That Dumb Dumb Broke My Hat

I'm sitting in Hillary's room, alone.  Somehow I always find myself in this position.  Hillary's out at a sorority event (breaking my hat), Megan is making cupcakes (yum), and here I am.  I'm waiting for Hillary to get back so we can snuggle on the futon with Paul the Panda and watch "The Proposal".

So, I am in the midst of my first college "finals week" experience, and really, it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be...yet.  Maybe that's because I will not under any circumstances procrastinate, and I finished my term papers ages ago.  Or my alarming decline in motivation might have something to do with it.  Don't get me wrong, I still want to do the best I can, but college is hard!  I never thought I would be reaching for a B in a class, and I think the idea of that depresses me a little bit.  The fact that, no matter how hard I work, I still cannot reach an A...something that came so effortlessly in high school.  I'm losing motivation to study, to work out, to eat right, even to walk to class.  I will most definitely take full advantage of this winter break.

I'd like to just touch on one subject I've seen in the media recently, Miley Cyrus.  For those of you who were surprised to see the video of Miley smoking "salvia" (I'm still convinced it was marijuana), it's time for a reality check.  This chick has been on the downward spiral ever since Hannah Montana kissed her first boy.  It started with the "Vanity Fair" photo shoot and hasn't stopped since.  I myself am not shocked, but pleasantly surprised.  Who doesn't love a great train wreck?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

This weekend, I jumped into the Christmas spirit head first.  Maybe it was the snow, the extra cold weather, the Holidazzle Parade, or a combination of all three that shoved me off the deep end.  Don't get me wrong, I've always loved Christmas, who doesn't?  But this year, I went above and beyond in the holiday cheer department.  It all started on Friday, and I think it was because of the snow.  Sure, we had a storm a couple of weeks ago, but it was nothing like this.  This snow was beautiful, white, and impossibly fluffy.  Ask anyone and they would tell you how much I despise snow.  I loathed it, until now.  Maybe being in a different place helped me appreciate it, but this snow was especially beautiful, and really fun!  I spent Friday trying to force my Christmas joy on everyone by decorating the room.  I adorned our door with tons of homemade paper snowflakes and holiday stickers.  I stuck snowflake cling-ons to the window, and wrapped garland around just about everything in the room, all the while, singing along to Christmas Radio on Pandora.  Friday night, we went to "Eat, Pray, Love" which was good, although I didn't really buy the ending.  That night, we also watched the Santa Clause, a Christmas classic.

Saturday was the Holidazzle Parade downtown Minneapolis, the epitome of Christmas.  We actually got to see Santa!  After, we treated ourselves to a nice, hot, plate of Jake Gyllenhaal in "Love and Other Drugs", which I must say was aahhhh-mazing.  It is impossible not to love that man.  T-swift is one lucky cowgirl - not so innocent anymore, is she?  Speaking of innocent, our movie was interrupted by what I thought were elves running through the theater.  I thought it was sweet that the theater was also trying to spread holiday cheer, until Hillary pointed out that they were not elves, they were children.  I was appalled.  What kind of parents bring their children to an R rated movie which consists of ALL of Anne Hathaway and my main man Jake?  These parents are just asking for their kids to be the next stars of "16 and Pregnant", or as Hillary pointed out, in their case, "10 and Pregnant".  Maybe they didn't feel like giving them "the talk" and just decided to let them see for themselves.  Whatever works.

Today Hillary and I fell in love, about thirty times over.  We went to an a cappella concert at Coffman, and let me tell you, these guys (and gals) can sing!  I literally had tears in my eyes as one singer had a solo of "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon.  He was one of the most talented singers I have ever heard in my life.  I wished I could hire him to follow me around all day and just sing to me.  It was truly amazing.  The groups were called "Basses Wild" and "7 Day A Cappella", and I would seriously advice anyone to check them out.  It makes me wonder how someone like Ke$ha can be famous while these people are virtually unknown.  Especially when she spells her name with a dollar sign...

