My Week in Bucharest

As I wait going on midnight to put my last load of laundry in the washer. (That what happens when five girls are living together getting ready for camp.) I thought I would put a blog post up considering I don't know when the next time my internet connection will be good enough that I can blog.

This past week has been fun. Learning how to live in the city was an adventure. I rode the tram (public transportation) not once but a few times by myself. Woah. It might have only been down the street to the Guess'house but it was a start. 

The first few days consisted of me hanging out by myself. I ventured out to the grocery store. Went on a few runs. Started watching the "Office" recommended by Jenny.

But Tuesday I went to the new water park with Jenny and Christina. It was pretty cool. 

Wednesday is when I learned how to ride the tram. Thursday I got to go to the baby hospital with Christina. Christina use to be a short term missionary herself so it was neat to see all the things she use to help out with. I was so happy I got to go to the baby hospital. Most of these kids are abandoned by their parents. It's a really sad situation and the nurses just do the bare minimum to take care of them. 

Then Thursday night we headed out to the movie theaters to see "Despicable Me 2" with the Postemas Kids. Highly recommended movie, it was hilarious! 

Friday consisted of babysitting the Guess kids, eating my first Shaorma, resting up for camp, and packing. Which is what I am still doing right now early Saturday morning. Only a few more hours till we leave for camp. Woo. I also got to skype my family and friends (A little shout out to my mom, sister, Andrea, and the Stoner's.) It was so nice to see the kids today over skype and them telling me what they have been up too. My heart is happy they haven't forgotten me yet. 

p.s. Please keep the Guess Family in your prayers. Mihi is having to fly back to the states this week for a surgery. She just found out this morning. They are an amazing family, who have been through a lot these past two months. 

I miss my dog!

I miss my dog! The big furry love of my life. I try not to think about how much I miss him cause it kinda makes me homesick. But last night I was woken up by some ruckus, what sounding like to be squeaking and whispered talking. It kinda freaked me out! I sat up in bed to reach for my dog. Who naturally was not there... So I convinced myself that I had mice in my room and that it must be the Stoner's talking and none of that could hurt me so I fell back asleep. 

When I headed upstairs to talk to Melissa this morning, I over heard the other missionaries talking about the noise too. So it was a relief to know I don't have mice in my room but my second thought was, "who was talking loud enough for everyone in the apartment building to hear. So by the time I made it back to our place I asked Rachael what had happened last night. And it turns out our apartment trash can was blown over by the wind which happens to be right outside my bedroom and some of the other missionary family went outside to see what was happening. 

I was happy to find out nothing was really wrong after all. But I still miss my dog. And I know if he was with me last night he would have figured out the problem a whole lot faster then I did. 

So in honor of my dog today, I thought I would share some pictures. 

Isaiah has always been there for me. Letting me try to drag him on runs, helping me get ready for prom, and taking my senior pictures with him. 

But I know he is in good hands and everyone is taking care of him back home.

Sisters ♥

This post is a little call out to my sisters...

Even though we are miles apart. We find a way to stay connected. Right now it just happens to be through blogging. Andrea blogs about family and friends, Rachel blogs about politics and I blog about traveling. Even though there all different, it's our way of staying connected. Check out their blogs from the link on the left side :)

Syrup

Well I wasn't going to blog today because I didn't think my life was that exciting. Even though I did go into town today to run some errands with Rachel and we did make a stop at the bakery. Which is always a very yummy decision.

But anyway I wasn't going to blog until someone requested that I blog about how I made syrup today. Oh yes, how exciting? Considering when I came to France I couldn't really cook anything and now I am making syrup from scratch. I am just becoming little miss Betty crocker. . . So here is the recipe to the syrup I made.

ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1/8 t salt

2 T flour

1/2 t cinnamon

2/3 cup water

2 T butter

directions:

1. Mix sugar, salt, flour, cinnamon, water in pan

2. Boil till thick then add butter

Okay, Andrea. . . you can try this at home ;)

Firecracker 5k

So when I got my tattoo last Sunday the tattoo artist said I could run as long as it didn't me pain. Which was good news considering I signed up for my town 5k three weeks ago. Can't back out now. 

Before I tell you about the 5k, I want to share with you why the 4th is one of my favorite holidays. Naturally my favorite holiday is Christmas because you get to celebrate it for a whole month! So the 4th is my second since we get to celebrate it a whole week. Since is the time of the year I truly love my small town. The week starts out with a little parade which I am usually am in for our local library. Following the parade is the carnival which last all week, which is pretty exciting beside the scary carnies. Then finishing the week up, we have our annual firecracker 5K and fireworks! For us being such a small town, we do have some pretty nice fireworks. Don't mind my bragging. 

