fill in the blanks!

Hello all!

Just stopping by for a quick update...life has been crazy lately!

For one, I finally got a full-time job!

That's right people, I've joined the real world and am loving it so far.

The past few weeks have consisted of weekend trips to various places, work, and not a lot of cooking unfortunately.

I seriously HAVE to grocery shop this weekend. If I don't, Joe and I may starve.

Otherwise, I'm just getting into the groove of life and finally feeling settled, which is so exciting for me because for the last 6 years I've had various part-time jobs and class upon class trying to get my diploma.  I couldn't be more thrilled to be done and finally starting my life!

That being said, though, I have started getting Athens fever lately and really want to go back and visit, soon-ish if possible.  Come on, football season!

Hope you're all having a great week!

Here are some blanks, just like old times when I used to actually keep up with blogging!

1.  I am proud of myself for finally getting things in order and joining the masses in the real world. I actually got my diploma in the mail last week, and the reality of everything really hit me!

2.   This weekend I will do absolutely nothing. After our weekend at the lake last weekend, I need a little R&R!  Pool, working on our brewniversity status at Taco Mac (yes, Joe and I joined and it's so fun!), and lots of sleep are on my agenda.

3.  A secret dream I have is to learn to paint.  I tried back when I was a sophomore in college, but it never quite panned out.

4. I can't handle when people ditch out on plans without a warning...it's just common courtesy really, so it's always been a pet peeve of mine.

5. The most annoying thing in the entire world is listening to the radio at work...I  seriously need to buy an iPod dock.  I am so tired of the same 12 songs!

6. The most relaxing thing in the entire world is drinking sangria by the pool. I'd do that every day if I could afford to.

7.  I think everyone should do something fun at least once a week...even if it's just dinner! Last night, Joe and I went out for dinner and drinks even though it was a work night, and honestly it was so great just getting out of our routine and doing something different.  Sometimes it's necessary to just suck it up at work the next day for the sake of having a nice time and spicing up your routine!

Life lately

Honestly, I wish I could say I've been neglecting this blog because I'm lazy and haven't had much to say, but that would be a lie.

In reality, I've been super busy!

And I'll tell you with what.

I recently started a job at St. Jude's Recovery Center!

It sounds more exciting than it is, really...

I'm a PRN, which means I don't have a set schedule...or any real privileges.

BUT...

It's a start!

Side note on what St. Jude's Recovery is and what I actually do there:

St. Jude's Recovery Center is a place where families can go that are dealing with alcohol or substance abuse and would like treatment.

When a family goes there, their children can come and live with them while they are in treatment.

Here's where I step in.

While the parents are in their programs and meetings and such, their children come to me to do therapeutic activities and basically to just have fun!

And a little fun is exactly what these kids need...I mean they've seen things that I can't even imagine.

Which is why, honestly, I've had a hard time adjusting somewhat.

I just want to adopt every kid I work with and bring them home with me to live in this tiny one-bedroom apartment.

But alas, I can't.

So, I'm doing the best I can at teaching them and making them into productive little humans.

Anyway, back to my life lately.

So, I've been doing the PRN thing, and also nannying still.

Between doing both, I've been working 6 days a week and feeling ready for a break on the 7th.

Also, I've started a new health kick.

I know...I go through these phases every now and then and it's kind of pathetic really because it never lasts...

But I'm doing surprisingly well on this one.

I started reading the book Eat to Live, which I totally recommend if you are any kind of health nut, and so far it has taught me many benefits to the vegan lifestyle.

So I decided why not, let's give it a shot.

Joe gave up almost immediately.

Shocking.

But I've stuck with it for a week now, and I'm feeling great!

I've also been exercising more, but the diet I feel is the most important thing.

It almost feels like I've been through a detox!

I had some pictures to share with you of, but of course my internet is acting up at the moment.

I also had a recipe to share finally!

It's been way too long since I shared one, and really that was my whole reason for starting a blog to begin with.

So, expect pictures and at least one recipe in the next post...

which WILL be sooner rather than later.

Promise.

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend!

phasing back in

Wow.

I can't believe it's been since FEBRUARY that I've blogged.

Honestly, I did keep up with reading blogs, I just couldn't bring myself to do my own actual writing.

And I'll tell you why.

The last three months have been the most busy/stressful of my entire life thus far.

Since February, I have:

1. Gone on my last spring break ever, which included Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, AND Savannah for St. Patrick's Day (four destinations in five days is exhausting)

2. Done an unlimited amount of final projects, papers, and tests, including my last final exams EVER! - These things took up most of my time, hence the lack of blogging.

3. Graduated!!!!!!!

4. Celebrated said graduation in Mexico!

It may not sound like much, but these things have scattered my brain for the past three months.

