So, this trip has already been hectic.
I was supposed to fly out of Jacksonville Airport at 4:30 pm on Saturday. Instead, we flew out at 5:30 or so. When we got to Chicago, we didn't even pull up to a gate...we just sat there on the plane for like 30 minutes. Because of that, I missed my connecting flight. (It was originally at 7:40, but ended up moving to 8:30 or so because of a ground hold at Chicago Airport.) When I missed my flight, I tried to get onto the last one flying out to Seattle that night, but it was completely booked. I ended up having to spend a night in Chicago alllll alone. I was just going to sleep in the airport, but Daddy & Lisa wouldn't let me, so I stayed in the airport hotel.
I ended up taking a flight to Minnesota at 6:30 the next morning, and then had an 9:20 flight to Seattle after that! Once I got to Seattle, it took me forever to figure out where to go, and once I FINALLY found the family, we had to look for my bag (since I'd missed my original flight I had no clue where it was). American Airlines/Alaska Airlines SUCKS, so don't ever fly with them! After a lot of waiting and asking around, we finally found my bag, so we grabbed it and went home!
Today, we went to Mount St. Helens. It was so amazing. The view was so pretty, and there was still snow everywhere! The waterfalls from the melting snow were frieken amazing. I took so many pictures, I don't even know what to do with them. :P Tomorrow's pretty much a chill day I think. We are going to the mall to get Lisa an outfit for Ashley's graduation, and then Kaitlyn has a chorus concert (exciting! haha), but that's about it. I'm happy though, because I think my body is still getting used to going to sleep/waking up 3 hours later than normal! :P
Its 1:00 am here (4:00 am at home), so I think I'm gonna try to go to sleep now. :P
- Katie
6/7/11
NYC
Friday, May 27, 2011: We got on the bus at 5:30 and left for Orlando International Airport at 6:00 am! It was about a 4 hour drive, and once we got there, we had to check in, check our bags, eat lunch, and go through security for our 12:00 flight.
After arriving at LaGuardia airport in New York, we got our bags, and headed out to another charter bus to make our way to the hotel. Our 5 mile trip to the hotel took 30 minutes. CRAZY, hunh? We ate at Bricco's the first night, and it was ABSOLUTELY amazing! Seriously. I had this penne pasta dish with red sauce and cubes of mozzarella cheese. Tiramasu and a cup of coffee was for dessert, and it was amazing! After dinner, my group of 3 headed out to see Times Square. We got tons of pictures, and saw lots of people with questionable outfits!
Saturday, May 28, 2011: I woke up at 6:30 am and got ready for rehearsal, which started at 9 am. I found out that day that we were paying $23 a day for breakfast (but only the cold food...not the warm scrambled eggs with cheese or the nice warm french toast sitting right next to the cereal). Our rehearsal lasted from 9:00 - 12:30 pm. We rehearsed in the Alvin Ailey Dance Studio! How awesome? :) After it ended, we went to Bubba Gump in Times Square for lunch. I found it kind of funny that the waitress had trouble understanding something I said. :P I also rode the subway for the first time that day. Later on, we bought tickets for Phantom of the Opera on broadway, then wondered around Central Park for a while. After Central Park, we went to our show, which was AMAZING!!! Like, beyond words amazing. I found out that New York tax is 9%...when it applies. They only charge tax on certain things.
Sunday, May 29, 2011: I woke up at 7 am and got ready to go downtown to SoHo. After getting ready, I found out that the people I was going with weren't ready yet, so I waited on them, and then we left. We ended up not going to SoHo, but we went to Ground Zero & Wall Street. I thought it was all pretty cool. They are now building 'Freedom Tower' and a memorial over Ground Zero.
After we visited Wall Street, we headed back to the hotel since we had to be at rehearsal at 3 pm. Rehearsal was better on Sunday. After rehearsal, we went to the Empire state building. We waited in line for like, an hour or more. It was ridiculous, but the view was amazing, so I guess that makes up for the wait. :)
Monday, May 30, 2011: In the morning, my group and I went to Ellis & Liberty Island. After that, it was time to head back to the hotel & get ready for dress rehearsal. We rehearsed in Lincoln Center where we performed, and then a couple hours later, we made our way back and performed in Alice Tully Hall. It was pretty cool. Afterwards, we went to a place called Providence for our dinner reception. It was probably one of the best parts of the trip. There was also a 'night club' downstairs that everyone went to after dinner. :P
Tuesday, May 31, 2011: We just got up in the morning and finished packing up. We left for home around 12:30 and got back to V-town somewhere around 8!
