LDOC

Last Day of Classes was amazing and it was the perfect distraction from my busy week of exams. Here are some highlights.

1. Our school always has a big party in front of the library with music and funnel cakes and free give-aways, a giant blow up slip and slide. AND the best part is we finally get to play in the fountains!

2. After dinner we went around to every academic building and took pictures together and gave toasts! We even snuck into our old rooms on the ADPi hall from sophomore year which is where we all really became best friends. We've decided we are going to make this a yearly tradition- something we do at homecoming each year. I think it would be hysterical to sneak past the RA and onto the hall with a bottle of champagne when we are all old ladies.

3. After our campus tour we headed downtown to meet up with everyone else and hang out and enjoy my last day of college classes EVER! It was a great night!

Tuesday Tunes: More Time

Today is my last day of college classes.

I don't really know what to say.

I cannot believe that I am here.

Here is a song that makes me tear up every time I hear it nowadays. Basically I need more time. Not more class time, or homework time (because really I am soooo excited to be done with all that!) but time to just be at college. To be with my friends. To enjoy my time with them, to appreciate the times we've already had together.

NEEDTOBREATHE- More Time

"We're off to new lands, so hold on to my hand, it's gonna be alright.

It's a whole lot brighter just standing by the fire, it's gonna be alright.

Yeah the road gets harder but it's not much farther, its gonna be alright....

...Cause I need more time
Just a few more months and well be fine
So say whats on your mind
Cause I cant figure out just whats inside
So say alright
Cause I know we can make it if we try
Cause I need more time
Just a few more months and well be fine"

Beach Weekend or Bust!

The best weekend of the academic school year is upon us- although it is not a school sponsored event. This weekend (which happens to start after classes today, if you didn't know, so go ahead and take Friday off with me) is BEACH WEEKEND! The weekend where ALL my friends head to the beach, stay in a cheap hotel, tan all day, and just hang out!

That's right folks. I will be heading back to the beach- so don't hate me- for twoish days in the South Carolina sun, where I have made a promise to myself that I will not be stressed about exams-which start next Thursday, or projects-which are due next Friday. Instead I am going to enjoy the fact that this past week was my last full week of college... and that my last day of classes is actually on Tuesday. And even though I just cannot believe it, I am going to celebrate it!

Updated Tuesday Tunes: All the Beauty

My good friend Leah used this song in her last young life talk last week. I just love this song! I included the lyrics below, they are truly moving. They really make you think about how in this society we get wrapped up in trying to make ourselves perfect. We stress and worry about our appearances and our bodies, who we date, our accomplishments and achievements and our worldly status but all that truly matters is who we are in Christ and the value the Lord has placed on our lives. We are worth more.

(the video should work now. Enjoy)

All the Beauty-JJ Heller

I know that she's a liar when I look into her eyes

But I believe in every word she says

She's out to start a fire burning everything I have

I can't put it out 'cause it's all inside my head

And then you sing

I hear you sing

You call me lovely

You call me friend

You call me out of death and let me try again

You call me beloved

You call me clean

Then you show me all the beauty that you see in me

I still hear her whisper and sometimes I hear her shout

You're not good enough and you will never be

But if I focus on your singing I can start to tune her out

'Cause you came with a love to set me free

I know that you love me enough to die

And I will try to see the value that you place on me

And you say I'm worthy

My Last Formal

This weekend was my last formal.

I cannot believe it! I am four four-for-four at Sigma Nu formals. Fortunately it was a great weekend-I could not have asked for a better last formal.

We got down to Pawley's Island around 7pm on Friday and went out to dinner for seafood with Peter's whole pledge class. After dinner we went back to the hotel and met up with everyone else and just hung out at the hotel. Side note: what do hotel's expect when they take reservations for almost 100 frat guys and their dates?

(The front of my cooler-it's a iPod dock with song lyrics too)

(back of my cooler)

Saturday we woke up pretty early (10am) so we could hit the beach for the day. This is probably my favorite part of formal. I love hanging out on the beach with everyone! This is the first formal that I didn't get sunburned at, I usually have bright pink shoulders and a pink nose in all my formal pictures.

(the scene)

(Senior ADPis)

(after I got thrown into the ocean)

(crazy diamonds)

Saturday night is the actual formal. I got ready with the other ADPi's that were there and took pictures with everyone. Then... I got really emotional. My one sorority sister and I went down the dangerous path of talking about how much we were going to miss everyone. I couldn't believe this was my last formal. At the actual formal all the senior guys give a little speech/toast... and I couldn't hold it together. They got up there and told everyone how much the past four years have meant to them, how much they are going to miss their best friends. They told funny stories and called people out for embarrassing memories. These guys were on brother hall freshmen year, and are some of my best friends! I can't image college without them, in fact I am having a hard time imaging not being in college, so yep there were definitely tears, but I was not the only one that's for sure.

