Middle School Relationship

Hey girl,

  Today is my one month anniversary..... with Philly.  I figure that is a major milestone (if we were in a middle school relationship).  Caroline told me, before I moved, that Grad School was a lot like Middle School (and I completely agree....will explain later).  But for now....

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME :)

(yes, now that we are going steady.... I can refer to him as Philly)

Eat, Pray, Philly

Dear Coley,

   Last week was a whirlwind!  Yes, I had my first Patho test, which I studied approximately 40 hours for (haha, yes ma’am), and I did well!  Thank goodness, because I really didn’t want to bomb the first one. In that class we have tests every two weeks, so it’s on to another 40 hours of studying… boo!  Anyway, with all of the stress leading up to the test of Friday, my week went by so fast!  And after I left my brain on the floor of the lecture hall, I decided that this weekend would NOT be consumed with studying. 

    On Sat, I went back to Reading Terminal Market and had the best turkey sandwich I have ever consumed!  Seriously, the turkey melted in my mouth.  (So, I really didn’t need that pretzel or milky way ice cream to wash it down… but oh well, they were amazing too).  Then I did some shopping at the fresh market that sets up in Rittenhouse square each weekend.As I perused the fresh fruits and goodies from “organic this” and “naturally grown that” I felt quite City-like, haha. It was the first time I have bought anything from vendors like that, and I must say, the apples are quiet delicious. I finished the day with a trip to a local Thai place that had the best Pat See-Yew I have ever eaten!  Okay, who am I kidding? I have never had Pat See-Yew before, but I will definitely have it again. It was so yummy, and they had tofu (which I have had before, and do love) appetizers for super cheap. So, I guess Saturday (if I were Elisabeth Gilbert) would be “EAT”

    And Sunday, would be “PRAY.”  I hit up First Presbyterian again and really enjoyed the service.  The music there is truly sent from God, and organist gives me some major chill-bumps. The Pastor also relates the entire sermon to daily life (which I appreciate). Then, I headed to The Museum of Art (a mere two mile walk from my apartment) to see the Rembrandt exhibit of the “Faces of Jesus.”  (I definitely felt like I saw a lot of Jesus on Sunday…. good times). Now, if you recall, the steps up to the museum are the known as the Rocky Steps.  No, I did not run up the stairs, but I swear I could have, hehe.  Especially when I got to the top (where there are imprints of Rocky’s feet) and realized that I, like Rocky, had worn converses!  I took a picture of our matching shoe wear.  

     With my student ID, the cost of a membership was only a little over the normal price of admission…. so I am now a Member of The Museum of Art- I have the coffee mug and ID card to prove it (who would have thought the day would come). I spent the next three hours wandering around the museum, with my little headphones on listening to all this “interesting” information about all kinds of art work. I saw everything from oil paintings, to armor, to furniture, to a Japanese hut! The museum is incredible, and now that I am a member, you (and everyone else to visits) better expect to go there, hehe.

      Other than those adventures, I have been cleaning and studying. This weekend was tough (as mentioned before) and I realized I miss my friends and family a lot.  This “journey” is great, but I do wish I was able to experience it with my loves. So, Philadelphia has my stomach…. but North Carolina still has my heart. 

Miss you bunches (and no, I have not found a place here with fried pickles, don't worry)

Oh, and I got a new "Bender Ball" in the mail today, haha, so my sit-up routine can continue on obsession level!  

Love you,

Court.

Leap of Faith

Dear Coley,

   I am working on a blog, but since I took this weekend off from school work to do things like- run up the "Rocky steps," visit the Museum of Art (to see some Rembrandt), actually see the Liberty Bell up close and personal, and eat some delicious food at Reading Market..... I am currently swamped with school work right now (I type this as my lecture downloads.... yes, evidently in grad school you go to class, feverishly take notes, go home, and then listen to the lecture again... good times).  Anyway, as I sit and stress, this song came to my mind. Have you ever seen the movie "Leap of Faith"?  It is one of my family's (well, Tommy's favorites).  In the movie they sing this song (here is an excerpt):

Now a man gets crazy when his life is all wrong
And the heart gets a little weary when it doesn’t belong
And the road gets a little bit rocky but you’ve got to keep on
And let the new light shining on you

I’ve been lonely, and I’ve been cheated, and I’ve been misunderstood
I’ve been washed up, and I’ve been put down, and I’ve been told I’m no good
But with you I belong
Because you helped me be strong
There’s been a change in my life since you came along

The movie is more "Hollywood" than Christian, but I like it anyway.  Today was a low day for me.  I miss home and I miss having people around who I know and love (although, my new grad school friends are filling in nicely).  It's tough, and I honestly don't know how I would do this without the faith that this is in fact where I belong. 

