Friday, April 13, 2012

The last two months!

So I realized that it's been a REALLY long time since I wrote anything, and I apologize. Life has been pretty crazy. I'm about three weeks from graduating from COLLEGE and it has been pretty busy around here.

I guess I could do a quick recap of everything that's happened over that last two months since my last post.

Back at the end of February, I went with my scuba diving class to Ponce de Leon, FL for four days to get scuba certified. It was a pretty cool trip! We stayed at the Vortex Springs campground and did our first day of dives there, then the second and third days were at Morrison Springs. After the third day of dives, we were officially certified! We had to take a picture for our scuba "license" and we actually just got those in the mail last week. Now all I need is my own air tank and wet suit and I can dive whenever I want!

Half of our group
I love having an underwater camera!
In the water for the first time
Vortex Springs - Day 1
Morrison Springs - Day 2
The girls of group 1
Getting ready to get in the water!
Every weekend (for the most part) we have gotten to see Nikki and Cassidy. They're both doing really well and Cass is getting so big! She is now almost 5 months old and has started smiling and it's the cutest thing in the world and she's such a sweet little girl. She's eating baby food now so she's enjoying throwing up on me even more, but other than that, she's awesome! 






Classes are going well, I guess, but my law class is absolutely miserable. I try to pay attention, and still really just don't understand it. There is so much information that she is trying to get us to learn in such a short time and it's killing me. We have a thesis paper due in two weeks and it's the only thing that I'm focusing on. Luckily, I really don't have a lot in any of my other classes. Islam is technically done next week after we turn in our take home finals, but we did get to do this cool project (which when I describe it, you'll think "that's cool?"). We had to visit a Mosque and attend a Friday sermon and then interview the Imam after. I've actually learned a lot about the Islam faith through this class and it's actually a kind of cool religion, and while talking to the Imam, he was a really awesome guy and had a lot to talk about, so it was very interesting. Photo is going awesome. I've been shooting ballet dancers all semester and I've almost got my final portfolio for the class done, now all I need to do is find a male ballet dancer which has become a little bit harder then I originally had hoped for. Here's a link to check out the work I've done so far (Work for Photo Class). 

March was unusually warm! It was great actually! I also started working again at Dorothy Lane Market as an AFTD (assistant for the day) and at the Service Booth so I'm sort of in charge of the front end of the store along with one other manager during the shifts. It's going pretty well so far. I was a little nervous giving her my schedule for May because I have so much going on and won't be able to work a lot, but my boss was pretty cool about it and didn't seem upset like I thought she would be. 

St. Patrick's Day was one of the most fun days ever! Shannon and I decided (along with Dave and his friend Megan) that we were going to open Timothy's Bar at 5 am, so Shannon and I did not go to sleep the night before and were knocking on Dave's door at 4:30 to get them up. It was the most ridiculous day ever filled with the most awesome friends a girl could ask for! And then we also decided to close Tim's just because we could. Words cannot describe this day. 
The line for Tim's at 5 am!
4 am! 
Our group
Closing Tim's at the end of the night

A couple of weeks ago, the softball team headed to the University of Virginia for a really big tournament that we ended up going pretty good in, although it ended up getting called because of rain. We left Friday afternoon and got there Friday night and just had pizza and played Catch Phrase all night and then Saturday we headed to the park cloudy and early! Our first game was against Duke and we beat them pretty bad and then we had a few hours off before playing Virginia Tech. During that game, it did nothing but pour down rain the entire time so both teams were struggling to be able to play well, and unfortunately we lost, so we were then put into the losers bracket so we had a long road ahead of us. We then played William and Mary and beat them and then played Michigan right away. We were all pretty nervous going into the last game of the night because Michigan looked pretty good, but we ended up beating them! We played so great and did exactly what we needed to do to win, but then it started storming so they called games for the rest of the night which ultimately ended up ending our run because they cancelled the losers bracket for Sunday. But I was so excited because Ben finally got to see me play! He showed up just in time for the VT game so he got to see three games and then stayed with me that night. It was great to see him! :) And when it came time to say good bye on Sunday, it was just a quick "see you soon" but little did he know how soon it really would be because I had plans up my sleeve! 
Waiting in between games
It rained all day!

