Road Trip Lessons

So lately I have been into learning lessons from daily adventures. Today, my parents and I drove from Little Rock to Minnesota and holy cow...what a drive. We had detours sprouting up like leprechauns because of flooding still!! But here are some of the lessons I did learn:

1. You know you are in Iowa when cell service disappears and plugging your nose becomes a permanent position.

2. You know your way too much of a Transformers nerd when you yell out "Transformer!" and slightly take cover when You pass 2 Hi-Boy Sprayers. (tractors with really tall legs used to water the crops)

3. You know you are getting old when you look in the review mirror and give your dad the exact same look he has given you for 22 years that's says: "I'm driving. Think twice before you say one word about it"...and it actually works! He miraculousy didn't comment! Guess I learned from the master himself. His fault. :)

4. Detours through Iowa are the worst possible detours in the world. My advice? Ignore the detours and force your way through any obstacles.

5. The stereotype "woman don't know what they want", is best defined in my mom through her inability to find a comfortable temperature in the car.


Those are just a few. Nothing too life changing, but I think worth writing down. Tomorrow morning I will wake up and literally run to Hy-Vee where I will meet my grandparents, parents, and the other local farmers for breakfast at the deli. Yay!

Birthday Adventures

Sunday was my birthday!

Typically, I am not a big fan of birthdays but for the sake of being alive, I try and celebrate every year, regardless. This year was the first time in years I haven't been in Florida. Obviously, it is hard to beat that when in Little Rock, but I will admit, with my two co-pilots, we did a heck of a job.

Saturday night, we shut Little rock down.

and we woke it back up.

A couple lesson we learned on Saturday night:

1. Never take Dos Equis from your dad's fridge on a Saturday night because it can't be refilled on Sunday.

2. When all else fails, go for the tall boys at the local gas stations. AND only creepy guys who say "what's up sexy" while you're choosing a beverage and comment on the lighting of your license picture and then continue to explain how you are a photographer "of sorts", are to be found there. Gross.

3. Saturday night at the airport is not a bad night to see some old friends and make some new friends. In fact, it can lead to a paid for birthday dinner downtown, a parking lot chase, and a challenge to a baggo tournament aka: fun times.

4. "Going out" in Downtown Little Rock can be fun. In fact, if you are lucky, you may run into some random acquaintances and seven guys from the Netherlands.

5. However, being the "locals", you become responsible for providing the fun once all the downtown places close at 1:00am.

6. No matter what, don't ever go to Disco. The place is horrible and we do and will judge anyone that goes in there. I believe we all needed to shower as soon as we left even though we were only there for 10 minutes from the nasty germs that were floating in the air. If for some unforsaken reason you have to go there, do yourself a favor: a bring an oxygen tank, gloves, and goggles. Heck, do yourself an even bigger favor and bring a whole body suit.
Gross.

7. Electric Cowboy is worth the drive. It was a first time visit for the Trio but it was surprisingly fun. Big dance floor, country music, guy in a wheelchair who could dance better than me, no on dancing up on me (PTL), and everyone having fun!!

8. Going back to the truck to find a new friend, right were you left him, asleep, sitting up means he has had way too much fun.

9. Guys from The Netherlands are way goofy and so much fun.

10. Looking at the sky and noticing that the sun is coming up is always an unexpected surprise. Time flies when you are having fun!!

11. McDonalds does start serving breakfast at 5am. Thank goodness for their breakfast bagels.

12.Covering every part of Little Rock, including Benton and Maumelle, is possible.

13. Whoever said three is a crowd has obviously never had Molly and Kathrine as their best friends.

14. A fun birthday in Little Rock is possible.

And that was just the night before the birthday. I had all of Sunday to celebrate, including pool time, nap time, family cook-out, and as is tradition, a family baggo tourney. Congrats to Damon and Abby: the winners!!

Confession

So I have a confession...

Sometimes I sit on Google Earth and wander the streets of Ireland via the little yellow guy.

I miss it a lot. It hurts my heart.

I could go to school there but... I just don't know.

I wish I could be the little yellow guy on google earth. That way someone could just pick me up and with a few clicks, drop me across the world in a different town with new people, new music, new scenery, new cultures, new food....and I could go on.

I just like new things and I want to go on new adventures. Now.

Oh little yellow guy, you don't know how lucky you have it.

Mr. Twain

Mark Twain once said:

Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe you too can become great.

The questions I have to answer are what are my ambitions and what do I define as great. The thing that bothers me is that if I do define something as great, yet other people don't see it that way, then it somehow becomes not great. I am not a people pleaser and I am black and white and believe in right and wrong. So if what I define as great seems wrong to someone else and they say so, then that idea of great is no longer great to me either because it has been deemed as wrong...which is not right.

