Rucktoberfest 2012

The first time in the four falls I've spent here in North Carolina that I've had the opportunity to go Boone. I was surprised to see the follage was similar to that at Elon. Many of the trees at the pitch were naked, all the leaves gone. Perhaps the colder weather came early which would explain why the leaves are nearly all gone. The ride to Boone was a snap. Caravaning was a little bit of a issue especially when the van - which I was driving - kept getting left behind in the dust of the other five cars of our party who could drive faster to avoid traffic. I did get in the front for a period of time which helped us stay together.

 Sunset as we entered Boone

 Almost there pic

 Infamous Red Carpet Inn

Drive-by snapshot of the leaves in Appalachian mountains

The Red Carpet Inn was an experience for sure. But then again I was rather amused at the amount of disgust my rugger colleagues had for the atmosphere of the rooms. We were reminded continuously that if you want to pay less you will have to put up with less than desirable conditions. After all it is a motel so we shouldn't have expect much. I remember a few similar arrangements I experienced when I visited Alaska with my frugal Uncle Jack. It comes down to the environment which is worth the crappy hotel/motel rooms than not having the chance to experience it at all. Besides we did have a lot of men and women rugby teams to hang out with so there were some perks.

Courtney serenade's us with her wicked musical skills

Saturday was a true rugby day at App State. We played three games the first at 950am which only meant our butts were up at the crack of dawn to warm up at the pitch. The first game was ok, we didn't win but at least we had a few hours to recuperate before the second game. Unfortunately some of our key players like Kate Hogan got badly injured and we unable to play the rest of the weekend. However, we still rallied together as a team and kept our spirits up.

In between the first and second game we shopped for Rucktoberfest t-shirts at bargain price (2 for $20). So many of our teammates swore the lady with beer steins looked exactly like Tipton - one of the seniors players on the team - but I didn't see it. Especially since the character on the shirt had huge photoshoped-boobs and brown hair neither of which were similar to Tipton's physical attributes at all (no offense). We shared a few laughs and more practicing before the second game. We did try to put our best efforts into the game but after the second game a lot of us were either injured or extremely tired. It goes without saying that at the end of the third game against NC State - big girls - all of us were so sore we could barley move.

 After the games we went into town for food at Macado's

Senior pic

On top of all this I had put my cleats in a gray plastic bag and apparently left them on the pitch. However, by the time I realized what I'd done it was night and dark outside. I rushed around like a chicken with its head cut off hoping that there was some way I could salvage them: calling campus rec, calling the women's App State contact, driving to the pitch with Tipton to search for the bag, asking the guys at the campus rec house if they seen it, etc. After almost an hour of this I decided not to worry about it until the next morning. So I did and I'm glad because I got to enjoy myself at the social. But let me just ask what seems to be an obvious question: why would anyone sponsor a outdoors social at night in Boone in the fall when its almost snow breaching weather? I mean common sense was not in play with that decision but I guess if it relied on the idea that people could drink then maybe thats the only reason why things haven't changed since our sophomore year - some ruggers remember the social from Rucktoberfest 2010.

EWR costume gang

Rookie Sharyn gets a lift

Schmidty gets down on it with UNCW rookie

The next day we were up even earlier which was a sort of miracle for me since I hadn't been able to sleep soundly in two nights. I mean plastic on the beds was so distracting and uncomfortable to lay on. The ride over was rough since none of us were physically ready for another game and it was colder than the day before. Once again I ran around the fields looking for answers or people who could point me in the directions to where my cleats might be. After two tries I decided the "clean-up" crew mistaken the bag was full of trash and threw them away.

This game - like the last two - I was a key scrum player since most of the other players on our team were hurt. And at the conclusion of the game so was I. We went to Panera for a quick bite and then back on the road we went with Tipton at the wheel. The Rookie van did have some mechanical trouble going down the steep hills of the Appalachian mountains. Brakes on that van weren't our friends so we took our time to get back home. Home sweet home we arrived around 3pm. After filling up the tank with gas, dropping off the receipt at Diane's and my wonderful friend Lindsay offered to drive Tipton and I home I was in the shower and in bed within 30 mins.

Tipton's restaurant 

The entire afternoon into the evening was so painful. I felt like I wouldn't be able to move for weeks. Thanks to ibuprofen, water, food, and Laura's heating pad I stayed in bed to nurse myself back to a healthy state. I took off from Monday classes and stayed in bed. Today I feel a little better but to not risk it I decided to stay home again missing Senior Sem - sad day lol.

