gratitude for this season of life

Lately, I've been having sporadic moments of gratitude for this life.

I think I read somewhere in one of my baby apps that this is typical for the second trimester of pregnancy. For one, I'm exceedingly grateful that my daily nausea has finally subsided, as it's been about six weeks since I last got sick. Aside from my consistent lower back pain and intermittent growing pains, I'm actually feeling pretty good, and it's making this pregnancy a lot more enjoyable thus far. I'm still waiting on that burst of energy I've been promised, but overall, it's been a pleasant couple of months.

Anyway...gratitude.

Now that we have a little one on the way, we've kick started a lot of bigger house projects. Ryan (with the help of some friends and family) has been demolishing our guest-soon-to-be-kid's bathroom, and we'll likely be adding a fence and gate to our front and back yard in the next couple of months. We'd like to get started on our porch renovation, and I'm toying with the idea of adding a board and batten wall to our dining room situation and throwing in a few pops of wall paint color. On top of that, I'm starting to get a cohesive idea of what we want our little girl's nursery to look like, and getting the itch to begin "nesting."

While our list of house projects can be daunting, and it seems like we'll never have the time, money, or dedication to accomplish it all, I can't help but feel grateful for this home we get to build together (in the figurative sense). I feel it when I sit in specific corners of the house, like our living room couch facing the open shutters on a rainy day, or walk into our bedroom with the basket lights emitting a warm glow next to our fiddle fig tree. Our house is finally starting to feel cozy, like ours. 

I look at Ryan and feel so, so thankful that he is going to be a father to our daughter. Shortly after meeting him (almost eight years ago!), I just knew he'd be a wonderful dad. He's literally the kindest person I know; someone who continuously goes above and beyond. He's thoughtful, silly, active, adventurous, appreciative...all of the things I could want in a partner on this parenting journey. To say I feel lucky is an understatement.

I'm not blind to the difficult times to come. I know there will be long nights, sleep-deprived arguments, excessive diaper changes, tantrums, and even thankless days ahead. But with those moments, no matter how long they feel, there will also be laughter and baby cackles, neighborhood walks, new traditions, story time, and memories made in this house, as a [bigger] family. I'm ready for the milestones and the big moments, but I think I'm even more excited for those tiny moments of joy that truly create a beautiful life.

thoughts on gun control - it's time to wake up

Most days, I don't enjoy confrontational speaking. But I can't pretend like a story about Valentine's Day or my most recent shopping trip is relevant right now. Enough is enough, and sometimes "political" topics need to be addressed.

"Guns don't kill people; people kill people."

I'm going to cut the niceties and the exceptions to the rule here and call out the complete and utter bullshit that statement represents. Because that's exactly what it is: absolute bullshit.

Looking Back | When It's Okay to Say No.

I've had a Tumblr account since 2009 (what! crazy it's been so long). While I basically just repost pretty pictures over there now, it used to be my creative outlet for personal blogging before I made this little space. I've also been flipping through my old journals lately. You know, taking strolls down memory lane and all that. I thought I'd start a little mini series over here called "Looking Back," featuring an excerpt from my old journal, blog, etc. 

This little tidbit is from the latter half of 2013. I hadn't met Ryan just yet. I was recently single and getting back into the dating game, starting up serving at a new restaurant while in the process of interviewing for my first "big girl job," and adjusting to moving back in with my parents...AKA I was dealing with my entire life changing at the mere age of 22:

"I think one of the most prevalent lessons I’ve learned in the last few months is that it’s okay to say no.

It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to say you’re not interested. It’s okay to say when something doesn’t serve your best interest. It’s okay to say no when you’re uncomfortable with something, some place, or someone.

I find that I put so much pressure on myself to get out of my comfort zone, to get to know new people, to make different decisions…and don’t get me wrong, I enjoy doing all of those things most of the time. But sometimes I’d rather watch Gossip Girl, in bed, by myself, than go make nice with people I’ve known a couple months. Sometimes I’d rather have one drink and call it a night than try to drink everybody under the table. Sometimes I just want to take a moment, an hour, a night just to sit around and be sad or bummed out or whatever I wanna be and I don’t owe an explanation to anybody. 