Well back to the 5k. I don't know what the temperature was in your state but Ohio was having a major heat wave by eight o'clock it was already 80* and humid. So the race was pretty miserable but it was fun to run with some friends. 

Pre-Amp

I have had a pretty exciting week. It really all started last Sunday when Andrea and I decided that we needed some extra energy that could give our legs a break so we went for a bike ride. Of course followed by ice cream. 

The reason I am telling you this is so you guys understand the great pain I was in when I had to make the long six hour drive to Harrisburg, PA on Tuesday and the aggravating pain I was feeling from the long bike ride. Note to self: Don't bike before long runs or bring extra cushion for the bum. 

Anyway after my long drive, I had the most refreshing week in training getting ready for France and getting a chance to meet amazing new people as they get ready to serve in different places around the world. 

I got to meet, Kezia, who will also be serving as a nanny in France at the same time as me. I am excited to know I will have some one to spend  some really good memories with as we watch out kiddos. 

Hope you all had an amazing week also. More pictures of the past week are soon to follow. Maybe even some tattoo pictures. . ? :)

Canton Half Marathon

As many of you may have already know. I ran a half marathon today with my good friend Andrea! And yes we made it the whole way! 13.1miles. How exciting, right?!

Even though I was no were near my goal time. I had a great time and I am surprisingly still in great pain from the run. Hoping you all have a nice recover from your weekend too :)

The Country Fest

Hot Dog! It's been an exciting weekend. I came home straight from work Friday to pack my bags to spend the weekend at a friend's house while we volunteer at The Country Fest and prepare for out half marathon. It was so fun that I thought I would share some of my pictures with you :) 

Yes, I got to meet Kelli Pickler. How cool! Right?!

We are sisters at heart <3

It was also the perfect place to show off my wellington's. Hope you all had a great weekend too :)

Less then three Days

The count down is on till our first half marathon. I thought I would give you guys a little preview of how it is going so far. 

My toes may look a little beat up but it is totally worth it. I am getting excited about volunteering for the country fest this weekend and for our half marathon on Sunday. I am sure when this weekend is over I will be so happy that I accomplished some of my summer goals :) 

It Feels like Summer!

I knew my day was going to be good when I got in my car this morning at 5:25 and "American Boy" was playing on the radio. Love that song. Followed by a somewhat non-drama day at work, which doesn't seem to happen much these days. 

Started my afternoon off with a three mile run. Dang, did it feel good on this beautiful sunny and 70* day. Followed by a afternoon of tanning with Andrea and Sarah. Later which we went to clean out Andrea car and busted out our moves with Rachel during Tyler's hip hop class. 

And it was a good day even though it wasn't near any beach :)

CPAC 2012

Have I mentioned how busy life is but from some (nagging) I mean motivation from Andrea. I have decided to post and try to catch you guys up on my life. Now I do realize CPAC happened like two weeks ago but I have have to catch you guys up on a lot. . 

Rachel, Herman Cain, and me. 

My outfit : Gray Dress with Black Belt: Marshall's, Black cardigan: Kohl's, Black Booties: Target

CPAC was surprisely lots of fun. Sister bonding, meeting celebrities (sorta. If you consider the Duggar's, Herman Cain, and Rick Santorum celebrities.) , and just being able to see our nation's capital. It was so much fun and it was the first time I have ever been to D.C. It was a great experience riding the metro and everything. 

On our way to check out the Congress building.. 

I feel a need to tell you guys about the squirrel that about attack me and Rachel over a bag of chocolate filled crosseants. And no we are not losing our minds because two guys walking down the road realized it to. Probably the most scary part of the trip. We thought we were actually gonna have to use our Pepper Stray on that freaky creature. 

My outfit: Button-up shirt: Forever21, Cardigan: forever21,  Skirt: forever21, Boots: Target

Rachel's outfit: Stripes Shirt: from Andrea, Skirt: From a friend, High Heels: Target

Rick Santorum and me. 

 Rick Santorum for President!

Lincoln Memorial

We got to site see on one of the coldest days so I have to show you guys how I was rocking my super high leg warmer's to try to stay warm. We got to see the Lincoln memorial (On Lincoln's birthday, so cool right?) and the Smithsonian's. I now know a little more about politics :) Hope you have a great weekend. 

