I realized yesterday that it does not feel like summer to me. I hear of weather up in the 90s and hear people complain of the hot, muggy weather, and it does not register to me that it is actually the time of year that is supposed to be hot. I think I'm still waiting on summer to come. Still doing all the stuff I have to do before summer finally ( Read more... )

You are making it very easy for me to push you away.
In fact, I'm not sure I'm pushing. You're disappearing. 
Now if it were only just that easy to forget you as well.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July. For the last 4 years, I have spent that day surrounded by friends and children. I've spent the day at carnivals, running trivia booths, and walking on slacklines. At night I've watched my girls and watched the fireworks (and usually watched whoever held my interest that summer). This year, I'm going to wake up on the ( Read more... )

This week, I reached my turning point for my time in Morganton. Yes, its the halfway point, but that is not the point of which I speak now.  This week, I reached the point here where its not just something that I'm doing that I can easily walk away from. I remember feeling this one day in Scotland- where if I would have left in that instant I could ( Read more... )

I'm at the halfway point of my summer now. I had my midterm on Thursday and have only 6 weeks left of fieldwork here in Morganton. I can't believe how quickly everything is going now. Can't believe how much time here I've wasted by not going out and seeing all there is to see here. I spent this weekend hanging out with friends from around the area ( Read more... )

Hanging out with my 6 year old niece this weekend, I was reminded of the things I did when I was her age. As I talked to my brother and sister-in-law about such things as money, budgets, jobs, and places to live, I found myself almost jealous of my niece. Don't get me wrong, I do love being my age and doing the things I do. I enjoy having ( Read more... )

Well, after being here for 5 weeks, I can honestly say that Morganton isn't a bad place. There's not a lot to do, but its a beautiful area and the people are nice. I like where my fieldwork is and my CI is great. The town is small, but every Friday there is music downtown and people come out to sit on the square. I've met a few more people and even ( Read more... )

Two years ago tonight, I arrived home from Scotland and was rushed to a square dance and bbq/camp-out in Bremen. I arrived in the States late, came into Detroit instead of Cleveland, and was very late to my own party. I wore a blue shirt with white letters "Scotland". I was so thrilled to be with everyone, but it was a foreign, coming home. Things ( Read more... )

Last year, I posted comments to or about many unnamed individuals. I will do the same now. Some people from before are represented again. There are others that are new. The phrases are all different than before though, made to reflect the differences between then and now ( Read more... )

I typically write journals of annoyances or quick updates about my day. Most often, there is a hint of frustration or sadness in what I have to say. But today- today I must write a quick note about how utterly amazed I have been by my friends. Old friends and new friends offering more than they should to me for no reason. Not expecting repayment or ( Read more... )