Life

I realize it's been awhile since I've posted, but school has been pretty busy lately.  Here's an update on all that has been going on :)

First off, I am excited to say that Cole got a summer internship with Fleishman-Hillard in Dallas starting June 4th.  I am so proud of him and excited for the adventures he's going have in Texas.  That being said, we have basically the month of May to cram in all of our summer plans.  The list includes, but is not limited to:

-Time with the Grieves Fam in Topeka
-Time with the Moran Fam in Hays
-A trip to Atwood to visit the Braxmeyer side of Cole's family
-Trip to Haven to see the Harder family
-A Royal's game in KC
-Steak Dinner at the Bunker Hill Cafe
-Taking back roads from Topeka to Hays
-Visiting the Topeka Zoo, Sunset Zoo, or Rolling Hills Refuge in Salina
-Big Bang Theory Marathon
-Trip to Lake Wilson
-Ride on the Smokey Valley Railroad
-Moving a few things into my house for next year :)

Cole and I also celebrated our two year anniversary on April 11th.  We began dating my freshman year at his Delta Sigma Phi Formal.  We celebrated the big TWO that weekend with  a big steak dinner and a Big Bang Theory marathon (our favorite show).  It was a wonderful weekend :)

Our anniversary actually fell on a Wednesday this year, which meant we both had sorority/fraternity chapter.  That night was exciting for me because I found out one of my best friends and roommate, Paige, got engaged!  A ritual many sororities have to celebrate the engagement of a member is called a "candle-lighting."  For Kappa, ideally the girl keeps her engagement a secret from everyone.  During chapter dinner, the President turns off the lights and the girls hum a special Kappa song.  The president walks throughout the room passing a candle around the tables which has the engagement ring tied to it.  The engaged girl chooses a few friends to each read a special quote or Bible verse while everyone tries to guess who's engaged.  The last reader opens her card with a quote and has the pleasure of announcing the engagement to the chapter, and I was so blessed to have that job!  I do have to say Paige is exceptionally sneaky, as I had NO idea she'd been engaged almost a week and had kept it a secret from me, only wearing her engagement ring when I wasn't in our room.  Congrats to Paige and Jacob - I'm so happy for them!

Other than that I've just been busy with school.  I have a little over a week left until I am completely done with my undergraduate career: 3 tests and a paper next week, and only one final exam and a paper the following Monday and it's summertime.  Keep checking in -- I promise I'll be better at posting :)

Happy Sunday,
A

Spring Break 2012

Spring Break is here and gone!

The trip to DC was an absolute success and fun was had by all!  We actually ended up being there right at the peak of Cherry Blossom season - they bloomed early this year!  After the many times I have been in DC, this was my first time to experience them.  I was surprised by the fact that so many trees were white and not pink.

Overall, the DC trip started out pretty relaxed - just exploring the city and visiting some of the museums like the American History Museum and the Holocaust Museum.  As the week went on things picked up and much more walking occurred.  We finally got to see Kelsey and Brandon's apartment and she took us to see the Georgetown Law campus.  It was cool to see where she'll be going to school next year.  We also walked to Georgetown to visit all the shops - my favorite being Georgetown Cupcake, from the show on TLC, where I had an amazing Vanilla Birthday cupcake.

While were in DC we got to meet up for dinner with Cole's dad's fraternity brother and his wife.  If you ever visit DC I highly recommend eating at Pizza Paradiso off the Dupont Circle metro stop.  It was suggested to us by Cole's brother and sister-in-law and earned an A+ in all of our books.  The restaurant had great pizza (and fancy beer).

We visited Arlington Cemetery to see the grave sites of the Kennedy's and President Taft.  We also watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  It was pretty impressive.  Later that same day we went to the National Zoo, where I was slightly disappointed that most of it was under construction and the lions had already been put in their inside cages for the night.  However, we did get some up close and personal time with the Panda bears :)

To finish off the week we had a White House tour and a Capital Dome tour.  With the Dome tour you climb stairs all the way to the top of the Capital and come out at the very top of the dome over-looking DC.  I'm pretty scared of heights, but being the 4th time I've done it it was a little easier.  Sadly, it was overcast that day and hard to get some good pictures, although I didn't mind the cool weather. 

Overall, it was a fantastic week.  It was nice getting to stay with my dad and spend some time with him over break.  It was the first time I've seen his new Senate office and I was very impressed - I especially loved the picture shrine on the corner table, filled with pictures of me from my childhood :)  My mother keeps calling Cole's parents "troopers" for putting up with Cole and I for the whole week.  (I personally think we're a joy to be around).  Jane and Kevin were wonderful "chaperones" and, as always, great travel buddies.

After we came back to Kansas, Cole and I headed back to my house to spend a little time with my mom and of course, the best cat in the entire world, Little Bear.  It was nice to relax and unwind after a busy vacation.

