this has got to be the good life

I have a tendency to freak out when I think about how I have plans for every weekend until I graduate. To me, this means that the next two months are going to fly by way too fast. But then again, I have so much to look forward to. This weekend I am headed to Mardi Gras in St. Louis with a group of my best friends. St. Louis has the second largest Mardi Gras celebration behind New Orleans, so I think we are guaranteed to have a good time. With a limo, drinks, and beads, I'm not sure how anything could go terribly wrong!

After Mardi Gras, we have Spring Break in Key Largo, where we've rented a beach house for 18 girls in my pledge class. I can't wait to lay on the beach and spend quality time and laughter with my best friends. And of course, soak up some much needed rays! Then there we have Quals, officially kicking off the Little 500 season. April brings bar crawls, spontaneous date parties, day drinking at Kilroys, boats, THE Little 500, Keeneland, and my birthday. The best really is yet to come!

Viva la KAT

Inspired by Natalie's blog...

Dear new KAO initiates,

Congratulations! Today is the day you have officially become members of Theta, and I am so very excited for you all. Needless to say, however, being a senior I am also incredibly jealous of you. You have 3 1/2 years to make the best memories thus far in life, have some of the best laughs, craziest nights, and meaningful friendships you could ever ask for. Don't forget what you learned at initiation. Inevitably, you will forget some of it, but when it rolls around each year, don't see it as a drag, but take it as a chance to remember why you love Theta so much. I have, so here's a little food for thought.

Live in the house 2, if not 3 years. Forget that you have homework and spend lots and lots of time hanging out in each others' rooms, lounges, and dining room. It's completely acceptable to sit at lunch for over an hour because you want to keep talking. Don't skip date parties. You might not be taking the hunk of the party, but the memories you make with your sisters and laughing about everything the next morning is much more important than who your date is. Go on a real spring break. Frat Lauderdale won't disappoint you as long as the majority of IU is there. Don't worry if you are 3 months away from the end of school and have a frighteningly low amount of cash in your bank account. You'll make that money back one day, and it's only money. In five years, you'll remember (or maybe hazily remember) the afternoon you spent on the Kilroys back patio more than how much you spent on Long Islands that day. Take trips with your friends in your pledge class. Whether this is to a lake house over the summer, or just for the day, a weekend trip to Mardi Gras in St. Louis, or just a weekend spent at a sister's house, each one of these moments will become special to you. Go to Little 500 and scream your heart out for Theta. Drunk or sober, it's the coolest event ever. Get involved, whether it's with Theta or another organization. You'll grow more as a person and become passionate about something you might not have thought of before. Take advantage of everything Bloomington has to offer - restaurants, IU athletics, shows at the auditorium. Going out is great, but it's not everything. Be proud of Theta. You've joined an amazing organization with even more amazing girls that will be there for you constantly.

I wish I could be in your shoes, but I also know that I've had my time and it's (almost) over. I can't wait for you all to experience the great things I have these past 3 1/2 years that have made me love Theta and IU more than I could have ever imagined. You all will do great things, and try to remember the crazy seniors when we come back next year.

Love,
Rachel

dove messages

how perfect is this for today?

love, actually, is all around.

Growing up, Valentines Day was a fun holiday. My siblings and I would wake up for breakfast and my mom would be in the kitchen making us pink, heart shaped pancakes, served with milk dyed pink. I went to school with my homemade valentines - Mom thought we were way too creative to buy ones from the box, so we drew our own and had them copied at Kinkos... very original. School meant classroom parties where we exchanged valentines in our decorated boxes, ate tons of candy and cupcakes, and played games. For dinner, Mom made us a delicious meal, with heart shaped sugar cookies for dessert, and each of us received a present. Our presents were little things, like pajamas or books, but it still meant something special to me. This kind of day continued throughout high school, and it wasn't until my friends had boyfriends that the "single awareness day" hit me. To be honest, it never bothered me because I had my wonderful family to spend Valentines Day with. In fact, when I did have a boyfriend senior year, I had a little bit of FOMO (fear of missing out) on my family dinner and presents. I'm a creature of habit, what can I say?

The point is, Valentines Day isn't just about a boyfriend or girlfriend. It's a day of love, and there are many, many people in my life that I love and am so very thankful for, family being one. There is so much obsession with being single on this day, but the truth is, does it really matter? We should appreciate and be happy for the people we have in our lives who love us and we love. Tonight, I won't have my family dinner, but I do have my roommates who are like a second family. We won't be sad over being single, but instead enjoy each others' presence over good food, wine, laughter, and love. You should too!

Happy Valentines Day!

If I had a Valentine...

It's almost Valentines Day and SURPRISE, I have no special someone to spend it with! I wouldn't say that I completely despise Valentines Day, considering I love everything about love, but the only Valentines gift I get is from my mom... and that didn't even sound like a sure thing when I talked to her on the phone. Regardless, if I did in fact have a hot date for the holiday, I have a few ideas of what I'd like to wear. I'd wear the Shoshanna strapless flowered dress or Cynthia Vincent bubblegum pink dress if I was feeling flirty and had a fun evening ahead of me, the Tibi floral dress if I was feeling more bohemian and whimsical, and the Lela Rose beaded dress if I wanted to be extra glamorous. Guess I'll wait for my Prince Charming... then maybe the $290-$2,000 price tag would be completely worth it. :)   

                             images from shopbop.com

spring is coming!

Today is the second day in a row that it has been sunny outside! Not only does this vastly improve my mood and overall happiness, it is a sure sign that we are saying goodbye to the days gray, colorless skies that winter brings, and hello to spring! The temperatures may still be below 30, but at least it looks warm outside. Starting Sunday, temperatures are supposed to be in the 40s, and with a couple of 50 degree days in there too! I'm thinking Kilroys patio should probably open up.... too soon?

weeks are flying by

It is crazy to think that we are almost halfway through February. While I'm not complaining - I can't wait to get out of this cold weather - I wouldn't mind if it slowed down just a little bit. There are so many things I have to check off my bucket list before graduation, but it seems like time is moving too fast! Luckily, I'll be checking one off in a few weeks with my Thetas... Mardi Gras in St. Louis! But there is still so much: Oliver Winery tasting, going to the quarries, visiting the Lilly Library, open to close at KOK, eating at a 4th Street restaurant, going to Keeneland in KY... the list goes on. Here's to the next couple of months and taking full advantage of everything Btown has to offer. I can't wait!