5 Years Out

A couple of weeks ago, I had an absolute blast reminiscing during my five year college reunion.  FIVE. YEARS.

I seriously can remember graduation day like it was yesterday.... so I can't even begin to believe that it's been five years.

I'm not sure how you celebrate your college reunions... but at my alma mater, we celebrate by acting like freshman (or seniors?) again, moving into the dorms, and spend the whole weekend drinking, chatting, and eating.

It. was. wonderful.

We got to wander around campus, meet women who were attending their twentieth, thirtieth, and even a woman who was at her EIGHTY year college reunion.  WHAT.  (Yes, that would make her approximately 102 years old.)

Even 10 years after I first set foot on campus as a prospective student... I was blown away at how beautiful campus is.

We got to go up in that bell tower pictured (above)... and took the pic below.  You could see for miles all around!

I didn't take too many pictures because I was so busy laughing and chatting and drinking wine.  :)

We had time in the weekend to sneak in a bridal shower for the bride-to-be among us - she had NO idea it was happening, so that was a fun surprise!

I'm glad I got one pic of the former senior year roommates... I can still vividly remember laying on the floor late at night, pretending to do homework.

And I'm so glad we snapped a group shot after church on Sunday morning.  The time goes way, wayy too fast.

How has it been 5 years?

While I can't believe it's been FIVE years since I set foot on campus as a student... I have since met and married the love of my life... and lived SO much since then.

But when we're all together and laughing and hanging in an ancient dorm room - I think I would go back in a heartbeat. 

SMC Forever.

Badass RA's....

I woke up on Monday with my blog plans for the week all laid out.  I had a fun story, an outfit post, and a couple other things I wanted to accomplish this week.

Instead, life kind of laughed in my (but mostly Mr. RH's) face and instead I've been running around like a mad woman.  However, this post just couldn't wait any longer.

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Approximately 1000 years ago, during my Q&A posts this summer, I promised I'd revisit the story of how I puked while working the front desk of my dorm during graduation week.

So, it was my junior year in college.  I attended a private women's college in northern Indiana... and let's just say that wasn't cheap.  To help offset the expenses of college, I signed up to be a Resident Advisor during my sophomore and junior years of college.

To say it was a tough job would be understating it a little.  We dealt with ALL kinds of random incidents.  I'll never forget when a girl (not my resident) forced her roommate to move out because she claimed that the roommate (who was of a different ethnic group) smelled bad.  And I went and investigated and there was ZERO smell.  Seeing hate like that displayed by someone who is "like you" left a mark on me. 

And then there was the other end of the spectrum - getting a 3 am knock on your door by your BFF RA telling you that your resident (a freshman) is vomiting up blood (and booze) during a snowstorm and that a fire truck is coming to get her and will you help get her to the elevator.

Needless to say, I grew up a lot (and learned a lot) and made a lot of very good friends during the process.  It was nice to make friends outside of my normal posse and even better to learn a little responsibility.

Most of the time, being a Resident Advisor was a breeze.  I whipped up bulletin boards and Halloween decorations - it was a pretty sweet gig.

But I'll never forget this one night.  We had just walked out of our Resident Advisor meeting and I was walking to the lobby to work an hour at the front desk.  I am sitting there and a male walks in with a duffel bag.  And not any bag.  A huge, body-bag sized duffel. 

And it was heavy.  The guy was red-faced and looked like he was shaking under the weight of the bag.  I watched as a girl from the first room on the floor came and retrieved him to her room.  Within my eyeshot.

He drops the bag on the floor and it's 100% clear that it's a duffel bag FULL of cans.  And I doubt they were Coke cans.

My fellow RA came by on her rounds and I told her what had just happened.  I should have confronted him in the moment... but I just couldn't.  So, my friend, who is much braver and wiser than I am, up and knocks on the door.

"Hi, it's the RA on call.  Can you open your door?"

Door opens.  "Yeah?"

"Um, I believe someone just brought a bunch of alcohol into this room.  Do you know anything about that?"

"No."

"So, what's in the duffel bag?"

"Nothing."

"Really?"

"No, it's beer."

"Ok, can you open the bag for me?"

"Fine."

A minute later, my RA friend emerges with the duffel bag.  I am hysterical with giggles and I can't figure out what the heck we are going to do with the damn bag full of beer.

We put the bag in the hall director's office where it sits for the next 4 months.

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Fast forward 4 months.  School is out and it's "senior week," that week between the end of finals and graduation where the seniors run amok and cry all the time.  As an RA, I am obligated to be on campus for minimal work duty and maximum relaxation. Plus I get to move out at my own pace on my own time.  SOLD!

One night, all of the junior RA's were bored and for once we didn't have plans.  Enter an awesome idea.  About the confiscated beer.

