Nose Crinkle

Despite the constant reading assignments, current event quizzes and chapter meetings, this semester has been one for the books.  And as stressed out and overworked as I make myself, I've noticed how much happier I am.  

I'm working hard for things I want.  I'm interviewing for positions I'd never considered before.  I'm getting to know my sisters and making a commitment to be a better friend.  

It's a lot of work and a lot of stress, but I smile so much more.  I'm passionate about so much more.  

My nose crinkles so much more. 

Find what makes your nose crinkle and hold on loveys.  Hold on tight. 

Good moments with good people

xox

Char

Check it out!

Let me start off by saying, my brother and I are best friends.  

Oddly, our usual communication is through video links in a Facebook message.  Maybe because he is finishing up his senior year of college, maybe because he switched from iPhone to android (therefore no iMessage), or maybe because we both just suck at communicating. Whatever the reason, I love getting new videos to watch or bands to check out.  I send him endless links of animal videos in return.  Lately, we've come across some good ones that I wanted to share!

Sam Tsui || Timber/Counting Stars Mashup

Sam Tsui is a great cover artist, but I love how he put these two great songs together!

I'm only a Tarheel fan because of my brother so as long as Duke lost, I was happy.  Then my brother sent me this.

Who doesn't love a good lion hug? The way this man interacts with these lions is incredible.  Watch all 14 minutes, I promise it's worth it. 

This video makes me adore Jason Mraz and Hunter Hayes even more.

What videos have you been watching?

xox

Char

Life Update

Well it's been a while.  My last post represents the last time I had a free moment to write and to think and to breath.  That's how busy and overwhelmed I feel.

Luckily, I finally found a free weekend to head home.  Between catching up with family, seeing close friends, and eating incredible food, I feel ten times less stressed out and I've only been home for eight hours!

On to my life update...

Since my last post:

I started my second semester at the University of South Carolina.

My best friends and I hit Athens (and Athens hit back).

I was chosen as the content creator for Delta Zeta's Public Relations Committee. 

Check us out ;)

USC DZ Tumblr

USC DZ Twitter

USC DZ Instagram

USC DZ Blog (under construction)

Y@ came to Cola.

Five days of school have been canceled for snow.

If you're from the North, I don't want to hear your thoughts on 

what the South thinks is snow. If it cancels school, it counts as snow!

Hopefully I'll be back soon!

xox

Char

P.S.  Happy Valentine's day!

This Year

2013 was quite a year. From graduating to break ups, shoulder surgery to sorority recruitment, sky diving to finishing my first semester of college, I had my fair share of ups and downs.  Sadly, I can't say I crossed of a resolution as I had none.  I'm remedying that this year.

 I can't claim that I thought of this idea on my own, but it was all over tumblr towards the end of 2013 and I felt I should give it a try.  Here are my fourteen goals for 2014.

To keep up, I will be making a page to track my progress! 

What are your goals in the new year?

xox

Char

Last Year

We've all heard them, the horrible, never ending "last year" jokes.  It's already January fourth and twitter is still buzzing with "I haven't talked to you since last year!" or "I haven't been to school in a year." Like come on, how much longer must this go on? (Although, I found Wyatt's tweet quite amusing)

2013 was a great year and it's impossible to choose 12 moments from the year, but here goes nothing...

 January: The senior cheerleaders surprised the student body at a pep rally.

February: I was serenaded four classes in a row by the mens chorus (thanks Josh)

 March: I toured my future University!

April: Kelcey came to visit for a weekend!

May: I had the flu at prom but my date was perfect.

June: Martha and I wondered around San Francisco for a week! 

July: Shoulder surgery on a torn labrum from October 2012. 

August: Rush week with Jenny, future DZs.

September: Went out for the first time with my twinny.

October: Parent's weekend was quite a hit. Caroline's dad loved it the most. 

November: I joined this wonderful Alpha Fam! 

December: I bar tended for the first time ever!

All in all, I'd say it was a good year.

xox

Char

Slow down

It's as though it was just yesterday.  I was ten years old and talking on the phone to my best friend.  She lived across the street and we thought we were so cool and mature talking on the phone.  Then I was overcome with sadness, a sadness I didn't know existed at the time. My best friend, my other half, the girl I had seen every day since I was three was telling me she was moving. To London. England. Not another state, another city, but another country.