That was our whole trip, and it took me like 5 tries to write this blog...so I will probably go back and edit it with more things that I remember. :P
- Katie
5/17/11
July 2010.
July 27, 2010: Since my cousin, Morgan, and I are very close, we spent a LOT of time together last summer. We were together on Tuesday, the 27th, and we decided to go hang out with a couple of our friends - Tyler, Tanner, and her friend...I think his name was Ryan?. Anyways, we went over to Tyler's house to hang out with them & play pool. We ended up leaving and then getting home around midnight.
When we got back, we probably ate some fruit or watched tv. When we finally decided to go to sleep, we realized it was already 3 am, and she had to be up at 7 am for a doctor's appointment. Because it was so late, we figured we'd just stay up.
July 28, 2010: At 7 am, we got to the doctor's office for her appointment. After that, I really don't remember what happened, but I know I eventually went home. After a couple hours of being home, Morgan texted me asking if I wanted to go over to Tanner's with her and hang out. She came over and picked me up in her dad's amazingly nice, huge, pretty new Tundra. We knew we'd have to pay for gas, and it was already getting pretty late, so we called Tanner and told him to meet us at a gas station. When we got there, we parked the truck behind the gas station so it would be safe, and then Tanner showed up. His friend Zach was in the truck also. I was very hesitant about riding in the truck because it was only a 3-seater.
Finally, we all got in, and rode to Tanner's. I'd never been to his house before, so I didn't know how far away it was. Once we got onto some back roads, Tanner started messing around and telling us he'd been drinking (he was obviously kidding, but it scared me). Right after that, we turned on to Highway 17 (in front of a semi who was VERY far away. We had plenty of time). Next thing we know, the semi is right behind us flashing his brights at us and freaking out. Tanner turned on his blinker to turn left and get out of his way, and then me and Morgan looked back at the semi...right before it hit us.
I try so hard not to think or talk about what happened that night. I try SO hard to forget what I saw and heard, but its not something you just get rid of. It sticks with you. Every time I see a semi behind me, I think its going to hit me. I think I was in denial for so long thinking that our wreck really wasn't that bad, but I'm realizing now that it was. It was scary, and it was something I won't EVER want someone I know to have to go through.
Its hard for me when I realize JUST how bad our wreck was. I realize that NO ONE died, NO ONE broke a bone. I think Tanner stayed overnight in the hospital for just a night or two, and the rest of us were discharged that same night. Zach had some stitches, I have ongoing back pain, and Morgan had multiple body parts that were sore (just like the rest of us). So...for the most part, I think we got off pretty durn lucky.
Why is it that a month before our car wreck, TWO people died in a car wreck from the same school we went to? About a week after that, more people from our school got into car wrecks. Last week, another wreck happened. All from our school - I really don't know the condition of the two still in the hospital, but I know one person is on life support.
I understand that ALL of these wrecks were ridiculously unsafe (as all are) and very scary, but I would have to say I think ours was in the top 3 for being the worst. (damage-wise) Why did we get off so easily?
I could ask so many questions, and I could probably type up a whole lot more on here, but I know no one wants to read all that. I've tried for so long not to talk about my wreck even though its something huge in my heart. It scares me every single day of my life, and I think about it ALL the time. Like I said, when there's a big truck behind me on the road, I feel like its going to hit me. I have flashbacks ALL the time, but I can't say anything about them. Sometimes, I have to pull over to keep from crying after things happen on the road. Other people have been in horrible car wrecks too, so I can't be the only person this happens to. Its a scary thing, and without being dramatic, I can honestly say that this event has scarred me for life.
Maybe I wasn't as close to death as others, because I didn't break 50 bones and I don't have brain damage, but I feel like I was VERY close to death that night, and every day I thank God that I'm still alive. I'm greatful for what I have, and I'm probably WAY too paranoid now, but I'm okay with that. Usually, I'm nice and if you're a bad driver, I won't say anything, but after my wreck, I've become so open with telling people that I don't like how they drive. I won't ride with people I don't trust.