So the rugby game this weekend....I hope I'm not on the roster to play because I really need time to work on my thesis and all the work I've pushed aside since I came back from Rucktoberfest. Oops... oh Halloween activities too this wknd FUN!

Alumni Weekend 2012

Its becoming a daily shock for me when I realize I'm a senior and this is going to be the last time I'll experience all these "college" (specifically Elon) events as an enrolled student. I'm sure I'll feel this way in ten years when I'll be invited to my 15 year high school reunion (if that happens) and hopefully return to Elon somewhat wiser (lol yea right) and accomplished in some way. As I saw all these familiar faces all over campus throughout the weekend I thought, "wow, that'll be me soon. Where did the time go?" Its extremely true what my sister Samantha said the other day to "live everyday without regret and live everyday like its your last." Of course I thought I did live this way but lately I've started to second guess my traditional methods of experiencing life and I've come to understand that in some areas I am hesitant and worried about the unknown. I know that there's probably a lot of people that feel the way I do its just I never realized that until now. So I've made an early resolution for myself: to live everyday like it truly is my last day on earth in the hope that I have another day.

Friday night I hung out with my girls at Mellow Mushroom, played the hot or not game and chilled the rest of the night at their place. It was so nice to get off campus a little while and spend time around people that make me feel better or at least distract me from my stress :)

 Jamie's intense drinking apparatus buddy gift

 Rookies serenade us with their song

The rugby alumni game was super fun. Although its weird to tackle your own teammates I felt like I had some experience in that the first game of the season I substituted for the other team's eightman (I think it was for Greensboro) and had to tackle my team then. Either way it was nice to play again and I felt more like a team player especially since I got the ball three or four times :) I almost made a try and so did Diane. She was sooooooo close. All in all my favorite moment was the rookie song and having all the alums on the field with us. It was such a homey feeling in a "family back together again"feeling.


Tailgating was fun too. I kept asking myself "why haven't you done this more?" I finally got to hang out with Alice after trying for over two months. It was really great to relax among good people eating, laughing, taking pictures and most importantly enjoying the experience. I'm all over that now especially after my rough transition from fall break to going back to class. Meltdown on Friday confirmed I needed another break. So this weekend did the trick!

 Jamie's attractive sandal tan :P

 Raafe and Gabriella came back to cheer the Phoenix

 Sarah, Alice and I

 Creeper mascot

Victory 42-36 

We're All in Part of the Gang

So Fall Break at Elon seemed very reminiscent of freshman year when all I did was hang out around La Casa with hallmates and watch movies, eat junk food and share stories. Believe me I tried to enjoy myself after Thursday - last class before the break and no more midterms - but it was difficult to transition at first. However, my body resisted to keep playing the "stress-myself-out-to-oblivion" game and the next morning (Friday) I woke up late (like 10am). First sign of needing rest as if sleeping through practice time on Thursday afternoon wasn't a clear enough message. I think almost everyone I talked to over the break via phone told me to stop studying and actually have a break. The advice must have settled in by Friday night because I did just that. I went to see Argo - movie about CIA mission to make a fake science-fiction movie, Argo, in order to get the six American hostages out of Iran in 1979 -  and then slept until 10am on Saturday.

I did - despite the advice from close family and friends - attempt to work on Saturday and Sunday afternoons since Belk was open, oh and I did work out those days too. But soon enough my body won its demand to relax. I stay home watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Saturday night and after running into my rugger buddy, Ursula, at the gym earlier on Sunday I went over to Mill Point to have a "pot luck" dinner with her, Brittany, Taylor and a couple other ruggers, Jamie, Tipton and Diane. It was a plethora of food: supreme pizza, apple slices w carmel sauce, pork chops, mashed potatoes, and my crockpot Mushroom Spinach Tortelleni Soup :) YUM

As if to continue my not working habits on Monday I went to Kohl's and I visited the FIRE salon for their Sustainable Beauty Event in honor of The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Brazil Project. The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation's mission is to plant and help others to plant about 18 billion fruit trees globally (approx. 3 per person) and encourage their growth under organic standards. The FIRE salon set up $5 services - mini facial, neck, head or back massage, make-up or hair braiding demo, etc - and the proceeds would go to the Foundation. My stylist, Sonya, had told me about it when I cut my hair in late September. So I invited the group of ladies at the "pot luck" to come with. No one but Ursula could make it but it was nice hanging out for a little while. Besides the event also showcased local food, beer and wine all for free so we scored!

