Week 16 - Meet Baby Ella...

Alright this one definitely wasn't on my original list, but I had to count this because it was just one of the happiest moments I've had in quite some time. My mentor from college/friend/amazing lady in my life, Teresa and her husband Paul recently had a sweet little baby, Baby Ella. I got to meet her for the first time last week. She is absolutely precious. I know most babies are, but she is legit adorable. It's so beyond amazing when people you love get to experience something they have looked forward to so much. I remember Teresa hinting around to me that she was pregnant and now I can't believe that Baby Ella is already here. I love this family so much and am so excited for their new addition. I know Teresa and Paul are going to be amazing parents and it's wonderful to be able to share in their joy. Ahhhh, I just love her! She is the second Baby Ella I have had the privilege of meeting this month. My besties sis and brother in law also had a Baby Ella who I met earlier this month and love!

Week 15 - Become a Mac...

On April 24, I travelled to the sparkling capital city of North Carolina, known as Raleigh. Upon visiting, I paid a little visit to the Apple store and purchased a MacBook. This was kind of on my list because I had a sneaking suspicion the ole IBM Thinkpad was on its last leg. My suspicion was right and the Thinkpad surfed its last webpage on April 1. I tried to salvage its contents but the computer guy said it could not be saved. RIP Thinkpad, thanks for your steadfastness through the ECU years.

Now that I've paid my respects let me just say I love the Mac, it's flipping sweet and I just generally feel cooler typing on it's crisp white keyboard. I have not yet mastered it, though I hear it is a force to be respected, but I'm working on it!

This is the first photo I took using the Mac, I think it expresses my excitement well.

Week 14 - Explore a Greenville Greenway...

I knew Greenville had greenways and knew one started near the Town Commons. This was about the extent of what I knew about Greenville greenways. A week or so ago a friend and I kind of stumbled on one. I didn't have my camera to document it, but I thought it was a really neat trail and so I went back today and explored a bit further. I've been really into exploring lately. It makes me feel cooler, I suppose. This greenway is the South Tar River Greenway. The starting point is at the historic Tar River bridge. Don't ask me the history, because I don't really know it. I had been to the bridge once or twice before, to the end of the bridge but not much past the end. This is probably why I never noticed the little green frogs that lead the way on the 1 mile trail. I ventured off the trail a bit and found this tree. I want to sit on that branch and read a book like Huck Finn, though I think I'd cry if I fell in the Tar River. After I walked the trail, I went back and ran it. I think this will be my new favorite running spot. It really is kind of lovely. Sometimes I forget to take time to notice the lovely things around me.

Week 13 - Find the Wrightsville Beach Mailbox...

Oh this was my favorite! I had heard stories of this sweet little mailbox on Wrightsville Beach where people leave notes....I wanted to see if it was real and of course write a note if it was.

A few days ago, I decided to take a solitude day. I've been missing Wilmington like crazy, so I decided to spend a day in my favorite North Carolina City. The drive to Wilmington started around 10:30 a.m. When I arrived, I took a nice long stroll on the River Walk and had a quiet lunch with a new book. I walked back down the River Walk and indulged in a strawberry ice cream cone. I watched the boats drive by as I sat in the sunshine enjoying my strawberry treat. Around 2:00 p.m. I hopped in my car and drove to Wrightsville Beach to see the sea and try to find the little hidden treasure I had heard tales of...

After driving North, parking and walking behind the beach dunes in true adventurer style, I came to a bend. As I walked around the bend and over the top of a small dune, I spotted the mailbox in all its quaint glory.

Small wooden stairs, covered in seashells surround the special mailbox. A tree with seashells and other various objects dangling from it's limbs sits to one side. A tattered boat cushion serves as a seat for visitors.

Giddy with excitement, I spread out my towel, threw down my Indiana Jones style purse and gently placed my hand on the starfish handle and pulled open the door to find a small green notebook inside. I took a seat on the white, worn-out (but comfortable) boat cushion and poured through the pages, cover to cover...

The small notebook was almost filled and the first entry dated March 24, 2010. I imagine whoever keeps up the mailbox changes the notebook often. I read prayers and secrets, confessions and stories. I could relate to some and I felt sad for others. I smiled at the stories of love and wondered what that must be like. I laughed at some of the things people wrote, particulary one entry that said, "Better than e-mail, twitter, facebook, myspace." I was completely inspired by one story of adventure.

With a pen in hand and the notebook on my lap, I sat and let the sun kiss my shoulders and the breeze run over my face. I heard the ocean, roll in and out and I allowed myself to breathe in and out. I found a few blank pages in the middle that seemed to be waiting just for me and filled them with a few thoughts. I found myself wondering what I would do if I ran into someone I knew in this spot or if someone I knew would read what I wrote. I wondered if they would know it was me who wrote it.