Now I'm back to K-State and school is in full swing, picking up with a Microbiology test and an Anatomy and Physiology test next week.  I have been added to the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2016 Facebook page.  It's kind of cool to see who all will be in my class next year - a group of students from all across the United States. 

That's all for now :)

Spring Break

Spring Break has finally arrived - and is much needed.  Cole and I head for KC tonight with his parents to stay and fly out to DC in the morning.  Our agenda for the week?  Capitol Tour, White House Tour, Museums, Monuments, Shopping, and my favorite part... THE ZOO!  Pictures and stories to come :)

The Results Are In...

AND WE WON!!!!

Might I add, with an amazing 71% of the vote!  I'm so proud of everyone who helped make our campaign successful.  It was a lot of work, but it's great working towards something you care about, and getting to know all of the people involved with it.

Now time to relax at home and get caught up on all of my homework - and bond with Little Bear (my cat). 

Love,
A

Brains and Campaigns!

And here we go with Post Numero Dos - Just a brief update on what has been happening in the world of Alex lately :)

We dissected brains in my Anatomy and Physiology class yesterday.  Each lab group got 1/2 of a cow's head to examine the brain and the skull, the connections between the two, and the different sections of the brain.  After getting over the initial grossness (I'll spare you all the pictures), I found it really interesting.  Anatomy and Physiology has by far been the most challenging class I'm in this semester, but definitely the class I'm most excited to go to.  All of the dissections are preparing me for vet school - and the part I'm the most nervous for.  I'm much better at memorizing facts and processes than the hands on stuff.

On another note... Today's the day!  The general election polls for K-State's Student Body President and Vice President close at 6 PM today and I cannot wait to hear the results.  I am currently the Volunteer Coordinator for two of my close friends' campaign.  After over 8 weeks of hard core campaigning, the results should be announced a little after 6 tonight.  They won the primary last week with over 60% of the vote, however everyone has taken this victory as an excuse to let off the campaigning - not the best way to finish strong!  Win or lose (hopefully win), I'll finally have a life again after the campaign is over.  I think I get asked to do these things because people keep assuming I'm an expert campaigner.  I would have to disagree, although I would say I know how to participate in a clean and classy campaign :) I'll keep everyone updated on the results tonight!

While the campaign is almost over, I still have two more tests standing between me and Spring Break.  I feel like all I do is take tests.  Anatomy and Physiology last week, Microbiology this week, and now both of those lab tests next week!  The light at the end of the tunnel is my Spring Break trip to Washington, D.C. with Cole and his parents.  Cole is definitely much more interested in politics and history than I am and loves D.C.  I mostly just love traveling.  His mom has never been to D.C. before so it should be really fun to get to show her around and let her experience it all.

That's all for now! I'll keep you posted on the election results :)

Love,
A

Post #1.

Hello all and welcome to my blog!  This blog came about for two reasons:

1. One of my favorite people just began blogging about the next step in her family's life - a baby on the way!  I've decided I don't necessarily need something as important as a baby - I have a huge change of my own happening in my life.  I am finishing up my "college" experience at K-State and getting ready to start K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine this coming fall.
2.  I have an Anatomy and Physiology test Thursday and I'd really love postponing the studying :)

So here it goes...

I have loved animals my entire life and can't imagine anything more rewarding than spending my life working with them.  This past June, I began the application process for vet school, completing it in late September.  To my excitement I was granted an interview for K-State (the only school I applied to) the Saturday after Final's week in December.  I felt fairly confident after my interview, but considering I only had completed the prerequisites and as a junior wasn't ready to graduate I didn't know what to expect.  The waiting game had begun.

For Christmas my parents gave me and my boyfriend, Cole,  tickets to go with them to Dallas to watch K-State in the Cotton Bowl.  Conveniently (or inconveniently), this meant I would be in Texas when the letter containing my fate would arrive at my house.

And here's where it gets great...

My family arrives at the K-State pep-rally, and after dragging Cole to the bathrooms we headed back to our seats.  As we walked down the steps in the Ranger's Ballpark I could see an older man talking to my father in our seats.  That's when it hit me - that was Dr. Richardson, the Dean of the vet school.  When we got down to our seats he shook my hand and told me he would like to personally congratulate me on being accepted into K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine and that I had a letter with the exciting news waiting for me when I got home.  I don't know if I have ever been so excited - my heart could have exploded :)

Flash forward 2 months and here I am... Finishing up my last few months as an undergrad: taking only 12 hours at K-State, enjoying my time as a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, working on a Student Body President campaign, and coordinating K-State's Presidential Lecture Series (aka: kind of still having a life).  I've also just signed the lease for a house with four other Kappa's for next school year!  That's all for now, but stay tuned... there are exciting things to come :)

Love,
A