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!

:)

I Think It's Odd That Kansas City Is In Two States

Back in March, I traveled to Kansas City for the first time.

(Yes, I know this post is long overdue.)

I went for a few days for the American String Teachers' Association National Conference. (Say that really fast.) The conference is always a fantastic time to catch up with friends who are now spread out across the country and gain extremely valuable string teaching skills and ideas.

It's also a fun time to explore new cities. The conference last year was held in Santa Clara, California, and I had the opportunity to visit San Francisco and the west coast for the first time. The day we got there a friend and I checked out the Power and Light district with its cute coffee shops and adorable boutiques. (Yes, I did a little shopping. Oops!)

Our trip coincided with St. Patrick's Day, so we found an Irish Pub that night in the Power and Light district. I, of course, ordered fish and chips and a Guinness. It was all delicious!

On the way back to our hotel, we stopped in a huge grocery store, and I of course managed to find the bakery. And a very large selection of chocolates. And if you know me at all, you know that I purchased one (ahem, quite of few) of these...

Now, knowing that Sandy of Sandy a la Mode lives in Kansas City, I asked her for some suggestions for places to eat. She suggested Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue. So we all piled in a cab and made our way there. Y'all. It's basically in a gas station. So when we drove up I was a little apprehensive. Surely Sandy wouldn't steer us wrong, right?

We go inside, however, and I run into this sign.

Ok. Good. In the end it was some of the best barbecue I've ever had in my life. You can see that by the time we left, the line was out the door!

So yummy!

Adventures in the South: Part One

A few weeks ago, Daniel came to visit and traveled with me to my half marathon in Jacksonville.

After a performance with the Augusta Symphony, we stopped in Savannah on the way down. I had never been to Savannah and was really excited to explore!

There was the obligatory stop at Waffle House. Yes, I ate all of that. Don't judge.

(I was following the advice to up my carb intake before the race very seriously...)

Our first stop in Savannah was pizza at Vinnie Van Go Go's, which was recommended to me by Lindsay of Paint Me a Picture. Thanks for the awesome suggestion Lindsay! As you can tell from the picture below of me stuffing my face, we really enjoyed it!

We then explored the City Market and meandered in and out of several candy shops, munching on free praline samples.

I kindly offered to taste test this vat of chocolate, but the shop owners turned me down.

On River Street, we strolled along, peeking into shops and admiring the huge riverboats.

We bought some chocolate in one candy shop and decided to make our own chocolate and beer pairing at the pub next door. It's not as weird as it sounds my friends - it was actually quite good!

Our pairing? Butterfinger bark with Black and Tans.



Cutest picture ever?

We took a ride on the ferry at sunset and watched a gigantic ship go by.

The night ended with fish and chips, Shepherd's pie, and drinks at an Irish pub with a gorgeous view of the river and live Irish music. It was so nice to relax, listen to music, and enjoy each other's company!

:)

Chicago, Chicago!

During my trip to Milwaukee, Daniel and I drove down to Chicago to spend a day exploring with my aunt and cousin.

We met them in Millennium Park and went ice skating!

(I am not the best ice skater by any means. Daniel had to drag me away from the wall. I consider it a successful outing if I don't do a face plant.)

Daniel's "Man Pose" on ice...

...and by The Bean.

We all tried the Man Pose...and I ended up giggling.



I think this picture from Giordano's needs little explanation other than yummy.

This picture from the Hershey's store needs no explanation at all.

We waited until after dark to visit the observatory of the John Hancock building, and the views were gorgeous!

I'm pretty sure I have a sixth sense when it comes to finding H&M stores, and I just have to go in when I find one because we don't have one in Greenville. So there it was - on the Magnificent Mile - calling my name. Cue my "I'm-really-sorry-you-have-to-go-shopping-but-we're-going-in face" to Daniel, and a happy hour was spent buying a cozy sweater and pretty dress while the boys tried on goofy hats.

And apparently Daniel has a modeling career in his future. Pretty good, no? ;)

We later went on a carriage ride!

Ahh, the perfect ending to a very lovely day!

:)

Five Etsy Favorites

Well, I only had five Etsy favorites lined up for today until I opened the front page a few minutes ago and saw these:

(bestbrownie)

Oh man.

Anyhow, on to my other five favorites.

(rarrarpress)

I love this postcard! It would be a perfect note to anyone you miss!

And it's adorable.

(tortillagirl)

Do you like lace as much as I do?

(EricaLeaPhotography)

Reading is one of my favorite things to do so this print definitely makes me happy.

(jjewelry1)

I really want one of these when I finish my marathon!

(If I don't die, that is.)

I also want one of those fun stickers for my car that says 26.2.

(kelseygenna)

This dress is such a lovely shade of mint green, and I love the rosettes on the front.

Too bad I can't afford it. Maybe I'll learn how to make my own one day.

Ok, so now I have to admit something. I was rather upset this morning after a long rehearsal at school, and I let out my frustrations at Hobby Lobby on the way home. It probably wasn't the best idea - kind of like going to the grocery store when you're hungry. I would show you a picture of everything I bought, but it's a bit embarrassing. At least they were having a sale? That's an excuse - right?

I am excited, though, about all the new projects I'll have time to make over Thanksgiving break!

:)