So obviously I can't stay put and within 4 weeks of being out here, I've already flown back to NY twice. The first trip was February 19 for Arethusa's Unity/Bid Night and doctor's appointments. My flight was supposed to leave Thursday morning but I got a call from US Air at 3AM telling me the flight was cancelled. They rescheduled it for 5:30 that day, through Phoenix to Philly and then Syracuse, getting in at 9:30 Friday morning. When I got to the airport they had booked me on a different flight through Delta that had already taken off. So I had to deal with that for half an hour but finally it was all set. The lamest part of the flight change was that instead of getting into Cuse Thursday night and spending the night at Karlie's, I spent the night on a red eye and slept in the Syracuse airport on a couch for 4 hours during the day. Oh well, the weekend was ridic, as per us.
The second visit was March 5 for Sigma Chi's initiation. I got into Binghamton Thursday night for Wing Night and purple drank, then drove with Kyle, Moses, and Mike Joy up to Potsdam. We stopped at Club 99 when we first got there, I thought just to quickly say hi to everyone, but no...they were having a spray tan intervention for me (we are totally obsessed with How I Met Your Mother). After that ridiculousness we went to Eben's for dinner then suited up and went down to Duff's. Saturday was amazing times followed by Sunday brunch at Eben's with Diane.
Sidenote: I wanted to mention this on my roadtrip post, but anyway... I always thought the Pennsylvania state highway symbol was so much cooler than NY's (it's a keystone as opposed to a shield) so I figured I should check during my trip out west to see if there was anything cooler. Answer: surprisingly Kansas! They have yellow suns and it is ever so joyous. But PA is the 2nd best...
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
FINALLY
I finally got internet at my apt 2 days ago so now I will actually post all the journal stuff I wrote during my trip:
January 30 - Left Norwich around 9:15 (110,057 miles on the old Camry). Got to Mercersburg at 2 and couldn't find anyone cause it was long winter weekend. Went to the Bergin Center and saw Ms. Mufson, then to the health center and visited with Mrs. Galey. Stopped at Romeo's and got cheese fries then checked back for the Thorne's who were home! Ended up hanging out with them for an hour and a half - I forgot how entertaining and ridiculous Mr. Thorne is! Drove to Melissa's at 5:15 and got there around 6:45. Had dinner with her and Don after a Nina's appetizer, then hung out until Aaron and Andy got home. Played Rock Band with Aaron for a little while then passed out. [376 miles]
January 31 - Went into Baltimore today. Don dropped me off at the aquarium a little after noon. Tickets were $25 so I was expecting it to be as good as I remembered. Unfortunately it did not live up to my high standards. Afterward I walked around the harbor, got lunch at Panera and sat in Barnes & Noble and wrote 12 postcards. For dinner, Melissa, Don and I went to G&M for crab cakes. They were the best I have ever had BY FAR. If anyone gets a chance to go there, it's near the airport and so worth it. As I was trying to sleep, I got a random drunk dial from one of my best friends from Mercersburg, Erica. I hadn't spoken to her in over 2 years so that was a pleasant surprise, plus she is planning on visiting our friend Molly who lives in Olympia too, so hopefully I'll be seeing her soon.
February 1 - The drive down to Chapel Hill was pretty uneventful. Brodie and I were going to meet up for lunch in DC, but he got "Jake Hamlin drunk" and didn't leave PA until I was already past DC so that didn't happen. I got into Chapel Hill after 4 and then Paul took me on a tour of the UNC campus. We went over to Faustine's to watch the Superbowl and new Office episode and didn't get back until 11:30ish. I took a sleeping pill and passed out basically immediately. [302 miles]
February 2 - Left Paul's around 9 and stopped north of Atlanta for gas. I was thrilled they had diet Code Red Mountain Dew so I bought 3 bottles. A random car was stopped where I-75 and 85 split so that was a little hazardous, but I made it out okay, along with a car with no lights through the rain in Alabama that I couldn't see and barely avoided hitting. It rained all through Georgia and while I was on 85 in Alabama, but stopped once I got on 10. I got into Baton Rouge a little after 9 with the time change. Jess and I hung out for a few hours before I became non-functional and had to sleep. [887 miles]
February 3 - Drove into New Orleans at 9:30 but hit roadwork for 12 miles so I didn't get there until 11:30. I walked by the Mississippi River, then down Decatur Street, over to Bourbon. I had gumbo and a blackened shrimp po'boy for lunch and then got a Hurricane. I was buzzed after that so I walked around for awhile to sober up. I stopped back at the Mississippi River and wrote a few postcards then headed back to Baton Rouge. Jess and I went out for sushi with her roommate Emily and friend Lindsay. We tried gator sushi which I really liked, along with a lava roll which was amazing.
