The BEST Surprise!

I didn't have a whole lot planned this weekend. As the end of the semester looms closer, my free time has dwindled and I so look forward to relaxing at the end of the week. On Friday, I met my friend Joella at the mall for a little bit of shopping. Brian called me around lunch time and told me he had a lot of work to do and was going to hole up in one of his school buildings to finish it up, and not to worry if I called his room and couldn't get a hold of him. I thought nothing of it; his honors thesis was due today and he has been absolutely busting his butt to get it done.

Just as a side note, I may be the hardest person to surprise ever. In fact, I can't think of a time I actually have been surprised. It's not that I'm a snoop or aim to ruin surprises, but I am just naturally curious and I ask a whole ton of (probably frustrating) questions.

(random picture from Spring Break 2009 in Sarasota)

I didn't hear from Brian again until I was driving up to the mall to meet Jo. I could tell he was in the car, and he told me he was taking a break from his work to run out and get a cup of coffee. He asked when I was planning on being done shopping, and asked if he could "see my face" when I was done. This is how we usually talk about seeing each other on the web cam, so I told him when I got back, it was a date! I got to the mall and Brian called again. I could tell he was still in the car, which seemed strange--the Dunkin Donuts is probably 15 minutes away, tops. He asked what I was doing, and then rushed to get off the phone. I mentioned to Joella that he was acting kind of weird (I can always tell when he's up to something!), but brushed it off as stress from his thesis. I can't believe I didn't connect the dots!

We were trying on shorts when I heard Joella's phone ring. She answered and said that she was in the Delia's dressing room. She had been texting her mom, so I assumed that's who was calling. Then my phone rang, and it was Brian. He asked if he could see what I was trying on, and I was so confused! I walked out of the dressing room, and there he was! He had been calling my friends and texting Joella while we were shopping to surprise me by coming home for the night. I didn't expect to see him until my trip up to New York this coming weekend, and I can't even describe how shocked I was to see him! I had a hard time picking my jaw off the floor, and I jumped up and hugged him and didn't ever want to let go.

Even though Brian had to head back to school less than 24 hours later, it was such a nice, unexpected visit. Seeing each other, especially in the middle of stressful, busy times, just totally rejuvenates the love we have for each other and is a perfect reminder of why we fight for our relationship, even though we are far apart. He said that I make that crazy drive to see him so much, he wanted to reciprocate and surprise me. And he definitely succeeded!

I feel so very lucky. :)

On Living in a Zoo

I often remark that living in my house is kind of like living in a zoo. Three cats, a large dog, both inside and outdoor fish...it's a just a little bit ridiculous. As a family that grew up mostly without pets until I was in middle school, it almost seems as though we are compensating for all that lost time.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided that I. have. had. it. I don't know if it's something I just began to notice or if the warmer weather is causing all of the animals to shed their winter coats, but there is HAIR EVERYWHERE. I couldn't take it anymore! I was so tired of sitting down on my couch and later going to leave and realizing I had a layer of hair over my entire body. A lint roller can only work so much magic! I had to do something! I closed my bedroom door, vacuumed the floors, washed all of my sheets, and vowed to never let those animals in my personal space again.

All was well for a couple of weeks....until I woke up in the middle of the night, choking on 80 degree air and covered in sweat. Keeping my bedroom door left something to be desired as far as air circulation goes. So, I brainstormed ideas and headed to Target to pick up a baby gate. Sure, it is a bit inconvenient to have to practically leap into my bedroom in a manner much like running the hurdles in track, but sometimes we have to make these uncomfortable sacrifices in the name of being able to wear black again.

When I set up the gate, I was so proud of myself. Problem solved! Until, of course, the dog started sitting at my bedroom door and whimpering night after night. After a while, she got mad and started barking and growling at that gate. Sure, it broke my heart. But I was determined. I ignored poor Riley the best I could.

Soon, the cats got involved. They were obviously broken up about the lack of carpet space elsewhere in the house to sleep on. At times, several of the animals would gather around the gate and make their disapproval known. I began to wonder if they were scheming ways to overcome the barrier.

And then, one night, as I was sitting around watching TV and enjoying my hair-free zone...this happened.

Looks like it's back to the drawing board for me.

Hello, Weekend.

I've been looking forward to this all week! Nothing to do, nowhere to go. I'm spending this evening...