Last but not least I pretty much didn't do work today, Tuesday. Instead I watched a zombie movie, 30 Days of Night, and I cleaned a bit. Also I was probably amped up for the concert tonight at Cat's Cradle more or less. The Australian band, The Temper Trap, came and blew everyone away. I think they mentioned it was there first time in NC. The Neighborhood, opening band, was decent but what I couldn't understand was the outfits. All black except for the drummer dressed in all white, all wore necklaces of some sort (I think the drummer was wearing a crucifix) and all looked so boyish. The bit of rapping was ok but I was happy The Temper Trap played such an epic show. I mean the lights were sooo intense! (Notice my pics below) However, it was very distracting to have a couple in front of me and my gal Lindsay who consistently moved closer and closer to us as the night went on. It wouldn't have been so bad if there wasn't enough space to begin with and I wasn't wearing uncomfortable shoes. But all around going to concerts is definitely my Sweet Disposition :)

 The Neighborhood

 Okay, let me just say that Cat's Cradle had a very diverse crowd ranging in race, ages, employment you name it...here are two "frat guys" throwin it up during a semi-slow song

 Light show was so EPIC!

Disney, Shenanigans, All Types of Characters

Last weekend was a lot of shenanigans! Starting with Friday night, the girls and I went out to our friend Bobby's place to celebrate his Disney Debauchery themed birthday. Its become a tradition for us to combine forces, get dolled up and have some fun with the queers! I so love Bobby and Kevin and Jared and all my Spectrum friends. They never have a party not worth remembering or at least they don't throw parties that are lame. I remember last year when we went to Bobby's Greek mythology themed bday bash at Partners Place (off campus residence complex). Bobby was turning 21 and way drunk when we arrived. Oh need I remind the Halloween party Raafe threw his junior year (my sophomore year) and all that stuff I need not to mention happened....yep leave it to the gays to have wild parties I still feel nostalgic about today :)

 Pocahontas and Jasmine

 Queen of Hearts and Jasmine

 Disney Spirit and Jasmine

 bucket drinks and ppl having a good time

 Drunk Jared on top of the kitchen counter

Cruella De Vil dancin on the floor 

Maleficent (Bobby) and Queen of Hearts

Lindsay (Queen of Heart), Kevin (Cruella De Vil) and I (Marie from Aristocats) went on to the Heaven & Hell party at Old Trolinger apts. That was an interesting experience especially running into an old friend who I worked with at WSOE (college radio station) my sophomore year. He's single now which I found out after we talked a bit. We continued to hang out there and eventually ran into the rest of Bobby's party crew. I felt a little sad for Bobby since he had put his hopes up for this ass of a guy that led him on but probably had no real interest in coming to see him that night. So I told him my gossip to distract his anger.

SATURDAY'S A RUGBY DAY!!! Well at least it is if you don't feel sick to the stomach. Its weird especially since I didn't drink the night before as promised - I had promised Jamie, our scrum captain, I wouldn't drink. Anyway I felt really pissed off since a few weeks earlier I had been ready to play and didn't and now I'm feeling ill and they needed me to play. There's more to the story on my end but who knew rugby would have drama? I decided to push myself to ride down to the fields and cheer the team on even when I couldn't play. I made it just in time to see the last 1/4 of the game. Courtney and BGraham collided on the field which left some wicked bruises on their faces as the week continued. However, no serious injuries thank God.

The social was at Sandy's which is literally right down the street from my apt but I decided to stay home. I had a lot of work to do but couldn't keep myself focused. I finally finished my questions for my Political Thought oral exam. I was so nervous and worried I'd forget it all which was prone to happen if I didn't have note cards (or cue cards during my time "on-stage" at MHS). Sunday night I convinced my girls to indulge me and go to cookout for a quick bite. It took a lot longer for us to get out of the apt and do that than I would have liked but I know now how to prepare when I go over there. Working at their place is almost impossible especially with the TV blaring Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Also if you're going to put that on I'm not paying attention to my work are you crazy? Its one of my favorite past time tv shows!!

