You're right, not my life

Other than the first three, "You're born, you learn to walk, you go to school," these tidbits don't really apply to me. But nonetheless, this PaperCut ad is creative and fun to read.

Although I never "stole a chocolate bar," one time at a summer swim meet when I was in 1st grade, I saw a a boy a few years older than me steal a fruit roll-up from the concession stand. I thought that was like the worst thing a person could ever do, so I told on him. They never found the culprit, but I knew he was out there. I KNEW!

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Seriously, why am I leaving Madison?

That's a rhetorical question. I know WHY I have to leave Madison - the whole graduating and moving to the Twin Cities to teach just about sums it up. But, I look around this place and think back on all the good times I've had here (nostalgia is my middle name, more or less) and get a lil misty eyed thinking about how this will no longer be "home." This past year I wrote for UW-Madison's school newspaper The Daily Cardinal. Here is my last column. Kind of a goodbye piece. It somewhat communicates how I feel about leaving college. It's an attempt, but some feelings just can't be put into words.

Adding to my spring allergies tremendously. I never had them before, but now they're in full force.

Mallory in front of Lake Mendota.

Quick photo op break with Lauren during our bike ride.

Pretty view of the city from Picnic Point.

Terrace chairs at the new Union South.

James: The Best Buddy I could have asked for.

Girls night out at Johnny O's.

Kristi, me, Shauna, Lauren, Alli

Graduation

Varsity!

And Lauren's hand notably grabbing Mal's fine behind.

Bascom Hill

At the Terrace

Me and my main man Bucky

Red nails, white dress. On Wisconsin!

Buuuut, drinking coffee in a white dress... I've made better decisions.

Me and Mal outside our dear Marion home.

Celebrating at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse with our families

Ann, Lauren, me, Mallory

I just graduated from college on Sunday. Surreal. I'm sure I'm not feeling or experiencing any emotions that are unique. I know I probably feel how every recent graduate feels... "What's happening? You mean, I have to leave this grand ole place called college FOREVER? People wake up before 8 o'clock? People pay serious consequences if they wait until the last minute to do important things? Imma hava boss?"

Even though I'm fortunate enough to have found a job for the coming year, I still find myself saying, "What now?" It doesn't help that Madison is feeling sort of like a ghost town. Three of my four roommates have packed up and left. The fridge is empty. The lights are off. And there aren't any drunk people passing my window singing "On Wisconsin!" at 2:30 a.m.

Anyway, graduating college is strange. Real strange. Buuttttt, I did have a great celebration with my friends and family when they were here for the weekend. So happy I could share such an exciting and overwhelmingly happy day with those that I love. Without my family, my enrollment at Madison wouldn't have been possible and I probably would have cried on the phone a lot more about petty things such as stupid Early Brit Lit papers. Without my dear friends, Madison would be a lot easier to move on from.

Thoughts while eating a turkey sandwich at 2 a.m.

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- All dressing rooms should have chairs in them. Plain and simple. If there isn't a nice spot to rest behind, the chances of me buying clothes has been decreased by 50%.

- Don't assume that just because I'm a girl I want the regular sized sandwich at Pot Belly's. It only makes me feel bad about myself when I say, "Ummm actually I'll have the large."

- Yo Abercrombie and Fitch, I haven't bought clothes from you in like six years, but I still have something to say about you. Tone down the cologne and the club music. In the six seconds it takes me to pass your store, I already feel like I'm going to pass out.

- Booooooooo hiss any store that subtracts money off of gift cards. Ok, so what if I didn't use the gift card in a year? It's still money and it should go to good use. AKA buying me more socks.

- What up open windows?!?!?!?!?!?

- Bike rides = some of the best times of my life. Minus the whole butt hurting afterward. Other than that, golden.

Hi Momma, Happy Mother's Day

I love you. That is all. Oh, and you're pretty. That is all.

{Thanks for the freckles. To be honest, I wouldn't have minded if you gave me some more. PS who is the old lady trying to steal your thunder?}

{Feathered hair like a 1970s goddess}

Past mother's day tribute

he's got 2 left feet

{having two feet would really stink}

And teach them how to dance

House in the mountains via

don't you worry, there my honey

we might not have any money

but we've got our love to pay the bills

maybe I think you're cute and funny,

maybe I wanna do what bunnies do with you,

if you know what I mean

Oh, let's get rich and buy our parents homes in the South of France

let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters

and teach them how to dance

let's get rich and build our house on a mountain

making everybody look like ants

from way up there, you and I, you and I, you and I,

well you might be a bit confused

and you might be a little bit bruised

but baby how we spoon like no one else

so I will help you read those books

if you will soothe my worried looks

and we will put the lonesome on the shelf

oh let’s get rich and buy our parents homes in the South of France

let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters

and teach them how to dance

let's get rich and build our house on a mountain

making everybody look like ants

from way up there you and I, you and I, you and I

oh, let’s get rich and buy our parents homes in the south of France

let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters

and teach them how to dance

let's get rich and build our house on a mountain

making everybody look like ants

from way up there you and I, you and I, you and I

Quick Stay in MN

I just had a whirlwind of a trip to the Twin Cities. Left Thursday night and got back a little bit ago. I can't wait to move there in August. But fiiiiiirst I want to enjoy every last moment I have left in Madison.

