Showing posts with label traveling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label traveling. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27

PackedInTheCarLikeSardines

 I'm totally kicking myself for not getting pictures of the car once it was packed with everything.  But alas, my friends, do not worry for the title of this blog is called "Married & Moving", we're 95% done with moving but we're not done.  We will be stuffing our little car once again and then settling into our 500 square foot studio apartment at the beginning of the next month.  I'll make it a point to take a picture of the car then.

We did manage to get THIS little video in!

Right after eating at Jim's we started driving straight to Roswell, NM.  Our goal was to make it out of Texas that day and then stay overnight in the Alien city.

*Some backstory for you guys if you're new: Mickey has epilepsy and so driving isn't something recommended and so I was the one making the trip and he was my co-pilot, partner-in-crime and DJ.

About 40 minutes after we first started driving, Mickey informed me about cruise control. I'd heard about it but considering that I never made any long trips or anything I didn't care to learn more about it. So, he told me about it, we figured it out in my car and bam! I cruise control-ed it for a big chunk of the way there.  It was awesome.  It's the little things my friends.

 We started seeing a little bit of snow as we were making our way out of Texas which was pretty cool seeing as we'd never seen snow together.  We stopped at a gas station and had a mini snowball fight.  I won.
Just kidding.
It was a tie.
But seriously, it was fun!
 We drove for about 8 hours that first day and everything was fine and dandy until we got into Roswell.  *Cue alien-themed music like the one on The X-Files* There was so much snow and us Texans do not know how to drive in the snow because even when there's a little ice on the road we freak out so much you'd think the world was ending. We didn't have chains or anything.  At first we thought "this is fine, yay, adventures!" And then Siri decided to take us a crazy long way where driving became a very difficult task.  I told Anderson [my car] to go one way and he would go the complete opposite.  I tried to keep my cool and pretend like I wasn't scared but by the end of it I was a total mess.  I started crying because I was tired and I didn't know how to drive in the snow and I turned to Mickey and reassured him I was having fun. So there I was half crying half smiling saying "I know I'm crying but this is fun. Yay! Experiences!" And then I continued to blubber that out.

We finally got to our hotel and I swear to you, I thought we were going to fall as we made our way into the lobby.  Luckily, we didn't. We checked-in, our room was super nice and then hunger set in.  We ordered pizza but they said they couldn't deliver because of the snow and that was pretty much the only place we could find that was open and so we trekked our way of the warm and cozy hotel out into the treacherous winter snow.  We drove on a normal street and so I kept saying "It's okay, I'm a professional, this isn't my first time driving in the snow". Which, duh. It wasn't. But I had to drive like 15MPH and then we got a call from the pizza place asking where we were (because they were going to close early because of the snow) and long story short, we finally made it, we got our pizza, Mickey almost slipped and we headed back.

By the time we got back to the room, we were exhausted and famished.  We ate, watched The Food Network, my body started aching horribly, I took an Aleve, and then shortly after, we both zonked out.  It was awesome.  9pm. Ladies and gentlemen, you can just call us old farts now, it's okay with me. 

We woke up the next morning and the kind people that clean up the snow around cars and roads, had done so already. We made our way out of the hotel and got ready for Day 2 of the trip.  Not before taking these pictures though.  You can clearly see how cold we were.  But look at the snow!!

The next day was going to be the longest.  Like an almost 9 hour drive.  To be honest, it wasn't bad.  5 hours flew by and then it was like "We're more than halfway there!". What no one tells you about traveling west is how fun it is to be going through time.  Time change guys.  It's so cool.  We added an hour and then on the third day we gained another hour.  It was super cool.  Our drive to Phoenix was much easier because the snow slowly started diminishing.  Everything was fine until the last hour and a half.  My ears are big sissies when it comes to elevation.  Seriously, when I fly, Mickey and I found this to work when we went on our honeymoon [Whoop whoop!], I have to take a decongestant, have several packs of gum, use a nasal spray (Afrin) and use Ear Planes.  So apparently my ears don't discriminate.  I thought they were just sensitive when it came to flying. Nope. They don't like elevations changes in cars either.

I had some major problems (MAJOR PROBLEMS, How I Met Your Mother anyone?) with my ears, they were just as bad as they get when I fly.  It was pretty sucky. So, of course, I started crying.  Again.  When my ears hurt that bad, it feels like my eardrums are going to burst and my jaw starts hurting.  Yeah.  So I kept driving and chewing my gum like nobody's business.  We pumped up the music so I didn't focus on anything but the music.  We played Adele.  And just when I was about to belt out "HELLO FROM THE OTHER SIDE" my ears popped for the first time in a long time and it hurt like a mother.  I teared up.  Thanks Adele.  Always making people cry.  But it helped they kept popping and un-popping for a while.  It got better. 

