Back to Reality

Over the last month and a half I have undergone so many transitions and experiences. To start, I've on and off working part-time jobs - some paid some not - trying to keep myself busy and praying for the strength to overcome challenging personalities. All I can say is I don't know what I would've done without my true friends, like Keith. I visited him at the end of August to see his new apartment and catch up. It was a good thing I did because I had to witness for myself his nice digs.

My trip to Philadelphia was much more nostalgic than a casual meeting with an old friend. As it turns out I had alternative motives - guilty as charged - since I was so curious about the lives of other some people I knew back in high school who've continued their passion for music going "on tour." I mean how long has it been since my last basement show? What I found to be refreshing was finally seeing that atmosphere from a more objective perspective rather than a young girl crazed with the idea of getting the attention of a musician. It was a pleasant time laughing, conversing, singing along and most importantly staying in the present.

After that my working life - or lack there of - came to a screeching halt. So what else better to do than beg your friend, who has backstage access to New York Fashion Week, to brighten one's low spirit. Although I did buy a brand new dress for the occassion - since none of the out of date, frumpy and unflattering wardrobe I have would do for a NYFW Venexania show, or any NYFW show for that matter. I'm far too critical because as it turns out there were people wearing articles of clothing that should've never seen the light of day - WTFWYT?!?! Overall, it was great to see my friend Greg and sit in the 2nd row at the show; even got one of those goodie bags :) And of course as my technology curse proceeds me, Greg's phone deleted all the photos from the event...except for the few below. I guess I have to stalk Twitter to find any pictures taken during the Venexania show and see if we're in any of them.

But I did return to Lincoln Center right after the crowds and shows were over to get a make-over at the Allure Glamor Lounge. What an experience: beauty is pain, note to staff - don't allow the hotel you are renting space from use the air conditioner unless you want to deal with leaks in the ceiling and stop to enjoy the moment because life is short. At least I looked really great for the New York Elon Alumni event that evening. Did not expect to walk into a room with over 700+ alumni! PS I am so glad I had the opportunity to have a drink and relax in The Plaza bar. Can you say fancy?

Probably my fo-pa that I was let go at Blimpies. My plan all along was to leave for a week for the Duke University's Continuing Studies Nonprofit Management Certificate program in the middle of September before I took the part-time position but I guess everything happens for a reason. A learning experience none the less but more along the lines of experience with passive-aggressive management and leadership - or lack there of. The same could be said for some other side projects I'm involved with currently but that's a discussion for another day...

It was great going back to North Carolina having no responsibilities to academic work or college life other than what I signed up for with the Nonprofit Management Certificate program. Per usual, I reached out to a few peeps I knew were in the area - Jamie, Alice, etc. Of course there is never enough time to see everyone but I felt good to try because I did benefit especially in regards to reconnecting with Elon Alumni. Saw Jeff (2012) and his crew - Chris (2011), Cody (2012) and Mitch (2012) - at Fullsteam downtown and went to dinner and Locopops with Alice and Kit on Friday. Must say that I never thought about crazy flavored ice cream icicles - flavors like chocolate rosemary, pomegrante cognac and other weird stuff. I had simply salted caramel which was the perfect end to a great reunion.

Ceramics Class Spring 2013

Here's some pictures of my work in ceramics class this spring.

Early on...

Working on the wheel

Death by trimming

Nancy's pieces are some much to be envied 

Glazing and finishing stages

 My finished pieces

 Favorite piece: Teapot set

 Raku piece

Banquet

Harden Clubhouse

Last rugby event of the semester tainted with bittersweet feelings. Although it was nice to have the entire team together for one last hurrah that is what it was, one last hurrah. It hit home for many of the seniors that had changed and grown so much in the past four years at Elon. The team has been such a pivotal part of our lives its hard to imagine (for some) what life will be like without that support, friendship and love. But if nothing else it was so hilarious to see the rookies skit. I was particularly touched by the picture slideshow and Koala's seranade to the seniors ("For Good" from Wicked the musical). We'll always have the memories and if nothing else those of us that return for homecoming or alumni weekend will have the opportunitie to reimense in all our "glory days".

