(Lack of) Baltimore Adventures

I spent the last week (1) dying (2) in Baltimore. I was super sick so I didn't get to enjoy as much Baltimore as I wanted. Our hotel was right on the harbor so anything between the hotel and the convention center I saw (which was three blocks of relatively nothing). I did see Camden Yards and Federal Hill but I really wasn't up for walking a lot. We did eat at some delicious places, although I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have! We had dinner at Helmand, an Afghan restaurant on Charles Street. The other night we ate at Iggies, a pizza place right near The Helmand. While I definitely preferred the pizza, it was nice to try something new at Helmand. I wish I hadn't been sick! But I did successfully present our research, once at a joint presentation and second at the poster session!

Squirrel and Flat Girl

Highlight of the day? Seeing this squirrel, enjoying some student's leftovers. Hi there cutie.

And also making this cutie in a flat cutie. I going to bring her everywhere with me!!!

Fame

I'm famous. I'll start signing autographs now.

Inside Llewyn Davis

Today was my last Wednesday matinee at Ambler Theater until March. Today's movie was Inside Llewyn Davis, which chronicles a week of a struggling folk singer in New York in 1961. The music was the best part--and the scenes with the cat. I always love going to Ambler, parking on the same street and getting the five six dollar tickets. I definitely bring the average age of the theater down when I go--it's usually a lot of older people there on Wednesday afternoons. I think going to see a movie at Ambler would be included on my perfect day itinerary. I want to share Ambler with everyone I know because it is so great yet I want to keep it to myself. Such a dilemma (like choosing a movie!), I know.

Frosty

The big news of the week is the extremely cold temperature. Everyone is pretty much obsessed. People are afraid to go outside. It's like a zombie invasion or something. My professor postponed our meeting until tomorrow and my coach told us to do our workout tomorrow. Goodness. Well, it was cold when I went outside to move my car...which was stuck in ice. The water flowing from the top of the street froze the wheels of the car! And when I tried to drive, there was no friction so the wheels kept spinning! It was awful. I also watched water freeze, which was cool (get it?). Anyway, I avoided frostbite so far (for now) and I can't wait for it to get above freezing! Although this weather does prepare me for Nebraska at the end of the month...

You Go Girl

Just a quick shoutout to my bff Cody who begins her internship tomorrow with NBC for the Winter Olympics!!!! This girl has got guts, I'm telling you. She spent a lonely couple days, stuck in the snow, in her huge dorm room in the Bronx. I'd be so overwhelmed and nervous and antsy. But Cody has kept her cool (I think?) and she will do amazing when starts tomorrow! I helped her pack so I know she'll look great doing whatever she is doing. No need for good luck because Cody is prepared and doesn't need luck! Miss ya friend. Send me a postcard, maybe?

Cheesesteaks and Basketball

Ahh, the Palestra. With Franklin Field next door, they are two of the best college sporting arenas ever. I love it. And it is always better when La Salle wins, especially in a Big Five battle. And when my dad buys me a cheesesteak...or two from Abner's. Although the snow and weather are miserable, I had a good afternoon/evening eating cheesesteaks and watching as La Salle destroyed Penn. FINALLY above .500.

New Year's Resolutions

Okay, so I'm really not a big fan of New Year's resolutions. If you want to change, then why not start today? You know? Well, the new year always seems like a new start, even if it isn't. So I'm going to make a list anyway of things I want to do more of, not only in 2014, but for much longer. Some may contradict another but whatever, it's my list.

Take more risks.
Be more decisive.
Go-with-the-flow a little more, less plan-y.
Learn to code.
Never take the shuttle.
Communicate gooder better and be more direct.

Yeah, so those are my goals for the year. Some are easier than others, but the challenging ones are the most worthwhile.

Happy New Year!

So this year, I actually did something to bring in the new year. I spent the night with Cody in Ocean City! I want to say that this was my first time celebrating the new year not in PA but I'm not entirely sure. Anyway, we saw the sunset, ate delicious lemon chicken, and spent the night playing Bananagrams and card games with her parents. And at midnight, we watched the fireworks on the beach in Ocean City. People let off paper lanterns, which floated away into the night. We saw a weird light in the ocean, which we naturally assumed to be George Washington crossing the Delaware Atlantic. We stargazed and it was very romantic. Luckily, Cody did not try to kiss me at midnight! It was all very laid back but still exciting! And earlier today, we jumped into the freezing ocean during the Polar Bear Plunge. Cody lent me her tutu and many people were taking pictures of us (which was weird because I didn't know them). The worst part was just waiting around before jumping in. I'd do it again. Maybe Cody will invite me back next year!

Walking to da beach.

So excited!

Pre-plunge.

Post-plunge.

Get us warm stuff, please!