A Girl On The Go ♥

Fresh.

2010-03-31T20:07:00.002-05:00

Right when spring starts to come around, it always feels like a fresh start is right around the corner. Last year, I moved to Florida. The year before, I moved into a new condo in Iowa City. The prior year, I was graduating from college. And just four days from now, I'll be leaving Minnesota and moving to Montana for the summer. Three springs ago, when I graduated from MSU, I never could've imagined that my life would be so inconsistent, so unpredictable and so FUN. I would've never guessed that the love of my life was someone I'd already met in college and said goodbye to (only to say hello to again later). I couldn't have guessed his job would move us all over the country and that I would love every second of it. I honestly thought that I would be working at a job in Minneapolis that I didn't really love, making money that barely got me by and continuing to date guys that never kept me interested. Was I wrong. I have a life that every 20-something-year-old should experience. Not even that. Everyone should experience it. I will be moving to my fourth state in 14 months. I will be meeting new people, experiencing a whole new environment and learning even more about the country that I was born in and have so much yet to explore in.

I am so lucky. There is no other way to explain it. I couldn't ask for more. Life is good.

My vow to start blogging again...

2010-03-21T14:42:00.002-05:00

Wow. I haven't looked at my blog for 8 months. I used to love blogging and I completely stopped keeping up with it. So, now that another move is two weeks away, I vow to once again begin the blog. Not sure if anyone still checks my blog out, but I guess I'll find out soon enough.

Lovebirds.

2009-07-13T17:58:00.001-05:00

Could they be more in love?

The Florida Keys!

2009-07-13T13:29:00.003-05:00

We decided to take a little 24 hour trip and spend our 4th of July weekend in the Keys! We drove down to Islamorada. It started out as 4 of us and by the time we left, we had 12 people! It was a blast and I can't wait to go back again someday. The drive was only 2 hours from our place...which could easily be a day trip. We stayed one night at the Holiday Isle resort. We snorkeled, visited with lots of people, listened to some live music and had a few "Bushwackers" (slushy Kahlua drinks...yummmm). I think next we go to the keys, we'll head all the way down to Key West! We've heard that it's definitely worth it to go there.

Some love from Florida...

2009-06-30T19:26:00.002-05:00

Love and miss you all!!!
xoxoxo

Baby Delray

2009-06-30T19:07:00.003-05:00

Meet our new addition to the family, Delray Apollo Benson Rada. (please, don't ask about the second name) Delray is 10 weeks old and he is a Maine Coon. Basically, this means that he will grow to be approximately triple the size of a normal cat. Maine Coons are very lovey, cuddly, smart cats. They are more like dogs than they are cats. The breeds nickname is "Gentle Giant". I never in my life thought I would own a cat, but I am definitely in love with this little guy. Him and Vayda get along great and he is so sweet. He has the softest fur ever and he doesn't shed! (Maine Coons usually never do) I still can't say I'm a cat lover (definitely not), but I am for sure a Maine Coon lover.

We hope the summer never ends...

2009-06-25T13:14:00.002-05:00

I cannot believe that it's already June 25th. (Happy 32nd Anniversary, Mom & Dad!) I feel like we just moved to Florida two weeks ago. It's almost been 3 months already! I've met so many great people and have truly been the happiest that I've been in years. This whole experience has opened my eyes to what seems like a whole new life. New cultures, new environment, new job, more friends, etc. We had quite the scare this past Monday. Cory's company informed us that we were moving to either Fargo or Sioux Falls the following Friday. We were in shock and really didn't want to believe it. But nonetheless, we started making travel plans and phone calls letting people know we'd be back in the midwest in just a few days. Then as quickly as they informed us we'd be moving, APX told us we were staying in Florida. Thank god my work is understanding because within a 24 hour period, I'd put in a 5 day notice and then basically said, "Just Kidding! I'm staying!" It really all was quite an eye opener though. It was the first time I'd been upset in 3 months. It made me realize how much I love it here and how great my new friends are. We were supposed to have my "going away" party at work tonight. So instead...we're going to have a "yay! you're not leaving" party!

