Saturday, February 6, 2010

Random Musings of a Saturday Night

I sit here and there is just so much I want to write about! Long post, so beware!

First off, I'm using my Mom's laptop (I came home for the evening after having breakfast at our cafe and a Phi Mu alumnae event in Champaign) and it is the computer I bought to take to college with me before I bought my Mac. Well, the space bar is broken on it and I have been forced to stop every other word or so to fix it. A wee bit annoying. And no, that wasn't the reason I passed it along to her... this space bar fiasco just happened a few weeks ago and I've had my Mac for almost two years.

Anywho... here I go with the multi-topic post.

My mother was a teacher for over 25 years. She has quite an interesting story of her younger years. If you know her already, you should ask her about it. If you don't know her yet, you should (cause she's amazing), and then once you know her, you should ask her about it. I'm sure she would have no problem with me telling about it here, but it's much better when the story comes from the person who actually lived it. Throughout her teaching years, she spent some time in Connecticut. While in Connecticut, she taught some family members of rather famous people. The first, Jim Henson's daughter. You know, Kermit's creator. Yeah. She met him several times too. Second, Vince Lombardi's granddaughter. You know, the guy the Super Bowl trophy is named after. I love the muppets of course, but I'm particularly fond of the Lombardi connection given that I'm an unabashed Green Bay Packer fan. I was rather shocked of both, though, and thought it was really cool!

So I'm in my last few days of being a 22 year old. I was trying to explain to a few people how I felt about turning 23, and the only thing I could really come up with is that it's the year that I move past the college age. Eighteen to 22 were my college years and 23 is the age where it's almost as if it says "you're definitely done with that now." I know that I graduated almost a year ago now (umm. whoa.), but it seems like to me that turning 23 is just making me realize that it's the first age of moving past that time. (Hellooooo officially being an adult!) That doesn't mean I don't still feel like I'm in college though, trust me! I definitely still feel like that, minus the feelings and stresses of having major bills and such. Oy. Oh, and the fact that I'm ready for bed, at the latest, around 11. I guess that's kinda a big one.

Sororities will have national conventions usually every two years. The year I was President of my chapter happened to be a year that Phi Mu had their convention. Every collegiate and alumnae chapter sends their President there as their chapter delegate for the convention body and the fees, flight, hotel, etc. are covered. Therefore, I was able to travel to Orlando, Florida and stay for five days representing my chapter and the women in it. It might sound silly to some, but it was one of the proudest moments I have ever experienced and it was such an honor to be there on behalf of the chapter. Well, this year, convention will be held in Phoenix, Arizona. Needless to say, I wanna go. So. Unbelievably. Bad! Not being the President of my chapter any longer, I won't be able to go for free. Maybe! I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but here's something I found out today(!). I belong to the Phi Mu Champaign-Urbana Alumnae Chapter. We just restarted this chapter after years with lack of interest/involvement and we're growing at a decent rate. Being a person that likes to be involved quite a bit, I volunteered to be Vice President of the chapter. It's not a demanding job by any means, and I feel like I really should be and could be doing more with the position. But anyway, our President, a gal that I was close with in the collegiate chapter and a year older than me, just became the Chapter Advisor for the collegiate chapter. I figured she'd be going to convention to represent our C-U Alumnae Chapter on our dime, but since she's going as C.A. for the collegiate chapter, the collegiate chapter will cover her expenses. What's the next in line to represent the chapter? Yes, Veep! I don't know if our alumnae chapter has the funds to cover the full cost for me, but I'd be willing to come half-way on it, I just couldn't afford the whole thing on my own by any means. She's gonna check into it for me, but I hope to report soon that I'm heading West in July! Yes... Phoenix. In July. Ooftah... but still! Eeeeek! Fingers crossed.

During my tenure at UIUC, I was a part of this little group called the Orange Krush. If you're unfamiliar or have never seen an Illini basketball game on ESPN or CBS, click here. And/or here. The experience was absolutely amazing. Sure, I waited outside in below zero weather for 7 hours on multiple occasions and felt like I was going to turn into a popsicle, but the reward was worth it: among other things, taunting Eric Gordon and Calvin Sampson relentlessly with hundreds of other Orange Krushers. Sure, James Augustine laughed at me a little when I made a small 8x10 sign that said "Go Illini! It's my birthday!" on it because a game fell on my 19th birthday. But it was wonderful... and I got on ESPN on my birthday! (I have it on DVD if you're interested in seeing that... ha.) I find myself reminiscing here because I'm currently watching the Illini play Michigan State and I can't help but notice the orange-clad kiddos going nuts of which I once belonged. What good times. There's nothing like the feeling of college pride and cheering on your team. And in the House of 'Paign, every Orange Krusher feeds off the other and the other and then the other. It's electrifying and an experience I'll never forget. Alas, I only participated in two of my four years, but still. Memorable, priceless, and unbelievable. Also included in my membership years, the Chief's last dance. Historical. Oooo, I sense a future post about my feelings on that whole sitch.

Ok, this is going to be totally random, I know. And by this point, some of you might think I've been drinking before/during this post... but I'm just finding myself in a good and rather chatty mood. So get ready to think I'm silly... How cool would it be to be a bird? As I was driving back from Champaign with my Mom this afternoon, we saw several flocks of birds flying in formation. Against the blue sky with the setting sun, I just couldn't help but think how awesome it would be to be able spread my wings and go wherever I want, passing over beautiful and vast scenery. How awesome? Very awesome.

Valentine's season brings candy sour hearts to Del's Popcorn Shop. If you know what I'm talking about, you're awesome. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you still have time to redeem yourself, become awesome and discover these specialty seasonal candies. Got my fix this morning.

I'm done for this evening. I started this post two hours ago, and just now finishing it up. I can't decide if it's because the game is on, the space bar on this computer is shot, or I just had a lot to say.

I'm gonna go with all of the above.

Thanks for sticking with me. Look forward to spending another fun and eventful Saturday night with you in the future! (If that's not a telling sign that I've changed since and moved past college, I don't know what is!!)

One week till I see Tim, Whitney, Erinn, and Ryan in Chi-town!
Nine days until my birthday.
Three weeks till I loose my wisdom... teeth.

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