A week of firsts and twenty-firsts.

Not much has happened in the past week or so, but here are some choice firsts that are worth sharing. For the most part, all of these firsts involve fun with my friends and my newly-acquired ability to purchase and drink alcohol in the United States, since I finally turned twenty-one about a month ago.

1) Chicken Enchiladas & Margaritas at Los Loros
As the recent reviewers state, "If you need a strong drink in a laid-back atmosphere, Los Loros is a top place to go... The food is cheap and who can complain about $2.50 margaritas (m-w) that knock you off your feet." That was exactly the experience I had... and I think it'll suffice to say that a margarita is not (and never will be) my alcoholic beverage of choice.

Usher at Emory!

2) Usher & Usher's New Look!
Usher, the media mogul and entertainer that Atlanta has claimed as its own talent (even though he's originally from Dallas and grew up in Chattanooga), made a guest appearance on Emory's campus last week. He was here on the behalf of his camp, New Look, which is one of dozens of camps and conferences being held on Emory's campus for part of this summer. Usher's New Look is essentially a non-profit, charity campaign that aids youth and teaches them to harness their talents in sports and entertainment so they can change their community in a socially- and financially-beneficial way. Last year, the camp participants learned about the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and launched a fragrance with the help of experts in the industry. Interestingly enough, it's the alcohol content in cologne that actually makes it so refreshing on your skin.

The Moe's & Joe's Logo

3) Bar-hopping in the Virginia Highlands
After devouring two delicious chocolate-frosted marshmallow brownies (click on the link for the recipe!), my friends and I headed out to the Virginia Highlands this past Tuesday night, to celebrate a close friend's twenty-first birthday. On Tuesdays, Moe's and Joe's serves up $3.25 pitchers of PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) beer, and, like the rest of the twenty-somethings there, we joined in the debauchery and bought a pitcher to share amongst our group of five. Afterwards, we escaped the claustrophobic crowds and relaxed at a more quiet table at Fontaine's across the street.

Not surprisingly, we ran into a lot of current Emory students and recent alums at Moe's and Joe's; but, out of sheer and more unexpected coincidence, we also met a girl who works in the genetics department at Emory, in a lab right next door to one of my friends. We ended up conversing about research and medicine and professional aspirations - funny how all of that catches up to you, whether you're sitting in class on a college campus or at celebrating over drinks at a local bar. Sometimes, even alcohol can't succeed in helping you escape the sobering realities of life after college.