It’s okay to say “no, I don’t want to be your friend.” It’s okay to say “no, I really have zero interest in even having the first cup of coffee with you.” It’s okay to say “no, you actually don’t get to talk to me like I’m a scathing idiot because I made one stupid mistake.” Whatever the case, whatever the issue, I’m finally figuring out that I don’t need to please everyone all the time. It’s kind of liberating."

Looking back, I think I was feeling a little feisty here. Feisty, fierce, and obviously unamused with somebody. Sounds about right. When is a time you think it's okay to just say "no"?

November 2016 | My Takeaway.

The months are flying by so quickly that I literally have to go back into my planner pages from the last few weeks to see what I did, where I went, and who I saw. Then I realize I did school, school, and a whole lot more school, with a liiiiittle bit of work & socialization sprinkled on top.

I have a tendency to get caught up in stress. Whenever someone asks me, "how's school going?!" I tell them that stress comes in waves. Right now, it's a tsunami wave: right after it's taken all the water from the shore, and just before it releases its fury. Hint: I am at the top of this wave and looking down and thinking, "what are my chances of survival here? Doesn't look so good from up here." But it will pass, and I will get through it. And I will be in NY in just seven days, so it can't be all bad.

Despite the craziness, if there's one "takeaway" I've had from November, it's an overwhelming sense of love and security. Even though it's far (far...) away, I see a light at the end of this academic tunnel. I look at my boyfriend, Ryan, and I see such a bright future for us. I look around at our little 815 square foot third floor apartment filled with pooches and trinkets and coziness and I feel thankful. It's finals week, and it's about to get a whole lot worse before it gets better, but I'm happy. In fact, even on my busiest, most stressful days, there is never a moment where I question my happiness, and I think that's something to be celebrated.

So with that, goodbye November 2016. You came and went entirely too quickly for my liking, but that's to be expected nowadays.

What's your takeaway from November? 

On Feeling Thankful.

I've been wanting to participate in a couple "Thankful Thursday" linkups I've been seeing around the blogosphere as of late, but as per usual, I'm behind the times...well, mostly just behind. But that's neither here nor there! Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and it's even starting to feel a little chilly down here in Tampa (for the next 48 hours, anyway). Nothing puts me in a better mood than time appropriate fall weather. So without further ado, I will join the masses and address exactly what I'm thankful for this year, this week, this moment:

This year: 

• Getting into graduate school!
• Having a flexible job that allows me to work as much or as little as I need to.
• Having all around good health.
• Making new lifelong friends.
• My negotiation skills that landed me a beautiful new car with a killer monthly payment (& no down payment).
• Finally knowing exactly what I want to do in life, while also realizing that there might be dreams out there that I don't even realize I have yet. 

This week:

• Finding out I have an awesome supervisor for next semester...and I get to work with kiddos so soon!
• Having an experienced, intelligent supervisor this semester to guide me through the whirlwind that is clinic.
• Starbucks breaks & dinner dates.
• A clean apartment.
• New twinkly lights in the bedroom.
• Egg + turkey bacon + basil + tomato + spinach sandwiches.
• Realizing we have just 17 days until we go to NY! 

This moment:

• My hot soy chai tea latte.
• Chilly weather and cozy cardigans.
• Getting to love the best guy I know.

What are you thankful for? And more importantly, HOW EXCITED ARE YOU FOR THANKSGIVING?! Gimme all da ham, plz. 

Embrace Who You Are.

I've always been the kind of person who wishes they were more like somebody else. I know it's what every inspirational quote/blog post/magazine article tries to sway you against, and with good reason. We are all so different, and that's what makes the world so dynamic and interesting.

Having said that, there are so many traits of others, be them friends or coworkers or acquaintances, that I wish I had for myself. I find myself thinking, 

"I wish I was that genuinely nice, all the time...maybe people would like me more."

"I wish I was able to keep my opinions to myself like her, to keep my mouth shut about controversial topics."

"I wish I had her sunshine personality, lighting up every room as I walk in."

"I wish I was that driven. If only I could become more focus and determined, I would be an overall better person."

And I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing to want to want to emulate genuinely good people.

