Wednesday, December 30, 2015

16 goals for 2016 - post-grad life: month 7

Nothing says "Happy New Year" like a brand new planner! I like to put myself in the category of being ultra-organized, and an awesome new agenda helps me be just that. It usually takes me a while to find the perfect planner, because I am very particular about where I write, but I was so glad to happen upon this one by Gallery Leather from Bar Harbor, Maine.

Something I have learned in 2015, especially by joining the real world after graduation, is that having goals for everything I do can really help me with staying organized, being productive and moving forward, whether that be for a project at work, a set of blog posts, or even just daily tasks.

anglesbyangela goals for 2016 new years resolution planner

I have never been good at making and keeping New Year's resolutions, but I wanted to at least try to set some goals for the upcoming year to make it a great one!

So here are 16 goals for 2016:

  1. Blog more frequently
  2. Run a half marathon (and train for it)
  3. Create more
  4. Follow God's path
  5. Drink more water

Monday, December 28, 2015

my week in objects (mostly).

This week's post is different than most (and also belated) as I've been on the road due to the holidays! I'm spending some quality time with family in Washington, D.C. and it has been absolutely wonderful!

So here are five little things that made my week: 

1. this selfie. 

anglesbyangela holiday selfie my week in objects (mostly)

(because I love getting to hang with my cousin, Galla, who keeps me young.)

2. this displaced window.

anglesbyangela holiday my week in objects (mostly)

Friday, December 25, 2015

Easy (and adorable) Christmas shortbread cookies

I haven't had much experience with baking (other than box baking) in my 22 years of life, but I've always been creative and interested in making little masterpieces that I can eat. Working in an office environment gave me the perfect excuse to make something simple but special (and most importantly, edible) holiday gift for the people that I work with.

When looking for a recipe to try, I turn first to Pinterest. I'm always interested in trying new things in my tiny apartment kitchen. I remembered that I had pinned a recipe for lavender shortbread cookies a while back, and decided to look for a way to make the recipe a bit more Christmas-y.

anglesbyangela easy adorable cranberry shortbread cookies for the christmas holidays

Cranberries were the key!

I decided to add in some dried cranberries to make my batch a bit more festive.

adorable easy cranberry shortbread cookies for the christmas holidays

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Conscious gift wrapping

I love giving gifts during the Christmas season... searching for and picking out a thoughtful gift for someone you love is a great time for reflection on what he or she means to you. It is also really great to see the look of excitement and gratitude on the receiver's face, especially when it affirms that you've found the perfect gift.

cute eco friendly gift wrapping for the Christmas holidays

What I don't love about Christmas are the millions of pounds of trash that this season creates... think about it: People spend money on rolls upon rolls of silly, brightly colored wrapping paper, gift bags and tissue paper that are probably just going to be crumpled up and thrown out. I grew up re-using the bags and paper from the gifts that were given to me... but I've realized that the thought doesn't occur to everyone...

This holiday season, you have the chance to make conscious decisions about how you wrap your gifts for your loved ones... your choices could have effects on you, your loved ones, your bank account and the environment!

So here are some alternatives to your traditional gift-wrappings:

1. Don't wrap them!

You heard me. This works especially well when giving gifts to someone one-on-one, since you can just hold it behind your back or pull it out of your bag. In my opinion, not much is lost without wrapping, especially when gifting to adults.

2. Up-cycle

cute eco friendly gift wrapping for the Christmas holidays

I've become a bit of a hoarder in the past few months... ask my roommate! She'll tell you that every brown paper grocery bag, paper packaging, or gift bag that either of us have brought home has been stashed under my bed, waiting to be resurrected this holiday season.

Friday, December 18, 2015

my week in objects (Christmas edition):

It is my first holiday season with my own apartment, and my roommate and I decided to throw our first Christmas party with a group of our friends. Of course, we waited until the last moment to decorate, and with our limited funds due to post grad life, we decided to hit up our favorite local thrift shop to see what we could find.

Though we did not buy a Christmas tree, we ended up finding everything we needed to give a festive touch to our quaint little apartment! This includes stockings, garland, a nativity scene and so much more. The best part of our trip was knowing that all the funds spent at our local thrift shop are used to benefit programs for community members in need. What a way to celebrate the season of giving!