(via)

Shopping. I've been searching high and low for a couple of dresses that I'll need in the next month (Brian's graduation, banquet, weddings, oh my!), and I'm heading to Delaware to do some more looking. Delaware = no sales tax.

Sweating. I haven't had time for a good workout all week. I can't wait to get to the gym or get outside for a run!

Relaxing. First doing some yoga...

(via)

...and then spending some time in the tub with a Floating Island bath melt and a good book.

 (via)

Vegging. This is also known as parking my butt on the couch and watching whatever I want (I set up Netflix Watch Instantly on the Wii today...so exciting!) Maybe with a big bowl of ice cream.

I could not be happier. :) What are you doing to unwind this weekend?

25 Years!

Today, my parents celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary!

They were married on April 14th, 1985 and then honeymooned in Hawaii.

My mom looks so much like my youngest sister in the second picture! She must have figured out how to use the scanner, because these pictures made their way onto her Facebook page earlier this week. My mom and dad are currently celebrating with a week in Las Vegas...color me jealous! I talked to them yesterday and they are having a great time and perfect 70 degree and sunny weather.

Happy anniversary to my mom and dad!

April Showers...

I'm home alone this week, but I've actually been enjoying the quiet time to myself...reading outside on the patio, cleaning my room, having free reign of the kitchen, watching Law and Order: SVU marathons on TV and Netflix, and making a dent in my never-ending pile of homework. Walking the dog last night at sunset, I was so struck by the beauty of Spring and everything blooming into life. I catch myself daydreaming of summer, sundresses, and warm breezes more and more this time of year.

  

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: 

if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”
 -Anne Bradstreet

The beautiful weather broke today with a dreary, cold rain. But if April showers bring May flowers, I'm not complaining. Plus, I should be able to breathe a little easier (goodbye, pollen!) and finally have an excuse to wear (one of my new pairs of) rain boots.

I'm so looking forward to curling up under a blanket with a cup of hot tea after class tonight (and hopefully getting out early and being home in time for LOST!) :)

Brian's Birthday Weekend

This weekend, I went up to New York to celebrate Brian's 24th birthday with him! A really good weekend, but it went by much too quickly! We spent the day together Friday before Brian had to head to bed early for a very early 3 o'clock wake-up (on his birthday, poor kid!). On Saturday, we spent the day out at Camp Buckner watching teams compete in the Sandhurst Competition.

Nine-member teams from WP, the WP prep school, a couple of the other U.S. service academies (Navy and Air Force), other countries' service academies, including the Royal Military Academy just outside of London (where Brian trained last summer), Chile, Canada, and Afghanistan, as well as the best University ROTC teams that have qualified from each region, worked their way through different sites designed to test their military skills. The team that works through the course the quickest and incurs the fewest penalties wins the competition. Brian was one of the cadets in charge of the First Aid site, and we watched almost 50 teams work their way through the scenario throughout the day. I also wandered around while Brian was busy and watched teams on the obstacle course, rope bridge, and boat sites. I know Brian does a lot of military training while he's at school, but I never really asked or knew much about it; it was neat to see the array of different things they learn!

The competition took a lot longer than we had anticipated (one of the ROTC teams got lost on the other side of the mountain, and ended up calling the police to come get them!), and I was so sunburnt by the end of the day!  I can't complain because while I got out to the site around 11, Brian had been there since around 4 in the morning! (The British won, which was also disappointing.)

I know it wasn't exactly the way B wanted to spend his birthday, but we made up for it when it was over. After a much-anticipated dinner at Chili's (because we had been staving off hunger with only Pop-Tarts all day!), we met a group of Brian's friends at one of the bars just outside post. We had so much fun, and I'm super bummed that I forgot my camera and didn't get any pictures of his birthday celebration! But he had fun, and that's all that matters. :)

On Sunday, we went shopping at Woodbury Commons, the amazing outlets in Central Valley, packed up a picnic, enjoyed the beautiful weather, and ate ice cream. I was really sad to leave when Sunday evening came around. On the other hand, I can't believe that this is one of the last times I will visit Brian at school! Our next visit was going to be B's trip home the weekend before graduation, but I have a feeling I might get up there one more time before all is said and done. :)

Hope you all had fun weekends and not-so-painful Mondays!

Happy Birthday, Bri!

*This is a scheduled post, as I am currently celebrating with the birthday boy. :)*

Today, my wonderful boyfriend turns 24 years old!

