tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166096206420548682024-03-05T01:06:04.771-08:00Glitz & GrammarThe random musings of a misplaced Jersey girl learning as she goes - making sure each day is filled with laughter, love, and a touch of glitter.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.comBlogger261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-84756934825594728982014-02-13T15:44:00.001-08:002014-02-13T15:49:42.902-08:00On Lists. <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Who else has had just about enough of the trending articles featuring lists of obscure opinions? Is it just me, or have Facebook and Twitter become one long collection of editorials disguised as numbered lists? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"41 Reasons Nieces and Nephews Prepare You to Be the Best Parent" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"10 Reasons Lesbian Break-Ups are Worse than any other Break-Up" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"22 Conversations Every Cat Owner has had with their Pet" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't get me wrong, I love a good list as much as the next girl. In fact, I could make a list about why I like lists. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lists are sequential, and therefore easy to read. Also, most lists are titled in a no-non-sense way that lets the reader know exactly what they will be reading and for how long: "17 Things You Should Know Before Dating a Runner." No more, no less. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cause ain't nobody got time for that. </i></span>Furthermore, in today's attention-deficit world, a list can be understood by scanning the numbered headers and hastefully ignoring the sub-content. Quick and easy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, since when did people start getting published for <i>quick and easy material</i>? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another thing I am wondering: who decides how many numbers compose the final list? Are there only <b>19 reasons</b> why <i>"being a late bloomer made you a better person,"</i> or are those in fact the 19 most <b>important</b> reasons? I imagine the author of the article "21 Signs You were Raised by Lawyers" sitting at his computer, writing the 21st ambiguous indicator of lawyer parents and thinking, well, <i>that's all I got</i>. And then the beauty of the list, is that a conclusion isn't even necessary. 21. The End.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In fact, I could have made this post into a numbered format with ease, but I thought I'd spare the satire for another post. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You're welcome. </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688745019097128244noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-79460121952102149522014-02-02T10:38:00.000-08:002014-02-02T10:58:53.975-08:00An Ode to Mustang Sally <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Allow me to begin by saying this: I got a new car over Christmas break, and for that I am beyond thrilled. I could not possibly be more grateful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, the new purchase is replacing my very first vehicle. When I was sixteen I got a 2006 Ford Mustang. It was a cherry red cloth top. We bought it because my dad said blondes look good in red convertibles...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I <i>adored</i> that car. My summers were made infinitely better just by cruising down the parkway with the top down. I measured my days by whether or not they were "top down" appropriate, and my favorite days were driven with the top down with the heat on, wrapping my legs in a warm embrace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That car brought me to my first date with Loverboy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Got me in my first accident (one of the most memorable life lessons I've received.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Got me to highschool graduation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Drove me to college.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Picked up my little sister when she couldn't drive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Offered me an extra hour in the sun in traffic on the way home from the beach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I even learned to pump gas on that car...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And this morning, February 2nd 2014, Groundhog day and Superbowl Sunday, my parents drove off onto I-64 north toward New Jersey in my precious red car. I think there is a Mustang-shaped hole in my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the bright side... it is a cold, rainy Sunday with expected freezing rain and snow over night. I don't anticipate my parents putting the top down any time soon, and I think I'll get good use out of the four wheel drive of my new SUV. Her name is Nissan Nina. She's red too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">**disclaimer: My dad is keeping Mustang Sally at least for a little while. So as Loverboy put it, it's like I'm going off to college and I'll see her on breaks :) I can't be totally heart broken just yet...</span></div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-26726959296177086732014-02-02T08:15:00.000-08:002014-02-02T08:15:36.993-08:00The Closest I've Ever Come to Dying <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am almost positive that I just came the closest I have ever come to dying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every time I take one of the classes in the Les Mills Grit Series I experience one of the most intense 30 minutes of my life. Tonight? The first of the cardio series. I pushed myself in the last set of sprints to be the first to finish like I've never pushed myself before. I was successful. And then I wanted to let my shaking legs collapse and drown in my own puddle of excessive sweat. Just kidding. (?) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a result, I am still trembling slightly even as I type this - two hours post work-out. During the 30 minute training I reached my maximum heart rate, kept it there, and burned 402 calories. Impressive enough for a half hour workout. And then I let my <a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_gear/bowflex_heart_rate_monitor_strapless.do">heart rate monitor</a> do it's thing for another hour after the class. In that hour post-Grit, I sat my butt down in the Gym's lounge, drank a bottle of water and a protein shake, and burned another 400 calories. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In concluesion: 30 minutes of Grit + 60 minutes of nothing = 802 calories burned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you, Les Mills After Burn Effect :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And now excuse me while I go work on my Beach Body some more...Body Pump up next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PS: Check out what other high intensity classes Beach Body has to offer <a href="http://www.beachbody.com/">here</a>: </span></div>
