Bob Dylan | The Girl from North Country (with Johnny Cash)
I can’t get enough of this song. And it was written by one man, the man, Bob Dylan. Music isn’t like this anymore.
Hello there, I’m Claudia. Welcome to my little speck on the internet. I am a North Carolina girl and complete life enthusiast. New travels, fun fashion, true friends, deep conversations, delicious food, red wine, and an active and healthy lifestyle make it all the more sweeter. My heart belongs to Alex, my incredible husband-to-be and my sweet, yet quite peculiar dog Zoey. Together we are building a beautiful life. I like to write about these things and share them with you.
Tell me something good
May 6, 2013
May 1, 2013
April 29, 2013
Despite the rainy weather forecast, Zoey and I found a little sunshine and relished every ray.
April 29, 2013
April 29, 2013
On Dancing
In preparation for the big day, Alex and I have spent the last few hours watching and practicing moves from instructional Youtube videos. We have added some intricate twirls and dips to the only dance we can do in unison, the two-step, and since we were feeling froggy we thought we’d add the wobble and the dougie, which in my opinion I got on lock, to our repertoire. All in all, it wasn’t a pretty sight but we laughed the whole time so that’s something.
April 25, 2013
Things that are currently making me happy
- Instead of tossing and turning all night and then sleeping in all day as a result, I got up at 5, danced around the house with my coffee, cleaned the house, and then decided that it was time to attend a BodyPump class, which I have never done before. It was a good feeling to make such a proactive choice for myself instead of starting off my day with laziness.
- In said BodyPump class I kicked ass. It was a little different than I expected and harder, much harder but I never let it show and when it came down to doing the body weight exercises such as push ups and planks I was the only female in the class to do them properly, no saggy butt or girly knee push-ups for me. Since I was the only newbie, as it was written on my forehead, I was recommended to keep the weights low. I nodded my head, taking it into consideration, but stacked up on my 10s and dominated, continuously moving up in weight throughout the hour long course. At the end two ladies came up to me and told me how surprised they were that someone so little could be so strong! Mmmm, that’s how I like my ego to be stroked.
- Alex and I are going to a social tonight for all the people in the Captain’s Career Course and their spouses and significant others. And it’s not a bbq so I am going to wear a pretty polka dot dress, curl my hair, maybe, and put on my favorite wedges. No offense to my beautiful dog Zoey-Pie but I’m in desperate need of some mingling and girl time with the human species.
- I have fallen madly in love with Columbus, Georgia. I honestly thought this place was going to be the pits, probably because some pretty hard military schools/courses (Ranger, Airborne, Pathfinder, etc) are here and it taints the experience for some. But in all my travels I have never enjoyed a place so much. Whitewater rafting and kayaking, bike rides, a scenic riverwalk, farmer’s markets, botanical gardens and trails, concerts weekly, theater and orchestra concerts, an artsy college scene, etc, etc, etc are all here.
- I’M GETTING MARRIED IN EXACTLY ONE MONTH TO THE BEST GUY IN THE WORLD.
April 25, 2013
District of Chic posted the first dress last night and I immediately fell in lust, thus bringing me down the rabbit hole. Some pieces I just treated myself to via ASOS.
April 24, 2013
USDA Forces Whole Foods To Accept Monsanto | World Truth.TV
Monsanto buys out Whole Foods Market. Why are they surrendering? Because apparently money is sweeter than health and morality.
It is disgraceful and unethical what these companies practically force down both the producers and consumers throats.
April 24, 2013
April 23, 2013
"Opening your heart and being courageous and telling people that you care about them or like them or that you think they’re special only makes you a better, bigger, kinder, softer, more loving person and only attracts more love in your life."
— Amy Poehler (via rainydaysandblankets)
(Source: laughingly, via simplycasual)
April 22, 2013
Happy Monday, y’all!
Personally, I love Mondays and all the new experiences and opportunities it opens the door to that are of a much different sort than the weekend has to offer.
The man and I have been in our new town of Columbus, Georgia for one month now and since we are getting married in one month and three days from today we agreed that it’s best that I don’t start working until after the wedding. Realistically this is probably keeping me from tearing my hair out while I prepare for the wedding, but truthfully I hate not working and I become really hard on myself when I’m not pulling my weight. I love to stay busy, to interact with people and co-workers, and to dress up. So in order to maintain adult status while the rest of good society is working and/or rearing a family I try pretty hard to keep the wheels moving. This week I’ve promised myself to get some serious things tackled and stay consistent with a maintainable routine.