Which goes back to Twain's first piece of advice: keep away from those that belittle your ambitions. So far, those people have masked belittling my ambitions by giving "advice" and suggestions on "making the smart choices".

Right now, I feel ambitious about a couple things. But they aren't the "smartest" choices according to some. Therefore, I don't do them because they are wrong. And I don't do wrong things.

Ewww...makes me sick.

Mr. Twain, please come back and explore this with me a little bit more. Thanks.

I didn't know this.

Guys.

No one told me how weird this phase of life would be- the whole graduated from college, looking for jobs/trying to find out what I really want to do with my life.

I really don't know how else to explain it except that it is weird indeed. I don't feel any older than I did graduating from high school yet the reality is... I am. Plus, not only am I older, but I have this weight of a degree on my shoulders which means I need to do something better than what is required of a high school student.

I know, it makes sense and I know that having a degree is a privilege of which I am very thankful for. It is just hard at the moment to look ahead and see nothing. There is a part to it that is thrilling and exciting, but then there is a part of me that says, "I have no idea what I am doing" which feels scary and uncontrollable.

I am searching. I am looking. I will seek and hopefully I will find...something.

Until then, I will keep on keeping on. Something will turn up. I have faith.

OR I'll just pack up and move to Florida. Life's short, right?!

Oh but sidenote: The other night I was watching the MTV Movie awards and of course, best kiss went to Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. But their acceptance was lame. However, a few years back when Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling received the award...their acceptance of the award was awesome and made me smile. Check it out. I don't know which is better, this kiss or the one on the actual movie. Or maybe I am just a little in love with Ryan Gosling (he is a musician too, you know?)

Time on my hands...I blog.

Hi,

So I know. Three blogs in a row. Whoa. But this week I am housesitting for The Fullers and I have had a lot of time to hang out.

But here is a picture of my two best friends this week. Meet Ruby and Minnie.




Ruby, the big dog likes to chew on things. But the lovely thing is that she can open doors by herself so when she needs to use the restroom, she can just let herself outside.

Minnie, on the other hand, is just a little pest who likes to sit down right where you are about to sit. However, she is a cute little thing.

I want a dog. bad. I took Ruby in the car with me today and Mom asked me if it was because I wanted to look like one of those girls with a dog. I know that is broad but you get what I am saying. One of those girls that always has a dog and looks so cute. And even though I could never come close to looking like a cute petite dog owner with my running shorts on and coffee in hand, I still responded: yes I did.

I maybe got a few looks. Or maybe I just spilt on myself and didn't realize it. :)

So not inspired Sunday...

Do you ever have the desire to just do something but you have no idea what?

I had that today so I went to Barnes and Noble after church and walked around the whole store for inspiration and I got nothing.

But, I did run into a friend. His name is Sam and he is an amazing artist...see:

This is my favorite piece of his:



This is Sam working on a piece:



And this is Sam displaying another one:



I don't know Sam that well but in case you can't tell, I am totally envious of his talent. I can't even draw a good stick figure; not exaggerating. And I just love it when I see people using their God-given talents. I mean, the boy was made to do art in case you can't already tell. Check out more of his stuff here: http://samuelgrayart.foliosnap.com/#home

Back to Barnes: After chatting with Sam, I realized The Duggers were there doing a book signing. They opened up by having the kids sing some old hymn that for the life of me I can't remember right now. It was cute.

Finally, saving the best part for last, I went to the children's section. It is so magical in there which sounds so cheezy but it just is. While I was there, I overheard this lady who was looking for a book series for her niece, asking an employee for suggestions. I tried hard to hold back my opinion but after about 2 extremely long minutes of practicing self control while the sweet employee tried to suggest things, I popped up and suggested my favorite, The Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace, and if you love the movie You've Got Mail as much as I do, you will recall the scene where Kathleen is showing Annabel a copy of the book. She says

This is her best friend Tacy, whose real
name is Anastasia, and then in the next
book Betsy and Tacy become friends with
Tib, whose real name, I am sorry to tell
you, is Thelma.

(I love movie quotes and they love me. Sorry 'bout it.)

I find it a little ironic that my favorite children's book series is about three best friends growing up together.

I started reading them in the 3rd grade and I just really couldn't help but suggest them.

Here is the original cover art for the first and second book. I would love nothing more than to have the whole series in the original print. Aren't the just so cute?! [insert inner giddy squeal] I love them!





Anyways, after suggesting them, I went into slight depression when the employee went to search for the books and told me they do not sell them there. Major fail Barnes and Noble. I am disappointed. And then to make matters worse, the employee did an epic follow up suggestion with some series about cats. Are you kidding me?! Who wants to read a fantasy book about cats?! ugh. Whatever.

On that note, I decided I had spent enough time scouring the shelves and feeling uninspired so I left. Now my plan is to go read some Harry Potter. Harry always makes things better, right? Plus, I really want to re read the last one before the movie comes out just so I can enjoy it to the upmost.

