Switchin' it up in Calhoun:

!! IMPORTANT NOTICE IMPORTANT NOTICE !!

Today I successfully switched from my original rooming assignment in Calhoun Courts, to another.. two buildings down. Yes, same lay out, same ol' carpets, same 80's stove top and fridge, but I'm now living with a girl I met while working as an orientation ambassador!

So, the det's on the new rommie, DJC:
I'm pretty excited! DJC is a super sweet girl and is really devoted to her grades. Like me, she loves service trips and all things Clemson! I asked her if she would consider being Vice President of my service club,

(mentioned in one of my previous posts)

I'm super excited that the ball has started rolling on my service project! DJC thought of some pretty insane ideas on how to bring income into our club and members to join who are excited about serving the Clemson area. I started working on a club calendar the other night as well. I've got September 2011 to January 2012 down with concrete plans. All we've got to do from here is verify dates, times and sponsors!

But, back to the apartment situation!
Two of the girls I was originally rooming with are actually coming over to DJC's apartment with me! Instead of sharing a room with Hanna, I'm going to share it with DJC! ...I hope she likes the bed sheets I ordered! Haha

I got to go visit Calhoun Courts so I could get an idea of the layout and what decorations we'll have to work with- and I'm debating bringing an oriental rug (that used to be in the kitchen of my old house) for our living room. I really do not think the carpets have been replaced since my Mom lived in Calhoun in '84. Even still, I'm counting down the days until move in! I really miss school and the friends I made.
Can't wait to be back!

Midnight Snack:

(Image found on WeHeartIt.com)

My sleeping patter will be forever messed up on my vaca to VA. I woke up Wednesday morning at two to shower and pack a few more things into my car- I didn't end up leaving until three! It was a fine drive, no traffic, and as the sun came up at about 6:30 or 7:00 so I got another kick of energy that helped me stay awake!
At 9:30 am, I pulled into my boyfriend's driveway and have spent the rest of the day napping, watching movies, napping, munching and napping. Since Matt and I have both slept all day... there's a pretty good chance we'll be nocturnal by the end of the week. We just got back from WalMart with a few goodies to snack on until we fall asleep- Chacotaco's and the ingredients to make some cheese fries!

Ingredients:
Mozzarella cheese

Cheddar cheese 
Any bag of fries from your local frozen foods section

Ranch (for dip!)

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 450 deg.

2. Spread the fry's out on a baking sheet- none should over lap 3. Depending on the amount of fries you're cooking, bake for 8-13min (or until golden brown)

4. Turn oven off and pile on the cheese!! We pushed the fries together, so the cheese didn't get on the baking sheet, and saturated the piles of crisp potatoes together  5. Top with ranch (back, onions, chives or whatever else might tickle your fancy!) and ENJOY!

:) Sorry I don't have a picture! Though the dish looked
gorgeous, we were starving and immediately dug in!
Also, if you're looking for a tastier recipe...
just click here to hop on over to RRay's web-sight!

Wish us luck getting to bed at a decent hour tonight.

 xoxo

Packing up:

Today turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day- despite the weather reports which had originally called for an 80% chance of thunderstorms. Oh the unreliability. I drove over to the community pool, which is so precious!
As soon as I get my camera charged I'll head over and take pictures for you all! 

The pool sits at the bottom of The Lawn 

The Lawn: Noun- A football sized series of grassy green hills in The Reserve at Lake Keowee. The Lawn itself takes you from the Orchard House (restaurant on the top), to the Market Place and neighborhood Post Office/ pool.

and has a breath taking view of the blue-green lake and mountain ranges.

My Mom and Dad stopped by half an hour after I had arrived and we grabbed lunch together at the pool's club house. The sweet potato fries are to die for. My Mom and I each got a humongous Chuck Burger with cheese, lettuce, onion and tomato with some chips and a pickle on the side. We really should have split it, I could only finish half. My Dad's BBQ sandwich was just as plentiful as the Chuck Burgers. I'm sure we all gained five pounds after that meal. When we all got back home after lunch, I decided I ought to start packing before I leave for Virginia on Wednesday!! 
Here's the progress I've made SO far:

Why yes, this is probably and insane amout of clothes and no, 

it does not include my bathing suites, shorts, tee shirts or hoodies.

