The Souvenir

He finally was able to pull her away from the ocean she loved, so they could explore the sandy town they were currently vacationing in.  She threw on the only nice outfit she brought with her and was able to put on a little eye catching make up. He always told her she looked good without trying. They strolled along the salt eaten sidewalk  with the noticeable sting of summer on their checks. Just as always they laughed and enjoyed their time together, soaking up the simplicity of their visit. Final they made their way to the little town they passed on the way in. A warped wooden sign, decorated with a shiny, plastic swordfish, a few coral colored star fish, and some old trusty netting in the upper corner, hung proudly above the door. They walked in with their fingers intertwined in another, only to find wall to wall nautical riches. With widened eyes they explored every little trinket and dried sea creature, making sure they didn't miss even a grain of sand. She knew she had to discover the perfect treasure to always act as a symbol of this wonderful trip they took together, and he knew she wouldn't stop until she found it. She stumbled upon starfish of all shapes and sizes, nautical stuffed animals, surf and boogie boards, and even the cutest ankle brackets she had to have that were embellished with beads and shells. Like every tourist infested shop it was filled with the usual tacky t-shirt you knew you would never wear, the bumper sticker with a witty saying, and even the real shark teeth that would cut you to the touch, but she still couldn't find exactly what she had been searching for. She was happy with the dozen one dollar ankle bracelets she obtained, but she just couldn't come across the keepsake she knew she needed. He sensed her discouragment, he was always good at that, so he led her to an area of the store that had been less examined by the years and years of out of town eyes. There in the dusty corner of the store lied a small hand woven wicker basket full of the tiniest, cutest little glass bottles that were filled with all kinds of oceanic treasures. They were accompanied with a small cork holding all of its riches inside and a sterling silver diamond cut chain. She prodded through everyone of them, making sure she found the most perfect one.  The very last one she got her hands on was filled with snow-white sand from the shore, a tiny aqua blue starfish, and  even tinier sea shells. The  trinkets inside this glass chamber that caught her eye the most though, were the small rose colored pearl,a minuscule dried sandollar, and what she thought was the smallest anchor she had ever seen. She knew this was what she had been searching for. With great pride she pranced to the well used counter to purchase her treasures. He knew by the smile stretched across her cheeks that she was content with her findings. When the total came he laid down a wad of sand dusted dollars and made that smile on her face stretch just a bit further. They chatted on the way back taking in the scenery and the whole way she clung to that souvenir,that was wrapped around her neck, in hopes that she could stop time and forever stay in that perfect moment. 

Hunting

The crisp air stung my face as I walked along the well used path. The moon was starting to give way to the sun letting it take its shift. I mimicked a stealth agent as I walked across the rustling leaves, dodging the fallen branches, careful not to disturb anything. Finally arriving at the tall maple I began to ascend the ladder to my hidden blind. The sun finally gave way through the clouds touching the hills of the open meadow. An hour passed with anticipation getting the best of me, then the rustling of leaves and the grunting of my prey awoke the natural born predator inside me. As quickly as the noise came it had stopped. I frantically looked around knowing it was the monster I have been tracking all season. My eyes suddenly shot to the edge of the woods as the branches of a low lying tree snapped off. In the meadow a mature doe stood breathing heavy and fast obviously worn down from the escape she made from the rut. I knew when her ears perked he was close. In the distance the view of ivory antlers came into sight, igniting my senses. He was finally into view, prancing broadside in my bow's sights. His body, at least 180 pounds matched his twenty point rack. This particular rut-stricken buck has come into my trail cam's memory for two years only to disappear like a ghost during the season. Every hair on my body stood erect as the adrenaline coursed throughout my veins. My breathing became labored as I waited for the right chance to release my razor edged arrow. I allowed him to let out one last breath that vaporized in the crisp autumn air. A single bead of sweat escaped my pore to run down the edge of my tautly clenched jaw. I let my fingers relax from my waxed string, releasing the arrow to cut through the air. With one blink he jumped kicking the air as the blood escaped from the exit wound. With that, I knew death had taken over his body. With one last sprint he tried to run from his fate, but alas the blood loss got the best of him and he layed down in a stumble. A rush of victory overcame me as I knew I ended the King's reign.  When death had settled him I ran to his side to look at the trophy I had just claimed. Two years of hard work and perseverance had shown in the deer, making me, a woman, to harvest one of the largest bucks in the entire state.

To All Prospective College Students

Congratulations on making the decision to go to college. So now you get to pick what you want to do for the rest of your life. This can be a very weighted decision, I know I've been there. My biggest piece of advice, after you make the decision on what you want to go to school for, is to job shadow, job shadow, and job shadow. Now if you can intern/work in the field of your choosing, go for it. Now my reasoning for telling you to do this is because when you actually experience what the job is like on a day to day basis, you may look at your decision and think that the career choice you made isn't actually for you. Let me tell you from a personal standpoint. I have always been good with anatomy and biology. I'm also very good with dealing with people, so of course I was put into the path to become a doctor. After my first semester of college I couldn't even stand the thought of going through another semester of that mind frying work. So I of course changed my major just like a lot of people do. After that horrible semester I got a job in healthcare and it completely changed my whole aspect on my career choice. I realized that I want a job that is in healthcare, but one that will be a perfect balance of life and work. So as I said before job shadow. You wont waste a semester or the time and money. I wish you the best of luck and I hope my advice works for you!

