a summer to remember-

Let me start by saying YES, I am aware that it is November. I have not posted anything in 2 years though and have decided to start blogging again. YAY. So before I can get into my new life here in California I must make a post dedicated to my very last summer in Knoxville, Tennessee.

>>>>>>>>> I think I can say looking back this was the best summer I have had so far. I graduated college, celebrated my 22nd birthday, was the maid of honor in one of my best friend's weddings, went on a cruise to the Carribbean, and spent a whole lot of time with friends and family before moving to Los Angeles in August. This was to say the least a summer I couldnt forget if I tried. Whether I was in a cabin trying to stop my best friend from crying (of happiness) the moment she woke up on her wedding day or laughing my head off on the cruise discussing what we would do if we were attacked by a shark (obviously scramble their gills.) I still remember when the summer was coming to close and I could not get it out of my mind that I was going to be leaving so soon. Its all I thought about, talked about, and mostly- worried about. Saying goodbyes were the worst. I am so thankful I will have these memories to look back on, what a perfect Tennessee summer.

 

Fall Television Preview

Its Fall and that means all of our favorite television shows return!! Gossip girl has already premiered and next week 8/20 to 8/24 is full of premieres. Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family, and Glee are all coming back for an all new drama filled season. And how perfect that there all on different days of the week..

Glee, Tuesdays 9/8c fox

So the season finale ended with New Directions going to regionals and losing. Quinn has her baby and gives her away and Rachel and Finn are going strong. The new season is all about competing at Nationals in New York City. So we know that it will be big with lots of new music numbers and big guest stars. Including Britney Spears and Javier Bardeum. It also looks like there will be alot of relationship changes…perhaps Finn and Quinn back together..what about Rachel, we'll see!

Grey's Anatomy, Thursdays 9/8c abc

Well the chilling season finale of Grey's was intense to say the least. That is one episode I only wanted to watch once! But this season looks to have a happier beginning with Christina and Owen getting married, yay and Derek stepping down from Chief to be a surgeon again (good move). But we still have some unanswered questions that hopefully this season will reveal. Will Meredith get pregnant again? Whats up with Callie and Arizona? and what traumatic event will happen this season? stay tuned...

Modern Family Wednesdays 9/8c abc

The Emmy award winning comedy is back and has become one of my favorite shows. Everyone I know that has watched an episode finds it extremely funny no matter what your since of humor is! These 3 very different families all come together to bring big laughs! Watch a sneak peek of the new season here...

Gossip Girl Monday 9/8c the cw

XOXO. Gossip Girl is back and this time begins in Paris!! The season opener began with no one having talked to or even seen Chuck the past couple of months and Blair and Serena living it up in Pari. In the last couple minutes of the episode we see Chuck with an unknown woman and seeming not to have much memory. So what will happen this Monday? Well it looks like B and Chuck are in for a reunion and as for Dan… looks like Georgina is leaving him with the baby. (Maybe he shouldn't of gone on and signed that birth certificate..O well)

and now its September...

WOW. so that was quite a break I took from blogging. I think the reasons for this were between moving back to Knoxville, starting classes, recruitment craziness, and probably 100 other things. But now the school year has started and I am back and ready! I don't even know where to start I feel like I have so much to say and catch up on…

how about where we are right now…FALL. my fave time of the year.

FOOTBALL>>>So Tennessee is 1-1 right now. and last week's game against Oregon was pretty upsetting. not to mention we had a downright hurricane in the middle of the game. not fun that is soo not football weather. This week we play Florida so I'm super excited and… scared. Maybe we can pull out a win, that would be soo magical. But on a happier note Titans won on Sunday. I really want to go to a game this season, that would be a delight.

STARBUCKS>>> Pumpkin spice lattes are back and I can finally enjoy hot drinks again! I love this time of year cause I'm not sweating in my non a/c car trying to enjoy a hot drink! Seriously it is kind of sad how happy a cup of coffee at Starbucks can make me.

WEATHER>>> I don't about the rest of ya, but I'm so ready for fall weather. This humid sticky summer weather was getting pretty miserable. So not the trees are changing colors and there is a breeze in the air. I recently went to a girl that I cheered with in high school's wedding. It was beautiful and whenever I get married ( a long while don't worry), I def would love a fall outdoor wedding!

