From coast to coast... to coast.

Summer. So many good thoughts pop into my head when i hear that word - watermelon, beach, lake, grass, sunglasses, HEAT!, sand, fishing (although my brother is the only one doing that these days), snow cones, blue skies  - ok ok that's enough. The point is... summer is cool (not literally unless you live in Alaska). With the exception of 100 degree temperatures and suppressing humidity, i really do love summer. And this summer has got to be one of my favorites because i got the chance to visit all three coasts in the good ole U.S. of A.

Coast 1: Gulf of Mexico, Carillon Beach, Florida

Winner: prettiest water

Loser: hottest water

Coast 2: Pacific Ocean, San Diego, California

Winner: biggest waves

Loser: coldest water

Coast 3: Atlantic Ocean, Falmouth, Massachusetts

Winner: prettiest view (Martha's Vineyard)

Loser: most seaweed

Its been quite a summer... and it ain't over yet! But this thing i did... dipping my toes in the three bodies of water that surround us... was actually about more than just water. I spent each trip with some pretty amazing (and my favorite!) people. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time with my immediate family, my boyfriend's friends and family, and my extended family. The people definitely made the trips worthwhile... but getting a tan and cooling off in the salty water wasn't bad either :)

Happiness

Well its thoroughly embarrassing that my last post was in January, but i don't wanna waste any more words on that.

I am back to writing because i want to capture an incredibly wonderful moment i had tonight. There have been a few times since i moved to St. Louis that i have been randomly, unpredictably overtaken by complete happiness. One such time happened tonight. Since my memory is shoddy at best, i am putting it into words that hopefully i will come back to read one day.

There was nothing particularly special about tonight. But then again, i guess you could say everything was special. I was driving home from my Monday night volleyball game thinking... I am in a sand volleyball league. With cool people. That i met at school. Happiness = check. I just got off the phone with someone i care deeply about and who makes me smile on a daily basis. Probably an hourly basis. Happiness = check. I am on my way to my apartment... which i greatly enjoy calling home. And share with a person who will be a lifelong friend. Happiness = check. And upon arriving home, i had plans to Skype with my brother. Who is loving school. And has blossomed into an outgoing, driven, personable, intelligent, and motivated person since moving to college. Happiness = check.

Like i said before, nothing is particularly earth shattering about any of these things but thats what makes it so great. I have created a life for myself here in St. Louis that i love and these little, everyday things bring me lots of happiness. Its incredibly comforting and humbling. Thank you, God, for all these sources of happiness.

Just one week left of being a first-year MBA. I'm growing up so fast! Haha. Here's to an awesome finish (and much more happiness to come!).

14, 12, and 2

14

The Alabama Crimson Tide are 14-time national champions!!!!!!! Wooohooo! I have been extremely fortunate to be a part of both #13 and #14 - thirteen as a student and fourteen as an alum. While thirteen was one of the most memorable days of my life, this championship was an extremely unique situation for me since Bama played LSU and I'm from Louisiana but for Alabama. I got to spend time with both high school and college friends and it was a blast! The absolute best part was the ten minute walk i made from Jackson Square to Canal Street following the game... hugging, high-fiving, and roll-tiding every stranger in red! Us Bama fans spent the previous weekend being heckled and pelted by Mardi Gras beads by LSU fans. We finally got to scream Roll Tide and celebrate Bama's accomplishments... and LSU could not say a single word!!! Its hard to trash talk when your team crosses midfield once... in the 4th quarter... puts up zero points... lets the opponent score 6 times. Ahhhh glorious!

#13 - Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA

#14 - Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA

12

Happy 2012!!! Time flies when you're having fun... or super busy. A few resolutions of mine: follow a consistent workout plan (like every other person on the planet), get an internship (a MUST!!!), set and follow a budget, learn how to properly use my camera, and continue to travel as much as possible. Nothing earth shattering but all very important. This NYE, I attended one of those prepaid events that includes all your dinner and drinks, a band, balloon drop, etc. Although you ring in the new year with a couple hundred strangers (and, in my case, some awesome MBA friends!), it was actually really fun! And, yes, the balloon drop was totally the best part! 

2

I have officially started my 2nd semester of business school. Crazy. This semester will be extremely different from the first due to the structure of the program. We are done with the core (accounting, marketing, economics, etc.) and now choose our own classes. Best parts... no more assigned seats, interesting elective classes, and getting to know second-years and PMBAs. Worst parts... no one to remind me what classroom i'm suppose to be in ;) and not having class with some of my favorite people! I can only hope my second semester will be as awesome as the first - until next time...