We have a few friends coming down here for the 4th of July and we still need to figure out exactly what our plan is for that weekend. Cory's cousin, Jeremy, had his girlfriend move down here about 3 weeks ago. Her name is Toni and we have become great friends. We instantly clicked and we have so much fun together! We all bought Incubus tickets for a show they're playing in Miami in August. A few of their friends from Minnesota are coming down for that as well! As far as travel plans go...I'm saving some bucks and hoping to go to New Hampshire in August to visit the Lemieux's. Cory and I are planning a trip to Minnesota to see our families in September/October. We're hoping to spend at least 2 weeks visiting everyone. Just in time for Dera's wedding, MSU Homecoming and Kristin's birthday!

An open invite still stands for anyone who needs an escape to South Florida. If no one comes before December, Christmas will be spent on the beach! ;-)

Angie in Florida + Meredith in Florida = Fun, Fun, Fun!

2009-06-25T12:50:00.006-05:00

Me, Cory & Ang at our favorite club in Downtown Delray

Me, Toni & Ang...havin' a blast by the pool!

Angie and her fake boyfriend, my neighbor Cody.

Ang and Toni at my restaurant!

Angie loved these flowers and wanted to take the whole tree home with her.

Our first day at the beach. Angie fell in love.

About a week and a half after I got home from New York, Angie called and said she needed a vacation. Three days later, she landed in Palm Beach and we spent 6 nights and 5 sunny days together! The weather was perfect while she was here and my work schedule fit in great with everything Angie and I wanted to do. We spent three full days at the beach, some time at the pool, went out for food and drinks at some great places and I introduced Angie to all of my new friends. I was starting to think that she was going to cancel her ticket home and just stay here for the rest of the summer. That would've been fine with me! But instead...she headed back to New York...for now. :-)

New York, New York!

2009-06-01T13:47:00.004-05:00

On Friday morning I flew to New York to spend an amazing weekend with my best friends. Me, Bri, Tasha, Angie and Nichole had quite the weekend full of sightseeing, lots of laughs, lunches, dinners and drinks and even a comedy club and some dancing. I'm not sure how we fit it all in but we did it and I think I may be exhausted for the entire week. We even spent Saturday night out with two other Mankato friends. A total of 7 Minnesotans out in the City! It was such a fun time!
It was so great to see Angie's life in New York. She lives right on Wall Street, directly across from the Trump Building (not the Trump Towers). She walks out her front door and sees Tiffany's every day. Pretty crazy. I don't think I could ever live in NYC but I will definitely be going back to visit sometime soon! Saying goodbye was way too hard and I am vowing to never go more than 3 months without seeing my best friend. :-)

Speedo Sunday

2009-05-19T19:12:00.004-05:00

Well...we have a new little Sunday ritual in South Florida. The boys wear Speedos to the beach. Yes, it's true (and weird) but it seems to make them feel like they could take over the world when they have these little hot shorts on. There really is no explanation for it and nothing else to say. Other than...enjoy the pictures!

Bubble Blowing Skirt and Top GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-05-14T09:03:00.000-05:00

Bubble Blowing Skirt and Top GIVEAWAY!!!!

I was just checking out some different blogs and saw this. For anyone with a little girl...it's adorable!

The best nephew in the world...

2009-05-13T14:26:00.004-05:00

Is already FIVE years old! Pascal turned five on Monday and I wish more than anything that I could have been in Minnesota to celebrate with him. I cannot believe that he's already been in my life for five years. I remember when he was a bald, chubby little baby that everyone fussed over and spoiled. I guess the only thing that has changed is he's now tall and skinny with a ton of blonde hair. He still makes me smile and laugh everytime I see him. He is one of the smartest kids I have ever know and he will probably make my heart melt even when he's all grown up. I love him more than I ever thought I could and can't wait to have a late birthday celebration in New Hamphire in July!Happy Birthday Pascal!

