perspective.

It's all about perspective.

This summer I decided I needed a bit of a change, and really what I mean by change is I needed to build on my previous experiences.  I needed to grow.  In high school I started to grow through an amazing outdoor organization for young adults called Adventure Treks.  I was fed the dogmas that I attempt to express today, which have been important elements in my life: 

1. Adventure Treks taught me real communication.  Although cell phones weren't quite as prolific as they are today, social media was on the rise, & the "cool factor" stemmed from what kind of phone you had & what song was on your MySpace profile.  Not at AT.  You were cool for being you, which is unfortunately quite rare these days.  I just brought my personality flair & some "reaching out" techniques & I got to truly know people.  Who needs to hide behind a phone anyway when you can just be you at AT?  I think I just put this into perspective for you...

2. Adventure Treks taught me about community & respect.  It may sound cheesy to someone who doesn't have the AT background, but community is an indescribable element of AT that forms fast and forms strong.  It is almost like a large family unit & with that comes respect.  Respect for your friends in the community and respect for yourself.  With group gear & small living quarters, there is no room for negativity & selfishness.  Some of the individuals I met in my years at AT are people I respect & venerate the most.  They are real people with real perspectives.

3. Adventure Treks taught me about pure happiness & being humble.  AT was the first time I truly realized how lucky I was.  How many 14-year-olds get to travel for 16+ days, climb live volcanoes, glissade down snow-covered peaks in mid-summer, & white water raft without parental supervision?  (That is not a rhetorical question... very few!)  I was & still am a lucky kid & with that, I learned that not everyone shares these amazing opportunities & it is important to be sensitive to all sorts of diverse people around me with different perspectives on life.  

Although Adventure Treks taught me way more than that in my 3 years as a student, what it did not teach me was how much background work went into making the "adventure of a lifetime."  As a student you have this perspective that AT is magic.  No I'm not kidding... AT just transpired into this incredible trip that took no effort to plan or organize & was just filled with amazing students from all over the world.  With a wave of the wand, a flick of the wrist & an Abracadabra... boom, a mountain summit & a perfect sunrise to go with it!

But not really.

This summer I definitely experienced a new & unique perspective... I interned in the Adventure Treks office.  It's funny because I remember walking into the "AT barn" on my first day of work, looking around & thinking, "what are all these people doing on computers... I mean what kind of 'work' can they actually be doing?  They are all probably just on Facebook!"  But they were doing work. Real work that takes the whole year to plan.  Trip logistics, permits, regional director plans, travel information, waivers (all 47648653743 of them), outfitter communication, unaccompanied minor details, trip photos, welcome packets, social media strategies, t-shirts & hats, food, rental vans, health history binders, application forms, birthday cards, phone calls, pay checks, Treks Checks, graduation packets & much much more.  Honestly, that's not even the half of it. 

It's not like I expected to waltz into a room full of magicians, but I just never realized what really went into making an AT trip successful.  Dock told me I was the first AT student to actually work in the barn, which gave me a very unique opportunity because I still understood and felt the surreality that is AT.  I can explain the importance of evening meeting & still get goosebumps on my arms, I can still picture the wicked dance moves kids had when retrieving items from the "bin of doom," I can still hear Bob Bailey recite, in complete accuracy, lines from "Shrek" as the Gingerbread Man, I can still see Haley's face as she paddled our canoe backwards on the Clearwater Lake, I can still feel the tears in my eyes as I left AT for (what I thought would be) the last time in 2009, I can still tell how long a 3 minute shower really is, I can still remember laughs I had with Haley & Jenn Tanner over kidney beans, I can still smell Ramen Extreme & Oatmeal, I can still feel the "natural mattress" of sand on the Olympic Coast, I can still taste my very first AT pineapple that grew straight from the ground, I can still see smoke spewing from the crescent of Mt. St. Helens, I can still recall practicing head stands in the British Columbia with Niki Gaeta & I still CAN'T explain why I am so in love with Adventure Treks, but I am.  

2007

2008

2009

I learned a lot this summer from some incredible co-workers with some varying perspectives:

Perspective 1. Emily taught me to go for it & that decisions are never easy.  She taught me to be myself & she helped me act like a total goofball in my attempts to YOGA.  She also accepted me as her "right hand wo-man" & taught me her ways. 

