Summer of Fun..Oh I mean RUM!!!

I cannot believe how quickly my summer is coming to an end.  In just a week, it will be over and what did I do?  It feels like nothing but I completed an amazing first month of marathon training, traveled to Israel, ran around Central Park multiple times, shopped along the streets of New York City, lounged on the beaches of Cape May, New Jersey.  I traveled to Key West, Florida for the first time and stayed at the Pilot House where it was "clothing optional" at the pool (yup, I learned that is NOT my thing), and I have been house hunting like it is my job.  Unfortunately it is not my job and I have to go back to the real world bext week and earn a living.  Not to break anyones bubble, but I do NOT get paid over the summer, incase you all thought teachers just get paid to have summers off.  

There are a few things that I am looking forward to that happens after school starts and that is the Summer of Rum Festival.  I get to celebrate the first week of classes with students with RUM!!  So on Saturday, June 24 at 4:00 I will be enjoying myself in VIP in downtown Tampa.  You too can get all the details here on facebook.  Also, I will be giving away two General Admission tickets at the end of this post.  

Here is how you too can fest!!

General Admission:  $15 in advance or $20 at the door if there are tickets still available.  This is likely to sell out because of the limited amount of tickets. 

 "GA Admission gives you access to the Summer of Rum with all day re-entry privileges.  Enjoy live entertainment on our main-stage, each our unique rum zones, rum shacks, and more while you sip on your rum drinks. 

Once inside, your rum drinks are ALL ONLY $5 (full 12 oz. drinks, not those little tasting sized cups)."

Endless Rum Cup: $55 in advance and $65 at the door.  There are only 500 tickets available.

The Endless Rum Cup is the best way to drink UNLIMITED Rum Drinks at all of our Rum Zones (food/beer/water sold seprately). 

"These tickets also include GA admissions with all-day re-entry access, and 16-oz commemorative Summer of Rum hurricane glasses — your vessels for enjoying endless, refreshing drinks!

Rum Zones include the Cruzan Daiquiri Deck, The Naked Turtle and The Appleton Rum Shacks, and much more"

I am really excited because it is no fun to have to think about having to drive home after this so hotels are having deals so..NO DRINKING AND DRIVING.  The Courtyard Marriott and Hilton Garden in are having specials, you can see them here.  

I was given tickets to the Endless Rum Cup and will be live tweeting that afternoon.  Follow along here.  

Here is how you can win your General Admission tickets!

All you need to do is leave a comment telling me you want to go to the SUMMER OF RUM FESTIVAL.  

For additional entries:

Follow me on Twitter  and tweet about the giveaway!

Join the Summer of Run Facebook Group

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Instagram.

Leave a comment for each entry.  

Contest will end on August 9.  Please make sure you leave an email address so you can be contacted.  The tickets will b mailed to you.  

*I will be given 2 Endless Rum Cup Tickets to blog about this event, as always, all opinions are my own*

Friday Letters and summer vacation

Wishing everyone a happy Friday!  It feels so great to be back "home" after being gone for over a month.  It was nice to go to bed and wake up when I wanted to (my mom was so nice and let my dad and I sleep in since she likes to be busy in the morning).  I am excited for this weekend!  I get to celebrate my birthday with friends, some family is coming into town, and I get to see old coworkers and running friends!!

Dear Friday, As always, you are one of my favorite days and I hope everyone has a great day!  I am glad you are a planned rest day as I can't find a yoga class at the gym around me so rest will have to do!

Dear Old Coworkers, I can't wait to see you this evening for some drinks and karaoke!  FInally a time when we can all get together and relax.  I can only imagine the amount of trouble we can get in.

Dear Mom and Dad, Thanks for allowing to have a mini birthday barbeque bash tomorrow so I can see some of my amazing friends.  Friends, thanks for coming!  I am so excited to see you.  

Dear Aunt Fran and Uncle Barry, Thanks for the hospitality you showed when I spent countless days lounging around in NY and Cape May.  It was relaxing and perfect.  I am glad this is a yearly thing!

Dear House Hunting, I hate you with a passion.  I am ready to just find something and stop stressing.  I want to find that magical house at the right price and have it be all for me!  Luckily my parents are great and letting me crash with them.  I guess I have no excuse to save money.  So if you know of any houses in the Riverview, FL area, hit me up!!

Friday Market in Jerusalem

A run and drinks..what could be better?

Dear Summer Vacation, It was so great to be able to travel this summer.  Last summer I worked and it sucked.  I was burnt out before I even started back at school.  If you see from my photo dump, I travel to Israel, Manahtten, Cape May, NJ, and Key West, FL.  It was a great trip to say the least.  In Israel I met some amazing people through birthright.  In NY I ran a lot, and in NJ I rested and relaxed.  