The BookClub

I am proud to say I am in a a book club. With Andrea of course and few other friends and our first book series as a official book club is the hunger games. 

And a very book series to start out with. I have read them all within the first week. Yep, I am a book nerd.  But not only have I chosen to blog about my book club just to brag about it but I have blogged about it to tell you guys to read it because its a pretty good series and the first book is turning into a movie this March. I am so excited. So get your reading glasses on and start reading :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all are enjoying your Thanksgiving and getting ready to eat some yummy food and lose some sleep to find all those awesome deals tomorrow :) 

Because I sure am even though I didn't get any sleep that last because I was watching some of the world's cutest kids :) then I woke up early to go the YMCA for a free cardio class with Andrea. And haven't had time to catch up on my sleep because I ended up life guarding. Wooh. My day has been busy can't wait to sit down to a big plate of yummy food. Hope your having a great Thanksgiving!

Matching Hats From Nepal

Dear Fellow Blog Readers

My friend, Andrea, recently went on a two week mission trip to Nepal. And she is very good about getting everyone back home gifts when she is away. Last year when she went to Nepal she brought me back a wallet and a scarf but this year she brought us matching sock monkey hats! (It's alright to be jealous.) 

Shortly after Andrea gave me this awesome gift, she asked me if the sock money's would make it to the blog. So I am now granting Andrea's wish. It's official. The sock monkey's have made to the blog :)

Sincerely, Sweet Pea

Footloose and Feathers

This picture sums up my weekend. A bit drowsy but fashionable cute :) hehe.  It started by staying up and watching the old "Footloose" with my sister Friday night in preparation to see the new one. Follow by an early morning workout with Andrea. And a crazy over dramatic morning at work like usual.  

Shirt: Kohl's; Belt: Thrifted; Cardigan: Kohl's;  Side  Purse: Maurice's; Pants: Kohl's; Loafers: JCPenny's

But the day got a lot better when Jess and I went and got a feathers. For only six dollars. Yaya! And spent the night with friends from high school. Followed by church Sunday morning were I had a hard time staying a wake during church. Then lunch with Jess at Panera, yummy! 

Then followed by a much needed afternoon nap. And ending my weekend having dinner with Rachel and Andrea.  Hope you all had a good weekend too. :)

Mapleside Farms

You guys have probably been wondering where I have been the last couple of weeks or you may have not . . .  But I have been super busy, working 40 plus hours, visiting friends at college, and house sitting. Yeah, it at least sounds crazy busy I feel like I haven't slept in like three weeks even though I spent all Sunday laying in bed but that's besides the point. . . 

Shirt: Kohl's; Vest: Charlotte Rouse; Head Band: Claire's; Belt: Thrifted;  Purse: Marice's; Jeans: Kohl's; Flip-Flops: Old Navy

Saturday after a busy morning at work, Andrea and I headed to Mapleside farms with our mama's. Mostly to see the beautiful view and eat some food :) Who doesn't like eating. alot. Right?!

We had lots of good fun and I got a cute picture with my mom :)

Akron Relay

Today I took on the fifth leg of the Akron Relay which consisted of 7.9 miles and un-till this morning I was thinking it was close to 9 miles long. So you can imagine how happy I was when I found out it was only 7.9miles. 

Andrea, Sarah, and me :)

And it gets better because our relay name is . . . . "The Goat Herd".( I wonder who came up with that name. Andrea!) Now everyone try to say "Goat Herd" real fast. Yep you all just said "Go Turd". Everyone was having a good laugh out of our team name :) 

Our Team Results.

4:51:25

Distance: MAR

Clock Time: 4:58:12

Chip Time: 4:51:25

Overall Place: 1020

Division Place: 695/751

Leg1: 00:40: 49

Leg2: 01:54:49

Leg3: 03:04:54

Leg4: 03:29:56

Leg5: 

Divtotal: 751

Good Job!

Reba In Concert!

A couple of Sunday's ago, Andrea, Rachel, and I headed to a local fair to see Reba in concert. Reba is like my idol, a woman who can make a career for over 30 years out of something she loves to do. Is amazing! And it was one of the best concerts I have ever been too. Reba is truly amazing. And she looks good for her age :)

Rachel and I have also went to a Steel Magnolia concert this past week even though they are great singers their concert didn't even come to comparison to Reba's. She is just that awesome.