Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Summer 2011... It Begins

TIMEOUT...

...means time to blog.

Right now, I'm currently watching the NBA Finals on ABC. We've got 1:36 left in the 4th and the score is Dallas 79, Miami 85. If you have to ask yourself who I'm rooting for, you haven't been paying close attention.

Granted, this is only game 1. I've got plenty of hope that the Mavs can bring it in the next few games. I must say the way the Mavs have been playing in this game is quite good, but these bitches Wade and James...

Yeah, you go on and cheer, Miami... I'm quite confident that the Mavs have a little somethin'-somethin' up their sleeves for you.

Aside from following my precious Mavs, I've got quite the summer. If by quite the summer you mean taking an Organic Chemistry class and perhaps having a job in July. Other than that, the summer looks to be very uneventful. It's quite alright, though. I'm used to it. No one's ever in town for me to hang out with except for Beeksies, but she works. Therefore, lots of time for me to be alone.

Well, that's it for the Mavs today. Thuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuursday... we'd better bring it.

Ally

Monday, May 9, 2011

"Forget The Protocol, I'll Take Your Hand Right In MINE..."

Congratulations are in order for yet another UD couple... Ashley Parkes & Tim Rowles. They got together in Rome and nobody gave them much of a shot because nobody thought they even knew one another... and they didn't. Apparently it was late one evening on the Rome campus when Tim approached Ashley and engaged her in a conversation that would kickstart one of the sweetest relationships I've ever encountered.

At first the pairing of Ashley & Tim was met with confusion from those who didn't think they were a good fit. Tim's very outspoken and loud and popular among the class of 2011. Ashley came to UD a quiet girl who loves ponies and has a giggle that would make a 6 month old green with envy. Through this relationship, they both changed into mature, loving individuals. As a matter of fact, Ashley actually won 'Most Changed Since Freshman Year' during Senior Superlatives.

Ashley has become a bit of a Cinderella story. She was, if I may, a little bit dorky (look who's talking...) and silly. Since Rome, I've watched her blossom into a lovely, outgoing, creative, expressive young woman. I've got to say, I'm quite proud of Ashley for what she's accomplished both personally and academically.

Tim was this ball of energy who was quite the flirt and was akin to Taz the Tasmanian Devil. He is best known among our class as 'Sketchy Tim'. He was that guy who made the girls a little uncomfortable with his open flirting and his pension for pushing the envelope with regards to his attitudes and convictions. After Rome, after Ashley, I started seeing him less as 'Sketchy Tim' and more as just Tim. He joined the rugby team, and managed to keep his party boy image with a side of sensitivity and refinement. I am glad that of all the guys at this school, Ashley managed to nab this one. He looks after Ashley with the same fervor as an Emperor Penguin caring for his egg. It's quite adorable...

I know what you all are waiting for: How did he do it?

That story is actually quite funny/stressful.

I showed up at Ashley's Senior Studio, her final art project, for which she created several original dresses. I was amazed at the final product, and as someone who saw the creative process and had plenty of behind-the-scenes looks at the progression, I was excited the whole way over. When I got there, a small group of close friends was all abuzz with talk of proposal. I was so excited when I found out that it would be THE night. As the evening drew to a close, Tim began to get really excited... and not in a good way. He was pacing in and out of the reception to collect himself. The fact that people were slow to leave was not helping him out in any way. After a good number of people had left and only close friends and family were present, he decided it was time. He gave us the signal and we followed, cameras in hand, close behind like ducks in a row.



Tim pulled Ashley in close and whispered in her ear. She had a hard time focusing and was probably more concerned with why a circle had suddenly formed. Once he got her attention, he started, what I assume was a declaration of love and intent. She got really nervous at that point and eventually became aware of the situation.


The above photo was captured right as she said "I swear to God, if you're proposing to me..."


...and he did. The moment he dropped to that knee, the whole room erupted in an orchestra of shrieks and cries of excitement. I, on the other hand, began to cry like a little baby. Close friends of ours came and gathered me up in their arms while we continued to scream in jubilation... and I, of course, continued to cry. As Tim got back up and put the (impressive) ring on Ashley's finger, one thought raced through everyone's minds:


It's about freaking time.

Ally

"So Scared of Getting Older, I'm Only Good at Being Young..."

Preach, John Mayer.

These last few weeks of school have been pretty melancholy. Everyone's stressing out about finals, everyone except the seniors, that is. Lasts are taking place: last TGIT, last Midnight Breakfast, last classes, last Music on the Mall, etc. It's a different mood than I'm used to. I, of course, will not be taking part in the graduation festivities, seeing as I have one last semester to complete, but that doesn't make it any less sad. My friends are all leaving me behind to start their post-grad lives, but as happy I am for them, I am feeling quite lonely. It's a feeling I'm used to, that of feeling so alone despite being surrounded by people.

For a while in middle school, I was a bit of a loner. High school allowed me to meet some incredible people, very few with whom I still keep in touch. Leaving college friends behind, though, will be a very painful experience. College is supposed to be the time where you... pardon me while I dig though my childhood to find the perfect quote... "Take chances! Make mistakes! Get messy!" (+10 internets to anyone who can identify that quote and who said it). That being said, my four years here have been filled with many chances taken, many mistakes made, and plenty of times where we all got a little messy...

Pictured: NOT a proud moment... for anyone involved
...but the best part of these four years was that whenever you took a chance, made a mistake, or got messy, there was a whole group of people you could count on to go through it with you. You were basically guaranteed a family who would either say "that was AWESOME! Let's do that again..." or "not your finest hour or best use of judgement, but we love you anyways". These were the people you REALLY grew up with and because of this, I will miss the Class of 2011 with all of my heart. No matter where everyone ends up, I know that because of our shared experiences and basically being thrown together for four years, we will always find a way to come back to each other.

This is the part where I cry... wait... no. Just kidding. Keep it together, Ally.

Enough with the sadness, let's get our usual photo montage on...

Orientation...

Girls Night Out

80s TGIT

Halloween

Sadie Hawkins Dance

Spring Formal Sophomore Year

Plaid PJ Party

Birthday Party for Lococo

Skyping with Gabbi who was in Rome

Hat Party for Mary's Birthday

Hat Party

ZOMG! PETTING ZOO

Paris, TX

Manatee Time!

TGIT

Snow Night

Groundhog 2011
Some of my favorite memories :)

Well, time to sleep. Got an Environmental Chemistry Final in the afternoon... goodnight, y'all!

Ally