We also visited our local orchard market for fresh produce and apple cider. Our party featured holiday attire, a unique Christmas playlist by one of our enthusiastic friends, yankee swap, catching up, and lots of laughter. A great time was had by all!

So here are five little festive things that made my week:

 1. this decorative pine-cone.


(because we have this in our doorway instead of mistletoe, and I prefer it anyway.)

2. these Christmas mugs.


(because what is cuter than having matching roommate mugs to drink your morning latte in?)

Saturday, December 12, 2015

my week in objects (mostly):

five little things that made my week

1. this festive vest.


(for filling my "holiday attire" requirement at Christmas parties.)

2. this save the date from a gorgeous couple.


Wednesday, December 9, 2015

A bucket list of my own

It is pretty common to have a list of things that you want to do before you die, right? Well, I have a confession to make... I have never really had a bucket list of my own. I have only ever shared a bucket list with a friend, a group (my senior class), or a significant other, etc. It seems as though most of the things I hope to do in the future, I want to share with people I love very much.

But there are also things that I want to do on my own, for myself... so why not have a bucket list with all the random things that I want to do someday? I hope to add and cross things off this list as time goes on! It will always be a work in progress.


I have never taken the time to write down the things that I want to do, but it just so happens that I was able to do something this past weekend that I can now cross off my bucket list! I had signed up for a 10 mile "mountain run" about two months ago, in the hopes that it would give me something to work towards while I was recovering from a dark time. Well, let's just say that post-grad life is a different kind of busy than college life, but busy nonetheless... I did not train as much as I wanted to for this race, and I was very very close to chickening out, especially since I had to work an event just hours after the race would finish. I knew I would be sore and worn out, but I also knew that I would feel proud and accomplished if I did decide to run.

Friday, December 4, 2015

my week in objects (mostly):

Five little things that made my week:

1. this cozy scarf.


(for being a welcomed, $4 surprise at the thrift shop.)

2. these Indian sweets.


(because they were still delicious even though they were crushed in my backpack on the flight back to MD.)

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Why you should go - Post grad life: Month 6

This past month, the world was shaken by the tragedy of the attacks in Paris, a rapidly growing refugee crisis, and even more violence on the streets of our own hometowns, among other issues. Seeing these events on the news is scary, and can make it difficult to even leave our house in the morning. They can also make us think twice about booking trips to those amazing places that our heart yearns for: dream vacations, numbered points on our bucket lists, ancestral roots, cities filled with history, etc.

Tragedies like the terrorist attacks in Paris can happen anywhere at any time, and there is no way to ensure that we avoid them completely, even if we never leave our hometown again. Events like this are meant to scare us; They're meant to make us think twice about being in crowded places and big cities... but we cannot afford to live our lives in fear. We must continue to live fully and boldly. The only things we can do are to stay vigilant, be smart, and enjoy the time we have been given to explore, learn, and grow. I believe that the best way to do this is to see as much of the world as we can and take in every new experience with an open mind.


If you have followed along with my blog, you will know that I am a huge proponent of travel, whether it be a daytrip to a new town, a hike to new heights, a trip across the country, or a move to a new hemisphere. You will never regret or forget the things that you learned about the world or about yourself while traveling. 

Travel empowers us. It has the power to take us out of our element, show us another perspective, and gives us the opportunity to adapt and grow. Whether we crumble or thrive in this new environment and new experience is up to us, but I promise that you will come out of every trip with greater knowledge and appreciation of the world we live in. Go see it for yourself. 

Monday, November 30, 2015

my week in objects (mostly):

Five little things that made my week:

                                                     1. these Frida Kahlo-themed gifts. 


(because they were such a lovely surprise from a friend who knows me well.)

                                                               2. this banana bread. 

Monday, November 23, 2015

11 local options for the holidays

We have now entered into the season of giving: the time to show gratitude and love for the special people in our lives through sincere, thought-out gifts. But have you taken into account the impact that your purchases make on the world around you?

Anna Lappe, an author and sustainability advocate, has some food for thought on the matter:
“Every time you spend money, you are casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”

So instead of taking to department stores and big businesses for Christmas gifts, why not invest in your own community this holiday season?



