The Freshman 15

Starting college, everyone warned me that I needed to beware of the "Freshman 15" - the inevitable idea that I would gain weight from endless eating at the buffet style dining halls, combined with lounging in my dorm doing absolutely nothing when I wasn't in class.

Well, I have news for whoever came up with that concept: clearly, they lived on a very small college campus. With my schedule, my classes are spread across our over 3-mile wide campus, and for fear of loosing my parking space in resident parking, I don't dare move my car. Therefore, I'm forced to walk everywhere.

I really am not complaining though. In my first week at UNT, I've lost almost 10 lbs, eating 3 full meals pretty much every day.

So, my Freshman 15 to share is a little more...metaphorical? In my first week, I've also noticed a TON of things that can go really well, or completely wrong. Being the Nosy Nancy that I am, I have inevitably become everyone's go to for advice, despite the fact that I'm as fresh faced to all of this as the next struggling freshman. But, all in all, I think this advice pretty much sums up my first week of college.

Holly's Freshman 15 - Tips to surviving your first week of college.

1. Reconnect with your orientation friends before move in day. Facebook, Twitter, school app, whatever you need to do. If you're like me, or even if you're not, you want to have a good base of friends to start the year off with.

2. You don't need to take your entire room to college. Most dorm residents will tell you that you do not need every playoffs tee shirt and stuffed animal you've collected over the years. But really. I will be the first person to admit I have a LOT of stuff. But I left most of it at home because I know I'll be going home, at least once a month, and frankly, I'd like to feel at home in my house. And I want to have something to wear besides yoga pants and tanks.

My first dorm!

3. Go out to lunch/dinner with your parents/friends that help you move in. I know it seems like an obvious idea, but I'm so glad I did because it wasn't until then that I realized how freaked out I was about being ditched at a campus of 36,000 students.

4. Silence is not your friend. My first night in the dorm, my Orientation BFF Morgan and I started a game of charades with some people in our lounge (only because the TV was taken by a single girl watching NASCAR, but still). This was, inevitably, the best decision I have made thus far. That night, I made SO many friends in my hall, and met people from other halls who had HEARD about the charades game and came over just to play.

5. Don't be afraid to start something new. The second day in our dorm, none of my friends had any idea what to do. We'd gone to Walmart that morning, and I'd purchased a 6-pack of "college classics" DVDs, so, being the creative soul that I am, I suggested we watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off in our lounge. Sure enough, more people joined in, and even an RA congratulated me on being able to bring people together for something so simple.

6. Compare schedules. It may seem a little middle school, but this will be your saving grace come the first day of classes and you're scrambling to find someone to sit next to you. It also saves you the cliche "OMG, I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE TAKING *insert basic freshman class here.*"

7. Find your classes before the first day. Really. Do this. I am telling you right now, if you don't do this, you will be that awkward kid that walks in 30 mins late and makes the professor go over his spiel about the syllabus all over again.

A little discovery made while trying to find my classes in the Environmental Science Building. 

8. Participate in orientation week activities. UNT had some pretty awesome "First Flight Week" events, including a movie night on the library mall. But be warned, get to these events early. Often times, the events offering free food and tee shirts have lines around the block before most people have a chance to make their way across campus. (Also on this note - take advantage of the resources you're paying for with your tuition; rec center, free library printing, and tutoring.)

9. Listen to your professors the first day. Often times, they will flat out tell you their teaching style, and what you can do to pass the class or even get an A. My history professor basically told me if I didn't write down everything he said, I would fail. Which is why I am currently blogging before his class starts, with Evernote up and ready.

10. Get in cars and go places. Or on busses, trains, trolleys, etc. Someone's going to the local mall? Go. 3 AM trip to IHOP? Go. Heard there's a good coffee shop on the square? GO. Literally. Just go. I have had so many random people in my car this last week, just by saying I'm going somewhere and they ask to tag along. These people have become some really good friends of mine, purely because we share the experience of a 9 AM venture to Walmart.

11. It's okay if you don't look like a supermodel every day of class. It's college. Most people consider yoga pants and a workout shirt the height of 8 AM class fashion. My roommate doesn't have classes on the days I have my 8 AM's, so I've been trying to be as low maintenance as possible those mornings, with minimal blow drying. Also, if it comes down to eating a good meal or being good looking for the day, go with the food. Trust me, your classmates will be thanking you when your not that kid with the stomach heard around the world.

