First Day of Fourteenth Grade

These past few weeks have been insane. Recruitment week kept me busy; I don't think I left the KD house for a week. But, at the end of it all, it was so worth it. Getting our new group of KD babies was so exciting - waiting for the big reveal was such an adrenaline rush. It was by far one of my favorite moments ever as a KD. 

Bid day was great. We waited outside the house for the new pledge class with sparklers and screamed our heads off! Little did they know what they were getting into. The theme of our bid day was glitter (so dang cute), so we decked ourselves out in anything glitter that we could get our hands onto. Later, we went to a drive in movie. I had never been to one before and it was just as adorable as expected. We ate ice cream sandwiches and walked around west campus for a while. I may have even gone to some frat parties. Shocking, I know. The new pledge class is seriously great... I can't wait to see what they do in this chapter. I'm so happy they found their home in KD.

The day after bid day was a day to myself - finally! I went to anthropologie just to get away for a while, but of course I ended up buying a few things... anthro is a dangerous place. Getting a day off in between rush and my first day of class was exactly what I needed. I got about 10 hours of sleep (oops) and woke up for my first class of sophomore year. It was stats. I'm a PR major, so obviously math is not my thing... it will be an interesting semester. Now I'm sitting in my adorable room, drinking some coffee, trying to relax before the real craziness begins. The craziness of school and tests and homework and studying and no sleep.

Waking up for "fourteenth" grade was strange. I only have two more years of school, therefore only two more first days left. I think back to when I was little and was so nervous the night before school, I barely slept. I woke up and put on the outfit I had picked out days before and got my brand new backpack ready. My mom would help me with my hair and make my lunch and off I'd go to another year of school. I still remember the feeling I got walking into school, another grade older. The feeling I had this morning was so different; there were no nerves or really any excitement. It was just another day of college. But, walking under the tower reminded me of the excitement I should be feeling. Here I am walking on the campus of my dreams, heading to a class that some people only dream of going to (by the way, UT is number 37 on the top 100 best universities in the world, ahead of some Ivy Leagues... so proud). I really am lucky.

Going to the Chapel

My cousin got married this past Saturday and my parents were awesome enough to fly me home for the wedding. I was stoked! The day of the wedding was also my last day with John for a while... so it was an important day for me!

We got all dressed up and headed to the beautiful Watermark Church of Dallas and watched the two lovebirds get married. I was crying the whole time... I was ridiculous. He is the first cousin in our family to get married, so it was a special moment. It made me realize that we really are all growing up and our lives are changing. Sometimes I want the clock to stop, but seeing how happy and exciting his future looks made me excited for my own. 

John and I danced the night away, literally. At high school dances, I was still super self conscious and worried about what people would think of me dancing. But last night, John and I didn't care! Dancing with him made me want to have dance parties every night. I think they're good for the soul. It was even better when my family came out and danced with us... there's something about having your dad do the robot that just makes your whole day.

It was such a beautiful day and night and the perfect backdrop for my last few hours with John before our next year of long distance. Saying goodbye to him this morning was tough - cue the tears. And then saying goodbye to wonderful family and puppies at the same time - cue the waterfall.

My Dog's 15 Minutes of Fame

I recently was approached by a blog called Coffee with a Canine to answer some questions about my relationship with my dogs. If you know anything about me at all, you know that I love my dogs. So of course, I was so excited! I think that the idea for this blog is so cute and creative. Reading through the interviews and getting to know the dogs and their owners is so fun. Dogs really are the best. Go check my post out here!

Guess Who's Back, Back Again

I'm baaaaaack! Being in Austin is wonderful and crazy all at the same time. When we first drove in I thought to myself, 'I hate this place'... but that was just the traffic frustration talking. Besides the awful traffic and insane heat, I love this place!

 My parents, John, and I explored Austin a little bit on Saturday. We went to one of my favorite lunch spots and went to the top of Mt. Bonnell. Later, we ate some amazing pizza and saw a comedy show. We walked through 6th street afterwards and I couldn't help but laugh thinking here I was on 6th street with my parents. They are seriously the coolest. 

Moving in to the KD house was quite dramatic... 5 minutes before we were all about to leave to go move me in, I get a text that a pipe burst in the house and that no one can move in. Let's just say I freaked. My mom and dad ended up having to stay two extra nights than they had planned and I'm so thankful that they were so supportive and flexible. They worked so hard to make sure my room was comfortable and perfect - yeah, I have the best parents ever. 

This year, I'm living with three other girls in a room called the Quad Pod. It's complete with bunk beds and 4 desks in a row. Some people say I'm crazy for wanting to live in a room of 4 girls, but I think it'll be an experience that I will remember forever. I'm so happy I found these three (hey Taylor, Emily, and Clara).

^ Thank you mom & dad & John for an awesome weekend. Your love means everything to me!

Love Does

I recently read Love Does by Bob Goff. It's one of the most incredible books - easily now one of my favorites. It's a Christian autobiography about Bob's life. His crazy, fantastic life. Page after page, I was dumbfounded by the life he has lived and the memories he has. After every chapter I would be like, "MOM! You won't believe this."

Reading this book got me thinking about my own life. Most days, I just wish for the next day. I don't enjoy what is right in front of me. I am constantly dreaming about better things ahead. But come on... there are some many beautiful things in my life everyday that I ignore. Like waking up to my dogs licking my face. Or smelling the coffee that my dad is making. Or realizing how lucky I am that I woke up for another day. Another day to conquer the world. 

I also realized that I play it safe way too much. I'm too scared to try anything new. I'm always thinking about how I could get hurt, or get in trouble, or do something wrong. But life isn't about being safe... or about being perfect for that matter. It's about being open to your fears and facing them. It's about trying new things and living a life full of adventure, because that's it - you only get one life.

All I have to say is thanks Bob Goff. And thank you, God!