Snowed In

Yeah, so the weatherman was actually right for a change...we got A LOT of snow! Here are some pics from my fun snow day.

Quote of the day: “To appreciate the beauty of a snow flake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold.”

It's Coming...

So I'm driving to the store to finish up my Christmas shopping last night after work and I hear on the radio that we are expected to get 10-20 inches of SNOW this weekend... SAY WHAT??!? Nah that can't be true. My ears must have been hearing wrong because this is D.C. and D.C doesn't even know what real snow is. 1 inch of the white fluffy stuff and the whole city shuts down...or better put, 1 inch of rain and the city shuts down. (these people REALLY need to learn how to drive...Ha Ha I should be talking ;)

Anyways, I just checked weather.com to make sure I haven't certifiably gone nuts (which at this point I hardly doubt, because I very well may have) and sure enough this is the forecast map I see...

There we are...right smack dab in the middle of the darkest purple!

Bout to rush home from the office, grab my snow pants and a couple days worth of clean clothes and head over the my best friends house. If I have to be snowed in for a couple days, I might as well be snowed in with people I love :)

I see a whole lot of movie watching and game playing in my future!

Hope you all have a great weekend. I'll definitely upload some pics if we actually get as much as we are expected to.

Quote of the Day: “Nature has no mercy at all. Nature says, "I'm going to snow. If you have on a bikini and no snowshoes, that's tough. I am going to snow anyway." ~Maya Angelou

Hope You Are Happy God!

Today we got about 4 inches of snow! Doesn't sounds like much, but for the DC area it kinda is, and for being December 5th it kinda is too.

As much as I love snow and was ecstatic to wake up to whiteness out the window, it really couldn't have come on a worse day. During the week I work until about 5:30, so by the time I get home, my day is pretty much shot. Usually even if I had the intention of going shopping or doing something productive after work, when the time actually comes around and its dark out and I'm tired from a long day in the office...my plans get thrown out the window.

So...today was going to be my big get-things done-day. I was going to look at apartment after apartment until I found one (yes, I'm STILL living on my best friends couch) and then after that I was gonna get a serious grip on my Christmas shopping and then meet up with a friend for dinner and a movie. No trip to NY standing in my way, no plans to go home and visit the fam, no have to be there or have be here. Nope NOTHING at all on my calendar...just apartment shopping and Christmas shopping.

Well, guess God didn't really like my plans, so he took it upon himself to alter them. Guess he'd rather see me sit inside, watch Duke basketball while scrapbooking and drinking a glass of wine.

So, that's exactly what I did. Why fight it? Hope you are happy Lord ;)


Quote of the day: "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans” ~John Lennon

Cumberland, Maryland (Where the Mountains Are)

Born and raised! And if you were too then this list is sure to make you smile, because you and I both know that:

• Maryland doesn't stop at Frederick, or even Hagerstown.
• You don't necessarily have an obsession with crabs.
• You know how to ski/snowboard and can go for the day, or even work at the Wisp, if you so choose
• You know what snow is.
• You've experienced a 40" snowfall.
• Nearly half of your friends support WVU rather than Maryland.
• You know more people that go to WVU than Maryland.
• You know what a REAL mountain is.
• Your legislators have no say in Annapolis.
• Your region has collectively won more state championships then any other area.
• Your school is an oven in the warm months and a freezer in the cold ones.
• You know the backroad way to get to everywhere.
• You get ticked off when some downstate driver flies by you on 68, but then you pass them going up a mountain, cause driving up here is completely different.
• You know where all the speed traps are.
• You don't know what the heck lacrosse is.
• The only time Annapolis pays attention to you is when they want to put a prison here or something else they don't want downstate.
• You can affiliate yourself more with Pittsburgh than DC.
• Your board of ed consolidates schools, they don't build them.
• You know or someone you know knows your local public officials.
• The biggest events in your town are football and basketball games.
• You know what Homecoming is. (THE Homecoming)
• You stick out very badly on the visitor's side at the said game.
• You've heard of towns such as Coney and Savage.
• You have friends that live in WV.
• It takes you at least 2 1/2 hours to get to DC.
• You've heard of or been to such places as the KKK church and/or the insane asylum.
• Events like Autumn Glory, Heritage Days, CanalFest, and the Oldtown Summerfest mean something to you.
• Your Wal*Mart is attached to the mall
• Although everyone makes fun of hanging out at Wal*Mart, everyone does it
• When you think of the beach, you think of Rocky Gap State Park
• The Beltway goes around the waist of your jeans
• You wear boots because they're boots, not because they're fashionable
• You can see a deer and not even get that excited about it (unless its in season)
• Half the adults you know work at a prison, and the other half are rocket scientists!
• You know someone who built their house with their bare hands
• You actually call Cumberland "The City" or "Downtown"
• You never go to the Bay but somehow it's your responsibility to keep it clean
• You consider Sheetz a restaurant
• Not even the "local" TV news applies to your town
  
