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Florida was exactly what I needed. Clear blue skies with even clearer waters. Warm comforting breezes, and even warmer burritos (you know my priorities people). I had reached a state of pure bliss.

Over the past few months of 2018, I have come to learn a lot about myself, who I am, what matters to me, and what makes me … me. Over Spring Break, I went to Florida to visit one of my best friends Mel and fully realized the importance of getting away, of course documenting the whole thing. Here is that adventure.

Day 1: APRIL 6th / 7th : Leaving & Arriving

On day one, I arrived in Florida around 10pm and didn’t take any pictures because I was dead inside, my phone was dying, and I was sweating far more than I anticipated for the month of April. I was finally reunited with Mel and so happy to be on my own little adventure – drinking mimosas, finding an actual Winn-Dixie Store (WHICH ARE REAL and not something fictional made up by Kate DiCamillo), and learning that Dunedin (which is not pronounced AT ALL how it is spelled) was going to grow a special place in my heart.

Day 2: APRIL 7th : Manatee Hunt

My one quest for Florida was see a manatee in person and I kid you not I searched far and wide for one of those suckers and THEY WERE GONE. I even dragged Mel and Devin to a Manatee viewing center only to learn a couple different things:

Manatee season is the beginning of November to the start of April …. I was in Florida April 6th – 11th.  (HENCE the start of April aka the END of manatee szn)

Manatees have a “really cool” hang out spot – in front of a GIANT power plant that produces a ton of pollution. (Note the picture of me super stoked to find manatees in front of the, what I like to call, pollution creator.)

I ventured on a mile long walk to get to the viewing tower, where my last shred of manatee viewing hope was stored and the only thing I saw from 80 feet up in the air was a kid peeing in the grass. #FloridaVibes

After the Manatee viewing center, we stopped by the sketchy, yet hippy town of Ybor (which is ALSO not pronounced at all how you would expect). I drank beer, saw a chicken LITERALLY cross the road and fan-girled inside, and went into the cleanest public bathroom of my life. Overall, it was pretty rad.

 Day 3: APRIL 8th : Shark Bait

Usually when I go on an adventure, I’m the friend that plans everything that we are going to do every waking minute we are there. This time around, though, I specifically did not. I did though, make the request that we must go visit the aquarium. As you may assume by now, we did and I had high hopes of seeing a manatee. I can let you know right now, though, I was disappointed … in a sense. You see, the Florida aquarium is nothing like the ones in New England. They have tropical fish, giant sharks, and trees inside the building … things we just don’t have up here. The only thing they didn’t have, similar to that of New England Aquariums, were FLIPPING manatees, the only animal I had actually become keen on seeing. I came all the way to Florida and I still couldn’t find a freaking manatee – THAT WAS until we entered the one room we hadn’t explored. The Gift Shop. There was a stuffed manatee in the gift shop and let me tell you I was LIVID. This aquarium provided countless children with a sense of false hope. Having them remember their trip to an aquarium with a stuffed manatee when the aquarium itself didn’t even HavE A FucKiNG MAnATeE!!!!!!

I left.

While the aquarium left me with mixed emotions, we were on to adventures that Devin had requested. Visiting a boat. I meannnn, a boat is a boat so I wasn’t too excited about this adventure UNTIL I discover THIS boat just wasn’t just any boat. It was a haunted boat.  SO HELL YEAH BITCHES you better believe I had all of a sudden gotten hella interested in this boat. While aboard, I learned a lot of fun facts about the boat from a retired veteran that was so stoked 3 “youngins” were so interested in said boat, and you already know how I feel about hands-on education so I was

L I V I N G G G G G!

The boat overall, though, definitely had a creepy vibe to it that just couldn’t be explained. We walked through rooms that just gave you the chills out of no where, only later to realize those rooms were the captains quarters and the other the hospital. While we didn’t specifically see or hear anything in particular, the vibe was totally off.

