Rehobeth

Matt and my first vacation together as a couple was Rehobeth Beach, DE.  It was five years ago.  We had stayed at a cute little beach house with my friends, Katelyn and Tommy.

We were so in love and we still are except on the mornings when I am first getting up and Matt complains to me about things that is out of our control such as the change of the season.  On those mornings, I want to punch him in the forehead so he can have a good morning too.

Two weekends ago, we went back to Rehobeth/Bethany Beach with Sam, Z, Natalie, Josh, Kenny, Ally, and Jenna.  We were in great company and had a fantastic weekend.  I went outlet shopping with the girls and the guys drank mangoritas at three in the afternoon.

Matt and I both agreed that we want to purchase property there because we have had some great memories there as a couple. 

Robbie & Christi's Wedding | October 4, 2014

How To Be Productive

While (wasting time) on Reddit, I had stumbled upon this info graph:

I have been going to bed and getting up earlier.  Granted, it's my new job that has forced my new schedule but I have definitely seen positive results in the past seven weeks.  I have more energy throughout the day, minimal mood swings, clarity and better judgement.

October

There were so many things that I had anticipated on doing this past weekend, such as working on this blog post (it's been over a month since my last post), hiking with Matt, and switching out seasonal wardrobe.  None of that happened but I did host an impromptu dinner with Sam and Z, whom I haven't seen since August, and I got to see Ellie belly last Sunday.

It's nice to catch up with friends and it's even better to reflect on your life especially right before the holiday season - my holiday season starts with Halloween.

Weekend of September 19th - 21st: Matthew and I had dinner at Cunningham's with Barbara.  Matt decided to try a raw oyster and I think he enjoyed it.  He doesn't want to admit it because he's cheap.  Matt and I spent the rest of the weekend in the Pasadena area: Saturday, we hung out with D.J. & Anna and then saw Top Dead Center at The Brass Rail Pub with Sabrina. On Sunday, we went to the Navel Academy to attend to my little brothers' Sea Cadet promotion and picnic.

Weekend of September 26th-28th: Matt and I attended James' cross country invitational at Hereford High School then we rush home for me to get ready for my facial appointment at Vita Revive.  After my appointment, I ran some errands and packed an overnight bag for Leah and Layla's birthday sleepover.  Matt was hosting Robbie's bachelors party that night instead of getting a room downtown, the guys were going to crash at our place in Towson.  After a sleep deprived night with girls ranging from four to nine, I hung out with Ck and Emilia, whom at the time had just turned one!  They were in town visiting because Joe and his company were participating in an east coast convention.

Tuesday, September 30th, Matt and I met up with Ben, Mike, Joe and Ck for dinner at Luna Del Sea.  I am so glad I was in great company because the food there was disgusting and that I got to see them even just for a few hours because they all live out in L.A.

Weekend of October 3rd-5th: My birthday weekend and Robbie & Christi's Wedding.
My birthday was on the third and not to break tradition, I didn't get to go all out.  So, Matt and I bought myself a bunch of nice novelty items such as:

• Flowers delivered to work even though I was only there until 11:30 am
• Tory Burch Ella Tote in Black 
• Lands' End Parka in Navy
• Tarte Rain Forest After Dark palette
• "I'll put a spell on you" (Hocus Pocus) baseball tee in green
• LORAC Pro palette
• Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lip Set

The first five items were from Matt and yes, I gave him a list of things I wanted -  a month in advanced.  I am a woman who knows what I want and don't have time to be passive aggressive and or returning shit that I don't want.  The rest of the weekend was spent partaking in wedding festivities.  Funny story, the plan was to camp with our friends after the wedding and when it was time to put up the tent, Matt and I realized that we had everything except for the tent itself.  We were borrowing my parents' gigantic tent because people had express interest on staying in the tent with us.  My point is that I am never going to ask my siblings to do anything for me again.

Weekend of 10-12th: We spent the weekend at my parents' house in southern Maryland.  It was an interesting weekend to say the least.  I tried Marie's Diner for the first time in my life and I loved it.  It was also the weekend of my younger siblings' homecoming so my parents took Matt and me to dinner at Paul Kee in, my hometown, Wheaton while they were at the dance.  It was delicious.  Matt and I gorged on so much amaz-asian food that weekend.

Last weekend: As mentioned earlier, Sam and Z came over to our place for dinner Friday night. The entree was crispy cheddar chicken with baby red mashed potato and steamed broccoli.  Matt and I had also put together a simple charcutrie plate because we went a little overboard at Trader Joe's last week.  Last Saturday, Matt and I got up early and ran errands.  We ended the day with dinner at Nando's Peri-Peri and watching Life of Pi on demand.  We went over to Sam and Z's place for football Sunday and I got to cuddles with Ellie!

New

 

During my last week at the law firm, I was out Wednesday of that week to travel to southern Maryland.  My idiotic sister, Cristine, needed my help with paying for her college textbooks.  Cristine is the most frustrating and difficult person I have ever dealt with in my life and that is an understatement.  While dealing with my frustrating sister, Robbie quit that day.  Do I blame him?  Absolutely, not.  My biggest complaint about my last job was that I was not getting compensated adequately.  In order to attract and retain talent, a company must compensate competitively and support their team.  I wasn't getting either.  The following day was so bad that I had my shit packed up by two pm just so I wouldn't feel obligated to go in on my last day.

