Crack o’ Dawn

I am the best roommate and let me tell you why.

Today Porky’s boyfriend had to leave his weekend vacation and get back to college in New York. His flight left at 6:30 AM, which meant a 4:00 AM wake-up call for me.

I literally rolled out of the bed, brushed my teeth and left. Which is really when I am most attractive, if you were wondering.

The payback? She bought my Salted Caramel Mocha from Starbucks, a life-changing nectar from heaven in a cup, all steamy and delicious and thick and salty and caramely.

Another thing about me (you’re always wanting to know more) is that when I don’t get a lot of sleep, I get reeeeaaalllly giggly. Everything is hilarious.

So we had a lot of laughs.

We’re awesome road trip buddies, Porky & I.

Ok, this post should have ended a long time ago. Maybe it shouldn’t be Published?

 

I amand she didn’t actually pay for me, she owed me $4 anyway. I don’t have to be bribed into a good road trip.

 

 

p.s. Sorry for the absence. Sometimes you just aren’t feeling it, ya know?

When In Nebraska…part 2

 
I don’t know about you, but I like to do what the tourists do.

What do tourists to Omaha, Nebraska do?

Hit up the college world series spots, hang out at their famous zoo, and (for us) soak up some pioneer history.

And let me say, the zoo was as rewarding as heaping spoonfuls of chocolate ice-cream on a hot day.

The team that put the extra-thick glass in the gorilla house are on the top of my Christmas card list, because when that gorilla attacked the glass with his fist, I was more terrified than the 3-year old in front of me.

Also, if the Omaha zoo staff start looking for the person that threw the quarter into the crocodile swamp, you never read this.

(That could be a confession, could not be. I’m mysterious like that. But if a croc did die from quarter consumption, I send my condolences. Florida has more to offer, though.)

Which wraps up my Nebraska trip.

 

I amand thank you Huskers state! I had a grand time in your rolling-hills-of-corn-state.

When In Nebraska…part 1

Well, I was in Mormon heaven.

Tuesday Porky took me where I requested (after she suggested it): The Mormon Trail museum and the Winter Quarters temple.

We learned more about the trials of the pioneers traveling to Salt Lake City and even attempted to pull a hand cart similar to the ones the pioneers used.

 

It’s neat to learn about other faiths.

   

After, we went to the zoo, which really deserves it’s own post. More on that later!

 

 

I am and I wore a strapless dress to a Mormon museum. I wasn’t thinking. Can you forgive?

Cornhusker State. Whatever That Means..

Traveling wears me out, let me tell you. Today I flew to Omaha, Nebraska to be reunited with my roommate, Porky. (Porkster, Porker, Porks, bacon, sausage)

The day started at Denny’s where I ate a meal I wish I hadn’t. Then we got lost in the numbered streets of North Little Rock and I was freaking out because I was afraid I was going to miss my flight.

Eventually we found the blessed airport, I barely made it through security (last time I travel with that Korean leather backpack) and soon I was nestled between two hilarious women on my flight to Chicago.

Then it was a layover and another flight before I was safe in Omaha, exploring the sights, eating authentic mexican food, and walking the dogs down the streets of Porky’s quaint neighborhood.

On the agenda for tomorrow:

Omaha zoo
Mormon temple and trail

Did you hear that? MORMON DAY!

All this excitement has worn me out.

Goodnight, from Omaha!

I am and we have fanny packs, oh yes we do.

Is This Obnoxious?

Finals are over. Bless.

I survived, but it was touch and go there for awhile.

I almost gave up today while moving all of my belongings down three flights of stairs by myself. And I was only running on 4 hours of sleep because I stayed up studying till the ungodly hour of 3 a.m. and woke up at 6:30. Craziness.

Like good college students, my roommate and I opted for a photobooth session instead of studying/packing on our last night together.

Miss you Porky. See you in August!

The Tale of Porky & Ugly.

