a weekend to celebrate

Not only is today Father's Day, but Friday was also my mother's birthday - our family has a lot to celebrate this weekend!  In other news, my dear friends celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary, and two other couples I know got married. Whew - seems like a busy weekend for everyone!


On top of all the family and friend celebrations, another huge event went down on Saturday. The Boston Bruins paraded the Stanley Cup from TD Garden to Boston Common, and I went down and joined about 1 million of my "fellow Bruins fans" to see the spectacle. No, I am not a hockey fan, but how do you pass something like this up?!

The crowd was ENORMOUS and absolutely insane! Everyone was so excited for the Bruins, and that excitement was contagious. I was convinced I'd be pretty mellow about the whole thing, but as soon as I saw that cup, I was right there cheering with everyone else.

Cheers of "We got the Cup!" and "Let's go Bruins!" rang out throughout the whole parade route. Banners and signs and fake cups lined the parade route along with rowdy but generally well-behaved fans. Although there were some climbing incidents (trees, street lamps, trash cans, even the T stop), I didn't see a single fight or arrest. Glad we could all get together to celebrate in harmony.

This weekend has worn me out - with the parade and birthdays and Father's Day, I'm wiped! Here's to a happy, relaxing Sunday before the craziness of this week starts up again. Hope you all had a lovely weekend and told your dads how much you love them!

summer is shaping up

Sorry, I know it's been a while. But honestly, I just didn't have anything to say. My internship has started and is getting in full swing, so when I get home, the last thing I want to do is stare at my computer. On the days I don't have my internship, I have been relaxing, hanging out, and reading - not much time for blogging! Maybe this is a sign that my life needs to be more exciting...I'll work on that.


Anyway, my summer is starting to shape up! As I said, I have my internship to keep me busy three days a week. Not too overwhelming, but it's busy enough. This week marks two other exciting things - my mom's birthday is on Friday, and then Father's Day is Sunday! Sadly, I won't be able to celebrate with them, but hopefully I can make up for that on family vacation in a few short weeks.


Speaking of family vacation, I am finally going to experience Vegas! I can't wait and hope it's as fun as everyone says. It will be about a week of shows, good food, and hanging out with the fam - I just hope I can have one day by the pool! This Boston weather is not doing me any favors. 10 degrees in the winter, 58 degrees in the summer, or record highs of 97 with severe weather threats. Seriously, can't you figure out how to be nice?!


After I get back from Vegas, my lovely little Teresa will be in Boston for a whole month! She's studying at Harvard, and I can NOT wait for her to get here!! She's going to be my excuse to explore Harvard and find my potential Harvard husband - kidding...kind of. I am so excited to explore Boston with her and just catch up; we haven't been together in a long time, so I'm pumped for some quality bonding time!


And that brings us to August. The first weekend of August, my dear friend Jonathan comes to visit me! That weekend will include tons of good food, exploring the city, and a Red Sox/Yankees game - how exciting! Neither of us are baseball fans, but I can't wait to go experience one of the biggest rivalries in major league baseball. Then, at the end of August, I'm going to the Kenny Chesney/Zac Brown Band/Billy Currington concert at Gillette Stadium! Floor seats, sitting on the field where the Patriots will hopefully start playing again in the fall (stupid strike, get over it already!), I'm super excited. I've seen Kenny before, and it's a whole lot of fun!


Hard to believe the week after the concert, school starts again. I basically have a road map for the whole summer - it's a little strange! But I'm excited to see what happens and where the unplanned part of my summer takes me. I'll keep you updated, and promise to post again sooner!

here goes nothing

First of all, I hope everyone had a relaxing, happy, and fun-filled Memorial Day weekend, and I hope you all took at least a few minutes to remember all the men and women who have died to allow us to have our BBQs and beach bashes and potlucks.

I had an amazing week at home celebrating my dad's 60th birthday, my brother's 21st birthday (without any alcohol...yeah, I don't get it either), and Memorial Day with my friends. My mom and I conspired to fly me home as an extra surprise for my dad's surprise party, which all went off without a hitch! I wish I had a picture of my dad's face walking through the door, but I was told to hide behind a pole - better than in a closet! He was honestly shocked that we were all there to celebrate his birthday and had a fantastic time. My favorite part of the night (besides the amazing food courtesy of Newton Farms Catering) was my dad saying, "I'm so glad to see you, but when are you leaving?" His shock made him a little tactless, but it was pretty funny all the same.

