Examssss

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD

“At first glance it may appear too hard.  Look again.  Always look again.”

--Mary Anne Rodmacher

            Oy vey, this has been a doozy of a week.  The sentiment of the past week was mixed with sadness, excitement, and sheer desperation.  It is incredibly odd and sad to think that my freshman year is quickly coming to an end.  I kid you not I can vividly remember being dropped off at my dorm back in August, unpacking my things, and then begging my parents to take me back home to Charlotte.  Convinced that there was no possibility of adjustment in the near future, I spent the first two weeks crying in the shower and trying to work out in my head where the flaw in the system was and why in the hell heck UNC admitted me.  Since then, I have grown to realize that it is not all about being smart…it’s about tricking people into thinking you’re smart and I have met people that I can confidently say I will be friends with for many years to come.  While I am none too pleased about leaving my friends and knowledge behind for the summer, the end of the summer is approaching with bittersweet anxiety because there’s a catch to being released for break.  Eight classes, four exams, one paper, one group project, and a room’s worth of packing stand between me and my ticket outta here. The weeks just before exams are of rare form and consist of high tensions, long nights in the library, and Grande cups of coffee…yuck.  Anywho, this is what happened in the real world this past week.  Can’t wait to see what is in store for the coming one!

Exam Reality:

#1: There are rare forms of gems in Chapel Hill and I was lucky enough to discover one this past week!  Meet Lee, a very handy tow truck driver who is awarded “most chivalrous man of the week”, an award I made up upon meeting him.  While he lacks valid competition, his efforts are not to be ignored and were truly appreciated when my roommate’s beloved car “Big Black” broke down on Monday.  She has AAA (wouldn’t it be nice? Hint hint mom and dad) and after calling, Lee arrived a short twenty minutes later with a smile on his face and an interesting story about a race of people in Tennessee called Mulungees.  I do not know if that is correct spelling or if there is even such a people but Lee spent a half hour talking about them as he not only inspected Mackenzie’s car but also replaced the battery and checked the alternator (yup I know car terms).  He was so nice and the whole time I was listening to him (and judging his poor choice of colleges…he went to/cheers for NC State. Ew.), all I could think about was writing about him in my blog…so of course I stealthily took some pictures.  Anywho Lee was a gem beneath all his car grime and Mackenzie and I are truly grateful for all your help.  And stories about Mulungees.

#2: There is absolutely nothing better than a dog.  If you don’t like dogs, I submit that you are crazy.  I seriously don’t know anything that is better than a dog!!!! (except for maybe a baby that doesn’t cry but those are so rare that I’m happy to settle on dogs) I came across this story about a dog named Grace who stood guard over her dog friend after he had been hit by a car.  After pining after both puppies for a little, I got on pinterest and pinned some other cute pictures of puppies.  What am I most excited about when I get to go home?  Seeing my dogs! The best part about the story is that Grace’s mommy and daddy finally came forward and she is actually a Maggie J

(scroll to the bottom to watch the video. good luck not crying!)

http://b93radio.com/blogs/post/cmckenzie/2012/apr/16/loyal-dog-will-not-leave-his-buddies-side-tearjerk/ 

#3: Life is precious.  I try not to taint the real world issues with sad stories usually but there is something to be said for the lessons we learn from the sad things in life.  This past week one of my sorority sister’s boyfriend, a dear friend to many, passed away in a tragic accident in St. Thomas.  Just a few years older than me, James Alexander graduated from Chapel Hill in 2010.  His death has made me, and many other students here, realize just how lucky we are to wake up everyday with our friends and family intact.  Please keep James and his family in your prayers and remember how lucky we are to be here.

            I am very grateful to have you all in my life and I hope that I will get to see many of you soon if I can survive these two weeks that threaten to break my sanity.  Hope you all have fabulous weeks and that none of you will be confined to the dusty barracks of a library stuffed with books about Middle East Realignment.  Oh yes. That is what I am accompanied by on the 6^th floor of Davis library.  And I guarantee there are some smarty smarts at this school just itching to read that tome for leisure once they finish up with their exams.  Me? I’m looking forward to pool and sleep! Love ya. Miss ya. Mean it.

Kane

The Stars

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD

“I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.”

--Galileo Galilei

            Chello everybody! Hope your week has been swell! Mine has been another full of studying and stressing for upcoming exams. Although it is sad to think that my Freshman year is over, I am eager to wrap those darn tests up and head home for summer.  In the mean time, I’m still discovering what it’s like to be on my own in the Real World so without further adieu:

#1: The stars shine brighter inside.  After nearly eight months at UNC, I finally made my first visit to the renowned Morehead Planetarium for a star show on the “Carolina Skies”.  It was fabulous and although it almost put me to sleep, it was nice to catch a glimpse of what UNC offers to the public.  While I went for extra credit for my Astronomy class, I could tell that the bubbly third graders there were thrilled to be experiencing something so cool.  So if you get the opportunity, I highly recommend checking out the planetarium cause it was awesome! (And it was inspiration for this week’s quote J)