I would much rather over pack than under pack!

From top left, going to the right and down:
Deep red TOMS for slack/ comfy days, wicker and tan pair wedges for date nights,
a flashy pair of sandals and a pair of cheetah sandals for casualy-dressy outfits,
a silver pair of sandals and finally a cheap pair of river flip flops I don't mind gettin' dirty!

   

This is half of the jewlrey I'm bringing.
What can I say, a girl can never be wearing too much jewelry!!
For those interested, a few of the pieces were given to me from my Pepa when my
Grandmother passed away. I get the majority of my jewelry from JCrew, South Moon Under,
Juicy Couture and other small boutiques in Clemson. 

Oh and there is going to be so much more I'll have to pack. Toiletries and travel snacks!! Can't wait to go though! It usually takes me about seven hours with light to medium traffic, so I'm planning on leaving at about 3am... I know, yikes! Please pray for a safe, tired-less travel for me!! As for my lodge accommodations- I'll be with my boyfriend in a house he and some of his friends rented in Richmond 'till the eighth or ninth. I've really missed the city. This is going to be a fantastic trip.

Make sure to check back in these next few days, I'll be posting lots of pictures of Matt, friends and I from the fourth as well as the beach and river trips we'll be making!! But until I hit the road and get to my Papa Bears house, I've got to make it through two more days of work as Orientation Ambassador for the Bridge to Clemson Program. :)

Have a good rest of the night and a not so manic Monday tomorrow!
xoxo

Sunday Reading:

"Celia Rivenbark is truly a master of written humor. Her Southern-belle wit and journalist past are a match made in hog heaven—and this book proves it. I highly recommend it to anyone who has saved room for a hearty helping of country-fried laughs."

-Review by TeenInk Article

Read the rest of the review here!!

It's the Weekend:

Ahhh, I have been so ready to finally enjoy the weekend weather! 

In Sunset, it's a bit cooler than yesterday afternoon, but still a sunny 89 degrees! 

I am going to defiantly hit up the pool in a little bit- after a summer mornings breakfast:

Can you say yummmm??

(I found the above look on WeHeartIt.com.) 

Stay cool in the sunshine with flow-e white tops. 

Delicate beaded earrings add a tropical touch!

(Take me sailing)

A quick FYI... After browsing Anthropologies web sight earlier this morning, I noticed their swim section was gone.. I had been wanting to buy this bathing suite (above image) since the start of my summer vaca all the way back in APRIL!!! When I was done cursing myself for waiting so long to purchase this gorgeous suite, I had the most brilliant idea... 

look in the SALE section!!

 After one short click, there it was... swim suites on the left tab bar! I am buying this suite asap. 

The cut off price is insane! Just the bottoms used to be about $130- now, they're a more wallet friendly $69.95!

Totally glad I waited.

Check out Anthropologies sale category by clicking here!

(Bathing suite from victoriassecret.com and image found from WeHeartIt.com!)

After some fun in the sun, dress up a little.
Grill out for lunch or (if you're from Sunset, SC) head over to Spanky's
for some home cooked sides and smoked BBQ (located in Six Mile)!

 (I am so ready for lunch.)

Have a great day y'all!

xoxo

Distance Doesn't Matter to the Heart:

No matter what happens today, it is going to be a good day.

Two years and nine months ago I got into a relationship with my current boyfriend, Matt. We were perfect- the couple that everyone knew. Our senior year we were named Cosby High School's "Cutest Couple!" 

But right before I left for college, we decided to break up. 

At the time I wasn't ready for a long distance relationship. The seven hours we would have to spend apart scared me. I thought it couldn't work, with out even giving it a try. 

