sweet silver lining

"but so many people are looking to me
To be strong and to fight
but I'm just surviving.....
I may be weak but I'm never defeated
And Ill keep believing
in clouds with that sweet silver lining."
-Kate Voegele

Graduated.
Traveled to (and fell in love with) Italy.
Boxed up four years of college into two cars.
Moved to Dallas.

oh, and now....
Plan a Houston wedding (and get through obstacle after obstacle).
Find a job.
Finish my certification.
Spend time with my fiance (who works 80 hours a week).

slow down.
breathe.
smile.
and believe somehow this will all work itself out, somehow. someway.

Oh, La Dolce Vita

ITALY TOMORROW!!!!!!

I'll be back in Houston on May 29.....ready to tackle this whole "real world" thing....

Until then, I am going to eat gourmet pasta, drink fine wine, soak up Roman art and history, ride through the Tuscany country side, indulge in the fashion in Milan and truly live as if I don't have a care in the world......because for these two weeks, I don't!

Ciao!

here i come, world.

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go.
-Dr. Seuss


Ready or not, I'm about to graduate from college. In eight hours I will be in a sea of caps and gowns frantically filing down the aisles of Reed Arena. I sincerely hope our convocation speaker has a humorous speech in store, because I am a ticking time bomb. One sentimental story about growing up, moving on and starting our lives and I am going to have mascara coated tears running down my face. Nobody needs to see that. I have been so consumed with school work, teaching prep and organizing my life that I haven't even had time to be sad. or to shed one tear. So, tomorrow, as I sit in my cap and gown listening to our professors, I will finally have the time to relish in this monumental occasion. and there will be tears, I just know it. I can only pray for Bill Cosby or Ellen Degeneres to be speaking tomorrow.........

here I come, world.
ready or not!

soaking it in

I am taking my last college final EVER in 12 hours.

I can't even concentrate on my psych of women reading because of the million other thoughts racing through my mind. After turning in my psych 485 materials and taking my test at 10:30, I am done....absolutely and positively done with college at Texas A&M. I want to slow the clock for the next few hours so I can breathe in all that embodies being a college student. I am getting teary-eyed just thinking about the past 4 year journey that's finally coming to a close......

I feel like Mindy, Melanie, Melissa and I were just moving into Colby at TCU, and they have all three graduated from college.....and I'm next. Where does the time go? How can four years have passed just like that? I can't believe I moved to Fort Worth when I was 18--just a baby! and all of a sudden I am twenty-two and graduating from Texas A&M. I certainly veered off the course I had so strategically planned for myself, but hey, the best laid plans......

People always ask if I regret going to TCU and wish I would have come to TAMU my freshman year. absolutely not. I wouldn't trade my freshman year at TCU for anything in the world. I lived and I learned more that year than I have learned any year since. I learned that that wonderful, beautiful people do exist outside of Sugar Land :),that life long friendships can begin when you're 18, and that those who love and support you will ALWAYS love and support you. I finally opened my eyes to all of the wonderful opportunities that existed outside of the bubble I had created for myself, and it was spectacular. Out of my 8 bridesmaids, 4 of them lived, learned and endured freshman year with me at TCU. They have seen me at my best, my worst and certainly everywhere in between. God sent me to TCU, I am sure of it. I am so grateful for those nine months in funky town and I will keep those memories safely tucked in my heart forever.

but, let's be honest, I WAS BORN TO BE AN AGGIE. When my parents started taking me to games at Kyle Field in my diapers, it was game over. Some say it's enstilling Aggie traditions at a young age, maybe it's brainwashing, but whatever it may be, it's a part of my soul. Maybe it's because I am third generation or maybe it's not. I truly believe that anyone who enters Aggieland can feel the bond that us Aggies will always share. I am so proud to be graduating from this University, not only because of its prestige and the education I have received, but because of what it means to be a part of the 12th man. The traditions, the spirit, the enthusiasm, the common bond we all share to be a part of this school is irreplaceable. To walk the campus that my grandaddy walked in 1953 is surreal. To study at the same library my parents studied at in 1978 gives me chills. It's impossible to explain to someone who didn't come to A&M what this common bond feels like, but it is forever. I have told my mom for as long as I can remember that my husband only had to have one quality: he had to be an Aggie.....and look at me now! My fiance is class of 2008 and I will forever be able to share this Aggie experience with him. absolutely phenomenal. I am certain that I followed the right path by becoming an AGGIE and I know my parents are going to be beaming with pride as I walk across that stage on Friday......

VICTORY!

okay, how much more fun is this?

I am so much more inspired to blog now!

I have spent entirely too much time doing this
and will be paying for my lack of sleep tomorrow.

and FYI-- I will be in DALLAS this weekend:
Happy Hour with Melissa tomorrow afternoon, a SEVEN hour training at Region 10 Saturday morning for my EC-4 Content exam (hooray) and a Kenny Chesney concert Saturday night with MTS! Oh and Sugarland, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum will be there too. Should be a great weekend. I am just SO TIRED of traveling! Only a few more weeks....

I think I can I think I can!

Blog Boredom

Okay, I am not going to write another blog post until I "makeover" my blog. I haven't had time to even consider spending time on something like that, but school is winding down and I am obviously looking for anything to do before I study for finals. How can I get rid of my boring template I chose just to get started?! I want to put a picture and change things outside of this simple blogspot design? HELP! Websites? HTML formatting and codes? I mean, I haven't made a website since sophomore year INFO class, but I can probably google codes if I have to. Tell me there is an easier way!

In a Frenzy

Let me just start by saying that I have been in a complete and total frenzy the past.....three weeks? So forgive my lack of blogging and if you're lucky enough to see me on a regular basis (ok-who would that be? my roommates? I don't have a social life..) than I apologize for being so scatterbrained lately. I swear--I'm about to graduate, vacay in Italy, move to Dallas, plan a wedding and do countless other fun things within the near future--but I'm more of a mess than I've ever been! For example, I am blogging during class. on my pink laptop. just typing away. and there is no need to have a computer in this class. I clearly had a different agenda today, Dr. Bourgeois.

For all who care, I have a few wedding updates. and yes, just a few. The wedding is over 14 months away, no rush! I/we have chosen the church, the date and the colors (I think...) I am also the queen of changing my mind, so don't get your heart set on anything ;)

Tentative Date: June 26, 2010
Tentative Church: St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Sugar Land
Tentative Colors:
BLUE
BLUE
BLUE
GREEN
and IVORY (that doesn't show up on my white background, obvi.

My favorite color is blue (all shades, yes) and it's such a great color scheme for a summer themed wedding. I have dreamed of deep burgundy and golds and cream since I can remember, but that just screams FALL. and well, we're getting married in June. So goodbye burgundy, HELLO BLUE, GREEN AND IVORY! The flowers will be mostly Ivory (gardenias, tulips, roses, calla lily's, etc.) with a few blue flowers for accents. The green will predominantly be in the greenery in the floral arrangements. (No green bridesmaid dresses!) but the green compliments the other colors so well and thus, my wheels are spinnin! I am having so much fun with all of my "wedding dreaming," and I think I have enough center piece ideas for 12 weddings.......

and a thought to ponder: all who are wedding planning, married, or who have opinions about this (ahem Melissa) please give me your input. What's the norm/preferrence for bridesmaid's dress lenghths in the summer. In my friend Amanda's wedding last May, we all wore long dresses and it was fabulous. It makes the wedding more elegant and traditional, but I will be getting married in June. in Houston. Am I torturing my bridesmaid's in the Houston summer by having them wear long dresses? I have found some adorable short dresses, but need some help!