Jello: Here, There and Everywhere

Happy Halloween!

We had another great week here in the Big City.  We had a ridiculous test on Wednesday.  It was lengthy and time consuming and non-stop writing.  Finally after the teacher had extended the class by 30 minutes he just told us to turn them in...he was happy with our diligence and was just ready to go.  Yeah, it was fun.  Yeah, I celebrated that night.

I will be making a trek HOME this weekend.  I can hardly stand it.  I am literally counting down the hours until I am in Oxford.  My thoughts are consumed with what I am going to do, where I want to shop, who I want to see, what I want to eat, so on and so forth.  I haven't left the Big City yet, so it will be quite a treat to head south.  I'm ready to hear a southern voice...probably most of all.  Come on Thursday!


Surprisingly I've never made mention of some very important weekly traditions.  Two things that make my week complete.  First, on Wednesday we go to trivia night at this little bar across town.  Dr. Love hosts so we first went to support her but in going we've met some pretty cool people along the way...the combination brings us back every week.  We call them our non-CID (our school) friends.  Don't get me wrong, we love being together, but some times it's nice to not talk about...hmm...the resonant frequency of the ear canal, or masking, or how many layers of blood vessels are in the ear...basically just non school stuff.  It's definitely a break...and well deserved.  My other very special time is on Thursday.  Thursday= TV time (pronounced like T-shirt time...like on Jersey Shore).  The Thursday night line-up is crucial to our week.  A time for relaxation and togetherness.  Usually the day where we overindulge (consuming more calories in one evening than should be consumed in two days...calorie-smaloire)...the official start to the weekend.

Halloween in the Big City was amazing.  Everyone took such attention to detail. Lots of fabulous costumes. The "big event" was in our neighborhood and since we live the closest we decided to host a little gathering.  We had a good turn out and a good time.

When we got home it was pancake time.  I attempted bacon as well.  That was a nightmare.  I don't even eat bacon...so I had no clue how to cook it.  Scorched my finger.  I enlisted a sous chef after that.  Waking up this morning was fun.  My apartment had the very intoxicating aroma of bacon, vodka, and jello.  Why you might ask?  We made jello shots for the occasion...which I found everywhere....like on the walls of the kitchen, on the baseboards, on the floor.  Everywhere.  Definitely worth it.  Here's the aftermath.

I don't recommend leaving a syrupy plates out all night. 

See y'all (well some of y'all) in God's Country...in a few short days.

I Can't Help but Wonder

I can't help but say that today was a hard day.

I wasn't there.

I wasn't in my place.

You see, if I had been in my place this week I would have been: jumping up and down, screaming, crying, explaining, bonding, laughing, staying up to all hours of the night, loving, dancing, being silly, making decisions, convincing, hugging, juggling...I would have been...at rush.

I loved rush (heck, I loved the deeg) more than the average human.  I enjoyed it.  I thrived off of it.  If I wasn't sick or without a voice at the end of the week...it just wasn't a successful week.

I felt a certain sadness this week as I carried on with my life here in the Big City.  I wouldn't trade where I am today but I couldn't help feel that at the end of the week (today) I would be nothing but a face on the composite to all these new girls.  Not only would I be a stranger to them...they would be a stranger to me.

Am I excited for them?  Absolutely.  Do I doubt for one minute that their experience will be nothing less than amazing?  No. 

Do I know that they will be: Rocking in the rocking chairs on the front porch, making football signs, dominating Derby Day, campaigning and winning every stinking election, envious of Room 6, having long chats, being/ making best friends, witnessing tap dances (ok...well only if AK makes an apperance), snuggling during late nights, scrutinizing over who to take to formal, going out, feeling at home, scratching backs, loving on Eva, James, and Ms. Russell, living in that White House, going to chapter, Sisters, decision making, learning, making mistakes, eating chicken pasta salad, figuring out what to wear to swaps, telling secrets, having crushes, studying, growing, maturing, picking bridesmaids, laughing...some times crying, tearing up the yogurt machine, finding remnants of peanut butter all over the house, building each other up, and on and on and on....