  

Quote of the Day: “Home is not where you live, but where they understand you.” ~ Christian Morganstern

Remember When...

Remember when time used to move so slow? When the school year lasted forever. Christmas never could come fast enough. And in a short 2 hour car ride "are we there yet?" was asked at least a million times.

Well what the heck happened? How is life really moving this fast now? How did I get this old? It can't possibly almost be October already. I can't possibly be almost 26 years old already. >:O

As I'm sitting here at the kitchen table, eating a pumpkin muffin with my coffee (dunking of course, just like I used to watch my mom do every morning), checking up on my email and all the latest news online I can't help but chuckle out loud a little bit. I AM OLD. I'm a grown up. Worrying about whether Johnny has a crush on me or when the next big party is, has now been replaced by credit card payments and when my next meeting is.

Wow, when did this happen and how can I make it stop? Or do I really want it to stop? Is growing up really that bad?


Quote of the day: "There comes a point in your life, when you’re officially an adult. Suddenly, you’re old enough to vote, drink and engage in other adult activities. Suddenly, people expect you to be responsible, serious, a grown-up. We get taller, we get older. But do we ever really grow up?" ~Grey's Anatomy

I'm Alive...and Well

So I'm in love with this new song by Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews. I heard it for the first time the other day and actually listened to the lyrics and was totally lovin' em. Such a reality check...a much needed reality check.

So damn easy to say that life's so hard
Everybody's got their share of battle scars
As for me, I'd like to thank my lucky stars that I'm alive and well...
It'd be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me...I'm alive

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessing can't you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life and I'm alive
And well...I'm alive and well

The stars are dancin' on the water here tonight
It's gonna fall a soul when there's not a soul in sight
This boat has caught its wind and brought me back to life now I'm alive and well

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessing can't you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life and I'm alive
And well...I'm alive and well


Quote of the day: “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

It's life. It's loss. It's change.

Grief may be a thing we all have in common, but it looks different on everyone. It isn't just death we have to grieve. It's life. It's loss. It's change. And when we wonder why it has to suck so much sometimes, has to hurt so bad, The thing we gotta try to remember is that it can turn on a dime. That's how you stay alive. When it hurts so much you can't breathe, that's how you survive. By remembering that one day, somehow, impossibly, you won't feel this way. It won't hurt this much.

Grief comes in its own time for everyone, in its own way. So the best we can do, the best anyone can do, is try for honesty. The really crappy thing, the very worst part of grief is, that you can't control it. The best we can do is try to let ourselves feel it when it comes. And let it go when we can. The very worst part is that the minute you think you're past it, it starts all over again. And always, every time, it takes your breath away.

There are five stages of grief. They look different on all of us, but there are always five.
Denial.
Anger.
Bargaining.
Depression.
Acceptance.

