An Update.

So, I'm working on becoming a better climber, and being more healthy and fit in general. So, I've been climbing more at the wall lately, and I have decided to do the "Mile High Challenge" over the summer. Eh, we will see if I make it. I need to go to the top of the wall 144 times & so far I've done 19. I already feel stronger though.

In other news, I'm going on a trip to Colorado for 10 days with Outdoor Pursuits over the 4th of July. I'm so excited. I've never really been "out west" before, and I'm excited to do some 14ers. Also, some of my favorite leaders & participants are on the trip, so really, I don't think I could ask for much more. Right now, I'm food planning. I want to stay relatively cheap & eat out as little as possible. I'm trying to be pretty creative so I'm not eating the same things over and over. When my plan is more coherent I'll post more details.

In all, we should summit 5 mountains, including the highest mountain in the Rocky's, Mt. Elbert. The others are: Mt. Evans, Quandary, Grays and Torreys. If you want to learn more about 14ers, check out this awesome website: 14ers.com/

In other news, this is a picture of Rachel & I when we saw Brave. :) Did you know that there were two of them? ;)

Trippin'

Sorry that I have not updated lately. I think about working on it sometimes, but my life has been pretty crazy lately. Or maybe I just haven't felt like writing.

I'm going to start back with the two trips that I have been on lately.

First, I took an overnight camping trip to Cohutta, GA with Rachel and Chris. It was very nice. There is a great waterfall there for swimming & I feel like we had quality friend time. I didn't know Chris super well, but now I'd call him more than an acquaintance. :) Here are some pictures taken by Rachel:

 Above: the waterfall was much bigger than this... this is just one of the three tiers. The water was deep enough for good swimming, but it was VERY cold.

Left: Yes, this was taken while Chris was diving.

The next weekend I took a trip to the Smokeys with Aaron, Jacquie and Jeff, some friends of mine from Outdoor Pursuits.

It was much more "active" than a normal trip that I take... personally or with Outdoor Pursuits.We biked 11 miles through Cade's Cove in the early morning. Then, we hiked a round trip of five miles to Abram's Falls for a swim. Then, we hiked up Gregory Bald (5.5 more miles) partly in the rain.



The pictures from the weekend were taken by Jeff. Obviously, I never take my camera with me on trips and resort to using other people's pictures.

The picture above is the view from Gregory Bald looking at Cade's Cove.


The picture at the very bottom is of Jacquie & I doing the "little mermaid hair flip". ;)

Both of the trips were a lot of fun. Too bad I'm not going anywhere cool this weekend... I have to take the practice GRE. BUT, I am going to watch Brave with my own Brave, Rachel Hanle. I have high expectations. I hope it doesn't disappoint. 

I've included the trailer below: 

Moonlight on the Mountain

Reid and Stephanie won the open mic competition at Moonlight on the Mountain last night. One of the songs that they played was a cover of Water by Johnny Flynn. Check out the video.


Also, I had some awesome bonding time with Amanda. Car ride, Brie, Triscuits & Wine. :)



Good night. Little Studying. Now, it's time to work!

Bards & Brews & ATL

Bards & Brews is every first Friday of the month (except for when they reschedule it like this month) At the Birmingham Public Library (except when it is at the Avondale Public Library like next month) ;). Free beer tasting and people standing up and reading poetry. And it is always good. Jared even got up and read some poetry this time! (Sorry, no picture!).

Yesterday, Jared and I decided to take a trip to Atlanta. You know, just for fun. And it was fun. Itinerary: Run out of gas on the side of the Interstate & call Triple A (this is Jared. ;)), Ikea, Varsity Frozen Orange Drink, Picnic in Centennial Olympic Park, The Documentary The Bully, Roam around little 5 pts (cool coffee shops, crazy stores and lots of people). Check out some pictures-- yea, hipster pictures.

RR Park

Last night's show was in the Railroad Park with Great Book of John. It was cool & relaxing & anyone cool under 30 was there. ;)

 I had to leave early though to do a presentation with Rachel about Climate Change & Food Security. They showed a pretty cool video. It's on YouTube.

Tonight is Bards & Brews. If you want to come along, let me know.

On Saturday, Paint the Town Red.
Saturday, Jared and I are also planning a trip to ATL. There is a new documentary that he wants to see called Bully.

There was a controversy about whether or not it should have a PG-13 rating. The makers of the movie wanted high school students to watch it, but some thought it was to graphic. I'll let you know how it is. I also posted the trailer. It's pretty intense.

We might do something else while we are there... I'm not really sure what, yet.

Hipster

Just got back from the Workplay show with Jared. Do you like my instagram photo? Now I can be a hipster too. :) 

Anyway, the opener for the show was really good. Graham Colton. He was cool talking to the crowd and even   had a girl come up & sing with him. Anyway, I like him, and his song is my song of the day. Check it out.

Study, Study, Study

It's a busy week with a lot of assignments/papers/events, but there is only about a month left until the end of the semester. (Ah!!).

I feel like I have already run out of things to talk about. Probably because all I do is study! I've been writing quite a bit this semester, and I'm actually liking it much more than I thought.

Now, I'm studying at Church Street coffee with Jared. No trip with Outdoor Pursuits this weekend-- so Jared and I are filling the free time with music shows.

Tomorrow night: Workplay for Green River Ordinance
Thursday night: Relax by the Tracks at Railroad Park with the Great Book of John
Friday night: Bards & Brews, the poetry slam at the Birmingham Public Library

I'm excited!

So far I'm doing fine without a car, but maybe it's time to invest in a new bicycle?