Just a quick little update. 


Tori left this morning to meet up with Bethany, Alex and Stertle to head down to the lake and meet up with not only the rest of my family, but from what I understand, the Gordon family (plus Cindy) as well. I may be just a little bit jealous because this little piece of heaven:

is my favorite place on earth.. However, next week is definitely one I'm looking forward to! At least the reason I can't go is a good one. I start school on Tuesday! I got my books this past Thursday. My Design Fundamentals and Storyboarding books are very interesting and I found myself being slightly Hermionesc as I looked through and read parts of them. I'm not quite that good though as I didn't read all three of my books cover to cover. ;)

Along with my books- which were surprisingly cheaper here- I also go two "kits."

One, for Design Fund. like this:

It was filled with all kinds of art supplies. I also got a canvas bag full of artsy goodies. Everything from canvases and notebooks with different kinds of paper (paint, newspaper etc) to paints, colored pencils, smudgers, cutting boards, to scissors and different kinds of glue. I am SUPER excited. However, even though all of this art stuff is fun the class I'm most excited about is Storyboarding. My schedule is pretty good. My least favorite class is on Tuesday- it's one of those core classes. And my two favorites are on Friday and Monday- which are two days you don't want to be in school. So that works out nicely. So that's an update on the school front. 

As far as Nashville goes I'm still completely in love with the city. When I say it's so much fun living here, I don't mean that we're doing a lot of stuff yet I mean that it's literally just so much fun living here because Nashville is a fun place. I mean, who would want to live in a place where you could pass Hotel Preston every day?! Anyways, check you guys later. If Meghan is feeling better later we're going to the Waterfront Park to watch fireworks while the Nashville Symphony plays...I guess we do stuff sometimes ;) later.

7 Things I've Learned From My First Week In Nashville

There are a few things we have learned from the past week in Nashville.

1. Avoid major highways and interstates from about 5-6:30

2. Just because something says that somewhere is about 4 miles aways doesn't mean that it'll just take around 5 minutes to get there.

3. The AT&T building is known as the Batman building

4. The Batman building is on the East side (my side) of downtown and is very useful for navigation

5. Everyone references the flood

6. Avoid downtown during the CMA Music Fest

7. Ice Cream trucks aren't sketch everywhere

Hello from Nashville!!!

Hey Everybody! Well, it's official. We're Nashvillians! Here's a quick update on the process:
Thursday was quite a hectic day. We spent the morning calling around to different UHAUL places to see if anyone had one the right size. We had no such luck. We then branched out to other moving truck options besides Uhaul. We ended up finding one in Birmingham with Budget Movers (I think that's what it's called). This was cheaper than a Uhaul as it had unlimited miles. This was such a blessing from the Lord as it solved many problems. Because of this it didn't matter that it was in Birmingham and we could take it to Tuscaloosa to get my piano, books and bookshelves. Mom and I got home around 10 or 11. By the time we got there Meghan, Tori, Dad and Bethany had most of our boxes and stuff in the garage and we were able to load it all in the truck that night. 
Friday, after getting my car back from Turner's and taking it to get a tire changed (of course multiple things go wrong the day before/and of the move) we grabbed a few last things, loaded my car and hit the road. We all left in intervals but got here around the same time. It was pretty fun because we passed each other randomly, for example, I met up with mom and Bethany in bham and later just before the Tennessee line. Somehow Tori and Meghan who left third beat us all here and had our keys by the time I got here. The three of us all pulled up in front of our apartment at the same time and got to soak it in a few minutes before Mom and Bethany, and eventually Dad, joined us. (Dad was in the truck and went a different way through bham)
Since then we have been unpacking like crazy, including two trips to Walmart for odds and ends we dont have. It's been fun driving around and getting to know the area. (We have an Aladdin Street down the street!) There are so many nice people here! We were greeted to the apartment and helped by passersby. I love Nashville! 
Saturday I went to IADT for my orientation. We got our cards (kinda like ACT cards at Bama) made and our schedules. This was exciting as well. Last night we took Dad and Bethany to The Loveless Cafe so they could try it and I could get some Jam for Lynn. We had the same waitress as the last two times and she was just as great- and remembered us. We also saw the Simpsons and Ensors (minus Justin) from Open Door/Tuscaloosa there! I hardly ever saw them in Tuscaloosa, but I have seen them now at Disney World and in Nashville. It was fun seeing familiar faces so soon! 
Last night at Loveless Tori pointed out that it was weird that we were eating at Loveless and we didn't have to go back to Bama the next day. I agree with her. Usually when we come up here we do what we have to do, eat at Loveless, Pancake Pantry, hit up the park, maybe something else instead- sometimes get trapped in our hotel from flood water- but then we're headed back to Bama. I agree with her. Even though it is finally looking like home, it hasn't really set in yet. We have made major progress in every room and are all exhausted, maybe after we're finished and rested it will. This afternoon we are taking Dad and Bethany to Pancake Pantry, BookMan and BookWoman (an used book store across the street from PP) and to Centennial Park. We are very thankful that Mom, Dad and Bethany came to help us move in and excited to show them some of our favorite spots. 
This week we hope to finish unpacking and at least start the painting. Meghan's mom, aunts, and cousin Lindsey may be coming for the Eclipse premiere...or maybe it's for Meghan's birthday two days later...and we want to be done for them. Mom also may come then for the premiere. So we'll see how it goes.
Well I'm exhausted and your probably tired of reading this by now so I think it's time for a nap. Check ya later! 

