My first attempt at Surfing

Well I woke up at sunrise today and made my way down to the beach, with my surfboard of course.  I attempted to carry my board under one arm while I road my bike, but that was a total and complete fail since my arms are definitely not long enough for that. So I walked about a mile down to the beach, but passed the normal beach that you can go to.  I wanted some privacy.  I did some good morning yoga, and finally stretched out enough that I could touch the ground again.  My hamstrings have been super tight since all that log rolling that we did. After I finished my yoga, I wanted to find a bigger part of the beach so that I could put my towel out without worrying that it would get wet.  A lot of the beaches here have just a little bit of sand before the residential line starts.  So I started walking, and walking, and walking...  I then decided that I would stop wherever another person was surfing so that I wouldn't feel so alone.
Yeah, I didn't want to surf all alone and what if there
were rocks under the water?  I had to make sure I picked a good spot!  So I walked some more, until finally I saw someone else out in the water on a board. Such a vast beach and there were no people in the water!  Where were all the tourists??  I walked for ages, and was tired by the time I finally picked my spot because the sand seemed forever deep.  I went out in the water and it was awesome.  Perfect temperature, but the waves were pretty big.  It took forever for me to get out passed the waves in order to ride one in because they kept knocking me over, and trying to strip me of my swim suit.  The waves are very naughty, let me tell you.
I finally got out, and of course the guy surfing was super hot and good looking.  I made sure to let him know that I totally sucked at surfing so 1 he wouldn't make fun of me and 2 maybe he would help me out.  He grew up on the island and was SUPER good at surfing, but I made sure not to compare my skills to his because I knew I would not even come close. 
I did not get any good tips, but it was super nice in the water.  No, I did not stand up on my board today, but I know I have lots of time to practice and get good at it.  I just wanted to get a good feeling for my board today.  After a while (or what seemed like a while) I was heading back out for another go after riding one in on my belly, and a big wave took me out, flipped me over, and stole all my breath and my bathing suit top.  I decided it was time to go in for a break.  I read some of my book and then started the long walk home... I had walked super far that morning I came to realize.  I was walking back on the road and it was still forever long.  It was totally worth it :)

A beautiful Sunday

On our drive to the South Side of the Island we stayed along the ocean for most of it.  The views were incredible

I was trying to be artsy

We're halfway there, Mary!

A great view from the top of Koko Head

We hiked all the way up that!

Looking stunning at the bottom of Hamama falls

Today I woke up early and hiked with Mary and all of her girlfriends up to Hamama Falls.
It was a short hike, but so much of it was uphill! No views, but beautiful foliage.  We brought four dogs with us.  I was so surprised that they all stayed with us the whole time.  My dogs at home would never ever be able to do that.  I can't wait to have an awesome dog to call my own someday!

We came back and then walked to the beach (first flip flop blister!) and hung out in the crazy wind to watch the hotties and their kite surfing madness. Kite surfing is super cool, and maybe something I would like to try, but only when I have enough money and some courage. I have found that courage is one of the hardest things for me to come by sometimes.  I may act like I am so big and tough and one of the most outgoing people I know, but the reality is until I am comfortable somewhere I am not any of those things.  I have to warm myself up, or completely throw myself into a situation.  I still haven't handed in my bartending applications because I am nervous. So strange and frustrating!  Why do I even care!!!!  That is my big goal for tomorrow or Monday.  Write a new resume and hand in my applications at the two local pubs.  Build up that courage girl!

Of Course I would NEVER fall on a hike, not even almost!

Sweet Sweet Ride

Say hello to my new cruiser bike. Her name is Carmen, the kind of bike is Electra :) I don't know if you can tell but she is hot purple. Slick black fenders will be put on this Monday. I can't wait to cruise around the East side of the island on her, or perhaps take her on the bus to the North Shore. I opened up a bank account today, even though the woman talked our ears off and tried marketing the i phone to us. Yes, that's right Mary came with me! I am officially a real resident... Maybe :)




---Chasing your dreams will never fail you. Just get up and keep going. Do your best to not look back, but if you do, think of the happiest times. Don't dwell on the times that you can no longer change.

