Summary of the past few days

Virginia vs. Eastern Michigan football game, pregaming bars Saturday night, late night trip to Little John's, pumpkin carving at Alex's house, labels on the shelf at work: "Steamfresh" and "Sun Chips."

North Carolina?

Yesterday I drove to South Hill, VA and back for a home visit. We left at 7 am and returned to Charlottesville at 3:15 pm. I drove for 5 and a half hours total. Needless to say, I was pretty tired last night. I didn't take any photos on my journey, but I wish I had taken a picture of a sign placed in the door of a gas station we stopped at for a bathroom break. The sign read: "We buy gold and silver coins. And Guns." Inside the store, the walls were covered with Nascar signs and advertisements for beer and liquor. The store also sold minnows and serious fishing equipment. I guess that's when you know you are in the south.

Doorknocking

Photos taken along my adventures over the past week driving around Virginia in search of participants in our research project. I took the first photo because I thought it looked like tobacco. In the process of taking this photo, I almost ran into a stop sign.

The photo of the Target sign was taken when Lauren and I put "Target" into the GPS so that we could take a little break from driving. We knew that there is a Target in Waynesboro, but we didn't know where it was. The GPS ended up taking us to a nearby Target warehouse right across from a farm (the last picture). "I don't think this is Target!"

Our adventures also included an off roading trip when I accidentally drove onto recently put down pavement and some hilarious car dancing when we were hopped up on caffeine.

5 Cups of Coffee

Today is one of those days where everything seems overwhelming. I went to the gym this morning at 6, like usual, hoping that endorphins would help clear my mind. Unfortunately the gym didn't really help and I ended up deciding to take the day off of work to make sure I don't go crazy. Mental Health Day!

I used my time this morning to research graduate programs and try to narrow down the list of schools to which I'm applying. As of now, the list has 14 schools on it. That's after I crossed out 6. The process of eliminating schools and beginning notes on my personal statement has been stressful. This is why I drank the first 4 cups of coffee.

Then I took a trip to World Market, and, after purchasing some hazelnut coffee syrup and pumpkin spice coffee (not to be used together), brewed another pot of coffee. That makes cup numero 5. I have a serious problem.

My inspiration for the day was going to World Market. I wish I could live in that store! It took all of my efforts not to buy all of their new fall-related products and varieties of pumpkin ale. I will have to go back soon!

Sunday

Today's adventures with Alex: Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival and the Green Valley Book Fair.

Inside a tent at the fair.

The weather was beautiful for the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival! We listened to the Western Albemarle HS Jazz band play a few songs and then walked around.

My lunch from La Cocina del Sol...yum.

Then we went to the Green Valley Book Fair near Harrisonburg. Over 500,000 books!!! Alex and I were in there for quite a while and I definitely had to restrain myself.

View on the drive back to Charlottesville.

The five books I bought at the Book Fair. I'm not allowing myself to buy any more books until I've read all the ones I've bought recently!

Saturday

I love October. It is possibly my favorite month.

Alex and I went to Veritas Vineyard for wine tasting.

I actually ran into Jimmy at the vineyard--that was a really pleasant surprise. I wish I had bought as many bottles as he ended up buying.

We stopped at Greenwood Gourmet Grocery and met a man who was giving out samples of his wine. The wine ended up tasting good, so we bought a Merlot to eat with dinner. I thought it was cool that we could support an upcoming wine maker! He even recommended a few vegetarian dishes to pair with different wine types which was nice because most people talking about wine always talk about what type of meat would go well with it and Alex and I just laugh quietly.

We stopped at Deluca's in Crozet for a glass of wine with the beautiful mountains in the background. It was such a beautiful day!

Then we came home and furiously put together our appetizer-like dinner.

Yummy bread and cheese dinner with delicious wine! As far as trying to do something new every day, today was very successful.

October 8, 2010

Alex with the guac, chips, wine and main dish.

Curried black bean, quinoa and sweet potato skillet.

Vegan pumpkin chocolate-chip and walnut blondies for dessert.

Post-GRE Happiness

New coffee cup.

Wine tasting.

Arch's on the corner.

Workin'

Things have been really busy since the last time I posted. I have been mainly busy with work. We have so many home visits this month--almost one every day! I enjoy being busy so I'm not completely complaining although I have felt overwhelmed at times.

Last week I went out with my coworkers on Thursday night and we had a lot of fun together. Friday we were all a bit more tired than usual but it was definitely worth the great stories at the Virginian and the hilarious dancing, shots, and glow sticks at Three on the corner.

Last night I went to C&O with Camille for drinks and dessert. I got a margarita and we split a french walnut tart. It was soooo yummy! I wish I had taken a picture. I definitely want to go there for dinner sometime!

Motion Picture Soundtrack

So today I'm just kind of chillin. I just started to read The Time Machine...one of the million books on my "to read" list. I definitely acquire books faster than I can read them but one of my resolutions this year is to read more. I am not allowing myself to step foot in a used bookstore or purchase any new books until I have read at least 8 of the ones I currently own but haven't read. I also want to re-read all of my Vonnegut books...there is not enough time in the day!

Right now I am trying to focus on goals for this year. My goals mainly center around maintaining good performance and taking on more responsibility at work, taking the GREs and applying to graduate school in December. I am honestly really scared of the GREs. For some reason they really intimidate me. I need to just sign up for them so that I have a date to work toward.

I also have resolved to get back into photography, something that I have sadly let slip out of my life. I'm also thinking about joining the Outdoor Adventure Social Club of Charlottesville. Thoughts?