Spring is Definitely Right Around the Corner!

If you haven't already noticed, I'm a little bit obsessed with the weather.  I seriously check weather.com every five minutes.  Especially with crew, I feel like I need to know the EXACT temperature and wind speed.  I have the Blackberry application for my cellphone so that with just one little click, my screen is my own little forecast.

I'm friends with my 9th grade english teacher on Facebook, and she has pointed out that my status' are nearly always about the current weather condition!  HAHA.

Anyways, I buckled down and whipped out my Jack Rogers for the season.  I just couldn't wait any longer.  My toes are a teeny tiny bit cold, but you have to suffer for beauty, right?  Also, I'm definitely in need of a pedicure.  I think I'm going to wait until Easter weekend and go with Soccer Mom.

Spring must also be here because... THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS ARE OUT!  So pretty!  I haven't really had a chance to walk downtown to see the spectacle, but this weekend I am definitely making time (which may be difficult considering I'm pushed for it right now!)

-College Prepster

Peace, Love, Rowing

If you asked my dad 5 years ago which of his two daughters would he think would be participating in a sport on the collegiate level, he would have HANDS DOWN said my sister.

I have played nearly EVERY sport ever invented for at least one practice: Gymnastics, dance, horseback riding, synchronized swimming, swimming, soccer, softball, basketball, volleyball, track, golf... get the picture?  My best friend started rowing the second semester of our freshman year and literally talked non-stop about it.  Everyone at our high school considered crew to be somewhat of a cult, and my best friend had been sucked in to it.  Somehow, she convinced me to go to the Learn to Row Camp after school ended. 

I can honestly say that the only reason why I went was so that I could make her stop talking about it!  Much to everyone's, and I mean EVERYONE, surprise, I lasted the full two weeks.  I was seriously hooked.  I started off as a rower, not a coxswain.  And the funny thing about that is that I was 2 inches shorter and 20 pounds lighter than I am now, which means I was bound to be a downright horrible rower.  I had good technique, but I just couldn't compete with the bigger and stronger girls.  I almost quit so many times, but I couldn't because I just loved the sport too much.

I went to a rowing camp at Princeton with my friends and thinking that I was taking the easy way out, signed up as a novice coxswain.  HAHA.  What was I thinking?  It was the MOST challenging thing I had ever done, and I basically stunk.  No, I really stunk.  I vowed I would never cox again.  My coaches at the camp knew the coaches from my HS (the rowing world is quite small) and they told them that I learned to cox.

When our fall season started back up, the men's coach asked if I would cox for the guys for the day.  I reluctantly agreed... it was only one day right?  I must have done an OK job because I coxed the rest of the week.  The men's coach and women's coach decided I would row half the week with the girls and cox for the novice men the other half of the week.  I never rowed again though.  

The rest is history.  I can honestly say that I have learned so much about myself through rowing, as cliché as that sounds.  Yesterday went really well.  I re-fall in love with the sport after good races like those.  

The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race was yesterday.  The race really captures the competitive nature and historical background of rowing.  Check it out!

-College Prepster

No Singing in the Rain

It's raining again here in DC.  Yuck.  I had a mini debate this morning about whether to wear Wellies vs. Bean Boots.  I chose my J. Crew Wellies, because I plan on wearing my Bean Boots to crew practice.  I hate having to walk to class balancing my laptop, cellphone, tote bag, umbrella, etc.

Speaking of umbrellas:  My aunt gave me a Vera Bradley umbrella in Green Apple (my "signature pattern" all through HS) in what must have been 9th grade.  I have used the umbrella SO much.  It started to break a few months ago, but I didn't think much of it.  Now it's hanging on my a thread.  One of the spokes won't extend fully :(  And then when I try to close it I really have to use some force.

I'm currently looking for a replacement.  Suggestions?

-College Prepster

All in the Family!

The other day, my Grandma emailed me a picture of herself from when she was younger.  First, let me tell you that she is extremely technologically advanced for any generation.  I get text messages... Yes, TEXTS... from her throughout the day.

Clearly, my love for ribbons and bows is genetic!