#2: This week the UNC ballers got schooled.  As much as I hate to say it, the basketball players at our school can be a little sassy when it comes to fans; brilliant athletes, but sassy nonetheless.  This week however, the players took a moment out of their busy schedules to play ball with one lucky visitor and he gave them a run for their money.  What is so impressive about the challenger is that he is just 8!  I was very impressed with the boys and their friendliness towards the boy and his dreams of playing basketball.  I hope that they can remember to treat every fan like this and that they all continue to make us champs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic27I2AoVos&feature=related

#3: Time is dwindling and my collection of stuff is expanding.  As this weekend was a fairly deserted one for the hill, I took the opportunity to begin tackling the hoarder’s episode that has become my dorm room.  I am trying to get ahead on packing so that I don’t have to worry about it during exam week but boy were my endeavors ambitious!  I spent four hours on Friday on the packing project and all I have to show for it are walls void of pictures and a clean desk.  More progress to come fingers crossed!

To Brighten Your Week:

And my personal favorite...

            Sorry I don’t have more for y’all!  UNC tends to get a bit antsy and wild leading up to exams though so I have great hopes that this week will present a plethora of interesting real world experiences.  Love ya. Miss ya. Mean it.

Kane

Easter

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD

“Today is the oldest you’ve ever been and the youngest you’ll ever be again.”

           

Another week older, another week’s worth of real world experience.  Hello loved ones; I hope that your Easters were as fun and relaxing as mine, and that you got to spend the happy day with your wonderful family as I did.  Midterms have ended and final exams are quickly approaching so I’m fearful that this will be one of my last blogs of the school year!! SUCHHHHH a scary thought that my freshman year of college is almost over! I won’t cry right now cause I’m in the study lounge and there are lots of people around because I don’t wish to make any of y’all uncomfortable or feel pity for me, but if anyone was already thinking of sending me exam goodies (not because I’m terrible upset about the end of the year or anything, but just because you love me) I probably wouldn’t complain J Anywho, without further adieu, this is what is going on in the life of a college freshman/almost sophomore:

#1: College is hard.  To the older generations who reminisce on the “glory days” that were the greatest of your lives, I agree.  But to all you older generations who spoiled me with your “college is all fun” and “college is the time for making mistakes”, shame on you.  College is hard; I don’t care what you folks say. Once again the studying, midterms, and papers have gotten the best of my stress level.  If you know any Econ majors, give them my number and tell them to be prepared for a whole heap of questions.  College tours are in full swing as the weather warms up and every time I see a group stopped at the old well first I wanna scream, “Come to Carolina!!!! It’s the greatest place in the whole world!” And then I want to whisper as I walk quickly away, “and also it’s super hard so bring your mom to school with you to help you like she did in high school!”  All jokes aside, this is the greatest place evaaaa and I’m so happy to be here (minus the tests). Boo Duke!

#2: If I can wear a long dress, I’m in.  Thursday night was my sorority’s formal and I had a blast! The event was at the Fearrington (check it out: http://www.fearrington.com/house/) right outside of Chapel Hill and to say it was beautiful would be an understatement.  All the girls turned out in their best formal dresses for a delicious dinner and some “grade a” dancing with their dates.  “Liquid Pleasure”, the band, killed it as always with tunes from the 80s (the official music era of college) and by the end of the night, not even the pouring rain could dampen our spirits.  It was the perfect beginning to a great weekend!

The beautiful Fearrington:

Me and some Tri Delta ladies waiting for the bus:

#3: Nothing beats a mountaintop and some deviled eggs.  After a long night of formal-ing, I woke up early Friday morning and headed to Linville, right outside of Boone, North Carolina, to spend some time with the my ridiculously awesome family at my aunt and uncle’s mountain house.  The mountain air was a well-needed shock to my system and after a brief stint of car troubles (eeeeeek), the trip took off for a weekend of fun and relaxation.  In one weekend, I was serenaded by a 9 year old, fed my weight in delicious Easter cakes and deviled eggs, and loved up on by my ukulele-playing mama (Dear Aunt Ash, I don’t care if you think that’s weird J).  Easter weekend was topped off with a cute birthday party for my one-year-old cousin Claude.  The weekend was wonderful and I was reminded of all of the things that I have to be thankful for.  If you woke up tomorrow and only had the things that you had thanked God for yesterday, would you be happy?  (I stole that from a bumper sticker that my mom saw but it is interesting to consider. Happy Easter and thank God for all of you!)

To brighten your week:

            Would love to hear about life in y’alls real worlds! Love ya. Miss ya. Mean it.

Kane

Ra Ra Carolina 'Lina

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD

“You can never be overdressed or overeducated.”

