Day 15

Work is....kinda fun? I didn't know that my new job would be so interesting. I'm working at the same place I work during the school year, just full time. But I'm getting new responsibilities which are great. Today, I went out on tour twice. I hadn't ever given tours by myself so this was a new experience. As the tour guide, I show prospective students Flagler and tell them all about it. It's cool to meet the kids that are interested in Flagler and learn a little about them. Although it was hot and gross outside, I tried to stay positive and from the feedback everyone enjoyed the tours. I hope the students that I showed around today will like Flagler as much as I do and make it their home for the next few years.

Maybe the summer gig won't be so bad.

Day 14

I start work tomorrow. I am thankful for the summer work and the money I will be making but I was feeling a little down about the fact that I will be spending the majority of my summer working. But it's all okay because nothing cures "down-ness" like shopping.

I went to Old Navy today because I had a rewards card and I bought two new shirts. One is teal and the other it hot pink, I thought these were very appropriate spring/summer colors. Also, these colors reminded me of Hillary (don't get offended, it's a good thing) so I got them. I'm sort of sad that I won't be home to work summer camp and hanging out as much, but I am kind of thankful for the opportunity to move forward a little bit. Hopefully, these new clothes will help me remember the old times and carry that attitude into my new job. :)

Day 13

Smiling, laughing, and making the waiter think you are completely insane. Tonight, I had dinner with one of my close friends, Maureen. Sadly, I don't get to see her as often as I would like (She lives in NY) but she is truly one of the people who can always make me laugh no matter what.

Maureen was in town briefly to visit family and I was lucky enough to be able to have dinner with her because I live so close to her family now. We ended up talking and laughing for over 3 hours but it didn't seem like it was that long. Dinner was amazing, our waiter didn't kill us and it was great making new memories.

Never underestimate the power of memories, you make them everyday and I am glad that I started this blog to remind me of all the memories I am making through my year of adventures. Looking back, I am thankful for Hillary's blogs of quotes and Ashley W.'s mad picture taking skills. Making our memories over the last few years become part of us forever, because now we can't forget them even if we wanted to. Thank you girls and thank you, Maureen for the night of great memories for looking back upon. Open up the pit of hell. :)

Fresh Banana Cream Cheesecake. YUM!

My coke on the rocks, thanks to our waiter!

PIT OF HELL!

Whose menu has 21 pages, really?

Day 12

Tonight I went to see a new movie. The movie was Kick-Ass, which for lack of a better word, was kick ass. It was great!

The movie, honestly, had way more plot and twists and turns than I thought it would. It was way better than the "average kid becomes a hero" movie that the trailers alluded to. So if you get a chance to go see it, I would advise you too. It's pretty darn hilarious.

Day 11

Ok guys, I can't post what I did today yet. Update will happen after next Friday. :)

Update:

I couldn't post because my new thing for today was making Curtis' present for our anniversary. I decided to make him a cigar box. I went to Hobby Lobby for all of the materials.

I started with a bare box, paint, felt and brushes. I painted the box with dark brown paint and then lined the box with the dark green felt.

Here's the finished box...until I added the stuff to the top on day 18

Day 10

Finals week is almost over! I had to study a lot for my exam that is tomorrow morning so I decided to get out of the house and study in front of the gorgeous fort here in St. Auggie. So my new thing is today is taking time to do a usual thing in a new place. My example of this is studying at the fort.

I went out to the fort and laid in the grass with my roommate, Mariah, (she has the same class as me) and study in the nice sunshine.

Here was my view while studying:

I hope the relaxing studying I had shows on my exam. Wish me luck!

Day 9

So tonight, I was getting frustrated with the way my room was set up. I hated the fact that it looked like a dorm room still, even though I have my own apartment. I decided to move some things around and redecorate but since I am on a budget...I only bought a couple of new things for my room.

I got a side table to go beside my bed and a new jewelry box. The box I had to put together and since I have not put something like this together before, it's my new thing for today!

