Mini Cooper's Bad Day

This is my Mini Cooper. She's only 5 months old. Last week, she was attacked for no good reason, I can't even imagine how scared she must of been ... oh wait - yes I can. I was there, scared right along with her.

.... before Shawn and I went to bed, he heard a loud noise and looked out the window - no, it wasn't a squirrel fight, or even the crash of a bird dying in mid air and hitting Shawn's sunroof - it was a man up to his waist INSIDE MY CAR, his feet were even off the ground! Was this really happening?! Before I knew what was going on, Shawn was out the front door - no shoes or shirt on - just pajama pants, running after the vandal. Thankfully, Shawn keeps himself impressively buff and he scared the man, who jumped in his idling truck and peeled out. With broken glass all over the parking spot, and my GPS missing from the window, it was not a fun scene. We called the police, had to file a report (even ride in the back of a squad car to identify two poor hand-cuffed men that drove a similar car, but were not the vandals.) and in the morning, after only 3 hours of sleep, CSI arrived to take fingerprints. Thankfully, we realized the GPS was still dangling from its cord, and nothing was actually stolen - aside from the suction cup that stuck it to my window - seriously? The suction cup? Good luck with that.

I'm sure this bad boy will rake in $3 on the street.

Cakalaki

I never thought growing up in a rural area of North Carolina, surrounded by fields of cotton and cows, that I would ever find virtue in such a simple way of life. Through high school and beyond I was so happy to get out of Fayetteville, and the lesser known region of Gray's Creek where I was raised. With one of the worst crime rates on the eastern seaboard and a 25 minute drive to the nearest shopping outlet, no one ever raised their eyebrows in jealousy over my hometown like they often did for those from Charleston, Savannah, Boston, even Raleigh or Asheville. Yet over the past few years when I return for holidays or to visit my mother, I've found myself smiling as the tall buildings fade and the open landscape spreads open its arm in welcome.

Although I'm certain after years of living closer to larger cities, I could never quite do without them, I've developed an appreciation for the quieter, slower way of life when it's needed. I'm not yet sure where my career as a preservationist will lead me, but I do know that some part of me will always see Carolina as my home. The tall pine trees and azaleas in the front yard of the house I grew up in remain as steady as ever. The bench that sits in their shade continues to endure the seasons and is often a resting place for snow, pine needles, fallen flowers and lazy cats ... and sometimes I nostalgic 20-something.

The dress has been hunted down, found, and captured!

After trying on something close to 80 dresses, I finally chose the one I will be wearing on my wedding day! (It only took me 10 months of searching - glad I had a long engagement!) I found my special dress when I happened to have my mom and aunt with me (who have only come on 2 of about 16 trips to dress stores). I had a dress that I liked and I wanted to show mom, to make it look beautiful and to show her that it was the best choice, so I brought her in and choose 4 other random (and completely different) dresses to make the one I was interested in stand out. While I was jabbering to the sales lady as she helped me get dressed, I looked in the mirror and one of the "randoms" I chose completely shocked me! It was nothing like I had been looking for (maybe why it took me so long) and the total opposite of what I had picked out, but it screamed plantation, and it screamed "Perry!" Although it took me a number of months to get the courage to buy it, I finally took the plunge! I feel so beautiful and I wish I had more than one day to wear it!

I'm so grateful that my last and final decision for the wedding has been made before classes start back for the Spring semester! Although I still have all the little loose ends to tie up in the next few months, I'm going to need as much as time as possible dedicated to my Comprehensive exams and thesis ... I don't know what I'm looking forward to more at this point - the wedding or finishing with grad school!

When I dream of my wedding day...

When I dream of my wedding day, I don't always picture me in a big white dress, meandering down an aisle while all eyes are on me, ooing over the dress (that I FINALLY picked out!). For me, I have a different vision....

I picture my future husband at the end. Smiling back at me with his red hair highlighted by the light from the sunset, a huge smile and sparkling green eyes. I picture the wedding and ceremony as terribly exciting and all too brief.

Finally, I picture waking up next to my best friend and hopping a plane to Ireland. Yes, two of the most exciting (and unexpectedly fun) decisions have been my groom's attire and the honeymoon.

When looking through men's attire, I fell in love with the cutaway jacket, or morning coat. While some people say their dress finds them, this suit found me. It screamed of turn-of-the-century English gentleman. Throw it on the man of my dreams, Mr. Shawn Adams and it's all too perfect. Completely and utterly looking forward to seeing him standing there at the end of the aisle in it with that beautiful teal tie. After the best evening of my life, I simply can't wait to spend a week traveling the Irish countryside as the new Mrs. Adams with my brand new hubby by my side!

... I really need to put down the romance novels. It can't be healthy to have read 4 since classes ended in December.

2010: The year of change!

I can't believe it, 2010 is finally here! This year is bringing some of the biggest life changes for me and while I'm eagerly anticipating them all ... at this point I'm just hoping things go smoothly.

March: Comps hit hard and fast at the end of March, while our professors tell us to not stress ourselves out about it, somehow an exam which determines if we qualify for our Masters degree seems to loom heavily over all of our thoughts.

May: Graduation. After 2 years of papers, internships and classes, it will all be ending - exciting enough - but with graduation I also lose my job as graduate assistant and I officially become unemployed.

In the months following I'll try to find a preservation job, and move to a new city. If prayers were answered I would find a position in Charleston, but with so many new graduates from the city flooding the market, it may be difficult.