But it's a better thing to become more secure with yourself first. I'm in the process of accepting that even though I'm not a walking ray of friendly sunshine 24/7, I consider myself to be a kind person. I may be an open book of opinions, but I am also well read and well informed of those opinions (with a firm understanding that I'm not always right), and I just want others to be, too. I might not be motivated to slay my schoolwork and run three miles every single day, but I've been determined enough to get to where I am now, and sometimes, that has to be good enough.

So with that, let's start this week by embracing who we actually are, not who we think we want to be. Here's to another week of killin' it!

One Year From Today.

One year from today, I hope to have some semblance of direction. 

Not that I don't have it now. I'm pretty sure I do, anyway. I'm in graduate school for a wonderful, fulfilling career. A career that is rapidly changing who I am and the way I perceive things and people, but in the best way. A career that I hope to excel in, even though excellence feels like the furthest describing word of my current clinical abilities. There's so many directions I can take here, so much I have the potential to do. I hope I have an idea of where I'd like to end up just 10 short months from one year from today. But I want to remember how exhilarating it can feel to be up in the air.

One year from today, I hope to have a few more vacations under my belt.

Saving money is vastly important right now, as I'm sure it will be in a year. Even at 25, I'm still adjusting to "being an adult," and I don't expect that to change at 26 (especially when I'm officially off my parents' health insurance). But I don't want that to stop me from booking trips and experiencing the word. One year from today, I hope to have made it across the Florida/Georgia line at least once or twice. But I want to remember that even if I don't, this too shall pass, and "being a broke college student" will not last forever.

One year from today, I hope I'm making time for myself.

I'm trying so hard right now to stay social with my girlfriends, to plan dates with my boyfriend, to make it home every once in awhile to visit my parents. I'm working a lot less while in school, so sometimes it feels "okay" to schedule friend dates during every available time slot in my planner. And sometimes, it is. But sometimes, I need to say no. Sometimes, an "available time slot" doesn't need to be filled with social shenanigans, but with chapter readings and note taking...or even just painting my toenails, a quick gym sesh, and a well deserved nap. One year from today, I hope I'm learning when and how to say "no." But I want to remember that creating new memories with good friends is pertinent to a happy, healthy quality of life.

On Cleansing Your Life.

I like to think that I'm generally a pretty happy, positive human being. I like to make others feel loved and appreciated, I'm not a fan of confrontation, and the idea of offending someone I care about shakes me to my core. But I'm nowhere near a perfect person, and it's easy for me to veer off course - to create my own personal drama, to engulf myself in somebody else's, to complain my way into a black hole of bitterness.

Because of this, I think it's so important to regularly cleanse your life in every sense of the word. I know when we hear the word "cleanse," most of us probably think of the latest juicing fast, doing yoga for 24 hours straight, or drinking pureed cucumbers to reset our bodies after a weekend of drinking or eating a large stuffed crust pizza all on our own. Proper physical cleansing is great for your mind and body after a seemingly toxic weekend, but I think there's also something to be said for ridding yourself of emotional toxins...starting with your environment and the company you keep.

When I feel myself slipping into a deep, dark abyss of griping, I try to take a mental step back and figure out what's really going on. What's sparking my negative attitude? Am I surrounding myself with genuine, positive people? Is this type of behavior what I want to be remembered for? I make a mental note of these answers, and I adjust myself accordingly.

So next time you find yourself acting "like a little bitch," if you will, make an effort to cleanse your life in every aspect. Clean out your closet and donate some clothes, take a hot shower and then a long nap, go for a run and make a healthy snack...or take a look around and close a chapter on a friendship, a job, or simply a way of life that is no longer serving a positive purpose in your life. Your future self will thank you for it.

One Year | Now & Then.

It's true what they say: a lot can happen in a year. Also true: time flies.

When you have something big to look forward to, be it graduate school, your wedding, or achieving your goal weight, it can sometimes feel like the clock is actually ticking backward. But isn't it funny that as time goes on, it feels like nothing changes, and then when you look back, everything is different?

This time last year, I had dark (DARK) brown hair. Today, I'm back to blonde.
This time last year, I'd just moved in with my boyfriend. Today, we're secured into another 15 months in the same apartment.
This time last year, I was starting my communication science disorders pre-requisites. Today, I'm officially enrolled in graduate school and beginning therapy with my first client next week.
This time last year, I had literally no idea where I was going to be today.

