Photo Sunday: Tom and Jerry

Hello all!

Anyone else totally in the Christmas spirit? I love the holidays and I am so pumped.
This weekend was my grandpa's birthday, so I got to go up and hangout with my family all day Saturday. We ate and drank a lot.

One of the big holiday tradition drinks my family makes is called a Tom and Jerry. From what I gathered, it is whipped eggs, warm milk, and a shot of rum.

I think they taste like Christmas. Very alcohol-y Christmas. Also, that napkin says group therapy and has a bunch of wine glasses. My family is super classy.

Does your family have any special holiday foods or drinks? Do you know why a Tom and Jerry is named that? I have no idea.

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: Halloween Pictures!

Hello all! Did you have a good Halloween? I did!
YC and I dressed up as Glenn and Maggie from the Walking Dead, and I personally think we rocked it. :)

Because I can't contain myself, here are a ton of pictures of us from Halloween. You're welcome!

I know it's not super in character, but this picture is my favorite.

Photo Sunday: I Love Autumn

Hello all!
Autumn is my absolute favorite season! I love being able to wear leggings, jeans, sweaters, scarves, boots...the whole nine yards. I love that it is finally cool enough for me to wear my hair down without overheating. I love the changing leaves. I love pumpkin flavored things (I don't care that it's a white girl stereotype! Delicious!) I looooove Halloween. You have no idea. Playing dress up is the best.

Another added bonus of autumn is that now when I wake up for work the sun is always rising right out the window. It's hard to be too grumpy about getting up for work when you wake up to this.

Anyone else as in love with autumn as I am? What are you guys being for Halloween? Do you embrace the pumpkin?
-Alisa

Photo Sunday: Princess Dress

Hey all!
I'm using this Photo Sunday to show off a pretty dress I don't get to wear, and to complain about a lack of fancy balls.

My hair looked ridiculous, so I cropped my head off.
Look how pretty the dress is! I looked like a princess. The wedding I was going to wear it for isn't fancy enough though, so no dress.

Which brings me to my second point: We need more fancy balls! There should be masquerade and other such balls held somewhere. That way I can still have a reason to wear princess dresses. If I ever become rich (unlikely) I am going to have a ballroom and host balls!

Especially masquerade balls. They seem so fun.

Anyone else wish people held balls for them to dress up for? Just me?

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: Team Snap 5K

Hello all. Sorry this Photo Sunday is so late. I wasn't home at all this weekend, and then I was busy yesterday. (Plus I've been reading The Martian and I can't stop)

On Sunday I participated in the Team Snap 5k for Brain Tumor Research for the second year. I walked, because running is death.

Of course we dyed our hair purple again. This year YC did it for me, and he did a great job. Though, I managed to get it all over my neck and chest washing it. Sigh. No purple is not the brain tumor awareness color, but Jamie likes it. Jamie is the teacher I walk for, that the whole race is for. She is an amazing person who stays upbeat no matter what life throws at her, brain tumor included.

This year over 500 people participated. Jamie's speech at the beginning nearly made me cry. She is the most amazing person I have ever met.

You should all definitely consider donating to brain tumor research, or participating in a walk for awareness. Or something.

For amazing people like Jamie.

Lots of love.
-Alisa

Photo Sunday: I Got a HOPE!

Yesterday I walked in to my house to find Hope at my table! My family, Hope, and YC planned it for months. I had no idea she was coming home.

Needless to say my weekend was made. She will be here for two whole weeks!

In her honor, here is my absolute favorite picture of us.

Hope does not enjoy this picture as much as I do. I think it is the best. Also, we look exactly the same even though this was high school. Love it.

Be prepared for a post about our wonderful reunion extravaganza!

Anyone else have as super awesome of a weekend as I did?

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: Nearing the End of 30 Day Challenge

Hello all!

As the title states, I am nearing the end of the 30 Days of Yoga I started with Yoga With Adriene. I've absolutely loved it.

Loving me some downward dog

Sadly I had a couple days where I couldn't get on the mat (D.C. you hindrance), but I made it! Doing this challenge definitely has instilled a love of yoga in me. I follow so many yoga people on Instagram now, and I read so many yoga articles. I will be continuing my yoga practice for sure. I plan on using free internet stuff until fall, then hopefully I'll be joining a yoga studio.

Does anyone out there do yoga? At home or in a studio? Which do you prefer? I'm a bit nervous about doing yoga with actual people in the future.

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: A Short Visit

As you may remember me mentioning, one of my best friends and her husband visited me this week. They left yesterday and I already miss her so much.

While she was here we drove down to D.C. for a couple days and walked all over. This week I will be writing up a post on this trip to D.C., which involved a lot less flowers but a lot more sights.

Until then, this Photo Sunday comes to you from atop a little mountain looking out over my hometown.

