The Big Apple

Well, for the second time in my life, I visited the Big Apple - New York City.  And I have to say, this experience was definitely better than my first time when I was in high school.

First, let's go over the cruddy parts of the trip, and then I'll review the best parts!  Probably the cruddiest part of the trip was my flight out there - it was with American Airlines, and after arriving at the airport a whopping 4 hours before my flight, a huge storm apparently struck a bunch of planes with lightning, and all the flight schedules got thrown off.

So my 7:50 pm flight didn't end up taking off until 9:30 pm.  That was awful.

The second cruddiest part of the trip was the musical we saw on Friday night - Cats.  It was a definite let-down.  Did you know it's JUST songs & dancing?  There's no actual dialogue or distinguishable plot.

The costumes were pretty cool, though.

ANYWAY, on to the best parts of the trip!  My flight back to Orlando, I flew with Delta AND I got to volunteer to sit on the Emergency Exit row next to the window.  It was awesome!  Just look at all the foot room I had:

Aren't my shoes so attractive?  And I may or may not have drank (have drunk?) 2 mini-bottles of Bailey's Irish Cream with Ginger Ale on the plane.  So I was pretty happy when I got home.  haha

Second awesome thing - I saw a celebrity in New York in front of the Neil Simon theater!  I was just standing in line waiting to watch Cats, and I saw this woman walk by:

She obviously didn't look this celebrity-perfect when I saw her, but she looked pretty good!  Ten bonus points for you if you know what show she's from!  *Hint* It's on Netflix, and it has a woman's name in the title of the show.  It took me about 30 minutes to remember where I had seen her before, but I finally did.

And even though Cats wasn't the greatest, I still had fun sitting in between these two ladies:

On the left is Christina and on the right is Charesse.  They are two of my co-workers.  I had a blast getting to know them better during my time in New York.

Also, the few hours I had before I had to be at the airport on Saturday to fly home, I got to go hang out in Central park, because the hotel I stayed in - the Courtyard Marriott at Central Park, as pictured below - was only 6 blocks from Central Park!

Enjoy the pictures :)

The lobby of the hotel - isn't it swag-ilicious?

I totally wish I had taken this picture, but isn't it beautiful?!

I totally walked down this sidewalk, and I immediately recognized it from movies like "Maid in Manhattan" and that one movie with Ryan Reynolds where he tells his daughter how he met her mother.

I definitely stopped and watched some people playing volleyball.  It was so nice :)

Here I am, just chillin'. 

Anyway, so that's a little bit about my trip to NYC.  Have you ever been to New York?  What did you like about it?  What did you hate?  Would you go back again?  Let me know in the comments!

Three Fictional Characters

Okay, so I decided to participate in the social media trend where I pick three fictional characters I feel like depict me in one way, shape or form.

Let me start by saying this was really hard for me, because I don't feel like there have been a lot of books I have read or tv shows/movies I have seen that have characters that are like me, so I don't know.  Whatever.

As I was trying to decide who my fictional characters were, I realized some interesting things.  1) The first character is most like me in elementary school.  2) The second character is most like me in middle school.  3) The third character is most like me in high school.  I didn't plan them that way; it just happened.  Also, ALL three of them have crazy curly brunette hair (like me!)

Anywho, without further ado, here are my three picks:

Ruthie Camden from "7th Heaven"

Ruthie was the youngest of the Camden kids (until her mom got pregnant in Season 3 or something). She was always up in everybody's business and could be kind of a know-it-all.  She also liked for things to be her way.  Basically, she could be an entitled brat, BUT she was positively adorable.  Which was absolutely who I was growing up - the cute little youngest child brat.  Just ask my sisters.  haha

Dorothy Anne Torkelson from the TV show "The Torkelsons"

Dorothy was a shy introvert who ended the days of her crazy adolescent adventures by sitting next to her window and talking to "The Man in the Moon".  Well, I never talked to the man in the moon (because he doesn't exist), but I did journal a lot when I was a teenager, so I felt like I could relate to her pretty well.  Plus, her mom was a single mom trying to do her best to raise her kids, and that was totally my mom too!

Jessie Spano from "Saved by the Bell"

Jessie Spano was super skinny and could dance and sing.  She was like the social coordinator among her friends, and challenged them all to be better at life.  She could also be neurotic and easily stressed out, and it was really important for her to do well in school and get straight A's - high school Christina in a nutshell.  Minus the skinny part.  And the good dancer part. #fatkidsunite #twoleftfeetoverhere #alsoIwearsize11shoes #notconducivefordancing

Well, those are my three choices.  What do you think?  Totally me?  Not me at all?  Is there anyone else you can think of who is similar to me?  Let me know in the comments!

Life is Hard Sometimes

Seriously, guys.  It really is.

