Washington DC- Check!

Believe it or not up until a month ago, I have never been to Washington DC! It's even more crazy that this never happened since my oldest brother lived in northern Virginia for 5+ years. Anyway, my dad gave Nick and I tickets to the Quicken Loans National golf tournament. Nick is a HUGE golf fan so we had to go. It was my first time at a golf tournament and I must confess, it was a pretty cool experience. Maybe it should've been on the bucket list? Anyway, the tournament was in Maryland, right outside of DC. We decided to make an impromptu weekend of it so I could site see in DC!

We didn't have all the time in the world, but I was happy to walk around and just see the monuments. The weather was beautiful, so we hit the streets! The first evening we strolled to the Washington Monument, the White House and downtown. The following morning, we walked to the Lincoln, World War II Memorial, Korean and Vietnam Memorial. Washington DC is a pretty special place that reminds you of a lot big moments for our country. I would love to go back with more time to visit some museums and more of the monuments. We left with sore feet, great memories and a heart filled with even more pride and respect for our country!

Donate Hair- Check!

As many of you know, my hair was very long! As many of you didn't know, I was growing it to donate. I used to color my hair all the time, but once I decided to go natural and grew out all my color, I knew I wanted to do this. The warm weather hit last month and I was ready to chop it all off.

After talking to friends and coworkers about donating hair, I discovered that I needed to do my research. Not all organizations actually will donate the hair you donate to them! I wanted to make sure it was given to someone in need. After hearing some negative comments about Locks of Love during some research, I decided against their organization. I chose, Beautiful Lengths which is a partnership between Pantene and the American Cancer Society.

I wanted to make sure I liked my new do, so I called Bella Styling Salon. My family has been getting haircuts by Joyce for years so I knew she would do a great job (and she did)! 12 inches later, I had a ponytail of my hair for someone who needed it way more than me. The haircut is a change, but knowing that I'm helping a women battling cancer feel beautiful makes it all worth it. Here's to many more ponytails and a wish to inspire others to do the same!

Kentucky- Check!

Last summer Nick and I packed up the car and took by far the best road trip ever. We were headed to Nashville, TN (I'll get into this later) and on the way there drove through Kentucky. I typically don't count states that I'm traveling through, but if I spend some actual time there I'll count it for my bucket list. Stopping for a while in Kentucky wasn't part of our plan, but once realizing we were driving through the Kentucky Bourbon Trail we had to!!

We didn't have too much extra time on our hands so we decided to just stop at one distillery, The Jim Beam American Stillhouse. I highly recommend adding this stop on any road trip going through Kentucky. The Stillhouse is newly renovate and even if you aren't into bourbon, it's a good place to stretch your legs and walk around. We just participated in the self guided tour. It was fun and interesting to learn all the fun facts about Jim Beam! With a couple hours left to the drive we didn't partake in the sampling, but you can if you're up to it. We enjoyed our pitstop but couldn't wait to get to Nashville!!

Ride a roller coaster with a loop- Check!

I'm playing catch up, but I'll get there. Last summer kept me busy with new adventures! I took Nick to Kennywood for the first time one very hot day this past summer. He was pleasantly surprised at the size of the park and we had a fun time riding all the rides! Somewhat recently, Kennywood has put in a new roller coaster called the 'Sky Rocket'. Previously, Kennywood had a roller coaster called 'Steel Phantom' with a loop, but I was too small to ride. By the time I was tall enough, they had replaced the roller coaster with the 'Phantom's Revenge' which had no loop. I haven't had a chance to visit any other amusement parks so I was very excited to finally get the thrill of going upside down on a roller coaster!

We rode the 'Sky Rocket' multiple times and I could finally check off riding a roller coaster with a loop off my bucket list! Xo

Michigan- Check!

Well, time to play catch up. Wasn't sure where to start but I think I will start with being able to scratch another state off the list I've never been to... Michigan! Fortunately for me, I fell in love with a Michigan guy. Fortunately for him, all he has to do is say a sentence with 'talent' or 'calendar' to make me laugh or hold up his hand to explain where he is from to someone. Though his tolerance for the winter weather is sometimes annoying, he makes me feel very lucky daily and I couldn't wait to see where he's from!










