Holy City Summer Bucket List.

It very recently dawned on me that I've successfully survived 2/3 of my current and final AmeriCorps term, which suddenly puts many things in perspective, the most important of these is the fact I get to spend my summer in Charleston (whoop whOOp!). I never really came here to accomplish much other than my AmeriCorps project and decide what would come after that, so I wasn't particularly good about "mapping out" what else I intended to do while here. But now I understand the shining opportunity I have to explore the Lowcountry in all it's sunny and humid glory, and I've decided it's not too late to get in last minute "tourist trips," as well as attempt personal conquests while I'm still as free as I'm really ever going to get. For this, I've created my:

.::HOLY CITY SUMMER BUCKET LIST::.
(in no particular order)

1. Visit Bull Island State Park. To get to the island you have to take a 30min (and $30) ferry ride, so I plan on making this an all day event to make the most of the time and moo-lah it takes to get there. I'm a big nature addict, and I hear it's wholly untainted. Charged camera, loaded picnic basket, and short shorts. Yes please.

2. Go to the Charleston Tea Plantation... which, conveniently enough, I purchased tickets for the 1st Flush Festival (May 16th) and I'm stoked to hear some great bands while checking out the nation's only living tea plantation. Pip-pip-HOLLA, old chaps!

3. Give my blog a face-lift. I've had my blog this way essentially since I started it in September of '08, so I think the new transition in my life warrants a massive overhaul of my blog. Stay tuned.

4. Take a "photo-tour" of all my favorite places in Charleston and document them with a post. I had this idea while in Jacksonville, and it never really flourished the way I hoped. I'd love to pick several favorite or memorable spots and take a few shots of places in and around Charleston that mean a lot to me... and that I'm going to miss once I move to Columbia in August. And, of course, accompany it with a blurb as to why it's such a fabulous hot spot.

5. Fully and finally develop and publish a current photography venture I've been working on... again, stay tuned!! Your commentary and possible 'clientele' will be most appreciated....

6. Go to the beach as much as humanly possible. This, I should note, does not just include lounging ocean side on weekends - no, this even means impromptu "school night" visits to watch the sunset or a summer storm roll in.... I'm pretty sure I've never felt such impish wonderment as I have while simply existing by the water.

7. Sneak in a Jacksonville trip... which I think is in the works. :) All you Jax folks, prepare yourself for Memorial Weekend. Big C is comin' to Big Cat City for a festivus!

8. Make a list and go back to all my favorite restaurants at least once. This may go hand-in-hand with #4, as the food here in Charleston is an art. Now if only I could find a hot date...

9. Plan a day trip to Savannah. Savannah is by far one of my favorite places, and it's actually a perfect day-trip spot: you can see all the major highlights plus a few off-the-beaten-path surprises if you plan it correctly. It's only about 1.5hrs away, and I'm dying to go back to Paula Dean's Lady 'n Sons restaurant... quite possibly THE most amazing mashed potatoes ever. Do you hear me? EVER.

10. Host a summer BBQ/picnic at my house... err, the courtyard of the house from which I'm currently renting (I live in the shack next to it). One of my very most favoritest things about summer is the smell of meat - or fake meat when I'm on my veggie binge! - on the grill and a frosty beverage in hand with light, happy music in the background of silly and often lewd conversations. These are even better when coupled with a trip to the beach. :)

.... to be continued.

And that's that.

Wanted: Tall, goofy blonde currently seeking accompaniment for the many endeavors mentioned above. Knowledge or curiosity of the Lowcountry, the South, or good food of a plus; adventurous attitude a must. :)

Too Cool for School. Until August, That Is. Look Out, Tiger! There's a New Masters Super Star in Town!

(I woke up the day after publishing this post and thought I had an even MORE clever title for this particular entry. So, I changed it... I'm so witty!)

March roared in like an icy, angry lion, and then it frolicked away, willy-nilly like a warm, fuzzy lamb leaving the nasty winter in the dust... or leaving it in the pollen, I should say. WheeEEW! The great seasonal transition into spring almost left me wishing the cold, rainy stuff would come back. Nothing's more of a tease than knowing it's 80 degrees and sunny outside, but you can't even step out long enough to fart before your head explodes from the nasty yellow stuff.

^My car covered in pollen.

That being said, I determined I am a much happier individual with the warmth and will gladly amp up the allergy meds to get my daily recommended vitamin D and not have to wear 4 layers of clothing.

Not only has the new spring pollen left me loopy, but I'm now past the half-way point of my VISTA term with roughly less than 4 months to go. I'm happy to report that I have a plan for my post-AmeriCorps life come August (*insert angelic choir music here*), and the instant relief that life after AmeriCorps does exist has left me equally dazed. In the fall, I'll be returning to the University of South Carolina, this time as a graduate student, to seek my Masters in Public Administration & Policy. (Eez sounds sexy, noh?) Ahh, to be among the snooty strategists and policy wonks - they won't see me comin'! But seriously, the program is designed to build skills in community planning, educate on the similarities and differences of local & nat'l government, and prepare students to become organizational and management leaders in everywhere from state jobs to non-profits. And who knows, having a few extra letters at the end of my name may just make me a legit' contender in the big-kid world (do they make thong Pull-Ups?).

While I'm dreading the inevitable frustration of moving, finding a job, finding a place to live, and readjusting to life as a student again, I'm happy to think I have a few months to prepare properly for the next chapter in my life. Further, how lucky am I to be in Charleston for the spring and summer?! Beach 15 minutes away, outdoor festivals and concerts, and lots of sunshiny evenings filling up on some of the best food the Palmetto State has to offer. To those of you in the area of the Holy City, you'd better load up on me while you can. To those of you who have yet to visit me: You'd better pick a date and take advantage of my hot-hot location. Well, as long as you don't mind sharing a 400 sq ft studio with me and my two wildabeasts... snuggle party!

That's the scoop, and hopefully being able to stay in one spot for more than a week will bode well for more updates... have a great rest of the week!