Swipe Right?

         Recently I have gone through a break up. My ex boyfriend of nearly three years and I decided that it was not meant to be. We could go way in to details about all of that but instead I am through the sad and shopping stages and now on to single and ready for adventure stages. While my nanny kid was taking a nap, I came across the application Tinder. Skeptical of what it was all about, I downloaded it... why not? I am single and this is a new adventure? 
        Anyway you link it to facebook and select your sexual orientation before the application begins to show you other peoples "profiles." The profile include four pictures, a few sentences in their about me and their age. You either swipe left if you aren't interested or swipe right if you are. Kind of a cool concept if you ask me but can be very nerve racking. If you swipe right and they swipe right than you can message them. There is the option to block members as well. 
       My roommates and I have all download this app. Two thirds of us have been on dates with it already! Using our best judgement this as been a very comforting way to go on a "blind" date. I have even reconnected with an friend from freshmen year! All in all the three of us have had some fun connecting with new friends from tinder. When in doubt... swipe right! You never know what will come of it :) 

a little preoccupied

        Busy does not even begin to describe the end of my spring semester. Between classes, sorority obligations, finding a job and the sudden death of my granddaddy I hardly had time to myself. Some days I was lucky if I had time to check my email. Things went from manageable to "ahhh" in the blink of an eye. I found a summer job as a nanny, sorority obligations were filled, finals came and went and I said an extremely hard goodbye. 

   Granddaddy was the closed thing I had to home while down at school. Matt & I went to visit him often, I loved listening to them swap old war stories. His door was always open to me and several times he jokingly asked for rent - I stored so much of my stuff there. Before I came to Ole Miss, he and my grandma would visit every Christmas. Besides being such a help around the house he always read The Night Before Christmas to us. And while growing up they would make a second appearance around summer time as they made their trip up to Lewiston. He will be missed by all who knew him. 

Gah

      Gah, time flies! I can't believe its already five weeks into the spring semester and baseball season has began! I don't know where to begin as its been months since I last blogged. So here is a quick recap... 


     I am back at Ole Miss, still planning on going to nursing school after getting a bachelors in something that is yet to be determined. I am no longer on exec for my sorority, which is different but I am getting used to having more time at nights. Matt & I celebrated our one year anniversary in January. He is currently working with the ROTC cadet's for the week and was with the National Guard last week. With him gone Isla and I have gotten a lot girl time. He did surprise me with tickets to see the Vow for Valentines day. Speaking of Isla she goes to puppy school training next week. The vet said we have a smart pup on our hands and to get her in training to keep her from getting bored. 
     

       Classes are going well, kind of boring. My microbiology class makes me a huge germ freak, all I want to do is clean. I don't understand the point of Principles Theater (or whatever its called) we disuse random thoughts that don't really connect to theater. Community Health is a blast, probs my favorite class. All I want to do is go for a run when I leave, my professor is awesome and makes it so interesting. I am taking a computer class once a night which is super boring, we are learning all of the microsoft programs for a pc, funny enough that I am on a mac. Also once a week I am taking a servesafe class, it is all about how to serve safe foods in different settings. Its actually interesting although I think that is only because I am taking microbiology and we have been taking about food poisoning. 
     I am trying to think of what else has changed although seem to be drawing a blank... Promise this time will blog more frequent. 

Home Sweet Home!

I haven't been home since July! 

It seems like so long ago, 

to come back is an odd feeling

not a bad odd but it is just different

I cannot walk outside in a xl shirt without judgement heehee

Matt & Isla made it to Texas just fine, 

she was apparently really good in the car.

It sounds stupid but I miss them.

I really want to bring Isla home from Christmas

It is funny to be here for a week and then leave

only to come back later on in the month. 

Sidenote...

Ole Miss plays LSU tonight, 

Go to hell LSU 

You may be good a football 

but

 you still smell like a corn dog! 

Hotty Toddy! 

