What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Wow, I didn’t realize how long it’s been since I’ve written. I’ve been to trying to figure out my direction. For my life, this blog, and everything. And boy have I been busy. So what have I been up to the last few months? It’s been a lot of getting my shit together.

I’ve visited Mom in Florida twice. The first one over Memorial Day was a fun visit. Brother went too and we had a lot of quality family time and got to hang out with our step-sister and her friends a lot. I also go to experience getting a pedicure with my step-dad. That was interesting to say the least. The second visit was to help out after Mom had surgery on her neck-her second spinal surgery this year. They went in through the front (her incision looked like something out of a slasher movie) and rebuilt three disks. It was nice to hang out and not have her be cooped up while my step-dad had to work. The looks she got on that first trip to CVS were hilarious.

After the first visit I also realized how much I miss Mom and Papa Steve. Visiting two or three times a year just is not going to cut it anymore. So I want to build a life that enables me to be in Florida for part of the year (5 months or so) and in PA the rest of the time. I’m still figuring out the details, but I think teaching yoga can be a way to do this. So I’ve started a teacher training program. It’s a year-long course and there is A LOT of information. It’s also keeping me busier than I thought it would, but I’m finishing my second month and it’s totally worth it. I’m also currently obsessed with the new Wegman’s that’s on my way to the yoga studio. They have an awesome prepared food area that is pretty inexpensive and delicious.

I did the Color Run in July with Katie and it was a BLAST. I can’t wait to do it again next year and I want to get a bigger group together. We didn’t run the whole thing-but for a super humid day in July I think we did a pretty good job.

 I also asked for a raise at job #1 and hope to quit job #2 by the end of the year. Asking for a raise was one of the scariest things I’ve done-but I’m glad I did it. My boss was 100% with me on it, which makes me respect him a lot more (even if he does still get on my nerves). We also updated my official job description. 

I’m also figuring out my budget for moving out on my own (either alone or with a roommate) in the new year. I’m so ready. Even though I’m so grateful that my aunt is willing to help me, I need to know that I can be independent. Call it self-validation, it’s just really important to me.

I guess that’s all the big stuff. I’d definitely like to get back on some kind of posting schedule. I miss writing and my journey through yoga teacher training is pretty interesting-at least to me. What have you guys been up to?

The Zoo, a Book Cover and OMG BABY DUCKS!

I gave myself a four-day weekend. I was finished work Wednesday night at 4:00, went to power yoga that evening (hot power yoga, mind you) and woke up Thursday ready. I met up with a friend who moved to Delaware at the Philadelphia Zoo. Try to have a bad day at the zoo, I dare you. I borrowed my work camera in the hopes of getting some shots I could be proud of. I think I succeeded. Here are a few of my favorites:

I LOVE peacocks.

He was in the rare animal conservatory. I love his face and coloring.

My sister is writing a book about our mom and what it was like trying to find her. She asked me to do the cover for her. It'll be an e-book, available soon. She currently has a book of her poetry available for kindle called The Color of Dawn. She's an excellent writer, and I can't wait to read the novel.

Coconuts just bought a house, so I went to see it (it's super cute, btw) and we ventured over to Zern's-a big farmer's/flea/food market. A local pet store has a shop in there where they bring some of their animals. Friday it happened to be BABY DUCKS! And baby chicks. I totally could have had a Friends moment--but I didn't.

This is Alphonse. I should have bought him.

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

I Want to be Bamboozled

Check out the lineup! (There's also a bunch of people that I've never heard of because I'm old now apparently.) (Full lineup here.)

ANYWAY.

I'd LOVE to see Foo Fighters and Blink. And on the same day would be abosolutely amazeballs. I've seen Motion City Soundtrack live before, and I wouldn't mind seeing them again. I'm not really sure how Pauly D fits in there, other than the fact that the festival's in Jersey. I went to Bamboozle a few years ago and Method Man sweated on me, so I guess Pauly D's not all that weird.

Road trip anyone?

I'm BaAaaaack

I haven’t written in a while.

Not because nothing has happened, I just haven’t felt like it. I didn't really mean to take a two month hiatus. Sorry.

So here’s the rundown:

·         I went to DC the weekend after Thanksgiving. My cousin goes to George Mason and Aunt Mary Ann was there visiting. So Aunt Irene, Katie, and I went down to visit. We also went to the Smithsonian. I wish we had more time there. I’ve never visited DC before-only driven through. Which seems silly now considering it’s only like 3 hours away.

·         I visited Mom and Papa Steve for 5 days the weekend before Christmas. It was fun and relaxing. It just doesn’t feel like Christmas down there. Although, I feel like more people decorate there than here.

·         Christmas was good. All of the gifts I got were useful and won’t sit in the bottom of my closet (like that purse-hanger thing I got last year). I got a Kindle Fire, gift cards, a pretty sweet Phillies hat (it’s plaid!), a very cozy blanket that I wish I was curled up in right now, this Wizard of Oz poster, and some other smaller things.

·         Kellifish had the baby! Her name is Lily Alaina and she’s a little peanut.

·         Coconuts (Dana) got engaged.

·         I set some goals for the New Year-most of which have to do with paying off debt. One has to do with jumping out of a plane with my brother.

·         I signed up for Code Academy’s Code Year. I have the first lesson sitting in my inbox and I plan to get to it this weekend.

·         I’ve been watching far too much Grey’s Anatomy. I’m trying to catch up to the current season. I’ve been knitting while watching, so at least I’m being productive.

·         The Foo Fighters and Blink 182 are playing Bamboozle this year. I really think I’ll need to go.

·         I want snow. Just one good snow day where I don’t have to go to work. Then it can be as mild of a winter as it wants.

I’m hoping by posting I’ll get back into the groove of writing. I hope everyone had a great holiday season!

PS-I'll post some photos of some of the things from the list later. I just felt like I needed to hit publish before I put it off any longer.

Current Loves/Obsessions

1.       All of the leaves and fallness going on. I’m so glad we didn’t skip right to winter. Well, actually I’m glad we circled back to fall (re October snow).

2.       Once Upon a Time and Grimm. They’re taking all my favorite Disney movies and making them kind of dark and twisty. I’m a little in love with it. Grimm’s not as creepy as I thought it would be.

3.       I just started watching Grey’s Anatomy from the beginning again. I stopped after season 5 (I think-whenever they killed George.) Apparently it’s getting good again, so I’m going to get myself caught up.

4.       Knitting. I’m in a groove. I want to knit everything.

5.       Finding a dark red or maroon sweater dress that has long or ¾ sleeves. I had no idea how difficult this would be. Maybe I’ll try to knit one. Or not. I’m not a gauge checker.

6.       Adele’s album. Why did it take me so long to download it? Specifically “One and Only”. This song makes me wish I could sing.

If I Ever Have Kids...

I want this for my baby.

Via Outblush

Confused? Love this scene? Love David Bowie?