August 7, 2006

Ahh...how cool are they?! (this band: Ok Go has some crucial moves)

....next time you see me at the gym, watchout I'll be practicing.

August 5, 2006

YEP. it was decided that this eventful night needed it's own blogpost because...well...this doesn't happen too often. So buckle your seatbelt and read on! (check back for some photos)

We thought it was going to be just another ordinary friday night in Alamance County. Ashley and I headed into Graham to meet Meredith for dinner at Barrister's. After salads and sandwhiches, we walked across the street to catch the 7 o'clock-2 dollar showing of The Break Up. After 1hr 46mins of feeling as if we'd been yelled at by Vince Vaughn, with the occasional happy appearance of Geoff Stults (Aniston's studly date who enjoys virtual football rather than martini bars.), the girls and I left our cushy, febreeze soaked chairs and joined the masses leaving the theater.

After spotting sketchy blue lights on the other side of the courthouse, we decided to drive Meredith over to her car and then opted for a quick milkshake at Cookout. Multiple road blockages made us curious as we detoured our way to Cookout. We noticed large dancing balloons in front of the couthouse with music playing. So after our trip through the drive thru we figured we had a little time to kill, especially since I didn't have to be home until 11pm, so we headed back up to check it out. And hold my milkshake...it was none other than our boys: Liquid Pleasure! (Ashley and I planned MC's Spring Fling in April, and we had them as our band, so basically we're all pretty tight)

Turns out Graham was celebrating 50 years of the arts council (insert question mark.) But, OH what a great time! The boys brought the soul and the red-hat society brought their "tush-push" (just image Katy Champion slow motion). Kenny Mann and the gang even held their own dance-off with prizes including paid child support, and a can of pork-n-beans.

After the YMCA, Ashley and I decided to head out on What a Wonderful World. A slight breeze kept us from dripping with sweat, but a second ride through Cookout was in order for some more liquids. As we pulled out we heard a loud thump on the side of Ashley's car. Confused at thinking we'd driven off with a portion of the Cookout window, we were relieved to find out that it was actually fireworks. Not wanting to miss anything, we hit up a perfect parking space in the Lowe's foods joint and sat back to enjoy. Graham obviously didn't want to be left out of the 4th of July festivities...even if they were a MONTH late!

What a crazy unexpected night. Stay tuned for some more wacky adventures in the Alamance County scene.

August 3, 2006

WOW...where did July go?! So I've been busy...ya know babysitting/ catching up with peeps/ being lazy...therefore not leaving much time to update. Again, not like you've missed much, but here ya go:

Everybody is back in the country now! Yay for Hayley and Melissa making it back safely from Down Unda. This past week Meredith and I caught up with the Rice girls over lunch, and then this weekend, I ventured out to Raleigh Saturday (to babysit) and then hung out with the Athens Drive girls and got some Providence action on Sunday.

Just for FUN:

-Have trouble waking up in the morning? Forget the calories of coffee just smear on this new caffeinated lip balm…Spazzstick. Napoleon Dynamite would be proud.

-Hecht’s stores will become Macy’s in September.

This weekend is tax-free shopping, so don’t forget to buy your Trapper Keepers!

-Tainting the landscape of Alamance Co…. (CAUTION: graphic material, cover your kid's eyes).

mmmkay.

I'm going to let you in on a few random thoughts from this week:

-Is it ever okay to “make change” from the offering plate as it passes?

-Gas prices change daily, but who changes them (physically) and when? Like today, it was 2.82 this morning and by lunch it was 2.95…who DOES that?!

-In case you haven't noticed it's too HOT outside!

and...I just need to clarify something…how do YOU say coupon? Is it:

A) Q-pon

B) coo-pon

FYI: How to build delicious cupcakes

1. Line muffin cups with colorful paper liners.

2. Mix ingredients. Dump mixture in colorful paper liners. Bake. Trust friends to guard your icing.

3. Clean up while waiting.

4. Remove from oven and cool.

5. Get your ice on(sprinkles as needed) and EAT!

July 18, 2006

So…it’s been a little while since I updated last, and that’s pretty much because there’s not much to update you on! It’s so great to finally have friends returning home…but that only means the summer is coming to an end. Although I’m certainly excited about returning to campus in a few weeks! I hope all of you (Aussies and Seattlites) are doing fabulous and enjoying the remainders of your adventures…I can’t wait to see you all soon! Here’s a few headlines from home:

Weather: Pretty Steamy

I really hope it’s cooler…wherever you are.

