2013 Review

As a way to close 2013, I wanted to write down all the highlights of the year, month by month.

 

January

My first MARATHON! AR & I ran the Houston Marathon in January, after months of training. It rained/hailed the entire race, but I left saying "I cannot wait for my next one" :)

 

 

 

February

I started hearing back from law schools. I had not told any one but family and AR that I was applying at this point. It was so exciting, but also hard to keep to myself!

 

March

I ran my first 10k (Yes, I know, wrong order), in 48:23 and felt pretty proud of myself. Yay for first in my age group. I still think a 10k is my favorite race distance.

 

April

LOTS of travel. I took a trip to London to visit my brother Jesse. The trip was incredible and we packed so many things in.

I also traveled to Atlanta with my mom... little did I know, I would be moving there a few months later.

I also started my blog  as a way to capture the crazy year. I had no idea how much there would be to capture!

 

 

 

May

AR and I took a trip to New Orleans. It was fun and romantic and such a great escape. The haunted history tour was probably my favorite part. If you haven't taken one of these, I recommend it!

 

 

June

I tried to say good-bye to 2 years of memories in San Antonio. This was really hard. Saying good-bye to friends and family. Saying good-bye to my first *real* apartment. Saying good-bye to my students was the hardest. I cried. They cried.

AR and I took a trip to apartment hunt in Atlanta and I got excited about the prospect of starting something new. We also celebrated 2 years :)

 

July

AR and I moved to Atlanta. That was an adventure all in of itself, oh my goodness.

AR started traveling M-F, and I explored the city little by little.

 

 

 

August

Law school started! I met new people and started a whole new adventure. I also made a short trip back up north to see friends and family.

 

 

 

September

Law School got real. Transitioning from teaching first grade to being a law student was interesting. Getting in the habit of reading over 100 pages a night wasn't fun.

 

October

My second MARATHON. AR and I ran the Atlanta Marathon. This wasn't my favorite running moment, but still a good experience.

 

 

 

November

I visited Kathryn in Nashville for the first time and had so much fun. We went to hear live music, tried some new restaurants, and I paced her for the last part of her first half marathon :)

I made a trip to Louisiana with AR for Thanksgiving. I spent most of the time studying, but it was still a nice visit.

 

 

 

December

FINALS. 2 weeks of torture.

Kathryn came to visit Atlanta and we had an awesome visit.

Christmas in Texas with all my family, plus catching up with friends. I couldn't believe how much I missed everyone and everything

 

 

 

2013 was a jam packed year. I'm actually hoping that 2014 is a little less eventful, haha. Can't wait to see what is in store. Please follow my blog, instragram (hrw1126), or twitter (hannahwahlen) to keep up!

 

Thanks for joining me in this crazy year.

 

x0x0,

Hannah

First Week in Atlanta!

Hello all! AL and I have officially been in Atlanta for over a week! It is crazy to realize the planning and preparation is all done and our next adventure is well under way. AL is in his second week at the new job and I start law school in a couple weeks. 

The unpacking went smoothly - we only lost two wine glasses in the process (success!). Now I'm looking at new furniture, specifically a desk, shelving, and a sofa set. I've had some time to try new recipes, explore the neighborhood, and get some awesome workouts it. This morning I did 4 miles outside and then walked to the gym for a zumba class. I am going to miss mornings devoted to exercise once school starts.

After about 10 days in ATL, here are the things I am excited about:

1.... being half a mile away from the park. I love running to the park, completing the run, and then having the perfect cool down walk back home.

2... a farmer's market that is walking distance from my apartment. This is a must!

3... not living 3 hours away from AL. For those who don't know, we did long distance for almost 2 years. It wasn't our favorite. We are so happy to be in the same city now :)



4...the savory crepes and beverage list at Cafe Intermezzo. The spinach crepe with turkey, brie, and raspberry preserves was incredible. We've only tried 2 restaurants, but both have been amazing and I see many more yummy meals in the future.

5... a new running group that meets in my neighborhood. I miss my group in Texas and can't wait to try out a new group this Thursday.

6... GEORGIA PEACHES, which were on sale at Whole Foods for $0.69 a pound last week. My freezer and my belly are well stocked with peaches.

Looking forward to an excellent week here before I head off on a trip this weekend. See you tomorrow for WIAW!

x0x0, 

Hannah 

Moving Madness

Last week, I moved. Again. This is my 5th state since high school and I am SO tired of moving and everything involved in the process. This last move was a little more stressful because it involved 2 apartments, 2 cars, 1 Uhaul, and driving across 5 states.

