Adventures of a Former Fat Girl: A Month-Long Escape from Winter

While I've never enjoyed the cold, I was born and raised in the Northeast and have just learned to accept the cold weather as a natural part of living. My tears freeze my eyelashes closed. I can't feel my face. It sucks and I hate it and I usually complain more than I aught to about it, but short of moving some place tropical (and I have), what can you do?
The answer: run away to some place warm for as long as I can. Naples, Florida has been a vacation destination for my family since I was a kid, it became home to me for a period of time after grad school, and has since been home to one of my best friends, Shelley. So when I realized that my late semester doesn't begin until the end of February, I booked a month long trip in an effort to escape the winter weather and go visit Shelley. Two birds, one stone.
We had such a wonderful time - her family was so amazingly hospitable, like a family away from home. And since I was down for a month, my parents decided to get away as well and come visit for a week, during which we went to the Keys.
I just returned home and was greeted by almost a foot of snow and it is still-a-comin. I keep asking myself, "why the hell did I come back?". I spent my days laying in the sun, running outside, driving with the windows down - all the things one loves doing in 70 degree weather. Now that I'm back in 9 degree weather, I feel I may have made a mistake in returning.
All I know is that I am super fortunate to have friends and family who are willing to host me for a month, a place that I can call my second home. What was really nice is that Shelley introduced me to her group of friends and we had so much fun together - I felt like I was immediately accepted and fit in, like I was meant to be there.
Not to cry you a river or anything, but I don't have much of that here where I live. I have friends but everyone lives quite a distance away so it's not like I have anyone with whom I can grab a quick dinner or take in a movie at the drop of a hat. My friend plans need to be planned. And it's kind of a pain in the ass. I enjoyed just picking up the phone and making a plan on the spot for dinner that same night. It was nice to be social and out and warm. Sorry, I know 'warm' doesn't fit in that context, but I really need to emphasize how freakin' nice the weather was. Damn, I miss it.
Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the talking.

For a girl who is afraid of birds, this madness looked apocalyptic!
Not my idea of a relaxing day at the beach.

Yeah, but look at that water...

Out for Shelley's "21st" birthday!! Haha. Forever 21, baby!

Me and the beautiful birthday girl!!

Look at this wonky crew - we are clearly having too much fun.

And what would the night be if we didn't stop for milkshakes on the way home.
Note: this is my VERY FIRST Steak and Shake experience - hence, the hat. I vowed that I would never eat there, because I HATE the name Steak and Shake, but hey, alcohol makes us do crazy things.

I took this while driving (I know not safe!) but how could I resist. Beautiful sunset on our way to Tampa
(Shelley was taking a snooze so she couldn't be my designated photographer.)

Reunited and it feels so good! :) Me and my buddy Darrell who I haven't seen in FOREVER.

The girls back in action. SELFIE!!

Driving down to the Keys. - aka paradise.

Our first stop - Operation Lunch!! We were huuuungry after such a long trip! Almost there.

Stop #1 on my hunt for the best Key Lime Pie in town. Let me just tell you now,
every one that I was eating in that moment was the BEST one.

Guess where I am. Oh and I am SO my dad's daughter with my affinity for signs.

Beautiful day, sun on our skin, breeze in our hair, and having a few beers at the raw bar.
Does life get any better than this?

These tarpon fish were NO JOKE the size of small children.
They were terrifying and so damn close!

Oop, stop #2. (And honestly, my favorite of all the one I had.
I ate this one on two separate days - THAT'S how good it was!)

Me and my parentals!

Me and my mooja-star - dinner at the Pasta Garden. Yum!

The first thing I notice about this picture? Not the humongous teeth on the giant shark.
No. It's my neon white hair. #whitehairdontcare

Mallory Square in the heart of the Keys!

Blue Heaven - one of my favorite restaurants on the island.
And another magical place for Key Lime pie, if I do say so myself.

Hanging with the fam at the hotel. Beer in my hand and toes in the sand.
This is what life's all about!

My cousins dragged me out and introduced me to (are you ready for this) Mexican Lollipop shots: Patron, Watermelon Pucker, and hot sauce. OLE! This translated into the most heinous hangover I've had so far in 2015.
OWWWIIEE! Even my eyebrows hurt.

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party - St. John Neumann Fundraiser. What a blast. I think we caused too much ruckus at what should have been a prim and proper event! SO MUCH FUN WITH MY LADIES!!

Me and my parents at the Hyatt after we had an awesome spa day and some lunch.
Have I mentioned that I am one lucky gal? Oh yeah, my parents take goooooood care of me.