The Summer of 2012, A Review

It's that time again... here's the 2012 Summer Review.

Best thing that happened: Stuart and I are together in the same city in the same house!

Worst: Beach trip

Best single day: Spending the day with Stuart going to the animal shelter, walking through downtown Waynesville, and eating at Bocelli's

Worst: Pick a day from the beach trip

New friend: Brandy, one of my staff writers, and Pauline!

Song of the summer: "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)" by Patrick Stump, the entire Trespassing album by Adam Lambert

Artist of the summer: Adam Lambert

Best day trip: Taking Kate and Seth to the WNC Nature Center; seeing the 4th of July fireworks at Lake Junaluska

Wish I had: gone tubing

Movie of the summer, DVD: Safe House, Machine Gun Preacher, Reel Steel, John Carter

Movie of the summer, theaters: Snow White and the Huntsman

Most proud of: Handling The Western Carolinian newspaper, mastering the Frisbee golf game in Wii Sports Resort

Could have lived without: upsets at the newspaper

Couldn't have lived without: Stuart's understanding

Loved: Walking through downtown Sylva and Waynesville with Stuart on several occasions, Nutmeg hysterically chomping on a cherry, playing tag with Sparta, getting away from that crazy landlord and moving to downtown Sylva 

Wished: Slowed down and enjoyed the little things, I could have gotten my security deposit from that crazy landlord in Cullowhee

Dreamed: about the zombie apocalypse

Surprised by: How well my relationship is with my grandmother now, needing to wear long pants in the middle of June and August

Appreciated: My family's support (those that did actually support me), Pauline's generosity and care

Hated: Family drama, not having cruise control in my Honda, the oppressive heat, not enough moments enjoying summer

Stressed over: Family drama, making the newspaper perfect, the newspaper's annual budget

Smiled at: Stuart bringing me Bojangles and flowers, Cherry Berry Chillers, Pauline's amazing ability to make me feel like the most loved person in the world, my aunt and grandmother's constant support, two silly beagles

Biggest change: Alcohol free, threw out my pineapple loveseat

To be continued: Finish my degree at Western Carolina University, continue to make The Western Carolinian an award-winning newspaper, cherish the little things in life, call my grandmother every Thursday

Photo of the Day: August 7

Here's a cute picture of us at the Outer Banks!! I think we might frame this one! :)

The Must List, The OBX Special

This week's Must List is dedicated to the Outer Banks, my favorite place to vacation!!

1. New York Pizza Pub Restaurant
My favorite place!!! Delicious pizza! Amazing strawberry smoothies! Garlic knots that make you want to die in caloric heaven!! It's the perfect mix of NYC and the beach. Half the restaurant is decorated with billboards about fish or the ocean. There's even a gigantic wall mural of the Wright Brothers flying. Then, the other half is decorated to represent New York with subway stop signs and other trinkets. You have to try this place. Make sure to ask for booth seating.

2. Driftin' Sands Motel
Hey, it's cheap and it's really clean!! It has a TV with cable, a bathroom with the most powerful shower ever invented, a comfy bed, and not so ugly carpet. And, the price was totally worth an extra, stress free day at the beach! Peace!

3. Duck Donuts
Yum, yum, yum!!! This place is amazing!! Homemade donuts never got better. Definitely try the cinnamon sugar one. Plus, a decent price for some taste bud-melting, warm and snuggly, sugary sweetness. I'm not a big donut fan, but I would happily shell out cash I don't have for more of these treats!!

4. Sunscents Candles, Body, and Bath
Buy a candle or maybe three. I bought one with a bejeweled seashell pattern on the outside. And once the candle has burned all the way, it turned into a drinking glass!!! What fun!! Kate got herself a behemoth of a candle that was sprinkled with crushed coffee beans. They also had lampshades that fit over large glass candles made of stained glass to cast beautiful shadows of colored light. The lampshades also redirected heat so that your candle burns slower and lasts longer!!

5. Kitty Hawk Kites
You can't go to Jockey Ridge without getting a kite from Kitty Hawk Kites. I bought a sleepy kitten-shaped kite from them long ago, and I still love it and try to use today! They have every imaginable type, shape, and color of kite one could possibly desire!

My kite is on the right

6. Sunset Bar and Raw Grill
The perfect place to see the sunset!!! Plus, karaoke and open mic nights with good fun and crazy drinks! Personally, I've only had a virgin strawberry daiquiri, and it was delicious! They have a large pier and a gazebo situated in the Sound for the most amazing sunset you'll ever witness.

Taken from the Sunset Bar's website

7. Outer Barks
There had to be a number 7 for this one. It's the Outer Barks store - a store catered to dogs... and a little bit to cats. Bring your dog into the store and shop with your pet until you drop! There are treats, toys for you and him, welcome mats, even something for the deceased pet in your life. For animal lovers everywhere, Outer Barks is the place to be.

Camping in the Rain Part 2

Here is part two of the camping in the rain. The leaks begin to get worse and life as we know is about to get wet!!