Nightime at the Ocean

2009-05-06T14:02:00.004-05:00

We decided to check out the ocean at night. I could not believe how different it was than during the day. It was kind of erie. It was VERY dark. And it was soooo quiet. We all wore head lamps so we could easily see what was right in front of us. We saw lots of dead 'man-o-wars'. Come to find out, these can be lethal if they sting you with their tentacles. We've seen lots of warnings about them lately when we go to the beach...and now we know why! We also saw a giant sea turtle! He had just got done laying eggs and was heading back into the water when we spotted him. I got pretty close and actually got a decent picture of him.

I think this nightime beach experience was enough for me for awhile. Too many sea creatures way too close to shore for my liking! You never know when a giant could be lurking by shore!

Happy Birthday to you...

2009-05-05T11:06:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear DADDY! Happy Birthday to you!!!

I love you Dad. You'd better make those business friends of yours take you out and sing you happy birthday in Washington D.C.! Wish I could be with you today. Love you SO much!

xoxoxo

First Introduction...

2009-05-04T20:08:00.003-05:00

The 30 Day Shred

2009-04-23T19:19:00.004-05:00

Shanna...I checked out your blog this morning and you inspired me. I started The Shred today. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's Jillian Michaels' (trainer from The Biggest Loser) work out DVD. It's 20 minutes a day for 30 days straight. The average results are 10 - 20 pouns lost. It's 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of abs...three times in a row. I was skeptical about it...but wow, is it a work out. I was sweating 2 minutes into it. I'm excited to get shredded!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2009-04-23T18:31:00.005-05:00

We found a great club that's outside...right by the beach!

Matt & I were quite excited.
Melissa and I were laying on the beach and realized this could be a cool picture. This is my first attempt at creative photography.
Cartwheels on the beach!

I did not use zoom for this picture. This guy was literally right next to my car. Along with many of his friends.

These rhinos looked like they were about to get into a fight.

Thankfully, they never did.

Sorry I haven't posted for so long. It's been a crazy couple of weeks. Cory and I just realized that we've already been living here for 3 weeks. I cannot believe how quickly the time has already gone by. We've met some great people, ranging from bartenders, real-estate agents all the way to full-time golfers. (Dad, I've already got a crew of guys you can go out on the golf course with!) We've explored lots of cities. Ft. Lauderdale, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Plantation, Hollywood, etc. I haven't made it down to Miami yet but I've been told that it's basically just more traffic and even more expensive restaurants. We are definitely hoping to make a trip down to the Keys sometime soon. It's only a 3 hour drive to Key West...about 1.5 hours to Key Largo. Even the Bahamas are close...just a 30 minute plane ride!

We've already had some visitors from Minnesota! My good friend Melissa and her boyfriend Charlie came down just a few days after we got here. They stayed with us Wednesday through Sunday and we had a great time! We went on a safari at Lion Country Safari. You actually drive your own car through the safari and the animals can get as close to the car as they'd like. It's pretty strange having to stop the car to let a rhino cross the road. We spent Easter at Rapids Waterpark and had a blast. I felt like we were 10 years old. Some of those rides got us pretty excited!

The day after Melissa and Charlie left, Cory's mom came down for 5 days. We had a blast with her. All she really wanted to do was lay at the beach so she wasn't too hard to entertain.

It's funny to me that I couldn't get people to drive 4 hours to Iowa City for a visit...but now everyone is hoppin' on a plane to come down here. I guess that's how it works when you live somewhere with a little more atmosphere than corn, cows and bars.