Yeah. 

I do.

Why?

Because those are all of the things that I did.  

I know I might be a face on the wall now.  That's ok.  It's their turn now. 

I just can't help but wonder when they will know it was the best decision they have ever made. 

Hey-O

Oh what a week.

It has been a week full of visitors for me.  I'll get started soon on all of that.  But Hey-O to my new friends who are following me now.  I've never made a shout-out to y'all.  It's hilarious to me that anyone would read this blog other than possibly my mother.  But hi out there to Canada, the UK, Japan, and the Netherlands.  How you found me, I have no clue...but glad you are here.  I'm surprised you've stuck around.

I've had one very honored guest this week.  Boosin.  She made the trip up on Sunday.  We shopped till we dropped, ate (and ate), and visited.  It was a great visit.  I got to show her my school and neighborhood.  We checked out some areas I had never been to.  That's why I love this city.  A new adventure every day.  We checked out the Basilica of "the Big City".  I was speechless...and often times you don't find me that way.  It was so majestic.  It houses the largest series of mosaics in the United States.  If you make it to these parts you have to check it out.  A definite must see.  I will be attending mass there in the near future.  It is literally in my backyard.

 Also love the architecture here.  How could you not?  I'll get pictures of the inside next time. 

While Boosin was here we did some decorating.  We covered a canvas in some fabric (such an easy project) and it immediately made a huge difference in my living space.  I love it!

Boosin met all of the friends in the Big City.  She even cooked for us!  That was such a treat because I am honestly sick of planning what I'm going to eat every night.  Yes, I know I will be doing it for the rest of my life.  I so took the deeg for granted.  What I wouldn't do to be able to walk downstairs and eat a fully prepared meal...even if it was meatloaf (the name of the dish "meat + loaf" is utterly disgusting to being with) or something even more disgusting.  We feasted on enchiladas, homemade salsa, and rice.  It made such a happy party plate...with Gooey Buttercake for dessert...another Big City classic.

The aftermath. 

Her visit was much too short...but I will be home soon enough!  

In other news and random happenings this week:

1. The timeline is hard to remember but some time after Doomsday (see previous entry for this reference) we had quite a scare here at the apartment.  The roomie turned on the garbage disposal and the most God-awful noises started coming from the kitchen.  It sounded like glass was being shredded up by metal.  Funny thing.  It was.  Some how a shot glass we don't even own shot glasses got down in the disposal.  We thought we did a good job of getting the glass out but didn't test it again. Welllll.  While I was cooking the other night it locked up.  Would not work.  Oh and the water wouldn't drain.  So we called maintenance.  Played stupid, of course.  I felt terrible when he came in and stuck his hand straight in the disposal.  I thought, if he cuts his finger off on the glass in there...Could I  1) still act like I had no clue the glass was in there...like it was there before we moved in...or 2) would it be unreasonable to believe we've not used the disposal in almost three months.  Sure enough, he reaches in and says, "You know there's glass in here?".  Oh no sir...not a clue.  He then used very unconventional methods to fix it.  But fix it he did.  Thank God. 

2. I hit up a microbrewery this week.  It was amazing.  I am now a beer connoisseur.  (Hey-O the font just changed...not sure why)  If there is even such a thing.  I really learned a lot and now feel like I will be pretty daring when I'm out on the town.  So many options.  

3. I'm now irritated with the font.

4. I.love.fall.  I don't think I knew what fall really was until I moved here.  I purposely walk out of my way to stomp on leaves.  I love the sound of the crunch.  I love the smell of fall and the wind and the colors.  It is gorgeous and one His best masterpieces so far. 

5. Meet Jack.  I will be taking care of this little pooch on Tuesday's for an older classmate.  He is the sweetest thing and he loves me.  Yes, he calls me Aunt Beef...just like Piper-Kitty.

I dare you to tell me he isn't adorable. 

6. What blog posting would be complete without a few pics from the week?  This is actually also a test to see if the roomie is reading the ol' bloggie.  She had no idea I had such cute pic-ies of her on here.  I just keep telling her if she would act right I would stop being ugly.  Rude.