12. Call your mom. Or your dad. Seriously. I didn't realize until probably Saturday, when I finally went home for Le Boyfriend's birthday, how much my mom and dad actually missed me. They will appreciate your call. I promise.

Funny little pic my mom sent me the day before moving.

13. Now is the time to be yourself. In high school, I was always one of those kids that adapted to their surroundings by changing my style, attitude and dialect based on who I was hanging out with. My Mad Men dresses went untouched, my attitude was very "unless it's DECA, I don't care," and I dumbed down my vocabulary because, frankly, I took on level classes because I REALLY didn't want to think about chemistry while running for national office. Now, I'm taking classes that are challenging, I actually care about what's going on at school, and I'm definitely channeling my inner Joan Holloway/Betty Draper.

14. Invest in recording software/a recorder. There are going to be days where you don't feel like paying attention in class. I've already had one, and I'm so grateful for Evernote's recording software. If you're having a super ADD day, turn on the software and zone out. Just make sure you go back and take notes when you're a little more focused.

15. Come prepared to work. I spent the majority of my senior year focused on DECA, so I took it SUPER easy on my classes, with very minimal out of class work. I came to college with the assumption that I was going to work hella harder, and I'm already realizing I was right. Pack 10 spirals, pre-purchase all your textbooks, do whatever you need to do to feel over-prepared, because the first day of class, you will STILL feel underprepared.

My first week of freshman year was crazy, fun, stressful, hurried, but overall college has been and continues to be one of the best experiences of my life so far. With some of my best friends entering college shortly behind me, I hope that some of this advice helps them, and others, in the beginning of their journey through college.

Love,
Holly

The Rest is Still Unwritten

I never really understood what Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten" meant until this week. After a year of dedicating myself 24/7 to a single entity known as DECA, I realized this week that I'm staring at the back end of only a few chapters of my life, with so many more blank pages to go.

Last October, I attended the Texas DECA State Board meeting to gain approval to run for National DECA President. Over the summer, after watching our former State President, Jordan, serve members in his title of Southern Region Vice President, I decided I wanted to give back to an organization that has given me so many opportunities over the last 3 years. And, by the grace of God, I was approved.

National DECA is presided over by five national officers - President, and four regional Vice Presidents - as well as DECA Inc., the adult staff in Reston, Virginia. Originally, I considered running for SRVP, like Jordan. But then I realized something - I had the strengths it took to be National President. As a Chapter and State Officer, I was already advocating to law makers, speaking publicly about what amazing work DECA does, and working with Association Officers from all around the world, so why shouldn't I apply those skills to help the National level of an organization that has given me so much?

Fast forward a few months, and my platform, "Create Connections" was coined. I had my basic outline, my plans, and I knew what I wanted to giveaway. As a delegate at ICDC 2012, I knew how much useless stuff I got that gave me absolutely no information about the candidates other than that they could smile for a camera. Around Christmas break, I really began to examine my motives as to why I wanted to run for National Office. What could I do for the organization? Why should delegates vote for me, as opposed to the other (6, I discovered) candidates? All of the answers to these questions raced through my head as myself and my team prepared for State in February. 

Myself and my team (VP Scott, President Kate, Sgt. Caleb) with CEO of Tri Leadership Resources and one of my heroes, Ryan Underwood.

One of my favorite pictures from state - with our former State President and Southern Region Vice President (National Officer) Jordan (Jay) Robinson, who also happens to be one of my best friends.

State was the kick off point. My time as a State Officer was coming to an end, and I bawled with my team backstage as we said our final farewells to an association that has pretty much been our lives for the last year. Before then, it didn't feel real. Telling people "Oh, yeah, I'm running for National Office" didn't seem signifigant until there were meer weeks left. Then, I went into panic mode. It didn't really hit me until the week after SCDC, when I was taking my officer exam and sending off my application, that this was it. This is what I'd been preparing for since last summer.

I flew out to Orange County a few days before my team with my mom, and we stayed in Huntington Beach, right on the water.

I firmly believe in always traveling looking presentable. The better you look, the better you get treated.

The Saturday I left was also my 6 month-aversary with The Boy, Adam.

We were able to do all the things that everyone else wanted to do on the trip, before my teammates and chapter members got out to LA.

Chillin with my homegirl Merida at Disneyland

I got the weirdest looks for wearing these around the park. I mean the glasses. Not the pants.

After spending the morning at Disney, we spend the afternoon at the beach!