Anyway, a normal blog will follow shortly.  Love you girl,

Courtney

Love from the Country

Court,

I’m so sorry that this post has been so delayed.  I always have the best intentions of being more on top of updating, but I always get busy!   I hope that you are continuing to do well!  I think I saw on Facebook that you had your first test?!  I hope that it went well.  I was cracking up at your post about the neighbor!  I hope that his companion came and they had a jolly ole time!  You know I couldn’t help but think about our “wonderful” neighbors from above.  Which is my “favorite” memory?  Piano playing?  Dogs running?  The nursery full of kids?  The coming and going?  The morning ‘loving’?  I just can’t pick one!  It sounds that your neighbors are at least a little more…respectful?  Haha, at least they make for a good post/story/laugh!!  I’m excited to read more about your ‘city finds’.  I am anticipating my trip and trying everything out.  I’m so thrilled that you might have found a good church!  I went to a Presbyterian church with Casey one Sunday and really, really enjoyed it!  They aren’t too far removed from our Methodist roots J 

Things in the country are pretty normal.  I went home this weekend to visit with my family.  Stevie had her 3^rd birthday!  She is absolutely precious and I told Katy that Will and her need to have a play date!  

I feel like I’m where you were this time last year…except possibly more confused!  I’m trying to figure out where to go/what to do for graduate school.  I’m thinking maybe I should just move to a random city and teach for a year just to do something completely different!!  Philly?!

I hope that all is well in the city of brotherly love…keep me posted!

Love and hugs,

Coley

Neighbor A

Dear Coley,

  This is going to be short and sweet, but I have to tell you something! So, I was walking down the hall and noticed a note on my neighbor's door (he is an older man, kinda decrepit, who walks really slow, and from how loud his TV is...... he is hard of hearing).  Anyway, the note read:

"Love,

     If you come by, I have either fallen asleep or I am in the bathroom. The door is open"

What?!  Haha.  I seriously stood there for way too long, stalker-ish like, and read the note over and over again trying to figure it out.  I mean, I get it...... his love is going to stop by, and he will inevitably be asleep or in the bathroom.....so, come on it?? I am liking this guy more and more, haha.

Overall, I guess my building is pretty safe..... after all, the man leaves a note in his door alerting the community that it is open.  My mom and I (during the move in) saw him walking on the street, barely able to carry his groceries.  Madelyn, being the good Christian woman she is said, "Oh, Courtney, he is going to be your project, help him."  Well momma, I think he is busy.

Good times.

I would ask about your neighbors, but I know...... you don't have any :) 

Love, 

Court

Events...... of daily life

Dear Coley,

2 weeks down, and I feel like I have been doing this for months (not sure if that is a good thing or not).  I would say I have established a routine, but all that my life consists of right now is school, studying, walking, and sleeping (oh and a little eating in there), so I am not sure you can have a routine with just 5 things in your life. Classes flew by this week!  Each one of my classes has an average of 400-500 pages of reading, per session..... so, the prep work takes a lot longer than the actual class. (You don’t even want to know how many hours I have been studying). I did pull my head out of the books long enough to experience a couple of new things.  So, in no particular order, here are the main events:

1) I did laundry!  I know that doesn’t seem like a big feat, but trust me- here, it is.  I hauled my basket, and text books, down to the laundry room of my apartment building..... and $7.00 later, I had two loads done.  I thought I was going to stay downstairs (and study, naturally), to guard my clothes (from the big city clothes snatchers), but the laundry room was super sketch, so I hauled my little self back to my room during the wash.  I figured my life was a little more important….they can have the clothes.

