It continues

It's winding down. Time here in DC is tick tick ticking away. So, it's go-time. Time to buckle down and take in everything I can, while still completing projects for work and writing papers for school.

This past week I've been keeping busy over here on the East Coast, with birthdays, conferences, parties, and events.

Dear Alex turned 24, so naturally we celebrated at Cheesecake Factory

 Andrew and I had food babies afterwards 

 It was a ridiculous night

 The jokes just kept comin

 We got to spend Monday at work in a nice corporate building for an event. Ah, the differences between non-profit and for-profit.

 We couldn't get enough

And celebrated after

 And said goodbye to Yoseph

 Some friends of mine have this rooftop pool, in which I watched the sunset tonight over DC

And this is the biggest pizza of our lives

And that is life at this moment. 

Photobooth

Whether it's with intern friends or family, photo booths are always worth the few dollars. 

My Natural State

I grew up in a small town. A town with a confederate soldier in the square. A town with my favorite Thai restaurant. It's a place where roadkill and fireflies line the roads. Where trees overtake everything, bales of hay dot the fields, and Walton Blvd is the main drag. And it's a place with some of the kindest people you'll ever meet. Oh how I've missed those southern accents.

This past weekend I got to go back for a few days for the first time in two years. And I remembered why Arkansas still holds a huge chunk of my heart. The Ozarks will forever remain one of the most beautiful places in my eyes. And the people, well, there's just no one like 'em.

So here's a few glimpses at my small-town, redneck roots:

Yes, I'm in the marching band. No, I'm not embarrassed. 

One of my favorite places

 The day we all left for college

river rats

Back then and now, Harry Potter with this girl. Of course. 

And I got to see these two. Here we are years back.

 And here we are in China. 

And here we are now, in Branson. 

I also got to see this boy. The picture is old, but I forgot to get a new one. 

The Natural State.

The FamBam

A few weeks ago my family invaded DC. Lucky for me they were staying at a hotel next door so I got free breakfast every morning and I got to chill with them every minute I wasn't at work. My aunt and cousins drove down from Jersey for a few days as well to join in the festivities. 

Conceived in Liberty

The Barlow Center interns ventured up to Gettysburg and Harper's Ferry on Saturday. Both places were beautiful, I fell in love with Abe, and I got in touch with my southern roots at General Pickett's Buffet. 

showin Abe some love

Gettysburg

besties

oh Cardell

Probs supposed to be paying attention to a tour

Bridge to Maryland

oh hi my roommate is beautiful

love

Awkward

Heaven