February 4 - Left Baton Rouge a little before 9. The GPS route took me on US/State highways through Louisiana. I got so sick of driving on them, the second I saw an interstate sign I went for it and added 30 minutes on to the GPS ETA. Dallas was the only non-desert/flatland area I saw which was a nice break. I got to Linsey's at 8:30 and had dinner and hung out for awhile before bed. [788 miles]
February 5 - Linsey had to work all day so I hung out around her apartment, working out, reading, doing laundry, and bought food to make us dinner (BBQ chicken, mashed red potatoes, and 3-bean salad). Afterward we baked a cake and finished half of it that night, before and after going to a local bar. I hit on a few random guys with some ridiculous lines (obviously including "is it true what they say? is everything really bigger in Texas?"). Linsey and her 2 guy friends were clearly entertained by the shenanigans.
February 6 - Linsey had the day off so we hung out and were lazy all day. We went out for dinner at a Mexican restaurant with her work friend, Mindy. Then the 3 of us went to see He's Just Not That Into You which was really funny.
February 7 - We got up to work out before leaving, and left around 10:15. The GPS route was going to take us straight into Colorado without going through the Oklahoma panhandle, so I had to take a different route to go through Kansas as well - which added an hour and 40 minutes to the trip! The back roads from Kansas into Colorado didn't have a welcome sign, but I could tell when we switched states because we went from a paved road to a dirt one! It was ridiculous and we didn't drive on an interstate at all - but the mountains once we got here were beautiful! We got here at 7, went out for dinner and drinks with Amanda and Steve, and got a good night sleep for skiing. [545 miles]
February 8 - Went for breakfast before hitting the slopes around 10:30. The 4 of us went, but after the first run Amanda chached out. Steve, Linsey, and I stayed out until the lifts closed at 4. Overall it was a lot of fun, but my feet and ankles get so sore. Amanda made us Mexican chicken and potatoes for dinner which was delicious, and I made strawberry margaritas. We sat around and watched Season 1 of Greek which I am now totally addicted to.
February 9 - Linsey went skiing but I wasn't in the mood to go and spend another $140, even after Linsey offered to pay. Some days I just feel like relaxing! Amanda and I went to lunch at this soup shop that made me think maybe I should open that sort of business and make it really environmentally conscious with corn plastic containers and local produce, etc. I managed to watch 8 more episodes of Greek before going out to dinner for all-you-can-eat ribs. We got back around 9 and I went to bed soon after.
February 10 - Got up at 6 to drive Linsey to the Denver airport. Dropped her off at 8:15 and started my trek to Washington. I drove in Wyoming for 5 hours, but at least it was scenic. It took me awhile to realize the reason I thought everything looked so cool was because there are NO trees on the mountains. I got pulled over in Twin Falls Idaho for going 83 in a 75 but he let me off thankfully. I made it to Boise Idaho and spent the night at Motel 6 where I also enjoyed $3 wireless internet and watched more Greek! [930 miles]
February 11 - Left the hotel at 11:15 and drove for 7 hours without stopping. After so long a trip, I just wanted to be there already! I got dinner in Southern Washington then drove less than an hour to my cousin Jay's apt. He's at army training in California so I stayed with his roommate who I'd never met before but he was a nice kid. [528 miles - 4535 miles TOTAL]
February 12 - Went into Seattle to do touristy things. Went up the Space Needle twice (day and night views) and to Pike's Place. Very cool, but I wish I went earlier when it was busy so I could get the full effect. Went out for drinks in downtown Olympia with Molly but was ready to pass out at 11 and went home.
