Where them bloggers at? Where they at, where they at?

Oh, man! The weekend was super crazy fun. It's one of my nearest and dearest friend's birthdays today.  We celebrated on Friday with a day trip to St. Augustine. We decided to get off in Daytona (hometown, what what) and ride along A1A the rest of the way. Absolutely beautiful. 

We decided we wanted to go on the trolley tour. It took us all over town and stopped at 22 places. We visited the Oldest School House, The Fountain of Youth, The St. Augustine History Museum, and so many other things. We both get into history so it was definitely a lot of fun. I also tried a tofu reuben sandwich - something I've never even thought to make vegetarian friendly. It was super tasty. 

Since my first field trip in elementary school to St. Augustine, it's always been one of my favorite places to visit. It's absolutely beautiful and so rich with history. This year marks 500 years since Ponce De Leon discovered it. If you didn't already know, it is the oldest town in America. I recommend it to anyone and everyone. 

On our way home, Jackie noticed the Daytona Beach Pier and we just had to stop and ride it. It was sunset so it made for a gorgeous view. 

Anyway, this where I spam with a million pictures, I think. 

Peace out, Orlando. This lady needs the salt water.

Two hours and some change and we've arrived. Heaven.

Creepy side note* I love cemeteries. I can get lost in this one, and I love going into it. But they had it closed off for restoration. I was so sad. The graves are from as early as the 1500's and during an outbreak, they ran out of room. Some graves have as many as 30 bodies. Whoa. 

Tell the world that she's comin' home!

This is one of my best (of the best of best) friends, Ana. I realize in this picture that we look like a couple, and it cracks me up. It's about three years old. Shortly before she left for the PeaceCorps.

Just the other day I got message from Ana asking that we stay friends forever. I'm sure that we will have no problem remaining friends forever because we have such a respect for our friendship. We really value it and put effort into it. She's like my sister.

She left for the Peacecorps a little over two years ago and I was totally heartbroken. I remember leaving the airport and I couldn't control just how hard I was sobbing. Our friend at the time, Macho, held my hand the entire drive back home. I think everyone in that car could feel my sadness. It was a chapter in our lives that had come to a close and I was reluctant. Who was I going to call and talk to for hours on end every single day? Who was going to hang out with me and do absolutely nothing but still have the time of their life? Who was going to go on spontaneous, random adventures and explore all of Florida (and actually want to) with me? Who the hell was going to laugh so hard they couldn't breathe with me?! Who would I run to when I needed help, advice, genuine love from a true friend? Two years would go by and I'd be without her and any of that. Not knowing when I'd get to speak to her or see her. I honestly felt so lost.

Ana has been gone for a little over two years now giving her time and showering her love to a town in Peru. We speak as often as we can. Letters, emails, notebooks. It's so crazy to think it's been two years. TWO YEARS. That co-dependent 24 year old Alex has done some growing. It took a long while for me to adjust, but I learned so much and grew an even bigger appreciation for my best friend.

And now? Ana makes the trek back home! Today is her last day as a volunteer. Nothing yet everything has changed in two years. It will definitely be different. We did indeed end that chapter, started a new one, and now that one is done. A new starts soon. Oh, how different everything will be. Life is different. It's definitely going to take some adjusting to have her back. Along the way, I've gathered new friends, new experiences, new life lessons. As has she. But I can't wait to have my friend back. I'm jumping with joy; squeeling with excitement.

Here's to our new chapter in our book of friendship. Love you, my soul sister.

It is understood that we did all we could.

Terrariums! We have terrariums all over the school I work at (I guess that's what happens when you work at an all natural hair school). So, that's where my inspiration first struck. Then of course, I saw something on Pinterest and it reminded me that I'd been wanting to make one for a while. One of my best friends were on a mission this weekend to make them. But I wanted mine to be cute and little. So naturally, I ended up making three because once I started I just couldn't stop! The one with the sea star in it is for my Mom. Her birthday is Wednesday and I never know what to get her. I think she'll really love this little jar of life. They were so easy peasy to make and I can't wait to make more. At the end of our crafty day, we still had some succulents left over and plenty of soil and moss so we took a late-night trip in search for more glass jars.

