself must go.

Yeah I know, that was a lot of jibber-jabber. And the tone was a bit depressing. But that's what's been on my mind, so I thought I'd share.

Still listening to Swell Season by the way. Look up "The Moon," mmm so good.

Also, if you're looking for something interesting to read, here's my brother's blog. He's traveled across the country on a bike. I would call that pretty motivated.

click.

Ode to the Nice Girls

LOVE this.

"This is my tribute to the nice girls. To the nice girls who are overlooked, who become friends and nothing more, who spend hours fixating upon their looks and their personalities and their actions because it must be they that are doing something wrong. This is for the girls who don't give it up on the first date, who don't want to play mind games, who provide a comforting hug and a supportive audience for a story they've heard a thousand times. This is an homage to the girls who laugh loud and often, who are comfortable in skirts and sweats and combat boots, who care more than they should for guys who don't deserve their attention. This is for those girls who have been in the trenches, who have watched other girls time and time again fake up and make up and fuck up the guys in their lives without saying a word. This is for the girls who have been there from the beginning and have heard the trite words of advice, from "there are plenty of fish in the sea," to "time heals all wounds."

This is for the girls who have spent their weekends sitting on the sidelines of a beer pong tournament or a case race, or playing Florence Nightingale for a vomiting guy friend or a comatose crush, who have received a drunk phone call just before dawn from someone who doesn't care enough to invite them over but is still willing to pass out in their bed. This is for the girls who have left sad song lyrics in their away messages, who have time and time again dropped their male friend hint after hint after hint. This is for the girls who have been told that they're too good or too smart or too pretty, who have been given compliments as a way of breaking off a relationship.

This one's for the girls who you can take home to mom, but won't because it's easier to sleep with a whore than foster a relationship; this is for the girls who have been led on by words and kisses and touches, all of which were either only true for the moment, or never real to begin with. This is for the girls who have had their hearts broken and their hopes dashed by someone too cavalier to have cared in the first place; this is for the nights spent dissecting every word and syllable and inflection in his speech, for the nights when you've returned home alone.

This is for the hugs you've received from your female friends, for the nights they've reassured you that you are beautiful and intelligent and amazing and loyal and truly worthy of a great guy. This is for the girls who have been used and abused, who have endured what he was giving because at least he was giving something; this is for the stupidity of the nights we've believed that something was better than nothing, though his something was nothing we'd have ever wanted. This is for the girls who have been satisfied with too little and who have learned never to expect anything more: for the girls who don't think that they deserve more, because they've been conditioned for so long to accept the scraps thrown to them by guys.

Men complain that they never meet nice girls, girls who are genuinely interested and compelling, who are intelligent and sweet and smart and beautiful; men despair that no good women want to share in their lives, that girls play mind games, that girls love to keep them hanging. We nice girls are everywhere. But you're not looking for a nice girl. You're not looking for someone genuinely interested in your intramural basketball game, or your anatomy midterm grade, or that argument you keep having with your father; you're looking for a quick fix.

So don't say you're on the lookout for nice girls, guys, when you pass us up on every step you take. You don't want the nice girls, so don't say you're looking for a relationship: relationships take time and energy and intent, three things we're willing to extend - - but in return, we're looking for compassion and loyalty and trust, three things you never seem willing to express."

A Lovely Jam

I've been in love with this band ever since I attended their concert a couple weeks ago (and skipped Senior Sunset, which turned out to be just splendid! The sun already set for me in my opinion.)

Brunch at Julie's

Hi y'all, I'm Julie.

Well I decided to start a blog, more so for my own self-expression than anything else. Well honestly, part of it was to cure the boredom of the summer months. I guess you can say I've never done well with free time on my hands. But anywho, now that I've graduated high school, a fresh start seems necessary. At least in my mind anyway. Sooo, I named this blog in light of one of my favorite movies, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and came up with Brunch at Julie's. Just grab a cup of jo and enjoy.

And thank you new macbook pro for being such a delight.

I'll leave you with one of my favorite sayings from the lovely A.H.

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others, for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness, and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

Easier said than done, Audrey.