tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32817397538816365852024-03-13T11:46:43.544-07:00Being More MyselfFrom college to adulthood.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-17022241891172132412011-03-25T07:58:00.000-07:002011-03-25T08:25:15.473-07:00The Social ChallengeQuick blog post, but something very important to me:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2GbvmnSqJg/TYyyAL0CiuI/AAAAAAAAAVI/SNCZudSA6Po/s1600/STW-Dated-Dark3%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 189px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2GbvmnSqJg/TYyyAL0CiuI/AAAAAAAAAVI/SNCZudSA6Po/s320/STW-Dated-Dark3%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588036953900747490" /></a><br /><br />I worked at Special Olympics Missouri for two years as their Public Relations Intern and as their Student Outreach Coordinator. Now, I serve on their Public Relations committee and meet on a bi-monthly basis to come up with new PR and marketing strategies that will further the message of this amazing organization.<br />Having worked for an organization that serves such an amazing population of individuals, I’ve come to really resent the word R-word It wasn’t a word that I used before working at SOMO, but now more than ever it is a word now that seriously erks me to the core every time I hear someone say it. <br /><br />I was talking to a close friend and fellow SOMO employee the other day about a party that she went to. Some guy was talking to her and used the R-word. She politely told him that it wasn’t a nice thing to say and please don’t say it around her because of where she works. Even more importantly, Hillary is heading up a Missouri wide campaign to end the use of the R-word and feels very strongly about the cause because of her work with Special Olympics. This guy was indignant and rude and it ended up really bothering H and she had to leave. I’ve fortunately never had to stand up to someone about using the word – usually just saying that you feel passionately about Special Olympics and please don’t use that word around me works. I really respect H for standing up for what she believes in and not backing down to an ignorant, uneducated individual who uses a word with such an awful connotation. <br /><br />I know this post is a little heavy and a tad bit soap boxy, but I saw a Facebook post by a sorority sister of mine and it made me think of my conversation earlier this week with H. Please go to <a href="http://www.thesocialchallenge.org">www.thesocialchallenge.org</a> and look at the live Twitter feed on the left hand side. I went to it and was amazed at how quickly the Tweets were updated and how many people used the R-word so nonchalantly. They say that the R-word is used 24,000 times PER DAY on Twitter. On a public forum where present and future employers can see, they throw this word around like it’s nothing – as if it’s as simple as saying “um” or “like” to fill a void in an otherwise incomplete thought. They drop it to describe themselves, someone they saw at school, someone on the bus, and people with actual intellectual disabilities. Log on to this website and take action against these people. You can actually tweet back to them and tell them to stop. Now, I’m not sure what kind of backlash the Social Challenge will see, but it’s an interesting experiment into exposing people for what they say and do on Twitter and actually having people respond and hold them accountable.<br /><br />Okay, end of my rant. Back to work. HAPPY FRIDAY.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-13025228413509918372011-03-21T12:40:00.000-07:002011-03-21T12:49:32.963-07:00Werty DayThis weekend was all about Jeffrey because it was his TWENTY FIFTH birthday! 25! Holy cow! I can’t believe I’m allowed to be friends with people that are 25, let alone date someone that old. I know it’s really not that old, but to me, a 23 year old with the heart (and maturity, oops) of a 12 year old, it seems old. Good think ol’ J-Man is mature as can be. See the below pictures of Saturday’s Werty Day festivities for proof.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIR2N95AHEI/TYerWUdOP7I/AAAAAAAAAVA/KJXVnuEf1B4/s1600/jeffbday4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIR2N95AHEI/TYerWUdOP7I/AAAAAAAAAVA/KJXVnuEf1B4/s320/jeffbday4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586622262713139122" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1qkiJgHnDI/TYerWI94H9I/AAAAAAAAAU4/9NjrO5cEnNY/s1600/jeffbday3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1qkiJgHnDI/TYerWI94H9I/AAAAAAAAAU4/9NjrO5cEnNY/s320/jeffbday3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586622259628875730" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ce5AaTfy4Y/TYerV2i7D2I/AAAAAAAAAUw/mANSVo-RfQs/s1600/jeffbday2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ce5AaTfy4Y/TYerV2i7D2I/AAAAAAAAAUw/mANSVo-RfQs/s320/jeffbday2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586622254683983714" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GSI7lRQ4dVI/TYerVWw9ihI/AAAAAAAAAUo/Nunuwyy4elc/s1600/jeffbday1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GSI7lRQ4dVI/TYerVWw9ihI/AAAAAAAAAUo/Nunuwyy4elc/s320/jeffbday1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586622246152931858" /></a><br /><br />Happy Birthday J! Thanks for being the best birthday boy ever – hardly any crying. Love you and can’t wait for another fun year with my old man! <br /><br />Happy Monday everyone! This was my afternoon distraction, so back to the grind of press releases, calendar updates, Facebooking, and copy editing. At least it’s gorgeous out my window.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-58879738249982713552011-03-16T09:22:00.000-07:002011-03-16T09:56:15.814-07:00Bon Voyage!So, for the 15 followers of this blog, you know that I have this crazy obsession with every single one of my friends. When you're lucky enough to make it into my wolf pack (Thank you “The Hangover” for making this a well known saying) you become more than my friend. You become part of my family. With that comes all the fun, sometimes crazy, parts of my life; my job, my philanthropic endeavors (i'll ask you for money and your time), my family, my Mother (yes, she does get her own mention because believe me, you'll really get to know her), and every other part of my life. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hlr_-T8AXqM/TYDqdzkrBoI/AAAAAAAAAUA/oZVnfeva6Mw/s1600/74404_1249808638457_1026690016_30856459_5262321_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hlr_-T8AXqM/TYDqdzkrBoI/AAAAAAAAAUA/oZVnfeva6Mw/s320/74404_1249808638457_1026690016_30856459_5262321_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584721335720543874" /></a><br /><br />One of those lucky wolf pack members is Miss Lindsey Rose Shindler. Lindsey and I have been friends since middle school when she saw me on the first day of 6th grade and thought I was a teacher because I was slightly more developed than the average 12-year old. Thanks Linds! We've played soccer with each other, shared our deepest, darkest secrets, shared some insanely good times, and had one month long fight that we still can't even remember what it stemmed from. Lindsey is part of my group of 11 girl friends from home that hasn't changed since high school. We went to seven different colleges – Mizzou, College of Charleston, University of Virginia, Georgia, University of Arkansas, Washington and Lee, and Vanderbilt University – and we're still as close as ever.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5bk3A0Q66M/TYDqpoqgE3I/AAAAAAAAAUg/0F9iW0n-VMo/s1600/165794_1267232714048_1026690037_30880965_4068351_n-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5bk3A0Q66M/TYDqpoqgE3I/AAAAAAAAAUg/0F9iW0n-VMo/s320/165794_1267232714048_1026690037_30880965_4068351_n-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584721538950632306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--knwkLcqLdg/TYDqpSoNrtI/AAAAAAAAAUY/y_HAcX6YQxY/s1600/165709_487341183236_758628236_6297415_7527944_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--knwkLcqLdg/TYDqpSoNrtI/AAAAAAAAAUY/y_HAcX6YQxY/s320/165709_487341183236_758628236_6297415_7527944_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584721533035458258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e0kFlNGzmqE/TYDqocI_VwI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/XLQHMj7Zd0Q/s1600/148345_1242535776640_1026690016_30847229_6511630_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e0kFlNGzmqE/TYDqocI_VwI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/XLQHMj7Zd0Q/s320/148345_1242535776640_1026690016_30847229_6511630_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584721518408980226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bb5HVxFe2B8/TYDqoEhXZGI/AAAAAAAAAUI/0JpaiDwZZ8E/s1600/28663_1372437064207_1030170026_30920938_5137590_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bb5HVxFe2B8/TYDqoEhXZGI/AAAAAAAAAUI/0JpaiDwZZ8E/s320/28663_1372437064207_1030170026_30920938_5137590_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584721512068768866" /></a><br /><br />That was never more apparent as last weekend when seven of us came together for what I so lovingly deemed Linds Shinds Farewell Weekend in Memphis. Sadly for us, but excitingly for Lindsey, she is leaving this Saturday for London for an entire year. She's moving there to work in communications for a bank, travel, eat fish and chips, and hopefully fall in love with Prince Harry (she loves gingers!). The whole weekend was about Lindsey and us showing her how much we love her and that this year without her is going to suck, but we'll be here waiting when she gets back. If she'll have us. <br /><br />I know all of you know Linds, but here are 10 things that make her an awesome, coolio chick.<br /><br />1. The first time I spent the night she wanted to make love potions – of course I'd be friends with someone like that.<br />2. She's had the same email/computer/facebook/everything else password since middle school and it has something to do with an A*Teens member. Cool huh?<br />3. She can have so much fun by herself. One of her favorite things to do in high school was melting Jolly Ranchers and mixing two together.<br />4. Her mom makes the best pickled cucumbers (Not pickles – pickled cucumbers. Get it right!)<br />5. She comes as a package deal with some of the coolest parentals in the world -- David and Julie (we love you!)<br />6. She might be 23, but she still knows everything about the Disney Channel. And I mean everything!<br />7. She is one of the best listeners. She doesn't judge, she just listens. She just lets you get everything off your chest and feel 100% better.<br />8. She is one of those friends from home that even if I see her outside of Little Rock, she makes me feel at home again.<br />9. She is one of the most accepting people in the whole world. Seriously, she's friends with all of us. That's saying something.<br />10. And finally – She is so talented with makeup (pretty makeup, and scary/TV makeup)<br /><br />So Linds – I love you. You're one of my very best friends in the whole wide world. Have so much fun in London, and I AM VISITING YOU IN FEBRUARY!!!!! So, get pumped! Peace. <br /><br />Love, Marilyn.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-67541062625200079082011-02-09T14:14:00.000-08:002011-02-09T14:17:25.247-08:00what i'm currently looking at...This is the view outside my office window...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TVMSXilnqSI/AAAAAAAAAT4/mTYHGivx4YA/s1600/SNOW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TVMSXilnqSI/AAAAAAAAAT4/mTYHGivx4YA/s320/SNOW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571817359618320674" /></a><br /><br />Will this snow ever go away? Good luck all you Arkansans on your snowpocalypse!ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-51960940216470168622011-02-01T12:27:00.000-08:002011-02-01T12:43:34.539-08:00January 2011Finally Finished!!!!