Hello, world!
It has been entirely too long since my last blog post and holy cow have I missed this creative lifestyle of mine. I have experienced a great deal of life changes over the last few months and I am the happiest I have ever been!
I have been busy busy busy with work and as we approach the holiday season it will only get more exciting! I am thankful to have two amazing and supportive families (one in PA and one in MD) an awesome DM peer group and a fantastic group of what is now 44 managers!
Ryan and I just got back from Jamaica where we did a lot of incredibly ambitious things (his idea, not mine). We went cliff jumping off of a 40 foot ledge and upon impact of the water I bashed myself in the face while attempting to hold my nose. Ten days later, my black eye has fully healed. We made some great friends, Kara and Brad, with whom we spent the week with in paradise. PS: Congrats on the wedding and your new life together! We went rope swinging into a waterfall, which was pretty badass if I do say so myself. And we went exploring in caves (filled with bats) while sailing the sea on a dinner cruise.
We have also moved into a gorgeous high rise apartment in downtown Baltimore and we are enjoying the city life and all it has to offer! We have utilized nearly all modes of public transportation, tried out some local restaurants and we now know what the downfall to this awesome view is-- carrying all of our groceries through the garage and elevator on Sundays. Nevertheless, we couldn't be happier to call this place home.
My parents celebrated their five year anniversary for the kidney swap this week and both are as healthy as a horses! I've never really understood this expression but it seemed to fit, so I used it. Regardless, they're healthy and happy and we love that. Larry is wrapping up his last year of law school and I can't wait for him to pick fights with someone other than me.
So, that is the long and the short of where I stand and I assure you I will write more at my next available moment.
Below is a blog that was in draft mode for a few months and since I am off of work and had some time to read back through it, I have decided to go ahead and hit the publish button.
For this blog topic, I would like to discuss all of the differences between my old life in Pennsylvania and my new life in Maryland. Warning: this is not an exageration.
1. HOLY HEAT.
Whenever I made the move from Pittsburgh to Baltimore I falsely assumed that the climate would be about the same. #Wrong. In Pittsburgh, the only time I have ever sweat because of heat before 8a.m. was while I was running the marathon in May of 2012. In Baltimore, I resorted to parking my car in a garage everywhere that it is an option. Has anyone else ever experienced the hell that is sitting your unsuspecting tush on a black leather seat that has been roasted in 90 degree heat for nine hours? I have. Looking to try something comparable? Sit on a fire. No. Sit on a fire in a bikini.
2. Keep driving, that's just rain.
I'm sorry, but since when do we slam on the breaks when it begins to mist? Do you want me in your backseat? No? Then let's maintain your speed please. Never have I ever lived in a place that your morning commute is elongated when there is a 30% chance of rain. The only time that I can think of that rain would be an issue if you were Barney Rubble. You know, Barney from the Flinstones. Because I am 99.9% confident that Barney did not have windshield wipers. If he did, there is literally NO TIME that we should be slowing to a speed of 15mph on an interstate.
3. Two hour delays (and cancellations) in adult life.
People of Pennsylvania- name the last time you had a two-hour delay. What's that you say, high school? Yeah, not here! If it is snowing or even if it MIGHT snow, full time employees of most professions in the state of Maryland will have a two hour delay. In addition to the delays, if snow accumulates more than three inches- no work for anyone! Four times last year, 0/5 of my malls opened because of snow. Once, it was because it had snowed the day before. Now some of you are probably thinking that this is awesome because it is essentially a paid day off. Let me tell you why it's not awesome. You actually have no choice but to sit in your house all day because literally the entire state is off of work. No grocery stores. No pizza. And worst of all- so many kids everywhere screaming their little heads off and building snowmen in a suburban neighborhood near you.
4. Crabs.
Not crab legs, not crab cakes, just the entire crab; eyes and all. Served all at once and by the dozen. No plates. No silverware. All manpower. Disclaimer: I actually love crabs now. However, on my first crab experience (January 4, 2014) left me mildly scarred. I couldn't wrap my head around the green guts that launched out of the crabs when you opened them up or the fact that you have the remove the lungs one by one before getting to the edible portion of the crab. Luckily for me, Ryan's parents are very loving and patient parent-in-laws and basically harvested and served my food to me as I sat the table making ugly facing while simultaneously wondering what the heck was on top of the crabs which brings me to my next point.....
5. Old Bay
Before relocating to Maryland, I had never heard of Old Bay. Honestly, I'm not even sure that they sold it at Giant Eagle. Regardless, if the United States of America switched their currency from dollars to Old Bay tomorrow, Maryland residents would become the 1%. They put this on EVERYTHING; soups, chips, meat, sandwiches, seafood, and maybe even ice cream. The billboards along the highways are advertisements for old bay. Their obsession is fascinating. Meanwhile, Pittsburghers are probably googling "old bay" as we speak.
6. North vs South
Okay everyone, group activity! Check out a map of the continental United States and draw a line horizontally dividing the country in two perfect halves as best as you can. On the east coast, what states does your line seperate? More than likely, it runs through north or South Carolina. But don't you dare tell someone from the state of Maryland that they do not reside in the south. As far as they're concerned; they are Savanah. No, seriously. Pennsylvania is undoubtably the north, and Maryland is as southern as it gets. Quick reminder for those of you that may not be so great at geography- these states share a state line.
7. State Pride
Here in Maryland, people are really proud of being from Maryland. You know whenever you go on vacation and those beach shops have t-shirts that say "Hawaii" or "Jamaica" and you buy one for your grandparents because, really, who else would ever wear a shirt like that? Well, think again. Marylanders LOVE their state and they could not be more proud to wear a shirt, post a bumper sticker, or fly their state flag. Now, the state flag is the real kicker. They put this EVERYWHERE. When you ask someone, "What's up with the facination?" They will happily tell you, "It's the best state flag!" I know what you're thinking.... Compared to what? So a couple of months ago I looked up the Pennsylvania flag just to see if the MD flag really blew it out of the water and honestly, I would be hard pressed to declare a winner. But, to each his own....
8. Car Modifications
Being that my boyfriend is obsessed with his car and is constantly spending absurd amounts of money on making it "cooler" I will try to keep this one brief. I am sure that there are people in Pennsylvania (and other parts of the country) that enjoy working on their cars. However, I have never seen this kind of excitement around motors and steering wheels.
9. Street Racing
A few weeks ago I was run off of the road by two men doing wheelies on motorcycles driving BETWEEN lanes on a "highway" on the way to Ryan's parent's house. When I got to his house and expressed that this was outrageous (etc, etc...) he told me that this behavior is 100% normal everywhere, not just in Maryland. So, I called my father and we decided the opposite. Ryan and I have been sitting at a stop light and had someone challenge us to a race (two honks of the horn DUH). Of course, you HAVE to participate or it will seem like you think that you have a slow car. There is also a race track where you can time the laps of your high-speed car after drinking large amounts of beer but don't even get me started on that. The entire thing gives me a headache just thinking about it....
10. Life on the Water
Every weekend from April through September is spent out on the water on a boat. I once asked Ryan what everyone does when it rains on the weekend and he informed me that it "never rains on the weekends" and though we found his theory to be mildly flawed, it did stand true for most of the summer. Hanging out in the brown river was a definite adaptation for me but I did learn to love it. I made a lot of great friends and had a rockin' tan all summer long; and for that, I am grateful!
Here is to enjoying your Thanksgiving and holiday season and more importantly...
Here is to picking the perfect Christmas tree :)
Xoxo
