In other news...

...I just put both contacts in ONE eye and it took me much longer than it should have to figure out what was going on. 

Maybe the silent L thing wasn't just my southern drawl. 

I might be an idiot. 

Oh well!

Silent L

Clay and I were watching Jeopardy on Friday and one of the categories was Silent L. The answers (technically, the questions) were all words that contained a silent L. Simple enough, right?

Wrong.

I learned that the southern pronunciation of many words pronounces that L loud and clear! Clay and I couldn't answer the majority of the questions because the words we had in mind did not, in our minds, have a silent L. I'll test you on the ones we missed.I don't remember the actual questions. I'll just give the word. Read the word quickly and out loud. See if you have been mispronouncing them too.

Qualm

Psalm

Salve

Balk

What I've learned in grad school

This week was last first week of my masters degree. I wish I could say it was my last first week of school period, but I know I'll be going back at some point in the future. Anyway, in honor of the beginning of the end I've identified the most important lessons grad school has taught me.

Always read BEFORE class.

I learned this one the hard way. It is extremely easy to get backed up on reading to the point where all you do over the weekend is sit in your jammies and read text books. This is not a fun weekend plan. I've learned that I have to be proactive and that procrastination doesn't cut it!

 

Always label your sandwich before you put it in the shared refrigerator

Also learned this one the hard way. Grad students don't have much money. They also like Subway sandwiches. If there is unclaimed food in the fridge they are on it like white on rice. My solution. I now put my food in an Auburn lunch box. No one at UA touches a bright orange lunch box.

 

Speak up!

I'm a naturally shy person and I'm also a harmonizer. I don't like conflict. I a "pick your battles" kinda gal and that usually means that I end up making concessions because I don't want to cause a scene. This doesn't cut it in grad school. I've had to work in so many groups with so many conflicting personalities and I've learned that if I don't speak up, I'll end up upset with the end result. My backbone has gotten much stronger over the past year and a half and I'm pretty darn happy about that.

I hate e-mail.

Seriously, sometimes I want to throw my phone out of the window because I can't sit for 5 minutes without getting an e-mail. I love getting e-mail from my friends and family. I can't stand getting e-mails from the bookstore, graduate student services, the career services office, Alabama athletics, the MBAA, etc. I loved Christmas break because e-mails were limited. Unfortunately, I woke up Wednesday morning (the first day of school) to 45 thousand unread messages. All of them were school related. Ugh! Information overload, anyone?

 

Free fitness classes are awesome.

One of the perks of being a college student is that I get access to a "free" gym. I know it's not really free because all of the costs are included in my tuition but at least I don't have to pay anything extra. I really enjoy trying new classes at the gym and it's nice when the classes are free! 

 

Adults still act like children

No matter how old you get, there will always be adults out there who act like they are in middle school. Unfortunately, drama still runs wild and free. This makes me very sad.

This is a really random list. Happy Weekend everyone!

Pinterest Fun

Like many young women my age, Pinterest has taken over the majority of my internet time. I'm trying to be productive (as productive as I can be as a result of surfing the web) and actually make things I see/pin. I've made several recipes and tried new hair styles inspired by pins but I finally ventured out into crafting this weekend!

It all started with fabric flowers. I had about 4 yards of fabric that I had bought a year ago and decided not to use. It had been collecting dust on my shelf so I decided to take it out and put it to good use. I experimented with several different flower types and ended up for several pretty decent looking flowers by the end of the day. Then Clay asked the million dollar questions, "What are you going to do with all of those flowers?". hmmmmm.....

Pinterest to the rescue! I decided to make one of the most pinned DYI projects. A yarn wreath! Here's a picture/link to very cute yarn wreath and tutorial. 

And here is a picture of my finished project! 

I need to hang it up on something other than the chair on the porch, but I think it turned out pretty darn good if I do say so myself.

Christmas Round Up

Okay, so I'm a little late to the party here in terms for talking about Christmas but I kind of took a break from technology for about 2 weeks. I'm back now and here to share with you a few blurry phone pictures (because my mom will not send me any of her good pictures) of my Christmas break.

I started the break with a quick trip to the beach with mom and dad. We had a great time reading and watching movies, eating lots of tasty seafood and finishing up some last minutes shopping at the outlet malls. We went over to Fairhope one day at ate delicious paninis at Panini Pete's (featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives) and spent the day wandering around downtown Fairhope, which is beautiful! 

 The beach trip was just what I needed to relax and unwind after the stressful semester I had.

Once we got back from the beach I was able to spend a few days at home until all of my Dad's family came in on Christmas day. 

 Bernie spent most of the break hiding out. The Snow Village was one of his funnier hiding places.

 Our gigantic Christmas tree. So pretty!

Once the entire family got to town on Christmas day we enjoyed ridiculously yummy food, lots of German chocolate cake, pedicures, movies, shopping, and hours of Shubock. Here are some shots from the festivities. 

