The Love Keychain

I totally had a St. Louise/Carrie Bradshaw moment yesterday. I was working at the Truffles in Sea Pines that I don't usually work at, and there is a waitress there who I barely know at all, but we just hit it off. I have worked with her only like 3 times, but she is just funny and one of those people that you can just tell is...well, cool....

She actually said to me yesterday, "you know, I know we haven't hung out much, but I am sad you're leaving...I feel like I am a really cool person and I don't find many people that are as cool as me, and I feel like maybe you are." I laughed and thought--geez, that is TOTALLY something I would say to someone...haha

Anyway, she was asking me about Spain and about the job, and all that...She looked at me and said, "now why are you REALLY going?" I told her more about the job, that I wanted the experience of living in a foreign country, and how great this would look on my resume eventually. She responded with, " you are totally going to fall in love. This has nothing to do with resumes or wine...you are going for Love."

I said--oh, God, I love that movie....and she looked at me and said, "what movie?" She had never even seen it.

It kind of took my breath away. And I immediately thought of the shiny gold keychain that read "Love" in that simple cursive font from one of my fave (and most truthful) movies ever, Sex and The City. I thought about how candid that moment was and how without hesitation St. Louise looks Carrie straight in the eyes and says, "I came here to find love."

I am definitely doing this for other reasons as well, but isn't that the purpose of our lives? To love? Should we be ashamed to say that? I don't think so.

And if anyone ever finds one of those keychains, puh-lease send it my way. Oh, and I can't get the "autoplay" to work right now on my music player, but you need to listen to this song. SO GOOD. Allison Krauss has the voice of an angel. I hope she makes it to heaven because I want her to sing to me all the time.

love (how appropriate)

Merry Christmas a Few Days Late!

I am a few days late on this post! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I went to Charlotte where my brother Andrew and his wife Julie live. They have two little girls that are the cutest--Rachel is 3 and Layne is 7. Please enjoy the video of Rachel singing "Away in a Manger" below..she always takes deeps breaths while speaking or telling a story but before I taped this she had been running around the house chasing Lily and was even more short of breath. She is so funny and has the most outgoing personality...I just HAD to share her with ya'll.

We had a great Christmas morning although I missed my other niece Meredith who was with her mom, Jenn. I got to see her the day after Christmas though! So after Charlotte I continued on my trek through North Carolina to my mom's house. We just ran errands and shopped and got together my car information, because Bill, my step dad (thank god) is buying my car and selling it for me while I am gone!!! I don't know what I would do without him..such a relief and weight off my chest to not have to worry about that!

Now that the hump of Christmas is over, I am basically in panic mode. I don't know why the hell I agreed to work through New Year's. Poor decision on my part--although I do need the money, I just have no motivation and want to pack it up and get out of Hilton Head!!!!

I think I can....I think I can....I think I can...

So 3 more days here, and then on the 1st I drive BACK to my mom's for the final days and leave NEXT TUESDAY!!!!! I am so excited and I think it is so funny how different and crazy my new life is going to be. It is so weird to think about how unknown this actually is...I am SO proud of myself for deciding about 6 months ago that I wanted to move to Europe, and DOING IT. I don't think anyone thought I was actually serious! haha--or more importantly, that I would follow through!

Off to finish going through my clothes--how is it possible to fit clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc. for an entire year into 2 suitcases? This is going to be difficult.

Wish me luck.

18 Days....and 18 Nights

Yes, it is true. Only 18 more days!

That is a very exciting thought, however my anxiety is building about what needs to be done and how long it's going to take. I have to figure out what clothes I "need" and what clothes are not necessary, and what clothes I need now for winter, and what clothes I can get my mom to ship me. I have to move everything out of my dad's house, get it to my mom's, divide it out, etc.

And I want to be able to relax and spend quality time with my family! I just seem to have a lot on my mind right now and want to be able to get all of it accomplished! And I am way over waiting tables.

I am so ready to move out of my dad's. It is VERY difficult to not have lived with your parents (really) since you were 15 and to move back in...regardless of the lack of questioning you receive, or freedom you have. It is just plain hard. It is not "my" house...Oh, I miss my house. It had such a comfort and welcoming feel to it...and it was mine.

I am off to another double shift at work and am SO ready to throw in the towel and get on the road. In the car that I am STILL paying payments on, and that I have not been able to sell. Thank GOD for my step dad Bill who said he would handle it once I leave. That is another stressor in my life!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!

18 days.....18 days.....18 days......

oh, and I promise I will be posting pics soon...

love

Taylor + Tequila = Fun

So, as I mentioned in my previous post, my very good friend Taylor came in town to visit last weekend and it lived up to all of my expectations. And with a video camera, may have even surpassed my expectations.

As usual, Taylor and I began thinking and talking and questioning some things, that honestly, I have just never questioned before. We only left the house one time the entire weekend, and that was to go to the grocery store.

I will list a few random thoughts and questions we pondered, which of course sparked some very interesting conversations (drunk).

*Lemons have seeds, yet limes do not.
*We think (99 % sure) Hearts of Palm actually come from palm trees.
*How can forest fires EVER occur, when an actual fire with matches, wood, and effort, is so difficult to start?
*I think it is absolutely hysterical when kids make reindeer yard art "do it"...I chuckle every time. (just thinking about it I laugh)
* I find it strange how asparagus can make your pee smell just like actual asparagus.
*Tequila is fun.
*Video cameras and Tequila is MORE fun.

Annnd for your viewing pleasure....please....no judgements.

TGIF!

God I remember how I used to get SO excited on Fridays when I was little because "Full House" was on that night! Little Michelle made me want a baby more than anything in the world. I believe that was the Christmas that I told my mom I wanted a "baby" for Christmas. She said, oh, honey, what kind? I said..."no, mom..a REAL one."

Needless to say, I did not get my baby. One day...one day...

Now it's TGIF and I am more thinking about Taylor coming to visit tonight, and the bottle of tequila she is bringing!!! haha! I cannot wait to see her.

It's going to be a weekend of "inside jokes"....and LOTS of laughter. The kind of jokes that if anyone else were with us, we would spend the weekend explaining stories.

I am so glad everyone is loving the blog. I have gotten many nice emails about how it turned out! I am pretty proud myself. I really think I got the look and feel I was hoping for.

And remember you can sign up to be a "follower" and get a message sent to you once I put a new post in!

love

Tick Tock, Tick Tock

I seriously cannot believe that in one month from this very moment I will be on a plane with a one way ticket to Barcelona. My bags are not packed, but I am ready to go. I am REALLY ready to go.

I am ready to be at my mom's cherishing that "home" feel and reverting back to a 6 year old....and her allowing it because I am, and will always be, her baby.

The weekend was actually eventful for once and I am so thankful for friends like Lorri. She dropped everything to drive down here to be with me, and to help me make my dad's birthday something special. He loves her and she loves him. It's cute. It was a perfect solution to the "lack of anything being planned for someone you love, who has lost THEIR love."

Thank you Lorri for being you....driving me absolutely insane at times, but still being able to love you like a sister. haha

First Time!

Well, here goes nothin'.......

After weeks and weeks of going back and forth with my AWESOME graphic designer, Carly, we are up and running! I am so excited at how this has all turned out and I hope everyone enjoys reading and looking at the blog--not too bad on the eyes, eh???? I absolutely love it and think it looks just like me!

I will be posting here regularly up until I leave on January 6th and then from Espana to let you all know how I am doing and my adventures along the way. We all know I will have some very interesting stories for all to hear. I am sure they will not disappoint!

SHABBA!