Well I have decided to return to blogging once again, hopefully this time it will last a while.
I don't remember where exactly I left off on my last post, but ALOT has changed in my life since then. So I have decided to do a recap of the past couple of months and highlight the major events with pictures.
So here we go!
I'll start with May 27, 2011 - the day I graduated from high school. It was one of the most exciting and happy moments of my short life. My Grammie and Mamaw Susan came up from Mississippi for the ceremony and we all went to dinner at Casa Mexico, my favorite restaurant. After I received my honors diploma, I went to celebrate one last night of fun with my class at Project Graduation. My graduation party was the weekend before in my backyard. All my friends and family came and we had BBQ, cornhole, and karaoke!
The day after Graduation, my family and I jetted south to the beautiful tropical oasis that is Sint Maarten Netherlands Antilles. The small island is half Dutch and half French and we had a time share on Simpson Bay on the French side. It was a very relaxing trip and the first time I traveled out of the country (Customs was not too fun though). We went on a sunset cruise around the island, ventured onto the French side which is very sketchy and very naked! The beaches were stunning and the water is the prettiest blue ever. I was sad to leave and hope to return one day!
The next weekend was CMA Fest! This was my 3rd year going with Adrian, and Ashleigh came along this year! I saw Lady Antebellum (pictured above), Keith Urban, Sugarland, Dierks Bentley, and Jake Owen. It was so much fun as always but reaalllly hot!
4th of July rolled around and my best friends Kevin, Lilah Tess, and Jake came over for some patriotic fun! We ate yummy food, played games, shot fireworks, and experimented with writing with sparklers. It was so much fun!
Skip ahead a few weeks to August 18th. This was college move in day at UTC and the above picture is my bedroom. By far the scariest, most exciting, and bittersweet day ever. But luckily my two best friends Adrian and Sarah were there to keep me company. I have never been more scared for anything in my life and I cried when my family left. But I adjusted to the college life very quickly and had an amazing first semester as you are about to see...
The first or second weekend at Chatt, I got a call from my friend Savannah (4th from the right) to come to her apartment. I walked over and as soon as I opened the door, my three friends Sarah Beth, Suzi, and Cameron popped out and surprised me! They came down for a visit from UT Knoxville and for some friend time! In the picture, right to left, is me, Sarah Beth, Suzi, Savannah, Adrian, Cameron, and Rachel. It was a short visit but fun getting all the friends together who I missed!
This is Tyler, my boyfriend singing a song for me on stage...hah. I wish. If you recognize him, then you know I am only teasing! One weekend in September, Me and Sarah went up to Nashville to see one of our favorite artists, Tyler Hilton at 3rd and Lindsley Bar. We saw him in November of 2010 where we got to meet him and take pictures after the concert. This year, Tyler couldn't take pictures but I did get to meet him and he autographed a poster for me. If you don't recognize him, he played on One Tree Hill as bad boy Chris Keller and Elvis Presley on Walk The Line. I love him!
The first weekend in October, I went up to Gatlinburg with my mom's side of the family. We rented a cabin and had lot's of fun. It wasn't too cold so we rode the sky lift one day. This is me and my brother, Will being goofy trying to get on the wall of shame and we succeeded! I only got to stay for 2 nights because I had to return to school, but I still had alot of fun relaxing, playing pool, watching movies, and hanging with my family in the mountains.
Fast forward to October which was a very fun month in Chattanooga! This is me on the walking bridge over the river at Coolidge Park in downtown Chattanooga. Adrian, Rachel, Ashley, and I spent the day walking around downtown and adventuring through the park and taking fun pictures. This one was my favorite of me because of the river and the mountains.
This picture is of my friends Rachel, Adrian, and I before the Homecoming football game. Homecoming week was a fun experience because I got to watch the famous UTC Step Show for the first time where various groups and clubs compete and do awesome dances. The weather was perfect for mid-October so we got to wear cute dresses to the game. We got there late and didn't stay long, but still had lots of fun, especially after with Ian and our guy friends!
For my Fall Break at the end of October, we went down to Mississippi for my cousin, Molly's wedding. It was at Manning Gardens in the tiny town of Guntown. It was a beautiful ceremony and Molly looked so pretty. The reception was on the lake and we had yummy food and spent time with my dad's side of the family.
Halloween weekend was extremely crazy!!! Friday, Jayne came down from T-town and Rachel and I drove up to Knoxville to fetch Cameron for the weekend. We went to City Cafe and have our visitors a tour of Chattanooga. Saturday, we went Halloween shopping and that night, we went to a costume party at a Frat house which was not fun at all so we left and went to the guys' apartment. Rachel was a hula girl, Adrian a baseball player, me a sailor, and Jayne was a crayon! I thought we were pretty cute!
The first weekend in November was the kickoff of the Holiday season. I am a member of the Chattanooga Singers and we got to perform in a reunion concert at the Tivoli Theater for a UTC Alumni teacher with a few hundred other people from around the country. Lee Greenwood, who sang "God Bless the USA" opened for us. It was a long 2 hour concert and it was excruciatingly hot, but so much fun!
This is me at Rock City singing again with the Chattanooga Singers. This was exciting because we were the featured group to perform Christmas songs at Rock City. My family came to watch and we ate out at a yummy Italian restaurant called Tony's. It was very cold but I loved seeing Rock City adorned with twinkly lights and seeing Chattanooga from Lookout Mountain.
For Thanksgiving, my family decided to defy tradition and venture down to Gulf Shores, Alabama and stay at the beach condo for the holiday. We arrived on Wednesday night to weather in the 70's and the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. On Thursday we spent the whole day in our bathing suits on the beach and I actually got a little sun. We had an atypical Thanksgiving dinner of Filet Mignon, potatoes, veggies, and yummy chocolate silk pie. Then we went early bird Black Friday shopping at the outlet malls. I was very sad to come back home to cold and rain.
The first weekend in December, I came home for the T-town Christmas parade and Breakfast With Santa. I used to be a part of the AristoCats, so I had to take Bradyn to see Santa and all my old friends who I miss very much. This is me and Nugget sitting in the big bed!
I spent a week in Mississippi with Grammie while my family was still at work and in school. I love staying with Gram and I got to watch The Help for the first time which is now one of my favorite movies! We had two Christmases - one for my mom's family and one for my dad's. This is my and my uncle Robbie being silly with bows on our head! I love my family and our Christmas weekends are always a blast with presents, yummy food, and cards!
After Christmas, we had a going away party for our friend Loretta who is moving to BYU Utah and won't be back until July. Adrian, Jayne, Sarah Beth, Loretta, and I all went to eat at Applebees for dinner and then watched movies after. It was so much fun catching up with old friends and reminiscing about middle school memories. We'll miss you Loretta, good luck!
NEW YEARS EVE!!!!! As per tradition, I always go to Adrian's for NYE and we play Rock Band, Just Dance, and drink Sparkling Grape Juice. It's always fun and this year was just as awesome!
In the picture is Adrian, Rachel, Sarah, Cody, and I.
Well folks, that's about it. It's been a busy, crazy, fun first semester to say the least. I move back into my apartment on Saturday so wish me luck for my second semester! I promise to blog again soon!
