Spring Break 2011!

So, my big plans for spring break consist of me being at home for seven straight days of peace and relaxation! Go ahead and call me lame for not partaking in all the wildness that takes place on the white sandy beaches of the gulf! I fully plan on partaking in all that wildness next year when I can legally have a good time!

Coming home for spring break is exactly what I needed this year. The first two and half months of this semester have been a huge learning experience for me. I have had to figure out how to time manage more than I ever had to before and I haven't been doing that good of a job. It's really hard to live in a sorority house because there is always something else you would rather be doing. There is always someone around willing to procastinate with you. My living situation has been both good and bad for me because it has forced me to be more outgoing and get to know the people that I live with but it has also made me think that being social is the only important aspect of life and it is having negative effects on my performance in school.

I am also taking some of the hardest classes that I have ever been in this semester. No one can really talk until they actually start to get into their major classes. Learning what you are actually going to be practicing in the real world is a whole nother ball game than just memorizing facts for a required lower level class. I don't want to be the Accounting major without a life though. I refuse to only focus on my studies because in the end that is not going to make me a better person. I need to learn how to interact with people as well as how to give back to my community because both of those things can only add to my career later in life. I want to succeed but I also want to make sure that I enjoy the ride.

I needed to come home for Spring Break to rejuvenate my life. I need to get caught up on school work so that I can go back feeling confident about the rest of the semester. I also just need to rest and reconnect with people I haven't talked to in a while. Taking a break is what everyone needs once in a while.

Today was my first day of spring break and it was a day of perfect balance. I got to catch up on sleep, catch up on some of my tv shows and started the process of catching up on school work. I am so looking forward to this week! I know that might make me a nerd but I don't care. Taking care of yourself is the most important aspect of your life and this week of balance is just what the doctor ordered!

The name of the game is taking care of yourself, because you're going to live long enough to wish you had.” - Grace Mirabella

Sisterhood Retreat 2011!

I am guessing that the title of this post is somewhat unfamilar to some people. Sisterhood in the form of a sorority is not something that everyone chooses to par take in. I wasn't even sure if being in a sorority was the right thing for me when I first joined. I knew that I needed a small group of people on campus because I am really shy and I wouldn't have been able to meet people on my own. Jumping into something like a sorority the first week in college is a lot to handle, but I came to college telling myself that I was going to take what life threw my way. I didn't realize that being in a sorority would be the best decision that I made coming into college.

That decision is reconfirmed everyday that I spend in Athens. I never thought that I would have a 150 girls yelling "Dang" every time I walk into a room or the confidence to get over my shyness. Being a part of a sorority and living in the house has made me realize that there are so many people in this world. I would never have come into contact with most of my sisters because (a) UGA is a huge place and (b) we all comes from different walks of life. All my sisters have shaped the way I deal with people and life in general. I feel blessed every day that I get to spend with each and everyone of my sisters.

Today, we had our sisterhood retreat and I learned so much more about why I love Delta Gamma! I was almost in tears at the end of the retreat because everyone takes something different from their experience with Delta Gamma yet we all wouldn't be the people that we are today without each other. My sisters are some of the most important people in my life and I can't do anything without them. I know that two years from now when I have to say good bye to this part of my life I am going to be in tears but I will have to look back on college and say that Delta Gamma made my four years worth it.

I always go back to the idea that I am living life one day at a time. Delta Gamma affects me every day and it is something I would never be able to live without and I love the fact that I am reminded on a daily basis how much Delta Gamma means to me.  Shout out:  PC 09 got that boom boom pow!!

Dance Marathon 2011

"There's a little bit of insanity in dancing that does everyone a great deal of good"

It's that time of year again! It's that one day in which UGA students come together to give back for 24 straight hours. It's 24 hours filled with a morale dance, numerous performances, food and fun! That's right it's UGA Miracle's Dance Marathon.