February 13 - Drove to the Pacific Ocean! I parked in a lot a few hundred feet from the beach and had to walk down a random path to get to the water. It was kinda creepy so I just took a couple quick pictures and headed back to my car before I got murdered and thrown in the ocean (I've watched too many horror movies...)
February 14 - Moved into my apt! Sleeping on an air mattress and watching movies on a body pillow couch I crafted. Went over to Molly's for a Valentine's Day party but came home early cause I was exhausted from moving.
More stories from the West Coast soon....
January 30 - Left Norwich around 9:15 (110,057 miles on the old Camry). Got to Mercersburg at 2 and couldn't find anyone cause it was long winter weekend. Went to the Bergin Center and saw Ms. Mufson, then to the health center and visited with Mrs. Galey. Stopped at Romeo's and got cheese fries then checked back for the Thorne's who were home! Ended up hanging out with them for an hour and a half - I forgot how entertaining and ridiculous Mr. Thorne is! Drove to Melissa's at 5:15 and got there around 6:45. Had dinner with her and Don after a Nina's appetizer, then hung out until Aaron and Andy got home. Played Rock Band with Aaron for a little while then passed out. [376 miles]
January 31 - Went into Baltimore today. Don dropped me off at the aquarium a little after noon. Tickets were $25 so I was expecting it to be as good as I remembered. Unfortunately it did not live up to my high standards. Afterward I walked around the harbor, got lunch at Panera and sat in Barnes & Noble and wrote 12 postcards. For dinner, Melissa, Don and I went to G&M for crab cakes. They were the best I have ever had BY FAR. If anyone gets a chance to go there, it's near the airport and so worth it. As I was trying to sleep, I got a random drunk dial from one of my best friends from Mercersburg, Erica. I hadn't spoken to her in over 2 years so that was a pleasant surprise, plus she is planning on visiting our friend Molly who lives in Olympia too, so hopefully I'll be seeing her soon.
February 1 - The drive down to Chapel Hill was pretty uneventful. Brodie and I were going to meet up for lunch in DC, but he got "Jake Hamlin drunk" and didn't leave PA until I was already past DC so that didn't happen. I got into Chapel Hill after 4 and then Paul took me on a tour of the UNC campus. We went over to Faustine's to watch the Superbowl and new Office episode and didn't get back until 11:30ish. I took a sleeping pill and passed out basically immediately. [302 miles]
February 2 - Left Paul's around 9 and stopped north of Atlanta for gas. I was thrilled they had diet Code Red Mountain Dew so I bought 3 bottles. A random car was stopped where I-75 and 85 split so that was a little hazardous, but I made it out okay, along with a car with no lights through the rain in Alabama that I couldn't see and barely avoided hitting. It rained all through Georgia and while I was on 85 in Alabama, but stopped once I got on 10. I got into Baton Rouge a little after 9 with the time change. Jess and I hung out for a few hours before I became non-functional and had to sleep. [887 miles]
February 3 - Drove into New Orleans at 9:30 but hit roadwork for 12 miles so I didn't get there until 11:30. I walked by the Mississippi River, then down Decatur Street, over to Bourbon. I had gumbo and a blackened shrimp po'boy for lunch and then got a Hurricane. I was buzzed after that so I walked around for awhile to sober up. I stopped back at the Mississippi River and wrote a few postcards then headed back to Baton Rouge. Jess and I went out for sushi with her roommate Emily and friend Lindsay. We tried gator sushi which I really liked, along with a lava roll which was amazing.
February 4 - Left Baton Rouge a little before 9. The GPS route took me on US/State highways through Louisiana. I got so sick of driving on them, the second I saw an interstate sign I went for it and added 30 minutes on to the GPS ETA. Dallas was the only non-desert/flatland area I saw which was a nice break. I got to Linsey's at 8:30 and had dinner and hung out for awhile before bed. [788 miles]
February 5 - Linsey had to work all day so I hung out around her apartment, working out, reading, doing laundry, and bought food to make us dinner (BBQ chicken, mashed red potatoes, and 3-bean salad). Afterward we baked a cake and finished half of it that night, before and after going to a local bar. I hit on a few random guys with some ridiculous lines (obviously including "is it true what they say? is everything really bigger in Texas?"). Linsey and her 2 guy friends were clearly entertained by the shenanigans.