Yes, I know. A tad dramatic on my part, but I can honestly say that phone call changed my life.  That was eight years ago and I can tell you the weather and where I was sitting and every single detail surrounding that moment.

In the following weeks, we packed up her toys, her room, her sisters stolen stuff.  Then the boxes came and left, the dogs were taken for their immunizations, the house was rented out.  It was all a blur past that point, I can't even describe the goodbye, just the tears afterwards.

Little did our parents know, but they were in for a rude awakening.  We were not the type of girls to just give up on each other, not after seven years of friendship.  Almost yearly, I flew to London, she returned to Atlanta, we skyped, we called, we made it.

Now, as I sit in my childhood bedroom, reminiscing over my first semester of college, I find myself texting her.  As always, just being us, being completely one hundred percent honest, silly, weird, normal us. It's so odd to me how so much time has passed and one person has been here for so long.  I am eighteen years old and she has been there for me for fifteen years.  That is exactly five sixths of my life.

Now to the point, because I feel like there should be one, don't treat people like a chapter in your life. Yes, people come and go, we all know boys are not forever, but don't just give up on people.  Overcome those circumstances and try, if you can say you tried and failed, that's fine. But don't just let someone go, when they could be such an important part of your story.

Love you tons Kelcey, I'd be lost without you. (insert kissy face emoji here)

xox
Char

Leggings: Dos and Don'ts

I'm in a major love hate relationship with leggings.  On one hand, so comfy. On the other hand, leggings can go bad so fast. Like, lightning speed fast.

For those of us in college, leggings are a staple! Leggings, riding boots, and a nice flannel are the perfect combination for a long day of classes.

My favorite leggings are from Zara, check them out here!

 sweater || scarf || boots 

*only similar products, originals are old*

plain tee || flannel || boots

Thoughts on leggings?
xox
Char

Christmas in the dorms

As my friends slowly pack their bags and take their finals, I've started to notice how the dorms are emptying! It's weird to think that these people that I have spent every single moment of the past five months with won't be anywhere near me for the next month!

Obviously, with my anxiety, I had to get my christmas shopping done. As soon as possible.  I started with Caroline, Erin, and Kaela, then on to Caroline and Julia, then Jenny, then the family. And for those of you reading this in one of those groups, don't think I'll be giving anything away. (sorry bout it) 

The minute Jenny and I got our emails from the student packaging center, we rushed over to Russell.  After walking home in the cold, we went to my dorm room and immediately swapped gifts.

This is where it gets weird. We both got each other bracelets. Mine from C.Wonder and hers from Kate Spade.

The results couldn't be anything but beautiful.

From Char to Jenny

 Equestrian Stirrup Link Bracelet || C.Wonder

Horse Head Bangle || C.Wonder

From Jenny to Char

 Partners in Crime idiom bangle || Kate Spade

Partners in Crime idiom bangle || Kate Spade

The best part of my christmas present is that Jenny got the matching one in gold for herself and Taylor! It's true, we are partners in crime.  

What are you getting for your friends and family?

xox

Char

First Semester Recap

I can't believe I'm about to finish my first semester of college.  I feel so old! (but not as old as my brother who is graduating!) As I finish my last graphic design project, study for my one final, and prepare to say goodbye to my friends for a month (can't and won't), I'm thinking about all of the things I did in the past four months.  Here are my top five moments of my first semester of freshmen year.

1. Skydiving!
    Never in a million years did I think I would be the one convincing my friends to go skydiving! Heck, after falling off a roof (a story for another time), I never really intended to jump/fall off of or out of anything ever.  I'm so glad I did though because now I can say I did! Now don't get me wrong, I'll never do it ever, ever again, but maybe I'll consider bungee jumping now.

|| 14,000 feet in the air ||

2. Ryan's visit

    I really didn't think Ryan and I would have much of a relationship after he left for college when I was a senior, but he surprised me and now we are as close as we were.  I love that boy so much.  I still can't believe he drove to South Carolina to be my semi date.  All of my new friends loved him! I mean, come on, he had us dancing on tables! So much fun!

