20 Questions: Take 1

I've gained quite a few followers in the past week or so, and I thought it would be fun to share some things about me. Now that you know I'm a violinist.

I found these questions in a magazine about Greenville, and I thought they were fun.

***

What one thing really makes your day?

I always smile when I get a sweet text from Daniel.

Is your desk messy or neat?

It's messy at the moment, but usually I'm very neat.

What was your first job?

I'm looking for it.

What is your pet peeve?

Besides people invading my personal space, it annoys me when people don't know how to drive. That's pretty much the entire population of Greenville.

What is your favorite thing about Greenville?

I love that it's close to the mountains and only a short drive to the beach. I also love that it has the cultural appeal of a big city yet still retains a lovely small-town charm.

What was your first car?

A mauve 1995 Toyota Camry.

What is your favorite comfort food?

Macaroni and cheese. And chocolate, of course.

What is your idea of a dream vacation?

Well, if we're talking about a location I've never been to, I would love to relax by the blue waters of Santorini, Greece. But London will always hold a special place in my heart.

What store would you choose to max out your credit card?

J. Crew. Or Banana Republic.

What is your favorite thing to cook?

Chicken and snow pea pasta.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Music, of course. And English.

What advice would you give a student just starting out?

Do what you love!

Do you prefer the mountains or the beach?

Mountains!

Have you ever met a famous person? Who?

I've met lots of famous classical musicians including Arnold Steinhardt and Lynn Harrell.

If you could invite five people, living or dead, to dinner, who would you invite?

Jane Austen, Itzhak Perlman, Elizabeth I, Johannes Brahms, and Abraham Lincoln

What is the best gift you have ever received?

An education!

What makes you laugh?

My friends.

What chore do you really hate to do?

Wash the dishes.

What do you like to do on your day off?

Curl up in a comfy chair and read. Watch movies. Craft.

I can't live without my...what?
Computer. Sad, I know.

If you want to find out my favorite things about summer time head on over to Maegan's blog, Chesterrific, where I'm being featured today!



What I Do When I'm Not Blogging

If you're new around here, you probably don't know that I'm a violinist.

I just finished my Masters Degree in violin, and I'm now looking for jobs as a strings teacher in the public schools...with no luck yet.

Anyhow, before graduation I had to give an hour long solo recital. Just me. 60 minutes. I enjoyed it, but I was also really glad when it was over!

I was, however, in love with my recital dress!

(It was my younger sister's last prom dress, and I stole it from her...)

The best part of a recital (besides playing beautiful music, of course)? Enjoying the reception!

Afterwards, Daniel, my friend Stephanie, my sister Elizabeth, and I went to Stellar, a wine bar in downtown Greenville, and enjoyed drinks and dark chocolate fondue!

:)

Greenville Is Awesome

After graduation my mom and I headed to downtown Greenville for Artisphere, an annual art and music festival. It was so fun to walk down Main Street, gazing at different booths and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Afterwards, we headed up to Coffee Underground for some iced coffees.

I know in this picture it looks like I chopped off my hair, but it's just behind my shoulders. Part of me wants to cut it, but part of me loves my long hair.

What do you think?

Dear Daniel

*Warning: Please excuse the extreme mushyness ahead.*

;)

Dear Daniel,

I know it's only been about four months since we started dating, but I feel like I have spent some of the best moments of my life with you.

The long awkward silence when we met for the first time...but then we ended up talking for hours for the rest of the weekend.

You sending me "snow" for my birthday.

Ice skating by The Bean in Millennium Park in Chicago.

Seeing Chicago and kissing you from the top of the John Hancock Building.

You teaching me how to make latte art and the giggles that ensued.

You waiting for me and hugging me at the end of my first half marathon.

Stuffing our faces at Paula Deen's Restaurant on Valentine's Day.

Sharing my favorite coffee shop, Coffee Underground, with you.

(Coffee Underground)

Sitting in a swing by the Reedy River and talking about the future.

Watching the sunset from Caesar's Head.

Dancing with you at your cousin's wedding in Charleston.

Still getting butterflies when I look at you...

Thanks for sharing in our adventures! It's been a wonderful journey so far!

I love you.

Adventures in the South: Part Four

After all of our traveling, Daniel and I spent a few days at home in Greenville, and he got to meet my parents and sister. We took him out for some good ol' southern barbeque.

I also took him up to Caesar's Head, which has some spectacular views of upstate South Carolina.

We hiked down to this viewpoint and watched the sunset.

We then walked back through huge rocks to a higher viewpoint.

A gorgeous sunset over the mountains...

The next day, it was time for Daniel to go, and I really miss having him here in the south with me!



13.1 {Miles That Is}

This is a long post. I warned you.

But this is also a post of which I am extremely proud.

I finished a half marathon. 13.1 miles.

(And there was no death. Or throwing up.)

To see why I did this, besides being completely crazy, read this post about Beth.

Daniel and I went to the Expo the day before the race before we headed to St. Augustine. I signed a large board with a note to Beth. These boards were later placed along Memorial Mile on the beach.

I chose the Inspire board because Beth was and always will be a huge inspiration in my life.

Here I am getting in line and trying to warm up. It was freezing and super early, but I was ready to help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer and to celebrate the life of an extraordinary woman.

The start line was full of excitement, with music to get us going, pink confetti flying everywhere, and over 10,000 runners!

This is a solid wall of people heading up and over the bridge...

Mile 2 took us over the Intracoastal Waterway - with the sun just rising and some stunning views.

Around Mile 5, we headed onto Jacksonville Beach for the Memorial Mile.

Mile 7 - over halfway there!

Mile 12. Evil. Evil. Hill.

I felt like dying or asking for a bike by this point, but I kept plugging along.

And here I am crossing the finish line! Daniel was waiting for me at the end to take pictures and give me a hug! It's such an exhilarating feeling to cross the finish line of a race!

I've thanked Daniel many times, but I don't think I can thank him enough for supporting me on this special and meaningful day!

According to Daniel, this is my best man pose yet.

Beth was with me the whole way.

This is my beautiful finishers' medal!

Daniel and I got to stay with a friend of mine on Amelia Island for the weekend, and on the day after the race, we got up early to go to the beach. Beth loved this beach, and I'm glad we got to go for a bit.

We then stopped in Savannah again on our way back to Greenville.

More on that later.

;)