Becoming "Local"

i had my first true "beach experience" with the east coast beaches this weekend. It was predicted to rain all weekend, but me and a few other of my new friends decided to just pray that it wouldn't rain so that we could enjoy our last weekend of "freedom" before classes and studying take over our lives...and what do you know...God was faithful! (duh.) One of my friends decided he should maybe be a weatherman instead of a lawyer since we prayed for no rain both Friday (so we could go to the pool after our test) AND Saturday and it was beautiful weather,despite strong forecasts saying otherwise, on both days!I assured him that maybe it was simply God revealing his power more than us being really good at proving the current weatherman wrong.

But back to the beach. All of our group met up at dinner Friday night and then went back to my friend James' house- he has a really cool house on the river with a sweet back porch and patio that looks right out onto the water. you KNOW i spent the whole night outside...He even has a floating dock that I spent big chunk of the night sitting on and having some solid heart to hearts with some people...I have decided that there is NOTHING BETTER in life than a good conversation-especially one about God and His nature- accompanied by a good glass of wine while sitting on a dock all around the water. Perfection. But again, BACK TO THE BEACH. The next morning, we all woke up and threw on our bathing suits and after spending way more getting stuff ready than probably necessary for just a day trip, we finally headed (like 6 MILES) to the beach. One of my friends has lived in Va Beach for about 2 years now, so thankfully he knew where the less crowded beaches were in the area so that we could get some good spots on the beach. We stayed all day-I got a NICE little sunburn on my stomach because unlike the rest of my body, my stomach has been hidden from the sun ALL summer (b/c of the one-pieces I got to wear everyday for 3 months) but other than that...a VERY successful day. I can't wait to go back...I have one more weekend of semi-freedom before the study load gets rough, and I am planning on making one more trip-since i am so close now! I definitely got giddy on the walk to the water just thinking about the fact that i LIVE AT THE FREAKING BEACH! As most know, I have always had a passion for the water, but this is the first time I have lived so close to some...and I plan on taking as much advantage as possible of it. Visitors of course are welcome anytime!

lifeguard stands- new to me at the beach!?
(this was from another area of Va. Beach, but same beach)