break

It's been far too long...my apologies. Christmas Break has been exactly that...a break. A break from my normal routine life at school, a break from homework and studying, a break from waking up early. It's been so great to be home. To be able to sit around reading or working a puzzle with my mom. I haven't really done anything exciting yet, but that's okay with me. For once in my life, I don't know what each day holds, and I like that.

I went to stay in Oxford for a night with Natalie last week. I spent a night in Fulton with friends for our second annual Christmas party. Jay came for an extended weekend visit. We celebrated my dad's 50th birthday with a big party last night. And today I went ice skating with some friends. And I've tried to restart my running career. Hahaha, that's interesting to say the least. It's been a low-key and relaxing break so far.

I honestly can't believe Christmas is 3 days away, especially with this A+ weather we've been having. It makes the bitter cold of some other days a little more bearable. Hope everyone is having a safe and fun holiday!

xoxo, Maria

nutcracker

So I'm going to follow up my bitter Christmas post with one about something I have to admit I love about Christmas time....The Nutcracker Ballet. My childhood dance studio puts it on every year, and I went home this weekend just to see it. I was in it every year until my sophomore year when weekends during the fall couldn't handle all day Saturday cross country meets, Sunday Nutcracker practice, and homework. So for the past 5 years I've just been a dedicated watcher.

This year I couldn't help but laugh at so much of it. There are so many things I could take in that I never thought about or noticed when I was in it. One simply being the fact that I could step up there and do every single dance I've been in exactly. It's timeless, and the steps only have changed slightly. But it's so fun and beautiful all at the same time. I wouldn't trade my Nutcracker memories for anything...

• The time the tree caught on fire as it grew.
• The evolution of polychinelles from Raggedy Ann dolls, to gingerbread people, to clowns.
• Begging my "dad" in the party scene to carry me offstage as we left.
• Bribing Clara before the show to give me the nut when she got to do the Nutcracker.
• When Greeting wore those gosh-awful skin-tight, candy cane body suits.
• When all the snow poured out at once instead of the light trickle.
• Watching Angels go to the wrong tree every year and then mess it all up.
• Meredith slipping and falling on the "soapy" snow as she went offstage.
• The year I was a toy and one of us stood up and collapsed to the floor because her legs were asleep from sitting for so long. I think I laughed.
• Thinking Tony was the funniest person alive when he did the Mechanical Doll dance purposely wrong.
• Getting individually sized and fitted to be the first ever to wear the new Russian costumes...custom made for us.
• When the umbrellas for Chinese were still those superrrrr old yellowish, smelly ones.
• When Gumdrops still existed.
• Watching from the wings as the male professional danced...we were always so amazed.
• The fact that I was NEVER in the fight scene. Don't know how I got away with that.
• The old costumes that the mice had...they were legit mangey fur.
• The year my grade were the Claras. Let's just say a huge fight went down. Enough said.
• And lots and lots of yelling at every practice, but we still loved it.

It's a classic. 

xoxo, Maria

the explanation

So it has been quite a while, but now that it's December I thought I would let everyone in one a little secret. For those of you who know me well, you know that I don't like Christmas. Yes, I'm aware that most people almost fall over from a heart attack after they hear this, but I'm going to attempt to explain it.

It first starts with the fact that I despise winter and cold more than anything in the world. I would rather be sitting outside in the blazing Mississippi heat swimming in my sweat than be cold. It's just not fun. And there is only so much bundling I can do before it's ridiculous, so I'd just rather spend my time complaining. And with Christmas comes very cold weather.

I've always wondered why people need to get ready for Christmas so early. Is it necessary to put your tree up around Halloween just because, well heck, Christmas will be here in a few months. Just wait people. I promise the 25 days of December gives you plenty of time to decorate and enjoy it if that's what you want.

Also, the main reason I have a problem with Christmas is people never ever remember the REASON FOR THE SEASON. Simply put, in America we really only celebrate Commercialized Christmas, not Religious Christmas. It is so frustrating to me to hear all the talk about Christmas music, and trees, and presents, and food, and lights, and SANTA. Where is Jesus in all of this? Does no one remember that the purpose of CHRISTmas is celebrating His birth???

I realize some of you know that I never believed in Santa growing up (another huge shock, I know). I understand it is a fun tradition and neat for kids, but let's be real...he isn't real. And I promise you, I turned out just fine without believing. I want to tell my mom every year that I don't want any presents, but I can't bring myself to do it. I know she loves a good tradition, and we've always done it the same way, so I just accept it. I do feel blessed to have grown up in a family that wasn't extravagant about our spending and gifts at Christmas because it isn't necessary when we don't need new things.

You may want to call me Ebeneezer like Brittney does, and I'll take it, but all I'm asking is for the focus of Christmas to be turned around for once. I might be able to enjoy all the festivities that come with Christmastime if we could first celebrate the birth of our Savior. I find that my favorite parts of the season are those related to my church.

