Cruisin' Along

So it's been over two weeks since I wrote, so where to begin and what to include! Well over fall break my roommate Lauren and I went on a three night, four day cruise to Nassau, Bahamas and it was wonderful. Seriously, pure bliss. I now understand why people cruise. We spent our days laying by the pool sipping on coconut drinks, got all dressed up for dinner where we enjoyed gourment (and all you can eat food), and spent our evenings watching shows and enjoying some cocktails. So while we came back ten pounds heavier, we were well relaxed and happy.

Dinner Night Three

One of my favorite parts was that they made animals out of your towels!

Dinner Night One

Our Ship --- The Sensation

Night Two (formal night)

@ Senor Frogs when we docked in Nassau

Our leaving port celebration drink!

The past weekend was filled with all kinds of friendship, new and old. We celebrated my co-worker Jamie's birthday, and two of my friends has friends in town. It made me realize two things: one, that true friends can mesh from all aspects of your life (childhood, high school, college, grad school) and that I love where I work. I am really lucky to have great co-workers, and a great work enviroment. This past Tuesday was Pharmacy Day, a career fair for pharmacy students, which I planned and implemented. The day was long (I never want a job that I am required to be at every day before the sun is up, I don't know how my dad does it), but when it was over we had happy employers and students!

Leah, Lauren, Danielle and I

Career Center GA's --- Pete, Jamie, Me, Michelle, Kelly

All the girls - Sam, Kat, Leah, Lauren, Me, Kelly, Ashley, Danielle

A bunch of friends out for Jamie's birthday

This week is going to be one full of the halloween spirirt. Last night I saw the ballet Dracula, tonight we are hosting a halloween party at our house, and tomorrow we are going to an interactive viewing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show (in costumes).

The semester is flying by, and I am both excited as winter break approaches (knowing I'll get to spend a week at home), yet overwhelmed by being asked "what do you want to do come may?" and the notion of leaving everyone here who have become some of my best friends. However, I am taking life day by day for now and that's all you can do! Hope everyone has a very happy Halloween!

South Carolina beat Bama, yea that really happened

So in case anyone was living under a rock this weekend, or just chooses not to be a college football fan, it was a crazy weekend in college football. LSU beat Florida, The Tarheels won over Clemson, FSU killed Miami, OH and South Carolina upset the University of Alabama! Why is this such a big deal? Well for a few reasons. First, Alabama was the number one seat and South Carolina was number 19. Second, the Gamecocks always fold under pressure, but instead Garcia, Jefferey and others played with poise and skill. Third, I was at the game and it was by far the best sporting event I have ever had the privilege to attend. In case the win wasn't enough (and it was), ESPN's college gameday also was in attendance on the campus' horseshoe with students camped, families bringing their children, and die hard sports fans coming from far just to witness it. The whole experience was ideal for a college football sports fan.

Michelle, Jamie and I at the tailgate (2/4 of my co-workers)

April, Me, Lauren (3/4 of my apartment)

Jason, Laura, Ashley, April, Lauren, Me at the game

the stadium

police and security preparing for students to rush the field

after the victory!

Not only was it a great weekend for football, but it was a great weekend for friends and family in Columbia , South Carolina. It was my graduate programs Family and Friends weekend, and while my family was at Trav's family and friends weekend, I still got to meet and hang out with with the families of my friends down here. Dinners, Tailgates, picnics and other events occurred all weekend, and it was a pleasure to get to meet those who are important to my friends. Sunday night we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving with Samantha's family (they are Canadian), and I think my friend Sam said it best when she said "I am thankful that I have family at home, and have friends down here that have become my family away from home, for that I will be forever grateful". In short I whole heartily agree.

Life aside is a hectic, but fine. We are lucky to have a three day week this week (monday - wed) and then oh right, tuesday i leave for a three night / four day cruise to the bahamas with my roommate lauren! I'm so pumped to be on a cruise, as I hear they are the best type of vacation you can take. The forecast says thunderstorms the whole time we are in the Bahamas, but I mean really when you are on vacation and not at work or class, well I'll even take thunderstorms. I'm pretty sure someone once said anyways, that "life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain".

Fall is in the air...sort of

So fall has finally arrived in Columbia, SC and what that really means is that the temperature has dropped to the 70's and 80's (but well take what we can get). I had a very relaxing weekend, filled with fun fall activities. Caught up and hung with friends Friday night, cleaned and went to the Chili Cook Off downtown and what not Saturday (the Gamecocks had a buy in football) and finished today with sand volleyball and fall fun, which included pumpkin picking, a corn maze and a hay ride! Oh, and some homework and getting my life in order tasks thrown in between.