After all, the majority of the world, including myself, may go crazy once it really is all over. I have to enjoy the anticipation as long as I can.

You should do the same. Hope you can get inspired on my uninspired Sunday!

My Mini Fairy Tale

Hello Everyone!

I told you I would tell you some stories from Florida beyond just where we stayed so, here it is. While I was in Florida, I had what I call my mini Fairy Tale because, believe it or not, I was reassured that there are still gentlemen out there and in this one, this guy was quite a catch.

First off, meet the guy aka The Fiddler.



It was Tuesday night, I believe, and the girls and I were out and about in Baytowne like usual. We made our first stop at Fat Tuesdays...



and then moved on to Funky's Blues Shack.



The girls were all having a good time, talking, dancing, and flirting with some guys that we had met earlier that day at the beach. When we got to Funky's, there was this band playing called Elizabethtown (which I find to be a great band name).



As I started to evaluate their actual talent and music, I noticed on stage the typical instruments, drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, etc...but then on the far left of the stage, I saw this boy playing the fiddle.

It didn't take two seconds for me to be somewhat captivated by him because between his smile, his awesome red hightop converse and the fact he was a talented musician, I couldn't help but sit and watch. The night continued on and I don't know if you have ever experienced this before but when there is a guy on stage that you can't stop watching, you have to do this whole 'flirt with your eyes' things since you can't really do anything else.

Oh. and let me tell you. I flirted with my eyes and gave him a few smiles that said "you are rockin that fiddle and I like it". Don't worry, it was not in a "whoreish kinda way". Promise.

As the band continued to play, they took a few breaks and although I was around, The Fiddler and I never connected. Towards 1 AM , the rest of the crew was ready to move on. I was not ready to leave but a crucial part of being a wolf pack is when one member moves, so do the rest. So I moved.

Molly and I walked around Baytowne to catch up with Kathrine and Abby. 2 AM, which is when all the bars start shutting down, was approaching fast and I knew time was running low. We went to this dance place, which was awful, and then we went back to Fats again.

At about 1:45, I grabbed Molly and said "Mollz, we just got to go back to Funky's for like two seconds." Abby and Kat were ready to go home but I wasn't. I just wanted to at least say hi to the Fiddler.

So we go back to Funky's, Molly wondering what the heck we are doing. Thankfully, the band was still playing and the Fiddler still right where I left him.

As they finished up the set, I looked at Molly and she sad "Jordan. What are we doing here? Why are we back?". So I gave her the update and then she was like well I am ready to go. Yeah, real supportive best friend right there. So out of rush, I quickly went through the logic in my brain:

This guy is right here. I am in Florida. He knows I have been "stage-flirting" with him all night. He is extremely talented. The least I can do is go say Hi and tell him he did a good job.

So I ran from Molly with a quick "Hold on", and approached the stage. I told The Fiddler, he really rocked it up there tonight and then I complimented his shoes, because I loved them. Get this. He then informs me that not only are thye high tops, but they are special edition ACDC red high top converse. I mean, I can't help it. I am a nerd but how awesome is that? I am just glad I did not bust out singing any ACDC songs or use one of their lines as a pick up line. I can see it now: "Yea, you shook me all night long with that music you were playing, handsome."

Gross.

Anyways, we introduced ourselves, talked for a couple minutes but since he was cleaning up the set, he didn't have much time. So he got my number and said he would text me later on and then maybe we could hang out sometime before the end of the week.

With that, I said that would be great, walked away, and escorted Mollz back to the room, updating her along the way.

That night, he sent me a text saying how it was so nice to meet me and he's glad the converse caught my eye. Then, unlike, the boys we had already met who just want to go out to bars and hang out while I watched them get more and more liquid confidence as the night went on, The Fiddler asked me if I would want to do dinner and a movie or something.

After talking it over with the wolf pack and getting their opinions, I decided that I should go because he is making the effort, I am in Florida, and why not.

Not only did he ask, but he picked the place, without even asking me (so nice for a change), and set a date and time where he would come pick me up.

When the day finally arose, I had all the girls help me get ready as if I was going to Prom or something. We all are stupid girls as some point, right?

After they had me all dolled up, I headed downstairs at 6:25 since he was picking me up at 6:30 at my hotel. It was as I entered the elevator, that I felt like a celebrity or at least like I was on The Hills or something. I walked out the door, and the bellmen said "Have a good night, Miss" and as a I walked through the majestic lobby, the doors were opened for me and I walked outside, sat under this great awning, on this beautiful Florida night, waiting for my date to come pick me up. It was 6:30 exactly. For those of you who know me, you know I am very punctual and being late is a big pet peeve of mine. But I got a text right then that said "I'm here". I was expecting a drive up and I get in the car but once again, I was surprised and he told me he was in the lobby waiting. So I went back inside and found him. There he was, red converse and all...and so our night began.