2) I made a friend.  Not only a friend my dear, but a friend….with a car….who is willing to take me to get groceries next week!  Meredith, one of my three grad school friends, is my new best friend/angel on wheels (literally).  I have not missed having a car, so far, but groceries are definitely a challenge. I am lucky enough to have a little market near my place, but they only have the essentials (not my true loves- lean pockets, mini-wheats, baby carrots). And the good Lord knows, the Trader Joe's up the street (aka 5 blocks away) definitely cannot supply my processed food needs. 

3) I went to church, met some new people, and got a free meal all in the same day.  That is what happens when you hit up the local Presbyterian Church.  Now, don’t get mad at me, my faithful Methodist friends.  First Presbyterian Church is literally across the street from me, so I had to check it out. This was the second Sunday I attended, and so far the services are great….and their covered dishes are yummy.  Oddly enough, Susie (another grad school friend) went to the same church, so we sat together.  She said she wanted to ask me the other day if I would go to church with her, but didn’t want to come off all pushy about religion….. I just laughed and said, “Honey , I am from the south…that’s how we do it!” 

4) I got hit on by a homeless man!  I was sitting in Rittenhouse Square (an absolutely fabulous park near my apartment), and a homeless man sat down on my bench (yes, I claim benches now). This is how the convo went:

Man: Hey girl, you are beautiful! Can I have your number?

Me: No

Man: Well can I give you mine?

Me: No

Man: ok, ok, well you have a blessed day!

And then he was gone.  Now, this man was clearly mentally ill and inappropriate, but overall he was nice.  I just kind of laughed as he proceeded to the next bench to hit another girl.  I must admit… the “can I give you my number” was a little entertaining. This city is pretty well populated with homeless people, so I am just thankful that my first person-person interaction with one, went smoothly.  In the park I have definitely seen things escalate to almost fights....so yes, I had a blessed day.

5) Penn Park, a park between my apartment and UPenn opened this week.  The park is beautiful, and has tons of sport facilities (aka. my tuition as work).  But, the best part was, on Sat night they had fireworks to celebrate, which I could see perfectly from my window.  It was a nice little "Welcome to the city Courtney" display :)

Well, I think that is all for now.  Next weekend promises to be more exciting than this one, so stay tuned, haha.  Oh, and my first Patho text is Friday, so please say some prayers…I will need them.

I miss you so much!  How are things in NC? 

Love,

Court.

Happy for You!!

Court,

I'm glad to hear that you are doing well!  I actually had on my weekend 'to-do' list to update the blog and it just didn't get marked off.  I guess that's what Mondays are for!  I'm sorry that your feet have disowned you and you're in pain!  I hope that they are doing better.  Maybe you have a date with Dr. Scholl's soon?!

It's exciting to hear about your classes, I feel like I'm back in high school and a senior and you've gone off to college!  Which...I guess is kind of the case?!  I'm trying to use it as motivation to figure out what to do with my life!  Maybe I need to visit you in Philly for inspiration like I did with UNCG!

Other that an earthquake and me falling on my behind a few weeks ago, nothing "blog-worthy" has really happened to me.  I just try to keep my head above water, which is easier said than done.  I'm sure you kind of feel the same way.  I did learn when dove season began and bow season!  My students were super excited to tell me!  Also someone got stabbed or something after a football game a couple weeks ago, though no one really seems to know more than that...comforting.

I loved your AT-PA blog.  You are inspiring to me and I know that you are going to do such wonderful things with this new degree.  You have to have this trust in God that all will work out.  You have gone out on the limb and I know that there's only the best fruit on the end of it.  Think of how everything so far in your life has worked out...everything happens for a reason.  I think we needed our 2 years together so you could figure out the next step.  Life goes on and we figure it out with each step of the way!

Hope the weather is better!
Coley

One down....

 Dear Coley,

       My first week of school is over….thank goodness!  I think of it as, one down, something like twelve to go.  I am not going to bore you with all the details of my classes.  However, for informational purposes, here is the rundown.  I am taking four classes and one lab.  The classes are: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology, Professional Role of the Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Decision Making in Advanced Nursing Practice, and Nursing of Children- Theory I. The lab is a physical assessment lab (aka. what they do at the doctor’s office during a physical). There are no easy classes, as suspected, but I don’t think that any of them will cause me to spontaneously combust (we will see when the exams and projects start).  Like I told my mom, the classes are just as hard as I expected (unfortunately, haha). Anyway, this blog is not called Graduate School Girl…. so now onto some city talk.