One More Thing

In spirit of Thanksgiving, I know it is so incredibly important to be thankful. Thankful for what you have, what you have been given, and what you have earned. I know that I walk through this world a ridiculously lucky girl. Sometimes it seems as though things that are so perfect just land in my lap, and then other things I work my butt off for in order to be as successful as I am. I have been here for three days, and I have a job now as a babysitter, bringing this kick ass boy to school most mornings. How perfect is that? I am thankful for my awesome brothers and sisters, and being able to see them so much the last few weeks. I am thankful to my sister Mary for allowing me to stay with her, rent free. You're damn right those will be the cleanest dished you have ever had! I am thankful for the money I have saved in my bank from this summer of babysitting, which was fun and not at all like work. I am thankful for my car, and that it has kept me safe and sound for over two years now. I am thankful for being able to have been in such an awesome masters program which enabled me to teach at two amazing schools in two amazing states and then travel the southern part of the country for a month. I am thankful that JC and Cassie are so happily married and that I was able to be such a big part of their wedding, and enjoyed every second of that. I am so incredibly thankful for Andrea Taylor, who is now a part of my family (sorta kinda maybe officially, even though I have always considered her to be). I am also thankful that my sister Angela has THREE amazing kids now for me to play with, and that they are all so brilliant and healthy. I am thankful for being fluent in ASL finally and the awesome friends that I have gained through that beautiful language. I am thankful for 2011 and that it was such an amazing year for me. I can't believe its almost over. I'm 24 now, I still have so much to do in my life! I better stop wasting time then. Tomorrow I am going to go buy a bike from a shop, because craigslist is not panning out so well, and then also if it breaks I can bring it back to the shop for them to fix it. I am also going to walk to all the bars and try my hardest to get a job. What other employee do they have that will work on holidays?!?! Oh! And one more thing to be thankful for. I am thankful for my Dan, who stayed with me all fall no matter how stressed out I was or how long I had to stay in the library for homework. He is pretty darn great ;)

Dan even sent me a sunflower to Hawaii <3

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sadly I didn't get to take any cool pictures today. Mostly only because I was enjoying myself way to much! I could have taken an awesome picture of Mary and all of her friends in the kitchen of Joanna's house toasting to such a good occasion, or a picture of Nate with two of his good buddies chowing down on the amazing meat that Corey cooked for us today. Instead I kept my phone away for the most part (I of course continue to text Dan :) and enjoyed my time with these new people. Thanksgiving here was very fun. Not so structured at home, where you feel like you need to spend appropriate time with the appropriate people, but more just enjoying your time. Made me consider how I would like my Thanksgiving to be when I am all grown up with a husband and kids. Still not sure what it will look like! Here is a picture that I finally got off my camera. I figured it was appropriate for such a good day today.

My first Sunset in Kailua

I went for a walk around 5:30 while I was waiting for Dan to call, and this was the awesome view that I got.

Living out here is working out really well so far. Mary and Nate are awesome. You can always laugh and joke with Nate, and I really enjoy doing all the fun stuff that Mary and I have been up to. She let me cut the potatoes for dinner tonight, and then she made steak! I'm going to wash all the dishes tomorrow morning, and hopefully the two of us are going to go for a run to prepare for a Thanksgiving feast! I'm excited to get a bike finally, I have to keep stalking craigslist. The perfect one hasn't jumped out at me yet!

Day 2: Hiking The Lanikai Pillboxes

So I guess I kinda knew how beautiful and awesome it was here, but I totally didn't fully realize the immense amount of beauty. Every direction you look you are taken over by beautiful mountains, valleys, and of course the ocean.

My sister and I hiked the Lanikai Pillboxes today. They are a sweet small group of mountains that hold some old bunkers from WWII(I think). I finally got to wear my new Keens again. I bought them this summer but then wouldn't wear them to camp because they made a funny noise while walking when they got wet. I'm such a dork! It was super windy at the top which reminded me a lot of Utah when I was hiking in Arches National Park. !

We got to the second bunker and just sat on the top and hung out. There is so much that is going through my mind right now, but for sure one important thing is how happy I am to be out here. I don't think anything could go wrong

"We impose meaning on the chaos of our lives. We create form, morality, order. It's a choice we have to make every second of every minute of every day."

I made it to Hawaii!

Check out my sweet sweet plane

Today Mary and I plan on running some errands, and I might even get a bike and surfboard! I contacted a man about a babysitting job for putting his son on the bus in the morning. I'm pretty excited about that. The plane rides yesterday sucked, but only because the seats weren't comfortable. Everything else about them was very cool. I slept with my head between my knees curled up. Hilarious. I did some serious Craigslist shopping on my six hour layover, and I think I got a job as a babysitter. I'm going to try and check it out today. Its a little crappy out so I have not yet gone to the beach or taken any pictures, but I will soon! <3

A Kegger, Bonfire, Walk to Opus 40, Sweet Night Trip to the City, and a 5 a.m. taxi to Newark Airport.

