Independence Day

I have to work today, and I'm assuming it's going to be very busy. Why people decide to come to the zoo on holidays, especially when it's over 90º I do not know. Either way I'm going to be melting outside and not even acknowledging the holiday. Since we all have to work it just feels like a normal week, I literally forgot it was a holiday until my mom and sister said something about it yesterday. So eat lots of barbecue for me and drink lots of beer. At least I'll get to see the fireworks in Philadelphia for the first time after work.

Happy Independence day! Yay freedom!

I Belong in a Zoo

A conversation I had at work the other day.

Setting: The baby Galapagos Tortoise Yard

Me: So today Chelsea and I were walking back to Schoolhouse for lunch and we saw two peacocks doing the whole mating ritual.
Jessica: Oh yeah?
Me: Yeah the male peacock put up all his feathers for the peahen and did the whole courtship dance. Then he jumped on here and had peacock sex. They did the cloaca kiss thing. He was literally standing on her, it was so odd. Chelsea and I were just standing there in awe and some of the visitors were freaking out.
Jessica: Hahahah that's nuts!
Me: I know, I had never seen them do the cloaca kiss before.
Jessica: Yeah, I've only seen them show off their feathers for the peahens.
Me: Yeahhh.
[Pause]
Jessica: You just saw peacock sex. I feel like you should blog about that.

I have a cool job.

Surrounded by Books

{Serenity}

My best friend and I signed our lease for our new apartment last week. We are extremely excited. We move in this coming September and couldn't be more thrilled to decorate a space that is completely our own.  It is so nice knowing that we will finally have a real home that is not the home we grew up in.  As I sort through pictures for design inspiration I found common themes in the things I like.  One in particular: I want to be surrounded by books. I want bookcases in my room to show off all my books and different odds and ends.  Maybe it stems from the fact that my Grandparents have had a "library" in their house my entire life. A room covered in floor to ceiling shelves with books galore.  Or perhaps it's because one of my life goals is to have my own library in my house in the future, complete with wooden gliding ladders.  It may just be because I love to read though.  I love to read because it lets me escape from the reality that is life and enter any place I want to go.  I love to read because it fills my head with knowledge and wisdom that no one can take from me.  I love to read because as this post says, it makes your mind beautiful.  So now I'm off to hunt for bookcases and a good new book to read.

{I do this at home all the time}

*All pictures taken from tumblr

Lessons Learned

{Looking up through the trees}

I have had an extremely busy week that started with a stressful weekend.  Have you ever wanted something to work out so badly it almost hurt? So much you wanted something to work and all you did was try to make it so, basically just willing it to. And then you finally realize that you can’t force it to work out and that what happens will happen and you can’t change it? Well I learned that lesson again this week and I didn’t like it. It breaks my heart.  All I want is things to go one way and they just won’t. So now I must work with what I have and accept it.  Life seems so unfair at times, which is when I remind myself of all the wonderful things I have. I think I’ll go home soon for some laughs and love from the people who know how to make me laugh the hardest. 

Celebratory

Some people have no interest in little landmarks or occasions. I, however, find them to be very important so that you can take a moment to get your perspective and sense of the present. We spend so much time thinking about the future and dwelling on the past it's easy to lose the now. And once we regain it, we can be on our way.

“You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!” 

-Dr. Suess

As Pretty As Trash

I was recently publicly patronized in such a manner that I was left literally in disbelief.  Apparently I am very creative although have no concept of money, but my enthusiasm is great!  So I made my sister a birthday card:

I think it’s lovely. I made it out of a Coach shopping bag, an empty tissue box, and a brown bag all of which I was throwing away, some glue and nail polish I already had. In other words: trash.  See the resources below:

Apparently I can make something thoughtful and elegant with economy in mind. I need not spend money to create beauty in this world.  I will let this person slide on the notion that they do not know me well. But all I have to say is bring it on. In a short amount of time, when they actually see me, I will prove them so wrong. Just wait and you’ll see what I mean.

Lunch Trip

{the beauty of the beach}

So a while ago my friend and I decided we wanted pizza for lunch. More specifically we wanted Mack and Manco’s, which is in Ocean City, New Jersey.  We finally made the trip out to my favorite place in the world for some down right delicious food.  If you have never been I highly recommend getting a slice of plain and some birch beer to go with it. You can eat your way to happiness and soak up the beautiful beach.  It was lovely because it’s still Spring so it was chilly and not crowded at all.

{If you've neve riden a surrey I recommend you do it}

{It changed this year to Manco and Manco's in case you weren't aware}