A Fun Filled Halloween Weekend

What did you do for Halloween?

Saturday night I went to a party at Hotglue's apartment. She and her roomates were dressed as characters from Dora, I went as a 1950's housewife, Lyric as Audrey Hepburn and K10 as Rosie the Riveter.

We played board games, drank strawberry margaritas and they taught me how to meringue, in case I want to do it at my wedding. Sunday night a group off us walked around the neighboorhood looking at all of the tiny tiny princesses and cowboys. It was fun and we got good exercise.

Novembers Here!

And a fun filled month it will be!

This week I'm baking 50-200 cookies for the Dean's Tea
This weekend is my bridal shower and two of my bridemaids and I will be spending Friday night at my parent's house.
My college's homecoming dance is this Saturday night
Next weekend is Lyric's 22nd birthday and we're all going out for dinner and gelato.
The third weekend in Novemeber is my Bachelorette Party! All of the details are still a suprise! I'm so excited!
And then its Thanksgiving weekend!

Things to look for this month:

A Halloween post
A Bridal shower recap post
Bachelorette Post- possibly a guest post from hotglue if I can convince her
A post on all of the wonderful holiday cards shutterfly has to offer
]A book review of Eat Pray Love

Quick Update

Fall Break went by way yoo quickly. I'm trying to come up with an effective posting schedule that fits into my schedule but is more frequent that I have been. Because I have been really slack lately. I am thinking about getting some guetposts to fill in for me while I'm on my honeymoon (December 19th-26th), but I know its a busy time of year. If you're interested give me a shout! I'll be guest posting on Mandy's blog next week.

But here's what I've been up to:

Classes and Homework.. This is the worst semester of my college career. My classes stink, and somehow I'm close to flunking Bio 101, even though I can tell you almost everything we discuss. Something about those tests....

Wedding Planning. Totally more fun than classes and homework, and thankfully, taking up less and less time as we get closer. Mike's booked us a room at Niagra Falls and we'll be honeymooning there. He's taking care of all of the details. RSVPs roll in every day and my father's family is throwing me a bridal shower on November 6th. I think I've settled on a centerpiece idea and I'm working on buying all of the pieces (bought eiffel tower candles from hobby lobby last night).

I've still got to find something to hold my post cards, make programs, make nail and makeup appointments, make a cd of the prelude music, finish writing my vows, wrap my bridesmaid gifts, try out my hairstyle, buy sparklers and make the centerpieces for the food table. And possibly convince my dad to make me a photobooth area. My dad's taking care of the alcohol and search for a cake table and Mike is dealing with tuxes.

Being Supportive. Mike threw his back out when he sneezed the other day. He also found a job but in the three weeks that he's had it  they have not been able to get in all of the training videos for him to watch. So he's spent all of his time off searching for a more reliable job. Yesterday, he got called for an interview for a state job. Its consistent work and better paying and offers better advancement opportunities, so please keep him in your prayers.

Fall Break is finally here!

Fall Break is here and, naturally, I've been sick since Wednesday. If I'm not better by Monday I'll head to the doctor, but I'm thinking its just a cold that needs a good butt kicking.

I took my final midterm Friday morning and then drove to my parents house, where've I managed to nap, do some fun reading, suck down popsicles and actually get some reading for classes done.

This afternoon I went for my dress alteration appointment. I'm getting my dress shortened, bustled and taken in (Thank you, Korea), all for $50.

Tomorrow, I am meeting up with all of the grandchildren on my Dad's side of the family to have our portrait taken for my grandmother's Christmas card, doing some more homework and napping.

Monday and Tuesday I want to make some Christmas Cards and lay out the table set up for the wedding reception. Hopefully, by Tuesday afternoon I'll have all my homework done and be rested up enough to head back to school and finish out the week

Hope ya'll are having a great weekend.