I think this photo has quite the adventurous spirit...well at least Jessi's adventurous spirit. YC is just chilling on the bench.

Later this week I will give you some insight into our D.C. trip.

Does anyone recognize this mountain view? Any guesses?

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: Blue Hair and a New Camera

Hello loves! Look at me posting on an actual Sunday!

For my birthday my family got me a real camera, so I've been trying to figure it out. I've never had a nice camera before. It is harder than I thought.
I also just dyed my hair teal! These pictures come to you from my photography practice and my teal hair.

This one I took myself with a timer and a table.

This one YC took for me. It was hard to cope with the bright sun.

I bought a new bag for my camera as well! The bag is from Ona Bags and it is gorgeous. I haven't taken it on an adventure yet though. I'll let you all know how it holds up. The dress I also got recently from Forever 21. All the new things!

Any suggestions for how to overcome the bright sunlight? Anyone else have an Ona bag? Do you like it?

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: DIY Pin Map

Hello all!

For this Photo Sunday I'm going to show off a cool DIY pin map I made. I figured since you all are travelers too, you might enjoy this.

I bought a vintage map on amazon for under three bucks, in fact I believe it was a dollar. It is quite large. I love the look of old fashioned maps, so that is what I chose to use. Behind it is a cork-board, mine had a metal frame but I think a frame-less one might work even better. The cork-board keeps my wall free from tons of little holes (on the wall it was on originally I did Not have a cork-board...so many holes). I then bought lots of colorful pins and used four to pin it to the corners of the cork-board. After that I picked colors which where I have been, where I really really want to go, and where I would like to eventually make it to at some point. I also used a sharpie to write one of my favorite travel quotes across it.

In the corners are a postcard a friend sent me from Iceland and a red envelope from Chinese New Year in Singapore.

The map hangs on the wall above my bed, which my stepdad's friend hung for me since that was beyond my skills,

I love maps and am always looking for ways to decorating using them. I hope you enjoyed my simple little DIY tutorial.

Does anyone else have an obsession with maps and decorating with them? What cool DIY map projects have you done? I want to do the one where you drill holes in a globe in the places where you've visited and put a light inside.

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: Sunsets in the Country

Hello all!

This Photo Sunday comes to you from a farm near my house. I was driving home the other day and there was the most cotton candy sunset. I watched it the whole way home and kept stopping to try to get a good picture.

I think this shot with the silhouette of a barn turned out the best. It was near the end of the sunset and the colors are just so lovely. No matter how many sunsets I see, or how many pictures I take, the view always takes my breathe away. I think sunsets are by far my favorite thing to photograph.

Anyone else a sunset nut? Quick question: who thinks irregardless is a word? The internet seems to agree with me that is a word, albeit an informal one. My stepdad refuses to believe me or the internet. Who hear also votes that irregardless is a word? (Psst. The correct answer is yes. Agreeing with me is always correct ;P)

-Alisa

Photo Sunday....Thursday....Sorry: Old Car and Hat Day!

I am so sorry! I know it's been ages since I've posted and this Photo Sunday is so late it is practically next Sunday. My bad guys.

Here are my excuses: It is nearly the end of the school year and it is insane at work. Secondly, my car had to get inspected and I didn't have it for five days, and I didn't have my computer. So sorry, but look at those excuses! Forgiveness please.

Car and I have been reunited and it feels so good! I missed my silly old car, and being able to actually drive myself to work.

Today was hat day at work! I rocked a hat my abuela (grandma in Spanish) crocheted for me. I think I looked pretty darn adorable. Plus it kept me warm in the cave we went to on a field trip.

Hopefully I'll have some more exciting posts coming up. I'm planning to go into why I never got to go to Korea in the near future. Prepare for a tell all. I'm waiting until Hope comes home, so look for it after that.

How's everyone liking the warmer weather? Anyone else super busy with summer coming up? Just me, or do other teachers/paras hate field trips?

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: Through the Window

Good morning loves!

Today's Photo Sunday comes to you from the window of my mom's house. The front windows look out over the mountains, so they're perfect for sunrises.

I woke up the other morning to this beautiful sight. It is hard to be grumpy in the morning when you wake up to this. I love sunrises over the mountains.

I can't wait for summer so that I can go on trips. Right now I'm pretty much trapped here. Oh well.

How is everyone's spring starting off? Anyone else already planning summer adventures?

-Alisa

An Anniversary and a Review: Happy Valley Brewery

So yesterday was my one year anniversary with YC. To me this is quite the big deal. So I am taking a moment to gush to you guys, then I shall get on with the review of where we went for dinner.
I am reviewing it because YUM.

Last year at this time YC and I had just gotten back from a trip to NYC with some friends. We'd been seeing each other for awhile, but not officially dating. After spending a couple days with each other non-stop and surviving, I realized I could happily date this guy. So here we are a year later, and I couldn't be happier.

