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

Spring Break

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD

“I’m going to make everything around me beautiful-that will be my life”

-Elsie de Wolfe

Sorry for the delay guys!  I was rushing through the last week of school before Spring Break and then I was enjoying my break with the fam so hope my stories make up for the skipped week!!

#1: Any excuse for a dance is good enough for me…even if it’s a “Valentine’s Dance” two weeks post v-day!! Before I left for break, “Best Buddies” decided to host a valentine’s day ball for all of the buddies and it was so much fun! It gave me a great excuse to take a break from midterm studying and boogie with my awesome buddy Molly.

#2: Elvis was the greatest person to ever live.  Okay maybe I’m exaggerating a teensy bit but I after eighteen years of anxiously waiting, I FINALLY got to visit the king’s home at Graceland and the magic of it all is still wearing off.  As I wandered through the carpeted kitchen and leather and velvet clad plane of Graceland I couldn’t help but feel like I was in the presence of royalty.  While mama was less than impressed with his quaint home (YOU’RE CRAZY!), I was consumed with joy and vowed my love for him forever with the purchase of a Graceland t-shirt.  Top that all you college students who went to the tropics for Spring Break…oh wait, you can’t!

A sign from Elvis' dad on the office door:

#3: The Real World is being taken over by ukulele players.  This of course is a joke however my mom insists there are at least three FAMOUS ukulele players she can name off the top of her head.  Don’t ask her to say their last names because she doesn’t know them can’t pronounce them.  For those of you who don’t know, my mama has been taking lessons at the ukulele school in UNCW for the past six weeks and she has all but perfected the art of Hawaiian strumming.  Because I think the ukulele to be an interesting but rare instrument, I was shocked to learn that my Uncle Lew also dabbled in the art during his college years.  Upon learning this gem of knowledge, myself, my aunt Ashley, and my cute cousin Holly were serenaded by the talented duo.  Wish you all could have been there to hear the grooves flowing freely!!

#4: Tri Delta’s are dancing queens!  The week before break all of the sororities competed in a dance competition and I was on the Tri Delt team!  It was so much fun and I think our dance turned out pretty cool!  Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0efsDeq8Cg&feature=youtu.be

#5: HAPPY 23^rd ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!  It’s true, my mom has put up with my dad my mom and dad have been married for an eventful 23 years.  What are they doing to celebrate on their wheat anniversary you may ask?  Celebrating the progress of their kitchen renovation of course!! If I’m as happy as y’all are after 23 years of marriage, I’ll consider myself lucky.  Love you both!

Happy birthday Ginny Lowe!! Tomorrow is my favorite stalker’s dear friend Ginny’s 19^th birthday!! Yayayayaya!

The rest of/to brighten your week:

Me, Whit, and my baby cousin, Nora

A FABULOUS picture I found of my Pop and Dolly:

Back to school...

...but is it really so bad?

Miss you all like crazy!  Hope everyone’s doing well!  This week I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of school, the Carolina basketball spirit that seems to be a permanent fixture in March, and a St. Patrick’s Day cocktail, for which I have made some promises to break out the old irish dance skills…LOOKOUT!! Love ya. Miss ya. Mean it.

Kane

Dancing and Disney

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I’ve ended up where I needed to be.” –Douglas Adams

            Hello loved ones, hope you all are well!  This week the real world kicked my butt.  The tests were hard, the weather was bipolar, and the toffee supply was dwindling.  No worries here though; I’m hoping I survived the tests and am looking forward to a week consisting of the following: Greek Groove, a dance competition among all of the UNC sororities (check out tri delt’s dance from last year!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNkFhXyS-oY); a visit from some potential UNC students (yay!); and a “throw down from your hometown” mixer, to which I will be wearing a Panthers jersey and a crown (for the Queen City).  Anywho, without further adieu, the highlights of this week in the real world:

