Confessions of a Senior Beach Weekend...

Two posts in one week? Chill out folks, its only because I don't really have any homework to be doing right now. Confessions? Don't get your hopes up- this is me writing here so you know its nothing scandalous. Tomorrow is my last undergraduate Monday of class. Excuse me but when did four years fly by and where did they go? I was thinking about how quickly the past four years have happened, especially this last semester, over my last Furman Beach Weekend. Sure everyone around me was thinking about things other than this but as I was sitting on the beach last night with dear friends, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with the fact that it truly was the end of my senior year of college. Nothing is quite like sitting on a beach at night and staring into the beautiful dark blue ocean to remind that life is so much more that college and beach weekend. College is that thing in the back of your mind that you always think, "Hey, I'll finish that and be an adult! Real world here I come!" In the words of many seniors, we are so not ready for this. How on earth am I the adult when my life's goal is still to be Ariel? The end of this year if forcing me to come face to face with the fact that a big event in my life is ending and soon we will go our separate ways. I cannot help but be overcome with emotion when I think about all of the incredible memories and friends I have made over four years and how I am not quite ready to let them go. Yes I know I have to but we don't always want to let go of what we love, even if we must.

So here's the confession part: I wasn't exactly ready to let go until this weekend. I had so much fun but I realized that at sometime we have to move on and grow up even when we don't want to. Talking to old friends this weekend made me realize that there is so much out there in the world beyond the Furman bubble, incredible things and places where I don't have to take care of everyone all the time. He reminded me that people like me even when I'm not being the mom and taking care of everyone (which I always forget) and that people grow up and don't need to be taken care of all the time. I am realizing that we have to let people be themselves, grow up a little and sometimes make mistakes. Thank goodness I had people around me who let me make mistakes and find out who I am. So even those this weekend was a blast and I got to make so many more memories with people I love, I know that I will be ready to move on and start my life after Furman. Granted I will probably cry while doing this because lets face it I always cry and leaving is always so hard but I know that I am ready to start a crazy new adventure of two years (and maybe some more) in Charleston. So senior year flew by and yes sometimes I wish I could go back and relive some of those incredible memories but I have plenty of pictures (ha!). More importantly, Charleston is flying towards me fast and sometimes you just have to fly the Furman coop. So here comes the world after Furman but we still have two more weeks to take in swimming in the fountains, the beautiful landscape, running trails and incredible friends. And I intend to.

To love like a Lab...

I havent written in a while, mostly because there has been so much going on right now. I'd forgotten how crazy the end of the year can be. Last weekend was particularly rough because my parents had to put down our sweet yellow Labrador, Rocket, very suddenly. My dogs are such a big part of my life so this was of course an incredibly emotional event. This is part of my journal from last weekend and is written just as I first wrote it. Sorry for the terrible rambling sentences but lets be honest, that's how I really talk. I hope this helps you love the way Rocket loved as it has helped me.

April 17th

Today I came home from Furman because we had to put down our sweet Rocket boy. My sweet big baby, my good ole dog, the dog with biggest feet and the softest ears. My boy I held on the way the day we got him when he fell asleep in my arms. My big sweet boy who would protect us no matter what even if he was scared on the vacuum cleaner. Words cannot express how it broke my heart not to hold him and be with him when he was sick and hurting- to know I couldn't comfort the dog who was always there for me- to greet me on a not so happy morning with his happy smiling face, to with me on a swing when I needed to get a way. He was all of ours, not because he was supposed to be a family dog but because he loved all of us so loyally, so purely, so unconditionally. It is so surreal to look out into our big back yard and not see my big yellow dog basking in the sun, laying in the fresh dirt he'd just dug up or playing (sort of) with Scarley. Rocket was for so long, my childhood. He was with for all of the middle school tears and teenage angst. All the drama and boyfriends and heartache. He was always there- even just a wag of his tail or a big goofy grin- the world was always ok. When you have your dog to remind you of the simple joys of life and to just love. I think we forget to love sometimes. We say it but we don't always do it. We lose sight of the joy and happiness of life, of the simple effervescent joy we should get from those we are blessed to be surrounded with. Whenever someone asks me if dogs go to heaven I always say yes because no one can quite represent God's unconditional, constant, and abiding love the way a dog can. Rocket loved us, no matter what- even if we were in a sour mood or quick tempered- he loved and he showed me how to love people in my life- constantly, unconditionally, an encouraging smile, a neck to hug, and an ear to listen. So sweet boy if you're up there in a world where you can have all the soccer balls and milk jugs and chew toys you could ever want, while you're basking in the sun up there- know that your sweet face will never be far from my ind. You grew up with me, let me be your friend, and let me cry on your when I needed it. But mostly you taught me to love and I will remember that. May God grant me the joy for life you had and the ability to try to love as only He can and to show the love to others you showed to us.