-College Prepster

All I need is warm weather!

I love Soccer Mom.  She knows me way too well!  She bought me the absolute cutest Lilly dresses and shipped them up to me!  They're a smidge too big, but nothing a couple of darts can't fix.  She also bought a vineyard vines halter top in the cutest pattern and bermuda shorts.  Unfortunately, they're both too big, but maybe a talented seamstress can fix them up.  The yellow dress is gorgeous.  It's so sunny and bright and I love the details.  I also love the two strapless dresses.  I tried them on and couldn't help but put on a pair of my white Jack Rogers.  I said a tiny prayer that it would warm up really soon.  But, low and behold it was FREEZING this morning.  Yuck!

This morning I woke up with a horrible sore throat and congestion.  Correction, I have had a sore throat for two weeks, but this morning it was way worse!  I haven't had a voice since the first day of spring break.  I decided I have to do something and get it checked out, even though I hate the doctor.  After waiting on hold for 15 minutes with the Student Health Center, I finally made an appointment for tomorrow to get tested for Strep Throat.  I'm also going to make sure I don't have Mono.  Cross your fingers that it's at the worst Strep.  I really don't feel like dealing with Mono.  Blech.  I still don't have a voice.  Even some of my teachers have noticed than I'm not my perky self.  I just want my voice back!!!

One thing did make me feel better though!!! Miss Janice hosted a Lilly Pulitzer "Fashion Show."  She sent me a package with the best Lilly goodies!!! :) I am so so so happy!  It made my day!  I saw the Lilly stationery online but not in person.  It is SO much better in person... who would have thought!  The notebook is darling!  I can't decide what to use it for!  I'll probably save it until I have the perfect excuse to write in it.   Oh and I just love the little circular notes!  It's one of my all time favorite patterns.  Thank you Thank you Thank you Miss Janice!  I couldn't be happier!

-College Prepster

Spring!

I'm not used to the weather still being cold.  I mean, hello: It's almost April!  Friday was even the first official day of Spring, but it was still so cold!  I really was in the mood to wear a springy dress, preferably Lilly.  Instead, I had to opt for a sweater and jeans. Again.

I wore a light pink polo under a kelly green sweater with jeans.  I still had to get my Lilly fix in, so I pulled my hair into a pony tail with a Lilly button.  I made these last summer after reading a tutorial online.  They're quite simple.  It still made me happy to be able to wear Lilly, even if it was still chilly :)  

Yesterday was our first sprint race of the season.  It was a long bus ride for a 6 and something-minute race, but we all had fun.  The temperature wasn't too bad and the water conditions were so much better than the Potomac recently.  We won our race by a secure amount of open water. Sometimes it's difficult to cox when you're up by such a comfortable margin.  But it was definitely a good way to kick off spring season.

Today is beautiful outside.  I can hardly believe it.  It makes me think that maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Three papers are calling my name. Unfortunately.  Regattas are fun, but they make getting work done over the weekend difficult.

-College Prepster

Won't Need These Today...

Yesterday was the first glimpse of spring!  It was a little windy, but the temperature was definitely in the "warm" category!  I was planning on writing my next blog on the cutest croakie that one of my best friends gave me for graduation.  Of course, it's monogrammed.  

For practice, I normally have my hands full with boys' sweaty shirts, water bottles, wrenches, my cox box, jackets, and more.  The last thing on my list of things to carry are my sunglasses, which is why I love being able to just hang them around my neck, and look cute doing it!  

The picture is a bit blurry... not sure why.  But you can see the light pink monogram.  I'm not sure where my friend got it, but I think she found it online.

Unfortunately, it's raining today :( I thought it was APRIL showers, not March.  Oh well.  

On a side note, Soccer Mom just went on a spree at Marshall's.  Lilly and Vineyard Vines galore!  YAY!

-College Prepster

Two More Hours!

I was going to post this earlier, but I haven't had time!!!

Tucker Blair is having a St. Patrick's Day sale!

I posted about them earlier and love love love the headbands!

Type in stpatty for 25% off!

