Life lessons and loves

By Andrea Honaker

I love going away for the weekend to visit friends and family. But as much as I enjoy these getaways, sometimes it’s even better when my loved ones come to me instead. Of course, it’s great getting out of town from time to time and seeing new places, but it can be refreshing to be spared of that travel time as well.

One of my favorite things about having company is getting to play hostess. I always like making breakfast breads, muffins and desserts in advance and planning out at least one nice dinner at home. Of course, I also have to clean the house, which is probably my least favorite thing in the world to do, but I get it done so I can move on to the good stuff.

Each person who comes to visit has different interests and tastes, and I like figuring out the perfect activities to do with him or her. I am all about lists, so I always make it a point to type up some options for attractions and dining, along with details on location, cost and hours. I figure this way I won’t have to scramble to find this information later.

When my mom comes to visit, we like to see independent films, go to museums or attend Broadway shows. My dad is a lover of the outdoors, so we often visit parks, hike or go geocaching. My sister and I usually shop at unique local boutiques and rock out at concerts. And luckily, the Charlotte area is so large and diverse that there is something fun available for everyone as long as you know where to look. It’s a city that I am proud to live in, and I like getting to show it off.

Having guests also allows me to be a tourist in my hometown, which I enjoy immensely. Even though I’ve lived in Charlotte for three years now, there are still a great many places and attractions that I haven’t hit up yet. Weekend visitors give me the perfect opportunity to check these unknowns out … with friendly faces by my side rather than having to go alone. And then we all get to try something new, including me.

My friends Chris and Kayla are coming to Charlotte this week, and my sister will be here at the end of October, and I am really looking forward to having them. Who knows what we will end up getting into, but I do know that I will be prepared and ready to show them a good time.

By Andrea Honaker

Last weekend, I got back in the saddle again, literally. My friend Emma came to visit for a few days, and we decided to go horseback riding. Emma had suggested this activity a few weeks prior, and I thought it would be something fun and different to do.

So, I did some research online, decided on Horseplay of Gastonia, and made an appointment for a trail ride.

It had been more than 10 years since I rode a horse. I took riding lessons at a horse barn near my house during my seventh-grade year, but I got into other things and discontinued them. After that, I went for a few trail rides with Girl Scouts and other groups, but that was the extent of my riding.

Savannah and I pose for a picture after our afternoon ride.

I was a little apprehensive when we arrived at Horseplay, but my worries soon faded. Our trail guide, Laura, was so nice, and she eased our fears, gave us great instructions and answered all our questions. Emma was paired with a horse named Gayla, I rode Savannah, and Laura led us on her horse. A big dog named Chance and a little dachshund named Hardee even accompanied us on our journey.

We rode on a trail in the woods for a little more than an hour, and it was such a calming and enjoyable experience. It was wonderful to be out in nature on such a beautiful creature. Savannah liked to keep her own pace, and that meant we stayed about 50 feet behind Emma and Laura on their horses. But, that was just fine with me. After all, what was the rush?

There were a few unexpected moment during the ride, however. Savannah and I were far behind the others approaching a hill when Savannah decided she wanted to catch up and took off at a run. It was a big surprise, but a fun one at least. And another time, I didn’t steer us away from a pine bush and ended up going pretty much straight through it. I had quite a few pine needles to brush off of both me and the horse upon our exit.

I loved getting to do an out-of-the-ordinary activity like this on my day off, and I know Emma did too, as she exclaimed “I loved that!” at the end of our ride. A lot of times, I just end up doing the same stuff over and over, and I was proud of myself for getting out of my routine and into something more exciting.

So, what’s in store for me next? I’m thinking ziplining.

For more information on Horseplay of Gastonia, visit www.horseplaygastonia.com.

By Andrea Honaker

In one of my columns this summer, I wrote about being reminded of life’s many blessings. I asked readers to tell me about their blessings wake-up calls, and here are a couple of inspiring responses I received. Thanks for sharing, Kenneth and Heather! You said it beautifully.