(mirror pic)

(Adpi's at the dance)

(Peter and I with a great view! We had so much fun dancing the night away!)

New Dress

Way back in Christmas I saw an absolutely great dress at Lord and Taylor's. It was a coral-y pink dress that fit me perfectly and was way too expensive. So my mom took a mental picture and filed it away in her head. She returned a few times to see if it was on sale. And finally, months later, it was! My mom called me a few days before coming down to Greenville and said I was meant to have that dress and that she was bringing it to me for Easter!

Here it is....

What do you think?

(Ignore the orange overcast)

So now I need your opinions/advice. What color shoes would you wear with this? I think something strappy would be fun. Here are my silver and black options.

I think gold might look better though. hmm... the thing is... I don't own a pair of gold heels. It seems like I should. Here are two that I would like to own: (the first one is more fun but the second one would go with more things).

So lets poll the audiences: black, silver, gold (I am in a sorority of 113 girls, I can find a pair to borrow for the weekend), or some other color like turquoise or floral?

Tuesday Tunes: Recently Purchased

Welcome back to another installment of Tuesday Tunes!

I got an iTunes gift card in my Easter Basket and for this post I am going to share the songs that I bought with it. Some are new some are old but I think they are all good.

1. Eagles- The Last Resort (My favorite Eagles song, I couldn't believe I didn't already have it)

2. John Schmidt-Love Story Meets Viva La Vida (Amazing piano piece! Listen to it here.)

3. The Maine- I Wanna Love You (Punk cover of Akon's song.)

4. Dashboard Confessional- Hands Down (Heard it in a movie and was reminded how much I liked it.)

5. John Mayer-Heartbreak Warfare (He can do no wrong.)

6. Brad Paisley- She's Everything (This is how every guy should feel about his girl.)

7. Jars of Clay- Show You Love

8. Selah-Be Thou My Vision (Both 7 and 8 are current favorite praise songs I just had to have!)

9. Eddie Money- Take Me Home Tonight (Makes me think of tailgates for some reason)

10. Corey Smith-Carolina (Loved this song freshmen year!)

12. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony-So Good So Right

13. Weezer-Can't Stop Partying ( New pump-up music.)

What was the last song you bought?

I love music suggestions!

Cooler Painting: A Detailed Guide

This coming weekend is my boyfriend's fraternity formal! On Friday we are heading to Pawley's Island for a weekend at the beach- hanging out and dancing the night away! So since they guys pay for pretty much everything (the hotel, dinner both nights, the actual formal dance) all the dates decorate coolers and pack them with drinks and snacks for the weekend. I don't know if this is a tradition outside of southern universities, but for weeks leading up to the function there are no coolers, or paint pens or spray fix to be found in any nearby Walmart and there are dozens of girls sitting in the sun or on dorm balconies painting away and listening peppy music.

This is my fourth year of cooler painting. I am a pro. In fact if I wasn't overloading and up to my eyeballs in school work, I would actually volunteer my painting services to other less-crafty girls (for the price of paint).

Cooler painting is a process and I would like to share that process with you.

Step one: Research

Know your date. Figure out what they like so you can make their cooler personal. Where are they from? What year in school are they? What sports teams do they support? Are they really preppy? Or fratty? Or trippy? Do they like to fish? Do they only wear patagonia?

Now if they are a freshmen it's really easy. It's their first cooler, they have no expectations plus it's their first formal in the fraternity so you can go all "fratty". Include their pledge number, their chapter, their fraternity's seal or crest or flag or all three.

Also know basic function information: location, date, etc.

For inspiration (or if you have no idea what the heck I am talking about and if you want to feel a little overwhelmed) visit the Cooler Connection. It's a facebook group with over 4,000 members and over 3,000 pictures of coolers. Here are some images I pulled from there for my cooler: my mood-board if you will...

Step two: Preparation

Gather your materials. Buy your cooler- the best cooler has a lot of flat surfaces which are easier to paint on. Buy paint and paint pens. Paint pens are key, they make everything look better. Now I have accumulated sooooo much paint and craft materials over my four years at college from all the cooler painting and homecoming painting and sorority crafting that I have an overflowing craft box. I suggest labeling all your paints and materials with your initials because you'll probably end up sharing with your friends and that way you get it all back in the end.

Step three: have fun, and just do it!

Since it takes a lot longer to paint a cooler than you'd think, I recommend the following: definitely do it with friends, if possible do it outside in a bathing suit so you can get tan while you work or pop in a movie or put on some pump up music and enjoy. Here is a picture of what I have on my cooler so far. I have a long way to go...

(the top so far-cup holders are not my friend)

(the back so far)

(one side so far-the checkered bit and the blue and pink stripes are patterns I copied from Peter's bathing suits, this way he'll match his cooler!)

By the way... this cooler is HUGE! I actually fit inside it. I told Peter that and he said : "Oh good, I've been looking for a place to keep you." Hehe, he's kidding of course. Here's a (bad) picture of me in the cooler so you can get some perspective.

