Engaged

Words could not describe my surprise and elation this past Saturday when A got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. Even now, four days later, I can't stop smiling and staring at my left hand. My mind is already spinning with ideas for our big day, but before I dive into planning our wedding and our future together, I'm taking time to enjoy this milestone in our relationship and the utter bliss that I feel. 

Easy Like A Sunday Morning

I'm spending this lazy Sunday morning in bed drinking apple cider and catching up on my favorite blogs. I hope you have a great day!

Moving On Up

I have some pretty big news: in two weeks I'll be moving into my first big girl, post-grad digs! I moved back in with Mom & Dad after graduation last year, and, after a year of working and saving, I'm gearing up to move to Philly with my college roommate.

Jordan and I met during sophomore year and became friends after a long ride back to campus together. We immediately grew close and eventually decided to room together junior year.  I was very happy living with Jordan. She likes a clean house, and I like a clean house. She's kind of a homebody, and I'm kind of a homebody. She likes to watch "Friends", and I like to watch "Friends". She likes Jack Daniels, and I like Jack Daniels. It was perfect.

Jordan isn't just a great roommate; she's a great friend. She held my hair back after too many birthday cocktails. She jumped on my bed in excitement when A first asked me to dinner. She let me cry on her shoulder when I got my first job rejection email. She stayed up late with me talking about the future. It's amazing how much has already changed since we graduated from college last year, and I'm so glad that I'll have Jo by my side as I navigate this next year.

Second Birthday

Today marks the second anniversary of my first post on this blog. It's hard for me to believe that I've been at this for two years now. Thanks for stopping by and joining me on this whimsical adventure!

Picnic in the Park

I just home after a perfect weekend in Pittsburgh with A. Since we only get to spend one weekend together every few weeks, we typically spend our weekends catching up on all of the things that we've been wanting to do together. We love to try new restaurants, catch matinee movies, check out museum exhibits...the list goes on and on.

Last weekend, amid our plans to have dinner at a Mexican restaurant that we'd been dying to get to and see The Great Gatsby at the movie theater, we carved out an afternoon for a picnic at Schenley Park. It was a perfect afternoon; we relaxed under the shade of small tree while enjoying the warm breeze and each other's company. It was an important reminder for me, a girl who loves to plan ahead, that sometimes the best moments are the ones you don't plan for.

2013

[photo courtesy of Pinterest]

Happy New Year!

As 2012 comes to a close, I can't help but look back on the past 12 months and smile. 
It was a truly fabulous year.

I graduated from college.

I landed an amazing job.

I fell in love.

red & pink for Valentine's Day

spring formal with A

gardening with help from Hunter

celebrating my college graduation with my family

Niagara Falls

the Toronto skyline

good times with great friends

taking time to appreciate natural beauty

exploring Pittsburgh with A

morning snack at the office

carving a jack-o-lantern with A

eating delicious food at fantastic restaurants 

(like Garces Trading Company)

ladies night out

homemade egg nog and gingerbread

New Year's Eve 2013

Hunter frolicking in the snow

I may have hinted at some apprehension about the future when I turned twenty two last February, but the next chapter in my journey is off to an excellent start! Here's to a happy and healthy 2013!

Thankful

[photo courtesy of Pinterest]

I am so grateful for all that I have in this life, and, more than anything, I am thankful for the people who make each day worth looking forward to.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween

Is there anything more terrifying than the collision of a hurricane and a nor'easter bearing down on the East Cost as the full moon brings high tides?  The convergence of these three forces of nature wreaked havoc on the coastline and devastated parts of the nation's largest city.  How appropriate that such a horrifying storm would make landfall just before Halloween.  

I am so grateful that my loved ones are safe and that my neighbors and I suffered little more than an extended power outage.  My heart goes out to those who were not so fortunate.

On a lighter note, Happy Halloween!  The sight of cheerful kiddies running through the street dressed as pumpkins and princesses is just what we all need to put a smile on our faces!    

A and me with the jack-o-lantern that we carved together last weekend

Greatness Is What We On the Brink Of

photo courtesy of Gettysburg College via Twitter 

 I did it!  Last weekend I graduated from college and am now the proud owner of a Bachelor of Arts degree in management.  The ceremony and celebration were wonderful, and, though I have been experiencing a range of emotions, I managed to keep the tears to a minimum.  At this point it all still seems a bit surreal, and it is hard to believe that "the best four years of my life" are now behind me.  Though I am only four days into my post-grad life and already missing my undergraduate days, I am excited to see what the future holds and confident that great adventures lie ahead.   

[post title courtesy of Nicki Minaj's "Moment 4 Life"]

Twenty-Two

photo courtesy of Pinterest

Yesterday was my 22nd birthday.

Where did that come from?

I probably sound like my own mother here, but it feels like only yesterday that I was eating birthday cake with my hands, learning how to ride a bicycle, and kissing my parents good-bye on the first day of school.

My childhood is over.  I'm about to graduate college, and I've already celebrated the life-changing birthdays when I could finally drive, drink, and vote.  From here on out, I'm only getting older.

But I've learned a lot in my 22 years, and if my parents have taught me anything it's to work hard and go after what I want in life.  And you know what?  That time has come.  Ten years ago my life looked pretty predictable.  I would graduate high school and go to college.  I would learn to love and have my heart broken a time or two.  I would grow up and try new things and make mistakes.  Because that is what happens between the ages of 12 and 21.  Sure, there were some surprises along the way, but the path was always pretty clear.

Now I have no idea where I am going.  The next 10 years could take me anywhere.  I know that I am ready for the next adventure, ready to see where my 20's take me.  Maybe this birthday is more exciting than I thought; it's the beginning of the next chapter of my journey.

Come along for the ride.  

Dreaming of Snow

My winter philosophy is this:

if it's going to be cold outside, it might as well snow.

Here's hoping!

[photos courtesy of Pinterest]

Happy New Year!

2012 is going to be a big year for me,

as I graduate college and join the "real world" (with a job, ideally).

As it is the season for new year's resolutions, I share with you these words from C. S. Lewis:

photo courtesy of Pinterest

Afternoon Walk

There is no better way to destress than to take a long afternoon walk through the battlefields.  Five miles through fields, monuments and fresh air was the best way to clear my head before final exams begin.  Check out the beautiful scenery!