Perspective 2. Joan taught me selflessness & how one person can be so loving, giving, & special.  She taught me (& Emily too) how to best approach a decision & how to conquer it & also that FSU has some awesome Alumni (tell anyone & I'll deny it... just kidding) & that Talenti bars may be the death of me. (Meow)

Perspective 3. Jan taught me how to be 24 & professional & that using headphones in the office may lead to a paperclip throwing fight.  But really he fed me some rad technology/systems knowledge.  

Perspective 4. Holly taught me the parent perspective & how hard it is to give up your child for any period of time.  I remember her telling me she missed the "pitter-patter" of her son's feet when he woke up in the morning & it hit me that I never thought my mom & dad would be "child sick" while I was away, having the time of my life, at camp. 

Perspective 5: Stacey taught me that sometimes not everything works out, but that with a little self-determinism and personal strength you can do anything & be anyone.  

Perspective 6. Dock taught me that working in an office can be pleasant & accepting & that no matter your age, you have a place with Adventure Treks.  He also gave me a sense of importance that I am truly grateful for.  

So I guess what I am trying to say is thank you for such an eye-opening summer.  Thank you for letting me indulge in my summer camp obsession.  & thank you for EVERYTHING!!

Adventure Treks may not be magic, but what transpires within each individual trek is truly magical & can only be understood when under its fantastic spell.

~Ciao-Ciao

my best friend.

Let me tell you a few things about my best friend:
1. he is the cutest,
2. he has beautiful blue eyes,
3. he has the most loving heart,
4. he is super funny,
5. he loves his cereal,
6. he is beyond stylish,
7. he is in love with my grandma,
8. he is 88 years old,
9. he is my grandfather, &
10. his name is FRED.

Grandpa Fred has obviously been in my life long before my life even existed, but as long as I have existed, Grandpa Fred has been my best friend.  I blame him!  He turned to me one day & said, "Are you my best friend?"  & obviously the answer was (& still is) YES!  To this day he knows who his best friend is. We are just 2 peas in a pod! 

See! Best friends since the beginning!

He is a man of many habits... habits that have defined him practically my entire life.  He ALWAYS wakes up wearing his pajama shorts set, he ALWAYS showers & gets pretty right away, he ALWAYS blow drys his hair, he ALWAYS eats his "Grandpa Fred's cereal" of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cheerios, Raisin Bran, & half a banana, he ALWAYS has a glass of water with him at ALL times, he ALWAYS wears his white tennis sneakers, he ALWAYS gets coffee at McDonald's (pays sometimes with "refillable" cups & makes friends with the managers), he has ALWAYS been a neat freak (napkins in the car, garages cleaner than bedrooms, & cabinets shut before you have a chance to look up), he has ALWAYS been stylish & devilishly handsome, he has ALWAYS been active & he has ALWAYS been a man who everybody loves to be around.

It has always been a running joke in our family that my mom once said, "I'm so glad WE married Fred" because he bought her a brand new car.  But in reality, that is far from a joke because Grandpa Fred is the best.  I mean what would we do without him?  Heck, "I'm so glad WE married Fred."  He is good to everyone; good to my adorable Grandma, his three children, my mom & her sisters, & of course ALL of his grandchildren, like me!  Also, he makes everyone feel like you are HIS favorite, like you're the only one that matters (but I know the truth... I'm the favorite! Shhh, don't tell anyone!).    


Anyway, this past semester I had the pleasure of spending a whole (surprise) weekend with my grandparents.  It was a quick decision, but one weekend I packed up my bags & headed toward St. Pete for an impromptu visit.  I called their house phone as I pulled into their driveway, walked up to the front door with my grandma on the phone, knocked, & waited for the surprise.  She walked up to her frosted front door & said, "who is it?"  I responded with "me," which apparently was not enough information because she retorted with a "who's me?"  It took her a few minutes to register the name Rachele because coincidentally she was on the phone with that same person.  She cocked her head in confusion & yelled out to grandpa that his best friend was here (he didn't need any other explanation  because he only has one best friend... Duhhh).  I walked into the kitchen & he just stared at me like, wait... what?

