fall 2009

I didn’t think anyone ever read my blog, but I got a request for an update, so I’ll try to hit the highlights of my fall so far...

School

I met with my advisor the other day to begin registering for spring 2010. The process was way more difficult than I expected because I had holds that kept me from registering. For one, I hadn’t sent my immunization records to student health. (I was supposed to do that?) Thankfully, my mom hiked across the street to my pediatrician and got those records. My second hold was for lack of final transcript from UNC. I specifically remembered sending a transcript once my degree was posted, so we (myself and Ms. Cox) called the graduate school office and once they found record of my transcript, they took off that hold. Although the people I talked to on the phone weren’t always the best, most people I’ve met who work in administrative positions at ECU are so nice. Ms. Cox found numbers, called offices, and let me know that she would register me whenever I got my records and that I would definitely get the classes I need. Once my shot records got here, I left my form with her and she registered me and emailed me to let me know I was registered. Also, great news – when I was meeting with my advisor, she said she’s seen my records and wants me to be in the master’s program next year. That makes applying feel like it’s for a reason. I submitted my online application yesterday, but I need some more motivation to send transcripts, personal statement, recommendations, etc. I already have all of these things from last year, so I just have to send them.

Flying

I have logged 34 hours total to date. The minimum to get a private pilot’s license by Part 61 is 40 hours. Don’t let that deceive you, though; I still have way more than six hours’ worth of training to do! This past Monday, I practiced maneuvers yet again – steep turns, stalls, and slow flight. I need to work on those more before I do them solo. I FLEW MY FIRST SOLO OCTOBER 14, 2009. How could I forget?! Below is a picture of me with the Diamond 20 I soloed. The first few solos are just takeoffs and landings, which are what I did that day and one other time since then. Lord willing, I will someday solo away from the airport, but I should probably learn how to use a GPS to get back to the airport first. Though I feel far, far away from being ready for my practical exam, I am well on my way to taking the written exam. I’ve been going to a ground school class at Pitt Community College since early September, and I’m so happy that it is finally ending! Tonight we are reviewing everything, Thursday night we are taking a final exam, and then we’ll be done. If I’ve done well enough in the class, the instructor will sign me off to take the FAA’s written exam at a testing center. If I haven’t done well enough in the class, my dad is a certified flight instructor and he will sign me off. I have yet to study for a test in this class – could that be why?? Anyway, I’m going to hit my Gleim practice book hard and get ready to impress the FAA with my vast private pilot aeronautical knowledge.

Tentatively coming soon: getting back to my blog’s roots and posting on literature.

fall fashion, or if i had all the money in the world

some things i like right now for fall...

Diane Von Furstenberg tiger print dress

Marc by Marc Jacobs high waisted pant

Joe's Jeans skinny black pant

J. Crew gingham shirt

yes, it's a man's shirt. yes, i would wear it. with my black skinny pants. yes, navy and black together. because i like it that way.

J. Crew flannel shirt

same story as above. blue and black is my favorite color combination for fall/winter.

Christian Louboutin ankle boots

Christian Louboutin black studded flats with zipper bow

Elizabeth and James black zipper pumps

Tory Burch bag

Marc Jacobs quilted bag

some other things i like that i couldn't find perfect examples for:

tights

leather vests

flying

When I picked ECU for school this year, one of my main enticements was that I’d have the whole summer free to fly. Early in the summer, I spent some time playing, I won’t say it’s wasted time, because it was all fun. Then I finally got around to flying in June. I took a long break again for full time playing later in July, and got back to flying last week. I flew at Raleigh East airport (9NC0) over the summer, and now I’m flying at Pitt Greenville airport (PGV). I have about 17 hours flying time. Next week, I am starting a ground school class at Pitt Community College so I can prepare for the FAA written exam. I have a flight physical this Friday, after which I can solo whenever I’m ready. I’ll be through with ground school in November, and I’ll hopefully take the exam soon after, and then once I take my check ride I’ll be a pilot… right???

teaser

Though I haven't blogged this summer, I'm planning to start blogging again when I move away from everyone so that y'all can keep up with what I'm doing. I'll fill in the gap of this summer, too.

