October: The Craziest Month of My Life

Phew! This past October was definitely one of the busiest months of my life. Between the 14 concerts I attended (including #100), being swamped at my new job, birthday celebrations, Orioles playoff runs, family occasions and visits from far-away friends I can honestly say October kicked my butt! I finally finished posting about Europe from this summer (ha) and can get back to all the festive Friday recipes that have been stuck in my draft folder and perhaps more current frolicking adventures.

October Gram-Moments

 

1. Concert #100

2. New phone!

3. Festive Friday

4. Birthday celebrations

5. Orioles playoff run

6. Bloctoberfest

7. Toy Soldiers

8. Historic Philadelphia

9. Fall

10. The perfect shot

11. Spoken word

12. The best bottle of wine with Steph

13. Tequila Shots

14. Poe's House

15. Hurricane Sandy

16. Halloween

 

I'm telling ya, October was packed to the brim with various engagements and though I had a blast I am looking forward to a semi relaxed couple of weeks before the holiday madness starts up.

Until Next Time España

And so it came, my very last day in Spain. Half of which was spent completely exhausted and slightly hungover from the most epic night of my life and the other half trying to celebrate my last night with Elizabeth after such an amazing adventure together.

After a minor break down due to my debit card being eaten by a foreign ATM we found a cute little Peruvian restaurant for dinner and shared a delicious bottle of wine.

After dinner we took one last stroll around Madrid, stopped for one last scoop of Gelato, and took one last photo...

What a lovely trip! From start to finish I was completely blown away the history, culture, and mouthwatering food throughout Spain and Portugal. I can't wait to start planning my next big adventure. Where will my frolicking take me in 2013!?

Africa Reunions

Before I jump into my European Adventures I need to have a quick shout out to my Africa-reunion month of June! That's right I was ever so lucky to reunite with four of my friends from my study abroad in Tanzania throughout the month of June.

First there was Stephanie...my fellow master jokester

Hanging out with Steph at Bonnaroo this year was magical. Not only was it great to see Steph's beautiful face again, but I finally got to meet her awesome sister Sarah! Stephanie is one of the most passionate, caring and intelligent people I know and I am so glad to have her as a friend. Counting down the days till she visits Philadelphia this fall!

Now, I knew that I would see Steph at Bonnaroo and Elizabeth in Spain, but my next reunion was completely random and perfect in its own way.

Katrina, aka Katreeeen-Bean, just so happened to be in Philadelphia for a conference in June with our other study-abroad friend AJ. We all met up for some beers in South Philly, catching up on the past year or so and enjoying each others' company once again. Hanging out with Katrina and AJ for the night made me miss all of my Tanzania-lovas and crave a good old-fashion African adventure.

Finally, after nearly a year and a half without seeing each other in person, I reunited with Elizabeth in Spain!

Ironically Elizabeth and I have yet to actually see each other in the United States, which is fine because our international adventures are always the most memorable. Twins and traveling buddies forever ッ

Party Bus

Last Friday a bunch of my friends and I celebrated my best friend Tina's birthday. We all climbed aboard a party bus and headed down to AC for a night of ridiculousness and fun (as per usual). There were numerous times throughout the drive down when I thought my life might be in legitimate danger because of the bus driver's reckless driving but once we all had a few drinks in us it wasn't as noticeable, ha!

My lovafaces, Liz & Tina 

 Can't forget Chip!

 Disguising our alcohol in various random cups

 Birthday Gurrrrl

Harrah's Pool Bar

The party bus was ridiculous, as are all of my adventures with my north east friends, but it always makes for a great story! =) 

Things that make me happy...

This week has been a little hectic at work but it's almost Friday, which basically means it's the weekend and I'm happy for lots of things like...

1. My brand new pair of TOMS came in the mail! I've had my original TOMS for over 3 years now, so it was about time for a new pair! One For One

2. Finally getting a laptop at work, a Macbook no less!
3. Playing board games with Kevin, and winning of course! I am the Monopoly Master, or in this case the Ghettopoly Pimp ;)
4. Nights out with awesome friends
5. "Fly" Kicks and other great occurrences on the subway

Life is good and the weekend is almost here! Cheers =)