I don't know where I'm going but I think I'm on my way. Lover of life & all things fabulous :) Georgia College Student. PR & Broadcast Major. ♛ZTA sister. This blog is more personal things, accomplishment, feelings, re-blogs & the likes. I'm working on beginning a more professional blog going since December graduation is around & corner and I'm just beginning my last, college-credit internship (which I want to begin my other blog with).
While Saratoga has been dubbed “The August Place To Be!” & holds the tagline “Health, History & Horses” it means much more to me than that. There’s just something about being in Toga that puts a little extra ‘pep in my step,’ that makes me smile more, breathe deeper & enjoy little moments more than any other place I’ve ever been. Maybe it’s that I love the tradition of vacationing there every year since I was born—it’s engrained in me & luckily, the few years I did miss I was young & hardly remember being upset, now if I miss track season, well I don’t know what I would do…it hasn’t happened in years :) Maybe its the people that I am blessed to be surround by when I visit—the most amazing, sharing, entertaining, fun friends of my father (known as ‘WALLY’ up in Toga.—still confused on that one) who have truly become more like family throughout the years. Perhaps it’s the small town feel, the stunning architecture of the victorian homes, the food, the sights, the track, the concerts, the nightlife, the morning track life, the horses, the crab tortillas from Siro’s (my personal favorite food—maybe ever)…whatever it is, it makes me downright blissful.
Here are a few of my favorite things about Toga & what they mean to me/make me think & feel….
Saratoga Race Course—-My parents tell me that when I was first brought to the track they help me up to the wagering machine and told me to pick a winner (i was a baby—like 5 months), I pointed to a number, dad bet $1 on the horse…and lo and behold, baby Victoria had picked a winner. Unfortunately, since then I’ve made a few dollars..maybe $200 on a bet max, but that’s not why I go to the track. I love that It’s the oldest race track in the US, it’s full of history. Track Highlights: Drinking from the Big Red Spring, sitting on the backstretch & getting an entirely different, way more up close and personal view of the track. The smells of cigars and horses. The screams & beating of racing forms during a race. Hearing MTP announcements. Sam the bugler. The wonderful (& sometimes awful) clothing. The big hats. & so much more!
Houses & Architecture —-Stunning Victorian houses. Beautiful Skidmore College. From the Batcheller Mansion to Union Gables & every place in between—they’re all stunning and each have their own special feel that I adore.
Victoria Pool—-Besides the the fact that we share a name, I love this pool! It’s FREEZING but always a blast to go to. I remember one time I even lost a tooth here!
Yaddo Gardens—-Founded to provide a sanchuary for artists to work without interuption, Yadoo has allowed the birth of many amazing works. While many artists who worked at Yaddo have won numerous awards, a great deal of books written by Yaddo authors became movies! To me it’s a place of serenity, calm & comfort. I love the rose garden—- a gift from the founding husband to his wife. Apparently it “was intended to be a garden of delight and romance*” & most certainly believe it is!
Whitney Polo Fields—-Two things that could sum of my times at polo—-divits & port wine cheese spread.
Saratoga Lake—-Great times out on this lake. it’s not too big, not too small—-perfect for a dip after the track.
SPAC—-What a venue. I’ve seen some SPECTACULAR concerts here…Maroon 5, Kings of Leon & The Whigs, DMB, Jonas Brothers & Demi Lovato & Avril Levigne, Lil’ Wayne & Drake, Black Crows & more.
Mineral Water & Springs—-My personal favorite water…EVER! #1 is the Big Red Spring :)
Roosevelt Spa & Baths—-so relaxing. While the tubs are super deep, every part of your body floats in the mineral water & when you get out you feel so revived, fresh and wonderful.
Broadway—-A girl’s gotta shop & this is a great place—so many great stores.
Caroline Street—-alive and vibrant. Tin & Lint (TNL) — a lot of people like to believe ‘American Pie’ by Don McClean was written here (he refutes). Saratoga City Tavern. 9 Maple Ave. Trotters. & other cool bars and places.
