What. A. Week.

Happy Monday! It's the beginning of a new week, but I'm still reeling from the last one! I had such a busy (and fun) week last week that I didn't even have to time to catch you all up in the middle of it! So, I've decided to do one all encompassing post.... now:

TUESDAY I helped to surprise one of my very best friends, Kristi, for her 22nd birthday! Last year, we had a huge night out in Federal Hill and had a blast, but we thought we should stay a little more low key this year. About 6 of my fellow Phi Mu's and I each brought part of a delicious Italian dinner (I made the cake since "good cook" is not exactly on my resume.) and waited anxiously at Kristi's apartment for her to come home from class. When she opened the door, we all popped out and she was definitely surprised! It was a very relaxing but fun, evening hanging out and laughing with some of my very best friends.

THURSDAY my oldest friend in the world, Julie Ann, came up to visit from her new home in North Carolina. She brought her adorable 9 month old son, Ryder Christian, along with her! I met Ryder when he was about 2 months old and I absolutely loved seeing him again this time!

He is growing up so fast, it's shocking. I've known Julie since first grade and it is amazing to me that we've stayed friends for such a long time. Even more amazing, are the paths that our lives have taken. If you would have told me in first grade that in 18 years I would be a teacher and I'd be playing with Julie's beautiful baby boy, I would have called you crazy!

It was a really fun, but too short, visit. I had a great time catching up with Julie, and talking about old times together. It really and truly amazes me that you can spend so much time apart from someone, but when you meet back up it's like nothing has changed. I can't wait until the next time I see baby Ryder; he will definitely be walking and maybe even talking by then!

FRIDAY I went out to downtown Annapolis with a few of my new "work friends" for some drinks and dancing. I went to Polar Bear Plunge with these two ladies and have been hanging out with them a lot since, but this was the first time we were all actually able to "go out". They have a great group of friends and boyfriends that they have kindly let Antonio and I join in the fun! Antonio seems to really get along with the guys and I love the girls so it was a fantastic night! I definitely got rid of some of the MSA testing stress I'd been feeling all week!

SATURDAY was a very busy day! In the afternoon I went to a bridal shower for another of my old friends. One of my "Hefs" (I've talked about them before... just don't ask), Katie, will be getting married this summer, so we were all able to get together and celebrate with just the ladies! The shower was absolutely gorgeous and totally put together and classy, just like Katie. There was a ton of de-lic-ious food, drinks, and desserts. I got to catch up with some more of my old friends, while stuffing myself silly.

I had to cut my visit a little short though, since Antonio and I were going on a spectacular weekend ski/snowboard trip! We headed up to Deep Creek Lake after the shower and had an amazing weekend trip. I just LOVE Deep Creek, I can't say it enough. But, I will put all of the details of that trip in my next post, but here is just a little teaser for ya...


Hopefully this week will not be quite as jammed packed as last week. I do know that it is one week closer to Spring Break and Paris! I'm getting so excited!

Taking the Plunge

First of all, I would like to say that I LOVE my new Macbook! It might not sparkly but what it lacks in glitz, it more than makes up for in cool features, cuteness, and coordination with my bedroom furniture. But I digress...

Today I did something I never in a million years thought that I would do. I participated in the 14th Annual MD State Troopers Polar Bear Plunge! Along with thousands of other crazy people, about 25 of my coworkers and their significant others braved the near blizzard to hop into the freezing cold Chesapeake Bay to benefit the Special Olympics. To give you a hint of how cold it was, the day's high was forecasted to be 23 degrees today.

We met up this morning as it was first starting to snow and bundled up to head to the beach. After we registered, got our sweatshirts and took a team photo, there were a ton of activities and tents to visit once we got to the park grounds. We started out in the Ice Lodge tent, which had a live band, tons of food and drink, and even some games going on! Then, we wandered over to the vendor tent and browsed the tables of things for sale. There was a Ravens station with SUPER cute items, but I somehow resisted. Instead, two of my coworkers, Jamie and Jaime, bought ourselves some cute snow gear. Mine is a moose/reindeer, you just can't see the antlers.

Speaking of the Ravens, the Ravenmaniacs were at the Plunge in full effect. They came in their loaded down, huge, purple school bus, dressed in head to toe Ravens gear. During football season, there is a huge feud around school between the Ravens, Redskins, and Steelers fans, so the Ravens fans of course had to take advantage of this photo op! There was also rumor that Ravens quarterback, Joe Flacco, was supposed to take a dip in the bay, but due to the snow they cancelled plunges later in the day.

Anyway, after wandering around, trying to stay warm for awhile, it was finally plunge time! (They didn't cancel plunges until AFTER we all hopped in at 1 PM...lucky us.) While some people stripped down to just their bathing suits and bare skin, I opted to keep my long sleeves on and rolled my leggings up instead. Let me tell you, even though I only went in to my knees, it was definitely more than enough plunging for me! A few of the people on our team went all out and dipped their heads under. Braver than me, that's for sure.

All in all, it was a great day! I was able to raise money and give my time (and body heat) for a really amazing cause. It was also really fun to hang out with some of my coworkers outside of an elementary school!