Goodbye DC...

I moved to DC in August 2007. Having just graduation from college, I was looking for an adventure,  a place to add to the fire of life. 

I certainly found it. 

I cannot begin to tell you how incredibly wonderful my time in DC has been. 

(I am just going to warn you right now, there are a lot of pictures coming up. But you might find yourself in one or two, so take a quick look...)

I started my DC adventure living in a house in Pentagon City with these fabulous women. We could not believe our luck in finding each other...it was truly an amazing house!

I was able to get a job on The Hill working for a Congressman from California. I felt on top of the world! 

My first Cherry Blossom parade experience!

 The first of many "Mary Sponsored Activities"...

...which lead to this magical weekend in Deep Creek Lake.

And my only trip to Harper's Ferry...

Our Emo Halloween...

...followed by a trip to King's Dominion.

I made some amazing friends along the way.

And all of a sudden it was 2009!

Which was the year the Gators won the National Championship. Again.

 That year was also the year Barack Obama became President of the United States and we were able to go to Inauguration and hang out with all the celebrities! 

I started my Master's the year before and quit my job in April 2009 so that I could complete my student teaching that fall. Laura and our moms were kind enough to come up and help me move for the summer...

I came back and was placed in an amazing school but still managed to have some fun

 And fun was had!

The DC Temple was always a great place to visit, especially at Christmas time...

Let's not forget Snow-magedon!

Another wonderful year started with the a bang!

 And a wedding, which allowed for a roommate reunion!

Deep Creek Lake that year had a Havana Nights theme...


 I got a job at my dream school!

And in the fall we went and picked apples

 There were quick trips to NYC

As well as a St. Patrick's Day parade in Harrisburg...

One more visit to Deep Creek Lake

And another wedding...

Suddenly, completely without warning, this man entered my life

But he lived in Canada...so we couldn't see each other that often.

And I kept chugging along

I moved into a new house with these fabulous ladies

Let's not forget the Halloween kinda-sort murder mystery dinner

 And the Super Bowl!

Then that Canadian asked me to marry him

And we will be married on July 28th, 2012 in the Orlando LDS Temple.

So now, as I pack my things and prepare to move to Canada, I am so grateful to all of you who made my DC experience as wonderful as it was. 

Thank you for all the wonderful memories...

A glimpse...

Last week was my Spring Break and I was able to spend the whole week in Canada with Richard. 

 We were able to take engagement pictures on Sunday. Don't let the pictures fool you, it was absolutely freezing.

And then it started to rain. 

But we had a lot of fun, running from car to field to building. We tried to take some pictures with an umbrella, but that proved to be a failed idea.

It was an amazing week and helped me get to know Canada a little better. I was able to have Easter dinner with Rich's family and got to them better as well.

All and all, I call the week a success.

A mismash of thoughts

Wedding Planning
Temple? Check.

Reception Site? Check.

Photographer? Check.

Wedding Dress? Check.

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I had my first nervous breakdown last week. It was just after calling the 50th venue for the reception. And everything was booked. Everything. The next day, I found a reception site. A perfect one, one that will fit all of my guests, allow an outside caterer, and one that I don't have to do much to the space because it is an art museum. Prayers are answered!

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I guess I haven't made it very clear what my plans are after Richard and I are married. 

I am moving to Canada.

Let me repeat that. 

I am moving to Canada. 

No, its true. 

And no, I am not giving up my US citizenship. I am becoming a permanent resident of Canada. And my children will have dual citizenship. And my mom will probably have a little studio apartment where she will live when it is not snowing in Canada, which is approximately 6 days out of the year (Richard is trying to convince me it gets warm in Canada. I don't believe him).

Do I have to learn the Canadian National Anthem?

"O Canada"

A treat!

With my first trip to Canada, I didn't know what to expect. Frozen tundra, polar bears walking the streets? 

I was going in December, and was told it was going to be cold. As in really cold. Canada cold. So my mom bought me a new coat (yes, we bought it in Miami!), which got the approval from my cousin-in-law, Ashley, who lived in Michigan and is my go-to adviser for cold weather. So far, that coat has saved me from temperatures that dipped down to 7F. Yuck.

I look like an Eskimo! Notice the bare feet...

But I am not here to talk about the cold weather of Canada (which I am sure will take up plenty of posts next winter). 

Back to my story. 

I didn't know what to expect when I got to Canada. Richard's mother, good woman that she is, gave us a dessert that has changed my life. Richard grew up on these and told me about them, but until I tried them, I had no clue.

Have you heard of Nanaimo Bars? 

If not, I am sorry. It is something that the Canadians are selfishly keeping to themselves. I mean, the French shared crème brûlée. The Italians shared cannolis. I'm just saying...

  Let me describe it to you. 

The bottom layer is a mixture of chocolate, crumbled graham cracker, chopped almonds, and shredded coconut.

The middle layer is a custard mixed sugar.

The top layer is chocolate ganache.

Heaven in your mouth.

These are pink in the middle because I made them for Valentine's Day. 

 I am looking forward to seeing what other culinary treats Canada has to offer...