"lasts"

This weekend was my LAST football game as a Clemson student. How very sad, not to mention a very brutal loss to Carolina 29-7. I had great seats though in the Sigma Chi block, which was great as always with good friends and good ole Tiger passion.

Unfortunately though, we're probably going to go to a really crappy bowl, like the Meinke bowl, which stinks (but not more than Parker does!)

I'll go backwards from here...

I went home to Charleston Tuesday night for Thanksgiving, only to return less than 3 days later for the rivalry game. Wednesday for dinner, Jim's family came and Mom made Salmon and we had pecan pie. Yum! Jim's son, Jim came with his wife Migle and son Kostas (who live in Stuttgart, Germany) as well as Jim's other son, Chris and his daughter Emily. Cameron came over and we had a great time. And then I had drinks with Madeline and Ellen--we went to Social and the Rooftop above Market Pavilion Hotel. Some good wine. (I should've made a stop to Charleston Beer Exchange while I was home to grab some sweet beers, but I forgot, oops).

Thursday was Thanksgiving, so we all did our traditional morning Turkey Trot 5k run, probably the HOTTEST thanksgiving run I've ever had, like 75 degrees and sunny, whoo. I ran the 2 miles, walked some, just wasn't feeling it after some wine last night. Finished it, went to the beer truck and then we went to Circa 1886 (like we usually do) for Breakfast with Dad and Linn and the family. Man, I've sure missed those croissants and missed Miss Betty this year :(

We headed to "the country" (Linn's sister Elizabeth's house) for a rousing game of flag football (yet another tradition). My team won 5-2 (I think?). No thanks to me, I might add, it was incredibly hot and the boys were handling much of the hard labor of the game. I wish I could list the seemed-like 100 people there Thursday, but that's too much to handle between family, friends, adopted-orphans, but seriously though, there were probably 30 people there! We had everything imaginable for food options. Venison stew, baked and fried turkey, mashed potatoes and rice, oyster and regular stuffing, green bean casserole, and more. It was absolutely delicious and for the first time ever in my thanksgiving, I didn't go for a second serving (although my plate was stacked pretty high the first go-round). Not to forget the five pies: Pecan, pumpkin, pumpkin and coconut, peanut butter, cheesecake and Ambrosia cake that Linn made for Elizabeth's early birthday celebration.

The food was filling, the wine was flowing, and the laughs were unstoppable.

Headed back to Clemson friday morning after wonderful mother-daughters-time with Mom and Cameron. We got pedis and manis (very much needed after cramming my feet in the most beat up cowboy boots you've ever seen for far too long).

Last Saturday was the Wake Forest away game, so I stayed in Clemson and participated in the Fall Crawl. It's like our Senior Walk in the spring, basically a bar crawl for anyone at Clemson that's 21 and wants to do it. It's pretty awesome. I stayed mostly in my same areas so I could just watch football all day at Loose Change and Wingin' It--no surprise there. Some of the boys were playing Beer Golf (maybe the best game ever), so I did some assisting there, haha. It was a pretty great day all in all. 

I love Clemson, I do.

It's a disease, but a great one.

I can't believe I will be graduating in 19 days and leaving this beautiful place in 21 days.

Lots of lasts these next few weeks. So sad.

4 1/2 years flew by. I can't believe it.

More to come. Love you all.

I did it! I did it!

I can't believe I actually did it!

I ran 13.1 miles!!! ALL of it! I can't believe it. 

I am still in shock. I am so proud of myself (and I don't feel guilty for saying that!)

Like I said earlier, training was going slow, real slow.

The most I had run in my training (and the most in my life I might add) was SIX miles...and I was expecting to run THIRTEEN? DOUBLE THAT?

AM I CRAZY?

Apparently so. But also, apparently, adrenaline does wonders.

(And being my dad's daughter--guess it's genetic)

I finished in 2hrs 23 minutes. 

That's running 10-11 minute miles.--totally fine with me!

(Mrs. Bailey and Coach Slepetz would be SO proud!)

Who am I? I was a SPRINTER? and now I can run THIRTEEN miles??

Seriously, I can't believe it.

Even my family was shocked. They knew I was unprepared, so they barely made it to the finish line in time to watch me cross it, because they thought I wouldn't be back for another 20-30 mins...(Well, I sure showed them, huh?) Haha.

Dad got second in his age group.

Michelle (bless her freezing self) swam 1.2 miles.

Linn biked 56 miles. (56! whoa!)

I ran 13.1 miles and finished the team relay.

As a team, although we weren't really competing, finished 14th out of 20 teams, which was great!!

It was wonderful. Great time with the family.

Recap:

Thursday night I went home to Charleston.

Friday morning I had breakfast with Mom, then got in the car and headed to Wilmington with Dad, Linn, and Michelle.