That's all for now.
- Katie
When we got back, we probably ate some fruit or watched tv. When we finally decided to go to sleep, we realized it was already 3 am, and she had to be up at 7 am for a doctor's appointment. Because it was so late, we figured we'd just stay up.
July 28, 2010: At 7 am, we got to the doctor's office for her appointment. After that, I really don't remember what happened, but I know I eventually went home. After a couple hours of being home, Morgan texted me asking if I wanted to go over to Tanner's with her and hang out. She came over and picked me up in her dad's amazingly nice, huge, pretty new Tundra. We knew we'd have to pay for gas, and it was already getting pretty late, so we called Tanner and told him to meet us at a gas station. When we got there, we parked the truck behind the gas station so it would be safe, and then Tanner showed up. His friend Zach was in the truck also. I was very hesitant about riding in the truck because it was only a 3-seater.
Finally, we all got in, and rode to Tanner's. I'd never been to his house before, so I didn't know how far away it was. Once we got onto some back roads, Tanner started messing around and telling us he'd been drinking (he was obviously kidding, but it scared me). Right after that, we turned on to Highway 17 (in front of a semi who was VERY far away. We had plenty of time). Next thing we know, the semi is right behind us flashing his brights at us and freaking out. Tanner turned on his blinker to turn left and get out of his way, and then me and Morgan looked back at the semi...right before it hit us.
I try so hard not to think or talk about what happened that night. I try SO hard to forget what I saw and heard, but its not something you just get rid of. It sticks with you. Every time I see a semi behind me, I think its going to hit me. I think I was in denial for so long thinking that our wreck really wasn't that bad, but I'm realizing now that it was. It was scary, and it was something I won't EVER want someone I know to have to go through.
Its hard for me when I realize JUST how bad our wreck was. I realize that NO ONE died, NO ONE broke a bone. I think Tanner stayed overnight in the hospital for just a night or two, and the rest of us were discharged that same night. Zach had some stitches, I have ongoing back pain, and Morgan had multiple body parts that were sore (just like the rest of us). So...for the most part, I think we got off pretty durn lucky.
Why is it that a month before our car wreck, TWO people died in a car wreck from the same school we went to? About a week after that, more people from our school got into car wrecks. Last week, another wreck happened. All from our school - I really don't know the condition of the two still in the hospital, but I know one person is on life support.
I understand that ALL of these wrecks were ridiculously unsafe (as all are) and very scary, but I would have to say I think ours was in the top 3 for being the worst. (damage-wise) Why did we get off so easily?
I could ask so many questions, and I could probably type up a whole lot more on here, but I know no one wants to read all that. I've tried for so long not to talk about my wreck even though its something huge in my heart. It scares me every single day of my life, and I think about it ALL the time. Like I said, when there's a big truck behind me on the road, I feel like its going to hit me. I have flashbacks ALL the time, but I can't say anything about them. Sometimes, I have to pull over to keep from crying after things happen on the road. Other people have been in horrible car wrecks too, so I can't be the only person this happens to. Its a scary thing, and without being dramatic, I can honestly say that this event has scarred me for life.
Maybe I wasn't as close to death as others, because I didn't break 50 bones and I don't have brain damage, but I feel like I was VERY close to death that night, and every day I thank God that I'm still alive. I'm greatful for what I have, and I'm probably WAY too paranoid now, but I'm okay with that. Usually, I'm nice and if you're a bad driver, I won't say anything, but after my wreck, I've become so open with telling people that I don't like how they drive. I won't ride with people I don't trust.
That's all for now.