That left me with 5 days left at home, and in those 5 days, I got 2 fantastic beach days and one pool day. I think I did pretty well for my short vacay! Those 5 days were crammed filled of friends, family, food, and fun - and sun! I honestly forgot how much I missed everything and everyone, and every time I go back I get reminded of how incredible my family and friends are. I truly could not survive without them!

My next adventure starts tomorrow - my internship! I'm slightly nervous because I have no idea what I'll be doing all summer, but I'll update y'all as the summer goes on. First days are always nerve wracking but hopefully it'll turn out for the best! I've got quite a busy summer ahead - internship, friends coming to visit, Vegas trip, my lovely little Teresa coming to Harvard for a month, concerts, baseball games, etc. I might be grateful for school to start again...yeah, no, that's a lie. I can't wait for all of my summer adventures! 


"No matter what state I'm in, I'm in a southern state of mind" - Darius Rucker, "Southern State of Mind"

end of the world...?

It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine. 


Keep on dancing til the world ends. 


We gonna party like, like it's the end of the world.


According to some people, today is the end of the world. The Mayans said it would happen next year in 2012. So who is right? Personally, I don't think either of them are right. I don't think we can truly know when it's "the end" until it is; I don't think we can predict the exact date or time (unlike a certain someone who called today the end).


So since I haven't heard news of horrible earthquakes or people magically disappearing today, I think we're ok. I still have a lot of plans ahead of me, so today can't be the end of the world. As for my plans for today, I'm going to spend this somewhat sunny Saturday (hey, at least it's not raining!) shopping on Newbury Street. It'll be nice to get out of the apartment, get some fresh air, and maybe spend a little money! Then tonight I'm going to say goodbye to one of my dearest friends up here in Boston - and we're going to dance "until the world ends."

my favorite things

In honor of my trip home next week, I am letting you in on all of my favorite summer activities or places. Most of these are near and dear to my heart, so if you ever visit Charleston, I highly suggest you check these places out!!

The first place I want to go eat when I get home is Poe's Tavern. Located on the main drive of gorgeous, historic Sullivan's Island, this place has delicious food in an awesome, beachy atmosphere. Literally, this place is steps from the beach. I am so in love with their Pit and Pendulum burger as well as their queso - really, this place is just delish! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!!

Next on the list is the beach! This is a picture of Isle of Palms, my number two beach destination. Normally I'd go to Sullivan's Island, but it's always good to mix it up a bit. I love spending long, lazy summer days with my beach chair, good friends, and beautiful ocean views. Nothing short of perfection...

Speaking of those friends, these are some of my favorite summer beach pictures with my dear friends, Jonathan and Chrissy. This was the summer after our freshman year of college (yikes - long time ago!), but it was honestly one of my favorite days of all time. I can't wait to see them and all of my other dear friends - I miss them SO much!!

And last but not least, the reason I'm going home - my family. It's my dad's 60th birthday, and we're throwing him a surprise party (shhhhh....don't tell anyone either of those secrets!!). I miss my family so much - it's been months since I've seen them. I can't wait to spend a week with them in my beautiful hometown.

I'll let you in on more Charleston secrets when I get back, but for now, I'm going to try to enjoy my lazy, rainy, gray day here in Boston. Not nearly as fun as the warm, sunny South!

i made it!

Race time: 9 hours.


After a week of cramming, teaching myself an entire semester's worth of theory in two days, and spending a total of 9 hours taking finals, I am officially 2/3rds of the way through grad school! It has been a crazy, hard, ridiculous semester, and I could not be more happy to have it be over. But that makes it real that I only have one more semester...16 or so weeks...until I am back out in the real world. Part of me can't wait, part of me wants to be done with school forever. But the other part of me has to deal with all the scary parts - where to live, what to do, will I find a job, will I like said job. I will be leaving the safety net of school and figuring things out on my own, which is exciting and terrifying all at the same time.


I've learned a lot about myself throughout this semester. I've learned which battles to fight and which to just let go. It's not worth arguing for something when you won't be able to change a person's mind. I know when to push it, and when I need to go a little easier on myself. And I'm proud of everything I've accomplished this semester, regardless of how it was received by a professor.


So I have 11 days until my surprise visit, which I could not be more excited about. In these next 11 days, I will sleep in late, go to the gym, and relax. I could not be more ready for a break - even if it will be a rainy, dreary, cold break in Boston. Never been more ready for some sunshine...