So last week was our two year anniversary and I planned out this entire HUGE surprise with the help of some awesome friends! Shannon and I decided to drive up to visit Michelle and Victoria so we left Thursday afternoon and got to Annapolis about 9 o'clock. We stopped in to say hi to the girls but we went straight downtown for dinner because we hadn't really stopped along the way. I don't think I've ever had to try sooooo hard before NOT to tell Ben what I was doing! I was so anxious and just wanted to see him and surprise him, but I knew I had to wait until Friday. I had a plan that Lee (his roommate) was helping me out with. The original plan was to go to El Toro for dinner and I was going to have their server give Ben this card that I had "accidentally" forgot to put in his Easter Basket (oh yeah, this was all over Easter weekend by the way!) that said I was in town and then walk over and surprise him! Well, needless to say, Lee had a pretty hard time talking Ben into going out to dinner because he (Ben) had had a pretty long day and just wanted to stay in. When Shannon and I got there at 6:30 (the boys were coming at 7), there wasn't a single table available. We decided to go to the bar because we couldn't just be standing waiting, but the only seats available were right in front of the door. The couple next to us got up and left about five minutes later so we went to scoot down when this group of four locals came up to sit down. We explained to them we were in town to surprise my boyfriend for our anniversary and that we were hoping to move down to the end of the bar and this is when things got awesome! They said they wanted to help with the surprise and it ended up working better then I could have imagined! 

They brought military rubber ducks to let float in their margaritas! 
The women in the group said they would go and talk to Ben and give him the card while the men agreed to hide me from him seeing me. So as soon as they (Lee and Ben) walked in, they headed towards the bar and the women stopped them to talk. Ben looked so confused and I was SOO nervous! I was literally sitting in my chair shaking because I was so excited! He ended up thinking they were someone's sponsor parents (which was perfect!) and when the ladies gave him the card, he had NO idea what was going on. When he opened it, all he read was "love, Marci" and asked the ladies why I had sent them the card instead of sending it to him and then the men that were hiding me moved and I finally got to see him! He looked at me and said "oh my gosh! What are you doing here!?" and came over to give me a hug and kiss! He was honestly so surprised and it couldn't have worked out better! Thank you Lee sooooo much for helping me out! I never would have been able to pull it off without you! Lee had taken care of everything and signed Ben up for a weekend so he could stay with me and then got him to the restaurant. After dinner, we all went back to Michelle and Victoria's for some drinks before going out. It was so nice to be able to hang out with friends AND Ben at the same time! We don't get to do that often. We almost seemed like a normal couple! Then Saturday, we spent the day at the beach with a picnic lunch :) and went to dinner at the Wild Orchid Cafe (pretty good). Sunday, we went to Easter mass and then started a new "tradition."

Being in a military relationship, I know we won't get to spend all the holidays that we would like with our families, so it was nice to get to spend it with another sort of family. Our friends. After mass, we went back to Michelle and Victoria's and made a huge brunch! Everything from eggs and sausage to mimosas and pancakes and french toast! It was delicious and then we spent the rest of the day just relaxing and hanging out with everyone. It was such a great weekend!

The ladies before we went out Friday night
Us girls at the Fed House
Our view for Saturday afternoon 
<3

So now I have the last couple of weeks of college ahead of me, and then I'm done with school. It's such a crazy thought! I have been working on getting graduation invitations and announcements ready and thanks to Lauren Shepherd Photography I was able to get some awesome "senior pics" to include with them.






It's so weird to look at these pictures compared to my senior pictures from high school from just four years ago. I have grown so much as an individual and made some awesome friends! I can't believe graduation is just 23 days away. And then Ben graduates shortly after! I can't believe it's all happening so fast! 

Thanks for reading and I'm sorry it's such a long post. I will try to keep up to date with stuff going on, but the next two months are going to be pretty hectic, but I'll do my best! 

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Valentine's Day

This year was our second Valentine's Day together, but I told him that I didn't want him to spend money on chocolates and flowers because they always jack up the prices of everything and I think Valentine's Day is a big Halmark holiday, so I decided to make him something instead of spending money. Plus I think it shows more thought when you make something instead of spending money.

I made Ben a 52 Reasons Why I Love You "book" with a deck of cards.

First you hole punch all of the cards with two holes. 
I ended up using sand paper on the cards to give them a
weathered look because they looked too new. 
I also used coffee to stain them. 
Cards drying
After they were all dry, I used Elmer's Glue and glued
on each of the reasons to the cards.  
All finished! 
Ben gave me a Marines shirt (super excited!) as well as a box of Godiva chocolate (which was all eaten within like four days haha).

We decided we weren't going to spend a whole lot of money on presents or anything because the weekend after Valentine's Day I went up there for the long weekend over President's Day. The weekend was so much fun! We stayed in this awesome hotel called Aloft. It was a very modern place and I thought it was really cool, Ben thought it was a little "too modern" but it was pretty cool. We went to the aquarium in Baltimore and the sting rays were the COOLEST thing! I could have sat there and watched them all day!