Several studies have shown that there are many different benefits from shopping at local companies, rather than nationally owned businesses. To start, more money from your purchases will remain in the community, which will benefit local owners, service providers, and farmers. Investing in the community through your purchases puts your tax dollars to good use, creates more local jobs, and reduces environmental impact. Chances are, you will be able to find unique and higher quality goods from local and artisanal producers than at any store in the mall.

Here are eleven locally owned and operated options for holiday gifts for everyone on your Christmas list:

1. Zoe’s Chocolate Company -

This local, award-winning chocolate shop sells boxes, individual treats, and seasonal favorites. There are also unique, Mediterranean-inspired flavors that will excite your favorite chocoholic, including Aegean pistachio, baklava, and orange flower. Zoe’s has two locations, one in Frederick and the other in Waynesboro.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Garlic butter foil baked salmon

Something that I have learned while having my own apartment, my own kitchen, my own time and my own spending money, is that I really enjoy trying new recipes... especially recipes I find on Pinterest. I have a whole board dedicated to recipes that I want to try and it is ever-growing.

I used to watch my mother cook when I lived at home, though I never really ventured into the culinary arts much until I had a kitchen in my dorm last year. Now, I try out a new recipe at least once a week (time permitting). I look for exciting recipes that I have not tried before, that seem relatively simple and only have moderate prep time. This week, I attempted garlic butter foil baked salmon, and it was quite a success! (Recipe at the bottom of this post!)


I am not a picky eater, but I do like to eat good food, as in quality, healthy and as ethically sourced as I can get (on a post-grad budget). You will find no hotdogs or ramen in my kitchen (unless, maybe they are special hotdogs like these... they have always intrigued me). Actually, I have yet to cook meat in my kitchen in the past six months since I have been living here.

I'm not actually a vegetarian (though I have considered it multiple times), but I guess I just wait to get meat more often when I am out to eat. It is easier on my grocery budget, satisfies my germaphobic tendencies by not contaminating my kitchen, and makes eating out more of a treat!

Anyways, back to the salmon:

Friday, November 20, 2015

my week in objects (mostly):

Five little things that made my week:

1. this little favor.


(because I photographed my first wedding this past weekend and it was great to see so much joy and love in one place.)

2. this Mexican blanket.


Tuesday, November 17, 2015

30 things I am thankful for

Post-graduate life is similar, but also very different from life during undergrad. I now live 6+ hours from my hometown, and though I work and am getting my MBA from my undergraduate university, I have moved into my own apartment in a new town, have my own car, am studying in a new discipline and have two jobs.

I have gone through a lot of big changes in the past few months, and it has not always been easy or pleasant, but I have learned so much about myself, the real world and life in general. I have come to rely a lot on the experiences I have had. They have made me more independent, knowledgeable and worldly in a short period of time than I ever believed was possible.


I am in a stage of life between college and the big bad world, and through this, I have found just how much I rely on myself. I have learned to appreciate a lot of the little things in my busy life, so here are just a few things that I am thankful for in this season of gratitude:
  1. Phone calls from long distance friends
  2. Being able to afford my own apartment
  3. Freshly brewed green tea in the morning 
  4. Things that grow, like my thai basil plant
  5. "Good mornings" from co-workers
  6. The mountains that surround my town
  7. Pinterest recipes 
  8. A trusty radio station
  9. Finding my faith again
  10. My gas stove

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Harpers Ferry, WV in the fall

Though I have lived in my university's town for 4.5 years, I never realized just how close the historical, gem of a town, of Harper(')s Ferry, WV was from me. It is actually just a short drive down the highway, and it really is a great little daytrip, especially in the fall when the air is crisp and the leaves are changing!


The first thing that you should know about Harpers Ferry is that the small town is actually located in the middle of Harpers Ferry National Park. There is usually a small fee to get into the National Park, but it is well worth it! There is no parking in the town, unless you happen to be one of the 300 residents, so you must plan on parking at the National Park's visitors' center. There is a shuttle service that runs pretty regularly to take you into town.


The shuttle drops you off right along the scenic Potomac River. Actually, Harpers Ferry was a coveted, strategic town during the American Civil War because it is where the Potomac and the Shenandoah River meet. It also is where three different states meet: Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

my week in objects (mostly):

Five little things that made my week: 

1. these welcoming blooms. 


(because they just brighten up the kitchen so much.)

2. this lunchtime treat.


