Roomies Old and New

I've honestly had some of the most amazing roommates a girl could ask for.  People that have shaped me into the person I am today.  I am thankful for each of them.  Lucky for you, you get to learn a little about each one.

Crosby 408
After Bid Day I met my sophomore year roomie...Jeansy.  We had no idea that we had been sitting almost beside each other in one of our classes or that we were both from Memphis.  We became buds instantly and I just knew I wanted to live with her.  We both majored in communicative disorders so it worked nicely to have a study buddy.  What I remember most about sophomore year was just laughing all the time.  Jeansy gave me a second family.  Her Papa Bob is my Papa Bob.  She was there for me when my own Papa died.  We had fun.  Fraternity parties, swaps, dancing, missing class the first week of school for going out the night before, we did a lot.  She was perfect for me in that season.  For you, Jeansy, I am thankful.

Room 6, The Deeg
I could write for days about Room 6.  There are still many days that I wish we could just go back in there and lock the door...not come out.  Some of my favorite memories were made in that room with some of my favorite people.  I thought we laughed a lot in Crosb....not true.  We never got anything done because we were laughing or playing pranks on each other.  The gazelle always brought on a good laugh, Bob the Creeper in the closet, dance parties, Poopurri, towel stealing, and one Tacky Tourist sneaking upstairs when he shouldn't have been there will be some of my best memories. Jeansy, Janety, and Notorious/Scarry/MAP- you changed me.  It was an amazing year and one I will never forget.

Janety
You strengthened my faith.  You really taught me HOW to be a faithful disciple and you led me by example.  You are my secret keeper.  You always know how to make me smile and do it so well.  Your care-free spirit is hard to come by.  You really do your own thing and if people don't like it?  Who cares.  You're a GREAT friend and a special girl.  For you, Janety, I am thankful.

Notorious/Scary/MAP
MAP was also my roomie senior year for the first semester.  MAP always offered unique dance skills and accents.  She is always there to make you smile and you can tell her anything.  She is a great listener.  For you, Marion, I am thankful.

The GO
Second semester of senior year we got kicked out of the deeg because we had finished our terms in office.  Let me tell you, it is difficult to find a place to live for a semester.  Luckily, I was given an opportunity I could not refuse.  Edotlouise and My H(e)art asked if I would be interested in living with them.  Haha.  Would I be interested?  I would be honored. The GO was a great place to live.  Spiced tea, back rubs, Pink Paris Poodle Pjs, special dance performances, Pharmacy tests, the pink study corner, Richie the repairman, Beefday, bible studies...we did a lot.  It was a place for building up and not tearing down.  I became a bridesmaid (x 2) and found a couple of pretty cute bridesmaids myself.

Edotlouise
She is definitely more than an a writer, wife, and dancer.  A pure soul.  Most dependable.  My listener and keeper of my secrets.  The sweetest voice you will ever hear.  The best advice that will ever be given.  She cares about you.  A whole lot.  For you, Edotlouise, I am thankful.

My H(e)art
Joy.  Pure joy is the only way to describe this gal.  She can make the darkest of days exciting and happy.  Her smile and her laugh are contagious.  She has never met a stranger...truly, we met in the Dillard's shoe section while both at Ole Miss having never met each other before...we weren't strangers any more.  She is always curious and has an enviable enthusiasm for life.  She really knows how to LIVE.  A true friend she is.  For you, myh(e)art, I am thankful.

The Big City
I took a big leap heading to the Big City...especially not knowing anyone.  The day the list went out of our class roster, I honestly fb stalked everyone on that page.  Shameful, I know.  When I fb'ed my roomie, I took one look at her and looked at My H(e)art and said, "This girl is going to be my roommate".  I'm not sure why I knew but I just knew.  After some email correspondence, she called one day (after harassing me for my "southern accent") and said, "So are we living together or not?".  Oh, um, I guess we are.  And so it was.  Since we've lived in the Big City we've added an "unofficial" roomie.  The Berns.  Since her apartment is a little further from school than ours, she eats many meals with us, shops with us, and even sleeps over with us...every weekend.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  With make-up applications, Just Dance II (and the Michael Jackson experience), Disney movies, TV time, fb stalking, Jimmy John's, Pickles, ex-boyfriends, current boyfriends  manfriends stalkers male acquaintances, Redbull, 30 something year old bosses, Saturday "recovery" days, and demolishing the apartment on a weekly basis...oh and school...we are always up to something.