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-15330486584182742392013-12-18T08:38:00.000-08:002014-02-02T08:12:26.674-08:00Fresh Faced and On The Go <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So posting patterns indicate that I had spare time at the very beginning of this semester, and at the bitter end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, little down time is typically a good thing in my book. I cannot deny that I like to keep busy. Let me walk you through a typical day in my new life in Huntington, WV:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6:00 am wake up call</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6:30 gym</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7:30 am shower/breakfast/get ready/etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8:30 am work at the preschool/on campus</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4:00 pm work at the restaurant</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10:00 pm come home to do homework</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11:00 pm bed time </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Depending on the day, I might babysit instead of work on campus, or I might drive an hour to class instead of work at the restaurant. But you can understand the general gist. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not a whole lot of "<i>me time</i>" thrown into my 15 hour days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Aside from staying busy, another quality you might already know about me is that I like to at least appear somewhat put together in public. I believe in looking refreshed even when I am not feeling as such. So how does a graduate student/teacher's assistant/babysitter/waitress attempt to look "fresh" all day long?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The perfect long lasting makeup. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you, <a href="https://www.arbonne.com/"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i style="background-color: white;">Arbonne</i></span></b></a>, for keeping my fresh face on from 8 am until 8 pm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The #1 tool in my toolkit is Arbonne's <a href="https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=5419&ref=shopsnp">makeup primer.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You guys, I never before thought I needed primer, but this has become absolutely indispensable to my daily regimen. It is smooth and lightweight, and when put on before my foundation, keeps that in place all day long. For the days that I am too rushed to put on foundation, I simply put on a layer of primer to give me an instant glow sans the ugly appearance of my pores. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But even before I apply my miracle primer - I use the products from the Calm line: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=8703&menuId=&withLinks=1">Soothing Eye Gel</a> to relieve the puffiness from the long day prior, and,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=8702&UpsellLog=1&menuId=36&withLinks=1">Soothing Serum</a> and/or Daily <a href="https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=8701&menuId=50&withLinks=1">Moisturizer</a> to lock in moisture for the entire day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkM1g-m5Nh7Q6jihUKZkWi-YmYbIm_PxQ-DN2zcNnMcXlHS8jSehpiIFUQbfXWXsWJc3NvTr-ahDRvmxWp5fXUgta5txmFEf-l6SstPaVQPGccaG8MPbPV7dPnAH44lSG-OxutU3fT5Dj/s1600/IMG_1774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkM1g-m5Nh7Q6jihUKZkWi-YmYbIm_PxQ-DN2zcNnMcXlHS8jSehpiIFUQbfXWXsWJc3NvTr-ahDRvmxWp5fXUgta5txmFEf-l6SstPaVQPGccaG8MPbPV7dPnAH44lSG-OxutU3fT5Dj/s320/IMG_1774.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgDWx8vaXX-THvhi1o_VWJ4GxSa9tILV98zafko5Mr9etmkklI7NInUcK3PEodiCld9361otQyXNdEwikPFicOTTvTfky3nR3Wiy4YtLK6QGkwwRruycSKlskm1M3bMlGt3etuaSplUW2/s1600/IMG_1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgDWx8vaXX-THvhi1o_VWJ4GxSa9tILV98zafko5Mr9etmkklI7NInUcK3PEodiCld9361otQyXNdEwikPFicOTTvTfky3nR3Wiy4YtLK6QGkwwRruycSKlskm1M3bMlGt3etuaSplUW2/s320/IMG_1775.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another tool I keep up my sleeve? Arbonne's <a href="https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=7381&menuId=&withLinks=1">mattifying powder.</a> This <a href="https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=7381&menuId=&withLinks=1">translucent powder</a> can be put under or over make up, and erases that unwelcome oily sheen I undoubtedly acquire running through a warm restaurant. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIEJOX3V3a442zNucMUReMw5zk4iR6C27Ovszqdntd3cLD9NhQlFYH7WuJJDHSs0dpdTgx4DrCUn6O7D_cVpACmc4KZA_32824q_hno9U0Fjyv4-r8kdljAl0tTEDL2wKvK7nkonYCLGT/s1600/IMG_1773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIEJOX3V3a442zNucMUReMw5zk4iR6C27Ovszqdntd3cLD9NhQlFYH7WuJJDHSs0dpdTgx4DrCUn6O7D_cVpACmc4KZA_32824q_hno9U0Fjyv4-r8kdljAl0tTEDL2wKvK7nkonYCLGT/s320/IMG_1773.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some other favorite finishing touches: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6_AuWhUA5OID1PcRMfxyZ_KxsKNQuzE0UAPqcj7xyMKJMFBF4OXRChR-z3urW-4-K_GIGPFBogurD2m7MK2xUfqwUjFsBqEaV50xB6HKYZRpZdqV0tgArtPKL9XPfS6JHkRgOUH2KWFd/s1600/IMG_1771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6_AuWhUA5OID1PcRMfxyZ_KxsKNQuzE0UAPqcj7xyMKJMFBF4OXRChR-z3urW-4-K_GIGPFBogurD2m7MK2xUfqwUjFsBqEaV50xB6HKYZRpZdqV0tgArtPKL9XPfS6JHkRgOUH2KWFd/s200/IMG_1771.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=7904&menuId=&withLinks=1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Triple Action Mascara</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8RI2lt21bpSfUnxuHCJR53oHoYW6UNSfjY37UmErmi1ta7UM4t0w43n8iUK9HlLqk0Qxk9JaE8WYJpjTolQFd3IjTxmx1onGSeeVG_LbQ9msIMYGaclpi_sejoEM6lPZdYrkpaSqPdKA/s1600/IMG_1776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8RI2lt21bpSfUnxuHCJR53oHoYW6UNSfjY37UmErmi1ta7UM4t0w43n8iUK9HlLqk0Qxk9JaE8WYJpjTolQFd3IjTxmx1onGSeeVG_LbQ9msIMYGaclpi_sejoEM6lPZdYrkpaSqPdKA/s200/IMG_1776.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=7904&menuId=&withLinks=1">Blush, Ballet</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Before: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PnPV0OylaoV4LuW4gnpnJ6Hg2Isd796oO3bkkr_iTk-UysGAEpZG3N5Ljs55Xjl7chzAiErKwK-rpHpszSscjxZ54PFqrdeR2mdmcZemFUA91GhR0deiDT5aFOkkvI0ubJGKnXL-ADa5/s1600/IMG_1778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PnPV0OylaoV4LuW4gnpnJ6Hg2Isd796oO3bkkr_iTk-UysGAEpZG3N5Ljs55Xjl7chzAiErKwK-rpHpszSscjxZ54PFqrdeR2mdmcZemFUA91GhR0deiDT5aFOkkvI0ubJGKnXL-ADa5/s320/IMG_1778.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHgGS1yNmvKbkalfRGhoHvpqn1VlEjJDe2i4X9t1gYI1ELO8ERzz_U79iKHGr4iErkQRCu9Zvd0jkfms9XmphTPpmm_UXSNuRKnpEo4CC8c01zLlPE-CXjG9P_rfrmbybY_moA2krnJq7/s1600/IMG_1792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHgGS1yNmvKbkalfRGhoHvpqn1VlEjJDe2i4X9t1gYI1ELO8ERzz_U79iKHGr4iErkQRCu9Zvd0jkfms9XmphTPpmm_UXSNuRKnpEo4CC8c01zLlPE-CXjG9P_rfrmbybY_moA2krnJq7/s320/IMG_1792.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And way-way-after: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a8ZhdbCmCItf4j9ZJZhObi__5k2SomNmC5wf9Szvb7rmEQXEXRZ2ix9Vk5CrxLs-pBPRX6PB5vZxjp-6sz70MbS5W-ukd_xyJOw-yfB7dJ1FMftjF8ZcJFYsKdf3KiFIjbDLRUFM3yb9/s1600/IMG_1803.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a8ZhdbCmCItf4j9ZJZhObi__5k2SomNmC5wf9Szvb7rmEQXEXRZ2ix9Vk5CrxLs-pBPRX6PB5vZxjp-6sz70MbS5W-ukd_xyJOw-yfB7dJ1FMftjF8ZcJFYsKdf3KiFIjbDLRUFM3yb9/s1600/IMG_1803.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Exhausted, yes, but makeup is still in tact, am I right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">(All three pictures taken on the same day, one at 8:00am, 8:30am and 9:00pm) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know I'm not the only crazy multitasking woman out there - if you're anything like me and going nonstop for 12+ hours of the day, go ahead and request a sample of any of these products. I'd be happy to help :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">mkyelencsics{at}gmail{dot}com</span></div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-87945206755530986632013-09-25T10:56:00.000-07:002014-02-02T08:12:38.984-08:00Nashfest<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You guys, I am counting down the hours until <b>10/9c.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Nashville returns for Season 2 and I just cannot contain my excitement. If you haven't seen it yet, you should catch yourself up because it is <u>juicy</u>, <i>scandalous</i>, fashion-forward, <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">sparkly</span></i></b>, <b>musical</b> and <u>everything</u> I could ever ask for in an hour of television drama. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf-_SXOPgPiBnqaHul8Ld6w55lb33rhURwpcf73I7TXIRyjTR_EaXURn9_Cl3Jf6rwKupQGKAFC9lldxG-MfDMOFeYzU9DoreU5T8WpwLjtihHHKo1case8b7r1ubvrk3YDFVi6WSkIQa/s1600/MV5BNzY5Nzk4Njk1NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjU0OTg0OA@@._V1_SY317_SX214_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf-_SXOPgPiBnqaHul8Ld6w55lb33rhURwpcf73I7TXIRyjTR_EaXURn9_Cl3Jf6rwKupQGKAFC9lldxG-MfDMOFeYzU9DoreU5T8WpwLjtihHHKo1case8b7r1ubvrk3YDFVi6WSkIQa/s320/MV5BNzY5Nzk4Njk1NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjU0OTg0OA@@._V1_SY317_SX214_.