I'll post pictures of the final awesome cooler and maybe a few more tips as soon as I get it done so tune in!

UPDATE : I have been noticing a lot of traffic from Pinterest (I'm flattered by the way) so I thought I'd update this post with a couple more pics of the final cooler!

Mini Anniversary

How long have you been together?

Today is officially a year and a half. Two years on October 7th.

How long did you know each other before you started dating?

We go to a small school so we hung out with the same crowd. While he says he noticed me right away we didn't really get to know one another until he took me to his fraternity's tailgate and then on our actual first date.

Where was your first date?

Tsunami. It's a sushi place downtown and I think he was nervous because he left his wallet in the car and had to go back and get it. I thought it was totally cute!

How long did it take to get serious?

He asked me to be his girlfriend after we had been dating for a couple months but I told him I wasn't sure. The next day we went on fall break. All it took was a long weekend apart for me to change my mind. When he got back I told him to ask me again!

Tuesday Tunes

I am going to start a regular weekly post, something people will hopefully look forward to reading (and it will help me out during slow news week. Hopefully one day I will have a slow week...) I love music! I love my ipod and itunes. I love love love making mix cds for people. I like to sing in the car, in the shower, in public, whatever. I also play guitar and lead music for my young life club. I thought I would try out a weekly music review/recommendation. And here it is.... Introducing TUESDAY TUNES. What do you think? Feel free to veto this idea- just know that I am semi attached to the button that I designed. I haven't decided if I want to do more than one song each week, or maybe one band, or focus on one genre like love songs or good songs to take a nap to.

So here goes...the inaugural Tuesday Tunes post:

Today Peter "kidnapped" me after I was finished with my internship and we went on a spontaneous drive. It was absolutely beautiful today, sunny and 90 degrees. We put the sun roof down and blasted some good driving-summer time music. Like one of my personal favorites below. Enjoy the weather, enjoy the song!

Up All Night (Frankie Miller G...

East Tennessee Easter

I was in the beautiful Smokey Mountains with my parents and extended family for Easter break. It was wonderful, and relaxing. Oh, and the view wasn't too shabby either!

Break was way too short and I miss my family already! Now it's back to reality. I can't believe the next time I see my parents will be for graduation!! Countdown: 34 days.

Christos Anesti

Alithos Anesti

(The title is Greek for "Christ is risen" and the above is the response, "He is risen indeed!)

While you are enjoying ham and pineapple stuffing and asparagus and Sister Schubert rolls and deviled eggs and coconut cake and time with your families and the beautiful sun outside, here is one of my favorite passages for you on this Easter Sunday!

¹⁰Then the disciples went back to their homes, ¹¹but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb ¹²and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

¹³They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." ¹⁴At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

¹⁵"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

¹⁶Jesus said to her, "Mary."

(John 20:10-16)

Peeps

I am so excited for Easter tomorrow!

This is the first Easter I will spend with my parents since sophomore year of highschool!!!!

My junior and senior year Easter/spring breaks I spent with Young Life doing mission work in Romania.

Freshmen year of college I went home with my roommates. (Does my hair seem bigger than normal in this picture?)

Sophomore year of college I went to my relatives house in the smoky mountains, and last year I stayed at school with Peter and we spent it with my sister and my aunt and uncle and cousin who live nearby.

So not only am I with my parents this Easter, but I am also getting to do traditional Easter favorites that I have greatly missed. Today we dyed Easter eggs with my little cousins. I tried to make mine very girly and springy with paisley patterns and flowers... but there is only so much you can do with a wax crayon. My mom will post pictures of my efforts.

I got a new Easter dress too! I haven't gotten a new Easter dress in a long time and it was fun picking one out. I got it from JCrew and I have a confession... it is the only thing (aside from a pair of flip flops and a headband that were gifts) that I own from JCrew. It's true. I have a really hard time fitting into their clothes. Their clothes are just not cut right for me. But my Easter dress has this extra special hidden adjustable hook that allows me to make it smaller and I think it is absolutely genius!!

And finally I am so excited to go to church with my family tomorrow morning! I love that the church will be filled with lilies and praise songs and the hope of new life in Jesus and that I get to celebrate it with my parents.

Cup!

A few very belated pictures from Carolina Cup.

Peter and I met up with his younger cousin who goes to CofC. I thought it was so cute that they ended up wearing basically the same outfit. (There is always bonding at Cup between people in the same clothes)

This is my friend Julie. We've known each other since elementary school and it was so much fun meeting up at Cup.

This is our group by the horse track. I have been to Cup four years now and this year was the first year I've actually gotten to see a race. By the way, I am the one in the front in the hat with the big feathers! I'm sorry but, don't you just love it?! I wish girls wore nice hats more often, like to church. If I had been thinking right I would have thought to bring it for Easter Sunday.

Which is tomorrow! I love spring!