Here is a picture of it about half way through:

And here it is completed:

It looks so nice in my room, especially on my new table :)

More to come...

(I may have gotten carried away with the colors today...)

Day 8

Okay, I admit it. I'm slipping. I didn't do anything new today but I didn't really leave my house either because of all the studying that I am doing. I have four finals tomorrow.... I will make it up on tomorrow by doing two things. Hopefully, I won't make a trend of this. Actually, no I won't let myself.

Until tomorrow.

update

Hello everyone,

I am so sorry that I am not posting everyday but finals have me swamped. I promise I am still doing a new thing everyday and once finals allow me to breathe a little, I will post everything. (I am also waiting on a few pictures...) Hope everyone is having a wonderful week. See you once I am officially on summer break!

-P

Day 7

This morning/afternoon, I went canoeing with Curtis' family. This was a great new thing for me because I had never been. I didn't really know what to expect but I never thought it would have been as relaxing as it was. It was great...minus the rain. It happened to rain the entire time we were out on the water, but it wasn't scary rain so I was okay with it. It was great to be outdoors and trying something new.

I really think that canoeing will be a new hobby of mine because of the calmness that it brought, minus the sibling fighting. :) Curtis and I are already trying to plan another trip because I would like to go out when it's not raining. I think we might try a new run, too! I'll keep you updated...

P.S. I'll add some pictures once Curtis' mom adds them on facebook.

Day 6

I'm so excited!!!! As some of you know, I have wanted a Polaroid camera for a very long time. I don't know why I have really wanted one but I have.

Well..... I am now the proud owner of a new (to me) POLAROID CAMERA! It is so wonderful. I went to the Habitat for Humanity Lake- Sumter Thrift Store today to look around. I was surprised that they had so many good, cheap, slightly used goods. I didn't even know about this place until today but it going to be a new place to shop for any type of furniture. Basically, all of the stuff that is there has come out of The Villages so it has some really nice stuff.

My dad and I were about to leave when we saw a table right by the door and stop to look at the stuff on it. That is when I saw my new baby. It was sitting there with film and everything, it was such a good find.

I'm excited to start taking pictures with it because the pictures will be fun wall decorations for my room. All I have to do now is try to find film for it, but I heard a rumor that I can get in online still. But that's okay....I'm happy.

Day 5

Tonight, I did one of my favorite things...went to the theatre. You might be asking (if you know me), how is this something new? Well, I might be stretching it a little, but I saw a new play. One that I have never seen before and knew nothing about walking into the theatre. (Sidebar: spell check is telling that theatre is spelled incorrectly and that bugs me.)

COME BLOW YOUR HORN

The play was "Come Blow Your Horn" by Neil Simon. Personally, I didn't really care for the script and I think that is because I don't like comedies all that much. I don't find anything written in the 60's to be funny now or covert really well to modern times. I guess I that's something that I lack. However, script aside, the cast was awesome. Every part was really cast well, and the actors did not disappoint. Kudos to Austin Travis especially, because I have seen him grow as a actor so much and he has great natural timing for comedy. Also, Jim and Paula were great in their roles, so hilarious. Everyone in the audience loves their characters but really there is no way you couldn't. Very funny! Debbie and Rick were awesome as usual, both of them are very versatile in the roles they play and it is great watching them be so wonderful on the stage.

By the way, if you are in the Eustis/ Lake County area, go see this show. For reservations... Call Bay Street Players @ 352.357.7777 (shameless plug).

After the show, we went to the "wine and cheese" gala. It was great to hang out with friends that I don't see very often. While we were there Curtis made me try a pickled asparagus. It was gross...but now I know that I don't ever want to eat that again. So lesson learned.

Day 4

Today was all about finding new happiness in the world around you. It was my last day of classes and I had to walk back and forth to school because Curtis had classes all day. Normally, I have Curtis drive me back to school or pick me up once a day. I know this is lazy considering I live within walking distance of the school, but I don't really like walking back and forth because I find it boring. Being "forced" to walk, I found a new admiration for the wonderful town I live in.

