Bayou Bound

This past weekend my friend Steph and i took a road trip to Baton Rouge to see her man and my really cool friend Ryan.

Got to meet some more of Ryan's HILARIOUS family. They are so precious and so funny. I feel like I've known them my whole life.

Friday night we had dinner with Ryan's mom and dad at this little Italian restaurant. All three of them just got new iPhones and were trying to teach Mr. Edwards how to use iTunes. 

After that we met up with his two brothers, Brett and Chase, and Chase's sweet friend Rachel.

We went to a really cool little venue to see a cover band who played a little of everything including; Kings of Leon, Usher and ZZ Top.  They were actually pretty good and entertaining.

Saturday we had Lunch with the family at Albasha's - my absolute favorite greek and lebanese restaurant. Later that day Ryan and I moseyed around Baton Rouge, had dinner and made a "must" trip to Counter Culture. If you are not familiar with this place, make yourself familiar with it, and when you do, order the HUMPHREY YOGART. Its plain frozen yogurt with granola, grapes, bananas and honey drizzled on top. Absolutely wonderful.

That night i got to meet his grandparents and aunts and uncles. They are all HOOTS. Such a fun family.

Sunday Ryan and I picked up some lunch from Raisin' Canes and did a little shopping at the Louisiana Mall. Ryan bought his FIRST wallet. After having to get 3 new licenses within the time that we've started hanging out, it was much needed. 

Steph and I left around 3 that day and had a good ride back. 

Now I'm back at work.

Had fun doing a little shopping today with Debbie and my mom.

At Home in Homewood is dangerous for me. I did make a purchase but stayed under $20.

My "post-shop" recovery has been slow but I am getting much better. 

Can i stamp you?

Today i became a Notary.

Technically i became one several weeks ago when the NSA Premium Package arrived at work.

I spent 2 weeks taking a 1hr course, which i took 21 times before i called and asked what i was taking it for.

Come to find out... your score counts for nothing.

NOTHING.

I WASTED WEEKS feeling like a complete imbecile. 

My stamper is in the mail along with my insurance bond. (whatever that is.)

I'm thinking about stamping my arm over and over with it,

being that it may be the ONLY thing i ever sign and stamp.

Tomorrow Hannah and I leave for Houma, La.

We will be going to the river with some of our closest friends for the Cuarto de Julio.

It should be quite the experience.

...Ole'.

they call me quiet, but im a riot!

I apologize for not posting sooner.

As some of you know, my birthday was on the 20th.

That morning i woke up.

Packed my pool bag. 

Headed to get some sun.

Soon after my good friend Guy called saying he'd be on his way with some grub and drinks.

Ryan "Tank" arrived after that but ran into the pool-side gym for a 20min workout in attempt to look twice his size for the pool.

Then Michael with his very mirror-like aviators which were perfect for checking my hair.

Callie who is literally the most beautiful person ive ever known.  

Bryce came ready to eat everything.

Robbie M. my 15 yr old "daughter" who came with the best present in the world. (a light up glitter filled bouncy ball-nothing better)

Charley who came fully dressed/showered (very sweet of him, except it was a pool party.)

Chase came already laughing and ready to have a good time.

Hannah ACTUALLY GOT IN THE POOL IN A BIKINI! (applaud.)

BBQ, Strawberry cake, Cherry Limeade, Tanning oil, SUNNBLOOCKKK....

It was a perfect sunny day for being at the pool with the greatest friends in the world.

That night we all went to City Stages. (well, we all met up there.)

I dont even think we knew who was playing being that we had stayed at the pool too long missing anyone we had planned to see.

We bought tickets from a really cool "naw-i-aint-a-bum-these-iz-real-tickets" guy. He informed us that "I got cheerinz, and i aint want nobody to do them wrong." So we bout 5 tickets for $20 instead of $28. WOO. ....and they worked!

Pretty good bands played. 

The atmosphere was pleasant.

Got to see my good friend Zac. 

Got to use a port-a-potty.

We found Zydeco's dance floor, which was like being in Baton Rouge at thanksgiving with my family. 

Danced until we could barely move.

Laughed until we couldn't breathe.

BEST BIRTHDAY EVER.

HANDS DOWN.

Salty Lip

The beach was wonderful.

i used 50 spf the entire time and still turned into an african american.

i did, unfortunately, forget to apply sunblock on my lips. 

let me rephrase that...

i refuse to rub that stuff on my lips.

so it burnt. and burnt badly.

as if someone held a magnifying glass with the sun pointed to my lip just to see what would happen.

the result?

a hole. a blistering hole.

it makes me drool. 

and i smile like i have no feeling in my lower jaw.

"how do you eat?"

well, i eat like a walrus with my head straight up in the air.

Salt=hospitalization

Thank you God for creating Burt who made "Burts Bees: Res-Q-Lip Balm." (i just wish he wouldnt have made it pine flavored.)

things that are only good the first time:

1. clean sheets: downy only lasts one wear.

2. french fries: mc donalds fries for example, best things in the world. wait 2 min and they are ruined. remember- fries before burger.

3. napkins: its not rocket science. yes i do use 5 napkins at every meal.

4. fried mozzarella sticks- heres the problem, the temperature of these sticks are lethal when they are given to you, so you have to "wait for them to cool off" or risk permanently loosing important taste buds, but you always wait too long. what can we learn from this? dont order them. they are full of greasy calories and they are too complicated.

5. snow cones: once they melt you can freeze them again, however... it turns into a popsicle of sorts which was not what you initially wanted. just throw it away.

6. towels: they usually are still slightly damp the next morning, or at least mine are because i prefer leave my towels on the floor. 

7. pasta dishes: no matter where you order a pasta dish you will be given enough to feed a small whale. "Can a get a to-go box?" NO. dont ask for the box. leave it. it will never be the same.

8. driving to the beach: then you realize you have to drive back 5 hrs in a small vehicle with 3 other people with a seatbelt slicing into your over cooked body listening to what the driver wants to listen to... which in my case is mom and she wants to listen to a 1 of 3 people- daniel powder, gavin degraw, or really old john mayer.

a new season, a new beginning...

So yesterday was the first "hot" day of the year.

This is my absolute favorite season.

Summer is a sort of a medicine for me.

I don't know if its the sun, the pools or the beaches,

But It's definitely something I always look forward too. 

It also marks the beginning of a new season of life for me...

Its almost been a complete year since my life took a huge turn.

I had many ups and downs. Endured a lot of pain and agony.

But I'm very happy to say that I've been completely set free. 

And I thank God everyday for all of the wonderful (and painful) 

things I've learned in the past year or so.

I don't think it's by any coincidence that all of it happened. 

It was a test.

I know God has huge plans for life and I want to be ready for anything.

I have completely surrendered my life to Him.

I can truly say this is the happiest I have ever been in my life.

It took a lot for me to get it and understand why we have to trust Him,

But It's been the best decision I've ever made...

I want to thank all of my friends who stood by my side during it all- especially Hannah (my roommate and best friend) and Stephanie (my "sister"), my beautiful cousin Sarah, my parents (David and Trudy Bezet) for loving me unconditionally, Billy and Charlene Hornsby (my grandparents) for being a HUGE influence in my life, and my Lord and Savior...