Down on the Bayou

So this past weekend I ventured west on the Florida panhandle to attend a shindig named The Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival.

And yes, it was as completely awesome as it sounds. 

Boggy Country is apparently synonymous with an overabundance of camouflage jackets and Bama fans.

This semester I've made some great new friends from the little town of Niceville, Florida.

 They grew up going to Mullet Fest (as in the fish, not Billy Ray Cyrus) and invited me along this year! 

We hand a grand ol' time. 

It was two solid days of:

country music,

Brantley Gilbert 

Trace Adkins

fried food,

A poor quality photograph of a high quality fried Snickers bar. 

Emily and her deep friend PB&J

She decided it was worth the 3 years it probably took off of her life. 

Destin beaches,

Try not to be too envious of our tans...

And this picture doesn't even do it justice.
Sorry Stuart, but Gulf Coast > Atlantic coast. 

Oh you know, just hanging out on the jetty.
(PS. To my Boone peeps, this was Destin's version of Hebron! For real though. Lot's of flashbacks.)

naps under camo hats, 

Exhibit A. 

Exhibit B.

old men with long hair,

How fantastic is that ponytail?

Sorry Trace, but this includes you.
PS. YOUR DANCE MOVES GROSS ME OUT.

fun in the Prius, 

It's not a true road trip without a few MySpace pics.

Dirt graffiti-ing a whole weekend's worth of inside jokes. 

the biggest dog I've ever seen in my life, 

Keep in mind I'm a couple inches shy of being six feet tall...

Besties.

Lap dog status.

and most importantly, 

great new t-shirts. 

I could honestly probably clothe a small African village with my ever increasing t-shirt collection.

I think it's safe to say I'm a fan of Niceville, Mullet Fest rocks, and 

I love mah fraandsss.

Bonus question: 

On a scale of 1 - 10 (1 is the lowest, 10 is the highest), how badly do you want the mullet hairstyle to come back in style? 

'Cause I'm a pretty solid 12. 

"Was today your Picture Day?"

If you have been following my blog for any time at all, you've probably noticed that I love being around children. I love the things they say and the boldness in which they say it. 

Once a week, I tutor a little girl who is classified by her school as an "English Language Learner". Once a week, I drive 15 minutes across town to a predominately Hispanic trailer park out in the middle of the country. And once a week, I get a glimpse into the dynamic of a Mexican family that is so culturally different from my own. 

(But please don't go thinking I'm a saint or anything, I'm required to do this for one of my education courses). 

I've really enjoyed spending time with her, and hopefully I've taught her a thing or two. Her written English is pretty awful, but conversationally, she might as well be American. She cracks me up. One of my favorite topics that she frequently discusses is her White People observations. Innocent, yet hilarious.

This week, our tutoring session fell on the first day of true Tallahassee fall weather. I'm talkin' like a sunny high of 65 degrees. Absolutely gorgeous. So, for the first time all semester, I ditched the Norts, tennis shoes, ball cap, and oversized-tee and put on an actual outfit. V-neck tee, cardigan, scarf, jeans, flats. Nothing special, but the fact that I could wear that without sweating made me feel like a million bucks. 

Anyway, I got out of my car, knocked on their door, and was greeted by my sweet little friend. 

"Oh hey Amanda!...Was today your Picture Day?"

At first I had no idea what she meant. But then the Child-to-Adult-English Translator portion of my brain kicked in and I realized what she really meant to say was:

"Usually you look like a sloppy mess, but today you look somewhat put together!"

I laughed, because it was so true. 

Don't be deceived, this isn't me.
(via pinterest)

Picture Day is the one day of the school year that you want to put forth the extra effort to look your absolute best. Because the picture they take will be in the yearbook for infinity and beyond. 

And obviously you want to be remembered as fabulous. 

Obviously this isn't me either.
(via pinterest)

So here's to Fall, my friends. 

The season of my favorite sport, favorite holiday (sort of), and favorite wardrobe. 

And here's to looking like it's Picture Day, every day. 

Or at least trying. 

(via pinterest)

Happy Birthday, Stevie Boy.

My baby brother turns 14 today. 

Heart. Melting.

A seven year age gap between us means that I was around to witness his cuteness as a muchkin. 

Because his middle name starts with a "W", JB and I started calling Stephen "Dubya" when he was old enough to talk and we were old enough to know who George Dubya Bush was.
And Stephen used to get reaaaally mad. I would say I'm sorry Steve, but I'm not.

Loving these all denim ensembles. You rock Mom. 

Clearly, he was precious.

Probably screaming at JB and I for calling him Dubya.

TPFW (too presh for words.)

And now he is a full-fledged teenager.

Airboating in Vero Beach... So. Much. Fun.

Studmuffin.

He is the quarterback of his football team and everything.

He is the one holding the ball. Because he is the quarterback... 

And he has the potential to be an academic superstar. And he plays the drums. And he is high on the Student Council totem pole. And he is probably the funniest, sweetest, well mannered kid you will ever meet. 

Happy birthday Stephen! I love you SO much. And I miss you a lot. 

And believe me when I say that I'll cry the first time I come home and you're taller than me. 

Which will probably be soon. 

Love you! 

FG'11 in PCB,FL

Fall Getaway: (noun) An annual retreat weekend hosted by FSUCRU in Panama City Beach during the most perfect weather of the year; attendees are guaranteed to return to Tallahassee with a deeper and truer love of new friends, old friends, sugar sand, Panhandle people, bunk beds, and Jesus Christ. 

Here is a recap, in pictures and captions:

All 150ish of us.

Sibling love.

Lady friends.

SLUMBER PARTY ON DA BEACH.

Did I mention it was 40-something degrees out?

Guy Harvey t-shirt quilt...

Goodmorning, Sunshine! (Literally.)

Different methods of retaining warmth. 

#beachhairdontcare

As if the weekend wasn't perfect enough, Panama City was hosting its annual Bike Week.
Holla. 

Sara on my left, bikers creepin' on my right. 

I decided ALL gas stations should carry F'real brand milkshake machines.
F'real. 

SO EXCITED TO BE WEARING OUR MATCHING JANK TANKS.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Look Mom, I found new friends that also like to make strange faces in pictures. 

Ladies and gentlemen, the Class of 2013.
(I'm on the ground, bottom right)

If you are ever passing through the Panhandle on I-10, you MUST stop at Skins and Bubba's.
It's on Exit 120.
If you like corn nuggets (or food in general) you won't regret it.  

I've come to find that God has a unique way of showing His love for us through the people He specifically puts in our lives. 

And man oh man, I am feelin' the love.