Downside of Technology

Just as I was posting about how innovative technology has become and how much I love my Pinterest app, a breaking news bulletin was sent to my phone. During a car chase, the subject drove to a secluded area in a vehicle that he had carjacked, got out, stumbled around, and shot himself in the head. Unfortunately, a news chopper was overhead and the news team wasn't quick enough to stop the broadcast of the shooting before it appeared on live television. 

This is a tragic instance of how terrible the use of technology can truly be. I find that I am upset by these events, but not nearly as upset as I should be. The amount of technology that we are exposed to each day and violence and death depicted in front of us has almost made me numb to events such as this. It doesn't phase me nearly as much as it should. 

State the Obvious (Week 1)

So I've decided to try and start this blogging thing off correctly. I've thought about blogging before, but I always think to myself, 'Who would really want to read what I have to say?' 'Who cares?' Well today I decided that at least one person cares. Me. If this blog provides me with nothing more than a cool reference to look back on the first year of my life an an adult, that's okay with me. However, to keep things sort of interesting, I've decided to pick a few things each Friday and blog about them consistently. If they change a bit, that's because I'm not feeling too creative today. Sorry about that. 

Social Media

So you probably saw Facebook posts this week about National Sibling Day. If I saw one post, I saw 100. Unfortunately for those of you (yes, you) who jumped on the bandwagon without doing any research, National Sibling Day is actually in April. Oops. I bet some of you are thinking, 'But it was on Facebook so it HAD to be true!' No. That is false. Don't believe everything you see online. Especially on Facebook. This is just like those times where people spread rumors online that people have died. Like poor Ross on Friends. It's like "The One with the Memorial Service." Poor Ross was hit by a blimp....but not really. Fact check, people. 

The Weather

As I'm writing this, there is a rather ominous set of clouds outside my window. Other than that however, this week's weather has been gorgeous. Fall is finally officially here, so people have been posting Instagram and Twitter pics of themselves in lots and lots (AND LOTS) of plaid, layers, boots, and scarves. I personally and 110% ready for fall. A Starbucks Pumpkin Spice, a good book, a cozy fire, and leggings as pants. That is how I spend my evenings in the fall. Oh yeah. So I mind as well point this out early. I'm not exactly a trend-follower. More like the opposite. Not that I wear them out in public, quite the opposite actually, but I am a fan of leggings and a big tshirt. Mostly around the house or to walk outside to my car if I forget something. Occasionally I see people I know, so please don't be surprised or offended if you catch me committing this heinous fashion faux-pas. However, the first rule that I have learned about the big kid world? When you get home, you want to make yourself as unpresentable as possible. It's kind of your inner celebration about being off work for the day. Or in my case today, for the weekend. My roommate and I usually mix up a batch of strawberries, lemonade and vodka, cook some bacon and have a movie marathon. No really. We love us some bacon. So if you read this and you think of a particularly interesting recipe for bacon, cocktails, or any fashion advice, I would appreciate you posting it in the comments. For real. Teach me. 

The News

So although I didn't splurge for the iPhone 5, I did download the new software update, iOS 6. It's okay. Nothing spectacular, which actually makes me glad that I didn't spend all of my newly made cash on the new iPhone. If the software update says anything about it, I really don't need the newest iPhone. My 4s is still chugging along perfectly happily. Plus, after watching a few unhappy news reports today about the faulty Maps software, whew. I can be glad that I downloaded Waze. If you don't have it, I highly recommend trying it out. It's pretty nifty. Plus, I'd much rather spend my money adopting a dog. Oh wait. I just did that!

Okay just a few other headlines I've read over the week. Some girl is selling her virginity to raise money for her small community in Brazil and the bidding is currently at $160,000, Arnold Schwarzenegger says having an affair was the worst mistake he made in his marriage (no, really?), more people are posting topless pictures of Kate Middleton, there are plans to open the Aurora movie theater in early 2013 where the mass shooting occurred last month, Lady Gaga gained 25 pounds, and the new season of Dancing with the Stars started. 

Technology

Okay, this is something you are going to hear about pretty frequently, because I'm obsessed and I plan on being obsessed for quite a while. I've had the iPhone since this past April, so about 6 months give or take a few weeks. Pinterest App. I am obsessed. I can't stop pinning. Outfits, recipes for cookies, salads, chicken breasts, and milkshakes, purses and shoes, places that I want to visit, crafts that I want to do. I just can't stop. If I made one craft every day for the next year, I would probably still have 10 more crafts to do...that's a lot of crafts. I've also planned my wedding and future house. And no. I'm no engaged. Silly Pinterest. If you want to follow me, please feel free! I like to think I'm sort of clever when it comes to things on Pinterest. Or at least, I know how to find clever things that people have posted and repin them. So I'm clever by association. My username is LRKappaDee. Follow that ish. 

