weekend getaway.

The last 3 days have been magical.  I am tempted to say that they've been the best 3 days of my Florida adventure thus far.  However, that might diminish all my other awesome days that I've had... so I won't exaggerate.  Suffice it to say, I am turning into one of those annoying facebook people whose status is often, "I AM SO HAPPY, MY LIFE RULES!!!"... Don't you hate those people?  or... rather, do you even believe those people?... I surely don't.  So, before I start going into how outrageously tubular my last few days have been, I'll offer that I'm still broke and missing Richmond like crazy.  There.

Remember how I work pt time at Southwood Golf Club?... Here's a video of me awkwardly jibberjabbering while on bev cart duty there.  I kind of loathe watching myself on video/hearing myself talk... I mean, how many times do I need to say "awesome" in a conversation?...  However, b/c I know how some of you miss seeing my face... this is my gift to you. You're welcome.
mm k.

This is a tree, under which I was sitting during my video.  I want to show you the Spanish moss.  This magical fauna hangs from the Life Oaks here in Tallahassee, for which this place is known.  And it's maybe, maybe my favorite thing.  These trees are gigantic. I lived in Richmond, so I'm no stranger to trees, but these Live Oaks are special.  These trees have souls, like in the Disney movie Pocahontas.  You look at them and believe they're looking back, with their hair blowing in the wind.  And they're saying stuff like...."Be strong Jessica...be steady..." You know, junk like that.

True story: Today on my (looong, solitary, 5 hour) way home, as I was approaching the county limits.   I didn't realize the the highway would actually turn into a road I already knew.  As I was considering my lack of direction, I recognized a tree. Yes.  I looked over to the side of the road, which lacked any man-made landmarks, and I thought, "I like that tree.  Wait.  I know that tree.  Wait, I know exactly where I am."  And I totally did.

I share this story, b/c I wonder if perhaps in another life I was a tree?  What other logical reason could I offer for being so... obsessed?

ANYwho..................

Hi. Moving on.
First thing the next morning. I was off to Daytona.  All you haters out there who told me Daytona was trashy and not the "nicest beach" in Florida, can go fly a kite.  There is a clear reason that Daytona is considered the most famous beach in the world.  It was BEEautiful. The sand was like powdered sugar.  The water was warm, crystal clear and offered me regular 4 feet waves to body surf in.  The weather was perfection. And I'll add that the staff at my condo were top notch.  I spent two days rotating from beach to pool to hot tub to shower and back again with a fresh beach towel whenever I wanted it.  Can you say, AWESOME?

These are literally the only pictures I took.  I arrived, went directly to the balcony, took 3 pictures, turned around took one picture of the common area put all my stuff down, sprinted to the pool then played on the beach for the next 2 days solid.  I simply couldn't be bothered with a camera.

OK.  I did take one more pic.  This was taken from my iphone, as I was laying in bed the first morning.  I was reading a mag, and I looked over at the breakfast I was eating and thought, "This moment is awesome."  Instead of turning the camera around and taking a picture of my pillow-creased face, I took one of my bacon.  I often eat in my bed, while reading...but never with the ocean just outside my door.  Food tastes better at the beach.

The evening of my last day in Daytona Nate''s father Paul, his wife Nancy, Nate' and I went to a light house.  It was neat-o.

The next day (yesterday) I woke up and drove 2.5 hours to Tampa to see my friend Beth.  Beth and I met years ago at VCU in Chem 101.  I remember very distinctly the first time I saw her.  I thought, "That girl, is SO pretty, and such a great dresser.  and what a fabulous bag...!"... So, I told her so, and we became instant friends.  Over the years, our educations have taken us in different places, but we've kept in touch, and I'm so glad.  She is such a gem.  She was in Tampa vising her brother Mark who lives there.  I couldn't pass up an opportunity to see her while she was so close!

 Can you see the gator?

See the other gator?

Now.  Some of you may be wondering, "Does Jess wear that dress every single day?" And my answer to that is, Yes. Nearly every day.