TENNESSEE VALLEY FAIR | 2016

This year was my very first year going to the Tennessee Valley Fair and I have to say it was so much fun! I haven't been to a fair since I was maybe 16, so I was definitely due for a trip to a fair. The Tennessee Valley Fair was in Knoxville, only about a 30 minute drive from my house. My mom and I left straight after I got off of work, and since we went on the opening day, we were able to get in for only $1. When we arrived, we pet and took pictures with all the cows, geese, bunnies, and sheep. It was so hot my mom and I got cups of free iced water that we drank in the shade and then we both shared a box of popcorn. After riding many rides, one of which I almost passed out on it went so fast, we sat down by the lake to pet and feed the ducks. One even hopped into my lap! They were the cutest things. Afterwards, we rode more rides and then later that night we went out to eat as the fair food was a little pricey and had not many vegan options. The day was long, yet fun, and I will be looking forward to going again next year! Check out the vlog on my YouTube channel to see the day in action!

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | KNOXVILLE

A few times on my blog, I have mentioned that once I am finished with community college, I am planning on finishing my schooling at the University of Tennessee Knoxville's large animal vet program. Whether I will be accepted or not, I have no idea. But it has been a dream of mine for many many years. It would be a very smart idea to have a back up plan if UTK doesn't work out, but it's hard because it's the only place I want to go, or even imagining myself going. 

I have been to the campus many times and two Sunday's ago when we drove back to East Tennessee to drop off Kuyuki at hers and our mom's new home, we thought it'd be nice to visit the campus again. My father, as well as many other family members of mine, attended the University of Tennessee, and since my dad has not been in Knoxville in over 20 years, we figured it'd be nice to stop by so he could see the campus and see where he used to live and all its updated surroundings. He took a trip down memory lane and showed us the buildings in which he took classes, the flight of stairs he fell down one winter because of the snow, and the Krystal he spent many midnights at. 

Hearing all these stories and what an amazing 10 years he had while studying there makes me want to go to this school even more. And though I have visited the campus many times, I have never seen the animal science buildings and veterinary hospital, so we went there last and it made me so happy, especially to think that I could possibly be spending a lot of time in these buildings if I make it in. Fingers crossed!

EVENING IN KNOXVILLE

Back with another post from Tennessee! I love it here so much! It's so nice to get out of California to visit my home state and all my family and places to see out here. Earlier this month, my mother, sisters, and I had an evening out in one of my favorite cities in Tennessee: Knoxville.

The day went like this: woke up, watched the Forks Over Knives documentary, went downstairs and ate oatmeal with my grandma while watching Judge Judy and the Divorce Court (her faves), went back upstairs after a while and watched Earthlings online while eating a bag of banana chips, went outside to watch my sisters swim and to get some vitamin D from the sun while eating a bowl of cherries, went back inside and watched Reba with my grandmother, then when my mother and sisters were ready, we went to Knoxville.

First stop was to eat an early dinner at Ruby Tuesday. There, I got the veggie trio, in which you order three sides. I got a plain baked potato, grilled zucchini without butter, and roasted spaghetti squash. I tried some of my sisters' sweet potato fries and I must say that they are the best I have ever had in my life! None of us have ever been there before, except for our mother, and we were all very pleased. Also, when you get the veggie trio, the salad bar comes with it, which I did not know until right before we left! So our waitress took off half the price of my meal, something she said she doesn't normally do because it isn't really allowed, so I am thankful for that. 

One of my most favorite things to do in Knoxville is to visit the University of Tennessee, where I hope to one day attend! Ayer's Hall is my favorite part to look at of the whole school. I just think it's so beautiful. Also, I spotted some vegan friendly restaurants and a WholeFoods near the campus, so that's a plus!

After visiting UT, we went to the West Town Mall. We went to the mall so my sister Kuyuki can pick out school clothes since she is moving to Tennessee with our mother. The dress code is more strict here and the clothes she has now won't be allowed, so that had to be fixed. After walking around the mall for a few hours, and drinking massive amounts of Teavana's sample teas across from Victoria's Secret, we were ready to head back to Louisville after a long day.

I'm pretty sad that we have less than two weeks here in Tennessee. Two weeks sounds like a long time, but I know it'll definitely go by quick! For now, I have a strong fruit craving, so after I go take care of that I am ready to go to bed because it is past midnight here! Good night.