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

I Can Hear the Ocean

This weekend I made a day trip to the beach with my friend, Amy. We drove through Wilmington and then went out to Kure Beach for the day. Every time I go to the beach I’m amazed by its’ beauty. I am very
fortunate to live in a two hour driving range of the beach. The beach is something that a lot of people never get to experience in their lifetime. Even if they do it is not very often. I am also fortunate to
live within two hours of North Carolina beaches – what I think could be some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Yes, North Carolina has their “tourist trap” beaches, but they also have beaches
that are deserted and not people-polluted. I always feel inspired when I go to the beach and feel mentally, emotionally and spiritually rejuvenated from the experience. I get lost in the constant steady rhythm of the waves. How they never stop rolling in and they are constantly moving. I start thinking about  how
many grains of sand could possibly be held in just the palm of my hand. How on the surface the sand burns your feet, but if you just dig your feet a little deeper your feet are cooled off. I’m amazed by how
the tide changes and one minute you are sitting next to the water and what seems like a few minutes later you are miles away from the water’s edge. I love how you can look out from your beach chair and you can
only see water for as far as the eye can see. I believe the beach is a humbling experience. It truly makes you realize how small you are in comparison to the world. It also reminds me of how large our God is.
He designed this mechanism of the ocean, the sand, the breeze, the tide and the fact that it all works together to create a masterpiece is spectacular.

Snapshot Sunday!

 I can't believe it has been a year. Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of when I took this picture. On June 25, 2011 I flew for 8 hours from London to Nairobi, Kenya. This picture was taken of the Greek Islands. It reminds me of how small we really are in comparison to the World.

Jumping into Summer

Since recital is over and teaching dance is over for the school year, I can officially say that I am on Summer Break! I still go to work during the day for my "day job" but my nights are free! I dove into summer this week with a lot of fun activities that I was able to enjoy.

Tuesday night after work I went with my friend Amy to the Raleigh Ampitheatre in Downtown Raleigh. We were able to go to the Andy Grammer/Colbie Calliat/Gavin Degraw concert. It was a great concert on a perfect summer night! I have always been a Gavin Degraw fan and was ecstatic to see him in concert. Colbie Calliat was great live and I will now say that I am a fan of newcomer to the music scene, Andy Grammer. What a great show!

On Wednesday night I went with 15 of my co-workers to Wine & Design. We were all from different departments in the company but that didn't stop us from having a good time! We had a great time with a lot of laughs and fun memories. We all walked away after the two hour class with the same painting!

Check out my masterpiece!

Thursday night was an especially memorable night of the week. As our 1 year anniversary of our trip to Kenya approaches we had a team dinner. TheKenyan missionaries we stayed with on our trip and Jessie's parents are living in Cary for a few weeks on a homestay. It was a great opportunity to get us all together and re-live our memories and the ten days we shared together on the other side of the world. Our Kenya team is very special and the only ones who truly know what life was like June 25 - July 5, 2011.

Happy Feet

Last weekend I attended the North Carolina Rhythm Tap Festival in Chapel Hill, NC. I can't believe it but this year was the 12th year I have attended this world acclaimed festival. The festival is a whole weekend of non-stop tap classes by some of the world's originators and most famous tap dancers. It is an honor to be able to take classes from these tappers or as they are known "hoofers." The faculty change every year which allows for you to take classes and learn from a lot of the great masters of tap dance. This year I had the opportunity to take class with Michelle Dorrance, Josh Hilberman, Derick Grant, Nicholas Young and Dianne Walker. It's so much fun to be able to go to large festivals like this one and seeing people you know. It makes for a fun class when you walk in and you are standing next to dancers that you formerly danced with in college or from other studios and competitions. It just proves how small the dance world really is. Everyone is truly connected somehow! It was a lot of dancing but so worth it! Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

ECU Alumni with Derick Grant

ECU Alumni with Nicholas Young (lead in Stomp!)

ECU Alumni with "Lady Di" Dianne Walker

Recital 2012

 What a crazy last few weeks! I know that I haven't posted in awhile. It's because it has been the busiest few weeks of the year - Dance Recital time! Recital time of the year includes making sure costumes have come in the mail, that the costumes fit all of the dancers, hair accessories have been made or purchased, props have been painted and prepared, songs have been cut to be the right length and speed, Picture and Dress Rehearsal Schedules have been arranged as well as the show order. Not to mention all 69 dances need to be choreographed and taught, volunteers have been organized and that all 275 dancers are in the appropriate location. A dance recital takes a lot of work and wonderful teamwork to come together, but this year was once again a success. Through all the late nights and never-ending rehearsals a lot of fun memories are created and laughter is always shared. These dancers that you spend numerous hours with become your family that you can't live without.

My Senior Company Tap Dancers.

My tap dancing boys did a great job with their tap dance "Are You Ready for Some Football?" (Complete with their own jerseys and footballs)

How could you not love being a dance teacher when you get to be around these cute kids??

We had 18 girls graduate this year. Most of them I have taught since they were little. I will miss these girls so much!

A wonderful group of dance teachers that I can call my family.