Love letter from my future

Today I got one of the best phone calls I think I've received in years.  I was accepted into the Communications Graduate Program at Virginia Tech. Even better than that, I was offered the position of Graduate Teaching Assistant which means I'll be teaching Public Speaking courses in return for a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend! I can hardly contain my excitement when I type this. I'll have to double check for typos. Part of me hasn't even realized this is true!

While I'm still waiting to hear from other schools, I'm so relieved to know that I have a great opportunity already for the fall and I don't need to worry too much over the next few weeks. Tech hadn't really been my top choice, but not because of the program. I had been really excited to move to a new, big city and do some exploring, but I think taking it one step at a time would do me some good, too. I can explore Blacksburg, make some money and find some awesome internships for the summers in between! Maybe in one of those big cities. :)

If you want to read about the program and what I *might* be doing (I haven't committed yet) here's a link to the site. While it's a general Communications program (compared to other PR & Advertising programs) there are some great classes pertaining to my career goals and many other interesting things I would love to take advantage of over the next few years.  Plus, teaching  (yes I said teaching!) public speaking will provide me with SO much extra experience and some skills that I wouldn't get in other programs around the country. I've taken that class here at Roanoke and know that it is one of those that has really taught me something. While it was hard and even scary at times, I am a much better speaker for it, and normal, everyday class presentations and speeches are no longer intimidating.  I hope I get the chance to make that impact on some young Hokies!

I'll keep you all posted on any news that comes about my future. Thank you all for your support and love as it has gotten me this close to graduation and what is sure to be an exciting future, no matter where I go.

Coming up next week is my trip to New Orleans to present my critical essay at the Sigma Tau International Convention. I will be blogging and snapping lots of pictures of the event and the city. I hope you have a great week!

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo...

This past weekend I traveled down to High Point, NC to see my boyfriend, Alex. He had a close track meet on Saturday so it was a great time to see him and see him run.  Sunday afternoon, we and two of his friends went to a natural science museum and zoo in Greensboro (only about a 25 minute drive).  I don't think four college students have ever had so much fun on a cold Sunday afternoon.

1-2. The weirdest monkeys ever. I think they're called gibbons. 3. An angry, pacing tiger. He never stood still. 4. A giant snake (reminded me of the one in Harry Potter 1!) 5. A loose turkey in the middle of mating season. He kept puffing himself up and I found it quite intimidating. 5. My silly boyfriend pretending to be a turtle...

After the zoo/museum, we found a nice diner and filled ourselves with eggs and pancakes (I'm always in the mood for breakfast, even at 5:30pm).

I hope you all had a relaxing weekend. Mine was just delightful :D

hearts or elephants

I'm not a big Valentine's Day person. I feel that's been said a lot today and I've decided you're usually one extreme or the other. You embrace and adore the day or you ignore it altogether. I just feel that we shouldn't have to be told one day a year to be nice to the people we love.

my new favorite piece of jewelry
from my new favorite online boutique
FrockStock

This is the only heart I wore today. I prefer my tiny elephant necklace and my purple elephant earrings that show not only who I am and what I love, but how amazing the man in my life is.  He knows not to waste time on flowers that die, or chocolate that I can buy myself. Instead, he finds those perfect, one-of-a-kind pieces that make me smile (okay, squeal) when I open it.

Moving on from this lovey-dovey day, I wanted to brag a little bit.  So far, I'm still right on track with my running goal and have missed only one day of my February fitness program. It's hard but so rewarding and I can already feel myself progressing.  I love having a regular workout and a way to out-do myself everyday.  As the Fab Ab Feb program ups the work out each day, it's always a challenge and it shows how easy it is to plateau and not push yourself.

Last week I found a new chocolate chip cookie recipe which I believe (with assurance from my roommates and my boyfriend) is much better than the Nestle Toll House recipe. (Sorry Nestle!)  It makes a lot of cookies, but I promise they'll go quickly. I used about half the chocolate chips and threw in a cup of Heath chips instead. Do you have other suggestions on how to mix up the regular chocolate chip cookie craze? Along with my continued baking obsession, my crafting as continued.  I am in the process of making a leather owl purse (inspired by this blog) and I made some fun reusable wine stoppers from wooden spools and yarn. They're super cute and quick to make. I think they would make good gifts for any wine-lovers.

That's all for today, but keep checking in. For fun daily updates and pictures follow me on Twitter!

Happy Tuesday! Oh fine, happy Valentine's Day!

February Photo Challenge

I've been tweeting this February Photo Challenge but I decided to post the first ones here, too. Take a look at my month so far!

1. My View Today (A gloomy day) 2. Words (on my kindle!) 3. Hands (Painted green and silver stripped. It just hit me right now that it's very Slytherin-esque.) 4. 10am (my adorable wake-up call on Sunday morning) 5. Dinner (mushroom and orzo) 6. Button (on my cute purple hair pin!)

I love Fridays

Cinnamon scone and hazelnut iced
coffee...yum!

I had a rough start this morning; waking up with a headache (especially one that isn't alcohol-induced) is never a good start. But after my morning coffee, I headed to work at the library and things got better. Friday mornings are a short shift for me and don't begin until 9:30, so that's always nice. I got to shelve periodicals today, which is insignificant to most people but it's my favorite task at work. There's not really a reason for it, but I just love it more than anything else. Then I went for a great run and completed day 3 of my Fab Ab February workout.  My two roommates and I have all started this and so far we love it. (Found on my Fitness Board on Pinterest).

After Pilates (best class ever!) I went to Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea to do some reading.  It's so good to have some cash again (today is payday) so I can treat myself to a quite infrequent trip to Mill Mountain.  I usually go a few times a month but haven't been since before Christmas!

Now I'm meal-planning and craft-planning for the weekend! I will have some great things to share as I'll be busy doing whatever I want! I have a pretty laid-back few days coming up and I plan to share lots with you.  I know I promised a blog about my vintage winning this past weekend.  It is long overdue but is on its way, I promise. In the meantime, here is the other great glass I painted that I had mentioned in my last blog.

Happy weekend!

PS: I got a Twitter account so you can follow me! I'll be posting pictures and fun things there, too!