Top Ten of 2000s..

So I'm going to go ahead and jump on the band wagon and blog a top ten list.

It is the end of a decade (but isn't every day the end of a decade?) and to commemorate my young adult years, here is my list of the top ten moments for me from January 1st, 2000 until December 30, 2009.  I could wait one more day and see what happens, but I'm motivated now.

#10- Getting to see Barack Obama in Hickory before the NC primaries (April 29th, 2008)

This was the one and only time I've gotten to see a U.S. President, and it was especially cool because I voted for him.  And it was the day before my birthday. Yay!

#9- Getting my first real job (Oct. 18th, 2004)
I thought about maybe not having this on the list because it's work and all, but I am pretty proud I was somehow able to land a job where they pay me and I have insurance and benefits and shit.  And? I don't have to cook!  Moving to Hickory, and thus meeting Jared, was all a direct result of this job.  Did I mention that it was the first job I even applied for out of college?  I thought I had bombed the interview but somehow my boss liked my completely flustered 'oh crap, did I really just say that?' attitude.

#8- It's a tie between a) Trip to California (August 2004) and b) Vegas (2008).
a)California- This was special to me because I just finished up with my internship (which is #7 on this list!) and was in between college and the real world.  It was something I did all by myself, like a grown-up.  Sure, I went to see my ex-beau, but that was really just the excuse I needed to do something on my own.  I flew across the country, rented a car (under 25, I might add) and drove from LA to Santa Barbara (a major feat) all by myself.  It was empowering and something I will never ever forget.  My only regret is that I didn't have a nice camera to take pictures with.  I had a disposable camera.
b)Vegas- I'm talking about the first time Jared and I went.  The second time was nice too, but the first one takes the cake.  It was the most fun I've ever had on vacation, and I owe that to Jared.   We had such a blast, you can read all about that here.



#7- Internship with Queen Anne's Revenge Project (Summer 2004)
Hello?  Pirates? Blackbeard?  When Mark Ramsing called me to tell me I got the internship and that I'd be working in Morehead City doing GIS stuff with their project, I literally almost died.  Okay, not literally, but I was on cloud nine.  If you don't know, the Queen Anne's Revenge was Blackbeard the Pirate's flagship in 1718.  It sank in that year in Beaufort Inlet (between Morehead City, NC and Beaufort, NC).  In 1996, a group of researchers (treasure hunters) found the ship.  The NC Department of Cultural Resources put together a special team to excavate the ship (through the Underwater Archaeology Branch).  Anywho, that summer of 2004 they wanted a GIS intern to map the channel movements in the inlet to see how dredging has affected the site.  So that's what I did.  It is probably the coolest thing ever.  Really.  Here's their website so you can learn a whole more about this ongoing project.
And here's me sitting on a 300 year old cannon that once belonged to Blackbeard:


#6- High School Graduation (May 26th, 2000)
Sure, a lot of people graduate from high school, but I am still damn proud.  After 13 years of getting up early, eating crappy lunches, riding the bus, listening to boring teachers, and following way too many rules, I was DONE.   And we graduated in snazzy silver gowns (for the new millenium).

#5- Meeting Jared (February 14th, 2006)
The only reason this isn't higher on the list is that I have a great top four, with number one also involving Jared.  Sure, I didn't actually snag the Jayrod until a couple of months later, but I sure did think he was the cuteness that day.  He was so quiet, and ... quiet.  But I somehow managed to break him out of his magical shell!

#4- Owning a House (well, condo) (March, 2006)
I'm not sure what made me decide to buy a place back in 2006.  I mean, I was living with a really cool roommate (Andrea), and in a great location.  I think maybe it had something to do with wanting a cat.  The point is, stumbling through the process and spending all of my savings was pretty much worth it since now I have a townhouse, but I also learned that I am not good with home repairs.

#3- College Graduation (May 9, 2004)  When I was a senior in high school, I made the best decision of my life by choosing to go to Appalachian State University.  I only applied for there and UNCGreensboro, since I knew I'd be going the student loan route and at the time, those were the least expensive state schools.  I ended up choosing Appalachian for one reason: they have a marching band.  Yes, I am that much of a dork.  But the point is, I loved every second of my four years living in Boone.  The people, the view, the weather, the view, the clean air, the view.  It's just still such a fantastic place for me.  I know people living there sometimes probably get tired of the weather and I don't blame them for not liking the ice storms and snow that knock out their power.  That would totally suck.  But I still love Boone, and would give up a lot to be able to live and work there now.  Anywho, I'm totally proud of myself for going to class most of the time, for getting mostly good grades, and for doing it in four years (although maybe I should have stayed a little longer..).  Oh, and my graduation was on Mother's Day.  A bonus for my mom. 

#2- The Upset - Appalachian vs. Michigan (Sept 1, 2007)
It was almost three years ago when Katie invited me to go to the Michigan vs. AppState game with her and Jeff and Tracy.  None of us thought we had any chance at all of winning, but we knew there'd be a fight.  Little did we know we'd be going to the biggest upset ever! The last 26 seconds of that game will be the greastest 26 seconds anyone has ever seen in football. Ever.  And up until a week ago, it was the greatest day of my life.  Actually, I'm still debating it. I think this may have been the greatest full day ever, and my #1 on this list is the greatest thing ever.


#1- Engagement!! (Christmas 2009)
Yes! The thing every girl dreams about, putting on that ring, and being loved.  On Christmas morning, I unwrapped a huge mostly empty box and rifled through all of the tissue paper and finally came to a small box.  I opened it and found a most beautiful diamond ring. I said "Yay!" cause I'm a dork.  Jared asked the question, and I of course, said yes.  Then, came the crying. And shaking.  I was shaking so bad I couldn't even take it out of the box.  He had to do it for me.  It was so sweet.  So perfect.  And I'm so happy.   Choosing to be with him was the greatest decision I've ever made, and I'm defnitely reaping the benefits.  Before you ask, NO, we haven't set a date yet, although I'm pulling for January 2011. I have a lot of planning to do, people.   Here is the ring:


Happy New Year Ya'll!!   I think 2010 will be great! Or at least, it has to be better than 2009, which sucked until Christmas.