Our new townhouse

2009-04-12T19:33:00.003-05:00

Although we've lived here for a week and a half already...there is definitely still some decorating to do. We have barely been home at all. It's way too hard to sit inside and clean and organize when a pool is 100 feet away and the beach is only 3 miles. These pictures are mostly for my Mom...I know she wants to see exactly where we're living! ;-)

Since our apartment is technically "The Office" for the summer for our reps and techs, our main level has been somewhat converted into a meeting room. We did get a sweet projector out of the deal and can watch movies on it! But at this point...I've really only spent time in bed (barely), the shower (whenever the sea salt starts bothering me too much) and the kitchen (making salsa!) Our place is two levels...the main level is a kitchen, half bath, dining room, living room and walk out patio. The upstairs has three bedrooms. One is another office...computers, printer, etc. The other is a guest bedroom, all set up with an airbed for whoever would like to visit! Another full bath. Washer, Dryer. Storage closet...for all of Cory's toys. (surfboard, longboards, etc.) And our master room has a full bathroom also. Pretty nice when you consider we don't pay rent!

The kitchen...featuring Pascal's drawing of Cory & I on the fridge. :-)

This is "the office" - where we'll have our meetings each morning. Note the motivational posters on the walls.

Our big closet...already too full!

Our bedroom...we still need to jazz up the walls a bit.

Sun, Sand & Lizards!

2009-04-05T22:11:00.004-05:00

The BEACH!

One of the many, gorgeous houses on A1A (the road that goes along the ocean all the way down to Miami)

We bought snorkeling gear! We didn't go out to any reef at all but we did see some pretty fish and we even saw a stingray!

This little guy was our first visitor shortly after we moved in! So cute!

Well we've only been in our new home for two days...but so far, we love it! We've been to the beach twice, met lots of great people at the beach bars and taken some nice drives to discover everything surrounding us. It's been around 90 since Friday and it's not too humid yet. And there are no mosquitos!

I never want to sit in a car again...

2009-04-02T18:44:00.002-05:00

Well...that's definitely not a possibility, but I am VERY sick of the car. We left yesterday morning at 8 a.m. and drove to Memphis. With 4 stops and lunch it took us 12.5 hours...which was better than we expected. We had a great time in Memphis with Marian, her sisters and some other friends. I lived with Marian in Prague and have only been to Memphis once to visit. It had been over 2 years since I'd seen her and I had missed her SO much! We went to the Flying Saucer...a restaurant with an awesome beer garden. For the second night in a row, we got about 4 hours of sleep and hit the road again. We planned on driving straight through to our new home. However, the storms down here are insane and we just couldn't drive anymore. The rain was so hard that almost every car had their flashers on and was going about 30 or 40 on the interstate. People were in the ditches from hydroplaning and the lightening was so bright that it was almost blinding. Not gonna lie...I was crying and shaking in my car. So now we're sitting in a hotel about 6 hours from Delray Beach. Time for bed so we can get up at 3 a.m. and get to our new home!!! (and we both desperately need some beach time and a tan)

Utah!

2009-03-29T19:33:00.003-05:00

I arrived back to Minnesota from Utah this morning. I flew into Minneapolis and was back in Mankato by 11:30. Talk about an early flight! I sat next to a girl on the plane who was flying to Florida to see her boyfriend. When I asked her how long it had been since she'd seen him, she said, "I've never met him." Let's just say we had some interesting talks on the flight to Minneapolis!

Our long weekend in Utah was great. The weather was in the low 60's which was better than the 30 degrees Minnesota is sitting at tonight. The mountains were GORGEOUS. Oh yes...and I learned a lot! Our office of about 60 people (reps and techs) sat through 14 hours of class to get our Florida licensing. The other Florida offices (Tampa, Orlando and Miami) were also in the class with us. Needless to say, it was quite the group. I counted 5 girls present. Talk about being the out numbered sex in this company. Everyone I met was so great and I am more excited than ever to get to Florida.

I cannot believe we leave for Florida on Wednesday! I'm not sure where the past few weeks went. Five days from now...I'll be laying on the beach, soaking in the sun. I promise the pictures will get more exciting once the Florida adventure begins!

This was right as we left the airport. I could not believe the view!

This was on our way to the APX Corporate Office...nestled right at the foot of the mountains.