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to be Rayna James. For obvious reasons.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqRm3BxoyYeNmlMy5RnjGvLWNPsOR1kOPQdBMgphWjOSKPHo_ftzwblrqAUas6ojcFSrkz6eoHf4y0yqCFHuuTUMwZsfH6zUxDolvM8Yr9p3YCN-wCTGZmIoVngWW5znjz48K9D9x_4Vf/s1600/rayna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqRm3BxoyYeNmlMy5RnjGvLWNPsOR1kOPQdBMgphWjOSKPHo_ftzwblrqAUas6ojcFSrkz6eoHf4y0yqCFHuuTUMwZsfH6zUxDolvM8Yr9p3YCN-wCTGZmIoVngWW5znjz48K9D9x_4Vf/s320/rayna.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think I came pretty darn close this past weekend when I escaped to Music City without any help from cable television. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx4kjN56xN2aIMGYnqvZWtSHV2AKScxgd8V7CMO5z0pYRAUP5SK0qqrot5oTS9e6fub2LK3Jw6nI8Xranb7Rgei34bdTJJG5fYRcUK78xujffzaIYzBhDFZjsSICLg3sJoOiNcY4p6IXB/s1600/IMG_1838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx4kjN56xN2aIMGYnqvZWtSHV2AKScxgd8V7CMO5z0pYRAUP5SK0qqrot5oTS9e6fub2LK3Jw6nI8Xranb7Rgei34bdTJJG5fYRcUK78xujffzaIYzBhDFZjsSICLg3sJoOiNcY4p6IXB/s320/IMG_1838.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A dangerous yet telling picture of my top-downride through Kentucky. Beautiful! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdNR7m86J8Ln6XJcrX33Z0XHu6I1pL0UB6ztkudR6wka9DiLLSzkoPMG51w1kqh5NJZ_KnTFE6Z6WYXklmk2K2dtALs9v0ZnbY_eIAvB4KGRxUoez6YeYZsge2Nz5B-Cxb-X9LgDLdXhY/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdNR7m86J8Ln6XJcrX33Z0XHu6I1pL0UB6ztkudR6wka9DiLLSzkoPMG51w1kqh5NJZ_KnTFE6Z6WYXklmk2K2dtALs9v0ZnbY_eIAvB4KGRxUoez6YeYZsge2Nz5B-Cxb-X9LgDLdXhY/s320/IMG_1856.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You're the only Ten I see. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Friday morning I lugged my make-up bag, cowgirl boots, as much bling as my Vera Bradley could tote and multiple variations of a typical country-glam outfit I imagine Rayna James might wear. I drove the 5 hours through Kentucky and into Tennesse to Vanderbilt University where my dear friend and former roommate currently resides.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXphTxDNCSyWnMTHmyx1RpqE8K2z3fI_f4XPdT78QGKvJB5bZ9CMD-rWE8xnU3s6GbcjNaPqloAeJEkPEc6dshdq_xQDaMLNqqhm596TtCRAmsKo1Ddp7XDXe4Q3UMZxRmXnpdH0kYjrg/s1600/IMG_1865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXphTxDNCSyWnMTHmyx1RpqE8K2z3fI_f4XPdT78QGKvJB5bZ9CMD-rWE8xnU3s6GbcjNaPqloAeJEkPEc6dshdq_xQDaMLNqqhm596TtCRAmsKo1Ddp7XDXe4Q3UMZxRmXnpdH0kYjrg/s320/IMG_1865.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I for sure felt like Rayna pulling up to Sarah's gated community. So Vandy.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I spent two full days in Nashville - just enough time for me to fall in love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mom says I can't move there, but I say if someone discovers my talent and needs me to move she will have no choice. Anyone want to provide me with some talent?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's a peak into my Nashfest love affair:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> We started off our first evening with a Nashville Must: "Hot Chicken." The spicy fried chicken was hot and crunchy and made for the perfect left overs after a late night out as well :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3a0y_CmclYiHgG3nKfueQNB7lkRWXnhbVNsF4bShQ3rKix_2rEUmV0O_YiHLA6lYR3USyP0-mG4uPr7P4TVYGQKLy19581epELpqCKeThJSp3sOQg-L3JfmBL9jJF365tZ9YnC6RI6fWu/s1600/IMG_1868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3a0y_CmclYiHgG3nKfueQNB7lkRWXnhbVNsF4bShQ3rKix_2rEUmV0O_YiHLA6lYR3USyP0-mG4uPr7P4TVYGQKLy19581epELpqCKeThJSp3sOQg-L3JfmBL9jJF365tZ9YnC6RI6fWu/s320/IMG_1868.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzbmhgF9DOdChTnC3LyRLSzoutoB3XF64IgY6qRsoiIB7uWmA5SUNwXHgpn_cvlHc6brzhfbGzy130ymthHq8xVFw-KuGR3xLCMC7baBdTzZbWEE-MVTHKxAfj4Zhy2GBqZzesgbgLQT9/s1600/IMG_1893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzbmhgF9DOdChTnC3LyRLSzoutoB3XF64IgY6qRsoiIB7uWmA5SUNwXHgpn_cvlHc6brzhfbGzy130ymthHq8xVFw-KuGR3xLCMC7baBdTzZbWEE-MVTHKxAfj4Zhy2GBqZzesgbgLQT9/s320/IMG_1893.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> On day two, we used CitiBikes to tour downtown. It usually costs $5 for the day to rent a bike, but because everyone is no dang nice in Nashville, the nice man gave them to us for free because we had to wait a few minutes for an additional bike. Can you imagine? Free. No credit card information or even a phone number to reach us if he never saw those bikes again. I love southern hospitality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our tour was amazing and no words or pictures can describe how much fun I had. Love love love.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp4b4Dw-IKnlFZyat0W6jlKFCs8oacamlI9DZ63cQNJlC1VA5R0S1kfswwpy6JUMXWGDxsJr4bcGAyv5hyXlUe2bu0dYecrgUHQ2RZW5Nj0RVhsaEoUMw7WKzpbNdWiV4GzUBWPFGR1zR/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp4b4Dw-IKnlFZyat0W6jlKFCs8oacamlI9DZ63cQNJlC1VA5R0S1kfswwpy6JUMXWGDxsJr4bcGAyv5hyXlUe2bu0dYecrgUHQ2RZW5Nj0RVhsaEoUMw7WKzpbNdWiV4GzUBWPFGR1zR/s320/IMG_1886.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgDhDVEO3KkY24xeEI1B3MhwxGilMU1oGuQuXH6IcpWHn83TP1MzkR1hLYj-BTskdXnEelbXLJKNgsr8qEJhTmvVXK8z5npeC841HeJ8s5FB8vGR4th3vZzbaLv5T6QeXPFXtEBmXlavc/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgDhDVEO3KkY24xeEI1B3MhwxGilMU1oGuQuXH6IcpWHn83TP1MzkR1hLYj-BTskdXnEelbXLJKNgsr8qEJhTmvVXK8z5npeC841HeJ8s5FB8vGR4th3vZzbaLv5T6QeXPFXtEBmXlavc/s320/IMG_1892.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQyzvoSXzQer_XAMgVB3nrJkIOhMsB1bZNQiZO7VKBCZvzrI500MWHdWnWyvdVAx0DtBWcaKbBhiY5cWdvnsrW-OWdzq7oo5HrG-2PvLGXArRmXSZSe_MGBvqkGhlISPD3ePI0sJ7Z4eN/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQyzvoSXzQer_XAMgVB3nrJkIOhMsB1bZNQiZO7VKBCZvzrI500MWHdWnWyvdVAx0DtBWcaKbBhiY5cWdvnsrW-OWdzq7oo5HrG-2PvLGXArRmXSZSe_MGBvqkGhlISPD3ePI0sJ7Z4eN/s320/IMG_1894.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghUIyr1PhWLlhBuCzhMdVmwLD1e2HUMOpBzN4UF-dyBP7QGnce42sV8uDDtvPPwgb4TO9APTUV-ZIfu_MzazpC93S4TRHduQzEWqx0QV4EFh10Tcp_ULzb1ghVn1u5Kwg1pSGnIipnaUH/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghUIyr1PhWLlhBuCzhMdVmwLD1e2HUMOpBzN4UF-dyBP7QGnce42sV8uDDtvPPwgb4TO9APTUV-ZIfu_MzazpC93S4TRHduQzEWqx0QV4EFh10Tcp_ULzb1ghVn1u5Kwg1pSGnIipnaUH/s320/IMG_1897.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Luke Bryan?!! Is that you?! </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqlMD46FWeFyy82Qio4AUYLHMPMqHQnGHq5PAlp6U0JBpHwEjPgRs4o_lGrHn6z4dtQ80OORu3FhcbWv2xgNXNu-zdLXDqEPrCZIQGK5sqJDWy2y9Uzi1xBFkT_5pTjhqdTOP51571BDh/s1600/IMG_1899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqlMD46FWeFyy82Qio4AUYLHMPMqHQnGHq5PAlp6U0JBpHwEjPgRs4o_lGrHn6z4dtQ80OORu3FhcbWv2xgNXNu-zdLXDqEPrCZIQGK5sqJDWy2y9Uzi1xBFkT_5pTjhqdTOP51571BDh/s320/IMG_1899.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sarah girl and I overlooking the Nashville Skyline </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEZTFerA5lqYAefWbS0w61wnwGgdxTPXMeK_A1AjXzQQvBqn3SaHjojy_OkWDtxoT_6PxFokkcaCOKJZimg2TbwHyoiEoWZARDJMzGpXYVBFZiD1rCsp14RvrNysQKRg5-Bkw_BtyBcBb/s1600/IMG_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEZTFerA5lqYAefWbS0w61wnwGgdxTPXMeK_A1AjXzQQvBqn3SaHjojy_OkWDtxoT_6PxFokkcaCOKJZimg2TbwHyoiEoWZARDJMzGpXYVBFZiD1rCsp14RvrNysQKRg5-Bkw_BtyBcBb/s320/IMG_1904.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">"Legends Corner," one of many honky tonks downtown. This picture was taken at 2pm, there was standing room only and everyone had a drink in their hand!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sVtHkQ8cyKGHr238PCwVOYSkXfbK1jZQy5HPzOGAgREgUhBUZjGuZR0EpkFGTmKSKevf7sRNlyHy866LPHjLN6H5BoIPiCsdGQpbTiGlQA_1_2MDtgquuIitw6Vh5fmJeVmXVp5-ioVg/s1600/IMG_1906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sVtHkQ8cyKGHr238PCwVOYSkXfbK1jZQy5HPzOGAgREgUhBUZjGuZR0EpkFGTmKSKevf7sRNlyHy866LPHjLN6H5BoIPiCsdGQpbTiGlQA_1_2MDtgquuIitw6Vh5fmJeVmXVp5-ioVg/s320/IMG_1906.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I <b><i><u>will</u></i></b> be doing this for my bachelorette party. Ladies get ready. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9J2GYv91H99_H-3RJOCCxxaE38DwvZdGwk6WyUQpKvOh6FNGtAsVaGOQyh6pdTen2YFslbIbK3jiYXNH8mPwih-ArRAy7SQBOGd4YvFDOTunZ3hLR1DBN5Ro07eid9arxGpcGiGCGdJ1/s1600/IMG_1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9J2GYv91H99_H-3RJOCCxxaE38DwvZdGwk6WyUQpKvOh6FNGtAsVaGOQyh6pdTen2YFslbIbK3jiYXNH8mPwih-ArRAy7SQBOGd4YvFDOTunZ3hLR1DBN5Ro07eid9arxGpcGiGCGdJ1/s320/IMG_1908.