Kenny Chesney

I know I am not the only one who is Kenny Chesney's biggest fan I mean who couldn't love this guy. Not only is he a great singer/performer but what a hunk! Like I said I'm not the only one in this world who adores this talented guy, but let me tell you why I have been in love with him since I was five. 

I am a free spirit that loves to live my life to the fullest and in the moment. Now anyone who has heard his new album, The Big Revival, knows that Kenny and I have these things in common. From the rebellious tune Till it's Gone, to the inspiring live your life to the fullest lyrics of Drink it Up, Kenny has captured my free spirit through out this entire album. Personally I think he even wrote the song Wild Child after me(I wish). This past year has been a crazy ride for me and my family but when I put the song Rock Bottom on, an electrifying desire lights up inside of me, making me want to look life in the face and say, "My turn," with a devilish grin. I don't know if he knew it at the time, but every song he has on that album hits the nail on the head relating to my life and what has gone on this past year. 

Even from an earlier point in my life he has always had a song that's lyrics hit home for me. One particular album from my childhood I will never forget is No Shows No Shirt No Problems. The fun loving songs Young, Live Those Songs Again, and of course No Shoes No Shirt No Problems will never stop blaring in my speakers even to this day. What about the life lesson embedded in the lyrics of The Good Stuff, I know it always helped me appreciate things a little more. Now the song that made me connect with Kenny on a deeper level was and is the song Dreams. I know this song is about a divorced middle aged woman, which are things I am not, but I connected with it in a different manner. At a young age and up until recently, I experienced my mother go through hell and back with my father as the brute cause.  Whenever I would see the turmoil stricken in her eyes, I would play this song and pray in hope that one day she could get away from him and his anger and have the man that she deserved. Now to this day I play Dreams and connect with it in a different way. Through all the praying and playing that song over and over, my mom has finally gotten away from him and is on the verge of divorce. I play it now  to realize just how thankful I really am; I still tear up thinking about how I used to feel when I listened to it before. 

Every song he has ever sang I have connected with emotionally on so many levels. If one day I ever get to meet him, I hope he'll truly understand why I appreciate him so much for his music. Because with out it I would have never been able to overcome what I have gone through in life. He is even the one who got me hooked on island life and forever planted a seed for the desire I have to be at the beach. There are so many things that I could thank this guy up and down for and I hope one day I get to know him as the person and not just the celebrity. 

Who I am

To all of those that have viewed my blog and wondered who I am,

I am a young woman with an old soul who had to grow up too soon. I have seen a lot of bad in my life, more than anyone should ever have to. Even going through what I have endured I still keep a smile on my face because I know that only the greatest go through the worst and come out on top. Plus my favorite past time is to laugh with all my heart and soul and that would be kind of hard if I let things get to me. I started to become passionate about writing my junior year of high school and ever since I have been writing in a notebook in cursive handwriting and typing on Microsoft Word. I just recently created a blog so I could share my writings with the world and hopefully one day make a career out of writing. Everything doesn't run on hopes and dreams so I've got to make a buck somehow and I figure what better way than to do something I love. I want to explore all aspects of the wonderful world of writing by being a freelance writer, a professional/traveling blogger and anyway else I can write about what I love. I know that is a broad spectrum, but why only get a taste of something when you can have the whole thing. My backup plan, if my writing doesn't take off, is to become a medical coder, although if that does happen I will still write for pure enjoyment as I do now. When I am not writing I hunt, fish, crochet, craft, shop, daydream, and listen to music. I listen mostly to my favorite singer Kenny Chesney, but I also mix it up a little with music by Meghan Trainor and even a little bit of Ed Sheeran. I religiously watch Friends, NCIS, and Blue Mountain State. My heart has belonged to one guy since I have been fourteen and I wouldn't trade him for anything, even though his snoring is loud enough to be heard across the world. I have been in love with the ocean before I had ever seen it in real life, which has only been one time. I hope to one day move closer to the coast so the storm in my soul can be calmed by the gentle waves of the Atlantic. The name of my blog was concocted up by my love for the ocean. I love writing descriptive pieces because it is a very therapeutic way to express myself and is my strong point in writing. I am a free spirit who loves with all of my heart, laughs with all of my might and feels with every fiber of my being.

My dream, your opportunity.