At one point, just 30 minutes from our hotel in Phoenix this semi was blocking the entire road.  Cars started piling up behind us and we turned off our car and just relaxed.  It was too chilly to get outside although plenty of people were out of the cars behind us.  It was nice. It was like God's way of saying, take a break.

We got to the hotel. It was NICE.  We had food in the restaurant downstairs and enjoyed watching our boys, the amazing San Antonio Spurs, playing the Suns and beating them badly.  :)
We had spotted a Waffle House legit, like right outside our hotel and so we made plans for our last day to eat breakfast there.  We had survived the longest day of our trip!

We had waffles at the Waffle House and geez, they're sooooo good.  If you have near you, give it a try.  Seriously.  Yum.

We left for California that last day, on the 31st and we drove on Route 66! It was cool! We started looking around more and enjoying the scenery because that day we only had to drive for like 5 hours.  Pshh.  Piece. of. cake.
The drive was beautiful. 
Once we crossed the Calfornia state line we started playing California music.  What music is that you ask?



1. California Dreaming by the Mamas and the Papas
2. California Love by 2Pac
3. Californication Red Hot Chili Peppers
4. Hotel California by The Eagles.
ETC.
You get the idea.  
I highly recommend you do this when traveling to California.  It makes you feel like a total BA.  It's awesome. 
The rest of the drive wasn't hard. We were total goofs looking around and just absorbing California in all its glory.  

So, right now, we're staying with friends until we move into our 500 sq ft. apartment.  We're uber excited and so thankful for all of the help we've received.  Here's us crossing our fingers that our adventures have calmed down for the moment and we get certain things working in our favor.  I'm being totally vague but positive thoughts and vibes would be deeply appreciated. 
:)

Saturday, July 13

Casino!

For the Fourth of July this year, I went to Louisiana with Mickey and his parents! 
It was amazing! 
We went to 
COUSHATTA!!!

So we left on the Fourth of July, like at around 3pm and got there late.  
The trip over there was fun.
Mickey and I played with his iPad and talked on the way. 
It was fun!
(I even packed snacks along the way)
[Life Cinnamon Cereal in serving sizes consisting of 120 calories!
Welch's Fruit Snacks & other stuff!]
Once we got there, we rested a bit and went gambling! 
A first for Mickey and me. 
We got carded [YEPEE] and I got a bracelet put on 
because I look like I'm 12 basically. It read "LEGAL age"
We walked in and my mind was blown. 
Seriously guys. Have y'all ever been to a casino? It's like a candy shop for adults or somethin'.  

Let me preface this by saying that Mickey's parents are really lucky and freakishly good at gambling.  They know their stuff. :)

They won lots of money on the trip and won some pretty much as soon as we got there!
WHAT? 
I warned ya.  
They're professionals.  :)

Mickey won a lot as well.
Hmm... I could get used to that. :)

I didn't win money till almost the last day we were there and it was awesome! 
I won $78 and screamed as if I had won a bagillion dollars.
I was one happy camper.  

I was carded one other time even though I was wearing the bracelet.
The officer grabbed my arm and asked me for my ID and she then said "You just look so young."
[It's a gift, ladies and gentlemen.]

Mickey played Black Jack and we played Roulette 
we both won money there too! 
26 black
 (I decided on part of that number because my sweet momma was born on April 26)
:)

Mickey and I went swimming and ate at some of the restaurants and had a fabulous time. We even went to this club they had there and listened to basically my "Get Low" station on Pandora live.
I felt so gangster.   
Did I mention that most of the people there were at least twice our age?
Yeah. We were like babies there. 

OOooooh! Also, there was this area where they had  drinks like coffee, tea, water, even Icee's or something like that:
FO FREE!

I guess shelling out all that money gambling gives gamblers the right to free drinks! 
That was definitely one of the greatest things ever. 
Powdered! This was also pretty cool!

Sorry for the blurriness of this picture below but it's such a cute stereotypical picture taken by a complete stranger. :)

This was our last picture there before going to Isle of Capri in Lake Charles, LA. 

This was cool.  
We played Black Jack (I won $80!) here and of course, the slot machines!
We were pros by this time though! We knew the rules of gambling and everything!
We came back that Saturday after the Fourth of July and were zombies but I have to say, that is one of the funnest roadtrips I've ever had. 

Mickey, thank you for being my good luck charm. 

Thank you to the Martinez family for inviting me.  
Y'all are amazing!
Count me in next time! 
:)

Friday, November 30

Volare. I believe I can fly.

