currently: december edition

Dec 26, 2013

watching my brother play video games

happy about spending the holidays with my brother

feeling full after a big breakfast and soon to be big lunch

excited to go down to Pike Place Market again

wanting to visit the first Starbucks, hopefully not a lot of people today

drinking French pressed coffee in my new French press (!!) with coffee from Caffe Vita (my fave)

snacking on Hershey's candy cane chocolate

looking forward to spending New Years Eve in Florida with Florida♥

listening to The 1975 - 'The City' on repeat

writing a list of goals for 2014

planning some fun trips when Florida comes to visit in February :)

hoping work will be different in 2014, in a good way

missing my baby girl Fifa

loving how things turned out this year, even with some crazy turn of events in the beginning

dreaming about moving out of NJ and onto the West Coast (Seattle vs. Cali?!)

trying to take more pictures here in Seattle

eating like crap while on vacation (oops!)

embracing the new year with flying colors




I'm ready for you 2014.
I can not wait to see what's in store for me.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have a fantastic New Years Eve!

and so it begins

Dec 17, 2013

It begins during a fantastic weekend with someone I really enjoy being around.
Someone who makes me feel like it's worth it.



The distance won't be so bad.
It helps you become a better communicator.
It'll bring us closer.
And make us cherish the moments we get to spend together.



The four days we got to spend together was really great.
I think my favorite part of our weekend was the snow. He's never seen snow, never walked in it, or played in it. I was really excited to be there for that first time. It's like watching a little kid stepping in the snow to see his footprints. Unfortunately, we didn't get to build a snowman, but I did throw a snowball at him. I explained the difference between the powdery snow and compact snow.
Him and Fifa got along really well. One of the most important things to consider.
He loved her and kept telling me he was going to take her with him, ha. She is a lovely, crazy, snuggly dog. I was happy.


We stayed local the first two nights.
I took him to some of my favorite restaurants. We walked around a lot in the snow so he could see my little town, which I love. My town is full of small business owners and 'mom-and-pop' places; it's my favorite type.



We ventured into the city to see the Christmas tree. I love the Rockefeller tree, no matter how many times I see it - it will always be great. We stumbled upon the Christmas ornaments on our way to Shake Shack, a new found love of mine in NYC.





We spent time doing nothing and enjoying each others company.
I couldn't be happier to have someone who is so endearing. He makes me laugh and he talks to me.
Completely open about whatever I need to talk about; my history hasn't led me to a place where I am completely comfortable with all of it. He helped me be more comfortable.


The distance isn't going to be easy, but it's worth it.


1200 miles isn't so bad right?

the countdown

Dec 13, 2013

we went on our first 'date' in Delray for coffee and ice cream

For the last twenty days I have been counting down the days until Florida (B) comes to visit.
Finally, my countdown is over! I could not be more excited.

I am super excited because it's going to snow tomorrow and he's never seen snow. Never. There's still snow on the ground from the past few days but we are getting a few inches on Saturday. I have a weekend filled with things to do and just spending some time together. We are heading into the city on Sunday to do the touristy things like the Macy's Holiday Display, Bryant Park, NY Public Library, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center for the TREE!! I haven't seen it in about two years and it's always so exciting for me. It will be cold. Very cold. I warned him that we would be walking a lot and it would be cold. He's definitely not going to get used to it.

Four days!
I get four days of an exciting weekend. I miss my holiday party at work, but it's totally worth it.
Four days.
We get to spend some quality time together.
And after those four days, he heads back to Florida, but two weeks later I fly there for New Years Eve.


This month is just filled with excitement.
Have a good weekend everyone!



xoxo

change

Dec 8, 2013

In January, I spent three weeks in Thailand with my parents and it was amazing. I can not wait to return. On my return this time around, my world was turned upside down in a matter of "it's not working, Sammy."  Soon after, I began graduate school with a full course load, a full-time job, and an hour and twenty minute commute each way. We went our separate ways and it hurt like hell, but I managed.

In February, my best friend got married to her amazing husband John. I took the 8+ hour drive to be her witness/maid of honor/photographer. There was a total of seven of us, including the minister. It was a beautiful day in North Carolina that I will never forget.

