I'm never really sure where to start as far as writing my first post for a blog, so here goes!

I'm Julie. I'm currently 20, and I'll be turning 21 in May, which is... interesting and mind-boggling, for a lack of better words. I'm shy, but I undoubtably wear my heart on my sleeve. I find a lot of humor in almost anything, and I'm entirely easily amused, especially by my own short comings and when people take themselves way too seriously. I am blessed to have a wonderful family and extended family, an abundance of friends, and my wonderful boyfriend of two years, whom I will be marrying in the summer of 2011.
Most say I'm laid back, silly, sweet and in my own skin. More than likely, I would beg to differ (they're being too kind), but I strive to be myself through and through, and treat others kindly and lovingly. I love reading and writing, and I'm praying that I'll eventually become a freelance journalist, and one day work for a music magazine or website (ideally Paste Magazine or Pitchfork) or a radio broadcast station (something along the lines of This American Life or NPR). I also hope to write a book or two, mostly on my family and the history of my family.
I love music - whether it is listening, writing, playing, etc. I play in a band my with my boyfriend and good friends; we're called The Diadem. I sing either backing vocals and on occasion leading vocals. I also play the tambourine, and eventually will be bumping up to the banjo and whatever else comes along. I hate sounding as though I'm gloating, but I love being in a band - it's definitely not for the benefit of attempting to gain an exceeding amount of fans and money - but purely for the joy of playing music and sharing our love of music. It's an amazing opportunity to meet local artists and bands, and it has provided brilliant circumstances of creating new and close friends. If the chance ever may arise, I hope that we would one day be able to tour, even if it may be a coast tour, and I would love to write and document the experience.
I love the American Southern Gothic era, especially literature from that time. I love American Southern culture (although I'm a native Prescottonian, the South is deep within my roots), and I'm hoping to tour through the Bible Belt within the next year or two!
I lead a very simple life, nothing more, nothing less. I enjoy sweet company of others; odd, quirky, friendly company at best. I'm fascinated with others' stories, experiences and dreams. I'm more prone to listening rather than talking. I enjoy reading in the grass, walking along the corn fields in the sweltering summer in Gilbert (South-East of Phoenix), playing with my hilarious dogs, spending time with my entire family, cooking, taking road trips, spending a lot of time with my boyfriend/best friend, antiquing, collecting vinyl, playing music with my friends, having those amazing belly-ache laughs, talking about everything and nothing with a good friend over a cup of coffee, and completely loving the life I have graciously and undeservingly been given.
I'm not quite sure what to fill these next posts with, but I am more than excited to write about whatever may come about!