Rambling about college & school & stuff...

I kind of like this whole "getting dark at 5pm thing" because I am sitting here, after a VERY long day, finally getting a chance to sit down....to do homework mind you....and I feel like it's about 11pm! It was only 6something! Between that & (first forgetting too & then) choosing not to change my microwave's time back quite yet has really tricked my mind well a number of times into at least thinking I had more hours in the day. We're all asking for this, wishing we had more time in the day and here I go...finding ways to at least make myself THINK I do! :) I am just so smart. Ha!

Today I assisted a large number of high school seniors at Maiden High in applying for college. It's College Application Week so they get to apply to some (mostly private) colleges for free this week. Listening to all the questions and concerns they had really made me wish I could tell them "it doesn't matter!" You don't have to pick your major right now, you don't have to accurately calculate how much of your expenses are paid by your parents, how much by you, and how much by your savings account....things like that. Just guess as good as you can!

I am just so so so thankful that season in my life is OVER! I remember sitting at my computer, applying to Appalachian, wondering if I would get in, being glad I didn't have to write an essay to get in & the application fee was only $25. On top of that, I found out a month after I applied whether I got in or not. I did get a great deal on the "applying to college" gig. But then the next 3 years of my life were devoted to school work, working part-time jobs, driving up & down a mountain, & just figuring out a way to make it all end as soon as possible.

.... and I did. 3 years & I was out of there!

Boone, I love you (at times), but I'm not in love with you. I'm definitely glad I don't live in Boone anymore...even though Boone was beautiful last time Alex & I visited.

Side thought: "Boone. I like that name. I might name a dog Boone one day."

My point is...thank God I am past that season in my life. It was a tough one for me and just a stepping stone/obstacle in my way in the long scheme of things.

I have enjoyed graduate school so much more.

But school, I'm REALLY getting tired of you.

I'm working my butt off to get everything else that's due this semester done ASAP! That way I will be able to breathe a little, enjoy myself a little, and gosh darn clean those dishes that have been piling up in my sink! My poor apartment has been completely neglected the last 2 weeks due to all this school work I've had going on. And I feel like I've barely made a dent in my mountain!

"...It's like moving mountainsssssss...." ~ anyone know that Usher song?? ha!

Okay, I'll get back to my homework now. Bluh!

Happy Halloween!

As you know, I'm not a big Halloween fan. I don't think I'd ever spend personal money on buying Halloween decorations. Now Fall is a completely different story and if you know me or you've seen my apartment, you know money is well spent on Fall decor. ;) But Halloween...nope! Not so much! I can see you decorating the weeks up until Halloween, but that would overshadow my beloved Fall, leaving Fall only to be decorated from Halloween to Thanksgiving- which is just not acceptable. {OMG I'm starting to sound like Sheldon on Big Bang Theory. Side note: Alex and I watched a whole disc of that tonight! I am LOVING that show! Thanks Maria!}

Anyways, this makes year #2 I've been living in the dorms during Halloween, so, celebrate it a little bit I must! This is the 2nd year we have had a Halloween party in the building, so I had to dress up as SOMEthing! I didn't want to spend any money on it, or at least didn't want to spend upwards to $20 on something. Last year I bought a "mummy" t-shirt on clearance at Wal-Mart to wear to the party...

{Miss you Keenan!}

But this year, I wasn't too sure of what to do. I got some great ideas from friends on Facebook- but the best {cheap} idea of all came from an employee at Maiden High School {where I'm doing my school counseling practicum}.

For a total of $4 I bought a black t-shirt on clearance at AC Moore and a scrap of fabric at Wal-Mart and made my Halloween costume.

Add a little black shimmer eyeshadow I had in my collection & voilà! I was a "black eyed pea" this Halloween!!

The Halloween party was a definite success. ... It wasn't all what RAC {who planned the party} had planned but I tried to warn them it wouldn't. We did get smart though & have a $50 raffle at the end to entice residents to stay until the end! We had a good number of residents come in costumes too...so that was awesome! Here's some pics from the night's event.

My fabulous RAs that dressed up!

My OTHER RAs who said their costumes were abstract! LOL

Isenhour Staff :)

Andres the pirate!

Shelby, the cutest little flapper!