Fall Formal

     Because of sicknesses last year this formal was my first. Needless to say it will not be my last! I had a blast! Matt couldn't go so I took one of my best guy friends Scooter! Interesting fact about Scooter is that he can swing dance... need I say more? We danced until I couldn't feel my feet and even some more after that! Needless to say it was a great night and after a trip to Micky D's it is going to be a great morning. I have an A&P test to study for and an over the phone interview with The Limited. I am soo excited, really hoping I get the job for during Thanksgiving and winter break-I have 6 weeks off. I cannot believe the semester is almost over, it is scary to think about how fast time flies.

What a weekend!

Mom and Dad came for the weekend!

On friday night Matt&I drove up to Collierville to have dinner 

We also popped into my cousins football game... 

we cheered for our lil cheerleader

On Saturday they drove down for the game!

What a game! 

I was so proud of my Rebels for it to be a game and not a slaughtering. 

We tailgated with my dad's ROTC buddies, the Theta's and my extended family

That night my parents treated Matt & I to dinner, 

with it being an SEC weekend the square was packed

so instead I chose a small restaurant off the square 

Honey Bee.

 Matt and I had our first date. 

It was a lot of fun.

Me and the parents!

true blue Ole Miss rebels

Mom and me in front of the Theta house!

the ole miss rebels! 

Dinner at Honey Bee! 

Study Break

Pandora's Glee radio and venti coffee is getting me through the morning. 

I have two a&p chapters done one to go! 

This isn't my first time studying I have been reviewing for awhile. 

(The test is one friday)

Recruitment begins at 2:30 

Pray for me! 

Pumpkin Spice

    I welcomed in Fall today by having the my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season! It was amazing, probably my favorite drink Starbucks makes. And to top if off the line was super short as Ole Miss officially has TWO Starbucks on campus. Laugh at me if you live in a city but this is a big deal, esp if you are like me and need your caffeine to function normally. 
    Anyway I love fall. To me it means, football season, pumpkin picking, leafs changing colors and wearing cute sweats and of course boots! I would say wearing orange but thats to Tennessee Volunteer for me! So here is my fall to do list!

This fall I want to...

- carve a pumpkin

- take a drive to see the leafs change

- watch Ole Miss win a conference football game

- dress up for class (so I can wear boots)

- jump in a leaf pile

- drink tons of pumpkin spice lattes

- make pumpkin bread

Mississippi Marriage... & Divorce

*Please remember that everyone's views are different*

  
   It is gross outside. So of course I stopped to get a coffee this morning and behind me are some not so stereotypical Ole Miss freshmen. They were having a discussion about the increase in Mississippi marriage and divorce rates, which was an article in the Daily Mississippian (DM) today. Naturally I listened in on what they were saying as my sociology class discussed marriage last week. For the record my parents are happily married.  Not being from "the south" (because according to most down here Virginia is not the south,which it is, Mississippi is just the DEEP south but that is for another post) I have been exposed to different ideas and people. The idea of an "MRS degree" or a "ring in the spring" is simply not something I was sent to college for.       
     In sociology class we talked about the increase of the average age for marriage, women went from 23 to 25 and men went from 25 to 27. To me this is not surprising, the pressure for a ring was never there, however this was a shock to others. A Mississippian piped up in class, she was shocked saying that Mississippi should have the lowest divorce rates because of the importance of religion and the importance of marrying for the right reason... love. When in reality when a girl talks about finding "the one" she hardly ever talks about love, instead she typically describes her dream ring, which is usually a huge rock... that doesn't sound like love to me. 
     The not so stereotypical freshman (a guy and his girlfriend?) had a different take on it. They were debating if sex had any play in it. Waiting until marriage is expected but does that cause a rush into getting married or change the reason in marriage? They failed to mention love although did explain(?) why both marriage and divorce rates were high. They debated that marriage occurs so young because it is tradition and because of the desire for sex and the divorce was a product of no longer desiring sex and not truly being in love, which doesn't make sense. Why you might think, because according to the DM article the most common age for divorce is 60, which is when most people retire. Interesting because that is when the kids are independent (hopefully) and it is supposed to be easy living. 
    So what are your thoughts? Is it totally absurd to be in college and looking for Mr Right or is it very feministic to put an education and a job before the search for "the one"? Where is the balance? 




