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....

Almost done with college life - Final Presentations

There's a picture of Ali playing on the Smart Board which was a part of my presentation/work shop today. I woke up at 6 because I was nervous out of my mind, my whole body shook until my workshop started at noon, and I almost threw up a few times too. But I did it!!! Woohoooo for getting that huge part of my program finished!

Now Katina is here and we are going to have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!

Almost done with college life - The Library

That's Ali over there snoozing on the super comfortable couch. Today marks my FINAL visit to the Library. I have spent a good amount of my time at RIT snuggling up with my laptop and books in this large research filled facility. Its a pretty nice place with really good coffee. They have big tables too, so I can spread my stuff out all over the place :) I guess you're wondering why its so cool. I should probably mention that I haven't been in the ACTUAL library really at all. I'm in the cafe that just so happens to be in the same building:)

I've been here all this week and am SO CLOSE to having my Unit Plan finished (final project for my one class) and recently finished my capstone (final project for my program!) So now all I have left to do is perform my bad ass workshop tomorrow at noon and then party my face off this weekend. Oh! and I need to find a text book for one lesson of my unit plan. I am doing it on Pythagorean Theorem and simplifying radicals. Pretty sure its 9th grade algebra :) Good thing I'm so close to the real books!

I'm kinda sad that I wont be able to check out super good looking nerdy guys anymore though :( There is quite a varied selection here, both Deaf and hearing!

Almost done with college life - Counseling

So I have tried various methods of counseling in the past, including music, friends, family, long walks, and counselors. I went at Brockport and talked to this awesome guy who looked like Santa, but he couldn't really figure me out, or why i was feeling the way I do. I just finished my last counseling session here at RIT with this awesome lady. She knows whats up, and basically told me that all my feelings, all my emotions, and everything else I feel or think about is OK. And totally natural. Sick. Now that I feel a little bit more normal here in this world I'm ready to take on a whole lot more. She never felt sorry for me, or told me my life sucks, she basically told me to take a deep breath and deal with it. I can't change other people and only have the power to look at it from a better point of view. My anger? Totally fine! Let it boil on up, but try to release it with out hitting/hurting anyone. She even suggested I put on super loud music and dance it off. How did she know!@!!!!@#$@! I'm sad that today was my last appointment, but then again its natural to feel sad too :)

My picture for today??? The good old days when we were all so cute and innocent. When I had no idea what was about to happen and what I would have to deal with for years to come.

Almost done with college life - Reading

Read Read Read Read WHY do college professors think its a good idea to make us read so much?!?!?!?! 90% of the time it goes in one ear and out the other. For example, reading research articles. Honestly, I DONT CARE about your research! Like its all good and awesome that you put some poor helpless defenseless kids through a long and boring test and questionnaire, but I don't want to read about all your outcomes! So most of the kids in school right now can read at about a 3rd grade reading level, BIG DEAL! that's not my fault! My kids are gonna be reading at college level by the time they are in third grade, just like Akiva and Asher will...
Back to the point. So what is the deal with so much reading? Spending my whole life savings on text books that I sell back for 1/5 of the cost was not what I envisioned for my degree. I really just love when teachers realize that teaching me does not include giving me 6 chapters to read. I can do 20 pages, but 100 is out of line.

Cheers to the library for your grand attempt at keeping me sane!

Almost done with college life - Food

Now it has been over 6 long years of college food. I went from eating at the dining hall gaining 20 pounds super quick, to attempting to make my own food, to actually being able to cook. The sad thing is I am totally broke now, so it is like I have pushed the rewind button back to junior year of college and am eating the basics again. This is no good for my hard work out life. I had 2 eggs for breakfast (no toast because I don't have any) two packets of oatmeal for lunch (I convinced the coffee shop people to give me half a cup of hot water for free - at least its high fiber!) and now this for dinner. I'm surprised that I'm not wasting away!

On a better note: I just had my first ever trick or treaters come to the door :) I threw the five free pieces of candy that I had gotten from my Pilates teacher into a bowl. It was a very happy and satisfying feeling! Thanks Michelle for helping me be able to do that!

Unicorns in Your Dreams

Clearly this is not how we dress everyday (even though Arin may want to) or not even how we dressed for Halloween. Arin's bachelorette party was a night of Unicorn madness, which turned out to be especially excellent when I would repeatedly go up to the bar to order more water. Arin was quickly able to spot me in the crowd to know I wasn't stolen or off gallivanting with some dude.

The night started off with an excellent dinner of Chinese that was placed on an awesome lazy suzanne in the middle of the table, so the food was constantly being rotated closer to you. I drank way to much wine, and was already feeling excellent by time we left there to go to the bar. We had a private Karaoke room, best idea ever, and so everyone was able to dance and sing their hearts out. Arin and I did an awesome rendition to Katy Perry's Firework, where Arin sang and I signed. It was super fun.

I boot and rallied successfully without anyone knowing until the next day, and even managed to stay on my feet for almost the whole night. Definitely an awesome bachelorette party. Can't wait to have one for my friends in the near future since we all know I'm not getting married anytime soon!

Friends from Old Places

So last night was Arin's wedding shower. It was super fun. Of course awkward at first because I had no idea who to talk to and what the appropriate things would be to say, but after a while I met some familiar facebook faces and started talking to some more people. I am super excited for the wedding in less than two weeks now!

Working on plans for the wedding in Mark's shop at Mandell Theater.