<br /><br />So, this month has been an awesome month. It started on January 3 when I started as the Public Relations Manager at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM for short). My very first day I was introduced to TOKY, our advertising firm, at the training session for our new website, and that's where it all started. One week to get all of the information up. One week to get everything tested, fixed, and ready to go. One week to unveil an entirely new website. There was no better way to learn about everything that CAM does then by helping to upload all of the information about our programs/exhibitions/events/etc and find photos to accompany all of those postings. Check it out here: www.camstl.org. <br /><br />Now, it's been four weeks and here's a run down of what I've done and what I can look forward to over the next however long I work here, which I hope is a long, long time, because this is the most kick ass job ever!<br /><br />-Write and distribute press releases<br />-Serve as the liaison between CAM and TOKY on copy writing/design edits for all advertising/promotional material<br />-Media buying/ad placement<br />-Coordinate sponsorships<br />-Help plan/promote/staff CAM events<br />-Write and distribute monthly eNewsletters<br />-Monitor press mentions about all things CAM<br />-Maintain all social media<br />-And all additional job duties as required...<br /><br />Going to work for an art museum seemed very intemidating, but it's become such a welcomed change in my life. I moved to St. Louis knowing a set number of people, and hadn't really branched out from there. The great thing about CAM is that it's more than an art museum – we throw some awesome parties to!! Over the past three weeks i've worked an event or two every single week. Almost every event is free, packed with 300-1000 people, and an event i'd want to go to even if I didn't work here. They're all so much fun and have become a great way of branching out and meeting other young professionals in St. Louis. <br /><br />For anyone who heard me talk about my previous job, you can tell how excited I am about this one. It's exactly up my alley with fun parties, fun people, and fun/fast paced job requirements. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhwautkrUI/AAAAAAAAATM/0Ah3eThArUQ/s1600/mainimage%2B%25283%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 142px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhwautkrUI/AAAAAAAAATM/0Ah3eThArUQ/s320/mainimage%2B%25283%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568824543761706306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhtIwXn1pI/AAAAAAAAAS0/hbh9ROs3nRs/s1600/179620_501666637170_9948567170_6011205_2105080_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhtIwXn1pI/AAAAAAAAAS0/hbh9ROs3nRs/s320/179620_501666637170_9948567170_6011205_2105080_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568820936433981074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhtIomfqHI/AAAAAAAAASs/x-MccnbF65o/s1600/169080_501667837170_9948567170_6011227_3437974_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhtIomfqHI/AAAAAAAAASs/x-MccnbF65o/s320/169080_501667837170_9948567170_6011227_3437974_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568820934348875890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhtIV_gy1I/AAAAAAAAASk/4gnAtt3FEeo/s1600/165389_501667547170_9948567170_6011223_1361263_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhtIV_gy1I/AAAAAAAAASk/4gnAtt3FEeo/s320/165389_501667547170_9948567170_6011223_1361263_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568820929353534290" /></a><br /><br />So, enough about my job, this month was also special because my little Anners was initiated as a Chi Omega!! Big day!! Jeff tells me on a weekly basis that I need to move on, take the Chi O sticker off my car, and take my owl collection from 20 or so down to 4 (blasphemy!!). I drove down to Fayetteville with Aaryn and Cindy and met up with my family, Lindsey, Sarah K., Spencer, Margaret, Rachel, Anna and Clay. We spent a great weekend having fake bachelorette parties for Anna and her fake fiance Graham (oops), being Chi Omegas at the Psi Initiation, and patio drinking in the 70 degree weather in Fayetteville (thank the Lord)! Great weekend with fun friends and family.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhtcNkBjlI/AAAAAAAAAS8/jEYEmN1vJQo/s1600/40398_1184203358360_1026510019_30775870_4537760_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhtcNkBjlI/AAAAAAAAAS8/jEYEmN1vJQo/s320/40398_1184203358360_1026510019_30775870_4537760_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568821270688140882" /></a><br /><br />Today, I am hunkered down on the couch updating my blog and working from home on CAM and Celebrate Style stuff. Snowpocalypse is about to hit St. Louis so Jeff, his roommate Tim, and I are snowed in the apartment watching movies and working diligently (or so we're pretending). Here's a picture of what we're seeing outside, and they're saying a white-out blizzard is on it's way and hitting within the next hour. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhu6hwMDTI/AAAAAAAAATE/nOzYNJ2FjNU/s1600/photo-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhu6hwMDTI/AAAAAAAAATE/nOzYNJ2FjNU/s320/photo-5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568822891015572786" /></a><br /><br />Ya'll stay safe. Stay warm. And I promise i'm going to start updating this blog more often.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-33456208910512008862011-02-01T10:26:00.000-08:002011-02-01T10:43:26.778-08:00DecemberALMOST DONE! YAY!! <br /><br />So December meant my very first Christmas on my own. I know I've had Christmases in my own place in college, but this was my first real Christmas where I didn't spend a month back in Little Rock. Mom was sweet enough to buy Jenna and I our first Christmas tree. She, Jeff, Jenni, and I spent the night decorating. Really it just consisted of Jenna and I decorating and forcing Jeff and Jenni put an ornament on every 10 minutes so they could be involved. Sad to say that Christmas tree is still up, but I think it's beautiful, and meaningful, so I don't care.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhSpnmIrlI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/ilihjzNOoMM/s1600/164639_1218667579944_1026510019_30835459_7357534_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhSpnmIrlI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/ilihjzNOoMM/s320/164639_1218667579944_1026510019_30835459_7357534_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568791814200667730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhSpXkToRI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/m6oMc-QNCFo/s1600/156711_1218667419940_1026510019_30835457_5036524_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhSpXkToRI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/m6oMc-QNCFo/s320/156711_1218667419940_1026510019_30835457_5036524_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568791809898029330" /></a><br /><br />Jeff and I flew to Little Rock for my cousin Olivia's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, and a great reason to go home for a weekend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhS19vyI6I/AAAAAAAAARM/V1nZ7DcPj8E/s1600/58069_1218668459966_1026510019_30835469_7896114_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhS19vyI6I/AAAAAAAAARM/V1nZ7DcPj8E/s320/58069_1218668459966_1026510019_30835469_7896114_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568792026305143714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhS1uT18pI/AAAAAAAAARE/HPF9roN0UzE/s1600/156861_1218667939953_1026510019_30835463_962439_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhS1uT18pI/AAAAAAAAARE/HPF9roN0UzE/s320/156861_1218667939953_1026510019_30835463_962439_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568792022161420946" /></a><br /><br />Then, the next weekend was CHRISTMAS!! We spent Christmas Eve with the Wertenbergers. With so many babies, and so many toys, I was able to feel like a kid on Christmas again. We felt so adult waking up on Christmas morning together in our new city, made french toast and opened presents together on Christmas morning. Just another added bonus of living in the same city. We were up super early so we could make it to Little Rock in time for my family's Christmas celebration that night. The next few days were spent with family, friends, and celebrating different religions among my group of friends at Chrismakkuh. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhTbLLyMNI/AAAAAAAAAR0/WgH-cHGUgSY/s1600/148245_1218670300012_1026510019_30835487_6558038_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhTbLLyMNI/AAAAAAAAAR0/WgH-cHGUgSY/s320/148245_1218670300012_1026510019_30835487_6558038_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568792665567408338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhTa63xSEI/AAAAAAAAARs/jRqh6Mz_wQ8/s1600/165794_1267232714048_1026690037_30880965_4068351_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhTa63xSEI/AAAAAAAAARs/jRqh6Mz_wQ8/s320/165794_1267232714048_1026690037_30880965_4068351_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568792661188495426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhTam-azgI/AAAAAAAAARk/ZZoW0GpqnYA/s1600/165308_1218669739998_1026510019_30835482_1798695_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhTam-azgI/AAAAAAAAARk/ZZoW0GpqnYA/s320/165308_1218669739998_1026510019_30835482_1798695_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568792655847673346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhTaZBlRuI/AAAAAAAAARc/iHwwUOdTAkE/s1600/165123_1267233394065_1026690037_30880979_1722489_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhTaZBlRuI/AAAAAAAAARc/iHwwUOdTAkE/s320/165123_1267233394065_1026690037_30880979_1722489_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568792652102846178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhTaEJXqJI/AAAAAAAAARU/G6SU2oaewLs/s1600/164309_1267232274037_1026690037_30880957_6245162_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhTaEJXqJI/AAAAAAAAARU/G6SU2oaewLs/s320/164309_1267232274037_1026690037_30880957_6245162_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568792646498363538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhT0qPyq6I/AAAAAAAAAR8/xUZZ8-l5DbA/s1600/163142_1627995373005_1030170026_31473939_5744520_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhT0qPyq6I/AAAAAAAAAR8/xUZZ8-l5DbA/s320/163142_1627995373005_1030170026_31473939_5744520_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568793103402445730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhURTAbIyI/AAAAAAAAASc/_TwV31O4Ky8/s1600/163257_1607866589798_1030170013_31431239_5341953_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhURTAbIyI/AAAAAAAAASc/_TwV31O4Ky8/s320/163257_1607866589798_1030170013_31431239_5341953_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568793595380179746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhURAhwDFI/AAAAAAAAASU/L36DAU3nInw/s1600/164344_1219676485166_1026510019_30837747_7802882_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 139px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhURAhwDFI/AAAAAAAAASU/L36DAU3nInw/s320/164344_1219676485166_1026510019_30837747_7802882_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568793590419688530" /></a><br /><br /><br />Then, one of my very bestest friends in the whole wide world, and one of the coolest people I've ever met in my entire life, Miss Lindsey Rose Shindler, rode back to St. Louis with Jeff and I to spend New Years with us. We stopped in Memphis to hang out with Esther in her new home, and then spent the next few days celebrating the New Year.<br /><br />Another BIG thing that happened this month is I got a new job! YAY! I'd been looking around for a while and just keeping my options open. It wasn't that I didn't like my job at HEC-TV, but I needed something a little more fast paced, and i'd like to start saving money, which was absolutely impossible at the rate I was going there. I interviewed with a company in St. Louis since November, and found out the week before Christmas that I was offered the position of Public Relations Manager at the Contemporary Art Museum. YAY! More updates on that in a bit.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-47359613165782034552011-02-01T10:24:00.001-08:002011-02-01T10:26:16.567-08:00NovemberNovember:<br /><br />November=Thanksgiving to me. It's one of my most favorite holidays, and it means the beginning of the holiday season which I absolutely love. The girls and I had a STL family Thanksgiving meal. We all potlucked it, which was awesome because all of us are becoming pretty good cooks. I brought a Pittman family staple – green bean bundles. YUM!! And, of course, the turkey Mum. