Off to the Races

Welcome to 2016 and the beginning of my last semester of school EVER. Cue the panic over adulthood, which is coming at me faster than a train. I'm back to work today and tomorrow I begin a new internship in downtown Pittsburgh and my spring classes. Up until this point I never really noticed how quickly time seemed to be passing. Now, it's a different story.

Now I am very aware of the time. I have only four more months as a student. While I understand that I do not necessarily know what I want to do with my life yet, I do need to formulate a plan. I know I will remain in Pittsburgh through the summer while we still have the lease on our apartment. But then...who knows? I would love to stay in Pittsburgh. The city really has captured my heart over the past three and a half years. I have friends who will be continuing school here who have invited me to get an apartment with them. Great, except I need a job. The job search just seems so daunting at this point. Networking, applying, and interviewing are all at the top of my Least Favorite Words list.

These next few months - when I have the free time! - will be devoted to getting a head start on that job hunt. One of my new year resolutions is to get my life in order and be successful in making those first scary steps into adulthood. The trick is to actually trying to get things started. So...here's to trying.

<3 Ashley

What steps are you taking this year? What are your big picture goals?

The Last Days

Can you feel that? That is the feeling of summer coming to a close and once again the school year is upon us. I actually think that this coming Monday is the first day of school for my school district--sorry kids! I actually have one more week before I am once again en route to Pittsburgh. While most of this time leading up to the day will be spent shopping for anything I need (read: sneaking food into my parents cart so I don't have to buy it later) I will also be sure to make the most of my last free and fun days. What are some ideas for last minute summer activities?

Catch some rays pool side: I made it to the pool only one time this summer...one week ago. With an internship this was my first truly busy summer. However, that one evening spent by the water, laying in the sun felt so well deserved because of it.

Going on an adventurous hike: Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to squeeze this in; especially since my hiking buddy is going back to school this weekend. :(

Driving around and discovering a cool new hangout in your hometown: We did this a few weeks ago when one of my roommates came to visit me. We took her to an ice cream place downtown that we had never been to. Spoiler alert: it was great!

Go out on the town with the ladies: This is one that I am looking forward to next week. My friend who has been away for the summer will be back home next week. We missed each other's birthdays so it is only right to use this opportunity to buy each other drinks!

A fun BBQ: I mean this is definitely an all summer kind of activity if there ever was one. But there's something about closing out an awesome summer with a BBQ with your closest friends and family. Let the fun carry into the nighttime, light a fire and make s'mores!

<3 Ashley

What are your plans for this last bit of summer?

Spring Break

To be honest, my dream break would include a road trip somewhere. Perhaps next year!

The day has finally come! The great exodus of Pitt students out of the city back to their hometowns or to warmer destinations: spring break! After my whopping two hour work day today I will be getting ready to make the three hour journey home. No big trips this year (but planning on living it up next year!) While I will have friends journeying down to places like New Orleans, North Carolina and Florida beaches I will be wrapped in my own bed sheets and playing the role of couch potato for the next week. I couldn't be more excited.

After the hectic schedule of this semester laziness is all that I really want. I'm sure I will grow restless to do something three days in anyway; don't worry about me. I just need a week where I do nothing. As I mentioned though, next year we are planning on actually doing something. My one roommate and I discussed Harry Potter World, but realistically that probably will not happen. We also just discovered that Niagara Falls is a nice four hour drive from us and got very excited about the possibility of spending a week in Canada. While going somewhere warm is the typical desire of spring breakers there is something about trekking up to Canada that excites us. Oh well. What can you do?

<3 Ashley

What spring breaks have you taken? Any suggestions?

March On

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February is finally over and man am I excited about that! Last month was probably the worst ever. I just felt miserable and sluggish the whole time and there was so much drama around all of my friends that I pretty much threw in the towel during the last week and insisted on just staying away from everyone. Do you ever get like that? Just want to spend an entire day in bed binge watching Netflix (I'm making my way through The Tudors on my way to continue Mad Men) without any human contact whatsoever...and be totally okay with it. Or am I just a crazy extreme introvert?

Either way, my fingers are crossed that March will be a much better month. It is off to a good start. The temps have increased (to a sweltering 36 degrees F!) and this Friday I am going home for spring break. A week off from constant reading and papers will be welcomed with open arms and embarrassing excitement. Also, my roommate just encouraged me to listen to One Direction's "Night Changes"--we are crazy obnoxious boy band supporters and 1D are just the cutest group of fella's--and I'm basically obsessed and have been listening to it constantly all day. I have also committed myself to getting back to running more frequently (since the temperature outside is going up) and getting myself organized. What better time to get a jump start on spring cleaning? Does this signify and good month? I have heard people say that odd numbered years are the best; perhaps that could apply to the odd months as well.

<3 Ashley

Are you positive about March? What are you looking at getting done this month?

Dear February,

I hope you really plan to show up this year because my expectations are already low due to the actions of your sister, January. Too much snow condensed in to one week and the overall feeling of exhaustion plagued my month (not cool!) I feel that you are off to a great start; I have started working out more--everyday so far--and have returned to my crusade to lessen the cookies in my diet.

While I sing your praises now, the month is still quite young and you have plenty of time to fail me and ultimately make me hate you. I am willing to work with you. I am positive right out the gate. I even have plans with the girls on Valentine's Day so that we are distracted from the other people who have plans on that day. Try not to ruin that either because I have really started to accept the existence of this day.

What I am saying, February, is...can we be friends?

<3 Ashley

Are you ready for February? Got any fun V-Day plans yet?