None of us are big drinkers, and certainly not huge party-goers... but the idea is too good to pass up.  Play flip cup with the confiscated beer on my completely abandoned floor and run amok.

GOOD IDEA!!

 

So we set up the bathroom as our bar.

 

 

It was really a genius setup and I think we were ALL impressed at our mad party-throwing skills.

I believe we started the party out right by starting it off in our PJs... of course, I have fewer pictures of when the night descended into madness and we started stripping (not so much) and putting on the random costumes I had in my closet.

 

We laughed and danced and talked and sang until well past 3 am.... which led to my 7 am vomit session at the front desk.  I never did do well on no sleep.

 

We played hide and go seek in the hundred-year-old dorm (seriously, over 100 yrs) in the dark building.  We did gymnastics in the hallway and danced until we couldn't breathe.  It was a one-in-a-million college nights - and one of my favorite memories.  Mostly because there were no boys involved.

 

The next afternoon, we did manage to drag ourselves out around campus for a photo shoot.

 

 

The roots of my  hair alone are pretty spectacular - but holy heck LOOK HOW PUFFY MY EYES ARE.  They are barely open.

 

Of course, by 8 pm when our boss took us out for margaritas... we were feeling just fine.

 

Oh, to be 21 and young again.  How carefree and happy that girl was.  


I wouldn't trade those memories for all the gold in the world.

And that, my friends, is how some badass RA's get it done.

Admit it, you're impressed.

Happy Wednesday!!

Charging the Batteries

As I mentioned yesterday, I escaped to Chicago to recharge my batteries this past weekend. It. was. awesome.

I drove up by myself and realized that, despite the WORST Mapquest directions on the planet, I actually know my way around Chicago decently well. I missed the turn onto the Skyway/Toll Road and made it up in record time. Go me.

Anyway, I was visiting girlfriends from college who now live and work in Chicago. After I first arrived, I started asking them what fun touristy stuff they had done in Chicago.

When I asked if they had been to "the fountain", one of the girls replied "which one?"

And I was all... umm.... there is more than one big landmark fountain in Chicago?

No. There is not.

But she didn't even know what Buckingham fountain was.

And me, Hoosier girl, has been to it multiple times.

Are you seeing a problem here??

So, off we went.
And yes, the fountain was exactly the same as I remembered it. Except I was sweating more than I remembered sweating last time. Holy heck it's hot there!

Next, we checked out the Crown Fountain in Chicago. I've been in town since it was built but I had never seen it before.
And of course I had to splash around in it because hello it was 800 degrees out.

And since we were so close, we had to stop by The Bean.

Can you spot my friends and I?? (Hint: look for my coral dress!)

I always enjoy people-watching at the Bean... but then I always get frustrated and wish I had about 400 rolls of paper towels and some Windex. So many finger prints!!

I still have too many photos to sort through... but for now, I shall memorialize our trip to the beach.

Because in 5 years I know I shall be missing this body I have today.

Rest in peace skinny-mini. Pass the guacamole.

Reunited and It Feels So Good

Yesterday, the stars and the moon aligned perfectly and I was able to visit with several of my college friends in College Town, Indiana.

From Alaska to Chicago to Indiana we came for a few precious hours together after nearly 9 months apart. (aka 9 months since graduation and the start of "real life".... we had no clue real life would suck so much!)

Anyway, we ate and talked and talked and talked... it was a perfect day.

"Sometimes in life, you find a special friend. Someone who changes your life just by being a part of it. Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop. Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world. Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it. This is forever friendship. When you're down and the world seems dark and empty, your forever friend lifts you up in spirit and makes that dark and empty world suddenly seem bright and full. Your forever friend gets you through the hard times, the sad times and the confused times. If you turn and walk away, your forever friend follows. If you lose your way, your forever friend guides you and cheers you on. Your forever friend holds your hand and tells you that everything is going to be okay. And if you find such a friend, you feel happy and complete because you need not worry. You have a forever friend, and forever has no end." Author Unknown

More Info Than You Ever Needed to Know

Allison, Ms. Minneapolis, Jenn, and KLC all had questions about college and careers.

I'm just going to start at the beginning on this one. First of all, I was born and raised in Indiana. When I applied to college, the guidance counselor at my high school told me I was definitely not smart enough for a small, private college so she pushed me to apply to a very large Indiana school (Go Hoosiers!). And then she got my SAT scores and told me I could probably go to the small (all women's, Catholic) school that I wanted to go to. (Insert rant about horrible high school guidance counselors here. I mean seriously, discouraging a student to even aim high?).

I ended up at the Catholic, all-female school. Definitely not something I had envisioned for myself (I looved me some boys), but it ended up being perfect.

At school, I was a business major who has a concentration in Marketing. I love it - marketing, advertising, PR - it's totally up my alley. I compose pitches of products without even knowing it. If anybody has a job for a slogan creator - I'd knock their socks off.

