100 Things

1. My name is Heather Danielle, it was almost Natalie Renea.
   
2. I got married at 21.
   
3. Our wedding date was May 26, 2007.
   
4. My Dad passed away 3 years ago. It is still the hardest thing I have ever gone through, and I still haven't completely dealt with it. And, it never stops hurting.
   
5. My husband and I don't have children yet. But, our dog is seriously our baby, and is so spoiled and loved.
   
6. My husband is in the Air Force. We love it.
   
7. We live in Washington, DC. We have gotten to do some awesome things since getting stationed here, a little over two years ago.
   
8. I am finishing photography school right now.
   
9. As soon as I finish with school, I am learning Spanish. I took 3 years in high school and so, it's more just learning the conversational stuff.
   
10. I can't wait to move overseas. And, just a few months ago, it terrified me.
    
11. I used to hate flying. Now, it's kind of exciting.
    
12. Pink is my favorite color. If it's pink, I will probably buy it. I just bought a mini-Gerber tool that hangs on my keyring, and it's pink.
    
13. I love sparkles. They always make me smile.
    
14. I met my husband at Boy Scout Camp. We were both staff members.
    
15. I never imagined I would have gotten to do all the amazing stuff I have done, and I am only 23!
16. I love CSI.
    
17. I used to work in retail. Honestly, I miss it.
    
18. I worked at Victoria's Secret for 2 years. I loved it. I made some of the most amazing friends there. They probably don't know, but if it weren't for them, I don't know how I could have gone back to work after my Dad passed away.
    
19. I love reading people's blogs. I think it is so inspiring to read about how everyday things can make people so happy.
    
20. I am a Texan. And, I miss Mexican food and Blue Bell, since I can't get either, here.
    
21. I rock red lipstick. And, I love it.
    
22. I love Broadway musicals. We have seen Chicago and Wicked, so far.
    
23. I adore New York City!
    
24. I had never been to the hospital for me, until last year.
    
25. I had never been to the dentist, until almost 2 years ago.
    
26. I love the Twilight series. And, I saw Twilight at the midnight showing last year, and plan on doing the same with New Moon, this year.
    
27. I think the fact that Edward sparkles is sooo cool. I wish I sparkled, too.
    
28. My Dad lived an amazing life, and his life inspires me to live my life and help others, as he did.
    
29. I used to be in love with Enrique Iglesias. I still love his music.
30. I love the beach, and I hope we live aside the beach someday, preferably, soon. Maybe in Espana. :)
    
31. I love babies, but I wonder if I will ever have one of my own.
    
32. I am Spanish. Only about 1/4.
    
33. I want to attend the winter olympics this year, and the summer olympics, eventually.
    
34. I love quotes that inspire me.
    
35. I am horrible at math. And, haven't used any of that algebra crap since high school.
    
36. I graduated with around 70 people.
    
37. I stay up way too late piddling on the internet. Mostly, blogging or editing photos.
    
38. I love browsing on ETSY.
    
39. I love James Avery jewelry.
    
40. I love that I am Irish. And, am enchanted with anything Irish.
    
41. One of my favorite movies as a child was 'Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.'
    
42. Christmas isn't Christmas for me without: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, N*Sync's 'Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,' and wassail.
    