Getting to see him reminded me why, although I hate this whole distance thing, it really makes our relationship that much better then every other kind. We value every minute we get to spend together and getting to be a "normal" couple is something we look forward to.

Monday, February 13, 2012

The G word...

Grotesque? No. Gore? Nope. Gruesome? Maybe. Gangsta? Definitely not. So what "g word" and I talking about exactly?


Graduation...[insert dramatic "dun dun dun" here]

Day by day I feel it creeping up on me quickly. It is already the third week of February and midterms are knocking on the door, so May 6 (or the dreaded g-word) is going to be here before I can even blink. Before this semester started, I was completely ready (or so I thought) with the thought of moving on with my life. And while I still feel that I am completely over college and classes, I don't think I'm ready for my friends to all leave.

Moving home this semester has felt like an early departure from the University of Dayton. Sure, I only live five minutes down the street and I can go any time I want, but I find myself (more often then not) staying at home because "I don't want to waste gas driving back and forth." Now this is a bit of an issue because I STILL don't have a job (I'm so tired of filling out applications), so I have to be careful on how much money I'm spending (especially since I still want to buy a new camera with my money I got back from moving home). This whole no job thing really sucks. You would think a 22-year-old college student (almost college graduate) would be able to find ANY job doing ANYTHING...I guess I should get used to this though since I have wasted my four years getting a degree that is practically pointless. Why didn't anyone tell me what I was doing was stupid? Grrrr.

"What do you plan to do after graduation?" seems to be the question on everybody's mind these days as well...and what's my answer? Try to find a job, just like everyone else. And when asked what kind of job, I answer with any kind. Honestly, I think I went in to college with the mentality that it didn't really matter what I was getting a degree in, as long as I was getting one in something. I am going to be graduating with a major in Communications with a concentration in journalism (mistake number one), and a minor in photography (mistake number two). As far as the journalism thing goes, I should have concentrated more in PR instead of journalism, but that ship sailed a long time ago. And as far as photography, well, I learned more in the last four years getting paid shooting weddings with Nick then I did in any of my classes at UD, which is unfortunate. I've actually been considering going to massage school after graduation just for shits and giggles...we'll see about that though. I've over school and need time off.

As far as Ben and I go, we need to be together. I'm tired of the distance and I know it's hard, if not harder sometimes, for him. So the unofficial plan, at least for now, is to wait until he is done with TBS (The Basic School aka Marine bootcamp which lasts for six months after his graduation (May 29)) and then move with him where ever he gets stationed afterwards.

So before the big day of receiving my diploma, what do I have to do? Well it's going to be a crazy three and a half months. During my midterm break (February 29 - March 4), I will be headed to the Dive Vortex and Morrison Springs in Ponce de Leon, FL to get scuba certified! For the last month and a half, every Monday and every other Wednesday, I have been enrolled in a class to become certified. I'm super excited, but kind of nervous at the same time. I think it'll be really awesome! I just hope my nerves don't get the best of me! As far as March goes, well, there's my senior St. Patrick's Day, which by any guess will be more insane than the past three years combined. And then the UD Club Softball team is headed to the Cavalier Classic at the University of Virginia. April is going to be a complete blur. We have Easter Break from April 4-10 (along with Ben's and my two year anniversary!!), then the second weekend is I-Ball (International Ball) in Annapolis, but I'm not sure if we're going to that or if Ben is coming home that weekend, but the third weekend, the softball team is at it again, only we're headed to Chicago to play Loyola, and the last weekend is Renee's bachelorette party! Then it's a week of finals (May 1-4) and I graduate May 6.

But wait! Just because school is over doesn't mean it gets any less busy. Daytona is May 8-13 and I couldn't be more excited! I'm going with Shannon, Caroline, April and Jenni and we're going to be in Hotel 2, so that will be a blast! Then the following weekend is Danny and Renee's wedding (FINALLY!!!!!!) and then I'm headed to Annapolis with Ben's parents for a week for his commissioning.

Overall, I'm pretty excited for the next few months, but my senior year of college is almost over. I can't believe my college experience is almost over. When they say time flies...they're really NOT kidding. I feel like yesterday I was moving in to Founders (my freshman dorm) and meeting all the amazing people I have encountered since then.

So for now, that's it. Happy Valentine's Day ya'll!

XOXO

Monday, February 6, 2012

"You" by Chris Young

So I recently heard this song and I really liked it. I hope you do too!