I have been a part of Miracle for the last two years. Last year I was really involved and raised well over my goal for fundraising. When it came time for Dance Marathon, I was a little hesitant about how I was going to stay up all night, but the DGs made a great team and stuck it out. I will never forget the closing ceremonies in which the total fundraising amount was announced and we all got to cut off our hospital bracelets because we had given 24 hours of our busy lives to the kids! I was literally in tears and knew that those 24 hours had forever changed how I view the world.

This year, my life has changed a little bit. I am more involved with Delta Gamma, Habitat for Humanity and my school work. I also have a job that prevented me from attending the Team Member meetings for Miracle last semester. I have been out of touch with Miracle for the whole year, but I knew that I needed to show up at Dance Marathon to show my support. I got up this morning and treked on over to Tate. As soon as I walked in the door, every memory from last year came flooding back. Those 24 hours in which I heard from numerous children about how they beat their illnesses...continually hearing that they would not be alive if it weren't for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Children's Miracle Network. Throughout the past two years I have met numerous people who are Miracle children. This program has been going on for years and you never realize how many people it affects until you start talking to others.

I regret not being more involved with Miracle this year. I have been fortunate that no one in my family has had to use the services of Children's Healthcare but I have learned through Miracle that no one knows what tomorrow is going to bring. UGA's efforts are making a difference daily in the lives of children and I will be forever greatful that I had the opportunity see our efforts pay off. I wish that I didn't have to study for a test this afternoon or try to sleep off whatever sickness is dragging me down. I would love to be at the marathon dancing the night away with children who have gone through so much more than me in such a short period of time.

I can't say enough about the impact of 24 hours. Next year will be different. I will once again be at Dance Marathon for the whole 24 hours in order to show my support. I am thinking about all the people who are there now and praying that their experience is just as worthwhile as mine was last year!

No matter where my life leads me I will always remember the impact that UGA Miracle and Children's Miracle Network has on the UGA's campus and the rest of the world. I will always be FTK (For The Kids)!!! 

"Miracles happen to those who believe in them" 

Music

I wouldn't call myself a music expert. I don't compare the beats or rhythms of similar songs or try to teach myself how to play an instrument. I have always looked at music as something to do while in the car or something that wakes me up in the morning. I just never considered the impact that music has on everyone.

There are probably a lot of people who think I have horrible taste in music. My iTunes is filled with more than my fair share of country albums along with a number of other songs that are just taking up space on my computer. I could probably fit all the songs that I actually listen to on less than 10 CDs. Like I said, I am not a music aficionado.

What I have discovered about music this week is that it's an outlet that can perfectly match all the emotions that you are feeling at a particular time. Out of all my songs, I usually know before I turn on my computer what song will put me in just the right mood. If I am thinking about life in general, I turn to either one of my trusty country bands or some mellow rock. If my emotions are all up in the air then there is usually one song that I know and love. And if I just want to be on the beach not worrying about a thing, I usually turn to trusty old Zac Brown.

I love the fact that I can always thinks of lyrics to songs but I don't get into these moods too often. My day/week has to be pretty emotional for me to feel the need to listen to music on a regular basis. This week has been one of those weeks and all the listening I have done this week has made me realize how important music is. It has the power to change people's emotions in a moment and sometimes its just one of those things that's good for the soul!

SNOW!!!

There are mounds and mounds of snow in Athens at this very moment! I came back to this great city yesterday and I was kind of freaking out about having to go back to school tomorrow. There were just some things that I hadn't had the chance to do over break and I really wanted to get done before classes started.

I have been blessed with one more day of break and I have realized how wonderful snow is. Snow is just utter bliss! It is white and creates a blanket on the world. People in Georgia don't see snow very often and for once I am finally enjoying. There is a balance between work and play. Tomorrow will be the best day for me to enjoy myself as well as get those last minute things checked off my list.

I will upload pictures soon. Athens is beautiful tonight and I am loving my life!

Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of the year...not. Everyone knows that the holidays tend to bring out the emotions within family dynamics. Everyone spends a little too much time together and it just becomes a touchy subject. It's even too hard to describe in words. As hard as everyone tries to make Christmas the best time of year, it's just one of those things that makes life a little more stressful than usual.