I don't do well with stress, and I feel even the slightest bit of stress in my life so intensely.  But anyway, enough about me.  Let's do a list, okay?  Lists make everything better, #amiright?  Just look at my friend Hannah's recent list and you'll see.

Okay, so the list I would like to do is...Top Ten Comfort Foods and Why.  Just why.  It kind of goes along with Hannah's top ten good cry-sesh movies.

1.  Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream - My addiction began in college, but has since grown to epic-level proportions.  Every time I watch a Rom-Com, it's like some kind of case study in classical conditioning, because I start craving that B&J hardcore.  Mmmm....  I have 3 flavors of choice (in the order below):

The Tonight Dough...it's like heaven in a pint.  Seriously.  You have to try it.
Half Baked - my first love, and still a regular go-to flavor.  Just don't get the Fro-yo kind.  It's a travesty.
Cookie Dough...a classic.  And Ben & Jerry's does it well :)

2. Papa John's Pizza - For the sake of mixing up the desserts with other foods, can I just say I LOVE Papa John's pizza.  They just know how to make pizza.  And I think of it more as a treat, because it definitely costs more than a Little Caesar's Hot n' Ready.  Can I get a witness?  Oh, and my favorite flavor to order - bacon & pineapple.  DI. VINE.

I know, I know, this isn't bacon and pineapple, but doesn't it look good?

3. Peanut Butter M&M's - Okay, I know a lot of people are into the classic milk-chocolate M&M's, but it's just been so hard for me to go back after trying PB M&M's.  They are melt-in-your-mouth-not-in-your-hand amazing.  Although, let's just get real - if you hold them in your hand long enough, they will melt.  But who actually holds them in their hand that long?  #noone

4. Cape Cod Kettle-Cooked Salt & Vinegar Chips - To me, any other kind of chips just doesn't measure up, and any other brand of salt & vinegar chips just isn't the same.  I know there are probably a lot of haters out there, but there's just something about sitting down with a whole bag of these babies...mmm mmm good, y'all.  Oh, and 40% less fat, yo!  (Whatever that means.)

5.  Donuts - A staple.  Classic...yummy...it's like, I see a box, and I just want that sticky sweet goodness in my mouth ASAP, you know what I'm saying?  Not to mention the church I go to has them FOR FREE every Sunday morning.  It's truly a lesson in discipline and by the grace of God that I'm not a 400-pound diabetic yet.

6.  Boiled Peanuts - An interesting choice, I'm sure you might say.  But I was born and raised in the South, and I love sitting down with a bag of freshly boiled peanuts that you buy on the side of the road and just going to town.  Mmmm.

7.  Cheesecake - I mean, I don't discriminate on cake - I love all kinds.  But cheesecake is like...if you took the hopes & dreams & wishes of children and mixed them with a harp-playing angel (but not in a cannibalistic way), you'd get cheesecake.  It's phenom.  Oh, and my favorite cheesecake topping is the cherry pie filling - sooooooo good.

8.  Sushi - I know, probably 90% of you are gagging right now, and you may even be hesitant to read on at this point. HOWEVER, it's my list, and I love sushi, okay?  Kthxbye moving on.  #Sorrynotsorry

9.  Chocolate Chip Cookies - Just MMMMM.  That's all I know to say about that.

And last but not least....

10.  Pancakes/Waffles - I know there's a lot of controversy between the two - like which one is better?  But I'm here to say THEY'RE BOTH AMAZING so let's just eat them both - all the time.  Well, until we've reached our carb limit for the day, which is like, what, 2,000 g?  lol  #Panwaf4Life

So there you have it.  My top 10.  And this is just individual foods - it doesn't cover go-to fast food restaurants like Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, or Chick-fila, because that's another post for another day.

What about you?  What's your go-to comfort food?  Which ones do you agree with or disagree with from my list (and try not to hate on my sushi too much)?

Grilling, DC & The Beach

Hello, faithful readers - AKA - Hannah.  Seriously, if you're name isn't Hannah and you read this blog, let me know by commenting, because I feel like I'm writing to an audience of one here ;)

ANYWAY, last week I had a beyond crazy week.  Obviously, Monday was Memorial Day, so my family and Tyler's family had a cookout at my mom's house.  I'm ashamed to say I didn't take any pictures, because my adorable niece, Lauren Priya, was there, and so were my other niece and nephew, Bella and Liam, and it was an awesomely crazy time!  Also, the food was phenomenal and I think I gained 5 lbs eating it all.  You think I'm kidding...but I'm not.  #fattiesunite

Tuesday was the only day last week I actually went to work, because Wednesday-Friday, my boss and I attended a financial conference in Washington DC.  So Tuesday was crazy busy with work, and then Wednesday-Friday was even crazier with the conference.  I went on a tour of DC Thursday afternoon, so I'd say that was the highlight.  (Favorite monuments from the tour - the White House, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial - pictured below.)  Oh, and eating Maryland crabcakes.  Soooo good.  #seriouslyfatties,letsgetthisgoing

I'm so glad I got to see this.  Lincoln is my favorite president.