Heist complete! I foiled the grandparents!  They never saw it coming!  But the weekend was a success & my favorite part was seeing that grandpa's "wit & wink" tactics were still going on strong.  He was always a jokester & sometimes my grandma just misses the punch line (we love her that way!!!)... & when that happens, I get this knowing wink from my best friend (we tricked her again!).  His secret is safe with me!  There is so much youthful energy in my best friend!

But I will tell you, one of the fondest memories I have of my best friend was the time we took a pit stop at Publix for a few provisions.  My grandma popped in while my grandpa & I hovered around the lot waiting for her.  We were parked in front of the store when she walked out & headed for the car.  My grandpa stared for a moment & looked back at me with pure love in his eyes & said, "Isn't she just the most beautiful gal you've ever seen?"

I don't think I will ever forget the day he said that to me.  Somehow it was moving & made me think back to the "I'm so glad we married Fred" because I know my life (& everybody's lives) wouldn't be half as perfect without Grandpa Fred!  We aren't just glad he's in our lives, we are lucky! 

To end this post, I would like to show off more of his charm with a story my Aunt posted on Facebook: He was sitting in the hospital when the CEO walked in to make sure he was comfortable.  He asked if there was anything else my grandpa would like & he responded with a joking twinkle in his eye, "you could bring me an ice cream sundae."  Can you guess what happened?  Yep.  My grandpa won over the hospital staff too & dined on a perfectly good hot fudge sundae.

Life is good when Grandpa Fred is part of your life. Love you BEST FRIEND! 

thanksgivukkah.

Happy Thanksgiving Break everyone!  But more importantly, Happy Thanksgivukkah!

Thanksgiving formally began(ish) way back when the Puritans were running the New World & when the most important part of the year was the harvest.  In honor of the goods of the year, the Pilgrims prepared a feast.

This is real.

Now, as an elementary schooler you probably remember that you would always have a Thanksgiving pageant, where you would get assigned a part in a play as a pilgrim or a Indian... you know, wearing that traditional bonnet & long skirt garb.  You probably also had to sing a few songs & finish off the event with a giant feast with an awesome, inedible turkey at the center.  & of course, it wouldn't be the Thanksgiving Day play without the beautiful friendship that was formed between the Indians and the Pilgrims & saying all you are thankful for.
  

But did that actually happen?  Did the Indians & the Pilgrims actually sit down to a civilized meal in Plymouth in about 1621 because of the awesome harvest?  Were the Indians really happy that their land was being invaded & that they were catching diseases from Europe?

I mean... I guess they still had that RIDICULOUSLY GREAT harvest to be thankful for, so it was worth it, & honestly... I am just glad we do celebrate it because I have a lot to be thankful for & it is nice to dedicate a day for how lucky we all truly are.

1.  I am thankful for my brothers, who are always there for me.  We may have had our disagreements growing up, but as kids go, we were pretty awesome.  I loved growing up with you guys even though I don't remember it all since my memory is a failure, but I know there were some amazing times in there.  Like the time we built the fort in Daniel's room, while Jerry was painting the walls to look like blue jeans, or all the times we played "monster under the blanket," or the times I volunteered to be Scott's personal slave so he would like me.  I mean... life would have been pretty boring without you 2 around.  Thank you for being my siblings & loving me as your "baby blister."  (Yes... I did say blister.  Don't ask... but if you want to ask, ask Daniel).


2. I am thankful for my mom, who is MY BEST FRIEND & the greatest mom that has ever existed.  She always goes above & beyond in all circumstances to make me & the rest of my family happy.  She is the role model that I strive to emulate & she is the goofiest in the most perfect of ways.  I love you & am truly thankful for you every day because you treat me like royalty even when I don't deserve it or for no reason at all.  The truth is, you are the queen & we should be treating you like royalty.  <3

3. I am thankful for my DAD, who is probably one of the most selfless humans I have ever met.  All he cares about is the happiness of his family.  Growing up my dad would bring me a glass of water EVERY night before I went to bed (the truth is... he still does it when I am home from school) & when I was younger, he would read me a bedtime story... usually "Bread & Jam for Francis" or "Where's Mickey's Red Ball."  My dad was the "monster under the blanket" as well as the "monster in the water," but he is no monster at all.  Thank you for your wonderful spirit & dedication to us.  I always say... if you had asked my dad as a child, "what do you want to be when you grow up" he would have responded with: "a father."  You are probably the best father out there. 

