Why yes, I'm going there...

I know I've graduated and moved on from my days at Ole Miss but I have to say...

Today was my favorite day of the year in Oxford.  A holiday if you will.

Sigma Chi Derby Day. 

A time honored tradition for the Alpha Psi Delta Gamma's.  Why?  Because we always win.  We do. 

Derby Day week is the best of your life.  It's the time when pledge classes go away and you are all just working together.  The time where you all really get to know each other while working towards a common goal. 

This year DG took the title home again.  A 3peat they're calling it.  2009, 2010, 2011.  My little Indians dominated and I'm so proud.

I was sad this week not being there.  Sounds crazy, I know.  But it becomes ingrained in you.  That feeling of competition and sisterhood all wrapped up in one.  MyH(e)art knows how I feel.  We were both "in the loop" this week with random people calling us to tell us different events they had won.  Just to hear their excitement made me feel like I was there...and part of it

Watch my girls as they take it away.

Yeah, so what...I went there. 

Weekend

Well he came.  "He" as in... Mystery Man.  In a few moments, his identity will be revealed on the blog...for the first time.  I hope he is ready for the fame that such a debut will bring to his life...since, you know, so many people read this.

So presenting to you, for the first time....

Boyfriend.

Yep, you read that right.  We had a great weekend together.  He got to see the Big City and really learned how I tick.

He got in close to dinner on Friday night.  I cooked.  Never cooked for a boy before.  We had chicken spaghetti, salad, and chocolate-chocolate chip pound cake. He actually ate it and said it was good.  After dinner we changed and danced in the living room...got in some good dance practice for all of the weddings we have coming up...there's no way we will disappoint.  My smile during that time was undeniable and could not be wiped from my face. That night he got to meet almost all of the Big City friends.  We headed downtown to the piano bar.  Someone wore his cowboy boots and it was just the right flavor that needed to be brought to the Big City...but we did get a chuckle out of it.

 Berns' brother came to town for the first time!  We loved him!  I also became an adopted sibling.  Our hair is pretty close in color....well at least now it is.

 Roomie suggested the picture be taken this way.  Possibly the most awkward photo of my life.  We celebrated her 23rd on Tuesday.  Another post...that you won't want to miss. 

 They became biffles and no telling why their eyes were so squinty... 

The next day he got a quick tour of the city.  Saw my school and some of my favorite places.  Then we headed to the Loop.  Easily one of my favorite places in the Big City.  We walked around and then went to Pi for lunch.  Again...easily my favorite if not MY FAVORITE place to eat in the Big City...undoubtedly my favorite location.  We pleased someone's limited palate and then headed to the zoo to meet up with Berns, her brother, and A. White Marfechuck (Yes, that is spelled correctly, no, it isn't a species at the zoo, and no, she hasn't made her debut on the blog).  We had a great time with the rest of the state...literally everyone and their mother went that day.

 Got to see my favorite animal.  The giraffe.  Obviously.  No, he wasn't trapped up in there the whole time...we were actually there near closing time so he was getting in his bedroom I guess.  Neat because that's the closest I've ever been to one but freaky at the same time.  The zoo kind of creeps me out in general.

Then this guy was some hybrid animal.  Looks very zebra-esque in the hind-parts. Second to the giant anteater that lives at the Big City Zoo, this was the ugliest animal I've ever seen.

 Maybe it was the walking around, possibly all the fresh air, could have been the sun beating down all day (but in no way was it my sinus infection and double ear infection) but after the zoo?  We were EXHAUSTED.  I had been planning a fun date night for that Saturday...and come hell or high water we.were.going.to.do.it.  By the time we got ready to go it was getting closer to 8.  After a quick me getting lost detour we ended up at our location.  Immediately ordered a beer sampler.  It was great but we were too hungry to think.  Like ravenous.  We ate some time after nine...we all know that was way past my feeding time...especially after not having a snack time all day...but really.  After that we were headed to have martinis.  I told him the plan and he asked if I would mind if we skipped that part.  BEST THING I HAD HEARD ALL DAY!  Instead we rented a movie and I was asleep in 2.5 seconds...after it started. 

He had to head back Sunday.  It was a really sad day for me but we had a great time the entire weekend. It meant a lot to me that he would work so hard to get to come...this is tax season, after all.  We laughed so much.  Had him expand his horizons by eating hummus and refried beans.  That still makes me laugh.

Ready for visit number 2! 

