Cheesecake, Tears & Looking Forward

That's probably the most random title I've ever come up with, but it describes my weekend!
I traveled to Annapolis to watch the last weekend of baseball games for the season.Lehigh needed to, essentially, win them all to make it to the playoffs.They won both games Saturday, so everyone was feeling optimistic!However on Sunday they weren't so lucky and dropped both games to Navy.They put up a fight, though, and the team should be very proud of themselves...especially the seniors!They were all hugging after the games, which caused lots of tears everywhere.Big, tough boys crying = me crying.I told Steven that I'm so glad he isn't a senior!

Sunburned and saying bye...but only for about two weeks!

On Saturday night we had dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. One of Steven's brothers goes to The Naval Academy, so it worked out perfectly that they were playing there, so we all went out.Remember when I posted earlier about my love for TCF?? Yeah, I was in heaven. Steven & I shared a piece of the Chocolate Mousse cheesecake...it's my favorite, next to the 30th anniversary one!It's not too heavy on the chocolate, which is nice.
Just because baseball season is over, though, don't think we've escaped it. Only one month until summer ball starts up! Steven plays in the Coastal Plain League and stays in a small town about 2 hours away for the summer with a host family...stinks, yes, but at least it's an easy day trip!I'm pretty much a pro at traveling to see this kid. I'm actually looking forward to it because it'll give me excuses to go to North Carolina where I can do some fun shopping, something we lack in Southwest Va.
Speaking of which, did you know Lilly is on Rue La La right now?Here is an invite in case you want to do some pre-summer shopping!A lot of it is the same from the last sale, but I sold a shift earlier this week so I picked up another Avery skirt I liked from the last sale that was on again this time.
I hope everyone is off to a great start to the week!I only have FIVE more classes to attend! Yayyyyy!

Filling In The Blanks :)

There are so many fun link ups on Fridays.This is one of my favorites with the little things we do!

1.  When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is,   turn off my alarm, put on my glasses and turn on the TV (already set to channel 6) to hear the weather   .

2.   I can hardly wait for     next week at this exact time. I will be DONE with this semester...and I'll be a senior    .

3.  The quickest way to my heart is     taking me to The Cheesecake Factory       because     they have yummy yum yum cheesecake and we don't have one around here so I don't get it that often  .

4. A little known fact about me is that      my Dad was overseas when I was born and he didn't get to meet me until I was about 5 months old - he got a nice little telegram sort of note telling him I had been born  .

5. The best part about my job is      getting to giggle about things that only a 6-year-old could think is funny. their laughs make me laugh  .

6. Something I just couldn't live without is      my big comfy bed   .

7.  Something useful that I wish I knew how to do is    needlepoint! I could make some killer gifts if I knew how to  .

I found out today that I'm going to go to Annapolis tomorrow to see Steven!They are playing at Navy. One of Steven's brothers is at the academy, so there will be some competition going on...Even though I have my Navy ties, I still gotta root for my boy :)
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!Good luck to everyone finishing out the semester!

Betcha didn't know...

I'll be honest, it's getting to that point in the semester where everything seems to significantly speed up.So, to counteract my craziness with school, I'm going to do a fun post!Sidenote: Less than one week left of classes!! Next week at this time...Reading Day! hayullllll yes.  I've been seeing similar "get to know me" and "abc" posts out there, but I'm just going to wing this one and give you ten facts that I hope you didn't know about me!
Please feel free to do the same so I can learn more about my bloggin' friends!But seriously...I love fun facts. Please entertain me :)
I betcha didn't know... 1. I have to sleep with all doors/drawers/cabinets/curtains/whatever SHUT. 2. I was a 10 lb baby. Basically, I was born a toddler. Hopefully this isn't something you would have guessed by looking at me... 3. I am terrified of big rollercoasters and will never go on one! The thought of being dropped at such steep inclines, so fast...I want to die just thinking about it.
4. I was named after my mom's best friend back in the day, and we recently found out that that woman married someone with my last name...so we literally have the same name (except middle)...
5. I really, really hate hard boiled eggs, tuna fish and mushrooms.
6. I'm slightly allergic to the cinnamon in things like Big Red, Hot Tamales, cinnamon mints, etc.
7. I sleep with a stuffed animal. Don't judge! It's a Disney character - not necessarily human. Any guesses? I will cry of happiness if someone can guess it.
8. I have worn glasses since I was in kindergarten (yes, I was that kid)...contacts since 6th grade!
9. I learned to drive on a stick shift. We ended up trading in that car, but I loved it! Wish my Jeep now was a manual.
10. I ran a half-marathon! It happened before my blogging days. I am dying to run another.  I hope you learned a little bit more about me!I'll do this again later when I can think of more exciting facts. Now it's your turn!  Happy Thursday!