& 4. I am thankful for the role models I have in my mom & her 2 sisters.  They may fight & get in arguments over stupid things.  They may cry. They may get defensive & stressed out, but I know they are always there for one another.  These 3 women have some of the best memories together: the trips from Hong Kong to the states during the hot, Florida summers, the vacations in Chicago, AFRICA, watching the nieces & nephews grow up, throwing parties on the forbidden white carpet (even though Phyllis caught you), crying out for your younger sister in the night because the darkness is scary, sharing clothes (unwillingly), taking Phyllis to the Academy Awards & us watching it (& you) on TV, going to each others' weddings, the Goldsmith on a Quiet Street that NEVER existed, Tybee Island, laughing at each other, taking silly pictures, being confidants, being role models, learning stuff from one another, being "so glad we married Fred," flying from California all the time, & just being the perfect set of 3 Musketeers.  You always hear about how sisters lose touch as adults & rarely see one another, but not these sisters.  Almost without fail these 3 talk at least once a week & share a special bond.  I know this may sound cheesy, but it's the truth.  Life is hard & sadly, people tend to respect their family & close friends less than strangers.  You just get comfortable & forget to take a second to show how important they are to you.  I am so proud to have these 3 in my life because I hope to be half as amazing at keeping in touch with my brothers as they are with one another.  They are 3 incredible, independent women, who have all taught me amazing things.  I wouldn't be who I am today without the "fun Aunt," who called my "Butterfly Princess Heart Flower" until I was 3636454, the "silly Aunt," who always has something comical to say & the "perfect Mom," who taught me the importance of sibling bonding.  I may be partial to the latter, but without the other 2, you just don't have the Goldsmiths.  The LOVE is there... just don't forget.  & especially don't forget to "live in the moment" because you only get 1 family.

Maybe we can all learn a little something from the Puritans & the Indians circa 1621... even if that friendship wasn't real.
  

Ciao & Happy Holidays!

homecoming.

JUST 2 OLD HIPPIES

Homecoming... aka the week of festivities where us sorority gals get to dress our best for an entire week straight.  Homecoming is truly a tradition of welcoming back the alumni from years past, but of course, Greek Life has transformed that tradition into one GIANT social.  It's just another reason to put on your hippie outfit, throw up those peace signs, & wear non-prescription glasses for no purpose whatsoever... it just makes life more interesting.  

This year was probably my favorite experience with homecoming because I actually had the opportunity to participate in the events!  You know you do it right when you get all dressed up, you dance like a crazy person with a group of your favorite sorority sisters, you get home super late, sleep 5 minutes, & turn around & do it again... (homecoming week in a nutshell).

Growing up I always had a fascination with dressing up... you know, stealing your mom's costume jewelry for a fancy tea party or finding your great-great-great grandmothers mothball smelling dresses in the back closet to drape over you when playing house.  Then of course there is Halloween... who didn't go all out for that gem of a holiday?  It was a holiday invented for us kids to let our inner freak fly outside the comfort of our own homes. Wait... am I talking about kids here or college students?  Maybe they're one in the same?  The content may have aged, but the idea most definitely has not.

I know I'm not the only girl out there who would play dress up like 47483754 times a day as a little kid & I know I'm not the only girl out there who STILL does this, often.  So... I will bring up this burning question that everyone else has been thinking too (I know you are, don't deny it)... Why is dressing up so fun? 

The answer is... I HAVE NO IDEA.  It is just fun.  Even you guys like to do it too.  Socials prove it all... sometimes they are the ones who even get most into the nightly themes.  & the truth is, it is funny because there is so much hype about Halloween each year, but when you're in a sorority, almost every week is Halloween, but it just never seems to get old.

