Summerness

So before I go into the "real world" I have been trying to soak up my responsibility-free summer (well the two weeks I have left of it anyways) and so it got me thinking... what means 'summer'? What reminds me of the time off school and the blazing hot sun? To me, summer is the feeling of carefree, of irresponsibility, of laying by the pool and slathering sunscreen on. Its driving to the beach with the windows down and my favorite pair of sunglasses on. Its my eyes being so tired from the sun that I fall asleep on the couch around 7 PM. Its trips to the ballpark to watch no-name minor league players, eat hot dogs, and crack open peanuts. Its ordering pizza and hanging out with friends and losing track of time until its 2 in the morning. Its sinking my feet into the soft sand on the shore and reading an Irving Stone book. Its chocolate frozen yogurt and a waffle cone. Its waking up to thunder storms and lightening that makes the night sky look purple. Its a kind of happiness that doesn't exist in fall or winter or spring. I love summer, and I hope that even though I'm starting a new job I'll be able to enjoy it like I always do... So far, I can't complain... :)

Post Grad & Pre Real World....

So I know I have slowly but surely become less-than-admirable at this whole blogging endeavor... but things have been busy and I promise to be better in the future! (therefore, this will be long.. and you have been warned)

Life since graduation has been a roller coaster, to be quite honest. I can't believe its been almost 2 months since I walked across the stage! (I didn't say 'received my diploma' because I have yet to do so... Apparently they don't send those out when you still have charges on your student account from renting a tent and sleeping bags for a weekend excursion to the Grand Canyon.... I guess I should get on that.) Since graduation I have traveled the country (well, across the country), and I was able to visit family and friends along the way.

My mom and I enjoying the sun! Playing with my nephews, Homero and Joshua in the park!Having a wonderful (and windy) picnic in the park with Megan in Louisville!

When I got back to NC I had enough time to take a shower, eat a home cooked meal and do a load of laundry before I was traveling again... but this time by plane (thank goodness!) and to Memphis for an interview for the Federal Reserve Bank... After I got back from that little adventure I worked at Vincenzo's and even took a roadtrip with my sister to see our brother Billy at school.... conviently he goes to UNC-Wilmington... 5 minutes from the beach. :-)

This is my turtle Sandy, Billy demolished her after this picture was taken.

Dispersed throughout the month of May were brothers soccer games....


Beautifying the roadsides for Winston-Salem Day of Service with Joey & our convict-looking-vests...


A pre-Father's day gift of viewing the new Star Trek movie (complete with trekkie t-shirts)...


And movie nights with Jordan & Daniel with a little help of the Snuggie...


phew. THEN I got some great news last Monday morning.... that job I interviewed for in Memphis??? YEP, I got it! I have been super excited ever since, and of course that nervous/anxious feeling you get with every new, unexpected experience comes along with it. I feel so fortunate and blessed to be given this opportunity during the difficult times we are all living in, and so thrilled that its something that I have been preparing for for so long. I will be an Assistant Bank Examiner for the St. Louis Fed, but will be located in Memphis at the branch office there. I was able to visit Memphis this past week to search for apartments... and not only did I find one... I found the perfect one! Here are a few pictures of my favorite parts of my new place!

My new apartment is right down the street from the Memphis, Tennessee temple!! I have my own little patio!!!And my own gas fireplace! :)

I move next Friday (June 5th) and my first day of training is June 15th in St. Louis. I am so excited to start this 'next chapter' in my life that I honestly spend all my spare time websurfing for couches, bookcases, new banks, local restaurants, anything that will get me ready for my new home... and life really...

I have said recently that all the uncertainty surrounding my future that has clouded my world over the past several months has somehow brought clarity to every other facet of my life... Whether it has been within myself or even relationships with others, I have continually looked for ways to improve and learn, despite my lack of direction and 'plan'. I am so grateful for this new beginning, for this nudge in the right direction, for this answered prayer.

