these are my twisted words.

It has been too long.

What happened to my determination to type out my thoughts 3 or more times a week?

I don't know where that determination went, but it's starting to tap on my shoulder again.

Today is a day for all times. A real summer day. I just put Quadrophenia on.

See what I mean?

All I can really say is that A LOT has happened to me in the past week. A rather whimsical situation if we are finding words for it. I am not sure if whimsical is the right word, but the word brings to mind magical little things, a serendipitous occurance, or something you would find in a Disney movie. Where all is happy, bright, right, and sing-songy. So whimsical it is. Things have made their shift and I feel everything that happened is for the best. I am more than content.

I am truly living in a movie.

The script is all made up as we go...

but everything seems to flow so well as if it were strategically pieced together by the best writers & directors.

I have heard it all before, but I haven't felt it all before.

It was so easy to decide yet so hard to be sure.

I feel good. I will trust my instincts.

Places I have been in the past two weeks: (including pics from N. carolina)

one. for lunch

two. for music

three. for my beloved tea I feel that this deserves a few words. I am so glad that I finally went here. I love their tea. It's really unique and all of them are delicious. I have only ordered online from them before but I am glad I actually made an in-person visit. That way you are able to smell the tea and have it all right away without shipping and handling.

Go see 500 Days Of Summer.

North Carolina:

A random hike we took. Near the Indian Reservation in that area about an hour from Hendersonville

This was taken in Greenville, South Carolina.

The waterfall was in the middle of town.

Under the waterfall

Overlooking the waterfall

Coyote Ugly!

Updrafts were a big part of my trip.

Those are the ones worth seeing, I suppose.

I'm glad I took a long walk today to soak up a few rays today.

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my day.

I hope you enjoy yours too!

accidents waiting to happen.

Summing it all up...

(N. Carolina trip minus pictures.)

Wow. I feel like I need to update--finally. It's been too long. So last week was spent in North Carolina. Meredith and I took off in her '93 black accord with no A/C to North Carolina. Minimal stops were made. 1 stop for gas and we ate across the street at Steak 'N Shake. We ended up getting to our destination (her house in the Smokey's) around 10:30 pm. It was very odd because I felt like I knew this place so well. There was no fault in my memory of what the whole town/area looked like. I enjoyed the trip so much last year. I was excited just to return to the place that was so perfectly imprinted in my mind.

I was dying to get out of my town, get a change of pace, some new scenery for awhile. I think that this trip was a little different this year because last year it was all so new to me. I had never stayed up in the mountains or really even gone up in any mountain ranges--ever. I was enthralled with all the trees that grow so sneaky from the rocks that are pushed up high over the ground, the trails that weave so nicely through the woods, and the open land that graced the surrounding town. I was also happier last year. Happier in the sense that I was refreshed from returning from Malta & Germany. I was so in awe with new experiences and new territory. I wanted to explore it all. When I had a chance to go to North Carolina last year to stay in the Smokey's, I couldn't wait to see what lingered there for me. This year has been very redundant, not just on this trip, but this summer. Given, I fill my time with things I enjoy, it's just the same things I enjoy--all the time. This strips the fun away. All in all, second times around fall short to the first times. But of course, there were some great times on this trip. Some highlights...

Meredith and I headed to Asheville for a day, ate at the amazing Mellow Mushroom Pizza, and visited shop after shop of funky clothes, handmade accesories, decor, and unique shoes. I love the surrounding of Asheville. Very laid back/hippy-esque. Good, Good.

Of course we found the hookah bar in town. We got acquainted with the owner and enjoyed the space of the place. It was a really nice hookah bar. I have been in some nice hookah bars, but some of them are more dim, music blasting, black furniture, etc. This was different because the decor was all different but went together so well. On every table were conversation/coffee table books and games to play while you enjoyed the smoke. It was very well ran. We made two stops there on the trip.

Eating at a lil place called The Purple Onion. Meredith and I came across this because I wanted to go out to eat and get a Greek Salad somewhere and she searched food places in the area on her GPS. We were curious to see what kind of food they served so we called and found out they were a Mediterranean Cuisine. PERFECT. It was such a nice little place, great art on the walls from local artists, and they had a great staff of people.

We saw Funny People. It was enjoyable. Very long, but good. We spent a good amount of time in Wal-Mart, just to pass time. Another thing about this year was that it seemed like last year we stayed in more, had more things planned with her family, and didn't spend nearly as much dough. This year was mostly Mere and I getting away for awhile to explore towns around and new scenery. We hiked so many of the surrounding trails last year that we just kind of wanted to avoid it and go out more. We skipped across the border and into South Carolina for an afternoon. We went to Greenville and spent time in the downtown area. Very beautiful, especially the waterfall that is in the middle of town. It's gorgeous. The shops in the downtown area are all very unique and the restaurants looked amazing. I would go back.

