goodbye 2012, hello 2013!

2012 was an eventful year. Cody got a new job, we moved from New Orleans to DC, we got engaged,  and then we got married. Quite a lot packed into one year. Maybe because of all the excitement, I feel like this year flew by. I guess I feel that way every year. Remember when you were young and a year was such a long time? Remember when summers seemed to last forever? Why does that change when we get older?

New Year's is always one of my favorite days. I love any opportunity to feel like I can start new and fresh. I love the idea of having a day where you make resolutions and set goals for growing and changing to become a better version of yourself. Of course, like everyone else, I struggle to keep these goals, but I still think it's important to try.

Here are some of my New Year's Resolutions:

1. Rotate reading fiction and non-fiction books. I am an avid reader, but I read mostly novels. I plan on reading more non-fiction books, but only in subjects that truly interest me.

2. Try one new recipe a week. I don't cook. I think maybe I would be okay at it if I tried. I will put that theory to the test.

3. Keep in touch. I plan on writing more letters and sending more cards and post-cards. I want those that I love to know that I am thinking about them.

4. Learn a new skill. I have a guitar that I don't know how to play. I'd like to learn to sew. My friend gave me some yarn and some needles and said she would teach me how to crochet.

5. Volunteer. This is very important to me and something I've wanted to do for a long time. I'm ashamed I haven't started yet, but I guess better late than never.

6. BLOG MORE

Please share your resolutions in the comments!

Have a beautiful new year. xoxo

Five Things

I have really enjoyed starting this blog and now that things have calmed down around here I'd really like to work harder to post more frequently. I know I don't have a lot of readers, but every time I post I get a sense of accomplishment and that's something that I definitely need at the moment. It's also served as a scrapbook of our lives and a way for me to practice my writing skills. I've been researching blog tips and many people suggest having a goal of blogging everyday or a certain number of days per week. I don't know if I could do everyday, so I'll start small with 3-5 days a week. A strategy they suggest that helps to accomplish that goal is to have weekly features. So, here is my first weekly feature. It's called "Five Things." Every Monday I will post five things that I like, am interested in, have been researching, make me laugh, make me cry, etc. Here we go!

1) The Golden Girls

While spending time on my Mom and Dad's couch during our wedding week, I was able to re-discover one of favorite childhood shows. When we got back to DC, I immediately ordered the first season on DVD. Totally worth it.

2) "The Casual Vacancy" by J.K. Rowling

I got the first three Harry Potter books when I was in my early 20s. I thought Ms. Rowling was an incredible and imaginative writer. I really enjoyed the books, but did not read past the first three. I knew they were great, but maybe I just was a tad too old to have been a serious Potter fan. When I met Cody, who was a serious Potter fan (stand in line for a midnight book release serious), I watched all of the movies so we could see the last one in the theatre together. So, I was pretty excited when I first heard Rowling was writing a book for adults. I went to a coffee shop near our house today, ordered a large iced skim latte, and sat down to begin "The Casual Vacancy."

3) Humans of New York 

Brandon Stanton is a street photographer in New York City and I'm pretty obsessed with his blog. What makes his photography different is that he's not trying to be an invisible observer. Instead, he interacts with his subjects, asking them questions, and sharing their stories along with their pictures. Click here to go to his blog.

4) Cecilia Giminez on SNL Weekend Update

This clip was from a few weeks ago, but I still watch it and I still laugh EVERY TIME. Enjoy!





