Volleyball Time!!

Oh how I miss watching college volleyball sometimes. Since being out of college sports for the last two years, there are certain things that spark my attention and make me crave to be working in the sports world again.

One plus side about my job at the Hilton is that I get to work, alongside with my co-worker, with the sports teams coming into our hotel. Imagine my excitement when I realized that volleyball teams were amongst those coming! I really enjoy watching the sport of volleyball. I think it is such an awesome game and I am always amazed by what the players can do!

This weekend marked our first set of volleyball teams at the hotel. To add to the excitement, I found out that one of the former players at Mercer is now an assistant at Villanova, and I would get to see her at the hotel! Julie was a junior when I started my two-year graduate assistantship at Mercer and so we got to spend two seasons together. She is such a wonderful girl, and I was super excited that I would be seeing her in North Carolina!

Furthermore, to add to the excitement was that Penn State, the two-time defending national champions, would be playing Villanova at the Carolina Classic at UNC. By the time I found all of this out, I was just giddy!!

So Brett and I headed out to Chapel Hill to watch the Nittany Lions of Penn State take on the Wildcats of Villanova. It was a good match and it was just great to be back in the volleyball atmosphere! Here are a few pictures from the match:

Miss Julie Darty...former Bear!

Action shot! haha!

Penn State during a timeout

These girls were huge and amazing!!

It was great to see the match and to see Julie! I can't wait until Mercer comes to play at NC State in a couple of weeks!!

Jack Johnson - To The Sea Tour

Last night, I had the chance to go see an amazing performer...Jack Johnson! My roommate ended up having an extra ticket, and I gladly accepted the offer to join in the fun! I can't remember the last concert I went to...I'm thinking maybe it was Daughtry in Macon a few years ago.

Anyways, the concert was held in an outdoor venue, the Time Warner Cable Pavilion at Walnut Creek in Raleigh. It was really hot, but still worth it! Unbeknownst to me, people tailgate before concerts...is that new or am I just out of the loop?!? So, we headed to the parking lot at Walnut Creek and chilled for a few hours. Things I learned from being in the parking lot before a Jack Johnson concert....Jack Johnson has a very eclectic mix of fans and Cornhole is a very popular game in North Carolina.

Our crew...Brett, Scott, Shannon, Elizabeth, & Nick.

Tailgaters and Cornhole

After a few hours in the parking lot, we headed inside to secure a good spot on the lawn and to get excited for the concert! ALO was the opening act and they provided some good music. G-Love followed...and for the life of me, I can't figure out why someone would self-name himself something that looks like "glove", but whatever. He was alright.

Hanging out before the show.

ALO...the opening act

G-Love...the second act

Finally, it was time for Jack Johnson!! I can honestly say it was one of the best concerts I've been to! I really appreciate artists that sound exactly the same live and on their albums. Jack Johnson put on a good show and I really enjoyed it!

To The Sea Tour!

Jack Johnson!!! Singing one of my favorite songs...Banana Pancakes!I think everyone enjoyed themselves!He closed the concert with my favorite song...Better Together!!

It was a great night and I'm glad I got the chance to go!

Greensboro

A few weeks ago, the Sales/Catering crew from the Hilton headed to Greensboro for a night of relaxation and fun! Our Director of Sales, Annette, has an old family house there, and it is a great place! I really enjoyed seeing all of the history there and taking pictures. It was good to see my co-workers outside of the walls of the hotel and spend time with them! Here are some pictures from the weekend:

The Great Escape...a fitting name for the property

The house ... Annette has done a terrific job fixing it up and decorating

The old chicken coop

An old barn out back

Not sure what this held...
You know I'm a sucker for flowers!

People standing around waiting for some delicious food!

Annette was a wonderful hostess!!

It was a really great time and I can't wait to do it again! :)

Celebrating with Amy & Josh

A few weeks ago, I flew to Amarillo to partake in the wedding festivities for Amy Rice and Josh Gaston. I had a great time hanging out with my dear friends from college and making new ones! Prior to this trip, I hadn't been to Amarillo for a couple of years, but it was good getting back to the Panhandle. Of course, I loved seeing the Webbs, along with eating some amazing Mexican food! :)

Amy and I first met at Wayland Baptist where she played volleyball. I hadn't seen Amy for a few years, until we both ended up in Korea at the same time. It was such a blessing to see her again while I was in Korea and make some memories on the other side of the world! The first time I met Josh was actually in Korea when he came over for a visit...so it was exciting to see them at the start their relationship then and to see them share their vows now! Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Amy & Josh at the Rehearsal Dinner making some speeches and saying 'Thank You' to their guests.

The night before the wedding, we hung out at the local Dalhart watering hole. It was comical.

Amy & I before her wedding.

Amy and MaryGrace...such beautiful ladies...inside and out!While I was in Korea, I met Minjung at Pizza Hut with Amy. It was a pleasure seeing her in the States and reminiscing about Korea together!

Amy's bridesmaids. Instead of flowers, they held fans...which I thought was a great idea!Amy and her dad coming down the aisle.
Married at last!

Amy and her girls!

The fellas got a little impatient during picture time and started entertaining themselves!Amy opted for a cupcake cake and it was amazing!

Josh going in for the garter!

Their first dance as Mr. and Mrs.MaryGrace and me!! I was so excited to see MG!

All-in-all, it was a fantastic trip home and I am so glad I was able to celebrate with Amy and Josh as they became the Gastons!

Good News!!!

I'm so excited, because tomorrow, I start my new job! You must be thinking, "did you just start a new job?"...and you'd be correct. I'm still at the Hilton, but I'm going to have new job duties!

I'm now the Convention Services Coordinator. I'll be working with the Sales Team and doing lots of different things that involve organizing and detailing (right up my alley!). I definitely think I'll be utilizing my skills more with this job and I can't wait!! I already know all of the people I'll be working with and they're fantastic, so I think it'll be great! I'm really going to miss being with the people in the restaurant all of the time, but they are really excited for me too, so that makes it better!

Anyways, I just wanted to share the good news! I'm super stoked! I'll update more later!