Senior Year = OWNED

I'm halfway through the fall semester...aka: I'm one-quarter of the way through senior year.  Over the summer, I constantly said, "this is going to be the best year ever!"  But I say that every year, so I had no real expectations.

THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST YEAR EVER.

Last year, I went to Fort Lauderdale once or twice a month for the simple fact that I had nothing better to do.  I haven't gone there once all year since I'm doing something with friends every single weekend.  Every weekend.  That's unheard of for me.

So what have I been up to?  You'd be surprised:
August 26-28: Pre-recruitment festivities
September 2-4: Recruitment
September 9-11: T-shirt parties with PC 11
September 16-18: DayGlow
September 23-25: Ale Mary's
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: Key West
October 7-9: Ashley's birthday
October 14-16: Zombicon
October 21-23: Kaitlyn's 21st birthday, FGCU Family Weekend

UPDATE AS OF DECEMBER 8th
October 28-30: Oktoberfest
November 4-6: Sanibel Island Writers Conference
November 11-13: World of Beer
November 18-20: World Championship of Sand Sculpting
November 25-27: Black Friday shopping!
December 2-4: Cruise
December 9-11: Jingle Ball

My weekends have been so crazy that the last time I checked into foursquare it told me I've been at bars for four (4) straight weeks.  It's kind of embarrassing...yet cool.  Alcoholic much?

I have big plans for the next few months: Oktoberfest, Halloween parties, Sanibel Island Writers Conference, a cruise, my birthday, and tons of spur-of-the-moment plans. I'm on the road to having the best year ever.

Watch out senior year.  You're about to be owned.

Like Mah Status

Loyal blog readers.  You need to watch this.  I promise it will make your day.

Grad school or bust

The Bachelor's degree is losing its value.

Reality is telling me that I have to go to grad school.  It's practically the only option these days.  But the rest of me is telling me something different.  I don't know what's holding me back from applying.  Maybe it's the money issue or that I haven't found the right program or that I don't know what I want to do with my life.  Maybe it's all of the above.  I don't know.

But right now, I don't know if I want to go to grad school.

It just sucks to know that that's not even an option.

The Bachelor's degree is losing its value.  I have to go to grad school and get my Master's Degree.

I just have to.

What a week!

Anna Callaway (our NC) in the middle! Love her <3

Sorority recruitment has come to a close, and it's been such an insane (and incredible) week.  Having TWO members of our governing council at our chapter this week is a huge honor, and I feel so lucky to have met them.  In addition, our National Consultant, Anna, has been an amazing asset to our chapter this week.  She's boosted the morale of our chapter and has been an amazing help to the recruitment team.  She defines what it means to be a sister for life.  Though she may be leaving us, I won't forget this amazing week we've spent together.  Anna Callaway, Joellyn Sullivan, and Jane Tankersley- thank you so much for everything this week.  Words cannot begin to describe what you've done for our chapter.  My last recruitment (though I was on the recruitment team) was the most memorable of them all because YOU THREE were here.

I am a Jersey girl.

I am an over-achiever.

I AM A CHI OMEGA.

The Self-Injury Reality

I can't take ownership of this.  It's not mine.  But as someone who dealt with self-injury, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders throughout middle and high school, this hit home to me.  And I felt like I had to post it on my blog to share with everyone.

Forty-one percent (41%) of people believe that self-harm is selfish. Fifty-five percent (55%) believe that it is stupid. Forty-three percent (43%) know someone that has self-harmed. One in ten people have harmed by the age of sixteen.Self-harm does not make you suicidal. It does not make you emo. It is simply a way that many use to rid themselves of stress or pain or whatever it may be. Over 3 million people in the US have self-harmed or still do.Cutting is notjust a girl’s disorder. Anyone can do it. Males, females, and persons that don’t fit into the gender binary. And it is not just teens, either. Both Princess Diana and Johnny Depp have gone through it. The person who always seems happy could be victim to it. Anyone.

There are other forms of self-harm besides cutting or mutilation. There’s CSP; a disorder where you’ll pick at your skin, bite your skin, bite your nails, or pull out hair, usually when you’re bored or due to perfectionism. There’s also burning yourself, and other things that could cause injury such as hitting yourself or other objects.

Some people don’t realize they’re doing it. Some people don’t think it’s wrong. Some people become addicted. People don’t hide their cuts or marks hoping someone will find them unless they actuallywant help to get better. It’s often hidden because they’re afraid of someone seeing. People don’t show off their scars because they’re cool. They’re just there. And there’s no point in hiding them. Often people become proud of their scars because they know they’re past it.

An orange ribbon is used as a self-harm awareness symbol. Those suffering from it or have been through it or support it often wear one. To Write Love On Her Arms is amazing for what they do. They help people get past their self-harm or addictions or suicidal thoughts. Many people don’t support TWLOHA, but I think it’s an amazing cause.

You do not have to have gone through anything like this to support it. Sometimes all people want to know is that they’re not alone. Don’t judge someone based on the marks they have on their arms. You don’t know what they’ve been through. Rather, be proud of them for making through it. Life can be a bitch.

Even the best fall down sometimes

Everyone has their breaking point.  The point where they crumble and fall apart.  The point where they throw up their hands and say, "I'm done."

These past few days have been absolutely perfect.  For once, everything was right in the world.

I should've known it wouldn't last.

New tattoo?

I got my first tattoo on May 2, 2008, and I've been dying to get another one.  But here's my thing: if I think I want a design, I wait at least 6-12 months before going to get it done.  Why?  So I know it's what I want to get.  That way there will be no regrets.

Needless to say, I have yet to get a second tattoo.  For the past 5-6 months, I've had a word stuck in my head: fearless.  Yes it's a Taylor Swift album (which I love!), but it's also been stuck in my head for another reason.

As I embark on this journey out of college and into the real world, grad school, etc., I keep telling myself that I need to be fearless.  I need to face reality and face my fears.  I need to do the things that scare me.  I need to take chances, fail, get back up, and do it all over again.

Basically, this quote from T-Swift (along with a few others) sums up how I interpret the word "fearless":
"To me, Fearless is not the absence of fear.  It's not being completely unafraid.  To me, Fearless is having fears.  Fearless is having doubts.  Lots of them.  To me, Fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you to death."

So maybe, just maybe, the word "fearless" on my right shoulder will be my next tattoo.  The question is, which design do you like the most?  I want input.