Let's Do This

Alright guys so I'm here. Writing this on our couch in Minneapolis with Drew iPad-ing it up next to me. Tomorrow marks my one week anniversary as a Minnesota resident.  Annnnd today marks my one week anniversary of unemployment. I thought I would enjoy a break from work since back in Des Moines I worked 6 days a week and usually no less than 55 hours a week. However after the first few days I found myself longing for a 5am wake up call to get ready for work. Instead I occupy my time with Gossip Girl. How in the hell have I never watched that show before? I had an interview Friday that went pretty well, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that. I probably should be more adventurous and maybe venture downtown and just explore the city more. However I have a hard time tearing myself away from the Chuck/Blair saga. I just want them to be together! Is that so much to ask? 

Anyway, the drive up wasn't too bad. My car was packed, in fact so packed that I probably would have gotten a ticket since my side views were basically obstructed. Luckily I did not get pulled over and just enjoyed the sound of two crying cats for 3 hours and 45 minutes. Turns out my Elvis kitty does not like the musical styling of  Michael Jackson. I know I don't understand it either. Despite our differing tastes in music we all made it safely and the cats have adjusted well to their new home. As for me, we're still figuring things out but all will be well. Just trying to figure out each others routines and how we can work together and Drew is learning how to live with pets. I hope to get my blog reworked this week however certain drama may pose a problem with that (re: Chuck/Blair). Just kidding I really need to do something productive, creative even. Just to keep my mind in shape. I can't sit on a couch forever.....or can I???? ;)

Cheers!

Marisa

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life

Okay, you've asked so I'll tell. I had an amazing time in Minneapolis this weekend. AND I navigated all by myself, the city, 394 and 494 and only once had to bust out "Sorry...I'm from Iowa." Feeling pretty proud of myself. After meeting Drew and his co-worker for lunch we didn't know what to do with our afternoon since we had no plans for the day or evening and it was only 2pm. So we did what anyone would do. Drink beer and go bowling.

(the popcorn was butter herb and parmeasan. Sooo good)

(Drew concentrating real hard)

We had fun and weren't conserned about scores ( I WON) and had a good afternoon.

After bowling we hit up the booze store grocery store for ingredients for inside out lasagna.

(Wine was totally a key ingredient. No really)

This was such an easy recipe and it turned out soooooo awesome. I am craving it right now.

Might have to make that again this week.

Saturday was a bussssyyy day. Started off with touring Drew's work with his grandparents, who were so sweet. Followed by dinner at our favorite Indian restaurant where they have a lunch buffet, and lets just say I'm glad I was wearing leggings. Finally after that we hit up the Walker Art Center.

(Claes Oldenburg!)

(sculpture garden at Walker Art Center)

(Drew growing impatient with my picture taking)

That night we met up with one of Drew's friends for sushi in St. Paul which was amaazzing (again so glad I was wearing leggings!) and I got to see this

Why yes that is the Church of Scientology in St. Paul. Apparently it used to be the children's museum. It is huge. Those scientologists are loaded.

Sunday was brunch with the fam, and it was awesome. His parents are so nice and his mom deserves Mom of the Century or Sainthood or something. Drew is the oldest of 4 boys (thats right FOUR) and his youngest brother is autistic. Yet his mom is the most upbeat, kindhearted person I've ever met. I don't know how she does it. He has some amazing parents. Also she made eggs with Mornigstar Farms "sausage" in it for me. That made me smile :)

So there you have it. My Minneapolis weekend and meeting the fam. Such a great weekend and relocating is becoming less stressful. Now if only someone would give me a job....(hint hint)

Cheers!

Marisa

Title Lyrics: Stevie Wonder "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"

Motivate Me Monday

Okay so I totally failed this week. This weeks challenge was to try a new class at the gym or new workout video at home. On Friday before I left for Minneapolis, I ran into a friend at the gym who suggested I come to spin class Monday morning. I thought, perfect! I've never done a spin class before and it would be perfect for MMM. Then I had a little problem on the way home from Minnesota and did not get home until late and knew there was no way I'd be dragging myself out of bed for spin class. (I got to Medford and realized that my work laptop was sitting on Drew's kitchen table.) So next week will be a double MMM as I fully intend on still attending the spin class next week and taking on the new weeks challenge. (Successfully this time)

As a cop out, let me offer you this.