However, now that I've been back from Mexico a week and have had time to settle, I feel ready to start this journey again.

Probably because I am currently looking for a job in the real world and have found myself getting antsy with all of my newly found free time.

But still.

So I'm here!

Alive and well and ready to blog.

Here are some pictures to catch you up on the last two weeks of my life, because let's be honest, no one wants to see pictures of me taking exams and creating projects.

My name in the program!  It's real!

Firework finish to my graduation ceremony - hands down, best part.

Our room in Mexico the day after graduation!

Mexican paradise.

The slide and mini cliff to jump off of that were connected to the pool - Joe may or may not have jumped off this 30+ times.

The boys enjoying the swim up bar, where we all spent most of our time...

...although we did spend a lot of time at the lobby bar too.

Joe and I pretending we're not seasick on the snorkel trip we took.

It wouldn't be vacation if I didn't share a photo of one of the many delicious desserts we indulged in.

So, there you go.

Hopefully you feel caught up.

And hopefully I never get this behind again when it comes to writing!

Now you'll get to hear all about how frustrating my job search has been/is being and how I'm filling my time in the mean time.

Lucky you!

Just kidding.

But for real, I won't complain too much.

Right now I'm too busy basking in the glory of my UGA degree and enjoying having a life after my 19 hour semester to complain!

Hope you all are having a great summer so far!

Mexico 2K12!

It finally happened.

Joe and I booked a trip to celebrate my graduation!

May 12th we will be heading out bright and early to catch our flight to MEXICO!

I don't think I could be any more excited than I am right this second.

Okay, maybe when it's May 11th I'll be more excited than I am now.

But still.

SO PUMPED!

We will be staying at the Hotel Marina El Cid in Puerto Moreles, which just happens to be an all-inclusive resort.

I've done the all-inclusive thing twice with my family when I was too young to reap all the benefits {free alcohol for a week, WHAT?!} so I am pretty excited to finally go back as a semi-adult and take advantage of everything offered.

Also, it will be Joe and I's first time out of the country together.

It's just all around exciting!

That said, I have already had one breakdown about school.

19 hours of class is no joke at UGA.

And, now that my cap and gown is purchased and my trip to paradise is booked, I am starting to panic.

What if something happens and I don't graduate!?

{knock on wood 50,000 times that this doesn't happen}

I'm probably just being silly...but still, it's sort of terrifying.

I just can't believe this day is actually here.

Almost to the point that I feel like it's NOT here...like something will definitely go wrong.

I don't know.

Let's hope that's not the case.

Enough of that.

Have you all celebrated Valentine's Day yet?!

Let me preface this by saying that Valentine's Day is in my top three holidays of the year.

I just love everything about it.

Joe and I went to dinner last night at J.Alexander's, this really fancy place near our apartment.

My dinner of grilled pork tenderloin and 'smashed' potatoes.

Absolutely delicious.

Then we had lots of wine and caught up on all our favorite TV shows.

Overall, it was just a great night.

We're also celebrating Tuesday a little bit.

Joe is going to cook me dinner {which if you know us, you know this has happened maybe once over the course of our three years together}, so I'm pretty excited!

It will be fun to not be in charge of dinner, that's for sure!

Oh, on a side note, I saw The Vow yesterday.

Stop reading my blog right this second and go see it.

Just do it.

Trust me.

Happy Valentine's Day!

:)

home alone

Hi ladies!

Hope you're all having a great week.

This week {and next week} Joe is working in Peachtree City for a client he was assigned to, which means he'll be staying with his parents...which means I have the apartment all to my lonesome!

Even AJ is gone!

It's relaxing, but quite lonely at the same time.

I guess I've grown used to the hectic life of living with my boyfriend and puppy.

While I'm here alone, I'll be cleaning {in theory} and studying for all the tests and papers I have due this week.

Needless to say, I'm looking forward to the weekend!

Are you guys doing anything fun?

I don't really know our plan yet, but it's looking like this year is going to be pretty tame.

I'm sure I'll be coming up with something yummy to cook though.

Let's face it...I may not care about the NFL, but it's the last football weekend for a long time!

Gotta break out the tailgating snacks one more time for good measure, am I right?

I know I probably sound like a nutcase, but I also wanted to share with you guys some exciting news.

AJ lost his first tooth!

Well, first that we've seen.

Isn't that so crazy?  Who knew dogs lost their baby teeth just like toddlers?!
Whatever.  Judge me as you will, I'm a proud mama!

He's also gotten back almost all of his hair.

{For those of you who don't know, he was suffering from demadex, a genetic version of the mange that causes cute little pups like mine to lose their hair due to stress.}

He's recovering like a champ though!

Hope ya'll have a great rest of the week!

I'm counting on you guys to keep me company while my boys are away.