Beach by day City by night

Saturday we woke up had a big breakfast and went kayaking on the lake. This was my first time to kayak and we were in a double so I actually had to help paddle around. We got out only once and I literally felt like I had hypothermia the water was SO cold. After our outdoorsy adventure we got ready and all 4 headed to the city!

We ate some famous Chicago deep-dish pizza for the very 1st time and it was delicious! We saw Millenium Park (coolest architecture ever). then we shopped around and went to the American Girl store which was huge and even though I would have been wayyy more excited to go there 10 years ago, I'm glad I finally got to see it and we even picked out a bity baby boy for Jack!

Finally we ended the night with the Blue Man Group show. IT WAS AMAZING!! I would encourage everyone if your ever in the city to go see it. It was so different than anything I had seem before and was so entertaining.

this is in the lobby of the theater

Chicago Day 1

I recently went to Chicago for the weekend to see my aunt and uncle and visit the city. Alex came along too and we were super excited to take a long road trip together up north. After driving all night long to get there ( and when I say that I mean him driving all night :) ) we were both exhausted and even had a few outbursts at the GPS (that seriously needs to be updated.)

The next day we were up and ready to head to downtown Chicago. We took the train in from Lake Bluff to Chicago and I must admit, I kind of felt like I was headed to Hogwarts! It was our first ride on a train. When we got downtown we took a water taxi to Navy Pier where we ate lunch and walked around the area. It was very touristy but fun! After that we just walked down the Magnificent Mile and got to see all the buildings and amazing architecture. We headed back to my Aunt's house on the train and had a big dinner; then we all walked down to the beach. It was a fantastic day!

Lake Michigan

goodbye california...

We finally decided on Newport Beach for the 4th. It was pretty fun walking around seeing so many young people and being on the beach but the parking was so awful and we ended up being worn out from the sun and walking forever. We headed back towardsLA for the night and ended up watching fireworks from downtown LA in a sweet penthouse. So it all worked out!

Monday it was time for me to head back to reality. We did some souvenir shopping at universal then ate my last meal at In-N-Out Burgers. I am not a big fast food burger fan at all but this was to die for. Super fattening but sooo delicious and worth it. I have to admit

it's probably better this chain is not in Tennessee.

So overall my 1st trip to California was AMAZING and I definitely want to go back. The beaches are beautiful, the weather is perfect, and the shopping is to die for. I did learn some helpful things though to remember next time I'm out there or for anyone taking a trip there soon...

1. plan for traffic. always.
2. get your parking validated if possible; it could save you $10
3. fly into Burbank not LAX. Burbank is so much smaller and I could get there 40 min before my flight and had plenty of time
4. pack light! or else your suitcase will be overflowing onto your friend's small floor space
5. have a gps or if not a VERY good sense of direction
6. don't ask for queso at the mexican places
7. send your postcards the 1st day you get there. they take forever to make it across the country

that is all for now :)

forever young

Thursday was brunch at Le Pain on Melrose, I got the ham and cheese omelet and it was the best I've ever had! We shopped a little more and ran errands. No celebrity sightings of course :( I came to the conclusion that you have to stop looking for them in order t

o see one... That night we went to the Universal City Walk for dinner. It was a fun place with cool shops and restaurants.

We decided on Mexican but were disappointed to find out the West coast does not have queso dip!! Its true! When I asked the waiter said, "Um no what are you from Texas?!" "Um no Tennessee actually", I replied. Sheesh! Well after our Mexican dinner (with no cheese dip and chips) we saw Toy Story 3. It definitely lived up to the 1st two movies! I just love

Pixar :)

The next day it was to Santa Monica for the day to hit the beach. We thought we were going to have the entire day to spend under the sun since we left her apartment by noon. It took us almost 2 hours to get to the beach because their was so much traffic! (note: leave earlier than anticipated always! you will hit traffic. always!) Once we finally got their we both took snoozesand got a little sun. We had lunch at The Lobster and headed back towards LA.

Hot LA dining spot, Ketchup, is where we had dinner then headed to Voyuer. This is where Lindsay Lohan was spotted the night before we were there punching a waitress. Of course she wasn't back the next night haha. We had the best time though!!