At a pre-graduation ceremony, I was picked as the Marketing student of the class of 2009, so that was kind of a big deal. Even though my college was really small, it was super competitive.

But despite being very dedicated to the whole marketing thing, I had something else that was much more important to me. During my freshman year, a few of my friends started a program called Dance Marathon. This year-round fundraiser raised both financial and emotional support in the community for our local Children's Miracle Network hospital.

In our first year (my freshman year of college), we blew everyone out of the water and raised $21,047.42. My sophomore year, I took over fundraising and we raised $47,129.60. Junior year, I took over Public Relations and we made $85,296.33.

My senior year, I stepped into the role of President. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I literally worked night and day for this organization. School completely fell by the wayside, but I was ok with it. Because of the economy, this year was extremely difficult; however, we raised $91,538.24. Still amazing, but just short of the $100,000 I really really wanted to raise.

So... how's that for a long story?? But I have a point, I swear.

All of this work with nonprofit fundraising has planted a love of service in my heart. Soo... to answer the question...

I really want to work in nonprofits. I would love to do nonprofit marketing, but I could probably do fundraising as well. I feel like I definitely have at least 2 years where I worked for Dance Marathon in a full-time capacity, so I feel like I have the experience.

Shifting that experience into a job... well, that's a different story.

On the other hand, I would love to work as a buyer for a clothing chain - I feel like I have a fabulous eye for clothes and fabrics. I don't really have any experience there, though, unless you count my closet.

Ok, I think I've beaten that topic into the ground.

Tamara B. wanted to know how many hours a day I spend on the computer.

This is definitely variable. There are days when I probably spend 12 hours on the computer, usually in a combination of blogging/reading/twittering and job hunting/researching.

There are other days that I don't touch a computer all day long. Admittedly, recently, those days seem few and far between. However, tomorrow (Nordstrom Sale Day!) will probably be one of those days. Go figure.

Julie wanted to know if I have a new favorite handbag designer.

To be honest, I still haven't bought a new purse. In fact, one of my friends loaned me a purse I had been admiring for a while so I've been carrying that for a while.

At this point in my life (read: broke college grad who is unemployed), I haven't really explored all the fancy brands I'd really like to explore. But I do have to say that I have always loved Franco Sarto bags - they aren't super expensive and they are still very cute. In my opinion.

So, I believe I have answered most of the questions you guys have asked me. If you still have any burning questions, go ahead and ask! (And also I need a post idea for tomorrow so ask away!!)

Remember, every comment you leave this week enters you to win some fabulous spa products!

I'm off to get a Dunkin Donut... they put a new little shop in not too far away a while back and I still have never had a Dunkin Donut. That's about to change.

Happy Thursday!

Flying So Fast...

Why is it that when you want time to move really slowly it seems to go into fast-forward?

That's what I'm noticing as we approach graduation... time is just flying way too fast!

Yesterday my College had a luncheon to officially welcome us to the Alumnae Club... it was definitely a bittersweet moment. Four years of being a student and now I'll be an alum forever....

Being me, I begged some of my friends to take even more pictures around our beautiful campus... so take pictures we did!!





I have been so lucky to live on such a beautiful campus for the past four years... so so lucky!

Tonight we are headed out to a Cubs game in Chicago.... I hope the weather cooperates!!

Have a great day!

Last Week with Best Friends

Well well it seems as though my College career is finally coming to a very bittersweet end.

I started off the weekend with a quick trip to the outlet malls. I scored this absolutely fabulous dress at J.Crew. Isn't it gorgeous?? And it was only $50!

And so it was decided yesterday that my friends and I would have a quick "Photo Shoot" to capture some of our favorite places on campus with some of our favorite people. We were dressed and ready, the sun was shining, and then this happened: Needless to say it took some creativity and gumption to stick it out amidst a popup thunderstorm (hence the umbrella in the first picture)... but I think in the end we got some really great photos and they remind me just how much I am going to miss this place...
Today I'm off to a luncheon and then a senior party on campus... should be a ton of fun. I make promises of many many pictures to come...

Happy Monday!

Seriously?

This morning at 10:30 AM I will head into my Communicative Disorders final. My last final of College.

I am in total disbelief right now... is this really happening? Am I really wearing this cute outfit for my LAST College class (yes, I am).

Anyways, as of this afternoon I will be done with the crappy part of College - the class and the WORK. After that, I will get to do the fun stuff: hang out with my friends and live in my fabulous apartment for the last week ever.

Can't believe it's really here....

Tricky Tuesday...

Seriously, how does time go SO fast? I just don't get it!

