We're Not in Kansas Anymore...

OK!  It has been a really, really, really long time but here it goes!  I am officially in Charlotte, North Carolina.  They call themselves Charlottinians and North Carolinians.  This is really odd to me.  It just sounds funny rolling off the tongue.  Maybe it is just because I am so used to saying Michigander.  Anyway, I have been having a hard time meeting people my own age.  I know that I have only been here for two weeks, but I miss my friends desperately and really wish that I had someone who could show me around or tell me where all the cool artsy people like to hang out.  I would take anything.  A swinging jazz club might be nice, or an interesting art exhibit, or even a coffee shop with high speed internet.  The other day I went to the mall by myself...and saw Harry Potter, by myself...and went shopping, by myself.  It just gets to be a drag sometimes.  Luckily, I am relatively introverted and I value time to myself, because I seem to be getting a bunch of it.  Don't get me wrong, I really am having a great time with the family I am staying with.  They are sweet and kind and generous and supportive.  And their little boys are absolutely adorable.  I think I am just a little down.  My life was good (and still is) at home and at school.  I was surrounded by people that love me and told me I looked nice and were excited to see what I had done that day.  Why did I decide to move and ruin all of that?  I know it is part of growing up.  I am curious to see what will happen in my life.  I know it will be just as God plans and that is great.  Meanwhile, I have a lack of companionship and places to go.  It is not so fun to experience new things on your own.  

On my way down to NC, I drove through the Smokey Mountains at the suggestion of Professor Lindsey.  This turned out to be a brilliant idea.  It was so beautiful and peaceful and it was the only part of my trip that I rolled the window down.  The air smelled so good and the temperature was more to my liking, a perfect 72 degrees.  I had a blast driving through all of the twists and turns of the mountain roads.  It was refreshing and a good time to collect my thoughts and listen to some Nora Jones.  I planned that out of course.  I was saving her for the Smokies and it worked out nicely that she is who I listen to to stop freaking out (I may or may not have had a little emotional breakdown through those piles of rock).  The point is...I got out a few times to take some pictures but there is no evidence that I was there.  There was no one to take a picture of ME in the mountains.  No one to see my expression when I beheld God's creative work.  Here is proof!

This is a SWEET log.  It's like God wanted to get in on the art nouveau whiplash.  

I realized that my life was changing.  And that is a hard thing to come to terms with, as much as you might want it to happen.  I kept on driving though...and driving and driving...and when I got through the mountains I was in North Carolina.  I stopped to go to the bathroom and I realized that my accent was definitely out of place.  Shoot...pretty much all of me was out of place.  I was just a pale blonde who said her "O's" like a cross between "O" and "oo".  But then, all of that didn't matter very much.  I was starting MY life.  I am who I am and I really like that.  I like that I have a Northern accent and that I say "pop".  I am glad that I have never heard of Liver Mush and a  Carolina Burger.  It makes me unique and valuable.  I have time to make friends and learn the Southern way of things, but I think I little bit of the North will always be with me.  Here are some happy memories that have gotten me through the first couple of weeks!

Me and my Momma!  I like thinking about her!  Plus she sent me coupons in the mail for shaving cream and the makeup I like.  Yay for moms!

A funny picture of some of my studio buddies.  A good memory of not doing what we were supposed to!

Some of my best friends all together for one happy day!  We all look so happy!

Me and Isaac!  He has started to call me sis again....which he hasn't done in years.

My dad and I after we FINALLY finished the laminate floors!  What a relief to have those finished.  I enjoyed spending time with my daddy though!

This is just a really good picture of my mom, cousins, aunt, and me.  It makes me happy!  Shout out to Davetree photography!

Caleb and I at prom a LONG time ago.  I like when he makes that smile!

I don't really like watching sports....at all.  But I get into it when countries verse other countries.  This time Isaac and I watched the game together and he kept me updated on who was winning after I got to NC.  I couldn't watch them, so he called me every so often!

How I Met Your Mother reminds me of my good friends Nic, Hannah, Chad, and Rachel!

Steve, Mike, and Drew playing The Good Architect.  This was part of my life for 4 years...i miss it.  Also, I stumbled upon a video of Steve singing a song after swallowing helium that made me laugh really hard.  Just really good memories!

I am really not miserable, it just sounds like it.  It is beautiful here.  There are hills everywhere and the roads are twisty.  There are signs that remind people that bridges freeze before the roads do, and I take pride in the fact that I knew that already!  There is a Chick-fil-A and a Sonic (two of my favorite fast food places) on the same road near where I am staying.  People call me Ma'am, which makes me feel a little old, but then again it is nice to be acknowledged as an adult and not as a teenager.  There are plants here that you just don't see in the Midwest, such as cactus and magnolias.  There is architecture that you don't come across up north.  There are more choices for summer clothes and there is a HUGE mall 10 minutes away (I know that urbanistically speaking malls are bad, and if any of my prof's are reading this, I am sorry, but I really like to shop).  It was here that I cooked my first hamburger and went grocery shopping just for me.  LeAnna has movies that I have never seen before that I have had the opportunity to watch.  I get to be greeted each morning by two boys who are just thrilled to see me!  And on top of all of that...I live in an age with conveniences such as a computer, cell phone, Skype, cameras, and snail mail.  I can stay connected to all of my friends and family back home and tell them my adventures while I am here.  It is an exciting time in my life, and I just want to make sure that it doesn't go unnoticed.  I am learning how to be me in a place that is so NOT me yet. I am adjusting but it takes time.

Well...that is an update on me.  I need to blog more, I have always been terrible at keeping anything that resembles a journal.  As I become more accustomed to my life,  I will let all of you who read this be a part of that too!

P.S.  I am still looking for a job.  Prayer would be appreciated!