~Grey's Anatomy

Walk on the Wild Side

So I just bought the most AMAZING dress...the cut is absolutely perfect for my body. Super sexy yet still classy, shows off all my right curves... I absolutely adore it.

But the catch is.. it's leopard print. Of course when I put it on I was totally sold by how amazing it fit but then on the car ride home, the more I got to thinking about it, the more I doubted it. Do you ever do that?

Is animal print in style? Is the print too much? Will people think I look ridiculous?

So crazy me starts researching on the Internet to find out what the consensus is on animal print these days and well, the more I got to researching the more I found that animal print is totally in this season and I really have nothing to worry about.

Its all over the runways and the celebs totally are wearing it out.













































So...what do you guys think about animal print? Is it a fashion do or don't? Be honest.



Quote of the day: “On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

You Know You Love Me, XOXO

Say, for example, that a show I am dying to watch is coming on Tuesday night at 9...Well, just about Tuesday night at 10 I'll remember that I just missed it.

So, needless to say I suck at watching television series' and unless I'm lucky enough to catch a weekend marathon or snag a season on sale at Target, then you can pretty much assume I don't watch it.

As sad as it is for me to admit, I didn't even start watching Sex and The City until it came on repeat on TBS for goodness sake.

Soooo...when I ran across a copy of Gossip Girl: Season One at my besties house i decided I would give it a shot. I heard lots of people love the show and this would give me the chance to start from the very beginning and watch it whatever night, at whatever time I remember... so why not.

And now, let me tell you, I AM OBSESSED. Love the show, love the actors and actresses (especially Mr. Chase Crawford...yes, if you are reading this I would love to have your babies ;) and I just love everything about it.

I finally finished the whole first season and am dying to get the second. I spent all morning, to no avail might I add, trying to find some free site on the Internet to watch them. So if any of you know of one, please please please let me know. I might start shaking soon from anxiety.

Quote of the day: "Everyone can agree on one thing. Tans fade, highlights go dark, and we all get sick of sand in our shoes. But the end of Summer is the beginning of a new season. So we find ourselves looking to the future." ~ Gossip Girl

Lions and Tigers and Bears...Oh My!

My best friend Kara, whose house I am currently invading, has a 2 year old daughter named Sophia. You might have seen her in some of my pics over the years...she is the most adorable little thing ever. Super naughty, but super adorable.

Over the past month that I have been living with them I have totally fallen in love with her. On my darkest of days, when the stresses of life slap me hard in the face, one little hug from her snaps me back to reality. I'm sure that's how all you moms out there feel. But since I'm not a mom yet, this is the next best thing. (if not better, since I can always give her back ;)

Today we took her to the Zoo, or as any of you other kids in grown up bodies know, that is code for...we actually took ourselves to the Zoo ;) We had such a great time too. The weather was just perfect.

Here are a few pics:

Someone is a little excited













I'm not listening to you, I'm not listening to you...













Showing Mr. Bear some lovin'













Loved the elephants!





















Quote of the day: "Remember when you thought boys had cooties...when friends were new, dreams were un-shattered and worries few...when recess was too short and life was too long...decisions came easily without need to belong...when storks delivered the babies and passions weren't so strong...friendships were un-broken...right was right, and wrong was wrong...when bad things didn't happen...when only skinned knees brought tears, and the night light in it's socket quieted all our fears...when farewell meant just for summer, and real friends didn't part...the fun went on forever and never left a broken heart."

Where Did The Time Go?

Wow, has it really been over a month since I've posted on here?? That is just crazy. I'm truly disappointed in myself for neglecting my beloved blog like that.

Time has been flying by though, yet standing still all at the same time. Lots of changes have taken place in my life over the last few months, none of which were welcomed changes, might I add...but I'm doing my best to believe that in the end I will be able to look back and say that they were all actually changes for the better.