No more Boca Raton...

2009-03-22T16:48:00.002-05:00

Instead of living in Boca Raton as I announced a couple posts ago...we are actually going to be living in Delray Beach, about 10 minutes north of Boca Raton. And don't worry...not any further from the beach. Closer to the beach, actually! Apparently the management at the other place was a little fiesty...so APX has moved us to new housing. They look even better and Delray Beach sounds like a great community to live in. The city looks very cultured and artsy and super nice. And in 11 days we'll be there! Where did the last few months go?!

Check out the townhomes!
http://theenclavedelraybeach.com/

Thank you!

2009-03-18T10:41:00.002-05:00

My going away party in Iowa was a blast and I want to say THANK YOU to everyone that came to have a drink and say goodbye. I had so much fun and it was nice knowing that I will actually be missed by some GREAT people. It was quite the long night with lots of laughs and lots of tears and it truly was bittersweet. I will keep in touch with everyone and you should all be expecting a phone call whenever I make it back to Iowa City! It may not be for awhile...but it'll happen.

I love you all! Thanks for making the last year one that I will never forget!

Our New Pad

2009-03-03T08:31:00.005-06:00

The office/main building

One of the pools

We found out where APX will be putting us up for the summer and it made me even more excited to move! We will be living in Boca Raton...about 20 miles from Ft. Lauderdale. Boca Raton is a great community - about 70,000 - and still right by the ocean! The beach is only 5.5 miles from our townhouse...which makes me SO happy. Every Sunday will be spent there. Cory and I hope to have some morning runs on the beach every week as well. Our townhouse is fully furnished, two levels with an attached garage. We will either have a 2 or 3 bedroom...we're not sure yet on that. There are two swimming pools, a tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court and 24-hour fitness center. And...PALM TREES everywhere!

Is it weird that I'm excited to find geckos everywhere instead of daddy long leg's and mosquitos? Not too excited for the roaches. But the geckos will be great. I'm also fine with trading in deer for alligators. Alligators are much more interesting.

Bockfest 2009

2009-02-27T14:21:00.006-06:00

Only in Minnesota would 7,000 attend an outdoor event in February with one sole purpose: to drink beer. It was the 22nd annual Schell's Brewery Bockfest event last Saturday. It was 18 degrees. (around zero with the wind chill) We waited in line for 45 minutes just to get in the gates. Once in the gates, it was still another 30 minute wait just to get a beer. A very cold beer at that. Although the day was fun and I saw lots of old friends, it just finally hit me that it may not all be worth it. It's cold. It's expensive. And it's packed full of people. I think next year I'll be waiting at the bar for all the bockfest goers, nice and warm with no wait for my beer.

Of course, it wouldn't be Bockfest without a Deer Bong & a Bear Bong.

Counting down...

2009-02-24T10:39:00.007-06:00

I officially have 17 days left in Iowa. There are a few things I will miss...and there are many things that I am so excited for in the next couple months.

I will miss:

My coworkers at Hawkeye. Many of them have kept me sane for the past year. I know that when I come to work, I always have someone to talk to.
Waitressing at Eggy's. If I wouldn't have started working at Eggy's last July, I would have missed out on meeting a lot of great people. I am never excited to go to work there after working for 8 hours at Hawkeye...but the second I walk in the door, I'm happy to be there.
The crazy things my roommate says...and how she mis-pronounces everything. It cracks me up every night.
My insane Iowa City friends. I don't see them much these days...but they will be missed.

Well, I thought that list would be longer. Looks like I'm ready for some change.

I cannot wait for:

The beach. I have loved the beach since the first time I saw it. I love knowing that I will be able to look at it everyday.
A different schedule. I'm saying goodbye to the 8 - 5! I will be able to get up, get errands done, get a work out in, eat some lunch and then start working. I think I will love it!
Being with Cory everyday. He knows how to calm me down if I'm stressed and make laugh no matter what the situation is. He is spontaneous...which not many people in Iowa seem to be...and I need that in my life!
Always having something to do. I get so bored here. And being bored is something that does not mix well with me.
Making money. I haven't gotten 'ahead' since I was in college.
Being HAPPY!
If I like working for APX this summer...I will more than likely have September through March off work. (to travel!) That's like early retirement. I think it will also be a little bit like heaven.