The Christmas Eve service is probably my single most favorite night of the whole year. There is just something magical about that night and the message it provides. Leaving in darkness and silence really sets the mood that I feel we should have leading up to Christmas...anticipation of what is to come and calm focus for His birth.

So I challenge you this Christmas season so not be bitter or sinister like I may seem to be, but to turn your focus around. Remember what this holiday is here for. Reflect on His special place in your life. And put Him FIRST. It's that simple.

Enjoy this time of year
xoxo, Maria

how great...

So tonight as I was blog stalking (for lack of a better word), I came across a blog that had How Great is Our God playing in the background, and it all hit me dead on. Standing on a hill known as Vesper with the sun burning my closed eyes, I stood beside 6 or so girls, all as vulnerable as I was, and we all sang that song with every ounce of our heart. We were there to love on each other and love on our GOD. How great he is…  And with that song, summer came flooding back.

For those who don't know, I worked at Camp Lake Stephens, in Oxford this summer, and needless to say, it was probably the best experience of my life. I have never felt more blessed in an 11 week period than I did this summer.

I stood in my room a few days ago trying to explain the feeling and love I had for this summer and I found myself frustrated. Frustrated because I just couldn't get out the words to mean what I wanted them to. Frustrated because I can't ever seem to explain it where people see the full beauty and depth of what I was blessed to do this summer.

But I know frustration isn't what I should feel for those things…it should be gratefulness that I had an experience so breathtaking that it cannot be explained in simple words.

We wrote ourselves letters the seventh week of the summer that would be mailed to us later in the year, and I got mine a few weeks ago. It brought back a lot of memories and a lot of reminders that I need at this point in the year. Here is something I told myself…

"such JOY-great word for the summer. Everything brings me joy here…the kids, the staff, being in God's creation, the small things. It's so easy to get caught up in a routine I have found even at camp. That is how my school experience has been, and I want to get out of that. Push myself out of my comfort zone more often and not let that freak me out."

So here's to finding that JOY in the small things every day,

Here's to stepping out of my comfort zone,

Here's to sharing my experience without frustrations,

Here's to MY GREAT GOD.

xoxo Maria

dear sister

So as I said in one of my previous posts, last Saturday was my sister's 22nd birthday. Yes, she is getting on up there, I know...and I try to often remind her of how old she is. But she is my one and only sister, and I love her to death. So Natalie, this is dedicated to you...

So if you know my family, you know that we are ALL about family. The annual family vacation is a huge deal. My mom spends months toiling over where to go and then looking at travel books to plan our itinerary. And I am not complaining...we go on some pretty awesome trips. Some have included:

--Seattle/other surrounding cities: Where Natalie refused to sit up on a tree branch with me for a picture; insisted on taking a picture in front of every.single.Twilight.location we went to; refused to take a "jumping picture with me on the beach; and literally almost got left in Canada when we were crossing back over the border.

--New York: "to the left, to the left;" where I got stuck on the other side of the entrance to the subway and almost got left; and this was Natalie's favorite trip BY FAR because we got stuck in the airport for the night (you should ask her how sleeping in the freezing, noisy, hard baggage claim area was).

--Washington DC: where I sang "pet Fala, pet Fala, pet Fala Fala Fala Fala Fala" the whole trip. Enough said.

--Disney World (the first time): Where Natalie left me in a store and I was lost in Epcot for approx. 15 minutes; where we cried when they told us Blizzard Beach was closed so they let us in; where we DROVE to IN THE SATURN, yes the car I used to drive.

My parents also probably celebrated for weeks when I chose UNA because they would be able to spend ALL their extra time stalking both daughters instead of splitting their time between two colleges. But I wouldn't have it any other way...I miss them more than I ever thought possible some days. And for those of you who don't know, Natalie and I live about 4 feet away from each other this year. And I love it!

I had a rough time adjusting to being an only child when Natalie left home. It was just wayyyyy quieter and there wasn't ALWAYS someone around when I needed a friend. It has been the biggest blessing to once again live 2 doors down from my sister. Sure we don't always get along, but we love each other. She's there for my joys, sadness, frustration, anger, uncertainties, ideas, changes, and she helps me make it through the day a lot of times. Just knowing that my sister is right around the corner is the most comforting feeling. I really don't know how I'm going to deal with her leaving again in May, but the time will come, and we will be okay. And maybe even she'll end up in DC, and I will get to go visit and sing her her favorite song :)

My sister in a nutshell: caring, leader, compassionate, friend, listener, loud, over-achiever, hard-worker, assertive, calm, grounded, down-to-earth, sweet, and my best friend.


Here's to you Nat, I love you!!

xoxo, maria

Reunited and it feels so good...

