Road Trip: Day 4 Colorado

Candy had to make a mid-trip service visit because my engine light came on just before arriving in Colorado. Nothing serious though.


After Candy's service visit, we went to Celestial Seasonings for a tea tour and tastings. We had to take a cheesy family shot since a friendly bystander offered. Cheesy is probably and understatement, but oh well.


Trying to decide from the over 100 flavors of tea, which ones I wanted to taste.


Mom and I tasting away. She especially loved the Moroccan Pomegranate, an African Rooibos tea.

I couldn't resist a photo with the Sleepy Time Bear. Sleepy Time is their oldest, and most popular tea flavor still.

Of course, it is probably no surprise that I loved this dress created with tea bags.

Me and the bro outside the tea shop.

Road Trip: Day 3 Colorado

Went to lunch w/ the fam at the local Vietnamese place, Pho Duy.


It was yummy!


For some reason I like to photograph my food.


Wally and Darcy are still BFFs. (Sorry, just couldn't resist another random cute doggie photo)


My bro, Paul, grilled out yummy eats for dinner.


My mom and pops at Penguins. We all went there for a local sweet treat after dinner.
So, I guess you could say day 3 was relaxing and eating. Can't beat that!

Road Trip: Day 1-2

We left Cincinnati and drove through Indiana, Illinois and made it to Iowa City, Iowa before we stopped for the night. It was Darcy's first ever Hotel visit.


He was such a gentlemen.


Welcome to Nebraska! Day 2 we spent a large chunk of in Nebraska. We drove from Iowa, through Nebraska, Wyoming and into Colorado.


Not a whole lot to see in Nebraska.


I randomly ran into a friend from AZ at a gas station in the middle of nowhere, NE. It was too funny. She and her family were on their way back to AZ from MI. (and yes, I do realize now that I looked like a complete disaster, but how often does something that crazy happen. I had to have photographic proof.)


I somehow missed pictures of Wyoming. James and I didn't realize we were even in Wyoming til we were about to leave. This one is as we were entering Colorado. The sun was setting and it was so pretty.


We made it to my brother Paul and sis-n-law Ali's house finally! Darcy met his cousin, Wally.


They were instant buddies and love playing together!

I am happy to finally be in Colorado for a long weekend, and get a much needed break from all that driving.

Moving Day

My empty apartment....so sad.


James wore his Clemson Moving team shirt. So appropriate.


Me and my junk.


D and I get ready to road trip cross country.
It was only fitting that on my last day in Cincy, it was gray and rainy.

It is hard to believe that my last day in Cincinnati has finally arrived. Of course, my day will be spent packing, cleaning, and running errands as I prepare to leave town tomorrow. Although goodbyes are sad, all my tearful farewells have already been made, and now I am ready to get this show on the road. So, I bid my home for the past seven years a fond farewell and I am finally ready to embark on my new adventures. Sayonara Cincy!

Living outta boxes

I am officially done with work (yes, sad but true), summer break from school has begun, and I only have four days until moving day. So, as you can see, I find myself in full-fledged packing chaos.


Sadly, D isn't very much help, but he sure does great at sitting pretty and looking cute.


See, it doesn't look so bad.


Okay, maybe it does. At least there is a pathway to the front door...well, sorta.

I would also like to give myself a shout out. In the midst of all this chaos, I somehow managed to pass my second 200 Jury this past week!!! I'm thinkin' this is the start of a very beautiful thing!

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

Fountain Square - Downtown Cincinnati


It is hard to believe that my move is only a week away. I have spent so much time preparing for it mentally, making arrangements, anticipating it, questioning it, and dare I say even stressing about it. Yet, it still seems as if I suddenly woke up one day, and it is virtually upon me. It would be an understatement to say it is not the least bit emotional, as I truly feel it is bitter-sweet as I close the door on this chapter of my life. I would have never guessed I would live here in Cincinnati for seven years, let alone how things would so drastically change during this time in my life. Yet I feel like a fresh start is just what I need, and there is no place like the comfort of home and family. I will desperately miss some of the close amazing friendships I have developed, yet I know that no distance can take away the friendships we share. They have not only been my friends, but my family. I am also truly thankful for the amazing people I have worked with the last couple of years. I don't think they can ever even begin to know or realize just how good for my soul they were, and what an impact they have played on my life. I feel truly blessed to have been a part of such a positive and helping community, and will always have fond memories of my time with them. Although it feels like I am at a point in my life where things are ending, it really is just a start of a new beginning.