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhP3vmlv7I/AAAAAAAAAQc/xwjeZyRykiE/s1600/72038_1218666659921_1026510019_30835449_2485576_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhP3vmlv7I/AAAAAAAAAQc/xwjeZyRykiE/s320/72038_1218666659921_1026510019_30835449_2485576_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568788758333341618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhP3RAqofI/AAAAAAAAAQU/pxcYe1gdUkc/s1600/67127_1218666179909_1026510019_30835448_882425_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhP3RAqofI/AAAAAAAAAQU/pxcYe1gdUkc/s320/67127_1218666179909_1026510019_30835448_882425_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568788750121214450" /></a><br /><br />The night before Thanksgiving in St. Louis is apparently one of the biggest nights to go out all year. Jeff and I spent the evening supporting a charity that is near and dear to both of us through our work – Guns 'N Hoses, an event that raises money for the families of police officers and firemen killed while on the job. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhP-6P6Y-I/AAAAAAAAAQk/duIQkPoLLYE/s1600/163697_1218667059931_1026510019_30835453_2737300_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhP-6P6Y-I/AAAAAAAAAQk/duIQkPoLLYE/s320/163697_1218667059931_1026510019_30835453_2737300_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568788881450099682" /></a><br /><br />November=Thanksgiving=LSU v. Arkansas game. I'm not sure what it is about this game that gets an entire state so excited, but every year that this game makes its way back to Little Rock, Thanksgiving break is a little more fun. This year was no exception. Jeff and I spent Thanksgiving day in St. Louis with his family, drove to my family's that night, and the rest of the weekend in Little Rock. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhQMyxVtFI/AAAAAAAAAQs/-nkWGfwz098/s1600/166207_1218606058406_1026510431_30835360_3564948_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhQMyxVtFI/AAAAAAAAAQs/-nkWGfwz098/s320/166207_1218606058406_1026510431_30835360_3564948_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568789119960986706" /></a>ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-84773633730976482402011-02-01T10:06:00.000-08:002011-02-01T10:16:45.544-08:00OctoberOctober:<br /><br />This was a great month! The month I turned TWENTY-THREE! One of my best friends Cindy and I have birthdays a day apart so we have had joint birthdays for the past three years. This year we rented the St. Louis Road Pony Party Bus – a club on wheels. 25 or so friends joined us as we drove around St. Louis, listened to Cindy's gangsta rap, and went to some of our favorite bars (or at least tried to get into some of them). <br /><br />Here are some pictures from our Road Pony adventure:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhMHKhia9I/AAAAAAAAAPk/xqttH13aMC4/s1600/76414_1689215832752_1308390007_31815463_6003821_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhMHKhia9I/AAAAAAAAAPk/xqttH13aMC4/s320/76414_1689215832752_1308390007_31815463_6003821_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568784625211435986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhMC7HRedI/AAAAAAAAAPc/ptRQ5Jbs0O0/s1600/39515_921386931200_15934659_48982484_2919791_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhMC7HRedI/AAAAAAAAAPc/ptRQ5Jbs0O0/s320/39515_921386931200_15934659_48982484_2919791_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568784552355264978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhMAE4pP2I/AAAAAAAAAPU/oyf3wMHR-3M/s1600/39515_921386916230_15934659_48982481_8278827_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhMAE4pP2I/AAAAAAAAAPU/oyf3wMHR-3M/s320/39515_921386916230_15934659_48982481_8278827_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568784503438655330" /></a><br /><br />October also means HOMECOMING at Mizzou! This has always been around my birthday, which makes it such a fun weekend. But now, as a graduate, it means reunion with everyone from school. This was the first time since graduation that all of the girls got together. 3004 - the group of girls who lived in our two houses on Wilson senior year - took this to an expected extreme with our 3004 Alumni shirts. We spent the weekend remembering old stories, laughing about funny nights from college, and making new memories as adults reliving college. And to top it all off, ESPN College Game Day was at Mizzou, we won the game, and the girls and I grabbed the primo spot in Harpo's and led the entire bar in the Mizzou chant. MIZ-ZOU!!!<br /><br />Here are some pictures from this amazing weekend:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhN7G7jAuI/AAAAAAAAAQM/oW2Cq_CFn7o/s1600/166364_1592405852547_1307910163_31894592_5705055_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhN7G7jAuI/AAAAAAAAAQM/oW2Cq_CFn7o/s320/166364_1592405852547_1307910163_31894592_5705055_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568786617111610082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhN6ytMbhI/AAAAAAAAAQE/U5U4u7fI_7I/s1600/165689_1592407652592_1307910163_31894605_1041475_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhN6ytMbhI/AAAAAAAAAQE/U5U4u7fI_7I/s320/165689_1592407652592_1307910163_31894605_1041475_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568786611682700818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhN6XeL9GI/AAAAAAAAAP8/XJCrqzHkUV8/s1600/73505_927153499950_15935116_49116858_1262014_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhN6XeL9GI/AAAAAAAAAP8/XJCrqzHkUV8/s320/73505_927153499950_15935116_49116858_1262014_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568786604371997794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhN6WkJpHI/AAAAAAAAAP0/afa4XzoyEl0/s1600/67559_1202221848811_1026510019_30810879_3035502_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhN6WkJpHI/AAAAAAAAAP0/afa4XzoyEl0/s320/67559_1202221848811_1026510019_30810879_3035502_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568786604128576626" /></a>ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-11004518476727630182011-02-01T10:04:00.000-08:002011-02-01T10:05:52.037-08:00SeptemberSeptember: <br /><br />September we all started to finally feel settled in our jobs and in our place in St. Louis. Jeff finally stopped traveling every week (THANK THE LORD), and we settled into our routines. We spent weekends hanging out in St. Louis, visiting our Alma Matter (so weird to say that), and enjoying the company of those that we love in STL. <br /><br />I was also fortunate enough to spend a weekend with my family at a weekend celebrating my mother: her 50th birthday! Jeff and I flew to Little Rock and we spent a great evening at my godmother Jan's house at a 50th birthday party for Mom. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhLXxTE9sI/AAAAAAAAAPE/vGEet293ZH4/s1600/58455_1192831614061_1026510019_30794789_8252953_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhLXxTE9sI/AAAAAAAAAPE/vGEet293ZH4/s320/58455_1192831614061_1026510019_30794789_8252953_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568783810986047170" /></a><br /><br />Here's Mom, Anna-Lee and I that night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhLdvVrCYI/AAAAAAAAAPM/utYYVhm4zAE/s1600/40906_913099324630_15934659_48774230_1485971_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhLdvVrCYI/AAAAAAAAAPM/utYYVhm4zAE/s320/40906_913099324630_15934659_48774230_1485971_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568783913539275138" /></a><br /><br />Here's me, my roommate Jenna, Hannah, Bonnie, and Cindy on our weekend adventure to Ol' Mizzou for a Tiger football game.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-41175326746696371802011-02-01T10:01:00.001-08:002011-02-01T12:40:23.080-08:00The last 6 months...Update on the past SIX months of life in STL:<br /><br />Okay, so it's been FOREVER since I've blogged. But, i'm currently home from work for a snow day, laying on the couch watching Pawn Stars, and decided it was a great time to update the readers (or one) of my blog on what's been going on.<br /><br />My last post was on August 13, so i'll update you on all of the other months:<br /><br />August:<br /><br />The St. Louis crew gained a new member: Bonnie Joy Thomas! Bon, one of our best friends from college, got a job in St. Louis and moved here from Phoenix, further completing the St. Louis wolf pack. Of course we wanted her to feel at home, so we spent the month of August having girls nights, showing her our new favorite spots, and further exploring our city.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhKmfkFbfI/AAAAAAAAAOs/_OuN4K1Idao/s1600/64326_1627472729213_1308390007_31702545_441155_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TUhKmfkFbfI/AAAAAAAAAOs/_OuN4K1Idao/s320/64326_1627472729213_1308390007_31702545_441155_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568782964411952626" /></a><br /><br />The girls at one of our most favorite spots, and where we pretend we are still in college, even if only for a night: DD's Karaoke Bar.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-50919580538661299162010-08-16T06:45:00.001-07:002010-08-16T06:51:10.479-07:00My Little Sis is All Grown Up...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TGlBI-1CnaI/AAAAAAAAANk/tK3DfCWMKMM/s1600/38779_1183088050478_1026510019_30772642_2809290_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TGlBI-1CnaI/AAAAAAAAANk/tK3DfCWMKMM/s320/38779_1183088050478_1026510019_30772642_2809290_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506003641997368738" /></a><br />Today’s post is in honor or my little sis, Anna-Lee. Anna-Lee is now part of the University of Arkansas Class of 2014. Dad took her up to Fayetteville yesterday and moved her into Reid dorm with her best friend Mary Elizabeth Sixbey. Anna-Lee was sweet enough to Skype with me last night for about two hours so I could see the new dorm, help the girls out with what they’re wearing for Rush this week, and just chit chat about what they can look forward to the next four years.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TGlBc0m5ClI/AAAAAAAAANs/xabuRAde60s/s1600/39013_1475550641985_1030260385_31329440_7302216_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TGlBc0m5ClI/AAAAAAAAANs/xabuRAde60s/s320/39013_1475550641985_1030260385_31329440_7302216_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506003982851050066" /></a><br /><br /><br />I didn’t think that Anna-Lee going to college would affect me at all. Boy was I wrong. I found myself very teary eyed and sentimental about my first week at college, when Anna-Lee and I were young, and what is to come in the future for us both. It’s weird to think that my little baby sister, my Christmas present, is growing up so fast. She’s supposed to be that adorable little pipsqueak who didn’t want to talk to anyone but Mom, and whose legs couldn’t have been any bigger than a twig. She was so adorable when she was a little kid, and now she’s grown up into this beautiful young woman who I know will do amazing things in her future.<br /><br />Anna-Lee, I love you and I hope these next four years are all you’ve ever dreamed of. Make of them what you want, and do all the things you’ve ever wanted to. This is your time. I love you and wish you good luck this week. Love your big sis.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TGlBwizbWkI/AAAAAAAAAN0/_z-5MSAA0UQ/s1600/15854_1137628714023_1026510019_30650596_4207570_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TGlBwizbWkI/AAAAAAAAAN0/_z-5MSAA0UQ/s320/15854_1137628714023_1026510019_30650596_4207570_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506004321669175874" /></a>ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-83661569476196794962010-08-13T06:58:00.000-07:002010-08-13T06:59:40.257-07:00A Never Ending ExplorationI’m sitting at work, which probably means I shouldn’t be writing this, but doesn’t writing a blog only foster a better understanding of the English language, and force you to think? I’m sure my eNewsletter I distribute today will be better just because I wrote this blog post.<br /><br />I hope all of you have something fun to do this weekend. The weatherman is calling for slightly cooler weather. (Anything beats a heat index of 120. Ridiculous.) Tonight, Jeff and I are so excited because we get to baby-sit his one a half-year-old niece Abbie. She is so adorable and we love seeing her because it seems like she’s learned something new since the last time we saw her.