Things I'll Regret Posting One Day....: Terrifying Experiences and Not So Terrifying Experiences

Hey y'all, I hope everyone had a fantastic 4th of July! Here's to the move which is happening in two weeks, future adventures and Summer love!

I decided to write a blog post earlier than usual because recently, I have been experiencing lots of change (so far good) and some interesting adventures. I feel as if I have to share it and my thoughts before I forget or get immersed in the move, work and whatever happens to be thrown my way!

1. 4th of July!

This year I experienced my first rainy 4th of July. However, that didn't stop me from dressin' up and having fun. The festivities started on Sunday night when I slept over at the Marini house. Then, we checked out the Gypsy Hill celebration. Katie, Olivia, Caroline and I had some Chick-fil-A and a Funnel Cake. We walked around the booths and played ball while listening to music. After a short nap, the Marini's and I enjoyed the rest of our 4th with sparklers, pop-its and a cookout!

I am honestly so thankful to have friends that are so supportive and uplifting! Yay, Marini's! You guys are awesome!

2. Romance

In my last post, I mentioned romance. That actually was no implication of recent events, haha. Everything has been spontaneous, which I enjoy.

I am currently dating a guy named Josh. We met on Coffee Meets Bagel (a dating app which has an overall great quality of people. I have absolutely nothing against those who choose to test the waters before they decide on the one they want to be with or just dating around in general, however, certain apps have an eclectic taste of individuals to choose from. Ex: Tinder) and went on three dates before we decided to make things official.

Our first date was a classic dinner, movie and ice cream date. Then, our second date was peach picking and shopping in Charlottesville. Our third date was a trip to Dejarnette and dinner. The rest afterwards, have been adventures of all sorts. I'll get into that later.

So far, Josh is great. He's one of the most caring individuals I have met in awhile (in regards to romantic partners) and we both enjoy alot of the similar interests. Ex: urban exploration and adventure. Oh, and taking pictures. I don't know if that is necessarily a positive thing (those who know me well, know that when I get excited, especially on an adventure, I can take/ upload lots of photos) because if I already take lots of pictures and I'm dating someone who also likes to take lots of pictures, madness is sure to ensue.

This was actually before Josh and I started dating, officially. A co-worker of mine was trying to hook me up with a friend, and as a very flattering gesture, he sent me a basket of flowers at work.

These are my absolute two favorite pictures that we have taken, so far. The first was from our adventure yesterday and the second was from his high school reunion, which we attended on Saturday.

These pictures were from our second date. Peach picking and shopping with smoothies!

This was from our spontaneous trip to Dejarnette. I have more but I also have a story to tell, therefore, I am saving them for later.

On this day, we ate dinner and took an evening walk through Thornrose Cemetery!

Another part of our adventure yesterday!

3. Terrifying Experiences Pt.1

As I mentioned earlier, Josh and I visited Dejarnette Sanitarium a week ago. He was coming up for the evening and since we had, had a busy Sunday excursion, we decided to keep it casual and go on a drive or little nature hike. Josh was turned around and since time was of the essence because daylight was dwindling, I suggested we walk up this path to Dejarnette. Within minutes we were parked and on our way. We walked around the property and climbed a few things until we came across this opening in a boarded window. After persuading Josh that we would only be inside for 10 min tops and looking at a few other things, we finally took the leap and climbed inside.

To my surprise, Josh wanted to explore more than the first floor! This is actually a huge turn on and very important because a majority of my previous excursion partners (girls from my previous dorm, friends, ect.) chickened out after .05 seconds. We walked up the staircase that lead to the second story and after exploring a couple of rooms, I was gobsmacked at how quite it was. Every other time I had visited this boarded up, abandoned sanitarium, it was noisy. It was as silent as a grave! After about another 20 minutes of roaming the halls and stumbling upon the left behind beer bottles and cigarettes of those that had obviously stayed for longer than a visit, there was a couple of cool "artifacts". In the middle of taking a plaque off of a closet door (I have one that I retrieved from the Warph building of Western State Lunatic Asylum before the renovation) when all of a sudden there is this huge, not at all organic, bang of sorts that was followed with the jingling of keys. After turning off the light of our flashlights, and deciding to not be standing ducks, I look over the corner half expecting a duck dynasty looking, psychotic hobo to appear with a knife in his hand. There was absolutely no one standing in the hallway. After walking out of the room and in the clear view of anyone who would be watching or lurking, there was no other noise or movement.

Now, when I enter abandoned buildings and places that are in complete ruin, I have a couple of ground rules. One of the major ones being, if there are any loud noises, I think it is safe to say that it is time to leave. Therefore, Josh and I quickly exited the building. The sun already set and dusk was upon us. Walking down the normal trail which leads to the Frontier Cultural Museum parking lot, all of a sudden there is a huge hissing noise that sounds from the bushes and foliage.

Anyways, to keep a long story short, we survived. After discussing the possible answers as to what we experienced, Josh and I came to the conclusion that it sounded like an electrical current followed by the clanking of keys. However, it couldn't of been a person, hobo, popo or caretaker because a. the only other entrance into the section of the building we were located was up the staircase which was behind us and which we would of heard. It would of been very distinct. b. We were in the building for an hour, tops. If anyone else were in the building, we would have heard them. AND, they definitely would have made their presence known once they discovered that we were inside.

Josh is scared.

There are tons of papers just like this scattered throughout the adolescent ward.

Adele was here. Or this is where she received some of her recent inspiration, haha.

The hallway where is all went down.

4.My First Weekend In Richmond!!!

This weekend was also a little spontaneous. Josh worked on Saturday while I had a lazy day until it was time to attend his high school reunion that evening. I was actually really nervous, however, it turned out to be a blast!

The next day was filled with shopping, a trip to the Virginia Holocaust Museum, a little walk along the James river, another urban exploration adventure gone wrong, jazz + pizza and last but not least, Target!

Behind the display of the inside of a male bunk, there is a photograph. In the photograph is the last known gay, Jewish Holocaust survivor, Gad Beck.

The inside of the cattle car which held those that are forgotten, those that survived and those that I will strive to remember and have recognized.

Standing outside of the cattle car.

These are male prisoners being liberated from Mauthausen on May 5th, 1945.

The first cut-out photograph is of the liberation of Wobbelin concentration camp.

Display of Nuremburg, one of multiple Nazi war crime trials.

Survivors and where they were imprisoned.

Display of/ memorial to Kristallnacht. Kristallnacht was the first major Anti-Semitic protest which was discouraged by the Nazi party (because for the first time in years, Germany had been given a positive review in regards to it's turn around. Especially with the programs of the Hitler Youth and League of German Girls). The Kindertransports were a result of suck programs.

Part of the original founder's testimony. He his in a potato hole, underground.

I was attempting to have a serious face when taking pictures. From my self-proclaimed Holocaust historian perspective, I would find it disrespectful.

Josh definitely had the opportunity to see my Holocaust historian side. There was a group of individuals behind us who were questioning the truth behind the Holocaust. I helped them figure and sort it out...and whenever I recognized a photograph or topic, I would talk about it for a little while.

In the end, I wouldn't trade this experience for the world.

A little out of order, but some extra pictures from the high school reunion!

I swear, I don't fine these abandoned buildings, the abandoned buildings find me. The downside of this adventure was that, a nail went straight through my shoe and into my foot. Good news: My tetanus shot is up to date! Bad news: my foot is a little sore.