Kenneth J. Ward
“Yes, I’ve had many wake-up calls. My wife and I have seven children. And trust there is not a day that goes by that I don’t have a wake-up call. We have so many struggles trying to take care of our children, but God always provides for us. When I even think about complaining, God always puts someone in my path to make me take a look back and remember all the wonderful things he has done for me and my family, and that’s when I begin to give him praise. We currently are in need of a home, and I know God is going to work it out. Keep my family in your prayers and know that love conquers all.”

Heather Hobson
“It’s always nice to have a life lesson self-check. I catch myself being unappreciative, then suddenly I see some person, child or adult going without. I then pray to God with all my soul as to how thankful I am for everything down from my toes to up to my eye lashes. Life is good, especially when strengthening our integrity.”

By Andrea Honaker

I recently wrote about how excited I was to get a ticket to President Obama’s acceptance speech during the Democratic National Convention on Sept. 6. But the day before the event, I found out that I wouldn’t be able to go after all. To say I was disappointed would be the understatement of the decade.

On the morning of Sept. 5, DNC officials made the decision to change the venue of the speech from Bank of America Stadium (which could seat more than 74,000 people) to Time Warner Cable Arena (which holds 20,000) because of predicted severe weather. And later that day, I got the fated email that said, “your credential will no longer get you into the event.”

I waited in line for four hours to get my community credential; my friend Emma volunteered nine hours in her home state of South Carolina to get her ticket; and we had made plans for her to come visit and attend the event together. We were geared up and ready to go. Emma had packed her new T-shirt and buttons, and I had made a festive headband for the occasion and snagged a few buttons of my own. But the two of us, along with thousands of others, ended up getting knocked out of this experience.

Emma still came to Charlotte, and we made the most of the situation and had a good time, nevertheless. We spent the day in uptown Charlotte so we could see what was going on and be a part of the madness. We went to the American Presidential Experience exhibit, shopped for DNC merchandise, got dinner at Carolina Ale House, saw a segment filmed with the Rev. Al Sharpton and journalist Chris Matthews at MSNBC’s temporary set, and attended a watch party at the Charlotte Convention Center for a while.

But, it was agonizing at times watching the event on TV and knowing that we would have been there if the circumstances had been different. I know that officials were just playing it safe and that weather conditions can’t be helped. I just think they should have had a back-up plan that didn’t involve letting down so many people. People had traveled from all around the country to go to the speech and then got denied access. And then it wasn’t even raining by the time it started.

I hope that I get the chance to experience something like this at another time in my life.

(Photo by Andrea Honaker) The WVU marching band performs the pregame show before the WVU vs. Marshall football game on Sept. 1 in Morgantown, W.Va.

By Andrea Honaker

College football season is officially here, and I kicked it off right by attending a game on Saturday.

I would classify myself as a one-team football fan. I don’t really keep up with the other college teams out there, but when it comes to my alma mater, West Virginia University, I am all about it.

And this past weekend, I attended my first Mountaineer home game since moving to Charlotte three years ago. I wanted to go to a game sooner, but it just hadn’t worked out until now. All the stars finally aligned: My husband and I both got the day off work, his parents scored us tickets to the WVU vs. Marshall University game, and the four of us took a day trip to Morgantown, W.Va, to cheer on our team.

The in-state rivalry game is always a fun one to attend … well, more fun for WVU than Marshall. This marked the 12th year the two schools had matched up for the “Friends of Coal Bowl,” and the 12th win for WVU. And with the Mountaineers moving on to bigger and better things in the Big 12 this year, Saturday’s game was probably the last time the two will meet for the foreseeable future.

It was so great to be back at Mountaineer Field and relive the splendor of WVU game day. The marching band’s pregame and half-time shows were amazing, as usual; the cheers and chants were just as fun as the last time I was there; and the atmosphere of excitement and anticipation in the stands was just how I remembered it. And seeing those blue-and-gold football jerseys fly across the field in person was so much better than watching them on TV.

The Mountaineers started out the season on fire with a 69-34 victory, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the season. Let’s go, Mountaineers!

What’s your favorite thing about college football season, and what teams are you cheering on? Let me know! Click on the “post a comment” link below or email me at ahonaker@gastongazette.com.