The last adventure of the day was Mel’s, which was such a perfect way to end such an amazing day. We stopped by Tampa Armature Works in Tampa Heights and let me tell you, 10/10 would highly recommend visiting here. The vibe in there was so positive and high and everyone was go glad to be there enjoying the day and company of one anther. I got a delicious sangria and oven fired margarita pizza that also put me such a state of bliss. Sun shining on my face, children playing in the grass, enjoying pizza I would never forget in the company of some of my best friends. This place was 100% my vibe.

Day 4: APRIL 9th : Beaches, Bites, & Booze

This was the day I realized I was in my own little paradise. I ate some of the best seafood of my entire life, got tipsy on the beach, and enjoyed a day letting the sun cover my body from head to toe as the sound of crashing waves lulling me to sleep.

It was the most perfect day.

Day 5: APRIL 10th : Nothing Matters

On my last full day in Florida, Mel went to work and Devin and I were rained in together. We ubered downtown to grab some smoothies at this super rad smoothie shop, until we got stuck in a TORRENTIAL Florida downpour and were soaking waiting for our next Uber to bring us to Walmart to get the rainy day essentials. Frozen pizza and aloe. If you couldn’t pick up already, I was literally burnt to a crisp from head to toe, but you better believe I didn’t regret an inch of it. I was going to be that tan bitch that you know went somewhere tropical over Spring Break – and I succeeded.

Anyways, Devin and I baked our pizzas, I covered myself in alone and then spent 3.5 hours that day building Mel her new dresser that had come in the mail earlier that morning. I felt like we were a married couple. In the end, Mel was so happy to have her dresser built.

  Even later that night, we dropped Devin off to spend some time with his cousin and Mel took me to her arial studio. It was so much fun and way more of a workout than out would have ever expected. What I learned from this experience is that I have absolutely no upper body strength but was so happy to have been a part of such an amazing experience with such amazing people. I would totally go back or look into joining a studio like this.

Overall, my trip to Florida was perfect and everything I never knew I needed. I hope all of you get the chance to uncover a beautiful place with amazing friends that brings you more bliss than you knew you could handle. xo

Until the Next Adventure – Michelle

Blissed Out Florida was exactly what I needed. Clear blue skies with even clearer waters. Warm comforting breezes, and even warmer burritos (you know my priorities people).

[twirlyourcurls]

Two Thousand Fifteen

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Lessons I Learned from The Alchemist

To put this simply, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho changed not only the way I view my life, but life in general. While I could talk about this book for ages, I decided to break it down a little to make it a little easier for you to comprehend. There were a bunch of really amazing concepts that stood out to me in this book, but instead of giving you a direct summary of the text, I chose 3 of my…

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I Can’t Be Bothered 2018 is here and I just can't be bothered about any part of 2017.  Personally, I hope 2018 is a year full of self-love and fulfillment.

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This is the story of the “adventurous realizations” I had over the course of the two weeks I had in-between jobs.

As we all know here, I graduated in May with a degree in Education, and have ever since been hard-core attempting to get a job somewhere that is right for me. Since that didn’t happen right off the bat, I have chosen a more … adventitious route and have been long term subbing all school-year long. It already stresses me out enough that I don’t have my own classroom, but everything happens for a reason.

As a whole, I would categorize my past two weeks into two parts, each producing a unique & valuable life-lesson. I reflect on this short of my life, to not only capture these memories, but potentially provide support for those who are in the same place in their life as me.

PART I : THANKS

The word thanks can be full of love and gratitude yet also so vindictive and full of spite, all depending on how you say it … which is what I love so much about spoken language. Only being 22, I am very thankful for for accomplishing so much and having so many positive aspects of my life to celebrate. On the other hand, as anyone in their mid-twenties might feel, I want to accomplish more. I want more for myself & more for my future. Right now at this moment in my life, I want to love more.

I recently re-connected with a 27 year old friend of mine. In my trance of romance, I was confused yet curious to see if there was any potential in this friendship that never really went anywhere in the past. I decided it was, so I spent the next couple of days carefully asking questions to try to find out more. More about him and who he really was … basically anything. And as we all know, Michelle is drawn to the stupid boys that are brimming with mystery, have serious baggage, and are always emotionally unavailable  and this case was no different. I attempted to be coy while simultaneously trying not to be overly pushy yet being brash. I just wanted more.