PS.Yes, I do feel like Carrie Bradshaw writing such a relationshipy post. 

Game Day!

I know its about four days late but hang with me while I get my stuff together. 

      The saying we many not win every game but we never lose a tailgate was proven true last weekend. 

I tent hooped pretty much all afternoon, my sorority invested a small fortune on a new tent so it was really exciting to see it! Also we re-did our set up, new stickers, table piece and cups, call me crazy but I love this kind of thing. Matt however didn't understand it so in return we popped over to his fraternity tent. About 100 Hotty Toddy chants and watching the players walk down the Walk of Champions we began the search for my Aunt's set up. It took a little to get their (it is nearly impossible to find anyone in such a mass amount of people) but it is well worth it. Not only did she have the Auburn game on a flatscreen but she had an adorable spread.  

Naturally we took some family pictures! John, my cousin just joined me at Ole Miss this fall. Give it three years his sister Caroline will be an Ole Miss rebel too. I love seeing my family practically every weekend, it really makes Ole Miss my home away from home! 

Not one word about the actual game... I simply don't want to face the fact we lost to BYU 

Keeping My Promise!

     So I know since returning to Ole Miss I have neglected to blog, trust me when I say that is not on purpose. Its been a crazy past few weeks filled with tons of Theta Love, classes and catching up with old friends. It is the second week of classes and I have already turned in two papers and had a quiz. I am currently working on a nutrition impact project which I just so happened to be voted team leader, which is just exactly want I when going through a busy spell. Oh well I will suck it up and hopefully will have help from the group... I am dreaming I know. 
   Anyway being so busy I decided I deserved a treat and Lilly just so happened to be having a sale. So of course I shopped and bought and am in love. I mean honestly the discount alone was enough to love, a $328 dress and I got it for less then $50 (deal of the century? I think yes!!) Besides getting such a deal it is super cute and I already have perfect shoes for it! 

Things I am looking forward to:

-recruitment/new baby kites

- Ole Miss taking on BYU this weekend, Hotty Toddy!!

- a three day weekend 

- taking Isla to the dog park for the first time

- Breakfast for dinner tomorrow night! 

-Volunteering at the Hospital this semester 

-the fact that my lilly planner is full (academically and socially speaking) 

Sorry Sorry Sorry!

I know its been forever since I last blogged! I promise that is not how this year is going to be at least I will try my best to prevent it. This week was truly filled with Theta Love. We have been working all week for recruitment and I can't help but get super excited for our new baby Kites! Living in the house has been awesome, its so easy and I can't wait until I get my meals in the house... I might never leave. It is awesome to be back with all of my sisters! I can't wait until football season. 

Ten Telltale Signs of a Southern Belle

1) She calls the refrigerator the icebox

2) Even in her old age she calls her father "Daddy"

3) She would rather walk down 5th Avenue naked then wear white shoes before Easter or after Labor day. 

4) She calls her handbag a pocketbook

5) There is no couch, but there is a sofa

6) Iced tea is served all year long

7) Marching 20 miles for Women's Right is better then walking two feet with a light cigarette. 

8) Her shoes always match her pocketbook 

9) There is no such thing as a non themed party

10) Her dishes include a deviled egg plate 

TLAM

I made it back and finished finals! 

   Indy was A-MAZ-ING! I met so many awesome Thetas, I cannot believe I call them my sisters. My roommate was from out west so we had tons of interesting things to talk about, esp since I have never been to Washington State, it was really cool to hear about her life. Naturally I met up with my Southern gals. The big t shirt and norts guided me to my SEC and Texas sisters. We had so much in common, it was so awesome to hear all about their chapters and got some great ideas to take back to my own. Needless to say I have some amazing sisters and can't wait to be reunited with my own sisters. 

My SEC Sisters! 

Oklahoma & TCU Sisters

Finals!

Who doesn't enjoy Finals week! 

I know I don't! 

Lab Practical on Monday

&

A meeting with my advisor

Followed by:

Two tests on Tuesday

And Then,

I am done! I decided to not do July 

Class, it isn't worth the stress.