(in case you missed that…yes, that is a THREE-digit number for Tuesday.)

....AND Tropical Storm Beryl is brewing off the coast of NC.

So...the highlight of my beach trip would have to be that... we passed the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile on our way there! (it was amazing.)

Ashley is HOME from Argentina…horray!

Another one bites the DUST!
Another mobile unit has been transported from its previous location. I thought they might be leaving their porch behind, but no worries they definitely converted it to a porta-porch.

The owner of Hooters, Robert “Bob” Brooks, 69, passed away Saturday in his Myrtle Beach home. His survivors include his wife, 5 siblings, grandchildren, his son and his daughter, Boni Belle Brooks.

Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock are scheduled to be married by July 29^th. Maybe it’ll last long enough to spot them at future Canes games!

.......Remember these guys?!?

FYI: according to my grandmother, wearing socks with your water shoes decreases your chance of blisters by about 99.3%

OH and if your bun at Bojo’s is too black for your taste…take it back, they do exchanges.

(what IS today's date?)

SOO...

I forgot to mention this, but I've actually left the STATE! (horray for south carolina!) I've been at the beach since Saturday...and will be here for a week...stranded with plenty (7) of children under the age of 10...ahhh vacation. Last night was BINGO night, tonight was tie-dye night, tomorrow night is putt-putt...wish you were here. So I'll be back to updating foreal when I return! See you (ASHLEY!) when I get home! Happy adventures and safe travels to you all! Love you!

July 6, 2006

Learn to Expand your Vocabulary:

New words have recently been added to the dictionary. Now these can't be just any ordinary word, they have to be timeless and something that won't be outta style next week. These new additions include drama queen, soul patch, himbo (think male bimbo), google, mouse potato (an intensive computer user), ringtone, supersize, and forget ‘cheating’ it’s now: polyamory (the state or practice of having more than one open romantic relationship at a time).

Hollywood/ Entertainment:

Pirates of the Caribbean opens tomorrow!

Oh yea...remember when we thought that J-Tim and Cameron had split?? Well looks like they’re back on again, and Justin has a new album in the works.

Grey’s Anatomy is looking at several Emmy nominations, I think about 11 so far.

Other/Random News:

Warning: Mentos + Diet Coke = explosive
(umm...I hope this works?):

Molly and I have been hangin out during the days all summer. We like to take long walks to the park, visit the butterflies at the Museum of Life and Science or hit up the local popsicle store off ninth street. There are some crazy flavors in this place, including white chocolate peanut butter, brownie batter, mango-peach chili, and avocado. Our favorite is by far cookies and cream. Just recently we took a trip to AC Moore and picked out lots of fun things to do, but not before we named just about every colored peice of paper in the store: electric pink, sunshine yellow, bubblegum pink, sunflower yellow...you get the point. Molly is very creative and loves being crafty and if you haven't caught on yet...is very aware of her colors. She frequently corrects me when I use pink as a generic term (it's magenta, etc) who knew!

(...and I didn't even teach her this trick!)

The neighborhood trailer park, across the street from my ‘hood is being re-zoned. Mebane is intending to go in and build multiple Charleston-like cottages and townhomes for decent prices. Thing is they have to get the current landowners to move first. It’s a very gradual process, but so far we’ve seen one mobile unit hauled out. Talk about easy moving, you don’t even have to pack much less use a U-haul, just pick out a nice grassy spot and set ‘er down!

FYI: Junior King is now working at the Mebane Blockbuster.

July 4, 2006

What's up homies?! Yea...so it's been awhile, I've been trying to make up stuff that would make my summer sound half as cool as yours. And guess what, it's not. Don't get me wrong I have desperately enjoyed my summer and lack of responsibilities. Having to set my alarm clock so I don't sleep away 2 meals has had its benefits as well! Although the sights are no where near as interesting as yours, please know that your photos have been the spice of my life. So keep 'em coming! I'll leave you with a few updates from your homeland...America misses you!!