       This week, Mother Nature decided to drown Pennsylvania, and I just happen to be along for the ride.  Rain, for those who have cars, and don’t walk four miles a day to get to and from class, is just an inconvenience.  However, rain, this week, made my life a nightmare!  Tues, Wed, and Thurs were downpours! (Did I mention that I am expected to dress, at the very least “business casual,” to class…. after all, we are professionals now).  There I was, refusing to take the bus because that would still require me stand out in the rain for 30min, walking my southern self two miles in the rain….. in dress pants, flats, and a blouse.  Just fyi: NO dress shoe of any sort works well in rain!  I tried heels, flats, sandals, even flip flops… and all I ended up with is a grand total of 10 blisters!  Turns out, when shoes are completely soaked by rain water, and whatever crap is floating in the Philadelphia streets, they stick to your feet and rub them raw. My feet could be on a poster for “ugly-feet-r-us.”  Again, how do these city people do it?  I don’t know, so on Friday I gave into the terrible….. tennis shoes (as it so happened, Friday was sunny). Mother Nature 1: Court 0

       Anyway, because of the rain, I didn’t get to see much of the city this week. I did venture out Friday night to buy myself a slice of pizza…. I finished my first week, I deserved it! I found out two things on that little outing:  1) A great slice of pizza only costs $2 which happens to be the exact cost of bus fare. I already didn’t want to ride the bus due to the cost, but now that I know I can get pizza if I save by walking…. bye bye bus.  2) When walking down the street, alone and carrying pizza, I felt very exposed!  I could just see all the “city people” drinking in the bars with their friends looking at me, and judging me for being alone on a Friday night with my greasy pizza.  At least in NC, when I would go get a Little Caesars pizza and consume the entire pie in one sitting… my car shielded the deliver method, haha.  (David thinks I am ridiculous). In the end….. the pizza was worth it! 

       So, it was a pretty slow week, other than my classes draining the life out of me.  But progress was made this week!  I feel much better about being here (not that it was ever terrible), but it does feel a little more like home (in the, this place is absolutely nothing like home, but I will like it anyway kind of way). I did get two packages this week from loved ones- THANK YOU, I love mail!  Oh, and the highlight of my week was when TR called on Sat, and Will told me, “Courtney, I am going to come up to your school and give you a kiss!”  I melted!         

How is your school going?

Miss You!

Courtney

PA - AT??

Dear Coley,

    Today was my first day! (well, orientation). Other than mother nature trying to drown Philadelphia, it was a success.  What was not a success, was my attempt to wait for the bus, ride the bus, and then walk the four blocks to my apartment without getting completely soaked. Lesson learned. (I did share my umbrella with a med student.... thought you would be happy to know that my southern training has not been lost). Tomorrow is when the excitement/dread starts...... classes.  Wish me luck!

I wrote something the other day about this whole experience, here you go:

 

I recently read “Becoming Odyssa,” a book by Jennifer Pharr Davis (who just completed the fastest hike of the Appalachian Trial, *46 days and 11 hours, you go girl) about the first time she hiked the trail, as a 21 year old college graduate.  I have also been reading Trail Journals (Nevena “Gangsta” Martin’s is quite entertaining). The Appalachian Trial, from what I have read, is 2,175 miles long and requires incredible strength, stamina, and just pure willpower to complete. Reading the stories of how these two women hiked, and bled, and perspired, and laughed, and ate, and sometimes cried their way from Georgia to Maine has been inspirational and motivating.  I doubt I will ever hike the Appalachian Trail, (maybe some section hikes), but the book and blogs really got me thinking.

This move, from North Carolina to Philadelphia and starting this rigorous program (even though I drove), is like my Appalachian Trail. Don’t get me wrong; moving to Philadelphia for graduate school is nothing physically similar to hiking through fourteen states. However, it is challenge; one that requires a lot of soul searching, emotional, mental, and sometimes physical strength. Everyone’s “journey” in life is different, and mine has definitely not followed that perfect map I plotted out in the 6^th grade. But it is the journey that makes us who we are, blistered and all.  My move to Philadelphia has brought me happiness, and frustration, and sadness, and excitement, and honestly- some heart break (much like the AT).  However, I am sure that the next 16 months will be some of the best of my life.