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At night we made reservations to have dinner at "The Listening Room." The atmostphere was phenomenal. Four songwriters perform live on stage - some songs you know because they have been sung by popular artists - and some are unfamiliar but amazingly personal and intimate. Oh, and the local-brewed beer on tap wasn't too bad either! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJx9QPhses3y2gEeCyLwVHeEaXc6luFzpdFELp9JbrTCuhI6vn7dnrhyFacb5rVnp9q3OfQtUTh_wCMop0ukfKGnRhA6PyECs2JzH3nG-FVAd8tUIuXLeZXPHL54KtdNJ4kEBMoXJUHqX/s1600/IMG_1914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJx9QPhses3y2gEeCyLwVHeEaXc6luFzpdFELp9JbrTCuhI6vn7dnrhyFacb5rVnp9q3OfQtUTh_wCMop0ukfKGnRhA6PyECs2JzH3nG-FVAd8tUIuXLeZXPHL54KtdNJ4kEBMoXJUHqX/s320/IMG_1914.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Downtown at "Big Bang," a totally awesome dualing piano bar. For sure the highlight of night two.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRznWOAHUDZuZ9eyFiVIOg_y1iFnWQ0BYvrrphUFEGkgU5lCH8refe2bj4Nte0TtxVklHW0AVeAhLEQsUumSEyTonHXhE13QVU16mWqSvPHwmdEDPec6e_dvbym9lbQ5j3NCb_PijR9liA/s1600/IMG_1918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRznWOAHUDZuZ9eyFiVIOg_y1iFnWQ0BYvrrphUFEGkgU5lCH8refe2bj4Nte0TtxVklHW0AVeAhLEQsUumSEyTonHXhE13QVU16mWqSvPHwmdEDPec6e_dvbym9lbQ5j3NCb_PijR9liA/s320/IMG_1918.JPG" height="320" width="231" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks so much for showing me your new city, Sarah! Loved every second of it. Can not wait to make my second debut in Music City. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Until next time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxox</span></div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-43675381692673532262013-09-18T16:14:00.000-07:002014-02-02T08:13:03.101-08:00Soda Pop <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Someone laughed at me for saying "soda" today. Really. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because 'round these parts we say "pop" ya'll. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIZi1-d9WDRftXMJsvYS-pAp0D2WQr4w-Cjqr-UBsQpFWXUF_9VH56-VUg5gSOewYQE5D8OAZ64d2SoG9VN_7MzwhQqqVXibZyiOC1X4HBfrOWXugS_LFrI8Y8de691GnV9dG2zsCyqCR/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIZi1-d9WDRftXMJsvYS-pAp0D2WQr4w-Cjqr-UBsQpFWXUF_9VH56-VUg5gSOewYQE5D8OAZ64d2SoG9VN_7MzwhQqqVXibZyiOC1X4HBfrOWXugS_LFrI8Y8de691GnV9dG2zsCyqCR/s320/IMG_1736.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And here's a picture of Loverboy sippin on some pop in CHAD PENNINGTON'S personal suite. Too cool. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxoxo</span></div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-50860081939930599912013-09-11T18:51:00.000-07:002014-02-02T07:16:17.299-08:00Recently in WV<div style="text-align: center;">One thing's for sure, I've been keeping busy since moving to Huntington.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Weekday mornings are spent on campus:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> a) working at the on-campus STEM preschool (more on those cute little West Virginians later) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkULBf9tjNZ3-esgRMbhXmMjSxMCICqG3p-oYXUUhS2g_8yBxzy4rLxfr34qJOgniYJB32PfHLkt2sLIEGFPl90PANXCr4L8B7JSGaBkOKQ5BBLaHHqOt7GAq9kkzFwcTE_UU_ziNvnzAq/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkULBf9tjNZ3-esgRMbhXmMjSxMCICqG3p-oYXUUhS2g_8yBxzy4rLxfr34qJOgniYJB32PfHLkt2sLIEGFPl90PANXCr4L8B7JSGaBkOKQ5BBLaHHqOt7GAq9kkzFwcTE_UU_ziNvnzAq/s200/IMG_1618.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">or b) working in an office doing graduate-assistantship-shtuff </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMuB4zZ1HvvdOarNH5DQuGgFEgahsDjA0iKGqh1aj6tFQI7rPxlfYHlxAtPUTRlYbxClbsbP8EZxnoBVuv-7Ldn_jCFQX2oVNTRRYKCsYbUQqtzD7hr5o8wUZpy_K8UI1JikWnVR_MOuA/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMuB4zZ1HvvdOarNH5DQuGgFEgahsDjA0iKGqh1aj6tFQI7rPxlfYHlxAtPUTRlYbxClbsbP8EZxnoBVuv-7Ldn_jCFQX2oVNTRRYKCsYbUQqtzD7hr5o8wUZpy_K8UI1JikWnVR_MOuA/s320/IMG_1691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Weekday evenings are spent:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">a) going to class</div><div style="text-align: center;">b) submitting homework assignments</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguu4cVFqgs0qlNlmxAFyjeS_xXhHlP6J_XXzp0SaoU0JmS2kAEvOEPW79SuKSjUx52kzj4KOWbUu7Z9k7GR5hJhFQvmQLtJwbcoWiCt7exz32zx871lZRF36IiacqPECCSG-orlJ8IRLn7/s1600/IMG_1692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguu4cVFqgs0qlNlmxAFyjeS_xXhHlP6J_XXzp0SaoU0JmS2kAEvOEPW79SuKSjUx52kzj4KOWbUu7Z9k7GR5hJhFQvmQLtJwbcoWiCt7exz32zx871lZRF36IiacqPECCSG-orlJ8IRLn7/s320/IMG_1692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">or c) working at my new restaurant job</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Weekends are spent:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">a) going to football games ... Go Herd!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZGudKt02KrsEzN8uEweENr1ENKNPQULlb7T21pr3mgDmCcu5It8p-a9go8-tt6DvCNSx-_lUbuLxouiruFb-IDKHeSFBVE12MO8XqrK-pgE22MeX0pI5RNKObqQulPOJSBxnH9rbJ7QY/s1600/IMG_1660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZGudKt02KrsEzN8uEweENr1ENKNPQULlb7T21pr3mgDmCcu5It8p-a9go8-tt6DvCNSx-_lUbuLxouiruFb-IDKHeSFBVE12MO8XqrK-pgE22MeX0pI5RNKObqQulPOJSBxnH9rbJ7QY/s320/IMG_1660.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">b) having some fun with my <i><u>awesome</u></i> coworkers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60YrwVZgzntYB-6kfMy7J1rytYOiuoIN7xo-jaMbRUpaxqb-m7JjND8EkFWDetiJRVG3qH65SLR0ppQj1EzX9N-3s2IQ1tERaXESOs5NWD2wane86e650rlvq409c-OwN4Vv2Xq71Jdm9/s1600/1186944_628932067146885_680805675_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60YrwVZgzntYB-6kfMy7J1rytYOiuoIN7xo-jaMbRUpaxqb-m7JjND8EkFWDetiJRVG3qH65SLR0ppQj1EzX9N-3s2IQ1tERaXESOs5NWD2wane86e650rlvq409c-OwN4Vv2Xq71Jdm9/s320/1186944_628932067146885_680805675_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">c)more fun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjV7kXcHyU7R9UTR3_xGhV7T-ArZZkvaPrYKG7h65xBYWFF3Tk5dnunsWDUslePHBWGH-sJDYlnEbsu7QrtGBYbm9KNHXXRt7kKd7rntS8nTtfCt_5GTm-1G5DowzBwiB8cSRuGQv_1hH/s1600/998485_628933187146773_2079507346_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjV7kXcHyU7R9UTR3_xGhV7T-ArZZkvaPrYKG7h65xBYWFF3Tk5dnunsWDUslePHBWGH-sJDYlnEbsu7QrtGBYbm9KNHXXRt7kKd7rntS8nTtfCt_5GTm-1G5DowzBwiB8cSRuGQv_1hH/s320/998485_628933187146773_2079507346_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">More on life in good 'ol <b><i>Herd Country</i></b> when I'm not doing one of the above :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xoxoxo</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-82171634553636927002013-09-03T17:19:00.000-07:002014-02-02T08:13:21.179-08:00Is that Italian?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are a few things I have come to expect when I am introduced to someone in West Virginia:</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Where are you from?"</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">New Jersey.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh New <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Joisey</span>! </span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I just want to know who in New Jersey ever, ever pronounces "Joisey.") </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Have you ever seen 'The Jersey Shore?'"</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, I have seen it. No, it's not really like that. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<i>What's your last name?"</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yelencsics</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<i>Is that Italian?"</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No, actually it's not even close to Italian. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can tell you what else isn't Italian ... the fast food restaurant down the street advertising half price "spaghetti" and fresh "Italian donuts." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gotta love Huntington. </span></div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-20684419897573402792013-09-02T17:40:00.000-07:002014-02-02T08:13:34.131-08:00True Southern Hospitality<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week I had what felt like my first true southern exposure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had just finished paying for my fountain diet soda in the Marshall Student Union, when the cashier slowly offered me my receipt, a less-than-toothy grin, and a sweet southern pleasantry:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Ya'll come back real soon now, ya hear?" </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I probably stood there for a good five seconds trying to register what was said. And then I giggled. And then I said "I sure will!" Because I will. Girlfriend needs her fountain soda. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKGl-xG_gcXcrEWmIk0wtGz4_YgyRHyrn9lo44KZsteC1MgZ692_50xRliHn0fYRFAh1qEs77GKvtSo0mJky45ISCU72LgftLo3rcuXsjSAGmjvb9RC2rrbMcPK1kDOdncvkD6wvk3FLd/s1600/soda-fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKGl-xG_gcXcrEWmIk0wtGz4_YgyRHyrn9lo44KZsteC1MgZ692_50xRliHn0fYRFAh1qEs77GKvtSo0mJky45ISCU72LgftLo3rcuXsjSAGmjvb9RC2rrbMcPK1kDOdncvkD6wvk3FLd/s200/soda-fountain.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-16457732722161395222013-08-29T06:19:00.000-07:002014-02-02T10:59:10.338-08:00Something to Ponder<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have yet to see anyone enter or leave the apartment that neighbors mine. I'm beginning to wonder what kind of hillbilly hermits occupy this place... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It has also come to my attention that approximately 85% of my trash is comprised of Band-Aids and their wrappers. So maybe the neighbors are just trying to stay clear of danger. Can't say I blame them. </span></div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-8425798312358439112013-08-28T08:33:00.000-07:002014-02-02T08:14:14.758-08:00Not So Easy <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Allow me to begin this rant with the night before I left New Jersey for West Virginia:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last of the items that needed to be packed all pertained to the kitchen. Thus, I was neatly packing my beloved Ninja Blender so that it would efficiently fit between my <u>protein powder</u> and wine <u>glasses</u> when my right hand became enveloped in bright red blood. (<i>Apparently the Ninja is more stealthy than I anticipated.</i>) I naturally walked myself to the bathroom to drown my blood in the cool water of the running faucet. (I cut myself way too often to be too severely alarmed by gushing blood. Here's a fun fact: I wasn't allowed near the scissor wall in 5th grade because I <b><i>stapled</i></b> my <b>shirt</b> to my <b>arm</b>. So that's that.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our travel day was interrupted by frequent re-bandaging and thunderstorms so severe that I probably would have had blisters on my hands if my wounded thumb hadn't prevented me from gripping the steering wheel tight enough to cut off circulation. 13 hours later, we arrived in Huntington. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">12 hours after that, my Mother was on her way back to NJ after helping me move-in illegally (Loverboy had the keys to the apartment even though I technically did not check in for my key.) Three hours after that, the leasing office for my apartment complex asked if my mother was available because they lost her signature as my guarantor. They wouldn't give me my keys until the <b>next</b> day when she was <i>not</i> in a moving vehicle and <i>was</i> able to fax her signature once again. Off to a good start, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Saturday morning, I got my keys to the apartment. Saturday afternoon, I locked my car keys inside my car. My spare set is at my parent's house in NJ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a reasonably smooth-sailing Sunday, I was pumped for an agreeable first week of classes. I decided to make a hot dinner for Loverboy and I to enjoy when he got home from work. I preheated the oven, and before I even got to put anything inside, the fire alarm went off. I tried again ten minutes later, same thing. No problem, I had chicken in the fridge I could cook on our George Foreman. Well... as soon as the raw marinated chicken hit the pseudo-grill the fire alarm went off. Sorry Loverboy, no hot supper for you tonight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm having trouble accepting the fact that the transition to total independence and adulthood isn't going to be easy. </span></div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-17228912836207475582013-08-27T07:22:00.000-07:002014-02-02T07:16:17.356-08:00Fashionably Late <div style="text-align: center;">Classes have started here at Marshall. According to me, <b><i>my</i></b> first class wasn't supposed to be until Thursday. According to Marshall University and my self-regulated class schedule, my first lecture was Monday at 4:00pm. Imagine the melt down that followed this realization at 5:09pm. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After frantically calling my mom, Loverboy, and the only two contacts I have recently aquanted myself with in Huntington, I decided it would be in my best interest to do as my advisors recommended and hop on my beach cruiser to speed to the lecture for which I was then an hour and twenty minutes late. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let me illustrate the scene for you:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am sitting on the couch aimlessly navigating the Internet in my sweaty sports bra and gym shorts. I am feeling accomplished after a satisfying gym session, an apartment-wide vacuum, load of laundry, and meal prep. In the midst of productivity I decide to log on to the MU portal where my class assignments are posted. I think, hm, maybe I can prepare for my class on Thursday like a good little graduate student. Seconds after inputting my username and password my class schedule alerts me that I needed to be in class from 4:00-6:20. Panic surfaces and my thoughts become unclear. How could this be? My first day of class is going so well. <i>Too well.</i> THIS IS A GRADUATE SCHOOL NIGHTMARE!!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fast forward 10 minutes and I am apologetically explaining to my professor (and head of the department that hired me for my graduate research assistantship) that I am not usually an irresponsible airhead ... just sometimes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Luckily my professor (and head of my department - have I mentioned that?) is an understanding man and was able to laugh about the entire ordeal with me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Everyone cross your fingers for a more punctual rest of the semester.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNuoNLGdivKXBncnmYZrDfz-2xvILHFv5wv-P4tkGRDVQYRes4JXzzL6ZfdHYJS7zq3Ai98fJRqy84KdlnKWcSvMyuearIs5t3CclcfkZmAZ4L1yqUJjFTEmYy1NLcPOsOhL9h_2KgVk8/s1600/marshall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNuoNLGdivKXBncnmYZrDfz-2xvILHFv5wv-P4tkGRDVQYRes4JXzzL6ZfdHYJS7zq3Ai98fJRqy84KdlnKWcSvMyuearIs5t3CclcfkZmAZ4L1yqUJjFTEmYy1NLcPOsOhL9h_2KgVk8/s320/marshall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-5734584382044021232013-08-26T18:49:00.000-07:002014-02-02T08:15:00.448-08:00There's a Payphone<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... in the <b><i>bar</i></b>. Where am I? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also, this particular bar in Huntington, West Virginia, has a doorbell you must ring to enter. Georgia, the establishment's only bartender for what I can only imagine must be the past several decades, controls the lock button on the (all but inviting) front door. So obviously Chris dragged me to this payphone-bearing speak-easy twice within the first 48 hours of my residence in WV. