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

The Must List, August 13

This week's list is refreshing, yummy, and musical!

1. Smart Water
Why have I never drunk Smart Water before? It's awesome! It tastes great, and the fun little lip makes me want to drink more. Stuart, you are a genius for buying these. I never want to stop drinking!

2. The Bang Bang Club DVD
Wow, what an awe-inspiring, powerful film! I couldn't stop watching. This is a true testament to photography journalism and the demanding factor of this job, especially overseas. Taylor Kitsch stole my heart away in this dramatic, moving film. 

3. The Western Carolinian newspaper's Seminar Week
You heard me right!! What a way to start the school year! Last night, we had a party at my house with Wii games and some greasy, delicious Bojangles chicken. Today, we had a seminar about AP Style where nearly all of us failed the AP Style quiz. Later, we're learning about Media Law then participating in team building exercises with Base Camp Cullowhee. Early tomorrow morning, it's hiking time before the Photography seminar!! You can't ask for a better last week of summer.

4. Bocelli's
This is a restaurant in Waynesville, NC, and already, Stuart and I are planning our future trips!! It was DELICIOUS and SO CUTE! An Italian eatery, it was the perfect mix of a place for a business meeting or a place to cuddle with your man near to the ivy-covered gates that frame the front of the restaurant. I have been searching that perfect little Italian place since coming to the mountains, and I have finally found one. Garlic knots, mouth-melting. Stuffed shells, delightful! Lemonade, we're buying a gallon next time!

5. "Promise the Stars" by We the Kings
Just another track from We the Kings that I'm in love with! I can't get enough of them. I'm sorry I missed them in the Warped Tour. The music video is pretty great, too.

6. AOL Radio
Pandora gave me attitude. Yahoo! Music Radio freaked out. Now, I'm a listener of the free radio provided by AOL. They play the great tunes that I want to hear, and they have few commercial breaks. If you're into rating, it's easy with a large heart icon or a negative icon. It doesn't get much easier than that.

The Must List, July 9

There's a page in every Entertainment Weekly magazine that tells their readers the "must-have" things of that week. It was usually my favorite page, back when I subscribed to the magazine in high school. Usually, the list was specific, like the "must-have" DVDs for Christmas or the "must-have" books. Well... mine's going to be random, but they are definitely things to you need to eat, drink, borrow, watch, read, and thoroughly enjoy!!
So prepare yourselves... here is my first ever The Must List!!

1. Cherry Berry Chiller drink 
Stuart laughs at me for this, but I LOVE IT!! It's tangy; it's sweet; it's what fast food is supposed to be! And, it's very happiness-inducing! Grab one before it's gone because supposedly they're only around for a limited time. OMG! I want one!! This thing for me is equivalent to a Krabby Patty for the entirety of Bikini Bottom!

2. John Carter on DVD
What an awesome fantasy adventure! I'm not one for space movies - can't stand Star Trek (old or new) and I'm really not amazed by Star Wars. So for me to say that I loved this movie and that it was the greatest DVD I have rented from NetFlix in a few weeks is saying something! Plus, it's Taylor Kitsch with long hair!! YES!

3. Stuart's BBQ chicken thighs
Ladies, you need to find you a man who can grill like mine because this one is taken! Back... away... slowly...

4. Thunderstorms
You can't read a good book unless there's a calm, rumbling, grumbling thunderstorm outside. With the rain drops pattering on the A/C window unit and splashing in the creek outside, there's no other perfect setting for reading or cuddling.

5. Machine Gun Preacher on DVD
Ever since my Non-Western World Literature class, I have been interested in how films portray the discourse of Africa. In this film, Africa is looked at through the white-man-swoops-in-and-saves-black-Africa lens along with your stereotypical violence and injured children. Still, the story will amaze you and leave you wondering how you can improve your life by doing good for others.

6. Cyanide and Happiness web comic
LOL!! Just click on the link! Warning: some material is crude and involves adult language.