The rest of the week was pretty low key except for late nights in Belk and pulling an almost all-nighter on Wednesday for the annotated bibliography due for senior seminar Thursday. I aced my oral exam (I think - fingers crossed) and totally bombed my Hindu Goddesses midterm which really surprises me since I would've figured had been the opposite: do well on HG midterm and make a disastrous effort for my oral midterm. Live and learn I guess. I just wish I didn't feel as equally horrible when I went to Senior Sem on Thursday morning. I realized that my bibliography was a tentative bibliography and I treated as such. However, I'm guessing the assignment was to see more solid sources that would help us start to write. Lets face it, I've been extremely stressed out about this class since before I got to Elon so it goes without saying I'll feel like I'm not doing the right thing until I hand in my thesis and prayer I don't fail.

All-Around Champs

Its been awhile since I've wrote a post so I'm hoping this one is somewhat entertaining. I'll start with the fact that I've been on the verge of insomnia. From the second week in September I've spent a lot of time in the library including weekends. Over the last week I've pulled late nights in Belk hanging out with some other library geeks: my rugby mates - Courtney, Steph, Ruddster. I was pleasantly surprised when I was studying in my "regular" spot - one of the tables near the reference books - and saw a line of students form outside the Writing Center to get their hands on goodies from Panera. Between caffeine and the sugar its no wonder why I have trouble getting to sleep after I come home around 2am every night. With midterms next week I wouldn't be surprised if I pull an all-nighter or two *makes a sour face*.

Last weekend was Family Weekend and I can't believe its been four years since I met Lindsay's dad and celebrated our first month at Elon. A lot has changed since then especially the fact that I chopped my hair (lol). I was invited to join Lindsay, her father, Jamile and Dionne for dinner at Simply Thai on Friday. As I walked around the parking lot to meet them in the restaurant I realized their was an overflow of cars parked on the grass due to the high volume of parentals visiting. With parents also comes TERRIBLE drivers....speaks to the terrible student drivers at Elon (had to learn that from someone). I always fear for my life as a pedestrian but since I've returned to campus I am scared to ride my bike in the street (that should be easier than maneuvering pedestrian traffic on sidewalks). Thankful that I didn't feel nauseous after dinner (in the past Simply Thai was my stomach enemy) I went back to the apartment and slept. 

Check out Simply Thai (HERE)

The next morning I tried to be a bit productive as I watched the rain pour down outside I moaned at the thought that our game would be 1) wet and cold or 2) cancelled. I consistently checked the weather channel, my emails, and Facebook to see if the game was cancelled but to my dismay the game was still scheduled to happen. And it did....in the pouring rain....and in the cold. It was fine in the beginning when we were practicing before the actual game but as the rain came down, stopped and then the evening cold came I was so uncomfortable and ready to be done. I think it would've been better if I had played at least a little bit so that I could retain body heat but its hard to feel warm when you are damp, in the open air and cold. Despite my challenge to keep a positive attitude - and cheer across the field to support the team - it was well played game. Charlotte whipped our butts last year but this game was more competitive especially since the final score was 0-0. 

Team pic (notice our beautiful wet and muddied bodies)

Although I wanted to go to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner with the team I needed to go home immediately to warm up. Unfortunately most of the girls with cars were staying to watch and support the boys rugby team or going with their families to wherever. So I walked home. It was the coldest I've been this semester thus far. I promised myself when I got home that I would never not take my bike to get to the intramural fields unless I had a ride there and back (especially not in the freakin rain). A hot shower, long sweats and soup I was ready to go to sleep.

Sunday was a "catch up on work"day as it is for most college students. I went to the library right when it opened and stayed until 6pm. Later I watched the Giants played the Eagles in Philly. Unfortunately Big Blue didn't win but it was a very close game. I so miss having the opportunity to yell at the television and not appear to be a crazy person :) LETS GO GIANTS!

This week is already overwhelming but after practice on Tuesday some teammates went to Mellow Mushroom for the EWR ProfitShare. I missed the deliciousness of the Kosmic Karma pizza. Also did anyone notice the new menu? I returned to Belk satisfied and content.

The aftermath of Mellow Mushroom feast

Monday-Wednesdays are the days I literally live in Belk: early morning I'm there, in between classes I'm most likely there and of course late at night I'm there. So I'll probably be there after the presidential debates tonight (its Tuesday) to work on midterm stuff...WHY, why do seniors have midterms?????? I mean how is this going to be useful getting a job after college, hello?!?!?! ok, I'm calm now. Anyway look for a post in the near future, probably before fall break.