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TGVPpDIdv4I/AAAAAAAAANU/CgYkUprAkt8/s1600/mount-pleasant-winery-augusta-missouri-vineyard-gazebo-hills.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TGVPpDIdv4I/AAAAAAAAANU/CgYkUprAkt8/s320/mount-pleasant-winery-augusta-missouri-vineyard-gazebo-hills.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504893686164340610" /></a>Tomorrow morning we head off to Augusta, MO. Missouri’s wine country. Jeff got me this trip as part of my amazing graduation present000, but we planned it for this weekend because it’s our one and a half year anniversary. Cheesy I know, but we like to celebrate the halves too. We are going to stay in a cute B&B called the Wine Country Inn. Jeff knows me very well and knows how much I love old buildings and furniture. This place absolutely fits the bill. Then, we are going to spend the day visiting some of Augusta’s beautiful wineries, like the Mount Pleasant Winery. Finally, we will end with dinner at Augusta Brewery Company. I’ve heard great things.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TGVPvZHi4iI/AAAAAAAAANc/w21DmDmKKkY/s1600/Fast+Eddies.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TGVPvZHi4iI/AAAAAAAAANc/w21DmDmKKkY/s320/Fast+Eddies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504893795145277986" /></a>Then, Sunday afternoon we will be meeting friends at a St. Louis staple, Fast Eddie’s in Alton, IL. It’s about 5 minutes over the bridge and is the epitome of a dive bar. Who wouldn’t want $1.99 kabobs? Sign me up. <br /><br />All in all I think it’s going to be a great weekend of continuing our exploration of St. Louis, even though Jeff is from here. I feel like every time we decide to go out, we’re forcing ourselves to try something new, which is good. We don’t have any place that is a staple for us yet, and I sort of like it that way.<br /><br />Hope you all have a great weekend, and check back on Monday for pictures from the weekend.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-80708248304234380662010-08-08T19:39:00.001-07:002010-08-08T19:54:19.721-07:00Life in St. LouisLet me just start off by saying, I LOVE ST. LOUIS! I love absolutely everything about it. So far my roommate Jenna and I have moved into our new apartment, we've both started work, we've had friends and family visit, we've explored the city, and so much more.<br /><br />Here are a few pictures from our apartment. The apartment is called the Embassy. It was built in 1926 and has been a hotel and an apartment building. We have a workout room, theater and pool room, a dog walking park and a pool. It's so cute and the people are so nice. Funny story from move in day: we were just finishing up moving everything from the U-Haul into the apartment. We'd been moving since 9 o'clock that morning and it was 10 PM. LONG DAY to say the least. Then, all of a sudden the fire alarm in the hallway starts going off. The entire building had to be evacuated and three fire trucks come. We're all standing outside mad that it's going off so late, and worrying about what's going on because there are a ton of fire fighters and they all have axes. They eventually let us in and we don't know what happened. We go to our apartment and start to unpack some boxes. Then, at 11:30, the alarm goes off again. And it seems louder. We all re-evacuate the building, but no fire trucks show up. They think it's a prank and don't think it's important to come, so the alarm goes off for the next 30 minutes. The next morning Jeff and I are moving a few more things from the car, and maintenance man, Joe, comes up to us, and says, “You know that you all set the alarm off last night, right?” Oops!! Apparently we knocked the fire alarm with our couch and it fell off the wall causing the entire buildings alarm system to mess up. OOPS!! Not the best foot to get off on with the management.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9qsQTwG-I/AAAAAAAAALI/YgZrNde-4cE/s1600/DSCN3692.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9qsQTwG-I/AAAAAAAAALI/YgZrNde-4cE/s320/DSCN3692.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503234578194635746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9qrhaabMI/AAAAAAAAALA/tY_87SvtrZo/s1600/DSCN3687.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9qrhaabMI/AAAAAAAAALA/tY_87SvtrZo/s320/DSCN3687.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503234565606108354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9qrMx-AEI/AAAAAAAAAK4/81tKwMmv8h8/s1600/DSCN3629.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9qrMx-AEI/AAAAAAAAAK4/81tKwMmv8h8/s320/DSCN3629.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503234560067764290" /></a><br /><br />Bad move in moment behind us, we've had some fun times in the last two months. There have been three Cardinals games, friends visiting, BBQ's, concerts, and much more. One of the most special moments so far has been the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure weekend. Jeff organized a weekend in Mom's honor and friends from Mizzou and Little Rock all came in. Friday night we had a Pink themed party at Jeff's house and Saturday we did the walk. Over 72,000 people walked and raised over $3 million to end breast cancer. <br /><br />Here are some pictures from that amazing weekend. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9rzmoP1vI/AAAAAAAAALg/tOaKMIN3X6U/s1600/36434_1301914236647_1494198888_30676472_2090664_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9rzmoP1vI/AAAAAAAAALg/tOaKMIN3X6U/s320/36434_1301914236647_1494198888_30676472_2090664_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503235803956893426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9rzW1iVBI/AAAAAAAAALY/mOlXXOIeIYM/s1600/36434_1301914156645_1494198888_30676471_1233140_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9rzW1iVBI/AAAAAAAAALY/mOlXXOIeIYM/s320/36434_1301914156645_1494198888_30676471_1233140_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503235799717663762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9ry28EiOI/AAAAAAAAALQ/vEKWY5-nni0/s1600/36434_1301913916639_1494198888_30676465_1155662_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9ry28EiOI/AAAAAAAAALQ/vEKWY5-nni0/s320/36434_1301913916639_1494198888_30676465_1155662_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503235791155136738" /></a><br /><br />As far as work goes, I LOVE it. I am the Coordinator of Strategic Marketing and Partnerships for the Higher Education Channel (HEC-TV). I handle all of the press releases and media relations, maintain our presence on social networks, design advertisements, distribute an eNewsletter, work on the magazine and other communications work for the station. I love having the ability to try out lots of different things and having the station trust me. The environment is really fun and I'm hoping to learn a lot while working at HEC-TV.<br /><br />Upcoming adventures include a trip to the Augusta winery, girls nights, lake weekend at Lake of the Ozarks, and more. I am so excited about my choice of cities and am looking forward to what it has in store for me.<br /><br />Here are some more pictures from this summer. And, I promise i'll be better about updating my blog. Promise.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9sjxCnW7I/AAAAAAAAAMI/XKJmBD4vbQc/s1600/DSCN3654.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9sjxCnW7I/AAAAAAAAAMI/XKJmBD4vbQc/s320/DSCN3654.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503236631385562034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9sjXFllDI/AAAAAAAAAMA/HRgGoMraFP8/s1600/DSCN3642.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9sjXFllDI/AAAAAAAAAMA/HRgGoMraFP8/s320/DSCN3642.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503236624418706482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9si2uyKII/AAAAAAAAAL4/nQ1q3LhXbtc/s1600/DSCN3610.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9si2uyKII/AAAAAAAAAL4/nQ1q3LhXbtc/s320/DSCN3610.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503236615733127298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9siS5lDVI/AAAAAAAAALw/mub563wZGHw/s1600/38102_881080580450_15935323_47721239_4068778_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9siS5lDVI/AAAAAAAAALw/mub563wZGHw/s320/38102_881080580450_15935323_47721239_4068778_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503236606114729298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9siJ7E48I/AAAAAAAAALo/KM5meVf1hqc/s1600/38014_881080415780_15935323_47721230_6805717_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9siJ7E48I/AAAAAAAAALo/KM5meVf1hqc/s320/38014_881080415780_15935323_47721230_6805717_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503236603705091010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9sz2kBnJI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/FktlYycI7CI/s1600/DSCN3678.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9sz2kBnJI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/FktlYycI7CI/s320/DSCN3678.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503236907745778834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9s7XO-NzI/AAAAAAAAAMY/TsKrSw-KtsI/s1600/28663_1372437104208_1030170026_30920939_3906335_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TF9s7XO-NzI/AAAAAAAAAMY/TsKrSw-KtsI/s320/28663_1372437104208_1030170026_30920939_3906335_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503237036774930226" /></a>ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-65585681397239804062010-08-03T06:39:00.000-07:002010-08-03T06:40:58.897-07:00I PROMISE A NEW POST IS COMINGHey people who read my blog. Or, in other words, Mom. I promise a new blog post is coming. It's actually in a Word document on my computer at home. And, I have a TON of new pictures: apartment, Race for the Cure, St. Louis. I'm at work right now, probably shouldn't be writing this, and I will do it as soon as I get home. I'm going to Best Buy to get a camera connector right after work and then hunkering down on the couch to update you all on my life. <br /><br />I hope all is well with everyone. And, to those I haven't seen in a while, I miss ya!ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-83920962273956286242010-05-28T11:00:00.000-07:002010-05-28T11:11:12.573-07:00The past month<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAG8yVV9wI/AAAAAAAAAKw/Zngx7RTl5Cw/s1600/27700_1367144611899_1030170013_30905183_6855439_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 119px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAG8yVV9wI/AAAAAAAAAKw/Zngx7RTl5Cw/s320/27700_1367144611899_1030170013_30905183_6855439_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476384788255733506" /></a><br />It’s been a while since I’ve blogged last, so here’s an update on the big things that have happened in the past month:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. GRADUATION</span><br /><br />I MADE IT! I actually graduated! Okay, it really wasn’t that big of a surprise, but it was still a pretty strange experience. My graduation weekend was one of the most special weekends of my life. It all started on Thursday when some of my family started coming into Columbia. My Mom, Nanny and Bobbob, cousin Emily, and good family friend Rebecca and her daughter Annie came in town. We, along with my boyfriend Jeff, all went to dinner to celebrate graduation weekend. <br /><br />Then, Saturday the rest of the family made it to COMO. We all stayed at the Taylor House Bed and Breakfast. We had the entire house rented out so it was more like a mini family reunion than a graduation. Mom and Nanny brought up pictures from home so that it felt more like home. Saturday, Jeff’s parents Don and Darla Wertenberger came in town to celebrate with us. We, along with my roommate Natalie Johnston’s family, celebrated with a delicious meal before graduation. <br /><br />It was the weirdest feeling walking across that stage. With those few steps I left behind my college self, and turned into an “adult.” While I don’t think much will change in terms of my personality and such, I do know that my focus and time will be spent on things other than hanging out with the girls of 3004 and piddling around Columbia, MO. I am very sad to leave college, but at the same time very excited to start my life in St. Louis. Here are some pictures from that