Alpha Gam Always

Today is Day 1 of Sorority Recruitment at the University of Kentucky.  I remember that jam-packed, overwhelming day like it was yesterday.  But it's been slightly longer than just a few days or few years since I experienced that pivotal moment.  In fact, it's been a decade.  Ten years, folks.  Ten. Whole. Years. since I woke up for my first morning living on Big Blue Nation's campus. 

I simply can't believe how fast the time has flown.  The memories made.  The season of life has come and gone, yet leaves many fond memories, cherished forever friendships, life lessons learned, and t-shirts.....yes, many many t-shirts.  Many of which I have hung on to because I simply can't let them go - after all, they were the staple of my college wardrobe.

Not only does the realization of ten years passing since this significant event in my life bring obvious reason for reflecting and reminiscing, I have smiled even more so knowing that a very special person is going through the same thing today.  You see, she was only 8 years old when I had this experience in the early 2000's.  And now the time has come for my beautiful, smart and talented first-cousin Allie!

Yes, I know, she's gorgeous!  And she's super sweet too!  There's no doubt in my mind how I would love for her to become my "sister" as well.  However, I'm not being forceful on that - after all, I want her to choose the best sorority for her (although I won't say I'm not wishfully hoping for a certain set of letters!).

I have probably been bugging the heck out of her with my frequent text messages checking in on the day....and I have also stalked her Facebook profile just in case I could catch a glimpse at any part of her experience - and she and her roomie are adorable in their dorm room (which happens to be at the same university, in the same dormitory, and on the same floor that I lived in)!  While Allie made these decisions for herself and some were by "chance," I simply can't help but thank God for this sweet divine moment that I'm feeling as I know just what Allie is feeling, thinking, and seeing at this very moment. :)

Seriously, I'm just beside myself with excitement for her!  Streams of tears (happy sentimental tears, that is) roll down my cheeks as I type this post.....so proud of Allie and her many accomplishments, excited that she's going through UK's recruitment week, knowing that her life will be changed forever in a matter of just a few days.  It's about all I can do not to jump in my car and drive to Lexington, KY and sit on her little twin bed in her shared dorm room and laugh with her and cry with her and ask her so many questions about her first days as a college student....all while trying to impart some wisdom from my own experience.

I also think how my own experience did not include text messaging (let alone a smartphone), no digital camera, nor Facebook.....goodness, the dorm wasn't even "wireless" - I remember how impressive the "ethernet" was compared to the slow speeds of my family's internet service in rural KY.  All this makes me laugh as I feel so old! 

My heart is swelling with excitement and thankfulness of my own experience and the start of Allie's collegiate years still to come! 

Gotta go.....just heard a text message come through! :)

We Made It!

4 weeks

3 time zones

2 lovers

1 adventure

We arrived safely again in Seattle late Monday night/early Tuesday morning.  It was fun to see the Space Needle just before we landed!  We were welcomed by the typical Seattle rain upon arrival.  Our bodies are still adjusting to the time difference.  I am proud to say that I represented UK from coast to coast on Monday by wearing my UK gear!  Unfortunately my plane wasn't the one that did the C-A-T-S cheer in air, but I proudly wore my blue and white!

When I was putting our room together yesterday morning, it was very evident that we packed considerably less stuff than last time.  That might mean doing more loads of laundry - I'm okay with that.  The only thing that I realized that was forgotten is a swimsuit so I might buy one here. 

Same hotel, all is well, just not as quiet as last time.  I can definitely tell it's Spring Break because there are lots of families staying here and kids are around.  Last time it was obviously just business travelers during the week days.  The pool that was empty all day during our last trip was full of approximately 20 kids yesterday morning.  Maybe I won't buy a swimsuit. :)

Yesterday I received some news that a young woman (I knew her through mutual friends) passed away after a hard battle with cancer.  Only 35 years old and she left behind a husband and daughter.  My heart is aching for this  family.  In the midst of aching for her family, I am rejoicing because I know that Jesus rescued her from this terrible sickness.  I know she has been made perfect now.  I know this because I had the privilege of seeing her baptized last year!

