Continuing Across the Country

So, after our night Blacksburg, we headed onto Tennessee. We did not think about the time zone changes as we were driving, so sometimes we felt like our drives were closer than expected. Oh well. This brought us to Nashville (my favorite, BY FAR).

(Chris and the Volunteer State sign)

(Me and the Volunteer State sign, pardon my terrible clothing choices, and my appearance, we were living out of a car)

Knoxville. That's all I got. I'm a big racing fan, so it is a two thumbs up for me, but we only had so much time.

My favorite!!! We got to the museum with an hour left before they closed, who knew they'd end up kicking us out. I apologize in advance for my terrible photos, we were very rushed, but this is only a few, some of my faves.

Patsy Cline's dress

Reba McEntire's dress

Hank Williams's clothes and awards

The manuscript for Dolly Parton's "Jolene" - I really like this song, and how cool is that??

Garth Brooks's guitar. He is probably my ultimate favorite.

Jason Aldean's jeans and cowboy boots. :]

The Second Fiddle in downtown Nashville. I like Nashville bars better than San Diego and Las Vegas and anywhere else. Really, it is true. I'm a beer drinking, sometimes whiskey shot taking, country music loving girl.

Aww, aren't we cute? We were both major grumpy pants that night, but this is after we turned our frowns upside down.

The best part of Nashville bars? LIVE MUSIC from musicians who have their own bands, play covers and their own songs, oh and they happen to be the band for famous people. I believe if I remember right, the keyboardist had just finished playing a show for Jerrod Niemann before he came to the Second Fiddle. AWESOME!

So bummed our trip didn't bring us on these days. Oh well. Maybe some day. Actually, right now (well starting tomorrow) is the 2011 CMA Music Festival, and I am watching the CMT Music Awards.

I really want to go back to Nashville ASAP. In fact, if things don't work out in California, we might head to Nashville. Yes. Oh we were unable to see the Grand Ole Opry because it was still being remodeled after all the flooding. The exits on the freeways were even closed so we couldn't drive by it. I had one really blurry picture as we drove by. What a major bummer. Such a sad, sad place to be when we were there because many places were finally coming out of the flood slump. However, it was still fun. My favorite.

One Year Ago Today

Exactly one year ago today, we started our cross country adventure from Maryland to California. It was definitely one of the BEST trips ever, in fact, it was THE BEST TRIP EVER! This first photo is us right after we left Double T Diner where we had breakfast with Chris's mom, brother, and grandparents. Yum, I miss Double T breakfasts.

(We were really excited, can't you tell?)

This is the sign, "Leaving Maryland, Come Back Soon." Chris has been back a few times, but I have not been back yet. Oh well, here is the sign. It was probably an hour or so into our trip.

(ADIOS Maryland)

This is us entering Virginia, right after leaving Maryland. Another sign.

(Welcome to Virginia, woo hoo, first border crossing!)

This is Chris climbing a rock at Natural Bridge in Virginia. We had lunch there, walked around, hiked around, etc. Fun, fun, fun!

(No real rock climbing, that's all he and I did.)

Since I'm not into rock climbing, and I have no upper body strength (or used to have none, now I do) this is me on the rocks. Yep, that's all.

(So EXCITED!!!)

This is a camp in the park at Natural Bridge. It was a make shift Native American camp on the (or what I believe was) Cedar Creek Nature Trail. There were lots of different camp photographs, I stuck with one for you.

(Would you believe me if I told you we camped out like that? Yeah, I didn't think so).

That was day one where we ended up in Blacksburg, Virginia, which is where Virginia Tech University is. I do not have any photos from there. We got a hotel, went to Bull and Bones for dinner, I had a really good pulled pork sandwich where you can make your own BBQ sauce. Chris had a duck wrap. It was all good. Some beers at a local bar where the college kids hang out, and that was all. Just wait until tomorrow, we go on to the Volunteer State. Enjoy these memories and nostalgia of last year's trip.

Busy as a Bumblebee....

What a busy weekend and Monday.

Did I do anything, you ask?

Absolutely not. Unless you consider going to the gym, cleaning, decorating my Relay for Life pole, going to church, more gym, grocery shopping, work, doctor's appointment, and gym. Did I miss anything? I probably did.

Anyway, I'm perfectly healthy, in case you wanted to know.

Another thing, that maybe you didn't want to know, I hope you aren't eating or thinking about eating. I sweat, A LOT when I workout. I should take a photo, but I do not bring my camera with me to the gym. We've always joked with my cousin that we know he is related to my uncle (his mom's brother and my mom's brother) because they both sweat profusely. Guess what? I can join the club too. Too much information, sorry?

I have no photos today, this is boring. I apologize.

Adios.

Things I Really Like and Think I Could Not Live Without (But Probably Could)

I really love this photo of my cousin and her dad, my uncle. I wish there were more days for him to have been with us, but moments like this one are cherished by everyone. I love this photo, definitely a fave.