Roomiekins
Your wanting to do all things Southern (Self proclaimed Southern Name: Katy Jean Hart) makes me laugh.  My snuggle bunny.  Michael Jackson's biggest fan.  My little angelic singer.  Comedian.  You made me the wild child I am today (meant in the most loving way possible).  My study buddy and my teacher.  My encourager.  Storyteller.  Undercover genius.  You've taught me a whole lot in the time I've known you...you probably don't even know that.  You made my transition so easy.  For you, my Roomiekins, I am thankful.

Berns
Oh my Berns.  My little vegetarian (making me a new eater of tofu).  Selfless Berns.  Could be the most thoughtful person I know...that is a truly bold statement because I know some thoughtful people. Builder of my spirits.  First person I've really known to tell me something straight up...completely honest...in the best way.  Giver of advice and she does it well.  My homework partner.  My unofficial roomie.  We were meant to meet.  For you, my Berns, I am thankful.

So, thanks for living with me.

Each of you have had an enormous impact on my life.  I'm blessed to know you, but even more so...I'm grateful in knowing that time and distance may change us...but no matter where we go or what we do...we'll pick up right where we left off.

Happy Merry

I have to apologize.  I have been in a blogging funk lately.  Finals kind of took over my life.  It was hard for me to even put words together that didn't have to do with digital hearing aids, ear canal resonance, or really just the EAR in general.  Then when they were over (which has only been about a week) my brain felt like it was on fire and I didn't feel like stringing any words together.  But here I am.  I promise to do better.  I still haven't finished the roomie blog and I haven't told you about getting trapped in the elevator.  Yeah, you'll want to check back.

So we had a great Christmas.  I'm sure you all did to.  This year was so special for me.  2010 has been a truly wonderful year for me.  I really learned how to trust in the Lord this year and His blessings have been abundant.

I feel like we have the best Christmas traditions.  I'm sure everyone feels that way but ours really are the best.  We always head to my grandmother's on the 23rd to start the festivities.  We always get a good visit in that day and night.  I kind of feel like it's my family's special day with her.  But Christmas Eve?

That's the day the real fun begins.  When I was little my grandparents owned a clothing store, so the day always started out there.  I know I've talked about the store before but Christmas Eve really probably was the most fun day to be there.  People rushed in to BUY...because it was the deadline.  It was always the place to visit old friends and see people from town.  I remember playing in the windows and "selling" to customers who would come in.  While we don't do this anymore...I'll always have fond memories of "working" at the store on Christmas Eve.

The rest of the traditions we've done for as long as I can remember.  Christmas Eve night everyone comes to Mimi's for dinner.  We start hors d'oeuvres around five.  This year we had sixteen...we were missing twenty-two people, I believe.  Happy hour kicks off the holiday while we wait for the carolers.  Yes.  The carolers.  They come every year.  We go running to the front door when they ring the bell and stand on the porch for their performance.

 That's some merriment, y'all 

Filing out on the porch

The carolers really have to be my favorite part.  A mini-reunion on the front lawn.  Where friends have become family.  The last Christmas my grandfather was with us, the carolers came up into the house and went into his room to sing to him.  Let me tell you, the tears were flowing that year and even as I type a tear has crept up on me.  It really was one of the most special moments of my life and one I will never forget.

After the carolers leave we head back into the house and eat our Christmas Eve gumbo.  My daddy is always the chef for this meal.  It is so good and it has become a joke with our family friends every year, "Don't forget the gumbo".  It's a staple.  Gumbo and meat-pies.  Every year.  Thankfully I've learned the secrets that go into the pot...I've hovered over him every year...watching his every move.