By Andrea Honaker

My alma mater, West Virginia University, recently made national headlines. But this time, it wasn’t for a major sports win or an academic achievement; it was for something far less prestigious and far more notorious … partying.

WVU has been rated the nation’s No. 1 party school in the Princeton Review’s 2013 college rankings book. According to the Associated Press, the university also took the top spot in 1997 and 2007, and it has made the top 20 a total of 12 times since the rankings started 21 years ago.

(Photo by Justin Legge) WVU football fans fill Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, W.Va., during a 2010 game.

My beloved school has built up quite the reputation over the years, and the recent news that WVU was back at No. 1 didn’t really surprise me. After all, I witnessed and participated in my share of partying as a student there.

Morgantown, W.Va., is a great city with a beautiful college campus boasting top-notch facilities and standout degree programs. But it also has no shortage of bars and clubs, many just a short walk from the dorms and off-campus housing. Not in the mood to hit up the club? You can pretty much guarantee some students are having a house party nearby, maybe even next door.

Tailgating for Mountaineer football games is a whole other level of partying, and the atmosphere of game day is unparalleled. You’ll find loyal fans up at the crack of dawn preparing for the game, and still celebrating or drowning sorrows into the wee hours of the night. And after monumental sports victories (at home or away), students have even been known to take to the streets and set some ratty couches on fire.

But as far as I’m concerned, the Princeton Review’s list is all relative. Sure, WVU students know how to party. But, how is that any different from any other university with 30,000 students? After all, there’s going to be hard-core drinking and partying at pretty much any college campus out there.

But, it’s all about setting priorities. Students learn when it’s time to hit the books, and when it’s time to have fun. And if they don’t study or behave responsibly, they don’t get to continue being a Mountaineer. Simple as that.

So when it comes to academics, most Mountaineers know how to get down to business. But, they sure know how to have fun too.

By Andrea Honaker

On Saturday, I woke up early to see if I could snag a ticket to see the president speak in Charlotte. I waited more than four hours, and in the end, I walked away with my shiny ticket to the Democratic National Convention event at Bank of America Stadium.

A few weeks earlier, I had signed up online to get more information on attending the event. And last Thursday, I got a call from a campaign worker telling me where and when I could get my community credential for President Barack Obama’s speech on Sept. 6. It wasn’t much notice, but nevertheless, I dragged myself out of bed and arrived at 1560 West Boulevard in Charlotte around 7:15 a.m.

Camp chair in hand, I walked toward a small group of people gathered by the door. But as I got closer, I saw that the line actually stretched down the length of the building, around the corner and more than halfway down the other side. Thank goodness I didn’t get there any later!

I took my place and settled into my chair, and I spent the next four hours reading my book, texting and playing scrabble on my phone, taking in some sunshine and chatting with my new friends. Luckily, I came prepared with water, snacks, sunscreen and a hat.

Campaign workers made their rounds periodically to give out information and doughnuts and to get everybody rallied with cheers. The office finally opened at 10 a.m., and by 11:30 I had made my way to the front of the line and secured my ticket. By the time I left, the line went all the way around the building, through the parking lot and up the street about a half mile. Hopefully, those people got tickets too.

I thought I’d get irritated waiting so long, but it wasn’t bad at all, and the time went by fast. Besides one woman who got booted for skipping line, everyone I encountered was polite, respectful and pleasant. And it was neat to be among so many people of shared beliefs.

I’m excited to be able to witness this historical event first-hand, and to get to share the experience with my best friend Emma, who is coming to visit me for the occasion. I don’t know if I’ll ever have the opportunity to be a part of something like this again, and I’m glad I jumped at the chance.

For live updates from the Sept. 6 event, follow me on twitter at @andi384.

By Andrea Honaker

 Over the past 16-plus years, my sister Jessica and I have shared a great many things with Sharon and Jillian. It all began when the four of us met during band camp in seventh grade, and we’ve been close friends ever since.

We all played clarinet and shared classes at good ol’ South Charleston Junior High; rocked out huge, curled bangs; slumber-partied; and confided in each other on crushes, heartaches, and hopes and dreams for the future. Although Jessica, Jillian and I went on to a different high school and college than Sharon, we always kept in touch and visited often.