Well, I guess I should get back to cleaning so the house is in presentable condition this weekend.  In addition, I am in boxes from moving and I am switching rooms at my parents.  This will NOT be fu!

What are your weekend plans?  

What was the best summer vacation or vacation you ever had?

Where I have been: Photo Dump

Well, I am finally back "home" for the rest of the summer so it is about time I update you all with where I have been.  I hope you enjoy these pictures!

Last Meal with my amazing co workers!

Tel Aviv/Jaffa, Israel

Israel

Walking through the streets of Jaffa, Israle

First Hike of our trip in Israel

Getting pooped on In Israel

Mud Bath at the Dead Sea

All muddied up and ready for the Dead Sea, israel

Camping...No bathrooms, no nothing!  

Hiking up Masada..Please search the elevation of the Snake Path

Lots of sweat!

In a Market, Israel

Hike #3, En Gaidi

Last Hike, Israel

My Family! 

Key West

Running in the rain in key west, FL

Typical Tourist Pic

On top of the lightbouse, Key West, FL

Pride Run in NYC, Central Park

July 4th in Cape May, NJ

Celebrating 27 years with my Grandma

Hemingway House, Key West, FL

Here are just some of the hundreds of pictures I took!!! Be ready for some marathon updates shortly as well as house hunting updates.  This is going to be a crazy few weeks before school starts again!

Friday Leters: Bon Voyage

Dear Friday, This week went so quick since I have been preparing for a long trip.  It is bitter sweet that you are here already.  I am excited to go away but I don't feel at all prepared.  I have been so focused on moving and the end of school that I didn't prep.  Here I am, off for a month,

Dear Readers, Don't be surprised that you don't see me for another month.  I know the last few months I have been posting sporadically but hey, that is life.  I hope once I come back from being away, I will have more time and the motivation to post at NYC Marathon training will begin!

Dear Vacation, I am ready for you!  First Trip is to New York City for the day.  Sunday I head to Israel with Birthright.  I will say more on that when I return.  I am really excited as I have only heard wonderful things.  I hope I packed enough, but not too much.  I feel like I will be roughing it, I am sure I will not be.  After Israel for 10 days its back to New York City to spend time being a tourist again, and running through my beloved Central Park.  I do have two 5 mile races actually that weekend.  After some time in NY its down to Cape May for the remainder of the week.  I can't wait to spend July 4th having a BBQ, riding bikes and soaking up the sun, oh, and of course shopping!

Dear Airlines, please don't let there be any delays and hopefully my suitcase isn't too heavy!!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Do you have any vacations planned this summer?

Have you or know anyone who has gone on a birthright trip?  What should I expect?

Friday Letters Summertime

Has it really been over a month since I have posted on here?  I was in shock but I guess that is what happens when life seems to be rolling at full speed.

I can't believe it is finally here, the day all students and teachers dream of, the last day of school.  So, technically it isn't the last day of school because teachers are supposed to come in on Monday, but there are no students.  This summer I have lots of plans to travel, marathon train, and maybe get life in order.  I hope pto be buying a house so summer is already looking busier than I want it to be, but that is life. 

Here is to my favorite day of the week, Friday, and my Friday letters!

Dear Friday,  I have been waiting for this specific Friday since August.  Lucky for me, I do not have classes today because my seniors tested a few weeks ago. Everything is ready to go and I am ready for days on the beach!  Today I was supposed to go to First Friday in St. Pete but it seems that this Trpical storm Andrea is going to derail that, maybe I will make it to Augusts'.  Friday is also our end of the year lunchin and then Orange Theory Fitness which I am really enjoying.

Dear Students, Sometimes I wonder why I teach but getting your evaluations back made me realize there are some good days, some bad days, some really bad days, but overall, it's worth the bad days.  My goal for next year, become a better teacher.  As probably that is everyone's goals should be.

Dear Summer heat, you are killing these runs.  Simple as that. 

Dear Bloglovin, I have finally had the chance to figure you out and I really like you. I just need to figure out which blogs I read and add you to my list.  So, if you are a blogger and would like me to follow you, pleaes leave me a comment or email me with your blog name :)

That is all for today, but I hope everyone has a nice weekend!

What are your summer plans?  Have you ever had a time when you realized why you are doing what you do?

What blogs should I follow?

Summer Plans

I am very lucky to be in the position where I have a summer break!!!
Tomorrow is the last day of school for the students which means....Schools out for summer!!  My plans are very exact this year.

This year I plan to lay by the pool, train for my marathons, work summer camp, and find a job!!!

That is is!!!  These are the same plans I had last year :)

What are your plans this year?