UMD

Lovely visit to DC over the weekend. Finally got to Georgetown Cupcakes. Only 20 minute way outside, and made it in plenty of time so wouldn't be turned away again. Tiniest place, and they were just moving people in and out. I got Mint Chocolate and Vanilla squared and then 2 chocolate peanut butter fudge for Pancho and Ira. Delicious but super messy (All the frosting). Also went to Lauriol Plaza, this great Mexican restaurant with amazing margaritas. Maybe had a glass (or 2 or 4) more than necessary. But tons of fun ;)

Then had a great visit to the University of Maryland on Monday. Learned all about the course requirements, the campus is absolutely gorgeous, met with some professors. Lots of Women & Gender faculty, so lots of classes that I would be interested in taking. No language requirement (woohoo!), and the current grad students were nice and seemed to have a very active history grad student group. Everything was what I could have hoped for, and now I'm just waiting to hear from Penn before really making that final decision.

Interviewed at Kaplan yesterday, I've moved on to the training program. Turns out I'll have to re-take the SATs if I want to teach them because its been almost 5 years so the last time. Sort of a turn-off to the job. But I'll see how things go, I get paid for training at least. Should hear from the internship next week, so still keeping my fingers crossed for that. Sigh, just some more waiting for me to keep doing. lol.

I've parallel parked twice in the last 2 days on my first attempt. Finally making progress!!
Been a super rainy day today, definitely a snuggle up with a book and tea kind of day, just a little house tidying to do first. ehh. Lots of really cute Spring/Easter baked goodies on the blogs recently to check out. Maybe this weekend I'll tackle some creme brulee or decorated cupcakes...

March updating

Been a very inconsistent blogger this month. I believe my readership is about 6 people and so when fully half of whom came to visit me in Baltimore, well, I figured I was semi-excused from writing about it. But I will now. Tried to show the girls the "best of Baltimore" or what it amounts to in my opinion. Checked out the waterfront at Inner Harbor, shopped along the quirky shops of Hampden, day trip to DC for museums, failed attempts at getting cupcakes, and then infamous chicken and waffles on the way back, made a full round of the nightlife, which sadly included PJ's, but Brewer's Art witnessed my first Irish car bomb (delicious. even if I remain the slowest shot/drink taker in the whole world), trip downtown to hit up pretty up the essential bars in Fed Hill including Dog Pub, walked around the Farmer's Market and saw Ana from Charm City Cakes which we also walked by (cakes in the window), watched a lacrosse game, meandered around campus, breakfast at Pete's Grill (alas, no Michael Phelps sighting), quick run through of the Baltimore Museum of Art, fajita and margarita night at Nacho Mama's, respectable play at the James Joyce trivia night, and got pictures of the Painted Ladies.
A very fun week if not totally exhausting. My days had gotten fairly leisurely by the beginning of March so being on the go was a definite change.

Home now in Boca to see my parents and relax. Brought an extra bag to return with spring decorations, a desk lamp, clothes, and some cake decorating icing tips. Random, I know, but its easier to do this than try to ship it all. Heading to DC on Saturday because Maryland is having an open house on Monday and it will be easier to take the Metro from there than drive in the crazy commuter traffic on Monday. I'm really excited about it, there is a full day planned to tell us about the program and we get to meet faculty and current students. Got into George Washington over the weekend so now I'm waiting on Penn, Sarah Lawrence, and Boston College. I just want to know already so that I can start comparing the programs.

Had a half hour telephone interview this morning with the Curator office of the Supreme Court for that internship. I was prepared, had a 2 page sheet of things I wanted to make sure to mention. I think it went well, I had some good answers for stuff, hoping that other answers were received well. Sort of nervous though, no idea how many other people are left at this stage so I could be against 4 or 40 kids. Won't hear back for 2 weeks so going to try not to think about it too much. Also just set up an interview with Kaplan to try and teach the SATs. Hopefully that goes well next week. Feel like things are moving along, just really really hoping one of these works out.
Glad that I'm being more productive again, had been feeling a little guilty for taking those 3 months off, although I think I really needed the break. It will be nice once I get a job and figure out what school I'll be going to, get a little more settled for the next 5 months.

I still can't get over the fact that I've graduated from college and am living with my boyfriend in a big city. It sounds more grown up than I feel in reality. I vividly remember in 4th grade around election time thinking that the next election I would be in 8th grade and the one after that I would be in 12th grade-- high school! And I couldnt even envision beyond that. Not only has that all come and gone, we're past that next election, too. I dont feel necessarily like an adult but I'll see people my age on tv and I think oooh, they look older than that, a real adult. Stuck in some sort of kid/ quasi adult category. Although after watching numerous What Not to Wear episodes this week (looove Stacey and Clinton), feeling like I need to update my wardrobe a little. Maybe weed out those things I still have from like sophomore year of high school. When I moved to Baltimore, Pancho and I realized that I have so much stuff because I never outgrow it, so it accumulates until it pretty much falls apart.

