Getting Away.

After finally finishing all of my final assignments for Junior year, my first instinct was to take a well deserved (if I do say so myself) break from the three block radius around my apartment.  After holing up in my apartment for two weeks, the thought of another meal from the chain restaurants in my neighborhood just was slightly terrifying.  Enter: road trip.  

I have been dying to explore the adorable waterfront town, and Maryland's capitol, Annapolis.  I have heard wonderful things about the town, but I was not prepared for the inherent charm of 18th century buildings lining the city dock.  My friend and I spent the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets, trinket shopping, enjoying lunch, and admiring the view (which obviously included a few boys in Navy whites - cue: swoon). With the town being just over a half-hour away from our Baltimore neighborhood, it was the perfect mini adventure to celebrate the official end of the school year.

Study Breaks.

I am a big proponent of study rewards. I am pretty sure setting rewards is the only way I get anything done.  So, on Friday night (as compensation for studying), I told myself that if I got everything done, I would go to the farmer's market on Saturday morning.  For those of you who haven't gone, rectify this situation quickly, as it is one of my favorite Saturday morning traditions.  Walking around the booths, talking with the vendors, listening to the musicians, its a great break from the sirens constantly blazing down my street.  I like supporting the local farmers, knowing what is in season when, and knowing where exactly my food came from.  I ate a delicious bowl of chocolate overnight oats for breakfast, and walked over to the market only to come back with a bag filled with yummy spring veges, and the first strawberries of the season (yay!) Study break success.

The Home Stretch.

Iced coffee. 

Has anyone comprehended how close to summer it actually is? I haven't realized it until (very) recently.  The fact that I have consistently been wearing long pants, and felt cold in Baltimore might have something to do with my staunch denial that the semester is, in fact, over.  I am home for a quick break between the end of the semester and the start of my finals, and have come to the realization that the summer season is beginning.  Olivia and I have begun our annual lengthy summer bucket list, the shorts and sundresses have been removed from their hiding spot in the back corner of my closet,  the fruit selection at whole foods is more expansive, and now no one thinks I am crazy when I order my daily iced coffee at Starbucks (like they do when its January and you need gloves to hold it). I am looking forward to knocking these finals out of the park (positive thoughts only), and enjoying some truly Baltimorean traditions (Preakness!) before headed back to New York!

And for some personal inspiration to continue studying/ writing/ slaving over the books, I have provided some of my favorite pictures from last summer.

Boat adventures.

Beach Picnics.

Wanderlust.

The Beaches in Normandy.

I recently read Thomas Mann's novella "A Death in Venice".  It has been on my reading list for sometime, but consistently was overshadowed by newer, flashier books that I simply had to read at the time.  All I can say is I shouldn't have waited as long as I did to read Mann's short story.  It portrays an Austrian man who had taken up residence in Venice right before a cholera outbreak.  Keeping in mind my love for public health, and the fact that stories romanticizing Cholera have always interested me ( Love in the Time of Cholera, The Painted Veil, etc.), I cannot believe it took me this long.

Nile River.

St. Peter's in Rome.

Westminister Abbey in London.

In the novella, Mann explores the particularly german idea of "wanderlust", and how the main character flits from place to place until he finds an environment completely different his own.  The idea of traversing the globe, or being an expat has always appealed do me.  Sometimes I fall into the habit of not leaving my comfort zone becoming too engrossed in my daily routine, and I don't like it.  I want to step foot on every continent (2 to go!).  I want to expand my horizons.  This blog has followed me traveling quite a bit actually, but all I can say is I want to do more.  I have been toying with the idea of deferring real life for a year after graduating, and applying for jobs in other countries.  Who knows if I will actually have the courage to do this when the time comes, but all I can say now is I know want to experience new people, places, and things.

Paris.

Night Time Routines.

Bubble Bath , Face Wash , Hand Lotion , Clarisonic Mia 2 , Nightshirt , Book , Glasses ,  Candle

Here is just a little glimpse of my nightly routine.  I firmly believe that having a set routine at night helps you go to sleep faster and sleep better (if you don't trust me there are a ton of studies on the topic).  My night routine varies very little, aside from the time I go to bed.  Sometimes I wish the hour were earlier, but most nights I try (read: barely ever) to get a full 7 hours.  When that doesn't happen, Iced Coffee is my best friend.

Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

We all know those days.  The days where getting up is pretty much impossible, and when you finally will yourself to rise, all you want to do is crawl back under your covers with a big bowl of mac & cheese and read Nicholas Sparks books (true story).  I've been having a few of those days recently, and they kind of stink.  I honestly just didn't feel like myself, and it kind of showed.  I mentioned it a bit here, but the situation didn't really change, even though I thought those days had been put behind me.  I think the page has (finally) turned, probably due in part to the unexpected summer weather we have been having here in Bawlmore. When I stumbled upon the above picture, I thought that it perfectly described how sometimes friends are the most important factor in making you feel better.  I had a small dinner party at my apartment this past weekend, and it was a great way to begin the new season.  Little pleasures like beautiful flowers and fresh produce are helping me to kick the last bit of winter blues that were still hanging around.

Images from tumblr and my instagram.

Spring Break Me.

I'm going to be completely honest here.  After coming back from Uganda, I have been in a bit of a funk.  I am not completely sure why, but there have definitely been a couple of days where I just want to curl up under a blanket, light a candle, and watch hour upon hour of Duck Dynasty.  I think a lot of it has to do with my higher than usual work load ( and subsequent stress level), and truthfully, I miss Africa.  It was a magical place despite all of the challenges I faced, and Baltimore simply pales in comparison.

So when Spring Break rolled around, I happily hopped on a plane with my best friend and headed down to sunny Florida in hopes of catching a tan and unwinding.  The first part of the trip was spent in Disney World watching my sister's softball team get ready for their season (go CSH), and I tried to access my inner child while voraciously moving from park to park.  If I am going to be honest, it wasn't that much of a challenge, I am one hundred percent smitten with Disney.  I have no problem heading there year after year, much to my parents chagrin.

The second leg of the trip was in beautiful Palm Beach.  I happen to be in love with The Breakers.  The hotel (read: historic site) is modeled after the Medici Palace in Florence and ushers you back in time to the golden age where people happily glided an entire ceiling and frescoed the walls of the bathrooms.  Sigh. The view from our hotel room didn't hurt either.

It turned out to be everything I needed, and my friend and the rest of my crazy family trampsed around Worth Ave. window shopping (and picking up a few Lilly pieces that I simply had to have). I am returning to campus with a completely changed attitude about the semester, and just in time too! Our semester always ends with a ton of really fun University wide events.  Here's to turning life around with a simple jaunt down South!