A Day To Myself....Welcoming 26.

For most people, my friends anyway, turning 25 is the most excitement they'll have for a birthday between ages 21 and 30. I had the same high hopes for my 25th birthday and was more than let down; not just on my birthday, but continually throughout the entire year. I could not wait to turn 26 and leave the past year behind me. Good riddance, twenty five! 

summer birthdays require ice cream cake

In any event, Tuesday was my birthday. Growing up, I never got a chance to celebrate my birthday in school and would have to wait almost a month after school got out to *hopefully* get all my friends together. Since my birthday falls dead in the middle of summer, a lot of my friends and their families were already on vacation at this point. 

Moving along....

Tuesday I decided to ditch everyone and spend the day, alone, at the beach. I told my trainer I wasn't going to ride, I told my friends I'd be unavailable, and I told myself to just soak in the sun and bask in peace and quiet. It was FABULOUS.

At our family friends' beach house

My parents separation fell two days before my birthday when it occurred, talk about putting a damper on the party. I spend every year trying to ignore the obvious: it hurts. Each of my parents tries in their own way to make my birthday special, probably in some way hoping I can for one day, ignore the pain that is constantly flowing through me. I'm only human, after all. 

This year, I was surprised however when my father told me, that him and my mother collaborated to find me a gift, and a cake that they knew I would like. Okay, let's be real people: my mother instructed my father on what to do but collaboration sounds much more "team" like. Round of applause to them. Birthday: success on all fronts.

Dad and me on the beach after dinner

Packing, Day 1

Every bird must eventually leave their nest and this little bird has decided to take everyone along with me...via this blog! As much as I wish I could take all the people I love with me, it would completely override the purpose of moving. (Sorry, guys!) 

Nonetheless, I thought this would be a good way to share my experience of moving from the Northeast to the Southeast: The good, the bad, the ugly, the sights, the frustrations, the dilemmas and everything in between. 

So, today I decided it would be a good idea to start pulling and purging from my closet and get a head start on the packing process. August 11, 2013 I will begin my 800+ mile journey from CT to SC, moving my entire life down to Charleston. 

Since the drive is so long, Jill and Steve, two of my friends from high school, have decided to join me and make it into a true road trip. Along the way, we will be making a two night stop in Washington, DC. The plan is to do as many "toursity" things as possible in 36 hours. Any suggestions? 

Packing is awful, especially when you have a monstrous amount of clothing, shoes, and accessories. The most daunting part is the fact that when I get to Charleston I'll actually have to unpack everything! 

I started with a quick trip to Walmart to buy Space Bags and some other essentials for my move (hair ties, gum, the usual!) After taking a fluffernutter break for lunch, I began to venture into my closet. Here's a look at my lunch, my closet and the beginning of my purge. 

Lunch; the classic Fluffernutter

Left side of my closet
[sneakers, Sperrys, converse, blazers, sweaters, oxford shirts, slacks]

Middle section of my closet which houses my heels and some flats

Right side of my closet
 [UGGs, Burberry boots, dresses, skirts, shirts, JC track suits]

Most of the clothing from my closet purge has since been either put in Space bags and packed or I have shipped to one of my cousins. I am always happy to send her stuff, especially after my aunt uses words like "idolize," and "worship" to descirbe my cousin's feelings towards me. Ok, to me, that was funny. But in all honesty, I love my family and really am more than willing to give them hand-me-downs that would otherwise go to GoodWill. 

Closet purge