Ohio Bucket List

A few weeks ago, I saw this article on the 24 Reasons You Should Stop Underestimating Ohio circulating on my news feed. A repercussion, I suppose of living in my husband's hometown in the Buckeye State! As a self-admitting East Coast snob, I have a love/hate relationship with the state in which I reside. After reading this article, I was surprised at how many things on this list I've already done. I also decided that in order to help me get onboard with this infamous swing state, perhaps I need to check a few things off this Ohio Bucket List. So, based on the aforementioned list, here's where I'm at:

Our quaint, little Ohio home.

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1. Old Man's Cave- Hocking Hills is a major travel destination for Ohioans. It looks absolutely beautiful and is begging us to take a camping trip. Hmm...perhaps a second anniversary getaway?

2. Young's Jersey Dairy (April 12, 2014)- I've heard so many good things about this place and it's soo close. It's crazy that I haven't been there yet!

3. Lake Erie- Meh. I grew up on Lake Ontario so I could take it or leave it.

4. West Side Market- This sounds a lot like Reading Terminal Market in Philly which I loved when I lived in the City of Brotherly Love! If so, count me in!

5. Ohio State football- Please don't tell my in-laws, but honestly, I could care less. I'm not a huge fan of college football and seriously, OSU fans are way too intense.

6. Donato's- One I can check off the list! We literally live right across the street from Donato's and order out frequently. Granted, it's the best pizza in Ohio, but as a native New Yorker, I have very high standards. My favorite pizza is still in the rinky-dink NY Pizzeria located in my NY hometown and I have yet to try a slice that even compares. #pizzasnob

7. The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge- Another one done, although not intentionally. I distinctly remember crossing this and thinking, "How the f#$* am I in Kentucky right now?!"

8. Yellow Springs- Easily my favorite place in Ohio. When I first moved to Ohio upon graduating college a few years ago and had no friends I used to spend all my spare time just walking around this adorable little hippie town. I actually haven't visited since we moved back to Ohio in October, but definitely plan to once the weather warms up!

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9. Cedar Point- One thing you should know about me? I'm a rollercoaster junkie. Before I even moved to Ohio, Cedar Point, which is virtually the rollercoaster capital of the world, was on my bucket list. I will be making this one happen.

10. Skyline Chili (July 21, 2014)- If you've never had Cincinnati Chili, don't let the cinnamon and cocoa powder scare you off. This stuff is delicious. This was another love that pre-dated my Ohio days. However, all my experiences with the stuff have been homemade. I have yet to eat at Skyline!

11. The "Christmas Story" House- I feel almost ashamed to admit this, but I have never really been a huge fan of The Christmas Story. That being said, I can't deny the fact that it is a staple of American pop culture and should definitely be on my list of things to see.

12. Amish Country- I've lived in Pennsylvania for 6 years of my life. Is it rude to say I think I've had my fair share of Amish encounters?

13. The Ridges- An old lunatic asylum? This probably won't be making the top of my list anytime soon. I am such a wuss and hate being scared!

14. The River- I have to admit, I've had the privilege of viewing the Cincinnati skyline at night time from across the Ohio River and it is beautiful. I'd love to maybe do a dinner cruise someday if such a thing exists!

15. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame- How my Mom and step-dad have been here multiple times but I haven't continues to allude me. I'm a HUGE fan of classic rock, and really, any music in general. So this place is a must!

16. Graeter's Ice Cream- Coldstone lovers, beware. Graeter's totally lives up to its reputation. My favorite flavors? Their seasonal pumpkin and peppermint ice cream. It's seriously heaven in your mouth.

17. Warthers Museum- A museum of carvings? Sounds thrilling...

18. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park- Normally, a park devoted to aviation would not interest me in the slightest. But I've had several out-of-staters tell me what a cool place this is, so alas, I think I may have to check it out.

19. The Longaberger Basket- A giant building made to look like a picnic basket. I've actually seen this, although, not intentionally. I just happened to be driving by it and was completely perplexed as to why I was passing Yogi Bear's wildest dream.

20. The Pro Football Hall of Fame- This sounds like one for Chuck. Let's leave it at that.

21. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens- I haven't actually figured out where this is, but the mansion and grounds do look absolutely gorgeous.

22. The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium- I was just there for their annual Wildlights event in November. Because it was cold and dark though, I suppose I'll have to go back again at some point. Although, if I'm being honest, zoos kind of depress me. I'd much rather go on another African safari!

23. Johnson's Island- An island that held Confederate prisoners-of-war during the Civil War? I've never heard of it until now, but I can definitely get onboard and bring out my inner history nerd!

24. The Akron National Hamburger Festival- I'm all for healthy eating, but if there's one thing I love- it's cheeseburgers! How I've never known about this event until now is astounding. I am making this a Summer 2014 priority!

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If you ask me, 7 out of 24 isn't bad for this Upstate New Yorker, but I can't wait to check more off my list!