Happy Birthday America!!

your very own virtual cookout...in order to celebrate our country's independence in style

Also today, America lit the largest firework of all, launching the space shuttle Discovery off to greet a few aliens and some stranded Star Trekkers.


Weather:
This week has managed to be the hottest of the whole summer, with highs in the mid-90's. Here I was wondering if it would ever stop raining and we'd get to see WARMER temperatures...I seriously regret that now.


Sports:
Honestly, I don't really know.
Most of the hit sports have ended, so that leaves what...racing? All I've got for you is random player tradings in the hockey department, which is gearing up to begin again in a few months. Some dude from Belgium is currently dominating the Tour de France now minus Lance Armstrong. And apparently this is not our year for tennis. (Ashley, proof that America has clearly suffered without our skills...no matter what Coach Kovell gave us in class)

Other Stuff:

My cousin, Emme, is the next big thing people...look for her on Broadway!
Participating in her (the one in the center) first ballet

As a new advertising campaign, Cartoon network is using billboards to spread the word. I think it's working because these things are pooping up everywhere and people are talking. Other slogans include: "Pretty, pretty, shiny, shiny" "My girlfriend dumped me" and "I have a meat forehead" (note to self- find an 8yr old and ask him what this means?)

...this one is my favorite.

The 326 Reunion happened last night!!! YAY!! After 6 weeks I finally got to hang out with my roomate! We spent plenty of time catching up, telling fun stories and sharing beautiful pictures...(yes, I lied, I didn't participate much but I had a BLAST listening to her stories and looking at all 200 of her pictures!) =) We headed into B-town to catch their firework display and then drooled over James Franco (in Annapolis) and Mrs. Stirckland's chocolate chess pie...in this situation, the pie totally won.

Mebane held it's own tonight with a crazy fireworks display. It was a pretty bangin' (literally) 25min. display of colorful luminescence. I felt like the Mebane Arts & Community Center had moved into my backyard, seriously we live a good 3 and a half neighborhoods away and I could still hear the music they were playing, inside my house. Sorry Burlington, but we dominated your fireworks this year.

FYI: There is now a Mad Gab Bible Edition.

example- Day Leo Fur Rings. (highlight this with your cursor if you give up: daily offerings)

June 27, 2006

Wish Upon a Star:

While watching The View this morning, Star Jones Reynolds announced that she will be leaving the View. This came as a surprise to the audience, viewers and all of her co-anchors as well. She stated on the show, “I’m not sure what the future holds, but I’m absolutely sure Who holds the future.” She will be leaving mid-july, a few months before Rosie O’Donnell begins filling in for Meredith Vieira Sept. 5th. There is no word yet if Star will be replaced, and there is rumor that she may possibly be starting her own talk show.

Baby Blues:
When will we see baby Suri? The question has come up quite frequently as it’s been almost 3 months since her birth. Tom Cruise is waiting for the highest bidder to purchase a photo of his daughter, but so far that’s only been 3 mil. Brangelina’s baby Shiloh got 4 mil. (which was donated to African charities) so of course, 3 mil. isn’t quite enough for Tom.

Patsy Ramsey, mother of JonBenet Ramsey, dies at age 49 of a recurrence of ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed in 1993, and became a popular media figure after the 1996 slaying of her six year-old beauty pageant daughter, JonBenet. Patsy found a ransom note on their back staircase Dec. 26, 1996 and her husband John found his daughter dead in their basement 8 hours later. The case remains unsolved, but suspiscions are flying again with Patsy’s death.

Kevin Richardson says bye-bye-bye (sorta) to the Backstreet Boys... And they were still together?!

BLACK is the new Blonde?

....Britney thinks YES.

On a HAPPIER note:

The Kidman-Urban wedding, appeared to have gone without a glitch! The couple is now off honeymooning in the South Pacific at an exclusive resort.

I didn't have to report for Jury Duty today, PTL!! (sorry Ashley...)

But while the jury was out, clearly the Fashion Police have been on the prowl. Jude Law and Lindsay Lohan have been CAUGHT. Their bond has yet to be determined.

FYI: The President has an IPOD.