February 6 - Linsey had the day off so we hung out and were lazy all day. We went out for dinner at a Mexican restaurant with her work friend, Mindy. Then the 3 of us went to see He's Just Not That Into You which was really funny.
February 7 - We got up to work out before leaving, and left around 10:15. The GPS route was going to take us straight into Colorado without going through the Oklahoma panhandle, so I had to take a different route to go through Kansas as well - which added an hour and 40 minutes to the trip! The back roads from Kansas into Colorado didn't have a welcome sign, but I could tell when we switched states because we went from a paved road to a dirt one! It was ridiculous and we didn't drive on an interstate at all - but the mountains once we got here were beautiful! We got here at 7, went out for dinner and drinks with Amanda and Steve, and got a good night sleep for skiing. [545 miles]
February 8 - Went for breakfast before hitting the slopes around 10:30. The 4 of us went, but after the first run Amanda chached out. Steve, Linsey, and I stayed out until the lifts closed at 4. Overall it was a lot of fun, but my feet and ankles get so sore. Amanda made us Mexican chicken and potatoes for dinner which was delicious, and I made strawberry margaritas. We sat around and watched Season 1 of Greek which I am now totally addicted to.
February 9 - Linsey went skiing but I wasn't in the mood to go and spend another $140, even after Linsey offered to pay. Some days I just feel like relaxing! Amanda and I went to lunch at this soup shop that made me think maybe I should open that sort of business and make it really environmentally conscious with corn plastic containers and local produce, etc. I managed to watch 8 more episodes of Greek before going out to dinner for all-you-can-eat ribs. We got back around 9 and I went to bed soon after.
February 10 - Got up at 6 to drive Linsey to the Denver airport. Dropped her off at 8:15 and started my trek to Washington. I drove in Wyoming for 5 hours, but at least it was scenic. It took me awhile to realize the reason I thought everything looked so cool was because there are NO trees on the mountains. I got pulled over in Twin Falls Idaho for going 83 in a 75 but he let me off thankfully. I made it to Boise Idaho and spent the night at Motel 6 where I also enjoyed $3 wireless internet and watched more Greek! [930 miles]
February 11 - Left the hotel at 11:15 and drove for 7 hours without stopping. After so long a trip, I just wanted to be there already! I got dinner in Southern Washington then drove less than an hour to my cousin Jay's apt. He's at army training in California so I stayed with his roommate who I'd never met before but he was a nice kid. [528 miles - 4535 miles TOTAL]
February 12 - Went into Seattle to do touristy things. Went up the Space Needle twice (day and night views) and to Pike's Place. Very cool, but I wish I went earlier when it was busy so I could get the full effect. Went out for drinks in downtown Olympia with Molly but was ready to pass out at 11 and went home.
February 13 - Drove to the Pacific Ocean! I parked in a lot a few hundred feet from the beach and had to walk down a random path to get to the water. It was kinda creepy so I just took a couple quick pictures and headed back to my car before I got murdered and thrown in the ocean (I've watched too many horror movies...)
February 14 - Moved into my apt! Sleeping on an air mattress and watching movies on a body pillow couch I crafted. Went over to Molly's for a Valentine's Day party but came home early cause I was exhausted from moving.
More stories from the West Coast soon....
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Leaving
I am finally packed and leaving TOMORROW! Now that I have my life downsized and into my car, I'm mostly just excited to get going. I also have a place to live so that isn't stressing me out anymore, although the fact that I'm still going to be unemployed once I get out there has me freaking out a little.
I currently have 2 flights booked back to NY for 3 and 5 weeks from now. I'm so going to be one of those people that can't move on emotionally even though they have physically. But I think I'm okay with that, as long as going back to Potsdam still makes me happy.
And the fact that the next time I update this I will no longer be in upstate NY also makes me happy...
I currently have 2 flights booked back to NY for 3 and 5 weeks from now. I'm so going to be one of those people that can't move on emotionally even though they have physically. But I think I'm okay with that, as long as going back to Potsdam still makes me happy.