 We got a surprise visit from Santa (a.k.a my dad) on Christmas day! He played Santa in the Mormon church's Christmas pageant. Apparently the character spoke to him so much he decided to reprise his role for the entire family.

 I had to get in on the lap sitting action.

Our family got really into playing Shulbock around the dinning room table. Reggie wanted to get in on the action too so he sat like a person at the table to make sure no one cheated. 

Overall, it was a wonderful break and holiday season. I hope yours was just as wonderful and that you are enjoying your first few days of 2012!

Christmas Movie Rundown

Howdy all! It's that time of the year again. The air is getting chilly (boo), flocks of people are heading to shopping malls, I've gained five pounds from eating homemade gifts (toffee and fudge. yummy!), and you can't go anywhere without hearing "Jingle Bells". That's right, we're getting closer and closer to Christmas. In honor of this joyous occasion, I've complied a list of my top 5 favorite Christmas movies. Enjoy!

5. White Christmas (1954) 

Why it's great: This movie is definitely a Christmas classic! I can't go a Christmas season without getting "Sisters" stuck in my head at least 12 times (which is weird because "Sisters" isn't a Christmas song). You all know that I love a good musical and any musical that combines classic beauties and Christmas means that I'm in!
When I watch it: This is usually the movie my family has playing in the background on Christmas day. Not A Christmas Story. That movie is dumb. Sorry.
Favorite Quote: When Phil says, "I want you to get married. I want you to have nine children. And if you only spend five minutes a day with each kid, that's forty-five minutes, and I'd at least have time to go out and get a massage or something."

4. The Santa Clause (1994)

Why it's great: I think Tim Allen is a pretty funny dude and this movie was made at the peak of his popularity. It's a unique Christmas story with very funny and also very touching moments. I also love Judy the elf. She was so precious.
When I watch it: I actually watched this movie the other night on ABC family. I don't own it so I try to catch it at least once or twice a season on TV.
Favorite scene: When Scott Calvin goes to work in his sweats for the first time after he's gained a significant amount of weight. I love his co-worker's snarky reactions.

3. Elf (2003)

Why it's great: All of you Will Ferrell haters can just get over it. I love him and he is so ridiculous and that's what makes this movie so great. There are so many wonderful quotes from this movie and the cast is just stellar.
When I watch it: I've also already watched this movie too! I usually watch this one with my sis while we're both home for Christmas. 
Favorite scene: When Buddy is leaving the North Pole and the whale pops out of the water to say "Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad."

2. Love Actually (2003)

Why it's great:I'm not sure if other people consider this a Christmas movie but I sure do! I love all of the story lines (Jamie and Aurelia's story is my favorite) and the cast is filled with all of my favorite Brits. It's a great movie, just a little awkward to watch with your parents!
When I watch it:The sis an I always watch this on Christmas Eve. I usually watch it on my own a few times throughout the year though. It's really one of my all time favorites.
Favorite Quote:"You mean to tell me there was more than one lobster present at the birth of Jesus Christ?"- said by the lovely lady in the photo below. Btw, doesn't she look like Hilary Clinton in this shot?

And the number one Christmas movie is...

.......drumroll please......

1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

Why it's great: I don't even know where to start. If you have any weird family members you will be able to relate to this movie. Every time I watch it I pick up on something new. It's just filled with comedy gems and perfect one liners. 
When I watch it:Part of the Smith family Christmas tradition is watching this movie on Christmas Eve. I refuse to watch it before hand because it is such a sacred ritual.
Favorite scene:Please see the photo below. If you've never seen the movie, watch the video below. The look it Chevy Chase's eyes is wildly frightening.

Happy Christmas Movie watching!

Everything else I've been up to

While I was busy documenting my gratitude, a few other fun life moments happened. Let me fill you in...

I went to a legitimate fashion show. A UA fashion design student was selected to be in the final four of this challenge put on my Marie Claire Magazine and she got to put on a full scale fashion show. You can read more about it here. It was pretty ballin' and I got an awesome goody bag!

Like I said, Legit!

All of the clothes were from The Loft. I wanted them all!

I also got to see everyone on my mom's side of the family, which was great because we don't all get together that often. This is my cousin's adorable two year old. Isn't she presh! Don't you just want to squeeze her!

I got to hang out with this little booger. I caught him sleeping under my covers. No wonder he made me sneeze all weekend. Punk.

I went to the Iron Bowl. If only Reggie had been playing in the game. Clearly he's good at eating elephants. 

I got to spend time with my sissy! 

I met Carmen. She's the absolute best. The perfect combination of soft and sweet.

I got to hang out with these lovelies (and some other lovelies who are not pictured). 

I put up my Christmas decoration! I bought an adorable miniature live pine but accidentally left it in Auburn. Sad day. I did get to put out my lovely, white porcelain tree though. This picture is the result of me tinkering with the settings on my camera phone. I think I should just stick to the basics from now on...

Overall, I'd call November a successful month. Happy December Everyone!