Casablanca does Roanoke

Day 49


I thought that blogging during the summer would be easier because of the copious amounts of free time I have.  Well that turned out to be false (the blogging more part, I definitely still have way way way too much free time).  Everyday is pretty boring and there isn't much to blog about.  But it's actually a good thing that I don't have much to blog about because I'm just super content here, surprisingly.  I feel so independent even though I'm living with my parents and mooching off them again.  But I guess I just feel really content with myself and more importantly God.  I don't really feel like I need anyone else to bring me happiness or define my day.  So I don't really have any melodramatic, all-consuming thoughts to blog about.  Oh, and last week I was incredibly busy running a youth event at my church that included sleeping over at the church so blogging was a no-go.  But I'm back and determined to be a more faithful blogger.


Luckily, four of my very best friends from University of Virginia came down to Roanoke Friday night to visit me.  In the book of Colossians, Paul so eloquently says that he wants their hearts to be encouraged by being knit together in love.  I couldn't describe our friendship any better than that.  Even though I've barely known them for one or two years, my heart feels so closely knit to theirs and I'm just incredibly encouraged by their frienships.  They are the girls I will be living with next year and I couldn't have picked more wonderful people to share a house with.  Not only are they hilarious and vivacious, but so compassionate and loving.  Words couldn't express how great they are and how excited I was for them to visit me in humble ole Roanoke.  It's such a peculiar feeling mixing your college life with the life you lived for eighteen years prior to going to college.  However, I couldn't have been happier to show them the house and city I grew up in and the family that raised me.  I loved showing off how great of a cook my mom is and how funny my dad is and how talented my sister is. I felt so loved that they wanted to watch my old dance recital videos and look through old photos.  I've never had more fun with dance costumes than when we all played dress-up in them before dinner.  These are the girls that will be at my wedding.  These are the girls that I will want to stay in touch with once we've moved away from Charlottesville and start families.  These are the girls I will tell my kids about.

Just havin some fun at the Roanoke Star.

Randomly found a car show downtown.

Only in Roanoke would there be goats at the farmers' market.

Tryin on some cute hats.

Casablanca does da Noke.

Too cool for school.

Hotel Roanoke!

A Little Mumford to Get You Through the Week

Day 37


Yes, I jumped on the Mumford & Sons bandwagon back in November.  And I haven't looked back since.  I don't care that it's not actually cool to like them anymore since apparently everyone and their mother likes them.  Who cares?  Watch their full set from Bonaroo here because it is just so so good.  And they play some new songs too.  Whatta treat!

Kimmycub

Day 35


So, I haven't blogged in forever and that is completely unacceptable.  So sorry.  Last week was kind of a rough one and then the past several days have been cuh-razy.  You see, my baby sister was really busy being a rockstar and I needed to be there to support her.  It is kind of the reason that I'm not studying abroad right now.  Back to her, the star of the show.  My beautiful, sassy little sister, Kim, not only graduated from high school on Friday and danced in her last (and 14th) recital Saturday night, BUT her tennis team (on which she plays #4 singles and #2 doubles) played in the state tournament Friday and Saturday.  And THEY WON STATES for the second year in a row.  What did I say?  Rockstar material.  Friday we had to rush from the match which was about 45 minutes away to graduation (I changed in the car, she changed in the bathroom at the civic center).  Saturday we had to rush from the state final to graduation and made it there with two minutes to spare (of course she was in the first dance of the show).  But it was all worth it.  Even though I will hear about nothing other than Kimmycub for the rest of the summer.  But she deserves it.  Oh yeah, and then in the fall she will be joining me up at the University of Virginia to study architecture.  She is just too cool for school.  


So I just wanted to devote this post to her and how wonderful she is.  First of all, she is hilarious in a dry, sarcastic sort of way.  Have I mentioned how different we are?  But she works so hard and is extremely tolerant of others.  She has always looked up to me (I think) but now it's my turn to be amazed and inspired by her.  She has worked so hard to get to where she is in tennis just in this past year and I am so awestruck at her work ethic and patience.  She is strong and stubborn, but I wouldn't have her any other way.  I've never won any physical fight between the two of us because of this though.   She is always, always, always there for me and does the sweetest things for me.  She is so beautiful and I've always wished I looked more like her.  Even though we are polar opposites, we still find common ground through many inside jokes, usually about quirks of family members.  She is a constant source of love in my life and quite the rock for me.  She is the calm, cool, collected one to my goofy, emotional, quirky personality.  I love her to pieces and would do anything for her if she needed it.  I am beyond thrilled that we'll be at the same school next year and cannot wait to see what God has in store for our relationship.  It should be a fascinating ride, so hold onto your seatbelts y'all.

State Semis

Gettin dat diploma.

State Finals

State Champs!

With my state champ!

Final Dance Recital

P.S. My sister's nickname is Kimmycub, just to clarify.  

Gettin Slizzard Like a Wizard

Day 26


Today two of my friends and I made butterbeer (non-alcoholic, of course) and it was quite an afternoon.  Boiling the concotion and having to measure its temperature made us feel like we were in the middle of Potions class (sans Snape breathing down our necks).  Although we were apprehensive about the legitimacy of the recipe (we used this one, which I found online), we were pleasantly surprised.  It was sweet and frothy and definitely worth the 45 minutes it took us to make it.  I was the only one able to finish mine due to the intense sweetness (my stomach is extremely strong when it comes to sweet things) but we all agreed that the drink was a delicious treat.  Afterward we watched the 7th movie (part 1), of course.  It should also be noted that Mary Anna and I both wore our Harry Potter t-shirts and we listened to Harry Potter soundtracks while we brewed.  Go big or go home, especially when it comes to anything HP-related.  You can live vicariously through the pictures below.

I Want That

Day 24


Such a beautiful quote.  I think I'm partial to it because I love nothing more than having someone play with my hair.

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