43. My tennis partner and I won district twice, in high school. And, silver, once.
    
44. I am very blessed.
    
45. I am amazed at how things fall into place. God is amazing.
    
46. I wanted to be a psychologist. I think I still do..
    
47. I led a pretty sheltered life as a kid. I think I'm glad.
    
48. I read books like they are going out of style.
    
49. I can't wait until Christmas.
    
50. I miss working retail at Christmas.
    
51. I love learning.
    
52. The Holocaust is something that I read a lot about.
    
53. I love Limited jeans, and have never, ever paid full-price for a pair.
    
54. I love faeries.
    
55. I gained thirty pounds since moving to DC. The food is sooo good. I am losing it, though.
    
56. I love baseball.
    
57. I hate when people compare themselves to others. Everyone is different, embrace it.
    
58. My birthday is the day before St. Patrick's Day. How fitting.
    
59. One of my first words was 'powers,' which meant 'flowers,' which is also what my name means.
    
60. I love Tiffany's silver jewelry.
    
61. I love fall!
62. I don't care if people 'get' my photography. It's mine, and no one has to understand it. It's art. Some of the greats were never 'understood' in their time.
63. I love puzzles. You can hardly pull me away from one, until I am done.
64. I am painfully shy when I first meet people. I think, because of this people think that I am rude. It upsets me.
65. I am going to miss DC when I move. I have made some great friends in the last year.
66. I loved BOSTON!
67. I went to the second to last game at the old Yankees stadium. It was sad.
68. I am drawn to things that are colorful, glittery, bright and/or artsy.
69. I like buying random things for props in my photos.
70. I love shopping at Ross and Marshall's and therefore, have a very hard time paying department store prices, ever. I cringe when I pay more than 10 dollars for a shirt or 20 dollars for jeans. But, I will buy designer bags.
71. I love Coach and kate spade.
72. I can't believe this is my life sometimes. I know I am blessed and so thankful.
73. I wish people didn't waste their lives waiting for something better, one day they will be sorry they didn't enjoy what they had and live in the moment.
74. I truly believe that some people will never appreciate or be happy with their lives and what they have, no matter where they live or how blessed they are.
75. I miss being a part of the Youth group I was in as a teen. Those were some good days.
76. I think it's sad that people will throw away their lives for money. Like people who betray their country, just for money. Have you no pride?
77. I love movies.
78. I enjoy sitting in my hammock, reading a book, with Dublin on my lap.
79. I love baking.
    
80. Double Tree cookies are so GOOD! I got the recipe and they taste almost exactly alike.
81. I love spicy foods. Seriously. Almost everything I eat, has to be spicy.
82. I am making my own drinking chocolate and hot chocolate soon.
83. I have found how-to's for soap and want to do that soon, as well.
84. I hand tint my photos. It is so fun!
85. I love browsing people's photography sites. The talent people have is amazing to me.
86. I get giddy thinking of photography. That's good, since it's what I want to do for the rest of my life.
87. I crave pizza and hot dogs, but rarely eat them.
88. I eat healthy. But, apparently, not healthy enough.
89. My husband and I do not own a fryer, nor fry foods.
90. We rarely eat fried foods.
91. I would have gained even more weight since moving here, if we did.
92. I lost 30 pounds in the year and a half before we got married.
93. I gained it all back since moving to DC.
    
94. I dream of being pre-wedding size again, and to think, I thought I was fat then.
95. I can't believe I am still awake.
96. I am going to bed, soon.
97. I love camping.
98. I want to go hiking.
99. I slept all day, so I am just not tired.
100. I had the original Boston Cream Pie, where it was invented.

The Story of Jason and I.

The story of Jason and I.

Jason and I met as staff members at a Boy Scout ranch in my hometown. I was (and still am) best friends with the ranger's daughter, and spent most of my senior year in high school, at the camp, with her family. So, when the time came for people to interview to be on staff for the summer, I was already in love with this place and wanted nothing more than to live there for the summer.

The first time we ever saw each other, was when, Jason was leading a get-to-know you game with all the staffers on the day we all arrived. He likes to tell me about how there was no way he couldn't have noticed me, because I kept talking and distracting him as he was trying to keep everyone focused on the game. What can I say? I am a talker. :)

As staff members, you become close with the people you work with, because you all live on camp property for the duration of the camp season. So, it was normal that you interacted with everyone.

After a couple of failed attempts to keep us from dating, by a staff member who will remain unnamed, we ended up going on our first date, to the 4 screen movie theater in my hometown, where we watched Shrek 2 and dined at what used to be the very best Mexican food restaurant in town (that is now a steak and burger joint.)

