4th of July Weekend

     So this weekend I finally made my first trip out to the Hamptons!  And it was perfect.  The weather (except for the 4th) was beautiful; sunny and breezy and cool at night.  We didn't even need the AC because it was so cool! My kind of weather for sure.

Fried seafood!

     I took the train out on Thursday and it was miserable.  It was so packed that there were people who had to stand the whole way--standing by the doors, in the isle, and on the stairs.  It was insane.  But definitly worth it to make it out of the City.


     While out there, we ate some delicious seafood, kayaked, tanned at the beach, drank sangria, and ate lots of s'mores.  Even though it rained all day on the 4th, we still made the most of it by driving into Southampton and walking around to the shops.  Despite the foul weather, there were still many people out and shopping the day away.  All in all, it was a great weekend with some awesome friends, that I will surely never forget.  I can't wait to make it out there again!

Tomorrow is Hump Day AND my sister is coming to visit! 

Last Week First

     Before I tell you all about my amazing 4th of July weekend, I need to finish last week!  Last week was a short one but a great one.  I got off of work early on Wednesday to watch the heart wrenching USA game, and then while watching the game, I was offered a ticket to the Yankees game.  So of course, me having no plans, said yes!

    We had a bit of a challenge getting there, and by challenge, I mean that I told my friend that I knew how to get there and then took the local 1 instead of the local 6 up to the Bronx… luckily I caught my mistake before we ended up 242nd Street!  Anyways, once we got to the game the weather turned out to be perfect and the game was actually very good, even though they lost.  It was very relaxing to just kick back with some friends and enjoy America's favorite sport.

     All in all, last Hump Day was a great one. 

Post about my weekend soon to come--here is a quick photo that I snapped while leaving work on Thursday before vacation!

Summer Jam

     Thanks to Alyssa, I have found my favorite song of the summer.  "Rather Be" by Clean Bandit is so catchy and easy to sing along to while having a very happy and upbeat rhythm. Try and listen and not sing along.  Puts me in the Summer mood.

Hello world!

A lot has passed since my last post. Some bad things, some good things, but mostly life. The biggest news to report is that I successfully completed my first year of law school! I can now rejoin society which is pretty exciting.

Other mentionable notes:

1. I am leaving for NYC on Wednesday to intern with a law firm and a record label!

2. Today was a beautiful mother's day, spent by the pool with the best family I could ever ask for.

3. I traveled to Jamaica for by far the best family vacation ever over winter break, and then went on a Human Rights Brigade to Panama for spring break.

4. My addiction for baking has grown enormously this year

5. I have done far less shopping this year as the law student budget does not allow it

6. Went up to Baltimore this weekend to pick up my sister and move her out of school! Can't believe she is done her sophomore year!

7. I just finished baking a carrot cake to celebrate the my sister's birthday (the 9th) and Mother's day!

Fresh Peonies! 

I'm sure there are many other things I have done this year (I hope!) and many more to come, but for now, that is all I can think of. I promise to be a more avid blogger this summer as I am sure I will have many stories from my jobs, commuting, and the beautiful thing that is New York City.

In the meantime, enjoy this wonderful craigslist ad that I happened upon the other day while trying to find a place to live this summer. The things people will do for housing in NYC are downright shocking sometimes but you gotta love it.

Beer Maid

    Yesterday I worked my first beer sampling for Harris Beverages LLC.  I posted up at two Harris Teeters in Durham for two hours each.  While it is a fun and very interesting experience, I need to start wearing some more comfortable shoes because standing on your feet for four hours seriously tires your back. During the break in my shifts yesterday I ran into Randy's Pizza (best pizza in Durham) to grab some dinner. My car officially smells like beer and pizza. I might as well be back at college.

    My favorite part of this job is hearing peoples response when I ask them if they want to sample the beer.  Here are some of my favorites from yesterday:

• "Give me a sample of both. I don't even like beer but I need something to get me through grocery shopping with my family."
• "No thanks I gave up alcohol for the week!"
• "Nope, I quit alcohol in 1967!"
• And then there was they guy who stood by my table for 15 minutes discussing the history of beer and so on... 

    I also noticed that people sample beer in different manners. There are those who take their tasting in three sips, those who do two sips, and then there are the tasters who just chug the whole thing. The one-sippers are usually the funniest to talk with, not surprisingly.

    Just as an FYI, I am sampling the Brooklyn Lager and Brooklyn Summer Ale this week, two very tasty beers. Today I will be at the Harris Teeter in Meadowmont (4-6) and then the HT at University Mall (6:30-8:30) if you want to stop by! 

My setup 

Weekend Update

    I have started a new job for the summer, something totally different from the NYC law firm I have been at the past two years.  This summer I am working for a beer distributor, one of the largest in North Carolina, Harris Beverages LLC. They distribute Anheuser Busch products through most of the triangle. During my past week with them I have learned the basics of beer: from differentiating between lagers and ales to learning how to pour the perfect draught, I am becoming quite the aficionado. As my friend recently noted in an email, I should tell W&L that I am putting my four years of school/intense drinking to use... 

Beer tastings

    It is very refreshing working for Harris Beverages (and I'm not just talking about the drinks). The offices is much more laid back than I am used to but I like it. I get to sample numerous beers and will soon be going out to local stores to promote our products. Recently, craft beers have become all the rage and that is what I am focusing on. 

    Along with the fun atmosphere and interesting topic, not having to work 9-5 is a big relief. It gives me time to hang out at home, sit on the couch, and read. Things I will not be able to do much of once law school starts.

    

    But I don't want to talk about school... for now I am enjoying the summer! I have already booked a flight to Chicago to see one of my best friends. I have never been to Kanye's home town but I am very much looking forward to it. Aside from the fact that I love cities, there are some great art museums and galleries for me to check out! 

Brian, Me, John, and Kevin

    Part of my to-do list for the summer is visit as many friends as possible. Last weekend I went to Charlotte to watch my friend John play for the MLL team the Charlotte Hounds. He is an amazing lacrosse player and it was fun to watch him continue to play the sport he loves. I also got to hang out with a couple of other best friends from high school. Not sure how I feel about Charlotte (its no NYC...) but I will admit I had a good time while there. 

    The Sunday I got home my family went out to eat at a place in Durham called G2B. It was surprisingly delicious. Many typical pub type ingredients and foods but made in an upscale restaurant type style as far as combinations and serving. My sister and I decided to eat a 1 pound monster of a burger. 1 lb of home ground meet, fried bacon, foie gras, arugula, gruyere cheese, and onions. It was amazing.  

The Madness

  

  The only annoying part of this summer is the fact that our house just went on the market.  This means that the house has to be kept spotless 24-7 and whenever someone comes to look at the place, we have to get the dogs out for at least an hour. I really hope this house sells quickly... 

    I am happy to be getting back into the swing of blogging and I hope everyone else is too.