|| Shameless snapchat ||

3. Parents weekend
    As much as I miss and love my parents, I didn't really know how to plan for parents weekend.  How do you adjust your schedule to fit in parents, especially after so much freedom? Luckily, Caroline, Erin and Kaela's parents came as well.  All of our parents got along so well! We brunched and tailgated, we ate and drank (parents love giving you wine once you're in college), we just had the best time! It really solidified all of my friends and I living together next year.

|| Caroline's dad parties more than we do ||

4. Fall break
    I don't think I've ever been so excited to get in my bed.  For fall break, Jenny came home with me to Atlanta and we just lazed around all weekend.  A lot of my friends were home, as well as my brother and his friends, so it all just worked out! The distance really increased my appreciation for my high school friends and the friends I've made here at school.

|| insta ||

5. Clemson game
    I've already posted about the Clemson game and how you get sucked in, but it honestly was the most fun tailgate I've been to in a while.  Sometimes the fraternity lots can get a tad trashy (this week was no exception), but all the important people were in one place and we had a blast!

|| All the blondes ||

So that's it.  My top five moments of my first semester! Can't believe it's already over!

xox
Char

Sucked In

I didn't really get into football until my varsity cheerleading days.  I talk about the good ole days like they were so long ago, but it's barely been a year since our boys lost in the second round of state playoffs.  We weren't supposed to be good, so getting that far was a miracle that we all still celebrate.

Our only rivals were in different divisions than us. So our rivalry was pretty much no good considering we never played each other.  (great rivalry, I know) On that note, I never really cared about college football or state rivalries or any of that nonsense.  I knew I wanted to go to a big state school with a football team that wasn't the University of Georgia.  Don't get me wrong, UGA is a fantastic institution, but with 75 of the 400 in my graduating class attending, I just couldn't bring myself to join them. 

That's how I ended up at the University of South Carolina.  Oh boy, I had no idea what kind of football scene I was getting myself into or what kind of rivalries I had to start caring about (or face shunning). 

Little did I know, I would become absolutely enthralled by college football, gameday, and the SEC.  I started keeping up with weekly rankings (often retweeted on my twitter), checking score center while tailgating, and talking so much smack with my friends at other SEC schools.  I can't even pin point a place in time when this all started, but, at this point, I'm done for. 

Who even am I?

Back to rivalries, we all know about Auburn & Alabama, Georgia & Georgia Tech, Florida State & University of Florida, but the Palmetto Cup is underwhelmingly not well known.  Heck, I didn't even know about it until football season started.  At first, I thought the hatred for the tigers to be a little ridiculous. Like to wear orange? Clemsux. Purple Scarf? Clemsux.  Tiger at the Zoo? Clemsux.  Like I said, ridiculous. 

My view on this silly rivalry changed this past saturday.  I now understand how everyone gets so sucked in.  The atmosphere is, well, honestly... unexplainable.  Everyone is so into it! I was yelling "Clemsux" around every corner, dancing to every tailgates music, and just getting really pumped! I loved it! It was a great gameday!

All in all, get yourself to a rivalry game. You won't regret it.

xox

Char

A good friend never forgets the ice cream

Despite my lactose intolerance, I have a mega weakness for ice cream.  Actually, that weakness is probably a direct result of being told not to eat ice cream as an eight year old. Anyways, somewhere between the end of senior year and the beginning of college, Julia and I became suckers for anything made by our favorite men, Ben and Jerry.  Whether it was a break up or a bad day or a celebration or just life, we had two spoons and a pint between us most nights.

So here is to J.Schamay and our talks. I hope some things never change.

xox

Char

P.S. I suggest the chocolate fudge brownie.  Just saying.

TGIF

Wow. This week has been a long one.  Between two tests, multiple graphic design projects and bad news around every turn, I am amazed I lived to friday.

I just finished my final test of the week that I studied hours and hours for (and only took 15 minutes to finish) and intend to just sit and enjoy my starbucks until I have to go to my next class.

Luckily, I found the silver lining in this week.  I'll just be frank about it.  I have the most incredible people in my life.  I'm so mad it took me so long to realize, but I'm truly blessed.

Let's start with my best friend and how he drove three hours to be my semi-formal date. Like what? It's so funny how I never thought we would be friends or even get along.  Thanks Kbo! Even though I had just received bad news, Ryan wouldn't allow me to stop and think for even a second. From semi-formal, to downtown, to frat lot tailgating, to watching batman, he never let me stop laughing and dancing and being happy.

