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Thursday, August 15, 2013

Feels a tad bit like home.

A couple Fridays ago, Sean and I flew to PA. We had an evening flight since I just had to work that Friday. I can't help it. I love working. We decided to go to Chilis for a quick dinner before we went to the airport.

{A cute bar in Philly's airport}
We arrived in PA a little after midnight so we just checked in and called it a night.

Saturday, we had 5 apartments to view. We woke up pretty early considering the time we went to bed and Sean drove to Dunkin Donuts to pick up breakfast while I got ready.

It was raining hard that day so I knew that looking at apartments wasn’t exactly going to be dry but we made the best of it.

{Excited to view apartments}
The first place we saw was a house for rent. It was nice when you entered. The kitchen just didn’t strike my fancy but I figured I would suck it up since it had a backyard that would be perfect for Izy. But when we went upstairs and saw the bathroom we ended the tour right there. No thank you.

The second place we saw, hmm, let’s just say that they lost our business right away. We get out of our rental. It is pouring. A woman who works there, sees us and says, “apartment 127 is open”. And that’s it, she quickly walks away. Nothing like you can find me here. Here’s my number if you decide you like it, etc. We stared at each other completely baffled. It was a shame because the apartment was gorgeous. Actually my most favorite of them all. But I’m a stickler when it comes to good customer service so that was that.

The 3rd and 4th apartments were OK but the amount of rent they were requesting just did not jive with me. If you’re going to have your rent that high there had better be gold plated toilets. Although the thought of gold plated toilets make me sick.

At this point we decided that it was best to break for lunch. We stopped at Wawas. I never heard of this place before but I loved it. Even more than Subway and if you know me at all you know I love me some Subway. You don't give your order to the person behind the counter. There is a touch screen that you place your order in so it's almost impossible for your order to be messed up. Fancy, fancy. They don’t have seating so Sean and I brought our lunches to the rental and sat at the back to eat our lunch there. It was nice and very romantic, ha.

I was losing hope that we’ll find something but I guess they weren’t kidding when they said, “save the best for last.” The woman who showed us around was amazing. Even if the apartment wasn’t that great we probably would have gone with it. She made us feel like we were home and that’s very important right now. I’m excited for our little apartment.

After there was a good feeling of freedom. By this time it was later in the evening so I’m thinking we got something to eat. I can’t remember where though. This is why it’s so important to bring a camera and use it. I used my phone a bit which is why you're getting phone pictures in this recap. I will not apologize, haha.
After dinner, we went to The Sands. Sean played craps and won $500. I played roulette and won $100. But this isn’t even the beginning of our win. Or should I say Sean’s win. I don’t believe in luck but Sean is all sorts of something.

On Sunday, we had breakfast at a great diner. The food was delicious!

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After breakfast, we met up with a woman at Wegmans (courtesy of Amazon of course) who showed us around the area. She was so nice and told us about all the hot spots, restaurants, etc. Since she knew we were dog people she invited us (strangers) to her amazing house to meet her incredible dogs. I wish I took pictures of them but even I know that would be too strange.

After we decided to drive to see our apartment again and check out the area. I loved seeing that we were not in the middle of nowhere. And even more happy to take pictures of my favorite type of tree.

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There was a Musikfest (spelled correctly) going on so we decided to check it out. Too bad we went too early because we were later told that all the fun stuff happen in the evening/night. Oh well. We enjoyed looking around with the older folk. Next time we’ll be prepared since we were advised this is an annual thing.
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We got lunch and then headed back to the hotel for a power nap.

We went to Emeril’s Burgers & More for dinner and I had the most amazing sandwich. I mean it was INCREDIBLE. I think the best chicken sandwich I’ve ever had. I didn’t take any pictures of it with my DSLR so hopefully this picture will do it some sort of justice. But it doesn’t.



Since we were already at the Sands having dinner we decided to try our hand again at the casino. I was at the Roulette table playing my $20 bucks and was up feeling all proud of myself. Sean went to the bathroom. He says that he saw a slot machine that his mom loves but it was full but then at the corner of his eye he saw a Wizard of Oz slot machine and that is his mom’s favorite movie.