Anyone who knows me, won't find it surprising that I went in on my last day haha.  What can say? I am an ethical person.  In hindsight,  I shouldn't have bothered going in.  I left early because there were hardly anyone in the office.  I said my goodbyes to those that were there and then I went shopping!  Matt took me out for a celebratory dinner at like 4 or 5 pm.  We were the only people in the restaurant haha.  That night we met up with my friend, Sabrina, at The Brass Rail Pub in Pasadena, MD to meet her new boyfriend, Erik, and watch him perform with his band: Top Dead Center.  Later that weekend (Labor Day weekend), Matt and I visited my family in Philadelphia and Robbie & Christi at their place in Elk Neck, MD.  

I had four days off before I started my new job which meant re-organizing my life and shopping.  I had donated two medium boxes worth of clothes that were occupying my trunk for years.  I am so happy that I drive a SUV.  A former co-worker of mine who had left the firm in 2012 contacted me to tell me the law firm had reached out to her regarding a vacancy, my former position.  Well, that escalated quickly.

Last week was my first week at the engineering firm.  Everyone at the law firm warned me about the traffic on the west side of 695.  I was so nervous and anxious about the traffic during my days off that I didn't really enjoy them.  I was so stupid.  I just want to say that I enjoy my new position very much, so much that I have been getting up early to go into work.  I love getting up early and doing so has me even more productive each day!  It's safe to say that I am happier because last night I made dinner and baked muffins.  I only bake when I am happy :)

Last weekend was perfect Autumn weather.  I am so excited for Fall! Matt and I went to my former co-worker and Matt's golf buddy, Sean, for his annual cookout on Saturday.  We also met up with Ryan and Emily that night and had dinner at HoneyPig.  It was their first time there and I found it amusing that Ryan was so perplex about eating food hahaha.  Emily and I were on a mission to find bubble teas because Ryan had never had one before so his reaction to it was great.  The rest of the night just consisted of talking and hanging out.  Last Sunday, Matt and I organized and cleaned our room before the Redskins game.  

One Week

One week down, one more to go!  In other (good) news, I found a replacement for my position - my boyfriend's bff, Robbie!  Last Saturday, at Sam & Z's cookout/bonfire/gathering/etc. Robbie's fiance, Christi, said that they are willing to move closer to Baltimore under the condition that Robbie gets a job in Baltimore.  I made that shit happen in less than a week.  I get to train him on Monday!

I have taken a position at a civil engineering firm in Columbia.  It is 27 minutes away from my house without traffic.  My commute is going to suck but I am getting over a 28% raise.  I think that is an awesome trade-off.

This weekend is a busy one for me.  Birthday festivities for Drew in the city tonight, and company picnic followed by a Nats game with James, Justin, and Matt tomorrow.

My Resignation

My resignation for my current employment is effective today.  There is a mixture of emotions I am feeling but the overall feeling is happiness.  In the past year, I have gone to a total of five interviews.  While that number does not seem high, I was also a full-time student at Johns Hopkins University and worked 30 hours a week.  I can't even tell you how many times I've submitted my resume - hundreds, thousands, etc. times a day!

Previously, I was filled with doubt.  I felt that I wasn't marketable and my experience were obsolete.  I have made a promise to myself that if I am ever in the position of acquiring talent (HR) for a company, I will dutifully send a follow up to those who did not get the position they had interviewed for and the reason(s) why.  I feel that is only fair to those prospects struggling for employment.  Granted, that is what career services are for but in my opinion, I don't find them helpful.  Case-in-point: Hopkins' career services advise me that my resume wasn't detailed enough but I needed to keep my information down to one page.  Um, what?!

Networking, recruiting companies, match.com, e-harmony, what's the difference?  I am not afraid to admit that my first impression is assertive, bossy, whatever.  I don't judge people by their first impression and with the millennials who are tech savvy, is it fair to judge interviewees by their first impressions?  There are many articles stating that narcissistic individuals are the ones who interview well.  In my honest opinion, I prefer someone's work to speak for them.  I much rather have a quiet, awkward, hard-working, team-player who is incredibly smart than have a sociable show-off who does mediocre work.  #Team Underdog FTW.  

Things and Whatnot.

It has been awhile since I've posted anything.  Life, what a busy activity.  Two weekends ago was a friend's birthday, last weekend I was in southern Maryland celebrating my little sister's, Catherina, 14th birthday, and today is one of closest friend's birthday.  While in soMD, my boyfriend and I got to watch Guardian of the Galaxy with his parents.  Such a great movie!  I cried twice during it but then again I cry over everything.  My boyfriend's parents had put their house up for sale and now it's under contract.  It sucks and I think they are making a terrible mistake but people learn from their experiences, right?

