Adjusting and Birthday

Hey!

I haven't written in about a week and a half... so sorry! I've just been busy adjusting to life in the south.
Friday was my 18th birthday! C:
So, I went to the gas station first thing in the morning and bought a scratch off lottery ticket, a power ball lottery ticket, a cigarillo (and obviously a lighter), and celebrated my first freedoms of being an adult. I think I'll save the strip club for some other time C; (that's a wink face).

Friday night I went to Asheville with my dad and we went to a minor league ("Asheville Tourists") game and ate at a restaurant called The Jerusalem Garden Cafe where some lady belly danced while two guys played a drum and a mandolin/lute (played them very well, too!) and she kept dancing and stuff for people while we were all eating. Then she passed around a tip basket. She was good, but really? We didn't ask for the dancing, nor was there any notice of it...
The food was pretty good, and I might eat there again, but I think there are more things to try while in Asheville instead, so I probably won't eat there for a while.

Saturday we went to Greenville, South Carolina... Can I just say that it is the most BEAUTIFUL city I've ever been in?! There are tiny waterfalls DOWNTOWN and you can walk along them because of city trails that are safe, clean, and open. There's also a bridge that seems similar to the Millennium Bridge in London--but a good distance shorter. There are also tons and tons of really good and different places to eat, too! Just so much to choose from! We ate at a Cuban/Mexican fusion place that had a really good selection on vegetarian and vegan options... actually, most of the restaurants in Greenville seemed to have good options on almost any menu for vegetarians! I highly recommend visiting Greenville if you ever get the chance.

Then, today I met up with a woman who used to teach at Wayland (my high school), Heidi ("Ms. E"). We ate lunch at "Fresh Pizza and Pasta" in Black Mountain (about an hour away... had to drive through the mountains today for the first time and by myself! So scary!). They had wonderful salads and Fire Oven pizzas that could be gluten-free if needed! So I tried the "Fun Guy" Pizza (Mushrooms, Risotto Cheese, Feta Cheese, Basil, with a red sauce base) gluten free, and it was AMAZING! Definitely going to be visiting that place again sometime soon....
But anyways, Heidi has an aunt who lives about 20-30 minutes from Asheville, and together, the three of us went to the Pisgah National Forest. While there, we went down "Sliding Rock" three times, and then swam in the "Looking Waterfall" for a little while. The water there is very cold... anywhere from 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, but it's so hot outside that it feels refreshing. Then it just gets cold. Then you can't really feel anything.
But I loved it! I can't wait to take my mom and sister and hopefully my cousins and aunt someday if they ever visit us in the summer! The only downside is that it's about an hour and forty five minutes away from my house... but I'm sure the car ride wouldn't be so bad if there were others in the car as well!

It was such a great day! But now tomorrow I'll be back to my boring days at home. At least I have my guitar and netflix! C:

xxox,
lizzie

p.s..

Sliding Rock (The drop from rock to water is about a foot and the water is about 8 ft deep. The admission price was only $1, and worth it because the Pisgah National Forest is so beautiful and clean and fun! By the way, these are not my photos):