Then came Monday, and if you didn't already know, I'm very very accident prone.  Can't trip over enough bricks on the horseshoe or fall out of my bed in the mornings.  It's pretty ridiculous.  

At the University of South Carolina, there is a major rivalry with Clemson and every year, the two schools put that rivalry to good use.  There is a friendly competition to see which school can donate the most blood to the American Red Cross.  Naturally, I wanted to give blood (despite my fear of needles) and did just that. The line was a bit longer than I expected and right after the nurse took the needle out of my arm, I had to run off to french class.  Big mistake.  As I walked down the hall towards 213, I realized I couldn't hear anyone in the hall... even though there was at least 40 people in the hall.  Then my eyes started to blur and I felt hot.  Now, every girl dreams of fainting and being caught by a cute boy, but this was so not the case.  I dropped my bags next to my desk and laid on the ground.  The poor girls in my class were so worried. Yet another example of the amazing people in my life, eight girls that I've known for four months were so worried that they were considering calling an ambulance. 

Okay, I'll wrap it up.  But first I have to talk about the most important people, my best friends, new and old, who never fail to amaze me.

Tuesday morning, I got the call that I knew in my heart would not be a happy one.  My mother had been forced to put our beloved Cleo down.  November 2012, we were given one week with our puppy.  I cried every day at school and Caroline and Julia never let me forget that they were there for me.  And then a year later, even though the two are at UGA and I'm at USC, the minute they knew Cleo was gone, I was getting endless phone calls and texts from the two.  Between that and the best-friend-turned-ex-turned-best-friend-again dropping his plans to make sure I wasn't curled up in a ball on my floor all day, I realized I hit the jackpot.  Caroline and Erin brought me cookies (not stolen this time) and hugs, Kaela distracted me, Y@ checked in with me, Jenny and Taylor made it their job to hug me every time they saw me, heck, even my roommates friends were checking on me.  Martha even offered to drive home and check on my mom for me.  

|| RIP Cleo 11.19.13 ||

Although having to say goodbye to Cleo when I'm no where near home sucks, I'm so grateful that I was with people who cared as much as my friends did.  Going home tonight will be hard without sweet Cleo greeting me at the door, but I know she is still with me everywhere I go.

So hell week is over. I am going home for a week to celebrate Thanksgiving.  I get to see my best friends for the first time in a month.  Everything is going to turn around. 

xox

Char

The Measure of Success

I think one of the many reasons I love going to an institute of higher learning is the majority of professors care more about your understanding and mastery of a topic than your actually grades reflect.

Sadly, we live in this world currently where grades are the measure of success and I can vividly recall from my Senior Year alone, 12 separate instances where the teachers neglected teaching because we "didn't need that for the test" or because it was "a lot of effort" to go over.

Maybe it's the fact that my parents are dishing out loads of money to send me to school and because of that, I feel a greater responsibility and obligation to do my work and achieve my very best.

But I attend a university where people constantly brag about how low they failed because the school is just that difficult. I tend to disagree and point to their poor work ethic and decision to study at the last minute; however, it really does something to you when you put in a good amount of effort to study and you don't get the grade you had hoped.

Does that mean I'm just stupid? That I can't take in the information they want me to and that I'm destined to be a garbage man? LOL no. Ew I couldn't deal with that smell all day. Stop. Focus.

It just means it's a harder school. And the worst part is, everyone is just like you, trying to do their best. What REALLY sucks is when you put in more effort than the girl next to you and she ends up with a grade 10 points higher. Also the fact that you are below the average.

How is that possible?? You studied your ass off, probably twice or three times as much as some of these dilweeds, yet you still came out on the bottom. You know what, so what? Life moves on. A grade doesn't define yourself worth and it doesn't define your character.

I loved this quote my Calculus teacher told us about failure, by Samuel Beckett.

"Ever Tried. Ever Failed. No Matter.
Try Again. Fail Again. Fail Better."

I. LOVE THAT.
It says so much in so little.
It's like okay you failed. But don't get yourself down. Keep going. And if/when this happens again, you
ll be even more prepared to deal with the reactions.