(because I love love love baguettes.)

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Launching a University Snapchat Account: The Research

When I took a graduate assistant position at my university's office of communication, I knew that I would be working a lot with social media, as well as writing content for the website, taking photos and helping with various other projects... I never really thought that I would be the main social media person for my whole university!

Though my university is small (about 2,000 students), running all the social media accounts and keeping them updated on a day to day basis keeps me really busy! I never realized how much work it was to find, think up, create and post content that appeals to a wide audience, as well as keep up with my other work responsibilities. It has been a great learning experience. I regularly post on the university's official facebook, twitter and instagram accounts, and then we also post somewhat regularly on Tumblr, Flickr, and Pinterest.


When I began working over the summer, I thought it would be a good idea for my university to get a Snapchat account, since about 77% of college age students use Snapchat every day... which makes it a great tool for a university! It could appeal to both current students and prospective students, and help get the word out about events on campus as well as general campus life.

I began researching how other universities used their accounts. University of Michigan is usually a great place to start... I regard them as university social media gurus... especially since they have a whole social media team. 

Friday, November 6, 2015

my week in objects (mostly):

Erin Boyle's blog, reading my tea leaves is one of my favorites! She portrays the kind of life that I would like to lead: a little family, in a little apartment, living a sustainable life in the big city.

Anyways, Erin usually writes a "my week in objects" post that highlights some of the best little objects that have made an impact on her life that week. I have always liked the idea and look forward to the posts because they are simple but say a lot in regards to appreciating the little things in life...

So here are five little things that made my week:

1. these fall favorites.


 (because even though Halloween is over, they are still in season.)

2. this feline friend.


Monday, November 2, 2015

Motivation Monday: Light in the Darkness

Whenever I am going through a hard time or just need a little bit of wisdom or advice, I usually turn to great thinkers like my favorite authors or artists and of course, God. Literature, passages and quotes that relate to the situation I am in seem to give me some clarity. It is at least comforting to know that someone has felt the same as I am at some point in time.

Something that has really helped me through recent hard times has been being able to see the light in the darkness... even in the literal sense. Here's a quick anecdote:

It just so happens that my bedroom doesn't have windows, and though I thought that would bother me at the beginning of the summer when I had just moved in, it doesn't at all. After I close my door and turn off the lights at night, my bedroom is ultra dark. I never realized just how nice it was to sleep in almost total darkness, and I have noticed that it is comforting and calming.

My apartment building used to be an old schoolhouse, so it is complete with old radiators and old wooden doors with gorgeous knobs. Anyways, after some recent life changes, I started noticing the ray of light that shone through the keyhole of my bedroom door. It's like a nightlight that I never knew I needed, and it has really kept me settled and grounded for some reason. Whether you take it as "God closing a door...etc" or just as a guiding light and reminder to not give up, it has helped me. It reminds me to keep hope in so many metaphorical ways.

This tiny keyhole of light has reminded me that the dark times do have an ending, and that there is always some little sliver of hope in a world of darkness, and you can find it as long as you take the time to let your eyes adjust. I think everyone goes through dark times at some point, and could use a little wisdom now and then... so here are some quotes to help you to continue to look for the light in each day:

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Healthy ways to heal- Post Grad life: Month 5

It can be really difficult to handle when life just does not seem to be going your way for whatever reason... It happens without warning to everyone at some point, or many. These situations can vary in severity and length, but becoming unexpectedly uprooted can be a shock to your system at any level.


If you haven't been keeping up, I recently went through a very drawn out period of painful transition which left me a bit lost and broken. Waking up was a battle, making it through the workday was difficult and being alone with my thoughts at night and trying to get through graduate school work was barely bearable.

Although it is normal to be a bit shaky on your feet after a drastic change in life, I quickly realized that I was not doing enough to make sure I was healing properly. I was more mopey than I should have let myself be, I lacked motivation, and I definitely was not eating properly, so that had to change.

With time, I was able to find healthy ways to heal. Obviously, these methods have not completely alleviated the pain I've been feeling or negated what I have been through, but they have helped me get back in touch with myself and have made this whole healing process a bit easier:

  • Find a mantra that speaks to you (Mine is "excelsior")
  • Exercise 
  • Start a gratitude journal

Monday, September 28, 2015

Unexpectedly Uprooted- Post grad life: month 4


It seems that just when you think you are settled comfortably into life and have everything under control, that you get struck with an unexpected complication; something that unsettles you, makes you halt and question what you are doing, if you can go on, and even who you are.