This year, Christmas was the smallest side dish on my massive plate of commitment. I got home from Athens on the 14th and my work for Habitat's fundraiser started on the 18th. I had a few days to "relax" but you know I had an interview for a scholarship, a hair appointment and babysitting to get done. Once the fundraiser started I was at a different store each day wrapping gifts to my heart's content. Believe me it was rewarding especially when I saw the final number for donations but my body has literally been going all semester. I have not had a break. Along with Habitat's Gift Wrap I had to work on stuff for my new position in the sorority. Dues had to be inputted into the computer by December 26th, so that means it had to be done before Christmas.

Naturally since all this stuff was going on in my life before Christmas, I reached a breaking point on Christmas Eve. There are so many emotions that surround Christmas sometimes it wears a girl out. This whole semester has worn me down, so it was good for me to just get everything out on Christmas Eve. I had a lovely time at my grandmother's house and the past few days have been relaxing. I really enjoy the times when I don't have to worry about too many things.

The problem is gearing myself up for more tasks. There are emails to answer, friends to hang out with, applications to submit and rooms to clean. I am quickly finding out that young adulthood is filled with many tasks. There aren't too many moments that are just filled with laziness. I can't say that I don't enjoy being busy because it always gives me something to do but there comes a time when I am too busy and I am going to have to take a step back. I have to recharge for next semester or else my threshold of stress is going to break more often.

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year because it forces us to think about the previous year. I know I am going to make some changes in 2011, so that I can be a better me. I love all the things I do, but there is more to life than tasks for sure. I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas!

A Month

That's how long it's been since I posted on this blog. The last time I posted was probably one of the last times that I had a spare minute the whole month. The holidays are just an awful time of year for time management. It's the time of final's stress at school, yet there are so many other things to worry about with the holidays right around the corner.

I went midnight shopping while we were out in Texas for Thanksgiving but yet I didn't get anything for anyone but myself. Yes I found some great deals but gifts for my family and friends should of been  my top priority. I ended up ordering all of my gifts for my family online this year. It was just one click and done! With everything I had to do, that was the way to go. I haven't even thought about getting stuff for my friends. I think everyone is going to get books since that is where I am going to be spending most of the next week. I know it's kind of a cop out but I have to do what's most time efficient.

Speaking of books...not only did I have to worry about finals and shopping, I had to get the last minute details for Habitat for Humanity's fundraiser together. From December 18th to the 24th, I will be helping all of my wonderful store leaders and volunteers gift wrap purchases for customers in stores across Georgia. It will be the conclusion to all the work I have been doing all semester to get ready for this massive fundraiser. My goal is to raise $12,000 and I will be one of the happiest people alive if it is achieved.

Also, I am taking over the position of Delta Iota's vp: finance for the coming year. Did you know it takes a lot of time and effort to run a sorority's finances? I didn't know how much until about two weeks ago. I am learning quickly though. It just wasn't something I was expecting in the final weeks of the semester.

I am getting my grades back from my finals and by some miracle I am doing better than I expected, but this semester has really surprised me. I do need to start saying no to projects because I end up getting pulled in ten different directions most of  the time. How can I give up something that fulfills different aspects of my life? I have a job. I do volunteer work. I am a leader in two organizations and I am an Accounting major. All of those things will lead to something better in life, so how do I choose. I refuse to choose right now. I want to do everything because all those things are what make my college career worthwhile. I just hope that I can stay sane by trying to do everything.

This semester has taught me a lot of lessons about life. It gets crazy and hectic sometimes but there are always the little moments that you have to cherish. I love the moments that I walk into the deeg and see all the sisters that I have gotten to know so well by living in the house. I also enjoy the moments when I am sitting by myself, just taking a moment to breath and reflect on life in general. As much work as it takes to go for twelve hours a day, I wouldn't change it because that means I am missing out on something. A month is a long time to go without reflecting. I don't want it to happen again because that means I am not taking time to process the things that are going on around me. I have just summarized what my life in a month looks like and believe me, it is a real brief summary. Life goes on day by day and there is always something to look forward to or work on in order to be better prepared for the next day.