So what do you think? Have you ever been to Ohio? Are there any sites I should see that didn't make the list? What are your favorite local destinations in your home state?

The Spotlight's On Me

Most of you probably recall that I studied abroad in Uganda five years ago. I pretty much mention it every chance I get, after all.

Yesterday, the Uganda Studies Program spotlighted me on their blog. I was asked to write about how it changed me and how my experience influenced my career.

Click here to see what I said!

Circa 2009: Rural Uganda

 

No Backing Out Now

I really wish I did not look like this while working out.

A couple weeks ago, a co-worker sent out a mass email inviting all his fellow employees to join him in running in the local, upcoming half marathon and 5k. Although it piqued my interest, there is no way I will ever pay $70 to do what I could do for free on the bike trail near my house. One of my bucket list goals is to run a 5k and then maybe one day, a “whole” half marathon, but I’d resigned myself to not participating simply because of the financial aspect. 

 

Last week, a follow-up email was sent last week that said our employer was going to sponsor anyone who was interested in doing the run. I knew I could do a 5k no problem. A runner friend once told me “if you can run two miles, you can do a 5k.” I know I could easily complete a 5k, so my eyes lit up a little when I saw that there was a ¼ Marathon option. 6.55 miles. At my best, I’ve run 8 miles. That was years ago, and I was in tip top shape. For the last month, I’ve been making it a point to hit the treadmill 1-2 times per week. I want to do more, but even once or twice is a vast improvement to what my lazy butt was (not) doing prior.

 

As you can imagine, the prospect of running 6.55 miles has me a little nervous. But I’m glad I’m pushing myself. I know it may not be easy, but I’m up for the challenge. As of today, I have exactly two months to prepare. Now I just need the weather to warm up, so I can begin training. There’s no backing out now, so wish me luck!

500

If you're wondering about the title of this post, that's the number of blog posts I've written. 500.

If I had been a little more prepared, I might have organized a giveaway or something. But perhaps, low-maintenance is more my style anyway. I'm just so thankful for this opportunity to write and am so thankful for those of you who have returned time and again to read my words. It truly makes me feel so extraordinarily blessed.

Given the spirit of the occasion, I thought I'd ask those of you who do regularly stop by this place if you have any questions. Is there anything I've written about that you'd like to know more about? I'm an open book, so ask away, friends!

And just for fun, I thought I'd take this fun little quiz that's been floating around the Blogosphere.

500! I still can't believe it!

18 Months as Mrs.

...and just like that, I've been married for a year and a half.

I'd like the record to show, that Chuck and I don't actually celebrate our "monthly" anniversaries. The bi-monthly timeline just so happens to be convenient for regular posts on our marriage! Please believe that I am not that girl.

Since my last post at 16 Months, things have been kind of rough. Not because Chuck and I are having problems or anything like that. But you guys, I get so damn miserable in the winter. I've had bouts of seasonal depression in years past, and truthfully, I haven't been immune this year. I feel awful because I hate subjecting Chuck to my grumpy personality 24/7. It's not fair to him so I really have to be intentional about not being a total you-know-what toward him. So with that in mind, here is where we are at 18 Months in...

money

Chuck's employer (a bank, mind you) made a mistake and overpaid him during his holidays. Having realized their mistake, they reimbursed themselves by taking money from his paycheck this month. Awesome. An employer he worked for last year part-time didn't withhold any federal taxes, so now we're about to owe a butt-ton, when we were counting on a refund. Doubly awesome. Not to mention we've nearly drained our emergency fund repairing a crack in our windshield that was caused by the shoddy workmanship of the guy who repaired a minor chip a few months before. Triply awesome. I don't think I need to say more on this. Ugh.

vacation

As I mentioned, this winter has definitely been rough so it's helped us to have something to look forward to in the summer. Chuck and I are both in dire need of  vacation, which is set for mid-July at my favorite place in the world- Cape May, NJ. My family vacationed there every summer as I was growing up and is where Chuck wound up proposing to me back in 2011. Just thinking about it gives me such peace. Now we just need to figure out how we'll pay for it, and we'll be golden!

babies

Whenever our finances are particularly rough, my uterus pretty much shuts down. The baby fever is over, folks (at least for now). Chuck and I have been talking lately, and the fact is, neither one of us feels at all prepared to bring another human into this world. We aren't anywhere near financially stable enough, and frankly, we're just enjoying our freedom together for now.

and speaking of freedom

Man, do we love having it. Chuck is much more of a social butterfly than I ever will be, so it really works that we allow each other grace in doing whatever the heck we want to do. Chuck often times will go out with his friends and family on a Friday night, and I'm content to stay home numbing my brain with a Netflix binge. There's no guilt, no resentment. I'm just so thankful that I married a man who gives me such grace.

Before we know it, it'll be a whopping two years. And if the last six months have been any indication, bring it on!

I love you, Boo.

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Catch up on my previous months as Mrs:
16 Months
14 Months
One Year
10 Months
8 Months
6 Months
4 Months