Jennifer’s belief in God (written about in her book) has been an amazing reminder of where to go for guidance and comfort.  In one chapter she says, describing waking up after a rough night alone in the woods, “But in the morning, things were different. I awoke to discover the sun rising above the mountains and green fields below.”  She then writes, “(God) was communicating to me through the sunrise. The pink said, I am here. The orange said, I am going with you. The gold, the bright gold, said trust in me.”  Again, my experience is very different than someone hiking the AT, heck, it is different than someone else moving to a big city.  But in the end, we are all just working towards fulfilling our purpose on this earth, and maybe seeing some good views on the way. 

All I have to say is, last night I got to see a gorgeous sunset from my window looking over the city, and I felt reassured that this is what I am supposed to be doing. This is where I belong. Bring on the hike…. I mean graduate school!

Love,

Courtney

ps. Did I mention, that other than people they met on the AT.... these women went into their journeys alone?  Yes Ma'am.

Love and Luck

Court,

I crack up with laughter after reading all your adventures!  Least to say, I do not have anything like that to share from Ruffin!  I'm thinking that it's a little bit slower paced lifestyle than Philly.  Lord help if I ever saw anyone riding naked around my parts!  I'll def let you know if I see a farmer riding a tractor naked...that's one race I hope I do not see!  Dove season did begin on Saturday, several of my little students were pretty stoked about that!

I will definitely be making a trip up there to see you soon.  I can't wait for you to show me around the city!  I have a feeling that you won't even need a map by then!  I'm going to go ahead and start my list of things to see for when I come :) 

I hope that classes go well!  Go get 'em tiger!  You got this :)

Love you!
Coley

PS - Let's put the PNBR on our bucket list for when we are old! 

PNBR

Yesterday was the Philly Naked Bike Ride!  I had read about it on a building, across from my apartment, which scrolls advertisements across its windows at night.  The night before last, I went to the website and found out, 9/4/11 was PNBR day.  Evidently people from all over the city meet up and then ride naked (or whatever makes you comfortable, says the website) in order to promote cycling advocacy, raise awareness about fuel consumption, promote positive body image, and to promote economic sustainability as a way of life (I copied all of that from their website). To me, that sounds like…. for whatever reason, get naked and ride bike! Haha.  They did not list where they would be riding, or honestly, I would have skipped orientation today, packed a picnic, and waiting along the street to see some naked folks. 

So, I had honestly forgotten about it, and was all comfy on a Rittenhouse Square bench (reading my last non-nursing book for the next two years) when I noticed a commotion on the street. I walked over, (yes I am curious little southerner) and saw….. nothing. Since it was getting late, I turned my back to the crowd and starting walking home, when….. a naked biker passed me by! I turned around and there they were…. hundreds of naked, half naked, and somewhere in between people on bikes! This parade of naked riders lasted around 7 minutes. I stood there in awe! I will not go into details, let me just say, there was a lot of nakedness. Immediately my mind went to this blog and what I would say about all of this naked bike riding (after all, this would not happen in Morganton, NC…. maybe Asheville).

Anyway, after watching hundreds of naked people ride by (big, little, white, black, yellow, red, young {mostly young college age guys…shocker}, and old) I was left with one thought, “WAY TO GO NAKED BIKE RIDERS!”  It is not for everyone, myself included, but if you have the self confidence (or stupidity) to strut your stuff…. all squished on a bike seat, by all means, work it. Maybe one day when I am all saggy, wrinkled, and don’t give a crap (I’m not picking on anyone I saw today in particular) I will ride through the streets of Philadelphia with all of my naughty bits on display. Who knows?  I mean, who would have thought I would be living in Philadelphia in the first place? Don’t worry mom and dad, I type this fully clothed!  