Sancee

I'm honestly surprised I've never written about Sancee before.  My aunt.  Really, more like my grandmother.  See, my daddy was a "surprise" (although he claims he was the only baby my grandparents really wanted...that's neither here nor there) so Sancee was twelve years older than my daddy.  My daddy was also older when he had me, so my grandmother was close to her 80's (if not in her 80's) when I was born.  So Sancee kind of adopted me and The Poodle as her own...to take us to different activities, watch ballet performances, attend soccer games, keep us on weekends, etc.

We were close.  She died when I was ten.  Nearly thirteen years ago.  Gone for more than half of my life.  It's hard to imagine.

I can vividly remember our time together.  Almost like a movie playing in my mind.  Different snapshots in time but I can hear her voice and remember exactly what she said.

She was diagnosed with cancer right after I turned ten.  I can remember going to the hospital after the initial diagnosis and I will never forget what she looked like.  She was so sick.  I had never, and still to this day, never seen anyone look the way she did.  I couldn't even look at her.

She ended up spending the summer (during the week) with my family so she could get her chemotherapy treatments.  She would go home on the weekends because she was so sick (from the treatment) and didn't want to scare me or my sister.  Initially I can remember resenting her for being there because my room...became her room.  In the end, that was one of the best summers of my life.  I think for her, just being with us was the greatest therapy.  That summer was our last with her.  But I walked away with some incredible memories.

After the summer, we watched her body just deteriorate.  By Thanksgiving she could hardly walk and was the sickest I had ever seen someone.  I sat in her room with her.  I know she was in so much pain.  She sat and tried to wear her wig (which she hated because it itched her head) but finally took it off and wore a red cap.  I can just remember streams of tears just running down her face as she sat and looked at me.  I think she knew that her time on Earth was coming to an end.  And it was.  Because that was the last time I ever saw her.

She died in December. Two days before Christmas.  She had been in the hospital and we were going to see her on our way to family Christmas. I spent the night at a friend's house the night before we left.  I remember crying and Lauren praying over me that night before we went to sleep.  I think part of me knew she was gone but no one had actually told me.  I ran home the next morning.  My dad was sitting on the edge of his bed...drying his hair.  He wouldn't look at me.  I knew.  I wanted him to tell me.  I started asking- When are we going to the hospital?  How long will we stay?  How is she doing?  Asking the questions that my fifth grade mind could formulate...almost screaming within...I needed him to speak.  I'll never forget him slowly turning off the hair dyer, putting it down on his thigh, and turning to look at me to say- she died last night.  He said, "We aren't going to the hospital anymore".  That's all he said.  She was gone.

It comes in waves.  You know, the times when I really miss her.  The moments when I just want to pick up the phone and call her and tell her what's going on.  She's missed almost thirteen years.  The years where you get your heartbroken, you start to drive, graduations, true loves, the up's and down's...she missed a lot. I've missed her a lot in the past year.  Maybe it's because I graduated from college, or moved, or have new people in my life, or...I don't really know.  But I do.  I miss her a lot.

When I was in college I would find myself driving to her old house a lot of times.  It took a lot for me to drive down that road but I finally did it.  I would sit in this parking lot next to her house and talk.  Just talk to her.  And I would get mad and some times really sad and some times I would just talk.  Just tell her what was going on.  Sometimes I wish I could do that here.


I know this post was a lot about her death.  I obviously remember a lot more than that.  Tina Turner, James Dean, pickle seeds, car rides, snuggle time, iced tea, great stories, and so much more.  She was an amazing lady.  So full of life.  So strong.

I miss her.

New Love

I realized as soon as I typed the title that I've used the word "love" a lot lately here on the blog.  Maybe it's because I am.  This weekend I fell madly in love with a bald man.  Many of you have seen him before.  He lines the aisles at your local supermarket.  That man?

Yeah, you guessed it. Mr. Clean.  I love him for his Magic Eraser.  You think I'm kidding.  I bought one yesterday because I've been seeing so many commercials for them.  I thought, what the heck?  I'll try one.  How great could they be?  Let me answer that: they are amazing...possibly even magic....if you'll allow me to go there.

I started with my bathroom last night.  Two magic erasers later.  My bathroom was pristine. I know you use them over and over...but it was that bad.  I had no clue.  I went back the store today and got four more.  All the cleaning put me in an OCD mood, where I proceeded to clean the entire apartment.  Kitchen.  Bam.  Spotless.  Vacuuming.  I even went as far as to move the furniture to vacuum under it.  That hasn't happened since October in quite a while.  Dusting.  Washing.  Cleaning the baseboards.  Who am I?  Not sure but I feel great.  And my little humble home?  Looks great.