Summer Stripes

When I have stuff to be doing, pretty much EVERYTHING else

becomes ten times more interesting.

 Of course, since I have a lot of assignments to get done, Pinterest has become that little sparkly piece of something on the ground that I can't help but stop and examine it for hours no matter what else I'm supposed to be doing. Anyone else have that feeling?
So, today I'm sharing my favorite summer stripes with The Vintage Apple!

I am totally digging stripes. Stripes of every color, width, design.The best part is that a simple striped shirt can be dressed up with a skirt or down with shorts. I want to find some more stripey pieces for the summer!

And just for fun...

   Are you a stripe fan?

Sometimes and Always

Yikes, Blogger switched me to this "new" view. I'm not so sure I like it. Maybe with time.This just gives me nightmares that I'm going to wake up tomorrow with FB timeline!That's right...I still have the old school Facebook. I'm happy with it.
Today I'm linking up for:

Megan is one of the sweetest bloggers out there! You should link up today and show her some blog love!
Sometimes: I tell myself it would be a good idea to go straight to the gym after work.Always: I end up at home, changed into comfy clothes by 7:00!
Sometimes: I absolutely dread being in college with all of the work/stress that comes with it.Always: I know deep down I'm going to miss being an undergrad after next year!
Sometimes: I wish I had gone to school away from my hometown.Always: I am so thankful to have my Mom 5 minutes away whenever I need her!
Sometimes: I hate long distance relationships...maybe this should go under alwaysAlways: I feel incredibly blessed with the relationship I'm in and wouldn't trade it for anything.  Sometimes: I think my room will crumble down through the floor if I bring anything else into it.Always: I can't go anywhere without bringing something else back with me.
Sometimes: I think it's safe to stash away winter clothes and bring out summer.Always: Blacksburg plays a nasty trick and hits me with blustery, cold winds! Sometimes: My roommate annoys me more than anything in the world.Always: She seems to be finding ways to prove it...  I apologize to y'all, especially who follow me on Twitter, who have to hear about my roommate complaints.We've all had roommates though, so hopefully you understand!Freshman year (with one roommate and four suitemates) was great! Last year (when I was with three girls) we had one girl that turned into a fiasco by spring semester.This year I'm with only one girl and...let's just say we aren't best friends by any means.Next year I'll be with three girls again (only one the same from last year) so I'm hoping to end on a good note with them! Fingers are crossed!

That's it for today!I seriously need to crack down on some papers. The end of the semester is so close and it's about that time where I lose motivation, yet I have lots to do...
Happy Tuesday!

My Weekend!

So, today when I woke up it was snowing. That's right - SNOWING in April.If there is one thing I'm not fond of when it comes to Blacksburg, it's the weather.On Friday I was applying sunscreen and today I had on winter boots.Made me want to cry. Especially since I had to give a tour in the blustery wind! Not fun!
Anyway,I am happy to say that VT Relay was a HUGE success!!
As of today we have raised over $565,000 for the American Cancer Society.Just to give you an idea of what we are doing: $1,000 pays for one person to stay for one night at a Hope Lodge. $2,000 purchases a new microscope. $3,000 pays for one patient to partake in an ACS clinical trial.I am overwhelmed to think about how many lives will be changed in result of our efforts. I am so blessed to be a part of this event and was so happy to see how many students, faculty members, families, community members and adorable dogs came out to walk laps on Friday!

Red Bull on Red Bull on Red Bull

 Opening Ceremony

My favorite way to see the drillfield!

