Not sure I remember how to do this...

Well the last time I blogged, I talked about starting school. It's now July and school has been over for almost 2 months. I had such a wonderful semester! I met awesome new people and made Dean's list again (hey, it feels good when you do well!) It was a tough semester but I'm sure it'll seem like a piece of cake once this next semester starts (senior year). I'll be doing 2 full days of student teaching. I'm so used to co-teaching that I'm a nervous wreck to do it on my own! haha. No choice but to push through and do well!

So what have I been up to over the last 5 months?

In February, it was cold and winter was hanging around for a while. M and I celebrated Valentine's day with dinner.

March, crazy month with school so I don't think much fun was had, haha.

April, school was in full force (thank goodness for friends who are going through the same exact thing and keep you sane during it all!) We even got to take a trip to the aquarium (the joys of being an elem. ed major haha)

in the Australia house, so neat!

so many stingrays and sharks to see;

the coolest was the sawfish..

if you look close enough (on the left and going up),

you can see the nose of the fish that looks like a saw blade.

May - this month couldn't come soon enough. It was the end of the semester! Finals were intense but once they were over, I could breathe a sigh of relief!

Not sure why I don't have ANY pictures from May until now, but I'm sad about it! I didn't take pictures of my mom's or Matt's bday, the pictures that I took from when I went to the beach are on my broken phone (dropped it down the steps, but hey, now I have the white iPhone so it was worth it! haha), and no pics from the 4th of July. Waaa.

Fast forward to now - summer has been good so far.. I work everyday but I babysit and take the kiddos to the pool so it's fun :) I better enjoy it now while I can haha. Lately we've been under a MASSIVE heat wave though! I'm sure you girls down south can relate. I checked the weather on my phone today and saw this.. unbelievable: Look at the "FEELS LIKE" temp.. how is that possible in Maryland?! So gross.

School starts for me in a little more than 3 weeks (I start when the teachers do) so I'm trying to relax as much as I can.. I'm placed at a school that is 5 min from the bf's house so it's pretty convenient.

On another note, went to the doctor today for a check up and noticed that I have gained 5 lbs in a year! Wth?! This past year was stressful though. I need to get motivated and get back to where I was. Does anyone know of great workout dvd's? It's more convenient to work out at my house than drive 20 some min. to the gym (i do have a membership though, just completely out of the way)

Leaving tomorrow for the beach! I'll be back Monday though. Have a fun weekend :)

I hope ALL of you are doing well, enjoying summer (hopefully taking a vacay) and staying happy!

School has started.

So I'm sure you know what that means.. less time for blogging :(

So this past weekend, M and I went to a gala for his work. We had such a great time. Free food and open bar with lots of friends there as well. I actually ran into someone I went to elementary school with - small world!

me and M

does this dress look familiar?

I wore it 3 yrs ago, haha.

This is only the 2nd time I've worn it so I figured it was okay :)

Then Monday came and it was time to go to school. I went to the gym in the morning like I said I would and actually felt great doing it! But at 3 o'clock, I was exhausted. I actually went to bed that night at 8:30, haha.

As for my classes, I'm taking Physical Science, a comp. class, Bio, concepts of math class (which I think I'll love because my teacher is amazing), Math internship and science internship. I start my math internship on Tuesday and I'm excited for that. I'll be in 2nd grade this semester!

My days are long and my professors have already loaded up the work for us but I know I'll make it through. It's all about balance. However, blogging does fall to the back burner. As much as I love it, school is my #1 priority right now. I'd like to make Dean's list again this semester :)

This weekend is the Super Bowl. Not to sure what we're doing yet though, or who I'm rooting for. Do I want the Steelers to win because they beat the Raven's? Or the Packers because the Steeler's have won too many times? Who are you rooting for if you're going to watch it?

I finally got my 3 free nail polishs in the mail (less s&h) thanks to Katie! I love the colors and can't wait to paint my nails :)

 

Thanks girls who have e-mailed me wishing me well in school :)
I'm glad you took the time to think about it!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

What I'm Loving Today . . .