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In other news, I seem to be fitting in quite nicely. Ya'll. </span></div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-873192576761649902013-08-23T18:20:00.000-07:002014-02-02T08:15:16.845-08:00I'd Go Anywhere<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In high school, I found a boy whom I would chase anywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The slight chance of seeing him sweaty and cranky after his Friday night football game had me regularly skipping home games at my own alma mater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His job bussing tables had me cheating on my favorite pizzeria to eat where he might be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when he didn’t bring me to his high school dance, I stuck around until he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He hasn’t gotten rid of me since. Not that he really had a chance anyway. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Over six years later, Loverboy and I are smittenly inseparable. And now, post-high school young love, post long-distance college relationship, he is taking his first steps toward a new career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These steps are in the direction of Huntington, West Virginia, at Marshall University. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Guess what I did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I applied to Marshall University to earn my master's degree in Literacy, to research rural education, to jumpstart my career as an educator. and to live close to the boy who I will never get tired of chasing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This marks the beginning of our new adventure, together. Exploring a new state, a new school, a new career, with not-so-new company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">To borrow the words of Jake Owen:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"><b>West Virginia, Baby I don't care.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibffflQhpP_BUG444Qq6J9wv4wRZ_3bNjA1L69oJ314ctihyxKQgiC93YUocieqm8a-TQON1YhkHwIu2fL2_jinOGGouYOy9gRpaWJDCBdkVqJJ7j4lejXFeU1sHyq-_fqRxusyV-phUw7/s1600/wv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibffflQhpP_BUG444Qq6J9wv4wRZ_3bNjA1L69oJ314ctihyxKQgiC93YUocieqm8a-TQON1YhkHwIu2fL2_jinOGGouYOy9gRpaWJDCBdkVqJJ7j4lejXFeU1sHyq-_fqRxusyV-phUw7/s320/wv.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I'd go anywhere, anywhere with you." </span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-60517376210278158372013-06-17T14:42:00.000-07:002014-02-02T08:17:18.168-08:00Half a Year Later<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I'm back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lately I ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">- Have been doing lots of arts and crafts with the Star Room Monsters.. I mean Love Bugs?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaP_V1WfGX1isUPvcmIQ2w8zirLpWOCHjIvpuFVIdGhU_8NEiCBDr-Na5Ctw2B2ADXB3WBTC7yqIx5bB69hBiDht9LnWKy1Sl1-bajRyETjpJfEtCNVpwPp6Wz9Er8ta-Gqt_v0n6QUl0/s1600/IMG_4458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaP_V1WfGX1isUPvcmIQ2w8zirLpWOCHjIvpuFVIdGhU_8NEiCBDr-Na5Ctw2B2ADXB3WBTC7yqIx5bB69hBiDht9LnWKy1Sl1-bajRyETjpJfEtCNVpwPp6Wz9Er8ta-Gqt_v0n6QUl0/s320/IMG_4458.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Celebrated L-Boy's sister's bachelorette party in Miami</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1oWlgr4Jv4197MEVvN81qJKMgsDK079b5MqH4Hi_rZR8Ta-zqN2hV6dutJ2yFAufXno4LFw1DXgvlmwTOd2PYlDe0pETKdGbJG93sH8wBO-91skda-XHn-yag19zDF2fDlQLxMT9-EsL/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1oWlgr4Jv4197MEVvN81qJKMgsDK079b5MqH4Hi_rZR8Ta-zqN2hV6dutJ2yFAufXno4LFw1DXgvlmwTOd2PYlDe0pETKdGbJG93sH8wBO-91skda-XHn-yag19zDF2fDlQLxMT9-EsL/s320/IMG_0121.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Then celebrated her new marriage at her wedding</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rIrUxn-QPqO0QLM6S6z2Lrvv9vetGc71w1Y0wWU2Jq3eCZWj8clvj0Yz2gOwbKp9Xw756eSHNXUpxP_2AF-UQ_JIvEx4XVJagzKEPm3r-UxsG6vIUAZFcd7vPbhOFrD8VS6l74jX0HzV/s1600/IMG_0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rIrUxn-QPqO0QLM6S6z2Lrvv9vetGc71w1Y0wWU2Jq3eCZWj8clvj0Yz2gOwbKp9Xw756eSHNXUpxP_2AF-UQ_JIvEx4XVJagzKEPm3r-UxsG6vIUAZFcd7vPbhOFrD8VS6l74jX0HzV/s320/IMG_0421.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Got Preaky in Baltimore with my besties</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BH2Vc0n_Y-tfl8F20N8ffd-RTxdieWpFmp06j0_6smRSZi9aPt725Sb4lDZFbBypUg3v_86s-M9J0TP7U9bk6kFaVg8N3QhYSF1o_0jD7uSwH92Q1rVPbcjTHev03KMyXovdlsxBvgrt/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BH2Vc0n_Y-tfl8F20N8ffd-RTxdieWpFmp06j0_6smRSZi9aPt725Sb4lDZFbBypUg3v_86s-M9J0TP7U9bk6kFaVg8N3QhYSF1o_0jD7uSwH92Q1rVPbcjTHev03KMyXovdlsxBvgrt/s320/IMG_0621.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Started living at the beach with this stud</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5FdOTdlvqEaHVfPMR95pqWoNeNUiqVpV6aRTKJ2eA2a5EBjgu20uzzx6iFkQUwJ9YWKh8AEELhdYQ9SiiCNDOXDzDTdM-21dUSKWX2A3jYhqKSkGm9TMifnIyaksQum00Uh9FJUKoEaa/s1600/IMG_0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5FdOTdlvqEaHVfPMR95pqWoNeNUiqVpV6aRTKJ2eA2a5EBjgu20uzzx6iFkQUwJ9YWKh8AEELhdYQ9SiiCNDOXDzDTdM-21dUSKWX2A3jYhqKSkGm9TMifnIyaksQum00Uh9FJUKoEaa/s320/IMG_0838.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Turned 23</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu7UPwSYHZ-UP443eGYy9Cu3U8yNPUgfHjkfAjygINB8drUNvt4M8BHz7rmmHOzXMXw-HVEtMmmQaNdV4DP0-oCF6csuZNK0flN3PhcGL9rVVr3eDTbpNLtholMtJnGFlcFelblaujduy/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu7UPwSYHZ-UP443eGYy9Cu3U8yNPUgfHjkfAjygINB8drUNvt4M8BHz7rmmHOzXMXw-HVEtMmmQaNdV4DP0-oCF6csuZNK0flN3PhcGL9rVVr3eDTbpNLtholMtJnGFlcFelblaujduy/s320/IMG_0771.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Have obviously not been blogging. But who's ready for summer vacation?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeY5NwSH_EEyEme8TZItxUIy7Yt_aEg8SgBOBaupAjgWNSY-zcOQzhPL4yx09eTiWpcdJ9vtfX0y4LIYc6N8HgSnh8mfa6xc8q9oq_haPIp3EGS3cd13OrXN3a6n5qsyenzsVgDtCF8or/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeY5NwSH_EEyEme8TZItxUIy7Yt_aEg8SgBOBaupAjgWNSY-zcOQzhPL4yx09eTiWpcdJ9vtfX0y4LIYc6N8HgSnh8mfa6xc8q9oq_haPIp3EGS3cd13OrXN3a6n5qsyenzsVgDtCF8or/s320/IMG_0827.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now that school is approaching summer break and my shore house actually has internet, I'm going to do my best to start writing more. Let's see how long this lasts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Until next time...</span></div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-28828929483102929722012-11-07T17:07:00.003-08:002012-11-07T17:07:59.403-08:00Let There Be Light<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Saturday afternoon (5 long days after Sandy hit) most of my close family members had power back. With no cable/internt, and a ration on gasoline, cabin fever was really hitting hard. But at least we had electricity.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My cousin and I decided we needed to get out of our respective houses before going crazy. And so the question arose: What does one do on a Saturday during a state of emergency? Our original plan to go to Loverboy's football game was destroyed in Sandy's path (his University is located along the Jersey Shore ... alas, game canceled.) Well, with our power back and a determination to "get out" we did what any logical person would do. We drove to another cousin's house to start a bon fire. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, we left the warmth of our homes to go sit outside on a frigid November evening in front of a wood-burning fire. The luxury of heat we hoped and prayed to gain for five long days was forgotten as we set up our s'mores and spiked ciders around the fire. And I wouldn't trade that night with my family for any amount of the electricity we missed the week before. </span></div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-20843181274941800472012-11-06T17:51:00.002-08:002012-11-06T17:51:43.307-08:00Life After Sandy <div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are all aware of the devastation brought on by Hurricane Sandy. Over 110 people lost their lives, thousands more lost their homes, millions remain without electricit/hot water. Personally? As a resident of Central New Jersey, I was merely inconvenienced for one week of my life. My family did not suffer any tragic losses, and for that I thank God. Luckily, the only thing I can say Sandy took from me was electricity, cable, internet, and as of today, tap water safe enough to drink. Even so, during this time of <i>inconvenice </i>I had a lot of time to mourn those affected much, much worse than was my family. (The 11-day weekend without work/school left a lot of time for thinking.)