And after college, we all tied the knot and were there for each other every step of the way … with Jillian taking the plunge first in 2006, Sharon and me just a month apart in 2008, and Jessica in 2009. And last year, I saw Sharon and Jillian become mothers to handsome baby boys. We’re all scattered across the country now, but when we catch up on the phone or meet up in person, it’s like no time has passed and we’re right where we left off.

With all the things we’ve done together in our lives, last week marked the first time the four of us and the hubbies and kids had vacationed together. We shared a condo in North Myrtle Beach, and what resulted was a week of relaxation and fun with friends. We spent our days lounging on the beach and catching waves. Our evenings consisted of eating home-cooked meals in or dining out, shopping, watching the Olympics, playing board games, and laughing till our sides hurt.

It was a perfect week filled with the best of people, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing about it … except maybe to make the trip longer. I think this might need to become a new tradition.

Sometimes you make a new friend, and it feels like you’ve known each other for years. And then, if you’re really lucky like me, you meet and connect with a few friends early enough that you get to experience all of life’s biggest moments with them. These are your forever friends.

I know that long-lasting friendships like these are rare, and I plan to hold on tight.

By Andrea Honaker

I normally don’t pay much attention to the Olympics. It’s not that I don’t like it and I definitely don’t have anything against it, but I usually just end up overlooking the games in the shuffle of daily life. This year has been different, though.

When I was on vacation last week, I managed to watch quite a bit of the Summer Olympics, and I have rediscovered its splendor. When I wasn’t at the beach or doing another activity, the TV in the condo was pretty much always tuned in to the Olympics. So during mealtime, game time, hang out time, or just when I was killing some time, I was taking in some intense world sports action.

I forgot how much fun it is to watch the competitions and cheer on the United States. The athletes are so amazing to watch. Such talent, promise and pride. They make the impossible seem possible.

I saw a lot of swimming and gymnastics last week, but I also caught a little soccer, volleyball and basketball. There’s still a few more days left, and hopefully I can watch some other sports as well.

By Andrea Honaker

It seems I have been missing out on a lot of great television shows. Nominations for the 64th Emmy Awards were recently released, and apparently I haven’t been watching any of the big contenders. Shame on me! I’d say it’s time I remedied this.

Drama “Mad Men” is up for 17 categories, drama “Downton Abbey” for 16, and comedy “Modern Family” for 14. I have heard great things from family and friends about these three shows, and these numerous nominations have just further reinforced their claims.

And take a look at the powerful nominees for Outstanding Drama Series: “Boardwalk Empire,” “Breaking Bad,” “Downton Abbey,” “Mad Men,” “Homeland” and “Game of Thrones.” Most of these programs are ones that I thought looked great from the advertisements, but I never remembered to set my DVR and they passed me by. Sigh.

The same goes for the Outstanding Comedy Series candidates: “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Girls,” “30 Rock,” “Veep,” “Modern Family” and “The Big Bang Theory.” I don’t know how I managed to never watch HBO’s “Girls,” which was inspired by “Sex and the City.” “Sex and the City” was one of my favorite shows ever, for pity’s sake!

Three nominated programs I actually did watch were the “Hatfields & McCoys” miniseries, which was phenomenal and has 16 nods; “New Girl,” which got acting nominations for Zooey Deschanel and Max Greenfield as well as three other nominations; and “Project Runway,” which is up for Outstanding Reality/Competition Program and three other categories.

I am especially disappointed that my favorite current dramas, “True Blood” and “Once Upon a Time,” aren’t contenders in any categories. The other shows that I watch and love (“Glee,” “Fringe” and “Vampire Diaries”) aren’t in the running either, but I can’t say I really expected them to be.

I’ll be getting into “Game of Thrones” soon when I borrow the first season on DVD from my family, but I think I may need to pick up another show or two as well. Of course, I don’t have time to watch all these gems, but it’s definitely time I expanded my TV watch list.

Watch the Emmys on Sept. 23 on ABC.