Friday I drove straight to Drew's work to meet with one of his co-workers who has ran the Pikes Peak Marathon.  Yes it is exactly what it sounds like. A marathon up and down Pikes Peak in Colorado, one of the Colorado 14ers. ( A mountain 14,000ft or over) I want to do the Pikes Peak Ascent in 2012, which is just a half marathon to the top of Pike's Peak and then someone drives you down. It was inspiring to talk to him about it, as I was terrified I would die on the mountain due to the altitude and not being acclimated. However he told me I"d be fine as long as I train well, the altitude should not be a problem. So excited to start training in January for it. It's going to be a crazy adventure but such a great accomplishment when I'm done. I can't wait :)

(yes I hope to run to the top of this.)

(Aaaanndd I hope it doesn't look like this )

This weeks challenge is to drink 8 glasses of water a day. I am really going to need motivation for this one. I'm so bad at drinking water. Thanks to Ashley, Amanda and Whitney, they're so kind and patient because I'm pretty sure I did the link up wrong....again. I swear girls next week I will get it right!

Motivation Cheers!

Marisa

Just a little something....

This week has been terrible. And it's Wednesday. Let's just say yesterday ended with tears in my pb&j sandwich. It didn't make it taste any better. I was working on a better post, that was full of deep thoughts and probably involved philosophical things that make me feel better than everyone. But then I got sidetracked on twitter and facebook...and I lost interest. I've been going a million miles an hour like a rabbit on crack, and if you follow me on twitter, know that I reached my breaking point last night. I desperately want to catch up on all your blogs, but I have to work tonight and I. Haven't. Packed. Yet. And I leave tomorrow early morning. Kill me now.

Once I get home Thursday I will play catch up with everyone. Providing I don't hurl myself along with my suitcase out the window tonight. You know when I'm panic-packing at midnight.

Cheers,

Marisa

Let's hear it for New York

No I am not going to New York, nor am I there. However Drew is there right now being a hot shot and I may have been whining about it for the last few days. Can you blame me? I've never been. So he's been super busy lately, big company meetings and preparing for this trip and I've been missing our regularly scheduled Skype calls. However this morning I got this:

you (view from my hotel room)

I may have had to show it to a few people....and I may have gone back to it a few time throughout the day to get me through work. Whatevs, I know you're all slightly jealous right now ;)

In other news, it is finnnalllly starting to feel like fall around here. Woke up for my run this morning and it was 39 degrees. Most of you are probably cringing, I however was ecstatic. I can finally bust out my good clothes. I invest way more in fall winter clothes than I do for summer. Probably because I hide out in my house a lot during the summer avoiding the sun like the plague. I know, I'm a weirdo.

With fall comes my love of reorganizing and DIY projects. My favorite thing to do on a Saturday night is crack open a bottle of wine and work on a project.....um. Pretend that is my second favorite thing to do next to doing shots of whiskey off strippers and partying like a rockstar. Yeah, THAT is how I spend my Saturday nights....like a rockstar. Maybe just a diy rockstar.

ANYWAY, speaking of DIY and organization inspiration, I'm on Pinterest! Look me up, Marisa84...just like my twitter. I'm not very creative. I'm trying to use it more, but please share with me your favorite jewelry organization ideas because that's what I'm struggling with most. My necklaces are a wreck.

Best Boyfriend Ever Cheers,

Marisa

30 Day Challenge

Here is a topic that I rarely ever talk about or discuss: diet and exercise. I'm not a subscriber to any sort of plan or method, and not because I don't believe that they work. (Although if I'm going to be completely honest I do think some of it is brainwashing) Luckily, I've been blessed with two things that have aided in not ever having to go on a diet : good genetics and athleticism. I've been an athlete since I was 6. I played softball until I was 12 then switched to soccer, started basketball, volleyball, dropped volleyball and basketball and took up tennis and kept soccer in HS and in college kept playing tennis and took up running. I also grew up with a health nut of a mom and did not experience Taco Bell until junior high. So while I have never been on Atkins or South Beach or Weight Watchers, I understand that some people need the structure, guidance and knowledge of others to help them get in shape and learn better nutrition. So where am I going with all this?

