Back to School, Back to School

Hello World, I live! After a brief hibernation period, I am coming back to the blogging world. It's not as if I haven't had anything news-worthy going on in my life, I have just been enjoying my last few weeks as a care-free college graduate. Until today. That's right, I start my first day of school in about five hours.

How do I put into words how I feel about this experience? I guess if I had to choose just one word, the most fitting word would be numb. I feel like life is happening and I am frozen in time, watching all of these events occur but being able to do nothing about it; I am an onlooker into my own life... and that is weird! Today begins a new chapter in my life; this idea is very intimidating as well as exciting. 

Change has always been difficult for me, but once I get into the swing of things life begins it's normal pace again. Or so I hope is the case this time. Uprooting my life and relocating to Columbia was a daunting task; however, not near as daunting of a task as the idea of staying in school for another four years. During my department's doctoral orientation I met a few students who were in their fifth and sixth years of study -- O.M.G. (I learned from some of my gal friends that when you put periods in between words or letters it gives the statement more importance; therefore O.M.G. > OMG). Please pray that I will not find myself in school for another 6+ years. Being in school until I am 28 is already scary enough.

So here is to a new chapter in my life. Here is to new experiences and the opportunity to grow into my own skin. Here is to finding myself and learning about others along the way. Let's just hope this chapter of my book doesn't last for more than four years ;) Wish me luck as I begin the journey on the path that leads me to the rest of my life. And let's hope that I find all my classes alright, man I feel like a freshman again!

Fuuuuurever Friends

Okay guys, I got a new cat. I don't know why it has taken me so long to blog about it, seeing how cats take up 90% of my life. 

This little bundle of joy wasn't always that way. In fact, when my mother and I would go visit her she wanted nothing to do with us, and she thoroughly enjoyed gnawing my poor mother to death. However, her disagreeable temperament reminded me of someone I know all too well. I like to think of her like a Sour Patch Kid; first she is sour then she is sweet.

It's not surprising that this little gal didn't have families chomping at the bit to take her home. Scared that little Piggy would never find a home, I had to get her. 

It has taken George a little while to get used to this new creature invading spaces that were once his. Although I think he enjoys the company, he would much rather go back to the good old days where he was the only child. White girl problems I tell ya.

Doesn't it just break your heart that there are so many pups and kits that don't have good homes? The thousands of them that have never known true love or companionship? Rachael Ray has teamed up with the ASPCA to help save more lives across the country, offering $100k to the shelter that saves the most lives between August 1 and October 31. I am over the top ecstatic that the Watauga Humane Society is a part of this challenge; even more ecstatic to know that others care about this topic as much as I do. Check out the website and learn more! Rachael Ray $100K Challenge 

In the meantime, I leave you with pics of the new addition. Try not to let your heart melt right out of your chest!

 

Blast From The Past

Life has been moving pretty fast recently. It was nice to enjoy time with old friends last weekend and celebrate some of the last "single girl days" my old roommate, Mishelle will ever have. That's right ladies and gents, Mishelle is taking the plunge and is getting married in Chucktown this coming weekend. Looking back on all of our college memories, it is hard to believe that this gal will be Mrs. White in a few short days. Where does the time go?!

Being around all of my old friends this past weekend was really a treat. It reminded me of what they mean to me; although we may go long periods of time without catching up, once we do it's just like we stepped into a time machine right back to when I first got to college. So surreal this experience is almost over for me.

In just two days I will be heading to the hopefully sunny beach of Charleston (Mishelle's wedding is outside, so we're praying that the rain will subside for a few measly days). After the stress that was once my thesis has been surpassed I am in need of a vacation and a few drinks on the beach. And hanging out with these gals won't hurt either ;)

From our first adventures in the sorority...

To the memories we made during our three years together...

 To saying goodbye to the older girls, and starting families of our own...

We have been through it all. It's funny to see how we have all grown up without really changing that much.

I guess some things will never change! Here's to the memories that we have made and the ones that are sure to come in the future! And congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. White!

Small, Important Moments

Life is moving slow again. After a very busy and hectic few months, I can finally relax... at least for a few days. It's funny how time seems to escape you in the hustle and bustle of life, but it is so important to take pleasure in the small, important moments.

Lately I have been enjoying a lot of small, important moments. For starters I have finally finished the daunting task of writing my Master's thesis. At one point in time I thought these 78 pages would be the death of me, but now that I look back on all the work that I put into this piece of writing I couldn't be more proud of myself. This is one of the biggest accomplishments I have achieved in my entire life, and it is such a good feeling to relish the moment. Now all that's left is the defense of my work and I will be on my way with a Master's degree in only one month. Goodness gracious, the time really does fly!