This was a picture of the sunset at Mission Beach last weekend. I love sunsets on the beach in San Diego. Maybe more to come this weekend. Beautiful.

Reliving my childhood... Spice Girls. :]

From Here

Emily Giffin might replace, well, not replace, but join in line of the author who I will eventually end up reading all of their books. I loved Something Borrowed, I'm waiting for Something Blue to be ready for pick up so I've begun reading Baby Proof.

Nicholas Sparks

Jodi Picoult

Stephenie Meyer

J. K. Rowling

Emily Giffin

Soon I will be able to cross her off that list.

From Here

I need a big floppy hat, ASAP. I can not find one that I really, really like. I like the ones that I saw at H&M (not pictured above - which I should have but I don't want to edit this post) but I could not find the right color. Ugh. I want one SO BAD.

From Here

Why hello there, what could be better than the Backstreet Boys? Or what could be better than New Kids on the Block? Oh, that's right, THEM JOINING FORCES FOR NOT ONLY A TOUR BUT A CD! Okay, I'm sorry for yelling, but you should see the huge cheesy grin on my face. I love it. Love, love, love it. I had my Danny doll as a kid, which if I hadn't gotten him at like 4 years old I would have kept for a collector's item. Oh well. Swoon, NKOTB and BSB together. Big smile.

Found Here

Fruits and vegetables. Yum, I've been getting all my servings, and it feels and tastes good. All we have left are pears. I need more than pears!!

Found Here

Bruno Mars' Grenade. I love this song. Chris and I both love it. At first the song is all about being heartbroken, but then he gets angry. It is phenomenal. I love it. He's kinda cute too, but I have more of an affinity for the above mentioned NKOTB and BSB.

Found Here

This movie, Titanic, is on TV. I used to have the biggest crush on Leo. My friend from elementary school and I were obsessed. I had this framed photo and my mom stepped on it and broke the glass and my friend and I about went into shock. Anyway, it is on and it definitely makes me think of my childhood; oh and my mom covering my eyes during the sex scene.

Finally, a post with photos. I hope to take a solo adventure tomorrow and maybe have some photos, although I will be busy.

Gym

Make stick/post for Relay

Find rings for Flamingo toss at Relay

Pick up some candy for Relay

Clean the house

I need Vitamin C, Lots of Tea, and Big Bowl of Soup

I don't want to be a negative Nancy, but I think I am sick.

I woke up thinking it was my allergies attacking me (I cleaned yesterday) but as today has progressed I have begun to feel worse and worse.

On a better note, Justice for a Cure has officially surpassed its fundraising goal AND has one more tomorrow. Woo, freaking hoo.

If you would like to donate to Team Justice for a Cure please click here and choose Donate to a Team and pick JUSTICE FOR A CURE since I didn't tell you that a million times in this post.

We all know someone who has or has had cancer. So do it for them, and if you are not comfortable donating to me, go to the Relay for Life website and find one near you.

My Top Workout Songs

I was going steady and quick on the elliptical today and doing my intervals, and it dawned on me that I do have a workout playlist go to. These are the songs that really, truly get me pumped and push me through my workout:

"Hive" by 311

"Till I Collaspe" by Eminem

"Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix A Lot

"Crazy Bitch" by Buckcherry

"Dirt Road Anthem" by Jason Aldean

"Neverending Summer" by 311

"Circus" by Britney Spears

"Poker Face" by Lady Gaga

"Bulls on Parade" by Rage Against the Machine

"We R Who We R" by Ke$ha

"Ego" by The Saturdays

"Barracuda" by Heart

That's really all I can think of at the moment. Usually on my intervals I pump up the 311, it works wonders but the two in this list are my faves. I always save them for the end.

Reasons Why I Love San Diego

Here is a list of the reasons why I love San Diego.

1. I love wearing cardigans. Usually, year round, it cools off at night for them. I hate jackets, and I love sandals, so it is the best combination for me.

2. I love Mexican food, and I love Old Town. Well, they also have a place in Old Town serving amazing Irish food, but I really love Mexican food.

3. I love the beach. I don't love the sand, but everything else. I love sitting on the beach, reading book, in the sun. I love the smell of sunscreen and the sea breeze. Not to mention, how many places can you really go sit on the beach in the winter? Yep, if it isn't in the tropics.

4. I love Phil's BBQ. Yum. Delicious. So much food for your money. It feels like you're in the south, but you're really in San Diego. And clearly it is good if people are willing to wait over 90 minutes for food. Yum. By the way, we went there tonight. Excellent.

5. San Diego State University. Cheesy, but I loved going to school there, I'm so glad I made the decision to move here and continue my education away from my family. I learned so much about myself, grew up, and know the value of being independent. And the campus is nothing to sneeze about.

6. San Diego Chargers. Chris made me like football. Now I love it. On Sundays you can find me with my P. Rivers aka "Dolla Dolla Phil" jersey on and a Bud Light in my hand.

Six is a good number for now. :)