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.

Bingo!...well not so much.

This week has definitely been a little rough. My dad's anniversary is about to come up and I've been a little emotional lately so it was necessary no mandatory to have fun this weekend! So as promised I went to Greensboro Friday evening with the girls to play and enjoy the amusement of Green Queen Bingo. I was a bingo virgin but happy to be sitting with some fellow bingo virgins from Elon's Spectrum peeps including our advisor Dr. Ringelberg. It was fun to watch the drags - especially Big Shirli Stevens - do their thing and anticipate losing bingo. I was close about five outta ten times to win but nope. Here's some evidence of my losses:

 So close, off by one.

 My friend Jamile and the tallest Drag at Green Queen Bingo

Big Shirli

Although I would've loved to continue on the night watching a movie or hanging out I knew better. When you have to be somewhere at 8am the next morning get your butt to bed! And that's exactly what I did (after I watched an episode of The West Wing...so addictive). Rise and shine at 645am. I got my stuff for rugby together with the idea that I'd bring everything I'd need as if I'd be playing in case Jamie (Scrum captain) needed an extra player. Lo and behold my surprise when I find out that I'm "sipped" and will be playing today. I'm glad I thought ahead because I would've been royally screwed.

It was nice to ride with BGraham and Hogan especially since our car wasn't driving like a manic down I-40. We reached NC State and warmed up before doing our usual team bonding routine. Today was a Round Robin meaning three teams would be playing throughout the day: Elon (EWR), UNCGreensboro and NC State. Luckily we didn't have to play first but boy were we tired by the end of our first game. We did have a lot of tris (goals--CashMoney/Merit) and beautiful kicks (Smurf and Anna). I was appointed as eightman for UNCG after one of their girls was taken away by an ambulance. It was fun to try and tackle my fellow teammates. They were a great group of girls and I hope they take up my offer to come play a friendly scrimmage @ Elon.

 Merit (L2) under the bleachers 

 Former Scrum cap. Bmoore came to visit us

 And former backline player Totie came too!

 Hello lovely ladies!

Some of the newest players came to watch their first rugby game and

suppor EWR!

NC State = big girls who curse a lot. We made a good effort to hold them back and the scrums were really great but all in all NC State won the second game. It would've been nice to meet some of them to see a different side to these girls but considering Courtney was injured, couldn't drive and I volunteered to drive someone else's car I ended up driving a few EWR freshman (and Ursula) back to Elon before the social. The ride back was fun since Ursula was my DJ and we rocked out to Nsync, Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, Bewitched, Kim Possible, Sisqo, and so many other 90s hits. The L1s in the backseat hardly knew these songs and it made Urs and I feel incredibly old. Oh well at least it was an amusing ride back to campus. 

Saturday night was quite and short. I was in pain and popped a few pills before going to sleep. I did manage to eat, shower and watch two episodes of TWW before I plopped down on my bed and ZZZzzz-ed. Sunday was a working day and I'm so exhausted from reading so much. The sad thing is I'm an incredibly slow reader - not as bad as I once was thanks to summer reading - and it delays my research schedule so much. I wish I had more time and more willingness to stay up late but I can't. I listen to my body and when its tired I sleep. In my mind school is when I'll be able to sleep and create good habits not when I'm working so hard M-F and having a social, active and adventurous life after school. 

 A line out

 TACKLE!!!

 Avoid injuries please.

 TACKLE!!!!

NC State game

Elon Poll Press Conference & A Silent Film

This past Monday I woke up at the crack of dawn to get on the shuttle to Charlotte. It was such an interesting discussion among some very prestigious panelists at the Elon Poll press conference at The Charlotte Observer. Last week, Professor Ferandez and Professor Husser were the leaders for the student run poll to see how NC was likely to vote for President Obama vs Rep. candidate Mitt Romney. I had the opportunity to see the newsroom (hearing the theme song of HBO's newest summer series "The Newsroom") and speak to Dan Gergen. You can see more in the article below: EPoll DNC Press conference OR check out another article focused on the students HERE

