New Thing 9-24-10 Virgin Free Fest

New Thing 9-4-10 Maryland State Fair

Yesterday, I braved the Maryland State Fair at the Timonium Fairgrounds. http://www.marylandstatefair.com/ Sally, Mark, Tray, Jason, and the adorable Alex came along for the ride. I had never meet Alex and he is one of the cutest babies I have ever seen. Such huge cheeks (but I digress). We started the fair out with a sampling of fair food. Corn dogs and cheese fries. Mark found a fly in his and Sally's diet coke. She was super grossed out. I say it's all just part of the fair. We topped off our dinner by sharing two funnel cakes. Super yummy goodness. At this time, Tray, Jason, and Alex headed out because Alex had already had a late night. Sally had been continually talking about the zipper. Mark and I suggested looking at all the prize winning veggies to buy some time. What makes one popcorn cob better than the other? Who knows? Then there was no more stalling on the rides. We started with the zero gravity. It's the one where you stick to the wall and it tilts to the side. We meet this really cool fourth grader in the line and we all become BFFs forever. He informed us we would be fine on the ride as long as we hadn't eaten. Oh great! Mark was super scared it was funny. We finished the ride and everyone undid their buckles and started walking to the door. But unexpectedly, the ride started turning again so the door would be in front. Mark ran back so fast he knocked Sally's elbow and busted his knee. He was hurt kind of badly. It was a very George Costanza moment. Next, Sally and I won a sizable cow stuffed animal at the hit balloons with darts booth. She gave it to me for my prize chest at school. What a nice friend. Next, we waited in line for the Zipper. I had never gone on it. I was always too scared. It was awful in a good way. The first 30 seconds was super fun. The next 2 minutes was awful. I did it though. Then we went on two more back and forth spinning things. We should have stopped at the Zipper. We left the fair with headaches. It was like a hangover and totally worth it.

My new thing on August 22, 2010 started off with a ride on the water taxi that stops in Canton right outside of my house http://thewatertaxi.com/ . I love the water taxi. It's a wonderful way to get around the city and once I get a few paychecks under my belt, I think I might get a year round pass. I got off at the Fells Point stop and from there, I walked onto Little Italy. Each year, Little Italy holds two festivals (one to celebrate the start of the summer and one to celebrate the end of the summer).The Feast of St. Gabriel Italian Festival was a blast. I would have loved to be joined by some of my Italian family members. There was the smell of Italian food and raffles. Next time, I am bringing my folding chair to enjoy the music and bocce. I need to make my way back to the courts some night to play a game of my own. http://littleitalymd.com/ (Go to the website! The music is worth it!)

Andy Warhol Museum

On Friday the 13th of August, I decided my new thing would be The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, PA. I brought along my two wonderful cousins, Kelsey and Vincent. It contained 7 floors of art and I loved it! My favorite painting was Sunset www.warholstars.org/warhol/warhol1/warhol1f/sunset.html . I recommend that you stop by this interesting museum if you roll through Pittsburgh and you stop by The Strip and go to Primanti Brothers for lunch like we did. How can you pass up a sandwhich with slaw and fries loaded on top? http://www.primantibrothers.com/ My favorite quotes of the day came from Kelsey. "Is that a real penis?" and "He was one wierd guy." Those quotes really summed up the trip! http://www.warhol.org/

"New Thing" 8-8-10 Duckpin Bowling

So, I have decided to dedicate this blog to my quest to try at least one “New Thing” a week. The “New Thing” does not have to be wild and crazy, just different (something I have never done). I’ve done this in the past, but I am truly giving it my all and plan to record it on this blog. Most of my adventures will take place in the weird and wacky city of Baltimore! This week I went duckpin bowling at Stoneleigh lanes on York Road. Jenna asked me to tag along with her, Andy, CiCi, and her mom Karen. I have wanted to go for a long time now. It is a very Baltimore thing to do and I love Baltimore. Duckpin bowling is bowling with a tiny bowling ball. It’s almost like bowling/skee-ball. Also, you get three tries instead of two when duckpin bowling. Like real bowling, I proved to be miserable! Very inconsistent, I would have a strike, then 5 gutter balls, then a spare. If you are in Baltimore give it a try! I am totally going back for bowling and karaoke on Fridays!
http://www.stoneleighlanes.com/default.asp

Summer Here We Come!

Well, summer is almost here. Grad school is done (Yippee)! Only a few more weeks of school (It won't come soon enough)! I'm interviewing for a new job. If I get it great, but if not, I have a good job now. I love change though so it's exciting. Cross your fingers for the interview. I am counting down to see all my wonderful friends in Florida. Also, I hit the 50 lb mark this weekend!

Things are going well! 27.4 lbs in 6 weeks at Fit Camp. Now, I just have to keep this motivation going. Biggest Loser will help and thinking about trying Diet to Go (this thing were all your meals are prepared for you!) Also, motivated to look good for El's wedding and to see all my FL friends who I miss so much!

I can't imagine what it must be like to be sick with a life threatening disease and have your health care give you the run around. I was on the phone for hours about this MRI and there wasn't a solution given. What if it was something that was super important? I really feel for people faced with that problem.

Finally, Spring Break is here!

What a rough few weeks! So I can see the end in sight for graduation. This week will be the push to finish my research and case studies.

Stanford 10 (the big standardized test) is the week before my birthday and I am not worried a bit! The kids did very well on the benchmark test and I think those are a bit harder than Stanford 10. Although the kids drove me totally crazry this week. They are super smart this year!

So, I haven't smoked since the start of lent and weirdly it hasn't been that bad. I also joined a biggest loser type thing at my gym. The problem is I hurt my knee and now I have to get an MRI to see what is wrong with it. Hopefully it is just a sprain. I think I might have over done it a bit. Running a 5K without training and everything else might have been to much.

I'm already looking foward to summer already! Just a few months away!

What a pretty first day of Spring! I wore shorts and a t-shirt and flip-flops. I missed you flip-flops. Spring and fall have always been my favorite seasons. I love living somewhere that has a change of seasons. Just when you are sick of snow, a warm wind starts to blow and Rita's has free italian ice. I love it.

Life seems a bit wild. Things have been so hectic, the only time I could schedule Roxy to go to the vet was 8 pm on a Friday. Lots of grad work and a formal observation next week. Thursday is the last day of my seminar class and I only have two Practicum classes left! I am only one week away from Spring Break! Yippee. I'll be off to NYC with my mom, aunt, and cousin. Culture (no) shopping (yes).

One week after Spring Break, my students take Stanford 10. I hate standardized testing. I think they will do very well this year (although they drive me crazy, they are very smart). We finish testing April 16 and the next day is my last grad class and my 30th birthday.

My parents bought a vacation home in FL and I am looking forward to running away down south to see old friends and relax as soon as I can!