fini

Dunzo. no more. fini.

Goodbye textbooks.

So long ridiculous research papers.

Buh-bye exams.

It's quite a spectacular feeling- I must admit.

midterm week

This morning I watched Baylor wake up from my favorite swing.

Image found [here]

I'm treasuring those moments of quiet and still as I push through the remaining tests and papers due this week.

what about cupcakes

This week, I'm writing a piece about cupcakes for my food writing class. Needless to say, they are on the mind and in the belly- all in the name of research of course!

All images found at http://www.marthastewart.com/

and then there was spring

Image found {here}

Well, it's over.

I think SING has been one of the hardest things for me to experience for the last time, because I knew that it was the end of more than just one thing. Last night was the last time to perform with Tri Delt. Last night was the last time to perform on Waco Hall Stage. Last night was the last time for me to dance in front of an audience, maybe forever. Being apart of a dance studio for fifteen years, I wasn't sure how I would handle not dancing everyday when I came to Baylor. Thankfully, I found a few HP (that would be PE to nonBaylorites) dance classes and Pigskin and SING to take the studio's place. The feeling right before the curtain goes up and the way you can move across the stage without even having much of an idea that someone is out beyond the bright lights- I miss it already. Even more, I'll miss the freedom I found on stage. For four minutes, seven minutes- however long I'm dancing on stage- not a single other thought enters my mind- not about the future, not about how my day was- nothing. Just freedom and movement and breathing. It's almost magical.

With SING being over, it's like a sheet is raised and all of a sudden, I can see spring and the rest of the semester. The tunnel vision that SING has forced is gone and suddenly there are more hours in the day and more possibilities of things to do. It's suddenly a whole different semester. You know that days of warmth, and sun bathing, road trips and parks, and leisurely hang out time are close.

And even closer is Spring Break. Unfortunately for me, three tests and two papers are blocking my view of the Colorado Rockies that will be my present this time next week. How badly do I want to frolic around with my new found time instead of study? Pretty bad. How stupid a decision would that be? Real stupid. Books, you've won for now...four days from now, your reign is over.

the here and now

You never wake up knowing that today is going to include a breakdown. Life and your day are going along as usual until one comment, one realization, one test grade throws everything off kilter. One frustration or fear leads to another and soon you've built up every doubt, fear, and uncertainty remotely plausible about yourself. And worse, you let yourself believe it all.

Yesterday, I allowed a disappointing test grade to lead an influx of fears about the future to invade my present mind and day. A friend helped me realize that for the past few weeks, I've been so focused on the dwindling of undergraduate days that I haven't been focused on the here and now. I've been thinking way too much about where I'll be in six months instead of remembering where I am right now. I'm here now. And even more awesome, I'll be here tomorrow as well.

Being mindful of the future and responsibly planning for it is important, but for now, I think I'm going to keep my eyes fixed here and glance up from time to time at the future there. Remember, there's so much beauty in this moment and this day. Every day, I'm going to consciously make the decision to stay right here in this day, because tomorrow has enough worries of its own.


A recent here moment, taking pictures for a friend's school project.

on the right path

Image found {here}

Enjoying what you're studying and knowing this is the right place and time for you is a good feeling. I'm loving the new yet familiar feeling of challenge that the dawn of the semester has brought.

I believe that if you follow your heart- your true, deep, wild, and alive heart- you can't go wrong. I'm pretty positive that at least in this moment, I'm on the right path...and it feels good.

hello, old friend

This is how I feel having completed and submitted my web and print portfolios for final grading this afternoon:

Happy Friday!

end of semester thief

Image found here

I have many thoughts I would like to share but the end of the semester push to finals has stolen time, wit, and brain power, submerging me into a sea of work.

Will come up for air soon,

CR

AHHHH/ Happy List Today

I have to admit, this is the first day of the semester that I feel as if I might have a breakdown. A presentation tomorrow, a short story not even close to being written, and a test on Friday have me wanting to stay in bed all day and hide from the world. On top of that, let's add other homework, meetings everyday and the beginning of two hour Pigskin practices every night this week. Oh, and Caitlin, if you haven't forgotten, you're a senior and you have no idea what you're doing in eight months. You might want to get on that.

Yes, these are the thoughts in my head this morning as I try to keep it together. While I know I could be studying or writing my story right now, I want to talk to you, so here I am. I've made the bold decision that today, whatever I am doing, I'll be there in that moment. During Tri Delt meeting, I'll be there. At Pigskin practice, I'll be there. When meeting with my French conversation tutor, as terrifying as it might be, I'll be there too.

In an effort to make this morning a little brighter, I've made a list of all the things that make me happy today:

Parent's Weekend- some how, my family managed to never take a picture this weekend, but I am so thankful they came to visit. We had some sweet times of familyness- yes, today that is a word. Oh, and coffee is always on the happy list.

Flowers that are so lovely I smell them nearly every time I walk past.

Really awesome clouds and a new season of Baylor football of course.

Expressions of beauty.

A fabulous After Dark- I have so many gifted friends.

A new generation of Baylor Bears.

Laura featured on the football season tickets- this one is way up there on the happy list.

Back to School We Go

I love the first few days of school because they always remind me of my love for learning. Simply put, I love learning- always have, always will. I won't even lie, just discussing the syllabus in each class makes me excited for the semester. And I suppose it's nice to remember these things before the projects and unending pages of reading begin their stealthy theft of precious sleep and sanity.







Beyond new classes, the first week of school means new schedules, new books, and a familiar anticipation of the unknown. In my experience, no two semesters at Baylor have been the same. So what I love about the beginning of a new semester is that everything seems possible. Four and a half months sprawl out in front of me unplanned and undiscovered, just waiting. What's going to happen this fall 2009? I'm not sure, but here I go to find out.