Two side notes: a) Moments before the nakedness ensued, there was a wedding party walking out the church on the corner! The big wedding processional was almost broken up by some naked bikers (it was so close, the church bells were actually still ringing when the bikers went by). Can you imagine?  That is just not something you plan on your wedding day. b) Did I mention I was watched this whole spectacle (I used that word in honor of my grandmother) standing beside to police men, who just shook their heads laughed?  Good times 

~Courtney

Around the City

Dear Coley,

  So, with no school work to do, yet.... I decided to use my Saturday to wander around the city. I had purchase three travel guides to Philadelphia as soon as I got accepted into UPenn, and I was finally going to use them. I figured I am still a “city baby” and need to explore this place before visitors come and want to see the sights. So, with map in hand (well, in bag, you know how I feel about looking like a tourist), I headed out. 

My journey started in Logan Square (about 7 blocks north of my place). The square had a lovely fountain that made me want to sit there for hours, but it also sported a lot of homeless people (which is fine, but it was the first time since I started city living that I detected the distinct smell of urine…. I am a nurse, we are trained).  So, I headed east, to City Hall. On my way I passed through “Your Move” courtyard, which you have to see for yourself (David will love it) and I went past the big red LOVE statue. After walking through City Hall, I found the gem of the city……. Reading Terminal Market. 

The market is probably my most favorite place in the city (my bank account and thighs are thankful that it is over 12 blocks away). It is a market with tons of different vendors with everything you could possibly want to eat! I could probably eat there every day for the next 16 months and not have the same thing twice. It was there, that I also saw my first Amish (they were vendors), and I finally felt like I was in Pennsylvania, haha. 

After peeling myself from the market and cursing myself for not having cash (or a job that supports my addiction to yummy food) I walked down to Independence Square, where the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are on display. I decided to forgo actually standing in line to see the Liberty Bell, since I am sure that someone will want to see it during a weekend visit, so I will see it then. I read for a while in Washington Square, another park with a fountain and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (from the Revolutionary War). Then I started the 15 block walk home. (side note, I definitely walked through the “gay-borhood” of Philadelphia…. where I saw Jay, season 1 winner of Project Runway…. it was exciting).

A couple blocks from my apartment I also ran into “chain lady” again.  [Now, I originally met “chain lady,” CL for short, the other day. I was a little lost, when she came walking out of a random alley. CL is a very thin, probably 40ish year old lady, who has a buzzed head, wears a white tank top, no bra,  jean shorts, no shoes,  a chain around her neck (with a pad-lock), and a chain around her waist....hence the name. When I say chain, I don’t mean a little gold piece…. I mean a chain that Tommy Russ would use to hold a cow inside a trailer…. we’re talking at least one inch links]. She freaked me out a little the first time I ran into her (enough to make me cross the street), however, today when I walked past her, it was like, hey…. I know her, haha.

 All in all, I walked 52 blocks! That may not seem like a lot to city people, but this girl was wore out and sore.  It started sprinkling at one point in my walk, but it was very comforting knowing that (even though I forgot my umbrella) I did know exactly which bus to hop on to get home (gave me a warm fuzzy feeling).  I hope to explore the city more when someone visits me…. hint hint.

How are things in Ruffin?

Courtney

A Little "PS"

Court,

I forgot to add this to the last post.  I swear, my mind is going quickly.  I'm 25 going on 95.  Here are a few little "also's" that the last post is missing...

1) I am currently in Morganton for the long weekend and went to church this morning.  When they had "children's time" in church today it suddenly struck me that it wasn't that long ago that it was you and me up there.  Blond curls and brown long locks sitting up there listening to whoever at the time was over the ministry.  It was just yesterday that we were the acolytes extinguishing the flames at the front of the church.  It was us in the youth group and going to church on Wednesday nights.  I don't know where the time has gone...but I'm glad you've been by my side for the ride.

2) Did you see the "Pretty Little Liars" summer finale?!?!  If we had been watching together, you would have been laughing hard core at my intense "pillow-over-face" routine!

3) Have you been doing sit ups?!

4) Love you!

~Coley

You Got This...I Got Wal-Mart

Court,

I am happy that you're all moved in and somewhat settled.  I was just thinking that after the past 8 years, we might qualify for gypsy status with our constant roaming.  But trust me, I watched that Gypsy show on TLC, and like most TLC shows (with the exception of Say Yes to the Dress) it was scary and I want no part of it!  I laugh every time I read your adventures and know that you are quickly figuring everything out. 