Here's where I got the lyrics!

You 
by Chris Young

The bluest skies don't seem so blue
And the stars seem to be a little dimmer too
Now that you're around you put them all to shame
Let me break it down because what I'm trying to say is

No one gets me like you when you kiss me, girl 
You rock me harder than some down town band
I thought I knew what love was but I didn't have a clue
I never found anything that makes me feel like I do about you

Got a whole new direction it seems these days
I used to rush off to work and get home late
But now I show up late and rush back home
My priorities are different I can't leave you alone

No one gets me like you when you kiss me, girl
You rock me harder than some down town band
I thought I knew what love was but I didn't have a clue
I never found anything that makes me feel like I do about you

Girl if you ever get to guessin' if I'm thinking about you,
Just remember


No one gets me like you when you kiss me, girl
You rock me harder than some down town band
I thought I knew what love was but I didn't have a clue
I never found anything that makes me feel like I do about you

Youuuuu, ohhh youuuuu

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Love Shack - B52's

When I was younger, me and a group of friends every year at the Labor Day festival at the Fraze would sing karaoke. No doubt, we always sang this song, and still to this day, it's still my go-to song when I'm forced to sing in front of people. It always brings good memories of summers with friends. Enjoy! 



Love Shack
By The B52's

If you see a faded sign by the side of the road that says
15 miles to the, Love Shack! Love Shack yeah, yeah
I'm headin' down the Atlanta highway. 
Lookin' for the love getaway, heading for the love getaway.

I got me a car, it's as big as a whale 
And we're headin' on down to the Love Shack
I got me a Chrysler, it seats about 20
So hurry up, and bring your jukebox money

The love shack is a little old place where we can get together
Love shack, baby
(A love shack, baby)
Love shack, baby, love shack
Love shack, baby, love shack

Love shack, baby, love shack
(Love baby, that's where it's at)
Love shack, baby, love shack
(Love baby, that's where it's at)

Sign says, "Stay away fools"
'Cause love rules at the love shack
Well, it's set way back in the middle of a field 
Just a funky old shack and I gotta get back

Glitter on the mattress
Glitter on the highway
Glitter on the front porch
Glitter on the highway

The love shack is a little old place where we can get together
Love shack, baby
(Love shack baby)
Love shack, that's where it's at
Love shack, that's where it's at

Huggin' and a kissin', dancin' and a lovin'
Wearin' next to nothing, 'cause it's hot as an over
The whole shack shimmies, yeah, the whole shack shimmies
They whole shack shimmies 
When everybody's movin' around
and around and around and around

Everybody's movin', everybody's groovin', baby
Folks linin' up outiside just to get down
Everybody's movin', everybody's groovin', baby
Funky little shack, funky little shack

Hop in my Chrysler, it's as big as a whale
And it's about to set sail
I got me a car, it seats about twenty
So come on and bring your jukebox money

Oh, love shack is a little old place 
Where we can get together
Love shack, baby
(A love shack, baby)
Love shack, baby, love shack
Love shack, baby, love shack

Love shack, baby, love shack
(Love baby, that's where it's at) 
Love shack, baby, love shack
(Love baby, that's where it's at)

Bang, bang, bang, on the door, baby
(Knock a little louder baby)
Bang, bang, bang, on the door, baby 
(I can't hear you)

Bang, bang, bang, on the door, baby
(Knock a little louder sugar)
Bang, bang, bang, on the door baby 
(I can't hear you) 

Bang, bang, bang, on the door, baby
(Knock a little louder)
Bang, bang, bang, on the door, baby
Bang, bang
(On the door, baby)

Bang, bang
(On the door)
Bang, bang
(On the door, baby) 
Bang, bang, you're what? Tin roof, rusted.

Love shack, baby, love shack
Love shack, baby, love shack
(Love baby that's where it's at, yeah)

Love shack, baby, love shack
(Love baby that's where it's at) 
Love baby, love shack 
(Huggin' and a kissin')
(Dancin' and a lovin' at the love shack!)

Monday, January 30, 2012

Smile Sunday


Saying Saturday

I've always been kind of a dork when it came to sayings and quotes, so from now on, Saturdays are going to be "Sayings Saturday." I'll put up a quote that I've found that I think is inspirational, motivating, etc. 

Here's the first one!

I really like this quote because it's the truth. Everyone always thinks everything is going to be easy for them, but in reality, if it's easy, it's not worth it. It won't make you any better of a person or get you anywhere by letting you slide by. It's the hard things in life that define who we really are and who we will be in the future.