I Did Not Do Much

I didn't do much of my todo list last week. It was just too hectic of a week. In addition to classes and homework I want to:

1. Mail remaining invitations.
2. Call someone and ask them to be a usher in our wedding
3. Call the sound guy at church
4. Call the Soup Kitchen
5. Make a bowl for charity
6. Do laundry
7. Mortar Board Meeting
9. Mortar Board Fundrasing duties.
10. Do a wedding update blog.
11. Pack and go to my parents for Fall Break
12. Write a feature on the smoking issue on campus.
13. Finish writing a guest blog

Where I Live

This post was inspired by a Mama Kat's writing prompt.


My door has been decorated with Lyric's favorite quotes

Our big closet is so amazing that I randomly walk into it and wonder "hmm...what can I do in here?"

My messy desk is well, messy.

My baby fridge is covered in word poetry and handmade magnets.

And our bathroom is covered in Lyric's rubber ducky collection.

If you wonder about anything you see, or want to see some other things just let me know!

To Do

This week's to do list

1. All classes, homework and projects.
2. Pick up wedding shoes.
3. Baking with Hotglue while watching Big Bang Theory
4. Call Soup Kitchen
5. Make Ring Bearer Pillows
6. Q Post
7. Wedding Update Post
8. Workout
9. Print Pictures
10. Plan out fall break
11. Try to get ahead on homework
12. Work in my premarital counseling workbook
13. Come up with article ideas
14. Writer Recruitment
15. Copy Bible Verses into my Inspiration Notebook
16. Journal
17. Pray about Mr. Groom's job search and his sister's health

P is for Productive Procrastination

(I am finally back on the band wagon? Its only been what...a month? Whoops.)

My freshman roomate and I like to think we coined this term.

Productive Procrastination is putting off doing on task (in our case, homework/studying) but not spending the time idly. I am becoming a champion at this. I will clean, do wedding projects, run errands, clean out my desk, organize my recipes, fill out requests for samples, write blogs, make cards and about anything else to avoid doing my homework.

I've been worse than usual since I've returned from Scotland (I think I adopted the wrong end of their carefree attitude) and this semester, with my developing case of senoritis (and the fact that most of my classes are GEPS and not major classes), I've become the champion of productive procrastinators.

What about you? Is there anything you avoid by doing other necessary things first? Or do you get the worst over with in the beginning?

Another Week of Running

The beginning of my week is jam packed but I'm hoping that the end of it is relatively calm. I need a calm end of the week to help my catch up on all of the projects- school and wedding wise- that I need to complete.

1. Address the remaining wedding invitations.
2. Do a wedding planning update post.
3. All classes, homework and tests (can you believe I have midterms this week?)
4. Editoral Board Meeting- school paper
5. Call Soup Kitchen
6. Make appt with health center to discuss smoke issues.
7. Poetry Reading
8. Send my mom a birthday card.
9. Pick up my marriage liscense.
10. Complete my logo design project
11. Write my article for the paper.
12. Print my pictures
13. Start my ring bearer pillows
14.  Update Project Serve's service board
15. Write the service newsletter.

What's on your todo list this week?

Catching a Breath....But Only One!

kenYa'll days and weeks are flying by over here. Its like someone set SC on to warpspeed. I'm taking tests and turning in papers and attending meetings left and right!

I'm interning at Hub City Press, arranging service projects for a club at school and helping edit the school paper. And keeping up with wedding planning and social activites. It is darn near exhausting.

This weekend has been fabulous though. Mr. Groom came down Thursday after and we went to one of his favorite places for dinner- WAFFLE HOUSE. Ya'll those pecan waffles are pretty darn delicious. We just hung out and relaxed around the hotel room.

Friday we went and applied for a marriage liscense! And later in the day had dinner with my family. I was suprised at how well everyone behaved and how painless the entire experience was.

Today we went and picked up my cleaned and tightened engagement ring at the mall, bought him some pants, ate Korean food for lunch, took a long nap and then met up with three of my bridesmaids for dinner and conversation. (And the Amish baked goods that Mr. Groom brought down from PA).

