Monday, August 20

Capital G Goals

It's senior year- it's time to get focused! After lots of deliberation, I've come to a list of 5 Goals (yeah- with a capital G) that I want to really stick with this year. I'm convinced I'll be a better person for it.



1. Keep up the good work. In high school I caught senoritis at the beginning of my junior year, and although I haven't traced any symptoms yet for this, my senior-est of senior years, I'm hoping to avoid the sickness altogether. So I'm repeating this motto to myself: Do it or don't do it. All or nothing.

2. Take way, way, way, way more pictures. Seriously. And now that I have a new, lighter camera (as I said in my last post, my trusty camera just broke my heart and died on me) I have no excuse to not carry a camera around wherever I go. No excuse!!

3. Watch less TV. I found myself hiding in my room a lot last year, mostly because I just hated the idea of putting on pants and shoes and a coat and walking somewhere in the cold. So I just cuddled in bed watching episodes of Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock instead. It was super fun, but then it got a little out of hand. I've decided to make up the difference by reading more instead. Let's give Amy Poehler a break and let my imagination entertain me instead.

4. Find my people. Okay, I'm going to confuse you a little bit. You know how I'm always talking about how awesome Stephens is and how much I love it here? That's so very, very true, but I've come to realize something over the past two years. Girls, whom I am 10000% surrounded by all the time, are the worst. But they are also the best. So I need to get over that fact and work on discovering friendships where I didn't realize they existed before. So far, after about four days of being on campus, I'm giving myself a huge pat on the back for already getting closer to several people I always wanted to know better.

5. Lose the cynicism, already. Yeah, okay, around here it's super cool to act super cool and be loud and funny and blunt, but it doesn't help me be a better, happier person. I want to challenge myself to see the good in people, to notice their small beauties and appreciate their personalities, and discover the comfort and joy in being nice. I would hardly say that I was ever a mean person, but I wouldn't think twice to throw out a critique here or there or pass a quick judgement- even if only in my own head. I understand that sometimes a person needs to be a little harsh, a little self-preservative, and a little jaded, but I think I'm done.

How does all that sound? Cause I think it sounds pretty good! Do you have a list? Send it over!! I'd love to hear about them.

love, rudi

Sunday, August 19


Welcome back to school everybody!

Back to school time is such a scary time for me- way scarier than when I say goodbye to friends at the end of the year. After spending a summer complaining that I'm bored you'd think I would be happy to get back to work, but the impending business is so intimidating! Maybe I'm just a worst case scenario person, but back to school doesn't trigger daydreams about fun parties and 'laughing it up with the girls'- I just realize how busy and tired and (thanks to the Missouri winters and so-called spring) cold I'm going to be for the next ten months. Am I a downer? Mmm...maybe.

I drove in to Columbia after three days of being on the road- after moving to NC the drive takes about 18 hours, and I split it up by visiting some of my favorite friends. At this point I'd like to throw out a huge "Thank You" to the universe for breaking my camera right before my trip, so naturally I don't have entertaining pictures of my adventures eating Carribean food with the Pushards or of me and the boyfriend laying in mountain valleys watching meteor showers. But I promise you, everyone looked attractive and happiness was spilling out of our eyes.

So coming into town wasn't the usual rush of adrenaline it usually is, so my momma flew in to help me settle back in, threw me a couple of really great pep talks (which my stepdad added heartily to over the phone) and made me feel 10000% more optimistic about the coming year. And another huge bonus was having lunch with Xander Kennedy, my favorite male in a 400 mile radius and the new soccer coach here at Stephens, and hanging out with recently-graduated love of my life Morgan Myers and her boyfriend Joel, my second favorite male in a 400 mile radius.

Can I tell you something? It has been my experience on this campus that, if you need help, call for it and it will come. And consider that an open invitation, freshman. If you need a mentor or advice- email me or Facebook me or whatever. I can always use a new friend.

love, rudi