Over the weather

You know who is not happy that it has been raining three days straight? 

this girl

You know who is REALLY not happy it has been raining three days straight?

this girl

April Book of the Month: The Fault In Our Stars

I finished this month's book in less than a week. It wasn't really a suspenseful page-turner, but more a great story that just flowed so well. The Fault In Our Stars is a novel by John Green. It tells the story of Hazel Grace and Augustus, two teenagers that meet in a cancer support group. No, don't worry, its not as depressing as it sounds. It is a story about two awkward teenagers and their love story. The book is sweet, sad and touching. I would definitely recommend it for your summer travel reads, and before it comes out as a movie!

Texas

Texas was a blast. We planned this trip awhile ago because we wanted to take advantage of Zach's one off weekend in April, see his family, and show my cousins Texas. I have always enjoyed my visits to Texas, but now my in-laws have built their dream home, the visits just get better and better. 

Thursday Zach and I arrived bright and early and were greeted by my sister-in-law, mother-in-law, and oh my goodness, get out of this world cute nephew. We grabbed some delicious BBQ and went home to the see the newest addition to October Road, a gorgeous pool that turns into a spa! (This house is truly a resort.) When the rest of the family arrived we had happy hour by the pool as the sunset and had a mini birthday celebration for my sister-in-law and myself. (I got some stunning Tory Burch sandals. Thank you!!!) Zach and I then picked up my cousin and her husband up from the airport and everyone shared a rib dinner to cap off the night. 

Friday during the day was spent on the lake. We had a great time, but as my peeling shoulders will attest, I got way too much sun. Clearly in my 30s I have not become wiser about skin care. After the boat we all changed and headed to the ballpark for the Rangers vs. WhiteSox game. With a family in baseball, you really get to see the behind the scenes operation of everything that goes on during a game. My cousins had the best time and were just in awe with everything going on. It was very cool to see. Then, after the game was a perfect night cap - we got to come home and jump into the pool-turned-spa! I mean, it doesn't get much better than that. 

Saturday everyone hung out by the pool. My nephew is part fish. He is just happy as a clam hanging out in the pool all day. The only time he cries is when you take him out! Later that day we continued the Texas tour and showed my cousins Fort Worth. We walked through the old time Stock Yards (a hokey, but necessary stop) and had dinner at Joe T Garcias (a Fort Worth Mexican food staple). 

Sunday we concluded the Texas tour by driving around Dallas. We had lunch at the Katy Trail Ice House, a bar that backs up to an active running trail, which Zach's parents are a big fan off. We had an amazing time with the family, and I think we showed my cousins a darn good time as well.

See you later!

Off to October Road for four days. Have a great weekend everyone!

Free Puppy!

Finding an apartment in D.C. is a daunting task. Sure, there are plenty of living situation to choose from, but can you find one in the right neighborhood, with the right features, and more importantly, the right price? Faced with a number of new apartment complexes coming to market in the next year, the developers of 2M adopted an interesting marketing initiative to get renters in the door. No, it isn’t granite counter tops, free gym access, or heaven forbid – a rent decrease, it’s a puppy! Renters at 2M get to check out this adorable bulldog puppy like a library card. Want to take the dog to the park? Come down to the front desk and check it out. Just return the dog when you are done.

While I would LOVE the opportunity to play with a bulldog any time I would like, and not actually have to be responsible for taking care of it, this is not the perk I am looking for in an apartment. Try reducing the rent please, and then we can talk. I also feel a little bad for the guy. Being picked up and dropped off like that? Seems a little mean.

2014 in Pictures - Week 15

Yesterday I celebrated by 30th birthday, and it really was a perfect day. It started in the morning before Zach went to class. He showed me a video that he put together or video messages from my friends and family. Oh my goodness, how sweet! To everyone who left messages, thank you so much. I almost cried when I saw my grandmother and laughed out loud when my cousin-in-law did he message like a used cars salesman. 

After my run I pampered my self a little with a mani and haircut so I could be looking good for my big day. It was 75 and sunny in D.C. I really couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. I met some girls from the softball team at Nats park for Beer Fest. Enjoying the sun and some beers was simply lovely. 

My day was capped off at Filomena with Zach. This is an old school Italian restaurant in the heart of Georgetown that has been on my list of must go to restaurants for awhile. It definitely matched the hype. I had mozzarella, meatballs and cheese ravioli. I'm not a big Italian girl, but this food was just perfect. 

The day was filled with loved and so much thought. Perfect way to start of a new decade!

20 on my 20s ... a look back

Over a decade ago  (Yikes!) I was sitting in my Political Science class at Elon. Some how we got on the topic of your twenties and my professor said something to the effect of, “Oh I couldn’t wait to get out of my twenties. Thirties is the time in your life that you are really going to enjoy." A lot of my twenties was a very confusing time. The whole “what do you want to do for the rest of your life” question is just front and center. I still haven’t figured that out! It was sometimes a very lonely, isolating time, but it was also the best part of my life. Granted I was entirely financially dependent on my parents in college, but once I graduated, I picked the city I wanted to live in, I got a job on my own that supported the apartment I wanted to live in, and my life became the life that I created. I am so happy with this life and looking back on my twenties, I am humbled by the amazing adventure it has been. Do I want to be 30? Eh, it’s a little scary to see the numbers creeping up, but I am excited about the experiences I will have now that I am at the age where that is possible. So now on the last day of my twenties, I look back ...

