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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

The art of Gameday Dresses

Gameday in the south is quite an event.
Whether you're tailgating in the frat lots or watching the parade of players into the stadium, eating your heart out or drinking it down, watching from the student section or on a small television hooked up to a generator, it's an experience to experience.

A girls biggest concern on a saturday morning is what to wear. Isn't that always a concern? 

Here at South Carolina, tradition is to wear black dresses and cowboy boots. Why, you may ask? Nobody actually knows.  At this point, I've been through about 5 black dresses, worn one twice, spilled god knows what on my cowboy boots, and scrubbed off too many tattoos from my face.

Sorry for the picture overload in advance...

 || Stacy ||

 || J.Schamay & Carol at UGA ||

|| Taylor & Jenny ||

 || Future roomies and Caroline's dad ||

|| Kaela, Caroline & Erin ||

My favorite dresses are from Hope's, Tobi, and J.Crew.

Any suggestions?

xox

Char

Just Say Yes

my current motto, because what's better than being able to say yes?

I'm quite the OCD control freak, so saying yes and just going with the flow is a very difficult task for me.  But I'm working on it, step by step, and I'm so happy I'm allowing the college experience to take me for ride!

Things that worked out because I said yes:

Roommate invited me to dinner? met a group of people I love

Professor wouldn't let me drop a class? learned I actually can speak french if I try

Said yes to try being friends with my ex?  realized I can take care of myself (I don't need no man)

Accepted a bid to a sorority? found a group of women that aren't petty, mean girls

Applied for freshmen council? asked back for the second round interview (fingers crossed!)

Invited on a spontaneous beach trip? spent the day with a siberian husky puppy

Everything is working out in its own way, even if it's not how I planned it.  I've honestly been so blessed with new people and new experiences in the past two weeks, I can't wait to see what the rest of the year has planned for me.

SO, all in all, just say yes. Try new things. Be spontaneous.
Put the OCD control freak away.

 || Brianne and I at a soccer game ||

 || Amazing new sisters on Bid day ||

  || Fellow new members, baby turtles ||

 || First frat party with my girls ||

 || Athena, aka the cutest husky puppy I've ever seen ||

What have you said yes to lately?

xox
Char

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All of a Sudden

This quote is all to real to me this past week.  Saying goodbye to my friends who left in early August seemed like no big deal, then it came my turn to leave home. Be a big girl, I told myself.  All of a sudden, I was saying goodbye to the most important people in my life and road tripping to South Carolina.  How is this even real?! Now I'm getting emails from professors, rushing in Greek Village, and walking everywhere, and I mean e v e r y w h e r e.  My feet are not happy with me after only one day of rush!

I can't believe I'm in college! This is just too weird. 

Any freshmen advice?!

xox

Char