Collegiate Fashion Inspiration

Images courtesy of Google

Okay, so my mom and I went to see The Five Year Engagement for $3 today and although the movie was just all right, Emily Blunt was my favorite part of the whole movie. Not only is she just eloquent and beautiful and British, I loved that she was an aspiring college professor and the clothing she wore! So now I'm pretty much obsessed with this movie just so I can copy the way Emily Blunt dresses. Yeah.

Gush

I don't normally gush. I'm not a gushy person. I sometimes fangirl. But it's usually for people I will never meet.

This was one of the most tender moments of my life. Scott was teaching my dad how to play "Free Fallin" on guitar. Today Scott was teaching me how to play guitar since it's on my bucket list. I've got a ways to go but taking a break to see Scott spend time with my dad like this just... I don't know... melted my heart. 

 It reminded me of the time he took care of me when I was too sick to move after my kidney stone surgery and how he fed my dog when he was acting super ridiculous. Scott got down on the floor and petted his head until Jet trusted him enough to eat out of his hand. Scott never lost his patience but just kept taking his time. People like that will good with kids.

I can be overbearing and selfish and stubborn and can really just want things to go my way but Scott sees through all of that and takes me for the Virginia Woolf-loving fool that I am. He knows about Clive and Vanessa Bell and Angelica and David Garnett and Duncan Grant. And all these other people that no one knows about but me. I realize that he takes care of me in ways that I am unable to return the favor. But I hope he knows that I love him very much and that it makes me cry in that oh-my-gosh-he's-such-a-good-person-I-don't deserve-him kind of way. 

Musical Obsessions

Santigold

First Aid Kit

Jack White

Key Tracks:

Disparate Youth--Santigold

Creator--Santigold

The Lion's Roar--First Aid Kit

Love Interruption--Jack White

Santigold is kind of like M.I.A. 2.0. She's funky, fresh, and funkyfresh. I can't help but want to dance with arms flailing freely. First Aid Kit is two Swedish sisters who sound like they live in the backwoods of South Carolina strumming on the strings. They are so mellow and contemplative. Jack White is so strange and Edgar Allan Poe-y and his melodies are just so hauntingly beautiful. I just wish I could jam with him one day. 

And of course...

Mr. Phillip Phillips

You can't make talent like that... you're just born with it. Phillip just keeps it real and even when Tommy Hilfiger tells him he needs to start dressing better, he shows up the next performance in a t-shirt and jeans. He had me at his very first audition of "Thriller" and I thought to myself, "I want that guy to win. I hope he makes it." I've never followed an American Idol contestant this closely EVER. Last year I didn't even watch it. And here he is in the final! Jessica Sanchez has got a set of lungs herself--and at age 16! But I really, really love Phillip. 

The Fruit of Our Labors

Today I went strawberry picking with my family at Huber's after an Indian food lunch and some errands. It was tons of fun and now I can mark #15 off my bucket list (and have photographic evidence)!

Just Like Rory

At 10AM, May 12, 2012 the KFC Yum! Center hosted the graduation for the class of 2012.

Sometimes I expect graduation to be like one of those poignant moments when a class speaker says something that strikes your heart so fiercely that you carry it with you for a lifetime; or you say goodbye to people who have shaped you; or maybe you are bestowed some sort of honor that changes your life forever. In some respect, all of this is true. But I guess it didn't take a university commencement for me to realize my poignant moments. The times respected professors have pulled for my success, written me letters of recommendation, called me their "protege," and complimented my ideas are the moments I see a future shining ahead. 

When I walked across the stage, I stuck my tongue out at the audience a la Rory in Gilmore Girls. My friend Sarah sent me a text saying, "I saw you pull a Rory as you walked across the stage." I responded with, "I felt the need to pay homage to my fictional inspiration." And she responded, "You paid it well."

Except I probably looked more like this...

Well, we can't all be perfect, now can we.

