The Tides are High...and I Am Not a Duck.

I have arrived in Charleston, SC safely and have been spending the past two days cramming my brain with grad school information whilst trying to move into my new apartment.  Quite exciting stuff; however, overwhelming just the same!

I left Franklin, NC Thursday morning in oceans of tears, sad about leaving behind family, good friends, and even their pets.  Needless to say, the drive to Charleston was full of many mixed emotions.  Excited to be on a new adventure, yet sad to say goodbye to adventures and journeys that had finished.

By the time I made my final arrival into Charleston that evening I was exhausted.  I was spent, emotionally, physically, and otherwise sick from having torn myself away from all that I had ever known.  As I finally rested my head against my pillow in the La Quinta Inn, my mind raced around fears of becoming a failure in grad school, taking on too many huge school loans, and worst, making the biggest mistake of my life by leaving home. 

The next day brought some needed relief as I stepped into a salty, hot breeze; a hot cup of coffee in my hand and a sunken excitement about meeting new friends in my grad program.  I arrived on College of Charleston campus promptly one hour and half prior to the Graduate English Association orientation...just enough to kill some time in the sweltering, bug infested heat of Charleston, South Carolina. 

Orientation came and went without fail, and I found that all of the people in my program were extremely nice and that maybe, just maybe I could conquer this whole grad school thing--if I could just forget the fact that each class requires a novel per week and 25 page papers at the end of the semester.

Just as orientation was coming to a close, a steady rainfall commenced itself upon us.  Fantastic.  I had planned to carry my umbrella along in the event that a rain would come along.  After all, this is the beach and the rain comes all the time.  However, I had forgotten, as had my fellow classmates.

 So, since everyone had come unprepared, like good grad students do, we decided to sit and chat for a while.  It was then that someone mentioned the heavy flooding Charleston sometimes encounters during rainstorms.  It was pointed out that these "chance" floodings are particularly exciting during the high tide.  High tide? What is that? You mean I am going to have to chart tides now so that I can plan my commute to school? Fantastic.  Us mountain folk aren't familiar with "road closed due to flooding during high tide." Now, "No School because of Snow," we get. 

At any rate, the rain didn't seem bad, so we all left and went our own ways.  Only until I got out in my little car and started going down the equally small streets did I realize, "holy crap, these people weren't kidding!" The SUV in front of me plowed down a small side street with water up over his tires and I gracefully swerved in the opposite direction of that road, neglecting Tom's  feudal warnings for me to go right on George.

It was then that I thought, "ahhhh, to be a duck and just waddle through all this into safety would be grand about now."  But then it occured to me, ducks don't take the time to play and enjoy the flood.  They just waddle out into a safe haven as they try to get out of the way of everyone else.  Who knows? They might be missing out on some grand swimming time during high tide flooding.  So maybe I want to be a shark.  Yeah, a shark would be great.  Sharks enjoy the ride and embrace the high tide.  They hang on when unexpected flooding occurs and they swim right through it, and even love it. 

So, after all this, I think Charleston is going to be grand.  High tide flooding and all!

Junk in tha Trunk...

In less than 48 short hours I will be laying, hopefully sleeping, in my soft cozy bed in Charleston, South Carolina.  Ahhhh, bliss.  It is incredibly insane thinking that in such a short time my dream of living at the beach will finally become a reality. 

While the dream is becoming a reality, let me tell you, moving is probably located somewhere near the seventh or eighth circle of Hell according to Dante's "Inferno" descriptions.  Oh my goodness, who knew I had so much crap?! Further more, how am I going to make it all fit nicely into my new, one-bedroom apartment.  Story and details to come later on this one...

As I am a huge advocate of recycle, reuse, and bargain, I have been trying to turn trash into treasures and find any possible way to cut financial corners in this expensive move. As it would turn out I have come up with some very thrifty, yet amazingly gorgeous furniture! (again, pictures coming soon...) I feel like I could go on one of those thrifty, interior designer shows. 

Aside from the furniture and the hellacious duty of moving, I must say that I am crazy-excited about this move.  I have always been a fan of new adventures and I can't wait to find out where God leads me on this one.  I was lead to Charleston, SC when an unexpected acceptance to the College of Charleston 's English Graduate program landed its way into my mailbox.  I didn't think I would get in, let alone be able to finance it.  Fortunately, for me, what I think has no bearing on my life as God definitely had some amazing plans in store for my Fall 2010. 

So here we go; let the countdown begin! Jasper and I are off on a new life adventure!

Givin' In

So, after much contemplation and putting off, I have decided to create one of these infamous blogging sites.  You know, I swore that I would never do it! I love writing and telling stories, but the idea of keeping up with a blog always kind of bored me.  For one thing, I do not really have much time to keep up with this kind of thing.  I can tell you now that posts will be few and far between! Kudos to you for keeping up with me!

Ahh, Alas, the writer in me has won out and here I am writing my first blog....yay.  At any rate I hope this will not only provide a way for me to inform and entertain you, but for me to have an escape from the everyday world.  So sit back, relax, and enjoy the adventures of Danie and Jasper! Thanks for reading!