If you know me, you know once I got that school stuff out of the way I would be ready to celebrate. This weekend was a vacation for me. A few of my closest friends and I headed to Charleston for a weekend of relaxation, fun, and a little bit of running. It was so nice to just let loose and not have to worry about a deadline or an assignment or grading papers.. I just got to be myself with some of the people I love the most. After running a 10k on Saturday morning we celebrated with victory drinks and celebratory dancing (two of my very most favorite things on the planet). Leaving Charleston was a very hard thing to do but I foresee many upcoming trips in the near future.

It seems like more and more small, important moments have been happening a lot lately. Or maybe they have always been there and I haven't really appreciated them as much as I could have. I am continually learning more about myself on a daily basis. Who I am, who I have been, who I will be... all of these things are fun to think about. I guess being 24 isn't such a curse after all.

I have learned to live more in the moment and less in the future; everything will work out. Why waste your time stressing over things? Maybe this is just my inner hippie self emerging, my "one with nature" personality as my friends would say. Or maybe I just need to get out of Boone as my mother would say. Whatever the reason, I'm loving these small, important realizations in life and I couldn't be more content.

Spring is in the Air!

Well, not really... but in my mind I am already in a different season. Don't get me wrong, I love my ponchos and boots just as much as any other gal, I just have had enough of them this winter. Wait a second, are you telling me we actually had a winter? Could have fooled me... And no, this is not a case where I want to be proven wrong later (keeping my fingers crossed for a very mild last winter here in Boone).

I absolutely, positively, 100% love spring fashion. The colors, the lack of clothes, showing off a new pedicure in a pair of metallic strappy sandals... Goodness grief, I'm getting ahead of myself. Cool your jets girl!

Currently, I am obsessed with a few trends. And, as per usual, I have been browsing Pinterest for what seems like hours again. Lately I have been neglecting dear old Pinterest.. But fear not, I can only stay away for so long. The downside: once I start, I can't stop. Literally.

 These are a-freakin'-mazing. I am obsessed with print -- just look at those colors, how can you resis?! I have been talking for a while about buying an older pair of jeans and kind of making them into my own. These are pre-made, perfect for the lazy girl in me! I wouldn't mind trying something like this, or even getting crazy and  adding fabric to one of the back pockets. I'm also feelin' the distressed look these puppies have goin' on. I swear, they are just screaming "WEAR ME!"

 You thought the first pair of shorts couldn't get better? Well, you were wrong. LACE. YES. I am in love with these shorts. If I ever stick to my vow to make something off of pinterest, it will be a replica of at least one of these pairs of shorts.

It's understandable if you aren't necessarily a fan of the shorts. But, my friends, if you don't like this outfit combo... something is wrong with you. Seriously. I love this look because it is simple (yes, neon green/yellow pants can be simple). The chambray shirt also brings the outfit down a notch and really turns this into something anyone can wear. It's like a mullet. Business on the top, party on the bottom. Hallelujah!

 

I don't even need to say anything about these shorts, they speak for themselves. LOVE the print and the pops of color. Pair them with a simple white or black blouse and you will be turning heads in no time. 

These shirts are my jam. Have I said how much I am obsessed with three quarter length anythings? What is not to like about them? I want them all. In every color. In my closet. Right now. Put these on with shorts, minis, or skinnies... You just can't go wrong. I'm envisioning myself in these as we speak.

Nothing says spring like a fedora. I have recently developed an obsession with hats. Not just hat sacks, but all different types of hats. Imagine yourself in one of these with those newly designed shorts you just made! You like what you see, huh?!

This last look is less Boone-inspired, but still such a fun (more grown-up) look. I love blazers, and this spring look is definitely something I could see myself wearing. The hot pink is also something that would gain mother's approval... And I don't think I can say that about any of my other spring obsessions.

It seems like just yesterday I was so excited to wear my leggings and boots and scarves... Funny how I change my mind so quickly. Typical gal. 

I Need a Vacation

I have a case of the Winter-time Blues. Being the oldest possible specimen in this town doesn't help the fact either. Although school will be over in May, I can't seem to find the motivation to get anything accomplished. But hey, what else is new?

