Preparations Begin!

Hello family and friends! I will be using this blog as I prepare to leave for Ireland, and while I'm there, to keep you updated on the incredible experiences I will no doubt be having.

For those of you who don't know, I'm traveling to Ireland for 2 weeks this summer to participate in Appalachian State Universtiy's Irish Traditional Music Program through the Hayes School of Music. Basically, I will be taking master classes on the flute (playing entirely by ear - we'll see how that goes for me) and attending lots of late night pub music sessions. As a preparation for this trip, I have been working very hard to acclimate myself to lots of beer drinking, and I must say, I have been quite successful in my efforts. I have yet to tackle a whole pint of Guinness, but I will certainly let you know when the first one goes down.

In the meantime, I'm still here in Athens preparing for the trip and finishing up my coursework at The University of Georgia. I have five more final exams to take and then it's off to the races as I drive back to Boone, go to Hilton Head for Kelly Mayhew & Nate Caron's wedding, celebrate Mother's Day, and head off to the Emerald Isle. All of this will be accomplished in a mere 10 days. Wow. My head is spinning just thinking about it. Have I started packing? No. (Is anyone actually surprised?)

Once I get back from Ireland, it's back down to Georgia to pick up my post as "Most Honorable Intern" at The Corduroy Road headquarters. I've been working with this band for the past semester and we're about to embark on a really exciting summer - complete with a full length album release on the MAIN STAGE!!!! PRIMETIME!!!! at ATHFEST!!!! They're such a wonderful band and group of people... they've really consumed a large part of my heart these days, so it would mean a lot to me if you all could check out their website, see when they're playing in a town near you, and go to a show! They're sure to be your new favorite band.

Another thing that will be consuming my time once I get back from Ireland is a program called DawgCamp. I will be working as a counselor at the two sessions of Fusion as well as at the gigantic session of Discovery. This program for incoming freshmen is sure to be quite a challenge for me, but after months and months of preparation, I am so excited to see it finally happen.

And, as if I didn't have enough on my plate, I will also be working part-time as an intern at Dust-to-Digital in Atlanta, and continuing to work as a hostess and waitress at The Melting Point. I guess it goes without saying that this is going to be quite the summer, but since it appears to be my last one before I have to get a real job, I decided to cram everything I could into it. I'm very excited to be keeping a homebase in Athens for the first time since I started school down here. I'm really starting to absolutely love this town and I really feel at home here. The energy of this town is so incredible - it reminds me of Boone without feeling like I'm just sitting at home.

I'll keep everyone updated as I get closer and closer to this amazing summer and incredible trip, and I hope you all enjoy hearing about my adventures.

And don't forget... Baby Countdown 2009 is ALWAYS going on... only 4 more months!!!

Much love.