I can tell you that it had absolutely everything nothing to do with the fact that Mystery Man (MM) will be here on Friday.

No it needed to be done.

A good Spring cleaning, if you will.

Thank-you Mr. Clean. You made it easy.

Marry me?

No Surprise

I have to tell some truth here and now.  I forgot a very important day and I've been beating myself up about it since I "remembered".  Yesterday, edotlouise had a procedure performed.  We've been knowing about it for a while and if I'm being completely honest it had me pretty freaked out.  She told me on the Beef Day when it was going to be done so I had it in my mind but with midterms and a week off...I became wrapped up in MYSELF.

So today, I called her, like I normally do, right after class, on my way home so we can talk through the lunch hour.  She didn't answer.  I was then mad that I had friends who had to work during the day but I carried on.  Ate some lunch.  Got on facebook.  The usual.  While doing some light stalking, I saw a cute picture that edotlouise had posted of her "cute visitor"(Alliecat/Chucy).  That's when I lost it.  I missed the big day.

I immediately picked up the phone and called Dr. Kurt.  I was frazzled asking about the patient and just so upset that I let it slip my mind.  He assured me that she was FINE and that she was in the shower and would DEFINITELY call me after she got out.

She did call.  She is, in fact, FINE.  It did go GREAT.  I didn't admit any of this on the phone to her.  Partially out of embarrassment, partially out of shame, and partially just because I was so happy to get to talk to her.

In typical edotlouise fashion (this comes as NO SURPRISE) she spent most of the time on the phone wanting to hear about ME and MY problems.  That's just how she is.  Honestly the most selfless person I know. I take great comfort in knowing that she is on my team.  I take great pride in our friendship.
I'm thrilled that things went well.  I hope you rest and take advantage of having a live-in doctor on your hands.

No surprise she taught me again.

Even on a huge day for her she was thinking about everyone else.

Yet another great reminder....

it's not all about me.

love lately

Made a steal from edotlouise on this one.  I hope she doesn't mind but I wanted to share some things that I am loving right here and now.

Joshua Radin is currently making my life.  Who am I kidding?  He has been for a while.  These records in particular make me really happy. 

Today

I'd Rather Be With You

You Got What I Need

OPI Texas collection.  Yes.  After my long winter anything even remotely related to Spring/Summer makes my heart swoon.  Austin-tatious Turquoise, anyone?

Keeping with the Spring/Summer theme

Um, hi.  Purple eye shadow.  Can you rock it?  I can and I LOVE it.  Also the Birthday Cake Lipgloss from Bare Escentuals?  Yeah.  It's magenta but it makes me happy.  Go get some.

Oreo Pudding.

You can buy it at the store.  It looks just like this.  For 120 calories...you can't beat it.  It's better than ice cream.  Go now.  Get some.

Directions.

I love that over Spring Break I was give directions to "turn left at the pasture".  It's not every day that you have landmarks like that.  Especially not in the Big City.  I wouldn't have a clue where to find a pasture.  The said pasture looked similar to this one...except for a long gravel road down the side...which I also learned I love driving down gravel roads.

Weddings.

I got to see her get married.  My cousin...who we will call Cher...got married over the break.  I felt so special to be a part of her big day.  We always grew up putting on big performances for our family.  Rehearsing on Christmas Eve (day) for a large Christmas Eve performance (usually a number from Sound of Music) before bedtime.  I was honored to rehearse with her again before the biggest day of her life.  Even more honored to stand beside her as she became a wife.
Pictures. Cake. Dancing. I love a wedding.

Family.

This is obvious.  And something I always love. Duh.

Words of Wisdom.

He did it again people.  Shot some truth.  Words to live by.  I  was right.  He had no clue he had given me words to live by nearly two years ago.  He said, "I do remember we had a good talk that night".  Yeah we did.  You changed the way I would think about EVERYTHING.  And he did it again.  Standing there eating crawfish.  Another post, another time.


Clean laundry.
Open windows.
Full pantry.



Just to name a few. 