#1: Dance like there’s no tomorrow!  There really isn’t a tomorrow when you sign up to dance for 24 hours; all matters of time sort of begin to blend together as you electric slide, cha cha, and running man to tunes in a dark gym.  Dance Marathon was a great success though and it was evident throughout what a great impact our funds make on the families of the NC Children’s hospital.  We dancers were not alone in our mission to groove; the Chapel Hill basketball team came out Friday night to cheer us on, shoot a few hoops, and boogie down.  I got a pic with Reggie Bullock, another Kinston High alum with my roommate Mackenzie.  It was great to see all the support for this great cause; thank you to those of you who donated to my fundraising efforts!!

Sunrise Walk at Kenan Stadium

Me, my friend Kaki, and Reggie

#2: Ra ra Carolina ‘Lina!  Months of putting my name in the lottery for basketball tickets and nothing to show for it…what a bummer.  Finally, my dreams of attending at least one basketball game my freshman year here came true, thanks to my godfather Charlie.  I got to cheer on the Heels as they whooped up on the Clemson kitty cats.  It was a great game!  Thanks Charlie!

#3: You never get too old for Disney.  Guess where Ashley Hollingsworth jetted off to this morning?  Yes friends, mama is in the place where dreams come true: Disney World…sans Kane.  Although Whit and I are very disappointed that our invitations to this grand adventure were lost in the mail, we can’t help but reminisce on the great times Disney gave our family.  Shout out to the original dream makers, Pop and Dolly, who rode the kiddy rides with me, bought us endless supplies of cotton candy, and refused to allow my mother to put me in a leash during our first trip to Disney.  I hope y’all are having a blast!!!! Go see the tree of life for me J

Papa LOVES ketchup!

#4: IT’S SNOWING…well it WAS snowing at least.  Just yesterday morning I was talking about how much I wanted it to snow at least once this year.  Well I’ll be darned if it didn’t start snowing just a few hours later!  Thick white flakes covered the sidewalks and lawns, prompting a snow plow on Franklin.  Of course this winter wonderland only lasted for about 14 seconds before the snow turned to slush, and the slush turned to puddles.  By the time we woke up this morning, the Hill had returned to its green self, sun out, dry streets, and no snowman in sight.  Hope y’all see some snow soon!!

The Delt house in the snow

To brighten your week:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-9EYFJ4Clo

Can’t wait to hear about y’alls weeks! I promise I’ll try to be more exciting this week! Love ya. Miss ya. Mean it.

Kane

Happy Valentine's Day

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD

Love is patient, love is kind…

It bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things.

- 1 Corinthians 13:4, 7

            This special edition of the Real World is for Valentine’s Day and is for you, the ones I love.  In the midst of the beginning of a very hectic and stressful week, filled with exams and hours in the library, a bright piece of home has arrived in the form of a package.  Many of you probably missed out on my request for Ms. Shelly Mann’s delicious toffee a couple of weeks ago, after all it was very subtle.  Nonetheless, Ms. Shelly did not disappoint!  For the past couple of weeks I have been anxiously awaiting the package email that would reunite me with this deliciously addictive sweet and finally the day arrived, and just in time for valentine’s day…lovely.  Thank you again Ms. Shelly; I am currently looking for a top secret hiding spot where I can store my toffee and protect it from the thieving girls on my hall ;)

My toffee

            Dear boys, I hope that you have all come up with something truly spectacular to do for your gals tomorrow!  This is the one day you have get to be the romantic stud from the movies and we ladies do not like to be disappointed.  So wear your brightest pink or red, pick up some flowers (my favorite are spider mums and hydrangeas), and most importantly, be nice. 

 True Love (and some funnies)

"Ideally, i'll never get old. (but if i must, i'd rather do it with you)"

Love ya. Miss ya. Mean it.

Kane

James Dean, my Valentine...i wish.

I'm Funny

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD

“Be the kind of woman who, when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the Devil says, ‘Oh no, she’s up’.”

