24 February 2011

They Say It's My Birthday!

I'm 22!! At 4:59 pm it will be officially official! Today I have been overwhelmingly reminded of what amazing friends I have! I'm so glad I have y'all in my life! And I've loved all the Facebook posts, text messages, emails, phone calls, and conversations! So far, all of my gifts have been food, except for one -- the LBJ Tapes -- y'all know me so well! So now, I am fully equipped to sit and watch DVDs of LBJ whilst eating Chesapeake Bay peanuts and Fun Dip and sipping on G & T's! Who could ask for anything more?! We're expecting 8 inches of snow tonight, but I'm not gonna let that get me down! I can't wait to celebrate with my friends before I hunker down and study for my Philosophy test tomorrow morning!

My first birthday...and my second (I look like I'm afraid of my cake!). And my fifth (unicorns? really Hope? And I'm pretty sure I'm rocking an Aladdin sweater).
My seventh birthday -- I was such a little baller. Especially with the half up side pony and Kool Aide on my face!
My tenth and my fifteenth.
And finally...my 21st. In DC! At Bullfeathers on Capitol Hill. Surrounded my congressmen.


21 February 2011

Where's Slovenia?

So the other day in class my philosophy professor asked us where Slovenia is. No one answered. He proceeded to walk over in front of me, stomp his feet, and say, "Come on Grebner, where's Slovenia?" Like I was the only person in the class who would know. Yeah, right. What do I look like, some kind of geography wiz? I looked at him blankly. Let's hit the pause button. Do any of you know where Slovenia is? Without looking it up? I didn't think so. And if you do, you win the gold star for the day. So here was my answer, "Eastern Europe." Always play it safe, Grebner. He laughed. He wanted something more specific. So I guessed -- and I guessed wrong. So I guessed again and finally I was getting warmer. It's in the Balkans. When I got back to my apartment I did some research -- Slovenia is surrounded by Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. And I will never ever forget it.
This is Slovenia...

So where is this going? I'm going to the Balkans! Bulgaria specifically. In June. For three weeks! It's not Slovenia, but it's the same general area. It's not exactly a popular tourist destination, but it looks like a beautiful country! Get ready for more posts as I prepare for my trip to Bulgaria (not Slovenia)!
And this...is Bulgaria!

10 February 2011

In My Mind I'm Going to Carolina...

Can't you see the sunshine? Can't you just feel the moonshine? Ain't it just like a friend of mine to hit me from behind? Yes, I'm going to Carolina in my mind.
The words of that old James Taylor song have been in my head since late Monday night when I found out I've been accepted to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's graduate program in Library Science. Now I'm planning a road trip out to Tar Heel Country over spring break! I've never been to North Carolina and I can't wait! I've already been warned that I will instantly fall in love. I hope so!

Ever since I can remember, I've felt a strong connection to the South. The front porches. The sweet tea. The warmth. The Spanish moss. The forests and mountains. The beaches. The slower pace of life. Now there's a possibility that I'll be moving there after graduation and I just can't help daydreaming about it all day.

03 February 2011

Wishing Away the Cold...

Close to twenty inches of snow has fallen on Illinois, and today we started with morning temperature below zero! As I was walking across campus on a small path between two mountains of plowed snow and climbing up what used to be stairs like I'm climbing Everest, I started daydreaming of warmth -- of sunshine, beaches, and suntans. So here's to wishing away the cold...
Dear Grenada, why can't I come visit you right now!