But when my team got in town, the real work started. Wednesday, I went in for my candidate interview with the nominating committee. I could not schedule caucus (meetings with the voting delegates from each state) appointments until I was announced as an "official candidate" that afternoon, following my interview. As soon as 3 PM hit and I was official, we were scheduling caucuses and driving from hotel to hotel to meet with each delegation.

Three days, ten hours of combined sleep and 48 (yes, 48, a record I tied for with another candidate, Ryan Mayfield) caucuses later, I finally sat down with the rest of my running mates for the voting session Saturday morning.

If there is one thing I can say about DECA members, it's that no matter whether we're competing against each other, trying to win something, or just hanging out, we are all incredibly supportive of each other. So when we exited the voting session so the delegates could cast their votes, it was one more reassurance that I was in the right organization when every candidate, for every office, all huddled up and repeatedly screamed "DECA LOVE" at the top of our lungs. I kid you not.

If those delegates had seen the amount of love the 20 of us had for each other, they would have cried.

The one piece of advice Morgan Thompson, the 2012-2013 National DECA President, offered us at orientation was that once the voting session was over, we needed to begin mentally preparing ourselves to loose. However morbid this may sound, I think in the end it better prepared me for the final outcome of the election. I started thinking of what I would do if I loose - what my plans would be for the summer, for next year. Florida with The Boy. Getting a part time job. Finishing my novel. UNT in the fall with SRVP Jordan. Didn't sound to bad for me. So when I sat down at the Grande Awards Session Saturday night, I was prepared for whatever the outcome - whether they called my name or not, I knew what I was going to do.

When the end of the awards session came, and the current National Officers began to give their farewell speeches, I literally thought my heart was going to rip out of my chest. With my mom sitting on one side, and Caleb, my campaign manager, sitting on the other, I felt surrounded by people I cared about, but I was still totally nervous.

Let's just take a moment to appreciate this friendship. Sgt. Caleb and Reporter Holly, best duo DECA has ever seen!

One by one, the positions were announced. Western Region, Trevor Dickerson. Southern Region, Lexy Parsons. Central Region, Connor Brashear. North Atlantic Region, Jack Fenton (whom, I might add, makes this the first International Officer Team, as he is from Ontario). Finally, it was president. My heart pounding, hands shaking, I stood up, ready for anything. "And the leader you have chosen as your next National DECA President is....

Carter Christensen." 

I literally felt my heart drop. I looked at my team, and they were all shocked. I looked back at my chapter, and they were near tears. So I did the only thing I could. I clapped. I clapped, and screamed, grabbed my backpack and walked towards the throng of people in the front and hugged the new National Officers, my friends, as they filed off stage, on their way to take pictures. Looking back, I feel really bad for the voting delegates, because there were 7 incredibly qualified candidates running for National President this year, and to choose just one to lead the organization must have been a heart wrenching decision. 

I'd made the final four in a run off. I'd set records, made so many friends, and decided I was going to move in with Wisconsin DECA (who was, I have to say, one of my favorite caucuses). Sure, going back to the hotel, I cried. A lot. I'd spent the last year or so preparing for this one moment, and I'd lost. But I'd lost to someone worthy. I'd lost to someone I know, I have no doubts, will lead the organization into a more connected, more public future. 

The 2013-2014 National Officer Team

At the state meeting, I was asked to give a speech in front of the Texas Delegation in attendance. And through my sobs, I managed to tell them my DECA journey was far from being over. No one is getting rid of me that easily. In the fall, I fully intend on helping Texas DECA expand their collegiate membership, as well as continuing their efforts to build a strong Alumni sector. At UNT, if he's not to burned out on DECA, I'll work with Jordan and a few chapter members to start a new collegiate chapter.

I may have lost this round, but I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, even if we don't understand it. To me, this loss means that there are bigger and better things waiting around the corner for me. So it's time to take the next step, start a new chapter, and see what else this book that I call life has in store for me. 

I can feel it

Just one month till school starts. One month, and so much to do!

I'm currently enrolled in French II and PE online, and I've literally done one lesson out of the two semesters worth of classes I need to take. These, along with my online Econ class I plan on enrolling in, will allow me to be at the district Technology Center all day, rather than my home high school.

I praise Jesus for letting that happen. Seriously. But I can feel school slowly closing in on me. Between now and the 27th of August, I've got DECA trips, Fish Camp (Freshman Orientation, for which I am one of the couselors), work, work, and oh, more work.