June 1st marks the next big event - the beginning of my internship. I'm excited and a little nervous; I'm hoping it'll be a good fit. But until then, I'm not even going to worry about a thing. It's time to roll with the punches and take life as it comes for a bit.

I can see the finish line

A few weeks ago (on April 18th to be exact) thousands of runners came through Boston, all running the Boston Marathon. I went out with my friend Ali to cheer them on, and honestly it was one of the most inspirational things I have ever seen. There I was, standing at the 22 mile mark, and these people are still running. At that point, they can taste the finish line; after all, it's only a few short miles away. They've overcome Heartbreak Hill, they've made it this far, and by God, they are going to finish.

Which brings me to my semester. I am at that point. I might even be at the 23 mile point. But I can see the finish line. This coming week is the last week of classes; in fact, they end on Thursday, just in time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (which you better believe I will - I need a margarita!). I have two finals next week - one on Tuesday and one on Thursday. And then it's done. Over. Summer will finally be here.


And I could not be happier. This semester has been the roughest semester of my academic career. I do not enjoy my classes, I feel like I'm not learning anything, and everything is basically a big slap in the face. The reason I don't like any of my classes is because I didn't get to pick them - the only class I did pick, I like. But everything else was a requirement, which I understand I have to take. That doesn't mean I have to like it though. Grading is so subjective, and I feel like no matter how much effort I put into an assignment, no matter how good I think it is or my peers think it is, I get a B. First of all, a B is for Bad in my book, but not in grad school. Here, professors think B's are great work. Not in my little 4.0 head. So that's disheartening. It's also disheartening when someone who didn't put nearly as much time into a project as you did ends up with a much higher grade. It makes me not want to try. Which is a horrible feeling when you're spending so much money on this "great" education.


Don't get me wrong; I am so grateful for the education I am receiving, and most of the time, I'm really happy here. But I am so ready for this semester to be over, to start my internship, and to start back in the fall, renewed and refreshed. I can't wait to spend some time at the beach, hang out with my friends, and go on vacation with my family. I'm ready to really get a chance to explore Boston, and I'm really ready for my little (sorority term) Teresa to get to Harvard in July!


I just have to make it through these next two weeks first...

happy Easter {eve}

Tomorrow is a monumental occasion in my short, 23 years. Tomorrow marks the first holiday I have ever spent without my family (well, Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day and stuff don't count). I will be spending Easter alone...and it feels really weird. I don't know where to go to church, I will have to cook myself an Easter dinner, and I'll probably spend most of the day doing homework instead of being with friends or family. It's a very odd feeling to spend a holiday alone, and to be honest, I really don't like it at all. BUT, since I don't have the time to write a full blog post, here are a few of my Easter favorites:

via anthropologie

Every year when we were little, my mom would buy us Easter dresses for Mass. And this is the exact dress I would have bought myself if I had money. I'm waiting for it to go on sale (cross your fingers it does before my secret May excursion - more details on that later!)

Yep, we still get Easter baskets. This is NOT mine, but I do have mine laid out on my kitchen table in a sweet grass basket - I don't have a real basket, so that one had to do! I'll let you know if the Easter bunny sent me anything good (aka thanks mom and dad!)

Well...this little guy is just too darn cute! Hope you all have a very happy and blessed Easter and enjoy spending it with someone you love. If not, at least call them, cause if you're anything like me, you'll miss your friends and family.

love stories

"Some love stories are short stories, but they are love stories all the same."


I heard this quote today while I was watching TV (and procrastinating from the mountains of school work that I have due very shortly), and it really hit home for me. I know I've talked a lot about relationships and love, and I'm not into overly cheesy, romantic gestures or impossible expectations. This quote, more than any other quote I can remember, reminds me that there's a reason to have hope. 


All my past relationships, long and short, good and bad, are worth something. They've taught me life lessons, they've taught me how to grow up, and they've taught me about myself. No, I didn't always make the best decisions, and no, I was definitely never perfect. But I don't regret anything that I've done. Because ultimately, I want to be a successful, happily married, crazy in love mom - yes, I do think I can have it all. It certainly won't be easy, but that doesn't mean it's not worth fighting for.