In March, I took an adventure alone into the city for the Vegetarian Festival. I had never been to NYC alone or ridden the train by myself and it was one step closer to growing. My friend Wilson met me in the city; it was my first time into the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I remember being upset about him but slowly realizing, giving up was my option. I wouldn't get him back.

In April, I went on a first date for the first time since 2010. I grew closer with my friends from graduate school and spent a lot of time going out with them. New friends makes all the difference in the world. I was happy again, I was myself again.

In May, graduation with my Masters degree in Labor and Employment Relations. How amazing. I made great friends while in school and we continue to keep in touch to this day. We spoke again, maybe not on the best terms but I moved on and so did he, I was happy and I hoped that he was too. The summer was just about to begin and my parents had come home.

In June, my car was totaled because some kid thought he had the right of way; he did not. I bought a new car; on my own and I love it. His name is DJ. He is so pretty. I spent as much time on the beach as I possibly could and ventured to Florida for a vacation to Disney World. Things were great at this point.

In July, I got to see Taylor Swift in concert. AH. I love her, my first concert in years with my best friends girlfriend. We had a blast, even with an hour storm delay. Again, I spent as much time at the beach as I possibly could. I enjoyed all of my friends from high school and rekindled some old friendships. I spoke to people I never thought I would speak to again.

In August, I took a vacation to Seattle to visit my brother. It was great. I have never been to Seattle and I loved it so much. It is a beautiful city. Ate tons of veg food and visited touristy spots. I will be visiting again soon. I took a few trips into the city with an old friend and tried Shake Shack for the first time, delicious. The best news was the new apartment I found. It was perfect for me. I was finally doing it on my own. I was moved on and happy.

In September, I started seeing someone new. Through mutual friends we spent a lot of time together at the football games and tailgates. I love to tailgate and it was the first time in years that I had been to one. I've been to almost all of them and our last one is this weekend. My life was in order and I knew what I wanted in my life. The fall season was bringing in something new and I had officially moved into my new apartment.

In October, another vacation. I like to travel, if you hadn't noticed. We drove up to the Adirondacks in NY with 15 other friends to stay in a cabin for the weekend. I climbed my first mountain and made a ton of new friends. I realized how much I like the outdoors and hiking. Hiking, not camping. I also went to my first NFL football game to see the Giants vs. Vikings (neither which I am a fan), but the seats were in a box suite and free. It was fantastic. My situation was beginning to dwindle because when you are at two different points in your life, it is hard to stay together.

In November, one of my college roommates got married. I had the pleasure of being apart of the wedding. Another vacation to Florida! I also had the pleasure of meeting someone who is very special to me now. Things can change in a matter of months, weeks, and even days. This was the first time someone had made me feel like he used to make me feel; that sparkle, the feeling of just knowing you're in the presence of something that will make you happy. And in November, I found someone new. Someone who makes me feel like I'm worth it. I couldn't be happier, in a matter of weeks. It's that feeling again. The only problem, well, the 1200 miles that separates us. Oh, and I got accepted into my second Masters program.

In December, I bought my first real Christmas tree. I look forward to my Floridian's visit in 8 days. Yes, he's coming to visit already (yeah, I have a cheesy smile). I look forward to spending Christmas with my older brother in Seattle (another vacation) and then flying to Florida for NYE (2-in-1 vacation) to spend it with him. Fifa will be turning five in eleven days. I can not believe I have had her for five years. She is the greatest gift ever.


2013 was a constant growing period for me.
I took adventures and found out who I wanted to be, who I would want to be with, and held on to great friends.



In 2014, I look forward to so much more. So so much more.
Thank you, to everyone who has been there for me through 2013; I can not wait to spend it with you again in 2014.

holiday season

Dec 1, 2013


I finally am doing things for myself and I love every minute of it.

This is my first real Christmas tree, ever.
My parents have always had an artificial tree and now that I am in my own apartment; I really wanted to buy a real one. I wanted to walk into my apartment and smell the pine.

So I did it.
December 1st, I went out and searched for the perfect tree. A tree that said hey, pick me! And here we are, with my very first Christmas tree and his name is Petey.


Decorations are in order...


After I buy them, ha!
Enjoy the holiday seasons all!

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