The Seniors

 The L3s

The L2s

The Rookies

Our Team

Senior Year Festivus Extravaganza...and no, not like Seinfeld

Senior year has been a great time to experience all the things at Elon and college I have yet to do or always wanted to do. I've incorporated the "now or never" philosophy almost everyday since I started the school year. There have been some very rewarding experiences and some very interesting and/or enlightening ones too.

Unlike many of my colleagues on the rugby team and some other seniors I have not been to Festivus since my sophomore year. Despite my original reservations about going in the first place it was the MOST FUN I have had in awhile. So in true Elon tradition I returned this year for a last horrah! It was bigger than I remembered, perhaps because the entire mudpit was moved to the bottom of the hill giving more people the opportunity to participate in the craziness. I was a little turned off at the enormous amounts of crushed Solo cups I crawled over and fell on during the event. It left my knees in especially gruesome state but other than that (and the not-so-nice cut up barefoot walk back to my apt) I had a great time! Evidence of my messiness is shown below:

 Mixed cocktail before noon!

The aftermath

Easter & Cherry Blossom Tournament: The Last Hurrah

So in fear that I'm getting too old for childhood pleasantries like trick-or-treating I wasn't sure I'd have an Easter basket sent to me at school despite the past few years surprise in the mail. I called my Mom a week before I left for spring break to remind her I would love to receive some goodies. To be honest asking for an Easter basket isn't the same as getting a surprise when you walk downstairs or walk to your PO BOX in Moseley to find a packing slip you know is not anything you ordered online. None the less I was grateful she sent me a little somethin' somthin'.

About a year ago this June Mom bought me one of my favorite films, The Easter Parade, on dvd. If you are not familiar with this fabulously entertaining and musically thrilling piece of art I will encourage you to rent the film with a spoiler - the best of the best actors of the our time play the leads: Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. As the holiday weekend approached I knew that I would like - as I have for the past three years while at college - to see the movie. Its a tradition my Mom and I started when I was younger  so I feel a personal connection, a memory of the 'good ole days'. Once the dvd was in my possession I kept it in the top drawer of our entertainment cabinet back home in New Jersey. Sad day :(

These days I've been quite nostalgic reflecting about my days in our nation's capital this last spring. I remember it was the centennial of the Cherry Blossom festival and my mom visited me a few weeks after the blossoms bloomed. It was a super quick spotting of the blossoms lasting about three days if that and the rest of the season the trees remained flowerless. This year, however, the warmer temperatures are gradual and not as shocking as the year before. Also different from last spring was that I went to the Cherry Blossom Tournament as a player not just a stand-by member of Elon Women's Rugby.

Huge breakfast spread

This time around was the best yet and its appropriate the last one would leave me feeling accomplished. Although we did not officially win any titles we played hard. It was extremely exciting to play in front of my Mom and other family members of other players. We had so much support from the sidelines which felt really nice. The Simesons per usual are a delight. They are saints in my book opening their house for the past three years to a bunch of ruggers who eat a ton, sleep sloppily and make a lot of noise when together. At least we are not partial to breaking things like when boys get in packs. Breakfast casseroles, yummy snack foods, homemade lasagna...I haven't ate that good in awhile other than the usual dishes I cook for myself. It was especially sweet to have Dennis around because my mom and I were treated to lunch the first day of the tournament. We went to Outback and got the Bloomin' Onion as an appetitizer. YUM!!!!! I have not had one in over five years. It tasted sooooooooo good and it made me feel less guilty eating a 1500 calorie dish among two other people.

I should also mention a great trip up on the Megabus to D.C. from Durham. Never done that before but it seemed to go smoothly with the exception of cramped leg room and the fact I had to leave my apartment around 9am to take the train to the bus depot. No biggie because it was worth meeting up with Kristi, Dennis and Mom for dinner at the hipest italian restaurant in non other than D.C.'s Chinatown, Vapiano's. It was buzzing that night like I'd never seen it and I was so happy Kristi and I's pregame appetitizer and round of drinks around the corner at Bar Louie made us late. Mom and Dennis caught the best spot in the place. After a much satisfied meal we walked it off around the national mall around late dusk. We walked from the Dept of Justice to the Pearl Harbor memorial and turned back going north back to Chinatown. I had to admit how much I do miss life in D.C.

