Key Largo, Montego, baby why don't we go...

I know by this point everyone is sick of me posting about Florida but I promise this will be my last post about it!! I was once again blessed with the opportunity to go with Christian, his family, and his brother rats from VMI (plus his rat... :) This was a graduation present from Christian's parents, a "congratulations" for surviving military school for the past four years. I was just lucky enough to snag a spot on the trip! But before I start with all that, let's rewind to about three and a half years ago when Christian invited me on my first trip down to Florida with his family. When he first mentioned it, I thought it was a joke (I had barely known him at this point) but of course- I was not about to turn down the offer. I was excited and it was honestly more than I ever expected it to be. I instantly fell in love with the blue water, yellow sand, and endless sunshine. On my last day of the trip, I swore that I would move down there one day and to this day I am going to keep that promise! I just gotta figure out all the logistics first ;) Well, fast forward 3 years and 4 Florida trips later, I am still in love with every part of it. It's seriously summertime year round... Who wouldn't love that?! On the way out of the keys, C and I were listening to the radio and the announcer said, "it's going to be about 70 today... A bit chilly, so make sure you grab a sweater!" my initial reaction? ARE YOU KIDDING?! Here I am in Virginia with 30 degree weather and 70 is "chilly?!" Needless to say, that is the life for me. All in due time though, I suppose. Can't have the rainbow without a little rain and I have a lot of rain I have to get through first ;)

Anyway, I got to try a lot of new things over this spring break. For one, I got to try paddle boarding. Not as hard as it looks and actually a good source of exercise! If paddle boards weren't so dang expensive I would definitely buy one. I finally got my seafood!! Christian hates seafood (weird, right?!) and so I was excited when we FINALLY got to go to a seafood restaurant. Luckily, they had ribs so Christian was happy and that was some mighty fine shrimp if you ask me. We went to the beach for the first time... So, this is going to sound kind of crazy but in the four times I have visited Key West this is the first time that we have gone to the beach. Maybe because we usually spend our beach time in West Palm but needless to say it was beautiful. There is no better sound to fall asleep to than the waves of the ocean... I am a pro at taking naps on the beach. I also got to try key lime pie dipped with chocolate on a stick. Super yummy but it was so sweet that I got a stomach ache... Or maybe it was because I ate it so quickly? Either way, it was a fun experience.

Anyway, you know how they say "all good things come to an end" well unfortunately my spring break was nearing an end so we had the make the 18 hour trip back to Virginia (my least favorite part). I feel very blessed to be able to say that I have had the opportunities to go to Florida and I have enjoyed every moment of it. :)

 2011 

 2012

 2013

2014

Thanks for reading!

Love always,

Meg :) 

P.S. I had to keep this post short & sweet. I can already tell that this 8 week class I am in is going to be a challenge so back to the books!! 

Confessions of a Shopaholic

First blog of March! I think it's almost been three weeks since my last post but I have been so busy lately that I haven't made the time to do one (oops!). So, here we go...

February was a blur to say the least... I finished my my last clinical on Saturday. I got a taste of what a "real" nursing schedule would be like and had three clinicals in one week. I was able to go to Park View Elementary School and work with the school nurse for 8-hours - a regular school day. It was not what I am used to because at the hospital I am always so busy but the school was a little bit more relaxed. A teaching experience to say the least! Needless to say I was exhausted at the end of the week. I have my final for this 8-week class on Thursday (eeek! Which I know I should be studying for instead of writing this but I am taking a break!) and a mid-term in my Social Ethics class. However, I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel which is Florida for 5 days for spring break! But before all that I will get to what I wanted to blog about today.

Many of you know that today is Fat Tuesday and tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the day when we make our commitments to give something up that we love for 40 days. While I am not Catholic,  I like to participate in lent because I think it is a good opportunity to take something away that I like to do because I know that I can give it up if I really try. Two years ago I gave up Facebook, I cannot remember last year but I am sure it was something like "clean eating" or "no fast food" lol. This year, I have decided to give up something that is dear to me (I know it is going to sound silly) but I am giving up shopping. I think that it has become an addiction to be honest, something out of habit that I do but don't NEED to do. Every month, I like to go on my bank account and I write down my spending into different categories: food, shopping, and bills. I am not going to post how much I spent on shopping alone last year because every time I look at it, I realize that this problem is a bit out of control. I will get done from class or work and drive by a store and think, "hmmm maybe I could just pop in for a second!" or I will pass a target and only need two things and come out with twenty - a $5 trip just went to $45.

(or boyfriend ;)

These are great representations of how some of my shopping trips go!

I do however, have one stipulation. I have friend's birthdays, weddings, etc coming up so this is shopping for ME, not other people. (I know Christian is going to get on my case about this so for clarification I am allowed to buy a birthday gift lol). This is shopping for myself- all those unecessary hair ties (which I have a million of but still buy more), the number of notebooks I have is ridiculous, and I have more than enough clothing. I hope to teach myself how to be more responsible with my money and appreciate what I have. 

I've heard that it takes 21-days to break a habit, so if I get 40 down then I'm good as gold, right?!

I am going to take this time to reflect and rely on God to help me. I am nothing without his strength, guidance, and love. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and his mighty power" Ephesians 6:10. I know this will be hard for me but I feel confident in my abilities to overcome it! 

Thanks for reading! 

Love always,

Meg! :)

P.S. What are you giving up for lent?!