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandy left her mark on the Flag on my front yard. </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What else did I have a lot of time to do? Eat. My mother would not stop cooking. About a dozen meatballs, even more cookies, a couple bowls of homemade soup, and approximately five pounds of pasta later, I can officially say I am at my heaviest of weight gains. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On our fourth day of <strike>stuffing our faces</strike> hoping for our power to return, my aunt suggested we attempt the <a href="http://www.daniel-fast.com/">Daniel Fast</a> once we had the opportunity to get fresh food. For those unfamiliar, the "Daniel Fast" is a biblically-based partial fast that follows these guidelines: </span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Only Fruits and Vegetables</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Only Water</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No Breads/Sweeteners </span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh, and it lasts for 21 days. With every meal for these 21 days, you are supposed to pray for a purpose you determine before the fast. Each time you eat, you are denying certain foods for this spiritual purpose.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Those who know me know that I am not the most spiritual person in the world. However, I believe in a time of disaster many of us seek answers from a higher power. With the hurricane affecting so many people close and dear to me, coupled with my recent unhealthy eating habits, I agreed to sacrifice my sugars, caffeine, meat, dairy, and breads for not only my health but also to remind myself to pray for those whom have lost much more than me due to Sandy. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wish me luck as I attempt to eat like a vegan for the next 19 days <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I'm already on day two)</span> ... And say a little prayer for the State of NJ as we get through this disaster. </span></div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-57669845414361150042012-10-18T09:28:00.000-07:002012-10-18T09:28:00.663-07:00It's OK...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... to go to the movies on a Monday night with your little cousin, just because.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... to cry during the film version of "Perks of Being a Wallflower." And then proceed to go home and read it again.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... to buy a pack of gum, and finish four pieces of it within an hour of purchase.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... to raise your voice in preschool. <i>I have learned that what I once thought was an infinite supply of patience, is actually a limited reserve that can be easily drained by a classroom of rowdy four-year-olds. Luckily, four-year-olds bounce back incredibly quickly. 5 minutes after you raise your voice, they are running to your arms to tell you they love you. Thank <b>goodness</b>.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... to begin thinking in tweets ... 140 sweet characters at a time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... or is it?</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.brunchwithamber.com/" title="Its Ok Thursdays"><img alt="Its Ok Thursdays" src="http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac293/munchkin_land_designs/BlogDesigns/Buttons/ItsOkThursdaysButton.png" /></a></center>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-53472554764849348112012-10-17T17:51:00.001-07:002012-10-17T17:52:16.069-07:00LOVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've been a little MIA lately, and for that I apologize.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Currently, I am in the middle of baking, laundry, photo uploading, and lesson planning, but I came across this gem that was too good to <i>not </i>share. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsX_3lLdQytn1ProOO50huzhs2YmFdmE-Y-XM9m6UnBF5vXONG1h0xElAyqI4ZIpDPGtcp6KQURgvoTd0X5gfl808o2n5XPtzbWHFp0xMQklmu9VsmCz5aShzIdWBb3OxIFMdcrb-ZqsQX/s1600/Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsX_3lLdQytn1ProOO50huzhs2YmFdmE-Y-XM9m6UnBF5vXONG1h0xElAyqI4ZIpDPGtcp6KQURgvoTd0X5gfl808o2n5XPtzbWHFp0xMQklmu9VsmCz5aShzIdWBb3OxIFMdcrb-ZqsQX/s320/Love.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It should be noted that these little hands <b>cannot</b> write their first <u>name</u>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Imagine the shock I felt when I rolled out a piece of easel paper for my students to color on at the end of the day, and my little man started writing "LOVE" everywhere.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I asked Little Man how he learned to write that word, and he told me, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"My brudder teached me. I have so much love I had to know." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And then I melted into a puddle on the floor.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But seriously, how beautiful is that? Add this to one of the many things I love about four year olds. </span></div>
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-15376647516826776412012-10-03T16:00:00.000-07:002012-10-03T16:00:02.671-07:00Hate clothes, love chocolate. <div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Is it weird that the first thing I want to do when I step through the door in the evening is take off all my clothes? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For some reason, at the end of the work day I just want to completely strip myself of the constraints of clothing and the germs, sweat, snot and magic markers that accompany with them. Seriously, nothing feels better than taking a bra off after a day of teaching. What? Sorry. Forget I said that. Moving on. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also, I think...there are a handful of students who are trying to drive me to drink. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm not sure what my <b>breaking point</b> will be: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Using permanent markers to doodle on the beloved white board?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Asking to go potty four times in one hour?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Tattling</i>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sharpening one's index finger in a crayon sharpener?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Eh, not so bad I can't deal. For now, I may just succumb to severe chocoholism. </span></div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-90206299515632260872012-10-01T17:36:00.000-07:002012-10-01T17:38:10.313-07:00First Monday Down... <div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One Monday in the books for Ms. Maggie. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My real person full-time job started today. I am officially putting that degree to use and teaching pre-kindergarten! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm exhuasted, overwhelmed, and purely happy. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's to the next 30-something Mondays as Ms. Maggie of the Star Room. May they be just as exciting, if not less chaotic, as this one.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-48058143103618287192012-09-25T06:49:00.000-07:002012-09-25T06:49:00.022-07:00In Other News<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I told Loverboy I wanted to go apple picking this week. I want to pick my own apples and wear fall clothes and hold hands and drink cider. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He said, "I'll take you to <b>Wegmans</b> and you can pick whatever you want." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Man, am I one lucky girl or WHAT!? ;) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">(We are going apple picking. For real. Not an option.) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In other news, I got a job! A real full-time job. No more nannying for me (although I am so so so so sad to leave my girls.) More to come. </span></div>
