“Hunker Down” Necessities

Whether you choose to refer to it as “Frankenstorm,” “Hurricane Sandy,” or, my favorite “Pre-maggedon,” (in honor of the Mayan calendar), NJ is supposedly about to be hit with a giant, life-altering storm.  So batten down the hatches, hunker down, and, er, anchors away!  (Just to throw out one more boating term.)

Not wanting to be left alone in my North Jersey apartment, I did what any smart, resourceful girl would do and imposed upon one of my friends, crashing at her place, until the storm has been weathered.

 

There are a few things that I have learned are absolutely ESSENTIAL when faced with the impending apocalypse...

Wine (specifically red, as it does not have to be chilled)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old-school Pacman

Brownies (thanks, Laurita!)

Coffee (guess which mug is mine?)

 

 

A snuggly dog

This is my favorite dog (make that, the only dog I like!)  She is precious!

Cake pops (picture to come!)

A variety of boots

And, especially, a rations supply that includes, but is not limited to: coffee, 6 different juices, canned soup, pureed pumpkin, funfetti cake mix, one pomegranate, cheetos, 3 eggs, kit-kats, pumpkin tea, bacon, quinoa, turkey jerky, one pear, and nutella.  (Because, really, who wants to go through any crisis without nutella?)

 

So grab a friend, grab a drink, secure your patio-furniture, and hunker down.  (Maybe dry-dock your boat, just for good measure! :) )  

Slumber party time!

Growing Up

two of my best college girls :)

I spent the second half of my college life excited to graduate, start teaching, get married, and have my own family.  Don't get me wrong, I loved the spontaneity, all-nighters, random dance-parties, singing in the street (i-tunes love), soul-baring, fat sandwiches, young love, young drama, and built-in friends that the college experience provides.  However, by the end, I was OVER it! If I didn't see another solo cup, sorority letter (sorry greek-life friends), or hear another girl crying to a friend in a bathroom somewhere, it would be too soon!

singing in the streets of NYC-- a top college memory for sure :)

 This is all true, but yet, somewhere within these feelings, I am always drawn back to my college once a year for homecoming.  There is something about drinking during the day, seeing people you haven't heard from in months, and swearing to call each other to catch up soon.  For one day, I get to pretend I'm still in college, and not a 24 year old woman who lives on her own and has a real job during the week.

This year, however, homecoming was different.  Most of my friends had other plans and weren't able to make it.  I texted various people from my freshman floor, my a cappella group, and was told over and over, "This weekend doesn't work for me."  Some had to work, some had plans with their boyfriends/ fiances, and some were (gasp) probably just over it.  After all, it has been over 2 years since we left there!

Lack of attendance aside, I drove down to my college with two of my awesome friends who, like me, are not yet over the occasional mimosa (or three), alumni paraphernalia, and any good-natured game that challenges you to sip upon seeing girls with boots or kids wearing pinnies.  While I had a blast pretending to be in college again with these friends with whom I share lots of memories, I could count on my fingers the amount of people I saw that I actually knew.  This was a different year.

On my drive home, I was slightly bummed out by this, and thinking to myself, about why it would be.  The conclusion I came to is that, dude, it has been years.  People are growing up and moving on (hello, how many engagement rings did I have the pleasure of admiring yesterday?).  Once you're starting your next stage in life, wearing TCNJ beads or toasting to old times with an old college love-interest is no longer super appealing.  And it's okay.  It's part of life, and at some point, all of us did have to start to grow up.

...  But doesn't mean that we can't be down for the occasional impromptu dance party, drink-mixing, or catching up with old friends.  Once a year, I'll take it.  To each their own! ;)

champagne toast at senior week-- two and a half years later, still friends!

Portrait

 

This is me.  According to one of my students.  Um, check out the boobs!  I wish I saw myself this way! haha  I love 6 year olds :)

First post!

Creating this blog is my attempt to share the things I am passionate about (teaching, cooking/ baking, coffee, dressing up, family, friends, coffee, kids, did I mention coffee? ;) ) and mix in different musings on life, love, and following my heart.