What a Weekend

I can't even get over how different my life is now that I have my own apartment and I'm not bartering. In that...I actually have one. I am free to do whatever I want on the weekends and my life has ROCKED since August. Seriously, I can't get over how lucky I am. Not to mention I have the most amazing family and friends EVER.

I'd love to get into all the details of the weekend and my life, but I'm busy tonight. My portfolio is due Wednesday, my Action Research project is due in two weeks, my Culminating Experience Report is due in three weeks.

But trust me, the details are good.

And don't worry, I *promise* I'll actually write about everything. D always accuses me of saying I'm going to say something then never coming back to say it. She hasn't updated her blog since May, so... THERE!

Put Your Dukes Up

I am a workout fanatic. Really. I (mostly) love working out and I'm always on the look out for something new and fun to switch up my fitness routine. I've been wanting to try kickboxing for a while and last Wednesday the opportunity presented itself.

You guys? I'm STILL sore. It was one of the HARDEST workouts I've done in a while. So, of course, I had to join the boxing gym. It's completely NOT in my budget, but just like everything else I rationalize to my advantage, I convinced myself I deserved it.

What? I DO!

I am now the proud owner of pink hand wraps, pink boxing gloves (yes, REALLY), and a date with a punching bag tomorrow morning at 6 am. Additionally? I have a personal boxing session with the man who trained Hillary Swank for Million Dollar Baby tomorrow afternoon.

I don't DO halfway.

Wish me luck!

In Comparison

I've discussed my many (many, many) (boy)friends here and, just so you can see how different they really are I'm going to share two of my recent interactions with them.


Boy 1)
It's hunting season in VT and many of my friends are obsessed with hunting, more obsessed than I am with working out and eating dessert. It's intense. Many of their mornings/weekends/free time are spent in duck blinds or in boats or up in trees. I was recently on the phone with RC and he was talking about just how much he loves hunting and he said, "Seriously M, I might be broke, drive a crappy truck and live in a hellhole, but as long as I can hunt, I don't care about anything of those things. Really. I could live in a shed and be happy for the rest of my life as long as I can hunt. Well, of course, I'd like to share my shed with you too, if you're interested."

Just the proposal I've been hoping for.

Boy 2)
I opened my mailbox yesterday expected NOTHING because, unfortunately, my birthday celebrations are OVER but I saw a card addressed to me. It looked like my ex-boyfriend's writing but upon closer inspection I saw that the return address was none other than the thoughtful Jax.

I opened the envelope and pulled out a card that read, "I've only thought about you twice today" and on the inside continued, "All day and all night." Jax had written, "You said you never get anything fun mail so I thought this would be a fun surprise and, it's pretty accurate too. Hope to see you soon. xo, Jax."

The Party's OOOOVER

I used to hate when my mom would sing that to me after birthdays or vacations but, sadly, the party(ies) really is over. It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks and they have been totally awesome.

Saturday morning my mom treated myself, my sister, and D to mani/pedis at our favorite spot. I've never been one for "girl time" or "girls days" but I think I may be changing my mind. Hanging out with your mom, sister and best friend? Rules.

The woman I used to live with (over the summer) and I share a birthday so Saturday evening my mother, D and I headed over there for happy hour. It was...alright. She had a few of her friends and family there and they are all very high society. I think my mother was beside herself. They can be very unwelcoming and judgmental. We lasted about 45 minutes and got the HELL out of there.

Coming to visit in Connecticut can be overwhelming for my mom. It really is completely different than where we live in Vermont and there is just a much different approach to EVERYTHING down here. She's a really great sport but sometimes the way things go here just DO NOT MESH with her.

For example: It was POURING rain Saturday evening so we decided to pay to park in a lot next to the bar we were going to in SoNo. We pulled up to attendant booth and he asked how long we were staying. He said to just leave the car.

As in- - leave the car so he can park it.

My mother has a new vehicle and did NOT like that idea at all. She hesitated for about TWO MINUTES and then, as the attendant was parking the car, walked toward the car and WATCHED EVERY MOVE. With narration for the sake of D and I.

It went something like this:

"Oh you guys. Are you WATCHING THIS? Oh my god. What's he doing? That's not going to fit there! No wonder HE wanted to drive it. OHMYGOD. IS HE BACKING IN?!?!??! Jeez. I can't believe it. I feel ridiculous watching him, but I swear to GOD IF THERE IS ONE SCRATCH ON IT WHEN WE GET IT BACK... I'm calling THE POLICE."