He's leaving tomorrow after church to continue the job search. I've had such a great weekend I don't want him to leave just yet (This is the first time we've been together since we've been home from Korea) but I know that soon we'll be together for quite a long time. Keep him in your prayers as he drives back.

How Does That Make Sense?

For the past few days I've been waking up with the smell of cigarette smoke in my nose. I have trouble breathing and have to pump the air freshners up to double duty.

Tonight, while watching TV  I smelled cigarette smoke. I double checked to make sure our window was closed and it was.  I walked outside to locate the culprit. I politely explained my allergies and asked the girls to move a little further away from the building. Their answer This is the designated smoking area for our building.

I ran back upstairs and checked the college's handbook. They're correct. The designated smoking section is right under my window. What genius thought of that? The policy says that it is designed to promote a healthy environment for nonsmokers as well as allowing smokers their right to smoke.

A healthy environment? Second hand smoke is coming in my room and clogging my nose and lungs. I'm constantly sneezing, coughing  and blowing my nose. There are easily avoidable pollutants in my home.

Tomorrow, I'm going to look into getting the smoking area moved a little further from the building.  Not just because my body can't tolerate cigarette smoke (it really can't- cigarette smoke has caused me to puke before), but no one should have the second hand smoke forced on them because they happen to live on the right side of a building.

The Makings of a Fabulous Weekend

This weekend has been going great and looks like its going to keep on chugging in that direction.

Last night was Sparkle City's Collegefest, where students from all six colleges gathered to listen to 3 bands and eat free barbecue, pizza, fried oreos, candy apple, funnel cakes and beer. Okay, I ate dinner before hand so I could save all of my free tickets for the fried oreos, funnel cake and candy apples. Goodness, that does make me sound like a pig. I DID share the oreos with both roomies and the funnel cake with Lyric. And I brought the candy apple home for a movie night snack. Before we left for the night though, the waterbottle I packed leaked all in my bag and completely soaked my phone so now the battery won't charge. I have the worst luck with phones! Hopefully, I can find a cheap battery  to buy.

Today I did homework  (bleck) and went shoe shopping. I found a really cute pair of white flats with "crystals" on them, but they're $70 and I really don't want to spend that much on them, so  the plan is to hit up David's Bridal tomorrow to see if I can find something similar. Tonight the plan is to work on invitations with the roomies and Hotglue, watch Lifetime's polygamist move, eat some tenderwhite popcorn and my candy apple.

Tomorrow? Church, lunch with the girls and then a FREE cooking lesson at William Sonoma, updating my registry, more shoe shopping, more homework and the beginning of present delivering for K10's Big Sis/Lil Sis week.

What did you do this weekend? Any exciting plans?

College is Offically in Session...

(Does that mean I could have skipped class last week? )

We had opening convocation today, which traditionally means we get all dressed up and go listen to a few speeches and then feast on fried chicken on the lawn.

This year was different. This year we're SENIORS! And this year was the best year yet.

We spent last night decorating the campus in red. My class is the Red Devil Class of 2011 (Odd years are red devils, even pink panthers) My group of friends was responsible for decorating the rock and the fountains.

Aren't we cute

Pretty good for nongangsters....

I promise I have shorts on.

This morning we filed into the assembly wearing our graduation gowns and red devil gear. I almost teared up walking down that aisle. The entire room was silent as we entered and our little sister class was waving red pom poms in the air. There was an intense feeling of love, support , and sisterhood. As we began to file into our seats they erupted into cheers and shouts and we joined in with them.

Waiting to line up

Tail shot

 

The speech was given by an amazing, friendly and somewhat eccentric professor, who began by handing out speaking rubrics to his faculty  (which he mispronuced as phallic) colleagues. He then asked us to wait a minute while he went and grabbed someone. He came back carrying a cardboard cut out of Jacob Black.  He told us it was because he knew a full moon was around (Full Moon is the secret group of senior pranksters). We all howled with laughter and he occasioanlly referenced Jacon in his speech.