25 Days of Christmas

Three more weeks until Christmas break...this is what I keep telling myself when I feel a wave of stress wash over me.  I try to keep myself very organized, and really, when I force myself to slow down and think about it, I have ample time to finish everything, and do it well.

Christmas used to have a totally different meaning in the past years than it does this year.  Even last year, I would look forward to a week off school, a month of sharing the couch with my two brothers, Christmas shopping, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and of course...presents!  This year, though, this holiday takes on a whole new meaning.  The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is still one of the best things about December (and it was exceptional this year...I would kill to be a Victoria's Secret Angel), but now, Christmas means so much more.  First of all, I get a month off school as opposed to a measly week.  And because it marks the end of the semester, I will have no homework to do!  After three and half months of straight classes, homework, and studying, having a month of nothing to do is all I can ask for Christmas.  This year, Christmas also means spending time with my family.  Neither of my brothers came home for Thanksgiving, and I cannot wait to see them at Christmas.  My brother's girlfriend recently asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I really couldn't think of anything except seeing her, my brother, and my new puppy niece, Ellie.

It will be strange, though, to be away from Hillary and my friends here.  I feel as though we've known each other for much longer than three months.  I am, however, looking forward to spendies in Green Bay with Megan and Abbey!

It's strange how quickly things can change, but I'm really happy that they have.

Thanksgiving Break

Happy Thanksgiving

This is the first time I've been home since leaving for school three months ago. I didn't really know what to expect...I've heard people say it's weird, but really when I got home it felt like nothing had changed and I'm really glad I had the opportunity to see certain people. The weirdest thing for me was driving again!

Our Thanksiving dinner was awesome,although I really missed my brothers. I had almost forgotten what real (non dining hall) food tasted like. But my parents' home cooking served as a friendly reminder. I don't know why I picked Thanksgiving of all days to control myself, but I, unlike almost every other American, did not stuff myself at dinner. Still trying to figure that one out.

I feel like I'm one of the only people who hasn't been home and hasn't seen everyone from high school on the weekends. I thought that's what college was, a place where you go...and stay. I haven't seen my friends in three months...so one can only imagine the reunion we had. Although I never really thought it was normal, after being in college in a big city for a while, I realized just how strange having a party in a hunting shack, with deer heads hanging off the wall really is. I did find myself missing my friends from school (Hillary and I couldn't go two days without talking on the phone). So I guess, what I'm really thankful for, aside from my amazing family (really, I don't think there's a better one out there), is finding such real, true, supportive friends. It was so apparent today when I was talking with Hillary. I know she doesn't agree with some of the things going on in my life (don't worry, nothing bad...it's actually really good!), she said "Erin, as long as you are happy, I'm happy". And I knew she meant it. I love you girl! And I know we'll be best friends always!

Sidewalk Ice Skating

This weekend was one of the best since I've been here (not counting the time I saw Barack Obama...nothing can measure up to that).  This weekend, I rocked a sorority formal (no, I'm not in a sorority), conquered the Mall of America, and ice skated on the side walk.  Allow me to elaborate...

As you may already know, my roommate, Emily, and Hillary recently got initiated into the sorority AOII.  I hung out at the sorority house with Hillary on the weekend of Halloween, and seem to always be with AOII girls...probably because I'm always with Hillary.  I really get along with them all, they aren't the cookie-cutter sorority girl types...they're, well, normal.  The sorority calls their newly initiated freshman "baby pandas", and because I always seem to be with a gaggle of "pandas", they  have been throwing around the idea of me joining AOII.  They've taken to calling me a "panda in the womb".  Ew.  I'm not totally sticking my nose up at the idea, but I figure if I can hang out with them every weekend, go to the house whenever I want, (and go to their formals), what's the point of joining?  I really don't see myself as the sorority type, I don't want to feel obliged to get along and be friendly with eighty different girls.  No thanks.  Elle Woods used to be my idol, and I dreamt of being president of a sorority, just like her...funny how things change.  Anyways, the point of this story is the formal.  Friday night was AOII's formal, at a manor in Minneapolis, and Emily was generous enough to take me along!  It was supposed to be a murder mystery type party, but that didn't last long (the clues were so hard!) and it quickly turned into a giant dance party.  I didn't realize how much I missed high school dances until I was out shaking it on the dance floor.  Afterwards, Hillary and I went home and, in a greek mood, watched Legally Blonde, but fell asleep after a half hour.  Party animals.  The night was so fun, I can't wait until spring formal ;)