In unrelated news:

I like coffee. A lot. Seriously how did I ever manage without it?

I hate waking up with a dry mouth.

Goal for the future: become a more efficient packer.

It's really annoying when people share stories about themselves that ultimately end with their grand point being "I'm awesome; don't you love me?" Well, I might have thought you were okay, but now, not so much.

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Finally have a sister

Matt said, "Lindsey, let's reenact the proposal." So she put out her hand. Matt goes, "No," and sticks out his pinky finger. That Matt, he's a jokester.

Me with some of my cousins on Easter

Me & Lindsey!

The newly engaged

Flowers from Kelly

My brother Matthew got engaged last Saturday to his girlfriend Lindsey! So thrilled to finally have someone to go shopping with and basically do all the things that make my brothers answer, "Ehhh, I'd rather not."

Welcome to the family, Lindsey! Can't wait to be part of the wedding shenanigans in these upcoming months!

When I told my friend Anne about the engagement, her response was, "Ohhhh how exciting. And that Matt. How perfect for him to propose between Good Friday and Easter. How holy of him!"

Anne, I don't think that's what he was aiming for.

I was never one for bowling...

{Bowling + disco + patriotic flag... well ain't that Amurica?}

{If I could be confident that there wasn't some mold or something growing in bowling shoes, I'd totally consider swiping these. Well, actually not really. I wouldn't steal. But I'd be up for bargaining}

{There's that smile!}

... Bowling usually was an activity I would have to do for a friend's birthday or to receive some type of badge for Brownies (the amateur version of Girl Scouts). I was never good at bowling. I'm still actually really bad. But then I bowled with James and had so much fun. Seeing James smile and fist pump after he got two strikes in a row was awesome (for a lack of better words). Plus, we had the whole alley to ourselves, so every time I guttered the ball I just did a little loser victory dance.

In completely unrelated news. Well, not even news. Just unrelated. I always liked the song "You're still the one" by Shania Twain, but this morning I heard my roommate playing this version in her bedroom and now I'm hooked. Hearing a guy sing this song is just a whole new level of greatness. Oh Lee, you seriously shouldn't have. You got yourself a new fan.

*This version of "Falling Slowly" is pretty tremendous as well. Not as good as the original. But still enjoyable.

Funky

My kind of people.

An open window kind of weekend

Yesterday, I cheesily said to my roommate Mallory, "I wish I could bottle this morning." Instead of making fun of me for going all Hallmark on her, she responded, "Me too." It was honestly the most relaxing and laugh-filled weekend I've had in awhile. From playing flip cup and dancing to Backstreet Boys on our porch to going out for breakfast on Sunday morning, everything just felt right. Man oh man, I'm going to miss college.

Hey future life as a teacher, please be nice to me. And be gentle.

1) Ann catching some breeze on a lazy Sunday morning.

2) Making good use of our porch. Spring is in the air and it feels so so so fine.

3) Roomie schoomy - Me, Lauren, Ann, Shauna, Mallory in front of our poster that says France. And not a single one of us can speak French. But I'm down with baguettes.

4) When in doubt, ice cream.

5) Me, Mallory, and Ann before heading out for a night that had so much karaoke potential.

6) Shauna likes to wear cowboy hats. She is looking for a man that likes to wear them too. I for one do not think that's too much to ask for. Form a line, gentlemen!

Awwww shucks

This kid is such a charmer, and his smile is contagious! That is one lucky little lady.

When he says, "Huh?" I nearly peed my pants.

And his jaw literally dropping is some pretty raw human emotion.

Ingrid Bergman

Must be tough being that beautiful.

I really wish I was watching Casablanca with my dad right now rather than reading for school.

And I'm sure he'd prefer to be watching Casablanca with me rather than working.

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As of Late

Lately...

1) I've been taking down about three of these guys a day. Oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip cookies compliments of my roommate Mallory. Thanks for nothing, Mal. You know I have no self-control.

2) I've been hearing "Aw who sent you flowers?" from each of my roommates and each and every time I answer with, "I bought them for myself." How sad. Can't a girl by some flowers to spruce up her room? Okay, I guess buying myself red roses is a bit odd, but my choices were slim. At this particular grocery store all they had were roses or lime, orange and purple dyed daises. Super ugo. Daisies are my favorite flowers, but these shades looked straight out of a coloring book gone wrong.

3) I've been sending postcards to people I love. Norman Rockwell is the best. Well, after Van Gogh. I wonder how many people read postcards along the way. I know mailmen must have to sign some sort of privacy contract, but I feel like if I were a mailman I'd take a peek and read all the dirt/mushy mush people are sending to one another. Don't judge. You probably would too!

4). I've been compiling old clothes to donate. Did you hear that, dad? I'm getting rid of stuff. Yipeeee! Not gonna lie, it was difficult to get rid of my favorite brown corduroy pants from my junior year of high school. But, I just had to come to terms with the fact that they probably won't ever fit again.