Saturday 9

March 9, 2013 | Jen Pace Dickenson

1. Have you ever been to Atlanta?
Yes, twice to get my Korean visa. The first time we stayed downtown and went to an NBA playoff game. We also ate at The Varsity. The next time I just stayed at an airport hotel.

2. Do you enjoy traveling by train?
I do, for short periods of time. It’s more relaxing than flying or driving. I did the Trans-Mongolian Railway from Beijing to St. Petersburg last summer. We stopped three times but there still was one leg of the journey that was five days long! I really needed a shower.

3. What’s your go-to karaoke song?
I don’t really have one. My ex and I used to sing “Hit Me Baby One More Time” as a duet. Here you can see me and my friend Kathryn singing karaoke on a cruise last September.

4. Do you drink tea?
On occasion… I’ve been drinking these teas lately since I received them in a blog swap.

5. What’s the most recent thing you purchased for your home?
I bought cupcake salt and pepper shakers for my future cupcake-themed kitchen.

6. Are there dishes in your kitchen sink right now?
Not sure.

7. Have you ever been fingerprinted?
Yes, for jobs.

8. What was the last check you wrote?
To my mom to pay for the internet.

9. What color are your eyes?
Hazel.

Sunday Stealing

February 3, 2013 | Jen Pace Dickenson

1: Do you notice a person’s eye color?
Never.

2: White, milk, or dark chocolate mocha?
I don’t drink mochas. But milk chocolate is my preference.

3: If you could get a tattoo free, would you do it? What would it be?
If it was by a reputable artist then yes. The next two I want to get are a quote with a skeleton key and “let it be” with a dandelion and birds.

4: Did you grow up in a small or big town? Did you like it?
Small town and I pretended like I hated it then but it wasn’t that bad.

5: Your favorite adult as a child (and not your parents, if they were your favorite)?
My Aunt Laura.

6: What kind of smoothie sounds really good right now?
Mango. Yum!

mango smoothie in Bangkok

7: Most embarrassing moment from your elementary school years?
I fell down a flight of stairs in 5th grade.

8: Most embarrassing moment from your middle school years?
I fell out of my bedroom window and into our compost pile in 8th grade.

9: Most embarrassing moment from your high school years?
I can’t really think of one…

10: Have you ever fired anyone?
No.

11: Have you ever climbed a tree more than twenty feet off the ground?
That sounds really high so no.

12: Did you like swinging as a child? Do you still get excited when you see a swing set?
No, I hate swinging. As a kid it was OK.

13: If you could have any pet in the world, illegal or not, what would you get?
I love my kitties but I would also like a bunny.

14: What’s your favorite place to relax?
In a bubble bath.

15: What’s your most favorite part of your personality?
I think I am a thoughtful friend.

16: Madonna or Lady Gaga? Neither? Both? Who cares?
Lady Gaga.

Lady Gaga concert in Seoul, April 2012

17: Have you ever watched the Superbowl all the way through?
Yes of course!

18: Have you ever watched any major sporting event live?
Yes I’ve been to NASCAR, an NFL game, and an NBA game.

hating the NASCAR Samsung 500 race, April 2009

Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots, December 2009

Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic, May 2010

19: What’s the most delicious food you’ve ever eaten in your life?
Indian curry and garlic naan.

20: Margarine or butter? Which did you grow up with?
Either one. My mom is big on real butter though.

A is for Asheville, Atlanta, & Arkansas

April 12, 2012 | Jen Pace Dickenson

Asheville, NC

It’s where I’m from! I went to college at UNC-Asheville and while I still wish I’d had a more typical college experience (football games, frat parties), I did enjoy my time there. But after awhile Asheville got boring. And pretentious. I hope when I return in July I can appreciate it a little more. They have a great downtown, lots of breweries (Beer City USA!), fun festivals, and tons of outdoor activities and beautiful scenery nearby (the Blue Ridge Parkway). Here are a few of my favorite experiences in the Asheville area:

Looking Glass Falls

Pritchard Park Drum Circle

On top of Looking Glass Rock (what a hike!)

Fanaticon 2011

Linville Falls

Atlanta, GA

I have been to Atlanta twice in recent years, to get my visas from the Korean consulate there as it’s the closest one. Both times I went with my brother Zach and his wife Kelly.

The first time we went to an NFL playoff game (in May 2010) to see the Hawks play the Magic. It was awesome, and we had great seats! We also went to The Varsity for lunch. It’s the world’s largest drive-in restaurant!

The second time (May 2011) I just went to the consulate and then they dropped me off at an airport hotel so I could fly to Seoul the next morning. We did make time for lunch at Hard Rock Cafe though. The Twisted Mac & Cheese there is the best thing ever.

Gepp, AR

We visit Arkansas quite often as my dad, stepmom, brother, and sister live there. It’s an 11 hour drive so Daniel, Zach, Kelly, and I always have a fun road trip. They live in the middle of nowhere! But it’s really beautiful and we always have a great time. They live right near Lake Norfork so we usually stay at Lake Norfork Inn. If it’s summer, we go boating, swimming, and fishing and if it’s winter we stay inside and go in the indoor pool and hot tub and usually drink a lot! We also play games (football, softball, board games) and go hiking, bowling, and roller skating.