Out with the old...in with the New

The girl cousins at Christmas

Here we are...New Year's Eve.  Another year is coming to a close and I am looking forward to 2012 ending and 2013 beginning.  2012 has been a year of ups and downs for my family.

All the cousins

The good memories: 8 weddings (2 of which were close friends of the family), traveling to Florida for Thanksgiving, traveling to Dayton to see my brother perform, meeting new friends in grad school, starting grad school and having a 4.0 GPA after 3 semesters, cousins graduating, running my first 5k, Christmas with the whole family at our house, finding an apartment to move into before the end of the year, having a job lined up for the new year

My new living room

The not so good memories: Mark's robbery, losing my job, mom leaving her job, friends/students families deaths, not being able to stay in the apartment, Mark leaving the band (also a good thing)

My bedroom

Kitchen

Looking back...I guess the good memories out number the not so good.  The not so good memories just out weigh the good.  I know my family and I are welcoming 2013 with open arms...Happy New Year everyone!

Bathroom

Dining room and entryway :)

Christmastime is here

The family at Thanksgiving

Mark, Grandma, and I at a free concert in Ocala

The family at Thanksgiving (minus Mom who was taking the picture) 

Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids

LVC Music we sang at a friend's Lessons and Carols concert

It's Christmas Eve...2012 is almost over...and I haven't posted in over a month.  A lot has gone on and reflecting back on the past month, this has been the highlight of the year.  I had my last wedding of the year in Pittsburg, visited my grandparents for Thanksgiving in Florida, and I finally GOT the job I interviewed for the beginning of November :)

My keys to my new place!

This will be a new exciting job.  I'll be teaching general music and band lessons to middle school students.  I'll be moving after Christmas down to that area and I can't wait.  It's a new adventure and a new year.  2012 has not been the best year...in fact talking with my mom we think this may have been the worst year for the family to date.  We're praying 2013 is a better year and it's already looking to be promising.  I have a job and an affordable apartment, my mom has a new job she's excited for, and my brother may have a full time job.

Tony, Me, and Steve at the Youth Group Ugly Sweater Party

I'll post more later, but I'll leave some pictures over the past few weeks :)  Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

Aaron, my date, and I to Holly's wedding :)

Holly and Jared's wedding :)

A candle lit for the Newtown shooting <3

Back in the Interview world!

So it's only been a week since I last posted...shocking I know ha.  Today I had an interview with a school district that I am very excited about and hoping to hear good things after Thanksgiving :)  I also had wedding #7 this past weekend.  It was a fun time and the bride was absolutely beautiful.  It was good to see the crew again from college and see our dear friend the groom marry his wife :)  This week is extremely busy and then next week we're in Florida for Thanksgiving with my grandparents :) I can't wait to see them and spend some time away from the cold weather...although today was quite warm :)

My friend Hunter and I...we always take pictures together at every event since 2005 :)

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Morrow!

The gorgeous bride and handsome groom

Beautiful centerpieces and the tables were musical styles

3/5 of the crew: Me, Jason, and Beth..missing Ryan (the groom) and Molly (who arrived just before the wedding)

Hurricane and family

Here we are in November...and the clocks were turned back today.  October was nothing less than busy once the last two weeks hit.  I ran my first 5k in Hoboken and Hurricane Sandy hit the Jersey Coast.  The devastation is sad to see across Jersey and NYC.  My family and I were without power from Tuesday night to yesterday afternoon.  Luckily for us the tree that fell in our front yard missed the house and pulled the wires and the conduit off the house and a power company from Ohio came to the rescue :)  There are still a lot of people without power and I am so blessed to be able to invite them over to warm up or take a hot shower if they need.  Some schools are still without power and will still not have school tomorrow.  The kicker...we have a Nor'easter headed our way this Wednesday.  We just finished cleaning up the yard today...who knows what this one will bring...here are some pictures from the last few weeks :)

Hurricane Sandy's mess

"My tree...look what you've done to my tree"

Warming up in the car and traveling between houses with the puppy :)

The half of the tree that fell in the back...just dented the pool, no major damage

Amy and I after running my first 5k

I finished my first 5k in under 40 minutes :)

