Virginia is NOT for lovers.

You know, I always have known that Virginia is not my favorite state. It hasn't been until the recent weeks though, that I've been able to pinpoint what exactly I hate about this state. Before I go into a laundry list of such things, perhaps I should add a disclaimer here that yes, I still am living in this state and will be for quite a while. Thus, people tell me that I need to get over these items but really, why must they make it so darn hard!?

Top Ten Items why Ashley hates Virginia: (in no particular order, just what comes to mind first)

1. DMV. Those three letters give me hives. I have been through the ringer attempting to title and register my car in VA. Not only do I now have to put up with safety inspections but they expect us to get emission inspections for the Northern VA area as well. And of course my car has a crack in the windshield which means that I also have to schedule a replacement repair. Which leads me to freak out because I do not know or trust any repair shops in that area. Whew, glad to get that off of my chest.

The difficult thing about moving around when you are younger such as myself is that you change locations almost once a year. To think that I've graduated into the real world only to still have to pack up and move to a different apartment every year makes me shake my head in disgust. Yes, I have a roommate for the current year but what if she doesn't want to live in the same apartment with me next year? That means I have to memorize and change my address in all of my things yet once again. Gross.

2. Allergies. I actually blame my mother for this one. And God. When he was creating our bodies, do you think he took the time to contemplate whether or not we should discover our many allergies before we turn 24 and our bodies are adjusted mainly? Nope, nada. I mean I'm sure he thought about it and then chuckled thinking about how angry people such as myself would get when they discovered that they are really allergic to everything under the sun at the age of 23. Gee thanks. At least in my opinion, God has quite the sense of sarcastic humor, thus, this all makes sense. If you don't agree, just feel bad for my eyes/nose/throat/sinuses/pretty much everything above my neckline. And these allergies don't stop after two weeks of breakout. I thought I was done fighting them, but no, I'm discovering that when the seasons change, I have 20 new things to sneeze about. Hooray.

3. The hills. Most people who live in flatlands read this and think to themselves, "this girl's gone off her rocker." But hear me out. Hills are the devil when you are attempting to bike or walk up one. A simple procedure such as parking your car can even become quite the dilemma as many cars are not made with the acceleration and stamina to last a mini mountain. Thus, hills are not to be trusted, especially with the AC on.

4. Speaking of AC, let me tell you why the air here is awful. Humidity. Need I say anymore? Those of you who have visited or lived in Virginia are reading this and thinking, "Preach it sista, Amen!" Those of you who haven't, well, you think you have it bad with your 115 degree weather. While I am not trying to imply that you have nothing to complain about, I'm just asking you to walk in my sweaty shoes for 10 minutes and see what this whole humidity factor is. Your hair sure won't thank you but your skin might!

5. Okay okay, I really can't think of other items to complain about. I have a house, money, job, friends, and a closet of shoes that any girl would be proud of. God loves me, caramel popcorn is sitting on my desk, and all of my laundry is clean. Yet some days just make me want to scream in frustration. Combine that frustration with the fact that we are currently in week five of Becker Review and on my most dreaded topic of taxation and it will quickly become obvious why this post was needed.

I do want to add a quick shout out to Pam, who told me last night on Facebook that she is starting her accounting grad program this fall. Many bunches of good luck to you this upcoming year. As much as I may complain, it has been one of the most enjoyed years I have experienced! For those of you who read this and are considering going back to school, no matter what age you may be, I recommend it highly.

As promised with my last post, I am including my current Netflix watch: this week I am still watching Wings but a few other movies caught my eye. Daddy Long Legs and The Pajama Game went into my queue as I was craving some classic movies with Audrey Hepburn. Thus, my instant queue looks like something straight out of the 50s.

Bon Voyage for the day!

Ash