hail to old i.u.

I am an official graduate of Indiana University! This weekend in Bloomington was wonderful and reminded me of how grateful I am that I chose to become a Hoosier. Making the big move from Colorado to Indiana was not easy, but I was excited for the new adventure. I do remember, however, driving into Bloomington for the first time, with my dad, passing the football stadium and thinking to myself, "what was I thinking?". It hit me all at once: I didn't know a single soul on this campus. I was alone.

That wasn't the case for long, and looking back on that moment, I can't help but think how reassured I would have felt knowing what and who I know now. Bloomington was a perfect college home and I cannot imagine how much I would have missed out on had I chosen a different place to spend my college years.

The weekend was the perfect summation to my college experience. I arrived in Bloomington early Friday afternoon to pick up my cap and gown at the Union. After breathing a sigh of relief when I had mine in hand (of course I was worried I would be the ONE person who wouldn't get one), I met up with Kyle and we made a pit stop at Kilroy's for a beer. Although the "birth canal" was an easy passageway and the bathrooms somewhat tidy, the memories of the packed bar flooded my mind. The memories are countless spent in Kilroy's, on the tables at Kilroy's, running across the street to Jimmy John's by Kilroy's, and watching people stumbling outside of Kilroy's. You can't think Bloomington without mentioning the infamous bar with the Indian.

After our beer, we went our separate ways to meet up with family. I got to spend the night eating yummy Mother Bear's pizza and drinking Upland Wheat: two of Bloomington's finest. A night with my family is always wonderful, but there is just something about that place that just makes everything better. Perhaps it is because I will always have a special place in my heart for Mother Bear's considering it was where Kyle and I spent our first date. I remember the booth, the food, and just how extremely nervous I was. The place just has good karma.

The ceremony on Saturday was nice, once we got past the lingering and pointless standing around. Yes, for those of you who know I tend to get teary-eyed, there were moments I thought to myself "I wished I wore waterproof mascara", but my tears quickly dried up as I remembered how happy I was to have been blessed with wonderful years, wonderful friends, and wonderful support.

A few hundred pictures later, we met up with Kyle's family at FARMbloomington. Yes, the meeting of the parents...dah, dah, dah.....

It was wonderful, and lucky that the conversation kept us busy enough not to realize that our food took an hour to finally get out to us. Poor Kyle, the hungriest of us all, was practically eating his napkin. I felt immediately comfortable and enjoyed the meal even more than I had expected. I am sure the mimosa helped, but to have the people that I care so much about all together is a blessing. The moments of happiness were in abundance this weekend and the brunch was no exception.

After saying goodbye to the Becichs, followed by an afternoon nap, we headed to Nick's, another Bloomington necessity, before the basketball game. A few appetizers later, we made our way to Assembly Hall, to watch the Hoosiers take on North Carolina Central. Seeing that my mom and my sisters had never been to a Hoosier basketball game, the entire game was one of excitement and pride. I have always loved the basketball games, not just because of its reputation, but because of how proud I am every time I find myself in a crowd of dedicated alum and diehard fans. What a place to have graduated from.

After the big Hoosier victory, I couldn't leave Bloomington without showing Kathleen, the newest 21 year-old of the family, the infamous bar scene. Revisiting Nick's and Kilroy's provided both Kathleen and I to experience another Hoosier tradition, that I am positive I will continue to keep in the future. A couple drinks and a ride home from dad later, we said our goodnights, and I climbed into bed as an official alumni of IU.

We couldn't leave Bloomington without a Village Deli breakfast. Mine, of course, consisted of peanut butter chip pancakes, and with a full stomach I waved goodbye to the home I was so grateful to have.

College may just be a period of time in many people's lives, but I feel fortunate to have found a home that will live with me forever.

sugar plums.

Visions of sugar plums have been dancing in my head.

I attended a wonderful holiday get-together this past weekend that caused me to automatically change the radio station in my car to Christmas tunes, download a couple of classics and yes, I began humming Jingle Bell Rock in the shower. It is truly amazing to me how the joy of Christmas can and does change things. I find myself smiling for no reason and developing a larger desire to give. Thanks to the lovely Jordan and her roommates for sparking in me, as I am sure many others, the Christmas spirit. I think what topped it off was the little Santa Clause dancing on my glass as I sipped my champagne.

I have to admit that I was thankful to have my man with me. Kyle is the perfect date. One, he always looks handsome. Two, he is always smiling, so no one can ever tell if he isn't enjoying himself. Three, he goes out of his way to make sure I am happy. And finally, he is just so easygoing that anyone, and I mean anyone, could carry on a conversation with him. What a doll.

The night ended just as well as it started. We found ourselves at one of our favorite spots where we always find room to indulge just a little: The Melting Pot. Kyle and I first went to The Melting Pot after a dinner in downtown Chicago. Bad idea. You must give your stomachs time to digest your dinner before trying to fit all of this yummy chocolate fondue in your tummy. The funniest part about our first fondue experience is that we were smart enough to order the small and yet our waiter happened to feel generous and brought us extra desserts to dip into our chocolate. Needless to say, we could not finish, and we were devastated. Of course, this past trip to the Pot, when our dinners were completely digested, we were met with an annoying kid at the table next to us who found it particularly entertaining to make farting sounds the ENTIRE time we were there, oh, and no extra desserts. I suppose the one thing that made it just as wonderful as the first time was the company, but no surprise there.

While I was sad Kyle had to leave early Sunday, I was excited for my venture up towards Kyle, with my first days in my new position.

Today was my very first day at my first real job! I was introduced to some of my future classes and got to meet some of my future colleagues. I am thrilled, to say the least, to begin this new period in my life. I walked through my apartment with Kyle and had dinner at the lovely Red Robin. I couldn't help but feel like this is going to be what the next six months are going to be like. Work (that I love) and lounging with Kyle post-school. What could be better than that? Not much I suppose.

I am optimistic and ecstatic for the future, add Christmas in there, and you couldn't possibly ruin my mood. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

miss independent.

It's official. I am officially going to be renting my very own apartment, complete with living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom! Spending last week searching town after town for a decently priced and decently located apartment was an endeavor in itself, but after finding the place and putting things in motion the excited independent came out.

As I looked through my new apartment decorating ideas started forming. Plant here, frames there. Bookshelves here, lamp there. Area rug here, coffee table there. And then I saw my bank account, and I saw the apartment for what it will most likely remain: white and relatively empty. The independence comes with the desire to live a way that I have seen myself living for a long time, but there is a harsher part of reality that is and will be knocking on my door monthly: bills.

Is it weird to admit that I am kind of excited for it though? I mean, I can't say I am thrilled to be budgeting and paying rent out of my hard earned money, but the idea of being independent and carrying a new set of freedom and responsibility is like a breath of fresh air. I have spent my life with my family, loving them, and sharing memory after memory with the people I care about most, but the idea of being on my own is something I have been waiting for in my life.

I will put up with blank walls and the basics because I know that this is just the beginning. Don't get me wrong though, if I am bored, I WILL be painting at least one ugly white wall. Pottery Barn just might have to wait.

k to m.

happy birthday m!

a little bday treat from k to m.

xoxo.