WOODSTOCK

TAMPA DINNER CRUISE

So after a whole week of non-stop "dress up," I wrapped up the weekend most perfectly with a Gator Game... even though we lost & we aren't doing so hot this year, it is ALWAYS "great to be a Florida Gator."  Especially when I get a wonderful visit from the lovely Alberta!  This time I chose to dress as myself... one of my favorite costumes to dress up in.  It's always nice to know that during the day, after a long week, you can always go back to being a regular, old gator.  Welcome home alumni!    

Ciao & Go Gata!

circa 1977.

Circa 1977: UF Homecoming Parade

Over 30 years ago, 2 people met for the first time at the Country Village pool in the muggy heat (as we all know) of a Gainesville summer.  My mom, exhibit A, looked stunning in a lime green bathing suit en route to law school & my dad, exhibit B, was a handsome nerd planning on attending medical school in the near future.  Even if the "spark" wasn't immediate, they instantly liked each other & (I'm going to get real cliche here & tell you...) the rest is history.

My parents were just kids at the time... to be exact they were about my age (scary I know... I always forget that my parents had a life before me.  I guess it just wasn't a good life yet) attending UF, just like me.  Well anyway, they met, went on a few dates... blah blah blah, a few years went by... blah blah blah & then they got married in 1980; had a few kids, moved to Florida, lived their lives, became world travelers, discovered the cure for cancer, & fell in love with Colorado.  You know, the usual.

It is amazing how time flies by.  33 years later & my parents are still best friends.  I know because I can see it in their banter.  They make fun of each other... the proof of a great relationship is being able to laugh at yourself.  My mom asks stupid questions (i.e. "Where are the SWISS Family Robinson from?" or "I wonder what state the Colonel who started KFC (everyone & their mom, except mine apparently, knows what that stands for!!) is from?") & my dad says sub-par jokes & puns about EVERYTHING, but in the end it's all about compatibility.  And sure, it wasn't always easy, but that's just life & the way it is, & it's more important to look back at those hard moments & know they just made you stronger & a little bit closer.

I always make the analogy, but I think it works here as well: when watching a soccer game & you look back at the goalie's performance, you always remember that shot he or she missed, & you ignore the amazing saves that were made.  Why when we look back do we always remember the bad stuff?  It doesn't make any sense because behind every bad(ish) thing that happens there are 4748657634 good things screaming for attention:

Like the time Daniel made an actual funny joke about "fins to the left, fins to the right" when there was scuba equipment in the trunk, or the time Scott just "didn't know when he was almost done," or when Suki was a surprise for Hanukkah, or when we had a family flan fight in the kitchen just because, or when we went to almost every European country in a span of 10 years, or when just spending 1 night in an RV in an Alaskan parking lot was "the best vacation ever," or when we went to 47486 soccer games across the state, or when we celebrated Christmas in the snow, or when we had snowball fights in the Steamboat hot tubs, or when we saw dad's face in the skydiving video, or when I signed all my cards with 008 INC. because I am a super spy who loves the number 8, or when you sent the Thanksgiving menu & included graphically where the goat cheese came from, or when mom started painting again, or that time in Africa when everyone knew who "DEBBIE" was, or when we bought our Snowmass condo & turned it into our haven, or when we were all together again this summer for the first time in years, or when you won the lottery (just kidding... I was just seeing if you were paying attention), or when you just lived this amazing life with the best set of 5 people there is.

When you think about all that life above, you know that you created something special: a family.  Just 2 kids who met sometime in 1977 grew up & formed this incredible family with incredible aspirations & futures.  If it weren't for that lime green bathing suit or my dad's guts, this post would not be happening right now... which means I wouldn't be happening right now & neither would Daniel nor Scott.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is this: thank you for meeting, getting a cheese plate at the Mad Monk's Inn, marrying, staying together, loving each other every day & us kids, looking at each other as if not a single day has gone by since 1977, being involved in our lives, taking us with you when you became world travelers, making room for all 3 of us in your busy & professional lives, giving us EVERYTHING we ever wanted, giving up single life & work for our futures, being the best parents that ever existed, & sending me to UF, where hopefully I can wash, rinse, & repeat.

Here's to the best couple & their UF alumni status (even though my mom is wearing garnet... oops!) & all the things/years in between!  

Parents weekend: 2011

LOVE,
Rachele (008 INC.)

birthday bex.