- Katie
5/16/11
Karaoke & Booze
So, last night I went to Dakotas. Its a little bar/restaurant in my hometown, and they have karaoke on Sunday nights. I've never really done it before, so I decided (after multiple pushes from my family & waitress) that I would choose a song. I picked Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood. When I sang though, my voice was so horrible. I was so nervous, and someone from 50 miles away would have been able to hear it in my voice. After that, the owner (who was running the system) asked if I would sing Picture by Sheryl Crow & Kid Rock with him. So I did. I forgot half of it, so it was kind of rough. I don't even remember what I sang after that, but I know all together I sang Tim McGraw (Taylor Swift), Redneck Woman (Gretchen Wilson), I Need You (Tim McGraw & Faith Hill), Need You Now (Lady Antebellum), Jesus Take the Wheel (Carrie Underwood), and Picture (Sheryl Crow & Kid Rock) [again...haha a drunk guy asked me to sing it with him...he was pretty good!]. It was a longgggg hour on that stage. It was also very nerve wracking. I got better though, my nerves were gone, and pretty much the only people there were workers, or very very drunk. lol
I don't know why I get so nervous to sing in front of people, because if I do say so myself, I'm really not that bad. (which is okay for me to say...because I'm a voice major. lol) But anyways, that was my night last night.
- Katie
I don't know why I get so nervous to sing in front of people, because if I do say so myself, I'm really not that bad. (which is okay for me to say...because I'm a voice major. lol) But anyways, that was my night last night.
- Katie
5/9/11
Titleless.
"One day you will see that what you've got isn't the worst out there. Things can get worse, so just take the bad with the good, and get on with life." My Facebook status. Maybe people will read it and stop complaining so much. I mean, seriously. I understand that you're not happy, I understand that you are going through some hard times, I understand that you can't find a job. I UNDERSTAND. I've been through ALLLLLLLLL of it. TRUST ME. Just get up, do what you've gotta do, make some cuts, give up things you love, and stick by those you care about. You will get your way if you persevere.
I get it...the economy is bad, college is tough, kids are a challenge. I KNOW. You need to do what you've gotta do. I'm about to make some decisions I don't think my family will like very much, but its going to happen. Its gonna happen because its what I need. To be stable, this is what I need to do for ME. Sure, I'll be giving up things I love and taking a step back, but I will be safer in the end.
I'm not happy with certain things in my life, but its not the worst that it could be. I'm taking the bad with the good, and I'm getting on with life.
- Katie
I get it...the economy is bad, college is tough, kids are a challenge. I KNOW. You need to do what you've gotta do. I'm about to make some decisions I don't think my family will like very much, but its going to happen. Its gonna happen because its what I need. To be stable, this is what I need to do for ME. Sure, I'll be giving up things I love and taking a step back, but I will be safer in the end.
I'm not happy with certain things in my life, but its not the worst that it could be. I'm taking the bad with the good, and I'm getting on with life.
- Katie
5/7/11
Home Sweet Home
So, I'm back home for the summer. Its been an interesting freshman year in college. I've changed a lot. You don't realized how many things are different and how much you change, because its happens gradually throughout the year. I've sat back and looked at everything I've accomplished this year. I'm able to take care of myself (well, except for money...but I'm trying. I'm only 19, so that part shouldn't count yet, right?), I'm able to take care of others, I've learned a lot more self-discipline. I'm ready for summer, and I'm happy to be back in Savannah where I can go to the beach when I want, and not feel bad for leaving after 2 hours because I only drive like 30 or 45 minutes to get there and not...2 or 3 hours. I'm happy to see my friends and family. MOSTLY, I can't wait to go to New York, Seattle, & Atlanta this summer. :) I have a lot planned!
Time to go see my cousinnnn :)
- Katie
Time to go see my cousinnnn :)
- Katie
5/2/11
Uno on Uno
Yesterday, May 1, 2011, was the day I got my first sunburn of summer 2011. I wanted to make this a no-sunburn-summer, but as always, that didn't work. Sooo...I know I'm not the skinniest person in the world, but I took a picture. You can't really tell how bad it is, but it HURTSSS like a mother. So, I'm telling you - its real.
Its not uploading right now, but I will put it on later.
Anyways, Jury is tomorrow. (That's basically my final for my voice lesson 'class'.) I'm nervous. I don't know what they're going to make me sing, I just hope I don't screw it up. gahh.
Night!
- Katie
Its not uploading right now, but I will put it on later.
Anyways, Jury is tomorrow. (That's basically my final for my voice lesson 'class'.) I'm nervous. I don't know what they're going to make me sing, I just hope I don't screw it up. gahh.
Night!
- Katie
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