So in short, friends, remember to love and love like a lab- unconditionally and never-ending and with a joy for life so inspiring it moves others. Go and love fiercely, like my sweet big dog.

A Beautiful Story

If this doesn't make you tear up, I don't quite know what will. Seriously grab your tissues.
Since today was World Down Syndrome Day this particular story touched me. Not only because it is so emotionally raw and uplifting, but also because it is so true. People with special needs have changed me life: they have given me something to strive to, helped guide me to my calling, made me smile and laugh like no one else, shown me what it means to love unconditionally. No matter if they have Down Syndrome, Autism, CP, or any other special need, they are each beautiful, incredible, unique, and wonderful human beings with a capacity to love that never ceases to astound me. This story is so beautiful because it is absolutely real and something many parents experience each day but offers a message of faith, hope and love. And as we are reminded in Corinthians, the greatest of these is love- a love devoid of stereotypes, prejudice, expectations- just true love. To anyone who loves someone special, someone makes your heart smile and burst with happiness, and who just might change your life- this is for you.

http://donmilleris.com/2010/03/21/nellas-beautiful-story/

Guilty as Charged

Brace yourselves kids because Spring Awakening is almost here. What is it? Oh, I guess I should tell you it. If you're not way into theatre you might not know, but Spring Awakening is certainly a bright spot on Broadway right now. It won 8 Tony Awards in 2007, including Best Musical but all the awards aren't why you should see it (although it probably helps). You should see it because, frankly, its incredible. Seriously go watch songs and clips on YouTube and you'll see what I mean. Although the subject matter is incredibly deep (sex, abuse, teen pregnancy, abortion, suicide, death) the music is modern and rock and songs you cant seem to get out of your head. The story itself is set in the 1890s but the music is all modern and provides a unique juxtaposition with the period costumes. Overall, you forget what time period you're even in because you realize that over 100 years later we are still dealing with and struggling with the same issues. This is a musical that gets at the heart of the human condition and makes the audience realize that they empathize with the characters and really relate to them. In the early 90s RENT changed the way we looked at theatre and defined a generation; SPRING AWAKENING will do that for this generation. So go to www.peacecenter.com and get tickets to see Spring Awakening in Greenville March 16-21 and experience this incredible and life changing show. And then you can join with those who are already guilty ones....

Take a walk along the Battery...

The Crab House Sign

My new running route.

I could get used to this.
This weekend my parents and I went future apartment shopping in Charleston and once again I was reminded why someone should film our family for a reality show- you cant make up some of the insane things that happen to us. Because this was an apartment-hunting trip, my dad naturally looked up a bunch of places to check out close to the school. The good news? We brought Diana, the trusty GPS. The bad news? My mom is so not a fan of Diana and kept yelling directions opposite of what Diana said. Needless to say we got lost. A lot. At any time there were three people shouting out directions and usually me screaming because oh hey that car almost hit us and you so cant turn that way on a one-way street. Of course Diana didn’t fail us and we usually ended up where we were supposed to. What we didn’t realize was how many of those places would be in places that were, shall we say, far less that desirable. Basically a tiny little blonde girl in a polo shirt? So not welcome there. It got to the point that we wouldn’t even be done driving past before my mom would start yelling “Nope. No way. She is so not living there. She’ll die!” Being the baby definitely has some benefits- namely your parents will refuse to let you live in a dump. We did find some promising places so once we had found a few my mom called off the search for the afternoon so that we could go to the Market. Shopping is like second nature to us and my dad has finally realized that fighting against it just isn’t worth it. Of course my mom ran into people with dachshunds and had to talk for 20 minutes (if you know her this should not be a surprise) and kept pointing out how close the dental school is to the apartments I liked (boys with good teeth? Check. ) We got to wander around Charleston on a gorgeous day so really life couldn’t get better.
Since we had dragged my dad to the Market we made up for it by going to the Charleston Crab House on James Island. Even though there is one downtown we had to go to the once on James Island. Why you ask? Oh just because it was once flipped on a TV show by the one and only Richard Davis who my dad practically worships and thinks is the coolest guy ever. Its like he thinks they’re friends or something… Anyway, the food there is always delicious and its one of my favorite restaurants so I was excited. My dad however? Way more excited. Throughout the dinner he talked about R.D. as he calls him, how he wanted one of the shirts from the flip (I told him he could just ask the waiter for his…), how he had highlights in his eyes that would be brought out by said shirt, and that he wanted a tweeter. I have yet to find out what a “Tweeter” is but rest assured he wont get one. The blogosphere isn’t ready for this man. We finished dinner only to run into the same couple with the dachshunds that were so sweet (thankfully Dad didn’t mention the tweeter) and we of course ended our meal with my dad having his picture taken in front of the very sign that Richard Davis hung upside down for the flip. The man has a serious problem.
Being our family, our adventure wasn’t over yet. I’ll spare you the details but we got lost. Again. All we wanted was to find a CVS. What we did find was a really sketchy area but on the other side the greatest gift of all: Krispy Kreme. Maybe you don’t know what its like to hear 3 lost and confused people simultaneously yell for the best doughnuts in the world but we sure do. Once again why do we not have a camera crew following us? We ate our prized doughnuts while trading expressions such as “Batshit crazy” and my new favorite “nuttier than squirrel shit.” The workers there probably thought we were the latter. Before heading back to our La Quinta (my mom asked if they serve chips and dip or maybe breakfast burritos…I had to tell her no and disappoint her) we stopped at the greatest of all grocery stores- Piggly Wiggly. I’m big on the pig and although my mom wouldn’t let me buy another Pig shirt, I learned that I will not be moving to that particular area anytime soon.
The next morning after waking up way too early, we did a little more apartment hunting and found some great ones and some that were not so great (Mom: “No way in hell she’s living there!”) but overall a successful trip. Of course we couldn’t leave without driving to the Battery. I love to walk out there and see the houses, the beautiful architecture, the people, the big old trees, the culture. My dad was excited about the cannons and may or may not have filmed a pelican. The important thing is that we got to go and now I feel so ready to live there. I could not ask for a more beautiful place to live and I could really get used to this (just without the whole weird pelican filming part).