We start the night with the steps reading HOPE and end the night with them reading CURE.

Hokie Bird doing a little dancing

That's what it looked like when I went home...my goal was to get in bed before the sun came up. Oh well!
It was an exciting, loud, fun, joyous, tearful, exhausting night.I was there from about 11:30 am on Friday to 7 am on Saturday and it was all totally worth it!

Now, it's crunch time! Only about two weeks left of class. I've already got my fall schedule ready to go...can't believe I'll be a SENIOR! They aren't kidding when they say time flies.

Sunday Verse

via pinterest

Happy {rainy} Sunday!

Who do you Relay for?

Today is the day!!!!
VIRGINIA TECH RELAY FOR LIFE!

These prints are AWESOME and are for sale at the event! I have one!

In case you didn't know, we have the largest collegiate Relay in the WORLD!Earlier today we passed $500,000. We are the only University to do this AND we've done it three years in a row.I seriously have chills. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to serve on a committee again this year and help put together this event which will save so many lives.
Cancer has touched each and every one of our lives in some way or another and I Relay so that we can put an end to it!More specifically, I Relay in memory of my Grandpa, my Grandma and Steven's Pappy.I also Relay in honor of my Aunt Lucia.
I also Relay so that we can have more birthdays.More hugs.More laughs.More I love yous.
Who or what do YOU Relay for?
If you would like to make a donation to my account and help me reach my goal, it would mean the world! You can click here to do so :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Girl Crush on Carrie Underwood

Am I alone on this?Not only is she the most successful American Idol winner (at least in my opinion), but she has awesome legs, awesome hair, an awesome voice, and an awesome hockey player husband.Every time she comes on my iPod I bump the volume upppppp!
Here are some faves...in case you need some tunes while you read blogs! Good Girl

  Mama's Song

Remind Me, feat. Brad Paisley (another crush)

 I'll Stand By You(cue tears)

Last Name

Okay, I really want to post them all.Must stop now.
Happy Thursday!

Ten on Tuesday

Hey y'all :)Thanks for the sweet words yesterday.The vigil was amazing. Emotional and extremely well done, as always!

waiting to start

after the names had been called

I know it's late, but I wanted to post my Ten on Tuesday with Roots and Rings!

1. What was the last gift someone gave you for no reason at all?
Steven surprise visit was a gift in itself. It would have been a long, boring weekend without him.


2.What is the last gift you gave someone for no reason at all?
Hmm. Probably cadbury mini eggs for my mom. Her/our favorite.

3.What is your favorite thing you like to do alone?
Go shopping. Is that weird? I just think I'm the only one who has enough patience for shopping with myself...I take for-ev-er.


4.What is your favorite thing to with a group of friends?
Eat, go to Walmart, go downtown...typical Southwest Va activities

5.What is on your agenda for tomorrow?
A LOT...an 8 am, giving a tour at 9:30, class at 11, getting ready for Relay 1-3, work at 3 and handing out Relay shirts at the Team captains meeting at 7! I better get to bed pronto...


6.What would you do tomorrow if you didn’t have any responsibilities?
Sleep...sleep...sleep...watch Say Yes to the Dress...sleep...sleep...sleep


7.What is something you miss from your childhood?
Being able to wear whatever I felt like and it was always cute! Oh, and 90s boy bands.

8.What is something you don’t miss at all from your childhood?
Hoodrats in Virginia Beach. Just kiddinggg. I don't miss my HUGE glasses that I had. They weren't that big, but on a second grader...they look like bug eyes.


9.What is your favorite word?
Fancy.


10. What is your least favorite word?
Moist.



Those were super random. I loved it.