Over this three day escapade, I would visit him at work, bring him food, offer my company and support. Go out of my way to showed him I cared but like didn’t really care…ya feel? I feel that thats important when re-establishing / creating any type of relationship and I wouldn’t change any of the things I did either. He deserved to feel that supported and have someone and I’ve been that person for a lot of people.

We spent time together. He told me stories of his scars and I told him mine. He texted me one day and asked me a question I’ll never forget and I thought he was finally comfortable enough to open up and then he vanished. It ended and now all he does is open my snaps, ignore them, and posts stories of whatever shit he’s up to at the moment. #RUDE

So what should I take away from this?

I am a very emotional person and need to  GET   IT  TOGETHER .

I oftentimes feel really ashamed for feeling things so freely, and thus second guess every decision I’ve ever made and then blame myself.

I need to communicate my expectations with people more openly because I can’t expect people to read my mind.

Why am I not happy single? Like I am independent and don’t want people to touch or bother my but also give me all of your love and attention soon I don’t know haha

PART II: NEW YORK CITY

New York is a lot to handle and I love it but also hate it some much at the same time. There is a lot I could say about what happened in New York but I would rather just leave you with these pictures of my journey!

Til’ Next Time!

Michelle 

  Two Weeks In-Between This is the story of the "adventurous realizations" I had over the course of the two weeks I had in-between jobs.

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  Part 1:

There are two parts to this excitingly glamorous weekend. This first part all started on Wednesday, November 15th, when Karen, Katie, my mom, and I went out to a delicious dinner and just caught up. While I am typically an very anti-social human being, it was really fun going out and just chatting with people I not only love very much, but feel very comfortable around.

On Thursday, November 16th, it was my last day teaching the class I had been working with since the beginning of the school year. The teacher’s maternity leave had ended and  I was leaving my blossoming students behind. It was a very sad day but I also know it was a great start to new, bigger, and better things to come.

The next day, on Friday, November 17th, it was my sweet Jess’s Birthday, so Amber and I got a cake, some balloons, and drove on down for a little fiesta. We ate at our favorite little Mexican restaurant, where Amber “secretly” flirted with our guacamole maker, who happened to be muuuuuy guapo. The waiters at the restaurant also must have been secretly listening in on our conversation (either that or we are just very loud and obnoxious) because all of a sudden they came over with frozen ice cream and started singing Happy Birthday in a Spanish-American accent to our amiga Jess for her birthday. And that is how I acquired this gem. I know….you’re welcome.

Part Two:

HAPPY FRIENDS-GIVING!

I didn’t even get any pictures while I was at Josh’s because I was so involved in the food and being with my old coworkers, but it was nice catching up and getting to spend time with them again.

The whole friends-giving thing really did make me appreciate all the positive people I have in my life and how lucky I am to have such a nice little group of amazing friends. For me, at least, it’s not easy to trust people and sometimes even go out to want to hang out with people. in general; but if friends-giving taught me anything, it taught me to spend more time with friends and be appreciative of the great life I’ve made for myself at this point.

See ya’ – Michelle

La vida es una fiesta! Part 1: There are two parts to this excitingly glamorous weekend. This first part all started on…

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No, you did not read the title wrong, I literally took a Buzzed quiz where I rated different foods, pushed a button, and POOF the god of love told me who my ideal man is.

(It’s Eric Dane if you lovers were wondering)

But anyways, back into all the juicy “deets” of weekend.

THURSDAY: Since Veterans day is celebrated tomorrow, I have taken it upon myself to make the most of my freedom this weekend. So as any good washed up college student would do, I packed my backpack, bought a bottle of Titos and headed to school. If I had to sum that night up in three concepts it would be:

50 cent drinks + Titos / $5.00 = WAY TO MUCH TO DRINK

Meeting a small little boy named Kyle (who was probably like 24 and honestly not even that small). I have no idea where he came from, and no idea where he’s going, but he judged my when me sang Despacito so right now he’s on my list

 Making new memories with old friends ….. ya know what I’m sayin’

FRIDAY: Ohhhh glorious Friday, the day after Thursday and now known known as THE DAY OF MY DEATH. Oh my lord I swear I was going to vomit everywhereeeeee where I woke up that morning, LET ME TELL YOU. Since I am a freaking champ though, I had some good moral support to help me in my time of need. If I had to sum THIS day up in three concepts it would be:

You know when you wake up and for like .35 seconds you have no idea where you are and you think someone kidnapped you and you’re on your death bed? Yeah, that happened.