I hope you all are fabulous and enjoyed your weekend full of travels!! North Carolina misses you...and so do I!! Thanks for all the updates on your adventures, stay safe and have a blast!

Count Down until Meredith returns from Italy/Switzerland: T-minus 4 days!

June 22, 2006

Happy Birthday

Lauree!!

Wedding Bells:
So, the story goes...Keith and Nicole are planning to marry this Sunday in Syndney, Australia. Melissa and Hayley, you should probably consider it a field trip!


Heatbreak Hotel:
J-Timberlake and Cam-Diaz have split. J-Tim supposedly claimed he just wanted to be single for awhile.

Baby Rumors:
More Reese/Ryan babies coming our way?!? The jury is still out on that one...it appeared that way, but now Reese is suing a tabloid for claiming that she was pregnant. So maybe not.


Speaking of 'jury'...I have jury duty on Tuesday. ew. no worries though Ashley, I'll fill you in on that one.

FYI: According to a recent KLOVE broadcast, reports are in, the most courteous city in WORLD, not just the United States is...New York City.

Well I'm off to the lake for the weekend (gettin' out of the county, watch yoself!)... just another family reunion. So here's hoping that my mom's cousin shows up in his 'jorts'. (he wears them every year, cut-off jean shorts, no need to bring a swimsuit, just jump right in they dry out. eventually.) mmkay, nothing really to report here, but i hope you all are well, I miss you all and can't wait to see you soon! Until our next updates...peace out homies!

June 20, 2006

Canes take the Cup!!!

Stanley is in the HOUSE...and will be hanging out in North Carolina for the next oh...year. The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-1 in game 7 on Monday night. Several festivities are planned to celebrate in Raleigh, including a parade around the RBC center tonight with live music and presentations (and a chance to meet the players, hellooo Cam Ward), plus a parade Wednesday afternoon starting at St. Mary's school and heading downtown on Hillsborough Street. You should really try to make it out. They're even passing out foam hockey pucks. I also hear (from a very reliable source in Seattle) that the Canes players will finally shave their superstitious facial growth, and collectively place it in a 'pillow' to auction off for charity. scratchy. Mike Commodore's mop will also be donated, and he is allowing the highest bidders the opportunity to actually CUT his hair. So vote now. Well that's about all the caniac-ness you'll be getting from me...well until the season starts back up again (in about 46 days). Season tickets anyone??


Soo....that's about all the CRUCIAL news for now...more later kids!

June 18, 2006

Where’s Waldo this week?!

(behind the older lady in the beautiful fushia top & skirt)

How about they now have an interactive Where’s Waldo game, with the whole point and click deal. What happened to the books?!

So while you all are off traveling the world, you can count on me to be in one trusty location! Know that I am praying for you all and completely jealous and amazed by all of YOUR stories and travels! Not too much to report on, but here’s an little more of what you’ve been missing from the dirty south!

Beauty Roles:
Ashlee, attempting to look more like big sis, Jessica:

According to US weekly, Ashlee has had a nose job, jaw softening and lip plumping, along with using the same hair stylist as her sister, all to appear more like her...watch out Nick??

Babies R Us
Matt Damon and his wife Luciana gave birth to their first baby girl, Isabella last Sunday in Miami.

Britney Spears is reportedly contemplating having her next birth in Namibia. This is after Angelina and Brad returned from Namibia with their baby Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt. According to People magazine, Shiloh was born at the Cottage Hospital in Swakopmund, Namibia:

Recent photo of the new daddy and Shiloh:

Sports: The Canes aren’t able to “Ward” off the Oilers yet

The Carolina Hurricanes suffered a tough blow Saturday night in game 6 at Edmonton. Carolina lost 0-4 to the Oilers. Carolina’s center, Doug Weight viewed the game from a box seat, after an injury in game 5, but they saw a return to the ice of one of their leading scorer’s Erik Cole(26) after a neck injury in March. The teams are tied at 3 games each, and the Canes are hoping for an end in their favor, back home, with the Stanley cup Monday night in game 7.

Some crazy caniacs…I think they’re from Argentina, Ashley maybe you’ve seen them?

Family news:

Mom is back from Mexico and this is my souvenir:

…maybe they have these in YOUR country?

