Motivational Monday: Goals

Now that the fall semester is in full swing I've decided to put together a "goals and motivation" post. I personally do better when I can visualize what my goals are and forgetfulness is removed from the equation of getting things done. And who knows, maybe some of you share the same goals and we can work together by encouraging each other to meet them! I attempting to separate my goals from needing to be completed this month vs those that were for the semester but quite a few overlapped in both sections so I left it as one list.

- Post about my apartment. In two Fridays I am going to be living here for FIVE months! Time is flying by, I feel like I just left Florida yesterday. The worst part about this is that I haven't posted anything showing y'all what my fabulous apartment looks like. It's coming, I promise!
- Paint my apartment
- Try a new recipe at least once a week. Sloppy Joe's are good, and cheap, and easy to make. They've always been a favorite of mine and since moving on my own they've become a staple in my diet. I have a freezer full of meats -- good recipe worthy meat -- so there's really no reason I can't broaden my horizon a bit.
- Go to happy hour with friends (or video chat/dinner party/wine night) at least once a week.

I've realized it's quite easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of school, nannying and seeing nic on the weekends making it easy to forget about quality friend time. Not being in a dorm means I'm not being forced to "bond" with people. . I mean I don't need someone to go to dinner with. And I'm done partying so there goes that "activity". I have a great group of friends up here and quality girl time is getting an umph up in my priority list.

- Blog more! I've been slacking on my blogging. I have six drafts started but I just keep procrastinating publishing them. I'll be getting on that. 

- Not procrastinate. Oh what a typical goal college/school/everyone goal. I don't get home until 10:30-11 on Monday and Wednesday and have to leave at 7 on Tuesday and Thursday. This weekend starts the busy weekend schedule, and football games start next weekend. I want to get all A's so study time it is. (Also I want study buddies!)
- Go to Church every Sunday. I'm ashamed to say I've only gone to church twice since moving up here.  But I am proud to say I went to church by myself for the first time yesterday. It's a pleasant five minute walk away. There's absolutely no reason not to go. 
- Gym! Over the summer Nic and I signed up for Gold's together. I was doing GREAT for a while, running at least three times a week. .and then I went home, lost my grove and haven't gone back since. Whoops? I also have never run a 5k, or marathon, or anything and I really want to without making a fool of myself. There's a 5k at a vineyard at the end of October that just has my name all over it. 

I'm leaving y'all with a happy little quote that is going to be my inspiration for the week. We all have our own dreams and whether you're focusing on those that are big and grand or the smaller and "goals" it's important to never lose sight of them.

Have a great week love bugs!

Ciao!  xoxo.

PS: I hope you like what I've done with the place! :)

Visiting Home

As I sat on my flight I realized quite a few different things, the main being that I’m going home and that’s not Orlando. . strange concept. When we were moving me up to Towson mom made a funny comment about how I’m never going to live at home again. I’ll be honest, I blew it off as an emotional mom moment but this past week has made it concrete. I won’t.

:: cue awkwardness as I start to tear up on an airplane ::

I needed this vacation. . not like that was a secret from anyone. Almost four months away from the familiarity, the beach, and having “no worries” was killing me. I missed my old job and coworkers, my eighties nights, being tan, and most importantly – my family. My missing my niece’s birthday party, and knowing it’s not going to be the last big event that I’ll miss was killing me. And knowing that’s a part of “growing up” doesn’t make it easier.

Walking out of the MCO I was greeted with the familiar heat that I miss, a few rays of good strong sun and my adorable niece, nephew and older sister. Kaiden and Vivi were as excited to see me as I was to see them but as soon as I got in the car I didn’t receive a “Hi titi!” but instead it was a “Where’s Eevah!?!?!” – it felt good to be home. Things worked out were I was even fortunate enough to go house hunting with them as they found their new home!

I ventured out with my sister and brother-in-law to re-celebrate my 21^st birthday and their house signing only to almost be denied entrance into I-Bar. My first time out in Orlando as myself and not my alter ego Amanda and my REAL id is almost denied. . . the irony.

The weekend was spent frolicking around St. Pete Beach. I got to soak up some sun, drink some desperately needed lava flows (pina colada and strawberry daiquiri mixed together – oh my lanta delicious) and just relax with my parents. I got to be home for my dad’s birthday.

I saw my old coworkers and hung out with some of my closest friends. I didn’t get to see everyone I wanted to, nor do everything I wanted to, but I’m walking away from home contented. Things change. Sometimes we sadly lose some of our closest friends and we can’t change that.  You can try to change it but sometimes it won’t work. And at least I can say I tried.

I already miss everything about home, but at the same time I’m excited to be back at this “home”. The air is getting a little crisper and I can honestly say I'm quite excited for scarfs and footballs game. Both places seem to be my home now. And as one of my favorite friends pointed out "home is where your heart is, and yours is in Annapolis". 

To part, here's what I saw most of my flight home. My dog is such a diva. (Please note the paw)

A Little Back Track: Ring Dance

I missed quite a few great events to blog about during my hiatus and now that I'm back in action it is killing me that they were forgotten. This being said, I'm going to back track to one of the biggest events of Nic's Naval Academy career: Second Class Ring Dance. A brief explanation for those who are unfamiliar with the dance. . This is when the boys' class rings are dipped in waters of the seven seas "blessing" them into the Navy. Their rings are like their babies so it's a really big deal. They turn Dalgren Hall which is basically a big empty structure into the ball. Think high school dance in the gym but 100% more elaborate.

We both have been looking forward to it since plebe summer but for slightly different reasons. I haven't been able to get really dolled up since prom of senior year and I was itching to get into a ball gown. I'm not sexy but I tried to be in a blue gown covered in sequins and with a slit. It was interesting but I loved my dress in the end. He on the other hand was looking forward to getting his rings. One thing for certain though was that it really told us that we made it to firstie year!! YAY!

It was also Nic's twenty first birthday! A weekend of two incredibly important events! We stayed at his friends house and had a grand partying of a time but somewhere along the lines I have become a grandma and subsequently drink like one. . oh well. To each their own. I did manage to make Nic special birthday rice krispie treats -- and they were gluten free!

For all the younger NAG's looking forward to Ring Dance I have a few bits of advice.

• Don't piss of your seamstress if she takes the dress in too little at first. She will be mean and take it in too much the next time and you won't be able to zip it while wearing any sort of push up bra. And if you're like me and weren't blessed with boobs that look awesome without a push up you'll be pissed.
• The line for pictures during the dance isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. We got there an hour/hour an a half after it started about waited less than some of our friends who went earlier udring the day. I am not a big fan of the picture though and haven't found anyone who is. They cut off the top of the ring and every picture I've seen the people look sunburnt. (And I most definitely wasn't).  
• Don't be one of the girls that had to be carried out because they were that hammered. 
• Talk to the oldies. They're so cute and sweet and they really do want to talk to you! They're fabulous.
• Ultimately this isn't your day, it's his. So maybe you'll end up missing pictures with your friends or won't get to hang out with them as much as you thought you would. Just remember why you're there -- and why you met them -- him. 
• Have fun!! 

I was able to spend some time with my fabulous fellow NAG's! They've become my closest friends and I love them to death. It was awesome being able to go to something so important for your other half and be able to see people that are also extremely important to you too.

Ciao darlings! xoxo