1. I'm loving that Jamie does this every week. It really lets me reflect on the good, instead of the bad or things I could complain about :) So thanks, Jamie!

2. I'm loving that today is a snow day! We (Maryland) have really missed A LOT of snow storms this winter! (probably because we got enough last winter to last us for 5 future winters, haha) After this storm is over, we should have about 6-9 inches. I've been lounging all day and I'm taking FULL advantage of it because school starts this coming Monday! Yikes. Free time = GONE!

3. I'm loving how long my hair is getting. However, I'm not loving how thin it has been feeling lately. I've been thinking of getting thickening shampoo and conditioner, but I'm not sure what kind to get. Any recommendations? Help a girl out! Yes, my hair is important to me, haha :)

4. I'm not loving that school starts Monday BUT I am loving that I'll be back on a consistent schedule and will be able to get to the gym the same time most days as well as eat meals at consistent times. Life just flows better when you're on a schedule.. or maybe that's just my OCD saying so, haha.

5. I'm loving that I just found out that the lady I used to nanny for (about 3 years ago), is M's Mom's cousin. Talk about a small, small world! (they just reunited which is why I just found out)

6. I'm loving that Liz gave me a little acknowledgement :) She is too sweet. Thank you again! It made my day!

I'd like to pass this on to Caroline @ A Life of Color because she deserves it. She always leaves me the most thoughtful and sweet comments and has become a good blog friend :) I could surely name other bloggers who deserve this as well so don't think that I don't appreciate each of you! xox

7. And of course, I'm loving my boy :) 

And yes, I'm being super lazy and not putting pictures with this post. Forgive me.

It's Monday. And bitterly cold. So here's to me rambling.

1. It was FREEZING this weekend. I mean a high of 15 degrees. (sorry to those who are suffering with FAR worse temps.) Totally not normal for MD though. I could hibernate and honestly be happy. Me and cold weather do not like each other. I did go out for dinner and drinks on Saturday night though with M. However, I felt like Randy from the movie A Christmas Story because I was SO bundled up.

2. We watched the playoffs yesterday. Glad to see the Packers win; Steelers, egh not so much. I was rooting for the Jets since the Steelers have 2 Superbowl rings in the past 6 years. I mean, isn't it time for someone else to win? M was happy though because his dad is a BIG Steelers fan.

3. As of next Monday, I will be one busy bee. Here's how the schedule is looking:

Mon:  Gym: 7:30 AM - 9AM

         Class: 10AM - 4:20PM

Tues: Class: 8:30AM - 3:40 PM

         Gym: 4 PM

Wed: Same as Monday

Thurs: Gym: 9AM - 10:30AM

          Class: 12:30PM - 4:20PM

Fri: Work and gym (until my boss doesn't work anymore. then this will become a homework day)

(Parking is TERRIBLE at school so I have to get there with enough time to get lucky and get a spot or stalk someone to take their spot. It's so annoying) 

Not too too bad. I have two internships and the rest are classes (all math & science, yuck.)

4. M and I have a gala to go to this weekend. I'm quite excited for it :) We get to dress up!

5. I just started reading the book Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult. I've never read any of her books before but my boss gave me about 5. So far, I'm really into it. I'm hoping I finish it before school starts. I know she wrote My Sister's Keeper. I didn't read that but I saw the movie and cried like a baby, haha. Have any of you read this book by her or others?

6. That's all I have for today.. Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend.

Wow, I'm REALLY back this time!

I swear I'm not lying. First, I want to say that I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

I know I posted like a month ago that I was going to give an update, but I swear that life gets in the way. Oh yea, if you EVER plan on taking a break from blogging, take my word for it and DON'T DO IT! It is so hard to get back into it. I made a promise to myself to post what I've been up to, not only for you ladies who care about what I've been doing, but also for myself so I can remember what I did. Soo, where do I even start?!