So what do you do? You find a study buddy. You reflect on how you studied, where you studied, and what you studied. You try and make some change to how you went about doing so. And then you ace the next MF-er to silently showcase how smart/talented/awesome you really are.

The other tough part about coming to a university where the median SAT score was well above a 2000 is the fact that these people have these false-sense of entitlement. They feel like with their brain power and lack of coherent social skills, that everything is theres for the taking. And that isn' from my pessimistic outlook; this is me saying that these people LITERALLY think that these positions are theres and anyone who interferes is wrong.

And with that sense of this entitlement comes their love and admiration to brag about how smart and successful they are. Uhm excuse me? Just because you got a higher grade on a test that I studied three times as much for doesn't mean you're smarter.

Success isn't about getting an A, it's about how you deal with getting an F.

I'd like to think I cope quite nicely. You, however, probably cry home to your mother or yell blasphemy at the poor TA who was forced to grade your test. Please, go home and get over yourself. You're not that special if you can't find fault in yourself.


Y@

Monday Mix

     Monday mornings come fast and hard every week.  I'm never actually prepared for them.  The fact that I have an 8:30 every day of the week is miserable, but mondays always seem to be the hardest. (really Fridays are the worst, but ignore that...) Especially now that it is getting cold outside, walking the ten minutes to Stat 110 is just too much.  The only thing that gets me there is the fact that I can ignore the world a little bit longer by putting in my headphones and blocking out all other noise.  (yes, I am that girl mouthing the words to her music).  Mondays deserve happy music, here are my picks to cure the monday morning blues and get yourself motivated for the day!

On Our Way- The Royal Concept
Dreaming- Smallpools

Better Than This- Hunter Hayes

Best I Ever Had- Gavin DeGraw

Can't Hold Us- Macklemore

Sweet Serendipity- Lee DeWyze

OK, It's Alright With Me- Eric Hutchinson

What's your monday morning jam?

xox

Char

Wandering thoughts

    It scares me how often my thoughts consume me, how lost I get in the music flowing through my headphones, how I can sit for hours doing nothing and not understand where the time went.  You know that feeling? That one where you drive home on autopilot and don't really remember how you even got there? That's how I'm feeling right now.  I tried going to sleep at my usual midnight bed time but I laid there for an hour and a half just thinking.  Thinking about what happened in the past and what I want to come in the future, love learned and love lost, friends and family, this past weekend and the next.  In the past hour, I've cried silently and smiled ear to ear at the thought of moments in time.

    It's bad how bipolar my emotions are, but at the same time, I'm happy to have those low moments so I can truly appreciate the high moments.

xox

Char

Working hard or hardly working?

      I've learned a lot in college, but I feel like the best lesson I've learned in my four months of college is how to procrastinate effectively.  I've figured out how little time I have to spend on my french homework, what time I need to leave for my 8:30 if I want to stop for Starbucks (thank god it's part of my meal plan..), and how long I need to sit in the Public Health Research Center until the next bus comes (yes, I am indeed that lazy).  I mean look at me, I should be writing a service learning paper, and instead I'm procrastinating by writing about procrastination.
     College is funny in the sense that you have all the time in the world, but you feel like you never have time for anything.  I never really have all that much homework, but I know I should be studying for some big test somewhere in the near future.  Yet I still find myself catching up on ten different prime time shows, as well as re-watching all eight seasons of desperate housewives on Netflix. Like, why Charlotte, why? I feel guilty just writing this post as Caroline slaves away at her biology and chemistry homework (biomedical engineering say what?).

*I later discovered she was actually online shopping...* 

     Only one good thing has come from my increased procrastination.  When I've watched about four or five episodes of Desperate Housewives, I feel like I should be active.  That's right. I, Charlotte Lindsay Price, have started running to fill my time... and justify my excessive internet television habits. Don't worry, I don't expect the motivation to last very long.

xox

Char

How to Determine if You are a White Girl

My palms sweat nervously as I wait outside the local Starbucks for the store manager to call me in for the job interview.

What if they test me on the different types of beverages they have?! Don't they know I only like the holiday-specific drinks. Everything else is overpriced and too strong for my weak stomach. 

