It has officially been 1 year since I started this blog! A YEAR!! I can't believe it has been that long. This year has been crazy, stressful, rewarding, and generally pretty darn good.
I can't believe how far I have come in a year. Looking back on posts, I am completely different than I was a year ago. I am more true to myself. I am more confident in myself. I have a better understanding of who I am. This year has been so important to me. I have had so many wonderful opportunities. I know I wouldn't be where I am now without the support and love from my incredible family and friends. I feel like I have come so far since I started this blog and I only want to keep looking forward.
Every day I am reminded of the wonderful opportunities I have had over the year from my internship, to starting school again, to preparing for graduate school, to the new puppy we're getting next month (HOLLA!). I am so thankful to have been able to share these wonderful moments with my family and friends.
This year has been a roller coaster and not a very fun one at times, but all in all this year was exactly what I needed. I needed to figure myself out. I don't think I would have been able to do that had I not had such a devastating blow one year ago. I'm weirdly grateful for the trials and tribulations I went through this past year because it made me stronger. I'm happy and I feel like I am in a great place in my life right now.
Thank you for sticking with me, and this cheesy post, for a year! Hopefully this one will be even better than the last.
Until next time!
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Where Were You?
Today is one of the most somber and infamous days in American history. Today marks the twelve year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. I was in the 4th grade.
We were sitting in Mrs Ilgenfritz's science/math class getting a lecture about a test that we were supposed to explain our mathematical answers, but none of us had really done it. She was telling us about the meaning of explaining our answers on tests. All of the sudden Mr. Elmore comes into the room, I remember his face looked very pale, and he told Mrs. Ilgenfritz to turn on the TV right now. His voice was very stern, more so than usual, and I got an immediate pit in my stomach. I didn't know what was happening yet, but the look on his face told me something wasn't right. What we saw when our teacher turned on the TV was something that no person should ever have to see in their lifetime. All we could see was the first tower burning. Mrs. Ilgenfritz said something under her breath, I don't remember what, and we all just sat there in silence trying to comprehend what we were seeing. We watched as the second plane hit the World Trade Center. We just sat in silence. Eerie, haunting silence. All of us trying inside our young minds to grasp what was happening. I don't think any of us really could. We were so young and, up until that point, we had lived our entire lives in a world where terrorism didn't exist. Shortly after the second plane hit, our principal came on the intercom and told the teachers to turn the TVs off. He understood that we didn't need to have this image in our young heads. He understood that this was a very scary situation to not understand, as many of us at Riverside Elementary didn't. Our teachers ignored it. We watched the towers come down. After that our teachers decided to listen and turn off the TV. We didn't need any more information.
I remember the rest of the day, as we tried to carry on with school and when we got home, there was just this eerie, unsettled feeling. I didn't understand what terrorism was. I didn't know what was going to happen next. I didn't know if we were safe because we lived, and still do live, very close to an Air Force base and I knew that this would probably involve the Air Force. I remember my parents tried to explain to me what had happened and why. I remember my dad coming into my room and explaining that we will be safe and those who were responsible will be sent to justice. It was in that moment, for the first time since we turned on the TV that morning, that I felt like things were going to be safe.
Recently, I was reading another blog, I don't know how I stumbled upon it. Maybe Pinterest? And the blog talked about how her children will read about 9/11 in their history books in school and how she'll tell them the story of what she was doing when she was a senior in high school on 9/11. She talked about how she remembered her dad telling her what he was doing as a senior in high school when JFK was assassinated. While I was reading, I realized this was such a huge parallel to my life. Not only will I also tell my children about what I was doing in the 4th grade on that day, but also my dad was just about my age when he experienced the Kennedy assassination along with the rest of the world. He too can recall that day just as vividly as if it happened a week ago. When I realized this, like the woman whose blog I was reading, I realized that both these moments taught us and our fathers just how big our nation's pride can be, and, like her, I hope that my children don't have to go through something as devastating as the assassination of our country's leader or a terrorist attack to feel that.
The attacks on 9/11 did many things for this country. It opened up a new sense of patriotism and a collective pride to be American. It changed the world that we lived in forever. It changed the way America runs. I will never forget what happened that day. As we remember the fallen and honor the heroes of 9/11, I am forever thankful for them. I am thankful for the men and women of the Armed Forces who continue to protect our well being and the freedom that we, as Americans, hold so dear. We will never forget.
