My boyfriend Jacob and his family love to golf. We have been golfing 3 times in the past week, we traveled to Virginia and West Virginia. Its really easy and safe to play, we pay online and then when we get there we use a clean cart. We are not allowed to touch the flags or any rakes. It was great for our sanity to get out and get some exercise.
I have never golfed before even though I have worked at a golf course for 3 years. We have been to the range before though and that was very fun. Since the courses were almost empty it was a perfect time for me to give it a try. I had a lot of fun and I honestly didn’t even do too bad. I have always been nervous to play but I am glad I gave it a shot.
This picture was taken from Gabriel State Park which is very close to where Jacob grew up in Middletown. We chose the toughest trail which was over 3 miles because it had the best overlook of Frederick and Middletown. We had a great time and we even found a spring on the way up, we filled up our water bottles there and kept going up!
This picture was taken in Catoctin Creek Park in Thurmont. My dad works at Beckley’s Camping Center and he recommend we check it out. First we drove around the area and found a lake and a dam. Next we found a parking lot and picked a trail to explore. We found the creek and followed that for about 1 mile each way. It was really cool and very secluded, we didn’t come across anyone else and we had fun balancing on fallen trees.
For spring break this year, my mom surprised me with a trip to Cancun. My birthday is April 16th but she wanted to do something special while I had time off. I found out we were going just 2 weeks before and I discovered that my passport was expired. I urgently called the passport agency and expedited a new one. I was so nervous that it wouldn’t come in time but it did! The next day we got to the airport around 4 am. We arrived in Cancun around 11 am and it was gorgeous out. We were greeted with blue skies and very nice people.
We checked into our hotel, our rooms views were amazing. Our porch looked over the ocean and surrounding beaches. The next couple days my mother and I enjoyed the sunshine and delicious guacamole. My favorite experience was when we took a ferry ride to the island of women. There we really got the local feel, we ate shrimp tacos right on the ocean. Then we went shopping and my mom even bought me an opal ring. Honestly, the ferry ride was the highlight of my trip. It had amazing views of the water and the islands around it. I can’t wait to go back soon!
My trip to Charleston was for my cousin Cara’s wedding. This trip was one of the best trips of my life! I am so close with my dad’s side of the family, especially all 12 of my cousins. We were all ecstatic to see each other, we’re all super busy with either the real world, jobs or school that we don’t get to see each other as much as we would want.
I decided to fly to Charleston since it is such a long drive plus I wanted to spend as much time there as possible. I landed in Charleston on Friday morning and I got an uber to my hotel, I lucked out and got to check in early. I patiently waited for some of my cousins to arrive, once Danielle and Mckenzie arrived we decided to explore downtown and grab some brunch. Charleston is very historic and had a ton of really cool buildings and water front views. The food was southern and soulful to say the least! After walking around for a while we had to head back to the hotel to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.
The dinner was held at a beer garden, it was outdoors and they had beer taps coming out of the tables and even a fire pit. It was so great to finally see the bride and groom and a ton of out of town guests and family members. It was emotional getting to see all of my closest family members in one spot! We were definitely missing our grand mother, who had passed away a couple years ago.
The morning of the big day my brother Parker, my cousins Danielle, Mckenzie, Cory and I decided to get out and explore some more before we had to get ready for the wedding. We walked downtown and saw the pineapple fountain and rainbow row! We later met up with some more family members and decided to grab some breakfast. Mckenzie and I both got biscuits and gravy and it was to die for. I would definitely recommend going to Charleston just for the views and food.
We hurried back to the hotel and anxiously started getting ready for the wedding. We had to be in the lobby by 4 for the vintage VW buses to pick us up. We made it just in time and we were off to Landon’s Grove Plantation for the big day. Upon arrival we were greeted by the lovely wind coming off the bay and stunning views of the water. The Spanish moss was hanging down off the trees, it almost seemed like a fairy tale. We took our seats and waited for the bride.
As she came down the isle my eyes swelled with tears, she looked absolutely stunning. Cara has been such a role model for me, she is my eldest cousin and I have always looked up to her. They said their I do’s and then it was party time!! They had a live band and we danced the night away forsure. Her husband is a firefighter and the rode away on a fire truck, while we held sparklers.
The last part of my trip was one of my favorite memories. My cousin Marion who is actually from my moms side of the family, lives in Charleston. She picked me up on Sunday afternoon and we went downtown Charleston and did some sight seeing and shopping. It was so great to catch up with her, she then took me to her gorgeous home on Daniel’s island. It was stunning and right on a lake, then her and her husband Marty took me out to dinner on the next island down. We had Mexican food and Marty even gave me a tour of the island after. Some of the prettiest houses I’ve ever seen!
I became interested in flowers when I became a member of FFA and joined the horticulture team at Linganore High School. My friend Shelby and I ran a business at school selling boutonnieres and corsages for homecoming and prom.
After high school, while I was attending Frederick Community College I got a call from a florist in Frederick who had gotten my name from a neighbor. I started working for her and we did many weddings together. We traveled all over the state and I learned so much from her.
I worked for her for a couple years and then business started to slow down and she got older and wanted to retire. I took all the knowledge she had given me and I started doing weddings on my own. I have done my sister’s wedding, close friends wedding, and helped with many weddings through Linganore. This year I was asked to be the floral judge for the New Market Community Show and it was awesome!
With my passion for flowers and my love of business, I am confident that one day I will start a shop of my own. Until then I will continue to make arrangements for special occasions and do weddings for my close family and friends.
I even decided to do a project on a potential future floral business, I have attached links to a flyer and post I made below.
I wanted my first blog post to be about myself to give the readers an insight to my life.
My Story
I grew up in both Ellicott City and Mount Airy, here in Maryland. My parents were divorced when I was young and I was lucky enough to have two homes. I grew up with 3 siblings and I played basketball, lacrosse, and volleyball. I attended Catholic private school in Ellicott City until high school, when I graduated from Linganore HS in 2017. In high school I played volleyball and was an active member of FFA. I competed at the State Convention in florticulture and my team came in third. I have been passionate about flowers ever since, I then got a job at a local florist, which I loved. I decided to attend Frederick Community College and pursue a degree in business. From there I graduated and applied to Hood College since it was the perfect size and so close to home. I am now almost finished my junior year and I have loved Hood so much. I recently moved to Frederick from Mount Airy into an apartment which has been very convenient.
My major at Hood is Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and Marketing. The career I want to have is in Human Resources, it is something I am passionate about. I got an internship with A2LA in the HR department this summer and I could not be more excited!
Above I have pictured just a few very important people in my life. The top photo is my dad and step mom at my FCC graduation. The top right picture is of my friends Jordan, Miranda and I. I have known Jordan since I was born, we grew up together in the same neighborhood and have been friends ever since. Below to the right is my mom and I after skiing in Deep Creek Lake. Last but not least is my boyfriend Jacob, who I met at Hood first semester.
Above are some more pictures of my close family and friends:)
Madeline's Blog 