Ladies Weekend. Gatlinburg, TN

Just for the record, I seriously have some of the best friends in the world.  Because of graduate school and post-college life, my group of friends and I had been split up and tossed all over the place, too busy to connect as frequently as we would have liked.  Since we have all pretty much graduated, have adult jobs and live relatively close to each other, we decided we wanted to start an annual tradition of going on a trip together over Labor Day weekend.  Therefore, for our first trip, we started somewhere semi-close and went to Gatlinburg for the long weekend. It was such an amazing time with the ladies who know me best.  We went hiking, drank wine, celebrated new jobs with cupcakes, swam, and just caught up on life.  

We arrived on Friday night semi-late, as we left Central Kentucky at around 4:30 pm.  We stopped at Cracker Barrel on our way down, and had a big family dinner to kick the weekend off right.  We arrived in Gatlinburg that evening, and celebrated Jesse and Rebecca's new jobs with champagne and cupcakes.  We stayed up pretty late laughing and enjoying each other's company.  

On Saturday, we (or maybe I) decided to do a 5 mile hike to Abram's Falls which is located within the Cades Cove loop.  We took a picnic lunch, and downed some sandwiches, chips, fruit, and fresh salsa before starting the hike.  We hiked for a about an hour and a half before reaching an absolutely gorgeous waterfall.  We explored the waterfall, waded through the freezing cold water, and just relaxed a bit before hiking back to the car.  Once we arrived back to town, we were starving and decided to eat at Mellow Mushroom.  We pigged out on salads, pretzels, calzones, and pizzas.  After dinner, we went back to the condo and enjoyed the two indoor hot tubs for a while, letting our muscles recover from a long day of being in the woods.  

Here are some pictures from our hike. 

Crossing a pretty creek on the trail

Love my Dana. 

Abram's Falls.

Playing in the freezing cold water. 

I forged the river to the other side. 

Enjoying the pretty Smoky Mountains.

Getting closer so we could take a good picture. 

Enjoying some snacks before we headed back to the car.

On Saturday, it was supposed to rain, so we decided to head to the Outlets.  We shopped for a few hours and each of us found some great deals.  Banana Republic was having a 50% off sale, so unfortunately most of my money went to buy a stupid suit for work.  But at least I saved a ton of money.  After the outlets, we went to the Smokey Mountain Brewery for drinks and dinner.  We tried a lot of the beers, and enjoyed some fantastic burgers.  After dinner, we walked around Gatlinburg.  We explored Moonshine Holler, where SMokey Mountain Moonshine is located.  There was a good bluegrass band that we watched for a while.  We also decided we wanted to make some airbrush shirts because, I mean, who can go to Gatlinburg and not come back with a tacky airbrushed t-shirt to commemorate the experience?  Am I right?  So we also did that which was quite the adventure in itself.

Here are are some pictures from Saturday.

Dinner at Smokey Mountain Brewery.

Tasting some yummy beer. 

Moonshine Holler.

Rocking chairs and a bluegrass band.  What a fun night.

They were really fun to watch.

Love this girl.

Rebecca, Blair, Dana, and Wellis.

We weren't the only ones enjoying the band. 

Our fantastic airbrush shirts that we spent entirely too much money on, but that are completely awesome.

And that was our weekend.  It was incredibly fun.  I'm excited to start planning for next year!

LOVE. HONOR. TRUTH

So at the end of March, I accepted the position as Chapter Adviser for the UK Phi Mu Chapter.  During college, I only held minor positions in my chapter, but  I was always involved and loved Phi Mu.  The new chapter at UK has only been there for two years, so they are in need of some alumnae women who can invest in their chapter and provide support.  Although not specifically applying for the position of Chapter Adviser, I decided to go for it.  I really wasn't involved in too much at that time, having just finished law school and the bar exam, so I was excited.  I didn't do too much at the end of last semester, just met the girls and did a little here and there.  

August was a different story.  As Chapter Adviser, there were a lot of things I had to prepare and figure out in a few short weeks.  Recruitment at the University of Kentucky is a whole different ballgame from tiny Georgetown College.  Here are some examples:

Women going through:

Georgetown: 100-ish girls going through recruitment. 

UK: 1300-ish girls going through recruitment.

Parties:

Georgetown: 4 open house parties. 

UK: open house parties starting at 8:00 am, ending at 7:45 pm.  No lunch break.  

Recruitment Styles:

Georgetown: Spring Recruitment...we know the women we want. 

UK: Fall Recruitment...classes haven't even started. 

