Summer Update!

I know it’s only been a few weeks into the summer,

but so much has happened since the semester ended!

Here are the top five things that have happened since

I left y’all, let’s dig in! :)

1. I made the Dean’s List! This is the fourth time I’ve made the Dean’s List, and it makes all the late night study sessions and countless hours spent studying and working on assignments worth it! It's my goal to make the Dean’s list both semesters of my last year of college as an undergraduate this fall!
2. I started my summer jobs at the "nearby" mall. That’s right, I’m working retail at the mall this summer, haha. It has been an interesting experience so far, but it has also been a positive experience for me. I am working at two well known retail brands, and that puts a bit of pressure on me to be awesome at a job I’ve just started. But I love my jobs, and the goals and challenges we set for one another! Also, I work with some amazing and lovely people, which isn't half bad either. :)
3. I got to spend a long weekend in Florida with my parents and little brother! I love spending time with my family, and this summer may be one of the last times I get to spend a lot of time with them, which is a pretty scary thought to me. I love my family, and they mean the world to me. To see more about my weekend in Florida, visit my other blog post, Florida Adventures!
4. My best friend Megan is spending her ENTIRE summer abroad in New Zealand and Australia! I’m super proud of my bestie for this awesome accomplishment, and I know she completely deserves it after all the had work she has put into studying and concentrating on her academics. She inspires me to work as hard as I can to do the best I can in college and to stay focused on what’s important to me.
5. I have had a sudden burst of positivity and inspiration to start exercising and be incredibly productive this summer. I haven’t really exercised ever since I had to quit gymnastics from multiple injuries. But after years of dreaming of the six pack abs and toned legs that I used to have, I am finally going to make a point to exercise regularly and get the body I’ve always wanted! I also want to be productive this summer by finishing some projects I started last semester, sparked by my over-usage of Pinterest of course! :)

My wonderful weekend with my family has sparked inspiration to improve so much in my personal life and my life in general. These sort of things really excite me, which may sound weird or nerdy, but it’s true! :P

Thanks for reading guys! Let me know in the comments below how your summer has been so far!

<3 AnnaMarie

My Weekend Florida Adventures

** So, I'm a bit overdue for a blog post...and by a bit overdue, I mean waaaaaaaay overdue! I know the weekend ended a few days ago, but this week has been very busy, to say the least! I am hoping to get back to blogging regularly and renew my love of writing! :) **

I was lucky enough to get a long weekend off from work to enjoy the b-e-a-UTIFUL Florida weather with my family! My parents recently bought a beautiful condo in southern Florida, and I am more than excited and thankful to call it my home away from home. I am so blessed and thankful to have such amazing parents who work incredibly hard to provide more than enough for our family, I don’t know what I’d do without their love and support!

Here is a brief recap of the awesome weekend!

Thursday started pretty early for me, and since I worked super late the night before, I was running on three hours of sleep and pretty tired! After landing in Florida, I met my parents at the airport and we immediately hit up one of my favorite stores to pick up some things for the new place: Marshall’s! I ended up getting two pairs of super cute, high waisted shorts, a belted maxi skirt (finally!!!), and a pair of brown gladiator-like sandals! I also tried these yummy blueberry rice-cake treats - gluten-free and vegan! I wasn’t sure what to think at first, but they are really yummy, and a great, healthy snack!

After getting the grand tour of the condo the fam and I hung out at the pool for a little bit, discussing potential afternoon plans, and what everyone wanted to do the next day. We ended up running out to do some extra errands at Bed Bath & Beyond, and ended with a yummy dinner at Bahama Breeze! Afterwards we spent some quality family time on the lanai at the condo! :)

On Friday we spent quite a bit of time at the beach on Captiva Island. I walked the shoreline for a while with my little brother and dad, picking up some cool shells along the way and admiring the turtle nests - from afar of course! After getting just enough sun (for a ginger), we drove to a nearby resort, where we were tourists for the afternoon on a wild manatee and dolphin spotting cruise.

The manatees had marks on their backs from being
hit by boaters going too fast in the canals.

IT WAS SO COOL!!

We saw a bunch of wild dolphins while out on the water, and spotted a few manatees while at the docks. It was so cool to see the wild dolphins so up close, and it was funny how they kept jumping and trying to splash us on the boat! The pod of dolphins that followed us had a calf (a baby dolphin) with them, it was cute how it was trying to jump as high as the others! 

I've always had a love for dolphins. Whenever we would go to the zoo near my home in Minnesota, I would spend as much time as I was allowed watching the dolphins. Becoming a dolphin trainer or marine biologist was my dream! I still love them, and I get overly excited any time I see them, preferably in the wild instead of in captivity. This occasion was definitely one where I wanted to squeal with the excitement level of a little girl! :)

After the cruise we went back home to hang out, have a few drinks and some leftovers for dinner. Afterwards, Michael and I ran to the nearby Coldstone Creamery (it's SO nice living close to the malls and little eateries, unlike where we live in Minnesota!), to grab some dessert for everyone!

Saturday was a bit more relaxed. I got to sleep in a little bit, then I waited for some furniture to be delivered while Mom, Dad, and Michael ran to the store to grab some things and take Michael to the doctor. After they returned, Mom, Dad and I ran out to check out the nearby mall, Coconut Point, and did a little bit of shopping. It is so much fun exploring the nearby area, it’s so different from back home in Minnesota, and to think that I could live here full-time if I water to!!

Sunday was pretty great as well. We started out the day by heading out to Ft. Myer's beach and bumming it in the sun. Afterwards, my parents dropped my little brother and I off at the airport with kisses and hugs to fly back to Minnesota. I had a ton of fun in Florida, and I can’t wait to go back for even more adventures!

How was your weekend?! Let me know

in the comments below! :)

<3 AnnaMarie