-College Prepster

Spring Break is Over!

I know, I know.. I've been gone for so long!  I've really tried to keep up with everyone else's blogs though.  I cannot begin to tell you how crazy this past week has been.

Spring training is an intense week of eating, sleeping, team bonding, and, of course, rowing.  I won't go into all of the details of each practice because we had quite a few.  We had practice twice a day.  I literally lost my voice by Monday, which is not good.  I still don't have it back, but I'm hoping it'll come back before Saturday when we have our first race!  

The heavyweights host a Talent Show every year.  Some of the boys and I learned the Thriller dance and performed it.  I'm obviously the short one.  I was so embarrassed to be on stage in front of everyone, but it ended up being a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, the nice weather we had last weekend did not last.  One of the mornings it snowed while we were on the water and the temperatures were pretty low all week.  I tagged along with three freshmen who were going to the Smithsonian to see Abraham Lincoln's pocket watch which had just been unveiled the day before.  This is why I love being in the city.  It was really cool to just be able to hop in a cab and head over to the museum to see it.  

After a long week of practice, the much awaited Thugs Mansion occurred.  It was a really fun night.  Obviously, I couldn't throw all of my preppiness aside for the night.  The shirt I wore said "Too cute 4 u" and had a skull, but with a BOW!  My sneakers were hot pink and the holes for the shoelaces were tiny hearts.  And let me tell you, wearing sneakers to a party is WAY more comfortable than heels.  I'm thinking of dressing like a thug to every party from now on.  Um, maybe not.  But still.  

My friend got a ton of new headbands recently, so I'm going to post about those once we get a cute picture!  They're all so adorable :)

-College Prepster

Spring "Break"

I'm been a bit out of the blogging loop.  I've been so busy!  I last posted on Thursday.  I was exhausted Thursday night and didn't have the energy to study for my spanish quiz, but that meant I had to wake up extra early to study before class.  It was a bit more difficult than the previous ones, but I was just so happy to have it over.  My spring break could officially start, well my spring "break" that is.  We have to stay on campus for our crew training.  We're in racing season and it's so exciting.  I love racing!  Before practice on Friday afternoon, I ran some errands and shopped a bit.

Friday's practice went really well, but we were mostly gearing up for the real training.  We only had one Saturday practice :)  We took out two eights and raced quite a bit.  It feels so good to be back on the water after being inside a gym for all of winter.  The guys are pumped up too, which really adds to the enthusiasm that's given at each practice.  After practice, some of the team went to the boy's lacrosse game.  I stayed for maybe 5 minutes.  I ended up going to the first half of the girl's game too.  I hadn't really seen a competitive level lacrosse game.  Later, we went to the last home basketball game.  Thankfully we won!  I'm pretty sure we got on TV also because one of the rowers got his whole head shaved except for a big "G" right on his noggin.

Sunday was an extremely competitive day out on the water.  In the morning, I coxed the B boat which was really giving the A boat a run for their money.  My eight was pretty excited about holding off the other.  In the afternoon, I coxed for the A boat which is always fun.  Today's practice was crazy!  We were doing pieces down by the airport and just as we were going back into the boathouse, which was a bit of a ways away, the wind really picked up.  Last year, the Georgetown crews had a few boats swamp in the wind.  The water was extremely choppy, but somehow we made it back alive.  Our coach kept exclaiming that there was a possibility of us sinking.  Um, thanks, but no thanks.

The best part of the training trip is how close the team is getting.  We're all hanging out between and after practices.  We got a lot closer during our winter training trip in SC too.  It also doesn't hurt that the varsity team has given us interesting "tasks" to complete this week.  Lots of fun :)

I'm going out now to get an outfit for "Thugs Mansion."  It's a party that the varsity team is throwing on the last night of training.  It should be, well, interesting!

-College Prepster

The Case of the Missing Bathing Suit

I just love love love Lilly Pulitzer bathing suits... I'm typing this as I eat Girl Scout cookies... Hmmm...