Saturday--RACE DAY!! (I even got to sleep in!)

Saturday night, after Dad got his award, and we all showered, we went to Wild Wings to get yummy, fatty food and BEER, to watch Auburn and Clemson's football games.

Auburn won. Going to SEC Championship against USC (boooo USC!) WAR DAMN/CAM EAGLE!

Clemson lost. (I don't want to talk about it. Grrr). 

Woke up this morning, had breakfast at the hotel, and Michelle and I drove back to Charleston.

I spent 2 hours in Charleston with Mom, then headed back to Clemson.

Heavy schoolweek ahead.

2 exams. 1 research paper. 1 presentation.

and I have to finish my ePortfolio...

And graduation is in 33 days.

I can't believe THAT either.

Just an update. I'm sure pictures will be on facebook soon. (If not, I'll post them on here later).

Time for bed. I am so SORE and TIRED.

Thanks to all that prayed and had faith in me, my team, and my Dad. No injuries, just soreness.

Goodnight, bloggers!

Wilmington Ironman website: Beach 2 Battleship

one decision down.

It's official.

I just declined my offer as Recruiter at Insight Global in Atlanta. I loved the company, their goals, the challenging opportunities they have to offer, the people, the office environment, almost everything. They were great. It was a big decision.

This means that I just made the decision to take one of the two jobs that would move me to Germany. 

AHHHHhhhh!

I haven't decided which one (M.C.Dean v. Interconex) yet, they are both still in the working process...

I was in Charleston for the night and now I'm headed to Wilmington, NC for the 1/2 Ironman Relay with Michelle, Linn, Dad, and I. 

Wish me luck everyone!!

(because I might die, my body will hurt, yikes!)

Also, wish on the Tigers luck against FSU Saturday at 8pm. I have a lot of friends going down (so pray for their safety) and pray for the Tigers victory!! I'll be watching it (and the Auburn game) at a Sports Bar in Wilmington.

Also, wearing my GDI IPTAY shirt for the race tomorrow. Hopefully NC State fans won't trip me, and maybe some Clemson fans will give me a few extra cheers!

GO TIGERS!

WISH ME LUCK!

only one more home game. depressing.

I can't believe it!!!!!!

I am graduating in 40 days. 40!
Dec 16th, 2010

My graduation invitation. (will be sent out in a week or two)

My last HOME football game as a student is in 20 days. 20!
Clemson v. USC

I have got to be nuts. Can I switch majors again please? K thanks...

On another note, I am truly blessed to have 3 job offers. I can't believe it. I am so honored, impressed, humbled, excited. People/Companies actually like ME? Whoa, who would've thunk it? :)

I went home for Fall Break, spent time with the family and friends. I got a cold and was fighting that off, so my Halloween wasn't exactly the most eventful, but Clemson definitely compensates for a not-as-fun-as-expected Halloween weekend.

Here are some pictures from Halloween weekend/Fall Break in Charleston:

Burns and I, EX Halloween Mixer.
One of my best friends, whom I will miss the most.

Miguel Chavis, #89, DT, EX

Sigma Chis

Ellen, Medley, and I. Halloween party. Charleston.

Deer in Wild Dunes, IOP

This weekend: NC State. @noon.

Dad, Cameron, and Linn came up for the NC State football game.

We sat in the box, which was fabulous because it was a cold gameday.

Nail-biting victory, just BARELY a victory. Our defense was our only savior.

(and the free-groceries-for-a-year kicker, just kidding).

Cameron, my step-mom Linn, Dad, and I in the box for NC State 

I cried at halftime. Yes, yes, it happened. 

It was Military Appreciation day and it was so beautiful and moving. Not only was I sad that this was my second to last home game ever as a student, but I thought of all my friends going into the military after graduation, who are at camp training, who will go active duty. Powerful men. I am so impressed with their patriotism and love for America.

Shout out to Stuart, Simmons, Matt Miller, Chase, Clayton, and so many other friends that will serve. I am wow-ed by these men.

I took Dad, Cameron and Linn to the Sigma Chi Alumni tailgate at Explorers/Friars/Flip Flops.

They had an ice luge (so college).

And met lots of "old balls" Sigma Chis (excuse the french).

I have SEVEN days of classes left. 4 final exams.

It all went by so fast.

And duh-duh-dunnnn....

this weekend is the 1/2 Ironman relay in Wilmington, NC

I will be coming home Thursday night, driving to NC Friday morning.

Race day--Saturday.

Michelle is swimming. 1.2 miles

Linn is biking. 56 miles.

I'm running. 13.1 miles.(I must be crazy). 

I've got a big week this week. 2 papers and a huge exam.

Wish me luck.

Love you all.

I'll post pictures from the race afterwards.

Good night, sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite.