dance, dance, dance for the kids

photo by Ariel Williams

This year I had the opportunity to participate in Rebelthon, a 12-hour dance marathon fundraiser that benefits Blair E. Baton Children's Hospital. I was a little hesitant of being on my feet for numerous hours, but the cause was more than worth it. 

I didn't know what to expect coming into this event as a freshman, but it was lots of fun. The night was full of pancakes, glow sticks, bouncy houses, ballpits, hip-hop routines, lip-sync battles, and top of the hour dance numbers. Fannypacks were all the rave. Family stories were more than inspiring. And the kids had just as much fun as we did. Without a doubt, I left with a smile on my sleepy face.

Most importantly, we raised $265, 912.30 for the kids!

"Dancing with your feet is one thing, but dancing with your heart is another."

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first semester reflection

In all honesty, college was everything I had hoped it would be. It was a step toward the future I envision for myself and a piece of the freedom that I desperately needed. It has opened me up to so many things. Knowledge I'd never encountered, concepts I'd never thought to challenge, and people I'd always hoped to encounter.

Also, I love Honors College. I love Honors College. I love Honors College. Honestly, I can't express this enough. It's the best part about going to Ole Miss. 

Though, as you can imagine, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. It's school, so of course, it is hard work. I had many late nights, exams piled on top of one another, and papers that I waited until the last minute to complete. And I cannot fail to mention that Spanish gave me a run for my money but in the end, hard work really does pay off. 

As usual, I kept myself busy. I joined the yearbook staff and the school paper, as well as freshman council among other things. It's become clear to me that I prefer to live life with a million things to do than an excessive amount of free time. I mean, by the time Christmas pasted I was ready to start back up again. The lazy days only seem full of contentment and bliss for so long. Then, I become restless.

With involvement also comes putting yourself out there. I have received lots of no's but also so many yes's. And I'm sure there are many more rejections to come, but they make me appreciate the yes's so much more.

In the coming semester, I want to focus more on volunteering. It's something that I enjoyed so much in high school, and I want to get back to that. I feel the most fulfilled when I am giving of myself to others. 

Ultimately, college is full of countless opportunities, amazing people, and memories that I'm sure will last a lifetime. You never forget the excitement of your first gameday, the nerves of the first class, the fear of your first exam, the worry of not making friends, and the relief when you find those people.

You don't forget the long walks, the late night conversations with your roommate, the excessive trips to Walmart, or the last minute runs to the Union.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I hope not to take any of it for granted. I constantly find myself in awe of how truly blessed I am, and I don't ever want that to change. Appoxiately one eighth of this next great adventure is down. It's safe to say that I'm ready for round two.

"Months are different in college... especially freshman year. Too much happens." Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl

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twenty seventeen recap

The hope is that each passing year gets better. That life never slows or loses its ability to excite. This year was no different. It held my biggest life highs and its biggest lows. In honor of discovering happiness amongst the mayhem, here's a few of the things that made this year everything that it was.

I recieved a crown at a masquerade.
I cruised to Mexico.
I drew hearts in the sand.
I played the Baker's Wife.
I snapped photos on the streets of New Orleans.
I stood in front of Miss Robicheaux's Academy.
I delivered a valedictory address.
I loved every minute of HOBY Round 3.
I held a sign that read "Ole Miss Bound."
I learned to love dorm life.
I jumped in a ballpit with strangers.
I cheered on the Rebs.
I improved my Espanol.
I searched for pumpkins on the farm.
I binge watched "Stranger Things."
I sent way too many Spongebob memes.
I wondered through the Trail of Lights.
I ice skated on the roof of Whole Foods.
I ventured into a graffiti park.
I ate tex-mex in Texas.
I survived Atlanta traffic.
I drank tons of hot cocoa.
I wore matching pjs on Christmas.
I mastered the lazy day.

I graduated high school.
I left home.

I started my freshman year of college.

So many changes took place in 2017 that without a doubt it holds some special moments. This year could never be forgotten but it has set the stage for an even brighter year to come.

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adventures in austin

Here's to dance parties in the living room
millions of twinkling lights
cups on cups of hot cocoa
car rides to Katy
ice cream in the winter
laughing in Ubers
exploring downtown
sing alongs with the sisters
pancakes, avocados, and brunch
mountain top views
cans of spray paint
the steps of the Capitol
my favorite cousins 
fancy restaurants and even fancier cheese
edible Monopoly boards
doughnuts the size of my face
matching t-shirts
direct flights
bunk beds and movie nights
stickers from record stores
ice skating on the roof of Whole Foods
sitting in atx signs
keeping Austin weird

And most importantly, the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.
Thanks for a great time and even greater memories.

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freshman year: dorm room

I've officially been in college for a week, though technically classes just started today. And with Day 1 down, freshman year is off to a great start.

Fortunately, this year my roommate and I got to contribute to the madness that is Ole Miss dorm rooms, and we're really happy with the way ours turned out!

We didn't have to spend a fortune for our dorm room to look cute! From Alex's dad making our headboards to a family friend sewing our bedskirts, little details made our room more affordable and unique to us. Plus, Tjmaxx was our best friend this summer!

All in all, we're really proud of how it turned out. 

"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen." John Wooden

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freshman year: move-in day

It's one thing to say you're "Ole Miss Bound," but when you're actually in the process of packing up your life and moving it into a tiny, shared dorm room, your perception kind of changes a little.

I can honestly say that Move-In Day was just as stressful, if not more, than I expected it to be. I don't know what I would have done without the help of my family, who probably dragged more stuff than I did into my dorm room. And let's just clarify that in the Mississippi heat, that's real love. 

Overpacking was a huge concern of mine. No one thought there was any way everything would fit into the two vehicles we drove up, let alone inside of my dorm, yet we made it work which was honestly the biggest win of the day. 

With the stress & exhaustion of move in, and even down to the last goodbye, it was ultimately all worth it in the end. And as I've said a million times, I'm unbelievably excited for what this next chapter has in store. 

hotty toddy,

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summer days drifting away

Have you ever seen a movie in a series where nothing really happens? There's not really any action. The characters seem to be wondering. Maybe they take a long journey. A journey to a critical destination. Or a journey to find themselves.

And you think to yourself "Where's the action? Where's the adventure?"

Nothing special goes on in the drawn out film but when you see the next installment it all makes sense. You couldn't appreciate it then, but you needed this "filler film" to return to the action that takes place just around the bend.

I don't like to think of my life in these term, but if I had to put this summer into words, that's what I would call it. A filler with the next big thing just beyond the horizon.

I've had to come to terms with the fact that life isn't always going to be go, go, go. Though, generally, that is how I like it. This is the first summer in a while where I've been home for its majority, which is something I was pretty bummed about at first.

However, I've used this time to work on myself and prepare for the year to come.

Lazy days.
Summer jobs.
Dorm shopping.
Skylar's personal chauffeur (though she's my personal photographer).
Minimal stress.
Minimal responsibilities.

I haven't kept up with music, or media, or this blog to be quite honest.

And life's been pretty good in this transition from high school life. I've been allowed to simply enjoy just being. And it's a wonderful thing. Though, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't ready for things to pick up again. That's just who I am. I enjoy being busy. It keeps me sane. 

Anyway, I moved into my college dorm yesterday, which means my "filler summer" is coming to a close. There have been lots of great memories made in summer twenty seventeen but its time for a change.

"Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something." Regina Brett

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