SO...I ran into grandpa at the mall in Burlington the other day. He was walking laps waving at random children with his new addition: a cane. I asked him why he was using a cane he claimed it was for balance. He proceeded to tell me all about his recent BINGO activities and swim lessons at 6am. He then described to me that he saw a man in the middle of Chick-Fil-A with his computer (he didn’t know there were such things as ‘laptops’) and how was it possible that he wasn’t dropping his crumbs into his computer. So anyway, after running into grandpa I decided to take advantage of the Belk’s Father’s day sale and purchased a few necessary items (too bad Old Navy, Target and Michael’s weren’t having a father’s day sale as well.)

And the winner is...
Supposedly the 101 million dollar power ball lottery was won by someone from North Carolina. Maybe it was your mom?

Fill-er-up...

RIIIGHT….but gas prices are down slightly at $2.67 a gallon(at Sheetz in Mebane).

Now Playing at Graham Cinema: Failure to Launch ($2)

FYI: The mayor of Mebane is Glendel Stephenson (we learned this in 3^rd grade) isn’t he cute??

Ok so nothing exciting…I know, but remember where I am, and I’ll get back to you on that one! I love you all and happy travels!!

June 16, 2006

Hello all my abroad and Seattle friends!! I’m counting the days until each of you return! I miss you and love you all greatly, and have so much fun reading about your adventures and discoveries in your respective countries! So, in order to keep my sanity (since I haven't left the country, much less the county) I have created a blog to keep you all updated on what's going on in America...in case you haven’t heard. So here's what's up so far:

A defiant Britney Spears takes on the tabloids:

Britney, did an interview on Dateline NBC, that aired last night. She tried claiming all the tabloid stories were wrong: she and Kevin are fine, she’s doing her best to be a good mom, and she is NOT a redneck.?? I think more people would have taken her seriously if she wasn’t chomping out some gum, had taken time to brush her hair and tuck in her “treasures”, especially since she is like 6 months pregnant!

Watch-out McDreamy, here comes McDaddy!

So, I was reading the newspaper, well the magazine that comes in the middle of the newspaper, and this was the top story. So Chris O’Donnell you know, the hot new vet, Finn, that Meredith is dating on Grey’s?! Yep, so he’s got 4 kids (the youngest, Finley, is 3mos.) I mean naming his son after his character, how cute is that!! What an absolutely adorable story, his wife was a kindergarten teacher, and they take all the kids to church and bribe them with a doughnut afterwards if they’re quiet. Talk about melting your heart.

Weather: Sunny Skies for Father’s Day

Now that we’ve gotten enough rain to last us awhile…things are warming up and looking clear for the next few days! I hope all of your daddies aren’t missing their daughters too much, and get the chance to enjoy their Father’s Day! Praise the Lord that He has shown us a glimpse of His love for us through our wonderful earthly fathers!!

Compliments of Hurricane Alberto

Alberto came through Wednesday, dropping an average of 5-6 inches of rain in the triangle. Several major roads were closed because of flooding. Ashley and Melissa, you could have practiced those mad canoeing skills! There was also flooding in several other surrounding counties. Crabtree creek decided to become a LAKE, flooding out the mall. The mall closed at noon Wednesday, but reopened noon Thursday, however several stores remain closed due to water damage. Good thing Hello Kitty lives on the second floor!

Lower level parking garage

Gas Station on corner of Glenwood & Leadmine

You know, the road behind the mall that we take to get to the food court.

Sports: Strong Hurricanes headed towards Alberta

The Carolina Hurricanes, weren’t able to close out the Edmonton Oilers in game 5 Wednesday night. The Canes lost in overtime 3-4. The Oilers, intercepted a pass during our power play and scored the winning goal. The Canes arrived at their hotel in Edmonton this morning, and are hoping to settle the series in game 6 Saturday night, and bring Stanley home to Raleigh!

Cam, the man, denies a goal in the third period.

FYI: Did you know that you can buy a 4-pack of seasoned salt from Bojangles' website?

Okay so hopefully, if you weren’t, now you’re caught up on the American headlines, and I’ll leave you with some parting thoughts and…

Visions of home…

…only 2 more months and we’ll be back…

…to get CRUNKED about our…

…YAY!!!