This past summer we hopped in the car and headed to Michigan to spend some time with his family and friends. We were greeted with a beautiful view. I got a personal tour of Mason and Holland, which are both near and dear to my man's heart. After a weekend gone by way too fast, it was so nice spending time with his family and friends in the mitten. Michigan is a little bit of a hike from WV but it's worth the drive and I can't wait to go back!

Whoops, it's been awhile!

Hello!
I must say, keeping up with a blog its tough. I have dropped the ball, but want to pick it back up. I've done plenty of things the past 6 months that I have never done before which is what this blog is all about!! I am going to try to continue documenting my life adventures because in my eyes, that's what life is all about... adventure.
So what's been up with me? Oh you know, just moved to West Virginia and started a new job! Moving to a new place was always a thought I wanted in my head, it just took me awhile to actually make the move since I never really knew where to go. Life has lead me to the wild and wonderful West Virginia. Though moving out of state wasn't particularly on my bucket list... it should've been. I'm happily close to my boyfriend Nick and exploring a new career avenue in higher education. Living practically in the same place my entire life and then going to a college only 45 minute away from home with my brother made me more comfortable and safe than I realized. Though it can be a challenge that tests my patience, at the end of the day I am happy I took a risk and stepped out of my comfort zone. The suburbs of Pittsburgh are home and we hope to get a little closer to a city eventually. Until then, we will drink moonshine, try to keep our PA and MI accents and work on our bowling game!
Anyway... thank you to one my dearest friends, Katy, I want to try and play catch up and keep up with this thing again!

View out the front door!

Drive-In Theater- Check!

So it's been awhile, but truthfully I haven't been doing anything on my bucket list. Whoops! I must say though, this summer is shaping out to have all kinds of new things in store so I'm very excited.

A week or so ago, my boyfriend Nick and I needed something to do. With us both being new to the wild and wonderful West Virginia area we are constantly trying to find something new to explore. Typically we fill our days by hanging out at one of the 51 state parks and forests and by night are broadening our cooking skills. After a little research on the Google machine we found out there was a drive-in 10 minutes away! Once I knew this I had my mind set on going. With the double feature of Fast and Furious 6 and Hangover 3, we were sold.

There isn't too much to say after this besides, why don't people go to the drive-in more often? I absolutely loved it! The experience in itself is a lot more fun and relaxed than a typical movie theater. Sad to think that there used to be thousands of drive-in theaters and now there are only hundreds. Hopefully the drive-in industry will stay afloat for generations to come. Thank you Sunset Ellis Drive-In!

Blue Ocean & Snorkeling- Check!

Hola! So I suppose it's been awhile. I apologize for my lack of posts but I haven't been doing too many new things and got caught up in the summer months! Butttttt good news, I recently took a vacation to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana Princess All Inclusive Resort)! Talk about beautiful and talk about a new experience! This was my first time traveling out of the country (besides the wonderful Canada). I took this vacation with my best friend Matthew who was commonly confused as my boyfriend or husband or brother for the past week. Those Dominican's just don't seem to get it, but we got a kick out of it!

Anyways, I did a lot of new things this week that weren't on my bucket list but probably should've been! The quick rundown of the things that stick out... hold a monkey (Cindy was the cutest), drink out from a fresh coconut, learned how to salsa, travel out of the country with a complete language barrier (main words used: Hola, Gracias, Cerveza, no español, dos Agua). All which were great, but on to the main point of this blog. I can officially check off the swimming/seeing a clear blue ocean and snorkeling! Yay!!

First look at the ocean on the day we got there!

 There isn't too much to say about the seeing and swimming in a clear blue ocean. It's just beautiful. For the past 24 years of my life I've been to the beach plenty of times, but nothing compares to this water. We spent a lot of our time on the beach because we just couldn't get enough of the view and the atmosphere. The sun was hot but the breeze made it so bearable I fell asleep on the beach everyday! It was as amazing as it sounds and looks!!!!

Swimming!