 'Where the enemy works'... (Almost Famous - a paraphrased line related to journalism)

 Elon students

 Groovy art wall

 The Panelists

The following evening me and my girls (Lindsay, Jamile and Dionne) went to Chapel Hill after a head aching senior seminar and long day waiting for it to rain (dressed in rain boots and an huge IKEA umbrella walking around in sweat). We saw A Silent Film - a British alternative band Lindsay and I saw last fall with Civil Twilight - and had a blast. Now that we are all legal to drink we had fun experiencing drinks especially Dionne who hadn't ever tasted a rum and coke. It was so fun hanging out people watching after the gig to see if we could get a picture with the band. Robbie, the lead singer, came right up to me and we got chatty (more like I kept asking questions to soften him up for my favor) and was such a good chap getting all the guys together. So merch to take home and we reminisced on the drive home.

 From left to right: Cat, Jamile, Dionne and Lindsay

 Gals with the guys

Merch!

Wedding Bells, Party Hopping and Range Shooting

Its been a wild yet fun two weekends so far....

Starting with last Friday when my mom and I went to the nail salon to get our pedi mani done for Kerry's wedding. Saturday was the big day from a very early hour. We went to get my mom's hair done and later went to the Coach House Diner off of JFK Blvd in Union City for a quick bite. I'm glad I remembered that the invitation said the ceremony started at 230pm not 3pm. However, as tradition goes the Purtell's have been notorious for doing things later or just late. No bother but it freaked mom out a bit when she realized she had even less time. An hour and a half more or less we made it to the church and lo and behold no bridal party in sight.

 Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Herandez

 The most beautiful Maid of Honor - Sweta in a gorgeous purple dress; 

she's her own princess

 Beautiful bridesmaids - Kristy, Madiha, and Hadiha 

 Congrats!!!!

 Kiss, Kiss, KISS

The service was beautiful and Kerry and her mom, Mary, looked gorgeous. (Way to go Aunt Mary, the dress looked amazing!) A close family friend, Ed, was so cute getting so pissed off that the photographer was blocking his shot using his disposable camera. Although the photographer made up for it having a photo booth at the reception selling $1 photos.

Like these:

 The band at the reception hall

 Uncle Rene and Grandpa

Ed and Aunt Mary

The reception location was so authentic to our family's tradition. Marbella's was the perfect setting and the band was great! It was so nice to have both families in the same room full of laughs, tears, and happy hearts. Kerry and Chris looked so happy and it seemed to me like the actually act of getting married didn't really matter because they worked together effortlessly. As an outsider looking in I would've assumed them to have been married awhile. Its in the genes I'm convinced: Mary and Gerry Purtell 35 yrs and Ricardo and Isabelle probably 25+yrs.

 Aunt Mary and Uncle Gerry

 Chris and Kerry and cake!

 "My Key Lime Pie" Father Daughter dance

 Bridesmaids danced for the newlyweds and the bride decided to join.

My cuz and I (in blue)

After we returned home and rested for the night it wasn't long before I was on the road in a rental car alone driving down I-95 heading south to Elon. I made it in record time: 8hrs. Rooming with Laura is perfect and I thinking positively about this living situation. Classes were extremely overwhelming but I made it through. Now its a matter of working hard and keeping myself sane. Adding some fun in there is necessary. Like last night when the girls and I went out to a 90's themed b-day party. Though that party was a bust we walked around and observed other activities, I even came across Jamie (new VP for rugby) at Trollinger. A cookout run and sleepy eyes concluded the night.

Today I went to a shooting range with some guy friends. It was a carefree afternoon wearing headphones, goggles,  and rifles. I didn't think I'd do well but I was determine not to let the guys intimidate me. I so needed a distraction and I am so grateful for this unique opportunity. Hey, its not everyday that I can get in a car drive down the road for 45mins and spend a few hours shooting guns back in Jersey. I have truly come to appreciate the culture here in NC and I can say without a doubt that when I graduate in May (knock on wood) I will have had a true college experience.