Needless to say, it was very overwhelming.  I didn't know what I was doing half the time.  And I was utterly exhausted every day.  I would be there from early in the morning till late at night during the weekends, and arrive right after work, staying until the wee morning hours during the week.  As exhausting as it was though, I loved it.  I love the ladies in my chapter, I love their passion to build a strong chapter, and I love their excitement as they meet new girls who would make excellent Phi Mus.  I have meet some great alumnae from Georgetown and other chapters around the state and US who have become great friends.  It felt as though I was back in college for just a few days, as I relived the long hours of recruiting.  Becoming a Phi Mu was one of the best decisions I made in college, and I am now realizing it was one of the best decisions I've made in my life, as cheesy as that sounds.  

Here are some snapshots from the week :)   

One of my new pals.  Miss Meredith Johnson is our new house director.  She is a former London gal and Delta Eta (Georgetown College) alumna.  She is doing a great job, and has quickly become a fantastic friend! I'm excited for what our year together will bring at the University of Kentucky! 

Bid Day Excitement.  We wanted to get in on the Phi Mu photos, so we did, greedily grabbing the giant letters out of the hands of our new Phis (just kidding, we didn't do that, but we were a little too excited to take some pictures).  

We had our Bid Day Party at a horse farm.  The ladies got to eat some delicious BBQ,  pet some horses, eat cupcakes, and mingle with their new sisters.  It was a beautiful evening, and a great way to celebrate a successful recruitment. 

I love Kentucky.  It was gorgeous at this farm.  I was obsessed.

I'll end with the Phi Mu Creed.  It's beautiful and the words by which the Faithful Sisters live.  Enjoy.

The Creed of Phi Mu Fraternity

To lend to those less fortunate a helping hand.
To think of God as a protector and guide of us all.To keep forever sacred the memory of those we have loved and lost.To be to others what we would they would be to us.To keep our lives gentle, merciful and just,Thus being true to the womanhood of love.

To walk in the way of honor, guarding the purity of our thoughts and deeds.Being steadfast in every duty small or large.Believing that our given word is binding.Striving to esteem the inner man above culture, wealth or pedigree.Being honorable, courteous, tender,Thus being true to the womanhood of honor.

To serve in the light of truth avoiding egotism, narrowness and scorn.To give freely of our sympathies.To reverence God as our Maker, striving to serve Him in all things.To minister to the needy and unfortunate.To practice day by day love, honor, truth.Thus keeping true to the meaning, spirit and reality of Phi Mu.

Backstreet's Back....ALRIGHT.

A few months ago, I got an email saying the Backstreet Boys were coming to Cincinnati.  I asked and asked and asked people if they would go with me to the concert. One by one, everyone told me no.  I was super disappointed.   I love the Backstreet Boys.  I loved them when I was ten, and although I don't listen to them with the obsessively frequency I used to, I still love them dearly today.  I get very nostalgic when I hear their music, it reminds me of old friends and funny thing I did when I was younger.

The Sunday before the concert, I had gone home to spend some time with my family.  We decided to go to the lake on Sunday, so I rode over with Kenny, the girls, and Kenny's girlfriend Amber.  Amber isn't too much older than me, and somehow we got onto the topic of BSB.  I told her they were coming to Cincinnati, and how I'd really wanted to go but couldn't find anyone to attend the concert with me.  First things first, Amber is a huge concert fan.  Some people spend money on clothes or jewelry or going out, Amber drops money on concerts.  She practically screamed when I told her about the concert, and excitedly stated she would definitely go with me, on the one requirement that we get "good" seats.

I was pumped to say the least.  I knew, in terms of overall concert experience, going to see another BSB concert would just be fun.  I got on stubhub and searched around for some tickets.  We ended up buying 5th row tickets, spending entirely too much money on a band that really isn' current anymore.  But did we care?  Not in the slightest.  That's why you work right? To do things you enjoy, i.e. see the Backstreet Boys from the 5th row.

Amber and I met in Cincinnati, as I had to come from a two-day immigration law conference I had attended in Louisville.  We ate some delicious Chipotle, then headed to Riverbend, not wanting to be late for the openers which was Pauly D (yes, THE Pauly D from the Jersey Shore) and Jesse McCartney, also a teeny-bopper heart-throb.  To say that we acted like complete 10 year olds would be a fair statement.  My ten year old/twenty-five year old selves were absolutely dying.  We jumped up and down, sang every lyric by heart, and screamed when (I swear this happened) two, COUNT 'EM...TWO, Backstreet Boys singled us out in the crowd and waved.  We were so silly, but it was one of the most fun concerts I've ever attended.  I had a great time.  And I have to say, BSB might be my top-favorite band yet again :)

So all that to say....BACKSTREET'S BACK.....ALRIGHTTTTTTTTTT

Enjoy some eye candy from the concert...