On Saturday morning, Hillary and I woke up bright and early (9:00) and got ready for a big day of shopping.  I don't go to the Mall of America as often as I anticipated I would, and Hillary and I decided it was time to make a trip.  We said we didn't want to make it an all-day event, and would be home late afternoon to do homework before Saturday night activities.  We quickly realized, however, that you can't not make MOA an all day event, and spent literally all day there.  It was a good time, though.  As much as I love the U, it feels good to just get out and away from campus sometimes.  I splurged on a pair of jeans, but they were well worth it.  They fit like a dream.  I think the best feeling in the world is finding a pair of jeans that fit my body perfectly.  Buying jeans is always such a process, and I can try on hundreds (and have) without finding one pair that fits my big booty and little waist.  But worry no more, I've found them, and they are the Levi's Curve ID.  I highly recommend them.

Later Saturday night Emily, Hillary, and Katie (once again, all "baby pandas") and I decided to go to the Coffman to see a free showing of "Dinner for Schmucks".  Surprisingly, it was a real tear-jerker...or maybe I'm just overly emotional.  All in all, it was a little funny and a lot strange, not really sure what to make of it.  The walk (or slide) home turned out to be the most entertaining part of my day.  We walked outside only to find it had rained, and that rain had frozen, making our ten minute walk back to the dorms very interesting.  The three of us linked arms (Katie lives in a dorm right next to Coffman) and proceeded to walk very slowly back home.  Isn't it funny how I now refer to a tiny square box as my home?  Anyways, Hillary, Emily, and I gripped tightly to each other and shuffled our feet slowly.  After many slips, slides, and near topples, we could barely stand straight we were laughing so hard, but we started to gain confidence.  I suggested we take a running start and slide our way down the sidewalk.  I'm sure we looked extremely comical, but it was really entertaining!  After a few successful attempts, we continued to run, slide, slip, almost fall, and laugh like crazy.  Until Hillary took a digger.  Funniest moment of my life.  Girlfriend yanked my arm, almost pulled me and Emily down with her, and plopped her butt down on the ice.  Thankfully, we did make it home safely, got snuggled in our room, and watched out our window at people slipping and sliding in the parking lot.  It was one of the most fun times I have ever had, and I'm looking forward to many more to come!

Bus Runners and Bible Pushers

I knew living in such a big city would be an adjustment, after all, I grew up in a town so small that everybody knew what you ate for breakfast.  I have always felt that I belong in a big city, though, and I knew it wouldn't take long to adapt.  There are some real strange people on campus though.  Don't get me wrong, my hometown had some...interesting people also, but the amount of entertaining individuals here still cheers me up every day.

Hillary and I looove to people watch.  You could call us judgmental, and you better believe people have.  About a half an hour before our four o'clock class (before the temperature dropped) we sat outside and watched.  And commented, of course.  Here are some things we've noticed not only from our people watching sessions, but also from just living on campus.

