Lesson 1: Expect the unexpected and deal with it.

Snow! Snow!

Chick fil A to the left, Ruby Tuesdays to the right
About 1 1/2 hrs from sketch hotel.
It only got worse...

As you all know, I plan for everything and I like it to work out exactly as I planned. And I also plan multiple scenarios. So, I usually expect that I've got it all covered.

Well, apparently I picked the WORST day ALL WINTER to make my 8 hour trip up to DC/Sterling area to move for my new job.

Let me preface by saying I started checking the weather for the trip from Charleston to Sterling, VA a month ago. Not kidding, monthly averages, worst case scenarios. Then 10 day forecasts, 5 days, 36 hour, hourly. I'm serious people. (I love Weather Underground)!!

I left Charleston at 9am, saying goodbye to Mom, Dad, Jim, Linn, Cameron and even Miss Betty. And off I went, with my fully loaded Toyota 4Runner. Off to my new job, new start, new city. (whoa!)

I was making GREAT time, like really great time. I didn't have any rain until I hit North Carolina, and then it was only drizzling. It finally started raining, but it was all fine. It was steady 40-45 degrees most of the way, until I hit Virginia.

Oh, Virginia.

Country roads, take me home to the place I belong. West Virginia, mountain momma. Take me home, country roads. (John Denver)

In Virginia, on I-95, I hit the weather. Rainy, slushy, icy roads. It wasn't too bad, but then all of the sudden, when I was about an hour to Sterling:
 THUNDERSTORM 2011 ARRIVED.

And I thought I was making good time. I didn't stop for lunch, because I thought I'd grab dinner when I got there (big mistake). Only stopped a total of 3 times in 10 hours.

That's right, it took me 10 HOURS for an 8 hour drive (and I didn't even make it the whole way)

I had expected to arrive in Sterling at 4:45pm, worst case scenario: 6pm

Neither happened.

Snow everywhere. Slow traffic. 10-30 miles per hour on I-95

then I was so delayed, I started hitting rush hour traffic....

It took me 2 hours to go 15 miles. At one point, I went 0.3 miles in 45 minutes. 

At that point, complete dead stop, cars spinning out, plowers stuck in traffic, half a bag of rice cakes and 8-ish Milano cookies later.... I called my wonderful friend Taylor to research for me if that tiny looking building in the distance was indeed a hotel and if they had availability. Thank the Lord they did.

After 10 hours, dead stop traffic, I slid into a Days Inn and took a room for $82.50 (Thanks Mom for the cash to pay for that because their servers/computers were down!)

Some friends think I'm crazy. Some friend's parents think I'm crazy.

I was moving up to DC, alone, an 8-10 hour drive, in a snowstorm, then staying in a random hotel alone for a night, knowing no one.

And I did it.

Despite my best intentions to plan, it went awry, but I still made it work. 

I didn't have any accidents, run out of gas, spin out of control, or lose my mind. I booked a room at a random hotel last minute and cancelled the other hotel in Sterling (you are welcome random person that is now sleeping in my bed, probably stuck due to cancelled flights at Dulles)

It all worked out just fine. I think I passed my first lesson.
My parents sure raised me to be able to handle lots of situations, especially when it comes to travel. 

Deal with what ya got.

I heard a few pretty cool stories (that make me like DC, despite my rough first night):

--Flash mob snowball fight in DuPont Circle

--Toyota Tacoma rear-ending (on purpose) a van to help move it up the hill.

--3 men, from 3 different vehicles get out of their cars to push a Mustang.

--News woman sat in the same spot for 3 straight hours and reported people coming out of their houses with candy bars and waters to give to the drivers sitting in the snow traffic.

--Another woman went into labor while in traffic. (Gridlock was 7 hours old) on American Legion Bridge (beltway)--eventually making it to the hospital with her newborn.

Other notes:

--about 145,000 power outages in Northern Virginia alone.

--complete gridlock.

-- 3-5 inches in DC area (I think it's more)

Well there you have it folks.

You can't always plan.

Expect the unexpected and deal with it.

Graduation pictures

Here are some Graduation pictures:

been too long

Good evening readers,

Lots has happened since my last post. First and foremost, I am sorry for my lack of postings these past few weeks. Graduation, Christmas, Florida, New Years was all too much to journal here. So I am sorry for not posting; however, most of you who read this were probably with me at all those events anyways.

