Sundays: last minute travel opportunity before the week hits

A much needed day to recharge my internal ants-in-the-pants batteries and appease my ever-ravaging wanderlust...

 First stop: Dylan's for a quick lunch of crab dip. I was rather craving sushi....but nothing seemed to open in this small town until noon, much to my chagrin. Waiting 40 minutes for sushi to open did not sound like a good way to waste my time....nor was there a store nearby in which I'd like to waste my time either.

Good noms in East Berlin, but not likely to venture out here again... Adding it to the list of been-there-done-that places. Bartender was not the kindest.

From East Berlin, I ventured over to New Oxford. By this point, the heat was rising and thus I was roasting in my black skinnies, having been told by Weather.com that there were supposed to be slight drizzles.

Definitely wasn't complaining about the weather after the chilly days we had had at random this week and the few coming up.

This lovely antique store was a dealer's dream.... Not that I'm a dealer, but so many cool bits and bobs about! Found a wondrous book on WWII for my Fajer!
Most of the things, alas, were outside of meager price range at this point in my life....not quite raking in the dough. . . [yet]

Gettysburg has quickly become one of my favorite little towns to walk around... yes, there are corny little historic shops and many plaques nearby, pointing out that nearly everything is tied to the Civil War, but it's such a pretty town as well.

Being the granddaughter, niece, and daughter of war veterans, I find it important to pay homage to those soldiers who fought and died for their country, no matter what era.

Garryowen's Irish Pub did not disappoint. A "wee bit" of fish&chips, the smaller-portioned dish of the Irish and English favorite. Although I may be a bit of a snob because I had authentic fish&chips as my first experience with the delightful meal, this was done quite well.

And there was Carlsberg to boot.

A stop at an Irish pub is not complete with a Magners. . . . or two.

The one server suggested Crabbie's. Oh myyyy. Where can I find this near me?!? Perhaps Wegman's as that grocery store seems to be the king of grocery stores, if not only for their selection of beers, ales, and ciders. Don't judge.


And thus completed my nice little day trip before stopping to see my wild Tree.

Mini travels were juuust what my self-prescribing doctor ordered for those springtime blues.

Inner Thoughts of Loneliness

Loneliness is a curious creature, skulking about and lurking in the most inopportune moments.... It seems to rarely rear its ugly bitter head when there is no one around us, but rather when we are surrounded by bodies while shrouded by our inner thoughts. Perhaps it revers itself as a clever beast, casting its shadow when one is at a vulnerable point, often when one is feeling pensive and reflective of life, noticing that not all is as well as it seems or as social media perceives it to be.

Loneliness may hide in memories, fond memories at that. These fond memories remind us of what has past, what once was, and what shall very likely never be again, such as feeling crazy&wild, near the point of raving lunatic, in love with someone, that feverish feeling never quite returning to that splendid peak it had with someone else....so carefree and open to the world since it was being combated with that special One. Even when that person is no longer in our lives to the same degree, we still crave those strong feelings of desire, both innocent and sexual. These feelings can be intoxicating, that person addictive. Once that addiction has healed, the addicted feel like half themselves...

At times I feel lonely, an odd sensation for one who loves solo adventures and enjoys the pleasure of my own company for dinner. Ironically, I can spend the entire day alone and not feel lonely, but it is often when I am surrounded by people for too long that I begin to feel these pangs of awkwardness and the inner loner begins to take over, longing for something....something I cannot name as I do not know how to feel this void from which I keep running.

Loneliness is not a pleasant feeling since I rarely have felt its little tethers before in my life, save for the past year and a half. And so it goes.

Tomorrow calls for another solo adventure, my odd little cure for this temporary mind blocks of feeling lonely. And so it goes.

Happy Hour + Hot Vibes

Last night I got to work on my list of mini adventures, starting at a little bar in Elizabethtown called Lucky Ducks Bar and Grille.

Happy Hour truly is the best hour....except perhaps the witching hour.

1/2 off apps and $1 off lagers - heck yeah!

Today, Tree and I went on a little outing to Cornwall: the town in PA, not England [sadly].

We visited the Cornwall Iron Furnace, the only original standing furnace in the western hemisphere, according to the one sign in the visitors center.

Our tour guide was a witty with a hint of sass and we adored her spiel about the furnace. She was honestly such a pleasure to have! I really think the tour guide can sometimes make or break it....or at least make an experience more enjoyable.

Reminded me of Hagrid's house, no?

She said we were cute together after she asked if it was a date. *gush*

Afterwards, we visited the Bluebird Inn for a nice lunch before hitting the [short] road back to my place. Tree and I were both in the mood for fish: Ahi Tuna Wrap for him and the California Sriracha Mahi Mahi Wrap pour moi! Otter porter and blueberry wheat had by all.

So. dang. good.

Construction/detours bite, but eventually we made our way back...I sigh considerably over the added minute to our 24-minute trip ha.

And now for a quiet night. Planning on curling up with my book, The Storyteller, until my appetite returns after such a wonderfully filling lunch before snuggling in bed with Mr. Hippy and Harry the [stuffed] cat.

More adventures await, whether written on paper or experienced firsthand!

Life of a 22 year youngling

Has life ended now that I've graduated college? All the fun gone?

Hell no.

Still goofy. Still geeky. Still posing awkwardly.

My lovely ink - much to Mum's chagrin.

e.e.cummings holds a special place in my nogan...and this particular line, the end of one of his post famous poems, rings true.

Those I've had the privilege of having in my life and loving, all there, in my heart. A reminder that not all those I've loved are lost, but are nestled safely below my ample bosom, in my heart.

New LOTR skirt which depicts a map of Middle Earth! This beauty made its public debut at my friend's graduation party in Mechanicsburg. We danced, laughed, and sang the night away as younglings do, not yet fearful of what's yet to come.

Like Mordor, one does not simply walk to a happy ending. We must create one.

These wildlings: I hope to be seeing more of STT and their merch guy this summer, joining them on tour as a bandmate's sloth girlfriend might do.

For now, I'm working part-time, having just left my other part-time job. The new biggie girl job should be starting soon so that's exciting! In the meantime, the wanderlust adventurer in me is making lists of mini adventures to take, starting today, tomorrow, and Sunday, but not Saturday since I have work...

• Cornwall Iron Furnace + Bluebird Inn, Cornwall, PA 
• Further exploration of Gettysburg now that I'm old enough to appreciate it [daughter of a history buff, okay?]
• Centralia, PA
• Utz Factory, Hanover, PA
• Turkey Hill Experience, Columbia, PA
• Explore City Island & Harrisburg now that I can roam without a chaperon or wrist leash [yes, I had one of those as a child...]
• Rhode Island
• Cape May, NJ  
• Nashville, TN 
• New Orleans, LA
• Toronto, Canada 

This is only the beginning....so many places not yet uncovered nor visited just in this area! We shall see how far I get. And I'll be putting more effort in keeping you posted.

Hobey Ho, let's go!

Papa Roach...who?

As the post title may falsely suggest I do not Papa Roach, I think knowing "Scars," an anthem for many broken-hearted souls, counts for something. While not a mega fan, I still appreciate what they do and their vibe, opting to listen instead to similar bands like Linkin Park and Breaking Benjamin.

Just an idea of how full the Chameleon Club was....masses of people well past the bathroom corridor, wall-to-wall.

We Are Harlot was act #2 before Papa Roach hit the stage and what the impression they left behind was mostly one of some nice background music and big 80s hair... I think I would have appreciated them much more if my social anxiety hadn't decided to flair by this point, having to fight through the throng of people while simultaneously squeezing my innards so as not to make a puddle on the floor.

Not too shabby of a viewpoint for a shortie against the wall....the opening act aka why I came out to this show.

I've posted before on them, but if you haven't had a chance to check them out yet, I implore you to give them a chance. DAYUM.

Small Town Titans put on another great show, making the crowd go APESHIT crazy with their originals and Uptown Funk cover. Personally, I can't stand Uptown Funk, but when they sing it, I found myself [willingly] singing along.

These guys will be going on tour soon and just might be coming to an area near you ;)

I might be slightly biased because the singer with the crooning 6-octave voice is my Tree, but I feel I'm a fairly objectionable person....if I didn't like the music that much, I wouldn't have them on my workout playlist or gush like a hormonal hyperactive teenager girl ha.

So proud of these talented guys. How many bands do you know who are asked to open for f*@<!^& Papa Roach?!

Pretty sure STT stole the show but...

Pompous Circumstances

Or, as others refer to it, Pomp and Circumstances, the traditional processional piece played for graduation with military origins. I could look up the actual origins of this rather catchy tune as a cure to my slight ignorance, but I'd rather remain in my bliss and use those 15 minutes of Google/Wikipedia research to put together this post for my [likely few, yet important all the same] readers.

Before I go off too far on my little tangent there....I walked with my college graduation class and thus ends my stint as an undergrad.

Sisters hold your hand through the good times and the bad, through tears and laughter. So happy I can call this lovely lady my sissy and one of my best friends.

My Fajer told me I could do and be whomever I please. Today I chose to be happy [and also taller].

While I'm just as close to my Mum as I am with him, I am definitely Daddy's buddy, as he lovingly called me. I might be a woman, but he had my back in wrestling, had me at the shooting range at age 9, and took my sis and I fishing.

He taught me the meaning of hard work, and I'd say it's pulling off. Magna cum laude with a completion of a BS in 3 1/2 years: I'd say I'm doing pretty well.

My best friend made the drive to see me!!! Heidi and I have been through all of the awkward phases and love and support one another through the curve balls of life. She's definitely my friend soul mate.

My Tree, feeling all sentimental. Crazy to think....four years ago, he was graduating from the same place and I only had an inkling of what may lay in store as I was getting ready for my senior high school prom.

OH, SNAP!

I made the Lebanon Daily News for my cap! Made a stir in hs with my Farewell speech, making headlines with my cap for Uni. Seems fitting for this trouble maker ;)

And so....it's done. Finished.

Onto the next adventure! Hobey Ho, let's go!

Stormtroopers in my posse

This weekend I had the pleasure and privilege to meet with some visitors from a galaxy far, far away....and just in time for Naked Day Star Wars Day!

Surprise! Totally derping.....

No makeup, no problem. My peeps did not seem to mind one bit.

Vader was a hottie before he went up in flames and despite the horrible things he ends up doing, he was, in a way, one of the greatest rebels [initially]. The Jedi Order had its flaws as much as the evil trying to prevail and Anakin was having none of that, attempting to do what he thought was right, aka not backstabbing someone.

Both sides can be corrupt...check out this clown on my left. The Stormtroopers can't all be bad if they have a sense of humor ;)

May the Fourth be with you!

Dutifully wore my Stormtrooper-in-a-suit pencil skirt to work today in honor of this rad day.

Turn down for nobody | we bring the party like

Valley Fest was a near-blur. On the go from Thursday night into Sunday morning. My Tree came over for some much needed cuddles Thursday night before we headed off to our alma mater to start the craziness that is band load-in, sound check, and the obligatory jumping around that occurs during an energetic concert.

 Small Town Titans destroying the stage. Figuratively, of course.



***And since Blogger has a [rather low] limit to their video: True Blood Cover done by the guys. Daaayum***

Do you indulge in My Sweet Super 16?? ...or whatever that show is called with all of the bratty children celebrating/terrorizing others for their milestone birthday. That part isn't important...but these wonderfully talented musicians had a song featured!!! "We Bring the Party."

DNK: check. them. out. now.

David and Tree did a mean karaoke together after the show.

So proud of this committee!! #VF2015

Saturday night's concert featured Drop Out Julian and the crowd loved them! Admire the musically-inclined specimen that make up this band, two of whom I consider great friends ^_^

We Are The In Crowd was our featured artist.
*little hs girl inside of me screaming with excitement*

Drop Out Julian's lead singer, Dean Howey, joined the stage to see with them!

*total fangirl moment*

A commander is nothing without his army. Hats off to the officers behind me who helped put on another successful year! And I lay down my President's hat, a bittersweet moment. 4 years in the club, but this year certainly went down with a bang.

Friday night may have gone out with more of a bang than Saturday, but I guess drinking 4 Grateful Deads would do that to someone....sorry, not sorry.

We ain't nothin' without friends, toots.

If April showers bring May flowers, then what do we get out of March?

Bling and braids - nice touches for work attire to jazz up my blue button-down.
March means spring which dictates brighter clothing, if not for the season, then to break up the monotony of the dulcet tones of dirty snow....

This lovely green dress makes me feel oh-so-grown up! Channeling a sliver of Jackie-O with the structure of the below-the-knee shift shape, a hint of a modern milkmaid with the braids, a dash of Cara Delevingne's bold brows, and maybe a blend of my inner stoic and pensive self... Perhaps this is what I was telling myself at the time as I lay exhausted for a moment before journaling.

Journaling is my little break from the world. There's something truly magical about physically taking pen to paper to preserve my thoughts and memories...

In this moment, I felt good about myself, powerful, on top of the world as I finally began to see my body in another light. March was a month of storms of the snowy elements and within my mind. The weight loss has been a journey as I yo-yoed with the added weight that began to tack on during my sophomore year of college.

While I feel much better after sweating my ass off [literally] definitely boosted my abysmally low self-esteem in regard to my body image, it's not about being stick thin, thick, bootilicious, boobilicious, or any variation, it's about being comfortable in your own skin. I do full-heartedly believe often the acceptance of unhealthy bodies at either spectrum can be just as damaging as shaming, wanting to improve oneself is certainly not a bad thing.

Treat yo'self. Motto of my new "dieting," which could hardly be called a diet. Spinach, tomato, and cheese omelette with barbecue sauce, Redd's strawberry ale, and French films make for an excellent balance of health and indulgence.

I've struggled with my self-control of my body and in order to reasonably obtain and maintain my goals, total deprivation is not an option.

Mum jeans. Total Mum jeans of which my Mum totally approved. Though not a goal, my legs are finally having a thigh gap carved out of them, something I had not seen since I was in single digits. More importantly, I went up a size for extra room even though they are now rather loose, a few short weeks later. This moment, this crucial moment, was rather profound for me in a way others struggling with their body image may understand...

Hellooooo, twinsie. This beauty parked next to me at Houlihan's. If you've viewed previous posts, this makes me a bit weak between the geeky knees...
My car has Chewie, Han, Leia, and Luke on the back and Vader hanging out on my driver's window.

So happy I was able to visit with my friends for their band's album release!
Friends, no matter how frequent or infrequent you see them, are one of the cruxes of life. They hold us together when times get hectic, hold our hand when we cry, and our hair when we're sick with a stomach bug. Of course, there are the [hopefully] many, many happy times with them ^_^

It's nice knowing these wonderful people have my back. They're also talented as heck!

Crappy weather spent with incredible people helps make the winter blues seem less severe. A nice transitional time into April....which included, sadly, a layoff from my big kid job. And so it begins: my time of official unemployment...

I dream of chocolate

Valentine's Day, gross.

V-Day = Vomit Day

I spent this year [as per most years] with my lovely older sister, cooking and baking a delectable dinner casserole and dessert from our Grammy's cookbook. Who said love need be romantic? Suckers.

As a late Vomit Day celebration, we had a reservation made at the Hotel Hershey for their annual chocolate buffet, which naturally, induced high-powered food coma. Stuffed with chocolate upon chocolate upon hot chocolate and cookies, I was ready to fall asleep at the table in the best possible way.

If I die young, bury me in chocolate. Lay me down on a bed of cocoa.

When it comes to dieting, chocolate is always included to balance out the leafy greens.

I was nice and even visited my Tree despite being caught in a whiteout en route and crying on loudspeaker the whole way. Nothing says "I kinda like you" like driving with utter terror through a mess of snow.

"I kinda like you."
"I know."

In a nutshell, another month gone by way too fast...