     It is with a heavy heart that I tell y'all these news.  I will not be studying abroad in Rome during Spring 2013.  After much consideration and crying, it is a better option to not go.  As y'all remember from my first post about studying abroad, I was pumped about it.  This was way back in December 2011.  My Italian teacher suggested I go during the spring because the weather is nicer, so I began looking into it after being apprehensive about it.
     I told my friends about it and Mickey became interested in the idea as well.  I took on a second job at Cracker Barrel to save money and to still be able to pay the bills.  At the beginning of this semester, Mickey and I went and visited Alanna and we continued the process of applying to study abroad.  Everything was fine but slowly we started realizing that, financially, this would be something very difficult.  I had money saved up to pay bills while away but my concern was about my return to the U.S. and internships and everything.  Paying for the plane ticket and passports and additional expenses were also of concern.
    After obstacle after obstacle, Mickey and I still kept persevering through and tried to figure out ways to work with them (obstacles) but then the biggest one came.  If we stayed here in the U.S. we could graduate in December 2013.  If we would go, we wouldn't graduate 'til at least Spring 2014, if not later, as some classes aren't offered every semester.  My biggest worry is that I need to graduate and get a job soon so I can start living independently. I'll be turning 21 in 175 days and as I get older I want to make sure I can get in the business and work my way up ASAP.  I will start almost anywhere. I just want to get there and do it.

     I would have loved to study abroad in Rome and learn the Italian language more but I feel that it's not God's plan for us now.  Ironically, today I found out I received the Gilman Scholarship, it's a study abroad scholarship Mickey and I had applied for a while back.  I'm not gonna lie, declining that scholarship was one of the harder things I've had to do in college. We were both extremely sad to not be able to do this but realize that everything happens for a reason, so here are the opportunities available for us here!

1. Mickey is Vice-President of To Write Love on Her Arms at our university! Congrats babe!
2. I can audition for The Memory of Water and even if I don't get in, I'll have added experience.
3. I can cut down on the amount of time I work at Cracker Barrel. (I'll tell y'all more about that another time).
4. I can volunteer here and put in my application for graduation in January.
I must have God's side hurting from all the laughing.  Haha.  
5. We can possibly continue Off Broadway!
6. I can not be as restricted financially!
7. We get amazing classes here!
8. We can graduate in December 2013 (God willing).
9. We won't miss all those spring holidays with loved ones.
10. I can continue participating in events with Catholic Daughters, TWLOHA and maybe if our Associated for Women in Communications organization grows on campus, I can be an officer!

Yes.  I'm very sad that this didn't work out but I know that God and my mom have bigger plans for me.  This just wasn't meant to be, not now.  So, wish us luck as we finish this semester strong!

Saturday, August 25

Hello, my name is Amy and I'm a college senior.

Okay so, where has the time gone? I'm a freaking college senior! I became one after last semester but it's still like, what? Anyway, I think this semester is going to be a VERY good one! So here's my review of it thus far. 
Tampa! 

Aesthetics of Vision and Sound
-LOVE the teacher, I've had her before (the same semester my mom passed away) and she was so very helpful to me throughout the whole process
-The class sounds like it's going to be a blast! I'm so excited!
-This is part of my Comm Arts major requirement stuff

Speech
-The teacher is funny and young
-I know somebody there back from freshmen year of college and so that's nice
-The class seems interesting!
-There's a guy from Australia there and a girl from West Africa!

Intermediate Acting
-BY FAR, MY MOST FAVORITE CLASS OF THE SEMESTER
-I met the teacher during the Fall 2011 semester (the semester my mom passed) during an audition in which I didn't do so hot. I was running late and everything was a mess.  I performed two monologues and they did laugh but my goodness, the song sucked! I was so nervous and I was still recovering from running.  Well, anyway, my acting teacher at the time was talking to him (my new teacher) about me so that was cool. Anyway, yes, I have him now for Intermediate Acting and the first two classes have been absolutely fantastic & wonderful & amazing & awesome!!! I'm so excited for the rest of the semester.
-My only worry is we have to impersonate someone for our first performance.  It sounds fun but the list only includes theatre folk and I don't really spend time there because I'm not a theatre major and it may surprise some of y'all but I can be shy.  But, you know what means? Somebody is going to be casually observing some people from the list! Wish me luck guys! I'm excited!
-I've only told one person this and I don't really know where it came from but I want to study acting more.  Go into it further.  
Roma! 
-I'm so excited to get assigned scenes!!! AAAAHHH!!!! SO EXCITED!!!!!

Creative Writing: Non-Fiction
-The teacher is super nice and funny!
-It seems like it's going to be a really fun class! And, as y'all can tell, I love writing!
-I presented this review I had written which was assigned the first day and she complimented me on my presentation!! :)

Theories of Communication
-The teacher seems nice.
-It's a once-a-week class so I'm glad about that!

Social Media
-I had this teacher my first semester of college and so I know his style, he's pretty cool
-The class seems like it's going to be fun!!!
-I'm excited


So, four more things!