Update

Man, it's been a crazy week! We have been packing like crazy to be ready by Friday. We still have a little ways to go. I also have a piano, printer, books and two book shelves still in Tuscaloosa and it has been a little bit of a pain trying to figure out how to get that here, however we finally figured it all out and if it all works out we will be in Nashville on Friday by 5 at the latest. I cannot believe we are this close to being there. I also found out yesterday I have an orientation on Saturday where I'll get my id and register for classes! I am SO excited about starting school in July and also cannot believe I am about to be learning how to animate, direct, write and edit at a legit film school! God is so gracious!
Another thing we are all really excited about is that a girl and guy I graduated with are both going to be in Nashville. Katy is only there for the summer. She is interning with a church in Henderson, just north of Nashville. 
Drew will be moving to Nashville soonish, though I'm not sure it'll be this summer. 
These guys are awesome and I'm really excited that they'll be there. 
Here are some pictures from our senior trip:

Crystal, myself, Katy and Medforth

Drew carrying St. Augustine into a DWebb concert

St. Augustine, though headless now, is making the move to Nashville as well.

Both Drew and Katy are incredibly talented so be sure to check out their stuff here:

Katy, the graphic designer, Pope's blog: http://katypopedesign.blogspot.com/

Drew, the writer, Jones' blog: http://drewj1.wordpress.com/

On another note, we took last Thursday and Friday off from packing because we had a little 4Pack Reunitation. Joy Beth has an internship in Dallas this summer so on the way to Dallas she stopped in Bama for a few days of fun. One of her friends is spending the summer in Dallas with her doing an internship of her own and so, of course, stopped with JB. We loved getting to meet one of Joy Beth's other friends as she has met loads of ours. Lauryn was presh and we cant wait to hang out again. We just hung around and relaxed Wednesday night as they had been in the car all day. Thursday we went to swim and layout at the Kimber's house. Unfortunately, Mrs. Kimber was at the beach and Mr. Kimber at work. They are kind enough to allow us to hang out at their pool whenever, but we were really bummed that they weren't there because 1. we LOVE the Kimbers and 2. JB was really looking forward to meeting them. That night we stayed up until wee hours catching up on life, love and other mysteries. Friday we had a "photo-shoot" with Halie Batson Photograpy (sounds so legit huh?). Then wrapped up the night with more relaxation and a little New Moon. Here are some pictures from Friday:

                                   

       

      

Well there's some laundry and some boxes calling my name. I probably wont be able to post again before the move so check you guys from Nashville!!

CRAZY BUSY!

I finished my last class in Tuscaloosa this past Wednesday. It was so good to leave those halls for the last time. After such a stressful week of studying I spent my afternoon painting at All Fired Up. Meghan's birthday present had broken in the kiln so I put off going to redo it until after my finals. The reason for this was two fold. First, I didn't have time due to studying and second, painting always destresses me. So after a fun afternoon of painting and a going to Cwood to hear David for my last Wednesday in Tuscaloosa, I headed home looking forward to some earned, imo, relaxation.

The relaxation was short lived. By Thursday I had caught up on 24 and LOST. OH MY WORD! What a confusing week on LOST and what a crazy week on 24. I was very disturbed by Jack's character change and thinks that last week's 24 proves how far the writers have strayed from Jack's character. The Jack from the first 6, maybe 7, seasons would never take out people for revenge. What happened to Jack's honor? If this wasn't the last season of 24 I would have to say this would be my last season.

LOST was as confusing as ever and left us with more questions than most fans, including myself, think acceptable this late in the game. We have waited and waited and waited for them to start answering some of the questions that have become the greatest mysteries known this generation. What's the deal with the alternate reality? Where did the temple come from? What is Widmore's endgame? Where are Richard, Ben and Miles? Anyways, there are way to many questions for them to continue raising more this late in the game, even if they did finally answer a few about Jacob and Esau/MIB.

ANYWAYS, Friday I got sick with head stuff and though Saturday was nice and relaxing at the Kimber's house, I began to loose my voice. The Kimbers were so kind to have us over. Michelle swam and laid out with us all day (Bill and Cary were there on and off) and then Bill grilled for us. It was delicious! Thanks Kimbers! Also on Friday Melinda came and that's always full of fun!

Sunday morning I woke up early so I could make it back to Open Door. It was my last Sunday and was sad that it was my last Sunday to worship among them. I will miss OD- and you others in ttown- very much and am so thankful the Lord sovereignly brought us into acquaintance. By Sunday I had almost completely lost my voice, had a horrible cough and was pretty sure I should at least check out the doctor before heading home.
So Kim and I went to see Robin Hood after church then went home and watched her BBC tv show, Robin Hood- which is great and I spent the night over there so I didnt get Ella and James sick on wedding week.
Today I went to the Doctor to find out I did not have strep or the flu and got 4 more prescriptions....great.

Today also begins wedding week for Kam and Olivia and packing week for me. Tomorrow I have to finish the rehearsal video and begin going through "my room" which has become the "hey we'll take this to Nashville" room and boxing things up. Wedding day, after the wedding, Joy Beth will be here and Sunday afternoon I'll head back to Ttown to finish getting my stuff and for the Premiere parties with KJ and Lynn.

Next week should be pretty fun with JB here and on Thursday....WE MOVE TO NASHVILLE BABY!!!!