grateful

Having a positive outlook in life is really important to me, I think this stems from the fact that I am not positive by nature (are there people genuinely like that?). My first thoughts often stray to the negative and sarcastic which is not attractive on anyone. Since positive thinking doesn't come all that instinctively to me I have to practice it. I am a firm believer in practicing personality traits that don't come easily to you, "fake it til' you make it." There are always things to be positive about and to be grateful for. 

This week I am grateful for...

 1. Meeting with an academic advisor that is willing to fight for me -- she is trying to figure out why my Geology class and Stats class didn't transfer and I love her for it. 

 2. Getting into classes that a) are part of my major and b) are interesting

 3. Mapping out the path to graduate by Spring 2012! (cross your fingers, pray for me, good thoughts... any and all would be appreciated) It will be a crazy ride but I am hoping to knock it out :) wish me luck. 
4. Having a husband who has an active interest in my education and who believes in my ability to accomplish this task in the time we have here. 

  5. My super funny professor for my Sea in History class -- maritime history -- he was cracking me up! 

and last but certainly not least

  6. the snow has melted!!!

Bonus for you: 

My new id. I am legitimately a UNCW student and yes, my bangs are practically covering my entire face, my hair grows so fast! But as far as id's go this one is okay, right?

Airports

I like airports, here's why: 1) it means you are going somewhere. I LOVE to travel. I wish I could travel all the time and everywhere, 2) you get to drink pretty much anytime. No one is going to judge you -- they don't know the hell you've been through, you could have been flying for 10 hours, stranded in an airport for 5 and just want to get home (that did not happen to me), THEY DON'T KNOW, ergo, no judgement, and 3) people watching is lush. I love to people watch -- so far watching hasn't been too interesting but I'll let you know what comes up. The only thing that sucks about this airport is that Dan isn't here with me -- he has already become number one travel buddy (he was a shoe-in for the position). At the risk of sounding like the person Lewis CK is talking about, the only frustrating thing about travel is that it can be a long process and it's completely out of your control. Being the one-car family that we are we decided that I would take the bus from Wilmington to Raleigh, the local transit in Raleigh to RDU, and then take the planes to Chicago and then on to California, easy plan, right? Well, we started off looking strong, woke up early, said goodbye at 7am in the bus depot, Dan headed to work and I sat waiting for my 8 o'clock bus. Then the 8 o'clock bus turned into an 8:30 o'clock bus because the bus had to "regenerate." I don't know what that means but it takes roughly a half hour. No big deal, slight delay -- head out at 8:30-ish. Before the next stop the problem starts again -- stop the bus, "regenerate" -- another 30 minutes. I didn't care too much since I had given myself plenty of time to get to Raleigh and when the bus driver said, "If you have a computer, we have wi-fi," I was pretty excited -- what better way to waste 3 hours on a bus? And then it doesn't work. (I know, "How quickly the world owes you something you knew existed only ten seconds ago." I know!) But really, I don't need wi-fi on my buses and planes. I did fine without them before -- but when my hopes are lifted in the anticipation of distraction from lame scenery and car sickness and then dashed because it's not actually available... I don't know, I'm starting to understand the sentiment. Other than that, the trip has been good thus far and I am so grateful and blessed to go to California -- I cannot wait to see my family! 

The South

Here are a few things I've learned so far while living in The South.


1.) Foods that were healthy at one point, lose all nutritional value once added to a southern dish, for example, Broccoli au Gratin (which is really just a fancy way of saying broccoli with lots cheese on it).
2.) Shoppers at work answer any question I ask them with "ma'am," I'm 22, when did I become a ma'am?
3.) When listening to a sermon at church you may experience a rousing, three minute long round of applause when the pastor makes a point that everyone is apparently really excited about (it was a really great point but I was just getting used to the "Amens!" that normally are associated with southern churches).
4.) It is completely normal for businesses to be closed on Sundays all over town, leading to Dan and I driving all over town trying to find a gas station that has no theological affiliation.


So far the south is yummy, polite, and encouraging, and closed when you just want them to be open (well you can't win them all.)