Graduation was great. Dinner the night before at Nami was fabulous. Mom, Dad, Jim, Linn, Grandma, Michelle, Pete, Lauren, Cameron, Elizabeth, Travis, Widman, and Miriam were ALL there (hope I didn't forget anyone!). It was fabulous! Graduation Thursday morning was freezing and raining. (Not my ideal day for graduation, and awful for pictures I might add). Graduation lasted wayyyy too long, from 11am-2pm. I held it together though. I didn't cry, I didn't trip on stage, AND I managed to hold back my tears (well, almost) at the Alma Mater at the end of the ceremony. Lunch at Calhoun Corners afterwards was great. The food was wonderful at both places and it was great to have the whole family there. I loved it. After the family lunch, we went to Loose Change for a little party. Grier, Neal, a few other Sigma Chi's and myself hosted a "closed" party at Loose with our parents with food, a keg, and wine. It was a blast. We played quarters and flip cup and everyone's parents got to meet for the first time and all of us "recent alums" got to hang out and reminisce. That was the BEST part of the whole graduation festivities. Have I mentioned how much I love my friends?? and Clemson?? and Loose Change?? Have I forgotten that?? Hmm, well I DO! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

Clemson was great. College was great. I can't believe I did all that I did, had all the fun I had, made all the friends I have, AND still graduated in 4.5 years with a 3.7 GPA. WOW! (Ps--it is POSSIBLE to all you readers out there!)

Packing and leaving Clemson wasn't too emotional, probably because my WONDERFUL family did most of it for me...so a BIG shout out to all of them that basically packed up my entire apartment (and unpacked it back in Charleston) for me. What a HUGE help and one of the GREAT benefits of having a HUGE family.

Graduation night (Thurs night) was one of the best nights I've had in Clemson. I couldn't even begin to describe it to you. Just. Absolutely. Perfect.!!

The next night, after my family had left and everything was gone, including my bed (thank you air mattress) was great too. I basically had Loose Change to myself. It was basically me, Cason, Rob, Weezie, Eric, Hollerbach, and a few randomers that came in. But it was just us and a party. I made my own drinks, got behind the bar, and had a BLAST!! Definitely another one of my favorite nights there and BOTH nights were great endings to my college career. I hope I left a good mark on Clemson, 'cause I know I did at Loose ;)

I didn't cry when I pulled away from my apartment. I didn't cry when I pulled out of downtown Clemson. Because I have complete faith that I will be back at everyone opportunity possible.

I could continue to write specific details about my last week in Clemson, down to my last beer at Loose, but I'll refrain for the sake of your sanity and patience with my long posting.

I'll try to be better about posting.

GRADES!

Hello family and the few friends that actually read this...

I just got my grades back. All updated. My last grades of my Clemson college career!!! Ahhhh!

Anyways, not to brag, but I kinda am because I mean, it was my LAST semester of college!

I got all As and one B!!! (the B in International Economics of course, yuck)--a 3.75 GPA for this semester. The As were in International Organizations (Political Science), Global Supply Chain Management and Strategic Management.

So, da da dummmm.... I am officially graduating Magna Cum Laude. (with an overall GPA of 3.71)!!!!

I think that's pretty exciting and if I do say so myself, for the RIDICULOUS amount of FUN I had in College, that is really really really GOOD! :) hahaha

More updates, since I haven't updated in a few weeks:

The past two weeks have definitely been hectic. Lots of presentations, projects, papers, exams, etc. I figured out that I needed to make 85s on all of my exams in order to get the grades I wanted (and the grades I got!). That was stressful and led to me actually having to study a lot for my last 4 exams. 2 of my exams I didn't have to take, I could've settled for the B, but I just CANNOT do that! (I was the only person in both of those classes that had a B and was trying for an A, I think my other classmates thought I was crazy or something).

Aside from studying, I allowed myself to enjoy one big day/night of partying before exams got all started. That was the Football Team's Day Party. Apparently this is a yearly tradition that I have missed for FOUR years, but that was okay, because I got to enjoy it my last semester. It happens when they get 1-2 weeks off after the Clemson v. USC game, before they have to start preparing for the bowl game. We went to Crawford Falls to a few of the football players' apartment. They bought 2 kegs and made Jungle Juice/ PJ (fruit punch and everclear....yes, I know). + some champagne I brought to celebrate!

I couldn't even tell you the names of all the players I hung out with, but I'll name drop just for fun: Andre Ellington, Tajh Boyd, Jamie Harper, Miguel Chavis, Richard Jackson, Michael Wade, and so many others... There were like 30+ people there. And only about 10 girls--of course, I was the first to arrive at 230pm. We also played the longest/largest game of flip cup I have ever seen/participated in. It was awesome, and yes, I was on the winning team.

After it got dark, the boys ordered Pizza to feed us, we headed downtown and celebrated our Friday night before exams!! It was one of my favorite memories of all time in Clemson. I've had great fraternity-sorority functions and parties. But to actually spend time with the few football players I know (that aren't all jerks), was awesome!

Miguel (#89) is one of my favorite people of all time and I will miss him terribly.---I did get to stay up really late studying with him in the library during exam week and I really enjoyed that one on one time with him. He is also a Sigma Chi, really intelligent (a PoliSci major), and one of the kindest and most heartfelt, generous guys I know. His mama sure raised him right.