As I'm writing things down in my (brand new, Lilly Pulitzer) agenda, I'm literally just sitting there going "OH MY GOD I HAVE NO TIME."

Yes. You heard me right. My mother, or as I like to call her, Master Planner, after hearing my comment about Carly from The College Prepster having the cutest Lilly Pulitzer agenda, bought me one. I use my iCalendar for almost everything, but this is great for times where I'm on the phone, or want to have something open with my dates while checking my email.

August so far. Note that no work days have been added yet.

My personal favorite part of the agenda-STICKERS.

I had a heart attack looking at those three weeks in September. This is what I get for being homecoming chair!

There are moments where I regret taking so much on-when I miss events with friends or have to reschedule plans. But then I remember that it's what's going to get me places in life.

Speaking of life, I've had a recent development. I got-get this-a puppy!

One of my Faire Family members and her mother found a brother and sister schnauzer pair running across a major street near their house before a party they were hosting for July Birthdays  (IE, mine).

Everyone say hello to Lacey!

I took home the sister, and my parents are still hesitant about her, but I've been taking care of her while I'm at home (which is in the three hours I'm awake before work, and the three after). She's currently laying next to me on my bed, belly up with her feet straight in the air. I was told by a friend at the party that she is me in dog form. I sincerely hope I don't look like that when I'm asleep.

Things are about to get fun again around here. Sunday, myself and the rest of the Texas State Officers are going to the Rangers game, before we leave for the Emerging Leader Summit in LA Monday. Part of me is super excited to go back home to LA, but another is super sad because I won't be seeing any family or friends while I'm out there.

I have a round of back to school outfits I'll be posting pretty soon-when Mom and I went shopping we did a round of back to school stuff too.

PS: What do you guys think about the new layout? I find it quite fetching, if I do say so myself.

Till then, toodles,

Holly

Stop the World

As if I can't say it enough, life has become insane!

I've literally worked almost every day I've been in town since the beginning of June-I'm beginning to think I'll never get the smell of BBQ out of my clothes.

But I am finding a little more free time. I got about 4,000 words into my book that started as a NaNoWriMo (that's National Novel Writing Month for you non-nerds) project a while back when I hit an inspirational spike last night while closing up at work. Yay for having mind numbing tasks where you can think about other things!

In short, the book is about a school for girls with special powers (yes, similar to X-Men), which has to make some serious changes when their all male brother school burns down and they have to house the boys for a year.

I always picture the clique from the early seasons of Gossip Girl when I'm working on it.

It's been a pet project since I was 12, originally a short story, but it's since expanded to this crazyness that's barely 3 chapters in and over 12,000 words long.

I'm also trying to find a way to start getting really into my summer school classes. With the way my schedule worked for this upcoming year (Seniors '13, woot woot!), I'll be at our local Technology Center all day, rather than my home campus, so I'm trying to find a way to fit in all the classes I still need before graduation. At the moment, I'm in the middle of a ridiculously hard online PE class (my Travel Tourism class counted for one semester, now I'm just trying to get the second semester done without getting gross in public) and have yet to start my online French II course, both provided by Texas Tech ISD-two things I never thought I'd see together; my name with any Texas school.

I did recently stumble across an adorable site/blog called College Prep, and it's not what you might necessarily think. It's actually this really cute blog run by a college girl named Carly who seems to be as pearl obsessed as I am! I love finding people who manage to be awesomely smart and stylish at the same time. I'm adoring her use of Lily Pulitzer sticky notes and Kate Spade agendas-if all my paychecks weren't already being allocated towards DECA, I might invest in both!

Carly's super cute agenda. I have a similar one from Walmart in Tiffany Blue.

But alas, I'm sticking to being a high school recessionista. I will always love my designers, but for now it's Dollar Tree and Walgreens for me as far as school supplies go.

I'm also managing to catch up on my TV shows while cleaning. I'm on Season 5 of Eureka, Season 2 of Game of Thrones, and Season 5 of Mad Men. I'm still trying to catch up on Degrassi, but I can't get myself to sit down and actually watch. I know, a former Degrassi Die Hard, saying she can't watch Degrassi. I'm just having issues loving any of the plotlines in the later bits of this last season-Dave kind of annoys me, Clare/Eli have gone a bit stale, and Fiona needs to go back to curly hair!

That's all for now, I think. I'll probably do another post tonight about my recent Leadership Retreat with the officers of Texas DECA, but for now, I've gotta go get ready for another rousing night of serving BBQ to crying children and elderly couples.

Toodles,

Holly