This is a story of a Floridian meeting a Bristolian & how they became family.

I am going to start off this post with a big HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY to my socially awesome, happy & smiley, traveling obsessed, & friendliest friend, Bex!  I hope you have a great birthday with lots of family, friends, fun, & favorites!  Wish I could be there to celebrate it with you!  You deserve the best day ever!

Well... I will start the story now.  In 2009 my "real" family & I went on a cruise to Scandinavia (I know... casual), anyway, if you have ever been on a Royal Caribbean Cruise before than you'd know that there is a section on the ship for a club of teenagers called "fuel," where I found myself a lot.  I didn't know many people, & for 2 whole weeks I was forced to be social & meet new people.  Going on a European cruise truly helps you meet people from all over the world: Canada, South America, & mostly... you guessed it, Europe!  I really enjoyed getting to know everyone & I liked them all a lot, but you know how it ends... "blah blah blah, I hope to see you again someday/let's get together another time" (embrace), & you walk off thinking, I will NEVER see those people again!  Usually you're right, but sometimes you're not......

Our only picture together from the cruise... rough, but reality 2009

6 months goes by & thoughts about the cruise have waned, leaving me a normal kid once again until one day I got a facebook message from my friend Bex from the cruise explaining her huge plans to visit the United States over the summer & wondering if she could stay a few nights here along the way.  I asked my mom & surprisingly she complied, but as the dates began to get closer & closer, she became more worried that Bex could be a mass serial killer planning a heist along the East Coast.  The truth is... she never actually thought Bex would make the journey over here.  But once again... Bex proved us wrong & she flew into Orlando with a new doo, a bright red pack, knee highs with converses, more color than anyone around, flailing her arms, & with no serial killing on the mind!  She was here & she was awesome!

I have to admit... I was a little worried myself since I had never hung out with her unless there were 475464 other people there too.  I couldn't help, but wonder... would we get along?
        

2010: Bristolian attacks Florida with enthusiasm

Well... the answer is, yes we did & so did she & my parents, & she & my friends, & she & my pets, & she & EVERYONE!  You can't not like this girl.  & that is how she became my Bristolian sister & my mom became her "American mum."  We kayaked, mini-golfed & had batting practice, wind surfed, ate Hershey bars & Butterfingers, swam, tanned, & everything that is apparently "American" & needed to be crossed off the bucket list.  Most importantly... Bex taught us a few things.  The chicken is the most dangerous animal in Europe.  OKAY!  Stop picturing giant, evil, human devouring chickens with huge claws & menacing snarls... we were talking about salmonella, duhhh.  & no... that is NOT what I pictured when I heard this bizarre remark!  Well...     

Did I mention a week later she met us again in New York for a short time?  Well she did.  You can't help but admire someone with the guts & personality to fly half way across the world to meet up & backpack with people you just barely know.  More than admiration... wonder.
 

Me, American Mum, Bristolian Sister taking on the Big Apple

So the summer passed & Bex & I stayed in touch reasonably well planning our next summer's adventures.  It was my turn to check out her digs & since I know "knew" someone in England, I could travel alone.  Again... you don't think that plans would solidify, but they did & I traveled to Bristol in 2011 to visit Bex & her home.

2011: Bath

We went EVERYWHERE! It was awesome to travel around England with Bex & her mum, meet her friends, & learn the hip lingo.  We went to Bath, where I coined the rather (I thought) impressive phrase "Bex, Bath, & Beyond," we saw Stonehenge & thought about alien intervention, saw the city where my family is supposedly from, & went to see the double feature of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part 2.  Yep.  It was a good time.  Again... most importantly, Bex doesn't lie. Chickens really are dangerous!!  Who would have guessed? 1-0 Bex.

That vacation ended with Bex & I closer than ever.  We made a deal we would plan on seeing each other every year at least once for as long as we could keep it up.  In a way, we are pen-pals because we keep in contact: sometimes through letters, mostly through facebook, & annually in person.  It is hard to stay in contact with people sometimes, but that is what is so amazing about having a friend like Bex... she makes the world seem small.

And that's when she decided to study abroad in Mississippi (pronounced Missipee) & became a Southerner.  Did they play quidditch in the South?  Well... Bex did.  Bex did it all & became a true Southern Miss Golden Eagle.  "To the Top!"  She just never slows down!