March 13th can't come sooner! ♥

Dark, Dark, Dark.

2009-02-19T08:12:00.002-06:00

Two weekends ago, I decided to dye my hair dark again. My 'super blonde' hair just isn't super blonde anymore. I am finally dealing with the fact that I now have dark blonde hair. (sigh) I figure that by dying it dark, I got it all to one color (instead of the four colors that were previously mixed together). I'll gradually put some carmel highlights in it and mixed with the sun in Florida (which usually turns my hair very blonde) I'll eventually get it to my natural color. I'm sick of the salon!

However, I inspired Cory to dye his hair. On Valentine's day we stopped at Wal-Mart. Cory wanted to dye his hair grey. (weird) Thank god they don't make grey hair dye. Instead he picked black. It really didn't make a huge difference...just made his hair look a little thicker. Let's hope it calmed his urge for different hair. I like his just the way it is.

Moving to the BEACH!

2009-02-10T08:33:00.005-06:00

In less than two months, we'll be moving to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida! Ft. Lauderdale is about 30 minutes from Miami...right on the coast in southern Florida. I am so excited that we're actually moving to the beach! It'll be a hot summer...but hot is good...and if we love it there, maybe we'll stay for the fall and winter. Who knows what'll happen at this point. Now...I just need to keep my fingers crossed that we actually get a condo on the beach. That would be the icing on the cake.

Dad: Remember how I've wanted to go to the Florida Keys since I was about 3 years old...? I know it all started because I wanted to find the Beach Boys there...but I'll give up on that dream. However, I think a trip there in the fall is definitely in order.

Downtown Ft. Lauderdale

San Diego? New Zealand?

2009-02-04T09:39:00.007-06:00

The original plan for next winter was to head to San Diego, rent a little condo on the beach and hang out for 6 months. Not too shabby. Cory and I have been getting excited about this idea everyday (especially the really cold days) and we thought nothing was stopping us from heading to San Diego in September. Well...of course, another idea had to one up the one already in progess. A 56-day adventure trip to New Zealand and Australia...instead of San Diego. It wouldn't make much sense to head to San Diego, move in to a place for 2.5 months, only to pack up and leave the country. So now we're torn. Just San Diego? Just New Zealand/Australia? San Diego with just a short trip to New Zealand? Ugh. Decisions, decisions. I'm not complaining...they are both amazing opportunities. It's just so hard to choose!

A little more about the trip: it's called the New Zealand & Australia classic. If you go to this link... http://pacificchallenge.org/?page_id=18 you can read all about it. It's a group of about 20 people...ages 18 - 30. Some people in the group are getting college credit, others just do it for fun. Each day includes different activities...mountain biking, hiking, swimming with dolphins, sea kayaking, sky diving, relaxing in hot springs, etc. It almost sounds too good to be true. But then again...so does San Diego.

So I need a little input. What would you do?

New Zealand...

San Diego...

Moving. Again.

2009-02-04T09:24:00.006-06:00

Cory and I will be finding out next week where we're moving to for the summer. It sounds like Long Island, Philadelphia and Little Rock are in the mix...along with a few other cities. For awhile, I was annoyed every single day due to the fact that I had NO idea where we were moving to. Now, I've realized a few different things:

1) We'll only be there through the end of August.
2) I'll be working A LOT while we're there.
3) When I'm not working...I'll be with the person who makes me happiest.
So really, we could be in the sticks of Mississippi and I'd have a smile on my face.

So although different aspects of the location could make the summer a little better...I'm just happy to have the opportunity for another move, free rent and a good job.

Our new home? Let's hope not.