1. One of my closest friends, Sydney, got married August 11 in Tampa and Mickey and I were able to go! I was a bridesmaid and it was so much fun! I still cannot believe she's married! She looked absolutely beautiful!! The wedding was on a ship and it looked so nice outside! 

2. Mickey and I are looking into both being able to study abroad in Rome next semester and we went to talk with the Study Abroad Coordinator and she remembers me from December 2011! She's so nice and helpful, she gave us a bunch of information!!! We are crossing our fingers that everything will come through!

Weight loss!
3. So a while ago I went to a casting call for a show that a student at my university was starting.  I almost didn't go because of time constraints but Mickey encouraged me, he even helped me memorize the script the night before! I went ahead and had his support and guess who is the host of Off Broadway???? Yup! Yours truly! 

I will keep y'all updated with all the happenings of that but as of now, I'm finishing up the script and we'll begin shooting next week! Wish us luck!! Mickey even gets to be in charge of lighting and stuff!! Yay!! I'M SO BEYOND EXCITED FOR THIS! 

4. Lastly. I've got some wonderful news! WEIGHT for it! I've lost... 20 POUNDS!!!!! It may not seem like a lot since May but trust me, you can see the difference! I'm a size 6 now!!! My goal is to be a 4.  I'm so freaking proud of myself and I'm even getting compliments! That's nothing compared to Mickey's 44 pounds! He certainly got a lot of compliments himself too! We look really good! I'm so happy for us! We are continuing to exercise and I'm looking at starting Zumba back up again, I miss it.  I've been running a mile on the treadmill every other day and it's been fun! 

Well, tomorrow I have work at the chapel and then it's an 8-hour shift at Cracker Barrel on Sunday and then school on Monday! I will do my best to keep y'all more updated! 

Monday, July 9

Growing Up

I have absolutely no idea how a month can just fly by like that! It's insane, I know! But, here's to catching up on all of the highlights!

I've been trying new things and I've grown up in many ways since I last blogged (right after my birthday).  Here's a list:

1.  I drive on highways now! If you know me, you know that I've never been a fan of highways because I don't trust people and their driving skills and putting speed into the mix used to a fear of mine especially since I learned how to drive in about eight hours.  Long story short, I drive on highways now! My special someone helped me with it and I could not be more thankful! <3

2. I am now a server at Cracker Barrel! That's right, yours truly now has TWO JOBS.  Trust me guys, I really don't recommend it because I work 6/7 days of the week and it's very exhausting.  Two jobs along with two summer classes is insane but I've only got one more week and then I'm done with classes (until August 20).  But like I was saying, yup! I'm a server.  Tips have been pretty good.  I was just looking to get some extra cash so I could save for Rome (still crossing my fingers) and for one day moving to my future home, those of you who know me know where that is.  :)

3.  I've flown on a plane on my own! My aunt and uncle and I went up to New Hampshire for my aunt's niece's wedding.  It was absolutely beautiful!  We also visited the area around.  It was nice! On the way back, I was a bit nervous at first but I just flew on my own and everything! ALL THE WAY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE! Living in the south, that's a lot! :)

It's crazy how much I've grown up since December and obviously since my mom's passing in late September.  I try new things like nobody's business.  I think like an adult 95% of the time and I'm always trying to save money.  It's insane.  

I believe my sweet momma is proud of me and happy that I've become a semi-adult.  I mean, I'm only 20.  :)

Wednesday, September 14

6.

[6 Places]

1. New York, New York.  Love this city.  Love it.  When I went there during my sophomore year I fell in love with it even more.  I cannot even describe to you my love for this city, it's insane.  I cried when we got back on the bus to come back home.  I love the people, the methods of transportation, the food, the city in general.  Oh dear, I love NY.

2.  Target.  I know this is more local and it's not a city but I love love love Target.  I know I'm not the only one with this problem, but every single time I go there to get something small I end up getting like 5 times the amount of stuff I intended to get. I love that place!!!

3.  London, England.  I want to go there because I love their accents. I know, that sounds really dumb but what can I say? I love it.  I also love the history there and I would love to experience a different culture.

4.  Paris, France.  I want to go there because I want to see the Eiffel Tower and many more attractions there.  I would also love to experience the culture and hear true French-speakers speaking French.  
5. Italy.  Pretty much anywhere in Italy.  I want to go there.  I'm currently learning Italian because I love the language and Italians seem very friendly and welcoming so I would love to be able to go to Italy and interact with Italians.  

6.  Greece.  Anywhere in Greece.  I want to go to visit because I love their food and music.  I want to experience the culture and just see Greece. 

Random: It's been exactly 1 year today that my mom and I got in the car accident that caused my mom's humerus fracture.  Since that day, things have been pretty crazy.  Please pray that my mom will get chemo this coming tuesday and that things get better and we figure everything out.