New versus Old

Back to the Blue Ridge

Recently I went back to the birthplace for the weekend. My favorite teacher from high school was retiring and there was a surprise gala in her honor. It was a great time for me to go back home and see old friends and my family. It had been almost 6 months since I had gone home.

View of the Blue Ridge Mountains
from here

I love having grown up in Roanoke, it is set amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains and while I would not like to return (at least until I am older), it is simply beautiful.

Things have been very busy lately and my mind has been turning a lot. I am in that “mid-twenty-something restless state”, where I know I am not where I want to be but majority of my circumstances make it difficult to leave. It’s tough knowing you want more and are ready for a change, but are weary of the ramifications. For now, my goal is to make a plan, and carry it out.

UK Chandler Medical Center

My Alma Mater has been constructing a new medical center for the past few years. On Sunday, the University of Kentucky hosted an open house of part of the world class medical facility that will bring state of the art medical treatment to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The first phase of the facility is opening this summer which includes a new parking structure, a new Emergency Department, and the Neuroscience, Trauma, and Surgical Services floors; all with a price tag of over $530 million. The facility is being constructed with the theme “Art / Science / Healing”, which is intended to incorporate elements of nature and art into the healing process.

New Pavilion at UK Chandler Medical Center

New Atrium Lobby

Photography Wall 

Ginkgo Sculpture

All in all, it is an impressive facility and I am proud to be a University of Kentucky Wildcat when I get to experience something like this.

A Capital Affair

Wow, it has been a busy couple of weeks! Work has been busy and I have simply just had nothing to blog about except for rainy weather. The tides have turned however, with a few days of plentiful sunshine and a once in a lifetime experience.

The company I work for recently won a Kentucky Small Business Development “Pacesetter Award”. This award recognizes high performing second-stage businesses that are producing innovative -products, increasing sales, creating jobs and serving communities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This has been a huge honor for my firm and has created a small buzz of excitement around the office.

Wednesday I attended a few activities in the state’s capital of Frankfort to honor the recipients of this award.  The morning consisted of an award ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, which is an impressive building that I have never stepped foot in. Following the award ceremony, a few employees were selected by my boss to attend a luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion.

 Kentucky Capital Building

Governor's Mansion 

Luncheon in the Governor's Mansion

The Governor was supposed to be in attendance, but had to cancel for some other obligation, which I was sort of bummed about. None-the-less, it was an honor to be there for the award festivities.

Summer Plans

This week I have been finalizing some of my summer plans and I am super excited.

 Roanoke Star

Springfield Park Central Square

L.A. 

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Thunder Over Louisville

Last weekend I went with some friends to Thunder Over Louisville (known by Kentuckians as “Thunder”). This is the kick-off of the Kentucky Derby Festival and is supposedly one of the best fireworks show in the United States; I, however, still have no clue. The weather in Kentucky recently has been stormy and this was the case over my trip to Louisville for Thunder.

Louisville's Riverfront

We still had fun, we went downtown for the festivities but the weather was prohibitive so we went back to the hotel and then out on the town for some drinks later. I had a blast, even though we didn’t see what we went for.

Thunder Fireworks 2010

Source: Derby Festival

Since last weekend, the weather here has been pretty stormy. We have had a storm about every other day and this weekend we’ve had one about every 5-6 hours with threats of tornadoes too. It has been interesting for me because I have a huge fear of tornadoes. I am ready for some springtime sun to say the least.

Dutch Dreaming

About this time last year I was in the Netherlands enjoying the springtime. While I returned this past year in February, I am longing to be back this spring. My mind is filled with thoughts of what my life would be like there.

(Spuiplein, Amsterdam)

 

(Tulip fields in Lisse)