Best costume = Ricky Bobby

{Yep, I Picniked a picture on Facebook! Don't know what Picnik is? Definitely search for it on Facebook!} PS- Do you see Baby's jester "outfit"??? That's all she'd allow...so that was good enough for me!

Oh, just some rambling...

I know every year has it's ups and downs, but this year's definitely been a rough one.
Luckily I have some fun things to look forward to coming up... and I still have 4 months left of this year to keep working on making it the best year ever.
My goal every New Years is to make "this year" the best year ever.

Between Pat's diagnosis, family issues, summer school ruining my summer, and practically having zero break between the three semesters of the year has really just taken a toll on me.
I AM TIRED!
I keep telling everyone that this year I need to be working on getting some sleep.
A bed time would be nice...
and sleeping the whole night through would be even more fabulous!
I don't want to sleep in as late as I do, but if you go to bed as late as I do, it's needed!
I don't ever feel like I waste my days away because I am still probably up and going at everything on my to-do list in the hours that I'm awake just as many hours as a "normal person."
It's just not healthy and I've got to do better.

We are already doing better this year as an Ike unit...
{note that I did not say better than last year. I am not comparing staffs because I can already go ahead & tell you...they both ROCK!}
...the students all survived their first weekend away from Momma and Daddy and there wasn't a flood on any halls!
Move-in went flawless and I have my fabulous staff to thank for that!
I feel like it's going to be a great school year! :)

I started my first class of the semester tonight.
This semester's going to KICK. MY. BUTT.
4 classes, working at the gym, doing the RD thing, and trying to find time to see family, friends, and Alex... man!
This is going to be a doozy!
I feel like it's been forever since I've been home and actually had time to spend there.
Any time I go it's for a reason, I have an agenda, and I'm in and out and back to Hickory before I know it.
Which isn't too too bad because I love living in Hickory!
I just wish that everyone I loved also lived in Hickory.

I do miss going to church.
I need to find a good church in Hickory.
I sure would miss Mike Devine's preaching though!

Anyways, back on the school subject... this is my last full semester of classes!
Ever!
And I mean it this time!
I will not.. I repeat: I will NOT be going to get my PhD so, yes, this is my last full semester of classes.
Next semester I will be doing a school counseling internship at a local high school while I take one class,
then next summer I will be doing an agency counseling internship SOMEwhere
{Lord, find me a place!} while I take my last elective class.

So do you know what that means??

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!

{I'll say to August 1st because, well, if I'm not done by then I might cry!}

So, in only 342 days, I will be DONE with graduate school,
either beginning a new job or job searching {Lord, guide me!}
and starting a new life!

I better enjoy my job, all the fabulous people that are in my life, and the flexibility I have in my schedule right now.
Don't get me wrong.... I'M BUSY, but my schedule is pretty flexible.
That I love.
I don't have an 8-5 job and Lord help me if I ever do!

So do you know what that means?

It means I have 342 days to
ENJOY, and EMBRACE.
No time for being down or worrying.
I put my whole life in God's hands and trust Him to work it all out!
I HAVE to... or else I would have gone crazy a looooong time ago! :)

So much for free time....

Man, oh man! I've been super busy lately & have wanted to blog about so so many things! However, Psychopathology has started & we are required to:

• Post 2 discussion questions a week {no big deal if my brain would start working}
• Post 3 replies to discussion questions...FIVE OUT OF SEVEN DAYS A WEEK!
• Take 3 quizzes a week on 2-5 chapters a quiz {seriously}
• Therefore meaning, read 2 textbooks in the month of June
• Blog at least once a week {and this one doesn't count ;) }
• Take a final exam {it'll be my first one of my counseling program}
• & I'm sure something else I'm forgetting

...and that's all for a B in the class!! Whoa baby!! June will be busy, that's for sure! Keep me in your prayers because I'm going to attempt to do all the required work plus a little extra for an A {got to at least attempt to keep that 4.0} AND I'll be starting another class this Tuesday!! :/

staff love & one more week left!

MAN today was a hectic day!

I want to give a shout out to my fabulous staff right now. They all were up at 8 AM this morning, wanting to give a present to Isenhour's housekeeper. They weren't able to do that because some had to leave to go to class, and the others went back to bed after waiting about 20 minutes because they realized none of us had a clue as to what time she comes in to work...but it is definitely the thought that counts!! First off, I thought it was thoughtful of them to want to do something special for her, but for them to be willing to all get up at 8 AM & wait on her to get here...that was mighty nice of them! I have definitely been blessed with an awesome staff my first year here at LR. I don't know what I would have done without them this year! As the year's drawing to a close, you'll hear me say this all more, because it's hitting me that we won't all be together next year- and quite frankly, it really makes me sad just thinking about it.

