oh hey, July

It's July 2nd, and I'm convinced that this summer is flying by, more so than any other year. Anyone else feel this way?

Home again, home again. I think the worst part about coming home from a vacation is the whole unpacking part. No, I don't want to wash out the salty smell of my beach cover-ups nor do I want to shake the sand out of my shoes. My duffel bag might just sit on my floor for a couple days before I see it fitting to pull all my stuff out.

So as I reminisce, here's my list of the wonderful things I'll miss about my past week in the Outer Banks...

The fresh seafood. The miles and miles of docks around our condo. Feeding the ducks. The smell of coconut tanning oil. The long walks on the beach. The boat rides. The feeling of sunshine on my skin. Reading novels in a day. Climbing Jockey's Ridge. Fishing with my family. Singing knee deep in the water somewhere when I'm actually knee deep in the water somewhere. Wine on the deck. Reading the sixth edition of matchbook on that cozy light blue couch, coffee in hand. Getting out of the shower feeling rejuvinated after hours on the beach. Watching dolphins swim by the shore. Drooling over the yachts in our backyard.

Oh, to be back on vacation. It was sad leaving, especially on this holiday weekend when everyone is packing up and going to the coast for time in the sand and sun, and to watch the fireworks over the ocean. For me, it's going to be a week of road tripping to Charlotte to see my Carolina girls, essay writing, working closing shifts at Loft, and planning another fun-filled weekend. I'm crossing my fingers that this week doesn't pass by as fast as the last.

My favorite photo during our stay is this one of my Dad and I relaxing at the marina's precious little tiki hut. I'm already missing that place...

"I still find each day to short

for all the thoughts I want to think,

all the walks I want to take,

all the books I want to read,

and all the friends I want to see."

John Burroughs.

Coastal Living

Finally. The vacation I've been longing for all summer is here. And where exactly am I you ask? North Carolina's beautiful Outer Banks. I haven't been here in ages, and I'm already in dreamland. A week to myself, well for the most part, to fish, swim, eat seafood, jet ski, and lay in the sand. Heavenly. Our place is literally right on the sound, off the marina in Maneo. I'm confident that being surrounded by water is the perfect remedy for any ailment or stress.

Exciting Saturday night plans for me? My sweaty post-beach run self is watching the sun go down and the boats pass by off our patio. Pure bliss.

Side note: Good ol' Avett was stuck in my head the whole ride down.

"Are you feeling, feeling, feeling like I'm, feeling
Like I'm floating, floating, up above that big blue ocean
Sand beneath our feet, big blue sky above our heads,
No need to keep stressing from our everyday life on our minds
We have got to leave all that behind" At The Beach.

Realizations

What I've learned over the past few days:

I like Modern Family, a lot. I'm terrible at Banana-grams, but I'll play it for hours anyway. Surprisingly I can cook a darn good breakfast, complete with eggs, bacon, and cinnamon rolls. Good news, I can still do a toe-touch. Charleston has become my favorite city, and I want to live/work there someday. If any girl wants to feel better about herself, all she needs to do is visit the Citadel. I so need more mornings like today's, I literally sat in pajamas until two o'clock in the afternoon and it was wonderful. I'm perfectly content with a chill spring break, with good friends, good food, and good conversation.

And I am so not ready to go back to reality tomorrow.

What I want is what I got, and what I need is all around me.

Spring Break 2011, you are much needed.

Although it's kind of frigid to lay outside today, I'm excited to spend time with good friends and have some time to just relax today. This break came at the exact right time of the semester, just when I felt so bogged down by midterms, schedules, and summer job applications.

This gorgeous sight we came across driving down yesterday...

Title post: Jimi Thing by Dave Matthews.

The High Country

A few photos from this past weekend. I apologize for not being able to write lately, all this packing craziness has me tied up! (And it's made me want to pull my hair out, but we won't get into that.)

Hiking at Hebron Rock Colony

Elk River Falls

Grandfather Mountain

The New River Winery

Red, White, & Blue Confessions

Confession #1: I have the absolute worst sweet tooth. These look so yummy!

Confession #2: I wish I had a special someone to watch the fireworks with...they're so romantic!

Confession #3: Too bad I didn't pack my red D&B rope purse. I NEVER wear the color red, but I might have made an exception to be patriotic today!

I'm going to reblog Summer Wind's quote for the day...

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." -Erma Bombeck

Carolina Girls We're Unforgettable

Some vacay photos!

Quick bits of the day:

• Carolina Beach is sketchy. Wrightsville is much classier.
• I went a day without coffee today. How strange.
• Figure 8 Island tomorrow and second set of fireworks. So pumped! Happy July 4th y'all!
• My lips are chapped which I'm not too happy about.
• My henna tattoo of a starfish was a waste of money. But my gelato tonight was not.
• I can't handle gory movies. (CNN, this is directed to you.)
• Got a call out of the blue today...don't know how I feel about that. Hmm.
• We're recording our version of California Gurls right now. And crazy enough, it actually sounds professional. Thank you auto-tune and musical best friends. Oh and Travy Trav on the radio.
• On my list of things I need: A This is not my boyfriend--> t-shirt. Enough said.
• Update of orientation/fall classes: History prereq for journalism, Stat at 8 am, Aerobics, Major American Authors, and First-year seminar Romance Languages. And two recitations. Let's just say I need to do some major drop-add in August. Eek. But anywho, orientation went pretty swell, loved my roomie and got to meet some nice people. People are so freaking more friendly (eh, grammar?) in college!
• Confession: I don't want to go home on Monday. Back to the grind and back to reality.

And last but not least the thirty day challenge update...

Day Eighteen: A time when you felt passionate and alive

Specifically, my mission trips to Costa Rica and Islandmorada, Florida pop into my head. At first I wasn't too thrilled on going on either of the trips, for many of my close friends weren't coming along with me. But throughout the two experiences, I realized that making a difference and serving others was greater than my own selfish ambitions. I did feel alive, like I was somehow being a part of something undeniably fulfilling. God. is. so. good.