Boardwalk and Bikes

It was the American Music festival at the oceanfront tonight, so Lisa and I took some bikes out to the boardwalk and listened to a few bands, had a few drinks and some dinner. So much fun hangout out with her. She is definitely one of the most awesome people that I know!

Ice Skating with Lisa

So, I was driving home from work and I get a text from Lisa. 

"Do you want to go ice skating me with tonight?"

"Absolutely, I do."

Jekyll and Hyde

One of those afternoons that I get a random text from Lisa that she has an extra ticket to "Jekyll and Hyde" the musical. Of course!

Coffee Break

I happened to get pretty lucky in the friend department recently when a very awesome one opened up a coffee roasting business here locally. I went to her house and tested one that she imported in from Kenya and small batch roasted here in Virginia Beach. I decided to buy a monthly subscription that delivers a fresh jar of coffee to me every month.

 (Her website is www.fathomcoffee.com)

New Beginnings

Today was my last day working at ADS. It was bittersweet. Mostly sweet and a little bitter.

The first thing was this afternoon, I went to lunch with two of my new co-workers and I got this fancy "New Hire" box. There was a coffee cup, scarf, hat, soup mug, sunglasses and such. It was pretty exciting stuff! I can't want to start and hit the ground running!!

The best part of the day was the end! Lisa put together a nice after work happy hour for me and I had a TON of people show up. I think that was the part that hit me the hardest. I have a lot of friends!!

Lisa snapped this photo for me of me and the Jeffs! My friend Jeff-1 left ADS almost year ago. That left Jeff-2, Jeff-3, and Jeff-4. I do love a room filled with Jeffs!

Times, they are a' changin'!

Post-Birthday Celebration

I had a wonderful post-birthday dinner and a show with my wonderful friend Lisa.

We left early to enjoy a little dinner before the show at Bodega in Norfolk on Granby Street. It's a cute little tapas bar with very Spanish influences in food and wines. Lisa thought we should celebrate a little with a glass of Spanish Cava and some amazing tapas: Pappadew Peppers stuffed with Boursin Cheese drizzled with a Paprika Balsamic reduction and a small plate of marinated artichoke hearts, manchego cheese, roasted red peppers and kalamata olives. Delicious! We ended the meal sharing a very delicious chorizo and chicken paella. Amazing! Such a great start to a perfect night!! Great service and wonderful atmosphere!

If you're on Granby, check this place out. BODEGA WEBSITE

We got season tickets to the Harrison Opera House for the 4 operas and this was the third one!
Romeo and Juliet. It was a beautiful production and an amazing cast. I of think that it was about 45 minutes too long. The whole thing took almost 3 hours. I started to get pretty antsy toward the end and was definitely ready to be home and in bead. We finally made it back to the beach close to 11:15 and I was really just 10 seconds away from being asleep!

I loved the night though and anytime I get to hang out with Lisa and chat is just one more night that I am happy!

ODU Military Appreciation Night

ODU {Old Dominion University} hosted a Military Appreciation night at tonights basketball game. ADS {Where I work} was a proud sponsor! 

A group of us went together and we started out the night at Sakura. Shared some sushi and hot sake with Lisa and enjoyed a lovely dinner with Rebecca, Jenni, and Corey.

Headed over to the Ted Constant Convocation Center and found our section pretty easily. 

Great Seats! 

 Found Heath!

Tons of Fun was had!

 

ADS Holiday Party 2014

Had a great time at the Holiday Party. Courtesy of Lisa, we were able to get a room at the Hilton Oceanfront for free!! Met Missy and Eli (our dates) pre-party and shared a bottle of Peach Prosecco. 

Here are some of the highlights!

Bikes and the Beach

Me and Lisa riding bikes to have a few drinks on the beach!

Missy and Eli's Wedding

Getting ready to go at Lisa's house! Hair and makeup done.. Selfie posted to Facebook! Got to the wedding to find my friend Jordan! It's been a while since I've seen her since she moved to Chicago!

Priceless... Ran into Justin and Caity and realized that Caity and I wore the EXACT SAME DRESS!!

Sunset Weddings with good friends! Alison and I drinking a toast to the newlyweds!

Treasuring the moment that I got to spend with this busy bride on her special day!

Visiting with some awesome people.

Taking advantage of the Photo Booth!

Best. Night.  

Wasted Away in Margaritaville...

Enjoyed a day of fun in the sun tailgating with Lisa's family and Missy!

Testing the Margarita....

Super fun!!

Virginia Beach Amphitheater.. Or as it's known now.. Farm Bureau Live!

Sexy Ladies on the Lawn!

Missy's Bachelorette

I love the times I get to spend outside of the office with my friends! I was very happy to be invited to celebrate Missy's departure from the single life! 

{Top Left: Lisa and Me- just before the festivities started!}

{Bottom Left: Missy and Me- before too much alcohol was consumed!}

{Top Right: #dickstraw was in full effect! Missy and Me}

{Bottom Right: Erin, Lisa, and Missy about to leave for the bar crawl!}

{Top: Erin, Sharon, Terrin, Missy, Me, and Lisa: #dickstraw!}

{Bottom: Missy, Jay, Terrin, Me, Lisa, Sharon, and Erin at the first stop of the night!

{Below: I think this was the 2nd or 3rd stop.}

Happy Bachelorette Missy!

Happy Birthday Lisa!

 We went to a little place called Back Bay Gourmet off Nimmo and celebrated Lisa's birthday with some delicious food, some awesome beer, and a well-placed cupcake with a sparkling candle!

Happy Birthday Lisa

My friend Lisa's birthday was today! Her mom sent her a fruit basket from Edible Arrangements and we stopped in the newly decorated hallway to document the momentous occasion.

Afternoon Delight

What's the best part of my work day?

Afternoon Cafe Mocha's with friends! For a while, Lisa and I have taken a few days a week to go to a nearby Starbucks.. (S-Bucks).. That tends to get expensive even when you get a tall brewed with a shot of caramel, one Splenda, and some 2% milk for $2.50. What a glorious afternoon we had today! Lisa has been bringing in a French Press, milk frother, and a bottle of chocolate syrup for afternoon iced mocha's.... I personally think that this is WAY more fun that a silly trip to S-Bucks.

Lisa preparing the iced Mocha's using a French Press.. Note the awesome coffee cup with the Mustache on it behind out cups... Read about that here on The Coastal Chicster.. (I have it on good authority that there will be a contest to give a few of these bad boys away soon on that site:)

Ended up making three instead of two when another co-worker came into the kitchen from downstairs..

Race for the Cure 2010

Third year in a row, ADS Sponsored a team!