Gushing over.

The face of I-can't-stop-eating-for-photos

Photo Sunday: Iced Coffee Season!

Hey all! It's finally getting warm! I swear it feels like winter this year lasted forever, and was cold as hell.

Last week it was finally warm enough to get an iced coffee! Which, to me, is the real sign that spring has arrived.

I love Starbucks. I know their coffee is expensive, but for sweet coffees nowhere is better. For the less sugary coffees I do prefer little local cafes. I went to a particularly cute one in Ireland when we first arrived. After a six-hour overnight flight, my family needed the caffeine.

Coffee is one of my favorite things to try in new places. Not just new countries, but anywhere I go. I love little cafes and quietly sipping coffee or chatting with friends.

As much as I love hot coffee, I do enjoy a good iced coffee. I'm so pumped it is finally warm enough to drink them without freezing.

Anyone else a coffee lover out there? Any suggestions on coffee places I need to hit up on my travels?

Happy spring!

-Alisa 

Photo Sunday: Valentine's Day Sushi

Hello loves!
Sorry I didn't post sooner. As you know I'm sure, this weekend was Valentine's Day, so I was quite busy. YC's been sick this week, so now I've been babying him.

For Photo Sunday, here is a picture of my yummy Valentine's Day dinner.

Mmmmm. Sushi. Sushi is one of my favorite foods. I wish it weren't so expensive in landlocked PA. In Singapore sushi was about half the price. I miss cheap sushi.

For our Valentine's Date we went to the restaurant we went to for our first date. Instead of Valentine's Day, we went on Friday. I hate crowds, as does YC, so we opted to avoid the Valentine's day chaos.

How was your Valentine's Day? Did you do anything fun?
Anyone know somewhere in the States with cheap sushi?

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: So. Many. Snow. Days

I swear it feels like there have been more snow days than school days these past couple of weeks. I may be exaggerating a tiny bit, but it is getting ridiculous. There is so much snow here!

And guess what?

I hate snow.

Okay, I admit it is pretty. I just feel like a trapped hermit when it snows. My car isn't good in the snow, so I end up snowed into my house until they plow the roads. Which takes forever, and a half.

It is currently snowing again as I write this. Outside my window all I can see is white. I guess I'm not leaving my house for the rest of the day, again.

Is it summer yet?

Do you like snow? Or are you a grumpy snow hermit like me? Anyone else dreaming of Southeast Asia? I miss the heat.

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: I'm a Crochet Fiend

Pretty much all I've done today is crochet and play Dragon Age: Inquisition.
At least one of those things is productive.
This week is my last week of work before Singapore, so I'm feeling justified in my lazing around. Plus, I felt really sick on Friday, and not great since then.

So for this week's Photo Sunday you get a glimpse into what my life normally looks like, when I'm not doing cool stuff.

Not only am I crocheting a scarf, but I'm also wearing a hat that I crocheted. I may have a bit of a problem. Buying yarn makes me happy okay!

Today I also learned that the plural of scarf is both scarves and scarfs. Not sure how I feel about this knowledge, nor am I sure which I like better.

Saturday begins my adventure to Singapore, so get prepared for more exciting posts!

Anyone else crochet? Did you develop a yarn addiction too? Preference on scarves versus scarfs? Anyone else playing Dragon Age: Inquisition?

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: Christmas Decorating!

I'm actually posting a Photo Sunday on Sunday, you should be so proud.
Tonight my family started decorating for Christmas. I don't know about you, but in my family decorating is an affair.

It takes hours and is rather ridiculous all around.

Case and point below.

This is how my brother and I decided to put up the tree topper angel. I was pretty sure I was going to fall and die.

I think this picture pretty accurately sums up my family's decorating nonsense.

I can't wait for Christmas! We're celebrating with my family the 19th because we're leaving for Singapore the day after! I'm pumped.

Is your family crazy about Christmas? Is decorating a chaotic affair? Anyone else as excited for the holidays as me?

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: Winter is Here

Hello loves. How was your Thanksgiving? Not in America, then how was your normal week?
I ate all the food, I swear. I love Thanksgiving.

During break here, it snowed! Multiple times! This was our first real snow of the season, so of course I took a picture to share with you all.

Look how pretty! It was like a winter wonderland. By the end of that day we had over five inches of snow. That's so much snow! I honestly don't even like snow. I got to stay inside all day and drink hot chocolate and watch movies with YC, so I enjoyed this snow. 

Snow and I can be friends as long as it agrees to only come when I can hide inside all day.

Seems like a reasonable request to me.

How was your Thanksgiving, if you celebrate it? Has is snowed where you are yet? Are you also only a fan of snow when you don't have to touch it? Comment!

-Alisa