  (I know, 24 is really old. I'd be scared, too...

We should probably invest in a couple of walkers.)

Brian is three months younger than me, so I've been hearing old lady jokes for the majority of 2010. I'm so glad he has finally 'caught up' to me and I can return the favor. 

Happy birthday, babe! I'm so glad we get to spend your birthday together, and I hope you have the best day ever. :)

What Makes it Worth it.

Brian and I have spent the majority of our relationship apart. A lot of times, we catch up on each other's days in hushed voices just before bed, as if that could suffice for the huge chunk of our lives that the other is missing out on. For the most part, I carry on as I did before, with just the normal dull ache of missing my best friend. We say our "I miss you"s and "I love you"s and we count down the days until we can see each other again.

I know that in the coming months and years, these small separations will seem silly.
This is not the worst of it.

(via)

But the thing that makes it all worth it is this feeling as I lie in bed tonight, too giddy and excited to sleep.  Knowing in just a few short hours, he'll wrap his arms around me and, for a couple of days, all will be as it should be.

As hard as the "goodbyes" are, the "hellos" are a million times sweeter.

-Brian Andreas

(via StoryPeople)

Can Never Have Too Many Boyfriends.

Dear Victoria's Secret,

I usually appreciate your lovely e-mails, alerting me to new merchandise online and important (Semi-Annual) sales. However, I really did not need to see this one in my inbox:

You see, I am all too aware of the amazingness of your Boyfriend sweats. Somehow, when I was in college, you talked me into purchasing 4 pairs. Why ANYONE in their right mind would need 4 pairs of almost $40 sweatpants is beyond me! But, somehow, you did it. At some point, I even determined which pairs were 'inside' pants, and which ones could be worn outside of my apartment (Yes, I know Stacey and Clinton would be hanging their heads in shame.)

But now?! 4 just doesn't seem like enough! What about these lovely new purple ones?! Or the lime green....ohhh, the lime green.

Someone please keep me away from my computer until this ridiculous urge passes. (Or head over and get yourself a pair, because seriously...you don't even know how amazing these sweatpants are.)

P.S. Don't even make me mention how last week, when I decided I needed rain boots, I somehow ended up with 3 pairs. It hasn't rained since. I have a problem.

Easter Greetings from Zoë

How about that easter.

How happy are you.

It's this week end.

So Shop Shop Shop.

April first

two thousond ten.

Love,

Zoë

Shop, shop, shop? How can you argue with that?! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. :)

Local Cinematic Landmarks!

I live in Northern MD, which is just half an hour from Baltimore, and even closer to miles and miles (and miles) of farmland...and almost nothing else. There are such a variety of things to do and places to see around Maryland. I remember learning in elementary school how unique it is that our state has mountains, flatlands, AND the ocean. I think this is one of the reasons why MD seems to make an appearance in quite its share of feature films!

While I was at Boordy this weekend, I found out that one of the rooms at the vineyard was used during the filming of Runaway Bride. The entire movie was filmed at various locations in Maryland (Richard Gere's character remarks that it's a lot like 'Mayberry' when he arrives in the fictional town of Hale, MD), but the rehearsal dinner that Julia Roberts' character holds prior to one of her weddings was actually shot in the room that we were hanging out in!

The Hawaiian luau scene in the "barn" before Maggie is set to marry Coach Bob (the one and only Elliot Stabler...I mean, Christopher Meloni) is one of my favorite in the movie, and I had no idea that was where it was filmed! They actually covered the stone walls with wood for the movie; Boordy used the wood to build a couple of wine stands that were elsewhere in the building after the movie wrapped.

If you want to see this scene in the movie trailer, it is around 1:45!

While we were talking about this cool fact about Boordy, I also learned that scenes in Tuck Everlasting were filmed at the Falling Branch area of Rocks State Park. I have never seen the movie, but it doesn't surprise me that they picked this beautiful backdrop!

Falling Branch is one of the best places to go to swim in the summer, and Brian and I went there last Labor Day weekend!  It is really one of the hidden gems around here, and I'm always hesitant to even post about it. :)

Now that I know Falling Branch makes its feature film debut in Tuck Everlasting, I really want to see it. Especially after watching the trailer! Have any of you guys seen it? (You can see the falls at 1:25.)

It's always fun to learn new things about the places that you love! What about you guys...have your local landmarks made appearances in any movies??