I moved out of my apartment in DC at the beginning of August and put all my stuff into storage. Not knowing where my next job will be located, I thought it best not to sign a new year lease. Plus, as you can probably guess, not having a job means not having money, and not having money means that having to pay rent each month could pose quite a big problem. Especially considering the ridiculous price of rent here in the DC area. All you ppl living in the 'burbs don't even want to know what the cost of living is around here. Trust me, just be thankful you aren't paying it.

Anyways, so with my whole life crammed in Tupperware containers in the back of my car and the rest in a 10x10 storage unit, I'm currently camping out with one of my girlfriends at her townhouse in western Montgomery County. Although its not optimal living for either party, all I have to say is thank God for friends!

I've gone on quite a few interviews, been promised job offers and everything, but unfortunately haven't quite landed my dream job just yet...but I'm still confident that the one meant for me is out there somewhere, just have to be patient.


Quote of the day: "Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." - Christopher Robin to Pooh

My Patience Has Run Out...

Ugh! I can't take it anymore...someone please just offer me a job already so I can get on with my life! I have to be out of my apartment in a week and a half and because I have no idea where I'm going to be working (VA or DC) I can't decide where I'm going to live either. AHHHHH!

I went on an interview on Wednesday the 1st (soooo long ago I can barely remember it) and the President of the company I interviewed with said he was going to send me over an offer but didn't have time that week and was going on vacation the next so it would have to be the week after that :(

WELL...its the week after that now and I want a damn offer. My patience is really wearing thin.

The other job I interviewed with and like has called me in for a second interview tomorrow morning. I know that is a good thing, but this all feels like it has been dragging on for way too long. I can't take this whole not knowing thing for much longer.

I think I might be going certifiably insane :O


Quote of the day: "Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.”

Life Ain't Always Beautiful

Lovin' these lyrics...

Life ain't always beautiful
Sometimes it's just plain hard
Life can knock you down, it can break your heart

Life ain't always beautiful
You think you're on your way
And it's just a dead end road at the end of the day

But the struggles make you stronger
And the changes make you wise
And happiness has its own way of taking it's sweet time

No, life ain't always beautiful
Tears will fall sometimes
Life ain't always beautiful
But it's a beautiful ride

Life ain't always beautiful
Some days I miss your smile
I get tired of walking all these lonely miles

And I wish for just one minute
I could see your pretty face
Guess I can dream, but life don't work that way

But the struggles make you stronger
And the changes make you wise
And happiness has its own way of takin' it's sweet time

No, life ain't always beautiful
But I know I'll be fine
Hey, life ain't always beautiful
But it's a beautiful ride
What a beautiful ride

~Life Ain't Always Beautiful, Gary Allan


Quote of the day: "The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude"

Time is Ticking

So, I've gone on a few interviews over the past week and they all went really well. (or at least I think they went really well..who the heck wouldn't want to hire me anyways?? :)

Of the two that I really like, one said he would like to send me over an offer, but because he is going on vacation this week it won't be until next week. And the other one said they are finishing up their interview process and so they won't be making a decision until later next week.

So...now all I basically have to do is play the waiting game. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong...I think it actually really sucks. Especially for someone like me who has no patience. And especially for someone like me who has to be out of her apartment by August 1 and has no idea where she is going. Time is ticking biotches. Homelessness waits for no man.

Hmmm...me, homeless? I'm laughing out loud just thinking about it actually. That would be quite a sight to see. Yep, I'd be the blond chick on the corner with my Gucci shades, fresh highlights and perfectly manicured nails begging for someone to drop a spare dollar into my Coach bag.

Come on now, please...that is so not me!


Quote of the day: "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." ~John Quincy Adams

Just What The Doctor Ordered

My trip to Bermuda was AMAZING! I had such a great time, free from all the stress of the world. Exactly what I needed! Not really until the last day or so did I actually start to think and get anxious about the mess, also known as my life, that I was about to return to.

But now I'm back and just trying to get things in order one baby step at a time. Everyone that knows me knows I'm the type of person who likes to have every detail of my life planned out, and for everything to run smooth and consistently according to plan.