--Oscar Wilde

            Well friends, this will be a somewhat condensed post this week due to my deep sadness for the heels and pending journals to write for my History class.  Quick before the tears come, this is the real world:

#1: Why do you hate me weather?  Once again, I have fallen victim to the bipolar Chapel Hill weather.  But who can blame me?? I woke up to the chirping of bluebirds and blinding Sun peeking through my less than satisfactory dorm blinds.  I dressed in my sundress and sandals ready to embrace the warm spring day pouring rain after my first class!  I sought refuge in one of the buildings and then made a break for the Tri Delt house.  This time I swear a rain jacket is going to become a permanent fixture of my backpack!!

#2: Home is where the heart is the good food, comfy couch, and sleepy dogs are!! I got a quick much needed visit home this weekend and saw the progress on the kitchen renovation.  For those of you who haven’t seen it, you’re missing out!  It’s going to be great once all the stuff that was once in our kitchen is removed from my room everything is finished!  While in Charlotte, I also got to shop with my mama and eat lunch with my awesome aunt and dad.  Also I got to watch the Heels beat up on Ohio in a very exciting overtime game, a memory that Chapel Hill is clinging to desperately during this time of suffering.  Anyway, miss ya mom and dad!  Thanks for the hospitality J

#3: May the odds be ever in your favor.  For those of you who have not read The Hunger Games series, I’m not sure we can be friends anymore.  The books were AMAZING and I was so excited to see the movie this past Friday with some friends during my stay in Charlotte.  It was wonderful, not as good as the books of course, but very good!  I will say that it was a bit more of a chick flick than I was expecting, just a warning for the boys…

To Brighten Your Week:

"MUST GET BALL!!"

Just a classic...

Hello in there!

              I’m sorry I’m so boring this week but I’m feeling very refreshed from my visit home and very sad about the Tarheels’ loss.  The combination is resulting in a frightening level of unproductivity so I am going to go try and rev that up for the approaching week.  Love ya. Miss ya. Mean it.

Kane

The Luck o' the Irish

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD

“You have exactly one life in which to do everything you’ll ever do. Act accordingly.” –-Colin Wright

Monumental week my friends.  Hope yours was as great as mine!! Here’s why:

#1: Humans vs. Zombies is back!  Oh yes my friends, why I thought the game made for dorks (pardon my judgment) was an annual thing is beyond me but I was pleasantly surprised to find the comic geniuses lurking behind walls with Nerf guns and socks in hand.  I didn’t want to creep any of them out too bad but I did manage to snag this stealthy shot of a boy in my class who is participating in the spring game and sporting his bandana to signal his involvement.  This boy mind you sits in front of me in History and EVERY day without fail checks the sixteen blogs he regularly follows that are jam packed with villains, superheroes, and cartoon damsels in distress.  Needless to say we are best friends…

 #2: Once again, I have been outsmarted.  When I was just beginning at this school I was convinced that everyone else here was smarter than me…now I am convinced that everyone in the world is smarter than me.  This past week I was passing one of the many field trip groups that visit UNC.  The kids I passed were MAYBE in the 5^th grade, maybe, and I overheard a few of these rugrats say “I’m gonna get a PhD!” and in respons, “Nah, I’m gonna get my Masters.” Cool little kid, I’m just trying to graduate…those little jerks.

#3: Happy St. Patty’s Day!!  The luck of the Irish runs strong through my veins and as a pale-skinned Irish dancing girl I can really appreciate the holiday!  This St. Patrick’s day I had a very fun Tri Delta cocktail to celebrate, to which I wore my best green and my new shamrock pin, compliments of my Aunt Cynthy.  I hope y’alls green day was as festive as mine!

The true Irish girl in me! I've come a long way, no?

Me and my friend Simon at the St. Patrick's Day cocktail!

#4: Boys love baseball.  Sometimes getting students to come to sorority philanthropy events can be like pulling teeth, but this weekend Tri Delta hosted its annual “Frats at Bat” softball tournament in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and it was a huge success!  I coached Sigma Chi with my friends Maggie and Betsy and although we didn’t win, our team was AWESOME and the event was so much fun!  All the boys were great sports and it was cool to see everyone come out to support such a great cause!

Us Sigma Chi coaches at the event!

Banner that Maggie and I painted for the event:

#5: Happy Birthday Mackenzie! My awesome roommate’s birthday is today and in addition to having our room filled with balloons, we also have three cakes and a dozen doughnuts…also she got some bacon for her birthday?  She’s from Kinston.  This week as I was sitting in our room studying, Mackenzie came in carrying my worst nightmare a mini trampoline.  Yes my friends a trampoline.  In our dorm room.  When I asked her why she thought that was appropriate she responded, “Well jumping on my bed just didn’t suffice so I bought a trampoline.”  That seems logical right?  When she told her dad about it he asked her if she also bought a helmet and Dr. Brown, I second your concern!  This is just one of the perks of living with this quirky lady.  Happy Birthday Mack! 

Mackenzie and her latest purchase:

To brighten your week:

I don't have to get a PhD! Take that little kids!

a letter that reminded me of the people that play "Humans vs. Zombies"

 Well I miss you all deeply and I hope y’all have all been doing great.  I’d love to hear from any of you so give me a ring or an email J Love ya. Miss ya. Mean it.

Kane