01.31.11

Wawa. Another one of the fantastic gas stations out here on the east coast. Kevin talks about Wawa a lot -- and until now it had remained this mysterious place out there in the big abyss. Actually, it is just a few miles down Pulaski Hwy. :) My sub was delicious, however, and I do have to say that as far as gas station convenience stores go -- Wawa does have the edge!

01.30.11

Stones into Schools = fantastic. Every time I read a book by Greg Mortenson I become inspired. I got this book for Christmas, which is fantastic because I really wanted to read it, and it is also on the list of optional book reads for my Public Health nursing class. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be inspired by a man who is doing a lot of good for women and their education.

01.29.10

Kev and I in front of Looney's -- the bar where we had our first date. :) We were planning on going to the Charm City Roller Girls, but no such luck -- it was sold out! Next time I guess.

01.28.10

Duck Pin Bowling! A Baltimore special -- it's really just bowling, but with these miniature bowling balls and tiny pins. :)

01.27.11

Captain James Seafood Restaurant has always intrigued me -- not quite enough to go in yet, but you have to admit that a restaurant shaped like a ship is a little interesting.

01.26.11

Look who I found! :) Susan, Tom, Hannah, Katie, Anna and Justin on their way home from a delicious baked potato at Birches.

01.25.11

I know not many of you will be as excited about this as I am -- but I was introduced to a new office supply today, and I find it pretty fantastic. Basically it's a big file folder, but with two hole punches at the top and thicker cardboard in the middle -- love it. Ridiculous, I know, but it should come in handy to keep everything in order when we are in St. Croix!

01.24.11

One of the most iconic symbols in Baltimore. My camera has a hard time taking night shots, but it still turned out okay. This sign beat out the giant Natty Boh for the most popular sign in Baltimore.

01.23.11

My new favorite grocery store -- thanks to Hannah. :) It is seriously fantastic, and worth the drive.

01.22.11

If you look closely, and think like me you will read "Balt - Anna P." :) Haha -- I have wanted a picture of the "Balt-Annap" sign for quite awhile. It runs between (surprise, surprise), Baltimore and Annapolis.

01.21.11

I swear that this is a real picture -- of a fish that was making kissy faces at me at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. It was a fun aquarium, but if you are thinking about visiting I would suggest waiting until after 5pm on Fridays -- tickets are cheaper and make it worthwhile. :)

01.20.11

A few of my lovely coworkers at 4 in the morning. :) Cinisha, Rowena and Jenny.

01.19.11

At work, one of my least favorite jobs is taking out the linen. Not because of the job itself, but rather because of how I feel while I am doing it. Typically this is done at the end of the shift, which for me is around 6am -- coincidentally the same time that the physicians are on the unit doing their rounds. Some will say hello, but most will walk by me without saying a word, and I wonder if it is because I am the one taking out the dirty linen. I want to tell them that I have been in school just as long as they have, and that they shouldn't feel like they can ignore me...but I don't. It is a great daily reminder though that no matter what your station is in life everyone deserves a hello.

01.18.11

My parents bought me this little guide book to Baltimore before I moved out here almost two years ago. I have to say that it is one of the greatest gifts that I could have gotten. I have done most of their recommended "Day Trips" and seen many of the other sights in Baltimore because of this book. Some of my friends think I'm crazy when I suggest seeing some of these things, but I just want to make the most of the time that I have!

01.17.11

Kev and I took a day trip to "Havre de Grace" which is a cute little city where the Susquehanna river meets the Chesapeake Bay. The "Concord" light house is behind us -- it's so tiny! Supposedly at one point in time this little city was slated to be the nation's capitol, which is cool. I would really like to go back there in the summertime -- on Thursday afternoons they have sailboat races. :)

01.16.11

Good Morning Baltimore! Driving down Baltimore street after a night shift at Maryland -- on weekends it is one of the more serene drives down a Baltimore street. It also means only a few more minutes until I can sleep!

01.15.11

The "Bromo Seltzer" tower in Maryland (apparently similar to Alka Seltzer) is always lit up blue. Although it is hard to tell here, the clockface of the tower is lit up purple -- to cheer on the Ravens. There were a lot of lights throughout the town that were purple!

01.14.11

Ravens fans are everywhere -- here is a poster in the nursery at UMMC -- we're getting them started early!

01.13.11

There are several "Enoch Pratt" free libraries throughout Baltimore, and for some reason I always thought that this one in Canton Square was closed...but today I saw a bunch of excited little kids heading inside, which warmed my heart. :) Read on kiddos!

01.12.11

Ridiculous. Seriously. To all Marylanders out there....there is no reason to look like an idiot and put your windshield wipers up in these "storms."

01.11.11

Welcome back to Balmer! :)

01.10.11

My parents, in their usual spots, on my last day in MN. Morning coffee and fire, with a healthy dose of "Squawk Box" on TV. :) I will miss this sight.

01.09.11

My Dad playing the piano after church. I think that he secretly does these things right before I am set to leave in order to make me even more homesick when I'm gone. (In the nicest way possible, of course)

01.08.11

My 5 year old cousin Brady, hockey name "Biggie Smalls," scored a goal and was ecstatic! He plays for the "Ice Sharks" with Minnesota Made -- fantastic!

01.07.11

Kevin in the palm of Paul's hand! Haha :) We made a little visit to Akeley to see the giant Paul Bunyan.

01.06.11

My alma mater -- Concordia College. :) I loved visiting it again for the day.

01.05.11

Standing over the headwaters of the Mississippi river. Kevin and I went to Itasca State Park for the day and went snowshoeing around the park. :)

01.04.11

Kevin making his grandmom's homemade meatballs for us -- delicious!

01.03.11

Christmas on the 3rd of January for Kevin -- and he loved his new purple tie from Jessie and Aaron. :)

01.02.11

A melding of two seasons.

01.01.11

When I asked Audrey if she could smile for me -- this was the beautiful face that I got. She is seriously adorable!