childhood is calling. it's at the circus.

Nathan and I went to the circus today!

When we all went to Baton Rouge last week, I saw a sign for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus - and soon became obsessed with going. Because who doesn't want to enjoy a day at the greatest show on earth? 

Before the circus actually started, there was a pre-show, where all ticket holders got to meet the performers and some of the animals up close and personal. A lot of it was for the little kids - balancing feathers, dancing and limbo..

But it was still completely awesome. Especially when Duchess the elephant made her first appearance. 5 feet away from me - a huge, wrinkly pachyderm. Ecstatic does not even begin to describe me at that moment.

The elephants were definitely my favorite. 

At the end of Duchess' little show, she put her foot in paint and made a sort of autograph. This footprint was to be given away to the lucky winner of a drawing. I, of course, entered it. I was actually the last person to fill out my information slip; the guy almost didn't let me because the show was about to start. But I told him I'd write super fast, and I did. 

About 15 minutes later, the clown announced the winner of Duchess' foot painting. 

Imagine my surprise as I hear my name being called. 

So I got to run up in front of everyone and claim Duchess' footprint. 

Number 6 of my bucket list - check.

Now one of my prized possessions. 

Thank you, Duchess. I love your art.

I asked the guy behind us to take a picture of us. He gladly obliged. His wife aww-ed when I said I had to document our last adventure together before I leave for college.

Then there were the horses and ponies, as well as the camels. All those pictures turned out blurry - a result of their constant movement and the "no flash photography allowed" rule. 

There were a lot of acrobats.  a lot. 

Suspended by their hair. And she was juggling at the same time! I can't juggle on the ground, forget in the air attached to another girl by my hair. 

Then more elephants came out! They were the highlight for me, especially since there were no lions. 

Only two complaints about the circus:

1. No lions. 

2. The man in front of me ate spicy nachos for the first half, and I smelled them the whole time. nasty.

Besides that, I was in utter bliss.

This group did several different acts, all of which included scary stunts like this. 

The two guys jumped onto the see-saw, rocketing the girl into the air, where she flipped several times and still landed on the guy's shoulder, the guy who's standing on the pole. Crazy cool.

And then it ended, way too soon. 

I now want to join the circus, where I would fill the major void of their lovely show, as the lion tamer. 

anyone else find this to be a wonderful idea? 

and I'll wear my pearls.

Since college is fast approaching, I'm trying to fill every one of these last days at home with lovely memories. I've been forgetting lately how precious is the time that I have left with the people who love me most! Even the small things, like going for coffee and an antique excursion with my mom and brother, are such blessings from the Lord and I can't ever take them for granted. 

Nathan drove us to the quaint town a little ways away from us. How strange it is that he can drive!

My new [old] Ansco B2 Speedex - 85mm! A few people got on to me for this happy purchase of mine. 
"What are you going to do with that?"
Love it, that's what. And if I can figure it all out, take some awesome shots with it. 

I got made fun of for taking pictures of coffee.. but they should know by now that I'm going to do it (:
this was Nathan's white mocha iced coffee. mmm.

cafe au lait! 
I watched "Finding Nemo" this weekend - bubbles. my coffee, my bubbles. 

a very good day.
and the next time I post, it'll be of the circus.
//

baton rouge (with a french accent, like Pepe' Le Pew).

We decided to take a day trip to explore Baton Rouge! and as the title implies, whenever I think or say "Baton Rouge," I want to do it dramatically and sound all French-y, like the cartoon skunk I used to watch on Saturday morning cartoons. 

{we found an old battle ship on the Mississippi River.}

{momma!}

{I'm going to the circus on Saturday!}

{the old Louisiana state capitol building.}

{It was more like a castle.}

{gotta love a winding staircase and stained glass windows everywhere.}

{old architecture is too pretty.}

{even the floors were pretty.}

{I'm definitely one of those people who will readily get on the ground in a public place to get a shot.}

{after our little explorations, we went to Copelands! hello waffles & ice cream with banana foster.}

{favorite? do tell!}

bits & pieces.

the past two weeks or so have been a little odd - random is a good word for it.

nothing of magical importance has occurred in my life,

but, things have happened.

1. My “Novels of Jane Austen” class has begun! With some awesome people like Emilyann, Elizabeth, and Valentine. For three hours Monday through Thursday, I get to discuss the world of the Bennetts, the Bertrams, the Dashwoods, and so many more of Jane's creations, with other Austen fanatics. It is a beautiful thing, and I love it.

2. I mowed the backyard - with the push mower, might I add.  Had it not been for my dad jokingly telling me that I couldn’t do it, I probably wouldn’t have finished it. After that comment though, I was utterly determined to prove him wrong. He probably did that on purpose… Thankfully my family was either not at home or otherwise disposed so there is no photo of me participating in this.

