Vlogging

 

Finding happiness!

Despite my last post, things are as happy and go-lucky as can be here in Murray KY. If you ignore my first bike accident, the freezing winds, and my disgusting roommates...things are really shaping up! This quote is keeping me inspired to continue making the most of my trip.

Okay so it hasn't been the best week, but I've begun to find comfort in the little things around here to keep my chin up. Things can only get better!

 The first exciting news is that our county is hosting a half marathon in April! This means that I'll need a strict schedule to get in shape on time, but I have about six weeks to train for it. Hopefully I can find some running buddies that are also interested in running the race :) wish Kayla was here though!

I have been running since I got down here, but more like "casual running" about three times a week. However, I started into my training on Monday at the stadium stairs! Such a beautiful place to sweat it out, had a great run!

Secondly, even though there is no Starbucks in town (and worse-no Second Cup in the country), I have found a heavenly study sanctuary. This morning, heaven shined light down through the Kentucky fog onto Fidalgo Bay. I love supporting this locally owned family business, and they make some damn good lattes!
In all my grumpy glory, I stumbled in here early this morning with very low expectations-how could anywhere be as good as the Rocky Ridge Second Cup?! Well I was so pleasantly surprised it almost brought me to tears (sadly, I'm not joking about the tears-I've been on an emotional roller coaster these days). On the outside, it looks like just another coffee shop, but on the inside it is such a homey little sanctuary and I can't wait to spend all my time here! I came to study before class aaaaaand guess where my bike took me after my run? Yes, as we speak I am blogging at Fidalgo  Bay, happy as a little clam. Thank you Jesus!

Missing Home

Before I get into this post, I think I should make it clear that I am having a great time down here and I'm still really glad I came. However, I think it's to be expected that some days I'll be more homesick than others.

Today was definitely one of those days. I'm not normally one to sulk, but I think the "honeymoon" phase of my adventure is beginning to wear off. I don't want to say the day was wasted, but I just needed to be alone with my thoughts today. I think being here has made me realize how important home really is. I don't just mean home in the literal sense, but I mean home in an all encompassing way. 
Being in a new place makes it hard to depend on the little things that made home, well, home. All the things I've known and grown accustomed to are gone. I can't go for a walk by the river when I need to clear my head. I can't call Kayla to go for a run and chat. I can't have Meg and Kayla over to drink wine, make crafts, and eat our weight in expensive cheese. I can't have breakfast dates with Tasha on Sunday mornings. I can't fill the cupboards with cereal and fridge with milk for Braiden when he's coming home from work. I can't escape real life and go to the farm to get pampered by mom and dad when I'm having a bad day. I can't make new memories with Alex. I can't sit at home and knit on the chaise lounge with a purring cat and watch bride night on TLC. I can't go  over to Mormor and Beste's for coffee and cookies in the afternoon. I can't go to Grandma's on Friday nights when I need family time...the list goes on and on.

But there's no sense being down in the dumps unless you can learn something from it. And what I've realized today is how lucky I am to have so much at home that I miss; it would be much more unfortunate not to miss home.
Making this realization not only makes me excited about coming home to all of these wonderful things, but it has given me a new appreciation for the closeness that I share with all of the people that make home so special to me. Being here has really affirmed how strong my family values are, and how important my family and friends are to defining what home means to me. I miss all my friends and family so much, and I am so looking forward to being back with all the people (and critters) that have shaped my life at home.

Love you all!
xoxo
-Elle the (wish-I-was-back-in-the-North) Belle

Vin Rouge

The devil himself has cast a dark shadow over Murray, KY. I for one, could not be happier about this! Murray got it's first liquor store and the grand opening was this past weekend while I was away! My excitement when I heard this news was not to be taken lightly; as my red wine craving was encroaching quickly and things were about to get ugly without it.
The first thing I did when I woke up this morning was try to google where the heck this little gem was located in town. The limiting factor in this equation was whether or not it's within biking distance from my house...
As it turns out, it is within biking distance...40 minutes worth of distance, but totally worth it. Plus the calories burned getting the wine will counter balance my indulgence ;) I've never pedaled so hard in my life, the old Roadmaster was reaching top speeds along Sycamore Ave.

Yes, I know what you're thinking...this place looks like a total dive. Well you are right in your thinking, it is a divey little joint on the sketchy side of town. But beggars can't be choosers, and Friendly's will be booming with my business. Despite the sketchy exterior, I met the owner today during my stop who seemed, you guessed it, quite friendly. It may have been because he was at least half cut, but telling me I was a "sight for sore eyes" with a Southern accent while holding a big old bottle of cab sav really won me over!

The wine choices were limited to say the least (Sutter Home, please be good to me), but I was assured that the store would take custom orders for any wine I desired. Mr. Friendly also promised that he would keep the cab sav and malbecs stocked just for moi!
Since then, I've been counting down the minutes until 5pm so I can crack this baby! Happy Monday everyone, looks like Valentine's Day is shaping up after all!

To add, I would like to remind you all never to take corkscrews and wine glasses for granted; for life without them is quite stressful.

Also, it leads to some problems. Such as having to push the cork inside, and spilling wine all over your white comforter (yes I was opening wine in my bed, don't judge).









Scissor innovation paid off in the end though :) and resulted in a happy Ellis sipping sweet Sutter Home nectar from a coffee mug.

I have been such a terrible blog-keeper these days! I feel like things have been so busy; between school and being at the barn, I'm out of the house for 12-14 hours every day! But as many of you know, busy Ellis=happy Ellis so although my blogging is suffering, I am thriving here in Kentucky!
I love you all for reading and I promise to inundate the blog with posts as soon as I get a free moment. Exam tomorrow morning and lots of things to do to get ready for the horse show this weekend!
Miss everyone so much and hope all is well at home!