We were sitting in Mrs Ilgenfritz's science/math class getting a lecture about a test that we were supposed to explain our mathematical answers, but none of us had really done it. She was telling us about the meaning of explaining our answers on tests. All of the sudden Mr. Elmore comes into the room, I remember his face looked very pale, and he told Mrs. Ilgenfritz to turn on the TV right now. His voice was very stern, more so than usual, and I got an immediate pit in my stomach. I didn't know what was happening yet, but the look on his face told me something wasn't right. What we saw when our teacher turned on the TV was something that no person should ever have to see in their lifetime. All we could see was the first tower burning. Mrs. Ilgenfritz said something under her breath, I don't remember what, and we all just sat there in silence trying to comprehend what we were seeing. We watched as the second plane hit the World Trade Center. We just sat in silence. Eerie, haunting silence. All of us trying inside our young minds to grasp what was happening. I don't think any of us really could. We were so young and, up until that point, we had lived our entire lives in a world where terrorism didn't exist. Shortly after the second plane hit, our principal came on the intercom and told the teachers to turn the TVs off. He understood that we didn't need to have this image in our young heads. He understood that this was a very scary situation to not understand, as many of us at Riverside Elementary didn't. Our teachers ignored it. We watched the towers come down. After that our teachers decided to listen and turn off the TV. We didn't need any more information.
I remember the rest of the day, as we tried to carry on with school and when we got home, there was just this eerie, unsettled feeling. I didn't understand what terrorism was. I didn't know what was going to happen next. I didn't know if we were safe because we lived, and still do live, very close to an Air Force base and I knew that this would probably involve the Air Force. I remember my parents tried to explain to me what had happened and why. I remember my dad coming into my room and explaining that we will be safe and those who were responsible will be sent to justice. It was in that moment, for the first time since we turned on the TV that morning, that I felt like things were going to be safe.
Recently, I was reading another blog, I don't know how I stumbled upon it. Maybe Pinterest? And the blog talked about how her children will read about 9/11 in their history books in school and how she'll tell them the story of what she was doing when she was a senior in high school on 9/11. She talked about how she remembered her dad telling her what he was doing as a senior in high school when JFK was assassinated. While I was reading, I realized this was such a huge parallel to my life. Not only will I also tell my children about what I was doing in the 4th grade on that day, but also my dad was just about my age when he experienced the Kennedy assassination along with the rest of the world. He too can recall that day just as vividly as if it happened a week ago. When I realized this, like the woman whose blog I was reading, I realized that both these moments taught us and our fathers just how big our nation's pride can be, and, like her, I hope that my children don't have to go through something as devastating as the assassination of our country's leader or a terrorist attack to feel that.
The attacks on 9/11 did many things for this country. It opened up a new sense of patriotism and a collective pride to be American. It changed the world that we lived in forever. It changed the way America runs. I will never forget what happened that day. As we remember the fallen and honor the heroes of 9/11, I am forever thankful for them. I am thankful for the men and women of the Armed Forces who continue to protect our well being and the freedom that we, as Americans, hold so dear. We will never forget.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Back to School!
The first week of school has been completed, so I feel like now is the time for a proper assessment of my classes and how I think the semester will go.
French: As always, this ever present demon looms large over my shoulder. I will never enjoy this class. I will never enjoy the subject matter. It is hard, and I do not take to it easily which frustrates me to no end. However, I think my professor is a thousand times better than the one I had last semester, so I think that will at least make it more enjoyable. This is a core requirement that I am really getting tired of but must keep pushing through it.
Emergence of Modern America: So far this class seems pretty interesting. I've never studied very much about this time period in America so I am excited to learn more about it. My professor has a rich speaking voice which makes the sometimes boring subject matter seem a lot less boring and a lot more like a story. If I let myself get too enthralled with how he is telling the story of America's past it is a little hard to follow his outline that he has at the beginning of the lecture. All in all I think this will be an interesting class at the very least. I can't tell if it will be very difficult or not yet, but I do think I'm going to enjoy it.
French: As always, this ever present demon looms large over my shoulder. I will never enjoy this class. I will never enjoy the subject matter. It is hard, and I do not take to it easily which frustrates me to no end. However, I think my professor is a thousand times better than the one I had last semester, so I think that will at least make it more enjoyable. This is a core requirement that I am really getting tired of but must keep pushing through it.
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| How I feel about French |
Choir: Choir goes without saying. I love this class. I love the people in it. I love our director. I feel like we are constantly being pushed to be better and it is so exciting. The repertoire we have this semester is challenging but wonderful. We have a ton of new opportunities that as a choir we haven't had in many, many years. I'm definitely looking forward to this semester and next in Schola, and I'm sure I will do some shameless advertising on here later.