- Start studying for the math section of the GRE. I have a field day studying for the Verbal Section, there aren’t too many things I love more than a big cup of coffee, Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus, clean sheets of paper, and studying the roots of words. Not kidding. But Math scares the hell out of me. I capitalize the M to show respect. So it’s my goal to commit 4 1/2 hours each day for the next nine days.
- Email the vendors and make sure no one is planning on dropping off the face of the Earth, putting daffodils in my bouquet, or playing Ke$ha at the wedding. Have I mentioned that we’re getting married in New Hampshire, that I’m from North Carolina, and that we’re living in Georgia? Well that’s all true and yes, I should probably be committed.
- Workout and then workout some more. I’m in a good place with how I’m seeing myself and feeding myself but I have been giving it my all in the gym and cooking clean foods for every meal. That said, I want to look incredible come the wedding day and moving to Columbus has been a godsend in that respect so I’m going to turn up the heat even more. Living on the riverfront makes it easy to run, walk the dog, walk to the gym, and bike so I’m getting a little color and a little more movement into my life-and that’s what I’m going to spend more time doing.
- Volunteer. I always try to make time to volunteer and while I typically feel humble and appreciative afterward, for me that’s not enough. I really want to work with a program that helps the youth stay motivated with their education and hobbies and find positivity and opportunities in their own life as opposed to just helping clothing and feeding people who are less fortunate. So I’m happy to say that I’m meeting with some of the people in charge of a local youth mentoring group this week!
April 19, 2013
"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues."
— Cicero (via whatishouldhavelearned)
April 14, 2013
April 8, 2013
The photos are up! Our trip to Cancun was unreal and words will not do it justice so I’m just going to let the photos do most of the talking. The Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Wellness and Spa Resort was heavenly and I can’t wait to return. The staff was so warm and welcoming and the entire experience so far exceeded my expectations. The food was fresh, healthy, and endless if you so chose to have it that way, the drinks top shelf and strong, the entertainment and activities were top notch, the room was lavish, and Mother Nature was in peak condition.
April 6, 2013
Hi friends, in case you were wondering if I had dropped off the face of the internet, sorry to report I have not. The man and I have settled into our new place quite comfortably about two weeks ago and immediately after unpacking we took a week long departure for Mexico. Just now have we waved the white flag and submitted to a cable and internet hookup.
Mexico pictures will be uploaded soon, but first I just had to share one of the best moments of my life. I’m not being dramatic. Tim O’Brien, my favorite author of all time, was in Columbus, Georgia the day after we returned from Cancun and we caught wind of this exciting news hours before he was set to give an appearance. So after I enjoyed the most beautiful Chai Tea Latte and took in the downtown scene, I rushed home, put on my lucky blue dress, which apparently needs a shorter slip, and speed walked and jumped up and down while occassionaly squealing in four inch wedges for six blocks. Then, at last, we heard Tim O’Brien give an an incredible lecture on love, war, and life at the Springer Opera House followed by a meet and greet.
Before Alex left for Afghanistan I gave him a new copy of The Things They Carried and inside I wrote him a note telling him how much I loved him and how proud I was to be in love with such a wonderful man and outstanding soldier, much like the novel’s main character, Lt. Jimmy Cross. In addition to the lovey-dovey line or two I also told him that I hoped he would enjoy Mr. O’Brien’s best selling novel as mush as I had time and time again. Thankfully, he loved it. It might have been a deal breaker if he had not. Well anyway, when Tim O’Brien opened Alex’s copy to sign he read my note, which I was slightly embarrassed by initially, but he realized how big of a fan I was and he spoke so warmly and candidly with us; it was wonderful.
I have read several of his books, all of which are so beautifully written, but The Things They Carried is one of those books I turn to constantly. I first read it when I was fourteen years old and afterward I knew I wanted to be a writer. I have read it many times since then and each time, in my new phase of life, it gives me a new set of messages. I think that’s one of the requirements for a book being considered a classic, it can remain relevant and still stir and awaken something within during any point of one’s life.
I don’t know if I could have dreamed of a better way to start off our new adventure in Columbus. I thank Tim O’Brien for raising the bar, yet again. Here’s to new beginnings and getting on the up and up.
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