And luckily... since she was so close, it was easy to plan a vacation over Christmas Break to Colorado.  & Bex came too!  Wouldn't want to have it any other way.  It's funny... because my brother Scott also met us out there & he had never actually met Bex before, but said, "It feels like I already have."  That's just the way Bex is.  You just feel like you know her even when you don't. 

2012: Snowmass, Colorado

After just barely making it in 2012, Bex made a trip down to Gainesville in 2013 on her way down to the Quidditch World Cup in Orlando.  We even wore matching shirts & toured our way around campus taking pictures as Gators.

2013

So far... 5 years... 5 visits... 0 murders... 10990394754 memories.

As I told you up front: this is a story about how Bex became family & I'd like to make one last shout out to her for being one amazing person!  Thanks for being such a great friend/sister all these years & Happy Birthday!

Love,
Rachele

mumford & sons.

For the second weekend in a row I indulged in a concert... I know how it looks, but this is a fluke!  I never go to concerts.  I just happened to hit the concert jackpot within a week of each other.  I went from the incredible John Mayer to the indescribable talent of Mumford & Sons!  What a crazy awesome concert... rather a fest of concerts; a plethora of indie bands with a very strange yet perfect mix of people.

The music was awesome... all 7-8 bands we heard!  Most I hadn't really heard of, but the best part about not knowing the songs & bands that are playing is that you don't feel compelled to huddle with the other 478538653 sweaty & "personal spaceless bubble" people who are standing as close as possible to the stage, but you just get to dance in the back.  We set up camp with the other rusty dancers & got out of our comfort zone a little.  I can tell you from experience... I am NO dancer, but at a concert it doesn't matter because it's all about letting free your inner spirit (hence the fake glasses... *my inner spirit*). 

On Friday night, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros sang last!  They put on quite the entertaining show because they really interact with the audience.  Edward & Jade would constantly ask for audience stories to add to their songs' conversational portions & they would jump down into the front row of people a few times to hear them speak.  I got so much dance on, especially when "Home" came on... I just let loose.  You know the saying... right?  "Dance like no one's watching."  I DID.  A LOT.  I think Emily may or may not have been embarrassed... but I did catch her sneaking a dance here & there!

The idea of letting out your inner spirit is best described by Edward Sharpe (who is actually really Alexander Ebert).  He created this alternative identity for himself, which he calls his "alter ego," which has practically taken over his life.  Mine is definitely not that strong... my dancing spirit is only visible under low light visibility, at concerts, in the back, with my goofy glasses on. Inclusive.  It's a start.....      

Anyway, after spending a great morning at St. Augustine Beach & stuffing ourselves with delicious BBQ, we returned to the concert stuffed & ready to hear some more bands.  We kept slowly creeping forward because today we came prepared to be packed like sardines.  Everyone & their mom arrived early to get front row seats to see Mumford.  For 5+ hours people camped out to stake a claim on their spot.

I can't tell you how AMAZING it was to see Mumford perform, but I can tell you it was AMAZING to see them perform.  They were perfect & talented; playing banjos & guitars, drums & cellos, mandolins & the microphone... I have never seen a more well-rounded group.  30,000 people were there watching & singing along to every single one of their songs for their FIRST performance in Florida.  They played 6 encore songs & it still wasn't enough!  TAKE ME BACK!!!    

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was the decor all around town... the awesome signs & posters, the flags, the street chalk, & especially the MUSTACHES!!  They were everywhere!  I may or may not have taken one as a souvenir... I like it.

I don't know when mustaches became "in," but all I know is that my good friend Haisley has loved mustaches before I can even remember!  She was above the fad, which I so easily fell into... they are just so cute (not real ones though.......)!

Well... I think that is all!  I mustache you a question, but I'll shave it for later.  (Sorry, I had to).

CIAO!

john mayer.

Well, in 2 words I can pretty much describe my weekend... JOHN MAYER!