Giddy little school girls....muahaha

Kevin Richardson.  Nick Carter.  Oh. My. Goodness.

Singing some new tunes, which were quite nice if I do say so myself.

One of the Kentucky boys....oh yes. 

Oh Howie D. You're my least favorite.  But I still love you because you are a Backstreet Boy. 

My first love, Brian Littrell.  I still love him, I'm not ashamed.

Singing the classics. 

Fun With Emily :)

A few weeks ago, one of my best friends came to visit me in Lexington.  Emily was my big sister in my sorority, and she and I were always close throughout college.  We became even closer in law school.  She lives in Cincinnati, so while up in NKY, she was always the person I'd hang out with to escape the pressure and stress of law school.  I love living in Lexington, but I was sad to leave the Cincinnati area because I knew I'd see less of Emily.  So lately we decided we have to do a better job at staying in touch.  She called a few weeks ago and told me she had a free weekend.  It just so happened that I also had a free weekend, so we decided that Emily would come to Lexington for the weekend. 

I love Lexington and Central Kentucky, so I was excited to plan some fun activities for Emily and I.  It was a chance to show her things I like to do but also explore some new things I had been putting off.  Emily is a great adventure partner.  She's up for anything and is always a good person to have along for the ride!  I was so happy that she came to visit, Sunday came too soon. 

She arrived on Friday around 6 pm, so we loaded up a blanket in the car and headed to Elk Creek Winery.  I had bought us some Groupon tickets to have a picnic dinner and watch a Beatles tribute band.  It was the perfect evening, kind of cool actually.  We bought a bottle of wine, ate some delicious sandwiches, caught up on life, and danced into the night to some groovy Beatles songs.  

At Elk Creek Winery.  Reunited and loving it!

On Saturday, we had a full day.  I had already signed up to run my first 5K in Louisville, so when Emily decided to come down, she decided she would run it with me.  Before leaving for Louisville, we walked around downtown Lexington at the Farmer's Market.  We enjoyed some veggie and ham crepes and then indulged in some "Crank and Boom" ice cream.  If you haven't tried this stuff, it's amazing, but you will seriously become addicted.  We then left for Frankfort, which was our mid-way stop before Louisville.  My little Blair lives in Frankfort, and it's always a good time when our Phi Mu "family" gets to hang out, plus Blair had not seen Emily in forever, so she was anxious to catch up.  Blair just bought a new house, so we stopped by, got the tour, and sat around with her catching up.  We decided to eat at Panera before heading to Louisville so we could have some food in our stomach, but nothing to heavy.  After leaving Panera, Emily and I headed to our 5K.  We were excited, but nervous as neither of us had ever ran 3.1 miles straight through.  We decided we were going to run as far and as much as we could, but overall it was just for the fun experience.  

The GloGo5K was awesome.  We got all kinds of crazy glow gear to wear.  Our heat started at 9:20 pm.  It was an amazing run.  The sun was setting over the Ohio River, it was cool outside, the adrenaline was pumping.  All of the elements combined for an incredible race.  Plus, it was fun to see everyone glowing in the dark.  I am proud of report that we ran the entire race!  And it was easy.  I had been running for a few weeks, one to two miles here and there.  But it felt great to run straight into the after party, knowing we had completed it in good time and without stopping to walk!  Talk about some awesome endorphins.  Below are some pictures from the race! 

It was hard to be cool in the glasses, so we opted for some goofy, nerdy pictures as we waited.

Woohoo.  3.1 in the books.  We rock!

The GloGo After Party with drinks, foods, and dancing!

The only was to indulge after a race is by a celebratory donut right?  I had a peanut butter glazed donut with Oreo topping (pictured left) and Emily had a marshmallow glazed donut also with Oreo topping.  It was so good, I literally caught Emily licking the wrapping after eating the donut.  Such a great reward! 