On the way back we decided to stay in Nashville for the night with her sister. I've been to Nashville before but haven't realy explored the downtown area. Let me tell you now; I hate country music. I think it is awful. So going to downtown Nashville was interesting, but a good experience overall. One of my favorite parts of the trip?? DANCING ON THE BAR IN COYOTE UGLY! Loved it. Love performing/entertaining. If I would have known I was going to danced I would have dressed up better and brought my cowboy boots. Oh well, such is life. Spur of the moment is better.

A good trip overall. I enjoyed myself and it was good to get away. I need a change of pace once in awhile. However it is good to be back. Work resumed today and it went really well. Tomorrow is ballet and Phish! I am very excited! I just hope the rain stays away!

Have a Great day!

-Tessa

fusion.

North Carolina calls!

I am so excited!

I will be leaving tomorrow morning for North Carolina for one week.

Road tripping with one of my best friends, Meredith, to stay at her house there.

I am so excited to get away and be some place so different from here.

My whole mindset changes.

Thank God.

I need a change of pace.

pics from last year:

View from the Harner's porch.

Waterfalls we went hiking to. I hiked up there!

see here.

Fair Oaks Farm on the way!

Hope all goes as planned!

Have a great week everyone!

It crept between two lungs.

I am going into this blogpost unsure of what to say. We shall see what happens.

I have a few things on my mind. I feel a list might be necessary to help me sort this out;

1) Today I worked a near 12 hour shift decorating/glazing cookies. I am so tired-- and I am to return for work at 7:30 am tomorrow. I am not really complaining--the hours are needed, we had some really good laughs (as always) and instead of me closing tomorrow, I get off at 3 in the afternoon. This leaves time for evening plans (finally! a free Friday in the summer!). I think Matt and I are going shooting and going to grab a bite. Should be a good time, shooting doesn't happen too often.

2) I am going to North Carolina next week and I could not be more relieved to get the hell out of here. I long for no television, internet, and people I know. I need to be up in the mountains and just get away and spend time with Meredith and her family. It is so nice to get that change of pace and it is really good for me. There is so much down time where we are just hiking, sitting around reading, playing board games, or something to keep us all entertained and relaxed. Last year I hiked up a waterfall, had a parrot walk along my arm, hiked in the Smokey Mountains, and got to drive 90 back from Kentucky. Again, I am glad I worked hard this week to get better money to cover the week of work I will be missing. It is really important that I get away. I always feel like I need to get away. I'll share a picture from last year with my parrot encounter--obviously this photo is edited--for fun factor of course.

3) I have three albums in heavy rotation right now in my car. They include; Florence + The Machine (Lungs), The Yeah Yeah Yeahs (It's Blitz!), Nine Inch Nails (With Teeth). They all hit very very different emotions. All real ones. Good God, I hate emotions, but I guess since we have them we should listen to music to hit the right ones at the right time. I guess without emotions music wouldn't be anything either. I guess emotions are on the good side--for now.

4) Can I just say how cool it is that the weather channel plays Pink Floyd during the local on the 8's past 11pm?! Let me tell you, the weather channel might seem boring but they have spruced it up quite a bit with groovin music every 8 minutes. I know--I cannot really sell the weather channel, but I'm tuned in all the time, every day. Everyone keeps saying "you should really be a meteorologist." Okay, great. Don't you think I know that? People don't know how hard it is. I took a class, suffered through it (learned a lot), but ended up with a B. I should have gotten an A. I had to work SO hard for that B too. The thing that REALLY bothers me is the people that are doing it just because they have the skill level with mathematics and science. It's just so discouraging. All the things I want to do are nearly impossible. I'm a dreamer--it's the pisces in me.

5) My body is screaming at me for my ballet class Tuesday--my legs hate me right now. It was a good class though. I'm really enhancing my flexibility and getting more in tune with my body, posture, balance, position, and my french vocabulary each time I have a class. Unfortunately I will not be able to skate or do ballet for a week. Madness!

6) There are many, many times I think that I do not know if I will ever figure out what it is that I want. I am happy only in the temporary. I keep myself sidetracked only to return to some sort of unsettled unsure feeling. I fear that I will never be fully content. I just really don't know these days. It brings me back to a moment in Malta--a moment of realization and change; where I realized in a very moment that I can truly be happy on my own, without anyone else. Of course, we need human interaction--we need it, (like we need food, water, exercise, and sunlight). But in the end, we can only be reliant on ourselves because we carry on with ourselves day to day. We acquire new thoughts and ideas with each new sun. But if you have a strong sense of character and feel reliant in the self, then you cannot really go wrong--you can produce your own happiness. However I have moments where I feel very sure of my decisions, my character, and my feelings. I have really good feelings about things. Most of the time I go with my intuition. There are some things that simply cannot be ignored. Things I know that are meant to be pursued. And I pursue them. A dreamer AND a Do-er?! How lucky!

I guess that about sums it up. I am going to bed. I hope you all enjoyed the night! Have a great day tomorrow! Of course you will, it's FRIDAY!

-Tessabee