And well...let's just say, my whole plan has been completely thrown out the window and shattered into a million tiny pieces. So I'm just trying to rely completely on God and trust that he knows what he is doing and that he is working everything out for my good.

I have a couple interviews/meetings set up for next week and am praying for them to go well.





Quote of the day: "We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them." ~Charles C. West

Trouble in Paradise

Hey all you strangers! Sorry I have been totally MIA lately but I have been dealing with some real serious stuff in my life this week. In the blink of eye everything I knew has been totally flipped upside down. Some days I hope to just wake up and find out it was all just a dream but unfortunately that's not the case.

First I found out my ex is now married with a baby on the way, next my roommate informed me that she will be moving to NYC Aug. 1st when our lease runs up so I have less than 2 months til I'm homeless, and then last Friday I was hit with a total shocker...I was fired from my job.

Ugh! When it rains it pours I guess.

So anyways, I'm leaving on Sunday to go to Bermuda for the week with my mom and sis to just relax and clear my head. Please keep me in your prayers, I most certainly need it.

Miss you all!

Quote of the day: "And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in weakness." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

Back to Reality

You know that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you return from a fun vacation or from being around friends and family for an extended amount of time? You know...the "ugh, back to reality" feeling.

Well, that's exactly the feeling I have right now and I hate it. I had such a fun 3 day weekend. Not a care in world...and now the reality that it's over and I have to return back to the mundane routine of my life is sinking in. Yuck!

Guess that's just way life goes though :(

Here's are some pics of my crew and I at Kings Dominion yesterday. We had such a blast! Not sure exactly why, maybe the economy has something to do with it, but to our surprise we pretty much had the whole park to ourselves. I loved just jumping from roller coaster to roller coaster without having to wait in any lines...
...my head and stomach, however, didn't really like it so much.

Definitely don't think the adult body (or at least this adult body) is made to handle that sort of extreme intensity.







Quote of the day: "Life can be like a roller coaster...its filled with so many exciting twists and turns. Hop off the straight and narrow whenever you can and take the winding paths. Experience the exhilaration of the view from the edge. Because the moments spent there, that take your breath away, are what make you feel truly alive." ~Stacey Charter

Fun in the Sun

I'm so excited for this weekend! My pool at my apartment opens on Saturday and nothing makes me happier than that :) For the past few weeks, since the pool hasn't been open yet, when its been nice out, my roommate and I have been laying out on the top of our parking garage...gotta love city living.

No one ever parks up there on the top level so the privacy and seclusion made for a perfect tanning spot for us....or so we thought. Unfortunately the parking garage security guard, who so conveniently thought it necessary to "guard" the top level every time we were up there, where not a single car is parked mind you, really kind of made things awkward.

But oh well. You gotta love guys. Do they honestly think they're not obvious? I really wonder.

But other than hanging out poolside every hour of every day this weekend, on Monday my girlfriends and I are gonna go to Kings Dominion. Should be fun. Last year I went to Six Flags with my brother, sister, and ex. It was a good time and I heard Kings Dominion is supposed to be way better. So I'm excited. Then afterwards we'll probably come back and have a little cookout.

Sun, fun, friends, food, pool, day off work...doesn't get much better than that :)

What do you all have planned?


Quote of the day: Charlotte: "Imagine, being blind and not being able to see a beautiful day like today. Can you think of anything worse?"
Anthony: "Stonewashed jeans and a matching jacket.”
~Sex and The City

I Have a Crush

So I just got the new Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale catalog in the mail today and I must confess I have a huge girl crush on Marisa Miller. I mean seriously...

Could she be any more perfect?

Yeah, definitely skipping dinner tonight.