By the way, I plan on clearing out my reader and starting from tomorrow because there is no way in the world to read everyone's posts from the months of November and December - I would go insane! I apologize and hope you ladies had great things happening then.

I finished my first semester of the Elementary Education Program with 3 A's and 2 B's. I was proud of myself :-) When the semester was over, the girls in my cohort had a little Christmas party and played secret Santa. There were only about 12 of us there but we had a blast.

Also in December, I went with my family (minus my 2 other brothers) to see the lighting of the community Christmas tree. It's literally 2 minutes down the street and afterwards, they serve cookies and hot chocolate in a restored home. It's cute and my little brother enjoys watching it light up.

Matt and I went to his aunt's mom's 60th birthday. We only planned on staying for about an hour, but we made a night out of it and had a blast hanging out with the oldies :) haha. The food was amazing and the music was fun to dance to. A random but fun night.

so he is cheesin' way too hard and

my face looks like I swallowed an elephant.

I could really use a tan as well.

Whatever.

I've also gotten back into the gym, not that I ever stopped but I have stepped my game up, haha. I gained about 3 lbs. during the semester. I know it was from stress and I'm determined to get it off. I even bought some cute new workout clothes today to get me going :-) Folled over yoga pants and tanks from Old Navy. I love their workout clothes.

My old phone, the LG Dare, died on me about a month ago and I finally became a big girl and got myself a smart phone :) The Droid Incredible. Basically, the same thing as an iPhone except from Verizon. (so my brother says who has the iPhone) I love it and all of the free apps :) Oh, and it didn't hurt that I got it for FREE when Best Buy was having a special. Thanks BB!!

That's what happened for the most part in December.. Then Christmas Came...

Oh Hey!

Only 3 weeks of school left!

Thank the high heavens :-)

I am jumping with joy.

However, I have quite a few BIG assignments

left so I can't celebrate just yet.

It's looking like I should be getting all A's in each class :)

On Saturday, M & I went with some friends to Delaware park
which is a casino about 1 1/2 hours away. I've never been
before but we had so much fun! Didn't end up loosing too much
money even after being there for 7 hours! I'm sure we'll be
going again sometime in the future! Sorry no pictures :(

Yesterday I celebrated my grandpop's 75th birthday!

My family all went to his house for dinner and cake.
He was so happy to have everyone there. He lives

by himself so he gets quite lonely sometimes.

I kid you not, my pop looks the same as he did

20 some years ago! I hope I age just as gracefully :)

I've really been in to painting my nails lately.
I'm a big time nail biter so having them painted

helps me to stop :) Ulta was having a deal on nail polish;

buy 1 get on free. So I got 4 polishes for $10! :)
Can't beat that and I think they're just as good as Essie.

Right now I'm wearing Chocolate Bliss

I think it's really pretty :)

Anyways, I just wanted to check in with you ladies!
I hope you're all doing well and as soon as school is over,

I will be back in the blogging world :)

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Random Tid Bits.

Hi! Happy Thursday. Things going through my mind lately:

• Today is exactly ONE week until classes resume! Ahh, I'm nervous because I start the elementary education program this semester. I'm excited that I'll be taking all education classes instead of BS classes but at the same time, this means I'm one step closer to the real world and that scares me! haha. I'll still be working 2 days a week so I can imagine I'm going to have way less free time which sucks. I have to figure out a way to manage school, work, exercise and M. This is the first time that I will be in school and M will be home. When he was at school, I would have all week to get all of my work done and see him all weekend. Well now that he's home, I'm going to have to find a way to balance every thing. I think it's possible though since he works long hours. I'll be sure to apologize in advance for not blogging/commenting as much :)

• I received my new issue of Glamour in the mail. This always excites me because they have so many great beauty tips and new styles so I enjoy reading it. However, when I received it today, it was more like an encyclopedia! Haha, this thing is almost a half inch thick! It's their biggest issue in 20 years though. Might take me a day or two to get through (I never usually read it all at once.

