graduation... and beyond.: Memories in the Making...

I've always known that some of my favorite moments in life are the little ones: the ones that are seemingly useless or forgetful to others. That moment when I finally understand my Chemistry problem and I feel the lightbulb come on; that moment when I see a familiar face in a football stadium; and that moment when I realized just how amazing my college years are going to be.

This past week has been super stressful because I had my first college test on Thurs.. and of course it was for Chem 184! Two-thirds of the information I was very comfortable with, however, its always that one chapter that I don't understand that causes me to lose sleep at night. Literally. I was holed up in a library for several hours a day, then I would come back and ask Robert (he's a chemical engineering major) questions on the ones I didn't understand. This process lasted several hours after my suggested bed time. But.. It all paid off.. mostly. Out of 25 questions, I only missed three. For those of you who know me, you know I am not thrilled with that.. but everyone else says that I did extremely well... so I am trying to be proud of myself. (: I will definitely take that for my first college test! (hey, it could have been worse.)

Once the test was behind me, I realized just how stressed I had been. So we all went to eat at the Studio and catch up since I had been absent a lot that week studying. That was my moment. Sitting in a booth with some of my best friends laughing and talking.... that is what I want to walk away from this amazing place with. Not just my degree... but those memories that someday I can still recall easily and laugh about as if it happened an hour ago... (:

Friday was great because since we had our test the night before at 8, class was cancelled! I didn't have to wake up until ten to go to my 11:00 class. Then I was done for the day! I came home, showered, and got ready and went out to dinner with Juli, her parents, and Robert. After that, we watched a movie in Robert's room... and I'll be honest, I haven't felt well in a few days, but that night was awful. I curled up in a ball with a blanket in Robert's chair and went through a half a box of tissues. At one point, he walked by me, looked at me, and said, "You look awful." Gee thanks, bud. But seriously, I felt awful. But me and my desire for memories stayed up and watched everybody play ping-pong and we chilled in Juli's room, where I eventually fell asleep. It was a great end to a great day... yes, even being super sick!

GAME DAY!! I love those two little words!! It was family day (and band day) here in Lawrence and the campus was suddenly filled with parents, siblings, cousins, uniforms, trombones, etc. Andrèa and Juli's parents flew in the night before, but mine arrived a little before noon and it was great to see them! I wanted to try and show them everything about this place that I loved! Claire had to go home for the weekend, unfortunately, but she'll get to meet my parents soon! (Sidenote: I will not be coming home for Mulvane's Homecoming because it's the same weekend as KU's. We'll work it out!) They met Robert, checked out my room, and then we went out to lunch and to Target. We came back to McCollum to set up my TV and get ready for the game. We then began the rather long trek to the stadium and I tried to show them some of my favorite buildings, however, mother nature had other plans. As usual. Rain, AGAIN, seems to always find the game days here in Lawrence. But oh well! We made it to the game and had a blast watching my boys win (In a NAIL BITTER!!) and the bands from the state play at half time!

Again, it's all about the memories I make here. I am so fortunate to go to the college of my dreams and achieve all the goals I have for myself here. <3 Thank you to everyone who is helping me along the way.. and making memories with me.