As you all know I've been traveling a lot, and with traveling comes more meals out and less exercise. I do my best to keep it healthy when I'm on the road but sometimes you just don't have a whole lot of options. So after many weekends on the go I've been feeling a little out of sorts and out of shape with my traveling diet and lack of exercise. Enter my very own 30 Day Challenge. I came up with a workout schedule for 30 days that includes a combination of running, strength training, cross training and rest days. So far I'm right on track and it hasn't been too terrible, although at the start of my 4 mile run yesterday I thought I was doomed. In true runners fashion though the endorphins kicked in eventually and my runners high carried me through. Also I'm hoping this challenge will get me to the gym more often. Since, you know, I pay for a membership and all but rarely ever go there.

So join me in a 30 Day Challenge and really test yourself. I promise you can do it, and it doesn't even have to involve running if you're not a runner! Substitute it for cycling, dance, power walking whatever suits you as long as you're moving. I've decided to start doing twitter updates to hold myself accountable so I'm less likely to fall off the wagon.

Parting questions: Have any of you tried and program or method before? What ones worked and what ones didn't? Also does anyone have any tips for eating healthy while traveling? I'll take them :)

Cheers!

Marisa

I'm alive, I swear

Just trying to get my life back together from being on the road for so long. I promise a complete update tomorrow. Crazy amazing things going on right now. Basically right now I feel like Kate:

(Image via we heart it)

Beautiful, fabulous and completely loved. :)

Kate Middleton Cheers 4 Life,

Marisa

Where Did My Weekend Go?

That's what I'd like to know. Seriously I had a 3 day weekend and I'm pretty sure I didn't accomplish anything. Other than a long run on Saturday in which I wore pants and it was the worst idea ever as it was humid as heck out. Anyways more about my Colorado trip. So when I first got to Denver we ventured out into the mountains...by car though. It was absolutely crazy. It was sunny and warm in Broomfield, then we drove through rain, and then snow. Yeah thats right I said snow. Also I saw signs that said icy roads. And plenty of these.

Yeah apparently people lose their brakes all the time because the grades are so steep and the roads so curvy that they burn them up going downhill. 

So after the fun of envisioning every semi around us losing control and running us over, we stopped in Dillon where I got out of the car to a temperature of about 35 degrees. Was not prepared for it. Had amazing views though.

After that we drove and drove some more back through the stupid snow, runaway trucks and icy roads back to the land of warm and non snow and stopped outside of Boulder at Boulder Falls where I saw my first real life waterfall. Apparently I don't get out much. F you Zoli. 

I thoroughly enjoyed driving through the mountains everyday. The views never get old. Anyways we ate dinner in Boulder at  a microbrewery where I learned my fate for that night as the delish microbrews and their high alcohol content combined with the altitude would  kick my ass. And they did. However I loved having so many awesome brews on tap. I kinda miss that. Here are some pics for that night.

(My wonderful hosts for the weekend)

  (Yay mini high school reunion...too bad I barely remember asking someone to take this pic)

To go along with the theme of not remembering anything apparently when we got home I got into the biggest argument with Zoli about the move and book Into The Wild. Because I kept demanding to know why there was a grown man on the cover when it's about a little kid. Obviously he had no idea what I was talking about but I kept insisting Into The Wild is about a kid and the giant puppet friends that he has. Finally it clicked...except that I was talking about Where The Wild Things Are. Not Into The Wild. Then I guess I fell asleep/passed out. Still, I woke up like a champion and went hiking in the morning. 

Post hiking Sunday, we decided to stay in as we were both tired and I was being a whiny baby about my sore shoulders from my stupid back pack and watched Leprechaun 5: In The Hood. Don't act like you're not jealous. I discovered that night if you mix vodka with Gatorade you can't taste the vodka. Zoli discovered that while drinking a whole bottle of Jameson is an admiral ambition, it will destroy you in the end. 

This is a little of my amazing last dinner in Colorado. Fish and chips at this place called Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub in Idaho Springs. Oh it was the most glorious thing I've ever had the pleasure of eating. And yes I ate the whole thing...and paid for it. It was well worth it though :)

All in all Colorado rocks and I can't wait to go back. It has inspired to me to take up mountain biking....we'll see how that goes. I haven't ridden a bike in....well I'm pretty sure it's been over a decade. First investment should be a helmet. Haha.

Have a good week everyone! Dam to Dam is this Saturday!

Cheers!


Marisa

I'm Back From Colorado!

Hello everyone! Oh how I've missed you all and this blog! It's been a crazy week, and stressful getting back into the swing of things. (I think I need a vacation from my vacation!) But it's Friday, it's a 3 day weekend and I'm soooo looking forward to relaxing. :) I will write a proper post this weekend with details but for now I'm going to share with you my hike up Bear Peak.