Bored

So completely bored. No one is in Boca, I don't have my car, so basically I'm watching a lot of tv and finding little projects around the house. Started back embroidering some quilt blocks that I havent touched in probably 4 or 5 years, cleaned some more things out of my closet to be donated, read a little. But ughh. and even the things that I can think to do involve spending money which I'm really really trying to avoid. Guess I could go running or swimming later. Take advantage of the amazing weather. sighhh.

Sunshiny State

Oh to be back in warm and sunny FL, back to friendly and familiar Gator country. Flight this morning was fine, took a little nappies on the plane. Lunch with Dad at the Riverwalk in Ft. Lauderdale and then a leisurely afternoon reading and unpacking. Went for a run, starting to feel slightly guilty about all of the junk I've been eating in combination with all of the not exercising I'm not doing. ehh.

BUT! I did break off a piece of the Chocolove Dark Chocolate with Orange Peel bar that I bought with the girls when we to the shoes & chocolate shop in Hampden. Delicious-ness and very rich so I felt perfectly content with just the bit I ate. perfect.

Squared away all of the details for going to the U. Maryland Open House. So excited! Apparently there is a current grad students taking us out for pizza and beer thing happening afterwards. Good. I need to get the inside scoop. Don't really have too much to do while I'm home, just wait to hear back from schools and jobs... yay. lol. Going to get some quality reading time in though which is always appreciated. Mansfield Park has been a pretty decent read so far.

No two are alike...

Playing in the snow is so much fun. Threw snowballs and made a snow angel. Stomped all around in my wellies. Snowed for most of the last 20 hours or so, big fat flakes. I hope it keeps snowing, or at least stays around for awhile before melting. The front steps are treacherous when it's slushy.

Updated quite a few pictures on Facebook, trying to stay on top of things. The Lacrosse game on Saturday was fun despite Hopkins' frustrating playing. Another game coming up this weekend. I still only moderately pay attention, but I'm getting better at knowing what is good versus bad play.

Time for B. Williams... more updating when I've got news. Starting reading Mansfield Park, by the way.

In the kitchen

I've become even more obsessed with baking/cupcakes in the past few days. There are so many cute baking blogs--- Cakespy, Bakerella, CakeJournal, and Cupcakes Take the Cake. Lots of new ideas to try out, thinking I might actually start decorating beyond icing and sprinkles. Need to see if I still have at home my frosting tips and books from my long-ago cake decorating days. With a little practice I could probably turn out some stars, shells, a little outlining. It would also help with the sugar cookies. The Christmas ones were cute, but definitely sloppy. Don't think I'll take another Wilton class, but if I still have my old supplies then I can at least do some basic decorating. Going to be baking some cupcakes (heart funfetti mix, vanilla frosting, red nonpareils) this afternoon as well as making Pancho's Mom's pasta sauce that takes 5 hours to simmer!! Jesus. But we're having it with bow-tie pasta tonight to use some of it up (I'm halving the recipe and it still makes an insane amount) because it is really being made for the Pasticho, a Venezuelan variation of lasagna that we're making on Saturday. Going to be cooking with leeks for the first time, too. Last night, made a really simple Baked Salmon with Cranberry-Thyme Crust with roasted asparagus (also the first time cooking either of those things.) Came out delicious, though I did overcook the asparagus a little bit. AND, Pancho has nailed down how to make a lemon drop martini at home. :) Oh yeah, my mom is so crazy, she sent me a culinary torch this week so I can caramelize creme brulee. I made pumpkin creme brulee over the holidays but had to stick the ramekins under the broiler to caramelize the sugar on top and it didnt exactly work out (the actual cream part started heating up). But now just need to light up the blowtorch and away I go. Seriously, my mom feeds into my ridiculousness. Homemade creme brulee isn't difficult, but Crate & Barrel makes delicious little kits, too.

I don't know if anyone else has read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, but I'm reading it now and it is amazing. Talks of Biblical times from the female perspective, how women labored, their relationships with other women, their families, and the gods/goddesses. Its fiction but it is meant to fill in where the Bible leaves women out. Not my typical read, but from my women's history view, very interesting.

Also been watching more of The Biggest Loser lately. Its so inspiring, but also makes me really wish I had my own personal trainer to make me work out and try new routines. Today is finally warm enough for me to head outside.. ehhh. Don't want to but I should, at least walk for 30 minutes to get out of the house.

A big sigh of relief....

I got into Boston University!! Thank goodness, I am going to graduate school.