Looking ahead a year can be daunting. For me, it was unbearable. I had literally no idea where I would end up, and the worst part was that I knew I had no control over it. I couldn't do much about predicting the future, but I made tiny steps every day in hopes of reaching my eventual goal - hoping that some day, these tiny steps might actually pay off...and they did.

A lot can happen in a year. It sure did for me...and I couldn't be happier with where I've ended up.

On Feeling Inadequate.

Have you ever worked so hard for something, gotten it, only to be borderline petrified once you finally have it? Because that's 1000% been me during my first two days in graduate school.

I worked my ass off in pre-requisite classes last year, observed more than 100 hours of therapy, slaved over the GRE and the overall application process...and it all paid off. I got accepted to my top choice, I'm a graduate student, and in two years, I'm going to be a speech-language pathologist. Wowza.

Despite all that, there's a part of me that still feels out of place. I'm surrounded by so many hardworking women (and a whopping 2-3 men!) and brilliant professors and I'm sitting here thinking, "how did they let my scraggly self in here?" I'm hardly a Type A, I've never been "the very best" at anything, I haven't known that I've wanted to do this my entire life. Was it just dumb luck that they let me in here?!

No. No, no, no, no, no. 

It's so easy to fall into the self-deprecating trap of telling yourself you don't deserve to be where you are and to have what you've worked so hard to have. We deflect compliments and claim dumb luck for our greatest accomplishments. Maybe it's in the name of humility, but maybe it's also a load of crap.

Getting into grad school wasn't dumb luck; it was hard work and well deserved. Quitting my well paying job to go back to school for something new wasn't no big deal; it was a huge effing deal. And I'm realizing that it's entirely okay to feel overwhelmed, terrified, nervous, etc. during a major life change, but it is never okay to let yourself feel inadequate or undeserving when you've worked your ass off to get to where you want to be.

Having said that, I am certainly ready to kick off my first semester of graduate school! Anyone else back in school this week? 

Also, in case you missed it on Instagram, here is my official badge for the next two years! Samantha Rose, graduate clinician...hip hop hurray!

On Handling Life's Curveballs.

To my core, I am a planner.

I spend too much money on fresh agendas at the beginning of every school year. I extensively research every restaurant I plan to eat at while on vacation. I schedule date nights with friends at least two weeks in advance.

So when it was brought to my attention that my 2008 Nissan Sentra needed a couple thousand bucks worth of maintenance and replacements, let’s just say that I was not prepared.

I’ve spent the last week walking in and out of car dealerships by myself. I feel like I’m back in my networking days with all of the “warm lead” calls I’ve been subjected to in the last 72 hours. I’ve researched and haggled, and researched and haggled some more. It is, indeed, a grueling process.

And I am exhausted.

But strangely enough, it feels good to be doing this on my own. Not just with my own money (okay, that part doesn’t feel THAT good), but visiting dealerships on my own, test driving on my own, not giving into salespeople’s shit on my own. It’s a learning process, and I think we can always be thankful for a chance to learn about ourselves and what kind of person we are capable of being.

Just a little reminder that “unexpected” doesn’t necessarily mean “bad.” I’m not exactly thrilled to be dishing out some extra change each month, but it will feel good to feel safe in my own vehicle, which I haven’t in awhile. I was banking on ol’ Bessie Blue (my car…) to get me through the next two years of graduate school, but sometimes things don’t work out the way you planned. And that's okay.

Have you ever dealt with buying/leasing your own car? If anyone is interested in some tips on negotiating with car salespeople, let me know! I feel like a borderline expert at this point. Not really, but really.

Hello, 25.

25.

Today is my birthday! Today, I am 25 years old. Halfway to 30. Five years past 20. Officially able to get a decent deal on a rental car. What a life.

I came home from a 12 hour shift last night to balloons, a donut float for my beach party on Saturday, birthday confetti, and a card. Ryan always goes all out for my birthday and I absolutely love him for it. He spends a good chunk of our relationship pretending like I annoy him to tears, but when push comes to shove, he really knows how to make me feel special.