So holy wow. I haven't written in a while because I really haven't had time. Mostly. Dan came down to stay with my Friday night and we went to Sues for a fantastic time with my BBB Cassie and her family, her mom gave me the most kick ass hug. Laura was there which automatically made it more awesome, and even Andrew came up from the city. Saturday morning Laura, Mary, and I rolled the rest of the logs, and when Dan and Andrew finally woke up and came out we rolled a huge log that was the bottom of the hammock tree over to the fire pit. I almost died on the roll over because my boot slipped out from under me and I went flying forward. But seriously, we made the most kick ass bonfire pit ever.

Andrew took down our original 3 level structure, and reconstructed an excellent pit that made it through the night. We tapped the keg at 5, and 5 minutes later lit up the hugest most bad ass fire I have ever seen. I am still surprised we didn't light the whole forest on fire. In the picture look at how much higher the fire is even than the van.

Dan and I were sitting way to close to the fire and it was like we were melting!!!! So fun and totally worth it though!

Opus 40 might possibly be one of my favorite places in the world. I love going there. With friends or alone, it is one of the most calming and fulfilling places. I used to run there when I was younger and just sit on the rocks and think. Next time I am home I will need to go there for a longer period of time, because this time we barely even walked through before we went home. Maybe I could get married there!!

And yes, you read the title right. Mary and I got in a taxi this morning at 5 a.m. Made it to Newark safe, and I'm chillin now in Seattle, Washington.

Next Stop - HAWAII

A good day in Boston

Spent the day with my nephews and sisters. We took an awesome nap midday...

Picked up the boys from school and got to sit in the way far back with Akiva. We played an awesome game of hunters and gatherers, the kids version of course!!!

My partner was awesome, we kicked butt! Boom Sauce!

And of course I held on to that baby as much as possible! Elisheva Rules!

The Tiniest Thing in the World!

My new baby niece!!!!!

Minor Details

Here is the thing with publishing a post/picture everyday... I don't always have access to a computer, or the will power to make my self go online. I had a rough last few days, which is interesting because within those days were my absolute favorite moments of 2011. Hands down, no doubts in my mind, Arin's wedding was one of the best times I have EVER had, and for sure the best time I had this year. Yeah, I have had some seriously happy times, Camp, pilates, all time spent with Ali, Colorado last winter, Snow boarding with one of my oldest and closest friends in the best powder I have ever touched, NM in the spring, coaching track, running in the mountains, sitting at the ridge of the Grand Canyon and just taking it in. Shit, I have a had a freaking really good year. But really nothing compared to last Friday night. Almost my whole family was together, with Angela being a very missed exception, and we danced our faces off. Danced and danced and laughed and laughed. Uncle Jimmy led a square dance with Andrew and I as team 1, Mary and Alec as team 2, Uncle Jimmy and Deb as team 3, and My Aunt Pat and Sara as team 4. It was amazing, and everyone stopped to watch. I heard Arin yelling "That's my family!" It was so much fun. The ceremony was hilarious, but emotional. Andrea read her vows out of a heart decorated book, and Arin had on a blue petticoat which made her look smashing. My dad was out on the floor most of the night doing some of the most awesome moves I have ever seen. Stomping his foot on the floor and flailing around is the best I can describe it as. The next day we were able to hang out with Arin all day and even have ANOTHER sleep over! :) Bonfired outside, and played an amazing game of Extreme Sorry! which was really really long, but turned out to be fabulous with 8 people on one board. And then Sunday came around and the last thing I wanted to do was go home. I begged and pleaded to stay just a little bit longer, but to no avail, Andrea sent us home. An amazing thing happened though at 6 that morning, I got my first baby niece! So pumped to have a baby girl to spoil when I go to Boston to visit my sister and nephews. But alas, It was painful and sad in my house when we arrived back to Saugerties, and made it hard to want to talk to anyone or be happy about anything. Yesterday, Mary and I made the best of our time at home and began to take it to the next level with the fire pit and making a new seating arrangement. Before escaping the house and going to a bar for some sanity, I withstood some stuff that no one should ever have to experience. Luckily my sister is so awesome, and didn't let me go it alone. Today, there was some serious log rolling that occurred in the morning, and intense hike up Overlook Mountain, which is one of my favorite places in the world, and then a delicious dinner of barbaque with Rob. It was awesome. Good day today. And then I am going to try out crossfit tomorrow morning. We'll see how it goes before driving out to Boston

Sullivan-Taylor Wedding

So I was contemplating posting after the wedding tonight, but I don't think I will have time later tonight after all of the festivities. We got our nails done this morning. I have a very pretty blue of course. Now Arin is trapping some squirrels, and then getting married. Time to go back to the hotel now and get ready!!! Woo hoo!!!! :)

Arin watching out at the squirrel cage. Hopefully one goes in soon!