Considering it was practically my first real concert, besides seeing Britney Spears in the 4th grade... "Oops I did it again" style, it was a pretty great concert to start off my music run on.  He was perfect.  Although rumor has it he has had difficulty with his throat & singing, he reached those high notes & sang almost all the class favorites in that sultry John Mayer way.  You know how he stares at you with that little quirky smile... his style is intoxicating. 

Anyway, it was very cool to see him in action after listening to his music for years now.  Growing up it was one of the few CDs in circulation that my mom actually liked.  You know... the old school "Room for Squares" album that had some of the best songs (Your Body is a Wonderland, 83, My Stupid Mouth...).  I grew up with John Mayer getting stuck in my head, seeing him rise to fame, watching my parents go to his concert (jealous of course because I didn't even get an invite... hint hint).  But I have gotten over my raging jealousy because... (drum roll please) I finally got my turn!

It was definitely worth the wait, but I was still hoping he'd sing some more of his oldies but definitely goodies.  Believe me... I was more than happy just to be there, watching him jam.  I never understood how talented he actually was at the guitar.  You know the songs & you hear the instrumental parts, but I never sat back & thought about his playing.  He was GREAT--playing behind the back, playing like we were listening to the song in fast forward, & playing long rhythmic solos.   (The way the camera zoomed in on his hands was like watching the "Titanic" all over again... if you've seen it, you'll understand).

I never understood why miss Chloe Briscoe was always so OBSESSED with John Mayer, but now I get it all.  It's all in the music & it's even better live.

Besides him playing my personal favorite, Your Body is a Wonderland (which he sang looking directly at me, of course!!), he did a few covers; including another one of my faves, Don't Stop Believing!  I didn't know how much I would like his concert at first since I wasn't super caught up with his newest album, but it was fantastic... even the new stuff.  I just kind of jammed & swayed along (pretending to know the words) with the music.  I didn't want it to end. 

Met some lovely EPhi Kappas :)

You can tell John ( I can call him that... right?  I think we have that kind of relationship) is a smart guy with those deep, beautiful lyrics, & he had a few wise things to say that reminded me of my blog: he spoke about how when he was younger he always thought about the future, how old he was & constant everyday worries, but now he just thinks about how it is great just being alive & awesome.  It sounds familiar, right?  Sounds a whole lot like "living in the moment..." huh?  I knew John would quote me one day... just didn't realize it would happen so soon!

Anyway... the weekend was in a nutshell, PERFECT! Besides the Gators losing, which we WILL NOT discuss.  

And a big shout out to Chloe Scott & family & friends for providing me with food & shelter during the weekend!! Thank you so much, it was great!

Ciao-Ciao.

gator game.

It's once again Fall in the Swamp here at the University of Florida.  Time for alumni to tread all over campus again, time for us to meet new people in the stadium, & time for some good ole fashion football.  It is pretty amazing the amount of people that can fit in one place & the noise that reverberates throughout the Swamp & how extensive the fan base is.  I couldn't go anywhere in North Carolina without seeing someone reppin the orange & blue.  

I am not embarrassed to admit that I still get chills when I hear the our theme song start up & see the ever present gator opening its mouth for a huge chomp right before the players run onto the field, attracting the entire cheering audience to attention.

I don't know if I truly like football, but there is something special about going to the games & the amazing Gator spirit: the chants, the colors, the tradition, the "tailGATORS," the friends, the alumni, the mascots, the everything.  It's just "great to be a Florida Gator..." ALWAYS! 

One of my favorite parts of the games is after the third quarter when we sing:  "In all kinds of weather we all stick together..."  Is that still true when it's 90+ degrees outside?  If I left at half-time because I was scared of severe sun burns & possible dehydration because I'm too cheap to buy a $4 water bottle... is that fair?  Or does that literally make me a fair weather gator?

Oh well... I am pretty sure that I have adequate Gator good spirit & I am so glad that it is Fall once again!  The only thing that scares me is that I only have one Fall left!?!  How did that happen?!  And on that same note... I am going to be a grandbig.  Time just flies when you're having the BEST TIME OF YOUR LIFE.

All I have to say is something I have been preaching since the beginning... "live in the moment," because as Ferris Bueller says... "Life moves pretty fast & if you don't stop & look around once in a while, you could miss it."  Well played Bueller, well played.

 

Ciao-Ciao