Hello World,
Sorry this post is a day later. I had a busy Sunday that left me really tired. I didn't get a lot of sleep Saturday night because I stayed up and talked to some of the people here. It was a really fun time. I had to be up early on Sunday because of group of us went to Dollywood. I had never been before and wanted to check it out. I will say this, I had a great time and loved the rollercoasters. I do wish the park would have been bigger. It was fun, but I think I am going to stick to Six Flags. I was very sore and tired when I finally got back to my room so I decided to wait until today to type all this out.
It has also hit me that this is my last week here at Blue Ridge. It's really hard for me to believe that I have spent seven weeks here already. The time as gone by so quickly. I love the people I have been able to meet here. I think that is what I will miss the most about being here. I sat around a table last night and just smiled at the people I was with. I truly am going to miss everyone here. However, I am so ready to get home. I have a lot I need to do before school, and I'm missing the people back at home.
*myself, Bekah, and TL*
We took an all staff picture last week in front of Eureka Hall. The picture will hang in the café now, along with all the others. I think it's really cool how I will now be on the wall with my dad, aunts, and cousins. I'm sure that I will come back and find the picture and just reminisce on my summer here.
That's all I have for this blog. Thanks for reading and make sure to click the "follow" button to keep up with my blogs (:
-PK
Hello World,
Well I officially have less than two weeks here in the mountains. It's the strangest feeling knowing that this amazing summer is coming to its end. I have loved being here and getting to know the people and all the great adventures I have had. I have a lot planned for the next two weeks!
I am excited to be home though. I have a lot to do before I head back to IC. I want to look into my classes, get ready for Rush, and maybe pick up a few things for the apartment. I am so excited to move in. I am also excited for Rush. I have a lot of ideas swimming around in my head now. If you want to keep involved with what I and my society is doing, follow us on twitter: @SigPhips and instagram: @phips1916
Being here gets me excited about possible travels I have in my head. One of the trips I am hoping to plan is one to Alaska. I have some family moving there this summer. I would love to be able to get out there next summer. Fingers crossed!
This past week a group of us went out to get some food in Asheville. We went to White Duck Taco Shop. Literally the best tasting tacos I have ever had; 10/10 would recommend. I ended up with the fish tacos and I think it is my new favorite thing to eat. Springfield needs to open one ASAP. I need to go back before I leave for home.
*found this wall behind the taco shop*
That's all I have for this week. My next one should be exciting so make sure you read.
-PK
Hello World,
Yes, I know that this is not my normal day to blog. We have had a lot of trouble with the wifi this week, and I wanted to make sure that I was able to post this weekend. So for right now I have wifi and I am taking full advantage of it. Happy Saturday!
Right now, outside the entrance of Blue Ridge, a tree has fallen in the middle of the road and has taken some power lines with it. The company working on it is hopeful that it will be fixed by tonight. As of right now, there is only one building with power, wifi, and AC: Blue Ridge Center (BRC). It's a busy weekend here. We had four large groups come in last night. Also, last night a group of the staff went to Launch Trampoline Park in Asheville. It was actually so much fun! I had never been to a trampoline park before and wasn't sure if I would feel "too old" for it. But being the child at heart that I am, I had a blast. I would highly recommend going to one. I even think they are opening one back in Springfield, IL soon...
This past Monday, as you all realized, was the Fourth of July! A group of us ended up going to a parade in a town over. We also ended up going paddle boating that afternoon. I couldn't tell you the last time I was able to do that so it was that much better. Later that night we went into downtown Black Mountain for the fireworks. We were even able to find an ice cream shop near by and I got Carmel Ripple in a fresh, handmade waffle cone (talk about heaven). We ate the ice cream while watching the fireworks. It was a lot of fun. I was also able to talk and get to know Maria. She grew up in Columbia but now lives in Italy with her boyfriend. She is such a sweet, kind, and intelligent women. I'm very lucky to call her a friend now.
Today I was able to catch up with my cousin Heather. It was so so wonderful to see her. She's in Asheville for a visit and asked if we could have lunch. We just talked and caught up with what we're doing in life. I haven't seen her in a little over a year and have missed her. It's so cool that no matter where I go, it always seems to work out that I have some family near by. I hope I get to sit down with her again soon. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon Heather!
I'll leave you with the book I am currently reading. It's the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. I have a huge book with all seven in one. Right now I am on book five, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I have been speeding through them! They just pull me in and are really well written. I would highly recommend if anyone just wants to read a good "fairy tale," as Lewis refers to them. However, I think they are so much more than that...
-PK
Hello World,
I really don't have a lot to say in this post. I don't find myself having a lot of inspiration at the moment. I have been working very late all week and just want to find time to sleep. Tonight I have showered and put on a nice face mask to help me calm down. I am putting on The Cornicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and going to bed. I am actually in the process of reading all seven of the books and am currently on the third book, The Horse and his Boy. Today I went on a little hiking adventure. I didn't get very far up the mountain only because I found a little river and wanted to just listen and take some pictures. I am hoping that on Tuesday some of us are heading into Asheville for some shopping. I would really love to pick up some t-shirt dresses.
That is really all I have for this week. I think I am just tired from working so much. I do love the amount of hours I get, but sometimes I don't think it would be all that bad to have the morning shift. Anyway, until next week...
-PK
P.S. I would just like to congratulate Ryan Held on making Team USA for swimming. I'll be praying and cheering you on! #Rio2016
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DADDY KEEN!
Hello World!