And the fact that the next time I update this I will no longer be in upstate NY also makes me happy...
Friday, January 16, 2009
2 Weeks!
I am leaving in exactly 2 weeks! I can't believe how soon it is, especially since I've been planning it for over 2 months now. I have logistics worked out with everyone except Amanda right now. I'm really excited about getting to see so many new places, especially New Orleans! If I had planned my trip for a few weeks later I could have been down there for Mardi Gras which would have been absolutely ridic...but I don't need to end up in Girls Gone Wild or anything, haha.
I'm really lucky that I am financially stable because finding a job is impossible. I've probably applied to over 30 jobs and have only heard back from 3 or 4, one was already filled and the others were just saying that they were still interested but looking at multiple applications. I found an apartment outside Olympia for about $600 a month but my cousin thinks it might be in a really busy area so he was going to check into it for me. I really want something locked down before I get out there so I can get settled ASAP and don't have to mooch off my cousin more than a few days.
Thinking about what I'm bringing out there, it doesn't seem like much but we'll see if I can manage to get it all in my car. I'm not looking forward to how much I'm going to have to spend on a new bed, furniture, things for the kitchen, etc. It makes me anxious to like it out there so I don't have to down-size and move again!
I'm really lucky that I am financially stable because finding a job is impossible. I've probably applied to over 30 jobs and have only heard back from 3 or 4, one was already filled and the others were just saying that they were still interested but looking at multiple applications. I found an apartment outside Olympia for about $600 a month but my cousin thinks it might be in a really busy area so he was going to check into it for me. I really want something locked down before I get out there so I can get settled ASAP and don't have to mooch off my cousin more than a few days.
Thinking about what I'm bringing out there, it doesn't seem like much but we'll see if I can manage to get it all in my car. I'm not looking forward to how much I'm going to have to spend on a new bed, furniture, things for the kitchen, etc. It makes me anxious to like it out there so I don't have to down-size and move again!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Plans - Rough Draft
Leave by 9:00 AM on Friday January 30th. Stop for a couple hours in Mercersburg to see some teachers and the campus, maybe a quick stop at Romeo's for cheese fries, idk. Spend the night with my mom's friend Melissa outside Baltimore.
Saturday January 31st - go into Baltimore for the day, go to the aquarium, Inner Harbor, etc... stay at Melissa's again
Sunday February 1st - drive down to Chapel Hill NC and crash at Paul's
Monday February 2nd - drive to Baton Rouge Louisiana and stay at Jess's
Tuesday February 3rd - go to New Orleans for the day, stay at Jess's again
Wednesday February 4th - drive to Amarillo Texas and stay at Linsey's
Thursday & Friday - hang out at Linsey's until she's done with work for the week then drive to Breckenridge Colorado to Amanda & Steve's
Long weekend of skiing and hanging out
Tuesday February 10th - drive Linsey to the Denver airport to fly back to Texas, continue my drive until I get tired and spend the night somewhere around-about Idaho
Wednesday February 11th - continue driving and arrive in OLYMPIA!!!
**SUBJECT TO CHANGE :)
Saturday January 31st - go into Baltimore for the day, go to the aquarium, Inner Harbor, etc... stay at Melissa's again
Sunday February 1st - drive down to Chapel Hill NC and crash at Paul's
Monday February 2nd - drive to Baton Rouge Louisiana and stay at Jess's
Tuesday February 3rd - go to New Orleans for the day, stay at Jess's again
Wednesday February 4th - drive to Amarillo Texas and stay at Linsey's
Thursday & Friday - hang out at Linsey's until she's done with work for the week then drive to Breckenridge Colorado to Amanda & Steve's
Long weekend of skiing and hanging out
Tuesday February 10th - drive Linsey to the Denver airport to fly back to Texas, continue my drive until I get tired and spend the night somewhere around-about Idaho
Wednesday February 11th - continue driving and arrive in OLYMPIA!!!
**SUBJECT TO CHANGE :)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Why?
I feel like a lot of people have wondered why I'm going to Olympia WA of all the places in the world. I know it's random, but you know what...I am random. Basically I've wanted to move out west since I took the year off from college after sophomore year.