3. Where’s Waldo in Walmart on a Wednesday. I was invited by a new friend to dress up as Waldo and go to Walmart with a bunch of her friends. Incredibly fun and surprisingly entertaining. No pictures available at this time (:

4. Because my lab is quite the handful, she has already discovered a spot in the backyard where she has begun to dig, an attempt to get under the fence. From past experiences, we know that it’s only a matter of time before she succeeds.  She’s now spending a lot of time inside as a result, which means she has a lot of pent up energy. So, Grace and I are now taking walks, and when she doesn’t lag behind or when I’m not about to keel over from the unbearable Louisiana heat and humidity, we run.  As the couch potato pro of my household, it's weird. 

5. I went to the dentist, where Matthew McConaughey, the very handsome actor, gets his teeth cleaned. No, he was not there, unfortunately, but he gets them cleaned every three months – according to the dental hygienist who has a picture with him in the office.  No wonder his teeth are so gorgeous.

6. Now for a sad event. One of our four cats has gone missing. Simba, the sweet little trouble maker who every person who has ever come in to contact with him absolutely loves. I have since then made and abundantly distributed fliers around neighborhoods in our area. Hopefully he’ll come home soon. You can read more about my love for all my cats here.

7. There have been other little things which I don’t have pictures of:

- a tennis match between Nathan and some friends.
- a sushi outing!

- popping fire crackers in a bottle of water with Nathan (I have an awesome video but blogger is having issues with it, so maybe another time soon I can post it!)

- Waffle Cone Wednesday at TCBY. 

this has been a little bit of my life in Louisiana. 

to do.

a bucket list.

I've always had a list of things in my mind that I want to do in my life, 

but I had never written them down until Polka Dot decided to have a bucket list giveaway. 

So I started working on it a few days ago, to which my mom put the question, 

"What, do you plan on dying soon?"

No, Momma, I don't :) but writing it down makes it more real.

And I do so love checklists. 

1. go to Africa.

2. go to Chicago.

3. hold a baby lion. 

4. get a Great Dane. 

5. be asked to photograph someone.

6. win a giveaway.

7. jetski.

8. go mudding. 

9. learn how to & shoot a gun. 

10. go hunting. 

11. climb a water tower. 

12. suds a water fountain. 

13. go whale watching. 

14. see the Grand Canyon.

15. meet someone famous and get a picture with them. 

16. swim with dolphins. 

17. adopt. 

18. go sailing. 

19. get married. 

20. have kids.

21. speak a foreign language fluently. 

22. ride in a hot air balloon. 

23. hold a blowfish.

24. be in a wedding. (not my own, although, yeah I want my own too..)

25. go the the Louvre. 

26. get Lasik eye surgery. 

27. go on a cruise. 

28. journal always. 

29. have my art exhibited in a gallery.   

30. win a fist fight.

moving madness.

So I'm now sitting on my mattress, on the floor, in my new room, in the new house, in Louisiana. 

YES! We've finally moved, and it feels pretty good. 

The animals are all a little whacked out; the cats wander around and cry all night long, and the dogs are still learning that they are not allowed on the carpet under any circumstances.

Unfortunately, all of our furniture and the majority of our belongings are still en route on the 53 foot semi truck that comes tomorrow morning - where a major explosion will ensue. 

Add to that insanity: I just heard my dad say that it's supposed to rain tomorrow. 

Here's the past week of my life.

It was so sad when the movers packed up my room. It took me almost a year and a half to get my room exactly the way I wanted it: with the brown paint that I adored, the new fabrics on the bed and chair, and my art and photos all over the walls. I wish I had thought to get a picture of it - it was pretty awesome. 

After two days of packing up the house, next was to load everything onto the truck.

It had to be BACKED into our driveway. I've had friends back out of the driveway, which was crazy enough, but no one's ever backed into it. And there's a good reason for that. 

Our house was on a major highway, which means that traffic had to be stopped during the 10-15 minutes the driver manipulated this monster truck down the drive. fun to watch, I gotta say.

It was impressive. 

They went fishing while the truck was being loaded, and came and said goodbye. It was sweet, and sad. 

The next day, we loaded up the animals and set off. 

Moving cats is not a fun thing. Especially in a nine hour car ride. 

Caleb, Grace and Buddy. 

Goodbye house. 

And I can't forget Tort, Nathan's rabbit. 

The view for ten hours. Nathan and my dad were in the u-haul ahead, with our mattress and select items we wanted to take ourselves. 

Hello new house. 

The move was and is a little insane, but it's really good to finally be here. 

for a little while anyways :)

On a side note, Nathan and I have been watching the women's world cup. And today, the United States against Brazil was the best soccer game I've seen in ages!! If you didn't watch it - go google some highlights. You will be amazed at these women. 

the fourth.

Today is the first day of the move - packing.

And so, to avoid the madness, I'm sitting in my mom's closet away from the loud sounds of paper, the ripping of tape and the dismemberment of our rooms into boxes. 

It's incredibly funny to see the facial expressions when someone comes into my parents' room and is surprised by me chilling in the closet. 

But last night, before the insanity set it, we had some friends over to do fireworks. 

Yes, that is my brother Nathan jumping through some fireworks. :)

And for more summer fun, I'm entering another of Carlotta's awesome giveaways.

Because eventually I hope to maybe possibly win.

check it outtt!