Yet another blog inspired by a song. But it is raining again.

Cresson and I were up at 9 today, and she was quickly off for more mysterious sorority goings-on, while I was free to roam and explore my new home for the next 3 months.

I had a mission today to find “business casual” pants, which Cresson informed me was “anything, but jeans.” After a shower, an episode of What not to Wear, and a cup of peppermint tea to wash down yesterday’s dinner leftovers, I was off to the Clothing Exchanged that I had eyed yesterday on the street I now know as Hillsboro Village. No luck. It stopped raining long enough for me to make a few mile ride to a different part of town Cresson told me about (with the end destination being a coffee shop- of course) where I found a consignment store and some boutiques. I found my pants at the consignment store, but they had no gloves or mittens and my hands were freezing from riding in 34 degrees and mist so I crossed the street to a boutique and was greeted by the smallest fuzzball puppy I’ve ever seen.

Tily quickly became my favorite shopping buddy. I got my mittens which happened to be on sale! And talked to the ladies working- one of which was the owner (who liked my coat!) and the other was a senior at Belmont also doing Graphic design, ad they both had been to Germany, and instructed me on the castles I have to see when I’m there. I continued down the road to the Frothy Monkey Coffee shop, which was tasty, and I put on my headphones and tried to figure out the bus system from a flyer I snagged off a bus in Hillsboro Village. Maybe I’l understand it tomorrow.. I stayed there until the rain let up, it had started pouring once I had gotten inside. I fiddled aroung on my iPhone looking up things to do off the beaten path in Europe, and replying to some emails until the rain stopped, and I made a break for it and raced back home. And here I am.

Tonight we pick up my friend from Lawrence, Katie D! She wanted to take a trip over Winter break, and I wanted a friend to explore with me! I’m so excited, but I probably wont update until she’s gone. But I will promise pictures! Also I start my internship on Thursday with a big Marketing Committee meeting! I’m crossing my fingers that I figure out the bus.

I don’t know if I’ve ever visited a city without being welcomed by rain on the first day; and I don’t know if I’d want it any other way.

When the airplane was making its descent into the Nashville airport, it passed through the fluffiest barrier of clouds I’ve ever seen, and little droplets of moisture raced from the right side of my window to the other leaving little trails for the next drop to follow. I love flying in airplanes. I sat next to a big man who introduced himself as “Jed” and was headed back home to Hendersonville (just north of Nashville) from a cruise he took with his family over the holidays through the Panama canal. Obviously he became “Tennessee Jed” and we talked for the entire plane ride .

Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain’t no place I’d rather be,
Baby won’t you carry me back to Tennessee.

I caught a taxi from the airport to Cresson’s house- my bff4eae from hs- and quickly made myself at home since she was out and about doing things for her sorority. I unfolded my bike- yes, it unfolds, and I rode up and down the street until i was confident it wouldnt collapse and fold back to its original state while I was on it. At the corner of the street there was a lady who looked local enough so I asked for diections to closest grocery store. On my way of following her directions I found myself on a street with cute shops, and it had begun raining instead of the mist I had been riding in, so I stoped in a store called Bookman Bookwoman. Guess what it sold.. books! so I bought the first 2 Harry Potter books because until anyone tells me i absolutely have to read this one book my plan is to reread the hp series.

The rain let up a little so I continued down the street eyeing shops I wanted to visit when it wasnt a sunday including a cowboy boot/shoe repair shop, the clothing exchange, pangea (hippie store), and fido coffee shop- Cresson’s favorite. I finally made it to the grocery story and got some essentials (hummus, baked bread, pasta and apples-duh) and grabbed some plastic produce bags for my makeshift rope I used to tie the paper grocery bag to my bike.

I came home and scarfed down my hummus while I watched Wet Hot American Summer, and You Me and Everyone We Know and rested my tired bones from lugging my bike and luggage around the airport. Cresson finally finished her sorority stuff, and we grabbed some dinner and coffee at another one of her favorite Nashville coffee shops, Cafe Coco. Very delicious! And I even got to meet some of her friends who were there.

It hasn’t hit me yet how long I’ll be here for, but so far Nashville is a big city with a small town feel, so I have no doubts that I’ll fall in love with it.