This post may seem vague, but we have all been in this state; where a certain shred of news suddenly hits you and changes the course of your life so drastically that it makes it hard to hold on... and there is nothing you can do about it.

You did not get that dream job that you believed you had in the bag, a family member that you have always looked up to will soon leave this world, set-in-stone promises were broken... This was not the way things were meant to be.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Post-grad, real life, impromptu travel: Requesting time off

If you have kept up with my blog or know me at all, you would realize that I quite like to go on adventures. One of the best things that I got out of my college experience was the opportunity to study abroad (twice!), which allowed me to challenge myself, find my independence and access who I truly am! I also came out of studying abroad with new friends, one of which is crazy enough to go on a whirlwind adventure with me to Paris and London! See the background of our insanity here.


Vanessa and I went to the same college, but we did not meet until we both studied abroad in London together during the spring of our sophomore year.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Post-Grad Life: Month 3


Real life hit me quick at the end of August. As soon as I returned to Maryland after a quick trip home, post-grad life really started to happen... I was thrown back into work at my office and I also started my MBA classes and had tons of work to do for my editing job with a local newspaper. Needless to say... this week has been quite hectic and I am exhausted. What a busy week to end a busy month!


So here is a quick update on my life, post-graduation:

Work: 

  • Now that undergraduate students are back on campus, I am back to doing normal social media posts and covering events for my university. It is actually kind of nice to have people around!

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

The best parts about visiting your hometown

After working all summer and living in my college town, I was finally able to take a week off and go back to my hometown in upstate New York. I had not been home in close to three months, which is a long gap of time, compared to how things were during my undergraduate career, where I would go home for every semester break. 


It was nice and refreshing to be home, especially because of the lack of humidity and the overall feeling you get when you are reunited with something you miss. 

Here are some of the greatest things about visiting your hometown after a long time away: 

  • Quality time with friends and family 
  • You already know where everything is, so your car basically drives itself

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

22 things that make your 22nd birthday different from your 12th

Although I don't remember exactly what I did on my 12th birthday, 10 years ago, I'm quite sure that there was singing, running around, and cake involved. I just celebrated my 22nd birthday with a trip home, before my grad school classes start, and spent it running errands in my hometown, chilling on the couch, and having dinner with Mom and Dad... and it was a great day!

Isn't it crazy, what a difference 10 years can make though? I found that long chats with friends, free coffee, quality time with family, and a bonus birthday dinner are all I need to have a special day... and I am so thankful for that.


Anyways, here are 22 things that make your 22nd birthday different from your 12th: 

  1. You will be 40x more excited for your birthday if you know you will be able to sleep in
  2. Your birthday is no longer an excuse to "get out of all responsibilities," though you may still be able to slack a little bit
  3. You probably still have to work, unless your birthday lands on a weekend or a holiday, or you just happen to get incredibly lucky or are gutsy enough to ask for the day off

Monday, August 10, 2015

7 Hours in the airport: Tips to pass the time

It is always a daunting task to figure out how to pass the time in an airport, whether you are traveling with a very long layover, or if you are like me and just happen to get to the airport 7 hours before your flight even boards (since that's the only time I could find a ride). The fact of the matter is that you are trapped in an enclosed space, surrounded by strangers and likely filled with anxiety over whether or not your flight will be delayed or your gate will be moved. 

When I was dropped off at the airport at 2 pm, and my flight to go home was not scheduled to leave until around 10 pm, and the airport only offered 45 minutes of free wifi, I knew I would have to work to keep my spirits up. 


Here are just a few tips on how to pass the time while alone in an airport, from recent, first hand experience:

  1. Grab some coffee - I knew I was in for a long afternoon, so I found the nearest coffee place and treated myself. 
  2. Catch up with a friend - My best friend recently moved to Chicago, so I found a semi-quiet spot to sit and chatted on the phone with her for an hour! 
  3. People watch - There are so many interesting people crossing paths at the airport. I happened to sit in a spot right by a people-mover, so I had fun watching people literally pass by me for hours. 
  4. Dive into a book - I bought Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar, to put on my ipad, and got just about half way through!
  5. Window shop - There is always a wide array of interesting shops in the airport, so take a look and see what you find. 
  6. Explore the other terminals - Use the time before your flight to really stretch your legs. 
  7. Listen to your favorite playlist - Tune out surrounding passengers and airport sounds with your go-to playlist. 
What do you do to pass the time?