Hiatus

I've been a terrible blogger as of late.  I wish I had some exciting story or something fun to share as to explain my absence...but I don't.  Just school.  It has been ruling my life.  So what have I been doing in the past month?  Well, in between studying I've been:
Baking cookies for the Mystery Man (MM).  Catch that?  MM has been on the scene for a while here.  He doesn't live in the Big City so I had to get creative for his birthday.  I knew I wanted to get golfballs for sure. Did you know there are like a gagillion types of golfballs?  Even after you narrow down the brand...there are still levels of golfball...it was a tough decision especially since it was a surprise...but I consulted my golf pro and he told me what to do.  MM got some other happy-s but I knew cookies were a must...because he loves chocolate chip cookies.  So I try to bake them during a pretty busy week and after clinic and a meeting.  I was frazzled and ended up confusing tablespoon for teaspoon.  Pretty big difference.  I was hoping I could get by with a ridiculous amount of salt in there but no...they were horrible so I ended up tripling the batch...which produced 112 cookies and me staying up until 1:30 in the morning baking.  Luckily, he is worth it.  I do have to admit they were prettttyyy righteous.  Maybe the best I've ever made.

It was a mess.  Dough everywhere.

Ugh.  Looking at those pictures I get sicked out.  My hair was looking rough there.  Oh yeah because in the past month I've cut it off and dyed it red.  A red-ish brown-ish blonde-ish color.  I love it. 

These colors were the inspiration.  I do have to say that I was getting some make-up today and the girl said, you know who you look like?  "Lindsey Lohan when she was still pretty and before she went crazy."  Oh, ummm thank-you.  So I honestly can't believe I'm about to do this but here it is.  Let me preface this by saying that I don't normally take solo shots but I had lots of people to show so here we go

The red is hard to see but it's there.  I promise.  I do normally look cute too but it was late...after just coming in from the library...and after almost fainting that day.

So that day, we went to MRI/CT...imaging over at the hospital.  I'm still slightly confused as to why we went but we did.  It was very interesting I do have to say.  But we were all jammed in this room watching this sweet baby get an MRI.  I got HOT.  Really HOT and knew I was going to drop it low...aka hit the floor if I didn't get out.  So I made a move, which concerned EVERYONE in the immediate vicinity.  I stood in the hall to have a breather and as my knees began to buckle my teacher had swooped in and these two men were rushing me down the hall.  I got some water and cold rags put on me.  I felt better immediately.  Everyone who worked on that floor was happy that I didn't fall out...would have been bad for their reports.  I was happy to oblige. 

We studied a lot for midterms.  It was a pretty rough week.  We had three last week and one the week before.  And not to mention my birthday fell right in the middle of last week...so I just knew it was doomed to be the worst week ever.  But it wasn't. 

1. I got to look at these people all week, which helped.  We studied hard but spent a lot of good time laughing.  For instance, have you ever thought how funny it would be to have a baby named Greg.  Greg seems like such a man name.  We laughed about that...ok maybe me more than anyone but it was still funny.  

Did you know she won't bite into an apple...takes her knife everywhere :)

You would think they would know by now to act right.  It's going on the blog 

2.  We studied in some new places, which helped.  One place in particular was a flavorful coffee shop.  The artwork was super unique and went along with the vibe of the locale.  We all know I love people of all flavors and colors but this was just funny. 

Fine art or a painting of a hermaphrodite, you be the judge. 

3.  MM sent me a study happy that eased the pain a little.  I also easily gained 10 pounds.

4. Then Beefday.  Was perfect.  I just knew it was going to be a terrible day.  Berns and MM told me that *I* had the power to make it any kind of day I wanted it to be.  So basically, I needed an attitude adjustment.  True statement.  I was still pretty bummed about it the night before, but I woke up to this: 

And I cried.  Roomie and Berns had decorated the apartment while I slept on Beefday Eve.  I had sweet notes everywhere.  I went to the office for a tour, where the staff had gotten me doughnuts...which they MADE me eat before the tour.  I had clinic that day but it went great and was a lot of fun.  When I got out I headed to Tom's to eat with whoever could tear themselves away from studying for a bite to eat.  Almost everyone was able to make it and it just made my day.  I felt so special.

When we got home, I had a small package waiting for me from Berns and Caitlin.  I cried.  Again.

The purple gem.  A little Stella & Dot action.  Love it.  It was the best day.  So many people reached out to me through facebook, email, text, and phone calls.  I just can't tell you how incredible it felt to get so many sweet messages and to know so many people were thinking about me.  Thank you.  The celebrating continued.  This past weekend I got to celebrate with MM and my family.  Perfect weekend and so many wonderful gifts...pictures to come once I get everything situated. 

So now I'm on Spring Break.  Getting to relax and getting in some good visits with lots of special people.  Another post for another week.  For now, I'll leave you with this.

No, not MM.  This gentleman was in to get a spray tan while I was at the tanning place.  It kind of blew my mind.  Then again, who am I to judge.

Back from the hiatus.  Hopefully, you'll be seeing me on the reg.