Carpe Diem..de Food.

As this semester comes to a close, I realize that only 3 semesters stand in between me and graduation - a good and bad thing. Bad, because, really, 3 semesters isn't much. Good because 3 semesters still leaves time to accomplish all that I want before I leave Athens. Of the many things that one could do during their college adventure here, one remains to be the popular choice thanks to local venders and pure demographics. Athens is known for its food culture, and still stands to be a popular and unique town for foodies alike to pay an homage to the genius of taste. I, like many students, have pledged to the goal of attempting to eat at every unique eatery in Athens. So far, I've done a measly job at it. I have ventured and stepped outside of my boring borders of the common - Chick-fil-A, Choo Choos and Jimmy Johns - and haven't found the time to keep doing so. What happens is that we tend to find a place we like, and stick to it. Even though this method is easy, it quickly dissolves you in a cycle of go and return. I have tried new and unique eateries, but these restaurants and cafes tend to be the "popular" places that most students flock to - Marti's, Big City Cafe, Transmet, Pauley's and much more. I'm looking to dig deep, to find those secret places with a food parade. I was recently on the Athens UrbanSpoon website, when this realization hit me. I have wasted time and taste on places that I have acclimated to, and haven't taken the initiative to discover a true Athens gem. Seriously, they're out there, waiting for me to devour it. I'm ready to break the cycle, get out of the norm, and CHOW DOWN!

my next stop: the local jam

IT'S ALMOST HERE!

Less than literally 24 hours away, the wedding of our generation will finally commence! After about six months of waiting, we finally get to watch our beloved Prince William tie the knot to our newest obsession, Kate Middleton. No longer will we have to wait in agony to see how their relationship will turn out - we now have confidence in our newest Princess that she will perform her duties with grace and dignities and will represent the British Royal Family very well. We can only hope that these two carry out a lifetime of love and cherish their moments together, and prove that a strong marriage can exist in this family.

One of the biggest speculations about the wedding is obviously THE DRESS. The world was in awe when Diana stepped out of the carriage - her iconic dress revealed glamour and grace, and that 25 foot train! So how will Kate's dress turn out - and how will it compare? I do not think that Kate wants to outshine Diana by going for an even more extravagant dress, but I do believe that Kate will wear something that will flatter her the best, and will quite possibly be one of the most iconic dresses she will be photographed in. Kate has an excellent body, and she has every reason to flaunt it. Of course, she must follow royal protocol and the holy rules of Westminister Abbey. Nothing should be bare, and shoulders MUST be covered. Kate will most likely follow a conservative route, yet at the same time will express a modern twist with a hint of flatter. I think the gown will be form fitting, maybe quite possibly have a bit of a princess ball gown style. Sleeves will definitely be present and I think in homage to Diana's infamous Elvis collar jacket, Kate will also style that same cut collar on her dress. There has been much speculation as to whether Kate will wear a jacket or not (a potential/suspicious designer has hinted at this) and I believe that with or without, the jacket would look very stylish on her. As for something old, Kate will most likely borrow some lace like Diana did to complement the traditional aspect of her dress. For the train, I don't think that it will be dragging miles behind her. I think she may go for a bit of drama and make it long, but I see it being at 10 feet or so. Lastly, the delicate veil. I think she will go for lace, as this classic look is so fitting for her. Whatever the turnout is, I think that Kate will look absolutely gorgeous and will leave a lasting image on the world forever.

Stay tuned for updates on the wedding - I can't wait to see it! 8 HOURS PEOPLE! :)

Don't Get Too Comfortable Yet Kate

Imagine being in your young 20-something years, maybe even late teens, and having everyone in your country breathing down your neck, including the Queen (which, in earlier centuries, had the potential to cut your head off if you did something remotely wrong). Then imagine knowing that today is your last day as a normal citizen, and that by this time tomorrow, you will be a Princess, a true member of the British Royal Family. I'm not entirely sure what went on Princess Diana's head the day before her

wedding, but I'm sure that as soon as she said her "I do's," she was plummeted into maturity before she had ever expected to. It still amazes me to know that Diana was just my age when she walked down the aisle, even closer to the age I am now when she gave birth to our newest wedding obsession, Prince William. What a life this woman led, only to have it cut by the "sharp knife of a short life."

Before any royal wedding is to commence under the Queen's watchful eye, the budding couple must receive consent and permission from the Queen to do so. If the Queen had known now how her son's marriage to Diana might have played out, she would have probably opted out of even touching the consent form. I'm sure that the Queen took some serious consideration before she signed this one - though I am sure that deep down, she knows that these two have what it makes to keep this marriage strong (10 years people, and just now walking down the aisle?!). Thank goodness that these two not only have the approval of the Queen, but mostly of the public itself. In 1981, people were enamored by the radiance that Diana emitted, and in the years coming, adored her as their Princess. Will Kate have this same welcoming from her country? I don't think that Kate will entirely fill the shoes of her predecessor, but she will take her own form, her new generation feel on her approach to the people who were just recently her fellow citizens and now her followers. Being that Kate has no aristocratic background, she knows what entails a "normal life" and be able to differentiate her place as a royal, and her place as a common citizen just like everyone else. I've read that she will be eased into royal life, as opposed to Diana, who was dropped into the boiling pit of the "royal public eye" as soon as she stepped out of the carriage on her wedding day. This approach will give Kate time to understand the in's and out's of royal duty, and also help her avoid the ever-so-watchful paparazzi. Kate will for sure be a rose among those thorns, and her legacy as a fairy-tale princess is just only beginning.

Only Five Days Left

In the midst of all the craziness dubbed "the wedding of the century," I find peace in this clutter of paparazzo obsession and souvenir influx. The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton has been one that the world has been waiting for, in hopes that this union can bring light to the fragile state of love in the Windsor family. In past years, there has been more divorces seen within this family than most likely seen in the average American family (though this assumption could quite possibly be wrong, seeing that the average divorce rate in America is sadly at 50%). William and Kate, I believe, is going to prove this family curse wrong, because of their long-term commitment and honest display of affection over the past ten years. Now, in this day and age, this royal love story will be one to prove that they represent the new generation of the "average couple" and set a new standard amongst royal families across Europe, especially in the House of Windsor. But in these next five days, the focus will not only be on them, but on the "material aspect" of the wedding - everything from the guest list to the ever important dress, all eyes will be on London, England this upcoming Friday.

I started this blog as a way to pass time until the big day of the royal wedding. Of course just about every channel on TV is doing some sort of coverage on the royal wedding - from predictions of how everything will play out to throwbacks of the infamous wedding of Diana and Charles. I do enjoy watching these TV specials, but in all honesty, they tend to show the same story and interview the same people over and over again. As a budding magazine major and a typical girl obsessed with weddings, I felt that doing this blog would be a great start to furthering my career. And why not start with the wedding of century?! Here, I hope to put my input and take on the royal wedding, and give my opinion on how this wedding compares in the modern age. The royal family has always fascinated me (heck, they inspired to start my riding career!) and the pomp and circumstance is just so regal and beautiful on its own. I absolutely cannot wait to wake up at 4 AM on Friday, April 29, 2011 and turn on my TV to watch something the world rarely gets to see in a century. But until then, tune in to see how I think this show is going down and my predictions about the event itself. TALLY HO!