I can't believe another week has past here in North Carolina. The time seems to be going so fast. One thing I am loving about being here is how I don't hold myself back. I find myself opening up and doing things I normally wouldn't. It really is a great feeling. I am learning that nothing is finer than finding out you aren't limited. There is a whole world out there with so many things to do and see. If you have a desire to travel the world, there are options/jobs out there to do so. If you wish to own your own company or become a leader, there are ways to achieve it. I think in life we get so caught up in finding that "perfect" job that we lose sight of what else we could do. We graduate college with a degree in Biology or Communications or English, and we think we have to do something in that field. Sure there is nothing wrong with that, but do not stress and limit yourself to one thing. Branch out and learn something new about yourself. Take that risk and apply for the job out of state or even out of the country! Do something that has nothing to do with your major and reward yourself when you kick butt doing it. We can literally do ANYTHING, but some times it take some searching...
Yesterday Alyssa, Olivia, and I found the most interesting food truck. It is called Juice Box and they sell organic and vegan foods and drinks. I wanted to find a nice smoothie place and we stumbled upon it. They even had a chicken coop where they get fresh eggs for some of their meal options. We only got smoothies yeaterday, but we all really want to do back for breakfast or lunch soon.
That is all I really have for this week. Thursday morning I will be flying home for dad's ordination. I am excited to be home for a few days to see family (Granny Polly!!!) and Ian and Shannon. It will be a nice break from work. Speaking of work, I am working the night shift all week so pray for me LOL
-PK
p.s. I keep finding myself picking up little gifts to mail off to TD and Shan... I just miss them and can't wait to live with them in the fall!
Hello World,
Well I'm here; Black Mountain, NC. It was a long ten hour drive but we stopped for iced coffee, so all was well. As of right now, I have spent a little over a week here at YMCA Blue Ridge. Now let me tell you this... it threw me way out of my element when I arrived here. I have never been so overwhelmed or nervous for anything. It was so unlike me. I like to think of myself as a loud, outgoing, and friendly person. However, the first few days here I was so in my shell that it honestly scared me. I had never experienced that feeling before. Being a week into this adventure has really helped me. I have opened up and met some really cool people. I am beginning to feel like myself again. Who knew this would throw me off so much. I am glad I have been able to let lose over this past week and become comfortable here.
The people here are so amazing. Everyone is so so friendly and comfortable in this environment. It is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I am so blessed to be here right now. I have made friends from all over the country and world! I love hearing where they are from and what they are doing in school. I love seeing different personalities come out. It has really opened my mind and reminded me to be welcoming to all. My roommate is Tew. She is from Thailand, and this is her first time in America. She really seems to like it here. Her English is not the best, but we do our best with communicating. She is so nice and helpful. She will be here until the end of August. I am lucky enough to be sounded by 13 different countries while I am here. I am living with kids from Thailand, Japan, China, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Russia to just name a few. There are seven kids from Russia here, and I think it's safe to say they will have the biggest impact on me (besides the Americans). They are the most outgoing kids. There is truly never a dull moment when they are all together. Their English is not the best, but in the last week alone they have improved so much. They want to leave here knowing English pretty well. I am also trying to pick up on simple words. They laugh at me when I am trying to pronounce a new word (the roles have now reversed). They love having fun and just hanging out with Americans. Just yesterday I sat down and Michael (his American name) was able to show me where he is from on Google maps. I then told him about President Lincoln (who he knew) and about the Civil War. He just ate it up. I am so blessed to be able to be given this opportunity to met all these wonderful people. Without Blue Ridge I would never be exposed to this kind of culture. It's truly an unbelievable experience.
On Friday we went into Asheville for a Drum Circle downtown. It was a lot of fun. There was dancing and music and the international kids just loved it. They told me that that was true freedom. Being able to do something so opened and out there. They informed me that nothing like that would be see in their countries. It's just an eye opener on how great we really do have it here... Afterwards we got ice cream (I have loved showing them bits of what makes America so fun). One of the guys from Turkey offered to even buy my ice cream because I have helped so much with communication. I have really been trying my best to slow my speaking and listen to them speak so not only are they learning but I am too. It's litte things like that that show me I am blessed.
*look at that view*
Also, on a side note, I found a really great book store in Asheville called Malaprop's Bookstore/Café. The book is called Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (also wrote Gone Girl). It is a great mystery novel and has drawn me in from page one.
That is all for this week. I will be posting every Sunday, especially while I am here. If you feel someone would enjoy hearing of my time here, feel free to tag them so they know this blog is here! Also if anyone has any questions regarding where I am, please just comment and I will answer all questions in my next blog.
-PK #PrayForOrlando
Hello World,
This past week I visited Jacksonville to see Ian. Little did I know that we would end up at the cutest, tastiest coffee shop I have ever been to. Its name is The Soap Co. Coffee Shop, and I know once I get back to school I will be spending a lot of my time there. It not only sells coffee and pasties/other foods, but it also sells handmade gifts that were either made by people who work there or from people around town. It is a great spot to study as well. I know I will be dragging Shannon and Taylor there the first Sunday morning of the fall semester; they will thank me later!
I had a great iced vanilla coffee that I finished quickly. This morning I was actually craving it. I had not had any coffee until this afternoon, and the only reason I had any at all was to try to help my headache... and it helped... I kind of think I am starting to rely on coffee to help me with my day. I need to start watching it so I do not end up depending on it to function. As much as I loveeeeee coffee, I do not think I need to have to drink it every day. Maybe being away and working will help me.
Speaking of being away, the next time I blog I will be in Black Mountains, NC. My time has finally come! Although I have not yet started packing,(oops) I have done some shopping with Grandma Mary to get myself ready for my time at Blue Ridge. I have loved spending time with her, and I will miss her this summer. With that being said, I will talk to you all in North Carolina!
-PK