5) "Treme" Episode 26

You may (or may not) remember that I filmed a couple of scenes on HBO's "Treme" the day we left New Orleans for DC. The episode aired last night. I just keep thinking how much I miss New Orleans and how short my hair used to be.

xoxo

A Lighthouse

One of my favorite movies growing up was Disney's "Pete's Dragon." It's the story of a young orphan boy who is trying to escape his evil foster family. Pete and his sometimes-invisible dragon friend, Elliot, go to a new town where Elliot accidentally reeks havoc and Pete becomes close with an alcoholic lighthouse keeper and his daughter. There's lots of singing and comedy and silliness and sadness and it may be the greatest family movie ever. If anyone wants to reminisce with me, here's a trailer for the movie:

One of the most magical things about the movie to me was the lighthouse. I was always a little amazed by them, especially because growing up in the South, lighthouses were as common to me as igloos. Now that I live on the East Coat, I was determined to see one. On Saturday, Cody and I drove out to Elk Neck State Park in North East, Maryland to see the Turkey Point Lighthouse. Finally, my "Pete's Dragon" dreams came true.

 

*Artwork by me. Purple crayon on a large sheet of brown butcher paper.

xoxo

We got hitched!

On Friday, September 28, 2012, Cody and I got married at The Cabin in Gonzales, Louisiana. The wedding was...perfect:) Sure, it STORMED all day, but at the end of it all, surrounded by our friends and families, I married my best friend and began the biggest adventure yet. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

I hope to share pictures soon. Thanks again to everyone who helped make the wedding so special and thanks to everyone who braved the stormy weather to celebrate with us. We love you so much.

Here's to all the little adventures to come!

xoxo

The past few weeks...

I've been working at the Pentagon the past two weeks. I love saying that because it sounds very important, but I've just been selling cupcakes. Well, the people at the Pentagon actually think what we do IS important, considering the fact that they will line up before we open and we sell out around 1 pm.  It's pretty exhausting working there, but at least I'm away from the store (and the tourists and the college students), so it kind of feels like a vacation. But that ends tomorrow when I go back to work in Georgetown. I must be in mourning of my "vacation," because we haven't left the house today. It's been snacking, and reading, and Math, and episodes of "The Twilight Zone" all day. It's also raining. So....duh.

Yesterday we got a few things checked off of the ever growing list for the wedding. We bought wedding rings. Plain bands for both of us. Mine is white gold and Cody's is yellow gold. The jewelry store was strange. Felt like I was entering Gringott's, with all the security and then like we were in some cheesy VIP area of a night club in the "office" where we decided on our rings. Next, we went to buy Cody a suit. It was an uncomfortable experience for everyone involved, but I think he got some really nice suits. Then we went to AT&T to buy me an iPhone 4S. I dropped my 3GS at the bus stop last week and it had a nice big crack going all the way across the screen. I spent way too much money on the new phone, but it is so beautiful and I love it so much, that I'm starting to get over that:)

Last weekend was wonderful. I took a solo trip to NYC so I could check out Hannah's new apartment. I've never taken a bus on a long trip before, so that was an adventure. I brought my laptop and lots of movies and the time went by pretty fast. We got into NYC a little late Friday night, and I assume that was why they literally threw all of our bags on the dirty, New York sidewalk, while random people stepped over and on them. Thanks guys! 

The rest of my time in NYC was great. Brunch at Alice's Tea Cup, walking NYC with Steve, drinks and coffee, a UCB show, another brunch, and more walking. I miss that city.

Now, we only have a month until the wedding and there's so much to do still! 

Hope everyone in Louisiana stays safe. We're thinking about you.

xoxo

Scenes around our Neighborhood

Here's some pictures I've taken around our neighborhood, Mount Pleasant, in Washington, DC

We really love our neighborhood.

xoxo

Makeover!

I thought I'd change the blog to look a little more "me." I was new to blogging at the beginning and I picked a template much too hastily. I feel much happier looking at this new version. I think it's simple and clean and easier to read. Hope y'all like it!

Today is Wednesday and that's exactly what it feels like, even though I had yesterday off. My day off was so great! I've been going to see movies by myself since I learned to drive and it is one of my favorite things to do. Cody and I finally discovered E Street Cinema and it's my new favorite movie theatre in DC. They show a lot of smaller, independent films and they even have midnight movies and sometimes show classic movies at noon. It's not the Prytania, but it will do:) 

I got my requisite popcorn and candy (they were out of raisinets, so I had to go with Milk Duds), and sat down for a couple of hours of crying. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to cry at the movies and it happens in pretty much every movie I see (I cry at sad parts, but also happy parts). And Michelle Williams always delivers the tears. This is the movie I saw:

I hope everyone has a wonderful week. It's cooling down here a bit in DC, but only because it's been raining all week. And it look like more storms this weekend. But that's okay...storms are perfect weather for watching movies (and crying).

xoxo

I'm back!