The ride back was an adventure to say the least. While at a rest stop for lunch and bathroom break we locked ourselves out of the van. Yep. That would only happen to van riders. Lucky for us one of our rookies, Lexie, was our savior. AAA Plus member had her card on her, called for service and within the hour a guy appeared and helped us unlock the driver door. In the meantime we were fortunate enough to be surrounded by a plethora of shops. We made rounds to the pet store and Michael's before the towe truck arrive with help.

 Our Savior arrives!!!

Near ready to get out of the van after one hell of a trip Steph plays around 

with the plush dog Natty got from Blaine as a V-Day gift last yr. It talks, dances and sings...well not really but Steph seems to think so :)

Myrtle Shenanigans

Wow! What a week it has been. I really didn't have any expectations of this year's spring break other than having a lot of fun, making some new friends even if it would only be temporary, and get to know my teammates better. I did all that and more. Between the quotes, dances, laughs, snap-chats, nights out, singing, games and beer I believe I experience a true (but sadly last) spring break as a college student! All is thanks to Jamie and EWR teammates that came on the trip. It wouldn't have been the same without all of them: Tubs, Catherine, Megs "Trampstamp", Hogan, Cash, Koala, BGraham, BMoore, Ruddster, Schmidty, Tiny, Cherrell, Mo, Anna, Smurf, Urs, and Arny.

 Playing some rugby on the beach the night we arrived 

Our neighbors downstairs were also a big part of the less drama more fun aspect of the trip at least for many of us that had been to Myrtle the year before. A bunch of guys and gals from CT who decided to come to Myrtle Beach on a week in late March that just so happened to fall on our week spring break. Despite some of the unfortunately events that happened towards the very end of the week - cops raided the house and made both renters pour all the alcohol out - we loved hanging out with each other and learning new phrases, games and stories about the New Englanders' culture.


The biggest setback of the whole week was the weather. It was unfortunately that this particular week remained windy and rainy for a good portion of the daytime. What was worse was my stupidity - rather a mixture of stubbornness and pure laziness - to wear flip flops on the first few adventures outside, the first and turns out to be the most painful walks was that to Dunkin Donuts on top of a late afternoon stroll on the beach the same day. Bad bad BAD idea! It would've been one thing if I had brought my sandals that are intended for more that moderate-level walking distances. And you who've thought I would've learned my lesson earlier this week when huge blisters appeared on the bottoms of my feet. But no I continued to "brave" (aka be stupid) trying to walk in my Old Navy cheapo flip flops smaller distances (8-12 looooong blocks here and there) and on Tuesday evening I mustered the ultimate level of dumb wearing my brown 1 1/2" heels to Senor Frog's - yep a night club.

 First walk to Dunkin

 Hmmm...ice cream place a few blocks away? Maybe come back later

 Still walking to Dunkin...turned out to be 2 1/2 miles away

Walk back from Dunkin on the beach 

Staying on the cheap buying food in the beginning of the week served me well. I don't think I spent more than $90 max on food/booze. On top of a beach merch towel ($14), cost of the cottage (around $85), a few nights out ($20) and gas (probably $30 once split) I don't think I spent more than $250 for the whole trip which was entirely within my budget. YAY me!

 Making our first communal dinner as a team :)

Happy Birthday Megs!

It was really great to see part of a sunrise this morning, the last morning we were at Myrtle. The beach was full of life between the walkers, seagulls, and rolling waves. The air was so crisp and even the moon was still peeking from the then sunlit sky. Being the earliest one to get up out of the 14 girls I had the chance to relax a bit before everyone started to run around packing up. The ride back was painless with the exception of coming to the realization that I would have so much work to catch up with. Not to mention the recurring hunt for jobs/fellowships/internships in the near future. But for right now I'm going to take it all in an reflect on what a nice, relaxing and fun-filled break its been so far. 

Thanks EWR!