weekend:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAGzGP_OgI/AAAAAAAAAKo/H2Boav_drGQ/s1600/27700_1367144451895_1030170013_30905181_4184549_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAGzGP_OgI/AAAAAAAAAKo/H2Boav_drGQ/s320/27700_1367144451895_1030170013_30905181_4184549_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476384621803289090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAFhfbPJNI/AAAAAAAAAKI/pUIOL4mqC9c/s1600/28648_861864175280_15936211_46915909_7632560_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAFhfbPJNI/AAAAAAAAAKI/pUIOL4mqC9c/s320/28648_861864175280_15936211_46915909_7632560_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476383219812082898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAFhAlamUI/AAAAAAAAAKA/R4LvoHY787Y/s1600/28375_1282357987753_1494198888_30627927_1993588_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAFhAlamUI/AAAAAAAAAKA/R4LvoHY787Y/s320/28375_1282357987753_1494198888_30627927_1993588_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476383211533277506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAFgkBvk8I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/FdSLLSFWcSM/s1600/27700_1367151452070_1030170013_30905193_3547243_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAFgkBvk8I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/FdSLLSFWcSM/s320/27700_1367151452070_1030170013_30905193_3547243_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476383203867464642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAFgcy6WeI/AAAAAAAAAJw/eUA0VRagwM0/s1600/27700_1367151292066_1030170013_30905190_8233929_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAFgcy6WeI/AAAAAAAAAJw/eUA0VRagwM0/s320/27700_1367151292066_1030170013_30905190_8233929_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476383201926207970" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. BEACH TRIP<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /><br />In celebration of graduation, my friends from high school rented a house at Miramar Beach, FL. 18 of us headed down to Florida the day after graduation and spent a week relaxing by the water. We ate great food (oysters FOUR times), did a little shopping, spent many hours lounging in the sun and celebrated our time not only in college being over, but the fact that our friendships are still as strong as they were before we went. This trip allowed me to spend time with friends who I have known for many, many years. Some, as long as I can remember. Here are some pictures from that week:<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAGgurAJBI/AAAAAAAAAKg/n0zwPI6R7ik/s1600/30696_1166635279169_1026510009_30725756_8173605_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAGgurAJBI/AAAAAAAAAKg/n0zwPI6R7ik/s320/30696_1166635279169_1026510009_30725756_8173605_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476384306236498962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAGgZvHlGI/AAAAAAAAAKY/Ovj7BHAc2bw/s1600/30696_1166634639153_1026510009_30725748_3679425_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAGgZvHlGI/AAAAAAAAAKY/Ovj7BHAc2bw/s320/30696_1166634639153_1026510009_30725748_3679425_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476384300616619106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAGgNEUK0I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/RlYfjhhIMB0/s1600/29265_1199973112600_1026690028_30768881_1808643_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/TAAGgNEUK0I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/RlYfjhhIMB0/s320/29265_1199973112600_1026690028_30768881_1808643_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476384297215863618" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. MOVING</span><br /><br />And finally, the biggest, most exciting change thus far. I MOVED TO ST. LOUIS!! When Jeff and I got back from the beach we immediately drove to Columbia. Three hours, and many sore muscles later, we were all packed into the biggest UHAUL I have ever seen. We made my final drive from Columbia to St. Louis and drove straight to 530 Union Boulevard (my new apartment). My friend Jenna and I are living in an old hotel called the Embassy. It has even completely refurbished into an apartment building and it is amazing! We have the old architectural features of a 1920’s hotel, a free workout room, a theater, a pool and a dog-walking park just for residents. The apartment is in the Central West End part of St. Louis city. It’s city living, but very safe. The area is a very fun place to go out, and only 10 minutes from work. I am so excited about the new home and to see what it has in store for me. <br /><br />So, there’s a rundown of what has been going on over the past month. Check back for more updates as I start my life in St. Louis.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-65667965360731578682010-04-22T09:35:00.001-07:002010-04-24T07:17:59.745-07:00#6: New Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S9B71aQeGoI/AAAAAAAAAJo/cSCUyMgdGrI/s1600/gall_stlouis_cnn.jpg.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S9B71aQeGoI/AAAAAAAAAJo/cSCUyMgdGrI/s320/gall_stlouis_cnn.jpg.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463002505512098434" /></a><br />This post is going to be kind of weird for me to write because it will lead me to finally explain why I am moving to St. Louis. So, here it goes:<br /><br />When I first decided to go to Mizzou I had no idea what or where Columbi, MO was. I remember driving to campus for my first tour. Mom and I flew into St. Louis, rented a car and started our drive to Columbia. As anyone who has ever taken the drive from St. Louis to Columbia knows, it is the most boring drive ever. You leave the outskirts of St. Louis and see farmland until you hit the outskirts of Columbia. Driving at night is never advised considering Highway lights are far and few between on 70. I remember thinking “Where are you taking me? This looks miserable.” But, as you all know, when I got to Mizzou, I fell in love with it.<br /><br />I spent the first few years living in the Mizzou bubble. I went to St. Louis maybe two or three times and thought it was cool, but really thought nothing of it. Then, I met this guy. I know that sounds cheesy, and it sort of is, but it is one of the major reasons I have fallen in love with St. Louis and have chosen to move there upon graduation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S9B65OKViaI/AAAAAAAAAIw/kd2LuTD6R08/s1600/8827_1122015083692_1026510019_30609961_1191775_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S9B65OKViaI/AAAAAAAAAIw/kd2LuTD6R08/s320/8827_1122015083692_1026510019_30609961_1191775_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463001471472994722" /></a>My Junior year I met my boyfriend, Jeff. (He's that goofy guy to the left with all of my roommates) He was in his graduate year getting his Masters in Accounting. Four months after meeting, Jeff graduated and it was time for him to move back to St. Louis. We decided to keep hanging out and as you do in relationships, seeing each other became a compromise for both of us. 10 months, and many, many hours on the road later, St. Louis has become my second home. <br /><br />While Jeff does spend many weekends hanging out with me and the girls, much to his dismay, I spend quite a bit of time in St. Louis with he and his family. It's gotten to the point where driving into St. Louis sometimes leads to a breath of relief for me as it has become my place to relax away from school. I have spent countless weekends exploring St. Louis attractions such as the Arch (Maybe not the best idea for someone with slight claustrophobia), St. Louis Cardinals games (My Dad would be proud!), St. Louis Blues games, the Budweiser Brewery, the Hill and every where in between. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S9B7DYQQg_I/AAAAAAAAAI4/WyJKadvU2Z4/s1600/StLouisArch%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S9B7DYQQg_I/AAAAAAAAAI4/WyJKadvU2Z4/s320/StLouisArch%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463001645980877810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S9B7I2sQXDI/AAAAAAAAAJA/JAUR6f8cd28/s1600/15758_797685604650_15906182_44804720_6924103_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S9B7I2sQXDI/AAAAAAAAAJA/JAUR6f8cd28/s320/15758_797685604650_15906182_44804720_6924103_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463001740050717746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S9B7bHboZgI/AAAAAAAAAJY/RNIZYtmslik/s1600/15854_1137628714023_1026510019_30650596_4207570_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S9B7bHboZgI/AAAAAAAAAJY/RNIZYtmslik/s320/15854_1137628714023_1026510019_30650596_4207570_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463002053782038018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S9B7fK-NeRI/AAAAAAAAAJg/aQH4-PMyBQo/s1600/15854_1137629354039_1026510019_30650612_6368621_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S9B7fK-NeRI/AAAAAAAAAJg/aQH4-PMyBQo/s320/15854_1137629354039_1026510019_30650612_6368621_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463002123451857170" /></a><br /><br />For those of you who have not visited St. Louis, or for who it might have been a while, come. St. Louis is an amazing place to live and explore. There are so many different suburbs with such different personalities. My personal favorite, Clayton, has streets of old apartments which I love, placed among huge, beautiful homes. It has become one of our favorite Saturday afternoon past times to drive up and down the streets checking out what houses are around. <br /><br />St. Louis has a very strong Italian influence, which I love because pasta is one of my favorite foods. I feel like I never heard a cool last name until I came to St. Louis and have met people with the oddest last names I've ever heard. I feel like every where I turn there is something new to see, some new facet of the city that elicits a new feeling and new people to meet and learn from.<br /><br />St. Louis, and the people I have come to appreciate there, has become my second home. I am happy to say that Mizzou provided me with this amazing opportunity, because I think had I gone to school any where else I would not have chosen to move to St. Louis.<br /><br />So, I would like to say thank you Mizzou. Thank you for introducing me to an amazing person, who would introduce me to an equally amazing place that I would love and choose to call home.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-66008338829328381302010-04-21T10:00:00.001-07:002010-04-21T10:16:14.683-07:00#5 Family Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88y1rNBatI/AAAAAAAAAIo/Zq4lgl5Bcg0/s1600/DSCN2136.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88y1rNBatI/AAAAAAAAAIo/Zq4lgl5Bcg0/s320/DSCN2136.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462640770735499986" /></a><br />I would like to preface this post with a warning: This will be the longest post I have written yet. But once you read it, you will understand. <br /><br />A few of the reasons I chose to go to Mizzou were these:<br /><br />1.It's not in Arkansas. I needed something new.<br />2.I didn't know anyone going so I would be forced to meet all new people.<br />3.It was far enough away where I could have my own stuff going on, but close enough that I could drive home or hop on a plane if I really missed home.<br /><br />Out of these three reasons, #3 has proved to be the most valuable reason I chose Mizzou. I have really appreciated my experience of choosing a school where I knew no one. It forced me out of my comfort zone and tested my ability to make new friends and make lasting relationships without the help of any sort of connections. I surprised myself with my success at this, and in my staying at Mizzou. There were most definitely times where I wanted to leave. When the feeling that I was all alone at a big school got to me. But then I realized that there were people supporting me and encouraging me to do it. <br /><br />I don't think that I would be writing this blog at all had it not been for my family. When these moments of thinking that I would transfer to a school closer to home started creeping up on me, they reminded me of what I was at Mizzou to do; get the best Journalism education I could. To these people, I would like to say Thank You. Thank you for 1) letting me go to this amazing school, but 2) encouraging me to stay and finish my time here. It was the best advice i'd ever received.