Fast forward 9 months later and Matt and I are still in love. When he came up to see me during his spring break, he said to me, "I am so happy to call you my girlfriend, again." There was no question, no confusion, just bliss and smiles. We were going to give the 430 miles of distance apart a fight to try and ever break us up again.

I have never been so in love, never so happy to see another person, never so excited to be held and protected, as I am when I'm with Matt.

I am so thankful to be in this relationship.

"If you love someone more than anything, then the distance only matters to the mind, not the heart." 

-Love Matters (Film, 1993)

Hey papa, I love you

 (A few days after we started dating in September, 2008)

Hey papa, I love you

 (Hahaha, when he came up to visit for Memorial Day, 2011)

I like celebrating every month on  the twenty-fourth, even though we did stop dating.

Twenty-four holds a special meaning to us.

Not only that, but it isn't like during the months that we were apart we stopped loving each other. 

If that were the case, we wouldn't have relationship we have today. 

And for that, I am blessed.

"Let's just be fabulously where we are and who we are. You be you and I'll be me, today and today and today, and let's trust the future to tomorrow. Let the stars keep track of us. Let us ride our own orbits and trust that they will meet. May our reunion not be a finding but a sweet collision of destinies."  

- Stargirl (by Jerry Spinelli)
(...and found from this blog)

And we didn't find each other. It was destiny. I love you.

A Little Bit Homesick:

Even though South Carolina has been beaming with sunshine all afternoon, I've been feeling like I've spent my day under a grey cloud. So, as I wandered around my new house impatiently looking for something to do or someone to talk to, I figured out some pretty soothing cures for the temporary-homesick-depression feeling I've been having.

CURE #1. 

Listen to some good music off of City and Colour's new album, Little Hell

Not only is City and Colour my current band obsession, but this new album they released is filled with some amazing and beautiful songs! Hopefully I'll be able to see them play at Lollapalooza Band Festival on August 7th (Haven't gotten my ticket yet or worked out finances!! I know, I'm a little late in the game), or if not I'll for sure get see them next summer!
.... fingers crossed, knock on wood!!!

CURE #2. 

Completely obsess over my new dorm room for next year at Clemson University.

These are the bed sheets I'm ordering tonight!! So cute and way classy for a dorm bed set!! I'm also thinking about getting the pillow or bed skirt monogrammed with my initials! Since the bedding is such a tranquil color, I'm thinking the stitching is going to be orange or a light pink... What do y'all think?

I found this bedding set on Decor-2-Ur-Door, a super cute website with tons of dorm room bedding options for college girls to choose from! Or, if you have got an idea for some of your own bedding you can design your own bedding set!
I'm also debating buying a custom head board with the same colors, but horizontal strips... I'll just have to figure out the dimensions of my bed at Clemson!

Also, can't forget about some super cute decor to brighten up the room! 

Here's some ideas I've drooled over:

(Lilly Pulitzer pom poms)

(Wall mural from PBTeen, Dorm collection)

 (Wall mural from PBTeen, Dorm collection)

(Classic lamp from PBTeen, Dorm collection)

I'll have to post a picture of my dorm at Calhoun
Courts when ever I move in and get it all set up!

CURE #3. 

Completely freak out that I am finally able to rush a sorority at Clemson this fall!

Ahh!! I can not wait! My mom was in a sorority when she went to Clemson and my best friend in the entire world is in a sorority at Virginia Commonwealth University! I have heard so many fun stories about friendship, hilarious memories and pride in being a sister. I am way stoked that I finally get the opportunity!

Below is a list of all the chapters at Clemson University! Click on the link for their webpage!

1. Alpha Chi Omega

2. Alpha Delta Pi

3. Chi Omega

4. Delta Delta Delta (Sorry y'all, their page is coming soon!)

5. Delta Zeta

6. Gamma Phi Beta (Sorry y'all, their page is coming soon!)

7. Kappa Alpha Theta

8. Kappa Delta

9. Kappa Kappa Gamma

10. Sigma Kappy

11. Zeta Tau Alpha

Can not wait to meet these girls and see which sisterhood I connect with the best!

