This Sweet Life

Take a Ride on a Horse-Drawn Carriage "The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself.  And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous." One of my favorite quotes ever, from one of my favorite people ever...Carrie Bradshaw. Well, I suppose she is a "character" not a "person" but nonetheless she rocks.  When I originally wrote "Ride a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park" on my bucket list, it was because of her. Ever since I saw that episode of "Sex & the City" where Carrie & Big are riding around Manhattan in a horse drawn carriage, I've always wanted to do just that!  I am normally not big on romantic gestures; I can't stand public displays of affection &  I don't even like flowers. I am not sure why this was on my bucket list, but there's just something about a sleigh ride that is even beyond romantic....

     As 2013 approaches, I have one word to sum up this year: weird .  It is actually the same word I would use to sum up my 20's thus far ... It's the first time in your life where everyone begins to take different paths & this change, at first, is weird.  P eople move, people get married, people have babies, and everyone changes.     Change is a part of life, you must take the good with the bad. It's comforting to know that those who love you help to provide stability & insight with ever-changing life.  Your twenties are full of unknowns; and for the most part that's a scary feeling, but it's also very exciting!  Share these experiences with family & friends.   This year I learned so much about myself through my relationships with others. Keep  close those that are honest, trustworthy, & help to uplift you.   A true friend is never selfish, loves you for your strengths & helps you face your weaknesses...

     Last week I turned 26.  Wow.  Birthdays are always a time to reflect upon yourself...where you thought you'd be at certain age, what you hope to accomplish in the next year, etc.  I don't know what it was about this birthday that is getting to me...maybe its because I am closer to 30 than I am 20 or possibly because I feel like I just turned 21...the past 5 years have literally been a huge blur.   Life really is starting to move too quickly-to the point where it's freaking me out!      A side from my paychecks coming in too slowly and leaving too quickly & having to say goodbye to late night corn dogs & fast food because my metabolism has taken a turn for the worst...26 really isn't so bad.  I am still young, full of life & energy, and most importantly (I may not have that Adriana Lima body I will always envy but) I am healthy.        I had such an amazing birthday weekend & it really is th...

     Ok, so this post is not about something I have been able to cross off my bucket list, it's more of a side note that goes along with my Napa Valley post.  I am sure that Napa is on a lot of people's bucket list; however finding the time/money/etc to fly all the way out to the west coast for this only reason can make it seem like less of a priority for most.  If you have never been to the west coast there's just so much more to see than rolling hills and good wine....completely understandable.  So if you enjoy wine (and obviously you do otherwise there's no way we could get along...) but havn't been able to make it out to wine country, and especially if you live on the east coast-than this post is for you!!      Charlottesville, Virginia...I was absolutely blown away by this city! I had driven right by it on the highway and never knew what this city had to offer....First of all its a college town, home of UVA Cavilers, and who does...

Drink Wine in Napa Valley Let's face it, I am a huge wino.  I love a spicy/dry/bold/oaky red wine, so naturally I tend to like Cabernet Savignon the best and when I got the chance to go to "The Cabernet Capital of the World" with a group of friends I couldn't pass the opportunity up.  We cancelled our  anniversary plans for a cruise and booked our tickets to CA instead!!  First stop was San Francisco-I absolutely love "big city life" & I even enjoyed the touristy stuff because I hadn't been to San Fran since I was younger.  I have heard several people say that San Francisco is their favorite city...mine still stands with NYC.  New York is just so unique in my opinion & offers something for everyone on any given day. San Fran definitely has the most spectacular views nestled between the ocean and the rocky coast; however it's not "fast-paced" and just way too liberal, even for this girl.  With Kenny Wa...

Swim with Dolphins      Rule #1 of Life: Take advantage of the opportunity.  I love to scuba dive, the only problem is I don't have a dive buddy.  I have had several opportunities to dive and have chosen not to simply because nobody I was with was certified.  What a lame excuse! I got my certification when I was 16 and have only been on 3 dives! I finally decided I needed to take advantage of my opportunity while on vacation in the Bahamas.        I originally signed up to go on the "Shark Feeding Frenzy" dive (a month in advance before our trip!) I was so excited/pumped/exhilarated and if you know anything about me you know that sharks are my favorite animal & I have wanted to get up close and personal with them ever since I can remember.  Turns out the night before the dive I was the only person signed up for the dive and they needed at least 4 people to take the boat out.  I was SUPER bumm...