<br /><br />Within my third reason to go to Mizzou is the ability to still see my family. My family has come up for every Parents Weekend, every Chi O Mom and Dad's weekend and a few other weekends in between. These trips allow me to show off my school, my friends and the life I have created up here. Some times they have gotten me from month to month because I miss my family so much. As most of you know, my family is extremely close. I've never lived more than 10 minutes from my grandparents, and talk to them just as much as I talk to Mom. Anna-Lee and I tend to hang out like friends when we're at home, and not two sisters who occasionally do “sister outings.” Dad is always there providing me with fun things to do and great bonding time. And Mom, well she and I are closer than sometimes is healthy, considering we are pretty much the same person and can sometimes come to a head over things. But if there is one person I talk to the most in my life, other than my boyfriend, it's Mom. Every decision I make, every piece of advice that I need, it all goes through her. <br /><br />I think that if I had gone to a school any further, I for sure would have left. But Mizzou has allowed these very important relationships to stay the same, and to even grow stronger.<br /><br />Here are some of those amazing weekends I have talked about:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88yqh8lOHI/AAAAAAAAAIg/1Jxn2jp5qM4/s1600/n1026510019_30298900_4977-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88yqh8lOHI/AAAAAAAAAIg/1Jxn2jp5qM4/s320/n1026510019_30298900_4977-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462640579272063090" /></a>This first picture is from Sophomore year Parent's Weekend. Mom, Anna-Lee, Nanny and Bobbob all came up to visit me, and we had the best time. Football game, eating at my favorite Columbia restaurants that call for a parent footing the bill, and just hanging out with the family made this weekend amazing. Anna-Lee and I have had so much fun during her visit at Mizzou. I've introduced her to new people, shown her what college is all about, and shown her a few tailgates her so. Missing out on her time in High School has been hard, but being able to stay close with her has been great for our relationship. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88vl-QOBcI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/cwnh8kjk9JM/s1600/n1026510019_30194831_3826-1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88vl-QOBcI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/cwnh8kjk9JM/s320/n1026510019_30194831_3826-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462637202436392386" /></a>This is from my freshman year Chi Omega Mom's Weekend. Mom and I went to the Winery with some of my sorority sisters and spent the weekend exploring Columbia; Devil's Ice Box, Cooper's Landing and Chim's Thai Kitchen. Mom's Weekend is one of my favorite weekends because it's girl time all weekend, but includes our Mommas. We've gone to comedy shows at Deja Vu, the Winery for brunch and ginormous Bloody Mary's and maybe a song or two at the Piano Bar.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88vxQVMYLI/AAAAAAAAAHY/1pRakD9AZZ8/s1600/DSCN3524.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88vxQVMYLI/AAAAAAAAAHY/1pRakD9AZZ8/s320/DSCN3524.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462637396267655346" /></a>And finally, this is a picture from senior year Chi Omega Dad's Weekend. Dad's Weekend always falls on a football weekend, which calls for some good ol' Tiger fun. We tailgate with the best of them and celebrate after our wins at some of Columbia's best patios. Dad's Weekend is always a time of “Daddy Daddy bonding time” like we were told this year. I've loved having my Dad up here because it's a time for us to hang out and for me to show him everything about Columbia.<br /><br />These next pictures are just a few more from some of the fun weekends i've had when my family came to visit. Also, some pictures from St. Louis when Anna-Lee came for Christmas and at home in Little Rock since I'm close enough to visit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88wPCzCgrI/AAAAAAAAAII/ju9gDvyvapo/s1600/DSCN2480.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88wPCzCgrI/AAAAAAAAAII/ju9gDvyvapo/s320/DSCN2480.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462637908030816946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88wHTYxaOI/AAAAAAAAAIA/Z_bMTLJtlkw/s1600/15854_1137628714023_1026510019_30650596_4207570_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88wHTYxaOI/AAAAAAAAAIA/Z_bMTLJtlkw/s320/15854_1137628714023_1026510019_30650596_4207570_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462637775045093602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88wChWGYyI/AAAAAAAAAH4/887PjakxmAg/s1600/n1026510019_30454960_3879.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88wChWGYyI/AAAAAAAAAH4/887PjakxmAg/s320/n1026510019_30454960_3879.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462637692892635938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88v_8qcngI/AAAAAAAAAHw/LHb4NlIliig/s1600/n1026510019_30392035_2638.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88v_8qcngI/AAAAAAAAAHw/LHb4NlIliig/s320/n1026510019_30392035_2638.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462637648686128642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88v8-5iFdI/AAAAAAAAAHo/wu3dw5SJ2dc/s1600/n1026510019_30392040_4260.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88v8-5iFdI/AAAAAAAAAHo/wu3dw5SJ2dc/s320/n1026510019_30392040_4260.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462637597746664914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88v2wHltoI/AAAAAAAAAHg/RlakXvvYCyY/s1600/5081_1109056399733_1026510019_30568248_7070608_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S88v2wHltoI/AAAAAAAAAHg/RlakXvvYCyY/s320/5081_1109056399733_1026510019_30568248_7070608_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462637490699875970" /></a>ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-52417078307117171782010-04-19T19:36:00.000-07:002010-04-19T19:44:02.398-07:00#4: Mizzou-Rah! Mizzou-Rah! Mizzou-Rah! Tigers!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S80UgOYUfKI/AAAAAAAAAHA/CT5KC0NYVzs/s1600/footballField1280x1024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S80UgOYUfKI/AAAAAAAAAHA/CT5KC0NYVzs/s320/footballField1280x1024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462044466918751394" /></a><br />This next thing that I love most about Mizzou will probably come as a surprise to most people. Me loving football games? Right. But, seriously, I do. One of the most fun parts about going to Mizzou is an early fall football game. <br /><br />I have loved tailgating at Mizzou since Freshman year. However, when I moved to East Campus with 4 friends, and next door to our 5 other best friends, it got even better. This past year I think I probably went to 1 game, much to the dismay of my boyfriend, Jeff. But, I had the most fun football season ever. <br /><br />Most days we spent hanging out with alumni like Mr. And Mrs. Price, MJ's parents, Micaela's parents who came in from Kansas City, or our Dad's who came in for Chi Omega Dad's Weekend. We had a lot of grill outs, lots of fun tailgating games, and lots of bonding on the 1501 front porch. <br /><br />Since I will be moving to St. Louis, which is only two hours away from Columbia, I am happy to say that this part of college will never die for me. I have a few friends who will be here for one more semester, and luckily for the rest of us, it's during football season. That means a free place to stay when we come in town for these amazing weekends, and a guaranteed tailgate full of familiar faces. Knowing this is yet another reminder that I have absolutely made the best decision by staying in Missouri. <br /><br />Here are a few of my favorite photos from some of those fun fall afternoons. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S80UWEfv6uI/AAAAAAAAAG4/A4wuJkqFSHA/s1600/n1433820006_30146320_9529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S80UWEfv6uI/AAAAAAAAAG4/A4wuJkqFSHA/s320/n1433820006_30146320_9529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462044292466862818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S80UTMqYPGI/AAAAAAAAAGw/Q5VBn8HfkFI/s1600/n1307880116_30374873_8535.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 193px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S80UTMqYPGI/AAAAAAAAAGw/Q5VBn8HfkFI/s320/n1307880116_30374873_8535.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462044243119324258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S80UQF-BLKI/AAAAAAAAAGo/1hN3sHYKEM0/s1600/n1281390077_30068211_6958.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S80UQF-BLKI/AAAAAAAAAGo/1hN3sHYKEM0/s320/n1281390077_30068211_6958.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462044189783043234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S80UKhzMqTI/AAAAAAAAAGg/pEXCmyRx2mo/s1600/n502545359_4521547_1842.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S80UKhzMqTI/AAAAAAAAAGg/pEXCmyRx2mo/s320/n502545359_4521547_1842.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462044094174636338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S80UGkYJpXI/AAAAAAAAAGY/LwzsGIHrXUU/s1600/14845_792216280220_15935116_44604065_1969781_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S80UGkYJpXI/AAAAAAAAAGY/LwzsGIHrXUU/s320/14845_792216280220_15935116_44604065_1969781_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462044026147022194" /></a>ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-30653176391522287572010-04-15T16:50:00.001-07:002010-04-16T07:19:09.740-07:00#3: Amigas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8ene6MdvPI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/yL5eBIFdOdE/s1600/7328_786800772940_15934652_44369530_5936522_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8ene6MdvPI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/yL5eBIFdOdE/s320/7328_786800772940_15934652_44369530_5936522_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460517222669466866" /></a><br />Happy Thursday everyone!! I thought I would share with you all my next favorite thing about Mizzou: the friends I have made. Like I said in my previous posts, my friends at Mizzou have become my family. These girls have become my mother figure helping me when I don't feel good, my sister figure listening to my darkest secrets and the best party buddies a girl could ask for after a long week of work. <br /><br />When I came to Mizzou I knew I was going to miss my group of girls back home. There were 11 of us who did absolutely everything together and I worried that I would never find anything like that here. But, I am lucky. My girl friends here are so much like my friends back home it's amazing. <br /><br />So here are my friends. The girls that have help me make it through these past four crazy years. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8emsIAfFJI/AAAAAAAAAEo/NfqWBLUMyb4/s1600/IMG_6514.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8emsIAfFJI/AAAAAAAAAEo/NfqWBLUMyb4/s320/IMG_6514.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460516350203991186" /></a>This first picture shows the amazing girls of 1503 Wilson; my roommates. These are the girls I have lived with for the past year and who I spend absolutely all of my time with. This picture is from our Christmas card that we sent to our friends and families. From left; top row: Natalie, Kate, bottom row: Rosie, Me and Steph.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Let me introduce them:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8em0P3WRdI/AAAAAAAAAEw/r4IhanyoldI/s1600/n15936211_41539357_5468150.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8em0P3WRdI/AAAAAAAAAEw/r4IhanyoldI/s320/n15936211_41539357_5468150.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460516489752102354" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Natalie</span> is a Biology major from Plano, TX. She and I were roommates sophomore year when we lived in Chi Omega. She loves Hot Tamales, Charleston Chews (sick!), making her poofy hair face that I love so much and anything and everything Tiger Woods or Harry Potter. Don't be surprised if you're sitting around with Natalie and you randomly just hear her snicker to herself. She's probably just on one of her many websites reading some hilariously funny comic. After graduation Nat plans on going to Pharmacy school.