I never thought the day would come that I would work in a bar...don't freak out I still am working for Auburn but I needed something else to keep me busy on the weekends.

Weekends have been the toughest part of this deployment. That was the time that I would spend with Wyatt and with most of my close girlfriends in Birmingham or really just not in Auburn, I would spend most of my weekend nights at home. At home, watching shows like Supper Nanny or Project Runway and talking to Ranger… like he can even understand me. As much fun as that is... (Kidding) I am happy to be doing something more social. Plus having a little extra cash NEVER hurts!

So, I know, how did I even think to work here? Well if you read my Trail Mix post from last week I had mentioned that I went out with a coworker to this great place...8th and Rail! Well what I didn't post was that when I was there I inquired about being a cocktail server! By Wednesday they contacted me and I had my first night on Friday! It was so much fun. It is an adjustment for me. I haven’t been up past midnight well since Wyatt left and apparently know nothing about alcohol. Here I thought that beer choices were Budlight, Millerlight and Bud Heavy. I couldn't be more wrong. Beers like White Hawk, and PranQster are commonly ordered. Who would have thought…needless to say I am learning!

I like it for now. I guess only time will tell! I am sure that it is going to provide for some funny stories! If you are in town please stop by!

On a way more exciting note Katie and Colin got engaged this past Friday! Three days later I am still freaking out and so excited for the two of them! Next plan of action is to find a way for Colin and Wyatt to be at the same base so we can live near each other! For those of you that don't know Katie, she is my "army friend". Our friendship started with a phone call during Ranger School that had both of us tearfully thinking that the guys had fallen out of love with us due to a lack of letters. It is funny to think about now...definitely NOT funny at the time. It is such a blessing that God has given me a friend like her. There are just some things that only she can get! Congratulations you two! I am so happy and excited for your future!

Living in Auburn has its pros and cons. There is no place like it and if you have never been I suggest coming for a football game or if you are feeling really brave the Rodeo. It is a town, where I at age 23 feel old....really old...major CON.

But one of the cool things about living in this college town is I get to be exposed to some really exciting projects that our faculty and students are working on...life changing projects! For example, last night PBS aired nationwide a film titled "Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio ." A film documentary of some of OUR students designing and building homes for families in the balckbelt of Alabama!!!! How cool is that? Major PRO! I wanted to share this with everyone especially since most of you are not from Alabama and might not know what is going on down here! Click Here for the link to the film! Below are some images from the some of the student's work. Imagine not having a home to keep your family safe and then getting to live in an award winning homes like these...pretty cool!



If you want to read more about the projects at the Auburn's Rural Studio Click Here!

Now...don't you want to look up on PBS and see when this is playing in your area? I thought so...so DO IT or attend one of the film screenings all across the United States! In the words of the Rural Studio...Proceed and Be Bold!

August 23: NATIONAL PBS BROADCAST!
August 30: University or Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR
September 7: MFA Applied Craft and Design Program in Portland, Oregon
September 8: Architecture Week Film Series in Memphis, presented by AIA Memphis.
September 15: Starz Denver Film Center, Presented by the Denver Film Society
September 23: The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum in New York
September 24 and 26: Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, IL
October 6: City Arts Center in Oklahoma City, OK
November 3: University of Maryland in College Park, MD
November 4: Montgomery Museum of Art in Montgomery, AL
November 18: The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art in Charleston, SC

Ps. 11 more days until Auburn Football! Another major PRO!

Trail Mix

In the past week... I have finished decorating my house…excuse me my home! I had a few last minute additions to my furniture collection…thanks Mom and Dad. Boy what a difference an area rug and a few lamps can make! I love coming home to this place. I am a very lucky girl!

I have also got back into my workout routine. It felt good to sweat it out! Circuit Training starts back up tomorrow! Yayyyy!

Two nights ago… Went to a local bar/lounge called 8th and Rail. It was my first time and I had such a great time. The music was a little loud but overall it was a great night to get out of the house and chill! Not to mention the band that was playing was awesome! I forget their name...but I know they are on Pandora. I will find out and report back!

Yesterday….I added a visitor tracker thing to my blog because I wanted to see who it is that is reading my blog! I have been so excited to see the response to my latest post. Thank you to everyone for the sweet emails and comments. It is truly humbling that people are actually reading this. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

Today… I had my first Junior League “Leaguer in Training” meeting! I am very excited about the opportunity to be a part of such a grand collection of women. I have been assigned the communications council and just love everyone in my group. They are really sweet women with such passion to serve the community!

About an hour ago… I got to Skype with Wyatt! Until then, I hadn’t seen his face in over a month. Talk about a wonderful moment! I miss my best friend so much. I can’t wait for him to get home. He looked and sounded good!

I must give credit where credit is due... the title of this post and this collection of random thoughts was inspired from my coworker Melissa and her blog . Whenever she writes a compelation of random thoughts she calls them Misellany Stew. What a great creative idea! So here you have it... a mix of posts from the "trail less traveled!"

Two [trails] diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less
traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
- Robert Frost