28 years of age... Holy crap

"Another year older... 28 is a little too close to 30 for my taste."

As you might assume; another year older and definitely none the wiser. The big 28 was this year... my scary age. I suppose it's a little too close to 30 for my tastes.. i like the eternal 20's that are so carefree and so filled with a sense of purpose. 30 is the year that i fear the most. Perhaps it's the idea that most of my friends will be working on their 5 year wedding anniversaries or will at least have one child under their belts... i suppose i still very much feel like a kid and the idea of being "adult-like" scares the living crap out of me.

So, as only I would celebrate it, for my birthday some friends and I went out to a nice bar, then dancing at a gay club and to top if off at the end of the weekend the Czech Beer Festival. Because really, wha says adult like drinking beer and singing songs with lots of other "adult" people.

Dave and I in the first tent- Czech Beer Festival

3rd tent. Watching the Czech Republic kick Russia's ass in the World Cup of Hockey. This place was close to rioting after the win!

#1 we won... go Cechie!

1st Tent... dreaming of beer and non-adult like behavior.

Below is my actual birthday party that happened on Friday evening. Lots of fun was had and i got to enjoy dancing at my favorite club Valentino's

Dave and I - Bar and Books (Vinohrady)

My dear friend Iveta and I - Bar and Books (vinohrady)

A day at the Races

"Did you bet when you were at the races?"- Czech student

"No, I don't know all of the betting terminology in English let alone Czech."- ME

About a month of so ago Dave and I took a little trip to Velka Chuchle (which means Big Chuchle). We were bored in Prague, trying to think of something to do when I came across this little gem of an outing. We jumped on the train and took in 10 minutes outside of Prague. It was GREEK day at the track so not only did we have old Czechs we also had sweaty Greek men! Woopa! IT was a lot of fun and I definietly had a nice time there. We classed it up by buying some Bohemian Sekt and sat in the sun all day!

Czech Champagne... the countries finest

the Races

Sigh no More

" Love that will not betray you, dismay, or enslave you, it will set you free, be more like the man, you were made to be."- Mumford and Son's (sigh no more)

I don't know why, perhaps it was Miss O'Malley, but I have been listening to my Mumford and Son's album for the last couple of days like a person in need. For reasons I am no sure I can explain I keep listening to the lead song "sigh no more".

Well, now I know where our out-of-state college tuition goes

" Alabama better not contact me anymore for cash. I am quite sure the university has enough at this point."

Ah... Bryant Denny Stadium, where dreams come true or dreams are squashed. When I was at Alabama we mostly had squashed dreams (can we say University of Central Florida). When Katie started college at Alabama we actually started winning games! Big games too! Then I moved to Europe and we won a National Championship. I think I could be bad luck for the team! I haven't been to the stadium in over 3 years so it was a bit like a homecoming returning to where so many good memories were made for me during my college career; plus it helped that my sorority house is literally in the shadows of this grand venue!

Below are some silly pictures that we took around the stadium. I think my aunts were surprised be the size and the capacity of the stadium... the Alabama alumnae, were quite unfortunately, not.

Dad's Rocky shot


My broadyway performance shot

Group picture- Jake (being Jake), Jessica, Matt (looking at something in the distance), Roscoe, Katie, me, Molly dog, and Morgan

Best. Picture. Period

Another family picture. Yes, we were standing on a slant.

Two legends together side by side

Dad with Bear Bryant

Teaching, Research, and Service... seems so nice doesn't it?

After our stadium tour we walked over to the Quad to take a couple of pictures. Plus, it was a good way to tire out the dogs (otherwise they are both super hyper). It was nice having everything in bloom and seeing all the old places again.

Denny chimes

Saturday night out

"Wow, I can't believe I once thought this band was any good." (about a band that has played at Alabama for over 10 years)

Katie and I before heading to 4th and 23rd

Katie, me, and Jake- twins and a big sister

Me and Jakey

Finally got Matt to a bar.

Me and Daddy

Jake and Katie

Jake, Katie, Matt, Daddy, Jessica, and I all went out to the bars post-graduation to celebrate Katie finishing college. We went to a bar called 4th and 23rd (actually it's called something else now, but since I can't remember the new name I am going with the old.) and had drinks and listened to a terribly band called US. Now, for those that have heard this band sober, I believe you will now agree with me that they are terrible! They have, I am sure, always been terrible, but I believe me, along with most of the Tuscaloosa population, were always too inebriated to know the difference. I think the entire table was blown away by their hairband performance and middle-aged men, 1980's rock and roll attitude. Still, they some how managed to have towny groupies... I will never understand some people.

Daddy, Katie, Matt and Jessica left early in the night so Jakey and I left this bar and headed over to a quieter venue called Catch 22. We had a nice time catching up and talking about life. And of course I had Jake try Dave's fave cocktail, a Tanq 10 and tonic. It was a really nice night and I am quite sure that Jake may have a new favorite drink!

The After Graduation Feast

"There is enough food here to feed a small Czech village"

As the earlier posts have mentioned, there are few things that I love more than life than food; and southern food for that matter. Yes, it's usually unhealthy, and yes, it's usually made with lots of fat and butter, but no matter. It's GOOD! So, you can imagine my happiness when Katie said Matt's mom and her friend Sharon were preparing our food for the grad celebration! (can you say... "eyes lit up?") Now, scroll below and be jealous of all the amazing yummy-ness that I got to eat and gain at least 10 pounds (5 kilos) doing so...FAB!

Katie and Matt opening presents after the feast

The fruit tower, strawberry whipped cream, cheese ball and assorted cheeses.. yes, you may drool

So... here we have veggies and 2 types of dip, pasta salad, deviled eggs, potato salad, 2 types of sandwiches: pimento cheese and chicken salad and of course potato chips!

Katie's home-made yummy cake!

And finally chocolate covered cherries

And did i mention we also had meat balls, mini-quiche, and friend chicken fingers! Yeah it was PURE heaven!

When the commencement commences

"Regardless of the graduation ceremony I will always think of Animal House."

The stage for the May Commencement of the University of Alabama

I don't know what it is about college, graduation ceremonies,and seeing a bunch of fraternity and sorority girls on a campus that immediately makes me think of the movie Animal House. Perhaps it was the fear that i too, may one day be on 'double secret probation' or that once I graduated i would 'get drunk every night' or that the 'best days of my life would be over'. While college was a fabulous experience and I can honestly say that a good portion of my college exerience was a little too similar to the movie, I am happy that I walked across that stage and got that diploma (sigh of relief to most involved I am sure)That same happy, giddy feeling was what I was feeling when in the first weekend of May, Katie also walked across that stage to get her diploma. Though I am quite sure her experience was less Animal House and more good student with an excellent GPA (All A's the last semester I would like to brag), I couldn't have been more proud of her than to hear her name be called out.

I am particuarly proud of our family for our lack of couth behavior. See, there was a really arrogant, prick of a man at Jake and Katie's high school that said they would both amount to zero. My dad decided as a special tribute to him, mom, Katie and Jake that he would take out a HUGE page in The Daily Breeze (our local newspaper) to congratulate Katie on all of her achievements (including being published... soon you can google her name!) Take that arrogant-arse! Ah.... pay back feels sooo good!

There's Katie getting ready to sit down while President Witt starts addressing the graduates.

Katie's name has just been called and she is walking across the stage to get her diploma. Oh my god, we all screamed so loud that I lost part of my voice.

Outside after graduation had just finished.