History of Health and Disease: I'm very wary about this class. I love this professor, I feel like she is one of the best history professors on campus, but I also am pretty extremely squeamish and I know this class is going to get graphic. That being said, I am so far enjoying it. The subject matter and the readings are interesting. I think that the reward for this class will be greater than the risk of seeing something probably super disgusting at 8:00 AM. I think this class will be challenging but in a good way. Maybe it will help me be less squeamish... but I doubt it. I do think I will enjoy being in this class regardless of how gross it will get.
Intro to Criminology: This class seems very easy. We have a series of quizzes with each chapter which don't seem like they will be very hard. The professor seems like a fair grader and gives us many opportunities for bonus points which is always appreciated. I think this class will be fun but a little tedious with all the quizzes. It is hard to get a sense of this class because we haven't done a lot of work or note taking in this class, but we shall see.
Biological Anthropology and Lab: I think these will also be interesting but tedious classes. Anthropology will be interesting because it is science with a little bit of history thrown in there. What I like most about it is I am getting my university core credit for science without doing hardly any math. My professor for both the lecture and the lab seem like they are both pretty good teachers and fair graders. I can't say I'm looking forward to these classes, but at this point I don't think they will be completely awful.
For all of these classes, I think it will be important for me to stay on top of things. Most of them are pretty work heavy, and I will have a lot of papers and projects due this semester, but it all seems manageable. Over all, I have a very good feeling about this semester.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Walking on Maple
Packed up my high heeled shoes and I loaded the car. Drove down to the land of the Razorbacks, ready for what's in store.
Work week has started this week and rush is next week. Already I have seen a bazillion tweets about it and it makes me think about my years as an AOII and when I went through rush three years ago. I can't believe it's been THREE YEARS since I was an intimidated, nervous, chattering freshman standing in line outside the enormous houses on Maple Street dreaming that at the end of the week I would be in the perfect house for me.
What's funny is, I never thought that house would be AOII. The whole week every day I went to AOII. It was nice, the girls were nice, the house was beautiful, but I was never just FLOORED by AOII. I never really was over the top obsessed with any house. Sure I fell in love with houses, but only briefly. Girls in my Gamma Chi group would come back from the day and just be head over heels for houses, but I was never like that. I would have my favorite of the day but every day it would change. What didn't change was AOII. It was always there waiting for me. I didn't realize how much I had loved AOII until Bid Day when I opened my card and got my bid. *Okay it may have had a little to do with the fact that their theme for Bid Day that year was Fiesta and if you know me, you know my family's running joke is I'm a Mexican. I took that as a sign that AOII was where I needed to be. It was where I HAD to be.* I don't know what I would have done if my Bid Card didn't say AOII.
AOII has truly changed my life. I remember sitting in the kitchen of my two houses on pref night. The girls were crying, everyone was saying all of these things, and I didn't really understand any of it. I didn't understand why these girls were crying about things that, up until then, I only understood as t shirts, parties, and guaranteed friends. I still didn't really understand the crying until I was the fool sobbing uncontrollably (I'm looking at you, Emily). Now I realize it is SO MUCH more than that. I have found through AOII so many things and people that I would never have come into contact with. People always say, "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. From the inside looking out, you can't explain it." And it seriously is so true. I can't find the words to adequately explain the experience that I have had with AOII. It just wouldn't be enough, or we would be here until next Tuesday. The love that I have for the friends I have made in AOII is like the love that I have for my own family. Even though sometimes these girls drive me up the wall, I would still go to the moon and back for them. They truly are a home away from home.
I am so thankful that I am a part of AOII. I am so proud to continue the AOII legacy for my family. I wouldn't change the experiences that I've had through AOII for the world. I can't believe this is my last year as a collegiate member, but I know I will carry it with me forever.
Until next time! Alpha love and mine!
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| Photo Cred: Kirsten Mckinney |
Work week has started this week and rush is next week. Already I have seen a bazillion tweets about it and it makes me think about my years as an AOII and when I went through rush three years ago. I can't believe it's been THREE YEARS since I was an intimidated, nervous, chattering freshman standing in line outside the enormous houses on Maple Street dreaming that at the end of the week I would be in the perfect house for me.