Bear Peak is located near Boulder, CO by the Flatirons. It has an elevation of 8,461ft, the trail is 4 miles one way and the elevation gain is 2,829ft. That may not seem to crazy, but 2400ft of the elevation gain is in the last 1.8 miles. Thats right it basically starts going straight up. I was pretty proud of myself during the hike as we made pretty decent time and I wasn't dying. However once we reached that point it became climb 10ft, stop. Climb another 10ft, stop. And so on and so on. Luckily I wasn't alone as most hikers seemed to be following the same strategy. It was all worth it in the end when we reached the summit and I got to see for miles :)

 The beginning of the trail and the task that lies ahead....Please note that there is a trail to the trail head on which I almost died. I really was worried that I wouldn't make it after that.

 First elevation shot. See those ants..I mean people down there? That was us at one point!

 I started feeling a little defeated after I was told that was where we were headed. It looked soooooooo far away.

Second elevation shot. This lifted my spirits a little as I could finally see all the progress we've made.

 Thennnnnn came the hard part. And by hard part I mean death part. AKA the climb to the top.

 Somehow I made it up this shit. I don't know how either. Obviously I didn't look down the entire time because if I had a lot of crying would have ensued.

 And success!!!!!!! A very tired, triumphant me sitting on a boulder at the summit.

 A view from the top.

I'm on a mountain bitches!!!!!

And there you have it. Obviously we came back down...which was even harder than going up. I took no pictures on the way down as it was super rocky, steap and my only focus was successfully steeping rock to rock without slipping and breaking my neck. We made it down okay save for a killer bee that was after me most of the way down. (Thats right Zoli I said KILLER BEE. And it really was after me.)

Can't wait to catch up with everyone! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!!!!

Cheers,

Marisa

Whiskey On A Sunday

Hi lovlies! I'm currently in Waterloo Iowas for a wedding with my love Will. I'm currently at a bar called Jamesons and well the party has started. I miss you and can't wait to catch up with everyone on Sunday. If I don't....well at least you know where my final resting place is. May god have mercy on my liver.


Cheer!

Marisa

P.S. Yes I totally wrote this on my BlackBerry.

Got A Jet Pack With Your Name On It

Hey everyone, I'm back. It's been a crazy couple of days as it always is when I decide to take some time off. Needless to say I had to work late tonight and will be going in tomorrow despite having originally taken the whole day off. It's alright I suppose, duty calls and since I rarely have to work late I don't mind when I have to. Moving on to the blog title, I am soooooooooooooo feeling the need to get out of Des Moines. I don't know what it is but I just need to be on the move. Maybe it's just a funk that I'm in as my friend suggested or maybe, dare I say it, I'm ready for a new place to call home. I'm no where near being capable of moving at least not until Poverty Experiment 2011 comes to an end. Then I might actually have the funds to move somewhere.

Where would I move to? Well my top 3 cities are :

1.) Seattle

(Do want to climb that mountain)

2.) Denver

(Do want to climb those mountains too)

3.) Milwaukee

(That sailboat looking thing is the art center. I went there when I was there. )

I haven't actually been to Seattle yet, but oddly enough their weather appeals to me. Denver I fell in love with in the brief time I was out there for work last year and can't wait to actually get to have some fun there in 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!. Milwaukee, again fell in love with the city for the brief amount of time I was out there for a wedding last year. It's a midwest city and actually a lot closer to home than where I am right now, so it wouldn't be much of an adventure but I could definitely see myself living there.

I hate to come off sounding like one of those teens who thinks their life will be 100 times better if they move to (insert big city here). My life is great, thats not really my issue. I think it all goes back to my fear of "settling down". There's so much I want to see and experience that moving seems like the natural thing to do. I love my friends and my job, even just thinking about moving breaks my heart, but at the end of the day it's my life to live and I know that some miles won't destroy our friendships.

Who knows, I could just be talking out of my ass right now. Next week I could be all I LOVE DES MOINES I"LL NEVER LEAVE!!!!!!!!! Remember that drawing about the cart before the horse? Yeah I do that a lot. Be thankful you don't have my brain. It works all sorts of backwards. Maybe after my Colorado vacation I'll be refreshed and even miss Des Moines while I'm there. Yeah please read this awesome jumble of nonesense with a grain of salt. Did I mention I've been working a lot? Thanks for reading lovelies! Anyone else relate to this or am I just on crack?