You are one of those people that adapt.  I remember reading in Eat, Pray, Love that having an adaptable personality is a key, important thing.  I want you to keep in mind all the wonderful opportunities that you're about to embark on.  Every scary bus ride, blister, and creeper on the sidewalk will not get in your way of the dream you have!!

Things in the country are pretty low key.  I did fall in front of my class the other day.  Literally.  On my butt.  Note to self...don't wear wedges.  We also (in that same period...different day) had an earthquake.  The kids got quite a kick out of that.  I still find myself wanting to run to our apartment and say, "Let's go get some fried pickles and let me tell you about my silly students!"  I am enjoying the country, but miss my every day check in with you!  Also, let me just tell you...every single time I go to the Wal-Mart in Reidsville I see something that boggles my mind...hence the title of post.  I'll try to make a funny story out of it soon...my mind just can't comprehend that quickly to the craziness yet.

I hope you enjoyed your visit out to my part of the country.  The sunsets are beautiful.  I hear the train on the tracks and am reminded of God's creativeness every time I see the colorful skies.  I hope you find beauty in the city, and I know you will.  I can't wait to come visit!!

Please stay safe, explore for me!  Find a good place to study.  Practice getting in and out of your door...and getting on the bus.  You will look back at this part of your life and smile with wonder!  I am so proud of you.  Can't wait for more stories.

Lots of Carolina Love,
Coley

Rookie Mistakes (part 1)

Dear Coley,

      Yesterday, I decided that I was going to get up and take the bus to campus! The walk from my building to the School of Nursing is not too bad (around 30 minutes).  However, it occurred to me that all days will not be like the last three: sunny, warm, free of any time crunch or schedule. So, SEPTA, here I come. I researched online and even called Caroline (since she lived in D.C. for a year and I knew she would not judge me based on my lack of bus knowledge). But, when the time came to get on the dang thang…. I chickened out. I can hear it now, “BOOOO!”  But let me redeem myself- I DID take the bus home!  “YAY!”

      You know why I took the bus home? Because the walk to campus, in some improper footwear (rookie mistake), gave me 6 blisters, and rendered me unable to walk home! Haha, necessity is in fact the mother of invention (or the motivation for me to get over my ridiculous fears and get my butt on that bus)! The blisters made me think about some other rookie mistakes I have made. So, for you future country-city transplants, here are some rookie mistakes and advice from a southern belle.

      1] Figure out how to lock and unlock your door before you are forced to demonstrate your failures in front of your neighbor! Doors that have been there since the early 1900s are not the same as your fancy circa 1990 doors (neither are the locks). Also, practice which way the locks go, so you don’t get “stuck” in your own apartment (that was fun, I seriously considered a shoulder-charge). 2] Don’t stop on the street and talk to random people wearing colored vests. I usually don’t do this, but I had a moment of weakness….which turned into almost 15 minutes of a Greenpeace education….. no judgment, but it was rough. 3] Always pack band aids (ie: blistergate 2011). 4] Stay on the bus as long as you can before departing the comfort of motorized transportation. I got off the bus, and then proceeded to walk the same route as the bus for another three blocks. The passengers were probably thinking, “Wasn’t that the curly-haired Southerner who got off this bus way back there?” (I don’t know if Northerners think like that, but we will pretend). And finally, 5] Carry an actual book bag the first time you go to the bookstore (especially when the walk home is over two miles). I know what you’re thinking, but all the cool kids are carrying large designer one-shoulder bags!  Well, remember, you are not cool (I say this to myself). And, if you try to be, and carry that “cool” one-shoulder bad, then your right shoulder will be bruised, rubbed raw, and hurt for the next three days!  I don’t know how these city folks carry all they need in their tiny one-shoulder bags.  Like women in Haiti, who live in tents, and yet they wear white pants to church that are in perfect condition (I have never understood how they keep their whites so white, when they do laundry in brown water??). Hmmm….

       These are just a few of my rookie mistakes, I am sure there will be many more. Coley, I can see you now…. sitting on the couch, eating popcorn….…. laughing your butt off…. at me (good times).  Miss you!

Courtney