After that eventful Friday day and night, I just relaxed all Saturday. And began to study all day Sunday and throughout the rest of the week. 4 exams. Needed 85s. Exams Monday through Friday. Exhausting. Barely any sleep. Totally worth it, because I did it! And got all the grades I wanted!!

This past weekend, I went out in Clemson Friday night, for one big hoo-rah! I got to see lots of my boys and friends that were leaving Saturday (yesterday) and it was terribly sad. Some of the boys started to say goodbye to me and I couldn't handle it. No sir. Especially one of my good friends Robbie, I told him, "Nope, I can't say goodbye to you yet." So, in return he promised to come up Thursday for graduation festivities and to say goodbye to me.

Last night, I went to Athens, GA to visit one of my best friends from Ashley Hall, Madeline. Ellen (also one of my best friends since I was two) came up as well and we just hung out in Athens. We had a great dinner at La Dolce Vita downtown, soooo delicious (with Malbec red wine and lots of leftovers). Great night with the girls. We woke up Sunday morning and went to IHOP--also deliciousness. We hung out, caught up, and chatted until Ellen left. I took a nice long nap and it was SNOWING in ATHENS???!!! It never snows. It was beautiful. It was awesome!!! I love snow.

I don't know if I can handle saying goodbye to all of them.

This is devastating. (also, I started packing up my apartment. depressing.)

I will be an emotional wreck, so to all you family and friends out there reading,

BE PATIENT with me. Because I will be VERY VERY SAD. And let me ENJOY my last few days of freedom, college-life, fun, freedom.

Thank you in advance.

Goodnight friends, family, and blogger world.

Love you all.

LMAO

this is hilarious.

Today's Big Thing Nov 29

all of the days are good. but this is a compilation of november fails.

i love it.

just a little piece of joy from me to you in the christmas spirit

"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.

Today is a BIG day!! FIRST JOB OFFER!!

Since my last post... (AND A LONG ONE!!)

The weekend of the Maryland game:

  -- I went to the Sigma Nu Alumni Dinner Friday Night in Greenville. It was so much fun. I got to meet a lot of older Alumni, hang out with my Sigma Nu friends, and dance and shag. It was great, then we went downtown of course, which is ALWAYS crazy packed on Gameday weekends! (@LooseChange)
      --meanwhile the family was in Charleston celebrating Linn's birthday dinner at Circa (a little jealous)

Here are some pics from the EN Alumni Dinner:

Matt and I on the Bus

Austin and I --my date

Molly and I

  --Maryland game, WON 31-7. So much fun. Lower Deck Seats with EX Fraternity.

Here are some pics from the Maryland game:

Ashley Hall Volleyball Girls

Me with Sigma Chi's at the QUAD

ADPi

Alex, Ashley, myself and Dennis

My EX little brother, aka Richard Pearce

ROB and Mr. ROB!!!

Sigma Chi Derby Days:
(ah-hem, my FAVORITE Philanthropic event of the year!) And reigning Derby Days QUEEN 2009!
  --ADPi won the Banner Competition Sunday night.
  --Monday--Derby Chase (where all the sororities chase the Sigma Chi boys from the Botanical Gardens to the Tiger at Littlejohn Coliseum)
  --Tuesday: Bowling (I'm not sure
  --Wednesday: Karaoke (ADPi got 5th)
  --Thursday: Lee Brice/ Love and Theft Concert
  --Friday: Dance Competition (ADPi got 3rd)

Overall, ADPi got 3rd in Derby Days this year.
We all know I was a little sad, but it IS unusual for a sorority to win two years in a row. And, let's be honest, I'm a little intense. So, it was probably really hard for this years chairs to live up to my scary intensity and motivation.


Thursday : Instead of going to the concert, I went to dinner with my friend Taylor and his parents at Blue Heron, which was SUCH a treat. His mom is from Charleston and we had LOADS to talk about!! Such a great family!

      --then I went to a small Pi Kappa Phi (dad!) party! and downtown!

Friday :  UTi interview in Greenville.

Saturday : GA Tech VICTORY! 27-13. Upper Deck seats, but still awesome!! Finally a win, you all remember the GA Tech game last year in ATL. I went down with Betas and it was so fun, except for when we lost. Clemson was on SportCenter for a fan that got really angry about losing...Clemson Fan Upset at Loss

Here are pictures from GA Tech:

Sigma Chi's

Bradley, he's in my EX family

old Architecture friends

Flip Flops tailgate after the game

Sigma Chi's

Sigma Chi's

Monday : Lunch interview with Insight Global at Seasons 52 in Atlanta with the Managers of the ATL office. Insight Global website

Tuesday (today) : Insight offered me the JOB! My very first JOB OFFER!!! AHH!!!


I have TWO WEEKS to accept. We will see!!! I have another interview with M.C. Dean in Charleston on Friday.

This week will be FULL of studying!!!
Loads of things due on Thursday!!

I love you all. I hope you enjoyed this LONG post.

<3 Kathryn