Friday, August 7, 2015

Pinterest Find Friday: #4

After successfully making a trip back home to NY for the week, I have spent my days hanging around my hometown and chilling at home! Now that is what I call a vacation.

Here are some of my favorite finds this week, including a new take on coffee and homemade breakfast classics:


Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Post grad life: month 2

The summer is winding down and a whole new phase of my life transition is almost upon me... I have been working at my University's communication office over the summer, but things are going to change a lot once undergrads start coming back to campus, university events start, and my own mba classes begin... But I still have a few weeks until then!

Here are a few things that I have learned during my second month of post grad life:


At the Office:


  • Avoid office gossip at all times - Though it is way too easy to partake in, it is unprofessional and could get you in to trouble. 

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Experimenting with chia seeds

I made a trip to my local co-op market (which is actually still about 45 minutes away from where I live) and decided to make a purchase of chia seeds... something that I have wanted to try for a long time. After perusing the bulk food section, I found the tiny little seeds and argued with myself over the price. I eventually gave in, since I have been intrigued by their apparent health benefits and versatility for a while. This was my first shot at the chia seed lifestyle:

Friday, July 31, 2015

Pinterest Find Friday: #3

It's time for another Pinterest Find Friday! I have been so busy this week, that I have been moderately slacking on my pinning... which may be a good thing. Here are some great finds from this week!



Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Heading back to the homeland: London

I am so so so happy to tell you that I will be returning to the city of my dreams in a little over a month! Although it will be a very short trip, due to graduate classes and work, my friend Vanessa and I will be making the most of our few days back in our adopted hometown!

Ever since studying abroad in London, the city has had my heart... Here is the story about how we decided to book a trip back, over a year ago, on a complete whim:

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Sundays are for brunching (but not for splurging)

After trying my hardest to sleep in (though my weekday real world schedule has pruned my sleeping habits to make 8:15 a.m. mean "sleeping in"), I decided to get up and make a glorious Sunday brunch.

I use the term "brunch," even though it was still breakfast-time, because this huge morning meal lasted me all the way to dinner... I didn't even have to eat lunch!

Friday, July 24, 2015

Pinterest Find Friday: #2

I am trying with all my might to get into the habit of posting interesting Pinterest finds every week since I love the social media platform and what I find there. Sometimes, re-pinning a post is just not enough and you just have to find a place to rave about what you have found...:

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Baked Frittata with Pesto

As you may very well know, last week was pesto week in Angela's kitchen. I made my own pesto and continued to use it up throughout the week. Below are some photos of a pesto frittata that I found in this post

Monday, July 20, 2015

6 Tips on facing your fears (from recent, firsthand experience)

I can honestly say that in my first month and a half of living in the "real world," I have faced two of my biggest fears head-on... and not by choice, mind you. No, I am not scared of living six hours away from home or starting a new job... The two fears that I have unwillingly faced recently have been:
  • Driving in an unknown place, by myself
  • Answering the phone without knowing who is on the other end 

Friday, July 17, 2015

Pinterest Find Friday: The First of its Kind

I will be the first to admit that I spend a lot of my free time on Pinterest... but that's only because I think that it is actually helpful! It is also therapeutic, since I love organizing things I like into little categories and labeling them. It is also a great way to keep recipes and ideas together, so that I can use them later.
Anyways, I wanted to start compiling some of my best finds in weekly blog posts so that I can share them with you and how they have helped me! I am going to post this series on Fridays, thus: 

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Daytrip to Annapolis, Maryland (a poor college-grad's vacation)

This is my very first post-graduate summer vacation. Summers no longer mean automatic vacation... which means that poor peasant mba students work through the season as if it were any other. It is hard to stay positive when you are inside for most of the daylight hours, and you do not have an exciting summer beach vacation planned to look forward to. It feels as if this summer is just slipping away as I spend my days in the office, and I have not even gotten the slightest bit bronze.