So there isn't even a reunion yet, but I am so excited already. My two best friends in the whole entire world are coming to visit me in 10 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is exciting first of all because I haven't had a SINGLE friend from home come visit me since I've been in school. (and I sometimes wonder why I still love them!) But second of all exciting because it will be a pre-Thanksgiving celebration. You see, they get the whole week out for Thanksgiving when I will still be slaving in class on Monday and Tuesday, so they are coming on their first weekend off. And then we will all be home again on Wednesday for more get-togethers :)

Needless to say, I can't wait. And it will most likely be a weekend for the books...but aren't they all?? Love you two girls so much, and I really couldn't make it without yall!

To Brittney and Bess......

xoxo, Maria

we'll be together...forever and ever

Sisterhood is a blessing.
It's the best we have to share.

These are some of the words I said to every girl that walked into our chapter room on pref. night of rush. And even though they were scripted for me, I meant every word. As I'm sitting here staring at a stack 40 cards high that are about to be personally written to each of our new babies, I can't help but be thankful for what I have here with Zeta Tau Alpha.

I've recently been reminded through the smallest things how strong our bond of sisterhood really is here. Last weekend I had the joy of going on our New Member Retreat. We got away for a night to just share with each other and strengthen the friendships of the sweet new pledge class. It was a night of smores, chubby bunny, compliment sheets, secret sharing, movies, and lots and lots of singing. 1. I was reminded how old I am...those girls have some ENERGY! 2. I was reminded why I became a Zeta in the first place. 3. I was reminded why we chose these girls to complete our sisterhood. 4. But most importantly I was reminded of the love that runs so strongly through our chapter. It was a blessing of a weekend.

I will be getting 40 new sisters 9 days from now when they become officially initiated into the sisterhood. I know I, and they, couldn't be more excited. I've never felt more sure of the decision and pledge I made a year ago to join this sisterhood.

Luckily I've had the blessing of having a "real" sister my whole life. I love it because all those cliche sayings about sisters are so true, and I could use those to sum up our friendship. But there will be more about my real sissy on her bday :) coming up soon!

I love my sisters in Zeta so much and living with them has only made the experience better. I currently live with three of the best girls in the world. I don't know what I would do without them in my life. They are always here when I need them-through the good and bad. Love them to death......Pattie-Lane, Natalie, and Whitney :)

Individually and collectively.
We are Zeta Tau Alpha.

most wonderful time of the year

Seeing how Halloween is my second favorite holiday and is only 2 days away, I thought this might be necessary. I also am not a huge Christmas girl so here is my appreciation for another holiday...

I have to say this is much cooler than Christmas lights...

And my own personally painted pumpkin from senior year...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN :)

xoxo, maria

Whirlwind Weekend

Well I'm an always on the go girl and this weekend proved that for me. I thought maybe since I had fall break on Friday and a little time off I would have a calm weekend. Nope, quite the opposite. Spent Thursday night at home with my roommate Whitney and then we went to her elementary school to observe all day Friday. I'm glad the more in-depth I get into the education program the more I realize it's exactly what I want to do. I just wanted to take all those kids home. Then a nice drive to Tupelo for Friday night…and of course mom and I had to make a run to Celebration Village and then dinner with dad. These were my only few calm hours of the weekend.

Saturday morning I headed to Starkville for State's homecoming and the bf's birthday :) So naturally when we get to the Junction I'm throwing out waves like I just was crowned Miss America because naturally 90% of the town of Tupelo is there. Now you must know that this was only about my fourth visit to Starkville (cross country meets excluded) and definitely my first State game or Junction experience. I grew up Groving it up every weekend and come from a great family tradition of Ole Miss graduates and fans. If my grandad knew where I was this weekend, he would probably disown me. Jay also fears the day he has to meet Pop and tell where he goes to school haha. All that being said, it was a lot of fun, and I got to see lots of high school friends. When we went into the game there was a lot of pressure for me to ring a cowbell, and every time I quickly said no, but then eventually agreed I would if Chad scored. Well he got close, but it never happened so I was in the clear. But it was my sweet boyfriend's birthday, and when they won I couldn't really say no. I gave a couple of rings but that was all I could handle. (Just don't let my family know!)

A good night in Starkville and then it was back to Tupelo for the much anticipated Wave Connection! But more about that later…

xoxo, Maria

yes, I'm doing this

So after spending all day reading blogs of people I don't even really know....I decided I would start one. Blogs used to make me cringe because they make me of the days where going home to post on my xanga was my favorite thing to do. But I think I'm slightly more mature than that now, so here goes. I admire those people who take time to step away from their day to write in a journal, but somehow I can never make myself be that girl.

This will just have to be my online journal because I think it's more do-able for me (I'm addicted to my computer). Hoping to learn something about myself...

xoxo
maria