OK, I finally have a chance to post about our trip!

First, AJ, Bo, and I met up in San Francisco.  It was a little weird that Bo and I were on vacation together without my parents.  I guess we’re really grown up now, huh?  LOL!

The first full day was our big sightseeing day.  We took a sightseeing tour bus that drove us all around town and showed us everything.  It took us to the top of a hill where we could see the whole city - it’s so big and hilly!

And then the bus took us to Golden Gate Bridge:

Then we traveled to Muir Woods, which was a beautiful state park.  The redwoods were so gorgeous!  So, of course, AJ had to act goofy in the middle of them

Then, that night, we went to see Al Capone’s old haunt - Alcatraz:

The next few days we spent exploring the city, including visiting the original Ghirardelli store.

We also spent an afternoon at Haight Ashbury, which is a place I’ve been wanting to visit for YEARS!  We also smoked a little hookah in a hookah bar at Haight Ashbury, which just seemed too appropriate.  This is a horrible angle for me, but look, I was there!

Then we met up with my parents and we all headed to Napa Valley!  We had the best time.  We probably went to 15-20 wineries.

AJ and I slowly collected a case’s worth of wine to bring home with us . . . until we went to the last winery.  We had tours at several of the wineries, and tastings at almost everyone, but the last winery we went to was a little different.  At Del Dotto, we did a barrel tasting - we tasted the wine straight from the barrels that were in the caves!  It was so cool!

This was some of the best wine that we have ever tasted, and since the vineyard is a smaller vineyard that only sells wine from the winery (not in stores or resteraunts), we bought another half case of wine there, LOL!  We’re going to let the wine age, so AJ and I used a Christmas gift certificate I had saved to by this AWESOME wine fridge.

So, I guess can check off #37 on my 101 in 1001 - I’ve been to California!  For all the pictures, see my Flickr.

Then, Mama, Daddy, and Bo all went home and AJ and I went to New York for a couple of days.  We saw August: Osage County (which was soooooo amazing) and American Ballet Theatre’s production of Sleeping Beauty (which meant a lot to me - Disney’s movie has been my favorite movie since I was 2, and I’ve always wanted to see the ballet).  We also got to spend some time with my best friend Stephanie.  She lives in NYC now, and she’s never had a chance to meet AJ.

So, we’re back now, and completely exhausted, but we had a truly great vacation!  I think I’ve decided to give wine tasting/journaling another shot now that I’ve been to Napa and have a bit more knowledge about the whole thing.

Oh, and while I’m posting, we can also scratch #69 off of my 101 in 1001 list - over the past year I’ve really switched a lot of my grocery purchasing to organic food, and I try to consciously pick the organic options, even if they do cost a little more!

Did anyone see Oprah today?
It reminded me about something I wanted to talk about . . .

It has only been in the past couple of years that I have become aware of the education problems in the United States. I was very fortunate in that I went to a wonderful high school with many great resources and programs, and this school prepared me very well for my undergraduate career. At the time, I knew that I was very lucky to be where I was, especially after going to public schools from kindergarten through 9th grade. The elementary schools that I went to were pitiful - I was in a very rural, small town in southern Georgia, not far from where both of my parents were raised. I can only imagine what my life would have been like had I gone through that public school system through my entire school career. I know for sure - 100% sure - that I wouldn’t have been at Wake Forest the past four years.

Since coming to school, I’ve heard about how bad things have truly gotten through Teach for America. I first heard about it my freshman year, and my best friend Stephanie just finished her first year of Teach for America teaching in the Bronx in New York City. Teach for America is an AMAZING organization that I truly admire. From their website:

Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates of all academic majors who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in ensuring educational equity and excellence for all children. Our mission is to build the movement to eliminate educational inequity by enlisting our nation’s most promising future leaders in the effort.

This sounds like a really cool idea, but I didn’t realize just how amazing it truly is until Stephanie got involved. I encourage you to check out her blog Culture Shock - it’s all about her TFA experience (the posts are password protected, but she will give the password to most anyone who requests it). Not only is she truly making a difference in the lives of these children, but you can see how no matter how hard she tries, there are still obstacles to overcome. She has had kids dropout, sent to jail, become pregnant . . . and she has also had kids who have decided that they want to go to college. Kids who passed their state exam who wouldn’t have otherwise done so. It is facinating and inspiring to hear her stories.