On a happier note: I am checking things off my to-do list left & right! I really don't have any other choice because it's the end of the year and it seems like all of my professors waited to make everything due at the end. Well, right now I have ONE WEEK OF SCHOOL LEFT {this semester}.
I am...

• 1 AA meeting {for my addictions class}
• 1 Stats test
• 3 papers
• 1 Capstone presentation/paper...

away from this semester being over. And again. only ONE week. There is no option- I have to make it work! I haven't been procrastinating either. I've had things due the last two Wednesdays & the Saturday in between. I've been working on things as they're due, and now- everything's due within two days & that makes it CRUNCH TIME! :)

Say a little prayer for me that I don't lose my mind!

Update: Ike Cook Out: Success!

Literally, I haven't stopped for two days. Since I woke up until the time I went to bed, it was literally nonstop! But I made sure my paper was finished last night that is due today so I didn't feel stressed today, obligated to get up early & make sure it was finished before class at 5pm!

Melissa & I have been walking...that's been fun! I love walk/talk sessions with her! :) We could only walk 2 miles yesterday because she had to go to work- we'll see how many we get in today! :) Alex and I have been little walking machines too. We walk everyday on the weekends it seems! 5 miles here, 4 miles there... it's been fun! We keep saying we're going to walk 10 miles around my parents' neighborhood- but, we haven't had the time yet! Hopefully we will soon!

Anyways, so Monday was a busy busy day! Most of the afternoon was spent preparing for Isenhour's cookout! {Isenhour is the building I am the Resident Director of, in case you didn't know!} My six RAs have to do a certain number of "programs" a month, and we have a budget to help them buy stuff to draw people to those programs. The point of it all is to draw residents of the building together for either a social or educational purpose and help build community. Well, the Isenhour Cook Out was by far the most successful program my staff, or any other staff to my knowledge, has done. We started out with 40 hamburgers & 48 hot dogs. Needless to say, we had to make two charcoal runs & another trip to the store! We ended up giving out about 120ish hamburgers and hot dogs to residents and Lenoir-Rhyne students! Talk about a success! I was completed proud of my staff for pulling it all off. They truly are the best! :)

Here's just a couple pics from the event:

And here's just a couple of some of my fabulous staff:

Megan

Moose

The boys, Matt, Keenan {RAs} & Andres {who graciously manned the grill while Matt was at class, even though he isn't an RA, yet!} getting the massive grill going!

And even Maria {another RD at Lenoir Rhyne}stopped by & joined us for a bit! :)

It really was fun! We'll definitely have to do another one next year! :)

Leaving Boone

PD & Barbs are coming to Boonetown tomorrow to move all my junk out of the apt.
that'll be lovely.

and i just realized tonite how much i'm gonna miss my boone friends :( ...katie, vanessa, keara, liz, jeremy, the alpha sig boys... & of course my lovely roomies. :) ...all those people. i've mostly hung around people from lincolnton during my 3 years here. but the few close friends i have made helped me get through the toughest year of my life and for that i am forever grateful. <3 i am a lucky, lucky girl.

50 Things Admissions Never Told You About College

50 THINGS ADMISSIONS NEVER TOLD YOU ABOUT COLLEGE

1. Quarters are gold.

2. Two meals per day is the standard.

3. Road trip whenever possible.

4. Going to the mailbox was never an ego booster/breaker before.

5. You will begin to nap again.

6. Your bookstore bill will almost equal tuition.

7. Squirt guns = Stress relief.

8. Instant messenger becomes an addiction.

9. E-mail becomes your second language

10. College students throw paper airplanes too.

11. You never realized that so many people were smarter than you.

12. College football is the coolest thing on the planet.

13. Western Europe could be wiped out by a horrible plague and you wouldn't
know, but you can recite last week's re-run of The 70's Show verbatim.