I almost teared up when we sang the alma mater, and when we filed out and the pompoms were again waved.

I love the women I've met here and have never regretted my decision to attend an all women's college. I've loved every minute of my time here. Its a bittersweet experience for me because I know I will not be here in the Spring for all of the senior celebrations with these fabulous women and the Converse traditions. I'm trying to soak up everything I can semester, to make every minute a memory.

I love all of these ladies!

The roomies: "Lyric", K10, Me

Me and my "little sister"

A Relaxing Afernoon Downtown

After lunch I made my way over to my best friend's campus to check our her cute new apartment. We then walked downtown and checked out the new bakery, where I enjoyed a fresh peach tart and Lu had an equally deliscious mini red velvet cake.

We explored the connected bookshop and coffee bar and then headed over to an upscale consignment shop that was having a 50% of sale. I found plenty of cute shoes, but none that I liked for the wedding. I guess I'll check out a few more places this weekend.

Once we left the consignment shop we wandered over to a small farmers market and made googly eyes over massive fresh picked apples, peaches and peppers. We split a bag of peaches and headed home.

Later tonight I'm picking up my cap and gown and stopping to watch a Comedian/Musician.

I hope ya'lls day has been as great as mine!

What a Wonderful Friday

Friday was a fabulous day. My classes finished up around noon and then I had a leisurely lunch at the new Sandella's that just opend up on campus. Have you ever been to one? They have the most delicious paninis, wraps and quesadillas.

My wonderful roomate helped me to put together one of my invitations so I could get it weighed and order postage.

Then we went shopping and I bought a paper mache mailbox that I want to decorate and have at the reception to serve as part of my guest book. We also stopped by a new local coffeeshop/bakery/bookstore combo.

After a dinner of leftover pasta, we all headed outside. My college had set up a large outdoor movie screen. We watched the Blindside and nibbled on free popcorn and candy.

I loved the Blindside! I can't believe it took me so long to see it. It made me feel like crying during one part, and a few minutes later had me laughing at the top of my lungs. The experience was made even better by the fact that I was laying on a beach towel under the stars, and surrounded by good friends.

 I want to see Blindside again, and may have Mr. Groom watch it with me when he comes to visit in two weeks.

Have any of you seen it? Did you love it too?

They Threw Me in the Fountain!

At the college I attend its tradition for the friends of a girl who gets engaged to throw her in fountain. Well, I've been engaged since December so I was waiting on it. Thankfully they waited until it was spring and the fountain wasn't frozen.
My friends planned a scavengar hunt that led me around campus. The last clue led me to the fountain. They had tied red and white balloons to the fountain and laid out a picnic complete with Zaxbys chicken and mini-cupcakes.

When I got to the fountain they picked me up and tossed me in! Actually, the fountains pretty shallow so they set me in the fountain, and then climbed in to take a picture with me. Here are the pictures:

Clue #1 was waiting on the backporch with my friends boyfriend:

He took pictures of me at evey place there was a clue:

They climbed in the fountain with me:

It's not as easy to get me out of my pants as my friends thought:

A Quick History Lesson

I took my History of the British Empire FINAL EXAM today! I loved this class. There is one thing from this class that I will always remember:

During WW2, not long after Pearl Harbor,  Japan tried to invade Austalia in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The United States sent what ships they had available to help blunt the attack. Australia's national language is not Japanese, so we can deduce the results....but Japan was trying pretty hard to make it that way. In fact, the Japanese govenment  paid their troops in Japanese currency only redeemable in  the "Japanese province of Australia". What a motivator!

Not only for the Japanese. When the American troops found the currecny they passed the bills out to Australian soldiers.

Trip to the Drive-In

Saturday I went to the drivein movie with two of my Wofford friends.