Quote of the day: "The leading cause of death among fashion models is falling through street grates." ~ Dave Barry

Food for Thought

"We spend our whole lives worrying about the future, planning for the future, trying to predict the future. As if figuring it out will somehow cushion the blow. But the future is always changing. The future is home to our biggest fears and our wildest hopes. But one thing is certain, when it finally reveals itself, the future is never the way we imagined it."
~ Grey's Anatomy

.............................................................................................................................................

"Did you say it? I love you. I don't ever want to live without you. You changed my life.

Did you say it?

Make a plan. Set a goal. Work towards it. But every now and then look around. Drink it in. Because this is it. It might all be gone tomorrow."
~ Grey's Anatomy

HUGE Transformation

Waaaay back when I was in college at The University of Maryland (a whole 3 years ago..lol) I used to work for the Terps football team as a recruiting assistant.

Besides doing all the menial tasks that the coaches didn't want to be bothered with, like sending out letters to the potential players, weeding through the hundreds of highlight videos we received every week, etc, etc, etc, it was also my job to tour the recruits around the school and the football facilities when they came for their official visits, sit with them and their families during the game, answer any and every question they might have about the school, and of course look cute while doing it...basically in short, make the boys want to come to UMD.

Yes, being young and blond and cute does sometimes help when your dealing with decisions being made by hormone overloaded teenage boys ;)

And since I love UMD, love sports and LOVE tall, hot, muscular athletes...it was the perfect job for me. Free clothes, tickets, fun events to attend, getting to know the players and meet super rich or soon-to-be super rich NFL people...doesn't get much better than that.

Here I am with Coach Freidgen at the annual football gala
Actually even met my (ex) boyfriend when he came for a visit and I was the one assigned to show him and his dad around. After his visit with me that day he ended up choosing to sign with UMD over Penn State, Boston College and all the other schools that were recruiting him. Coincidence? I think not. lol. He obviously liked what he saw ;) wink wink

Anyways, the point of my story is (yes there is actually a point), I've known Coach Ralph Freidgen for quite a few years now and it seems that every day that goes by he keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger. By my ex's senior year Ralph literally could barely even walk anymore and during practice would drive his golf cart around everywhere because even the simple task of putting one foot in front of the other was too hard for him to bear.

The good news though...I just found out that Ralphy is finally losing weight!! 86 lbs and counting. He started out at 401lbs and is now down to 315lbs, with an immediate goal of 301lbs. I am so proud of him! He is on a 1,000 calorie a day diet sponsored by this company called Medifast based right here in Owings Mills, MD.

I'm not a watcher of The Biggest Loser but last night one of my friends was telling me about the finale and how the winner now weighs only 117 lbs and so we looked up the before and after pics on the nbc website and I was totally shocked. I think its so crazy how we have the ability to transform our bodies and thus our whole appearance just through diet and exercise.

Hope when all is said and done Ralph will have made a similarly huge transformation.
Good luck man!


Quote of the day: "People couldn't tell I lost a pound. It was like throwing a chair off the deck of the Titanic." ~ Ralph Friedgen after losing 30 lbs

Family Matters

I went home to Cumberland to give my momma some lovin' this past weekend and had an absolutely amazing time with the fam. Bike riding, bike riding and more bike riding pretty much sums it all up. And since pics are far more interesting than words will ever be, I'm just gonna let these speak for themselves....


Me and my sister

Beautiful city of Cumberland in the background

Me and my mom

You are Here! No wonder my thighs were burning...look at that incline!


We made it to Pennsylvania!

Helping the little turtle we almost ran over to safety


That is a true look of terror

30.835 Miles...Ouch!


Hope you all had a great Mothers Day weekend too!


Quote of the day: "When I go biking, I repeat a mantra of the day's sensations: bright sun, blue sky, warm breeze, blue jay's call, and so on. This helps me transcend the traffic, ignore the clamorings of work, leave all the mind theaters behind and focus on nature instead. I still must abide by the rules of the road, of biking, of gravity. But I am mentally far away from civilization. The world is breaking someone else's heart." ~Diane Ackerman