Snapshot Sunday!

Nothing compares to a Southern summer night!

National Dance Day 2012

HAPPY NATIONAL DANCE DAY!!!

In case you didn't know, today is National Dance Day! I know you're probably thinking.. "Yes, Whitney would know this random fact about dance." In 2010 Congress declared the last Saturday of July as the official National Dance Day. As a part of a movement to promote healthy lifestyles, National Dance Day is a day to encourage people of the United States to get up and just move. Something that people forget to do in our fast-paced culture. Today we celebrated at our dance studio with free dance classes for all ages and skill levels. We had a blast dancing and learning the "official" 2012 National Dance Day routines sponsored by the Dizzy Feet Foundation. 

What other way to spend one of my favorite holidays is by going to the movie theatre to see the new dance movie "Step Up Revolution." Let me just tell you - you need to see this movie! Even if you're not a "dance fan" you will love this movie. The movie is about a group of people called "The Mob" who crash all of these high society events with flash mobs. Check out this link to watch the first scene of the movie. You won't be disappointed! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPsrNiZScco 

A New Toy

I made a BIG purchase this summer! I have been saving up money and I have now stepped into the world of Apple. The second week of June I ordered the brand new MacBook Pro the week it was released. I received it in the mail last week and have enjoyed playing with it. In fact, this is the first blog coming from my Mac. Maybe it will inspire my "creative juices" to start to flow. It definitely has increased my speed in everything from downloading pictures to visiting a website. I am proud to say that I spent 8 years with my IBM laptop. From freshman year of college to my third year in the "real world" we have been through a lot of picture edits, music downloads, Facebook statuses and maybe a few college papers. Do I completely know how to use this new toy? Absolutely not! Do I feel computer illiterate almost everyday after my new purchase? Pretty much! I find myself googling something everyday to figure out how this new world works, but I am excited for this learning curve I am about to embrace. 

A Pirate Wedding in Wolfpack Country

I've decided that my favorite type of weekends are those that involve "pirate weddings." This weekend my friend from both high school and college, Jess A, married Dave in Apex. Jess & Dave's wedding was beautiful and full of love, friends and family. This ECU crowd did have a little difficulty with the reception held at the NC State University Club, but we did a great job of owning the place. I love that out of the eighteen people in the picture above, nine of us are wearing either purple or yellow. Proven fact that once you're a pirate, you bleed purple & gold! 

We can't have an ECU wedding without a purple & gold cheer.  

 Pirate Girls!

Pirate Boys!

Snapshot Sunday!

I loved watching this black bear at Grandfather Mountain!

Mountain Getaway

This weekend my Mom, Dad, brother, sister-in-law, nephew and myself had the perfect weekend getaway in the mountains of North Carolina. We rented an adorable cabin on the outskirts of Boone, NC in the community of Foscoe. We had a great opportunity sit back, relax and of course get to be tourists! Since my brother attended Appalachian State University he lived in Boone for 4.5 years and was the expert tour guide. We were able to mark a couple of items off of our NC Bucket List such as enjoying an RC Cola in the rocking chair of Mast General Store, eating at a Boone favorite MacAdoos, driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, taking in the views of Grandfather Mountain and of course partaking in a little hiking to some of Boone's hidden secrets.

Mast General Store

Listening to the live picking on the back porch of Mast General Store

My brother took me and my Dad to two of his favorite spots in the North Carolina mountains. The first was a hidden watering hole off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We pulled off at an overlook location and hiked down a steep hill to a secluded spot where the water trickled through the rocks and boulders. It made for some great photography moments and you will definitley be able to find me there on my next trip - curled up on a rock, shoes off and reading a book. It was so peaceful and serene and escape from the hectic world that surrounds us, just above that steep hill.

Little did I know that our first hiking experience was training for our second hidden secret - The Hebron Rock Colony! After hiking almost a mile we arrived at the river with these large boulders. By large boulders, I'm referring to boulders that are the size of cars or tractor trailers! In order to make your way up to the top you need to jump boulder to boulder. Planning each step carefully not to slip on the mossy or wet rocks. It took us awhile to climb this "mountain of rocks" but the views were magical. During our trek my mind kept wondering how this natural wonder was created. I took my fair share of Earth Science and Geology classes in school but I still have no idea. The monstrosity of the boulders and the water that blanketed them down the hill was truly mesmerizing. Needless to say, my brother and I were exhausted after our trek and were thankful to make it back to safe ground.

The huge boulders of Hebron Rock Colony that we climbed

To put in comparison how large these boulders are

Sunday's hiking trip up Grandfather Mountain was a breeze (literally) in comparison to Saturday's two hiking trips. Being a mile above sea level at the famous mile-high bridge made for much cooler temperatures and some strong winds that left you holding on to your balance.

After crossing the Mile-High Bridge at Grandfather Mountain

What a view from Grandfather Mountain!

 This weekend is one to remember. A relaxing weekend to escape the record hot temperatures and our busy world.

Happy 4th of July!

"I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. I won't forget the men who died who gave that life to me. I'll proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today. There ain't no doubt, I love this land, God bless the USA." - Lee Greenwood