life back in Arkansas...

Well, life back in Arkansas is just about as you can imagine.  Not as lively as being on the road, and after readjusting a little bit, I've gotten okay with being here.  I know it's short-term so that helps.

V-day flowers for mom and me from dad  :)

I bought a Kindle Fire and read the Hunger Games books...pretty excited about watch the movie soon!  :)

I've been spending some time in Little Rock...that has helped break the routine of work, home, sleep that my hometown has to offer.

Jadie Mae

While on my trips to Little Rock I've finally been able to see a few friends I haven't seen in months, and some, years!  A couple of them have had a baby...it's crazy to think how I'm at an age now where my friends are married and/or have kids!

 My favorite time of year has come around...daffodils are sprouting up!  :D  I made a trip with Amber and Trey's family to Wye Mountain where there is a huge field of nothing but daffodils.

Lil Miss Dakota

I sure do miss hanging out with this kid on a regular basis!  Nathan and me.

My how Elliot the bearded dragon has grown! 

Chester the snake wasn't so scary...

My dear ol' former roommate and bro, Lukas.

 I have been on far away road trips with no car problems...that is until I get back in Arkansas.  In 2010 on my first big solo trip, I went from west coast to east coast and back...never getting pulled over or having an accident until I got back in Arkansas and was headed home.  Thankfully I didn't get a ticket!  This incident below was pure wrong place at the wrong time.  I had just finished eating lunch with Michelle and was waiting to turn out of the parking lot, when Car 2 decided they had enough time (they didn't) to turn in where I was causing Car 1 to hit them and Car 2 to hit me.  Took an hour to finally get everything sorted out with the cops and what not...I was pissed, but realized that it could've been worse and that nobody was hurt really bad.  Car 1's driver's arms were marked up and I'm sure some whiplash happened, but still...

My car's damage.

Car 1

Car 2

At the Argenta Market in North Little Rock.

 A week after the Daffodil Festival at Wye Mountain, I went back with Chris and I was so excited to see all the flowers again....got there and most were dead.  Sad.  They don't do well with really warm weather which we've been having lately.  We hardly even had a winter!  At least there were a few still left in bloom.

Chris and me.

 It's horse racing season and I've never been before.  I decided it was time to change that, so Chris, Brady, and I made a trip to Hot Springs to Oaklawn.  I made a small bet of $5 on one race, made $7.50, bet $7 on another, lost, bet $0.50 on a superfecta and lost.  The guys made bets all day, but not me.  I like my money too much.  It was a really nice day and something different.  I'd probably go again.

Brady, Chris and Me...

me with Brady in the background.

This is Kiya...she was a lil puppy a few short months ago.  Now she's a big puppy!  I can't believe how big she's gotten...looks so innocent doesn't she?  She's a hyper lil thing!

Well, that's what has been going on lately.  I'll be going to Florida in a few weeks to be a bridesmaid and I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone there.  Not entirely sure of what/where I'm going after that, but I know I'm in Arkansas till May (it keeps getting pushed back...), which isn't all bad...just feel like I'm stuck in limbo.  It'll come to me soon where I should go for my next grand adventure... :)

1/11-2/27...Arkansas.

Well, I'm back in Arkansas until April or May so that's why there's been a sharp decline in posts.  It hasn't really been much to write home about (hah) being back.  I came back for my friend's wedding and to sort some things out.  The things are still being sorted per se.  I'm back working at a restaurant I worked at before moving to Little Rock.  It's given me a chance to save back up some money before I head out again and spend time with family and a few friends.

I can't even express how much I miss being out on the road and esp Vegas.  Of course it wouldn't be the same without the people that I started out with there, but still.  I'm so glad I met so many different people from different corners of the world with all kinds of stories.  There's a few I got to be good friends with that I miss often, but that comes with the traveling territory.  This guy, Ryan Goes Abroad, has written a pretty good piece on that subject.

Anyway, I've just been catching up on everything around here and working as much as I can.  I'm ready for my next adventure...whatever it may be.

Here's a few pictures for fun...

My friends getting married...

lil sweetie.

Yes, this is a real car.  Spotted in Little Rock.

I'll update soon with some ideas of my next move.  Later!

01/08-01/11 Texas (Dallas-Ft. Worth)

I left Corrie's and headed towards DFW...it took FOREVER to get out of Austin!  But I finally made it to my destination and met Rachel and Leslie and one of their friends, Sara, at an ice cream place.  We went to their apartment where I got to see my favorite dog in the whole wide world, Peanut!  Devin came over so ever creative Leslie could cut and color her hair.  It was just really nice to be with Rachel and Leslie (and Peanut) again.  Haven't seen them since Warped Tour back in June last year.

we spent some time in that kitchen making up tummy yummies  :)

I love her.

trying on mask...i smell a party idea brewin.

i brought hail producing rain...follows me everywhere i go!

we were cuddle buddies

Leslie and I went to Dallas Grapevine Mills mall and went to the aquarium...

me and leslie  :) 

I love seahorses!

It was really great to see them...I miss them.  We watched some movies, we out to eat, and my favorite...played a game...it was a card game (I'm not the best at that), but it was still good.  I was sad we only got to play one, but I'll take it.  Can't wait to see them again!  :)

01/03-01/8 Texas (Austin)

It's been a while, but I'm finally back to update....just going to pick up where I left off.

The next day, Asaf and I made it only to Tucson, AZ.  Asaf hadn't been feeling well since NYE, so we went to the emergency room to make sure nothing was wrong.  We were there pretty much the whole day and the doctor didn't really have any explanation of what was wrong.  We left the emergency room and drove to El Paso where we stayed the night.

El Paso to Austin was awful.  If you need to use the restroom, when you see a gas station STOP!  It may be the last time you see one for a really long time.  Twice I let the gas light come on...scary business!  We finally made it to Austin around 11 pm or so and Corrie met us with her dogs and hospitality.

I wish I could've captured how pretty this whole sunset was. 

Welcome to Texas. 

Random painting on the side of a building in a very, very small town in Texas.

Welcome to Austin

Asaf and I went to Texas University and walked around the campus.  Afterwards we met up with Corrie and her friend before going back to her place and watching a movie.  Late that night (3 am) I took Asaf to the bus station.  If I hadn't been so tired I probably would've stayed out riding around or something.  I didn't want to go back to Corrie's because I was sad I just said good-bye to my friend, but I did and fell asleep pretty fast.

Asaf is statuesque.   

We get told we look alike, but we're not even blood related...just have the same sister.

The next day I went to the Texas State Capitol.  Pretty nice.  I still have to say Boise had the nicest state capitol that I've been to so far.

Found this gem on Corrie's refrigerator. 

This is Baby...I think she looks like Forrest Whittaker 

After a really delicious pizza in Downtown Austin we had this for dessert.

Awesome band Explosions In The Sky bills.

Austin was nice...too bad it's in Texas  ;)  Corrie was a great host and I'm glad we had a lot in common.  We got along just fine.  :)