Doesn't she look great after having twins?!

• There's less than a month until my birthday! (Sept. 16) I'm contemplating on not celebrating though because 24 seems SO scary and to be honest, I don't feel that old at all. I feel like I was just turning 19 or 20. Where is life going?! I need to start making a wish list of things I want ;-)

 How cute is this cake!?
I've always wanted a fancy cake for my birthday :)

• Speaking of birthday's, one of my very good blog friends celebrates hers tomorrow! Liz was one of my very first blog friends. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever known! So down to earth and is always there for me! Too bad she lives so far away. Be sure to go and wish her a happy birthday :) I know she would appreciate it. Happy birthday Liz! xox.
  

 

• I'm ready for fall. The other night M and I were talking about things we want to do in the coming months and I was so excited about it.. Football games, pumpkin picking, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc. He has never been home for these things so it's sort of all new to me :) I can't wait for the fall candles to come out either. Spiced Pumpkin by Yankee Candle is my favorite! Love. I also can't wait to drink hot chocolates in my cozy fall clothes :) It's so pretty here during the fall because of all the trees changing colors. I can however wait for winter! I loathe it. Yuck!!

I've always wanted to go apple picking!

Let's see if I can talk M into it - haha.

Have a great weekend ladies!

Enjoy the last couple of weeks of summer :) 

(all images from google images)

Woo Hoo!

Well, I'm finally finished with spring semester! I can finally  b r e a t h e !

I have two of my grades so far - an A and a B (out of 4 classes) so that's

something to smile about :-) I'm so ready for summer to be here!

Speaking of school being over and summer arriving, I FINALLY have time to read the stack of books I've been wanting to! I couldn't read during the semester because I was forced by my professors to read boring nonsense!

(I had to take a folklore and literature class - terrible I tell you!)

Here are some of the books I have lined up to read:

I've already started reading this and I must say it's funny

but I wouldn't expect anything less from Ms. Handler :-)

I already read My Horizontal Life and loved it.

I'm hoping to finish this soon so I can start reading . . .

 

I'm hoping this book will be the best yet.

After I finish Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang,

I want to start reading . . .

I read the first book of Lauren's and it's a total chick lit book

(obvs. my favorite kind) so I feel I should read this one too since it's

a follow up to the first one. I think I may have to re-read the first book

though since I sort off forget what happened - it's been a while since I read it.

I bought this book a while ago and have yet to read it. I love Nicholas Sparks (sorry for those who don't!) and his books are always quick reads for me.

Since it's been sitting for quite sometime, I'm going to try to read it.

Last but not least, my friend let me borrow these books and insists that I MUST read them because they're so good. You know let know what you think:

If you've read any of books above, let me know what you think!

If you have any recommendations, share with me! :-)

Finally the weekend.

Hi friends! I've missed blogging. I haven't posted since Tuesday. Sorry about that. School has been consuming all of my free time. But, I survived my first week at a new college :) It was no different though. I really like my Thursday night class. My teacher is hilarious and just an over all nice lady. I think I'll enjoy this class. Unfortunately, I do have tons of work to get done by tomorrow which includes reading out of 4 different books, completing 4 quizzes and creating a power point on who I am. Shouldn't be too bad though. At least the snow will keep me in so I can finish everything.

This morning I woke up reading to shower because I was supposed to be meeting my friend for lunch. We haven't seen each other in about 2 years so I was pretty excited to catch up. Then I was supposed to run errands and head to the gym. The weather must have had different plans though. I knew it was supposed to snow way south of Baltimore, in places like D.C and Virginia (we were possibly getting a dusting of snow) but noo, the weather men must not have paid close attention to radar because it started snowing like crazy at 11 AM and hasn't stopped since. My roads are covered. This is the forecast on weather.com:

Do you see that?! Feels like 9 degrees. Come on winter. You have reared your ugly head enough this year in Baltimore. I'm ready for you to leave town. But I guess you aren't because I saw this at the bottom on the weather screen:

So by the time this whole thing is over, we'll have about 5 inches of snow when we were possibly getting a dusting. So much for a nice Saturday. Ughh. Spring get here soon please!