Back to the quote. In the TV show (and yes, I'm going to just call myself out and say it was "Greek" - my newest obsession thanks to instant Netflix!), it's said in a sad context - two people are splitting up, prompting another couple to accept its defeat. But the most important element in the quote is love. You may have a relationship that lasts 4 or 5 months, but teaches you infinitely more about love and yourself than a relationship that you coast in for 4 or 5 years. It just depends on the people, the relationship, and the circumstances. Do I believe in a "one true love"? No, I don't think that's how it works - that's too fairy tale, which I've already said I don't believe in. I think you have soul mates. Yes, plural. I think that ultimately there are people that are meant to be in your life, for better or for worse, and that the person your end up marrying is supposed to be the one. Maybe not necessarily "the one" for ever and ever, but the one in that moment.


Yes, I still want to believe in happily ever after and being with someone "til death do us part." It just sounds too good to be true sometimes, doesn't it? So while all the single girls (and guys) are still out on the search, dreaming of "the one," just know - everything happens for a reason. And when you find someone you don't want to live without, hold on. And hold on tight. Because these days, you never know how things are going to end up.

spring is here!

The sun is shining. It is approximately 70 degrees outside. I wore a sundress. The day I've been longing for for months now is finally here - I think it's FINALLY spring in Boston!!! While I'm tempted to throw on a swim suit and soak up some warm, sunny rays, there are two things stopping me: 1) I am SO not swim suit ready yet - gotta bust my butt in the gym and break out some sunless tanner first; and 2) I still have massive amounts of work.


Everything is moving along, probably faster than it should be. There are only 4 weeks left til summer, and I seriously need to buckle down and get my work done. Then I will have plenty of time to sit in the sun, shop, hang out, and be carefree. But until then...gotta get to work.

not so lazy saturday

Alright, as always, I've become bad at blogging. It's not my fault, this week was horrible. I've been so sick all week, I've had a million projects to do, and I'm still desperately trying to figure out what I'm doing this summer. I keep trying to tell myself that everything will work out, but I'm too much of a control freak to let myself relax. It seriously gives me anxiety not knowing exactly what I'll be doing a few short weeks from now. I admire people who can just wait for news patiently; I needs lessons from them!


Yesterday was April Fool's Day, and luckily, no pranks were played on me. There were many opportunities - most importantly, getting a law test back and an internship interview - but both went off without a hitch. I got an A on the test (although I have NO idea how) and I got the internship! It's not at an agency, which is what I really wanted, but it sounds fantastic at the same time. I'd be able to work as much as I want, find out about a lot of cool events happening around the city (and help plan them!), learn valuable marketing, PR, and social media skills, etc. AND on top of all of that, I would be able to have a summer. I could work 10-2 all week, I could work 3 days a week, I could basically do whatever I wanted. Sounds too good to be true, huh? I'm deciding this week...so expect an update soon! 


Besides the internship decision making, I have plenty to keep me busy. I have two 15-page papers due at the end of the month. One for law and one for theory. Both I have NO idea how to write. Should be a good time, no? I also have to do the second draft of my fake book club direct mail package, do a microsite for said book club, write a speech "for President Obama," start filling out the study guide for my theory midterm, and that's not even everything. Needless to say, I will not be having much of a life these next few weeks. No one ever said grad school would be easy...


Next Wednesday I register for classes for my final semester of graduate school. Can you believe I'm DONE in December??? I cannot believe how fast this program is - I literally feel like I just moved here. I still don't know my way about Boston, and I'm beginning to wonder if I ever will. Summer is going to be the time for exploring, hopefully!! I can't wait to have some free time - even working will be better than this! Although...I'm not entirely ready to face the REAL job search again in December. That's a little scary - deciding where to live, what to do, which company I want to work for - yikes! But that's a blog post for a different day.

back to the grind

Well, the lovely, relaxing spring break I had is now officially over, and I am back to the crazy whirlwind work of grad school. Let's just say this hasn't been the smoothest transition back - I'm already getting stressed out about all the work I have to do by the end of the semester! Add in my assistantship, finding an internship for the summer, and fitting in time with friends, and I am close to overwhelmed. Somehow I can't seem to force myself to take everything one step at a time and just relax; no, everything seems to be spinning right in front of me but just out of reach.


I'm already disheartened about school again. I thought break would be a refresher for my mind, but yesterday I got slapped in the face by school. The assignment I worked on for weeks - seriously, at least two and a half weeks on this thing - the assignment I was so proud of and excited about, my professor hated. I don't know what I could have done differently or better; I really liked my project! But apparently it wasn't what my professor wanted.


