April.

April has been incredibly busy and exciting. The never ending winter finally gave in to the sunshine, which was really all I needed. I saw my goddess, Stevie Nicks, in concert and it was one of the greatest things in my life. We moved into a new house and let's just say I'm snickering at anyone who thought I'd make grown up decisions when it came to painting because while the main level is modern and beautiful, the upstairs has wall colors ranging from hot pink to mint to purple to yellow and it looks like Easter exploded. Heh. We snuck away to Durham for a quick Haley visit before heading to Outer Banks, NC for a weekend away at the beach. I'm hoping I can finally slow down this next week and get the house together nicely and have some time for myself. 

Austin.

I've thought about writing about Austin a few different times, but I just don't have the words. It was literally perfect. Those friends. Those friends of mine deserve to be called something more than friends, because they make me so goddamn happy. Visiting them is like I'm visiting my old self at the same time, the happiest version of me that exists within, waiting for the right moments to be free. And it's always with them. I'm almost never happier than when I'm in the city I love surrounded by the most beautiful, true friends I have. I smiled and laughed all day. My energy was higher than it's been since.. well, probably the last time I was there. Everything felt right. Everything was perfect. Tacos every day, talking until 4am, from couches to fancy hotels to borrowed beds. To Hamilton Pool to Liberty to Sunday Funday being the most perfect day to ever exist. I am so, so happy to have it in my life. Those moments are what I live for. 

Travels

This past year I've gotten my moving/travel bug a little more under control, but now that it's freezing and gray and rainy, I'm back to daydreaming of the places I want to go. Aside from Austin and some of my other usual trips (New York, North Carolina), these are topping my list of realistic (cause let's be real, if I'm totally dreaming it would be full of foreign cities) places to see in the next few years.

PORTLAND - SEATTLE - VANCOUVER 

Okay, I've been talking about this one forever, but this is going to be the most expensive and time consuming, so expect me to continue talking about it for another year or so until I can pull it together. I am DYING to go to these places, especially Portland since everyone has told me it would be My Perfect Place (other than the fact that it's way too far and way too cold), and Vancouver which is probably one of the most beautiful places ever. There are also so many amazing ladies that I'm stoked to hang out with in all of these cities, I'll probably never want to leave. Ideally this will be a 1.5-2 week trip in early or late Summer when the weather is decent. Probably not this year, but it. is. happening.

NASHVILLE

I don't really understand how I haven't made it to Nashville yet. We were planning on moving there before we decided on Atlanta, and it was only a few hours away. I regret not going while we lived there, but I guess it's not THAT far from Virginia. Nashville is another city that people have always recommended to me, supposedly a similar vibe to Austin. If there's any truth to that, I would probably want to move there immediately, other than the fact that I prefer living on the coast. I think Nashville will be our next kind of big road trip, but as much as I'd like to go IMMEDIATELY, I'll probably wait until it warms up a bit.

CHICAGO

Everyone loves Chicago. It seems a little bit big for my general liking, but I know so many awesome people who live there that it will would be an awesome time. I think I need to teach my body to eat gluten again though because what is the point of Chicago if I can't eat deep dish pizza and hot dogs??

WILMINGTON

Wilmington is one of the very, very few places Monique has said she would consider moving to, so we plan on checking it out this summer. I hear it's a bit sleepy, but I guess if it's good enough for Brooke Davis and Pacey Witter, it's probably good enough for me, right? Or better yet, me and Rai's constant pressuring about moving will finally make her give in (although then I'll have to pressure Rai to change his mind from California.. not as hard though).

THERE ARE SO MANY PLACES. I still really want to do our Northeast road trip up to Canada, I'd love to do Minneapolis, but that will probably be put off until my in laws move to Minnesota, and I'd love to do another trip through Europe (realistically six weeks will probably never happen again though) and South America. I know I'll always travel but a few of these trips are ones I would really like to do before we have a kid so I'm trying to get some plans lined up. WHERE DID THE TIME GO? HOW AM I ALREADY THIS OLD?

Dominican pt.2

Just a few more pictures from our trip to the Dominican! (I meant to post these the day after the other post, WHOOPS)

Until the next one <3

Dominican!