Before the movie we stopped for dinner at VZ's Big Easy, a cajun/creole restaurant in Aiken, where we ate on the front porch. This place was incredible. The food was amazing. We spilt stuffed mushrooms. And we all ordered the gumbo. It was amazing and with it we were served rolls and salad. My meal cost roughly $10 and was worth several dollars more. To top it all off, the service was incredible. My drink never ran low, our server came back several times and when I ventured inside the restaurant to find the restroom I was immediately greeted with a "Yes Ma'am?". Definitely worth a stop if you're ever around Aiken.

This was my second time going to the drive in and I absolutely love it. I wish there was one closer to me so I could more often. For $7 you get to see two new movies. Such a deal. This time we only stayed for the first movie, because we all had a early morning.

We saw How to Train Your Dragon. It was such a cute movie, and I think the first I've seen about Vikings. I'm not sure I liked that the Vikings had noticeably Scottish accents although I did enjoy listening to Craig Ferguson throughout the movie. (I think somethings telling me I miss Scotland)

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies and the Beach Help Beat the Homework Blues

Tuesday I made some banana chocolate chip cookies for my trip to the beach.  I didn't follow the recipe exactly because I didn't see the point in buying whole wheat flour that would just take up shelf space after I used the half a cup or the point in making chocolate chips into shreds. Oh and I left out the walnuts, well because I dont like walnuts and I was going to sub them with pecans, then I realized I was out of pecans.

So here's the recipe:

• 1 cup(s) all-purpose flour


• 1/2 cup(s) whole-wheat flour

• 1 teaspoon(s) coarse salt

• 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking soda

• 3/4 cup(s) (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup(s) granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup(s) packed light-brown sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup(s) (about 1 large) mashed ripe banana

• 1 cup(s) old-fashioned rolled oats

• 8 ounce(s) semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped into 1/4-inch chunks
1/2 cup(s) (about 2 ounces) coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted
 
Preheat to 375. Combine the flours, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl. Set aside. Combine butter and sugars until pale and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla. Add mashed banana. Mix in flour mixture. Add in chocolate chips. Put on cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for about 11 minutes.
 
My way: sub the whole wheat flour for regular, forget the walnuts, leave the chocolate alone.
 
My sister who doesnt like bananas loved these! My friend, Chris, who went to the beach with me ate a lot, though I'm not sure if he was just being nice. Next time I think I want to add in the pecans and whole wheat flour.
 
Now, about the beach. Chris went for the weekend, and I went just for the day to hangout. It was not hot, but not cold. And it was virtually empty. Very nice. Lots of little kids and humorous high school drama. Apparently Briggs is gay/sexy/stupid. Silly kids.
 
I went to the beach with my girlfriends, and we flirted with the boys, but I don't remember us being that soap operaish about it. Or being so flighty.  Being at the beach made me miss those days a bit. Where I had the whole week to spend laying out, swimming and flirting- all on someone elses tab. Ahhh.
 
Back to the present. Chris and I hung out and talked. I made him read me parts of my homework. We both got horribly burnt and he had to explain to me that Billy the Kid was not a pirate.
 
Here are some pics:
 
(from the parking garage)

 
(homework didnt last long!)

 

()

Its been way too long

I apoligize for the HUGE gap in my blogging life, but the fact is -real life just caught up to me. I've got two more classes here then when I was in Scotland, paired with all of my social activities, my new job and managing a long distance engagement as just left me too busy to blog.

I got the chance to make my friend a birthday card today:

Outside text: Sweet Birthday Wishes
Inside: For my my favorite canadian
Envelope: Hi Cupcake!

After midterms this week it was a great stress reliever. I'm heading to Hartsvegas for Spring Break where I'm hopeing to catch up on the piles of homework I've been neglecting, finish my projects for work, read a fun book and make another card or  two for upcoming events. And I've recently won a copy of Falling into the Sun: A Novel by Charrie Hazard, that hope to read, in additon to sending out some internship applications. Oh and the bestie, her beau and I are hopeing to take a  day trip to Charleston!

Oh! And earlier in the week, my fiance sent me these:

(The bear is the size of a four year old!)