Fun, Family, Florida

The Florida trip already seems like it was so long ago, even though it has only been two weeks.  Stacy came back with me to New York and we spent a few days having fun in the city.  This past week I started classes again.  I am also preparing for my first doctoral recital, so things are moving along.

Spending time with family on a little vacation was fun.  We had a great trip!  It's so hard to get the whole family together, since we are spread out all over the place, so it was really a special and nice thing to be able to relax and have fun together.  We rented a really great house in Florida.  It had enough space that we weren't always on top of each other (except that I slept in a top bed of a bunk bed, so maybe I was on top at that point, but that's okay :)  The house had game tables that we took advantage of, TVs to veg out to, a big pool and patio, a lake with a paddle boat (which Jared and Alma Lee got caught out in a storm!), and maybe my personal favorite: a hot tub.  And I loved the weather!  It is GREAT to be able to wear sandals and summer tops in January.  That was a nice way to break up the frigid winters I'm used to. I think I may have a calling to be a snow bird.

I think we were able to have a nice balance of "doing stuff" and relaxing.  Splitting up at times, and going as a group at other times allowed everyone to vacation in their own way.  From biking with alligators, shopping for shoes, eating everything in sight, to playing "Bananas" and "Settlers"...we did a lot!

One day I joined the "Brothers with Babies" group and went to the zoo.  I took my camera, of course, and had so much fun hanging out with them and taking pictures.  Joel was my buddy.  He always wanted to "push the button" on my camera.  He got a few interesting shots.  I'd share them, but I don't want him to sue me for copyright infringement when he starts his own blog.  

We each took a spin (or two) on the zoo's carousel!

I really enjoyed getting to spend time with my nieces and nephew.  I wish I could see them more often!  I look forward to one day when all the cousins can come visit Aunt Megan in New York!  I think we'll have a lot of fun....and not get into too much trouble.

And here is a view of our lovely lake after sunset.

I'm cold!

Turn up the heat!

2012 thus far

So far I have had a nice new year back in New York.  I celebrated the arrival of 2012 in Brooklyn with a small group of friends.  It was very nice.  Since then I have been working, practicing, taking advantage of some after-Christmas sales, and trying to relax as much as I can.  Aside from two very frigid days, the weather has been pretty mild and I've been enjoying my break from school.  I'm also in the midst of a room organization project that I'm enjoying.  I am going through my room in sections and trying to get everything organized.  The project has included several trips to The Container Store, Home Depot, and the discount store in my neighborhood.  As I go along I am coming up with new ideas and also looking at websites for inspiration.  It's been pretty amazing how much more space I can find when I get really organized.  I found one extra shelf on my small bookcase and a whole extra shelf (maybe even two) on my larger bookcase!  The goal is for every "thing" to have its own "place".  Then nothing should go on the floor or in piles to never be seen again, right?  We'll see.  I'm excited about what I've done so far and there is still PLENTY to go.  I'm still trying to decide the best methods for my clarinet stuff, music, and school stuff.  These things tend to get out of control, especially during the semester or when I get really busy.  Unfortunately, Better Homes and Garden's website doesn't have a "de-clutter your clarinet stuff" page so I'm on my own with this one.  Maybe I will come up with something creative and put it on my website and become famous with all the clarinetists.  I'll be the Martha Stewart of clarinet.

Well - Project Organization 2012 will have to go on hold tomorrow because I will be going to Florida for the rest of the week!  I'm super excited to take a vacation with my family and get to relax in a warm place.  I look forward to seeing my nephew who I haven't seen in a year, and meeting my new niece for the first time!  With a family so spread out, it's hard to get everyone together at the same time, so this will be great!  Yippee!