7. And finally.  I ran across this book this week.  I'm kind of sad the author beat me to the punch.  I've been working on a manuscript like this for years (years=lifetime=experience).  Believe me, it was easy to write and based solely on experience*. 

(*Disclaimer: I am actually not a frigid bitch. I'm obviously kidding.)

Have a great week. 

This Has Never Happened To You..Guaranteed

This week has come and gone.  It was a good one.  Full of studying and homework.  First midterm done...it ended up great.  We celebrated a lot this week too...because the midterm was over.  Why not?  We also met some new faces this week which is always exciting.

So Friday, right?  As I said, we were celebrating.  We (the single ladies) headed out.  We met up with some of the "new faces".  4 girls and 4 guys.  Great conversation, good company, lots of laughs...what more can you ask for?  It seemed like we had just gotten there when the lights flickered and the bartender said "last call".  None of us wanted the night to be over.  We stood for a while trying to figure out if we were going to a different bar or if we wanted to go home.  We settled on everyone coming back to our house.

We starting playing Catch Phrase.  Again, why not?  Having so much fun....getting very competitive.  Girls against boys, you know.  All of a sudden, one man runs out of the room and to the bathroom.  But not just any bathroom, my bathroom.  He was throwing up.  I just knew it.  I chose to think on the positive side of things...at least he isn't barfing on my carpet.  Poor Dude comes out and falls out on the floor in my living room.  He is laying there...I, of course, turned into a little mommy asking if he needed water or food.  He said no.  He popped up really quickly and ran back to the bathroom.  I decide I'm going to make some pancakes...logical. 

I was in the kitchen mixing up the batter when I hear a loud crash.  I knew what it was...my favorite platter from Delta C pottery.  I held my breath...hoping it hadn't shattered into a million pieces...when I heard, "Yep, it's broken".  Hmm.  I look down and my pancakes were scorched.  I tossed them, turned off the stove, and put the batter in the sink.  I was done.  I walked out of the kitchen...close to tears...and announced I was going to bed.  Poor Dude just left...didn't say bye...just ran out with his friend.  Roomie was very upset that I was upset.  I just needed to get in bed.  Chaos for a good ten minutes.

Before I got in bed I walked into my bathroom just to make sure Poor Dude hadn't thrown up in my shower.  I heard the shower curtain move during all the drama and wanted to have it cleaned up that night instead of waking up to it.  To my surprise, no throw up in the bathtub.  As I was closing the shower curtain I looked down into my garbage can and saw what I thought was a t-shirt.  I was like, why is there a t-shirt in my garbage can?  At my second look I realized that it was a pair of men's underwear...



In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, Poor Dude "poughkeepsied" in his pants.

Yes. 

It happened.  He then proceed to discard his soiled drawers in my garbage can (and then bailed without a word).

Again, yes.


I'm sorry, but take that crap with you. 





Here are some pictures from the memorable evening.

 (Ironic: last picture of the platter :()

 

As usual.  My life.

HE did as he always does

Today I did it.  I took a leap and went to church in the Big City.  I've had to do some silent encouraging.  I've been terrified to go....alone.  A lot of people here are spiritual but the ritual of actually going to church is not a big deal.  It's daunting to walk into a church where you don't know a soul.  Not to mention, being new to the city....where do you go....how do you pick a church if you don't know anything about them (or even where they are)?  It's been hard.

So yesterday I decided.  Beth, YOU are going to church tomorrow.  Find one.  So I got on the internet.  Googled churches near my house.  A Presbyterian church popped up.  I looked at their website.  It looked inviting.  So I decided I would try it.

I get there this morning.  Oddly at ease about being there.  I walked in and made eye contact with this woman.  We started talking.  She picked up on the accent...as I picked up on hers too.  Where was she from?  Yes, Mississippi.  Where did she go to school?  Yes, Ole Miss. 

She was actually the preacher.  We had a great conversation about SEC football.  We learned we were sorority neighbors.  I met her husband....and nearly half the church.  Then, in walks a girl from my program.  We sat together....I wasn't alone.  The organ began playing, my heart was swelling, and my eyes were filling with tears.  I was in the perfect place....and He brought me there.

