About my life right now. Really, I don’t have time to write this, but I know that if I don’t do it now, it’ll never happen at all. Over lunch today I told a friend that I need some employers or servants to help me get all of my stuff done these next couple of months. That’s what professors do; they have the department hire grad students to write their lit reviews, collect their data, and help them with other parts of the research process. So what if I only have a high school degree–my work load right now probably rivals that of someone with a Ph.D. But I’m not complaining. Although I’m a little nervous about getting everything done, I love staying busy. Keeps me sleeping at night.
About my trip. This past weekend I went to two new states that I can now add to my states list (one of my life goals is to visit all 50): Alabama and Georgia. The land over there is incredibly beautiful. Really similar to NW Arkansas but…I don’t know…I just felt like the trees, which are super tall, were closer to the road as if they were lining it. I’m a big nature person (minus the getting dirty part), so that’s why I was in such awe of the scenery.
Atlanta was amazing. I know, I was only there for a few hours one evening, but from what I saw–and I saw a lot–I could say that it would probably be my second-choice urban place to live (after Tulsa) if I had to live or work in a big city. The traffic wasn’t too bad, the city was fairly clean, and I really liked the downtown area. Josh took me to this really snazzy restaurant called the Sundial. It rests atop a huge skyscraper, and I imagine that it’s pretty similar to the one in OKC, but I can’t say for sure because I haven’t been to that one. Anyway, after eating we went to the Centennial Olympic Park, which was so neat! It was dark outside by that time, and there was a fountain show in the shape of the Olympic ring symbol. The whole Atlanta experience was great.
Then I spent the rest of my time–except for a trip to the southern tip of the Appalachian Mountains–in Athens, where the University of Georgia is located. I didn’t get to see much of the actual city, but I spent some time on the campus. The two major differences b/w (man, I’m lazy) UGA and the UofA are that 1.) UGA’s campus is SO big and spread out! and 2.) their Ramsey Center stomps our HPER (the fitness facility). I was expecting a small culture difference, but the Georgians with whom I came in contact basically talked and acted the same way that we do here. I’m told that this isn’t consistent across the whole state of Georgia, though.
Hmmm…a couple of other highlights really quickly because I’m missing the presidential debate at the moment: Got to see the Ladyback volleyball team play Georgia. What a coincidence, right? One of my friends is the manager of our volleyball team, so I got to chat with her at halftime. It’s so weird because we’re both so busy that we don’t get to hang out in Fayetteville, but we have catch-up time in random Athens.
The downtown Athens area was so cute. It’s a lot like
our Dickson Street, which yes, is party central and totally not my scene, but it had some quaint little shops and restaurants. As we walked past one store, I saw a cat in the window, and of course I went crazy. haha. It was the ugliest thing, but it had the sweetest demeanor. Kinda blends in with the surroundings.
I need to save some of my writing juices for a paper about career choices, so my vacation report has to end here. Let’s just say that I had such a great time that I didn’t really want to come back. I love traveling and witnessing God’s handiwork in other parts of the country and world. I feel so blessed to have been able to take a trip like that at a time when money is getting tight for many people.
Here’s my new desktop background. I didn’t get to bring my flowers home, but I still showed all of my friends the picture on my computer! haha. Thanks Josh!