Dominican was AMAZING. We spent eight beautiful days playing in the sun, drinking fruity drinks in the pool, eating the most delicious fruit I've ever had, reading a million books, getting couple massages, PLAYING WITH A MONKEY, etc etc etc. The weather was perfect everyday and the resort was fantastic, everyday they would cover our room in fresh flowers and send bottles of wine at night. 

 View from our patio

See that farmers tan? Yeah... that's what we needed to work on. 

We did so many cool things, too. We went snorkeling (MY FAVORITE) and scuba diving (a little weird as far as the breathing/ear pressure went, but still cool), the water is so crisp and blue and there were millions of fish and they ate from my hand >:). We drove our own speed boats which was awesome because it reminded me of being a kid on Long Island and we would go out all the time on my grandpas boats and he would let me drive and just THAT FEELING, ugh, that feeling of being completely out in the open water where it's so damn peaceful and fun and the smell of the ocean and your face being splashed with water and hair turning to waves I JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH.

FISH TEA PARTY

We also went out on buggies through the countryside which was absolutely BEAUTIFUL but also awesomely gross because we were driving through huge mud puddles and getting smacked in the face with giant mud balls and we had to bathe in something like a river but not quite. 

Half way through and not nearly as dirty as we became. Chuckie had to throw his shirt and backpack away!

It was just great. It was my first time at an all inclusive resort and while it isn't my favorite type of vacation (I'll never give up my several-cities-in-one-trip traveling), it was exactly what we needed after this busy year. Resorts are like this weird alternate universe, the grounds are exquisite and people are doing everything for you and everywhere you turn there is a fruity drink and live music and buffets and fancy restaurants and the nicest people you'll ever meet, it was so strange but so cool. It came at the perfect time since Chuckie has been studying his ass off and having a week straight of uninterrupted ~love~ and fun time was exactly what we needed. 

Durham !

This weekend Kara and I took a trip down to Durham to see Haley for her birthday. We had the best time! Kara is the best road trip buddy because she talks as much as I do, I don't think there was more than 30 seconds without speaking the entire four hour drive. Brian Kelly drove up from Athens to join in on the celebration, and I got to see Nicole again for the first time in two years! We spent Saturday talking, laughing, eating (pretty sure I ate 700 cupcakes and the best burger I've had in months) and drinking, and Sunday was the perfect lazy lady day. I can't even explain how happy I am that so many Austin friends are close by now, just a few more to work on and I'll have everyone I need!

Currently.

I have been the worst at blogging this summer. Between my computer biting the dust and being more active this time of year than any other time, it's been hard to sit down and pull myself together long enough to write. I figure being can't-get-off-the-couch hungover on a Saturday morning is the perfect time to finally do it, right? 


Things are going really well though. I start a new job (!!! finally!) next week, and even though it's a bit of a drive, it's in my favorite part of NoVA (or the only part I actually like, but I digress), where Chuckie and I had our first apartment together. There's tons of shops and cafes and bakeries all along the Potomac river, which will be good for me to be near again. 


Our trip to Philly was excellent. We had such a good time walking all around the city, checking out the different neighborhoods (Chestnut Hill, I love you), and eating all the delicious things. We hung out with some amazing ladies (and their dudes) and it was definitely the best part of the whole trip. They alone make me think Philly should be my next move, but we'll see what happens.

Around these parts I've been doing my best to get out more. I've been seeing a lot of old friends I didn't think I'd ever have the chance to rekindle friendships with, and have been meeting a handful of fun new people which is always nice. I've been doing some new things for my spiritual health and I'm starting to feel a big difference which is always amazing. Moving here really could have swayed me to the dark side of depression and life hating and I'm really glad that I've been able to keep a positive outlook on things. 

And now, I have brunch calling my name..

Recently

The last few days have had some ups and downs. Ups being my sister and I went to Delaware for a great wedding, I bought a new dress, and I got some great time in with Chuckie and the babies (mostly the babies). Downs being that I'm trying to eat gluten free to see if it'll help all of my stomach problems, and I am tormented daily by cake, brownies, bread, etc. It's harder mentally than it is physically because food is my life, but I'm trying my best.

Happy fourth of July, friends!