So back to NOVA I go. 

And then my summer can officially start!

Packing My Bags For Indy!

I am off to Theta headquarters! 

I couldn't be more excited to be going to the Theta Leadership Conference in Indy this weekend. It is going to be an awesome break from a small town PLUS I get to meet sister's from all around the US.


 I applied through our my chapter and was selected to represent us! The application was why I wanted to be chosen, in my essay, I included how proud I am of my letters, how coming to the Theta house is like a home away from home, it's a safe place full of my sisters and how I desperately want to strength our chapter, I could go on and on about how much I love it but I will save that for this weekend and save myself from tearing up. Anyway a few lines of my application are included below! I love and miss my Theta sisters and can't wait to be living in the house come Fall <3 

    "During rush I kept an open mind and heart, looking for the place where I could see myself as being a proud sister.  The morning of bid day, excitement does not even begin to describe my emotion. When I opened my envelope and found I was going to be a baby kite, right away I began my sprint down Rebel drive to join my new pledge class and soon to be sisters. Even while on the phone screaming to my own sister who is a proud member of Theta I made it down to the house first. At that moment I did not understand how much these girls, who I now call sister would grow so close and change my life. Right away I began to immerse myself in this newfound sisterhood. I wear my letters proudly as I am just one of thousands of women who understand our special bond.  Walking down to the house is not a chore but something I enjoy doing as the house is now a home away from home. I wanted to be active as an officer and help improve the chapter."

Green for Go

I know I have been lacking major (here comes the excuse) 

 but

 with classes and studying 

my brain is mush by the end of the day

I haven't seen 6am for this long since I started driving in 

high school, needless to say

coffee = my best friend

I even broke down and got a toaster 

for bagels (whole wheat of course!)

Classes from 8-12 with two ten minute 

breaks, then comes the studying

I am not whining though

b/c

with the job market like it is

I am glad I am actually doing something

productive this summer!!

I still need a job thought...

I am learning alot...

like living in a small town 

is nice but not for me

I need more then a one stop light town 

Gone like a Freak Train

    Gone like yesterday! I am off for a summer at Ole Miss! I don't know what is in store, most likely a lot of studying and heat. While away, Matt picked up another puppy from the human society. Her name is Isla (it is Irish) and I cannot wait to meet her, the pictures of her are adorable. 
   Also this summer I am living in my first apartment! I am super excited and am just might get used to the larger closet. I don't know my roommates all the well, one is a sorority sister and the other is a random. Hopefully, it works out. It is going to be so odd being on campus but not living in a dorm or going to the sorority house. Ahhhh I forgot to mention, I have to cook all my meals, so prepare for me to be sharing my new recipes!       
    

So much is changing so fast, it is so crazy! 

I am Sorry!

       Its been forever since I really wrote, and I am forever sorry. Life is pretty crazy while at home. Visiting friends from high school and catching up, it is so awesome to catch up with people again. It is rare that I am home for such a long period of time so I have seem almost everyone. In the middle of my two week summer, the girls (Kelly, Mom & Me) went to the beach house. We worked on the house in the morning, caught some rays during the days & had happy hour on the beach. It was just what the doctor had ordered. Everything is just so much better at the beach! I have three more days until I depart for Oxford  for two months!
    Putt Putt with Derek, my cousins t-ball game with the Leib Five & my Grammy tomorrow, Sleepover with my bestie &  a Nationals Game with the girls+ dad are going to fill my last days at home. It's amazing how time flies when you are having fun! 
    I will return to Oxford with two days to move into my new apartment and get ready for the June semester. It feels like I am moving in fastfoward yet I don't want to stop! 

Finished!

So I took my last final today! The weight was slowly lifted off my shoulders while I turned in the exam, I like to think I am has relaxed as Audrey...

It is crazy to think how fast this year went by. While packing, I can't help but remember when I first moved in. Ohhh how college changed me! I am so excited for a break to be able to go home. Some of momma's home-cooking and my boys are exactly what I need before coming back for summer school.