In my mind I have checked out of school. At this point in my school career, amidst writing my thesis (which will inevitably determine if I earn a degree... no biggie) and juggling other tasks and assignments, "checking out" is a dangerous concept. All I can manage to do is daydream about tropical islands and look for the best cities to move to in August. I already have this school stuff figured out, why can't they just give me that piece of paper!

Isn't it funny how we always want what we don't have? Ask any of my "working" friends and they will tell you they would go back to school in a heartbeat. On the flipside, the remainder of my friends left in school can't wait to get out, myself included. You try going almost twenty non-stop years in school and see how much that thrills you! Eh, I am extra whiny today huh?

The up-side to this current dilemma: I take lots of breaks between my research (case in point). One of my new recent developments in distractions has been running... omg, who am I?! But seriously, it gives me a chance to recollect my thoughts and release stress. Lord knows being a single mother can be very stressful; George, why you gotta give me the runaround? 

An upcoming 10k also gives me the motivation I need to get out there and run. The last weekend in March I will be making my way to Charleston with some of my best gal friends to eat some good food, relax, enjoy QT with people I don't get to see that often, and oh yeah... run over a bridge. A little mini-vaca during the process won't hurt either.

I did the bridge run last year with people that I worked with. It was such a great experience, and afterwards I felt so proud of myself. Really looking forward to it again this year. Hopefully my exercise and healthy-eating habits continue after the race this year (something that obviously didn't happen last year... your girl loves food).

Luckily for me, I have an Ipod full of podcasts and songs to make running that much easier. Want to know what I listen to while I'm out there tearing up the Greenway? Well I thought you would never ask! All I have to say is: Just try not dancing to this. And, yes, that was in fact a challenge.

Have a very enjoyable Friday night people! I am back to hitting the books, and laying the theoretical foundation for the analysis within my thesis. And that, my friends, is something I thought I would have never, EVER, said on a Friday night. Time's they are a changin'!

The Cynical Girl's View on Love

Hello blogging world, I have returned. After somewhat of a dry spell of my creative juices, the quickly approaching Valentine's Day has given me something to talk about. I can't wait to get roses and flowers and candy from my make believe boyfriend, he truly knows how to spoil me.

YEAH RIGHT. For the umpteenth time in I don't know how long, I am forced to realize that, yet again, I am single (as if this isn't brought to my attention on a daily basis). I swear if I see one more mushy gushy facebook post about how in love someone is, I am going to lose it. And I mean lose it. Like I might just have to deactivate facebook for a hot minute.

Valentine's Day is just the absolute worst for single ladies. It wasn't always bad in the past, when I had my best gal friends still living in Boone and we could laugh at the fact that we were single and drown the rest of our sorrows in a bottle of wine (or two, or three... or how many ever it took). But now these friends have moved on, gotten big girl jobs (gross), and some have gone as far as to get engaged (even more gross)! The audacity of my friends I tell ya!

Therefore, I have made it my mission this February 14th to not participate in this ridiculous holiday (should be easy considering my current single status). Instead, I am making the "single girl's guide to survival" kit for all my other homies out there who don't need a man to make it... Sorry I got a little carried away there. Due to the fact that I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur on advice and love, I have created an agenda for the single girl on that dreaded day. Stick around, this should get interesting...

First and foremost you must load up on ammunition. Eggs, tomatoes, and other easily splattering vegetables should suffice. Whenever you see happy couples holding hands or smiling or being pleasant in the least bit you are permitted to launch the first shot.

But seriously, keeping yourself busy helps. Go out for a run if the weather is nice. Finish a book you haven't had time to fully complete. Go buy a cat. You know, regular stuff like that. You can also make Valentine's Day into a day where you over-indulge on the things you love the most. Personally, I plan to go out to a really fancy dinner somewhere with my roommate. But keep in mind that, with this plan of action, you run the risk of running into a plethora of those happy couples I previously mentioned. And I don't think throwing food in a fancy dining establishment would be considered appropriate, but I have been wrong in the past.

Just keep in mind that this is one measly day in the 365 day calendar and it will be over as quickly as it began. Unfortunately it will be back again next year, rearing it's ugly head. Also, keep in mind your own happiness. If you are a happy single girl, like I am most of the time, take pleasure in the fact that you are confident exactly where you stand. You aren't settling for some mediocre guy just because all your other friends are doing it. As of late, I have entertained the idea of settling for one particular mediocre guy just because I was bored. Come to think of it, I'm fairly certain this is how all of my relationships have evolved. Wow, I am predictable.

It's hard for anyone else to hold a candle to my main man George anyway. He sets the bar pretty high. Damn that cat and all of his cuteness!