Today I Think I’ll Cut My Finger Open

Dear last weekend of October, you have been quite exciting and memorable! You have also proven to me how tough I am. I mean, first I ran a half-marathon. Got a blood blister, a sore ankle and a bum knee. No big, I’m a hoss and can deal.

Then, my loan was approved and I officially joined the HUG spring 2012 group. Extreme excitement over this!

Sunday’s excitement? On a whim I decided to make sweet potato fries. Well, the knife slipped (probably because I was more focused on watching Halloweentown than the knife)and I ended up in urgent care for 3 stitches and a tetanus shot:

 

Don’t feel bad for me, though. It actually didn’t hurt at all. Brette, my awesome roommate, was just as excited as me about getting stitches.

The nurse was all, “You need stitches for that deep thing,” and we were both like, “Yes!”

Weird, I know.

 

Also, my FAVORITE holiday is tomorrow (HAPPPPPY HALLOWEEN!) and my 21ST BIRTHDAY IS TUESDAY!

Over and out, October. Thanks for the fun.

 

 

I amand do you know how hard it is to wash your hair with one hand?

Only Read This If You Like HUGE Announcements!

I can wait no longer to tell you, I’m studying abroad in:

NEXT SEMESTER!

I will be living in Porto Rafti, Greece (about an hour from Athens) which looks like this:

 

I will also be traveling to the Peloponnesian Peninsula (Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus), Athens, Delphi, Northern Greece, Israel or Turkey, a Mediterranean cruise, and Egypt!

We also have 3 weeks of free travel when they pretty much say, “Have fun in Europe!”

And guess what?!

I’m taking you along. You get to read allll about it!

80 DAYS until I leave!

 

I amand I’ve NEVER BEEN THIS EXCITED! In.My.Life.

 

p.s. a HUG (Harding University-Greece) documentary trailer.

13.1 Miles Before Breakfast

Running a half-marathon is an incredible experience that I will never forget!

This morning I was a mess. My nerves were out of this world, I was so terrified.

Ali and Brette, the most awesome roommates in the world, came out to support me!

Ah! And so it begins, 13.1 miles to go!

Mile 1: I made a friend in the starting line, and we kept the same pace. This mile went by in a flash.

Mile 2: Grabbed some Gatorade at the aid station (while still running, that was always a mess!) and my friend slowed to a walk. We parted ways then.

Mile 3: I remember thinking, “I just did a 5k! That was so easy. 10 more miles!”

Mile 4: Brette and Ali were at the four-mile marker. I was SO excited to see them!

Mile 5: This mile went by really fast! I still had an awesome energy level and was rocking out to Somebody To Love.

Mile 6: Free Gu at the aid station! It was vanilla bean flavor. Looooved it. That stuff is good.

Mile 7-8: I was still smiling. Like, I hadn’t stopped since I started. I was feeling AWESOME and extremely proud of myself.

Mile 9: As I approached mile 9, I was really nervous. That’s usually when I hit “the wall.” However, at the mile 9 marker there was a huge aid station lined with pink balloons and people shouting, “Go Autumn! You got this!” I was very encouraged. Then I saw Ali and Brette again! (I never hit “the wall.” I was still feeling great.)

Mile 10: My legs started to feel pretty tight, and my lower back was hurting. I didn’t stop though. I was definitely determined. And still smiling? Yeah.

Mile 11: Girls Who Run The World by Beyonce came on and I started dancing. I was pumped up! I couldn’t believe I only had 2 miles left. It was surreal!

Mile 12: I saw the mile 12 marker and I teared up. Chin started quivering. I had ONE MILE left! How had I done this so easily?! I was shocked with myself. Also, there was a huge hill and my calves were burning.

Mile 13: DOOOOOONE! I DID IT!!! AHHHHH! Clocks by Coldplay was playing and the moment was indescribable!

A medal was thrown around my neck and foil was wrapped around me to keep me warm.

Then I chowed on some free pizza and granola bars.

Seriously, this was one of the most fun things I have ever done. It was incredible!

I loved the crowds cheering me on and inspirational signs everywhere! Some of my favorite signs were:

Run with your sexy calves!

Run today, brag tomorrow!

We can’t all be heroes. Someone has to cheer you on!

You are NOT almost done. (At mile 3, I thought that was pretty funny.)

I can’t wait to do this again!

I amand a half-marathon before I turn 21? CHECK!

p.s. Gu saved my life. I had one (chocolate) right before the race, one at the 6th mile and one at 9.5 miles. Definitely recommend this to you runners.

Grab My Flag and See What Happens.

As far as sports go, I’m not very good.

I know, I know, I’m good at everything. But really I’m not—don’t let my good hair days fool you.

