To kick-start my first year at American University, my family decided to trek across the East Coast for two weeks. It's week two and living out of one suitcase is definitely not my ideal.
We began at Miami Beach, FL; then flew to New York, NY; and then drove to Toms River, NJ. Tomorrow my family will pile into our rental car and drive the four hours to Washington, DC where I will move into my residence hall later this week. This trip has taught me more about patience, love and remembrance than any other family vacation.
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My mother celebrated her "50th" birthday at Miami Beach's Meat Market. She blew out her candles on a lovely Whole Foods Wheat-free Chocolate Cake decorated with raspberries and blackberries.
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We took a couple of photos along the legendary Española Way.
Dad (left), brother (right)
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Dress: Madewell - Shoes: Avitto (New York, NY)
Me!!
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From Miami Beach we drove a couple of hours to Key Largo (one of the first Keyes within Florida). It has always been my mother's life-long dream to swim with a bottle-nose dolphin, therefore we made a pit stop at Dolphin Cove. I was blessed to spend the morning with the two eldest dolphins at Dolphin Cove, Samatha and Kimbit, who were warm, chipper and absolutely gorgeous.
On our final day in Florida, I took a short stroll along the beach. A storm was coming and the sun was out which formed the most glorious rainbow I have ever seen. As people ran away from the beach, I ran towards the ocean to try and reach the rainbow.
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Dress: Nordstrom BP - Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters - Sandals: Steve Madden
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Next stop: New York, NY. The Empire State. The Big Apple. This past Saturday I attended the Broadway production Kinky Boots which has received countless Tony Awards including Best Actor and Best Musical. It was spectacular and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone! Later that Saturday evening my family met up with our amazing New York friends for dinner at Macy's Stella 34 Trattoria.
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| I dove into a scrumptious couple of scoops of chocolate hazelnut gelato. It tasted like heaven on Earth and melted in my mouth. Chocolate hazelnut does happen to be my favorite type of gelato so just hand me a bowl and I'll be your best friend. |
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| Sweater: Urban Outfitters - Dress: Forever 21 - Earrings: Lucky Brand Jeans |
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| I joined a closest and oldest friend in her home-city of Manhattan to gaze at the Empire State Building and walk the busy streets of the city. |
Toms River, NJ was not as eventful as Florida or New York, but I did get to use a registry scanner at Bed, Bath and Beyond to get college dorm supplies!
FL, NY, NJ: Thanks for letting me gaze at the wonders of your state!! I'm off to the capital of the USA! My future life awaits me in the big, bad and beautiful Washington, DC!
Muah! Xox, Julia