What's funny is, I never thought that house would be AOII. The whole week every day I went to AOII. It was nice, the girls were nice, the house was beautiful, but I was never just FLOORED by AOII. I never really was over the top obsessed with any house. Sure I fell in love with houses, but only briefly. Girls in my Gamma Chi group would come back from the day and just be head over heels for houses, but I was never like that. I would have my favorite of the day but every day it would change. What didn't change was AOII. It was always there waiting for me. I didn't realize how much I had loved AOII until Bid Day when I opened my card and got my bid. *Okay it may have had a little to do with the fact that their theme for Bid Day that year was Fiesta and if you know me, you know my family's running joke is I'm a Mexican. I took that as a sign that AOII was where I needed to be. It was where I HAD to be.* I don't know what I would have done if my Bid Card didn't say AOII.
AOII has truly changed my life. I remember sitting in the kitchen of my two houses on pref night. The girls were crying, everyone was saying all of these things, and I didn't really understand any of it. I didn't understand why these girls were crying about things that, up until then, I only understood as t shirts, parties, and guaranteed friends. I still didn't really understand the crying until I was the fool sobbing uncontrollably (I'm looking at you, Emily). Now I realize it is SO MUCH more than that. I have found through AOII so many things and people that I would never have come into contact with. People always say, "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. From the inside looking out, you can't explain it." And it seriously is so true. I can't find the words to adequately explain the experience that I have had with AOII. It just wouldn't be enough, or we would be here until next Tuesday. The love that I have for the friends I have made in AOII is like the love that I have for my own family. Even though sometimes these girls drive me up the wall, I would still go to the moon and back for them. They truly are a home away from home.
I am so thankful that I am a part of AOII. I am so proud to continue the AOII legacy for my family. I wouldn't change the experiences that I've had through AOII for the world. I can't believe this is my last year as a collegiate member, but I know I will carry it with me forever.
Until next time! Alpha love and mine!
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Oh Hey...
So, again, it's been forever, BUT I've been working my tail off with my internship and a few travels here and there.
Let's get started with my internship. As some of you may or may not know, I was an intern at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum here in Shreveport this summer. Going into it I really didn't know what to expect. I thought I might be doing a little research, writing a few reports, but mainly just doing the grunt work that everyone expects when they hear the word "intern." Boy was I wrong! I did SO many different things. I did do A LOT of research and made many a spreadsheet, but in between those I got to work with things invented by Thomas Edison, swords from the Civil War, help with exhibit planning, and so many other things. It was wonderful! My main project was doing the research for an upcoming exhibit on prominent artists from Shreveport including my great grandfather. This was both rewarding and challenging, but I definitely learned SO MUCH from it. This internship gave me so many great experiences and lessons that I don't think I would have gotten from any other internship. It pushed me to keep going even though I didn't think I could find anything else, I am now a master at Microsoft Excel, I learned new things about my family history, I have better research skills, and I was pushed in a direction towards a future career.
I had been on the fence about what to do for grad school for a very long time. I couldn't decide if I wanted to get a masters in History, Library Science, or God only knows what else. Through doing research for the museum, I went to several different archives and LOVED it in there. By figuring out that I would like to be in the library for a career, I now feel like my life has some kind of direction. I know what I'm doing for grad school and where I'm going and it's very comforting. It's definitely one of the great benefits from the internship.
This summer definitely FLEW by, but I'm excited to get back to Fayetteville. I can't believe it's my SENIOR YEAR already! I'm looking forward to my last bid day (wah!) and to the new challenges that are ahead. Hopefully it won't be so long until my next post!
Until next time!
Sunday, June 23, 2013
She's SO Married!!
Taylor Tate is MARRIED!!!!
I was truly honored to be a guest at her special day. And what a BEAUTIFUL day it was!!! The church where her ceremony was PACKED full of people who love and support Taylor and Corey. Their ceremony was very sweet. One thing about their ceremony that was very unique was their assembly of their Unity Cross. Now usually I am not a big fan of the Unity candle, sand, picture frame thing, but this was something I had never seen before and I thought it was AMAZING. I liked it because the cross symbolizes many things that are important to them: their faith, their families coming together, the base of their relationship, etc and it is something that will remain beautiful for many years to come and will be a wonderful accent in their home. The Unity Cross was just another perfect moment in their ceremony. This was my first Air Force wedding and I thought it was adorable how they wouldn't let Taylor and Corey through until they kissed.
The reception was equally as gorgeous as the ceremony. The venue was incredible! There are few other words to describe it besides perfect and beautiful, so I will just let the pictures speak for themselves. We danced the night away, in true AOII fashion, and the evening ended with a fantastic fireworks show.