Let me tell you a story.

It was a cold crisp day in December 2010 when I found my kindred spirit. I was in the lobby of Sears dormitory complaining to my RA Bethany about my lack of a roommate for the spring semester when a girl passed by.

It was then that Bethany said, “Hey Ali, you need a roommate for spring semester too, right?”

It was true, she did. And two nights later, Ali was moving her belongings two doors down to Sears 303.

It was bizarre at first. I knew she was from Omaha and she knew I was from Arkansas; our knowledge of one another ended there.

The semester went by fast, the seasons changing from winter to spring, spring to summer.

By then we had developed a friendship. Sure, it was new and awkward at times, but it was ours and in that sense, unique.

When we departed for summer vacation, we hugged and promised to text each other. Usually our texts were, “I can’t wait to drink Diet Dr.Pepper and watch Ellen with you!” or “Do you like this shower curtain? <image included>”

Soon it was the warm and humid month of August and school was upon us. I helped Ali move her things into The Cobb. 

Our friendship soon evolved into best friends and now, dare I say, sisters.

I know she’s not sentimental; she knows I am.

I know she doesn’t like babies; she knows there is nothing I love more than babies.

I know she likes dancing; she knows I’m terrible at it.

I know she likes How I Met Your Mother; she knows I don’t.

We have our differences, but we understand each other.

So this morning when Ali said, “It’s going to be funny when you miss me more than I miss you,” I knew that was her way of telling me that she actually was going to miss me.

She was going to miss dancing to Lady GaGa whilst eating donuts; she was going to miss watching Ellen together; she was going to miss brushing our teeth beside each other every night.

And that’s okay.

Like I said, we have our differences. 

Date Night.

My roommate and I like to go on dates. It’s nothing serious, she’s just doing the long-distance thing and I’m just doing the perpetually single thing so it works for us.

Tonight we went to the ghetto Searcy theatre to see Something Borrowed. It was pretty good. Not as good as the book, but I’m sure you didn’t see that coming.

And we ate some delicious chinese food in the student center at school. Seriously, those southwestern egg rolls?

Oh man, those are some fried, cheesy, yummy concoctions. Some might even say nectar from heaven, but that’s getting very descriptional.

The main attraction of the evening, besides me of course, (I got jokes!) was the friend we made. His name is Trouble, and he’s a Zonkey.

A what?

Yes, a zebra + donkey = zonkey

I can’t think of simpler math than that, folks.

Is that too many pictures of the zonkey?

No?

Okay, I leave you with one last picture of Trouble.

Roommateship

Living with someone is always a unique dynamic. It is even more interesting when you are living in a room that is a bedroom/kitchen/office/living room/bathroom.

My roommate and I are polar opposites. She likes upbeat dance music and I like Coldplay. She hates mexican food and I eat it (at least) once a week. She loves purple and I love yellow.

Aside from arguing over where to eat for dinner, we work very well. I don’t care if she uses my nail polish and she let’s me borrow her long sleeve t-shirts.

I am thankful for my sweet roommate.

We laugh a lot

She lets me drink her apple juice

She shares an interest in Facebook stalking

She helped me make the Pretty Little Liars chart

We both have awkward senses of humor

She’s always up for Chik-Fil-A

She encourages me

She is clean (I am most thankful for this, I think)

Plus, aren’t we cute?

A Birthday Celebration

On this day, September 8th 1991, my roommate Ali was born.

I'm happy she was born- she's good at Chemistry and helps me, and I stock the fridge with Diet Dr. Pepper. It's a give and take relationship, you see.

Where was I? Yes, I am happy she was born.

We celebrated her birthday with dinner at Chili's and then ate delicious chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles.

And then we played 'pin the tail on the donkey', because sophomore in college or not, you are never too old to play birthday games.

Happy Birthday rooms!

p.s. Enjoy that Chik-Fil-A chicken biscuit, a la Harding University.