Gradumacation

So amidst the endless papers, tests, homework assignments, graduation events and making sure I fit in quality friend time... I graduated. Yes, I, Julie Marie Bennett the first, am now a college graduate (pending final grades, of course). I won't lie though, things are little twilight-zonish right now because nothing seems real. After graduation my dad and mom helped me pack and clean nonstop for hours and I fit everything I own in my car thanks to the most efficient packer dad out there. I should take a picture of his masterpiece. Now I'm in Victor, ID enjoying the last of the snow and Teton mountains that I will see for a good while (I am not complaining about that, I'll have you know) and I have been trying to catch up on sleep and have finally let myself relax in who knows how long.

This week I'll make my last visits to friends in Utah and then set out on my trek out East.. all by my lonesome (to all 4 of my parents objection) and am actually getting really excited about it. I feel as if I am beginning a new chapter in my life and need to still find a bit of myself before I will be comfortable jumping feet first into it. Roadtrips like these really help me to unwind and think through things that I have been putting off or just listen to music a little too loud to drown out any worries I have. Either way, its something I feel like I need to do. I get more excited as the days go by for my future, however unknown and unnerving it is. I have a few job prospects that I am in the middle of interviewing for, and decisions will be made in the next month or so... but I don't want to make any rash decisions or limit myself simply due to the economic times we are all in the middle of. So I am trying to be patient, and have a little more faith.

Here are some pictures from graduation and adventures close in proximity to it:With my parents after Convocation

With my parents before Convocation!Ede and I after Commencement. Yeah for on-timers! :)

Ryan and I went with my parents to the TV & Pioneer Museum in Rigby, ID. Needless to say, it was amazing.And most recently: Adventure to Jackson Hole with my parents!

Yes, I went to Vegas AND the Grand Canyon

So I haven't posted in ages, and I really don't have time to now, but I wanted to post some pictures from my Las Vegas/Grand Canyon adventure!

More Grad Pics...

I am sending them out sometime in the next week... what about these? :-)

Life. Is. Good.

So life! It has been amazing! I have had a near-breakdown here and there over the past couple of weeks due to the normal stuff.. you know, wondering where am i going in life, where i am applying for jobs, what im having for breakfast, what my scary roommates are doing, boy craziness, school work, worthless group members... yeah, the normal stuff... but its awesome, and I love it, and at the end of every day when I feel like I've been hit with a ton of bricks (literally, since i've actually been going to the gym lately) I look back on the day and I am happy and glad and grateful.

One of those days included a fort night...And I have happily crossed it off my lovely Bucket List... also, we watched Newsies after we got done building it, and I practically immediately fell asleep. Still, Christian Bale singing = awesome.

Oh also, I am getting out graduation announcements to family soon and my lovely roommate/photographer took pictures for me... what do you guys think? We took a million pictures, but I need help picking...
Maybe I'll post others soon....

p.s. Sorry I'm so boring! :)

Meet Frank

This is not just any Frank, its the Sinclair station Frank dinosaur, and Rachael and I met him this past Friday on our way out of town...

Now, you probably think its weird that I am taking pictures with a random fake dinosaur at a gas station.. and well, I guess it is... but really, that isn't a surprise is it? Actually I have been wanting to do this for awhile as it has been on my bucket list for quite some time...

Bucket List you ask? Yep... as it is my last semester my friends and I have come up with what I think is probably the best bucket list you could have for (south east) Idaho... Here is just a sampling (as it getting really long):

• Go icecaving - This has been my number one fear for the past 4 years, and I will face it before I leave. I will.
• Phasertagging - apparently its a mix between laser tag and paintballing... Also, this was my roommate Kortney's idea, so take it up with her.
• Go sledding at the sand dunes - ok this another fear because as most of you know... I currently hate snow... but not only that, the dunes are freakin HUGE. and for some crazy reason I dont feel like breaking my neck while sledding... but alas...
• Have one last fort night - So ever since freshmen year my friends and I have had fort/movie nights where we bring out all our mattresses and make a fort and watch movies until we fall asleep.. and its fun, just like it was when we were 7.
• Go to the Grand Canyon - I have always wanted to go, but my teacher in one of my econ classes gave me the idea.. hey, its only 11 hours away, and I won't get a chance to go probably for a really long time... or ever again... :)
  

I'm excited to do all these things, but honestly every day is an adventure and I am having a blast my last semester.. yes, even in Idaho.