The bf drove the UHaul truck while trailing his car and I followed in my car behind him. We went exactly 60 mph for HOURS. Talk about mind numbing. Thankfully I had this to listen to:

I love country music...a lot.

We stopped in Louisiana for 2 nights to see A's family and catch up with some friends. We were happy to have a break and enjoy his mama's yummy cooking (Louisiana ladies can cook!). 

We also got a chance to do 6 miles at one of my favorite places: The LSU lakes. My relationship with LSU is a whole different post, but let it suffice to say that I love this place. All the homes look like an ad in Better Homes & Gardens magazine. So lovely.

On Friday, we woke up at 4:30am to a breakfast of biscuits and turkey sausage (like I said, she is a good cook!), we started the final leg of the drive. I enjoyed the plethora of country stations across Alabama and promptly arrive in Atlanta just ahead of 5 o'clock traffic. WIN!

Then the movers arrived to unload the truck on our major street in all the traffic. Poor timing, but we made it and now I am happily unpacking. Can't wait to share photos of the new apartment!

Do you have any moving horror stories/adventures? 
Any tips on things I should do in Atlanta before school starts?

x0x0, 

Hannah 

Marvelous Monday!

Hi all! It's Monday and I want to follow in the steps on Ali at Miles with Style and share a few reasons why I am excited with this week.

1. I just had an amazing 4 days at the beach with friends. This is the second summer that my boyfriend and I have gone to this beautiful beach house with a few other couples.

We had perfect weather and spent HOURS at the beach in the water and sand. I went through 2 bottles of sunscreen (not kidding), but came home sunburn-free!

2. I will be in ATLANTA on Friday! I cannot believe we move this week, but I am beyond excited.

3. New fuel for my runs this week - trying a few new items for my runs this week. I'm planning a post on fuel options soon, so I am deep in the research stage. And yes, I always get the orange flavor.





4. Finally unpacking and starting the decorating process in my new apartment. My stuff has been in storage for a month now, so I am thrilled to unpack, organize, and start to decorate. I have a few weeks before law school starts and I plan to make my new apartment perfect. I've spent some serious time on Pinterest lately ;)

5. New neon clothing purchases. J. Crew had an amazing sale last week and I stocked up on a few summer neon pieces, including these shorts.

Have an awesome week and a marvelous Monday!

x0x0, 

Hannah 

Friday Confessions

Happy Friday Lovelies!

I'm off to Atlanta today to search for an apartment with A. I've had the most wonderful week with my mother and extended family. But I should get back to the point. On to the Friday Confessions! I confess...

...that I need to go on a sugar fast after this week. My family loves sweets. We live for them. I woke up this morning feeling like I had a sugar hangover.

... I have enjoyed all of the babies in my family immensely this weekend, but I am happy not to have my own right now. It is SO exhausting, I do not know how all of you mommies do it.

.... I spent a good deal of time at Ulta yesterday and I cannot wait to try out some of my new products. I walked into that store needing nothing, but (surprise!) discovered many things that I "had to have", like pink lipsticks and erase paste concealer :)

... I cannot wait to apartment hunt this weekend and spend some time in Atlanta. I am so excited about moving and exploring a new place with A. I've already located the farmer's markets and fro-yo shops (my priorities are clear).

Well, I am off tot he airport - Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
Hannah 

Confessional Friday: Summer break addition!

I would say TGIF, but I am on summer break and yesterday kind of felt like Friday too :) I know, I know, you wish the teachers of the world would be quiet. I can't help it.

Anyways, lets get going with the my Friday Confessions. Thanks Lesley for hosting at A Blonde Ambition!

I confess...

... I drank 3 cups of coffee this morning and have moved on to a soy latte. Perhaps I should use summer to curb my coffee addiction? Probably not.

... I'm planning on shoe shopping today. I had a horrendous experience with a flash flood on Wednesday night that ruined my favorite pair of Nine West wedges. I had so walk 3 blocks in a downpour and my cork wedges don't seem to have made it. I did wrap a plastic bag around my Kate Spade tote, but I couldn't save everything (you should have seen my hair and make-up. Or not. It was bad). I've envied these on Caitlin and Emily's blogs, so maybe I will try them on today.



... I'm taking a rest day today and not going to the gym. I need to save my muscles for the move tomorrow.

... I am having some anxieties about putting my stuff in storage until I move into my Atlanta apartment. I just HATE the thought of locking it all up!

... After seeing these yummy little Chobani greek yogurt bites, I grabbed some yesterday. I cannot wait to try them! Who doesn't love coffee & dark chocolate?


What are your plans for the weekend?

Have a great weekend!
Hannah