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-82691848867555877532012-09-24T18:36:00.000-07:002012-09-24T18:53:50.800-07:00This Weekend<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This weekend, I had a job interview. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I baked a lot of brownies. I also brought said brownies to the MU tailgate prior to their spanking of the Sacred Heart Pioneers ;) They were football shaped ... the brownies, not the Pioneers. C said they were one of my "better creations." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(not my picture. as soon as my darn iphone decides to sync with my computer I will upload my own and not use google.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had my first bite of <i>Popeyes</i> Chicken. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This weekend I also wore my brandy new <b>Tory Burch</b> sneakers. They were dark blue of course, because that's the only color I sport from August through November. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It officially became Fall on Saturday, so I thought I would allow myself to wear closed shoes to the football game. They didn't last long though, I changed into my flip flops by half-time. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(I miss summer already.) </span></div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-33868314937821997912012-09-20T08:01:00.000-07:002012-09-20T08:01:11.684-07:00Make Me Wanna Roll My Windows Down... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Around 8:35 this morning I was standing in line for my iced coffee behind a particularly grumpy woman. When the very polite young man behind the counter requested her order, she curtly demanded her latte. She tapped her pointy kitten heeled toes and grimaced for the entirety of her 50 second wait. Even with latte in hand, she marched out the door sulking the whole way. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The sun was shining, she began her morning with a coffee and hey, it's Thursday - the weekend is just around the corner. Why the misery?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My only explanation <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(besides perhaps she was upset about her hideous shoes)</span> is that she must not have had her windows down on her morning commute today. Because how could someone be so gloomy on a sun-shiney day with the promise of a 75 degree high?! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yep, I bet her windows were up on her way to work this morning. Just saying.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am just going to come out and say it: if you are driving anywhere in the central New Jersey area this week with your windows up, AC on, I am judging you. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is beautiful in Hometown, Jersey today. I woke up chilly, donned my favorite outfit of shorts and long-sleeves, got in the car to go to work and immediately put my windows down. Bliss. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The feeling of driving down the highway with fresh air blowing through your hair is euphoric.* Especially this time of year. You cannot argue that the air tastes the freshest, and feels the crispest as the seasons transition from summer to autumn. So why are your windows up? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is no reason to not be blissfully content on a day like today if you are getting some fresh air. Am I right? Or am I right? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Coincidentally, I can't get enough of this song from Florida Georgia Line. </span></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Baby you a song, make me wanna roll my windows down, and cRuUisSeee ;) </span></i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>*OKAY so maybe I'm a little biased being the driver of a convertible vehicle all year round, but still. </i></span>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216609620642054868.post-58254932260227530802012-09-17T06:52:00.003-07:002012-09-17T11:10:59.716-07:00Monday Photo Fun<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I said I was going to attempt to jump back into blogging full swing, so why not post twice in one day? Linking up with <a href="http://www.savanahsmiles.com/">Savanah</a> to start slowly but surely start publishing my life on the internet ;)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wheras I used to complain with the rest of the world come Monday morning, being a Stay At Home Daughter (which I will endearingly refer to as SAHD from here on out,) Monday mornings are really just an extension of Sunday. My days are all blurred together and Mondays don't feel as bad as they once did. However, I can still reminisce on the fun I had with the rest of the people in my life who live for the weekends. Here's what's on my phone as of recently:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzat2_Q1GcqQ345T8euig4XHAaJB0j_6DDQDD08yyco1j_A0ZFtnhFNprTC0CCNXP1_kNNsKC3ine4wdMSkE24iMdpRQfld0qRA7BZOfmIQ4RblpfXef5gWL_BBfyn3gfhXfjZ3yDk_FCq/s1600/IMG_2380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzat2_Q1GcqQ345T8euig4XHAaJB0j_6DDQDD08yyco1j_A0ZFtnhFNprTC0CCNXP1_kNNsKC3ine4wdMSkE24iMdpRQfld0qRA7BZOfmIQ4RblpfXef5gWL_BBfyn3gfhXfjZ3yDk_FCq/s320/IMG_2380.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Our last night at D'Jais: the dance club at the beach where I frequented at least once a week between Memorial Day and Labor Day. A favorite locale to shake your butt for free over-sized t-shirts and cheap light up jewelry. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Celebrating a big MU Football win over the University of Rhode Island at a local college bar with C, his partner in crime and teammate, Mike, and Mike's girlfriend Erin. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQJTgd8mae_KONnpWZBj0zHArmhAhy1UbZEVm_zq6Fl0QJgPIf9l3bH0ih-CKxMMGj8iQWuptfa1pJEQRdjqhcv-9uIBNCc_ngMHYoJLuFBRDUzciTYAilA1Ou2pZJb4t8Pf3ishAJsQN/s1600/IMG_2483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQJTgd8mae_KONnpWZBj0zHArmhAhy1UbZEVm_zq6Fl0QJgPIf9l3bH0ih-CKxMMGj8iQWuptfa1pJEQRdjqhcv-9uIBNCc_ngMHYoJLuFBRDUzciTYAilA1Ou2pZJb4t8Pf3ishAJsQN/s320/IMG_2483.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sandy toes. The girls I nanny live at the beach, so this is just a snapshot of one of our September days in the sand. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4F9XI4YtA0GY2Z6aacAeKNvDbzdHPnA9FehxdmOBlrH9wdTyVxIBnI_8n_-kdV6m5z74DV1vba9kez2qStr6l0H47FUjdl0uktrI075GIyNaLUFoz4s8x_pgXOZsz4A0ss4_7sJO4i9K/s1600/IMG_2537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4F9XI4YtA0GY2Z6aacAeKNvDbzdHPnA9FehxdmOBlrH9wdTyVxIBnI_8n_-kdV6m5z74DV1vba9kez2qStr6l0H47FUjdl0uktrI075GIyNaLUFoz4s8x_pgXOZsz4A0ss4_7sJO4i9K/s320/IMG_2537.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can never get enough pictures of this boy in uniform! He rolls his eyes every time I ask him to take a picture after a game, but I don't care. :) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7_icv_qJeqMLUzKRN6vP3dkZT0aOH_i1aEiZsx759XqFtWos71tk0AVskGnLoPgF_vwJ48lLpelGHPAe5lbLuyNH3xlsjDP74z7xOsHsa8ZxSykPLh7R3pYK4y0GGcNTOsf234dEWId-/s1600/IMG_2540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7_icv_qJeqMLUzKRN6vP3dkZT0aOH_i1aEiZsx759XqFtWos71tk0AVskGnLoPgF_vwJ48lLpelGHPAe5lbLuyNH3xlsjDP74z7xOsHsa8ZxSykPLh7R3pYK4y0GGcNTOsf234dEWId-/s320/IMG_2540.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another big win for the Hawks! MU won their first conference game vs Wagner this past weekend. Couldn't be more pumped!! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Monday! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/189/C769AC192CC0D82A09F1C6D969B819FE.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></span></div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910422770830235749noreply@blogger.com0