I decided I wanted my last one to be bigger. I wish I would've taken a better picture to display the cuteness of my succulents and their little environment. It's on my nightstand and I adore it.

Sunday was truly funday. I haven't had one of those in a long while. I got up earlier than usual (even after going to bed pretty late) and got dressed. The room mates, my best friend and I all headed to the farmer's market. We had delicious snacks and indulged in home made, crafty goods and enjoyed the sunshine (ugh, don't remind me that it's still steaming hot out though). We came home and had lunch and I went upstairs to veg out for a while before my friend came back over for our Sunday night line up!

I must admit I am addicted to the following: Once Upon a Time (!!!), Long Island Medium (hysterically cry every.single.episode.), and Breaking Amish (what the what! is this real?!). Also, anything Oprah, so of course Next Chapter. Sunday nights are busy around here, folks! And it's only going to get better when the best show ever returns aka THE WALKING DEAD. I get SO excited when it's mentioned.

It really was just this awesome, lovely, peaceful feeling this weekend. To have genuine fun with the ones I love. I didn't worry about work, what housework needed to be done (for once I'm caught up with laundry!), or those god-awful events that took place two weeks ago (not worth naming them;). I just lived in every little minute, soaked up the fun and loved every minute.

Even though it's still hot and humid in good ol' Florida, I'm loving being where I'm at. Having the sun shine on me and taking in the beauty. I wouldn't mind though if it decided to get somewhat breezy though. You hear that, Mother Nature? October weather never hurt anyone.

Oh, I also decided to spend a good chunk of time in Barnes and Noble reading everything that looked interesting. I got into Numerology and came home and decided to do more reading on my life path number. I get into stuff like that. I found out that I'm a 7. It was definitely an interesting read, and while not something to base your entire life on I do suggest it. I don't believe it defines us, but it's something to take into consideration. I know I found a lot of truth in what I read about myself and others I know.

Well, play time is over. Now it's back to the grind. Hello, Monday. Hope to see you soon Friday. :)

the night sky is changing overhead.

I've put a halt to going out so much. Mainly because I don't think every Saturday night needs to be spent drinking (dancing, yes). Sundays become a waste of a day because I'm either so tired from getting home so late, hungover or a mixture of both. It also hurts the wallet. But this past weekend I decided it was time to make my presence known again.

It was such a nice little group of friends. It always feels so nice to just be out with a group of friends who are out to have fun. The girls aren't concerned about guys and the guys aren't concerned about girls. We are just dancing the night away. Getting lost in the music and our laughter and fun. I did run into a girl from high school which was so great, and another friend came out to visit me at one of the bars we stopped into. It was just a great, great night.

At the end of the night we were going to hop over to another place before closing and our friend got distracted by a salon/retail store that was open. While we oh so patiently (read: not at all) waited on him I began to notice just all of the girls who were shuffling past us and they were... BAREFOOT. Yeah, did you cringe? Because every time I think about it, I do. Bare freaking foot. Makeup no longer fresh, dresses looking sweaty and disheveled and heels in hands. Walking on the street and sidewalks that are already disgusting but even worse with food, vomit, and the like that happens at 2am. Get the hell out of here!

One guy was on the curb, girl in lap, PASSED OUT. Not only were her shoes off and her feet were black with grime, but her legs were spread (hellllooo, vagine!) and her hands were all up on the sidewalk/road to keep herself from face planting. Why, ladies, whhhyyyy?? Listen, I cannot imagine going home with a guy and thinking I'm going to crawl into bed like that. Barf.

I just don't get it. If you can't walk in the heels for long periods of time, why bother? It does not look attractive or cute when you rip them off and opt to walk around with black, dirty feet downtown. Not to mention if you know you're one of those drunks who gets sloppy and can't handle yourself, why drink to that point? Who the hell are you impressing by stumbling, screaming, slurring, and puking everywhere?

Oh, girls. Stay classy.

P.s. Fall is here!! :) So here's a random picture! ;)