Besides the birthday celebrations and having to saying goodbye to the La Plata house, life has been trodding along.  I am currently upset with my boyfriend after our conversation this morning.  He expressed something to me that was hypocritical and naturally, I pointed out the inconsistency.  His response was nonchalant and just didn't seem to care.  That is what bothers me the most: he acted like he didn't care and didn't try to see it from my point of view.  I know that the biggest issue in most relationships is communication but I beg the differ, it's the other person not listening to their spouse or significant other.

After his response, it was my cue to walk away.  In the shower, I had prepared this speech that I would explain to him, how he was being hurtful and inconsiderate especially since his actions this past week contradicts his concerns but once I turned the water off, I decided against it.  I was upset and I still am.  Anything I say to him will be out of spite.  I am getting this general consensus from his close friends' girlfriends that there is this power struggle in the relationship and we, the girlfriends, don't feel appreciated.  

I can't speak for any of the other girlfriends but I don't ask for much - spend one evening where we go out to dinner and watch a movie or just do something I want to do.  My boyfriend isn't a bad person, he is a great boyfriend but only when he wants to be.  Most of the time he wants to play a p.c. game while watching a sporting event and wonders why I am influenced by his charms when he climbs into bed.  Next month, we will have been living together for three years and I really want to move into my own place alone.  

The Price of an Opportunity

My boyfriend had spent the past month interviewing and was in constant communication with recruiters.  During this time, he received two job offers.  Uh, lucky much?!

Last week, He had two interviews with his dream company which is located in *dun, dun, dun* Rosslyn, Virginia.  This was so very unnerving because there was a high possibility that he and I were faced with a stressful situation: the lease being up at the end of the month, looking for a new rental place in a new state, packing and moving all before August 4th.  HOLY CRAP!

Fourth of July weekend, My boyfriend's mom told us that she read an article that explains stress stems from how individuals perceive certain situations.  I am not a doctor in neuropsychology, but there is a high chance that most individuals in our situation would have been stressed out too.  Uncertainty was our problem and we were not equip to deal with it; no one is.  There were so many things factoring in on the job in VA and we couldn't do anything until he received notice on whether he got the job or not.

The most terrifying thought for me was the prospect of becoming unemployed.  I have student loan debts just like majority of American college graduates.  It a vicious cycle: people continue their education to get a career but companies will not hire people with debt.

My boyfriend made the decision to take the job offer that allowed us to stay in Baltimore for the time being.  If he receive an offer from his dream company today, he will take it.  There is no question about it and I will support his decision.  If the roles were revised, he would do the same for me.  

Congratulations babe!

The Five Year Anniversary

Two weekends ago, June 21st, was the Summer solstice and my little sister's 18th birthday.  We celebrated with a shopping trip to Sephora in Georgetown and then attended a Nationals game.  Besides the ticket fiasco and my raging PMS symptoms, it was a great weekend.  

Last weekend, Matthew and I spent it in Baltimore for our five year anniversary.  I have decided that no matter where we end up moving to in the future, we will always spend our anniversary in Baltimore.  This year was a good one for me :)  Matt bought for me the following goodies: Sigma Essential Kit, two Pandora charms - graduation cap and folklore Murano glass charm, tickets to the Nationals game for the Bryce Harper bobble head promotion and a bar tab at Kooper's in Fells Point.

 

This year, he had asked for a new keyboard.  I am not sure what is so great about it but he is happy so I am happy even though the keyboard is somewhat loud -_-

This Fourth of July weekend, we will be spending it in southern Maryland.  I had asked Matt (since Father's day weekend) to organize a grill competition among his friends at his parents' house but, of course, he didn't and yet, he is the one complaining about how he wants to make barbecue since the last batch at the cabin wasn't to this standard.  UGH, Annoying. 

So, I have a confession to make: I have been hoarding more makeup!

 

 

Coastal Scents was having an awesome sale so I had to take advantage of it, right?  I have bought a few more things but I don't want to brag until I have taken pictures of the new items.  

In addition to fueling my makeup addiction, I have been lurking the creepypasta subreddit.  I have scared myself silly a few times this week.  I started to read the Anansi's Goatman Story at the Nats game and had to stop.  It was creeping me out and I was around a lot of people.  If you read it, then you will understand.  

I am starving and realized I forgot my lunch at home.  On that note, Happy Fourth of July!

A Good Month (so far)

Last week was a whirlwind for me.  I spent the beginning of the week in southern Maryland and then spent the rest of the week in western Maryland.  I am still feeling the effect of the horrible way we ate in Deep Creek but I have been in a wonderful mood even with the nasty weather in Baltimore as of recently. 

Deep Creek was fun!  We had our moments where people were acting kind of immature towards each other but when you have ten people, two dogs, and an abundance of alcohol in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, it is bound to happen.

 

 

 

 

Monday, my boyfriend told me that he passed the last section of the CPA exam!  We celebrated with a bottle of champagne and a Cuban (for him) that day.  I am so happy for him :)  No longer will I have to deal with his asshole behavior...well, he doesn't have an excuse now.  

 

 

Tuesday, we celebrated with another bottle of champagne and Indian food with two of our closest friends in Baltimore.  My friend who I have been spending a lot time with recently, interviewed and received a job offer yesterday!  Another reason to drink some more champagne!