Anyways, apparently it's almost noon on Tuesday. I've been craazy busy trying to get my finals paper done, and now I'm off to study for my final that is at 10:30 AM tomorrow. If all goes well until then... I will be FINISHED forever around noon tomorrow. Can you believe it?? I don't know if I can. We'll see though...

Anyways, since I am boring today I thought I would share a couple of pictures with you. These were both taken on the last day of class.

The first pic is our impulse purchases at Sephora. The saleswoman made us over and swindled us into it, I tell you!! And this last pic is of me and my friends heading to the bar. I was, as we decided that night, dressed as Giant Pink Barbie. Clearly.
Happy Tuesday!

College is Over.

As of yesterday at 1:45 PM, I am finished with college classes.

Done. Over. Finito.

To think that just four years ago I was this tiny little high school student on graduation day... ... is just plain crazy!

To officially finish with college, I need to write 2 papers and take 1 final. The final is on Wednesday and I'm hoping to have the papers done by then as well.

Think I can make it? Even though I just want to lay in bed all day??

Wish me luck!

Blog Neglect

Does anybody know what it is about this time of year that makes me want to curl up in my bed and NEVER leave?

Yeah, me either.

On the upside, I read this book this week:
So that was fun.

On the other hand, I feel like I was pulled in approximately a million directions with school and activities and LIFE.

Tonight I will be attending a Heritage Dinner at school, which is basically dinner in the formal hall like they used to have back in the 1930s.

Tomorrow I will be attending a formal with the boy. I had a sassy old dress stashed back in my closet that was just dying to be worn. (And because I don't talk enough about boobs enough I think that I will tell you that to wear said-dress I needed to purchase some lovely stickers to stick on my tah-tahs. I have never used such stickers and promise a full report very soon.)

Anyway, I will try to remedy this blog neglect soon. Maybe Monday??

Anybody have any inspiration? Burning questions that need answered?? Anybody out there? Bueller?

Have a fabulous weekend!

How Many Ways Monday

It is Monday. 4 pm my time... and I am wondering, "in how many ways can I be pulled today?"

1. Have Senior Portrait taken. What should I wear? Curled hair or straight? Black shirt or colored? Gray? No, the background is gray - not gray. And on and on and on. (Note: Yes, I know I'm vain.)
2. Set up a new bank account for my charity organization. What we really need is a bank who would be willing to count our change with a coin machine. Do you have one I can borrow??
3. Need to set up a candy/candle/cheese fundraiser for said charity.
4. Need to do homework. Haven't cracked a book since Thursday. Crap. School!!
5. Remember when I promised to put up photos of my room on Monday, August 21st? Yeah, that was over a month ago. And it's not that I'm too lazy to post photos - my room isn't finished. BUT, on a positive note, I made progress in that direction this weekend. I'm hoping to have it done by next Monday. Baby steps, people.
6. Celebrate one of my good friend's birthday. She is not geographically close to me, so this is proving to be difficult.
7. Create a video slideshow of my charity's third year and upload it to YouTube. 8. Recruit a student who would be willing to be a webmaster for said charity.

Ok, I've gotta stop here. There's just too much going on - I'm just too frazzled. Hopefully tomorrow will be better (I know it will, I know it!).

Have a Happy Monday!!

love,

Warning: Organized People, This May Cause You Anxiety

Hi, my name is Sarah. Welcome to my blog. Oh, you say we've met before? I know, long time no good post.

Ok, so I've been a bad blogger because I was on vacation last week and I leave for school THIS Sunday (omg, starting to hyperventilate). This means that EVERYTHING I OWN must be packed and ready to go... yesterday-ish?

So, in case you were thinking you might like to have a child who might want to go to college some day... I encourage you to THINK AGAIN.

And now, for laughs and giggles, I present to you THE PILE (which I have handily labeled in "Paint" for your enjoyment). (Also please click to enlarge to get maximum enjoyment)
This pile has been sitting in the "storage" side of my basement for about 2.5 months (when I got home from school). (aka "storage" was formerly known as the game/foosball room - who knew?)

It is a hot mess, people. This is the stuff that DIDN'T get used over the summer. My bedroom (which I seriously can't show you because A). it was decorated by a 12 year old girl (ie me) over 10 years ago and B). OMG THE MESS) is even more filled to the brim with MORE CRAP.

So, I have a Volkswagon Jetta and a minivan that will be making the trek to school. In these 2 vehicles I must fit: the entire contents of the above picture (well, hopefully most of it), a small 2 person couch, a coffee table, my entire wardrobe (read: waay extensive), my cosmetics and beauty products (read: if you think my wardrobe is extensive, you've got another thing coming with this bunch), my shoes, and more stuff I can't remember yet.

So, I'm thinking I have approximately... 3 days to make said junk fit into said cars. Do you think it will take a miracle or just an act of God to make this work? Or maybe it just won't work? Stay tuned...

love,