Did you miss me?

Well here I am, back in Minneapolis where I have been longing to be since about the thirteenth of May.  I haven't posted since last school year, and I realize my blog still says "anecdotes of a college freshman."  I'll change it, really.

I moved in to my apartment on Thursday, and it's slowly starting to feel like home.  I have successfully done two days worth of dishes (go me!) and consistently kept up the cleanliness of the bathroom.  Let's hope this doesn't fade with the hype of being on my own again.

My sophomore year is already off to a great start, although classes haven't started so I probably shouldn't get ahead of myself.  I can hardly remember what was running through my mind this time last year.  I'm sure I was freaking out, excited, yet so nervous of the unknown.  I still have that element of the unknown though, you never know what a new year and new classes will bring.  But this year I am much more relaxed, I know this is where I'm supposed to be.

I think about the incoming freshmen and feel a pang of jealousy that they are about to experience the most thrilling/terrifying/fantastic time of their lives.  But I also pity them, because they are so lost and probably scared and have so much to learn.  I'm thankful I'm through that stage.  Not that my learning has stopped.  No, I try to learn from all of my experiences, every day.  Take Saturday night, for example.  I learned not to leave my phone on the ledge of the sink while washing my hands.  Because, simply to spite you, it will slide down under the steady stream of water, just as you hoped it wouldn't.

I love my apartment, I really do.  I didn't know why everyone always complained so much about dorm living.  I didn't mind it.  I even wished out loud that our school required us students to live in the dorms for two years, because having your own apartment is a big responsibility.  Well, I take that back.  Now that I've seen the other side, the extra space, I will never go back.  But it is weird knowing that Hillary, my partner in crime, isn't right down the hall.  Granted, she lives three blocks away, but I'm used to seeing her every night before bed.  Somehow, though, I think we'll survive.

I'm excited for this year, to continue with my journalism classes and explore my new fashion studies minor.  To go to all the hockey games and maybe actually see our football team win for once.  To be reunited with the best friends I could ask for and to make new ones along the way.  To finally get back in gymnastics shape, join new clubs and go through sorority recruitment.  And of course, to share all of my crazy adventures with you.

There's a dog in the dorms

Sorry for the abandonment - I know it's been a while.  I've been busy, really!  But since it's been a while, I thought I would share some things with you.

Last week was my spring break, and I really let myself go.  It's really amazing how fast things can go downhill in just a week.  When I got back to school I made it my goal to work out hard and watch what I ate (so tough with all the goodies I brought back from home!)  Yesterday was only Tuesday, and I already failed.  During spring break my neighbor, Snooks, had nabbed some Applebee's gift cards from her mom and she wanted to go out for half off appetizers.  Honestly, I really didn't want to go. I had just eaten (Taco Tuesday!) and I had a Spanish test to study for.  But Snooks and Annie sang me a song (Let Me Take You Out).  And they danced.  How could I say no to that?  So picture this, four relatively small girls at one booth, with FIVE plates of appetizers in front of them.  That was us.  And we ate it all - plus a round of brownie bites.  Thanks for that guys.

I was so uncomfortably full last night, I couldn't sleep.  That, and the dog (?) someone has been housing in their dorm room was barking uncontrollably.  Yes, a dog in the dorms.

This morning was absolutely awful - slippery snow everywhere!  I honestly almost slipped to death about 15 times on the way to class.  I just about turned around and went back to bed.

On the bright side, my first column ran in the Minnesota Daily today!  My very first publication!  It's a learning process, and I only hope to get better and better as time goes on.  Check it out at www.mndaily.com/opinion/columns !!

Valentine's Day

People fall into two general categories when Valentine’s day rolls around: those who have a valentine, and those who do not.  The lovers in the first category tend to wait for Valentine’s Day in anticipation.  Who doesn’t love to be showered with cards, flowers, and of course, chocolate?

However, for every love bird celebrating their adoration for someone, there is a cynic born from a person who, on any other day, feels content with their single status.  Usually I fit in to the latter group.  We roll our eyes at any public display of affection, pout when our friends receive their bouquet of roses, and throw ourselves single awareness pity parties.

It’s true, Valentine’s Day can make even the most popular person feel lonely if they have no one to share it with.  But in reality, for singles, the day can still bring love.  

The people who see Valentine’s Day as an annoying holiday that only highlights the fact  that they do not have a significant other, need to look at the day with a new perspective.  

This year, I realized that I did not need a boyfriend to buy me candy or send me cards, I could do it myself.  And I did.  I bought myself chocolate candies and even ventured down University Avenue to Cupcake, where I splurged on a few holiday treats.  

I’m not alone.  While men make up 73 percent of flower purchasers, 15 percent of women buy flowers for themselves, according to an online survey. 

The most important thing I realized was that Valentine’s Day is about sharing love of all kinds.  Although I do not have a boyfriend to celebrate with this year, I receive nonstop love from friends and family.  My parents sent me a love-themed package in the mail, and my girlfriends and I treated ourselves to a Valentine’s dinner.  So instead of lamenting my single status, I celebrated my love with multiple special valentines.

I...DON'T!

This evening, I went to the Wedding Show in Green Bay to gather resources for my brother's wedding.  As a nonbeliever in marriage, this show only solidified my views on the ridiculousness of weddings.  I mean homing pigeons, really?  I did fall in love with the most beautiful wedding gown (let me reiterate, I do not want to get married - but this dress was gorgeous).  I also had an amazing time marveling at the intricate wedding cakes.  Okay, let's not joke around, I had an amazing time devouring the samples of cake.  Orange, strawberry, raspberry, chocolate, vanilla, cream cheese...I'm proud to say I tasted each one.

All in all it was a nice way to spend an evening, and I did have a lot of fun, but let's get down to it.  Weddings are expensive.  They are sources of argument, they are over the top parties, and for me, they are pointless.  Let me be clear, I am not against other people getting hitched.  Sure, it's not for me, but I know it is the right choice for many people. I do not want to offend any happily married people out there, because if you are smart about it, marriage can really be right for you.  Like my parents, and soon, my brother and his fiancee.  But they are the exception, not the rule.

What makes me nervous is the fact that people grow and change, and the likelihood that two people will grow together and not apart seems like a gamble to me.  I should also note that I have an extreme fear of divorce.  You have to be sure, really sure, that you and your partner will always want to be together.  But how can you be sure of that?  How can you be sure of what you will want in the future?  Sometimes, I think people get married because they think it's what they're "supposed" to do. Because, in our society, when you've been dating for "X" number of years, you should get married.  But what's so wrong with not getting married?  A committed relationship without marriage is just as acceptable as a marriage.  A wedding is not important, what's important is the love and trust two people have, not the title put on their relationship, and certainly not an expensive, over the top day.

Once again, these are my views, which stem from my realization of change, my fear of divorce, and probably, my youth.  You'll be the first to know if, someday, I meet someone to ease my fears, erase my doubts, and change my mind.

The hardest thing and the right thing are the same

Sometimes, the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.  No, I didn't make that up, but that doesn't mean it's not true.  I've definitely grown up in the past couple of months.  I've lived away from home, taken on so many responsibilities, and successfully completed my first semester of college (only seven more to go!)  The biggest thing I've learned though, is how to seriously consider the feelings of others.  I don't like hurting people, I hate it.  But in some circumstances I believe in temporary pain in order to give way to greater opportunities in the future.  It all comes down to how you deal with it.  I just wish everyone could understand that in the end, everything will work out how it's supposed to.