I know it's just one assignment and I shouldn't be too upset over it, but when you put your heart into something, it's hard not to take it personally. I'm a bit better than I was yesterday. I no longer irrationally believe my professor hates me, is taking out her hatred on me, thinks I'm a terrible person, etc. I have realized that I will just never click with this professor, we will probably never agree on anything, and the class will never be my favorite, the one I fondly look back on at the end of grad school and say, "Man, I'm really going to miss that." Nope. Never. I'll be so glad once it's over. But I need to remember that this is all a lesson, it will only make me better (somehow - not quite sure on this one yet) and I can move on and grow from this in just a few short weeks.


Speaking of a few short weeks, I have SO much to do before the end of the semester! I have two 12-15 page papers, a microsite, a speech, multiple finals, and I know I'm forgetting the rest. The end of the semester seems so far away, but I know that soon I'll be freaking out about deadlines and worrying about getting everything done. It's time to practice pacing - taking things one step at a time, doing all I can in one day, and not stressing out if I have to push something back to tomorrow. Too bad I can't push everything back to tomorrow - kidding!


The life of a grad student is never easy. Life is never really easy. I just need to remember not to sweat the small things, take everything in stride, and relax. My dad always used to ask if I tried my best on an assignment or test, and if it was honestly my best work, it really matter what my grade was (that's what got me through high school chemistry!). So, as long as I do my best, I know I can be proud of my work.

march madness

It's honestly one of my favorite times of the whole year - a close second to football season, March Madness is hour after hour, day after day of nothing but basketball! Yes, shocking I know, this totally girly girl loves sports. Well, I love college sports. Nothing against professional sports or anything, I just think it's silly to be so wrapped up in something where players get paid millions of dollars to do their job - I love the passion, the excitement, and the talent of college sports. And mostly I love my Clemson Tigers.


As a Clemson fan, I have seen many fantastic wins and many horrific losses; I've experienced the highest highs (beating Duke 74-47 my senior year - 2009) and the lowest lows (um, probably giving up our should be win over UNC this past weekend in overtime...ouch...). And that's just basketball - let's not even get into football yet. But for the most part I've remained a loyal fan, loving every second of those 40 minute games.


Last night, my Tigers dominated UAB and successfully gained their first NCAA tournament win since 1997. I was like...10 in 1997. I cannot honestly believe it's been that long since we won. But that year we also went to the Sweet Sixteen - maybe this is a good sign??


After carefully (or not so carefully) filling out my bracket, I am ready for this show to get on the road. Clemson really impressed me last night, and I hope we can keep it up and beat West Virginia tomorrow. I am fully prepared for a lunch date with my TV and my Tigers - the game is at 12:15 on CBS! I have them winning against WVU (for better or for worse...), but as for the rest of my bracket, you'll just have to wait til I tell you how I do. Last year I managed to come in 2nd or 3rd, and for a little while I was actually winning! Amazing, I know. Hope you all get to catch some of the fun that is March Madness. Whether you bet or not, it's still fun to make a bracket and see just how lucky you get!

life doesn't come with an instruction manual

No one tells you life is hard. No one tells you the secrets to getting what you want - the job, the clothes, the love of your life, etc. Part of the fun of it is learning as you go, but that can also be one of the worst parts about it.

We grow up watching movies and tv shows that show happily ever afters and fairy tales, and it becomes ingrained in us that our lives should follow in the same way. Those movies didn't show the bad things; they showed everything through rose colored glasses and expected us to become eternal optimists, hopeless romantics, and blindly faithful. And when we don't, when we somehow fail to meet these expectations, we automatically feel guilty or bad about ourselves. Why do we allow ourselves to feel so badly about not reaching an ideal that is practically unreachable in the first place? 

Everyone is going to have their heart broken at least once in their lives, everyone is going to lose out on the "perfect" job, and everyone is going to feel like they just can't do anything right sometimes. Yes, that is going to hurt, and you're probably going to feel bad for a while. You might even feel worthless. But if this happens to everyone, why do we feel so bad?