Living in South Carolina has really made me appreciate the seasons - down here leaves don't change, you don't get to bundle up in a sweater, and kids will wear halloween costumes without snow suits bundled under them. However, we make up for it by baking fall breads, lighting fall scented candles, and enjoying the fall like weather that lasts till about noon every day. Some pictures of my life recently:

Paul, Sam and I at Sam's Birthday party

A whoel group of HESA people for Sam's Birthday

Kelly, Michelle and Me with Cocky at the Career Fair for work

Paul and I on our night in with Sam and Pete

Our day of Fall Fun! (Paul, Kelly, Ashley, Me, Ashley, Samantha, Mindy)

Yes we are those people

Pumpkin Picking!

In the maze (yes we did make it out!)

and I get by with a little help from my friends (and family)

Sometimes photos say more then words --- some recent photos of my life!

Johanna and I at Mucho Margaritas <3

Jo, Danielle, Me, Lauren up and ready for the Georgia football game (tailgate start time 7:00am)

My roommates before the mudrun (Lauren, April, Danielle, Me)

My mudrun team post the mudrun (Samantha, Me, Lauren, Litsa)

HESA mudrun group hug

Volunteering at Parents Weekend (Elizabeth, Sam, Kelly, Me, April)

Kelly, Samantha and I having one of many great talks

Out on the town (Steven, Ashley, Danny, Jesse, Me)

Someone really smart once told me, "each morning when I open my eyes, I say to myself: I, not, events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." for that I thank them, and it's what I'm currently going to go with!

In my heart I'm going to Carolina

So I have not updated my blog in a month, and well that pretty much explains my life, a whirlwind. With school, work, homework, social engagements, football and just life, sitting down to write is just not currently feasable. However, for a short glimpse into my life here are some photos!

Lauren's 22nd Birthday! (Me, Diana, Lauren, Kim, Liz)

Paulie and I at Lauren's Birthday

Sam and I enjoying Columbia Nightlife

A visit to Charlotte (Jess, Emily, Danielle, Katie, Me)

Zac Brown Concert! (Samantha, Lauren, Danielle, Me)

Lauren and I for Samantha's Birthday

Samantha and I on her birthday!

First Gamecock Football Game! We are now 2-0

(Paul, Kelly, Mindy, Allie, Lucy, Danielle, Me, Lisa)

Charleston for Labor Day Weekend!

(BJ, Lauren, Lisa, Brent, Carter, Pete, Samantha, Lucy, Sam, Me, Allie, Jon, Carly, Danielle, Paul, Donny)

Girls at the Beach in Charleston (Danielle, Carly, Lauren, Me, Lucy, Sam, Lisa, Samantha, Allie)

Pete and I before going out in Charleston

Back to Cola, Back to a Routine

So the past week and a half has been a whirlwind for me. I went from California, to Jersey, to Virginia, to North Carolina, and finally arrived back to Columbia South Carolina. My last week in California was amazing. It included the last orientation session, a flashlight ceremony, banquet, a goodbye party and then of course Denica and I leaving. Let me say that I cried the five days prior to leaving California, and every day so far being back. It is not that I am not glad to be back, it's just I was not ready to leave. I miss my bosses (Kelly, Alissa and Sara), the other intern (Denica), all of my students, and California itself. My summer internship experience really made an impact on me professionally and personally, and it has a special place in my heart, and I do plan on returning at some point.

Emily, Alissa, Sara, Kelly, Denica, Me

Sara, Denica, Kelly and Me at the Alice in Wonderland Banquet as the Queen Cards

Core Staff in our OATrageous Snuggies from Sara and Alissa, Thank you!

Denica and I with two of our favorites (Jess and Kristina)

Johanna picked me up in the fabulous Newark, New Jersey and I got up bright and early to head to my family reunion in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Why on earth Harrisonburg, Virginia you might ask? Well simply because half of my family lives in Charlotte, NC and half in New Jersey, so Harrisonburg Virginia is halfway in between. I spent three days with all of my mom's side of my family and did everything from just hanging out to kickball and wiffle ball games. Push come to shove it was great to see my family, but it was also a tease just seeing them for three days and then having to say goodbye again. There were more tears, but I mean I think that's just me. Below are the pictures that we have taken every year since Jess and I were around 5, we used to just to age order, but as younger ones grew taller a height picture was added just so they could rub it in.

Cousins in Age Order: Me(23), Jess(22), Lon(21), Shannon(20), Chris(18), Travis(18), Nick(17), Hannah and Laura(14), Zach(6)

Us in Heigh Order: Travis, Chris, Shannon, Me, Nick, Lon, Jess, Hannah, Laura, Zach

The Girls

After spending the night in Charlotte, my cousin Nick and drove me back to Cola. The humidity aside I am excited to be back (today it was 108 degrees with humidity). I have been staying with my friend Sam for the past two nights while my apartment gets ready, and who does not love a sleepover? I am excited for what this year of grad school has to bring, am quickly filling up my agenda and my time with stuff, and have reached the realization that could be my last year of school for a while, if not ever. So, in keeping with my California motto: why not? I am planning on living the year to the fullest! (But, my heart is still in California, oh and the time difference is really messing with my sleep.)