After realizing that all the excursions can really break the bank and having to decide which to go on we made the final decision to go on a sting ray, shark, snorkel adventure! We got picked up on a bus and headed out. Once we signed our life away, a big group of us pile on a boat and ventured out to sea (by dancing of course)! The boat was more like a party, they had everyone dancing and having a good time until we got there. Before you knew it we were jumping in to hang out with some sting rays! Sting ray's are totally weird feeling and totally not like I remember at the Pittsburgh zoo! But we got to hold them and feed them if you wanted. Next thing I know I'm jumping in a pool of sharks. Let me tell you, I never considered myself afraid of sharks but this really freaked me out!!! They were way too close for comfort but it was still pretty damn cool. We hopped back in the boat and danced our way to the snorkel destination (which was what I was really looking forward to).

Dance party!

Again, before you know it we are there all geared up and snorkeling! It was yet another beautiful sight to see! It's a whole different world down there with all the fish, coral and all of that. Stunning! I can't wait to do it again. After climbing on board, they fed us a lot of drinks and shots and we danced our way back to shore! This excursion was an absolute blast and I recommend it to anyone heading to Punta Cana!!

My snorkel gear and Cerveza!

I could go on and on about this trip! As always I made a lot of new friends but this time they were from all over the world (which was way cooler), drank a lot and ate a lot as well. All in all a fantastic, relaxing vacation and am sad to be back to reality but happy to be back to American food and where everyone knows what I'm saying! Don't worry I'll post a lot more photo's on Facebook eventually! Until next time, adiós amigos! :) xo


*Oh and I'm adding two new bucket list goals:
  -Learn another language
  -Zip line in a rainforest

The very beginning...

I started this blog for a very simple reason and that just being I always wanted to try blogging. Like many things in my life I've always wanted to do I get hesitant to try, put it off or whatever other reasons get in the way. One night a little while ago I decided to write down all of the things I wanted to do in my lifetime and it evolved into a bucket list. Some of the list seems like very simple and easy things that many of you have done and for whatever reason I have not. I have intentions of getting through a lot of these and replacing them with new goals to achieve. But for the time being, follow me as I try to take advantage of the many things this crazy world has to offer!

Learn a entire country line dance
Visit Europe
Travel to every state in the US or at least hit these additional spots
  -- Nashville, Tennessee (July 2013)
  -- Las Vegas, Nevada and learn a table game then hopefully win big!
  -- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
  -- All the New England States
  -- Chicago, Illinois
  -- San Francisco, California
  -- Michigan (June 2013)
  -- Kentucky (July 2013)
  -- Visited before this bucket list... 
     PA, MD, WV, NY, OH, NC, SC, FL, LA, DE, VA, NJ
Site see in Washington DC
See/Swim in a clear blue ocean (Accomplished 8/12/12)
Start a blog (Accomplished 6/1/12)
Volunteer at least once a year
Go to a drive in (Accomplished 5/25/13)
Go to a wine tasting (Accomplished 6/2/12)
Hot air balloon
Snorkel (Accomplished 8/14/12)
Donate my hair to someone who needs it more than me
Find a soul mate
Throw the biggest party of my life
Take a cooking class
Run some kind of race
Take my parents on vacation
Become a parent
Become the world's best aunt
Tailgate for a concert
Go white water rafting
Start a camp fire (considering I'm never lit a match this will one will get interesting!)
Perfect piano to play it by ear
Do a polar bear swim
Ride a train
Ride a roller coaster with a loop (Accomplished July 2013)
Learn how to knit (Thanks to Groupon and Knit One (Squirrel Hill)- Accomplished 3/15/12)
Watch every brat pack movie
Discover my dream job
Have a drink with Sara Bareilles
Own a dog
Buy my dream house
Participate in a beer olympics
Wedding crash
Dance/play on the FAO Schwarz piano
Send a secret to post secret
Get a tattoo
Ride an elephant
Learn another language
Zip line in a rainforest 

So there is my start. I can't wait to accomplish a lot of these and add new things to do! Since I've made the list there were a few things I can now cross off! I'll be in touch with stories and photos to share with you! Until then... xo! :)