He did as he always does.

Mizzz Berry

I don't know what it is about me but I can usually predict when a couple will get engaged.  With edotlouise, we didn't even think it was on the radar but we told each other through camp letters that we would be each others bridesmaids...just days before she got engaged.  I've predicted others too.  I'm pretty good with a timeline.

Wellll.  I was right again.  My H(e)art...is engaged.

As I sat today (Saturday...published late so she can tell everyone!!) studying for anatomy my phone started ringing.  I saw that it was My H(e)art, so naturally I picked up (Thank God I wasn't in the library for what happened next).  I picked up and 2.5 microseconds later she said, "Beefy, I'm engaged!!!!!".  Blood curdling screams filled my apartment...I'm surprised I didn't shatter glass.  I was jumping up and down.  She was breathing heavily/screaming.  She began story time and I began sobbing.  Chadberry did everything right.  Perfect proposal, asked all the right people, he took perfect care in his plan of action, thought and prayed a great deal about this whole process....he did it right.

I'm so happy for you two.  I felt so honored to be a part of such a special day.  I have loved watching this relationship blossom.  You both live so joyfully and your joy rubs off on everyone around you.  You are such a supportive couple.  The fun you have is contagious.  You are both so thoughtful---whether it's choreographing a special dance for Valentine's day, making a collage after a special trip to Africa, being the first on the scene after a wreck (ready to kill someone), surprise visits after a long day, going to a formal with the GMAT the next day---you both have such a way of making the small things a really big thing.

I couldn't be more excited for both of you.  I can't wait to celebrate the very special day with you.  It's going to be magical.  I can't wait to see where things go from here....

The BEST is yet to come.



OH and because I had to.....

Happy Birthday Boosin

October 8th.

A day to celebrate someone who means the world to me.

Today I hope you celebrate in style. I hope you laugh until you cry.  I hope you have a smile on your face all day.  I hope your worries are few and you do something just for you!

Boosin- the original nickname-er, funny dancer, teacher, guider, confidant, supporter, not a gossip, comforter, selfless, lover, and my mother...

Thank-you for shaping me into the person I am today.  I wouldn't be where I am without your friendship and guidance.  You instilled in me long ago the desire to be independent and the will to succeed....thank you for that.  You've been a great role model and I hope that I one day have a daughter to share this same type of relationship with. 

Thanks for always being my number one fan.

Wish I was there to celebrate with you.  Dinner on me in a couple of weeks...you pick of course.

Celebrate!  It's your special day.  Be selfish because you can.  Eat some cake. And laugh a lot.

I love you Mama.

Happy Birthday Boosin

A Taste of the City

Another great week in the Big City.  It really is hard to find anything to complain about.  I will go ahead and warn you that my posts might be few and far between in the coming weeks.  It's midterm season, baby.  I'm cracking down.  I also have a visitor coming in...sixteen days.  Yep, mi madre is coming to spend some time with me on her fall break.  I can't wait.

So this week was the week that I have been dreading.  The BRAIN lab.  A.real.human.brain.  I was absolutely terrified and I did a great job of almost putting myself into a fit of tears right before the lab.  I stayed strong.  I literally prayed for an hour while I was getting dressed for this person and their family.  I really thought about it as a whole person and was really freaked out thinking about where the rest of the body was.  I also prayed that I would learn something from the whole experience and would be better suited to answer questions from patients because of this experience.  As the brain came out of this bucket and was resting on the table in front of me...I nearly fainted.  Everyone in the room knew my feelings on this lab and said my facial expressions were priceless.  I wouldn't know. The smell was overwhelming but I did finally work up the nerve to touch it.  I was finding cranial nerves left a right.  It was a good experience.  Something that I really forced myself to do.  I'm glad to know first hand what these structures look like and I feel confident about my test when it rolls around.  I faced a fear and it felt good.

