Weirdness

Today is 76 degrees and sunny. Right now I'm sitting on my porch, on the couch (which we dragged out here in honor of the weather), sipping iced tea. This place is weird...AND I LOVE IT.

To celebrate the return of summer to North Carolina, here are pics from my adventures in Jersey this summer. I promise to get working on the rest of them so I can update on NC so far. But for now, bask in a little sunshine.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.apveza17&x=0&y=2fguga

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Dead and Dead

So I made a futile trip to the mall today to try and repair my glasses and iPod, both of which are apparently beyond saving. So now I'm walking around with glasses with a piece broken off, and I have no music to comfort me.

But then I saved the day with a little retail therapy. After buying a top (on sale - I need to start saving for glasses and a new Ipod), I walked around Williams-Sonoma and scored some free spiced cider. Although I couldn't buy a single thing there because of their ridiculously inflated prices, I did come to the conclusion that I would get married just to have a registry at Williams-Sonoma. No other reason. I LOVE that store. Someday my kitchen will be that pretty. And pretentious.

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Out of State Experience

So I had the weirdest thing happen today. I was studying for my econ exam last night and didn't get too much sleep. I woke up to find a grey, rainy morning - lovely. The two cups of tea I had this morning provided enough caffeine for getting through my morning exam, but I was kinda groggy the rest of the day. So I was working in the library and I got up to leave. I saw someone who looked like Barb, and for a minute I was back in Cambridge. I was heading home to Lowell, where I would meet my blockmates for an early dinner and then some Nintendo or Sex and the City before studying. Maybe it was because I was so tired, or maybe it was because everything reminded me of Boston today - the grey sky, the rain on the brick sidewalks, the feeling of dragging yourself to class without very much sleep...weirdness. I swear, I was CONVINCED I would walk out the library and see Sever Quad, or I would turn the corner and see the Harvard Book Store or ABP. I need sleep.

It all just reminded me how great college was, and while grad school is fun and all, it's just not the same. Ah, reminiscing about the past. Ok, I'm done now.

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Toto, we're not in the Northeast anymore

This morning I decided to go get a state ID, in my endless quest for establishing residency in North Carolina (in-state tuition, here I come!). Before being turned away for not having the requisite 20 forms of ID and 60 days' proof of residency, I overheard this gem of a conversation between two of the DMV officers.

"Did you see that flashy Eur-o-pee-an car?"
"What did he say it was called? A Min-ee Coo-per?"

Imagine all this said with thick Southern accents. Pauses and all. Priceless.

Sometimes, living in Chapel Hill makes me forget that I really am in the South. But then little times like these remind me that I am far, far away from home.

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And a new beginning

A new post, a new title, a new look, a new country...it's all so exciting! Welcome to my accounts of the South, from my new home of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I've got so much to update on, but for now, you should know I'm in a two-year graduate program in City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina (which most of you probably do). I'm completely overloaded with work (already!), hence the ridiculous time lapse in getting this thing updated. But not to fear - I will have pics from the summer, tales of grad school, and sundry other delightful things coming your way soon. Till then,

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The End (for now...)

Well, it's been nearly three months since I left the UK, and I've finally finished posting all the stuff from my trip. Hope you've enjoyed all the accounts of crazy times abroad, because I've certainly enjoyed the crazy times. And although I'm back in the US, it doesn't mean I'm here for good. Stay tuned for further adventures.

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And finally, Scotland

The last and final stop on my trip - and the pictures are finally done. Enjoy!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.8oqv3vi7&x=0&y=-r9dbxr

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Romania!

Pics are finally online - only one country to go!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.c77meylb&x=0&y=-fxnpjd

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Slovenia! Vienna! They just keep coming!

More pics!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.2fvvgme7&x=0&y=-8vh8g2

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Croatia!

Pictures from Croatia, for your enjoyment. I promise I'll get the rest of them up soon.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=u54fr1b.1n3ovylb&x=0&y=le0dk7

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