It's safe to say that things are quickly turning fall here in Asheville. The leaves are already beginning to change. The mornings are chilly. Pumpkin everything is already showing up. On rainy days, you might even think Autumn is in full swing. But on days like today, summer clings to its last few drops. The sun warmed the earth all the way up to the mid-70s. Students walked around in shorts and sunglasses. Flowers were in the their most saturated of colors and the sky was the brightest shade of blue.

The first picture of the bird was taken on one of those rainy days I mentioned. Outside my hall, the poor little bird was sitting on the sidewalk. It could fly some, but not much. We weren't sure what was wrong with it or what to do about it, but Lonnie decided to move it in between some bushes nearby. 

The rest of the pictures were taken today when Samm and I decided to take a walk to The Hop and get ice cream. It was so gorgeous out that I had to go back to the dorm to grab my sunglasses and camera. I had organic vegan chai latte ice cream and it was soo good. I'm not vegan so I didn't pick it because of that, the taste alone was that yummy. Samm had chocolate candied bacon. Enough said there.

It was a really good day. I'm trying to make an effort to choose happiness. To help out, I decided to make a more personal tumblr where I make a list of good things every day. You can find it here: http://goodthingsbyliz.tumblr.com/

how to be a better fucking person:

(a list by myself and for myself)

1. get organized and stay on the ball.
2. sweat every day.
3. read more books.
4. make a list of "good things" once a day.
5. document everything: take pictures, journal, BLOG.
6. drink more tea instead of coffee.
7. work your wardrobe.
8. listen to music that speaks to you.
9. make art for yourself at least once a week.
10. surround yourself with people who inspire you.
11. spend more time outside.
12. before reacting, understand.
13. do what you love.
14. "always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of someone else."
15. love your body and take care of it.

downtown excursion.

I join Photo Club at UNCA. I am so happy I did. The gals who started the club are super cool and definitely fit in to my category of people. I've already learned a lot and I hope to learn a ton more. That being said, I'm not happy with this batch of photos. I thought taking a ton of pictures with a group would be better, but I think I prefer to shoot alone. Maybe I just need learn how to get in the zone where there's nothing but me and the image. I always just get so shy when I take pictures. I'm afraid on-lookers are going to judge what I choose to shoot or the fantastic looking group of old ladies gathered around and sipping champagne during book club are going to be offended if I ask to take their picture. It's also difficult to get the right shot when you have to work around 14 other people. I constantly felt like I was in someone's way or someone was in my way. One of the group members made a comment about feeling like a tourist. I think that was part of it, too. Feeling like a tourist in the city you live in is not fun. But the thing is, I do still feel like a tourist in Asheville. One of the best things about the excursion was having the opportunity to see Asheville from the eyes of some people who have been here a while. I ate chips and guacamole at this fantastic restaurant that I haven't even heard of before and I definitely got a better feel for the layout of the city. All in all, it was a good little trip and I'm looking forward to more with this group.

the farmers market.

We took a spontaneous trip to the Asheville farmers market, and it was the perfect day to do so. We bought so many wonderful things and I personally can't wait to go back for more. We also ate at this farm to table restaurant called "The Moose Cafe" and it was sooo amazing. The people were friendly and the food was good country cooking and the whole experience felt like home. Also, seeing all the early Autumn stuff at the market got me so excited for the season coming up! I'm still mourning the end of summer but I know that Autumn in Asheville is going to be so unlike any other I've experienced before.

Our haul includes:

bread and butter pickles, pumpkin butter, apple salsa, whole wheat sourdough bread, cinnamon raisin bread, trail mix and dried cranberries(Samm's stuff, not mine.), pumpkin spice whipped honey and a giant thing of peach cider(not pictured), grape tomatoes(again, Samm's. I hate tomatoes. also not pictured), and this great blanket I got for $12 to take out to the Quad and read books on nice days.

(also, please excuse our dorm room living, our kitchen is a sad thing, I know)

art walks and the county fair.

Last week, I went home for the weekend. Coming home and seeing my house and my room was surreal in a way. Having so many people happy to see me was a great feeling. I feel as though I have two homes now: one in Concord and one in Asheville. It's nice to have my heart spread out a little bit across the state.

The first night I was home I went to the Art Walk in downtown Concord. I had Cherry Lemon Sundrop and  my favorite chocolate chip cookie dough soft serve from the ice cream place on Church Street.

The second night we went to the fair and I rode the swings and got fried cookie dough. (cookie dough is my favorite, in case you couldn't tell.)

Samm made a comment that within two days we saw all of Concord and we've been in Asheville for almost a month and still haven't seen have of it. That's true, and I think it's a good thing. I can't wait to someday know Asheville like I know Concord, but I want to have fun and take my time getting there.

camping trip part 4.

This is the final set of pictures from the camping trip. We stopped at a nearby country store to buy supplies for s'mores. I love s'mores. The end.

camping trip part 3.

When the rainy day finally cleared up, Lonnie and I took a nature walk down the creek near our campsite. I love exploring with Lonnie. We've gone exploring since way back before we started dating. It's something we connect with. I like to take pictures as Lonnie leads the way. He loves to go off the beaten path and I end up seeing so much more than I would've if I had gone alone or with someone else.