Ah. I don't really know what to expect for 25. I have a weird feeling about it...like everything is about to change (again). I guess in some ways, it will (hello, grad school). I think it's a good feeling, though. Going into 25, I feel secure. I feel secure with my career path, I feel secure with my relationships, and I'm slowly but surely becoming secure with myself.

So goodbye, 24, and hello to a new chapter.

12 Things I was at 24 ::

1. In love. I moved in with my boyfriend, and we're just past the two and a half year mark (aka my longest relationship). Moving in together was a huge step, but it was (and continues to be) the best thing for our relationship while going back to school. He's a huge reason why I made it through this school year with my head still on straight, and I'm so thankful that I'm the one he still chooses to love every day.
2. A student (again). By far my biggest obstacle, but it turned out to be one of the very best things to happen to me. It was hard getting back into the swing of things (studying, exams, homework, etc.) but I managed! 
3. Hardworking. I've never pushed myself harder than I did during my 24th year, especially in my fall semester when I was busting my ass to create a decent resume for grad school. From volunteering at the hospital to late night study dates and picking up extra shifts when I could, I really burned myself out. But it was worth it.
4. Rejected. By most of the schools I applied to. Until I was...
5. Accepted into graduate school. Sometimes I still can't believe this one. I think it was after this point that I began to feel like my true self again. No more wondering where we would move, how we would move, what we would do, how we could do it, because I got into my top choice. Nothing topped that feeling.
6. Brunette...and then blonde. I dyed my hair dark, dark brown and loved it...until I decided I was not destined for the brunette life, so I went a little lighter. And then just two days ago, I went back to what I've always been: blonde. It felt good to change!
7. Overwhelmed. I cried a lot this year. Changing your life for a new career will do that to you. Ah, stress!
8. Indecisive. I seriously cannot make any decision, big or small, without weighing in on other people's opinions. I'm forever in fear of making a bad call.
9. A BBG girl. I completed Kayla Itsine's BBG 1 two times, and now I'm on to BBG 2. It's the first time I've committed to fitness in awhile, and it feels good! (most days).
10. A procrastinator. This behavior didn't start at 24, and it probably won't end there either. Although I should probably figure out some way to fix that before starting grad school in August...
11. Broke. Not going to tip toe around that one: this year was my first as a real broke college student. I could afford everything I needed, but my frivolous purchases at Target rapidly dwindled and I can't even remember the last time I went shopping for clothes. #Adulting?
12. Happy. Not always, and not even often. 24 left me stressed, sad, confused, and hopeless a good chunk of the time (applying to grad school will do that to you!). But it also brought me new friends, a new apartment with my boyfriend, and a new perspective. I learned a lot about myself this year, and thankfully, I had a really fantastic group of people to do life with. 24 was definitely a tough year, but I can truly say that I'm happy with where I ended up and where I'm going.

Ringing in the big "25" tomorrow! I'll see ya on the other side.

TGIfreakinF.

It's been a rough week. It's been a rough couple of weeks, actually. It just feels like the rug has been pulled out from under me quite a bit lately - from missing my target GRE score by 0.5 points (more on that eventually), dropping my phone in a puddle, getting written up for being late to work, or getting a flat tire - the hits just keep on comin'. Understandably so, it's been really easy for me to settle into a negative mindset and stay there.

But no more, I tell you! No more. July has been a rough month, yes. But focusing on the negative aspects certainly hasn't been making me any happier. Thus, I vow to spend August spinning the negatives into positives.

Like...

• Negative: I missed my target GRE writing score by 0.5 points (WRITING?! REALLY?!) so I have to take it again. 
• Positive: I have the opportunity to up my verbal and quantitative scores to make my grad school applications even more competitive.
• Negative: I dropped my phone in a puddle. 
• Positive: IT STILL WORKS.
• Negative: I was late to work, and then written up for it. 
• Positive: I'm rarely ever late to work, and at least I have a job to be late for.
• Negative: I got a flat tire and had to drop emergency money on a new one. 
• Positive: My other three tires were not flat.

Right? Not so hard, I guess. It's times like these that I need to remember all the good stuff I have coming up, like Key West next weekend, moving in with Ryan, and starting school. YAAAAS. Positives. Here's hoping August is a more successful month for me. 