Cheers!

Marisa

*all images via google

Thankful Tuesday

Newness!!!! In keeping with the theme of happiness being the purpose in life, I've decided to start a weekly post of things I'm thankful for. I don't do it often enough. I admit, I am human and prefer when things revolve around me. I need to start being less self centered and more selfless. So here we go, first Thankful Tuesday where I will list 5 things that I'm thankful for this week.

1.) My friends. To the bestie for always being my wingman, putting up with my obsession with the British monarchy and Kate Middleton, and for not judging me when I buy another new cocktail dress. Even when she knows I have 8 others in my closet. To Will for being my friend to the end and for all the countless shennanigans we've had (and will have!).  And to Zoli for hosting me out in Colorado. My first real vacation in yeeaarrssss. I can't tell you how excited I am :)

2.) The ability to purchase good nutritious food. This is something most of us probably take for granted. And I'm not even talking about the starving children around the world. (Which is NO joke btw) I'm talking about the people next door or down the street. With the economy the way it is right now so many people struggle to just put food on the table for their family that they don't have the luxury of worrying about organic, or gluten free or vegan. I am so thankful that I have an awesome job that allows me to keep food in my fridge and my body healthy.

3.) My roommate. She offered me a place to live when I needed one most. I'll always be thankful for that.

4.) My iPod. Silly I know, but music is my world, without it I'm totally lost. I started piano lessons when i was 5, so I haven't really known a world without it. Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Finale moved me to tears the first time I played it when i was about 10 or 11 and still to this day does. I run faster when I hear Shakira singing in Spanish and fall asleep to the sound of a banjo. I'm thankful for so many different genres of music and my parents encouragement of a 5 year old who said she wanted to play piano.

5.) This here blog. Never ever ever thought I could be a blogger, but here I am! With people actually reading the inane ramblings from my semi-put together life. It's nice to have a way to open up and honestly it keeps sane sometimes. So tip of my hat to you for continually stopping by! I appreciate it and love meeting new people. So say hello!

There you have it. My first Thankful Tuesday. Thanks for being part of it!

P.S. Kelly over at The Pretty Bee is having a fabulous giveaway! Stop by and check it out!

Cheers!

Marisa

William, Kate and I

Today friends, it's finally here. The Lifetime movie of William and my love (he can't take her away from me) Kate Middleton. The bestie and I have a date with lots of snacks, klennex, because we probably will cry. 

She's so British and gorgeous....*swooon*

In other news, I'm going to a wedding next weekend with my Will and I found a dress that I feel is perfect for a spring wedding. What do you think?

Please disregard my mess, and I think I'm in love with this picture because it looks like I have cleavage. Score! ( I don't actually. Sad face). Anyways, thoughts comments concerns? Let me know....God love ya. ;)

Also I don't post a bunch of pictures of myself really. So here you go, Hi! I'm Marisa!

Have a good week kiddos!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers!

Marisa

8 Weeks

8 more loonnngggg weeks until vacation. Suck. I'm so ready for some new scenery. It's been 2 months since I've gone anywhere and it feels more like 2 years. My life currently revolves around work and working out which is not cool. Not cool at all. I wish I had something more super awesome fun for you to read, but I'm afraid my life is a black hole of lameness. In 8 weeks however I will be:

1.) Eating Late Night Snack at Ben and Jerry's Scoop Shop

2.) Hiking up a mountain.

3.) Enjoying a tour of the MillerCoors brewery

4.) Not working

5.) and seeing my long lost 5th grade love. I guess that can make the list. He's pretty cool :)

So as thats about all that I can muster up at this time. Please enjoy this picture of my cats as a cop out.

Their faces accurately describe my current attitude. 

Cheers,

Marisa

Longs Peak

So my vacation/adventure in May involves hiking a mountain. Longs Peak to be exact, at least that is the plan for now. I've never hiked a mountain, before. Actually I've never been in the mountains before. The highest elevation I've ever been at is the elevation of Broomfield, CO plus 10 floors up in my room at the Omni (which by the way I loooooovvveee. I fully intend on eating brunch there. ) So needless to say I"m excited/scared and more importantly I'm exhausted. Because apparently you can't just be like, I'm going to climb a 14,259ft mountain today! (The summit of Longs Peak) It's hard work, it can be dangerous, and you have to be prepared. So my preparations started last weekend with the purchase of my pack and boots and hiking at Ledges State Park in Madrid Iowa. It may come as a surprise to you, but I'm no outdoorsman....outdoorswoman. I have a North Face jacket and I thought that gave me some outdoors cred. Turns out The North Face is the brand preferred by people who don't spend a lot of time outdoors. Sads for me. So I tried to branch out, ask the advice of real outdoor people on packs and boots to see if I could at least look legit while stumbling up a mountain and wishing for sea level grade oxygen. Turns out, I'm just a yuppy at heart.