This wedding was SO Taylor. It was classic and elegant but sweet and relaxed at the same time. It was very Oklahoma Princess. Just like Taylor. Everything had a touch of their Air Force future with the subtle red, white, and blue flowers. Taylor and Corey were beaming with joy the entire night. It was definitely a night filled with love, happiness, laughter, fun, and everything else you could ever hope for at a wedding. I am BEYOND happy for Taylor and Corey and am honored that I got to share their day with them.
I was truly honored to be a guest at her special day. And what a BEAUTIFUL day it was!!! The church where her ceremony was PACKED full of people who love and support Taylor and Corey. Their ceremony was very sweet. One thing about their ceremony that was very unique was their assembly of their Unity Cross. Now usually I am not a big fan of the Unity candle, sand, picture frame thing, but this was something I had never seen before and I thought it was AMAZING. I liked it because the cross symbolizes many things that are important to them: their faith, their families coming together, the base of their relationship, etc and it is something that will remain beautiful for many years to come and will be a wonderful accent in their home. The Unity Cross was just another perfect moment in their ceremony. This was my first Air Force wedding and I thought it was adorable how they wouldn't let Taylor and Corey through until they kissed.
The reception was equally as gorgeous as the ceremony. The venue was incredible! There are few other words to describe it besides perfect and beautiful, so I will just let the pictures speak for themselves. We danced the night away, in true AOII fashion, and the evening ended with a fantastic fireworks show.
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| Her GORGEOUS cake! |
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| Corey's cake |
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| first dance! |
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| Pics don't do her dress justice. Look at that lace!! |
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| We love you Taylor!! |
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| PS Guess who caught the bouquet! Me!! |
This wedding was SO Taylor. It was classic and elegant but sweet and relaxed at the same time. It was very Oklahoma Princess. Just like Taylor. Everything had a touch of their Air Force future with the subtle red, white, and blue flowers. Taylor and Corey were beaming with joy the entire night. It was definitely a night filled with love, happiness, laughter, fun, and everything else you could ever hope for at a wedding. I am BEYOND happy for Taylor and Corey and am honored that I got to share their day with them.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Sew Now What
Growing up my grandmother would always be sewing something. Every time we went to her house she would always have a new project and would be cross stitching away. We have tons of pillow cases with things that she embroidered onto them. I love them. Not only are they beautiful, but they remind me so much of her. I always wanted to learn how to do it, but never quite had the patience for it as a kid so I just admired her from afar. When I look at the things she made for us, I can see how much she loved doing it.
Now I know why!
I decided that I would no longer wish that I could do it and decided to try it out for myself. My mom knows how to cross stitch as well but with 3 kids, 2 dogs, a job, a house, and a husband who has time for that? (SIDE NOTE: thanks for everything, Mom!) But this week we had some free time and one rainy day I decided that it was high time I learned how to do this.
I LOVE IT!!!
Seriously it's so much fun. It's very relaxing and it keeps me busy which I like. It's weirdly soothing just going through everything and finding the right colors (or not HA). It's definitely just a good way to unwind from the day. I can see why my grandmother liked it so much. I think she would be very happy that I've taken this up. Although I know she wouldn't be so happy that I've substituted some colors here and there, She was very particular about that. But I think she would be proud of me for trying. I wish that I could show her what I've done, but I know she's been watching me the whole time.
I love that I can share this with my mom and grandmother now. I love being able to do something that is productive but pretty at the same time. I love my new hobby and can't wait to get started on my next project!
Until Next Time!
Now I know why!
I decided that I would no longer wish that I could do it and decided to try it out for myself. My mom knows how to cross stitch as well but with 3 kids, 2 dogs, a job, a house, and a husband who has time for that? (SIDE NOTE: thanks for everything, Mom!) But this week we had some free time and one rainy day I decided that it was high time I learned how to do this.
I LOVE IT!!!
Seriously it's so much fun. It's very relaxing and it keeps me busy which I like. It's weirdly soothing just going through everything and finding the right colors (or not HA). It's definitely just a good way to unwind from the day. I can see why my grandmother liked it so much. I think she would be very happy that I've taken this up. Although I know she wouldn't be so happy that I've substituted some colors here and there, She was very particular about that. But I think she would be proud of me for trying. I wish that I could show her what I've done, but I know she's been watching me the whole time.
I love that I can share this with my mom and grandmother now. I love being able to do something that is productive but pretty at the same time. I love my new hobby and can't wait to get started on my next project!
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| Getting Started! |
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| Keep going! |
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| TA DA!!! The finished product! |
Until Next Time!
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