• People running to the bus look ridiculous.  These are our favorites, and probably the most common thing we see on campus.  You will never catch me running to the bus, I have more pride than that.  It's embarrassing, and I don't know what's worse...people who look like awkward ducks with their hands flapping around as they rush to catch the bus, or people who get really into it and actually have quite impressive form, some people have no shame! Oh, and we also love the out of shape folks who are panting after a fifty yard dash.  All in all, unless it is a real emergency, save yourself the humiliation and wait the extra five minutes for the next bus.
• Some people haven't gotten the "it's 30 degrees outside" memo.  It's amazing how often we see people wearing shorts, no jacket, or a combo of both.  Today, I saw a boy wearing shorts and sandals.  I felt a little ridiculous in my down jacket, winter boots, and hat, until I realized that IT'S 30 DEGREES OUTSIDE and he is the one who should feel ridiculous.  That, or just really cold.
• There are people of all ages on a college campus.  Sometimes, Hillary and I see people, and just look at each other like, "what the heck are they doing here?"  Sometimes it's small, frail, elderly people, walking through campus with their rolling suitcases, but more often than not, it's children.  During our people watching, we always see a stream of nuggets walking down the road.  We assume they are coming from class...but what kind of nine year old takes classes on a college campus?  One of my favorite things Hillary says when she sees them is, "what are all these ankle biters doing here?"  Gotta love her.
• Last but not least, campuses are prime targets for Bible pushers.  One day, we couldn't walk ten steps without some old man trying to give us an Old Testament, or New Testament...or some sort of book related to God...I don't know what it was.  But, rain or shine, our main man will always be outside on the mall, standing on a chair, yelling Bible verses in our faces.  I'm really surprised Hillary and I haven't named him yet.  He's just a guy who REALLY loves God, and apparently, is trying to force us to all love God also.  Hillary and I aren't what you would call religious, and really don't appreciate people who try to push their religion on us...so we obviously haven't taken a liking to this guy.  One day, the things coming out of his mouth were so ridiculous Hillary and I burst out laughing...sorry!

Best moment yet: little girl Bible pushers.  Yes, we've encountered them.

Smelly Stars

I love to read magazines.  And I don't just skim through them and look at the pictures, I read every word, from the ad on the inside cover to the one on the back.  Mainly, they entertain me and help me relax after some stressful homework.  But I also think of magazines as a study tool because I want to work for a magazine some day, and I see them as a great way to become magazine savvy.  One of my favorite, and least favorite, things about magazines are the perfume ads.  I absolutely love to open that flap and discover a new, wonderful fragrance, and the magazine always smells so good when you flip through it.  I've noticed a trend though, that celebrity fragrances stink....literally.  This is the bad part.  I don't understand why celebrities feel like having a fragrance will help skyrocket them to super-stardom.  You can't do everything, I would appreciate it if you left perfume to the professionals.  The scents always smell "sensual", aka super musky and overpowering, and the bottles are tacky.  But I guess you can't expect a classy bottle or scent from the likes of JLo, Britney Spears, or Jessica Simpson.  And girls, come on, what's with the names?  "Fancy Nights", "Fantasy"?  Britney, the only "fantasy" I have is you cleaning up your act...no more shaved heads, bare feet, or coslopus shots, please.  Just take care of your kids.  Hillary made a good point when we were discussing this today.  She said "pretty soon Bristol Palin is going to have a perfume (don't even get us started on Bristol Palin).  If you are that in to fragrances, make like Gwyneth Paltrow and just be the face of one.

Along with showering, studying, people watching, brushing our teeth, and watching Chelsea Lately together, Hillary and I loooove going to the Rec Center together.  Today, we had an especially comical experience.  After working out on the elliptical today, we went to the mats to do our usual sit-up/push-up routine...and were joined by some real winners.  First, a tiny guy with chicken legs came bopping over, putting his mat down right next to ours, jamming out to his music.  Hillary quickly pointed out that he was listening to Rihanna (our favorite, and in great need of a Glee tribute episode!).  We took a liking to the little man instantly.  To our right, however was a different story.  One thing we find a tad annoying, are people who go work out and make such a ruckus, normal people like us can't even work out without laughing to death.  This man grabbed an exercise ball and some weights....always a good sign.  He proceeded to lay on the ball and lift the weights, grunting and breathing as heavily as a woman in labor.  Next, he knelt on the ball....and apparently needed to continue his deep breathing to keep his balance.  Of course, by now Hillary and I were laying on the floor dying of laughter and unable to finish our workout.  Then Hillary pointed out the cherry on top of the sundae....he was wearing loafers.  Black, dress loafers, and sweats.  That's our favorite, people who wear jeans, or polo's (or loafers) to go to the rec.  Oh, and girls who don't tie back their hair.  We all know there are cuties lifting weights, but going to the rec is not a fashion show, so please, just tie it back.

:)