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8em6sRQIQI/AAAAAAAAAE4/5jwXedY-PwI/s1600/n1304280020_30207878_4919.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 142px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8em6sRQIQI/AAAAAAAAAE4/5jwXedY-PwI/s320/n1304280020_30207878_4919.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460516600456159490" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Kate</span> is a Convergence Journalism major from Springfield, MO. She is a Theta, making her the only non-Chi Omega in the house, but we forgive her. She loves gummy bears, but only the Target brand, has the most beautiful hair I have ever seen and eats her sandwiches with only one piece of bread which I always find so amusing. After graduation Kate is going to law school and is going to become the best lawyer Missouri has ever seen.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8epsEthe0I/AAAAAAAAAFw/YzXgyzZIhwE/s1600/8324_778714358180_15935116_44074624_4135936_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8epsEthe0I/AAAAAAAAAFw/YzXgyzZIhwE/s320/8324_778714358180_15935116_44074624_4135936_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460519647854033730" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Rosie</span> is a Latin major also from Springfield, MO. She is one of the most traveled young adults I know; having lived on the side of a volcano for a summer, moved to Northern Ireland by herself and worked at a hotel for a summer and studied abroad for a semester our Junior year. Rosie is one of the funniest people to watch romantic comedies with because like a little girl she cannot watch people kiss. It makes her squeal. After graduation Rosie is going to law school.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8eqBCDhD8I/AAAAAAAAAF4/vf7bLH7HsDQ/s1600/n1307910163_30644491_3084788.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 169px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8eqBCDhD8I/AAAAAAAAAF4/vf7bLH7HsDQ/s320/n1307910163_30644491_3084788.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460520007918227394" /></a>And last, but not least, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Stephanie</span>. Steph is a Respiratory Therapy major from St. Louis, MO. She is the Mom of the group, always taking care of all of us from health issues to making sure we get home safely on a late night out. She takes years to put pictures on Facebook (sorry Steph), is the resident hair dresser and may or may not someday end up on Hoarders. After graduation Steph is going to go to work at one of the amazing hospitals in St. Louis and “save lives.” Because that's what she does. <br /><br /><br /><br />The next pictures are of the rest of my girlfriends. This one is of 3004 (the group of 10 of us who live next door to each other on Wilson street; 1503 + 1501 = 3004. Get it?) And the rest, are just a few of the amazing memories we have made over the last four years. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8en4-mCJxI/AAAAAAAAAFg/odZhYpY2NhE/s1600/DSCN3278.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8en4-mCJxI/AAAAAAAAAFg/odZhYpY2NhE/s320/DSCN3278.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460517670527051538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8enlPanl2I/AAAAAAAAAFY/wjzRgmNmvyc/s1600/n1307910163_30474608_6347.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8enlPanl2I/AAAAAAAAAFY/wjzRgmNmvyc/s320/n1307910163_30474608_6347.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460517331445192546" /></a><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8eoa9a-KwI/AAAAAAAAAFo/pMimxtDX0-M/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8eoa9a-KwI/AAAAAAAAAFo/pMimxtDX0-M/s320/DSC_0042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460518254327769858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8eq0c7J4JI/AAAAAAAAAGA/m8_0_EfGdSI/s1600/n510565874_1618402_7058233.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8eq0c7J4JI/AAAAAAAAAGA/m8_0_EfGdSI/s320/n510565874_1618402_7058233.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460520891304239250" /></a><br />Check back in a few days for more of my favorite parts of Mizzou.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-73674367641456565862010-04-13T09:28:00.000-07:002010-04-13T09:49:07.904-07:00#2 Chi Omega<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8SfD-PDWKI/AAAAAAAAAEA/TL-soSJBHRE/s1600/7519_1137721116223_1023210022_30737723_508388_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8SfD-PDWKI/AAAAAAAAAEA/TL-soSJBHRE/s320/7519_1137721116223_1023210022_30737723_508388_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459663538874439842" /></a><br />I would have to say that one of my favorite parts about my time at Mizzou has been my involvement with the Chi Omega sorority. I remember my first tour on campus when Mom and I came to visit senior year of high school. We got to the Greek side of campus and Mom said, “are you sure you want to be Greek? I don't know anything about it and you probably won't like it.” I automatically started to cry (I think I was a tad bit emotional). I remember begging her saying, “Mom, this school is so big. I don't know anyone. I have to do this to meet people.” And from that moment, Mom was gung-ho about the entire idea of being Greek, even helping me get my packets out to women across Little Rock for recommendations. <br /><br />I pledged Chi Omega on August 15, 2006. Like most people I was hesitant at first, I met friends outside of it, and didn't get as involved as I should have my first year. Then, when I moved into the Chi O house my sophomore year, I immediately fell in love. I started taking on leadership roles, hanging out with girls in my pledge class and eventually becoming a fully participating member of Chi Omega. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8SeCVHf_jI/AAAAAAAAADA/1K7mCIHMGCw/s1600/DSCN1996.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8SeCVHf_jI/AAAAAAAAADA/1K7mCIHMGCw/s320/DSCN1996.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459662411145412146" /></a>This picture is of my pledge class on Bid Day Junior year. Sure, we've lost a few along the way, but I think that it has left the best girls who make our pledge class as amazing as it is. We have girls who are great at sports (my roommate Steph), girls who are great at behind the scenes work (like my roommate Natalie and her time as the flat designer for all of our skits) and people who take every leadership position they can (like my friends Hannah and Bonnie). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8SePSdLHtI/AAAAAAAAADI/1JjESZQcmQg/s1600/DSCN2782.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8SePSdLHtI/AAAAAAAAADI/1JjESZQcmQg/s320/DSCN2782.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459662633769311954" /></a>During my time as a Chi Omega I have served as Philanthropy Chair. This picture is from one of the wish granting we were involved in with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Through philanthropies like the Annual Ice Cream Social and the Annual Omegamatch volleyball tournament, we provided this little girl with a $1,000 shopping spree. We were fortunate enough to tag along with her as she and her family went from store to store and finally ended up at a fun pizza party at Chuck E Cheese. Serving as Philanthropy Chair has been a very rewarding experience. I was able to be involved with a lot of the ins and outs of Chi O and see my fellow sorority sisters put their time and effort towards a good cause. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8SeV4mZF1I/AAAAAAAAADQ/mYPwt02K9aw/s1600/n1307910163_30623454_4198-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8SeV4mZF1I/AAAAAAAAADQ/mYPwt02K9aw/s320/n1307910163_30623454_4198-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459662747087738706" /></a>Another great thing about Chi Omega, and one of the fun parts, is the social opportunities it provides us. This picture is from one of our parties with the theme of what you were in high school. Of course, I wore my senior gold skirt, because what else was more of a right of passage at Central than becoming a senior and getting the honor of wearing the atrocious gold lemay skirt? (Please take a moment to notice Natalie's Robotics Club outfit.) These parties, along with the Sirena de Luna and White Carnation formals, provided a fun outlet for all of us. It gave us a reason to let loose and have fun when things can get stressful with tests, papers and projects. <br /><br />Finally, I am thankful to Chi Omega for the friendships that it has provided me. As you can see in all of these photos, throwing up the Chi O sign is something we do on many occasions, even if it may not be appropriate (Oops). But, in all seriousness, these girls have become my family at Mizzou. They are the girls that I go home with for short holidays when home is just a little too far, or I go to when I need advice on life and love. They are the girls that I spend practically all of my time with, even when there's absolutely nothing to do. I love all of these girls and know that they will be lifelong friends. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8SfO3ihrQI/AAAAAAAAAEI/hffGMtCz-7M/s1600/24718_843554343330_15935323_46299289_6604925_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8SfO3ihrQI/AAAAAAAAAEI/hffGMtCz-7M/s200/24718_843554343330_15935323_46299289_6604925_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459663726055632130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8SfVhvoryI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/L84HtL7AhSA/s1600/n15935922_40297559_6443.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8SfVhvoryI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/L84HtL7AhSA/s200/n15935922_40297559_6443.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459663840464121634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8Sfb853ZyI/AAAAAAAAAEY/uhrnoQYmwwU/s1600/n1305300818_30902793_6255916.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8Sfb853ZyI/AAAAAAAAAEY/uhrnoQYmwwU/s200/n1305300818_30902793_6255916.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459663950834001698" /></a><br /><br />Chi Omega has provided me with a family at Mizzou. It's provided me a way to channel my talents and grow as a person. I owe a lot of the growth that I have gone through in college to Chi Omega and the girls who make it up.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-47811241147314164112010-04-12T18:33:00.000-07:002010-04-12T18:44:43.850-07:00Mizzou #1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8PMgQoQOhI/AAAAAAAAAC4/DOiYZ1rBfF4/s1600/columns-banner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 188px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8PMgQoQOhI/AAAAAAAAAC4/DOiYZ1rBfF4/s320/columns-banner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459432027894856210" /></a><br />As my time at Mizzou winds down, I thought it would be appropriate to explain to some of my family and friends why I chose Mizzou and to go through my absolute favorite things about my four years here. So, the next few posts will be a little nostalgic for me, and probably not as exciting for you all, but maybe it'll just give you an insight into my time at Mizzou and why I love this school so much.<br /><br />#1: Why Mizzou?<br /><br />Throughout high school I basically pushed myself through classes. I never found one I truly appreciated. And, even when I did, I was discouraged by a not to be mentioned horrendous Physics teacher who said I wouldn't make it in the medical field. Thank the Lord I listened to him, because science classes would have been the death of me, but still, telling an impressionable young girl she isn't capable was a tad harsh. <br /><br />Then, my Mom recommended that I take Introduction to Journalism my junior year. I thought of it as a blow off class and signed up to make an easy A. After day one, I was immediately hooked. I fell in love with finding out what was going on around my community and being able to meet new people through interviews. After two years in the Journalism department at Central High School, and serving as the News Editor for the Tiger I knew journalism was going to be my path in life. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8PMWfXrpEI/AAAAAAAAACw/gZyT9mTWXH8/s1600/n1026510019_30006414_1330.