He put his $13.00 in the machine and did the max bet, two times. The second time the machine went crazy and played a happy jingle for 20 minutes. It was at this time that Sean decided to record the moment. He was a winner! Winner of $1400.00.

Of course when he came to the table he came all nonchalant. He asked me how I was doing and I said, "OK." I asked him where he went off to and he said just playing a few slot machines. He was quiet for a while and then tapped me on my shoulder and whispered, "I won $1400.00." I laughed and said, "you wish." He left it alone for 5 minutes.

Then he tapped me and said it again. I said, "listen I’m trying to concentrate over here." (Mind you, there really isn’t a such thing as concentrating at roulette).

Then he pulled out his winnings and I stopped. I’m like, "wait, you’re serious?" He’s like, "yeah!" At this time I know it is time for me to stop so I collect my tiny winnings and Sean shows me the video and the receipt. He actually had to fill out paperwork for tax reasons. It was a pretty crazy experience and like I said, Sean is all sorts of something. And of course, he split the winnings with me. 50/50 type of family over here :)

Oh and it wouldn't be right for Sean to move to a new area and not find out if they have a rugby team. He looks right at home. Here we go again. Maybe I'll meet some nice rugby wives.

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It was a great time and I think PA welcomed us just nicely. Now if only September 12th could get here that way I could live with my man again.

39 comments:

  1. i'm so glad you guys found a place. seriously it definitely helps to make you less stressed.
    im glad you're liking your new city.
    and dude that is an awesome winning!

    K

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  2. Man, makes me wish I gambled! ;)

    Looks like you're moving to a beautiful place!

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  3. so glad that you were able to enjoy your new city and it's surroundings. can't wait to follow this new adventure Faith...i have a feeling it's going to be amazing filled with many many beautiful picture-filled moments.

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  4. Awww Faith, I am so happy for you guys. It sounds like PA is welcoming you nicely. September 12th will be here in a flash, you need to be reunited with your man full time stat.

    I just love your pics even the cell phone ones :). Enjoy meeting new rugby wives, maybe you guys can start a new club, the real rugby wives of PA :)..I am calling it

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  5. I am so glad that you found a place and that PA welcomes you well... congrats for all the winnings! :) Best of luck for the move.

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  6. Girl I can never get enough of your food posts!! Winning $500?? HELL YEAH!

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  7. So I was tempted to scroll right pass what you had written because I just knew that there were going to be amazing photos! But I was a good girl and I read :P

    I'm a stickler for customer service as well. I don't care how fancy your place is, how awesome your food is, if your attitude ain't right, it's not happening for me.

    And is that a brush tree? I think I've seen ONE here in total and I'm about to knock on that lady's door and ask her how she got it. I'm in love with those. Makes me feel like I'm a southern gal instead of an island gal *le sigh.

    There she goes again with that gorgeous smile. I'M OUT!

    xo

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  8. Allentown looks a lot nicer than I thought it looked like! haha! So glad you found a great place and girl, customer service is KEY! Congrats on the winnings- hope you treated yourself to something awesome!! And Wawa is awesome. Their coffee is awesome and their hoagies are awesome. The best is when it's a Wawa and gas station combo- one of the best things about being in PA! LOL!

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  9. love your photos of the city!! that burgers and more place looks omg...I have no words. yum!

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  10. The casinos are gonna start banning your hubby from coming in! haha! hope you find an apartment soon!

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  11. And clearly I didn't read the part of the post where you found a place! haha! :)

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  12. Sounds like sean won your security deposit!! That is awesome. Who wins that much??? That chicken burger is HUGE!! I don't know how you even took your first bite. What a successful weekend. Mission accomplished!

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  13. Sounds awesome all around, and how cool that he won some extra cash! Happy Friday!

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  14. Aww I love hearing about your trip. I was actually a little nervous in the beginning, hoping that you found something. SO glad you're picky about customer service, they lost out on AMAZING tenants. 50/50 is the best and way it should be in a relationship, you guys have such a great dynamic xo

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  15. Yay! So glad you two had fun on the trip! And that you found a great apartment! :) :) :)

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  16. I can imagine the relief you're feeling now that you know you have an apartment. YAY!!!
    It already looks like your new city is going to provide a lot of fun!