Life doesn't come with an instruction manual. It probably wouldn't be as much fun if it did, but when things just don't seem to go your way, you want that instruction manual more than anything. It's like reading the end of a book first to find out the ending. We just want some confirmation that everything is going to end up ok, that we will live an amazing life, and that we won't be failures. Guess those are just things you have to rely on the blind faith for after all...

counting down the days

With spring break approaching (but not quite fast enough), I'm literally counting down the days. Sometimes I count multiple times a day, just praying that time will have magically flown by and I will be one day closer to home. Yes, I know I'm being ridiculous. But I need a break! And a break longer than this 30 minute blogging break. I cannot wait for 10 glorious days at home with family and friends, and maybe a surprise trip or two!


To make myself feel better (or possibly make myself even more homesick than I already am), this blog is dedicated to all the things I'm looking forward to doing over spring break.


Outlet shopping with my family - we hit the outlets in Myrtle Beach and shop til we drop. Or til Discover calls my dad and asks why so much money is being spent. Kidding...ok, not at all actually. This has happened a few times. Always humorous until we get back home and face dad.


The beach - I miss the beach so so much. I know there's a beach here. I know I'm still on the coast. But it is not the same. People bring sweatshirts to the beach here. You don't do that at home unless it's the winter. My friend Chrissy has decided we're going to have a beach day and just play bocce ball and corn hole and laugh and have a blast. I cannot wait!


Speaking of Chrissy, great friends -- I have some amazing friends that I left back home. And every time I get to go back and see them is amazing. I love catching up with them, hanging out with them, mainly just getting to see them and feel like I'm a part of everything going on back home still. It's hard sometimes, but this is what being a grown-up is all about. I know that no matter where I go, I will always be able to count on these people, and I am so grateful!


Clemson in springtime -- I desperately am trying to find time to sneak up to Clemson for a day or two over break. I don't know if or when I'll be able to, but if I have to go up randomly on a Wednesday, I'll do it. I miss that place so much, there is something so special about it. And, of course, it's beautiful! I have great friends there still, and I miss them just as much as my friends back home.


And last but certainly not least, my family -- It's hard living on my own and being so far away from my family! I love going home and spending time with them. I don't know when I'll be back home after spring break, so I gotta get in as much quality time as possible in those 10 short days!


So I'm 10 days away from my 10 day vacation. And I have a mountain of work to do before I get there. Enough blogging for this girl, I've got to get to work designing a fake book club (oh yes, this is what I do in grad school...)

let the internship search begin

Hope everyone is having a lovely President's day off from work or school! If you are working, I at least hope the weather is nice for you - it snowed here earlier, but now it's just crisp and chilly. And that's inside my apartment. My heater has been having some issues, and it now seems to be stuck at 62 degrees. This happened before, around Thanksgiving, and it was a process to get everything warm again. I've put in a maintenance request, but since today is a holiday, they can't come look at it until tomorrow. Looks like I'll be bundled up in blankets and sweaters for the day!


It's been nice to have a long weekend, but I haven't done anything too fun. I've mostly spent my time working on all the assignments I have due before spring break. I have just 16 days to get my lit review, outline, writing project, and a few midterms out of the way, along with all my regular reading. It's a lot, but I just keep thinking about how nice it will be to be done!!


On top of all of my work, I have started the daunting and somewhat intimidating task of finding a summer internship here in Boston. After stalking some agency websites and BU Career link, I have a lot of good leads. Now it's just time to polish up the ol' resume, write a fantastic cover letter, and cross my fingers for some interviews. I have some favorite agencies already, but honestly I don't think any one of them are bad. It's all going to be an experience that will hopefully lead to a big girl job and pay check in just a few short months! December is going to be here faster than I know it, and having a great summer internship will only help me score that job after graduation. Plus, if I can get some references from my internship, that will help even more.


So for the rest of today, I'll be researching Facebook and Twitter (paper topic for my theory class), brushing up on some com. law, working on my fake book club (my writing project), and polishing that resume til it shines. Hopefully only good things will come! I'll let you know how everything turns out.

valentine's day

Tomorrow is probably my least favorite day of the year - Valentine's day. Why February 14th has been marked as the day where couples make googly eyes at each other, girls gush over over-priced floral arrangements that aren't even pretty, and everyone feels "love in the air" is beyond me. Now before you say I'm just the bitter, cynical, single girl, let me stop you and explain my dislike for Valentine's day.


It has nothing to do with jealousy or bitterness. While, yes, I am alone on Valentine's day, I don't feel incomplete or helpless because of it. I'm not the girl who becomes depressed and drowns her feelings in cartons of ice cream simply for not having a man on February 14th. Honestly, those girls might be just as pathetic as the love-sick ones. I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings here, but I just don't think that you should have one day a year where you tell your loved one how you feel about them.


