Packing for Europe

So I'm discovering that packing for 5 weeks is a bit of a task. Not because of how much I need to bring, but because of how little I want to bring! I'm hoping to bring about 4 tops, 3 bottoms, a jacket and a scarf. Which means they all have to be perfect and wonderful so I can stand to wear them for 5+ weeks, wash them in the sink, and let them dry on a line overnight. But, on the exciting side of packing, I'm hoping to only take one pair of everyday shoes: Keens! I've been eyeing these shoes ever since last summer - my roommate at Eastman wore them all the time - and they are finally mine! Pics to come! 

There is so much planning to do and time is running short. I spent some time at Barnes & Noble tonight researching hostels and attractions since I haven't committed and bought a travel book yet - I'm hoping to have a pretty well laid-out plan by the end of the week perhaps? If Kasey will email me back soon, that is.

Kasey and Lindsey are in Italia now, hopefully not getting kidnapped by the Mafia in Naples :) They said that Cinque Terre was amazing and I'm so excited to go!

Graduated!

Well, I did it!

Graduation day was May 10th, and it was a lot of fun! The whole week beforehand was a little bit crazy with packing and preparing for the Park Scholarships Senior Gala, but there were also lots of fun events and dinners, and the gala itself turned out great. You can see all sort of pictures from the graduation events (and the whole year) at my picture site (see links column on the right!). On graduation day a lot of family were able to come, and the ceremony at the College of Textiles was so nice - and it was good weather annnnd it was a good hair day! We had dinner at Mimi's Cafe, which is just a great place to eat, and then cake and ice cream back at the house! The diplomas have been framed, and its official - I'm an alumna! Now all that's left to do is put the new sticker on my car :)

Since then, I've been hanging out around the house, trying to make sense of allll my stuff, spending time with the fam, and running a bunch of errands. I'm getting really excited about my trip to Europe and I'm glad I have all this time to prepare! Kasey and Lindsey left last night and they are hopefully sleeping safe and sound in Paris right now. My rail pass arrived today, and I think I'll be doing a lot of trip planning starting next week - yay! Also my fantastic new shoes should be arriving soon - I've been wanting Keens since last summer, and now it seems that everyone has them, but oh well - I know in my heart that I was ahead of the trend :) haha

Until then, I'm looking forward to graduation Sunday on the 1st, apartment hunting on the 2nd and 3rd, Roger's graduation on the 12th and Megan's wedding on the 14th - as well as a lot of cleaning out, sleeping, and hopefully a little exercise - maybe resulting in some weight loss before the great European adventure? We'll see!

Saying Goodbye

Six days to go until graduation! It's starting to hit me more as I realize that I each time I part from someone recently, it might be the last time I see them! There are so many people who, even if I am not close with them, I am just used to seeing them on a regular basis. It's so strange to think I might never see them again.

This week should be hectic, but nice. I have a lot of work to do for the senior gala, many dinner to attend, and lots of packing to do! I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the gala on Friday, and take lots of pictures! I don't know if I'll even get to see Kasey and Lindsey on Saturday, so that could be my last day with them as well - which for Lindsey & I will be the last time we see each other probably for at least 4-5 months!!

It's still exciting though, I wish I was just as finished with school as I feel - there's a lot of loose ends left to tie up!

Sunshine & Movement

As you can see from my last post, I've decided to exercise. It's all a part of my new campaign to prepared for becoming a real person. A non-student. A 'young professional' if you will :)

Facets of the Campaign:

1. Combat the fact that I look 16 by taking care of myself, and not wearing jeans and tshirts all the time! This includes buying real clothes and getting rid of a lot of the crap I wear now. And good haircuts of course!
2. Take care of myself by eating healthy. This means learning to cook, and cook good foods. Stopping all the snacking, drinking more water, and eating smaller portions. Right now I snack obsessively when I'm bored and just eat a lot of junk.
3. Getting in shape! I haven't been 'in shape' maybe ever... Generally, I'm totally uncoordinated and unmotivated. I have the vague desire to exercise, because it sounds nice and healthy, but when that alarm goes off in the morning, there's no way I'm dragging myself out of bed to go run. And I can't go at night because I don't like to exercise after I eat, or I'm too busy. Excuses, excuses.
4. Learn! I know nothing about taxes, health insurance, finance, politics, car care and probably about a million other things I feel like I should probably be educated on by now.

Hence the new exercising business. I've discovered that the #1 thing to get me moving is the weather - I has been so nice the past few days and I've just loved being outside. Too bad that one's out of my control! But I've started walking/running with a friend and it is SO much easier to get up in the morning if I know I have an obligation. Not to mention an awesome time of fellowship and encouragement as we walk. And I've been enjoying that satisfying soreness in my legs. It reminds me that yes, I can exercise and it's actually kind of fun!

I'll keep you posted on the rest :)

Whyyyy?

It is 6:30 AM and I'm about to go running. It is cold outside and I miss my bed. I'm trying....

Brides Galore!

Two weekends ago I had the fun of attending two bridal showers in the same day! It was really fun (my first bridal showers!) and I'm really happy for both Sarah and Mary Beth.

Here's Lindsey and I with Sarah:and then my d-group at Mary Beths:
(Carolyn, Christina, Mary Beth, me and Sarah)

I had a great time and also learned that although all the presents are nice, I'm not ready for marriage yet! Do you think I could set up a 'graduating-and-moving-away-so-buy-me-stuff' registry? Because seriously, by the time I ever get married, I'll already own all the cool stuff that you get at a wedding shower.... at least I'll get all my china? haha

My mom has expressed fears that I'm going to move off to Texas, meet someone and then all her grandbabies will be far away. But I'm not to worried about marriage in my distant future at all haha, maybe I'm a bit cynical still? I suppose now is not the time to tell her I'm attracted to the thought of living/working abroad with Exxon!

Election '08

Chelsea Clinton came to campus this week to do some Q&A about her mother's campaign. It's crazy that NC actually matters this year in the primary - we'll finally get some attention! So I went with Kasey to see her, mostly just because it's cool that she was coming to campus, at to take a picture of her. I was successful haha:

So anyway, it was actually really neat to hear what she had to say to the questions (smart girl!) and I realized how little I know about the candidates. I already knew I was uninformed, but I also think I tend to oversimplify things - I've always just assumed I should vote Republican because they are conservative. But just because I'm conservative about religion and things tied to it doesn't mean that's best for our country.

So anyway, my mind is totally un-made-up, but at least now I'm a bit more convicted to actually read up on what these people are proposing. Things such as healthcare, higher education and foreign policy may turn out to be a bit more important than the religious zeal as far as our government goes.