Crash Course Update.

Yes, dear journal, I've neglected you. However, I actually have a reasonable excuse for once - I've been too busy to update!

Mom, Dad, and I went out to Baltimore to see my family and tour the city. Although my parents met in Baltimore and lived there for quite some time before I was born, I had never been there. Also, when you consider the fact that my cousins AND Michael Phelps live out there, it's even more mind-boggling that I haven't made the trip until now.

So, my parents figured it was finally time. We did all the necessary tourist stops - we went to Fort McHenry (where "The Star-Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key after the British attacked Baltimore during the War of 1812) and got to watch them raise an enormous flag. We also went to Federal Hill for a beautiful view of the inner harbor. We drove past Charm City Cakes (where the tv show Ace of Cakes is filmed), saw Edgar Allan Poe's grave, and drove through the campuses Loyola and Johns Hopkins. The inner harbor was absolutely gorgeous. However, an anime convention was going on that day, so nearly everyone downtown was dressed as random Japanese characters or Pokemon. A little bizarre...

I also got to see some places that mean a lot to my parents. I saw where they used to work and where they met. My mom worked as a bartender at a bar called Rodger's Pub. My dad came in, flirtation ensued, and the rest is history. Oddly enough, the bar has since been re-named L.P. Steamer's. I also got to see the first house they lived in together in Towson.

I won't lie. I also did my fair share of Phelps stalking. I tracked down the pool (called Meadowbrook) where he trains with Bob Bowman. After a quick tour of the inside, I came to terms with the fact that he wasn't inside, eagerly awaiting my arrival...although I blame this solely on his need to prepare for the US National Swimming Championships that took place a few days later.

We took a day trip to Annapolis to see the harbor and the cute shops. We also got to see the Naval Academy. Although it was crowded that day, it was nice to stroll up and down the harbor, eating ice cream.

The best part of our trip, however, was seeing my family. Despite our best intentions, we always seem to go over a year without seeing each other. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I often forget how much I miss them until I see them again. Aunt Tami and Uncle Roger are the kindest people ever and Tabitha, Bryan, and Cody are the epitome of cool. I truly wish we lived closer together. AND, as you saw last time, I finally got to meet precious Cameron. I would have been completely content staying in their house all day and watching him play with a pancake.

After we said goodbye to family, we headed to Charlottesville for a few days. Charlottesville has become a third home to me (Oxford being second, naturally). I have come to know my way around town and I truly feel comfortable and happy there. On our way down, we stopped in Chancellorsville to see some Civil War battlefields and the spot where Stonewall Jackson was mortally injured. Yes, I am fully aware how nerdy this sounds. No, I don't care.

We spent our time in C-ville seeing plays (A Tuna Christmas and the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - both were hilarious), picking peaches at Carter Mountain orchard (although I ate more than I picked), and relaxing. We also went to Blenheim, the vineyard owned by Dave Matthews...where I found out that I missed him by a mere two weeks. It's probably for the best - I might pass out if I actually saw him.

The day after we returned to Lebanon, Jenn, Sib, and I went up to Columbus to celebrate a belated birthday for our dear friend, Ben. It was great to see him and Alex, however briefly, and I can't wait for him to be back in Lebanon soon!

Saturday was Lebanon's annual Blues Fest, which didn't disappoint. It's amazing how they can transform downtown Lebanon into something somewhat resembling Memphis or New Orleans. Somehow, the smell of the BBQ, the sweltering heat, and the great blues music seem to transport you. Also, TJ's family had a VIP spot in the beer garden gazebo, so we had great shaded seats the whole time.

So, as you can see, I've been rather busy for an unemployed, lazy girl. I'll update more often now. Promise.