Step Sing anyone?

Alright, so who knows anything about Samford University's Step Sing CHAOS?? If you do, you will understand everything I am about to say. If you don't, here is a BRIEF summary. Words could never properly explain the true meaning and craziness of Step Sing. Step Sing is an annual competition between 10-13 organizations (it ranges each year depending on organizational status). Each organization (i.e. Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Pi Kappa Phi, Dudes a Plenty-independent men, Independent Ladies, etc) come up with a SECRET theme and then create a 6 minute production (dancing and singing) to compete with in front of 4 judges. Costumes, choreography, vocals, facials, energy and overall entertainment are only a few of the categories each organization is judged on. Competition gets CRAZY wild and the Sweepstakes trophy is a COVETED award on Samford's Campus. Ok, to try and explain the vastness of Step Sing a little more (my boyfriend could not grasp this concept), about 7,000 people travel to see this show (only 3 performances a year) and about 600 Samford students participate. Oh, and each organization can ONLY practice for 40 hours previous to the competition. If it is found out that you practiced more....you are fined a lot of money!

So, all that to be said, I participated in my last Step Sing this past weekend (which made me physically ill, but it was worth it). Chi Omega had a GREAT production: BATMAN. It was by far the funnest year. We had 5 villains in our production, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, Two Faced and the Joker and then, of course, Batman. A Sigma Chi and friend of many Chi O's gladly volunteered for the job :) He did great!! Our closing formation was that of a Bat, with the lights down and all of us with flashlights pointing up. I think that was the audience's favorite part. Unfortunately, we did not place this year (as usual) BUT we left it all on stage and performed our hearts out AND had fun in the process. Now, we all need to catch up on sleep....

Does your college/university have ANYTHING like this? If so, I hope you are involved. Such a great way to meet people and get close to those you may not know as well!!

Picture

Here is that picture I promised!!! I WANT ONE OF THESE!!!!

Ottomans

Latest and greatest decoration Mrs. Sheri has designed-the ottoman. She created and built a frame, made of wood, and has figured out how to cover with a fabric of your choice! She stuffs the top with cushion so that is it very comfy! It also has a removable top so that you can store things on the inside! :) It is so so precious. Looks great with a chair, couch, or could serve as seating space if your dorm is a little cramped (like mine was freshman year)!! I will try and post a picture but definitely visit our website www.dormsuitedorm.com to view all GREAT accessories we have to offer.

xoxo

Got to talk about the Saints, SORRY!

Ok, so if I haven't told you before, I am from New Orleans, LA. And, we do things really weird, crazy, awesome in NOLA....if you haven't been there, I would highly recommend going. Not even necessarily during Mardi Gras (though that is so fun), but maybe Jazz Fast (April/May), Voodoo Fest (October) or for the Sugar Bowl every January. Anyways, this season, (just in case you have been living under a rock), the New Orleans Saints are ROCKING IT OUT. Quick stats on the Saints:

-Founded in 1966
-We are rated FIRST in the NFC South right now!
-First ever NFL team to be 13-0 (HOPEFULLY we will be 14-0 in the next 30 minutes!!!)
-NEVER, ever, everrrrrrrrrrrrr, in Saints Franchise history, EVER, had this great of a season!!

Ok, so allll that said, I am freaking out right now watching Saints play the Cowboys. We always turn on the A-game in the 4th quarter when I am about to have a heart attack. This winning season has been SO GREAT for the city, giving hope and excitement to its people, and stimulating the economy and stirring up the pride that we have always had for The Crescent City but that has been somewhat dormant since Katrina. Louisianians have been going CRAZY with Saints jerseys, t-shirts, flags, magnets, cups, coozeys, pants, hats, signs, if you can put a fleur de lis and WHO DAT on it, they make it.

Also, for the record, WHO DAT, is our quick, proud chant which is short for:

WHO DAT? WHO DAT? WHO DAT SAY DEY GONA BEAT DEM SAINTS??

Laissez les bons temps roulez!!!!

Christmas Time is Here

Between final projects, papers, presentations, tests, exams and moving, I am just now getting to write another blog! The ends of semesters while in college are always, ALWAYS, insane. Professors cram assigning final projects, papers, etc to the last minute. Students cram doing the final projects, papers, etc to the last minute. Then come final exams. Then, most students pack to go home. Everyone gets overwhelmed with family and the year doesn't slow down until after New Years! Whew. I hope all of you finished strong, got good grades and are thoroughly enjoying your families, friends and relatives at home! Whatever you are doing this holiday (which for most of you should consist of 4-6 weeks OFF, YAY), I hope you soak up the time off of classes and ENJOY life :) For you freshmen, college only gets FASTER, so don't wish it away. For you sophomores, you are almost finished HALFWAY of your college education. For you juniors, this is the last "carefree" break you will have. And for you seniors, finish up the graduate school applications and job applications so that next semester, our FINAL semester of undergraduate, will be an EASY BREEZE!!

Everyone done Christmas shopping?? What all are you wanting for CHristmas?? I still have a few to get AH!!

Sorority Parties

Everyone knows one of the funnest parts of being a college student is all the parties we get to go to, especially if you are in a sorority or fraternity! This Saturday night is my formal (my last formal ever) and I am so excited. I love the opportunity to dress up and go out on a date! We are having it at Gabriella Manor. Apparently this place is awesome. Can't wait to check it out myself. Should be a really great time.

Any good parties this weekend? Where do ya'll have your formals? What has been your favorite party theme this year? I have gone to parties from White Trash to Chi O Casino! Loved them all but my favs have been Chi O Casino and White Carnation Ball.

Hold on...

Hold on guys. Keep pressing on. We are in our final stretch of Fall 2009 and though everyone is anxiously awaiting Thanksgiving next Thursday (YAY!) and Christmas in 5 1/2 weeks (no one is counting :/), we must press forward with the end of the semester! Going to class and doing work is the absolute hardest at this point because as college kids, we get tired. We get burnt out and tired of doing so much work for so long. But know, it is worth finishing STRONG until the very end. When high, good grades are returned and you can put an awesome GPA on your resume to make you MUCH MORE MARKETABLE (and get a job) in this jobless market, all your hard work will pay off. I know that hole "C's get degrees" motto. But I don't agree with it. Why not be the BEST you can? Why not challenge yourself to produce quality work and build a good reputation for yourself? I started feeling really burnt out this morning so I wanted to encourage ya'll to all focus on the finish line. Don't stop before it. You must finish the race WELL. Take each day at a time. One project, presentation and test at a time. Deep breaths, lots of red bull, coffee, monsters, stress food, and late night study buddies. Find those people who you can be productive with but will keep you company late into the night (or early in the morning if that's more your style).

One of the smartest and BEST things about college life is the LONG (NEEDED) Christmas break in between Fall and Spring. Keeping this in mind oftentimes helps me finish what I have to do!

Maybe a little realistic/thought-provoking quote is appropriate!

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.” - Louis L'Amour (1908–1988), American writer

Somewhat negative, but good to keep in mind and SO TRUE! I like to interpret it as there always being a new challenge to conquer!