We literally feast and have wonderful conversations until bedtime.  In the town where my grandmother lives a siren goes off at nine o'clock every night.  We affectionately call it "the nine o'clock whistle" and it really has gone off every single night since really...forever.  Really, forever.  When we were little, when "the nine o'clock whistle" sounded it was time for bed.  We've since loosened the reigns on our "bedtime", but I still go to bed early so Santa can come.  Yes, Santa still comes and he always will.

Christmas morning is my favorite day of the year.  Everyone gets up early and we head down to the kitchen.  The baby cousins (we aren't babies anymore coming in at 24, 22, 21, and 19...but there is a gap between us and the old cousins) and our families stay at Mimi's house...because we all live out of town.  So as I was saying, WE all gather in the kitchen.  All the doors to the den are closed...no peeking...because that's where our gifts are tucked away in our designated spots.  God forbid Santa forgets where we are located.  We have our SPOTS.  When we are ALL in there we can open the door. We head in and start opening.  Mimi turns the kitchen into a diner...cooking up a breakfast storm.  After we've reeked havoc on the den we wait for the other family members to arrive.  We show off our Santa gifts and visit for a moment more before we feast on some Christmas breakfast.  We eat everything a traditional Southerner would eat for breakfast, plus ambrosia...my absolute favorite. 

After that, we head into the living room.  We all have our designated spots to sit in.  Like, don't try to sit somewhere new because it.ain't.happening.  We open the gifts under the Christmas tree.  The gifts are from Mimi and Papa and our Secret Santa.  This is the most special time.  The baby cousins pass out the gifts to all of the family members.  We sit and watch each other and all you can hear is "Wooooo!!!", "Ahhhhh!!!", "Oh me lard!!!", "Thank- you, Mimi!!!!".  It's exciting let me tell you.  My favorite part is watching my sweet grandmother take it all in.  Pure JOY is on her face the entire time.  She loves watching the babies, seeing the excitement on our faces, and having her family all up in the same room.  I love watching her gingerly open her gifts and really just cherishing EVERY gift.  It really it my favorite part.  I used to watch my Papa do the same thing.  He drank it in...really in gulps.  His eyes twinkled during this part...that's why it's my favorite.  Norman Rockwell would be having a hey-day.  I kid you not. 

(Please spy the hookah on the shelf.  I really am Lebanese) 

After gift time, it's shower time.  We get dressed in our Christmas outfits and prepare to feast again.  And believe me, we do.  Once our feasting is over we clean up and head to the living room...well the ladies do.  We go up there and chat while the men sit in the den and sleep watch football.  We just enjoy being with each other and really spend the rest of the day catching up with one another.  Family bonding and it's always the perfect medicine.

I wouldn't trade it.




On a side note, we had a bit of sad news the day after Christmas.  I'll let her tell you about it because she says it so perfectly.


Happy Merry, y'all.

What's Up

Hey guys.

I am still alive.  Promise.  Finals have started.  Oh my.  Not too bad, just really busy.  I took two last week, plus "test 3" for Anatomy.  It was a pretty overwhelming week to say the least.  Don't worry, I lived it up Thursday-Sunday.  So here I am now, two finals between me and Christmas and what am I doing?  I'm in the middle of my "grace" week.  I thought I always wanted one in undergrad but I've proven to be very unproductive with the days I've had off.  What have I been doing you ask?  Oh you know: going out, eating, watching movies, watching youtube videos, playing in the snow (yeah I said snow and lots of it), practicing my driving skills in the snow, blogging (I have a roomie blog in the works...check back soon), doodling, being lazy, cleaning....you know ANYTHING that isn't studying. 

 Since I'm still on that kick right now, I'll show you what I have been up to.

Making Wreaths

Kicking people out of my car who wouldn't let me come back to the Big City 

Studying a bunch of muscles, learning the value of a Sharpie, and drinking a bunch of coffee

Learning it's easy to sleep anywhere 

Grad School will make you do some weird things

Checked out some lights at the zoo

Sipped on a martini 

Got a precious Christmas card 

Check out what else edotlouise can do!

Got my first snow here in the Midwest 

And went to a work Christmas party

I now have this facing me ....

Yeahhhh.  So I'll be catching you later.

Just wanted you to know.....

What's up.