Thursday I went to a graduate school mixer with some friends.  It was interesting to see all the different disciplines together (law, pharmacy, business, medical, OT, PT....).  Interesting in that, there are amazingly attractive men in all of them.  Good thing most of them are on the other campus...I wouldn't need any distractions.  Of course, the amazingly attractive men stuck with their schools while I got hit on by people who drive motorcycles from 1987 and make their on fuel, a 4 foot New York Italian, and a fine gentleman named Bahaa.  You may choose to pronounce that however you like. Bahaa: like a Baja Chalupa from Taco Bell (which is ACTUALLY how he introduced himself to my group) or the way I refer to him...Bahahahahahhaaa.  You know, it's your preference.  At the mixer I traded numbers with my neighbor...who is a law student.  His story (and presence) continues in my next tale.

Friday we planned on a low-key night.  It seemed like we all had something to do and that all of these things were ending at different times.  We finally decided to try out a roof-top bar in the Loop.  Something we had never before.  We were excited.  In that time, I get a text from neighbor boy saying that he would like to go out with us that night.  I thought, no big deal he will bring his roommate and it will be fine.  Oh but no, the roommate had other plans so it would only be him...with five girls.  Ok, whatever.  He comes over.  We were having fun.  Finally get a taxi and go to the bar.  We get there and we all started mingling with other people.  It was getting late into the evening.  I was still sitting in the same spot I had started with this guy.  We talked the whole night and were having a great conversation.  All of a sudden- the roomie, neighbor boy, and Dr. Love walk over.  Things were rowdy at this point.  Roomie and neighbor boy were behind me and Dr. Love was squatting between me and this poor guy.  Neighbor boy was playing with my hair....roomie was philosophizing about life and somehow compared me to Simba and the poor boy to Nahla and made more than one reference to the Lion King and Circle of Life...Dr. Love was encouraging roomie's behavior by bouncing up and down (while squatting) and flapping her arms singing "Pink Pajamas Penguins on the Bottom" (here it is from the movie...starts at :30 and it does sound like pppotb).  Poor boy was sitting there looking at me.  I had my hands over my face...peering out from behind my fingers (cue nervous laughing).  He didn't run but I know he wanted to.  Finally, my  friends left.  Poor boy looked at me and laughed.  Then said, "Ummm well maybe I need to find my roommate".  Yes, the exit cue.  He shuffled off quickly but has surprisingly talked to me since then.  I've never been more mortified.  As usual, these things only happen to me.  It is what we like to call...my life.

Saturday we went to The Taste of St. Louis.  It was so much fun.  A lot like Double Decker so I really felt at home.  Food was on a larger scale here and the art was on a lower scale but we were after the food yesterday so it didn't matter.  They had booths from all kinds of restaurants here.  I sampled shark bites, toasted ravioli, chicken tiki masala (Indian...my fave), and a caramel (pronounced car-MUL here...sick) apple.  A great time was had by all.  We came back here for drinks and then went back down there for a Sister Hazel concert last night.  They were great (as usual).  It was so good to hear a Southern voice!

Fall is in full swing here.  It really happened over night.  It's been in the upper 50's all weekend.  I'm glad I get to experience all four seasons here.  Not to mention, I get to wear my boots and dark nail polish again.  I'm drinking it up.  I love fall.

I've learned this week that people here are obsessed with pumpkin.  Or really pumpkin flavoring.  Here are the Big City's pumpkin offerings: beer, bagels, cream cheese, ice cream, cheese cake, muffins, bread, lattes, pie...oh and I'm sure I'm forgetting something.  I've never had a hankering for anything pumpkin.  Won't be starting now either.  It's strange.  Why would you mess with beer like that?

Have I ever mentioned the "Smells of St. Louis"?  Oh.  They are my favorite.  You can get a straight up whiff of sulfur when you least expect it.  I love the alley way by Tom's (bar) too.  Not only are juices from the dumpsters rolling down into the street...these happies are accompanied with the intoxicating odor of rancid meat and every putrid garbage odor you can imagine.  I walk by it daily...usually twice...holding my breath.  I've considered bottling the "Smells of St. Louis"...you know, as a keepsake.


That was just a taste.  And all for you.