Another month almost gone

Here we are almost to the end of October!  I cannot believe how fast this year is going (I feel like everyone says that every year).  Maybe the older we get the faster time goes...or maybe time just always goes by fast and we refuse to admit it :)  Either way..it has been nice being at home now.  Most of my things that needed to be unpacked are now unpacked.  I have some small things I need to try and find and will hopefully get that done this week.  Since my last post I have had another wedding, a concert, seen family from out of state, and even got my hair recolored :)  A quick recap:

My 3 brothers at the wedding

Mr. and Mrs. David Rucki

View from the 19th floor

The wedding this past weekend was absolutely beautiful.  It was in Center City Philadelphia and the whole family went to this one (first one in 3 years!)  The reception was at the Belleview and if you have never heard of it or been there...it is gorgeous.  There is a restaurant on the 19th floor called XIX (of course) and it overlooks the city.  Breathtaking views all around.  The bride and groom were so happy and she was absolutely gorgeous.

My brother and I 

My date and I :)

Last week my brother, his best friend, and I went to the Gungor concert at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park.  Seeing a good friend from college work as the guitar tech and even getting to meet some of the guys on tour working lights was just a great night.

Gungor on stage

Mark and I at the concert

Matt the guitar tech and I :)

I also got a chance to see my cousins who live in Pennsylvania with the whole family.  It was a surprise for me to go see them and it was nice to catch up.

My cousin and I at dinner (new hair color too)

October is just flying by and with 2 weddings done..I have 2 to go in November.  I feel November is going to be a quick month with a lot of traveling :)

It's been awhile

It's been a couple weeks since I last updated.  I'm moved back into my parents house, collecting unemployment, constantly looking for a music teaching job, and going to grad school.  I'm enjoying being home and helping around the house.  The best news is that my brother is home so I get to see him  all the time now.  It's nice to have him home.

Mark and I celebrating his birthday when he got home

My last day at my apartment was the "Newsies" broadway show my friend and I went to see.  It was a phenomenal musical and I can't stop listening to the soundtrack in my car.  It was high energy the whole time and it was a fun time to be in the city.

Me at "Newsies"

At the Nederlander

The stage before the show

Youth group is going well and I'm enjoying meeting some of the new kids.  This is a big year since we have the big youth conference this upcoming summer.  We'll be traveling to St. Louis for a week long conference and have opportunities to serve the community.

I'm still trying to find a routine to get into and so far...there's not much of a routine.  I need to get back into running since the 5k is in 2 weeks.  My goal is to not stop running...I may need to stop once or twice, but if I can go most of it without stopping I'll be happy.  The weather has been cold and rainy the past few days and today is the first sunny day, so I think I'll be going for a run soon...if I get the motivation to go ha.

Inside the Hershey Hotel

View of Hershey from the hotel

Me and my date

Mr. and Mrs. Adam Myers

I went to my first of 4 weddings between October and November last weekend.  It was a beautiful wedding between two friends from college.  It was in Hershey at the Hershey Hotel which was absolutely beautiful and I miss the area...a little.  It's a little too rural for me right now, but I do miss my college friends a lot.  With all this time free at this point...I'm hoping to visit them soon.

Well, it's off to keep setting up my bedroom and continue unpacking (finally getting the cute fall clothes out and putting away the summer clothes).  It's taking longer than I had hoped, but life hasn't stopped and it just keeps speeding up between now and Christmas.  Guess I need to start making my Christmas list and my gift list for my friends.

The final week

Here I am...Tuesday...of my last week in my apartment.  I have 2 out of 5 rooms cleaned head to toe and will be taking pictures and making a list of everything I've cleaned just to cover myself  for security.  I'm starting my "goodbyes" which really aren't goodbyes, but they are since I can't just hop in the car and hang out in 10 minutes...it'll take more planning on my end and the willingness to drive to visit.  As for the job...still unemployed and it still hasn't completely hit me. I know I'm not teaching and all my friends are teaching, but I still feel like I'm on summer vacation.  Ever since I was in kindergarten I always went back to school in the fall.  This is the first year I'm not and I don't know why I'm not more upset or confused.  I also think I'm in denial about leaving the apartment...I'm not upset or really feel anything.  We'll see how I feel next week...I'm sure I'll have my moments, but God is in control and I need to trust Him in all of this.

My "couch" for the week

The living room

The office

The kitchen

The bedroom and closet with just things I need for a week