Coming soon, writings on:
flying
books
moving
friends

alumna

Recent news: I graduated!
Summer plans: Raleigh
Fall plans: graduate school at East Carolina University in communication sciences and disorders

spring break

I went to Raleigh Friday night and came back to Chapel Hill on Sunday to be the ultimate UNC student: checked out books at Davis library, went to baseball against Clemson, and went to basketball game against Duke. Then my spring break went like this…

LEG 1

Raleigh-Athens, Georgia-Atlanta, Georgia-Auburn, Alabama-Tuscaloosa, Alabama-Smyrna, Georgia-Raleigh

Days: 4
States: 4
Driver: Mom
Hotel rooms: 3
Miles: 1503
Farthest point: Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 542.5 miles from home
Schools visited: 3 (University of Georgia, Auburn University, University of Alabama)
Friends visited: 5

LEG 2

Raleigh-Columbia, South Carolina-Raleigh

Days: 3
States: 2
Driver: me
Hotel rooms: 0
Miles: 497
Farthest point: Columbia, South Carolina, 231 miles from home
Schools visited: 1 (University of South Carolina)
Friends visited: 2

And after all of that, I still don’t know where I’m going to graduate school, though I have narrowed the list down from nine to six.

Haven’t heard from yet:
UNC-Greensboro
Auburn

Accepted:
South Carolina
East Carolina
Alabama
Appalachian
Western Carolina

2/14/2009 (v-day)

I’m not in France anymore, and I haven’t written any interesting A+ papers lately, but I feel like updating in case anyone wants to know what’s up with me and is actually reading my blog.

School…
I’m in my very last semester at UNC; I will graduate in May with a B.A. in English and Psychology. They only let us get one of those on our diploma; I prefer to have English framed on my wall because it sounds harder (and in fact, it is). I’m taking southern literature, a geography class, adulthood and aging, intro. to audiology, and independent study. I’m finishing up my degrees with one English class, one Psychology class, and one perspective (requirements outside of major for B.A.s). I’m taking audiology as a prerequisite for graduate school and independent study to impress the graduate school admissions people. I transcribe language of typically developing children and children with developmental disabilities to help with research on speech and language of children with fragile X syndrome. For the most part, I like my classes.

Graduate school…
I’ve applied to graduate schools for speech-language pathology so I can be a speech therapist in two or three years. Listed in order of their rankings, the schools I applied to are:
UNC-Chapel Hill
UNC-Greensboro
UGA
Auburn
South Carolina
ECU
Alabama
Appalachian
Western Carolina
I found out yesterday that I got into the University of Alabama! It was the first school I found out from and I’m really glad that the first one was an acceptance. Friday the 13th is not unlucky.

Books…
I’ve been reading a lot of southern literature lately. I’ve wanted to take that class since sophomore year, but I saved it for last semester, and I love it. I started reading something borrowed by Emily Giffin, who is a Wake alumna, which is cool. Torri mentioned it to me when I said I needed a new series to get hooked on. I spotted the book in Lindsay’s dorm room and she let me borrow it. I picked up Pride & Prejudice last night, but when I read it, I can’t help but picture the movie and hear the actors’ voices. That annoys me, and I quit reading it.

Comment if you will. Maybe I will update again soon.

beginning of last semester

I forgot another important thing on my break list. I applied for graduation! I am trying to enjoy my last semester in college and tonight that took the form of a hot tub party. Melissa and I put on bathing suits and filled up the (random) tub here at the Phi Mu house. Melissa brought blue confetti which made the water blue like a pool, and Lizzie also took part in the confetti throwing.

winter break

Some things I’ve done over break…
Stayed a weekend with Della in Charlotte
Seen family, including Stell family reunion
Spent time with Raleigh friends
Worked on graduate school applications
Made a dress
Read Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (finished Twilight saga)
Went to Bells & Carols service at church
Played games (way too much Mexican Train, Bananagrams, Apples to Apples, Scattergories)
Made corn pudding
And otherwise just been my mom’s shadow


My newest obsession is the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer. I've read Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. I've seen the movie Twilight three times and even bought the soundtrack. I can't wait for the other movies to come out and for the book Midnight Sun! I think those of us obsessed feed on each other. Lizzie and Torri let me borrow books. Aubree stayed one book behind me so I was motivated to read and pass them on to her. After exec one Sunday night, Katherine wrote on her facebook status that she wanted to see the movie again and I commented that Aubree and I would go with her. In less than a minute, she was in our room to go. We're crazy about this Twilight stuff. I should have listened to Courtney two years ago when she was reading the books and telling me they were great. Vampires didn't seem interesting then, but now I'm hooked. Anyone else into Twilight? Team Edward or Jacob? That is the one thing about which I disagree with the other girls in the house. I'm solidly TEAM JACOB.