1.     Studied in London for three months. I fell in love with city living and traveled to Rome, Zurich, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin.

2. Graduated from Elon University. I really couldn't have picked a better place to go to college, and it will always have a special place in my heart. 

3. Made the best decision ever and moved to just outside of D.C. right after college.

4. This led to the very interesting living arrangement of me moving in with 2 girls, a guy, and a dog. I learned that living arrangements at any age are never easy. This includes where you live, and whom you live with. Grand total for my twenties ... 8 roommates, 9 apartments/houses.

5. Have had four "real world" jobs. Lamest job task - going out to purchase a bulk pack of sympathy cards for my boss, because to quote him, "there are a lot of being dying out there Susan." Coolest task - designing a logo for the 700-person gala I planned that appeared on Georgetown cupcakes.

6. After a lot of protesting and self doubt, I learned how to run. And now it has probably become one of the biggest aspects of my every day life.

7. Tried Match.com twice. The second time worked our Really Well.

8. Traveled to Greece with my mom and sister before the country went into financial chaos. Great vacation, even better timing.

9. Became a mother to a beautiful, crazy springer spaniel, Riley. She melted my heart and I am forever ruined for any future dogs I might have. She could not be more perfect.

10. Attended at least 15 weddings, and have 3 black bridesmaid dresses.  I learned that weddings can quickly turn from a really fun vacation, to an extremely stressful money pit. A beautiful, lovely, money pit that is:)

11. I learned that friendships you don’t expect will fade, and friendships you don’t expect will be some you treasure most.

12. I learned that it is just as important to make yourself happy, as it is to be with someone who makes you happy.

13. Completed a session of Weight Watchers. It taught me how to eat and be healthy, even if I don’t follow the rules all the time. Consequently I will enter my 30s at a lower weight than I entered my 20s. Boo yeah!

14. I met, fell in love, and married my perfect match. Zach showed me what real love is, and I am so excited to have a partner in all future decades.

15. Received a storybook marriage proposal that was followed by wedding weekend full of love that I just adored.

16. I learned how to ride a bike at the age of 29. Yes, I know, a couple decades late.

17. I learned that saving money is EXTREMELY important, because those just in case scenarios will happen. That money helps keep you being able to be the independent person you strive to be.

18. Zip-lined in Mexico and climbed up a waterfall in Jamaica. Both activities had me fearing for my life, and breaking my dream of ever being on the Amazing Race.

19. I added another set of families to my already overflowing family. These are some of the most wonderful people, and I feel very blessed that they are now permanent additions in my life.

20. With the help of my husband and girlfriends I checked several U.S. travel destinations of my bucket list - Boston, Chicago, Charleston, San Francisco, and San Antonio to name a few.

Crystal City 5k

Zach and I had a pretty unusual, active week last week. Taste of the South, D.C. Improve with my brother, an acoustic Matt Nathanson concert, and we topped it off with Crystal City 5k. I have been wanting to do one of these for a couple years now. In April Crystal City (the neighborhood I lived in for 5 years after college) hosts a 5k every Friday night. You run through the main drag with lots of shops and things to look at. There is a DJ and an after race party. Basically, a fun little evening. 

We weren't particularly training for this race, but we both did really well. It was a great race size because I could people watch and recognize a lot of people throughout the race. We probably won't make it back for another one this April, but I would definitely do another Crystal City race sometime in the future!

March Book of the Month - The Dr. Pepper Prophecies by Jennifer Roberts

 I actually read 1.5 books in March. No, I was not an overachiever, I just picked a book that takes approximately 3 hours to get through! I was on Amazon looking for some of the recommend books you all suggested, but I was distracted by the title of this book – The Dr. Pepper Prophecies (I was on Whole 30 at the time and really missing soda). Dr. Pepper is the standard chick-lit book. It’s about a loveable, accident prone, British girl, who is down on her luck. This book features Mel. She is a dead-end job, with a horrible ex, a terrifically small flat, and a crazy family. But of course, she does have the perfect male best friend that she is definitely not in love with. By the end of the book, surprise... she finds happiness! 

No, this wasn’t the best best book I have ever read, but it was just what I needed after a really dark read, and to take on vacaition.

I finished Dr. Pepper somewhere over Kansas on the flight to San Francisco, so I started re-reading King of Torts by John Grisham. This is about a young, broke laywer in D.C. who mysteriously lands the case of a lifetime and becomes an overnight millionare doing mass litigation law. I love this book. Plenty of mystery and suspense, and the backdrop is the city I love, Washington, D.C. I highly recommend it!