And, side note, I just watched the series finale of Parenthood and I feel like I've broken up with my second family. I miss it so much already! Any show recommendations? I'm looking for commitment, but I have too many options. First world problems.

Happy weekend!

It's tomorrow, it's tomorrow!

In just about 24 hours, I'll be sitting my happy ass down to take the GRE. It's crazy to think that it's already been three months since I quit my job to start studying for this test [mostly] full time. Some weeks I was more dedicated than others, but I'm hoping that the hours I've managed to put in thus far will pay off, and then I can have a real month of summer with zero worries before school starts back up at the end of August. Wishful thinking, right?

In other news, I finally finished Dark Places by Gillian Flynn, which marks a whopping 2/10 books read for my summer to-do list. But not to worry! I have until September until summer is officially over. Technically, I have until January if we're talking Florida summer. Anyway, I should have a review of Dark Places up some time next week. Up next: The Art of Racing in the Rain. I've heard phenomenal things about this book, and it's been sitting in my bookshelf for a hot minute, so I figure I'll give it a whirl.

Okay so basically there was no real point to this post. Truthfully, it's just a sad excuse for me to beg you to send me "good vibes," "good luck," "chocolate chip cookies," etc. in preparation for the test tomorrow. I know I can always take it again, but if I don't have to drop another $200 to do so, I won't really be upset about it. Touching on my post from earlier in the week, yet another way to save money: don't bomb the GRE. Okay, great.

Have a great weekend! Thankfully I'm heading to a friend's birthday dinner mere hours after the test, so you better believe that, win or lose, home girl will drink to that.

Taking Chances.

This week has been a whirlwind of stress and anxiety. Some good, some bad. Yesterday was especially trying. Maybe it's because it's not a fantastic time of the month for me, thus making me extra hormonal, but I was ready to cry over spilled M&M's. No but really, if there was chocolate available and I spilled it on the floor, I think I would've legitimately been upset and described it as the "cherry on top of my awful day." Wah wah wah.

A few things are up in the air right now, in several departments of my life. I don't want to go into too much detail, simply because I don't want to jinx the good stuff! Having said that, by the end of this weekend, I may or may not have a furry counterpart. I'm crossing my fingers for a good connection and good luck, but I'm also trying to stay rational and understanding. If this furry counterpart isn't meant to brighten up my life, maybe it's because he's meant to bring beams of sunshine into someone else's. 

I've found that there isn't much point in stressing out about what you can't control - you can only take a chance, do what you can, and hope for the best! Not only that, but I'm trying to break away from having to ask everyone's opinion about every change I might make in my life. From asking five friends if "this dress is okay," to asking a server at a new restaurant which dish on a menu triumphs the other, to asking my parents what my next step should be. Growing up means taking control of your own life and trusting your decisions, and that's exactly what I intend to start doing.

Happy Friday! XO

A List of Happy, pt. 6

I've been wearing one of Ryan's t-shirts to bed...as a dress. It's so roomy in here.
Having lost almost six pounds in the last month. Small victories.
The last lick of cream cheese frosting from a slice of gourmet bakery made hummingbird cake.
Finally ordered my first package of frank coffee scrub.
When I come home to my parents' house and my dog, Micki, throws himself on the tile floor and demands his belly to be rubbed.
Discovering new music. If you're an active Spotify user and love acoustic music, check out their Afternoon Acoustic playlist under browse. On repeat.
24 days until our long weekend in Savannah. Errrmehgerrrd.
Coming to terms with my own personality flaws, and working toward overcoming them.

Welcome back, Friday.

I must say, my luck has really turned around this week. It's like the universe took one look at the past four work weeks and was like, "oh, I so sowwies" and gave me a quick turnaround. Who knows how long it'll last, really, but it's kept me in a chipper mood all week long. No complaints here.

One week from today, August begins. August. We are almost eight months into 2014. Blows my mind.

This time last year, I was enjoying long days at the beach and warm (okay, hot and humid) summer nights with the option to sleep in until 11 a.m. every morning. Obviously, that's changed a little. My trips to the beach are semi-often, and I don't even remember the last time I slept in past 10...even that's a rarity. I spend most of my nights trying to fit in a little relaxation time between my work days. This doesn't leave a lot of room for fun summer adventures.