The first month that we lived in DC, I didn't have a job. While it was nice having time to always have the apartment clean and many hours to dedicate to movies and books, I was slowly driving myself crazy. After many (many) resumes were sent out, I was SO excited to get two phone calls about jobs on the same day, that I accepted both positions when they were offered to me. It was great news for my wallet, but terrible news for the cleanliness of the apartment and my sanity. I found myself working 50 hours a week, not to mention the hours of being on public transportation and the time wasted "killing time" in between jobs. Needless to say, I found little time for things like this blog. However, I have rearranged things in my life a bit and now I have one job, I work 40 hours a week, and I have time for the blog again. Yay!

For this post, I'd like to catch everyone up on some of the little adventures we've been having since my last post...

First off...we got engaged!

On Cinco de Mayo, Cody and I had dinner at Filomena's, an Italian restaurant in Georgetown, and after dinner, Cody proposed. I was shocked and happy and I am so excited for all of the adventures we will have together in the future.

We took these pics earlier that day when we saw "The Avengers"

We are getting married on Friday, September 28th, in Gonzales, LA. There's been lots of planning and shopping and decision-making. It's a little overwhelming, but I'm so lucky that my Mom and Dad are helping me out so much. I'm a lucky girl!

What else has been happening?

Garrett came to visit! My BFF and my Man of Honor came to stay with us in DC for a few days and it was so great having him around again. He's one of my favorite people to laugh with and we do A LOT of laughing. We had brunch at Jimmy T's and sushi on H Street. We also watched "Bridesmaids." OF COURSE.

Brunch at Jimmy T's in Capitol Hill

My cousin, Chad, and his wife, Christi, were so sweet to invite us to New York City for a night. I love that we are close enough to NYC to take these little mini road trips. That city is so near and dear to my heart. This time around I was able to see my friend, Steve. We caught up with him and saw an improv show at Upright Citizens Brigade and had a few drinks. The next day we had a delicious brunch at the Ocean Grill with Chad and Christi. Bloody Mary's, sushi for an appetizer, and I had eggs benedict with crab cakes....MmmmmMmmmm. A nice walk in Central Park after and a trip to the New York Public Library. (Well, the steps at least. Sadly the library was closed.) Thanks again Chad and Christi! We love you!

What was supposed to be a trip to Myrtle Beach with Mom and Dad, turned into a trip to Louisiana. Let's just say, my Dad owes us big time;) But at least I got to see these faces...

My time in Louisiana was so special. I got to hear Sadie call me "Nanny" for the first time and Mom and I had a date with Jackson to see "Brave." I love those kids so much. I didn't get to see every family member, but I was able to spend some time with a lot of them. I can't wait to see everyone in September!

Since I had sort of missed out on a "vacation" Cody took me to HersheyPark in Hershey, PA. We had a blast! Riding roller coasters, eating dippin' dots, and playing skee-ball. I'm a sucker for theme parks. 

On one random weekend day in DC, Cody and I went into Madam Tussaud's to check out the wax figures. I was actually pretty obsessed with wax museums when I was a kid and I wonder if my parents remember that phase (Mom?). Anyway here's a pic of me having a serious discussion with John Quincy Adams (who is obviously not listening to me) and hanging out with my fave dysfunctional presidential fam, the Kennedys.

My cousin, Edie, and her husband, Christian, stayed in DC for a night on their way to New Jersey. We had brunch at Founding Farmers. I miss them a lot and it was so nice to see them. Good luck in NJ Christian!

And finally this is what we've been dealing with recently....

xoxo