Until rush starts August 24, I'll be counting down the days!

CURE #4. 

I'm also learning to laugh a little more on days like these.

It's up to me to find happiness, especially when I find myself getting homesick.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

These little ideas I've been researching really help me pass by 

the time and get excited for upcoming projects and events!

I miss you, Virginia.

A Fantastic Opportunity:

Although I don't have too much information quit yet... today I got offered a super exciting opportunity for my sophomore year at Clemson University!

While I was at lunch with one of my girlfriends, we got on the topic of Tigers Who Care. 

Tigers Who Care is a volunteer club at Clemson University which has helped out countless organizations (AnMed, Helping Hands, ect...) with time and donations.

 During my freshman year of college, I had volunteered with the organization at a few events and really connected with the clubs president... the girl I was sitting at lunch with. So anyways, we got to talking about the club and how she thinks it's going under... no one is available to run meetings or set up fundraisers, they have no one in charge anymore. So, today at lunch while we were discussing the possible end of Tigers Who Care, she asked me the most fantastic question:

"Would you consider being president?"

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG

Um... FURSURE I WOULD love TO.

This is going to be such a fantastic experience! I have already started making a list of all of my volunteer contacts I have worked with... and i'm trying to come up with some fundraising ideas to make the club bigger than it has ever been! What I really need to do is make a list of what needs to get done...

Lets see...

    1. Get a team together (I'm talkin' VP, treasurer, photographer, other important roll, blah)

    2. Edit or make a new club constitution

    3. Come up with tons of volunteer ideas 

    4. Get this club advertised at Clemson University

    5. Set meeting dates for the club

    6. Begin operation "BTBCAC" (Become the Best Club at Clemson!!)

I'm sure there is so much more. I am so thrilled!

    

I am ready to devote my time and efforts to making this club work! I'm so thankful that this presidential roll was placed in my lap! 

I am so excited for my sophomore year to start! Y'all have no idea!

My Main Men:

For my very first blog...

I want it to be dedicated to the two most important men in my life:

Dad and Pepa.

For Fathers Day this year, my family and I celebrated cookout-style at a friend's house in our new neighborhood, The Reserve at Lake Keowee..
The Smith's grilled briskets, smoked chicken, made a delicious jalapeno salad and some chocolate brownies while we sipped on some chilled brew! It was a great night reminiscing on some old stories of home, family and friends. The piece of land the Smith's live on is absolutely breath taking. Their house sits atop a mountain with a birds eye view of Lake Keowee and 5 mountain ranges in the distance! They have a wrap around back porch that could easily fit a party of forty comfortably. On their deck, I was able to see all the activity surrounding their boat dock and endless blue sky above.
Hopefully, sometime in good weather, they'll take us out on their boat so we can catch a glimse of some gorgeous waterfalls Keowee has to offer! ;):)

Today was for sure a fantastic fathers day!

Love you Dad and Pepa :)

Growing up, I can't say I was ever a Daddy's Princess. We had a rocky relationship at first but as I got older I started understanding the ethics of it all and I got the bigger picture.
Without him, I know I would be a completely different person. I wouldn't have been involved in as many sports, I wouldn't have such an open mind, I wouldn't be going to Clemson University, and I wouldn't be such a strong willed girl. He has taught me to be honest- no matter what the circumstance. He has taught me to be strong- tune out those who don't believe in you. He has taught me to be compassionate- in everything I do.

Thanks Dad, I love you.. happy Fathers Day!

This man is possibly the sweetest person you will ever meet. He has a kind soul and a strong southern back bone! He has taught me to value family and to cherish the time we spend together.

As a kid, I remember crawling into his lap to watch golf on TV. I remember learning my colors with him. I even remember getting potty trained at his house! 

Without a doubt, I have always tried to make my Pepa proud. I am honest because of him, charitable because of him, thankful because of him and full of life.

When ever I get married I want to be walked down the aisle by this man. 

I love you Pepa, happy Fathers Day!