Dear Outer Banks Real Estate Companies,

Hi there my name is Anna Balentine, it's nice to meet you. Let me tell you why I am writing this post to you. My ultimate goal in life is to become a traveling blogger. I have only been to Outer Banks one time back in 2007, and I'm coming back this May, and once was enough to get me hooked on ocean life forever. From my stand point as a customer there aren't very many informational blogs about your island life. Sure there are the personal blogs that give us every little detail about the person's, "absolutely wonderful much needed vacation to the beach," but what about one that tells us every waking detail about your wonderful oasis? I mean as a customer I want to know what is the best restaurant in each of your wonderful towns. Or where the best nautical novelty stores are, so I can obtain a treasure that will never let me forget my time spent on your islands. Yes I can research and read reviews all day long, but wouldn't it be easier if all the information I needed to know about Outer Banks was all in one easy to read, professional place, like say a blog perhaps? Well that's where I come into play. As your personal traveling blogger I can give all your customers, potential and reoccurring, the insight that they need in order to enjoy the Outer Banks to its full potential.  Blogs are a very successful way of doing just that and nowadays blogs are one of the most used sources for people to reference to get specifics on a product or service they're interested in. I know just how wonderful Outer Banks really is, so help me help you share it with the rest of the world. I would love to do business with you and I hope you feel the same about me. If so please contact me by a reply on my post. I hope we can work together!

Sincerely,

Anna Balentine

How to Follow Your Dreams for the Responsible Person

 

There are always so many articles. blogs. quizzes, celebrities and etc. that tell you life is too short, you need to take risks, follow your dreams and don't look back. After listening or reading that life changing advice, a rush of certainty and confidence courses its way through your veins, giving you that little push over the edge that you needed to take off and soar.  So the next day you wake up, put on your button up shirt, that rips off easily, so that when you walk into your bosses office and scream, "I quit! Peace!" the buttons don't pop off, because hey, you just quit your job, you're going to need that shirt. To many people this is an endearing, distant thought that will never cross their mind, let alone actually come into reality for them. Then there are those few rarities that come into our world enriching it with empowerment, determination, and an attitude that'll stick it to the man and say, "take this job and shove it!" And beyond the conformants and the rebels there lies a group of people that are right smack dab in the middle. The people that have the burning aspiration to stand up to their boss, but also has that little voice in their head that reminds them, "you have bills, a family, a great credit score, and you have to be able to afford your morning mocha splash caramel latte with extra foam and whip."  To those people, don't feel that you are alone, I'm actually one of you. I know what it’s like to have the discouragement, the feeling of being underappreciated, and knowing deep down that you're better than the label on your work badge. The conformants and rebels are both admirable types of people to be, but if you're like me you are the best of both worlds. You have the passion and the fire of the rebels but you have the strong head on your shoulders that the conformant has. You are a hybrid, flaunt it. The best way to appease both the rebel and conformant inside is to use the job you tolerate to lead you to the career you aspire to obtain. Work hard and save the money you need to fuel the job that you love.  This isn't going to be easy, who said life ever was? This is something you are going to have to work at every single day, if it's what you want. Be determined, keep dreaming, and let nothing in your way. Be smart about your strategic career choices, but also remember when enough is enough. Finally keep in mind when it is your most opportune time to take flight and soar and don't let it pass you by, you've worked too hard.

Her Oasis

She strode along the damp sand letting the salt drenched air wisp through her sun kissed curls. Gazing at the waves gliding along the shore, she painfully reminisced on her past year. Alongside the man she has loved for years, she knew he wouldn't be able to decipher the salt water from the tears that streaked down her summer stung cheeks. The hurricane that raged through her veins, paired with a storm that reeked havoc on her soul, were finally calmed by the Atlantic. The feeling of being at ease was something she had long forgot. This long sought after moment was something she would treasure forever. Not even the despair she had felt could erase this from her memory. She knew in her heart that salt life was for her, even though this trip was temporary, she knew she would come back to forever reside in the only place that she could feel at peace. Letting her toes tickle the sand she watched as the sun began to slip slowly into the Atlantic, changing the blue skies to a mix of crimson, violet, and peach hues. The palms swayed in the ocean breeze making their leaves create a rhythmic motion welcoming the moon into the sky. The bright colors slowly faded as a midnight sky took over. Unlike the small town she grew up in, the dark of night didn't damper the island spirit, it kept it fueled. Even nautical creatures still scurried among the sand that was now iridescent with the previously welcomed moonlight. She soaked in one more picture perfect moment, wishing that she could forever stay in that moment.   

The Islands

If only life everywhere were as simple as it is on the islands. From the Florida Keys to the Cayman Islands to Outer Banks North Carolina there is just a simpler way of life lived. Stress and worry are thrown to the wind while happiness and simplicity takes their place. Day to day responsibilities are still present, but they are delightfully masked by the salt in the air. So many people in this world wish they could staycation to the ocean kissed white beaches of the world, but alas comfortabilty and conformation sink their claws into the salt life dreamer; dampering any thoughts or aspirations of life at the beach. Why does society say that if you were born on the land you can only enjoy the coast and all of its tropical riches once or twice a year? And why do you have to wait until you retire to reside at a beachside location. No matter where you're from if saltwater runs through your veins, as it does mine, take your soul where it feels most at peace. To myself and all my other salt life lovers, don't let your dreams of becoming a permanent beach bum slip through your fingers.