So, usually I get a little upset when my school misspells my name,
in fact, I technically didn't even go to high school since I was registered as "Victoria Petery" instead of Victoria Petry,
but I have to say this mistake is pretty awesome:
I'm taking this as a sign.
love, rudi
Are you ready for a huge post? Here it comes! I hope you have 10 minutes!
As with many of you, most of my summer vacation thus far has been spent away from home. I've been living with my grandmother sine early June, with no computer (eek!) and barely any air conditioning (double eek!). It's been nice, though, almost entirely disconnecting myself from the outside world. It's sort of like Stephens' Vespers, except it's a month long instead of 15 minutes and I'm making a quilt instead of simply not chatting on my phone.
Oh yes, I said making a quilt. I am so ready for my costume class.
But I am at Granny's no longer! I was whisked away after a family reunion (I love our potlucks!) to one of my favorite towns ever-
( release the confetti!) Columbia, Missouri! (cheering crowds everywhere!)
Our trip was so much fun! Every time I visit (even though I've only been twice) has been an adventure in itself.
I'm gonna make this easy and list everything off. People don't read blogs to, well, read. They want pictures! I shall deliver!
1) My family (my three year old sister, step-father Ben, and mother) arrived at ten thirty P.M. after a 10 hour drive. We all felt like mud, but Ben and I decided it was necessary to get lost in the maze of off-ramps of Columbia while searching for a Chinese restaurant that was still open and willing to grill hibachi for us. We found one. Which was unreal. And delicious. Point One for Columbia.
I don't have a picture of the restaurant, but I do have a picture of this awesome dragon.
This is from Cool Stuff in downtown Columbia. I kind of want one for my dorm, even though it's the size of a goat and it's ferocious teeth would most likely give me nightmares.
2) I registered for my classes early in the morning, and I got my student ID!
3) I met with the blog people! The blog people being Sarah and Sara, two lovely ladies in body and mind on the Stephens staff, and one of my favorite people of late (and the man with all the answers) Xander. We talked and talked about none other than the blog you're currently reading! It's about to have a major makeover- I am so excited! I've always wanted to design a blog to be just how I want it to be, and now is my chance! I can't wait to see how pretty this thing turns out to be. Blogging here is something I'm seriously looking forward to. After chatting with the Sara(h)'s and Xander about the possibilities and plans, I've been fishing the internet for ideas and inspiration from other blogs. It's awful that I'm spending my summer on the computer so much- but duty calls!
4) I got the chance to show my step-dad around the campus- probably the only time he'll be able to see it until I graduate again thanks to his work schedule. He was impressed! He works in the prison system, so he was super happy about the great security at Stephens. He kept talking about it- and was doubly excited when he found out that the security center was located in the basement of my dorm! Point One for Stephens.
Speaking of my dorm- I totally love this picture of the outside of my building (my building!! AHH I'm so excited!). It captures some of the school's cuteness.
And here's a statue on campus outside the admissions building. I'm not sure what the story is, though... I'll have to find someone who knows what this lady is all about.
She looks like Pocahontas, which I'm totally digging. Point Two for Stephens.
5) After getting all my business at the school wrapped up and buying my required summer reading book (which is totally interesting, by the way. It's called "When Everything Changed" by Gail Collins), I played a game similar to speed-dating with the other soon-to-be freshmen so we could try to find a roommate. It was so much fun! I'm always so amazed at how interesting Stephens girls are. I haven't met a single person related to Stephens in some way that I haven't enjoyed talking to. Point Three for Stephens.
5) After my speed-meeting with the girls, the family and I explored downtown a little. We had some excellent Thai (can you tell we love Asian food?) and then enjoyed a hot box of custom made cookies from, naturally, HotBox Cookies.
I, and everyone else who's eaten there, highly recommend this place. I can't wait to waste all my food money on cookies.
Well you know the rest- I was sad to leave and sad to drive 10 hours back home. I was sad to arrive home at 6:30 in the morning, and after 16 hours of catching up on sleep, I was sad to not be in Columbia anymore....
But I am happy to tell you about my trip. :)
love, rudi
Whoa! I almost let this Sunday escape me!
I actually spent my day in Knoxville, Tennessee. My boyfriend's been in Paris for a while, and I surprised him at the airport! I picked some flowers for him on the way there.
I also ate some raspberry gelato- the best stuff in the world! Do you like my new beret? I felt awesome in it.
But in more important news:
STEPHENS SUNDAY!
1) I am officially one step closer to being at Stephens!!!
I TOTALLY graduated on Friday! It was fun times, and my entire family was there to see me!! I graduated Distinguished with High Honors- BUh-BAYUM!
My mom had this sign up in the yard when I came home. She lured me out there reluctantly to see it, "Rudi, honey, I need you to do some math for me..."
2) Remember that beret I had on earlier? I'm going to be able to wear my beret during class and I won't feel silly wearing it in town in Columbia. This should count as two reasons I love Stephens...I always feel so limited with what I wear at school and in Corbin. Around all those girls, especially since Stephens has a pretty awesome fashion department,and therefore fashion majors, 3) I'll be able to wear cute outfits to class and around campus without feeling completely out of place. I always want to wear heels around Corbin, but I feel snotty when everyone else is in pajama pants and flip flops.
4) A fresh start. At graduation I wasn't that sad (I told you I was worried about not crying! I had to force out a few drops...). I realized it's because I was never really connected to the people I went to high school with. Around here, there's not very many new kids- and I hadn't grown up here like everyone else. Not to mention I'm a theater girl in a football town. Not a perfect match, just in case you were wondering.
But at Stephens, everyone will be starting new, and I can feel it in my bones that college life will be what most Corbin people think of high school: The best four years of my life!
5) I don't know what spring in Missouri looks like, but I have seen photos of campus when it's warm, and it looks pretty. Of course later on, when I'm actually there to enjoy it, I'll take pictures of everything for you guys, but we'll have to wait a while until that day comes. Driving through the mountains today made me really excited about nature. I hope Missouri has something to compensate for my beautiful mountains...I'm going to miss them terribly.
I'd love to stay and chat, but it's way past my bedtime!
I'm going to forewarn you that I'm spending a month and my grandma's house, and I don't think she has internet in her new house yet...
I will try my best, however, to update when I get the chance to! I'll miss you all!
love, rudi