Cheryl and me in front of the White House! (or in back...all depending on how you look at it)

The Washington Monument (soooo good.)

Friday night I flew home, and Saturday morning, Tyler and I drove to Englewood beach with his family.  We stayed the night and drove home on Sunday afternoon.  Due to the crazy weather, I spent maybe 2 hours on the actual beach. lol

Me & my wonderful hubby at the beach!

So, as you can see, I had a crazy week.  Told ya!  In the midst of all the busyness, working, traveling, and packing and unpacking, I had a chance to meet 5 pretty incredible individuals.

The first individual is Cheryl.  I met her while I was waiting for the shuttle to come pick me up for my tour of DC.  I noticed she was standing by herself, so I quickly befriended her, and we hung out for the whole 4 hour tour.  Luckily, she had her phone and was able to take pictures, because I definitely forgot mine!  She's from the UK (my first friend from there!) and she was the sweetest!

Me & Cheryl after our tour of DC!

The other 4 people I met were 2 couples - the first couple I talked to while we were in the DC airport waiting for the plane to take us home.  The guy was covered in tattoos, and his girlfriend had the more moderate smattering of smaller tattoos (sounds like me and Tyler - though, hopefully, he won't end up COVERED in tattoos).  The next couple I met was on the plane.  It was definitely a God-thing.  I was listening to music on my phone and, sitting in the seat next to the aisle, I was able to see this couple to my right and one row back.  They looked about my age, and they were each reading a book.  The guy was reading a book on worship and the girl was reading one on personalities.  Needless to say, I was intrigued.  So I struck up a conversation.  Turns out they were newly married (less than one year!), and he was a former worship leader in NY who had moved to DC, where his wife was from, in order to serve in ministry there and hopefully find a job in the world of finances.  After a few minutes of getting to know each other, he leaned over and asked me point blank, "Christina, how can we pray for you?"  I was astounded.  That's not really a question I get asked a lot, unless I'm in a Bible study or Sunday School.  I was seriously touched by their kindness and apparent love for the Lord.

All that to say, I had a great week :)  And, on Monday, I got new glasses!  #selfiephotoshoot

This is the first time I've had sunglasses to wear since I got glasses in 11th grade!  Yay!!!!

So, what about you?  Ever been to Washington DC?  What was your favorite landmark?  Who is your favorite president?  Have you ever been asked by a virtual stranger how they can pray for you?

I'm an Aunt...Again!

Yes, that's right, ladies and gents!  My brother-in-law and sister, Paul & Sara, are proud parents of a beautiful baby girl born today.  Her name is Lauren Priya, and she arrived at 4:03 this morning weighing 6 lbs 15 oz and 19 1/2 inches long.  She's a beauty :)  I want to hold her all the time.  Below are some pictures of the proud aunt, uncle, grandma and father!

Engagement Pictures in Old Town

Here they are!  Hope you love them as much as I do!  I'll just let the photos speak for themselves...maybe I'll add a caption here and there if I'm so inclined...  (For those of you who hate photos of people kissing...you may want to get outta here.)

When we first got there to meet up with Sara - look how happy we are!

About to ride the Ferris Wheel!

Wow; I guess we didn't realize how dangerous it could be!

The dip + a kiss = always seals the deal :)

Wait a minute...did we just go Black & White?

This is kinda 101 Dalmatians...amiright?

Tyler's face though...hahahaha

Apparently, he likes what he sees :)

Time for a nap...not!

Awww, what a sweet kiss!  (Ignore the falling debris in my hair. lol)

We make great faces together...

*sigh*  He has the most incredible smile.

Umm...just a bit of us being crazy us!

Probably one of my favorites!

This is the face of someone who's not sure whether or not she is going to get dropped.  haha

Another favorite!

Hey....hey baby!  I wanna know...would you be my girl! (That's a song, by the way.  Look it up :)

I don't usually drive like this, I promise.

Guys, I would never!  (Also, that face - hahaha)

Riding the carousel! :)

Fun times at Fun Spot! :)

Practicing for the wedding reception. Haha

I look so special here. lol

He really does make the best faces!

"Drive like a racecar!"

Sometimes we dance very awkwardly in public...

The wedding date :)

The ring!

Well, thank you to Sara for taking all these pictures - I hope you enjoyed looking at them!  Which one was your favorite?  Do you have any themed engagement photo shoots that you like?  Let me know! :)