Jeanette and I had planned to move somewhere cool and after taking a quiz on www.findyourspot.com we found out her best match was Denver CO and mine was Seattle WA followed by Denver. So Denver it was! It had been in the back of my mind for awhile that even though I went back to school, when I was done we would move out there. What changed now is that Jeanette can't move out this soon, I can't be hating my life here any longer, and I know 5 people in Seattle/Olympia and no one in Denver. I chose Olympia over Seattle because not only is it way cheaper, but my cousin Jay and good friend from boarding school, Molly, live there.
Now I'll get a little into "hating my life here." I absolutely LOVE my friends in Potsdam...Arethusa, Sigma Chi, etc etc...but everyone is growing up and graduating and I can't just stay there and let my life pass me by. It's been hard because last spring I had it in my mind that I would be in Potsdam for another 3 semesters for my masters program. Every event that took place, it wasn't the last one. I still had Spring '09 and Falls '08 and '09.
That is my hardest part of dealing with leaving, that I never accepted those as being my lasts (I'll put the list afterwards of everything I'm not ready to miss). Then thinking about those as being my last times makes me think about my car accident and get upset about that. I could have not made it past August 1, 2007 and there would be a thousand amazing things that would have never happened. Then I start to think about my road trip out to Washington and get afraid that I'll never even make it out there. But I can't not live my life because I'm afraid, and I'm glad that I'm finally putting my goal of going to all 50 states into action. After I get out to Washington, I will have been to 37 of 50!
OK, so here is everything from just the spring that I don't want to miss: Sigma Chi's In Night, Arethusa's In Night, long winter weekend, spring break, Alumnae Weekend, Pig Roast, Sweetheart Formal, Arethusa's Formal... At least I'm going to make it to both bid nights, but there is so much that I want to go to. I do have a free flight I need to book before March 20-something so maybe I'll make it back for one other thing.
Next post: road trip schedule...WOOOOO!
Jeanette and I had planned to move somewhere cool and after taking a quiz on www.findyourspot.com we found out her best match was Denver CO and mine was Seattle WA followed by Denver. So Denver it was! It had been in the back of my mind for awhile that even though I went back to school, when I was done we would move out there. What changed now is that Jeanette can't move out this soon, I can't be hating my life here any longer, and I know 5 people in Seattle/Olympia and no one in Denver. I chose Olympia over Seattle because not only is it way cheaper, but my cousin Jay and good friend from boarding school, Molly, live there.
Now I'll get a little into "hating my life here." I absolutely LOVE my friends in Potsdam...Arethusa, Sigma Chi, etc etc...but everyone is growing up and graduating and I can't just stay there and let my life pass me by. It's been hard because last spring I had it in my mind that I would be in Potsdam for another 3 semesters for my masters program. Every event that took place, it wasn't the last one. I still had Spring '09 and Falls '08 and '09.
That is my hardest part of dealing with leaving, that I never accepted those as being my lasts (I'll put the list afterwards of everything I'm not ready to miss). Then thinking about those as being my last times makes me think about my car accident and get upset about that. I could have not made it past August 1, 2007 and there would be a thousand amazing things that would have never happened. Then I start to think about my road trip out to Washington and get afraid that I'll never even make it out there. But I can't not live my life because I'm afraid, and I'm glad that I'm finally putting my goal of going to all 50 states into action. After I get out to Washington, I will have been to 37 of 50!
OK, so here is everything from just the spring that I don't want to miss: Sigma Chi's In Night, Arethusa's In Night, long winter weekend, spring break, Alumnae Weekend, Pig Roast, Sweetheart Formal, Arethusa's Formal... At least I'm going to make it to both bid nights, but there is so much that I want to go to. I do have a free flight I need to book before March 20-something so maybe I'll make it back for one other thing.
Next post: road trip schedule...WOOOOO!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Plans
I wanted to get something set up so I could track my road trip out to Olympia and keep everyone filled in about what I'm up to. For the next month or so it's going to be lame planning stuff (if I write anything at all) but hopefully I'll have some good stories not only from the drive out there, but once I arrive and get situated.
Less than 45 days left in NY!!!
Less than 45 days left in NY!!!
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