Joyeux anniversaire

So I turned 24 on the 17th. Not so much a huge milestone but another birthday nonetheless.
It was fun except for the fact that I had to sit through a meeting and class that day on very little sleep. I had clinical the previous night and came home to a decorated room full of balloons and presents.
Presents from parents: Chi straightener and holder for it to be put in luggage. Presents from Jennifer: Taylor Swift perfume and bag. Joint present: Covert Affairs season 1 on DVD.
The Melting Pot for dinner where we had fabulous fondue and take home chocolate dipped strawberries. It was great!!

We made plans for next year, as I will be turning a quarter of a century and hopefully will have a big kid job with a big kid salary. We will hopefully be going to Italy and Greece.

Pictures:
Melting Pot-

Birthday cake (Thin Mint ice cream cake)

The presents-

P.S. The title is French for Happy Birthday for those of you that didn't take French in high school for 4 years and learned that particular dialect. (Unlike my friend who will remain nameless and resides still in Utah.)

Engaged

No. Not me.

When I hear this word there are certain words that come to mind: ring, marriage, temple, joy, congrats, yay!, happy, etc. But do those words remain when it's someone that you used to like? I haven't figured out that answer yet.
In all honesty I am happy for them. I could care-a-less. And I know that my guy is just waiting to make his appearance so it's at the right time. And I will patiently wait- well as patient as I can.

Congrats to the happy couple...

Head out on the highway

October 7-11:
So one of the good things about fall semester here is that we get a fall break in the middle of October. My dad thinks it's because of Columbus Day, however, I have yet to get the feeling that Duke pays any respect to any holiday. So I just think that it's a nice little break in the middle of the semester.
This year Jennifer and I decided to take the long weekend and go drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. For those that don't know what this is- it is a road that takes you through the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina that is about 460 miles long. It is supposed to be a relaxing drive with a speed limit of 45 mph. There are stops along the route to go hiking, see waterfalls, pinic spots and historic sites. It starts around Roanoke, VA and ends in Cherokee, NC. It was a beautiful drive the way down. We even got to drive through some clouds when we got to the highest elevation of the parkway and it got pretty chilly.
After the parkway we made a stop at Biltmore to see if they had it decorated for the fall. They didn't really but they did have an exhibit of Tiffany glass lamps that were pretty cool. Couldn't take any pictures of them though. It wasn't until we got to Biltmore that it started raining.
Here are a couple of pictures of what we saw along the drive with all the leaves changing over to the fall colors. And who can resist throwing a pile of leaves up in the air?!

Locals:

Crunchy leaves- perfect to walk in!

Pumpkin patch-

Christmas tree farm-

Driving through clouds, misty rain and cold-

Me, the Florida girl, at the highest elevation of the parkway in misty cold rain wearing capris and flip flops-

God blessed Texas with His own hand

August 17-23:
I had the great pleasure of leaving the state of North Carolina for a week back in August to see a wonderful family. Last year when I left Utah I knew that Sam and Charlie would be the 2 people that I would miss the most. Sitting here remembering that day it still makes me teary eyed. But then I think back to August 17 and seeing Sam get out of the car and hug me makes me smile. I got to see 2 of my best friends that day for the first time in a year.
It was a quick visit but we got to do some very fun things!! I helped Sam rearrange her room, set up bookcases, see the media room, help move wood off a trailer, go swimming, go out to lunch and dinner at the famous mexican places, spend quality family time with the McClellan family, had game night, midnight runs, gossip and "Remember when...", Garen's reception, helping set up Randi's classroom, museums and the water wall.
I know I probably missed some things in there. But the most important thing that I was able to do is spend time with both Sam and Charlie, together and apart.
I don't know about them but for me the time flew. I know that I will be back there in only a matter of time. The trip there may have gotten me to think about moving there. Not sure yet.
But in all seriousness... thank you Sam, Charlie, Randi, Chris, Bro. and Sis. McClellan for the love that I felt in your home and the love that you showed to me.
Here's my favorite picture from the trip.