City.

i love you atlanta.
Everyday my hearts finds a moment where it is overwhelmed by how much I love living in Atlanta. Whether it's walking to work looking out to the foggy skyline, or driving at night when the buildings are lit up and beautiful, or feeling like Rocky as I jog pass the train tracks at a golden pink sunset, this place is really amazing. Then again, I would probably find beauty and joy anywhere I go as long as I embrace it and surround myself with people and things that fulfill me.

Family.

The Nash family had our first-ever family reunion this past weekend at the beach! I have never had a real reunion on either side of my family and really didn't know what to expect. Out of the 22 people who came, I only knew about half--and there were 9 of us "kids" ages 20-27. It was really interesting putting us all in one condo and getting to know each other through sharing beds and late night games! I can't wait for the next family reunion...

20.

When did we grow up? I can hardly believe my baby brother turned 20 last weekend. Somehow that age seems eons older than I even am. No way am I one of those big kids who can drive, let alone a college girl... Oh wait! I'm graduated, living in the city by myself with a full time job, a 401k and life insurance policy. WHEN DID ALL THAT HAPPEN?? When did I grow up?

Networking.

Networking- isn't that a great work? It can just mean so many things, like a BBQ night at Sweetwater Brewery! Marketing and PR people know how to work (it). This picture is with a few of the girls I work with at the photo booth.

Break-in.

Well, the ATL definitely welcomed me to the city. A casual dinner at a restaurant .5miles from my office and 1 mile from my apartment ended with my car window being smashed in and my work bag being stollen. Contents taken: beautiful bag, 2 MacBook Pro computers (work and personal), iPod and my new notebooks full of my fry few weeks of training. Basically my life- I was devastated. What is almost a worse crime than the break-in was the hour and 46 minutes it took a police officer I show up. Normally I wouldn't complain because I'd hope they were tending to more immediate situations, but it was midnight in downtown Atlanta and I was in a parking lot by myself. I called 911 three times asking for someone to come soon due to the sketchy characters driving, parking and walking through the lot where I stood. I was mentally freaking myself out more than anything. Fortunately the cop that showed up was the nixed police officer I've met and did all he could. Nothing came of it and my bag and computers are gone for good. Welcome to Atlanta!

Moscow Mule.

The Moscow Mule is definitely my favorite specialty drink! I was introduced to this little piece of heaven by Oprah in the episode where she visited Yellowstone National Park. The traditional drink is served in a copper cup and consists of vodka, ginger beer and lime. The ginger beer is key though: a spicy version of normal ginger ale, it has a good kick! Anytime I see ginger beer on the menu, I always order a Moscow Mule. The other night at Bistro Nikko, however, was the fist copper cup I've had... kudos!

Nurture.

I bought myself a housewarming present: a basil plant! I love cooking with the herb, and I felt that my big girl apartment needed a plant. I got the prettiest, healthiest one Trader Joes had to offer and found the perfect spot for it on my patio. Bad idea. Let's just say, "Out of sight, out of mind." Well, at least out of sight for me. Needless to say, it was a more than optimal location for the sun's sight. As you can imagine, after a mere two days of raging Georgia heat and lack of water, my poor basil plant was all but withered dead. Ironically, it was a mild reflection of how drained and lonely I felt after my first week in Atlanta with no furniture or roommate.

BUT! Then a miracle happened—for both my plant and myself! My mom came! It was amazing: just a few short hours after her arrival, my pathetic, withered plant was in water and reviving! On a similar not, my empty apartment was coming to life with furniture, a made bed, pictures on the wall and music playing. How do moms do that? One of life's mysteries I will never know...or complain about!