And I’ve figured out why I’m not a gifted athlete.

It’s because I’m smart.

Hear me out: in almost every sport, there is a ball flying at you.

Me (smart person)? Yeah, I’m definitely going to duck.

You (dumb/athletic person)? You’re going to run around, looking into the sky, hoping that you can catch it before it disfigures your face.

Putting all of that aside, however, I signed up for Iota Chi softball. And flag football.

Softball was laughable. I hardly ever played because I NEVER HIT THE BALL! One time I got to pity-run, which was ya know, not embarrassing at all.

I turned things around with football, though.

The coaches put me on the defensive line and MY, OH MY I took some girls out.

Our team ended up making it to the Small Club Sports Championship, and while we lost in over-time, it was a great game.

So I renig my previous statement. I’m not terrible at sports, I’m terrible at softball.

As far as football? Mad. Skills.

 

 

I amand don’t let my war paint intimidate you.

I Have a Restless Spirit

After college I don’t plan on getting a job. Not right away, no.

My heart pounds when I think of these alternatives:

The World Race

Peace Corps

I hope that something like this is in God’s plan for my future.

Going into the world and releasing the kingdom of God? I can think of nothing that I want to do more.

 

 

I amand I want to do this NOW! Do I have to graduate first?

I Heart Butterbeer

It’s “I Heart HU Week” here at the HU, and they are doing it BIG!

There are different festivities everyday to celebrate our love for this fabulous school, and today was a fall fest, Quidditch, and THERE WAS BUTTERBEER!

First drink:

Reaction:

I love days like today.

Salted Caramel Apple Latte with a friend, weekly venting session with a great group of girls, and club football games!

Life couldn’t be better on this front.

 

 

Coldplay > Other Bands

What kind of crazy obsessive Coldplay fanatic would I be if I didn’t PUBLICALLY FREAK OUT about Mylo Xyloto, their newest album?!

It’s like a mythical journey into a land of lyrical genius and techno-awesome music.

 

Good gravy, my ears have died and gone to heaven.

 

 

I amand I can’t even pick a favorite song. They are all fantastic. #nerd

Barn Bash 2011 – Troop Beverly Hills!

It was over the summer while talking on the phone that Porky and I decided that being Girl Scouts for Halloween was a good idea.

I mean, we had our old uniforms, so why not?

Yes they still fit. I was also amazed.

Jill was our cute box of Tagalongs (what are Girl Scouts without their cookies?) and Brette was our loving mom.

Friday was Iota Chi’s annual Barn Bash.

It was a great night! We played games, roasted hot dogs and s’mores, and went on a hayride.

This is seriously the good life.

 

Recap of a Week When I Didn’t Blog

Oh hey, I didn’t die if you were wondering, although for most of the week I have felt like it.

That’s right, I’ve been sickly. Runny nose, watery eyes, scratchy throat, coughing, the chills. It’s been a never-ending cycle of hydration, medication and tissues.

These sweet leather boots and corduroy pants took me to the doctor on Tuesday:

I am loving fall.

Then, despite being ill, a woman paid me $20 to bake 60 cupcakes for her sons birthday party. A poor college girl will do just about anyyyyyything:
  

This morning after baking muffins and watching Jumanji, Jill and I trekked out to Thackerland for flea marketing.

It was a whole lot of junk and a whole lot of awesome.

Tonight we made chicken and rice, got free Frosty’s from Wendy’s and watched Harry Potter.

Another good week around these parts!

 

 

I amand stay tuned for a Barn Bash post. We were Girl Scouts. It was awesome.

True Life: I’m a Harry Potter Virgin

 

October 13, 2011: a day which shall live in infamy.

I opened (for the first time in my life) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and began reading.

Now you’re all, “Al! How have you NEVER READ HARRY POTTER?!”

I know, what an atrocity.

Honestly it’s not that I never wanted to read it. My parents jumped on that whole “HARRY POTTER IS EVIL MAGIC” bandwagon and banned it from our humble abode.

So I found better things to do, like starting a science club in the fifth grade. We met during recess in the library. It was kind of a big deal—invite only.

Funny thing is I’m terrible at science.

Where was I?

Ah, Potter.

Turns out it’s pretty good. Like, really good. I had to force myself to put the dang thing down so I could blog, that’s how much I care about ya’ll.

Another random thing I’ve been doing since yesterday?

Listening to Nirvana.

Another random thing I’ve been doing?

Apparently having mini photo sessions with books on my webcam.

Living large this weekend, my frans. (Slang for friends. See how that works?)

WOO! FALL BREAK 2011!

 

 

I amand is it awkward that I used the word ‘virgin’ in my title? Probably is now.