A picture is worth 1,000 words

I guess it would be easy (and lazy) of me to simply post a picture or two and allow you to guess the kind of person that I am. I'm not saying that I couldn't make it fairly simple for you, but it's not nearly as fun for me.

The Background

I was born on May 22, 1990 in Delray Beach, Florida. That's on the east coast about an hour north of Miami, in case you are like me and dislike geography. After a few months in the sunshine state, Mom and Dad decided to move up north. North Carolina is really all I remember growing up. Of course I remember our house in Florida, but that's only because after we moved, my Dad's older brother bought it, so I got to see a fair share of it growing up. That's also how I met my "sister." Emily's family lived a block over from us, and it was basically like having a second family growing up. There are photos of us playing dress up, doing ballet, and hiking through the years. Since I'm an only child, it was great to have someone to look up to that I didn't actually have to live with. But back to North Carolina.

I'm about four years old here. Emily is probably 10. Uncle Stefan, Emily's dad, is holding me. This is during a hike in Cashiers, NC.

Dad, Mom, Emily, and myself picking out a Christmas tree. Winter 2010. 

Myself & Gram at my graduation. She's the best.

I grew up in a really small vacation town in western North Carolina called Cashiers. It's pronounced CASH-ERS. Take out the "i." Because if you say it like CASH-EERS to anyone who is local, they're going to know you aren't from there. That's all the help I'm going to give you. Let's just say growing up there made the mispronunciation somewhat of a pet-peeve of mine. I lived there from the time I was 4 until I graduated high school in 2008 from Highlands School. My graduating class had 28 people in it, most of whom I still talk to currently. It was basically like growing up with a giant family. We fought and picked on each other, but when things go wrong, I always have someone I can call. There were so many good times that it would be impossible to narrow them down.

Reunion of the class of 2008

(Michael, Kyle, myself, and Taylor)

Growing Up

After graduation, I chose to pursue my undergrad degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University in good-ole Hickory, NC, about 2.5 hours east of Cashiers. Basically, I wanted to be far enough that my parents wouldn't just show up, but close enough that I could go home on the weekends if I wanted to. Mission accomplished. College was a blast. I can't even begin to describe how much I loved my college experience. It opened doors for me that I never thought possible, and taught me how to mature and respect myself and my abilities. College showed me strength that I never thought I had, both for myself and for others. I made friends that will last a lifetime, and memories that will last longer than that. During the summer of 2011, I was lucky enough to travel for a month through Europe, visiting places such as Rome, Venice, Berlin, Prague, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Munich, Lauterbrunnen, Lucerne, Florence, and the Vatican. It was incredible. I'll have to make a new post entirely to talk about that one! Check out some of my incredible college memories below!

Our Prologue Group for Move-In Weekend @ LRU

I'm on the left, Darsee is the redhead in the middle, and Dawon is the redhead in the printed shirt. We remain friends to this day, and Dawon was my roommate sophomore year.

Myself and my junior year roommate, Kassie. Kass and I are best friends. I was the Maid of Honor in her wedding, and her and her husband let me live with them when I started my job in Hickory. 

My boys. Theta Xi fraternity gave me so many memories. This is Shea, Brian, myself, Bart, and Josh in my back yard during the recolonization weekend at WCU in fall of 2010. 

My college second family. The Keelers. Mr. Bill & Grant are missing, but here is Bart, Luke & Lance, & Momma Darcy. 

Mr. Bart Keeler and myself at our graduation tailgate, May 11, 2012. He's one of my absolute favorite people ever. 

My freshman year, I joined Kappa Delta sorority, and the rest is history. These girls became some of my best friends during college, and will remain my sisters for life. Kristin, Marty, Alyssa, myself, Molly & Ashton. Just a small part of the Dirty Dozen!

My life so far has been incredible. The pictures above don't do nearly enough justice to the incredible opportunities that I have been given throughout my life so far, and the memories and friends that I have made. I'm sure many of my posts will revolve around my friends and family, so get used to hearing about them! This was just a brief (I'm sure you're thinking, this? Brief? Ya right! But you just wait...) introduction. 

One Dog (Okay, maybe two...or three)

I once heard the saying, "Saving one dog doesn't change the world, but for that one dog, the world is changed forever." I couldn't have said it better myself.

In March of 2009, I had the opportunity to bring Tucker into my life, and it has been a crazy few years since. I was a freshman in college, and I was visiting my now ex-boyfriend in Georgia. For some crazy reason (probably because I'm obsessed with animals), we decided to visit the local animal shelter. It is a no-kill facility located in Suwanee, GA called Georgia SPCA. If you ever have the chance to look them up, donate anything, or just stop by for a visit, please do. It's an incredible place that saves the lives of countless animals each year. So we walk in, and in the back kennels, there is a dog that didn't bark, didn't stand up, didn't do anything except look at us with pitiful eyes. My dad was on a fishing trip in Florida, and so I called mom with the plea of, "I found the most perfect dog, Mom! We have to adopt him!" Our beloved Tena had passed away a few years prior, and she had been the love of my life since I was 7 years old. Mom, of course being the more rational one, said no. So after a few more minutes of pleading, she did what most parents do. "If you ask your dad and he says yes, then okay." Well, of course dad wouldn't say yes if mom didn't say yes, and I knew that. However, luck was on my side. When I called Dad, he was literally out on the ocean fishing. I told him it was important, and so he gave me 30 seconds to explain. "I found a dog at a humane society, and he's perfect, and mom says if you say yes we can adopt him." Okay, so I fudged a little bit...it happens. So dad, not bothering to check with mom because of his location, said, "Well, I guess if your mom said yes, then it's okay." Which automatically related in my mind to," Mom! Dad said yes! I'm adopting him!" Funny part of the story? Mom and Dad didn't have the conversation about how they technically didn't agree until about a year and a half later. That was a fun day.

So, it has been almost 4 wonderful years with Mister Tucker. He went from a shy, timid terrier mix to a silly, loving, follow you around everywhere knucklehead.

Check out the before and after.

BEFORE

AFTER

He's incredible, and an absolutely essential part of our family. He goes to work with Dad constantly, riding up front in the truck with his head out the window. Everyone who meets him wants to take him home with them. He's still pretty quiet, and he sleeps with his body up against something no matter what. Whether it's a wall or the couch, he feels more secure that way.  

The next dog that came into our lives and our family is Pete. Oh, Pete. During my sophomore year of college, I found a jack russell terrier wandering around our campus. Given that almost 90% of our campus is surrounded by big roads, this was interesting. Fast forward a few days. We had him checked for a microchip. There wasn't one. No vet knew him, and neither did the groomers at PetSmart or Petco. My friend Ashley and I made posters to hang around town, but after a few days, we had no idea what else to do. Since my parents already were taking care of Tucker while I was in school, plus our other family dog Vanna, the only solution was my grandma...79 year old Gram. Don't let the age fool you. This woman is going to out-live us all. She works 5 days a week and runs on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day. She's THAT kind of grandma. Well, Gram grudgingly accepted responsibility of Pete until we found his owners (something Ashley and I were fairly certain couldn't happen). Fast forward another 2 years. After spending some time with Pete and our local vet, we determined that he was probably dropped off at our school because of his deteriorating health. Turns out he had cataracts, tumors, a blood sugar problem, and arthritis. That being said, he was the best dog my grandma ever had. He followed her around, almost too much considering the fact that she used to trip over him all the time. Unfortunately, Pete passed away after almost three years with our family. He was a great little dog and we miss him constantly.

Here is Pete being chased by Tucker in the snow

What a goober. 

The last part of our furry family is also our newest addition. Yesterday, after weeks of convincing and annoying the boy about how wonderful he was, I signed the adoption papers on Chase. An owner surrender to the Catawba Valley Humane Society, Chase was incredibly depressed when we first arrived at the shelter. I saw him the afternoon that he arrived, and visited him twice a week after that. His improvement was absolutely remarkable, and I finally convinced Brian to take a chance on him. Here is a picture of him the week before his adoption. 

Chase

He gives good kisses

Now that you've officially met the members behind my family, I'll try and throw something together about my human family, too.

A blog by any other name...

Last Sunday, I became an adult. You may be asking how I accomplished this. Trust me, I ask myself that every day, too. Well, I bought a lawnmower. That's right. A nice, red lawnmower from Lowe's Home Improvement. I mean, how else does someone become an adult now-a-days?

At first I thought working at my first big-kid job made me an adult...except that didn't turn out so well. However, I am very happy to report that my second big-kid job is a huge success. I love it here. Everyone is so nice and supportive, and I am already learning so much about the vast world of communications and marketing. I guess Erin said it right. School never teaches you everything you need to know. You aren't truly ever prepared for the real world, but all of a sudden, there it is. In your face. Yelling.

Oh, sorry. Back to the lawnmower. Okay so I was driving back from a weekend at my house with the boy. I'm in the process of moving in with him (scary, right?) and his lawnmower broke a few weeks ago. He had been borrowing one from a friend of his, but it was electric, required you to plug it in, and came with a green cord. Really? Who thinks of these things? 'Oh, I think I'll create a lawnmower with the cord the same color as grass. That'll throw them off.' Fail. So as we're driving, I suggested that instead of stressing out about it, we should just invest in a new one. Fall is still leaving the grass growing beautifully into weeds in the backyard, and if we were going to be having any people over to see the house, I felt as though a nice yard was sort of a selling point. Plus, I come from the mountains. Yards are my thing.

So we stop by Lowe's on our way home, and thanks to my handy-dandy iPhone app for Lowe's, we already had the lawnmower we wanted picked out before we walked in the door. The whole process took less than 15 minutes. It was awesome.

So, there you have it. My first adult purchase was a lawnmower, and I think that it is going to be the start of something wonderful.