            Another good week in the Real World! I’m gearing up for a History exam on Tuesday, a fundraising Pancake Dinner on Thursday at the Tri Delt house (check out the banner I painted with my friend Maggie!), an Econ exam on Friday, and UNC’s Dance Marathon Friday-Saturday!!! By the way, it isn’t too late to donate to the cause supporting the NC Children’s Hospital.  This is the link to it: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/kanehollingsworth/unc-dance-marathon-2012

Thank you again to those of you who helped me raise money; I really appreciate it and I know the kiddos at the hospital will too!  Anyway, this is what happened in the Real World these past two weeks:

The banner Maggie and I painted:

 #1: People in the real world are VERY serious about their sports.  Neither of my parents have had a strong allegiance to a particular sports’ team so as Whit grew up, he was kind of left up to his own devices when it came to choosing a college basketball team to root for.  Because Whit shares an unnatural fondness for my cousin Holly, who went to Duke, Whit chose to be a blue devil, and because I hold an unnatural fondness for Whit, I also called my self a Duke fan when the infamous UNC vs. Duke games rolled around.  When I decided on UNC for school, I felt the need to switch allegiances, and as I had not been a devout Duke fan anyway, it wasn’t a huge deal. Call me a traitor all you want but the sky will always be Carolina blue, which means we’ve got God on the Tarheels’ side.  Anyways this past Tuesday was the big face off between the devils and the heels and I learned very quickly that to be a sometimes fan was no longer acceptable.  So I donned my colors and headed off to watch the game at a local restaurant.  The atmosphere was nothing less than chaotic: screaming boys, shaking tables, sloshed drinks, and LOUD cheering.  Every basket for the heels was like a personal victory for each fan and the restaurant went crazy.  The real kicker, for those of you who didn’t watch the game (shame on you Grace Mann), came during the last second.  Chapel Hill was up by two points when Dookie freshman, Rivers, made a three point shot…dead silence in the restaurant.  It was certainly a disappointment but both teams played a great game and that was a stellar shot for the freshy.  Fortunately we play the devils again in just a couple of weeks and will have a chance to whoop their booties in THEIR house.  Ra ra Carolina ‘lina. Go to hell Boo Duke.

The infamous shot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X1ewxVwhug&feature=related

#2: Astronomers are cuties.  I have recently decided to change my major to astronomy on account of I learned this week in my astronomy lab that ALL astronomy grad students are level 11 on the cuteness scale.   I considered sending out an “Alert Carolina” email to educate the people on this campus about these hidden stars (see what I did there?) but I have temporarily opted to keep this information to myself, giving me a better chance of being invited to the planetarium for a star gazing date.  I have composed a short list of science-based jokes to help break the ice with the nerds:

 I will have to take physics and chemistry to be astronomy major so the plan is a bit problematic but I will keep you all updated on my quest for dorky love!

#3: I was unaware that in order to succeed in the real world, you really do need a good set of “party tricks”.  I’ve tried everything: playing the ukulele, juggling clementines, doing a handstand, but I am no good at any of these things.  This week I have taken to telling the above science jokes in order to impress all of my new friends and teachers but I am quickly running out of witty funnies so if anyone has any suggestions that I can add to my repertoire, I would be very appreciative.  So far I am most impressed by people that can pogo stick, do a back flip, sing, or play darts…I’ve got big shoes to fill.

            In other news, the Great Gatsby cocktail was very fun and I had a great time shag dancing to “Our Love Beats Music” and “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy”.  Also, Mama came last week, bearing gifts and dinner promises.  It was great to see her, if only for a short time! Hope that your weeks have been stellar; I’d love to hear about them.  Love ya. Miss ya. Mean it.

Great Gatsby Cocktail with my roommates for next year:

 Dinner with some gals:

R.I.P. Whitney

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3giaIzONA&ob=av2e

Kane