6 a.m. Leaving Ithaca- 7p.m.Rehearsal dinner in Philly

So many hours driving today. Such a great day. Have many pictures will post tomorrow! Smart phones too smart for me... need my laptop!

Waking up in Ithaca

Came home and found Mary!!!!

Passed out in the car....

And then quickly passed out in the hotel room.


All in all awesome day! The rehearsal dinner was awesome seeing some Arin and Andrea's favorite friends. Great food, thanks to the Follies, and some funny drunk people too!

Done with College Life-Final Goodbyes

Have my car packed up, almost forgot my bike... again... and am parked at school while finishing up my last tutoring session here at RIT. One kid was super upset when I told him that this was my last day forever. He was like "What! You're not gonna be here this winter?!?! I wish you were here everyday! You're the best tutor they have!" Well that made me feel better :) Hopefully I can use some of my sweet tutoring skills someday. The future, not immediate future preferably.

Well on my walk into school I caught these three boys up in a tree. I snagged a quick picture if you look closely you can see their dangling legs. I'm pretty sure they were enjoying some reefer, I'm glad they were able to heighten their experience up there.

AND Today I finally got my ASLPI results! (American Sign Language Proficiency Interview) I got a score of Advanced!! No way! I was expecting so much lower, like an intermediate level, meaning I would have to retake it before I was able to start teaching somewhere, but NOPE! I proved my skills finally! Wooooo HOOOOOOOO :)

p.s. yes, I have changed my name to Anne. NOT. I am going to get that mishap fixed immediately following my tutoring.

Last 4 hour class

4 hours for one class is way to long. Totally ridiculous with most of the teachers I have, but luckily my teacher this quarter rules and always lets us out an hour early. Its a beautiful day in Rochester (strange I know) and I wish I was outside enjoying it. Instead I finished my capstone by writing my abstract and am now submitting it to the program director!!! Woooo hooooo!! Its a great feeling to be done. Hasn't totally hit me yet, but sorta did yesterday when I woke up and had absolutely nothing to do or worry about. So in that case I created things to worry about like stressing about packing up my stuff and all the things I have to do over the next few days. Seems like I can't just enjoy some piece of mind ever. Also, I'm pretty sure I have totally F*cked up my wrist because I can barely use my left hand for anything. It hurts to type right now, and hurts A LOT when I am signing. Started last Wednesday, so if it still hurts I'll get it checked out when I get home... maybe... I really hate going to the doctor though

Almost done with college life - Saying Goodbye

I don't really want to write anything about this, because it just makes me sad... But I had to say good bye to one of the coolest most awesome people today, who I wouldn't have even met if I hadn't decided to take a pilates class!!! My teacher Michelle is super inspirational, caring, and one of the most flexible people I have ever met!!! She definitely made my RIT experience so much better. She always asked me how classes were going and seemed like she genuinely cared, which is much different from most people that you will meet in your life. And then today,,,, She made me cookies!!!!! Wish I coulda had one more pilates class with her, but I think I have officially hurt my wrist too bad for that :( I guess I will just have to do Skype pilates on the beach!!!

Almost Done With College Life - Hangovers

Its almost 9 at night and I am still hungover from yesterdays shaninigns. Little ridiculous if I say so myself. (Dan just gave me a kiss) He wanted me to throw that in there. Last night was my last Saturday in Rochester, FOREVER!!!! Totally unbelievable how fast time is flying. Katina and her friends came up from Long Island, so I went with them to Brockport and Dan and I had a really nice walk along the canal. We finally came back to my apartment and got ready to go out for the night. I was hammered, super dooper hammered really early. It was a fun night out, Ali, Val, Ashley, Melissa, Katina, Dan, Brad, Jeff, so many of my really fun friends came out and it was awesome. I love my friends!!!

It was great especially because I didn't have a phone on me and I din't have to worry about anything or anyone interrupting my good time. More importantly I didn't have to worry about losing my phone!!!! I'll post a picture after I get one off my camera tomorrow. Yay for hangovers....