You may recall my summer to-do list here. I figure it's only fair to hold myself accountable to see what I've accomplished thus far, and what is left to do:

1. Float down Rainbow River! This is an absolute must, hence number one on the list. Ummm, well, we tried to float down the river, but we got there too late so we just hopped in the spring...this only half counts.
2. Visit Disney's water park, Blizzard Beach. I've gone almost every summer since I was nine years old. The best.
3. Make homemade sangria for a poolside barbecue. 4th of July...check!
4. Have a blast in New York City with Ryan. This one is a given.
5. Take a bike ride some place cool. Either along Bayshore Boulevard, or along a trail somewhere.
6. Embrace my new outdoor patio space.  Growing some basil & swatting away spider webs as we speak.
7. Make a stronger effort to make plans with friends I haven't seen in awhile. Real plans. Sleepovers. You know, fun girly stuff. I think I've been getting better about this!

Living in Florida, I still have PLENTY of time for summer festivities. Probably until like, December. But I'm trying to be a little better about holding myself accountable, both in my professional life and my personal life. Hope everyone has a happy Friday and a bomb dot com weekend! XO

It's today, it's today!

"The time has come," the walrus said, "to talk of many things."

Although I won't be talking about cabbages and kings, or why the sea is boiling hot or whether pigs have wings.

I feel like lately all I've been talking about and thinking about is money. About investing money, budgeting money, spending money - ugh, the word is just annoying to even look at!

What the walrus is talking about is - shocker - moving out. We get the keys TODAY (errrmehgerrrd) and I will officially be moving in this weekend. What comes with moving out? Fees on fees on fees. $250 to turn on electric...what do you guys do, like flip a switch or something? Let's get real. And then of course, rent. Get ready to roll your eyes but I've never actually paid my own rent before. Ouch. Oh and I just dropped another hundo on wall paint and painting supplies...for a rental. Who am I?

On top of that, I'll soon be paying my gas, car insurance and grocery bills. STOP ROLLING YOUR EYES AT ME, I KNOW. I was very lucky growing up and my parents insisted on paying for necessities while I was going to college. But I've been out of college for a year and now I'm moving out of their house and it's great because I want to be independent and I want to be able to pay for everything on my own, but ooooof why did I decide to move out the same month I'm going to NYC?!

Well, at this point I'm kind of rambling, so I guess I'll put you all out of your misery and stop. But I'll tell you what: July is going to be one monetarily celibate month for me. So please refrain from asking me to go out to dinner, go out for drinks, go shopping, whatever...because I don't have the willpower to say no. XO 

Summer To-Do List.

It's officially June, a.k.a. my birth month. 23, here I come. Whoopdy doo, Bazzle.

More importantly, June is the official start of summer. I mean, living in Florida, it's pretty much been summer since March but I like to put a title on it. Prior to working in the corporate world, summer meant endless beach days, vacations and drinks on drinks on drinks. Now, summer means that I may get to the beach a weekend or two per month, for a day, for a couple hours. With work, it's easy to let the fun stuff fall to the wayside - whether it's an issue with timing or extra cash, excuses are inevitable.

Well, no more, I say! I'm putting together an official to-do list for the summer...and I will accomplish everything on this list by September. No excuses allowed!

1. Float down Rainbow River! This is an absolute must, hence number one on the list.
2. Visit Disney's water park, Blizzard Beach. I've gone almost every summer since I was nine years old. The best.
3. Make homemade sangria for a poolside barbecue.
4. Have a blast in New York City with Ryan. This one is a given.
5. Take a bike ride some place cool. Either along Bayshore Boulevard, or along a trail somewhere.
6. Embrace my new outdoor patio space. 
7. Make a stronger effort to make plans with friends I haven't seen in awhile. Real plans. Sleepovers. You know, fun girly stuff.

That's all I've come up with so far. Number 7 is something near and dear to me, because I feel like I've kind of lost sight of making my own plans and sticking to them. And, you know, I miss my friends. With work and a boyfriend, life gets in the way, and it shouldn't. It shouldn't get in the way of summer fun, it shouldn't get in the way of quality time with my girlfriends, and it shouldn't be an excuse. XO