I'm still sifting through some thoughts on my mind and in my heart.  I plan on writing about those.

Until then I'm going to thank God and be content right here, right now.  I hope you will too!

The offer still stands if anyone wants to see Seattle while we're here!  Book your flight and visit! :)

Birthday Re-cap, Seattle Sunshine, Darius Rucker, Etc.

My sweet hubby officially became an old man yesterday!  Just kidding!  He's not old.  And besides, age is just a number.....right?!!  Despite the fact that he had a really long work day yesterday, beginning while it was still dark outside and not finishing until it was pretty much dark again, he says he had a great birthday!  He's so funny, I just love him.  Bless his heart, he didn't even get a lunch break yesterday.  Originally the plans were for me to pick him up for lunch and we would dine together.  I had thought of taking him to his favorite.....Mexican.....and this time I hoped I could find a place where my sweetie could get some cheese dip.  Such an easy guy to please.....he really is.  Anyway, his work calls for flexibility and I am 100% supportive of that.  So we altered plans and instead he got some downtown Seattle seafood restaurant recommendations.  He decided on Elliott's Oyster House for birthday dinner.  On the water and serving great seafood, we enjoyed a birthday date night together.

 

 
If you haven't been to Seattle before, let me be the first to tell that it's a big darn city! When we drove by a few days ago we had no idea just how extreme the elevation was!  That is until we were wheeling the Charger around last night downtown.  The steepness of the hills as well as the mountains surrounding gave me a feel of a San Francisco & Denver mix.  Huge city for sure!  Still much more to explore!

Yesterday was a perfect day for Josh's birthday  because it was beautiful and sunny!  Seriously, it was not rainy whatsoever......our only non-rain day so far!  We welcomed the Seattle sunshine and enjoyed a little vitamin D!  :)

This picture shows the Dreamlifter opened up to either load or unload cargo.  There are only a few of them and they transport parts for the 787 plane.  We see the Dreamlifters frequently in Charleston as well, but this was my first time to see one open.  Josh has been inside one before, but this is as close as I can get!

This was yesterday morning at 7AM -- notice it is still pitch black!  At this point I had already taken Josh to work and had been back for a little while when it hit me how dark it was!

 Despite the dark morning, yesterday was so beautiful!

 I had the opportunity to see (and hear!) many planes taking off and landing!

 We can see these snow-capped mountains from our room's window!

 This is random, but I thought it was quite funny!  I was in TJMaxx a couple of days ago and this was a display hanging in the men's section.  Hmmmm......not sure why that was there, but glad to see some Wildcat representation in the Pacific Northwest! :)

And even more random......last Friday in Charleston I was out running errands.  I was picking some things up at a store in the mall and I saw a man and his young son walking and singing to whatever song was playing in the store.  Seriously, they were only five feet from me.  From the moment I first looked at this man, I knew without a doubt that it was Darius Rucker.

 Photo

Every ounce of my being wanted to run up to him and tell him how much I like his music, get his autograph, enjoy some Charleston and country music chit-chat, and snap a pic of us together with my camera phone before we parted ways.  But I showed some major self-control.  You see, Charleston is his hometown.....I already knew that.  Which means if he's in Charleston, he's probably enjoying some time off......time off with family and away from the "celebrity stuff."  So even though I pretty much knew I may never have an opportunity to see him so up close and personal again, I just couldn't bring myself to become "that girl."  A crazy star-struck fan.  After all, celebrities are people too.....we all put our pants on the same way, right?!

So without saying a word or causing a scene, I watched Darius and his cute little boy walk together out of the store.  And I showed restraint until the very last couple of seconds before they pulled away.  That's when I did pull out my camera phone to get this low-quality, totally paparazzi style shot.  That's right.  This picture-taking guru turned down a chance at a real celebrity photo for the sake of this musician and the time he was enjoying with his son.  It was sweet watching them hang out together.

Although next time, I'll probably not be so self-controlled.  I'm at least asking for a real picture next time.  Next time.  I keep telling myself there will be a next time.  We're practically neighbors after all! :)