I felt really badly because I know how stressful it is having a new car and how you worry about it, but at the same time... I did suggest we just take my car so we don't need to worry about anything. :)

The three of us went to dinner and had the BEST time. We ordered appetizers, got drinks (got some wine in my mom) and just visited for a couple of hours. It was everything a birthday celebration should be.

I am so lucky.

It's Almost Here

Seriously you guys, this week just keeps getting better. My mom arrived last night with tons of baked good for me to bring to the kids at school (my annual birthday favorite- - pumpkin muffins and HER famous chocolate chip cookies), I got the sweetest birthday gift in the mail from Jax (didn't he already get my flowers? YES! Did he still send something for my birthday?!?!? YES!!!!!), and today because my mom is here, the teacher that I work with said I should just head out during our specials and spend time with her.

I am surrounded by awesome people- - it's really incredible. (Although, my sister did find a spider while she was laying in bed this morning and did yell for me to come "Get it" but.. I WON'T GO THERE TODAY. POSITIVITY PEOPLE.)

The weekend line-up is totally awesome and I can't wait to get it started.

Woop! Woop!

Aaaand the Celebration Continues

With Tuesday afternoon card and gift in the mail and evening Crumbs cupcakes (Caramel Apple and Peanut Butter Cup. YES PLEASE!), and a Patagonia gift card to get a new jacket that I've been eye-ing from my sisters. (!!!!!!!!!)

THEN my mom called and said that she was thinking about taking a ride down for the weekend! SO... my mom arrives TODAY for a weekend of birthday celebration! I have to (lamely) babysit Friday night, but other than that it's a no-holds-barred kind of weekend! We're going to head to Jazzercise Saturday morning with D, then meet up with my sister and get mani-pedis, we've got happy hour(s) and dinners planned...SHOPPING!

AND, I've got the treats all baked and ready to go for my classes.

This birthday? Totally rocks.

The Longest Celebration

In five days I will turn 25 years old. I always thought by 25 I would be, in a word, settled. I’m not even close to that, but we won’t dwell on that right now. There are more exciting things to discuss like… how I’ve been celebrating my birthday for over a week now and it just keeps getting better!

It started with the flowers from Jax. Then I went to my aunt and uncles’ for happy hour and my aunt (who always goes WAY above and beyond) got me a new jacket (SO CUTE), wine chiller, wine glass identifiers, and a portable wine opener. THEN, before I headed back to Connecticut my parents gave me presents from them because I wouldn’t see them on my actual birthday. I got a new Crock Pot and recipe book, (you should SEE what I’ve been cooking while I’m at work!) mascara, new sheets, a pair of dress pants for work, 6 bottles of wine, AND THE BEST PART?!?!? My mom took me to Costco and Shaw’s and BOUGHT MY GROCERIES. Seriously, she hooked me (and my sister who lives with me) UP. It was awesome.

I never thought I’d be so excited for groceries. At 25? I guess it’s the little things.

I came back to CT and had a quiet week with plans on having a Karaoke Party with D Friday night. Just the two of us. Really. I was actually looking forward to it and had my dad ship us my karaoke mics from home. Call me crazy.

Fridays are tough for me usually though. I’m always exhausted from the week and it takes a while to get motivated. I wanted to head over to D’s house in sweats but I knew that we would probably end up going out for at least one drink so I got (half-assed) dressed. I got to D’s house, knocked on the door, and stumbled in with my mics and box of liquor (long story). As soon as I walked into the dining room, the lights came on and there were horns blowing and everyone yelled “SURPRISE!”

I’m not even kidding. My sister and D threw me a surprise party. The best part was? I was COMPLETELY surprised. I HAD NO IDEA they had been planning this for weeks. My other sister came down from NH with her boyfriend, my friend S came up from the city, my co-workers were there… It was the best night EVER. I TOTALLY felt like the star of the show. It’s so nice to feel like you have friends thinking about you and planning things for you without you even knowing. I really do have the best family and friends.

My official birthday is this Saturday and I’ve had so many celebrations thus far I’m not exactly sure WHAT the plans will be but I think that the day will start with a Jazzercise class (or two) with D and heading to get our nails done.

I'm not even 25 yet and I already love it.