Walking down the sidewalk listening to my iPod, I found a simple joy in life that is indescribable. The sunshine and the presence of the happy groups of people made me aware of the aura this town has. It was one of the most pleasant walks I have had in a long time. I can't wait to go out and take in more of this amazing city more during the summer. It's just the most exciting atmosphere. I am truly happy I live here.

I hope to be able to go out and experience this happiness more. I guess I will just have to walk more... :)

Day 3

Today's goal was to make new things in the kitchen. I decided to make dinner for Curtis and I by making foods that I have had before but have not cooked before. For dinner, we had chicken strips (I've made these before...) and for the sides I made loaded potato skins. Even though the sides took over as main course because we didn't have enough chicken strips. These were a challenge. I found the recipe online (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/loaded-potato-skins/Detail.aspx) and got to work. They really weren't too hard to make, but they did take a lot of time, and I really liked them. So I would definitely recommend this recipe to all of you.

For dessert, I made banana crumb muffins. I found that recipe online (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Crumb-Muffins/Detail.aspx) and it was really simple to make. They smelled great while they were baking but once I checked on them I could tell I had overfilled the muffin rounds a little too high so the muffin puffed over the top. However, the looks don't really matter when something tastes so great. I highly recommend this recipe too.

Here are some pictures of the food:

This is what dinner looked like:

The muffins before they were baked:

The muffins afterwards:

Thank you to Curtis for chopping up the green onions because I cut my finger...and for making the salads!

As you can tell, I have had a lot of food updates and this is because I have worked or had school everyday so far and foods are the easiest ways of trying new things after a long day. I promise I won't bore you with all food blogs so tomorrow I will do something other than food.

Until next time....

Day 2

So today I went to dinner with the Busy Bee family from Phi Alpha Omega! It was super fun and to commemorate the last dinner we had, I decided to make a cake. (That's not the new part.) I decided to have Curtis help me and we made fondant for the cake. We decorated it with fondant and I piped on the bee because we are the BUSY BEE FAMILY!

Here are some pictures of the experience:

Dying the home-made fondant:

Curtis rolling the yellow fondant out:

Icing the cake so the fondant sticks:

Piping on the decorations:

The FINISHED product:

Day 1

Since this is the week before finals, I didn't have too much time to go out and try something new. Therefore, I looked within my apartment for something new to try. I was looking around the kitchen for something for dinner and decided this would be a perfect time to accomplish today's new thing...only problem, since I buy the groceries, I eat basically all the food in my apartment. That's when I remembered I had Jambalaya (because I bought if for Curtis, who still hadn't eaten it)...which I have never tried.

So for Day 1, I ate Jambalaya. Curtis decided to make it a little different from the directions on the box. Instead of water, we used chicken broth and heated the sausage with onions before adding it all to the pot and having it simmer for 25 minutes.

Once everything was finished cooking, it was the moment of truth. To my surprise, I like Jambalaya. Even with it being spicy! Who would have thought that? See good things can come from trying something new.

We will see what tomorrow brings...

I'm going to give this a shot...

Lately, I have been doing a lot of thinking. I have never been one who wants to settle. I want to live life to the fullest and do what I want, when I want. The only problem is...I haven't been doing this.

Therefore, I am starting a resolution... I know it isn't New Year's but why wait. Who says you can't decide to make changes to your life during the year, or whenever you want to. So here it is:

I am going to try something new everyday for the next year. That's right. 365 days of new adventures.

Now, this means try something new or make something new or go somewhere new. It is not limited to anything. One day I might try a new food and the next I might volunteer someplace new. I want to discover everything and anything possible. So, this is my way of making sure I complete my task. I am going to post my new ventures on my blog and let everyone know of my new findings. I won't bore you with it every day but I will try to post everyday and then link it to Facebook about once a week. However, feel free to check up on me when ever you want.

So until tomorrow...the beginning of a new life...