A few months ago Time did a cover feature about the absurd dropout rates in America. Check out “Dropout Nation.”

If you haven’t taken a look at the problems in our education system, I recommend you give it some thought. If you are a parent, take an active role in your child’s education. If you have an interest in making a difference, check out StandUp.org.

And check out Part II on Oprah tomorrow - it will open your eyes.

Thirteen Things about LINDSEY

1. I am posting this a day late because my internet connection has been few and far between. So . . . pretend it’s Thursday.

2. Wednesday was my 22nd birthday . . . the first birthday of many that don’t have anything special attached to them, haha. When you’re 15, you get your permit. 16 - license. 17 - R-rated movies. 18 - you’re an adult . . . by the time you pass 21, there’s not a whole lot else to look up to, haha! But we had a great time.

3. The first thing that happened was we were supposed to go to Six Flags in New Jersey, but it rained so much that we decided not to do that - we might go tomorrow. So instead we went bowling, which was great fun - I broke 100 on all three games we played (if you’ve ever seen me bowl, you know that this is a big accomplishment).

4. Then we took the train in to New York City and met up with my best friend Stephanie! It has been so great to see her - I miss her when she’s up here! (This completes #36 on my 101 in 1001).

5. Then we all went out to this awesome little wine bar called Vintage. Stephanie is good friends with the guys who work there, so we had a great time. If you’re in NYC, go visit - Broadway between 93rd and 94th.

6. The next day (yesterday) I go to go with a couple of friends to the Museum of Modern Art (#41 on my 101 in 1001). It was amaaaazing. My favorite Picasso was there (Girl before a mirror), so of course I was in heaven. It was awesome.

7. For supper we ate at Serendipity 3. This is the resteraunt that they made the movie Serenditpity around. Everyone thinks it’s overrated because of the movie, but it’s one of my favorite places to go in New York. Last night was my third time eating there, and it won’t be my last. Get the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate . . . so worth it.

8. Then, after supper, Steph and I went to see the Cirque du Soleil show that is playing in New York, Corteo (#80 on my 101 in 1001). I am obsessed with Cirque du Soleil. My favorite has always been Quidam, but Corteo definitely has given it a run for its money. I’m gonna have give this some thought. UNBELIEVABLE. Sooo good.

9. Then we were supposed to go out last night, but we came back to change and were so tired that we fell asleep, haha. Oh well, the celebration had to end at some point ;-).

10. Right now I’m still in Stephanie’s apartment, but I am taking the train back to New Jersey at some point this evening. Tomorrow morning we will most likely go to Six Flags (since the weather will be better).

11. And then tomorrow night is our friend Matt’s graduation party. We’re staying at his house in New Jersey, and he’s having this huge graduation party that a ton of our friends are coming to. Which is funny, cause most of them are in the south right now. It’s going to be great fun!

12. Then I drive back to Winston-Salem on Sunday, and Monday is moving day! Ahhhh! So much going on, this is crazy busy!!!!

13. And a quiz ;)!

You Are Cookie Monster

Misunderstood as a primal monster, you’re a true hedonist with a huge sweet tooth. You are usually feeling: Hungry. Cookies are preferred, but you’ll eat anything if cookies aren’t around. You are famous for: Your slightly crazy eyes and usual way of speaking How you life your life: In the moment. “Me want COOKIE!”

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Driving to Pennsylvania in the morning (on Tuesday). Spending the night there.

Wednesday is my 22nd birthday!!! Driving to New Jersey to Six Flags, then taking a train into New York City for the night.

Thursday - wandering around the city, and seeing the Cirque du Soleil show Corteo that night!

Friday - wandering around the city more, seeing the Museum of Modern Art that afternoon. Train back out to New Jersey that night.

Saturday - graduation party in New Jersey

Sunday - driving back to Winston-Salem

Monday - MOVING TO THE NEW APARTMENT!

In short . . . I will try to post this week if I can, but I make no promises . . . have a great week!