:)

new blog obsession

Hey gals!

Hope you all had a great week.

This week, for me, entailed getting back to a normal schedule and embarking on my final semester of school.

{insert giddy excitement here}

My class schedule is shaping up to be a tough one, but I am in such disbelief that the end is so near I'm just feeling inspired and ready to get all my work done.

I've also started thinking about jobs in the real world.

I've been looking in Atlanta for awhile now, but a few days ago Joe and I started throwing around the idea of me looking in other places {aka different states}.

I've never lived more than an hour away from Atlanta, so the idea mostly just scares me.

However, it also is pretty exciting to think about.

So, we'll see where that goes!  I'll definitely be keeping you guys posted on that.

In the mean time, I thought I'd share something that I came across this week and have officially become obsessed with.

The other day, this little blog was brought to my attention:

Can You Stay For Dinner?

I don't know about you guys, but my weight has always fluctuated.

Always between 120 and 150. Never fails.

The same 30 pounds has come on and off over the last few years more than I can count, and I'm at a point now where I'm trying to get it under control and lose it all for good.

Enter "Can You Stay For Dinner?".

I came across this blog the other day, and it really inspired me to stop making excuses to be lazy.

Reading about Andie Mitchell's 135 pound weight loss journey is nothing short of amazing.

What I love most about it is that she is so realistic.

What I mean by realistic is that - unlike many fad diets and dieting info you might find on the internet - she doesn't focus on all of the bad foods out there and how they must be completely cut out of your life.

She talks about calorie counting and portion sizes and being mindful of your choices.

And walking.

One big thing she did in her journey was walk everywhere, which sort of opened my eyes in a way because when I was at my lowest weight ever I was walking everywhere.

Reading about how walking jump started her journey made me realize how many opportunities a day I have to walk - specifically on campus - that I don't take advantage of.

After reading her story, I've started walking from class to class instead of using the infamous UGA bus system.

Also, I've been taking AJ to Chastain Park for long walks {which, honestly, I probably should have been doing more often anyway because that's what puppies need!}.

One step at a time, right?

If you guys get a chance, I'd definitely recommend checking out her blog!

Even if you're not interested in the weight loss part, she also shares a TON of delicious and healthy recipes.

If you know me at all, you know recipe blogs are what got me interested in the blogging world to begin with.

They've really transformed my cooking experience.

Okay, I'm done rambling on about it.

But seriously.

Go check Andie's blog out.

It's amazing.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

:)

2012!

Hey ya'll!

It's been awhile since I've updated, and I'm sorry about that!

Since the last time I wrote, I've been super busy with the holidays and with, let's be honest, being lazy.

This break has been amazing and was exactly what I needed to get ready for my FINAL semester of college!

For Christmas, I visited my dad for a few days, spent actual Christmas in Peachtree City with Joe's family, and then my mom came to visit {and meet Joe for the FIRST time!}!

Joe and I also celebrated three wonderful years together.  Nothing too exciting, just dinner and champage, which I was totally happy with.

Then, we rang in the new year with Kayla and her boyfriend, Mark, by making lots of good snacks, drinking lots of champage {sounds like I've had a lot of champagne over the break now that I'm recounting everything ha}, and dancing at Twisted Taco for midnight!

Overall, it's all been so great and relaxing and now I'm spoiled and don't want to start doing homework again.

Go figure.

Before I talk about the new year, I'd like to share with you some pictures of everything that's been going on:

AJ in his first sweater!

The sweet little Tiffany bracelet Joe gave me for Christmas :)

Our first "His & Hers" gift!

This is exactly as awesome as it looks...triple buffet crock pots!

Our apartment has been lacking photos and wall art for awhile now, so one of Joe's family members gave me this!

My mom gave me a new fancy coffeemaker for Christmas, that just so happens to make iced coffee too! New obsession, to say the least.

And finally, on New Years Day, Kayla and I made our first traditional New Years lunch while our lazy boyfriends watched football all morning.  Hopefully these superstitions are correct and 2012 will bring me a lot of money, luck, and happiness!

I can't tell you all how excited I am that 2012 is finally here.

This will be a big year for me, mostly because:

1. I'll graduate from UGA

2. Joe and I are planning our first real vacation - to Mexico - to celebrate my graduation!

3. I'll get a real job and start earning an actual salary (cross your fingers for this one!)

Basically, this year is going to be a year of big life changes for me, and I couldn't be more excited.

This is the first year I haven't really been able to think of a good resolution because there are just so many other things happening.  My real resolutions are really just to follow through with everything I just listed - graduate, take a nice vacation with my boyfriend, and land myself a sweet job so I can really start my life.

So, here's hoping you all have a wonderful 2012 and follow through with your resolutions, whatever they may be!

Happy New Year!