If you love someone, you should tell or show it every day. No, you don't have to buy flowers or candy or jewelry for someone every day (although if you want to do that for some girl, I'm available!). I am a firm believer in the little things - opening the door, cleaning up after dinner, maybe giving up the remote. Yes, it's nice to be showered with gifts every once in a while, but you should show your love every day.


Maybe I'm asking too much of the male species to do sweet, unexpected little things. However, I hear about all the cute things my friends' husbands do for them, and I know I can't be wrong. Guys like that are still out there, somewhere, and until I find one, I'll be here waiting. But in the meantime, tomorrow is just another day. I will go to class, come home, do homework, and go to bed. Maybe I'll treat myself to a little something special - champagne or chocolate covered strawberries or something. But if you think I'm going to be bitter or depressed because I'm alone, sorry. I'm not going to waste my time (and my 40+ degree weather!!!) being sad. Because, as the lovely Audrey Hepburn once said, 
"I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles.

the morning after

Getting out of bed this morning was hard. I mean, a lot harder than usual. Probably because I stayed up way past my bedtime to watch Glee's super-sized, post-Super Bowl show! So many emotions - the team spirit, the girls joining the football team, the Cheerios quitting, Quinn kissing Finn! I'm SO glad there's another episode on Tuesday!


Before my Glee-induced coma, I had a fabulous Super Bowl party! If I know one thing, my grad school friends and I sure won't be lacking any food at our get-togethers - we had so much that it barely fit on my table!! I wish I had a picture of the whole spread, but instead I just have my contributions.


I made baked brie, queso, and tomatillo salsa (recipe to follow). The brie was delicious, as always. I love baked brie! Add some cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecans on top, wrap it in puff pastry and call it heaven! It was a big hit, if I do say so myself.

As for the salsa recipe, I have to thank my dear friend Bridgette. She brought this yummy treat over to a Christmas party I threw, and I have been dying for the chance to make it ever since! You can get the recipe from her blog, The Delectable Adventure, and follow her and her sweet hubby as they cook dishes from around the world. But for sake of convenience, I'll post it here as well:

Tomatillo Salsa 
12 medium tomatillos, husked and finely chopped
6 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
6 tablespoons minced cilantro
2 teaspoon hot sauce
Salt 

This salsa was a huge hit with so many people asking for the recipe! Wish I could claim it as my own, but credit where credit is due :)

Overall, the party was a blast! So much good food with great friends and lots of laughs along the way. Can't wait for my next hostess-ing gig!

resolution update

Since it is now February, I've decided to update y'all on my resolutions! I am still trying to cook as much as I can, but it's harder now that school is kicking into high gear. I also have my new job - I got an assistantship with one of my professors from last semester. So Tuesday and Thursday afternoons are spent holed up in "my" office, completing random projects on top of all the other work and reading I have to do for my actual classes. Not that I'm not grateful; I really am. My professor is so connected, and I have to admit that most of the time I have a blast, especially with the undergrad I work with, Ali.


So while cooking may not be at the top of my to-do list after 8 hour days (yeah, I'm gonna starve in the real world), I have kept up with resolution #2: exercise more. My friend Staci and I started the "Couch to 5k" program two weeks ago. I just finished week 2 today, and let me tell you, this is no piece of cake for my lazy behind! I end up running around 2 miles, 3 times a week. I am NOT looking forward to finishing this program (especially because it overlaps with spring break - yuck! I just want to eat good Southern food on break, not run!), but I know it'll be good for me. I am be no means a runner, but I at least have bathing suit season in the back of my mind to keep me motivated.


As far as reading goes, I found that I read SO much for school that I just don't even want to pick up a magazine. So I'm amending that resolution (hey, it's my resolution, I can do whatever I want!): I'm going to watch movies. Lots of movies. All the classics, all the new releases I didn't get to see, all the ones I always heard about and never watched. It's about time I get some good use out of my Netflix membership!


That's the update for now. Being the wonderful Southern hostess that I am, I am hosting a Super Bowl party this Sunday for a bunch of my Boston friends! I'll update you Sunday or Monday with recipes, pictures, and let you know how it all went!