Are any of you experiencing this terrible weather? I know some states lost power due to the ice and snow. I'm grateful to still have power so it's not too bad. Just a pain in the butt, that's all.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! Any good plans?

Update: The weather channel says now we could get up to 10 in. of snow! Is it ever going to stop? :( Here are some pics. I hate being trapped inside.

my back yard through my window

See those tracks?

Few cars braved the snow and made those.

That's supposed to be a road.

Terrible driving conditions on my street.

My legs hurt.

So, today was my first day back to school. I only had one class today and it's probably the most boring class I've ever taken in my life. It's called Folklore & Literature. My teacher doesn't make it any more interesting. Thank goodness it's only an hour and some mintues on Tuesday and Thursday. I decided to dress semi-nice for class because I probably will not the rest of the semester lol. This was my back to school outfit:

                               

Please excuse my fake smile. I was not excited for school lol. Both tops are from Target. I just love that place :)

After my class, I headed to About Faces Day Spa to receive my fantastic 1-hour massage :) Best hour of my day! It's just so relaxing and if I had the money, I would LOVE to get one every week. Maybe I should save money and get one at least once a month. While paying for my massage, I saw my friend Becky working who I haven't seen in 3 yrs. It was so good seeing her! I love running into old friends and catching up.

As much as I wanted to go home and nap after my massage, I decided to be a trooper and head to the gym. I did my hour of cardio and weights for my legs, which by the way are throbbbbing right now.

Tomorrow is going to be such a long day. Work 9-5 then class 6-9:30 :( I probably won't be able to blog or comment which makes me upset. I love reading all of you blogs! So I hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

Do any of you recommend the hot stone massage? I always get a custom (regular) massage and I can't do deep tissue. Hurts too much for me.

A Real Post. (Finally)

These upcoming weeks are going to be a little rough . . .

Yesterday, I went to school for orientation and to register for classes. (I'm starting at a new college this year). I was so nervous going because it's never easy switching to a place where you know no one. My schedule this semester is kind of wacky but I am still able to keep my wonderful job. Actually, I enjoy going to work (I'm a nanny for two little girls) When I graduate, I hope I am as happy as I am now working. Anyway, I learned that I may have to leave my job in the upcoming semesters because there will be no way to go to school and intern and work. This really stresses me out and upsets me because one, how will I pay my bills and two, as I said, I like going to work. Hopefully this summer I'll be able to work full time, save some money, and work out things with my boss so that I can still work when fall semester begins.

On another note, M leaves next Thursday to return to school. Unlike me, he'll be graduating in May. Pathetic, I know but hey, every one goes through life at their own pace ;) lol. This really sucks because he's been home for 2 months now and I'm so used to seeing him. I should be used to him leaving because we've been doing this for 3 years now. But, it never gets easier. I know he'll be home for good in less than 5 months, but it seems soo far away. It just stinks when people you love leave, ya know? I'm sure some of you have been in this situation before. I know I'll see him on some weekends, but not nearly as much as when he is home.

Sorry to complain, but I had to tell someone..

On a HAPPIER note, I'll be starting my new year's resolution (which was to exercise at least an hour a day) on Monday, January 25. (A little late, I know, but better late then never!) I've already renewed my gym membership and I'll be getting myself bikini ready for summer! If some of you would like to give me tips on sticking to exercise routines, please fill me in! I need all the encouragement I can get :) My goal is to work out at least 4 days a week and cut out some carbs. (They're my best friend, but terrible for me). I know I'll be sore as anything when I start but I have two, hour-long massages just waiting to be used :)

So, who's ready for the Ravens to beat the Colts on Saturday? ;)

Hope everyone is having a great week so far!