He took me to dinner at this place called Stinky's on 30A, which was so yummy and fun.



Then we went and got ice cream before going back to Baytowne where we walked around the Marina, looking at all the yachts and boats as we strolled around on the docks.







This was a tree house off one of the docks to the Marina that we explored. It was there we decided to create a treehouse bar but then decided it would be to risky since drunk people would fall out of it. We would get sued left and right.

The night was so much fun. The Fiddler was such a gentleman and we got along so well. He is one of those guy's with the Midas Touch which means he is good at pretty much everything. He is an engineering major, yet can play almost any stringed instrument. He loves to travel, oh and bonus for me: he used to play in this celtic band for multiple years. So cute.

I saw him two more times over the next week while we were in Watercolors. We were able to hang out and he took Kat and I (the second best way to win me over, take out my best friends with us) to the same Irish Pub we went to last year which serves my favorite Irish drink on tap that you can't get anywhere near Arkansas. Magners. God's gift of cider to the world.

My date with the Fiddler was beyond expectations. Apparently, my expectations had been thwarted during my high school and college years to the point where I didn't expect anything from a guy except to initiate hanging out. The Fiddler changed that and reminded me that there are still good guys out there who can take the lead in just little ways.

He not only asked out but planned the date, paid for everything, was so easy to get a along with and did not talk about himself the whole time, gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek when he saying goodnight, and told me he would love to go out again the next week if I could escape from nannying.

This is why I call this my mini fairy tale, because for the first time in a long time, I felt a little like a princess. I felt pursued and I felt taken care of. All thanks to a Fiddle Player with an amazing smile and his red ACDC converse.

The End.

I didn't die, I was just on vacation.

First things first: No, I didn't die. I am still alive and breathing. I just have not blogged in forever and I am so very sorry. Ever since graduation and moving away from Siloam Springs, my world has been a whirlwind of events.

Anyways, Hi! How are you?! I hope you are doing well and if you are in the state of AR, I hope you have not melted away in this way-too-intense heat.

I am trying to decide if I should write about the present or the past right now, though. I have never loved the present, I have always loved the past, and I defintely do not like the future.

I guess as an entry back into my blogging after by over extended break, I think I will focus on something I love: the past. Which means, I will tell you about a bit about where I have been aka Florida aka heaven on earth.

I was in Florida for two weeks. The first week was with three of my favorite people in the world and we stayed for our fifth year in-a-row at the amazing resort, Sandestin with Kathrine, Molly, and my big sister Abby. Aren't they pretty?



This is a picture from one our first nights out at our favorite spot, Fat Tuesdays. I always tell them I have the prettiest best friends ever but they don't believe me. WHAT-EV-ER.

Here is a picture of where we stayed: The Grand at Sandestin


(Our room is where the black circle is in case you couldn't put two and two together :) ) It was awesome.

The second week, Kathrine and I stayed to nanny for the Fullers and the Finleys, two families from Little Rock. Heather Fuller was my small group leader when I was in 6th grader and ever since then, she and her husband, Bryan, have become friends, family, and mentors to me. They have three kids (Molly Kate (8), Parker (6), Jake (4))who I have babysat since birth and they invited Kathrine and I to stay with them another week in Watercolors. Stuart and Sarah Finley are best friends of theirs and they have a 10 month-old named Carter. Although meeting them for the first time when they picked us up from The Grand in Sandestin, they too, now feel like family to both Kat and I. We heart them.




There we all are:The Fun-ley's! That is what we called the household all week long. Here are some pictures of where we stayed. It was so beautiful. It goes without saying that none of us wanted to leave.






And this is Kat and I's room.



The whole house looked like it came straight out of Pottery Barn.

The two weeks were way too much fun and there are so many stories to tell:

From baggo, tikki huts, creamsicles, beer shoes, friends from last year, Hot George Sr., date night, Fat Tuesdays, Funky's, Hot Tubs, our wingman: Colin, German Rappers,Publix, Fratty Bicyclers, tearing up the dance floor, back porch singing, The Red Bar, Bud & Alley's, Pandora, Jelly Beans, D.J. Kat Allen, Bushwhackers, a mysterious beautiful surfer boy, Booze Cruise!!, bike rides around Watercolors, Seaside and Seagrove...I think the list could go on forever.

Tomorrow, I will maybe go into detail about a couple of the stories.

But for now, here is the explanation as to why I have been so M.I.A. I promise to try my hardest to not be so absent anymore which should not be too hard since I am now back in Little Rock, trying to figure out how to be a grown-up and decide if I want to start a career or go back to school. (Ick, the future: this is why I hate it)

Later alligators.