The store manager comes in and says I can come back, but in a flash of excitement, I realize I don't have to depend on anyone but my parents for as long as possible. My maniacal laughter fills the store. Concerned patrons look at me, as I run out the door. I am free. I am broke. I need a job. Ugh I need to tweet about this. 

Hello all three of you that are reading this, I'm Wyatt. I am one of Charlotte's, formally Char or Charlemagne's, best friends. And she's brought me into this, for some reason, to give to you my skewed opinions of the world. And what better way to start than with my weekly holiday: White Girl Wednesday.

First thing's first: what IS a 'white girl.' Well instead of a boring definition, I'll list some popular characteristics. If you fall into a lot of these, you should evaluate your life and consider coming out to your parents as a white girl.

Some descriptions/facts/characteristics of White Girls:

•  Starbucks is like the God of Consumerism. If you have money, you go to Starbucks. If you are thirsty, or hungry, you go to Starbucks. If you are worried or stressed about life, you go to Starbucks. If you need to catch up with an old friend, you skip the crap and go to Starbucks. 
• A subset of this is that a white girl goes to Starbucks so much that the Baristas begin to not only recognize them, but their order as well. (You even begin to work in some discounts or, better yet, drinks on the house).
• Tweeting about your boyfriend problems isn't tacky; its encouraged. Please use as many "yous" and non-descriptive pronouns as possible. It heightens the angst for your audience.
• Know that everybody KNOWS who you're tweeting about.
• Keep tweeting about it.
• Instagramming in the middle of public is highly discouraged...unless of course you're at Starbucks. Then we all know you are trying to show off as well as look a bit artsy. It's okay. We all do it.
• Your favorite show should be somewhere in the realm of Gossip Girl, Gilmore Girls, or Revenge. Glee can count as well.
• If you're desperate for attention, the best way to get it is by tweeting something about how you love Chuck Bass and/or Blair Waldorf. 
• Army Pants and Flip Flops have never, are not, and will never be okay, no matter what the prime-ultimate-comedic film says
• Speaking of which, if Mean Girls comes on, you don't not watch it. There's no options.
• Sweatpants or Yogapants with Uggs is the ultimate "IDGAF" outfit.
• Your main concern is the weather so that, if it is anything but sunny and warm, you let all of your friends know through all forms of social media possible. 
• Having your own Summer Blog helps you get through the year.

Those are just a few of the things that make up being a White Girl.

And White Girl Wednesday is where you should take pride in being a white girl and flaunt all your qualities. So wake up! Tweet something angsty. Instagram that Starbucks. And above all else, live everyday like you are Blair Waldorf. Until you quickly come to the realization that you nor your non-existent boyfriend have the money to keep up with such habits where you should then take your problems to social media.

-Y@
Twitter
Tumblr

A girl and her gay

Every girl needs a gay best friend.  

A Damian to my Janice, a Brandon to my Olive, a Will to my Grace, a Kurt to my Rachel, and of course, an Anthony to my Charlotte.

Meet Wyatt.

Quite possibly the sassiest you'll ever meet.

*Warning* Wyatt will in no way sensor his thoughts.

Happy white girl wednesday from your favorite white girls!

Check back later for Wyatt's first post!

xox

Char

Instagram

Check out the instagram! 

 You know you want to!

xox

Char

Style (with a twist)

Yeah, so basically, I'm a walking accident. 

In the past year, I've worn two different slings, gone to three physical therapists, and had shoulder surgery.  Now, I am wearing a nice black ankle brace.  It's ridiculous how it happened, especially since I tripped and rolled over my ankle over absolutely nothing.  I swear, nothing can be blamed for my clumsiness.  (is that even a word? just go with it.)

So, for those of you who are as accident prone as myself, here are some pictures on how I've styled my many braces!

Love this picture because cheering was such a struggle but a good source

of entertainment!

black dress, black sling, what else do you need?

*Happy Birthday Wyatt*

 I could wear a button up, leggings, and boots everyday.

Day after surgery, on to the blue sling

Luke Bryan Concert

Because I'm obsessed with Garnet and the Gamecocks 

Long day of classes requires a big sweater 

First night of Lamp lighting for DZ!

Right now, it is super frustrating not being able to wear my boots especially since it's getting cold out.   I cannot wait to get out of this ankle brace!! 

xox 

Char