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  17. I'm glad to hear that everything is getting sorted, it was especially good to hear about the big money win. Great photos.

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  18. Aww...I am so glad you are starting to think of PA as your new home. I think you'll have a blast.
    By the way, try the soft pretzels from Wawa. They are addictive! I scrap as much of the salt as I can off them but having that with one of their 32oz diet coke is my Sunday afternoon treat! There is a Wawa on our way from church so I indulge :-D

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  19. So glad you found a place!!! All the pictures are SO beautiful..I know that has a lot to do with your photography skills, but it looks like such a nice place to live (and visit!). I hope you guys love it :). And I hope time flies by so you'll be with your man again!

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  20. Congratulations on finding a place. Time will go by fast.

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  21. Yay for a place to live and not a box! ;)

    That downtown is gorgeous! As much as I love downtown Chicago and KC, I love old downtowns like those.

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  22. Congrats on finding a place. I can't wait to hear about your new adventures in PA!

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  23. I am so happy you found a place! Shame about the bad customer service lady. I would have done the same thing! I love wawa's. One of the perks of pa!

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  24. Congrats on your new place!! That sucks about that crazy real estate agent -- I'm with you, I do not give my heard earned money to sucky customer service. Maybe Sean's lucky winnings means that PA is the place for you guys. I hope for a smooth adjustment.

    xx
    josie
    www.straightnochase.com

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  25. Lol @ the Wawa comment. You're so cute. Glad you found a place in PA!!

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  26. Your photos are gorgeous! Looks like PA is amazing!

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  27. I'm glad you had a good time there, it seems like you might enjoy it better than you thought you would :)

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  28. Talk about AMAZING or should I say "Amazonly" good luck!! I am so excited for you two! It looks so neat ~ I think you two are going to have the time of your life moving there. And you get to go back to Emeril's restaurant!!
    I love this post!

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  29. Wow, looks like you guys had an adventurous week! The place looks amazing and your pictures are great. Customer service is always important, specially looking at apartments when you want that feeling of being welcomed!

    The food looks amazing and I totally freak if I miss taking a good food pic without my SLR.

    Congratulations to Sean for his winning. Lucky man! But also, what a lucky woman you are for grabbing 50% of that haha!

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  30. oh my gosh! so exciting {albeit exhausting and sometimes frustrating!!!} trying to find a new home. Seems like PA is going to be an AWESOME place for you!!!

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  31. First and foremost I love all the pictures! (Even if I do gain 50 pounds by just looking at your dinners). Anyway, congrats on finding a place I looked at a couple apartments this past week, and I am having horrible luck.

    Congrats on winning 1400 dollars. LOL. GO SHOPPING! I always lose my 20 dollars I go gamble with at casinos or I wind up breaking even (them promptly spending it on drinks)

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  32. I love Wawa too! I discovered it during my university years at Penn State, they have them all over PA. The touch screen is so fun.
    Congrats on the winnings!!! Wow!

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  33. Thats one heck of a weekend! Apartments, winnings and rugby oh my! lol sept 12 is so close!

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  34. I am finally able to catch up since my work computer wont allow me to see your pictures anymore :( so while I am home, I get to play catch up (cause your one of my faves) either way - so glad that you guys found a sense of home so far in PA. I need to hit those casinos with you guys - I have never been so lucky! Can't wait to see the new life experiences in store for you guys. And we have a Wawa here too - so I agree with you on the sandwiches. YUM!

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  35. Seriously, luckiest couple ever!! You both are amazing at winning when gambling...definitely have to meet up in Vegas sometime haha!

    So glad you found a place. I bet you are exited!

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  36. Wow! Congrats on the big wins!! Wow.

    Also, a touchscreen sandwich ordering sounds great! I am picky... so that would be perfect for me. And I would want to take photos of the dogs too! :)

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  38. so many things i love about this post! musikfest!! ahh! we have gone the past few years, but didn't get there this year! isn't it a blast!?!
    and wawa!! :) there are two about three minutes from our house. we make frequent trips there a week! they have the best hoagies and coffees!
    i'm so happy you're liking pa! i hope the next couple weeks past quickly so you and sean can be reunited!! <3<3<3
    had so much fun catching up on your posts!

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