Shoes, Simplicity, and Community: January 2011

Hello Family and Friends and Happy New Year….

So this is the time of year where we are convinced that we are to start anew and resolve to be a better person. I’ve been asked what my resolution this year was and like every year, I can’t think of one. The reason must be that I have nowhere to improve and I’m the best person I can be, right? Ya I didn’t buy that one either….

So to spare you a blog of my social standings and my personal beliefs that are obviously important because I have a blog to share them, I fill you in on how my last month has been going.

I celebrated Christmas with the roomies a week early and it was adorable. We had an amazing tacky sweater Christmas party and fun was had by all. Living in volunteer land allows us to be friends with a billion other volunteers, so guess who we partied with. Volunteers!

Soon after all the Christmas hoopla in Baltimore, I went to Sunny California for 17 days to spend with my family and friends. Let’s just say, Sunny California had different plans for me. It rained for 5 days straight upon my arrival! But that was forgiven when I got to spend a lot of time making ravioli and memories with my family. The next week was a blur of visiting my amazing friends and trying to see EVERYONE while I was on the coast for such a short period of time. My life felt like a planned mess and I’m still recovering from it. Christmas this year was nice and simple. My Grandma, Mother, Sister and myself spent 3 days in Palm Springs. Though I didn’t get tan, I did get to lay out on Christmas. And when you’re living in below freezing weather for 3 months, that’s more than enough.

After Christmas I drove up to NorCal to see my family some more and make ravioli (we’re Italian, we make it a lot). I also got to go wine tasting with one of my closest friends from college Megan, and her parents. We also got extremely cheap Smithwicks (my favorite beer for those who are keeping track) at an Irish pub and reminisced about our trip last year to Ireland. It was quite the adventure to drive to and from NorCal, my tiny baby little sister is now old enough to join along the ride, and next time she drives, I’m taking a chill pill and a nap. (Don’t worry, her driving is fine, I’m just SCARED.)

After that, there was more hoopla of visits and parties and its all a blur again at this moment. Finally the last few days were spent cleaning and packing up so my mom can move into her new place, rendering me homeless if I ever stop volunteering.

After a long trip home, I gained 8 lbs and somehow with out even working out... they are gone! I blame Leslie. :)

Home was amazing and beautiful and I actually missed Baltimore and my roommates. Now instead of me mumbling through a blog, here are random pictures from my trip that I hope you enjoy!!