On top of graduating, finding a job, moving to a new city and hopefully finding a house - I'll be getting married in September! While it can be stressful, I've used planning as a fun distraction from grad school. I can't even imagine the changes between now and 2011! Time will tell!

Dress Distress

Of all the exciting things that come along with being newly engaged and planning a wedding, one of the most thought-consuming aspects of the entire process is finding that perfect dress. "You'll just know!" everyone tells me, "You won't have any doubts when you finally find it!" "I chose the first gown I tried on!"

... at this point I've probably tried on 40 wedding gowns. I've had half a dozen that I truly liked, but not one really took my breath away. Whether it's because the size is too large (or small), or perhaps the sales lady is snotty (why do they even hire women like that at bridal shops??), something always seems just a little off with my dress-shopping experience.

I thought I knew what I wanted, but I tried it on, and it turned out to not be the case. Is it possible that there really is a "perfect dress" out there? Not every women could possibly have that "aha" moment. I have months before I really have to start to decide and I'm still holding out hope that everyone is right, that I'll find my dream dress ... I just wish it would be sooner rather than later! 

THIS PLACE MATTERS

Recently administration at UNCG has started to discuss the fate of the Quad located in the center of campus. Seven historic buildings are at the point where the decision must be made to build anew or renovate. For those of us who study Historic Preservation, there is no question that the option to renovate and save these historic buildings is the only way. Over the past 10 days, Chancellor Brady has held a Forum as well as an open Board of Trustees meeting. During the first meeting it was clear that preservationists were in the large majority. The second meeting however was stacked with undergraduates who work for Residence Life. (Now I wonder who asked them to come? Hmmm....) It was pretty obvious that they were asked to attend the meeting based on their complete ignorance to the issue at hand. Where were their concerns during the first meeting? No where - they could have cared less. If the decision is made to save the Quad, those who spoke out against it will likely only acknowledge the issue in passing because they were never truly invested in it to begin with. I don't yet know if the decision will be made to keep or demolish the Quad, but I hope that the Board of Trustees listened to what we had to say. 

In a high-tech world where our classes, friends, conversations and relationships can take place over the internet, we truly need our historic buildings to provide us with a tangible connection to our past. I can only hope that Chancellor Brady and the Board of Trustees understand the importance of the Quad in the built landscape of UNCG. It is in their hands now to either save history or destroy it. 

Below are some photos taken of a good number of us on the Quad (minus Sarah who was a huge part of this but unable to attend). The slogan "This Place Matters" is from the National Trust Campaign of the same name which has encouraged readers to take a photo of themselves in front of a historic building and declare to the world that "THIS PLACE MATTERS!"

I'm ENGAGED!

Yippppppeeeeeee! Shawn proposed to me underneath the Middleton Oak tree in Charleston SC! It was amazing and I love him!!! :) Here are some photos! 

Giving in to Temptation

I'm a sucker for anything eclectic or vintage. If it has ruffles or peacock feathers on it -  I want it. It really is quite the obsession, but I've managed to keep myself in check. I shop at Ross, or Target, and I can do sale %s in my head better than anyone else. Usually my connoisseurship of all things cheap, keeps me guilt free in the shopping department. 

Until now. 

Greensboro has recently introduced an Anthropologie store to the consuming masses. Ha! Who did they think they were fooling?? I went to visit it, but I was never going to fall for those overpriced tank tops, fancy furniture, duvets to-die-for and ... OMG that's the cutest dress I've ever seen. 

So that's pretty much how things went. I decided to be good and walk away though - really I did! ... but 2 hours later when I realized that the tax return I had forgotten about was direct-deposited into my checking account ... I pretty much decided it was a sign that the dress and I were destined to be together. 

Although I will admit the internet picture does it NO justice, this dress is really fabulous and just feels like ME! I've vowed to not buy another one until my and Shawn's 3 year anniversary next August ... so until then, my new dress and I will enjoy many adventures like Charleston, my birthday and 4th of July. Yeehee!  

Charleston Hopes

So the Spring Semester is quickly underway and classes actually seem slightly more manageable than last Fall (knock on wood). I will be going with my Architectural Conservation class to Virginia and then Pittsburg in April to see Monticello (I think?) and then Falling Water! Although I'm not a huge fan of the modernist movement, Frank Llyod Wright (architect of Falling Water), is a legend and I'm thrilled to be able to see one of his masterpieces (despite the structural issues that I've heard it's now facing!). Here is a photo of it:

Shawn and I will be heading to Charleston in the mean time, just for a few days though, to renew our spirits and have a little getaway over Spring Break! It should be fun, we're staying at the Inn at Middleton Plantation, which is on National Geographic's Places to Stay list! Below is a photo of the Battery in Charleston, SC. 

Inn at Middleton Place (What our room looks like!) 

It should be a fabulous time, I can't wait, only a month to go until our trip!

I've also been looking into an internship in Charleston at the Historic Charleston Foundation, and if that doesn't pan out, then perhaps Drayton Hall Plantation. I really think Charleston has some amazing preservation examples that I'd be able to learn a great deal from, but as these are tough economic times NO ONE can afford to pay interns, which means that I have to fork over $2000 of my savings to intern in Charleston. It's somewhat disheartening really, but I don't want to pass up what could be an amazing opportunity. Hopefully the Lord will provide something that will allow such a move to be affordable! :) Below is a picture of Drayton Hall