My Weekend and 4/16/07

Today's post is going to be a roller coaster ride and sort of a long post.I had an amazing weekend that I am happy to be sharing, however today brings back some sad memories for me but I still want to share them with you.After all, this is my own, personal blog.
We'll start with the weekend...  My weekend started off with a great day at work! I haven't worked on a Friday in quite a while (unusual for me) so I was really happy to be there for our fun movie day.After work I went to an acapella concert with my friend, Brittany! It was a lot of fun and the all-male group sang a lot of fun songs, including "I Want It That Way" and "Go The Distance" from Hercules, among many other songs. I really enjoy listening to acapella groups! There are a ton on campus. It's awesome.
Around 10:00 pm I headed home and Steven texted me that he wanted to Skype. So, naturally, I was anxious to get home because we haven't skyped/seen each other for about two weeks! We have talked on the phone, but that isn't the same.Long story short, I pulled up to my townhouse and who was sitting on my porch!??!You guessed it!

I got to see this guy in real life and spend the weekend with him.I think I was the happiest girl in the world!
On Saturday I woke up bright and early to walk the 3.2 for 32 on campus. I decided to walk with my Mom and two of her friends because I'm still trying to get over my sinus infection and didn't feel up to running. 

 The race starts with a balloon release on the drillfield. 32 white balloons followed by thousands of maroon and orange balloons. This moment is always emotional for me. 

The course then runs through campus, through Lane Stadium and ends back on the drillfield. 

 I have participated in the run each year it has been held and I will continue to do so in years to come!If you are ever in Blacksburg when the race is being held, I encourage you to run or walk it and be a part of our community where all are welcome.
After the run, Steven and I watched some of his brother's baseball game and went to Frosty Parrot downtown. I am slightly addicted to this place. We shared a bowl of white chocolate mousse (my favorite) and blueberry tart with fruit and goodies on top.

On Sunday I went to church and then headed to a lunch in memory of Mary Karen Read, a victim of the April 16th shooting. Her family established a scholarship in her memory and I was lucky enough to receive it my sophomore year. Each spring, her family travels to Blacksburg and all of the past and present recipients get together to have lunch and chat. Her family is amazing and I am so blessed to have received the scholarship and be able to carry on Mary's legacy through my desire to teach. Lastly, I spent the afternoon at Hokie Focus giving tours to prospective students. It was a hot day for tours, but at least the families were able to see our campus in the sunshine which is when it looks best! I had a full weekend that went by WAY too fast. I had fun, though, and am still so happy that Steven surprised me!  Today, we are ALL Hokies...

  

I took some time this morning to visit the April 16 memorial which is located in front of Burruss Hall.

Today marks the 5th anniversary of the shooting on Virginia Tech's campus.

Five years ago, today, I sat in my English class in Blacksburg High School. It was a normal, cold, April day. In high school you aren't supposed to have your cell phones in class, but no one listens to that rule. A girl, Emma, in my class received a text from one of her friends that there was a shooting at Virginia Tech. Cue the panic. Text after text started flowing in with the number of people dead. Everyone's worst nightmare was unfolding just a mile down the road. We all sat in shock as we were put on lockdown for the remainder of the day. No one knew what to do or say. There was fear for our friends, parents and siblings who were on campus that day.

School was cancelled for the rest of the week as our community tried to comprehend what had just happened and begin to pick up the pieces.

A former Blacksburg High School student, Austin Cloyd, was among the victims. That hit me hard. Her younger brother was in my class and my heart broke for him and his family.

I'll never forget going to the convocation on campus where President Bush came to talk. We didn't make it into Cassell Colesium, but instead sat on the turf in Lane Stadium watching the speeches on the jumbo tron.

There were hugs, tears, and hands to hold wherever you looked.

I'll never forget going to The Concert for Virginia Tech. I am a big Dave Matthews Band fan and I would never in a million years have thought my first time seeing them in concert would be in Lane Stadium or under circumstances such as those influencing the concert.

During that concert, Dave said something that still gives me chills today:

""I must tell you, there is no place I'd rather be in the world than right here with y'all, right now."

It was an extremely emotional concert, from the artists wearing VT shirts, to hearing the "Let's Go" chant as we waited for performers to take the stage. I have the DMB performance on my iPod and I listen to it every once in a while.

I will be forever thankful for the love and support the nation showed us that year, and each year after as we face each anniversary. From the students to the faculty to the community members to the alumni to the families to the Hokie fans everywhere...this day will never be easy, but we will prevail.

We truly are a Hokie Nation. And today, we are ALL Hokies.