We spent the rest of our time at camp, trying to spend as much time as possible together. Before camp ended, Jason invited me to come to New Orleans with him a few weeks after camp ended, to attend a wedding with him. To be honest, I really didn't expect to see the guy again. He lived 4 hours away, was starting his Sophomore year in college, and I was just a small-town girl who had graduated from high school two days before we met. Nevertheless, when I kept receiving phone calls from him after camp, I gathered there might be a bit more to us than I had originally thought. :)

We dated for 2 more years, before getting engaged, but that is another story for another time. :)

I'm Back!

So, the blog is back, with a new look. I thought I would use my PhotoBlog account for photos and this account for blogging. We'll see how it all works out. :)

Jason and I are getting ready to go on a camping trip tomorrow, in Virginia. Hopefully, it will be a relaxing and fun weekend! Updates when I get back.

Boston: Day 4.

Today, Tom, Jason and I packed everything up in the car and checked-out of the hotel. Before leaving, I got myself a tin, yes, a tin of Doubletree cookies for the trip home. :) We still had a few plans for the day, before leaving in the afternoon.

First stop, a tour of Samuel Adams' brewery. Very cool. We learned how Sam Adams is brewed.


Brewery.



Hops and Barley.



Myself, during the tasting of the brews part of the tour.

After our tour of the brewery, we decided to get a little grub. Santarpio's, another favorite of Rachael Ray's, is known for it's pizza. Let me tell you, it was delicious! The best pizza ever.


Santarpio's Pizza. BEST. PIZZA. EVER. Really.

After Santarpio's, we took the rental car back, and walked to the train station for our trip back to DC.


Train schedule outside of South Station in Boston.

SUCH A FABULOUS TRIP!

Boston: Day 3.

Today, after Jason and Tom got done with their conference, which was a half a day, we took a tour of Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. We were able to sit in the press box and see the stadium from the view that the press has, during games. What a view!



The view of the stadium from the press box.


Jason and I at Fenway, with the press box behind us.

After our tour of Fenway, and a stop at the huge memorabilia shop across from the stadium, we headed out and toward Cheers for a bite to eat and a frosty beverage.


My hat and my local brew at Cheers. Jason sat on the right of me, on a corner, where Norm sat. There was even a gold plaque with Norm's name on it, permanently affixed to the bar.

We spent the afternoon touring and photographing Boston Public Gardens and Boston Commons. It was beautiful. I wish I could post more photos of that as well, maybe another time.

Our next stop? Another try for our Boston Cream Pie at the Omni Parker House! Away we went. This time, however, we had success, as we took a taxi down, instead, no parking issues this time for these guys!

While there, I actually got to go inside of hotel, itself, as there was no bathroom in the actual restaurant. The lobby was gorgeous and I felt so under dressed in my summery clothes. Nevertheless, it was wonderful getting to see this historic hotel.

My Omni Sparkler at the Omni Parker House. The red flower in the bottom of the glass was an edible Australian hibiscus. Yum.

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My Omni Sparkler at the Omni Parker House. The red flower in the bottom of the glass was an edible Australian hibiscus. Yum.

The Original Boston Cream Pie. Love the presentation!

Boston, Day: 2.

Today, while Jason and Tom were at their conference, I slept in. :) When I started to get hungry, I thought I would order room service, until I read the menu for the hotel's Green Room. I got up, got dressed, and took myself to a solo lunch. I was first seated near some gabby businessmen who talked on their self phones, throughout the entirety of their meals. So, I did what any gal on vacation, who wanted to relax and enjoy the view would do..I asked to be moved, to the complete other side of the room, all by myself, to enjoy the solitude that was mine for my lunch date with myself. I ordered the cucumber ribbon salad. It consisted of: baby field greens, grilled Brie, grape tomatoes, shoestring carrots, sugared walnuts, and a cranberry vinaigrette. Did I mention I LOVE Brie?! AND, walnuts? Yum! It was so delicious. Then, I decided, since it was vacation I would go all out and order dessert. So, I ordered a Doubletree cookie sundae, complete with vanilla ice cream, a Doubletree cookie, chocolate sauce and homemade whipped cream. Yum-o.


Before my dinner date with myself.