Uncommon Grounds—-sitting on a worn leather couch, drinking an italian soda surrounded by the crisp, fresh robust smell of fresh coffee.
Congress Park—- Spit & Spat in the fountains are a personal must-visit, picture op.
Ben & Jerry’s—-fun swings & yummy, fresh, cold ice cream.
Putnam Market—-best sandwiches!
Hattie’s—-Best Fried Chicken EVER!
Wheatfield’s—-All around awesome food.
Stuarts—-A trip to saratoga is NEVER complete without a Stuarts trip a day—weather it’s to fill up on gas, stock up on snacks, get ice cream or buy Twisted Tea—it’a a daily trip kinda gas station, ha.
There are so many other things and places I adore but I thought I would start with a few and add some another time :]
* http://yaddo.org/yaddo/YaddoGardens.shtml
While my college years are beginning to come to a close ( I’ll be graduating in December), my sisters are officially out of high school for the summer—when they return Lex will be a SENIOR & bop will be a Sophomore (i can’t fathom either one, last time i checked them were 12 & 14, not 15 & 17!!)
i know it’s an unsaid goal, but once we’re all out of the house i want to believe that my parents will move on up to sweet sweet Saratoga Spring and have their own Bed & Breakfast (mom’s dream). This summer we’re moving one step close in that direction——we’re packing up our house to hopefully sell it so we can downside, hopefully get out ‘toga house & a nice cabin in North Georgia!
With that being said, I’ve been sifting through ALL of my belongings, from clothes to trophies & everything in between, weeding out what I want, what i need and what I shall either donate or throw away. Since most of that is done, i decided to finally tackle the various ‘memory boxes’ i have lying around and man, oh man, I never thought I would get so emotional from going through my memory box. Throughout my life in Georgia I have filled the boxes with tangibles—silly notes shared between the dearest of friends, beautiful heartfelt letters from family members, hundreds of ticket stubs and pictures among countless other things— but its the beautiful memories, laughs & joy that it brings me that I am ever grateful for ♥
Keep in mind that I actually don’t save everything (although this may be hard to believe) but I found over 33 braves ticket stubs since 2003, a hilarious survey my late grampy filled out the morning of my high school graduate, pictures I never knew were taken at my Sweet 16 & so so soooooo many other things.
As i sat on the floor in my room, organizing these boxes and consolidating them into one large rubbermaid I couldn’t help but laugh and cry at so many of the things I found. some notes no longer made sense, others seems trivial now but I remember them being so important to be back then. I found things I forgot I had, and was relieved by finding others I thought I misplaced. I also listening to old songs that I found printed lyrics to…no better way to jam out then with some throwbacks!
Looking back on my past through the eyes of my memory box I learned quite a bit. While I have matured 15 years (only the past 9 or so represented in the box) quite a bit about me is the same. A few things being that:
1. Music is still a huge outlet for me—In the boxes I found so many song lyrics printed out, written and drawn out on papers, covering shirts. Tons of dance memories and song names, pictures of me dancing to music and more.
2. I was just as in love with quotes then as I am now…the same ones seem to have followed me & show up in my life.
3. I’m just as determined now to be successful in life as I was in my past only this time I have a more solidified plan.
4. The male population still confuses me, only not half as much! haha
5. I took and still take pamphlets, maps, pictures, stubs….ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING that I do/did in NYC & Saratoga —- not ashamed.
6. That I yearn to travel, love to explore & enjoy remembering amazing trips.
* so many of the things in the box stand for life changing moments, people, goals and things that have brought me to where I am now and i am ever grateful*
Since I’ve been back from school in early May I’ve been in a funk. Just last week everything was beginning to seem to bland to me and I was ready to write this summer down in the books as “blahhh”, i was unhappy, but after getting the most amazing internship opportunity, having my abuela visit and looking through my memory boxes I can say that I am truly blessed and I can happily rest on one of my all time favorite quotes ” Everything happens for a reason!” and cannot wait for the exciting adventures I have ahead of me—-if they are ANYTHING like my past, I know I’m in for a treat :)