Snowed-Out

No, I am not actually snowed-out of my apartment or anything like that, but this constant barrage of snow is becoming quite tiresome. I know it's my fault for moving to Boston from sunny South Carolina. I know I brought this upon myself. But if I had any idea it would snow THIS MUCH, I don't think I would have moved!


Don't get me wrong, the snow is beautiful at times. When I can be inside, bundled up all nice and warm with a blanket and some tea, the snow is lovely. It makes the outside world sparkle. It's nice to take a pause and relax, slow down, and enjoy the winter wonderland. However, the winter wonderland only last so long. Once this beautiful, white, fluffy snow turns to mush, it becomes messy, dirty, and unattractive. Melting snow is a mess. 


I'm going to quit complaining, suck it up, and learn to love (or at least tolerate) all this snow. After all, if I'm ever going to live in a snowy city, my 20s is the time to do it. I found this recipe from Bobby Deen (Paula Deen's son) and thought that a nice, yummy, healthy chili would be just the thing to get me out of my should-be snow-day slump. (I mean, come on, we got almost 10 inches!) I'm so looking forward to coming back from work tonight and making this hopefully delicious meal!

Update: This recipe is DELICIOUS!!!! I halved the recipe so I wouldn't waste the leftovers, but I'm somewhat regretting that decision. Super filling without being heavy and making you feel disgusting afterwards. Next time I'm going to try a little less chili powder and some red pepper flakes instead. Can't wait to heat up my leftovers :) 

Bobby’s Lighter Chili

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
1 green bell pepper diced
1 medium onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapeno peppers
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans petite cut diced tomatoes
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can red kidney beans
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans
1 cup medium salsa
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded cheese
1/2 cup chopped scallions

Directions:
Heat oil in large nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until the turkey is browned, about 6 minutes. Add the bell pepper, onion, celery, jalapeno, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, beans, salsa, chili powder, cumin, and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are blended and the chili begins to thicken, about 1 hour. Serve with the cheese and scallions.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Yield:  8 Cups  

Per Serving: (1 cup) 260 Cal

New Year, New Life!

Today's post will be short, and I'll post again over the weekend. However, I just wanted to give a shout out to my dear dear friend, Mary Helen, and her husband Nate. They just welcomed their new baby boy into the world last night!

Mary Helen and I in college

Our senior prom - my how we grew up!

The adorable couple (and now new parents!) on their wedding day

Check out their blog about their life as brand new parents and a few posts about their adorable puppy Tibi!


Congrats Mary Helen and Nate, I love you both and can't wait to meet this sweet bundle of joy!

Cozy Winter Comforters

On this first day of "spring" semester, I woke up to swirling, twirling, beautiful snowflakes. The novelty of snow itself has quickly worn off - I don't know how to walk in it, and it takes me much more time than it should to navigate the sidewalks. However, there is still something magical about watching these tiny ice crystals fall from the sky. I'm sure that too will get old quick!

As pretty as the snow looks, I still wouldn't choose to wander around in it. Oh no, I'd much rather spend a snowy day curled up on my couch or in bed with a mug of hot chocolate and a warm blanket. I absolutely love blankets and bedding collections, especially those from Anthropologie. While they’re outrageously expensive, they look so divine that I’m almost tempted to spend the money on them. Keyword being almost.

Rivulets Quilt

I absolutely LOVE this bedding from Anthroplogie! I'm waiting for the Euro shams to come in this cream color; they already have a place reserved on my bed! It's ruffly and romantic and girly...and that to me equals love.

Tuxedo Bedding

This is also from Anthroplogie and has an equal ruffly and romantic feel. I love the way their designers mixed this simple tuxedo bedding with bright, colorful sheets! This is definitely a runner-up to the previous bedding since it doesn't exactly work with the comforter I already have. Come on, I'm a poor graduate student, I can barely afford the pillows I'm buying, let again a whole new bedding set!

Laerke Duvet

 And to prove to all of you that I don't have some bizarre dislike of color, here is this adorable duvet from Urban Outfitters. Orange and yellow are my two favorite colors - yellow is so happy and can instantly brighten my mood, and I have a soft spot for orange ever since I became a Clemson Tiger. I seriously thought about getting these pillows, but I'm not sure how they'd look with my current bedding. I'll have to think about that a little more...

Wherever you are, I hope you stay nice and cozy and warm during these chilly winter months! Just remember, sooner or later it'll be 90+ degrees and you'll be begging for this cooler weather!