Anyways.. First, let me say how I am not a fan of the beach.  I have very pale skin and the sun is not my friend.  My family always ends up going to the beach for vacations (not my idea!).  The only part I do like about the beach is wearing fun Lilly suits!

In 2007, we went to Seaside, FL for spring break.  If you haven't been there, you should really consider it.  It is a quaint little beach town where everyone rides bicycles, drinks soda in bottles, and eats seafood by the sea.  It is absolutely beautiful.  

I had just bought a new suit to add to my collection and this one was my favorite!  It had a few patterns in it and was just adorable.  I wore it twice during the break.  When we got home, I started to unpack and couldn't find the top!!!  I freaked out and made my entire family scour the suitcases.  I called the cleaning services that cleans the houses and they hadn't seen it.  I begged them to call me back if they found it.  I seriously called a few times a week for a couple months.  I was SOOO sad that I lost it.  

I still had the bottoms, so I kept my eye out everywhere for a top that would match.  I ended up finding a pink and white polka dot top that matched one of the patterns from the bottoms, so I have been using that.  

But just the other day while searching online, I found a three-piece bathing suit that was one of the dominant patterns of my missing suit!!!

I cannot tell you how thrilled I was!  I forked over a good chunk of my monthly allowance.  Happily.  

If only I were going somewhere for spring break...

-College Prepster

The Write Stuff

Handle With Care comes out today!!! Go get it!!! I'm getting it on Friday... AFTER my accounting midterm.  I am so excited.  I love reading Jodi Picoult's novels.  She is an amazing author.  She went to Princeton University, so clearly she's one smart cookie.

Now that I'm on the topic of writers: Ciaran Carson came and lectured my Humanities and Writing class.  He is a remarkable poet.  And he was an absolute riot.  He started by playing a song on a recorder.  Hello? Love him already.  He read quite a few poems.  My favorites were his alphabet poems because they were so creative.  He kept mentioning how he did his best work when he "smoked weed."  I am not kidding.  I think my professor almost died when he said it, but then he commented that she probably had too.  Check out some of his poems online.  They're really interesting.

Happy Reading!

-College Prepster

Half Snow Day!

Last night rumors around the dorms were circulating about school cancellations.  I was honestly hoping that we still had class because I really wanted to get my ethics midterm out of the way.  I can't have it hanging over my head anymore! 

My roommate and I woke up to our Blackberry's buzzing about classes being cancelled until noon, which was PERFECT!  I had planned to take the midterm at 11, but the class wasn't until 1:15 (long story..).  I crossed my fingers and emailed my professor making sure I could still take it at 11 and he promptly responded 'Yep'.  It's great because my spanish class was cancelled so I could study for an extra hour.

The snow was coming down so hard this morning.  And then it stopped, but the wind was so bad that the snow was whipping around.  It's freezing too.  I was walking to breakfast when snow started falling from the roof of a building.  Not fun.  Luckily I was wearing boots and my Vineyard Vines Nor'Easter jacket.  

Anyways, my exam.  Hard.  But I had studied really well for it.  YAY!  I had 96 pages of lecture notes, which took me 3 and half hours just to read through.  I read for a second time and highlighted/underlined important things... Then I typed what I highlighted and made a 12 page condensed version of the notes.  I studied that and made flash cards with the important general ideas, leaving out the tiny details.  I am so happy I did all of this because it was exactly what was needed for the exam.  PHEW.  I'm also relieved it's over!

I have practice at 2:50, so I'm taking a study-free break until then.  Afterwards, I'll hit up my accounting notes.  

Enjoy the snow!

-College Prepster

Half Birthday

So today is my half birthday, which normally I don't think is a big deal... except when I realized that it was literally my last 6 months as a teenager.

I will have been alive for two decades... TWO DECADES??? WHAT?!?

This is crazy! Twenty just seems so old!  Plus, I was technically born in the eighties, haha... 

I literally studied for eight hours over the course of the day and have WAY more studying to do today.  My ethics class has a midterm on Monday and we have had 96 pages of notes.  Bleh.  I still have to study for my Accounting Midterm, too.

I hope y'all have a good rest of the weekend!

-College Prepster