(The North Face Jester Daypack )

To my defense, I tried various other packs, but I kept coming back to this one as it was most comfortable and met my requirements and I didn't get it in pink. I'm trying to look like a serious mountain hiker here. As far as boots go, I tried many different ones too, at a local outdoorsy place, Sports Authority, Scheels and finally ended up at Bass Pro Shops where I met a nice guy who broke my heart when he informed me the Columbia boots I had my heart set on were not sturdy enough for Colorado mountain hiking. I can't hate him though, as he ran back and forth many times getting a zillion different pairs of boots for me and finally helped me pick them.  

(sorry, crappy BlackBerry pic taken at the store.)

I finally settled on these Mountrek boots as they were super comfortable and again met the requirements. Apparently. I wanted the pretty Columbia ones :( I also picked up a pair of SmartWool hiking socks. I am in love.

So I've got the gear, now I've just been working my ass off to get in shape for this little expedition. I don't do things half assed and I reallllly want to get to the summit. Although I am fully aware that 1. weather will be a determining factor 2. I have absolutely zero high altitude experience and oh yeah have never actually been on a mountain before. and 3. The scramble to the summit is one of the most difficult of the Colorado fourteeners. Wikipedia told me so. So don't worry Mike I will accept the limitations as they come but that doesn't mean I'm going to set the bar low.

So stay tuned as I continue to prepare for my trip. Only 9 weeks left!

Mountain Man Cheers!

Marisa

I'm A Winner!!!!!!!!

Sorry I haven't been around much. I've been busy preparing for my adventure in May and daylight savings has kicked my butt. Anyways, about the title...I actually won something. Like a giveaway! I'm sooooo excited! A big thank you to Kayla at Ramblings of a Small Town Girl for hosting the giveaway and thanks to Kelly at The Pretty Bee (visit her Etsy shop here ) for giving away one of her beautiful pieces...that is now mine!

This lovely little ring is all mine just in time for spring. Yes the weather here in Des Moines is finally turning around. ( Pleeaassee don't do anything to jinx us)

So thank you once again ladies, I can't tell you how happy I am!

I have some good posts in mind but alas you'll have to wait just a little bit longer as I'm still working on them. These 5am workouts + daylight savings have me in bed super early these days. Which is where I"m headed right now. So stayed tuned for all things mountain hiking, a follow up to my skin care routine and mayyybeee a peak inside my closet.  Hope every one has a very green and happy St. Patrick's Day tomorrow!

Cheers!

Marisa

A Letter To My Friends

Well it's been 1 year and 1 month since the world as I knew it stopped. If you've been a reader for a while you've seen the progression from that first day to now. I've refrained from doing a whole introspective who am I, what is the meaning of life kind of post. This isn't really that kind of a post, more just a thank you. Thank you to all my friends. I never knew how amazing all of you are until I was at my very worst and you still wanted to be friends with me. I never even knew how close of friends I was with some of you until you were there for me without even asking. I can't tell you how much it's meant to me although I hope that you know. I've done a complete 180 with my life, going from the grounded settled down girl you all knew to a somewhat free spirited girl who travels at the drop of a hat. When I started my 30 before 30 page I admit that I was worried that I'd never accomplish it in 4 years, but because of all of you I'm already crossing things off of it. I'm going to hike a mountain, learn ballroom dance, see Mount Rushmore (fingers crossed!) and run the Dam to Dam. Never in a million years did I think maybe a month after making the list that I'd be able to cross 4 things off of it! I couldn't have done it without you as some of these things requires a partner, knowledge and hospitality, and above all your constant love and support. So thank you everyone, I love all of you. Also lets go on an adventure soon :)

(my favorite ladies)

(best picture ever)

(You know its a good night when you pass out in your dress with the best mans coat for a blanket )

(Bring back the beard)

( we win at being besties for life)

Love you all!

Cheers,

Marisa