I accidentally played footsie with a stranger at Starbucks…that wasn’t awkward or anything (look at photo below to understand how I felt when it was his foot and NOT the table)

I went back home to hang with my home….aka my mom

SATURDAY: I literally relaxed in the comfort of my own bed, at home, alone. It was beautiful.

SUNDAY: After all the beauty sleep I received on Saturday, I went to go spend some time my good friend Devin, and realized two things:

I am very very passionate and competitive when it comes to team sports aka watching other people play basketball (The Celtics).

I love Thai food. I will never get sick of it, epically their tea. It was like I was drinking Holy Water…  I felt like a new person. Literally.

It also made me think about the history of reading tea leaves so obviously thats my new fad now and I all about learning about the Chinese tradition.

  Til’ Next Weekend!

xo – Michelle

I just took a quiz about cheese to find my perfect man, so ask me how my life’s going… No, you did not read the title wrong, I literally took a Buzzed quiz where I rated different foods, pushed a button, and POOF the god of love told me who my ideal man is.

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Who even am I?

Who even am I?

This is a question I’ve been asking myself a lot more recently. When you sit down to really think about, though, who really are we? Like I have no idea how I would even go about answering that question! Thats why when I’m asked to talk a little bit about myself in an interview I say my staged little professional spiel, when in reality I just want to stand up and declare the first thing that pops…

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Spring Break 2017 is here people and, unlike last year, I did not go on some crazy cross-country adventure with Jess, instead I stayed local and just did some ….. stuff.

SUNDAY:

On Sunday morning, my friends and I went to Misquamicut to watch the sun rise, and I can’t put into words the experience

MONDAY:

Monday afternoon, I went to go visit my old teacher Dr. Richards and she reminded me just how much I love children’s literature. She also insisted that I sit in on her graduate class and read a bunch of different books and it was freaking great!

TUESDAY:

On Tuesday, I woke up and brought my little Jess a coffee to help her get through the rest of her internship. I also finally opened up the chalk I made #diy and it turned out GREAT! I also died a bunch of eggs for Easter with my mom and they were supposed to be marbled, but as you can tell, ITS NOT MARBLE.

WEDNESDAY:

It’s hump day/ wing Wednesday / and I am half way through my spring break. Anne and I went on a little adventure to go shopping and get sweet frog. I guess you can say we bonded. That night, I also had my last ever adopted RA program where the Woman’s Center had a poetry slam/ open night mic to raise awareness for interpersonal violence. After that, jess and I went to Wing Wednesday and ate all the wings.

THURSDAY:

On my drive back home, I stopped by Over and Over and let me tell you it is one of the cutest shops in the world. If a shop were to describe me and everything I emulate to be, it would be this store. To commemorate the experience, I have this woven glass beaded bracelet that I now wear all the time.

FRIDAY:

Newport, RI – Friday, April 14, 2017 – w/ Katie

SATURDAY:

I slept/ laid down in my bed all day and then got up to make gourmet carrot cupcakes for Easter Sunday. I don’t want to brag, but these cupcakes were come of the best cupcakes I have had in my entire life. As you can tell, though, they are a lot of work and take up your entire kitchen.

SUNDAY:

Charlestown, RI – Sunday, April 16, 2017 – Eastern Sunday

Until Next Time,

Michelle

You’re Never to Old to have Fun Spring Break 2017 is here people and, unlike last year, I did not go on some crazy cross-country adventure with Jess, instead I stayed local and just did some .....

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Greetings my fellow book lovers! Long time no talk. As a recent graduate of college I’ve begun to find myself in this awkward “mid-life transition crisis thing” where I don’t have a full time job yet, am still live with my parents, and am turning 22 years old. So as anyone in this same predicament would do, I’ve been spending a lot of time on the internet looking at just the most random of things, BUT, you would not believe what I have discover over the past 3 weeks.