14. Cartoons are for all ages.

15. Disney movies are more than just classics.

16. You will never rent/buy more movies in your life.

17. No one is too old for video games.

18. Procrastination is an art form.

19. SNOOD is more addicting than pot.

20. Thanks to Kazaa/Audiogalaxy/Morpheus, you will never listen to any of
your CDs ever again.

21. It never hurt so much to get sick.

22. The health service nurses are there because they couldn't make it at a
real hospital. Never, don't ever forget that.

23. Care packages are right up there with birthdays.

24. Campus is only clean for Family Weekend and Freshman Orientation.

25. Nothing you want to register for will be open.

26. Classes... the later the better.

27. You are no longer thankful that the fire alarms are here to protect you.

28. Jeans may be worn as many times as the wearer desires.

29. The only time to dress up is when your jeans are dirty.

30. Showers become less important; sleep becomes more important.

31. Asleep by 2:30 am is an early night.

32. Creativity in the dining halls is KEY...

33. The freshman 15 is NOT a myth!!!

34. If it's snowing out, the only reason you will leave your room is for food.

35. Dishes smell after days of piling up.

36. Cereal makes a meal any time of the day.

37. You will eat anywhere that is a buffet.

38. You will eat anything that is free.

39. New additions to food groups: pitapit and pizza.

40. Stealing from the dining hall will become second nature.

41. ATM's are the devils advocate. ATM= another Twenty Missing.

42. Keys have never been so important, yet you seem to lose them or lock
yourself out of the room even more.

43. Duct tape heals all wounds.

44. If they say you can't have it in your dorm, they are just kidding.

45. You will come to hate hallways/elevators with a passion. (STAIRS ARE THE
DEVIL)

46. Those ugly cinderblocks are not sound proof.

47. Pictures, posters, emails or anything else to cover the ugly cell we live
in will be transformed
into wallpaper.

48. Everyone is only nice for the first week. After that, no matter how nice
you are, some people just won't smile back. Get used to it.

49. You are never alone!

50. You realize college is the ideal lifestyle, except for those pesky classes

TOP 10 REASONS THAT COLLEGE IS LIKE PRESCHOOL

10. You cry for your mother.

9. You cross the street without looking for cars.

8. Snack time is a necessity.

7. You bundle up for the outdoors without caring what you look like because
everyone else looks as stupid as you do

6. You stay at home and play games with your friends.


5. You wear your backpack on both shoulders.

4. You wear big mittens.

3. Playing in the snow is a legitimate activity.

2. You take naps.

1. You look forward to grilled cheese sandwiches.

YOU KNOW YOU'VE BEEN IN COLLEGE TOO LONG WHEN...

You actually like doing laundry at home.

Two miles is not too far to walk for a party.

You'd rather clean than study.

"Oh man how did it get so late!" comes out of your mouth at least once a night.

Mom's Meatloaf and potatoes become something you desire, not avoid.

Half the time you don't wake up in your own bed and it seems normal.

You schedule your classes around sleep habits and soap operas.

You know the pizza boy by name.

You go to sleep when it's light and get up when it's dark.

You live for getting mail.

Looking out the window is a form of entertainment.

Prank phone calls become funny again.

You start thinking and sounding like your roommate.

Black lights and highlighters are the coolest things on earth.

Rearranging your room is your favorite pastime.

The weekend lasts from Thursday to Sunday.

BEFORE I CAME TO COLLEGE, I WISH I HAD KNOWN...

That it didn't matter how late I scheduled my first class, I'd still sleep through it.

That I could change so much and barely realize it

That you can love a lot of people in a lot of different ways.

No matter how 'cool' you were in high school, no one here cares.

That if you wear polyester everyone will ask why you are so dressed up.

That every clock on campus shows a different time.

That if you were smart in high school, so what? It doesn't matter here.

That I would go to a party the night before a final.

That Chem. Labs/Art studios take up more time than all my other classes put together.

That you can know everything and fail a test.

That you can know nothing and ace a test.

That I could get used to almost anything found out about my roommate.

That most of my education would be obtained outside of class.

That friendship is more than getting drunk together.

That I would be one of those people that my parents warned me about.

That Sunday is a figment of the world's imagination.

That Psychology is really Biology. That Biology is really Chemistry, that Chemistry is really Physics and that Physics is really Math.

That my parents would become so much smarter in the last few years.

That it's possible to be alone even when friends surround you.

That friends are what make this place worthwhile!