- So, Dan and I moved. Over two months ago. I love our little apartment {which our friends are seeing for the first time tonight...total fail on our part}, and, more than anything, I love living with my best friend. Coming home to him is, quite literally, the highlight of every day for me, and moving in together was one of the best decisions we have made.
- As a side note, as much as I LOVE living with Dan, leaving Molly after our time living together was nothing short of excruciating. Sure, we have two fun places that we can now hang out in, but it isn't the same when you can't poke your head in your roomie's room and have girl time with them. Also, although he insists otherwise, I can feel Dan's eyes of judgment as I nom on cookie dough, cake batter, or the raw form of whatever I happen to be cooking. Now Molly, that girl doesn't judge and, in fact, sometimes partook in my gluttonous ways with me.
- A week after the move, Dan took, and aced {!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!} the GMAT! I am so immensely proud of him, and can't to see where this journey takes us next!
- A week after the GMAT, we went to our first of four weddings for the summer, and, the deeper we got in the wedding season, the more I discovered that I just don't have the stamina for that many weddings! The first was in Pittsburgh for Dan's friend from high school, and it was a wonderful {not to mention beautiful and classy in every way} wedding. It was a great time, and I enjoyed spending time with Dan's HS friends. Three weeks later, we were off on a jet plane to Chicago, and holy moley, did we ever fall in love with that city by the lake! Obviously, I was on Cloud 9 all weekend, because Kristin and Kevin were getting married, and my love was there, AND my favorite ladies were there for our first reunion in two years. I can't overstate how fantastic this wedding was, and it was such a wonderful experience to be a bridesmaid for my gorgeous Kristin. It was an absolutely gorgeous wedding in a fabulous city. Wedding #3 was for my cousin in NY in July, and it didn't disappoint. It was a blast to see my family, and it was the first time that Dan was meeting many family members. The wedding, again, was beautiful, and we remarked on the fact that all three weddings have been so DIFFERENT {or, as different as weddings can be}! Our final wedding of the season is back in Pittsburgh next weekend {actually, at the same venue as the first wedding} for another of Dan's HS friends, and I am so excited. He is also a groomsman, which, despite the fact that he begrudgingly has to wear a tux, will be so fun for him. I'll be hanging out with his parents, who will be at the wedding, and all of the other significant others of the groomsmen :)
- I think I deserve a medal for how little I wrote about four weddings. Period.
- After 2.5 years in a job that I was beyond miserable in, I transitioned into a new role in July! The new job is a similar type of office, and will afford me more opportunities to travel and utilize what I consider to be my best skills. I am really enjoying the job so far, and will be traveling to my region- the Plains states and parts of Texas!- for a few weeks in September, followed by a week in New England in October. {Sidebar: when they asked me if I was okay with going to New England for a week, I almost laughed in their faces. My beloved New England. In the fall. Foliage. Cold weather. NO-BRAINER}
- We have watched a lot of baseball this summer, from a trip to Baltimore to watch the Red Sox, to two back-to-back Bucs-Nats games {now THAT, I did not have the stamina for. I was comatose midway through the second game as a result of still-lingering exhaustion from the previous night, so I had no chance the day after the second game}, to two Bucs games at PNC {with the second likely to come next weekend}.
- I have really been rolling up my sleeves and getting creative with cooking {read: baking with some cooking sprinkled in} this summer. All I have to say is, thank God for Pinterest. That is all. And so, my "food bragger" tendencies have been stretched to the limit, as I document nearly every new item that I make. Some highlights included homemade gnocchi {and yes, Dan was an excellent co-chef!}, and his recent birthday cake, which I made for his 26th birthday {!!!} last week.
- I had an interesting tubing trip to Harpers Ferry in July, during which we lost a person. We did not literally lose him {meaning, he did not perish}, but he did have to swim to shore and faced a several-mile, shoeless walk. I'll leave it at that. It was an interesting day.
- There have been way too many goodbyes this summer, with several good friends leaving DC for grad school opportunities. Isn't it the rule that, if you lose people, you should get at least that many close friends back in your city???
- My friend Kate was doing a law school internship here in DC for the summer, so I suppose she counts as a temporary transplant to DC :-) It was a blast to have her here, especially since one of her M.O. is exploring new restaurants. Kate, thank you for your foodie ways!
- Last weekend, Dan and I went to Kings Dominion, and I officially conquered my fear of roller coasters!!! I went on three upside-down roller coasters, thank you very much :p
- Two weeks from now, I am going to the LAKE! Now, because of some obligations with my new job, I am not able to take a full week off, but I will get a long weekend. Plus, Dan has signed on to come with me, which I am thrilled about. Since we started dating {almost 2.5 years ago- yikes!}, it has been my dream to have him come to the Lake. I swear, if the weather is crummy, I will be one cranky lady.
- I am sure that there are many major things that I am forgetting, but the moments that have stuck with me the most about the summer have been the little moments with family, friends and Dan. To be surrounded by the people you love, man, there's nothing better! I sure am a lucky girl :-)
- My summer obviously would not have been complete without yet another scintillating season of The Bachelorette. I hate myself for watching it, but I literally can't stop. Oh well.
Lastly, I am waiting for X-ray results, which will tell me if I have a broken foot {the probable result of overuse during my 40+ mile/week running binge of this summer}. Keep your fingers crossed, friends, because those of you who know me will can attest to the fact that I am a cranky pain in the ass when I can't exercise. I'm hoping it's something like tendonitis {plantar fasciitis, which would be only somewhat less acceptable, would be more expensive, as it would require that I purchase orthodics worth hundreds of dollars for my running shoes. No thank you}. Also, I am registered for the Army Ten-Miler in late October, and it is my goal to run that race. Just throwing that out there.
Anywho, I sincerely hope that I will blog sooner than two months from now, but, what with my work and personal travel schedule, I can't make any promised. At some point, I will post some pictures that encapsulate my summer, but hopefully you enjoyed this longer-than-necessary post!