On Sunday, we woke up and went to church at Southland for their late service.  The service was amazing and refreshing.  After church, we decided to cook a homemade lunch and enjoy it on my patio since the weather was absolutely gorgeous.  We fixed grilled salmon, sautéed brussels sprouts, and fresh corn on the cob.  We washed it down with some yummy Blood Orange Italian Soda....yum yum.  After that we decided to go for a walk.  We walked to all the cute little parks downtown, Gratz Park, Triangle Park, Thoroughbred Park, past the Kentucky theatre, and all the gorgeous old historical homes. We even stumbled upon Henry Clay's old law office which I had never seen before.  It's awesome to be a tourist in your own city sometimes.  I then took Emily to my new favorite Lexington spot, a cute coffee shop called "Cup of Common Wealth."  If you haven't tried this place, you are missing out.  They have the best iced vanilla latte, sometimes I go there to sit outside on a table, sip the cool drink, and read a book....talk about relaxing.   After leaving the coffee shop, Emily and I perused Half Price Books for some bargain books, which both of use agreed we didn't need any books, but there is just something about the search for the next best book you've ever read.  So we went anyways, and had a great time just browsing.  I found a Shaun Neiquist book I had been wanted to read.  Shauna Neiquist is the author of "Bread and Wine."  She is also going to be with Donald Miller at the Storyline Conference I am attending in Nashville in October.  If you haven't read her, you should.  Emily found a cute $5 book which was fictional story that involved a bake shop.  Emily loves to bake, so the cover caught her attention.

So excited to dig into my delicious meal! 

Emily was about to try brussels sprouts for the first time.  She loved them :)

Famous little spot in downtown Lexington.

Iced vanilla latte for me.  Iced chai tea for Emily.  A perfect drink for a perfect afternoon.

Emily and I were sad to say goodbye.  But we've already got two more weekends planned, well three actually.  In August, I am going to Cincinnati for the weekend to explore and run in the Color Run.  She will come back to Lexington in September, and I think we are going to do a bourbon distillery tour then the Old Kentucky Dinner Train.  THEN, we decided to run our first half marathon together.  So we are currently training to run the half November 10 in Louisville.  It will be great to accomplish such an awesome thing together.  I'm happy to have a wonderful friend who participates in all my crazy ideas and adventures with me!

The Original Paris Opera House

One of my favorite places in Paris was the Opera House.  I loved walking through old building. This was literally one of the most extravagant, breathtaking places I visited during my time in Europe.  This it the ORIGINAL opera house in Paris, so it's old, charming, and beautiful all at the same time.  The pictures just don't even do the place justice.  Enjoy :)

Grand Staircase.

Ceiling in the above the Grand Staircase

So fancy!

Inside the theatre.  I'd hoped to find a cheap ticket that day, so I could experience it.  However, a cheap, single seat was around $170, plus, I only had travel clothes, nothing fancy enough to attend the opera in.  But it was fun to explore the building.  I wandered around for about 3 hours.  I couldn't imagine seeing a show or being lucky enough to perform there.  Quite amazing. 

Mimics the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles

They had some of the costumes used in the different operas showcased.  They were so extravagant and beautiful.  Such craftmanship involved in making the costumes.  They employ seamstresses, cobblers, leather makers, clothing dyers, and the list goes on and on.  It takes hundreds of people to do the scenery and costumes alone. 

A collage of the costume work.  I was fascinated by this.  I guess I had never stopped and thought about the work that goes on behind the scene to make sure everyone and everything looks authentic.  

The Palace of Versailles

I took a full-day during my time in Paris to head about 45 minutes outside of the city to the Palace of Versailles. I woke up bright and early to catch the subway out to the train station where I would then take the train. It was a cloudy, cold day, but it was an amazing place.  I was glad I took the time to go and see it.  I could literally have spent hours wandering around, through the different rooms.  I did a guided tour to ensure I got the full-experience and saw all the must-see rooms and things within the Palace.  It was so extravagant.  I also loved learning about the different lifestyles each King and Royal Family lived during their time in the Palace.  For example, one of the Kings was such a "public" King that he had two bedrooms, the public bedroom where people would watch him get into bed, then they would leave and he would scamper over to his private bedroom.  In the morning, the same thing would happen, he would technically awaken in his private bedroom, but then go into his public bedroom, where he would awaken with a large group of people standing around watching him.  It was so strange to hear the little quirks about each of the Kings and their families, but I learned a lot.  Here are some of my pictures from the day. 

My first glimpse of Versailles.  It is so huge, this picture does not even do it justice. 

Entering the Palace Grounds.

Gold is literally EVERYWHERE.  It was so fancy.

Needed a picture in the inner courtyard, used exclusively by the King.  

The back of the Palace, wandering around the gardens.

The landscaping and gardens were extremely gorgeous.  I would love to return sometime in the summer.

The Coronation Room.

Hall of Mirrors.  

Hall of Mirrors.

I forget which room this was, but the paintings on the walls and ceilings were just breathtaking.