After my lunch, I decided I would take advantage of this baby. (See below)


The hotel's indoor pool and hot tub. [Photo courtesy of the Doubletree website]

I had the whole room to myself. I alternated swimming laps in the pool and relaxing in the hot tub. After around an hour of pool and hot tub time, it was time for me to get dolled up and ready for the lobster and clam bake.

Jason and Tom came and picked me up, and we headed back to the hotel that the conference was being held at. I tried lobster, clam, had some wine. Met some nice people. Had some wonderful strawberry shortcake.

After the lobster and clam bake, we thought we would go downtown to the Omni Parker House for the original Boston Cream Pie. An hour and no luck finding a parking spot that would cost us less than thirty dollars, we decided we would go and hang out at the lounge in our hotel, instead.




Biscuits and shortbread for strawberry shortcakes.


Homemade whipped cream. Yum.



Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge in Boston, MA

Amtrak & Day 1: Boston

Jason and I met Tom on base at around 1AM. D, his roommate and co-worker, drove us to Union Station in downtown DC. We went inside the station to get our tickets printed and get on the train, and just as Jason got his ticket printed, and a security guard walked up to us and told us we had to evacuate the station. At this point, we had not been told why it was that we were to evacuate. We got almost to the door to outside, and another guard came up to us and told us that we needed to 'hurry up, because Union Station has a bomb threat on it.' Needless to say, that put a little pep in our step.

Two hours, a half a bag of trail mix, an interesting exhibition put on by DC's finest and sitting with people who were just anxious to get on their train, we were finally able to get back in the station, get my ticket printed and get on our train to Boston.

Riding Amtrak was such a cool experience! The three of us were able to find seats facing each other, so in the rare moments that the guys were awake, we could chat. We also had a table, with two fold out leaves between us, for storage, food or whatever else we wanted to throw up there. From my seat, I was able to see Philadelphia, the New York City skyline and the New England coast. So beautiful!


New York City skyline from the train.


We arrived at South Station in Boston at around 1 PM. We hailed a cab from the station to pick up our rental car. We stayed at a Doubletree. Upon check-in, we received one of Doubletree's signature chocolate chip cookies. AH-MAZING. We got our stuff into our rooms, that were quite nice, I might add, and then we headed out to see Boston.

Our first stop? Lunch, of course. At the No Name Restaurant. I ordered fried shrimp with fries, and expected to get 6-8 shrimp and more fries than anything. NOPE. I got a huge pile of little fried shrimp on top of a mound fries. It was delicious.

Next stop: Faneuil Hall Marketplace for some shopping and exploring. We saw the Cheers (set replica, not the actual set used for the show.) The real one we saw on Wednesday. Jason got me the coolest purse there. It is called Zip-It. You can see what it's all about in that link. I got a shoulder bag in black with a multicolored zipper. I also got myself a sterling silver and crystal necklace from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts shop in the marketplace. Jason also bought me a brown Red Socks hat with a pink B logo. We watched a knife juggler in an open area in front of Quincy Market. We spent around 3 hours just hanging out and exploring there, and then headed off toward the car. On the way there, we found the Black Rose Pub, recommended by Emily, who lived in Boston. We popped in for a drink, before heading off to dinner.


Jason and I with Norm, from Cheers.


We had dinner at Sonsie, a restaurant I wanted to try, after seeing it on Rachel Ray. The restaurant served brick-oven pizza, along with some more sophisticated dishes. The coolest thing about Sonsie, that made me want to go, aside from the food, was the fact that the doors in front of the restaurant actually have the capability to slide open to become a huge open restaurant. Very nice. At Sonsie, we shared Duck Confit before dinner, then we shared a cheese pizza. Afterward, Tom ordered a chocolate roll with homemade whipped cream for dessert, and I opted for a chocolate bread pudding, with chocolate sauce and homemade whipped cream.


Sonsie.



Duck Confit.




My dessert.


The hotel sounded very inviting after our very long, eventful morning and long, exhausting, though fun day. Our plan was to get things ready for the next day, then meet up and go get drinks at the hotel's bar..well, needless to say, we all ended up crashing pretty early.