And it you want go listen to www.shannonmcarthur.com for great beachy charleston music to make you long for summer!

Parking is overrated

This is an email I sent to my parents to request more money in my monthly food allowance (mostly for caffine and cereal purposes) for stupid parking tickets. I mean really stupid parking tickets. Here it is in its entirety:

Request: Additional money each month for stupid FUPO parking tickets
Amount:minumum $10
Reason: Apparently after years of never getting parking tickets, FUPO has decided that as a 2nd semester senior I should be targeted and milked for all my cash. I'm pretty sure they have a personal target on me and are so out to get me. I wish I could say that these parking tickets have merit but really they dont. Example: I got back last night from officer slating at 1 am and having dutifully (and selflessly driven my roommates and one Chelsea Garber) discovered that there were no more spaces available apart from the handicap spaces and 15 min slots. Obviously not being dumb enough to park in the handicap space (although I dont think being a varsity athlete who is completely fine should count), I parked in the 15 minute space. Fearing FUPO's rath I left a note informing them that I only parked there because there were no other spaces. Bonus: it was on a cute notepad so I was clearly not at fault. FUPO Officer 15 however disagreed and gave me an overtime ticket at 4:12 am. Yes 4:12 am. Why exactly he thought that giving precious little me a ticket so early in the morning was necessary to campus safety is beyond me. Anyway I saw it this morning, and apart from not being what you would call a morning person, it seriously soured my day. I went to the public safety office to beg, to plead not to have to pay when I am a graduating senior who seriously just wanted to park and get some sleep. I? Am so not a hazard to campus safety. In the end they weren't budging so I had to grudgingly bike over to the lady in the business office I know way too well now and cough up the cash. Therefore in addition to my monthly food allowance that pays for the neccesities like cereal, candy and diet coke, I am firmly requesting money alloted for stupid parking tickets. Please email me directly once you have you reached your decision.
Sincerely,
Little Blonde Girl

You're My Sugar Rush

Everyone’s favorite time of year is over. Yes friends its true- Rush is over. To me, it seems a blur of matching shirts, decorations, songs, skits, dancing, some forgotten tables (seriously how do you loose 13 tables), and one really bad blonde Hannah Montana wig. Although Rush is completely consuming for 2 weeks, it always seems as if I blink and its over. This year we were blessed with an absolutely incredible pledge class but I cannot help but be a little sad. Not because it was not wonderful and fun (and I got to wear aforementioned ridiculous wig) but because this is the very last time I will get to do it. Ok, so I’m sort of excited of no more rush workshops or freaking out about tables not being delivered but I really will miss the experience of it. It seems like not that long ago that I was a new member and some much older senior was talking to me and handing things down to me. Now suddenly, I’m that much older senior- whoa when did that happen? In a way this is so bittersweet- glad that we have a wonderful new group of girls but not quiet ready to leave this all behind. This fall, I could always hold onto the fact that I wasn’t quite on my way out because hey, there was always rush to get through, but now it seems as if everything is all too quickly coming to an end. I feel energized and excited about the new adventures that wait beyond Furman’s fountains and marathon study sessions in Plyler hall- especially after hearing the wonderful Al talk about how incredible law school is. Still, I’m not quite ready to leave these people here who have impacted me in such profound ways. The good news? I still have time to treasure the time I have left here and I sincerely hope to do so- even if it means uncharacteristically putting down the books a few nights. But maybe, just maybe, its time to take off the Hannah Montana wig and be a big kid now. Maybe.