School diversity

There has been a long-standing policy in the Wake County Public School System (where I received most of my education until my high school graduation) to obtain diversity. This, for several years, has meant that children are bussed all over the county in order to create an atmosphere in the schools that balances socioeconomic standings throughout the school. This means that some students are on the bus for more than an hour both going to and coming from school...just so that "rich" kids and "poor" kids are mixed in the schools.

There are several reasons that I disagree with this:

I love Boone!

At least for now...

Today, we had absolutely beautiful weather! The temperature actually reached 63 degrees! ...in January!! This was a welcome relief from the previous week with snow and ice and wind and bitterly cold temperatures. I even opened my windows in the apartment for the day to let some fresh air in. It was marvelous!

I did discover this weekend that if there was any desire to live where it would snow, I had now lost it after shoveling snow for 3 hours. (This weekend...Friday and Saturday...I started, and completed, my required volunteer hours for my child and adolescent psychology class. I did it at a non-profit organization with children. I may write a post on that later.)

I know this is short...but I just couldn't not tell you about this fantastic weather!

Restaurant review: Dan'l Boone Inn

Last weekend, I took my fiancé out for breakfast at the Dan'l Boone Inn restaurant here in Boone, North Carolina. Since my arrival in Boone for school nearly 18 months ago, I had been wanting to try this restaurant. I have heard many good things about it, especially the country ham. I was not disappointed.

This is a quaint little country style restaurant complete with country-style uniforms the staff wear. Here, the meals are family-style. You are served bowls and plates of food from which you pick and choose what you want. When a dish is emptied, your server will grab it and bring you fresh and delicious food. Anything that you can eat is yours for the taking. Here is what we were served:

Wedding update!

So, this past weekend, Jon and I went home over our 3-day weekend (that's really a 4-day weekend because neither of us have classes on Friday!) to get some things done for the wedding that is fast approaching. We got a ton done!

• We have a venue for the ceremony and reception (that was solidified on the day we came back to school for the first week of classes -- the date, however, was not solidified until early in the week of classes).
• We have a caterer and I'm super-excited about the one we have! I've been at events that she has catered before and she is fantastic!
• We have a photographer -- I don't know her personally but she is Mom's coworker's sister. Jon and I have looked at her portfolio and we liked what we saw. We have an engagement session scheduled over spring break and I'll likely do a bridal session between graduation and the wedding.
• We have a pastor -- we emailed him early last week as to see if he was available and willing to marry us. He said he had to check and would get back to us. We talked to him while we were home this past weekend and he agreed to do it. :)
• We have a pianist -- a good friend of ours is going to play during the ceremony. We're still working on a playlist for her but we have her coming to play.
• We have a "florist" and designer -- one of my great friends who I have worked extensively with on decorating and designing (though she is so much better than I am) has agreed to help with the flowers and decorations and all of that jazz for the ceremony and reception. She's going to fiddle around with some things for the next 3 weeks or so and then show me what she's come up with and I'll figure out what I like or don't like and we'll go from there with bouquets.

My bucket list

Dear Diary (cheesy start, right?),

Here is a list of things I want to do before I die (probably not inclusive...nor am I likely to do all of them [aka...chicken out!]):

Welcome back to Boone!

Jon and I made the trip to head back to Boone yesterday in preparation for the new semester to begin on Monday. We were greeted by some not-so-lovely white stuff falling from the sky, already on the ground and trying desperately to stick to the roads (it eventually did but it allowed us to get each of us home and make a grocery run). I told Jon I might not be so upset over more snow had we not had the 8+ inches back home over break. In some ways (mostly through that and the ice event the first day we were back), I feel like I didn't even leave Boone. The positive side is that it's pretty. :)

Outside the front door of my apartment.

When I went to bed last night, that pavement
was black and there wasn't any snow on the cars.

So, classes are scheduled to start on Monday. I'm not sure if that will happen or not. The next 6 days have snow on the forecast and, apparently, the first few days of this (i.e.: through Tuesday) are supposed to bring us a big storm with lots of snow fall. I know the AppalCart is not running today (though I haven't been outside to look at the road conditions). If AppalCart doesn't run, the campus doesn't open for classes because so many (most off-campus) students rely on AppalCart to get them to and from campus. I told Dad before we left that I'm not sure if we should even head up to Boone because I'm not sure how much class-ification will be occurring this week. He, being the "voice of reason", said that it's good to be up there just to be prepared.

Whirlwind few days...

Well, what a week this has been! Thursday, Jon proposed. Friday, he left for Canada. Saturday, I had a wedding and a bridal show to attend (yes, I move fast). Sunday, I went to church. Monday, I worked a 12-hour shift. Tuesday, I worked a 24-hour shift. Wednesday I went dress shopping and Jon got back from Canada. And, today, I made a trip to the dentist and then went to see my wonderful fiancé. (Tomorrow, we're meeting with the church to try and set a wedding date before we head back to Boone.) I have kept myself busy, that's for sure...but it's been a good busy (aside from work...that was a bit rough).