Prepare for your mind to be shook:

42% of college students will never read another book after they graduate.*

WHAT?!? THIS IS NOT OKAY.

If you’ve ever met me, you know I’m such a passionate lover of books and I don’t want this to ever change. This is why I have challenged myself to see how many different books I can read this summer. Thus, I introduce you to my summer reading log of 2017.

 By Your Side – Kasie West 

The Hating Game: A Novel – Sally Thorne 

The Book of Hygee – Louisa Tomsen Brits 

to be continued…

*Statistic from http://www.statisticbrain.com/reading-statistics/

Summer Book Log: 2017 Greetings my fellow book lovers! Long time no talk. As a recent graduate of college I've begun to find myself in this awkward "mid-life transition crisis thing" where I don't have a full time job yet, am still live with my parents, and am turning 22 years old. 

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The Adventures of a Student Teacher

The Adventures of a Student Teacher

When I became a first grade student teacher, I thought my life would be full of stickers and crayons but LET ME TELL YOU…. that is not all there is. While stickers and crayons are still a major part of my life, there are also lots of boogers, kids just randomly falling out of chairs, or even sneezing in your face when you go down to tie their shoe. The best of all though, it when that one student…

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Psychic Reading of 2017

Psychic Reading of 2017

On Monday, February 20, 2017, I went to go visit/ talk with Psychic Peter Marks for the first time. I went into this experience open minded with literally no expectations, and as a result, I was SHOOK. Being 21, single, and a soon to be college graduate, I feel like 2017 is a major turning point for me in my life. I hadn’t always been very “into” going to see a psychic, but I think I had reached…

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Remember That One Day I Almost Stole A Cat?

Remember That One Day I Almost Stole A Cat?

Let me tell you about the day I almost stole someones cat. This is “Mystery Orange Cat, the cat I almost stole. It all started one morning, at 6:30 am when I went to go house sit some cats. You may be asking yourself, “Michelle why are you house sitting cats?” Don’t ask. That’s a whole other story that we don’t need to talk about. Anyways, I drive to this house and get out of my car and hear…

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Temporary Love

Let me tell you all a little story about how I’ve been feeling my last 4 weekends. Right now, I am 21 years old and newly single (20 days to be exact). I’ve been alone a lot more lately, which can be ok. Learning how to re-build yourself after someone tears you and your world apart is an important skill to have in the tool belt of life as well as knowing how to stay positive in the wake of…

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Its a new year, once again, and there are lots of different things to reflect on. There have been ups and down, ins and outs, and relationships created and destroyed. This is the natural progression of life, but I’m lucky to be surrounded by so many people that believe and support in me.

I’ve missed writing and I hope to get back into the rhythm of creating and learning new things. So as I leave to go experience more adventures, I will put these random yet meaningful pictures here to hold you over.

 Til’ Next Time! Michelle

Tacos/Everything Its a new year, once again, and there are lots of different things to reflect on. There have been ups and down, ins and outs, and relationships created and destroyed.

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When you look up summer in the dictionary, you can get anything ranging from “middle of the year” to something about an equinox. As dictionary.com likes to define it, though, it is “the hotter half of the year” and let me tell you Mr. Dictionary.Com YOU WERE CORRECT CAUSE IT WAS (insert allllll the swear words here) LIT!

So in order to commemorate my sweet summer ’16, I have decided to compile one complete list of all the awesomeness that occurred instead of having 74893802 different separate posts. So in honor of my 21st birthday I have chosen 3 moments (2 + 1 = 3 …duh) that I learned and now value a lot more in my life. Each of these words have a new and deeper meaning for me and I hope they con one day mean something bigger to you too.

One. 

Destination: n. the place to which a person or thing travels or is sent

Two.

Devotion: n. earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc.

Three.

Dedication: v. to devote wholly and earnestly, as to some person or purpose

 I’M BACK!!

xoxo, Michelle

Summer State of Mind When you look up summer in the dictionary, you can get anything ranging from "middle of the year" to something about an equinox.

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