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8PMWfXrpEI/AAAAAAAAACw/gZyT9mTWXH8/s320/n1026510019_30006414_1330.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459431860053189698" /></a>I started talking to Mom about which schools I could go to. I googled the top 10 Journalism schools and started doing research on all of them. Then, I found out my Bobbob, who I admire more than any little girl can admire their grandfather, went to Mizzou and I was sold. I visited Mizzou with my Mom, and later with my good friend Sarah Kurrus (as can be seen in this photo), and knew by October that I was going to be a Mizzou Tiger.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8PMA9vOKnI/AAAAAAAAACo/955JjNA8ov4/s1600/8_026150.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S8PMA9vOKnI/AAAAAAAAACo/955JjNA8ov4/s320/8_026150.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459431490247862898" /></a>When I started the Journalism School at Mizzou I was planning on specializing in broadcast journalism. I knew I didn't want to do advertising or public relations like the rest of the journalist in my family, and broadcast seemed like so much fun. However, through preliminary classes and hearing that I could possibly never quite make it in the broadcasting world, (and not to mention the money in public relations and advertising), I switched to be just like my Mom; a public relations professional.<br /><br />Now, three years later, and dozens of writing, reporting and advertising design classes later, I am graduating with what the J-School likes to call a Bachelor of Journalism specializing in Strategic Communications. What that means is I can do advertising or public relations, but my emphasis is more in public relations. <br /><br />Thanks to the amazing education I have earned while at the J-School, I have landed an amazing job working for the Higher Education Channel in St. Louis. I am going to be doing their communications and social media work. I am so excited, and thankful to my time at Mizzou for helping me make it to this point in my life.<br /><br />So, now you all know why I chose Mizzou, what I did scholastically while here, and what I plan to do when I leave. Keep checking back the next few days for more fun stuff about my time at Mizzou and my favorite things about the school.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-42504247284334518102010-04-06T09:00:00.000-07:002010-04-06T09:20:15.118-07:00Cruising through the last monthI am currently sitting in my second class of my last month of college. As I sit here hearing about ancient Hinduism, I find myself distracted by the images of my Spring Break vacation. It's hard to look at pictures of these amazing memories and pay full attention. (Sorry Mom. I know I should be getting your money's worth.)<br /><br />I thought I would share with you all pictures from my cruise so you can see what I was doing and who I was with.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S7tb_EdDulI/AAAAAAAAABQ/CqHj9AGbev4/s1600/24788_1293465299152_1305870033_31014425_1567186_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S7tb_EdDulI/AAAAAAAAABQ/CqHj9AGbev4/s320/24788_1293465299152_1305870033_31014425_1567186_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457056512574995026" /></a> This first picture is from our first night on the cruise. This is the entire group of 14 girls. Within the group is one of my current roommates, Natalie; my two future roommates in St. Louis, Hannah and Bonnie; Chi Omega sisters, Cindy, Brittany, Michelle, Pam, Casey, Lauren; and other friends, Kat, Laura, Alli and Jordan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S7teAc5BEMI/AAAAAAAAABY/J43DEHorCwc/s1600/24788_1293467459206_1305870033_31014447_6996110_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S7teAc5BEMI/AAAAAAAAABY/J43DEHorCwc/s320/24788_1293467459206_1305870033_31014447_6996110_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457058735337836738" /></a><br />This second photo is from our first port; Key West, FL. As I wrote in my previous post we spent the day shopping, tasting some of the local cuisine and beverages and touring Hemingway's house and a local lighthouse. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S7teHsxgquI/AAAAAAAAABg/XKW2B2dpU4s/s1600/24788_1293472939343_1305870033_31014518_193963_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S7teHsxgquI/AAAAAAAAABg/XKW2B2dpU4s/s320/24788_1293472939343_1305870033_31014518_193963_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457058859860404962" /></a><br />This photo is from our second port; Nassau, Bahamas. To say the least, this was a very interesting day as stated in my previous post. This photo is when our entire group safely got into the Atlantis Resort. This was one of my favorite days because I spent the day napping on the beach with the waves crashing behind me. I personally feel that there is no better way to unwind after three months of tests, papers, presentations and countless hours spent in the J-School lab cranking out ad after ad after ad. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S7teM8_FxOI/AAAAAAAAABo/_T5DXEsnycc/s1600/24788_1293475939418_1305870033_31014566_1930479_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lwjS1EXKSGc/S7teM8_FxOI/AAAAAAAAABo/_T5DXEsnycc/s320/24788_1293475939418_1305870033_31014566_1930479_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457058950111675618" /></a><br />And, this final photo is from our final night on the ship. We made it through the week with little to no drama, great memories and safe returns from our excursions on shore. We have memories that will last forever and friendships that grew even better through travels together. I am very thankful for this trip and the girls that I shared it with. <br /><br />Now, to get myself focused for this last month will be rough, but it is necessary. Today, Nanny and Bobbob are here and I will say goodbye to them over lunch after this class. And after that, it is time to buckle down. I have all of the creatives for my Capstone class due on Friday. A test on Thursday. Writing assignments, finals and presentations coming up in the weeks ahead. Keep me, and every other senior in your thoughts, as we maneuver our way through our final time as college students. Also, send some good juju up for my friends in the job search. A job is key right now!ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-22385317351194114372010-04-03T20:22:00.000-07:002010-04-03T20:38:27.867-07:00Back to LifeFive days later, and a lot of fun had, and I am back on land. I didn't think I would be so excited to get off the fun filled cruise, but thanks to rough waters and a queasy stomach, I think it may have been time. Here's an update of my trip:<br /><br />• 14 girls (Some sorority sisters, friends of friends and friends from class)<br />• 2 stops (Key West and Nassau, Bahamas)<br />• 5 nights (Dinner, a little karaoke and a lot of Carnival show watching)<br /><br />At our first stop, Key West, we toured Duval Street, went on a tour of an old lighthouse, and sampled some of the islands famous food and beverages. <br /><br />In the Bahamas, we had a more sketchy experience to say the least. We were supposed to be going on a party boat, but unfortunately we did not make it to the boat in time. So, our cab driver, Denise, said that she knew someone that could get us into the Atlantis Resort. I was immediately weary of this because the original quote we had heard was $120 per person, way out of my budget. Then, she tells us that her friend Carlo can get us into the resort for $60 per person. This is the beginning of our sketchy entrance into the Atlantis resort. Then, when it comes time to get the wristbands for the day we have to go to the resort, park in the back parking lot and wait for a white van to pull up. To add to the experience, the man made us move over in our seats so that he could get into our van and exchange money out of sight of any employees or guests. Needless to say, we got into the resort for half the original price, but I am almost certain that we may have funded some illegal actions. Great.<br /><br />The rest of the trip was spent eating amazing food, spending time with friends I know I won't see as much as I hope after graduation and seeing amazing 80's dance shows. All in all it was a great trip.<br /><br />I am happy to be home though. Mom was great and paid for me to come home for Easter with my family. Tonight, I had spaghetti dinner at Dad's and now I'm watching the Blind Side with Mom. It's nice to spend some quality time with my family since in a month I'll be a Missouri resident and a guest in my Little Rock homes. Weird.<br /><br />Well, I think this post is long enough, and full of information. Check back later for fun pictures from the cruise and more updates on my upcoming month.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-12823830133425048952010-03-29T06:10:00.001-07:002010-03-29T06:10:51.432-07:00Setting SailHey all, or probably just my Mom who reads this and asked me to write again. I am writing this from the business center at my hotel in Jacksonville, FL so it will be rather short. <br /><br />One of the most important parts of my last month in college is time with my girlfriends. To start this last month off right 14 of us have decided to spend our last spring break (because you obviously don’t get those in the real world) on a cruise. We will be leaving today from Jacksonville, FL then sailing for six days, stopping in Key West and Nassau, Bahamas along the way. The group of girls is amazing. All fun. No drama. And, lots of enthusiasm to make this the best spring break we’ve had thus far. I am so excited to get away from my Mizzou e-mail, which will undoubtedly be the home of 100+ e-mails when I get home, considering my capstone project is in full force. <br /><br />After the cruise Mom has bought me a ticket to fly to Little Rock and spend Easter with my Little Rock family. It will be good to go home and see everyone, especially Mom since lots has changed since I’ve been home last. And, it will be nice to have Nanny and Bobbob drive me back to Columbia, stopping to see Jeff and his family in St. Louis for dinner.<br /><br />All I can say is I am thankful. I am thankful for the friends I have to enjoy for the next month, and hopefully a long time after. And, I’m thankful for my family who supports me through this final, extremely hectic, month of college.<br /><br />So, keep our group in your prayers as we leave today and watch for a fun update full of beautiful pictures when I get back.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281739753881636585.post-37580082280656034062010-03-24T22:25:00.000-07:002010-03-24T22:48:21.788-07:00...And againNot sure if I'm really following blogging etiquette, but here's my second post for the day. <br /><br />If you know anything about me you know how much I love music. From the second I wake up to the hours I spend at the J-School, I constantly have Pandora playing in the background. I'm not sure if my roommates really appreciate this at 8:30 in the morning, but, it is my weakness. My most recent love is my Ingrid Michaelson station. I have absolutely fallen in love with every single song that has come on, as can be seen through my credit card's abundant iTunes purchases lately. My newest song, and motivation for the next month, came through this station tonight as I was contemplating what to title my new blog. The song is “Brand New Day” by Joshua Radin. <br /><br />In the words of Joshua:<br /><br />“It’s a brand new day <br />The sun is shinning <br />It’s a brand new day <br />For the first time <br />In such a long long time <br />I know <br />I’ll be ok.” <br /><br />Like many songs before it, I will most certainly play this on repeat for the next few weeks or so. But, this is the perfect time for such obsession. This song is going to uplift me in knowing that graduation is not sad, scary or something to dread, it's something that brings a “brand new day” and something that I should be happy about. While I will miss the Mizzou bubble, I know that my life has only begun and the only way to say it is “I'll be ok.” So, as I stay up late studying for my Hinduism midterm exam (something I will not miss doing when I enter the big people world), I know that life is good and it's only getting better.ABPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09424596625215794403noreply@blogger.com0