In all seriousness, you never know how you're going to turn out after college. It really changes you and hopefully for the better. I think about the sharing of poetry and music my freshman year, learning to deal with a broken heart and trusting my instincts, to keep pushing no matter how bad things got, giving my opinion even when I know it's unpopular, learning not to take myself or my professors too seriously (especially if they wear bow ties and argyle socks), and giving back to humanity in any way possible. 

The university certainly doesn't seem so big and scary anymore. Seeing people in their Master's hoods and being hooded for Ph.Ds gave my heart a sense of longing. I don't want to give this dream up. I saw their success and I knew how unfulfilled I would feel if it were something I didn't try. 

So, at least for the time being, I've signed onto another two-year journey and will hopefully reap the benefits it will bestow. I can only get out of it what I put in, so I want to go above and beyond the call of duty and be happy doing it. 

Cheers, Yum! Center. See you in 2014.

Around Campus

This Friday was the University Honors Convocation, so in addition to picking up my honors medal, cords, cap, and gown, I utilized the opportunity for a photo shoot! If you ever go to UofL, get in the honors program so you can work with Luke Buckman (above)! He won't steer you wrong.

Yeah, that's right. We've got the first and only cast-sculpture of Rodin's The Thinker, which can originally be found in Paris. The sculpture was first on display at the 1904 St. Louis World Fair. The University of Louisville decided to purchase the Thinker cast and built their campus on swampland instead of purchasing the more expensive land where Bellarmine University sits. 

I feel sort of like Rory when she gives that tour to a prospective student and she points out all the historical facts but all the girl wants to know about is partying and boys. 

5.10 But Not as Cute as Pushkin

So that sculpture in the first picture is in front of the library. It makes me cold every time I walk by it in the wintertime. Apparently, it was once naked but some prude students threw a fit and the university had a swimsuit painted on it. Not sure if that's true or not. Also, the picture of Suzette A. Henke is my idol and I'll be working for her next year as the Morton Chair assistant! My mom said one day I'd have my face on a banner like that. I can only dream.

This is where the magic happens.

I'll Have Another

On the Thursday before graduation, UofL had a Graduate Day at the Downs to celebrate the class of 2012. We were supposed to get in free and get $5 Derby Dollars. Well, they closed the website down early and I couldn't register. So needless to say, I had to pay to get in and had to bet all my own money. It was still worth it though. I tried to wear a sassy Southern lady hat but the wind was sort of against that idea.

Scott and I bet on three races and lost all of them. There's a reason I don't put faith in numbers.

Here's Scott before we left defeated.

Oh well, it was nice to finally go inside Churchill Downs, after having driven by it nearly every day for four years. Sometimes you've just gotta keep Louisville sassy in your Derby hat.

Kind of Like College

So, I graduated. And the whole thing was stressful, exhausting, and totally worth it. Kind of like college.

Me in my graduation dress.

Tassel Anticipation

This pic is of me from last Saturday after Scott's family's Derby party. I was feeling pretty classy in a simple black dress, coral necklace, and turquoise ring. What looks better in summer than coral and turquoise?

{dress & jacket: ae//jewelry: kohl's}

Sorry I've been on another blog hiatus but it seems like there's something about your last semester in college that kicks your butt in gear. You don't have anymore classes ahead or semesters to cushion your GPA. Thus, I spent most of my time doing a ridiculous amount of writing, reasoning, sleeping, working, and watching The Office and Downton Abbey for relief.

After a 41-page paper in my ridiculous history teacher's class, which was a 300-level, non-writing focused courses, I got an A. An almost impossible feat from RateMyProfessor.com's worst-ranked teacher EVER.

I'm trying to finish up cleaning our house to the bare bones, top to bottom. Both sets of grandparents are coming into town for my graduation in two days... which I imagine will infold something like Christmas Vacation of Sixteen Candles. Which by the way, if you've never seen them, go make your life better by renting them.

I'm looking forward to flipping that tassel so I can finally just say, "I graduated."