alabama holiday wrap-up

Kurt and I still had a few days left in Alabama after returning from our mini trip to Atlanta. Some would say we were in the South too long. Granted, it wasn't my typical lounge on the couch and do nothing vacation, but we still had a pretty good time. Without further ado, the rest of the trip!

quick swing through bham

After our day trip to Atlanta, we drove through Birmingham on our way back to North Alabama. Kurt's camera is in the shop, so he stole mine and took waaaaay too many pictures of Railroad Park. It is a really awesome park, and he took some very lovely shots, so I had a hard time editing. Feel free to breeze through the photos, but there is a fun bit at the end!

they lie, it's cold-lanta

While in Alabama for the holidays, Kurt and I took a mini road trip over to Georgia. Kurt is considering Georgia Tech for grad school and wanted to check out the campus and city feel of Atlanta. I hadn't been there since my Auburn years (and a layover at the airport here and there), so I was due for another visit as well. Us New Yorkers thought the South would be warm and balmy, but man, we were wrong. It's not that it was colder than it is here in NYC, but we were woefully unprepared for the chill and the wind and the rain. And now we know why people drive everywhere in Atlanta. Our attempt to walk places left us grumpy and cold. So needless to say, it's not our favorite city but it was still pretty fun...well, the eating and drinking was at least! 

new year goals + an announcement!

{2011 NYC Marathon}

There is something so refreshing about a new year. It's nice to reflect on the past and learn from your mistakes and successes, but ultimately it's about moving on and making this year even better than the last. Some people feel new year's resolutions are silly, but as an avid list maker, I think there is something really valid in getting your ideas out in the world instead of just floating around in your head. A list is real, tangible, and ultimately attainable. Even if some things fall by the wayside come February, the opportunity for self-improvement is pretty exciting. So here are a few of my goals for this new start in 2013:

1. Run the Brooklyn Half Marathon in the spring. There, I said it. It's on the internet. No backing out now! In the same vein, I want to drag my butt to yoga regularly (if not weekly) and work up the courage to finally start swimming at the gym.

2. Get smarter about my money. Figure out a budget and actually stick to it. Build up some significant savings.

3. Be a maker and a doer. I put my creative endeavors on hold in 2012 to study for exams, but now I am so excited to tackle projects and explore, well, everything!

4. Grow/cultivate this little blog. It is a process I really enjoy, so if it is going to be something I spend a significant amount of time working on, I want it to be the best I can make it and a true reflection of myself.

5. Read things that you enjoy. Books, articles, magazines...you name it, I want to read it. I had forgotten how enjoyable it is. Plus, it never hurts to have extra conversation topics!

6. Approach everyday with joy, certainty, and kindness instead of fear, anxiety, and apprehension. I know this one is super vague but it's something I want to work on. Too often I find myself internally bogged down by doubt and worry and even anger. This is the year to let it all go and let love in :) If it doesn't come naturally at first, fake it until it does!

Good luck with all your goals and resolutions!

AND I can happily announce that I successfully completed my main goal of 2012. I passed all seven Architecture Registration Exams! Lookout world, I'm going to be an architect!

happy 2013! farewell 2012

bull riding / ohio string art / boy scout bathroom / meeting the pioneer woman

washington d.c. / north fork wine tour / glass house

fishing trip / raleigh

lots and lots of brooklyn bridge park / ohio (including pittsburgh and cleveland) / alabama / outdoor movie

storm king / fashion's night out / party@thecenter

bham wedding / west point

hurricane sandy / obama for the win / wisconsin / the holidays!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you have had a great start to 2013. I love keeping this blog as a record of things I've done throughout the year and especially enjoy going back through the past 12 months, picking out some of favorite moments. I thought this year would be pretty lame because I have been studying for my architecture licensing exam, but I was blown away by all the fun that was had! Either I'm not a very good student or I'm extremely fortunate to have countless activities at my fingertips and wonderful people to share those moments with! Probably a little of both :) 2012, you weren't all that bad.

Now onto those resolutions...