Taking Steps!

It's a no brainer that being in a big city means you walk more and drive less...but I wasn't sure how much more.

I did know I was so out of shape back in March when walking and climbing steps around the city (during interviews/apt hunting) so much that my hamstrings and quads would be sore the next day!

It's seriously easier for me to walk to some places around my apartment than to drive and attempt to 1.) parallel park or 2.) find a parking spot at all!

So...I bought a pedometer! Just a cheap $10 one from Target.

I had the day off today and it wasn't too hot to get out and walk around....so I walked to the bank instead of driving...went to the gym and did a little browsing through the mall as well!

From 1000-6:30, I logged 11,126 steps or 5.27 miles!

I work tomorrow on the unit...so I'm excited to see how many steps I'll take during a 12 hour shift! I've never worn one of these before, so I don't have anything to base it on...but I hope to definitely get at least my 10,000 steps a day!

Axis of Awesome

This past Friday a few friends and I went to the Arlington Drafthouse and Cinema to see Axis of Awesome!!! They are a band from Australia that is currently touring in the US! My friend went to high school with two of the guys in Australia!

They are talented and hilarious!!!

Check them out on youtube!

Settling in

1.) Got my Va driver's license and Va plates...shock to see my NC plates go :-(

2.) Apartment is unpacked and livable

3.) I feel comfortable with the metro system (to and from work anyway)...and I'm learning my way around town via car!

4.) Started my job last week...one week of hospital orientation ahhhh!

5.) No traffic tickets/parking tickets (which is great...I got my 1st speeding ticket the day after I moved to Chapel Hill in '07!)

I'm here!!!

I'm here!

It was a very strange feeling pulling out of my driveway for the last time Tuesday. I have made the drive to Virginia and back to North Carolina so many times over the past two years but I've always come back home to North Carolina. I still have so many friends back in Chapel Hill and Salisbury, North Carolina I'm sure I'll make many more trips back!

I got to Arlington around 9:30 on Tuesday night after sitting in some traffic on I-95. I drove in circles around the parking garage trying to figure out where I should park to be parked beneath my apartment building but still failing at that task! Grabbed some dinner and headed to bed!

Today (Wednesday) has been major unpack/organize day! Everything....EVERYTHING is out of boxes!!! I feel like I accomplished a lot today! Not only did I unpack a ton and organize a lot, but I also got my car inspected and did the emissions test. I attempted to go to the DMV but didn't have a paper copy of my current address! I have to get my car registered here, get tags, etc.

Thursday is cable appointment in the time window of 11am-2pm. Possibly DMV prior to that.

Monday I report to work! Orientation all day...that will be a job for me to sit still from 8a-5p!

Once I have my apartment finished...I'll post pictures!!!

Moving!

Moving day is almost here!!!

This weekend...Memorial Day weekend my mom, Uncle Mark and I will drive the loaded 14 foot Uhaul truck and my Jeep up to Arlington, VA and unload it into my apartment!!! Sadly, we have to drive back on Sunday...so I can finish my time at UNC on Monday and Tuesday!

I can't believe four years of nursing at UNC has come and gone! I have met so many people who have made a impact on my life! While I'm excited to start a new chapter in my life, I'm also sad to be leaving Chapel Hill and the friends I've met!

What I'm not sad about is living in chaos....I currently have boxes everywhere!!!

This is the first time I've ever moved out of state which included having to switch insurance to a different state....change my nursing license from NC to DC...traveling further distances to interview for jobs and find an apartment etc. Moving is stressful...my move in date has been changed....address has been changed....rent dropped (YAY!)....it's been full of up's and down's...and lots anger and tears shed at the same time! I know it will be worth it in the end though! Soon enough I will be settled in!!!

I could not do this without my friends and family helping me!!!

NO spending spree

From Frugal Frenzy blog....I can't do this in June since I'm moving and racking up moving expenses....but maybe in August once I get settled in....defiantly a challenge!

Thoughts?!?!?

NO Spending Spree...huh?

I have decided that it was time to go on a NO Spending Spree for the month of JUNE! I’m really excited about it (and scared), because we are going for an entire month without spending money on anything but bare essentials and bills.

Essential Spending Allowed:

• Gas
• Regular Bills (ie. Mortgage, Electric etc…)
• Bare Essential Groceries Allowed: Soy Milk (regular milk in freezer), Bread, Eggs and Produce (which won't be much because garden is almost in!!!)
• I have +Ups (Rite Aid) & ECB (CVS) that I cannot let expire or blow them, so I will be rolling them for free items only!
• I have aso allowed myself to get deals where the items are $.50 or less(free) at the grocery store...

What we will NOT be spending money on:

• Eating Out ( we have a few restaurant.com gift certificates we need to use up!)
• Bulk Grocery Shopping (which is rare, but not going to happen)
• Thrift Store and Yard Sale Shopping
• Family Outings (I have several groupons/living social deals saved up for this)
• Anything that is not an ABSOLUTE Need for Survival

*This is going to take a lot of willpower.

Have you done a NO Spending Spree with your family?

How do you think we will be doing by the end of the month?

And the ultimate question is, who’s brave enough to join us for a month?

I would love to have some friends to be accountable with me during this month!

Wedding Weekend!

Nicole and Brant got married in Pinehurst April 30th! It was a beautiful ceremony at The Village Chapel! This was my first time visiting Pinehurst...and oh was it gorgeous! Beautiful golf courses and beautiful houses!!!

Mingling before the wedding

A few people even broke out the golf clubs!

First dance...awww!

Yummy Cake!

Lots of dancing!

Mike and I

After the wedding, I headed to Salisbury for a rest break before going to bridal shower in Advance! My cousin is getting married June 25th so his fiance had a bridal shower today! This is the view I had on my way from Pinehurst to Salisbury. Defiantly backroads....that's all. Just churches (Baptist and Methodist of course), produce stands, family stores, taxidermy shops, and houses. Beautiful landscapes...just don't have car trouble!

Yadkin River...(or Ol' Muddy as my Daddy would call it!)

It was a great weekend....lots of fun with friends and family! I traveled around the state...saw lots of areas I haven't seen before and defiantly drove the backroads!